Modeling asymmetric volatility in weekly Dutch temperature data

In addition to clear-cut seasonality in mean and variance, weekly Dutch temperature data appear to have a strong asymmetry in the impact of unexpectedly high or low temperatures on conditional volatility. Furthermore, this asymmetry also shows fairly pronounced seasonal variation. To describe these features, we propose a univariate seasonal time series model with asymmetric conditionally heteroskedastic errors. We fit this (and other, nested) model(s) to 25 years of weekly data. We evaluate itsforecasting performance for 5 years of hold-out data and find that the imposed asymmetry leads to better out-of-sample forecasts of temperaturevolatility.seasonal variation;asymmetric volatility;temperature volatility;weekly dutch temperature

Forecasting volatility with switching persistence GARCH models

In this paper we examine the forecasting performance of five nonlinear GARCH(1,1) models. Four of these have recently been proposed in literature, while the fifth model is a new one. All five models allow for switchingpersistence of shocks, depending on the value and/or sign of recent returns.We consider the models for weekly data on 5 major stock markets. Our results indicate that all models improve upon the linear GARCH(1,1) model and that our new model sometimes yields favorable forecasting results.volatility;GARCH models

Developing a Pilot Case and Modelling the Development of a Large European CO₂ Transport Infrastructure -The GATEWAY H2020 Project

The H2020 GATEWAY project aims to develop a comprehensive model Pilot Case which, intentionally, will pave the ground for CCS deployment in Europe. It will result from the assessment of, technical, commercial, judicial and societal issues related to a future CO2 transport infrastructure. The Pilot Case derived on this basis, will emphasize a gateway for CO2 transport in the North Sea Basin. Four potential pilot cases have been evaluated through a combination of techno-economic modelling of the individual cases and evaluation against more qualitative criteria. The chosen Pilot Case, Rotterdam Nucleus, will be refined and developed during the remaining period of the GATEWAY project. To maximise impact, the GATEWAY project adapts its work to lay the foundation for a future application to a European ‘Project of Common Interest’ (PCI). Continuous dialogue with the most relevant stakeholders is an important part of GATEWAY, as a Coordination and Support Action (CSA) H2020 project

Эффективность комбинированных криоконсервантов, содержащих глицерин или 1,2-пропандиол, при замораживании эритроцитов

Исследовали осмотические свойства эритроцитов, замороженных в комбинированных криоконсервантах, содержащих полимерные непроникающие (декстран, полиэтиленгликоль) и проникающие (глицерин, 1,2-пропандиол) криопротекторы. Установлено, что в эритроцитах, замороженных-отогретых в среде с полимерами, отмечается повышение скорости потока ионов Н+ и осмотической хрупкости в среде, содержащей 0,45–0,9% NaCl. Для сохранения осмотических свойств замороженных- отогретых клеток достаточно включить в среду глицерин или 1,2-пропандиол (1,2-ПД) в концентрации 5%. Полученные результаты позволяют предположить, что криопротекторная эффективность комбинированных криоконсервантов, содержащих непроникающие и проникающие криопротекторы, определяется вкладом различных по механизму действия криозащитных компонентов в суммарную защитную эффективность при замораживании и ослаблением постгипертонического стресса на клетки при размораживании.Досліджували осмотичні властивості еритроцитів, заморожених-відігрітих у комбінованих кріоконсервантах, які містять полімерні непроникаючі (декстран, поліетиленгліколь) і проникаючі (гліцерин, 1,2-пропандіол) кріопротектори. Встановлено, що в еритроцитах, заморожених-відігрітих у середовищі з полімерами, визначається зростання швидкості потоку іонів Н+ і осмотичної крихкості в середовищі, яке містить 0,45–0,9% NaCl. Для збереження осмотичних властивостей заморожених- відігрітих клітин достатньо включити в середовище гліцерин або 1,2-пропандіол в концентрації 5%. Отримані результати дозволяють припустити, що кріопротекторна ефективність комбінованих кріоконсервантів, які містять непроникаючі і проникаючі кріопротектори, визначається внеском різноманітних за механізмом дії кріозахисних компонентів у сумарну захисну ефективність при заморожуванні та послабленням постгіпертонічного стресу на клітини при розморожуванні.The osmotic properties of erythrocytes frozen-thawed in combined cryopreservatives, containing polymeric non-penetrating (dextran, polyethylene glycol) and penetrating (glycerol, 1,2-propane diol) cryoprotectants were studied. It was established that in erythrocytes frozen-thawed in the presence of polymers the increasing of H+ ion flow rate and osmotic fragility in the environment with 0.45–0.9% NaCl was observed. It is sufficient to add 5% glycerol or 1,2-propane diol (1,2-PD) to the medium to preserve osmotic properties of frozen-thawed cells. The obtained results enable to suggest that cryoprotective efficiency of combined cryopreservatives, containing non-penetrating and penetrating cryoprotectants is determined both by the contribution of cryoprotective components differing by action mechanism into th

