SUMMARIZING CURVATURE CONDITIONS FOR FLEXIBLE FUNCTIONAL FORMS

This article suggests that the two current approaches of summarizing curvature conditions for certain flexible function forms are neither intuitive nor robust to skewed distribution of exogenous variables. They also ignore the possible correlation pattern between exogenous variables. Arguing that the purpose of summarizing curvature condition is to provide either the changes of aggregated dependent variable with respect to a change of explanatory variable, or curvature conditions of a representative individual, this article proposes two methods to address this issue.Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Review of The China-US partnership to Prevent Spina Bifida – The Evolution of a Landmark Epidemiological Study, by Deborah Kowal”

简介：Deborah Kowal所著《中美合作小儿脊椎裂预防项目—一个重要流行病学研究的演变》一书介绍了中美合作开展社区预防小儿脊椎裂的研究及其中的一些逸事，并为有兴趣开展类似研究的学者提供不少中美合作的相关经验。书中也提到叶酸干预的成本效益分析。美中不足是缺少一个中英文姓名对照。 Let me say it right here: The China-US Partnership to Prevent Spina Bifida – The Evolution of a Landmark Epidemiological Study, by Deborah Kowal, is a monumental work. And here is why.The book is a vivid account of a large epidemiological study spanning roughly sixteen years, from the conversation that started the project in 1983 to the first published results in 1999. There were new cultural and physical environments to get used to, bureaucratic hurdles to overcome, and miscommunications to clear up. The dedicated public health professionals from the U.S. and China overcame these issues in order to achieve the common goal of preventing neural tube defects (NTDs), which can happen early in a pregnancy. All this is chronicled in the book, along with revealing anecdotes and side-stories. Kowal, for example, notes how The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) visitors reacted to hearing the American cowboy song "Home on the Range" played on Chinese instruments — namely, “strange and eerily out of place.

CHPAMS Policy on Inspiration Award

CHPAMS Policy on Inspiration AwardDate First Published: 05/25/2016Date Revised: 08/07/2016; 09/05/2016A.    PurposeThis award is to recognize CHPAMS members’ extraordinary determination to challenge the “status quo”, overcome significant barriers and achieve accomplishments in scientific research, community service, or innovative activities that are beyond-expectation. The accomplishments should be in line with the mission of the China Health Policy and Management Society (CHPAMS). The preferred candidates are CHPAMS members who are in their early career stage. The awardees’ actions or achievements should have challenged others’ existing view on a particular subject in health-related fields to better serve CHPAMS’s mission, and therefore, inspire others to act in the same manner.B.     Selection CriteriaA nominee must be a registered CHPAMS member and demonstrates the qualifications satisfying at least one of the following criteria:The nominee challenges and addresses a scientific question in health or health-related fields that may significantly change the established view, form a breakthrough, or substantially benefit large populations;The nominee demonstrates persistence, dedication, or leadership in serving the health needs of a particular vulnerable group that might be otherwise ignored or underserved by the existing health system. The community service must be exemplary and exceed the normal expectation.The nominee creates innovative tools, methods, or other intellectual products that may not fit into a formal research field but can motivate others and benefit the health of a specific or general population.If the achievement is completed by a group of individuals, only the leader or the key person(s) who played a significant beyond-duty role is(are) qualified as long as they meet the requirements as defined in this policy and agreed upon by the group members unanimously. C.    Application ProcessCHPAMS will form an award committee of five members that consist of President of CHPAMS or his/her designee, CHPAMS advisors and other distinguished members or guests and one member will be elected as the Chair of the Committee. The nominating member should email the following documents to the Chair of the Award Committee by October 1 of the award year:A cover letter of no more than 1,000 words in English to describe the qualification of the nominee.Additional documents or materials (optional but no more than three documents or a total of 10 pages)  that describes the inspiration of the nominee’s actions and/or demonstrates the outcome, such as media report, award certificate, witness testimony, or any other evidence that supports the nominee’s application.D.    Selection ProcessThe Award Committee will screen and review all nomination materials and may conduct phone or in-person interviews with the finalists. The Award Committee will have a formal meeting to discuss the nominees and vote on the final winner. CHPAMS will announce the winner on February 1 of the following year. The winner will receive $500 at minimum and an award plaque. The award amount may be increased by the CHPAMS Board of Directors with additional resources available.The Award Committee will uphold a high standard in the selection process. If no nominee meets the expectation from the award committee, the award funding will be rolled over to next year. No more than two winners can be awarded in any given year.