Recursive partition and amalgamation with the exponential family: Theory and applications

The theory of tree-growing (RECPAM approach) is developed for outcome variables which are distributed as the canonical exponential family. The general RECPAM approach (consisting of three steps: recursive partition, pruning and amalgamation), is reviewed. This is seen as constructing a partition with maximal information content about a parameter to be predicted, followed by simplification by the elimination of ‘negligible’ information. The measure of information is defined for an exponential family outcome as a deviance difference, and appropriate modifications of pruning and amalgamation rules are discussed. It is further shown how the proposed approach makes it possible to develop tree-growing for situations usually treated by generalized linear models (GLIM). In particular, Poisson and logistic regression can be tree-structured. Moreover, censored survival data can be treated, as in GLIM, by observing a formal equivalence of the likelihood under random censoring and an appropriate Poisson model. Three examples are given of application to Poisson, binary and censored survival data.     

Estimating a reduced rank regression model for non-normal variables

A method using third order moments for estimating the regression coefficients as well as the latent state scores of the reduced-rank regression model when the latent variable(s) are non-normally distributed is presented in this paper. It is shown that the factor analysis type indeterminacy of the regression coefficient matrices is eliminated. A real life example of the proposed method is presented. Differences of this solution with the reduced-rank regression eigen solution are discussed.     

Some remarks to multivariate regression model

Some remarks to problems of point and interval estimation, testing and problems of outliers are presented in the case of multivariate regression model. This work was supported by the Council of Czech Government J14/98:153100011.     

Polynomial Reproduction in Subdivision

We study conditions on the matrix mask of a vector subdivision scheme ensuring that certain polynomial input vectors yield polynomial output again. The conditions are in terms of a recurrence formula for the vectors which determine the structure of polynomial input with this property. From this recurrence, we obtain an algorithm to determine polynomial input of maximal degree. The algorithm can be used in the design of masks to achieve a high order of polynomial reproduction.     

On the Existence of Solutions to Vector Quasivariational Inequalities and Quasicomplementarity Problems with Applications Break to Traffic Network Equilibria

For vector quasivariational inequalities involving multifunctions in topological vector spaces, an existence result is obtained without a monotonicity assumption and with a convergence assumption weaker than semicontinuity. A new type of quasivariational inequality is proposed. Applications to quasicomplementarity problems and traffic network equilibria are considered. In particular, definitions of weak and strong Wardrop equilibria are introduced for the case of multivalued cost functions.     

On many‐sorted algebraic closure operators

A theorem of Birkhoff‐Frink asserts that every algebraic closure operator on an ordinary set arises, from some algebraic structure on the set, as the corresponding generated subalgebra operator. However, for many‐sorted sets, i.e., indexed families of sets, such a theorem is not longer true without qualification. We characterize the corresponding many‐sorted closure operators as precisely the uniform algebraic operators. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The effect of voice lessons on the clinical and perceptual skills of graduate students in speech-language pathology

Two groups of 10 speech-language pathology graduate students were each given 7 weeks of singing lessons to determine whether voice lessons could have an effect on their clinical and perceptual skills. Pre-, mid-, and posttests to measure various skills were designed and implemented. With use of paired sample statistical testing, statistically significant results were obtained. In addition, the subjective responses of the students show that the lessons were effective in improving pitch perception, breath control, and legato production or easy onset. This study supports efforts to integrate curricula in vocal performance and speech-language pathology.     

The Nonexistence of Procedures with Bounded Performance Characteristics in Certain Parametric Inference Problems

This paper gives a condition which implies the nonexistence of parametric statistical procedures with bounded risk or error performance characteristics. Many examples for which such a condition is satisfied are considered.     

Melnikov向量与退化情形下的横截异宿轨道

利用指数二分性和泛函分析方法,我们研究了当未扰动系统不具有异宿流形的退化异宿分支.我们利用Melnikov型向量给出了系统在退化情形下的横截异宿轨道存在的充分条件.