Determining Optimal Number of Samples for Constructing Multivariate Control Charts

Normally, an average run length (ARL) is used as a measure for evaluating the detecting performance of a multivariate control chart. This has a direct impact on the false alarm cost in Phase II. In this article, we first conduct a simulation study to calculate both in-control and out-of-control ARLs under various combinations of process shifts and number of samples. Then, a trade-off analysis between sampling inspection and false alarm costs is performed. Both the simulation results and trade-off analysis suggest that the optimal number of samples for constructing a multivariate control chart in Phase I can be determined.     

A Note on the Likelihood Ratio Test for Equality of k Normal Populations

The authors derive the analytic expressions for the mean and variance of the log-likelihood ratio for testing equality of k (k ≥ 2) normal populations, and suggest a chi-square approximation and a gamma approximation to the exact null distribution. Numerical comparisons show that the two approximations and the original beta approximation of Neyman and Pearson (1931 Neyman , J. , Pearson , E. S. ( 1931 ). On the problem of k samples . In: Neyman , J. , Pearson , E. S. , eds. Joint Statistical Papers . Cambridge : Cambridge University Press , pp. 116 – 131 . [Google Scholar]) are all accurate, and the gamma approximation is the most accurate.     

Broken-Link Reports from SFX Users: How Publishers,Vendors and Libraries Can Do Better

Abstract

This study analyzes more than 400 SFX broken-link reports sent by users of an academic library. It raises technical issues regarding OpenURL linking in the handling of special journal volume and issue numbers, journal supplemental issues, embargo release dates, book reviews, DOIs, and other areas. It reports on full-text resources with the most broken links, causes of broken links, and the library's responses to users. It also explores how journal publishers, database vendors, and OpenURL vendors can improve the quality of their products and how librarians can better serve users.     

Accuracy Analysis of the Percentile Method for Estimating Non Normal Manufacturing Quality

We consider asymmetric kernel estimates based on grouped data. We propose an iterated scheme for constructing such an estimator and apply an iterated smoothed bootstrap approach for bandwidth selection. We compare our approach with competing methods in estimating actuarial loss models using both simulations and data studies. The simulation results show that with this new method, the estimated density from grouped data matches the true density more closely than with competing approaches.     

On sequential closed testing dose groups with a control

Methods for a sequential test of a dose-response effect in pre-clinical studies are investigated. The objective of the test procedure is to compare several dose groups with a zero-dose control. The sequential testing is conducted within a closed family of one-sided tests. The procedures investigated are based on a monotonicity assumption. These closed procedures strongly control the familywise error rate while providing information about the shape of the dose-responce relationship. Performance of sequential testing procedures are compared via a Monte Carlo simulation study. We illustrae the procedures by application to a real data set.     

Generalized additive mixed models

Following the extension from linear mixed models to additive mixed models, extension from generalized linear mixed models to generalized additive mixed models is made, Algorithms are developed to compute the MLE's of the nonlinear effects and the covariance structures based on the penalized marginal likelihood. Convergence of the algorithms and selection of the smooth param¬eters are discussed.     

Quasi-maximum exponential likelihood estimation for a non stationary GARCH(1,1) model

ABSTRACT

This article investigates a quasi-maximum exponential likelihood estimator(QMELE) for a non stationary generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic (GARCH(1,1)) model. Asymptotic normality of this estimator is derived under a non stationary condition. A simulation study and a real example are given to evaluate the performance of QMELE for this model.     

A nonparametric coherent confidence procedure

ABSTRACT

Holm's step-down testing procedure starts with the smallest p-value and sequentially screens larger p-values without any information on confidence intervals. This article changes the conventional step-down testing framework by presenting a nonparametric procedure that starts with the largest p-value and sequentially screens smaller p-values in a step-by-step manner to construct a set of simultaneous confidence sets. We use a partitioning approach to prove that the new procedure controls the simultaneous confidence level (thus strongly controlling the familywise error rate). Discernible features of the new stepwise procedure include consistency with individual inference, coherence, and confidence estimations for follow-up investigations. In a simple simulation study, the proposed procedure (treated as a testing procedure), is more powerful than Holm's procedure when the correlation coefficient is large, and vice versa when it is small. In the data analysis of a medical study, the new procedure is able to detect the efficacy of Aspirin as a cardiovascular prophylaxis in a nonparametric setting.     

Modeling of covariance structures of random effects and random errors in linear mixed models

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss how to model the mean and covariancestructures in linear mixed models (LMMs) simultaneously. We propose a data-driven method to modelcovariance structures of the random effects and random errors in the LMMs. Parameter estimation in the mean and covariances is considered by using EM algorithm, and standard errors of the parameter estimates are calculated through Louis’ (1982 Louis, T.A. (1982). Finding observed information using the EM algorithm. J. Royal Stat. Soc. B 44:98–130. [Google Scholar]) information principle. Kenward’s (1987 Kenward, M.G. (1987). A method for comparing profiles of repeated measurements. Appl. Stat. 36:296–308.[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) cattle data sets are analyzed for illustration,and comparison to the literature work is made through simulation studies. Our numerical analysis confirms the superiority of the proposed method to existing approaches in terms of Akaike information criterion.