Delay in claim settlement and ruin probability approximations

1995

We introduce a general risk model for portfolios with delayed claims which is a natural extension of the classical Poisson model. We investigate ruin problems for different premium principles and provide approximations for the ruin probability. We conclude with some specific models, for example, for IBNR portfolios and portfolios where the pay-off process depends on the claim size.

GC sniffing analysis : olfactive intensity measurement by two methods

1995

The intensity perceived by sniffing after GC elution of six volatile compounds was measured by ten judges using two pieces of apparatus: a PC mouse which is moved on a 60-cm length scale and a rheostat apparatus which measures the finger span. The choice of the components mixed was influenced by purity, elution time, presence in food and known Steven's slopes. The histograms obtained by summing the responses (determined by measuring the areas under the peaks) of ten people show no significant differences between the two pieces of apparatus. Histograms realised in parallel by Charm analysis with three other judges showed great differences between subjects. However, the mean of the three Char…

Closing in on the toxic domain through analysis of a variant Clostridium difficile cytotoxin B

1995

Strain 1470 is the standard typing strain for serogroup F of Clostridium difficile containing both toxin genes, toxA-1470 and toxB-1470. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approach to the sequencing of the total toxB-1470 gene identified an open reading frame (ORF) of 7104 nucleotides. In comparison with the previously sequenced toxB of C. difficile VP10463, the toxB-1470 gene has 16 additional nucleotides, 13 within the 5'-untranslated region and three within the coding region. The M(r) of ToxB-1470 is 269,262, with an isoelectric point (IP) of 4.16. The equivalent values for ToxB are M(r) 269,709 and IP 4.13. In comparison with ToxB, ToxB-1470 differs primarily in the N-terminal regi…

Test of the flavour independence of αs

1995

Abstract Using about 950000 hadronic events collected during 1991 and 1992 with the ALEPH detector, the ratios r b = α s b α s udsc and r uds = α s uds α s cb have been measured in order to test the flavour independence of the strong coupling constant α s . The analysis is based on event-shape variables using the full hadronic sample, two b -quark samples enriched by lepton tagging and lifetime tagging, and a light-quark sample enriched by lifetime antitagging. The combined results are r b = 1.002±0.023 and r uds = 0.971 ± 0.023.

Miocene NNE-directed extensional unroofing in the Menderes Massif, southwestern Turkey

1995

Structural investigations in the central part of the Menderes Massif (Odemis-Kiraz submassif) reveal the presence of a large-scale, low-angle extensional shear zone with a top-to-the-N-NE shear sense. Regional ductile deformation was accompanied by the intrusion of two syntectonic granodiorites that have been dated with the Ar-40/Ar-39 method. One hornblende isochron age of 19.5 +/- 1.4 Ma and two biotite plateau ages of 13.1 +/- 0.2 and 12.2 +/- 0.4 Ma, respectively, constrain that extension was already active in the early Miocene. Successive tectonic denudation of the Odemis-Kiraz submassif resulted in the formation of a N-dipping detachment fault, in which ductile fabrics were severely r…

Inelastic neutron scattering study of proton dynamics in Ca(OH)2 at 20 K

1995

Abstract Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectra of Ca(OH) 2 at 20 K are presented from 30 to 4000 cm −1 for a powder sample, from 30 to 12000 cm −1 for an oriented single-crystal. INS band splitting due to the lattice density-of-states is observed. Polarization effects reveal the orientation of atomic displacements for each mode and a new band assignment scheme is proposed. For the single-crystal, the v OH mode and overtones are observed. This oscillator shows only moderate anharmonicity. Spectrum simulation reveals that INS spectral intensities are not consistent with simple normal coordinates and harmonic force-fields for Ca(OH) 2 entities. A new dynamical model is proposed, including…

Membrane vesicles shed into the extracellular medium by human breast carcinoma cells carry tumor-associated surface antigens.

