Multi-objective evolutionary algorithm using problem-specific genetic operators for community detection in networks

Automatic network clustering is an important method for mining the meaningful communities of complex networks. Uncovered communities help to understand the potential system structure and functionality. Many algorithms that use multiple optimization criteria and optimize a population of solutions are difficult to apply to real systems because they suffer a long optimization process. In this paper, in order to accelerate the optimization process and to uncover multiple significant community structures more effectively, a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm is proposed and evaluated using problem-specific genetic mutation and group crossover, and problem-specific initialization. Since crossover operators mainly contribute to performance of genetic algorithms, more problem-specific group crossover operators are introduced and evaluated for intelligent evolution of population. The experiments on both artificial and real-world networks demonstrate that the proposed evolutionary algorithm with problem-specific genetic operations has effective performance on discovering the community structure of networks.

     

Protective Behavioral Strategies When Drinking Alcohol and Their Relationship to Negative Alcohol-Related Consequences in College Students.

Prior research has examined a number of individual characteristics (e.g., gender, family connectedness) that protect individuals from engaging in heavy drinking and experiencing negative alcohol-related consequences, but less is known about specific behavioral strategies that might also serve as protective factors. In this study, 556 undergraduate students completed the National College Health Assessment (American College Health Association, 2000) and answered questions regarding the use of specific protective behavioral strategies (PBS), alcohol consumption, and alcohol-related consequences. Results indicated that less frequent use of PBS was related to a greater likelihood of experiencing negative alcohol-related consequences, even after accounting for the effects of gender and alcohol consumption. These results suggest that PBS may be an important component of both prevention and treatment programs for college students. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Birds of a Feather or Strange Birds? Ties Among Personality Dimensions, Similarity, and Marital Quality.

The authors examined the relationship between 6 personality dimensions (Big Five personality factors and positive expressivity) and marital satisfaction in 132 distressed, treatment-seeking couples and 48 nondistressed couples. This study's focus on personality similarity in distressed couples, a population of interest to researchers and clinicians, is unique. Results suggest that higher neuroticism, lower agreeableness, lower conscientiousness, and less positive expressivity are tied to marital dissatisfaction. However, low overall levels of partner similarity were found on these variables. Furthermore, partner similarity on these variables did not independently predict relationship satisfaction. This suggests that nonpathological variations in these personality dimensions do not contribute to satisfaction, and that similarity between partners' personalities may not be closely tied to marital happiness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A sweep-line algorithm for spatial clustering

This paper presents an agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithm for spatial data. It discovers clusters of arbitrary shapes which may be nested. The algorithm uses a sweeping approach consisting of three phases: sorting is done during the preprocessing phase, determination of clusters is performed during the sweeping phase, and clusters are adjusted during the post processing phase. The properties of the algorithm are demonstrated by examples. The algorithm is also adapted to the streaming algorithm for clustering large spatial datasets.     

Influence of deficit irrigation and kaolin particle film on grape composition and volatile compounds in Merlot grape (Vitis vinifera L.)

The effect of deficit irrigation and a kaolin-based, foliar reflectant particle film (PF) on grape composition and volatile compounds in Merlot grapes was investigated over two growing seasons in semi-arid, south-western Idaho. Vines were provided with differential amounts of water based on their estimated crop evapotranspiration (ET_c) throughout berry development, and particle film was applied to half of the vines in each irrigation main plot. Free and bound volatile compounds in grapes were analyzed using stir bar sorptive extraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SBSE–GC–MS). The concentrations of free C₆ compounds (hexanal, trans-2-hexenal, and 1-hexanol) decreased, and bound terpene alcohols (nerol and geraniol) and C₁₃-norisoprenoids (β-damascenone, 3-hydroxy-β-damascenone, 1,1,6-trimethyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, and 3-oxo-α-ionol) increased in berries each year in response to severity of vine water stress. Concentrations of C₁₃-norisoprenoids and bound forms of nerol and geraniol were positively correlated with their concentrations in the corresponding wines. Particle film application had minimum effect on free and bound volatile composition in the grapes, and there was no interactive effect between particle film and deficit irrigation. However, particle film application enhanced the total amount of berry anthocyanins.     

School psychologists as consultants: Issues in training, practice, and accountability.

From contemporary research and theory in mental health consultation, implications are drawn for the development of an indirect service role for school psychologists. Attention is given to the need for training school psychologists in consultation skills, to the obstacles encountered in the initiation of consultative relationships, and to methods for assessing efficiency and effectiveness of a variety of consultative activities. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Can the combination of flaxseed and its lignans with soy and its isoflavones reduce the growth stimulatory effect of soy and its isoflavones on established breast cancer?

Consumption of phytoestrogen (PE)-rich foods (i. e., soy and flaxseed (FS)) is increasing because of their suggested health benefits. However, recent studies raise concern over the safety of soy and its isoflavones, particularly genistein (GEN), for postmenopausal breast cancer (BC), due to their potential stimulatory effects on human breast tissue and on the growth of existing tumors in rodents. FS, rich in PE lignans, which is metabolized to the mammalian lignans enterolactone (ENL) and enterodiol (END), has consistently been shown to have tumor inhibitory effects in a human clinical trial as well as rodent BC models. Using the preclinical athymic mouse postmenopausal BC model, combining FS with soy protein or GEN with END and ENL, was found to negate the tumor stimulatory effects of soy protein or GEN alone. The mechanism may be related to the modulation of estrogen receptor and MAPK signaling pathways. If these studies can be confirmed in clinical trials, then consumption of combined soy and FS, or their PEs, may reduce the tumor growth stimulatory effect of soy or GEN. This may indicate that if soy is consumed with lignan-rich foods, it may continue to induce its other beneficial health effects, without inducing adverse effect on postmenopausal BC.     

Collaborative versus directive interventions in the treatment of eating disorders: Implications for care providers.

Given that individuals with eating disorders, are typically ambivalent about changing their eating patterns, what approach is most helpful in working with this challenging group? This research compared the responses of clients with eating disorders and those of care providers to written clinical vignettes. All participants rated collaborative interventions as more acceptable and more likely to produce positive clinical outcomes than directive interventions. In addition, clients who were least ready for change rated directive interventions as less acceptable and less likely to produce adherence than did clients who were more ready. Despite participants' clear preference for collaborative interventions, directive interventions were rated as equally likely to occur. The implications of participant preferences and reasons that these preferences may not be reflected in actual clinical practice are addressed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Presentation modality and indirect performance information: Effects on ratings, reactions, and memory.

The authors investigated whether raters integrate indirect (second-hand) information from an employee's co-worker with their direct observations when completing performance evaluations. Performance levels of direct and indirect information and presentation modality (auditory vs. textual) were manipulated (N=220). Results showed that indirect information was perceived to be of highest utility when the performance levels of the direct and indirect information were consistent. Confidence in performance ratings was lowest when the indirect source delivered negative performance feedback that was contrary to the rater's own positive observations. Indirect information was only reflected in the performance ratings when direct observations were positive. There was a significant 3-way interaction between performance level of the direct information, performance level of the indirect information, and presentation modality on memory for performance incidents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)