1. A method for modeling a relationship between first and second data collections, wherein for each member of the first data collection, there is a corresponding member of the second collection, comprising: determining residuals between the first and second collections; determining, using the residuals, a position of one of the members of the first data collection; determining proximity data relative to a value (V) for the one member of the first data collection at the position; determining a subcollection of the first collection, wherein each member of the subcollection has a value that is in proximity to the value V according to the proximity data; and generating the basis function from the subcollection for obtaining a model of the relationship; and outputting model information for presentation to a user or a predetermined process for affecting or identifying a physical event, wherein the model information includes at least one of: (a) data indicative of a correspondence between the model and the relationship, (b) data indicative of a variance between the model and the relationship, (c) an extrapolation of the relationship, (d) an interpolation of the relationship, and (e) notification of the physical event.