Towards efficient modelling of optical micromanipulation of complex structures

Computational methods for electromagnetic and light scattering can be used for the calculation of optical forces and torques. Since typical particles that are optically trapped or manipulated are on the order of the wavelength in size, approximate methods such as geometric optics or Rayleigh scattering are inapplicable, and solution or either the Maxwell equations or the vector Helmholtz equation must be resorted to. Traditionally, such solutions were only feasible for the simplest geometries; modern computational power enable the rapid solution of more general--but still simple--geometries such as axisymmetric, homogeneous, and isotropic scatterers. However, optically-driven micromachines necessarily require more complex geometries, and their computational modelling thus remains in the realm of challenging computational problems. We review our progress towards efficient computational modelling of optical tweezers and micromanipulation, including the trapping and manipulation of complex structures such as optical micromachines. In particular, we consider the exploitation of symmetry in the modelling of such devices.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Smoothness-constrained time-lapse inversion of data from 3D resistivity surveys

Three-dimensional resistivity surveys and their associated inversion models are required to accurately resolve structures exhibiting very complex geology. In the same light, 3D resistivity surveys collected at multiple times are required to resolve temporally varying conditions. In this work we present 3D data sets, both synthetic and real, collected at different times. The large spatio-temporal data sets are then inverted simultaneously using a least-squares methodology that incorporates roughness filters in both the space and time domains. The spatial roughness filter constrains the model resistivity to vary smoothly in the x-, y- and z-directions. A temporal roughness filter is also applied that minimizes changes in the resistivity between successive temporal inversion models and the L-curve method is used to determine the optimum weights for both spatial and temporal roughness filters. We show that the use of the temporal roughness filter can accurately resolve changes in the resistivity even in the presence of noise. The L1- and L2-norm constraints for the temporal roughness filter are first examined using a synthetic model. The synthetic data test shows that the L1-norm temporal constraint produces significantly more accurate results when the resistivity changes abruptly with time. The model obtained with the L1-norm temporal constraint is also less sensitive to random noise compared with independent inversions (i.e., without any temporal constraint) and the L2-norm temporal constraint. Anomalies that are common in models using independent inversions and the L2-norm and L1-norm temporal constraints are likely to be real. In contrast, anomalies present in a model using independent inversions but that are significantly reduced with the L2-norm and L1-norm constraints are likely artefacts. For field data sets, the method successfully recovered temporal changes in the subsurface resistivity from a landfill monitoring survey due to rainwater infiltration, as well as from an experiment to map the migration of sodium cyanide solution from an injection well using surface and borehole electrodes in an area with significant topography

Resistivity monitoring for leakage and internal erosion detection at Hallby embankment dam

Internal erosion is one of the major reasons for embankment dam failures. Despite this, the knowledge of the temporal development of internal erosion in full scale structures is limited. Detection of internal erosion is complicated using conventional methods, and new or improved methods are appreciated. Hallby was the first Swedish embankment to get a permanently installed monitoring system intended for resistivity measurements. Daily measurements started to take place already in late 1996, which make these long term monitoring data unique. This paper includes examples of long term time series from Hallby along with some evaluation and interpretation techniques used when analysing such monitoring data. Time-lapse inversion was used to focus the variation over time and suppress artefacts due to the resistivity structure. Seasonal resistivity variations inside the dam are obvious. Increasing long term resistivity has been noticed in a particular zone in the left embankment. This zone also exhibits larger seasonal variations relative to other parts of the dam, and the variations are increasing. The observations may relate to an ongoing internal erosion process in the dam. The long term change may be indicative of a change in material properties, and the large and increasing variations may reflect higher and increasing seepage levels. In the years 2004 to 2006 the dam was upgraded and the resistivity system reinstalled. The results indicate that resistivity monitoring may have a chance of detecting development of internal erosion at an early stage. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V

Segmentação de dados 3D

Este artigo apresenta um algoritmo para efectuar uma segmentação não supervisionada em 3D, mostrando a sua aplicação a diferentes volumes, tais como: volumes artificiais, acústica submarina e de ressonância magnética (NMR- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance). O trabalho tem por base o efectuado em 2D e já apresentado numa anterior Tecnovisão [I]

Fast segmentation of 3D data using an octree

The algorithm developed uses an octree pyramid in which noise is reduced at the expense of the spatial resolution. At a certain level an unsupervised clustering without spatial connectivity constraints is applied. After the classification, isolated voxels and insignificant regions are removed by assigning them to their neighbours. The spatial resolution is then increased by the downprojection of the regions, level by level. At each level the uncertainty of the boundary voxels is minimised by a dynamic selection and classification of these, using an adaptive 3D filtering. The algorithm is tested using different data sets, including NMR data

