More bounds for moments of some rank statistics

Let X₁,…,X₇ be i.i.d. random variables with a common continuous distribution F, Two parameters, μ(F) = P(X₁ < X₅ and X₁+X₄ < X₂+X₃) and λ(F) = P(X₁+X₄ < X₂+X₃ and X₁+X₇ < X₅+X₆), which appear in the moments of some rank statistics have been studied by several authors. It is shown that the existing lower bound, 3/10 ≤ μ(F) can be improved to 3/10 < μ(F) and that no further improvement is possible. It is also shown that the existing upper bounds μ(F) ≤ (2^1/2+6)/24 ≈ 0.30893 and λ(F) ≤ 7/24 ≈ 0.29167 can be improved to [14+(2/3)^1/2]/48 ≈ 0.30868 and {7 ? [1 ? (2/3)^1/2]²/4}/24 ≈ 0.29132.     

Bayes and empirical bayes estimation of the probability that z > x + y

Let X, Y and Z be independent random variables with common unknown distribution F. Using the Dirichlet process prior for F and squared erro loss function, the Bayes and empirical Bayes estimators of the parameters λ(F). the probability that Z > X + Y, are derived. The limiting Bayes estimator of λ(F) under some conditions on the parameter of the process is shown to be asymptotically normal. The aysmptotic optimality of the empirical Bayes estimator of λ(F) is established. When X, Y and Z have support on the positive real line, these results are derived for randomly right censored data. This problem relates to testing whether than used discussed by Hollander and Proshcan (1972) and Chen, Hollander and Langberg (1983).     

On some DS-optimal designs in spherical regions

For polynomial regression over spherical regions the d-th order D_s-optimal designs for the λ-th order models are derived for 1 ≤ λ ≤ d ≤ 4. Efficiencies of these designs with respect to the λ-th order D-optimal designs are obtained. The effects of estimating addtional parameters due to an m-th order model (d ≥ m >>λ) on the efficiencies are investigated.     

Tighter bounds and simplified estimation for moments of some rank statistics

Improved lower bounds are obtained for two parameters λ(F) and μ(F) which occur in the variances of linear rank statistics studied by Doksum, Hollander, and Lehmann. Simplified algorithms are developed for efficient estimation of the parameters. The tighter bounds are used to investigate a slightly conservative approach which eliminates lengthy estimation procedures altoget-her, her, with great computational savings.     

Multi - sample test of equal gamma distribution scale parameters in presence of unknown common shape parameter

Shiue and Bain proposed an approximate F statistic for testing equality of two gamma distribution scale parameters in presence of a common and unknown shape parameter. By generalizing Shiue and Bain's statistic we develop a new statistic for testing equality of L >= 2 gamma distribution scale parameters. We derive the distribution of the new statistic ESP for L = 2 and equal sample size situation. For other situations distribution of ESP is not known and test based on the ESP statistic has to be performed by using simulated critical values. We also derive a C(α) statistic CML and develop a likelihood ratio statistic, LR, two modified likelihood ratio statistics M and MLB and a quadratic statistic Q. The distribution of each of the statistics CML, LR, M, MLB and Q is asymptotically chi-square with L - 1 degrees of freedom. We then conducted a monte-carlo simulation study to compare the perfor- mance of the statistics ESP, LR, M, MLB, CML and Q in terms of size and power. The statistics LR, M, MLB and Q are in general liberal and do not show power advantage over other statistics. The statistic CML, based on its asymptotic chi-square distribution, in general, holds nominal level well. It is most powerful or nearly most powerful in most situations and is simple to use. Hence, we recommend the statistic CML for use in general. For better power the statistic ESP, based on its empirical distribution, is recommended for the special situation for which there is evidence in the data that λ₁ < … < λ_L and n₁ < … < n_L, where λ₁ …, λ_L are the scale parameters and n₁,…, n_L are the sample sizes.     

