Initial Pair Research Articles

Fast Method of Registration for 3D RGB Point Cloud with Improved Four Initial Point Pairs Algorithm.

Three-dimensional (3D) point cloud registration is an important step in three-dimensional (3D) model reconstruction or 3D mapping. Currently, there are many methods for point cloud registration, but these methods are not able to simultaneously solve the problem of both efficiency and precision. We propose a fast method of global registration, which is based on RGB (Red, Green, Blue) value by using the four initial point pairs (FIPP) algorithm. First, the number of different RGB values of points in a dataset are counted and the colors in the target dataset having too few points are discarded by using a color filter. A candidate point set in the source dataset are then generated by comparing the similarity of colors between two datasets with color tolerance, and four point pairs are searched from the two datasets by using an improved FIPP algorithm. Finally, a rigid transformation matrix of global registration is calculated with total least square (TLS) and local registration with the iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm. The proposed method (RGB-FIPP) has been validated with two types of data, and the results show that it can effectively improve the speed of 3D point cloud registration while maintaining high accuracy. The method is suitable for points with RGB values.

Feasibility of adjunct facial motor evoked potential monitoring to reduce the number of false-positive results during cervical spine surgery.

False-positive intraoperative muscle motor evoked potential (mMEP) monitoring results due to systemic effects of anesthetics and physiological changes continue to be a challenging issue. Although control MEPs recorded from the unaffected side are useful for identifying a true-positive signal, there are no muscles on the upper or lower extremities to induce control MEPs in cervical spine surgery. Therefore, this study was conducted to clarify if additional MEPs derived from facial muscles can feasibly serve as controls to reduce false-positive mMEP monitoring results in cervical spine surgery. Patients who underwent cervical spine surgery at the authors' institution who did not experience postoperative neurological deterioration were retrospectively studied. mMEPs were induced with transcranial supramaximal stimulation. Facial MEPs (fMEPs) were subsequently induced with suprathreshold stimulation. The mMEP and subsequently recorded fMEP waveforms were paired during each moment during surgery. The initial pair was regarded as the baseline. A significant decline in mMEP and fMEP amplitude was defined as > 80% and > 50% decline compared with baseline, respectively. All mMEP alarms were considered false positives. Based on 2 different alarm criteria, either mMEP alone or both mMEP and fMEP, rates of false-positive mMEP monitoring results were calculated. Twenty-three patients were included in this study, corresponding to 102 pairs of mMEPs and fMEPs. This included 23 initial and 79 subsequent pairs. Based on the alarm criterion of mMEP alone, 17 false-positive results (21.5%) were observed. Based on the alarm criterion of both mMEP and fMEP, 5 false-positive results (6.3%) were observed, which was significantly different compared to mMEP alone (difference 15.2%; 95% CI 7.2%-23.1%; p < 0.01). fMEPs might be used as controls to reduce false-positive mMEP monitoring results in cervical spine surgery.

An information-theoretic treatment of quantum dichotomies

Given two pairs of quantum states, we want to decide if there exists a quantum channel that transforms one pair into the other. The theory of quantum statistical comparison and quantum relative majorization provides necessary and sufficient conditions for such a transformation to exist, but such conditions are typically difficult to check in practice. Here, by building upon work by Keiji Matsumoto, we relax the problem by allowing for small errors in one of the transformations. In this way, a simple sufficient condition can be formulated in terms of one-shot relative entropies of the two pairs. In the asymptotic setting where we consider sequences of state pairs, under some mild convergence conditions, this implies that the quantum relative entropy is the only relevant quantity deciding when a pairwise state transformation is possible. More precisely, if the relative entropy of the initial state pair is strictly larger compared to the relative entropy of the target state pair, then a transformation with exponentially vanishing error is possible. On the other hand, if the relative entropy of the target state is strictly larger, then any such transformation will have an error converging exponentially to one. As an immediate consequence, we show that the rate at which pairs of states can be transformed into each other is given by the ratio of their relative entropies. We discuss applications to the resource theories of athermality and coherence, where our results imply an exponential strong converse for general state interconversion.

