The variability of rainfall acidity

Two years of rainfall acidity data for the eastern United States were analyzed. The data consist of rainfall-event pH measurements from a nine station monitoring network. A spatio-temporal stochastic model, including deterministic components for seasonal variation and rainfall washout, and stochastic components for spatial, temporal, and measurement variation, was fitted to the data. The fitted autocorrelation structure from this model was used, in the process known as Kriging, to obtain BLUE contour maps of seasonal and rainfall adjusted yearly average pH over the monitoring region.     

Spatial modeling of extreme rainfall in northeast Thailand

It is well recognized that the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution is widely used for any extreme events. This notion is based on the study of discrete choice behavior; however, there is a limit for predicting the distribution at ungauged sites. Hence, there have been studies on spatial dependence within extreme events in continuous space using recorded observations. We model the annual maximum daily rainfall data consisting of 25 locations for the period from 1982 to 2013. The spatial GEV model that is established under observations is assumed to be mutually independent because there is no spatial dependency between the stations. Furthermore, we divide the region into two regions for a better model fit and identify the best model for each region. We show that the regional spatial GEV model reflects the spatial pattern well compared with the spatial GEV model over the entire region as the local GEV distribution. The advantage of spatial extreme modeling is that more robust return levels and some indices of extreme rainfall can be obtained for observed stations as well as for locations without observed data. Thus, the model helps to determine the effects and assessment of vulnerability due to heavy rainfall in northeast Thailand.     

Augmentation schemes for particle MCMC

Particle MCMC involves using a particle filter within an MCMC algorithm. For inference of a model which involves an unobserved stochastic process, the standard implementation uses the particle filter to propose new values for the stochastic process, and MCMC moves to propose new values for the parameters. We show how particle MCMC can be generalised beyond this. Our key idea is to introduce new latent variables. We then use the MCMC moves to update the latent variables, and the particle filter to propose new values for the parameters and stochastic process given the latent variables. A generic way of defining these latent variables is to model them as pseudo-observations of the parameters or of the stochastic process. By choosing the amount of information these latent variables have about the parameters and the stochastic process we can often improve the mixing of the particle MCMC algorithm by trading off the Monte Carlo error of the particle filter and the mixing of the MCMC moves. We show that using pseudo-observations within particle MCMC can improve its efficiency in certain scenarios: dealing with initialisation problems of the particle filter; speeding up the mixing of particle Gibbs when there is strong dependence between the parameters and the stochastic process; and enabling further MCMC steps to be used within the particle filter.     

Accelerated Burn-In Procedures and System Maintenance Policies

Burn-in is a widely used engineering method which is adopted to eliminate defective items before they are shipped to customers or put into field operation. In order to shorten the burn-in process, burn-in is most often accomplished in an accelerated environment. However, there have been few probabilistic or stochastic models for the burn-in procedures in accelerated environment. In this article, under a new stochastic model for accelerated burn-in procedure, the problems of determining both optimal accelerated burn-in time and optimal replacement policy are considered. Components are burned-in under an accelerated environment, then those surviving the burn-in procedure are put into field operation and they are maintained under a replacement policy. The properties of the optimal accelerated burn-in time and optimal replacement policy are obtained and a numerical example which illustrates the usage of obtained results will be presented.     

Modeling material stress using integrated Gaussian Markov random fields

The equations of a physical constitutive model for material stress within tantalum grains were solved numerically using a tetrahedrally meshed volume. The resulting output included a scalar vonMises stress for each of the more than 94,000 tetrahedra within the finite element discretization. In this paper, we define an intricate statistical model for the spatial field of vonMises stress which uses the given grain geometry in a fundamental way. Our model relates the three-dimensional field to integrals of latent stochastic processes defined on the vertices of the one- and two-dimensional grain boundaries. An intuitive neighborhood structure of the said boundary nodes suggested the use of a latent Gaussian Markov random field (GMRF). However, despite the potential for computational gains afforded by GMRFs, the integral nature of our model and the sheer number of data points pose substantial challenges for a full Bayesian analysis. To overcome these problems and encourage efficient exploration of the posterior distribution, a number of techniques are now combined: parallel computing, sparse matrix methods, and a modification of a block update strategy within the sampling routine. In addition, we use an auxiliary variables approach to accommodate the presence of outliers in the data.     

概述随机非线性动力系统在经济周期研究中的运用

非线性动力学为经济周期的动态分析提供了全新的思路和方法,打破了传统的均衡线性分析的范式。考虑到复杂经济系统中本质的表现为非线性,而且还不可避免地存在随机噪声。因此,为了深入地探究经济周期的动力学形成机理,将随机非线性动力系统引入到经济周期问题的研究中。通过研究随机模型的稳定性、分岔、混沌和随机最优控制,实现对宏观经济动态演化和运行的评价、监测与控制。这不仅拓宽了随机动力学在宏观经济领域中的应用,而且也为宏观经济运行的研究提供了一个全新的思路和方法。     

Salary cost evaluation by means of non-homogeneous semi-Markov processes

A useful model for forecasting the future development of salary costs in a firm is presented in this paper. This problem is relevant in the field of pension funds and also when a company decides to change the structure of its workforce. In the latter case, it might be necessary to forecast future salary costs in the new organizational hierarchy.

