Motivations, Classification and Model Trial of Conversational Agents for Insurance Companies

Advances in artificial intelligence have renewed interest in conversational agents. So-called chatbots have reached maturity for industrial applications. German insurance companies are interested in improving their customer service and digitizing their business processes. In this work we investigate the potential use of conversational agents in insurance companies by determining which classes of agents are of interest to insurance companies, finding relevant use cases and requirements, and developing a prototype for an exemplary insurance scenario. Based on this approach, we derive key findings for conversational agent implementation in insurance companies.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure, accepted for presentation at The International Conference on Agents and Artificial Intelligence 2019 (ICAART 2019

Characterizing the Dynamics of Otto Glacier, Ellesmere Island, Canadian High Arctic: 1992-2020

The mass loss observed from glaciers in the Canadian Arctic is unprecedented over recent decades (Hugonnet et al., 2021) and is the third largest contributor to global sea level rise (Derksen et al., 2019). One way in which glaciers lose mass to the ocean is through dynamic discharge, which involves the calving of icebergs to the ocean. Glacier dynamics in the Canadian Arctic have undergone limited study, especially surge-type glaciers, which oscillate between periods of fast flow and slow flow. Detailed studies of individual surge-type glaciers can enhance knowledge of how and why glaciers surge. As such, this thesis analyzed the surge cycle of Otto Glacier on northern Ellesmere Island in Nunavut, Canada, from 1992-2020. The analysis included velocity measurements from 1992-2020, which used data from optical and radar imagery. Three phases were identified for the study period: the fast flow phase (1992-2008), the deceleration phase (2009-2017), and the quiescent phase (2018-2020). Maximum velocities occurred within the lowermost ~6 km of the glacier during the fast flow phase (700-1300 m/yr), and minimum velocities (1-80 m/yr) were noted along the entire glacier during the quiescent phase. Terminus extent, analyzed with optical and radar imagery, advanced by 1545 m during the fast flow phase, and retreated by 1408 m by the end of the quiescent phase. Rates of glacier surface elevation change, obtained from pre-generated elevation products by Hugonnet et al. (2021), showed surface elevation lowering in the lowermost ~6 km of the glacier and thickening upglacier that was progressive over the study period. Analysis of bedrock topography found a v-shaped sill spanning ~4-8 km upglacier from the terminus, which was inferred to have influenced terminus retreat, glacier thickness, and subsequently velocity variability. The findings provide a detailed characterization of the surge cycle phases for Otto Glacier and suggest a possible surge mechanism, which has not previously been explored in depth

Editorial: Die Dokumentarische Methode in der kindheitspädagogischen Forschung

Das Editorial stellt die Kontur und die Beiträge des Themenhefts zu den dokumentarischen Methoden des Fallarchiv Kindheitspädagogische Forschung vor

Videointerpretation als mehrdimensionale Mikroanalyse am Beispiel schulischer Alltagsszenen

'Trotz der beachtlichen Reichweite der Videografie in den Sozialwissenschaften steht eine methodologische Reflexion hinsichtlich der spezifischen Qualität des videografischen Materials und der Methoden der Videoanalyse erst am Anfang. Als ein Verfahren, das sowohl auditive als auch visuelle, auf Körperlichkeit, ikonische Szenerien und Prozesse bezogene 'Daten' konserviert, zeichnet sich die Videografie dadurch aus, die in sozialen Situationen vorzufindende Verschränkung von Sequenzialität und Simultaneität weitgehend zu bewahren. Auf der Grundlage einer empirischen Studie zur Performativität ritueller Praxen von Kindern in der Grundschule wird in dem Beitrag die Methode der Dokumentarischen Videointerpretation als ein mikroanalytisches Verfahren vorgestellt, das neben der Sequenzialität auch explizit die im Material vorzufindende Simultanstruktur berücksichtigt und darauf gerichtet ist, die mehrdimensionale, performative Einbindung der Akteure in konjunktive Erfahrungsräume und in institutionelle Kontexte herauszuarbeiten.' (Autorenreferat)'Despite the extensive and increasing use of video recording in the social sciences, methodological reflection on the particular quality of video material and on the methods of video analysis is still in the early stages of development. Videography allows us to preserve audio as well as visual data, and to record information relating to physical behavior as well as iconic scenery and processes. One of the main advantages of video is that it makes it possible to record both the sequential structure and the simultaneity occurring in social situations. Based on an empirical study concerning the performativity of elementary school children's ritual practices, this article presents documentary video interpretation as a microanalytical method which considers not only sequential structure, but also the structure of simultaneity in video material. The multidimensional, performative involvement of social actors in conjunctive collective practices and institutional contexts is analysed.' (author's abstract

