bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A CLASS OF MIXTURE OF EXPERTS MODELS FOR GENERAL INSURANCE: APPLICATION TO CORRELATED CLAIM FREQUENCIES
Authors: Chai Fung Tsz , Badescu Andrei L. , Sheldon Lin X. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis paper focuses on the estimation and application aspects of the Erlang count logit-weighted reduced mixture of experts model (EC-LRMoE), which is a fully flexible multivariate insurance claim frequency regression model. We first prove the identifiability property of the proposed model to ensure that it is a suitable candidate for statistical inference. An expectation conditional maximization (ECM) algorithm is developed for efficient model calibrations. Three simulation studies are performed to examine the effectiveness of the proposed ECM algorithm and the versatility of the proposed model. The applicability of the EC-LRMoE is shown through fitting an European automobile insurance data set. Since the data set contains several complex features, we find it necessary to adopt such a flexible model. Apart from showing excellent fitting results, we are able to interpret the fitted model in an insurance perspective and to visualize the relationship between policyholders’ information and their risk level. Finally, we demonstrate how the fitted model may be useful for insurance ratemaking.
What is the Added Value of the Concept of the “Essence” of EU Fundamental Rights?
Authors: Dawson Mark , Lynskey Orla , Muir Elise 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis Article introduces our Special Issue by posing a central question: What is the added value of the increasing prominence of the concept of the “essence” of fundamental rights in EU law? It will address this larger question in four steps: First, by examining the function of the concept in EU law and the methods for its derivation; second, by summarizing how its application diverges across EU—and international—law; third, by outlining some enduring difficulties with the essence concept; and finally, by reflecting on its future role in EU law, including its impact on other sites of legal authority—such as domestic fundamental rights, the political institutions of the EU, and international human rights law. As the other articles of this issue demonstrate, while there is not yet a coherent approach to deriving and understanding the essence of rights across the fundamental rights the EU must protects, the essence concept plays an increasingly significant role in demarcating the boundaries between the EU’s legal and political orders and between overlapping sites of legal authority. Recent developments—such as the rule of law “crises”—are likely to further amplify the importance of “essence” to EU law practice and scholarship.
Effects of toxic baits and food-based attractants for fruit flies on the parasitoidFopius arisanus(Sonan) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Authors: Farah Simón , Rakes Matheus , Portalanza Diego , Nava Dori E. , Durigon Angelica , Grützmacher Anderson D. , Dias-Pini Nivia , Goméz-Torres Mariuxi 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of toxic baits and attractants for fruit flies on the biology of its parasitoidFopius arisanus. We tested two food-based attractants; hydrolysed corn protein (Biofruit®3%) and sugarcane molasses (7%), their mixtures with spinosad and malathion-based insecticides, and a ready-to-use commercial bait (Success 0.02 CB®). Malathion-based lures were used as references for mortality (i.e., positive control), while negative control was honey. The formulations Biofruit®+ malathion (T1), molasses + malathion (T2), and spinosad + molasses (T3) were toxic toF. arisanus, being classified as harmful (class 4). In addition, toxic baits composed of Biofruit + spinosad (T4) reduced parasitism by 97.99%, being rated as moderately harmful (class 3). Yet, Success 0.02 CB®(T7) was considered slightly toxic (class 2), causing a 64.55% reduction in parasitism. Regarding the biological parameters ofF. arisanus, offspring number and parasitoid longevity were significantly reduced by using hydrolysed protein attractants when compared to the control (honey). However, sugarcane molasses improved parasitoid reproduction and longevity, as did the honey. Lastly, ingestion tests showed the major role of attractants in toxic-bait formulations againstF. arisanus.
Finding next of kin: Cross-lingual embedding spaces for related languages
Authors: Sharoff Serge 
Published: September 2019

AbstractSome languages have very few NLP resources, while many of them are closely related to better-resourced languages. This paper explores how the similarity between the languages can be utilised by porting resources from better- to lesser-resourced languages. The paper introduces a way of building a representation shared across related languages by combining cross-lingual embedding methods with a lexical similarity measure which is based on the weighted Levenshtein distance. One of the outcomes of the experiments is a Panslavonic embedding space for nine Balto-Slavonic languages. The paper demonstrates that the resulting embedding space helps in such applications as morphological prediction, named-entity recognition and genre classification.
