Asymptotic distributions of two “synthetic data” estimators for censored single-index models

The censored single-index model provides a flexible way for modelling the association between a response and a set of predictor variables when the response variable is randomly censored and the link function is unknown. It presents a technique for “dimension reduction” in semiparametric censored regression models and generalizes the existing accelerated failure time models for survival analysis. This paper proposes two methods for estimation of single-index models with randomly censored samples. We first transform the censored data into synthetic data or pseudo-responses unbiasedly, then obtain estimates of the index coefficients by the rOPG or rMAVE procedures of Xia (2006) [1]. Finally, we estimate the unknown nonparametric link function using techniques for univariate censored nonparametric regression. The estimators for the index coefficients are shown to be root-n consistent and asymptotically normal. In addition, the estimator for the unknown regression function is a local linear kernel regression estimator and can be estimated with the same efficiency as the parameters are known. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to illustrate the proposed methodologies.     

Randomly censored partially linear single-index models

This paper proposes a method for estimation of a class of partially linear single-index models with randomly censored samples. The method provides a flexible way for modelling the association between a response and a set of predictor variables when the response variable is randomly censored. It presents a technique for “dimension reduction” in semiparametric censored regression models and generalizes the existing accelerated failure-time models for survival analysis. The estimation procedure involves three stages: first, transform the censored data into synthetic data or pseudo-responses unbiasedly; second, obtain quasi-likelihood estimates of the regression coefficients in both linear and single-index components by an iteratively algorithm; finally, estimate the unknown nonparametric regression function using techniques for univariate censored nonparametric regression. The estimators for the regression coefficients are shown to be jointly root-n consistent and asymptotically normal. In addition, the estimator for the unknown regression function is a local linear kernel regression estimator and can be estimated with the same efficiency as all the parameters are known. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to illustrate the proposed methodology.     

Censored multiple regression by the method of average derivatives

This paper proposes a technique [termed censored average derivative estimation (CADE)] for studying estimation of the unknown regression function in nonparametric censored regression models with randomly censored samples. The CADE procedure involves three stages: firstly-transform the censored data into synthetic data or pseudo-responses using the inverse probability censoring weighted (IPCW) technique, secondly estimate the average derivatives of the regression function, and finally approximate the unknown regression function by an estimator of univariate regression using techniques for one-dimensional nonparametric censored regression. The CADE provides an easily implemented methodology for modelling the association between the response and a set of predictor variables when data are randomly censored. It also provides a technique for “dimension reduction” in nonparametric censored regression models. The average derivative estimator is shown to be root-n consistent and asymptotically normal. The estimator of the unknown regression function is a local linear kernel regression estimator and is shown to converge at the optimal one-dimensional nonparametric rate. Monte Carlo experiments show that the proposed estimators work quite well.     

Empirical likelihood analysis of the Buckley-James estimator

The censored linear regression model, also referred to as the accelerated failure time (AFT) model when the logarithm of the survival time is used as the response variable, is widely seen as an alternative to the popular Cox model when the assumption of proportional hazards is questionable. Buckley and James [Linear regression with censored data, Biometrika 66 (1979) 429-436] extended the least squares estimator to the semiparametric censored linear regression model in which the error distribution is completely unspecified. The Buckley-James estimator performs well in many simulation studies and examples. The direct interpretation of the AFT model is also more attractive than the Cox model, as Cox has pointed out, in practical situations. However, the application of the Buckley-James estimation was limited in practice mainly due to its illusive variance. In this paper, we use the empirical likelihood method to derive a new test and confidence interval based on the Buckley-James estimator of the regression coefficient. A standard chi-square distribution is used to calculate the P-value and the confidence interval. The proposed empirical likelihood method does not involve variance estimation. It also shows much better small sample performance than some existing methods in our simulation studies.     

Asymptotic properties of the maximum likelihood estimator for the proportional hazards model with doubly censored data

Doubly censored data, which include left as well as right censored observations, are frequently met in practice. Though estimation of the distribution function with doubly censored data has seen much study, relatively little is known about the inference of regression coefficients in the proportional hazards model for doubly censored data. In particular, theoretical properties of the maximum likelihood estimator of the regression coefficients in the proportional hazards model have not been proved yet. In this paper, we show the consistency and asymptotic normality of the maximum likelihood estimator and prove its semiparametric efficiency. The proposed methods are illustrated with simulation studies and analysis of an application from a medical study.     

