Hierarchical Bayesian Modeling of Post-Earthquake Ignition Probabilities Considering Inter-Earthquake Heterogeneity

Post-earthquake fires are high-consequence events with extensive damage potential. They are also low-frequency events, so their nature remains underinvestigated. One difficulty in modeling post-earthquake ignition probabilities is reducing the model uncertainty attributed to the scarce source data. The data scarcity problem has been resolved by pooling the data indiscriminately collected from multiple earthquakes. However, this approach neglects the inter-earthquake heterogeneity in the regional and seasonal characteristics, which is indispensable for risk assessment of future post-earthquake fires. Thus, the present study analyzes the post-earthquake ignition probabilities of five major earthquakes in Japan from 1995 to 2016 (1995 Kobe, 2003 Tokachi-oki, 2004 Niigata–Chuetsu, 2011 Tohoku, and 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes) by a hierarchical Bayesian approach. As the ignition causes of earthquakes share a certain commonality, common prior distributions were assigned to the parameters, and samples were drawn from the target posterior distribution of the parameters by a Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation. The results of the hierarchical model were comparatively analyzed with those of pooled and independent models. Although the pooled and hierarchical models were both robust in comparison with the independent model, the pooled model underestimated the ignition probabilities of earthquakes with few data samples. Among the tested models, the hierarchical model was least affected by the source-to-source variability in the data. The heterogeneity of post-earthquake ignitions with different regional and seasonal characteristics has long been desired in the modeling of post-earthquake ignition probabilities but has not been properly considered in the existing approaches. The presented hierarchical Bayesian approach provides a systematic and rational framework to effectively cope with this problem, which consequently enhances the statistical reliability and stability of estimating post-earthquake ignition probabilities.     

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.     

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.     

Modelling heterogeneous space–time occurrences of earthquakes and its residual analysis

Summary. Earthquake intensities are modelled as a function of previous activity whose specific form is based on established empirical laws in seismology, but whose parameter values can vary from place to place. This model is used for characterizing regional features of seismic activities in and around Japan, and also for exploring regions where the actual seismicity rate systematically deviates from that of the modelled rate.     

基于FCM的动态结合全局图像阈值分割

全局阈值分割对于小目标物效果不理想,动态阈值容易产生阴影等干扰,但综合考虑全局阈值和动态阈值可以达到比较理想的结果。模糊C均值算法用于灰度图像分割是一种非监督模糊聚类后再标定的过程,该文在不明显增加运算量的前提下,利用模糊C均值自动聚类的功能分别得到全局阈值和动态阈值,完成对阈值矩阵的构造和图像的分割。     

动静态属性数据相结合的客户分类方法研究

研究了一种客户动态、静态属性数据相结合的客户分类方法。提出了客户时间序列的加权处理方法,并应用客户时间序列的统计特征作为聚类特征向量,采用混合式遗传算法对客户聚类,使每一类客户具有相似的时序特征。在此基础上将聚类结果与客户的静态属性数据相结合,对客户进一步分类。实验结果表明,与传统的基于静态属性数据的客户分类方法相比,本文的方法提高了客户分类的准确性。     

Fuzzy K-means clustering models for triangular fuzzy time trajectories

We focus our attention on the classification of fuzzy time trajectories with triangular membership function, described by a given set of individuals. To this purpose, we adopt a fullyinformational approach, explicitly recognizing the informational nature shared by the ingredients of the classification procedure: the observed data (Empirical Information) and the classification model (Theoretical Information). In particular, by supposing that the informational paradigm has a fuzzy nature, we suggest three fuzzy clustering models allowing the classification of the triangular fuzzy time trajectories, based on the analysis of the cross sectional and/or longitudinal characteristics of their components (centers and spreads). Two applicative examples are illustrated.     

基于Web使用挖掘的个性化服务系统

个性化服务系统是一种由多种WEB挖掘技术构成的基于用户使用的站点个性化系统。该系统使用事务聚类、使用聚类和关联规则技术等数据挖掘技术分析用户访问模式,并结合用户当前访问情况提供实时化个性服务。实验结果说明,个性化服务系统具有较好的性能。     

甘肃省县域经济发展水平空间差异分析

甘肃省包括86个县区,受地理位置、气候条件、资源状况、经济基础各种因素的影响,各县区之间的经济发展水平差异显著但又有很多相似之处。为了定量揭示甘肃省县域经济发展水平在空间上的分布现状、差异以及相似性,笔者拟运用多元统计方法对甘肃省县域经济发展水平的空间差异分析     

基于复杂网络的投资组合优化研究

本文基于复杂网络的局部聚类系数改进了传统的全局最小方差投资组合模型。首先通过股票对数收益率的相关系数矩阵构造股票关联网络,然后计算股票关联网络的局部聚类系数,最后通过全局最小方差模型确定最佳投资组合。将改进后的模型应用于A股市场,经过夏普比率、信息比率和欧米茄比率的对比分析得出改进后的投资组合模型在样本外的表现优于传统的全局最小方差投资组合模型。