Asymptotic normality of the likelihood moment estimators for a stationary linear process with heavy-tailed innovations

The authors recently proved in Martig and Hüsler (2016) that the likelihood moment estimators are consistent estimators for the parameters of the Generalized Pareto distribution for the case where the underlying data arises from a (stationary) linear process with heavy-tailed innovations. In this paper we derive the bivariate asymptotic normality under some additional assumptions and give an explicit example on how to check these conditions by using asymptotic expansions. Some finite sample comparisons are presented to investigate the bias and variance behavior for some of the estimators.     

Tail fitting for truncated and non-truncated Pareto-type distributions

In extreme value analysis, natural upper bounds can appear that truncate the probability tail. At other instances ultimately at the largest data, deviations from a Pareto tail behaviour become apparent. This matter is especially important when extrapolation outside the sample is required. Given that in practice one does not always know whether the distribution is truncated or not, we consider estimators for extreme quantiles both under truncated and non-truncated Pareto-type distributions. We make use of the estimator of the tail index for the truncated Pareto distribution first proposed in Aban et al. (J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 101(473), 270–277, 2006). We also propose a truncated Pareto QQ-plot and a formal test for truncation in order to help deciding between a truncated and a non-truncated case. In this way we enlarge the possibilities of extreme value modelling using Pareto tails, offering an alternative scenario by adding a truncation point T that is large with respect to the available data. In the mathematical modelling we hence let T→∞ at different speeds compared to the limiting fraction (k/n→0) of data used in the extreme value estimation. This work is motivated using practical examples from different fields, simulation results, and some asymptotic results.     

A unified approach to estimation of noncentrality parameters,the multiple correlation coefficient,and mixture models

We consider a class of mixture models for positive continuous data and the estimation of an underlying parameter θ of the mixing distribution. With a unified approach, we obtain classes of dominating estimators under squared error loss of an unbiased estimator, which include smooth estimators. Applications include estimating noncentrality parameters of chi-square and F-distributions, as well as ρ ²/(1 ? ρ ²), where ρ is amultivariate correlation coefficient in a multivariate normal set-up. Finally, the findings are extended to situations, where there exists a lower bound constraint on θ.     

Hybrid estimators for stochastic differential equations from reduced data

We treat parametric inference for unknown parameters of stochastic differential equations from discrete observations from the viewpoint of computational cost. Following Kamatani et al. (Bull Inf Cybern 48:19–35, 2016) and Kaino and Uchida (Hybrid estimators for ergodic diffusion processes from thinned data, 2018), we present the asymptotic results of the multi-step estimators with the initial Bayes type estimators for both ergodic and non-ergodic diffusion type processes. The initial Bayes type estimators are constructed by means of both the reduced data and the thinned data obtained from the full data. Some examples and simulation results are also given.     

Eigenvalue analysis of constrained minimization problem for homogeneous polynomial

In this paper, the concepts of Pareto H-eigenvalue and Pareto Z-eigenvalue are introduced for studying constrained minimization problem and the necessary and sufficient conditions of such eigenvalues are given. It is proved that a symmetric tensor has at least one Pareto H-eigenvalue (Pareto Z-eigenvalue). Furthermore, the minimum Pareto H-eigenvalue (or Pareto Z-eigenvalue) of a symmetric tensor is exactly equal to the minimum value of constrained minimization problem of homogeneous polynomial deduced by such a tensor, which gives an alternative methods for solving the minimum value of constrained minimization problem. In particular, a symmetric tensor \({\mathcal {A}}\) is strictly copositive if and only if every Pareto H-eigenvalue (Z-eigenvalue) of \({\mathcal {A}}\) is positive, and \({\mathcal {A}}\) is copositive if and only if every Pareto H-eigenvalue (Z-eigenvalue) of \({\mathcal {A}}\) is non-negative.     

