Frederico Caeiro

{Summary: We consider a class of consistent semi-parametric estimators of a positive tail index $\gamma$, parameterized by a tuning or control parameter $\alpha$. Such a control parameter enables us to have access, for any available sample, to an estimator of $\gamma$ with a null dominant component of asymptotic bias, and with a reasonably flat mean squared error pattern, as a function of $k$, the number of top order statistics considered. Moreover, we are able to achieve a high efficiency relative to the classical Hill estimator [ıt B. M. Hill}, Ann. Stat. 3, 1163–1174 (1975; Zbl 0323.62033)], provided we may have access to a larger number of top order statistics than the number needed for optimal estimation through the Hill estimator.}

{Let $X_i$ be i.i.d. r.v.s with heavy-tailed CDF $F(x)$ such that $$1-F(x)=(x/C)^{-1/\gamma}((1+(\beta/\rho)(x/C)^{\rho/\gamma} +\beta'(x/C)^{2\rho/\gamma}(1+o(1))),$$ where $\gamma$ is the tail index ($\gamma>0$), and $\rho<0$ and $\beta$ are the ``second order parameters''. The authors construct an estimator for $\beta$ based on the ``tail moments'' $$M_n^{(\alpha)}=(k)^{-1}\sum_{i=1}^k [łog X_{n-i+1:n}-łog X_{n-k:n}]^\alpha. $$ Consistency and asymptotic normality of the estimator are demonstrated. The small sample properties of the estimator are investigated via simulations.}

In this paper we revisit the Jackson exponentiality test. We study and provide functions in R language to compute theoretical moments, the distribution function and quantiles of the statistic test. Approximations to the exact distribution function and quantiles are also provided and their precision discussed. In addition, we provide an application of the Jackson test to real data.In this paper we revisit the Jackson exponentiality test. We study and provide functions in R language to compute theoretical moments, the distribution function and quantiles of the statistic test. Approximations to the exact distribution function and quantiles are also provided and their precision discussed. In addition, we provide an application of the Jackson test to real data.

{Summary: We are interested in the comparison, under a third-order framework, of classes of second-order, reduced-bias tail index estimators, giving particular emphasis to minimum-variance reduced-bias estimators of the tail index $\gamma$. The full asymptotic distributional properties of the proposed classes are derived under a third-order framework and the estimators are compared with other alternatives, not only asymptotically, but also for finite samples through Monte Carlo techniques. An application to the log-exchange rates of the Euro against the USA Dollar is also provided.}

{Summary: For heavy-tailed models, and working with the sample of the $k$ largest observations, we present probability weighted moments (PWM) estimators for the first order tail parameters. Under regular variation conditions on the right-tail of the underlying distribution function $F$ we prove the consistency and asymptotic normality of these estimators. Their performance, for finite sample sizes, is illustrated through a small-scale Monte Carlo simulation.}

{Consider the distribution function $EV_{\gamma}(x)=\exp(-(1+\gamma x)^{- 1/\gamma}),\ \gamma>0,\ 1+\gamma x>0$, to which $\max(X_{1},łdots, X_{n})$ is attracted after suitable linear normalization. The authors consider the underlying model $F$ in the max-domain of attraction of $EV_{\gamma}$, where $ X_{i:n},\ 1łeq Iłeq n$, denotes the i-th ascending order statistic associated to the random sample $(X_{1},łdots, X_{n})$ from the unknown distribution function $F$. This article is devoted to studying semi-parametric estimators of $\gamma$ in the form $$\gamma_{n}^{(þeta,\alpha)}(k)=(\Gamma(\alpha)/M_{n}^{(\alpha- 1)}(k))łeft(M_{n}^{(þeta\alpha)}(k)/\Gamma(þeta\alpha+1)\right) ^{1/þeta},\quad \alpha\geq 1,\quad þeta>0,$$ parametrized by the parameters $\alpha$ and $þeta$, which may be controlled, where $M_{n}^{(0)}=1$ and $ M_{n}^{(\alpha)}(k)=k^{-1}\sum_{i=1}^{k}(łn X_{n-i+1:n}-łn X_{n-k:n})^{\alpha}$, $\alpha>0$, is a consistent estimator of $\Gamma(\alpha+1)\gamma^{\alpha}$, as $k\toınfty$, and $k=o(n)$, as $n\toınfty$.\par The authors derive the asymptotic distributional properties of the considered class of estimators and obtain that for $þeta>1$ it is always possible to find a control parameter $\alpha$ which makes the dominant component of the asymptotic bias of the proposed estimator null and depends on the second order parameter $\rho$. An investigation of the $\rho$-estimator is presented.}

