bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Some Problems Connected with the Calculation of Stop Loss Premiums for Large Portfolios
Authors: Esscher Fredrik 
Published: July 2016

When experience is insufficient to permit a direct empirical determination of the premium rates of a Stop Loss Cover, we have to fall back upon mathematical models from the theory of probability—especially the collective theory of risk—and upon such assumptions as may be considered reasonable.The paper deals with some problems connected with such calculations of Stop Loss premiums for a portfolio consisting of non-life insurances. The portfolio was so large that the values of the premium rates and other quantities required could be approximated by their limit values, obtained according to theory when the expected number of claims tends to infinity.The calculations were based on the following assumptions.Let F(x, t) denote the probability that the total amount of claims paid during a given period of time is ≤ x when the expected number of claims during the same period increases from o to t. The net premium II (x, t) for a Stop Loss reinsurance covering the amount by which the total amount of claims paid during this period may exceed x, is defined by the formula
and the variance of the amount (z—x) to be paid on account of the Stop Loss Cover, by the formula
As to the distribution function F(x, t) it is assumed that
wherePn(t) is the probability that n claims have occurred during the given period, when the expected number of claims increases from o to t,V(x) is the distribution function of the claims, giving the conditioned probability that the amount of a claim is ≤ x when it is known that a claim has occurred, andVn*(x) is the nth convolution of the function V(x) with itself.V(x) is supposed to be normalized so that the mean = I.
Some asymptotic properties of bonus systems
Authors: Loimaranta K. 
Published: July 2016

In motorcar insurance—at least in Europe—is widely used a merit rating system called bonus (or malus) system, characterized among others by the fact that only the number of claims occurred does modify the premium. A great variety of different bonus systems is in use. Each country—if not each company—seems to prefer a different bonus system and there is a lack of agreement whether one of them is better than the other. Efforts to construct a theoretically optimal bonus system have not been able to change the situation. General methods to evaluate and compare different existing or proposed bonus systems are therefore wanted.In the present paper the theory of Markow chains is used to develope formulas for some asymptotic properties of bonus systems. Quantities: efficiency of a bonus system, discrimination power of bonus rules and minimum variance bonus scale are introduced. The last of them gives an asymptotical solution for the problem to find locally “best” bonus scales for given bonus rules. Finally the Danish bonus system is used as an illustration.We call a merit rating system bonus system if the following assumptions are valid:i. All policies of a given risk group can be devided into a finite number of classes so that the premium of a policy for a given period depends solely on the class for that period.ii. The actual class is uniquely defined by the class for the previous period, and the number of claims occurred (regulated) during the period.
Cost Estimates For No-Fault Insurance
Authors: Cumpston J. R. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryOn 12 February 1974, a limited no-fault insurance system was introduced to cover persons killed or injured in road accidents in Victoria, Australia. This system supplements the existing compulsory third party insurance system, under which payments are made only if an insured driver can be shown to be negligent.The costs of the no-fault benefits are met by compulsory third party insurers, who are allowed to charge not more than the premium fixed by the Government. This paper examines the adequacy of the no-fault component of the premium.A theoretical model has been developed, covering all the components of compulsory third party and no-fault insurance. This model incorporates the limited available accident and insurance statistics, together with a number of assumptions. As in many practical situations, the limited data available has severely restricted the factors considered, and has reduced the reliability of the estimates made from the model.The theoretical model does however:—indicate approximately the premium required for no-fault benefits—suggest areas where statistical investigation would be valuable—provide estimates for different types of benefits to different groups of persons, which can be checked as more data becomes available—provide useful data when considering other forms of no-fault insurance, such as the national rehabilitation and compensation scheme currently being considered by the Australian Government.
Risk-Bearing And Consumption Theory
Authors: Moffet Denis 
Published: July 2016

AbstractA simple risky situation is studied in the framework of consumption theory. Saving is shown to be a substitute to insurance. Two new concepts, riskbearing budget and effective risk coverage, are introduced in order to give a more accurate insight into the optimal risk-bearing decision. The effect of a variation in current consumption and in wealth upon the optimal insurance coverage is analysed.