Investment in time preference and long-run distribution

This paper presents a simple dynamic general equilibrium model in which each household can make a costly investment in patience capital at each time. We show that the interior long-run steady state is unstable, in the sense that per household, there is a one-dimensional curve lying in the two-dimensional space of its patience capital and physical capital amounts, and convergence happens only when its initial pair falls exactly on the curve. Households with the initial vectors falling in the upper side of the curve invest more in patience capital, which leads themselves to save more, and hence, the consumption level grows in the long run. Households with the initial vectors falling in the lower side opt out from investing in patience capital, leading to a decay of patience level, which leads themselves to save less and hence they perish in the long run. We also show a possibility that there is an expanding swing between the two classes.

LePrimAlign: local entropy-based alignment of PPI networks to predict conserved modules

BackgroundCross-species analysis of protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks provides an effective means of detecting conserved interaction patterns. Identifying such conserved substructures between PPI networks of different species increases our understanding of the principles deriving evolution of cellular organizations and their functions in a system level. In recent years, network alignment techniques have been applied to genome-scale PPI networks to predict evolutionary conserved modules. Although a wide variety of network alignment algorithms have been introduced, developing a scalable local network alignment algorithm with high accuracy is still challenging.ResultsWe present a novel pairwise local network alignment algorithm, called LePrimAlign, to predict conserved modules between PPI networks of three different species. The proposed algorithm exploits the results of a pairwise global alignment algorithm with many-to-many node mapping. It also applies the concept of graph entropy to detect initial cluster pairs from two networks. Finally, the initial clusters are expanded to increase the local alignment score that is formulated by a combination of intra-network and inter-network scores. The performance comparison with state-of-the-art approaches demonstrates that the proposed algorithm outperforms in terms of accuracy of identified protein complexes and quality of alignments.ConclusionThe proposed method produces local network alignment of higher accuracy in predicting conserved modules even with large biological networks at a reduced computational cost.

Mechanism for establishing and maintaining the reproductive hierarchy in a eusocial mammal, the Damaraland mole-rat

Eusociality is exhibited by colonial-living organisms where only a few individuals within a colony reproduce; the remaining members are nonbreeders and support reproduction of the breeders. Damaraland mole-rats, Fukomys damarensis, are one of two mammal species considered eusocial. Colonies include a breeding pair and their offspring. Unusual aspects of reproductive behaviour include the observation that both sexes display all components of mating even after long-term absence of gonadal hormones. Mating does not occur between siblings or offspring and parents, but nonbreeders from one colony will mate with individuals from other colonies. However, following 5 weeks of separation from each other, siblings will exhibit mutual sexual behaviour. Thus, familiarity through frequent proximity, rather than genetic identity, mediates inbreeding avoidance. One caveat is that breeding pairs maintain a mating relationship for years, although they obviously become familiar with each other. Among Damaraland mole-rats that are familiar with each other, two types of relationships can form, a mating relationship or a ‘sibling-like’ relationship marked by inbreeding avoidance. The factors determining the relationship between pairs of Damaraland mole-rats remain undefined. This experiment tested the hypothesis that the behaviour during the initial meeting of a pair of Damaraland mole-rats determines which relationship forms, i.e. mating versus ‘sibling-like’. The initial pairing occurred either with unrestrained physical contact (allowing for mating behaviours) or with the two animals separated from each other by a mesh barrier (no mating could occur). This initial pairing was followed by daily 20 min pairings with the barrier in place for 2 weeks and then a final pairing without any restraint. Results indicate that the nature of the interaction within the first 20 min of meeting determines the long-term sexual relationship between pairs of Damaraland mole-rats. The results suggest a mechanistic basis for establishment and maintenance of the reproductive hierarchy in this eusocial species.

Centromeric SMC1 promotes centromere clustering and stabilizes meiotic homolog pairing.

