Efficient pricing of ratchet equity-indexed annuities in a variance-gamma economy

In this paper we propose a new method for approximating the price of arithmetic Asian options in a Variance-Gamma (VG) economy, which is then applied to the problem of pricing equityindexed annuity contracts. The proposed procedure is an extension to the case of a VG-based model of the moment-matching method developed by Turnbull and Wakeman and Levy for the pricing of this class of path-dependent options in the traditional Black-Scholes setting. The accuracy of the approximation is analyzed against RQMC estimates for the case of ratchet equityindexed annuities with index averaging

SEDIMENTOLOGICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF HOLOCENE SEDIMENTS, FROM ALIKES LAGOON, ZAKYNTHOS ISLAND, WESTERN GREECE

The study area is the Alikes wetland (an old salt pan) which is located in the northern part of Zakynthos island. In the Alikes lagoon an exploratory borehole (GA-1) were drilled in a depth up to 21.20m. A total number of forty six (46) samples were analysed for their particle size, calcium carbonate and total organic carbon content. Moreover, bulk sample chemical analyses for major and trace elements were carried out on 12 samples, as well as mineralogical analysis for bulk, oriented and the clay fraction (<2 μm) were determined by powder X-Ray diffraction. The grain size characteristics, statistical parameters and TOC, for the Holocene analysed samples, suggest a coastal environment (restricted-shallow) with reduced salinity such as a lagoon margin and in a tidal flat and/or marsh particularly. Depositional environments and the source material affecting the geochemical signature indicating that that Al, Mg, K are mainly associated with the aluminosilicate fraction of the sediments analyzed, Fe and Ti consistent with detrital phases, while Ca, Si, P, and Mn showing different geochemical patterns

SEDIMENTOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS IN THE DELTA PLAIN OF SELINOUS RIVER, ANCIENT HELIKE, NORTHERN PELOPONNESUS GREECE

Fine and coarse grained lithofacies and depositional environments were distinguished in Selinous River delta plain, from sediment cores using an Eijkelkamp percussion corer with barrel windows. The sedimentary sequence of deltaic plain deposits of Selinous River mostly consists of fine lithofacies interbedded occasionally with conglomerate facies. Fine grained lithofacies based on sediment types, structure, color, as well as contact depths and bed characteristics were interpreted as floodplain, crevasse splay, back swamp / fresh water swamp, permanent shallow fresh water lake and ephemeral fresh water lake facies. The coarse grained lithofacies consists of pebble - conglomerates and were interpreted as paleochannels. The Time-Domain Electromagnetic technique, (TEM) was applied in order to define the spatial distribution of lenses of conglomerates, palaeochannels and fine grained sedimentary material to be recognised, at a depth up to 35m. Both the sedimentological and geophysical approaches, in combination with the available geological and geomorphological data of the area, can provide information about the evolution, existence and the geometry of paleochannels of the Selinous River flood plain, and the paleoenvironment of the area of the ancient Helike

SEDIMENTOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS IN THE DELTA PLAIN OF SELINOUS RIVER, ANCIENT HELIKE, NORTHERN PELOPONNESUS GREECE

Fine and coarse grained lithofacies and depositional environments were distinguished in Selinous River delta plain, from sediment cores using an Eijkelkamp percussion corer with barrel windows. The sedimentary sequence of deltaic plain deposits of Selinous River mostly consists of fine lithofacies interbedded occasionally with conglomerate facies. Fine grained lithofacies based on sediment types, structure, color, as well as contact depths and bed characteristics were interpreted as floodplain, crevasse splay, back swamp / fresh water swamp, permanent shallow fresh water lake and ephemeral fresh water lake facies. The coarse grained lithofacies consists of pebble - conglomerates and were interpreted as paleochannels. The Time-Domain Electromagnetic technique, (TEM) was applied in order to define the spatial distribution of lenses of conglomerates, palaeochannels and fine grained sedimentary material to be recognised, at a depth up to 35m. Both the sedimentological and geophysical approaches, in combination with the available geological and geomorphological data of the area, can provide information about the evolution, existence and the geometry of paleochannels of the Selinous River flood plain, and the paleoenvironment of the area of the ancient Helike

Dermoscopic evaluation of amelanotic and hypomelanotic melanoma

Objective: To determine the predictive dermoscopic features of amelanotic and hypomelanotic melanoma