Distribution of the Number of Claims in Motor Insurance according to the Lag of Settlement
Authors: Ferrara G. , Quario G. 
Published: July 2016

Let Sn be the set of motor claims Si, i = 1, 2, …, N occurred during a given year n, namely Sn represents the set of claims relevant to the generation (or cohort) n.If Tn is a subset (even empty) of claims resulting without payement (that is the set of zero-claims), the set Pn = Sn − Tn shall denote the set of claims that should be settled.For every si ∈ Pn, we can define the r.v. Xi which represents the period of time required for its settlement (namely the lag of settlement).It is not sensible to deem that the r.v. Xi are equally distributed: as a matter of fact we know that the larger is the claim, the longer the lag of payement.However, we can assume that in a subset U of Pn, the r.v. Xi(U) have the same distribution function, which will be denoted by FU(x) or in short F(x).As F(x) represents the probability that a claim sj ∈ U is settled within a period o − x, the function 1 − F(x) = l(x) denotes the probability that the claim results unsettled after a lag x, that is the survival function of the claim.In this study we intend to find an analytical expression of the function 1(x) on the basis of particular assumptions about the behaviour of the adjuster with regard to the settlement of claims.The assumptions will be tested by fitting the function to some observed data.
A Stop Loss Inequality for Compound Poisson Processes with a Unimodal Claimsize Distribution
Authors: Verbeek H. G. 
Published: July 2016

The paper considers the problem of finding an upper bound for the Stop loss premium.We will start with a brief sketch of the practical context in which this problem is relevant.If it is reasonable to assume, that the accumulated claims variable of the underlying risk can be represented by a Compound Poisson Process, the following data are needed for fixing the Stop loss premium:— the claims intensity,— the distribution of the claimsizes (jump-size variable).In practical situations it is usually possible to find a reasonable estimate for the claims intensity (expected number of claims in a given period).Generally speaking, however, it is not so easy to get sufficient data on the claimsize distribution. Ordinarily only its mean is known. This deficiency in information can of course be offset by assuming the unknown distribution to be one of the familiar types, such as Exponential, Gamma or Pareto.Stop loss premiums are however very sensitive to variations in the type of claimsize distribution and consequently it can make a lot of difference in the result what particular choice is made.To gain some insight into the consequences of a specific assumption, it is useful to know within what range the premium can move for varying distributional suppositions. This means establishing an upper bound and a lower bound. The lower bound is trivially obtained if the mass of the claimsize distribution is solely concentrated at its mean. The upper bound on the other hand should correspond to the “worst” possible claimsize distribution. This means, that we have to look for a distribution which maximizes the Stop loss premium.
Mixed Compound Poisson Distributions
Authors: Willmot Gord 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe distribution of total claims payable by an insurer is considered when the frequency of claims is a mixed Poisson random variable. It is shown how in many cases the total claims density can be evaluated numerically using simple recursive formulae (discrete or continuous).Mixed Poisson distributions often have desirable properties for modelling claim frequencies. For example, they often have thick tails which make them useful for long-tailed data. Also, they may be interpreted as having arisen from a stochastic process. Mixing distributions considered include the inverse Gaussian, beta, uniform, non-central chi-squared, and the generalized inverse Gaussian as well as other more general distributions.It is also shown how these results may be used to derive computational formulae for the total claims density when the frequency distribution is either from the Neyman class of contagious distributions, or a class of negative binomial mixtures. Also, a computational formula is derived for the probability distribution of the number in the system for the M/G/1 queue with bulk arrivals.
