Plasmans, Joseph

Modern Linear and Nonlinear Econometrics

Series: Dynamic Modeling and Econometrics in Economics and Finance, Vol. 9
2005, Approx. 350 p., Hardcover
ISBN: 0-387-25760-8

About this book

The basic characteristic of Modern Linear and Nonlinear Econometrics is that it presents a unified approach of modern linear and nonlinear econometrics in a concise and intuitive way. It covers four major parts of modern econometrics: linear and nonlinear estimation and testing, time series analysis, models with categorical and limited dependent variables, and, finally, a thorough analysis of linear and nonlinear panel data modeling. Distinctive features of this handbook are:

-A unified approach of both linear and nonlinear econometrics, with an integration of the theory and the practice in modern econometrics. Emphasis on sound theoretical and empirical relevance and intuition. Focus on econometric and statistical methods for the analysis of linear and nonlinear processes in economics and finance, including computational methods and numerical tools.

-Completely worked out empirical illustrations are provided throughout, the macroeconomic and microeconomic (household and firm level) data sets of which are available from the internet; these empirical illustrations are taken from finance (e.g. CAPM and derivatives), international economics (e.g. exchange rates), innovation economics (e.g. patenting), business cycle analysis, monetary economics, housing economics, labor and educational economics (e.g. demand for teachers according to gender) and many others.

-Exercises are added to the chapters, with a focus on the interpretation of results; several of these exercises involve the use of actual data that are typical for current empirical work and that are made available on the internet.

What is also distinguishable in Modern Linear and Nonlinear Econometrics is that every major topic has a number of examples, exercises or case studies. By this `learning by doing' method the intention is to prepare the reader to be able to design, develop and successfully finish his or her own research and/or solve real world problems.

Table of contents

Acknowledgements.- Part I. Linear and Nonlinear Econometric Inference: Estimation and Testing. Estimation in Linear and Nonlinear Models. Generalized Methods of Moments. Testing in Linear and Nonlinear Models.- Part II. Time Series Analysis. A Typology of Dynamic Models. Univariate ARIMA Models. Cointegration and Transfer Functions. Multivariate Time Series. Varying Parameters Models.- Part III. Categorical and Limited Dependent Variables. Discrete Choice Models. Limited responses, duration and count data.- Part IV. Panel Data Analysis. Linear Panel Data Models. Nonlinear Panel Data Models.- A. Nonlinear Optimization and Estimation.- B. Mathematical Formulation of GMM.- C. Stability Criteria for AR(p) Models.- D. MLE of the RSM with Endogenous Prices.- E. Volatility Modeling.

Linden, W.J. van der

Linear Models for Optimal Test Design

Series: Statistics for Social Science and Behavorial Sciences
2005, XXIV, 416 p. 44 illus., Hardcover
ISBN: 0-387-20272-2

About this book

This book begins with a reflection on the history of test design--the core activity of all educational and psychological testing. It then presents a standard language for modeling test design problems as instances of multi-objective constrained optimization. The main portion of the book discusses test design models for a large variety of problems from the daily practice of testing, and illustrates their use with the help of numerous empirical examples. The presentation includes models for the assembly of tests to an absolute or relative target for their information functions, classical test assembly, test equating problems, item matching, test splitting, simultaneous assembly of multiple tests, tests with item sets, multidimensional tests, and adaptive test assembly. Two separate chapters are devoted to the questions of how to design item banks for optimal support of programs with fixed and adaptive tests. Linear Models for Optimal Test Design, which does not require any specific mathematical background, has been written to be a helpful resource on the desk of any test specialist.

Table of contents


Vaudenay, Serge

A Classical Introduction to Cryptography
Applications for Communications Security

2005, XVIII, 342 p. 149 illus., Hardcover
ISBN: 0-387-25464-1

About this textbook

A Classical Introduction to Cryptography: Applications for Communications Security introduces fundamentals of information and communication security by providing appropriate mathematical concepts to prove or break the security of cryptographic schemes.

This advanced-level textbook covers conventional cryptographic primitives and cryptanalysis of these primitives; basic algebra and number theory for cryptologists; public key cryptography and cryptanalysis of these schemes; and other cryptographic protocols, e.g. secret sharing, zero-knowledge proofs and undeniable signature schemes.

A Classical Introduction to Cryptography: Applications for Communications Security is rich with algorithms, including exhaustive search with time/memory tradeoffs; proofs, such as security proofs for DSA-like signature schemes; and classical attacks such as collision attacks on MD4. Hard-to-find standards, e.g. SSH2 and security in Bluetooth, are also included.

Table of contents

Preface.- Prehistory of Cryptography.- Conventional Cryptography.- Dedicated Conventional Cryptographic Primitives.- Conventional Security Analysis.- Security Protocols with Conventional Cryptography.- Algorithmic Algebra.- Algorithmic Number Theory.- Elements of Complexity Theory.- Public Key Cryptography.- Digital Signatures.- Cryptographic Protocols.- From Cryptography to Communication Security.- Bibliography.- Index.


