In this paper we construct thirteen different types of composite indices by linear combination of indicator variables (with and without outliers/data corruption). Weights of different indicator variables are obtained by maximization of the sum of squared (and, alternatively, absolute)...

The nearest correlation matrix problem is to find a valid (positive semidefinite) correlation matrix, R(m,m), that is nearest to a given invalid (non-positive semidefinite) or pseudo-correlation matrix, Q(m,m); m larger than 2. In the literature on this problem, 'nearest' is invariably defined...

In simulation we often have to generate correlated random variables by giving a reference intercorrelation matrix, R or Q. The matrix R is positive definite and a valid correlation matrix. The matrix Q may appear to be a correlation matrix but it may be invalid (negative definite). With R(m,m)...

Keane's bump function is considered as a standard benchmark for nonlinear constrained optimization. It is highly multi-modal and its optimum is located at the non-linear constrained boundary. The true minimum of this function is, perhaps, unknown. We intend in this paper to optimize Keane's...

Chapter 1. An Introduction to the Econometrics of Program Evaluation -- Chapter 2. Methods Based on Selection on Observables -- Chapter 3. Methods Based on Selection on Unobservables -- Chapter 4. Local Average Treatment Effect and Regression-Discontinuity-Design -- Chapter 5....