Three layers of energy law for examining CO2 transport for carbon-capture and storage

This research is a legal analysis concerning four scenarios for cross-border carbon dioxide (CO2) transport that could increase the deployment of carbon-capture and storage (CCS) deployment in Europe. The legal analysis categorizes the law into three levels—international, national and local—and considers the four scenarios in light of these three levels of energy law. Upon reviewing the four scenarios, it is clear that the Rotterdam Nucleus (referred to as the ‘Pilot Case’) is the leading scenario and as a result it is explored in more detail. The potential Pilot Case is based on the development of Rotterdam (in the Netherlands) as a southern North Sea hub. Under this Rotterdam Nucleus scenario, captured CO2 will be transported through the Port of Rotterdam to depleted gas fields offshore the Netherlands. CO2 will also be transported through further links using CCS infrastructure to facilitate the processing of undeveloped gas fields offshore UK. The Pilot case contemplates further expansion opportunities, increasing the capture clusters through additional pipelines, expanding to further gas fields and using the port of Rotterdam for CO2 shipping—hence the analysis of the other scenarios may be invaluable in the future development of CO2 networks in the EU. Finally, and an original contribution of this article is that it employs the three lawyers of energy law theoretical framework to an energy problem that was examined by an interdisciplinary research team. Furthermore, this research was developed further through two key industry stakeholder meetings with CCS experts in the EU

Generation of specific deoxynojirimycin-type inhibitors of the non-lysosomal glucosylceramidase

The existence of a non-lysosomal glucosylceramidase in human cells has been documented (van Weely, S., Brandsma, M., Strijland, A., Tager, J. M., and Aerts, J. M. F. G. (1993) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1181, 55-62). Hypothetically, the activity of this enzyme, which is localized near the cell surface, may influence ceramide-mediated signaling processes. To obtain insight in the physiological importance of the non-lysosomal glucosylceramidase, the availability of specific inhibitors would be helpful. Here we report on the generation of hydrophobic deoxynojirimycin (DNM) derivatives that potently inhibit the enzyme. The inhibitors were designed on the basis of the known features of the non-lysosomal glucosylceramidase and consist of a DNM moiety, an N-alkyl spacer, and a large hydrophobic group that promotes insertion in membranes. In particular, N-(5-adamantane-1-yl-methoxy)pentyl)-DNM is a very powerful inhibitor of the non-lysosomal glucosylceramidase at nanomolar concentrations. At such concentrations, the lysosomal glucocerebrosidase and alpha-glucosidase, the glucosylceramide synthase, and the N-linked glycan-trimming alpha-glucosidases of the endoplasmic reticulum are not affecte

Airborne sampling of aerosol particles: Comparison between surface sampling at Christmas Island and P-3 sampling during PEM-Tropics B