The problem is solved by means of a special kind of stochastic process. To be more precise, this paper presents a generalization of discrete time non-homogeneous semi-Markov processes and of the related reward process. This new stochastic process is able to take in account all the aspects of the problem.     

Shape-constrained Gaussian process regression for surface reconstruction and multimodal,non-rigid image registration

We present a new statistical framework for landmark ?>curve-based image registration and surface reconstruction. The proposed method first elastically aligns geometric features (continuous, parameterized curves) to compute local deformations, and then uses a Gaussian random field model to estimate the full deformation vector field as a spatial stochastic process on the entire surface or image domain. The statistical estimation is performed using two different methods: maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference via Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling. The resulting deformations accurately match corresponding curve regions while also being sufficiently smooth over the entire domain. We present several qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the proposed method on both synthetic and real data. We apply our approach to two different tasks on real data: (1) multimodal medical image registration, and (2) anatomical and pottery surface reconstruction.     

A latent Gaussian Markov random-field model for spatiotemporal rainfall disaggregation

Summary. Rainfall data are often collected at coarser spatial scales than required for input into hydrology and agricultural models. We therefore describe a spatiotemporal model which allows multiple imputation of rainfall at fine spatial resolutions, with a realistic dependence structure in both space and time and with the total rainfall at the coarse scale consistent with that observed. The method involves the transformation of the fine scale rainfall to a thresholded Gaussian process which we model as a Gaussian Markov random field. Gibbs sampling is then used to generate realizations of rainfall efficiently at the fine scale. Results compare favourably with previous, less elegant methods.     

Derivative Pricing With Wishart Multivariate Stochastic Volatility

This paper deals with the pricing of derivatives written on several underlying assets or factors satisfying a multivariate model with Wishart stochastic volatility matrix. This multivariate stochastic volatility model leads to a closed-form solution for the conditional Laplace transform, and quasi-explicit solutions for derivative prices written on more than one asset or underlying factor. Two examples are presented: (i) a multiasset extension of the stochastic volatility model introduced by Heston (1993), and (ii) a model for credit risk analysis that extends the model of Merton (1974) to a framework with stochastic firm liability, stochastic volatility, and several firms. A bivariate version of the stochastic volatility model is estimated using stock prices and moment conditions derived from the joint unconditional Laplace transform of the stock returns.     

基于拟似然方法的股票收益与波动率关系及其应用研究

股票市场中收益与波动率的关系研究在金融证券领域起着很重要的作用,而随机波动率模型能够很好地拟合这种关系。本文将拟似然方法和渐近拟似然方法运用在随机波动率模型的参数估计方面,渐近拟似然方法可以避免因为人为的结构错误指定而造成的偏差,比较稳健。本文采用拟似然和渐近拟似然方法对随机波动率模型的参数估计进行了模拟探索,并和两种已有估计方法进行了对比,结果表明拟似然和渐近拟似然方法在模型的参数估计方面有着很好的估计结果。实证研究中,选取2000-2015年标普500指数作为研究对象,结果显示所选数据具有金融时间序列的常见特征。本文为金融证券领域中股票收益与波动率关系及其应用研究提供了一定的启示。     

基于广义双曲线SV模型的极值风险度量研究

在金融风险的度量中,拟合分布的选取直接影响到风险度量的精度问题。针对金融收益序列的动态变化,在SV模型中引入广义双曲线学生偏t分布(SV-GHSKt)拟合金融收益序列的尖峰厚尾、不对称以及杠杆效应等特征,通过马尔科夫蒙特卡洛模拟的方法将收益率序列转化为标准残差序列,然后用极值理论的POT模型拟合标准残差序列尾部分布,进而建立一种新的金融风险度量模型———基于SV-GHSKt-POT的动态VaR模型。用该模型对上证综合指数做实证研究,结果表明,SV-GHSKt-POT的动态VaR模型能很好地模拟金融收益序列的尖峰厚尾性、波动集聚性及杠杆效应,并且能够合理有效地提高风险测度的精度,尤其在高的置信水平下表现更好。     

New concepts in deterministic growth curve forecasting

Attempts to better the Performance of classical growth curve functions have met with limited success. Construction industry projects highlighted the need to improve deterministic models rather than the stochastic methodologies which are nearly always based on the former. New concepts (changed for the first time since 1825) are formulated and used to generate multi-component deterministic models. Six highly diverse case studies, of which three are presented, were used to test one model and its autocorrelation form. Trial forecast standard errors showed a drop of 50% when compared to classical and stochastic models. Among the by-products of this work are uses of normalisation, scaling and a simple statistical procedure to estimate linear constants. A different consequence of the new concepts thew light on the problem of predicting a consumption process in marketing. The major implications of this research show the import of the new concepts and diversification of the fields of study on deterministic modelling; and also the need to reappraise the functional interface with many of the underlying processes of growth.     