Asymptotics for a censored generalized linear model with unknown link function

For censored response variable against projected co-variable, a generalized linear model with an unknown link function can cover almost all existing models under censorship. Its special cases include the accelerated failure time model with censored data. Such a model in the uncensored case is called the single-index model in econometrics. In this paper, we systematically study the asymptotic properties. We derive the central limit theorem and the law of the iterated logarithm for an estimator of the direction parameter. We also obtain the optimal convergence rate of an estimator of the unknown link function in the model.      

截断情况下线性回归模型响应变量均值的经验似然

本文讨论了在带有截断情况的线性回归模型中 ,响应变量均值的估计问题 .将经验似然的方法应用到带有截断情况的回归模型中 ,在估计响应变量的均值时构造了调整的经验似然统计量 ,证明了在一定的条件下 ,该统计量渐近服从 χ2 分布 ,给出了均值的置信区间 ,并与正态下得到的结果进行了比较 ,模拟的结果说明了经验似然的优良性 .     

Self-consistent estimation of censored quantile regression

The principle of self-consistency has been employed to estimate regression quantile with randomly censored response. The asymptotic studies for this type of approach was established only recently, partly due to the complex forms of the current self-consistent estimators of censored regression quantiles. Of interest, how the self-consistent estimation of censored regression quantiles is connected to the alternative martingale-based approach still remains uncovered. In this paper, we propose a new formulation of self-consistent censored regression quantiles based on stochastic integral equations. The proposed representation of censored regression quantiles entails a clearly defined estimation procedure. More importantly, it greatly simplifies the theoretical investigations. We establish the large sample equivalence between the proposed self-consistent estimators and the existing estimator derived from martingale-based estimating equations. The connection between the new self-consistent estimation approach and the available self-consistent algorithms is also elaborated.     

区间数据的均值估计

本文在运用无偏转换思想找到区间数据均值估计的基础上,对所找到的估计量的方差进行了研究.针对区间截断情况1和区间截断情况2,找到了估计量方差有限的条件.当截断随机变量的分布在某种程度上比被截断随机变量的分布尾部更厚时,方差有限的估计量可以取到.     

响应变量删失时函数型部分线性分位数回归模型的估计

最近几年,函数型数据分析的理论和应用飞速发展.在许多实际应用里,响应变量往往存在随机右删失的情况.考虑利用函数型部分线性分位数回归模型来刻画函数型和标量预测量与右删失响应变量之间的关系.基于函数型主成分基函数来逼近未知的斜率函数,通过极小化逆概率加权分位数损失函数得到未知系数的估计量.文章的估计方法容易通过加权分位数回归程序实现.在一定的假设条件下,给出了有限维参数估计量的渐近正态性与斜率函数估计量的收敛速度.最后,通过模拟计算与应用实例证明了所提方法的有效性.     

删失数据回归误差项的非参数密度估计的一致相合性(英文)

回归误差项是不可观测的. 由于回归误差项的密度函数在实际中有许多应用, 故使用非参数方法对其进行估计就成为回归分析中的一个基本问题. 针对完全观测数据回归模型, 曾有作者对此问题进行了研究. 然而在实际应用中, 经常会有数据被删失的情况发生, 在此情况下, 可以利用删失回归残差, 并使用核估计的方法对回归误差项的密度函数进行估计. 本文研究了该估计的大样本性质, 并证明了估计量的一致相合性.     

Optimal global rate of convergence in nonparametric regression with left-truncated and right-censored data

In this paper we consider nonparametric regression with left-truncated and right-censored data. An estimator of the regression function is developed when censoring and truncation are independent of covariates and the response. The estimation is based on the product limit estimator of the response variable. Under certain conditions, the L₂ rate of convergence of the estimated regression function is obtained when tensor products of B-splines are used.     

k－近邻回归估计的泛函中心极限定理

本文研究基于随机完全数据和删失数据回归函数的ｋ－近邻估计，在较为一般的条件下证明了估计序列作为由Ｓ（Ｓ　Ｒｄ）为指标集的随机过程序列依分布收敛到高斯过程。     

Tree-based multivariate regression and density estimation with right-censored data

