Seismic attenuation relationship with homogeneous and heterogeneous prediction-error variance models

Peak ground acceleration(PGA) estimation is an important task in earthquake engineering practice.One of the most well-known models is the Boore-Joyner-Fumal formula,which estimates the PGA using the moment magnitude,the site-to-fault distance and the site foundation properties.In the present study,the complexity for this formula and the homogeneity assumption for the prediction-error variance are investigated and an effi ciency-robustness balanced formula is proposed.For this purpose,a reduced-order Monte Carlo simulation algorithm for Bayesian model class selection is presented to obtain the most suitable predictive formula and prediction-error model for the seismic attenuation relationship.In this approach,each model class(a predictive formula with a prediction-error model) is evaluated according to its plausibility given the data.The one with the highest plausibility is robust since it possesses the optimal balance between the data fi tting capability and the sensitivity to noise.A database of strong ground motion records in the Tangshan region of China is obtained from the China Earthquake Data Center for the analysis.The optimal predictive formula is proposed based on this database.It is shown that the proposed formula with heterogeneous prediction-error variance is much simpler than the attenuation model suggested by Boore,Joyner and Fumal(1993).

EMPIRICAL BAYES TEST PROBLEMS OF VARIANCE COMPONENTS IN RANDOM EFFECTS MODEL

Bayes decision rule of variance components for one-way random effects model is derived and empirical Bayes (EB) decision rules are constructed by kernel estimation method. Under suitable conditions, it is shown that the proposed EB decision rules are asymptotically optimal with convergence rates near O(n-1/2). Finally, an example concerning the main result is given.

A discrete-event model to simulate the effect of truck bunching due to payload variance on cycle time, hauled mine materials and fuel consumption

Data collected from truck payload management systems at various surface mines shows that the payload variance is significant and must be considered in analysing the mine productivity,energy consumption,greenhouse gas emissions and associated cost.Payload variance causes significant differences in gross vehicle weights.Heavily loaded trucks travel slower up ramps than lightly loaded trucks.Faster trucks are slowed by the presence of slower trucks,resulting in‘bunching’,production losses and increasing fuel consumptions.This paper simulates the truck bunching phenomena in large surface mines to improve truck and shovel systems’efficiency and minimise fuel consumption.The study concentrated on completing a practical simulation model based on a discrete event method which is most commonly used in this field of research in other industries.The simulation model has been validated by a dataset collected from a large surface mine in Arizona state,USA.The results have shown that there is a good agreement between the actual and estimated values of investigated parameters.

Nonlinear total least-squares variance component estimation for GM(1,1)model

The solution of the grey model(GM(1,1)model)generally involves equal-precision observations,and the(co)variance matrix is established from the prior information.However,the data are generally available with unequal-precision measurements in reality.To deal with the errors of all observations for GM(1,1)model with errors-in-variables(EIV)structure,we exploit the total least-squares(TLS)algorithm to estimate the parameters of GM(1,1)model in this paper.Ignoring that the effect of the improper prior stochastic model and the homologous observations may degrade the accuracy of parameter estimation,we further present a nonlinear total least-squares variance component estimation approach for GM(1,1)model,which resorts to the minimum norm quadratic unbiased estimation(MINQUE).The practical and simulative experiments indicate that the presented approach has significant merits in improving the predictive accuracy in comparison with control methods.

A Mean-variance Problem in the Constant Elasticity of Variance(CEV) Model

In this paper, we focus on a constant elasticity of variance （CEV） modeland want to find its optimal strategies for a mean-variance problem under two constrainedcontrols： reinsurance/new business and investment （no-shorting）. First, aLagrange multiplier is introduced to simplify the mean-variance problem and thecorresponding Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman （HJB） equation is established. Via a powertransformation technique and variable change method, the optimal strategies withthe Lagrange multiplier are obtained. Final, based on the Lagrange duality theorem,the optimal strategies and optimal value for the original problem （i.e., the efficientstrategies and efficient frontier） are derived explicitly.

COMPLETE CONVERGENCE OF ERROR VARIANCE ESITIMATES UNDER Ф－MIXING ERROR IN LINEAR MODELS

In this paper,we consider the estimates d of error variance d2=Var(ei) in the linear models Yi=x' iβ+ei(i= 1, 2, ... ). We study the complete convergence of dm2-o2 when the error {ei }is a sequence of identically distributed p-mixing variables. And we also obtain the better convergence rates when {ei} is not identically distribution

Heteroscedasticity check in nonlinear semiparametric models based on nonparametric variance function

The assumption of homoscedasticity has received much attention in classical analysis of regression. Heteroscedasticity tests have been well studied in parametric and nonparametric regressions. The aim of this paper is to present a test of heteroscedasticity for nonlinear semiparametric regression models with nonparametric variance function. The validity of the proposed test is illustrated by two simulated examples and a real data example.

