Mathematical Aspects of Graphical Models: An LMS Durham Research Symposium

图形模型起源于统计物理学和遗传学，但在1974年由Besag引入现代统计学，在1980年由Darroch，Lauritzen和Speed引入。从那时起，图形模型在统计学文献和许多其他领域中赢得了稳固的地位，特别是概率专家系统，一般决策分析和生物信息学。除了提供直接可解释的知识可视化表示外，它们还利用模块化来支持表示，数学操作和计算。这使得复杂的系统可以进行相对简单的分析。近年来，很明显，这些模型的有效和一致的处理强烈地依赖于几个数学主题，反过来又产生了大量的问题，具有大量的数学内容，甚至是数学问题本身的利益。这使得在这一领域举行一次高质量的国际研讨会成为一个特别合适的时机。这将有助于将英国研究人员置于这一快速发展的数学分支的前沿。我们建议将这些领域的顶级英国和国际研究人员聚集在LMS达勒姆研讨会提供的非正式气氛中。这将为交流思想和相互促进研究专门知识提供机会。我们相信，如果这一提议取得成果，将实现令人兴奋的新的国际合作。研讨会将有一个整洁的讲座计划，有充分的机会进行讨论，合作和非正式会谈。我们的目标是确保所有人都意识到新技术和新挑战，这些都是我们关注的领域。通过汇集广泛的专家，这次会议将对这些丰富的研究领域的发展产生重大影响。会议的结果将首先通过一个积极管理和容易进入的网站分发，该网站将载有与会者名单、会谈摘要和其他有关信息。主要会谈将被记录（与发言者的许可）与摄像机，并将在会议结束后一个月内放在网站上。演讲笔记和/或幻灯片也将放在网站上，所有这些材料都将免费提供给所有人。会议的更详细记录将通过在研究期刊上发表受会议主题启发的前沿文章来提供。会议预计将提供一个主要的持久刺激世界研究的数学方面的图形模型。

Graphical models originate in statistical physics and genetics but were introduced into modern statistics by Besag in 1974 and by Darroch, Lauritzen and Speed in 1980. Since then, graphical models have earned their firm place in the statistical literature and in a number of other areas, notably probabilistic expert systems, general decision analysis and bioinformatics.Graphical models aim to give simple descriptions of complex structures. As well as supplying directly interpretable visual representations of knowledge, they exploit modularity to support representation, mathematical manipulation, and computation. This renders complex systems amenable to relatively simple analysis.In recent years it has become apparent that the efficient and consistent treatment of these models depends strongly on several mathematical subjects and in turn generates an abundance of problems with a substantial mathematical content or even mathematical problems of interest in their own right. This makes it a particularly opportune time to hold a high-quality international symposium in this area. It will help to place UK researchers at the forefront of this fast-moving branch of mathematics. We propose to bring the top UK and international researchers in these fields together in the informal atmosphere provided by an LMS Durham Symposium. This will give the opportunity for the exchange of ideas and cross-fertilization of research expertise. We are confident that exciting new international collaborations will be realised if this proposal comes to fruition. The symposium will have an uncluttered lecture programme, with ample opportunities for discussions, collaborations and informal talks. Our aim is to ensure that all are aware of new techniques and the new challenges that are arising for our areas of focus. By bringing together a broad range of experts, this meeting will have a significant impact on the development of these rich areas of research. The results of the meeting will be distributed initially via an actively-managed and easily accessible website, which will contain a list of participants, abstracts of talks and other relevant information. The main talks will be recorded (with permission of the speakers) with a camcorder, and will be placed on the website within one month of the finish of the meeting. Lecture notes and/or slides will also be put on the site, and all this material will be made freely available to all.A more detailed record of the meeting will be provided by the publication in research journals of cutting-edge articles inspired by the subjects covered in the meeting. The conference is expected to provide a major lasting fillip to world research on mathematical aspects of graphical models.