An ALM model for pension funds using integrated chance constraints

We discuss integrated chance constraints in their role of short-term risk constraints in a strategic ALM model for Dutch pension funds. The problem is set up as a multistage recourse model, with special attention for modeling short-term risk prompted by the development of new guidelines by the regulating authority for Dutch pension funds. The paper concludes with a numerical illustration of the importance of such short-term risk constraints

Immunogenicity and efficacy of one and two doses of Ad26.COV2.S COVID vaccine in adult and aged NHP

Safe and effective coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) vaccines are urgently needed to control the ongoing pandemic. While single-dose vaccine regimens would provide multiple advantages, two doses may improve the magnitude and durability of immunity and protective efficacy. We assessed one-and two-dose regimens of the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine candidate in adult and aged nonhuman primates (NHPs). A two-dose Ad26.COV2.S regimen induced higher peak binding and neutralizing antibody responses compared with a single dose. In one-dose regimens, neutralizing antibody responses were stable for at least 14 wk, providing an early indication of durability. Ad26.COV2.S induced humoral immunity and T helper cell (Th cell) 1-skewed cellular responses in aged NHPs that were comparable to those in adult animals. Aged Ad26.COV2.S-vaccinated animals challenged 3 mo after dose 1 with a SARS-CoV-2 spike G614 variant showed near complete lower and substantial upper respiratory tract protection for both regimens. Neutralization of variants of concern by NHP sera was reduced for B.1.351 lineages while maintained for the B.1.1.7 lineage independent of Ad26.COV2.S vaccine regimen.Molecular basis of virus replication, viral pathogenesis and antiviral strategie

Post-COVID-19 patients in geriatric rehabilitation substantially recover in daily functioning and quality of life

BackgroundAfter an acute infection, older persons may benefit from geriatric rehabilitation (GR).ObjectivesThis study describes the recovery trajectories of post-COVID-19 patients undergoing GR and explores whether frailty is associated with recovery.DesignMulticentre prospective cohort study.Setting59 GR facilities in 10 European countries.ParticipantsPost-COVID-19 patients admitted to GR between October 2020 and October 2021.MethodsPatients’ characteristics, daily functioning (Barthel index; BI), quality of life (QoL; EQ-5D-5L) and frailty (Clinical Frailty Scale; CFS) were collected at admission, discharge, 6 weeks and 6 months after discharge. We used linear mixed models to examine the trajectories of daily functioning and QoL.Results723 participants were included with a mean age of 75 (SD: 9.91) years. Most participants were pre-frail to frail (median [interquartile range] CFS 6.0 [5.0–7.0]) at admission. After admission, the BI first steeply increased from 11.31 with 2.51 (SE 0.15, P P P P ConclusionsPost-COVID-19 patients admitted to GR showed substantial recovery in daily functioning and QoL. Frailty at GR admission was not associated with recovery and should not be a reason to exclude patients from GR.Public Health and primary careGeriatrics in primary car

CHARGE TRANSFER IN NI3AL

On a mis en évidence dans l'alliage Ni3Al l'influence de la forme du rayon atomique sur l'interaction quadrupolaire déterminé par spectroscopie Mössbauer ainsi que les déplace-ments des niveaux de cœur de Al et Ni déterminés par photoémission (XP S). Aucun effet de transfer de charge du nickel vers l'aluminium n'a été observé.From the quadrupole splitting observed with ME spectroscopy on 57Fe at Ni-sites and the shifs of the inner electron levels of Al and Ni observed with XPS, we conclude that atomic size shape and effects take place in Ni3Al. No charge transfer from nickel to aluminium has been observed

Dissection of pathways leading to antigen receptor-induced and Fas/CD95-induced apoptosis in human B cells

To dissect intracellular pathways involved in B cell Ag receptor (BCR)-mediated and Fas-induced human B cell death, we isolated clones of the Burkitt lymphoma cell line Ramos with different apoptosis sensitivities. Selection for sensitivity to Fas-induced apoptosis also selected for clones with enhanced BCR death sensitivity and vice versa. In contrast, clones resistant to Fas-mediated apoptosis could still undergo BCR-induced cell death. Based on the functional phenotypes of these clones, we hypothesized that both receptor-induced apoptosis pathways are initially distinct but may eventually converge. Indeed, ligation of both Fas and BCR resulted in cleavage of the IL-1beta-converting enzyme/Ced-3-like protease caspase 3 and its substrates Ac-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-aldehyde and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Markedly, qualitative differences in the caspase 3 cleavage pattern induced by Fas or BCR ligation were observed; whereas Fas ligation generated caspase 3 cleavage products of 19/20 and 17 kDa, only the latter cleavage product was found upon BCR cross-linking. The caspase inhibitor Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone blocked both Fas- and BCR-mediated apoptosis, but differentially affected caspase 3 cleavage induced by either stimulus. Finally, overexpression of a Fas-associated death domain (FADD) dominant-negative mutant protein was found to inhibit Fas-induced apoptosis but not BCR-induced apoptosis. Together our findings imply that Fas and BCR couple, via FADD-dependent and FADD-independent mechanisms, respectively, to distinct proteases upstream of caspase