title: Utility in WTP space: a tool to address confounding random scale effects in destination choice to the Alps

authors: Scarpa, Riccardo

subjects: mixed logit

abstract: Destination choice models with individual-specific taste variation have become the presumptive analytical approach in applied nonmarket valuation. Under the usual specification, tastes are represented by coefficients of site attributes that enter utility, and the distribution of these coefficients is estimated. The distribution of willingness-to-pay (WTP) for site attributes is then derived from the estimated distribution of coefficients. Though conceptually appealing this procedure often results in untenable distributions of willingness to pay. An alternative procedure is to estimate the distribution of willingness to pay directly, through a re-parameterization of the model. We compare hierarchical Bayes and maximum simulated likelihood estimates under both approaches, using data on site choice in the Alps. We find that models parameterized in terms of WTP provide more reasonable estimates for the distribution of WTP, and also fit the data better than models parameterized in terms of attribute coefficients. This approach to parameterizing utility is hence deemed promising for applied nonmarket valuation.

text: Utility in WTP space: a tool to address confounding random scale effects in destination choice to the Alps Destination choice models with individual-specific taste variation have become the presumptive analytical approach in applied nonmarket valuation. Under the usual specification, tastes are represented by coefficients of site attributes that enter utility, and the distribution of these coefficients is estimated. The distribution of willingness-to-pay (WTP) for site attributes is then derived from the estimated distribution of coefficients. Though conceptually appealing this procedure often results in untenable distributions of willingness to pay. An alternative procedure is to estimate the distribution of willingness to pay directly, through a re-parameterization of the model. We compare hierarchical Bayes and maximum simulated likelihood estimates under both approaches, using data on site choice in the Alps. We find that models parameterized in terms of WTP provide more reasonable estimates for the distribution of WTP, and also fit the data better than models parameterized in terms of attribute coefficients. This approach to parameterizing utility is hence deemed promising for applied nonmarket valuation.

year: 2006-12

title: Symmetries of the Hamilton–Jacobi equation

authors: Boyer, C.P.

subjects: Mathematics

abstract: We present a detailed discussion of the infinit esimal symmetries of the Hamilton-Jacobi equation (an arbitrary first order partial equation) Our presentation clucidates the role played by the characteristic system in determining the symmetries. We then specialize to the case of a free particle in one space and one time dimension, and study of local Lie group of point transformations locally isomorphie to O(3,2). We show that the separation of variables of the corresponding Hamilton-Jacobi equation n the form of a sum is related to orbits in the Schrödinger subalgebra of c(3,2). The remaining orbits of o(3,2) yield symmetry related solutions which separate in more complicated product forms. Finally some connections with the primordial equation of hydrodynamics (without force terms) are made.

text: Symmetries of the Hamilton–Jacobi equation We present a detailed discussion of the infinit esimal symmetries of the Hamilton-Jacobi equation (an arbitrary first order partial equation) Our presentation clucidates the role played by the characteristic system in determining the symmetries. We then specialize to the case of a free particle in one space and one time dimension, and study of local Lie group of point transformations locally isomorphie to O(3,2). We show that the separation of variables of the corresponding Hamilton-Jacobi equation n the form of a sum is related to orbits in the Schrödinger subalgebra of c(3,2). The remaining orbits of o(3,2) yield symmetry related solutions which separate in more complicated product forms. Finally some connections with the primordial equation of hydrodynamics (without force terms) are made.

year: 1977-05

title: Māori education as justice and reckoning

authors: Hemi, Keakaokawai Varner

abstract: Hypothetical musings on what constitutes justice have been taking place at least since the ancient Greek philosopher Plato recorded the above debate between Socrates and Cephalus in Republic circa 380 BCE. Modem philosophical notions of justice have also often been heady stuff relying on heuristic "device[ s] of representation"², "thick and thin"³ theories and other abstract conceptions to untangle real-world inequalities. In comparison, current questions of access to justice are earthy, grunty and real. Increasingly vociferous access to justice claims cite the actual injustice-laden histories of particular groups, speak in terms of harm already inflicted and call for reparative, restorative or healing justice. Indigenous peoples, African-Americans and other disenfranchised, excluded and oppressed groups quote dates, casualty numbers and the legislative section or treaty responsible. For many indigenous people, any single incident is always just one among many in the collective memory; there are always more dates, cases,⁴ facts and figures in the "litany of injustices"⁵ which evidence denial of justice. Gritty statistics in one area of well-being flow into another and over generations. This is justice in the trenches, a place where numbers and statistics are what they are.

text: Māori education as justice and reckoning Hypothetical musings on what constitutes justice have been taking place at least since the ancient Greek philosopher Plato recorded the above debate between Socrates and Cephalus in Republic circa 380 BCE. Modem philosophical notions of justice have also often been heady stuff relying on heuristic "device[ s] of representation"², "thick and thin"³ theories and other abstract conceptions to untangle real-world inequalities. In comparison, current questions of access to justice are earthy, grunty and real. Increasingly vociferous access to justice claims cite the actual injustice-laden histories of particular groups, speak in terms of harm already inflicted and call for reparative, restorative or healing justice. Indigenous peoples, African-Americans and other disenfranchised, excluded and oppressed groups quote dates, casualty numbers and the legislative section or treaty responsible. For many indigenous people, any single incident is always just one among many in the collective memory; there are always more dates, cases,⁴ facts and figures in the "litany of injustices"⁵ which evidence denial of justice. Gritty statistics in one area of well-being flow into another and over generations. This is justice in the trenches, a place where numbers and statistics are what they are.

year: 2017