This function computes the age (in ka) of at least two samples according to the model developed in Combès and Philippe (2017), based on outputs of Generate_DataFile or Generate_DataFile_MG or both of them using combine_DataFiles.
Samples, for which data is available in several BIN files, can be analysed.
Single-grain or Multi-grain OSL measurements can be analysed simultaneously.

AgeS_Computation(
  DATA,
  SampleNames = DATA$SampleNames,
  Nb_sample = DATA$Nb_sample,
  PriorAge = rep(c(0.01, 100), Nb_sample),
  BinPerSample = rep(1, Nb_sample),
  SavePdf = FALSE,
  OutputFileName = c("MCMCplot", "summary"),
  OutputFilePath = c(""),
  SaveEstimates = FALSE,
  OutputTableName = c("DATA"),
  OutputTablePath = c(""),
  THETA = c(),
  sepTHETA = c(","),
  StratiConstraints = c(),
  sepSC = c(","),
  LIN_fit = TRUE,
  Origin_fit = FALSE,
  distribution = c("cauchy"),
  model = NULL,
  Iter = 10000,
  burnin = 4000,
  adapt = 1000,
  t = 5,
  n.chains = 3,
  jags_method = "rjags",
  autorun = FALSE,
  quiet = FALSE,
  roundingOfValue = 3,
  ...
)

Arguments

DATA

(required) Two inputs are possible: (1): DATA list of objects: LT, sLT, ITimes, dLab, ddot_env, regDose, J, K, Nb_measurement, provided by the function Generate_DataFile, Generate_DataFile_MG or combine_DataFiles. DATA contains informations for more than one sample. If there is stratigraphic relations between samples, informations in DATA must be ordered by order of increasing ages. See the details section to for more informations. (2): An object of class BayLum.list which is provided by the output of AgeS_Computation. When input of class BayLum.list is identified, no new JAGS model is created. Instead, the JAGS model specified by the AgeS_Computation output is extended. Useful for when convergence was not originally achieved and a complete restart is not desirable.

SampleNames

character vector: names of samples. The length of this vector is equal to Nb_sample.

Nb_sample

integer: number of samples, Nb_sample>1.

PriorAge

numeric vector (with default): lower and upper bounds for age parameter of each sample (in ka). Note that, length(PriorAge)=2*Nb_sample and PriorAge[2i-1,2i] corresponds to the lower and upper bounds of sample whose number ID is equal to i.

BinPerSample

integer vector (with default): vector with the number of BIN files per sample. The length of this vector is equal to Nb_sample. BinPerSample[i] corresponds to the number of BIN files for the sample whose number ID is equal to i. For more information to fill this vector, we refer to details in Generate_DataFile or in Generate_DataFile_MG.

SavePdf

logical (with default): if TRUE save graphs in pdf file named OutputFileName in folder OutputFilePath.

OutputFileName

character (with default): name of the pdf file that will be generated by the function if SavePdf = TRUE; length(OutputFileName)=2, see PLOT OUTPUT in Value section for more informations.

OutputFilePath

character (with default): path to the pdf file that will be generated by the function if SavePdf=TRUE. If it is not equal to "", it must be terminated by "/".

SaveEstimates

logical (with default): if TRUE save Bayes' estimates, credible interval at level 68% and 95% and the result of the Gelman en Rubin test of convergence, in a csv table named OutputFileName in folder OutputFilePath.

OutputTableName

character (with default): name of the table that will be generated by the function if SaveEstimates = TRUE.

OutputTablePath

character (with default): path to the table that will be generated by the function if SaveEstimates = TRUE. If it is not equal to "", it must be terminated by "/".

THETA

numeric matrix or character (with default): input object for systematic and individual error. If systematic errors are considered, see the details section for instructions regarding how to correctly fill THETA; the user can refer to a matrix (numeric matrix) or to a csv file (character). Otherwise, default value is suitable, and only individual errors are considered.

sepTHETA

character (with default): if THETA is character, indicate column separator in THETA CSV-file.