A Distribution-Free Median-Unbiased Quantile Estimator

Given λ∈(0-,l), let x_λ(F) denote the unique λ-quantile of the distribution F. A distribution-free median-unbiased estimator of x_λ(F) is explicitly constructed     

Robustness group divisible designs

Robustness of group divisible (GD) designs is investigated, when one block is lost, in terms of efficiency of the residual design. The exact evaluation of the efficiency can be made for singular GD and semi-regular GD designs as ell as regular GD designs with λ₁ = 0. In a regular GD design with λ₁ > 0, the efficiency may depend upon the lost block and sharp upper and lower bounds on the efficiency are presented. The investigation shows that GD designs are fairly robust in terms of efficiency. As a special case, we can also show the robustness of balanced incomplete block design when one block is lost.     

Sequential analysis applied to testing the mean of an inverse gaussian distribution with known coefficient of variation

Given an inverse Gaussian distribution I(.μ,a²μ) with known coefficient of variation a, the hypothesis H_O: .μ <ce:glyph name="dbnd6"/> μ_o is tested against H₁: μ <ce:glyph name="dbnd6"/> μ₁ using the sequential probability ratio test. The maximum of the expected sample number is shown to occur when μ is approximately equal to the geometric mean of μ_oand μ₁ and it is shown that this maximum value depends on .μ_o and μ₁ only through their ratio. It is observed that the test can be used to discriminate between two one-sided hypotheses.     

Estimation of parameters of 1-out-of-n:g repairable system

A single unit system supported by N-l inactive standbys and a repair facility is considered when λ,μ are unknown, λand μbeing failure and repair rates of the unit respectively. Three sampling schemes are considered to obtain moment estimators λ^?:and μ _?:when the performance of the unit have to be observed in the system only. Asymptotic variances of the estimates are supplied.     

Random r-content of an r-simplex from beta-type-2 random points

We study the r-content Δ of the r -simplex generated by r+ 1 independent random points in R”. Each random point Z_j is isotropic and distributed according to λ||Z_j||² ～ beta-type-2(n/2, v), λ, v > 0. We provide an asymptotic normality result which is analogous to the conjecture made by Miles (1971). A method is introduced to work out the exact density of W = (rλ)^r(r!Δ)²/(r + |)^r+l and hence that of Δ. The distribution of W is also related to some hypothesis-testing problems in multivariate analysis. Furthermore, by using this method, the distribution of W or Δ can easily be simulated.     

Asymptotics of the run lengths of two control charts

The CUSUM control chart proposed by Page is a widely used in monitoring the quality of manufacturing processes. The Shiryayev-Roberts (S-R) control chart due to Shiryayev (1963) and Roberts (1988) is one of its competitors, This paper is concerned with the distribution properties of the run lengths of these two control charts. In context of continuous time, we first give the expansions of the higher moments of these run lengths. Then, we show that the asymptotic distributions of these run lengths are either some exponential distributions, or the distribution of the suprema of a standard Brownian motion, or some normal distributions, according to whether the μ<δ/2,μ =δ/2 and μ>δ/2. Here δ is the reference value of the above charts. Some similar results are also obtained in the context of discrete time.     

Inequalities for generalized order statistics from some restricted family of distributions

The Steffensen inequality is applied to derive quantile bounds for the expectations of generalized order statistics from a distribution belonging to a particular subclass of distributions. The subclass consists of F having the property that F^?1(0+)=x₀>0 and that x →[1? F(x)]x^z is nonincreasing for all x > X₀ and some z > 0.     

Tests for the umbrella alternative under normality

Consider a one-way layout of the analysis of variance assuming independence, normality, and homogeneity of variance. Test the null hypothesis H_o that the means, j., of each of Amp; columns, i = 1,…, k are equal versus the alternative that they follow an umbrella pattern. That is, the alternative is H₁-H₀ where H₁: μ₁> μ₂>… > μk, and m is known. We derive a class of tests which are unbiased and lie in a nontrivial complete class. We recommend specific tests within the class. A simulation of the power functions of some tests is contrasted with the simulated power function of the likelihood ratio test.     

