Let's be Honest: An Optimal No-Regret Framework for Zero-Sum Games

We revisit the problem of solving two-player zero-sum games in the decentralized setting. We propose a simple algorithmic framework that simultaneously achieves the best rates for honest regret as well as adversarial regret, and in addition resolves the open problem of removing the logarithmic terms in convergence to the value of the game. We achieve this goal in three steps. First, we provide a novel analysis of the optimistic mirror descent (OMD), showing that it can be modified to guarantee fast convergence for both honest regret and value of the game, when the players are playing collaboratively. Second, we propose a new algorithm, dubbed as robust optimistic mirror descent (ROMD), which attains optimal adversarial regret without knowing the time horizon beforehand. Finally, we propose a simple signaling scheme, which enables us to bridge OMD and ROMD to achieve the best of both worlds. Numerical examples are presented to support our theoretical claims and show that our non-adaptive ROMD algorithm can be competitive to OMD with adaptive step-size selection.Comment: Proceedings of the 35th International Conference on Machine Learnin

Visuelle Gestaltung interaktiver Videos mit informationspsychologischen Erkenntnissen

Interaktive Videos bieten sich besonders durch ihre dynamische, multimediale und interaktive Eigenschaften für den Einsatz unterschiedlicher informationsvermittelnder Zwecke im Internet an. Um die Wirksamkeit von interaktiven Videos für verschiedene Einsatzbereiche zu gewährleisten, müssen die zu übermittelnden Informationen sehr wohl bedacht gestaltet werden. Um mit der komplexen Beschaffenheit interaktiver Videos zurecht zu kommen, gilt es neben den allgemeingültigen Regeln der Multimedia-, Interface- und Interaktionsgestaltung, auch die informationspsychologischen Aspekte bei der Informationsverarbeitung zu berücksichtigen. Bei der visuellen und funktionalen Gestaltung sollten Informationen im interaktiven Video also so vorliegen, dass sie vom Betrachter erkannt, wahrgenommen, im Gedächtnis gespeichert, wieder aufgerufen und letztendlich erwartungsgemäß eingesetzt werden. Im Rahmen dieser Diplomarbeit wurden die für interaktive Videos relevante Erkenntnisse aus der Multimedia- Interface- und Interaktionsgestaltung, sowie aus der Informationspsychologie herausgearbeitet. Ziel der Arbeit war es, dass auf Basis der ermittelten Ergebnisse Konzepte gestaltet werden können, die den Einsatz von interaktiven Videos für eine allgemeine Anwendung ermöglichen. Dafür wurden unter Beachtung der oben genannten Erkenntnisse zwei interaktive Videos mit dem Autorentool der VideoNotion GmbH konzipiert und anschließend deren Eignung und Gebrauchstauglichkeit durch Umfragen dargelegt

Advanced tunability of optical properties of CdS/ZnSe/ZnTe/CdSe multi-shell quantum dot by the band edge engineering

In this study, the advanced manipulability of wave functions in a type-II multi-shell hetero-nanostructure (MS-HNS) and the tunability of radiative exciton lifetime over a wide range with and/or without changing in transition energies has been demonstrated by the band edge engineering. For this purpose, the electronic and optical properties of exciton (X) and biexciton (XX) in a spherical CdS/ZnSe/ZnTe/CdSe HNS have been explored in detail. In the calculations, effects of all Coulombic interactions between the charges have been taken into account on the wave functions. Moreover, in the case of XX, the exchange-correlation potential between the same charged particles has also been considered. The results have been presented as a function of CdS core radius and ZnSe shell thickness and the probable physical reasons have been discussed in detail

The impact of labiaplasty on sexuality

Objectives: Hypertrophy of the labia minora and majora, or a prominent clitoral hood, are the primary reasons why women, particularly those seeking cosmetic gynecologists, may experience limitations in their social environments. At the same time, modern trends have made labiaplasty popular in recent years. This study investigated the effect of labiaplasty on women’s genital self-perception and sexual functions. Material and methods: The composite reduction labiaplasty technique was performed on 33 women aged 18–50 with Grades 2–4 labia minora hypertrophy. The exclusion criteria included menopausal and sexually inactive women, as well as women with vulvar disorders, a history of vaginal or labial surgery, other gynecological disorders, psychological disorders, and malignancies. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Female Genital Self-Image Scale (FGSIS) questionnaires were administered to the study subjects before and three months after their surgery, during their follow-up appointments. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 30.73 ± 3.94 years. Their mean parity was 1.12 ± 0.82. Almost 70% of them had a university degree. Their most common reason for desiring labiaplasty was aesthetic concerns (48.48%). Their total FGSIS scores were 11.85 ± 1.35 preoperatively and 24.48 ± 1.66 postoperatively, and their total FSFI scores were 13.29 ± 1.68 preoperatively and 24.48 ± 1.66 postoperatively. Conclusions: Labiaplasty surgery is a safe surgical procedure. It has a positive effect on women’s genital self-image and sexual functions

Evaluation of management of postpneumonic empyema thoracis in children

Background Empyema is a well-known sequelae of pneumonia, which is increasingly being reported in children despite strict management. The appropriate management remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate different management options of postpneumonic empyema in children.Materials and methods A total of 330 patients were reviewed between 2002 and 2012; their ages ranged from 1.25 to 15 years, with a median age of 4.3 years. The various management procedures included thoracentesis (n= 11), chest tube drainage (n= 229), chest tube drainage with intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy (n =117), video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) (n =35), and thoracotomy because of a trapped lung noted on admissions and failed procedures (n =94).Results Variable success rates were noted as follows: tube thoracotomy (48.24%), fibrinolytic treatment (68.37%), and VATS (85.71%). Postoperative complications (11.14%) included wound infection (n = 10), atelectasis (n= 18), delayed expansion (n= 7), and need for reoperation (n= 2). Four patients died (1.21%), two of them  following thoracotomy, one patient after fibrinolysis, and one patient following VATS. Patients treated with thoracotomy recovered completely.Conclusion New therapeutic modalities had variable success rates in children with postpneumonic empyema. Thoracotomy is still needed as a last resort for cases unresponsive to chemical fibrinolysis and following failed thoracoscopy.Keywords: decortication, empyema, fibrinolysis, thoracotom

Assessment of the prevalence and characteristics of dens invaginatus in a sample of Turkish Anatolian population

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of dens invaginatus in anterior teeth and to classify the type of dens invaginatus in a sample of Turkish Anatolian population. Study design: A retrospective study was performed using full-mouth periapical and panoramic radiographs of 1012 patients. Maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth were evaluated for the presence and characteristics of dens invaginatus. Statistical evaluation of the presence of dens invaginatus related to gender was performed by the Pearson chi-squared test. Results: Dens invaginatus was observed in 13 out of 1012 subjects and in only maxillary lateral incisors. There were no periapical lesions in teeth with types I and II, whereas both of the subjects with type III had apical periodontitis at the time of referral. Males and females were almost equally affected by dens invaginatus (P= 0.98). Conclusion: The anomaly was detected in only maxillary lateral incisors with no gender difference and the most commonly observed type of dens invaginatus was type I (81.25%)