The impact of fat tailed returns on asset allocation

This paper analyzes the asset allocation problem of an investor who can invest in equity and cash when there is time variation in expected returns on the equity. The solution methodology is multistage stochastic asset allocation problem with decision rules. The uncertainty is modeled using economic scenarios with Gaussian and stable Paretian non-Gaussian innovations. The optimal allocations under these alternative hypothesis are compared. Our computational results suggest that asset allocation may be up to 20% different depending on the utility function and the risk aversion level of the investor. Certainty equivalent return can be increased up to .13% and utility can be improved up to .72% by switching to the stable Paretian model.     

The importance of attractive three-point interaction in enantioselective surface chemistry: stereospecific adsorption of serine on the intrinsically chiral Cu{531} surface

Both enantiomers of serine adsorb on the intrinsically chiral Cu{531} surface in two different adsorption geometries, depending on the coverage. At saturation, substrate bonds are formed through the two oxygen atoms of the carboxylate group and the amino group (μ3 coordination), whereas at lower coverage, an additional bond is formed through the deprotonated β-OH group (μ4 coordination). The latter adsorption geometry involves substrate bonds through three side groups of the chiral center, respectively, which leads to significantly larger enantiomeric differences in adsorption geometries and energies compared to the μ3 coordination, which involves only two side groups. This relatively simple model system demonstrates, in direct comparison, that attractive interactions of three side groups with the substrate are much more effective in inducing strong enantiomeric differences in heterogeneous chiral catalyst systems than hydrogen bonds or repulsive interactions.     

Dispersions of nanocrystalline cellulose in aqueous polymer solutions: structure formation of colloidal rods

The steady-state shear and linear viscoelastic deformations of semidilute suspensions of rod-shaped nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) particles in 1.0% hydroxyethyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose solutions were investigated. Addition of NCC at the onset of semidilute suspension concentration significantly altered the rheological and linear viscoelastic properties of semidilute polymer solutions. The low-shear viscosity values of polymers solutions were increased 20-490 times (depending on polymer molecular weight and functional groups) by the presence of NCC. NCC suspensions in polymer solutions exhibited yield stresses up to 7.12 Pa. Viscoelasticity measurements also showed that NCC suspended polymer solutions had higher linear elastic moduli than the loss moduli. All of those results revealed the gel formation of NCC particles and presence of internal structures. The formation of a weak gel structure was due to the nonadsorbing macromolecules which caused the depletion-induced interaction among NCC particles. A simple interaction energy model was used to show successfully the flocculation of NCC particles in the presence of nonadsorbing polymers. The model is based on the incorporation of the depletion interaction term between two parallel plates into the DLVO theory for cubic prismatic rod shaped NCC particles.     

A tris-pyrazolylborate ligand with hemilabile O-donor groups. Examples of eta3, eta5, eta6 and bridging modes of bonding to Li+, Na+, K+, Tl+ and Ca2+ ions

A tris-pyrazolylborate ligand bearing ether appendages is shown to be a potential hemilabile ligand based on NMR studies and structural characterization of its eta3, eta5, eta6, and micro-binding modes in coordination with Li+, Na+, K+, Tl+, and Ca2+ ions.     

Nanocomposites of nanocrystalline cellulose for enzyme immobilization

We describe the synthesis, characterization and use of a composite material made of a renewable source and metallic nanoparticles for biosensing applications. Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) is a product isolated from natural cellulose fibers, which is of approximately 100 nm long and 10 nm wide in size. We augmented the surface area and tailored the chemical affinity of NCC by optimally dressing it with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The deposition of AuNPs on NCC was controlled by using cationic polyethylenimine (PEI) at different pHs. AuNPs were thiol-functionalized using different linkers prior to enzyme immobilization. The enzyme (glucose oxidase or GOx) was conjugated on the composite by carbodiimide coupling, and subsequent activation of linker-carboxylic acid group. Our results showed that GOx was attached to the surface of the NCC nanocomposite. Moreover, the amount of GOx loaded onto the support depended on the length of the thiol-linker used. The lower value (20.3 mg/mg of support) was obtained with the longer thiol-linker (11 carbon chain) compared to 25.2 mg/mg of support for the smaller thiol-linker (3 carbon chain).     

Examination of Element Concentrations in Groundwater by ICP-MS for Monitoring of Pre-Earthquake Activities

This study presents the results of hydrogeochemical studies carried out in Zeytun thermal springs in Kahramanmaras,located South Middle Anatolia-Turkey.More than 90thermal water samples were collected on a regular basis from 2006to 2008to measure element concentrations as a monitor of earthquake precursors.Water samples were analyzed using ICP-MS.The observed B,Ba,Br and Ge concentrations for 16months are in ranges of 79～422,103～167,28～93and 0.3～1.2 μ g.L-1,respectively.Chloride concentrations for these periods are in range of 7～21mg.L-1.The data identify some element anomalies before earthquakes.These anomalies are characterized by decreases up to 158%in Ba and Cl concentrations.The occurrence of these anomalies can be attributed to stress / strain induced pressure changes in the subsurface water systems.It can be suggested that the thermal springs in the fault line area are ideal sites for precursors of earthquakes.     

Acrylamide concentrations in grilled foodstuffs of Turkish kitchen by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

For over ten years, there has been a considerable interest in determination of acrylamide in foodstuffs. It was known that both protein-rich and carbohydrates-rich foods cooked at high-temperatures can cause acrylamide formation. However, carbohydrates-rich foods such as potato chips and biscuit samples have been the common studied foods compared with protein-rich foods such as meat samples.In this study, determination of acrylamide in these two group foods was examined using HPLC-MS. For this purpose, firstly, the parameters that are thought to affect the response in the HPLC-MS analysis were optimized. The optimized conditions were found to be 0.3 ml min^{− 1} for flow rate of mobile phase, 40 µl for injection volume, 5 °C for column temperature and 70 V for fragmentor potential. The optimized method was applied for the determination of acrylamide levels in Turkish foodstuffs including grilled meat and chicken samples, potato chips, coffee and biscuit. The obtained concentrations for all studied foods were in the range of 20–250 µg kg^{− 1}. The results showed that acrylamide concentrations highly varied depending on the kind of food samples.