Use of the q-Gaussian mutation in evolutionary algorithms

This paper proposes the use of the q-Gaussian mutation with self-adaptation of the shape of the mutation distribution in evolutionary algorithms. The shape of the q-Gaussian mutation distribution is controlled by a real parameter q. In the proposed method, the real parameter q of the q-Gaussian mutation is encoded in the chromosome of individuals and hence is allowed to evolve during the evolutionary process. In order to test the new mutation operator, evolution strategy and evolutionary programming algorithms with self-adapted q-Gaussian mutation generated from anisotropic and isotropic distributions are presented. The theoretical analysis of the q-Gaussian mutation is also provided. In the experimental study, the q-Gaussian mutation is compared to Gaussian and Cauchy mutations in the optimization of a set of test functions. Experimental results show the efficiency of the proposed method of self-adapting the mutation distribution in evolutionary algorithms.

Robust algorithms for solving stochastic partial differential equations

A robust semi-implicit central partial difference algorithm for the numerical solution of coupled stochastic parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs) is described. This can be used for calculating correlation functions of systems of interacting stochastic fields. Such field equations can arise in the description of Hamiltonian and open systems in the physics of nonlinear processes, and may include multiplicative noise sources. The algorithm can be used for studying the properties of nonlinear quantum or classical field theories. The general approach is outlined and applied to a specific example, namely the quantum statistical fluctuations of ultra-short optical pulses in chi((2)) parametric waveguides. This example uses a non-diagonal coherent state representation, and correctly predicts the sub-shot noise level spectral fluctuations observed in homodyne detection measurements. It is expected that the methods used wilt be applicable for higher-order correlation functions and other physical problems as well. A stochastic differencing technique for reducing sampling errors is also introduced. This involves solving nonlinear stochastic parabolic PDEs in combination with a reference process, which uses the Wigner representation in the example presented here. A computer implementation on MIMD parallel architectures is discussed. (C) 1997 Academic Press.

Modeling the optical constants of solids using acceptance-probability-controlled simulated annealing with an adaptive move generation procedure

The acceptance-probability-controlled simulated annealing with an adaptive move generation procedure, an optimization technique derived from the simulated annealing algorithm, is presented. The adaptive move generation procedure was compared against the random move generation procedure on seven multiminima test functions, as well as on the synthetic data, resembling the optical constants of a metal. In all cases the algorithm proved to have faster convergence and superior escaping from local minima. This algorithm was then applied to fit the model dielectric function to data for platinum and aluminum.

Most of the patients presenting myocardial infarction would not be eligible for intensive lipid-lowering based on clinical algorithms or plasma C-reactive protein

Objective: The study we assessed how often patients who are manifesting a myocardial infarction (MI) would not be considered candidates for intensive lipid-lowering therapy based on the current guidelines. Methods: In 355 consecutive patients manifesting ST elevation MI (STEMI), admission plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured and Framingham risk score (FRS), PROCAM risk score, Reynolds risk score, ASSIGN risk score, QRISK, and SCORE algorithms were applied. Cardiac computed tomography and carotid ultrasound were performed to assess the coronary artery calcium score (CAC), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and the presence of carotid plaques. Results: Less than 50% of STEMI patients would be identified as having high risk before the event by any of these algorithms. With the exception of FRS (9%), all other algorithms would assign low risk to about half of the enrolled patients. Plasma CRP was <1.0 mg/L in 70% and >2 mg/L in 14% of the patients. The average cIMT was 0.8 +/- 0.2 mm and only in 24% of patients was >= 1.0 mm. Carotid plaques were found in 74% of patients. CAC > 100 was found in 66% of patients. Adding CAC >100 plus the presence of carotid plaque, a high-risk condition would be identified in 100% of the patients using any of the above mentioned algorithms. Conclusion: More than half of patients manifesting STEMI would not be considered as candidates for intensive preventive therapy by the current clinical algorithms. The addition of anatomical parameters such as CAC and the presence of carotid plaques can substantially reduce the CVD risk underestimation. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Genetic algorithms for continuous optimization problems - a concept of parameter-space size adjustment

The concept of parameter-space size adjustment is pn,posed in order to enable successful application of genetic algorithms to continuous optimization problems. Performance of genetic algorithms with six different combinations of selection and reproduction mechanisms, with and without parameter-space size adjustment, were severely tested on eleven multiminima test functions. An algorithm with the best performance was employed for the determination of the model parameters of the optical constants of Pt, Ni and Cr.

