bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Group bargaining based bitcoin mining scheme using incentive payment process
Authors: Kim Sungwook
Published: July 2016

Bitcoin is a digital cryptocurrency that has generated considerable public interests through a fully decentralised network with an inherently independence from governments or any central authorities. Although its short history has been volatile, the Bitcoin maintains a core group of committed users. In this study, we look at the Bitcoin complex structure and design a new Bitcoin mining protocol while developing a novel incentive payment process. To effectively implement an incentive payment mechanism, we adopt the concept of the group bargaining solution by considering a peer‐to‐peer relationship, and it is practically applied to a distributed computation network system. Based on the cooperative game model, we explore an efficient solution that can maximise Bitcoin users' rewards. Through system level simulations, the proposed scheme is evaluated and compared with other existing schemes. The simulation results show that our group bargaining game approach outperforms the existing Bitcoin schemes in providing a better fair‐efficient system performance. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multifractal Analysis of Stack Voltage Based on Wavelet Leaders: A New Tool for PEMFC Diagnosis
Authors: Benouioua D. , Candusso D. , Harel F. , Oukhellou L.
Published: July 2016

To achieve a fast and low cost diagnostic, we propose a new tool based on wavelet leaders in which the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) diagnosis is made by the observation of the one and only stack voltage. The steps of our strategy are the following ones: (i) the PEMFC is operated under a variety of conditions (nominal or severe) using a characterization test bench developed in lab. The severe operating conditions refer either to single fault types or to different combinations of faults; (ii) the recorded stack voltages are analyzed using a wavelet leader based multifractal analysis (WLMA) in order to identify their singularity spectra as fault signatures. This novel method based on leader discrete wavelet coefficients for the estimation of the singularity spectrum is a well‐suited technique for non‐stationary and non‐linear signals; (iii) a feature selection method is used to select the most relevant singularity features and to remove the redundant ones; (iv) the selected singularity features are classified using Support Vector Machine and K‐Nearest Neighbors techniques according to the considered operating situations (faults and combinations of faults).

Our results show that the proposed PEMFC diagnosis tool allows identifying simple operating failure cases and even more complicated situations that contain several failure types.
Glucose modulates food‐related salience coding of midbrain neurons in humans
Authors: Ulrich Martin , Endres Felix , Kölle Markus , Adolph Oliver , Widenhorn‐Müller Katharina , Grön Georg
Published: July 2016

Although early rat studies demonstrated that administration of glucose diminishes dopaminergic midbrain activity, evidence in humans has been lacking so far. In the present functional magnetic resonance imaging study, glucose was intravenously infused in healthy human male participants while seeing images depicting low‐caloric food (LC), high‐caloric food (HC), and non‐food (NF) during a food/NF discrimination task. Analysis of brain activation focused on the ventral tegmental area (VTA) as the origin of the mesolimbic system involved in salience coding. Under unmodulated fasting baseline conditions, VTA activation was greater during HC compared with LC food cues. Subsequent to infusion of glucose, this difference in VTA activation as a function of caloric load leveled off and even reversed. In a control group not receiving glucose, VTA activation during HC relative to LC cues remained stable throughout the course of the experiment. Similar treatment‐specific patterns of brain activation were observed for the hypothalamus. The present findings show for the first time in humans that glucose infusion modulates salience coding mediated by the VTA. Hum Brain Mapp 37:4376–4384, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Moderation Role of Self‐perceived Maternal Empathy in Observed Mother–Child Collaborative Problem Solving
Authors: de Oliveira Ebenézer A. , Jackson Emily A.
Published: July 2016

Based on L. S. Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, previous scaffolding studies have examined some factors associated with adjustment of parental support during collaborative problem solving. However, a factor that remains unexplored in the literature is the potential relationship between parental empathy and parental support in collaborative problem solving. The present study addresses this question through the observation of 45 preschool children and their mothers cooperating in a problem‐solving task with two levels of difficulty. Teachers rated the children's fine motor skills, and sampled mothers reported their empathy levels towards their children. Consistent with the notion of scaffolding, negative correlations were found between observed maternal verbal support (cognitive, autonomy, and emotional) and child age, and between observed maternal cognitive support and teacher reports of child motor skills. An analysis of covariance revealed significant empathy‐by‐difficulty interactions for physical and cognitive support after controlling for the effect of child motor skills. Implications of these findings are discussed in terms of the role of child motor skills and the importance of parental empathy in collaborative problem solving. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optogenetic study of networks in epilepsy
Authors: Choy ManKin , Duffy Ben A. , Lee Jin Hyung
Published: July 2016

