Catastrophe Bond and Risk Modeling: A Review and Calibration Using Chinese Earthquake Loss Data

Earthquake risks are attracting increased attention as a result of recent catastrophic events such as the Wenchuan earthquake in China. This article aims to select, tailor, and develop loss modeling methods for catastrophic insurance. We review the state-of-the-art approaches in modeling catastrophe losses for catastrophe bonds’ modeling and pricing. The methods are applied to the 1966–2008 losses resulted from the earthquakes in China. Various error measures are proposed for validating catastrophe modeling. Results suggest that the double exponential jump-diffusion model fits the data well.     

Pseudo-neutral-loss scan for selective detection of phosphopeptides and N-glycopeptides using liquid chromatography coupled with a hybrid linear ion-trap/orbitrap mass spectrometer

We describe a novel method, termed "pseudo-neutral-loss scan" MS, for selectively probing phosphopeptides and glycopeptides on a LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometer. The instrument has been programmed such that an in-source CID energy is applied to all species that eluted from LC column and were subsequently ionised in the electrospray ion source. Ion pairs that differ in the mass of a neutral loss of phosphoric acid or monosaccharide residues are automatically selected for CID MS/MS and further for multi-stage-activation MS3. Our method should prove useful for a highly selective and sensitive approach to identify phosphopeptides and glycopeptides from purified protein digestion without any further enrichment, and could potentially be of use in more complex mixture.     

Altered longevity‐assurance activity of p53:p44 in the mouse causes memory loss,neurodegeneration and premature death

The longevity‐assurance activity of the tumor suppressor p53 depends on the levels of Δ40p53 (p44), a short and naturally occurring isoform of the p53 gene. As such, increased dosage of p44 in the mouse leads to accelerated aging and short lifespan. Here we show that mice homozygous for a transgene encoding p44 (p44^+/+) display cognitive decline and synaptic impairment early in life. The synaptic deficits are attributed to hyperactivation of insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF‐1R) signaling and altered metabolism of the microtubule‐binding protein tau. In fact, they were rescued by either Igf1r or Mapt haploinsufficiency. When expressing a human or a ‘humanized’ form of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), p44^+/+ animals developed a selective degeneration of memory‐forming and ‐retrieving areas of the brain, and died prematurely. Mechanistically, the neurodegeneration was caused by both paraptosis‐ and autophagy‐like cell deaths. These results indicate that altered longevity‐assurance activity of p53:p44 causes memory loss and neurodegeneration by affecting IGF‐1R signaling. Importantly, Igf1r haploinsufficiency was also able to correct the synaptic deficits of APP_695/swe mice, a model of Alzheimer’s disease.     

Effect of opioid compounds on feeding and activity of the cockroach, Periplaneta americana

Opioid peptides have been implicated in regulation of feeding in invertebrates. Studies have suggested that receptors for opioids are present in cockroaches and that these receptors play roles in affecting both behaviour and feeding. We examined the effect of µ, δ, and κ opioid receptor agonists and antagonists on feeding, mass changes and activity in the cockroach, Periplaneta americana. The κ antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine, significantly increased food intake, while naltrexone (general antagonist) and naloxonazine (µ antagonist) both reduced feeding. A large mass loss was observed in cockroaches treated with nor-binaltorphimine, despite the increased food intake. Males did not lose as much mass during the 3 h as females, although drug treatment did have some effect on the loss. Time of activity (%) was not influenced by any drug. Water loss experiments suggested that nor-binaltorphimine increased water loss, accounting for the mass loss despite the increased feeding. We suggest that two populations of opioid receptors are present as previously reported, with one affecting feeding and the other involved with evaporative water loss.     