Statistical inference in constrained latent class models for multinomial data based on $$\phi $$-divergence measures

In this paper we explore the possibilities of applying \(\phi \)-divergence measures in inferential problems in the field of latent class models (LCMs) for multinomial data. We first treat the problem of estimating the model parameters. As explained below, minimum \(\phi \)-divergence estimators (M\(\phi \)Es) considered in this paper are a natural extension of the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE), the usual estimator for this problem; we study the asymptotic properties of M\(\phi \)Es, showing that they share the same asymptotic distribution as the MLE. To compare the efficiency of the M\(\phi \)Es when the sample size is not big enough to apply the asymptotic results, we have carried out an extensive simulation study; from this study, we conclude that there are estimators in this family that are competitive with the MLE. Next, we deal with the problem of testing whether a LCM for multinomial data fits a data set; again, \(\phi \)-divergence measures can be used to generate a family of test statistics generalizing both the classical likelihood ratio test and the chi-squared test statistics. Finally, we treat the problem of choosing the best model out of a sequence of nested LCMs; as before, \(\phi \)-divergence measures can handle the problem and we derive a family of \(\phi \)-divergence test statistics based on them; we study the asymptotic behavior of these test statistics, showing that it is the same as the classical test statistics. A simulation study for small and moderate sample sizes shows that there are some test statistics in the family that can compete with the classical likelihood ratio and the chi-squared test statistics.     

Improved ridge regression estimators for the logistic regression model

The estimation of the regression parameters for the ill-conditioned logistic regression model is considered in this paper. We proposed five ridge regression (RR) estimators, namely, unrestricted RR, restricted ridge regression, preliminary test RR, shrinkage ridge regression and positive rule RR estimators for estimating the parameters $(\beta )$ when it is suspected that the parameter $\beta $ may belong to a linear subspace defined by $H\beta =h$ . Asymptotic properties of the estimators are studied with respect to quadratic risks. The performances of the proposed estimators are compared based on the quadratic bias and risk functions under both null and alternative hypotheses, which specify certain restrictions on the regression parameters. The conditions of superiority of the proposed estimators for departure and ridge parameters are given. Some graphical representations and efficiency analysis have been presented which support the findings of the paper.     

Archimedean-based Marshall-Olkin Distributions and Related Dependence Structures

In this paper we study the dependence properties of a family of bivariate distributions (that we call Archimedean-based Marshall-Olkin distributions) that extends the class of the Generalized Marshall-Olkin distributions of Li and Pellerey, J Multivar Anal, 102, (10), 1399–1409, 2011 in order to allow for an Archimedean type of dependence among the underlying shocks’ arrival times. The associated family of copulas (that we call Archimedean-based Marshall-Olkin copulas) includes several well known copula functions as specific cases for which we provide a different costruction and represents a particular case of implementation of Morillas, Metrika, 61, (2), 169–184, 2005 construction. It is shown that Archimedean-based copulas are obtained through suitable transformations of bivariate Archimedean copulas: this induces asymmetry, and the corresponding Kendall’s function and Kendall’s tau as well as the tail dependence parameters are studied. The type of dependence so modeled is wide and illustrated through examples and the validity of the weak Lack of memory property (characterizing the Marshall-Olkin distribution) is also investigated and the sub-family of distributions satisfying it identified. Moreover, the main theoretical results are extended to the multidimensional version of the considered distributions and estimation issues discussed.     

Simplification of joint confidence regions for the parameters of the Pareto distribution

The Pareto distribution is an important distribution in statistics, which has been widely used in economics to model the distribution of incomes. Separate interval estimations for parameters of the Pareto distribution have been well established in the literature. For a type-II right censored sample, Chen (Metrika 44:191–197, 1996) proposed a joint confidence region for the parameters. Wu (Comput Stat Data Anal 52:3779–3788, 2008) derived a joint confidence region for any type-II censored sample, but its computation is difficult. Both Wu’s and Chen’s results are simplified in this paper, and some errors are corrected. The methodology used in this article can be applied to other distributions, as long as the underlying distribution can be transformed to the standard exponential distribution in a simple way.     

