A multivariate piecing-together approach with an application to operational loss data

The univariate piecing-together approach (PT) fits a univariate generalized Pareto distribution (GPD) to the upper tail of a given distribution function in a continuous manner. We propose a multivariate extension. First it is shown that an arbitrary copula is in the domain of attraction of a multivariate extreme value distribution if and only if its upper tail can be approximated by the upper tail of a multivariate GPD with uniform margins. The multivariate PT then consists of two steps: The upper tail of a given copula $C$ is cut off and substituted by a multivariate GPD copula in a continuous manner. The result is again a copula. The other step consists of the transformation of each margin of this new copula by a given univariate distribution function. This provides, altogether, a multivariate distribution function with prescribed margins whose copula coincides in its central part with $C$ and in its upper tail with a GPD copula. When applied to data, this approach also enables the evaluation of a wide range of rational scenarios for the upper tail of the underlying distribution function in the multivariate case. We apply this approach to operational loss data in order to evaluate the range of operational risk.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.3150/10-BEJ343 the Bernoulli (http://isi.cbs.nl/bernoulli/) by the International Statistical Institute/Bernoulli Society (http://isi.cbs.nl/BS/bshome.htm

Erstsprachförderung bei Migrantenkindern in Kindergärten: Wirkungen auf phonologische Bewusstheit, Wortschatz sowie Buchstabenkenntnis und erstes Lesen in der Erst- und Zweitsprache

Zusammenfassung: Mit einer quasi-experimentellen Längsschnittstudie wurde bei Migrantenkindern im Kindergarten untersucht, welche Bedeutung die Förderung der Erstsprache für das Beherrschen der Erst- und Zweitsprache hat. Während zwei Jahren wurde die Sprachförderung in der Erst- und Zweitsprache mittels gleicher Themen und Geschichten im Unterricht koordiniert. Zudem wurden die Eltern dazu angeleitet, ihren Kindern zu Hause drei Mal pro Woche Geschichten in der Erstsprache vorzulesen oder Hörbücher in der Erstsprache abzuspielen. Die aufwändige Intervention hatte weder auf die Entwicklung der Sprachkompetenzen in der Erstsprache noch auf die Entwicklung der Sprachkompetenzen in der Zweitsprache Deutsch statistisch signifikante Auswirkungen. Die aufgrund der Interdependenzhypothese von Cummins erwarteten Transfereffekte zwischen Erst- und Zweitsprache ließen sich nur sehr beschränkt nachweise

Shifting the limits in wheat research and breeding using a fully annotated reference genome

Introduction: Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the most widely cultivated crop on Earth, contributing about a fifth of the total calories consumed by humans. Consequently, wheat yields and production affect the global economy, and failed harvests can lead to social unrest. Breeders continuously strive to develop improved varieties by fine-tuning genetically complex yield and end-use quality parameters while maintaining stable yields and adapting the crop to regionally specific biotic and abiotic stresses. Rationale: Breeding efforts are limited by insufficient knowledge and understanding of wheat biology and the molecular basis of central agronomic traits. To meet the demands of human population growth, there is an urgent need for wheat research and breeding to accelerate genetic gain as well as to increase and protect wheat yield and quality traits. In other plant and animal species, access to a fully annotated and ordered genome sequence, including regulatory sequences and genome-diversity information, has promoted the development of systematic and more time-efficient approaches for the selection and understanding of important traits. Wheat has lagged behind, primarily owing to the challenges of assembling a genome that is more than five times as large as the human genome, polyploid, and complex, containing more than 85% repetitive DNA. To provide a foundation for improvement through molecular breeding, in 2005, the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium set out to deliver a high-quality annotated reference genome sequence of bread wheat. Results: An annotated reference sequence representing the hexaploid bread wheat genome in the form of 21 chromosome-like sequence assemblies has now been delivered, giving access to 107,891 high-confidence genes, including their genomic context of regulatory sequences. This assembly enabled the discovery of tissue- and developmental stage–related gene coexpression networks using a transcriptome atlas representing all stages of wheat development. The dynamics of change in complex gene families involved in environmental adaptation and end-use quality were revealed at subgenome resolution and contextualized to known agronomic single-gene or quantitative trait loci. Aspects of the future value of the annotated assembly for molecular breeding and research were exemplarily illustrated by resolving the genetic basis of a quantitative trait locus conferring resistance to abiotic stress and insect damage as well as by serving as the basis for genome editing of the flowering-time trait. Conclusion: This annotated reference sequence of wheat is a resource that can now drive disruptive innovation in wheat improvement, as this community resource establishes the foundation for accelerating wheat research and application through improved understanding of wheat biology and genomics-assisted breeding. Importantly, the bioinformatics capacity developed for model-organism genomes will facilitate a better understanding of the wheat genome as a result of the high-quality chromosome-based genome assembly. By necessity, breeders work with the genome at the whole chromosome level, as each new cross involves the modification of genome-wide gene networks that control the expression of complex traits such as yield. With the annotated and ordered reference genome sequence in place, researchers and breeders can now easily access sequence-level information to precisely define the necessary changes in the genomes for breeding programs. This will be realized through the implementation of new DNA marker platforms and targeted breeding technologies, including genome editing

The Role of Emotions in Managerial Decision Making Processes under Uncertainty - A Systematic Review

