Autocovariance estimation in regression with a discontinuous signal and mm-dependent errors: A difference-based approach

We discuss a class of difference-based estimators for the autocovariance in nonparametric regression when the signal is discontinuous (change-point regression), possibly highly fluctuating, and the errors form a stationary $m$-dependent process. These estimators circumvent the explicit pre-estimation of the unknown regression function, a task which is particularly challenging for such signals. We provide explicit expressions for their mean squared errors when the signal function is piecewise constant (segment regression) and the errors are Gaussian. Based on this we derive biased-optimized estimates which do not depend on the particular (unknown) autocovariance structure. Notably, for positively correlated errors, that part of the variance of our estimators which depends on the signal is minimal as well. Further, we provide sufficient conditions for $\sqrt{n}$-consistency; this result is extended to piecewise Holder regression with non-Gaussian errors. We combine our biased-optimized autocovariance estimates with a projection-based approach and derive covariance matrix estimates, a method which is of independent interest. Several simulation studies as well as an application to biophysical measurements complement this paper.Comment: 41 pages, 3 figures, 3 table

Spatial Quantile Regression

In a number of applications, a crucial problem consists in describing and analyzing the influence of a vector Xi of covariates on some real-valued response variable Yi. In the present context, where the observations are made over a collection of sites, this study is more difficult, due to the complexity of the possible spatial dependence among the various sites. In this paper, instead of spatial mean regression, we thus consider the spatial quantile regression functions. Quantile regression has been considered in a spatial context. The main aim of this paper is to incorporate quantile regression and spatial econometric modeling. Substantial variation exists across quantiles, suggesting that ordinary regression is insufficient on its own. Quantile estimates of a spatial-lag model show considerable spatial dependence in the different parts of the distribution.W wielu zastosowaniach, podstawowym problemem jest opis i analiza wpływu wektora skorelowanych zmiennych objaśniających X na zmienna objaśnianą Y. W przypadku, gdy obserwacje badanych zmiennych są dodatkowo rozmieszczone przestrzennie, zadanie jest jeszcze trudniejsze, ponieważ mamy dodatkowe zależności, wynikające ze zmienności przestrzennej. W tej pracy, w miejsce przestrzennej regresji wykorzystującej średnią, rozpatrzymy przestrzenna regresję kwantylową. Regresja kwantylowa zostanie omówiona w przestrzennym kontekście. Głównym celem pracy jest wskazanie na możliwości powiązania metodologii regresji kwantylowej i ekonometrycznego modelowania przestrzennego. Dodatkowe zasoby informacji o zmienności otrzymujemy badając kwantyle, wychodząc poza tradycyjny opis klasycznej regresji. Estymacja kwantylowa w modelu przestrzennym uwydatnia zależności przestrzenne dla różnych fragmentów rozważanych rozkładów

Inferring Latent States and Refining Force Estimates via Hierarchical Dirichlet Process Modeling in Single Particle Tracking Experiments

Optical microscopy provides rich spatio-temporal information characterizing in vivo molecular motion. However, effective forces and other parameters used to summarize molecular motion change over time in live cells due to latent state changes, e.g., changes induced by dynamic micro-environments, photobleaching, and other heterogeneity inherent in biological processes. This study focuses on techniques for analyzing Single Particle Tracking (SPT) data experiencing abrupt state changes. We demonstrate the approach on GFP tagged chromatids experiencing metaphase in yeast cells and probe the effective forces resulting from dynamic interactions that reflect the sum of a number of physical phenomena. State changes are induced by factors such as microtubule dynamics exerting force through the centromere, thermal polymer fluctuations, etc. Simulations are used to demonstrate the relevance of the approach in more general SPT data analyses. Refined force estimates are obtained by adopting and modifying a nonparametric Bayesian modeling technique, the Hierarchical Dirichlet Process Switching Linear Dynamical System (HDP-SLDS), for SPT applications. The HDP-SLDS method shows promise in systematically identifying dynamical regime changes induced by unobserved state changes when the number of underlying states is unknown in advance (a common problem in SPT applications). We expand on the relevance of the HDP-SLDS approach, review the relevant background of Hierarchical Dirichlet Processes, show how to map discrete time HDP-SLDS models to classic SPT models, and discuss limitations of the approach. In addition, we demonstrate new computational techniques for tuning hyperparameters and for checking the statistical consistency of model assumptions directly against individual experimental trajectories; the techniques circumvent the need for "ground-truth" and subjective information.Comment: 25 pages, 6 figures. Differs only typographically from PLoS One publication available freely as an open-access article at http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.013763

Recent advances in directional statistics

Mainstream statistical methodology is generally applicable to data observed in Euclidean space. There are, however, numerous contexts of considerable scientific interest in which the natural supports for the data under consideration are Riemannian manifolds like the unit circle, torus, sphere and their extensions. Typically, such data can be represented using one or more directions, and directional statistics is the branch of statistics that deals with their analysis. In this paper we provide a review of the many recent developments in the field since the publication of Mardia and Jupp (1999), still the most comprehensive text on directional statistics. Many of those developments have been stimulated by interesting applications in fields as diverse as astronomy, medicine, genetics, neurology, aeronautics, acoustics, image analysis, text mining, environmetrics, and machine learning. We begin by considering developments for the exploratory analysis of directional data before progressing to distributional models, general approaches to inference, hypothesis testing, regression, nonparametric curve estimation, methods for dimension reduction, classification and clustering, and the modelling of time series, spatial and spatio-temporal data. An overview of currently available software for analysing directional data is also provided, and potential future developments discussed.Comment: 61 page