A Simple Gamma Random Number Generator for Arbitrary Shape Parameters

This paper proposes an improved gamma random generator. In the past, a lot of gamma random number generators have been proposed, and depending on a shape parameter (say, alpha) they are roughly classified into two cases: (i) alpha lies on the interval (0,1) and (ii) alpha is greater than 1, where alpha=1 can be included in either case. In addition, Cheng and Feast (1980) extended the gamma random number generator in the case where alpha is greater than 1/n, where n denotes an arbitrary positive number. Taking n as a decreasing function of alpha, in this paper we propose a simple gamma random number generator with shape parameter alpha greater than zero. The proposed algorithm is very simple and shows quite good performance.Gamma Random Variable

Japanese Lung Cancer Society Guidelines for Stage IV NSCLC With EGFR Mutations

Patients with NSCLC in East Asia, including Japan, frequently contain EGFR mutations. In 2018, we published the latest full clinical practice guidelines on the basis of those provided by the Japanese Lung Cancer Society Guidelines Committee. The purpose of this study was to update those recommendations, especially for the treatment of metastatic or recurrent EGFR-mutated NSCLC. We conducted a literature search of systematic reviews of randomized controlled and nonrandomized trials published between 2018 and 2019 that multiple physicians had reviewed independently. On the basis of those studies and the advice from the Japanese Society of Lung Cancer Expert Panel, we developed updated guidelines according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system. We also evaluated the benefits of overall and progression-free survival, end points, toxicities, and patients’ reported outcomes. For patients with NSCLC harboring EGFR-activating mutations, the use of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs), especially osimertinib, had the best recommendation as to first-line treatment. We also recommended the combination of EGFR TKI with other agents (platinum-based chemotherapy or antiangiogenic agents); however, it can lead to toxicity. In the presence of EGFR uncommon mutations, except for an exon 20 insertion, we also recommended the EGFR TKI treatment. However, we could not provide recommendations for the treatment of EGFR mutations with immune checkpoint inhibitors, including monotherapy, and its combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy, because of the limited evidence present in the literature. The 2020 Japanese Lung Cancer Society Guidelines can help community-based physicians to determine the most appropriate treatments and adequately provide medical care to their patients

Power comparison of non-parametric tests: Small-sample properties from Monte Carlo experiments

Non-parametric tests that deal with two samples include scores tests (such as the Wilcoxon rank sum test, normal scores test, logistic scores test, Cauchy scores test, etc.) and Fisher's randomization test. Because the non-parametric tests generally require a large amount of computational work, there are few studies on small-sample properties, although asymptotic properties with regard to various aspects were studied in the past. In this paper, the non-parametric tests are compared with the t -test through Monte Carlo experiments. Also, we consider testing structural changes as an application in economics.

The Time-Varying Parameter Model Revisited

The Kalman filter formula, given by the linear recursive algorithm, is usually used for estimation of the time-varying parameter model. The filtering formula, introduced by Kalman (1960) and Kalman and Bucy (1961), requires the initial state variable. The obtained state estimates are influenced by the initial value when the initial variance is not too large. To avoid the choice of the initial state variable, in this paper we utilize the di#use prior for the initial density. Moreover, using the Gibbs sampler, random draws of the state variables given all the data are generated, which implies that random draws are generated from the fixed-interval smoothing densities. Using the EM algorithm, the unknown parameters included in the system are estimated. As an example, we estimate a traditional consumption function for both the U.S. and Japan