Physiological consequences of captive conditions in water voles (Arvicola terrestris)

Re-introductions of captive-bred animals are increasingly common in wildlife conservation and it is important that they fulfil their potential. To foster this goal we examined variations in stress levels in a captive-bred population of water voles Arvicola terrestris in response to housing conditions and radio-collaring, using weight loss and leukocyte coping capacity (LCC) as measures of relative stress, to investigate the impacts of housing conditions, handling and radio-collaring on this species. Thirty-eight water voles (22 males and 16 females) were used in the investigation, 25 housed in outdoor enclosures and 13 in laboratory cages. During the 6-week study, LCC, body weight and urine refractive index (URI, an indicator of hydration levels) were recorded once a week for each individual in weeks 1, 2, 4 and 6. After the first sample, radio-collars were attached to 20 individuals (10 males and 10 females) taken from both housing types. Throughout the experiment laboratory-cage housed voles weighed less, had lower LCC scores – indicating a reduced ability to combat infection – and had higher URIs than outdoor-enclosure voles. This suggests that the laboratory-cage voles were more stressed and dehydrated than the outdoor-enclosure voles. Weights and LCC scores of both housing groups decreased as the study progressed, suggesting that elements of the study, such as repeated handling, may have caused stress to both groups. Evidence suggested a short-term effect of radio-collaring on immuno-competence. We conclude that captive housing conditions, repeated manipulation and radio-collaring had demonstrable physiological effects on the water voles studied. We recommend that the effects of husbandry and tagging practices upon captive-bred mammals be closely studied as part of the quest to improve the success of the re-introductions to which they contribute.     

Criteria for Patient Selection and Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Treatment of the Weight Loss Surgery Patient

Objective: To provide evidence‐based guidelines for patient selection and to recommend the medical and nutritional aspects of multidisciplinary care required to minimize perioperative and postoperative risks in patients with severe obesity who undergo weight loss surgery (WLS). Research Methods and Procedures: Members of the Multidisciplinary Care Task Group conducted searches of MEDLINE and PubMed for articles related to WLS in general and medical and nutritional care in particular. Pertinent abstracts and literature were reviewed for references. Multiple searches were carried out for various aspects of multidisciplinary care published between 1980 and 2004. A total of 3000 abstracts were identified; 242 were reviewed in detail. Results: We recommended multidisciplinary screening of WLS patients to ensure appropriate selection; preoperative assessment for cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and other obesity‐related diseases associated with increased risk for complications or mortality; preoperative weight loss and cessation of smoking; perioperative prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (PE); preoperative and postoperative education and counseling by a registered dietitian; and a well‐defined postsurgical diet progression. Discussion: Obesity‐related diseases are often undiagnosed before WLS, putting patients at increased risk for complications and/or early mortality. Multidisciplinary assessment and care to minimize short‐ and long‐term risks include: comprehensive medical screening; appropriate pre‐, peri‐, and postoperative preparation; collaboration with multiple patient care disciplines (e.g., anesthesiology, pulmonary medicine, cardiology, and psychology); and long‐term nutrition education/counseling.     

Mitochondrial Syndromic Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Mitochondrial diseases (MD) are a clinically heterogeneous group of disorders that arise as a result of dysfunction of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is often associated to mitochondrial dysfunctions both in syndromic, nonsyndromic forms. SNHL has been described in association to different mitochondrial multisystemic syndromes, often characterized by an important neuromuscular involvement. Because of the clinical relevance of the associated neurological symptoms, the occurrence of SNHL is often underestimated and undiagnosed. In this study we evaluated the incidence of SNHL in a group of 17 patients with MD. We detected some degree of hearing impairment in 8/17 patients (47%), thus confirming the frequency of hearing impairment in MD. Furthermore, we want to highlight the role of the audiologist and otolaryngologist in the diagnosis and characterization of a MD, which should be suspected in all the cases in which the hearing loss is associated to signs and symptoms characteristic of mitochondrial dysfunction, especially if the family history is positive for hearing loss or MD in the maternal line.     

Apoplastic barriers to radial oxygen loss and solute penetration: a chemical and functional comparison of the exodermis of two wetland species, Phragmites australis and Glyceria maxima

Few studies have examined exodermal development in relation to the formation of barriers to both radial oxygen loss (ROL) and solute penetration along growing roots. Here, we report on the structural development, chemical composition and functional properties of the exodermis in two diverse wetland grasses, Glyceria maxima and Phragmites australis. Anatomical features, development, the biochemical composition of exodermal suberin and the penetration of apoplastic tracers and oxygen were examined. Striking interspecific differences in exodermal structure, suberin composition and quantity per unit surface area, and developmental changes along the roots were recorded. Towards the root base, ROL and periodic acid (H(5)IO(6)) penetration were virtually stopped in P. australis; in G. maxima, a tight ROL barrier restricted but did not stop H(5)IO(6) penetration and the exodermis failed to stain with lipidic dyes. Cultivation in stagnant deep hypoxia conditions or oxygenated circulating solution affected the longitudinal pattern of ROL profiles in G. maxima but statistically significant changes in exodermal suberin composition or content were not detected. Interspecific differences in barrier performance were found to be related to hypodermal structure and probably to qualitative as well as quantitative variations in suberin composition and distribution within exodermal cell walls. Implications for root system function are discussed, and it is emphasized that sufficient spatial resolution to identify the effects of developmental changes along roots is crucial for realistic evaluation of exodermal barrier properties.     