Investigation of Electron Momentum Density in Carbon Nanotubes Using Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Feng Zhenbao , Li Hefu , Wang Zongliang , Zhang Xiaoyan , Li Hengshuai , Hu Haiquan , Su Dangsheng 
Published: September 2019

AbstractValence Compton profiles (CPs) of multiwall (MWCNTs) and single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were obtained by recording electron energy-loss spectra at large momentum transfer in the transmission electron microscope, a technique known as electron Compton scattering from solids (ECOSS). The experimental MWCNT/SWCNT results were compared with that of graphite. Differences between the valence CPs of MWCNTs and SWCNTs were observed, and the SWCNT CPs indicate a greater delocalization of the ground-state charge density compared to graphite. The results clearly demonstrate the feasibility and potential of the ECOSS technique as a complementary tool for studying the electronic structure of materials with nanoscale spatial resolution.
Analysis and design of TEM-TE11 coaxial waveguide bend mode converters
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Zhao Xuhao , Yuan Chengwei , Zhang Jiande 
Published: September 2019

AbstractTwo coaxial waveguide bend mode converters that transform coaxial transverse electromagnetic mode to TE11 coaxial waveguide mode are presented in this paper. Both converters are designed and optimized on the basis of the strictly derived mode coupling coefficients. Conversion efficiencies of both converters are over 99% and the power-handling capacities reach a gigawatt level. The combined dual-bend mode converter is fabricated and tested. The experimental results coincide well with the theoretical calculations and simulations, which demonstrates the feasibility of the designed converter.
A Deep Learning‐Based Approach to Forecast the Onset of Magnetic Substorms
Authors: Maimaiti M. , Kunduri B. , Ruohoniemi J. M. , Baker J. B. H. , House Leanna L. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe auroral substorm has been extensively studied over the last six decades. However, our understanding of its driving mechanisms is still limited and so is our ability to accurately forecast its onset. In this study, we present the first deep learning‐based approach to predict the onset of a magnetic substorm, defined as the signature of the auroral electrojets in ground magnetometer measurements. Specifically, we use a time history of solar wind speed (Vx), proton number density, and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) components as inputs to forecast the occurrence probability of an onset over the next 1 hr. The model has been trained and tested on a data set derived from the SuperMAG list of magnetic substorm onsets and can correctly identify substorms ∼75% of the time. In contrast, an earlier prediction algorithm correctly identifies ∼21% of the substorms in the same data set. Our model's ability to forecast substorm onsets based on solar wind and IMF inputs prior to the actual onset time, and the trend observed in IMF Bz prior to onset together suggest that a majority of the substorms may not be externally triggered by northward turnings of IMF. Furthermore, we find that IMF Bz and Vx have the most significant influence on model performance. Finally, principal component analysis shows a significant degree of overlap in the solar wind and IMF parameters prior to both substorm and nonsubstorm intervals, suggesting that solar wind and IMF alone may not be sufficient to forecast all substorms, and preconditioning of the magnetotail may be an important factor.
The functional repertoire contained within the native microbiota of the model nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Zimmermann Johannes , Obeng Nancy , Yang Wentao , Pees Barbara , Petersen Carola , Waschina Silvio , Kissoyan Kohar A , Aidley Jack , Hoeppner Marc P , Bunk Boyke , Spröer Cathrin , Leippe Matthias , Dierking Katja , Kaleta Christoph , Schulenburg Hinrich 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe microbiota is generally assumed to have a substantial influence on the biology of multicellular organisms. The exact functional contributions of the microbes are often unclear and cannot be inferred easily from 16S rRNA genotyping, which is commonly used for taxonomic characterization of bacterial associates. In order to bridge this knowledge gap, we here analyzed the metabolic competences of the native microbiota of the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We integrated whole-genome sequences of 77 bacterial microbiota members with metabolic modeling and experimental characterization of bacterial physiology. We found that, as a community, the microbiota can synthesize all essential nutrients for C. elegans. Both metabolic models and experimental analyses revealed that nutrient context can influence how bacteria interact within the microbiota. We identified key bacterial traits that are likely to influence the microbe’s ability to colonize C. elegans (i.e., the ability of bacteria for pyruvate fermentation to acetoin) and affect nematode fitness (i.e., bacterial competence for hydroxyproline degradation). Considering that the microbiota is usually neglected in C. elegans research, the resource presented here will help our understanding of this nematode’s biology in a more natural context. Our integrative approach moreover provides a novel, general framework to characterize microbiota-mediated functions.
