Insights into the feature selection problem using local optima networks

The binary feature selection problem is investigated in this paper. Feature selection fitness landscape analysis is done, which allows for a better understanding of the behaviour of feature selection algorithms. Local optima networks are employed as a tool to visualise and characterise the fitness landscapes of the feature selection problem in the context of classification. An analysis of the fitness landscape global structure is provided, based on seven real-world datasets with up to 17 features. Formation of neutral global optima plateaus are shown to indicate the existence of irrelevant features in the datasets. Removal of irrelevant features resulted in a reduction of neutrality and the ratio of local optima to the size of the search space, resulting in improved performance of genetic algorithm search in finding the global optimum

The construct validity and reliability of the Turkish version of Spreitzer's psychological empowerment scale

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Today, many organizations have adopted some kind of empowerment initiative for at least part of their workforce. Over the last two decades, two complementary perspectives on empowerment at work have emerged: structural and psychological empowerment. Psychological empowerment is a motivational construct manifested in four cognitions: meaning, competence, self-determination and impact. The aim of this article is to examine the construct validity and reliability of the Turkish translation of Spreitzer's psychological empowerment scale in a culturally diverse environment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The scale contains four dimensions over 12 statements. Data were gathered from 260 nurses and 161 physicians. The dimensionality of the scale was evaluated by exploratory factor analyses. To investigate the multidimensional nature of the empowerment construct and the validity of the scale, first- and second-order confirmatory factor analysis was conducted. Furthermore, Cronbach alpha coefficients were assessed to investigate reliability.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Exploratory factor analyses revealed that four factors in both solutions. The first- and second-order factor analysis indicated an acceptable fit between the data and the theoretical model for nurses and physicians. Cronbach alpha coefficients varied between 0.81-0.94 for both groups, which may be considered satisfactory.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The analyses indicated that the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the scale can be considered satisfactory.</p

Applications of Nature-Inspired Algorithms for Dimension Reduction: Enabling Efficient Data Analytics

In [1], we have explored the theoretical aspects of feature selection and evolutionary algorithms. In this chapter, we focus on optimization algorithms for enhancing data analytic process, i.e., we propose to explore applications of nature-inspired algorithms in data science. Feature selection optimization is a hybrid approach leveraging feature selection techniques and evolutionary algorithms process to optimize the selected features. Prior works solve this problem iteratively to converge to an optimal feature subset. Feature selection optimization is a non-specific domain approach. Data scientists mainly attempt to find an advanced way to analyze data n with high computational efficiency and low time complexity, leading to efficient data analytics. Thus, by increasing generated/measured/sensed data from various sources, analysis, manipulation and illustration of data grow exponentially. Due to the large scale data sets, Curse of dimensionality (CoD) is one of the NP-hard problems in data science. Hence, several efforts have been focused on leveraging evolutionary algorithms (EAs) to address the complex issues in large scale data analytics problems. Dimension reduction, together with EAs, lends itself to solve CoD and solve complex problems, in terms of time complexity, efficiently. In this chapter, we first provide a brief overview of previous studies that focused on solving CoD using feature extraction optimization process. We then discuss practical examples of research studies are successfully tackled some application domains, such as image processing, sentiment analysis, network traffics / anomalies analysis, credit score analysis and other benchmark functions/data sets analysis

GEOLOGICAL EVIDENCES BELONGING TO LATE HOLOCENE SEISMIC ACTIVITY IN

A paleoseismology study has been conducted on the faults of the SW margin of Denizli graben (Southwestern Anatolia) for the purpose of understanding its seismic behavior in historical periods. Samples have been taken from Holocene aged sediments coming onto the young faults of the graben especially in Duacili quarry and Almadan trench taking place in Saraykoy zone and radiocarbon analysis has been conducted. In this respect, the first seismic event occurred in Almadan trench between 4170-3960 B.C. The third seismic event occurred between the years 360-90 B.C. again in the same location and on the same rupture. This earthquake probably has a magnitude of approximately 6.5 and it has formed a 40 cm dip slip. About 11-14 km surface rupture has occurred in this earthquake. The second seismic event between these two earthquakes occurred on Duacili segment taking place in southern zone between 1920-1730 B.C. It is understood from the obtained data that a bigger earthquake has occurred when compared to the third tectonic event. Upon these data, it could be said that the earthquakes in SW margin of the graben have a recurrence interval changing between 1600-2300 years.C1 [Hancer, Mete] Pamukkale Univ, Dept Geol Engn, TR-2017 Kinikli Denizli, Turkey

“Do your internal branding efforts measure up?”: consumers’ response to brand supporting behaviors of hospitality employees

Due to copyright restrictions, the access to the full text of this article is only available via subscription.Purpose – This study aims to understand the effect of brand citizenship behaviors of hospitality employees on customers’ relation with the brand. A model, which links employee behaviors to customers’ evaluation of brand performance, brand trust and brand commitment, is proposed to provide further insight into how customers form their relation with a brand. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from both customer-contact employees and passengers of a corporate airline company. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed model by using both employee and customer data in the same research model. Findings – The results showed that even brand citizenship behaviors of employees did not affect brand commitment of customers directly; these behaviors explain customers’ commitment to a brand through influencing perceived brand performance of customers and their trust toward a brand. Overall, this study provided support for the impact of employees’ brand-related behaviors on consumers’ relation with the brand. Research limitations/implications – The results suggest that hospitality employees contribute to the brand success through their behaviors. This helps organizations to enhance brand-related behaviors of their employees to ensure long-term relationships not only with customers but also with their employees in a labor-intensive and high customer contact industry. Originality/value – This research was one of the first to analyze the effects of employees’ brand supporting behaviors on consumers by using both employee and consumer data in the same research model within the hospitality context

Linking brand commitment and brand citizenship behaviors of airline employees: “the role of trust”

Due to copyright restrictions, the access to the full text of this article is only available via subscription.Despite the growing interest in understanding employees' brand related behaviors in the airline industry, the research in this area mainly focus on the effect of employee brand commitment and limit the empirical support as well. Although, brand commitment explains brand behaviors of employees, commitment in a relationship usually works through trust. Therefore, this study integrated brand trust and analyzed the relation between brand trust and brand commitment on brand citizenship behaviors of employees. Data were collected from 523 flight attendants of a corporate airline company. The findings reveal that brand trust has a significant effect on brand citizenship behaviors as well as it mediates the effect of brand commitment on these behaviors. The uniqueness of this study is the integration of brand trust for its effect on commitment and brand citizenship behaviors of employees as well providing empirical support for their relationship within the context of airline industry

Clays in Denizli region (southwestern Anatolia), Turkey

In this region, marine, continental and lacustrine clay deposits which are used as a raw material in the cement sector were investigated. It is seen that Upper Cretaceous-Upper Eocene shales representing marine deposition are found in Malidagi in economic quantities, However, their Na(2)O% and K(2)O% contents are higher than in other clays. The Oligocene aged Bayiralan clay representing marine deposition have abundant magnesian minerals. Because of its high MgO% content, this clay is not suitable cement standard. The areal extent of the Upper Miocene-Lower Pliocene Kizilburun clays represented fine sediments in the floodplain are widely situated. These may be used in cement sector, but the have reserve and environmental problems. The red coloured clays belonging to the Pliocene Sakizcilar Formation are sutitable for cement standard. To decreasing the transportation costs of the Denizli cement factory, the Malidagi clay and Sakizcilar clay may be used together in different proportions, If the Malidagi and Sakizcilar clays may be used, the contents of K(2)O% and Na(2)O% will decrease

Clays in Denizli region (southwestern Anatolia), Turkey

In this region, marine, continental and lacustrine clay deposits which are used as a raw material in the cement sector were investigated. It is seen that Upper Cretaceous-Upper Eocene shales representing marine deposition are found in Malidagi in economic quantities, However, their Na(2)O% and K(2)O% contents are higher than in other clays. The Oligocene aged Bayiralan clay representing marine deposition have abundant magnesian minerals. Because of its high MgO% content, this clay is not suitable cement standard. The areal extent of the Upper Miocene-Lower Pliocene Kizilburun clays represented fine sediments in the floodplain are widely situated. These may be used in cement sector, but the have reserve and environmental problems. The red coloured clays belonging to the Pliocene Sakizcilar Formation are sutitable for cement standard. To decreasing the transportation costs of the Denizli cement factory, the Malidagi clay and Sakizcilar clay may be used together in different proportions, If the Malidagi and Sakizcilar clays may be used, the contents of K(2)O% and Na(2)O% will decrease

Turkish population data on the factor XIII Val34Leu, glycoprotein (GP)Ib alpha Kozak and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1) loci

We determined the allele and genotype frequencies of three PCR-based gene polymorphisms factor XIII (FXIII) Val34Leu, glycoprotein (GP) Ibalpha Kozak and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1) in the Turkish population (n = 126 for FXIII Val34Leu, n = 110 for GPIbalpha Kozak and n=203 for PSGL-1). To detect these polymorphisms, DNA was extracted from venous blood. Genomic DNA samples were replicated and analysed by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. PCR products were digested by restriction endonuclease enzymes for FXIII Val34Leu and GPIbalpha Kozak. PSGL-1 was analysed by variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR). Allele frequencies of V (Val) and L (Leu) were found to be 0.805 and 0.195 respectively for the FXIII Val34Leu polymorphism. No significant difference was observed between French and Turkish populations for FXIII Val34Leu. Allele frequencies of T and C were calculated to be 0.873 and 0.127 for the GPIba Kozak polymorphism and no significant difference was found between Turkish and French populations. In contrast, the difference between Turkish and Japanese populations was statistically significant (p < 0.0001.) In the PSGL-1 group, allele frequencies of A, B and C were calculated as 0.818, 0.160, 0.022 respectively. For the PSGL-1, although the difference between Turkish and French populations was not significant, the difference between the Turkish and Japanese was extremely significant (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, a Turkish population database has been established for three gene polymorphisms. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd

TWO NOVEL CALRETICULIN MUTATIONS IN A TURKISH PATIENT WITH PRIMARY MYELOFIBROSIS: C.1116DELA AND C.1120A > C

20th Congress of European-Hematology-Association -- JUN 11-14, 2015 -- Vienna, AUSTRIAWOS: 000361204904450