Identification of public objectives related to agricultural sector support

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is a widely debated policy in terms of both its budget and its instruments. In order to serve the citizens of Europe properly, CAP requires optimal identification of the public objectives desired. This paper aims to analyse the relative weights that citizens assign to the various potential objectives of the CAP and to show how these can be used to improve the selection of policy instruments. As a means of identifying social preferences we used the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique on a population sample in Castilla y León (Spain). Results show how the current policy decision process lacks mechanisms capable of identifying social preferences and thus leading to the choice of sub-optimal policies.     

Factor Stochastic Volatility in Mean Models: A GMM Approach

This paper provides a semiparametric framework for modeling multivariate conditional heteroskedasticity. We put forward latent stochastic volatility (SV) factors as capturing the commonality in the joint conditional variance matrix of asset returns. This approach is in line with common features as studied by Engle and Kozicki (1993 Engle , R. F. , Kozicki , S. ( 1993 ). Testing for common features . Journal of Business and Economic Statistics 11 ( 4 ): 369 – 395 . [CSA] [CROSSREF] [Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]), and it allows us to focus on identication of factors and factor loadings through first- and second-order conditional moments only. We assume that the time-varying part of risk premiums is based on constant prices of factor risks, and we consider a factor SV in mean model. Additional specification of both expectations and volatility of future volatility of factors provides conditional moment restrictions, through which the parameters of the model are all identied. These conditional moment restrictions pave the way for instrumental variables estimation and GMM inference.     

Inferences on the Coefficients of Variation in a Multivariate Normal Population

In this article, the problem of testing the equality of coefficients of variation in a multivariate normal population is considered, and an asymptotic approach and a generalized p-value approach based on the concepts of generalized test variable are proposed. Monte Carlo simulation studies show that the proposed generalized p-value test has good empirical sizes, and it is better than the asymptotic approach. In addition, the problem of hypothesis testing and confidence interval for the common coefficient variation of a multivariate normal population are considered, and a generalized p-value and a generalized confidence interval are proposed. Using Monte Carlo simulation, we find that the coverage probabilities and expected lengths of this generalized confidence interval are satisfactory, and the empirical sizes of the generalized p-value are close to nominal level. We illustrate our approaches using a real data.     

国家意识维度下的语言观念

国家意识是指公民对主权国家（也可指民族国家）的认知、认同意识,既是一种政治意识,也是一种文化意识。语言观念是使用某语言的集团或个人对该种语言的价值评价和行为倾向。语言观念与国家意识互为作用,对国家意识的形成及发展有着能动作用。在现代社会,树立正确的语言观,对国家的安全和发展至关重要。     

美国成文法浅析

美国成文法包括制定法与统一法两部分,制定法居于其中重要地位。制定法的主要内容包括:联邦宪法、州宪法、法律、条约、法院规则及行政机关规章与决议等。成文法与普通法的关系中,以普通法为主导。成文法的司法解释明确详细但种类烦杂,有待系统化。在法制社会的今天,应以积极的方式,科学的态度,谨慎选择美国成文法的优秀成果,为我国全面建设小康社会服务。     

A sound interpretation of minimality properties of common belief in minimal semantics

A soundness proof for an axiomatization of common belief in minimal neighbourhood semantics is provided, thereby leaving aside all assumptions of monotonicity in agents reasoning. Minimality properties of common belief are thus emphasized, in contrast to the more usual fixed point properties. The proof relies on the existence of transfinite fixed points of sequences of neighbourhood systems even when they are not closed under supersets. Obvious shortcoming of the note is the lack of a completeness proof.     

Developing a Common Language in Children's Services through Research‐based Inter‐disciplinary Training

Two sources of inertia to improving services for children in need are the difficulties of getting evidence into practice and the complications of inter‐agency working. Current training arrangements in social work and disparities between children's services professions as regards training requirements are contributory factors. The Common Language project is a work in progress, adopting a research‐based, inter‐disciplinary approach to working with social workers and other children's services professionals. It comprises core ideas and methods to complement the more specialist knowledge and skills required in each profession. Underpinned by a child development perspective and a scientific development cycle, it rests on a conceptual framework including need, threshold, service and outcome. The approach has three components (each of which includes training): (1) the implementation of practice tools; (2) the planning and development of integrated services; and (3) supporting materials, including practitioner‐orientated modules and a curriculum for PhD students. Distinguishing features include research utilisation, notably a focus on inculcating research‐mindedness as opposed to imparting findings, and also collaborative professional working, in particular via practical connections between different agencies, stakeholders and countries. The project is being evaluated in terms of uptake, change in professional thinking and practice and effects on child well‐being. Next steps for the project relate to broader lessons for social work training emerging from research and development elsewhere.     

"自律"与"他律"之间的变奏——新时期文艺美学对人性与阶级性的关系的探讨

自上个世纪70年代末,学术界就人性与人道主义问题展开了持续而广泛的讨论。这次讨论吸取了五六十年代关于人性论讨论的经验教训,从多方面深化了对人性与阶级性的认识,达成了一些共识,但也出现了不少的分歧。其中,艺术理论界结合艺术现象,探讨了人性与阶级性的五种基本关系,及其在艺术中的表现,极大地推进了艺术理论对这个问题的认识,具有重要的理论价值和现实意义。     

Unethical Research and the C.I.A. Inspector General Report of 2004: Observations Implicit in Terms of the Common Rule

Declassification of documents has given rise to the allegation that the Central Intelligence Agency may have conducted unethical research targeting detainee subjects. That allegation is examined using document analysis and the development of research goals and roles as defined in the Common Rule. This article sets aside issues as to whether enhanced interrogation techniques described in the declassified documents rise to legal definitions of torture. Instead, it presents a post hoc ethics review raising questions addressed by Institutional Review Boards recommending the filing of a for-cause noncompliance complaint with the Office for Human Research Protection against the Central Intelligence Agency.     

On the Use of the Cause Table in Handling Common Cause Events in System Analysis

A method is presented for applying the cause table concept to the problem of common cause events. This method can be regarded as an alternative to the approach in which these events are included directly into the system fault trees. In comparison with this approach, the cause table method offers the advantage of simple fault trees, convenient visibility of the contributions of causes, and the ability to truncate the numerical calculation conveniently by aggregating small terms into an "other" category. Generally speaking, the cause table method can be said to handle common causes at the level of arithmetic (i.e., numbers) rather than at the level of algebra (determining cutsets and frequency equations).