bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental Exposure Monitoring
Authors: Dellarco Michael 
Published: September 2008

AbstractExposure monitoring has become increasingly important since the mid‐1970s due to greater awareness about chemical pollution in the environment and concern about the role pollutants may play in the early onset of disease. Exposure monitoring methods have been developed to measure contact with environmental pollutants contained in air, water, food, products, and transport media directly or indirectly. Biological monitoring of blood, breath, feces, saliva, or urine is frequently incorporated in these methods to provide not only another indication of exposure but also an indication of internal dose and the potential for the pollutant to cause adverse effects to one or more target organs. Exposure monitoring is a key ingredient of health surveillance and exposure assessment, an integral component of environmental health risk assessment. Direct methods employ personal monitoring devices and collection of personal samples to estimate pollutant exposure. Indirect methods employ pollutant concentration measurements or estimates in various media combined with fate and transport models and assumptions about the nature, frequency, and duration of pollutant contact to estimate exposure. Both are widely used to estimate exposure to environmental pollutants.
Engineered Nanomaterials
Authors: Maynard Andrew D. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Engineered nanomaterials are a product of nanotechnology, and have an intentionally produced structure at the scale of approximately 1–100 nm. These materials demonstrate properties that depend on a carefully controlled and implemented nanostructure; the close dependency between this structure and material functionality challenges how quantitative risk assessment is applied to some engineered nanomaterials. For instance, nanostructure‐related functionality may lead to health risks that depend on properties such as particle size, surface area, and shape. There is evidence that the size, surface area, surface chemistry, and possibly shape of some engineered nanomaterials may determine transport and response within the body. Quantitative risk assessment of these materials will depend on determining when they behave differently from conventional materials, what properties are associated with their potential impact, and how exposure, dose and response can be most appropriately evaluated. At present, insufficient data and incomplete methodologies are available for conducting comprehensive quantitative risk assessments on many emerging nanomaterials. Until more comprehensive information is available, it will be necessary to identify those nanomaterials that present unique challenges, and to use existing information together with expert extrapolation as a basis for qualitative and semi‐quantitative risk assessment.
Dependent Insurance Risks
Authors: Frees Edward W. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
The degree of dependence among contracts and between risks within a contract impacts insurance risk measures that are used to guide enterprises that manage these risks. Dependence among insurance contracts is important because insurers use portfolios of contracts for risk pooling, a basic risk management strategy. Further, dependence among different risks within an insurance contract is critical for pricing purposes. This article reviews several probabilistic models of dependence used in actuarial and insurance modeling. Specifically, regression and copula models are described that can be used to understand dependence among insurance risks. This better understanding, in turn, leads to more accurate pricing measures and better measures to assess financial solvency.
Insurance Pricing/Nonlife
Authors: Ai Jing , Brockett Patrick L. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
The essentials of nonlife insurance pricing are based on the same fundamental principles as applied in pricing life insurance. However, distinct characteristics of nonlife risks (e.g., shorter contract duration, more complicated claim structure, and the possibility of multiple occurrences of an event within the contract period) have inspired development of actuarial/financial pricing techniques specific to nonlife risk area, where insurers cope with a more regulated yet highly competitive market. This article serves as a brief introduction to various aspects of nonlife insurance pricing. Manual rates, individual risk rating, and classification are first introduced. Credibility theory and its use in determining rates for individual risks are discussed. Important premium principles and properties of these premium principles are also presented. In addition to traditional actuarial approaches, we ultimately discuss financial models that are widely employed in this area, including insurance capital asset pricing models (CAPMs), discounted cash flow models, and option pricing models. We conclude with a remark on the integration of insurance and financial pricing.
Large Insurance Losses Distributions
Authors: Fasen Vicky , Klüppelberg Claudia 
Published: September 2008

AbstractLarge insurance losses happen infrequently, but they happen. In this paper we present the standard distribution models used in fire, wind–storm, or flood insurance. We also present the Cramér–Lundberg model for the total claim amount and some more recent extensions. The classical insurance risk measure is the ruin probability, and we give a full account of the ruin event in such models. Finally, we present some results for an integrated insurance risk model, where investment risk is also taken into account.
Securitization/Life
Authors: Blake David , Dowd Kevin 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis article examines the securitization of life‐related risks. It briefly reviews the history of such securitizations and sets out their potential benefits to the firms and investors involved. It then explains their mechanics and examines four recent important classes: “block of business” securitizations, regulatory reserving or XXX securitizations, the issuance of mortality or longevity bonds, and pension bulk buyout securitizations.
Zero Failure Data
Authors: Atwood Corwin L. , Vaurio Jussi K. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract

Estimating failure probabilities or risk when no failures have been observed is an inherently difficult, but not uncommon task. Several approaches are described in this article.

