Response surface methodology toward the optimization of high-energy carotenoid extraction from Aristeus antennatus shrimp

High-energy assisted extraction techniques, like ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave assisted extraction (MAE), are widely applied over the last years for the recovery of bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, antioxidants and phenols from foods, animals and herbal natural sources. Especially for the case of xanthophylls, the main carotenoid group of crustaceans, they can be extracted in a rapid and quantitative way with the use of UAE and MAE.     

Representations for conditional expectations and applications to pricing and hedging of financial products in Lévy and jump-diffusion setting

In this article, we derive expressions for conditional expectations in terms of regular expectations without conditioning but involving some weights. For this purpose, we apply two approaches: the conditional density method and the Malliavin method. We use these expressions for the numerical estimation of the price of American options and their deltas in a Lévy and jump-diffusion setting. Several examples of applications to financial and energy markets are given including numerical examples.     

Multivariate optimization and comparison between conventional extraction (CE) and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) of carotenoid extraction from cashew apple

Carotenoids are an essential component of cashew and can be used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, natural pigment, food additives, among other applications. The present work focuses on optimizing and comparing conventional and ultrasound-assisted extraction methods. Every optimization step took place with a 1:1 (w:w) mixture of yellow and red cashew apples lyophilized and ground in a cryogenic mill. A Simplex-centroid design was applied for both methods, and the solvents acetone, methanol, ethanol, and petroleum ether were evaluated. After choosing the extractor solvent, a central composite design was applied to optimize the sample mass (59–201 mg) and extraction time (6–34 min). The optimum conditions for the extractor solvent were 38% acetone, 30% ethanol, and 32% petroleum ether for CE and a mixture of 44% acetone and 56% methanol for UAE. The best experimental conditions for UAE were a sonication time of 19 min and a sample mass of 153 mg, while the CE was 23 min and 136 mg. Comparing red and yellow cashews, red cashews showed a higher carotenoid content in both methodologies. The UAE methodology was ca. 21% faster, presented a more straightforward composition of extracting solution, showed an average yield of superior carotenoid content in all samples compared to CE. Therefore, UAE has demonstrated a simple, efficient, fast, low-cost adjustment methodology and a reliable alternative for other applications involving these bioactive compounds in the studied or similar matrix.     

The valuation of life contingencies: A symmetrical triangular fuzzy approximation

This paper extends the framework for the valuation of life insurance policies and annuities by Andrés-Sánchez and González-Vila (2012, 2014) in two ways. First we allow various uncertain magnitudes to be estimated by means of fuzzy numbers. This applies not only to interest rates but also to the amounts to be paid out by the insurance company. Second, the use of symmetrical triangular fuzzy numbers allows us to obtain expressions for the pricing of life contingencies and their variability that are closely linked to standard financial and actuarial mathematics. Moreover, they are relatively straightforward to compute and understand from a standard actuarial point of view.     

多模式自适应重要抽样法及其应用

针对多模式的可靠性分析，研究了其失效概率计算的自适应重要抽样法，该方法用模拟退火 算法来自动调整每个失效模式的重要抽样函数，使其逐渐趋近于估计方差最小的重要抽样 函数. 对于多个模式系统失效概率的计算，采用混合加权自适应重要抽样的方法, 反映了每个 失效模式对系统失效概率的贡献；对于系统失效模式所含基本变量不全相同的情况，提出了 扩展自适应重要抽样法, 来统一所有失效模式中的基本变量，从而使得混合自适应 重要抽样, 可以方便地求解变量不全相同时的系统失效概率. 对估计值方差和变异系数的计算公 式进行了推导. 验证算例结果, 充分说明方法的合理性与可行性.     

光纤陀螺随机游走系数的分析研究

分析了产生随机游走误差的机理,分别采用有关标准和Allan方差进行了随机游走系数的分析和计算。结果表明:随机游走系数是衡量光纤陀螺噪声水平的重要指标,其值的大小体现了陀螺的极限精度。采用Allan方法表述光纤陀螺的静态指标,物理概念清晰,方法简便。     

Stochastic analysis of a displacement front in a randomly heterogeneous medium

The behavior of the interface in a two-phase immiscible fluid flow in a randomly heterogeneous porous medium is investigated. The medium is described by the permeability distribution which represents a random field with given statistical characteristics. When the approach proposed is used, it turns out to be possible to relate the statistical characteristics of the interface with the statistical characteristics of the permeability field and the properties of the phases. On the basis of this relation an important characteristic of the two-phase flow, namely, the average saturation distribution in the neighborhood of the interface, can be calculated.     

Surface tensor estimation from linear sections

From Crofton's formula for Minkowski tensors we derive stereological estimators of translation invariant surface tensors of convex bodies in the n‐dimensional Euclidean space. The estimators are based on one‐dimensional linear sections. In a design based setting we suggest three types of estimators. These are based on isotropic uniform random lines, vertical sections, and non‐isotropic random lines, respectively. Further, we derive estimators of the specific surface tensors associated with a stationary process of convex particles in the model based setting.     

Nash equilibrium strategies for a defined contribution pension management

This paper studies the time-consistent investment strategy for a defined contribution (DC) pension plan under the mean–variance criterion. Since the time horizon of a pension fund management problem is relatively long, two background risks are taken into account: the inflation risk and the salary risk. Meanwhile, there are a risk-free asset, a stock and an inflation-indexed bond available in the financial market. The extended Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB for short) equation of the equilibrium value function and the verification theorem corresponding to our problem are presented. The closed-form time-consistent investment strategy and the equilibrium efficient frontier are obtained by stochastic control technique. The effects of the inflation and stochastic income on the equilibrium strategy and the equilibrium efficient frontier are illustrated by mathematical and numerical analysis. Finally, we compare in detail the time-consistent results in our paper with the pre-commitment one and find the distinct properties of these two results.