A genetic algorithm for the partial binary constraint satisfaction problem: an application to a frequency assignment problem

We describe a genetic algorithm for the partial constraint satisfaction problem. The typical elements of a genetic algorithm, selection, mutation and cross-over, are filled in with combinatorial ideas. For instance, cross-over of two solutions is performed by taking the one or two domain elements in the solutions of each of the variables as the complete domain of the variable. Then a branch-and-bound method is used for solving this small instance. When tested on a class of frequency assignment problems this genetic algorithm produced the best known solutions for all test problems. This feeds the idea that combinatorial ideas may well be useful in genetic algorithms.Economics ;

An approach to graph-based analysis of textual documents

In this paper a new graph-based model is proposed for the representation of textual documents. Graph-structures are obtained from textual documents by making use of the well-known Part-Of-Speech (POS) tagging technique. More specifically, a simple rule-based (re) classifier is used to map each tag onto graph vertices and edges. As a result, a decomposition of textual documents is obtained where tokens are automatically parsed and attached to either a vertex or an edge. It is shown how textual documents can be aggregated through their graph-structures and finally, it is shown how vertex-ranking methods can be used to find relevant tokens.(1)

Current evidence for treatment with nusinersen for spinal muscular atrophy : a systematic review

Recent discovery of nusinersen, an antisense oligonucleotide drug, has provided encouragement for improving treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. No therapeutic options currently exist for this autosomal recessive motor neuron disorder. Nusinersen is developed for intrathecal use and binds to a specific sequence within the survival motor neuron 2 pre-messenger RNA, modifying the splicing process to promote expression of full-length survival motor neuron protein. We performed a MEDLINE and CENTRAL search to investigate the current evidence for treatment with nusinersen in patients with spinal muscular atrophy. Four papers were withheld, including two phase-3 randomized controlled trials, one phase-2 open-label clinical trial and one phase-1 open-label clinical trial. Outcome measures concerned improvement in motor function and milestones, as well as event-free survival and survival. Results of these trials are hopeful with significant and clinically meaningful improvement due to treatment with intrathecal nusinersen in patients with early- and later-onset spinal muscular atrophy, although this does not restore age-appropriate function. Intrathecal nusinersen has acceptable safety and tolerability. Further trials regarding long-term effects and safety aspects as well as trials including broader spinal muscular atrophy and age categories are required and ongoing

Approximation solutions for indifference pricing under general utility functions

With the aid of Taylor-based approximations, this paper presents results for pricing insurance contracts by using indifference pricing under general utility functions. We discuss the connection between the resulting "theoretical" indifference prices and the pricing rule-of-thumb that practitioners use: Best Estimate plus a "Market Value Margin". Furthermore, we compare our approximations to known analytical results for exponential and power utility

The Tension Between Privacy and Security

A Review of President’s Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies, Liberty and Security in a Changing World, 2013 and United Nations Office of the High Commissioner, Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Privacy, Joseph A. Cannataci, 2016