Independent Claims Research Articles

Reworking Bandung internationalism: decolonization and postcolonial futurism in Burma/Myanmar

ABSTRACTThis commentary examines how futurity has been imagined across politics and political economy in Burma/Myanmar. Three areas are discussed: the revolutionary horizons of anti-colonialists, who combined Buddhist and Marxist ideas of historical progress; the developmental socialism of the early independence area, with its industrial telos and modernist commitments; and a contemporary development project in southern Myanmar, where processes of dispossession are troubling earlier temporal imaginaries. I suggest that a vision of postcolonial transformation coheres across anti-colonial and early independence claims to futurity. This temporal imaginary, which I call postcolonial futurism, promises transitions from farm to factory, peasant to the proletariat, and precapital to capital. This imaginary resonated widely. Today, however, scholars of South and Southeast Asia argue that modernist promises of transition now lack empirical and political purchase amid ongoing dispossession and trends towards low-wage, informal labour. Yet in the wake of postcolonial futurism, responses to dispossession are creating novel political possibilities. Responding to Kuan-Hsing Chen’s call to rework Bandung internationalism in the present, I consider how struggles over dispossession today indicate both openings and limits for the making of new political futures. Integrating Glen Coulthard’s work on colonialism and dispossession, I argue that decolonizing subjectivity is central to this process.

A new model to predict major bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation using warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants.

BackgroundNo scores presently exist to predict bleeding in atrial fibrillation (AF) populations using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). We used data from two independent healthcare claims databases to develop and validate a predictive model of major bleeding in a contemporary AF population.MethodsPatients with non-valvular AF initiating oral anticoagulation were identified in the MarketScan databases from 2007–2014. Using Cox regression models in 1000 bootstrapped samples, we developed a model that selected variables predicting major bleeding in the first year after anticoagulant initiation. The final model was validated in patients with non-valvular AF in the Optum Clinformatics database in the period 2009–2015. The discriminative ability of existing bleeding scores were individually evaluated and compared with the new bleeding model termed Anticoagulation-specific Bleeding Score (ABS) in both MarketScan and Optum.ResultsAmong 119,083 patients with AF initiating oral anticoagulation in the derivation cohort, 4,030 experienced a bleeding event. The variable selection model identified 15 variables (including individual type of oral anticoagulant) associated with major bleeding. Discrimination of the model was modest [c-statistic 0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67–0.69]. The model was subsequently applied to 81,285 AF patients in the validation data set (3,238 bleeding events), showing similar discrimination (c-statistic 0.68, 95% CI 0.67–0.69). In both cohorts, the predictive performance of the ABS was better than the existing models for bleeding prediction in AF.ConclusionsWe developed a model that uses administrative healthcare data for the identification of AF patients at higher risk of bleeding after initiation of oral anticoagulation, taking into account the lower bleeding risk in DOAC compared to warfarin users.

'10 Things I Hate About . . .' Contract Breaches

The critical incident stems from a contract dispute between actor Evan Rachel Wood and film producer 10 Things I Hate, LLC, concerning the film 10 Things I Hate About Life. The producer contended that Ms. Wood was in breach of her Artist Services Agreement because she worked only 11 days instead of seven weeks. Ms. Wood contended that the producer had inadequately financed film, and that production had stopped because of financing; hence, she was not obligated to perform. This critical incident asks students to decide whether the producer should sue, and to consider what claims it should consider bringing against Ms. Wood, including what damages the producer might be entitled to recover. In considering the producer’s option to sue, the student is asked to consider what defenses or counterclaims the producer might anticipate from the defendant as well any independent claims that Ms. Wood might bring against the producer.

A Multi-year Search for Transits of Proxima Centauri. I. Light Curves Corresponding to Published Ephemerides

Abstract Proxima Centauri has become the subject of intense study since the radial-velocity (RV) discovery by Anglada-Escudé et al. of a planet orbiting this nearby M dwarf every ∼11.2 days. If Proxima Centauri b transits its host star, independent confirmation of its existence is possible, and its mass and radius can be measured in units of the stellar host mass and radius. To date, there have been three independent claims of possible transit-like event detections in light curve observations obtained by the MOST satellite (in 2014–15), the Bright Star Survey Telescope telescope in Antarctica (in 2016), and the Las Campanas Observatory (in 2016). The claimed possible detections are tentative, due in part to the variability intrinsic to the host star, and in the case of the ground-based observations, also due to the limited duration of the light curve observations. Here, we present preliminary results from an extensive photometric monitoring campaign of Proxima Centauri, using telescopes around the globe and spanning from 2006 to 2017, comprising a total of 329 observations. Considering our data that coincide directly and/or phased with the previously published tentative transit detections, we are unable to independently verify those claims. We do, however, verify the previously reported ubiquitous and complex variability of the host star. We discuss possible interpretations of the data in light of the previous claims, and we discuss future analyses of these data that could more definitively verify or refute the presence of transits associated with the RV-discovered planet.

