Modelling cell generation times by using the tempered stable distribution

Summary.  We show that the family of tempered stable distributions has considerable potential for modelling cell generation time data. Several real examples illustrate how these distributions can improve on currently assumed models, including the gamma and inverse Gaussian distributions which arise as special cases. Our applications concentrate on the generation times of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Numerical inversion of the Laplace transform of the probability density function provides fast and accurate approximations to the tempered stable density, for which no closed form generally exists. We also show how the asymptotic population growth rate is easily calculated under a tempered stable model.     

A class of weighted multivariate elliptical models useful for robust analysis of nonnormal and bimodal data

A class of weighted elliptical models useful for analyzing nonnormal and bimodal multivariate data is introduced. It is obtained from the marginal distribution of a centrally truncated multivariate elliptical distribution. As a special case, a finite mixture of weighted multinormal distribution is examined in detail, establishing connections with the multinormal and the finite mixture of multinormal. The special class of distributions is studied from several aspects such as weighting of probability density functions, association with centrally truncated distributions, and a finite scale mixture scheme. The relationships among these aspects are given, and various properties of the class are also discussed. For the inference of the class, an MCMC procedure and its numerical example are provided.     

Optimal Partitioning of Probability Distributions under General Convex Loss Functions in Selective Assembly

Selective assembly is an effective approach for improving the quality of a product which is composed of two mating components. This article studies optimal partitioning of the dimensional distributions of the components in selective assembly. It extends previous results for squared error loss function to cover general convex loss functions, including asymmetric convex loss functions. Equations for the optimal partition are derived. Assuming that the density function of the dimensional distribution is log-concave, uniqueness of solutions is established and some properties of the optimal partition are shown. Some numerical results compare the optimal partition with some heuristic partitioning schemes.     

Prediction from a normal model using a generalized inverse Gaussian prior

In this paper, we derive prediction distribution of future response(s) from the normal distribution assuming a generalized inverse Gaussian (GIG) prior density for the variance. The GIG includes as special cases the inverse Gaussian, the inverted chi-squared and gamma distributions. The results lead to Bessel-type prediction distributions which is in contrast with the Student-t distributions usually obtained using the inverted chi-squared prior density for the variance. Further, the general structure of GIG provides us with new flexible prediction distributions which include as special cases most of the earlier results obtained under normal-inverted chi-squared or vague priors.     

Some results on the truncated multivariate t distribution

The use of truncated distributions arises often in a wide variety of scientific problems. In the literature, there are a lot of sampling schemes and proposals developed for various specific truncated distributions. So far, however, the study of the truncated multivariate t (TMVT) distribution is rarely discussed. In this paper, we first present general formulae for computing the first two moments of the TMVT distribution under the double truncation. We formulate the results as analytic matrix expressions, which can be directly computed in existing software. Results for the left and right truncation can be viewed as special cases. We then apply the slice sampling algorithm to generate random variates from the TMVT distribution by introducing auxiliary variables. This strategic approach can result in a series of full conditional densities that are of uniform distributions. Finally, several examples and practical applications are given to illustrate the effectiveness and importance of the proposed results.     

A study of moments and likelihood estimators of the odd Weibull distribution

The odd Weibull distribution is a three-parameter generalization of the Weibull and the inverse Weibull distributions having rich density and hazard shapes for modeling lifetime data. This paper explored the odd Weibull parameter regions having finite moments and examined the relation to some well-known distributions based on skewness and kurtosis functions. The existence of maximum likelihood estimators have shown with complete data for any sample size. The proof for the uniqueness of these estimators is given only when the absolute value of the second shape parameter is between zero and one. Furthermore, elements of the Fisher information matrix are obtained based on complete data using a single integral representation which have shown to exist for any parameter values. The performance of the odd Weibull distribution over various density and hazard shapes is compared with generalized gamma distribution using two different test statistics. Finally, analysis of two data sets has been performed for illustrative purposes.     

Fisher's repeated normal integral function and shape distributions

SUMMARY Fisher has presented various applications of the repeated integral of the normal distribution function. A new application has appeared in shape distributions. This work has led to the search for an explicit expression for the repeated normal integral function in place of an infinite series expansion for this function first given by Fisher. We provide an explicit expression for this function with a finite number of terms.     

