A statistical learning based approach for parameter fine-tuning of metaheuristics

Metaheuristics are approximation methods used to solve combinatorial optimization problems. Their performance usually depends on a set of parameters that need to be adjusted. The selection of appropriate parameter values causes a loss of efficiency, as it requires time, and advanced analytical and problem-specific skills. This paper provides an overview of the principal approaches to tackle the Parameter Setting Problem, focusing on the statistical procedures employed so far by the scientific community. In addition, a novel methodology is proposed, which is tested using an already existing algorithm for solving the Multi-Depot Vehicle Routing Problem.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

A statistical learning based approach for parameter fine-tuning of metaheuristics

Metaheuristics are approximation methods used to solve combinatorial optimization problems. Their performance usually depends on a set of parameters that need to be adjusted. The selectionof appropriate parameter values causes a loss of efficiency, as it requires time, and advanced analytical and problem-specific skills. This paper provides an overview of the principal approaches to tackle the Parameter Setting Problem, focusing on the statistical procedures employed so far by the scientific community. In addition, a novel methodology is proposed, which is tested using an already existing algorithm for solving the Multi-Depot Vehicle Routing Problem

Dried blood microsample-assisted determination of vitamins : recent developments and challenges

Although vitamin deficiencies are a well-known issue, monitoring of the vitamin status and diagnosis of vitamin deficiencies in remote regions is a complicated task. Dried blood microsampling, as an alternative sampling strategy, could offer a solution to the several drawbacks related to conventional venipuncture. Although highly relevant, the number of microsampling procedures that has been developed for assessing vitamins in dried blood samples is rather limited, indicating the challenging nature of the subject. This review discusses several challenges inherent to vitamin analysis in microsamples, thereby covering topics including sampling strategy, hematocrit (Hct) effect, sample preparation, calibration, assay sensitivity, stability, and clinical interpretation of the results

Teaching information literacy and evidence-based practice in an undergraduate speech-language pathology program: A student reflection

Purpose: This study assessed teaching information literacy and evidence-based practice skills using an active-learning library workshop in an under- graduate speech-language pathology capstone course. Method: Students’ responses regarding teaching in- formation literacy skills and evidence-based practice using a workshop, which was collaboratively de- signed and taught by a health sciences librarian and a speech-language pathology faculty member, were measured using the one-minute paper (OMP; Angelo & Cross, 1993). Fifty-one OMPs were collected over a 2-year period. Students were asked 2 questions on the OMP: “What information did you learn today that you think will be most useful to you in your speech- language pathology and audiology course work?” and “What question(s) do you still have?” Student reflections were analyzed using qualitative methods. Results: Responses to the first question revealed 6 themes that students found helpful; the most common concept was search strategies. Student feedback on the second question generated 10 themes. The most common theme was not having any questions. Students asked about evidence appraisal and why the material was not introduced earlier. Conclusion: The benefits of a librarian and faculty member collaboratively teaching undergraduate students information literacy skills for finding evidence- based information are highlighted. Results indicate that students learned effective strategies for finding evidence-based information and support integrating information literacy into the speech-language pathology curriculum early and often

Short but Critical?: How “Fake News” and “Anti-Elitist” Media Attacks Undermine Perceived Message Credibility on Social Media

Citizens increasingly turn to social media for information, where they often rely on cues to judge the credibility of news messages. In these environments, populist politicians use “fake news” and “anti-elitist” attacks to undermine the credibility of news messages. This article argues that to truly understand the impact of these criticism cues, one must simultaneously consider additional contextual cues as well as individual-level moderators. In a factorial survey, we exposed 715 respondents to tweets by a politician retweeting and discrediting a news message of which topic and source varied. We find that both the fake news cue and the anti-elitist cue have limited across-the-board effects but decrease credibility if the message is incongruent with voters’ issue positions. Our results thus offer a more optimistic view on the power of populist media criticism cues and suggest that source and confirmation heuristics are (still) stronger influences on citizens’ credibility evaluations

