Empirical likelihood for LAD estimators in infinite variance ARMA models

In this paper, we use an empirical likelihood method to construct confidence regions for the stationary ARMA(p,q) models with infinite variance. An empirical log-likelihood ratio is derived by the estimating equation of the self-weighted LAD estimator. It is proved that the proposed statistic has an asymptotic standard chi-squared distribution. Simulation studies show that in a small sample case, the performance of empirical likelihood method is better than that of normal approximation of the LAD estimator in terms of the coverage accuracy.     

On the block thresholding wavelet estimators with censored data

We consider block thresholding wavelet-based density estimators with randomly right-censored data and investigate their asymptotic convergence rates. Unlike for the complete data case, the empirical wavelet coefficients are constructed through the Kaplan-Meier estimators of the distribution functions in the censored data case. On the basis of a result of Stute [W. Stute, The central limit theorem under random censorship, Ann. Statist. 23 (1995) 422-439] that approximates the Kaplan-Meier integrals as averages of i.i.d. random variables with a certain rate in probability, we can show that these wavelet empirical coefficients can be approximated by averages of i.i.d. random variables with a certain error rate in L². Therefore we can show that these estimators, based on block thresholding of empirical wavelet coefficients, achieve optimal convergence rates over a large range of Besov function classes , p≥2, q≥1 and nearly optimal convergence rates when 1≤p<2. We also show that these estimators achieve optimal convergence rates over a large class of functions that involve many irregularities of a wide variety of types, including chirp and Doppler functions, and jump discontinuities. Therefore, in the presence of random censoring, wavelet estimators still provide extensive adaptivity to many irregularities of large function classes. The performance of the estimators is tested via a modest simulation study.     

Testing the equality of linear single-index models

Comparison of nonparametric regression models has been extensively discussed in the literature for the one-dimensional covariate case. The comparison problem largely remains open for completely nonparametric models with multi-dimensional covariates. We address this issue under the assumption that models are single-index models (SIMs). We propose a test for checking the equality of the mean functions of two (or more) SIM’s. The asymptotic normality of the test statistic is established and an empirical study is conducted to evaluate the finite-sample performance of the proposed procedure.     

Adaptive Monte Carlo methods for matrix equations with applications

This paper discusses empirical studies with both the adaptive correlated sequential sampling method and the adaptive importance sampling method which can be used in solving matrix and integral equations. Both methods achieve geometric convergence (provided the number of random walks per stage is large enough) in the sense: e_ν≤cλ^ν, where e_ν is the error at stage ν, λ∈(0,1) is a constant, c>0 is also a constant. Thus, both methods converge much faster than the conventional Monte Carlo method. Our extensive numerical test results show that the adaptive importance sampling method converges faster than the adaptive correlated sequential sampling method, even with many fewer random walks per stage for the same problem. The methods can be applied to problems involving large scale matrix equations with non-sparse coefficient matrices. We also provide an application of the adaptive importance sampling method to the numerical solution of integral equations, where the integral equations are converted into matrix equations (with order up to 8192×8192) after discretization. By using Niederreiter’s sequence, instead of a pseudo-random sequence when generating the nodal point set used in discretizing the phase space Γ, we find that the average absolute errors or relative errors at nodal points can be reduced by a factor of more than one hundred.     

Random change on a Lie group and mean glaucomatous projective shape change detection from stereo pair images

In this article we develop a nonparametric methodology for estimating the mean change for matched samples on a Lie group. We then notice that for k≥5, a manifold of projective shapes of k-ads in 3D has the structure of a 3k−15 dimensional Lie group that is equivariantly embedded in a Euclidean space, therefore testing for mean change amounts to a one sample test for extrinsic means on this Lie group. The Lie group technique leads to a large sample and a nonparametric bootstrap test for one population extrinsic mean on a projective shape space, as recently developed by Patrangenaru, Liu and Sughatadasa. On the other hand, in the absence of occlusions, the 3D projective shape of a spatial k-ad can be recovered from a stereo pair of images, thus allowing one to test for mean glaucomatous 3D projective shape change detection from standard stereo pair eye images.     

Aging for interacting diffusion processes

We study the aging phenomenon for a class of interacting diffusion processes {Xt(i),i∈Zd}. In this framework we see the effect of the lattice dimension d on aging, as well as that of the class of test functions f(Xt) considered. We further note the sensitivity of aging to specific details, when degenerate diffusions (such as super random walk, or parabolic Anderson model), are considered. We complement our study of systems on the infinite lattice, with that of their restriction to finite boxes. In the latter setting we consider different regimes in terms of box size scaling with time, as well as the effect that the choice of boundary conditions has on aging. The key tool for our analysis is the random walk representation for such diffusions.     

