Recursive partition and amalgamation with the exponential family: Theory and applications

The theory of tree-growing (RECPAM approach) is developed for outcome variables which are distributed as the canonical exponential family. The general RECPAM approach (consisting of three steps: recursive partition, pruning and amalgamation), is reviewed. This is seen as constructing a partition with maximal information content about a parameter to be predicted, followed by simplification by the elimination of ‘negligible’ information. The measure of information is defined for an exponential family outcome as a deviance difference, and appropriate modifications of pruning and amalgamation rules are discussed. It is further shown how the proposed approach makes it possible to develop tree-growing for situations usually treated by generalized linear models (GLIM). In particular, Poisson and logistic regression can be tree-structured. Moreover, censored survival data can be treated, as in GLIM, by observing a formal equivalence of the likelihood under random censoring and an appropriate Poisson model. Three examples are given of application to Poisson, binary and censored survival data.     

A New Distribution Function for Risk Analysis

This paper presents an alternative to the beta continuous probability distribution for risk analysis. Particular attention has been given to two major applications of distributions, namely project management risk and critical path analysis (PERT). In conjunction with the beta, the triangular and normal distributions are frequently employed in order to give sufficient robustness to risk analysis. The beta distribution, as used in PERT, has a major theoretical implementation flaw. The new distribution was developed to give a possible alternative method of assessing risk. It is shown that the requirement to estimate the most pessimistic variate may be replaced by the probability to exceed the mode. Proposals for other simplifications in risk analysis are discussed. Practical means to validate the most appropriate distributions for risk analysis are outlined, and a cost-data case study is included.     

On conditions ensuring the highest difference in the association degrees of the equilibrium H and D steams: Clustering and isotope enrichment

A search for conditions leading to the highest possible difference between equilibrium association (clustering) degree in the H and D steam has been carried out and related optimal steam pressures evaluated. The difference decreases with increasing temperature but still is a few per cent at moderate temperatures.     

关于(?)-拟微分核的连续性

Supposa that f(x) is a quasidifferentiable function, defined on S(?)R~n where S is an open set, with a -equivalent bounded quasidifferential subfam ily. Lenma I     

Multicriteria decision making under uncertainty

Formalization for problems of multicriteria decision making under uncertainty is constructed in terms of guaranteed and weak estimates. A relevant definition of the vector maximinimax value is given. Parameterization and approximation of maximum, minimax, and maximinimax values based on the inverse logical convolution are suggested. An application for multicommodity networks is considered. Received: December 13, 2000 / Accepted: August 21, 2001?Published online May 8, 2002     

A STUDY OF VARIOUS BARRIERS IN ENCLOSED SOUND FIELD BY USING THE COMPUTER PROGRAM—SOFIS

In the study of the behaviors of barriers in an enclosed field, one should take into account such phenomena as sound energy reflection, absorption, scattering and diffraction. Therefore, the study is much more difficult than that in free field. In this paper, sound barriers are classified into four kinds according to their size, number and shape. Each kind of barriers is modelled by a corresponding method based on a computer program—SOFIS. The program combines the ray-tracing technique and statistical method. The impulse response and some acoustical parameters such as sound pressure level at different positions can be calculated by the program, no matter there are a certain kind of barriers in the field or the field is empty. The ray-tracing program and the algorithms for various barriers are validated by the comparison between measurement and prediction of the reverberation room and the anechoic room of the Northwestern Polytechnic University.     

Molecular mobility in hydrogels based on poly(acrylic acid) and macrodiisocyanates

Partially water-swellable polymer networks were synthesized on the basis of poly(acrylic acid) and various macrodiisocyanates. Hydrophilic and hydrophobic local regions were revealed in swollen networks (hydrogels) by means of the spin probe technique. The local mobility in hydrophobic regions depends on the macrodiisocyanate structure; however, it is substantially lower than that in hydrophilic regions for all gels. It was assumed that the presence of hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions and the difference in their local dynamics must have a substantial effect on the pharmacokinetics of release of drugs immobilized in these hydrogels.     

Application of rainbow schlieren deflectometry to measure temperature and oxygen concentration in a laminar gas-jet diffusion flame

The quantitative rainbow schlieren deflectometry (RSD) technique was applied to measure temperature and oxygen concentration in an axisymmetric hydrogen gas-jet diffusion flame burning in quiescent air at fuel jet exit Reynolds number of 70. Schlieren measurements were compared with conventional measurements using a thermocouple and a gas-sampling probe. Good agreement between the two measurement techniques was achieved on the fuel-lean side of the flame.