Nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulation: An approach based on quantum measurement picture

Mixed-quantum-classical molecular dynamics simulation implies an effective measurement on the electronic states owing to continuously tracking the atomic forces.Based on this insight, we propose a quantum trajectory mean-field approach for nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulations. The new protocol provides a natural interface between the separate quantum and classical treatments, without invoking artificial surface hopping algorithm. Moreover, it also bridges two widely adopted nonadiabatic dynamics methods, the Ehrenfest mean-field theory and the trajectory surface-hopping method. Excellent agreement with the exact results is illustrated with representative model systems, including the challenging ones for traditional methods

Undetectable quantum transfer through a continuum

We demonstrate that a quantum particle, initially prepared in a quantum well, can propagate through a reservoir with a continuous spectrum and reappear in a distant well without being registered in the reservoir. It is shown that such a passage through the reservoir takes place even if the latter is {\em continuously} monitored. We discuss a possible experimental realization of such a teleportation phenomenon in mesoscopic systems.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, revised version, Phys. Lett. A, in pres

Genome-Wide Association of Body Fat Distribution in African Ancestry Populations Suggests New Loci

Central obesity, measured by waist circumference (WC) or waist-hip ratio (WHR), is a marker of body fat distribution. Although obesity disproportionately affects minority populations, few studies have conducted genome-wide association study (GWAS) of fat distribution among those of predominantly African ancestry (AA). We performed GWAS of WC and WHR, adjusted and unadjusted for BMI, in up to 33,591 and 27,350 AA individuals, respectively. We identified loci associated with fat distribution in AA individuals using meta-analyses of GWA results for WC and WHR (stage 1). Overall, 25 SNPs with single genomic control (GC)-corrected p-values<5.0×10−6 were followed-up (stage 2) in AA with WC and with WHR. Additionally, we interrogated genomic regions of previously identified European ancestry (EA) WHR loci among AA. In joint analysis of association results including both Stage 1 and 2 cohorts, 2 SNPs demonstrated association, rs2075064 at LHX2, p = 2.24×10−8 for WC-adjusted-for-BMI, and rs6931262 at RREB1, p = 2.48×10−8 for WHR-adjusted-for-BMI. However, neither signal was genome-wide significant after double GC-correction (LHX2: p = 6.5×10−8; RREB1: p = 5.7×10−8). Six of fourteen previously reported loci for waist in EA populations were significant (p<0.05 divided by the number of independent SNPs within the region) in AA studied here (TBX15-WARS2, GRB14, ADAMTS9, LY86, RSPO3, ITPR2-SSPN). Further, we observed associations with metabolic traits: rs13389219 at GRB14 associated with HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting insulin, and rs13060013 at ADAMTS9 with HDL-cholesterol and fasting insulin. Finally, we observed nominal evidence for sexual dimorphism, with stronger results in AA women at the GRB14 locus (p for interaction = 0.02). In conclusion, we identified two suggestive loci associated with fat distribution in AA populations in addition to confirming 6 loci previously identified in populations of EA. These findings reinforce the concept that there are fat distribution loci that are independent of generalized adiposity

Image Inpainting for 3D Reconstruction Based on the Known Region Boundaries

Pointcloud is a collection of 3D object coordinate systems in 3D scene. Generally, point data in pointclouds represent the outer surface of an object. It is widely used in 3D reconstruction applications in various fields. When obtaining pointcloud data from RGB-D images, if part of the information in the RGB-D images is lost or damaged, the pointcloud data will be hollow or too sparse. Moreover, it is not conducive to the subsequent application of pointcloud data. Based on the boundary of the region to be repaired, we proposes to repair the damaged image and synthesize the complete pointcloud data after a series of preprocessing steps related to the image. Experiments show that the our method can effectively improve the restoration of the lost details of the pixel in the target area and that it will have the fuller pointcloud data after synthesizing the restored image

Recombinant Reg3&alpha; Prevents Islet &beta;-Cell Apoptosis and Promotes &beta;-Cell Regeneration

Progressive loss and dysfunction of islet &beta;-cells has not yet been solved in the treatment of diabetes. Regenerating protein (Reg) has been identified as a trophic factor which is demonstrated to be associated with pancreatic tissue regeneration. We previously produced recombinant Reg3&alpha; protein (rReg3&alpha;) and proved that it protects against acute pancreatitis in mice. Whether rReg3&alpha; protects islet &beta;-cells in diabetes has been elusive. In the present study, rReg3&alpha; stimulated MIN6 cell proliferation and resisted STZ-caused cell death. The protective effect of rReg3&alpha; was also found in mouse primary islets. In BALB/c mice, rReg3&alpha; administration largely alleviated STZ-induced diabetes by the preservation of &beta;-cell mass. The protective mechanism could be attributed to Akt/Bcl-2/-xL activation and GRP78 upregulation. Scattered insulin-expressing cells and clusters with small size, low insulin density, and exocrine distribution were observed and considered to be neogenic. In isolated acinar cells with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) labeling, rReg3&alpha; treatment generated insulin-producing cells through Stat3/Ngn3 signaling, but these cells were not fully functional in response to glucose stimulation. Our results demonstrated that rReg3&alpha; resists STZ-induced &beta;-cell death and promotes &beta;-cell regeneration. rReg3&alpha; could serve as a potential drug for &beta;-cell maintenance in anti-diabetic treatment