INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR

BAYESIAN ANALYSIS

ISBA

Fifth World Meeting: ISBA-97

 

 

Istanbul, Turkey

August 16-18, 1997

 

LOCATION

The Fifth World Meeting of the International Society for Bayesian Analysis (ISBA) will be held in Istanbul Turkey during August 16-18, 1997 as a satellite meeting to the 51st Session of the International Statistical Institute(ISI) in Istanbul.

The meeting will be residential and take place in Istanbul Polat Renaissance Hotel which is a five star hotel 15 km's from the center of the city. The meeting runs from Saturday, August 16 to Monday August, 18 (noon). The participants are expected to arrive in Istanbul on the evening of Friday, August 15. The ISI meeting starts in Istanbul immediately after the ISBA meeting.

ORGANIZATION AND SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM

ISBA PROGRAM COMMITTEE

Dr.Alicia Carriquiry, Chair

Iowa State University, USA

 

Dr. Mark Steel, Vice Chair

University of Tilburg, the Netherlands

ISBA-97 SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM COMMITTEE

Program Committee Co-Chairs

 

Prof. Hamparsum Bozdogan

Department of Statistics

The University of Tennessee

Knoxville, TN 37996-0532, USA

Tel:(423) 974-1635 Fax:(423) 974-2490

E-mail: bozdogan@utk.edu

 

Prof. Refik Soyer

Department of Management Science,

Monroe Hall 403

The George Washington University

Washington, DC 20052, USA

Tel: (202) 994-6445 Fax: (202) 994-4930

E-mail: soyer@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu

ISBA-97 LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Dr Ulku Gurler, Chair

Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey

 

Dr. Alaattin Erkanli,

Duke University, USA

 

Dr. Omer Gebizlioglu

Turkish State Statistical Institute

Ankara, Turkey

 

Dr. Suleyman Ozekici

Bogazici (Bosphorus) University

Istanbul, Turkey

 

Dr. Mehmet Sahinoglu

Dokuz Eylul University

Izmir, Turkey

 

Dr. Refik Soyer

George Washington University, USA

 

Dr. Yalcin Tuncer

Middle East Technical University

Ankara, Turkey

 

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM AND INVITED SESSIONS

The Scientific Program for the conference is currently in preparation. We plan to structure ISBA-97 meeting with collection of invited, contributed, and poster sessions. We plan to schedule the talks in the morning (8:30 am-12:30 pm) and in the afternoon (1:30-6:00 pm). In addition, we plan endeavor to balance talks by leading experts with (invited and contributed) presentations in two informal plenary sessions on "The Past, Present, and the Future of Bayesian Modeling" with floor participation in a questions/answers format. We plan to reserve the evening (8:00 pm-12:00 midnight) for contributed poster sessions, informal discussions and round-tables.

To assist the Scientific Program, we invited session chairs from around the world to chair/organize sessions to achieve the planned interdisciplinary structure of the meeting to unsure a considerable interaction between junior and senior researchers, in both formal and informal settings.

A preliminary list of invited session chairs and their topics include:

 

Jose Bernardo NONSUBJECTIVE BAYESIAN METHODS

University of Valencia, Spain

 

Mike West BAYESIAN TIME SERIES ANALYSIS AND FORECASTING

Duke University, USA

 

Roger Cook DECISION AND RISK ANALYSIS

Delft University, the Netherlands

 

Edward George MCMC APPLICATIONS

University of Texas-Austin, USA

 

William Fitzgerald BAYESIAN SIGNAL PROCESSING

University of Cambridge, UK

 

David Dowe BAYESIAN MINIMUM MESSAGE LENGTH

Monash University, Australia CRITERIA

 

Julia Mortera BAYESIAN APPLICATIONS IN FORENSIC SCIENCES

University of Rome, Italy

 

Ulku Gurler BAYESIAN APPLICATIONS IN ENGINEERING

Bilkent University, Turkey

 

Isabella Verdinelli BAYESIAN EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

University of Rome, Italy and

Carnegie Mellon University, USA

 

Kazuo Shigemasu MULTIVARIATE BAYESIAN ANALYSIS

University of Tokyo, Japan

 

Ehsan Soofi INFORMATION THEORY AND BAYESIAN MODELING

University of Wisconsin

Milwaukee, USA

 

Wolfgang Polasek BAYESIAN ECONOMETRICS

University Basel, Switzerland

 

Petros Delaportes BAYESIAN MIXTURE MODELS

Athens University, Greece

 

Nick Polson BAYESIAN APPLICATIONS IN FINANCE

University of Chicago, USA

 

CALL FOR PAPERS

The scientific program will consist of invited, contributed and poster paper sessions. The Program Committee is inviting contributed papers which will be assigned to regular and poster sessions. Authors of contributed papers should send (or e-mail) a title and a short abstract to one of the Program Committee Co-Chairs no later than March 30, 1997.

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENTS

Please print and return the residence registration form by mailing or faxing it with your check in US$, payable to "George Washington University-ISBA 97", to:

Dr. Refik Soyer

Department of Management Science,

Monroe Hall 403

The George Washington University

Washington, DC 20052, USA

Tel: (202) 994-6445 Fax: (202) 994-4930

E-mail: soyer@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu

REGISTRATION FORM

Fifth World Meeting: ISBA-97

Istanbul, Turkey

August 16-18, 1997

Please mail the forms before May 1, 1997 to guarantee hotel registration. Reservations after this date are subject to availability.

MEETING REGISTRATION FORM

Name:_______________________________________________

Adress:_______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Telephone:_____________________  Fax:___________________________

E-mail:________________________


Registration Fee (please check one):

        ___$50 (for ISBA Members)

        ___$75 (for nonmembers, which includes $25 ISBA membership)



RESIDENCE REGISTRATION FORM

Name:_______________________________________________

Adress:_______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Telephone:_____________________

Fax:___________________________

E-mail:________________________


Hotel Reservation

Arrival Date:_________________________

Departure Date:_______________________

Name of accompanying person, if any:_________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________


Please mark your selection:

___Single Room:  $ 405

___Double Room:  $ 355 (per person)


The residence fee includes 3 nights accomodation, all meals, transfer from the
airport to the hotel, a local tour on Saturday, August 16, a Gala dinner
on the Bosphorus with a boat cruise on Sunday, August 17 and all taxes.

Additional nights of stay can be arranged by contacting OTARI Tours:

OTARI Tours
Kalipci sok. No. 119/10
80200 Tesvikiye, Istanbul
TURKEY

Fax: 90-212-248 3110
Tel: 90-212-234 4580

ABOUT ISTANBUL

"O city of Istanbul, priceless and peerless! I would sacrifice all Persia for one of your stones!" From Ottoman Poet Nedim

Acknowledgement: This part of ISBA-97 Homepage is compiled using the information contained in the Homepage of Marmara University and other sources about Istanbul. This is gratefully acknowledged.

http://www.marun.edu.tr

ISTANBUL

Istanbul,the only city in the world to be built on two continents,stands on the shores of the Istanbul Bogazi where the waters of the Black Sea mingle with the Sea of Marmara and the famous Golden Horn.Here on this splendid site Istanbul guards the precious relics of the three empires of which she has been the capital;a unique link between East and West,between past and present.But Istanbul is not only historic,it is still a magnificent great city,fascinating and vividly alive.Beneath the unchanging skyline of her domes and minaretsthere is the continualbustle and movement of the crowd,the rumbling of vehicles along the ancient cobbled streets,the incessant coming and going of the cries o street sellersmingling with the sounds of shipping in the busy port.Istanbul has infinite variety: museums,ancient churches,palaces,great mosquesthe bazaar and the unforgettable Bosphorus.However long you stay,just a few days or longer,your time will be wonderfully filled with this unforgettable city.

HOW TO COME TO ISTANBUL

There are flights from almost every capital and major city in the world to Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, from any part of Europe there are train connections to Sirkeci Station and from the Middle East and Asia to Haydarpasa Station. The E5 N (north) from Europe comes to Turkey via Kapikule frontier between Turkey and Bulgaria. The E5 S (south) comes via the Ipsala border crossing, between Turkey and Greece. Istanbul is also an important port receiving cruise lines and private yachts from all parts of the world.

SHOPPING IN ISTANBUL

Shopping in Istanbul is one of the main delights of a visit to this city where wandering through the colorful bazaars is as enjoyable as browsing in the modern shops. For all tourists the great "Kapali Carsi" or Covered Bazaar in the old city is of course the favourite place. Here in this labyrinth of more than 4000 shops, each trade has its own place; the Goldsmith's street, the carpet seller's street and so on, and in the great variety of goods offered there is something to suit every taste and pocket. There is a wide selection of jewellery from traditional harem rings to modern settings. The carpet shops display their pleasant eyecatching arrangements of vivid colors and intricate designs. Turkish arts and crafts such as the hand painted ceramic plates, and the handbeaten copper and brassware, trays, water ewers, onyx and meerschaum pipes. Leather and suede goods are relatively inexpensive too. Your way may be lead to the Old Bedesten in the heart of the Bazaar for a sampling of old style shopping. Behind the Yeni Mosque is another attractive bazaar of a different sort, Misir Carsisi or Spice Bazaar. Here the air is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyne and every conceivable spice. The Istanbul Sanatlari Carsisi (Bazaar of Istanbul Arts) is located in the 18th century Mehmet Efendi Medreresi on Sultan Ahmet Square. It is both shopping area for Turkish handicrafts and the place where they are actually made. Constrasting with the noisy bustle of the bazaars are the sophisticated shops of the Taksim-Nisantasi-Sisli districts.At Istiklal Caddesi in the Beyoglu district and Cumhuriyet Caddesi near Taksim and Rumeli Caddesi in Nisantasi are the most fashionable shops where the most exquisite clothing and jewellery can be found as well as finely designed handbags and shoes. On the Asian side of Istanbul at Bahariye Caddesi and on Bagdat Caddesi and at Capital at Altunizade in Uskudar are similary modern shopping centers. Istanbul has many bus flea markets whereone can find an astonishing assortment of goods, both old and new.The Sahaflar Carsisi and Cinaralti in the Beyazit district are open every day. Between Sahaflar and the Covered Bazaar is a flea market open only on Sundays. Open daily is a flea market in the Topkapi district, on Cukur Cuma Street in Cihangir, on Buyuk Hamam Street in Uskudar, in the Kadikoy Carsi Duragi area, one between Eminonu and Tahtakale and only on Sundays is one between Buyukdere and Sariyer.