1995

We have compared the pattern of surface antigen expression, as detected by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), in plasma membranes vs shed membrane vesicles of two human breast carcinoma cell lines, MCF-7 and 8701-BC. Antigen expression was detected on cells by immunofluorescence (IF) analysis, whilst, due to their small dimensions, the same technique was not applicable to vesicles. For these structures dot-blot analysis and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) were employed. When applicable, both cell membranes and membrane vesicles were immunoprecipitated and the precipitate (IP) was analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Cells of both lines expressed HLA class I antigens, epithelial cytokeratins, β1 integrins, CEA …

Illumination-related pattern formations in lipid monolayers

1995

We report on the phenomenon that in the two phase coexistence region (LC-LE) of a lipid monolayer film the fractal-like solid domains may grow simply by continuous illumination of a fluorescence microscope. The mechanism of this 2D domain growth is discussed. This phenomenon gives insight into the two-dimensional ramified crystallization in monolayers.

FIA-spectrophotometric determination of N-substituted phenothiazine derivatives by oxidation with a solid-phase reactor of manganese dioxide incorpor…

1995

Abstract The determination of several N -substituted phenothiazine derivatives was carried out by the reaction of the drug with managanese dioxide entrapped in a polymeric material in a packed-bed reactor; the oxidized drug was monitored at λ max . The calibration graph is linear over the range 5–50 μg/ml of phenothiazine derivatives with a relative standard deviation of 0.5–1% (at 10 μg/ml) and sample throughput of 40–48 h −1 . The influence of foreign compounds was studied and the method was applied to the determination of six different phenothiazine derivatives in pharmaceutical formulations.

Stochastic resonance in a tunnel diode in the presence of white or coloured noise

1995

We study the signal-to-noise ratio, signal and noise output levels in a fast bistable electronic system: a tunnel diode. We observe stochastic resonance when the system is driven by a sum of a small periodic signal and noise. The phenomenon is investigated for values of the driving frequency as high as 10 kHz. This is the highest frequency value used in SR experiments until now. In the presence of «white noise», we observe a nonmonotonic behavior characterized by a sharp dip in the output noise level measured at 100Hz and 1 kHz. A similar behavior is predicated by recent theories. We also present preliminary experimental results of SR in the presence of an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck noise. For the …

Genecological and isozyme studies in Senecio vernalis Waldst. & Kit. and S. vulgaris L. var. vulgaris (Asteraceae) from Central Europe and Israel

1995

Summary Genecological evidence and evidence obtained from an isozyme survey suggest a considerable amount of intraspecific differentiation in Senecio vernalis . Plants of this species from Israel were found to differ strikingly from those of C European (German) origin in most of the traits investigated, e.g., in the possession of pronounced seed dormancy, which seems to be governed by a single gene, a shorter life cycle, lack of rosette growth correlated with stem elongation prior to budding, a larger number of smaller capitula with fewer (disc) florets, and an ephemeral habit with plants only flowering soon after the first winter rains. Both accessions achieved a similar reproductive poten…

Kutane Manifestationen der essentiellen Thrombozyth�mie Erythromelalgie, isch�mische Akrozyanose, Livedo racemosa*

1995

A case report is presented to illustrate the cutaneous manifestations in essential thrombocythaemia. Knowledge of the related skin lesions may lead to earlier detection of this myeloproliferative disorder. Treatment may prevent severe haemorrhagic or thrombotic complications. Erythromelalgia is causally related to thrombocythaemia; prompt relief of painful symptoms after treatment with aspirin is typical.

