scholarly journals “I tawt I taw a puddy tat!": Extinction and uncertain sightings of the Barbary lion

Author(s):  
Tamsin E Lee ◽  
Simon A Black ◽  
Amina Fellous ◽  
Nobuyuki Yamaguchi ◽  
Francesco Angelici ◽  
...  

As species become rare and approach extinction, purported sightings can be controversial, especially when scarce management resources are at stake. We report a Bayesian model where we consider the probability that each individual sighting is valid. Obtaining these probabilities clearly requires a strict framework to ensure that they are as representative as possible. We used a process, which has proven to provide accurate estimates from a group of experts, to obtain probabilities for the validation of 35 sightings of the Barbary lion. We considered the scenario where experts are simply asked whether a sighting was valid, as well as when we asked them to score the sighting based on distinguishablity, observer competence, and verifiability. We find that asking experts to provide scores for these three aspects resulted in each sighting being considered more individually. Additionally, since the heavy reliance on the choice of prior can often be the downfall of Bayesian methods, we use an informed prior which changes with time.

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamsin E Lee ◽  
Simon A Black ◽  
Amina Fellous ◽  
Nobuyuki Yamaguchi ◽  
Francesco Angelici ◽  
...  

As species become rare and approach extinction, purported sightings can be controversial, especially when scarce management resources are at stake. We report a Bayesian model where we consider the probability that each individual sighting is valid. Obtaining these probabilities clearly requires a strict framework to ensure that they are as representative as possible. We used a process, which has proven to provide accurate estimates from a group of experts, to obtain probabilities for the validation of 35 sightings of the Barbary lion. We considered the scenario where experts are simply asked whether a sighting was valid, as well as when we asked them to score the sighting based on distinguishablity, observer competence, and verifiability. We find that asking experts to provide scores for these three aspects resulted in each sighting being considered more individually. Additionally, since the heavy reliance on the choice of prior can often be the downfall of Bayesian methods, we use an informed prior which changes with time.


Author(s):  
Timothy McGrew

One of the central complaints about Bayesian probability is that it places no constraints on individual subjectivity in one’s initial probability assignments. Those sympathetic to Bayesian methods have responded by adding restrictions motivated by broader epistemic concerns about the possibility of changing one’s mind. This chapter explores some cases where, intuitively, a straightforward Bayesian model yields unreasonable results. Problems arise in these cases not because there is something wrong with the Bayesian formalism per se but because standard textbook illustrations teach us to represent our inferences in simplified ways that break down in extreme cases. It also explores some interesting limitations on the extent to which successive items of evidence ought to induce us to change our minds when certain screening conditions obtain.


Author(s):  
Panagiotis Papastamoulis ◽  
Magnus Rattray

AbstractNext generation sequencing allows the identification of genes consisting of differentially expressed transcripts, a term which usually refers to changes in the overall expression level. A specific type of differential expression is differential transcript usage (DTU) and targets changes in the relative within gene expression of a transcript. The contribution of this paper is to: (a) extend the use of cjBitSeq to the DTU context, a previously introduced Bayesian model which is originally designed for identifying changes in overall expression levels and (b) propose a Bayesian version of DRIMSeq, a frequentist model for inferring DTU. cjBitSeq is a read based model and performs fully Bayesian inference by MCMC sampling on the space of latent state of each transcript per gene. BayesDRIMSeq is a count based model and estimates the Bayes Factor of a DTU model against a null model using Laplace’s approximation. The proposed models are benchmarked against the existing ones using a recent independent simulation study as well as a real RNA-seq dataset. Our results suggest that the Bayesian methods exhibit similar performance with DRIMSeq in terms of precision/recall but offer better calibration of False Discovery Rate.


2016 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan H. Morgan ◽  
Kimberly B. Rogers ◽  
Mao Hu

This research evaluates the relative merits of two established and two newly proposed methods for modeling impressions of social events: stepwise regression, ANOVA, Bayesian model averaging, and Bayesian model sampling. Models generated with each method are compared against a ground truth model to assess performance at variable selection and coefficient estimation. We also assess the theoretical impacts of different modeling choices. Results show that the ANOVA procedure has a significantly lower false discovery rate than stepwise regression, whereas Bayesian methods exhibit higher true positive rates and comparable false discovery rates to ANOVA. Bayesian methods also generate coefficient estimates with less bias and variance than either stepwise regression or ANOVA. We recommend the use of Bayesian methods for model specification in affect control theory.


