Discrete fuzzy system orbits as a portfolio selection method

[EN] The purpose of this work is to approach the portfolio selection problem from a particular System Theory framework. The System will be formed by the set of public companies in the portfolio and a set of fuzzy relations on those companies. Starting with an equally split portfolio represented by a fuzzy set B, the orbit of B is computed for a particular period obtaining a portfolio to invest in the next period. We present an example ¿nding nine portfolios to invest in 9 months and we compare them with some optimal portfolios in the ef¿cient frontier given by the Modern Portfolio Theory and with some random generated portfolios. We ¿nd a better performance in returns for the portfolio based on the systemic method.Perez-Gonzaga, S.; Jordán Núñez, J.; Miró Martínez, P. (2017). Discrete fuzzy system orbits as a portfolio selection method. Operational Research (Online). doi:10.1007/s12351-017-0361-2SAgliardi E, Agliardi R (2011) Bond pricing under imprecise information. Oper Res 11(3):299–309Esteve-Calvo P, Lloret-Climent M (2006) Coverage, invariability and orbits by structural functions. Kybernetes 35(7/8):1236–1240Jegadeesh N, Titman S (1993) Returns to buying winners and selling losers: implications for stock market efficiency. J Finance 48(1):65–91Klement EP, Mesiar R, Pap E (2013) Triangular norms, vol 8. Springer, New YorkLloret-Climent M, Villacampa-Esteve Y, Us-Domenech JL (1998) System-linkage: structural functions and hierarchies. Cybern Syst 29(1):35–46Ma YH, Lin Y (1987) Some properties of linked time systems. Int J Gen Syst 13(2):125–134Markowitz H (1952) Portfolio selection. J Finance 7(1):77–91Perez-Gonzaga S, Lloret-Climent M, Nescolarde-Selva JA (2015) Invariability, orbits and fuzzy attractors. Int J Gen Syst 45(1):29–40Tiryaki F, Ahlatcioglu B (2009) Fuzzy portfolio selection using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process. Inf Sci 179(1):53–69Von Bertalanffy L (1968) General system theory: foundations, development, applications. George Braziller, New York, pp 40Zadeh LA (1962) From circuit theory to system theory. Proc IRE 50(5):856–86

Metodología para el análisis de la relación entre la competividad y la preparación tecnológica en 135 economías mundiales. Factores e indicadores clave de actuación. Conglomerados.

La investigación, plantea como podemos evaluar la competividad en 135 países a partir únicamente de variables tecnológicas. En la metodología se plantea el Protocolo de Cálculo para el total de las economías seleccionadas dentro de los periodos 2005-2006 y 2007-2008, realizando una evaluación estadística. Y estableciendo una discusión, donde analizamos la explicación de las relaciones así como la interpretación de los resultados. Finalmente, evaluamos las conclusiones para las economías mundiales. Dentro de estas economías, localizamos las variables que tienen que priorizarse para mejorar la competividad de las mismas. Estas variables par ten inicialmente de un grupo de 68, y al final de la implementación del método se reducen notablemente. Estas variables finales, llamadas Indicadores Claves de Actuación, se agrupan en factores (Factores Clave de Actuación) que nos simplifican notablemente lo planteado. Para cada grupo de economías se realizan los conglomerados de acuerdo a sus valores dentro de las variables seleccionadas. Se evalúa país a país un análisis detallado de su posicionamiento para cada uno de los Indicadores Claves de Actuación seleccionados matemáticamente. La principal voluntad de la presente información, es simplificar notablemente la comparación entre la competividad de las naciones y su nivel tecnológico. Palabras clave: indicadores, índices, economías, mundiales, análisis multivariante, regresión, factorización, clusterización, análisis de conglomerados, competividad, tecnología, políticas públicas, aspectos regulatorios, operaciones, estrategias comerciales, internet, comparativa cros nacionales, análisis multinivel. Analysis of the relationship between competitiveness and technological development for 135 worldwide countries. Factors and Key Performance Indicators. Clusters of economies Abstract:The research evaluates the competitiveness of 135 countries, based solely on technological variables. The methodology raises calculation protocol for the total of selected economies in the periods 2005-2006 and 2007- 2008. This protocol makes a statistical evaluation. And setting up a discussion, where we analyzed the explanation of the relationship and the interpretation of results. Finally, we evaluate the conclusions for the world economies. Within each group of economies, we know which variables need originally to be prioritized to improve the competitiveness. These variables are from a group of 68, and after the implementation of the method are reduced dramatically in number. These variables will be called Key Performance Indicators and will be grouped into Factors (Key Performance Factors) this will significantly simplify matters. Within this group of countries have been reduced three factors that collect their Key Performance Indicators . A country to country detailed analysis of their positions according to each of the Key Performance Indicators on a mathematical basis.The main desire of this research is to significantly simplify the comparison between the competitiveness of nations and their technological level. Key words: economies, innovation, competitiveness, public policy, business strategies

