•A survey of evolutionary computation applied to finance.•GAs, GP, LCS, MOEAS, EDAS and co-evolution approaches are covered.•This new version makes a revision of similar surveys to refine the ...scope.•An analysis of past and new references allowed determines changes of interest in the field.•The unexplored combinations of problems and solution methods are indicated and discussed.
This article presents a review of the application of evolutionary computation methods to solving financial problems. Genetic algorithms, genetic programming, multi-objective evolutionary algorithms, learning classifier systems, co-evolutionary approaches, and estimation of distribution algorithms are the techniques considered. The novelty of our approach comes in three different manners: it covers time lapses not included in other review articles, it covers problems not considered by others, and the scope covered by past and new references is compared and analyzed. The results concluded the interest about methods and problems has changed through time. Although, genetic algorithms have remained the most popular approach in the literature. There are combinations of problems and solutions methods which are yet to be investigated.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Temporal bone tegmen defects may be associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhea. A variety of techniques have been used for repair. We report our experience with skull base reconstruction for ...tegmen defects using either autologous or alloplastic grafts.
A retrospective chart review was performed on patients with tegmen defects treated from 2007 to 2017 at the University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, USA. Primary outcome measures were analyzed.
Twenty-five patients were treated with a middle cranial fossa approach (median age 53, 88% females, median body mass index 34, median follow-up 9 months). Presenting symptoms included CSF leak (92%), hearing loss (44%), imbalance (12%), meningitis (12%), headache (4%), and tinnitus (4%). Most tegmen defects occurred spontaneously (84%) but cholesteatomas (4%), and trauma (12%) also were identified. Pre- and postoperative audiograms were available for 13 patients (52%); 7 (54%) showed objective improvement. Fourteen patients were repaired with autologous bone graft (56%), 7 with alloplastic grafts (28%), and 4 with temporalis fascia only (16%). All patients had resolution of CSF leak. Two patients (8%) suffered wound infections and 3 (12%) had facial and/or petrosal nerve complications. Use of alloplastic graft significantly shortened operative time (allopathic mean 180 minutes vs. autologous mean 208 minutes; P = 0.03).
CSF otorrhea due to tegmen defects can be repaired via a middle fossa craniotomy using either an autologous or alloplastic graft with equivalent outcomes and efficacy, although alloplastic graft helps reduce operating time.
•A middle fossa craniotomy alone can be used to repair most tegmen defects of the temporal bone.•An allograft, such as MEDPOR, can reduce operative time in reconstructing tegmen defects.•Obesity appears to be a common association with tegmen defects of the temporal bone.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Transparent conducting electrodes (TCE) are extensively applied in a great range of optoelectronic and photovoltaic equipment (e.g., solar cells, touch panels, and flexible devices). Carbon-based ...nanomaterials are considered as suitable replacements to substitute traditional materials to manufacture TCE due to their remarkable characteristics, for example, high optical transmittance and outstanding electrical properties. In comparison with traditional indium tin oxide electrodes, carbon-based electrodes show good mechanical properties, chemical stability, and low cost. Nevertheless, major issues related to the development of good quality manufacture methods to produce carbon-based nanomaterials have to be overcome to meet massive market requirements. Hence, the development of alternative TCE materials as well as appropriate large production techniques that meet the requirements of a proper sheet resistance along with a high optical transparency is a priority. Therefore, in this work, we summarize and discuss novel production and synthesis methods, chemical treatments, and hybrid materials developed to satisfy the worldwide request for carbon-based nanomaterials.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Antimicrobial films of poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/D‐limonene/zinc oxide (ZnO)‐based bio‐nanocomposites were prepared via melt compounding and subsequent thermocompression. D‐limonene was incorporated ...at concentrations of 10 or 20 wt%, and ZnO pure nanoparticles and those organically modified with oleic acid (O‐ZnO), with an average diameter of 13.5 nm, were included at concentrations of 3, 5, and 8 wt%. The plasticizing effect of D‐Limonene was corroborated by a decrease in the glass transition temperature compared to pure PLA. The presence of ZnO and O‐ZnO in the PLA matrix promoted a slight increase in the degree of crystallinity due to its nucleant performance. Although ZnO and O‐ZnO induced lower thermal stability and slightly decreased microhardness in the composites, excellent antimicrobial performance was demonstrated. Both ZnO and O‐ZnO nanocomposites reached 99.9% of effectiveness for nanoparticles content above 5 wt%, regardless of the source of irradiation, D‐limonene concentration, and nanoparticle modification. Therefore, these bio‐nanocomposites will allow for future advances in sustainable antimicrobial materials for the medical or food packaging fields.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Cervical cancer incidence is rising in Puerto Rico (PR). Screening for cervical cancer could prevent the occurrence of the disease or lead to its early detection, translating to survival benefits. In ...this study, we evaluated the association of cervical cancer screening status with tumor diagnosis and survival among Hispanic women living in PR.
