JavaEvA : a Java based framework for Evolutionary Algorithms

Das Softwarepaket JavaEvA (eine Java Implementierung Evolutionärer Algorithmen) ist ein allgemeines modulares Framework für Optimierungsalgorithmen basierend auf einer Client-Server Architektur, das geeignet ist eine Vielzahl von Optimierungsproblemen zu lösen. Das Paket wurde mit dem Schwerpunkt entwickelt neue Verfahren im Bereich der Evolutionären Algorithmen einfach entwickeln und testen zu können und diese Verfahren letztlich in praktischen Anwendungen anzuwenden. JavaEvA beinhaltet Implementierungen der üblichen Evolutionären Verfahren wie zum Beispiel Genetische Algorithmen, die CHC Adaptive Search, Population Based Incremental Learning, Evolutionsstrategien, Modellunterstützte Evolutionsstrategien, Genetisches Programmieren und Grammatical Evolution. Zusätzlich erlaubt es das modulare Framework von JavaEvA eigene eventuell problemspezifische Optimierungsmodule zu ergänzen und mit den implementieren Verfahren zu vergleichen. Das JavaEvA Paket benutzt ein generisches Verfahren zur GUI Generierung und erlaubt so einen einfachen Objektorientierten Zugang zu allen relevanten Parametern eines Evolutionären Algorithmus. Das gleiche Verfahren generiert auch entsprechende GUI Elemente für neu entwickelte Methoden und vereinfacht so den Aufwand bei der Entwicklung neuer Methoden erheblich. Zusätzlich besteht die Möglichkeit spezialisiere GUI Elemente für einzelne Objekte zu entwickeln und in das bestehende System zu integrieren, um die Benutzerfreundlichkeit weiter zu erhöhen. Da es uns unmöglich ist jedwede potenzielle Anwendung oder Optimierungsproblem zu antizipieren, ist es aus praktischen Gründen fast immer nötig eigene Implementierungen des jeweiligen Anwendungsproblems zu erstellen. Um diesen Vorgang zu erleichtern bietet diese Anleitung zusätzliche Beispiele mit detaillierten Beschreibungen, wie man ein eigenes Problem implementieren kann und JavaEvA lediglich als Optimierungstoolbox integriert. Auf diese Weise behält ihre jeweilige Anwendung die vollständige Kontrolle über die verwendeten Verfahren und die anwendungsspezifische Darstellung der Optimierungsergebnisse.The package JavaEvA (a Java implementation of Evolutionary Algorithms) is a general modular framework with an inherent client server structure to solve practical optimization problems. This package was especially designed to test and develop new approaches for Evolutionary Algorithms and to utilize them in real-world applications. JavaEvA already provides implementations of the most common Evolutionary Algorithms, like Genetic Algorithms, CHC Adaptive Search, Population Based Incremental Learning, Evolution Strategies, Model-Assisted Evolution Strategies, Genetic Programming and Grammatical Evolution. In addition the modular framework of JavaEvA allows everyone to add their own optimization modules to meet their specific requirements. The JavaEvA package uses a generic GUI framework that allows GUI access to any member of a class if get and set methods are provided and an editor is defined for the given data type. This approach allows very fast development cycles, since hardly any additional effort is necessary for implementing GUI elements, while still at the same time user specific GUI elements can be developed and integrated to increase usability. Since we cannot anticipate specific optimization problem and requirements, it is necessary for users to define their optimization problem. Therefore, we provide an additional framework and explain how one can include JavaEvA in an existing Java project or how one can implement ones own optimization problem and optimize it by using JavaEvA. This gives users total control of the optimization algorithms used

Hybrid Representations for Composition Optimization and Parallelizing MOEAs

We present a hybrid EA representation suitable to optimize composition optimization problems ranging from optimizing recipes for catalytic materials to cardinality constrained portfolio selection. On several problem instances we can show that this new representation performs better than standard repair mechanisms with Lamarckism. Additionally, we investigate the a clustering based parallelization scheme for MOEAs. We prove that typical "divide and conquer\u27\u27 approaches are not suitable for the standard test functions like ZDT 1-6. Therefore, we suggest a new test function based on the portfolio selection problem and prove the feasibility of "divide and conquer\u27\u27 approaches on this test function

Revisited: Therapeutic and toxic blood concentrations of more than 1100 drugs and other xenobiotics.