A novel CUL4B splice site variant in a young male exhibiting less pronounced features
Authors: Nakamura Yuji , Okuno Yusuke , Muramatsu Hideki , Kawai Tomoko , Satou Kazuhito , Ieda Daisuke , Hori Ikumi , Ohashi Kei , Negishi Yutaka , Hattori Ayako , Takahashi Yoshiyuki , Kojima Seiji , Saitoh Shinji 
Published: September 2019

AbstractPatients with variants in CUL4B exhibit syndromic intellectual disability (MIM #300354). A seven-year-old boy presented with intellectual disability, a history of seizure, characteristic facial features, and short stature. Whole-exome sequencing detected a c.974+3A>G variant in CUL4B, which was subsequently confirmed to disrupt mRNA splicing. The current patient showed less pronounced phenotypic features compared with the previously reported cases. This report, therefore, provides evidence of genotype–phenotype correlations in CUL4B-related disorders.
Deep learning extends de novo protein modelling coverage of genomes using iteratively predicted structural constraints
Authors: Greener Joe G. , Kandathil Shaun M. , Jones David T. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe inapplicability of amino acid covariation methods to small protein families has limited their use for structural annotation of whole genomes. Recently, deep learning has shown promise in allowing accurate residue-residue contact prediction even for shallow sequence alignments. Here we introduce DMPfold, which uses deep learning to predict inter-atomic distance bounds, the main chain hydrogen bond network, and torsion angles, which it uses to build models in an iterative fashion. DMPfold produces more accurate models than two popular methods for a test set of CASP12 domains, and works just as well for transmembrane proteins. Applied to all Pfam domains without known structures, confident models for 25% of these so-called dark families were produced in under a week on a small 200 core cluster. DMPfold provides models for 16% of human proteome UniProt entries without structures, generates accurate models with fewer than 100 sequences in some cases, and is freely available.
Predictive value of genomic screening: cross-sectional study of cystic fibrosis in 50,788 electronic health records
Authors: Sugunaraj J. P. , Brosius H. M. , Murray M. F. , Manickam K. , Stamm J. A. , Carey D. J. , Mirshahi U. L. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractDoubts have been raised about the value of DNA-based screening for low-prevalence monogenic conditions following reports of testing this approach using available electronic health record (EHR) as the sole phenotyping source. We hypothesized that a better model for EHR-focused examination of DNA-based screening is Cystic Fibrosis (CF) since the diagnosis is proactively sought within the healthcare system. We reviewed CFTR variants in 50,778 exomes. In 24 cases with bi-allelic pathogenic CFTR variants, there were 21 true-positives. We considered three cases “potential” false-positives due to limitations in available EHR phenotype data. This genomic screening exhibited a positive predictive value of 87.5%, negative predictive value of 99.9%, sensitivity of 95.5%, and a specificity of 99.9%. Despite EHR-based phenotyping limitations in three cases, the presence or absence of pathogenic CFTR variants has strong predictive value for CF diagnosis when EHR data is used as the sole phenotyping source. Accurate ascertainment of the predictive value of DNA-based screening requires condition-specific phenotyping beyond available EHR data.
