A flexible semiparametric transformation model for survival data

I suggest an extension of the semiparametric transformation model that specifies a time-varying regression structure for the transformation, and thus allows time-varying structure in the data. Special cases include a stratified version of the usual semiparametric transformation model. The model can be thought of as specifying a first order Taylor expansion of a completely flexible baseline. Large sample properties are derived and estimators of the asymptotic variances of the regression coefficients are given. The method is illustrated by a worked example and a small simulation study. A goodness of fit procedure for testing if the regression effects lead to a satisfactory fit is also suggested.     

Unit root econometrics and economic nonlinearities

This paper concentrates on some shortcomings of contemporary unit root econometric methodology (testing for cointegration, common roots and stationarity) where the dynamics of an economy are described by a nonlinear process. It is shown that, in such circumstances, traditionally applied unit root econometrics may not lead to interpretable or statistically significant results. Two cases of such nonlinearities are discussed: (i) a stochastically nonlinear data generating process and (ii) a time-varying parameters cointegrating relation, typical of an economic reform process. It is shown that case (i) consists of a wide family of economic processes and in most such cases the results of standard unit root tests are not directly interpretable. Case (ii) does not result in a (conventionally understood) error-correction representation of a cointegrated process. Some Monte Carlo experiments evaluate the validity of cointegration tests in situations where there is a change in the cointegration parameter and from cointegration regime to noncointegration and vice versa. A simple method of estimation through simulation is proposed and its finite-sample properties examined.     

Structural Instability and the Production-Smoothing Model of Inventories

The production-smoothing model of inventories implies that inventories, labor inputs, sales, and factor input prices are cointegrated if sales and factor prices are I(1) with one cointegrating vector for each state variable held. These propositions are tested in six nondurable-goods industries. All industries provide evidence of cointegration. Fewer quasi-fixed factors are found than previous research often assumed. Estimates of cointegrating vectors provide implausible parameter estimates. Rank stability tests, with fixed or seqentially chosen breakpoints, indicate that the cointegrating matrix has unstable rank. Parameter estimates of cointegrating vectors do not provide much support for the production-smoothing model of inventories.     

Valid Bayesian Estimation of the Cointegrating Error Correction Model

Two methods of identifying cointegrating vectors are commonly used: linear restrictions and the nonlinear method of Johansen's maximum likelihood procedure. That the linear method can produce invalid estimates while the Johansen approach always produces valid estimates has been recognized in several recent articles. Because all Bayesian studies to date have used linear restrictions, this article presents a Bayesian method for obtaining estimates of cointegrating vectors that will always be valid. In addition, it also presents an approach for evaluating the validity of linear restrictions.     

Backfitting Random Varying-Coefficient Models with Time-Dependent Smoothing Covariates

Abstract.  In this paper, we propose a random varying-coefficient model for longitudinal data. This model is different from the standard varying-coefficient model in the sense that the time-varying coefficients are assumed to be subject-specific, and can be considered as realizations of stochastic processes. This modelling strategy allows us to employ powerful mixed-effects modelling techniques to efficiently incorporate the within-subject and between-subject variations in the estimators of time-varying coefficients. Thus, the subject-specific feature of longitudinal data is effectively considered in the proposed model. A backfitting algorithm is proposed to estimate the coefficient functions. Simulation studies show that the proposed estimation methods are more efficient in finite-sample performance compared with the standard local least squares method. An application to an AIDS clinical study is presented to illustrate the proposed methodologies.     

Time-varying autoregressive conditional duration model

The main goal of this work is to generalize the autoregressive conditional duration (ACD) model applied to times between trades to the case of time-varying parameters. The use of wavelets allows that parameters vary through time and makes possible the modeling of non-stationary processes without preliminary data transformations. The time-varying ACD model estimation was done by maximum-likelihood with standard exponential distributed errors. The properties of the estimators were assessed via bootstrap. We present a simulation exercise for a non-stationary process and an empirical application to a real series, namely the TELEMAR stock. Diagnostic and goodness of fit analysis suggest that the time-varying ACD model simultaneously modeled the dependence between durations, intra-day seasonality and volatility.     

A copula-based Markov chain model for the analysis of binary longitudinal data

A fully parametric first-order autoregressive (AR(1)) model is proposed to analyse binary longitudinal data. By using a discretized version of a copula, the modelling approach allows one to construct separate models for the marginal response and for the dependence between adjacent responses. In particular, the transition model that is focused on discretizes the Gaussian copula in such a way that the marginal is a Bernoulli distribution. A probit link is used to take into account concomitant information in the behaviour of the underlying marginal distribution. Fixed and time-varying covariates can be included in the model. The method is simple and is a natural extension of the AR(1) model for Gaussian series. Since the approach put forward is likelihood-based, it allows interpretations and inferences to be made that are not possible with semi-parametric approaches such as those based on generalized estimating equations. Data from a study designed to reduce the exposure of children to the sun are used to illustrate the methods.     

Score tests for independence in semiparametric competing risks models

A popular model for competing risks postulates the existence of a latent unobserved failure time for each risk. Assuming that these underlying failure times are independent is attractive since it allows standard statistical tools for right-censored lifetime data to be used in the analysis. This paper proposes simple independence score tests for the validity of this assumption when the individual risks are modeled using semiparametric proportional hazards regressions. It assumes that covariates are available, making the model identifiable. The score tests are derived for alternatives that specify that copulas are responsible for a possible dependency between the competing risks. The test statistics are constructed by adding to the partial likelihoods for the individual risks an explanatory variable for the dependency between the risks. A variance estimator is derived by writing the score function and the Fisher information matrix for the marginal models as stochastic integrals. Pitman efficiencies are used to compare test statistics. A simulation study and a numerical example illustrate the methodology proposed in this paper.     

A New Model of Trend Inflation

This article introduces a new model of trend inflation. In contrast to many earlier approaches, which allow for trend inflation to evolve according to a random walk, ours is a bounded model which ensures that trend inflation is constrained to lie in an interval. The bounds of this interval can either be fixed or estimated from the data. Our model also allows for a time-varying degree of persistence in the transitory component of inflation. In an empirical exercise with CPI inflation, we find the model to work well, yielding more sensible measures of trend inflation and forecasting better than popular alternatives such as the unobserved components stochastic volatility model. This article has supplementary materials online.     

Asymptotic Inference on Cointegrating Rank in Partial Systems

The likelihood ratio test for cointegrating rank is analyzed for partial (or conditional) systems in the vector autoregressive error-correction model. Under the assumption of weak exogeneity for the cointegrating parameters, the asymptotic distributions are given and tables of critical values are provided. A discussion is given of some of the assumptions of the model, why they are needed, and how they are tested.     

Exploring the Impact of Multivariate GARCH Innovations on Hypothesis Testing for Cointegrating Vectors

This article investigates the impact of multivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic (GARCH) errors on hypothesis testing for cointegrating vectors. The study reviews a cointegrated vector autoregressive model incorporating multivariate GARCH innovations and a regularity condition required for valid asymptotic inferences. Monte Carlo experiments are then conducted on a test statistic for a hypothesis on the cointegrating vectors. The experiments demonstrate that the regularity condition plays a critical role in rendering the hypothesis testing operational. It is also shown that Bartlett-type correction and wild bootstrap are useful in improving the small-sample size and power performance of the test statistic of interest.     

Multivariate Stochastic Volatility Models: Bayesian Estimation and Model Comparison

In this paper we show that fully likelihood-based estimation and comparison of multivariate stochastic volatility (SV) models can be easily performed via a freely available Bayesian software called WinBUGS. Moreover, we introduce to the literature several new specifications that are natural extensions to certain existing models, one of which allows for time-varying correlation coefficients. Ideas are illustrated by fitting, to a bivariate time series data of weekly exchange rates, nine multivariate SV models, including the specifications with Granger causality in volatility, time-varying correlations, heavy-tailed error distributions, additive factor structure, and multiplicative factor structure. Empirical results suggest that the best specifications are those that allow for time-varying correlation coefficients.     

Multivariate Stochastic Volatility Models: Bayesian Estimation and Model Comparison

In this paper we show that fully likelihood-based estimation and comparison of multivariate stochastic volatility (SV) models can be easily performed via a freely available Bayesian software called WinBUGS. Moreover, we introduce to the literature several new specifications that are natural extensions to certain existing models, one of which allows for time-varying correlation coefficients. Ideas are illustrated by fitting, to a bivariate time series data of weekly exchange rates, nine multivariate SV models, including the specifications with Granger causality in volatility, time-varying correlations, heavy-tailed error distributions, additive factor structure, and multiplicative factor structure. Empirical results suggest that the best specifications are those that allow for time-varying correlation coefficients.     