In order to assess the significance of drug/substance levels measured in intensive care medicine and clinical and forensic toxicology as well as for therapeutic drug monitoring, it is essential that a comprehensive collection of data is readily available. We revisited and expanded our 2012 compilation of therapeutic and toxic plasma concentration ranges as well as half-lives of now more than 1100 drugs and other xenobiotics.Data have been abstracted from original papers, text books, and previous compilations and have been completed with data collected in our own forensic and clinical toxicology laboratories. We compiled the data presented in the table and the corresponding annotations over the past 30+ years. A previous compilation was completely double-checked, revised, and updated, if necessary. In addition, more than 200 substances, especially drugs who have been introduced since 2012 to the market as well as illegal drugs and other xenobiotics which became known to cause intoxications were added. We carefully referenced all data. Moreover, the annotations providing details were updated and revised, when necessary.For more than 1100 drugs and other xenobiotics, therapeutic ("normal") and, if data was available, toxic, and comatose-fatal plasma/blood concentrations as well as elimination half-lives were compiled in a table.In case of intoxications, the blood concentration of the substance and/or metabolite better predicts the clinical severity of the case when compared to the assumed amount and time of ingestion. Comparing and contrasting the clinical case against the data provided, including the half-life, may support the decision for or against further intensive care. In addition, the data provided are useful for the therapeutic monitoring of pharmacotherapies, to facilitate the diagnostic assessment and monitoring of acute and chronic intoxications as well as to support forensic and clinical expert opinions

Urgent Challenges for Local Public Health Informatics

This editorial highlights the urgent challenges for local public health informatics and provides solutions to face these challenges

An Evolutionary Optimization Approach to Risk Parity Portfolio Selection

In this paper we present an evolutionary optimization approach to solve the risk parity portfolio selection problem. While there exist convex optimization approaches to solve this problem when long-only portfolios are considered, the optimization problem becomes non-trivial in the long-short case. To solve this problem, we propose a genetic algorithm as well as a local search heuristic. This algorithmic framework is able to compute solutions successfully. Numerical results using real-world data substantiate the practicability of the approach presented in this paper

Detection of annexin A8 antibodies in serum of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome

Introduction: Antibodies specific for annexin A8 (AnxA8) have not been investigated in patients suffering from antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) yet. The aim of this study was to compare the presence of AnxA8 antibodies in serum of APS patients with that of age-matched healthy controls and to investigate whether AnxA8 antibodies are potential biomarkers for APS. Materials and methods: We enrolled 22 APS patients and 22 healthy controls in this case-control study. We used sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblot to investigate the presence of AnxA8 antibodies, and we applied enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to investigate the presence of cardiolipin (CL) and beta-2-glycoprotein I (ß2GPI) antibodies. Results: The serum of 9/22 APS patients showed AnxA8 IgG isotype antibody reactivity compared to serum of 2/22 healthy controls (P = 0.034). When we also included weak immunoblot signals, 12/22 APS patients exhibited AnxA8 IgG isotype antibody reactivity compared to 3/22 healthy controls (P = 0.005). We also investigated the presence of AnxA8 IgM isotype antibodies in the serum of APS patients but found no statistically significant difference between the APS patient group and healthy control group (P = 0.500). We further investigated the presence of ß2GPI and CL IgG and IgM isotype antibodies. AnxA8 IgG isotype antibodies were present in APS patients in a similar frequency as the APS “criteria” antibody against CL (P = 0.764). Conclusion: We demonstrated that AnxA8 IgG isotype antibodies are potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of APS

Global Study: Participation in One Health Networks and Involvement in COVID-19 Response Activities

