bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Degradation of wood veneers by Fenton's reagents: Effects of wood constituents and low molecular weight phenolic compounds on hydrogen peroxide decomposition and wood tensile strength loss
Authors: Xie Yanjun , Xiao Zefang , Goodell Barry , Jellison Jody , Militz Holger , Mai Carsten
Published: February 2010

Pine wood (Pinus sylvestris) veneer strips were incubated in acetate buffer containing hydrogen peroxide and Fe ions (Fenton's reagent) to mimic aspects of brown rot decay and to assess the degradation of cellulose in wood via measurement of tensile properties (measured in a zero-span mode). Varying the type of iron (ferrous or ferric sulfate) mixed with H2O2did not yield significant differences in the rates of H2O2concentration and tensile strength reduction. However, increasing the amount of wood material (the number of wood strips) in the reaction mixture elevated Fe(III) reduction in solution, indicating that wood constituents participated in this reaction. Increasing concentrations of Fe(III) in the reaction mixture resulted in a decrease in H2O2in solution. Despite an increase in iron concentration and H2O2decomposition under these conditions, a uniform and consistent strength loss of 30% was observed at all Fe(III) concentrations tested. At fixed Fe(III) concentrations, increasing the H2O2concentration linearly increased the strength loss of the veneers up to approximately 50% within 24 h. The addition of a low molecular weight, metal-binding, phenolic compound (2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid) and of a non-chelating hydroquinone to the reaction mixtures entailed a more rapid consumption of H2O2; however, the tensile strength loss of the veneers decreased with increasing concentration of the phenolics. Thus, in contrast to previous studies on cellulose degradation, phenolics reduced the degree of wood decay in a Fenton system.
Effects of modification with glutaraldehyde on the mechanical properties of wood
Authors: Xiao Zefang , Xie Yanjun , Militz Holger , Mai Carsten
Published: February 2010

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood was treated with glutaraldehyde (GA) and magnesium chloride (MgCl2) as a catalyst. The effects of treating conditions on the mechanical properties were examined. The weight percent gain (WPG) of thin veneer strips after leaching was highest at pH 4.0–4.5 and tensile strength measured in zero-span strength and finite-span strength decreased with decreasing pH in a range of 3.5–5.5. Sole treatment with MgCl2 also gradually decreased the tensile strength up to 25% with decreasing pH. At a fixed GA concentration (1.2 M), increasing MgCl2 concentration linearly diminished tensile strength. Conversely, increasing GA at a fixed MgCl2 concentration (1.5%) displayed the same effect, whereas in both cases zero-span strength loss was higher than finite span-strength loss. GA treatment of Scots pine sapwood stakes did not affect the modulus of rupture and the modulus of elasticity, but significantly reduced work to maximum load in bending and impact bending strength indicating embrittlement of wood. At the same time, compression strength increased with increasing WPG of GA. It is assumed that embrittlement caused by hydrolysis and crosslinking of cell wall polymers is compensated by enhanced compression strength thereby resulting in unchanged bending strength.
Stylistics and the analysis of poetry – a credo and an example
Authors: Macleod Norman
Published: February 2010

As Donald Freeman once aptly remarked, urging demonstration rather than propaganda, “The only way to do stylistics is to do stylistics” (Freeman, Styles and stylisticians, 1973). But not everyone is willing to do stylistics, by any means. The case for stylistics still seems to be resisted or ignored – or it simply fails to be heard. In English Literature departments, various passing influences have served to sideline whatever considerable claims can be made for a properly informed stylistic analysis. More or less simultaneously, emerging academic realignments have threatened to leave stylistics marginalized in exactly those theoretical and descriptive areas on which it vitally depends, namely Linguistics and English Language. In fact, in almost all its connections, stylistics tends to be affected by marginalization or isolation – or by a puzzling failure to make its irresistible case. This paper, drawing on (or drawing attention to) several friendly and enlightened assessments, again makes the case for stylistics and demonstrates its relevance in the focused analysis of a poem, namely the sonnet On First Looking into Chapman's ‘Homer’ by John Keats. The analysis focuses on syntactic and grammetric features of the poem, sometimes coinciding with earlier literary discussions.
Fatigue Assessment of Brazed T-Joints Based on Damage Tolerance Including Residual Stress Effects
Authors: Schindler Hans-Jakob , Leinenbach Christian
Published: February 2010

The fatigue crack growth behavior of a brazed joint is characterized by a Paris-exponent that is much higher than the one of bulk metals, which means that brazed components have only a short residual fatigue life after the initiation of a fatigue crack. Therefore, the threshold of fatigue crack growth of brazed joints is of particular importance in the fatigue analysis of brazed components and needs to be understood well. Residual stresses have to be considered in crack growth analysis in the threshold regime. The corresponding effects are explored experimentally and theoretically. The stress intensity factors due to the residual stresses in a brazed T-joint of compressor impellers were measured by using the cut compliance method. It was found that residual stresses are present but relatively small. They do not affect the endurance stress significantly. A concept for an endurance analysis of a brazed T-joint that includes imperfections and residual stresses is suggested.
Measurement of the Cooling Power of Polyethylene Glycol Aqueous Solutions Used as Quenching Media
Authors: Ikkene Rafika , Koudil Zahia , Mouzali Mohamed
Published: February 2010

