Viral systems : a new bio-inspired optimisation approach

The paper presents a new approach to deal with combinatorial problems. It makes use of a biological analogy inspired by the performance of viruses. The replication mechanism, as well as the hosts’ infection processes is used to generate a metaheuristic that allows the obtention of valuable results. The viral system (VS) theoretical context is described and it is applied to a library of medium-to-large-sized cases of the Steiner problem for which the optimal solution is known. The method is compared with the metaheuristics that have provided the best results for the Steiner problem. The VS provides better solutions than genetic algorithms and certain tabu search approaches. For the most sophisticated tabu search approaches (the best metaheuristic approximations to the Steiner problem solution) VS provides solutions of similar quality

Decision support system for planning telecommunication networks: a case study applied to the Andalusian region

Network planning is essential to design real Broadband Integrated Services Digital Networks (B-ISDN). This paper presents an OR application to the design of an optic fibre network for the andalusian region. The economical appraisal is the main consideration in order to take the appropriate decisions: hub location, region sizes and selection of the urban nodes that will receive telecommunication contents. A Decision Support System with a graphic interface that allows interactive analysis of different scenarios is presented. The system contains a set of mathematical programming models and it has the capability to dynamically construct and solve instances of those models. In addition, it provides data preparation and reports. The system is an integrated, user-friendly and powerful tool to make planning studies by firms developing cable network systems in the telecommunications market

Uncertainty and sensitivity of the sexual behavior changes to the current human papillomavirus vaccination campaign in Spain

Taking into account the public health importance of the human papillomavirus (HPV) control in the future, it is mandatory to assess the effect of the vaccination campaigns on the control of HPV spread and the associated diseases using reliable mathematical models. We propose a computational random network model with the aim of studying the transmission dynamics of HPV infections. This model reflects the herd immunity effect in the heterosexual network more accurately than the classical models. We perform a sensitivity analysis of the sexual behavior changes consisting of increasing the number of men who have sex with men (MSM), increasing the frequency of the intercourses and increasing the number of sexual partners. We find that large changes in the sexual behavior, in some extent, only have minor effects on the decline of the HPV infections in women and men in the current vaccination campaign in Spain (vaccination of young girls with a coverage of 70%). Therefore, the current vaccination program in Spain is robust for the heterosexuals. However, we cannot say the same for MSM, where they do not benefit by the herd immunity effect of the vaccination of girls, and consequently, the circulation of the virus among them remains unchanged. A consequence of the present study is that the effect of other external factors that may affect the transmission dynamics of the HPV, for instance, the tourism or the immigration, does not influence the protection provided by the current Spanish vaccination program.This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (MINECO), the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER UE) grant MTM2017-89664-P. This paper has been supported by the European Union through the Operational Program of the [European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) / European Social Fund (ESF)] of the Valencian Community 2014-2020. Files: GJIDI/2018/A/010 and GJIDI/2018/A/009

Energy efficient HPC network topologies with on/off links

Producción CientíficaEnergy efficiency is a must in today HPC systems. To achieve this goal, a holistic design based on the use of power-aware components should be performed. One of the key components of an HPC system is the high-speed interconnect. In this paper, we compare and evaluate several design options for the interconnection network of an HPC system, including torus, fat-trees and dragonflies. State of the art low power modes are also used in the interconnection networks. The paper does not only consider energy efficiency at the interconnection network level but also at the system as a whole. The analysis is performed by using a simple yet realistic power model of the system. The model has been adjusted using actual power consumption values measured on a real system. Using this model, realistic multi-job trace-based workloads have been used, obtaining the execution time and energy consumed. The results are presented to ease choosing a system, depending on which parameter, performance or energy consumption, receives the most importance.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (projects PID2019-105903RB-100 and PID2021-123627OB)Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha (project SBPLY/21/180501/ 000248

Proposal and analysis of integrated PTN architecture in the mobile backhaul to improve the QoS of HetNets

