Deconvolution methods for non-parametric inference in two-level mixed models

Summary.  We develop a general non-parametric approach to the analysis of clustered data via random effects. Assuming only that the link function is known, the regression functions and the distributions of both cluster means and observation errors are treated non-parametrically. Our argument proceeds by viewing the observation error at the cluster mean level as though it were a measurement error in an errors-in-variables problem, and using a deconvolution argument to access the distribution of the cluster mean. A Fourier deconvolution approach could be used if the distribution of the error-in-variables were known. In practice it is unknown, of course, but it can be estimated from repeated measurements, and in this way deconvolution can be achieved in an approximate sense. This argument might be interpreted as implying that large numbers of replicates are necessary for each cluster mean distribution, but that is not so; we avoid this requirement by incorporating statistical smoothing over values of nearby explanatory variables. Empirical rules are developed for the choice of smoothing parameter. Numerical simulations, and an application to real data, demonstrate small sample performance for this package of methodology. We also develop theory establishing statistical consistency.     

On construction of asymptotically correct confidence intervals

In this paper we discuss constructing confidence intervals based on asymptotic generalized pivotal quantities (AGPQs). An AGPQ associates a distribution with the corresponding parameter, and then an asymptotically correct confidence interval can be derived directly from this distribution like Bayesian or fiducial interval estimates. We provide two general procedures for constructing AGPQs. We also present several examples to show that AGPQs can yield new confidence intervals with better finite-sample behaviors than traditional methods.     

传媒商业化带来的相关问题分析

传媒商业化是当前中国传媒变革中的热点问题.尽管商业化成为传媒业发展的加速器,但其带来的社会负面效应也必须正视:传媒产品娱乐化、低俗化现象严重,商业炒作无处不在,主流媒体"喉舌"功能减弱等,由此造成媒体的社会责任感不断弱化.对于这些问题,应根据我国传媒业发展的阶段性特点进行系统分析,并借鉴发达国家的相关管制经验,找出一个适用性的解决方案.     

边疆民族地区法律援助——以云南省为例

云南省依法出台了一系列规定,加大了法律援助的宣传力度,构筑起以乡镇、社区法律援助工作站为基础的四级法律援助网络。在残疾人法律援助、农民工法律援助、老年人法律援助和为毒品死刑犯提供法律援助等方面均表现出其特征。但云南省法律援助工作也存在着诸多问题。只有保证政府经费的投入,重新定位法律援助机构的性质,扩充法律服务资源,完善经费管理机制,加强对有关人员的培训,建立起对援助案件的检查、投诉和监督制度和完善其他有关制度,才能进一步做好云南省的法律援助工作。     

论社会转型期官场小说存在的主要问题及其兴盛原因

20世纪90年代中后期兴起的官场小说已经成为目前文学创作中的独特现象,它对急剧转型社会中政治领域的基本状况和政治伦理变迁作了生动真实的反映,并且对当代政治权力建构的正当性和权力基础的合法性进行了深入的探讨,给政治伦理的现代性重建提供了有益的参考,也以其独特的时代性和深刻性受到媒体和读者的青睐,但其反映社会生活的纵深度仍不够,不少作品失之简单化、表面化,作家创作观念滞后,艺术表现手法单一,人文主义匮乏,创作模式化。为此,本文结合转型期官场小说的特点,分析了当前官场小说的存在问题及其兴盛原因。     

我国市场调查业的发展分析

在竞争激烈的买方市场中,市场调查行业是伴随企业成长的合作伙伴。本文透过对市场调查业的发展及现状,分析存在的若干问题,提出相应的对策,以利于市场调查业健康快速发展。     

The renationalisation of migration policies in times of crisis: the case of Norway*

Securing collective action in the field of asylum regulation is high on the European political agenda. In this article, we look at one country's partial pullback from the regional cooperation during the high influx of asylum seekers in 2015. We use Norway as a case to analyse the challenges to common European asylum regulations and the drivers of a region-wide tendency of what we call renationalisation. Against this background, we seek to contribute to the discussion on the dynamics of Europeanisation and the future of the Common European Asylum System. While the Europeanisation of migration policies has been well covered in the literature, tendencies of renationalisation have been less so. To contribute to the knowledge base, we create a typology of the drivers of renationalisation. These drivers include necessary political and institutional preconditions, resource limitations, triggers, expectations and aspects of time.     

‘Colour-evasiveness’ and racism without race: the disablement of asylum-seeking children at the edge of fortress Europe

This article explores discriminatory discourses articulated by Italian professionals operating in educational, health and social services for refugees in Rome, in relation to the educational and social inclusion of unaccompanied asylum-seeking and refugee children. It locates such narratives within the historical ‘concealment and invisibilisation of race and racism’ that have characterised Italy particularly since the end of the Second World War, while showing how they legitimate contemporary processes of disablement and over-representation of forced migrant children in the category of Special Educational Needs. A theoretical framework influenced by Dis/ability Critical Race Studies, Italian postcolonial studies, and Judith Butler’s notions of subjectivation and performative politics is used to discuss how a ‘colour-evasive’ racial ideology has seeped into various institutions in Italian society, and importantly into education policies and practices.     

Structural Pluralism and Life Expectancy in Less-Developed Countries: The Role of Women's Status

This study replicates a previous finding forthe U.S. counties that showed a strongassociation, net of controls between``structural pluralism' and lower mortality. ``Structural pluralism' refers to a community'scapacity for political competition, and is acore element of ``democracy.' Pluralism hasthis effect because it facilitates theacquisition of appropriate medical facilitiesand because it tends to optimize the biologicalfunctioning of the residents. Working from amajor component of pluralism, minorityparticipation, this hypothesis is tested byshowing that women's status in less developedcountries improves life expectancy net ofcontrols. A path analysis demonstrates thatthe structural dimensions work through healthorganization as an intervening variable, andthe future testing of biological optimizationis outlined. Location in Africa south of theSahara is a partially unexplained controlvariable that has a powerful negative impact. Interpreting women's status as a component ofpluralism explains why it predicts increasedlife expectancy for all citizens, not justwomen. It is a global dimension that affectsall the members of a community.     

试析“秘书问题”的本质及解决路径

“秘书问题”是20世纪90年代出现的一个具有特殊含义的词语,主要指存在于部分秘书身上的晋升快、越权干政、贪污腐败和领导权力掮客等负面现象。其实“秘书问题”与领导问题息息相关,与领导权力寻租、权力失控有密切的关系。要解决“秘书问题”,可从加强领导权力制约和运行监管、健全秘书使用监管机制、培育秘书信念道德三条途径入手,关键是有效制约领导权力。