A New Strategy of Handling General Insurance Modelling Using Applied Linear Method

This paper proposes the use of bootstrap, robust and fuzzy multiple linear regressions method in handling general insurance in order to get improved results. The main objective of bootstrapping is to estimate the distribution of an estimator or test statistic by resampling one's data or a model estimated from the data under conditions that hold in a wide variety of econometric applications. In addition, bootstrap also provides approximations to distributions of statistics, coverage probabilities of confidence intervals, and rejection probabilities of hypothesis tests that produce accurate results. In this paper, we emphasize the combining and modelling using bootstrapping, robust and fuzzy regression methodology. The results show that alternative methods produce better results than multiple linear regressions (MLR) model. Keywords: Multiple linear regression; MM estimation; robust regression; bootstrap method; fuzzy regressio

RootAsRole: a security module to manage the administrative privileges for Linux

Today, Linux users use sudo/su commands to attribute Linux’s administrative privileges to their programs. These commands always give the whole list of administrative privileges to Linux programs, unless there are pre-installed default policies defined by Linux Security Modules(LSM). LSM modules require users to inject the needed privileges into the memory of the process and to declare the needed privileges in an LSM policy. This approach can work for users who have good knowledge of the syntax of LSM modules’ policies. Adding or editing an existing policy is a very time-consuming process because LSM modules require adding a complete list of traditional permissions as well as administrative privileges. We propose a new Linux module called RootAsRole that is dedicated to the management of administrative privileges. RootAsRole is not proposed to replace LSM modules but to be used as a complementary module to manage Linux administrative privileges. RootAsRole allows Linux administrators to define a set of roles that contain the administrative privileges and restrict their usage to a set of users/groups and programs. Finally, we conduct an empirical performance study to compare RootAsRole tools with sudo/su commands to show that the overhead added by our module remains acceptable

Trust Management for Public Key Infrastructures: Implementing the X.509 Trust Broker

A Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is considered one of the most important techniques used to propagate trust in authentication over the Internet. This technology is based on a trust model defined by the original X.509 (1988) standard and is composed of three entities: the Certification Authority (CA), the certificate holder (or subject) and the Relying Party (RP). The CA plays the role of a trusted third party between the certificate holder and the RP. In many use cases, this trust model has worked successfully. However on the Internet, PKI technology is currently facing many obstacles that slow down its global adoption. In this paper, we argue that most of these obstacles boil down to one problem, which is the trust issue, i.e. how can an RP trust an unknown CA over the Internet? We demonstrate that the original X.509 trust model is not appropriate for the Internet and must be extended to include a new entity, called the Trust Broker, which helps RPs make trust decisions about CAs. We present an approach to assess the quality of a certificate that is related to the quality of the CA’s policy and its commitment to it. The Trust Broker, which is proposed for inclusion in the 2016 edition of X.509, could follow this approach to give RPs trust information about CAs. Finally, we present a prototype Trust Broker that demonstrates how RPs can make informed decisions about certificates in the context of the Web, by using its services

Analysis of Distance Transforms for Watershed Segmentation on Chronic Leukaemia Images

Leukaemia is a blood cancer that contributes to the increase in the world mortality rates per year. Leukaemia can be divided into two major types which are acute and chronic leukaemia. This disease is caused by the excessive production of abnormal white blood cells (WBCs); hence these cells play a major role in the screening and diagnosis of leukaemia disease. Leukaemia screening requires the complete blood count process. However, due to the cells complex nature in chronic leukaemia which is overlapped, it would be difficult to obtain the accurate number of the WBCs for the screening process. Therefore, this paper proposes an automated WBCs counting with analysis of watershed segmentation for the screening of chronic leukaemia images. The segmentation approach consists of a few steps; (1) colour conversion, (2) image segmentation, (3) noise removal and (4) separation of overlapping WBCs. In this paper, three different distance transforms for watershed segmentation known as Euclidean, city block and chessboard have been analysed in order to find the best approach which is capable of separating the overlapping WBCs. The experimental results show that segmentation using watershed based on Euclidean has successfully segmented 50 blood images with average counting accuracy of 99.81%, as compared to the city block (91.09%) and chessboard (98.78%). Thus, the proposed procedures with watershed segmentation provide an efficient alternative in enhancing the accuracy of the WBCs count for leukaemia screening

Integrin‐Targeted, Short Interfering RNA Nanocomplexes for Neuroblastoma Tumor‐Specific Delivery Achieve MYCN Silencing with Improved Survival