Solutions of high molecular weight polymers are used widely in the heat treatment of metal alloys known as quenching. Water-soluble polymers offer a number of environmental, economic, and technical advantages, including eliminating the quench-oil fire hazard. The cooling power of water-soluble polymers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and salts aqueous solutions is studied with a cylindrical test probe of Inconel 600 by using a quenchometer. The dependences of the cooling rates, at each bath temperature, on polymer concentration and agitation are established. The present paper describes, through an understanding of the quenching mechanism, the effect that some parameters concerning the control of polymer quenchants have on their behavior. The effect of the salts on the quenching characteristics has also been studied. A study has been made of the relationship between the concentration of PEG, bath temperature, agitation, and cooling power in aqueous quenchants that contain up to 20 % of PEG. The presence of 5 % or less of the polymer in solution increased the cooling power of the quench in comparison with the water quenchant. However, increasing polymer concentration will decrease the cooling power as well as the maximum cooling rate because of the formation of the vapor blanket in the first phase of the quenching mechanism. The hardening power (HP) of the PEG quenchant solution was characterized on the cooling curve by the two critical points, CRF (the cooling rate at the ferrite/pearlite nose) and CRM (the cooling rate at the martensite start transformation), using an empirical relation giving HP in function of the measured polymer quenchant cooling characteristics. The highest HP was obtained in dilute solution of PEG having a concentration of 2.5 %, which reaches a value of 2051 at 20°C and 1951 at 45°C, under agitation.
Buchbesprechung
Authors: Rabus Achim
Published: February 2010

REINDL, DONALD F., Language Contact: German and Slovenian. Bochum: Universitätsverlag Dr. Brockmeyer, 2008 (Diversitas linguarum; 20), XII, 233 S. ISBN 978-3-8196-0715-8
Therapies for the medical management of persistent hypoglycaemia in two cases of inoperable malignant insulinoma
Authors: Ong Gregory S Y , Henley David E , Hurley David , Turner J Harvey , Claringbold Phillip G , Fegan P Gerry
Published: February 2010

Objective

Hypoglycaemia poses a significant management challenge in patients with unresectable functional malignant insulinoma. Novel agents such as mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors and radiolabelled peptides may be effective where there is failure of conventional therapy.

Design

We present the cases of two men diagnosed with inoperable malignant insulinoma and hepatic metastases who developed severe symptomatic hypoglycaemia, and review potential therapies for glycaemic support.

Method

Despite treatment with diazoxide, frequent oral carbohydrate, prednisolone and somatostatin analogue therapy, both men required hospital admission for treatment with continuous i.v. dextrose. Both were treated with Lutetium-177 octreotate. One man was also treated with everolimus, a mTOR inhibitor.

Result

Use of Lutetium-177 octreotate, and in one case everolimus, successfully achieved normoglycaemia, facilitating safe discharge from hospital. Both men also had regression in the size and number of hepatic metastases.

Conclusion

Lutetium-177 octreotate and everolimus are options for managing hypoglycaemia due to unresectable malignant insulinoma when refractory to conventional supportive therapies.
The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone: current and future management options
Authors: Sherlock Mark , Thompson Chris J
Published: February 2010

Hyponatraemia is the commonest electrolyte abnormality, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) is the most frequent underlying pathophysiology. Hyponatraemia is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and as such appropriate treatment is essential. Treatment options for SIADH include fluid restriction, demeclocycline, urea, frusemide and saline infusion, all of which have their limitations. The introduction of the vasopressin-2 receptor antagonists has allowed clinicians to specifically target the underlying pathophysiology of SIADH. Initial studies have shown good efficacy and safety profiles in the treatment of mild to moderate hyponatraemia. However, studies assessing the efficacy and safety of these agents in acute severe symptomatic hyponatraemia are awaited. Furthermore, the cost of these agents at present may limit their use.
Physical Activity Resources and Changes in Walking in a Cohort of Older Men
Authors: Michael Yvonne L. , Perdue Leslie A. , Orwoll Eric S. , Stefanick Marcia L. , Marshall Lynn M. ,   for the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study Group
Published: February 2010

Objectives. We evaluated the influence of physical activity resources and neighborhood-level socioeconomic status (SES) on walking among community-dwelling older men.