Los rápidos avances de las tecnologías de dispositivos móviles han implicado que la red de acceso debe evolucionar y desarrollar nuevas estrategias para satisfacer las necesidades de los usuarios. La red heterogénea (HetNet) permite una estrategia de implementación flexible y ofrece soluciones económicamente viables para mejorar la escalabilidad de red y cobertura en interiores. Este tema emergente ha captado la atención de la comunidad científica y la industria debido a la importancia de estas redes para satisfacer la demanda de servicios de datos. Para proporcionar esta demanda, deben satisfacerse diferentes parámetros de calidad de servicio (QoS). En este trabajo, presentamos un estudio sobre los últimos avances y los temas de investigación sobre movilidad en conjunción con protocolos de conmutación de etiquetas multiprotocolo (MPLS) de paquetes basado en redes de transporte (PTN) para proporcionar QoS en redes heterogéneas inalámbricas. Se presentan diversos protocolos de gestión móvil y su interacción con la red de retorno móvil yred básica por paquetes. Una nueva arquitectura denominada Proxy integrado Mobile MPLS-TP (MIP-TP) se expone también a reducir los costos y mejorar la señalización de la QoS en HetNets con altas tasas de movilidad.The rapid progress made in mobile device technologies has implied that the access network must evolute and develop new strategies to satisfy the requirements of the users. Heterogeneous network (HetNet) allows for a flexible deployment strategy and offers economically viable solutions to improve network scalability and indoor coverage. This emerging topic has caught the attention of the research community and the industry because of the importance of these networks to satisfy the demand of data services. To provide this demand, different parameters of quality of service (QoS) must be satisfied. In this paper, we present a study on recent advances and open research issues on Mobility Protocols in conjunction with Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS)-based packet transport networks (PTN) to provide QoS in wireless heterogeneous networks. Various mobile management protocols and their interaction with the mobile backhaul and packet core network are briefly introduced. A new architecture called Integrated Proxy Mobile MPLS-TP (IPM-TP) is also outlined to reduce the signalling cost and improve the QoS in HetNets with high rates of mobility.Unión Europea. Fondos Europeos de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER). Proyecto SOE4/P3/E804peerReviewe

"INTERGROWTH21st vs customized fetal growth curves in the assessment of the neonatal nutritional status: a retrospective cohort study of gestational diabetes"

Background Gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with increased incidence of adverse perinatal outcomes including newborns large for gestational age, macrosomia, preeclampsia, polyhydramnios, stillbirth, and neonatal morbidity. Thus, fetal growth should be monitored by ultrasound to assess for fetal overnutrition, and thereby, its clinical consequence, macrosomia. However, it is not clear which reference curve to use to define the limits of normality. Our aim is to determine which method, INTERGROWTH21st or customized curves, better identifies the nutritional status of newborns of diabetic mothers. Methods This retrospective cohort study compared the risk of malnutrition in SGA newborns and the risk of overnutrition in LGA newborns using INTERGROWTH21st and customized birth weight references in gestational diabetes. The nutritional status of newborns was assessed using the ponderal index. Additionally, to determine the ability of both methods in the identification of neonatal malnutrition and overnutrition, we calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and likelihood ratios. Results Two hundred thirty-one pregnant women with GDM were included in the study. The rate of SGA indentified by INTERGROWTH21st was 4.7% vs 10.7% identified by the customized curves. The rate of LGA identified by INTERGROWTH21st was 25.6% vs 13.2% identified by the customized method. Newborns identified as SGA by the customized method showed a higher risk of malnutrition than those identified as SGA by INTERGROWTH21st. (RR 4.24 vs 2.5). LGA newborns according to the customized method also showed a higher risk of overnutrition than those classified as LGA according to INTERGROWTH21st. (RR 5.26 vs 3.57). In addition, the positive predictive value of the customized method was superior to that of INTERGROWTH21st in the identification of malnutrition (32% vs 27.27%), severe malnutrition (22.73% vs 20%), overnutrition (51.61% vs 32.20%) and severe overnutrition (28.57% vs 14.89%). Conclusions In pregnant women with DMG, the ability of customized fetal growth curves to identify newborns with alterations in nutritional status appears to exceed that of INTERGROWTH21s

Development of an ICP-MS/MS-Based Methodology for the Analysis of (Ultra) Trace Elements in Follicular Fluid Samples of Patients Undergoing IVF Treatment