A background-priority discrete boundary triangulation method

Discrete boundary triangulation methods generate triangular meshes through the centers of the boundary voxels of a volumetric object. At some voxel configurations it may be arbitrary whether a part of the volume should be included in the object or could be classified as background. Consequently, important details such as concave and convex edges and corners are not consistently preserved in the describing geometry. We present a "background priority" version of an existing "object priority" algorithm [6]. We show that the ad hoc configurations of the well-known Discretized Marching Cubes algorithm [13] can be derived from our method and that a combined triangulation with "object priority" and "background priority" better would preserve object details

Seasonal and spatial dynamics of the primary vector of plasmodium knowlesi within a major transmission focus in Sabah, Malaysia

Background The simian malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi is emerging as a public health problem in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysian Borneo where it now accounts for the greatest burden of malaria cases and deaths. Control is hindered by limited understanding of the ecology of potential vector species. Methodology/Principal Findings We conducted a one year longitudinal study of P. knowlesi vectors in three sites within an endemic area of Sabah, Malaysia. All mosquitoes were captured using human landing catch. Anopheles mosquitoes were dissected to determine, oocyst, sporozoites and parous rate. Anopheles balabacensis is confirmed as the primary vector of. P. knowlesi (using nested PCR) in Sabah for the first time. Vector densities were significantly higher and more seasonally variable in the village than forest or small scale farming site. However An. balabacensis survival and P. knowlesi infection rates were highest in forest and small scale farm sites. Anopheles balabacensis mostly bites humans outdoors in the early evening between 1800 to 2000hrs. Conclusions/Significance This study indicates transmission is unlikely to be prevented by bednets. This combined with its high vectorial capacity poses a threat to malaria elimination programmes within the region. Author Summary The first natural infection of Plasmodium knowlesi was reported 40 years ago. At that time it was perceived that the infection would not affect humans. However, now P. knowlesi is the predominant malaria species (38% of the cases) infecting people in Malaysia and is a notable obstacle to malaria elimination in the country. Plasmodium knowlesi has also been reported from all countries in Southeast Asia with the exception of Lao PDR and Timor Leste. In Sabah, Malaysian Borneo cases of human P. knowlesi are increasing. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the bionomics of the vectors is required so as to enable proper control strategies. Here, we conducted a longitudinal study in Kudat district, Sabah, to determine and characterize the vectors of P. knowlesi within this transmission foci. Anopheles balabacensis was the predominant mosquito in all study sites and is confirmed as vector for P. knowlesi and other simian malaria parasites. The peak biting time was in the early part of the evening between1800 to 2000. Thus, breaking the chain of transmission is an extremely challenging task for the malaria elimination programme

Transfer of K-types on local theta lifts of characters and unitary lowest weight modules

In this paper we study representations of the indefinite orthogonal group O(n,m) which are local theta lifts of one dimensional characters or unitary lowest weight modules of the double covers of the symplectic groups. We apply the transfer of K-types on these representations of O(n,m), and we study their effects on the dual pair correspondences. These results provide examples that the theta lifting is compatible with the transfer of K-types. Finally we will use these results to study subquotients of some cohomologically induced modules

Computation of optimized arrays for 3-D electrical imaging surveys

3-D electrical resistivity surveys and inversion models are required to accurately resolve structures in areas with very complex geology where 2-D models might suffer from artefacts. Many 3-D surveys use a grid where the number of electrodes along one direction (x) is much greater than in the perpendicular direction (y). Frequently, due to limitations in the number of independent electrodes in the multi-electrode system, the surveys use a roll-along system with a small number of parallel survey lines aligned along the x-direction. The ‘Compare R' array optimization method previously used for 2-D surveys is adapted for such 3-D surveys. Offset versions of the inline arrays used in 2-D surveys are included in the number of possible arrays (the comprehensive data set) to improve the sensitivity to structures in between the lines. The array geometric factor and its relative error are used to filter out potentially unstable arrays in the construction of the comprehensive data set. Comparisons of the conventional (consisting of dipole-dipole and Wenner-Schlumberger arrays) and optimized arrays are made using a synthetic model and experimental measurements in a tank. The tests show that structures located between the lines are better resolved with the optimized arrays. The optimized arrays also have significantly better depth resolution compared to the conventional array