Identifying clusters of anomalous payments in the salvadorian payment system

We develop an unsupervised methodology to group payments and identify possible anomalies. With our methodology, we identify clusters based on a set of network features, using transactional (unlabeled) information from a systemically important payment system of El Salvador. We first preprocess network features, such as degree and strength, through a principal components analysis we reduce the dimensionality of the newly defined data, then we place the main variables into clustering algorithms (k-means and DBSCAN) to analyze anomalous payments. We then analyze, these clusters using random forest to obtain the main network feature. Our results suggest that the proposed methodology works very well to detect anomalous payments, and it is very important to study the case of El Salvador, because of the recent restructuring of the Massive Payment System in El Salvador (promoted by the Transfer365 project), because the authorities want to increase financial inclusion. This change will make the SPM available to the public, to diversify services and incorporate more participants because, historically, it has operated with only three active participants. We expected that Transfer365 will interconnect the LBTR participants' systems with their banking core, the systems of the Ministry of Finance, and other authorized participants to channel large payment flows. Then, identifying possible anomalies through methodology will enhance risk monitoring and management by payment systems overseers

Hexavalent Chromium (VI) Removal by Penicillium sp. IA-01

The objective of this work was to study the removal of chromium (VI) in aqueous solution by the fungus Penicillium sp. IA-01, isolated from polluted air with industrial vapors. To obtain the fungal biomass, pre-inoculums were performed in thioglycolate broth from a strain isolated from vapours contaminated with Cr (VI). The fungus was incubated for four weeks at ambient temperature, filtered, and washed three times with trideionized water. In preparing cellullar fractions, it was necessary to break the fungal cells with glass beads using a homogenizer being careful to keep the samples in frosty cold ice. To obtain the fungal biomass, the fungus was filtered and stored in an oven at 80°C, allowing it to dry for 48 h. Removal of Cr (VI) in vitro was evaluated using different cellular fractions and dead fungal biomass. We determine the optimal characteristics for metal removal in the reaction mixture. Concluding that the ideal conditions for the removal of Cr (VI) in the cell extracts were 37°C and pH 7.0, also we observ that the highest enzyme activity was in the mixed membrane fraction. In dead fungal biomass, the ideal conditions for removal of metal are 60°C and pH 1.0

Plasmodium vivax Cell Traversal Protein for Ookinetes and Sporozoites (CelTOS) Functionally Restricted Regions Are Involved in Specific Host-Pathogen Interactions

Following the injection of Plasmodium sporozoites by a female Anopheles mosquito into the dermis, they become engaged on a long journey to hepatic tissue where they must migrate through different types of cell to become established in parasitophorous vacuoles in hepatocytes. Studies have shown that proteins such as cell traversal protein for Plasmodium ookinetes and sporozoites (CelTOS) play a crucial role in cell-traversal ability. Although CelTOS has been extensively studied in various species and included in pre-clinical assays it remains unknown which P. vivax CelTOS (PvCelTOS) regions are key in its interaction with traversed or target cells (Kupffer or hepatocytes) and what type of pressure, association and polymorphism these important regions could have to improve their candidacy as important vaccine antigens. This work has described producing a recombinant PvCelTOS which was recognized by ~30% P. vivax-infected individuals, thereby confirming its ability for inducing a natural immune response. PvCelTOS' genetic diversity in Colombia and its ability to interact with HeLa (traversal cell) and/or HepG2 cell (target cell) external membrane have been assessed. One region in the PvCelTOS amino-terminal region and another in its C-terminus were seen to be participating in host-pathogen interactions. These regions had important functional constraint signals (? less than 0.3 and several sites under negative selection) and were able to inhibit specific rPvCelTOS binding to HeLa cells. This led to suggesting that sequences between aa 41–60 (40833) and 141–160 (40838) represent promising candidates for an anti-P. vivax subunit-based vaccine. © Copyright © 2020 Arévalo-Pinzón, Garzón-Ospina, Pulido, Bermúdez, Forero-Rodríguez, Rodríguez-Mesa, Reyes-Guarín, Suárez and Patarroyo

Aproximación a la presencia de SPD y microorganismos en agua embotellada

Poca información existe en la literatura acerca de la calidad química referente a subproductos de desinfección (SPD) y su relación con la microbiología del agua embotellada. Por tanto, se evaluó el contenido de trihalometanos (THM) y de ácidos haloacéticos (AHA) como principales SPD en siete marcas de agua embotellada del mercado colombiano, al igual que la presencia de indicadores microbiológicos, enterobacterias, aerobios mesófilos, hongos y levaduras. Los resultados mostraron valores máximos de 135 y 140 mg/l de THM y AHA totales, así como incumplimiento del 28% de la norma propuesta por la FDA. Se encontró la presencia de alguno de los indicadores microbiológicos en el 69% de las muestras e incumplimiento de la norma colombiana de agua potable en el 30%. La relación entre la cantidad de SPD y la calidad microbiológica fue diversa, observándose un escenario recomendable de baja concentración de SPD y microorganismos en dos de las marcas evaluadas. Finalmente, se requiere mayor información para analizar el efecto de la presencia de levaduras como indicador de cambios organolépticos en el agua y su posible relación con la proliferación de otro tipo de microorganismos

