Fractional Moments and Maximum Entropy: Geometric Meaning

We consider the problem of recovering a probability density on a bounded or unbounded subset D of [0, ∞), from the knowledge of its sequence of fractional moments within a maximum entropy (MaxEnt) setup. Based upon entropy convergence results previously formulated, the fractional moments are selected so that the entropy of the MaxEnt approximation be minimum. A geometric interpretation of the reconstruction procedure is formulated as follows: the two moment curves generated by the unknown density and its MaxEnt approximation are interpolating in Hermite-Birkoff sense; that is, they are both interpolating and tangent at the selected nodes.     

A unified approach to permutation testing for equivalence

Statistical Methods & Applications - The notion of testing for equivalence of two treatments is widely used in clinical trials, pharmaceutical experiments, bioequivalence and quality control....     

The Dimensions of Agricultural Diversification: A Spatial Analysis of Italian Municipalities

Diversification in agriculture could ensure the survival of farming by broadening the income base of farms and encouraging agricultural sustainability. The diversification of on-farm activities may depend on socioeconomic and environmental characteristics. Although multifunctionality is a hotly debated topic, few papers have focused on the farm characteristics that influence diversification and none have focused on the influence of the spatial pattern. This paper examines the relationship between farm characteristics and the adoption of a specific type of diversification. An econometric model is presented that uses a spatial autoregressive lag model at the municipal scale. The results demonstrate that the activation of each diversification dimension is influenced by both internal and external factors, encompassing farmers’ characteristics, the farm structure, and territorial features, including regional and spatial patterns. Deepening is mainly influenced by the farmer’s age, education, and the presence of small and labor-intensive farms. The key factors for broadening diversification are the presence of small farms and farms with mixed production (breeding and crop cultivation). Regrounding is most affected by the labor-intensive farms in the area and the farms with mixed production.     

On the estimation of the Lorenz curve under complex sampling designs

Statistical Methods & Applications - This paper focuses on the estimation of the concentration curve of a finite population, when data are collected according to a complex sampling design with...     

U.N.H.C.R. as a bulwark against violations of migrants’ rights. Dialogue with Stephane Jacquemet

Stephane Jacquemet, Regional Representative for Southern Europe of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (U.N.H.C.R.) since April 2016, agreed to answer some questions regarding U.N.H.C.R.’s mandate and positions in relation to the so-called ‘European migration crisis’. Mr Jacquemet is a Swiss Lawyer who has been working with the U.N.H.C.R. for 24 years. In 1992 he was called as Head of Operations in Croatia, and during his career he served in Togo, Indonesia, Lebanon, Nepal, Burkina Faso, and Colombia. Between 1997 and 2002 Mr Jacquemet held a number of senior positions in the Division of International Protection at U.N.H.C.R. Headquarters in Geneva. This rare and invaluable combination of legal and practical expertise makes Mr Jacquemet a first-class interlocutor whom to ask some questions concerning, on the one hand, the E.U. policies towards migrants, and, on the other, U.N.H.C.R.'s strategies in relation to the promotion of refugees’ and statelessness persons’ rights.     

ENDOGENOUS NETWORKS IN RANDOM POPULATION GAMES

Population learning in dynamic economies traditionally has been studied in contexts where payoff landscapes are smooth. Here, dynamic population games take place over “rugged” landscapes, where agents are uncertain about payoffs from bilateral interactions. Notably, individual payoffs from playing a binary action against everyone else are uniformly distributed over [0, 1]. This random population game leads the population to adapt over time, with agents updating both actions and partners. Agents evaluate payoffs associated to networks thanks to simple statistics of the distributions of payoffs associated to all combinations of actions performed by agents out of the interaction set. Simulations show that: (1) allowing for endogenous networks implies higher average payoff compared to static networks; (2) the statistics used to evaluate payoffs affect convergence to steady-state; and (3) for statistics MIN or MAX, the likelihood of efficient population learning strongly depends on whether agents are change-averse or not in discriminating between options delivering the same expected payoff.     

Emergency Workers’ Quality of Life: The Protective Role of Sense of Community, Efficacy Beliefs and Coping Strategies

This study, involving a sample of 764 emergency workers, investigates dimensions of quality of life at work (Compassion fatigue, Burnout and Compassion satisfaction), and their relationships with Coping strategies and some psychosocial variables (Sense of Community, Collective Efficacy and Self-efficacy). Results indicate the usefulness of distinguishing between positive and negative indicators of emergency workers’ quality of life. Compassion satisfaction is positively correlated with efficacy beliefs, Sense of Community and the use of Active coping strategies. Burnout and Compassion fatigue are especially correlated with the use of dysfunctional coping strategies like distraction and self-criticism. Volunteer emergency workers enjoy a higher well being than full-time professional workers. Results and their implications for interventions aimed at increasing rescue workers’ quality of life by enhancing psychosocial competences are discussed.     

Paradigmatic experiments: The Dictator Game

Recent experiments with the Dictator Game (and the ensuing discussions) have been affected by considerable confusion regarding the purpose of this design. A common complaint is that the design gives rise to fragile regularities and therefore is of little use for theory-testing. We take issue with this view, and instead argue that the Dictator Game is potentially a very useful tool for experimental game theory, if properly used. It is particularly useful for investigating social norms, but economists have failed to take advantage of the Dictator Game because they still lack an adequate theory of norms.