Parallel computing for fringe pattern processing: A multicore CPU approach in MATLAB environment

In the process of measurements such as optical interferometry and fringe projection, an important stage is fringe pattern analysis. Many advanced fringe analysis algorithms have been proposed including regularized phase tracking (RPT), partial differential equation based methods, wavelet transform, Wigner–Ville distribution, and windowed Fourier transform. However, most of those algorithms are computationally expensive. MATLAB^® is a general algorithm development environment with powerful image processing and other supporting toolboxes. It is also commonly used in photomechanical data analysis. With rapid development of multicore CPU technique, using multicore computer and MATLAB^® is an intuitive and simple way to speed up the algorithms for fringe pattern analysis. The paper introduces two acceleration approaches for fringe pattern processing. The first approach is task parallelism using multicore computer and MATLAB^® parallel computing toolbox. Since some algorithms are embarrassing problems, our first approach makes use of this characteristic to parallelize these algorithms. For this approach, parallelized windowed Fourier filtering (WFF) algorithm serves as an example to show how parallel computing toolbox accelerates the algorithm. Second, data parallelism using multicore computer and MATLAB^® parallel computing toolbox is proposed. A high level parallel wrapping structure is designed, which can be used for speeding up any local processing algorithms. WFF, windowed Fourier ridges (WFR), and median filter are used as examples to illustrate the speedup. At last, the results show that the parallel versions of former sequential algorithm with simple modifications achieve the speedup up to 6.6 times.     

Einstein<Emphasis Type="Italic">A</Emphasis>-coefficients for rotational transitions in the ring-chain isomer of C<Subscript>5</Subscript>H<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Laboratory formation of four isomers of C⁵H² molecule is reported and detection of the ring-chain isomer (isomer 1) of C₅H₂ in cosmic objects has been suggested. For identification of a molecule in cosmic objects, one of the required input data is EinsteinA-coefficients (radiative transition probabilities) for the molecule. Here, we report EinsteinA-coefficients for electric dipole transitions in the ring-chain isomer of C₅H₂ among the rotational levels of the ground electronic and ground vibrational states up to 21 cm⁻¹.     

First results of the CAKE experiment

We present the preliminary results of the cosmic abundances below the knee energies (CAKE) experiment for the study of the primary cosmic-ray composition and for the search of exotic particles in the primary cosmic radiation. CAKE uses CR39^® and Lexan nuclear track detectors, which were calibrated with beams of 158 AGeV Pb ions and 1 AGeV Fe ions at the CERN and BNL accelerators, respectively. Results based on the analysis of a first data sample are shown.     

Production of hypernuclei with the reaction

We present results on the production of bound states of Θ⁺ in nuclei using the (K⁺,π⁺) reaction. By taking into account the states obtained within a wide range of strength of the Θ⁺ nucleus optical potential, plus the possibility to replace different nucleons of the nucleus, we obtain an excitation spectra with clearly differentiated peaks. The magnitude of the calculated cross sections is well within reachable range.     

Investigating lung remodeling in Modul8-treated BALB/c asthmatic animals

Animal models of bronchial hyperresponsiveness have been successfully used to investigate the pathophysiology of asthma. When mice are sensitized and challenged with an allergen, such as OVA, they experience symptoms and processes similar to that of humans, and are therefore widely used as asthmatic animal models. In the current study the BALB/c murine asthmatic animal model was used to investigate the histological and ultrastructural changes that occur in the lungs of asthmatic animals that received no treatment, compared to two groups of asthmatic animals that were treated with a homeopathic immunodulator Modul8^® and hydrocortisone as positive control, respectively. Eosinophil counts in the bronchial lavage of the animals were also analyzed, since it is known that eosinophil counts are increased in the bronchial lavage in asthma. Results indicated that eosinophil counts were elevated in asthmatic animals compared to the controls, but were found to be significantly decreased in the treatment groups. Also, in the asthmatic, untreated animals, histological and ultrastructural changes, typically associated with the inflammatory process were found. Both treatment groups compared well to that of the control animals, indicating that the homeopathic product might be successfully used in the treatment of asthma.     