Currently, approximately 30% of patients with epilepsy do not have adequate seizure control. A greater understanding of the underlying mechanisms by which seizures start or propagate could lead to new therapeutic strategies. The recent development of optogenetics, because of its unprecedented precision for controlling activity within distinct neuronal populations, has revolutionized neuroscience, including epilepsy research. This Review discusses recent breakthroughs made with optogenetics in epilepsy research. These breakthroughs include new insights into the key roles that different cell types play in mediating seizures as well as in the development of epilepsy. Subsequently, we discuss how targeting different brain regions and cell populations has opened up the possibility of highly specific therapies that can stop seizures on demand. Finally, we illustrate how combining newly available neuroscience tools with whole‐brain imaging techniques will allow researchers to understand better the spread of seizures on a network level. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Neuroscience Research Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Extending Time Profile of Morphine‐Induced Analgesia Using a Chitosan‐Based Molecular Imprinted Polymer Nanogel
Authors: Hassanzadeh Marjan , Ghaemy Mousa , Ahmadi Shamseddin
Published: July 2016

Chitosan‐based molecular imprinted polymer (CS‐MIP) nanogel is prepared in the presence of morphine template, fully characterized and used as a new vehicle to extend duration of morphine analgesic effect in Naval Medical Research Institute mice. The CS‐MIP nanogel with ≈25 nm size range exhibits 98% loading efficiency, and in vitro release studies show an initial burst followed by an extended slow release of morphine. In order to study the feasibility of CS‐MIP nanogel as morphine carrier, 20 mice are divided into two groups randomly and received subcutaneous injection of morphine‐loaded CS‐MIP and morphine (10 mg kg−1) dissolved in physiologic saline. Those received injection of morphine‐loaded CS‐MIP show slower and long lasting release of morphine with 193 min effective time of 50% (ET50) analgesia compared to 120 min ET50 in mice received morphine dissolved in physiologic saline. These results suggest that CS‐MIP nanogel can be a possible strategy as morphine carrier for controlled release and extension of its analgesic efficacy.

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Stability of multi‐group coupled systems on networks with multi‐diffusion based on the graph‐theoretic approach
Authors: Chen Tianrui , Xu Jiacheng , Wu Boying
Published: July 2016

In this paper, the issue of stability of multi‐group coupled systems on networks with multi‐diffusion (MCSNMs) is mainly analyzed. Utilizing graph theory, a novel and practical method of constructing a proper Lyapunov function for the MCSNMs is presented. Furthermore, based on the graph‐theoretic approach and the proposed Lyapunov function, sufficient criteria, in the term of Lyapunov function and coefficients of the system, respectively, are derived to ensure the stability of the MCSNMs. Apart from accessibility to checking, the proposed results can generalize the corresponding results published in a previous time. Finally, the effectiveness and feasibility of the obtained results are demonstrated by a numerical example. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Asymptotics for the third‐order nonlinear Schrödinger equation in the critical case
Authors: Hayashi Nakao , Kaikina Elena I.
Published: July 2016

We consider the Cauchy problem for the third‐order nonlinear Schrödinger equation where
and
is the Fourier transform. Our purpose in this paper is to prove the large time asymptoitic behavior of solutions for the defocusing case λ > 0 with a logarithmic correction under the non zero mass condition
Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rehabilitative intervention during and after pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: An analysis of the existing literature
Authors: Rossi Francesca , Coppo Monica , Zucchetti Giulia , Bazzano Daniela , Ricci Federica , Vassallo Elena , Nesi Francesca , Fagioli Franca
Published: July 2016

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a therapeutic strategy for several oncohematological diseases. It increases survival rates but leads to a high incidence of related effects. The objective of this paper was to
examine the existing literature on physical exercise interventions among pediatric HSCT recipients to explore the most often utilized rehabilitative assessment and treatment tools. Studies published from 2002 to April 1, 2015 were selected: 10 studies were included. A previous literary review has shown that rehabilitation programs have a positive impact on quality of life. Our analysis identified some significant outcome variables and shared intervention areas.
Ethnicity and the prostate cancer experience: a qualitative metasynthesis
Authors: Rivas Carol , Matheson Lauren , Nayoan Johana , Glaser Adam , Gavin Anna , Wright Penny , Wagland Richard , Watson Eila
Published: July 2016

Objectives

To summarize black and minority ethnic (BME) patients' and partners experiences of prostate cancer by examining the findings of existing qualitative studies.

Methods

We undertook a systematic metasynthesis of qualitative studies using a modified version of Noblit and Hare's “meta‐ethnography” approach, with a 2000‐2015 search of 7 databases.

Results

Thirteen studies of men from US and UK BME groups were included. We explored constructs with BME‐specific features. Health care provider relationships, formation of a spiritual alliance with God (which enhanced the participants' feeling of empowerment and ability to cope with the cancer), and living on for others (generally to increase cancer awareness), often connected to spiritual regrowth, were the 3 constructs most commonly reported. A magnified effect from erectile dysfunction was also common. Initially, this affected men's disclosure to others about their cancer and their sexual problems, but eventually men responded by shifting their conceptualizations of masculinity to sustain self and social identities. There was also evidence of inequality resulting from financial constraints and adversity that necessitated resilience in coping.

