Coral reefs, which are one of the most productive and biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, serve various important roles, such as providing shelter and spawning grounds to a wide range of marine animals. However, the global decline of hard corals in tropical and subtropical regions is a growing concern. A recent review of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicated that only 10%–30% of coral reefs would survive with an increase of 1.5 °C in global warming temperature. Of coral reefs around the world, the coral reefs in eastern Asia face one of the most industrially developed and high population areas in the world. Thus, coral reefs of eastern Asia have been affected by various anthropogenic factors, such as eutrophication, coastal development, anthropogenic pollutants, ocean acidification, disease, and overfishing. Therefore, urgent research is required to determine the levels at which different factors will affect coral health. Besides, we propose a perspective on coral reef (especially those in eastern Asia) conservation under climate change and various anthropogenic activities.

Advances in cancer genomics are transforming our understanding of cancer, and have profound implications for its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Evolutionary dynamics suggests that as few as two mutations can cause transformation of normal cells into cancer stem cells. A process of Darwinian selection, involving a further three or more mutations, taking place over a period of years, can then result in progression to a life-threatening tumour. In many cases the immune response can recognise and eliminate the mutant cells, but most advanced tumours have mutations that activate immune checkpoints and enable the tumour to hide from the immune system. For the most hard-to-treat tumours, future progress will require molecular diagnostics to detect cancer-causing mutations in healthy subjects, and new drugs or vaccines that prevent the progression process.

This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to portfolio management and investments. Focusing on four core areas – portfolio management, equities, bonds, and derivatives – it is primarily intended for undergraduate and graduate students alike. However, it will also benefit practitioners working in the fields of financial analysis and portfolio management and professionals who aspire to such professional activities in the financial industry. To ensure its high practical relevance, the book includes a host of case studies and examples from real-world practice, mainly from the German and Swiss financial markets. Additionally, the book shows how to implement the models in Microsoft Excel.