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To investigate 2,017 cases of hantavirus disease in Germany, we compared 38 new patient-derived Puumala virus RNA sequences identified in 2010 with bank vole-derived small segment RNA sequences. The epidemic process was driven by outbreaks of 6 Puumala virus clades comprising strains of human and vole origin. Each clade corresponded to a different outbreak region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We identified Dobrava-Belgrade virus infection in Turkey (from a strain related to hantavirus strains from nearby countries) in a patient who had severe symptoms leading to panhypopituitarism, but no known risk for hantavirus. Our findings emphasize the need for increased awareness of hantaviruses in the region and assessment of symptomatic persons without known risk factors for infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We extend the VC theory of statistical learning to data dependent spaces of classifiers. This theory can be viewed as a decomposition of classifier design into two components; the first component is a restriction to a data dependent hypothesis class and the second is empirical risk minimization within that class. We define a measure of complexity for data dependent hypothesis classes and provide data dependent versions of bounds on error deviance and estimation error. We also provide a structural risk minimization procedure over data dependent hierarchies and prove consistency. We use this theory to provide a framework for studying the trade-offs between performance and computational complexity in classifier design. As a consequence we obtain a new family of classifiers with dimension independent performance bounds and efficient learning procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary In this lecture the promoter of the Netherlands Statistical Union presents some thoughts about 'facts and figures', as considered by the statistician. All people have to do with facts, important, remarkable, funny or whatever they may be. People meet also figures, small, great or peculiar. But the statistician has to look at facts and figures in combination. Facts to be expressed typically in figures and figures to be used in forecasting future. The combination of knowledge about facts by figures contains important possibilities, but also some danger. The above is demonstrated in a great number of practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Productivity and Statistics. Introduction to this special issue concerning productivity and statistics. Theauthor gives a brief general survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary A decade of industrial statistics This paper deals with a review about the development of industrial statistics in the Netherlands during the last ten years. Different factors influenced this development: a great need of statistical treatment of problems caused by the evolution of modern industry; the availability of useful statistical tools; the activity of a number of competetent industrial statisticians; the greater openness for new ideas and the better climate with reference to industrial statistics. A detailed discussion of these factors is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]