Asymptotically Optimal Empirical Bayes Estimation of Parameter for Scale-exponential Family under PA Samples

The Bayes estimator of the parameter is obtained for the scale exponential family in the case of identically distributed and positively associated（PA） samples under weighted square loss function.We construct the empirical Bayes（EB） estimator and prove it is asymptotic optimal.

Reliability Sensitivity Analysis for Location Scale Family

Many products always operate under various complex environment conditions. To describe the dynamic influence of environment factors on their reliability, a method of reliability sensitivity analysis is proposed. In this method, the location parameter is assumed as a function of relevant environment variables while the scale parameter is assumed as an unknown positive constant. Then, the location parameter function is constructed by using the method of radial basis function. Using the varied environment test data, the log-likelihood function is transformed to a generalized linear expression by describing the indicator as Poisson variable. With the generalized linear model, the maximum likelihood estimations of the model coefficients are obtained. With the reliability model, the reliability sensitivity is obtained. An instance analysis shows that the method is feasible to analyze the dynamic variety characters of reliability along with environment factors and is straightforward for engineering application.

A Family of Origin Scale in Mothers of Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder-Preliminary Report

The influence of the family of origin is often described in the aetiology of different psychiatric disorders. The majority of papers concerning the families of autistic children concentrate on the quality of their lives. The aim of our study was to compare the experiences from the family of origin of mothers of children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders （ASD） and from mothers of healthy children. In our study a Family of Origin Scale （FOS） was used. This scale consists of l0 constructs： clarity of expression, responsibility, respect for others, openness to others, acceptance of separation/loss, range of feelings, mood and tone, conflict resolution, empathy and trust. It was a pilot study. The examined group consisted of 9 mothers of children with ASD, the control group-7 mothers of healthy children. We found that both groups differed in a statistically significant way as for the construct called responsibility. Our research was a pilot study and it required further investigations.

Differences in parents of pediatric liver transplantation and chronic liver disease patients

BACKGROUND With advancements in the treatment of chronic liver disease(CLD),including liver transplantation(LT),quality of life and satisfaction after LT have become an important issue for pediatric patients and their parents.More evidence-based information is needed to describe and assess the impact of pediatric CLD on parents and the satisfaction of parents with treatment to better understand their needs.AIM To assess the satisfaction of parents of pediatric LT patients and that of parents of pediatric CLD patients METHODS During this survey,data were collected from parents of pediatric patients who underwent LT between January 2010 and April 2017(LT group;n=91)and parents of pediatric patients with chronic liver disease(CLD group;n=94).Group comparisons were made based on the pediatric health-related quality of life(PedsQL)health care parent satisfaction scale,impact on family scale(IFS)and demographic characteristics.The PedsQL was administered to parents during a phone interview and the results were used to assess the health carerelated satisfaction of parents.The IFS was used to assess the impact of the child’s CLD status on the family.Demographic variables such as education level(elementary vs middle vs high vs university),monthly income(low vs middle vs high),and place of residence(village vs town vs city)were compared between CLD and LT parent groups.Finally,PedsQL and IFS results were also analyzed according to demographic variables.RESULTS A total of 185 parents aged 19 to 65 years were included.There were statistically significant differences between the LT and CLD groups in terms of career(P<0.001),monthly income(P=0.016),and education level(P=0.041).According to the PedsQL results,family inclusion,communication,technical skills,emotional needs,and overall satisfaction were significantly different between the groups;the LT group had consistently higher scores(P<0.001).Additionally,scores for the IFS parameters of financial impact,familial-social impact,personal strain,and total impact were consistently higher for the LT group(P<0.001).There were statistically significant relationships between education level,monthly income,and place of residence according to the IFS results but not the PedsQL results.There were inverse relationships between the difficulties that parents experience because of their child’s health and education levels,monthly income,and place of residence.However,no relationship was found between education level,monthly income,or place of residence and satisfaction with health care services provided in the hospital according to the PedsQL results.CONCLUSION Parents of children who underwent LT were very satisfied with the health care services provided to their children.However,they had more difficulties than parents of children with CLD.

Statistical Prediction under an Order Restriction

In this paper,a statistical prediction problem under ordered location and scale parameters are considered.Double-shrinkage predictors are given which use all the available data and improve on single-shrinkage predictors,and hence the best equivariant predictors.