380 research outputs found

    A Dichotomy Result for Cyclic-Order Traversing Games

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    Traversing game is a two-person game played on a connected undirected simple graph with a source node and a destination node. A pebble is placed on the source node initially and then moves autonomously according to some rules. Alice is the player who wants to set up rules for each node to determine where to forward the pebble while the pebble reaches the node, so that the pebble can reach the destination node. Bob is the second player who tries to deter Alice\u27s effort by removing edges. Given access to Alice\u27s rules, Bob can remove as many edges as he likes, while retaining the source and destination nodes connected. Under the guide of Alice\u27s rules, if the pebble arrives at the destination node, then we say Alice wins the traversing game; otherwise the pebble enters an endless loop without passing through the destination node, then Bob wins. We assume that Alice and Bob both play optimally. We study the problem: When will Alice have a winning strategy? This actually models a routing recovery problem in Software Defined Networking in which some links may be broken. In this paper, we prove a dichotomy result for certain traversing games, called cyclic-order traversing games. We also give a linear-time algorithm to find the corresponding winning strategy, if one exists

    BANet: Blur-aware Attention Networks for Dynamic Scene Deblurring

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    Image motion blur usually results from moving objects or camera shakes. Such blur is generally directional and non-uniform. Previous research efforts attempt to solve non-uniform blur by using self-recurrent multi-scale or multi-patch architectures accompanying with self-attention. However, using self-recurrent frameworks typically leads to a longer inference time, while inter-pixel or inter-channel self-attention may cause excessive memory usage. This paper proposes blur-aware attention networks (BANet) that accomplish accurate and efficient deblurring via a single forward pass. Our BANet utilizes region-based self-attention with multi-kernel strip pooling to disentangle blur patterns of different degrees and with cascaded parallel dilated convolution to aggregate multi-scale content features. Extensive experimental results on the GoPro and HIDE benchmarks demonstrate that the proposed BANet performs favorably against the state-of-the-art in blurred image restoration and can provide deblurred results in real-time

    Signatures of afterglows from light dark matter boosted by supernova neutrinos in current and future large underground detectors

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    Supernova neutrino boosted dark matter (SNν\nu BDM) and its afterglow effect have been shown to be a promising signature for beyond Standard Model (bSM) physics. The time-evolution feature of SNν\nu BDM allows for possibly direct inference of DM mass mχm_\chi, and results in significant background suppression with improving sensitivity. This paper extends the earlier study and provides a general framework for computing the SNν\nu BDM fluxes for a supernova that occurs at any location in our galaxy. A bSM U(1)LμLτU(1)_{L_\mu-L_\tau} model with its gauge boson coupling to both DM and the second and third generation of leptons is considered, which allows for both DM-ν\nu and DM-ee interactions. Detailed analysis of the temporal profile, angular distribution, and energy spectrum of the SNν\nu BDM are performed. Unique signatures in SNν\nu BDM allowing extraction of mχm_\chi and detail features that contain information of the underlying interaction type are discussed. Expected sensitivities on the above new physics model from Super-Kamiokande, Hyper-Kamiokande, and DUNE detections of BDM events induced by the next galactic SN are derived and compared with the existing bounds.Comment: 17 pages, 15 figures, 1 table, 5 appendice

    Computer-aided quantitative ultrasound algorithm of acromiohumeral distance among individuals with spinal cord injury

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    Background: Shoulder ultrasound is a well-established point-of-care diagnostic modality in orthopaedic and sports medicine. Despite offering measurements of high-quality morphology, this methodology has faced several challenges, including variability in ultrasound systems, operator dependency, and lack of reliable and objective quantitative measures to track disease progression and responses to therapeutic interventions. Computer-aided quantitative ultrasound algorithm (CAQUSA) is an emerging novelty that automates the detection of normal and abnormal structures. Although CAQUSA has been shown to improve detections and diagnoses of soft tissue lesions, the proof-of-concept of utilizing CAQUSA to measure subacromial space width and its encroachment to the rotator cuff tendon have not been tested to assist in clinical decision-making for subacromial pain syndrome.Objective: This study aimed to develop a CAQUSA that measured the acromiohumeral distance (AHD) and test the algorithm’s reliability and agreement with manual measurements in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods: 116 ultrasound video clips recorded from 10 manual wheelchair users with SCI were evaluated manually by an experienced examiner with expertise in AHD examination and by the CAQUSA, which was developed for bone segmentation with probability mapping. The reliability and agreement of the diagnostic performance between the examiner and the CAQUSA were calculated and compared in both groups of AHD measurements.Results: The CAQUSA achieved a satisfactory agreement between computer-aided (11.95 ± 2.29 mm) and manual (11.33 ± 2.48 mm) measurements. The intraclass correlation coefficient between the two measures was excellent (ICC = 0.95). The sensitivity was 0.2 mm, with 95% true positives and 5% false positives at the fixed threshold of CAQUSA.Conclusion: AHD measurements made by the clinical observer were similar to that of the CAQUSA for assessing the clinical metrics related to subacromial pain syndrome. However, the CAQUSA showed greater reliability in its unclear or misleading image analysis. Based on the findings of this proof-of-concept study, the CAQUSA has promise for clinical utilization and interchangeability to minimize examiner-dependent errors and potentially reduce the cost of care

