Some maximum-indifference estimators for the slope of a univariate linear model

As known, the least-squares estimator of the slope of a univariate linear model sets to zero the covariance between the regression residuals and the values of the explanatory variable. To prevent the estimation process from being influenced by outliers, which can be theoretically modelled by a heavy-tailed distribution for the error term, one can substitute covariance with some robust measures of association, for example Kendall's tau in the popular Theil–Sen estimator. In a scarcely known Italian paper, Cifarelli [(1978), ‘La Stima del Coefficiente di Regressione Mediante l'Indice di Cograduazione di Gini’, Rivista di matematica per le scienze economiche e sociali, 1, 7–38. A translation into English is available at http://arxiv.org/abs/1411.4809 and will appear in Decisions in Economics and Finance] shows that a gain of efficiency can be obtained by using Gini's cograduation index instead of Kendall's tau. This paper introduces a new estimator, derived from another association measure recently proposed. Such a measure is strongly related to Gini's cograduation index, as they are both built to vanish in the general framework of indifference. The newly proposed estimator is shown to be unbiased and asymptotically normally distributed. Moreover, all considered estimators are compared via their asymptotic relative efficiency and a small simulation study. Finally, some indications about the performance of the considered estimators in the presence of contaminated normal data are provided.     

Evaluating social investment in disability policy

Disability policy in European countries is displaying a shift towards social investment: increasing human capital and access to the labour market. The reasoning that underlies this transition is that disabled persons would benefit from mainstream employment, but are impeded in traditional policy by deficiencies in labour supply and demand. However, the shift towards more activating policies in many countries is accompanied by a decline in social protection. It is unclear whether social investment may effectively promote the employment chances of disabled persons within this context. The present research examines this question through a quantitative, cross-sectional, multilevel analysis on microdata from 22 EU countries. Our findings suggest greater activation to predict lower employment chances, while reducing passive support shows mixed effects. Conversely, measures for facilitation in daily life predict greater employment chances, as do measures for sheltered work. These findings raise questions over the value of social investment for disabled persons—and underline the need to overcome broader barriers in the labour market and in society.     

Non-tariff barrier on chicken imports into Russia: Impact on production,trade and prices

We analyze the Russian restriction on chicken imports as an example of a non-tariff barrier (NTB). Cointegration test results support the hypothesis that the NTB limited trade. We calibrate an equilibrium market model to cointegration results to assess the market impact. The tariff equivalent of the Russian chicken NTB is estimated to be 30 − 40% depending on the representation of consumer demand. Removing the NTB decreases domestic production by 4–5% and domestic price by 27%–34%, while imports increase by 326–423 thousand tons annually in 2015–2019.     

On comparing,classifying and clustering several dependent regression models

Classifying several regression models fitted on a dataset is one of the most problems in data analysis. In other words, scientists are interested in comparing several regression models that can be used for a dataset. In this paper, an approach will be used to compare and classify several dependent regression models. Then the performance of the proposed method is investigated using simulation study and real example.     

Generalized estimator of population mean by using conventional and non-conventional measures in the presence of measurement errors

In survey research, it is assumed that reported response by the individual is correct. However, given the issues of prestige bias, self-respect, respondent's reported data often produces estimated values which are highly deviated from the true values. This causes measurement error (ME) to be present in the sample estimates. In this article, the estimation of population mean in the presence of measurement error using information on a single auxiliary variable is studied. A generalized estimator of population mean is proposed. The class of estimators is obtained by using some conventional and non-conventional measures. Simulation and numerical study is also conducted to assess the performance of estimators in the presence and absence of measurement error.     

反贪侦查中非法证据排除规则的现实应对

新刑事诉讼法在总结实践经验的基础上进一步规范和完善了我国非法证据排除规则。该规则的确立和应用将对反贪侦查工作带来巨大的影响和挑战,也将对办案人员的素质提出更高的要求。要保障反贪侦查工作依法、持续、健康开展,就必须对非法证据排除规则进行理智辩证的对待、认真细致的研究和积极主动的应对。以章国锡受贿案为透视,提出了在反贪侦查工作中,严格执行收集证据的禁止性规定,全面落实全程同步录音录像制度,提高侦查人员出庭作证的应对能力,建立非法证据排除的预警机制和做好证据的事后补正等应对非法证据排除规则之对策。     

解析WTO协议下的中止减让措施

分析了发展中成员在选择《关于争端解决规则与程序的谅解》第22条规定的WTO成员方可以采取的中止减让措施时应考量的因素,并就现有的改革建议进行分析,认为现有的改革建议并不适用于所有的WTO案例,应由专家组和上诉机构在具体案例中批准使用具体的中止减让措施,以确保中止减让措施的有效性。     

《公约》框架下根本性违约对风险转移的影响

《公约》①的三种风险转移模式都是建立在双方均无违约的情况下的,但在实践中风险损失往往与违约所造成的损失交合在一起,这种情况下如何进行损失分配就成为违约之际的风险转移问题。针对这一问题,由于学界对《公约》第70条的理解不一致而存在很大的分歧。文章在公约框架内,从违约责任与风险转移的一般关系出发,通过对《公约》第70条及其他条文的分析,指出一般性违约不影响风险转移,卖方的根本性违约是否影响风险转移则取决于买方所采取的违约救济措施,而买方的根本性违约则直接导致风险的提前转移。     

入世后植保工作面临的问题及对策

入世后,随着农产品贸易自由化,植保工作的任务将更加繁重;“绿色壁垒”的设置,要求植保工作必须达到更高的水平;农业可持续发展,对植保工作提出更高的要求;农业与国际接轨,要求植保工作必须法制化、规范化。对此,我们必须采取有力措施予以应对。     

论失地农民的生存现状与利益维护

在城市化进程中,出现了失地农民这一特殊群体,文章从失地农民的法律概念入手,分析了他们的生存现状,并以此为基础提出了维护失地农民利益的法律措施.