Integral energy spectrum of primary cosmic rays at high energies

The integral energy spectrum of primary cosmic rays has been obtained. In the energy range (2.4×10³−1.1×10⁵ GeV), the spectrum of all nuclei is consistent with a power law of indexγ=1.55±0.06 and the flux of all nuclei is:N(⩾E ₀)⋍(5.1±1.8)×10⁻¹×E ₀ ^−1.55 particles/cm² sterad. sec., whereE ₀ is in GeV. The spectrum of primaryα-particles in the energy range (4.4×10³−4.8×10⁴) GeV is also consistent with a power law of indexγ=1.71±0.12 and the flux is:N(⩾E ₀)=(4.2±1.4)×10⁻¹×E ₀ ^−1.71 , particles per cm² sterad. sec, whereE ₀ is in GeV.     

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bulk film analysis using C60, Au3, and Au primary ion beams

The damage characteristics of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) have been studied under bombardment by C₆₀⁺, Au₃⁺ and Au⁺ primary ions. The observed damage cross-sections for the three ion beams are not dramatically different. The secondary ion yields however were significantly enhanced by the polyatomic primary ions where the secondary ion yield of the [M + H]⁺ is on average 5× higher for C₆₀⁺ than Au₃⁺ and 8× higher for Au₃⁺ than Au⁺. Damage accumulates under Au⁺ and Au₃⁺ bombardment while C₆₀⁺ bombardment shows a lack of damage accumulation throughout the depth profile of the PET thick film up to an ion dose of ∼1 × 10¹⁵ ions cm⁻². These properties of C₆₀⁺ bombardment suggest that the primary ion will be a useful molecular depth profiling tool.     

Al and Cu NMR study in UCu5Al

We have studied the microscopic properties of the tetragonal UCu₅Al Kondo compound by ²⁷Al and ^63,65Cu NMR in the paramagnetic state. NMR and susceptibility measurements performed on the powdered sample, but oriented along the applied field, showed χ>χ. Plots of K(T) against χ(T) at temperatures T≥100 K yield the transferred hyperfine fields of +5.9 kOe/μ_B for ²⁷Al nuclei, and +5.3 and −7.0 kOe/μ_B for ⁶⁵Cu nuclei in crystallographically inequivalent Cu(2) and Cu(1) sites, respectively. The Knight shift vs. susceptibility plots for T<100 K exhibit a deviation from the linear behaviour (absolute values of shifts become smaller than expected). We attribute this finding to the crystalline electric field effect in similar way as it was reported for several Ce-based compounds. The random distribution of the Al and Cu(2) atoms in the crystal lattice we consider as a reason of an unusual broadening of the NMR spectra, particularly at low temperatures.     

Observation of the hot GDR in neutron-deficient thorium evaporation residues

The giant dipole resonance built on excited states was observed in very fissile nuclei in coincidence with evaporation residues. The reaction ⁴⁸Ca + ¹⁷⁶Yb populated evaporation residues of mass A=213–220 with a cross section of 200 μb at 259 MeV. The extracted giant dipole resonance parameters are in agreement with theoretical predictions for this mass region.     

High-resolution emission spectroscopy of the AΠ–XΣ system of AlH

The emission spectrum of the A²Π–X²Σ⁺ system of the AlH⁺ ion was investigated in the range of 27 000–29 000 cm⁻¹ by using a conventional spectroscopic technique. The AlH⁺ molecules were formed and excited in an aluminium hollow-cathode lamp with two anodes, filled with a mixture of Ne carried gas and a trace of NH₃. The emission from the discharge was observed with a plane grating spectrograph and recorded by a photomultiplier tube. The full rotational structure of the 0-0 and 1-1 bands has been observed for the first time (12 branches up to J″ = 36.5) and many new constants of the X²Σ⁺ state have been derived from the analysis. For the A²Π, v = 0 and 1 state a considerable irregularities of the Λ-doubling have been observed. The most reasonable explanation for this anomaly is an interaction with unstableness rotational levels of X²Σ⁺ state and perturbing of the A²Π state by the nearly lyingB²Σ⁺ state.     

