Decision trees for uplift modeling with single and multiple treatments

Most classification approaches aim at achieving high prediction accuracy on a given dataset. However, in most practical cases, some action such as mailing an offer or treating a patient is to be taken on the classified objects, and we should model not the class probabilities themselves, but instead, the change in class probabilities caused by the action. The action should then be performed on those objects for which it will be most profitable. This problem is known as uplift modeling, differential response analysis, or true lift modeling, but has received very little attention in machine learning literature. An important modification of the problem involves several possible actions, when for each object, the model must also decide which action should be used in order to maximize profit. In this paper, we present tree-based classifiers designed for uplift modeling in both single and multiple treatment cases. To this end, we design new splitting criteria and pruning methods. The experiments confirm the usefulness of the proposed approaches and show significant improvement over previous uplift modeling techniques.     

Changes of fluorescent spectral features after successive rare earth doping of gadolinium oxide powders

We present a complex fluorescence study of a series of gadolinium oxide polycrystalline powders singly, doubly and triply doped with trivalent rare earth ions (Er³⁺, Tb³⁺, and Dy³⁺), to explore a possibility of their use as materials for white light emitting diodes. The excitation and luminescence spectra along with the decay kinetics were measured in the temperature range from 6 to 300 K. The luminescence efficiency was studied within the visible spectral range, i.e. −400 nm to 750 nm under excitation by 355 nm third harmonic Nd:YAG laser pulses. Singly doped Er³⁺ sample gave stronger luminescence signals, but others showed significantly larger decay lifetimes. The successive rare earths doping leads to substantial changes of the spectral positions due to the up-conversion processes. In the singly (Er³⁺) doped sample, following the time resolved spectrum and decay curves, there are two different types of emissions: at 660 nm and at shorter wavelengths (below 640 nm) the red emission's lifetime is ten times longer than at shorter wavelengths. The singly doped sample shows unclear temperature-dependence of luminescence with lifetime at 550 nm (the longest at 100 K, similarly at 6 K and 300 K) and achieved luminous efficacy 73.5 lm/W.     

Influence of Bridgman process conditions on microstructure and porosity of single crystal Ni-base superalloy CMSX-4

Abstract

Synchrotron radiation micro-X-ray fluorescence and micro-X-ray diffraction analysis, micro-computed tomography and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the microstructure of turbine blades made of a second generation nickel based superalloy CMSX-4 manufactured by investment casting process via Bridgman technique. The dependence of microstructure on process parameters, among others, on the withdrawal rate was analysed. The results set the stage for optimising the microstructure of the blades in terms of their mechanical properties.     

Microcrystalline Bi2ZnB2O7-polymer composites with silver nanoparticles as materials for laser operated devices

A novel type of composite for optoelectronic which is operated by second harmonic generation in the Bi₂ZnB₂O₇ crystallites (with sizes varying within 1–30 μm) and Ag nanoparticles (NP) embedded in PMMA polymer composites is proposed. The substantial influence of the Ag NP on the bicolor induced second harmonic generation was established. The phototreatment was performed by bicolor beams of nanosecond Nd:YAG laser (1,064/532 nm) at angles between the fundamental and photoinducing beams varying within the 19°–21° range. The studies of the corresponding dependences of the SHG during illumination by the two coherent beams at 1,064/532 nm showed a maximal enhancement of the output SHG for the Ag NP average sizes equal to about 40 nm. The role of the excited plasmons may be here crucial. Additionally the time shift between the fundamental and the doubled frequency beam maxima was found, which shows strong sensitivity to illumination. The established time shift is sensitive to the pumping power.