Methods. Participants reported time walked per day at baseline (2000–2002) and follow-up. Residential addresses were linked to a geographic information system database to assess proximity to parks, trails, and recreational facilities. Log-binomial regression analyses were conducted to test the hypothesis that men living near physical activity resources were more likely to increase or maintain time walked.

Results. Average time walked per day declined by 6 minutes between baseline and follow-up (P < .05). There was a significant interaction of neighborhood SES and physical activity with walking time (P < .1). Proximity to parks and proximity to trails, respectively, were associated with a 22% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01, 1.47) and 34% (95% CI = 1.16, 1.55) higher likelihood of maintaining or increasing walking time in high-SES neighborhoods, but there was no association in low-SES neighborhoods. Proximity to recreational facilities was not associated with walking.

Conclusions. Uncovering reasons that proximity to parks and trails is not associated with maintenance of walking activity among men in low-SES neighborhoods could provide new insight into ways to promote physical activity.
A New Locus for Early Maturity in Soybean
Authors: Cober Elroy R. , Molnar Stephen J. , Charette Martin , Voldeng Harvey D.
Published: February 2010

The genetic model for maturity in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is a series of near‐isogenic lines, but they do not span the natural variation for early maturity. The objectives of this study were to determine if a single gene in OT98‐17 controls early maturity and if this is a new locus. A cross was made between ‘Maple Presto’ and OT98‐17, an early‐maturing Maple Presto–derived backcross line. A total of 201 F3 progeny rows from this population and Maple Presto were grown at Ottawa, ON, in 1999. In 2000, F4 progeny rows were grown and 150 late‐maturing and 51 early‐maturing families were observed to fit a 3:1 ratio (n = 201, X2 = 0.01, P = 0.90). The early‐maturing allele was transferred to a ‘Harosoy’ background, and isolines were grown from 2002 to 2006 at Ottawa, ON. The isolines were 9 and 6 d earlier maturing in Maple Presto and Harosoy backgrounds, respectively. To determine the independence of this locus, simple sequence repeat molecular markers were used to identify three candidate regions. The gene E8 specifically mapped to linkage group C1 between Sat_404 and Satt136. No other maturity gene has been mapped to this region. The two other candidate regions were both related to maturity quantitative trait loci on molecular linkage group L and may be inadvertently selected along with early maturity. The gene symbol E8e8 has been assigned by the Soybean Genetics Committee. E8E8 results in later maturity and e8e8 results in early maturity. The earliest Harosoy maturity isoline is now rated as maturity group 000.
Grain Yield Performance and Stability of Cultivar Blends vs. Component Cultivars of Hard Winter Wheat in Nebraska
Authors: Mengistu Neway , Baenziger P. Stephen , Nelson L. A. , Eskridge K. M. , Klein R. N. , Baltensperger D. D. , Elmore R. W.
Published: February 2010

In diverse growing environments, cultivar blends of hard winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are considered as an option over pure cultivars for maintaining grain yield and reducing risk to producers. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the grain yield between blends and their component cultivars over several locations in Nebraska and to compare blend grain yield stability. Two separate experiments of six three‐cultivar blends and their component cultivars tested in a total of 30 environments and three two‐cultivar blends and their component cultivars tested in a total of 20 environments were grown in replicated randomized block designs. All component cultivars and cultivar blends (referred to as lines, hereafter) were evaluated for mean grain yield performance and stability. ‘Pronghorn’‐‘Goodstreak’‐‘Buckskin’ was the sole cultivar blend that significantly increased grain yield when compared with the average of its component cultivars. The grain yield advantage for the mean average cultivar blends varied from 2.2% lower to 1.9% higher with overall advantage of 0.4% yield increase for all the nine cultivar blends. Cultivar blends of ‘Millennium’‐‘Wesley’‐‘Wahoo’, Millennium‐‘Halt’‐Wahoo, and Millennium‐‘Alliance’‐Wahoo were the most stable lines using regression estimates for stability. When compared with the average of component cultivars, cultivar blends were more stable over different environments with little or no reduction in grain yield.
Endorsement of Interpersonal Strategies for Dealing with Hypothetical Everyday Arthritis Problems as a Function of Marital Status, Gender, and Problem Severity
Authors: Strough Jonell , McFall Joseph P. , Schuller Kelly L.
Published: February 2010

We used hypothetical vignettes to examine whether older adults' endorsement of interpersonal strategies for dealing with health-related (arthritis) everyday problems varied as a function of marital status, gender, and the severity of the problem. Adults 60 years and older ( N = 127, M = 71.40 years, SD = 7.21) rated interpersonal (i.e., discuss with doctor, spouse, relative) and other strategies (e.g., deal with the problem alone, pray) for solving two hypothetical everyday problems (one mild and one severe arthritis problem).

