Possibilistic classification by support vector networks.

In many real-world classification problems, the available information is often uncertain. In order to effectively describe the inherent vagueness and improve the classification performance, this paper proposes a novel possibilistic classification algorithm using support vector machines (SVMs). Based on possibility theory, the proposed algorithm aims at finding a maximal-margin fuzzy hyperplane by solving a fuzzy mathematical optimization problem Moreover, the decision function of the proposed approach is generalized such that the values assigned to the data vectors fall within a specified range and indicate the membership grade of these data vectors in the positive class.

Carboxymethyl chitosan has sensitive two-way CO-responsive hydrophilic/hydrophobic feature.

Carboxymethyl chitosans (CMC) with various degrees of carboxymethyl substitution were prepared and investigated on their changes in water solubility in response to bubbling of CO or N as a function of the relative concentrations of COOH and NH side groups. When having similar concentrations of COOH and NH, the produced CMC was water soluble at pH 10 and consecutively experienced peculiar dissolution-to-precipitation-to-dissolution during bubbling of CO, and experienced reverse dissolution-to-precipitation-to-dissolution process during subsequently bubbling of N. With the concentration of COOH much higher than that of NH, the water soluble CMC at pH 10 exhibited no phase changes in response to bubbling of CO and N.

[Time trends, estimates and projects for breast cancer incidence and mortality in China].

Objective: Using comprehensive available data on women breast cancer in China, to describe the mortality trends from late 1970s, estimate and project the profile in 2000 and 2005, and to aim to provide a reference for clinic, basic research and prevention and control strategy making for breast cancer in China.

Methods: Using Joinpoint model, the mortality trends were analyzed on the basis of routine surveillance data. Combining with the data from the second national mortality survey and several cancer registries, using the log-linear model (based on Poisson distribution), the breast cancer profile in 2000 and 2005 were estimated and projected.

[Mortality time trends and the incidence and mortality estimation and projection for lung cancer in China].

Background: Using the most comprehensive available data on lung cancer incidence and mortality in China, the mortality time trends were described and the incidence and mortality profile in 2000 and 2005 were estimated and projected, so as to provide evidence and reference for clinic, basic research and making prevention and control strategy for lung cancer in China.

Methods: The Joinpoint model was used to analyze the lung cancer mortality trends during 1987-1999, based on data reported to WHO from the Ministry of Health in China. Combined with the data from the second national mortality survey in 1990-1992 and the lung cancer incidence and mortality data from several cancer registries in China which involved in Cancer Incidence in Five Continents, the 8th version, using the log-linear model (based on Poisson distribution), the incidence and mortality profile for lung cancer in 2000 and 2005 in China were estimated and projected.

Estimates of cancer incidence in China for 2000 and projections for 2005.

Knowledge of the incidence of cancer is a fundamental requirement of rational planning and monitoring of cancer control programs. The lack of national-level information systems on health indicators in China means that estimation methods are required. Estimates and projections of national level cancer mortality have been previously made using sample surveys of deaths.

A comparison of the sources of cancer mortality in China.

Objective: To compare the validity of mortality data from available sources in China.

Materials, Methods: Two large-scale surveys have provided accurate national-level rates; the most recent involved deaths occurring in a random 10% sample of the population during 1990-1992. Since then, the only readily available sources are two on-going surveillance systems, which provide annual estimates of mortality--the "Disease Surveillance Points" (DSP) sample survey, and that established by the Center of Health Information and Statistics (CHIS) of the ministry of health, the results of which are published by WHO.

China's evolving health care market: how doctors feel and what they think.

This paper reports on a questionnaire survey and 12 focus groups conducted among doctors in three provinces of China, namely Guangdong, Shanxi, and Sichuan. The survey (N = 720) and focus group participants were drawn from both rural and urban areas, as well as public and private sectors, in equal numbers The aim was to gauge how Chinese doctors feel about themselves and what they think of the Chinese health care system. We found low satisfaction levels with own income (8%), job (27%), skill (30%), and other important aspects of their professional life.

Time trends in cancer mortality in China: 1987-1999.

A first analysis of time trends in cancer mortality in China at the national level is presented. Using a joinpoint regression model, based on data from a national mortality routine reporting system in China (CHIS), time trends in mortality for 9 major cancers are analyzed. Between 1987 and 1999, the age-standardized mortality rates for all cancers combined declined slightly in rural areas but have increased since 1996 in urban areas.

Sources of information on the burden of cancer in China.

Three data sources for the information on cancer in China are described in this paper: (i) mortality data from national retrospective surveys (1973-75 and 1990-92); (ii) mortality data obtained through special research projects (CHIS, DSP and mortality survey in 1986-89); and (iii) incidence and mortality data from cancer registries. Different combinations of mortality and incidence data can be used to estimate the pattern or burden of cancer in China. Registration of cancer incidence and mortality in China should be standardized and expanded, in order to enhance availability of accurate data for estimating cancer burden in China.