Welfare For The Unemployed In Britain And Germany: Who Benefits?

Book Description

In recent decades, the problem of unemployment has generated fierce political and academic discussion on how national governments should address this issue. This book sheds light on a key debate in unemployment policy - that of whether unemployment benefits should be insurance-based or means-tested. It carefully compares the impact of the British and German benefit systems on poverty, the duration of unemployment and the spread of workless households during the 1990s.

In Germany unemployment is regarded as a risk which individuals insure themselves against through the state, whereas in Britain compensation for the unemployed is allocated primarily through means-tested benefits paid for from tax revenue. These contrasting welfare scenarios make this study of the differences in welfare provision and the effect on the lives of the unemployed especially valuable. The author combines an in-depth study of unemployment policies with extensive statistical analysis, to examine the experience over time of unemployed individuals and the households in which they live. In particular, she focuses on the important interactions between the state, labor markets and household structures.

This book presents a large amount of new empirical material and employs an innovative methodology by applying event history analysis to social policy questions. Academics and policymakers working in the fields of unemployment, comparative welfare analysis and labor market sociology will welcome this rigorous and highly rewarding volume.

Book Description

Credit risk is today one of the most intensely studied topics in quantitative finance. This book provides an introduction and overview for readers who seek an up-to-date reference to the central problems of the field and to the tools currently used to analyze them. The book is aimed at researchers and students in finance, at quantitative analysts in banks and other financial institutions, and at regulators interested in the modeling aspects of credit risk.

David Lando considers the two broad approaches to credit risk analysis: that based on classical option pricing models on the one hand, and on a direct modeling of the default probability of issuers on the other. He offers insights that can be drawn from each approach and demonstrates that the distinction between the two approaches is not at all clear-cut. The book strikes a fruitful balance between quickly presenting the basic ideas of the models and offering enough detail so readers can derive and implement the models themselves. The discussion of the models and their limitations and five technical appendixes help readers expand and generalize the models themselves or to understand existing generalizations. The book emphasizes models for pricing as well as statistical techniques for estimating their parameters. Applications include rating-based modeling, modeling of dependent defaults, swap- and corporate-yield curve dynamics, credit default swaps, and collateralized debt obligations.

Customer Reviews:

This book is too quick for an introduction.......2006-05-14

I took a master level credit risk class with two assigned textbooks: this one and Quantitative Risk Management by McNeil et al. I love the second book more because it explains the fundamentals in a fabulous way; most of our lectures followed materials in McNeil's. As someone explained in another entry, Lando's book is like a survey book, which is very compact for a beginner.

Not bad at all..........2004-07-22

Contrary to other people, I have found the book very interesting and readable...The author is also referring to practical issues such as asset volatility estimation and CDO pricing..I think this book is more comparable to Bielecki-Rutkowsky kind of book, than to Schonbucher. It gives a good foundation of the theory, even if sometime I would have preferred to have more proofs of theorems.
Compact, readable and fairly complete.

A casual collection of models without sound understanding.......2004-07-20

The author briefly touched many models without quite understanding them himself (or checking their validity). Most of the text were collected (and rewritten) from reading the abstract or conclusion of the original papers. There is not enough insight or new info. It is absolutely not a book for someone who wants to learn because it is like a undergraduate's study report. If a book reviews many models, it should provide some insights, pros and cons of them, and at least some framework for other researchers to follow. It loses value if it merely rephrases some obvious and straghtforward assumptions of the original models.

I admire the author and the editor (Duffie) as researchers. However, the author is not ready yet to write a book of this kind and the editor has been a super star in finance, hence should not lower himself to this level for the sake of publication. This book does not provide useful info at all. Not good for a researcher or a practitioner (at all). Why not read the original papers' abstracts? That would be more informative.

A book for those who think Robert Jarrow is a lightweight!.......2004-07-02

Robert Jarrow praises this book! I think that tells you the level of this text. It's Ivy League Ph.D.-school material with inadequate background provided. I guess if you are already a director of research in an investment bank, this book provides a lucid and compact survey of the current state-of-the-art techniques of credit risk modeling. In short, this is a book written for people who already are comfortable with the subject at a very high level.

