This paper challenges the question of existence and predictability underwriting cycles in U.S. property casualty insurance industry. Using an approach frequency domain, we demonstrate a hidden periodic component annual aggregated loss ratios. The data support cycle length 8–9 years. Going beyond previous research studying almost 30 years quarterly data, can improve forecasting performance by (d...

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM Bonded porcelain veneers are widely used esthetic restorations. Although high success and survival rates have been reported, failures occur. Fracture is the most common failure mode. Fractures range from incomplete cracks to the catastrophic. Minimally invasive or thin partial veneers have gained popularity. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to measure the influences of p...

BACKGROUND Data on indirect catastrophic injuries in wrestling are scarce. OBJECTIVES To develop a profile of indirect catastrophic injuries in international styles of wrestling and to describe possible risk factors. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective case series; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS Indirect catastrophic injuries that occurred in wrestling clubs in Iran from July 1998 to June 2005 were...

This paper presents a new application of double-layer dynamics theory (DLD) in modelling dynamics of human migration problems reformulated as transportation networks problems. Recent results in DLD allow for generalizing existing migration models by accounting for sudden (discontinuous) changes in migration flows as a consequence of, for example, natural disasters or catastrophic events.

Catastrophic risks are rare events with major consequences, e.g. catastrophic climate change or extinction of a species. The article summarizes decision theory involving catastrophic risks within Von Neumann’s axiomatic theory of choice under uncertainty, and within new extensions of the theory that are speci…cally designed for rare events of major consequences. The classic expected utility the...

Catastrophic landslides cause billions of dollars in damages and claim thousands of lives annually, whereas slow-moving landslides with negligible inertia dominate sediment transport on many weathered hillslopes. Surprisingly, both failure modes are displayed by nearby landslides (and individual landslides in different years) subjected to almost identical environmental conditions. Such observat...