Spectral statistics of the uni-modular ensemble

We investigate the spectral statistics of Hermitian matrices in which the elements are chosen uniformly from U (1), called the uni-modular ensemble (UME), in the limit of large matrix size. Using three complimentary methods; a supersymmetric integration method, a combinatorial graph-theoretical analysis and a Brownian motion approach, we are able to derive expressions for 1/N corrections to the mean spectral moments and also analyse the fluctuations about this mean. By addressing the same ensemble from three different point of view, we can critically compare their relative advantages and derive some new results.Comment: 35 pages, 3 figure

Comparison of Affymetrix Gene Array with the Exon Array shows potential application for detection of transcript isoform variation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The emergence of isoform-sensitive microarrays has helped fuel in-depth studies of the human transcriptome. The Affymetrix GeneChip Human Exon 1.0 ST Array (Exon Array) has been previously shown to be effective in profiling gene expression at the isoform level. More recently, the Affymetrix GeneChip Human Gene 1.0 ST Array (Gene Array) has been released for measuring gene expression and interestingly contains a large subset of probes from the Exon Array. Here, we explore the potential of using Gene Array probes to assess expression variation at the sub-transcript level. Utilizing datasets of the high quality Microarray Quality Control (MAQC) RNA samples previously assayed on the Exon Array and Gene Array, we compare the expression measurements of the two platforms to determine the performance of the Gene Array in detecting isoform variations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Overall, we show that the Gene Array is comparable to the Exon Array in making gene expression calls. Moreover, to examine expression of different isoforms, we modify the Gene Array probe set definition file to enable summarization of probe intensity values at the exon level and show that the expression profiles between the two platforms are also highly correlated. Next, expression calls of previously known differentially spliced genes were compared and also show concordant results. Splicing index analysis, representing estimates of exon inclusion levels, shows a lower but good correlation between platforms. As the Gene Array contains a significant subset of probes from the Exon Array, we note that, in comparison, the Gene Array overlaps with fewer but still a high proportion of splicing events annotated in the Known Alt Events UCSC track, with abundant coverage of cassette exons. We discuss the ability of the Gene Array to detect alternative splicing and isoform variation and address its limitations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The Gene Array is an effective expression profiling tool at gene and exon expression level, the latter made possible by probe set annotation modifications. We demonstrate that the Gene Array is capable of detecting alternative splicing and isoform variation. As expected, in comparison to the Exon Array, it is limited by reduced gene content coverage and is not able to detect as wide a range of alternative splicing events. However, for the events that can be monitored by both platforms, we estimate that the selectivity and sensitivity levels are comparable. We hope our findings will shed light on the potential extension of the Gene Array to detect alternative splicing. It should be particularly suitable for researchers primarily interested in gene expression analysis, but who may be willing to look for splicing and isoform differences within their dataset. However, we do not suggest it to be an equivalent substitute to the more comprehensive Exon Array.</p

Enhanced discrete particle swarm optimization path planning for UAV vision-based surface inspection

© 2017 In built infrastructure monitoring, an efficient path planning algorithm is essential for robotic inspection of large surfaces using computer vision. In this work, we first formulate the inspection path planning problem as an extended travelling salesman problem (TSP) in which both the coverage and obstacle avoidance were taken into account. An enhanced discrete particle swarm optimization (DPSO) algorithm is then proposed to solve the TSP, with performance improvement by using deterministic initialization, random mutation, and edge exchange. Finally, we take advantage of parallel computing to implement the DPSO in a GPU-based framework so that the computation time can be significantly reduced while keeping the hardware requirement unchanged. To show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, experimental results are included for datasets obtained from UAV inspection of an office building and a bridge

Automatic interpretation of unordered point cloud data for UAV navigation in construction