Effects of Th1 and Th2 cytokines on cytokine production and ICAM-1 expression on synovial fibroblasts

1995

OBJECTIVES--To investigate the influence of the Th1 and Th2 lymphokines interleukins (IL)-4 and IL-13, interferon gamma (IFN gamma), and several monokines on the adhesion of mononuclear cells to synovial fibroblasts and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression and cytokine production of synovial fibroblasts in patients with osteoarthritis. METHODS--Synovial fibroblasts were isolated from patients with osteoarthritis and stimulated with IL-1 beta, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), and IFN gamma. Subsequently, we determined the production of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IFN alpha and TNF alpha, and the expression of ICAM-1 ly…

Acute coronary artery closure following intracoronary ultrasound examination

1995

Two patients undergoing intracoronary ultrasound examination were complicated by acute coronary artery closure. One of the complications was thought to be caused by intimal dissection and thrombus formation and the other was thought to be caused by intimal dissection and subsequent embolization. The complications were successfully managed conservatively in both cases. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

High statistics study of ƒ0(1500)s decay into ηη

1995

Abstract A partial wave analysis of the reaction p p →π o ηη has been performed, using a high quality, high statistics data set of 198,000 events. In addition to the ƒ 0 (1370), a second scalar resonance decaying into ηη, the ƒ 0 (1500), with mass m = (1505 ± 15) MeV and width Γ = (120 ± 30) MeV has to be introduced to describe the data.

Permutably embedded subgroups of finite soluble groups

1995

Analysis of Σ=3 and Σ=9 Twin Boundaries in Three-Crystal Silicon Ingots

1995

Molecular phylogeny of Metazoa (animals): monophyletic origin.

1995

The phylogenetic relationships within the kingdom Animalia (Metazoa) have long been questioned. Focusing on the lowest eukaryotic multicellular organisms, the metazoan phylum Porifera (sponges), it remained unsolved if they evolved multicellularity independently from a separate protist lineage (polyphyly of animals) of derived from the same protist group as the other animal phyla (monophyly). After having analyzed genes typical for multicellularity (adhesion molecules/receptors and a nuclear receptor), we present evidence that Porifera should be placed in the kingdom Animalia. We therefore suggest a monophyletic origin for all animals.

A study of the mechanism of the oxidative cyclization of benzaldehyde semicarbazones induced by cupric perchlorate in acetonitrile

1995

Treatment of benzaldehyde semicarbazones 1a-i with cupric perchlorate in acetonitrile at 40 provided selectively the corresponding 1,2,4-triazolin-5-ones 2a-i. The relative rate constants for 2a-i formation were determined by the competitive method. The results obtained showed that electron-donating substituents (methyl and methoxy) increase the reaction rate, while the reverse was found for electron-withdrawing substituents (chloro and nitro group). The reactivity data are discussed on the grounds of two possible mechanisms.

Calcitonin gene related peptide gene expression in collagen-induced arthritis

1995

On a evalue par hybridation in situ semi-quantitative les variations de l'expression genique du peptide lie au gene de la calcitonine (CGRP) dans les motoneurones spinaux et dans les ganglions des racines dorsales (GRD) de rats chez lesquels l'arthrite a ete induite par l'administration de collagene II (AIC). On a examine les effets d'un traitement systemique avec le corticosteroide budesonide sur l'expression basale du CGRP ainsi que sur ses variations dans des conditions d'inflammation. Dans les GRD, l'AIC a induit une augmentation significative des taux d'ARNm du CGRP. Le budesonide a reduit les taux d'ARNm du CGRP constitutif de ces GRD comparativement a ceux des rats temoins non traite…

Reaction of 2,2′-bis(N-methylindolyl) with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and thermally- and photochemically-induced cyclizations of the product

1995

2,2′-Bis(N-methylindolyl) 1 reacts with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate to furnish the 3-dimethyl maleoyl-substituted 2,2′-bisindolyl 2. Compound 2 cyclizes under aluminum trichloride catalysis according to a polar process to give a cyclopenta[2,1-b:3,4-b′]diindole derivative 4. Reaction of compound 4 with benzyl-amine yields the spiro derivative 5. Photochemically-induced 1,6-electrocyclization of compound 2 gives rise to the indolo[2,3-a]carbazole 6 directly, which is readily transformed to the pyrrolo-annelated carbazole 7 by treatment with benzylamine.

