Fast and high-precision tracking technology for image-based closed-loop cascaded control system with a Risley prism and fast steering mirror.

The Risley prism's compact structure, dynamic responsiveness, and high tracking accuracy make it ideal for photoelectric image tracking. To realize fast and high-precision tracking of the target, we propose an image-based closed-loop tracking cascade control (IBCLTCR-F) system using a single image detector that integrates the Risley prism and fast steering mirror (FSM). Firstly, We propose a cascade control input-decoupling method (CCIDM) for the IBCLTCR-F system to solve the complex problem of coarse-fine control input decoupling in traditional single detector cascaded control systems. Moreover, the CCIDM method ensures that the FSM deflection angle is small and does not exceed its range during the fine tracking process, by using the Risley prism to compensate for the FSM deflection angle. Next, we design the image-based closed-loop tracking controllers of the Risley prism system and FSM system and analyze the stability of the IBCLTCR-F system. Finally, we track static and moving targets through experiments. The experimental results verify the feasibility of the IBCLTCR-F system, the effectiveness of the decoupling method, and the fast and high-precision tracking of the targets.

Disrupted expression of long non-coding RNAs in the human oocyte: the possible epigenetic culprits leading to recurrent oocyte maturation arrest.

PURPOSE: To depict the lncRNA expression during human oocyte maturation and explore the lncRNAs leading to recurrent oocyte maturation arrest. METHODS: LncRNA sequencing was performed on pooled RNA from 20 oocytes of each group (recurrent oocyte maturation arrest (ROMA), of germinal vesicle (GV), metaphase I (MI), or metaphase II (MII) stages. Bioinformatics software was deployed to compare the lncRNA differential expression between the normal and ROMA oocytes. The co-expression of lncRNA/mRNA was illustrated with the Cytoscape software. The pooled RNA from every 10 oocytes of each group (ROMA, GV, MI, MII) was extracted for further qPCR validation. RESULTS: There were 17 downregulated and 3 upregulated lncRNAs in the ROMA oocyte. Among them, co-expression analysis indicated that NEAT1 and NORAD were both downregulated. Basing on the KEGG enrichment analysis, PRCKA and JAK3 might be the target genes in the PI3K-Akt pathway and modulated by NEAT1 and NORAD. As validated by qPCR, the expressional levels of lncRNA candidates (NEAT1 and NORAD) and their target genes (PRKCA and JAK3) were confirmed to be extremely lower in the ROMA oocyte than in the normal oocyte. CONCLUSION: By targeting the PI3K-Akt pathway genes PRKCA and JAK3, the abnormal expression of NEAT1 and NORAD is suggested to impede oocyte maturation and impair oocyte genome integrity.

Demonstration of a Fizeau Directly-Imaging Sparse-Aperture Telescope with Pointing and Tracking Capabilities.

At present, the majority of sparse-aperture telescopes (SATs) are unable to observe moving targets. In this paper, we describe the construction of and present the results obtained using a Fizeau directly-imaging sparse-aperture telescope (FDISAT) that permits pointing and the tracking of moving targets. The telescope comprises three sub-apertures, each of which is equipped with a Risley prism system that permits a maximum tracking range of 5° and has independent boresight adjustment capability. On targets in various positions, experiments with pointing and tracking are conducted. The maximum root-mean-square error (RMSE) of pointing in the sub-apertures was found to be 8.22 arcsec. When considering a target moving at 0.01°/s for approximately 320 s, the maximum RMSE of tracking in the sub-apertures was found to be 4.23 arcsec. The images obtained from the focal plane detector exhibit clear interference fringes while tracking. The experimental results demonstrate that the system can effectively track moving targets, providing a method for SAT observation of moving targets.

Multivariable Decoupling and Nonlinear Correction Method for Image-Based Closed-Loop Tracking of the Risley Prisms System.

Image-based closed-loop tracking (IBCLT) is an important part of the process of target tracking. The Risley prism system has a unique advantage in improving the target tracking ability because of its compact and lightweight structure. Compared with traditional target tracking equipment, the Risley prism system has two difficulties in the process of IBCLT. First, the Risley prism is a complex coupling system of double input and double output. Second, the Risley prism itself is a nonlinear system. These problems lead to decrease in dynamic response and inconsistent target tracking capabilities. Thus, this paper proposes a method to implement multivariable decoupling and reduce the nonlinear effect. First, the boresight error of IBCLT is decoupled to the azimuth and elevation directions by the rotation matrix error-decoupling (RMED) method. Second, the gains of IBCLT in azimuth and elevation directions are independent variables that comes from two functions of the target elevation angle. The experimental results show that the IBCLT error deviation of different static targets in the field of view is within 0.025 arcsec, which is 70% lower compared with the fixed gain method. Furthermore, the steady-state error deviation of moving targets is controlled within 2.5 arcsec. These experimental results prove the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.

Abnormal PIWI-interacting RNA profile and its association with the deformed extracellular matrix of oocytes from recurrent oocyte maturation arrest patients.

OBJECTIVE: To depict the PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) profile in oocytes from patients with recurrent oocyte maturation arrest (ROMA) and explore the piRNA candidates associated with the disease. DESIGN: An observational study. SETTING: Academic research unit. PATIENT(S): Sixteen ROMA patients who provided 140 immature oocytes that arrested at metaphase I, and 146 control patients who provided 420 oocytes for in vitro culture that were collected at the stages of germinal vesicle (GV), metaphase I (MI), and MII. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Expression profiles of piRNA and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) validating data of piR-hsa-17139 and its target genes. RESULT(S): After the piRNA profile was established using piRNA sequencing and hierarchical clustering, the target genes of the piRNA were predicted by bioinformatics databases and matched with mRNA sequencing data. The piRNA expression profiles showed a greater quantity of differentially expressed piRNAs in the older-stage oocytes compared with the early-stage oocytes. The piRNA and mRNA sequencing data indicated that the most affected genes were mainly concentrated in the extracellular matrix (ECM) pathway. Based on the comparison of the piRNA and mRNA sequencing data, four differentially expressed piRNAs were associated with modulation of those ECM pathway genes. The qRT-PCR validation confirmed that piR-hsa-17139 was the only up-regulated piRNA, and its target ECM genes were suppressed in ROMA oocytes. The expression level of piR-hsa-17139 declined slightly while the expression of its target ECM genes plunged dramatically during the development of normal oocytes. CONCLUSION(S): As the important genome monitors in gametogenesis, abnormally expressed piRNAs may affect the expression of ECM modulating genes, which subsequently contributes to ROMA.