Conclusions

The prostate cancer experience of BME men and their partners is affected by a complex intersection of ethnicity with other factors. Health care services should acknowledge this. If providers recognize the men's felt masculinities, social identities, and spiritual beliefs and their shifting nature, services could be improved, with community as well as individual benefits. More studies are needed in diverse ethnic groups.
Amino acid function relates to its embedded protein microenvironment: A study on disulfide‐bridged cystine
Authors: Bhatnagar Akshay , Apostol Marcin I. , Bandyopadhyay Debashree
Published: July 2016

In our previous study, we have shown that the microenvironments around conserved amino acids are also conserved in protein families (Bandyopadhyay and Mehler, Proteins 2008; 72:646–659). In this study, we have hypothesized that amino acids perform similar functions when embedded in a certain type of protein microenvironment. We have tested this hypothesis on the microenvironments around disulfide‐bridged cysteines from high‐resolution protein crystal structures. Although such cystines mainly play structural role in proteins, in certain enzymes they participate in catalysis and redox reactions. We have performed and report a functional annotation of enzymatically active cystines to their respective microenvironments. Three protein microenvironment clusters were identified: (i) buried‐hydrophobic, (ii) exposed‐hydrophilic, and (iii) buried‐hydrophilic. The buried‐hydrophobic cluster encompasses a small group of 22 redox‐active cystines, mostly in alpha‐helical conformations in a –C‐x‐x‐C‐ motif from the Oxido‐reductase enzyme class. All these cystines have high strain energy and near identical microenvironments. Most of the active cystines in hydrolase enzyme class belong to buried hydrophilic microenvironment cluster. In total there are 34 half‐cystines detected in buried hydrophilic cluster from hydrolases, as a part of enzyme active site. Even within the buried hydrophilic cluster, there is clear separation of active half‐cystines between surface exposed part of the protein and protein interior. Half‐cystines toward the surface exposed region are higher in number compared to those in protein interior. Apart from cystines at the active sites of the enzymes, many more half‐cystines were detected in buried hydrophilic cluster those are part of the microenvironment of enzyme active sites. However, no active half‐cystines were detected in extremely hydrophilic microenvironment cluster, that is, exposed hydrophilic cluster, indicating that total exposure of cystine toward the solvent is not favored for enzymatic reactions. Although half‐cystines in exposed‐hydrophilic clusters occasionally stabilize enzyme active sites, as a part of their microenvironments. Analysis performed in this work revealed that cystines as a part of active sites in specific enzyme families or folds share very similar protein microenvironment regions, despite of their dissimilarity in protein sequences and position specific sequence conservations. Proteins 2016; 84:1576–1589. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of plant resistance and BioAct WG (Purpureocillium lilacinum strain 251) on Meloidogyne incognita in a tomato–cucumber rotation in a greenhouse
Authors: Giné Ariadna , Sorribas Francisco J
Published: July 2016

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness of combining resistant tomato with BioAct WG (Purpureocillium lilacinum strain 251, Pl251) against Meloidogyne incognita was assessed in a tomato‐cucumber rotation in a greenhouse over 2 years. Additionally, the enzymatic activity of the fungus, the percentage of fungal egg and juvenile parasitism, cardinal temperatures and the effect of water potential on mycelial growth and the soil receptivity to Pl251 were determined in vitro.

RESULTS

Plant resistance was the only factor that suppressed nematode and crop yield losses. Percentage of egg parasitism in plots treated with BioAct WG was less than 2.6%. However, under in vitro conditions, Pl251 showed protease, lipase and chitinase activities and parasitised 94.5% of eggs, but no juveniles. Cardinal temperatures were 14.2, 24–26 and 35.4 °C. The maximum Pl251 mycelial growth was at −0.25 MPa and 25 °C. Soil temperatures and water potential in the greenhouse were in the range of the fungus. However, soil receptivity was lower in greenhouse soil, irrespective of sterilisation, than in sterilised sand.

CONCLUSION

Plant resistance was the only factor able to suppress nematode densities, disease severity and yield losses, and to protect the following cucumber crop. Environmental factors involved in soil receptivity could have negatively affected fungus effectiveness. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Quantum transport in carbon nanotubes covalently functionalized with magnetic molecules
Authors: Schnee Michael , Besson Claire , Frielinghaus Robert , Lurz Christian , Kögerler Paul , Schneider Claus M. , Meyer Carola
Published: July 2016

We report on quantum transport measurements of a carbon nanotube (CNT) quantum dot that is functionalized with magnetic {Mn4} complexes. The coupling between the spin‐5/2 MnII ions within each {Mn4} complex is predominantly antiferromagnetic. Coulomb diamond measurements at T = 4 K reveal that the covalent attachment of the complexes to the CNT framework has only little influence on the carbon nanotube quantum dot. Surprisingly, a strong increase of noise is observed upon cooling the sample to T = 30 mK. Time traces of the current taken at a diamond edge reveal a random telegraph signal. We attribute this to fluctuations of molecular spin states of the attached {Mn4} complexes.
Representing model uncertainty in the Met Office convection‐permitting ensemble prediction system and its impact on fog forecasting
Authors: McCabe Anne , Swinbank Richard , Tennant Warren , Lock Adrian
Published: July 2016

