Color-aware surface registration

Shape registration is fundamental to 3D object acquisition; it is used to fuse scans from multiple views. Existing algorithms mainly utilize geometric information to determine alignment, but this typically results in noticeable misalignment of textures (i.e. surface colors) when using RGB-depth cameras. We address this problem using a novel approach to color-aware registration, which takes both color and geometry into consideration simultaneously. Color information is exploited throughout the pipeline to provide more effective sampling, correspondence and alignment, in particular for surfaces with detailed textures. Our method can furthermore tackle both rigid and non-rigid registration problems (arising, for example, due to small changes in the object during scanning, or camera distortions). We demonstrate that our approach produces significantly better results than previous methods

Most parsimonious haplotype allele sharing determination

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The "common disease – common variant" hypothesis and genome-wide association studies have achieved numerous successes in the last three years, particularly in genetic mapping in human diseases. Nevertheless, the power of the association study methods are still low, in particular on quantitative traits, and the description of the full allelic spectrum is deemed still far from reach. Given increasing density of single nucleotide polymorphisms available and suggested by the block-like structure of the human genome, a popular and prosperous strategy is to use haplotypes to try to capture the correlation structure of SNPs in regions of little recombination. The key to the success of this strategy is thus the ability to unambiguously determine the haplotype allele sharing status among the members. The association studies based on haplotype sharing status would have significantly reduced degrees of freedom and be able to capture the combined effects of tightly linked causal variants.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>For pedigree genotype datasets of medium density of SNPs, we present two methods for haplotype allele sharing status determination among the pedigree members. Extensive simulation study showed that both methods performed nearly perfectly on breakpoint discovery, mutation haplotype allele discovery, and shared chromosomal region discovery.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>For pedigree genotype datasets, the haplotype allele sharing status among the members can be deterministically, efficiently, and accurately determined, even for very small pedigrees. Given their excellent performance, the presented haplotype allele sharing status determination programs can be useful in many downstream applications including haplotype based association studies.</p

Interleaved difference-frequency-generation for mid-infrared microcomb spectral densification

Generation of mid-infrared combs (3.3 micron band) with GigaHertz line spacing is demonstrated by interleaved difference-frequency-generation. The method, applied to a 22 GHz repetition-rate microcomb, is useful for spectral densification of sparse microcomb spectra

Interleaved difference-frequency generation for microcomb spectral densification in the mid-infrared

With their compact size and semiconductor-chip-based operation, frequency microcombs can be an invaluable light source for gas spectrcoscopy. However, the generation of mid-infrared (mid-IR) frequency combs with gigahertz line spacing as required to resolve many gas spectra represents a significant challenge for these devices. Here, a technique referred to as interleaved difference-frequency generation (iDFG) is introduced that densifies the spectral line spacing upon conversion of near-IR comb light into the mid-IR light. A soliton microcomb is used as both a comb light source and microwave oscillator in a demonstration, and the spectrum of methane is measured to illustrate how the resulting mid-IR comb avoids spectral undersampling. Beyond demonstration of the iDFG technique, this work represents an important feasibility step towards more compact and potentially chip-based mid-IR gas spectroscopy modules

Interleaved difference-frequency-generation for mid-infrared microcomb spectral densification

Generation of mid-infrared combs (3.3 micron band) with GigaHertz line spacing is demonstrated by interleaved difference-frequency-generation. The method, applied to a 22 GHz repetition-rate microcomb, is useful for spectral densification of sparse microcomb spectra

High-power 1560 nm single-frequency erbium fiber amplifier core-pumped at 1480 nm

High-power continuous-wave single-frequency Er-doped fiber amplifiers at 1560 nm by in-band and core pumping of a 1480 nm Raman fiber laser are investigated in detail. Both co- and counter-pumping configurations are studied experimentally. Up to 59.1 W output and 90% efficiency were obtained in the fundamental mode and linear polarization in the co-pumped case, while less power and efficiency were achieved in the counter-pumped setup for additional loss. The amplifier performs indistinguishably in terms of laser linewidth and relative intensity noise in the frequency range up to 10 MHz for both configurations. However, the spectral pedestal is raised in co-pumping, caused by cross-phase modulation between the pump and signal laser, which is observed and analyzed for the first time. Nevertheless, the spectral pedestal is 34.9 dB below the peak, which has a negligible effect for most applications

