On simulation-based approaches to risk measurement in mortality with specific reference to Poisson Lee-Carter modelling

This paper provides a comparative study of simulation strategies for assessing risk in mortality rate predictions and associated estimates of life expectancy and annuity values in both period and cohort frameworks

Microsatellite primers for red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)

In this note, we document polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) primer pairs for 101 nuclear-encoded microsatellites designed and developed from a genomic library for red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus). Details of the genomic library construction, the sequencing of positive clones, primer design, and PCR protocols may be found in Karlsson et al. (2008). The 101 microsatellites (GENBA NK Accession Numbers EU015882-EU015982) were amplified successfully and used to genotype 24 red drum obtained from Galveston Bay, Texas (Table 1). A total of 69 of the microsatellites had an uninterrupted (perfect) dinucleotide motif, and 30 had an imperfect dinucleotide motif; one microsatellite had an imperfect tetranucleotide motif, and one had an imperfect and compound motif (Table 1 ). Sizes of the cloned alleles ranged from 84 to 252 base pairs. A ‘blast’ search of the GENBANK database indicated that all of the primers and the cloned alleles were unique (i.e., not duplicated)

Comparison of CDMA and FDMA for the MobileStar(sm) system

Spread-spectrum code division multiple access (CDMA) and single channel per carrier frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems are compared for spectrum efficiency. CDMA is shown to have greater maximum throughput than FDMA for the MobileStar(sm) system which uses digital voice activated carriers and directive circularly polarized satellite antennas

Population structure, long-term connectivity, and effective size of mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) in the Caribbean Sea and Florida Keys

Genetic structure and average long-term connectivity and effective size of mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) sampled from offshore localities in the U.S. Caribbean and the Florida Keys were assessed by using nuclear-encoded microsatellites and a fragment of mitochondrial DNA. No significant differences in allele, genotype (microsatellites), or haplotype (mtDNA) distributions were detected; tests of selective neutrality (mtDNA) were nonsignificant after Bonferroni correction. Heuristic estimates of average long-term rate of migration (proportion of migrant individuals/generation) between geographically adjacent localities varied from 0.0033 to 0.0054, indicating that local subpopulations could respond independently of environmental perturbations. Estimates of average longterm effective population sizes varied from 341 to 1066 and differed significantly among several of the localities. These results indicate that over time larval drift and interregional adult movement may not be sufficient to maintain population sustainability across the region and that there may be different demographic stocks at some of the localities studied. The estimate of long-term effective population size at the locality offshore of St. Croix was below the minimum threshold size considered necessary to maintain the equilibrium between the loss of adaptive genetic variance from genetic drift and its replacement by mutation. Genetic variability in mutton snapper likely is maintained at the intraregional level by aggregate spawning and random mating of local populations. This feature is perhaps ironic in that aggregate spawning also renders mutton snapper especially vulnerable to overexploitation

Approximations for quantiles of life expectancy and annuity values using the parametric improvement rate approach for modelling and projecting mortality

In this paper, we develop accurate approximations for medians of life expectancy and life annuity pure premiums viewed as functions of future mortality trends as predicted by parametric models of the improvement rates in mortality. Numerical illustrations show that the comonotonic approximations perform well in this case, which suggests that they can be used in practice to evaluate the consequences of the uncertainty in future death rates. Prediction intervals based on 5% and 95% quantiles are also considered but appear to be wider compared to simulated ones. This provides the practitioner with a conservative shortcut, thereby avoiding the problem of simulations within simulations in, for instance, Solvency 2 calculations

Longevity-contingent deferred life annuities

Considering the substantial systematic longevity risk threatening annuity providers’ solvency, indexing benefits on actual mortality improvements appears to be an efficient risk management tool, as discussed in Denuit et al. (2011) and Richter and Weber (2011). Whereas these papers consider indexing annuity payments, the present work suggests that the length of the deferment period could also be subject to revision, providing longevity-contingent deferred life annuities

Evaluation of active control technology for short haul aircraft

An evaluation of the economics of short-haul aircraft designed with active controls technology and low wing-loading to achieve short field performance with good ride quality is presented. Results indicate that for such a system incorporating gust load alleviation and augmented stability the direct operating cost is better than for aircraft without active controls

Active noise control using noise source having adaptive resonant frequency tuning through stiffness variation

A noise source for an aircraft engine active noise cancellation system in which the resonant frequency of a noise radiating element is tuned to permit noise cancellation over a wide range of frequencies. The resonant frequency of the noise radiating element is tuned by a plurality of force transmitting mechanisms which contact the noise radiating element. Each one of the force transmitting mechanisms includes an expandable element and a spring in contact with the noise radiating element so that excitation of the element varies the spring force applied to the noise radiating element. The elements are actuated by a controller which receives input of a signal proportional to displacement of the noise radiating element and a signal corresponding to the blade passage frequency of the engine's fan. In response, the controller determines a control signal which is sent to the elements and causes the spring force applied to the noise radiating element to be varied. The force transmitting mechanisms can be arranged to either produce bending or linear stiffness variations in the noise radiating element

Active noise control using noise source having adaptive resonant frequency tuning through stress variation

A noise source for an aircraft engine active noise cancellation system in which the resonant frequency of a noise radiating element is tuned to permit noise cancellation over a wide range of frequencies. The resonant frequency of the noise radiating element is tuned by an expandable ring embedded in the noise radiating element. Excitation of the ring causes expansion or contraction of the ring, thereby varying the stress in the noise radiating element. The ring is actuated by a controller which receives input of a feedback signal proportional to displacement of the noise radiating element and a signal corresponding to the blade passage frequency of the engine's fan. In response, the controller determines a control signal which is sent to the ring, causing the ring to expand or contract. Instead of a single ring embedded in the noise radiating panel, a first expandable ring can be bonded to one side of the noise radiating element, and a second expandable ring can be bonded to the other side

A Comparison of Three Computer-based Methods Used to Determine EMG Signal Amplitude

Electromyography is a commonly used method to determine relative effort and neuromuscular drive to skeletal muscle. A limitation of the interpretation of EMG within the literature is the many methods used to determine the intensity of muscle activation. In the current study, ten healthy young adults performed a level walking task while EMG was recorded from the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius and fibularis longus. The EMG data were rectified and smoothed using the root mean squared (RMS). Peak RMS (pRMS), mean RMS (mRMS) and integrated EMG (iEMG) were normalized to the peak value within the subject and were used to determine EMG amplitude. A 3x3 repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine significant differences between the methods of determining EMG amplitude. The findings of the current study show that pRMS produced significantly lower EMG amplitudes than mRMS or iEMG values. Furthermore, mRMS and iEMG produced nearly identical normalized EMG amplitudes. Based on the findings of this study and the components of each measurement of EMG amplitude, it is suggested to use mRMS to determine EMG amplitude