中西方丧葬习俗差异及文化透视

死亡是人生的最后归宿,丧葬是对一个生命结束的最后处置仪式和对生命体死亡超越的一种寄托。中西方传统丧葬在举办主体及程序、墓地选址及建设、丧葬基调、丧葬用具等习俗方面存在着巨大差异,从中可以折射出中外文化的不同。受中国城市化建设以及西方文化在华传播的影响,中国现代丧葬仪式开始呈现出程序化、中西文化交融的特征。在文化多元化的今天,摒弃封建迷信的同时,中国应该继承发扬优秀的传统文化,发出文化最强音。     

结构优化对我国农产品出口竞争力的影响

应用产业组织理论,揭示结构优化对农产品国际竞争力的作用机理。以RCA衡量农产品出口竞争力并建立多元回归模型,在有效分离工资、土地灌溉面积和汇率等因素后,实证研究发现技术结构对农产品出口竞争力有显著正向影响。当前经济背景下,提升农产品出口竞争力的政策思路,需从传统的要素禀赋优势转移到结构优化的轨道上来。优化农产品出口结构,政府需加大对高附加值农产品在生产、流通、出口等环节的支持力度,营造寡占的农产品市场结构,鼓励和扶持创意农业的发展。     

减刑假释实行申请制之倡导

根据我国刑法规定,减刑假释程序是由执行机关提出减刑假释意见书,法院组成合议庭作出裁定。现有制度存在很大不合理性,犯罪人作为减刑假释的直接获益人,被排斥在程序之外并不能保障犯罪人的利益,而且会导致假释使用率被执行机关人为降低。减刑假释本质都应采用权利说,二者本质上并无差别,且优劣互补,只是具体执行方式不同,因此减刑假释应当实行申请制,由犯罪人根据自身情况自由选择减刑或者假释并先行提出申请,执行机关提出意见书,法院居中裁定。减刑假释实行申请制有利于司法机关选择真正适合犯罪人的执行措施,提高犯罪人改造的积极性,使得对犯罪人的改造更加有效、更加彻底,同时也保障了犯罪人的合法权益。     

Bayesian variable selection approach to a Bernstein polynomial regression model with stochastic constraints

This paper provides a Bayesian estimation procedure for monotone regression models incorporating the monotone trend constraint subject to uncertainty. For monotone regression modeling with stochastic restrictions, we propose a Bayesian Bernstein polynomial regression model using two-stage hierarchical prior distributions based on a family of rectangle-screened multivariate Gaussian distributions extended from the work of Gurtis and Ghosh [7 S.M. Curtis and S.K. Ghosh, A variable selection approach to monotonic regression with Bernstein polynomials, J. Appl. Stat. 38 (2011), pp. 961–976. doi: 10.1080/02664761003692423[Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]]. This approach reflects the uncertainty about the prior constraint, and thus proposes a regression model subject to monotone restriction with uncertainty. Based on the proposed model, we derive the posterior distributions for unknown parameters and present numerical schemes to generate posterior samples. We show the empirical performance of the proposed model based on synthetic data and real data applications and compare the performance to the Bernstein polynomial regression model of Curtis and Ghosh [7 S.M. Curtis and S.K. Ghosh, A variable selection approach to monotonic regression with Bernstein polynomials, J. Appl. Stat. 38 (2011), pp. 961–976. doi: 10.1080/02664761003692423[Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]] for the shape restriction with certainty. We illustrate the effectiveness of our proposed method that incorporates the uncertainty of the monotone trend and automatically adapts the regression function to the monotonicity, through empirical analysis with synthetic data and real data applications.     

论比较诗学及其他者视域的异质文化与非我因素

在全球化时代的汉语学术界,比较诗学研究是中外文论走向汇通性研究所展开的主流方向,比较视域是比较诗学在学科研究上得以安身立命的本体,他者视域是比较视域构成的内在品质,他者视域在比较诗学研究中秉有的两种文化立场。异质文化是比较文学研究者以及国际汉学家所使用的一个专用术语,以语言与民族血亲关系的本质差异性而言,东方文化与西方文化在本质上互为异质文化,即两者互为异类,对方都是自己的非我因素。比较诗学研究者诉求跳出本土学术研究领域的单边文化主义,主张以一种异质文化与非我因素的开放眼光来从事普适性的、整体性的、国际性的中外诗学研究,从而规避本土文论研究的一元性和惟民族性。比较诗学研究中的比较视域主张中外诗学研究之间的相互看视,主张中外诗学双方之间互为他者,认同一个民族的诗学相对于另一个民族诗学来说,两者之间就像镜与灯一样,可以相互镜照与相互照亮。交集理论是比较诗学在学科理论建设上简明及有效回答视域融合及比较研究如何可能的学理观念。     

