Simulated likelihood inference for stochastic volatility models using continuous particle filtering

Discrete-time stochastic volatility (SV) models have generated a considerable literature in financial econometrics. However, carrying out inference for these models is a difficult task and often relies on carefully customized Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques. Our contribution here is twofold. First, we propose a new SV model, namely SV–GARCH, which bridges the gap between SV and GARCH models: it has the attractive feature of inheriting unconditional properties similar to the standard GARCH model but being conditionally heavier tailed. Second, we propose a likelihood-based inference technique for a large class of SV models relying on the recently introduced continuous particle filter. The approach is robust and simple to implement. The technique is applied to daily returns data for S&P 500 and Dow Jones stock price indices for various spans.     

Error estimates for oscillatory solutions to hyperbolic systems of conservation laws

This paper deals with oscillatory solutions of one dimensional syterns of conservation laws endowed with one linearly degenerate characteristic field. Recently, Weinan E (cf. [3]) and D. Sene (cf. [11]) derived a system of homogenized equations, by using a multiple scale analysis. Our goal is to prove rigourous error estimates in order to justify the validity of these equations, at least when initial data are smooth.     

Time-dependent density functional theory molecular dynamics simulation of doubly charged uracil in gas phase

We use time-dependent density functional theory and Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics methods to investigate the fragmentation of doubly ionized uracil in gas phase. Different initial electronic excited states of the dication are obtained by removing electrons from different inner-shell orbitals of the neutral species. We show that shape-equivalent orbitals lead to very different fragmentation patterns revealing the importance of the intramolecular chemical environment. The results are in good agreement with ionion coincidence measurements of uracil collision with 100 keV protons.     

Synthesis,Photophysics and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Stilbenoid Pyrimidine‐Based Dyes Bearing Methylenepyran Donor Groups

The nonlinear properties and the photophysical behavior of two π‐conjugated chromophores that incorporate an electron‐deficient pyrimidine core (A) and γ‐methylenepyrans as terminal donor (D) groups have been thoroughly investigated. Both dipolar and quadrupolar branching strategies are explored and rationalized on the basis of the Frenkel exciton model. Even though a cooperative effect is clearly observed if the dimensionality is increased, the nonlinear optical (NLO) response of this series is moderate if one considers the nature of the D/A couple and the size of the chromophores (as measured by the number of π electrons). This effect was attributed to a disruption in the electronic conjugation within the dyes’ scaffold for which the geometry deviates from planarity owing to a noticeable twisting of the pyranylidene end‐groups. This latter structural parameter also has a strong influence on the excited‐state dynamics, which leads to a very efficient fluorescence quenching.     

Nuclear field shift effect in isotope fractionation of thallium

Environmental transport of Tl is affected by redox reaction between Tl(I) and Tl(III) and ligand exchange reactions of them. In order to deepen the knowledge of Tl chemistry, we investigated fractionation of Tl stable isotopes (²⁰³Tl and ²⁰⁵Tl) in a chemical exchange system. Tl isotopes were fractionated in a liquid–liquid extraction system, in which aqueous and organic phases are hydrochloric acid solution and dichloroethane including a crown ether, respectively. After purification by ion-exchange chemistry, the isotope ratio of ²⁰⁵Tl/²⁰³Tl in equilibrated aqueous phase was measured precisely by multiple-collector–inductively-coupled-plasma–mass-spectrometry. A large isotope fractionation >1 ‰ was found. Electronic structures of possible Tl species (hydrated Tl⁺, Tl³⁺, and Tl chlorides) were calculated by ab initio methods, and the isotope fractionation factor was theoretically obtained. The isotope fractionation via intramolecular vibrations was calculated to be much smaller than the experimental result. The isotope fractionation via isotopic change in nuclear volume, named the nuclear field shift effect, was calculated to be >1 ‰ in Tl(I)–Tl(III) redox systems and/or ligand exchange systems of Tl(III). The nuclear field shift effect was found to be the major origin of Tl isotope fractionation.     

