Speed and Accuracy Comparison of Noncentral Chi-Square Distribution Methods for Option Pricing and Hedging under the CEV Model

Pricing options and evaluating greeks under the constant elasticity of variance (CEV) model require the computation of the noncentral chi-square distribution function. In this article, we compare the performance in terms of accuracy and computational time of alternative methods for computing such probability distributions against an xternally tested benchmark. In addition, we present closed-form solutions for computing greek measures under the CEV option pricing model for both beta 2, thus being able to accommodate direct leverage effects as well as inverse leverage effects that are frequently observed in the options markets

Resting-state cortical hubs in youth organize into four categories

During childhood, neural systems supporting high-level cognitive processes undergo periods of rapid growth and refinement, which rely on the successful coordination of activation across the brain. Some coordination occurs via cortical hubs-brain regions that coactivate with functional networks other than their own. Adult cortical hubs map into three distinct profiles, but less is known about hub categories during development, when critical improvement in cognition occurs. We identify four distinct hub categories in a large youth sample (n = 567, ages 8.5-17.2), each exhibiting more diverse connectivity profiles than adults. Youth hubs integrating control-sensory processing split into two distinct categories (visual control and auditory/motor control), whereas adult hubs unite under one. This split suggests a need for segregating sensory stimuli while functional networks are experiencing rapid development. Functional coactivation strength for youth control-processing hubs are associated with task performance, suggesting a specialized role in routing sensory information to and from the brain\u27s control system

Ultrasonic energy for proteomics: when, where and how

Comunicaciones a congreso

Quantification of silver nanoparticle uptake and distribution within individual human macrophages by FIB/SEM slice and view

Background Quantification of nanoparticle (NP) uptake in cells or tissues is very important for safety assessment. Often, electron microscopy based approaches are used for this purpose, which allow imaging at very high resolution. However, precise quantification of NP numbers in cells and tissues remains challenging. The aim of this study was to present a novel approach, that combines precise quantification of NPs in individual cells together with high resolution imaging of their intracellular distribution based on focused ion beam/ scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) slice and view approaches. Results We quantified cellular uptake of 75 nm diameter citrate stabilized silver NPs (Ag 75 Cit) into an individual human macrophage derived from monocytic THP-1 cells using a FIB/SEM slice and view approach. Cells were treated with 10 μg/ml for 24 h. We investigated a single cell and found in total 3138 ± 722 silver NPs inside this cell. Most of the silver NPs were located in large agglomerates, only a few were found in clusters of fewer than five NPs. Furthermore, we cross-checked our results by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and could confirm the FIB/SEM results. Conclusions Our approach based on FIB/SEM slice and view is currently the only one that allows the quantification of the absolute dose of silver NPs in individual cells and at the same time to assess their intracellular distribution at high resolution. We therefore propose to use FIB/SEM slice and view to systematically analyse the cellular uptake of various NPs as a function of size, concentration and incubation time.TU Berlin, Open-Access-Mittel - 201

Resting-state cortical hubs in youth organize into four categories

During childhood, neural systems supporting high-level cognitive processes undergo periods of rapid growth and refinement, which rely on the successful coordination of activation across the brain. Some coordination occurs via cortical hubs-brain regions that coactivate with functional networks other than their own. Adult cortical hubs map into three distinct profiles, but less is known about hub categories during development, when critical improvement in cognition occurs. We identify four distinct hub categories in a large youth sample (n = 567, ages 8.5-17.2), each exhibiting more diverse connectivity profiles than adults. Youth hubs integrating control-sensory processing split into two distinct categories (visual control and auditory/motor control), whereas adult hubs unite under one. This split suggests a need for segregating sensory stimuli while functional networks are experiencing rapid development. Functional coactivation strength for youth control-processing hubs are associated with task performance, suggesting a specialized role in routing sensory information to and from the brain's control system

Physiological, cellular and biochemical thermal stress response of intertidal shrimps with different vertical distributions: Palaemon elegans and Palaemon serratus

The ability to cope with high temperature variations is a critical factor in intertidal communities. Two species of intertidal rocky shore shrimps (Palaemon sp.) with different vertical distributions were collected from the Portuguese coast in order to test if they were differentially sensitive to thermal stress. Three distinct levels of biological organization (organismal, biochemical, and cellular) were surveyed. The shrimp were exposed to a constant rate of temperature increase of 1°C.h(-1), starting at 20°C until reaching the CTMax (critical thermal maximum). During heat stress, two biomarkers of protein damage were quantified in the muscle via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays: heat shock proteins HSP70 (hsp70/hsc70) and total ubiquitin. Muscle histopathological alterations caused by temperature were also evaluated. CTMax values were not significantly different between the congeners (P. elegans 33.4 ± 0.5 °C; P. serratus 33.0 ± 0.5 °C). Biomarker levels did not increase along the temperature trial, but P. elegans (higher intertidal) showed higher amounts of HSP70 and total ubiquitin than P. serratus (lower intertidal). HSP70 and total ubiquitin levels showed a positive significant correlation in both species, suggesting that their association is important in thermal tolerance. Histopathological observations of muscle tissue in P. serratus showed no gross alterations due to temperature but did show localized atrophy of muscle fibers at CTMax. In P. elegans, alterations occurred at a larger scale, showing multiple foci of atrophic muscular fascicles caused by necrotic or autolytic processes. In conclusion, Palaemon congeners displayed different responses to stress at a cellular level, with P. elegans having greater biomarker levels and histopathological alterations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Acrylamide in Environmental Water: A Review on Sources, Exposure, and Public Health Risks

TEPE, Yalcin/0000-0002-8415-3754; TEPE, Banu/0000-0002-3428-8167WOS: 000464878700001Acrylamide and polyacrylamide (PAM) are used in diverse industrial processes, mainly the production of plastics, dyes, and paper, in the treatment of drinking water, wastewater, and sewage. Besides inorganic form, acrylamide is formed naturally in certain starchy foods that were heated to cook a temperature above 120 degrees C for elongated time. Researches in rats have demonstrated that acrylamide exposure poses a risk as a neurotoxin to humans and also classified as a carcinogenic and mutagenic compound. Acrylamide may be released into drinking water supplies from its wide-ranging industrial use. Acrylamide has high risk of contamination into surface and ground water supplies due to its rapid solubility and mobility in water. Bacterial use of acrylamide as nitrogen and carbonsource is the main pathway of its degradation in water. The degradation of acrylamide in water occurs about 8-12days depending on water conditions. International Agency for Research on Cancer has declared acrylamide as 2A Group carcinogen in 1994. The major concern related to acrylamide contamination is arising from organic source that occurs especially by consumption of heated starchy food. On the other hand, as acrylamide or PAM is commonly used in different industrial processes, inorganic acrylamide contamination into environment is a big threat and has potential hazards for public health. The main objective of the present review is to summarize the routes of acrylamide contamination, degradation, release and transfer into environmental water, as well as to present integrated information on acrylamide chemistry, toxicity, and analyses, together with potential safety risks for public health. Recommended actions and further studies in needed areas are suggested