bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing Individual Unexplained Variation in Non-Life Insurance
Authors: Hössjer Ola , Eriksson Bengt , Järnmalm Kajsa , Ohlsson Esbjörn 
Published: June 2009

AbstractWe consider variation of observed claim frequencies in non-life insurance, modeled by Poisson regression with overdispersion. In order to quantify how much variation between insurance policies that is captured by the rating factors, one may use the coefficient of determination, R2, the estimated proportion of total variation explained by the model. We introduce a novel coefficient of individual determination (CID), which excludes noise variance and is defined as the estimated fraction of total individual variation explained by the model. We argue that CID is a more relevant measure of explained variation than R2 for data with Poisson variation. We also generalize previously used estimates and tests of overdispersion and introduce new coefficients of individual explained and unexplained variance.Application to a Swedish three year motor TPL data set reveals that only 0.5% of the total variation and 11% of the total individual variation is explained by a model with seven rating factors, including interaction between sex and age. Even though the amount of overdispersion is small (4.4% of the noise variance) it is still highly significant. The coefficient of variation of explained and unexplained individual variation is 29% and 81% respectively.
Recursive Credibility Formula for Chain Ladder Factors and the Claims Development Result
Authors: Bühlmann Hans , De Felice Massimo , Gisler Alois , Moriconi Franco , Wüthrich Mario V. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractIn recent Solvency II considerations much effort has been put into the development of appropriate models for the study of the one-year loss reserving uncertainty in non-life insurance. In this article we derive formulas for the conditional mean square error of prediction of the one-year claims development result in the context of the Bayes chain ladder model studied in Gisler-Wüthrich. The key to these formulas is a recursive representation for the results obtained in Gisler-Wüthrich.
Generalized Bonus-Malus Systems with a Frequency and a Severity Component on an Individual Basis in Automobile Insurance
Authors: Mahmoudvand Rahim , Hassani Hossein 
Published: June 2009

AbstractFrangos and Vrontos (2001) proposed an optimal bonus-malus systems with a frequency and a severity component on an individual basis in automobile insurance. In this paper, we introduce a generalized form of those obtained previously.
Mechanisms for the formation of membranous nanostructures in cell-to-cell communication
Authors: Schara Karin , Janša Vid , Šuštar Vid , Dolinar Drago , Pavlič Janez , Lokar Maruša , Kralj-Iglič Veronika , Veranič Peter , Iglič Aleš 
Published: June 2009

AbstractCells interact by exchanging material and information. Two methods of cell-to-cell communication are by means of microvesicles and by means of nanotubes. Both microvesicles and nanotubes derive from the cell membrane and are able to transport the contents of the inner solution. In this review, we describe two physical mechanisms involved in the formation of microvesicles and nanotubes: curvature-mediated lateral redistribution of membrane components with the formation of membrane nanodomains; and plasmamediated attractive forces between membranes. These mechanisms are clinically relevant since they can be affected by drugs. In particular, the underlying mechanism of heparin’s role as an anticoagulant and tumor suppressor is the suppression of microvesicluation due to plasma-mediated attractive interaction between membranes.
The influence of JNK and P38 MAPK inhibition on IL-12P40 and IL-23 production depending on IL12B promoter polymorphism
Authors: Dobreva Zlatka , Stanilova Spaska , Miteva Lyuba 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe interleukin-12p40 gene (IL12B) encodes the p40 polypeptide chain, which, together with p19, composes IL-23. A bi-allelic promoter polymorphism (IL12Bpro) located at −2703 bp of the transcription initiation site has been reported to show associations with IL-12p40 production. To elucidate the dependence of IL-12p40 and IL-23 production on IL12Bpro polymorphism in relation to MAPK signal transduction pathways, we examined the effect of JNK and p38 inhibition on the secretion of these cytokines by stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donors with 1.1 and 1.2/2.2 IL12Bpro genotypes. Stimulation with LPS and C3bgp resulted in approximately equal IL-12p40 production from PBMC with the 1.1 and 1.2/2.2 genotypes. The inhibition of JNK and p38 before stimulation significantly upregulated IL-12p40 production by PBMC with the 1.1 genotype, but did not influence IL-12p40 production from PBMC with the 1.2/2.2 genotype. Cultures of PBMC with the 1.1 genotype produced significantly more IL-12p40 than PBMC with the 1.2/2.2 genotype after stimulation with PHA. Inhibition of p38 kinase upregulated p40 production only in cultures with the 1.1 genotype. Decreased IL-23 production was observed in C3bgp-stimulated cultures after the inhibition of p38 regardless of the genotype of the tested cells. We concluded that IL-12p40 and IL-23 expression, which is mediated by the p38 and JNK intracellular signaling pathways, is influenced by IL12Bpro polymorphism.
Transcriptional profiles during the differentiation and maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells, analyzed using focused microarrays
Authors: Zhong Weixue , Fei Min , Zhu Yibei , Zhang Xueguang 
Published: June 2009

