The objective of this thesis is to study the evolution of scalar field carried by a flow from a temporal image sequence. The estimation of the velocity field of turbulent flow is of major importance for understanding the physical phenomenon. Up to now the problem of turbulence is generally ignored in the flow equation of existing methods. An information given by image is discrete at pixel size. Depending on the turbulent rate of the flow, pixel and time resolutions may become too large to neglect the effect of sub-pixel small-scales on the pixel velocity field. For this, we propose a flow equation defined by a filtered concentration transport equation where a classic turbulent sub-grid eddy viscosity model is introduced in order to account for this effect. To formulate the problem, we use a Markovian approach. An unwarping multiresolution by pyramidal decomposition is proposed which reduces the number of operations on images. The optimization coupled with a multigrid approach allows to estimate the optimal 2D real velocity field. Our approach is tested on synthetic andreal image sequences (PIV laboratory experiment and remote sensing data of dust storm event) with high Reynolds number. Comparisons with existing approaches are very promising.

In the present thesis, a novel gridding technique, as well as, two new segmentation methods applied to complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray images is proposed. More precise, a new gridding method based on continuous wavelet transform (CWT) was performed. Line profiles of x and y axis were calculated, resulting to 2 different signals. These signals were independently processed by means of CWT at 15 different levels, using daubechies 4 mother wavelet. A summation, point by point, was performed on the processed signals, in order to suppress noise and enhance spot’s differences. Additionally, a wavelet based hard thresholding filter was applied to each signal for the task of alleviating the noise of the signals. 10 real microarray images were used in order to visually assess the performance of our gridding method. Each microarray image contained 4 sub-arrays, each sub-array 40x40 spots, thus, 6400 spots totally. According to our results, the accuracy of our algorithm was 98% in all 10 images and in all spots. Additionally, processing time was less than 3 sec on a 1024×1024×16 microarray image, rendering the method a promising technique for an efficient and fully automatic gridding processing. Following the gridding process, the Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) and the Fuzzy GMM algorithms were applied to each cell, with the purpose of discriminating foreground from background. In addition, markov random field (MRF), as well as, a proposed wavelet based MRF model (SMRF) were implemented. The segmentation abilities of all the algorithms were evaluated by means of the segmentation matching factor (SMF), the Coefficient of Determination (r2), and the concordance correlation (pc). Indirect accuracy performances were also tested on the experimental images by means of the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and the Coefficient of Variation (CV). In the latter case, SPOT and SCANALYZE software results were also tested. In the former case, SMRF attained the best SMF, r2, and pc (92.66%, 0.923, and 0.88, respectively) scores, whereas, in the latter case scored MAE and CV, 497 and 0.88, respectively. The results and support the performance superiority of the SMRF algorithm in segmenting cDNA images. / Τα τελευταία χρόνια παρατηρείται ραγδαία ανάπτυξη της τεχνολογίας των μικροσυστοιχιών (microarrays) με αποτέλεσμα την ποιοτική και ποσοτική μέτρηση της έκφρασης χιλιάδων γονιδίων ταυτοχρόνως σ’ ένα και μόνο πείραμα. Εικόνες μικροσυστοιχιών, στις οποίες έχει λάβει χώρα υβριδοποίηση δείγματος DNA, χρησιμοποιούνται ευρέως για την εξαγωγή αξιόπιστων αποτελεσμάτων γονιδιακής έκφρασης και προσδιορισμό των μηχανισμών που ελέγχουν την ενεργοποίηση των γονιδίων σ’ έναν οργανισμό. Συνεπώς, η δημιουργία κατάλληλων υπολογιστικών τεχνικών για την επεξεργασία των εικόνων αυτών συντελεί καθοριστικά στην εξαγωγή ορθών και έγκυρων αποτελεσμάτων. Στη παρούσα Διδακτορική Διατριβή αναπτύχθηκε στο πρώτο στάδια μια νέα πλήρως αυτοματοποιημένη τεχνική διευθυνσιοδότησης και στο δεύτερο στάδιο δύο νέες τεχνικές τμηματοποίησης. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, αναπτύχθηκε μια νέα μέθοδος διευθυνσιοδότησης η οποία βασίζεται στο συνεχή μετασχηματισμό κυματιδίου (Continuous Wavelet Transform CWT) για την αυτόματη εύρεση των κέντρων των κηλίδων, καθώς και των ορίων μεταξύ δύο διαδοχικών κηλίδων. Στη συνέχεια αναπτύχθηκαν δύο νέες μέθοδοι κατάτμησης της εικόνας για τον διαχωρισμό των κηλίδων από το φόντο, οι οποίες βασίζονται στη τεχνική μίξης ασαφών μοντέλων Γκάους (Fuzzy Gaussian Mixture Models FGMM) καθώς και στη τεχνική συνδυασμού τυχαίων πεδίων Μαρκόφ (Markov Random Field MRF) και μετασχηματισμού κυματιδίου (Wavelet Transform WT) (SMRF). Με σκοπό την αξιολόγηση (validation) των προτεινόμενων μεθόδων της παρούσας Διδακτορικής Διατριβής, δημιουργήθηκαν και χρησιμοποιήθηκαν τόσο πραγματικές εικόνες μικροσυστοιχιών, καθώς και απομιμούμενες (simulated) σύμφωνα με μεθοδολογία η οποία προτείνεται απο τη διεθνή βιβλιογραφία. Όσον αφορά την διευθυνσιοδότηση, χρησιμοποιώντας οπτική ανασκόπηση για κάθε κηλίδα χωριστά σε όλες τις πραγματικές εικόνες, δημιουργήθηκαν δύο κατηγορίες, ανάλογα με το αν οι γραμμές του πλέγματος εφάπτονταν πάνω σε κάποια κηλίδα ή όχι. Η προτεινόμενη μεθοδολογία ήταν ακριβής σε ποσοστό 98% στον ακριβή εντοπισμό των κηλίδων σε όλες τις εικόνες. Σύγκριση ανάμεσα στην απόδοση των GMM, FGMM, MRF και SMRF στις απομιμούμενες εικόνες σε διαφορετικά επίπεδα θορύβου πραγματοποιήθηκε και τα αποτελέσματα σε όλα τα μετρικά, segmentation matching factor (SMF), coefficient of variation ( ), και coefficient of determination ( ), μας έδειξαν ότι η μέθοδος SMRF είναι πιο αξιόπιστη στο να μπορέσει να αναδείξει την πραγματική περιφέρεια της κηλίδας, τόσο σε εικόνες με μεγάλο λόγο σήματος προς θόρυβο, όσο και σε μικρό λόγο. Ενδεικτικά αποτελέσματα σε 1 db SNR για την περίπτωση του SMRF είναι SMF = 92.66, =0.923, και = 0.88, ακολουθούμενο από το MRF ( SMF = 92.15, =0.91, και = 0.85), FGMM ( SMF = 91.07, =0.92, και = 0.86)και GMM (SMF = 90.73, =0.89, και = 0.83). Στη συνέχεια πάρθηκαν αποτελέσματα τα οποία προέκυψαν από τη χρήση πραγματικών εικόνων μικροσυστοιχιών. Και σε αυτή τη περίπτωση, αναδείχθηκε η υπεροχή του WMRF, έναντι των άλλων αλγορίθμων ταξινόμησης μέση τιμή MAE = 497 και CV = 0.88. Τέλος, θα πρέπει να τονιστεί ότι τα παραπάνω μετρικά υπολογίστηκαν και σε αποτελέσματα από δύο ευρέως χρησιμοποιούμενα πακέτα επεξεργασίας εικόνων μικροσυστοιχιών, τα οποία χρησιμοποιούνται και είναι διαθέσιμα. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, χρησιμοποιήθηκαν το SCANALYSE και το SPOT, τα οποία χρησιμοποιούν τις τεχνικές τμηματοποίησης Fixed Circle και Seeded Region Growing, αντίστοιχα. Στη περίπτωση αυτή η τεχνική SMRF κατάφερε να υπολογίσει καλύτερα αποτελέσματα από τα δύο αυτά πακέτα. Πιο συγκεκριμένα η τεχνική GMM πέτυχε MAE = 1470 και CV = 1.29, η τεχνική FGMM πέτυχε MAE = 1430 και CV = 1.21, η τεχνική MRF πέτυχε MAE = 1215 και CV = 1.15, η τεχνική WMRF πέτυχε MAE = 497 και CV = 0.88, η τεχνική FC του λογισμικού πακέτου SCANALYZE πέτυχε MAE = 503 και CV = 0.90, και τέλος η τεχνική SRG του λογισμικού πακέτου SPOT πέτυχε MAE = 1180 και CV = 0.93.