Representing model uncertainty in convection‐permitting ensemble prediction systems is a developing area of research. While methods for including variability to account for model uncertainty at the global scales are quite mature, it is not clear that these methods will necessarily be applicable at the convective scale. One such method is the Random Parameter (RP) scheme, where parameters from the physics parametrizations are perturbed at regular intervals throughout the forecast. In this work, we adapt the RP scheme to represent model uncertainty in the Met Office's convection‐permitting ensemble prediction system for the UK (MOGREPS‐UK). The revised version of the RP scheme is applied to a sub‐set of model parameters, chosen to target specific physical processes relevant to the UK forecast. Objective verification scores from two one‐month trials show particular improvements for visibility and surface temperature when the RP scheme is used. Application of the RP scheme results in a modest increase in the ensemble spread for all surface parameters. The results of low‐visibility case‐studies show that applying the RP scheme enables the ensemble to capture observed fog events otherwise missed by the forecast. Overall, the RP scheme has a positive effect on MOGREPS‐UK, and demonstrates the benefit of schemes that target known areas of model uncertainty.
Gust factor based on research aircraft measurements: a new methodology applied to the Arctic marine boundary layer
Authors: Suomi Irene , Lüpkes Christof , Hartmann Jörg , Vihma Timo , Gryning Sven‐Erik , Fortelius Carl
Published: July 2016

There is as yet no standard methodology for measuring wind gusts from a moving platform. To address this, we have developed a method to derive gusts from research aircraft data. First we evaluated four different approaches, including Taylor's hypothesis of frozen turbulence, to derive the gust length‐scales that correspond to the gust time‐scales, namely the gust duration (s) and the sample period (typically 10 min). The novelty of our method lies in using peak factors (deviation of the gust from the mean wind speed normalized by the local turbulence) to convert between the scales. After devising a way to derive the gust length‐scales, we calculated the gust factors from aircraft observations and tested them against those from four parametrizations originally developed for weather stations. Three of them performed well (R2=0.66 or higher), while the fourth overestimated the gust factors in unstable conditions (R2=0.52). The mean errors for all methods were low, from −0.02 to 0.05, indicating that wind gust factors can indeed be measured from research aircraft. Moreover, we showed that aircraft can provide gust measurements within the whole boundary layer, if horizontal legs are flown at multiple levels over the same track. This is a significant advance, as gust measurements are usually limited to heights reached by weather masts. In unstable conditions over the open ocean, the gust factor was nearly constant with height throughout the boundary layer, the near‐surface values only slightly exceeding those at upper levels. Furthermore, we found gust factors to be strongly dependent on surface roughness conditions, which differed between the open ocean and sea ice in the Arctic marine environment. The roughness effect on the gust factor was stronger than the effect of boundary‐layer stability.
A tandem mass spectrometry method based on selected ions detects low‐abundance phenolics in black tea – theatridimensins as products of the oxidative cascade
Authors: Verloop Annewieke J. W. , Vincken Jean‐Paul , Gruppen Harry
Published: July 2016

Rationale

Mixtures of phenolics are widespread in plant‐derived food products, for instance black tea. Detailed compositional analysis of phenolics present is important for quality control. Characterization of low‐abundance compounds often requires extensive purification; hence, the need for rapid screening methods to annotate compounds in complex mixtures without extensive sample preparation. Opportunities of ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC/MS) as tool in a rapid screening method are discussed for black tea analysis, with the two‐step‐oxidation product theatridimensin (T3D) as example.

Methods

Three MS screening methods were compared for their ability to tentatively annotate two‐step‐oxidation products in black teas without the need for prior fractionation: (i) full MS; (ii) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) on selected ions; and (iii) selected reaction monitoring (SRM), in combination with post‐analysis extracted ion chromatography. A model system of theaflavin (TF), epicatechin (EC) and tyrosinase was used to prepare the two‐step‐oxidation product T3D, consisting of three oligomerized catechin subunits. Commercial teas were screened for the occurrence of T3Ds.

Results

The MS2 fragmentation pattern of T3D was compared with that of an isomeric catechin trimer from black tea, TFsEC. MS2 signature fragments were found to distinguish the two isomers, i.e. m/z 617 for T3D and m/z 563 for TFsEC. The MS screening methods, MS/MS on selected ions and SRM, both enabled monitoring MS2 data of compounds present in low abundance. The former provided the most complete MS2 data set, which facilitated the discovery of another isomer, i.e. theaflavate A. T3Ds, TFsECs, and theaflavate A could be tentatively annotated in all tested tea samples.

