A mathematical model for contingent claim pricing in a preannounced policy

This paper presents a mathematical model for contingent claim pricing in a preannounced policy. There are some properties in the model. First, one can distinguish the preannouncement effects on the mean and volatility of asset returns. Second, the European call option pricing solution in the model can reduce to the Black-Sholes (1973) formula as no preannouncement effects occur before maturity.Preannounced policy, Preannouncement effect, Fat tails, Discontinuity, Option pricing.

Quantum storage and manipulation of heralded single photons in atomic quantum memories

We demonstrate the storage and manipulation of narrowband heralded single photons from a cavity-enhanced spontaneous parametric downconversion (SPDC) source in the atomic quantum memory based on electromagnetically induced transparency. We show that nonclassical correlations are preserved between the heralding and the retrieved photons after storage process. By varying the intensity of the coupling field during retrieval process, we further demonstrate that the waveform or bandwidth of the single photons can be manipulated and the nonclassical correlation between the photon pairs can be even enhanced. Unlike previous works, our SPDC source is single mode in frequency, which not only reduces the experimental complexity arising from external filtering but also increases the useful photon generation rate. Our results can be scaled up with ease and thus lay the foundation for future realization of large-scale applications in quantum information processing

2,2′-[(1E)-3-Phenyl­prop-2-ene-1,1-di­yl]bis­(3-hy­droxy-5,5-dimethyl­cyclo­hex-2-en-1-one)

In the title mol­ecule, C25H30O4, the two cyclo­hexene rings adopt envelope conformations. The two hy­droxy groups are involved in the formation of intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. In the crystal structure, weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link mol­ecules related by translation along the axis a into chains

Rural-urban disparities in Oral Health-related Quality of Life for middle-aged and older adults with diabetes in Taiwan

BackgroundPublic health faces a significant challenge in reducing rural–urban disparities in diabetes. Since dietary control is part of the medical regimen for diabetes management, how diabetic patients perceive the impact of oral health on their quality of life is critical. The present study aimed to compare the Oral Health-related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) between rural and urban diabetic patients.MethodsThe study design was cross-sectional. The study sample included 831 self-reported diabetic patients, extracted from the first wave of the new-cohort Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging survey (NC_TLSA) that comprised a nationally representative sample of community-dwelling adults aged 50 and above in Taiwan. The composite score generated from the Oral Health Impact Profile-7 (OHIP-7), which has seven questions, was used to construct two OHRQoL measures, the severity of perceived poor OHRQoL and the prevalence of poor OHRQoL. These two OHRQoL measures were treated as dichotomous variables. Multivariate logistic regression models were applied for analysis.ResultsRural diabetic patients had a higher likelihood of experiencing the severity of perceived poor OHRQoL than those in urban areas (OR = 2.40, 95% CI: 1.30–4.40). Although rural diabetic patients also had a higher prevalence of poor OHRQoL than urban diabetic patients, the difference was not significant (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 0.95–2.28). Social determinants, such as education, are essential factors attributed to both OHRQoL measures.ConclusionOverall, rural diabetes community-dwelling patients had a poorer OHRQoL than those in urban areas. Given a bidirectional relationship between oral health and diabetes, improving oral health in rural areas may be a critical avenue to improve the quality of diabetes care in rural areas

Correlation between the cystathionine-r-lyase (CES) and the severity of peptic ulcer disease

Background: The infection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most important causes of gastric ulcer disease. The role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production in H. pylori-induced gastric ulcer disease. Aim: The expression of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) was determined, and correlated with the severity of gastric ulcer disease. Methods: 108 patients were selected based on the determination of gastric ulcer and the infection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), including 36 normal control, 36 patients with H. Pylori-negative gastric ulcer, and 36 patients with H. Pylori-positive gastric ulcer. RT-PCR determination was performed to determine the expression of CSE, NF-κB and IL-8. Results: The expression of CSE, NF-κB and IL-8 was higher in gastric ulcer group than control group (p < 0.05). Compared with the H.pylori-negative gastric ulcer, the expression of CSE, NF-κB and IL-8 was higher than H.pylori-positive gastric ulcer group (p < 0.05). For H.pylori-negative gastric ulcer group, the expression of CSE positively correlated with the expression of NF-κB (r=0.98, p < 0.05) and IL-8 (r=0.95, p 0.05). For H.pylori-positive gastric ulcer group, the expression of CSE also positively correlated with the expression of NF-κB (r=0.99, p < 0.05) and IL-8 (r=0.85, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The expression of CSE was positively correlated with the severity of gastric ulcer.Keywords: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), gastric ulcer, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE)African Health sciences Vol 14 No. 1 March 201

Performance comparison of the MODIS and the VIIRS 1.38 μm cirrus cloud channels using libRadtran and CALIOP data

acceptedVersio

Percutaneous Ultrasound-Guided Laser Ablation with Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography for Hyperfunctioning Parathyroid Adenoma: A Preliminary Case Series

The study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of ultrasound-guided percutaneous laser ablation (pLA) as a nonsurgical treatment for primary parathyroid adenoma. Surgery was contraindicated in, or refused by, the included patients. No lesion enhancement on contrast-enhanced ultrasound immediately after pLA was considered “complete ablation.” Nodule size, serum calcium, and parathyroid hormone level were compared before and after pLA. Complete ablation was achieved in all 21 patients with 1 (n=20) or 2 (n=1) sessions. Nodule volume decreased from 0.93±0.58 mL at baseline to 0.53±0.38 and 0.48±0.34 mL at 6 and 12 months after pLA (P<0.05). At 1 day, 6 months, and 12 months after pLA, serum PTH decreased from 15.23±3.00 pmol/L at baseline to 7.41±2.79, 6.95±1.78, and 6.90±1.46 pmol/L, serum calcium decreased from 3.77±0.77 mmol/L at baseline to 2.50±0.72, 2.41±0.37, and 2.28±0.26 mmol/L, respectively (P<0.05). At 12 months, treatment success (normalization of PTH and serum calcium) was achieved in 81%. No serious complications were observed. Ultrasound-guided pLA with contrast-enhanced ultrasound is a viable alternative to surgery for primary parathyroid adenoma