Effect of mycoviruses on growth, spore germination and pathogenicity of the fungus Fusarium circinatum

Producción CientíficaAim of the study: To assess the impact on two mycoviruses recently described in F. circinatum mitovirus 1, and 2-2 (FcMV1 and FcMV2-2) on i) mycelial growth, ii) spore germination and iii) relative necrosis. Material and methods: Fourteen monosporic strains of F. circinatum (one of each pair infected with mycoviruses and the other without them) of the pathogen with and without viruses were selected for the assay. The statistical analysis, were a linear mixed model of analysis of variance considering one between-subjects factor (isolate) and one within-subjects factor with four levels (1=without viruses, 2=only virus FcMV1, 3=only virus FcMV2-2 and 4=both viruses). Main results: Colony growth rates of F. circinatum isolates were significantly reduced in presence of mycoviruses (p=0.002). The spore germination was also reduced in the F. circinatum isolates containing mycovirus as compared to mycovirus-free isolates (p<0.001). No significant differences in lesion lengths caused by F. circinatum were found in relation to the presence/absence of mycovirus (p<0.61). Research highlights: Reduction of the percentage of spore germination in the isolates of F. circinatum with mycovirus infections, as compared to free isolates, provides indications of reduction of metabolic activity and plant physiology are discussed. The lack of significant differences found in the length of the lesions caused by F. circinatum with respect to the presence/absence of mycovirus, indicates that further studies with a larger number of variables are required.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (projects AGL2012-39912 and AGL2015- 69370-R)European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST Action FP1406 PINESTRENGTH)Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (grant SFRH/BPD/122928/2016

On how the abandonment of traditional forest management practices could reduce saproxylic diversity in the Mediterranean Region

Forests of the Mediterranean Basin provide a wide range of provisioning and regulating services that are currently jeopardised by land-use change. Although many ecosystem services are mediated by insects, most of the studies that have focused on how to enhance diversity in traditionally managed forests are about plants and vertebrates. Quercus pyrenaica woodlands of the Western Iberian Peninsula constitute a scenario in which traditional human practices (i.e., extensive livestock grazing, pollarding, firewood, forest thinning, etc.), and their progressive abandonment, have generated differences in landscape that affect habitat and microhabitat structures. We used saproxylic beetles (deadwood-dependent species) as biological indicators because they are the most diverse taxa and provide important ecosystem services related to deadwood decomposition, forest pest control and pollination. We modelled the response of two taxonomic (species richness and abundance), one ecological (species diversity of order 1) and two functional (functional richness and redundancy) diversity metrics to the environmental variables that result from traditional management or its abandonment at habitat and microhabitat levels. We included 16 explanatory variables related to forest structure, tree microhabitats and abiotic factors, which were grouped into eight principal components. Linear regression was the best fitting model for data. The resulting models were used to perform diversity predictions in different scenarios. We found that abandonment of some traditional forest management activities in the Mediterranean Region reduced taxonomic saproxylic beetle diversity, which may be further aggravated by climate change. We suggest minimal management actions to improve taxonomic and ecological saproxylic beetle diversity related to habitat and tree management (i.e., maintenance of >20% scrub coverage, >20 m3/ha of deadwood on soil and >20 hollow trees/ha). However, actions that boost saproxylic biodiversity do not ensure the community’s higher functional resilience. We should also promote tree microhabitat diversity to reduce the vulnerability of saproxylic beetle functions to environmental changes.Financial support was provided by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Projects CGL2016-78181-R) and Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (PID2020-115140RB-I00) granted to EM and EG. This research forms part of Sandra Martínez Pérez’s PhD studies granted by ’Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad’ (BES-2017-080278)

