A Bi-criteria Optimization Model for Adjusting the Decision Tree Parameters

Decision trees play a very important role in knowledge representation because of its simplicity and self-explanatory nature. We study the optimization of the parameters of the decision trees to find a shorter as well as more accurate decision tree. Since these two criteria are in conflict, we need to find a decision tree with suitable parameters that can be a trade off between two criteria. Hence, we design two algorithms to build a decision tree with a given threshold of the number of vertices based on the bi-criteria optimization technique. Then, we calculate the local and global misclassification rates for these trees. Our goal is to study the effect of changing the threshold for the bi-criteria optimization of the decision trees. We apply our algorithms to 13 decision tables from UCI Machine Learning Repository and recommend the suitable threshold that can give us more accurate decision trees with a reasonable number of vertices.

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This squib briefly explores how contextualized embeddings – which are a type of compressed token-based semantic vectors – can be used as semantic retrieval and annotation tools for corpus-based research into constructions. Focusing on embeddings created by the Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformer model, also known as ‘BERT’, this squib demonstrates how contextualized embeddings can help counter two types of retrieval inefficiency scenarios that may arise with purely form-based corpus queries. In the first scenario, the formal query yields a large number of hits, which contain a reasonable number of relevant examples that can be labeled and used as input for a sense disambiguation classifier. In the second scenario, the contextualized embeddings of exemplary tokens are used to retrieve more relevant examples in a large, unlabeled dataset. As a case study, this squib focuses on the INTO-INTEREST construction (e.g. I’m so into you).

Genetic Algorithm for the Pick-up and Delivery Problem with Time Window by Multi-Compartment Vehicles

In this article we focus on multi-compartment vehicles that have to pick-up goods from suppliers and deliver them to various customers. Usually these goods cannot be transported by single-compartment vehicles due to the fact that some products are harmful to others: incompatibility between products. It is therefore a question of satisfying a set of customers while respecting the constraints linked to the capacity of each vehicle compartment, each type of product and ensuring that each supplier is visited before his customer. Our work consists firstly of mathematically modelling the problem described and secondly of solving it using methods due to its complexity. In this case we use the genetic algorithm to solve the pick-up and delivery problem of goods with a time window provided by multi-compartment vehicles. Our model allows to find a minimum distance and a minimum cost in the tour carried out by a reasonable number of vehicles.

Finite element analysis of temporary pre-stress system of precast segmental box girder bridge

The precast segmental bridge has the advantages of fast construction speed, good economic performance, and small impact on the surrounding environment. In order to study the role of the temporary pre-stressing system in the cantilever assembly process of the precast segment box girder bridge, ABAQUS was used to simulate the assembly process of the standard section of a viaduct. Studying the compressive stress and relative sliding of the joint section under the action of the self-weight and temporary pre-stress, the reasonable number and spatial arrangement of the tension pedestal are determined. The research results show that too few roof pedestals will cause the large area decompression state and too much will cause the construction period to be longer. When the roof symmetrical pedestal is located on the inner side of the web, it will obviously increase the area of the zero-compression stress at the end of the top slab. When the distance between the pedestal and the center of the web is 0.12L, the full section meets the minimum consolidation pressure requirement of the glued joint. The reasonable number of tension pedestals and their spatial arrangement will provide specific guidance and reference to assembling construction of actual precast segment box girder in the future.

Apology Strategies Among Libyan Learners of English at Omar Al-Mukhtar University

A good body of research has been conducted to investigate the realization of apology speech act. Much of the literature investigated focused on western languages. The increase of research on apology has lead other non-western scholars to explore apology in their languages. However, fewer have addressed this issue in Arabic language varieties in general, and Libyan Arabic in particular. This has presented us with a challenge worthy of a deeper investigation. The rationale behind investigating apology as a speech act is to indicate how findings can be used to facilitate the way people of diverse socio-cultural backgrounds interact with each other. The aim of this study is to discuss selected points relating to the type and use of apology strategies in Libyan Arabic. The investigation is based on a corpus of Libyan apologies collected from fifty students at Omar Al-Mukhtar University (OMU). This article uses a Discourse Completion Test (DCT) that comprised 10 situations to elicit apology strategies from the participants. The findings indicated that the informants used the expression of remorse in situations in which the offended person was a friend, an elderly and a teacher/supervisor/boss who has some authority. A reasonable number of informants refused to admit responsibility for the harm and used explanations to put the blame on other sources. Strategies, such as self-blame, reparation, intensification, and use of Allah’s name were also used in this study.The results of this paper, it is hoped, could have profound implications for researchers seeking to address this issue or any other area pertinent to inter-cultural communication further.

