Cut Method Research Articles

Optimal pruned tree-cut mapping-based fast shielding for large-scale networks

Random failure is a common threat to a network, where the failure of a few edges can disconnect a large-scale sparse network. To enhance the robustness of network, the shielding of important edges is a practical strategy, where the cut is a useful entity to help locate important edges in existing shielding methods. However, as there is no available way to quickly locate target cuts, the existing shielding algorithm is not efficient enough and can only be applied to small-scale backbone networks. Fortunately, by using the optimal pruned tree-cut mapping, we found an efficient and high-precision cut edge enumeration method, which can help quickly locate target cuts and their edges in a large-scale network, leading to a cost-effective shielding plan. Theoretical analysis indicates that more than 99% of candidate cuts can be found with a limited number of preprocessing passes, and experimental results in typical networks show that in small-scale networks, with little extra cost (< 6%), the serial implementation of the algorithm in an off-shelf computing node can be 6 orders of magnitude faster than the optimal method, while in large-scale sparse networks with a million nodes, it can also help defend at least 99.9% of random failures with only tens of seconds of preprocessing overhead.

A design analysis method and its application in the cover arch of cut-and-cover tunnels

It is very important to improve the design of supports because the cut and cover method of layered backfill after construction is the primary method used to construct shallow buried sections of mountain tunnels. The Dujuan Valley Tunnel in Fenghua City is the subject of this research. First, a geometric model of a shallow buried section of a mountain tunnel and its construction parameters were used to develop the simplified bearing capacity analysis model for the covered arch. Second, a simplified method to calculate the internal force of the cover arch supporting structure was established by using the method of structural mechanics. Thus, a method was established to determine the safe thickness of the cover arch and to analyze the bearing capacity and stability of the enlarged foundation of the arch foot. Third, the influence of the tunnel burial depth, cap arch sag height, central angle, radius and arch foot width on the bearing characteristics of the cover arch support structure was discussed, and the optimal design principle of excavation in shallow buried sections of mountain tunnels was obtained. Finally, the calculation and evaluation of the design in an example case were used to determine the rationality of the method to design and optimize shallow buried sections of mountain tunnels with the cut and cover method.

A full-resolution convolutional network with a dynamic graph cut algorithm for skin cancer classification and detection

A robust medical decision support system for classifying skin lesions from dermoscopy images is a crucial instrument for determining skin cancer prognosis. In recent years, full resolution convolutional network has made significant progress in recognizing skin cancer types from Dermoscopic images despite their fine-grained changes in appearance. Recently, full resolution convolutional network have gained popularity as a solution to semantic segmentation issues. However, the hyper-parameters it chooses are what determine how well it performs, and manually fine-tuning these hyper-parameters takes time. Therefore, a hyper-parameter optimized full resolution convolutional network is suggested for dermoscopy picture segmentation in this research. The network’s hyper-parameters are optimized by a brand-new dynamic graph cut algorithm method. Hyper-parameters emphasize the proper balance between exploration and exploitation by combining the wolves’ individual haunting tactics with their global haunting strategies to generate a neighborhood-based searching strategy. The fundamental objective of this study is to develop a hyper-parameter-optimized Full resolution convolutional network-based model capable of reliably diagnosing skin cancer types using dermoscopy images. The computer-aided diagnosis could be more efficient and precise. The segmentation approach is the primary way to identify cancerous tumors with precision. This study introduces a dynamic graph cut algorithm -based method for accurate segmentation and improved skin cancer classification using a full resolution convolutional network. Experiments reveal that the proposed model effectively addresses the frequent over-segmentation and under-segmentation issues in graph cut and the subject of wrongly segmented small sections in the grab cut method. In addition, the results illustrate the utility of data augmentation in training and testing, with enhanced performance compared to the usage of fresh images. Multiple experiments were done using various transferring models, and the results of our recommended model showed superior performance in skin lesion categorization tasks relative to other architectures with an accuracy of 97.986%.

