Estimating the number of clusters

Hartigan (1975) defines the number q of clusters in a d ‐variate statistical population as the number of connected components of the set {f > c}, where f denotes the underlying density function on R^d and c is a given constant. Some usual cluster algorithms treat q as an input which must be given in advance. The authors propose a method for estimating this parameter which is based on the computation of the number of connected components of an estimate of {f > c}. This set estimator is constructed as a union of balls with centres at an appropriate subsample which is selected via a nonparametric density estimator of f. The asymptotic behaviour of the proposed method is analyzed. A simulation study and an example with real data are also included.     

Matrix-analytic Models and their Analysis

We survey phase-type distributions and Markovian point processes, aspects of how to use such models in applied probability calculations and how to fit them to observed data. A phase-type distribution is defined as the time to absorption in a finite continuous time Markov process with one absorbing state. This class of distributions is dense and contains many standard examples like all combinations of exponential in series/parallel. A Markovian point process is governed by a finite continuous time Markov process (typically ergodic), such that points are generated at a Poisson intensity depending on the underlying state and at transitions; a main special case is a Markov-modulated Poisson process. In both cases, the analytic formulas typically contain matrix-exponentials, and the matrix formalism carried over when the models are used in applied probability calculations as in problems in renewal theory, random walks and queueing. The statistical analysis is typically based upon the EM algorithm, viewing the whole sample path of the background Markov process as the latent variable.     

Estimating with percentile grouped and truncated date from a scale parameter distribution

Data which is grouped and truncated is considered. We are given numbers n₁<…<n_k=n and we observe X_ni ),i=1,…k, and the tottal number of observations available (N> n_k is unknown. If the underlying distribution has one unknown parameter θ which enters as a scale parameter, we examine the form of the equations for both conditional, unconditional and modified maximum likelihood estimators of θ and N and examine when these estimators will be finite, and unique. We also develop expressions for asymptotic bias and search for modified estimators which minimize the maximum asymptotic bias. These results are specialized tG the zxponential distribution. Methods of computing the solutions to the likelihood equatims are also discussed.     

Rank-based analysis of repeated measures block designs

A rank-based inference is developed for repeated measures balanced incomplete block and randomized complete block designs using a suitable dispersion function. Asymptotic distributions of rank estimators are developed after establishing approximate linearity of the gradient vector of the dispersion function. Unlike available nonparametric procedures for those designs, estimation and testing are tied together. Three different test statistics are developed for testing the linear hypotheses. Friedman's (1937) statistic and Durbin's (1951) statistic are particular cases of one of the three proposed statistics. An estimate of a scale parameter which appears in the ARE expression as well as as in the variences and covariances of the rank estimators is discussed.     

山地城市公交线网优化措施探析

大力发展公交是解决山地城市交通问题的重要手段之一，合理的公交线网可以提高公交服务水平，增强解决交通问题的能力。以重庆市为例，分析公交线网存在的问题并提出了相应的优化措施，以促进山地城市公交的可持续发展。     

线性抛物型方程的窄四边形元逼近方法

讨论了一类发展方程——线性抛物型方程的窄四边形元逼近方法,导出了相应的半离散格式和全离散格式,并通过一些新的技巧,得到了相应的误差估计.     

双排双波浪带散热水箱传热性能研究

对双排双波浪带散热水箱的结构形式、换热和阻力试验结果进行了分析。采用非线性拟合法得到气侧的换热系数αa，并与桑塔纳管翅式散热水箱的气侧换热系数进行了对比，结果表明，此散热水箱具有较高的换热系数。     

简析非线性系统理论对质量辩证法的补正

非线性系统理论是自然科学当代发展产生的一项重要思想成果。它为人们提供了一种有别于传统思维的崭新方法,亦对建立在传统科学理论基础上的质量辩证法提出了某种挑战和有益的补正。文章对此进行了一些初步的探讨,作为拓展哲学与科学的对话,从自然科学汲取哲学思想的元素,丰富哲学自身的语义,以此活跃辩证法的研究。     

The effects of different choices of order for autoregressive approximation on the Gaussian likelihood estimates for ARMA models

This paper investigates, by means of Monte Carlo simulation, the effects of different choices of order for autoregressive approximation on the fully efficient parameter estimates for autoregressive moving average models. Four order selection criteria, AIC, BIC, HQ and PKK, were compared and different model structures with varying sample sizes were used to contrast the performance of the criteria. Some asymptotic results which provide a useful guide for assessing the performance of these criteria are presented. The results of this comparison show that there are marked differences in the accuracy implied using these alternative criteria in small sample situations and that it is preferable to apply BIC criterion, which leads to greater precision of Gaussian likelihood estimates, in such cases. Implications of the findings of this study for the estimation of time series models are highlighted.     

A framework for progressively improving small area population estimates

Summary.  The paper presents a framework for small area population estimation that enables users to select a method that is fit for the purpose. The adjustments to input data that are needed before use are outlined, with emphasis on developing consistent time series of inputs. We show how geographical harmonization of small areas, which is crucial to comparisons over time, can be achieved. For two study regions, the East of England and Yorkshire and the Humber, the differences in output and consequences of adopting different methods are illustrated. The paper concludes with a discussion of how data, on stream since 1998, might be included in future small area estimates.