A test for lack-of-fit of zero-inflated negative binomial models

When a count data set has excessive zero counts, nonzero counts are overdispersed, and the effect of a continuous covariate might be nonlinear, for analysis a semiparametric zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression model is proposed. The unspecified smooth functional form for the continuous covariate effect is approximated by a cubic spline. The semiparametric ZINB regression model is fitted by maximizing the likelihood function. The likelihood ratio procedure is used to evaluate the adequacy of a postulated parametric functional form for the continuous covariate effect. An extensive simulation study is conducted to assess the finite-sample performance of the proposed test. The practicality of the proposed methodology is demonstrated with data of a motorcycle survey of traffic regulations conducted in 2007 in Taiwan by the Ministry of Transportation and Communication.     

A bootstrap procedure in linear regression with nonstationary errors

In the context of linear regression with dependent and nonstationary errors, the classical moving-block bootstrap (MBB) fails to capture the nonstationarity of the errors. A new bootstrap procedure called the blocking external bootstrap (BEB) is proposed to overcome the problem. The consistency of the BEB in estimating the variance of the least-squares estimator is studied in the case of α-mixing and nonstationary sequence of errors. It is shown that the BEB only achieves partial correction if the block size is fixed. Complete consistency is achieved by the BEB when the block size is allowed to go to infinity. We also study the first-order consistency of the least squares estimator based on the BEB. A simulation study is carried out to assess the performance of the BEB versus the MBB in estimating the variance of the least-squares estimator. Finally, some open problems are discussed.     

I’m respectful. Why don’t they like me? Evaluator and gender effects of showing respect and children’s social competence

Despite extensive research on the importance of conceptualizing respect, little is known about how respect recipients and peer onlookers evaluate showing respect. Few studies have examined how such evaluations affect children's peer relations across four levels of social complexity (individual, interactions, relationships, and group), and few have assessed how gender influences the evaluations of showing respect to peers on peer social competence. This study used multi‐group structural equation modeling (MSEM) to examine how (a) cross‐evaluators’ views on showing respect mediated the relation between multiple measures of social complexity and children's social competence and (b) whether gender moderated the above relations. Two hundred and sixteen participants were chosen from third to sixth graders (111 girls; M_age =10.30). They completed self‐reports of social competence and showing respect, and peer reports of classmates’ showing respect, overt aggression, physical victimization, mutual friends, and social competence. Self‐evaluations of showing respect were negatively related to group‐level social competence. Peer evaluations of showing respect mediated the association between peer relations (specifically, number of mutual friends and overt aggression) and individual‐level and group‐level social competence. Gender moderated three paths in the model, namely links between overt aggression and (a) peer evaluations for showing respect; (b) group‐level social competence; and (c) individual‐level social competence. Negative associations were stronger for girls than for boys. The research findings suggest that gender norms shape the complex relations between children's showing respect and social competence, and an understanding of these relations must take into account differences in evaluations made by children and their peers.     

An investigation of career development programs,job satisfaction,professional development and productivity: the case of Taiwan

This study attempts to develop career development programs capable of responding to career needs at different career stages. The current implementation status of these career development programs in Taiwanese businesses is then examined, along with the level of satisfaction of R&D personnel with available career development programs. The relationship between the career development programs and job satisfaction, professional development and productivity is then examined, revealing an association between high satisfaction of R&D personnel with career development programs and high job satisfaction, professional development and productivity.     

When people become patients: fluctuations in trust from the cancer patient’s perspective

This study explores the trust relationships between cancer patients and their physicians by discussing the concept of trust and the collection of patients’ medical experiences before and after being diagnosed with cancer. The purpose of the study is to determine changes in patients’ trust during this process. This ethnographic study was conducted from 2009 to 2014 on doctor–patient relationships under the coverage of the National Health Insurance (NHI) in Taiwan. Under the NHI, patients may access physicians and acquire treatment at low cost. In this study, the sample comprised 12 female cancer patients. Data were collected in in-depth interviews with six patients. With the bloggers’ consent, data were collected from six blogs. These data were analyzed to determine how these cancer patients constructed and altered their opinions during their diagnosis and treatment. The results are discussed according to the calculative trust that was constructed based on information collected and/or impressions developed during their initial visits. The findings showed that relational trust was developed and (dis)evolved through interactions and experiences with medical staff. In addition, calculative trust was generated based on the following: eliminating institutions or physicians with which the patients had negative experiences; feeling and perceiving caring and professional competence; yielding to cancer and respecting professional reputations. Relational trust was derived from the following: the doctors’ ability to sooth patients’ anxieties and explain uncertainties; the compatibility of expectations in information sharing between physicians and patients. The results showed that in the early stage of developing a doctor–patient relationship, calculative and relational trusts were intertwined. As the doctor–patient relationship developed, the patients’ relational trust increased. The findings of this study contribute to the knowledge concerning the co-construction of patients’ trust in physicians in medical systems through communication between patients and medical staff.     

