A Sparse Implementation of the Average Information Algorithm for Factor Analytic and Reduced Rank Variance Models

Factor analytic variance models have been widely considered for the analysis of multivariate data particularly in the psychometrics area. Recently Smith, Cullis & Thompson (2001) have considered their use in the analysis of multi‐environment data arising from plant improvement programs. For these data, the size of the problem and the complexity of the variance models chosen to account for spatial heterogeneity within trials implies that standard algorithms for fitting factor analytic models can be computationally expensive. This paper presents a sparse implementation of the average information algorithm (Gilmour, Thompson & Cullis, 1995) for fitting factor analytic and reduced rank variance models.     

Improved model selection criteria for SETAR time series models

The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, we obtain the asymptotic properties of the modified model selection criteria proposed by Hurvich et al. (1990. Improved estimators of Kullback-Leibler information for autoregressive model selection in small samples. Biometrika 77, 709–719) for autoregressive models. Second, we provide some highlights on the better performance of this modified criteria. Third, we extend the modification introduced by these authors to model selection criteria commonly used in the class of self-exciting threshold autoregressive (SETAR) time series models. We show the improvements of the modified criteria in their finite sample performance. In particular, for small and medium sample size the frequency of selecting the true model improves for the consistent criteria and the root mean square error (RMSE) of prediction improves for the efficient criteria. These results are illustrated via simulation with SETAR models in which we assume that the threshold and the parameters are unknown.     

Some results on optimality in models with heteroscedastic errors from partial optimum designs

This paper studies optimum designs for linear models when the errors are heteroscedastic. Sufficient conditions are given in order to obtainD-, A- andE-optimum designs for a complete regression model from partial optimum designs for some sub-parameters. A result about optimality for a complete model from the optimality for the submodels is included. Supported by Junta de Andalucía, research group FQM244.     

情态动词否定之研究

Palmer认为在英语语法中 ,最难描写的莫过于情态助动词系统 (Palmer,1 979:preface)。情态动词之所以纷繁复杂、难以描写是因为它们在各种英语文体中使用频率极高 ,并且表达的意义与人的情感和意念有着密切关系。由于情态动词的意义的多样性和模糊性 ,其否定形式及范围也是复杂多变的。我们可以依据Palmer对三类情态动词(推测性、义务性、原动性 )和两种情态级别 (可能级、必定级 )的划分 ,对情态动词的否定范围及语义进行分类分级研究 ;同时 ,鉴于可能级和必定级情态动词否定之间的语义约同现象 ,对逻辑等式Not -possible =Necessary -not;Not -necessary=Possible -not在情态动词句式中的操作规律加以探讨 ,结果表明该等式为解释情态动词否定形式间的互补现象提供了逻辑依据     

A Bayesian Hierarchical Model for the Evaluation of a Website

Consider a website and the surfers visiting its pages. A typical issue of interest, for example while monitoring an advertising campaign, concerns whether a specific page has been designed successfully, i.e. is able to attract surfers or address them to other pages within the site. We assume that the surfing behaviour is fully described by the transition probabilities from one page to another, so that a clickstream (sequence of consecutively visited pages) can be viewed as a finite-state-space Markov chain. We then implement a variety of hierarchical prior distributions on the multivariate logits of the transition probabilities and define, for each page, a content effect and a link effect. The former measures the attractiveness of the page due to its contents, while the latter signals its ability to suggest further interesting links within the site. Moreover, we define an additional effect, representing overall page success, which incorporates both effects previously described. Using WinBUGS, we provide estimates and credible intervals for each of the above effects and rank pages accordingly.     

Human Salmonellosis: Estimation of Dose-Illness from Outbreak Data

The quantification of the relationship between the amount of microbial organisms ingested and a specific outcome such as infection, illness, or mortality is a key aspect of quantitative risk assessment. A main problem in determining such dose-response models is the availability of appropriate data. Human feeding trials have been criticized because only young healthy volunteers are selected to participate and low doses, as often occurring in real life, are typically not considered. Epidemiological outbreak data are considered to be more valuable, but are more subject to data uncertainty. In this article, we model the dose-illness relationship based on data of 20 Salmonella outbreaks, as discussed by the World Health Organization. In particular, we model the dose-illness relationship using generalized linear mixed models and fractional polynomials of dose. The fractional polynomial models are modified to satisfy the properties of different types of dose-illness models as proposed by Teunis et al . Within these models, differences in host susceptibility (susceptible versus normal population) are modeled as fixed effects whereas differences in serovar type and food matrix are modeled as random effects. In addition, two bootstrap procedures are presented. A first procedure accounts for stochastic variability whereas a second procedure accounts for both stochastic variability and data uncertainty. The analyses indicate that the susceptible population has a higher probability of illness at low dose levels when the combination pathogen-food matrix is extremely virulent and at high dose levels when the combination is less virulent. Furthermore, the analyses suggest that immunity exists in the normal population but not in the susceptible population.     

独立学院应用性人才培养模式的构建与探索

独立学院是我国现行高教体制的突破与革新，既不同于传统的公办普通高校，又有别于已有的民办高校和职业技术学院。随着高等教育大众化，面对着竞争愈演愈烈的人才市场，独立学院如何在高等教育竞争中的勇立潮头，赢得一席之地，必须就“独立学院应用性人才培养模式的构建”进行认真的研究与探索，根据社会对人才需求呈现出多样化趋势的实际，找准学院定位，明确办学理念，理清办学思路，创新培养模式，全力打造“应用性”人才。     

矩阵方程XA＝B的亚（半）正定自共轭四元数矩阵解

给出了四元数体Ｑ上ｎ×ｎ分块矩阵为亚（半）正定自共轭矩阵的一个充要条件，进而给出了Ｑ上矩阵方程ＸＡｎｍ＝Ｂｎｍ有亚（半）正定自共轭四元数矩阵解的充要条件及解集合的显式表示，从而推广改进了数城上线性方程组的反问题及矩阵反问题的相应结果．     

现代汉语语义系统刍议

语义单位、语义单位之间的结构关系、结构层次是现代汉语语言意义系统的三要素 ,不同性质的语义单位彼此之间复杂纠联 ,使构成语义系统的两子系统 (词汇意义、语法意义子系统 )、两次子系统 (词法意义、句法意义次子系统 )紧密地联结在—起 ,构成一个统一的内部饶有联系的结构整体     

ADDITIVE MODELS WITH PREDICTORS SUBJECT TO MEASUREMENT ERROR

This paper develops a likelihood‐based method for fitting additive models in the presence of measurement error. It formulates the additive model using the linear mixed model representation of penalized splines. In the presence of a structural measurement error model, the resulting likelihood involves intractable integrals, and a Monte Carlo expectation maximization strategy is developed for obtaining estimates. The method's performance is illustrated with a simulation study.