Synthesis of Artificial Glycoconjugate Polymers Carrying 6-O-Phosphocholine α-D-Glucopyranoside,Biologically Active Segment of Main Cell Membrane Glycolipids of Mycoplasma Fermentas

ABSTRACT

The conformation of two mannose-based amidines, the N-benzylmannoamidine and a pseudo (1→6) dimannoside, has been evaluated using semi-empirical AMI calculations and ¹H NMR studies. The most stable conformations of the mannoamidine ring correspond to the half-chair forms ³H₄ and ⁴H₃. The conformations (Z) or (E) about the exocyclic C-N bond depend on the substituents and it was shown that, in solution, the N-benzylmannoamidine was (E)-configured whilst the pseudo (1→6) dimannoside was (Z)-configured. Using the grid-search approach, the potential energy maps of both mannoamidines were calculated as a function of the torsion angles which define the orientation of the amidine substituent. Three stable conformers were identified for the N-benzylmannoamidine and seven for the pseudo (1→6) dimannoside. Inter-glycosidic NOE have provided evidence for a preferred conformation of the pseudo (1→6) dimannoside in solution. The transition state structure of the α-phenylmannose hydrolysis was optimized using the AMI method and compared to the N-benzylmannoamidine. The developing oxocarbenium ion is well matched by the mannoamidine ring but the orientation of the phenyl group in the inhibitor differs significantly from the position of the leaving group in the transition state. The use of sugar type amidines as haptens to obtain catalytic antibodies is then discussed.

     

“Heteroglycals” As New Potential Glycosidase Inhibitors. Synthetic Approaches From D-Arabinose

Within the frame of an ongoing project on glycosidase inhibitors, we have been interested in the synthesis of “heteroglycals”, namely, glycal analogues with sulfur or nitrogen in the ring. Glycals² are well known for their applications in sugar chemistry in particular for glycosyl transfer.³ They are also known as glycosidase inhibitors through a slow chemical reaction with the enzyme. Recently exo-glycals emerged as a new class of glycals⁴ which showed interesting features as glycosidase inhibitors but also as precursors of glycomimetics such as C-glycosides.⁵ We have undertaken investigations on related heteroglycals: such compounds are of interest because they combine a planar geometry at the anomeric center and a possible charge site - both elements known to be important to mimic the transition state of the enzymatic glycoside hydrolysis process.⁶     

Bioconjugatable Azo‐Based Dark‐Quencher Dyes: Synthesis and Application to Protease‐Activatable Far‐Red Fluorescent Probes

We describe the efficient synthesis and one‐step derivatization of novel, nonfluorescent azo dyes based on the Black Hole Quencher‐3 (BHQ‐3) scaffold. These dyes were equipped with various reactive and/or bioconjugatable groups (azido, α‐iodoacetyl, ketone, terminal alkyne, vicinal diol). The azido derivative was found to be highly reactive in the context of copper‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reactions and allowed easy synthetic access to the first water‐soluble (sulfonated derivative) and aldehyde‐modified BHQ‐3 dyes, the direct preparation of which failed by means of conventional azo‐coupling reactions. The aldehyde‐ and α‐iodoacetyl‐containing fluorescence quenchers were readily conjugated to aminooxy‐ and cysteine‐containing peptides by the formation of a stable oxime or thioether linkage, respectively. Further fluorescent labeling of the resultant peptide conjugates with red‐ or far‐red‐emitting rhodamine or cyanine dyes through sequential and/or one‐pot bioconjugations, led to novel Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) based probes suitable for the in vivo detection and imaging of urokinase plasminogen activator, a key protease in cancer invasion and metastasis.     

Method development and inter-laboratory comparison about the determination of titanium from titanium dioxide nanoparticles in tissues by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Nanosized titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is one of the most interesting and valuable nanomaterials for the construction industry but also in health care applications, food, and consumer goods, e.g., cosmetics. Therefore, the properties associated with this material are described in detail. Despite its widespread use, the analytical determination and characterization of nanosized metal oxides is not as straightforward as the comparatively easy-to-detect metallic nanoparticles (e.g., silver or gold). This study presents the method development and the results of the determination of tissue titanium (Ti) levels after treatment of rats with the nanosized TiO₂. Total Ti levels were chosen to evaluate the presence and distribution of TiO₂ nanoparticles. A procedure consisting of incubation with a mixture of nitric acid (HNO₃) and hydrofluoric acid (HF), and heating was developed to digest tissues and TiO₂ nanomaterials in order to determine the total Ti content by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). For the inter-laboratory comparison, altogether four laboratories analyzed the same samples upon digestion using the available ICPMS equipment. A major premise for any toxicokinetic study is the possibility to detect the chemical under investigation in biological samples (tissues). So, the study has to be performed with a dose high enough to allow for subsequent tissue level measurement of the chemical under investigation. On the other hand, dose of the chemical applied should not induce over toxicity in the animal as this may affect its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. To determine a non-toxic TiO₂ dosage, an acute toxicity study in rats was performed, and the organs obtained were evaluated for the presence of Ti by ICPMS. Despite the differences in methodology and independent of the sample preparation and the ICPMS equipment used, the results obtained for samples with Ti concentrations >4 μg Ti/g tissue agreed well.