Women reported a greater likelihood of using interpersonal strategies. Married people rated interpersonal strategies that involved their spouse higher than other strategies. Greater severity of problems was associated with greater endorsement of interpersonal strategies. Implications of the results for understanding the conditions under which older adults endorse strategies that may initiate collaborative everyday problem solving are discussed.
Change and Persistence of Personal Identities after the Transition to Retirement
Authors: Teuscher Ursina
Published: February 2010

This study addresses the question of how retired people's self-image differs from that of working people, and what factors predict people's self-definition as professionals or retirees. Seven hundred ninety-two Swiss persons aged 58–70 (386 men, 406 women; 349 not retired, 443 retired) were asked to rate the importance of different self-description domains (such as profession, family-roles, personal values, etc.). Results indicated that the profession domain remains important for self-description even after retirement, to the extent that retirement status does not predict the importance of the professional identity at all. Rather, consistent with social identity theory, the importance of the profession for self-description is best predicted by the status of the (former or current) job. The importance of the retirement status for self-definition is predicted best by a positive attitude toward aging. In general, retired respondents rated more domains of self-description as important than did not-yet-retired respondents, and no domain was less important after retirement. In other words, identity diversity was higher for the retired than for the not-yet-retired persons. In addition, high identity diversity correlated with a high satisfaction across different life domains.
Humane Executions? Assessing the Role of Families in Death Penalty Cases
Authors: Marlow Christina , Dundes Lauren
Published: February 2010

The role of pain and the wishes of families of those involved in death penalty cases are germane to addressing the Supreme Court's call to take into account whether executions are consistent with what constitutes a “decent” punishment, a judgment that inevitably evolves over time. In a convenience sample of 133 college students and restaurant employees, 59% sanctioned the infliction of pain during lethal injections while 53% approved of victims' families having discretion to potentially choose life imprisonment without the possibility of parole over execution. Thirty-eight percent of males and 53% of females claimed that trauma experienced by victims' families may weaken their support for capital punishment, implying that family trauma may be relevant to conceptualizing “decency.” As general support for the death penalty weakens, respondents are more apt to be swayed by the trauma experienced by the victim's family, suggesting that awareness of the limited ability of executions to function as retribution could alter adherence to lex talionis.
No Place like Home: Making the Case for Home Healthcare
Authors: Fitzpatrick Alisen
Published: February 2010

In this article, I outline the benefits and advantages provided by home healthcare over more traditional forms of institutional healthcare. These benefits include greater comfort, flexibility, and independence, providing the opportunity for individually tailored care in familiar surroundings in which the prospects of recovery are enhanced. At the same time, however, I caution against the risk that home healthcare alleviates the pressures upon healthcare providers by placing an undue burden of care onto an informal network of family and friends.
Determinants of Comparative Advantage in the International Trade of Services: An Empirical Study of the Hecksher-Ohlin Approach
Authors: Nyahoho Emmanuel
Published: February 2010

This study demonstrates that the HO model proves useful for assessing the competitive factors in the delivery of services. However, further analysis that draws on the modeling framework of microeconomics and industrial organization is required.
Risks and Prices: The Role of User Sanctions in Marijuana Markets
Authors: Pacula Rosalie Liccardo , Kilmer Beau , Grossman Michael , Chaloupka Frank J
Published: February 2010

User sanctions influence the legal risk for consumers who engage in illegal drug markets. If a reduction in user sanctions leads to an increase in consumption, drug prices will rise unless supply is perfectly elastic. In equilibrium, a change in consumption associated with decreasing user sanctions could be relatively small if supply is upward sloping. Using a novel dataset with rich transaction-level information, this paper evaluates the impact of recent changes in user sanctions for marijuana on marijuana prices. The results suggest that lower legal risks for users are associated with higher marijuana prices in the short-run, which ceteris paribus, implies an upward sloping supply curve, higher consumption, and higher profits for drug dealers. The findings have important implications for the current policy debates regarding decriminalization of marijuana.
A Comparative Welfare Analysis of Social Security System Selection
Authors: Zheng Wei
Published: February 2010

The design of a comprehensive social security system is a critical issue to many countries and regions. This paper presents a comparative economic welfare analysis on typical social security systems from the viewpoints of all-generation welfare and each-generation welfare, respectively. The analysis shows that the fact that one social security system is better or worse than another is not absolute and that it depends on some specific parameter conditions. In the paper, we provide these parameter conditions and also show a paradox of social security system design based on the analysis. At the end of the paper, two further research-worthy questions are raised.
On Corporate Risk Management and Insurance
Authors: MacMinn Richard D.
Published: February 2010

