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.     

New examples of Beauville surfaces

We find new mixed and unmixed Beauville structures for groups constructed as 2-quotients, i.e. quotients of 2-power order, of the fundamental group of a certain simplicial complex.     

Synthesis and anticancer properties of RGD peptides conjugated to nitric oxide releasing functional groups and abiraterone

A series of analogues of the integrin binding aspartic acid-glycine-arginine (RGD) peptide sequence were synthesised conjugated to nitric oxide (NO) donating functional groups. Also the cytotoxicity of abiraterone, a prostate cancer drug, was explored when it was conjugated in three part constructs to RGD sequences and NO releasing heterocycles. In general the analogues showed integrin binding affinity comparable to RGD reference compounds, and all released NO by the Griess test assay. Two analogues exhibited significant cytotoxic effects against PC3 and MCF7 cell lines.     

Enhanced coding for exponentially distributed signals using suprathreshold stochastic resonance

Our previous work on stochastic resonance (SR) in threshold based systems proved that the SR effect is dependent on the nature of the input signal distribution; more specifically, for certain types of signal distribution SR is not observed [Das A, Stocks NG, Nikitin A, Hines EL. Quantifying stochastic resonance in a single threshold detector for random aperiodic signals. Fluctuation Noise Lett 2004;4:L247–65]. Here we show that suprathreshold stochastic resonance (SSR) – a novel and distinct form of SR – removes this limitation and hence leads to the conclusion that SSR can probably enhance the transmission of signals of any distribution and amplitude. SSR effects are studied in a parallel array of identical nonlinear threshold based devices. A double exponential signal distribution is chosen because this distribution did not demonstrate conventional SR effects in a single threshold device [Das A, Stocks NG, Nikitin A., Hines EL. Quantifying Stochastic resonance in a single threshold detector for random aperiodic signals. Fluctuation and Noise Letters 2004;4:L247-L265.]. SSR as a possible mechanism for enhancing transmission of speech signals in the human ear is also discussed.     

Diamond electrode facilitated electrosynthesis of water and wastewater treatment oxidants

While diamond electrodes have been commonly used to generate ^?OH to treat a variety of persistent water and wastewater micropollutants, mass transfer limitations and the non-selective, short-lived nature of the ^?OH restrict the degradation to the solution at, or near, the electrode surface. However, diamond electrodes can generate oxidizing species that facilitate micropollutant degradation in the bulk water solution. These include persulfate, sulfate radicals, peroxodiphosphate, ferrate, permanganate, reactive chlorine species, hydrogen peroxide, and ozone, which have been reported during electrochemical treatment of water with diamond electrodes. Although still restricted to specialized applications, recent studies, summarized in this review, have proven the electrogeneration of these additional oxidant species to be effective. They have shown the adaptability and potential of diamond electrode-based water treatment to mitigate the presence of micropollutants in water.