Effect of mycoviruses on the virulence of Fusarium circinatum and laccase activity

Producción CientíficaLaccase enzymes (benzenediol: oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.10.3.2) play a major role in the degradation of phenolic compounds such as lignin. They are common in fungi and have been suggested to participate in host colonization by pathogenic fungi. Putative mycoviruses have recently been isolated from the causal agent of pine pitch canker disease, Fusarium circinatum Nirenberg & O'Donell. In this study, the effects of single and double mycoviral infections on laccase activity, growth rate and pathogenicity were investigated in fourteen F. circinatum strains. Extracellular laccase activity was analyzed by the Bavendamm test, image processing and a spectrophotometric method. Mycelial growth, in vivo pathogenicity and seedling survival probability were also determined in Monterrey pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) seedlings. The findings showed that (i) mycelial growth of isolates from the same fungal population was homogeneous, (ii) the presence of mycovirus appears to increase the virulence of fungal isolates, (iii) co-infection (with two mycoviruses) caused cryptic effects in fungal isolates, and (iv) laccases embody a possible auxiliary tool in fungal infection. The prospects for biocontrol, the adaptive role of F. circinatum mycoviruses and the importance of laccase enzymes in host colonization are discussed.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Project AGL2012-39912

Finding the Additives Incorporation Moment in Hybrid Natural Pigments Synthesis to Improve Bioresin Properties

