Truncated sequential change-point detection based on renewal counting processes II

The standard approach in change-point theory is to base the statistical analysis on a sample of fixed size. Alternatively, one observes some random phenomenon sequentially and takes action as soon as one observes some statistically significant deviation from the “normal” behaviour. The present paper is a continuation of Gut and Steinebach [2002. Truncated sequential change-point detection based on renewal counting processes. Scand. J. Statist. 29, 693–719] the main point being that here we look in more detail into the behaviour of the relevant stopping times, in particular the time it takes from the actual change-point until the change is detected, more precisely, we prove asymptotics for stopping times under alternatives.     

A method for consideration of conditional dependencies in the Fellegi and Sunter model of record linkage

An objective of Record Linkage is to link two data files by identifying common elements. A popular model for doing the separation is the probabilistic one from Fellegi and Sunter. To estimate the parameters needed for the model usually a mixture model is constructed and the EM algorithm is applied. For simplification, the assumption of conditional independence is often made. This assumption says that if several attributes of elements in the data are compared, then the results of the comparisons regarding the several attributes are independent within the mixture classes. A mixture model constructed with this assumption has been often used. Within this article a straightforward extension of the model is introduced which allows for conditional dependencies but is heavily dependent on the choice of the starting value. Therefore also an estimation procedure for the EM algorithm starting value is proposed. The two models are compared empirically in a simulation study based on telephone book entries. Particularly the effect of different starting values and conditional dependencies on the matching results is investigated.     

Unbiased estimation in type II censored samples from a one-truncation parameter density

We consider uniform minimum variance unbiased estimation of a U-estimable function when the sample is (singly) Type II censored and comes from a one-truncation parameter density f(x;θ) = h(x) q(θ). An explicit expression for the estimator is derived. Shortest length confidence interval for q(θ) is obtained.     

Stochastic dominance for ranking ventures: Comments and extensions

This paper suggests some extensions to Tilley and Eilon's paper on ranking ventures. Tilley and Eilon consider concave utility functions consisting of two linear segments and this allows all rectangular distributions to be ordered. Such utility functions have a wide scope and allow other distributions to be ordered.     

Coaching als Instrument der Personalentwicklung in Kirche und Caritas Mehr Chancen als Grenzen

Coaching for leaders and representatives in churchesThis article shows possibilities of coaching for leaders and representatives in churches, especially during this time with many transformations in ecclesiastical structures. It seems to be very important for acceptance of coaching, that the coach has a high standard of knowledge about this branch.