On tests of radial symmetry for bivariate copulas

The unique copula of a continuous random pair \((X,Y)\) is said to be radially symmetric if and only if it is also the copula of the pair \((-X,-Y)\) . This paper revisits the recently considered issue of testing for radial symmetry. Three rank-based statistics are proposed to this end which are asymptotically equivalent but simpler to compute than those of Bouzebda and Cherfi (J Stat Plan Inference 142:1262–1271, 2012). Their limiting null distribution and its approximation using the multiplier bootstrap are discussed. The finite-sample properties of the resulting tests are assessed via simulations. The asymptotic distribution of one of the test statistics is also computed under an arbitrary alternative, thereby correcting an error in the recent work of Dehgani et al. (Stat Pap 54:271–286, 2013).     

三种现实主义理论及其对中国的启示--经典现实主义、防御型现实主义与政府中心型现实主义

西方国际关系理论经典文献提供了解释国家行为的两个外交政策理论--经典现实主义和防御型现实主义.经典现实主义认为,国家扩张是因为它能够扩张;而防御型现实主义认为,国家扩张是因为它不得不扩张.而扎卡利亚的"政府中心型现实主义"理论,在保留了经典现实主义核心内核的同时,认为外交政策是政府制定的,而不是作为一个整体的国家制定的.三种理论对于正在崛起的中国,将有很大的启示.     

《魏书》《北史》本纪部分衔接系统对比研究

语篇衔接手段主要有语法衔接和词汇衔接两大类。以Halliday的衔接系统理论为框架,对《魏书》、《北史》两书的本纪部分从照应、省略、连接、重复、搭配、同义词和反义词等方面进行对比分析,发现尽管所叙述的史实相同,但《魏书》语篇更多依赖词汇手段达到衔接,而《北史》则更多利用语法手段达到衔接。     

Total least squares solution for compositional data using linear models

The restrictive properties of compositional data, that is multivariate data with positive parts that carry only relative information in their components, call for special care to be taken while performing standard statistical methods, for example, regression analysis. Among the special methods suitable for handling this problem is the total least squares procedure (TLS, orthogonal regression, regression with errors in variables, calibration problem), performed after an appropriate log-ratio transformation. The difficulty or even impossibility of deeper statistical analysis (confidence regions, hypotheses testing) using the standard TLS techniques can be overcome by calibration solution based on linear regression. This approach can be combined with standard statistical inference, for example, confidence and prediction regions and bounds, hypotheses testing, etc., suitable for interpretation of results. Here, we deal with the simplest TLS problem where we assume a linear relationship between two errorless measurements of the same object (substance, quantity). We propose an iterative algorithm for estimating the calibration line and also give confidence ellipses for the location of unknown errorless results of measurement. Moreover, illustrative examples from the fields of geology, geochemistry and medicine are included. It is shown that the iterative algorithm converges to the same values as those obtained using the standard TLS techniques. Fitted lines and confidence regions are presented for both original and transformed compositional data. The paper contains basic principles of linear models and addresses many related problems.     

Gender segregation and the wage gap in Portugal: an analysis at the establishment level

Using a large linked employer-employee data set, this paper aims at quantifying the trend in worker segregation at the establishment level and its impact on wages in Portugal over a fifteen year period. We concentrate on the gender dimension, to answer the questions: What is the level of gender segregation across establishments in the Portuguese labor market and how has it evolved over time? What is the impact of segregation on wages? Is that impact different for men and women? Systematic and random components of segregation are computed. We use standard wage decomposition techniques to evaluate the impact of the composition of the labor force at the establishment level on wages. The results reveal a high degree of systematic gender segregation. A higher proportion of females in the establishment lowers females’ wages while, on the contrary, it raises males’ wages. The evidence gathered is consistent with the taste-based model of employer behavior and with the theory of sorting of workers across establishments based on their productivity.     

玉米淀粉制取葡萄糖的研究

以玉米淀粉为原料,浓硫酸酸化制取葡萄糖.本文就制取的最佳条件,收率、产品质量等做了较全面的实验室研究,并对产品质量做了系统的分析测试.在以上实验基础上,得出产品的生产周期,质量指标,与资料[1]相比,本实验方法可行,操作简单,生产周期短,而且产率和质量都有一定提高.基于以上特点,本法特适用于乡镇企业生产.     

Taux de résistance des tests de rang d'indépendance

The resistance of tests to acceptance and rejection of null hypotheses was denned and studied by Ylvisaker in the context of one-sample problems. This notion provides a measure of a test's resistance to outliers. In this paper, we propose an extension of this notion to rank-based tests of independence for bivariate random variables. We show, among other things, that Kendall's test of independence is more resistant than Spearman's test.     

Selecting Capabilities for Quality of Life Measurement

The capability approach advocates that interpersonal comparisons be made in the space of functionings and capabilities. However, Amartya Sen has not specified which capabilities should be selected as the relevant ones. This has provoked two types of criticism. The stronger critique is Martha Nussbaum’s claim that Sen should endorse one specific list of relevant capabilities. The weaker claim is that some systematic methodological reasoning should be conducted on how such a selection could be done. I will first suggest that Nussbaum’s claim can be better understood by looking at some of the core differences between her and Sen’s version of the capability approach. Then I will argue against the use of Nussbaum’s list for quality of life measurement on grounds of epistemology and legitimacy. However, procedural methods also have their problems, notably the danger of selection biases. The paper concludes by sketching one possible way to minimize such biases and by briefly discussing a set of methods for the selection of capabilities for quality of life measurement.     

Sexual and Reproductive Strategies Among Serbian Gypsies

This paper deals with a full range of sexual and reproductive behaviors among different tribes of Gypsies in Serbia. The examined traits include rates of fertility, mortality, age distribution, education, crime rates, and parental care. In addition, Gypsy traditions of culturally prescribed sexual behavior are also studied. It is found that Gypsy tribes employ different reproductive strategies, ranging from an extreme, for humans, r (reproductive) strategy to a more typical K (parental) strategy. The reasons bringing about these differences come from the Gypsies' readiness to adjust their behavior and reproduction in order to create the most favorable strategy in a given environment. This paper elucidates and contrasts the more typical r-selected Gypsies with a group of K-selected Gypsies living in a Serbian village.     

Estimation and specification testing in female labor participation models: parametric and semiparametric methods

Female labor participation models have been usually studied through probit and logit specifications. Little attention has been paid to verify the assumptions that are used in these sort of models, basically distributional assumptions and homoskedasticity. In this paper we apply semiparametirc methods in order to test the previous hypothesis. We also estimate a Spanish female labor participation model using both parametric and semiparametirc approaches. The parametirc model includes fixed and random coefficients probit specification. The estimation procedures are parametric maximum likelihood for both probit and logit models, and semiparametric quasi maximum likelihood following Klein and Spady (1993). The results depend cricially in the assumed model.