Use of the Probability Integral Transformation to Fit Nonlinear Mixed-Effects Models With Nonnormal Random Effects

This article describes a simple computational method for obtaining the maximum likelihood estimates (MLE) in nonlinear mixed-effects models when the random effects are assumed to have a nonnormal distribution. Many computer programs for fitting nonlinear mixed-effects models, such as PROC NLMIXED in SAS, require that the random effects have a normal distribution. However, there is often interest in either fitting models with nonnormal random effects or assessing the sensitivity of inferences to departures from the normality assumption for the random effects. When the random effects are assumed to have a nonnormal distribution, we show how the probability integral transform can be used, in conjunction with standard statistical software for fitting nonlinear mixed-effects models (e.g., PROC NLMIXED in SAS), to obtain the MLEs. Specifically, the probability integral transform is used to transform a normal random effect to a nonnormal random effect. The method is illustrated using a gamma frailty model for clustered survival data and a beta-binomial model for clustered binary data. Finally, the results of a simulation study, examining the impact of misspecification of the distribution of the random effects, are presented.     

Mixed effects regression trees for clustered data

This paper presents an extension of the standard regression tree method to clustered data. Previous works extending tree methods to accommodate correlated data are mainly based on the multivariate repeated-measures approach. We propose a “mixed effects regression tree” method where the correlated observations are viewed as nested within clusters rather than as vectors of multivariate repeated responses. The proposed method can handle unbalanced clusters, allows observations within clusters to be split, and can incorporate random effects and observation-level covariates. We implemented the proposed method using a standard tree algorithm within the framework of the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. The simulation results show that the proposed regression tree method provides substantial improvements over standard trees when the random effects are non negligible. A real data example is used to illustrate the method.     

指数族非线性混合效应模型基于$Q$函数的数据删除度量

对指数族非线性混合效应模型, 本文基于$Q$函数(朱宏图, 2001)方法, 给出几种度量数据删除影响的统计量\bd 其主要思想是将随机效应视为缺失数据, 并利用EM算法来处理完全数据对数似然函数的条件期望\bd 一个实际例子说明我们方法是有效的     

非线性再生散度随机效应模型的贝叶斯分析

非线性再生散度随机效应模型是一类非常广泛的统计模型，包括了线性随机效应模型、非线性随机效应模型、广义线性随机效应模型和指数族非线性随机效应模型等．本文研究非线性再生散度随机效应模型的贝叶斯分析．通过视随机效应为缺失数据以及应用结合Gibbs抽样技术和Metropolis-Hastings算法（简称MH算法）的混合算法获得了模型参数与随机效应的同时贝叶斯估计．最后，用一个模拟研究和一个实际例子说明上述算法的可行眭．     

非线性异方差分层模型及其参数估计

提出了一类非线性异方差分层模型,研究了其固定效应和方差分量的极大似然估计问题.主要采用了期望条件最大化算法(Expectation Conditional Maximization Algorithm)和蒙特卡罗积分法(Monte-Carlo integration method).对于随机效应和模型误差的方差-协方差矩阵,本文既考虑了一般的非结构化形式,也考虑了诸如自回归(AR(1))和复合对称等的结构化形式.仿真模拟的结果显示本文提出的模型及参数估计方法表现良好.此外,本文还将该类模型和估计方法应用到中国官方经济数据上,得到了一些有意义的结论.     

Random and Exhaustive Generation of Permutations and Cycles

In 1986 Sattolo introduced a simple algorithm for uniform random generation of cyclic permutations on a fixed number of symbols. This algorithm is very similar to the standard method for generating a random permutation, but is less well known. We consider both methods in a unified way, and discuss their relation with exhaustive generation methods. We analyse several random variables associated with the algorithms and find their grand probability generating functions, which gives easy access to moments and limit laws.      

Random Completely Generalized Set-Valued Implicit Quasi-Variational Inequalities

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a class of new random completely generalized set-valued implicit quasi-variational inequalities, to construct new random iterative algorithms, and to give some existence theorems of random solutions for this class of random completely generalized set-valued implicit quasi-variational inequalities. We also prove the convergence of random iterative sequences generated by the algorithms. Our results extend and improve the earlier and recent results.     