Citizenship, identity and otherness: the orientalisation of immigrants in the contemporary Spanish legal regime
Authors: Barbero Iker 
Published: July 2016

AbstractSpain is one of the few countries in the EU where Islam has had a historical role in the social and cultural construction of its identity. However, its modern history is marked by acts of repudiation of non-Christian cultures. Opinion polls indicate that certain groups of immigrants from North Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe, but mainly Muslims, are considered to be incompatible with the popular conception of Spanish identity. The reason for this perception is related to the social construction of the immigrant as the ‘other to govern’ by political, academic and media discourses. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that immigration law also plays a fundamental role in this strategy of ‘orientalisation’, namely the attribution of certain qualities to immigrant groups (illegal, antisocial, criminal, inassimilable, terrorist), the aim of which is to legitimise the selective control of immigration. The Spanish immigration and citizenship regime contributes to the construction of otherness, and therefore to the political and legal (re)definition of what ‘being Spanish’ means.
Combined analysis of DNA methylome and transcriptome reveal novel candidate genes with susceptibility to bovine Staphylococcus aureus subclinical mastitis
Authors: Song Minyan , He Yanghua , Zhou Huangkai , Zhang Yi , Li Xizhi , Yu Ying 
Published: July 2016

AbstractSubclinical mastitis is a widely spread disease of lactating cows. Its major pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In this study, we performed genome-wide integrative analysis of DNA methylation and transcriptional expression to identify candidate genes and pathways relevant to bovine S. aureus subclinical mastitis. The genome-scale DNA methylation profiles of peripheral blood lymphocytes in cows with S. aureus subclinical mastitis (SA group) and healthy controls (CK) were generated by methylated DNA immunoprecipitation combined with microarrays. We identified 1078 differentially methylated genes in SA cows compared with the controls. By integrating DNA methylation and transcriptome data, 58 differentially methylated genes were shared with differently expressed genes, in which 20.7% distinctly hypermethylated genes showed down-regulated expression in SA versus CK, whereas 14.3% dramatically hypomethylated genes showed up-regulated expression. Integrated pathway analysis suggested that these genes were related to inflammation, ErbB signalling pathway and mismatch repair. Further functional analysis revealed that three genes, NRG1, MST1 and NAT9, were strongly correlated with the progression of S. aureus subclinical mastitis and could be used as powerful biomarkers for the improvement of bovine mastitis resistance. Our studies lay the groundwork for epigenetic modification and mechanistic studies on susceptibility of bovine mastitis.
An interdisciplinary approach to study individuality in biological and physical systems functioning
Authors: Mygal V. P. , But A. V. , Mygal G. V. , Klimenko I. A. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractSignals of system functioning of different nature are presented in the parameter space (state-velocity-acceleration) as a trajectory of dynamic events. Such signals geometrization allows to reveal the hidden spatio-temporal correlation in dynamics of systems functioning. It is shown that the nature of relationship between the dynamic parameters of signal determines the natural cycle of sensor functioning. Its restructuring displays the inherited features of systems functioning in signature package. The universal differential-geometry parameters and new integrative indexes of system functioning are used to analyze the signatures of biological and physical signals.
Host plant affects the sexual attractiveness of the female white-spotted longicorn beetle, Anoplophora malasiaca
Authors: Yasui Hiroe , Fujiwara-Tsujii Nao 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAnoplophora malasiaca (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is a serious pest that destroys various landscape and crop trees in Japan. We evaluated the precopulatory responses of three different A. malasiaca populations collected from mandarin orange, willow and blueberry trees. Most of the males accepted mates from within the same host plant population as well as females from the willow and blueberry populations. However, significant number of males from the blueberry and willow populations rejected females from the mandarin orange population immediately after touching them with their antennae. Because all three of the female populations produced contact sex pheromones on their elytra, the females of the mandarin orange population were predicted to possess extra chemicals that repelled the males of the other two populations. β-Elemene was identified as a key component that was only found in mandarin orange-fed females and induced a rejection response in willow-fed males. Our results represent the first example of a female-acquired repellent against conspecific males of different host plant populations, indicating that the host plant greatly affects the female’s sexual attractiveness.