A note on risk aversion and learning behavior

1995

Abstract This paper analyzes the learning behavior of a risk-averse agent. We find two conflicting effects in the experimental behavior: a stronger preference for the ex post reduction in uncertainty, but ex ante the returns to information are more uncertain.

Systematic reasoning: Formal or postformal cognition?

1995

The focus of this study was to investigate the relationship between formal and postformal systematic metasystematic reasoning. Shayer's (1978) chemicals task and a modified version of Kuhn and Brannock's (1977) plant task were used to measure formal thinking and Commons, Richard, and Kuhn's (1982) multisystem task and balance-beam task to detect postformal reasoning. Subjects were university students from the humanities and social sciences (N=35). For each subject, a composite score was defined by taking into account the highest score in the tasks measuring the same developmental stage. Findings indicated that composite scores of formal and postformal reasoning were significantly correlated…

Collectivity in ‘‘spherical’’Eu143,144nuclei

1995

Long cascades of stretched E2 transitions have been observed in $^{143}\mathrm{Eu}$ and $^{144}\mathrm{Eu}$ nuclei which at low excitation exhibit spherical shape. Lifetime experiments demonstrate high collectivity values up to B(E2)\ensuremath{\approxeq}100 W.u. among these E2 cascades. The total Routhian surface calculations indicate many crossing rotational bands of the nucleus with triaxial shape at ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\beta}}}_{2}$\ensuremath{\approxeq}0.25 and \ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\approxeq}30\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. The E2 cascades in $^{143}\mathrm{Eu}$ are proposed to represent the \ensuremath{\nu}${\mathit{h}}_{11/2}^{2}$\ensuremath{\pi}${\mathit{h}}_{11/2}…

Photostimulated emission of KBr—In previously exposed to UV- or X-radiation

1995

Abstract We have performed a photostimulated luminescence (PSL) study of a KBr—In crystal previously irradiated in the exciton fundamental absorption band. It is shown that the PSL arises from three types of close defect pair. It is also shown that one of these three kinds of defect pairs is {F, In2+}, whereas the electron centre of the two other pairs has a more complex nature.

Non-linearities and partial analysis

1995

Abstract This paper argues that, where there are non-linearities, the fundamental postulate of partial analysis — the principle of the negligibility of indirect effects — may be undermined: any feedback effects, however seemingly negligible, may have profound implications.

Aceclofenac cream versus piroxicam cream in the treatment of patients with minor traumas and phlogistic affections of soft tissues: a double-blind st…

1995

Abstract The efficacy and safety of aceclofenac 1.5% cream and piroxicam 1% cream in 220 patients with soft-tissue injuries were evaluated in a double-blind, randomized, multicenter, comparative, parallel-group trial. Patients were randomly assigned to each treatment group to receive therapy three times a day for 7 days. The primary outcome measure of pain was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS) at baseline, day 4, and day 7 of the study. Safety was assessed by recording any adverse events that occurred and by monitoring any hemato-biochemical alterations during the study. After days 4 and 7 of treatment, a significant improvement ( P P

Human fetal adrenal hydroxysteroid sulphotransferase: cDNA cloning, stable expression in V79 cells and functional characterisation of the expressed e…

1995

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) is a major adrenal secretory product, particularly in the fetus where it serves as a substrate for oestrogen biosynthesis by the placenta. The enzyme in the adrenal responsible for synthesising DHEAS, hydroxysteroid sulphotransferase (HST), is therefore essential for human development. We have isolated a full-length cDNA clone, encoding human fetal adrenal HST, and constructed a stable cell line expressing it by transfection into V79 Chinese hamster lung fibroblast cells. This cDNA was essentially identical to that isolated from adult human liver, where the role of HST is less well understood. This recombinant cell line allowed determination of the su…

On inductive dimensions for fuzzy topological spaces

1995

An approach to the dimension theory for fuzzy topological spaces is being developed. The appropriate context for this theory is not the category CFT of Chang fuzzy topological spaces or some of its modifications, but the category Hut introduced in the paper (this category is a slight extension of the category H of Hutton fuzzy topological spaces Hutton (1980). The frames of this category allow us to make exposition simple and uniform, and on the other hand to make it applicable in quite a general setting.

