Optimal behavior strategy in the GMIB product

Guaranteed Minimum Income benefit are variable annuities contract, which offer the policyholder the possibility to con- vert the guarantee level into an annuities income for life. This paper focuses on the optimal customer behavior assuming the maximization of the discounted expected future cash flows over the full life of the contract duration. Using convenient scaling properties of the contract value enables to reduce the complexity (dimension) of the problem and to characterize the policyholder’s decision as a function of the contract moneyness across four main choices: zero withdrawals, guaranteed withdrawals, lapse and the income period election. Sensitivities to key drivers such as the market volatility, the interest rate and the roll-up rate illustrate how crucial are not only the environment, but also the product design features, in order to ensure a fair and robust pricing for both customer and life insurer. In particular, the authors find that most empirical contracts are usually underpriced compared to mean optimal behavior pricing, which empirically translated into multiple updates of behavior assumptions and re-reserving by life insurers in the recent years

Venture investment and its effects on the demand and supply of local economies

It is a study that proposes to solve the problem identified in the city of Macas, province of Morona Santiago, Ecuador, where popular economy businesses are established based on the experience of people linked by affinity or familiarity with the entrepreneurs, transforming this type of business into empirical in its operation, since they do not have technical studies, directly affecting the local economy with effects on the market such as oversupply. Therefore, qualitative and quantitative research at an exploratory, descriptive, analytical and prospective level is established as a study methodology for the analysis of the investment of entrepreneurship projects and their effects on the demand and supply of the local economy, which allows the determination of their permanence in the market and time. For the understanding of results, computer and statistical tools are used, the verification of hypotheses is carried out through the Chi-squaring test, determining a direct dependence between the variables and showing that only 42.58% of the enterprises know in some way the needs of the market and 65.63% of the businesses have carried out some previous study to implement their project. Given this evidence, a strategy for the efficient management of the local economy is proposed that starts with inventory and market monitoring to provide technical advice on entrepreneurship projects with an emphasis on implementing a culture of innovation with joint work between the public and private sectors

MYC as therapeutic target in leukemia and lymphoma

MYC is a transcription factor that is involved in the expression of many genes. Deregulated MYC is found in about half of human tumors, being more prevalent in hematological neoplasms. Deregulation mechanisms include chromosomal translocation (particularly in lymphoma), amplification, and hyperactivation of MYC transcription. Here we review MYC involvement in the major types of leukemia and lymphoma. MYC rearrangements appear in all Burkitt lymphomas and are common in other lymphoma types, whereas in acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, lymphoproliferative, and myeloproferative diseases, they are less frequent. However, MYC overexpression is present in all types of hematological malignancies and often correlates with a worse prognosis. Data in leukemia-derived cells and in animal models of lymphomagenesis and leukemogenesis suggest that MYC would be a good therapeutic target. Several MYC-directed therapies have been assayed in preclinical settings and even in clinical trials. First, peptides and small molecules that interrupt the MYC–MAX interaction impair MYC-mediated tumorogenesis in several mouse models of solid tumors, although not yet in lymphoma and leukemia models. Second, there are a number of small molecules inhibiting the interaction of MYC–MAX heterodimers with DNA, still in the preclinical research phase. Third, inhibitors of MYC expression via the inhibition of BRD4 (a reader of acetylated histones) have been shown to control the growth of MYC-transformed leukemia and lymphoma cells and are being used in clinic trials. Finally, we review a number of promising MYC-mediated synthetic lethal approaches that are under study and have been tested in hematopoietic neoplasms

Validación de la determinación de picloram y ácido2,4-diclorofenoxiácetico en muestras ambientales de suelos por cromatografía de líquidos de alta resolución