Perfect fluid bianchi Type-I cosmological models with time varying <Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis> and Λ

Bianchi Type-I cosmological models containing perfect fluid with time varying G and Λ have been presented. The solutions obtained represent an expansion scalar θ bearing a constant ratio to the anisotropy in the direction of space-like unit vector λ ⁱ . Of the two models obtained, one has negative vacuum energy density, which decays numerically. In this model, we obtain Λ ∼ H ², Λ ∼ R ₄₄/R and Λ ∼ T ⁻² (T is the cosmic time) which is in accordance with the main dynamical laws for the decay of Λ. The second model reduces to a static solution with repulsive gravity.      

Structure of odd–odd La at high spin

The high spin states in the N=79 odd–odd ¹³⁶La nucleus have been investigated by in-beam γ-spectroscopic techniques following the ¹³⁰Te(¹¹B, 5n)¹³⁶La reaction at E=52 MeV using an array, consisting of eight Compton-suppressed clover germanium detectors. Thirty nine new γ rays have been assigned to ¹³⁶La on the basis of γ ray singles and γγ-coincidence data. The level scheme of ¹³⁶La has been extended above the known 115 ms isomer upto an excitation energy of 4.6 MeV and spin 18. Thirty one new levels have been proposed and spin-parity assignments for most of the newly proposed levels have been made on the basis of the deduced asymmetry ratios and polarisation information for the de-exciting transitions. The observed positive parity yrast band has been compared with the theoretical calculation, done within the framework of particle rotor coupling model (PRM) where the two odd quasi-particles are coupled to an axially symmetric core. The level structure has been discussed in the light of the known systematics of the neighbouring N=79 isotonic nuclei.     

Shape evolution in <Superscript>76,78</Superscript>Kr nuclei at high spins in tilted axis cranking Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approach

A two-dimensional tilted axis cranking Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (CHFB) calculation is performed for ⁷⁶Kr and ⁷⁸Kr nuclei up to high spins J = 30 employing a pairing-plus-quadrupole (PPQ) model interaction Hamiltonian. Intricate details of the evolution of single particle structures and shapes as a function of spin have been investigated. The results show the existence of energy levels with high K quantum numbers lying close to the yrast line in both the nuclei. Such high K states should exhibit isomeric characteristics due to the K-selection rules for the γ-decays. Moreover, in ⁷⁸Kr a new band with J = 20–30 lying below the observed ground band is predicted.      

Rotational analysis of the 0–9, 0–10 and 0–11 bands of theA 2II u -X 2II g band system of (16O18O)+

High-resolution spectra of the 0–9, 0–10 and 0–11 bands of theA ²II _u —X ²II _g system of (¹⁶O¹⁸O)⁺ ion have been studied for their rotational structure. This study enables a direct determination of the Λ-doubling parameters of theA ²II _u andX ²II _g states. The model of ‘pure precession’ explains, though not entirely, the Λ-doubling of theX ²II _a state as arising out of its interaction with theB ² Σ _g ⁻ state. The Λ-doubling in theA ²II _u state was found insignificant.     

The collective bands of positive parity states in odd-A (fp) shell nuclei

The low-lying collective bands of positive parity states in (fp) shell nuclei are described in the deformed Hartree-Fock method by projecting states of definite angular momenta from ‘the lowest energy intrinsic states in (sd)⁻¹ (fp) ⁿ⁺¹ configurations. The modified Kuo-Brown effective interaction for (fp) shell and modified surface delta interaction (MSDI) for a hole in (sd) shell with a particle in (fp) shell have been used. The collective bands of states are in general well reproduced by the effective interactions. The excitation energies of the band head states are however off by about one MeV. The calculated magnetic moments of the band headj=3/2⁺ states are in reasonable agreement with experiment. Using effective chargese _p=1.33e ande _n=0.64e we get fairly good agreement forE(2) transitions. The hinderedM(1) transition strengths are reproduced to the correct order however they are slightly higher compared to experiment.     

