The Characteristic Objects Method: A New Distance‐based Approach to Multicriteria Decision‐making Problems

Multicriteria decision‐making (MCDM) methods are concerned with the ranking of alternatives based on expert judgements made using a number of criteria. In the MCDM field, the distance‐based approach is one popular method for obtaining a final ranking. The technique for order preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS) is a commonly used example of this kind of MCDM method. The TOPSIS ranks the alternatives with respect to their geometric distance from the positive and negative ideal solutions. Unfortunately, two reference points are often insufficient, especially for nonlinear problems. As a consequence of this situation, the final result ranking is prone to errors, including the rank reversals phenomenon. This study proposes a new distance‐based MCDM method: the characteristic objects method. In this approach, the preferences of each alternative are obtained on the basis of the distance from the nearest characteristic objects and their values. For this purpose, we have determined the domain and Fuzzy number set for all the considered criteria. The characteristic objects are obtained as the combination of the crisp values of all the Fuzzy numbers. The preference values of all the characteristic object are determined on the basis of the tournament method and the principle of indifference. Finally, the Fuzzy model is constructed and is used to calculate preference values of the alternatives, making it a multicriteria model that is free of rank reversal. The numerical example is used to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed method with respect to results from the TOPSIS method. The characteristic objects method results are more realistic than the TOPSIS results. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Computing the real solutions of Fleishman's equations for simulating non-normal data

Fleishman's power method is frequently used to simulate non-normal data with a desired skewness and kurtosis. Fleishman's method requires solving a system of nonlinear equations to find the third-order polynomial weights that transform a standard normal variable into a non-normal variable with desired moments. Most users of the power method seem unaware that Fleishman's equations have multiple solutions for typical combinations of skewness and kurtosis. Furthermore, researchers lack a simple method for exploring the multiple solutions of Fleishman's equations, so most applications only consider a single solution. In this paper, we propose novel methods for finding all real-valued solutions of Fleishman's equations. Additionally, we characterize the solutions in terms of differences in higher order moments. Our theoretical analysis of the power method reveals that there typically exists two solutions of Fleishman's equations that have noteworthy differences in higher order moments. Using simulated examples, we demonstrate that these differences can have remarkable effects on the shape of the non-normal distribution, as well as the sampling distributions of statistics calculated from the data. Some considerations for choosing a solution are discussed, and some recommendations for improved reporting standards are provided.     

青少年未来取向三种测试途径的比较

考察未来取向测试新方法（作品分析法）有效性及对比已有测量方法(自陈问卷法、行为测试法)的优缺点。结果发现,问卷法测得青少年未来取向水平随年龄增长逐渐降低,行为测试法和作品分析法测得青少年未来取向水平随年龄增长逐渐提高;问卷法测得未来取向与学校投入相关密切,行为测试法测得未来取向与学业成绩相关密切,作品分析法测得未来取向与学校投入、学业成绩均相关。作品分析法是一种有效测量青少年未来取向的新途径。     

Five-Factor Model facets differentially predict in-the-moment affect and cognitions

The facets of the Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality are presumed to represent distinct, biologically-based tendencies to act, think, and behave; yet they have received little behaviorally-based empirical validation. In this study, FFM facets were used to examine individual differences in affective and cognitive responses to stressors as they are experienced in daily life. Participants (N = 79) completed the NEO-PI-R followed by a week-long experience sampling procedure. As expected, hierarchical linear modeling showed that FFM facets captured affective and cognitive tendencies that were missed at the domain level. They additionally demonstrated convergent and divergent validity in predicting momentary affect. These results provide evidence that facets are distinct, non-interchangeable predictors of daily thoughts and emotions.     

The uses of humor in life,neurosis and in psychotherapy: Part 2

Abstract

The first part of the paper focused on the dynamics of wit in life, literature, and psychoanalysis; the second part of this paper is devoted to the use of humor in therapy. The central concept is Freud's psychoanalytic method, as distinguished from Freud's various theories of disorder, or neurosis, with a further elaboration of Freud's inherently interpersonal conception of the analytic process, already present in the cathartic phase of the therapeutic technique. The cathartic, or discharge, function of humor is connected to reciprocal free association (a term coined by the author) to define the mutual and reciprocal free association in analysand and analyst, playing an essential role in the genesis of insight and interpretation. Humor has its role in loosening repression, facilitating the emergence of unconscious emotions and ideas, bringing to light character defenses, and thus driving the process of analysis.     