Checking validity of monotone domain mean estimators

Estimates of population characteristics such as domain means are often expected to follow monotonicity assumptions. Recently, a method to adaptively pool neighbouring domains was proposed, which ensures that the resulting domain mean estimates follow monotone constraints. The method leads to asymptotically valid estimation and inference, and can lead to substantial improvements in efficiency, in comparison with unconstrained domain estimators. However, assuming incorrect shape constraints may lead to biased estimators. Here, we develop the Cone Information Criterion for Survey Data as a diagnostic method to measure monotonicity departures on population domain means. We show that the criterion leads to a consistent methodology that makes an asymptotically correct decision choosing between unconstrained and constrained domain mean estimators. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 47: 315–331; 2019 © 2019 Statistical Society of Canada     

Que faut‐il voir dans les écarts de rémunération entre les travailleurs immigrés des pays du Golfe: l'effet d'a priori patronaux ou la simple conséquence de coûts d'opportunité différents?

Les auteurs s'intéressent aux disparités salariales entre les différents groupes de migrants qualifiés qui travaillent en grand nombre pour le secteur privé dans les États du Conseil de coopération du Golfe. Ils se demandent notamment si la prime salariale des Occidentaux (par rapport aux travailleurs venus d'Asie ou d'autres États arabes) découle d'éventuels a priori des employeurs. L'analyse, qui repose sur des données de 2012–2014 et sur deux méthodes de décomposition classiques, infirme l'hypothèse: les caractéristiques observables relatives à la productivité expliquent entre un tiers et trois quarts des écarts; le coût d'opportunité de la migration, supérieur pour les Occidentaux, explique la portion restante.     

Industrial relations and adjustments to the crisis: A comparative micro‐statistical analysis of France and Great Britain

In this comparative study, the authors analyse the relationships between industrial relations and workforce or wage adjustments in response to the 2007–08 crisis, using two highly comparable establishment‐level surveys conducted in Great Britain (WERS) and France (REPONSE) in 2010–12. Notwithstanding contextual differences in the countries’ productive systems and the timing and impact of the crisis, the relationships between industrial relations and adjustment strategies appear to have been similar (trade union presence not preventing adjustments). Differences in industrial relations are therefore not found to provide an explanation for the different modes of adjustment observed at the macroeconomic level.     

Family support in practice: voices from the field

This paper revisits core family support messages for social work practice in working with children and families, linking to findings from high-profile child protection cases in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Drawing on a comparative study where these identified practice messages were explored through the lens of testimony of family support workers in the UK and Ireland, these core messages are examined. Operating with hard-to-engage children and parents, we hear how families and family support worker colleagues now view the core functions of child and family work across both jurisdictions (Ireland and England). The authors argue that by naming a more detailed set of practices that are deemed as most useful by families, based on the benefits and challenges of intensive family support work, key messages arise that have major resonance for social work and multiagency practice into the future. A basic message from this study is that valuable lessons on engagement and intervention with families can be drawn for professionals by examining the practice elements of this group of paraprofessionals in the child and family arena. This paper adds to debates on the role of support and intervention in social work and family support work.     

Linking family engagement with a rights perspective: macro factors influencing practice

While child welfare practitioners in many countries are struggling to develop methods of effective family engagement, they operate within different national and cultural contexts that influence, both positively and negatively, the ability to engage with families. Increasingly, international comparisons are necessary to further understanding of the development of social work practice. This is particularly necessary because most countries utilize international frameworks (such as the United National Convention on the Rights of the Child) to provide guidance in the development of policies, programs, and interventions. Each country (and locality) struggles to advance practice to be more effective and humane. Our paper offers a comparative analysis focused on family-oriented and rights-based frameworks of different countries. Based on a review of current national policies and a review of the literature regarding family-based practices, we examine similarities and differences among four countries: the United Kingdom, Sweden, the United States, and South Korea. These countries were selected because they have some similarities (advanced industrialized democracies, professional social work, and formal child protection systems) but have some differences in their social welfare systems (policies, specific practices, and socio-cultural context). These differences can be utilized to advance understanding regarding the promise and potential for family engagement strategies. We then discuss the utility of this comparison for theory-building in the arena of child-care practice and conclude by identifying the challenges and limitations of this work.