If you are a regular Schmoe like myself (someone comfortable at the Hull or Cuthbertson and Nitzche level) much of this book may zoom over your head. But if you regulary snicker at folks like me as derivatives dilatants and poseurs, I'd say check it out.

The book may be great. But for me it was a waste of money.

Did I mention that Robert Jarrow likes it?

Book Description

These handbooks present the latest civil aviation directives gathered from the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) and the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) for pilots, flight crew, and aviation maintenance technicians. All regulations that have changed since the last release are precisely marked and indexed to provide a clear listing of subject matter and to refer pilots and staff to the correct paragraph or regulation number. The FAR and AIM sections are reproduced in reset type for easier reading, and the AIM features detailed, full-color graphics. A suggested study list is provided, along with a helpful list of the addresses and phone numbers for the FAA, National Transportation Safety Board, National Ocean Service, and Flight Standards District Office.

Customer Reviews:

Outdated, and you can get it free online.......2006-03-25

Make sure you get the 2006 version, unless you like looking at old regulations for some reason. Be aware that all of these regulations are available *free* online from the Government Printing Office at www.access.gpo.gov

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HISTORY OF BRITISH AGRICULTURE 1846-1914.
Christabel S. & Edith H. Whetham. Orwin
Manufacturer: Longmans, Green
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000O7GOV8

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History of British Agriculture, 1846-1914
Christabel S. Orwin , and Edith H. Whetham
Manufacturer: David & Charles PLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Production & Operations | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0715353888

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HISTORY OF BRITISH AGRICULTURE: 1846-1914.
Christabel S & Edith H Whetman. Orwin
Manufacturer: Longmans
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000O8HVM8

Book Description

Complete coverage of all fresh water biota from viruses to invertebrates
Unique focus on microbial interactions including coverage of biofilms, important communities on all exposed rivers and lakes.
New information on molecular and microscopical techniques including a study of gene exchange between bacteria in the freshwater environment.
Unique emphasis on the applied aspects of freshwater microbiology with particular emphasis on biodegradation and the causes and remediation of eutrophication and algal blooms.

Download Description

This unique textbook takes a broad look at the rapidly expanding field of freshwater microbiology. Concentrating on the interactions between viruses, bacteria, algae, fungi and micro-invertebrates, the book gives a wide biological appeal. Alongside conventional aspects such as phytoplankton characterisation, seasonal changes and nutrient cycles, the title focuses on the dynamic and applied aspects that are not covered within the current textbooks in the field. Complete coverage of all fresh water biota from viruses to invertebrates Unique focus on microbial interactions including coverage of biofilms, important communities on all exposed rivers and lakes. New information on molecular and microscopical techniques including a study of gene exchange between bacteria in the freshwater environment. Unique emphasis on the applied aspects of freshwater microbiology with particular emphasis on biodegradation and the causes and remediation of eutrophication and algal blooms.

Freshwater Microbiology: Biodiversity and Dynamic Interactions of Microorganisms in the Aquatic Environment [A book review from: Ecological Engineering]

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Freshwater Microbiology: Biodiversity and Dynamic Interactions of Microorganisms in the Aquatic Environment [A book review from: Ecological Engineering]
L. Chistoserdova
Manufacturer: Elsevier
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Elsevier | By Publisher | e-Docs | Formats | Books
ASIN: B000P6OZ8M

Book Description

This digital document is a journal article from Ecological Engineering, published by Elsevier in 2006. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Book Description

