Proposition of a General Formula for Price Indices

In this article, we propose a general formula for aggregative price indices that satisfies most postulates coming from the axiomatic price index theory. We show that the ideal Fisher index, Laspeyres and Paasche formulas, and a lot of other indices are particular cases of the proposed formula. Moreover, using the general formula we can easily define new indices, that would satisfy given postulates. We also present an interesting result for the proposed formula.     

A version of the Kolmogrov–Feller weak law of large numbers for maximal weighted sums of random variables

Abstract

In this paper we establish Kolmogrov–Feller weak law of large numbers for maximal weighted sums of i.i.d. random variables.     

Circular economy and the city: an urban political economy agenda

ABSTRACT

The circular economy (CE) has become a matter of urban development. A literature review shows that the CE debate is biased toward technology-driven industrial change, while bracketing broader socio-political interests. We address this gap by exploring the political economy of scale of the CE. Looking into the case of Brussels (Belgium), a city that has recently adopted the CE as part of its socio-economic strategy, we explore how the anticipated transition to a ‘circular city’ chimes with long-standing urban development agendas. While there is little evidence of stable growth coalitions between corporate and political elites, we argue that the CE provides an ‘urban sustainability fix’ by selectively incorporating ecological goals in urban governance strategies. We further scrutinise the landscape of diverse and heterogenous CE practices in food and transport, highlighting how they are regulated and organised, what labour conditions they offer, and how they are anchored in urban space.     

Liberalization of services in Europe: Polish perspective on economic implications of the Services Directive

The original EU Service Directive proposal met widespread opposition and was subsequently narrowed down. Some believed that the competition from the New Member States would endanger the situation of the “old” EU service providers. We assess the importance of the Service Directive for Poland and other EU members by performing a revealed comparative advantage analysis and a computable general equilibrium simulation of the outcome. The liberalization provides minimal welfare gains for Poland and the main opponents of the Service Directive, while they are expected to be higher for small economies open to trade in services.     

On parallel policies for ranking and selection problems

In this paper we develop and test experimental methodologies for selection of the best alternative among a discrete number of available treatments. We consider a scenario where a researcher sequentially decides which treatments are assigned to experimental units. This problem is particularly challenging if a single measurement of the response to a treatment is time-consuming and there is a limited time for experimentation. This time can be decreased if it is possible to perform measurements in parallel. In this work we propose and discuss asynchronous extensions of two well-known Ranking & Selection policies, namely, Optimal Computing Budget Allocation (OCBA) and Knowledge Gradient (KG) policy. Our extensions (Asynchronous Optimal Computing Budget Allocation (AOCBA) and Asynchronous Knowledge Gradient (AKG), respectively) allow for parallel asynchronous allocation of measurements. Additionally, since the standard KG method is sequential (it can only allocate one experiment at a time) we propose a parallel synchronous extension of KG policy – Synchronous Knowledge Gradient (SKG). Computer simulations of our algorithms indicate that our parallel KG-based policies (AKG, SKG) outperform the standard OCBA method as well as AOCBA, if the number of evaluated alternatives is small or the computing/experimental budget is limited. For experimentations with large budgets and big sets of alternatives, both the OCBA and AOCBA policies are more efficient.     

Agent Rationality Behind Network Formation

We search for agent behavior rules which lead to the emergence of social networks that exhibit empirically observed phenomena: small-world property, scale-free degree distribution and stability in time. We assume that agents form and sever links using a cost-benefit analysis. Agents receive benefit from own links and from links that their friends form. On the other hand, link formation, deletion and keeping is costly. We find that a simple model structure which relies only on convex cost of link upkeep leads to stable networks which exhibit the small-world property.     

Insulin resistance,oxidative stress markers and the blood antioxidant system in overweight elderly men

The purpose of the study was to examine in the blood of overweight men aged from 62 to 83 years, the relationships between age and insulin resistance, selected parameters of the oxidative stress, and the antioxidant defense system. The population studied was divided into two groups: the group ‘young-old’ consisted of men aged 62 to 74 years old, and the group ‘old-old’– of men aged between 75 and 83 years. The total antioxidative status (TAS) and concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured in the blood plasma. In the serum samples, the levels of antibodies against oxidized LDL (oLAB), glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and insulin were measured. Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA_IR) was calculated. Concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx) were determined in the red blood cells hemolysate. The results of the study did not show significant differences between groups investigated with respect to concentrations of TBARS, TAS, GSH and GPx. However, significantly higher concentrations of glucose and antibodies against oxLDL (p < 0.05) were observed in the group of men over 74 years old in comparison to the group of ‘young-old’ men. It was indicated that the increased insulin resistance and hyperglycemia in elderly men are related to body mass and that they cause intensified oxidative modifications of LDL.     

Two dynamics of globalization in the context of a sports mega-event: the case of UEFA EURO 2012 in Poland

ABSTRACT

The article uses the theoretical framework of Saskia Sassen’s two dynamics of globalization in order to analyse the relations between a nation-state and a non-state global actor when applying and preparing for a sports mega-event, namely UEFA Euro 2012 in Poland. The first dynamic of globalization is created by global institutions, organizations – such as global sport organizations, regimes, and processes. UEFA used the application process, and preparation, to confirm and consolidate its role as a global governor of an increasingly important area of globalization. The way Polish public institutions accommodated the UEFA requirements illustrates the second dynamic of globalization. The context of sports mega-events – ‘organized’ by global sports organizations and ‘hosted’ by nation-states – merges the two dynamics and makes it possible to emphasize the mechanisms involved in forming the new global order, defined by the complex interplay between the nation-state and non-state actors.