The Innovative Design of Inter-bank Bond Market System

Presently, the development of China’s capital market is characterized by the slow development of bond market, so the establishment of a multi-level capital market needs more development led by the inter-bank bond market. The content and suggestion of innovative design of inter-bank bond market are discussed from the macro aspects of distribution system, transaction system, market-maker system and regulatory mechanisms. Key words: Inter-Bank bond market; System; Innovatio

Superpave Implementation Phase I: Determining Optimum Binder Content

This technical memorandum summarizes the first phase of a research study on the implementation of Superpave mix design for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Fifteen Hveem mix designs selected from around the state were used as the basis of this study. The 15 selected mix designs vary in binder PG-grade, binder type (unmodified, rubber, and polymer), aggregate gradation and mineralogy, and RAP percentage. Based on the Hveem mix designs, Superpave volumetric mix designs were developed for each mix and comparisons were made between mixes developed from both methods. Specifically, these mixes were evaluated to meet the draft Caltrans Superpave volumetric mix design specification which includes the design air-void content, percent VMA, percent VFA and dust proportion as major design components. Details regarding adjustments to and strategies in determining the Superpave optimal binder content for each mix are discussed. A summary of changes and adjustments to Hveem mixes needed to meet Superpave specifications is presented. Recommendations for specimen preparation using Superpave mix design procedures are given

Performance Evalution Analysis for College Teachers Based on Weighted Idealpoint

The evaluation methods of college teachers’ performance should be scientific and feasible. To accomplish this goal, we design the performance evaluation index system from three aspects as teaching, scientific research and professional disciplines development. By using the principal component analysis method we reduce the data dimension, through combining with the weighted idealpoint method, we get the final ranking result. Finally, an example is given to show the rationality and effect of the evaluation method.Key words: College teachers; Performance evaluation method; Principal component analysis method; Weighted ideal-point metho

Based on the Integration of “Internet + Ideology and Politics”, the Practice of Online and Offline Mixed Teaching Mode of Modern Medical Courses in Traditional Chinese Medicine Majors

The purpose of this paper is to explore how to implement the online and offline mixed teaching mode in the modern medical courses of TCM specialty under the guidance of the concept of “Internet + ideological and political integration”, and to explore its practical experience and remarkable results. With the power of today’s Internet technology, we will organically integrate ideological and political education into the modern medicine course of traditional Chinese medicine, so as to effectively promote the overall cultivation of students’ comprehensive quality, and further enhance the attraction of the course and educational benefits

Estimating Costs Associated with Disease Model States Using Generalized Linear Models: A Tutorial

Estimates of costs associated with disease states are required to inform decision analytic disease models to evaluate interventions that modify disease trajectory. Increasingly, decision analytic models are developed using patient-level data with a focus on heterogeneity between patients, and there is a demand for costs informing such models to reflect individual patient costs. Statistical models of health care costs need to recognize the specific features of costs data which typically include a large number of zero observations for non-users, and a skewed and heavy right-hand tailed distribution due to a small number of heavy healthcare users. Different methods are available for modelling costs, such as generalized linear models (GLMs), extended estimating equations and latent class approaches. While there are tutorials addressing approaches to decision modelling, there is no practical guidance on the cost estimation to inform such models. Therefore, this tutorial aims to provide a general guidance on estimating healthcare costs associated with disease states in decision analytic models. Specifically, we present a step-by-step guide to how individual participant data can be used to estimate costs over discrete periods for participants with particular characteristics, based on the GLM framework. We focus on the practical aspects of cost modelling from the conceptualization of the research question to the derivation of costs for an individual in particular disease states. We provide a practical example with step-by-step R code illustrating the process of modelling the hospital costs associated with disease states for a cardiovascular disease model

Medication adherence and costs of medical care among patients with Parkinson’s disease: an observational study using electronic medical records

Background: Adherence to antiparkinsonian drugs (APDs) is critical for patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), for which medication is the main therapeutic strategy. Previous studies have focused on specific disorders in a single system when assessing clinical factors affecting adherence to PD treatment, and no international comparative data are available on the medical costs for Chinese patients with PD. The present study aimed to evaluate medication adherence and its associated factors among Chinese patients with PD using a systematic approach and to explore the impact of adequate medication adherence on direct medical costs. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the electronic medical records of patients with PD from a medical center in China. Patients with a minimum of two APD prescriptions from January 1, 2016 to August 15, 2018 were included. Medication possession ratio (MPR) and proportion of days covered were used to measure APD adherence. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify factors affecting APD adherence. Gamma regression analysis was used to explore the impact of APD adherence on direct medical costs. Results: In total, 1,712 patients were included in the study, and the mean MPR was 0.68 (± 0.25). Increased number of APDs and all medications, and higher daily levodopa-equivalent doses resulted in higher MPR (mean difference [MD] = 0.04 [0.03–0.05]; MD = 0.02 [0.01–0.03]; MD = 0.03 [0.01–0.04], respectively); combined digestive system diseases, epilepsy, or older age resulted in lower MPR (MD = -0.06 [-0.09 to -0.03]; MD = -0.07 [-0.14 to -0.01]; MD = -0.02 [-0.03 to -0.01], respectively). Higher APD adherence resulted in higher direct medical costs, including APD and other outpatient costs. For a 0.3 increase in MPR, the two costs increased by $34.42 ($25.43–$43.41) and$14.63 ($4.86–$24.39) per year, respectively. Conclusions: APD adherence rate among Chinese patients with PD was moderate and related primarily to age, comorbidities, and healthcare costs. The factors should be considered when prescribing APDs