During meiosis, each chromosome must selectively pair and synapse with its own unique homolog to enable crossover formation and subsequent segregation. How homolog pairing is maintained in early meiosis to ensure synapsis occurs exclusively between homologs is unknown. We aimed to further understand this process by examining the meiotic defects of a unique Drosophila mutant, Mcm5A7. We found that Mcm5A7 mutants are proficient in homolog pairing at meiotic onset yet fail to maintain pairing as meiotic synapsis ensues, causing seemingly normal synapsis between non-homologous loci. This pairing defect corresponds with a reduction of SMC1-dependent centromere clustering at meiotic onset. Overexpressing SMC1 in this mutant significantly restores centromere clustering, homolog pairing, and crossover formation. These data indicate that the initial meiotic pairing of homologs is not sufficient to yield synapsis exclusively between homologs and provide a model in which meiotic homolog pairing must be stabilized by centromeric SMC1 to ensure proper synapsis.

Visual and passive acoustic observations of blue whale trios from two distinct populations

Visual and passive acoustic observations of blue whale trios from two distinct populations

Differential gene expression, including Sjfs800, in Schistosoma japonicum females at pre-pairing, initial pairing and oviposition

BackgroundSchistosomiasis is a prevalent but neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic trematodes of the genus Schistosoma, with the primary disease-causing species being S. haematobium, S. mansoni and S. japonicum. Male–female pairing of schistosomes is necessary for sexual maturity and the production of a large number of eggs, which are primarily responsible for schistosomiasis dissemination and pathology.MethodsHere, we used microarray hybridization, bioinformatics, quantitative PCR, in situ hybridization and gene silencing assays to identify genes that play critical roles in S. japonicum reproduction biology, particularly in vitellarium development, a process that affects male–female pairing, sexual maturation and subsequent egg production.ResultsMicroarray hybridization analyses generated a comprehensive set of genes differentially transcribed before and after male–female pairing. Although the transcript profiles of females were similar 16 and 18 days after host infection, marked gene expression changes were observed at 24 days. The 30 most abundantly transcribed genes on day 24 included those associated with vitellarium development. Among these, the gene for female-specific 800 (fs800) was substantially upregulated. Our in situ hybridization results in female S. japonicum indicated that Sjfs800 mRNA was observed only in the vitellarium, localized in mature vitelline cells. Knocking down the Sjfs800 gene in female S. japonicum by approximately 60% reduced the number of mature vitelline cells, decreased rates of pairing and oviposition, and decreased the number of eggs produced in each male–female pairing by about 50%.ConclusionsThese results indicate that Sjfs800 may play a role in vitellarium development and egg production in S. japonicum and suggest that Sjfs800 regulation may provide a novel approach for the prevention or treatment of schistosomiasis.

Entanglement balance of quantum (e,2e) scattering processes

The theory of quantum information constitutes the functional value of the quantum entanglement, i.e., quantum entanglement is essential for high fidelity of quantum protocols, while fundamental physical processes behind the formation of quantum entanglement are less relevant for practical purposes. In the present work, we explore physical mechanisms leading to the emergence of quantum entanglement in the initially disentangled system. In particular, we analyze spin entanglement of outgoing electrons in a nonrelativistic quantum $(e,2e)$ collision on a target with one active electron. Our description exploits the time-dependent scattering formalism for typical conditions of scattering experiments, and contrary to the customary stationary formalism operates with realistic scattering states. We quantify the spin entanglement in the final scattering channel through the pair concurrence and express it in terms of the experimentally measurable spin-resolved $(e,2e)$ triple differential cross sections. Besides, we consider Bell's inequality and inspect the regimes of its violation in the final channel. We address both the pure and the mixed initial spin state cases and uncover kinematical conditions of the maximal entanglement of the outgoing electron pair. The numerical results for the pair concurrence, entanglement of formation, and violation of Bell's inequality obtained for the $(e,2e)$ ionization process of atomic hydrogen show that the entangled electron pairs indeed can be formed in the $(e,2e)$ collisions even with spin-unpolarized projectile and target electrons in the initial channel. The positive entanglement balance---the difference between entanglements of the initial and final electron pairs---can be measured in the experiment.

