bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal proportional reinsurance with common shock dependence to minimise the probability of drawdown
Authors: Han Xia , Liang Zhibin , Zhang Caibin 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn this paper, we study the optimal proportional reinsurance problem in a risk model with two dependent classes of insurance business, where the two claim number processes are correlated through a common shock component, and the criterion is to minimise the probability of drawdown, namely, the probability that the value of the surplus process reaches some fixed proportion of its maximum value to date. By the method of maximising the ratio of drift of a diffusion divided to its volatility squared, and the technique of stochastic control theory and the corresponding Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation, we investigate the optimisation problem in two different cases. Furthermore, we constrain the reinsurance proportion in the interval [0,1] for each case, and derive the explicit expressions of the optimal proportional reinsurance strategy and the minimum probability of drawdown. Finally, some numerical examples are presented to show the impact of model parameters on the optimal results.
Sleep duration and risk of all-cause mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: García-Perdomo H. A. , Zapata-Copete J. , Rojas-Cerón C. A. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAimsTo determine the association between the sleep duration and the risk of all-cause mortality in adults.MethodsA search strategy was conducted in the MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE and LILACS databases. Searches were also conducted in other databases and unpublished literature. Cohort studies were included without language, time or setting restrictions. The risk of bias was evaluated with a modified Cochrane Collaboration's tool. An analysis of random effects was conducted. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. The measure of the effect was the risk difference (RD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The planned comparisons were 7–9 h of sleep v. <7 h and the same reference v. >9 h.ResultsThirty-nine studies were included in our qualitative analysis, regarding the quantitative analysis, 19 studies were included in <7 v. 7–9 h analysis, and 18 studies in the >9 v. 7–9 h. A low risk of bias was shown for most of the study items. The overall RD for all-cause mortality was 0.09 (95% CI 0.07–0.11) favouring the >9 h group compared with our reference. In contrast, no differences were found between the <7 h and the reference sleep duration groups (RD 0.00, 95% CI 0.00–0.01).ConclusionWe found a probable association of long sleep duration and higher mortality; however, it could reflect an underlying systemic or neurological disease that cause sleep fragmentation, deterioration in quality and micro-awakenings.
Contributions of Psychosocial Factors and Physical Activity to Successful Aging
Authors: Gutiérrez Melchor , Tomás José Manuel , Calatayud Pablo 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was twofold: (a) To validate a successful aging model in a Spanish older adult’s sample, and (b) to predict successful aging from psychosocial factors and physical activity. Participants were 725 Spanish older people, of whom 478 were women and 247 men, aged between 55 and 100 years. Of these, 501 were physically active and 197 persons did not practice physical activity. The sample was collected in three areas: Sport centers, day centers and public areas of several Spanish towns. Factorial validity of the Successful Aging Inventory was studied by confirmatory factor analysis, and four multiple regressions to predict each of the dimensions of successful aging (functional performance, intrapsychic factors, gerotranscendence, and spirituality) were estimated. The model of successful aging in Spanish elderly through the Successful Aging Inventory was adequate. The four multiple regressions predicted highly successful aging, with effect sizes of:R2= .037 for spirituality; .267 for functional performance; .531 for intrapsychic factors; and .356 for gerotrascendece. A main conclusion derived from the results is that older people who do exercise achieve better aging. Another point is that aspects of health and life satisfaction are directly related to better aging while social aspects influence indirectly.
The Time Course of Response Activation with Dangerous Objects
Authors: Zhao Liang 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe action property of an object appears to function as an intrinsic part of its mental representation. This phenomenon has been demonstrated in cases where although the grasp response evoked by a visual object is irrelevant to a participant’s task it still appears to be encoded. This is an affordance effect. Recent findings have shown that dangerous objects can modulate the motor system by evoking aversive affordances. However, the way the time course of response activation generated by the dangerous object develops remains unclear. To investigate this process, we used a priming paradigm that varied the stimulus-onset asynchrony (SOA) between a prime and a target. Participants were asked to judge a symbol after presentation of a dangerous object. Results showed a significant congruency effect between the affordance of the ignored object and the requisite response when the SOA was 800 and 1,200 ms, (t(29) = 4.13, p < .001; t(29) = 2.56, p < .05, respectively). However, with briefer SOAs (0 and 400 ms), this congruency effect was not observed (ps > .10). Results indicate the time course of response activation with a dangerous object are relatively long-lasting.
