Adaptive image enhancement based on clustering of wavelet coefficients for infrared sea surveillance systems

Most of the techniques developed for infrared (IR) image enhancement (IE) depend heavily on the scene, environmental conditions, and the properties of the imaging system. So, with a set of predefined scenario properties, a content-based IR-IE technique can be developed for better situational awareness. This study proposes an adaptive IR-IE technique based on clustering of wavelet coefficients of an image for sea surveillance systems. Discrete wavelet transform (DWT) of an image is computed and feature vectors are constructed from subband images. Clustering operation is applied to group similar feature vectors that belong to different scene components such as target or background. Depending on the feature vectors, a weight is assigned to each cluster and these weights are used to compute gain matrices which are used to multiply wavelet coefficients for the enhancement of the original image. Enhancement results are presented and a comparison of the performance of the proposed algorithm is given through subjective tests with other well known frequency and histogram based enhancement techniques. The proposed algorithm outperforms previous ones in the truthfulness, detail visibility of the target, artificiality, and total quality criteria, while providing an acceptable computational load.     

Wavelength selection of bidirectional laser transmission based on Monte Carlo method

The laser detection technology in uncertain and dynamic environments is of utmost importance in many fields. A model of transient radiative transfer of bidirectional path laser based on Monte Carlo method is developed to investigate the optimum wavelength of active detector at complex atmospheric conditions. The radiative parameters of atmosphere are calculated by HITRAN database and Mie theory at several typical atmospheric conditions including the standard atmosphere, urban aerosol, and radiation fog. Transmission characteristics for five spectral bands at the above atmospheric conditions are calculated by this model. The optimal transmission ability occurred in bands 0.2–0.5, 1.4–1.6, and 0.75–1.25 μm on the condition of standard atmosphere, urban aerosol, and radiation fog, respectively. All results provide effective reference and basic support for choosing the optimal spectral band for active detection.     

Investigation of the manganese stress on wheat plant by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

ABSTRACT

The present paper deals with the investigation of the changes in chemical contents of the leaf of wheat seedling stressed by excess manganese using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) technique. The infrared spectra of the leaves of control and manganese-treated wheat plants have been recorded in the spectral region 485–4000?cm^?1 at a resolution of 4?cm^?1. The recorded spectrum has been analyzed with the help of curve-fitting method for the quantitative estimation of chemical contents and conformational changes. The study indicated changes arising in the polysaccharide, lignin, amino acid, secondary structure of protein, and lipid in the leaves of control and manganese-treated wheat plants. Manganese treatment increased the amount of cellulose, lignin, and amide II till 200?μM concentration, while a decrease was observed at 1000?µM concentration. Manganese induced conformational changes in the secondary structure of protein which was indicated by shifting of the bands to the higher wavenumber and change in the β sheet/α helix ratio. In addition, manganese stress decreased lipid content in the leaves of the wheat seedlings. The study demonstrates the potential of attenuated total reflectance FTIR for the non-invasive and rapid monitoring of the plants stressed with heavy metals.     

Zeeman relaxation of N2 + (2Σ+) in collisions with 3He and 4He

We compare the cross sections for the transitions changing the projection of the total angular momentum of N₂ ⁺(²Σ) in collisions with ³He and ⁴He at very low collision energy. The fundamental states of the two nuclear spin isomers of N₂ ⁺ are considered as well as the two fine structure levels of the first excited para level N=2. It is shown that the two fundamental states of the two nuclear spin isomers behave differently. For the fundamental para level N=0 of N₂ ⁺, the projection changing cross section is always negligible compared to the elastic one for both He isotopes. For the fundamental ortho level N=1 of N₂ ⁺, the spin-rotation interaction couples the different spin levels directly so the spin relaxation becomes a first order process. The associated resonances increase the projection changing cross section which remains smaller but becomes comparable with the elastic one. This is in contrast with the excited rotational levels of N₂ ⁺, which for the rotational deactivation and elastic channels are found to be equal around the resonances for the collisions involving ³He. These two channels are always larger than the projection changing one. We also find that, for transitions involving the fundamental rotational state, the domain of validity of the threshold laws discussed by Krems and Dalgarno [Phys. Rev. A 67, 050704 (2003)] for a potential decreasing faster than 1/r2 is shortened, due to the long range charge induced dipole potential. This effect is illustrated for the collisions of ³He with the fundamental para state of N₂ ⁺.     

Harmonic operation of high gain harmonic generation free electron laser

In high gain harmonic generation (HGHG) free electron laser (FEL), with the right choice of parameters of the modulator undulator, the dispersive section and the seed laser, one may make the spatial bunching of the electron beam density distribution correspond to one of the harmonic frequencies of the radiator radiation, instead of the fundamental frequency of the radiator radiation in conventional HGHG, thus the radiator undulator is in harmonic operation (HO) mode. In this paper, we investigate HO of HGHG FEL.Theoretical analyses with universal method are derived and numerical simulations in ultraviolet and deep ultraviolet spectral regions are given. It shows that the power of the 3rd harmonic radiation in the HO of HGHG may be as high as 18.5% of the fundamental power level. Thus HO of HGHG FEL may obtain short wavelength by using lower beam energy.     