We analyzed data for 506 incident cases of primary cervical cancer diagnosed from the period 2011-2014, identified through the PR Central Cancer Registry. We ascertained screening status 3 years before cervical cancer diagnosis using data from the period 2008-2014 from the PR Central Cancer Registry-Health Insurance Linkage Database. Patients were followed until 2019. Our outcomes of interest were stage at diagnosis and survival.
Most women (78.86%) were covered by public insurance (Medicare and/or Medicaid), and 69.57% underwent screening 3 years before their diagnosis. The proportion of cases diagnosed with localized stage was significantly greater among the screened group compared with those unscreened (43.5% vs 33.1%, p < .0001). Multivariate analysis showed that women insured through Medicaid were less likely to have been screened when compared with women with private insurance (odds ratio = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.16-0.52). Five-year survival was significantly greater among screened (72%) than unscreened (54%) women (p log-rank < 0.05). The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model showed that women who received screening had a 39% (hazard ratio HR = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.43-0.87) lower risk of death compared with unscreened women.
Our findings exemplify survival benefits among women who underwent cervical cancer screening in PR. Interventions to improve screening uptake and adherence are a public health priority.
Siliceous self-pillared pentasil (SPP) zeolite catalysts with incorporated phosphorus groups were synthesized using four different percentages of P, obtaining a network of nanosheets in a ...house-of-cards arrangement. The catalysts were used in the dehydra-decyclization of tetrahydrofuran (THF) as biomass-derived molecule to obtain 1,3-butadiene. The presence and stability of phosphate (PO43-) and phosphite (PO33-) groups incorporated in the SPP zeolite framework was evidenced. The analysis of fresh and used catalysts by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tests showed that 95% phosphorus in zeolite catalysts is present as orthophosphate groups and less than 5% as pyrophosphate or other polyphosphate groups. The P bonded to Si (Si-O-P, corresponding to orthophosphate groups), identified by 31 P-{29Si}- Rotational Echo Double Resonance (REDOR) -NMR analysis, are proposed as the active sites responsible for the dehydra-decyclization of THF to obtain 1,3-butadiene. The P-SPP zeolite catalyst with 0.2 ratio of precursors P and Si in the synthesis, presented the best performance.
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•The P-SPP zeolite with 0.2 ratio of precursors P and Si had the best performance.•The REDOR NMR spectrum reveled the P bonded to Si (Si-O-P).•95% phosphorus in zeolite catalysts is present as orthophosphate group.•The catalyst pore presented a proximity to the zone of not resistance to diffusion.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
: Breast cancer (BC) is the most diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among women in Puerto Rico (PR). Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is considered the most aggressive BC subtype. ...This study characterized the IBC population of Hispanic women living in Puerto Rico and aimed to estimate the IBC survival rate using data from the Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry (PRCCR).
: This is a retrospective, population-based study using the PRCCR database and the Health Insurance Linkage Database (PRCCR-HILD). We analyzed data from patients that were diagnosed with IBC from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2018. Patients were identified using the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, 3rd edition (ICD-O-3) site codes C50.0-C50.9 and histology code 8530. Variables such as age at diagnosis, marital status, health insurance, geographic area of residence, staging variables, tumor receptor subtypes, treatment received, and overall survival (OS) were studied. Statistical analysis methods were employed to describe the population, estimate survival curves and examine the risk of dying.
