Search

This document is a special issue of the journal Algorithms, featuring selected papers from the journal's editorial board members from 2022 and 2023. The issue includes 16 research papers covering a range of topics such as game theory, fault detection in cellular networks, optimization algorithms, machine learning, cryptocurrency trading, and more. Each paper presents its own unique research findings and methodologies. The issue aims to showcase the diverse research interests and expertise of the journal's editorial board members. [Extracted from the article]

The gig economy and gig work have grown quickly in recent years and have drawn much attention from researchers in different fields. Because the platform mediated gig economy is a relatively new phenomenon, studies have produced a range of interesting findings; of interest here are the socio‐technical issues that this work has surfaced. This systematic literature review (SLR) provides a snapshot of a range of socio‐technical issues raised in the last 12 years of literature focused on the platform mediated gig economy. Based on a sample of 515 papers gathered from nine databases in multiple disciplines, 132 were coded that specifically studied the gig economy, gig work, and gig workers. Three main socio‐technical themes were identified: (1) the digital workplace, which includes information infrastructure and digital labor that are related to the nature of gig work and the user agency; (2) algorithmic management, which includes platform governance, performance management, information asymmetry, power asymmetry, and system manipulation, relying on a diverse set of technological tools including algorithms and big data analytics; (3) ethical design, as a relevant value set that gig workers expect from the platform, which includes trust, fairness, equality, privacy, and transparency. A social informatics perspective is used to rethink the relationship between gig workers and platforms, extract the socio‐technical issues noted in prior research, and discuss the underexplored aspects of the platform mediated gig economy. The results draw attention to understudied yet critically important socio‐technical issues in the gig economy that suggest short‐ and long‐term opportunities for future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional federated learning faces challenges such as high communication costs, structural heterogeneity,and insufficient privacy protection. To address these issues, this paper proposes a federated learning evolutionary algorithm that applies sparse evolutionary training algorithm to reduce communication costs and integrates local differential privacy protection for participants’ privacy. Additionally, it utilizes the NSGA-Ⅲ algorithm to optimize the network structure and sparsity of the global federated learning model, adjusting the relationship between data availability and privacy protection. This achieves a balance between the effectiveness, communication costs, and privacy of the global federated learning model. Experimental results under unstable communication environments demonstrate that, on the MNIST and CIFAR-10 datasets, compared to the solution with the lowest error rate using the FNSGA-Ⅲ algorithm, the proposed algorithm improves communication efficiency by 57. 19% and 52. 17%, respectively. The participants also achieved（3. 46, 10-4） and（6. 52, 10-4）-local differential privacy. This algorithm can effectively reduce communication costs and protect participant privacy without significantly compromising the accuracy of the global model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of technology has resulted in a surge in the volume of digital data available. This situation creates a problem for users who need assistance in locating specific information within this massive collection of data, resulting in a time-consuming process. Automatic Text Summarization systems have been developed as a more effective solution than traditional summarization techniques to address this problem and improve user access to relevant information. It is well known that researchers in the health sciences find it difficult to keep up with the latest literature due to their busy schedules. This study aims to produce comprehensive abstracts of Turkish-language scientific papers in the field of health sciences. Although abstracts of scientific papers are already available, more thorough summaries are still needed. To the best of our knowledge, no previous attempt has been made to automatically summarize Turkish language health science papers. For this purpose, a dataset of 105 Turkish papers was collected from DergiPark. Term Frequency, Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency, Latent Semantic Analysis, TextRank, and Latent Dirichlet Allocation algorithms were chosen as extractive text summarization methods due to their frequent use in this field. The performance of the text summarization models was evaluated using recall, precision, and F-score metrics, and the algorithms gave satisfactory results for Turkish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing focus on applying deep learning methods to electrocardiograms (ECGs), with recent studies showing that neural networks (NNs) can predict future heart failure or atrial fibrillation from the ECG alone. However, large numbers of ECGs are needed to train NNs, and many ECGs are currently only in paper format, which are not suitable for NN training. We developed a fully-automated online ECG digitisation tool to convert scanned paper ECGs into digital signals. Using automated horizontal and vertical anchor point detection, the algorithm automatically segments the ECG image into separate images for the 12 leads and a dynamical morphological algorithm is then applied to extract the signal of interest. We then validated the performance of the algorithm on 515 digital ECGs, of which 45 were printed, scanned and redigitised. The automated digitisation tool achieved 99.0% correlation between the digitised signals and the ground truth ECG (n = 515 standard 3-by-4 ECGs) after excluding ECGs with