A spatial interaction model for deriving joint space maps of bundle compositions and market segments from pick-any/J data: An application to new product options

We propose an approach for deriving joint space maps of bundle compositions and market segments from three-way (e.g., consumers x product options/benefits/features x usage situations/scenarios/time periods) pick-any/J data. The proposed latent structure multidimensional scaling procedure simultaneously extracts market segment and product option positions in a joint space map such that the closer a product option is to a particlar segment, the higher the likelihood of its being chosen by that segment. A segment-level threshold parameter is estimated that spatially delineates the bundle of product options that are predicted to be chosen by each segment. Estimates of the probability of each consumer belonging to the derived segments are simultaneously obtained. Explicit treatment of product and consumer characteristics are allowed via optional model reparameterizations of the product option locations and segment memberships. We illustrate the use of the proposed approach using an actual commercial application involving pick-any/J data gathered by a major hi-tech firm for some 23 advanced technological options for new automobiles.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47207/1/11002_2004_Article_BF00434905.pd

Probabilistic inference of subsurface heterogeneity and interface geometry using geophysical data

Geophysical methods provide remotely sensed data that are sensitive to subsurface properties and interfaces. Knowledge about discontinuities is important throughout the Earth sciences: for example, the saltwater/freshwater interface in coastal areas drive mixing processes; the temporal development of the discontinuity between frozen and unfrozen ground is indicative of permafrost development; and the regolith-bedrock interface often plays a predominant role in both landslide and critical-zone investigations. Accurate detection of subsurface boundaries and their geometry is challenging when using common inversion routines that rely on smoothness constraints that smear out any naturally occurring interfaces. Moreover, uncertainty quantification of interface geometry based on such inversions is very difficult. In this paper, we present a probabilistic formulation and solution to the geophysical inverse problem of inferring interfaces in the presence of significant subsurface heterogeneity. We implement an empirical-Bayes-within-Gibbs formulation that separates the interface and physical property updates within a Markov chain Monte Carlo scheme. Both the interface and the physical properties of the two sub-domains are constrained to favour smooth spatial transitions and pre-defined property bounds. Our methodology is demonstrated on synthetic and actual surface-based electrical resistivity tomography data sets, with the aim of inferring regolith-bedrock interfaces. Even if we are unable to achieve formal convergence of the Markov chains for all model parameters, we demonstrate that the proposed algorithm offers distinct advantages compared to manual- or algorithm-based interface detection using deterministic geophysical tomograms. Moreover, we obtain more reliable estimates of bedrock resistivity and its spatial variations.ISSN:0956-540XISSN:1365-246

Continental breakup and the onset of ultra-slow seafloor spreading off Flemish Cap on the Newfoundland Rifted Margin

Prestack depth-migrated seismic reflection data collected off Flemish Cap on the Newfoundland margin show a structure of abruptly thinning continental crust that leads into an oceanic accretion system. Within continental crust, there is no clear evidence for detachment surfaces analogous to the S reflection off the conjugate Galicia Bank margin, demonstrating a first-order asymmetry in final rift development. Anomalously thin (3–4 km), magmatically produced oceanic crust abuts very thin continental crust and is highly tectonized. This indicates that initial accretion of the oceanic crust was in a magma-limited setting similar to present-day ultraslow spreading environments. Seaward, oceanic crust thins to <1.3 km and exhibits an unusual, highly reflective layering. We propose that a period of magma starvation led to exhumation of mantle in an oceanic core complex that was subsequently buried by deep-marine sheet flows to form this layering. Subsequent seafloor spreading formed normal, 6-km-thick oceanic crust. This interpretation implies large fluctuations in the available melt supply during the early stages of seafloor spreading before a more typical slow-spreading system was established

Data report: Marine geophysical data on the Newfoundland nonvolcanic margin around SCREECH transect 2

Marine geophysical data collected from the eastern Grand Banks across the Newfoundland Basin during the summer of 2000 comprise a grid of seismic, magnetic, gravity, and multibeam bathymetric data around Sites 1276 and 1277. Multichannel seismic reflection profiles image the sedimentary and crustal structure of the Newfoundland nonvolcanic rifted margin. This report presents prestack time-migrated seismic reflection profiles together with the coincident magnetic and gravity data collected during the site survey