协整平滑转移回归中的线性检验 ——基于完全修正最小二乘法的扩展

 在解释变量内生条件下,Choi,Saikkonen(2004)使用动态最小二乘法估计协整平滑转移回归模型,并基于动态最小二乘的估计结果构造 统计量检验协整向量的非线性。本文系统解析了 的构造并指出其不足,针对这一不足,本文将动态最小二乘法扩展为完全修正的最小二乘法,并进而基于完全修正的最小二乘法估计结果构造 统计量检验协整向量的非线性。本文的仿真试验表明,在有限样本下, 与 的检验势没有显著差异,但 的水平扭曲小于 。     

Analysis of cointegrated models with measurement errors

We study the asymptotic properties of the reduced-rank estimator of error correction models of vector processes observed with measurement errors. Although it is well known that there is no asymptotic measurement error bias when predictor variables are integrated processes in regression models [Phillips BCB, Durlauf SN. Multiple time series regression with integrated processes. Rev Econom Stud. 1986;53:473–495], we systematically investigate the effects of the measurement errors (in the dependent variables as well as in the predictor variables) on the estimation of not only cointegrating vectors but also the speed of the adjustment matrix. Furthermore, we present the asymptotic properties of the estimators. We also obtain the asymptotic distribution of the likelihood ratio test for the cointegrating ranks. We investigate the effects of the measurement errors on estimation and test through a Monte Carlo simulation study.     

The selection of zero-non-zero patterned cointegrating vectors in error-correction modelling

An effective and efficient search algorithm has been developed to select from an 1(1) system zero-non-zero patterned cointegrating and loading vectors in a subset VECM, B^q(l)y(t-1) + B^q-1 (L)Ay(t) = ε( t ) , where the long term impact matrix Bq(l) contains zero entries. The algorithm can be applied to higher order integrated systems. The Finnish money-output model presented by Johansen and Juselius (1990) and the United States balanced growth model presented by King, Plosser, Stock and Watson (1991) are used to demonstrate the usefulness of this algorithm in examining the cointegrating relationships in vector time series.     

The selection of zero-non-zero patterned cointegrating vectors in error-correction modelling

An effective and efficient search algorithm has been developed to select from an 1(1) system zero-non-zero patterned cointegrating and loading vectors in a subset VECM, B ^q (l)y(t-1) + B ^q-1 (L)Ay(t) = ?( t ) , where the long term impact matrix Bq(l) contains zero entries. The algorithm can be applied to higher order integrated systems. The Finnish money-output model presented by Johansen and Juselius (1990) and the United States balanced growth model presented by King, Plosser, Stock and Watson (1991) are used to demonstrate the usefulness of this algorithm in examining the cointegrating relationships in vector time series.     

Α Markov model for longitudinal studies with incomplete dichotomous outcomes

Missing outcome data constitute a serious threat to the validity and precision of inferences from randomized controlled trials. In this paper, we propose the use of a multistate Markov model for the analysis of incomplete individual patient data for a dichotomous outcome reported over a period of time. The model accounts for patients dropping out of the study and also for patients relapsing. The time of each observation is accounted for, and the model allows the estimation of time‐dependent relative treatment effects. We apply our methods to data from a study comparing the effectiveness of 2 pharmacological treatments for schizophrenia. The model jointly estimates the relative efficacy and the dropout rate and also allows for a wide range of clinically interesting inferences to be made. Assumptions about the missingness mechanism and the unobserved outcomes of patients dropping out can be incorporated into the analysis. The presented method constitutes a viable candidate for analyzing longitudinal, incomplete binary data.     

Quantile regression for longitudinal data based on latent Markov subject-specific parameters

We propose a latent Markov quantile regression model for longitudinal data with non-informative drop-out. The observations, conditionally on covariates, are modeled through an asymmetric Laplace distribution. Random effects are assumed to be time-varying and to follow a first order latent Markov chain. This latter assumption is easily interpretable and allows exact inference through an ad hoc EM-type algorithm based on appropriate recursions. Finally, we illustrate the model on a benchmark data set.