Signed Central Moments of Integer Random Variables with Decreasing Density

Signed central α-moments of integer valued rv with decreasing density are considered. These are all positive if α≥3/2. We state sharp universal bounds on α depending only on the expectation of the random variable. For special cases the bounds are also evaluated numerically.     

DIVIDING GOVERNMENT PRODUCT BETWEEN INTERMEDIATE AND FINAL USES

This paper explores the possibility of using the Classification of the Functions of Government published recently by the United Nations (COFOG) in order to segregate intermediate from final use of government production in the national accounts. It is argued that the notorious difficulties of doing that can be traced to two reasons, one the multiplicity of theoretical concepts, and the other the lack of sufficient detail at the statistical level. The first can be removed by clarifying that on the production account of an economy only production and not welfare is to be measured. The second seems to be overcome by the three-digit detail of COFOG. It is shown that many of these categories are now sufficiently homogeneous for a panel of experts to agree in assigning them to either intermediate or final use, although for a number of categories this is still difficult. The question is whether consensus in the major categories is large enough to consider the remaining controversial ones as border cases, normal in any classification and solved in the last instance not by argument but by convention. Some preliminary figures for the intermediate part of government production are given.     

Ethics,ideology and nutrition

What drives nutritionists in their daily work? Why do they choose nutrition and not another field? Presumably it is the appeal of working, either locally or globally, to alleviate the suffering caused by malnutrition. This article explores the political awareness of nutritionists, the political implications of their daily activities and suggests an enhanced role for nutritionists in the battle against malnutrition. The starting point for this article is the motivating principles behind individual nutritionists.