Introduction: The presence of heavy metals in the environment has been linked to female infertility. Follicular fluid (FF), which surrounds the developing oocyte in the ovary, can provide valuable insights into the content of a number of elements. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies that analyze trace elements in FF samples using standardized protocols and methods. The objective of this study was to develop a reliable method utilizing ICP-MS/MS without sample digestion to detect 22 analytes in FF samples. Methods: Four FF samples (n = 4) were obtained from patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. These were adequately aliquoted and processed. They were subsequently analyzed via ICP-MS/MS, both in He and no-gas mode. Finally, the data of interest were compiled in a database. Results: Analyte recovery ranged from 70% to 130%, with better results observed in no-gas mode compared to He mode. Among the 22 elements analyzed, only 9Be, 140Ce, 111Cd, 139La, 208Pb, and 238U were not detected. Minor concentrations were observed for 137Ba, 209Bi, 59Co, 55Mn, 95Mo, 60Ni, 121Sb, 118Sn, 205Tl, and 51V, while intermediate concentrations were found for 7Li and 88Sr. Major concentrations were identified for 52Cr, 85Rb, 47Ti, and 66Zn. Conclusions: A new procedure was developed in this study, with several advantages. One of them is the good results in terms of the recovery of a wide variety of elements using ICP-MS/MS in the poorly studied biological matrix that is follicular fluid. Another advantage is the low amount of sample required to perform the analysis and the development of a green method where the sample is not digested and not diluted, which allowed us to avoid the excessive dilution of the concentration of analytes. Moreover, the developed method provides a novel approach to diagnose and predict health risks in women with gynecological pathologies and to assess their overall health, including reproductive health.This research was funded by the Human Fertility Chair of the University of Alicante

Energy efficient HPC network topologies with on/off links

[EN] Energy efficiency is a must in today HPC systems. To achieve this goal, a holistic design based on the use of power-aware components should be performed. One of the key components of an HPC system is the high-speed interconnect. In this paper, we compare and evaluate several design options for the interconnection network of an HPC system, including torus, fat-trees and dragonflies. State of the art low power modes are also used in the interconnection networks. The paper does not only consider energy efficiency at the interconnection network level but also at the system as a whole.The analysis is performed by using a simple yet realistic power model of the system. The model has been adjusted using actual power consumption values measured on a real system. Using this model, realistic multi-job trace-based workloads have been used, obtaining the execution time and energy consumed. The results are presented to ease choosing a system, depending on which parameter, performance or energy consumption, receives the most importance.This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (MICINN, formerly MINECO) , and the European Commission (FEDER funds) under the projects PID2019- 105903RB-100 and PID2021-123627OB-C5, and by Junta de Comunidades de Castilla -La Mancha under the project SBPLY/21/180501/000248.Andújar-Muñoz, FJ.; Coll, S.; Alonso Díaz, M.; Martínez-Rubio, J.; López Rodríguez, PJ.; Sánchez García, JL.; Alfaro Cortés, FJ. (2023). Energy efficient HPC network topologies with on/off links. Future Generation Computer Systems. 139:126-138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.future.2022.09.01212613813

Full vector magnetic dating of some pyroclastic rocks associated to the Colima volcano, western Mexico

"Se presentan los resultados de un estudio paleomagnético y de magnetismo de rocas realizado en rocas de flujos piroclásticos y algunos fragmentos de cerámica pre-Colombina asociados al complejo Volcánico de Colima. Con la finalidad de estimar la mineralogía magnética y determinar tanto la magnetización remanente característica, así como la intensidad absoluta, se realizó un conjunto de experimentos y mediciones magnéticas. Se reporta una edad absoluta determinada mediante el fechamiento magnético de dos erupciones volcánicas asociadas al volcán Colima (volcán de Fuego). Esta es la primera vez que el modelo de predicción de campo magnético SHADIF.14K, basado en el vector completo (declinación, inclinación y paleointensidad absoluta), es utilizado en depósitos de flujos piroclásticos intercalados con cerámicas. Los resultados obtenidos concuerdan con las edades radiométricas (C14) disponibles y constituyen una determinación más precisa de la edad del momento de enfriamiento de los flujos de lava.""A combined rock-magnetic and paleomagnetic researches were carried out on some pyroclastic rocks and pre-Columbian pottery fragments associated to the Colima Volcanic Complex. A full battery of magnetic measurements was performed in order to estimate magnetic mineralogy and to determine both the directions and absolute intensities of the characteristic remanent magnetization. In this paper we report absolute age determination using magnetic dating for two volcanic eruptions associated to the Colima volcano (Volcán de Fuego). The geomagnetic field prediction model SHA.DIF.14K, based on full vector (declination, inclination and absolute paleointensity), was used for first time in pyroclastic flows deposits and intercalated potteries. The results obtained agree reasonably well with available radiometric (C14) data, them provide a more accurate age determination of the cooling moment for the lava flows.