Existence and uniqueness of solutions to the Bellman equation in the unbounded case

We study the problem of the existence and uniqueness of solutions to the Bellman equation in the presence of unbounded returns. We introduce a new approach based both on consideration of a metric on the space of all continuous functions over the state space, and on the application of some metric fixed point theorems. With appropriate conditions we prove uniqueness of solutions with respect to the whole space of continuous functions. Furthermore, the paper provides new sufficient conditions for the existence of solutions that can be applied to fairly general models. It is also proven that the fixed point coincides with the value function and that it can be approached by successive iterations of the Bellman operator.The research of J. P. Rincón-Zapatero was supported by Project VA108/01 of Junta de Castilla y León and Project BFM2002–00425 (FEDER) of Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología, Spain. C. Rodríguez-Palmero gratefully acknowledges financial support from Junta de Castilla y León, Project VA31/01.Publicad

A FUNÇÃO DO JUIZ PENAL PARA VALIDAR PROVAS ILEGAIS NO PROCESSO PENAL COLOMBIANO

The purpose of the research, is both theoretically and practically, one of the most demanding, interesting and relevant areas of the entire legal system. By them we will arrive, if they are applied in the proper way, to truth and material justice, and if we do not do so, we will configure serious violations of the entire legal system with its fundamental guarantees. In this sense, the materialization of due process through the duty to exclude irregular evidence becomes a fundamental matter, framed in the imperative to distinguish which ones are illegal, which should be excluded without being based on a decision, and may have some indirect and impact on the decision when there are conditions of remission or applicability of other material. At the same time, we will have to identify which ones are illegal and will imply the duty to exclude themselves without conditions and the nullity of the entire process, particularly for configuring a violation of human rights. Establishing the categories, imperatives, purposes and methodologies for the proper development of these tools of an evidentiary nature will allow the judge to adequately structure the factual premise of judicial decisions.El objeto de las pruebas es tanto teórica como práctica una de las áreas más exigentes, interesantes y relevantes de todo el sistema jurídico. Por ellas llegaremos, si se aplican de la adecuada forma, a la verdad y la justicia material, y de no hacerlo, configuraremos graves violaciones a todo el ordenamiento jurídico con sus garantías fundamentales. En tal sentido, la materialización del debido proceso a través del deber de excluir las pruebas irregulares se vuelve una materia fundamental, enmarcado en el imperativo de distinguir cuáles son ilegales, que deberán excluirse sin ser base una decisión, pudiendo tener algún indirecto e impacto en la decisión cuando hay condiciones de remisión o de aplicabilidad de otro material. A la vez que habremos de identificar cuáles son ilícitas e implicarán el deber de excluirse sin condiciones y la nulidad de todo el proceso, particularmente por configurar una violación de los derechos humanos. Establecer las categorías, los imperativos, las finalidades y las metodologías para el adecuado desarrollo de estas herramientas de carácter probatorio permitirán al juez estructurar adecuadamente la premisa fáctica de las decisiones judicial.Le sujet de la preuve est, tant sur le plan théorique que pratique, l’un des domaines les plus exigeants, les plus intéressants et les plus pertinents de tout le système juridique. Grâce à elle, si elle est appliquée de la bonne manière, nous arriverons à la vérité et à la justice matérielle, et dans le cas contraire, nous constituerons de graves violations de tout le système juridique avec ses garanties fondamentales. Dans ce sens, la matérialisation du procès équitable à travers le devoir d’exclure les preuves irrégulières devient une question fondamentale, encadrée dans l’impératif de distinguer quelles sont les preuves illégales, celles qui doivent être exclues sans être la base d’une décision, et celles qui peuvent avoir un impact indirect sur la décision lorsqu’il existe des conditions de remise ou d’applicabilité d’autres matériels. Dans le même temps, nous devrons identifier celles qui sont illégales et qui impliquent le devoir de les exclure inconditionnellement et la nullité de tout le processus, notamment pour avoir constitué une violation des droits de l’homme. L’établissement des catégories, des impératifs, des objectifs et des méthodologies pour le développement approprié de ces outils de preuve permettra au juge de structurer adéquatement les prémisses factuelles des décisions judiciaires.O tema da prova é tanto teoricamente como praticamente uma das áreas mais exigentes, interessantes e relevantes de todo o sistema jurídico. Através dele, se for aplicado da forma correcta, chegaremos à verdade e à justiça material, e se não o for, constituiremos graves violações de todo o sistema jurídico com as suas garantias fundamentais. Neste sentido, a materialização do processo equitativo através do dever de excluir provas irregulares torna-se uma questão fundamental, enquadrada no imperativo de distinguir quais as provas ilegais, que devem ser excluídas sem serem a base de uma decisão, e que podem ter um impacto indirecto na decisão quando existem condições de remissão ou de aplicabilidade de outro material. Ao mesmo tempo, teremos de identificar os que são ilegais e implicará o dever de os excluir incondicionalmente e a nulidade de todo o processo, particularmente por constituírem uma violação dos direitos humanos. O estabelecimento das categorias, imperativos, objectivos e metodologias para o desenvolvimento adequado destes instrumentos probatórios permitirá ao juiz estruturar adequadamente a premissa factual das decisões judiciais