Comprehensive genomic analysis of an indigenous Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes degrading phenolic compounds
Authors: Safari Maryam , Yakhchali Bagher , Shariati.J Vahid 
Published: September 2019

AbstractEnvironmental contamination with aromatic compounds is a universal challenge. Aromatic-degrading microorganisms isolated from the same or similar polluted environments seem to be more suitable for bioremediation. Moreover, microorganisms adapted to contaminated environments are able to use toxic compounds as the sole sources of carbon and energy. An indigenous strain of Pseudomonas, isolated from the Mahshahr Petrochemical plant in the Khuzestan province, southwest of Iran, was studied genetically. It was characterized as a novel Gram-negative, aerobic, halotolerant, rod-shaped bacterium designated Pseudomonas YKJ, which was resistant to chloramphenicol and ampicillin. Genome of the strain was completely sequenced using Illumina technology to identify its genetic characteristics. MLST analysis revealed that the YKJ strain belongs to the genus Pseudomonas indicating the highest sequence similarity with Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes strain CECT 5344 (99% identity). Core- and pan-genome analysis indicated that P. pseudoalcaligenes contains 1,671 core and 3,935 unique genes for coding DNA sequences. The metabolic and degradation pathways for aromatic pollutants were investigated using the NCBI and KEGG databases. Genomic and experimental analyses showed that the YKJ strain is able to degrade certain aromatic compounds including bisphenol A, phenol, benzoate, styrene, xylene, benzene and chlorobenzene. Moreover, antibiotic resistance and chemotaxis properties of the YKJ strain were found to be controlled by two-component regulatory systems.
Construction of three-dimensional temperature distribution using a network of ultrasonic transducers
Authors: Shen Xuehua , Chen Huanting , Shih Tien-Mo , Xiong Qingyu , Zhang Hualin 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAlthough the ultrasonic technique for measuring temperature distributions has drawn much attention in recent years, most studies that adopt this technique focus on two-dimensional (2D) systems. Mathematically, extending from 2D to 3D requires higher construction-performing algorithms, as well as more complicated, but extremely crucial, designs of ultrasonic transducer layouts. Otherwise the ill condition of governing-equation matrices will become more serious. Here, we aim at constructing 3D temperature distributions by using a network of properly-installed ultrasonic transducers that can be controlled to transmit and receive ultrasound. In addition, the proposed method is capable of performing this construction procedure in real time, thus monitoring transient temperature distributions and guarantee the safety of operations related to heating or burning. Numerical simulations include constructions for four kinds of temperature distributions, as well as corresponding qualitative and quantitative analyses. Finally, our study offers a guide in developing non-intrusive experimental methods that measure 3D temperature distributions in real time.
Divergent selection and genetic structure of Sideritis scardica populations from southern Balkan Peninsula as revealed by AFLP fingerprinting
Authors: Grdiša Martina , Radosavljević Ivan , Liber Zlatko , Stefkov Gjoshe , Ralli Parthenopi , Chatzopoulou Paschalina S. , Carović-Stanko Klaudija , Šatović Zlatko 
Published: September 2019

AbstractSideritis scardica Giseb. is a subalpine/alpine plant species endemic to the central part of the Balkan Peninsula. In this study, we combined Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) and environmental data to examine the adaptive genetic variations in S. scardica natural populations sampled in contrasting environments. A total of 226 AFLP loci were genotyped in 166 individuals from nine populations. The results demonstrated low gene diversity, ranging from 0.095 to 0.133 and significant genetic differentiation ranging from 0.115 to 0.408. Seven genetic clusters were revealed by Bayesian clustering methods as well as by Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components and each population formed its respective cluster. The exception were populations P02 Mt. Shara and P07 Mt. Vermio, that were admixed between two clusters. Both landscape genetic methods Mcheza and BayeScan identified a total of seven (3.10%) markers exhibiting higher levels of genetic differentiation among populations. The spatial analysis method Samβada detected 50 individual markers (22.12%) associated with bioclimatic variables, among them seven were identified by both Mcheza and BayeScan as being under directional selection. Four bioclimatic variables associated with five out of seven outliers were related to precipitation, suggesting that this variable is the key factor affecting the adaptive variation of S. scardica.