Кинематический анализ механизма параллельно-последовательной структуры с пятью степенями свободы

The article presents a synthesis of a mechanism of parallel-sequential structure with five degrees of freedom capable of processing objects with an extended dimention in one direction, wherein the considered mechanism can have a high bearing capacity. Corresponding problems are associated with manufacturing jet turbine airfoil as well as vertebrae operations (on the human spine). Movement along a coordinate that is linked to large dimensions of a processed object is provided using the initial translation pairs equipped with a motor. It is followed by a flat partial parallel structure mechanism with three degrees of freedom, and further – by a revolute kinematic pair. A kinematic analysis of the considered mechanism is performed, and the inverse kinematic problem is solved. The Angeles-Gosselin method for parallel structure mechanisms is used when performing velocity calculations of the parallel-sequential structure mechanism. The results of the numerical experiment are presented.

Lewis Cliff 86211 and 86498: Metal-sulfide liquid segregates from a carbonaceous chondrite impact melt

Abstract The petrogenesis of the ungrouped iron meteorite Lewis Cliffs (LEW) 86211 and its proposed pair LEW 86498 has remained elusive in the decades since their discovery in Antarctica. Wasson (1990) and Kracher et al. (1998) noted the enrichment in the siderophile refractory elements, fine-grained texture, and high abundances of sulfides in LEW 86211 as features that are both difficult to explain and that set it apart from other iron meteorites. In this work, we investigate the pairing and formation of these two ungrouped iron meteorites using a combination of petrography, electron microprobe analyses, and secondary ion probe analyses of oxygen-three isotope of olivine. Similarities in petrographic features and phase compositions further support the initial pairing of LEW 86211 and 86498. The bulk composition of LEW 86211 (Wasson, 1990) closely resembles those of separated chondritic metallic components (e.g., Kong and Ebihara, 1997), which indicates this pairing group formed directly from this portion of a chondrite. The metal-sulfide cellular textures and mineral compositional trends are consistent with LEW 86211 and 86498 forming by rapid cooling of the FeNiS immiscible liquid of a larger chondritic impact melt unit. Previous bulk oxygen-three isotope analyses (Clayton and Mayeda, 1996) combined with the in situ oxygen-three isotope analyses from this work are consistent with LEW 86211 having a carbonaceous chondrite provenance. LEW 86211 is most similar to CR chondrites in its oxygen-three isotope signatures, but may not be from an established carbonaceous chondrite group. The silicate inclusions in LEW 86211 and 86498 record evidence of pre-impact metamorphism and later reduction related to contact with the metal-sulfide impact melt liquid. The silicate inclusions appear to have been engulfed by metal-sulfide liquids rather than part of the impact melted unit. Additionally, the size of this sulfide-dominated pairing group compared to the volume of sulfides and metal in unmelted CR chondrite suggests that these meteorites originated from a much larger carbonaceous chondrite impact melt body than has been previously recognized (e.g., Lunning et al., 2016).

Deciphering the 'Elixir of Life': Dynamic Perspectives into the Allosteric Modulation of Mitochondrial ATP Synthase by J147, a Novel Drug in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

The discovery of J147 represented a significant milestone in the treatment of age-related disorders, which was further augmented by the recent identification of mitochondrial ATP synthase as the therapeutic target. However, the underlying molecular events associated with the modulatory activity of J147 have remained unresolved till date. Herein, we present, for the first time, a dynamical approach to investigate the allosteric regulation of mATP synthase by J147, using a reliable human αγβ protein model. The highlight of our findings is the existence of the J147-bound protein in distinct structural associations at different MD simulation periods coupled with concurrent open↔close transitions of the β catalytic and α allosteric (ATP5A) sites as defined by Cα distances (d), TriCα (Θ) and dihedral (φ) angular parameters. Firstly, there was an initial pairing of the αγ subunits away from the β subunit followed by the formation of the 'non-catalytic' αβ pair at a distance from the γ subunit. Interestingly, J147-induced structural arrangements were accompanied by the systematic transition of the β catalytic site from a closed to an open state, while there was a concurrent transition of the allosteric site from an open αE conformation to a closed state. Consequentially, J147 reduced the structural activity of the whole αγβ complex, while the unbound system exhibited high atomistic deviations and structural flexibility. Furthermore, J147 exhibited favorable binding at the allosteric site of mATP synthase with considerable electrostatic energy contributions from Gln215, Gly217, Thr219, Asp312, Asp313, Glu371 and Arg406. These findings provide details on the possible effects of J147 on mitochondrial bioenergetics, which could facilitate the structure-based design of novel small-molecule modulators of mATP synthase in the management of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Pseudonym generation using genetic algorithm in vehicular ad hoc networks

Crossover technique can help to minimize the overhead of pseudonym and reduce the chances of occurrence of hazards that can occur due to the leak of information in the network. To achieve anonymity and preserving information of a vehicle in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), a novel pseudonym assignment approach is being proposed. However, a VANET is a dynamic and complex network and its important characteristic is the demand for accurate information exchange in-between communicating nodes (vehicles) moving in the network. Therefore in a VANET, an effective pseudonym generation algorithm should efficiently adapt to the dynamic changes and able to contribute to preserving privacy. In this paper, we formulate pseudonym assignment (PAP) problem in vehicular ad hoc networks and propose an algorithm that generates pseudonyms using the crossover technique of Genetic Algorithm (GA) by crossing an initial pair of pseudonyms and generating a new set of pseudonyms which are assigned to vehicles at different time difference. The experimental analysis by computing the variation between the pseudonyms shows that the proposed solution can work well for the PAP and evaluations demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm through showing relatively changing values of the anonymous pseudonym set.

Photochemical Spin Dynamics of the Vitamin B12 Derivative, Methylcobalamin.

Derivatives of vitamin B12 are six-coordinate cobalt corrinoids found in humans, other animals, and microorganisms. By acting as enzymatic cofactors and photoreceptor chromophores, they serve vital metabolic and photoprotective functions. Depending on the context, the chemical mechanisms of the biologically active derivatives of B12-methylcobalamin (MeCbl) and 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl)-can be very different from one another. The extent to which this chemistry is tuned by the upper axial ligand, however, is not yet clear. Here, we have used a combination of time-resolved Fourier transform-electron paramagnetic resonance (FT-EPR), magnetic field effect experiments, and spin dynamic simulations to reveal that the upper axial ligand alone only results in relatively minor changes to the photochemical spin dynamics of B12. By studying the photolysis of MeCbl, we find that, similar to AdoCbl, the initial (or "geminate") radical pairs (RPs) are born predominantly in the singlet spin state and thus originate from singlet excited-state precursors. This is in contrast to the triplet RPs and precursors proposed previously. Unlike AdoCbl, the extent of geminate recombination is limited following MeCbl photolysis, resulting in significant distortions to the FT-EPR signal caused by polarization from spin-correlated methyl-methyl radical "f-pairs" formed following rapid diffusion. Despite the photophysical mechanism that precedes photolysis of MeCbl showing wavelength dependence, the subsequent spin dynamics appear to be largely independent of excitation wavelength, again similar to AdoCbl. Our data finally provide clarity to what in the literature to date has been a confused and contradictory picture. We conclude that, although the upper axial position of MeCbl and AdoCbl does impact their reactivity to some extent, the remarkable biochemical diversity of these fascinating molecules is most likely a result of tuning by their protein environment.

τ decay into a pseudoscalar and an axial-vector meson

We study theoretically the decay $\tau^- \to \nu_\tau P^- A$, with $P^-$ a $\pi^-$ or $K^-$ and $A$ an axial-vector resonance $b_1(1235)$, $h_1(1170)$, $h_1(1380)$, $a_1(1260)$, $f_1(1285)$ or any of the two poles of the $K_1(1270)$. The process proceeds through a triangle mechanism where a vector meson pair is first produced from the weak current and then one of the vectors produces two pseudoscalars, one of which reinteracts with the other vector to produce the axial resonance. For the initial weak hadronic production we use a recent formalism to account for the hadronization after the initial quark-antiquark pair produced from the weak current, which explicitly filters G-parity states and obtain easy analytic formulas after working out the angular momentum algebra. The model also takes advantage of the chiral unitary theories to evaluate the vector-pseudoscalar amplitudes, where the axial-vector resonances were obtained as dynamically generated from the VP interaction. We make predictions for invariant mass distribution and branching ratios for the channels considered.

