Improved functional portmanteau tests

Functional time series is a popular method of forecasting in functional data analysis. The Box-Jenkins methodology for model building, with the aim of forecasting, includes three iterative steps of model identification, parameter estimation and diagnostic checking. Portmanteau tests are one of the most popular diagnostic checking tools. In particular, they are applied to find if the residuals of the fitted model are white noise. Gabrys and Kokoszka [Portmanteau test of independence for functional observations. J Am Stat Assoc. 2007;102(480):1338–1348.] proposed a portmanteau test of independence for functional observation based on Box and Pierce's statistic. Their statistic is too sensitive to the lag value, specially when the sample size is small. Here, two modifications of Gabrys and Kokoszka statistic are presented, which have superior properties in small samples. The efficiency of the modified statistics is demonstrated through a simulation study.     

Optimization problems for consecutive-2-out-of-n:G system

Abstract

This paper considers the optimization problems for a consecutive-2-out-of-n:G system where n is considered to be fixed or random. When the number of components is constant, the optimal number of components and the optimal replacement time are discussed by minimizing the expected cost rates. Furthermore, we focus on the above discussions again when n is a random variable. We give an approximate value of MTTF and propose the preventive replacement policy, respectively.     

Detecting Directionality in Time Series

Abstract

Directionality can be seen in many stationary time series from various disciplines, but it is overlooked when fitting linear models with Gaussian errors. Moreover, we cannot rely on distinguishing directionality by comparing a plot of a time series in time order with a plot in reverse time order. In general, a statistical measure is required to detect and quantify directionality. There are several quite different qualitative forms of directionality, and we distinguish: rapid rises followed by slow recessions; rapid increases and rapid decreases from the mean followed by slow recovery toward the mean; directionality above or below some threshold; and intermittent directionality. The first objective is to develop a suite of statistical measures that will detect directionality and help classify its nature. The second objective is to demonstrate the potential benefits of detecting directionality. We consider applications from business, environmental science, finance, and medicine. Time series data are collected from many processes, both natural and anthropogenic, by a wide range of organizations, and directionality can easily be monitored as part of routine analysis. We suggest that doing so may provide new insights to the processes.     

Water cycle algorithm for solving the reliability-redundancy allocation problem with a choice of redundancy strategies

Abstract

This paper proposes a new mathematical model for the reliability-redundancy allocation problem (RRAP) with a choice of redundancy strategies. To maximize the reliability of a system, this model chooses the best redundancy strategy from among both active and standby ones for each subsystem. For those with a standby strategy, a continuous time Markov chain model is used to calculate the exact reliability values. In order to solve the proposed mixed-integer non-linear programing model, a powerful evolutionary algorithm, called water cycle algorithm (WCA), is developed and implemented on three famous benchmark problems. Finally, the results of different benchmark problems are compared with those previously reported to show the superiority of the proposed model and the efficiency of WCA.     

The effects of individually varying times of observations on growth parameter estimations in piecewise growth model

When using latent growth modeling (LGM), researchers often restrict the factor loadings, while the multilevel modeling (MLM) treats time as a metric variable. However, when individually varying times of observations are concerned in the longitudinal studies, the use of specified loadings would lead to inaccurate estimation. Based on piecewise growth modeling (PGM), this simulation study showed that (i) individually varying times of observations with larger boundaries got worse estimates and model fits when LGM was used; (ii) estimating the PGM across all the simulation situations was robust within MLM, whereas LGM got identically equal estimation with MLM only in the case of time boundaries of ±1 month or shorter; (iii) larger change of slope in piecewise modeling indicated better estimation.     

Using Lean Six Sigma to improve mobile order fulfilment process in a telecom service sector

This study proposes and follows a specific and systematic framework for implementing Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology in a telecom company in order to improve customer satisfaction by minimizing the company’s response time to customer requirements. The goal of this study was achieved by utilizing several LSS tools under five phases of the DMAIC methodology. Unlike previous studies in the telecom sector that used only qualitative method, in this study, both qualitative and quantitative methods were utilized to draw meaningful conclusions. As a result of the implementation of the LSS methodology, the average order fulfilment lead time for sales orders (SO) and value-added service (VAS) orders was reduced from 10.3 to 5.9 days and from 1.5 to 0.5 days, respectively. The reduction in lead time resulted in an increase in the sigma level for SO and VAS orders from 0.44 to 1.26 and from 0.73 to 2.66, respectively. These improvements were expected to lead to a financial benefit in savings of over $600,000 per year in operational costs, enhancements to customer experience and an increase in revenue generating opportunities. Moreover, this article enriches the existing literature on the application of LSS concept in the service industry, and helps the company to speed up the response to customer requirements.     