PURPOSE: This global study examined whether being part of a One Health Network (OHN) was associated with being involved in COVID-19 response activities at the early stages of the pandemic. Barriers to workforce involvement in the pandemic response and the perceived value of OHN activities were studied to inform future targeted evidence-based strategies for workforce capacity-building. METHODS & MATERIALS: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study, using an online questionnaire that was globally distributed in July-August 2020. With a snowball sampling approach via OHN listservs, social media, and further sharing, we aimed to reach individuals in the global health workforce across locations, organizations, and sectors to survey their participation in OHN activities and involvement in COVID-19 response. RESULTS: The sample included 1050 respondents from various types of organizations and work sectors, from 94 countries across all WHO regions. Being part of an OHN was positively associated with involvement in the COVID-19 response (odds ratio: 1.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.3 - 2.4). The OHN activities most indicated as useful during COVID-19 pandemic by the survey respondents included 'increased public awareness of One Health' and 'networking with professionals across sectors with common interests'. Overall, 44% of survey respondents who were part of an OHN found OHN activities very or extremely helpful to their COVID-19 response. Lack of opportunities was a commonly reported barrier to involvement in COVID-19 response globally, and lack of funding was a barrier particularly in the WHO Africa region. CONCLUSION: This study provides a snapshot of the multisectoral response to COVID-19 and an assessment of the contribution of OHNs. The lessons learned during this pandemic can be used to identify measures to improve global health capacity, including OHN activities to build and strengthen workforce response to future global health challenges

Up-Regulation of the Cardiac Lipid Metabolism at the Onset of Heart Failure

Chronic pressure overload and atherosclerosis are primary etiologic factors for cardiac hypertrophy and failure. However, mechanisms underlying the transition from hypertrophy to heart failure are incompletely understood. We analyzed the development of heart failure in mice with chronic pressure overload induced by aortic constriction and compared the results with aged apolipoprotein E-deficient mice suffering from advanced atherosclerosis. We combined cardiac function analysis by echocardiography and invasive hemodynamics with a comprehensive microarray gene expression study (GSE25765-8). The microarray data showed that the onset of heart failure induced by pressure overload or advanced atherosclerosis was accompanied by a strong up-regulation of key lipid metabolizing enzymes involved in fat synthesis, storage and oxidation. Cardiac lipid overload may be involved in the progression of heart failure by enhancing cardiomyocyte death. Up-regulation of the cardiac lipid metabolism was related to oxygen and ATP depletion of failing hearts because anti-ischemic treatment with ranolazine normalized the cardiac lipid metabolism and improved cardiac function. Vice versa, inhibition of cellular respiration and ATP generation by mild thiol-blocking with cystamine triggered the cardiac lipid metabolism and caused signs of heart failure. Cardiac tissue specimens of patients with heart failure also showed high protein levels of key fat metabolizing enzymes as well as lipid accumulation. Taken together, our data strongly indicate that up-regulation of the cardiac lipid metabolism and myocardial lipid overload are underlying the development of heart failure

Arterial roads and area socioeconomic status are predictors of fast food restaurant density in King County, WA

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Fast food restaurants reportedly target specific populations by locating in lower-income and in minority neighborhoods. Physical proximity to fast food restaurants has been associated with higher obesity rates.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To examine possible associations, at the census tract level, between area demographics, arterial road density, and fast food restaurant density in King County, WA, USA.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data on median household incomes, property values, and race/ethnicity were obtained from King County and from US Census data. Fast food restaurant addresses were obtained from Public Health-Seattle & King County and were geocoded. Fast food density was expressed per tract unit area and per capita. Arterial road density was a measure of vehicular and pedestrian access. Multivariate logistic regression models containing both socioeconomic status and road density were used in data analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Over one half (53.1%) of King County census tracts had at least one fast food restaurant. Mean network distance from dwelling units to a fast food restaurant countywide was 1.40 km, and 1.07 km for census tracts containing at least one fast food restaurant. Fast food restaurant density was significantly associated in regression models with low median household income (p < 0.001) and high arterial road density (p < 0.001) but not with percent of residents who were nonwhite.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>No significant association was observed between census tract minority status and fast food density in King County. Although restaurant density was linked to low household incomes, that effect was attenuated by arterial road density. Fast food restaurants in King County are more likely to be located in lower income neighborhoods and higher traffic areas.</p