Adaptive confidence region for the direction in semiparametric regressions

In this paper we aim to construct adaptive confidence region for the direction of ξ in semiparametric models of the form Y=G(ξ^TX,ε) where G(⋅) is an unknown link function, ε is an independent error, and ξ is a p_n×1 vector. To recover the direction of ξ, we first propose an inverse regression approach regardless of the link function G(⋅); to construct a data-driven confidence region for the direction of ξ, we implement the empirical likelihood method. Unlike many existing literature, we need not estimate the link function G(⋅) or its derivative. When p_n remains fixed, the empirical likelihood ratio without bias correlation can be asymptotically standard chi-square. Moreover, the asymptotic normality of the empirical likelihood ratio holds true even when the dimension p_n follows the rate of p_n=o(n^1/4) where n is the sample size. Simulation studies are carried out to assess the performance of our proposal, and a real data set is analyzed for further illustration.     

Estimating the error distribution in nonparametric multiple regression with applications to model testing

In this paper we consider the estimation of the error distribution in a heteroscedastic nonparametric regression model with multivariate covariates. As estimator we consider the empirical distribution function of residuals, which are obtained from multivariate local polynomial fits of the regression and variance functions, respectively. Weak convergence of the empirical residual process to a Gaussian process is proved. We also consider various applications for testing model assumptions in nonparametric multiple regression. The model tests obtained are able to detect local alternatives that converge to zero at an n^−1/2-rate, independent of the covariate dimension. We consider in detail a test for additivity of the regression function.     

Post-<Emphasis Type="Italic">J</Emphasis> test inference in non-nested linear regression models

This paper considers the post-J test inference in non-nested linear regression models. Post-J test inference means that the inference problem is considered by taking the first stage J test into account. We first propose a post-J test estimator and derive its asymptotic distribution. We then consider the test problem of the unknown parameters, and a Wald statistic based on the post-J test estimator is proposed. A simulation study shows that the proposed Wald statistic works perfectly as well as the two-stage test from the view of the empirical size and power in large-sample cases, and when the sample size is small, it is even better. As a result, the new Wald statistic can be used directly to test the hypotheses on the unknown parameters in non-nested linear regression models.     

Residual empirical processes and their application to GM-testing for the autoregression order

In the paper a new nonparametric generalized M-test for hypotheses about the order of linear autoregression AR(p) is constructed. We also establish robustness of this test in the model of data contamination by independent additive outliers with intensity O(n ^?1/2). Robustness is formulated in terms of limiting power equicontinuity. Test statistics are constructed with the help of residual empirical processes. We establish the asymptotic uniform linearity of these processes in the defined contamination model.     

Empirical likelihood for linear models under negatively associated errors

In this paper, we discuss the construction of the confidence intervals for the regression vector β in a linear model under negatively associated errors. It is shown that the blockwise empirical likelihood (EL) ratio statistic for β is asymptotically χ²-type distributed. The result is used to obtain an EL based confidence region for β.     

Existence, non-existence and asymptotic behavior of global solutions to the Cauchy problem for systems of semilinear hyperbolic equations with damping terms

We consider the Cauchy problem for systems of semilinear hyperbolic equations. Using the L_p→L_q type estimation for the corresponding linear parts, the existence and uniqueness of weak global solutions are investigated. We also established the behavior of solutions and their derivatives as t→+∞. Using the method of test functions developed in the works (Mitidieri and Pokhozhaev, 2001 [11], Veron and Pohozaev, 2001 [12] and Caristi, 2000 [23]) we obtain the analogue of the Fujita-Hayakawa type criterion for the absence of global solutions to some system of semilinear hyperbolic inequalities with damping. It follows that the conditions of existence theorem imposed on the growth of nonlinear parts are exact in some sense.     

Robust <Emphasis Type="Italic">U</Emphasis>-type test for high dimensional regression coefficients using refitted cross-validation variance estimation

This paper aims to develop a new robust U-type test for high dimensional regression coefficients using the estimated U-statistic of order two and refitted cross-validation error variance estimation. It is proved that the limiting null distribution of the proposed new test is normal under two kinds of ordinary models. We further study the local power of the proposed test and compare with other competitive tests for high dimensional data. The idea of refitted cross-validation approach is utilized to reduce the bias of sample variance in the estimation of the test statistic. Our theoretical results indicate that the proposed test can have even more substantial power gain than the test by Zhong and Chen (2011) when testing a hypothesis with outlying observations and heavy tailed distributions. We assess the finite-sample performance of the proposed test by examining its size and power via Monte Carlo studies. We also illustrate the application of the proposed test by an empirical analysis of a real data example.     