实物资金流量表的预测方法研究

资金流量表是国民经济核算体系中的重要组成部分。然而，由于在编制过程中需要采集大量的数据，通常情况下，很多国家的资金流量表都会有较长时间的滞后。在编制实物资金流量表的延长表时，已有方法通常是基于基期与预测期交易收支结构保持不变的假定条件。然而，经济结构发生显著变化时，该类方法就会失效。基于上述问题，研究弱化模型的假设条件，并提出了新的实物资金流量表预测方法( 简称 FPTF方法)。根据表中元素必须满足的约束条件，该方法通过建立数学模型解除约束，其次基于历史数据的动态趋势，采用适当的时间序列分析方法来预测目标年份的实物资金流量表。通过仿真分析，验证了所提方法的有效性和稳定性。此外，基于中国1992年～2014 年的实物资金流量表数据进行实例分析，取得了满意的分析结果。     

基于股价预测的泛证券投资组合策略

本文基于期望效用最大化和L₁-中位数估计研究了在线投资组合选择问题。与EG（Exponential Gradient）策略仅利用单期价格信息估计价格趋势不同，本文将利用多期价格信息估计价格趋势，以提高在线策略的性能。首先，基于多期价格数据，利用L₁-中位数估计得到预期价格趋势。然后，通过期望效用最大化，提出一个新的具有线型时间复杂度的在线策略，EGLM（Exponential Gradient via L₁-Median）。并通过相对熵函数定义资产权重向量的距离，进而证明了EGLM策略具有泛证券投资组合性质。最后，利用国内外6个证券市场的历史数据进行实证分析，结果表明相较于UP（Universal Portfolio）策略和EG策略，EGLM策略有更好的竞争性能。     

运营滞后与信用担保互换下的项目投资决策模型

在项目投资面临运营滞后以及债务融资约束的情形下，基于实物期权框架构建了企业家签订信用担保互换契约的两阶段投资决策模型。运用动态规划以及均衡定价方法，给出了企业家股权及期权价值的显示表达，得到了两个阶段担保成本满足的代数方程，并进一步分析了运营滞后和信用担保下企业家的最优投资决策问题。数值结果表明：外部运营时滞会提高杠杆率，导致企业家提前投资，同时会提高企业家第一阶段债务融资的担保成本，但会降低第二阶段债务融资的担保成本；随第一阶段投资额度逐渐增大，企业家的最优投资水平呈U型变化，第一阶段债务融资时的担保成本单调递减，而第二段债务融资时的担保成本呈现倒U型；企业家两个阶段的融资缺口对项目最优投资水平、最优破产水平以及担保成本有显著影响。     

多渠道医疗门诊挂号的时间策略研究

现阶段多种门诊挂号方式并存时，根据患者特性制定不同的等待时间策略尤为重要。本文考虑门诊挂号的三种渠道：直接排队挂号渠道、电话预约挂号渠道与O2O预约挂号渠道。在价格外生前提下，综合考虑患者的渠道偏好程度、时间敏感性与提前支付敏感性，基于效用理论构建患者的渠道选择模型。根据该模型推导得出不同市场条件下医院的需求，医院再据此制定患者的等待时间策略以达到利润最大化的目的。研究发现：当医院仅开通单一挂号渠道时，若患者的时间敏感度越大、渠道偏好程度越小，等待时间均越小；开通某两种挂号渠道时，还需考虑患者对两种渠道的偏好比例，偏好某种渠道的患者比例增加，选择该渠道的患者等待时间增加，选择另一渠道的患者等待时间减小；同时开通三种渠道时，最偏好某渠道的患者比例越大，选择该渠道的患者的等待时间也越大；在所有情况下，患者对提前支付的敏感度均不影响最优等待时间的制定。