Be content with a “pessimistic” estimate—an upper bound or a conservative distribution. This can be a confidence limit, or the results from a Bayesian distribution whose percentiles match the confidence upper limits, or the results based on a “noninformative prior”.

Find data for similar equipment, and construct an estimate with the aid of the other data. Empirical Bayes or hierarchical Bayes methods may be appropriate. (This method is not limited to zero failure data.) If one must fall back on engineering judgment, a “constrained noninformative prior” may be helpful.

Analyze the parts, ways, or processes by which the system can fail, and use data on these various parts to construct an estimate for the system as a whole. Several examples are mentioned, including structural reliability and various segments of probabilistic safety assessment (PSA).

If a few failures have been observed instead of no failures, some aspects of the situation are greatly improved: we no longer need to be content with an upper bound, and Bayesian results are much less sensitive to details of the prior distribution.
Probabilistic Design
Authors: Van Gelder Petrus H.A.J.M. , Vrijling Johannes K. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn this article, the probabilistic approach to design and risk analysis in civil engineering is outlined. The application of probabilistic design methods offers the designer a way to unify the design of engineering structures, processes, and management systems. For this reason, there is a growing interest in the use of these methods. This article begins with an introduction to probabilistic analysis, a discussion on uncertainties, and a reflection on the deterministic approach versus the probabilistic approach. The article then addresses the tools, design, and calculation methods for a probabilistic systems analysis. Failure probability calculation for an element is reviewed and the article concludes with a description of the evaluation methods of a calculated risk level.
Near‐Miss Management: A Participative Approach to Improving System Reliability
Authors: Oktem Ulku , Meel Anjana 
Published: September 2008

Abstract

Investigations of many serious accidents in different fields have revealed that before every serious accident, a large number of related prior incidents occurred with limited impact and an even larger number of related incidents happened that resulted in no loss or damage. Collectively, these incidents are called
near‐misses
. Near‐misses provide insight into both potential failure points and weaknesses in the management system itself. Therefore, they can be a powerful tool to reduce risk and improve system reliability. Near‐miss management systems (NMMS)s are designed to enable people and institutions to learn from high‐frequency, low‐impact incidents (near‐misses) to prevent low‐frequency, high‐impact events (accidents). A comprehensive NMMS includes several important implementation steps, such as identification of near‐misses, disclosure and reporting, prioritization and classification, distribution of the information, analysis of causes, solution identification, dissemination of actions and knowledge, resolution, and closure of the case. Successful implementation of an NMMS requires (a) strong management ownership, (b) participation and reporting of as many incidents as possible, and (c) use of quantitative tools to identify weaknesses and to improve the system.
Decision Trees
Authors: Smith Jim Q. , Thwaites Peter 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA decision tree finds many uses in the representation and analysis of finite discrete models of risk. In this article, we review the different uses of this theory and compare it with some other frameworks of decision inference. We then illustrate how the decision tree can be used as a framework for an extensive form analysis, in the context of risks associated with decisions leading to the prosecution of a criminal court case.
Hazard and Hazard Ratio
Authors: Ray Rose M. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract

The hazard function is a tool for describing the process of time to failure. Hazard functions arise in the context of survival analysis, also known as
failure analysis
, and provide a convenient way to visualize how the risk of failure changes with age or time. The exponential, Weibull, and lognormal distribution are three of the commonly used statistical models of time to failure. Hazard functions are used in epidemiology, medicine, ecology, engineering, and manufacturing settings, as well as in economics and finance. In this article, the mathematical concept of hazard and typical survival or failure time models are discussed.