The Prayuth Regime: Embedded Military and Hierarchical Capitalism in Thailand
Authors: Kongkirati Prajak , Kanchoochat Veerayooth 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThis paper explores the Prayuth regime, which began with a military coup in May 2014. Politically, we indicate how the junta has embedded its power in ways different from the past. It does not pursue a power-sharing governance as in the Prem and Surayud governments, but tries to militarise the cabinet, parliament, and even state-owned enterprises. The new constitution is designed to institutionalise the power of the military and the traditional elite vis-à-vis the electoral forces. Ironically, however, the junta's rule by military decree and discretionary power have weakened the bureaucratic polity, rather than strengthening it. Economically, the Prayuth regime forms a partnership with a group of Sino-Thai conglomerates to establish the Pracharath scheme, with an aim to differentiate its grass-roots development policy from Thaksin's populism (Prachaniyom). Nonetheless, it has become a platform through which the giant firms perform the leading role of ‘Big Brother’ in supervising small businesses in their sectors. Pracharath therefore reflects the collective endeavours of the conglomerates to replace competitive markets with hierarchy, rather than encouraging local firms to catch-up with them.
Tablet-Based Working Memory Assessment in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Oesterlen Eva , Eichner Markus , Gade Miriam , Seitz-Stein Katja 
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Working memory (WM) is a key predictor of academic success. Therefore, standardized tools for measuring WM are of critical importance. So far, WM tests in the German-speaking research community require one-to-one instruction, making WM assessment time- and resource-consuming. To ease assessment of WM, a tablet-based, group-administrable application for German-speaking children and adolescents was developed. The aim of the current study was to investigate the applicability, reliability, and validity of the word span, Corsi block, and word span backward tasks of the newly designed application for use with primary and secondary school children. The results indicated good internal consistency and satisfactory test–retest reliability for all three tasks. In addition, the results provide some indication of content and concurrent validity. We conclude that the application is a promising tool for the assessment of WM and has the potential for resource-saving collection of developmental data in large-scale studies.
Larger Submicron Particles for Emissions With Residential Burning in Wintertime San Joaquin Valley (Fresno) than for Vehicle Combustion in Summertime South Coast Air Basin (Fontana)
Authors: Betha Raghu , Russell Lynn M. , Chen Chia‐Li , Liu Jun , Price Derek J. , Sanchez Kevin J. , Chen Sijie , Lee Alex K. Y. , Collier Sonya C. , Zhang Qi , Zhang Xiaolu , Cappa Christopher D. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSize‐resolved composition of atmospheric aerosol particles during winter (19 December 2014 to 13 January 2015) in the San Joaquin Valley at Fresno and during summer (4 to 28 July 2015) in the Southern California Air Basin at Fontana were measured by aerosol mass spectrometer, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, single particle soot photometer, and scanning electrical mobility sizer. The Fresno study had low‐fog and high‐fog winter conditions, and residential burning was a frequent contributor to evening emissions. Fireworks during Fourth of July celebrations characterized the start of the Fontana study; the remaining days were categorized as nonfirework days and were mostly affected by traffic emissions. Fresno had particle distributions with number mode diameters of 70–150 nm, and Fontana had 30–50‐nm diameters. The nonrefractory organic mass mode diameters were also larger at Fresno (250–380 nm in dry mobility diameter) than at Fontana (130–150 nm, 280 nm in dry mobility diameter) as were refractory black carbon particles (Fresno: 80–180 nm; Fontana: 80–100 nm in dry volume equivalent diameter). The size dependence of organic contributions to particle mass indicated that condensation or other surface‐limited processes contributed oxidized organic fractions to aerosol mass in Fontana but that volume‐limited aqueous reactions produced organic mass on both low‐fog and high‐fog days in Fresno. Linear regression analysis of organic aerosol sources with size‐resolved particle volume at different times of day also showed that residential burning‐related particles increased from 70–160 nm in the evening (18:00 to 23:59) to 150–260 nm at night (00:00 to 05:59) on low‐fog days.