[EN] Interest in applications of natural dye applications has increased because of their antibacterial properties and the possibility of extracting them from nature and residues. Using nanoclays as hosts to reinforce natural dye properties has been successfully demonstrated. However, no one has attempted to optimize the polymer matrix and hybrid pigment properties at the same time to ensure the best final properties for bio-composite applications. Using a statistical design for experiments, we propose the best combination of modifiers with the best nanoclay as the host of three natural dyes: chlorophyll, ß-carotene, and betanine. Using the L9 Taguchi designs, we learned both the influence of the nanoclay structure, and the addition moment of surfactant, mordant salt, and silane modifiers. FTIR, XRD, DTG, integration sphere spectrophotometer, and UV-aging tests were used to characterize the hybrid pigments and epoxy bioresin composites. The degradation temperatures of the three natural dyes rose and the reinforcement of the stability of three natural dyes to UV¿Vis radiation exposure was demonstrated, which avoided the migration of these dyes from bioresin to wet ribbing. Optimal results were obtained with hydrotalcite clay (calcined or not) by using surfactant and mordant before the natural dye, and before or after silane. View Full-TextThis research was funded by Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigacion (AEI) and the European Union (FEDER funds) (contract MAT2016-77742-C2-1-P) and Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (project DPI2015-65814-R).Micó-Vicent, B.; Jordán Núñez, J.; Perales Romero, E.; Martínez-Verdú, FM.; Cases, F. (2019). Finding the Additives Incorporation Moment in Hybrid Natural Pigments Synthesis to Improve Bioresin Properties. Coatings. 9(1):1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings9010034S11791Rather, L. J., Shahid-ul-Islam, Shabbir, M., Bukhari, M. N., Shahid, M., Khan, M. A., & Mohammad, F. (2016). Ecological dyeing of Woolen yarn with Adhatoda vasica natural dye in the presence of biomordants as an alternative copartner to metal mordants. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 4(3), 3041-3049. doi:10.1016/j.jece.2016.06.019Kilinc, M., Canbolat, S., Merdan, N., Dayioglu, H., & Akin, F. (2015). Investigation of the Color, Fastness and Antimicrobial Properties of Wool Fabrics Dyed with the Natural Dye Extracted from the Cone of Chamaecyparis Lawsoniana. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 195, 2152-2159. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06.281Chiari, G., Giustetto, R., Druzik, J., Doehne, E., & Ricchiardi, G. (2007). Pre-columbian nanotechnology: reconciling the mysteries of the maya blue pigment. Applied Physics A, 90(1), 3-7. doi:10.1007/s00339-007-4287-zMicó-Vicent, B., Martínez-Verdú, F. M., Novikov, A., Stavitskaya, A., Vinokurov, V., Rozhina, E., … Lvov, Y. (2017). Stabilized Dye-Pigment Formulations with Platy and Tubular Nanoclays. Advanced Functional Materials, 28(27), 1703553. doi:10.1002/adfm.201703553Kohno, Y., Inagawa, M., Ikoma, S., Shibata, M., Matsushima, R., Fukuhara, C., … Kobayashi, K. (2011). Stabilization of a hydrophobic natural dye by intercalation into organo-montmorillonite. Applied Clay Science, 54(3-4), 202-205. doi:10.1016/j.clay.2011.09.001Kohno, Y., Asai, S., Shibata, M., Fukuhara, C., Maeda, Y., Tomita, Y., & Kobayashi, K. (2014). Improved photostability of hydrophobic natural dye incorporated in organo-modified hydrotalcite. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 75(8), 945-950. doi:10.1016/j.jpcs.2014.04.010Sanchez-Garcia, M. D., Lopez-Rubio, A., & Lagaron, J. M. (2010). Natural micro and nanobiocomposites with enhanced barrier properties and novel functionalities for food biopackaging applications. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 21(11), 528-536. doi:10.1016/j.tifs.2010.07.008Micó-Vicent, B., Jordán, J., Martínez-Verdú, F., & Balart, R. (2016). A combination of three surface modifiers for the optimal generation and application of natural hybrid nanopigments in a biodegradable resin. Journal of Materials Science, 52(2), 889-898. doi:10.1007/s10853-016-0384-8Pérez-Ramírez, J., Abelló, S., & van der Pers, N. M. (2007). Memory Effect of Activated Mg–Al Hydrotalcite: In Situ XRD Studies during Decomposition and Gas-Phase Reconstruction. Chemistry - A European Journal, 13(3), 870-878. doi:10.1002/chem.200600767Sommer, A., Romero, A., Fetter, G., Palomares, E., & Bosch, P. (2013). Exploring and tuning the anchorage of chlorophyllin molecules on anionic clays. Catalysis Today, 212, 186-193. doi:10.1016/j.cattod.2013.03.014Ma, Y., Zhu, J., He, H., Yuan, P., Shen, W., & Liu, D. (2010). Infrared investigation of organo-montmorillonites prepared from different surfactants. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 76(2), 122-129. doi:10.1016/j.saa.2010.02.038Liu, D., Yuan, P., Liu, H., Cai, J., Tan, D., He, H., … Chen, T. (2013). Quantitative characterization of the solid acidity of montmorillonite using combined FTIR and TPD based on the NH3 adsorption system. Applied Clay Science, 80-81, 407-412. doi:10.1016/j.clay.2013.07.006Serratos, I. N., Rojas-González, F., Sosa-Fonseca, R., Esparza-Schulz, J. M., Campos-Peña, V., Tello-Solís, S. R., & García-Sánchez, M. A. (2013). Fluorescence optimization of chlorophyll covalently bonded to mesoporous silica synthesized by the sol–gel method. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, 272, 28-40. doi:10.1016/j.jphotochem.2013.08.014İnanç Horuz, T., & Belibağlı, K. B. (2018). Nanoencapsulation by electrospinning to improve stability and water solubility of carotenoids extracted from tomato peels. Food Chemistry, 268, 86-93. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.06.017Selvi, J. A., Rajendran, S., Sri, V. G., Amalraj, A. J., & Narayanasamy, B. (2009). Corrosion Inhibition by Beet Root Extract. Portugaliae Electrochimica Acta, 27(1), 1-11. doi:10.4152/pea.200901001Xie, W., Gao, Z., Pan, W.-P., Hunter, D., Singh, A., & Vaia, R. (2001). Thermal Degradation Chemistry of Alkyl Quaternary Ammonium Montmorillonite. Chemistry of Materials, 13(9), 2979-2990. doi:10.1021/cm010305

