Robust shape normalization of 3D articulated volumetric models

3D shape normalization is a common task in various computer graphics and pattern recognition applications. It aims to normalize different objects into a canonical coordinate frame with respect to rigid transformations containing translation, rotation and scaling in order to guarantee a unique representation. However, the conventional normalization approaches do not perform well when dealing with 3D articulated objects.To address this issue, we introduce a new method for normalizing a 3D articulated object in the volumetric form. We use techniques from robust statistics to guide the classical normalization computation. The key idea is to estimate the initial normalization by using implicit shape representation, which produces a novel articulation insensitive weight function to reduce the influence of articulated deformation. We also propose and prove the articulation insensitivity of implicit shape representation. The final solution is found by means of iteratively reweighted least squares. Our method is robust to articulated deformation without any explicit shape decomposition. The experimental results and some applications are presented for demonstrating the effectiveness of our method.     

Investigation of Functional Hemispheric Asymmetry of Language in Tinnitus Sufferers.

The authors tested functional hemispheric asymmetry through word dichotic listening and lateralized lexical decision tasks in tinnitus patients and controls stimulated by a continuous tinnitus-like noise to test the influence of a tinnitus-like external stimulation. A classic right-ear advantage was shown in the auditory task for all but right-ear tinnitus patients, who performed as equally badly when the stimuli were presented to the right and left ears. Concerning the visual task, all participants demonstrated the expected right visual field advantage for word stimuli. Moreover, those who submitted to external stimulation demonstrated normal asymmetric patterns. These data suggest a specific effect of tinnitus on central processing and provide evidence for a functional reorganization induced by this auditory phantom perception. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sensitivity of CFP/YFP and GFP/mCherry pairs to donor photobleaching on FRET determination by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy in living cells

Fluorescent protein-based FRET is a powerful method for visualizing protein-protein interactions and biochemical reactions in living cells. It can be difficult, however, to avoid photobleaching when observing fluorescent cells under the microscope, especially those expressing CFP. We compared the sensitivity of two protein-based FRET pairs to light-induced fluorescence changes in the donor, on FRET determination by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). Thanks to the very low excitation light levels of the time- and space-correlated single photon counting (TSCSPC) method, FLIM acquisitions were achieved without donor photobleaching. Here, we show that photobleaching of CFP by a mercury lamp under the microscope induced a decrease in the mean fluorescence lifetime, which interfered with FRET determination between CFP and YFP. Importantly, the range of light-induced variation of the mean fluorescence lifetime of CFP was not proportional to the decrease in the steady state fluorescence intensity and varied from cell to cell. The choice of the CFP/YFP pair therefore requires that the cells be observed and analyzed at very low light levels during the whole FRET experiment. In contrast, the GFP/mCherry pair provided an accurate FRET measurement by FLIM, even if some GFP photobleaching took place. We thus demonstrate that CFP can be an unreliable donor for FRET determination in living cells, due to its photosensitivity properties. We demonstrate that the GFP/mCherry pair is better suited for FRET measurement by FLIM in living cells than the CFP/YFP pair.     

Cytocompatibility of titanium metal injection molding with various anodic oxidation post-treatments

Metal injection molding (MIM) is a near net shape manufacturing method that allows for the production of components of small to moderate size and complex shape. MIM is a cost-effective and flexible manufacturing technique that provides a large innovative potential over existing methods for the industry of implantable devices. Commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) samples were machined to the same shape as a composite feedstock with titanium and polyoxymethylene, and these metals were injected, debinded and sintered to assess comparative biological properties. Moreover, we treated MIM-Ti parts with BIOCOAT®, BIODIZE® and BIOCER®, three different anodic oxidation techniques that treat titanium using acid, alkaline and anion enriched electrolytes, respectively. Cytocompatibility as well as morphological and chemical features of surfaces was comparatively assessed on each sample, and the results revealed that MIM-Ti compared to CP-Ti demonstrated a specific surface topography with a higher roughness. MIM-Ti and BIOCER® samples significantly enhanced cell proliferation, cell adhesion and cell differentiation compared to CP-Ti. Interestingly, in the anodization post-treatment established in this study, we demonstrated the ability to improve osseointegration through anionic modification treatment. The excellent biological response we observed with MIM parts using the injection molding process represents a promising manufacturing method for the future implantable devices in direct contact with bones.     