Direct interaction with ACR11 is necessary for post-transcriptional control of GLU1-encoded ferredoxin-dependent glutamate synthase in leaves
Authors: Takabayashi Atsushi , Niwata Akihiro , Tanaka Ayumi 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBecause it plays an essential role in nitrogen (N) assimilation and photorespiration, the glutamine synthetase (GS)/glutamate synthase (GOGAT) system is widely accepted as occupying a central position in leaf N metabolism. However, the regulation of GOGAT at the post-transcriptional level is poorly understood. Here, we show that ACR11, an ACT (acronym for aspartate kinase, chorismate mutase, and TyrA) domain-containing family protein, interacts with Glu1-encoded ferredoxin (Fd)-GOGAT in Arabidopsis chloroplasts. In addition, Arabidopsis acr11 mutants have lost the capability to control Fd-GOGAT levels in response to light/dark diurnal cycles, nitrogen inputs, and changes in photorespiratory activity. Considering that ACR11 has putative glutamine-binding domains, our results indicate that ACR11 is necessary for post-transcriptional control of leaf Glu1-encoded Fd-GOGAT. This regulation takes place through direct interaction of ACR11 and Fd-GOGAT, possibly in an allosteric manner.
Universality of the electrical transport in granular metals
Authors: Bakkali Hicham , Dominguez Manuel , Batlle Xavier , Labarta Amílcar 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe universality of the ac electrical transport in granular metals has been scarcely studied and the actual mechanisms involved in the scaling laws are not well understood. Previous works have reported on the scaling of capacitance and dielectric loss at different temperatures in Co-ZrO2 granular metals. However, the characteristic frequency used to scale the conductivity spectra has not been discussed, yet. This report provides unambiguous evidence of the universal relaxation behavior of Pd-ZrO2 granular thin films over wide frequency (11 Hz–2 MHz) and temperature ranges (40–180 K) by means of Impedance Spectroscopy. The frequency dependence of the imaginary parts of both the impedance Z″ and electrical modulus M″ exhibit respective peaks at frequencies ωmax that follow a thermal activation law, ωmax ∝ exp(T1/2). Moreover, the real part of electrical conductivity σ′ follows the Jonscher’s universal power law, while the onset of the conductivity dispersion also corresponds to ωmax. Interestingly enough, ωmax can be used as the scaling parameter for Z″, M″ and σ′, such that the corresponding spectra collapse onto single master curves. All in all, these facts show that the Time-Temperature Superposition Principle holds for the ac conductance of granular metals, in which both electron tunneling and capacitive paths among particles compete, exhibiting a well-characterized universal behavior.
Methodology for Quantitative Characterization of Fluorophore Photoswitching to Predict Superresolution Microscopy Image Quality
Authors: Bittel Amy M. , Nickerson Andrew , Saldivar Isaac S. , Dolman Nick J. , Nan Xiaolin , Gibbs Summer L. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractSingle-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) image quality and resolution strongly depend on the photoswitching properties of fluorophores used for sample labeling. Development of fluorophores with optimized photoswitching will considerably improve SMLM spatial and spectral resolution. Currently, evaluating fluorophore photoswitching requires protein-conjugation before assessment mandating specific fluorophore functionality, which is a major hurdle for systematic characterization. Herein, we validated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a single-molecule environment to efficiently quantify the photoswitching properties of fluorophores and identified photoswitching properties predictive of quality SMLM images. We demonstrated that the same fluorophore photoswitching properties measured in PVA films and using antibody adsorption, a protein-conjugation environment analogous to labeled cells, were significantly correlated to microtubule width and continuity, surrogate measures of SMLM image quality. Defining PVA as a fluorophore photoswitching screening platform will facilitate SMLM fluorophore development and optimal image buffer assessment through facile and accurate photoswitching property characterization, which translates to SMLM fluorophore imaging performance.
