Automatic smoothing parameter selection: A survey

This is a survey of recent developments in smoothing parameter selection for curve estimation. The first goal of this paper is to provide an introduction to the methods available, with discussion at both a practical and also a nontechnical level, including comparison of methods. The second goal is to provide access to the literature, especially on smoothing parameter selection, but also on curve estimation in general. The two main settings considered here are nonparametric regression and probability density estimation, although the points made apply to other settings as well. These points also apply to many different estimators, although the focus is on kernel estimators, because they are the most easily understood and motivated, and have been at the heart of the development in the field.     

Effective writing in mathematical statistics

Care should be taken in the writing of papers in mathematical statistics for two reasons. First this enhances a paper's chances to be accepted for publication in a top journal. Second the contributions of a paper will reach a wider audience if the main ideas are easily accessible. This paper gives suggestions for improvement in two directions: presentation of mathematics and organization of papers.     

Governing Poverty in a Neoliberal Age: New Labour and the Case of Financial Exclusion

In the UK, from the 1990s, the concept of financial exclusion emerged as a focus of policymaking concern. In part, this reflects the growing scale and complexity of personal finance markets and how these are increasingly interwoven into the everyday lives of individuals. However, it is also argued that the development of the concept of financial exclusion reflects preeminent neoliberal discourses that emphasise the centrality of individual responsibility, autonomy and consumer participation within markets. In 2004 the then Labour government, in conjunction with academic experts, financial institutions and other organisations, established a project of financial inclusion in relation to three key domains: banking, affordable credit and financial capability. The consequence, it is suggested here, has not been so much to alleviate inequality as to nurture the poor to be precautionary, risk averse financial subjects. This stands in contrast with the virtues of enterprise and risk-taking called up in middle-class investor subjects.     

STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN THE IRISH CHEMICAL/PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY

Business strategy publications about decision-making have provided a large amount of information on decision-making relating to market share, competitive advantage, managing change and achieving quality. Nevertheless, little research has been carried out on strategic environmental management. Four in-depth case studies of environmental strategy formation and implementation in chemical/pharmaceutical companies in Ireland are presented here. A continuum describing the differing levels of strategic environmental management among the companies is developed. The dimensions for the continuum include attitude towards environmental management, compliance record, level of environmental training, environmental department structure and community relationship, among others. The findings suggest that environmentally proactive companies follow a decentralized or holistic approach to environmental management. Furthermore, these companies have developed an environmental philosophy which has been adopted throughout the organization. This philosophy is identified as environmental caring