An image pixel based variational model for histogram equalization

In this paper, we develop an image pixel based histogram equalization model for image contrast enhancement. The approach is to propose a variational model containing an energy functional to adjust the pixel values of an input image directly so that the resulting histogram can be redistributed to be uniform. This idea is different from existing histogram equalization algorithms where a histogram based on the input image is constructed, a mapping is determined to output a uniform histogram and then the pixel values of the input image are adjusted based on the mapping. In the variational model, a mean brightness term is incorporated to preserve the brightness of the input image, and a geometry constraint can also be added to keep the geometry structure of the input image. Theoretically, the existence of the minimizer of the proposed model, and the convergence of the proposed algorithm are given. Experimental results are reported to demonstrate that the performance of the proposed model are competitive with the other testing histogram equalization methods for several testing images.     

Joint L1/Lp-regularized minimization in video recovery of remote sensing based on compressed sensing

L₁ regularization and L_p regularization are proposed for processing recovered images based on compressed sensing (CS). L₁ regularization can be solved as a convex optimization problem but is less sparse than L_p (0 < p < 1). L_p regularization is sparser than L₁ regularization but is more difficult to solve. This paper proposes joint L₁/L_p (0 < p < 1) regularization, which combines L_p regularization and L₁ regularization. This joint regularization is applied to recover video of remote sensing based on CS. Joint regularization is sparser than L₁ regularization but is as easy to solve as L₁ regularization. A linearized Bregman reweighted iteration algorithm is proposed to solve the joint L₁/L_p regularization problem. The performance and capabilities of the linearized Bregman algorithm and linearized Bregman reweighted algorithm for solving the joint L₁/L_p regularization model are analyzed and compared through numerical simulations.     

A computational method for geometric optimization of enhanced heat transfer devices based upon entropy generation minimization

A computational fluid dynamics‐based optimization methodology is developed, appropriate for the geometric optimization of enhanced heat transfer devices based upon the principle of entropy generation minimization, in which the objective function is evaluated from a flow field obtained by computational simulation. A quasi‐Newton optimization procedure is employed, with computation of the objective function gradients based upon a finite difference approach. The optimization procedure is developed to be general with regard to the choice of objective function, the details of the problem under consideration, and the computational methodology employed in solving the fluid flow and heat transfer problems. A novel implementation of a Taylor series‐based procedure for the fast solution of nearby problems is presented, which is found to greatly benefit the efficiency of the present methodology. Finally, a numerical experiment is presented, illustrating the use of the present method in the geometric optimization of a practical enhanced heat transfer device on the basis of the criterion of entropy generation minimization. The optimization of the fin spacing of a simple plate fin heat sink is considered, and a comparison of the computational results with results obtained by analytical optimization based upon empirical friction factor and Nusselt number correlations is given. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of Anodic Stripping Differential Alternative Pulses Voltammetry for Simultaneous Species Quantification

The second order voltammetric technique Differential Alternative Pulses Voltammetry (DAPV) was applied in anodic stripping mode for simultaneous quantification of traces of species having close E_1/2. The potential‐time waveform and the signal processing allowing the DAPV application in stripping mode are presented. The pulses widths and amplitudes were optimized to obtain maximal sensitivity and resolution at traces of In³⁺ and Cd²⁺ (having E_1/2 difference of 45 mV) simultaneous quantification in presence of excess of Pb²⁺. Precise results for both species concentrations were obtained up to In³⁺ to Cd²⁺ concentration ratio as high as 1 to 10 without any sample pre‐treatment in purified industrial waste waters using 0.1 mol L⁻¹ HCl as supporting electrolyte.     

处理噪声问题的泰勒展开交替最小化算法

为了处理图像、计算机视觉和生物信息等领域中广泛存在的稀疏大噪声和高斯噪声问题,提出了一种利用交替方向最小化思想求解主成分追求松弛模型的泰勒展开交替最小化算法(TEAM).采用推广泰勒展开和收缩算子等技术推导出低秩矩阵和稀疏大噪声矩阵的迭代方向矩阵,加入连续技术提高算法的收敛速率,设计出TEAM算法的求解步骤.实验中,将TEAM算法与该领域的顶级算法作分析对比.结果表明,TEAM算法时间优势明显,误差优势略好.     