Detection of myocardial viability by low-dose dobutamine Cine MR imaging

The purpose of this work was to test the diagnostic value of dobutamine stress magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for predicting recovery of regional myocardial contractility after revascularization. Cardiac wall motion abnormalities are due to either non-viable and/or scarred, or viable, but hibernating, myocardial tissue. Dobutamine stress leads to increased systolic wall thickening only in viable myocardium. Twenty-five patients with akinetic or dyskinetic myocardial regions were examined with a Cine FLASH-2D sequence at rest and during dobutamine stress (10 μg/kg/min). Patients were re-examined at rest 3, and in case of persisting wall motion defects, 6 months after revascularization. Criterion of viability was increasing end-systolic wall thickening during stress and/or at follow-up. Akinetic regions related either to the LAD (n = 19) or to the RCA (n = 6) were judged viable if >=50% of the affected segments improved. MR studies were completed in all subjects without arrhythmia or need for early terminations due to symptoms. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value for the prediction of myocardial viability were 61%, 90%, and 87% for the segment-related analysis, and 76%, 100%, and 100% for the patient-related analysis based on coronary artery distribution, respectively. Dobutamine stress MRI allows to predict global functional recovery of akinetic myocardial regions after revascularization with a high positive predictive value and high specificity.     

Solubility of Mannitol in Aqueous Sodium Chloride by the Isopiestic Method

Using a method for determination of solubilities of nonelectrolytes in electrolyte solutions based on isopiestic equilibration and precise chemical analyses, we have measured and report the solubilities of mannitol in sodium chloride solutions. Our results are, in general, in good agreement with the data of Kelly et al. The method is described and its advantages discussed.     

Zur Reaktion eines Bis(amino)germylens mit Germaniumaziden: Abfangreaktionen von instabilen Germa-Iminen

Reaction of a Cyclic Bis(amino)germylene with Germaniumazides: Trapping-Reactions of Unstable Germa-Imines . The cyclic bis(amino)germylene 1 reacts with different germaniumazides of the type Me₂Si(NtBu)₂Ge(R)N₃ (R = Me ( 2 ), tBu ( 3 ), N(SiMe₃)₂ ( 4 ), R = N₃ ( 5 )). With the exception of 4 all azides lose dinitrogen when treated with 1 and the Ge^II center coordinates the α-nitrogen of the azide group. It seems to be reasonable to assume a transient germaimine (nitride) which is trapped by further reaction with the azide molecules 2 and 5 or by reaction with the solvent pyridine ( 3 ). In the case of 2 the germatetrazole [Me₂Si(NtBu)₂]GeN₄[Ge(NtBu)₂SiMe₂]₂ ( 6 ) is formed, the tetrazole nitrogens being exclusively substituted by germanium atoms (point symmetry of the molecule C_s(m)). When 1 is treated with 5 a tris(germa)amine [Me₂Si(NtBu)₂Ge(N₃)]₃N ( 8 ) is formed, which has an azide group attached to each Ge-atom. X-ray analysis reveals that the nine nitrogen atoms of the azide groups are coplanar with the trigonal planar Ge₃N moiety (crystallographic symmetry: 3/m). The reaction of 1 with 3 is very surprising: the pyridine in the product Me₂Si(NtBu)₂Ge(C₅H₄N)? N(H)Ge(tBu)(NtBu)₂SiMe₂ ( 7 ) is bonded via an α-carbon atom while the remaining hydrogen has added to the nitride-nitrogen. 6 crystallizes in the monoclinic system space group C2/m, a = 24.306(9), b = 10.933(6), c = 19.420(9) Å, β = 91.81(2)° and Z = 4. 7 crystallizes in the hexagonal system space group P6₃/m with a = b = 16.73(1), c = 11.006(8) Å, γ = 120° and Z = 2, and 8 crystallizes in the monoclinic system space group P2₁/n, a = 11.341(6), b = 26.086(9), c = 13.244(7) Å, β = 98. I2(2)° mit Z = 4.     

Site location and requirements for the installation of a nuclear magnetic resonance scanning unit

The installation of a nuclear magnetic resonance unit in any diagnostic facility involves certain location and environmental requirements. Based on our experience with the FONAR QED 80 system, we have delineated the major factors which must be considered when planning for such an installation. The major requirements are location and space. Suggested layouts for the suite and the control room are included. Certain environmental specifications will vary depending on the location of the facility and the type of unit installed.     

Magnetic fields associated with a nuclear magnetic resonance medical imaging system

Measurements were made of magnetic and electric field levels in and around a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging system undergoing a clinical trial. Magnetic field levels ranged from 0.04 tesla (T) in the imaging volume down to about 0.0006 T at the end of the patient table. The peak radio-frequency magnetic field level was 15 amperes per meter (A/m) in the imaging volume, while the rms value was 4.6 A/m. The specific absorption rate resulting from the radio-frequency magnetic field was calculated to be no more than 0.017 watts per kilogram (W/kg). The radio-frequency electric field was detectable only within a few centimeters of the coil assembly, and does not significantly contribute to the specific absorption rate. These exposure levels were much lower than existing guidelines for clinical NMR procedures.