Statistical estimation of quadratic Rényi entropy for a stationary m-dependent sequence

The Rényi entropy is a generalisation of the Shannon entropy and is widely used in mathematical statistics and applied sciences for quantifying the uncertainty in a probability distribution. We consider estimation of the quadratic Rényi entropy and related functionals for the marginal distribution of a stationary m-dependent sequence. The U-statistic estimators under study are based on the number of ε-close vector observations in the corresponding sample. A variety of asymptotic properties for these estimators are obtained (e.g. consistency, asymptotic normality, and Poisson convergence). The results can be used in diverse statistical and computer science problems whenever the conventional independence assumption is too strong (e.g. ε-keys in time series databases and distribution identification problems for dependent samples).     

Estimation of a change point in the variance function based on the χ2-distribution

ABSTRACT

Let us consider that the variance function or its νth derivative in a regression model has a change/discontinuity point at an unknown location. To use the local polynomial fits, the log-variance function which break the positivity is targeted. The location and the jump size of the change point are estimated based on a one-sided kernel-weighted local-likelihood function which is provided by the χ²-distribution. The whole structure of the log-variance function is then estimated using the data sets split by the estimated location. Asymptotic results of the proposed estimators are described. Numerical works demonstrate the performances of the methods with simulated and real examples.     

Exact distributional computations for Roy’s statistic and the largest eigenvalue of a Wishart distribution

Computational expressions for the exact CDF of Roy’s test statistic in MANOVA and the largest eigenvalue of a Wishart matrix are derived based upon their Pfaffian representations given in Gupta and Richards (SIAM J. Math. Anal. 16:852–858, 1985). These expressions allow computations to proceed until a prespecified degree of accuracy is achieved. For both distributions, convergence acceleration methods are used to compute CDF values which achieve reasonably fast run times for dimensions up to 50 and error degrees of freedom as large as 100. Software that implements these computations is described and has been made available on the Web.     

Approximate Confidence Limits for a Proportion of the Pólya Distribution

The problem of constructing approximate confidence limits for a proportion parameter of the Pólya distribution is discussed. Three different methods for determining approximate one-sided and two-sided confidence limits for that parameter of the Pólya distribution have been proposed and compared. Particular cases of those confidence bounds are confidence intervals for the parameter of the binomial and the hypergeometric distributions.     

Percentiles from a set of classes or from the raw data? an argument based on the trinomial distribution

In a former study (Chatillon, Gelinas, Martin and Laurencelle, 1987), the authors arrived at the conclusion that for small to moderate sample sizes (n≦90), and for population distributions that are not too skewed nor heavy tailed, the percentiles computed from a set of 9 classes are at least as precise as the corresponding percentiles computed with raw data. Their proof was based essentially on Monte Carlo simulations. The present paper gives a different and complementary proof, based on an exact evaluation of the mean squared error. The method of proof uses the trinomial distribution in an interesting way.     

Interval estimation of the stress–strength reliability in the two-parameter exponential distribution based on records

We consider interval estimation of the stress–strength reliability in the two-parameter exponential distribution based on records. We constructed Bayesian intervals, Bootstrap intervals and intervals using the generalized pivot variable. A simulation study is conducted to investigate and compare the performance of the intervals in terms of their coverage probability and expected length. An example is given.     

Tests of significance for the odds ratio in a 2×2 table based on the ratio of two independent F-variates

Following Gart (1966) a test of significance for the odds ratio in a 2×2 table is developed based on a semi-empirical method of approximating discrete distributions by their continuous analogues. The distribution of the test statistic (W), the ratio of two independent F-variates, is derived. This approximate technique is compared with the "exact" test, uncorrected X test, and a normal approximation based on lnW.     

The simplicity of likelihood based inferences for P(X < Y) and for the ratio of means in the exponential model

The profile likelihood of the reliability parameter θ = P(X < Y) or of the ratio of means, when X and Y are independent exponential random variables, has a simple analytical expression and is a powerful tool for making inferences. Inferences about θ can be given in terms of likelihood-confidence intervals with a simple algebraic structure even for small and unequal samples. The case of right censored data can also be handled in a simple way. This is in marked contrast with the complicated expressions that depend on cumbersome numerical calculations of multidimensional integrals required to obtain asymptotic confidence intervals that have been traditionally presented in scientific literature.     

