A Multi-factor Customer Classification Evaluation Model

Pervasive application of data mining technology is very important in analytical CRM software development when the distributed data warehouse is constructed. We propose a multi-factor customer classification evaluation model CLV/CL/CC which comprehensively considers customer lifetime value, customer loyalty and customer credit. It classifies clients with synthetic data mining algorithms. In this paper, we present an extended Bayes model which substitutes the primary attribute group with a new attribute group to improve the classification quality of naive Bayes

Comparing Survival Between Black and White Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Patients Treated with Docetaxel in Phase III Clinical Trials

Background Black men have higher prostate cancer incidence and mortality compared to white men. Both biological and socioeconomical factors contribute to the disparity in prostate cancer mortality. Fewer studies focus on the racial disparity in advanced prostate cancer compared to that of early disease. Data from clinical trials provide an opportunity to study racial disparity in cancer outcome in a controlled setting. Generating evidence on the racial disparity in advanced prostate cancer outcome from clinical trial data could help understand the disease and lead to more precise treatment guidelines. Materials and Methods Individual patient data of black and white men who received docetaxel from the comparator arm of four phase III CRPC trials [ASCENT2 (NCT00273338), VENICE (NCT00519285), ENTHUSE-M1C (NCT00617669), and MAINSAIL (NCT00988208)]. Comparison of overall survival (OS) between black vs white men was performed by the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, and mixed-effect Cox models. The prognostic value of PSA response was assessed by mixed-effect Cox models. Incidence of PSA response was assessed by mixed-effect logistic regression models. Missing lab data was imputed using the Markov chain Monte Carlo method. Results A total of 1817 patients were included in the analysis; 1721 (94.7%) were white and 96 (5.3%) were black. No difference in OS by race was detected by log-rank test (P=0.708). The hazard ratio of death comparing black to white men was 0.86 (95% CI 0.62-1.19, P=0.339) after adjusted by age, trial of enrolment, site of metastases, prior treatment and baseline lab data. The hazard ratio of death comparing patients with and without PSA response was 0.78 (95% CI 0.42-1.45, P=0.423) in black men and 0.54 (95% CI 0.47-0.62, P<0.001) in white men. The incidence of PSA response was higher in black men compared to that in white men (odds ratio 1.30, 95% CI 1.17-1.46, P<0.001). Conclusions In the 4 CRPC trials, OS in black men was insignificantly longer to that of white men. PSA response was a strong favorable prognostic indicator in white men, but not found in blacks. Black men had a significantly higher incidence for having PSA response

New class of 3D topological insulator in double perovskite

We predict a new class of three-dimensional topological insulators (TIs) in which the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) can more effectively generate a large band gap at $\Gamma$ point. The band gap of conventional TI such as Bi$_2$Se$_3$ is mainly limited by two factors, the strength of SOC and, from electronic structure perspective, the band gap when SOC is absent. While the former is an atomic property, we find that the latter can be minimized in a generic rock-salt lattice model in which a stable crossing of bands {\it at} the Fermi level along with band character inversion occurs for a range of parameters in the absence of SOC. Thus, large-gap TI's or TI's comprised of lighter elements can be expected. In fact, we find by performing first-principle calculations that the model applies to a class of double perovskites A$_2$BiXO$_6$ (A = Ca, Sr, Ba; X = Br, I) and the band gap is predicted up to 0.55 eV. Besides, more detailed calculations considering realistic surface structure indicate that the Dirac cones are robust against the presence of dangling bond at the boundary with a specific termination.Comment: submitted; title changed and new references added; see DOI for published versio

A MIXED PERMIAN–TRIASSIC BOUNDARY BRACHIOPOD FAUNA FROM GUIZHOU PROVINCE, SOUTH CHINA

Although many studies have been concerned with Changhsingian brachiopod faunas in South China, brachiopod faunas of the mixed nearshore clastic–carbonate facies have not been studied in detail. In this paper, a brachiopod fauna collected from the Changhsingian Wangjiazhai Formation and the Griesbachian Yelang Formation at the Liuzhi section (Guizhou Province, South China) is described. The Liuzhi section represents mixed clastic–carbonate facies and yields 30 species of 16 genera of brachiopod. Among the described and illustrated species, new morphological features of genera Peltichia, Prelissorhynchia and Spiriferellina are provided. Because of limited materials, four undetermined species instead of new species from these three genera are proposed. The Liuzhi brachiopod fauna from lower part of the Wangjiazhai Formation shares most genera with fauna of carbonate facies in South China, and the fauna from the upper part is similar to that from the Zhongzhai and Zhongying sections, representative shallow-water clastic facies sections in Guizhou Province. Consistent with the lithological feature of the Wangjiazhai Formation at the Liuzhi section, the Liuzhi brachiopod fauna shows similar changing pattern with fauna from sections of shallow-water clastic and carbonate facies, and all present a sudden decline of diversity prior to the Permian–Triassic boundary

