Bayesian testing for non-linearity in volatility modeling

Neural networks provide a tool for describing non-linearity in volatility processes of financial data and help to answer the question “how much” non-linearity is present in the data. Non-linearity is studied under three different specifications of the conditional distribution: Gaussian, Student-t and mixture of Gaussians. To rank the volatility models, a Bayesian framework is adopted to perform a Bayesian model selection within the different classes of models. In the empirical analysis, the return series of the Dow Jones Industrial Average index, FTSE 100 and NIKKEI 225 indices over a period of 16 years are studied. The results show different behavior across the three markets. In general, if a statistical model accounts for non-normality and explains most of the fat tails in the conditional distribution, then there is less need for complex non-linear specifications.     

Chemical and microbiological quality of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) slaughtered by different methods

The effect of two slaughter methods (immersion in ice-water slurry and electrical stunning followed by ice slurry asphyxiation) on chemical and microbiological parameters of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) stored in ice for 20 days was evaluated. No differences in total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), pH, carbohydrate or protein content of mucus were observed between the slaughter methods. Ice-slaughtered fish had lower bacteria counts at the beginning of storage, but higher counts than fish slaughtered by electricity at the end of storage (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences in the shelf life were observed between the slaughter methods evaluated (limit of acceptability – counts > 3 × 10⁶ CFU g⁻¹ – attained after 13–16 days). Results indicated that the chemical parameters evaluated have a limited applicability to assess the shelf life of grass carp stored in ice, since pH limit (6.8) was exceeded after 4 days, while TVB-N limit (30 mg%) was not attained after 20 days of storage.     

Clinical computed tomographic correlations in children from a group at high risk for schizophrenia

Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 189 individuals: in 44 children of schizophrenic parents (high risk group, HRG), in 39 parents with schizophrenia or with schizophrenic disturbance, in 56 children with schizophrenia, in 50 children with consequences of early organic damages of central nervous system (mental retardation syndrome and generalized tic syndrome). The frequency of CT changes was equal in the mentioned groups but their character was quite different. The widening of brain's liquor system (89.7%), the signs of frontal and temporal atrophia (31%), foci of decreased density of cerebral brain's matter, closer in subcortical ganglia and periventricular zone, and different anomalies of brain were observed in HRG children.     

Nutritional pattern of the "Komsomolskaya Pravda" Arctic expedition]

Data on the chemical composition, nutritional value and caloricity of food ration used by the "Komsomolskaya Pravda" expedition during ski marches in the Arctics are reported. The rations consisted chiefly of dehydrated products and weighed 800-1000 g. The daily caloricity of the rations amounted to 3400 and 4400 great calories.     

Stabilization and activation of {alpha}-chymotrypsin in water-organic solvent systems by complex formation with oligoamines

Formation of enzyme–oligoamine complexes was suggestedas an approach to obtain biocatalysts with enhanced resistancetowards inactivation in water–organic media. Complex formationresults in broadening (by 20–40% v/v ethanol) of the rangeof cosolvent concentrations where the enzyme retains its catalyticactivity (stabilization effect). At moderate cosolvent concentrations(20–40% v/v) complex formation activates the enzyme (by3–6 times). The magnitude of activation and stabilizationeffects increases with the number of possible electrostaticcontacts between the protein surface and the molecules of oligoamines(OA). Circular dichroism spectra in the far-UV region show thatcomplex formation stabilizes protein conformation and preventsaggregation in water–organic solvent mixtures. Two populationsof the complexes with different thermodynamic stabilities werefound in -chymotrypsin (CT)–OA systems depending on theCT/OA ratio. The average dissociation constants and stoichiometriesof both low- and high-affinity populations of the complexeswere estimated. It appears that it is the low-affinity siteson the CT surface that are responsible for the activation effect.     

Design criteria and optical characteristics of one-dimensional photonic crystals based on periodically grooved silicon

Photonic bandgap (PBG) regions have been calculated for periodically grooved Si structures, acting as a one-dimensional photonic crystal. The wavelength range of the PBG as a function of the ratio (DSi/A) is presented, where DSi is the width of the Si walls and A is the grooved silicon lattice constant. The influence of the parameter DSi, the refractive index of the space between the Si walls and the number of structure periods, m, on the forming of PBG regions is discussed. A good correlation between the calculated and the experimentally observed PBG regions is obtained.