Robust algorithm for determining line centre within a video positional measuring system

The paper presents research into line centre detection using a video positioning system, as part of a measuring system for line scale calibration. In the described approach, the video positioning system processes an image taken by a CCD camera to estimate the position of the observed line's centre. An important part of this research is also an analysis of line scale contamination's influence (scratches, dirt, usage, etc.) on line position determination. The outcome of the research is mathematical models that can be used as a base for developing a positioning algorithm. This algorithm is simple and adaptable to different types of line scales. It also includes a module for increasing the basic scale factor of the positioning as defined by the number of pixels in the CCD sensor, and a module for reducing the influence of contamination on positioning.     

On stochastic mixing caused by the Rayleigh-Taylor instability

The mixing of contacting substances is considered. The evolution of the mixing layer over a long time period from multimode initial perturbations is investigated numerically in the short-scale and wide-range cases. In the case of a short-scale initiation, the flow is stochastic in the sense that the time of the considered evolution exceeds the period of correlation. The effect of the amplitude of wide-range perturbations on the dynamics of mixing is analyzed. The scale-invariant properties of the spectral and statistical parameters of turbulent mixing are investigated for the first time. The universal spectra characterizing the turbulence mixing in the entire self-similar interval on a unified basis are obtained. The simulation is based on the effective algorithms with high approximating qualities, which have been tested earlier.     

Existence and Non-Existence of Fisher-KPP Transition Fronts

We consider Fisher-KPP-type reaction–diffusion equations with spatially inhomogeneous reaction rates. We show that a sufficiently strong localized inhomogeneity may prevent existence of transition-front-type global-in-time solutions while creating a global-in-time bump-like solution. This is the first example of a medium in which no reaction–diffusion transition front exists. A weaker localized inhomogeneity leads to the existence of transition fronts, but only in a finite range of speeds. These results are in contrast with both Fisher-KPP reactions in homogeneous media as well as ignition-type reactions in inhomogeneous media.     

Amphiphilic Invertible Polyesters as Reducing and Stabilizing Agents in the Formation of Metal Nanoparticles

Metal nanoparticles of various size and shape are prepared by the reduction of metal precursors in polymer micellar architectures (nanoreactors). The nanoreactors are developed from the amphiphilic invertible polyesters solved over a wide concentration range in solvents that strongly differ in polarity. In a non‐polar medium, the micelle core contains hydrophilic [poly(ethylene oxide)] fragments, which acts as a reducing agent of metal ions. Nanoparticle stabilization occurs because of the presence of hydrophobic (polymethylene) fragments outside of the micelle structure. The size and shape of the nanoreactors may be altered by the polyester composition and molecular weight as well as by the solvent polarity and concentration of the amphiphilic polyester.

     

Crystallographic evidence of nitrate-pi interactions involving the electron-deficient 1,3,5-triazine ring

The reaction of Zn(NO3)2.6H2O or Cu(NO3)2.3H2O with the star-shaped ligand 2,4,6-tris(di-2-picolylamino)[1,3,5]triazine (dipicatriz) in acetonitrile results in the formation of the mono- or trinuclear coordination compounds [Zn(dipicatriz)(NO3)2] (1), [Zn3(dipicatriz)(NO3)6](CH3CN)3 (2), and [Cu3(dipicatriz)(NO3)2(H2O)6](NO3)4 (3), depending on the metal-to-ligand ratios used during the crystallization process. Their crystal structures exhibit unique supramolecular interactions. Compounds 1 and 2 show anion-pi interactions between coordinated nitrate ions and the s-triazine ring. Compound 3 exhibits remarkable interactions between two noncoordinated nitrate anions and the two faces of the electron-deficient heteroaromatic ring, corroborating earlier theoretical investigations in this area. New theoretical investigations have been carried out on nitrate-pi interactions, taking into account the particular position of the anion toward the aromatic ring observed in the crystal structures.     

Stable isotope compositions of CO(2) in background air and at polluted sites in Hungary

CO(2) samples were collected from air at three sites in Hungary for comparison of polluted and background areas. In order to reduce the uncertainties caused by the varying amount of N(2)O, a gas chromatography (GC)-based vacuum separation was applied. The reliability of the procedure was demonstrated by careful standardization and comparison with global network data. The stable isotope data show complex diurnal and seasonal variations that can be explained by fractionations during photosynthesis and respiration. The isotopic characteristics of pollution-derived (anthropogenic) and biogenic CO(2) appear to be indistinguishable at the study sites. However, the sites at unpolluted areas reveal a seasonal variation in the carbon isotope composition of biogenic CO(2) that may be related to changes in soil biogenic activities. The atmospheric background CO(2) shows constant delta(13)C in the region. Finally, the study demonstrates the need for careful standardization of sampling in order to make the data obtained from different sampling systems comparable.     

Effect of the symmetry of H2 molecules on their rotations around an OCS molecule in superfluid 4He droplets

The infrared spectra of OCS-(H2)(n) clusters in cold (0.15 K) superfluid 4He droplets coated with 3He exhibit resolved rotational bands for each n up to n=8 para-H2 (pH(2)) or ortho-D2 (oD(2)) molecules. An analysis of the different Q-branch intensities based on the different spin symmetries of pH(2) and oD(2) indicates the formation of symmetric 5- or 6-membered rings around the linear carbonyl sulfide (OCS) chromophore. The rings of distinguishable oD(2) are found to undergo axial rotations, whereas for 6 pH(2) molecules the symmetry-allowed rotational levels lie too high to be excited at the 0.15 K droplet temperatures.     

Synchronization of active mechanical oscillators by an inertial load

Motivated by the operation of myogenic (self-oscillatory) insect flight muscle, we study a model consisting of a large number of identical oscillatory contractile elements joined in a chain, whose end is attached to a damped mass-spring oscillator. When the inertial load is small, the serial coupling favors an antisynchronous state in which the extension of one oscillator is compensated by the contraction of another, in order to preserve the total length. However, a sufficiently massive load can synchronize the oscillators and can even induce oscillation in situations where isolated elements would be stable. The system has a complex phase diagram displaying quiescent, synchronous and antisynchronous phases, as well as an unusual asynchronous phase in which the total length of the chain oscillates at a different frequency from the individual active elements.