Zhu, Lixing

Nonparametric Monte Carlo Tests and Their Applications

Series: Lecture Notes in Statistics, Vol. 182
2005, XII, 188 p. 17 illus., Softcover
ISBN: 0-387-25038-7

About this book

A fundamental issue in statistical analysis is testing the fit of a particular probability model to a set of observed data. Monte Carlo approximation to the null distribution of the test provides a convenient and powerful means of testing model fit. Nonparametric Monte Carlo Tests and Their Applications proposes a new Monte Carlo-based methodology to construct this type of approximation when the model is semistructured. When there are no nuisance parameters to be estimated, the nonparametric Monte Carlo test can exactly maintain the significance level, and when nuisance parameters exist, this method can allow the test to asymptotically maintain the level.

The author addresses both applied and theoretical aspects of nonparametric Monte Carlo tests. The new methodology has been used for model checking in many fields of statistics, such as multivariate distribution theory, parametric and semiparametric regression models, multivariate regression models, varying-coefficient models with longitudinal data, heteroscedasticity, and homogeneity of covariance matrices. This book will be of interest to both practitioners and researchers investigating goodness-of-fit tests and resampling approximations.

Every chapter of the book includes algorithms, simulations, and theoretical deductions. The prerequisites for a full appreciation of the book are a modest knowledge of mathematical statistics and limit theorems in probability/empirical process theory. The less mathematically sophisticated reader will find Chapters 1, 2 and 6 to be a comprehensible introduction on how and where the new method can apply and the rest of the book to be a valuable reference for Monte Carlo test approximation and goodness-of-fit tests.

Lixing Zhu is Associate Professor of Statistics at the University of Hong Kong. He is a winner of the Humboldt Research Award at Alexander-von Humboldt Foundation of Germany and an elected Fellow of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics.

Table of contents

Monte Carlo Tests.- Testing for Multivariate Distributions.- Asymptotics of Goodness-of-fit Tests for Symmetry.- A Test of Dimension-reduction Type for Regressios.- Checking the Adequacy of a Partially Linear Model.- Model Checking for Multivariate Regression Models.- Heteroscedasticity Tests for Regressions.- Checking the Adequacy of a Varying-Coefficients Model in Longitudinal Studies.- On the Mean Residual Life Regression Model.- Homogeneity Testing for Covariance Matrices.

Kashiwara, Masaki, Schapira, Pierre

Categories and Sheaves

Series: Grundlehren der mathematischen Wissenschaften, Vol. 332
2005, Approx. 500 p., Hardcover
ISBN: 3-540-27949-0

About this textbook

Categories and sheaves, which emerged in the middle of the last century as an enrichment for the concepts of sets and functions, appear almost everywhere in mathematics nowadays.

This book covers categories, homological algebra and sheaves in a systematic and exhaustive manner starting from scratch, and continues with full proofs to an exposition of the most recent results in the literature, and sometimes beyond.

The authors present the general theory of categories and functors, emphasising inductive and projective limits, tensor categories, representable functors, ind-objects and localization. Then they study homological algebra including additive, abelian, triangulated categories and also unbounded derived categories using transfinite induction and accessible objects. Finally, sheaf theory as well as twisted sheaves and stacks appear in the framework of Grothendieck topologies.

Table of contents

The language of categories.- Limits.- Filtrant Limits.- Tensor categories.- Generators and Representability.- Indization of categories.- Localization.- Additive and Abelian categories.- pi-accessible objects and F-injective Objects.- Triagulated categories.- Complexes in additive categories.- Complexes in Abelian Categories.- Derived Categories.- Unbounded Derived Categories.- Indization and Derivation of Abelian Categories.- Grothendieck Topologies.- Sheaves on Grothendieck Topologies.- Abelian Sheaves.- Stacks and Twisted Sheaves.- References.- Notations.

Boos, Dennis D., Stefanski, Leonard A.

Modern Statistical Inference
Theory and Methods

Series: Springer Texts in Statistics
2006, Approx. 300 p., Hardcover
ISBN: 0-387-20276-5

About this book

This textbook is suitable for a graaduate-level course for students interested in nonacademic jobs, such as for a pharmaceutical company. The needs of these students differ from those to plan to do statistical research, and the emphasis is on topics of applied interest.

Table of contents

The Role of Models in Statistical Inference * Likelihood Construction and Methods * Large Sample Theory: The Basics * Consistency and Asymptotic Normality of Maximum Likelihood Estimators * M-Estimation (Asymptotic Results for Extimating Equations) * Monte Carlo Simulation Studies * Nonparametric Methods for Obtaining Standard Errors * Bootstrap Confidence Intervals and Hypothesis Tests * Permutation Tests * Modern Nonparametric Statistics