Insurance contracts provide the corporation with an instrument to manage risk and create value. Insurance is designed to manage pure risk; a pure risk only yields a loss unlike speculative risks that may yield a gain or loss. Received theory does not provide the necessary distinction between pure and speculative risks that would allow the role of insurance to be investigated. Pure and speculative risks are modeled here as independent random variables. The role that insurance plays in determining an optimal capital structure and otherwise managing risk is investigated. This analysis is a generalization of a classic financial market model and it shows that earlier results such as the use of insurance to control the risk-shifting problem continue to hold. This role, however, can be duplicated by a variety of other instruments including convertible bonds and futures. In an attempt to provide a distinction the analysis is extended. It provides a tax result in which the corporation creates value by substituting a safe tax shelter for a risky tax shelter; this is accomplished by issuing debt to purchase insurance so that the random deduction due to the pure loss is replaced by a known deduction due to the debt. Hence, the analysis reveals a role that insurance can play in developing an optimal capital structure. The analysis also provides the basis for comparing the use of financial futures with that of insurance in managing risk. The analysis shows the conditions under which the corporation may create value for its shareholders by using both insurance and futures contracts to hedge the pure and speculative risks.
A Cross-Cultural Comparison of the Ethical Environments of the U.S. and South Korean Life Insurance Markets
Authors: Cooper Robert W. , Lee Bong-Joo , Lee Kyung-Lyong , Lee Han-Duck
Published: February 2010

Along with competence, ethical behavior is a key component of professionalism. In carrying out their duties, all life insurance professionals encounter a variety of ethical dilemmas as well as a number of factors that can present challenges to their efforts to resolve these dilemmas in an ethical manner. By comparing the ethical environments of the U.S. and South Korean life insurance industries, this paper examines how significant differences in culture can affect the key ethical issues and the hindrances to ethical behavior faced by life insurance professionals working in the two countries.
Risk-Based Pre-Funding of Guaranty Funds in Life Insurance
Authors: Lindset Snorre
Published: February 2010

This paper analyzes how Value at Risk (VaR), a risk measure, can be used to calculate contributions to a life insurance guaranty fund. The paper shows that this measure can be a first step towards taking risk and solidity into account when determining how much each insurer should contribute to the guaranty fund. VaR focuses on the tail of the distribution and is therefore particularly well suited to take the shortfall risk of the guaranty fund into account.
Mortality Declines, Longevity Risk and Aging
Authors: Tuljapurkar Shripad
Published: February 2010

Over the past century human life expectancy has risen substantially around the world, and longevity in the modern world is largely determined by the age at which adults die. There is an ongoing, longstanding trend to higher average ages at death for both sexes in most countries. Accompanying this trend has been a decrease in the dispersion of the age of adult death which has slowed in most countries in the past five decades. Mortality forecasts can be made using the Lee-Carter method and provide stochastic projections of average longevity. We may think of the dispersion in the forecasted averages as a form of systematic risk that is important in pricing longevity risk. The dispersion around the average age at death is a form of individual risk. This individual risk certainly does matter to individuals making decisions about consumption, savings, bequests and so on. In particular it matters to economic aggregates such as population wealth, health, and savings, and to the fiscal flows in private and public pensions. Realistic models of annuity valuation are likely to be nonlinear and so annuity values are also likely to depend on the individual component of longevity risk. Analysis of the distribution of individual risk in subgroups (e.g., with high or low educational attainment) suggests that selection for low risk subgroups may be difficult to achieve.
Financial Innovation and the Hedging of Longevity Risk
Authors: Sherris Michael , Wills Samuel
Published: February 2010

Longevity risk is one of the remaining frontiers challenging modern financial markets and financial engineering. Financial innovation has yet to successfully master this very significant risk facing many countries internationally. For well over a hundred years this risk has been the domain of life insurance companies, reinsurance companies and actuaries. The aging population around the world drives the need for new products for managing longevity risk and new markets for hedging this risk. We consider how financial markets and financial product innovations can ideally be used to hedge longevity risk and also consider lessons from the insurance linked securities market that could be used to successfully fund this risk in financial markets.
Hedging Pension Longevity Risk: Practical Capital Markets Solutions
Authors: Coughlan Guy D. , Epstein David , Khalaf-Allah Marwa , Watts Chris S.
Published: February 2010

Longevity risk transfer via the capital markets is now a reality. Pension plans and annuity providers can hedge longevity risk with capital markets instruments, reflecting the emergence of a new market that is poised to take off. The key players in this market are hedgers (pension plans and annuity providers), intermediaries (investment banks and broker-dealers) and end investors (ILS funds, hedge funds, endowments, etc.). We argue that the development of liquidity in this market depends on the acceptance of longevity indices and the development of standardized instruments to transfer this risk.Until now, hedgers of longevity risk have almost exclusively approached the subject from the perspective of indemnification (100 percent risk transfer). We propose an alternative approach based on a risk management paradigm that does not require 100 percent risk transfer and is consistent with the way in which other pension-related risks are managed. To this end we present a framework for longevity hedging cantered on standardized indexbased hedges. This framework uses a building-block approach in which standardized hedge building blocks are combined to provide a longevity hedge tailored to the specific demographics, benefit structure and mortality table of any pension plan. The effectiveness of this hedge is maximized by careful calibration of the mix of building blocks and then verified in hedge effectiveness tests.We also discuss customized longevity hedges that will be preferred by some hedgers, who are unconcerned by the lower liquidity and onerous requirements for data disclosure associated with these hedges, and are prepared to pay the additional premium above the cost of a standardized hedge.
An Empirical Study of Mortality Models in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Hong-Chih , Yue Jack C. , Yang Sharon S.
Published: February 2010

There has been a significant increase in the life expectancies of the Taiwanese population after the end of Second World War. Like in many developed countries, due to the prolonging life expectancy and lower fertility rates, the aging population has now become a major policy concern in Taiwan. The search for feasible methods for modeling the future mortality changes has become a popular issue in Taiwan. The Lee-Carter (LC) model, the reduction factor (RF) model and the age-period-cohort (APC) model are three frequently used methods for modeling future mortality dynamics. In this paper, we introduce these three models and discuss their respective pros and cons. We carry out an empirical study using these models based on Taiwan mortality experience. In addition, we make a comparison analysis of different models with different mortality experience in Japan, England and Wales, and the US.
Elaborating a Catastrophic Loss Index for Insurance-linked Securities (ILS): A Continuous Model
Authors: Pérez-Fructuoso María José
Published: February 2010

This paper proposes a continuous random modeling of catastrophic loss indexes underlying insurance-linked securities (ILS), by convolution of each catastrophic events amount of reported claims. This variable is calculated, in turn, as the difference between the catastrophes total severity, on one hand, and its amount of incurred-but-not-yet-reported claims, which is considered to be driven by a geometric Brownian motion, on the other hand. Parameters estimation and verification of the goodness-of-fit to a sample of data series on floods in Spain have subsequently been conducted in order to test the models validity.
Alternative Pricing Models of Deposit Insurance under Capital Forbearance
Authors: Mao Hong , Ostaszewski Krzysztof M.
Published: February 2010

In this paper, we present alternative pricing models of deposit insurance under capital forbearance. The investment behavior of deposit insurance companies and moral hazard of banks are considered and numerical analysis is carried out. We find that If the premium rate reflects forecasting instead of merely assessing the liability in determining premium rate, and considering the effect of the relationship between deposits interest rate and insolvency risk of banks, this can help decrease this moral hazard created after the issuance of the insurance contract.
The Dynamic Interactions between Risk Management, Capital Management, and Financial Management in the U.S. Property/Liability Insurance Industry
Authors: Born Patricia , Lin Hong-Jen , Wen Min-Ming , Yang Charles C.
Published: February 2010

This study examines empirically how risk management, financial management, and capital management are related to each other in the property/liability insurance industry, thereby reflecting interactions in managerial decisions such as the choice of derivatives and reinsurance use, the allocation of asset risks, the determination of underwriting activities and liability risks, and the adequacy of capital levels. This research contributes to the literature by adopting structural equation modeling to capture not only the dynamic interactions among capital management, financial management, and risk management, but also the effects of internal integrated factors or external regulatory factors on these managerial decisions. Among the empirical findings of this study, it is shown that risk management, capital management and financial management should be assessed under an integrated framework as emphasized in the concept of enterprise risk management. In addition, regulatory requirements embedded in the insurance industry might play an essential role in the integration of managerial decisions.
Labour conditions of university teachers on Belgrade University: Relationship toward administration
Authors: Jaric Isidora
Published: February 2010

The paper analyzes modes in which teaching stuff on Belgrade University perceive Bologna process, in global and local Serbian societal and university context, different administrative and management instances within higher education system, as well as teachers' relation toward these instances and the perception of teachers' place within this new higher education system caught in the intensive process of Bologna transformation. The empirical foundation of this paper represents the research of the labour conditions of university teachers that Center for Educational Policies performed during 2008 on five faculties from Belgrade University.
Jaspers' try of the rehabilitation of the idea of university
Authors: Lolic Marinko
Published: February 2010

Author is into discussion of Jaspers' perception of the crisis idea of university and his try to mane a rehabilitation of his idea in his texts from 1923 and 1945. Author shows that Jaspers in his discussing idea of university count on while derive from implicit sociology German idealism. For Jaspers the institutions are forms of objective spirit which can function only in live form of the achievement of idea which is interesting. As soon as spirit disappear, institution starts to fossilize in something which is soul, which decay in dead substance.
Personal identity and eastern thought
Authors: Correia Carlos
Published: February 2010

This paper aims to show that the problem of personal identity is a fundamental question of the classical Indian thought. Usually we tend to think that personal identity is a Western philosophical subject, and so we tend to forget the significance of the Self (Atman) in Hinduism and even in Buddhism. The author shows how the Indian thought approached the question of personal identity and which was the singular solution outlined in the work consensually attributed to Gotama, the Buddha.
A philosophical approach to the 'religion - national mythology' synthesis
Authors: Bogomilova Nonka
Published: February 2010