Can Rogue Waves Be Predicted Using Characteristic Wave Parameters?
Authors: Cattrell A. D. , Srokosz M. , Moat B. I. , Marsh R. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractRogue waves are ocean surface waves larger than the surrounding sea that can pose a danger to ships and offshore structures. They are often deemed unpredictable without complex measurement of the wavefield and computationally intensive calculation, which is infeasible in most applications; consequently, there a need for fast predictors. Here we collate, quality control, and analyze the largest data set of single‐point field measurements from surface following wave buoys to search for predictors of rogue wave occurrence. We find that analysis of the sea state parameters in bulk yields no predictors, as the subset of seas containing rogue waves sits within the set of seas without. However, spectral bandwidth parameters of rogue seas display different probability distributions to normal seas, but these parameters are rarely provided in wave forecasts. When location is accounted for, trends can be identified in the occurrence of rogue waves as a function of the average sea state characteristics at that location. These trends follow a power law relationship with the characteristic sea state parameters: mean significant wave height and mean zero upcrossing wave period. We find that frequency of occurrence of rogue waves and their generating mechanism is not spatially uniform, and each location is likely to have its own unique sensitivities, which increase in the coastal seas. We conclude that forecastable predictors of rogue wave occurrence will need to be location specific and reflective of their generation mechanism. Therefore, given location and a sufficiently long historical record of sea state characteristics, the likelihood of occurrence can be obtained for mariners and offshore operators.
Late Pliocene Monsoonal Rainfall Gradients in Western China Recorded by the Eolian Deposits From the Linxia Basin, NE Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zan Jinbo , Fang Xiaomin , Li Xiaojing , Zhang Weilin , Yan Maodu , Shen Miaomiao 
Published: July 2018

AbstractLoess and red clay sediments from the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) contain a wealth of information about variations in the Asian monsoon and the aridification history of the Asian interior. However, relatively little is known about late Pliocene palaeoenvironmental evolution and the variations in the gradients of monsoonal rainfall in the western part of the CLP, due to the poor exposure of pre‐Quaternary eolian deposits and uncertainties in the interpretation of paleoclimatic proxies in most parts of the region. To address these issues, we conducted a detailed rock magnetic investigation of newly drilled eolian sequences (spanning 3.7–2.4 Ma) from the Linxia Basin, NE Tibetan Plateau. Our results demonstrate that pedogenically formed fine magnetic grains are responsible for the magnetic enhancement of loess‐red clay sediments from the basin. Spatially, a clear decrease in magnetic susceptibility and its frequency dependence is observed between the central and western CLP, indicating that the East Asian summer monsoon already exerted a major influence on the amount and distribution of late Pliocene rainfall in the Linxia Basin. After evaluating the validity of magneto‐climofunctions, we attempt to reconstruct late Pliocene‐early Pleistocene monsoonal precipitation in the NE margin of the Tibetan Plateau. The results demonstrate that the difference in late Pliocene monsoonal rainfall between the study area and Chaona in the central CLP was about 300–400 mm. This value is higher than that of the present day, indicating a steepened gradient in monsoonal rainfall between the central and western CLP during the late Pliocene.
Tailoring spin mixtures by ion-enhanced Maxwell magnetic coupling in color-tunable organic electroluminescent devices
Authors: Xu Junwei , Cui Yue , Smith Gregory M. , Li Peiyun , Dun Chaochao , Shao Linqi , Guo Yang , Wang Hongzhi , Chen Yonghua , Carroll David L. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIn this work, we show that the spin dynamics of excitons can be dramatically altered by Maxwell magnetic field coupling, together with an ion-enhanced, low-internal-splitting-energy organic semiconducting emitter. By employing a unique, alternating current (AC)-driven organic electroluminescent (OEL) device architecture that optimizes this magnetic field coupling, almost complete control over the singlet-to-triplet ratio (from fluorescent to phosphorescent emission in a single device) is realized. We attribute this spin population control to magnetically sensitive polaron–spin pair intersystem crossings (ISCs) that can be directly manipulated through external driving conditions. As an illustration of the utility of this approach to spin-tailoring, we demonstrate a simple hybrid (double-layer) fluorescence–phosphorescence (F–P) device using a polyfluorene-based emitter with a strong external Zeeman effect and ion-induced long carrier diffusion. Remarkable control over de-excitation pathways is achieved by controlling the device-driving frequency, resulting in complete emission blue–red color tunability. Picosecond photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy directly confirms that this color control derives from the magnetic manipulation of the singlet-to-triplet ratios. These results may pave the way to far more exotic organic devices with magnetic-field-coupled organic systems that are poised to usher in an era of dynamic spintronics at room temperature.