Composition-dependent Flory-Huggins parameters: molecular weight influences at high concentrations

1995

Flory-Huggins interaction parameters X were determined by means of equilibrium vapor pressures (measured via a combination of a head-space sampler with a gas chromatograph) and light scattering as a function of composition and temperature for the systems cyclohexanone/polystyrene [CHO/PS] and cyclohexanone/poly(butyl methacrylate) [CHO/PBMA]. The investigation of molecular weight influences on X with the system CHO/PBMA demonstrates that they persist almost up to the pure polymer. In order to rationalize this result, it is postulated (in accord with experimental findings and theoretical predictions) that the dimensions of polymer chains may vary upon the addition of solvent even in highly c…

Electrophysical properties of metal–solid-electrolyte composites

1995

Crystal field effects and magnetic properties of Dy2Te3

1995

Abstract Magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements are presented for Dy 2 Te 3 . By means of crystal field calculations the energy levels of ground state and crystal field potentials for Dy 3+ ions have been evaluated taking the exchange interactions into account.

Absence of mutations in the WT1 gene in patients with XY gonadal dysgenesis

1995

The WT1 gene is normally expressed during gonadal development and specific mutations in heterozygous form cause Drash syndrome, characterized by male pseudohermaphroditism and gonadal dysgenesis, renal failure and a predisposition for Wilms' tumour. These observations prompted us to test whether WT1 mutations are involved in isolated gonadal dysgenesis, being the most severe form of disturbance in gonadal differentiation. We studied 27 cases of 46,XY females with gonadal dysgenesis who had previously been screened for and found not to carry SRY gene mutations. We performed mutational screening of the WT1 gene with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. In one of these patients, a heterozy…

Pefloxacine mesilate- and ofloxacin-loaded polyethylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles: characterization of the colloidal drug carrier formulation.

1995

The entrapment of fluoroquinolones, perfloxacine mesilate (PFX) and ofloxacin (OFX), in polyalkylcyanoacrylate (PECA) nanoparticles could offer some advantages for their biological application; for examples, increasing their bioavailability, controlling the drug time-release in blood, and reducing the formation of bacterial resistance. To load these two drugs in PECA polymeric bulk, the incorporation or adsorption method was performed. These two methods were capable of influencing nanoparticle size, molecular weight, release profile, and drug–polymer association. The incorporation method, particularly for the OFX system, achieved PECA nanoparticle suspensions with a mean size value three ti…

Chiral helical nanostructures based on amorphous abc-triblock copolymers

1995

So far all lattices of regular microdomain structures reported in the literature, either based on binary AB, ABA or ternary ABC block copolymers, can be described using simple symmetry elements like mirror planes, symmetry centers and rotation axes. The microphase separation in a linear ternary block copolymer consisting of three immiscible components namely polystyrene, polybutadiene and polymethyl methacrylate gives rise to the formation of a chiral supramolecular assembly in which chirality is not defined on a molecular (or macromolecular) level but only by the assembly of the linear triblock copolymer molecules. The polybutadiene (7, 12 wt.-%) phase forms helical strands surrounding the…

Eine Mannitollösung als orales Kontrastmittel in der pelvinen MRT

1995

PURPOSE Improvement of pelvic MRI using peroral administration of an aqueous mannitol solution. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated magnetic resonance examinations of 72 patients with suspected or proven pelvic abnormalities: In 36 patients, no bowel marking was carried out. In further 36 patients, we performed a contrast enhancement of the bowel by oral application of 1000 ml of an aqueous mannitol solution. RESULTS 8/36 (22%) patients suffered from diarrhoea, nausea or meteorism as a result of mannitol application. In group 2, an excellent bowel marking of the small intestine could be obtained in 36/36 (100%) patients. Contrast enhancement of the bowel significantly improved delineation …