Louisiana State University

About: Louisiana State University is a education organization based out in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 40206 authors who have published 76587 publications receiving 2566076 citations. The organization is also known as: LSU & Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College.

A Sensitivity Analysis Approach for Some Deterministic Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods*

Abstract: Often data in multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problems are imprecise and changeable. Therefore, an important step in many applications of MCDM is to perform a sensitivity analysis on the input data. This paper presents a methodology for performing a sensitivity analysis on the weights of the decision criteria and the performance values of the alternatives expressed in terms of the decision criteria. The proposed methodology is demonstrated on three widely used decision methods. These are the weighted sum model (WSM), the weighted product model (WPM), and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). This paper formalizes a number of important issues on sensitivity analysis and derives some critical theoretical results. Also, a number of illustrative examples and computational experiments further illustrate the application of the proposed methodology.

MELAS: Clinical features, biochemistry, and molecular genetics

Abstract: We studied 23 patients with clinically defined mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), 25 oligosymptomatic or asymptomatic maternal relatives, and 50 mitochondrial disease control subjects for the presence of a previously reported heteroplasmic point mutation at nt 3,243 in the transfer RNA(Leu(UUR)) gene of mitochondrial DNA. We found a high concordance between clinical diagnosis of MELAS and transfer RNA(Leu(UUR)) mutation, which was present in 21 of the 23 patients with MELAS, all 11 oligosymptomatic and 12 of 14 asymptomatic relatives, but in only five of 50 patients without MELAS. The proportion of mutant genomes in muscle ranged from 56 to 95% and was significantly higher in the patients with MELAS than in their oligosymptomatic or asymptomatic relatives. In subjects in whom both muscle and blood were studied, the percentage of mutations was significantly lower in blood and was not detected in three of 12 asymptomatic relatives. The activities of complexes I + III, II + III, and IV were decreased in muscle biopsies harboring the mutation, but there was no clear correlation between percentage of mutant mitochondrial DNAs and severity of the biochemical defect.

Bacterial translocation from the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: Bacterial translocation is defined as the passage of viable bacteria from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to extraintestinal sites, such as the mesenteric lymph node complex (MLN), liver, spleen, kidney, and bloodstream. The three primary mechanisms promoting bacterial translocation in animal models are identified as: (a) disruption of the ecologic GI equilibrium to allow intestinal bacterial overgrowth, (b) increased permeability of the intestinal mucosal barrier, and (c) deficiencies in host immune defenses. These mechanisms can act in concert to promote synergistically the systemic spread of indigenous translocating bacteria to cause lethal sepsis. In animal models in which the intestinal barrier is not physically damaged, indigenous bacteria translocate by an intracellular route through the epithelial cells lining the intestines and then travel via the lymph to the MLN. In animal models exhibiting damage to the mucosal epithelium, indigenous bacteria translocate intercellularly between the epithelial cells to directly access the blood. Indigenous GI bacteria have been cultured directly from the MLN of various types of patients. Thus, evidence is accumulating that translocation of indigenous bacteria from the GI tract is an important early step in the pathogenesis of opportunistic infections originating from the GI tract.

Rationally designed micropores within a metal-organic framework for selective sorption of gas molecules.

Abstract: A microporous metal−organic framework, MOF, Cu(FMA)(4,4'-Bpe)0.5 (3a, FMA = fumarate; 4,4'-Bpe = 4,4’-Bpe = trans-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene) was rationally designed from a primitive cubic net whose pores are tuned by double framework interpenetration. With pore cavities of about 3.6 A, which are interconnected by pore windows of 2.0 × 3.2 A, 3a shows highly selective sorption behaviors of gas molecules.