A multi-objective-based approach for Fair Principal Component Analysis

In dimension reduction problems, the adopted technique may produce disparities between the representation errors of two or more different groups. For instance, in the projected space, a specific class can be better represented in comparison with the other ones. Depending on the situation, this unfair result may introduce ethical concerns. In this context, this paper investigates how a fairness measure can be considered when performing dimension reduction through principal component analysis. Since both reconstruction error and fairness measure must be taken into account, we propose a multi-objective-based approach to tackle the Fair Principal Component Analysis problem. The experiments attest that a fairer result can be achieved with a very small loss in the reconstruction error

On the athermal character of structural phase transitions

The significance of thermal fluctuations on nucleation in structural first-order phase transitions has been examined. The prototype case of martensitic transitions has been experimentally investigated by means of acoustic emission techniques. We propose a model based on the mean first-passage time to account for the experimental observations. Our study provides a unified framework to establish the conditions for isothermal and athermal transitions to be observed.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted in Phys. Rev. Let

The association between family and community social capital and health risk behaviours in young people: an integrative review

Background: Health risk behaviours known to result in poorer outcomes in adulthood are generally established in late childhood and adolescence. These ‘risky’ behaviours include smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use and sexual risk taking. While the role of social capital in the establishment of health risk behaviours in young people has been explored, to date, no attempt has been made to consolidate the evidence in the form of a review. Thus, this integrative review was undertaken to identify and synthesise research findings on the role and impact of family and community social capital on health risk behaviours in young people and provide a consolidated evidence base to inform multi-sectorial policy and practice.<p></p> Methods: Key electronic databases were searched (i.e. ASSIA, CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts) for relevant studies and this was complemented by hand searching. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied and data was extracted from the included studies. Heterogeneity in study design and the outcomes assessed precluded meta-analysis/meta-synthesis; the results are therefore presented in narrative form.<p></p> Results: Thirty-four papers satisfied the review inclusion criteria; most were cross-sectional surveys. The majority of the studies were conducted in North America (n=25), with three being conducted in the UK. Sample sizes ranged from 61 to 98,340. The synthesised evidence demonstrates that social capital is an important construct for understanding the establishment of health risk behaviours in young people. The different elements of family and community social capital varied in terms of their saliency within each behavioural domain, with positive parent–child relations, parental monitoring, religiosity and school quality being particularly important in reducing risk.<p></p> Conclusions: This review is the first to systematically synthesise research findings about the association between social capital and health risk behaviours in young people. While providing evidence that may inform the development of interventions framed around social capital, the review also highlights key areas where further research is required to provide a fuller account of the nature and role of social capital in influencing the uptake of health risk behaviours.<p></p&gt

Temperature dependence of the second order elastic constants of Cu-Zn-Al shape memory alloy in its martensitic and beta phases

The temperature dependence of the sound velocities for 13 propagation modes has been measured in a single crystal of Cu-Zn-Al monoclinic 1 8 R martensite, using the pulse-echo method. By numerical procedure the complete set of nine second-order adiabatic elastic constants ( C ij ) of the closest orthorhombic reference phase, their relative thermal variation ( Γ ij ) , and the Debye temperature ( θ D ) have been obtained. The values found in the martensitic phase have been compared to data avalaible for the high-temperature bcc β -phase in the same alloy system. The velocity surfaces in the corresponding crystallographic directions of both phases have also been computed at different temperatures. It has been shown that the mechanical stability of the lattice for some particular distortions decreases as the transformation temperature is approached in both the martensitic as well as in the β phase

Strategies for successful U-Th dating of paleolake carbonates: An example from the Bolivian Altiplano

We report over 90 U-Th dates from carbonates deposited around paleolakes on the Bolivian Altiplano. Petrographic and chemical data for tufas and the siliciclastic detritus contained within them allow (1) assessment of possible diagenetic effects, (2) a development of a strategy for selection of carbonate samples with low initial Th contents, and (3) assessment of the uncertainty due to initial Th. This strategy allows us to produce precise U-Th dates from lacustrine carbonates. The principal consideration in dating such carbonates is the composition and quantity of initial Th incorporated into the carbonate, and additional uncertainty is introduced because this initial Th may have two sources in lacustrine deposits. Isochron plots, measured (230Th/232Th), and X-ray diffraction and trace element chemistry of silicic residues all favor regional soil and dust as the sole source of initial Th in carbonates from the Bolivian Altiplano, a situation that simplifies single-sample dating of Altiplano carbonates