The Weighting Process in the SHIW

The design of a probability sample jointly determines the method used to select sampling units from the population and the estimator of the population parameter. If the sampling fraction is constant for all the units in the sample, then the unweighted sampling mean is an unbiased estimator. In the Survey on Household Income and Wealth (SHIW), units included in the sample have unequal probabilities of selection and each observation is weighted using the inverse of the proper sampling fraction (design weight) adjusted for the response mechanism (nonresponse weight) and for other factors such as imperfect coverage. In this paper we present the weighting scheme of the SHIW and assess its impact on bias and variance of selected estimators. Empirical evidences show that the increasing variability induced by using weighted estimators is compensated by the bias reduction even when performing analysis on sample domains. A set of longitudinal weights is also proposed to account for the selection process and the attrition of the SHIW panel component. These weights, giving their enhanced description of the “panel population”, should be better suited to perform longitudinal analysis; nevertheless their higher variance implies that they wouldn’t always be preferable in terms of mean square error.Survey Methods

Capital Gains and Wealth Distribution in Italy

This paper analyses the impact of capital gains on the level and distribution of wealth held by Italian households between 1989 and 2005. The evaluation of these issues is achieved using both macro and micro data in order to obtain a more robust result. The estimation of capital gains through macro data is obtained using national accounts data while micro data from the Bank of Italy’s Survey of Household Income and Wealth are used to reconstruct capital gains accounting for price variations in the single assets composing wealth and for households’ idiosyncratic characteristics. Capital gains, defined as in the national accounts, explain about 40 per cent of the growth in real per capita wealth observed over the whole period, and about one-third of the growth in wealth concentration. Using capital gains reconstruction we estimate that households’ inter-temporal mobility between wealth classes is significantly affected by capital gains, to which 20 per cent of the observed transitions can be ascribed. Furthermore, capital gains take second place among the determinants of wealth variations at the household level, behind savings but ahead of intergenerational transfers.keywords: Households, Wealth, Saving, Capital gains

Home affordability in Italy

During the last two decades, house prices in Italy have increased dramatically in real terms, particularly in large towns and cities; the rise in rents has been even more marked. This paper analyses home affordability for households, considering both the rent and the property markets. In particular, it looks at the trends in house prices, rents, household income, cost of loans and other elements affecting the demand for housing (such as population growth). The paper also assesses how widespread home difficulties are among the population, considering the physical and financial aspects, both actual and potential. The role of public housing in helping to the problems is also discussed. Despite the wide diffusion of home ownership, home-related distress affects 20 per cent of Italian households.estate, house affordability

Capital Gains and Wealth Distribution in Italy

This paper analyses the impact of capital gains on the level and distribution of wealth held by Italian households between 1989 and 2005. The evaluation of these issues is achieved using both macro and micro data in order to obtain a more robust result. The estimation of capital gains through macro data is obtained using national accounts data while micro data from the Bank of Italy’s Survey of Household Income and Wealth are used to reconstruct capital gains accounting for price variations in the single assets composing wealth and for households’ idiosyncratic characteristics. Capital gains, defined as in the national accounts, explain about 40 per cent of the growth in real per capita wealth observed over the whole period, and about one-third of the growth in wealth concentration. Using capital gains reconstruction we estimate that households’ inter-temporal mobility between wealth classes is significantly affected by capital gains, to which 20 per cent of the observed transitions can be ascribed. Furthermore, capital gains take second place among the determinants of wealth variations at the household level, behind savings but ahead of intergenerational transfers

Povertà e deprivazione

Il saggio offre un'analisi comparativa sulle situazioni di povertà e deprivazione tra italiani e stranieri. Per la realizzazione delle analisi sulle condizioni di povertà e esclusione sociale , sulle dimensioni del disagio e sulla povertà assoluta sono stati utilizzati i dati dell'indagine campionaria Istat "Reddito e condizioni di vita delle famiglie con stranieri" e dell'indagine Eu-Silc condotta annualmente sempre dall'Istat

Hepatic Radiotherapy in Addition to Anti-PD-1 for the Treatment of Metastatic Uveal Melanoma Patients

Uveal melanoma is the most common ocular tumor with frequent metastatic spread to the liver. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated poor results in this disease. The addition of hepatic radiotherapy to anti-PD-1 could enhance the sensitivity to immunotherapy. In this study, patients treated with pembrolizumab and who have undergone hepatic radiotherapy have been retrospectively evaluated. Twenty-two patients have been considered. Six patients (27.3%) achieved a partial response and 3 (13.6%) a stable disease. Disease control rate was 40.9%. Thirteen patients (59.1%) had progression as best response. The median PFS was 4.8 months and 6 months PFS rate 45.4%. The median OS was 21.2 months, while 1 year OS rate was 72.7%. Longer survival was observed in patients who achieved a partial response on irradiated metastases (HR 0.23, 95% CI 0.06–0.83) or progressed after 6 months (HR 0.12—95% CI 0.03–0.44). No radiotherapy-related or grade 3–4 adverse events were reported. This study demonstrates that the addition of hepatic radiotherapy to anti-PD-1 treatment can be a valid option for the treatment of metastatic uveal melanoma, particularly for HLA A 02:01 negative patients. Prospective studies should be conducted to confirm these data