US Nobel laureates: Logistic growth versus Volterra–Lotka

The logistic-growth equation is a special case of the Volterra-Lotka equations. The former describes competition only between members of the same species whereas the latter describes competition also with other species. In the study of US Nobel laureates considering laureates per population improves the quality of the logistic fit but the Volterra-Lotka approach suggests that a logistic description would be a good approximation for data per unit of time rather than cumulative data. Fitting logistic S curves on cumulative data — although proven successful in many business and other applications — constitutes treacherous terrain for inexperienced S-curve enthusiasts. The Volterra-Lotka analysis of Nobel laureates reveals other insights such as that Americans and other nationalities are locked in a win-win struggle with Americans drawing more of a benefit, and also that American Nobel laureates “incubate” new Nobel laureates to a lesser extent than other nationalities.

The 2021 chemistry Nobel laureates and asymmetric organocatalysis

The 2021 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded jointly to Benjamin List and David MacMillan “for the development of asymmetric organocatalysis.” This choice was remarkable for a number of reasons. It singled out a very “chemical” discovery, whereas in recent years, the chemistry prizes often went for discoveries in biochemistry, and it singled out two relatively young men. The concept of asymmetric organocatalysis has been around since the late 1920s, and in the early 1970s, even proline was recognized as capable of playing the role of an enzyme. Nonetheless, asymmetric organocatalysis has found major applications since about the year 2000 due to the discoveries and activities of the new laureates and their colleagues.

Spectacle of musealization and literaturization of the world in post/postmodern society

This article discusses current issues in the evolution of museums worldwide, influenced by global phenomena. The globalization of culture, on the one hand, and the musealization of the world, on the other hand, become the plays of a spectacle of the contemporary world. The museum cultural model becomes dominant in today’s society, influencing all spheres and finding representation in the world’s literatures. Among the various approached theories, the concepts of musealization of the modelled world as a cultural spectacle, “the world as a museum”, imaginary museum, the literaturization of the museum and the musealization of literature. From this perspective, the theses of the Nobel laureates in literature Mario Vargas Llosa and Orhan Pamuk are analysed. In Pamuk’s novel The Museum of Innocence, the museum is the structuring narratological axis of the novel, its theme and compositional nucleus.

Introduction to the Oliver E. Williamson memorial issue

Oliver E. Williamson, who died on May 21, 2020 at the age of 87, was one of the most influential social scientists of modern times. In 2009, he was co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Economics. As of mid-October 2021, he had been cited an astonishing 317,838 times according to Google Scholar. His measured influence outdistances that of even his fellow Nobel Laureates Elinor Ostrom (230,667), Douglass C. North (187,577) and Ronald H. Coase (123,686). This special issue of the Journal of Institutional Economics brings together a distinguished roster of scholars to remember Williamson, to elucidate some of his key ideas and influences, and to extend the reach of his ideas to new arenas.

AUTOMOBILE RETAIL MARKET: PARTICIPANTS AND PECULIARITIES OF THEIR INTERACTION

The article examines theoretical and methodological approaches to defining the economic essence of the concept of «market», as well as the work of Nobel laureates on the topics of contracts and auctions. Based on the researchers' data, approaches to the definition of the «market» concept are identified. Having analyzed these approaches, the author proposes his own interpretation of the definition of the «car retail market». In the future, the analysis of the participants in the automotive market, their interaction tools, criteria and goals is carried out. Features of their influence and interaction with each other