overlap of lead signals. Without exclusion, the performance of average correlation was from 90 to 97% across the leads on all 3-by-4 ECGs. There was a 97% correlation for 12-by-1 and 3-by-1 ECG formats after excluding ECGs with overlap of lead signals. Without exclusion, the average correlation of some leads in 12-by-1 ECGs was 60–70% and the average correlation of 3-by-1 ECGs achieved 80–90%. ECGs that were printed, scanned, and redigitised, our tool achieved 96% correlation with the original signals. We have developed and validated a fully-automated, user-friendly, online ECG digitisation tool. Unlike other available tools, this does not require any manual segmentation of ECG signals. Our tool can facilitate the rapid and automated digitisation of large repositories of paper ECGs to allow them to be used for deep learning projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most widely used measures of scientific impact is the number of citations. However, due to its heavy-tailed distribution, citations are fundamentally difficult to predict but can be improved. This study was aimed at investigating the factors and parts influencing the citation number of a scientific paper in the otology field. Therefore, this work proposes a new solution that utilizes machine learning and natural language processing to process English text and provides a paper citation as the predicted results. Different algorithms are implemented in this solution, such as linear regression, boosted decision tree, decision forest, and neural networks. The application of neural network regression revealed that papers' abstracts have more influence on the citation numbers of otological articles. This new solution has been developed in visual programming using Microsoft Azure machine learning at the back end and Programming Without Coding Technology at the front end. We recommend using machine learning models to improve the abstracts of research articles to get more citations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expert finding is crucial for a wealth of applications in both academia and industry. Given a user query and trove of academic papers, expert finding aims at retrieving the most relevant experts for the query, from the academic papers. Existing studies focus on embedding-based solutions that consider academic papers’ textual semantic similarities to a query via document representation and extract the top-n experts from the most similar papers. Beyond implicit textual semantics, however, papers’ explicit relationships (e.g., co-authorship) in a heterogeneous graph (e.g., DBLP) are critical for expert finding, because they help improve the representation quality. Despite their importance, the explicit relationships of papers generally have been ignored in the literature. In this article, we study expert finding on heterogeneous graphs by considering both the explicit relationships and implicit textual semantics of papers in one model. Specifically, we define the cohesive (k, P)-core community of papers w.r.t. a meta-path P (i.e., relationship) and propose a (k, P)-core based document embedding model to enhance the representation quality. Based on this, we design a proximity graph-based index (PGIndex) of papers and present a threshold algorithm (TA)-based method to efficiently extract top-n experts from papers returned by PG-Index. We further optimize our approach in two ways: (1) we boost effectiveness by considering the (k, P)-core community of experts and the diversity of experts’ research interests, to achieve high-quality expert representation from paper representation; and (2) we streamline expert finding, going from “extract top-n experts from top-m (m > n) semantically similar papers” to “directly return top-n experts”. The process of returning a large number of top-m papers as intermediate data is avoided, thereby improving the efficiency. Extensive experiments using real-world datasets demonstrate our approach’s superiority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of the customization concept, small-batch and multi-variety production will become one of the major production modes, especially for fast-moving consumer goods. However, this production mode has two issues: high production cost and the long manufacturing period. To address these issues, this study proposes a multi-objective optimization model for the flexible flow-shop to optimize the production scheduling, which would maximize the production efficiency by minimizing the production cost and makespan. The model is designed based on hybrid algorithms, which combine a fast non-dominated genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) and a variable neighborhood search algorithm (VNS). In this model, NSGA-II is the major algorithm to calculate the optimal solutions. VNS is to improve the quality of the solution obtained by NSGA-II. The model is verified by an example of a real-world typical FFS, a tissue papermaking mill. The results show that the scheduling model can reduce production costs by 4.2% and makespan by 6.8% compared with manual scheduling. The hybrid VNS-NSGA-II model also shows better performance than NSGA-II, both in production cost and makespan. Hybrid algorithms are a good solution for multi-objective optimization issues in flexible flow-shop production scheduling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the problems of data sparsity and the diversity in academic paper recom-mender systems,based on CONVNCF, this paper proposed an algorithm of convolution with word and heterogeneous information network for academic paper recommendation ( WN -APR) . Firstly, WN -APR algorithm learned user and paper' s diverse features from different semantics to alleviate the sparsity problem. Then it designed an outer product fusing way to seamlessly combine user features with paper features. Replacing of 2D CNN, this algorithm applied 3 D convolution to mine the influence of different features on the performance. Finally, it modified the BPR loss function to enhance diversity in recommendations. Experimental results on CiteULike-a and CiteULike-t