الصفحة 25
الصفحة 25
Market-Consistent Actuarial Valuation
It is a challenging task to read the balance sheet of an insurance company. This derives from the fact that different positions are often measured by different yardsticks. Assets, for example, are mostly valued at market prices whereas liabilities are often measured by established actuarial methods. Market-Consistent Actuarial Valuation presents powerful methods to measure liabilities and assets in the same way. The mathematical framework that leads to market-consistent values for insurance liabilities is explained in detail by the authors. Topics covered are Stochastic discounting, Valuation portfolio in life and non-life insurance, Asset and liability management, Financial risks, Insurance technical risks, and Solvency.
Marine Organic Matter : Biomarkers, Isotopes and DNA
The oceans contain a great biodiversity of marine organisms. They include a rich variety of unusual genes and biochemistries and hence a diverse array of organic compounds ranging from colourful carotenoids and chlorophylls to lipids with structures ranging from the simple to the complex. This volume brings together ten chapters on the occurrence and identification of the lipid biomarkers and of pigments in marine waters. It describes how they can be used in conjunction with stable isotopes and molecular biology to ascertain the sources and fate of organic matter (both natural and pollutant) in the sea and underlying sediments. The authors are each experts in their field and the chapters provide both an overview of the state-of-the-art and knowledge gaps together with abundant detail to satisfy the needs of specialists and non-specialists alike.
Marine Geochemistry
Since 1980 a considerable amount of scientific research dealing with geochemical processes in marine sediments has been carried out. This textbook summarizes the state of the art in this field of research. The topics comprise the examination of sedimentological and physical properties of the sedimentary solid phase, of pore water and pore water constituents, organic matter as the driving force of most microbiological processes, biotic and abiotic redox reactions, carbonates and stable isotopes as proxies for paleoclimate reconstruction, metal enrichments in ferromanganese nodules and crusts as well as in hot vents and cold seeps on the seafloor. A new chapter describes properties, occurrence and formation of gas hydrates in marine sediments. The textbook ends with a chapter on model conceptions and computer models to quantify processes of early diagenesis.
Mangroves and Halophytes : Restoration and Utilisation
Focusing on Venezuela and Mexico, this edited volume from the International Society of Halophyte Utilisation (ISHU) explores the environmental issues facing South and Central America's coastal ecosystems, and discusses the uses of mangrove species and other halophytes in addressing issues of both coastal pollution and upland soil salinisation. The book draws on expertise from Europe and South America to present a series of case studies that detail Venezuela’s saline ecosystems and examine the economic potential of mangrove restoration and halophyte production. It includes cutting-edge research into the establishment of new mangrove stands which could serve as prototypes for the sustainable use of halophytes, including Chenopodium quinoa and Tamarix aphylla. Moreover, the detailed examples from Venezuela and other Caribbean countries provide useful models for comparison with halophyte utilisation in other parts of the world – especially the Mediterranean region, where much of the earlier research of the ISHU had been conducted.
Managing Measurement Risk in Building and Civil Engineering
Managing Measurement Risk in Building and Civil Engineering will help all those who use measurement in their work or deal with the output from the measurement process, to understand not only the ‘ins and outs’ of measuring construction work but also the relationship that measurement has with contracts, procurement, claims and post-contract control in construction. The book is for quantity surveyors, engineers and building surveyors but also for site engineers required to record and measure events on site with a view to establishing entitlement to variations, extras and contractual claims.
Managing innovative projects and programs : Using the ISO 56000 standards for guidance and implementation
Provides a step-by-step procedure on how to process a medium- or large-size project, program, or product using an already-established IMS that considers the guidance given in ISO 56002:2019 – Innovation Management Systems Standard. Often the most complicated, complex, difficult, and challenging system used in an organization is the IMS. At the same time, it usually is the most important system because it is the one that generates most of the value-adding products for the organization, and it involves most of the key functions within the organization.
Managing Elevated Risk : Global Liquidity, Capital Flows, and Macroprudential Policy—An Asian Perspective
Discusses the risks and opportunities that arise in Emerging Asia given the context of a new environment in global liquidity and capital flows. It elaborates on the need to ensure financial and overall economic stability in the region through improved financial regulation and other policy measures to minimize the emergent risks. "Managing Elevated Risk: Global Liquidity, Capital Flows, and Macroprudential Policy—An Asian Perspective" also explores the range of policy options that may be deployed to address the impact of global liquidity on domestic financial and socio-economic conditions including income inequality. The book is primarily aimed at policy makers, financial market regulators and supervisory agencies to help them improve national regulatory systems and to promote harmonization of national regulations and practices in line with global standards.
