Viabilist and Tychastic Approaches to Guaranteed ALM Problem.

This study reconsiders the problem of hedging a liability by a portfolio made of a riskless asset and an underlying (underlying).Asset and Liability Management; Viability theory;

Higher phagocytic activity of thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal macrophages is related to metabolic status of the cells

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal macrophages are widely used in immunological studies. The cells can be collected under non-elicited (resident) or elicited (e.g., with Brewer thioglycollate broth injection) conditions, and their phenotype and functions differ. Recent studies have shown that macrophage phenotype and function are related to their metabolic states, and metabolic reprogramming has been an emerging concept for controlling macrophage function. In this study, we examined the metabolic state of resident and elicited macrophages and investigated how their metabolic state may affect cell function, including phagocytosis. FINDINGS: Flow cytometry showed that elicited macrophages expressed higher levels of MHC-II, LFA-1 and CD64 but lower levels of F4/80 compared to naïve resident peritoneal macrophages, suggesting a more mature and active phenotype. Elicited macrophages had significantly higher levels of phagocytic activity compared to that of resident macrophages. Metabolic studies showed that the Extracellular Acidification Rates (ECAR) and Oxygen Consumption Rates (OCR) were both significantly higher in elicited macrophages than those in resident macrophages. The treatment of macrophages with 2-Deoxy-D-glucose suppressed glycolysis and reduced phagocytosis, whereas treatment with oligomycin enhanced glycolysis and increased phagocytosis in elicited macrophages. CONCLUSION: Naïve resident peritoneal macrophages are less metabolically active compared to elicited macrophages. Elicited macrophages had higher levels of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, which may be related to their increased phagocytic capacity and higher levels of maturation and activation. Further understanding of the molecular links between metabolic pathways and cell function would be crucial to develop strategies to control macrophage function through metabolic reprogramming

FusionPlanner: A Multi-task Motion Planner for Mining Trucks using Multi-sensor Fusion Method

In recent years, significant achievements have been made in motion planning for intelligent vehicles. However, as a typical unstructured environment, open-pit mining attracts limited attention due to its complex operational conditions and adverse environmental factors. A comprehensive paradigm for unmanned transportation in open-pit mines is proposed in this research, including a simulation platform, a testing benchmark, and a trustworthy and robust motion planner. \textcolor{red}{Firstly, we propose a multi-task motion planning algorithm, called FusionPlanner, for autonomous mining trucks by the Multi-sensor fusion method to adapt both lateral and longitudinal control tasks for unmanned transportation. Then, we develop a novel benchmark called MiningNav, which offers three validation approaches to evaluate the trustworthiness and robustness of well-trained algorithms in transportation roads of open-pit mines. Finally, we introduce the Parallel Mining Simulator (PMS), a new high-fidelity simulator specifically designed for open-pit mining scenarios. PMS enables the users to manage and control open-pit mine transportation from both the single-truck control and multi-truck scheduling perspectives.} \textcolor{red}{The performance of FusionPlanner is tested by MiningNav in PMS, and the empirical results demonstrate a significant reduction in the number of collisions and takeovers of our planner. We anticipate our unmanned transportation paradigm will bring mining trucks one step closer to trustworthiness and robustness in continuous round-the-clock unmanned transportation.Comment: 2Pages, 10 figure

Stochastic and Tychastic Approaches to Guaranteed ALM Problem

International audienceUnlike traditional valuation methods, viability theory provides tools for eradicating the risk, by determining the minimum initial capital that would meet the commitments of the investor, regardless market developments. In this study, we compare two approaches to risk assessment within a framework of asset-liability management (ALM) of a guaranteed fund. The optimal allocation of assets for such funds is determined initially by the classical portfolio insurance (thus with a statistical evaluation of risk) and then in a second step, by tools of viability theory. Although the results from the two approaches are not strictly comparable in terms of numerical point of view (as in both cases the goals are different in nature), this study offers, on a practical example of ALM management, two radically different philosophies: one is the statistical evaluation of risk, based on probabilistic models, while the other one eradicates risk, using viability theory

Content, Composition, and Biosynthesis of Anthocyanin in Fragaria Species: A Review

