Backfitting Random Varying-Coefficient Models with Time-Dependent Smoothing Covariates

Abstract.  In this paper, we propose a random varying-coefficient model for longitudinal data. This model is different from the standard varying-coefficient model in the sense that the time-varying coefficients are assumed to be subject-specific, and can be considered as realizations of stochastic processes. This modelling strategy allows us to employ powerful mixed-effects modelling techniques to efficiently incorporate the within-subject and between-subject variations in the estimators of time-varying coefficients. Thus, the subject-specific feature of longitudinal data is effectively considered in the proposed model. A backfitting algorithm is proposed to estimate the coefficient functions. Simulation studies show that the proposed estimation methods are more efficient in finite-sample performance compared with the standard local least squares method. An application to an AIDS clinical study is presented to illustrate the proposed methodologies.     

对基础研究投入问题的思考

文章首先从公共财政的角度对基础研究的投入进行分析,其次从布什和斯托克斯的科研模式角度对基础研究的投入进行分析。在此基础上对加大我国基础研究的投入提出了相关建议。     

Local influence in multilevel models

The authors study the local influence of observations in multilevel regression models. To this end, they perturb simultaneously the variances, responses and design matrix. To measure the local change caused by these perturbations, they use generalized Cook statistics for the fixed and random parameter estimates. Closed form local influence measures also allow them to assess the joint influence of various observations. They suggest a simple computation method and illustrate their results using two examples.     

A Risk-Based Method for Modeling Traffic Fatalities

We describe a risk-based analytical framework for estimating traffic fatalities that combines the probability of a crash and the probability of fatality in the event of a crash. As an illustrative application, we use the methodology to explore the role of vehicle mix and vehicle prevalence on long-run fatality trends for a range of transportation growth scenarios that may be relevant to developing societies. We assume crash rates between different road users are proportional to their roadway use and estimate case fatality ratios (CFRs) for the different vehicle-vehicle and vehicle-pedestrian combinations. We find that in the absence of road safety interventions, the historical trend of initially rising and then falling fatalities observed in industrialized nations occurred only if motorization was through car ownership. In all other cases studied (scenarios dominated by scooter use, bus use, and mixed use), traffic fatalities rose monotonically. Fatalities per vehicle had a falling trend similar to that observed in historical data from industrialized nations. Regional adaptations of the model validated with local data can be used to evaluate the impacts of transportation planning and safety interventions, such as helmets, seat belts, and enforcement of traffic laws, on traffic fatalities.     

Modelling heterogeneous space–time occurrences of earthquakes and its residual analysis

Summary. Earthquake intensities are modelled as a function of previous activity whose specific form is based on established empirical laws in seismology, but whose parameter values can vary from place to place. This model is used for characterizing regional features of seismic activities in and around Japan, and also for exploring regions where the actual seismicity rate systematically deviates from that of the modelled rate.     

语言形式教学与第二语言习得关系研究概述

第二语言课堂教学的最终目的是促成第二语言的习得,而学习者的第二语言习得结果又为第二语言教学提供指导。本文对20世纪60年代以来关于第二语言课堂教学中的语言形式教学与第二语言习得的关系的研究进展情况作一概述,期望能给我们的外语教学研究以启示。     

基于核心能力的企业过程再造

阐述了企业过程再造(BPR)和核心能力的内涵及本质,分析了核心过程与核心能力二者之间的关系,指出企业过程再造不能脱离核心能力这一本质,BPR本质上应该是基于核心能力的再造。给出了基于核心能力实施BPR的6个具体步骤:即识别核心能力,识别核心过程,定义经营业绩,找出问题,确定方案和实施方案。     

论美术新课程教学过程的特征

新的《全日制义务教育美术课程标准(实验稿)》,要求美术教育以发展学生的艺术素养、人文素养及促进学生的发展为主要目标。新标准要求下的美术教育与传统美术教育相比,教学过程具有学生中心性、综合性、过程性、实践性、开放性、创造性、师生互动性、美育性、兴趣性和个性性等新的特征。     

非典与中国的电子商务

探讨了非典对于中国电子商务的影响以及电子商务在此期间发挥出的作用、存在的不足，进而提出了关于如何促进中国电子商务进一步发展的思考和建议．     

论搜寻品假冒伪劣的成因及其市场影响

搜寻品假冒伪劣是指消费者主动选择购买假冒伪劣产品。其形成原因是这类假冒伪劣产品相对于“正品”的巨大价格优势。它虽然对假冒伪劣产品的生产者、销售者和消费者有利 ,但不利于新产品的研发和生产 ,会妨碍产品质量的提高乃至造成市场上产品整体质量的降低 ,从而也损害消费者的长远利益。