DISCRETE PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION FOR THE ORIENTEERING PROBLEM

Discrete particle swarm optimization (DPSO) is gaining popularity in the area of combinatorial optimization in the recent past due to its simplicity in coding and consistency in performance.  A DPSO algorithm has been developed for orienteering problem (OP) which has been shown to have many practical applications.  It uses reduced variable neighborhood search as a local search tool.  The DPSO algorithm was compared with ten heuristic models from the literature using benchmark problems.  The results show that the DPSO algorithm is a robust algorithm that can optimally solve the well known OP test problems

The impact of fibroid characteristics on pregnancy outcome

Objective The objective of the study was to assess the influence of different characteristics of fibroids on pregnancy outcome. Study Design We identified women with fibroids 4 cm or greater in size on ultrasonography at the dating scan between January 2002 and December 2012. The size (4-7 cm, 7-10 cm, >10 cm), number (multiple/single), location (lower uterus/body of uterus), and type (intramural, combination of intramural/subserosal, subserosal) were ascertained. Medical records were reviewed to obtain pregnancy outcomes (preterm delivery, birthweight, mode of delivery, estimated blood loss, postpartum hemorrhage, and admission for fibroid-related pain)

Is a Ban on Non-Competes Supported by Empirical Evidence?

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed a rule to declare virtually all non-compete agreements unfair methods of competition under Section 5 of the FTC Act and therefore, illegal. However, the empirical literature on non-compete agreements cited by the FTC in its Notice for Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) shows mixed results on earnings, job creation, firm formation, entrepreneurship, training, investment, and firm value. Evidence in other current studies also does not support an economy-wide ban. The FTC concludes that the proposed rule would yield net benefits even though by its own admission it lacks the information necessary to conduct a cost-benefit analysis (“CBA”). The agency says alternatives to non-competes—such as non-disclosure agreements and nonsolicitation agreements—are comparably effective in protecting investments, but research on this question is virtually non-existent. This Article argues that the FTC’s CBA in its NPRM is flawed and incomplete—assuming away uncertainty, ignoring costs, and failing to show that earnings effects are real, not transfers. Then, this Article proposes that—instead of implementing an economy-wide ban—regulators should focus on more targeted inquiries in industries or occupations where evidence is more conclusive, such as those involving low-wage workers

Social Skills Interventions for Adolescents with ASD, ADHD, and Other Comorbidities

This project was part of a research initiative to collaborate with Kristin Brubaker, MSOT, OTR/L, practicing pediatric occupational therapist at the Center for Therapeutic Intervention (CTI). CTI is an outpatient, private pediatric occupational therapy clinic in Gig Harbor, WA. The purpose of our project was to determine existing and effective interventions to improve social skills in adolescents, ages 11 to 18 years, with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sensory processing disorder (SPD) and other sensory processing issues. Our search of the literature yielded a total of 22 research studies, with the majority representing group-based interventions. Limited research was found pertaining to ADHD and no research was found pertaining to either SPD or sensory processing issues. Future research recommendations include a focus on developing and studying effective interventions for individuals with ADHD and SPD. Our knowledge translation products were specifically designed for CTI and included an in-service presentation detailing our research and findings, a proposed social skills program for a specific group of adolescents at CTI, and reference tools to use in creating future group-based programs. Post-presentation responses and feedback were overwhelmingly positive and well received

A Mixed-Methods Exploration of Peer Communications of Sexual Scripts and Emerging Adults’ Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors.

This dissertation sought to examine peer sexual communications and to identify whether such communications entail expectations that differ by gender. Unlike men, women who are sexually assertive, experienced, and unabashedly enjoy sex are typically perceived as promiscuous, immoral, and troubled. Is there still support for this sexual double standard? To answer this question, the current studies were designed to explore the messages that peers convey to young people and to identify associations between these messages and college students’ sexual beliefs and behaviors. The studies were conducted at a public university in the Midwest. College students completed surveys assessing sexual communications, motivations, attitudes, and experiences. The dissertation consisted of three studies, each with distinct goals: 1) to identify whether patterns of sexual communications varied by recipient gender and peer gender and contributed to sexual attitudes and experience level, 2) to describe the nuances within sexual messages targeted to undergraduate women, and 3) to discern the directionality and associations among peer communications, sexual motivations, and behaviors. Each study also used different methods, including mixed models, thematic analysis, and structural equation modeling. Findings demonstrate that what emerging adults say and who they convey these messages to are gendered. Emerging adults reported receiving more messages about sex and relationships from their same-sex peers than their other-sex peers. Yet, communications from other-sex peers were more often linked to college students’ sexual attitudes and experiences. For example, female peers’ communications of the Heterosexual Script and the hookup script each predicted more sexual experience and higher levels of endorsement of masculine ideology among young men. For undergraduate women, messages about sex and relationships frequently signaled a lack of unqualified support for women’s sexual agency. Unsurprisingly, undergraduate women reported greater consideration of reputational consequences than their own feelings and desires when making sexual decisions. This preoccupation with reputational consequences was not associated with sexual assertiveness. Implications for sexual health and agency were discussed.PhDPsychologyUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/108859/1/sltrinh_1.pd