Causal inference with generalized structural mean models

Summary.  We estimate cause–effect relationships in empirical research where exposures are not completely controlled, as in observational studies or with patient non-compliance and self-selected treatment switches in randomized clinical trials. Additive and multiplicative structural mean models have proved useful for this but suffer from the classical limitations of linear and log-linear models when accommodating binary data. We propose the generalized structural mean model to overcome these limitations. This is a semiparametric two-stage model which extends the structural mean model to handle non-linear average exposure effects. The first-stage structural model describes the causal effect of received exposure by contrasting the means of observed and potential exposure-free outcomes in exposed subsets of the population. For identification of the structural parameters, a second stage 'nuisance' model is introduced. This takes the form of a classical association model for expected outcomes given observed exposure. Under the model, we derive estimating equations which yield consistent, asymptotically normal and efficient estimators of the structural effects. We examine their robustness to model misspecification and construct robust estimators in the absence of any exposure effect. The double-logistic structural mean model is developed in more detail to estimate the effect of observed exposure on the success of treatment in a randomized controlled blood pressure reduction trial with self-selected non-compliance.     

A Bayesian Analysis for Accelerated Lifetime Tests Under an Exponential Power Law Model with Threshold Stress

In this paper, we present a Bayesian methodology for modelling accelerated lifetime tests under a stress response relationship with a threshold stress. Both Laplace and MCMC methods are considered. The methodology is described in detail for the case when an exponential distribution is assumed to express the behaviour of lifetimes, and a power law model with a threshold stress is assumed as the stress response relationship. We assume vague but proper priors for the parameters of interest. The methodology is illustrated by a accelerated failure test on an electrical insulation film.     

中国产业结构变动与就业水平的实证研究

文章运用时间序列和计量模型研究了中国产业结构与就业水平之间的发展关系.首先运用格兰杰因果检验分析了第一、二、三次产业的产值与其就业之间的因果影响关系,继而从产值与就业两个角度定量分析了第一、二、三次产业各自对总就业水平的贡献,得出结论:第一产业和第三产业是劳动力就业的决定因素,而第二产业不是就业的决定因素;从产值角度来看,第三产业对劳动力就业的贡献最大,从就业角度来看,第一产业的就业对总体就业水平的贡献最高,其次是第三产业,而第二产业的就业对总体就业水平的贡献最小.最后根据研究结论提出相应的建议措施.     

我国房地产市场财富效应的实证分析

本文应用格兰杰因果关系检验和协整分析方法,对我国房地产市场的财富效应作了实证分析。实证结果表明,我国房地产市场不具有财富效应而仅具有替代效应。     

A new test for multivariate normality by combining extreme and nonextreme BHEP tests

In this article, we propose a new multiple test procedure for assessing multivariate normality, which combines BHEP (Baringhaus–Henze–Epps–Pulley) tests by considering extreme and nonextreme choices of the tuning parameter in the definition of the BHEP test statistic. Monte Carlo power comparisons indicate that the new test presents a reasonable power against a wide range of alternative distributions, showing itself to be competitive against the most recommended procedures for testing a multivariate hypothesis of normality. We further illustrate the use of the new test for the Fisher Iris dataset.     

Partial unit root and surplus-lag Granger causality testing: A Monte Carlo simulation study

Previous literature has shown that the addition of an untested surplus-lag Granger causality test can provide highly robust to stationary, non stationary, long memory, and structural break processes in the forcing variables. This study extends this approach to the partial unit root framework by simulation. Results show good size and power. Therefore, the surplus-lag approach is also robust to partial unit root processes.     

The Effects of Detrending in Granger Causality Tests

Nonstationary time series are frequently detrended in empirical investigations by regressing the series on time or a function of time. The effects of the detrending on the tests for causal relationships in the sense of Granger are investigated using quarterly U.S. data. The causal relationships between nominal or real GNP and M1, inferred from the Granger–Sims tests, are shown to depend very much on, among other factors, whether or not series are detrended. Detrending tends to remove or weaken causal relationships, and conversely, failure to detrend tends to introduce or enhance causal relationships. The study suggests that we need a more robust test or a better definition of causality.     

Some tests for the power series distibutions in one parameter using the kullback-leibler information measure

The purpose of the article is, in case of one sample, to obtain tests concerning the parameter in the power series distribution in one parameter using Ku11back-Leibier information measure. The class of power series distibutions contains a host of discrete distributions. Ve illustrate the general results obtained in case of the geometric distibution.     

Testing the Granger Noncausality Hypothesis in Stationary Nonlinear Models of Unknown Functional Form

In this article, we propose a general method for testing the Granger noncausality hypothesis in stationary nonlinear models of unknown functional form. These tests are based on a Taylor expansion of the nonlinear model around a given point in the sample space. We study the performance of our tests by a Monte Carlo experiment and compare these to the most widely used linear test. Our tests appear to be well-sized and have reasonably good power properties.     

FDI 对安徽省装备制造业发展的影响分析

外商直接投资（FDI）在拓宽国内资金需求渠道的同时,具有较强的技术溢出效应,迎合了装备制造业资本和技术密集的双重特征。当前,安徽省装备制造业处在资本密集型占主导的发展阶段,对 FDI的偏好性较强。研究表明,安徽省装备制造业与FDI间具有较强的相关性,FDI能够有效促进安徽省装备制造业发展,但安徽省装备制造业对FDI的吸引力较弱,且各具体行业对 FDI依赖程度存在较大差异。据此提出相应的建议,一方面,安徽省应注重装备制造业转型升级,提升行业整体竞争力;另一方面,要优化投资环境,增强安徽省装备制造业对FDI的引致能力。