Testing for equality of means of a Hilbert space valued random variable

We propose a test for equality of means of a random variable valued into a real separable Hilbert space. The test statistic is based on projections of empirical means onto spaces spanned by principal directions obtained from principal component analysis of the random variable. The asymptotic distribution of this test statistic is derived under the null hypothesis and the consistency of the obtained test is proved. An application to the case of functional variables is indicated. To cite this article: J.G. Aghoukeng Jiofack, G.M. Nkiet, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 347 (2009).     

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.     

Fluctuations of the empirical quantiles of independent Brownian motions

We consider iid Brownian motions, B_j(t), where B_j(0) has a rapidly decreasing, smooth density function f. The empirical quantiles, or pointwise order statistics, are denoted by B_j:n(t), and we consider a sequence Q_n(t)=B_j(n):n(t), where j(n)/n→α∈(0,1). This sequence converges in probability to q(t), the α-quantile of the law of B_j(t). We first show convergence in law in C[0,∞) of F_n=n^1/2(Q_n−q). We then investigate properties of the limit process F, including its local covariance structure, and Hölder-continuity and variations of its sample paths. In particular, we find that F has the same local properties as fBm with Hurst parameter H=1/4.     

On testing equality of pairwise rank correlations in a multivariate random vector

Spearman’s rank-correlation coefficient (also called Spearman’s rho) represents one of the best-known measures to quantify the degree of dependence between two random variables. As a copula-based dependence measure, it is invariant with respect to the distribution’s univariate marginal distribution functions. In this paper, we consider statistical tests for the hypothesis that all pairwise Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients in a multivariate random vector are equal. The tests are nonparametric and their asymptotic distributions are derived based on the asymptotic behavior of the empirical copula process. Only weak assumptions on the distribution function, such as continuity of the marginal distributions and continuous partial differentiability of the copula, are required for obtaining the results. A nonparametric bootstrap method is suggested for either estimating unknown parameters of the test statistics or for determining the associated critical values. We present a simulation study in order to investigate the power of the proposed tests. The results are compared to a classical parametric test for equal pairwise Pearson’s correlation coefficients in a multivariate random vector. The general setting also allows the derivation of a test for stochastic independence based on Spearman’s rho.     

Flexible modeling based on copulas in nonparametric median regression

Consider the model Y=m(X)+ε, where m(⋅)=med(Y|⋅) is unknown but smooth. It is often assumed that ε and X are independent. However, in practice this assumption is violated in many cases. In this paper we propose modeling the dependence between ε and X by means of a copula model, i.e. (ε,X)∼C_θ(F_ε(⋅),F_X(⋅)), where C_θ is a copula function depending on an unknown parameter θ, and F_ε and F_X are the marginals of ε and X. Since many parametric copula families contain the independent copula as a special case, the so-obtained regression model is more flexible than the ‘classical’ regression model.We estimate the parameter θ via a pseudo-likelihood method and prove the asymptotic normality of the estimator, based on delicate empirical process theory. We also study the estimation of the conditional distribution of Y given X. The procedure is illustrated by means of a simulation study, and the method is applied to data on food expenditures in households.     

A weighted multivariate signed-rank test for cluster-correlated data

A weighted multivariate signed-rank test is introduced for an analysis of multivariate clustered data. Observations in different clusters may then get different weights. The test provides a robust and efficient alternative to normal theory based methods. Asymptotic theory is developed to find the approximate p-value as well as to calculate the limiting Pitman efficiency of the test. A conditionally distribution-free version of the test is also discussed. The finite-sample behavior of different versions of the test statistic is explored by simulations and the new test is compared to the unweighted and weighted versions of Hotelling’s T² test and the multivariate spatial sign test introduced in [D. Larocque, J. Nevalainen, H. Oja, A weighted multivariate sign test for cluster-correlated data, Biometrika 94 (2007) 267-283]. Finally, a real data example is used to illustrate the theory.     

Circular law, extreme singular values and potential theory

Consider the empirical spectral distribution of complex random n×n matrix whose entries are independent and identically distributed random variables with mean zero and variance 1/n. In this paper, via applying potential theory in the complex plane and analyzing extreme singular values, we prove that this distribution converges, with probability one, to the uniform distribution over the unit disk in the complex plane, i.e. the well known circular law, under the finite fourth moment assumption on matrix elements.