Order statistics from overlapping samples: bivariate densities and regression properties

In this paper we are interested in the joint distribution of two order statistics from overlapping samples. We give an explicit formula for the distribution of such a pair of random variables under the assumption that the parent distribution is absolutely continuous (with respect to the Lebesgue measure on the real line). The distribution is identified through the form of the density with respect to a measure which is a sum of the bivariate Lebesgue measure on R2 and the univariate Lebesgue measure on the diagonal {(x, x) : x ∈ R}. We are also interested in the question to what extent conditional expectation of one of such order statistic given another determines the parent distribution. In particular, we provide a new characterization by linearity of regression of an order statistic from the extended sample given the one from the original sample, special case of which solves a problem explicitly stated in the literature. It appears that to describe the correct parent distribution it is convenient to use quantile density functions. In several other cases of regressions of order statistics we provide new results regarding uniqueness of the distribution in the sample. Nevertheless the general question of identifiability of the parent distribution by regression of order statistics from overlapping samples remains open.Ministry of Science and Technology, TaiwanMinisterio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad (MINECO). EspañaNational Science Center, Polan

Mesoscopic Interactions and Species Coexistence in Evolutionary Game Dynamics of Cyclic Competitions

Date of Acceptance: 27/11/2014Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Job Stress, Self-Efficacy, Burnout and Intention to Leave Among Kindergarten Teachers in Taiwan

Teaching is far more stressful and challenging than ever before, and teacher burnout has an alarming effect on teaching quality, student achievement, school climate, and teacher\u27s intention to leave. In Taiwan, the percentage of kindergarten teacher turnover is even higher, about 65% (National Policy Foundation, 2002). Battling teacher burnout and intention to leave are the most critical issues in a school system. The general purpose of this quantitative, non-experimental comparative(exploratory) and correlation (explanatory) study is to examine the relationships between level of stress, burnout, self-efficacy and intention to leave among the kindergarten teachers in Taiwan. The sample consisted of the total target population of 1,599 teachers of schools with kindergarten in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. The post mailed survey obtained teachers\u27 perceptions of job stress, self-efficacy, burnout, and intention to leave. The survey was translated into Traditional Chinese. Independent t-tests and ANOVA with post hoc comparisons were used to answer the exploratory (comparative) research questions. Multiple regression analyses, simple regression analyses, mediated multiple regression analyses were used to test the explanatory hypotheses. Findings indicated that Taiwanese kindergarten teachers\u27 demographic characteristics (gender, marital status, age, educational level, and religious category), work profiles (working hours, salary satisfactory, total years of teaching experience), job stress, and self-efficacy, showed significant differences on the levels of burnout (Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Accomplishment). Another finding suggested that levels of burnout were significant contributors to the intention to leave. In addition, there was an inverse relationship between job stress and self-efficacy. The empowerment training for teaching should not only focus on theoretical preparation, but also pay much attention on individual\u27s personality characteristics, included mental and physical factors. Moreover, the school systems should focus on strengthening teachers\u27 self-efficacy. Let teachers participate in the decision making about school goals and structure; supply constant professional consultation and support; and go through informative feedback and regular evaluation sessions. Likewise, school systems should try to create stress-free working conditions and eliminate as much stress as possible. Then teachers would not doubt their capability and cope with the challenge of obstacles and failure. Overall, teachers will build a sustainable competitive advantage, and gain superior performance for future education

Emergence of multicluster chimera states

We thank Prof. L. Huang for helpful discussions. This work was partially supported by ARO under Grant No. W911NF-14-1-0504 and by NSF of China under Grant No. 11275003. The visit of NY to Arizona State University was partially sponsored by Prof. Z. Zheng and the State Scholarship Fund of China.Peer reviewedPublisher PD