AbstractDendritic cells (DC) are professional antigen-presenting cells capable of initiating primary immune responses. They have been intensively studied and are used in both basic immunology research and clinical immunotherapy. However, the genetic pathways leading to DC differentiation and maturation remain poorly understood. Using focused microarrays with oligonucletotide probes for 120 genes encoding co-stimulatory molecules, chemokines, chemokine receptors, cytokines, cytokine receptors, TLRs, and several other related molecules, we analyzed the kinetics of gene expression for the overall differentiation process of monocytes into mature DC. In parallel, we compared the transcriptional profiles in DC maturation in the presence of LPS, TNF-α or trimeric CD40L. We found similar transcriptional profiles for early immature DC and immature DC, respectively generated by culturing monocytes with GM-CSF and IL-4 for three or six days. We identified sets of common and stimuli-specific genes, the expression of which changed following stimulation with LPS, TNF-α or CD40L. A dynamic analysis of the entire DC differentiation and maturation process showed that some important inflammatory and constitutive chemokines are transcribed in both immature and mature DC. The correlative expression kinetics of the gene pairs IL1R1/IL1R2, IL15/IL15RA, DC-SIGN/ICAM-2 and DC-SIGN/ICAM-3 imply that they all play crucial roles in mediating DC functions. Thus, our analysis with focused microarrays shed light on the transcriptional kinetics of DC differentiation and maturation, and this method may also prove useful for identifying novel marker genes involved in DC functions.
Arginine methylation analysis of the splicing-associated SR protein SFRS9/SRP30C
Authors: Bressan Gustavo , Moraes Eduardo , Manfiolli Adriana , Kuniyoshi Tais , Passos Dario , Gomes Marcelo , Kobarg Jörg 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe human SFRS9/SRp30c belongs to the SR family of splicing regulators. Despite evidence that members of this protein family may be targeted by arginine methylation, this has yet to be experimentally addressed. In this study, we found that SFRS9 is a target for PRMT1-mediated arginine methylation in vitro, and that it is immunoprecipitated from HEK-293 lysates by antibodies that recognize both mono- and dimethylated arginines. We further observed that upon treatment with the methylation inhibitor Adox, the fluorescent EGFP-SFRS9 re-localizes to dot-like structures in the cell nucleus. In subsequent confocal analyses, we found that EGFP-SFRS9 localizes to nucleoli in Adox-treated cells. Our findings indicate the importance of arginine methylation for the subnuclear localization of SFRS9.
The immunosuppressive activities of newly synthesized azaphenothiazines in human and mouse models
Authors: Zimecki Michał , Artym Jolanta , Kocięba Maja , Pluta Krystian , Morak-Młodawska Beata , Jeleń Małgorzata 
Published: June 2009