The paper analyses the philosophical aspects of the 'religion - national mythology' synthesis. The main directions of the study are as follows: 1. Both on the individual and social plan, the orientation of the transcending universalizing power of religion could vary depending on the macro-social movements a community /or an individual/ is involved in. For the individual as for the community, religion could be a cultural position transcending ego and ethno-centrism, mono-cultural tendencies; in situations of internal differentiation and disintegration of these entities, the universalizing binding role of religion is partialized and determined by various social groups, who are often in opposition to each other due to their economic political, ethnic, psychological features; 2. This process is usually related to the invalidation of universally uniting religious-moral bonds and values and intensification of differences: power, property, doctrinal differences to a shift of the weight center from internal spiritual movements /particularly typical of mysticism, asceticism, priesthood/ on to practical social action - reformist heresies, the various practical theologies of revolution, liberation, the religious-motivated wars; 3. When reduced to an ethnic, political, or state emblem, religious affiliation to Judaism, Islam Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Protestantism has become and still remain a tool for the sacralization of military and political conflicts. In religion-motivated conflict situations, opposing parties de-sacralize their Sacred Books as their acts contradict the books' moral content; 4. The power of historical mythologies is in reverse proportion to the capacity of a nation to periodically renew its social life world - its psychological attitudes labour relations, political stereotypes; 5. In this type of situation religion is usually reduced to 'belonging', as G. Davie put it, at the expense of 'believing' and a corresponding moral behavior. The religious universe becomes thus subordinated to partial group values, instead of standing above them.
The 'spirit' and the 'letter' of the moral law: Text and commentary in the hermeneutics of German idealism, I
Authors: Milisavljevic Vladimir
Published: February 2010

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on different aspects of the hermeneutical problem in post-Kantian philosophical 'constellation'. In this domain, the problem of the relationship between the text and its commentary is theorized in terms of the antithesis between 'Spirit' and 'Letter', which clearly has religious roots. Therefore, the first part of the paper examines the historical origins of this antithesis, as well as its application in philosophical discussions which developed by the end of the 18th century about the problem of finding the 'true' interpretation to Kant's philosophy. The second part of the text, which is to be published in the next issue of this review, brings the duality of spiritual and literal interpretation into closer connection with the topics of Kant's moral philosophy.
Can virtue be taught?
Authors: Nikitovic Aleksandar
Published: February 2010

The teachability of virtue is an issue on which were crossed swords during the struggle for supremacy between two basic principles of ancient Greek spirit - sophistry and ancient Greek ethics. Two great representatives of these opposite principles, Plato and Protagoras, confronted their arguments in Plato's dialog named after the great sophist. Paradoxically, during this philosophical struggle, Protagoras, who at the beginning supposed that virtue is teachable, later, on the contrary, states that virtue is not knowledge and this would make it least likely to be teachable. On the other hand Plato, who is trying to preserve the ancient Greek principle that virtue is innate, claims that virtue is knowledge. The solution of this great dispute between two principles of antiquity Plato sees in philosophical theoretization of ancient Greek mythical worldview.
On sustainability of the identity
Authors: Djuric Jelena
Published: February 2010

The article deals with different philosophical interpretations or views on identity. The dynamics of these interpretations represents the axis of the identity transformation concept in the global processes related to the changes of paradigms which are developed in correspondence with the issues of the (de)construction of identity throughout the history.
Capitalism and justification
Authors: Biresev Ana
Published: February 2010

Weber's thesis that the spirit of capitalism was preexistent to the rise of capitalism itself inspired many sociologist to search for the cultural background of contemporary forms of capitalism. In this paper, the author focuses on and makes comparisons of three approaches of such kind. The one approach draws from Luc Boltanski and ?ve Chiapello who examine the development of 'new spirit of capitalism' by focusing on the interrelation of two macroactors - capitalism and critique; the other one is of Nigel Thrift who relates the rise of 'soft capitalism' to the strengthening of 'cultural circuit of capital'; and finally, Richard Sennett's approach analyzes the culture of 'new capitalism' and work ethic of the 'mp3 organizations'.
Dead public spaces - live private corners: (Re)contextualization of musically public and private
Authors: Jakovljevic Rastko
Published: February 2010

The expressions of private and public musical life and experience are mostly discussed separately. This article joins these two concepts into one scope and surveys the identity of both. In ideal (utopian?) traditional context between private and public music experience (life), the context shows ideal vitality and consistence, while in an 'irregular' context these two concepts begin to distance themselves, opening space for marginality or so called 'errors'. This article studies bagpipe tradition in Serbia, at different stages of its development and in different periods, specifically focusing on rural and urban contexts in diverse sociopolitical conditions. Although bagpipe tradition still exists in Serbia it is far removed from what it once was, and the idea is to represent the contexts of that process, private and public, sociopolitical, and marginal aspects, from the 19th century (or hypothetically before then) until today.
On the (in)completeness of Schoenberg's oratorio die Jakobsleiter
Authors: Jeremic-Molnar Dragana , Molnar Aleksandar
Published: February 2010

