Modelling heterogeneous space–time occurrences of earthquakes and its residual analysis

Summary. Earthquake intensities are modelled as a function of previous activity whose specific form is based on established empirical laws in seismology, but whose parameter values can vary from place to place. This model is used for characterizing regional features of seismic activities in and around Japan, and also for exploring regions where the actual seismicity rate systematically deviates from that of the modelled rate.     

Finite Sample Performance of tests for Symmetry of the Errors in a Linear Model

The finite sample performance of a number of tests for symmetry of the distribution of the errors of a linear model is considered. The first family of tests is based on the discrepancy between two regression fits. The first fit is appropriate under symmetric errors while the second is appropriate for skewed as well as symmetric error distributions. The second family of procedures consists of tests for the univariate symmetry problem. Thus, in the linear model setting these tests are based on residuals. An extensive empirical study of the finite sample, null behavior of the tests is presented. The results of a power comparison among the tests is also discussed.     

A new estimator of proportion with a linear function using data from two-decks randomized response model

A new estimator for estimating the proportion of a potentially sensitive attribute in survey sampling has been introduced by solving a linear equation. The proposed estimator has been compared with the estimator proposed by Odumade and Singh (2009) with equal protection to all of the respondents. The asymptotic properties of the proposed estimator are investigated through exact numerical illustrations for different choices of parameters. A non randomized response approach has been suggested. A scope for further research has also been pointed out.     

Estimation of Mode Using Two-phase Sampling

In this article, we consider the problem of estimation of mode using two-phase sampling. Ratio- and difference-type estimators in two-phase sampling are proposed. The asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators are studied analytically as well as empirically for different situations for the given cost of surveys. The use of two-phase sampling has been found to be cost saving design while estimating mode by making a proper use of auxiliary information.     

The older the bolder: Does relative age among peers influence children’s preference for competition?

Having been relatively old at school tends to have a long lasting positive effect on professional achievement, in particular in competitive environments (sports, politics). We investigate the roots of this pattern and study whether the relative age position of children at school plays a role in shaping their preference for competition. We run a controlled experiment in high schools across two states in Australia. Our participants are students who are the very oldest or very youngest in their classroom. We elicit their preference for competition using the Niederle and Vesterlund (2007) task and find evidence of an effect of relative age. This effect is concentrated on male students. We find no differences in self-confidence, and risk attitudes between relatively old and young students. These results suggest that the observed pattern may come from pure preference for competition.     

Estimation of Population Variance from Multi-ranker Ranked Set Sampling Designs

In this article, we develop an estimator for a population variance based on a multi-ranker ranked set sampling design. In a multi-ranker design, the units are ranked by more than one ranker allowing ties whenever the confidence level of the rankers is low. The ranking information of all rankers is then combined in a meaningful way to create a single measure. This measure is used to construct the sampling design and a new estimator for the population variance. The article investigates the bias and relative efficiency of the proposed variance estimator. It is shown that the new estimator performs as good as or better than its competitors in the literature.     

Measuring Social Tension from Income Class Segregation

We develop an index that effectively measures the level of social tension generated by income class segregation. We adopt the basic concepts of between-group difference (or alienation) and within-group similarity (or identification) from the income [bi]polarization literature; but we allow for asymmetric degrees of between-group antagonism in the alienation function, and construct a more effective identification function using both the relative degree of within-group clustering and the group size. To facilitate statistical inference, we derive the asymptotic distribution of the proposed measure using results from U-statistics. As the new measure is general enough to include existing income polarization indices as well as the Gini index as special cases, the asymptotic result can be readily applied to these popular indices. Evidence from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics data suggests that, while the level of social tension shows an upward trend over the sample period of 1981 to 2005, government’s taxes and transfers have been effective in reducing the level of social tension significantly.     

An improved cluster two-stage randomized response model

In this paper, Abdelfatah and Mazloum's (2015) two-stage randomized response model is extended to unequal probability sampling and stratified unequal probability sampling, both with and without replacement. The extended models result in more efficient estimators than Lee et al.'s (2014) estimators of the proportion of the population having a sensitive attribute.     

"A 20% income increase for everyone?": The effect of relative increases in income on perceived income inequality

Most research on income inequality implicitly assumes that a fixed percentage increase in income across all income levels does not alter income inequality. In contrast with this assumption, we show that relative increases in income lead to increased perceptions of inequality, even when buying power is held constant. In a second experiment, we extended these findings using a fictitious currency, thereby eliminating effects of using a familiar currency. In study 3, we demonstrate that feelings of envy and fairness are affected by a fixed percentage income increase.     

交易获利机会损失的侵权损害赔偿

法经济学的一种通行观点认为,交易获利机会的损失在相当大的程度上并非"真实社会成本",而仅仅是不同市场主体之间的转移支付,因此原则上否定此种交易获利机会赔偿的侵权法规则具有合理性。提出该观点的早期文献系统性低估了交易获利机会损失事件引发的"真实社会成本"。实际上,如果坚持使用"真实社会成本"概念对侵权法规则进行分析,最终甚至会导致对物之损害赔偿的传统规则的正当性也发生疑问。适宜的作法是放弃"真实社会成本"概念而代之以"相对社会成本"概念,原则上将成本——收益分析限定于加害人与被害人之间的关系。按照此种思路,除第三人提供交易机会所导致的或具有合同法救济渠道的交易获利机会损失需要特殊处理外,并无效率方面的原则性理由支持侵权法一般性地排除交易获利机会损失的可赔性。