The Impact of Surplus Distribution on the Risk Exposure of With Profit Life Insurance Policies Including Interest Rate Guarantees

This paper analyzes the numerical impact of different surplus distribution mechanisms on the risk exposure of a life insurance company selling with profit life insurance policies with a cliquet-style interest rate guarantee. Three representative companies are considered, each using a different type of surplus distribution: A mechanism, where the guaranteed interest rate also applies to surplus that has been credited in the past, a slightly less restrictive type in which a guaranteed rate of interest of 0% applies to past surplus, and a third mechanism that allows for the company to use former surplus in order to compensate for underperformance in “bad” years. Our study demonstrates that regulators should be very careful in deciding which design of a distribution mechanism is to be enforced. Within our model framework, a distribution mechanism of the third type yields preferable results with respect to the considered risk measure. In particular, throughout the analysis, our representative company 3 faces ceteris paribus a significantly lower shortfall risk than the other two companies. Requiring “strong” guarantees puts companies at a significant competitive disad¬vantage relative to insurers which are subject to regulation that only requires the third type of surplus distribution mechanism. This is particularly true, if annual minimum participation in the insurer’s investment returns is mandatory for long term contracts

The Impact of Surplus Distribution on the Risk Exposure of With Profit Life Insurance Policies Including Interest Rate Guarantees

This paper analyzes the numerical impact of different surplus distribution mechanisms on the risk exposure of a life insurance company selling with profit life insurance policies with a cliquet-style interest rate guarantee. Three representative companies are considered, each using a different type of surplus distribution: A mechanism, where the guaranteed interest rate also applies to surplus that has been credited in the past, a slightly less restrictive type in which a guaranteed rate of interest of 0% applies to past surplus, and a third mechanism that allows for the company to use former surplus in order to compensate for underperformance in “bad” years. Our study demonstrates that regulators should be very careful in deciding which design of a distribution mechanism is to be enforced. Within our model framework, a distribution mechanism of the third type yields preferable results with respect to the considered risk measure. In particular, throughout the analysis, our representative company 3 faces ceteris paribus a significantly lower shortfall risk than the other two companies. Requiring “strong” guarantees puts companies at a significant competitive disad¬vantage relative to insurers which are subject to regulation that only requires the third type of surplus distribution mechanism. This is particularly true, if annual minimum participation in the insurer’s investment returns is mandatory for long term contracts.life insurance; interest guarantees; surplus distribution

Improved computations for relationship inference using low-coverage sequencing data

Pedigree inference, for example determining whether two persons are second cousins or unrelated, can be done by comparing their genotypes at a selection of genetic markers. When the data for one or more of the persons is from low-coverage next generation sequencing (lcNGS), currently available computational methods either ignore genetic linkage or do not take advantage of the probabilistic nature of lcNGS data, relying instead on first estimating the genotype. We provide a method and software (see familias.name/lcNGS) bridging the above gap. Simulations indicate how our results are considerably more accurate compared to some previously available alternatives. Our method, utilizing a version of the Lander-Green algorithm, uses a group of symmetries to speed up calculations. This group may be of further interest in other calculations involving linked loci

5.10 How do Regulatory Requirements and Assumptions Correlate to Practical Experience in Residue Studies with Nectar and Pollen?

