Abstract

Lattice conditional independence (LCI) models for multivariate normal data recently have been introduced for the analysis of non-monotone missing data patterns and of nonnested dependent linear regression models ( ≡ seemingly unrelated regressions). It is shown here that the class of LCI models coincides with a subclass of the class of graphical Markov models determined by acyclic digraphs (ADGs), namely, the subclass of transitive ADG models. An explicit graphtheoretic characterization of those ADGs that are Markov equivalent to some transitive ADG is obtained. This characterization allows one to determine whether a specific ADG D is Markov equivalent to some transitive ADG, hence to some LCI model, in polynomial time, without an exhaustive search of the (exponentially large) equivalence class [D]. These results do not require the existence or positivity of joint densities. 1. Introduction. The use of directed graphs to represent possible dependencies among statistical variables dates back to Wright (1921) and has generated considerable research activity in the social and natural sciences. Since 1980, particular attention has been directed at

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