The authors aim to develop siRNA therapeutics for cancer that can be administered systemically to target tumors and retard their growth. The efficacy of systemic delivery of siRNA to tumors with nanoparticles based on lipids or polymers is often compromised by their rapid clearance from the circulation by the liver. Here, multifunctional cationic and anionic siRNA nanoparticle formulations are described, termed receptor‐targeted nanocomplexes (RTNs), that comprise peptides for siRNA packaging into nanoparticles and receptor‐mediated cell uptake, together with lipids that confer nanoparticles with stealth properties to enhance stability in the circulation, and fusogenic properties to enhance endosomal release within the cell. Intravenous administration of RTNs in mice leads to predominant accumulation in xenograft tumors, with very little detected in the liver, lung, or spleen. Although non‐targeted RTNs also enter the tumor, cell uptake appears to be RGD peptide‐dependent indicating integrin‐mediated uptake. RTNs with siRNA against MYCN (a member of the Myc family of transcription factors) in mice with MYCN‐amplified neuroblastoma tumors show significant retardation of xenograft tumor growth and enhanced survival. This study shows that RTN formulations can achieve specific tumor‐targeting, with minimal clearance by the liver and so enable delivery of tumor‐targeted siRNA therapeutics

Phylogeography of cliff racer (Platyceps rhodorachis Jan, 1865) from Punjab, Pakistan

The present study reports the existence of cliff racer, Platyceps rhodorachis from the plains of Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 10 specimens were captured during the field surveys from June to September, 2018 from different sites of Punjab. Platyceps rhodorachis was identify on the basis of morphology and confirmed through COI gene sequences. The obtained DNA sequences have shown reliable and exact species identification. Newly produced DNA sequences of Platyceps rhodorachis were submitted to GenBank and accession numbers were obtained (MK936174.1, MK941839.1 and MT790210.1). N-J tree based on COI sequences of Platyceps rhodorachis clearly separated as out-group with other members of family Colubridae based on p-distance. The intra-specific genetic variation ranges from 12% to 18%. The DNA sequences of Platyceps rhodorachis kashmirensis, Platyceps rhodorachis ladacensis, Platyceps ventromaculatus, Platyceps ventromaculatus bengalensis and Platyceps ventromaculatus indusai are not available at NCBI to validate their taxonomic positions. In our recommendations, a large scale molecular based identification of Pakistan’s herpetofauna is required to report more new or subspecies from country.S. Malika, A. Javida, Hamidullahb, M. A. Iqbalc, A. Hussaina, S. M. Bukharia, A. L. Chaberd, F. Hemmatzadehd, N. Ismate, A. Alif, S. M. Azamg, G. Mustafaa, S. Hussaina, U. Ahmada, A. Ahmadh, and W. Ali

Rational speculative bubble size in Hang Seng, S&P500 and Nikkei 225 index trend from year 1976 until 2016

Rational speculative bubble size happens when the prices of an asset surpass its intrinsic value. This bubbles are harmful when burst because its gives a big impact towards the economic. The aims of this study is to show the size of rational speculative bubble existed from year 1976 until 2016. The period are separated into four which are the first cycle is from 1/11976 to 6/12/1987, the second cycle happen in 7/12/1987 to 12/8/1998, 13/8/1998 to 26/10/2008 for the third cycle and 27/10/2008 to 31/12/2016 for the fourth cycle. This study is also emphasizing on the trend of the rational speculative bubble from one cycle to another cycle. This bubbles size was studied in three markets which are Hang Seng, S&P 500 and Nikkei 225 by using generalized Johansen-Ledoit-Sornette model

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Isoprene hotspots at the Western Coast of Antarctic Peninsula during MASEC′16

Isoprene (C5H8) plays an important role in the formation of surface ozone (O3) and the secondary organic aerosol (SOA) which contributed to the climate change. This study aims to determine hourly distribution of tropospheric isoprene over the Western Coast of Antarctic Peninsula (WCAP) during the Malaysian Antarctic Scientific Expedition Cruise 2016 (MASEC′16). In-situ measurements of isoprene were taken using a custom-built gas chromatography with photoionization detector, known as iDirac. Biological parameters such as chlorophyll a (chl-a) and particulate organic carbon (POC) were compared to the in-situ isoprene measurements. Significant positive correlation was observed between isoprene and POC concentrations (r2 = 0.67, p < 0.001), but not between isoprene and chl-a. The hotspots of isoprene over maritime Antarctic were then were investigated using NAME dispersion model reanalysis. Measurements showed that isoprene mixing ratio were the highest over region of King George Island, Deception Island and Booth Island with values of ∼5.0, ∼0.9 and ∼5.2 ppb, respectively. Backward trajectory analysis showed that air masses may have lifted the isoprene emitted by marine algae. We believe our findings provide valuable data set of isoprene estimation over the under sampled WCAP