Residues of pesticides detected in pollen and nectar (bee relevant matrices) represent a realistic research approach to estimate pollinator exposure. Therefore, a robust and reliable method to sample and measure these residues is part of risk assessment schemes in several parts of the world. EFSA guidance for pollinators was the first risk assessment to allow for the refinements of the expected residue values during exposure. EPA as well as IBAMA followed suite and proposed in vivo refinements for residue values. To achieve this goal nectar and pollen from plant species have to be collected in sufficient amounts to allow for residue analysis. Several methods are available for the collection of bee matrices. We list general methods developed to sample pollen and nectar, focus on some common issues encountered during the conduct of these studies and place the measurements derived from these studies into a risk assessment context. With all the information available now it would be a useful task to compare residue levels in matrices collected manually and with the help of pollinators to give advice for guidance document refinements and help to approve the design of studies in the future.Residues of pesticides detected in pollen and nectar (bee relevant matrices) represent a realistic research approach to estimate pollinator exposure. Therefore, a robust and reliable method to sample and measure these residues is part of risk assessment schemes in several parts of the world. EFSA guidance for pollinators was the first risk assessment to allow for the refinements of the expected residue values during exposure. EPA as well as IBAMA followed suite and proposed in vivo refinements for residue values. To achieve this goal nectar and pollen from plant species have to be collected in sufficient amounts to allow for residue analysis. Several methods are available for the collection of bee matrices. We list general methods developed to sample pollen and nectar, focus on some common issues encountered during the conduct of these studies and place the measurements derived from these studies into a risk assessment context. With all the information available now it would be a useful task to compare residue levels in matrices collected manually and with the help of pollinators to give advice for guidance document refinements and help to approve the design of studies in the future

Nanostructures with Group IV nanocrystals obtained by LPCVD and thermal annealing of SiGeO layers

Nanocrystals embedded in an oxide matrix have been fabricated by annealing SiGeO films deposited by LPCVD. The composition of the oxide layers and its evolution after annealing as well as the presence and nature of nanocrystals in the films have been studied by several experimental techniques. The results are analyzed and discussed in terms of the main deposition parameters and the annealing temperature

Empowering Diverse Learners through Design-Based Data Literacy Education: the Data Design Cycle Framework

Data literacy is a vital life-skill that is becoming increasingly necessary in today's society. As such, public data literacy education must become a substantive component in teaching, requiring an appropriate pedagogical model. This paper aims to present a new definition for data literacy, as well as conceptual framework for public data literacy education, drawing from tenets of design-based education and synthesized principles of data literacy education from literature. The resulting framework is termed the Data Design Cycle, and emphasizes collaboration, communication, and the development of problem-solving skills. The model is highly adaptable to different educational environments and learning styles, making it easily integrable into a variety of educational settings, including traditional classroom-based learning, online learning, and experiential learning programs. Furthermore, by promoting the principles of public teaching of data literacy and a learner-centred approach, the Data Design Cycle ensures that data literacy education is accessible to heterogeneous learners from diverse educational and socioeconomical settings

Fysisk påverkan i kusten och effekter på ekosystemen

De kustnära ekosystemen är viktiga för biologisk mångfald och grunden för många ekosystemtjänster. Ett stort antal internationella och nationella åtaganden ställer krav på åtgärder för att minska påverkan och belastning på kust- och havsmiljön; främst ramdirektivet för vatten, havsmiljödirektivet, art- och habitatdirektivet, miljökvalitetsmålet Hav i balans samt levande kust och skärgård samt Ett rikt djur- och växtliv. Syftet med denna rapport är att ge en bred överblick över vad olika mänskliga aktiviteter (fysiska etableringar, byggnationer och verksamheter) har för påverkan på livsmiljöer och biologiska värden i kustekosystemen. Förutom direkt påverkan på platsen påverkar aktiviteterna konnektiviteten i landskapet, det vill säga arters förmåga eller benägenhet (möjligheter) att röra sig över områden på ett naturligt sätt. Genom att aktiviteterna förändrar många marina ekosystems struktur och funktion får de även effekter på de marina ekosystemtjänsterna, det vill säga de nyttigheter som människan kan få från ekosystemen

Annuitization behavior: Tax incentives vs. product design

We analyze and compare the impact of tax incentives and of introducing enhanced annuities on annuitization behavior considering heterogeneity among the insured. We find that tax incentives for annuitization result in a significant increase of the portion of people who should annuitize and also an increase of the insurer's profit since less healthy individuals also annuitize, i.e. adverse selection is reduced. However, the problem that different insured receive a different value for money is even increased by tax incentives. If enhanced annuities are introduced, the percentage of insured who should annuitize further increases. Adverse selection is further reduced and the differences in value for money from annuitizing shrink