Uncertainty Propagation In A Hydro-Meteorological Approach: From The Cloud To The Flood Map.

Globally, it is widely known that floods remain the most frequent and devastating natural hazards. Likewise, there is recent evidence showing an increase in the number of extreme flood events observed around the world. Therefore, it is imperative to develop an integrated flood assessment framework that enables a better understanding of both, the generation of these events and the interaction of key variables within the hydro-meteorological system. The aim of this investigation is to study the propagation of meteorological uncertainty to a numerically estimated flood map. For such purpose, we utilise a cascade modelling approach comprised by a Numerical Weather Prediction Model (NWP), a rainfall-runoff model and a standard 2D hydrodynamic model. Uncertainty is considered in the meteorological model (Weather Research and Forecasting model) using a multi-physics ensemble technique considering twenty four parameterization schemes. The resulting precipitation fields are used as input in a distributed hydrological model to generate spaghetti plots, which are then employed as forcing in a 2D hydrodynamic model. The approach is utilised for the reproduction of an extreme flood event in southern Mexico, for which field data (rain gauges) and satellite imagery are available. Although there are more uncertainties involved in the determination of a flooded area, the methodology represents a robust approach to acknowledge the propagation from the meteorological model to the flood map. Thus, it favours preventive action in the generation of better flood management strategies

Flood Risk From Extreme Events In Mexico

Flooding is the most common and damaging natural hazard faced by civilization, and flooding threats are likely to increase given current climate change predictions that suggest more intense hurricanes and precipitation. The latter has been recently experienced in the Mexican state of Guerrero, during the severe flood of September 2013. During this event, the heavy rainfall registered in 2 days (~700 mm) produced extreme river discharges that produced significant fluvial impacts and flooding in large areas of the city of Acapulco, causing severe damages and social disruption. In order to study the causes of this disaster, an integrated methodology to estimate flood risk is utilised. Uncertainties in the results are taken into account through the implementation of a cascade modelling approach, comprised by meteorological, hydrological and hydrodynamic models. These numerical tools are set up with field measurements (e.g. precipitation and bathymetry), and elevation data from a LiDAR-based DEM, enabling the representation and reconstruction of the whole event (from the cloud to the river). This approach allows the assessment of the interaction of natural flows with urban infrastructure and planning in this region. It is shown land use changes may have significantly influenced the extreme flood impacts registered during this event, implying a sensitivity of the region to spatial planning. On the other hand, the estimated return periods of precipitation indicate that the rainfall may be associated to a return period of 100-200 years. Results highlight the need of integration between land-use issues and water issues to achieve a more sustainable and viable management of land and water. The cascade modelling approach may be applied to other areas and can be extended to consider the effect of future climate change

