Data skeletons: simultaneous estimation of multiple quantiles for massive streaming datasets with applications to density estimation

We consider the problem of density estimation when the data is in the form of a continuous stream with no fixed length. In this setting, implementations of the usual methods of density estimation such as kernel density estimation are problematic. We propose a method of density estimation for massive datasets that is based upon taking the derivative of a smooth curve that has been fit through a set of quantile estimates. To achieve this, a low-storage, single-pass, sequential method is proposed for simultaneous estimation of multiple quantiles for massive datasets that form the basis of this method of density estimation. For comparison, we also consider a sequential kernel density estimator. The proposed methods are shown through simulation study to perform well and to have several distinct advantages over existing methods.     

Constrained allocation problems with single-peaked preferences: An axiomatic analysis

We introduce a new class of problems that contains two existing classes: allocation problems with single-peaked preferences and bankruptcy problems. On this class, we analyze the implications of well-known properties such as Pareto optimality, strategy-proofness, resource-monotonicity, no-envy, equal treatment of equals, and two new properties we introduce, hierarchical no-envy and independence of nonbinding constraints. Unlike earlier literature, we consider rules that allow free-disposability. We present characterizations of a rule we introduce on this domain. We relate this rule to well-known rules on the aforementioned subdomains. Based on this relation, we present a characterization of a well-known bankruptcy rule called the constrained equal awards rule. Received: 22 June 2000/Accepted: 21 March 2002 This paper is based on the first chapter of my Ph.D. thesis submitted to the University of Rochester. I wish to thank my advisor, William Thomson, for helpful comments and suggestions.     

品牌管理的文化观思考及策略选择

表面上看 ,品牌就是产品的名称 ,但事实上 ,它更多地被注入特定的社会历史条件下人们的价值观念、理想寄托、风俗习惯、民族风情、历史传统等文化内涵。因此 ,在品牌管理中 ,必须重视和提升品牌中的文化内涵。如何以文化锻造品牌 ,挖掘品牌中的文化底蕴 ,恰当而有效地进行品牌的文化定位 ,从而提升品牌的价值 ,是现代品牌管理的核心内容之一 ,也是对品牌的深层次认识。     

International Tax Competition: A Case for International Cooperation in Globalization

The liberalization of international financial flows and foreign direct investment has induced countries to use diverse measures to attract inflow of foreign capital and foreign direct investment, which is expected to have a positive effect on the growth of GDP and thus a positive effect on social welfare. Tax exemption, reduction of tax rate, tax holiday, or diverse subsidies are some of the most important measures used. In this paper we study international tax cooperation, i.e., countries change and especially reduce tax rate for corporate income or for asset revenues to attract inflow of foreign direct investment. Both theoretical and empirical studies have shown the sensibility of foreign direct investment decision with respect to tax rate differences between home countries and host countries. In general, more inflow of foreign direct investment can be expected if the tax rate of the home country is lower than that of foreign countries. This is the main reason for international tax cooperation. In this paper we propose a simple model to prove the sub-optimal Nash non cooperative solution in a two-country tax-competition game. The model shows that international tax cooperation can improve welfare of the participating countries. How to reach a cooperative solution for an international tax competition game (ITCG) is therefore an important issue for further discussions and studies. International institutions can play a crucial role to reach international tax cooperation or international tax harmonization.     

"有点幻灭"但"并没动摇"--重新解读1927年顷茅盾的思想与创作

对1927年顷茅盾的思想与创作的历史评价,历来存在两点分歧:一是怎么理解茅盾所说的我“有点幻灭”,但“并没动摇”;二是对他失去党的组织关系的原因和应作何评价。两者都应站在历史唯物主义立场上,放到当时中国革命现实、国际共运与中共党史史实大背景上作宏观考察。一是茅盾“幻灭”的,是他参与建党时就形成的“革命速胜论”,即认为中国革命是一步到位的“无产阶级革命”,但是他的共产主义信仰从未动摇过。二是茅盾失去党的组织关系的主要原因,在客观方面不在主观方面,因为他公开反对一度控制中共中央的“左”倾盲动主义路线,在具此“左”倾思想的党内负责同志看来,不能认为是“表现得好”而予以恢复党的组织关系。这一切充分表现出茅盾坚定的共产主义信念,勇于自我批评,勇于反对错误路线的难能可贵的政治品格与高尚人格。