Metabolomics Approaches and their Hidden Potential for Explaining the Mycotoxin Contamination Problem

Food is essential for life. On the basis of the previous sentence, consumers have a right to expect that the foods they purchase and consume will be safe, authentic and of high quality. On these premises, target compounds, such as mycotoxins, pesticides or antibiotics, have been commonly investigated on the food chain, and subsequently, were regulated by authorities. This raises the following question: may consumer be prevented to these risk exposures? Probably not, food chain is step-by-step longer and more complex than ever before. Note that food chain is affected by globalized trade, culture, travel and migration, an ageing population, changing consumer trends and habits, new technologies, emergencies, climate change and extreme weather events which are increasing foodborne health risks, especially for mycotoxins. Because of the fact that mycotoxins are natural toxic compounds produced by certain filamentous fungi on many agricultural communities. In fact, these toxins have adverse effects on humans, animals and crops that result in illnesses and economic losses. Nevertheless, so far mycotoxins and their modified forms have been mainly monitored in cereal and cereal-based products, however, may an early detection of mycotoxins be considered a reliable strategy? In this chapter, recent metabolomics approaches have been reviewed in order to answer this question and to understand future strategies in the field of mycotoxin contamination

A statistical learning based approach for parameter fine-tuning of metaheuristics

Metaheuristics are approximation methods used to solve combinatorial optimization problems. Their performance usually depends on a set of parameters that need to be adjusted. The selectionof appropriate parameter values causes a loss of efficiency, as it requires time, and advanced analytical and problem-specific skills. This paper provides an overview of the principal approaches to tackle the Parameter Setting Problem, focusing on the statistical procedures employed so far by the scientific community. In addition, a novel methodology is proposed, which is tested using an already existing algorithm for solving the Multi-Depot Vehicle Routing Problem.Peer Reviewe

Retseptiravimite kasutamine rasedatel Eestis – 2008. ja 2019. aasta andmete võrdlus

Taust ja eesmärk. Rasedate retseptiravimikasutus on kogu maailmas aastate jooksul suurenenud, samas rasedusaegse kasutamise kohta käiv info on ametlikus ravimiinfos napp. Uuringu eesmärk oli võrrelda retseptiravimite kasutamist rasedatel Eestis 2008. ja 2019. aastal ning hinnata info olemasolu ravimite rasedusaegse kasutamise riskide kohta erinevates infoallikates.Metoodika. Võrreldi 2008. ja 2019. aastal sünnitanud naiste retseptiravimikasutust Eesti Haigekassa andmetel. Toimeained jagati riskikategooriatesse ravimite andmebaaside SPC (Summary of Product Characteristics), FDA (Food and Drug Administration), ADEC (Australian Drug Evaluation Committee) ja Gravbase kategoriseerimise alusel ning võrreldi erinevates infoallikates olevat infot.Tulemused. Võrreldes 2008. aastaga vähenes nende rasedate osakaal, kes ostsid vähemalt ühe retseptiravimi, 2019. aastaks 75%-lt 68%-le. Välja ostetud ravimite arvu mediaan oli vähemalt ühe retsepti ravimid välja ostnud rasedatel mõlemal aastal 2. Sagedasim diagnoos retseptidel oli 2019. aastal naise infertiilsus – 12,6% vs. 3,4% retseptidest 2008. aastal. 2019. aastal kirjutati välja 380 toimeainet, millest SPC andmetel on lubatud rasedatel kasutada 7,7% ning vastunäidustatud on 42,6%, samas Gravbase’i andmetel on 20% ravimitest rasedatele lubatud rühmas ning 7,6% vastunäidustatud. Vaid 19% (n = 73) toimeainetest kuulusid erinevate allikate alusel samasse riskikategooriasse.Järeldus. Kuna info retseptiravimite rasedusaegse kasutamise ohtude kohta sageli SPCs puudub, on vaja, et rasedusaegse ravimiinfo andmebaasid oleks paremini kättesaadavad