Notes on likelihood intervals and profiling

In many applications, decisions are made on the basis of function of parameters g(θ). When the value of g(theta;) is calculated using estimated values for te parameters, its is important to have a measure of the uncertainty associated with that value of g(theta;). Likelihood ratio approaches to finding likelihood intervals for functions of parameters have been shown to be more reliable, in terms of coverage probability, than the linearization approach. Two approaches to the generalization of the profiling algorithm have been proposed in the literature to enable construction of likelihood intervals for a function of parameters (Chen and Jennrich, 1996; Bates and Watts, 1988). In this paper we show the equivalence of these two methods. We also provide and analysis of cases in which neither profiling algorithm is appropriate. For one of these cases an alternate approach is suggested Whereas generalized profiling is based on maximizing the likelihood function given a constraint on the value of g(θ), the alternative algorithm is based on optimizing g(θ) given a constraint on the value of the likelihood function.     

On confidence regions of semiparametric nonlinear reproductive dispersion models

This article investigates the confidence regions for semiparametric nonlinear reproductive dispersion models (SNRDMs), which is an extension of nonlinear regression models. Based on local linear estimate of nonparametric component and generalized profile likelihood estimate of parameter in SNRDMs, a modified geometric framework of Bates and Wattes is proposed. Within this geometric framework, we present three kinds of improved approximate confidence regions for the parameters and parameter subsets in terms of curvatures. The work extends the previous results of Hamilton et al. [in Accounting for intrinsic nonlinearity in nonlinear regression parameter inference regions, Ann. Statist. 10, pp. 386–393, 1982], Hamilton [in Confidence regions for parameter subset in nonlinear regression, Biometrika, 73, pp. 57–64, 1986], Wei [in On confidence regions of embedded models in regular parameter families (a geometric approch), Austral. J. Statist. 36, pp. 327–338, 1994], Tang et al. [in Confidence regions in quasi-likelihood nonlinear models: a geometric approach, J. Biomath. 15, pp. 55–64, 2000b] and Zhu et al. [in On confidence regions of semiparametric nonlinear regression models, Acta. Math. Scient. 20, pp. 68–75, 2000].     

Fitting of self-exciting threshold autoregressive moving average nonlinear time-series model through genetic algorithm and development of out-of-sample forecasts

Self-exciting threshold autoregressive moving average (SETARMA) nonlinear time-series model is considered here. Sufficient conditions for invertibility and stationarity are derived. Parameter estimation algorithm is developed by employing real-coded genetic algorithm stochastic optimization procedure. A significant feature of the work done is that optimal out-of-sample forecasts up to three-step ahead and their forecast error variances are derived analytically. Relevant computer programs are written in statistical analysis system (SAS) and C. As an illustration, annual mackerel catch time-series data are considered. Forecast performance of the fitted model for hold-out data is evaluated by using Naive and Monte Carlo approaches. It is found that optimal out-of-sample forecast values are quite close to actual values and estimated variances are quite close to theoretical values. Superiority of the SETARMA model over the SETAR model for equal predictive ability through Diebold–Mariano test is also established.     

Parameter estimation of nonlinear mixed-effects models using first-order conditional linearization and the EM algorithm

Nonlinear mixed-effects (NLME) models are flexible enough to handle repeated-measures data from various disciplines. In this article, we propose both maximum-likelihood and restricted maximum-likelihood estimations of NLME models using first-order conditional expansion (FOCE) and the expectation–maximization (EM) algorithm. The FOCE-EM algorithm implemented in the ForStat procedure SNLME is compared with the Lindstrom and Bates (LB) algorithm implemented in both the SAS macro NLINMIX and the S-Plus/R function nlme in terms of computational efficiency and statistical properties. Two realworld data sets an orange tree data set and a Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) data set, and a simulated data set were used for evaluation. FOCE-EM converged for all mixed models derived from the base model in the two realworld cases, while LB did not, especially for the models in which random effects are simultaneously considered in several parameters to account for between-subject variation. However, both algorithms had identical estimated parameters and fit statistics for the converged models. We therefore recommend using FOCE-EM in NLME models, particularly when convergence is a concern in model selection.     

