Understanding Estimators of Treatment Effects in Regression Discontinuity Designs

In this paper, we propose two new estimators of treatment effects in regression discontinuity designs. These estimators can aid understanding of the existing estimators such as the local polynomial estimator and the partially linear estimator. The first estimator is the partially polynomial estimator which extends the partially linear estimator by further incorporating derivative differences of the conditional mean of the outcome on the two sides of the discontinuity point. This estimator is related to the local polynomial estimator by a relocalization effect. Unlike the partially linear estimator, this estimator can achieve the optimal rate of convergence even under broader regularity conditions. The second estimator is an instrumental variable estimator in the fuzzy design. This estimator will reduce to the local polynomial estimator if higher order endogeneities are neglected. We study the asymptotic properties of these two estimators and conduct simulation studies to confirm the theoretical analysis.     

Indirect membership function assignment based on ordinal regression

In many fuzzy sets applications, fuzzy membership functions are commonly developed based on empirical or expert knowledge. The equation of a membership function is usually determined somewhat arbitrarily. This paper explores a novel membership function design method based on ordinal regression analysis. The estimated thresholds between ordinal measurement categories are applied to calculate the intersection points between fuzzy sets. These intersection points are further applied to determine the equations of the membership functions. Information distortion due to empirical guess can thus be reduced and more latent information in the fuzzy responses can therefore be captured. A case study investigating the relationship between foster mothers’ satisfaction and the foster time and information provided has been conducted in this research. The applicability and effectiveness of the proposed membership function assignment approach have been demonstrated through several case studies.     

基于Web的远程教学管理系统的设计及实现

远程教学管理系统是进行远程教学的重要保证,利用它可以合理地调配教学资源、组织教学活动、总结教学数据,并有效地对远程学习中心实行业务指导和监控,保证教与学过程管理的时效。本文结合北京邮电大学网络教育学院学生管理的需求,分析了远程教学管理系统的设计及实现方案,利用www上的应用系统,实现了跨平台的、灵活的、通用的远程教学管理系统。     

中国审美设计的意匠法式研究

官作器物、文人器物、民具三者的工匠技艺、结构形式、审美标准等并无“等价关系”。三者时常分离时常交和,显示出中国传统造物一脉相承的主线。通过廓清三者关系、梳理其延承脉络,提出中国审美“意匠法式”六则,以揭示中国传统造物设计的文化意义。     

论校园导向标识的人性化设计

校园导向标识系统中引入人性化设计理念,体现了"为人而设计"的本质,具有文化性、关怀性、形象性、连续性和统一性等五个特征,校园导向标识人性化设计的表现方法可从地图标识、指示标识、名称标识和安全规范标识四方面尝试。     

茶馆空间设计探索

本文以传统茶馆空间特点为依据,结合实际情况,总结现代消费者的消费需求,提出了茶馆内外空间设计必须以满足消费者享受服务,信息交流,体验文化氛围与欣赏表演展示的需求,并以此为设计切入点。最后,本文对于具体设计方法提出了想法与建议。     

浅谈建筑幕墙设计中的成本控制

建筑幕墙成本控制的重点在设计阶段 ,设计方案对成本的控制是决定性的。设计对项目成本的控制是战略性、全局性的 ,而施工过程的管理对项目成本的控制是战术性、局部性的。幕墙设计中如何达到控制成本的目的至关重要。把技术与经济融为一体 ,在设计中既保证幕墙安全、实用、美观 ,又做到控制和降低成本 ,是施工企业适应市场的关键     

Designing and integrating composite networks for monitoring multivariate gaussian pollution fields

Networks of ambient monitoring stations are used to monitor environmental pollution fields such as those for acid rain and air pollution. Such stations provide regular measurements of pollutant concentrations. The networks are established for a variety of purposes at various times so often several stations measuring different subsets of pollutant concentrations can be found in compact geographical regions. The problem of statistically combining these disparate information sources into a single 'network' then arises. Capitalizing on the efficiencies so achieved can then lead to the secondary problem of extending this network. The subject of this paper is a set of 31 air pollution monitoring stations in southern Ontario. Each of these regularly measures a particular subset of ionic sulphate, sulphite, nitrite and ozone. However, this subset varies from station to station. For example only two stations measure all four. Some measure just one. We describe a Bayesian framework for integrating the measurements of these stations to yield a spatial predictive distribution for unmonitored sites and unmeasured concentrations at existing stations. Furthermore we show how this network can be extended by using an entropy maximization criterion. The methods assume that the multivariate response field being measured has a joint Gaussian distribution conditional on its mean and covariance function. A conjugate prior is used for these parameters, some of its hyperparameters being fitted empirically.     

Decision settings analysis – a tool for analysis and design of human activity systems

The paper describes a methodology to be used for analysis and design of human activity systems. The methodology is based on an analysis of the decision settings whereas most other decision analysis methodologies are analysing the process. The decision concept is analysed and discussed. A distinction between programmed and programmable as well as non-programmed and non-programmable decisions is proposed. A classification of different information types for decision making is presented. A methodology based on a systemic and systematic analysis of the information requirements of an organization is proposed. This methodology also indicates organizational discrepancies and information imbalances. The methodology focuses the settings of the decisions on all levels of organizations. The methodology can be regarded as a dynamic, learning system. The author proposes further research on the individuals decision making abilities.     

Making space for ‘the social’: connecting sociology and professional practices in urban lighting design

Lighting is increasingly recognized as a significant social intervention by both lighting professionals and academic social scientists. However, what counts as ‘the social’ is diverse and contested, with consequences for what kind of ‘social’ is performed or invented. Based on a long‐term research programme, we argue that collaboration between sociologists and lighting professionals requires negotiating discourses and practices of ‘the social’. This paper explores the quality and kinds of spaces made for ‘the social’ in professional practices and academic collaborations, focusing on two case studies of urban lighting that demonstrate how the space of ‘the social’ is constrained and impoverished by an institutionalized division between technical and aesthetic lighting. We consider the potential role of sociologists in making more productive spaces for ‘the social’ in urban design, as part of the central sociological task of ‘inventing the social’ (Marres, Guggenheim and Wilkie 2018) in the process of studying it.