Predictores de riesgo en una cohorte española con cardiolaminopatías. Registro REDLAMINA

[Abstract] Introduction and objectives. According to sudden cardiac death guidelines, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) should be considered in patients with LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and ≥ 2 risk factors: male sex, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 45%, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT), and nonmissense genetic variants. In this study we aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of carriers of LMNA genetic variants among individuals from a Spanish cardiac-laminopathies cohort (REDLAMINA registry) and to assess previously reported risk criteria. Methods. The relationship between risk factors and cardiovascular events was evaluated in a cohort of 140 carriers (age ≥ 16 years) of pathogenic LMNA variants (54 probands, 86 relatives). We considered: a) major arrhythmic events (MAE) if there was appropriate ICD discharge or sudden cardiac death; b) heart failure death if there was heart transplant or death due to heart failure. Results. We identified 11 novel and 21 previously reported LMNA-related DCM variants. LVEF < 45% (P = .001) and NSVT (P < .001) were related to MAE, but not sex or type of genetic variant. The only factor independently related to heart failure death was LVEF < 45% (P < .001). Conclusions. In the REDLAMINA registry cohort, the only predictors independently associated with MAE were NSVT and LVEF < 45%. Therefore, female carriers of missense variants with either NSVT or LVEF < 45% should not be considered a low-risk group. It is important to individualize risk stratification in carriers of LMNA missense variants, because not all have the same prognosis.[Resumen] Introducción y objetivos. Según las guías de muerte súbita, se debe considerar un desfibrilador automático implantable (DAI) para los pacientes con miocardiopatía dilatada debida a variantes en el gen de la lamina (LMNA) con al menos 2 factores: varones, fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (FEVI) < 45%, taquicardia ventricular no sostenida (TVNS) y variantes no missense. Nuestro objetivo es describir las características clínicas de una cohorte española de pacientes con cardiolaminopatías (registro REDLAMINA) y evaluar los criterios de riesgo vigentes. Métodos. Se evaluó la relación entre factores de riesgo y eventos cardiovasculares en una cohorte de 140 portadores de variantes en LMNA (54 probandos, 86 familiares, edad ≥ 16 años). Se consideró: a) evento arrítmico mayor (EAM) si hubo descarga apropiada del DAI o muerte súbita, y b) muerte por insuficiencia cardiaca, incluidos los trasplantes. Resultados. Se identificaron 11 variantes nuevas y 21 previamente publicadas. La FEVI < 45% (p = 0,001) y la TVNS (p < 0,001) se relacionaron con los EAM, pero no el sexo o el tipo de variante (missense frente a no missense). La FEVI < 45% (p < 0,001) fue el único factor relacionado con la muerte por insuficiencia cardiaca. Conclusiones. En el registro REDLAMINA, los únicos 2 predictores asociados con EAM fueron la TVNS y la FEVI < 45%. No se debería considerar grupo de bajo riesgo a las portadoras de variantes missense con TVNS o FEVI < 45%. Es importante individualizar la estratificación del riesgo de los portadores de variantes missense en LMNA, porque no todas tienen el mismo pronóstico.This study received a grant from the Proyecto de investigación de la Sección de Insuficiencia Cardiaca 2017 from the Spanish Society of Cardiology and grants from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) [PI14/0967, PI15/01551, AC16/0014] and ERA-CVD Joint Transnational Call 2016 (Genprovic). Grants from the ISCIII and the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España (Spanish Department of Economy and Competitiveness) are supported by the Plan Estatal de I+D+i 2013-2016: Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) “Una forma de hacer Europa”