Urothelial ATP exocytosis: regulation of bladder compliance in the urine storage phase
Authors: Nakagomi Hiroshi , Yoshiyama Mitsuharu , Mochizuki Tsutomu , Miyamoto Tatsuya , Komatsu Ryohei , Imura Yoshio , Morizawa Yosuke , Hiasa Miki , Miyaji Takaaki , Kira Satoru , Araki Isao , Fujishita Kayoko , Shibata Keisuke , Shigetomi Eiji , Shinozaki Youichi , Ichikawa Reiko , Uneyama Hisayuki , Iwatsuki Ken , Nomura Masatoshi , de Groat William C. , Moriyama Yoshinori , Takeda Masayuki , Koizumi Schuichi 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe bladder urothelium is more than just a barrier. When the bladder is distended, the urothelium functions as a sensor to initiate the voiding reflex, during which it releases ATP via multiple mechanisms. However, the mechanisms underlying this ATP release in response to the various stretch stimuli caused by bladder filling remain largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate these mechanisms. By comparing vesicular nucleotide transporter (VNUT)-deficient and wild-type male mice, we showed that ATP has a crucial role in urine storage through exocytosis via a VNUT-dependent mechanism. VNUT was abundantly expressed in the bladder urothelium and when the urothelium was weakly stimulated (i.e. in the early filling stages), it released ATP by exocytosis. VNUT-deficient mice showed reduced bladder compliance from the early storage phase and displayed frequent urination in inappropriate places without a change in voiding function. We conclude that urothelial, VNUT-dependent ATP exocytosis is involved in urine storage mechanisms that promote the relaxation of the bladder during the early stages of filling.
Effect of paternal overweight or obesity on IVF treatment outcomes and the possible mechanisms involved
Authors: Yang Qingling , Zhao Feifei , Hu Linli , Bai Rui , Zhang Nan , Yao Guidong , Sun Yingpu 
Published: July 2016

AbstractLeukocyte telomere lengths (LTLs) are shorter in obese compared with normal weight people. However, it is not known whether sperm telomere length (STL) is related to obesity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of men’s body mass index (BMI) on STL, embryo quality and clinical outcomes in couples undergoing IVF. In total, 651 couples were recruited, including 345 men with a normal BMI and 306 men with an overweight BMI (normal BMI group: 20–25 kg/m2; overweight BMI group: >28 kg/m2). We found that couples with male’s BMI over 28 kg/m2 exhibited a significantly lower fertilization rate, good-quality embryo rate and clinical pregnancy rate compared to their normal BMI counterparts. The mean STL in the overweight BMI group was also significantly shorter than that of the normal BMI group. The results also showed that individuals with higher BMI had higher ROS (Reactive oxygen species) content and sperm DNA fragmentation rate when compared with normal BMI individuals. Mitochondrial activity was also lower in the overweight BMI group than in the normal BMI group. This is the first report to find that STL is shorter in overweight/obese men, which may account for their poorer treatment outcomes in IVF cycles.
Midline thalamic neurons are differentially engaged during hippocampus network oscillations
Authors: Lara-Vásquez Ariel , Espinosa Nelson , Durán Ernesto , Stockle Marcelo , Fuentealba Pablo 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe midline thalamus is reciprocally connected with the medial temporal lobe, where neural circuitry essential for spatial navigation and memory formation resides. Yet, little information is available on the dynamic relationship between activity patterns in the midline thalamus and medial temporal lobe. Here, we report on the functional heterogeneity of anatomically-identified thalamic neurons and the differential modulation of their activity with respect to dorsal hippocampal rhythms in the anesthetized mouse. Midline thalamic neurons expressing the calcium-binding protein calretinin, irrespective of their selective co-expression of calbindin, discharged at overall low levels, did not increase their activity during hippocampal theta oscillations, and their firing rates were inhibited during hippocampal sharp wave-ripples. Conversely, thalamic neurons lacking calretinin discharged at higher rates, increased their activity during hippocampal theta waves, but remained unaffected during sharp wave-ripples. Our results indicate that the midline thalamic system comprises at least two different classes of thalamic projection neuron, which can be partly defined by their differential engagement by hippocampal pathways during specific network oscillations that accompany distinct behavioral contexts. Thus, different midline thalamic neuronal populations might be selectively recruited to support distinct stages of memory processing, consistent with the thalamus being pivotal in the dialogue of cortical circuits.