On monitoring the process mean of autocorrelated observations with measurement errors using the w-of-w runs-rules scheme

Runs-rules have been widely used since the 1950s in industrial and nonindustrial process monitoring applications to improve the performance of basic and other traditional monitoring schemes. However, none of the studies on runs-rules have accounted for a process with a combined effect of measurement errors and autocorrelation. Hence, in this paper, the use of the w-of-w runs-rules to improve the performance of the Shewhart $\overline{X}$ scheme using an additive model with a constant variance and a first-order autoregressive model is proposed. To reduce the combined negative effect of measurement errors and autocorrelation, we implement a sampling strategy based on rational subgroups in which (a) multiple measurements per item are taken (instead of a standard single measurement) and (b) non-neighboring observations are gathered. Moreover, the latter sampling strategy is incorporated into the values of probability elements of a Markov chain matrix which is used to derive some closed-form expressions for the zero- and steady-state run-length distribution. The main finding of this study is that, with respect to some overall performance measures, the proposed scheme outperforms the existing Shewhart $\overline{X}$ scheme by a significant margin. A real-life example is used to illustrate the practical implementation of the proposed scheme.     

Generally weighted moving average monitoring schemes: Overview and perspectives

An overview of monitoring schemes from a class called generally weighted moving average (GWMA) is provided. A GWMA scheme is an extended version of the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) scheme with an additional adjustment parameter that introduces more flexibility in the GWMA model as it adjusts the kurtosis of the weighting function so that the GWMA scheme can be designed such that it has an advantage over the corresponding EWMA scheme in the detection of certain shift values efficiently. The parametric and distribution-free GWMA schemes to monitor various quality characteristics and its existing enhanced versions (ie, double GWMA, composite Shewhart-GWMA, mixed GWMA-CUSUM, and mixed CUSUM-GWMA) have better performance than their corresponding EWMA counterparts in many situations; hence, all such existing research works discussing GWMA-related schemes (ie, 66 publications in total) are documented and categorized in such a manner that it is easy to identify research gaps. Finally, a number of possible future research ideas are provided.     

Sequencing analysis of a 40·2 kb fragment of yeast chromosome X reveals 19 open reading frames including URA2 (5′ end), TRK1, PBS2, SPT10, GCD14, RPE1, PHO86, NCA3, ASF1, CCT7, GZF3, two tRNA genes,three remnant delta elements and a Ty4 transposon

The complete sequence of a 40 247 bp DNA segment located on the left arm of chromosome X of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been determined and analysed. The sequence encodes the 5′ coding region of the URA2 gene and 18 open reading frames of at least 100 amino acids. Ten of these correspond to known genes, whereas eight correspond to new genes. In addition, the sequence contains a tRNA-Ala gene, a tRNA-Asp gene, a Ty4 transposable element and three delta elements. The sequence has been deposited in the EMBL databank under Accession Numbers: Z49405, Z49404, Z49403, Z49402, Z49401, Z49400, Z49399, Z49398, Z49397, Z49396, Z49394, Z49392, Z49391, Z49390, Z49389, Z49387, Z49386, Z49385.     

Influence of a metallic filler on polyurethane formation

The addition of metallic fillers is recognized to impart improvement of acoustic properties to polyurethane-based materials used for marine applications. The system under consideration was obtained by the reaction of a triisocyanateterminated prepolymer with 1,4-butanediol, in the presence of various concentrations of lead powder. With increasing lead content, gelation time is reduced and an Einstein-type law does not apply. The kinetics of the reaction were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Deviation from the classic second order is observed for the filled systems, and the higher the lead content, the more important the deviation is, showing undoubtedly the catalytic effect of the metallic powder.     

Determination of the mixing performance of sulzer SMV static mixers by laser induced fluorescence

Local concentrations are measured at the outlet of different configurations of Sulzer SMV static mixers placed in a tube. Laser Induced Fluorescence is the non intrusive technique used to measure mean and RMS concentrations. The two fluids mixed are miscible and the flow regime is turbulent. The influence of the number of elements, their position and the ratio between the velocities of the two compounds on the mixing is studied. The results show that these parameters are important for the quality of mixing. The velocity ratio influences the radial mixing, while the mixing length depends on the number and position of the elements.