• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.123-136
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• 2020

It is common to encounter correlated multiple outcomes measured on the same subject in various research fields. In developmental toxicity studies, presence of malformed pups and fetal weight are measured on the pregnant dams exposed to different levels of a toxic substance. Joint analysis of such two outcomes can result in more efficient inferences than separate models for each outcome. Most methods for joint modeling assume a normal distribution as random effects. However, in developmental toxicity studies, the response distributions may change irregularly in location and shape as the level of toxic substance changes, which may not be captured by a normal random effects model. Motivated by applications in developmental toxicity studies, we propose a Bayesian joint model for binary and continuous outcomes. In our model, we incorporate a skewed logit model for the binary outcome to allow the response distributions to have flexibly in both symmetric and asymmetric shapes on the toxic levels. We apply our proposed method to data from a developmental toxicity study of diethylhexyl phthalate.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.7-16
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• 2020

Tree size distribution modelling is an integral part of forest management. Most distribution yield systems rely on some flexible probability models. In this study, a simple finite mixture of two components two-parameter Weibull distribution was compared with complex four-parameter distributions in terms of their fitness to predict tree size distribution of teak (Tectona grandis Linn f) plantations. Also, a system of equation was developed using Seemingly Unrelated Regression wherein the size distributions of the stand were predicted. Generalized beta, Johnson's SB, Logit-Logistic and generalized Weibull distributions were the four-parameter distributions considered. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and negative log-likelihood value were used to assess the distributions. The results show that the simple finite mixture outperformed the four-parameter distributions especially in stands that are bimodal and heavily skewed. Twelve models were developed in the system of equation-one for predicting mean diameter, seven for predicting percentiles and four for predicting the parameters of the finite mixture distribution. Predictions from the system of equation are reasonable and compare well with observed distributions of the stand. This simplified mixture would allow for wider application in distribution modelling and can also be integrated as component model in stand density management diagram.