M-estimator-based robust estimation of the number of components of a superimposed sinusoidal signal model

In this paper, we consider the problem of estimating the number of components of a superimposed nonlinear sinusoids model of a signal in the presence of additive noise. We propose and provide a detailed empirical comparison of robust methods for estimation of the number of components. The proposed methods, which are robust modifications of the commonly used information theoretic criteria, are based on various M-estimator approaches and are robust with respect to outliers present in the data and heavy-tailed noise. The proposed methods are compared with the usual non-robust methods through extensive simulations under varied model scenarios. We also present real signal analysis of two speech signals to show the usefulness of the proposed methodology.     

On Testing Exponentiality against NBAFR Alternatives

In this article, we propose an interesting approach for testing exponentiality against NBAFR alternatives. A measure of deviation from exponentiality has been derived on the basis of an inequality which we have proved. A test statistic has been constructed using density estimators and its asymptotic normality established. The consistency of the said test is also proved.     

The Quest for Inclusion: Jewish-Israeli Gay Men's Perceptions of Gays in the Media

This article seeks to understand the gendered dynamics of political leadership in contemporary Israeli society by examining how the Israeli press dealt with the issue of Tzipi Livni's “womanhood” and “feminine style” (or lack thereof) in the course of the 2008–2009 campaign. By analyzing the media debate surrounding Livni's candidacy to the premiership, I am able to complicate the discussion concerning the media's treatment of the issue of gender and political leadership in general and in Israel in particular. The main sources of data are some fifty items published in the daily national newspapers during the election campaign, and Livni's website. Employing a rhetorical analysis, I chart the persistent power of gender ideologies in Israeli public and political discourses and outline the ways in which they are accepted, contested and subverted. I find that although creative appropriation attempts were made to produce an alternative leadership discourse, these came fairly late in the campaign and were unfocused, and thus, ultimately, were unable to pose a serious challenge to Israeli gender ideologies concerning leadership.     

Efficient allocation of heterogenous commodities with balanced transfers

In this article, we characterize heterogenous commodities allocation problems where an efficient rule can be implemented in dominant strategies with balanced transfers. We show that the class of such problems is non-trivial and that the associated difference domain is one-dimensional. If the domain satisfies convexity, there exists a permutation of the objects for which the associated difference domain is a straight line passing through the origin with positive slope. An interesting feature of the domains is that at most two orderings of the commodities are permissible and, in particular, one ordering must be the reverse of the other.     

On the nature of Suppes–Sen maximal paths in an aggregative growth model

This article investigates the nature of paths in the standard neoclassical aggregative model of economic growth that are maximal according to the Suppes–Sen grading principle. This is accomplished by relating such paths to paths which are utilitarian maximal when an increasing (but not necessarily concave) utility function evaluates each period’s consumption. Dynamic properties of Suppes–Sen maximal paths, which lie entirely above or entirely below the golden-rule, are analyzed. An example is presented in which an explicit form of a consumption function is described, which generates only Suppes–Sen maximal paths. This consumption function is shown to generate consumption cycles, and violate the Pigou–Dalton transfer principle.     

Pedagogy and Activism – Do the Two Mix? A Dialogue on Social Justice and Its Place in The Classroom

In this introductory essay, I reflect on the connection between pedagogy and activism and introduce the three contributors to this special section on the topic. More specifically, I chart key points in the history of sociology in the West asking readers to consider whether sociology has ever been value-free. In the process, I invoke sociologists who thought it essential for integration of sociological thought and practice (albeit not necessarily in the form of activism), ponder the meaning of science and think about the meaning of an education in sociology. As part of the discussion, I also present my position on sociology, pedagogy, and activism.     

Some Further Issues Concerning Likelihood Inference for Left Truncated and Right Censored Lognormal Data

The maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of the parameters of a two-parameter lognormal distribution with left truncation and right censoring are developed through the Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm. For comparative purpose, the MLEs are also obtained by the Newton–Raphson method. The asymptotic variance-covariance matrix of the MLEs is obtained by using the missing information principle, under the EM framework. Then, using asymptotic normality of the MLEs, asymptotic confidence intervals for the parameters are constructed. Asymptotic confidence intervals are also obtained using the estimated variance of the MLEs by the observed information matrix, and by using parametric bootstrap technique. Different confidence intervals are then compared in terms of coverage probabilities, through a Monte Carlo simulation study. A prediction problem concerning the future lifetime of a right censored unit is also considered. A numerical example is given to illustrate all the inferential methods developed here.     

Multidimensional Poverty: Measurement,Estimation, and Inference

Calibration in macroeconomics involves choosing fre parameters by matching certain moments of simulted models with those of data. We formally examine this method by treating the process of calibration as an econometric estimator. A numerical version of the Mehra-Prescott (1985) economy is the setting for an evaluation of calibration estimators via Monte Carlo methods. While these estimators sometimes have reasonable finite-sample properties they are not robust to mistakes in setting non-free parameters. In contrast, generalized method-of-moments (GMM) estimators have satisfactory finite-sample characteristics, quick convergence, and informational requirements less stringent than those of calibration estimators. In dynamic equilibrium models in which GMM is infeasible we offer some suggestions for improving estimates based on calibration methodology.     

The Role of Social Networks in the Immigration Decision-making Process: The Case of North American Immigration to Israel

This study focuses on the role of social networks in the decision-making process in migration which occurs between developed countries, specifically in immigration from North America to Israel. The central declared motives for immigration were religious; nevertheless, “materialistic” issues were also mentioned. The decision-making process was long, usually taking from 2 to 10 years. Information was gathered via personal contacts from social networks, during visits to Israel, and from Jewish organisations. The Internet also played a major role in this process. Networks that were set up by Israeli and Jewish organisations were found to be especially effective in organising immigration because they connected non-numerous dispersed individuals, who were thinking about Aliyah, and needed various kinds of support.