Characterization of certain incomplete block designs

It is shown that certain inequalities known for partially balanced incomplete block (PBIB) designs remain valid for general incomplete block designs. Some conditions for attaining their bounds are also given. Furthermore, the various types of PBIB designs are characterized by relating blocks of designs with association schemes. The approach here is based on the spectral expansion of NN' for the incidence matrix N of an incomplete block design.     

Interval estimates for variance components

A new approach to inference on variance components is propounded. This approach not only gives a new justification for Fisher's fiducial, distribution for the “between classes” component, but also leads to a new distribution for the “within classes” component. This latter distribution is studied, and has some intuitively very reasonable properties. Numerical results are given.     

Simple bounds on availability in a model with unknown life and repair distributions

We take a fresh look at the classic model of a device supported by a single statistically identical spare and provision for repairs, with system failure resulting whenever the currently operating unit fails before the repair of the previously failed unit is completed to allow it to become a spare. The limiting availability A(F,G) of this system depends on the life distribution F and repair time distribution G through α=∫GdF and the expected downtime. In this paper we derive several computable and sharp bounds on A(F,G) when F,G have suitable life distribution characteristics in the sense of reliability theory but are otherwise unknown except for at most two moments. Among other results, we find a sharp bound which involves the MTBF, MTTR and the second moment of the life-distribution of the device through its coefficient of variation. This leads to a maximin result for DFR repairs and DMRL lives.     

An estimator of the common mean of two normal populations

In this paper we consider the estimation of the common mean of two normal populations when the variances are unknown. If it is known that one specified variance is smaller than the other, then it is possible to modify the Graybill-Deal estimator in order to obtain a more efficient estimator. One such estimator is proposed by Mehta and Gurland (1969). We prove that this estimator is more efficient than the Graybill-Deal estimator under the condition that one variance is known to be less than the other.     

THE UNEQUAL ENFORCEMENT OF LIBERALIZATION: EVIDENCE FROM RUSSIA'S REFORM OF BUSINESS REGULATION

We document the unequal enforcement of liberalization reform of business regulation across Russian regions with different governance institutions, which leads to unequal effects of liberalization. National liberalization laws were enforced more effectively in subnational regions with more transparent government, a more informed population, a higher concentration of industry, and stronger fiscal autonomy. As a result, liberalization had a substantial positive effect on the performance of small firms and the growth of the official small business sector in regions with stronger governance institutions. In contrast, in regions with weaker governance institutions, we observe no effect of reform and, in some cases, even a negative effect.     

RANKING THE SCHOOLS: HOW SCHOOL‐QUALITY INFORMATION AFFECTS SCHOOL CHOICE IN THE NETHERLANDS

This paper analyzes whether information about the quality of high schools published in a national newspaper affects school choice in the Netherlands. We find that negative (positive) school‐quality scores decrease (increase) the number of first‐year students who choose a school after the year of publication. These effects are only large for the college‐preparatory track, such that a school receiving the most positive score for its most academic track sees 16–18 more first‐year students enroll. We find that parents respond to the most recent and most prominently displayed information. The effects of information about school quality do not seem to be greater in regions with larger relevant newspaper circulation, suggesting that direct exposure to news about school quality does not explain the response to this information.     

近十年来清代西北经济研究述评

清代西北经济史的研究作为中国经济史研究的重要领域, 长期以来倍受学者关注, 尤其是近10年来, 该领域的研究取得了喜人的成绩, 但其研究述评却不见于文。本文就近10 年清代西北经济史的研究状况加以述评, 以期对该领域的研究有所助益。     

《七步诗》与其英译平行文本的比较研究

以《七步诗》及其两个权威的英文译本为研究对象,从英汉语对比与翻译的角度分析形合意合对具体典籍翻译的影响,可以看出,汉语重意合,这在语序、修辞手法和紧缩句等方面体现得尤为明显;英语重形合.因此,汉英译文中的语序、修辞和紧缩句也需转变为符合目的语读者思维的语言表达模式.     

清末民初赫尔巴特“五段形式教学阶段”的导入及推广 ———以汤本武比古的«教授学»为考察中心

1901年,通过《教育世界》的介绍,首本教学论译著———汤本武比古的《教授学》传入中国,赫尔巴特“五段形式教学阶段”也随之被国人知晓。此后,随着教育学和教授学（法）教材的译介及编写、课堂教学实践的运用以及教案的编写使“五段形式教学阶段”得到进一步推广,加快了我国教育的近代化进程。鉴于此,对《教授学》进行文本分析,以便了解赫尔巴特“五段形式教学阶段”的传入及发展概况。