    Influences of Stacking Architectures of TiO 2

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    We investigated the influences of stacking architectures of the TiO2 nanoparticle layers on characteristics and performances of DSSCs. TiO2 nanoparticles of different sizes and compositions were characterized for their morphological and optical/scattering properties in thin films. They were used to construct different stacking architectures of the TiO2 nanoparticle layers for use as working electrodes of DSSCs. Characteristics and performances of DSSCs were examined to establish correlation of the stacking architectures of TiO2 nanoparticle layers with characteristics of DSSCs. The results suggest that the three-layer DSSC architecture, with sandwiching a 20 nm TiO2 nanoparticle layer between a 37 nm TiO2 nanoparticle layer and a hundred nm sized TiO2 back scattering/reflection layer, is effective in enhancing DSSC efficiencies. The high-total-transmittance 37 nm TiO2 nanoparticle layer with a larger haze can serve as an effective front scattering layer to scatter a portion of the incident light into larger oblique angles and therefore increase optical paths and absorption

    The prevalence of chronic dehydration and associated with cardiometabolic risks among agriculture and aquaculture workers

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    BackgroundChronic dehydration is associated with complications and mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients. Prior literature indicates that farmers and fishery workers are commonly affected by cardiometabolic diseases and there is a need for early prevention of stroke. This study explores the prevalence of dehydration and the association of cardiometabolic risk profiles in agricultural and aquaculture workers.MethodsWe conducted a community-based, cross-sectional study of agriculture and aquaculture workers in Yunlin County of Taiwan between August 1 and December 31, 2021. Data on demographic characteristics and health-related lifestyles were collected through one-on-one interviews using a questionnaire. The threshold for dehydration is defined as serum osmolality ≥295 mOsm/kg, and physiological biomarkers were collected from a collaborating hospital. Multivariable logistic regression analyses adjusted for demographic characteristics were performed to investigate the association between dehydration levels, cardiometabolic risks, and health-related behaviors.ResultsA total of 962 Taiwanese agriculture and aquaculture workers who were predominantly women (65%) with a mean age of 64 years (SD = 13.8) were enrolled. The findings showed a high prevalence of dehydration (36%), metabolic syndrome (44.5%), abnormal waist circumference (64.4%), and abnormal blood pressure (68.5%). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that dehydration was significantly associated with metabolic syndrome (p < 0.001), 10-year stroke risk prediction (p < 0.001), and an unhealthy lifestyle (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe prevalence of chronic dehydration was higher in Taiwanese agriculture and aquaculture workers, which was significantly associated with cardiometabolic risks and unhealthy lifestyles

    Photoinduced charge separation in donor-acceptor spiro compounds at metal and metal oxide surfaces: Application in dye-sensitized solar cell

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    Modulated charge separation has been investigated by surface photovoltage spectroscopy in the fixed capacitor arrangement for four different fluorene compounds adsorbed from highly diluted solutions at ultra-thin nanoporous TiO 2 (np-TiO 2), Au and ITO surfaces. Donor (-N(C 6H 5) 2) and acceptor moieties (-CN, -COOH) were linked by fluorene or spirobisfluorene cores and the chain length has been changed by introducing thiophene. Modulated charge separation by electron injection and intramolecular transport has been separated and directed adsorption of spiro compounds at Au surfaces has been demonstrated. Striking differences between the interaction of linking -CN and -COOH groups and the different substrates were observed. The capability as TiO 2 spectral sensitizer of spirobisfluorene donor-acceptor molecules with extended conjugation has been demonstrated. Solar cells exhibit 5.6% energy conversion efficiency, confirming that spiro-configured geometry is a promising route to the design of metal free dyes. © 2012 The Royal Society of Chemistry.Fil: Macor, Lorena Paola. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnologías Energéticas y Materiales Avanzados. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnologías Energéticas y Materiales Avanzados; ArgentinaFil: Gervaldo, Miguel Andres. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnologías Energéticas y Materiales Avanzados. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnologías Energéticas y Materiales Avanzados; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; ArgentinaFil: Fungo, Fernando Gabriel. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnologías Energéticas y Materiales Avanzados. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnologías Energéticas y Materiales Avanzados; ArgentinaFil: Otero, Luis Albert. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnologías Energéticas y Materiales Avanzados. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnologías Energéticas y Materiales Avanzados; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto; ArgentinaFil: Dittrich, Thomas. Helmholtz Center Berlin for Materials and Energy, Institute of Heterogeneous Materials; AlemaniaFil: Lin, Chih-Yen. National Taiwan University; República de ChinaFil: Chi, Liang-Chen. National Taiwan University; República de ChinaFil: Fang, Fu-Chuan. National Taiwan University; República de ChinaFil: Lii, Shu-Woei. National Taiwan University; República de ChinaFil: Wong, Ken-Tsung. National Taiwan University; República de ChinaFil: Tsai, Chih-Hung. National Taiwan University; República de ChinaFil: Wu, Chung-Chih. National Taiwan University; República de Chin
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