Mechanics of lumenless pacing lead strength during extraction procedures based on laboratory bench testing

With the advent of conduction system pacing, use of the Medtronic SelectSecure Model 3830 lead has increased substantially. However, with this increased use, the potential need for lead extraction also will increase. Lumenless lead construction requires an understanding of both applicable tensile forces as well as lead preparation techniques that can influence consistent extraction. The purpose of this study was to use bench testing methodologies to characterize the physical properties of lumenless leads and to describe related lead preparation methods that support known extraction techniques. Multiple 3830 lead preparation techniques, commonly used in extraction practices, were compared on the bench to assess rail strength (RS) in simple traction and use conditions with simulated scar. Retention of the IS1 connector vs severing the lead body preparation techniques were compared. Distal snare and rotational extraction tools were evaluated. The retained connector method provided higher RS compared to the modified cut lead method: mean 11.42 lbf (9.85-12.73 lbf) vs 8.51 lbf (1.66-14.32 lbf), respectively. Snare use distally did not significantly affect RS: mean 11.05 lbf (8.58-13.95 lbf). Lead damage occurred with the TightRail extraction tool at angles ≥90°, which could occur with right-sided implants. When extracting SelectSecure leads, the retained connector method to maintain cable engagement benefits preservation of the extraction RS. Limiting traction force to <10 lbf (4.5 kgf) and avoiding poor lead preparation methods are critical to consistent extraction. Femoral snaring does not change RS when needed and offers a method to regain lead rail in cases of distal cable fracture.

On Molecular Structural Characterization of Cyclen Cored Dendrimers

Macromolecules are gaining much attention in various fields today. Dendrimers are artificially synthesized macromolecules by convergent or divergent approach. They are compact regular structures with spherical dimension and has a vast number of application in disparate fields such as drug delivery, material science, and biology, magnetic resonance imaging, an organic light-emitting device, etc. Determining the pharmacological, chemical, and biological characteristics of a substance necessitates a significant amount of effort. From the chemical graph of the dendrimer structure, we can infer those characteristics with the help of numerical descriptors known as the topological index. The Wiener and Szeged indices are two important distance-based topological indices applicable in nanoscience. The degree-based topological indices also have great importance and huge applications in structural chemistry. These indices together with graph entropy are found to be more effective and have found application in different sciences. In this work, the Wiener index, Szeged indices, Mostar indices, and Padmakar Ivan index for cyclen cored dendrimers are evaluated by converting the original graph into quotient graphs using Θ * - classes. This technique is applied since the regular cut method is a lengthy process while moving on to higher generations and also due to the presence of odd cycles in the structure. The degree-based indices and the degree-based graph entropies for the cyclen cored dendrimers are further studied. The comparison graphs with respect to the topological indices as well as graph entropies are also presented.

Safety and Precision of Two Different Flap-morphologies Created During Low Energy Femtosecond Laser-assisted LASIK.

Currently, two major principles exist to create LASIK flaps: firstly, a strictly horizontal (2D) cut similar to the microkeratome-cut and secondly an angled cut with a "step-like" edge (3D). The strictly horizontal (2D) cut method can be performed using apparatus such as the low-energy FEMTO LDV Z8 laser and its predecessors which are specific to this type. Alternatively, the low-energy FEMTO LDV Z8 laser's 3D flap design creates an interlocking flap-interface surface which potentially contributes toward flap stability. In addition, the FEMTO LDV Z8 offers flap-position adjustments after docking (before flap-creation). The current study analyzed precision, safety, efficacy, as well as patient self-reported pain and comfort levels after applying two different types of LASIK flap morphologies which were created with a low-energy, high-frequency femtosecond (fs) laser device. A prospective, interventional, randomized, contralateral eye, single-center comparison study was conducted from November 2019 to March 2020 at the Hamburg vision clinic/ zentrumsehstärke, Hamburg, Germany. Eleven patients and 22 eyes received low-energy fs LASIK treatment for myopia or myopic astigmatism in both eyes. Before the treatment, the eyes were randomized (one eye was treated with the 2D, the other eye with the 3D method). The mean central flap thickness one month after surgery was 110.7 1.6 μm (2D) and 111.2 1.7 μm (3D); P = 0.365 (2D vs 3D). Flap thickness measured at 13 different points resulted in no statistically significant differences between any of the measurement points within/between both groups; demonstrating good planarity of the flap was achieved using both methods. Despite not being statistically significant, the surgeons recognized an increase in the presence of an opaque bubble layer in the 3D flap eyes during surgery and some patients reported higher, yet not statistically significant, pain scores in the 3D flap eyes during the first hours after the treatment. Overall, safety- and efficacy indices were 1.03 and 1.03, respectively. In this prospective, randomized, contralateral eye study, the low-energy fs laser yielded predictable lamellar flap thicknesses and geometry at one-month follow-up. Based on these results, efficacy and safety of the corresponding laser application, that is, 2D vs 3D, are equivalent.

Drilling and blasting designs for parallel hole cut and V-cut method in excavation of underground coal mine galleries

The Karadon mine, where field studies were carried out, is located in the north west of Turkey and is considered to be a highly gaseous coal mine. Explosives and ignition systems used in underground coal mines are determined by laws, statutes, regulations and strict rules. Restrictions arising from legal requirements, such as restrictions on charging and stemming lengths and blasting agents to be used, make the use of well-known tunnel blasting techniques difficult or sometimes not possible. In such cases, the designs made with the equations given in the literature must be revised and rearranged. The objective of this study is to recommend solutions to the blasting difficulties that are encountered in gaseous underground coal mines in which there are limitations arising from legal requirements. This study summarizes and analyses the blasting practices currently employed at Karadon mine along with their disadvantages. New blasting designs were then made using the methods suggested in the literature, and these designs were revised according to legal requirements. By keeping the charge concentration constant relative to its original value, the burden and spacing distances were adjusted. As a result of this study, it has been seen that rearrangement by keeping the charge concentration constant compared to its original value is an appropriate engineering solution.

Numerical Study Investigating the Blasting Efficiency of the Long and Large-Diameter Uncharged Hole-Boring Method with Deck Charge Technique

The long and large-diameter uncharged hole-boring (LLB) method is a cut-blasting method used to reduce vibration induced by blasting. This method typically involves creating an uncharged hole with a 382 mm diameter and drilling 50 m in the tunnel excavation direction at a time. This method is reported to provide relatively good vibration reduction and with high blasting efficiency through short hole blasting compared to traditional cut methods. In this study, an advanced LLB method incorporating deck charge blasting was investigated to improve the blasting efficiency during long hole blasting. Numerical analysis was performed via ANSYS LS-DYNA to investigate the effectiveness of the deck charge technique. In the original LLB method, explosives were used to break the rocks more finely, and the fragmented rocks were concen trated at the end of the blast holes. On the contrary, the modified LLB, in which two-part explosives were loaded into the blast holes, is expected to push the fragmented rocks to the tunnel face more effectively than the original LLB method. Therefore, it is expected that the proposed LLB method combined with a deck charge technique can achieve superior blasting efficiency.

Amorphic complexity of group actions with applications to quasicrystals

In this article, we define amorphic complexity for actions of locally compact σ \sigma -compact amenable groups on compact metric spaces. Amorphic complexity, originally introduced for Z \mathbb {Z} -actions, is a topological invariant which measures the complexity of dynamical systems in the regime of zero entropy. We show that it is tailor-made to study strictly ergodic group actions with discrete spectrum and continuous eigenfunctions. This class of actions includes, in particular, Delone dynamical systems related to regular model sets obtained via Meyer’s cut and project method. We provide sharp upper bounds on amorphic complexity of such systems. In doing so, we observe an intimate relationship between amorphic complexity and fractal geometry.

Modified benders decomposition and metaheuristics for multi-machine parallel-batch scheduling and resource allocation under deterioration effect

Batch scheduling problem is a common difficulty in mass production, which includes many decisions such as grouping, batch ordering, and resource allocation. Motivated by the semiconductor burn-in test process, this paper investigates a combinatorial optimization problem considering the deterioration effect and resource allocation. The objective is to design an appropriate job sequencing and resource allocation scheme to achieve an overall minimization of makespan and resource costs. The problem, subject to parallel-batch, multi-machine, deterioration effect, and resource constraints, is NP-hard. We decompose it into a master problem and a sub-problem based on Benders Decomposition (BD). A cut filtering rule that limits the number of cuts is proposed to control the complexity of the problem. Meanwhile, some structural properties are deduced to guide the design of two algorithms combined with Variable Neighborhood Search (VNS). We conduct extensive simulation experiments on instances of different scales, and the results demonstrate that the cut filtering method can effectively reduce the solution time. In large-scale computational experiments, it is more obvious that the proposed algorithms have good convergence and robustness.

Estimation of body and carcass composition of crossbred growing bulls from 11th rib dissection

Precise methods for measuring livestock body and carcass composition are essential for both animal and meat scientists. The aim of this study was to calibrate the 11th rib cut dissection method for the estimation of crossbred beef-on-dairy bull empty body (EB) and carcass compositions against reference tissue and chemical postmortem measurements. Sixty-six (66) crossbred bulls from Angus, Limousin and Simmental sires (n = 22 each) crossed on Brown Swiss dams were serially slaughtered along growth from 58 to 534 kg BW. The muscle, adipose tissue and bone contents of the left 11th rib were determined by physical dissection. Linear regressions followed by leave-one-out-cross-validation were tested between rib dissection variates (with or without additional ones: BW or carcass weight, carcass grading or postmortem linear measurements) and reference EB or carcass chemical (water, lipids, proteins, minerals and energy) and tissue (muscles, adipose tissues and bones, only for final slaughter group of 514 ± 12 kg BW, n = 30) compositions. When all bulls are considered (serial slaughter group, n = 66), the inclusion of rib dissection variate together with BW or hot carcass weight allowed precise estimations of EB and carcass masses and proportions of water [R2 ≥ 0.91, residual CV (rCV) ≤ 3.1%], lipid (R2 ≥ 0.88, rCV ≤ 14.0%), protein (R2 ≥ 0.23, rCV ≤ 3.7%) and energy (R2 ≥ 0.89, rCV ≤ 7.7%). Slight further improvements in precision were achieved when carcass grading conformation or fat scores was added to the multiple estimative regressions. Crossbreed effect was significant on the intercept of most of the predictive equations. Especially ×Angus had higher intercepts for lipids, energy and adipose tissues and lower ones for water, proteins and muscles, when compared to ×Limousin and ×Simmental. Further developments using for example rib imaging analysis rather than physical dissection may contribute to large scale and high-throughput phenotyping of body and carcass compositions.

A cut finite element method for the tDCS forward problem

A cut finite element method for the tDCS forward problem

Enhanced Feature Fusion Segmentation for Tumor Detection Using Intelligent Techniques

In the field of diagnosis of medical images the challenge lies in tracking and identifying the defective cells and the extent of the defective region within the complex structure of a brain cavity. Locating the defective cells precisely during the diagnosis phase helps to fight the greatest exterminator of mankind. Early detection of these defective cells requires an accurate computer-aided diagnostic system (CAD) that supports early treatment and promotes survival rates of patients. An earlier version of CAD systems relies greatly on the expertise of radiologist and it consumed more time to identify the defective region. The manuscript takes the efficacy of coalescing features like intensity, shape, and texture of the magnetic resonance image (MRI). In the Enhanced Feature Fusion Segmentation based classification method (EEFS) the image is enhanced and segmented to extract the prominent features. To bring out the desired effect the EEFS method uses Enhanced Local Binary Pattern (EnLBP), Partisan Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix Histogram of Oriented Gradients (PGLCMHOG), and iGrab cut method to segment image. These prominent features along with deep features are coalesced to provide a single-dimensional feature vector that is effectively used for prediction. The coalesced vector is used with the existing classifiers to compare the results of these classifiers with that of the generated vector. The generated vector provides promising results with commendably less computatio nal time for pre-processing and classification of MR medical images.