Anthocyanins are responsible for fruit coloration and are beneficial to human health. The fruits of cultivated strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) varieties are colorful, a trait that attracts consumers. The fruits of wild Fragaria species, close relatives of the cultivated strawberry, vary in color. In this review, we describe the content and composition of anthocyanins in cultivated and wild strawberry varieties. We also explore the biosynthetic pathway of anthocyanins, including their transcriptional regulation mechanisms. Additionally, we discuss the effect of environmental factors on anthocyanin accumulation. This review will inform further studies toward developing anthocyanin-rich strawberries via environmental control and exogenous application of compounds

Morel (Morchella spp.) intake alters gut microbial community and short-chain fatty acid profiles in mice

Morels (Morchella spp.) are highly nutritious and consumed as both edible mushrooms and traditional Chinese medicine. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with morel mushrooms on the gut bacterial microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) profiles in healthy mice. Healthy mice were randomly assigned to five groups: a control group (0% morel) and four intervention groups supplemented with different levels of morel mushrooms (5% for M5, 10% for M10, 15% for M15, and 20% for M20) over a period of 4 weeks. Fecal samples were collected at the end of the experiment to characterize the microbiota and assess the SCFAs levels. The morel intervention significantly altered the bacterial community composition, increasing Bacteroides, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group and Parabacteroides, while decreasing Staphylococcus and the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio (F/B ratio). Moreover, increased morel intake was associated with weight loss. All SCFAs content was upregulated in the morel-intervention groups. Potential SCFAs-producing taxa identified by regression analysis were distributed in the families Muribaculaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and in the genera Jeotgalicoccus, Gemella, Odoribacter, Tyzzerella 3 and Ruminococcaceae UCG-014. The functional categories involved with SCFAs-production or weight loss may contain enzymes such as beta-glucosidase (K05349), beta-galactosidase (K01190), and hexosaminidase (K12373) after morel intervention. The exploration of the impact of morel mushrooms on gut microbiota and metabolites contributes to the development of prebiotics for improving health and reducing obesity

Effect of high hydrostatic pressure on aroma volatile compounds and aroma precursors of Hami melon juice

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment is an effective technique for processing heat-sensitive fruits and causes changes in volatile compounds and their precursors while maintaining quality. We investigated the changes and correlations of volatile compounds, related enzyme activities and precursor amino acids, and fatty acids in Hami melon juice under 350–500 MPa pressure. The application of HHP treatment resulted in a considerable reduction of esters and a substantial increase in aldehydes and alcohols in C6 and C9. Activities of lipoxygenase (LOX), alcohol acyltransferase (AAT), and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) were lower than those of the untreated group, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity was reversed. When compared to fresh cantaloupe juice, there was an increase in both the types and contents of amino acids with lower total fatty acid contents than the control group. Positive correlations were observed among six ester-related substances and eight alcohol-related substances. Additionally, the correlations between volatile compounds and fatty acids were more substantial compared to those between volatile compounds and amino acids. HHP treatment increases Hami melon flavor precursors and is an effective way to maintain the aroma volatile compounds and flavor of Hami melon juice

Mitotic activity patterns and cytoskeletal changes throughout the progression of diapause developmental program in Daphnia

Abstract Background Diapause is a form of dormancy that is genetically predetermined to allow animals to overcome harsh environmental conditions. It is induced by predictive environmental cues bringing cellular activity levels into a state of suspended animation. Entering diapause requires organismal, molecular and cellular adaptation to severely reduced energy flows. Cells must therefore have evolved strategies that prepare them for periods with limited metabolic resources. However, changes that occur on the (sub-)cellular level have not been thoroughly described. Results We investigated mitotic activity and we monitored cytoskeletal network changes in successive stages of diapausing and non-diapausing Daphnia magna embryos using (immuno-)fluorescent labeling. We find that embryos destined to diapause show a delayed and 2.5x slower mitotic activity in comparison to continuously developing embryos. Development is halted when D. magna embryos reach ~ 3500 cells, whereupon mitotic activity is absent and cytoskeletal components are severely reduced, rendering diapause cells compact and condensed. Conclusion In the initiation phase of diapause, the slower cell division rate points to prolonged interphase duration, preparing the cells for diapause maintenance. During diapause, cytoskeletal depletion and cellular condensation may be a means to save energy resources. Our data provide insights into the sub-cellular change of diapause in Daphnia