Frequentist and Bayesian Interval Estimators for the Normal Mean

It is well known that a Bayesian credible interval for a parameter of interest is derived from a prior distribution that appropriately describes the prior information. However, it is less well known that there exists a frequentist approach developed by Pratt (1961 Pratt , J. W. ( 1961 ). Length of confidence intervals . J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 56 : 549 – 657 .[Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) that also utilizes prior information in the construction of frequentist confidence intervals. This frequentist approach produces confidence intervals that have minimum weighted average expected length, averaged according to some weight function that appropriately describes the prior information. We begin with a simple model as a starting point in comparing these two distinct procedures in interval estimation. Consider X ₁,…, X _n that are independent and identically N(μ, σ²) distributed random variables, where σ² is known, and the parameter of interest is μ. Suppose also that previous experience with similar data sets and/or specific background and expert opinion suggest that μ = 0. Our aim is to: (a) develop two types of Bayesian 1 ? α credible intervals for μ, derived from an appropriate prior cumulative distribution function F(μ) more importantly; (b) compare these Bayesian 1 ? α credible intervals for μ to the frequentist 1 ? α confidence interval for μ derived from Pratt's frequentist approach, in which the weight function corresponds to the prior cumulative distribution function F(μ). We show that the endpoints of the Bayesian 1 ? α credible intervals for μ are very different to the endpoints of the frequentist 1 ? α confidence interval for μ, when the prior information strongly suggests that μ = 0 and the data supports the uncertain prior information about μ. In addition, we assess the performance of these intervals by analyzing their coverage probability properties and expected lengths.     

Information matrix for a mixture of two inverse gaussian distributions

In this paper, Fisher information matrix about the five parameters ρ, μ_:1, μ², λ¹and λ²of a mixture of two Inverse Gaussian density functions is obtained. The Leguerre-Gauss quadrature formula is used to evaluate the essential integral on which the twenty five elements of the information matrix are based. Results involving the computation of the information about p are compared with those involving both the power series expansion and Simpson's method of integration. Laguerre-Gauss quadra-ture was found to lead to good approximations as compared with other methods. It was therefore chosen for the computations of the elements of the information matrix.     

Strong Gaussian Approximations of Product-Limit and Quantile Processes for Strong Mixing and Censored Data

In this article, we consider the product-limit quantile estimator of an unknown quantile function under a censored dependent model. This is a parallel problem to the estimation of the unknown distribution function by the product-limit estimator under the same model. Simultaneous strong Gaussian approximations of the product-limit process and product-limit quantile process are constructed with rate O[(log n)^?λ] for some λ > 0. The strong Gaussian approximation of the product-limit process is then applied to derive the laws of the iterated logarithm for product-limit process.     

Confidence intervals for the largest mean from k correlated normal populations

Let X= (X₁,…, X_k)’ be a k-variate (k ≥ 2) normal random vector with unknown population mean vector μ = (μ₁ ,…, μ_k)’ and covariance matrix Σ of order k and let μ_[1] ≤ … ≤ μ_[k] be the ordered values of the μ ’ s. No prior knowledge of the pairing of the μ_[i] with the X_j. (or μ_[i] with the σ_j ²) is assumed for any i and j (1 ≤ i, j ≤ k). Based on a random sample of N independent vector observations on X, this paper considers both upper and lower (one-sided) and two-sided 100γ% (0 < γ < 1) confidence intervals for μ_[k] and μ_[1], the largest and the smallest mean, respectively, when Σ is known and when Σ is equal to σ²R with common unknown variance σ² > 0 and correlation matrix R known, respectively. An optimum two-sided confidence interval via finding the shortest length from this class is also considered. Necessary tables and computer program to actually apply these procedures are provided.