Holocene hydroclimatic changes in Northern Peloponnese (Greece) inferred from the multiproxy record of Lake Lousoi

This research presents the paleoenvironmental evolution of a drained lake at the Lousoi plateau (northern Peloponnese), for the last 10,000 years, through the study of a 7 m depth core. Analyses conducted on the core include grain size, TOC, TN, pH, EC, total carbonates (), magnetic susceptibility measurements, XRF analysis, and radiocarbon dating. Our paleoenvironmental reconstruction was based on geochemical proxiesrsquo; distribution in the core, combined with sediment physical and textural characteristics and later comparison between additional lacustrine archives from northern Peloponnese. From 10,900 to 7700 cal BP lacustrine, organic-rich deposits were recognized, reflecting increased lake water levels. Wet climatic conditions seem to have prevailed during this phase, interrupted by a dry pulse at 9400 cal BP. Transition to more shallow waters was marked at 8200 cal BP due to increased sediment deposition in the lake, with the environmental status shifting to a more oxygenated phase. Overall, wet conditions prevailed in this period and are in good agreement with regional records. In the Late Holocene period, the lake seems to have been highly affected by pedogenic processes, and thus, it was difficult to distinguish paleoclimatic/paleoenvironmental signals.1. Introduction 2. Study Area 2.1. Regional Setting 2.2. Geological Setting 3. Materials and Methods 3.1. Coring Fieldwork 3.2. Sedimentology 4. Results 4.1. Core Description and Stratigraphy 4.2. Radiocarbon Dating and Age–Depth Model 4.3. Distribution of Geochemical Proxies 5. Discussion 5.1. Early Holocene (11,800–8200 cal BP) 5.2. Middle Holocene (8200–4200 cal BP) 5.3. Late Holocene (4200 cal BP–Present) 6. Conclusion

ASSESSING THE SUITABILITY OF GROUNDWATER FOR DRINKING AND AGRICULTURAL USES IN THE ZACHARO BASIN, SW PELOPONNESUS

Στην παρούσα εργασία εξετάζονται ο υδροχημικός χαρακτήρας των υπόγειων νερών της λεκάνης της Ζαχάρως και αξιολογείται η καταλληλότητα τους για υδρευτική και αρδευτική χρήση. Οι τρεις σημαντικότεροι υδροφόροι ορίζοντες της περιοχής είναι ο καρστικός της ζώνης Πίνδου, ο Νεογενής και ο αλλουβιακός. Ελήφθησαν 46 δείγματα νερού από πηγάδια, γεωτρήσεις και πηγές και αναλύθηκαν ως προς τις φυσικοχημικές παραμέτρους (pH, EC και TOC), τα κύρια στοιχεία (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, NH4+, HCO3-, Cl-, F-, SO4 2- and NO3-) και τα ιχνοστοιχεία (B, Fe, Mn, Cr, Pb, Se, Ni). Η καταλληλότητα των υπόγειων νερών για ύδρευση και άρδευση εξετάστηκε με τον υπολογισμό του Δείκτη Ποιότητας Νερού και των δεικτών SAR, %Na, RSC και KR. Το νερό του καρστικού και του αλλουβιακού υδροφόρου είναι «εξαιρετικής» ποιότητας για όλες τις χρήσεις. Αντίθετα, ο Νεογενής υδροφόρος παρουσιάζει σοβαρά προβλήματα υποβάθμισης της ποιότητας του νερού αφού το 20% των δειγμάτων είναι «πτωχής» και «εξαιρετικά πτωχής» ποιότητας ως προς την υδρευτική χρήση ενώ το 33% των δειγμάτων του αξιολογούνται ως «ακατάλληλα» για αρδευτική χρήση. Η υποβάθμιση της ποιότητας του νερού συνδέεται με φυσικές διεργασίες έντονης ιοντανταλλαγής, αφού η ικανότητα ανταλλαγής των υλικών του υδροφορέα είναι αυξημένη λόγω της παρουσίας αργιλικών ορυκτών και οργανικού υλικού.The hydrochemical character of the Zacharo basin groundwaters and their suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes are evaluated in this paper. The Pindos karst aquifer, the Neogene and the alluvial aquifer are the three most mportant aquifers of the study area. 46 water samples were taken from wells, boreholes and spring and they analyzed for the physicochemical parameters (pH, EC and TOC), major ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, NH4+, HCO3-, Cl-, F-, SO4 2- and NO3-) and trace metals (B, Fe, Mn, Cr, Pb, Se, Ni). The suitability of groundwaters for drinking and irrigation is evaluated by the calculation of Water Quality Index and the indices SAR, %Na, RSC and KR. The water of the karstic and alluvial aquifer is of “excellent” quality for both uses. On the other hand, the Neogene aquifer shows serious problems in respect with the degradation of water quality, since 20% of the samples are of “poor” and “extremely poor” quality for drinking purposes and 33% are “unsuitable” for irrigation. The degradation of water quality is attributed to natural processes of enhanced ion exchange, since the cation exchange capacity of the aquifer materials is increased due to the presence of clay minerals and organic matter