Absolutely expedient algorithms for learning Nash equilibria

This paper considers a multi-person discrete game with random payoffs. The distribution of the random payoff is unknown to the players and further none of the players know the strategies or the actual moves of other players. A class of absolutely expedient learning algorithms for the game based on a decentralised team of Learning Automata is presented. These algorithms correspond, in some sense, to rational behaviour on the part of the players. All stable stationary points of the algorithm are shown to be Nash equilibria for the game. It is also shown that under some additional constraints on the game, the team will always converge to a Nash equilibrium. Dedicated to the memory of Professor K G Ramanathan     

纵向数据半参数Beta回归模型的影响分析

本将随机效应当作是缺失数据,基于Q函数和EM算法并利用P-样条拟合非参数部分,得到了纵向数据半参数Beta回归模型估计方法.基于数据删除模型,我们得到了模型参数部分的广义Cook距离以及非参数部分的广义DFIT.此外,本文还研究了在四种不同扰动情形下模型的局部影响分析,得到了相应的影响矩阵.最后,我们通过两个数值实例验证了所得诊断统计量的有效性.     

Modelling redundancy allocation for a fuzzy random parallel-series system

Due to subjective judgment, imprecise human knowledge and perception in capturing statistical data, the real data of lifetimes in many systems are both random and fuzzy in nature. Based on the fuzzy random variables that are used to characterize the lifetimes, this paper studies the redundancy allocation problems to a fuzzy random parallel-series system.Two fuzzy random redundancy allocation models (FR-RAM) are developed through reliability maximization and cost minimization, respectively. Some properties of the FR-RAM are obtained, in which an analytical formula of reliability with convex lifetimes is derived and the sensitivity of the reliability is discussed. To solve the FR-RAMs, we first address the computation of reliability. A random simulation method based on the derived analytical formula is proposed to compute the reliability with convex lifetimes. As for the reliability with nonconvex lifetimes, the technique of fuzzy random simulation together with the discretization method of fuzzy random variable is employed to compute the reliability, and a convergence theorem of the fuzzy random simulation is proved. Subsequently, we integrate the computation approaches of the reliability and genetic algorithm (GA) to search for the approximately optimal redundancy allocation of the models. Finally, some numerical examples are provided to illustrate the feasibility of the solution algorithm and quantify its effectiveness.     

随机广义集值隐拟补问题

引入和研究一类随机广义集值隐拟补问题,构造了一个逼近问题解的随机迭代算法.在一定条件下,我们证明了这类问题解的存在性以及由随机算法所产生的序列的收敛性.     

删失截断情形下失效率变点模型的Bayes参数估计

通过添加部分缺失寿命变量数据,得到了删失截断情形下失效率变点模型相对简单的似然函数.讨论了所添加缺失数据变量的概率分布和随机抽样方法.利用Monte Carlo EM算法对未知参数进行了迭代.结合Metropolis-Hastings算法对参数的满条件分布进行了Gibbs抽样,基于Gibbs样本对参数进行估计,详细介绍了MCMC方法的实施步骤.随机模拟试验的结果表明各参数Bayes估计的精度较高.     

艾拉姆咖分布参数变点的Bayes估计

研究了艾拉姆咖分布变点估计的非迭代抽样算法(IBF)和MCMC算法.在贝叶斯框架下,选取无信息先验分布,得到关于变点位置的后验分布和各参数的满条件分布,并且详细介绍了IBF算法和MCMC方法的实施步骤.最后进行随机模拟试验,结果表明两种算法都能够有效的估计变点位置,并且IBF算法的计算速度优于MCMC方法.     

A class of multiobjective linear programming model with fuzzy random coefficients

The aim of this paper is to deal with a multiobjective linear programming problem with fuzzy random coefficients. Some crisp equivalent models are presented and a traditional algorithm based on an interactive fuzzy satisfying method is proposed to obtain the decision maker’s satisfying solution. In addition, the technique of fuzzy random simulation is adopted to handle general fuzzy random objective functions and fuzzy random constraints which are usually hard to be converted into their crisp equivalents. Furthermore, combined with the techniques of fuzzy random simulation, a genetic algorithm using the compromise approach is designed for solving a fuzzy random multiobjective programming problem. Finally, illustrative examples are given in order to show the application of the proposed models and algorithms.     

