Context dependence and consistency in dynamic choice under uncertainty: the case of anticipated regret

We examine if and to what extent choice dispositions can allow dependence on contexts and maintain consistency over time, in a dynamic environment under uncertainty. We focus on one of the context dependence properties, opportunity dependence because of being affected by anticipated regret, where the consequentialist choice framework is maintained. There are two sources of potential inconsistency: one is arrival of information, and the other is changing opportunities. First, we go over the general method of resolution of potential inconsistency, by taking any kinds of inconsistency as given constraints. Second, we characterize a class of choice dispositions that are consistent to information arrival, but may be inconsistent to changing opportunities. Finally, we consider the overall requirement of dynamic consistency and show that it necessarily implies each of consistency to information arrival and independence of choice opportunities. The last result states that the two kinds of potential inconsistency cannot “compensate” each other to recover dynamic consistency overall.     

Exploring trends: tracking evaluations data over several months by therapists and parents of children with cerebral palsy

A pilot study was conducted at the outpatient rehabilitation unit of a children's hospital to explore the overall performance trends of children in daily life as perceived by their parents, compared to the evaluations of therapists. A performance goal was set for each child by his/her therapist and parent at an initial consultation. Over a six-month period, data were collected from the parents of children with cerebral palsy (N = 53), and therapists assessed children at each therapy session as well. The evaluations of both parents and therapists showed statistically significant upward trends in performance over several months.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis>-hop connected dominating set problem: approximation and hardness

Let G be a connected graph and k be a positive integer. A vertex subset D of G is a k-hop connected dominating set if the subgraph of G induced by D is connected, and for every vertex v in G there is a vertex u in D such that the distance between v and u in G is at most k. We study the problem of finding a minimum k-hop connected dominating set of a graph (\({\textsc {Min}}k{\hbox {-}\textsc {CDS}}\)). We prove that \({\textsc {Min}}k{\hbox {-}\textsc {CDS}}\) is \(\mathscr {NP}\)-hard on planar bipartite graphs of maximum degree 4. We also prove that \({\textsc {Min}}k{\hbox {-}\textsc {CDS}}\) is \(\mathscr {APX}\)-complete on bipartite graphs of maximum degree 4. We present inapproximability thresholds for \({\textsc {Min}}k{\hbox {-}\textsc {CDS}}\) on bipartite and on (1, 2)-split graphs. Interestingly, one of these thresholds is a parameter of the input graph which is not a function of its number of vertices. We also discuss the complexity of computing this graph parameter. On the positive side, we show an approximation algorithm for \({\textsc {Min}}k{\hbox {-}\textsc {CDS}}\). Finally, when \(k=1\), we present two new approximation algorithms for the weighted version of the problem restricted to graphs with a polynomially bounded number of minimal separators.     

The Disability Rights Movement in Japan: past, present and future

This paper introduces the history of the modern disability rights movement in Japan, which has been a driving force for change in social norms and policies, and for improving the lives of disabled persons and their families. It presents the traditional social norms and policies that resulted in the confinement of disabled people in their parents' homes and in institutions, a radical movement of people with cerebral palsy active in 1960-1980s, the emergence of the independent living movement in 1980s, and the current disability rights movement and its future challenges. This paper is based on a review of documents and on interviews conducted during the spring of 2000 in Japan with disability rights advocates and personnel working for centres for independent living.     

An Application of Machine Learning for Predicting Rearrests: Significant Predictors for Juveniles

This study examined the influence of the individual and social background in predicting the rearrest of 1124 juveniles who were first brought into the juvenile detention center in a midsized county in California. Independent variables include demographic characteristics, first offense type, gang affiliation, usage of drug, and family characteristics. Using cross-validation to choose an appropriate machine learning model for predicting rearrest, this study identified that the most important predictors of subsequent arrest are age at first arrest, drug usage, gang affiliation, and family with government assistance. Despite the fact that blacks are overrepresented in the juvenile detention population, race was not a significant predictor for rearrest. Future research would continue to explore the utilization of machine learning adding nontraditional variables to enhance the prediction of recidivism.     

Choice with imprecise information: an experimental approach

This article provides an experimental analysis of attitude toward imprecise and variable information. Imprecise information is provided in the form of a set of possible probability values, such that it is virtually impossible for the subjects to guess or estimate, which one in the set is true or more likely to be true. We investigate how geometric features of such information pieces affect choices. We find that the subjects care about more features than the pairs of best-case and worst-case, which is a counter-evidence to the well-known models, maximin and α-maximin. We find that presence of nonextreme points in the set affects choice, which suggests that attitude toward imprecision is ‘nonlinear.’ We also obtain an observation, though not significant, that information pieces have a complementarity that may not be explained by the Bayesian view.     

日本"法的继受"理论性研究的回顾与展望

"法的继受"是一个既旧又新的研究题目。日本关于法继受的理论研究曾在20世纪60年代十分盛行,20世纪90年代后半期又以"法移植论"的名义再次被广泛研究。描述这两个时期法律继受研究既相区别又有内在关联的学术特征,进而对理解乃至于推进东亚共同法的形成有重要而现实的作用。     

On some tests for a multivariate linear functional relationship with replication

For testing problems of the coefficient vector and the interception of multivariate linear functional relationship with replicated observations, the likelihood ratio test statistics are considered. Their asymptotic distributions are obtained under each null hypothesis respectively.     

A Study of Youth Services Networks from a Political-Economy Perspective

ABSTRACT

Volunteers play a vital role in modern societies by boosting the labor force within both the public and private sectors. While the factors that may lead people to volunteer have been investigated in a number of studies, the means by which volunteering contributes to the well-being of such volunteers is poorly understood. It has been suggested through studies that focus on the absence of depression in volunteers that self-esteem and sense of control may be major determinants of the increased well-being reported by volunteers. This is consistent with the homeostatic model of subjective well-being, which proposes that self-esteem, optimism, and perceived control act as buffers that mediate the relationship between environmental experience and subjective well-being (SWB). Using personal well-being as a more positive measure of well-being than absence of depression, this study further explored the possible mediating role of self-esteem, optimism, and perceived control in the relationship between volunteer status and well-being. Participants (N = 1,219) completed a 97-item survey as part of the Australian Unity Wellbeing project. Variables measured included personal well-being, self-esteem, optimism, and a number of personality and psychological adjustment factors. Analyses revealed that perceived control and optimism, but not self-esteem, mediated the relationship between volunteer status and personal well-being.