AbstractIn this study, we evaluated the activities of new types of azaphenothiazines in the following immunological assays: the proliferative response of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells induced by phytohemagglutin A or anti-CD3 antibodies; lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine production by human PBMC; the secondary, humoral immune response in mice to sheep erythrocytes (in vitro); and delayed-type hypersensitivity in mice to ovalbumin (in vivo). In some tests, chlorpromazine served as a reference drug. The compounds exhibited differential inhibitory activities in the proliferation tests, with 10H-2,7-diazaphenothiazine (compound 1) and 6-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)diquinothiazine (compound 8) being most suppressive. Compound 1 was selected for further studies, and was found to be strongly suppressive in the humoral immune response even at low concentrations (1 μg/ml). Compound 1 also inhibited the delayed-type hypersensitivity lipopolysaccharide-induced production of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 in cultures of human blood cells. As there were only two subjects in this study, the effects of these compounds on human blood cells need to be confirmed. In this paper, we also discuss the structure-activity relationships of selected compounds.
An Experimental Setup to Measure the Transient Temperature Profiles in Water Assisted Injection Molding
Authors: Liu S.-J. , Su P.-C. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Water assisted injection molding technology has gradually become an important process for making hollow plastic parts, due to its light weight, relatively lower resin cost per part, faster cycle time, and its flexibility in the design and manufacture of plastic parts. Study of the temperature profiles in molded parts is of fundamental importance to a more complete understanding of many complicated phenomena. This report presents a novel experimental setup which allows the in-situ measurement of three-dimensional temperature field in the depth of molded parts throughout the molding cycles. A specific mold equipped with tubular needles for guiding embedded micro-thermocouples was designed and manufactured. Experiments were carried out on a lab developed water assisted injection-molding system, which included an injection molding machine, a water pump, a water injection pin, a water tank equipped with a temperature regulator, and a control circuit. The resin used was semi-crystalline polypropylene. The in-cavity temperature of the polymeric materials during the molding cycle was measured. In addition, an unsteady-state, nonlinear heat transfer model of water assisted injection molding has been proposed to numerically simulate the in-depth temperature profiles. It is shown that the numerical predictions are in good agreement with experimental data. Experimental investigation and numerical simulations of a water assisted injection molding cooling process will provide an improved understanding of the influence of water related parameters on the cooling process of water assisted injection molded parts.
Sustainable Biocomposites from Rice Flour and Sisal Fiber: Effect of Fiber Loading, Length and Alkali Treatment
Authors: Lopattananon N. , Songkaew S. , Thongruang W. , Seadan M. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Rice flour was modified with water and glycerol in single-screw extruder to obtain bioplastic of low manufacturing cost. Sisal fibers were used as reinforcing fillers to enhance rice flour-based bioplastic properties. The effects of short sisal fiber content (5 to 20 wt.%), length (0.2 to 6 mm) and alkali treatment (5% w/v NaOH) on the moisture content, tensile properties, impact properties, dynamic mechanical properties and morphology of the biocomposites were studied. The results showed that incorporation of the sisal fibers with a fixed fiber length into the bioplastics improved moisture resistance, tensile strength, impact strength and storage modulus, and that the improvement level increased with increasing sisal fiber content. The optimum reinforcement was achieved at 20 wt.% of fiber loading and 4 mm long fibers. The tensile strength of the biocomposite was about 4 times more than that of the neat rice flour-based bioplastic. The use of 5% NaOH aqueous solution further improved the moisture resistance and mechanical properties of the biocomposites, mainly resulting from better interfacial adhesion between the sisal fiber and rice flour matrix. Furthermore, the performance of the rice flour-based bioplastics synergistically combined with the sisal fibers suggests that they have great potential in development of environmentally friendly/sustainable biomaterial products from renewable resources.