New simple exact penalty function for constrained minimization

By adding one variable to the equality-or inequality-constrained minimization problems, a new simple penalty function is proposed. It is proved to be exact in the sense that under mild assumptions, the local minimizers of this penalty function are precisely the local minimizers of the original problem, when the penalty parameter is sufficiently large.     

Phase Behavior of Bicontinuous and Water/Diesel Fuel Microemulsions Using Nonionic Surfactants Combined with Hydrophilic Alcohol Ethoxylates

Bicontinuous and water-in-diesel microemulsions were formulated using single nonionic alkyl poly glycol ethers combined with hydrophilic alcohol ethoxylates. The phase behavior at temperatures ranging from 0°C to 50°C was investigated. Visual inspection as well as cross-polarizers were used to detect anisotropy. The fish phase diagrams were determined. The presence of the hydrophilic alcohol ethoxylates was necessary to initiate both types of microemulsions. Increasing the hydrophobic chain length of the surfactant led to a wider range of temperature stability at lower surfactant concentration. Meanwhile, increasing the ethylene oxide units in the headgroup by two units led to a phase diagram that is dominated by lyotropic liquid crystal. The formulated water in diesel microemulsions were tested experimentally in a 4-cylinder diesel engine. From this it is observed that the emissions of NO_x, soot, and CO₂ were reduced substantially compared to neat diesel, while for the CO the reduction occurs just at low load.      

Tween-80–n-Butanol–Diesel–Water Microemulsion System—A Class of Alternative Diesel Fuel

Tween-80–n–butanol–diesel–water microemulsion systems with various surfactant:cosurfactant (S:C) ratio have been reported as a class of alternative diesel fuel from their phase behavior, clouding phenomena, conductivity, turbidity, and inflammation studies. Temperature induced clouding of microemulsion containing 2% brine at an S:C ratio of 1:1 from a suitable turbid zone has been examined to see the stability of the diesel–water microemulsion systems. Regression models have been proposed to understand the impact of various components of the microemulsion on their cloud point (CP) values. Conductivity of the microemulsions at various S:C ratio increases with the volume of brine having two cut points depicting the presence of three microheterogenous phases within the system, whereas turbidity shows a linear increase. Dye-probed investigation of water-rich and oil-rich zones of the microemulsions indicates the involvement of a dynamic mass transfer process within the various zones. The intensities of flames produced during burning of the microemulsions with various O:E:W weight percentages selected from the isotropic regions of the phase diagrams have been estimated using MATLAB image processing method and the impacts of various components on the fuel use of the microemulsions have been analyzed.     

Evaluation of alternative solvents for improvement of oil extraction from rapeseeds

This present study was designed to evaluate the performances of five alternative solvents (alcohols: ethanol, isopropanol and terpenes: d-limonene, α-pinene, p-cymene) compared to n-hexane in rapeseed oil extraction. The extracted oils were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed to compare the solvents’ performances in terms of kinetics, fatty acid compositions, lipid yields, and classes. Moreover, micronutrients in extracted oils were also respectively quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC). In addition, the interactions between alternative solvents and rapeseed oil have been theoretically studied with the Hansen solubility methodology to get a better comprehension of dissolving mechanisms. The results indicated that p-cymene could be the most promising solvent for n-hexane substitution with higher lipid yield and good selectivity, despite the micronutrient contents were relatively low.     

Development of fish gelatin-based artificial fish baits incorporating bioattractants from seafood processing waste

The study dealt with evolving an artificial fish bait by incorporating bioattractant concentrates derived from seafood processing wastes by enzymatic hydrolysis namely fish waste concentrate (FWC), squid waste concentrate (SWC), and shrimp processing concentrate (SPWC). They were characterized based on amino acid content and presence of different functional groups using FTIR. Among them, SWC was found to have the highest amino acid content of 60.85mg/100 mg followed by FWC (42.21mg/100 mg) and SPWC (24.82mg/100 mg). The developed artificial fish baits were subjected to protein leaching, solubility in seawater besides testing for acceptability by the red snapper. The study revealed that the bait incorporated with SWC at 3% level was found be the most ideal, with the protein leaching rate of 24.82 mg/g/h, solubility rate of 36.6 mg/g/h and the attractability score of 29/30. The amino acid leaching rate was 3.11 mg/h/100 mg and it was found to contain five amino acids such as glycine, proline, glutamic acid, alanine and serine. The study revealed that the hydrolyzed squid waste concentrate can be incorporated at 3% (w/w) with fish gelatin based biomatrix during gelation to prepare artificial bait.