On Optimal Point and Block Prediction in Log-Gaussian Random Fields

Abstract.  This work discusses the problems of point and block prediction in log-Gaussian random fields with unknown mean. New point and block predictors are derived that are optimal in mean squared error sense within certain families of predictors that contain the corresponding lognormal kriging point and block predictors, as well as a block predictor originally motivated under the assumption of 'preservation of lognormality', and hence improve upon them. A comparison between the optimal, lognormal kriging and best linear unbiased predictors is provided, as well as between the two new block predictors. Somewhat surprisingly, it is shown that the corresponding optimal and lognormal kriging predictors are almost identical under most scenarios. It is also shown that one of the new block predictors is uniformly better than the other.     

A global energy network? The expansion and integration of non‐triad national oil companies

It is widely perceived that the rising influence of state‐owned energy companies from outside the traditional triad (USA, EU, Japan) is transforming the structure of the global energy market and generating a new wave of resource‐nationalism. There is, however, little empirical analysis of how this process has unfolded. Addressing this empirical gap, in this article I employ a longitudinal social network analysis of the changing corporate relations of five major non‐triad state‐owned energy companies in the period 1997–2007. The findings indicate that, in terms of corporate relations, alongside the global expansion of the non‐triad state‐owned energy companies, there was also an increased integration between them and the private energy companies during this decade. This implies that apart from the resurgence of resource‐nationalism – frequently highlighted in academia and politics – this period also witnessed an increasing transnationalization of the global energy market.     

Schließung von Schulen — Chancen für schulische Innovationsprozesse

Closing down schools — chances of scholar innovative processes. Coaching as support of merging processesThe author discusses chances and risks of processes of school merging processes as an internal coach of a school board. Conditions for success are named for various levels of hierarchy in the school system. This includes an support by means of coaching and supervision.     

ASYMMETRIC SUBSTITUTABILITY: THEORY AND SOME APPLICATIONS

Economists usually describe goods as being either (gross) complements or (gross) substitutes. Yet, what is less known is that one good may be a gross substitute for a second good, while the second good is a gross complement to the first good. This article develops a theory of asymmetric gross substitutability and suggests some potential examples and applications. ( JEL D11)     

RENT‐SEEKING AND CAPITAL ACCUMULATION

A general model incorporating rent‐seeking activities in the standard neoclassical model of capital accumulation is presented. The welfare of the representative agent is negatively affected by the efficiency of rent‐seeking activities. Although intuitive, this result is not obvious because long‐run income can be positively affected by more efficient rent‐seeking activities. The model is used to provide explanations for some recent experiences in developing countries, including the relative poor performance of economies that experience a move to a more decentralized system and the observed path of total factor productivity (TFP) in countries like Ireland and Venezuela. (JEL D23, D74, O40, O41, O47)     

Maternal Child Sexual Abuse Is Associated With Lower Maternal Warmth Toward Daughters but Not Sons

Mothers with a history of child sexual abuse report less warmth toward their children, but whether this association differs by child gender is unknown. We examined the association of maternal child sexual abuse and warmth across child gender, accounting for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and child physical abuse. We verbally administered self-report measures to a cross-sectional sample of 154 mothers with a child between 8 and 12 years old. Eighty-five mothers based warmth responses on a son, and 69 on a daughter. We conducted a hierarchical multiple regression, including child gender, maternal child sexual abuse, child physical abuse, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and 4 two-way interaction terms with child gender. Maternal depression predicted decreased warmth, regardless of child gender, and maternal child sexual abuse predicted decreased warmth, but only toward daughters. Given previous research suggesting that maternal warmth predicts child well-being, the current finding may represent an important avenue of intergenerational transmission of risk in girls.     

Permanent liminality: The impact of non‐standard forms of employment on workers' committees in Israel

Workers' committees in Israel are adapting to the neoliberal economy, and the resulting changes in the labour market, by increasingly accepting various non‐standard forms of employment. At the same time, however, they are resisting this reconfiguration of the capitalist economy, in an effort to safeguard workers' rights. Torn between the two positions, workers' committees find themselves in a state of permanent “liminality”, their role reduced to merely seeking compromises and ad hoc solutions. As a result, opposition to the adverse effects of non‐standard employment remains localized and fragmented, thereby consolidating such employment arrangements.