StratiConstraints

numeric matrix or character(with default): input object for the stratigraphic relation between samples. If there is stratigraphic relation between samples see the details section for instructions regarding how to correctly fill StratiConstraints; the user can refer to a matrix (numeric matrix) or to a csv file (character). If there is no stratigraphic relation default value is suitable.

sepSC

character (with default): if StratiConstraints is character, indicate column separator in StratiConstraints .csv file.

LIN_fit

logical (with default): if TRUE (default) allows a linear component, on top of the (default) saturating exponential curve, for the fitting of dose response curves. See details section for more informations on the proposed dose response curves.

Origin_fit

logical (with default): if TRUE, forces the dose response curves to pass through the origin. See details section for more informations on the proposed growth curves.

distribution

character (with default): type of distribution that defines how individual equivalent dose values are distributed around the palaeodose. Allowed inputs are "cauchy", "gaussian", "lognormal_A" and "lognormal_M", see details section for more informations.

model

character (optional): allows to provide a custom model to the function as text string. Please note that if this option is chosen the parameter distribution is ignored and no safety net is applied. If the function crashes it is up to the user.

Iter

integer (with default): the number of iterations to run which will be used to assess convergence and ages (see runjags::run.jags).

burnin

integer (with default): the number of iterations used to "home in" on the stationary posterior distribution. These are not used for assessing convergence (see runjags::run.jags).

adapt

integer (with default): the number of iterations used in the adaptive phase of the simulation (see runjags::run.jags).

t

integer (with default): 1 every t iterations of the MCMC is considered for sampling the posterior distribution. (for more information see runjags::run.jags).

n.chains

integer (with default): number of independent chains for the model (for more information see runjags::run.jags).

jags_method

character (with default): select which method to use in order to call JAGS. jags_methods "rjags" (the default) and "rjparallel" have been tested. (for more information about these possibilities and others, see runjags::run.jags)

autorun

logical (with default): choose to automate JAGS processing. JAGS model will be automatically extended until convergence is reached (for more information see runjags::autorun.jags).

quiet

logical (with default): enables/disables rjags messages

roundingOfValue

integer (with default): Integer indicating the number of decimal places to be used, default = 3.

...

further arguments that can be passed to control the Bayesian process. 1) When creating a new JAGS model, see details for supported arguments. 2) If extending a JAGS model see arguments of runjags::extend.JAGS.

Value

NUMERICAL OUTPUT

  1. A list of type BayLum.list containing the following objects:

    • Sampling: that corresponds to a sample of the posterior distributions of the age (in ka), palaeodose (in Gy) and equivalent dose dispersion (in Gy) parameters for each sample;

    • Model_GrowthCurve: stating which dose response fitting option was chosen;

    • Distribution: stating which distribution was chosen to model the dispersion of individual equivalent dose values around the palaeodose of the sample;

    • PriorAge: stating the priors used for the age parameter (in ka);

    • StratiConstraints: stating the stratigraphic relations between samples considered in the model;

    • CovarianceMatrix: stating the covariance matrix of error used in the model, highlighting common errors between samples or not.

    • model: returns the model that was used for the Bayesian modelling as a character

    • JAGS model output: returns the JAGS model with class "runjags".

  2. The Gelman and Rubin test of convergency: prints the result of the Gelman and Rubin test of convergence for the age, palaeodose and equivalent dose dispersion parameters for each sample. A result close to one is expected.
    In addition, the user must visually assess the convergence of the trajectories by looking at the graph generated by the function (see PLOT OUTPUT for more informations).
    If both convergences (Gelman and Rubin test and plot checking) are satisfactory, the user can consider the estimates as valid. Otherwise, the user may try increasing the number of MCMC iterations (Iter) or being more precise on the PriorAge parameter (for example specify if it is a young sample c(0.01,10) an old sample c(10,100)), or changing the parameter distribution or the growth curve, to reach convergence.

  3. Credible intervals and Bayes estimates: prints the Bayes estimates, the credible intervals at 95% and 68% for the age, palaeodose and equivalent dose dispersion parameters for each sample.