Management of Research Infrastructures : A South African Funding Perspective
This book provides an overview of the building blocks necessary for managing, steering and guiding the establishment of a research infrastructure (RI). It offers valuable insights into RI investment, access and management at the academic, grants management, agency and policy level, and serves as a useful guide for the research community, students, and those in the private sector wishing to understand the approaches and opportunities involved in the establishment, maintenance and management of research infrastructure platforms.
Management of Convergence in Innovation : Strategies and Capabilities for Value Creation Beyond Blurring Industry Boundaries
Throughout the past decade, the phenomenon of technological convergence has increasingly gained managerial attention. In this special form of technological change, the coming-together of previously distinct knowledge bases gives rise to the creation of new applications and business models. When such innovations emerge at the intersection of industries, the resulting creative destruction may exceed previously established industry boundaries. As a consequence, convergence does not only promise the creation of new value, but may imply significant disruptions to established industries. Based on investigating 26 firms within the ICT industry, this book highlights implications of the convergence phenomenon on firms’ innovation management practices, and derives strategic guidelines for building and sustaining business models beyond blurring industry boundaries.
Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism
Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism highlights traditional, novel, and evolving aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE). Emphasis is placed on specific issues related to PE, including pregnancy, cancer, thrombophilia, and air travel. The authors critically review and interpret available data, and provide clear recommendations for diagnosis and therapeutic concerns in clinical management of PE patients. Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism is organized in three precise sections - diagnosis, treatment, and special topics. Each section is up-to-date and detailed, and provides clear recommendations for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to patients with PE in clinical practice. This practical volume is an essential starting point for future study for both medical students and established investigators.
Managed Ecosystems and CO2 : Case Studies, Processes, and Perspectives
Managed ecosystems cover a large part of the Earth's land surface, provide almost all of our food and most of our wood and fibre, and are increasingly a source of renewable energy. Forecasting the ability of managed ecosystems to continue these vital roles in a globally changing environment is an inter-disciplinary challenge. To elucidate the complex responses of managed systems to elevated [CO2], several free air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) facilities were established. These FACE systems allow large areas to be exposed to the elevated [CO2] we expect by the middle of the century. This volume summarizes the main findings from 13 experiments with annual crops, permanent pastures and plantation forests at 11 sites throughout the world during the past ten years. The results significantly alter our perception of how rising [CO2] will directly affect these managed ecosystems, with implications for policy, plant-breeding objectives and adaptation.
Mammalian and Avian Transgenesis : New Approaches
Mammalian and Avian Transgenesis presents a collection of novel methods for the production of a wide range of transgenic animals. The manual focuses largely on mice, but also contains protocols for successful transgenesis in rats, cows, pigs and birds. The manual provides detailed, step-by-step protocols covering all aspects of the production of transgenic animals, including the use of lentiviral vectors in gene transfer, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, nuclear transfer, large insert transgenesis, conditional gene expression systems, the use of reporter genes in transgenesis and transgenesis in large animals and birds. The text is supplemented by superb color photos. While the focus is on newly established techniques, the fundamental methods of transgenesis are also covered for those new to the field. Thus this manual is perfectly suited for those wishing to adopt new technologies in transgenesis.
Magnetic Control of Tokamak Plasmas
The main topic of Magnetic Control of Tokamak Plasmas is the design of feedback control systems guaranteeing the stability of plasma equilibrium inside a tokamak and the regulation of the plasma position and shape during plasma pulses. Modelling and control details are presented, allowing the non-expert to understand the control problem. Starting from equations of magneto-hydro-dynamics, all the steps needed for the derivation of plasma state-space models are enumerated. The basics of electromagnetics are frequently recalled. The control problem is then described beginning with control of current and position – vertical and radial – and progressing to the more challenging shape control. The solutions proposed vary from simple PIDs to more sophisticated MIMO controllers.
Magazines, Tourism, and Nation-Building in Mexico
This book discusses the relationship between periodicals, tourism, and nation-building in Mexico. It enquires into how magazines, a staple form of the promotional apparatus of tourism since its inception, articulated an imaginative geography of Mexico at a time when that industry became a critical means of economic recovery and political stability after the Revolution. Notwithstanding their vogue, popularity, reach, and close affiliations to commerce and state over several decades, magazines have not received any sustained critical attention in the scholarship on that period.
