Extreme risk in resource indices and the generalized logistic distribution

The resource sector accounts for a substantial proportion of market capitalization on the US and South African stock exchanges. Hence, severe movements in related stock prices can drastically affect the risk profile of the entire market. Extreme value theory provides a basis for evaluating and forecasting such sporadic occurrences. In this article, we compare performances of classical extreme value models against the recently suggested generalized logistic distribution, for estimating value-at-risk and expected shortfall in resource indices. Our results suggest a significant difference in risk behavior between the two markets and the generalized logistic distribution does not always outperform classical models, as previous work may have suggested

Evaluation of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline in foods, with an emphasis on rice flavour

The popcorn-like aroma compound 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) is a key contributor to the desirable aroma of fragrant rice and is also important in the aroma of other foods, such as pandan leaf, popcorn and Mediterranean sausage. It can be formed enzymatically in the rice grain as it grows and is also formed, as part of the Maillard reaction, when rice is heated. This review examines the formation of 2-AP in rice and other foods, particularly its formation during cooking, focusing on the importance of the Maillard reaction between reducing sugar breakdown products and 1-pyrroline derived from the amino acids proline and ornithine. The synthesis of 2-AP is discussed alongside the attempts that have been made to stabilise this relatively unstable compound. The analysis of 2-AP by instrumental techniques, particularly gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-olfactometry, alongside the use of sensory studies, is also discussed

Corrigendum: SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants: burden of disease, impact on vaccine effectiveness and need for variant-adapted vaccines

A Corrigendum on "SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants: burden of disease, impact on vaccine effectiveness and need for variant-adapted vaccines" by Pather S, Madhi SA, Cowling BJ, Moss P, Kamil JP, Ciesek S, Muik A and Türeci Ö (2023). . 14:1130539. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.113053

A synthesis of the range of loads applied on the residuum of individuals with transfemoral amputation fitted with bone-anchored prostheses

BACKGROUND Bone anchored prostheses have recently been implemented in the field of limb replacement, as it alleviates many of the issues surrounding the conventional socket interfaces [1]. However, due to the direct skeletal attachment, serious injury and damage can occur through excessive loading events such as a fall. For this reason, it is essential to understand the range of loads experienced within bone anchored prostheses to: optimize the design of componentry; provide safety solutions; and tailor rehabilitation programs accordingly. AIM The aim of this study was to review the current literature targeting direct measurement of the forces and moments within bone anchored prostheses, to provide a synthesis of the range of loads observed. METHOD A literature search was conducted to identify all articles related to the loading of bone anchored prostheses during: rehabilitation exercises; a variety of everyday activities; and adverse events (e.g., a fall). Studies were screened by examining whether direct measurement techniques (e.g., load transducers) were used to assess the three-dimensional forces and moments occurring within the bone anchored fixation of individuals with a transfemoral amputation. The three axes were defined as: Anterior Posterior (AP), Medial Lateral (ML), and Axial or Long (LG). The loading data were presented in raw units (Newtons) and a percentage of bodyweight (% BW) where possible. The data was mapped graphically to display the forces and moments for each activity analyzed across all studies. RESULTS This study included 11 articles published between 1990 and 2016. Frossard et al. (2010) presented data from a subject falling, reporting the largest recorded loading values, where a maximum force of 1145 N, and moment of 153 Nm, occurred along the long axis and medial-lateral axis of the prostheses respectively, which corresponds to 126 % BW and 16.8 % BWm [2]. For everyday activities, the combined average of the maximum values and corresponding standard deviations for each axes are shown in Table 1, which displays a small portion of the results. Table 1. Combined average value and standard deviation (in brackets) for the forces and moments applied on each axes of the bone anchored prostheses during everyday activities. DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION The range of loads presented in this study has implications for a variety of areas in the utilisation of bone anchored prostheses. For example, the mean and maximum loading values for everyday activities can be used in the design and optimisation of system components, and limits can be established for safety devices. Additionally, rehabilitation programs can be tailored to accommodate these verified loads which regularly occur through daily living. This study highlighted the limited loading information available, and the requirement for further research into the loads experienced by bone anchored prostheses. Overall, this study has demonstrated the large range of loads that occur within bone anchored prostheses, and provides a starting point for the optimisation of this technology

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumour in a supratentorial location: a report of two cases

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumour of the central nervous system is a rare, highly aggressive childhood malignancy. The age of presentation is usually <2 years, but this tumour may occur in other age groups. The typical location is the posterior fossa, with supratentorial origin less common. We present two cases of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumours, with the suprasellar location of one case proving to be a diagnostic radiological challenge

Facing the stranger in the mirror: Staged complicities in recent South African performances

