Robust Small Sample Accurate Inference in Moment Condition Models

Procedures based on the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) (Hansen, 1982) are basic tools in modern econometrics. In most cases, the theory available for making inference with these procedures is based on first order asymptotic theory. It is well-known that the (first order) asymptotic distribution does not provide accurate p-values and confidence intervals in moderate to small samples. Moreover, in the presence of small deviations from the assumed model, p-values and confidence intervals based on classical GMM procedures can be drastically affected (nonrobustness). Several alternative techniques have been proposed in the literature to improve the accuracy of GMM procedures. These alternatives address either the first order accuracy of the approximations (information and entropy econometrics (IEE)) or the nonrobustness (Robust GMM estimators and tests). In this paper, we propose a new alternative procedure which combines robustness properties and accuracy in small samples. Specifically, we combine IEE techniques as developed in Imbens, Spady, Johnson (1998) to obtain finite sample accuracy with robust methods obtained by bounding the original orthogonality function as proposed in Ronchetti and Trojani (2001). This leads to new robust estimators and tests in moment condition models with excellent finite sample accuracy. Finally, we illustrate the accuracy of the new statistic by means of some simulations for three models on overidentifying moment conditions.Exponential tilting, Generalized method of moments, Information and entropy econometrics, Monte Carlo, Robust tests, Saddlepoint techniques

Theory of the evolutionary minority game

We present a theory which describes a recently introduced model of an evolving, adaptive system in which agents compete to be in the minority. The agents themselves are able to evolve their strategies over time in an attempt to improve their performance. The present theory explicitly demonstrates the self-interaction, or so-called market impact, that agents in such systems experience

An application of the 3-dimensional q-deformed harmonic oscillator to the nuclear shell model

An analysis of the construction of a q-deformed version of the 3-dimensional harmonic oscillator, which is based on the application of q-deformed algebras, is presented. The results together with their applicability to the shell model are compared with the predictions of the modified harmonic oscillator.Comment: 12 pages, LaTe

Orbital Magnetic Dipole Mode in Deformed Clusters: A Fully Microscopic Analysis

The orbital M1 collective mode predicted for deformed clusters in a schematic model is studied in a self-consistent random-phase-approximation approach which fully exploits the shell structure of the clusters. The microscopic mechanism of the excitation is clarified and the close correlation with E2 mode established. The study shows that the M1 strength of the mode is fragmented over a large energy interval. In spite of that, the fraction remaining at low energy, well below the overwhelming dipole plasmon resonance, is comparable to the strength predicted in the schematic model. The importance of this result in view of future experiments is stressed.Comment: 10 pages, 3 Postscript figures, uses revte

A microscopic study of the proton-neutron symmetry and phonon structure of the low-lying states in 92Zr

We studied in a microscopic multiphonon approach the proton-neutron symmetry and phonon structure of some low-lying states recently discovered in 92Zr. We confirm the breaking of F-spin symmetry, but argue that the breaking mechanism is more complex than the one suggested in the original shell model analysis of the data. We found other new intriguing features of the spectrum, like a pronounced multiphonon fragmentation of the states and a tentative evidence of a three-phonon mixed symmetry state.Comment: 13 pages, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Combining Physical galaxy models with radio observations to constrain the SFRs of high-z dusty star forming galaxies

We complement our previous analysis of a sample of z~1-2 luminous and ultra-luminous infrared galaxies ((U)LIRGs), by adding deep VLA radio observations at 1.4 GHz to a large data-set from the far-UV to the sub-mm, including Spitzer and Herschel data. Given the relatively small number of (U)LIRGs in our sample with high S/N radio data, and to extend our study to a different family of galaxies, we also include 6 well sampled near IR-selected BzK galaxies at z~1.5. From our analysis based on the radiative transfer spectral synthesis code GRASIL, we find that, while the IR luminosity may be a biased tracer of the star formation rate (SFR) depending on the age of stars dominating the dust heating, the inclusion of the radio flux offers significantly tighter constraints on SFR. Our predicted SFRs are in good agreement with the estimates based on rest-frame radio luminosity and the Bell (2003) calibration. The extensive spectro-photometric coverage of our sample allows us to set important constraints on the SF history of individual objects. For essentially all galaxies we find evidence for a rather continuous SFR and a peak epoch of SF preceding that of the observation by a few Gyrs. This seems to correspond to a formation redshift of z~5-6. We finally show that our physical analysis may affect the interpretation of the SFR-M* diagram, by possibly shifting, with respect to previous works, the position of the most dust obscured objects to higher M* and lower SFRs.Comment: 26 pages, 15 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in MNRAS on Dec. 4th, 201