ASSESSING THE SUITABILITY OF GROUNDWATER FOR DRINKING AND AGRICULTURAL USES IN THE ZACHARO BASIN, SW PELOPONNESUS

Στην παρούσα εργασία εξετάζονται ο υδροχημικός χαρακτήρας των υπόγειων νερών της λεκάνης της Ζαχάρως και αξιολογείται η καταλληλότητα τους για υδρευτική και αρδευτική χρήση. Οι τρεις σημαντικότεροι υδροφόροι ορίζοντες της περιοχής είναι ο καρστικός της ζώνης Πίνδου, ο Νεογενής και ο αλλουβιακός. Ελήφθησαν 46 δείγματα νερού από πηγάδια, γεωτρήσεις και πηγές και αναλύθηκαν ως προς τις φυσικοχημικές παραμέτρους (pH, EC και TOC), τα κύρια στοιχεία (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, NH4+, HCO3-, Cl-, F-, SO4 2- and NO3-) και τα ιχνοστοιχεία (B, Fe, Mn, Cr, Pb, Se, Ni). Η καταλληλότητα των υπόγειων νερών για ύδρευση και άρδευση εξετάστηκε με τον υπολογισμό του Δείκτη Ποιότητας Νερού και των δεικτών SAR, %Na, RSC και KR. Το νερό του καρστικού και του αλλουβιακού υδροφόρου είναι «εξαιρετικής» ποιότητας για όλες τις χρήσεις. Αντίθετα, ο Νεογενής υδροφόρος παρουσιάζει σοβαρά προβλήματα υποβάθμισης της ποιότητας του νερού αφού το 20% των δειγμάτων είναι «πτωχής» και «εξαιρετικά πτωχής» ποιότητας ως προς την υδρευτική χρήση ενώ το 33% των δειγμάτων του αξιολογούνται ως «ακατάλληλα» για αρδευτική χρήση. Η υποβάθμιση της ποιότητας του νερού συνδέεται με φυσικές διεργασίες έντονης ιοντανταλλαγής, αφού η ικανότητα ανταλλαγής των υλικών του υδροφορέα είναι αυξημένη λόγω της παρουσίας αργιλικών ορυκτών και οργανικού υλικού.The hydrochemical character of the Zacharo basin groundwaters and their suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes are evaluated in this paper. The Pindos karst aquifer, the Neogene and the alluvial aquifer are the three most mportant aquifers of the study area. 46 water samples were taken from wells, boreholes and spring and they analyzed for the physicochemical parameters (pH, EC and TOC), major ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, NH4+, HCO3-, Cl-, F-, SO4 2- and NO3-) and trace metals (B, Fe, Mn, Cr, Pb, Se, Ni). The suitability of groundwaters for drinking and irrigation is evaluated by the calculation of Water Quality Index and the indices SAR, %Na, RSC and KR. The water of the karstic and alluvial aquifer is of “excellent” quality for both uses. On the other hand, the Neogene aquifer shows serious problems in respect with the degradation of water quality, since 20% of the samples are of “poor” and “extremely poor” quality for drinking purposes and 33% are “unsuitable” for irrigation. The degradation of water quality is attributed to natural processes of enhanced ion exchange, since the cation exchange capacity of the aquifer materials is increased due to the presence of clay minerals and organic matter

Dermoscopic evaluation of nodular melanoma

Importance: Nodular melanoma (NM) is a rapidly progressing potentially lethal skin tumor for which early diagnosis is critical