Are Classic Theories of Celebrity Endorsements Applicable to New Media Used by Arabs? A Qualitative Investigation of Saudi Social Media Users

This study aims to investigate the extent to which classic celebrity endorsement theories are applicable when such endorsements are performed on interactive social media platforms. It utilizes phenomenological semi-structured interviews with 73 participants. The data analysis shows several perceived characteristics of convincing celebrity endorsements on social media from the Saudi users’ viewpoints. Trustworthiness is perceived when an endorsement discloses that it is a paid advertisement or uses indirect ways to endorse the product. When it comes to high-tech products, it is not necessary for the celebrity to be an expert in the field of the product they are endorsing, but when endorsing accessories, these celebrities should be attractive, should test the product before advertising it and should endorse a reasonable number of products. Endorsements are most acceptable from either likeable celebrities or from normal people with a reasonable number of social media followers. The results show that while some elements of classic theories of celebrity endorsements are applicable on social media platforms, others should be modified to align with new media users. A celebrity endorsement model is proposed based on the current findings.

The determination of reasonable number of soil infiltration test in farmland

At the experimental base of Tianjin Agricultural University, the infiltration process of water was measured by double - ring infiltration instrument at six points. Horton，Philip and Kostiakov-lewis (K-l) infiltration models were fitted with the infiltration data measured and the parameters were correspondingly obtained. Six sets of parameters of the corresponding infiltration model were obtained, and six sets of parameters were used for statistical analysis. The reasonable number of points of the corresponding model was obtained. Then, the statistical analysis of the cumulative infiltration amount was used to obtain the variation of the number of reasonable points in the three models with time. The results show that the imitative effect of accumulative infiltration water and time in K-l model is the best, and the curve of reasonable test points determined by K-l model with time is located under the other two models; The reasonable number of points determined by the parameter K in the K-l model is the least and most reasonable. In view of this, the number of reasonable points was determined by using the parameter K in the K-l model.

A review of literature on mediators and moderators of workplace bullying

Purpose During the past 26 years, there has been a phenomenal growth in the literature on workplace bullying. The purpose of this paper is to review and synthesize the extant empirical studies on underlying and intervening mechanisms in antecedents–bullying and bullying–outcomes relationships. Design/methodology/approach In total, 53 studies on mediators and moderators in antecedents–bullying and bullying–outcomes relationships (2001-2016) were selected from academic databases (Google Scholar, Research Gate, Emerald Insight, Science Direct, etc.) Findings The review suggests that while a reasonable number of studies examine the role of mediators and moderators in bullying–outcomes relationships, such efforts are meager in antecedents–bullying relationships. The paper concludes by proposing some potential variables that can explain the underlying mechanisms in the bullying phenomenon and alleviate/aggravate the antecedents–bullying–outcomes relationships. Originality/value To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first review on mediators and moderators of workplace bullying.

Academics with Professional Doctorate Degrees in Ghanaian Universities

Over the years, entry into the academia in any Ghanaian university requires an advanced research degree, more preferably traditional doctorate. In the last ten years, a reasonable number of academics entering Ghanaian universities enter with professional doctorate degrees. This article seeks to investigate the acceptability of professional doctorate degree holders in Ghanaian universities, how they are perceived by their counterparts in the academia and their suitability in the universities. The data was gathered from respondents in public universities using interview schedule. The study concluded that since university education is not only to prepare students to enter the academia the involvement of professional doctorate holders in university teaching and learning would also help universities to effectively train students to acquire skills that will make them versatile in the present world of work.