© 2016 IEEE. The objective of this work is to develop a data processing system that can automatically generate waypoints for navigation of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to inspect surfaces of structures like buildings and bridges. The input includes data recorded by two 2D laser scanners, orthogonally mounted on the UAV, and an inertial measurement unit (IMU). To achieve the goal, algorithms are developed to process the data collected. They are separated into three major groups: (i) the data registration and filtering to generate a 3D model of the structure and control the density of point clouds for data completeness enhancement; (ii) the surface and obstacle detection to assist the UAV in monitoring tasks; and (iii) the waypoint generation to set the flight path. Experiments on different data sets show that the developed system is able to reconstruct a 3D point cloud of the structure, extract its surfaces and objects, and generate waypoints for the UAV to accomplish inspection tasks

Скрининг экстрактов лекарственных растений на ингибирующую активность ксантиноксидазы

Objectives. The study aimed to test the ethanol extracts of ten medicinal plants for xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity.Methods. The degree of xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity was determined by measuring the absorbance spectrophotometrically at 290 nm, which is associated with uric acid formation. The selected medicinal plants included Piper lolot C.DC. (Piperaceae), Pandanus amaryllifolius R.(Pandanaceae), Brassica juncea L. (Brassicaceae), Piper betle L. (Piperaceae), Perilla frutescens L. (Lamiaceae), Anacardium occidentale L. (Anacardiaceae), Polygonum barbatum L. (Polygonaceae), Artocarpus Altilis P. (Moraceae), Vitex negundo L. (Verbenaceae), Annona squamosal L. (Annonaceae), which were selected based on folk medicine.Results. The results showed that the Piper betle L. has a strong ability to inhibit xanthine oxidase with an IC50 value of up to 1.18 μg/mL, compared to allopurinol 1.57 μg/mL. Different parts of Piper betle L. were compared and the leaves of Piper betle L. showed the best value for xanthine oxidase inhibitory and antioxidant activity.Conclusions. Piper betle L. showed the best potential for inhibition of xanthine oxidase among ten medicinal plants. Piper betle L. leaf extract showed strong xanthine oxidase inhibitory and antioxidant activity, compared to the whole plant, and the stem extract, which promises to be applied in the treatment of gout.Цели. Исследование было направлено на проверку этанольных экстрактов десяти лекарственных растений на ингибиторную активность ксантиноксид азы.Методы. Степень ингибирующей активности ксантиноксидазы определяли путем спектрофотометрического измерения поглощения при 290 нм, вызываемого образованием мочевой кислоты. В состав отобранных лекарственных растений вошли перец-лолот (Piperaceae), пандан (Pandanaceae), горчица сарептская (Brassicaceae), бетель (Piperaceae), перилла обыкновенная (Lamiaceae), кешью (Anacardiaceae), конопля (Polygonaceae), хлебное дерево (Moraceae), прутняк китайский (Verbenaceae), сахарное яблоко (Annonaceae), отобранные на основе их применения в народ ной медицине.Результаты. Результаты показали, что бетель обладает сильной способностью ингибировать ксантиноксидазу со значением IC50 до 1.18 мкг/мл по сравнению с аллопуринолом 1.57 мкг/мл. Были проведены сравнения различных частей бетеля, и листья бетеля показали наилучшие показатели ингибирования ксантиноксидазы и антиоксидантной активности.Выводы. Бетель показал лучший потенциал ингибирования ксантиноксидазы среди десяти лекарственных растений. Экстракт листьев бетеля показал сильное подавление ксантиноксидазы и антиоксидантную активность по сравнению с целым растением и экстрактом стебля, которые применяются при лечении подагры

Geometric discord and Measurement-induced nonlocality for well known bound entangled states