Conclusions

When exploring black tea for the occurrence of two‐step‐oxidation products, the use of MS/MS on selected ions combined with extracted ion chromatography proved to be the most suitable. The occurrence of T3Ds and T3Dgs in various black teas was shown for the first time and the ‘oxidative cascade hypothesis’ was extended with novel oxidation products. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A constant false alarm rate frame detector for satellite‐based automatic identification system
Authors: Zhou Haosu , Wang Jianxin , Zhang Peixin , Ban Tian
Published: July 2016

Frame detection is an important step in satellite‐based automatic identification system for its contributions in verifying the presence of automatic identification system signal before frame synchronization. In this paper, a constant false alarm rate frame detector is proposed, which exploits the feature implied in the training sequence, to realize frame detection in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise and frequency offset. False alarm probability is related with a threshold, which is independent of the signal and noise. For fixed false alarm probability, the relationship between detection performance and Eb/N0 is analyzed. Simulations prove that the proposed detector outperforms the detector based on cyclic autocorrelation when message collisions exist. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A data‐driven approach to conditional screening of high‐dimensional variables
Authors: Hong Hyokyoung G. , Wang Lan , He Xuming
Published: July 2016

Marginal screening is a widely applied technique to handily reduce the dimensionality of the data when the number of potential features overwhelms the sample size. Because of the nature of the marginal screening procedures, they are also known for their difficulty in identifying the so‐called hidden variables that are jointly important but have weak marginal associations with the response variable. Failing to include a hidden variable in the screening stage has two undesirable consequences: (1) important features are missed out in model selection, and (2) biased inference is likely to occur in the subsequent analysis. Motivated by some recent work in conditional screening, we propose a data‐driven conditional screening algorithm, which is computationally efficient, enjoys the sure screening property under weaker assumptions on the model and works robustly in a variety of settings to reduce false negatives of hidden variables. Numerical comparison with alternatives screening procedures is also made to shed light on the relative merit of the proposed method. We illustrate the proposed methodology using a leukaemia microarray data example. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Habits of Normal, Innocent People, as Construed by the North American Juror
Authors: Gibson David R.
Published: July 2016

Deliberating juries draw on commonsense notions of what counts as “normal” behavior in distinguishing facts which are inculpatory from those that lend themselves to more innocent interpretation. Though this is a commonplace observation, prior research has shed little light on the underlying model(s) of normalcy. Taking a generative approach to inculpatory statements made by two real‐life juries deliberating the same case, I first enumerate the distinct assertions made, by implication, about normal, innocent people (NIPs), and then reduce these to a smaller number of rules revolving around the general themes of rationality, emotions, language, and relationships.
Superconducting parameter determination for (Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4)
x
/Cu0.5Tl0.5-1223 composite
Authors: Barakat M. Me. , Al-Sayyed N. , Awad R. , Abou-Aly A. I.
Published: July 2016

The addition of magnetic Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles to the superconducting Cu0.5Tl0.5-1223 phase has been used to investigate the electrical resistivity behavior of the composite above the superconducting transition temperature T
c. This was studied according to the opening of spin gap and fluctuation conductivity. The results indicated that the pseudogap temperature (T*) and superconducting fluctuation temperature (T
scf) change by increasing the addition of Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles. It was found that T* is related to hole carrier concentration P and it also depends on the antiferromagnetic fluctuation affected by magnetic nanoparticles. The excess-conductivity analysis showed four different fluctuation regions started from high temperature up to T
c, and they were denoted by short wave (sw), two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D), and critical (cr) fluctuations. The crossover temperature between 3D and 2D (T
3D–2D) in the mean field region was decreased by increasing the addition of Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles, in accordance with the decrease in T
scf with x. The coherence length at 0 K along c-axis ξ
c(0), effective layer thickness of the 2D system d, and inter-layer coupling strength J were estimated as a function of Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticle addition. Moreover, the thermodynamics, lower and upper critical magnetic fields, as well as critical current density have been calculated from the Ginzburg number N
G. It was found that the low concentration of Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles up to x = 0.08 wt% improves the superconducting parameters of Cu0.5Tl0.5-1223 phase. On the contrary, these parameters were deteriorated for (Co0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4)
x
/Cu0.5Tl0.5-1223 composite with x > 0.08 wt%.
AN ITERATIVITY CONDITION FOR THE MEAN-VALUE PRINCIPLE UNDER CUMULATIVE PROSPECT THEORY
Authors: Kaluszka Marek , Krzeszowiec Michał
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we present the full characterization of the iterativity condition for the mean-value principle under the cumulative prospect theory. It turns out that the premium principle is iterative for exactly six pairs of probability distortion functions. Some of the corresponding premium principles are the classical mean-value principle, essential infimum or essential supremum of the random loss. Moreover, from the proof of the main theorem of this paper, it follows that the iterativity of the mean-value principle is equivalent to the iterativity of the generalized Choquet integral.
Ngā Tuakiri o te Tangata: Being Māori in Early Childhood Education
Authors: Rameka Lesley
Published: July 2016