The hazard ratio is a general way of examining relative risk. Cox proportional hazard models are examined, and nonparametric statistical methods for describing the relative risk of failure for two or more populations are discussed.
Causality/Causation
Authors: Phillips Carl V. , Goodman Karen J. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Causation is a concept that is universally intuitive, but it is difficult to define and even more difficult to create clear guidelines for inferring it from data. Although much of science is devoted to inferring causation, it is generally accepted that causation cannot be directly observed because doing so would require observing mutually contradictory states of the world. In epidemiology and other social sciences, causal inference can be particularly difficult, and there is widespread misunderstanding of how to interpret evidence for causation. Several conceptualizations and graphical models, including causal response types, causal pie models, and causal pathway diagrams, have been developed to aid in this process. These models can be used to better understand quantitative effect measures and the concepts of confounding and probability. Clearly defining and modeling causation leads to a recognition of some myths about causal inference (e.g., that randomized trials are a “gold standard” or that cause‐effect relations can be identified using “causal criteria”), and reveals how research can be designed to be most useful in inferring causation.
Game Theoretic Methods
Authors: Bier Vicki M. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Protecting homeland security against intentional attacks on homeland security is fundamentally different from protecting against accidents or acts of nature. In particular, an intelligent and adaptable adversary may adopt a different offensive strategy in response to our protective security measures, in order to circumvent or disable them. Game theory provides a way of taking this into account analytically. Thus, security can benefit from game‐theoretic methods. This article discusses approaches for applying game theory to the problem of defending systems against attack. The results yield insights into the nature of optimal defensive investments.
Social Networks
Authors: Banks David L. , Hengartner Nicholas 
Published: September 2008

AbstractSocial networks models are a body of statistical procedures for describing relationships between agents. The term stems from initial applications that studied interactions within human communities, but the methodology is now used much more broadly and can analyze interactions among genes, proteins, nations, and websites. In the context of risk analysis, social network models have been used to describe the formation, persistence, and breakdown of terrorist cells. They also pertain to studies of organizational behavior.
Federal Statistical Systems as Data Sources for Intelligence, Investigative, or Prosecutorial Work
Authors: Anderson Margo , Seltzer William 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
The article discusses policy, legal, and technical issues that arise in redeploying federal data systems, such as the decennial census, administrative‐based statistical systems, or sample surveys originally designed to generate statistical information about the population at large to serve the narrower, and different, needs of intelligence, investigative, or prosecutorial work. Such work, particularly in the context of protecting “homeland security”, often involves efforts that focus on individuals or population subgroups deemed to be suspect. The law and policy of statistical confidentiality in federal data systems guarantee the nation's continued ability to gather reliable statistical data from the public. Technical issues related to study design and response, sampling errors, and archiving practices limit the usefulness of information generated by statistical data systems for many kinds of intelligence, investigative, or prosecutorial work. Examples are provided for assessing the comparative strengths or weaknesses of different kinds of federal statistical data for the field of homeland security and related work.
Obtaining the evolving concentration distribution curves during binary disintegration of macromolecules
Authors: Yeow Y. Leong , Guan Bifei , Wu Liang , Yap Tze‐Ming , Leong Yee‐Kwong 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA general numerical procedure is developed to solve the integro‐differential equation that describes the binary disintegration of macromolecules. The key step in this procedure is the application of the Method of Lines to convert the integro‐differential equation into a set of ordinary differential equations which are then integrated using commercial scientific computing software. This procedure is applied to a number of progressively more complex disintegration kinetics and for arbitrary initial concentration distribution. Its performance and potential for generalization are briefly discussed. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Numerical investigations on the development of plate reformers: Comparison of different assignments of the chambers
Authors: Zhang Qi , Zhu Xuedong , Kameyama Hideo 
Published: September 2008

AbstractTwo compact plate methane steam reformers, consisting of closely spaced plate electrically heated alumite catalysts, have been numerically investigated in the relation to heat and mass transfer. Based on the ordinary heat exchange reformer (HER), where endothermic and exothermic reactions take place in alternative chambers, a developed heat exchange reformer coupled with preheating chamber (PHER) is proposed by integrating a preheating chamber with a combustion chamber. The simulation results predicted that the PHER could be started by electrical heating through a catalyst at the beginning, even with the inlet combustion gas temperature of 298 K, whereas the HER requires a combustion inlet temperature as high as 723 K, which showed the PEHR high potential for simplifying the heat exchange network in a fuel processor. On the other hand, the compact structure of the reformer could constitute a single unite of reformer, which is easy to be placed and scaled up. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Intellectual structure of human resources management research: A bibliometric analysis of the journal Human Resource Management, 1985–2005
Authors: Fernandez‐Alles Mariluz , Ramos‐Rodríguez Antonio 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe multidisciplinary character of the theories supporting research in the discipline of human resources management (HRM), the increasing importance of a more rigorous approach to HRM studies by academics, and the impact of HRM on the competitive advantage of firms are just some of the indicators demonstrating the relevance of this discipline in the broader field of the social sciences. These developments explain why a quantitative analysis of HRM studies based on bibliometric techniques is particularly opportune. The general objective of this article is to analyze the intellectual structure of the HRM discipline; this can be divided into two specific objectives. The first is to identify the most frequently cited studies, with the purpose of identifying the key topics of research in the HRM discipline. The second objective is to represent the networks of relationships between the most‐cited studies, grouping them under common themes, with the object of providing a diagrammatic description of the knowledge base constituted by accumulated works of research in the HRM field. The methodology utilized is based on the bibliometric techniques of citation analysis.
A general response to stressors by the unicellular Tetrahymena: effect of stress on the hormone levels
Authors: Csaba G. , Pállinger Éva 
Published: September 2008

