12,048 research outputs found
The dynamic performance of identity work
As a phenomenon socially constructed and performed through relationships (Ainsworth and Hardy, 2004, Cunliffe, 2008, Beech, 2008), self-identity is inextricably dependent on interpersonal interactions and social contexts (Kondo, 1990, Kondrat, 1999, Ybema et al., 2009). Thus āselves and identities are āperformed within relationshipsā, ādone in interactionsā and/or ātalked into beingāā (Smith and Sparkes, 2008, p.25). As this suggests, identity is performative (Butler, 1990, Smith and Sparkes, 2008) and, therefore, identity work becomes an important feature of the way in which individuals strive to enact, and become, their identity (KƤrreman and Alvesson, 2001, Down and Reveley, 2009
The Economists' Quartet - A Game, not a Theory
In this paper we introduce a new card game called The Economists' Quartet. Its aim is twofold: it is designed to make students interested in the life of contemporary and former economists and their most important ideas, as well as be an entertaining pastime for 'grown-up' post graduate economists. We will describe three different versions of the game, their rules and strategies, and add some interesting parallels to life in the academic world of economists. The first version is a two-person noncooperative game, where the achievements of two economists are compared to each other. The second version is a multiple person game where the players have to collect complete quartets (i.e. set of four economists) by drawing cards from each other. Although every version has its specific advantages, we especially recommend the third version of the game which is a multiple person game with bargaining, where the players have to find corresponding pairs of two economists. This third version of the game is the most demanding one, since winning the game depends largely on knowing much about the economists, their work and ideas. We conclude with some considerations about playing the game and an outlook to future versions of The Economists' Quartet. To avoid misunderstandings, we want to point out that we do not examine any specific economic question here, we just want to provide a card game about economists made by economists for economists.
Comparison of Molecular Dynamics with Hybrid Continuum-Molecular Dynamics for a Single Tethered Polymer in a Solvent
We compare a newly developed hybrid simulation method which combines
classical molecular dynamics (MD) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to a
simulation consisting only of molecular dynamics. The hybrid code is composed
of three regions: a classical MD region, a continuum domain where the dynamical
equations are solved by standard CFD methods, and an overlap domain where
transport information from the other two domains is exchanged. The exchange of
information in the overlap region ensures that momentum, energy and mass are
conserved. The validity of the hybrid code is demonstrated by studying a single
polymer tethered to a hard wall immersed in explicit solvent and undergoing
shear flow. In classical molecular dynamics simulation a great deal of
computational time is devoted to simulating solvent molecules, although the
solvent itself is of no direct interest. By contrast, the hybrid code simulates
the polymer and surrounding solvent explicitly, whereas the solvent farther
away from the polymer is modeled using a continuum description. In the hybrid
simulations the MD domain is an open system whose number of particles is
controlled to filter the perturbative density waves produced by the polymer
motion.We compare conformational properties of the polymer in both simulations
for various shear rates. In all cases polymer properties compare extremely well
between the two simulation scenarios, thereby demonstrating that this hybrid
method is a useful way to model a system with polymers and under nonzero flow
conditions. There is also good agreement between the MD and hybrid schemes and
experimental data on tethered DNA in flow. The computational cost of the hybrid
protocol can be reduced to less than 6% of the cost of updating the MD forces,
confirming the practical value of the method.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figure
Wealth inequality in Europe and the delusive egalitarianism of Scandinavian countries
Past sociological inequality research focused on (labor) market outcomes, while neglecting the even more important role of wealth. In our study we investigate the distribution of wealth among the elderly across Europe within the framework of Esping-Andersenās typology of welfare states. Using SHARE data, our analyses suggest (1) that there is strong variation in the distribution of wealth between European countries, and (2) that patterns of wealth inequality differ strongly from patterns of income inequality. Surprisingly high levels of wealth disparity were found in the social democratic welfare regimes commonly known as very egalitarian societies. We conclude that Esping-Andersenās scheme requires reconsideration because it is based on a one-sided understanding of social stratiļ¬cation not accounting for the central role of wealth in the stratiļ¬cation process.Inequality, wealth, net worth, income, SHARE, stratiļ¬cation, welfare state, Europe
Optimization Heuristics for Determining Internal Rating Grading Scales
Basel II imposes regulatory capital on banks related to the default risk of their credit portfolio. Banks using an internal rating approach compute the regulatory capital from pooled probabilities of default. These pooled probabilities can be calculated by clustering credit borrowers into different buckets and computing the mean PD for each bucket. The clustering problem can become very complex when Basel II regulations and real-world constraints are taken into account. Search heuristics have already proven remarkable performance in tackling this problem as complex as it is. A Threshold Accepting algorithm is proposed, which exploits the inherent discrete nature of the clustering problem. This algorithm is found to outperform alternative methodologies already proposed in the literature, such as standard k-means and Differential Evolution. Besides considering several clustering objectives for a given number of buckets, we extend the analysis further by introducing new methods to determine the optimal number of buckets in which to cluster banks' clients.credit risk, probability of default, clustering, Threshold Accepting, Differential Evolution
Optimization Heuristics for Determining Internal Rating Grading Scales
Basel II imposes regulatory capital on banks related to the default risk of their credit portfolio. Banks using an internal rating approach compute the regulatory capital from pooled probabilities of default. These pooled probabilities can be calculated by clustering credit borrowers into different buckets and computing the mean PD for each bucket. The clustering problem can become very complex when Basel II regulations and real-world constraints are taken into account. Search heuristics have already proven remarkable performance in tackling this problem as complex as it is. A Threshold Accepting algorithm is proposed, which exploits the inherent discrete nature of the clustering problem. This algorithm is found to outperform alternative methodologies already proposed in the literature, such as standard k-means and Differential Evolution. Besides considering several clustering objectives for a given number of buckets, we extend the analysis further by introducing new methods to determine the optimal number of buckets in which to cluster banks' clients.credit risk, probability of default, clustering, Threshold Accepting, Differential Evolution
Poverty and Employment in Timber-Dependent Counties
One of the most controversial aspects of federal and state policies aimed at protecting old-growth ecosystems has been the potential impact of job losses on local economies. A fundamental question for historically timber-dependent communities is whether these policies will result in local economic stagnation and enduring pockets of poverty. In this paper, we examine the long-run impact of changes in timber-related employment on other types of employment and participation in major federal poverty programs. We use monthly, multi-county time series data to estimate a vector autoregressive model of the experience of northern California counties during the 1980s and 1990s. We find that employment base multiplier effects of timber employment on other types of employment in each county are small, and state economic conditions rather than local employment conditions are the principal driver behind local poverty.
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