may 7th, 1986, Professor A. F. M. Smith in the Chair] SUMMARY A continuous two-dimensional region is partitioned into a fine rectangular array of sites or "pixels", each pixel having a particular "colour" belonging to a prescribed finite set. The true colouring of the region is unknown but, associated with each pixel, there is a possibly multivariate record which conveys imperfect information about its colour according to a known statistical model. The aim is to reconstruct the true scene, with the additional knowledge that pixels close together tend to have the same or similar colours. In this paper, it is assumed that the local characteristics of the true scene can be represented by a nondegenerate Markov random field. Such information can be combined with the records by Bayes' theorem and the true scene can be estimated according to standard criteria. However, the computational burden is enormous and the reconstruction may reflect undesirable largescale properties of the random field. Thus, a simple, iterative method of reconstruction is proposed, which does not depend on these large-scale characteristics. The method is illustrated by computer simulations in which the original scene is not directly related to the assumed random field. Some complications, including parameter estimation, are discussed. Potential applications are mentioned briefly.

https://stat.duke.edu/~scs/Courses/Stat376/Papers/GibbsFieldEst/BesagDirtyPicsJRSSB1986.pdf

On the statistical analysis of dirty pictures

This paper reviews the literature on Bayesian experimental design. A unified view of this topic is presented, based on a decision-theoretic approach. This framework casts criteria from the Bayesian literature of design as part of a single coherent approach. The decision-theoretic structure incorporates both linear and nonlinear design problems and it suggests possible new directions to the experimental design problem, motivated by the use of new utility functions. We show that, in some special cases of linear design problems, Bayesian solutions change in a sensible way when the prior distribution and the utility function are modified to allow for the specific structure of the experiment. The decision-theoretic approach also gives a mathematical justification for selecting the appropriate optimality criterion.

/pdf/bayesian-experimental-design-a-review-1z4pqf25ac.pdf

Bayesian Experimental Design: A Review

Non-specific low back pain

The National Academy of Sciences through its Institute of Medicine (IOM) has produced a major scholarly assessment of pain in America. This document is a tremendous contribution to the evolving nec...

Relieving pain in america: a blueprint for transforming prevention, care, education, and research

https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140673611606107.pdf

SUMMARY Optimal experimental designs for non-linear problems depend on the values of the underlying unknown parameters in the model. For various reasons there is interest in providing explicit formulae for the optimal designs as a function of the unknown parameters. This paper shows that, for a certain class of generalized linear models, the problem can be reduced to a canonical form. This simplifies the underlying problem and designs are constructed for several contexts with a single variable using geometric and other arguments.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/2346142.pdf

The Use of a Canonical Form in the Construction of Locally Optimal

Optimal experimental designs for non-linear problems depend on the values of the underlying undknown parameters in the model. For various reasons there is interest in providing explicit formulae for the optimal designs as a function of the unknown parameters. This paper shows that, for a certain class of generalized linear models, the problem can be reduced to a canonical form. This simplifies the underlying problem and designs are constructed for several contexts with a single variable using geometric and other arguments

The Use of a Canonical Form in the Construction of Locally Optimal Designs for Non-Linear Problems

Two variations of a simple monotunic algorithm for computing optimal designs on a finite design space are presented. Various properties are listed. Comparisons witn other algorithms are made.

An algorithm for optimal designs on a design space

STUDY DESIGN Public and professional health education campaign. OBJECTIVE To change public beliefs about the management of back pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Within the past decade, there has been a reversal in the strategy of management of back pain, from rest to staying active. There is only one previous public health education campaign on back pain, in a workers compensation setting in Australia. METHODS A multimedia campaign was based around 1777 radio advertisements, which were heard by 60% of adults. Information leaflets were prepared for people with back pain, for all health professionals who treat back pain, and for employers. A Web site was set up: www.workingbacksscotland.com. Structured monthly samples of 1000 adults were surveyed on their beliefs about rest or staying active, professional help sought and advice received for 2 months before the campaign and over the following 3 years. Royal Mail sickness absence rates and new awards of social security benefits for back pain were compared in Scotland versus the rest of the United Kingdom, before and after the campaign. RESULTS There was a significant (P < 0.001) change in the balance of beliefs, from about 55% rest versus 40% staying active to about 30% rest versus 60% staying active. This occurred within 1 month of the launch and was maintained over 3 years. There was a comparable change in professional advice. There was no change in advice about work or the number who said they stayed off work. There was no effect on sickness absence or new awards of social security benefits for back pain. CONCLUSION There was a major shift in public beliefs and professional advice but no change in work-related outcomes.

Working Backs Scotland: a public and professional health education campaign for back pain.

The ownership of cell phones and use of short message service (SMS) are sufficiently common in the United Kingdom to be exploited by health services providers. The study evaluates their use to reduce nonattendance at out-patient clinics. The impact is modest, but so also is the cost, about 7.50 pounds (13.13 dollars, 10.88 euros) per "no-show" avoided.

Ben Torsney

Papers

The Use of a Canonical Form in the Construction of Locally Optimal

The Use of a Canonical Form in the Construction of Locally Optimal Designs for Non-Linear Problems

An algorithm for optimal designs on a design space

Working Backs Scotland: a public and professional health education campaign for back pain.

SMS reminders in the UK national health service: an evaluation of its impact on "no-shows" at hospital out-patient clinics.