Seasonal variation of temperature response of respiration in invasive <Emphasis Type="Italic">Berberis thunbergii</Emphasis> (Japanese barberry) and two co-occurring native understory shrubs in a northeastern US deciduous forest

In the understory of a closed forest, plant growth is limited by light availability, and early leafing is proposed to be an important mechanism of plant invasion by providing a spring C “subsidy” when high light is available. However, studies on respiration, another important process determining plant net C gain, are rare in understory invasive plants. In this study, leaf properties and the temperature response of leaf respiration were compared between invasive Berberis thunbergii, an early leafing understory shrub, and two native shrubs, Kalmia latifolia, a broadleaf evergreen and Vaccinium corymbosum, a late-leafing deciduous species, in an oak-dominated deciduous forest. The seasonal trend of the basal respiration rates (R ₀) and the temperature response coefficient (E ₀), were different among the three shrubs and species-specific negative correlations were observed between R ₀ and E ₀. All three shrubs showed significant correlation between respiration rate on an area basis (20°C) and leaf N on an area basis. The relationship was attributed to the variation of both leaf N on a mass basis and leaf mass per area (LMA) in B. thunbergii, but to LMA only in K. latifolia and V. corymbosum. After modeling leaf respiration throughout 2004, B. thunbergii displayed much higher annual leaf respiration (mass based) than the two native shrubs, indicating a higher cost per unit of biomass investment. Thus, respiratory properties alone were not likely to lead to C balance advantage of B. thunbergii. Future studies on whole plant C budgets and leaf construction cost are needed to address the C balance advantage in early leafing understory shrubs like B. thunbergii.     

Leaching loss of NO3-N and dissolved P from manure and fertilizer during turfgrass establishment

Cycling of manure nutrients through turfgrass sod could affect groundwater quality. The fate of nutrients in transplanted fertilizer- or manure-grown sod of Tifway bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers. X C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davey) was compared with that in composted dairy manure (CDM) applied to a sprigged treatment. Leaching loss of NO₃-N and dissolved P (DP) in filtrate (<0.45 μm) of leachate was compared among sodded and sprigged treatments during periods 0–50, 60–110, and 330–380 d after planting in lysimeters. In addition, recovery of N and P in turfgrass clippings and a sand medium was quantified. Maintenance applications of CDM or fertilizer P were top-dressed starting 60 d after planting. Leachate was collected and sampled over three simulated rain events during each of the three sampling periods. From 0 d to 50 d after planting, leaching loss of NO₃-N from sprigged Tifway totaled 2.0 g m⁻² and was 10 times greater than loss from CDM-grown or fertilizer-grown sod. In contrast, DP loss in leachate was ≤0.02 g m⁻² and similar among treatments. Surface applications of CDM and fertilizer P and N increased concentration and mass of total Kjeldahl N (TKN) and soil-test P (STP) in surface or subsurface layers of the sand medium. Yet, NO₃-N mass in leachate collected over three simulated rain events ranged from 0.0 to only 1.0% of applied N from 60–110 d and 330–380 d after planting. Leaching loss of NO₃-N did not differ between the sodded and sprigged treatments after two topdressings of CDM. Similarly, the DP mass recovered in leachate was small (≤0.013 g m⁻¹) and did not differ among treatments during the latter two sampling periods. The mass loss of DP in leachate was typically less than the DP mass applied through irrigation or simulated rain. Importing CDM in sod reduces NO₃-N leaching loss compared to sprigged turfgrass amended with CDM, but NO₃-N and DP leaching losses are similar during maintenance of CDM-grown and fertilizer-grown sod from 60–110 d to 330–380 d after transplanting. Responsible Editor: Bernard Nicolardot.