Analysis of hybrid censored competing risks data

In this paper, we consider the analysis of hybrid censored competing risks data, based on Cox's latent failure time model assumptions. It is assumed that lifetime distributions of latent causes of failure follow Weibull distribution with the same shape parameter, but different scale parameters. Maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs) of the unknown parameters can be obtained by solving a one-dimensional optimization problem, and we propose a fixed-point type algorithm to solve this optimization problem. Approximate MLEs have been proposed based on Taylor series expansion, and they have explicit expressions. Bayesian inference of the unknown parameters are obtained based on the assumption that the shape parameter has a log-concave prior density function, and for the given shape parameter, the scale parameters have Beta–Gamma priors. We propose to use Markov Chain Monte Carlo samples to compute Bayes estimates and also to construct highest posterior density credible intervals. Monte Carlo simulations are performed to investigate the performances of the different estimators, and two data sets have been analysed for illustrative purposes.     

Positive False Discovery Rate Estimate in Step-Wise Variable Selection

Selecting predictors to optimize the outcome prediction is an important statistical method. However, it usually ignores the false positives in the selected predictors. In this article, we advocate a conventional stepwise forward variable selection method based on the predicted residual sum of squares, and develop a positive false discovery rate (pFDR) estimate for the selected predictor subset, and a local pFDR estimate to prioritize the selected predictors. This pFDR estimate takes account of the existence of non null predictors, and is proved to be asymptotically conservative. In addition, we propose two views of a variable selection process: an overall and an individual test. An interesting feature of the overall test is that its power of selecting non null predictors increases with the proportion of non null predictors among all candidate predictors. Data analysis is illustrated with an example, in which genetic and clinical predictors were selected to predict the cholesterol level change after four months of tamoxifen treatment, and pFDR was estimated. Our method's performance is evaluated through statistical simulations.     

Robust Correlation Structure for Multivariate Failure Time Data

When incomplete repeated failure times are collected from a large number of independent individuals, interest is focused primarily on the consistent and efficient estimation of the effects of the associated covariates on the failure times. Since repeated failure times are likely to be correlated, it is important to exploit the correlation structure of the failure data in order to obtain such consistent and efficient estimates. However, it may be difficult to specify an appropriate correlation structure for a real life data set. We propose a robust correlation structure that can be used irrespective of the true correlation structure. This structure is used in constructing an estimating equation for the hazard ratio parameter, under the assumption that the number of repeated failure times for an individual is random. The consistency and efficiency of the estimates is examined through a simulation study, where we consider failure times that marginally follow an exponential distribution and a Poisson distribution is assumed for the random number of repeated failure times. We conclude by using the proposed method to analyze a bladder cancer dataset.     

Ordering properties of largest order statistics from independent and heterogeneous Dagum populations

Abstract

The Dagum distribution has been extensively used to model income data, and its features have been appreciated in economics and financial studies. In this article, we discuss ordering properties of largest order statistics from independent and heterogeneous Dagum populations. We present some sufficient conditions for stochastic comparisons between largest order statistics in terms of the reversed hazard rate order, the usual stochastic order, the convex order, the likelihood ratio order and the dispersive order. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the results established here.     

保温层的临界热绝缘直径

通过对传热速率随保温层直径增加而变化的讨论,得出结论,保温层直径必须大于保温层的临界热绝缘直径,才能降低热损失。     

我国的自然保护区现状简述

用较新的观点与数字,综述了建立自然保护区的目的和宗旨及我国自然保护区的特点与现状．     

论孟子仁学的内涵和实质

本文以“爱人”为核心,从亲亲、爱人、爱物三个方面,比较全面地分析和探讨了孟子仁学思想的基本内涵,认为为仁需经过亲亲而爱人,由爱人而爱物的步骤来完成,揭示了一个比较完整的仁学系统,从而把儒家学说核心范畴和最高道德理想的仁,以一种平实简易的样态呈现于世人,人们只要扩充“仁之端”,拓展“亲亲”之情,“盈科而后进”,则可以成为仁人。