Variance Estimation for High-Dimensional Varying Index Coefficient Models

This paper studies the re-adjusted cross-validation method and a semiparametric regression model called the varying index coefficient model. We use the profile spline modal estimator method to estimate the coefficients of the parameter part of the Varying Index Coefficient Model (VICM), while the unknown function part uses the B-spline to expand. Moreover, we combine the above two estimation methods under the assumption of high-dimensional data. The results of data simulation and empirical analysis show that for the varying index coefficient model, the re-adjusted cross-validation method is better in terms of accuracy and stability than traditional methods based on ordinary least squares.

Portfolio Choice under the Mean-Variance Model with Parameter Uncertainty

Assuming the investor is uncertainty-aversion,the multiprior approach is applied to studying the problem of portfolio choice under the uncertainty about the expected return of risky asset based on the mean-variance model. By introducing a set of constraint constants to measure uncertainty degree of the estimated expected return,it built the max-min model of multi-prior portfolio,and utilized the Lagrange method to obtain the closed-form solution of the model,which was compared with the mean-variance model and the minimum-variance model; then,an empirical study was done based on the monthly returns over the period June 2011 to May 2014 of eight kinds of stocks in Shanghai Exchange 50 Index. Results showed,the weight of multi-prior portfolio was a weighted average of the weight of mean-variance portfolio and that of minimumvariance portfolio; the steady of multi-prior portfolio was strengthened compared with the mean-variance portfolio; the performance of multi-prior portfolio was greater than that of minimum-variance portfolio. The study demonstrates that the investor can improve the steady of multi-prior portfolio as well as its performance for some appropriate constraint constants.

Correction of Left Ventricular Doppler Echocardiographic Measurements for Physiological Variances Using a Novel Optimized Multivariable Allometric Model in Healthy Chinese Han Adults

Most left ventricular(LV)Doppler measurements vary significantly with age and gender,making it necessary to correct them for physiological variances.We aimed to verify the hypothesis that different Doppler measurements correlate nonlinearly with different biometric variables raised to different scaling factors and exponents.In this work,a total of 23 LV Doppler parameters were measured in 1224 healthy Chinese adults.An optimized multivariable allometric model(OMAM)and scaling equations were developed in 70%of the subjects(group A),and the reliability of the model and equations was verified using the remaining 30%of the subjects(group B)as well as 183 overweight subjects(group C).The single-variable isometric model(SVIM)with body surface area(BSA)as a scaling variable was used for comparison.Before correction,all 23 LV Doppler parameters correlated significantly with one or more of the biometric variables.In group B,gender differences were found in 47.8%(11/23)of the parameters and were eliminated in 81.8%(9/11)of the parameters after correction with OMAM.The successful correction rate with OMAM was 100%(23/23)in group B and 82.6%(19/23)in group C.New reference values for corrected Doppler measurements independent of biometric variables were established.The SVIM with BSA successfully corrected none of the 23 parameters.In conclusion,different LV Doppler parameters allometrically correlated with one or more of the biometric variables.The novel OMAM developed in this study successfully corrected the effects of the physiological variances of most biometric variables on Doppler measurements in healthy and overweight subjects,and was found to be far superior to the SVIM.However,whether the OMAM equations can be applied to other ethnicities,obese subjects,and pathological conditions requires further investigation.

Asymptotic Normality of Pseudo-LS Estimator of Error Variance in Partly Linear Autoregressive Models

Consider the model Yt = βYt-1＋g（Yt-2）＋εt for 3 〈 t 〈 T. Hereg is anunknown function, β is an unknown parameter, εt are i.i.d, random errors with mean 0 andvariance σ2 and the fourth moment α4, and α4 are independent of Y8 for all t ≥ 3 and s = 1, 2.Pseudo-LS estimators σ, σ2T α4τ and D2T of σ^2,α4 and Var（ε2↑3） are respectively constructedbased on piecewise polynomial approximator of g. The weak consistency of α4T and D2T are proved. The asymptotic normality of σ2T is given, i.e., √T（σ2T -σ^2）/DT converges indistribution to N（0, 1）. The result can be used to establish large sample interval estimatesof σ^2 or to make large sample tests for σ^2.

Investigating seasonality,policy intervention and forecasting in the Indian gold futures market:a comparison based on modeling non‑constant variance using two different methods

This study focuses on the Indian gold futures market where primary participants hold sentimental value for the underlying asset and are globally ranked number two in terms of the largest private holdings in the physical form.The trade of gold futures relates to seasons,festivity,and government policy.So,the paper will discuss seasonality and intervention in the analysis.Due to non-constant variance,we will also use the standard variance stabilization transformation method and the ARIMA/GARCH modelling method to compare the forecast performance on the gold futures prices.The results from the analysis show that while the standard variance transformation method may provide better point forecast values,the ARIMA/GARCH modelling method provides much shorter forecast intervals.The empirical results of this study which rationalise the effect of seasonality in the Indian bullion derivative market have not been reported in literature.