Test of parameter changes in a class of observation-driven models for count time series

Abstract

This paper investigates the parameter-change tests for a class of observation-driven models for count time series. We propose two cumulative sum (CUSUM) test procedures for detection of changes in model parameters. Under regularity conditions, the asymptotic null distributions of the test statistics are established. In addition, the integer-valued generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic (INGARCH) processes with conditional negative binomial distributions are investigated. The developed techniques are examined through simulation studies and also are illustrated using an empirical example.     

单摆非线性运动方程的微扰近似解法

本文研究具有阻尼因素的单摆非线性运动规律。根据相应的线性运动方程精确解,通过求解修正项,给出逐步逼近的近似解方法,并讨论了解的误差问题。     

多拉格朗日乘子情形下影子价格的判别和计算

非线性优化模型中经常出现多重Lagrange乘子现象,导致决策者错误地计算资源的影子价格.本文针对该问题指出最小欧几里得范数的Lagrange乘子是影子价格.同时,还提出了一个无约束优化模型用以求解最小欧几里得范数 Lagrange乘子,该无约束优化模型可以通过经典的非光滑优化算法求解.最后,本文提出一个基于次梯度的算法求解影子价格,该算法是次线性收敛的,且计算时间与约束条件的个数及自变量的个数线性相关.     

“生存性智慧模式”——对中国市民社会研究既有理论模式的检视

就市民社会研究而言,生存性智慧模式的基本理论预设是:由于统治体系内部的利益分化、政府失灵,特别是统治体系本身的理性有限和中国人特有的生存性智慧的实践运行,市民社会组织有可能在当下的分类控制体系中未意图扩展,进而在实践中逐步形成独特的、符合中国理想图景要求的市民社会发育及民主转型模式。     

Sample Splitting and Threshold Estimation

Threshold models have a wide variety of applications in economics. Direct applications include models of separating and multiple equilibria. Other applications include empirical sample splitting when the sample split is based on a continuously‐distributed variable such as firm size. In addition, threshold models may be used as a parsimonious strategy for nonparametric function estimation. For example, the threshold autoregressive model (TAR) is popular in the nonlinear time series literature. Threshold models also emerge as special cases of more complex statistical frameworks, such as mixture models, switching models, Markov switching models, and smooth transition threshold models. It may be important to understand the statistical properties of threshold models as a preliminary step in the development of statistical tools to handle these more complicated structures. Despite the large number of potential applications, the statistical theory of threshold estimation is undeveloped. It is known that threshold estimates are super‐consistent, but a distribution theory useful for testing and inference has yet to be provided. This paper develops a statistical theory for threshold estimation in the regression context. We allow for either cross‐section or time series observations. Least squares estimation of the regression parameters is considered. An asymptotic distribution theory for the regression estimates (the threshold and the regression slopes) is developed. It is found that the distribution of the threshold estimate is nonstandard. A method to construct asymptotic confidence intervals is developed by inverting the likelihood ratio statistic. It is shown that this yields asymptotically conservative confidence regions. Monte Carlo simulations are presented to assess the accuracy of the asymptotic approximations. The empirical relevance of the theory is illustrated through an application to the multiple equilibria growth model of Durlauf and Johnson (1995).     

旱灾对粮食生产影响的非线性动态效应评估

自然灾害严重威胁粮食安全,因此科学地理解和认识自然灾害与粮食产量之间的关系至为重要。基于时变Copula函数方法的实证研究结果表明,水稻、小麦、玉米在低产时和旱灾的尾部相关系数分别为0.52、0.15、0.58,但是水稻、玉米在高产时和旱灾比率的尾部相关系数近似为0,小麦在高产时和旱灾的尾部相关系数仅为0？06,这意味着粮食单产与旱灾的关联性表现出非对称性。旱灾对粮食产量影响的时变性也因不同作物而异。对于水稻而言,随着技术水平的提高,旱灾与水稻单产的关联性存在显著的下降趋势;但是,旱灾与小麦、玉米单产的关联性并没有表现出随时间推移而下降的趋势。