datasets show that WN-APR improves the performance of accuracy and diversity over the baseline models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared to the conventional boost power factor correction (PFC) converter, a totem-pole bridgeless PFC has high efficiency because it does not have an input diode rectifier stage, but a current spike may occur when the polarity of the grid voltage changes. This paper proposes a digital control algorithm for bridgeless totem-pole PFC with a simple control structure based on the phase angle of grid voltage. The proposed algorithm has a PI-based double-loop control structure and performs DC-link voltage and input inductor current control. Rectifying switches operate based on the proposed rectification algorithm using phase angle information calculated through a single-phase phase-locked loop (PLL) to prevent current spikes. The feed-forward duty ratio value is calculated according to the polarity of the grid voltage and added to the double-loop controller to perform appropriate power factor control. The performance and feasibility of the proposed control algorithm are verified through a 3 kW hardware prototype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the effect of intelligent automatic test paper composition, this paper combines the hybrid fuzzy clustering algorithm to study the computer automatic test paper composition algorithm. In this paper, a computer automatic test paper composition system based on hybrid fuzzy clustering algorithm is constructed. Moreover, the hybrid fuzzy clustering method used in this paper is used as the basic algorithm of the system, and the algorithm is improved according to the actual needs of intelligent paper composition. In addition, this paper uses an intelligent algorithm to input the relevant constraint parameters and combines the original parameters to select the most suitable test questions from the database and combine them into test papers. Finally, this paper constructs the system structure based on the requirements of intelligent test paper composition. The experimental research shows that the computer automatic test paper composition system based on the hybrid fuzzy clustering algorithm proposed in this paper has a good test paper composition function, which can effectively promote the progress of the intelligent examination mode in colleges and universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This special issue contains six revised and extended versions of tool papers that appeared in the proceedings of TACAS 2021, the 27th International Conference on Tools and Algorithms for the Construction and Analysis of Systems. The issue is dedicated to the realization of algorithms in tools and the studies of the application of these tools for analysing hard- and software systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foundation paper piecing is a popular technique for constructing fabric patchwork quilts using printed paper patterns. But, the construction process imposes constraints on the geometry of the pattern and the order in which the fabric pieces are attached to the quilt. Manually designing foundation paper pieceable patterns that meet all of these constraints is challenging. In this work we mathematically formalize the foundation paper piecing process and use this formalization to develop an algorithm that can automatically check if an input pattern geometry is foundation paper pieceable. Our key insight is that we can represent the geometric pattern design using a certain type of dual hypergraph where nodes represent faces and hyperedges represent seams connecting two or more nodes. We show that determining whether the pattern is paper pieceable is equivalent to checking whether this hypergraph is acyclic, and if it is acyclic, we can apply a leaf-plucking algorithm to the hypergraph to generate viable sewing orders for the pattern geometry. We implement this algorithm in a design tool that allows quilt designers to focus on producing the geometric design of their pattern and let the tool handle the tedious task of determining whether the pattern is foundation paper pieceable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrocardiogram (ECG) signal describes the heart's electrical activity, allowing it to detect several health conditions, including cardiac system abnormalities and dysfunctions. Nowadays, most patient medical records are still paper-based, especially those made in past decades. The importance of collecting digitized ECGs is twofold: firstly, all medical applications can be easily implemented with an engineering approach if the ECGs are treated as signals; secondly, paper ECGs can deteriorate over time, therefore a correct evaluation of the patient's clinical evolution is not always guaranteed. The goal of this paper is the realization of an automatic conversion algorithm from paper-based ECGs (images) to digital ECG signals. The algorithm involves a digitization process tested on an image set of 16 subjects, also with pathologies. The quantitative analysis of the digitization method is carried out by evaluating the repeatability and reproducibility of the algorithm. The digitization accuracy is evaluated both on the entire signal and on six ECG time parameters (R-R peak distance, QRS complex duration, QT interval, PQ interval, P-wave duration, and heart rate). Results demonstrate the algorithm efficiency has an average Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.94 and measurement errors of the ECG time parameters are always less than 1 mm. Due to the promising experimental results, the algorithm could be embedded into a graphical interface, becoming a measurement and collection tool for cardiologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To develop an automated algorithm to detect, quantify, and differentiate between tremor using pen-on-paper spirals. METHODS: Patients with essential tremor (n = 25), dystonic tremor (n = 25), Parkinson’s disease (n = 25), and healthy volunteers (HV, n = 25) drew free-hand spirals. The algorithm derived the mean deviation (MD) and tremor variability from scanned images. MD and tremor variability were compared with 1) the Bain and Findley scale, 2) the Fahn–Tolosa–Marin tremor rating scale (FTM–TRS), and 3) the peak power and total power of the accelerometer spectra. Inter and intra loop widths were computed to differentiate between the tremor. RESULTS: MD was higher in the tremor group (48.9±26.3) than in HV (26.4±5.3; p < 0.001). The cut-off value of 30.3 had 80.9% sensitivity and 76.0% specificity for the detection of the tremor [area under the curve: 0.83; 95% confidence index (CI): 0.75, 0.91, p < 0.001]. MD correlated with the Bain and Findley ratings (rho = 0.491, p = 0 < 0.001), FTM–TRS part B (rho = 0.260, p = 0.032) and accelerometric measures of postural tremor (total power, rho = 0.366, p < 0.001; peak power, rho = 0.402, p < 0.001). Minimum Detectable Change was 19.9%. Inter loop width distinguished Parkinson’s disease spirals from dystonic tremor (p < 0.001, 95% CI: 54.6, 211.1), essential tremor (p = 0.003, 95% CI: 28.5, 184.9), or HV (p = 0.036, 95% CI: -160.4, -3.9). CONCLUSION: The automated analysis of pen-on-paper spirals generated robust variables to quantify the tremor and putative variables to distinguish them from each other. SIGNIFICANCE: This technique maybe useful for epidemiological surveys and follow-up studies on tremor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Document forgeries that involve modification of the materials used, such as ink and paper, provide evidence of any malpractices being performed. Forensic specialists use different techniques to identify and classify these samples; however, the most preferred method is to use nondestructive techniques to avoid any potential damage to the original specimen under investigation. Hyperspectral imaging has already been explored in several application domains and used as a powerful method in forensic investigations to extract information about the materials under examination. To precisely classify the material information and utilize the hyperspectral imaging technique's potential, we probed the potential of some hybrid spectral similarity measures to classify different commonly used paper samples. A comparison of these methods is quantitatively presented in this article. Hybrid spectral similarity algorithms are tested on forensic analysis of paper data. We compared the classification capabilities of various hybrid spectral similarity algorithms on hyperspectral data of 40 different paper samples. The overall accuracy (OA), kappa K̂, Z‐score of kappa (ZK̂), and the 95% confidence interval of kappa (CI(K̂)) are used for comparison. The SID‐SAM and SID‐SCA produced an overall accuracy of 88% and 87%, respectively, which is highest among the hybrid spectral similarity measures tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

They give fixed parameter tractable algorithms for the problem parameterized by various structural parameters. The authors give a greedy loop-free algorithm for the exhaustive generation, a successor algorithm that runs in constant amortized time, among other algorithms, as well as results for the fixed spin generalization of this problem. IWOCA (International Workshop on Combinatorial Algorithms) is an annual conference series covering all aspects of combinatorial algorithms. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Journal of East China University of Science & Technology is the property of Journal of East China University of Science & Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Edge computing enables portable devices to provide smart applications, and the indoor positioning technique offers accurate location-based indoor navigation and personalized smart services. To achieve the high positioning accuracy, an indoor positioning algorithm based on particle filter requires a large number of sample particles to approximate the probability density function, which leads to the additional computational cost and high fusion delay. Focusing on real-time and accurate positioning, an edge computing-enabled green multi-source fusion indoor positioning algorithm called APFP is proposed based on adaptive particle filter in this paper. APFP considers both pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR) signals in mobile terminals and the received signal strength indication (RSSI) of Bluetooth, and effectively merges the error-free accumulation of trilateral positioning and the accurate short-range positioning of PDR, which enables mobile terminals adaptively perform particle filter to reduce the computing time and power consumption while ensuring positioning accuracy simultaneously. Detailed experimental results show that, compared with the traditional particle filter algorithm and the map-constrained algorithm, the proposed APFP reduces fusion computing cost by 59.89% and 54.37%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale The recent development of isotope ratio infrared spectroscopy (IRIS) was quickly followed by the addition of online extraction and analysis systems, making it faster and easier to measure soil and plant water isotopes. However, memory and sample size effects limit the efficiency and accuracy of these new setups. In response, this study presents a scheme dedicated to estimating and eliminating these two effects. Methods Memory effect was determined by injecting two standard waters alternately. Each standard was injected nine times in a row and analyzed using induction module cavity ring-down spectroscopy (IM-CRDS). Memory coefficients were calculated using a new 'multistage jump' algorithm. Sample size effects were evaluated by injecting water volumes ranging from 1 μL to 6 μL. Finally, the influence of cellulose filter paper on the isotopic measurements, the memory, and the sample size effect was evaluated by comparing it with glass filter paper. Results Memory effects were detected for both δ18O and δ2H values, with the latter being stronger. Isotopic differences between replicates of the same plant or soil sample showed a clear decrease after memory correction. A small water volume effect was found only when the injected water volume was larger than 3 μL. However, while the correction method performed well for laboratory-made samples, it did not for field samples, due to the heterogeneity of the isotopic composition of the samples. Stronger memory and water volume effects were found for cellulose filter paper. Conclusions The memory coefficients and the water volume-isotope relationship improved the consistency and accuracy of both laboratory and field data. Our results indicate that cellulose filter paper may not be a suitable medium to measure standard waters and evaluate memory and water volume effects. Finally, a detailed correction and calibration protocol is suggested, along with notes on best practices to obtain good-quality IM-CRDS data. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a novel paper currency defect detection algorithm using quaternion uniform strength. We first build paper currency image preprocessing integration framework which includes intensity balancing, paper currency location, and geometric correction. We then propose a global–local paper currency image registration algorithm by moving key areas within certain range which can eliminate the false difference effectively. Finally, the quaternion uniform strength is calculated by using quaternion convolution edge detector. The defect degree of paper currency is determined by using the quaternion uniform color difference. The proposed algorithm is tested using different datasets from five countries: CNY, USD, EUR, VND, and RUB. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm yields better results than the existing state-of-the-art paper currency defect detection techniques. The demo of the proposed paper currency defect detection algorithm will be publicly available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The folded paper-size illusion is as easy to demonstrate as it is powerful in generating insights into perceptual processing: First take two A4 sheets of paper, one original sized, another halved by folding, then compare them in terms of area size by centering the halved sheet on the center of the original one! We perceive the larger sheet as far less than double (i.e., 100%) the size of the small one, typically only being about two thirds larger--this illusion is preserved by rotating the inner sheet and even by aligning it to one or two sides, but is dissolved by aligning both sheets to three sides, here documented by 88 participants' data. A potential explanation might be the general incapability of accurately comparing more than one geometrical dimension at once--in everyday life, we solve this perceptual-cognitive bottleneck by reducing the complexity of such a task via aligning parts with same lengths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Catalana de Dret Públic is the property of Revista Catalana de Dret Public and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper presents a technique for determining the time index of growth of the slope of reverse voltage for double insulated cables, based on the body of the theory of series. It is proved that in the vicinity of the extremum point (maximum) the function of the reverse voltage is approximated by polynomials of the nth power. It is proposed to use second-degree polynomials for practical calculations. The method for calculating relevant indicators is illustrated using real data. Analysis of deviations made it possible to conclude that the calculation method proposed in the paper is far more accurate. In the final part of the study, it was concluded that there is a promising outlook for further development of methodological guidelines for determining complex indices of the remaining life of the cable, including but not limited to the use of various mathematical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exponential use of artificial intelligence (AI) to solve and automated complex tasks has catapulted its popularity generating some challenges that need to be addressed. While AI is a powerful means to discover interesting patterns and obtain predictive models, the use of these algorithms comes with a great responsibility, as an incomplete or unbalanced set of training data or an unproper interpretation of the models' outcomes could result in misleading conclusions that ultimately could become very dangerous. For these reasons, it is important to rely on expert knowledge when applying these methods. However, not every user can count on this specific expertise; non-AI-expert users could also benefit from applying these powerful algorithms to their domain problems, but they need basic guidelines to obtain the most out of AI models. The goal of this work is to present a systematic review of the literature to analyze studies whose outcomes are explainable rules and heuristics to select suitable AI algorithms given a set of input features. The systematic review follows the methodology proposed by Kitchenham and other authors in the field of software engineering. As a result, 9 papers that tackle AI algorithm recommendation through tangible and traceable rules and heuristics were collected. The reduced number of retrieved papers suggests a lack of reporting explicit rules and heuristics when testing the suitability and performance of AI algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of information technology, scientific social networks (SSNs) have become the fastest and most convenient way for researchers to communicate with each other. Many published papers are shared via SSNs every day, resulting in the problem of information overload. How to appropriately recommend personalized and highly valuable papers for researchers is becoming more urgent. However, when recommending papers in SSNs, only a small amount of positive instances are available, leaving a vast amount of unlabelled data, in which negative instances and potential unseen positive instances are mixed together, which naturally belongs to One-Class Collaborative Filtering (OCCF) problem. Therefore, considering the extreme data imbalance and data sparsity of this OCCF problem, a hybrid approach of Social and Content aware One-class Recommendation of Papers in SSNs, termed SCORP, is proposed in this study. Unlike previous approaches recommended to address the OCCF problem, social information, which has been proved playing a significant role in performing recommendations in many domains, is applied in both the profiling of content-based filtering and the collaborative filtering to achieve superior recommendations. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed SCORP approach, a real-life dataset from CiteULike was employed. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach is superior to all of the compared approaches, thus providing a more effective method for recommending papers in SSNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To develop and evaluate methods for assembling radiopaque printed paper sheets to realistic patient phantoms for CT dose and image quality testing.Methods: CT images of two patients were radiopaque printed with aqueous potassium iodide solution (0.6 g/ml) on paper. Two methods were developed for assembling the paper sheets to head and neck phantoms. (1) Printed sheets were fed to a paper-based 3D printer along with corresponding 3D printable STL files. (2) Paper stacks of 5-mm thickness were glued with toner, cut to the patient shape and assembled to a phantom. In a sample application study, both phantoms were examined with five different tube current settings. Images were reconstructed using filtered-back projection (FBP) and iterative reconstruction (AIDR 3D) with three strength levels. Dose length product (DLP), signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were analysed. Data were analysed using 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results: Both methods achieved anthropomorphic phantoms with detailed patient anatomy. The 3D printer yielded a precise reproduction of the external patient shape, but caused visible glue artefacts. Gluing with toner avoided these artefacts and yielded more flexibility with regard to phantom size. In the sample application study, non-inferior SNR and CNR and up to 83.7% lower DLP were achieved on the phantoms with AIDR 3D compared with FBP.Conclusions: Two methods for assembling radiopaque printed paper sheets to phantoms of individual patients are presented. The sample application demonstrates potential for simulation of patient imaging and systematic CT dose and image quality assessment.Key Points: • Two methods were developed to create realistic CT phantoms of individual patients from radiopaque printed paper sheets. • Analysis of five tube current and four reconstruction settings on two radiopaque 3D printed patient phantoms yielded non-inferior SNR and CNR and up to 83.7% lower dose with iterative reconstruction in comparison with filtered back projection. • Radiopaque 3D printed phantoms can simulate patients and allow systematic analysis of CT dose and image quality parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors offer observation on utilizing tables, figures, charts and graphs to help understand the research presented in a simple manner but also engage and sustain the reader's interest. Topics discussed include benefits provided by the use of tables/figures/charts/graphs, general methodology of design and submission, and copyright issues of using material from government publications/public domain.

The traditional method for transformer moisture diagnosis is to establish empirical equations between feature parameters extracted from frequency domain spectroscopy (FDS) and the transformer’s moisture content. However, the established empirical equation may not be applicable to a novel testing environment, resulting in an unreliable evaluation result. In this regard, it is acknowledged that FDS combined with machine learning is more suitable for estimating moisture content in a variety of test environments. Nonetheless, the accuracy of the estimation results obtained using the existing method is limited by the algorithm’s inability to generalize. To address this issue, we propose an AdaBoost algorithm-enhanced back-propagation neural network (BP_AdaBoost). This study creates a database by extracting feature parameters from the FDS that characterize the insulation states of the prepared samples. Then, using the BP_AdaBoost algorithm and the newly constructed database, the moisture estimation models are trained. Finally, the results of the estimation are discussed in terms of laboratory and field transformers. By comparing the proposed BP_AdaBoost algorithm to other intelligence algorithms, it is demonstrated that it not only performs better in generalization, but also maintains a high level of accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Each year, the editorial board of Computational Optimization and Applications selects a paper from the preceding year's publications for the Best Paper Award. This derivative-free algorithm relies on randomly generated directions and is analyzed from a probabilistic viewpoint, leading to complexity guarantees for both deterministic and probabilistic versions of the method. First, following recent developments in nonconvex optimization, complexity results have become increasingly popular in derivative-free optimization [[8]]. [Extracted from the article]

This document is an editorial for a special issue of the journal AIMS Mathematics on the topic of discrete optimization. The issue includes 21 papers covering a range of subjects, including molecular trees, network systems, variational inequality problems, scheduling, image restoration, spectral clustering, integral equations, convex functions, graph products, optimization algorithms, air quality prediction, humanitarian planning, inertial methods, neural networks, transportation problems, emotion identification, fixed-point problems, structural engineering design, single machine scheduling, and ensemble learning. The papers present new theoretical results, algorithms, and applications in these areas. The guest editor expresses gratitude to the journal staff and reviewers and hopes that readers will find inspiration for their own research. [Extracted from the article]

