Precedence probabilities and their applications

In precedence tests, the test powers are given by the probabilities P(Y_(i) > X_(j)) for some i and j, where X_(j) and Y_(i) are the order statistics of two independent random samples. Such probabilities can also arise in reliability theory. In this paper, we investigate the properties of these probabilities and their applications.     

Line balancing techniques as used for just-in-time ( JIT) product line optimization

This paper looks at the optimization of a production line similar to a just-in-time ( JIT) production flow line. It discusses the planning process, the types of products that can be ff e ectively processed on a JIT line, and the presently available procedures that should be followed when trying to optimize the production line. The article discusses the shortcomings of these techniques, then, based on research investigations, proceeds to recommend a process that will help assure optimization of a JIT process.     

A note on second order slope rotatable designs over all directions

Hader and Park (1978) introduced second order slope rotatability in axial directions. Park (1987) introduced second order slope rotatabilty over all directions. It is shown that these designs have the additional properly that the sum of the variances of estimates of slopes in all directions at any point is a function of the distance of the point from the design origin.     

Higher order moments of order statistics from INID symmetric random variables

In this paper we present analogues of Balakrishnan's (1989) relations that relate the triple and quadruple moments of order statistics from independent and nonidentically distributed (I.NI.D.) random variables from a symmetric distribution to those of the folded distribution. We then apply these results, along with the corresponding recurrence relations for the exponential distribution derived recently by Childs (2003), to study the robustness of the Winsorized variance.     

The effects of different choices of order for autoregressive approximation on the Gaussian likelihood estimates for ARMA models

This paper investigates, by means of Monte Carlo simulation, the effects of different choices of order for autoregressive approximation on the fully efficient parameter estimates for autoregressive moving average models. Four order selection criteria, AIC, BIC, HQ and PKK, were compared and different model structures with varying sample sizes were used to contrast the performance of the criteria. Some asymptotic results which provide a useful guide for assessing the performance of these criteria are presented. The results of this comparison show that there are marked differences in the accuracy implied using these alternative criteria in small sample situations and that it is preferable to apply BIC criterion, which leads to greater precision of Gaussian likelihood estimates, in such cases. Implications of the findings of this study for the estimation of time series models are highlighted.     

Islam and Processes of Minorisation among Ethnic Chinese in Indonesia: Oscillating between Faith and Political Economic Expediency

The main focus of studies on ethnic Chinese in Southeast Asia is generally their business acumen or the extent to which they are assimilated into their respective country of residence. This paper concentrates on a rather different aspect among this ethnic group, namely the influence of Islam amongst the Chinese, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia. This is a topic on which very little research has been done, especially in terms of identity and ethnicity together with processes of integration and assimilation—in relation to both other ethnic Chinese and the local communities in which they are socially imbedded. Because of the deficiency of empirical data, it is imperative that we understand the historical processes that lead up to the present marginalised position of this group of Chinese. As a consequence, the present paper employs a historical approach towards the study of the Chinese Muslims in their respective local communities.     

浅议比较法在英语教学中的运用

学习英文在语法、词汇两方面存在着中英、英英差别。“通过比较、找出差别、加深理解”的学习方法在培养学生的阅读、写作、翻译以及综合运用能力方面起着重要作用。比较研究法作为一种学习和思维方法,不仅适用于高校外语教学,有利于提高学生解决问题的能力,同时在第二外语习得以及跨文化交流中也同样具有重要意义。     

Characterizations of geometric distribution and discrete IFR (DFR) distributions using order statistics

Let X be a discrete random variable the set of possible values (finite or infinite) of which can be arranged as an increasing sequence of real numbers a₁<a₂<a₃<…. In particular, a_i could be equal to i for all i. Let X_1n≦X_2n≦?≦X_nn denote the order statistics in a random sample of size n drawn from the distribution of X, where n is a fixed integer ≧2. Then, we show that for some arbitrary fixed k(2≦k≦n), independence of the event {X_kn=X_1n} and X_1n is equivalent to X being either degenerate or geometric. We also show that the montonicity in i of P{X_kn = X_1n | X_1n = a_i} is equivalent to X having the IFR (DFR) property. Let a_i = i and $\text{G(i) = P(X≧i), i = 1, 2, …}$. We prove that the independence of {X_2n ? X_1n ∈B} and X_1n for all i is equivalent to X being geometric, where B = {m} (B = {m,m+1,…}), provided G(i) = q^i?1, 1≦i≦m+2 (1≦i≦m+1), where 0<q<1.     

A ONE-SIDED TRIMMED MEAN ESTIMATOR FOR THE MEAN OF POSITIVELY SKEWED DISTRIBUTIONS

This article proposes estimating the mean of positively skewed distributions by a one-sided trimmed mean estimator, called the upper-mean, and uses it to assess soil contact exposures at sites with toxic contamination. An optimal upper-mean is found by maximising the probability of the estimator falling in a target range. Monte Carlo studies are conducted for several positively skewed distributions and for a distribution obtained from real data. The simulation results show that the upper-mean is a better estimator than the upper 95% confidence limit estimator currently used, because it is more probable that the estimator is covered by the target range.     

一类非线性滞后微分方程的振荡性

本文讨论了一阶非线性滞后型微分方程组■，（1）所有解振荡的充分条件，发展了文[1]的方法，并推广强化了文[1]的有关结论。