Semi-implicit complementary volume scheme for solving level set like equations in image processing and curve evolution

Summary. We introduce linear semi-implicit complementary volume numerical scheme for solving level set like nonlinear degenerate diffusion equations arising in image processing and curve evolution problems. We study discretization of image selective smoothing equation of mean curvature flow type given by Alvarez, Lions and Morel ([3]). Solution of the level set equation of Osher and Sethian ([26], \[30]) is also included in the study. We prove and estimates for the proposed scheme and give existence of its (generalized) solution in every discrete time-scale step. Efficiency of the scheme is given by its linearity and stability. Preconditioned iterative solvers are used for computing arising linear systems. We present computational results related to image processing and plane curve evolution. Received April 25, 2000 / Revised version received June 11, 2001 / Published online November 15, 2001     

Untersuchung der Absorption der bei der Verbrennung phosphororganischer Verbindungen entstehenden P-Oxide mittels32P-markierter Verbindungen

Zusammenfassung Bei der Pyrolyse phosphor-organischer Verbindungen in Sauerstoffatmosphäre bilden sich P-Oxide, die die C,H-Bestimmung stören. Deren Verhalten im Verbrennungsrohr und ihre Absorption an geeigneten Kontakten wurden untersucht. Durch den Einsatz³²P- markierter Ausgangsverbindungen und Aktivitätsmessung des³²P sowohl durch die Wandung des Verbrennungsrohres als auch im zerkleinerten Füllungsmaterial war die laufende Bestimmung der durch die Kontaktschicht absorbierten Phosphormenge möglich. 30 verschiedene Absorptionsmittel wurden geprüft. Der Einfluß der Strömungsgeschwindigkeit des Trägergases, der Temperatur der Kontaktschicht, der Art der Verbrennung sowie der Anordnung des Verbrennungsrohres wurde untersucht. Die Absorptionsleistung der Kontakte ist stark von der Gasgeschwindigkeit abhängig.

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Investigation of absorption of the phosphorus oxides arising in the combustion of organophosphorus compounds by means of³²P-labelled substances

Summary In the pyrolysis of organophosphorus compounds in an oxygen atmosphere P oxides are formed which interfere with determination of carbon and hydrogen. Their behaviour in the combustion tube and their absorption on suitable contacts were investigated. By the use of³²P-labelled starting compounds and measuring the activity of³²P both through the wall of the combustion tube and in the comminuted filling material, continuous determination of the amount of phosphorus absorbed through the contact layer was possible. Thirty different absorption media were tested. The influence of the flow rate of the carrier gas, the temperature of the contact layer, the nature of combustion as well as the arrangement of the combustion tube was examined. The absorption efficiency of the contacts is highly dependent on the speed of the gas.

     

An investigation of the reliability of the Galerkin-Petrov method

It is shown that the Galerkin-Petrov method if applied in a controlled way yields reliable results for excited states of the same symmetry classifications as the ground state. Computations are performed for the 2¹ S and 3¹ S states of He. The problem of optimizing nonlinear parameters of the basis functions by means of the GP method is discussed. A special optimization scheme is suggested and numerically illustrated for someS states of He.     

Level-spacing distributions beyond the Wigner surmise

We introduce a dynamical system, for which it is possible to get such a large number of eigenvalues that deviations from Wigner's surmise are visible. The obtained level-spacing distribution agrees much better with the distribution derived from random matrix theory.     

DSC study of stabilizing effect of antioxidant mixtures in styrene-butadiene rubber

The type of cooperation between antioxidants in the binary mixtures of four substituted diphenylamines and phenotiazine in the stabilization of styrene-butadiene rubber has been tested. Thermooxidation of the samples has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry under non-isothermal conditions. The protection factors of the individual stabilizers and their mixtures were determined. The synergy factors were applied to asses the type of cooperation of antioxidants in the mixtures. From their values it can be concluded that the type of cooperation depends on temperature. The highest synergistic effect has been observed for the mixture of phenotiazine and [4-(1-methyl-1-phenyl-ethyl)-phenyl]-phenylamine.     