URBAN TRANSPORT

The cheapest but a relatively slow means of transport is the bus. On the European side the main bus lines start from Taksim square, Eminonu (near the Galata Bridge) and Beyazit (near the covered Bazaar). On the Asian side there are departures from Uskudar and Kadikoy. Bus tickets are sold at designated kioks. There is also a regular bus service every half hour between Ataturk Airport and the THY Airline Terminal at Sishane. The "dolmus" is a practical and cheap means of transport, especially when compared to the taxi. Each passenger pays according to the distance travelled and the fares are fixed by the Municipality. The main dolmus stations are at Taksim, Eminonu, Sirkeci, Besiktas, Aksaray, Uskudar and Kadikoy. Taxi ranks are everwhere in the city and are easily recognized by their yellow color and "taxi" signs on top. They are equipped with taxi meters. Note: Bridge crossing fares are the responsibility of the passenger. The ferryboat is a practical, enjoyable and cheap means of transport. There are several departures from Eminonu to the Istanbul Bogazi,the Gold Horn, Uskudar, Kadikoy, Haydarpasa (railway station), the Princess' Islands, Yalova and Mudanya. There are car ferries that cross the Istanbul Bogazi and Marmara: Sirkeci to Mudanya 4 hrs., to Harem 20 min., to Yalova 2,5 hrs., from Harem to Yalova 2,5 hrs., from Kartal to Yalova 1,5 hrs.,Darica to Yalova 1 hr.sea bus lines run Daily between Bostanci and Bakirkoy 25 min., Karakoy 20 min., Kabatas 20 min., Kabatas and Mudanya every day except Sundays 1hr. 15 min., Kabatas-Mudanya-Armutlu 1,5 hrs., Kabatas and Buyukada, Avsa, Marmara Island. Tours by travel agents leave from Kabatas. The local trains that depart from Sirkeci Station serve the camping grounds on the European side of the Sea of Marmara and those departing from Haydarpasa station serve the suburbs on the Asian side.

AROUND ISTANBUL

THE PRINCESS' ISLANDS

These nine islands,plessure islands for the Byzantine princes,are famous for their beautiful pine wooded scenery and beaches.The largest and most enjoyable of the islands is Buyukada,one hours journey by ferry departing from Eminonu.On the island you can enjoy the memorable pleasure of taking a ride by phaeton among the pine trees after having relaxed on the beaches in the numerous coves surrounding the island.The other popular islands are Kinali,Sedef,Burgaz and Heybeliada.

KILYOS

On the European side of the Black Sea,famous for its long,broad sandy beaches.

BELGRAD ORMANLARI (BELGRADE FOREST)

The largest forest in and around Istanbul set amongs the Istiranca mountains.Here Istanbulites come for their picnics.There are seven ancient reservoir,an aqueduct from Ottoman times as well as natural springs.

POLONEZKOY

Is on the Asian side 25 km from Beykoz.Founded by Polish immigrants and is still famous for its Polish food.Another favorite weekend picnic place for the inhabitants of Istanbul.

RIVA

A fishing village on the black sea cost 30 km from Beykoz,Restaurants and guest-houses are available.

SILE

On the Black Sea 70 km from Uskudar is famous for its sandy beaches,fish restaurants and hotels

GEBZE,ESKIHISAR KOYU

Osman Hamdi Bey house and museum contains paintings of these famous Turkish artist from the turn of the century.

YALOVA

On the southern shore of Marmara;popular thermal resort known since Roman times especially for its cures rheumatism.The main thermal resort is a few kilometers from the town of Yalova.The thermal baths are set in pleasent gardens adding to the relaxing atmosphere.In Yalova itself there are many inexpensive hotels and guest-houses.To reach Yalova see urban Transport.

GOING OUT

With a long history as a colourful cosmopolitan center Istanbul is well catered for in terms of food and entertainment.A night club provides splended entertainment through out the whole dinner ranging from a selection of Turkish songs to the famous unforgettable belly-dance.But along sides these are the modern discos,caberet and jazz clubs of the Taksim-Harbiye district.Istanbul's opera house,orchestra,ballet and many theatres offer a variety of performances during the season.Also Istanbul has become a center of arts and culture,the highlight being the Istanbul International Arts and Culture Festival held in June and July.