Estimation in multiple linear regression Berkson model for processes with uncorrelated increments

This paper presents a method of estimating the regression and variance parameters in the multiple linear regression Berkson model for a continuous-time stochastic process with uncorrelated increments. Under minimal conditions, we establish (i) the Gauss–Markov theorem and the quadratic mean—as well as the strong consistency of the proposed estimate of the regression parameter and (ii) the weak consistency of the proposed estimate of the variance parameter.     

Justice involvement among homeless individuals with mental illnesses: Are self-report and administrative measures comparable?

Individuals with mental illnesses who experience homelessness have frequent interactions with the criminal justice system. Correctly measuring this involvement is essential to develop and evaluate the efficacy of intervention programs. Criminal justice involvement is typically assessed through administrative records or self-reported accounts. The aims of this study are to: 1) assess agreement between self-report and administrative data related to court appearances, and 2) identify individual characteristics that affect discrepancies between sources. Participants were 468 homeless persons with mental illness from the Montreal site of the At Home/Chez Soi randomized controlled trial, in Canada. Self-reported data was collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Administrative data was collected through provincial and municipal court databases. Overall, agreement was good. Discrepancies were more common among those with a diagnosis of mood disorder with psychotic features, and those with a criminal history. Increased age and interviewer’s perception of sincerity and interest increased likelihood of concordance. Generally, high agreement between self-report and administrative data suggests that either source can provide reliable information. Further work to understand predictors of discrepancies could further enhance the quality of data collected through these different sources.     

Assessing participants’ perceptions on group-based principles for action in community-based health enhancing physical activity programmes: The APEF tool

In community-based health enhancing physical activity (CBHEPA) programmes, group-based principles for action such as active participation, enjoyment, and fostering group processes are widely advocated. However, not much is known about participants’ perceptions of these principles as there are no assessment tools available. Therefore, this article describes the development of the APEF (Active Participation, Enjoyment, and Fostering group processes) tool and reports on its implementation in a Dutch CBHEPA programme. Indicators for the principles have been identified from literature research, interviews with professionals, and secondary analysis of three group interviews with 11 practitioners. To address the identified indicators, the APEF tool was developed, pretested, and used in 10 focus groups with 76 participants.The APEF tool consists of eight statements about group-based principles for action, on which CBHEPA participants vote, followed by in-depth discussion. The voting procedure engages participants. Spider diagrams visualise participants’ perceptions of group-based principles.The APEF tool addresses the challenge of relating group level outcomes to individual outcomes such as physical activity behaviour. The tool facilitates as well as evaluates group-based principles for action, it stimulates dialogue and is culturally sensitive, but it needs strong facilitating skills to manage group dynamics.     

数字贸易测度的概念架构、指标体系和测度方法初探

数字贸易是构建“以国内大循环为主体、国内国际双循环相互促进”的新发展格局的新模式和新业态,也是各国参与国际竞争与合作的重要领域。然而,国际社会对数字贸易概念的认识还比较模糊,直接影响着数字贸易市场拓展和规则制定,数字贸易测度也成为国际贸易统计领域具有挑战性课题。本文在回顾和梳理国际社会关于数字贸易概念和测度方法既有论述的基础上,提出了数字贸易的“二元三环”概念架构,构建了测度数字贸易规模的指标体系,开发了以“实际数字交付比率”为关键的数字贸易测度法,并使用中国“两化融合”平台数据库的数据,对中国2018—2019 年数字贸易进出口总额进行了试测度。本文的研究成果对我国数字贸易测度研究以及有关部门建立数字贸易统计监测制度具有借鉴作用。     

Psychometric properties of the Transitions from Foster Care Key Leader Survey

This study summarizes the development and piloting of the Transitions from Foster Care Key Leader Survey (TFC-KLS), an instrument designed to measure change in systems serving young people transitioning from foster care to adulthood. The Jim Casey Youth Opportunity Initiative’s logic model was used as a basis for instrument development. The instrument was piloted with 119 key leaders in six communities. Seven of eight latent scales performed well in psychometric testing. The relationships among the 24 measures of system change were explored. A CFA testing overall model fit was satisfactory following slight modifications. Finally, a test of inter-rater reliability between two raters did not find reliable reporting of service availability in a supplemental portion of the survey. The findings were generally positive and supported the validity and utility of the instrument for measuring system change, following some adaptations. Implications for the field are discussed.     

A Semiparametric Approach for Accelerated Failure Time Models with Covariates Subject to Measurement Error

There are relatively few discussions about measurement error in the accelerated failure time (AFT) model, particularly for the semiparametric AFT model. In this article, we propose an adjusted estimation procedure for the semiparametric AFT model with covariates subject to measurement error, based on the profile likelihood approach and simulation and exploration (SIMEX) method. The simulation studies show that the proposed semiparametric SIMEX approach performs well. The proposed approach is applied to a coronary heart disease dataset from the Busselton Health study for illustration.     

Weighted Stochastic Restricted Estimation in Linear Measurement Error Models

This article discusses the consistent estimation of the parameters in a linear measurement error model when stochastic linear restrictions on regression coefficients are available. We propose some methodologies to obtain the consistent estimation when either the covariance matrix of the measurement errors or the reliability matrix of independent variables is known. Their finite- and large-sample properties are derived with not necessarily normal errors. A Monte Carlo simulation is carried out to study the the finite properties of the estimators.     

Comparison of measuring devices

Although it is common to determine if two devices give the same results, we apply an affine transformation to make the two devices the same on the average. The device with a lower variability in its measurement results is more accurate. Repeated observations are required. The design is balanced if each object is measured the same number of times by each device. The properties this design yields justify this approach.     

Combining information from multiple surveys for assessing health disparities

Despite advances in public health practice and medical technology, the disparities in health among the various racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups remain a concern which has prompted the Department of Human and Health Services to designate the elimination of disparities in health as an overarching goal of Healthy People 2010. To assess the progress towards this goal, suitable measures are needed at the population level that can be tracked over time; Statistical inferential procedures have to be developed for these population level measures; and the data sources have to be identified to allow for such inferences to be conducted. Popular data sources for health disparities research are large surveys such the National Health and Interview Survey (NHIS) or the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The self-report disease status collected in these surveys may be inaccurate and the errors may be correlated with variables used in defining the groups. This article uses the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 99-00 to assess the extent of error in the self-report disease status; uses a Bayesian framework develop corrections for the self-report disease status in the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 99-00; and compares inferences about various measures of health disparities, with and without correcting for measurement error. The methodology is illustrated using the disease outcome hypertension, a common risk factor for cardiovascular disease. JEL classification C1 (C11, C13, C15), C4 (C42) and I3 (I31, I38)     

Consistent Estimation of the Regression Coefficient Through Weighted Arithmetic Mean of the Inconsistent Estimators in Replicated Ultrastructural Model

The problem of consistent estimation of the slope parameter in an ultrastructural model with replicated observations is considered in this article. A consistent estimator based on a weighted arithmetic mean of two inconsistent least squares estimators is proposed which is independent of any unknown quantity. The efficiency properties of this estimator are studied.