Topology-Invariant Similarity of Nonrigid Shapes

This paper explores the problem of similarity criteria between nonrigid shapes. Broadly speaking, such criteria are divided into intrinsic and extrinsic, the first referring to the metric structure of the object and the latter to how it is laid out in the Euclidean space. Both criteria have their advantages and disadvantages: extrinsic similarity is sensitive to nonrigid deformations, while intrinsic similarity is sensitive to topological noise. In this paper, we approach the problem from the perspective of metric geometry. We show that by unifying the extrinsic and intrinsic similarity criteria, it is possible to obtain a stronger topology-invariant similarity, suitable for comparing deformed shapes with different topology. We construct this new joint criterion as a tradeoff between the extrinsic and intrinsic similarity and use it as a set-valued distance. Numerical results demonstrate the efficiency of our approach in cases where using either extrinsic or intrinsic criteria alone would fail.     

数字合成(上)

什么是数字合成?当我们讨论它的时候,首先我们试着把多个元素整合成一个单个的完整的整体图像,当大多数这些技术仍然适用于图像时,我们将关注有用的和合理的能处理大的图像序列的工具和方法。正如您所见的,一个技术很好的合成师是可以包括从技师到艺术家的,不只是需要基本了解“操作的工具”,这里包括多种软件,而且必须是一个能洞察视觉本质的人。记住这一点,当遇到“它看起来是否正确?”的问题时,所有技术考虑都是不重要了,很明显只是一个对主题的把握,同时一个好的合成师都应以高要求来做出每个决定。定义什么是合成?有一个基本的定义:把…     

Assessing the value of information of data‐centric activities in the chemical processing industry 4.0

The quality of information generated in data‐driven empirical studies is of central importance in Industry 4.0. However, despite the undeniable and widely accepted importance, not sufficient attention has been devoted to its rigorous assessment and analysis. Consequently, if information quality cannot be measured, it also cannot be improved, and therefore current efforts for extracting value from big data empirical studies and data collectors are exposed to the risk of generating limited findings and insights, leading to suboptimal solutions. In this article, we describe and apply a framework for evaluating, analyzing and improving the quality of information generated in empirical studies called InfoQ, in the context of the Chemical Processing Industry (CPI). This systematic framework can be used by anyone involved in data‐driven activities, irrespectively of the context and specific goals. The application of InfoQ framework to several case studies is described in detail, to illustrate its practical relevance. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 3868–3881, 2018     

An evanescent-field optical microscope

The classic diffraction limit of resolution in optical microscopy (～γ/2) can be overcome by detecting the diffracted field of a submicrometre-size probe in its near field. The present stage of this so-called scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) is reviewed. An evanescent-field optical microscope (EFOM) is presented in which the near-field regime is provided by the exponentially decaying evanescent field caused by total internal reflection at a refractive-index transition. A sample placed in this field causes a spatial variation of the evanescent field which is characteristic for the dielectric and topographic properties of the sample. The evanescent field is frustrated by a dielectric probe and thus converted into a radiative field. In our case the probe consists either of an etched optical fibre or of a highly sharpened diamond tip. The probe is scanned over the sample surface with nanometre precision using a piezo-electric positioner. The distance between probe and sample is controlled by a feedback on the detected optical signal. The resolution of the microscope is determined by both the gradient of the evanescent field and the sharpness of the tip. Details of the experimental set-up are discussed. The coupling of the evanescent field to the submicrometre probe as a function of probe-sample distance, angle of incidence and polarization has been characterized quantitatively. The observed coupling is generally in agreement with presented theoretical calculations. Microscopy has been performed on a regular latex sphere structure, which clearly demonstrates the capacity of the evanescent-field optical microscope for nanometre-scale optical imaging. Resolution is typically 100 nm laterally and 10 nm vertically. The technique is promising for biological applications, especially if combined with optical spectroscopy.     

Why is a computational framework for motivational and metacognitive control needed?

This paper discusses, in the context of computational modelling and simulation of cognition, the relevance of deeper structures in the control of behaviour. Such deeper structures include motivational control of behaviour, which provides underlying causes for actions, and also metacognitive control, which provides higher-order processes for monitoring and regulation. It is argued that such deeper structures are important and thus cannot be ignored in computational cognitive architectures. A general framework based on the Clarion cognitive architecture is outlined that emphasises the interaction amongst action selection, motivation, and metacognition. The upshot is that it is necessary to incorporate all essential processes; short of that, the understanding of cognition can only be incomplete.     

A Stretchable and Flexible Cardiac Tissue–Electronics Hybrid Enabling Multiple Drug Release,Sensing, and Stimulation

Replacement of the damaged scar tissue created by a myocardial infarction is the goal of cardiac tissue engineering. However, once the implanted tissue is in place, monitoring its function is difficult and involves indirect methods, while intervention necessarily requires an invasive procedure and available medical attention. To overcome this, methods of integrating electronic components into engineered tissues have been recently presented. These allow for remote monitoring of tissue function as well as intervention through stimulation and controlled drug release. Here, an improved hybrid microelectronic tissue construct capable of withstanding the dynamic environment of the beating heart without compromising electronic or mechanical functionality is reported. While the reported system is enabled to sense the function of the engineered tissue and provide stimulation for pacing, an electroactive polymer on the electronics enables it to release multiple drugs in parallel. It is envisioned that the integration of microelectronic devices into engineered tissues will provide a better way to monitor patient health from afar, as well as provide facile, more exact methods to control the healing process.     

Chemical characteristics of Pandanus conoideus fruit lipid

Pandanus conoideus fruit contained 19.4% by dry weight of red fat. Major fatty acids contained in the fat were oleic (67.6% of the total fatty acids), palmitic (18.7%) and linoleic (7.6%) acids. The fat had an unusually high level of free fatty acid (90.0%) which may have resulted from the action of fat splitting enzymes.     

Effects of persistency and production on the genetic parameters of milk and fat yield in Israeli-Holsteins

Herd-years of Israeli-Holsteins were stratified into three groups by two criteria: mean annualized milk yield [365 (total lactations yield/calving interval)] and mean persistency, estimated as the ratio of daily milk production at the 5th mo postpartum to daily production during the postpartum peak period. The latter was taken as an indication of the relative environmental stress on the cow. Primi- and multiparous cows were analyzed separately. Genetic parameters were estimated for annualized milk and fat production at each production and persistency group. Heritabilities increased with a rise in production for both primiparous and multiparous cows, but the effect was greater for multiparous cows. Even though persistency and production were correlated, no clear trends were evident for stratification by persistency; thus, a relationship between stress and heritability was not established. Genetic correlations among stratification groups were between .7 and .9 for persistency and between .6 and .86 for production; thus, sire x environmental interaction was greater for production than for persistency stratification. Production in a given year can be used as a criterion for selecting herds to test progeny of young sires in the following year.     

Phason dynamics in nonlinear photonic quasicrystals

We study the dynamics of phasons in a nonlinear photonic quasicrystal. The photonic quasicrystal is formed by optical induction, and its dynamics is initiated by allowing the light waves inducing the quasicrystal to nonlinearly interact with one another. We show quantitatively that, when phason strain is introduced in a controlled manner, it relaxes through the nonlinear interactions within the photonic quasicrystal. We establish experimentally that the relaxation rate of phason strain in the quasicrystal is substantially lower than the relaxation rate of phonon strain, as predicted for atomic quasicrystals. Finally, we monitor and identify individual 'atomic-scale' phason flips occurring in the photonic quasicrystal as its phason strain relaxes, as well as noise-induced phason fluctuations.