The question why Arnold Schoenberg did not complete his oratorio Die Jakobsleiter according to his initial plan, but instead decided to set to music only the text from the first part of the work and to compose the Great symphonic interlude, is still unanswered today and is quite worthy of continuing scholarly attention. In this article the authors argue that Schoenberg's religious beliefs played a central role in both creating and (re)shaping Die Jakobsleiter. In other words, Schoenberg's post-war decision to abandon the plan to compose music for the second part of the oratorio (i.e. for the rest of the libretto published in 1917), was a direct outcome of the transition of his Weltanschauung from unorthodox theosophy and open-minded cosmopolitanism towards more earthly oriented and nationally uncompromising Judaism. According to these new beliefs, Schoenberg conceived the Great symphonic interlude as a real denial of all human endeavors to reach transcendence and as an epitaph for the romantic 'infinite urge', which so passionately inspired composers from the previous epoch. By doing this Schoenberg abandoned the tradition of musical romanticism, as well as his own 'free' atonal project, which was counterpart to his former beliefs and which in different conditions, was found to be 'heretical' according to the newly revealed Law of Dodecaphony.
The complementary nature of poetic and musical systems in ritual visits to households
Authors: Zakic Mirjana
Published: February 2010

Analysis of poetic texts of the ritual - processions (koledari, lazarice kraljice) in Southeastern Serbia has proved that poetical systems facilitate the differentiation at all levels of semantic relations connected to ritual practice: from denotatum (the current, real objects to which the individual ritual acts refers), specific designatum (mutual concept of given ritual marked with existing denotata), to universal designata (general concept of all rituals, marked with specific designata and content denotata). However with the frequent absence of indexic references (refrains, specific frames and lexemes), poetic texts have become universal in the denotation area of the general idea of fertility among all rituals, and the possibility of fragmentation/ analysis and reality segmentation, which derive from the high communication potential of the verbal system, which contributes towards making key connections with denotata on the syntagmatic plan of the ritual process. In contrast with that, musical texts (as articulated entities or music 'gestalts') are always contextualized and ritually recognizable on a paradigmatic level. In this article the differentiation of poetic and music informative values are stressed: semantic (under which meaning, the presence of objects in the text as a sign, is considered) and numeric (which assigns a numerical quantity of innovation in the text). In a semantic sense, the musical message (in relation to the idea of the ritual) and poetic message (according to a concrete object and possibly the idea of the given ritual) are highly informative. In a numerical sense, again, the values of this message are different. The musical message, at the level of the initial model (starting pattern) holds a highly informative value relating to extramusical concept (designatum). However, its numerical informative value is rapidly reduced by model repetition in further melostrophic appearances. A different principle is at stake when it comes to poetic structuralisation, in which a continuous flow of new verses (new content) produces increscent information. With such a mechanism, in a perceptual sense, the high redundancies of the musical model are being commutated. This redundancy of music content has the function of impacting and integrating it into individual and collective memory. The very thought of this parallel testifies to the frequently stressed differentiality of non-verbal and verbal communicational forms. During informational transfer 'syntax of non-verbal 'language' has to be much simpler than the syntax of spoken or written language'.
An example of a commutative basic algebra which is not an MV-algebra
Authors: Botur Michal
Published: February 2010

Many algebras arising in logic have a lattice structure with intervals being equipped with antitone involutions. It has been proved in [CHK1] that these lattices are in a one-to-one correspondence with so-called basic algebras. In the recent papers [BOTUR, M.—HALAŠ, R.: Finite commutative basic algebras are MV-algebras, J. Mult.-Valued Logic Soft Comput. (To appear)]. and [BOTUR, M.—HALAŠ, R.: Complete commutative basic algebras, Order 24 (2007), 89–105] we have proved that every finite commutative basic algebra is an MV-algebra, and that every complete commutative basic algebra is a subdirect product of chains. The paper solves in negative the open question posed in [BOTUR, M.—HALAŠ, R.: Complete commutative basic algebras, Order 24 (2007), 89–105] whether every commutative basic algebra on the interval [0, 1] of the reals has to be an MV-algebra.
On idempotent modifications of generalized MV-algebras
Authors: Jakubík Ján
Published: February 2010

The notion of idempotent modification of an algebra was introduced by Ježek; he proved that the idempotent modification of a group is always subdirectly irreducible. In the present note we show that the idempotent modification of a generalized MV -algebra having more than two elements is directly irreducible if and only if there exists an element in A which fails to be boolean. Some further results on idempotent modifications are also proved.