Purpose – With an increasing attention given to emotions in decision making processes, this paper investigates how and to what extent they can influence managerial strategic decisions under uncertainty. Therefore, this study explores the existing knowledge and reveals underlying mechanisms. The final aim is to provide valuable insights for the top managerial level (i.e. strategy makers) while at the same time supporting the academic research field by emphasising current gaps and proposing further research areas. Methodology – This qualitative review follows a systematic approach to provide objective findings. 1,200 academic journal articles were screened, out of which 80 were included. Findings – The literature’s current stand remains scarce and inconsistent. It is widely acknowledged that emotions affect decisions directly or moderate other factors that in turn impact decision making processes. Thus, it is undeniable that emotions interfere with more analytical processes in the managerial context. However, no unanimous conclusion could be found regarding their extent, since exogenous intermediate variables come into play and nuance the role of emotions. These factors and their influences are explained in detail in this paper. Contribution – This study contributes to the status quo of this research topic by combining the findings of different research fields and displaying the underlying mechanisms between multiple factors investigated separately until now. On the basis of the analysis, a self- developed framework is created, practical implications are presented and insightful inputs regarding future research are provided, thereby shedding light on a long neglected topic in management

First language support for migrant children in kindergarten — the effects on phonological awareness, vocabulary, knowledge of the alphabet and reading in the first and second language

Zusammenfassung: Mit einer quasi-experimentellen Längsschnittstudie wurde bei Migrantenkindern im Kindergarten untersucht, welche Bedeutung die Förderung der Erstsprache für das Beherrschen der Erst- und Zweitsprache hat. Während zwei Jahren wurde die Sprachförderung in der Erst- und Zweitsprache mittels gleicher Themen und Geschichten im Unterricht koordiniert. Zudem wurden die Eltern dazu angeleitet, ihren Kindern zu Hause drei Mal pro Woche Geschichten in der Erstsprache vorzulesen oder Hörbücher in der Erstsprache abzuspielen. Die aufwändige Intervention hatte weder auf die Entwicklung der Sprachkompetenzen in der Erstsprache noch auf die Entwicklung der Sprachkompetenzen in der Zweitsprache Deutsch statistisch signifikante Auswirkungen. Die aufgrund der Interdependenzhypothese von Cummins erwarteten Transfereffekte zwischen Erst- und Zweitsprache ließen sich nur sehr beschränkt nachweise

Rescue of heavy metal effects on cell physiology of the algal model system Micrasterias by divalent ions

AbstractRecent studies have shown that metals such as copper, zinc, aluminum, cadmium, chromium, iron and lead cause severe dose-dependent disturbances in growth, morphogenesis, photosynthetic and respiratory activity as well as on ultrastructure and function of organelles in the algal model system Micrasterias denticulata (Volland et al., 2011, 2012; Andosch et al., 2012). In the present investigation we focus on amelioration of these adverse effects of cadmium, chromium and lead by supplying the cells with different antioxidants and essential micronutrients to obtain insight into metal uptake mechanisms and subcellular metal targets. This seems particularly interesting as Micrasterias is adapted to extremely low-concentrated, oligotrophic conditions in its natural bog environment.The divalent ions of iron, zinc and calcium were able to diminish the effects of the metals cadmium, chromium and lead on Micrasterias. Iron showed most ameliorating effects on cadmium and chromium in short- and long-term treatments and improved cell morphogenesis, ultrastructure, cell division rates and photosynthesis. Analytical transmission electron microscopic (TEM) methods (electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI)) revealed that chromium uptake was decreased when Micrasterias cells were pre-treated with iron, which resulted in no longer detectable intracellular chromium accumulations. Zinc rescued the detrimental effects of chromium on net-photosynthesis, respiration rates and electron transport in PS II. Calcium and gadolinium were able to almost completely compensate the inhibiting effects of lead and cadmium on cell morphogenesis after mitosis, respectively. These results indicate that cadmium is taken up by calcium and iron transporters, whereas chromium appears to enter the algae cells via iron and zinc carriers. It was shown that lead is not taken up into Micrasterias at all but exerts its adverse effects on cell growth by substituting cell wall bound calcium. The antioxidants salicylic acid, ascorbic acid and glutathione were not able to ameliorate any of the investigated metal effects on the green alga Micrasterias when added to the culture medium

Autonomous inhibition of apoptosis correlates with responsiveness of colon carcinoma cell lines to ciglitazone.

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Resistance to therapy is common and often results in patients succumbing to the disease. The mechanisms of resistance are poorly understood. Cells basically have two possibilities to survive a treatment with potentially apoptosis-inducing substances. They can make use of their existing proteins to counteract the induced reactions or quickly upregulate protective factors to evade the apoptotic signal. To identify protein patterns involved in resistance to apoptosis, we studied two colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines with different growth responses to low-molar concentrations of the thiazolidinedione Ciglitazone: HT29 cells underwent apoptosis, whereas SW480 cells increased cell number. Fluorescence detection and autoradiography scans of 2D-PAGE gels were performed in both cell lines to assess protein synthesis and turnover, respectively. To verify the data we performed shotgun analysis using the same treatment procedure as in 2D-experiments. Biological functions of the identified proteins were mainly associated with apoptosis regulation, chaperoning, intrinsic inflammation, and DNA repair. The present study suggests that different growth response of two colorectal carcinoma cell lines after treatment with Ciglitazone results from cell-specific protein synthesis and differences in protein regulation