Micro Replication by Injection-Compression Molding
Authors: Rohde M. , Derdouri A. , Kamal M. R. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
The replication of polymeric microstructures on a flat surface is not easily achieved by conventional injection molding, because of the required micro-dimensional control and the stringent tolerances of most applications. Moreover, the flow behaviour of melts in micro cavities remains not well understood and challenging. On the other hand, injection-compression molding is an established process for the manufacturing of optical storage media, like compact discs (CD) or digital versatile discs (DVD), with grooves and pits at the micro-scale. The difficulties arise mainly from two sources: lack of adequate filling because of premature freezing of features with very small thicknesses and excessive deformation during ejection due to high friction at the polymer-metal interface. In this work, a study is carried out to investigate the effect of process parameters on the replication of various microstructures on a flat disk using microinjection-compression molding. A commercial microinjection molding machine has been used in the study. Two optical grade polymers poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and cyclic olefin polymer (COP) were used in conjunction with various mold inserts to reproduce the embedded microstructures. The dimensions of the microstructures on the inserts and molded parts were measured with a confocal profiler. A transcription ratio was defined to assess the quality of the replication. The design of experiment (DOE) method was used to obtain correlations between the process parameters and the development of the microstructure during injection-compression molding.
On-line Measurement Studies on Orientation Development and Characteristic Short-Period Diameter Fluctuation in High Speed In-line Drawing of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Fiber
Authors: Hahm W.-G. , Takarada W. , Ito H. , Kikutani T. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
To investigate the orientation development behavior in high-speed in-line drawing process of poly(ethylene terephthalate) filament, simultaneous on-line measurements of diameter and optical retardation were conducted under various spinning and drawing conditions. In the measurement of optical retardation, the order of interference could be determined successfully from the successive assembly of phase shift versus filament diameter correlations collected at different measuring positions along the spinning and drawing lines. Analyzed birefringence increased steeply in the vicinity of neck-like deformation in the high-speed spinning line or in the vicinity of necking deformations in the in-line drawing line. It was verified that the thinning in the in-line drawing line is more effective for the development of molecular orientation in comparison with that in the high speed spinning line. Analysis on the time-course variations of diameter and birefringence in the vicinity of neck-like deformation caused by the fluctuation of its position along the spinning line was conducted to obtain detailed orientation development behavior. This analysis confirmed that the local birefringence is governed solely by the local diameter (or velocity) in the high-speed spinning line. On the other hand, it was relatively difficult to analyze the time-course variation of birefringence near the necking deformation in the in-line drawing line because of an overlapping of unique short-period diameter fluctuation of around 125 Hz, which corresponds to several tens of centimeters along the filament, occurring during the necking deformation. Such diameter fluctuation moves toward downstream at the speed of running filament, and therefore was speculated to be originated from the intrinsic characteristics of fiber materials.
Bionomics of <i>Eublemma amabilis</i> Moore (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a Major Predator of Lac insect and Its Control Measure
Authors: Rahman M Matiur , Ahmed KN , Karim KN Shahjahan , Ali M Sohrab 
Published: June 2009

