This work considers the problem of constructing prediction intervals in log-Gaussian random fields. New prediction intervals are derived that are shorter than the standard prediction intervals of common use, where the reductions in length can be substantial in some situations. We consider both...

Gaussian Markov random fields (GMRF) are important families of distributions for the modeling of spatial data and have been extensively used in different areas of spatial statistics such as disease mapping, image analysis and remote sensing. GMRFs have been used for the modeling of spatial data,...

This work proposes a class of hierarchical models for geostatistical count data that includes the model proposed by Diggle et al. (1998)  [13] as a particular case. For this class of models the main second-order properties of the count variables are derived, and three models within this class...

Methodology is proposed for the construction of prediction intervals for integrals of Gaussian random fields over bounded regions (called block averages in the geostatistical literature) based on observations at a finite set of sampling locations. Two bootstrap calibration algorithms are...

Using a difference-in-differences approach, we exploit a quasi-experiment occurred in a large public university located in Southern Italy, to study whether the introduction of a selective admission test affects two indicators of students’ performances: dropout rate and grade point average...

We present a dynamic OLG model of educational signaling, inequality and mobility with missing credit markets. Agents are characterized by two sources of unobserved heterogeneity: ability and parental income, consistent with empirical evidence on returns to schooling. Both quantity and quality of...

Using a rich Italian survey, we investigate the effect of height on individual happiness. From our analysis it emerges that a large part of the effect of height on well-being is driven by a positive correlation between height and economic and health conditions. However, for young males the...

In recent years, economic research on the socio-economic determinants of health has significantly;grown given the importance of health for individual wellbeing. Most of the work up to now;has focused on the effects of individual socio-economic conditions, whereas, more recently, the view that...

Social scientists have developed several indicators to address the existence of segregation processes. This paper deals with labor market segregation in risky jobs and suggests a simple indirect way to detect segregation based on battery of statistical tests in a well-established microeconomics...

Explaining the rationale of preventive care underuse is a difficult task considering its great benefits for health. Underuse is even more difficult to explain in countries like Italy where preventive care can be obtained for free. In this article we investigate the determinants of prevention...