Before the arrival of Europeans in Aotearoa, New Zealand and their subsequent settlement in the 1800s, there was no concept of a Māori identity. Over time, however, as a result of rapid colonisation, Māori became a minority population in New Zealand. Consequently, the term Māori as normal or usual, began to lose its meaning (Webber, 2008), and another meaning began to emerge based on contrasts with the Pākehā settler population. This paper explores the complex and increasingly diverse nature of Māori identities in contemporary Aotearoa/New Zealand, including contemporary early childhood contexts. It discusses the importance of negotiating the terrains of cultural knowledge, values and understandings in order to define what ‘being Māori’ means for teachers and children in an increasingly diverse and complex settings.
When relative clause extraposition is the right choice, it’s easier
Authors: FRANCIS ELAINE J. , MICHAELIS LAURA A.
Published: July 2016

abstract

In one type of Relative Clause Extraposition (RCE) in English, a subject-modifying relative clause occurs in a displaced position following the matrix VP, as in: Some options were considered that allow for more flexibility. Although RCE incurs a discontinuous dependency and is relatively infrequent in discourse, previous corpus and acceptability judgment studies have shown that speakers prefer RCE over adjacent ordering when the RC is long in relation to the VP, the subject NP is indefinite, and the main verb is passive/presentative (Francis, 2010; Francis & Michaelis, 2014; Walker, 2013). The current study is the first to relate these conditional preferences to online measures of production. For a spoken production task that required speakers to construct sentences based on visual cues, results showed that the same factors that modulate choice of structure – VP length, RC length, and definiteness of the subject NP – also modulate voice initiation time. That is, when the sentential context warrants a particular structure, that structure becomes easier to produce. Following the approach of MacDonald (2013), we explain these findings in terms of two production biases, one of which favors early placement of shorter, more accessible phrases and the other of which promotes rapid retrieval from memory of the most frequently used subtypes of a construction.
Confucian Ritual and Sacred Kingship: Why the Emperors Did not Rule Japan
Authors: Paramore Kiri
Published: July 2016

This article examines the political role of Confucian ritual in early Japanese history. New research on early Chinese ritual has recast it as a deliberately transformative social tool, a manufactured “as if” realm in which ideal relations are played out in full knowledge of their disjunction with the real world, in an attempt to order it. This article uses this understanding of ritual to analyze Confucianism in the practice of sacred kingship in early Japan, and by contrast in Tang China. I reexamine a number of well-known primary sources of early Japanese history in comparison with parallel Chinese sources of the Tang dynasty. Placing that comparison within the context of new developments in the historiography of China, Korea, and Japan, I argue that Confucianism's comparatively weak ritual positioning in Japan disabled its capacity to legitimate imperial rule there. The early Japanese state thus lacked one of the primary ritual tools employed in other parts of premodern East Asia to legitimate the power of new emperors and kings. I thus unpack one component in a wider process of East Asian cultural reproduction, which in the case of Japan contributed to the emergence of a state ultimately not ruled through imperial institutions or the emperor for most of its premodern history. The bifurcation of ritual and political power in sacred kingship, a seemingly geographically and temporally widespread phenomenon currently studied in various global histories, is explained in this article in terms of complex processes of cultural reproduction and transmission.
Serbia's Anti-Bureaucratic Revolution as Manipulation? A Cultural Alternative to the Elite-Centric Approach
Authors: Grdešić Marko
Published: July 2016

Why did nationalism and socialism combine during Serbia's “anti-bureaucratic revolution”? This article critiques the elite-centric approach prevalent in the literature and suggests a cultural argument instead. Three interconnected “elective affinities” brought nationalism and socialism together and separated them from a weak liberal alternative: (1) the emergence of bureaucracy as a “floating signifier”; (2) the search for enemies and a predilection for conspiracy theories; and (3) anti-intellectualism with special emphasis on the search for “one truth.” The elite-centric approach is assessed by looking at actors who, if the thesis is correct, should have been the least likely adopters of nationalist ideas.
‘You can Spend Time. . .But not Necessarily be Bonding with Them’: Australian Fathers’ Constructions and Enactments of Infant Bonding
Authors: BRADY MICHELLE , STEVENS EMILY , COLES LAETITIA , ZADOROZNYJ MARIA , MARTIN BILL
Published: July 2016

Governments are increasingly implementing policies that encourage early father-infant bonding. However, to date, research has not systematically examined fathers’ perspectives and experiences of early bonding. Using a social constructionist embodiment perspective we argue that paternal bonding is best conceived as a process of repeated, embodied performances that are shaped by gendered parenting discourses. Drawing on 100 semi-structured interviews with a diverse group of Australian fathers of young infants, we argue that most men believe they are capable of developing early strong bonds. They assume that bonding is a product of spending sufficient time with a child, irrespective of the parent's gender. In contrast, a sizable minority of fathers assert that physiology means fathers are ‘largely useless’ to very young infants, and tend to remain distant in the early months. We conclude that social policies promoting early paternal bonding must engage with and challenge gendered/physiological discourses.
Administration, Science, and the State: The 1869 Population Census in Austria-Hungary
Authors: Göderle Wolfgang
Published: July 2016