In this article, we revisit Feuerverger and Halls maximum likelihood estimation of the extreme value index. Based on those estimators we propose new estimators that have the smallest possible asymptotic variance, equal to the asymptotic variance of the Hill estimator. The full asymptotic distributional properties of the estimators are derived under a general third-order framework for heavy tails. Applications to a real data set and to simulated data are also presented.In this article, we revisit Feuerverger and Halls maximum likelihood estimation of the extreme value index. Based on those estimators we propose new estimators that have the smallest possible asymptotic variance, equal to the asymptotic variance of the Hill estimator. The full asymptotic distributional properties of the estimators are derived under a general third-order framework for heavy tails. Applications to a real data set and to simulated data are also presented.

{Summary: We are interested in an adequate estimation of the dominant component of the bias of ıt B. M. Hill}\,'s estimator [Ann. Stat. 3, 1163–1174 (1975; Zbl 0323.62033)] of a positive tail index $\gamma$, in order to remove it from the classical Hill estimator in different asymptotically equivalent ways. If the second order parameters in the bias are computed at an adequate level $k_1$ of a larger order than that of the level $k$ at which the Hill estimator is computed, there may be no change in the asymptotic variances of these reduced bias tail index estimators, which are kept equal to the asymptotic variance of the Hill estimator, i.e., equal to $\gamma^2$. The asymptotic distributional properties of the proposed estimators of $\gamma$ are derived and the estimators are compared not only asymptotically, but also for finite samples through Monte Carlo techniques.}

In extreme value theory, the shape second-order parameter is a quite relevant parameter related to the speed of convergence of maximum values, linearly normalized, towards its limit law. The adequate estimation of this parameter is vital for improving the estimation of the extreme value index, the primary parameter in statistics of extremes. In this article, we consider a recent class of semi-parametric estimators of the shape second-order parameter for heavy right-tailed models. These estimators, based on the largest order statistics, depend on a real tuning parameter, which makes them highly flexible and possibly unbiased for several underlying models. In this article, we are interested in the adaptive choice of such tuning parameter and the number of top order statistics used in the estimation procedure. The performance of the methodology for the adaptive choice of parameters is evaluated through a Monte Carlo simulation study.In extreme value theory, the shape second-order parameter is a quite relevant parameter related to the speed of convergence of maximum values, linearly normalized, towards its limit law. The adequate estimation of this parameter is vital for improving the estimation of the extreme value index, the primary parameter in statistics of extremes. In this article, we consider a recent class of semi-parametric estimators of the shape second-order parameter for heavy right-tailed models. These estimators, based on the largest order statistics, depend on a real tuning parameter, which makes them highly flexible and possibly unbiased for several underlying models. In this article, we are interested in the adaptive choice of such tuning parameter and the number of top order statistics used in the estimation procedure. The performance of the methodology for the adaptive choice of parameters is evaluated through a Monte Carlo simulation study.

In many statistic methods, including distribution-free methods, we assume to work with random samples. In this note, we present randtests: an R package implementation of several nonparametric randomness tests. After a brief description of the tests included in the package, we present an application to real data sets in the field of Agricultural.In many statistic methods, including distribution-free methods, we assume to work with random samples. In this note, we present randtests: an R package implementation of several nonparametric randomness tests. After a brief description of the tests included in the package, we present an application to real data sets in the field of Agricultural.

For heavy tails, classical extreme value index estimators, like the Hill estimator, are usually asymptotically biased. Consequently those estimators are quite sensitive to the number of top order statistics used in the estimation. The recent minimum-variance reduced-bias extreme value index estimators enable us to remove the dominant component of asymptotic bias and keep the asymptotic variance of the new estimators equal to the asymptotic variance of the Hill estimator. In this paper a new minimum-variance reduced-bias extreme value index estimator is introduced, and its non degenerate asymptotic behaviour is studied. A comparison with another important minimum-variance reduced-bias extreme value index estimator is also provided.For heavy tails, classical extreme value index estimators, like the Hill estimator, are usually asymptotically biased. Consequently those estimators are quite sensitive to the number of top order statistics used in the estimation. The recent minimum-variance reduced-bias extreme value index estimators enable us to remove the dominant component of asymptotic bias and keep the asymptotic variance of the new estimators equal to the asymptotic variance of the Hill estimator. In this paper a new minimum-variance reduced-bias extreme value index estimator is introduced, and its non degenerate asymptotic behaviour is studied. A comparison with another important minimum-variance reduced-bias extreme value index estimator is also provided.

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