Multiparameter evidence synthesis in epidemiology and medical decision-making: current approaches

Summary.  Alongside the development of meta-analysis as a tool for summarizing research literature, there is renewed interest in broader forms of quantitative synthesis that are aimed at combining evidence from different study designs or evidence on multiple parameters. These have been proposed under various headings: the confidence profile method, cross-design synthesis, hierarchical models and generalized evidence synthesis. Models that are used in health technology assessment are also referred to as representing a synthesis of evidence in a mathematical structure. Here we review alternative approaches to statistical evidence synthesis, and their implications for epidemiology and medical decision-making. The methods include hierarchical models, models informed by evidence on different functions of several parameters and models incorporating both of these features. The need to check for consistency of evidence when using these powerful methods is emphasized. We develop a rationale for evidence synthesis that is based on Bayesian decision modelling and expected value of information theory, which stresses not only the need for a lack of bias in estimates of treatment effects but also a lack of bias in assessments of uncertainty. The increasing reliance of governmental bodies like the UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence on complex evidence synthesis in decision modelling is discussed.     

Moderate Deviations for Bayes Posteriors

Let ( X_k ) k be a sequence of i.i.d. random variables taking values in a set , and consider the problem of estimating the law of X₁ in a Bayesian framework. We prove, under mild conditions on the prior, that the sequence of posterior distributions satisfies a moderate deviation principle.     

恩施自治州行政执法状况调查与分析

依法行政是依法治国的主要任务和关键所在。通过对恩施自治州的行政执法状况进行调查,结果表明:恩施自治州的行政执法在总体上是好的,但也存在诸多问题。     

大学英语作文非语法错误分析及纠错策略

通过深入分析非英语专业大学生英语作文中出现的内容、篇章结构、语言表达等方面的非语法错误,提出了写前阶段构思、审题技巧训练及寓写作于精读课教学等相应的纠错策略。     

书评写作教学中的体裁分析

在英语写作课堂上，尤其是在特殊用途英语方面，日趋重视对体裁的教学。通过具体分析书评体裁的区别性特征，展示其体裁特点和分析的基本技巧，把分析结果运用到更广泛的英语写作中。     

社会主义精神富裕论

马克思主义经典作家的相关阐述 ,社会主义本质的实现和比较优势的获取 ,精神富裕和物质富裕特殊的关系均表明 ,精神富裕是建设社会主义的应有之义。而精神富裕的导向、认识、实践和凝聚作用 ,又反过来在促进社会主义事业快速、健康与持续发展中扮演着重要角色。同时 ,社会主义精神富裕还具有向度的特性 ,是一个动态开放的发展过程     

我国实行村民自治制度必然性的经济分析

村民自治制度作为我国农村民主制度建设的主体 ,在实践中显示出了强大的活力和蓬勃的生机。村民自治制度形成的原因很多 ,本文运用经济分析的方法 ,在成本—收益理论的框架下 ,从政府、村民、村民自治制度三个不同的层面出发 ,揭示出了实行村民自治制度必然性的经济上的原因     

论现行大学生体质检测方法的科学性

本文通过回顾我国大学生体质检测标准的发展历程,对新颁布的大学生体质监测方法和标准的科学性进行技术分析,在此基础上,对新的体质检测方法的进一步深层次的应用进行探索。     

英语助动词句法特征分析

文章运用转换生成语法中的某些句法理论,对助动词的一些结构特征进行分析,如助动词作为INFL,空位助动词,助动词作为屈折语的提升,助动词与主语论旨角色的分配,多个助动词在句中出现时的排列顺序等。     

Modelling daily multivariate pollutant data at multiple sites

Summary. This paper considers the spatiotemporal modelling of four pollutants measured daily at eight monitoring sites in London over a 4-year period. Such multiple-pollutant data sets measured over time at multiple sites within a region of interest are typical. Here, the modelling was carried out to provide the exposure for a study investigating the health effects of air pollution. Alternative objectives include the design problem of the positioning of a new monitoring site, or for regulatory purposes to determine whether environmental standards are being met. In general, analyses are hampered by missing data due, for example, to a particular pollutant not being measured at a site, a monitor being inactive by design (e.g. a 6-day monitoring schedule) or because of an unreliable or faulty monitor. Data of this type are modelled here within a dynamic linear modelling framework, in which the dependences across time, space and pollutants are exploited. Throughout the approach is Bayesian, with implementation via Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling.