Disturbing Extremal Behavior of Spot Rate Dynamics

This paper presents a study of extreme interest rate movements in the U.S. Federal Funds market over almost a half century of daily observations from the mid 1950s through the end of 2000. We analyze the fluctuations of the maximal and minimal changes in short term interest rates and test the significance of time-varying paths followed by the mean and volatility of extremes. We formally determine the relevance of introducing trend and serial correlation in the mean, and of incorporating the level and GARCH effects in the volatility of extreme changes in the federal funds rate. The empirical findings indicate the existence of volatility clustering in the standard deviation of extremes, and a significantly positive relationship between the level and the volatility of extremes. The results point to the presence of an autoregressive process in the means of both local maxima and local minima values. The paper proposes a conditional extreme value approach to calculating value at risk by specifying the location and scale parameters of the generalized Pareto distribution as a function of past information. Based on the estimated VaR thresholds, the statistical theory of extremes is found to provide more accurate estimates of the rate of occurrence and the size of extreme observations.extreme value theory, volatility, interest rates, value at risk

Effects of the loading direction on high strain rate behavior of woven graphite/epoxy composites

Effects of the loading direction on high strain rate behavior of cylindrical woven graphite/epoxy composites are presented. Compressive split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) was used for high strain rate experiments. Cylindrical specimens were loaded diametrically and transversely at the impact energies of 67 J, 163 J, and 263 J. Micro Laser Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for surface characterization. It is observed that diametrically loaded specimens show permanent plastic deformation with high ductility resulting in a catastrophic failure while transversely loaded specimens exhibit viscoplastic deformation with some recoverable damage. As a result of this, Raman peak shifted to higher values for the diametrically loaded fibers whereas almost no change was observed in the Raman shift of transversely loaded fibers

Effect of the contact geometry on high strain rate behavior of woven graphite/epoxy composites

Effects of the loading direction on high strain rate behavior of cylindrical woven graphite/epoxy composites are presented. Compressive split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) was used for high strain rate experiments. Cylindrical specimens were loaded diametrically and transversely at the impact energies of 67 J, 163 J, and 263 J. Micro Laser Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for surface characterization. It is observed that diametrically loaded specimens show permanent plastic deformation with high ductility resulting in a catastrophic failure while transversely loaded specimens exhibit viscoplastic deformation with some recoverable damage. As a result of this, Raman peak shifted to higher values for the diametrically loaded fibers whereas almost no change was observed in the Raman shift of transversely loaded fibers

Mechanisms linking intimate partner violence and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV: A qualitative study in South Africa.

: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) can virtually eliminate HIV infection among infants, yet up to one-third of women miss PMTCT steps. Little is known about how partner dynamics such as intimate partner violence (IPV) influence pregnant and postpartum women's adherence to PMTCT. We conducted 32 qualitative interviews with HIV-positive pregnant and postpartum women in Johannesburg who experienced IPV. Trained researchers conducted in-depth interviews over the period of May 2014-Nov 2015 using narrative and social constructionist approaches. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically and inductively using Dedoose qualitative software. Twenty-six women experienced recent IPV and one-third had poor adherence to PMTCT. Women's experience of partner violence influenced PMTCT behaviors through four pathways. First, fear of partner disclosure led some women to hide their HIV status to avoid a violent reaction. Despite strategic non-disclosure, several maintained good adherence by hiding medication or moving out from their partner's home. Second, IPV caused feelings of depression and anxiety that led to intentionally or accidentally missing medication. Five women stopped treatment altogether, in a type of passive suicidality, hoping to end the distress of IPV. Third, men's controlling behaviors reduced access to friends and family, limiting social support needed for good adherence. Fourth, in a protective pathway, women reported good adherence partly due to their mothering role. The identity around motherhood was used as a coping technique, reminding women that their infant's wellbeing depended on their own health. PMTCT is essential to prevent vertical HIV transmission, but women living with IPV face multiple pathways to non-adherence. Addressing IPV in antenatal care can support the health of women and infants and may enhance PMTCT coverage.<br/

The right time and “Pl ACE ”: Optimal management of perioperative angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106879/1/jhm2203.pd

Quark and Pole Models of Nonleptonic Decays of Charmed Baryons

Quark and pole models of nonleptonic decays of charmed baryons are analysed from the point of view of their symmetry properties. The symmetry structure of the parity conserving amplitudes that corresponds to the contribution of the ground-state intermediate baryons is shown to differ from the one hitherto employed in the symmetry approach. It is pointed out that the "subtraction" of sea quark effects in hyperon decays leads to an estimate of $W$-exchange contributions in charmed baryon decays that is significantly smaller than naively expected on the basis of $SU(4)$. An $SU(2)_{W}$ constraint questioning the reliability of the factorization technique is exhibited. Finally, a successful fit to the available data is presented.Comment: 25 pages, LATEX, 1643/PH IFJ Krako

Uptake of home-based voluntary HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Improving access to HIV testing is a key priority in scaling up HIV treatment and prevention services. Home-based voluntary counselling and testing (HBT) as an approach to delivering wide-scale HIV testing is explored here

Patient perspectives of managing fatigue in ankylosing spondylitis, and views on potential interventions: a qualitative study

&lt;p&gt;Background: Fatigue is a major component of living with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), though it has been largely over-looked, and currently there are no specific agreed management strategies.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Methods: This qualitative exploratory study involved participants who are members of an existing population-based ankylosing spondylitis (PAS) cohort. Participants residing in South West Wales were invited to participate in a focus group to discuss; (1) effects of fatigue, (2) self-management strategies and (3) potential future interventions. The focus groups were audio-recorded and the transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Results: Participants consisted of 3 males/4 females (group 1) and 4 males/3 females (group 2), aged between 35 and 73 years (mean age 53 years). Three main themes were identified: (1) The effects of fatigue were multi-dimensional with participants expressing feelings of being ‘drained’ (physical), ‘upset’ (emotional) and experiencing ‘low-mood’ (psychological); (2) The most commonly reported self-management strategy for fatigue was a balanced combination of activity (exercise) and rest. Medication was reluctantly taken due to side-effects and worries over dependency; (3) Participants expressed a preference for psychological therapies rather than pharmacological for managing fatigue. Information on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) was received with interest, with recommendations for delivery in a group format with the option of distance-based delivery for people who were not able to attend a group course.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Conclusions: Patients frequently try and manage their fatigue without any formal guidance or support. Our research indicates there is a need for future research to focus on psychological interventions to address the multi-faceted aspects of fatigue in AS.&lt;/p&gt

Turner syndrome and associated problems in turkish children: A multicenter study

Objective: Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder caused by complete or partial X chromosome monosomy that manifests various clinical features depending on the karyotype and on the genetic background of affected girls. This study aimed to systematically investigate the key clinical features of TS in relationship to karyotype in a large pediatric Turkish patient population. Methods: Our retrospective study included 842 karyotype-proven TS patients aged 0-18 years who were evaluated in 35 different centers in Turkey in the years 2013-2014. Results: The most common karyotype was 45,X (50.7%), followed by 45,X/46,XX (10.8%), 46,X,i(Xq) (10.1%) and 45,X/46,X,i(Xq) (9.5%). Mean age at diagnosis was 10.2±4.4 years. The most common presenting complaints were short stature and delayed puberty. Among patients diagnosed before age one year, the ratio of karyotype 45,X was significantly higher than that of other karyotype groups. Cardiac defects (bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta and aortic stenosi) were the most common congenital anomalies, occurring in 25% of the TS cases. This was followed by urinary system anomalies (horseshoe kidney, double collector duct system and renal rotation) detected in 16.3%. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was found in 11.1% of patients, gastrointestinal abnormalities in 8.9%, ear nose and throat problems in 22.6%, dermatologic problems in 21.8% and osteoporosis in 15.3%. Learning difficulties and/or psychosocial problems were encountered in 39.1%. Insulin resistance and impaired fasting glucose were detected in 3.4% and 2.2%, respectively. Dyslipidemia prevalence was 11.4%. Conclusion: This comprehensive study systematically evaluated the largest group of karyotype-proven TS girls to date. The karyotype distribution, congenital anomaly and comorbidity profile closely parallel that from other countries and support the need for close medical surveillance of these complex patients throughout their lifespan. © Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology