Cumulative dominance and heuristic performance in binary multi-attribute choice

Several studies have reported high performance of simple decision heuristics multi-attribute decision making. In this paper, we focus on situations where attributes are binary and analyze the performance of Deterministic-Elimination-By-Aspects (DEBA) and similar decision heuristics. We consider non-increasing weights and two probabilistic models for the attribute values: one where attribute values are independent Bernoulli randomvariables; the other one where they are binary random variables with inter-attribute positive correlations. Using these models, we show that good performance of DEBA is explained by the presence of cumulative as opposed to simple dominance. We therefore introduce the concepts of cumulative dominance compliance and fully cumulative dominance compliance and show that DEBA satisfies those properties. We derive a lower bound with which cumulative dominance compliant heuristics will choose a best alternative and show that, even with many attributes, this is not small. We also derive an upper bound for the expected loss of fully cumulative compliance heuristics and show that this is moderate even when the number of attributes is large. Both bounds are independent of the values of the weights.Multi-attribute decision making, binary attributes, DEBA, cumulative dominance, performance bounds, Leex

CARM1 and BAF155: an example of how chromatin remodeling factors can be relocalized and contribute to cancer

In a recent article, Wang and colleagues reported the discovery of a mechanism by which CARM1 regulates the genomic localization of BAF155 (a SWI/SNF subunit involved in chromatin remodeling) through post-translational methylation at R1064 arginine residues. This modification leads to the relocalization of BAF155-containing SWI/SNF complexes to regions containing genes involved in the Myc oncogenic pathway. The results presented are evidence that these interactions constitute a mechanism by which the BAF155 chromatin remodeling factor contributes to cancer

Seasonal circulation over the Catalan inner-shelf (northwest Mediterranean Sea)

This study characterizes the seasonal cycle of the Catalan inner-shelf circulation using observations and complementary numerical results. The relation between seasonal circulation and forcing mechanisms is explored through the depth-averaged momentum balance, for the period between May 2010 and April 2011, when velocity observations were partially available. The monthly-mean along-shelf flow is mainly controlled by the along-shelf pressure gradient and by surface and bottom stresses. During summer, fall, and winter, the along-shelf momentum balance is dominated by the barotropic pressure gradient and local winds. During spring, both wind stress and pressure gradient act in the same direction and are compensated by bottom stress. In the cross-shelf direction the dominant forces are in geostrophic balance, consistent with dynamic altimetry data. Key Points A hydrodynamic model is implemented for the first time in Catalan inner-shelf. Frictional and pressure gradient are revealed as the main forcing mechanisms A clear seasonal pattern is found in the current velocity.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Nueva técnica de pegado con resina acrílica para preparar láminas delgadas para microscopía óptica

[ES] Tras un breve análisis de 10s pegamentos mis utilizados en la preparación de Iáminas delgadas de materiales geológicos con sus ventajas e inconvenientes, se describe un método de encolado rápido y fiable con resina acrilica. Se presenta además un diseño sencillo de una prensa con base de vidrio que permite el paso de la luz ultravioleta indispensable para el endurecimiento de la resina. La preparaciói? de láminas delgadas con diferentes tipos de rocas coherentes y sedimentos y suelos impregnados, asi como las pruebas sobre la calidad de las uniones, su resistencia al mecanizado, el indice de refracción de la resina y el envejecimiento, han dado resultados altamente satisfactorios.[EN] After a short comparative analysis of the most usual bonding techniques for rock thin section preparation, a new fast and reliable bonding technique with acrylic resin is described. A new design for a U.V. translucent press necessary for both a minimun glue thickness and as a requirement for the acrylic bonding to be completed, is also presented. Tests about thin section quality, mechanical resistance of the bond, refractive index and ageing performed on different hard rocks and impregnated sediments and soils, have given excellent results.Peer reviewe

Effect of Low Power 655 and 830 nm Diode Laser Irradiation on the Neuromuscular Junctions of Mouse Diaphragm

https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/abq_citizen_news/4237/thumbnail.jp

A fuzzy anomaly detection system based on hybrid PSO-Kmeans algorithm in content-centric networks

