Product partition latent variable model for multiple change-point detection in multivariate data

The product partition model (PPM) is a well-established efficient statistical method for detecting multiple change points in time-evolving univariate data. In this article, we refine the PPM for the purpose of detecting multiple change points in correlated multivariate time-evolving data. Our model detects distributional changes in both the mean and covariance structures of multivariate Gaussian data by exploiting a smaller dimensional representation of correlated multiple time series. The utility of the proposed method is demonstrated through experiments on simulated and real datasets.     

The restructuring of career paths in large service sector organizations:'delayering', upskilling and polarisation1

Drawing on detailed case studies of four large service sector organizations this paper finds little evidence of training provision that links skills development with incremental career progression. Past policies of ‘delayering’ have opened up a ‘gap’ in the job ladder and this has both increased the organizational costs of formal training and reduced the likelihood of informal on‐the‐job training being seen as the basis for promotion to the next level. Managers are thus faced with the challenge of how to establish a new set of premises upon which to strengthen the workforce's loyalty and commitment to the organization, in the context of problems of high staff turnover and low job satisfaction. What we find is a greater emphasis on certificated training provision. However, in the absence of a transparent career path employers rely on more intensive techniques of appraisal and selection of workers for a ‘winner‐takes‐all’ career path. Given the importance of skills acquisition as an important building block of the ‘learning society’, our findings suggest that policymakers in Britain cannot rely solely upon the employer to bridge the skill gap evident in large service sector organizations.     

稀土硝酸盐与甘氨酸配合物的合成和表征

在水溶液体系中合成了镧、镨、钐和钆四种稀土硝酸盐与甘氨酸的固态配合物,化学分析表明,它们的化学组成分别是L_0(NO_3)_3·(Gly)_3·H_2O,Pr(NO_3)_3·(Gly)_3·H_2O,Sm(NO_3)_3·(Gly)_3·3H_2O和Gd(NO_3)_3·(Gly)_3·3H_2O,用红外光谱法和x射线衍射法测定了配合物的结构特征,表明它们是一类完全不同于稀土硝酸盐和甘氨酸的新化合物,同时考察了配合物在几种常见溶剂中的溶解性。     

School governing bodies: Reshaping education in their own image?

Recent educational reforms in England have given considerable responsibilities for the overall administration of schools to governing bodies largely comprised of lay people. The paper explores the knowledge of education possessed by lay governors. Issues considered include: the systematicity of that knowledge; its possible sources, and how gender, ethnicity and social class influence the knowledge held and used by governors. Also examined are the question of whether governors are always knowledgeable actors within the context of education and the implications of this for schools and democratic participation in their governance. Data is derived from a four year qualitative multi-site case study of ten school governing bodies in two English local education authorities undertaken by the authors between 1988 and 1992.     

Creating offshore-ready it professionals: A global perspective and strong collaborative skills are needed

Outsourcing of IT functions has become a widespread corporate practice, which has naturally led to concerns among IT works about how this affects their jobs. The issue is complex, and many companies are bringing their IT functions back inhouse. In light of this complexity, what skills do IT workers need to be com-petitive? We address this question first by reviewing the literature and then by examining two corporate case studies that have dealt with outsourcing issues. Based on this view of outsourcing, we discuss the skills that can provide a com-petitive advantage in the current environment.     

THE EFFICACY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY: A PERSPECTIVE FROM META-ANALYSIS

This article reviews the major findings from a multiproject meta-analysis of the effects of marital and family therapy (MFT). Across 163 randomized trials, MFT demonstrates moderate, statistically significant, and often clinically significant effects. No orientation is yet demonstrably superior to any other, nor is MFT superior to individual therapy. Cost effectiveness information is scant in these 163 studies, but supportive. Randomized experiments yield very different answers from nonrandomized experimental studies of the effects of MFT, calling into question whether we should mix the two in reviews. We have also found several new differences in the ways that marital therapy (MT) and family therapy (FT) studies are conducted, making them harder to compare. Finally, important questions still exist about whether any psychotherapy, including MFT, yet has sufficient information about how well research generalizes to everyday clinical practice.     

影响两系籼粳杂交水稻籽粒增重的因素分析

以19个两系籼梗杂交水稻组合为试验材料,应用通径分析法从形态学和生理学的角度分析了影响籼梗杂交水稻籽粒增重的因素。结果表明稻穗上、中、下部籽粒表现强、中、弱势粒灌浆生长特点。单株颖花数目与总干物重的相对比例、收获指数对稻穗不同粒位的籽粒增重产生较大的直接效应。单株总干物重对不同粒位千粒重的影响产生较大的间接效应。单株枝梗总干重对中、上部籽粒增重产生较大的直接效应,但对下部籽粒增重产生较大的直接负效应。此外,中、上部一次枝梗干重与其着生的颖花数目的相对比例,下部一次枝梗干重相应对其籽粒增重产生较大的直接效应。对提高两系籼梗杂交水稻籽粒增重进行了讨论。     

甘苦寸心知--漫话在海外做中文杂志主编

<枫华>与<读者> 常常有读者朋友对我说:"在中国我们爱看<读者>,在加拿大我们爱看<枫华之声>".每当这时,我总是热情地对人家说:"谢谢鼓励,多多支持".发自内心的显现出又感激又自豪的表情.