Estimation of δ=P(X<Y) for Burr XII distribution based on the progressively first failure-censored samples

Let X and Y have two-parameter Burr XII distributions. The maximum-likelihood estimator of δ=P(X<Y) is studied under the progressively first failure-censored samples. Three confidence intervals of δ are constructed by using an asymptotic distribution of the maximum-likelihood estimator of δ and two bootstrapping procedures, respectively. Some computational results from intensive simulations are presented. An illustrative example is provided to demonstrate the application of the proposed method.     

The asymptotic size and power of the augmented Dickey–Fuller test for a unit root

It is shown that the limiting distribution of the augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) test under the null hypothesis of a unit root is valid under a very general set of assumptions that goes far beyond the linear AR(∞) process assumption typically imposed. In essence, all that is required is that the error process driving the random walk possesses a continuous spectral density that is strictly positive. Furthermore, under the same weak assumptions, the limiting distribution of the ADF test is derived under the alternative of stationarity, and a theoretical explanation is given for the well-known empirical fact that the test's power is a decreasing function of the chosen autoregressive order p. The intuitive reason for the reduced power of the ADF test is that, as p tends to infinity, the p regressors become asymptotically collinear.     

A two-stage Land et al.'s randomized response model for estimating a rare sensitive attribute using Poisson distribution

The crux of this paper is to estimate the mean of the number of persons possessing a rare sensitive attribute based on the Mangat (1992 Mangat, N.S. (1992). Two stage reandomized response sampling procedure using unrelated question. J. Ind. Soc. Agric. Stat. 44(1):82–87. [Google Scholar]) randomization device by utilizing the Poisson distribution in survey sampling. It is shown that the proposed model is more efficient than Land et al. (2011 Land, M., Singh, S., Sedory, S.A. (2011). Estimation of a rare attribute using Poisson distribution. Statistics doi:10.1080/02331888.2010.524300[Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) when the proportion of persons possessing a rare unrelated attribute is known. Properties of the proposed randomized response model have been studied along with recommendations. We have also extended the proposed model to stratified random sampling on the lines of Lee et al. (2013 Lee, G.S., Uhm, D., Kim, J.M. (2013). Estimation of a rare sensitive attribute in stratified sampling using Poisson distribution. Statistics 47(3):575–589.[Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). It has been also shown that the proposed estimator is better than Lee et al.'s (2013 Lee, G.S., Uhm, D., Kim, J.M. (2013). Estimation of a rare sensitive attribute in stratified sampling using Poisson distribution. Statistics 47(3):575–589.[Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) estimator. Numerical illustrations are also given in support of the present study.     

Bayesian prediction of minimal repair times of a series system based on hybrid censored sample of components’ lifetimes under Rayleigh distribution

In this paper, we develop Bayesian predictive inferential procedures for prediction of repair times of a series system, applying a minimal repair strategy, using the information contained in an independent observed hybrid censored sample of the lifetimes of the components of the system, assuming the underlying distribution of the lifetimes to be Rayleigh distribution. An illustrative real data example and a simulation study are presented for the purpose of illustration and comparison of the proposed predictors.     

A new cure rate model based on the Yule–Simon distribution with application to a melanoma data set

In this paper, a new survival cure rate model is introduced considering the Yule–Simon distribution [12 H.A. Simon, On a class of skew distribution functions, Biometrika 42 (1955), pp. 425–440.[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]] to model the number of concurrent causes. We study some properties of this distribution and the model arising when the distribution of the competing causes is the Weibull model. We call this distribution the Weibull–Yule–Simon distribution. Maximum likelihood estimation is conducted for model parameters. A small scale simulation study is conducted indicating satisfactory parameter recovery by the estimation approach. Results are applied to a real data set (melanoma) illustrating the fact that the model proposed can outperform traditional alternative models in terms of model fitting.     

