Fuzzy numbers represent ambiguous numeric values; therefore, it is difficult to rank them according to their magnitude. In making decisions, it is important to rank the fuzzy numbers. Since fuzzy numbers in a fuzzy environment often measure alternatives, a comparison of these fuzzy numbers is, in fact, a comparison of alternatives. There are a lot of different types of methods for ranking fuzzy numbers that exist in the literature. Still, there is no single method superior to all others regarding discrimination and consistency. This paper proposes a method for ranking fuzzy numbers with a unified integral value that multiplies two discriminatory components, the mode area integral and a linear sum of the absolute values of the integrals of the left and the right limits of alpha-cut of the normalized form of a fuzzy number. The method can rank two or more fuzzy numbers simultaneously, regardless of their linear or nonlinear membership functions. Furthermore, the unified integral value consistently ranks fuzzy numbers and their images and symmetric fuzzy numbers with the same altitude. Various types of fuzzy numbers are used in examples for comparative studies and investigations.

The field of photodynamic therapy (PDT) has continued to show promise as a potential method for treating tumors. In this work a photosensitizer (PS) has been delivered to cancer cell lines for PDT by incorporation into the metal-organic framework (MOF) as an organic linker. By functionalizing the surface of MOF nanoparticles with maltotriose the PS can efficiently target cancer cells with preferential uptake into pancreatic and breast cancer cell lines. Effective targeting overcomes some current problems with PDT including long-term photosensitivity and tumor specificity. Developing a PS with optimal absorption and stability is one of the foremost challenges in PDT and the synthesis of a chlorin which is activated by long-wavelength light and is resistant to photo-bleaching is described. This chlorin-based MOF shows anti-cancer ability several times higher than that of porphyrin-based MOFs with little toxicity to normal cell lines and no dark toxicity.

Seismic vulnerability and its evaluation are a critical issue involving various parameters of structural safety. Various types of vulnerability index method and assessment procedures have been identified by various researchers across the world. This paper summarizes the seismic vulnerability assessment methodology for various typology of buildings. Various rapid visual screening methodologies used in the country have been also reviewed. Various parameters such as number of stories, materials of construction its impact on vulnerability have been discussed. The development of new vulnerability assessment methodology has been described. In few literature paper, retrofit solutions have been discussed for most vulnerable buildings.

Background and Aims: Severity of symptomatic carotid stenosis often determines the treatment approach. However, severity explains only the regional hypoperfusion as the mechanism of cerebral ischemia. Artery-to-artery embolisation remains an important pathogenic mechanism in patients with high-risk carotid plaques. Inflammation is considered as the initiating event for plaque rupture and cerebral embolism. Using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET)/computed tomography (CT) and high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI), we investigated the role of plaque imaging in stroke recurrence in our patients with recently symptomatic carotid stenosis. Methods: This prospective study included consecutive patients within 30-days of recent stroke and ipsilateral carotid stenosis (≥50%). FDG uptake was quantified as mean standardized uptake values (SUV, g/ml). The ratio of T1 hyperintensity of carotid plaque to the ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) was recorded on T1-weighted fat suppressed HR-MRI. Patients were followed-up for stroke recurrence within 90-days. Results: Of the 115 patients included in the study, 17 (15%) suffered from recurrent cerebral ischemic event in the stenosed carotid territory within 90-days. Compared to patients who remained asymptomatic, patients with recurrent cerebral ischemia showed higher mean T1 carotid-SCM ratio (2.19 versus 1.38; p<0.0001) and higher mean SUV value in the carotid plaque (3.04g/ml versus 1.25g/ml; p<0.0001). Higher T1 carotid-SCM ratio on HR-MRI (OR 3.215, 95%CI 1.304-5.927; p<0.0001) and higher mean SUV on FDG-PET (OR 3.601, 95%CI 2.924-7.628; p=0.005) were independent predictors of recurrent cerebral ischemia. Conclusions: FDG-PET/CT and HR-MRI of carotid stenosis are useful tools for risk stratification and may aid in better therapeutic decision-making.

Nitrophenols (NPs) and related derivatives are industrially important chemicals, used notably to synthesize pharmaceuticals, insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides. However, NPs and their metabolites are highly toxic and mutagenic. They pose a serious threat to human health and ecosystem. Current work was undertaken to develop a suitable visible-light active catalyst for the sustainable and efficient mineralization of NPs in an aqueous environment. Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCs)-based nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide and carbonaceous material (N-TiO2/C) was synthesized by pyrolysis and sol-gel methods using NCs, polydopamine, and TiO2. The synthesized N-TiO2/C was characterized using different analytical techniques. Photocatalytic degradation of NPs under visible light indicated that acidic pH (3) was most suitable for the optimal degradation. 4-NP degradation followed both pseudo-first-order (R2 = 0.9985) and Langmuir-Hinshelwood adsorption kinetic models (adsorption constant, KLH = 1.13 L mg-1). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and ion chromatography analysis confirmed the total mineralization of 4-NP into smaller molecular fragments such as acids, alcohols, and nitrates. The total organic carbon showed that 67% of total carbon present in 4-NP was mineralized into CO2 and CO. The catalyst was recycled for five consecutive cycles without losing its catalytic activities. The degradation mechanism of NPs with N-TiO2/C was also explored.

Carbon fiber reinforced carboxymethyl cellulose-hydroxyapatite ternary composites have been synthesized by a simple wet precipitation method for weight bearing orthopedic application. Composites were synthesized with the incorporation of chemically functionalized carbon fibers. The functional groups onto the surface of fibers induced the formation of hydroxyapatite at the bridging position through which fibers were effectively bound with matrix. Consequently, the flexural strength and compressive strength of composite have reached to 140 MPa and 118 MPa, respectively. The flexural modulus of the composite is in the range of 9-22 GPa. In-vitro cell study showed that the composite possesses excellent cell proliferation and differentiation ability. With these excellent mechanical and biological properties, synthesized composite exhibits potential to be used as a mechanically compatible bioactive bone graft.

Background: Breast carcinoma is the most frequent malignant tumor in women accounting for approximately 15% of female cancer deaths. It is the second most common malignancy among women in Nepal. Our objectives were to study the extent and spread of different histological types breast carcinoma in the eastern region of Nepal, to grade and stage the tumors, score the prognosis.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of mastectomy specimens with axillary lymph node sampling was done for a period of two years. Diagnosis was done using WHO classification. Modified Bloom Richardson score and TNM system was used to grade and stage the tumors. Nottingham Prognostic index was applied to score the prognosis.Results: Out of 31 total cases, the most common histologic type was Invasive Carcinoma of No Special Type (67.74%). The largest tumor size was of 12cm which had poor NPI score. Most tumors were of grade II and T2. Out of 30 cases with lymph nodes, 13 were negative for metastasis pN0, 10 were pN1 and 7 were pN2. Extranodal spread was observed in 6 out of 17 cases with lymph node metastasis and was associated with higher grades and poor prognosis.Conclusion: Higher grade tumors, lymph node metastasis and extranodal extension are associated with higher Nottingham Prognostic Index score.

Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (CT) is better than chest X-rays but is non-specific. Accuracy is improved with positron emission tomography (PET), at a cost of additional radiation. We had previously reported on simulated low-dose PET imaging and demonstrated that 10x106 net true counts is sufficient to generate images with acceptable diagnostic quality. We now hypothesize that we can maintain image quality with a 92% reduction of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) tracer activity from 6 mCi to 0.5 mCi.