A multivariate exponentially weighted moving average control chart for monitoring process variability

This paper introduces a new multivariate exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart. The proposed control chart, called an EWMA V-chart, is designed to detect small changes in the variability of correlated multivariate quality characteristics. Through examples and simulations, it is demonstrated that the EWMA V-chart is superior to the |S|-chart in detecting small changes in process variability. Furthermore, a counterpart of the EWMA V-chart for monitoring process mean, called the EWMA M-chart is proposed. In detecting small changes in process variability, the combination of EWMA M-chart and EWMA V-chart is a better alternative to the combination of MEWMA control chart (Lowry et al. , 1992) and |S|-chart. Furthermore, the EWMA M- chart and V-chart can be plotted in one single figure. As for monitoring both process mean and process variability, the combined MEWMA and EWMA V-charts provide the best control procedure.     

Development of a Culturally Specific Career Exploration Group for Urban Chinese Immigrant Youth

A rapid increase in the number of Chinese immigrants and the specific challenges faced by low‐income Chinese immigrant youth attending urban schools warrant culturally sensitive school‐based interventions and services. However, research and services are limited for this population because of cultural biases in traditional career theories and the “model minority” myth suggesting that Asian students are excelling. The authors developed and implemented a culturally specific career exploration group for low‐income Chinese immigrant youth to address their career concerns with respect to multiple social and cultural factors and to provide social support. Implications for future program development and research are provided.     

The Taiwan system of innovation in the tool machine industry: a case study

Recent evidence suggests that the Taiwan’s machine tool industry as a whole is prominent in the world, ranking sixth in output and fifth in exports. This paper explores the current status and features of Taiwan’s national systems of innovation (NSI) for its machine tool industry. It is suggested that five major elements of the NSI explain the extensive diffusion of new technologies in the industry, namely: industry clusters, educational system, bridging institutions, government policy, and global business environment. Further, the structural and institutional problems of the innovation system are identified. Future directions of technology development are also discussed.     

Impact evaluation of Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE).

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) on fifth-grade students in the Long Beach Unified School District in Long Beach, California. The research suggests that DARE does not significantly change the amount of drug use, which is minimal at the fifth grade level. In general, children receiving DARE during the study period maintained existing levels of drug abuse. Approximately 3,000 students participated in the study. A pretest and posttest self-report survey was utilized during the Fall 1989 semester for experimental and control groups. As DARE programs gain popularity in other school districts, school administrators need more information on the program to decide if DARE should be presented in their schools. Administrative decision-making must consider program effectiveness and curriculum time constraints.     

On L(2,1)-labeling of generalized Petersen graphs

A variation of the classical channel assignment problem is to assign a radio channel which is a nonnegative integer to each radio transmitter so that ??close?? transmitters must receive different channels and ??very close?? transmitters must receive channels that are at least two channels apart. The goal is to minimize the span of a feasible assignment. This channel assignment problem can be modeled with distance-dependent graph labelings. A k-L(2,1)-labeling of a graph G is a mapping f from the vertex set of G to the set {0,1,2,??,k} such that |f(x)?f(y)|??2 if d(x,y)=1 and $f(x)\not =f(y)$ if d(x,y)=2, where d(x,y) is the distance between vertices x and y in G. The minimum k for which G admits an k-L(2,1)-labeling, denoted by ??(G), is called the ??-number of G. Very little is known about ??-numbers of 3-regular graphs. In this paper we focus on an important subclass of 3-regular graphs called generalized Petersen graphs. For an integer n??3, a graph G is called a generalized Petersen graph of order n if and only if G is a 3-regular graph consisting of two disjoint cycles (called inner and outer cycles) of length n, where each vertex of the outer (resp. inner) cycle is adjacent to exactly one vertex of the inner (resp. outer) cycle. In 2002, Georges and Mauro conjectured that ??(G)??7 for all generalized Petersen graphs G of order n??7. Later, Adams, Cass and Troxell proved that Georges and Mauro??s conjecture is true for orders 7 and 8. In this paper it is shown that Georges and Mauro??s conjecture is true for generalized Petersen graphs of orders 9, 10, 11 and 12.