Exact distribution of the generalized Wilks’s statistic and applications

We establish the exact expression of the density of Wilks’s statistic Λ(n,p,q), and also those of the densities of the product and ratio of two independent such statistics, in terms of Meijer functions, and provide applications with numerical illustrations in various domains of Multivariate Analysis.     

Properties of the singular, inverse and generalized inverse partitioned Wishart distributions

In this paper we discuss the distributions and independency properties of several generalizations of the Wishart distribution. First, an analog to Muirhead [R.J. Muirhead, Aspects of Multivariate Statistical Theory, Wiley, New York, 1982] Theorem 3.2.10 for the partitioned matrix is established in the case of arbitrary partitioning for singular and inverse Wishart distributions. Second, the density of is derived in the case of singular, non-central singular, inverse and generalized inverse Wishart distributions. The importance of the derived results is illustrated with an example from portfolio theory.     

Estimation for a marginal generalized single-index longitudinal model

In this paper, we suggest an estimating equations based approach to study a general single-index model with a given out-layer link for longitudinal data and treat the classical one as its special case. Within a wide range of bandwidths which is for estimating the inner-layer nonparametric link, the root-n consistency of the estimator of the index can be proved. The estimation efficiency can be achieved even when there is an infinite-dimensional nuisance parameter to be estimated. The performance of the new method is assessed through the comparison with other existing methods and through an application to an epileptic seizure study.     

Equivalent conditions for noncentral generalized Laplacianness and independence of matrix quadratic forms

Let Y be an n×p multivariate normal random matrix with general covariance Σ_Y and W be a symmetric matrix. In the present article, the property that a matrix quadratic form Y^′WY is distributed as a difference of two independent (noncentral) Wishart random matrices is called the (noncentral) generalized Laplacianness (GL). Then a set of algebraic results are obtained which will give the necessary and sufficient conditions for the (noncentral) GL of a matrix quadratic form. Further, two extensions of Cochran’s theorem concerning the (noncentral) GL and independence of a family of matrix quadratic forms are developed.     

Generalized p-values and generalized confidence regions for the multivariate Behrens-Fisher problem and MANOVA

For two multivariate normal populations with unequal covariance matrices, a procedure is developed for testing the equality of the mean vectors based on the concept of generalized p-values. The generalized p-values we have developed are functions of the sufficient statistics. The computation of the generalized p-values is discussed and illustrated with an example. Numerical results show that one of our generalized p-value test has a type I error probability not exceeding the nominal level. A formula involving only a finite number of chi-square random variables is provided for computing this generalized p-value. The formula is useful in a Bayesian solution as well. The problem of constructing a confidence region for the difference between the mean vectors is also addressed using the concept of generalized confidence regions. Finally, using the generalized p-value approach, a solution is developed for the heteroscedastic MANOVA problem.     

Semiparametric Bayesian measurement error modeling

This work presents a Bayesian semiparametric approach for dealing with regression models where the covariate is measured with error. Given that (1) the error normality assumption is very restrictive, and (2) assuming a specific elliptical distribution for errors (Student-t for example), may be somewhat presumptuous; there is need for more flexible methods, in terms of assuming only symmetry of errors (admitting unknown kurtosis). In this sense, the main advantage of this extended Bayesian approach is the possibility of considering generalizations of the elliptical family of models by using Dirichlet process priors in dependent and independent situations. Conditional posterior distributions are implemented, allowing the use of Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC), to generate the posterior distributions. An interesting result shown is that the Dirichlet process prior is not updated in the case of the dependent elliptical model. Furthermore, an analysis of a real data set is reported to illustrate the usefulness of our approach, in dealing with outliers. Finally, semiparametric proposed models and parametric normal model are compared, graphically with the posterior distribution density of the coefficients.     

Multivariate dependence of spacings of generalized order statistics

Multivariate dependence of spacings of generalized order statistics is studied. It is shown that spacings of generalized order statistics from DFR (IFR) distributions have the CIS (CDS) property. By restricting the choice of the model parameters and strengthening the assumptions on the underlying distribution, stronger dependence relations are established. For instance, if the model parameters are decreasingly ordered and the underlying distribution has a log-convex decreasing (log-concave) hazard rate, then the spacings satisfy the MTP₂ (S- MRR₂) property. Some consequences of the results are given. In particular, conditions for non-negativity of the best linear unbiased estimator of the scale parameter in a location-scale family are obtained. By applying a result for dual generalized order statistics, we show that in the particular situation of usual order statistics the assumptions can be weakened.     