We employ geometric discord and measurement induced nonlocality to quantify non classical correlations of some well-known bipartite bound entangled states, namely the two families of Horodecki's ($2\otimes 4$, $3\otimes 3$ and $4\otimes 4$ dimensional) bound entangled states and that of Bennett etal's in $3\otimes 3$ dimension. In most of the cases our results are analytic and both the measures attain relatively small value. The amount of quantumness in the $4\otimes 4$ bound entangled state of Benatti etal and the $2\otimes 8$ state having the same matrix representation (in computational basis) is same. Coincidently, the $2m\otimes 2m$ Werner and isotropic states also exhibit the same property, when seen as $2\otimes 2m^2$ dimensional states.Comment: V2: Title changed, one more state added; 11 pages (single column), 2 figures, accepted in Quantum Information Processin

Reduction of seafood processing wastewater using technologies enhanced by swim–bed technology

The increasing growth of the seafood processing industries considerably requires more industrial process activities and water consumption. It is estimated that approximately 10–40 m3 of wastewater is generated from those industries for processing one-tonne of raw materials. Due to limitations and regulations in natural resources utilization, a suitable and systematic wastewater treatment plant is very important to meet rigorous discharge standards. As a result of food waste biodegradability, the biological treatment and some extent of swim-bed technology, including a novel acryl-fibre (biofilm) material might be used effectively to meet the effluent discharge criteria. This chapter aims to develop understanding on current problems and production of the seafood wastewater regarding treatment efficiency and methods of treatment

The connection between superconducting phase correlations and spin excitations in YBa2_2Cu3_3O6.6_{6.6}: A magnetic field study

One of the most striking universal properties of the high-transition-temperature (high-$T_c$) superconductors is that they are all derived from the hole-doping of their insulating antiferromagnetic (AF) parent compounds. From the outset, the intimate relationship between magnetism and superconductivity in these copper-oxides has intrigued researchers. Evidence for this link comes from neutron scattering experiments that show the unambiguous presence of short-range AF correlations (excitations) in cuprate superconductors. Even so, the role of such excitations in the pairing mechanism and superconductivity is still a subject of controversy. For YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6+x}$, where $x$ controls the hole-doping level, the most prominent feature in the magnetic excitations spectra is the ``resonance''. Here we show that for underdoped YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_{6.6}$, where $x$ and $T_c$ are below the optimal values, modest magnetic fields suppress the resonance significantly, much more so for fields approximately perpendicular rather than parallel to the CuO$_2$ planes. Our results indicate that the resonance measures pairing and phase coherence, suggesting that magnetism plays an important role in the superconductivity of cuprates. The persistence of a field effect above $T_c$ favors mechanisms with preformed pairs in the normal state of underdoped cuprates.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, Nature (in press

Comparative efficacy, cognitive effects and acceptability of electroconvulsive therapies for the treatment of depression: Protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Introduction There have been important advances in the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to treat major depressive episodes. These include variations to the type of stimulus the brain regions stimulated, and the stimulus parameters (eg, stimulus duration/pulse width). Our aim is to investigate ECT types using a network meta-analysis (NMA) approach and report on comparative treatment efficacy, cognitive side effects and acceptability. Method We will conduct a systematic review to identify randomised controlled trials that compared two or more ECT protocols to treat depression. This will be done using the following databases: Embase, MEDLINE PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, Cochrane CENTRAL and will be supplemented by personal contacts with researchers in the field. All authors will be contacted to provide missing information. Primary outcomes will be symptom severity on a validated continuous clinician-rated scale of depression, cognitive functioning measured using anterograde verbal recall, and acceptability calculated using all-cause drop-outs. Secondary outcomes will include response and remission rates, autobiographical memory following a course of ECT, and anterograde visuospatial recall. Bayesian random effects hierarchical models will compare ECT types. Additional meta-regressions may be conducted to determine the impact of effect modifiers and patient-specific prognostic factors if sufficient data are available. Discussion This NMA will facilitate clinician decision making and allow more sophisticated selection of ECT type according to the balance of efficacy, cognitive side effects and acceptability. Ethics This systematic review and NMA does not require research ethics approval as it will use published aggregate data and will not collect nor disclose individually identifiable participant data. PROSPERO registration number CRD42022357098