Volatility level dependence and the CEV market model

Interest-rate volatility is known to be level-dependent. However, Filipovic, Larsson and Trolle (2017) found that volatility becomes more level-dependent as the interest rate approaches the zero lower bound. This varying volatility level-dependence feature motivates the use of CEV market model to model the interest rate. In this dissertation, we compare the lognormal forward LIBOR market model, the CEV market model and the normal market model through regression analysis, hedging analysis and calibration analysis to assess their performance. The investigation is performed using EURIBOR 10-year interest-rate caps with various strike rates. This research work has a significant impact as the industry often needs to hedge interestrate caps. We show that although the CEV market model best calibrates to market prices, the normal market model is the best in terms of hedging interest-rate caps

The Representative Porcine Model for Human Cardiovascular Disease

To improve human health, scientific discoveries must be translated into practical applications. Inherent in the development of these technologies is the role of preclinical testing using animal models. Although significant insight into the molecular and cellular basis has come from small animal models, significant differences exist with regard to cardiovascular characteristics between these models and humans. Therefore, large animal models are essential to develop the discoveries from murine models into clinical therapies and interventions. This paper will provide an overview of the more frequently used large animal models, especially porcine models for preclinical studies

Análise Ecoepidemiológico da Leishmaniose Visceral Canina no Município de Foz do Iguaçu entre 2018 e 2019

Dissertação de mestrado apresentada ao Programa de Pós-Graduaçãoem Biociências, do Instituto Latino-Americano de Ciências da Vida e da Natureza, da Universidade Federal da Integração Latino-Americana, como requisito parcial à obtenção do título de Mestre em Ciências, área de concentração Biociências.As leishmanioses são consideradas doenças parasitárias zoonóticas e cosmopolitas, em processo de expansão em diversos continentes. A alta adaptabilidade do agente etiológico a um amplo espectro de hospedeiros mamíferos é observada na forma mais agressiva da doença, a leishmaniose visceral (LV) ou Calazar, causada pelo protozoário Leishmania infantum, e transmitida a seus hospedeiros vertebrados pelo flebotomíneo Lutzomia longipalpis. Com características ecoepidemiológicas singulares, embora possa se apresentar insidiosa em parte importante do seu curso natural, a LV é responsável por altas taxas de letalidade quando não tratada. A cidade de Foz do Iguaçu, fronteiriça com Ciudad del Este (Paraguai) e Puerto Iguazu (Argentina) apresenta um intenso fluxo de pessoas e animais, o que pode facilitar a circulação de diferentes espécies e cepas de Leishmania. Nos últimos anos, a casuística de LV vem aumentando de forma preocupante na população canina da cidade e o primeiro caso humano autóctone foi confirmado no ano de 2015. Atualmente, o Centro de Controle de Zoonozes (CCZ) e os laboratórios de referência estaduais utilizam testes rápidos e sorológicos de ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) para diagnosticar a enfermidade em cães do município e da região, procedimento indicado pelo Ministério da Saúde. Entretanto, número importante de casos, incluindo-se muitos subclínicos, necessita de confirmação por técnicas que apresentem maior sensibilidade e especificidade diagnósticas. Neste estudo foram averiguados os resultados através da análise de concordância por meio do Coeficiente de Cohen Kappa entre o teste rápido com a confirmação pelo teste de ELISA em relação ao teste molecular via PCR (polymerase chain reaction) em tempo real utilizando amostra de sangue total obtido pela demanda espontânea do CCZ, realizando-se um levantamento socioambiental dos tutores dos animais e correlacionando o com a situação epidemiológica desta enfermidade canina. O estudo também elaborou mapa de adequabilidade ambiental baseados nas condições climáticas e avaliou potencial área de ocorrência da zoonose. Através do modelo estatístico verificou-se que não houve concordância entre o teste molecular com os testes sorológicos resultando em um valor k=0,1675. Outro ponto analisado refletiu que a permanência do animal em área externa aumenta o risco em mais de cinco vezes de contraírem a doença. Em relação a adequabilidade ambiental, concluiu-se que a cidade apresenta um elevado potencial de ocorrência da leishmaniose visceral canina. O presente estudo visou contribuir com análises ecoepidemiológicas da região e auxiliar no melhor conhecimento sobre as características moleculares do parasita da LV circulante na Tríplice Fronteira, buscando incrementar e validar as opções diagnósticas disponíveis na região

An Independent Review of USGS Circular 1370: An Evaluation of the Science Needs to Inform Decisions on Outer Continental Shelf Energy Development in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, Alaska