ERK Activation and Cell Growth Require CaM Kinases in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Previous studies on MCF-7 breast cancer cells have shown that the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) agonist carbachol increases intracellular calcium levels and the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Calcium and calmodulin regulate the calcium/calmodulin- dependent kinase (CaM kinase) family of proteins that have been proposed to regulate ERK and gene transcription. Our results suggest that both estrogen (E2) and carbachol treatment of MCF-7 breast cancer cells trigger phosphorylation of ERK I /2 and the transcription factor Elk-1. Carbachol and estrogen triggered nearly a four- to sixfold increase in MCF-7 cell proliferation by 96 h, respectively. Carbachol-stimulated ERK activation and cell growth was completely blocked by the Muscarinic M3- subtype GPCR inhibitor, 4-DAMP, and siRNA against the M3-subtype GPCR. Interestingly, blockade of CaM KK with the selective inhibitor ST0-609 prevented carbachol activation CaM KI, ERK, Elk-1 , and cell gro\vth. Consistent with these observations, knockdown of CaM KKa and CaM Kly with shRNA-containing plas1nids blocked ERK activation by carbachol. In addition, Elk-I phosphorylation and luciferase activity in response to carbachol treat1nent was also dependent upon CaM kinases and was inhibited by U0126, ST0-609, and siRNA knockdown of CaM kinases and ERK2. Finally, blockade of either CaM KK (with ST0-609) or ERK (with U0126) activities resulted in the inhibition of carbachol- and estrogen-mediated cyclin Dl expression and MCF-7 cell growth. Taken together, our results suggest that carbachol treatment of MCF-7 cells activates CaM KI, ERK, the transcription factor Elk-1 , cyclin D 1, and cell grovvth through CaM KK

Field testing of a multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) framework for coverage of a screening test for cervical cancer in South Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Systematic and transparent approaches to priority setting are needed, particularly in low-resource settings, to produce decisions that are sound and acceptable to stakeholders. The EVIDEM framework brings together Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) by proposing a comprehensive set of decision criteria together with standardized processes to support decisionmaking. The objective of the study was to field test the framework for decisionmaking on a screening test by a private health plan in South Africa.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Liquid-based cytology (LBC) for cervical cancer screening was selected by the health plan for this field test. An HTA report structured by decision criterion (14 criteria organized in the MCDA matrix and 4 contextual criteria) was produced based on a literature review and input from the health plan. During workshop sessions, committee members 1) weighted each MCDA decision criterion to express their individual perspectives, and 2) to appraise LBC, assigned scores to each MCDA criterion on the basis of the by-criterion HTA report.</p> <p>Committee members then considered the potential impacts of four contextual criteria on the use of LBC in the context of their health plan. Feedback on the framework and process was collected through discussion and from a questionnaire.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>For 9 of the MCDA matrix decision criteria, 89% or more of committee members thought they should always be considered in decisionmaking. Greatest weights were given to the criteria "Budget impact", "Cost-effectiveness" and "Completeness and consistency of reporting evidence". When appraising LBC for cervical cancer screening, the committee assigned the highest scores to "Relevance and validity of evidence" and "Disease severity". Combination of weights and scores yielded a mean MCDA value estimate of 46% (SD 7%) of the potential maximum value. Overall, the committee felt the framework brought greater clarity to the decisionmaking process and was easily adaptable to different types of health interventions.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The EVIDEM framework was easily adapted to evaluating a screening technology in South Africa, thereby broadening its applicability in healthcare decision making.</p