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DFCCNet: Unified Dual-domain Fusion and Color-aware Residual Correction for Robust Single Image Dehazing
Get PDFImage dehazing is a key task in image enhancement and restoration, with wide-ranging applications in various downstream tasks. To address the limitations of existing methods in detail recovery and color distortion, we propose an end-to-end dehazing network called Dual-domain Fusion and Color Correction Network (DFCCNet). Specifically, we first design a Haze Estimation Block to obtain more accurate haze density priors. Then, the network uses a single-level wavelet transform to extract frequency sub-band features and fuses them with spatial domain features to enhance the representation of haze layers and edge structures. Guided by haze priors, the improved features help avoid background misinterpretation and edge blurring. Meanwhile, to address color shifts often caused by halo removal, we introduce a Color Residual Gate module, which effectively restores realistic and natural color distributions through color correction and residual signal modulation. Finally, we propose a learnable fusion mechanism to enable adaptive interaction and reconstruction between different features, promoting visually friendly and perceptual enhancement. Experimental results show that DFCCNet achieves competitive performance in both visual quality and quantitative metrics on multiple benchmark datasets. Our code is available at https://github.com/wenchao-tech/DFCCNet-main
Patients’ experiences of treatment and the scar management pathway during the Early Laser for Burn Scars (ELABS) trial: an embedded qualitative study
Get PDFBackground:Due to improvements in acute burn management, burn injuries are a leading cause of morbidity globally. Alongside physical sequelae of burns, there are significant psychological implications. Limited qualitative research exists exploring quality of life (QoL) and delayed reintegration into society, the latter is argued as the greatest unmet challenge in burn rehabilitation. Furthermore, there is a lack of research into non-scar outcomes after pulse dye laser (PDL) treatment of burn scars. This qualitative study examines the patient’s experience of early PDL treatment and its impact upon QoL and social reintegration.Methods:This qualitative study is nested within a national, multicentre parallel arm randomised controlled trial (RCT) across seven National Health Service hospitals in the United Kingdom (Early Laser for Burn Scars (ELABS), Trial registration ISRCTN14392301). The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies were used. Of the 153 participants in the trial, 34 were approached across a range of demographic, burn and site criteria including: gender, age, burn location, depth, total body surface area (TBSA), skin type, site location, and treatment arm. Data was collected using semi-structured telephone interviews. reflexive Thematic Analysis was used to analyse the transcribed data.Results:20 participants were interviewed. Six themes were constructed: frustration with initial burns treatment, feeling disconnected, human costs (with three sub themes: having to adapt, it’s changed how I feel about myself, and it doesn’t just affect me), money worries, reflections on pulse dye laser treatment, moving forwards,Conclusion:The scar management journey is long and complex due to significant physical, psychological, financial and psychosocial impacts. These can negatively affect QoL and reintegration into society. Use of early PDL treatment can ameliorate these challenges by positively impacting upon QoL and supporting individuals whilst they create their ‘new normal’ and adjust to reintegration into society
Effects of upper reinforcement in basketball shoes on ankle mechanics during a 135° cutting movement
Get PDFCutting movements are a key component of the game of basketball with the ankle joint being an important consideration due to the increased loading of ankle joint and risk of ankle inversion injuries (Kristianslund et al., 2011). The influence of basketball shoes on ankle mechanics during cutting movements has previously focused on midsole interventions (Cong & Lam, 2021) or upper interventions that only included local reinforcements (Liu et al., 2022). However, there is limited knowledge on global upper reinforcements in basketball shoes and how this could influence the ankle joint during cutting movements
Association between metabolic conditions, physical activity and self-efficacy before and after a first-line exercise and education intervention for osteoarthritis: a longitudinal register study using the SOAD cohort.
Get PDFObjectivesTo investigate the association of diabetes, hypertension and overweight/obesity with physical activity (PA), self-efficacy for pain and self-efficacy for other symptoms before and after a 6- week exercise and education intervention for knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA), and to assess outcome disparities based on metabolic health.MethodsRegister-based cohort study using the Swedish Osteoarthritis and Diabetes cohort. We used Body Mass Index, medical records and medication dispensation to define overweight/obesity, hypertension and diabetes at baseline (exposures). PA was self-reported (weekly minutes), and self-efficacy was measured using the 'Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale' (ASES) (score 10-100) (outcomes). We used linear mixed-effect models to estimate associations between exposures and outcomes, adjusted for confounders.ResultsWe included 80 893 individuals with knee or hip OA. Those with metabolic conditions consistently showed lower PA and self-efficacy, with baseline disparities persisting after the intervention, particularly when all three conditions coexisted (PA difference: baseline 107 min [95% CI: 97; 118], 3-month 97 [86; 108], 12-month 109 [95; 123]; ASES-pain difference: baseline 5.6 [3.9; 7.3], 3-month 5.9 [4.1; 7.7], 12-month 8.2 [6.1; 10.4]; ASES-other symptoms difference: baseline 6.1 [4.6; 7.7], 3-month 6.4 [4.8; 8.0], 12-month 8.2 [6.3; 10.1]).ConclusionsMetabolic conditions were associated with lower PA and self-efficacy, with differences increasing with the number of co-existing conditions. The baseline disparities associated with metabolic conditions persisted after the intervention, with both groups showing improvement at 3 months but reverting to baseline by 12 months. This suggests that current guideline-based interventions for OA may not reduce long-term disparities related to metabolic conditions
Practising wellbeing: Non-representational approaches to asylum seekers’ and refugees’ therapeutic landscape experiences
No full textIn the context of enforced marginality within the UK asylum system, exploring informal and place-based forms of wellbeing is significant. Drawing on two sensory ethnographies in urban allotments and a creative participatory project conducted in the city, this article uses non-representational theory as a lens to explore asylum seekers’ and refugees’ therapeutic landscape experiences in Manchester, England. The contribution of NRT to the study of therapeutic landscape experiences in recent years has recognised the active, embodied, affective and performative nature of the place-wellbeing nexus. This has allowed for an exploration of the relationship beyond neoliberal, individualistic and biomedical frameworks of health and wellbeing. Through vignettes the article illuminates where participants, against a backdrop of marginalisation and oppression, carved out space and time to engage in different embodied practices that alongside materiality, time and space, power and positionality, sensory experience and incorporeality created atmospheres in flux and opened the body to be positively affected. The findings not only have implications for how we define wellbeing in therapeutic landscape research conducted with socially excluded groups, but using NRT as a lens allows us to consider what else is happening in a therapeutic landscape experience, including the potential for disrupting forms of Othering
Decoding Arsenic Mobility in Soils: Machine Learning Insights into pH-Organic Carbon Interactions Across Global Texture Classes
Get PDFStandardization and Utilization of Lower Limb Single Joint Isometric Force Plate Assessments and Recommendations for Future Research
Get PDFSingle joint isometric assessments of force production using force plates have become popular in research and practice; however, there are currently no standardization recommendations. The purpose of the present review was to explore and discuss the use of force plates to assess single joint isometric force production characteristics and provide suggestions on protocol standardization for both laboratory and applied settings. Frequently used single joint isometric assessments currently performed using force plates involve the knee flexors/hip extensors and plantar flexors. Currently there are a range of protocols applied to assessing isometric force production; therefore, we provide recommendations on key methodological features to be considered. We also discuss the potential shortcomings and future research directions for single joint isometric testing in both laboratory and applied settings
A Difficult Start for the UK Labour Government, But Time Is Still on Their Side
Get PDFThe newly elected Labour Government in the United Kingdom promised change. However, the first 10 months have been disappointing, characterized by misjudged announcements regarding the Winter Fuel Allowance and Employers' National Insurance contributions. Yet, there is still time to get back on track with welfare reform and create a new welfare state that other countries can replicate. To this end, this commentary argues for a shift from means‐testing to universalism across welfare provision. It further contends that a basic income should be gradually introduced based on affordability and public support. Additionally, it proposes that these changes be funded through taxation on wealth, particularly targeting online billionaires profiting from automation. Welfare reform represents an opportunity for Labour to make a difference and regain public trust and support, as evidence indicates public backing for restoring our public services. With the election of a Labour Government in the United Kingdom, there is a once‐in‐a‐generation chance to address welfare reform and establish a new welfare state that other countries can admire. So far, the Labour Government's rhetoric and actions have been aligned with dampening expectations. The new government has experienced a disappointing first 10 months, marked by controversy after controversy stemming from inexperience and incompetence. Moreover, they have begun using antiwelfare rhetoric, such as the threat to remove driving licenses from benefit fraudsters. Therefore, we argue that Labour needs to be reminded of its mission to restore public services
Bayesian Optimized Design for O-Band Bottom-Up Grown Microring Lasers
No full textOn-chip coherent laser sources are crucial for enabling photonic integrated circuits, yet progress has been hindered by the complex interplay between material quality, device geometry, and performance metrics. We combine high-throughput characterization, statistical analysis, experimental design, and multiobjective Bayesian optimization to accelerate the design process for low-threshold, high-yield III–V microring lasers with room-temperature operation at communication wavelengths. We demonstrate a 1.6 × reduction in threshold over expert-designed configurations, achieving a 100% lasing yield in optimized fields, over 250 rings that emit within the O-band, and a field-median threshold as low as 33 μJ cm–2 pulse–1
Preparing for the profession: A qualitative study of accounting Education in Nigeria.
No full textThe requirement for a skilled and competent accounting graduate is essential in a constantly changing environment. Moreover, the level of skills and knowledge needed to contribute to global society as an accounting graduate is expanding. In Nigeria, there is an increasing demand to enhance the focus, standards, and overall quality of accounting education. It is recognised that key stakeholders are strongly interested in changing accounting education, as evidenced by various collaboration programs aimed at supporting curriculum development to produce skilled and competent accounting graduates. However, it is acknowledged that some key stakeholders are not doing enough to help meet the continuous advances in accounting education development in Nigeria. This research study aims to identify skills and competence gaps of accounting graduates and challenges that affect accounting graduates at university institutions in Nigeria. The research used an institutional theoretical framework for this study. The research applied an abductive approach, along with interpretivism as the epistemological consideration, constructivism as the ontological consideration, and a value-laden perspective for the axiological consideration in its research philosophy. The research methodology of this study employs a qualitative research design. The study used a semi-structured interview technique for data collection. The researcher wants to learn about the participants' rich experiences and find out what they think is important. Also, a documentation review was used to identify the similarities and differences in skills and competencies. A purposive sampling method and a snowball sampling method were used to select the various stakeholders in accounting education in Nigeria to participate in the study interview. NVivo 14 software was used to assist the researcher with data analysis. The study found that a good relationship exists between accounting professional bodies and university institutions. The study identified IT skills, personal skills, analytical skills, professional skills, and practical skills as skill gaps in accounting graduates in Nigeria. The study also identified poor funding, inadequate experienced educators, lack of technology adoption, and obsolete curriculum as challenges faced by an accounting graduate in Nigeria. The empirical analysis identified that the skills and competences studied by accounting graduates at university institutions in Nigeria did not match the level of proficiency when compared with the IES framework. This research study would help the diverse key stakeholders understand the state of the accounting graduate curriculum programme in Nigeria to meet the global skills and competencies required for an accounting graduate
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