We propose a unified strategy for estimator construction, selection, and performance assessment in the presence of censoring. This approach is entirely driven by the choice of a loss function for the full (uncensored) data structure and can be stated in terms of the following three main steps. (1) First, define the parameter of interest as the minimizer of the expected loss, or risk, for a full data loss function chosen to represent the desired measure of performance. Map the full data loss function into an observed (censored) data loss function having the same expected value and leading to an efficient estimator of this risk. (2) Next, construct candidate estimators based on the loss function for the observed data. (3) Then, apply cross-validation to estimate risk based on the observed data loss function and to select an optimal estimator among the candidates. A number of common estimation procedures follow this approach in the full data situation, but depart from it when faced with the obstacle of evaluating the loss function for censored observations. Here, we argue that one can, and should, also adhere to this estimation road map in censored data situations.Tree-based methods, where the candidate estimators in Step 2 are generated by recursive binary partitioning of a suitably defined covariate space, provide a striking example of the chasm between estimation procedures for full data and censored data (e.g., regression trees as in CART for uncensored data and adaptations to censored data). Common approaches for regression trees bypass the risk estimation problem for censored outcomes by altering the node splitting and tree pruning criteria in manners that are specific to right-censored data. This article describes an application of our unified methodology to tree-based estimation with censored data. The approach encompasses univariate outcome prediction, multivariate outcome prediction, and density estimation, simply by defining a suitable loss function for each of these problems. The proposed method for tree-based estimation with censoring is evaluated using a simulation study and the analysis of CGH copy number and survival data from breast cancer patients.     

The Estimation of Accelerated Failure Time Model with Right-Censored Data

The accelerated failure time model provides a natural formulation of the effects of covariates on the failure time variable. The presence of censoring poses major challenges in the semi-parametric analysis. The existing semi-parametric estimators are computationally intractable. In this article we propose an unbiased transformation for the potential censored response variable, thus least square estimators of regression parameters can be gotten easily. The resulting estimators are consistent and asymptotically normal. Based on these, we can get a strongly consistent K-M estimator for the distribution of random error. Extensive simulation studies show that the asymptotic approximations are accurate in practical situations.     

Composite Quantile Regression Estimation for Left Censored Response Longitudinal Data

For left censored response longitudinal data, we propose a composite quantile regression estimator (CQR) of regression parameter. Statistical properties such as consistency and asymptotic normality of CQR are studied under relaxable assumptions of correlation structure of error terms. The performance of CQR is investigated via simulation studies and a real dataset analysis.     

纵向删失数据下线性模型的相合估计

医药临床试验,生存分析,可靠性统计等研究领域,由于考虑到时间和费用问题,研究往往有一定期限.因为研究到期的被迫结束或者某些病人中途退出试验,最后得到的试验结果往往是删失数据.对于删失数据,采用无偏转换的方法处理,方法的最大优点是得到的估计量为显式解.首先讨论了在纵向右删失数据下线性回归模型回归系数估计的均方相合性,并且把结论推广到了污染线性模型,得到了污染系数、回归系数的强相合估计.     

失混合效应模型的分位回归及变量选择

纵向数据常常用正态混合效应模型进行分析.然而,违背正态性的假定往往会导致无效的推断.与传统的均值回归相比较,分位回归可以给出响应变量条件分布的完整刻画,对于非正态误差分布也可以给稳健的估计结果．本文主要考虑右删失响应下纵向混合效应模型的分位回归估计和变量选择问题．首先,逆删失概率加权方法被用来得到模型的参数估计．其次,结合逆删失概率加权和LASSO惩罚变量选择方法考虑了模型的变量选择问题.蒙特卡洛模拟显示所提方法要比直接删除删失数据的估计方法更具优势．最后,分析了一组艾滋病数据集来展示所提方法的实际应用效果．     

Bezier curve smoothing of the Kaplan-Meier estimator

Estimation of a survival function from randomly censored data is very important in survival analysis. The Kaplan-Meier estimator is a very popular choice, and kernel smoothing is a simple way of obtaining a smooth estimator. In this paper, we propose a new smooth version of the Kaplan-Meier estimator using a Bezier curve. We show that the proposed estimator is strongly consistent. Numerical results reveal the that proposed estimator outperforms the Kaplan-Meier estimator and its kernel weighted smooth version in the sense of mean integrated square error. This research is supported by the Korea Research Foundation (1998-015-d00047) made in the program year of 1998.     

KERNEL ESTIMATION OF HIGHER DERIVATIVES OF DENSITY AND HAZARD RATE FUNCTION FOR TRUNCATED AND CENSORED DEPENDENT DATA

Based on left truncated and right censored dependent data, the estimators of higher derivatives of density function and hazard rate function are given by kernel smoothing method. When observed data exhibit α-mixing dependence, local properties including strong consistency and law of iterated logarithm are presented. Moreover, when the mode estimator is defined as the random variable that maximizes the kernel density estimator, the asymptotic normality of the mode estimator is established.