GABRA2 rs279858-linked variants are associated with disrupted structural connectome of reward circuits in heroin abusers
Authors: Sun Yan , Zhang Yang , Zhang Dai , Chang Suhua , Jing Rixing , Yue Weihua , Lu Lin , Chen Dong , Sun Yankun , Fan Yong , Shi Jie 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe reward system plays a vital role in drug addiction. The purpose of this study is to investigate the structural connectivity characteristics and driving-control subnetwork patterns of reward circuits in heroin abusers and assess the genetic modulation on the reward network. We first defined the reward network based on systematic literature review, and built the reward network based on diffusion tensor imaging data of 78 heroin abusers (HAs) and 79 healthy controls (HCs) using structural connectomics. Then we assessed genetic factors that might modulate changes in the reward network by performing imaging-genetic screening for 22 addiction-related polymorphisms. The genetic association was validated by performing genetic associations (1032 HAs and 2863 HCs) and expanded-variant analysis. Finally, we estimated the association between these genetic variations, reward network, and clinical performance. We found that HAs had widespread deficiencies in the structural connectivity of the reward circuit (center in VTA-linked connections), which correlated with cognition deficiency. The disruptions synchronously were shown on the reward driving system and reward control system. GABRA2 rs279858-linked variants might be a key genetic modulator for heroin vulnerability by affecting the connections of reward network and cognition. The role of the reward network connections that mediates the effects of rs279858 on cognition would be disrupted by heroin addiction. These findings provide new insights into the neurocircuitry and genetic mechanisms of addiction.
Non plasmonic semiconductor quantum SERS probe as a pathway for in vitro cancer detection
Authors: Haldavnekar Rupa , Venkatakrishnan Krishnan , Tan Bo 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSurface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based cancer diagnostics is an important analytical tool in early detection of cancer. Current work in SERS focuses on plasmonic nanomaterials that suffer from coagulation, selectivity, and adverse biocompatibility when used in vitro, limiting this research to stand-alone biomolecule sensing. Here we introduce a label-free, biocompatible, ZnO-based, 3D semiconductor quantum probe as a pathway for in vitro diagnosis of cancer. By reducing size of the probes to quantum scale, we observed a unique phenomenon of exponential increase in the SERS enhancement up to ~106 at nanomolar concentration. The quantum probes are decorated on a nano-dendrite platform functionalized for cell adhesion, proliferation, and label-free application. The quantum probes demonstrate discrimination of cancerous and non-cancerous cells along with biomolecular sensing of DNA, RNA, proteins and lipids in vitro. The limit of detection is up to a single-cell-level detection.
Direct imaging of structural changes induced by ionic liquid gating leading to engineered three-dimensional meso-structures
Authors: Cui Bin , Werner Peter , Ma Tianping , Zhong Xiaoyan , Wang Zechao , Taylor James Mark , Zhuang Yuechen , Parkin Stuart S. P. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe controlled transformation of materials, both their structure and their physical properties, is key to many devices. Ionic liquid gating can induce the transformation of thin-film materials over long distances from the gated surface. Thus, the mechanism underlying this process is of considerable interest. Here we directly image, using in situ, real-time, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, the reversible transformation between the oxygen vacancy ordered phase brownmillerite SrCoO2.5 and the oxygen ordered phase perovskite SrCoO3. We show that the phase transformation boundary moves at a velocity that is highly anisotropic, traveling at speeds ~30 times faster laterally than through the thickness of the film. Taking advantage of this anisotropy, we show that three-dimensional metallic structures such as cylinders and rings can be realized. Our results provide a roadmap to the construction of complex meso-structures from their exterior surfaces.
