Semiparametric Regression with Kernel Error Model

Abstract.  We propose and study a class of regression models, in which the mean function is specified parametrically as in the existing regression methods, but the residual distribution is modelled non-parametrically by a kernel estimator, without imposing any assumption on its distribution. This specification is different from the existing semiparametric regression models. The asymptotic properties of such likelihood and the maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) under this semiparametric model are studied. We show that under some regularity conditions, the MLE under this model is consistent (when compared with the possibly pseudo-consistency of the parameter estimation under the existing parametric regression model), is asymptotically normal with rate and efficient. The non-parametric pseudo-likelihood ratio has the Wilks property as the true likelihood ratio does. Simulated examples are presented to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed semiparametric MLE method.     

Developing a Career in the Practice of Statistics: The Mentor's Perspective

The W.J. Dixon Award for Excellence in Statistical Consulting is given by the American Statistical Association to “a distinguished individual who has demonstrated excellence in statistical consulting or developed and contributed new methods, software, or ways of thinking that improve statistical practice in general.” In this article, five of the seven past recipients of this career-capping award share their experiences and perspectives through 10 stepping stones that move a practicing statistician from consultant to collaborator to leader. We highlight the need for mentorship throughout the discussion, and provide direction for statisticians who would like to incorporate this advice into their careers.     

PRICING AUSTRALIAN S&P200 OPTIONS: A BAYESIAN APPROACH BASED ON GENERALIZED DISTRIBUTIONAL FORMS

This paper develops a new class of option price models and applies it to options on the Australian S&P200 Index. The class of models generalizes the traditional Black‐Scholes framework by accommodating time‐varying conditional volatility, skewness and excess kurtosis in the underlying returns process. An important property of these more general pricing models is that the computational requirements are essentially the same as those associated with the Black‐Scholes model, with both methods being based on one‐dimensional integrals. Bayesian inferential methods are used to evaluate a range of models nested in the general framework, using observed market option prices. The evaluation is based on posterior parameter distributions, as well as posterior model probabilities. Various fit and predictive measures, plus implied volatility graphs, are also used to rank the alternative models. The empirical results provide evidence that time‐varying volatility, leptokurtosis and a small degree of negative skewness are priced in Australian stock market options.     

RISK PREFERENCES AND EXPECTED UTILITY: EVIDENCE FROM LABOR SUPPLY DATA

This paper adds to the growing body of evidence that observed risk preferences are not consistent with expected‐utility theory. Using the link between labor supply decisions and utility as outlined by Chetty (“A Bound on Risk Aversion Using Labor Supply Elasticities.” The American Economic Review, 96(5), 2006, 1821–34), I compute the curvature of utility over wealth for 3,900 individuals in the 1996 Panel Study of Income Dynamics. I then compare this estimate to a measure of relative risk aversion based on the respondents' answers to hypothetical gambling questions and find virtually zero correlation. Finally, I investigate how the two measures and their correlations change by demographic groups and risky behavior. (JEL C81, D80, J22)     

An Eight-Step Guide to Creating and Sustaining a Mentoring Program

Mentoring is an extremely valuable activity for both individuals and organizations. Mentoring within organizations can develop and integrate employees into their corporate culture. Mentoring outside the mentees’ work groups or through professional development organizations can give broader perspective and support, especially in times of transition. But mentoring programs require tremendous effort to start, organize, and maintain. Few last more than two years. This article provides a structured approach to starting and sustaining a successful program. The steps include understanding an organization’s particular needs, learning from small pilot programs, following up with mentoring pairs during a committed formal mentoring period, and evaluating results from each program’s cycle to learn and grow the program. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.     

“壳”资源价值及相关行为分析

在证券市场上 ,“壳”公司本无价值 ,但却作为一种稀缺资源而具有价值 ,并成为众多公司和企业买卖的对象。作者以“壳”公司作为研究对象 ,来分析其价值本质及其相关行为对证券市场的影响 ,从“壳”价值的形成入手 ,认为其价值的本质在于其“稀缺性” ,并分析了“壳”资源的买卖行为对证券市场产生的有利和不利影响 ,指出对“壳”资源的买卖行为进行规范和引导的必要性和意义     

Networking sisterhood,from the informal to the global: AkiDwA,the African and Migrant Women's Network,Ireland

In this article we document the networking strategies of Ireland's leading migrant women's organization, AkiDwA – the African and Migrant Women's Network. We begin by positing networking as a process of agency and transformation and argue for the heuristic potential of ‘network’ in unpacking the gendered experiences of migration. Employing theoretical and ethnographic tools, we position AkiDwA as key to understanding how migrant women have been addressing discrimination, isolation, exclusion, violence and racism, through promoting gendered and culturally sensitive services and policies. We outline three phases in AkiDwA's development since the onset of immigration in the 1990s, from the informal to the global, situating it as the hub of overlapping national and global networks of migrant women, spanning Ireland, Europe and beyond. We conclude by suggesting that network analysis, rather than being a general grand theory, allows us to develop the micro‐macro links that, as Robert Holton argues, bring together small worlds with larger structures.     

教风和学风建设是民办高校教学管理的核心

教风和学风建设问题,始终是高等学校建设的核心问题。本文分析了民办高校教风、学风的现状和问题,提出民办高校要以教风建设和学风建设为核心,以教风建设带动学风建设,以学风建设促进教风建设,形成"双核互动"机制,切实达到提高教学质量的目的。