Se desarrolló y validó una metodología por CLAR que permitió llevar a cabo la determinación de 2,4-D y picloram en muestras de suelo. Los resultados muestran que el método desarrollado es adecuado para los fines previstos ya que cumplen con los criterios de aceptación establecidos. La extracción sólido-líquido asistida por ultrasonido mostro ser eficiente, los parámetros de desempeño obtenidos cumplen con los criterios de aceptación y durante el análisis cromatográfico no se detectaron interferencias provenientes de la matriz. Al aplicar el método muestras ambientales no se encontró evidencia de la presencia de 2,4-D ni de picloram, sin embargo, debe tomarse en cuenta que son compuestos tóxicos y que un inadecuado manejo y una exposición elevada a estos compuestos, puede generar efectos dañinos a la salud.It was developed and validated a HPLC methodology that allowed the determination of 2.4-D and Picloram in soil samples. The results show that the developed method is suitable for the intended purposes as they meet the established acceptance criteria. The solid-fluid extraction assisted by ultrasound showed to be efficient, the performance parameters obtained comply with the criteria of acceptance and during the chromatographic analysis no interferences were detected from the matrix. When applying the environmental samples method, no evidence was found of the presence of 2.4-D or Picloram, however it should be taken into account that they are toxic compounds and that inadequate management and exposure to these compounds can cause harmful health effects

Role of c-miR-21, c-miR-126, Redox Status, and Inflammatory Conditions as Potential Predictors of Vascular Damage in T2DM Patients

The development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) vascular complications (VCs) is associated with oxidative stress and chronic inflammation and can result in endothelial dysfunctions. Circulating microRNAs play an important role in epigenetic regulation of the etiology of T2DM. We studied 30 healthy volunteers, 26 T2DM patients with no complications, and 26 T2DM patients with VCs, to look for new biomarkers indicating a risk of developing VCs in T2DM patients. Peripheral blood samples were used to determine redox state, by measuring the endogenous antioxidant defense system (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; glutathione reductase, GRd; glutathione peroxidase, GPx; and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, G6DP) and markers of oxidative damage (advanced oxidation protein products, AOPP; lipid peroxidation, LPO). Additionally, inflammatory marker levels (IL-1, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF- ), c-miR-21, and c-miR-126 expression were analyzed. T2DM patients showed the highest oxidative damage with increased GSSG/GSH ratios, LPO, and AOPP levels. In both diabetic groups, we found that diminished SOD activity was accompanied by increased CAT and decreased GRd and G6PD activities. Diabetic patients presented with increased relative expression of c-miR-21 and decreased relative expression of c-miR-126. Overall, c-miR-21, SOD, CAT, and IL-6 had high predictive values for diabetes diagnoses. Finally, our data demonstrated that IL-6 exhibited predictive value for VC development in the studied population. Moreover, c-miR- 21 and c-miR-126, along with GPx and AOPP levels, should be considered possible markers for VC development in future studies.University of GranadaEugenio Rodriguez Pascual Foundation ERP-2021CIBERfes (ISCIII, Spain) CB16-10-0023

Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia Secondary to Multiple β cell Adenomas in a Boxer Bitch

Background: The most frequent pancreatic tumours are derived from insulin-secreting β cells, commonly called insulinomas; these are characterised by high insulin secretion causing hypoglycaemia and clinical signs such as seizures, tremors, weakness, and polyphagia, among others. In dogs, this tumour represents 30 is indicative of insulinoma. Unfortunately, the specificity of the amended insulin:glucose ratio is poor. In the past, there has been confusion with respect to their biological nature, because, based on histological and electron microscopic evaluations, 60% of these neoplasms are carcinomas and 40% are adenomas. Nevertheless, these claims were not substantiated and most insulinomas are currently considered to be malignant (carcinomas). The objective of this paper was to present a rare case of a Boxer dog that had three β cell tumours of the pancreas, which produced hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycemia. Although this is not a malignant tumour, we demonstrated, as described in the literature, that regardless of the histopathological classification, insulin-producing tumours have a poor prognosis in dogs

Incidencia De Los Organizadores Gráficos En El Desarrollo De Habilidades Escritas En Ingles

