Tensile loaded membrane constructions without cutting patterns - computer based modeling and analysis of high points

In this paper, the high points of a stretch-tent construction are analyzed by using two different software programs. The modeling and results are verified by a puncture resistance testing. The possibilities and limits of the software programs are shown as well as the further research opportunities

Equity-Linked Pension Schemes with Guarantees

This paper analyses the relationship between the level of a return guarantee in an equity-linked pension scheme and the proportion of an investor's contribution needed to finance this guarantee. Three types of schemes are considered: investment guarantee, contribution guarantee and participation surplus. The evaluation of each scheme involves pricing an Asian option, for which relatively tight upper and lower bounds can be calculated in a numerically efficient manner. We find a negative (and for two contracts pecifications also concave) relationship between the participation in the surplus return of the investment strategy and the guarantee level in terms of a minimum rate of return. Furthermore, the introduction of a possibility of early termination of the contract (e.g. due to the death of the investor) has no qualitative and very little quantitative impact on this relationship.pension funds; forward risk adjusted measure; Asian option

Implementation of a Segmented, Transactional Database Caching System

Research on algorithms and concepts regarding memory-based data caching can help solve the performance bottleneck in current Database Management Systems. Problems such as data concurrency, persistent storage, and transaction management have limited most memory cache’s capabilities. It has also been tough to develop a proper user- oriented and business friendly way of implementing such a system. The research of this project focused on code implementation, abstract methodologies and how to best prepare such an application for common business usage

Equity-linked life insurance - a model with stochastic interest rates

Assuming constant interest rates Brennan and Schwartz (1976, 1979) obtained the rational insurance premium on an equity-linked insurance contract through the application of the theory of contingent claims pricing. Further considerations with deterministic interest rates have been discussed in Aase and Persson (1992) and in Persson (1993). Analysing the single premium case Bacinello and Ortu (1993b) allow for the short term interest rate to develop in accordance to an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process. In a paper from 1994 they consider extensions to both the single and the periodic premium model. This paper presents a model similar to the one by Bacinello and Ortu (1994) for the periodic premium case with a stochastic interest rate dynamic. It is shown that the insurance contract includes an Asian-like option contract. Sufficient conditions on the guaranteed amount for the existence of a solution are derived. As no closed form solution will be obtained, we discuss different numerical approaches and apply Monte Carlo simulations with a variance reduction technique.Asian option, forward risk adjusted measure, Monte Carlo simulations

Uniqueness of the Fair Premium for Equity-Linked Life Insurance Contracts

An equity-linked life insurance contract combines an endowment life insurance and an investment strategy with a minimum guarantee. The benefit of this contract is determined by the guaranteed amount plus a bonus equal to a call on the portfolio. This bonus is similar to an Asian option. We analyze the relationship between the periodic insurance premium and its proportional share invested into the portfolio. For a general model of the financial risks we show the existence and uniqueness of an insurance premium. Furthermore the premium is strictly increasing and convex as a function of the share invested. An earlier version of this paper was presented under the title Security Linked Life Policies under Stochastic Interest Rates .Asian option, forward risk adjusted measure, Monte Carlo simulations, life insurance, stochastic interest rates

Developing Engaged Scholars: The Graduate Advisor-Advisee Relationship

A critical dimension in the development of emerging engaged scholars is the advisor-advisee relationship. A multiyear, multiuniversity study of doctoral students interested in community-engaged scholarship and their advisors found that advisors influenced their advisees’ specific approach to community engagement; advisees built extensively on their own community-based experiences and even pushed their advisors in co-learning about communityengaged scholarship; and advisors and advisees shared recognition of lack of support for community engagement but pursued it anyway

Fossil carotenoids and paleolimnology of meromictic Mahoney Lake, British Columbia, Canada

Vertical distribution of fossil carotenoids in a sediment core from meromictic Mahoney Lake was studied. Besides okenone and demethylated okenone, lutein and zeaxanthin and-carotene isomers were identified. No carotenoids typical for purple nonsulfur or green sulfur bacteria were detected. The ratio of zeaxanthin to lutein (above 1:1 in all samples) indicates a dominance of cyanobacteria over green algae in the phytoplankton assemblages of the past. Okenone, which is found exclusively in Chromatiaceae, was the dominating carotenoid in all sediment zones. The oldest sediment layers containing okenone were deposited 11 000 years ago. Between 9000 and 7000 and since 3000 years b.p., Chromatiaceae reached a considerable biomass in the lake. Vertical changes in okenone concentration were not related to changes of paleotemperatures. In contrast, okenone concentrations decreased during periods of volcanic ash input. During most of the lake history, however, mean okenone concentrations were positively correlated with sedimentation rates. This indicates that vertical changes of okenone concentration in the sediment reflect past changes of purple sulfur bacterial biomass in the lake. According to these results, the past limnology of Mahoney Lake resembled that of the present with a sulfide-containing monimolimnion and a well-developed population of okenone-bearing purple sulfur bacteria