A multilevel model with autoregressive components for the analysis of tribal art prices

In this paper, we introduce a multilevel model specification with time-series components for the analysis of prices of artworks sold at auctions. Since auction data do not constitute a panel or a time series but are composed of repeated cross-sections, they require a specification with items at the first level nested in time-points. Our approach combines the flexibility of mixed effect models together with the predicting performance of time series as it allows to model the time dynamics directly. Model estimation is obtained by means of maximum likelihood through the expectation–maximization algorithm. The model is motivated by the analysis of the first database ethnic artworks sold in the most important auctions worldwide. The results show that the proposed specification improves considerably over classical proposals both in terms of fit and prediction.     

New flexible models generated by gamma random variables for lifetime modeling

In this paper we introduce a new three-parameter exponential-type distribution. The new distribution is quite flexible and can be used effectively in modeling survival data and reliability problems. It can have constant, decreasing, increasing, upside-down bathtub and bathtub-shaped hazard rate functions. It also generalizes some well-known distributions. We discuss maximum likelihood estimation of the model parameters for complete sample and for censored sample. Additionally, we formulate a new cure rate survival model by assuming that the number of competing causes of the event of interest has the Poisson distribution and the time to this event follows the proposed distribution. Maximum likelihood estimation of the model parameters of the new cure rate survival model is discussed for complete sample and censored sample. Two applications to real data are provided to illustrate the flexibility of the new model in practice.     

Moderate Deviation Principles for Empirical Covariance in the Neighbourhood of the Unit Root

In this paper, we consider the linear autoregressive model with varying coefficients θ_n∈[0,1). When θ_n tending to the unit root, the moderate deviation principle for empirical covariance is discussed, and as statistical applications, we provide the moderate deviation estimates of the least square and the Yule–Walker estimators of the parameter θ_n.     

Generalized Estimation of the BLUP in Mixed-Effects Models: A Comparison with ML and REML

The Best Linear Unbiased Predictor (BLUP) in mixed models is a function of the variance components and they are estimated using maximum likelihood (ML) or restricted ML methods. Nonconvergence of BLUP would occur due to a drawback of the standard likelihood-based approaches. In such situations, ML and REML either do not provide any BLUPs or all become equal. To overcome this drawback, we provide a generalized estimate (GE) of BLUP that does not suffer from the problem of negative or zero variance components, and compare its performance against the ML and REML estimates of BLUP. Simulated and published data are used to compare BLUP.     

Small Area Estimation Using Estimated Population Level Auxiliary Data

Unit level linear mixed models are often used in small area estimation (SAE), and the empirical best linear unbiased prediction (EBLUP) is widely used for the estimation of small area means under such models. However, EBLUP requires population level auxiliary data, atleast area specific aggregated values. Sometimes population level auxiliary data is either not available or not consistent with the survey data. We describe a SAE method that uses estimated population auxiliary information. Empirical results show that proposed method for SAE produces an efficient set of small area estimates.     

Static Hedging of Geometric Average Asian Options with Standard Options

In this article, we first establish a theorem that represents the price of an Asian option in terms of standard European options with a shorter term and different strikes. Then using Gauss–Hermite numerical integration, we discretize our theorem so as to use Monte Carlo simulation to examine the error of the static hedging under the Black–Scholes model and the Merton jump-diffusion model. For ease of comparison, we also provide the error of the dynamic hedging. The numerical results show that the static hedging strategy performs better than the dynamic one under both models.     

D-optimal Factorial Designs under Generalized Linear Models

Generalized linear models (GLMs) have been used widely for modeling the mean response both for discrete and continuous random variables with an emphasis on categorical response. Recently Yang, Mandal and Majumdar (2013 Yang, J., Mandal, A., Majumdar, D. (2013). Optimal designs for 2^k factorial experiments with binary response. Technical Report, Available at: http://arxiv.org/pdf/1109.5320v4.pdf. [Google Scholar]) considered full factorial and fractional factorial locally D-optimal designs for binary response and two-level experimental factors. In this article, we extend their results to a general setup with response belonging to a single-parameter exponential family and for multilevel predictors.     

一致性分数阶优化灰色模型及其应用

传统的分数阶灰色预测模型在时间序列预测中具有较好的适应性和预测的有效性,但其累加和差分计算式比较复杂。一致性分数阶累加相对于一般的分数阶累加,形式更简单,更便于计算和理论推导。为了提高模型的适应性和预测能力,文章在CFGM(1,1)白化方程中引入一个新的可变系数,扩大了原有白化方程的适用范围,并在此基础上构建了一致性分数阶优化灰色模型,即CFOGM(1,1)模型。最优一致性分数阶阶数和可变系数通过PSO算法最小化平均相对误差获得。将构建的模型运用到两个实例中并与其他经典的灰色预测模型进行对比,结果表明所提出的模型具有较高的拟合和预测精度。     

基于MA S 的群决策支持系统研究

群决策支持系统(GDSS) 与传统的决策支持系统(DSS) 在体系结构和工作方式上有着较 大的差异. 在网络环境中, 组织的决策需要一种开放的GDSS 体系结构和协作的工作方式. 本 文提出一种基于MA S 的GDSS 体系结构, 以及在这种体系结构下的协同决策的模型. 在此基 础上开发了一个GDSS 的原型系统, 并对今后的研究方向进行了展望.