A Simple Estimator of Error Correlation in Non-parametric Regression Models

Abstract.  It is well known that major strength of non-parametric regression function estimation breaks down when correlated errors exist in the data. Positively (negatively) correlated errors tend to produce undersmoothing (oversmoothing). Several remedies have been proposed in the context of bandwidth selection problem, but they are hard to implement without prior knowledge of error correlations. In this paper we propose a simple estimator of error correlation which is ready to implement and reports a reasonably good performance.     

边缘? 中心?──试论陈大为诗作之“中国”

陈大为的诗笔不断出入历史与当下、中国与南洋、台湾与南洋等多重现实与想象纠缠的空间,以之来建构其叙事美学。此处试图针对陈大为诗中的"中国"符号,再探所谓中心/边缘的意识归属,试着从太简化的文化母国/离散文学的二元对立跳脱出来,观察其书写位置的流动性。     

Friendships and Violent Behavior During Adolescence

This study investigated the extent to which interpersonal processes within male friendships are associated with violent behavior patterns during adolescence. At ages 13-14, 15-16, and 17-18, we observed the participants (206 boys) in our laboratory discussing problem solving situations with a close friend. Although the boys typically brought in different friends for each of the three assessments, we found considerable continuity in the boys' behaviors, most notably in the topics discussed. In particular, the tendency of a dyad to engage in deviant and violent talk was uniquely associated with violence in adolescence, controlling for childhood antisocial behavior and coercive discipline practices in the home. These findings suggest that adolescent violence is embedded within enduring social interactional patterns of friendships, where the faces change but the process remains the same.     

Model averaging based on rank

In this paper, we investigate model selection and model averaging based on rank regression. Under mild conditions, we propose a focused information criterion and a frequentist model averaging estimator for the focused parameters in rank regression model. Compared to the least squares method, the new method is not only highly efficient but also robust. The large sample properties of the proposed procedure are established. The finite sample properties are investigated via extensive Monte Claro simulation study. Finally, we use the Boston Housing Price Dataset to illustrate the use of the proposed rank methods.     

Validity of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles as applied to construction site workers in Hong Kong

This study was designed to examine the content validity of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (D.O.T.) as applied to construction site workers in Hong Kong. The study was divided into the First Expert Panel Review, the Second Expert Panel Review and the Field Study. The results indicated that (i) 15 out of the 55 items of the D.O.T. were identified as insignificant job requirements, and 14 items other than those suggested by the D.O.T. were identified as significant job requirements by the First Expert Panel; (ii) criteria of 20 out of the 40 items of the job requirements as suggested by the D.O.T. were identified as different from the ones suggested by the Second Expert Panel; and (iii) criteria of 4 items were found to be different among the D.O.T., the Second Expert Panel and the Field Study. The results of this study substantiate the claim that the validity of the D.O.T. is questionable, and research on a larger scale should be implemented to further examine the validity of the D.O.T.     

Demographic study on Occupational Therapy Work Rehabilitation Programs in Hong Kong Hospital Authority

A survey was implemented to collect demographic data of Occupational Therapy Work Rehabilitation Programs in the Hong Kong Hospital Authority in order to reflect the patterns of services delivery within the largest health care organization in Hong Kong. The questionnaire covered types of settings, services provided, instruments/equipment used, sources and aims of referrals, types of patient, training programs attended by occupational therapists, staffing and research. The results of this survey demonstrated that there has been a significant development of the Occupational Therapy Work Rehabilitation Programs in Hong Kong Hospital Authority in the last decade. Future directions for further development are also identified.     

Education-related inequity in healthcare with heterogeneous reporting of health

Reliance on self-rated health to proxy medical need can bias estimation of education-related inequity in healthcare utilization. We correct this bias both by instrumenting self-rated health with objective health indicators and by purging self-rated health of reporting heterogeneity that is identified from health vignettes. Using data on elderly Europeans, we find that instrumenting self-rated health shifts the distribution of visits to a doctor in the direction of inequality favouring the better educated. There is a further, and typically larger, shift in the same direction when correction is made for the tendency of the better educated to rate their health more negatively.     

Prevalence and predictors of suicidal ideation,plan, and attempts,in first-year college students with ADHD

Abstract

Objective. The present study evaluated the prevalence of past suicidal ideation (SI), plan, and attempt in college students with ADHD (N?=?102) compared to a matched control (N?=?102). Predictors of SI, plan, and attempts, were examined. Participants. Study participants were first year college students at a large Southeastern university who completed measures during August or September of 2014 or January of 2015. Methods. Measures were completed by first year students via an online survey. Results. Prevalence rates for SI and related behaviors were higher among the ADHD group than the matched control, with suicide attempts rates four times higher in the ADHD group (13.7% vs. 2.9%). Results showed that ADHD predicted rates of SI and suicide attempt accounting for depression and key demographic variables. Conclusions. Findings have implications for suicide risk assessments conducted with college students with ADHD.