Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-c4f8m Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-19T14:26:25.350Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Renewal processes with random numbers of delays: application to a conception and birth model

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2016

Kenneth Lange
Affiliation:
University of California, Los Angeles
Norman J. Johnson
Affiliation:
University of California, Los Angeles

Abstract

Asymptotic formulas and Laplace–Stieltjes transforms are derived for the first two moments of a renewal process with a random number of delays. These are simplified when all the delays follow the same distribution. An asymptotic occupancy result is also derived for two-stage renewal processes with random numbers of delays. As an example, a demographic model of conception and birth is discussed. This model represents the sequence of live births to a woman as a renewal process. If the woman practises birth control after achieving her desired family composition, the renewal process has a random number of delays.

Type
Research Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Applied Probability Trust 1978 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Cox, D. R. (1962) Renewal Theory. Methuen, London.Google Scholar
Feller, W. (1971) An Introduction to Probability Theory and its Applications, Vol. 2, 2nd edn. Wiley, New York.Google Scholar
Gaver, D. P. (1966) Observing stochastic processes, and approximate transform inversion. Opns Res. 14, 444459.Google Scholar
Ginsberg, R. B. (1973) The effect of lactation on the length of the postpartum anovulatory period: An application of a bivariate stochastic model. Theoret. Popn Biol. 4, 276299.Google Scholar
Jagers, P. (1975) Branching Processes with Biological Applications. Wiley, New York.Google Scholar
Murthy, V. K. (1974) The General Point Process: Applications to Structural Fatigue, Bioscience and Medical Research. Addison-Wesley, Reading, Mass.Google Scholar
Sheps, M. D. and Menken, J. A. (1973) Mathematical Models of Conception and Birth. University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
Smith, W. (1954) Asymptotic renewal theorems. Proc. R. Soc. Edinburgh A4, 948.Google Scholar
Smith, W. (1959) On the cumulants of renewal processes. Biometrika 46, 129.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stehfest, H. (1970) Numerical inversion of Laplace transforms. Comm. Assoc. Comput. Mach. 13, 4749.Google Scholar