The present paper is in two folds. In the first fold, we prove the Lipschitz continuity of the proximal mapping associated with a general strongly H-monotone mapping and compute an estimate of its Lipschitz constant under some mild assumptions imposed on the mapping H involved in the proximal mapping. We provide two examples to show that a maximal monotone mapping need not be a general H-monotone for a single-valued mapping H from a Banach space to its dual space. A class of multi-valued nonlinear variational inclusion problems is considered, and by using the notion of proximal mapping and Nadler's technique, an iterative algorithm with mixed errors is suggested to compute its solutions. Under some appropriate hypotheses imposed on the mappings and parameters involved in the multi-valued nonlinear variational inclusion problem, the strong convergence of the sequences generated by the proposed algorithm to a solution of the aforesaid problem is verified. The second fold of this paper investigates and analyzes the notion of Cn-monotone mappings defined and studied in [S.Z. Nazemi, A new class of monotone mappings and a new class of variational inclusions in Banach spaces, J. Optim. Theory Appl. 155(3)(2012) 785-795]. Several comments related to the results and algorithm appeared in the above mentioned paper are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper two procedures are developed for the identification of the parameters contained in an orthotropic elastic-plastic-hardening model for free standing foils, particularly of paper and paperboard. The experimental data considered are provided by cruciform tests and digital image correlation. A simplified version of the constitutive model proposed by Xia et al. (Int J Solids Struct 39:4053-4071, ) is adopted. The inverse analysis is comparatively performed by the following alternative computational methodologies: (a) mathematical programming by a trust-region algorithm; (b) proper orthogonal decomposition and artificial neural network. The second procedure rests on preparatory once-for-all computations and turns out to be applicable economically and routinely in industrial environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The D50 CIELAB gamut volume was standardized as a suitable and unified gamut size measurement methodology. The color gamut volume is visualized using proportionate gamut rings in a two‐dimensional diagram. Gamut ring intersection assists the visual comparison of the size and shape of the color gamut coverage between a display and a reference. This paper introduces a desktop application with an intuitive graphical interface for visualizing the gamut rings and describes the algorithm of the gamut ring intersection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores digital marginalization, data marginalization, and algorithmic exclusions in the Souths. To this effect, it argues that underrepresented users and communities continue to be marginalized and excluded by digital technologies, by big data, and by algorithms employed by organizations, corporations, institutions, and governments in various data jurisdictions. Situating data colonialism within the Souths, the paper contends that data ableism, data disablism, and data colonialism are at play when data collected, collated, captured, configured, and processed from underrepresented users and communities is utilized by mega entities for their own multiple purposes. It also maintains that data coloniality, as opposed to data colonialism, is impervious to legal and legislative interventions within data jurisdictions. Additionally, it discusses digital citizenship (DC) and its related emerging regimes. Moreover, the paper argues that digital exclusion transcends the simplistic haves versus the have nots dualism as it manifests itself in multiple layers and in multiple dimensions. Furthermore, it characterizes how algorithmic exclusions tend to perpetuate historical human biases despite the pervasive view that algorithms are autonomous, neutral, rational, objective, fair, unbiased, and non-human. Finally, the paper advances a critical southern decolonial (CSD) approach to datafication, algorithms, and digital citizenship by means of which data coloniality, algorithmic coloniality, and the coloniality embodied in DC have to be critiqued, challenged, and dismantled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Computer Engineering & Applications is the property of Beijing Journal of Computer Engineering & Applications Journal Co Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Computer Engineering & Applications is the property of Beijing Journal of Computer Engineering & Applications Journal Co Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We study the quadratic cycle cover problem (QCCP), which aims to find a node-disjoint cycle cover in a directed graph with minimum interaction cost between successive arcs. We derive several semidefinite programming (SDP) relaxations and use facial reduction to make these strictly feasible. We investigate a nontrivial relationship between the transformation matrix used in the reduction and the structure of the graph, which is exploited in an efficient algorithm that constructs this matrix for any instance of the problem. To solve our relaxations, we propose an algorithm that incorporates an augmented Lagrangian method into a cutting-plane framework by utilizing Dykstra's projection algorithm. Our algorithm is suitable for solving SDP relaxations with a large number of cutting-planes. Computational results show that our SDP bounds and efficient cutting-plane algorithm outperform other QCCP bounding approaches from the literature. Finally, we provide several SDP-based upper bounding techniques, among which is a sequential Q-learning method that exploits a solution of our SDP relaxation within a reinforcement learning environment. Summary of Contribution: The quadratic cycle cover problem (QCCP) is the problem of finding a set of node-disjoint cycles covering all the nodes in a graph such that the total interaction cost