More line narrowing in TROSY by decoupling of long-range couplings: shift correlation and JNC′ coupling constant measurements

Since the introduction of RDCs in high-resolution NMR studies of macromolecules, there is a growing interest in the development of accurate, and sensitive methods for determining coupling constants. Most methods for extracting these couplings are based on the measurement of the splitting between multiplet components in J-coupled spectra. However, these methods are often unreliable since undesired multiple-bond couplings can considerably broaden the multiplet components and consequently make accurate determination of their position difficult. To demonstrate one approach to this problem, G-BIRD^(r) decoupled TROSY sequences are proposed for the measurement of ¹J_NH and ¹J_NC′ coupling constants. Resolved or unresolved splittings due to remote protons are removed by a G-BIRD^(r) module employed during t₁ and as a result, spectra with narrow, well-resolved peaks are obtained from which heteronuclear one-bond couplings can be accurately measured. Moreover, introduction of a spin-state-selective α/β-filter in the TROSY sequence allows the separation of the ¹J_NC′ doublet components into two subspectra which contain the same number of peaks as the regular TROSY spectrum. The ¹J_NC′ couplings are obtained from the displacement between the corresponding peaks in the subspectra.     

Angular momentum dependence of the giant dipole resonance width in excited nuclei of mass

Gamma ray spectra in the energy range of 4–25 MeV were measured in the reaction ²⁸Si + ¹²⁴Sn at E(²⁸Si) 150 MeV in coincidence with low energy γ-multiplicities. The spectra were analysed using a simulated Monte Carlo CASCADE code. The centroid energy and width of the giant dipole resonance were extracted for various multiplicity windows. The average angular momentum and temperature of the final states populated after the giant dipole photon emission range from 25 and 1.5 MeV to 56 and 1.3 MeV, respectively. The extracted widths are almost constant for the lower multiplicity windows and show an increase of 1.4 MeV at the highest window. The nuclei are expected to be near the liquid drop regime and the experimental results are not inconsistent with the liquid drop behaviour.     

Two-neutrino double β decay of96Zr to excited 2+ state of96Mo

The two-neutrino double beta decay of⁹⁶Zr isotope for 0⁺ → 2⁺ transition has been studied in the PHFB model. In our earlier work, the reliability of the intrinsic wave functions of⁹⁶Zr and⁹⁶Mo isotopes has been established by obtaining an overall agreement between a number of theoretically calculated spectroscopic properties as well as half-lives of 2vββ decay for 0⁺ → 0⁺ transition and the available experimental data. In the present work, the half-life of 2vββ decay for 0⁺ ar 2⁺ transition T ₁ ^2/2v (0⁺ →²⁺) has been calculated using the same set of intrinsic wave functions.     

Detection and Characterization of Boric Acid and Borate Ion Binding to Cytochrome c Using Multiple Quantum Filtered NMR

The application of multiple quantum filtered (MQF) NMR to the identification and characterization of the binding of ligands containing quadrupolar nuclei to proteins is demonstrated. Using relaxation times measured by MQF NMR multiple binding of boric acid and borate ion to ferri and ferrocytochrome c was detected. Borate ion was found to have two different binding sites. One of them was in slow exchange, k_diss = 20 ± 3 s⁻¹ at 5°C and D₂O solution, in agreement with previous findings by ¹H NMR (G. Taler et al., 1998, Inorg. Chim. Acta 273, 388–392). The triple quantum relaxation of the borate in this site was found to be governed by dipolar interaction corresponding to an average B–H distance of 2.06 ± 0.07 Å. Other, fast exchanging sites for borate and boric acid could be detected only by MQF NMR. The binding equilibrium constants at these sites at pH 9.7 were found to be 1800 ± 200 M⁻¹ and 2.6 ± 1.5 M⁻¹ for the borate ion and boric acid, respectively. Thus, detection of binding by MQF NMR proved to be sensitive to fast exchanging ligands as well as to very weak binding that could not be detected using conventional methods.     

Determination of the Gamow–Teller strength function for the neutron-deficient isotopes In

The Gamow–Teller β decays of the neutron-deficient indium isotopes ^104–107In have been investigated by using total absorption γ-ray spectrometry on mass-separated sources. The experimental Gamow–Teller strength, deduced as a function of the excitation energy in the daughter nuclei ^104–107Cd, is compared to shell-model predictions.