Effectively Tackling Reinsurance Problems by Using Evolutionary and Swarm Intelligence Algorithms

This paper is focused on solving different hard optimization problems that arise in the field of insurance and, more specifically, in reinsurance problems. In this area, the complexity of the models and assumptions considered in the definition of the reinsurance rules and conditions produces hard black-box optimization problems -problems in which the objective function does not have an algebraic expression, but it is the output of a system - usually a computer program, which must be solved in order to obtain the optimal output of the reinsurance. The application of traditional optimization approaches is not possible in this kind of mathematical problem, so new computational paradigms must be applied to solve these problems. In this paper, we show the performance of two evolutionary and swarm intelligence techniques -evolutionary programming and particle swarm optimization-. We provide an analysis in three black-box optimization problems in reinsurance, where the proposed approaches exhibit an excellent behavior, finding the optimal solution within a fraction of the computational cost used by inspection or enumeration methods

Evaluation of the role of biocolonizations in the conservation state of Machu Picchu (Peru): The Sacred Rock

Machu Picchu Inca sanctuary (Cusco Region, Peru) was constructed on a granitic plateau, better known as Vilcabamba batholith. One of the most important carved granitic rocks from this archaeological site is the Sacred Rock, used by Inca citizens for religious rituals. Due to the location and climatic conditions, different rocks from this archaeological site are affected by biocolonizations. Concretely, the Sacred Rock shows flaking and delamination problems. In this work, a non-destructive multi analytical methodology has been applied to determine the possible role of the biodeteriogens, forming the biological patina on the Sacred Rock, in the previously mentioned conservation problems. Before characterizing the biological patina, a mineralogical characterization of the granitic substrate was conducted using X-ray Diffraction, Raman microscopy (RM) and micro energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. For the identification of the main biodeteriogens in the biofilm, Phase Contrast Microscopy was used. RM also allowed to determine the distribution (imaging) and the penetration (depth profiling) of the biogenic pigments present in the biopatina. Thanks to this study, it was possible to asses that some colonizers are growing on inner areas of the rock, reinforcing their possible assistance in the delamination. Moreover, the in-depth distribution of a wide variety of carotenoids in the patinas allowed to approach the penetration ability of the main biodeteriogens and the diffusion of these biogenic pigments to the inner areas of the rocky substrate

Relação entre funcionamento cognitivo e o perfil sintomático com a qualidade de vida de pacientes com transtornos do espectro da esquizofrenia

Objective: To evaluate the association of psychopathological symptoms and cognitive functioning with the measures of subjective quality of life of a group of patients diagnosed with the schizophrenia spectrum. Methodology: The study included 102 outpatients who met the DSM-IV-TR criteria for the diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The data were obtained by means of the Seville Questionnaire of Quality of Life (CSCV), the scale for the positive and negative schizophrenia syndrome (PANSS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) as well as the state-trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: The multiple regression analysis showed, on one hand, that favorable aspects of quality of life are affected by cognitive disorganization, positive, depressive and anxiety symptoms. On the other hand, the presence of emotional symptoms is strongly associated with unfavorable aspects, which suggests that this symptomatic dimension impairs the subjective perception of well-being of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Conclusions: Psychopathological symptoms and cognitive function affect the subjective quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. If the aim of the treatment is to improve the perceived quality of life, the strategies should consider seeking the improvement symptoms of an emotional nature, such as depression / anxiety and emotional distress.Objetivo: evaluar la asociación de los síntomas psicopatológicos y el funcionamiento cognitivo con las medidas de calidad de vida subjetiva en pacientes con diagnósticos del espectro de la esquizofrenia. Metodología: se incluyeron 102 pacientes ambulatorios que cumplían criterios DSM-IVTR para el diagnóstico de alguno de los trastornos del espectro de la esquizofrenia. Los datos se obtuvieron utilizando el Cuestionario Sevilla de Calidad de Vida, la Escala para el síndrome positivo y negativo de la esquizofrenia (PANSS), el Inventario de depresión de Beck y el Inventario de Ansiedad estado/rasgo. Resultados: el análisis de regresión múltiple mostró que los aspectos favorables de la calidad de vida están afectados por la desorganización cognitiva, los síntomas positivos, depresivos y ansiosos. Por otra parte, la presencia de síntomas de carácter emocional está fuertemente asociada a los aspectos desfavorables, lo que hace pensar que esta dimensión sintomática deteriora la percepción subjetiva de bienestar de los pacientes con trastornos del espectro de la esquizofrenia. Conclusiones: los síntomas psicopatológicos y la función cognitiva afectan la calidad de vida subjetiva en pacientes con esquizofrenia. Si el objetivo con el tratamiento es lograr que mejore la calidad de vida percibida, las estrategias deben considerar la búsqueda de la mejoría de los síntomas de carácter emocional, como la depresión, la ansiedad y el malestar emocional.Objetivo: avaliar a associação dos sintomas psicopatológicos e o funcionamento cognitivo com as medidas de qualidade de vida subjetiva em pacientes com diagnósticos do espectro da esquizofrenia. Metodologia: se incluíram 102 pacientes ambulatórios que cumpriam critérios DSMIV-TR para o diagnóstico de algum dos transtornos do espectro da esquizofrenia. Os dados se obtiveram utilizando o Questionário Sevilla de Qualidade de Vida, a Escala para a síndrome positiva e negativa da esquizofrenia (PANSS), o Inventário de depressão de Beck e o Inventário de Ansiedade estado/característica. Resultados: a análise de regressão múltipla mostrou que os aspectos favoráveis da qualidade de vida estão afetados pela desorganização cognitiva, os sintomas positivos, depressivos e ansiosos. Por outra parte, a presença de sintomas de carácter emocional está fortemente associada aos aspectos desfavoráveis, o que se faz pensar que esta dimensão sintomática deteriora a percepção subjetiva de bem-estar dos pacientes com transtornos do espectro da esquizofrenia. Conclusões: os sintomas psicopatológicos e a função cognitiva afetam a qualidade de vida subjetiva em pacientes com esquizofrenia. Se o objetivo com o tratamento é conseguir que melhore a qualidade de vida percebida, as estratégias devem considerar a busca da melhoria dos sintomas de carácter emocional, como a depressão, a ansiedade e o mal-estar emocional