This detailed monograph presents the theory of reversible plasticity as a new direction of development in crystal physics. It features a unique integration of traditional concepts and new studies of high- temperature superconductors, plus in-depth analyses of various related phenomena. Among the topics discussed are elastic twinning (discovered by Dr. Garber), thermoelastic martensite transformation, superelasticity, shape memory effects, the domain structure of ferroelastics, and elastic aftereffect. Partial Contents: 1. Transformation of Dislocations. Dislocation Description of a Phase Transformation Front. 2. Dislocation Theory of Elastic Twinning. Twinning of Crystals: Principal Definitions. 3. Statics and Dynamics of Elastic Twinning. Discovery of Elastic Twinning. Verification of the Validity of the Static Theory in a Description of the Macroscopic Behavior of an Elastic Twin. 4. Thermoelastic Martensitic Transformation. Martensitic Transformation: a Diffusionless Process of Rebuilding the Crystal Lattice. 5. Superelasticity and the Shape Memory Effect. Main Characteristics of Superelasticity and Shape Memory Effects. 6. Reversible Plasticity of Ferroelastics. Ferroelastics: Main Definitions. 7. Investigation of Reversible Plasticity of Crystals by the Acoustic Emission Method. Emission of Sound by Moving Dislocations andTheir Pileups. Methods Used in Experimental Investigations of the Acoustic Emission Generated by a SingleTwin. Acoustic Emission Associated with Elastic Twinning. 8. Influence of Reversible Plasticity of Superconductors on Their Physical Properties. Reversible Changes in the Parameters of Traditional Superconductors under the Action of Elastic Stresses. Influence of Magnetic Fields on Reversible Changes in the Parameters

Structure and Transport Properties in Organized Polymeric Materials (Series in Contemporary Chemical Physics)

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Structure and Transport Properties in Organized Polymeric Materials (Series in Contemporary Chemical Physics)

Manufacturer: World Scientific Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General & Reference | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books

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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 981021894X

Applied Liquid Crystals Polymers (Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals Supplement Series)

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Applied Liquid Crystals Polymers (Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals Supplement Series)

Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Crystallography | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books

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High Modulus Polymers (Plastics Engineering Series, Vol 17)

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High Modulus Polymers (Plastics Engineering Series, Vol 17)
Zachariades
Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0824777999

IPN's, liquid crystals, GTP's, alloys: What do these new materials mean? To whom? (Business opportunity report)

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IPN's, liquid crystals, GTP's, alloys: What do these new materials mean? To whom? (Business opportunity report)

Manufacturer: Business Communications Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Shopping & Commerce | Reference | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0893363758

Liquid Crystal Polymers: From Structures to Applications (Polymer Liquid Crystal)

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Liquid Crystal Polymers: From Structures to Applications (Polymer Liquid Crystal)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General & Reference | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books

Polymers & Macromolecules | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

This study describes the nature of LCPs, their syntheses, characterization, properties and finally their application. It discusses the way in which liquid crystallinity or mesomorphism occurs in small molecules, monomer liquid crystals and polymer liquid crystals.

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Liquid Crystalline Polymers

Manufacturer: National Academy Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General & Reference | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books

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Liquid Crystalline Polymers

Manufacturer: Pergamon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

The International Workshop on Liquid Crystalline Polymers (LCPs) held in June 1993 in Italy attracted many of the leading researchers in this area of polymer science. The meeting provided a forum for the exchange of research and ideas on current developments and future research and applications of liquid crystalline polymers.

Book Description

'Liquid Crystallinity in Polymers' focuses on the wealth of scientific ideas and approaches which has accompanied the rapid growth of this field over the past two decades. The author highlights the molecular basis for liquid crystallinity in polymers, including lyotropic, thermotropic, mainchain, sidechain systems and mixtures.
An entire section is devoted to conformational aspects of polymeric mesogens. A section describing current molecular
theories follows. Another section on experimental behavior analyzes the performance of these theories, pointing out areas where further investigation is needed.
A final section deals with elastic and viscous properties, with defects and textures and with rheology of LCP.

Book Description

In this sequence of philosophical essays about natural science, Nancy Cartwright argues that fundamental explanatory laws, the deepest and most admired successes of modern physics, do not in fact describe the regularities that exist in nature. Yet she is not `anti-realist'. Rather, she draws a novel distinction, arguing that theoretical entities, and the complex and localized laws that describe them, can be interpreted realistically, but that the simple unifying laws of basic theory cannot.