Advances in Chinese medicine-mediated AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway for the treatment of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis （OP） is a systemic bone disease and a common orthopedic disorder in elderly patients. High morbidity， disability and mortality rates and medical cost of OP bring huge burden to the patients and their family. Serine/threonine protein kinase（AMPK）/ mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway plays a significant role in cell metabolism and apoptosis. Traditional Chinese medicine monomer or compound can prevent and treat OP by regulating the expression levels of related factors through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway， whereas the specific mechanism remains elusive. In this article， the effect of AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway upon osteoblasts and osteoclasts， and the regulatory role of traditional Chinese medicine were reviewed， aiming to provide novel perspectives and ideas for prevention and treatment of OP

Functional group differentiation of isomeric solvents enables distinct zinc anode chemistry

Electrolytes hold the key to realizing reliable zinc (Zn) anodes. Divergent organic molecules have been proven effective in stabilizing Zn anodes; however, irrational comparisons exist due to the uncontrolled molecular weights and functional group amounts. In this work, two “isomeric molecules”: 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) and 1-methoxy-2-propanol (PM), with identical molecular weights but different functional groups, have been studied as co-solvents in electrolytes, which have delivered distinct electrochemical performance. Experimental and simulative study indicates the dipole moment induced by the hydroxyl groups in PM (higher molecular polarity than ether groups in DME) reconstructs the space charge region, enhances the concentration of Zn2+ in the vicinity of Zn anodes, and in-situ derives different solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) models and electrode–electrolyte interfaces, resulting in exceptional cycling stability. Remarkably, the Zn||Cu cell with PM worked over 2000 cycles with high Coulombic efficiency (CE) of 99.7%. The Zn||Zn symmetric cell cycled over 2000 h at 1 mA·cm−2, and showed excellent stability at an ultrahigh current density of 10 mA·cm−2 and capacity of 20 mAh·cm−2 over 200 h (depth of discharge, DOD of 70%). The Zn||sodium vanadate pouch cell with a high mass loading of 6.3 mg·cm−2 and a high capacity of 24 mAh demonstrates superior cyclability after 570 h. This work can be a good starting point to provide reliable guidance on electrolyte design for practical aqueous Zn batteries

Single-frequency upconverted laser generation by phase summation

The phase summation effect in sum-frequency mixing process is utilized to avoid a nonlinearity obstacle in the power scaling of single-frequency visible or ultraviolet lasers. Two single-frequency fundamental lasers are spectrally broadened by phase modulation to suppress stimulated Brillouin scattering in fiber amplifier and achieve higher power. After sum-frequency mixing in a nonlinear optical crystal, the upconverted laser returns to single frequency due to phase summation, when the phase modulations on two fundamental lasers have a similar amplitude but opposite sign. The method was experimentally proved in a Raman fiber amplifier-based laser system, which generated a power-scalable sideband-free single-frequency 590 nm laser. The proposal manifests the importance of phase operation in wave-mixing processes for precision laser technology

Overcoming Wnt–β-catenin dependent anticancer therapy resistance in leukaemia stem cells

Leukaemia stem cells (LSCs) underlie cancer therapy resistance but targeting these cells remains difficult. The Wnt–β-catenin and PI3K–Akt pathways cooperate to promote tumorigenesis and resistance to therapy. In a mouse model in which both pathways are activated in stem and progenitor cells, LSCs expanded under chemotherapy-induced stress. Since Akt can activate β-catenin, inhibiting this interaction might target therapy-resistant LSCs. High-throughput screening identified doxorubicin (DXR) as an inhibitor of the Akt–β-catenin interaction at low doses. Here we repurposed DXR as a targeted inhibitor rather than a broadly cytotoxic chemotherapy. Targeted DXR reduced Akt-activated β-catenin levels in chemoresistant LSCs and reduced LSC tumorigenic activity. Mechanistically, β-catenin binds multiple immune-checkpoint gene loci, and targeted DXR treatment inhibited expression of multiple immune checkpoints specifically in LSCs, including PD-L1, TIM3 and CD24. Overall, LSCs exhibit distinct properties of immune resistance that are reduced by inhibiting Akt-activated β-catenin. These findings suggest a strategy for overcoming cancer therapy resistance and immune escape