Elemental imaging approach to assess the ability of subaerial biofilms growing on constructions located in tropical climates as potential biomonitors of atmospheric heavy metals pollution

Over the last decades, the concern about air pollution has increased significantly, especially in urban areas. Active sampling of air pollutants requires specific instrumentation not always available in all the laboratories. Passive sampling has a lower cost than active alternatives but still requires efforts to cover extensive areas. The use of biological systems as passive samplers might be a solution that provides information about air pollution to assist decision-makers in environmental health and urban planning. This study aims to employ subaerial biofilms (SABs) growing naturally on façades of historical and recent constructions as natural passive biomonitors of atmospheric heavy metals pollution. Concretely, SABs spontaneously growing on constructions located in a tropical climate, like the one of the city of Barranquilla (Colombia), have been used to develop the methodological approach here presented as an alternative to SABS grown under laboratory conditions. After a proper identification of the biocolonizers in the SAB through taxonomic and morphological observations, the study of the particulate matter accumulated on the SABs of five constructions was conducted under a multi-analytical approach based mainly on elemental imaging studies by micro Energy Dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (μ-EDXRF) and Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS) techniques, trying to reduce the time needed and associated costs. This methodology allowed to discriminate metals that are part of the original structure of the SABs, from those coming from the anthropogenic emissions. The whole methodology applied assisted the identification of the main metallic particles that could be associated with nearby anthropogenic sources of emission such as Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni and Ti by SEM-EDS and by μ-EDXRF Ba, Sb, Sn, Cl and Br apart others; revealing that it could be used as a good alternative for a rapid screening of the atmospheric heavy metals pollution.This work has been supported by the project IT1446-22 for Research Groups of the Basque University System, funded by the Basque Country Government. Open Access funding provided by University of the Basque Country is also gratefully acknowledged. The authors thank for technical and human support provided by SGIker (UPV/EHU/ERDF, EU) and concretely to Alfredo Sarmiento from Coupled Multispectroscopy Singular Laboratory (Raman-LASPEA)

Progression of Interstitial Fibrosis and Tubular Atrophy in Low Immunological Risk Renal Transplants Monitored by Sequential Surveillance Biopsies : The Influence of TAC Exposure and Metabolism