AbstractHormone (ACTH, endorphin, serotonin and T3) content of the unicellular Tetrahymena was studied by using immunocytochemical and flow cytometry methods. The cells were previously treated with different concentrations of salts (NaCl or KCl for 1 h), were kept in low (+4°C) or high (+37°C) temperature for 1 h and were treated with formaldehyde or ethanol. High concentrations of salts (20 mg ml−1 medium), all levels (0.1, 0.05, 0.01%) of formaldehyde and high temperature almost doubled the hormone contents and 0.1% alcohol also significantly elevated them. The experiments call attention to the presence of a general adaptation syndrome (GAS)‐like phenomenon at a unicellular level and points to the possibility of deduction of GAS to a low level of phylogeny. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A method for estimating specimen tangent stiffness for hybrid simulation
Authors: Hung Chung‐Chan , El‐Tawil Sherif 
Published: September 2008

AbstractResearchers have long recognized the importance and potential benefits of utilizing the tangent stiffness matrix of a test specimen in hybrid simulations employing implicit and mixed‐integration schemes. However, the computation of the tangent stiffness matrix during testing has proved to be challenging, particularly for test specimens with more than one degree of freedom (dof). This paper presents a new methodology that is more straightforward and simpler than existing techniques for computing the tangent stiffness matrix of a multi‐dof test specimen. The proposed method is combined with the operator‐splitting method (OSM), and the capabilities, advantages and limitations of the new formulation are demonstrated through several examples. The accuracy, stability, and error propagation characteristics of the modified OSM are also studied theoretically as well as numerically. The research results show that the proposed algorithm provides results that are better than those produced via the regular OSM alone, especially for damped structures undergoing highly inelastic behavior during testing. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Asymptotic prediction of mean squared error for long‐memory processes with estimated parameters
Authors: Katayama Naoya 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn this paper we deal with the prediction theory of long‐memory time series. The purpose is to derive a general theory of the convergence of moments of the nonlinear least squares estimator so as to evaluate the asymptotic prediction mean squared error (PMSE). The asymptotic PMSE of two predictors is evaluated. The first is defined by the estimator of the differencing parameter, while the second is defined by a fixed differencing parameter: in other words, a parametric predictor of the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model. The effects of misspecifying the differencing parameter is a long‐memory model are clarified by the asymptotic results relating to the PMSE. The finite sample behaviour of the predictor and the model selection in terms of PMSE of the two predictors are examined using simulation, and the source of any differences in behaviour made clear in terms of asymptotic theory. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Associations evoked during memory encoding recruit the context‐network
Authors: Peters Jan , Daum Irene , Gizewski Elke , Forsting Michael , Suchan Boris 
Published: September 2008

AbstractAn extensive cortical network consisting of structures in the medial temporal lobe (hippocampus and parahippocampal cortex), lateral parietal cortex, retrosplenial cortex, and medial prefrontal cortex has recently attracted attention in cognitive neuroscience research, linking the network to both episodic memory and spatial processing. It has been suggested that its function may be best characterized as supporting the processing of contextual associations (context network). In this study, we explored whether the role of this network in contextual processing extends to associations that are evoked in a spontaneous manner. In a novel memory encoding task, participants indicated whether they encoded pictures (objects and novel faces) based on an evoked association or based on a perceptual feature. Memory encoding with subjective associations enhanced memory formation relative to feature‐based encoding, and this effect was more pronounced for rapidly evoked associations. Functional magnetic resonance imaging during encoding yielded significant activations in all regions of the context network, i.e., medial prefrontal cortex, lateral parietal cortex, retrosplenial cortex, and posterior medial temporal lobe for the associative vs. feature‐based comparisons. The low number of misses did not permit the analysis of a subsequent memory contrast. Our data suggest that the context network, which includes the posterior hippocampus and parahippocampal cortex, might support the linkage of external stimuli to long‐term memory representations. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.