Energy Spectrum Measured by the Telescope Array Surface Detectors

Located in the west desert of Utah, USA, the Telescope Array experiment is the largest ultra-high energy cosmic ray observatory in the northern hemisphere. It consists of two types of detectors: scintillator surface detectors (SDs) and air fluorescence detectors (FDs). A total of 507 SDs consisting of two-layer plastic scintillation counters is deployed with 1.2 km spacing, making measurements over an area of approximately 700 km2. There are 3 FD stations, having 38 fluorescence telescopes viewing 3°–31°in elevation, overlooking the SD array. In this work, we update the Telescope Array energy spectrum as measured by the SD array for 14 years. We verify the linearity in TA SD energy reconstruction using three different energy comparisons: Monte Carlo comparison, FD/SD comparison, and Constant Intensity Cut method. The spectral features of ankle, softening, and GZK cutoff are seen in 14 years of TA SD data. Also, we consistently observe that the cutoff energy depends on declination.

An Upscaling–Downscaling Optimal Seamline Detection Algorithm for Very Large Remote Sensing Image Mosaicking

For the mosaicking of multiple remote sensing images, obtaining the optimal stitching line in the overlapping region is a key step in creating a seamless mosaic image. However, for very large remote sensing images, the computation of finding seamlines involves a huge amount of image pixels. To handle this issue, we propose a stepwise strategy to obtain pixel-level optimal stitching lines for large remote sensing images via an upscaling–downscaling image sampling procedure. First, the resolution of the image is reduced and the graph cut algorithm is applied to find an energy-optimal seamline in the reduced image. Then, a stripe along the preliminary seamline is identified from the overlap area to remove the other inefficient nodes. Finally, the graph cut algorithm is applied nested within the identified stripe to seek the pixel-level optimal seamline of the original image. Compared to the existing algorithms, the proposed method produces fewer spectral differences between stitching lines and less-crossed features in the experiments. For a wide range of remote sensing images involving large data, the new method uses less than 10 percent of the time needed by the SLIC+ graph cut method.

Tissue specific expression of bacterial cellulose synthase (Bcs) genes improves cotton fiber length and strength

Fiber growing inside the cotton bolls is a highly demandable product and its quality is key to the success of the textile industry. Despite the various efforts to improve cotton fiber staple length Pakistan has to import millions of bales to sustain its industrial needs. To improve cotton fiber quality Bacterial cellulose synthase (Bcs) genes (acsA, acsB) were expressed in a local cotton variety CEMB-00. In silico studies revealed a number of conserved domains both in the cotton-derived and bacterial cellulose synthases which are essential for the cellulose synthesis. Transformation efficiency of 1.27% was achieved by using Agrobacterium shoot apex cut method of transformation. The quantitative mRNA expression analysis of the Bcs genes in transgenic cotton fiber was found to be many folds higher during secondary cell wall synthesis stage (35 DPA) than the expression during elongation phase (10 DPA). Average fiber length of the transgenic cotton plant lines S-00–07, S-00–11, S-00–16 and S-00–23 was calculated to be 13.02% higher than that of the non-transgenic control plants. Likewise, the average fiber strength was found to be 20.92% higher with an enhanced cellulose content of 22.45%. The mutated indigenous cellulose synthase genes of cotton generated through application of CRISPR/Cas9 resulted in 6.03% and 12.10% decrease in fiber length and strength respectively. Furthermore, mature cotton fibers of transgenic cotton plants were found to have increased number of twists with smooth surface as compared to non-transgenic control when analyzed under scanning electron microscope. XRD analysis of cotton fibers revealed less cellulose crystallinity index in transgenic cotton fibers as compared to control fibers due to deposition of more amorphous cellulose in transgenic fibers as a result of Bcs gene expression. This study paved the way towards unraveling the fact that Bcs genes influence cellulose synthase activity and this enzyme helps in determining the fate of cotton fiber length and strength.

Reliability modeling of multi-terminal DC circuit breaker and its impact on multi-terminal DC distribution network

In the medium-voltage distribution network, the multi-terminal DC circuit breaker (MTCB) is one of the key pieces of equipment for the connection of multi-terminal converter stations and rapid fault isolation in the future. The reliability level of the multi-terminal DC distribution network is directly impacted by reliability of MTCB. In this paper, the main topological structure and basic working principle of MTCB are systematically analyzed. Then, taking the three-terminal hybrid DC circuit breaker which has been applied in the Zhuhai Tangjiawan “Internet plus” Demonstration Project of China Southern Power Grid (hereafter referred to as Zhuhai Demonstration Project) as an example, the reliability evaluation model of the MTCB is established based on the engineering reliability principle and considering the redundancy level of device. By calculating multi-dimensional reliability index, the reliability of MTCB under different design modes and redundancy levels is analyzed, and the influence of MTCB on the reliability of multi-terminal DC distribution network is further studied based on the minimum cut set method. The influence of the MTCB on the reliability of multi-terminal DC distribution network of Zhuhai Demonstration Project is then studied. Finally, an example of the three-terminal DC distribution network structure of Zhuhai Demonstration Project is analyzed to confirm the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed model.

Top squark signal significance enhancement by different machine learning algorithms

In this paper, a study of four different machine learning (ML) algorithms is performed to determine the most suitable ML technique to disentangle a hypothetical supersymmetry (SUSY) signal from its corresponding Standard Model (SM) backgrounds and to establish their impact on signal significance. The study focuses on the production of SUSY top squark pairs (stops), in the mass range of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV, from proton–proton collisions with a center of mass energy of 13[Formula: see text]TeV and an integrated luminosity of [Formula: see text], emulating the data-taking conditions of the run II Large Hadron Collider (LHC) accelerator. In particular, the semileptonic channel is analyzed, corresponding to final states with a single isolated lepton (electron or muon), missing transverse energy, and four jets, with at least one tagged as [Formula: see text]-jet. The challenging compressed spectra region is targeted, where the stop decays mainly into a [Formula: see text] boson, a [Formula: see text]-jet, and a neutralino ([Formula: see text]), with a mass gap between the stop and the neutralino of about 150[Formula: see text]GeV. The ML algorithms are chosen to cover different mathematical implementations and features in ML. We compare the performance of a logistic regression (LR), a Random Forest (RF), an eXtreme Gradient Boosting, XGboost (XG) and a Neural Network (NN) algorithm. Our results indicate that XG and NN classifiers provide the highest improvements (over 17%) in signal significance, when compared to a standard analysis method based on sequential requirements of different kinematic variables. The improvement in signal significance provided by the NN increases up to 31% for the highest stop mass considered in this study (800[Formula: see text]GeV). The RF algorithm presents a smaller improvement that decreases with stop mass. On the other hand, the LR algorithm shows the worst performance in signal significance which even does not compete with the results obtained by an optimized cut and count method.

Large–Eddy Simulation of the Flow Inside a Scour Hole Around a Circular Cylinder Using a Cut Cell Immersed Boundary Method

We present a novel symmetry-preserving cut cell finite volume method which is a three-dimensional generalisation of the method by Dröge and Verstappen (Int J Numer Method Fluids 47:979–985, 2005). A colour-coding scheme for the three-dimensional cut momentum cell faces reduces the number of possible cut cell configurations. A cell merging strategy is employed to alleviate time step constraints. We demonstrate the energy conservation property of the convective and pressure gradient terms, and the second-order spatial convergence with suitable benchmark cases. We used the scheme to perform highly resolved large–eddy simulations of the flow inside a scour hole around a circular cylinder mounted vertically in a flume. The simulation results are extensively compared to a stereoscopic particle image velocimetry experiment of the same configuration performed by Jenssen and Manhart (Exp Fluids 61:217, 2020). We demonstrate that for the investigated Reynolds numbers (20,000 and 40,000) nearly converged solutions are obtained; however at large computational efforts (up to 2.35 billion cells for the higher Reynolds number). It turns out that the flow topology of the horseshoe vortex system is strongly dependent on the grid resolution. For simulation results obtained on the finest grid, the mean flow and turbulence quantities agree well with the experiment. We investigate the shape and turbulence structure of the horseshoe vortex based on three-dimensional fields, and discuss the distribution of the mean and standard deviation of the wall shear stress in the scour hole and the implications for the physics of the scouring process over a sand bed.

Extension operators for trimmed spline spaces

We develop a discrete extension operator for trimmed spline spaces consisting of piecewise polynomial functions of degree p with k continuous derivatives. The construction is based on polynomial extension from neighboring elements together with projection back into the spline space. We prove stability and approximation results for the extension operator. Finally, we illustrate how we can use the extension operator to construct a stable cut isogeometric method for an elliptic model problem.