On the Parameters Estimators for a Discrete Analog of the Generalized Exponential Distribution

Nekoukhou et. al (Commun. Statist. Th. Meth., 2012) introduced a two-parameters discrete probability distribution so-called Discrete Analog of the Generalized Exponential Distribution (in short, DGED). We shall attempt to derive conditions under which a solution for the system of likelihood equations exists and coincides with the maximum likelihood (ML) estimators of the DGED. This kind of ML estimators are coincided with some moment estimators. An approximate computation based on Fisher’s accumulation method is presented in order for the ML estimations of the unknown parameters. Simulation study is also illustrated. Meanwhile, in the sequel two special cases of the DGED are considered. Some statistical properties for such special cases of the DGED are provided. We also propose a linear regression-type model for estimation of the parameter. Finally, we fit the DGED to a real data set and compare it with two other discrete distributions.     

Tracing the Pareto frontier in bi-objective optimization problems by ODE techniques

In this paper we present a deterministic method for tracing the Pareto frontier in non-linear bi-objective optimization problems with equality and inequality constraints. We reformulate the bi-objective optimization problem as a parametric single-objective optimization problem with an additional Normalized Normal Equality Constraint (NNEC) similar to the existing Normal Boundary Intersection (NBI) and the Normalized Normal Constraint method (NNC). By computing the so called Defining Initial Value Problem (DIVP) for segments of the Pareto front and solving a continuation problem with a standard integrator for ordinary differential equations (ODE) we can trace the Pareto front. We call the resulting approach ODE NNEC method and demonstrate numerically that it can yield the entire Pareto frontier to high accuracy. Moreover, due to event detection capabilities available for common ODE integrators, changes in the active constraints can be automatically detected. The features of the current algorithm are illustrated for two case studies whose Matlab® code is available as Electronic Supplementary Material to this article.     

On moment-type estimators for a class of log-symmetric distributions

In this paper, we propose three simple closed form estimators for a class of log-symmetric distributions on \({\mathbb {R}}^{+}\). The proposed methods make use of some key properties of this class of distributions. We derive the asymptotic distributions of these estimators. The performance of the proposed estimators are then compared with those of the maximum likelihood estimators through Monte Carlo simulations. Finally, some illustrative examples are presented to illustrate the methods of estimation developed here.     

About “bulky” links generated by generalized Möbius–listing bodies GML_2^n

In this paper, we consider the “bulky knots” and “bulky links,” which appear after cutting of a Generalized Möbius–Listing $ GML_2^n $ body (with the radial cross section a convex plane 2-symmetric figure with two vertices) along a different Generalized Möbius–Listing surfaces $ GML_2^n $ situated in it. The aim of this report is to investigate the number and geometric structure of the independent objects that appear after such a cutting process of $ GML_2^n $ bodies. In most cases we are able to count the indices of the resulting mathematical objects according to the known classification for the standard knots and links.     

On the Generalized Stochastic Dirichlet Problem—Part II: Solvability,Stability and the Colombeau Case

In this paper we consider the stochastic Dirichlet problem \(L\lozenge u=h+\nabla f\) in the framework of white noise analysis combined with Sobolev space and Colombeau algebra methods. The operator L is assumed to be strictly elliptic in divergence form \(L\lozenge u=\nabla(A\lozenge\nabla u+b\lozenge u)+c\lozenge\nabla u+d\lozenge u\). Its coefficients: the elements of the matrix A and of the vectors b, c and d are assumed to be generalized random processes, and the product of two generalized processes is interpreted as the Wick product. Generalized random processes are considered as linear bounded mappings from the Sobolev space \(W_0^{1,2}\) into the Kondratiev space (S)_???1. In this paper we prove existence and uniqueness of the problem of this form in the case when the operator L generates a coercive bilinear form, and then extend this result to the general case. We also consider the case when the coefficients of L, the input data and the boundary condition are Colombeau-type generalized stochastic processes.     

Trajectory fitting estimators for SPDEs driven by additive noise

In this paper we study the problem of estimating the drift/viscosity coefficient for a large class of linear, parabolic stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs) driven by an additive space-time noise. We propose a new class of estimators, called trajectory fitting estimators (TFEs). The estimators are constructed by fitting the observed trajectory with an artificial one, and can be viewed as an analog to the classical least squares estimators from the time-series analysis. As in the existing literature on statistical inference for SPDEs, we take a spectral approach, and assume that we observe the first N Fourier modes of the solution, and we study the consistency and the asymptotic normality of the TFE, as \(N\rightarrow \infty \).     

