One of the most important prediction problems in finite population is the prediction of a linear function of characteristic values of a finite population. In this paper the admissibility of linear predictors of an arbitrary linear function of characteristic values in a finite population under reflected normal loss function is considered. Under the super-population model, we obtain the condition...

Super-efficiency model in the presence of negative data is a relatively neglected issue in the DEA field. The existing super-efficiency models have some shortcomings in practice. In this paper, a novel VRS radial super-efficiency DEA model based on Directional Distance Function (DDF) is proposed to provide a complete ranking order of units (including efficient and inefficient ones). The propose...

Background and objectives: Managers will be able to allocate resources optimally using performance evaluation data, specifically, efficiency evaluation of organizations. An efficiency evaluation of hospitals can be provided by determining the optimal scales for each hospital, to which optimal allocation of resources will be possible. Therefore, the present study aimed to evalua...

We obtain an optimal estimator for a domain (small area) total using a linear least-squares prediction approach under a design-based model. The optimal estimator is the same as that obtained under a super-population model approach, and reproduces the classical form of the synthetic estimator in an extreme case. Using the concept of M-optimality, we generalize a well known theorem (Royall, 1976)...

We establish a mathematical framework that formally validates the two-phase " super-population viewpoint " proposed by Hartley and Sielken [Biometrics 31 (1975) 411–422] by defining a product probability space which includes both the design space and the model space. The methodology we develop combines finite population sampling theory and the classical theory of infinite population sampling to...

Much recent work indicates that anticipating upcoming input is critical to the speed and accuracy of language comprehension, but little is known about how quickly the predictions themselves are generated in real time, and based on what information sources. The current study demonstrates a new method for isolating sub-components of predictive processes and provides some of the first insights int...

Using super-efficiency, with regard to ranking efficient units, is increasing in DEA. However, this model has some problems such as the infeasibility. Thus, this article studies infeasibility of the input-based super-efficiency model (because of the zero inputs and outputs), and presents a solution by adding two virtual DMUs with mean values (one for inputs and one for outputs). Adding virtual ...

6 Individual-based modelling approaches are being used to simulate larger complex 7 spatial systems in ecology and in other fields of research. Several novel model de8 velopment issues now face researchers: in particular how to simulate large num9 bers of individuals with high levels of complexity, given finite computing resources. 10 A case study of a spatially-explicit simulation of aphid pop...