In situ apoptosis of adaptive immune cells and the cellular escape of rabies virus in CNS from patients with human rabies transmitted by Desmodus rotundus

The aim of the current study was to investigate the apoptosis of neurons, astrocytes and immune cells from human patients that were infected with rabies virus by vampire bats bite. Apoptotic neurons were identified by their morphology and immune cells were identified using double immunostaining. There were very few apoptotic neurons present in infected tissue samples, but there was an increase of apoptotic infiltrating CD4+ and TCD8+ adaptive immune cells in the rabies infected tissue. No apoptosis was present in NK, macrophage and astrocytes. The dissemination of the human rabies virus within an infected host may be mediated by viral escape of the virus from an infected cell and may involve an anti-apoptotic mechanism, which does not kill the neuron or pro-apoptosis of TCD4+ and TCD8+ lymphocytes and which allows for increased proliferation of the virus within the CNS by attenuation of the adaptive immune response. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A description of adaptive and maladaptive behaviour in children and adolescents with Cri-du-chat syndrome

Background Psychological tests can be useful to record adaptive and maladaptive behaviours of children with intellectual disability. The objective of this study was to describe the adaptive and maladaptive behaviour of children and adolescents with Cri-du-chat syndrome. Methods The sample consisted of 10 children and adolescents with Cri-du-chat syndrome (mean chronological age = 11.3 years, mean mental age = 18 months). The developmental quotient was calculated through the Psychoeducational Profile - Revised. An observational protocol was used to record adaptive and maladaptive behaviours. Results The number of maladaptive behaviours observed was different among participants. However, all of them had high rates of adaptive behaviours, such as rule-following. Conclusions These results, though preliminary, justify that we continue to think about the need for psychoeducational interventions aimed at stimulating the repertoire of adaptive behaviours, in people with Cri-du-chat syndrome.

Concurreny based transition refinement for the verification of distributed algorithms

We suggest a new notion of behaviour preserving transition refinement based on partial order semantics. This notion is called transition refinement. We introduced transition refinement for elementary (low-level) Petri Nets earlier. For modelling and verifying complex distributed algorithms, high-level (Algebraic) Petri nets are usually used. In this paper, we define transition refinement for Algebraic Petri Nets. This notion is more powerful than transition refinement for elementary Petri nets because it corresponds to the simultaneous refinement of several transitions in an elementary Petri net. Transition refinement is particularly suitable for refinement steps that increase the degree of distribution of an algorithm, e.g. when synchronous communication is replaced by asynchronous message passing. We study how to prove that a replacement of a transition is a transition refinement.

HLA-G polymorphisms in women with squamous intraepithelial lesions harboring human papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is etiologically associated with low-(LSIL) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and with cervical cancer. The progression or regression of the lesions may depend, among other factors, on the host heritable immune response. Because human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G molecules are involved in the modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses, and because no previous studies have evaluated HLA-G polymorphism in patients with SIL, we conducted a study to assess the association between HLA-G polymorphisms and cervical lesions harboring HPV infection. Cervico-vaginal scrapings and blood samples were collected from 125 women with SIL (68 LSIL and 57 HSIL) and from 94 healthy women without HPV infection and cytological abnormalities. HPV type and HLA-G polymorphisms in exons 2, 3 and 8 (14 bp insertion/deletion) were evaluated by PCR methodology, and digested with restriction endonucleases. The Genepop software and the EM and PHASE algorithms were used for statistical analysis. A significant protective association was observed between the presence of the G*0103 allele and SIL and between the G0101/G0104 genotype and HSIL in the group of patients compared to control. The presence of the G0104/+14 bp and G0104/-14 bp haplotypes conferred susceptibility to SIL compared to control. In addition, patients possessing the G0104/+14 bp haplotype and harboring HPV-16 and -18 co-infections were particularly associated with HSIL. These findings suggest that HLA-G polymorphisms may be associated with HPV infection and SIL, consequently representing a profile of predisposition to cervical cancer. Modern Pathology (2009) 22, 1075-1082; doi: 10.1038/modpathol.2009.67; published online 1 May 2009