Modeling clustered binary data with nonparametric unobserved heterogeneity: An application to stock crash analysis

Various random effects models have been developed for clustered binary data; however, traditional approaches to these models generally rely heavily on the specification of a continuous random effect distribution such as Gaussian or beta distribution. In this article, we introduce a new model that incorporates nonparametric unobserved random effects on unit interval (0,1) into logistic regression multiplicatively with fixed effects. This new multiplicative model setup facilitates prediction of our nonparametric random effects and corresponding model interpretations. A distinctive feature of our approach is that a closed-form expression has been derived for the predictor of nonparametric random effects on unit interval (0,1) in terms of known covariates and responses. A quasi-likelihood approach has been developed in the estimation of our model. Our results are robust against random effects distributions from very discrete binary to continuous beta distributions. We illustrate our method by analyzing recent large stock crash data in China. The performance of our method is also evaluated through simulation studies.     

随机多目标规划区间交互过程及其应用

针对随机多目标规划问题中目标函数含有连续型随机变量的情形,设计一种基于概率有效性意义下的区间交互过程,将概率有效性与多目标问题理想点进行有机结合,有效辅助决策者寻求愿意承受的风险水平,并进行决策,简化了随机多目标优化问题。最后通过实例说明该交互过程的作用。     

Two-component Poisson mixture regression modelling of count data with bivariate random effects

Two-component Poisson mixture regression is typically used to model heterogeneous count outcomes that arise from two underlying sub-populations. Furthermore, a random component can be incorporated into the linear predictor to account for the clustering data structure. However, when including random effects in both components of the mixture model, the two random effects are often assumed to be independent for simplicity. A two-component Poisson mixture regression model with bivariate random effects is proposed to deal with the correlated situation. A restricted maximum quasi-likelihood estimation procedure is provided to obtain the parameter estimates of the model. A simulation study shows both fixed effects and variance component estimates perform well under different conditions. An application to childhood gastroenteritis data demonstrates the usefulness of the proposed methodology, and suggests that neglecting the inherent correlation between random effects may lead to incorrect inferences concerning the count outcomes.     

基于计算机试验设计的遗传算法参数配置

遗传算法作为一种随机化优化搜索方法,已经在很多领域得到了成功应用,但其存在控制参数多且配置困难的问题.本文采用一类最新试验设计方法-计算机试验设计,对遗传算法的参数配置进行优化.结果表明,基于正交拉丁超立方设计的参数配置,其算法的计算精度和速度表现最佳.模拟结果进一步讨论了不同试验设计方案在遗传算法中的差别.     

随机模拟化学反应系统的加速L-leap算法

提出了随机模拟化学反应系统的加速L-leap算法,该算法根据leap条件确定具有最大倾向函数的反应通道的反应次数,并利用二项分布随机数生成其它反应通道在当前leap时间区间内的反应次数．L-leap算法可更好地满足leap条件．数值模拟实验表明该算法能取得更好的模拟性能．     

A discrete survival model with random effects and covariate-dependent selection

In this paper we present a discrete survival model with covariates and random effects, where the random effects may depend on the observed covariates. The dependence between the covariates and the random effects is modelled through correlation parameters, and these parameters can only be identified for time-varying covariates. For time-varying covariates, however, it is possible to separate regression effects and selection effects in the case of a certain dependene structure between the random effects and the time-varying covariates that are assumed to be conditionally independent given the initial level of the covariate. The proposed model is equivalent to a model with independent random effects and the initial level of the covariates as further covariates. The model is applied to simulated data that illustrates some identifiability problems, and further indicate how the proposed model may be an approximation to retrospectively collected data with incorrect specification of the waiting times. The model is fitted by maximum likelihood estimation that is implemented as iteratively reweighted least squares. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.