El objetivo de la investigación fue analizar la incidencia de los organizadores gráficos en el desarrollo de las habilidades escritas en base a la evaluación de los reactivos de estructura, contenidos, escritura y uso de recursos en 64 estudiantes de quinto nivel de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo. El diseño de la investigación fue cuasi-experimental y correlacional; en el que participaron dos grupos de estudiantes: Grupo de control (Nivel V, “A” – 32 estudiantes) y Grupo experimental (Nivel V, “B” – 32 estudiantes), a quienes se les aplicó un pre-test y un post-test. Al grupo experimental, se le aplicó un plan de intervención mediante una guía de elaboración de organizadores gráficos, que ayudaron a determinar si incidía o no en el desarrollo de las habilidades escritas. Los resultados del pre-test de ambos grupos, concluyeron que los estudiantes universitarios tienen un bajo nivel en las habilidades escritas; mientras que en el post-test se determinó que los estudiantes del grupo de control continúan con las mismas condiciones que antes. Mientras que los estudiantes del grupo experimental, mejoraron notablemente sus habilidades escritas en los cuatros aspectos ya mencionados. Por tanto, se pudo concluir que los organizadores gráficos si inciden en el mejoramiento de las habilidades escritas. The objective of the research was to analyse the incidence of graphic organizers in the development of the written skills based on the evaluation of the reagents of structure, content, writing and use of resources in 64 students of the fifth level of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the National University of Chimborazo. The design of the research was quasi-experimental and correlational; Which two groups of students participated: control group (Level V, "A" – 32 students) and experimental group (level V, "B" – 32 students), who were applied a pre-test and a post-test. The experimental group was given an intervention plan through a guide for the elaboration of graphic organizers, which helped to determine whether or not to stereotypical in the development of written skills. The pre-test results of both groups concluded that university students have a low level of written skills; While in the post-test it was determined that the students of the control group continue with the same conditions as before. While the students of the experimental group significantly improved their skills written in the four aspects mentioned above. Therefore, it could be concluded that the graphic organizers affect the improvement of the written skills

La escuela: los estados de ánimo depresivos en los educandos

In recent years, the Ecuadorian educational system has had significant changes to achieve quality education, but the emotional part of students has not been researched vehemently. This article aims to analyze the level of depression in primary school and high school students and also to note the influence of depressive states of mind on their learning process; these levels were evaluated using Zung Depression Test, taking a sample of 324 students. It is worth mentioning that the study had a qualitative and quantitative approach, that is, the information acquired was collected through bibliographic research and numerical data. In accordance with the prototype obtained and after the application of the test, it was possible to observe that a considerable number of students have depressive features which influence the correct performance of school activities.En los últimos años el sistema educativo ecuatoriano ha presentado cambios significativos para alcanzar una educación de calidad, pero no se ha indagado con vehemencia la parte emocional de los educandos. En este artículo se pretende analizar el nivel de depresión en el que se encuentran los alumnos de escolaridad básica y bachillerato, además señalar la influencia que producen los estados de ánimo depresivos en el proceso de aprendizaje de los mismos; dichos niveles fueron evaluados mediante el Test de Depresión de Zung, tomando una muestra de 324 estudiantes. Es conveniente mencionar que el estudio realizado tuvo un enfoque cualitativo y cuantitativo es decir la información adquirida se recopiló a través de investigaciones bibliográficas y datos numéricos. De acuerdo con el prototipo obtenido y posterior a la aplicación del test se pudo observar que un número considerable de estudiantes presentan rasgos depresivos lo que influye en el correcto desempeño de las actividades escolares

Impacto de la robotización en la elaboración de noticias. La percepción de los periodistas ante el Robot Journalism

La automatización de funciones y sus cambios en los entornos laborales son una realidad que afecta globalmente a todo el mundo laboral, no solo al periodismo, pero la informatización de la elaboración de noticias está empezando a ocupar un terreno tradicionalmente dominado por el factor humano en el manejo de relaciones informativas entre las organizaciones, los medios y la sociedad. La Inteligencia Artificial (IA) está empezando a ocupar un terreno tradicionalmente dominado por el factor humano en el manejo de relaciones informativas entre las organizaciones, los medios y la sociedad por la aplicación de data mining para generar algoritmos que posibiliten automatizar la gestión y derivarla hacia el trabajo de bots en la elaboración de noticias. El impacto de la IA en la producción de contenidos informativos abre debates que van más allá de la sustitución del individuo por la máquina ya que se trasladan a la deontología, a la veracidad de contenidos y a la creación de nuevas esferas de control sobre la información que se publica. En un proceso automatizado la para automatizar la redacción, es decir, los algoritmos