La Base de Datos de Fallas Activas en el Cuaternario de Iberia (QAFI v.2.0)

ABSTRACT. The Quaternary Active Faults Database of Iberia (QAFI) is an initiative lead by the Institute of Geology and Mines of Spain (IGME) for building a public repository of scientific data regarding faults having documented activity during the last 2.59 Ma (Quaternary). QAFI also addresses a need to transfer geologic knowledge to practitioners of seismic hazard and risk in Iberia by identifying and characterizing seismogenic fault-sources. QAFI is populated by the information freely provided by more than 40 Earth science researchers, storing to date a total of 262 records. In this article we describe the development and evolution of the database, as well as its internal architecture. Additionally, a first global analysis of the data is provided with a special focus on length and slip-rate fault parameters. Finally, the database completeness and the internal consistency of the data are discussed. Even though QAFI v.2.0 is the most current resource for calculating fault-related seismic hazard in Iberia, the database is still incomplete and requires further review.RESUMEN. La Base de Datos de Fallas Activas de Iberia (QAFI) es una iniciativa promovida por el Instituto Geológico y Minero de España (IGME) para construir un repositorio público de información científica sobre fallas con actividad en los últimos 2,59 Ma (Cuaternario). Además, la QAFI persigue establecer una base sobre la que facilitar la transferencia de conocimiento geológico al ámbito tecnológico de la gestión del riesgo sísmico en Iberia, en particular en la identificación y caracterización de fuentes sismogénicas tipo falla. La QAFI se ha construido a partir de la información proporcionada de modo altruista por más de 40 investigadores en ciencias de la Tierra conteniendo actualmente un total de de 262 registros. En este artículo se describe la concepción y evolución de la base de datos, y su arquitectura interna. Además, se ofrece un primer análisis global de los datos que contiene, con especial interés en parámetros tan importantes como la longitud y tasa de deslizamiento de las fallas. Finalmente se discuten dos temas cruciales en cualquier base de datos: su completitud y la homogeneidad de los datos. Se concluye que QAFI v.2.0, pese a ser la fuente más actualizada de información disponible en Iberia sobre peligrosidad sísmica de fallas concretas, dista aun de ser completa, por lo que nuevas revisiones y versiones deberán seguir llevándose a cabo en el futuro

Use of environmental isotopes to assess the sustainability of intensively exploited aquifer systems (2012‐2015)

Intensive exploitation of groundwater over longer period has led, in many important aquifers, to marked lowering of water tables, increasing exploitation costs, and often, to a progressive deterioration of water quality. Concentrated pumping may also alter flow patterns permanently with the risk of migration of pollutants into aquifers from the surrounding aquifers or surface water bodies due to lack of physical protection to prevent them. Isotope hydrology tools have proven to be very useful in assessing groundwater hydrology, addressing aspects related to recharge processes, delineation of flow patterns, water quality issues and interactions with other water bodies; this unique information can be further used to evaluate long term aquifer sustainability. The objective of the Coordinated Research Project F33019 is to develop and review approaches and methodologies, mostly based on the combined use of conventional hydrogeological techniques and environmental isotopes, to assess the response of groundwater systems to intensive exploitation and groundwater availability. Access to new dating tools and approaches for groundwater dating covering different time scales offers the possibility to evaluate changes in groundwater dynamics and flow patterns, providing key data to predict the evolution of aquifers and their sustainability as major sources of water. The CRP aims to assess the performance of these new tools and approaches and the possible adoption of these methods by water management experts

Tectonic interpretation of the source of the 2011 Mw 5.2 Lorca earthquake and its surface effects