Reviews the U.S. Geological Survey's findings and recommendations on Alaska's Arctic Ocean, including geology, ecology and subsistence, effect of climate change on, and impact of oil spills. Makes recommendations for data management and other issues

Implementation of a national HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis service is associated with changes in characteristics of people with newly diagnosed HIV: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES: To review characteristics of individuals newly diagnosed with HIV following implementation of a national pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programme (comprehensive PrEP services, delivered in sexual health clinics) to inform future delivery and broader HIV prevention strategies. METHODS: We extracted data from national HIV databases (July 2015–June 2018). We compared sociodemographic characteristics of individuals diagnosed in the period before and after PrEP implementation, and determined the proportion of ‘potentially preventable’ infections with the sexual health clinic–based PrEP delivery model used. RESULTS: Those diagnosed with HIV before PrEP implementation were more likely to be male (342/418, 81.8% vs 142/197, 72.1%, p=0.005), be white indigenous (327/418, 78.2% vs 126/197, 64.0%, p<0.001), report transmission route as sex between men (219/418, 52.4% vs 81/197, 41.1%, p=0.014), and have acquired HIV in the country of the programme (302/418, 72.2% vs 114/197, 57.9% p<0.001) and less likely to report transmission through heterosexual sex (114/418, 27.3% vs 77/197, 39.1%, p=0.002) than after implementation. Pre-implementation, 8.6% (36/418) diagnoses were ‘potentially preventable’ with the PrEP model used. Post-implementation, this was 6.6% (13/197), but higher among those with recently acquired HIV (49/170, 28.8%). Overall, individuals with ‘potentially preventable’ infections were more likely to be male (49/49, 100% vs 435/566, 76.9%, p<0.001), aged <40 years (37/49, 75.5% vs 307/566, 54.2%, p=0.004), report transmission route as sex between men (49/49, 100% vs 251/566, 44.3%, p<0.001), have previously received post-exposure prophylaxis (12/49, 24.5% vs 7/566, 1.2%, p<0.001) and less likely to be black African (0/49, 0% vs 67/566, 11.8%, p=0.010) than those not meeting this definition. CONCLUSIONS: The sexual health clinic–based national PrEP delivery model appeared to best suit men who have sex with men and white indigenous individuals but had limited reach into other key vulnerable groups. Enhanced models of delivery and HIV combination prevention are required to widen access to individuals not benefiting from PrEP at present

784-3 Prognostic Significance of Intimal Thickening Detected by Intracoronary Ultrasound in Heart Transplant Recipients

Intracoronary ultrasound (ICUS) is a sensitive tool for the detection of intimal thickening in coronary arteries of heart transplants recipients. However, the prognostic significance of this intimal thickening has not been proven.During a one year period, 90 transplant recipients had ICUS examination at the time of their annual angiogram. For each ICUS study an intimal index (II), defined as the ratio of the plaque area to the area within the media, was measured for the most diseased segment imaged. The angiogram at the time of ICUS was reviewed for the presence of visually apparent coronary artery disease (V-CADI· Those patients (n=19) with V-CAD present at the time of ICUS were excluded from the study. The time since transplantation for the 71 pts without V-CAD ranged from 1 to 15 yrs, with a mean of 4.2 yrs and median of 3.9 yrs. The subsequent annual follow-up angiograms of the 71 patients without V-CAD at the time of ICUS were reviewed for the development of V-CAD. Mean duration of angiographic follow-up was 2.0 yrs (range 1–3 yrs).V-CAD developed on follow-up angiograms in 13 of the 71 pts. Mean time to development of V-CAD was 1.5 yrs. Forty-six patients had II&lt;0.3, 4 (9%) of whom subsequently developed V-CAD. Twenty-five patients had II ≥0.3, 9 (36%) of whom developed V-CAD. Odds ratio for future V-CAD between pts with II&lt;0.3 and II 2: 0.3 was 5.9 (95% CI 1.8 to 19.0, difference significant at p&lt;0.01 by Fisher's Exact test).In a subgroup of 22 patients more than 5 years post transplantation at the time of ICUS, 12 had II&lt;0.3 and 10 had II 2≥0.3. In this subgroup none of the 12 pts with II&lt;0.3 developed V-CAD and only 1 of the 10 with II &gt;0.3 developed V-CAD (difference not significant).Conclusion — Among patients more than 1 year and less than 5 years post-transplantation without visually apparent angiographic coronary artery disease, the presence of moderate to severe intimal thickening by ICUS is predictive of the future development of angiographically apparent CAD. Intimal thickening as detected by ICUS is of prognostic significance in patients with angiographically silent transplant coronary artery disease