El derecho a la autodeterminación de los pueblos en la protodiplomacia parlamentaria catalana: los casos palestino y saharaui

Este estudio aborda la paradiplomacia parlamentaria catalana a través del concepto del derecho de autodeterminación. Sin embargo, no se trata de la autodeterminación de Cataluña o incluso de los reclamos de independencia. Se trata de cómo se discute este concepto en el Parlament (parlamento regional) en relación con otros reclamos de ese tipo, a saber, aquellos en el Sáhara Occidental y en Palestina. Por lo tanto, el documento comienza con una discusión sobre conceptos y definiciones. A continuación, se analizará la paradiplomacia catalana en general y, en particular, su protodiplomacia parlamentaria a nivel de la Generalitat (gobierno regional) y también en su Parlament. La siguiente parte evalúa en detalle cómo se han discutido las cuestiones del Sáhara Occidental y de Palestina en el Parlament dentro del contexto más amplio de esta protodiplomacia. El estudio muestra que existen discrepancias entre los partidos políticos a nivel catalán sobre cómo y si instrumentalizan la noción, el concepto y el derecho a la autodeterminación en otros movimientos de independencia frente al propio debate de Cataluña sobre su futuro. Y hay una conclusión.

Credibility pseudo-estimators

We treat a model with independent claim numbers and claim amounts, conditional on stochastic parameters. Groups are categorized into a smaller number of classes, which likely differ in risk premium. The collective claim frequency and mean claim for a group are modeled as those of the class the group belongs to. For each group we find the Best Linear Predictor, also known as Credibility Estimator, in a generic model covering claim frequency and mean claim, as a weighted mean of the group’s individual estimate and the collective estimate. Assuming Poisson distributed claim numbers and some distributional properties of claim amounts, we find estimators of variance components, estimation errors of the collective claim frequency and mean claim, and covariances between observations, estimators, and stochastic parameters. Pseudo-estimators, i.e. estimators which are defined by expressions that contain them and which must be solved numerically, are given for between-groups variance components. Simulation results, where some of the assumptions are violated, indicate when they are preferable over non-pseudo-estimators.

On the evaluation of some multivariate compound distributions with Sarmanov’s counting distribution

In this paper, we consider Sarmanov’s multivariate discrete distribution as counting distribution in two multivariate compound models: the first model assumes different types of independent claim sizes (corresponding to, e.g., different types of insurance policies), while in the second model, we introduce some dependency between the claims (motivated by the events that can simultaneously affect several types of policies). Since Sarmanov’s distribution can join different types of marginals, we also assume that these marginals belong to Panjer’s class of distributions and discuss the evaluation of the resulting compound distribution based on recursions. Alternatively, the evaluation of the same distribution using the Fast Fourier Transform method is also presented, with the purpose to significantly reduce the computing time, especially in the dependency case. Both methods are numerically illustrated and compared from the point of view of speed and accuracy.

Evaluation of the Present-on-Admission Indicator among Hospitalized Fee-for-Service Medicare Patients with a Pressure Ulcer Diagnosis: Coding Patterns and Impact on Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcer Rates.

To evaluate national present-on-admission (POA) reporting for hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) and examine the impact of quality measure exclusion criteria on HAPU rates. Medicare inpatient, outpatient, and nursing facility data as well as independent provider claims (2010-2011). Retrospective cross-sectional study. We evaluated acute inpatient hospital admissions among Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) beneficiaries in 2011. Admissions were categorized as follows: (1) no pressure ulcer diagnosis, (2) new pressure ulcer diagnosis, and (3) previously documented pressure ulcer diagnosis. HAPU rates were calculated by varying patient exclusion criteria. Among admissions with a pressure ulcer diagnosis, we observed a large discrepancy in the proportion of admissions with a HAPU based on hospital-reported POA data (5.2 percent) and the proportion with a new pressure ulcer diagnosis based on patient history in billing claims (49.7 percent). Applying quality measure exclusion criteria resulted in removal of 91.2 percent of admissions with a pressure injury diagnosis from HAPU rate calculations. As payers and health care organizations expand the use of quality measures, it is important to consider how the measures are implemented, coding revisions to improve measure validity, and the impact of patient exclusion criteria on provider performance evaluation.