Probabilistic Investigation of the Life Behavior of Power Capacitors Operating Under Distorted Supply Voltage

A probabilistic approach to the problem of life evaluation of power capacitors subjected to non-sinusoidal voltage is presented. In order to account for the stochastic nature of harmonic distortion, a probability density function representing the random occurrency of non-sinusoidal voltages is employed, while the stress-failure time relationship is provided by a multi-stress life model appropriate for life evaluation of a polymeric insulation. In such a way, the knowledge of harmonic amplitude distributions provides that of stresses affecting insulation life, i.e. electric field and temperature. Thus, life evaluation under distorted supply voltage is allowed, and comparison can be made with respect to performance in sinusoidal conditions. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Best subset selection of autoregressive models with exogenous variables and generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity errors

Summary.  We develop an efficient way to select the best subset autoregressive model with exogenous variables and generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity errors. One main feature of our method is to select important autoregressive and exogenous variables, and at the same time to estimate the unknown parameters. The method proposed uses the stochastic search idea. By adopting Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques, we can identify the best subset model from a large of number of possible choices. A simulation experiment shows that the method is very effective. Misspecification in the mean equation can also be detected by our model selection method. In the application to the stock-market data of seven countries, the lagged 1 US return is found to have a strong influence on the other stock-market returns.     

Optimal Prediction in Stochastic Regression Models with Application to the Analysis of Repeated Surveys

Several results relating to the optimal prediction of regression coefficients and random variables under a general linear model with stochastic coefficients are presented. These results are then applied to the analysis of repeated sample surveys over time. In particular, if the finite population can be modelled by a superpopulation model, a fully efficient method for the analysis of repeated surveys is proposed.     

Gaussian process emulation for second-order Monte Carlo simulations

We consider the use of emulator technology as an alternative method to second-order Monte Carlo (2DMC) in the uncertainty analysis for a percentile from the output of a stochastic model. 2DMC is a technique that uses repeated sampling in order to make inferences on the uncertainty and variability in a model output. The conventional 2DMC approach can often be highly computational, making methods for uncertainty and sensitivity analysis unfeasible. We explore the adequacy and efficiency of the emulation approach, and we find that emulation provides a viable alternative in this situation. We demonstrate these methods using two different examples of different input dimensions, including an application that considers contamination in pre-pasteurised milk.     

A generalization of the Solis-Wets method

In this paper we focus on the application of global stochastic optimization methods to extremum estimators. We propose a general stochastic method—the master method—which includes several stochastic optimization algorithms as a particular case. The proposed method is sufficiently general to include the Solis-Wets method, the improving hit-and-run algorithm, and a stochastic version of the zigzag algorithm. A matrix formulation of the master method is presented and some specific results are given for the stochastic zigzag algorithm. Convergence of the proposed method is established under a mild set of conditions, and a simple regression model is used to illustrate the method.     

The Gibbs sampler with particle efficient importance sampling for state-space models*

We consider Particle Gibbs (PG) for Bayesian analysis of non-linear non-Gaussian state-space models. As a Monte Carlo (MC) approximation of the Gibbs procedure, PG uses sequential MC (SMC) importance sampling inside the Gibbs to update the latent states. We propose to combine PG with the Particle Efficient Importance Sampling (PEIS). By using SMC sampling densities which are approximately globally fully adapted to the targeted density of the states, PEIS can substantially improve the simulation efficiency of the PG relative to existing PG implementations. The efficiency gains are illustrated in PG applications to a non-linear local-level model and stochastic volatility models.     

On a convergent stochastic estimation algorithm for frailty models

A maximum likelihood estimation procedure is presented for the frailty model. The procedure is based on a stochastic Expectation Maximization algorithm which converges quickly to the maximum likelihood estimate. The usual expectation step is replaced by a stochastic approximation of the complete log-likelihood using simulated values of unobserved frailties whereas the maximization step follows the same lines as those of the Expectation Maximization algorithm. The procedure allows to obtain at the same time estimations of the marginal likelihood and of the observed Fisher information matrix. Moreover, this stochastic Expectation Maximization algorithm requires less computation time. A wide variety of multivariate frailty models without any assumption on the covariance structure can be studied. To illustrate this procedure, a Gaussian frailty model with two frailty terms is introduced. The numerical results based on simulated data and on real bladder cancer data are more accurate than those obtained by using the Expectation Maximization Laplace algorithm and the Monte-Carlo Expectation Maximization one. Finally, since frailty models are used in many fields such as ecology, biology, economy, …, the proposed algorithm has a wide spectrum of applications.