Comparison of point estimators of normal percentiles

There are available several point estimators of the percentiles of a normal distribution with both mean and variance unknown. Consequently, it would seem appropriate to make a comparison among the estimators through some “closeness to the true value” criteria. Along these lines, the concept of Pitman-closeness efficiency is introduced. Essentially, when comparing two estimators, the Pit-man-closeness efficiency gives the “odds” in favor of one of the estimators being closer to the true value than is the other in a given situation. Through the use of Pitman-closeness efficiency, this paper compares (a) the maximum likelihood estimator, (b) the minimum variance unbiased estimator, (c) the best invariant estimator, and (d) the median unbiased estimator within a class of estimators which includes (a), (b), and (c). Mean squared efficiency is also discussed.     

Detecting the Dimensionality for Principal Components Model

A crucial issue for principal components analysis (PCA) is to determine the number of principal components to capture the variability of usually high-dimensional data. In this article the dimension detection for PCA is formulated as a variable selection problem for regressions. The adaptive LASSO is used for the variable selection in this application. Simulations demonstrate that this approach is more accurate than existing methods in some cases and competitive in some others. The performance of this model is also illustrated using a real example.     

Extended tests for non-zero between-study variance

The ANOVA F-test, James tests and generalized F-test are extended to test hypotheses on the between-study variance for values greater than zero. Using simulations, we compare the performance of extended test procedures with respect to the actual attained type I error rate. Examples are provided to demonstrate the application of the procedures in ANOVA models and meta-analysis.     

Further studies on the scale estimation in the censored two sample accelerated life model

Yang (1998) proposes a new class of scale estimators for the censored two sample accelerated life model. Unlike most previous results, Yang's estimators have the property that their asymptotic variance can be easily and reliably estimated, and the inferences on the scale parameter can be easily obtained. In this article, we further study the estimation function of Yang. Several new classes of weights and a new slope estimate are considered. Throughout extensive numerical studies, it was found that a new weight together with the use of the new slope results in an estimating function that improved the choices recommended by Yang.     

Test for Generalized Variance in Factor Analysis Model

We derive a likelihood ratio test for generalized variance a in factor analysis model. The asymptotic distribution of the test statistic follows chi-square distribution with one degree of freedom from a general theory of likelihood ratio test.     

Characterizing Discrete Life Distributions by Properties of Reversed Variance Residual life

The present article discusses the characterization of non negative integer-valued random variable using reversed variance residual life. A special attention is given to the characterizations by relationship between conditional variance and the reversed failure rate. A lower bound to the conditional variance is also established. Our bound is compared to the Cramer-Rao and Chapman-Robbins lower bounds so that construction of minimum variance unbiased estimators of relevant parametric functions in truncated distributions can be possible.     

Evaluation of Response Surface Designs in Presence of Errors in Factor Levels

Experimenters are often confronted with the problem that errors in setting factor levels cannot be measured. In the robust design scenario, the goal is to determine the design that minimizes the variability transmitted to the response from the variables’ errors. The prediction variance performance of response surface designs with errors is investigated using design efficiency and the maximum and minimum scaled prediction variance. The evaluation and comparison of response surface designs with and without errors in variables are developed for second order designs on spherical regions. The prediction variance and design efficiency results and recommendations for their use are provided.     

Balanced block designs

In the present paper an attempt has been made to characterize and unify the three different concepts of balancing in incomplete block designs, namely (i) variance balance, (ii) efficiency balance and (iii) pairwise balance. Simple characterizations of variance balance and efficiency balance have been given using the P matrix. A method of constructing efficiency balanced (EB) and variance balanced designs has also been presented.