The combination of tacrolimus (TAC) and mycophenolate is the most widely employed maintenance immunosuppression in renal transplants. Different surrogates of tacrolimus exposure or metabolism such as tacrolimus trough levels (TAC-C), coefficient of variation of tacrolimus (CV-TAC-C), time in therapeutic range (TTR), and tacrolimus concentration dose ratio (C/D) have been associated with graft outcomes. We explore in a cohort of low immunological risk renal transplants (n = 85) treated with TAC, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and steroids and then monitored by paired surveillance biopsies the association between histological lesions and TAC-C at the time of biopsy as well as CV-TAC-C, TTR, and C/D during follow up. Interstitial inflammation (i-Banff score ≥ 1) in the first surveillance biopsy was associated with TAC-C (odds ratio (OR): 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.50-0.96; p = 0.027). In the second surveillance biopsy, inflammation was associated with time below the therapeutic range (OR: 1.05 and 95% CI: 1.01-1.10; p = 0.023). Interstitial inflammation in scarred areas (i-IFTA score ≥ 1) was not associated with surrogates of TAC exposure/metabolism. Progression of interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IF/TA) was observed in 35 cases (41.2%). Multivariate regression logistic analysis showed that mean C/D (OR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.25-0.92; p = 0.026) and IF/TA in the first biopsy (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.24-0.77, p = 0.005) were associated with IF/TA progression between biopsies. A low C/D ratio is associated with IF/TA progression, suggesting that TAC nephrotoxicity may contribute to fibrosis progression in well immunosuppressed patients. Our data support that TAC exposure is associated with inflammation in healthy kidney areas but not in scarred tissu

An Analysis of black-box optimization problems in reinsurance : evolutionary-based approaches

Black-box optimization problems (BBOP) are de ned as those optimization problems in which the objective function does not have an algebraic expression, but it is the output of a system (usually a computer program). This paper is focussed on BBOPs that arise in the eld of insurance, and more speci cally in reinsurance problems. In this area, the complexity of the models and assumptions considered to de ne the reinsurance rules and conditions produces hard black-box optimization problems, that must be solved in order to obtain the optimal output of the reinsurance. The application of traditional optimization approaches is not possible in BBOP, so new computational paradigms must be applied to solve these problems. In this paper we show the performance of two evolutionary-based techniques (Evolutionary Programming and Particle Swarm Optimization). We provide an analysis in three BBOP in reinsurance, where the evolutionary-based approaches exhibit an excellent behaviour, nding the optimal solution within a fraction of the computational cost used by inspection or enumeration methods

The Lipopolysaccharide Core of Brucella abortus Acts as a Shield Against Innate Immunity Recognition

Innate immunity recognizes bacterial molecules bearing pathogen-associated molecular patterns to launch inflammatory responses leading to the activation of adaptive immunity. However, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of the gram-negative bacterium Brucella lacks a marked pathogen-associated molecular pattern, and it has been postulated that this delays the development of immunity, creating a gap that is critical for the bacterium to reach the intracellular replicative niche. We found that a B. abortus mutant in the wadC gene displayed a disrupted LPS core while keeping both the LPS O-polysaccharide and lipid A. In mice, the wadC mutant induced proinflammatory responses and was attenuated. In addition, it was sensitive to killing by non-immune serum and bactericidal peptides and did not multiply in dendritic cells being targeted to lysosomal compartments. In contrast to wild type B. abortus, the wadC mutant induced dendritic cell maturation and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. All these properties were reproduced by the wadC mutant purified LPS in a TLR4-dependent manner. Moreover, the core-mutated LPS displayed an increased binding to MD-2, the TLR4 co-receptor leading to subsequent increase in intracellular signaling. Here we show that Brucella escapes recognition in early stages of infection by expressing a shield against recognition by innate immunity in its LPS core and identify a novel virulence mechanism in intracellular pathogenic gram-negative bacteria. These results also encourage for an improvement in the generation of novel bacterial vaccines

Effectively Tackling Reinsurance Problems by Using Evolutionary and Swarm Intelligence Algorithms

This paper is focused on solving different hard optimization problems that arise in the field of insurance and, more specifically, in reinsurance problems. In this area, the complexity of the models and assumptions considered in the definition of the reinsurance rules and conditions produces hard black-box optimization problems (problems in which the objective function does not have an algebraic expression, but it is the output of a system (usually a computer program)), which must be solved in order to obtain the optimal output of the reinsurance. The application of traditional optimization approaches is not possible in this kind of mathematical problem, so new computational paradigms must be applied to solve these problems. In this paper, we show the performance of two evolutionary and swarm intelligence techniques (evolutionary programming and particle swarm optimization). We provide an analysis in three black-box optimization problems in reinsurance, where the proposed approaches exhibit an excellent behavior, finding the optimal solution within a fraction of the computational cost used by inspection or enumeration methods