Comparing different propensity score estimation methods for estimating the marginal causal effect through standardization to propensity scores

Hernan and Robins proposed a method for calculating marginal causal effect of treatment using standardization to propensity scores.

?Data adaptive methods have been suggested as alternatives to logistic regression for the estimation of propensity scores. We examined the performance of various data mining methods using simulated data. The estimators' performance was evaluated in terms of relative bias, 95% CI coverage rate, and mean squared error.

?All methods (except CART and GBM) displayed generally acceptable performance. However, under the conditions of moderate non-additivity and moderate nonlinearity, ANN and SL outperformed logistic regression with better bias reduction and more consistent 95% CI coverage.     

Urban Growth and Housing Quality in Iran

Rapid urban population growth and the lack of effective policies in order to desired population settlement, has encountered Iran’s major cities with multiple social, economic and environment problems. Physical expansion of cities in order to settlement the increasing population, causes the formation of new textures surrounding old urban textures. In the new textures, urban housing is formed with the modern approach and least logical connection with common practice in the old textures. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to evaluate the housing quality and identify strengths and weaknesses in old and new urban textures to improve the quality of urban housing in Iran. Household survey were conducted to collect the needed data in the old and new textures in Khorramabad city. Results showed that the satisfaction level of housing quality in new texture is far more than old ones. The highest satisfaction level in both textures are related to housing basic facilities domain. However, satisfaction level of this domain in new texture is much greater compared to the old texture. The lowest level of satisfaction is related to the quality of neighborhood domain in old texture and to the access to public services domain in the new one. Results from the factor analysis to identify the dimensions of housing quality in old and new textures illustrated that housing quality is a multidimensional concept, studying of which requires considering all dimensions and aspects.     

A new method for generating distributions with an application to exponential distribution

A new method has been proposed to introduce an extra parameter to a family of distributions for more flexibility. A special case has been considered in detail, namely one-parameter exponential distribution. Various properties of the proposed distribution, including explicit expressions for the moments, quantiles, mode, moment-generating function, mean residual lifetime, stochastic orders, order statistics, and expression of the entropies, are derived. The maximum likelihood estimators of unknown parameters cannot be obtained in explicit forms, and they have to be obtained by solving non linear equations only. Further, we consider an extension of the two-parameter exponential distribution also, mainly for data analysis purposes. Two datasets have been analyzed to show how the proposed models work in practice.     

Why Do Neighbors Have Different Environmental Priorities? Analysis of Environmental Risk Perception in a Beirut Neighborhood

Differences in environmental priorities within an urban neighborhood of Beirut are analyzed. The explanatory capabilities of five categories of contextual variables are compared: socioeconomic status, locality, health, behavior, and environmental beliefs. Semi-structured interviews with key individuals in the community and residents were first conducted. Four environmental issues of concern were identified. A survey was carried out to identify the relative priority accorded by respondents to these four issues, and to measure variables likely to explain differences of opinion. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted for each of the four problems. The 99% confidence interval (CI) of the odds ratio (OR) was used as a test of significance. Respondents suffering from a respiratory disease (OR = 6.94, 99%CI = 1.54-31.25), those living in less crowded houses (OR = 4.88, 99%CI = 1.38-17.24), and those not living close to the neighborhood's industrial street (OR=5.26, 99%CI = 1.01-27.78) are significantly more likely to rank poor air quality first. Significant associations are found between poor water quality as first priority and nonpresence of a smoker in the household (OR = 6.12, 99%CI = 1.84-20.32) and perception of water salinity as a problem (OR = 7.46, 99%CI = 1.50-37.03). Males (OR = 6.94, 99%CI = 1.02-47.62) and tenants versus owners (OR = 10.49, 99%CI = 1.36-80.61) are significantly more likely to rank the residential-industrial mix first. Socioeconomic variables retain their explanatory capability in the studied neighborhood, despite relatively small income disparities. Behavioral variables, such as smoking, may be causative factors of priorities. Analyzing relative priorities, rather than "concern" or lack of it, reveals more complex patterns of association. Identifying environmental-perception divide lines can help develop a more inclusive and effective participatory environmental management.     

Poverty as Functioning Deprivation: Global Estimates

Poverty alleviation and eradication have always remained a major challenge for the political leadership at the national and international level. However, no consensus exists about the definition and measurement of poverty. Recent understanding sees poverty as much more than lack of income. Hunger, unemployment and ill heath are just some of many dimensions of poverty. We have contributed to the existing debate by defining poverty as a deprivation of a number of functionings (actual achievements), considered vital but not equally important for human wellbeing, caused by an inadequate command over market or nonmarket resources. We have identified nine basic functionings and corresponding indicators that best reflect these nine basic functionings and develop a composite index of poverty for 193 countries of the world for cross country comparison. We have analyzed poverty for two periods 1990–2000 and 2001–2010 to make an inter-temporal comparison in global poverty. According to our estimates, the global poverty has only modestly come down by 4 percentage points from 35% in 1990–2000 to 31% in 2001–2010. This contrasts sharply with the estimates based on the poverty line of the World Bank that the proportion of population living in extreme poverty has nearly halved from 47% in 1990 to 24% in 2015.     

Generalized Weighted Exponential Distribution

The new class of weighted exponential (WE) distributions obtained by Gupta and Kundu (2009) by implementing Azzalini's method to the exponential distribution. In this study, we generalize the WE distribution to a new class of generalized weighted exponential (GWE) distribution. Several statistical and reliability properties of this new class of distribution are obtained. Estimation and inference procedure for distribution parameters are investigated. Finally, we show that the proposed model can provide better fit than the recent class of weighted exponential by using two real data examples.     

Diagnosis Aids in Multivariate Multiple Linear Regression Profiles Monitoring

Diagnosis aids in addition to detecting the out-of-control state is an important issue in multivariate multiple linear regression profiles monitoring; because a large number of parameters and profiles in this structure are involved. In this paper, we specifically concentrate on identification of profile(s) and parameter(s) which have changed during the process in multivariate multiple linear regression profiles structure in Phase II. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed approaches through Monte Carlo simulations and a real case study in terms of accuracy percent.     

Effectiveness of Narrative Therapy on Communication Patterns for Women Experiencing Low Marital Satisfaction

The current study was designed as quasi-experimental with a pretest and post-test evaluating the efficacy of narrative therapy on communication patterns for women experiencing low marital satisfaction. Thirty women experiencing low marital satisfaction were chosen using convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to an intervention and waiting list group. The intervention group was treated individually by narrative therapy in eight 45-minute sessions. Results from repeated measurement ANOVA revealed significant differences between and within the groups and interaction between and within groups. Independent and paired t-test results showed significant improvement in the intervention group in their marital satisfaction, male-demand/female-withdraw, and total demand/withdraw with maintenance at eight weeks follow-up. Results included increased marital satisfaction, reduced male-demand/female-withdraw, and reduced total demand/withdraw. Thus, results show that narrative therapy is effective in increasing the marital satisfaction indicators of male-demand/female-withdraw, total demand/withdraw, and marital satisfaction.