FFTs on the Rotation Group

We discuss an implementation of an efficient algorithm for the numerical computation of Fourier transforms of bandlimited functions defined on the rotation group SO(3). The implementation is freely available on the web. The algorithm described herein uses O(B ⁴) operations to compute the Fourier coefficients of a function whose Fourier expansion uses only (the O(B ³)) spherical harmonics of degree at most B. This compares very favorably with the direct O(B ⁶) algorithm derived from a basic quadrature rule on O(B ³) sample points. The efficient Fourier transform also makes possible the efficient calculation of convolution over SO(3) which has been used as the analytic engine for some new approaches to searching 3D databases (Funkhouser et al., ACM Trans. Graph. 83–105, [2003]; Kazhdan et al., Eurographics Symposium in Geometry Processing, pp. 167–175, [2003]). Our implementation is based on the “Separation of Variables” technique (see, e.g., Maslen and Rockmore, Proceedings of the DIMACS Workshop on Groups and Computation, pp. 183–237, [1997]). In conjunction with techniques developed for the efficient computation of orthogonal polynomial expansions (Driscoll et al., SIAM J. Comput. 26(4):1066–1099, [1997]), our fast SO(3) algorithm can be improved to give an algorithm of complexity O(B ³log ² B), but at a cost in numerical reliability. Numerical and empirical results are presented establishing the empirical stability of the basic algorithm. Examples of applications are presented as well. First author was supported by NSF ITR award; second author was supported by NSF Grant 0219717 and the Santa Fe Institute.     

Unidirectional transport in the inertial ratchet

In this article, the unidirectional transport of the inertial ratchet is presented. We observe that in the ratchet, there is positive, negative or even no current. Moreover, the structure of staircases of the ratchet is argued and we observe that it becomes more regular as the damping coefficient is increased.     

Registering spherical navigators with spherical harmonic expansions to measure three-dimensional rotations in magnetic resonance imaging

Subject motion remains a challenging problem to overcome in clinical and research applications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Subject motion degrades the quality of MR images and the integrity of experimental data. A promising method to correct for subject motion in MRI is the spherical navigator (SNAV) echo. Spherical navigators acquire k-space data on the surface of a sphere in order to measure three-dimensional (3D) rigid-body motion. Analysis begins by registering the magnitude of two SNAVs to determine the 3D rotation between them. Several different methods to register SNAV data exist, each with specific capabilities and limitations. In this study, we assessed the accuracy, precision and computational requirements of measuring rotations about all three coordinate axes by correlating the spherical harmonic expansions of SNAV data. We compare the results of this technique to previous SNAV studies and show that, although computationally expensive, the spherical harmonic technique is a highly accurate, precise and robust method to register SNAVs and detect 3D rotations in MRI. A key advantage to the spherical harmonic technique is the ability to optimize the accuracy, precision, processing time and memory requirements by adjusting parameters used in the registration. While present developments are aimed at improving the programming efficiency and memory handling of the algorithm, this registration technique is currently well suited for retrospective motion correction applications, such as removing motion-related image artifacts and aligning slices within a high-resolution 3D volume.     

Dynamics of Rational Surface Automorphisms: Linear Fractional Recurrences

We consider the family f _a,b (x,y)=(y,(y+a)/(x+b)) of birational maps of the plane and the parameter values (a,b) for which f _a,b gives an automorphism of a rational surface. In particular, we find values for which f _a,b is an automorphism of positive entropy but no invariant curve. The Main Theorem: If f _a,b is an automorphism with an invariant curve and positive entropy, then either (1) (a,b) is real, and the restriction of f to the real points has maximal entropy, or (2) f _a,b has a rotation (Siegel) domain. Research supported in part by the NSF.     

Conjugations between circle maps with a single break point

Consider two circle homeomorphisms fi∈C2+α(S?{bi}), α>0, i=1,2 with a single break point bi i.e. a discontinuity in the derivative Dfi, and identical irrational rotation number ρ. Suppose the jump ratios and do not coincide. Then the map ψ conjugating f₁ and f₂ is a singular function i.e. it is continuous on S¹ and Dψ(x)=0 a.e. with respect to Lebesgue measure.     

On homogeneous rotation symmetric bent functions

In this paper, we present partial results towards the conjectured nonexistence of homogeneous rotation symmetric bent functions having degree > 2.     

Zero entropy, non-integrable geodesic flows and a non-commutative rotation vector

Let be a -step nilpotent Lie algebra; we say is non-integrable if, for a generic pair of points , the isotropy algebras do not commute: . Theorem: If is a simply-connected -step nilpotent Lie group, is non-integrable, is a cocompact subgroup, and is a left-invariant Riemannian metric, then the geodesic flow of on is neither Liouville nor non-commutatively integrable with first integrals. The proof uses a generalization of the rotation vector pioneered by Benardete and Mitchell.

     

Preparation of a novel biodegradable film by co-fermentation of straw and shrimp shell with Aureobasidium pullulans and Photobacterium sp. LYM-1

The green and high-value recycling of shrimp shell and straw remains a worldwide problem. This study aimed to investigate the potential utilization of a fermentation broth (FB) which contains shrimp shell and straw as a new source for preparation of biodegradable films. Aureobasidium pullulans and Photobacterium sp. LYM-1 were used in the fermentation. The cellulase activity was 115.92 U/mL and chitinase activity was 17.89 U/mL in FB. The polysaccharides concentration in FB was 1.05 mg/mL after 7 days of fermentation. An eco-friendly PVA-reinforced FB biodegradable film (FBBF) was successfully prepared and the effect of different plasticizers and surfactants on the mechanical, structural, and impermeability properties of the film was determined. The formation of new bonds between PVA and FB was proved by FTIR spectroscopy. The FBBF containing 0.25 % (w/v) glycerol and 0.01 % (v/v) tween-20 showed better strength properties. Elongation and water-swelling properties were highly improved by adding 0.2 % (m/v) citric acid. According to FE-SEM images, the smooth and tight surface of citric acid added FBBF was observed. Interestingly, the FBBF film showed good heat/moisture capacity, antifungal, and degradation properties. This report reveals a new green, and high-value recycling of straw and shrimp shell by the co-fermentation with A. pullulans and Photobacterium sp. LYM-1. It is also a novel way for the preparation of biodegradable film.     

Kinematic simulation for stably stratified and rotating turbulence

The properties of one-particle and particle-pair diffusion in rotating and stratified turbulence are studied by applying the rapid distortion theory (RDT) to a kinematic simulation (KS) of the Boussinesq equation with a Coriolis term.Scalings for one- and two-particle horizontal and vertical diffusions in purely rotating turbulence are proposed for small Rossby numbers.Particular attention is given to the locality-in-scale hypothesis for two-particle diffusion in purely rotating turbulence both in the horizontal and the vertical directions. It is observed that both rotation and stratification decrease the pair diffusivity and improve the validity of the locality-in-scale hypothesis. In the case of stratification the range of scales over which the locality-in-scale hypothesis is observed is increased.It is found that rotation decreases the diffusion in the horizontal direction as well as, though to a much lesser extent, in the vertical direction.