Administración de las Reservas Internacionales - Diciembre de 2021

La Constitución Política de Colombia y la Ley 31 de 1992, artículo 14, asignan al Banco de la República la función de administrar las reservas internacionales. Así mismo, definen que estas deben ser manejadas con criterios de seguridad, liquidez y rentabilidad. El propósito de este documento es explicar la gestión de las reservas internacionales de Colombia, las cuales ascendían a USD 59.031 millones (m) a diciembre de 2020. Primero, se introducen los principales conceptos asociados con las reservas internacionales y el marco en el cual se fundamenta su gestión por parte del Banco. Posteriormente, se detalla la política de administración y los aspectos fundamentales de su operatividad. Por último, se realiza un recuento sobre el estado actual de las reservas. Recuadro 1 - Indicadores de liquidez de las reservas internacionales Recuadro 2 - Definición de índices de referencia: introducción de expectativas neutrales en el proceso de optimizació

Anti-Spike antibodies 3 months after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine booster dose in patients on hemodialysis: the prospective SENCOVAC study

Background: Patients on hemodialysis are at high-risk for complications derived from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present analysis evaluated the impact of a booster vaccine dose and breakthrough severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections on humoral immunity 3 months after the booster dose. Methods: This is a multicentric and prospective study assessing immunoglobulin G anti-Spike antibodies 6 and 9 months after initial SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients on hemodialysis that had also received a booster dose before the 6-month assessment (early booster) or between the 6- and 9-month assessments (late booster). The impact of breakthrough infections, type of vaccine, time from the booster and clinical variables were assessed. Results: A total of 711 patients [67% male, median age (range) 67 (20-89) years] were included. Of these, 545 (77%) received an early booster and the rest a late booster. At 6 months, 64 (9%) patients had negative anti-Spike antibody titers (3% of early booster and 29% of late booster patients, P =. 001). At 9 months, 91% of patients with 6-month negative response had seroconverted and there were no differences in residual prevalence of negative humoral response between early and late booster patients (0.9% vs 0.6%, P =. 693). During follow-up, 35 patients (5%) developed breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection. Antibody titers at 9 months were independently associated with mRNA-1273 booster (P =. 001), lower time from booster (P =. 043) and past breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection (P <. 001). Conclusions: In hemodialysis patients, higher titers of anti-Spike antibodies at 9 months were associated with mRNA-1273 booster, lower time from booster and past breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infectionThe present project has been supported by Fresenius Medical Care, Diaverum, Vifor Pharma, Vircell, Fundación Renal Iñigo Álvarez de Toledo and ISCIII FEDER funds RICORS2040 (RD21/0005

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

[Purpose]: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. [Methods]: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015.Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years,65 to 80 years,and ≥ 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. [Results]: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 ≥ 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients ≥80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%,65 years; 20.5%,65-79 years; 31.3%,≥80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%,<65 years;30.1%,65-79 years;34.7%,≥80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%,≥80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age ≥ 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI ≥ 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88),and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared,the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. [Conclusion]: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age ≥ 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI),and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group

Challenge B: Human sciences in transition scenarios

Coordinators: Josep Martí Pérez (IMF, CSIC), Idoia Murga Castro (IH, CSIC).This challenge is formulated in terms of “humanities in transition,” that is, their approach and articulation in the face of the changes they must undergo to achieve the social weight that, due to their intrinsic relevance, should correspond to them. Faced with these situations that would demand a reinforcement in research and dissemination in diverse aspects of the humanities, from multiple perspectives, paradoxically an adverse panorama is drawn for the development and dissemination of humanistic knowledge, which concerns different factors. Some are related to the consideration of the area of knowledge itself, its organization within the scientific system, the questioning of its own limits, and the interaction with another knowledge. Considering current transition scenarios does not mean having to abandon old objectives, but it adds to the work conducted new objects of study closely related to current reality, such as: the informational revolution; the relations with the ecosystem and the environmental crisis; globalization; the intensification of human mobility and migration flows; the growing economic and social inequality; the frictions derived from the articulation of collective identities; the decolonization of discourses; demographic dynamics; integration of technological advances; and viability and support for alternative models of society.Peer reviewe