314 research outputs found
Recommendation model based on opinion diffusion
Information overload in the modern society calls for highly efficient
recommendation algorithms. In this letter we present a novel diffusion based
recommendation model, with users' ratings built into a transition matrix. To
speed up computation we introduce a Green function method. The numerical tests
on a benchmark database show that our prediction is superior to the standard
recommendation methods.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure
Information filtering via Iterative Refinement
With the explosive growth of accessible information, expecially on the
Internet, evaluation-based filtering has become a crucial task. Various systems
have been devised aiming to sort through large volumes of information and
select what is likely to be more relevant. In this letter we analyse a new
ranking method, where the reputation of information providers is determined
self-consistently.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication on Europhysics Letter
Advanced documentation methodologies combined with multi-analytical approach for the preservation and restoration of 18th century architectural decorative elements at Palazzo Nuzzi in Orte (Central Italy)
This contribution reports the documentation of the conservation status and the pictorial technique of a wall painting and a stucco arch at Palazzo Nuzzi in Orte, central Italy (Viterbo district), achieved using a wide combination of non-invasive and micro-invasive diagnostic techniques. Specifically, a photogrammetric approach has been used for 2D and 3D ultraviolet fluorescence (UVF) acquisitions. Moreover, the conservation status of the wall painting has been also investigated by a non-invasive active infrared thermograghy technique, i.e. Pulse Compression Thermography (PuCT), used here for the first time on a wall painting to map the surface and sub-surface cracks in the first layers. Pigments, grounds and organic binders were characterised by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, micro-stratigraphic analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The results of this unique combination of advanced tools corroborated the historical-artistic attribution to the school of the architect Andrea Pozzo
An ultrasonic metallic FabryâPĂ©rot metamaterial for use in water
Fabry-PĂ©rot ultrasonic metamaterials have been additively manufactured using laser powder bed fusion to contain subwavelength holes with a high aspect-ratio of width to depth. Such metamaterials require the acoustic impedance mismatch between the structure and the immersion medium to be large. It is shown for the first time that metallic structures fulfil this criterion for applications in water over the 200â800âŻkHz frequency range. It is also demonstrated that laser powder bed fusion is a flexible fabrication method for the ceration of structures with different thicknesses, hole geometry and tapered openings, allowing the acoustic properties to be modified. It was confirmed via both finite element simulation and practical measurements that these structures supported Fabry-PĂ©rot resonances, needed for metamaterial operation, at ultrasonic frequencies in water. It was also demonstrated the the additively-manufactured structures detected the presence of a sub-wavelength slit aperture in water
Infliximab in the treatment of Crohn's disease
The recent introduction of infliximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor-alpha, has greatly modified the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). Data from the literature show encouraging results after intravenous infusion both for closure of intestinal or perianal fistulas and for induction and maintenance of remission in patients with moderate to severe intestinal disease unresponsive to other treatments. However, some contraindications such as fibrostenosing CD and sepsis have been identified. In addition, the data on long-term outcomes and safety is still limited. Our initial experience showed that in selected cases local injection of infliximab is effective in the treatment of complex perianal disease offering the possibility of using such treatment even in small bowel obstructing disease with minimal systemic effects. This paper analyzes the state of the use of both intravenous and local injection of infliximab in patients with CD
The effect of discrete vs. continuous-valued ratings on reputation and ranking systems
When users rate objects, a sophisticated algorithm that takes into account
ability or reputation may produce a fairer or more accurate aggregation of
ratings than the straightforward arithmetic average. Recently a number of
authors have proposed different co-determination algorithms where estimates of
user and object reputation are refined iteratively together, permitting
accurate measures of both to be derived directly from the rating data. However,
simulations demonstrating these methods' efficacy assumed a continuum of rating
values, consistent with typical physical modelling practice, whereas in most
actual rating systems only a limited range of discrete values (such as a 5-star
system) is employed. We perform a comparative test of several co-determination
algorithms with different scales of discrete ratings and show that this
seemingly minor modification in fact has a significant impact on algorithms'
performance. Paradoxically, where rating resolution is low, increased noise in
users' ratings may even improve the overall performance of the system.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figure
Trapped air metamaterial concept for ultrasonic sub-wavelength imaging in water
Acoustic metamaterials constructed from conventional base materials can exhibit exotic phenomena not commonly found in nature, achieved by combining geometrical and resonance effects. However, the use of polymer-based metamaterials that could operate in water is difficult, due to the low acoustic impedance mismatch between water and polymers. Here we introduce the concept of âtrapped airâ metamaterial, fabricated via vat photopolymerization, which makes ultrasonic sub-wavelength imaging in water using polymeric metamaterials highly effective. This concept is demonstrated for a holey-structured acoustic metamaterial in water at 200â300 kHz, via both finite element modelling and experimental measurements, but it can be extended to other types of metamaterials. The new approach, which outperforms the usual designs of these structures, indicates a way forward for exploiting additive-manufacturing for realising polymer-based acoustic metamaterials in water at ultrasonic frequencies
The use of pulse-compression thermography for detecting defects in paintings
Interest in the conservation of paintings grows year by year. Their periodic inspection is essential for their conservation over the time. Thermographic non-destructive inspection is one technique useful for paintings, but it is essential to be able to detect buried defects while minimising the level of thermal stimulus. This paper describes a pulse-compression infrared thermography technique whereby defect detection is optimized while minimising the rise in temperature. To accomplish this task, LED lamps driven by a coded waveform based on a linear frequency modulated chirp signal have been used on paintings on both a wooden panel and a canvas layer. These specimens contained artificially fabricated defects. Although the physical condition of each painting was different, the experimental results show that the proposed signal processing procedure is able to detect defects using a low temperature contrast
Study of microstructure and magnetization reversal mechanism in granular CoCrPt:SiO2 films of variable thickness
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