Conditional time-dependent nonparametric estimators with an application to healthcare production function

ABSTRACT

By using the probabilistic framework of production efficiency, the paper develops time-dependent conditional efficiency estimators performing a non-parametric frontier analysis. Specifically, by applying both full and quantile (robust) time-dependent conditional estimators, it models the dynamic effect of health expenditure on countries’ technological change and technological catch-up levels. The results from the application reveal that the effect of per capita health expenditure on countries’ technological change and technological catch-up is nonlinear and is subject to countries’ specific income levels.     

Analyzing multiple vector autoregressions through matrix-variate normal distribution with two covariance matrices

Abstract

This article proposes a new approach to analyze multiple vector autoregressive (VAR) models that render us a newly constructed matrix autoregressive (MtAR) model based on a matrix-variate normal distribution with two covariance matrices. The MtAR is a generalization of VAR models where the two covariance matrices allow the extension of MtAR to a structural MtAR analysis. The proposed MtAR can also incorporate different lag orders across VAR systems that provide more flexibility to the model. The estimation results from a simulation study and an empirical study on macroeconomic application show favorable performance of our proposed models and method.     

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.     

A NOTE ON EVANESCENT PROCESSES

This note examines the connection between μ-invariant measures for the transition function of a continuous-time Markov chain and those of its q-matrix, Q. The major result establishes a necessary and aufficient condition for a convergent μ-invariant measure for Q to be μ-inhant for the minimal transition function, P, under the assumption that P is honest. This corrects Theorem 6 of Vere-Jones (1969) and the first part of Corollary 1 of Pollett (1986), both of which assert that the above conclusion holds in the absence of this condition. The error was pointed out by E.A. van Doom (1991) and the counterexample which be presented provides the basis for the present arguments. In determining where the error occurred in the original proof, we are able to identify a simple sufficient condition for μ-invariance.     

中外合作办学的现状及问题分析

文章就中外合作办学的质量、合作者的水平和资质、合作办学的监管等问题进行了分析,并提出了相应的几点对策建议。     

与时俱进 应势而变——浅议入世后我国高等职业教育发展的趋势

入世以后,必将对我国高等职业教育提出新的要求。高等职业教育必须顺应时代发展的趋势,与时俱进、应势而变,才能与时代同步。本文遵循以下思路展开:入世以后,对我国高等职业教育的发展趋势作一些前瞻性的探讨,在此基础上提出应对的措施。有利于我国高等职业教育主动地适应新形势发展的要求。     

实施网络外语教学应注重的问题

实施网络外语教学应注重的几个问题 ,一是要认真考虑使用网络的教学目的 ,二是网络交流应该结合课程目的而展开 ,三是不能低估网络使用中存在的困难 ,四是在进行网络外语教学时教师必须提供必要的帮助 ,五是要让学生参与确定网络课堂教学的计划和内容     

交流电路参数的实用测量法研究

探讨了二端交流电路的R,L,C元件参数的测定,并研究了工频电路的等效电阻、等效电抗的测量方法。