Convertible Bond Pricing Based on Exponential Variance Gamma Model

Due to the‘spike and tail’ phenomenon of asset returns,the applicability of the Black-Scholes model for pricing convertible bonds has been questioned,and the variance gamma model can cope well with this phenomenon and solve the ‘volatility smile dilemma’.This paper combines the variance gamma model with the least squares Monte Carlo simulation method to empirically analyze the Everbright convertible bond based on its high activity in the Chinese market.In this paper,the predicted price and the actual price are compared,and the applicability of the variance gamma model in the Chinese convertible bond market is analyzed.Empirical results show that the fitting price predicted by the variance gamma model is consistent with the actual price trend,indicating that the method is applicable to the Chinese convertible bond market.

Performance of CMIP6 models in simulating the dynamic sea level:Mean and interannual variance

本研究采用卫星测高数据与第六次国际耦合模式比较计划(CMIP6)海平面动力进行对比,重点针对40S-40N地区的动力海平面(DSL),评估了模式对其平均态与年际变率的综合模拟能力,结果表明,对于DSL平均态的模拟,模式与观测结果非常吻合,模式之间的差异较小.其中,副热带北大西洋是模拟偏差和模式间差异较为显著的区域,对于DSL年际变率的模拟,模式之间保持较高的一致性,但是,模式与观测结果存在明显差异,模式普遍低估了DSL的年际方差;其中,误差大值区域出现在副热带西边界流附近,模式分辨率会影响CMIP6对中小尺度海洋过程的重现能力,这可能是导致CMIP6历史模拟出现误差的原因之一.

基于mean-variance的服务集群负载均衡方法

大量并发请求任务进行分配时,负载调度机制是通过最小化响应时间及最大化节点利用率实现网络中节点的负载均衡,在基于遗传算法的负载均衡算法中,适应度函数设计对服务集群负载均衡效率产生重要的影响。对此提出了一种基于mean-variance的服务集群负载均衡方法对适应度函数进行优化,采用投资组合选择模型mean-variance进行最小化响应时间,以得到每个服务器资源利用率的权重,从而获得最优的分配组合,进而提高适应度函数的准确性和有效性。在不同服务环境下与其他模型进行比较,仿真结果表明,本文的负载均衡算法在节点利用率和响应时间方面使服务集群得到了更好的均衡。

Variance Gamma过程与股票期权定价中的波动率偏度的纠正

针对 Black- Scholes期权定价模型在股票期权定价中的波动率偏度的定价偏差 ,介绍一种新的改进模型来纠正波动率偏度 ,这种改进模型是通过将 Black- Scholes期权定价模型中的布朗运动过程替换为 variance gamma过程来实现的。在给出相应欧式看涨期权价格的解析解的基础上 ,对改进模型的定价性能进行实证检验。

摩擦市场条件下的Mean-Variance-Skewness模型

在投资组合选择模型中考虑了资产收益率分布中正的偏度水平,并通过引入一些市场摩擦因素建立了摩擦市场条件下的Mean-Variance-Skewness模型.提出了一个新的遗传算法加速其搜索收敛过程,解决了该模型的计算复杂性问题.在该模型框架内对交易费用和税收等市场摩擦因素进行了敏感性分析.研究证明资产收益率分布的偏度水平是与投资者的决策相关的,市场摩擦因素对投资者的决策行为也有直接的影响.因此,考虑摩擦市场条件下基于正偏度水平偏好的最优投资组合模型对投资者有很强的实践指导价值.

Comparison of estimators of variance for forest inventories with systematic sampling-results from artificial populations

Background:Large area forest inventories often use regular grids(with a single random start)of sample locations to ensure a uniform sampling intensity across the space of the surveyed populations.A design-unbiased estimator of variance does not exist for this design.Oftentimes,a quasi-default estimator applicable to simple random sampling(SRS)is used,even if it carries with it the likely risk of overestimating the variance by a practically important margin.To better exploit the precision of systematic sampling we assess the performance of five estimators of variance,including the quasi default.In this study,simulated systematic sampling was applied to artificial populations with contrasting covariance structures and with or without linear trends.We compared the results obtained with the SRS,Matern’s,successive difference replication,Ripley’s,and D’Orazio’s variance estimators.Results:The variances obtained with the four alternatives to the SRS estimator of variance were strongly correlated,and in all study settings consistently closer to the target design variance than the estimator for SRS.The latter always produced the greatest overestimation.In populations with a near zero spatial autocorrelation,all estimators,performed equally,and delivered estimates close to the actual design variance.Conclusion:Without a linear trend,the SDR and DOR estimators were best with variance estimates more narrowly distributed around the benchmark;yet in terms of the least average absolute deviation,Matern’s estimator held a narrow lead.With a strong or moderate linear trend,Matern’s estimator is choice.In large populations,and a low sampling intensity,the performance of the investigated estimators becomes more similar.

Construction of nonsingular formulae of variance and covariance function of disturbing gravity gradient tensors

When the computational point is approaching the poles, the variance and covariance formulae of the disturbing gravity gradient tensors tend to be infinite, and this is a singular problem. In order to solve the problem, the authors deduced the practical non-singular computational formulae of the first- and second-order derivatives of the Legendre functions and two kinds of spherical harmonic functions, and then constructed the nonsingular formulae of variance and eovarianee function of disturbing gravity gradient tensors.