Does a universal non-contributory social pension make sense for rural China?

China’s pension reform during the past three decades has allowed a majority of China’s population to be covered by a pension scheme. Of particular note has been the New Rural Pension Scheme (NRPS), a voluntary programme introduced starting in 2009. One goal of our analysis is to assess that pension scheme, using a variety of sources of information including data drawn from recent (2013 and 2015) nationwide China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Surveys (CHARLS). Our analysis involves an exploration of differences between the generosity and structure of the NRPS and other pension schemes currently in place. We also explore the feasibility of reforming the current “quasi-social pension” component of the NRPS by substituting a universal non-contributory social pension pillar. In connection with our assessment of the NRPS, we note the unusually low benefit levels for rural China.     

见义不为现象的法律救治

见义勇为立法的重要内容之一,就是规定社会和国家对见义勇为者权益的救济和保护负有不可推卸的义务。作者认为对见义勇为者的权益实行法律保护是救治当前道德冷漠现象的一剂良方,是与现实需要紧密结合的法律规范。它的制定与实施又进一步充实了法律的正义精神,是法律价值的全面体现。但在现阶段我国还不具备相应的历史与现实条件用法律强制的手段推行见义勇为的道德行为。     

A Note on the Role of the Propensity Score for Estimating Average Treatment Effects

Hahn [Hahn, J. (1998). On the role of the propensity score in efficient semiparametric estimation of average treatment effects. Econometrica 66:315-331] derived the semiparametric efficiency bounds for estimating the average treatment effect (ATE) and the average treatment effect on the treated (ATET). The variance of ATET depends on whether the propensity score is known or unknown. Hahn attributes this to “dimension reduction.” In this paper, an alternative explanation is given: Knowledge of the propensity score improves upon the estimation of the distribution of the confounding variables.     

离子晶体外表面束缚极化子

本文计及表面光学声子的作用以及像电荷的作用,采用变分方法对一些材料外表面束缚极化子的基态能量和自陷能作了数值计算,并对结果进行了讨论,发现:对于Ⅰ—Ⅶ、Ⅱ—Ⅵ,Ⅲ—Ⅴ化合物的外表面,均可形成稳定的束缚极化子,且由于表面光学声子的作用,使这一杂质态更加稳定。     

k+l色k-饱和图

给出了一类具有较多边数的k+1色k-饱和图(不含K_k,但添加任一边都含K_k的图)的结构。导出了n点最大k+1色k-饱和图的边数的下界。     

论闻一多诗歌的色彩美

闻一多先生在《诗的格律》中提出的“三美主张”是他在中国新诗创作上的创新之一。本文试从闻一多诗歌传统物象的纯色之美、自然与现实的色彩对比之美和理想生活中的色彩斑斓之美三方面探讨闻一多先生一生追求的祖国的繁荣昌盛和生命色彩的美。色彩虽有不同,但闻一多先生“美的精神”永恒。     

A new approach to statistical efficiency of weighted least squares fitting algorithms for reparameterization of nonlinear regression models

We study nonlinear least-squares problem that can be transformed to linear problem by change of variables. We derive a general formula for the statistically optimal weights and prove that the resulting linear regression gives an optimal estimate (which satisfies an analogue of the Rao-Cramer lower bound) in the limit of small noise.     

Uniformly strong consistency and Berry-Esseen bound of frequency polygons for α-mixing samples

In this article, the frequency polygon investigated by Scott is studied as a nonparametric estimator for α-mixing samples. By some known exponent and moment inequalities, we obtain the uniformly strong consistency and Berry-Esseen bound of the estimator. The present results relax the relevant conditions used by Carbon et al. Furthermore, the convergence rate of the uniformly asymptotic normality is derived, which is O(n^{? 1/11}) under the given conditions.     

An upper bound for the distribution function of a positive definite quadratic form

In this paper the researchers are presenting an upper bound for the distribution function of quadratic forms in normal vector with mean zero and positive definite covariance matrix. They also will show that the new upper bound is more precise than the one introduced by Okamoto [4] and the one introduced by Siddiqui [5]. Theoretical Error bounds for both, the new and Okamoto upper bounds are derived in this paper. For larger number of terms in any given positive definite quadratic form, a rough and easier upper bound is suggested.     

Extending social security coverage to the rural sector in China

In late 2009 China launched an innovative, voluntary programme that by 2011 had extended pension coverage to 326.4 million people in the rural sector, including contributors and beneficiaries. It requires one contribution per year and provides a flat‐rate benefit and a contributions‐related benefit through a contributory individual account, with a government guarantee that the benefit will continue for life. The programme encourages participation of persons who do not pay income taxes, and thus have no tax incentive to participate, by providing substantial government subsidies. As a further incentive, old‐age benefits are provided to older parents when all their adult children participate in the contributory programme.