Gompertz-power series distributions

ABSTRACT

In this article, we introduce the Gompertz power series (GPS) class of distributions which is obtained by compounding Gompertz and power series distributions. This distribution contains several lifetime models such as Gompertz-geometric (GG), Gompertz-Poisson (GP), Gompertz-binomial (GB), and Gompertz-logarithmic (GL) distributions as special cases. Sub-models of the GPS distribution are studied in details. The hazard rate function of the GPS distribution can be increasing, decreasing, and bathtub-shaped. We obtain several properties of the GPS distribution such as its probability density function, and failure rate function, Shannon entropy, mean residual life function, quantiles, and moments. The maximum likelihood estimation procedure via a EM-algorithm is presented, and simulation studies are performed for evaluation of this estimation for complete data, and the MLE of parameters for censored data. At the end, a real example is given.     

A class of weighted normal distributions and its variants useful for inequality constrained analysis

This article develops a class of the weighted normal distributions for which the probability density function has the form of a product of a normal density and a weight function. The class constitutes marginal distributions obtained from various kinds of doubly truncated bivariate normal distributions. This class of distributions strictly includes the normal, skew–normal and two-piece skew–normal and is useful for selection modelling and inequality constrained normal mean analysis. Some distributional properties and Bayesian perspectives of the class are given. Probabilistic representation of the distributions is also given. The representation is shown to be straightforward to specify distribution and to implement computation, with output readily adapted for required analysis. Necessary theories and illustrative examples are provided.     

Likelihood-based and Bayesian methods for Tweedie compound Poisson linear mixed models

The Tweedie compound Poisson distribution is a subclass of the exponential dispersion family with a power variance function, in which the value of the power index lies in the interval (1,2). It is well known that the Tweedie compound Poisson density function is not analytically tractable, and numerical procedures that allow the density to be accurately and fast evaluated did not appear until fairly recently. Unsurprisingly, there has been little statistical literature devoted to full maximum likelihood inference for Tweedie compound Poisson mixed models. To date, the focus has been on estimation methods in the quasi-likelihood framework. Further, Tweedie compound Poisson mixed models involve an unknown variance function, which has a significant impact on hypothesis tests and predictive uncertainty measures. The estimation of the unknown variance function is thus of independent interest in many applications. However, quasi-likelihood-based methods are not well suited to this task. This paper presents several likelihood-based inferential methods for the Tweedie compound Poisson mixed model that enable estimation of the variance function from the data. These algorithms include the likelihood approximation method, in which both the integral over the random effects and the compound Poisson density function are evaluated numerically; and the latent variable approach, in which maximum likelihood estimation is carried out via the Monte Carlo EM algorithm, without the need for approximating the density function. In addition, we derive the corresponding Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm for a Bayesian formulation of the mixed model. We demonstrate the use of the various methods through a numerical example, and conduct an array of simulation studies to evaluate the statistical properties of the proposed estimators.     

Modeling asset returns with alternative stable distributions

In the 1960's Benoit Mandelbrot and Eugene Fama argued strongly in favor of the stable Paretian distribution as a model for the unconditional distribution of asset returns. Although a substantial body of subsequent empirical studies supported this position, the stable Paretian model plays a minor role in current empirical work.

While in the economics and finance literature stable distributions are virtually exclusively associated with stable Paretian distributions, in this paper we adopt a more fundamental view and extend the concept of stability to a variety of probabilistic schemes. These schemes give rise to alternative stable distributions, which we compare empirically using S&P 500 stock return data. In this comparison the Weibull distribution, associated with both the nonrandom-minimum and geometric-random summation schemes dominates the other stable distributions considered-including the stable Paretian model.     

Skewness-Kurtosis Bounds for EGB1, EGB2, and Special Cases

An examination of the theoretical moments of a probability density function provides useful information about the flexibility of alternative distributions. Johnson and Kotz (1970), among others, consider skewness-kurtosis plots to illustratve the ability of various probability density functions to model diverse distributional characteristics. This article investigates the skewness-kurtosis plots of the exponential generalized beta of the first and second kind and some important special cases which have been used in various applications in economics, statistics, and finance.     

Marshall–Olkin gamma–Weibull distribution with applications

Abstract

A Marshall–Olkin variant of the Provost type gamma–Weibull probability distribution is being introduced in this paper. Some of its statistical functions and numerical characteristics among others characteristics function, moment generalizing function, central moments of real order are derived in the computational series expansion form and various illustrative special cases are discussed. This density function is utilized to model two real data sets. The new distribution provides a better fit than related distributions as measured by the Anderson–Darling and Cramér–von Mises statistics. The proposed distribution could find applications for instance in the physical and biological sciences, hydrology, medicine, meteorology, engineering, etc.     