PLOT OUTPUT

  1. MCMC trajectories: A graph with the MCMC trajectories and posterior distributions of the age, palaeodose and equivalent dose dispersion parameters is displayed, there is one page per sample.
    The first line of the figure corresponds to the age parameter, the second to the palaeodose parameter and the third to the equivalent dose dispersion parameter. On each line, the plot on the left represents the MCMC trajectories, and the one on the right the posterior distribution of the parameter.

  2. Summary of sample age estimates: plot credible intervals and Bayes estimate of each sample age on a same graph.

To give the results in a publication, we recommend to give the Bayes' estimate of the parameters as well as the credible interval at 95% or 68%.

Details

Supported ... arguments

ARGUMENTINPUTMETHODDEFAULTDESCRIPTION
max.timecharacterrjparallelInfmaximum allowed processing time, e.g., 10m for 10 minutes (cf. runjags::autorun.jags)
interactivelogicalrjparallelFALSEenable/disable interactive mode (cf. runjags::autorun.jags)
startburninintegerrjparallel4000number of burn-in iterations (cf. runjags::autorun.jags)
startsampleintegerrjparallel10000total number of samples to assess convergence (cf. runjags::autorun.jags)
initsnamed listrjparallelNAfine control over random seeds and random number generator runjags::autorun.jags

How to fill StratiConstraints

If there is stratigraphic relations between samples, informations in DATA must be ordered by order of increasing ages. To do this the user can either fill right Names in Generate_DataFile or in Generate_DataFile_MG (as it is indicated in Details section of these function), or ordered by order of increasing ages outputs of Generate_DataFile or Generate_DataFile_MG in combine_DataFiles

The user can fill the StratiConstraints matrix as follow.

  1. Size of the matrix: row number of StratiConstraints matrix is equal to Nb_sample+1, and column number is equal to Nb_sample.

  2. First line of the matrix: for all i in {1,...,Nb_Sample}, StratiConstraints[1,i]=1 that means the lower bound of the sample age (given in PriorAge[2i-1]) for the sample whose number ID is equal to i, is taken into account.

  3. Sample relations: for all j in {2,...,Nb_Sample+1} and all i in {j,...,Nb_Sample}, StratiConstraints[j,i]=1 if sample age whose number ID is equal to j-1 is lower than sample age whose number ID is equal to i. Otherwise, StratiConstraints[j,i]=0.

Note that StratiConstraints_{2:Nb_sample+A,1:Nb_sample} is a upper triangular matrix.

The user can also use SCMatrix or SC_Ordered (if all samples are ordered) functions to construct the StratiConstraints matrix.

The user can also refer to a csv file that contains the relation between samples as defined above. The user must take care about the separator used in the csv file using the argument sepSC.

How to fill THETA covariance matrix concerning common and individual error?

If systematic errors are considered, the user can fill the THETA matrix as follows.

  • row number of THETA is equal the column number, equal to Nb_sample.

  • For all i in {1,...,Nb_sample}, THETA[i,i] contains individual error plus systematic error of the sample whose number ID is equal to i.

  • For all i,j in {1,...,Nb_sample} and i different from j , THETA[i,j] contains common error between samples whose number ID are equal to i and j.

Note that THETA[i,j] is a symetric matrix.

The user can also refer to a .csv file that contains the errors as defined above.

Alternatively you can use the function create_ThetaMatrix.

Option on growth curves

As for Age_Computation and Palaeodose_Computation, the user can choose from 4 dose response curves:

  • Saturating exponential plus linear growth (AgesMultiCS2_EXPLIN):

    for all x in IR+, f(x)=a(1-exp(-x/b))+cx+d; select

    • LIN_fit=TRUE

    • Origin_fit=FALSE

  • Saturating exponential growth (AgesMultiCS2_EXP):

    for all x in IR+, f(x)=a(1-exp(-x/b))+d; select

    • LIN_fit=FALSE

    • Origin_fit=FALSE

  • Saturating exponential plus linear growth and fitting through the origin (AgesMultiCS2_EXPLINZO):

    for all x in IR+, f(x)=a(1-exp(-x/b))+cx; select

    • LIN_fit=TRUE

    • Origin_fit=TRUE

  • Saturating exponential growth and fitting through the origin (AgesMultiCS2_EXPZO):

    for all x in IR+, f(x)=a(1-exp(-x/b)); select

    • LIN_fit=FALSE

    • Origin_fit=TRUE

Option on equivalent dose distribution around the palaeodose

The use can choose between :

