Estimating Behavioural Heterogeneity Under Regime Switching

Financial markets are typically characterized by high (low) price level and low (high) volatility during boom (bust) periods, suggesting that price and volatility tend to move together with different market conditions/states. By proposing a simple heterogeneous agent model of fundamentalists and chartists with Markov chain regime-dependent expectations and applying S&P500 data from January 2000 to June 2010, we show that the estimation of the model matches well with the boom and bust periods in the US stock market. In addition, we find evidence of time-varying behavioural heterogeneity within-group and that the model exhibits good forecasting accuracy.estimation; heterogeneity; regime switching; boom and bust

Bhāviveka vs. Candrānanda

This essay offers an analysis of “the two-finger” illustration which Bhāviveka discusses in the Vaiśeṣikatattvaviniścaya chapter of the Tarkajvālā, the auto-commentary on his Madhyamakahṛdaya[kārikā], wherein he introduces and criticises the theories of the Vaiśeṣika school. Going through the early Vaiśeṣika literature, I have noticed that these two-finger (dvyaṅgula, two fingers in a unit form, or finger-pair) illustrations only occur in Candrānanda’s Vṛtti, and in a very clear and straightforward manner. As I will point out, it is a mystery and indeed somewhat perplexing that the references to this illustration in the Tarkajvālā are not at all immediately intelligible. This circumstance will be addressed in this essay, where also an interpretation and a solution will be offered. In addition, the relative chronology of Bhāviveka and Candrānanda as well as their contemporaries in around 6th-century India will also be discussed

Impact and Challenges of Intelligent IoT in Meteorological Science

The abundant data in meteorological science has facilitated applying big data techniques. The data collection was achieved by researchers using different atmospheric sounding methods in the past few decades. Compared with traditional methods, such as statistical forecast approaches and numerical weather prediction, intelligent Internet of Things (IoT) technologies have attracted extensive attention in meteorological science due to their significant advantages in data processing and analysis. In addition, extreme weather events and meteorological disasters have occurred frequently around the world in recent years. Against this background, this article aims to introduce the application of intelligent IoT technologies in meteorological science and elaborate the encountered open problems as well as the challenges in the future. Along with the introduction of intelligent IoT, a comprehensive review of current studies on meteorological observation, forecast, and services with intelligent IoT is provided. Correspondingly, the impact of intelligent IoT on meteorological businesses is analyzed. Finally, as for the meteorological operations in IoT based on artificial intelligence (AI), some open research issues, countermeasures and future potential research directions are put forward

Preparation and evaluation of 2-methoxyestradiol-loaded pH-sensitive liposomes

The development and clinical application of 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) as a new type of antitumor drug are limited due to its poor solubility, rapid metabolism in vivo, and large oral dosage. 2-ME-loaded pHsensitive liposomes (2-ME-PSLs) was prepared containing the lipids, Lipoid E-80 (E-80), cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHEMS), and cholesterol (CHOL) via thin-film ultrasonic dispersion. First, preparation conditions of 2-ME-PSLs were optimized by orthogonal test. Then 2-ME-PSL was characterized, and the release behavior and stability of 2-ME-PSL in vitro were evaluated. The optimal preparation conditions for 2-ME-PSLs were as follows: 2-ME : E-80+CHEMS 1:15; CHOL : E-80+CHEMS 1:5; ultrasonication time 20 minutes. The mean particle size, PDI, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency (EE) of 2-MEPSLs were 116 ± 9 nm, 0.161 ± 0.025, −22.4 ± 1.7 mV, and 98.6 ± 0.5%, respectively. As viewed under a transmission electron microscope, 2-ME-PSLs were well dispersed and almost spherical. They exhibited significant pH-sensitive properties and were fairly stable when diluted with a physiological solution. In conclusion, 2-ME-PSLs were successfully prepared and possessed a favorable pH sensitivity and good dissolution stability with a normal solution