El 11 de mayo de 2011 ocurrió un terremoto de magnitud Mw 5,2 en el SE de la Cordillera Bética que produjo enormes daños en Lorca. El objetivo de este trabajo es realizar un análisis e interpretación de la fuente geológica del terremoto de Lorca que explique su localización, magnitud y efectos superficiales generados. Se analizan las estructuras en el entorno de la región epicentral, la distribución espacial de la secuencia, los daños en las edificaciones y los deslizamientos y desprendimientos inducidos. Combinando todos estos aspectos se presenta una visión sinóptica de la génesis y de los efectos del sismo y se discuten a través del estudio de la transferencia de esfuerzos estáticos de Coulomb, las posibles implicaciones en la peligrosidad de los segmentos adyacentes de la Falla de Alhama de Murcia (FAM). Las características sismotectónicas del terremoto, la estructura local y la localización y cuantía de la deformación superficial son coherentes con una ruptura asimétrica (propagándose hacia el SO) de un tramo de la FAM de hasta 7 km de longitud, aunque la mayor parte de la energía se liberó en una estructura compleja coincidiendo con el dúplex de Matalauva al SO del epicentro. La ruptura produjo una sacudida orientada NO-SE (perpendicular a la falla) que explicaría los efectos de direccionalidad observados en los desprendimientos de rocas y en los daños orientados de los edificios. El efecto de directividad de la ruptura hacia el SO explicaría la concentración de los mayores efectos en el barrio de la Viña, al sur de Lorca, y en la vertiente norte de la Sierra de la Peña Rubia asociados a un pulso de movimiento de gran amplitud.On 11 May 2011 a 5.2 Mw earthquake struck the city of Lorca (south-east Spain), causing huge damage. The aim of this paper is to analyse and interpret the geological source of the earthquake in order to explain its location, size and surface effects. We have studied in detail the tectonic structure of the epicentral region, the spatial distribution of the seismic sequence and the distribution and characteristics of the damage and earthquake-triggered debris and rock falls. Combining all this information we provide a synoptic view of the genesis and the effects of the earthquake and discuss the implications of this event in the context of the seismic hazard of the adjacent Alhama de Murcia fault (FAM) segments according to Coulomb failure stress modelling. The seismotectonic characteristics of the earthquake, the local structure of the epicentral area, and the location and amount of surface deformation are consistent with the asymmetric (southward propagating) rupture of a section of the FAM up to 7 km in length. Nevertheless, most of the energy was released in a complex structure coinciding with the Matalauva duplex located to the SW of the hypocentre. This rupture produced a pulse of NW-SE strong ground motion (normal to the FAM), with its maximum amplitude located to the south-west of the seismic sequence. This explains the directionality effects observed in the distribution of the rock-falls and building damage. The concentration of the worst of the damage on the northern slopes of the Sierra de la Peña Rubia is consistent with this seismotectonic scenario.Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasTRUEEspaña. Plan Nacional TECTATGEOTACTICARESCATELOFASEGEOpu

Compilation of parameterized seismogenic sources in Iberia for the SHARE European-scale seismic source model.

Abstract: SHARE (Seismic Hazard Harmonization in Europe) is an EC-funded project (FP7) that aims to evaluate European seismic hazards using an integrated, standardized approach. In the context of SHARE, we are compiling a fully-parameterized active fault database for Iberia and the nearby offshore region. The principal goal of this initiative is for fault sources in the Iberian region to be represented in SHARE and incorporated into the source model that will be used to produce seismic hazard maps at the European scale. The SHARE project relies heavily on input from many regional experts throughout the Euro-Mediterranean region. At the SHARE regional meeting for Iberia, the 2010 Working Group on Iberian Seismogenic Sources (WGISS) was established; these researchers are contributing to this large effort by providing their data to the Iberian regional integrators in a standardized format. The development of the SHARE Iberian active fault database is occurring in parallel with IBERFAULT, another ongoing effort to compile a database of active faults in the Iberian region. The SHARE Iberian active fault database synthesizes a wide range of geological and geophysical observations on active seismogenic sources, and incorporates existing compilations (e.g., Cabral, 1995; Silva et al., 2008), original data contributed directly from researchers, data compiled from the literature, parameters estimated using empirical and analytical relationships, and, where necessary, parameters derived using expert judgment. The Iberian seismogenic source model derived for SHARE will be the first regional-scale source model for Iberia that includes fault data and follows an internationally standardized approach (Basili et al., 2008; 2009). This model can be used in both seismic hazard and risk analyses and will be appropriate for use in Iberian- and European-scale assessments

Increased homocysteine plasma levels in breast cancer patients of a Mexican population

Aim: Hyperhomocysteinemia has been associated with different pathologies, including cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and breast cancer (BC). To examine the differences in total homocysteine (tHcy) plasma levels, we compared healthy women to BC patients from a Mexican population. Materials and Methods: The tHcy plasma levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector in 89 female controls and 261 BC patients. Results: The observed plasma tHcy levels were significantly higher among the BC patients (11.1019 ± 5.9161 µmol/l) compared to the controls (9.1046 ± 1.3213 µmol/l) (p = 0.002), and these differences were evident when stratified by age (≥ 50 years old), menopause status, overweight and obesity, miscarriages, node metastases, progression, subtype classification (luminal, Her2 and triple negative) and nonresponse to chemotherapy. Conclusions: The tHcy plasma levels could be a good marker for the progression and chemosensitivity of BC in the analyzed sample from a Mexican population. Key Words: plasma levels, homocysteine, HPLC, breast cancer, Mexican population