The population of Austria-Hungary was counted five times between 1869 and 1910. This process of counting established a new relationship between the state and its citizens. The state procured vast knowledge about its citizens, and the latter became accustomed to contact on a regular basis with state authorities and administrative practices. By the end of the nineteenth century, both the state and its citizens knew more of each other than ever before. This article scrutinizes the administrative translation of reality into discourse and the effects this had on the two parties involved.
On growth of homology torsion in amenable groups
Authors: KAR ADITI , KROPHOLLER PETER , NIKOLOV NIKOLAY
Published: July 2016

Suppose an amenable group G is acting freely on a simply connected simplicial complex $\~{X}$ with compact quotient X. Fix n ≥ 1, assume $H_n(\~{X}, \mathbb{Z}) = 0$ and let (Hi) be a Farber chain in G. We prove that the torsion of the integral homology in dimension n of $\~{X}/H_i$ grows subexponentially in [G : Hi]. This fails if X is not compact. We provide the first examples of amenable groups for which torsion in homology grows faster than any given function. These examples include some solvable groups of derived length 3 which is the minimal possible.
Estimation of Stop Loss Premium in Fire Insurance
Authors: Welten C. P.
Published: July 2016

The estimation of stop loss premiums can be based on some knowledge about the distribution function of the sum of all claims in a year (assuming that the stop loss insurance relates to a period of one calender year). Generally speaking there are two methods to obtain this knowledge about the distribution function.

1. The first method is to construct a distribution function from data concerning:

a. the distribution function of the number of claims per year, taking into account the variability of the parameter(s) of this distribution function.

b. the distribution function of the insured sums.

c. the distribution function of partial claims.

d. the correlation between the insured sum and the probability of occurring of a claim.

e. the probability of contagion.

2. The second method is to derive a distribution function from the year's totals of claims over a long series of years, expressed in e.g: units of the totals of insured sums in that years.

In practice it is often difficult to find a useful basis to apply one of these methods. Data concerning the distribution function of the number of claims per year, of the insured sums, and of partial claims are mostly available, but often nothing is known about the correlation between the insured sum and the probability of occurring of a claim.

The second method is mostly not applicable because, if the year's totals of claims over a long series of, by preference recent, years are available, these data often turn out to be heterogeneous or to be correlated with time. If, in that case, only the data of the most recent years are used, the number of these data is often a too small basis for the construction of a distribution function.
On automobile insurance ratemaking
Authors: Jung Jan
Published: July 2016

Suppose that an automobile insurance plan is characterized by a double classification. The risks are thus divided into classes, i = 1, 2, …, p (e.g. defined by use of car and age of operator), and groups j = 1, 2, …, q (e.g. defined by licence and by accidents during the last three years). The experience of the company is described by the observed “relative loss ratios” rij and some measure of exposure nij. A general model, often used, is that the rij: s are observations of random variables with the expected values gij = g(αi, βj), where the relativities αi are parameters representing the classes i and the relativities βj represent the influence of the groups j. One of the ratemaker's problems is to find a realistic function g(α, β) and to obtain estimates ai of αi and bj of βj.

In their paper “Two Studies in Automobile Insurance Rate-making” (ASTIN Bulletin Vol. I, Part IV, page 192-217) Robert Bailey and LeRoy Simon have thoroughly analyzed this problem for private passenger automobiles in Canada. They have principally studied three different types of the function g(α β), namely g(α β) = αβ (Method 2), g(α β) = α + β (Method 3) and g(α β) = 3αβ— 2 (Method 4). The authors show in an appendix, that the variance of rij is approximately g(αi βj)/Knij where K ≅ 0.005 for the Canadian data. They estimate the relativities αi and βj; by making χ2 = K. Σnij(rij — gij)2/gij a minimum. For the Canadian material, the “method 4” agrees best with the observations. This method gives an observed χ2 value of about 8 for 11 degrees of freedom.
Utilisation pratique de la methode de simulation dans l'assurance „non life”
Authors: Franckx  , D'Hooge  , Gennart
Published: July 2016

Les colloques successifs d'Astin ent eu le mérite de clarifier certaines idées théoriques importantes. En invitant au colloque d'Arnhem les actuaires á penser aux méthodes de Monte Carlo, les organisateurs ont forcément orienté les recherches vers le domaine des applications. Car simuler, c'est á. dire établir des résultats conformes á un processus aléatoire bien déterminé, suppose á priori que les données numériques d'introduction (ou de définition) ont été fixées.

Nous ne reprendrons pas les principes de la méthode de simulation, ils sont donnés de maniére magistrale dans “Notes on operations research 1959” du centre de recherche opérationnelle du Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Le chapitre II, portant titre „Simulation of Random processes” rédigé par Herbert P. Galliher donne un exposé complet du probléme. Nous renvoyons á cette référence.