In Content-Centric Networks (CCNs) as a possible future Internet, new kinds of attacks and security challenges – from Denial of Service (DoS) to privacy attacks – will arise. An efficient and effective security mechanism is required to secure content and defense against unknown and new forms of attacks and anomalies. Usually, clustering algorithms would fit the requirements for building a good anomaly detection system. K-means is a popular anomaly detection method to classify data into different categories. However, it suffers from the local convergence and sensitivity to selection of the cluster centroids. In this paper, we present a novel fuzzy anomaly detection system that works in two phases. In the first phase – the training phase – we propose an hybridization of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and K-means algorithm with two simultaneous cost functions as well-separated clusters and local optimization to determine the optimal number of clusters. When the optimal placement of clusters centroids and objects are defined, it starts the second phase. In this phase – the detection phase – we employ a fuzzy approach by the combination of two distance-based methods as classification and outlier to detect anomalies in new monitoring data. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can achieve to the optimal number of clusters, well-separated clusters, as well as increase the high detection rate and decrease the false positive rate at the same time when compared to some other well-known clustering algorithms

Factors affecting the Gender- based Consumer purchase intention towards Ethical Fashion (A case study on undergraduates of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura)

The study examines the factors affecting the gender-based consumer purchase intention towards ethical fashion in Sri Lanka. Primary data was gathered using self-administrated questionnaire through online platform and physically. Sample of the study was selected using stratified and simple random sampling techniques through undergraduates from three selected faculties of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Sample size of the study was 371 respondents including 228 female and 143 male undergraduates. Both descriptive analysis and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) method were applied for the quantitative data. Findings of the study revealed that both the female and male consumers have an identical level of awareness regarding the ethical fashion market and related scopes. The respondents of the study have a positive impression on ethical fashion concept, and they believe that the concept itself is necessary for the betterment of the society and environment. Attitudes and beliefs regarding ethical fashion and subjective norms were identified as the major factors which affect the purchase intention towards ethical fashion among the consumers. Furthermore, it was found that gender doesn’t have any moderate effect in determining the consumers’ purchase intention towards ethical fashion in the young adult consumers in Sri Lanka. Findings of the study suggested that the fashion industry should implement new methods to motivate the purchasing intention of young customers. Also, such methods should promote the core values of ethical fashion concept as most of the consumers are not aware about those and for the expansion of the ethical fashion industry.  DOI: http://doi.org/10.31357/fhss/vjhss.v08i02.1

Reliability of non-invasive tissue sampling methods for DNA extraction in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

[EN] Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) can be extracted from different tissue sources. The most common is blood, but in some situations it can be easier to take a biopsy. In some cases when it is difficult to capture animals, especially in wild populations, faeces and hairs can be considered as a source of DNA. This paper presents a pilot study conducted to compare the applicability of invasive and non-invasive sampling methods for extracting DNA for use in genetic studies of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The study included 24 rabbits from the INRA 1001 strain. Blood, hair, ear biopsies and faeces were collected and used as DNA sources. Our aim was to verify the quantity of DNA obtained from different tissues using two or three types of extraction. DNA was obtained for all tissue types and all extraction methods. DNA extraction was shown to be optimal with the LGC (Laboratory of Cellular Genetics) blood extraction method. With regard to non-invasive methods, DNA extraction for hair using the LGC protocol and QIAamp¿ DNA mini kit gave very low quantities of DNA that could not be used for PCR reactions. The Chelex extraction protocol gave good results for PCR but could not be quantified. DNA extracted from faeces is a viable source of DNA for determining individual genotypes. The use of such non-invasive samples as a source of genetic material is a recent and very promising technique, especially for the study of endangered species, but these techniques are still too unreliable and costly to altogether replace invasive techniques when the latter are possible.Ben Larbi, M.; Tircazes, A.; Feve, K.; Tudela, F.; Bolet, G. (2012). Reliability of non-invasive tissue sampling methods for DNA extraction in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). World Rabbit Science. 20(2):117-124. doi:10.4995/wrs.2012.1077SWORD11712420