between successive arcs is minimized. The QCCP has applications in many fields, among which are robotics, transportation, energy distribution networks, and automatic inspection. Besides this, the problem has a high theoretical relevance because of its close connection to the quadratic traveling salesman problem (QTSP). The QTSP has several applications, for example, in bioinformatics, and is considered to be among the most difficult combinatorial optimization problems nowadays. After removing the subtour elimination constraints, the QTSP boils down to the QCCP. Hence, an in-depth study of the QCCP also contributes to the construction of strong bounds for the QTSP. In this paper, we study the application of semidefinite programming (SDP) to obtain strong bounds for the QCCP. Our strongest SDP relaxation is very hard to solve by any SDP solver because of the large number of involved cutting-planes. Because of that, we propose a new approach in which an augmented Lagrangian method is incorporated into a cutting-plane framework by utilizing Dykstra's projection algorithm. We emphasize an efficient implementation of the method and perform an extensive computational study. This study shows that our method is able to handle a large number of cuts and that the resulting bounds are currently the best QCCP bounds in the literature. We also introduce several upper bounding techniques, among which is a distributed reinforcement learning algorithm that exploits our SDP relaxations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work describes the log-MAP (BCJR) algorithm implementation of a close to capacity dirty paper coding CODEC. The CODEC consists of eight deep pipeline processors. It decodes blocks of 975 bits in 26.9 ms using less than 9.7% of low-cost FPGA (and no DSP blocks). Two pipelines, for alpha and beta, calculate the values of gamma (of the BCJR) to reduce the storage requirements. The final log-likelihood ratio (LLR) is calculated together with alpha, reusing intermediate results. The number of bits used by the different signals of the processor is easily configurable. It was set to six bits to the channel measure signals and eight bits to log of probability signals like alpha, beta, and others. The CODEC clock was 100 MHz. The achieved bit rate is 36.2 Kbps per CODEC, but multiple CODECs can be fit into a single chip. The CODEC is 3.49 dB from the channel capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this paper, the authors use a new methodology, called paper affiliation index, to create finance journal ranking using expert judgment and research impact, both of which are based on secondary, objective measures, thus making it possible to produce lists every year without human manipulation at virtually no cost. Design/methodology/approach: Bibliometrics. Python implementation. Findings: A new ranking with 65 finance journals. Research limitations/implications: This procedure helps to reduce bias and to deal with known problems associated with current methodologies. The data used in the methodology comes from public sources; the procedure is therefore easily replicable. This methodology is not subject-dependent and thus can be transferred to other realms of knowledge. Once the bibliometric institutional data has been gathered, the procedure is not computationally costly: a Python implementation of the algorithm executes the whole computation in a few seconds. Results seem to correct the pernicious Matthew effect which is so evident in citation-based methods. Originality/value: The institutional classification created includes all institutions that have contributed papers to the field of finance. The procedure helps to reduce bias and to deal with known problems associated with current methodologies. The data used in the methodology comes from public sources, the procedure is therefore easily replicable. The methodology is not subject-dependent and thus can be transferred to other realms of knowledge. Once the bibliometric institutional data has been gathered, the procedure is not computationally costly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intrinsic features of documents, such as paper color, texture, aging, translucency, the kind of printing, typing or handwriting, etc., are important with regard to how to process and enhance their image. Image binarization is the process of producing a monochromatic image having its color version as input. It is a key step in the document processing pipeline. The recent Quality-Time Binarization Competitions for documents have shown that no binarization algorithm is good for any kind of document image. This paper uses a sample of the texture of the scanned historical documents as the main document feature to select which of the 63 widely used algorithms, using five different versions of the input images, totaling 315 document image-binarization schemes, provides a reasonable quality-time trade-off. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Pulp & Paper is the property of China Pulp & Paper Magazines Publisher and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Although it was claimed that the MKR-α method can improve the overshoot and nonlinear stability characteristics of the KR-α method, it seems that it still has a high frequency overshoot in steady-state responses and a weak instability. Three examples are applied to numerically illustrate the two adverse properties. A loading-correction term is introduced into the displacement difference equation to remove the adverse overshoot in high frequency steady-state responses. Besides, it is analytically verified that the MKR-α method has an adverse weak instability. Although the problem of high frequency overshoot in steady-state responses can be overcome, there is no way to eliminate the adverse weak instability for both the KR-α method and MKR-α method. Thus, the applications of the two families of integration methods are very limited. It is demonstrated that a high frequency numerical damping is incapable of mitigating the overshoot caused by a weak instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]