Noisy EEG signals classification based on entropy metrics. Performance assessment using first and second generation statistics

[EN] This paper evaluates the performance of first generation entropy metrics, featured by the well known and widely used Approximate Entropy (ApEn) and Sample Entropy (SampEn) metrics, and what can be considered an evolution from these, Fuzzy Entropy (FuzzyEn), in the Electroencephalogram (EEG) signal classification context. The study uses the commonest artifacts found in real EEGs, such as white noise, and muscular, cardiac, and ocular artifacts. Using two different sets of publicly available EEG records, and a realistic range of amplitudes for interfering artifacts, this work optimises and assesses the robustness of these metrics against artifacts in class segmentation terms probability. The results show that the qualitative behaviour of the two datasets is similar, with SampEn and FuzzyEn performing the best, and the noise and muscular artifacts are the most confounding factors. On the contrary, there is a wide variability as regards initialization parameters. The poor performance achieved by ApEn suggests that this metric should not be used in these contexts.Cuesta Frau, D.; Miró Martínez, P.; Jordán Núñez, J.; Oltra Crespo, S.; Molina Picó, A. (2017). Noisy EEG signals classification based on entropy metrics. Performance assessment using first and second generation statistics. Computers in Biology and Medicine. 87:141-151. doi:10.1016/j.compbiomed.2017.05.028S1411518

Classification of Dairy Farms from Cooperatives of Credit and Services.

Dairy farms from Cooperatives of credits and services in the province of Ciego de Avila, Cuba were classified. A matrix with physical, productive and efficiency variables was designed for 372 cases, which were divided into three scales, according to cow possession: less than 11; between 11 and 25; and more than 25 .  The animals were grouped in each scale, following the  hierarchic cluster analysis. Three groups were made up in the dairy units  of  less than 11 cows (the first one with 57.5 % of the cases, accounting for 1.7% of the total forage areas). In the 11-25 cow  scale, five groups were made up (in the first and second, with 93.6% of the cases, the forage areas were  1.7 and 2.28 % of the total area, respectively). In the farms with over 25 animals, three groups were set up (the first and second ones had  75.5  and  23.4 % of the cases, with forage areas covering 0.76  and  2.94 % of the total areas, respectively).  The best results were achieved in the groups with more advanced technological conditions, greater enclosing areas, and forage proportion

Organic carbon, water repellency and soil stability to slaking under different crops and managements: a case study at aggregate and intra-aggregate scales

This research studies the distribution of organic C and intensity of water repellency in soil aggregates with different size and in the interior of aggregates from Mediterranean soils under different crops (apricot, citrus and wheat) and management (con- 5 ventional tilling and no tilling/mulching). For this, undisturbed aggregates were sampled and carefully divided in size fractions (0.25–0.5, 0.5–1, 1–2, 2–5, 5–10 and 10–15 mm) or peeled to obtain separated aggregate layers (exterior, transitional and interior). Organic C content in the fine earth fraction of soils under different crops did not show important variations, although it increased significantly from conventionally tilled to 10 mulched soils. The distribution of organic C content in aggregates with different size varied among soils under different crops, generally increasing with decreasing size. At the intra-aggregate level, organic C concentrated preferably in the exterior layer of aggregates from conventionally tilled soils, probably because of recent organic inputs or leachates. In the case of mulched soils, higher concentrations were observed, but 15 no significant differences among aggregate regions were found. The intensity of water repellency, determined by the ethanol method, did not show great variations among crops, but increased significantly from conventionally tilled to mulched soils. Coarser aggregates were generally wettable, while finer aggregates showed slight water repellency. Regardless of variations in the distribution of organic C in aggregate layers from 20 conventionally tilled soils, great or significant differences in the distribution of water repellency at the intra-aggregate level were not found in any case. Finally, the intensity of water repellency was much more important than the concentration of organic C in the stability to slaking of aggregates.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación CGL2010-21670-C02-01Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación CGL2012-38655-C04-0