The staging of complicity has developed into one of the most prevalent trends in recent South Africa theatre. The audience may become aware of their own complicity in injustice, or complicity may feature as a subject to be explored in the play. I will argue that one can identify three broadly defined performance modalities which shape current engagements with complicity. These modalities are identified by the adjectives, 'thick' (as in densely layered, complex, deep), 'reflective' (as in reflecting upon as well as revealing), and 'hard' (in the sense of direct, uncompromising, difficult to penetrate). Rather than signifying distinct categories, these terms are attributed to a cluster of performance dynamics.DHE

Razvoj i vrednovanje dvoslojnih tableta propranolol hidroklorida

The objective of the present research was to develop a bilayer tablet of propranolol hydrochloride using superdisintegrant sodium starch glycolate for the fast release layer and water immiscible polymers such as ethyl cellulose, Eudragit RLPO and Eudragit RSPO for the sustaining layer. In vitro dissolution studies were carried out in a USP 24 apparatus I. The formulations gave an initial burst effect to provide the loading dose of the drug followed by sustained release for 12 hrs from the sustaining layer of matrix embedded tablets. In vitro dissolution kinetics followed the Higuchi model via a non-Fickian diffusion controlled release mechanism after the initial burst release. FT-IR studies revealed that there was no interaction between the drug and polymers used in the study. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) showed no significant difference in the cumulative amount of drug release after 15 min, but significant difference (p 0.005) in the amount of drug released after 12 h from optimized formulations was observed.U radu je opisan razvoj dvoslojnih tableta propranolol hidroklorida, koristeći superdezintegrator škrob glikolat natrij u sloju za brzo oslobađanje i polimere koji se ne miješaju s vodom (etil celuloza, Eudragit RLPO i Eudragit RSPO) u sloju za usporeno oslobađanje. In vitro oslobađanje praćeno je u USP aparatu I te je uočeno početno naglo oslobađanje ljekovite tvari iza kojeg slijedi polagano oslobađanje tijekom 12 sati. In vitro kinetika oslobađanja prati Higouchijev model, dok mehanizam kontroliranog oslobađanja ne slijedi Fickov zakon poslije početnog naglog oslobađanja. FT-IR studije ukazuju da nema interakcije između ljekovite tvari i polimera upotrebljenih u oblikovanju. Statistička analiza (ANOVA) nije pokazala značajne razlike u kumulativnoj količini oslobođenog lijeka iz optimiranih formulacija poslije 15 minuta i polije 12 h

Draft genome sequence of marine alphaproteobacterial strain HIMB11, the first cultivated representative of a unique lineage within the Roseobacter clade possessing an unusually small genome

© The Author(s), 2014. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Standards in Genomic Sciences 9 (2014): 632-645, doi:10.4056/sigs.4998989.Strain HIMB11 is a planktonic marine bacterium isolated from coastal seawater in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii belonging to the ubiquitous and versatile Roseobacter clade of the alphaproteobacterial family Rhodobacteraceae. Here we describe the preliminary characteristics of strain HIMB11, including annotation of the draft genome sequence and comparative genomic analysis with other members of the Roseobacter lineage. The 3,098,747 bp draft genome is arranged in 34 contigs and contains 3,183 protein-coding genes and 54 RNA genes. Phylogenomic and 16S rRNA gene analyses indicate that HIMB11 represents a unique sublineage within the Roseobacter clade. Comparison with other publicly available genome sequences from members of the Roseobacter lineage reveals that strain HIMB11 has the genomic potential to utilize a wide variety of energy sources (e.g. organic matter, reduced inorganic sulfur, light, carbon monoxide), while possessing a reduced number of substrate transporters.We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, which funded the sequencing of this genome. Annotation was performed as part of the 2011 C-MORE Summer Course in Microbial Oceanography (http://cmore.soest.hawaii.edu/summercourse/2011/index.htm), with support by the Agouron Institute, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the University of Hawaii and Manoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), and the Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education (C-MORE), a National Science Foundation-funded Science and Technology Center (award No. EF0424599)

Powder Compaction: Compression Properties of Cellulose Ethers

Effective development of matrix tablets requires a comprehensive understanding of different raw material attributes and their impact on process parameters. Cellulose ethers (CE) are the most commonly used pharmaceutical excipients in the fabrication of hydrophilic matrices. The innate good compression and binding properties of CE enable matrices to be prepared using economical direct compression (DC) techniques. However, DC is sensitive to raw material attributes, thus, impacting the compaction process. This article critically reviews prior knowledge on the mechanism of powder compaction and the compression properties of cellulose ethers, giving timely insight into new developments in this field