On Approximability of Boolean Formula Minimization

For a Boolean function given by a Boolean formula (or a binary circuit) S we discuss the problem of building a Boolean formula (binary circuit) of minimal size, which computes the function g equivalent to , or -equivalent to , i.e., . In this paper we prove that if P NP then this problem can not be approximated with a good approximation ratio by a polynomial time algorithm.     

Sample size calculation for recurrent events data in one‐arm studies

In some exceptional circumstances, as in very rare diseases, nonrandomized one‐arm trials are the sole source of evidence to demonstrate efficacy and safety of a new treatment. The design of such studies needs a sound methodological approach in order to provide reliable information, and the determination of the appropriate sample size still represents a critical step of this planning process. As, to our knowledge, no method exists for sample size calculation in one‐arm trials with a recurrent event endpoint, we propose here a closed sample size formula. It is derived assuming a mixed Poisson process, and it is based on the asymptotic distribution of the one‐sample robust nonparametric test recently developed for the analysis of recurrent events data. The validity of this formula in managing a situation with heterogeneity of event rates, both in time and between patients, and time‐varying treatment effect was demonstrated with exhaustive simulation studies. Moreover, although the method requires the specification of a process for events generation, it seems to be robust under erroneous definition of this process, provided that the number of events at the end of the study is similar to the one assumed in the planning phase. The motivating clinical context is represented by a nonrandomized one‐arm study on gene therapy in a very rare immunodeficiency in children (ADA‐SCID), where a major endpoint is the recurrence of severe infections. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Demystifying the Integrated Tail Probability Expectation Formula

ABSTRACT

Calculating the expected values of different types of random variables is a central topic in mathematical statistics. Targeted toward students and instructors in both introductory probability and statistics courses and graduate-level measure-theoretic probability courses, this pedagogical note casts light on a general expectation formula stated in terms of distribution and survival functions of random variables and discusses its educational merits. Often consigned to an end-of-chapter exercise in mathematical statistics textbooks with minimal discussion and presented under superfluous technical assumptions, this unconventional expectation formula provides an invaluable opportunity for students to appreciate the geometric meaning of expectations, which is overlooked in most undergraduate and graduate curricula, and serves as an efficient tool for the calculation of expected values that could be much more laborious by traditional means. For students’ benefit, this formula deserves a thorough in-class treatment in conjunction with the teaching of expectations. Besides clarifying some commonly held misconceptions and showing the pedagogical value of the expectation formula, this note offers guidance for instructors on teaching the formula taking the background of the target student group into account.     

Homogeneity test, sample size determination and interval construction of difference of two proportions in stratified bilateral-sample designs

In stratified otolaryngologic (or ophthalmologic) studies, the misleading results may be obtained when ignoring the confounding effect and the correlation between responses from two ears. Score statistic and Wald-type statistic are presented to test equality in a stratified bilateral-sample design, and their corresponding sample size formulae are given. Score statistic for testing homogeneity of difference between two proportions and score confidence interval of the common difference of two proportions in a stratified bilateral-sample design are derived. Empirical results show that (1) score statistic and Wald-type statistic based on dependence model assumption outperform other statistics in terms of the type I error rates; (2) score confidence interval demonstrates reasonably good coverage property; (3) sample size formula via Wald-type statistic under dependence model assumption is rather accurate. A real example is used to illustrate the proposed methodologies.     

Improved likelihood-based inference for the stationary AR(2) model

An improved likelihood-based method based on Fraser et al. (1999) is proposed in this paper to test the significance of the second lag of the stationary AR(2) model. Compared with the test proposed by Fan and Yao (2003) and the signed log-likelihood ratio test, the proposed method has remarkable accuracy. Simulation studies are performed to illustrate the accuracy of the proposed method. Application of the proposed method on historical data is presented to demonstrate the implementation of this method. Furthermore, the method can be extended to the general AR(p) model.     

Residual analysis for spatial point processes (with discussion)

Summary.  We define residuals for point process models fitted to spatial point pattern data, and we propose diagnostic plots based on them. The residuals apply to any point process model that has a conditional intensity; the model may exhibit spatial heterogeneity, interpoint interaction and dependence on spatial covariates. Some existing ad hoc methods for model checking (quadrat counts, scan statistic, kernel smoothed intensity and Berman's diagnostic) are recovered as special cases. Diagnostic tools are developed systematically, by using an analogy between our spatial residuals and the usual residuals for (non-spatial) generalized linear models. The conditional intensity λ plays the role of the mean response. This makes it possible to adapt existing knowledge about model validation for generalized linear models to the spatial point process context, giving recommendations for diagnostic plots. A plot of smoothed residuals against spatial location, or against a spatial covariate, is effective in diagnosing spatial trend or co-variate effects. Q – Q -plots of the residuals are effective in diagnosing interpoint interaction.     

论外部性影响也是创造价值的源泉

自马克思的《资本论》问世以来,劳动价值理论一直是学术界争论的焦点。通过对价值概念的重新厘清,指出商品中凝结的一般人类劳动与价值是两个相互独立的概念,并从理论与实践两方面指出了传统劳动价值理论的内在缺陷,认为劳动不是创造价值的唯一要素,外部性影响也是创造价值的源泉。为了解决价值的来源问题,本文认为劳动、劳动结合物、外部性影响三要素共同创造价值,并从理论以及实践两方面阐明了外部性影响也是创造价值的源泉。     

L-函数的一个四次加权均值

利用特征和的性质及其解析方法讨论了DirichletL-函数的一个四次加权均值，得到一个加权均值分布的渐近公式。     

汉语量化句的逻辑语义分析与计算

分别对汉语中以句首”有”字结构为例的存在量限式和以周遍性主语句为例的全称量限式进行逻辑语义的分析,以调查统计为基础探讨汉语歧义量化句的问题。在最后部分对汉语歧义量化句在Prolog语言的环境下做了个案的语义自动分析的实现。