Transient Spark Discharge Generated in Various N2/O2 Gas Mixtures: Reactive Species in the Gas and Water and Their Antibacterial Effects

Reactive species generated in the gas and in water by cold air plasma of the transient spark discharge in various N₂/O₂ gas mixtures (including pure N₂ and pure O₂) have been examined. The discharge was operated without/with circulated water driven down the inclined grounded electrode. Without water, NO and NO₂ are typically produced with maximum concentrations at 50% O₂. N₂O was also present for low O₂ contents (up to 20%), while O₃ was generated only in pure O₂. With water, gaseous NO and NO₂ concentrations were lower, N₂O was completely suppressed and HNO₂ increased; and O₃ was lowered in O₂ gas. All species production decreased with the gas flow rate increasing from 0.5 to 2.2 L/min. Liquid phase species (H₂O₂, NO₂￣, NO₃￣, ^·OH) were detected in plasma treated water. H₂O₂ reached the highest concentrations in pure N₂ and O₂. On the other hand, nitrites NO₂￣ and nitrates NO₃￣ peaked between 20 and 80% O₂ and were associated with pH reduction. The concentrations of all species increased with the plasma treatment time. Aqueous ^·OH radicals were analyzed by terephthalic acid fluorescence and their concentration correlated with H₂O₂. The antibacterial efficacy of the transient spark on bacteria in water increased with water treatment time and was found the strongest in the air-like mixture thanks to the peroxynitrite formation. Yet, significant antibacterial effects were found even in pure N₂ and in pure O₂ most likely due to high ^·OH radical concentrations. Controlling the N₂/O₂ ratio in the gas mixture, gas flow rate, and water treatment time enables tuning the antibacterial efficacy.

     

A New Protocol for Ash Wood Modification: Synthesis of Hydrophobic and Antibacterial Brushes from the Wood Surface

The article presents the modification of ash wood via surface initiated activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization mediated by elemental silver (Ag⁰ SI-ARGET ATRP) at a diminished catalyst concentration. Ash wood is functionalized with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) to yield wood grafted with PMMA-b-PDMAEMA-Br copolymers with hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy confirmed the covalent incorporation of functional ATRP initiation sites and polymer chains into the wood structure. The polymerization kinetics was followed by the analysis of the polymer grown in solution from the sacrificial initiator by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The polymer layer covalently attached to the wood surface was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The hydrophobic properties of hybrid materials were confirmed by water contact angle measurements. Water and sodium chloride salt aqueous solution uptake tests confirmed a significant improvement in resistance to the absorption of wood samples after modification with polymers. Antibacterial tests revealed that wood-QPDMAEMA-Br, as well as wood-PMMA-b-QPDMAEMA-Br, exhibited higher antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) in comparison with Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli). The paper presents an economic concept with ecological aspects of improving wood properties, which gives great opportunities to use the proposed approach in the production of functional hybrid materials for industry and high quality sports equipment, and in furniture production.     

Thermoelectric transport in the three terminal quantum dot

The thermoelectric transport in the system composed of a quantum dot in contact with superconducting, ferromagnetic and normal metal electrodes has been studied. Such a system can support pure spin current in the normal electrode. In the limit of a large superconducting gap and weak coupling between the dot and the electrodes we investigate the sub-gap charge and spin transport via Andreev mechanism using the standard master equation technique, which is known to be valid in the sequential tunnelling regime. The Zeeman splitting of the dot level induces pure spin current in the ferromagnetic electrode under an appropriate bias. This opens a novel possibility to switch the spin current between two electrodes by electric means. The calculated spin and charge thermopower coefficients attain very large values, of the order of a few hundreds μV K(-1), and show similar dependences on the position of the on-dot energy level and temperature.     

Study of radon exhalation from the soil

The influence of meteorological parameters on radon exhalation rate was analyzed. The analyses show a significant influence of precipitation on radon exhalation rate. The highest exhalation rate was found during dry periods and the lowest during the periods of strong precipitation. We also tested two different types of detectors for the measurement of radon exhalation rate—the ionization chamber (AlphaGUARD) and the scintillation chamber of Lucas type. The exhalation rates measured by these detectors were in a good agreement. Likewise, there was an agreement in radon exhalation rates determined from short term and long term increases in radon activity concentration.