Parmi les idées que l'on doit retenir, car elle est d'application dans tous les domaines, nous citons „Never simulate a single numerical problem;always simulate several of a class of problems”.

Dans le domaine non life, cet aspect est fondamental. Ce qui y fait défaut, ce sont des algorithmes généraux de résolution numériques. Une des difficultés majeures rencontrées par les actuaires a été et est encore le calcul effectif des convolutions. Ceux qui ont établi cette note se sont posé la question de savoir si la méthode de Monte Carlo ne pouvait fournir un procédé:

— évitant les convolutions.

— suffisamment général pour être applicable à une classe de risques arbitraire.

— donnant comme sous-produit des éléments intéressant aussi bien les théoriciens que les praticiens.
Dynamic decision problems in an insurance company
Authors: Borch Karl
Published: July 2016

1.1. — In this paper we shall consider some of the decisions which have to be made in the normal course of business in an insurance company. We shall see that the “right” decisions can be found only when the problems are analysed in their proper dynamic context.

As examples of the decision problems which we shall study, we can mention the following:

(i) What premium rates should be quoted on the insurance contracts, which the company offers to the public?

(ii) How much should the company spend to promote the sale of its policies?

(iii) When should the company refuse to underwrite a proposed insurance contract?

(iv) How shall the company reinsure its portfolio of insurance contracts?

(v) What reserve funds should an insurance company keep?

(vi) How shall the company's funds be invested?

Any actuary will be familiar with such problems, and he will probably feel that these problems cannot be satisfactorily solved with the methods offered by the classical actuarial theory.

1.2. — In some earlier papers [I] and [2] it has been argued that such problems can best be solved in the frame work of utility theory. As an illustration we shall take Problem (iii) in the preceding paragraph, and consider an insurance company in the following situation:

(i) The company has a capital S.

(ii) The company holds a portfolio of insurance contracts which will lead to a total payment of x to settle claims. F1(x) is the distribution of the variate x.
The Future of ASTIN
Authors: Bühlmann Hans
Published: July 2016

My assistants at ETH have a wall calendar—not with the usual pictures of Swiss mountains, hills and lakes, but with “quotations for intelligent people”. Recently, the quotation for the week read as follows: “Even the future is no longer what it used to be in the past”.

Observe that also in this supposedly intelligent approach it seems impossible to speak about the future without referring to the past. I shall not deviate from this rule. Of course, my task is greatly simplified by the fact that Paul Johansen has just entertained you in a charming way about the past 25 years of ASTIN and the earlier endeavors leading to the foundation of ASTIN.

In the year 1693, Edmond Halley constructed the first mortality table based on mortality data from Breslau which he had obtained through the intervention of Leibniz. This can be regarded as the starting point of actuarial science. In my opinion it can however not be considered as the starting point of the actuarial profession. Why? Yes, Halley's table was used for some eighty years because subsequent information coincided with his estimate of mortality. Yes, De Moivre, in his classic textbook of 1725, performed ingenious calculations of annuities, based on the same table. Yes, Süssmilch published the first basic and substantial work of demography in 1741 but—here comes the big but—no government (and nobody else sold annuity insurance at that time) made use of the available scientific method to calculate annuities. Perhaps the first statistical results to be taken seriously were the Northampton tables of 1780, devised by Richard Price. Incidentally, this date coincides reasonably well with the first valuation by William Morgan in 1786. Hence, I think that either of these dates may be taken, at the earliest, as the start of the actuarial profession, a profession being by definition a dedicated group of people accepted by society for the performance of a particular skill. Let me make my point explicit: We have historical evidence of the existence of actuarial science about 90 years prior to the emergence of the actuarial profession.
A Multivariate Model of the Total Claims Process
Authors: Cummins J. David , Wiltbank Laurel J.
Published: July 2016

Much of the risk theory literature deals with the total claims distribution where pk = the probability of k claims and S(x) is the distribution function of severity. Both pk and S(x) are univariate probability distributions. Thus, F(x) can be interpreted as a model of claims from one class of policies or as an aggregate model where pk and S(x) represent mixed probability distributions from a heterogeneous portfolio of policies. An alternative approach to modelling total claims in the latter case would be to recognize explicitly that total claims are the result of the interaction of multivariate processes. In the most general case, total claims arise from a multivariate accident process where each accident triggers multivariate claims frequency and severity processes.

The purpose of this article is to present a multivariate model of total claims and to develop the cumulant generating function of this distribution. Such a model is superior to the traditional model in two respects: (1) It permits explicit recognition of shifts in the overall portfolio composition. Applications of the traditional model, in contrast, rely on the assumption that the portfolio composition is relatively constant over time. (2) It facilitates the evaluation of the effects of reinsurance on the total claims distribution when the reinsurance arrangements are not the same in different segments of the portfolio.