Bulk aerosol sampling of soluble ionic compounds from the NASA Wallops Island P-3 aircraft and a tower on Christmas Island during PEM-Tropics B provides an opportunity to assess the magnitude of particle losses in the University of New Hampshire airborne bulk aerosol sampling system. We find that most aerosol-associated ions decrease strongly with height above the sea surface, making direct comparisons between mixing ratios at 30 m on the tower and the lowest flight level of the P-3 (150 m) open to interpretation. Theoretical considerations suggest that vertical gradients of sea-salt aerosol particles should show exponential decreases with height. Observed gradients of Na+ and Mg2+, combining the tower observations with P-3 samples collected below 1 km, are well described by exponential decreases (r values of 0.88 and 0.87, respectively), though the curve fit underestimates average mixing ratios at the surface by 25%. Cascade impactor samples collected on the tower show that \u3e99% of the Na+ and Mg2+mass is on supermicron particles, 65% is in the 1–6 micron range, and just 20% resides on particles with diameters larger than 9 microns. These results indicate that our airborne aerosol sampling probes must be passing particles up to at least 6 microns with high efficiency. We also observed that nss SO42− and NH4+, which are dominantly on accumulation mode particles, tended to decrease between 150 and 1000 m, but they were often considerably higher at the lowest P-3 sampling altitudes than at the tower. This finding is presently not well understood

Comparison of circulating tumor cells and AR-V7 as clinical biomarker in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients

Abstract Biomarker in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treatment are rare. We aimed to compare the clinical value of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and androgen receptor splice variant 7 (AR-V7) as biomarker in mCRPC patients undergoing androgen receptor-targeted agent (ARTA) treatment. Overall cohort (65 patients) was stratified regarding either CTC or AR-V7 status followed by further sub-stratification of the respective other marker. Subsequently, prostate specific antigen (PSA) response, progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS)) of subgroups was compared. CTCs and AR-V7 were detected in 54 (83%) and 33 (61%) patients, respectively. All AR-V7 + were CTC +. We detected PSA response in all subgroups. For PFS and OS, biomarker stratification revealed differences between all subgroups. Interestingly, no significant differences of AR-V7 transcript copy numbers were detected between responding and non-responding patients. Additionally, multivariable analysis revealed no independent prognostic value of AR-V7 positivity. Both biomarkers show clinical value in prognosticating clinical outcome. Nonetheless, AR-V7 stratification underestimates the heterogenous subgroup of CTC − and CTC + patient, the latter requiring more intense clinical surveillance. Additionally, AR-V7 level does not correlate with clinical response. Thus, the value of AR-V7 as a clinical biomarker must be considered skeptically

Assessing How the Aluminum-Resistance Traits in Wheat and Rye Transfer to Hexaploid and Octoploid Triticale

The mechanisms of aluminum (Al) resistance in wheat and rye involve the release of citrate and malate anions from the root apices. Many of the genes controlling these processes have been identified and their responses to Al treatment described in detail. This study investigated how the major Al resistance traits of wheat and rye are transferred to triticale (x Tritosecale Wittmack) which is a hybrid between wheat and rye. We generated octoploid and hexaploid triticale lines and compared them with the parental lines for their relative resistance to Al, organic anion efflux and expression of some of the genes encoding the transporters involved. We report that the strong Al resistance of rye was incompletely transferred to octoploid and hexaploid triticale. The wheat and rye parents contributed to the Al-resistance of octoploid triticale but the phenotypes were not additive. The Al resistance genes of hexaploid wheat, TaALMT1, and TaMATE1B, were more successfully expressed in octoploid triticale than the Al resistance genes in rye tested, ScALMT1 and ScFRDL2. This study demonstrates that an important stress-tolerance trait derived from hexaploid wheat was expressed in octoploid triticale. Since most commercial triticale lines are largely hexaploid types it would be beneficial to develop techniques to generate genetically-stable octoploid triticale material. This would enable other useful traits that are present in hexaploid but not tetraploid wheat, to be transferred to triticale