Modeling asset returns with alternative stable distributions *

In the 1960's Benoit Mandelbrot and Eugene Fama argued strongly in favor of the stable Paretian distribution as a model for the unconditional distribution of asset returns. Although a substantial body of subsequent empirical studies supported this position, the stable Paretian model plays a minor role in current empirical work.

While in the economics and finance literature stable distributions are virtually exclusively associated with stable Paretian distributions, in this paper we adopt a more fundamental view and extend the concept of stability to a variety of probabilistic schemes. These schemes give rise to alternative stable distributions, which we compare empirically using S&P 500 stock return data. In this comparison the Weibull distribution, associated with both the nonrandom-minimum and geometric-random summation schemes dominates the other stable distributions considered-including the stable Paretian model.     

SHARP BOUNDS FOR EXPECTATIONS OF kTH RECORD INCREMENTS

This paper presents sharp bounds for expectations of non‐adjacent increments of kth record statistics, measured in various scale units, for a sequence of independent identically distributed random variables with continuous cumulative distribution function. The results for kth record spacings are considered as special cases. The paper also characterizes probability distributions for which the bounds are attained.     

A new class of generalized Lindley distributions with applications

A new four-parameter class of generalized Lindley (GL) distribution called the beta-generalized Lindley (BGL) distribution is proposed. This class of distributions contains the beta-Lindley, GL and Lindley distributions as special cases. Expansion of the density of the BGL distribution is obtained. The properties of these distributions, including hazard function, reverse hazard function, monotonicity property, shapes, moments, reliability, mean deviations, Bonferroni and Lorenz curves are derived. Measures of uncertainty such as Renyi entropy and s-entropy as well as Fisher information are presented. Method of maximum likelihood is used to estimate the parameters of the BGL and related distributions. Finally, real data examples are discussed to illustrate the applicability of this class of models.     

An extended Lomax distribution

A new five-parameter continuous distribution, the so-called McDonald Lomax distribution, that extends the Lomax distribution and some other distributions is proposed and studied. The model has as special sub-models new four- and three-parameter distributions. Various structural properties of the new distribution are derived, including expansions for the density function, explicit expressions for the moments, generating and quantile functions, mean deviations and Rényi entropy. The score function is derived and the estimation is performed by maximum likelihood. We also obtain the observed information matrix. An application illustrates the usefulness of the proposed model.     

A General Quantile Function Model for Economic and Financial Time Series

This article proposed a general quantile function model that covers both one- and multiple-dimensional models and that takes several existing models in the literature as its special cases. This article also developed a new uniform Bayesian framework for quantile function modelling and illustrated the developed approach through different quantile function models. Many distributions are defined explicitly only via their quanitle functions as the corresponding distribution or density functions do not have an explicit mathematical expression. Such distributions are rarely used in economic and financial modelling in practice. The developed methodology makes it more convenient to use these distributions in analyzing economic and financial data. Empirical applications to economic and financial time series and comparisons with other types of models and methods show that the developed method can be very useful in practice.     

The beta Weibull-geometric distribution

A new five-parameter distribution called the beta Weibull-geometric (BWG) distribution is proposed. The new distribution is generated from the logit of a beta random variable and includes the Weibull-geometric distribution of Barreto-Souza et al. [The Weibull-geometric distribution, J. Stat. Comput. Simul. 81 (2011), pp. 645–657], beta Weibull (BW), beta exponential, exponentiated Weibull, and some other lifetime distributions as special cases. A comprehensive mathematical treatment of this distribution is provided. The density function can be expressed as an infinite mixture of BW densities and then we derive some mathematical properties of the new distribution from the corresponding properties of the BW distribution. The density function of the order statistics and also estimation of the stress–strength parameter are obtained using two general expressions. To estimate the model parameters, we use the maximum likelihood method and the asymptotic distribution of the estimators is also discussed. The capacity of the new distribution are examined by various tools, using two real data sets.     

A generalized skew two-piece skew-elliptical distribution

We present a new generalized family of skew two-piece skew-elliptical (GSTPSE) models and derive some its statistical properties. It is shown that the new family of distribution may be written as a mixture of generalized skew elliptical distributions. Also, a new representation theorem for a special case of GSTPSE-distribution is given. Next, we will focus on t kernel density and prove that it is a scale mixture of the generalized skew two-piece skew normal distributions. An explicit expression for the central moments as well as a recurrence relations for its cumulative distribution function and density are obtained. Since, this special case is a uni-/bimodal distribution, a sufficient condition for each cases is given. A real data set on heights of Australian females athletes is analysed. Finally, some concluding remarks and open problems are discussed.