Scenario Cluster Lagrangian Decomposition in two stage stochastic mixed 0-1 optimization

In this paper we introduce four scenario Cluster based Lagrangian Decomposition (CLD) procedures for obtaining strong lower bounds to the (optimal) solution value of two-stage stochastic mixed 0-1 problems. At each iteration of the Lagrangian based procedures, the traditional aim consists of obtaining the solution value of the corresponding Lagrangian dual via solving scenario submodels once the nonanticipativity constraints have been dualized. Instead of considering a splitting variable representation over the set of scenarios, we propose to decompose the model into a set of scenario clusters. We compare the computational performance of the four Lagrange multiplier updating procedures, namely the Subgradient Method, the Volume Algorithm, the Progressive Hedging Algorithm and the Dynamic Constrained Cutting Plane scheme for different numbers of scenario clusters and different dimensions of the original problem. Our computational experience shows that the CLD bound and its computational effort depend on the number of scenario clusters to consider. In any case, our results show that the CLD procedures outperform the traditional LD scheme for single scenarios both in the quality of the bounds and computational effort. All the procedures have been implemented in a C++ experimental code. A broad computational experience is reported on a test of randomly generated instances by using the MIP solvers COIN-OR and CPLEX for the auxiliary mixed 0-1 cluster submodels, this last solver within the open source engine COIN-OR. We also give computational evidence of the model tightening effect that the preprocessing techniques, cut generation and appending and parallel computing tools have in stochastic integer optimization. Finally, we have observed that the plain use of both solvers does not provide the optimal solution of the instances included in the testbed with which we have experimented but for two toy instances in affordable elapsed time. On the other hand the proposed procedures provide strong lower bounds (or the same solution value) in a considerably shorter elapsed time for the quasi-optimal solution obtained by other means for the original stochastic problem.

Clinical factors associated with a Candida albicans Germ Tube Antibody positive test in Intensive Care Unit patients

Background: Poor outcomes of invasive candidiasis (IC) are associated with the difficulty in establishing the microbiological diagnosis at an early stage. New scores and laboratory tests have been developed in order to make an early therapeutic intervention in an attempt to reduce the high mortality associated with invasive fungal infections. Candida albicans IFA IgG has been recently commercialized for germ tube antibody detection (CAGTA). This test provides a rapid and simple diagnosis of IC (84.4% sensitivity and 94.7% specificity). The aim of this study is to identify the patients who could be benefited by the use of CAGTA test in critical care setting. Methods: A prospective, cohort, observational multicentre study was carried out in six medical/surgical Intensive care units (ICU) of tertiary-care Spanish hospitals. Candida albicans Germ Tube Antibody test was performed twice a week if predetermined risk factors were present, and serologically demonstrated candidiasis was considered if the testing serum dilution was >= 1: 160 in at least one sample and no other microbiological evidence of invasive candidiasis was found. Results: Fifty-three critically ill non-neutropenic patients (37.7% post surgery) were included. Twenty-two patients (41.5%) had CAGTA-positive results, none of them with positive blood culture for Candida. Neither corrected colonization index nor antifungal treatment had influence on CAGTA results. This finding could corroborate that the CAGTA may be an important biomarker to distinguish between colonization and infection in these patients. The presence of acute renal failure at the beginning of the study was more frequent in CAGTA-negative patients. Previous surgery was statistically more frequent in CAGTA-positive patients. Conclusions: This study identified previous surgery as the principal clinical factor associated with CAGTA-positive results and emphasises the utility of this promising technique, which was not influenced by high Candida colonization or antifungal treatment. Our results suggest that detection of CAGTA may be important for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis in surgical patients admitted in ICU.

A High Degree of LINE-1 Hypomethylation Is a Unique Feature of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

12 p.

E-learning y la calibración de ítems de test : teoría de respuesta al ítem versus calibración basada en juicios de expertos. Un estudio jurídico

XVII, 352 p.

Validación de la cuantificación de la concentración hepática de hierro mediante resonancia magnética nuclear de 1-Tesla

Introducción: La medición de la concentración de hierro hepática (CHH) por RM es una técnica no invasiva de gran utilidad en el diagnóstico de los pacientes con sospecha de sobrecarga férrica en hígado. Objetivo:Validar la eficacia de la RM 1 Tesla en la determinación de la (CHH) en pacientes con sospecha de sobrecarga férrica. Validar su capacidad para diagnosticar o descartar la presencia de una CHH sugestiva de hemocromatosis. Pacientes y métodos:Estudio observacional, transversal, con inclusión prospectiva de pacientes consecutivos. De 2002 a 2010 hemos obtenido la CHH estimada mediante RM 1 Tesla (método Gandon) y de RM 1,5 Tesla (método Alústiza), y mediante BH, en 56 pacientes consecutivos (58RM:35/23). Resultados:Grupo RM 1 Tesla: de acuerdo con CHH en BH, 15 pacientes clasificados como normales (<36µmol/g)-la RM valoró correctamente 7; sobreestimó 8-; 15 grupo hemosiderosis (36-80 µmol/g)-RM valoró correctamente 5, sobreestimó 10-; 5 grupo hemocromatosis (>80 µmol/g)-valoró correctamente las 5-. Existió una correlación entre la determinación de la CHH por BH y RM 1 Tesla con r=0.619. Existieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p<0.05) entre CHH media por biopsia (53.43/DE45.67/IC95%37.74 a 69.12) y por RM 1 Tesla (76.14/DE47.31/IC95% 60.46 a 92.97), con sobrevaloración por parte de la RM. Grupo RM 1,5 Tesla: de acuerdo con CHH en BH, normal en 14, hemosiderosis en 6 y hemocromatosis en 3. La RM valoró correctamente 6 y sobreestimó 8 en grupo normal; grupo hemosiderosis, 3 correctamente, 3 sobrevalorados; grupo hemocromatosis, valoró correctamente los 3. La correlación entre CHH por BH y RM 1,5 Tesla fue de r=0.815. La CHH media obtenida por BH (69,34/DE152.1/IC95% 3.57 a 135.1 ) y RM 1,5 Tesla (70.43/DE 57.63/IC95% 45.51 a 95.36) no demostraron diferencias significativas (p>0.05). Conclusiones: La determinación de CHH por RM 1 Tesla (método Gandon) es útil para diagnosticar o descartar hemocromatosis y para diagnosticar CHH normal. Existe una importante tendencia a la sobreestimación en pacientes sin y con sobrecarga férrica en la CHH obtenida por RM 1 Tesla. La determinación de CHH por RM 1,5 Tesla (método Alústiza) es superior a la de RM 1 Tesla, aunque también existe una tendencia a sobreestimar. La CHH media obtenida por BH o RM 1,5 Tesla no tuvieron diferencias significativas. En cambio si existieron entre BH y RM 1 Tesla.

Composite beta-AgVO3@V5+1.6V4+0.4O4.8 hydrogels and xerogels for catalytic applications

Comunicación (Poster) en panel del congreso: Designing New Heterogeneous Catalysts, Faraday Discussion, 4–6 April 2016. London, United Kingdom.