A misspecification test for the higher order co-moments of the factor model

The traditional estimation of higher order co-moments of non-normal random variables by the sample analog of the expectation faces a curse of dimensionality, as the number of parameters increases steeply when the dimension increases. Imposing a factor structure on the process solves this problem; however, it leads to the challenging task of selecting an appropriate factor model. This paper contributes by proposing a test that exploits the following feature: when the factor model is correctly specified, the higher order co-moments of the unexplained return variation are sparse. It recommends a general to specific approach for selecting the factor model by choosing the most parsimonious specification for which the sparsity assumption is satisfied. This approach uses a Wald or Gumbel test statistic for testing the joint statistical significance of the co-moments that are zero when the factor model is correctly specified. The asymptotic distribution of the test is derived. An extensive simulation study confirms the good finite sample properties of the approach. This paper illustrates the practical usefulness of factor selection on daily returns of random subsets of S&P 100 constituents.     

An omnibus two-sample test for ranked-set sampling data

We develop an omnibus two-sample test for ranked-set sampling (RSS) data. The test statistic is the conditional probability of seeing the observed sequence of ranks in the combined sample, given the observed sequences within the separate samples. We compare the test to existing tests under perfect rankings, finding that it can outperform existing tests in terms of power, particularly when the set size is large. The test does not maintain its level under imperfect rankings. However, one can create a permutation version of the test that is comparable in power to the basic test under perfect rankings and also maintains its level under imperfect rankings. Both tests extend naturally to judgment post-stratification, unbalanced RSS, and even RSS with multiple set sizes. Interestingly, the tests have no simple random sampling analog.     

Lighting Effects on Older Adults’ Visual and Nonvisual Performance: A Systematic Review

Lighting plays an important role in daily life: It helps people perform daily activities independently and safely, and also benefits their health. This study assesses the research evidence of lighting’s impacts on older adults in four domains: (a) performance of activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living; (b) circadian rhythm; (c) fall prevention and postural stability; and (d) sleep quality. A comprehensive review of lighting studies on older adults’ visual and nonvisual performance was conducted using a modified PRISMA systematic review process. For the first domain, some older adults had difficulty in using the toilet, preparing meals, and doing laundry under lower illuminance. For the second domain, brighter and bluish lighting improved older adults’ circadian rhythm. For the third domain, low-intensity LED lighting affixed on door frames can help older adults maintain postural stability and prevent falling during nighttime movement. Finally, some studies concluded that receiving outdoor daylight during exercise was beneficial to older adults’ sleep quality. This study provides several methodological, theoretical, and collaborative suggestions for developing a more conclusive evidence base for lighting standards and strategies for older adults.     

Does a More Diversified Revenue Structure Lead to Greater Financial Capacity and Less Vulnerability in Nonprofit Organizations? A Bibliometric and Meta-Analysis

VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations - This article explores how and to what extent revenue diversification and concentration strategies affect financial...     

Why spouses depress each other: A cross‐national study to test the shared resource hypothesis in depressive symptom concordance within older adult couples

The shared resource hypothesis suggests that married couples share the same environmental resources, which shape their health concordance. This study tests its cross‐national applicability. Cross‐sectional 2012–2013 Health and Retirement Study data from China, England, Mexico, and the United States were analyzed. Heterosexual couples (age ≥60) who were married or partnered were studied (N = 20,565 pairs). Dyadic data were analyzed by multilevel models to examine the effect of self and spousal social and physical health statuses on depressive symptoms. Regression models were used to test the relationship between couples' shared resources and depressive symptom concordance. Results indicated both husbands and wives' depressive symptoms were associated with their own and spouses' social and health statuses. Most couple‐level resources were insignificant predictors for Chinese and Mexican couples' concordance, but having more social and financial resources was associated with higher concordance among British and American couples. Self‐reported health was the most consistent predictor in all countries. The shared resource hypothesis was more applicable to depressive symptom concordance within couples in the United States and England, but not in China and Mexico. Couple‐centered intervention is suggested for clinical practice, and the spousal effect should be considered in policymaking.     

The Effects of Neighborhood Variables on Needs of Social Care: A Hierarchical Multiple Regression of Senior Residents in China

Community-based elder care has become a dominant model in the world. However, the role of community-level factors in helping or hindering the individuals concerned in obtaining the needed care has not received much attention. This research aims to investigate how community-level factors, including neighborhood disadvantage, residential instability, and social service environment affect the need for instrumental, medical, and emotional services of Chinese senior residents. Employing the hierarchical multiple regression analysis, the results show that instrumental activities of daily living impairment contributed significantly to the need for instrumental, medical and emotional services. Living alone was found to be associated with the need for medical and emotional services. Objective socioeconomic status was only significantly related to the need for medical care. The type of urban community was positively associated with the need for instrumental services and was negatively related to the need for medical care. Residential instability was positively associated with of the need for instrumental services and medical care. Social service environments had heterogeneous effects on the need for social services. However, neighborhood disadvantage had no significant impact on the need for social services. Implications for future research and policy reform were also discussed.     

试论强化高师音乐教育中的审美教育

贯彻《音乐课程标准》的难度在于以往高师教育中培养的师资存在着重技能轻理论的倾向。为了扭转这一局面 ,作者提出了强化审美教育的重要性     

英汉壮思维器官跨语言文化比较

思维是人类具有的共同能力之一。不同的民族运用不同的身体器官来思维和表达情感并形成自己独特的民族文化。对这些文化差异的认知,我们可以通过语言层面做具体的分析比较获得。就思维器官跨语言文化比较角度而言,英语民族倾向于用脑智"mind"(脑),汉族倾向于用心智"heart"(心),而壮族则倾向于用喉智"hoz"(throat喉咙,即用喉咙思维和表达情感)。通过跨语言文化比较,可以加深我们对文化差异及文化多样性的认识和理解,更好地进行跨文化交际活动。     

少数民族人口的流动迁徙及其历史作用

我国境内的人口流动和民族迁徙,自秦汉以来便以汉族呈放射状向周边地区逐步蔓延扩散和少数民族呈向心状往靠内地区迁徙流动的总体趋势。延至当代,20世纪70年代末改革开放前,主要是以汉族为主体的各类内地人员前往边疆民族地区"支边",以后是风起云涌的全国性人口流动大潮,其中既有少数民族流往内地,又有内地汉族流往边疆民族地区。历史上和现阶段少数民族人口的流动与迁徙,对于中华民族的发展壮大、我国民族分布"大杂居,小聚居"整体格局的形成,以及边疆民族地区的开发和建设,都具有重要的历史作用和社会功能。     

“亲亲相隐”孰之权利

“亲亲相隐”是中国古代法律制度中规定的一项义务,其对应的是被容隐的权利,当代西方法律制度中的拒绝作证权是公民的一项基本权利,其对应的是国家不得强迫公民来证明其亲属有罪的义务,两者有着本质的区别,亲亲相隐不能适用于当代法律制度。