Robust Kriging models in computer experiments

In the Gaussian Kriging model, errors are assumed to follow a Gaussian process. This is reasonable in many cases, but such an assumption is not appropriate for the situations when outliers are present. Large prediction errors may occur in those cases and more robust estimation is critical. In this article, we propose a robust estimation of Kriging parameters by utilizing other loss functions rather than classical L₂. In the Gaussian Kriging model, regression parameters are estimated by generalized least squares, which are also referred to as L₂ criterion. To make these estimators more robust to outliers, the L₁ and the ?-insensitive loss functions are introduced in place of L₂ in this article. Mathematical programming formulations are developed upon the idea of support vector machine. A machining experiment data are analysed to verify usefulness of the proposed method.     

Dependence structure and test of independence for some well-known bivariate distributions

In this paper, we study the dependence structure of some bivariate distribution functions based on dependence measures of Kochar and Gupta (Biometrika 74(3):664–666, 1987) and Shetty and Pandit (Stat Methods Appl 12:5–17, 2003) and then compare these measures with Spearman’s rho and Kendall’s tau. Moreover, the empirical power of the class of distribution-free tests introduced by Kochar and Gupta (1987) and Shetty and Pandit (2003) is computed based on exact and asymptotic distribution of U-statistics. Our results are obtained from simulation work in some continuous bivariate distributions for the sample of sizes \(n=6,8,15,20\) and 50. Also, we apply some examples to illustrate the results. Finally, we compare the common estimators of dependence parameter based on empirical MSE.     

Accounting for threshold uncertainty in extreme value estimation

Tail data are often modelled by fitting a generalized Pareto distribution (GPD) to the exceedances over high thresholds. In practice, a threshold is fixed and a GPD is fitted to the data exceeding . A difficulty in this approach is the selection of the threshold above which the GPD assumption is appropriate. Moreover the estimates of the parameters of the GPD may depend significantly on the choice of the threshold selected. Sensitivity with respect to the threshold choice is normally studied but typically its effects on the properties of estimators are not accounted for. In this paper, to overcome the difficulties of the fixed-threshold approach, we propose to model extreme and non-extreme data with a distribution composed of a piecewise constant density from a low threshold up to an unknown end point and a GPD with threshold for the remaining tail part. Since we estimate the threshold together with the other parameters of the GPD we take naturally into account the threshold uncertainty. We will discuss this model from a Bayesian point of view and the method will be illustrated using simulated data and a real data set.     

Proportion estimation in ranked set sampling in the presence of tie information

Ranked set sampling (RSS) is a statistical technique that uses auxiliary ranking information of unmeasured sample units in an attempt to select a more representative sample that provides better estimation of population parameters than simple random sampling. However, the use of RSS can be hampered by the fact that a complete ranking of units in each set must be specified when implementing RSS. Recently, to allow ties declared as needed, Frey (Environ Ecol Stat 19(3):309–326, 2012) proposed a modification of RSS, which is to simply break ties at random so that a standard ranked set sample is obtained, and meanwhile record the tie structure for use in estimation. Under this RSS variation, several mean estimators were developed and their performance was compared via simulation, with focus on continuous outcome variables. We extend the work of Frey (2012) to binary outcomes and investigate three nonparametric and three likelihood-based proportion estimators (with/without utilizing tie information), among which four are directly extended from existing estimators and the other two are novel. Under different tie-generating mechanisms, we compare the performance of these estimators and draw conclusions based on both simulation and a data example about breast cancer prevalence. Suggestions are made about the choice of the proportion estimator in general.     

A posteriori error analysis of multipoint flux mixed finite element methods for interface problems

In this paper, the multipoint flux mixed finite element method is used to approximate the flux of two-dimensional elliptic interface problems. Within the class of modified quasi-monotonically distributed coefficients, we derive uniformly robust residual-type a posteriori error estimators for the flux error. Based on the residual-type estimator, we further develop robust implicit and explicit recovery-type estimators through gradient recovery in H(curl) conforming finite element spaces. Numerical experiments are presented to support the theoretical results.