Customer Reviews:

Reynart's review misstates the issues.......2004-09-04

Actually 4+ stars.

The author -- a trained mathematical physicist -- isn't saying physics equations aren't "useful." She argues that they're generally not "true" in the ordinary sense that "grass is green" is true.

Indeed, the "law of gravity" is a great example: No two bodies REALLY interact SOLELY in accordance with the "law of gravity." In the real world, electromagnetic forces, inertia, gravitation from other bodies, and a host of other forces are at play -- and you must "correct" for those other forces, Luc, if you want to land safely on Mars.

So in what sense does "gravity" describe something that really happens? "Gravity," the author would argue, is better understood as a feature of a mental "model" that we build by imagining a world in which gravity is the ONLY force. The same is true of other "fundamental forces" that never exist in isolation.

It's also the case that physicists often use several different, incompatible mathematical models (up to 13 in one famous example!) to describe the same phenomenon, depending on exactly what they want to investigate about that phenomenon. All of the formulas are useful -- but they can't all be literally "true" in the grass-is-green sense.

It gets even more interesting when we enter the world of quantum mechanics and ask whether the "collapse of the wave function" is a "true" event that "truly" occurs out in the world somewhere. (She argues that it's not. You may recognize this as the "Schroedinger's cat" problem.) You might not care about these arguments, as I do, but it's only fair to describe them accurately.

A terrible ratatouille.......2004-07-19

Nancy Cartwright juggles with all sorts of terms (phenomenological, theoretical, fundamental, realism, anti-realism, appearances, observable, non-observable, ceteris paribus ...).
But ultimately, why does she pretend that the laws of physics lie? She writes: 'Does this law (of universal gravitation) truly describe how bodies behave? Assuredly not.' (p. 57)
Why? Because there are other forces: electromagnetism and the strong and weak radioactive force.

She continues:'For bodies which are both massive and charged, the law of universal gravitation and Coulomb's law ... interact to determine the final force. But neither law by itself truly describes the final force ... These two laws are not true; worse they are not even approximately true.' (p. 57)

So what is true for her? Only the behaviour of bodies: an apple falling from a tree.
More, these crucial sentences are very confusing. The words 'final force' would better be replaced by 'result' (of the interaction). There is no 'new' physical force in play here.

But she goes even further (sic!):' I will allow that this law (of universal gravity) is a true law, or at least one that is held true, within a given theory. But it is not a very useful law.' (p. 58)

So, one of the 4 basic laws of physics is not useful. Also when mankind is bringing a satellite into orbit with a rocket?
And the 3 other forces? I hope the author doesn't have a computer.

Furthermore, the author believes that the wave collapse in the quantum universe doesn't 'truly' occur. Nevertheless, the decoherence theory learns us that it is almost certain that there are no existing particle waves in the whole universe. The quantum experiment with one particle in an empty space isn't realistic (although very important). In the universe, all existing particles are continuously bombarded by other particles.

Don't loose your time with this one.

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How the Laws of Physics Lie
Nancy Cartwright
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OL988A

Book Description

The relationship between versions of the late medieval Church, faith, ethics and the lay powers, as explored in a range of late fourteenth- and early fifteenth-century texts written in England, is the subject of this book. It argues that they disclose strikingly diverse models of Christian discipleship, and examines the sources and consequences of such differences. Issues investigated include whether the Church could shape modern communities and individual identities, and how it could combine its status as a major landlord and trader without being assimilated by the various networks of earthly power and profit. The book begins with Chaucer's treatment of received versions of faith, ethics and the Church, and moves via St Thomas, Ockham, Nicholas Love, Gower, the Gawain-poet and Langland (who pursues the issues with particular intensity and focus) to Wyclif's construal of Christian discipleship in relation to his projected reform of the Church. Interdisciplinary in approach, the book will be of interest to all those studying late medieval Christianity and literature.DAVID AERS is James B. Duke Professor of English and Professor of Historical Theology at Duke University.

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