Non parametric analysis of gap times for bivariate recurrent event data with cure fraction

Recurrent event data often arise in longitudinal studies. In many applications, subjects may experience two different types of events alternatively over time or a pair of subjects may experience recurrent events of the same type. Medical advances have made it possible for some patients to be cured such that the disease of interest does not recur. In this article, we consider non parametric analysis of bivariate recurrent event data with cure fraction. Using the inverse-probability weighted (IPW) approach, we propose non parametric estimators for the proportion of cured patients and for the joint distribution functions of bivariate recurrence times of the uncured ones. The asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators are established. Simulation study indicates that the proposed estimators perform well in finite samples.     

Conditional maximum likelihood estimation in semiparametric transformation model with LTRC data

Left-truncated data often arise in epidemiology and individual follow-up studies due to a biased sampling plan since subjects with shorter survival times tend to be excluded from the sample. Moreover, the survival time of recruited subjects are often subject to right censoring. In this article, a general class of semiparametric transformation models that include proportional hazards model and proportional odds model as special cases is studied for the analysis of left-truncated and right-censored data. We propose a conditional likelihood approach and develop the conditional maximum likelihood estimators (cMLE) for the regression parameters and cumulative hazard function of these models. The derived score equations for regression parameter and infinite-dimensional function suggest an iterative algorithm for cMLE. The cMLE is shown to be consistent and asymptotically normal. The limiting variances for the estimators can be consistently estimated using the inverse of negative Hessian matrix. Intensive simulation studies are conducted to investigate the performance of the cMLE. An application to the Channing House data is given to illustrate the methodology.     

How does training improve customer service quality? The roles of transfer of training and job satisfaction

This study explores the roles of transfer of training and job satisfaction in the relationship between training and customer service quality. The data were collected from 230 employees and their supervisors and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results show that training indirectly influences customer service quality through the mediation of transfer of training and job satisfaction. Moreover, training directly and indirectly affects transfer of training through the mediation of job satisfaction, which in turn partially mediates the relationship between transfer of training and customer service quality. Furthermore, perceived organizational support (POS) moderates the relationship between training and transfer of training. This study extends social exchange theory, norm of reciprocity, and goal setting theory. Practical implications and future research directions are discussed.     

Effect of outgroup social categorization by host-country nationals on expatriate premature return intention and buffering effect of mentoring

Outgroup social categorization by host-country nationals (HCNs) is a common challenge for expatriates and it has received inadequate scholarly attention in expatriate research. This study explores how outgroup social categorization affects expatriate intention to terminate international assignments prematurely and how this adversity can be lessened through organizational mentoring interventions. We theorize that outgroup social categorization by HCNs results in social isolation for expatriates, which triggers expatriates' early return intentions, and mentoring mitigates this indirect effect. The hypotheses were supported by the analyses of multisource data collected from expatriates and their local co-workers in multinational enterprises operating in China. Theoretical and practical implications of the research findings are discussed.     

难民权利保护的国际软法之治

大规模的难民潮现象出现，难民危机情势急迫，国际社会以政治、法律等多种手段来应对，实际效果却不尽如人意。在“逆全球化”背景下，出于各自国家利益的考虑，加上政治、历史和文化等因素，多边条约等硬法的出台受阻。目前，国际难民法体系的演进和以《纽约宣言》为代表的革新显示软法在难民领域有所作为，软法是大势所趋。软法的功用不容小觑，通过填补硬法空白和缺位、补充及细化既有硬法、传递有效信息和促进规范向习惯法演进，与硬法协同共治，可形成“软硬兼施”的良性互动，促进难民领域法律制度发展及难民问题的解决。就中国而言，目前制定难民法并非最优解，应研究软法，以因地制宜、灵活用于国内所需法律关系之调整，贯彻言行一致的原则，寻觅契机传递中国观念。     

(Potential) patients like me: testing the effects of user-generated health content on social media

As media technology becomes increasingly participatory, individuals may use social media to share health information and connect with those who have similar health concerns. While prior research has focused on evaluating the feasibility, usability, and effectiveness of traditional health messages, this study investigates the effects of user-generated health content on individuals’ cognitive and emotional responses, as well as their behavioral intentions. An experimental study with a two (story source: personal story vs news story) by two (story ending: happy ending vs sad ending) factorial design was conducted. The results confirmed the positive effects of identification with the narrative character on the experience of being transported, which further led to the behavioral intentions to take countermeasures and viral communication on social media. The sad ending of a narrative was found to elicit emotions that were sufficiently strong to increase perceptions of susceptibility to dengue fever, which, however, failed to result in behavioral intentions.     

上海自贸试验区临港新片区集聚海内外人才开展国际创新协同研究

临港新片区应主动参与引领长三角相关资源集成,加强海内外人才集聚能力,注重政府引导和市场配置资源相结合,促进产业布局、金融支持、平台建设、服务供给与人才激励之间的有效衔接和良性互动,特别是要促进"产业链""创新链"与"人才链"的融合贯通,同时在"服务链"方面形成嵌套,共同培育具备国际创新活力的海内外人才集聚的整合链条,致力形成"高层次人才引聚—人才开展高水平创新协同—形成创新生态系统"的良性互促局面.     

公共产品类型、绩效与政府满意度差异

利用北京大学中国国情研究中心2010年公共产品与政府服务调查数据,探究了公共产品类型和绩效对中央和地方政府满意度的不同影响。根据民众对政府公共产品提供责任的期望,将公共产品分为完全政府型、政府主导型和个体主导型3类。回归结果显示,公共产品提供绩效对中央政府满意度影响较小,对地方政府满意度影响较大。其中,中央政府受政府主导型公共产品影响最为显著,地方政府受个体主导型公共产品影响较大。     

Bernstein type inequalities for self-normalized martingales with applications

For self-normalized martingales with conditionally symmetric differences, de la Peña [A general class of exponential inequalities for martingales and ratios. Ann Probab. 1999;27(1):537–564] established the Gaussian type exponential inequalities. Bercu and Touati [Exponential inequalities for self-normalized martingales with applications. Ann Appl Probab. 2008;18:1848–1869] extended de la Peña's inequalities to martingales with differences heavy on left. In this paper, we establish Bernstein type exponential inequalities for self-normalized martingales with differences bounded from below. Moreover, applications to t-statistics and autoregressive processes are discussed.     

就明代进士祖上的生员身份与何炳棣再商榷——以天一阁藏《明代进士登科录》为中心

本文通过对天一阁藏《明代进士登科录》的爬梳,确认明代进士祖上三代生员出身少的现象乃史籍缺载所致。事实上,明代生员概率接近常态;何炳棣采集的史料若特指生员而言,其来源本身就有局限性,由此统计的数据不宜当作明代进士社会流动率高的一个依据。天一阁藏《明代进士登科录》在讨论明代B类进士时,具有不可替代的作用。明代进士祖上三代生员身份的有限记载,主要来自民间的《进士同年录》而非官方的《进士登科录》。生员身份是否有资格作为进士家状的基本内容之一,必载于或应载于《明代进士登科录》?若是,又始于何年?作者求教于方家。