DNA accessibility of chromatosomes quantified by automated image analysis of AFM data
Authors: Würtz Martin , Aumiller Dennis , Gundelwein Lina , Jung Philipp , Schütz Christian , Lehmann Kathrin , Tóth Katalin , Rohr Karl 
Published: September 2019

AbstractDNA compaction and accessibility in eukaryotes are governed by nucleosomes and orchestrated through interactions between DNA and DNA-binding proteins. Using QuantAFM, a method for automated image analysis of atomic force microscopy (AFM) data, we performed a detailed statistical analysis of structural properties of mono-nucleosomes. QuantAFM allows fast analysis of AFM images, including image preprocessing, object segmentation, and quantification of different structural parameters to assess DNA accessibility of nucleosomes. A comparison of nucleosomes reconstituted with and without linker histone H1 quantified H1’s already described ability of compacting the nucleosome. We further employed nucleosomes bearing two charge-modifying mutations at position R81 and R88 in histone H2A (H2A R81E/R88E) to characterize DNA accessibility under destabilizing conditions. Upon H2A mutation, even in presence of H1, the DNA opening angle at the entry/exit site was increased and the DNA wrapping length around the histone core was reduced. Interestingly, a distinct opening of the less bendable DNA side was observed upon H2A mutation, indicating an enhancement of the intrinsic asymmetry of the Widom-601 nucleosomes. This study validates AFM as a technique to investigate structural parameters of nucleosomes and highlights how the DNA sequence, together with nucleosome modifications, can influence the DNA accessibility.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Kidney: Design and Evaluation of a Reliable Processing Pipeline
Authors: Borrelli Pasquale , Cavaliere Carlo , Basso Luca , Soricelli Andrea , Salvatore Marco , Aiello Marco 
Published: September 2019

AbstractDiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is particularly suitable for kidney studies due to tubules, collector ducts and blood vessels in the medulla that produce spatially restricted diffusion of water molecules, thus reflecting the high grade of anisotropy detectable by DTI. Kidney DTI is still a challenging technique where the off-resonance susceptibility artefacts and subject motion can severely affect the reproducibility of results. The aim of this study is to design a reliable processing pipeline by assessing different image processing approaches in terms of reproducibility and image artefacts correction. The results of four different processing pipelines (eddy: correction of eddy-currents and motion between DTI volume; eddy-s2v: eddy and within DTI volume motion correction; topup: eddy and geometric distortion correction; topup-s2v: topup and within DTI volume motion correction) are compared in terms of reproducibility by test-retest analysis in 14 healthy subjects. Within-subject coefficient of variation (wsCV) and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) are measured to assess the reproducibility and Dice similarity index is evaluated for the spatial alignment between DTI and anatomical images. Topup-s2v pipeline provides highest reproducibility (wsCV = 0.053, ICC = 0.814) and best correction of image distortion (Dice = 0.83). This study definitely provides a recipe for data processing, enabling for a clinical suitability of kidney DTI.
HilD induces expression of a novel Salmonella Typhimurium invasion factor, YobH, through a regulatory cascade involving SprB
Authors: Banda María M. , Manzo Rubiceli , Bustamante Víctor H. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractHilD is an AraC-like transcriptional regulator encoded in theSalmonellapathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1), which actives transcription of many genes within and outside SPI-1 that are mainly required for invasion ofSalmonellainto host cells. HilD controls expression of target genes directly or by acting through distinct regulators; three different regulatory cascades headed by HilD have been described to date. Here, by analyzing the effect of HilD on theyobHgene inSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium), we further define an additional regulatory cascade mediated by HilD, which was revealed by previous genome-wide analyses. In this regulatory cascade, HilD acts through SprB, a LuxR-like regulator encoded in SPI-1, to induce expression of virulence genes. Our data show that HilD induces expression ofsprBby directly counteracting H-NS-mediated repression on the promoter region upstream of this gene. Then, SprB directly activates expression of several genes includingyobH,slrPandugtL. Interestingly, we found that YobH, a protein of only 79 amino acids, is required for invasion ofS. Typhimurium into HeLa cells and mouse macrophages. Thus, our results reveal a novelS. Typhimurium invasion factor and provide more evidence supporting the HilD-SprB regulatory cascade.