The moth, Eublemma amabilis Moore is very destructive to lac insect and lac encrustation. The moth is generally white-pinkish in colour and it lays gray-white and round eggs, depressed in the centre. The newly hatched larva enters the lac insect either through one of the opening in the cell or by tunneling a hole through the encrustation. A single larva damages 42-50 matured cells prior to pupation. It completes six generation in a year and causes comparatively more injury to the "Kartki" crop than to the Baishaki crop. The morphological details of this predator were studied. Several natural enemies of E. amabilis have been recorded. Key words: Eublemma amabilis, Lac, Predator, Crop injury and Control measure. doi: 10.3329/bjsir.v44i1.2714 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 44(1), 57-64, 2009
Effect of Planting Time and Micronutrient as Zinc Chloride on the Growth, Yield and Oil Content of <i>Mentha piperita</i>
Authors: Akhtar Nasima , Sarker M Abdul Matin , Akhter Hasina , Nada M Katrun 
Published: June 2009

An experiment was conducted to find out the effect of essential oil percentage content and morphogenesis of Mentha piperita with foliar treatment of different concentration of zinc solution (1ppm, 1.5ppm, 2ppm, 2.5ppm, 3ppm and 3.5ppm as zinc chloride). An experiment was set up in earthen wear pots in three seasons of Bangladesh (winter, summer and monsoon). Zinc solutions were first applied as foliar treatment at 30days after planting, second and third treatment was applied after seven days intervals. Harvesting was carried out at 65 days after planting. In monsoon the maximum increase of leaves/hector (37.31 t /hector) with 3ppm Zn chloride solution and it was followed by summer (23.11t/hector) with 1ppm zinc chloride solution. 28.2% essential oil was increased compare with the control plant in summer with 3ppm zinc chloride solution; it followed by monsoon 6.7% essential oil when foliar treatment was 2.5ppm. Acid value, refractive index and density of oil were remaining more or less same in the whole period of the treatment. Key words: Mentha piperita, Planting time, Zinc chloride, Oil content quality, Plot yield. doi: 10.3329/bjsir.v44i1.2721 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 44(1), 125-130, 2009
Response of Different Levels of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Water Stress on the Growth and Yield of Japanese Mint (<i>Mentha Arvensis</i> L.)
Authors: Shormin Tanjia , Khan M Akhter Hossain , Alamgir M 
Published: June 2009

The response of mint (Mentha arvensis L.) to different levels of nitrogen and different levels of water stress were investigated. Relative performances of different growth and yield parameters such as plant height and fresh weight of shoot as influenced by N-fertilizer and water stress were investigated. Pot experiment was conducted with five levels of N treatments- 0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 kg N ha-1 and four levels of water conditions 100, 75%, 50 and 25% field capacity. Plant growth (height and fresh herb (product) was affected by water stress and different N levels. At 100% field capacity, the highest dose of N- (240kg N/ha) Produced maximum plant height (46.33 cm) and fresh herb product. Lower dose of N treatment decreased the plant height and herb product. Compared to 100% field capacity the fresh herb product was drastically decreased from 103.54 -31.67 g pot -1 at 25% field capacity. Key words: Mentha arvensis, Water stress, N-fertilization, Yield of mint. doi: 10.3329/bjsir.v44i1.2723 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 44(1), 137-145, 2009
Tinnitus Distress, Anxiety, Depression, and Hearing Problems among Cochlear Implant Patients with Tinnitus
Authors: Andersson Gerhard , Freijd Anders , Baguley David M. , Idrizbegovic Esma 
Published: June 2009

Background: While several studies have investigated the presence and annoyance of tinnitus in cochlear implant (CI) recipients, few studies have probed the handicap experienced in association with tinnitus in this population. Purpose: The aim of this study was to use validated
self-report measures in a consecutive sample of CI patients who reported tinnitus in order to determine the extent of tinnitus handicap. Research Design: In a retrospective design, a total of 151 patients (80% response rate) responded to a postal questionnaire, and of these, 111 (74%)
reported that they currently experienced tinnitus and were asked to complete the full questionnaire. Sampling was performed at a point of a mean 2.9 years postsurgery (SD = 1.8 years). Three established self-report questionnaires were included measuring tinnitus handicap (Tinnitus
Handicap Inventory [THI]), hearing problems (Gothenburg Profile), and finally, a measure of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). We analyzed the data by means of Pearson product moment correlations, t-tests, ANOVAs, and chi-square. Results: Data from the validated
questionnaires showed relatively low levels of tinnitus distress, moderate levels of hearing problems, and low scores on the anxiety and depression scales. Using the criteria proposed for the THI (which was completed by 107 patients), 35% (N = 38) had a score indicating “no
handicap,” 30% (N = 32) “mild handicap” 18% (N = 19) “moderate handicap”, and 17% (N = 18) “severe handicap.” Thus 37 individuals from the total series of 151 reported moderate to severe tinnitus handicap (24.5%).
Tinnitus distress was associated with increased hearing problems, anxiety, and depression. Conclusion: Tinnitus can be a significant problem following CI, but that the experienced distress is often moderate. However, a quarter of CI recipients do demonstrate moderate/severe tinnitus
handicap, and thus are candidates for tinnitus specific therapy. The level of tinnitus handicap is associated with hearing problems and psychological distress.