Importance sampling for signal extraction model in time series analysis

In time series analysis, signal extraction model (SEM) is used to estimate unobserved signal component from observed time series data. Since parameters of the components in SEM are often unknown in practice, a commonly used method is to estimate unobserved signal component using the maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs) of parameters of the components. This paper explores an alternative way to estimate unobserved signal component when parameters of the components are unknown. The suggested method makes use of importance sampling (IS) with Bayesian inference. The basic idea is to treat parameters of the components in SEM as a random vector and compute a posterior probability density function of the parameters using Bayesian inference. Then IS method is applied to integrate out the parameters and thus estimates of unobserved signal component, unconditional to the parameters, can be obtained. This method is illustrated with a real time series data. Then a Monte Carlo study with four different types of time series models is carried out to compare a performance of this method with that of a commonly used method. The study shows that IS method with Bayesian inference is computationally feasible and robust, and more efficient in terms of mean square errors (MSEs) than a commonly used method.     

Parameters estimation for weibull distributed lifetimes under progressive censoring with random removeals

This paper considers the estimation problem when lifetimes are Weibull distributed and are collected under a Type-II progressive censoring with random removals, where the number of units removed at each failure time follows a uniform discrete distribution. The expected time of this censoring plan is discussed and compared numerically to that under a Type II censoring without removal. Maximum likelihood estimator of the parameters and their asymptotic variances are derived.     

Choosing Prior Hyperparameters: With Applications to Time-Varying Parameter Models

Time-varying parameter models with stochastic volatility are widely used to study macroeconomic and financial data. These models are almost exclusively estimated using Bayesian methods. A common practice is to focus on prior distributions that themselves depend on relatively few hyperparameters such as the scaling factor for the prior covariance matrix of the residuals governing time variation in the parameters. The choice of these hyperparameters is crucial because their influence is sizeable for standard sample sizes. In this article, we treat the hyperparameters as part of a hierarchical model and propose a fast, tractable, easy-to-implement, and fully Bayesian approach to estimate those hyperparameters jointly with all other parameters in the model. We show via Monte Carlo simulations that, in this class of models, our approach can drastically improve on using fixed hyperparameters previously proposed in the literature. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.     

Zero-inflated Poisson and negative binomial integer-valued GARCH models

Zero inflation means that the proportion of 0's of a model is greater than the proportion of 0's of the corresponding Poisson model, which is a common phenomenon in count data. To model the zero-inflated characteristic of time series of counts, we propose zero-inflated Poisson and negative binomial INGARCH models, which are useful and flexible generalizations of the Poisson and negative binomial INGARCH models, respectively. The stationarity conditions and the autocorrelation function are given. Based on the EM algorithm, the estimating procedure is simple and easy to be implemented. A simulation study shows that the estimation method is accurate and reliable as long as the sample size is reasonably large. A real data example leads to superior performance of the proposed models compared with other competitive models in the literature.     

Robust estimation of AR coefficients under simultaneously influencing outliers and missing values

A family of robust estimators for coefficients of Gaussian AR(p) time series under simultaneously influencing distortions of two types: outliers and missing values, is proposed. The estimators are based on special properties of the Cauchy probability distribution; consistency and the asymptotic normality of these estimators are proven. An approximate solution of the problem of minimization of the asymptotic variance within the proposed family of estimators is found. Performance of the proposed estimators is illustrated for simulated time series and for real data sets.     

Unaliasing of aliased line component frequencies

This paper is concerned with undoing aliasing effects, which arise from discretely sampling a continuous‐time stochastic process. Such effects are manifested in the frequency‐domain relationships between the sampled and original processes. The authors describe a general technique to undo aliasing effects, given two processes, one being a time‐delayed version of the other. The technique is based on the observations that certain phase information between the two processes is unaffected by sampling, is completely determined by the (known) time delay, and contains sufficient information to undo aliasing effects. The authors illustrate their technique with a simulation example. The theoretical model is motivated by the helioseismological problem of determining modes of solar pressure waves. The authors apply their technique to solar radio data, and conclude that certain low‐frequency modes known in the helioseismology literature are likely the result of aliasing effects. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 38: 116–135; 2010 © 2010 Statistical Society of Canada     

时间数列分析中的加法模型与乘法模型

文章通过实例说明了时间数列分析中加法模型的应用,纠正了一些统计学教材上常见的错误认识和模型的错误使用,对统计教材中统计方法的系统化起到了一定的作用。     

Creating a reference to a complex emergency situation using time series methods: war in Guinea-Bissau 1998-1999

Impacts of complex emergencies or relief interventions have often been evaluated by absolute mortality compared to international standardized mortality rates. A better evaluation would be to compare with local baseline mortality of the affected populations. A projection of population-based survival data into time of emergency or intervention based on information from before the emergency may create a local baseline reference. We find a log-transformed Gaussian time series model where standard errors of the estimated rates are included in the variance to have the best forecasting capacity. However, if time-at-risk during the forecasted period is known then forecasting might be done using a Poisson time series model with overdispersion. Whatever, the standard error of the estimated rates must be included in the variance of the model either in an additive form in a Gaussian model or in a multiplicative form by overdispersion in a Poisson model. Data on which the forecasting is based must be modelled carefully concerning not only calendar-time trends but also periods with excessive frequency of events (epidemics) and seasonal variations to eliminate residual autocorrelation and to make a proper reference for comparison, reflecting changes over time during the emergency. Hence, when modelled properly it is possible to predict a reference to an emergency-affected population based on local conditions. We predicted childhood mortality during the war in Guinea-Bissau 1998-1999. We found an increased mortality in the first half-year of the war and a mortality corresponding to the expected one in the last half-year of the war.     

软件能力成熟度模型(SW-CMM)对中国软件企业发展的影响

本文简要介绍了软件成熟度模型(SW-CMM)的基本框架及其对软件开发的影响,分析了在中国软件企业推广SW-CMM所面临的困难和应采取的措施.     

《教育时间学》出版十年反思与前瞻

《教育时间学》出版十年来 ,作者对教育时间学这门形成中的学科的若干基本问题不断反思 ,形成了更为清晰的认识。作者同时认识到 ,教育时间学要成为一门公认的学科 ,还有相当长的路要走 ,作者将团结同道继续努力。