On shrinkage least squares estimation in a parallelism problem

In a multi-sample simple regression model, generally, homogeneity of the regression slopes leads to improved estimation of the intercepts. Analogous to the preliminary test estimators, (smooth) shrinkage least squares estimators of Intercepts based on the James-Stein rule on regression slopes are considered. Relative pictures on the (asymptotic) risk of the classical, preliminary test and the shrinkage least squares estimators are also presented. None of the preliminary test and shrinkage least squares estimators may dominate over the other, though each of them fares well relative to the other estimators.     

Second-Order Response Surface Model with Neighbor Effects

This article considers the second-order response surface model in which the experimental units, i.e., plots experience the neighbor effects from immediate left and right neighboring plots assuming the plots to be placed adjacent linearly with no gaps. Conditions have been derived for the estimation of coefficients of second-order response surface model. A method of constructing designs for fitting second-order response surface in the presence of neighbor effects has been developed. The designs so obtained are found to be rotatable.     

Sufficiency of a sufficient statistic for equivariant estimation

Suppose an estimation problem is invariant under a group of transformations and one is interested in finding an optimal equivariant estimator. The usual proactice is to confine attention to non-randomized equivariant estimators based on a minimal sufficient statistic. A justification of this restriction to a smaller clas of estimators is given in this paper under certain conditions.     

Identification of arma models with non-gaussian innovations

The problem of modelling time series driven by non-Gaussian innovation has been considered recently by Li and McLeod (1988). In this paper we have discussed the problem of identification of ARMA models with non-Gaussian innovations. Simulation experiments are used to study the applicability of theoretical results.     

Language shift and the family: Questions from the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora1

Fishman's Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (GIDS) emphasizes the family in maintaining the heritage languages of immigrant communities. This study uses interview data from Sri Lankan Tamil communities in the U.S.A., U.K., and Canada to explain how families account for the rapid loss of Tamil in the diaspora. It shows how the positive valuation of English since British colonization, the need to make up for past deprivations because of caste, religious, and gender inequality, the pressure for migrants to join the social mainstream, and the need to resolve intergenerational tensions influence the family to forego language maintenance goals. The findings encourage us to situate the family in macro‐social institutions, power, and history in order to understand the prospects for language maintenance. The article provides an inside view of the Sri Lankan Tamil migrant families to explain how they resolve the tensions of valuing cultural identity and yet disregarding heritage language proficiency.     

Two-Event Model for Carcinogenesis: Biological, Mathematical, and Statistical Considerations

A two-mutation model for carcinogenesis is reviewed. General principles in fitting the model to epidemiologic and experimental data are discussed, and some examples are given. A general solution to the model with time-dependent parameters is developed, and its use is illustrated by application to data from an experiment in which rats exposed to radon developed lung tumors.     

On the equivalence of two approaches to simplicity in the analysis of block designs and some related results

Two seemingly different approaches to simplicity in the analysis of connected block designs, and their relationship to the concepts of balance are discussed.