  • cauchy: a Cauchy distribution with location parameter equal to the palaeodose of the sample;

  • gaussian: a Gaussian distribution with mean equal to the palaeodose of the sample;

  • lognormal_A: a log-normal distribution with mean or Average equal to the palaeodose of the sample:

  • lognormal_M: a log-normal distribution with Median equal to the palaeodose of the sample.

Note

Please note that the initial values for all MCMC are currently all the same for all chains since we rely on the automatic initial value generation of JAGS. This is not optimal and will be changed in future. However, it does not affect the quality of the age estimates if the chains have converged.

How to cite

Christophe, C., Philippe, A., Guérin, G., Kreutzer, S., 2024. AgeS_Computation(): Bayesian analysis for OSL age estimation of various samples. In: Christophe, C., Philippe, A., Kreutzer, S., Guérin, G., Baumgarten, F.H., Frerebeau, N., 2024. BayLum: Chronological Bayesian Models Integrating Optically Stimulated. R package version 0.3.2. https://CRAN.r-project.org/package=BayLum

References

Combes, Benoit and Philippe, Anne, 2017. Bayesian analysis of multiplicative Gaussian error for multiple ages estimation in optically stimulated luminescence dating. Quaternary Geochronology (39, 24-34)

Combes, B., Philippe, A., Lanos, P., Mercier, N., Tribolo, C., Guerin, G., Guibert, P., Lahaye, C., 2015. A Bayesian central equivalent dose model for optically stimulated luminescence dating. Quaternary Geochronology 28, 62-70. doi:10.1016/j.quageo.2015.04.001

Author

Claire Christophe, Anne Philippe, Guillaume Guérin, Sebastian Kreutzer

Examples

## Age computation of samples GDB5 and GDB3,
## load data
data(DATA2) # GD85
data(DATA1) # GD83

## produce DataFile
Data <- combine_DataFiles(DATA2, DATA1)

## without common error, assuming GDB5 age younger than GDB3 age
Nb_sample <- 2
SC <- matrix(
  data = c(1,1,0,1,0,0),
  ncol = 2,
  nrow = (Nb_sample+1),
  byrow = TRUE)

if (FALSE) {
## run standard
Age <- AgeS_Computation(
  DATA = Data,
  Nb_sample = Nb_sample,
  SampleNames = c("GDB5","GDB3"),
  PriorAge = rep(c(1,100), 2),
  StratiConstraints = SC,
  Iter = 100,
  quiet = FALSE,
  jags_method = "rjags"
)

## extend model
Age_extended <- AgeS_Computation(
  DATA = Age,
  Nb_sample = Nb_sample,
  SampleNames = c("GDB5","GDB3"),
  PriorAge = rep(c(1,100), 2),
  StratiConstraints = SC,
  adapt = 0,
  burnin = 500,
  Iter = 1000,
  quiet = FALSE,
  jags_method = "rjags"
)

## autorun mode
Age <- AgeS_Computation(
  DATA = Data,
  Nb_sample = Nb_sample,
  SampleNames = c("GDB5","GDB3"),
  PriorAge = rep(c(1,100), 2),
  StratiConstraints = SC,
  Iter = 10000,
  quiet = FALSE,
  jags_method = "rjags",
  autorun = TRUE)

## parallel mode
Age <- AgeS_Computation(
  DATA = Data,
  Nb_sample = Nb_sample,
  SampleNames = c("GDB5","GDB3"),
  PriorAge = rep(c(1,100), 2),
  StratiConstraints = SC,
  Iter = 10000,
  quiet = FALSE,
  jags_method = "rjparallel")
}