Mechanisms of DNA hybridization: Transition path analysis of a simulation-informed Markov model.

Complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) strands in solution reliably hybridize to form stable duplexes. We study the kinetics of the hybridization process and the mechanisms by which two initially isolated strands come together to form a stable double helix. We adopt a multi-step computational approach. First, we perform a large number of Brownian dynamics simulations of the hybridization process using the coarse-grained oxDNA2 model. Second, we use these simulations to construct a Markov state model of DNA dynamics that uses a state decomposition based on the inter-strand hydrogen bonding pattern. Third, we take advantage of transition path theory to obtain quantitative information about the thermodynamic and dynamic properties of the hybridization process. We find that while there is a large ensemble of possible hybridization pathways, there is a single dominant mechanism in which an initial base pair forms close to either end of the nascent double helix, and the remaining bases pair sequentially in a zipper-like fashion. We also show that the number of formed base pairs by itself is insufficient to describe the transition state of the hybridization process.

Sampling-based optimal kinodynamic planning with motion primitives

This paper proposes a novel sampling-based motion planner, which integrates in RRT* (Rapidly exploring Random Tree star) a database of pre-computed motion primitives to alleviate its computational load and allow for motion planning in a dynamic or partially known environment. The database is built by considering a set of initial and final state pairs in some grid space, and determining for each pair an optimal trajectory that is compatible with the system dynamics and constraints, while minimizing a cost. Nodes are progressively added to the tree of feasible trajectories in the RRT* algorithm by extracting at random a sample in the gridded state space and selecting the best obstacle-free motion primitive in the database that joins it to an existing node. The tree is rewired if some nodes can be reached from the new sampled state through an obstacle-free motion primitive with lower cost. The computationally more intensive part of motion planning is thus moved to the preliminary offline phase of the database construction {at the price of some performance degradation due to gridding. Grid resolution can be tuned so as to compromise between (sub)optimality and size of the database. The planner is shown to be }asymptotically optimal as the grid resolution goes to zero and the number of sampled states grows to infinity.

Stereovision monitoring of deflection of concrete beam strengthened with ultraviolet-cured glass-fiber reinforced polymer in a destructive test

To monitor three-dimensional structural displacements in civil engineering, a stereovision displacement measurement method based on structure coordinate system is proposed in the present paper, and the absolute displacements of structure can be obtained through establishing the structure coordinate system and coordinate transformation. The center identification algorithm for circular target is studied to acquire the subpixel coordinates of center by combining Canny algorithm and Zernike algorithm. The epipolar constraint is introduced to conduct stereo matching of initial image pairs, and Kalman filtering and neighborhood searching algorithm are both employed to track circular targets on the left and right sequence images. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, a destructive test of concrete beams strengthened with ultraviolet-cured glass fiber reinforced polymer is performed in lab. Results show that the load–displacement curves obtained by the proposed stereovision method and linear variable differential transformer agree with each other; this verifies that the proposed stereovision method is feasible and effective for monitoring structural displacement in a destructive test.

A star identification algorithm based on radial and dynamic cyclic features of star pattern

A full-sky star identification algorithm based on radial and dynamic cyclic patterns is presented with the aim of solving the “lost-in-space” problem. The dynamic cyclic pattern match is applied with a maximum cumulate comparison method to identify sensor-catalog pairings in initial match, which substantially eliminates the effects of the star position noise, magnitude noise, and false stars. After initial match pairings of stars are obtained, a chain part extension technique is employed to quickly search for the longest match chain as the final result. Experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm is highly robust to star position noise, magnitude noise and false stars. In a series of simulations, the identification rate of the algorithm is 97.50% with 2.0 pixels star position noise, 96.90% with 0.4 Mv star magnitude noise and 95.30% with four false stars respectively. Moreover, the algorithm achieves an identification rate of 58.08% when only six stars are in the field of view.