User-Accustomed Interaction: An Usability Approach for Designing Mobile Application for Novice and Expert Users

The development of smartphone applications is prevailing globally, including the underserved communities consisting of a huge group of novice users. In spite of the growing number of novice users, we hardly consider usability for users with varying expertise level when we evaluate performance and satisfaction with usage of mobile applications. In this study, we argue that it is not suitable to design one interface for all users of progressively varying communities. Based on theories in design science research, we propose a user-accustomed approach to adapt mobile applications that integrate three types of interaction elements, namely localization, structural navigation and illustration. In an investigation of the proposed approach on mobile application, we empirically proved the effects of user-accustomed interaction techniques on performance and satisfaction between novice and expert users. The findings provide significant theoretical and practical implications for design and implementation of user interfaces on mobile application

Loss of vesicular dopamine release precedes tauopathy in degenerative dopaminergic neurons in a Drosophila model expressing human tau.

While a number of genome-wide association studies have identified microtubule-associated protein tau as a strong risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD), little is known about the mechanism through which human tau can predispose an individual to this disease. Here, we demonstrate that expression of human wild-type tau is sufficient to disrupt the survival of dopaminergic neurons in a Drosophila model. Tau triggers a synaptic pathology visualized by vesicular monoamine transporter-pHGFP that precedes both the age-dependent formation of tau-containing neurofibrillary tangle-like pathology and the progressive loss of DA neurons, thereby recapitulating the pathological hallmarks of PD. Flies overexpressing tau also exhibit progressive impairments of both motor and learning behaviors. Surprisingly, contrary to common belief that hyperphosphorylated tau could aggravate toxicity, DA neuron degeneration is alleviated by expressing the modified, hyperphosphorylated tau(E14). Together, these results show that impairment of VMAT-containing synaptic vesicle, released to synapses before overt tauopathy may be the underlying mechanism of tau-associated PD and suggest that correction or prevention of this deficit may be appropriate targets for early therapeutic intervention

QUALITY DESIGN OF TAGUCHI’S DIGITAL DYNAMIC SYSTEMS

Taguchi’s method is a widely employed methodology in many different industries for improving product quality and process performance. Digital dynamic systems denote the problems where both the input and output are digital values in Taguchi’s method. When the signal factor levels are classified into two classes and the output is classified into two or more classes, two or more errors will occur in experiments. The digital dynamic systems are widely applied in the fields of telecommunication, computer operations, chemistry and tests of detection of medicine or environmental pollution. The SN ratio recommended by Taguchi is based on the errors with the same loss coefficient to optimize the problems. However, the losses due to the errors are not equal in practice. This paper proposes a general model for optimizing parameter design and selecting threshold value for the digital dynamic systems where the output is classified into four classes. The implementation and the effectiveness of the proposed approach are illustrated through two case studies

The impact of a discrepancy between actual and preferred living arrangements on life satisfaction among the elderly in China

OBJECTIVES:To explore the effects of a discrepancy between actual and preferred living arrangements on the relationship between living arrangements and life satisfaction among the elderly in China.METHODS:Secondary analysis of the 2005 dataset of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey was performed. A binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between life satisfaction and living arrangements.RESULTS:Among those with concordant actual and preferred living arrangements, living in a nursing home increased the likelihood of life satisfaction, whereas living alone and living with a spouse decreased the likelihood of life satisfaction compared to living with the next generation and a spouse. Among those with discordant living arrangements, there were no differences in life satisfaction between the various living arrangements, except that living with a spouse increased life satisfaction compared to living with the next generation and a spouse.CONCLUSIONS:A discrepancy between actual and preferred living arrangements modifies the relationship between life satisfaction and actual living arrangement. Living in a nursing home is a good option for Chinese elder care only if the older individual emotionally accepts it. Living alone or with a spouse is not a good arrangement for elder care, even though it is often preferred by the elderly. Those with discordant living arrangements are more satisfied living with their spouses