Binary Event String Analysis: A Compact Numerical Representation of the Event Tree

While the event tree is a useful diagrammatic aid to an appreciation of various event sequence possibilities, it is of a nature that suggests no obvious manner in which the associated probability data may be compiled as computer input. Here, we propose a complementary numerical representation of scenario possibilities which incorporates probability data in a succinct fashion. While its mnemonic properties facilitate the logical development of a system's characteristics, its compactness and unambiguity permit its utilization directly as computer input.     

Tree-structured subgroup analysis for censored survival data: Validation of computationally inexpensive model selection criteria

The performance of computationally inexpensive model selection criteria in the context of tree-structured subgroup analysis is investigated. It is shown through simulation that no single model selection criterion exhibits a uniformly superior performance over a wide range of scenarios. Therefore, a two-stage approach for model selection is proposed and shown to perform satisfactorily. Applied example of subgroup analysis is presented. Problems associated with tree-structured subgroup analysis are discussed and practical solutions are suggested.     

清代树木栽培技术及相关文献探析

中国的树木栽培技术源远流长,曾取得过辉煌的成就。清朝时期在对前人的树木栽培技术进行系统总结和归纳的基础上,结合树木栽培的生产实践,编纂出版了几部学术价值高、影响大、实用性强的文献资料。同时这一时期在植物嫁接成活的生理机制研究、嫁接技术、树木移栽、良种选育与新品种培育、实生苗繁殖技术等方面取得了一定的成就,使清代的树木栽培技术更加完善和成熟。     

关于图P_1(∨P_4)T_n的优美性

本文研究了一类图P1∨P4T n的优美性.利用构造函数标号的方法,证明了下面结论:对于任意正整数n,T n是n个顶点的优美树,则当n≥2时,P1∨P4T n是优美图.其中,P1是1个顶点的平凡图,P4是4个顶点的路,图P1∨P4T n是把P1之中的顶点与T n之中的每一个顶点之间都通过一个P4连接起来所得到的.     

大学校园中植物多样性调查———以福州地区为例简

当前大学校园环境的塑造广泛引起关注,一个大学校园环境塑造的好坏与其植物配置密切相关。对福州地区十个校园环境的植物进行调查,对其多样性进行总结。为植物配置、植材选择及校园环境塑造给予一定的参考及建议。     

Multi-Step Classification Trees

Many algorithms originated from decision trees have been developed for classification problems. Although they are regarded as good algorithms, most of them suffer from loss of prediction accuracy, namely high misclassification rates when there are many irrelevant variables. We propose multi-step classification trees with adaptive variable selection (the multi-step GUIDE classification tree (MG) and the multi-step CRUISE classification tree (MC) to handle this problem. The variable selection step and the fitting step comprise the multi-step method.

We compare the performance of classification trees in the presence of irrelevant variables. MG and MC perform better than Random Forest and C4.5 with an extremely noisy dataset. Furthermore, the prediction accuracy of our proposed algorithm is relatively stable even when the number of irrelevant variables increases, while that of other algorithms worsens.     

Parameter estimation of nonlinear mixed-effects models using first-order conditional linearization and the EM algorithm

Nonlinear mixed-effects (NLME) models are flexible enough to handle repeated-measures data from various disciplines. In this article, we propose both maximum-likelihood and restricted maximum-likelihood estimations of NLME models using first-order conditional expansion (FOCE) and the expectation–maximization (EM) algorithm. The FOCE-EM algorithm implemented in the ForStat procedure SNLME is compared with the Lindstrom and Bates (LB) algorithm implemented in both the SAS macro NLINMIX and the S-Plus/R function nlme in terms of computational efficiency and statistical properties. Two realworld data sets an orange tree data set and a Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) data set, and a simulated data set were used for evaluation. FOCE-EM converged for all mixed models derived from the base model in the two realworld cases, while LB did not, especially for the models in which random effects are simultaneously considered in several parameters to account for between-subject variation. However, both algorithms had identical estimated parameters and fit statistics for the converged models. We therefore recommend using FOCE-EM in NLME models, particularly when convergence is a concern in model selection.     

Toward an Application Guide for Safety Integrity Level Allocation in Railway Systems

The work in the article presents the development of an application guide based on feedback and comments stemming from various railway actors on their practices of SIL allocation to railway safety‐related functions. The initial generic methodology for SIL allocation has been updated to be applied to railway rolling stock safety‐related functions in order to solve the SIL concept application issues. Various actors dealing with railway SIL allocation problems are the intended target of the methodology; its principles will be summarized in this article with a focus on modifications and precisions made in order to establish a practical guide for railway safety authorities. The methodology is based on the flowchart formalism used in CSM (common safety method) European regulation. It starts with the use of quantitative safety requirements, particularly tolerable hazard rates (THR). THR apportioning rules are applied. On the one hand, the rules are related to classical logical combinations of safety‐related functions preventing hazard occurrence. On the other hand, to take into account technical conditions (last safety weak link, functional dependencies, technological complexity, etc.), specific rules implicitly used in existing practices are defined for readjusting some THR values. SIL allocation process based on apportioned and validated THR values is finally illustrated through the example of “emergency brake” subsystems. Some specific SIL allocation rules are also defined and illustrated.     

Building a mutually beneficial partnership to ensure backup supply

In today׳s complex global environment, it is very important for a firm to possess backup supply resource when facing unpredictable disruptions from its primary supply resource. To ensure the actual arrival of backup supply in cases of primary supply disruptions, a purchasing firm needs to work with its backup supplier to forge a strong partnership that not only protects itself, but also assures the backup supplier׳s economic benefit. In this research, we establish the structure of such a partnership based on real business practices. The interactions between the purchasing firm and the backup supplier are examined through a decision-tree approach that takes disruption situations at all levels into consideration. We then design the backup supply contract, find the Nash equilibrium contract parameters, and identify the critical conditions under which such a contractual partnership will be valuable. The contract parameters we find are functions of the moments of the demand distribution, which are independent of specific demand distributions and are easy to be estimated in practice. Our numerical tests support our theoretical results and demonstrate the robustness of the contract with respect to various demand distributions.