Using fuzzy logic to interpret dependent risks

One reason why an independent claim amounts assumption underlies classic risk models is because it simplifies calculations. As an alternative, this paper investigates the dependence structure via the Farlie–Gumbel–Morgenstern (FGM) Copula and its interpretation given a fuzzy logic approach for claim amounts arising from a Pareto distribution.

Struggles of Land, Language, and Identity in Post-Apartheid South Africa: The case of the Hlubi

ABSTRACTIn South Africa, conflicts over land intensified in 2007 when “Hlubi” individuals challenged the sole kingship position of Zulu ruler Goodwill Zwelithini by filing an independent kingship claim with the Nhlapo Commission. In support of this claim, they also established an IsiHlubi Language Board entrusted with strengthening their non-Zulu identity. Based on interviews with Hlubi activists, this article shows that this form of post-apartheid land- and language-based activism represents the continuation of long-standing struggles in the region, and explains that “language” has become a focal point of this activism due to South Africa’s ideology of official languages and language-based ethnicities.

The Spectacle of Gazes: Seeing and Being Seen in the First Book of Horace's <em>Epistles</em>

In ancient Rome, city-life unfolded in a spectacular exchange of social gazes. My paper focuses on the visual dynamics in the social life of Rome through the approach shown by Horace in Epistles 1: from his first letter, the poet programmatically declares himself “watched enough,” dramatizing his claim for independence through a visual motif. I demonstrate that Horace shows a heightened sensitivity to the visual experience: on the one hand, he lays bare the disturbing role that visual ties play in city life; on the other hand, he himself relies on visual interactions in redefining his social role and, above all, his relationship with Maecenas.

Appraiser Independence, Bias and Mortgage Insurance Claims

Appraiser Independence, Bias and Mortgage Insurance Claims

Appeal Against the First Instance Court Determination Brought Independently of the Court Decision in Civil and Administrative Court Proceedings

The article provides for the thorough examination of separate theoretical and practical problems of appealing against made by arbitrazh courts and courts of general jurisdiction in fist instance, as well as in cases dealt with in the course of administrative proceedings. The author examines the history of the issue applying criteria differentiating the court's decisions that cannot be appealed independently from the decision that is subject to appeal. Based on the analysis of legislative terminology, it is proposed to supplement Para. 2 of Part 1 of Art. 331 of the Code of Civil Procedure of the Russian Federation by means of providing for the right of appeal against the decisions of the court that not only exclude the possibility, but also against determinations thatimpede the further movement of the case. The article substantiates the necessity of vesting the right of appeal against the decision on refusal to bring to court a third person has not brought any independent claims with the person who filed the relevant motion in the Arbitration Procedural Code of the Russian Federation and the Civil Procedure Code of the Russian Federation. The author proposes to consolidate in the Code of Civil Procedure of the RF and the Code of Administrative Procedure of the RF the rules similar to the rules set forth in the Code of Administrative Procedure of the RF: 1) the issue concerning restoration of the missed appeal lodging period should be considered by the appellate court (rather than by the court that passed the appealed decision); 2) the right to file a cassation appeal against a court decision (determination, ruling) when the appellate court refused to reinstate the missed deadline for filing an appeal.

Shaping Public Opinion for Confrontation: Catalan Independence Claims as Represented in Spanish, Catalan, Valencian, and Basque Editorials

Editorials represent a newspaper’s principal means of ideological positioning and serve to identify the attitude of each newspaper and its readership to some of the main actors in any given conflict, especially those that are political in nature. Catalonia’s independence movement has experienced a surge in recent years. The turning point came in July 2010, after Spain’s constitutional court ruled against some aspects of Catalonia’s Statute of Autonomy (the legislation regulating the relationship between the Catalan autonomous community and the Spanish state). The ruling annulled some of the articles of the statute. The demonstration in support of Catalan independence that took place on September 11, 2012, was considered the most important among several mass rallies held for this purpose over successive years on Catalonia’s National Day. This article presents the results of a qualitative and quantitative analysis of editorial articles published around these two key dates, with the goal of studying each newspaper’s treatment of political actors and their degree of identification with these actors. Their use of arguments aimed at persuading readers and legitimizing a given position during the specified time periods in 2010 and 2012 will also be studied. The study focuses on the editorial articles published by several newspapers in four distinct regional contexts: Catalonia, Valencia, the Basque Country, as well as the whole of Spain. The analyzed articles were published a few days before and after July 10, 2010, and September 11, 2012.

Ordering the largest claim amounts and ranges from two sets of heterogeneous portfolios

This paper investigates the ordering properties of the largest claim amounts and sample ranges arising from two sets of heterogeneous portfolios. First, some sufficient conditions are provided in the sense of the usual stochastic ordering to compare the largest claim amounts from two sets of independent or interdependent claims. Second, comparison results on the largest claim amounts in the sense of the reversed hazard rate and hazard rate orderings are established for two batches of heterogeneous independent claims. Finally, we present sufficient conditions to stochastically compare sample ranges from two sets of heterogeneous claims by means of the usual stochastic ordering. Some numerical examples are also given to illustrate the theoretical findings. The results established here not only extend and generalize those known in the literature, but also provide insight that will be useful to lay down the annual premiums of policyholders.

L’amiral d’Argenlieu en Indochine, une croisade contre le communisme ?

The action of Admiral Georges Thierry d’ Argenlieu is frequently described in the hinge of the anchor and the cross. Born in 1889 in a very traditionalist catholic family, he was successively a naval officer, then a friar and priest in the mendicant order of the Carmelites ; he acquired a real political theology, which expressed itself in the radical opposition to Nazism as to Communism. In 1939 was called as a reserve Navy officer ; he rose to admiral rank in the Free French Naval Forces. He showed great qualities, but was inflexible and proud. After the defeat of Japan, d’Argenlieu was sent to French Indochina as High Commissioner to restore colonial rule, but there was a claim for independence by the Vietminh, a communist movement. D’Argenlieu had to negotiate with Ho Chi Minh, head of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. More and more obsessed by the communist risk he did not want to see the importance of the nationalist feeling for Vietnam. He tipped over to logic of Cold war.

Games and Fiction: Partners in the Evolution of Culture

In this essay, I argue that the time is right in the philosophy of sport to follow the lead of systems thinking and emphasize the contextual embeddedness of sport, not its distinctive characteristics, least of all any claims for metaphysical independence. Accordingly, I analyze similarities between two cultural conventions—namely, literature (in particular fiction) and games—through the lens of evolution. I argue that common roots can be observed in games and fiction when looking at them structurally, semantically, and socially. I suggest that both games and fictional storytelling were adaptive in similar ways and that both preceded what is arguably the capstone cultural achievement of formal language.

The Spectacle of Gazes: Seeing and Being Seen in the First Book of Horace's Epistles

In ancient Rome, city-life unfolded in a spectacular exchange of social gazes. My paper focuses on the visual dynamics in the social life of Rome through the approach shown by Horace in Epistles 1: from his first letter, the poet programmatically declares himself “watched enough,” dramatizing his claim for independence through a visual motif. I demonstrate that Horace shows a heightened sensitivity to the visual experience: on the one hand, he lays bare the disturbing role that visual ties play in city life; on the other hand, he himself relies on visual interactions in redefining his social role and, above all, his relationship with Maecenas.

Construction of Patent Claims Using Axiomatic Design

Patent claims play an important role in every patent case and it is the core for evaluation of infringement, validity or originality. There are two main types of claims: the independent claims (stand on their own), and the dependent claims (depending on a single/several claim/claims). Axiomatic design is a design theory that is based on the axioms. The axiomatic design theory makes use of corollaries and theorems which guide/help designers mapping functional domain to physical domain. The relation between functional requirements and design parameters is assured by so called design matrix. In an ideal design the number of design parameters is equal to the number of functional requirements, and the functional requirements are always kept independent from each other. When there are more design parameters than functional requirements, the design is a redundant design. A coupled design can became decoupled by selecting different set of design parameters. The idea of construction of patent claims using Axiomatic Design is based on the assumption of independent claims as a part of an ideal design and dependent claims as a part of a decoupled design.

A novel approach to forecast promising technology through patent analysis

Forecasting promising technology is a relevant opportunity for management of companies and countries. Furthermore, researchers in research and development (R&D) have recently considered that patents include detailed information on developed technologies. For these reasons, we suggest a novel approach to forecasting PT using patent analysis. The overall process of the proposed methodology consists of three steps. First, to form technology clusters, we clustered patent documents on the basis of the cooperative patent classification (CPC), which represents a more detailed technology classification system than the international patent classification (IPC). Second, regarding the process of defining technology clusters, we examined the combination of CPCs of each formed clusters. Finally, patent indicators such as forward citations, triadic patent families, and independent claims are analyzed to assess whether the technology clusters are promising. We collected patent data on the wellness care industry from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to verify the proposed methodology.