Simultaneous control of false positives and false negatives in multiple hypotheses testing

Multiple hypotheses testing is concerned with appropriately controlling the rate of false positives, false negatives or both when testing several hypotheses simultaneously. Nowadays, the common approach to testing multiple hypotheses calls for controlling the expected proportion of falsely rejected null hypotheses referred to as the false discovery rate (FDR) or suitable measures based on the positive false discovery rate (pFDR). In this paper, we consider the problem of determining levels that both false positives and false negatives can be controlled simultaneously. As our risk function, we use the expected value of the maximum between the proportions of false positives and false negatives, with the expectation being taken conditional on the event that at least one hypothesis is rejected and one is accepted, referred to as hybrid error rate (HER). We then develop, based on HER, an analog of p-value termed as h-value to test the individual hypotheses. The use of the new procedure is illustrated using the well-known public data set by Golub et al. [Molecular classification of cancer: class discovery and class prediction by gene expression monitoring, Science 386 (1999) 531-537] with Affymetrix arrays of patients with acute lymphoic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia.     

Remarks on between estimator in the intraclass correlation model with missing data

In this paper, we consider the between estimator under the intraclass correlation model with missing data. We give a necessary and sufficient condition for existing exact simultaneous confidence intervals for all contrasts in the means under the between transformed model, which indicates the F-test statistic and simultaneous confidence intervals, constructed by Seo et al. [T. Seo, J. Kikuchi, K. Koizumi, On simultaneous confidence intervals for all contracts in the means of the intraclass correlation model with missing data, J. Multivariate Anal. 97 (2006) 1976–1983] based on the between estimator, is invalid. Furthermore, using the distribution of the between estimator, we present the exact test statistics and confidence intervals for partial contrasts.     

More on the inadmissibility of step-up

Cohen and Sackrowitz [Characterization of Bayes procedures for multiple endpoint problems and inadmissibility of the step-up procedure, Ann. Statist. 33 (2005) 145-158] proved that the step-up multiple testing procedure is inadmissible for a multivariate normal model with unknown mean vector and known intraclass covariance matrix. The hypotheses tested are each mean is zero vs. each mean is positive. The risk function is a 2×1 vector where one component is average size and the other component is one minus average power. In this paper, we extend the inadmissibility result to several different models, to two-sided alternatives, and to other risk functions. The models include one-parameter exponential families, independent t-variables, independent χ²-variables, t-tests arising from the analysis of variance, and t-tests arising from testing treatments against a control. The additional risk functions are linear combinations where one component is the false discovery rate (FDR).     

Enhanced one-sided confidence regions for a multivariate location parameter

If a one-sided test for a multivariate location parameter is inverted, the resulting confidence region may have an unpleasant shape. In particular, if the null and alternative hypothesis are both composite and complementary, the confidence region usually does not resemble the alternative parameter region in shape, but rather a reflected version of the null parameter region.We illustrate this effect and show one possibility of obtaining confidence regions for the location parameter that are smaller and have a more suitable shape for the type of problems investigated. This method is based on the closed testing principle applied to a family of nested hypotheses.     

Inference for the invariance of canonical analysis under linear transformations

Using a recent result about the invariance problem in linear canonical analysis (LCA), we introduce a criterion by means of which one can see if this invariance holds when the related random vectors are transformed by linear maps. Then, the estimation of this criterion is considered as well as the problem of testing for invariance of LCA. Particularly, a new test for additional information in canonical analysis is proposed and simulations are used to gain understanding of the finite sample performance of this test and to compare it with the likelihood ratio test.     

On connectivity of fibers with positive marginals in multiple logistic regression

In this paper we consider exact tests of a multiple logistic regression with categorical covariates via Markov bases. In many applications of multiple logistic regression, the sample size is positive for each combination of levels of the covariates. In this case we do not need a whole Markov basis, which guarantees connectivity of all fibers. We first give an explicit Markov basis for multiple Poisson regression. By the Lawrence lifting of this basis, in the case of bivariate logistic regression, we show a simple subset of the Markov basis which connects all fibers with a positive sample size for each combination of levels of covariates.     