The analysand and analyst team practicing reciprocal free association: Defenders and deniers

Abstract

By 1900, Freud had formulated an original and operational method of psychoanalytic treatment and research: the technique of free association. In 1912–1915 and later writings, he recommended it as a fundamental procedure and process, called the fundamental rule, in psychoanalytic therapy. In recent years, free association as a method has been variously misrepresented, misunderstood, and denied by some schools of psychoanalysis. This paper reviews the history of free associations and argues for upholding the continuity and relevance of Freud's fundamental methodology and for a renewal of interest in reciprocal, i.e., interactive and interpersonal, free association.     

Expression and processing of emotions: Relationships with cd4+ levels in 42 hiv-positive asymptomatic individuals

Abstract

Background: The study investigated the relationship between CD4+ levels and two emotion-related measures, one of expressed emotion (Hostility directed Inwards, Hdl) and one of capacity for emotional processing (Referential Activity, RA).

Method42 HIV-1 positive asymptomatic subjects, under AZT treatment, underwent CD4+ assessment immediately after a brief interview. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using the Gottschalk-Gleser and Referential Activity scales. Of the Gottschalk-Gleser scales, only Hdl was considered.

ResultsAs hypothesized, the regression of emotion-related scores on CD4 + levels showed a curvilinearrelationship with Hdl scores, and a linearrelationship with RA scores. Subjects with the best immune status therefore showed intermediate levels of expressed emotion and a high capacity for emotional processing.

ConclusionThe findings support the usefulness of working through, rather than releasing emotion. Previous negative findings in the field might be explained by the unjustified assumption of linear relationships between expressed emotion and health.     

Forecasting Elections from Voters' Perceptions of Candidates' Ability to Handle Issues

When deciding for whom to vote, voters should select the candidate they expect to best handle issues, all other things equal. A simple heuristic predicted that the candidate who is rated more favorably on a larger number of issues would win the popular vote. This was correct for nine out of ten U.S. presidential elections from 1972 to 2008. We then used simple linear regression to relate the incumbent's relative issue ratings to the actual two‐party popular vote shares. The resulting model yielded out‐of‐sample forecasts that were competitive with those from the Iowa Electronic Markets and established quantitative models. The issue‐index model has implications for political decision makers, as it can help to track campaigns and to decide which issues to focus on. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Computer-aided analysis of grain-boundary connectivity of B10 copper-nickel alloys

A numerical calculation method based on the angle in a triple junction composed of a random grain boundary is proposed to predict the connectivity and stability of a grain boundary in a B10 copper-nickel alloy. The grain-boundary connectivity and its effect on corrosion resistance are studied combining computer-aided analysis with electrochemical impedance testing. The results show that the prediction of corrosion resistance using a grain-boundary connectivity numerical method is consistent with immersion experimental results. The B10 alloy exhibited the best corrosion resistance after cold rolling with a 9% reduction rate. The relationship between the grain-boundary characteristics and corrosion resistance is well established using the numerical method to quantify the grain-boundary connectivity. A higher connective frequency and a low proportion of grain-boundary angles between 60° and 180° in the triple junction is detrimental to corrosion resistance of the B10 alloy.     

A new allotropic structure of silver nanocrystals nucleated and grown over planar polymer molecules

Polymer molecules of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) serve as a good Ag⁺?→?Ag⁰ reducer as well as a template to produce Ag⁰ nanocrystals of anisotropic shapes. Thin Ag–PVA films (50–100?µm thick) were prepared by carrying out the reaction in aqueous PVA (under heating conditions) and then spin casting the sample in this shape. A topotactic Ag⁺?→?Ag⁰ reaction and in-situ Ag⁰ growth occur in support over the PVA molecules (as per the local structure and Ag⁰–PVA interactions) of elongated surfaces. The Ag⁰ state is confirmed with 3d _5/2 and 3d _3/2 XPS signals of 368.37 and 374.13?eV binding energies, respectively. As analyzed with X-ray diffraction, it is a new allotrope with an orthorhombic structure, lattice parameters a?=?0.8535, b?=?0.8410?nm and c?=?0.4119?nm, and density ρ?=?9.69?g?cm^?3. On heating in air, the well-known cubic structure develops, a?=?0.4082?nm (ρ?=?10.53?g?cm^?3) after 150°C, whereas a?=?0.4071?nm (ρ?= 10.61?g?cm^?3) after 300°C for 2?h. According to proposed models, it is a vacancy-stabilized allotrope, which evolves from multiply twinned particles.