A comparison study on modeling of clustered and overdispersed count data for multiple comparisons

Data collected in various scientific fields are count data. One way to analyze such data is to compare the individual levels of the factor treatment using multiple comparisons. However, the measured individuals are often clustered – e.g. according to litter or rearing. This must be considered when estimating the parameters by a repeated measurement model. In addition, ignoring the overdispersion to which count data is prone leads to an increase of the type one error rate. We carry out simulation studies using several different data settings and compare different multiple contrast tests with parameter estimates from generalized estimation equations and generalized linear mixed models in order to observe coverage and rejection probabilities. We generate overdispersed, clustered count data in small samples as can be observed in many biological settings. We have found that the generalized estimation equations outperform generalized linear mixed models if the variance-sandwich estimator is correctly specified. Furthermore, generalized linear mixed models show problems with the convergence rate under certain data settings, but there are model implementations with lower implications exists. Finally, we use an example of genetic data to demonstrate the application of the multiple contrast test and the problems of ignoring strong overdispersion.     

Investigating the differential mobility experiences of Chinese cross-border students

Recent migration studies have adopted the lens of mobility to examine the stratifying effects of border policies, but few investigate the differential mobility of migrant families and children. This paper aims to contribute to the migration literature by considering the interplay between border policies, family configurations, and differential mobility. We apply the lens of differential mobility to the experiences of Chinese cross-border pupils – young child migrants with Hong Kong permanent residency who reside in Shenzhen, China, and cross the border to attend school. We begin by describing shifts in Hong Kong’s border and immigration policies since 1997, which have created a typology of families differentiated by mixed status, citizenship rights, and mobility. We then turn to four case studies of students with unequal border-crossing experiences to elucidate how border control constrains or promotes family mobility and perpetuates inequalities.     

基于协高阶矩视角的沪港股市风险传染分析

金融风险传染(financial risk contagion)不仅是资产配置和套期保值决策中应该考虑的一个重要因素,而且直接关系着一国乃至全球金融体系的安全与稳定.运用协高阶矩(协偏度、协波动率、协峰度等)风险传染判定方法,实证检验了沪港通实施前后上海和香港两地股票市场间的风险传染状况.研究结果表明,沪港通政策实施后,上海股市向香港股市的第一类协偏度(均值→波动率)、协波动率、经调整的相关系数、协峰度等的风险传染统计量值依次变大,同样依据风险传染统计量值的大小,香港股市对上海股市的风险传染途径依次为协四阶矩(协波动率、协峰度)、第一类协偏度和经调整的相关系数,协高阶矩成为沪港股市间双向风险传染的主要途径;因资本净流动数额和投资者教育等因素,上海股市对香港市场的风险传染效应更强.     

Breastfeeding interventions in Kansas: A qualitative process evaluation of program goals and objectives

Across the state of Kansas, eighteen public health departments received funding through the 2011 Breastfeeding Grant Initiative to start a breastfeeding intervention. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the progress toward program goals and objectives. This study was a process evaluation. Qualitative data were collected from recipient health departments at two time-points during the program year. Structured, open-ended questions were asked through telephone interviews. This study examined: (1) progress toward program goals and objectives, (2) problems encountered during implementation, and (3) evaluation measures employed to assess program impact. All health departments reported making significant progress toward program goals and objectives and reported successful collaboration with other healthcare providers. The use of breast pumps, educational classes, and professional training of staff were reported as providing the best outcome in the promotion of breastfeeding. The majority of respondents did not measure program impact. From a public health perspective, it is important that infants receive breast milk for the first six months of life. It appears that goals and objectives set a priori guided health departments with the administration of their breastfeeding program. Results may be used to enhance and sustain delivery of breastfeeding support programs in Kansas communities.     

民主革命时期党的纲领建设及其基本经验

中国共产党从成立时起就开始了自己的纲领建设,并在这一问题上不断探索,虽也有因为认识原因造成的失误,但主要是成功的经验。这些经验包括:必须把党的最高纲领和最低纲领、长远目标和近期目标有机结合起来,党的纲领建设必须与本国国情相结合,必须制定正确的政治路线,必须对中国革命的长期性和艰巨性有充分的估计。     

古镇旅游资源开发的总体设计思路——以胜芳古镇旅游资源开发为例

以胜芳古镇旅游资源开发为例,通过对古镇旅游资源的分析评价、SWOT分析、古镇旅游发展目标与战略等问题的分析,扼要阐释了古镇旅游资源开发的总体设计思路。     

人力资源管理专业结构化职业技能培养方案设计

从培养目标、培养内容、培养方式、技能考核等方面出发,着重探讨了基于校企合作的能力培养模式,提出了人力资源管理专业结构化职业技能培养的整体方案。     

应用心理硕士与应用心理学硕士培养方案的比较

应用心理硕士作为新开设的专业性硕士学位,与学术性学位中的应用心理学硕士有相似之处。文章对西南大学应用心理硕士专业学位研究生培养方案与其应用心理学硕士学术学位研究生培养方案进行了比较,剖析了二者的异同。     

我国亲告罪追诉模式之困境及其重构——以网络诽谤案件的证据收集问题为切入点

网络诽谤犯罪属于《刑法》规定的亲告罪类型,此类案件中被害人的证据收集能力受到较大制约,导致其面临“自诉困境”。对此问题,不论是亲告罪的选择性公诉化,还是公权力适当介入证据收集过程的处理路径均存在不足。《刑法修正案(九)》针对网络侮辱、诽谤犯罪的证据收集问题作出新规定,但是无法扩张适用于所有亲告罪类型。亲告罪的自诉困境凸显出我国对亲告罪确立的单纯自诉制追诉模式存在显著缺陷：不利于对被害人的平等保护,以及混淆告诉权和举证责任。重构亲告罪追诉模式的前提是对刑事法中的“告诉”进行重新解释,使其本质回归为诉讼条件,与证明责任“解绑”。在模式选择上,应确立混合告诉制的追诉模式,被害人提起告诉后,可以自主选择适用自诉程序还是公诉程序。     

Enabling robust assessment of QTc prolongation in early phase clinical trials

Since the implementation of the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) E14 guideline in 2005, regulators have required a “thorough QTc” (TQT) study for evaluating the effects of investigational drugs on delayed cardiac repolarization as manifested by a prolonged QTc interval. However, TQT studies have increasingly been viewed unfavorably because of their low cost effectiveness. Several researchers have noted that a robust drug concentration‐QTc (conc‐QTc) modeling assessment in early phase development should, in most cases, obviate the need for a subsequent TQT study. In December 2015, ICH released an “E14 Q&As (R3)” document supporting the use of conc‐QTc modeling for regulatory decisions. In this article, we propose a simple improvement of two popular conc‐QTc assessment methods for typical first‐in‐human crossover‐like single ascending dose clinical pharmacology trials. The improvement is achieved, in part, by leveraging routinely encountered (and expected) intrasubject correlation patterns encountered in such trials. A real example involving a single ascending dose and corresponding TQT trial, along with results from a simulation study, illustrate the strong performance of the proposed method. The improved conc‐QTc assessment will further enable highly reliable go/no‐go decisions in early phase clinical development and deliver results that support subsequent TQT study waivers by regulators.