Shrinkage empirical likelihood estimator in longitudinal analysis with time-dependent covariates-application to modeling the health of Filipino children

The method of generalized estimating equations (GEE) is a popular tool for analysing longitudinal (panel) data. Often, the covariates collected are time-dependent in nature, for example, age, relapse status, monthly income. When using GEE to analyse longitudinal data with time-dependent covariates, crucial assumptions about the covariates are necessary for valid inferences to be drawn. When those assumptions do not hold or cannot be verified, Pepe and Anderson (1994, Communications in Statistics, Simulations and Computation 23, 939–951) advocated using an independence working correlation assumption in the GEE model as a robust approach. However, using GEE with the independence correlation assumption may lead to significant efficiency loss (Fitzmaurice, 1995, Biometrics 51, 309–317). In this article, we propose a method that extracts additional information from the estimating equations that are excluded by the independence assumption. The method always includes the estimating equations under the independence assumption and the contribution from the remaining estimating equations is weighted according to the likelihood of each equation being a consistent estimating equation and the information it carries. We apply the method to a longitudinal study of the health of a group of Filipino children.

El primer Congreso Iberoamericano-Filipino de Archivos, Bibliotecas y Propiedad intelectual.

Se presentan los resultados del Primer Congreso Iberoamericano-Filipino de Archivos, Bibliotecas y Propiedad Intelectual que se celebró en España en 1952. Se inscribieron 610 congresistas y se presentaron 180 ponencias. En cuanto a la sección de Archivos se trataron de los procedimientos de instalación y conservación de fondos documentales; de la redacción cooperativa de una Guía de la documentación histórica de fondos hispánicos; de la formación cooperativa de una guía de fondos manuscritos, de carácter genealógico y heráldico, existentes en España y demás países iberoamericanos y las normas para su redacción; reglas para llegar a la catalogación uniforme de informaciones para ingreso en ordenes militares y civiles; elementos auxiliares de la investigación genealógica; pedir ayuda económica al Estado para poder seguir conservando los Archivos Eclesiásticos. En cuanto a la sección de Bibliotecas, se trataron los temas: estudio de reglas unificadas de catalogación de impresos, manuscritos, estampas, piezas de música, mapas, micro-film, para todos los países de lengua española y portuguesa; establecer un único sistema de clasificación; cooperación entre los países iberoamericanos para formar un inventario bibliográfico y para empresas de análogo carácter; hacer que el libro sea el instrumento de la cultura para la libertad humana y la justicia social; que se crearan más bibliotecas populares e infantiles, así como bancos nacionales de lectura. En cuanto a Propiedad Intelectual, el principal tema de debate fueron las medidas para obtener la seguridad de protección del derecho de autor en los países iberoamericanos.

How big is your neighbourhood? Spatial implications of market participation among Filipino smallholders

We present a procedure for estimating two quantities defining the spatial externality in discrete-choice commonly referred to as 'the neighbourhood effect'. One quantity, the propensity for neighbours to make the same decision, reflects traditional preoccupations; the other quantity, the magnitude of the neighbourhood itself, is novel. Because both quantities have fundamental bearing on the magnitude of the spatial externality, it is desirable to have a robust algorithm for their estimation. Using recent advances in Bayesian estimation and model comparison, we devise such an algorithm and illustrate its application to a sample of northern-Filipino smallholders. We determine that a significant, positive, neighbourhood effect exists; that, among the 12 geographical units comprising the sample, the neighbourhood spans a three-unit radius; and that policy prescriptions are significantly altered when calculations account for the spatial externality.

Prevalence and determinants of type 2 diabetes among Filipino Americans in Houston metropolitan statistical area, Texas

Diabetes in adults (type 2) has emerged as a world health problem. Prevalence and risk factors have been found to vary in different populations. The wide range of prevalence rates worldwide indicates the importance of genetic and environmental factors in the etiology of the disease. The few available studies suggest that Filipinos are among the higher-risk groups for developing diabetes. This cross-sectional study estimated the overall prevalence rate of type 2 diabetes among Filipino Americans, ages 20–74 years and residents of Houston Metropolitan Statistical Area, Texas, to be 16.1%. The observed high prevalence was associated with age, sex, family history of diabetes, obesity, region of birth; and, in women, gestational diabetes and income. The diabetic Filipino Americans had a higher proportion of parental history of diabetes, medical history of hypertension, and history of smoking; were physically less active, but generally non-obese, compared with the United States diabetic population. ^

Las nubes en el archipiélago Filipino; colaboración al trabajo internacional de medición de nubes (1 junio 1896-31 de julio 1897).

At head of title: Observatorio de Manila, dirigido por los padres de la Compania de Jesús.