: The data of 51 patients were included. The mean age at diagnosis of IBC in the current study was 59 years old. A total of 62.8% of patients had no metastases at diagnosis and 64.7% were diagnosed with stage III disease. Most tumors presented with ER+/PR+/Her2- (21.6%), or a triple negative (ER-/PR-/Her2-, 15.7%) tumor concordance. The OS during the first year was 66% (90% CI: 0.54-0.76), whereas 36 months post-diagnosis was at a low 39% (90% CI: 0.27-0.59). The triple-negative subtype had the worst survival at 36 months (36% 90% CI: 0.11-0.62). This study revealed through Cox regression analysis that women with stage IV disease and those with ER-/PR- tumor subtype have a higher risk of dying (HR 4.99; 90% CI: 2.30-10.83 and HR 4.74; 90% CI: 1.88-11.95), respectively.
: Our results suggest that the Puerto Rican IBC patient population presents unique characteristics. This is the first research to describe the patient profile and characteristics of women diagnosed with IBC in PR. This research increases awareness about this lethal disease in PR.
BackgroundIn-utero exposure to mercury and other trace metals pose a significant threat to child health and development, but exposures and health impacts in artisanal and small-scale gold mining ...(ASGM) environments are poorly defined. ObjectivesWe describe the CONAMAD study design, a prospective birth cohort consisting of multiparous women (18 and over) living in rural and peri-urban Peruvian Amazon communities exposed to ASGM. MethodsPregnant women are enrolled from health posts across four zones of Madre de Dios, Peru. Data are collected at enrollment, childbirth, and (planned) 36-48 months. At enrollment, hair samples for mercury assessment, demographic and clinical data are obtained. At birth, we obtain venous and cord blood, placenta, hair, toenails, and saliva. FindingsTwo hundred seventy mothers were enrolled at an average 20 weeks gestational age with no differences in maternal characteristics across zones. Two hundred fifteen mothers were successfully followed at birth. We obtained 214 maternal and cord blood samples, 211 maternal and 212 infant hair samples, 212 placenta samples, 210 infant saliva samples, and 214 infant dried blood spots. Data collected will allow for testing our primary hypotheses of maternal malnutrition modifying ratios of cord:maternal blood total mercury (tHg), cord blood:maternal hair tHg, and infant:maternal hair tHg, and whether chemical mixtures (Hg, Pb, Cd) have synergistic effects on infant neurodevelopment. ConclusionsCONAMAD is designed to collect and store samples for future processing and hypothesis testing associated with in-utero mercury exposure and child development. We have completed the exposure assessments and will conduct a follow-up of mothers to evaluate early child development outcomes, including developmental delay and growth. These data offer insights into disease mechanisms, exposure prevention, and policy guidance for countries where ASGM is prevalent.
Glutamate (Glu) is considered the most important excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter in the mammalian Central Nervous System. Zinc (Zn) is co-released with Glu during synaptic transmission and ...interacts with Glutamate receptors and transporters. We performed binding experiments using
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HMK-801 (NMDA), and
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HFluorowillardine (AMPA) as ligands to study Zn-Glutamate interactions in rat cortical synaptic membranes. We also examined the effects of mercury and lead on NMDA or AMPA receptors. Zinc at 1 nM, significantly potentiates
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HMK-801 binding. Lead inhibits
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HMK-801 binding at micromolar concentrations. At millimolar concentrations, Hg also has a significant inhibitory effect. These effects are not reversed by Zn (1 nM). Zinc displaces the
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HFW binding curve to the right. Lead (nM) and Hg (μM) inhibit
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HFW binding. At certain concentrations, Zn reverses the effects of these metals on
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HFW binding. These specific interactions serve to clarify the role of Zn, Hg, and Pb in physiological and pathological conditions.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
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