On the existence and uniqueness of the maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters of Birnbaum–Saunders distribution based on Type-I,Type-II and hybrid censored samples

The Birnbaum–Saunders (BS) distribution is a positively skewed distribution and is a common model for analysing lifetime data. In this paper, we discuss the existence and uniqueness of the maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of the parameters of BS distribution based on Type-I, Type-II and hybrid censored samples. The line of proof is based on the monotonicity property of the likelihood function. We then describe the numerical iterative procedure for determining the MLEs of the parameters, and point out briefly some recently developed simple methods of estimation in the case of Type-II censoring. Some graphical illustrations of the approach are given for three real data from the reliability literature. Finally, for illustrative purpose, we also present an example in which the MLEs do not exist.     

z Test for the significance of the mean of a stable probability distribution with 1<α≤2

The analysis of data using a stable probability distribution with tail parameter α<2 (sometimes called a Pareto–Levy distribution) seems to have been avoided in the past in part because of the lack of a significance test for the mean, even though it appears to be the correct distribution to use for describing returns in the financial markets. A z test for the significance of the mean of a stable distribution with tail parameter 1<α≤2 is defined. Tables are calculated and displayed for the 5% and 1% significance levels for a range of tail and skew parameters α and β. Through the use of maximum likelihood estimates, the test becomes a practical tool even when α and β are not that accurately determined. As an example, the z test is applied to the daily closing prices for the Dow Jones Industrial average from 2 January 1940 to 19 March 2010.     

Authors’ response: on the role of data,statistics and decisions in a pandemic

AStA Advances in Statistical Analysis -     

One–sided simulataneous prediction intervals for the order statistics of a future samples from an exponential distribution

Assume that a sample is available from a population having an exponential distribution, and that l Future sample are to be taken from the same population. This paper provides a formula for the same population. This paper provides a formula for computing a one–sided lower simulataneous prediction limit which is to be below the (k_i ? m_i + 1) –st order statistics of a future sample of size k_i for the i = 1,…,2, hased on the sample mean of a past sample. Tables for factors for one–sided lower simultaneous predicition limits are provided. Such limits are of practical importance in determining acceptance criteria and predicting system survival times.     

Stress–strength reliability of a non-identical-component-strengths system based on upper record values from the family of Kumaraswamy generalized distributions

In an attempt to produce more realistic stress–strength models, this article considers the estimation of stress–strength reliability in a multi-component system with non-identical component strengths based on upper record values from the family of Kumaraswamy generalized distributions. The maximum likelihood estimator of the reliability, its asymptotic distribution and asymptotic confidence intervals are constructed. Bayes estimates under symmetric squared error loss function using conjugate prior distributions are computed and corresponding highest probability density credible intervals are also constructed. In Bayesian estimation, Lindley approximation and the Markov Chain Monte Carlo method are employed due to lack of explicit forms. For the first time using records, the uniformly minimum variance unbiased estimator and the closed form of Bayes estimator using conjugate and non-informative priors are derived for a common and known shape parameter of the stress and strength variates distributions. Comparisons of the performance of the estimators are carried out using Monte Carlo simulations, the mean squared error, bias and coverage probabilities. Finally, a demonstration is presented on how the proposed model may be utilized in materials science and engineering with the analysis of high-strength steel fatigue life data.     

Population size estimation and heterogeneity in capture–recapture data: a linear regression estimator based on the Conway–Maxwell–Poisson distribution

The purpose of the study is to estimate the population size under a truncated count model that accounts for heterogeneity. The proposed estimator is based on the Conway–Maxwell–Poisson distribution. The benefit of using the Conway–Maxwell–Poisson distribution is that it includes the Bernoulli, the Geometric and the Poisson distributions as special cases and, furthermore, allows for heterogeneity. Parameter estimates can be obtained by exploiting the ratios of successive frequency counts in a weighted linear regression framework. The results of the comparisons with Turing’s, the maximum likelihood Poisson, Zelterman’s and Chao’s estimators reveal that our proposal can be beneficially used. Furthermore, our proposal outperforms its competitors under all heterogeneous settings. The empirical examples consider the homogeneous case and several heterogeneous cases, each with its own features, and provide interesting insights on the behavior of the estimators.