In situ formation of catalytically active graphene in ethylene photo-epoxidation
Authors: Zhang Xueqiang , Kumari Gayatri , Heo Jaeyoung , Jain Prashant K. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractEthylene epoxidation is used to produce 2 × 107 ton per year of ethylene oxide, a major feedstock for commodity chemicals and plastics. While high pressures and temperatures are required for the reaction, plasmonic photoexcitation of the Ag catalyst enables epoxidation at near-ambient conditions. Here, we use surface-enhanced Raman scattering to monitor the plasmon excitation-assisted reaction on individual sites of a Ag nanoparticle catalyst. We uncover an unconventional mechanism, wherein the primary step is the photosynthesis of graphene on the Ag surface. Epoxidation of ethylene is then promoted by this photogenerated graphene. Density functional theory simulations point to edge defects on the graphene as the sites for epoxidation. Guided by this insight, we synthesize a composite graphene/Ag/α-Al2O3 catalyst, which accomplishes ethylene photo-epoxidation under ambient conditions at which the conventional Ag/α-Al2O3 catalyst shows negligible activity. Our finding of in situ photogeneration of catalytically active graphene may apply to other photocatalytic hydrocarbon transformations.
Viral regulation of host cell biology by hijacking of the nucleolar DNA-damage response
Authors: Rawlinson Stephen M. , Zhao Tianyue , Rozario Ashley M. , Rootes Christina L. , McMillan Paul J. , Purcell Anthony W. , Woon Amanda , Marsh Glenn A. , Lieu Kim G. , Wang Lin-Fa , Netter Hans J. , Bell Toby D. M. , Stewart Cameron R. , Moseley Gregory W. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractRecent studies indicate that nucleoli play critical roles in the DNA-damage response (DDR) via interaction of DDR machinery including NBS1 with nucleolar Treacle protein, a key mediator of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) transcription and processing. Here, using proteomics, confocal and single molecule super-resolution imaging, and infection under biosafety level-4 containment, we show that this nucleolar DDR pathway is targeted by infectious pathogens. We find that the matrix proteins of Hendra virus and Nipah virus, highly pathogenic viruses of the Henipavirus genus in the order Mononegavirales, interact with Treacle and inhibit its function, thereby silencing rRNA biogenesis, consistent with mimicking NBS1–Treacle interaction during a DDR. Furthermore, inhibition of Treacle expression/function enhances henipavirus production. These data identify a mechanism for viral modulation of host cells by appropriating the nucleolar DDR and represent, to our knowledge, the first direct intranucleolar function for proteins of any mononegavirus.
The chimeric TAC receptor co-opts the T cell receptor yielding robust anti-tumor activity without toxicity
Authors: Helsen Christopher W. , Hammill Joanne A. , Lau Vivian W. C. , Mwawasi Kenneth A. , Afsahi Arya , Bezverbnaya Ksenia , Newhook Lisa , Hayes Danielle L. , Aarts Craig , Bojovic Bojana , Denisova Galina F. , Kwiecien Jacek M. , Brain Ian , Derocher Heather , Milne Katy , Nelson Brad H. , Bramson Jonathan L. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractEngineering T cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is an effective method for directing T cells to attack tumors, but may cause adverse side effects such as the potentially lethal cytokine release syndrome. Here the authors show that the T cell antigen coupler (TAC), a chimeric receptor that co-opts the endogenous TCR, induces more efficient anti-tumor responses and reduced toxicity when compared with past-generation CARs. TAC-engineered T cells induce robust and antigen-specific cytokine production and cytotoxicity in vitro, and strong anti-tumor activity in a variety of xenograft models including solid and liquid tumors. In a solid tumor model, TAC-T cells outperform CD28-based CAR-T cells with increased anti-tumor efficacy, reduced toxicity, and faster tumor infiltration. Intratumoral TAC-T cells are enriched for Ki-67+CD8+T cells, demonstrating local expansion. These results indicate that TAC-T cells may have a superior therapeutic index relative to CAR-T cells.