Macroeconomics of Monetary Union
This book, unlike other books, provides readers with a practical yet sophisticated grasp of the macroeconomic principles necessary to understand a monetary union. By definition, a monetary union is a group of countries that share a common currency. The most important case in point is the Euro area. Policy makers are the central bank, national governments, and national labour unions. Policy targets are price stability and full employment. Policy makers follow cold-turkey or gradualist strategies. Policy decisions are taken sequentially or simultaneously. The countries can differ in size or behaviour. Policy expectations are adaptive or rational. To illustrate all of this there are numerical simulations of monetary policy, fiscal policy, and wage policy.
Machine Learning and Data Mining in Pattern Recognition ; 4th International Conference, MLDM 2005, Leipzig, Germany, July 9-11, 2005, Proceedings
Today, artificial intelligence deals with large amounts of data and knowledge and finds new information using machine learning and data mining. Machine learning and data mining are irreplaceable subjects and tools for the theory of pattern recognition and in applications of pattern recognition such as bioinformatics and data retrieval. This was the fourth edition of MLDM in Pattern Recognition which is the main event of Technical Committee 17 of the International Association for Pattern Recognition; it started out as a workshop and continued as a conference in 2003. Today, there are many international meetings which are titled “machine learning” and “data mining”, whose topics are text mining, knowledge discovery, and applications. This meeting from the first focused on aspects of machine learning and data mining in pattern recognition problems. We planned to reorganize classical and well-established pattern recognition paradigms from the viewpoints of machine learning and data mining. Though it was a challenging program in the late 1990s, the idea has inspired new starting points in pattern recognition and effects in other areas such as cognitive computer vision.
Lysosomes
This book summarizes the current state-of-the art knowledge about this unique organelle. It addresses the biogenesis of this compartment, the transport of lysosomal proteins, the role of the lysosomal membrane in lysosomal stability and transport, the function of lysosomal proteases and hydrolases, lysosomal storage disorders, and new concepts on how to treat these diseases.
LRFD Bridge Design : Fundamentals and Applications
Examines and explains material from the 9th edition of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, including deck and parapet design, load calculations, limit states and load combinations, concrete and steel I-girder design, bearing design, and more. With increased focus on earthquake resiliency, two separate chapters– one on conventional seismic design and the other on seismic isolation applied to bridges– will fully address this vital topic. The primary focus is on steel and concrete I-girder bridges, with regard to both superstructure and substructure design. / Includes several worked examples for a project bridge as well as actual bridges designed by the author / Examines seismic design concepts and design details for bridges / Presents the latest material based on the 9th edition of the LRFD Bridge Design Specifications / Covers fatigue, strength, service, and extreme event limit states / Includes numerous solved problems and exercises at the end of each chapter to illustrate the concepts presented
Low Thermal Expansion Glass Ceramics
Describes the fundamental principles, the manufacturing process, and applications of low thermal expansion glass ceramics. The composition, structure, and stability of polycrystalline materials having a low thermal expansion are described, and it is shown how low thermal expansion glass ceramics can be manufactured from appropriately chosen glass compositions. Examples illustrate the formation of this type of glass ceramic by utilizing normal production processes together with controlled crystallization. Thus glass ceramics with thermal coefficients of expansion of less than 0.3 x 10(-6)K(-1) can be obtained. Even for the mass production of high-quality cooktop panels (Ceran®., oven windows, and other household appliances a high reproducibility of the properties is achieved. Special glass ceramics (Zerodur®. for technological and scientific applications such as high-precision optics or large astronomical mirrors are likewise discussed. The completely revised edition also features new sections on glass-ceramic applications, with details on their performance, CDC-grinding, and laser gyroscopes containing Zerodur®..
Long Memory in Economics
When applying the statistical theory of long range dependent (LRD) processes to economics, the strong complexity of macroeconomic and financial variables, compared to standard LRD processes, becomes apparent. In order to get a better understanding of the behaviour of some economic variables, the book assembles three different strands of long memory analysis: statistical literature on the properties of, and tests for, LRD processes; mathematical literature on the stochastic processes involved; models from economic theory providing plausible micro foundations for the occurence of long memory in economics. Each chapter of the book will give a comprehensive survey of the state of the art and the directions that future developments are likely to take. Taken as a whole the book provides an overview of LRD processes which is accessible to economists, econometricians and statisticians.