Diversity of Coral Genus Scleractinia in Tidung Island Waters, Seribu Islands, DKI Jakarta Province

Coral reefs are one of the most productive and diverse ecosystems on earth and provide ecosystem services. One of the islands of the Seribu Islands that has a coral reef ecosystem is Tidung Island. It is strategic and developing location makes this island used as a residential area, conservation area, and tourist destination. But the utilization has an impact on the damage of coral reefs through environmental and anthropogenic pressures. This study aims to determine coral diversity by identifying the coral genus Scleractinia and the factors that affect coral diversity. Observations were done on three different stations include 2 snorkeling areas and 1 natural area. The method used is LIT (Line Intercept Transect) and coral genus identification with Coral Finder Toolkit Indo Pacific 3.0. The results of identification obtained 16 coral genera namely genus Acropora, Montipora, Isopora, Favites, Leptastrea, Favia, Goniastrea, Montastrea, Platygyra, Echinopora, Porites, Pocillopora, Stylophora, Ctenactis, Pavona, dan Symphyllia, with the value of Diversity Index (H') in the waters of Tidung Island ranges from 0.94 – 2.34  in the category of low to moderate diversity. The parameters of water quality in Tidung Island, temperature, salinity, and acidity (pH) are relatively good for coral growth, but brightness is still relatively poor for coral growth. The impact of human activities such as snorkeling, ship anchors, fishing with destroyers, oil and waste pollution, and rock mining are factors that affect coral growth and diversity.Keywords: Coral Scleractinia; Limiting Factors; Coral Finder; Tidung IslandAbstrakTerumbu karang adalah salah satu ekosistem yang paling produktif dan beragam di bumi serta menyediakan jasa ekosistem. Salah satu pulau dari gugusan Kepulauan Seribu yang memiliki ekosistem terumbu karang yaitu Pulau Tidung. Letaknya yang strategis dan berkembang menjadikan pulau ini dimanfaatkan sebagai kawasan permukiman, daerah konservasi, dan kawasan tujuan wisata. Namun dari pemanfaatan tersebut memberikan dampak terhadap kerusakan pada terumbu karang melalui tekanan-tekanan lingkungan maupun antropogenik. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui keanekaragaman karang dengan mengidentifikasi genus karang Scleractinia dan faktor yang mempengaruhi keanekaragaman karang. Pengamatan di tiga stasiun berbeda yaitu di antaranya 2 kawasan wisata snorkeling, dan 1 kawasan yang masih alami. Metode yang digunakan yaitu LIT (Line Intercept Transect) dan identifikasi genus karang dengan Coral Finder Toolkit Indo Pasific 3.0. Hasil identifikasi didapatkan 16 genus karang yaitu genus Acropora, Montipora, Isopora, Favites, Leptastrea, Favia, Goniastrea, Montastrea, Platygyra, Echinopora, Porites, Pocillopora, Stylophora, Ctenactis, Pavona, dan Symphyllia, dengan nilai Indeks Keanekaragaman (H’) di perairan Pulau Tidung berkisar 0,94 – 2,34 berada pada kategori keanekaragaman rendah hingga sedang. Parameter kualitas perairan di Pulau Tidung, suhu, salinitas, dan derajat keasaman (pH) tergolong baik bagi pertumbuhan karang, namun kecerahan masih tergolong kurang baik bagi pertumbuhan karang. Dampak aktivitas manusia seperti snorkeling, jangkar kapal, penangkapan ikan dengan alat perusak, pencemaran minyak dan sampah, serta penambangan batu karang menjadi faktor yang mempengaruhi pertumbuhan dan keanekaragaman karang