Analysis of repeated measures under unequal variances

Problem of making inferences on a widely used repeated measures model is considered without the assumption of equal error variances. By taking the generalized approach to making statistical inference, we derive necessary formulae to compute exact generalized p-values for testing the equality of treatment effects, occasion effects, and their interactions. We also provide formulae for making inferences about the variance components of the model. Advantage of the generalized p-values over the classical F-test is demonstrated by means of an example.     

The distribution of the characteristic roots ofS 1 S 2 −1 under violations in the complex case and power comparisons of four tests

Summary The joint density function of the latent roots ofS ₁ S ₂ ⁻¹ under violations is obtained whereS ₁ has a complex non-central Wishart distributionW _c (p,n ₁,Σ ₁,Ω) andS ₂, an independent complex central Wishart,W _c (p,n ₂,Σ ₂, 0). The density and moments of Hotelling's trace are also derived under violations. Further, the non-null distributions of the following four criteria in the two-roots case are studied for tests of three hypotheses: Hotelling's trace, Pillai's trace, Wilks' criterion and Roy's largest root. In addition, tabulations of powers are carried out and power comparisons for tests of each of three hypotheses based on the four criteria are made in the complex case extending such work of Pillai and Jayachandran in the classical Gaussian case. The findings in the complex Gaussian are generally similar to those in the classical.     

Locally best rotation-invariant rank tests for modal location

For a general class of unipolar, rotationally symmetric distributions on the multi-dimensional unit spherical surface, a characterization of locally best rotation-invariant test statistics is exploited in the construction of locally best rotation-invariant rank tests for modal location. Allied statistical distributional problems are appraised, and in the light of these assessments, asymptotic relative efficiency of a class of rotation-invariant rank tests (with respect to some of their parametric counterparts) is studied. Finite sample permutational distributional perspectives are also appraised.     

Exact nonnull distribution of Wilks’ statistic: The ratio and product of independent components

The study of the noncentral matrix variate beta type distributions has been sidelined because the final expressions for the densities depend on an integral that has not been resolved in an explicit way. We derive an exact expression for the nonnull distribution of Wilks’ statistic and precise expressions for the densities of the ratio and product of two independent components of matrix variates where one matrix variate has the noncentral matrix variate beta type I distribution and the other has the matrix variate beta type I distribution. We provide the expressions for the densities of the determinant of the ratio and the product of these two components. These distributions play a fundamental role in various areas of statistics, for example in the criteria proposed by Wilks.     

Some tests for the covariance matrix with fewer observations than the dimension under non-normality

This article analyzes whether some existing tests for the p×p covariance matrix Σ of the N independent identically distributed observation vectors work under non-normality. We focus on three hypotheses testing problems: (1) testing for sphericity, that is, the covariance matrix Σ is proportional to an identity matrix I_p; (2) the covariance matrix Σ is an identity matrix I_p; and (3) the covariance matrix is a diagonal matrix. It is shown that the tests proposed by Srivastava (2005) for the above three problems are robust under the non-normality assumption made in this article irrespective of whether N≤p or N≥p, but (N,p)→∞, and N/p may go to zero or infinity. Results are asymptotic and it may be noted that they may not hold for finite (N,p).     

Exact robustness studies of the test of independence based on four multivariate criteria and their distribution problems under violations

Summary Exact robustness studies against non-normality have been carried out for test of independence based on the four multivariate criteria: Hotelling's trace,U ^(p) , Pillai's trace,V ^(p) , Wilks' criterion,W ^(p) , and Roy's largest root,L _(p) . The density functions ofU ^(p) ,W ^(p) andL _(p) have been obtained in the canonical correlation case and further the moments ofU ^(p) and m.g.f. ofV ^(p) have been derived. All of the study is based on Pillai's distribution of the characteristic roots under violations. Numerical results for the power function have been tabulated for the two-roots case. Slight non-normality does not affect the independence test seriously.V ⁽²⁾ is found to be most robust against nonnormality. Yu-Sheng Hsu is now with Georgia State University, Atlanta.     

A note on Srivastava and Hui’s tests of multivariate normality

The aim of the paper is to point out some imprecision in Srivastava and Hui’s tests for multivariate normality. A correction for their tests is proposed.