2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (H15) ◽  
pp. 693-693
Author(s):  
Samuli Kotiranta ◽  
Mikko Tuomi

AbstractIn this paper we present an application of Bayesian model comparison to the radial velocity measurements of suspected extra-solar planetary system host star.


Author(s):  
Karl W. Heiner ◽  
Marc Kennedy ◽  
Anthony O'Hagan

This article discusses the use of Bayesian methods in analysing data that evolve over time in sequential multilocation auditing. Using the New York food stamps program as a case study, it proposes a model that incorporates a nonparametric component for the error magnitudes (taints), a hierarchical model for overall error rates across counties and parameters controlling the variation of rates from one year to the next, including an overall trend in error rates. The article first provides an overview of the New York food stamps program, along with the auditing concepts and terminology, before introducing the Bayesian model. This model is used to examine a sample of individual awards of food stamps to see if the value awarded is correct according to the rules of the scheme. The model makes it possible to smooth estimation of error rates and error classes in small counties across counties and through time.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taishun Li ◽  
Pei Liu

Objective. The Bayesian model plays an important role in diagnostic test evaluation in the absence of the gold standard, which used the external prior distribution of a parameter combined with sample data to yield the posterior distribution of the test characteristics. However, the correlation between diagnostic tests has always been a problem that cannot be ignored in the Bayesian model evaluation. This study will discuss how different Bayesian model, correlation scenarios, and prior distribution affect the outcome. Methods. The data analyzed in this study was gathered during studies of patients presenting to the Nanjing Chest Hospital with suspected tuberculosis. The diagnostic character of T-SPOT.Tb and KD38 tuberculosis antibody test were evaluated in different Bayesian model, and discharge diagnosis as a gold standard was used to verify the model results in the end. Result. The comparison of four models under the conditional independence situation found that Bayesian probabilistic constraint model was consistent with the Conditional Covariance Bayesian model. The results were mainly affected by prior information. The sensitivity and specificity of the two tests in Conditional Covariance Bayesian model in prior constraint situation were considerably higher than the Bayesian probabilistic constraint model in prior constraint situation. The results of the four models under the conditional dependence situation were similar to the conditional independence situation; pD was also negative with no prior constraint situation in both model Bayesian probabilistic constraint model and Conditional Covariance Bayesian model. The Deviance Information Criterion of Bayesian probabilistic constraint model was close to model Conditional Covariance Bayesian model, but pD of Conditional Covariance Bayesian model in Prior constraint situation (pD=2.40) was higher than the Bayesian probabilistic constraint model in Prior constraint situation (pD=1.66). Conclusion. The result of Conditional Covariance Bayesian model in prior constraint with conditional independence situation was closest to the result of gold standard evaluation in our data. Both of the two Bayesian methods are the feasible way for the evaluation of diagnostic test in the absence of the gold standard diagnostic. Prior source, priority number, and conditional dependencies should be considered in the method selection, the accuracy of posterior estimation mainly depending on the prior distribution.


2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 577-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garnett P. McMillan ◽  
John B. Cannon

Purpose This article presents a basic exploration of Bayesian inference to inform researchers unfamiliar to this type of analysis of the many advantages this readily available approach provides. Method First, we demonstrate the development of Bayes' theorem, the cornerstone of Bayesian statistics, into an iterative process of updating priors. Working with a few assumptions, including normalcy and conjugacy of prior distribution, we express how one would calculate the posterior distribution using the prior distribution and the likelihood of the parameter. Next, we move to an example in auditory research by considering the effect of sound therapy for reducing the perceived loudness of tinnitus. In this case, as well as most real-world settings, we turn to Markov chain simulations because the assumptions allowing for easy calculations no longer hold. Using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, we can illustrate several analysis solutions given by a straightforward Bayesian approach. Conclusion Bayesian methods are widely applicable and can help scientists overcome analysis problems, including how to include existing information, run interim analysis, achieve consensus through measurement, and, most importantly, interpret results correctly. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.7822592


2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. S627-S627
Author(s):  
Mary E Spilker ◽  
Gjermund Henriksen ◽  
Till Sprenger ◽  
Michael Valet ◽  
Isabelle Stangier ◽  
...  
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