The aim of this work is to create a computational model of radial industrial tumble dryers, to calculate and identify the amount of air that flows through the inside of the drum itself. The calculation will be performed via computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Furthermore, compile transient balance model of mentioned dryers. Perform simulation balance model and compare the results of simulations with experimental measurements. By comparing the experimental data and simulation to determine the degrees of freedom of balance model and evaluate their impact on the assembled transient model. For a better understanding of the drying process, there is constructed a system of differential equations describing heat and moisture within the material being dried on a simple model. In the section devoted to the computational analysis of fluid flow is analyzed existing geometry of the drum, which has a major impact on the flow of air inside the drum itself. Following describes how to simplify its complex geometry entering the computational fluid dynamics. Then, there is carried out a simulation of fluid flow inside the tumble dryers using MRF and Sliding Mesh models. Finally, there is an analysis of the data obtained and determined the average amount of air flowing through the drum itself. On the contrary, the aim of the work is not to create another text tool for students engaged in CFD theme.

This is a master’s thesis performed at the Department of Shipping and Marine Technology research group in Hydrodynamics at Chalmers University of Technology and is written for the Center for Naval Architecture at the Royal Institute of Technology, KTH.In order to meet increased requirements on efficient ship propulsions with low noise level, it is important to consider the complete system with both the hull and the propeller in the simulation.OpenFOAM (Open Field Operation and Manipulation) provides different techniques to simulate a rotating propeller with different physical and computational properties. MRF (The Multiple Reference Frame Model) is, perhaps, the easiest way but is a computationally efficient technique to model a rotating frame of reference. The sliding grid techniques provide the more complex way to simulate the propeller and its surrounding region, rotating and interpolate on interface for transient effects. AMI, Arbitrary Mesh Interface, is a sliding grid implementation which is available in the recent versions of OpenFOAM, introduced in the official releases after v2.1.0.In this study, the main objective is to compare these two techniques, MRF and AMI, to perform the open water characteristics of the propeller with the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equation computations (RANS) and study the accuracy in parallel performance and the benefits of each approach.More specifically, a self-propelled ship is simulated to study the interaction between the hull and propeller. In order to simplify and decrease the computational complexity the free surface is not considered. The ship under investigation is a 7000 DWT chemical tanker which is subject of a collaborative R&D project called STREAMLINE, strategic research for innovative marine propulsion concepts. In self-propelled condition, the transient forces on the propeller shall be evaluated. This study investigates the results of the experimental work with advanced CFD for accurate analysis and design of the propulsion. In this thesis, all simulations are conducted by using parallel computing. Therefore, a scalability analysis is studied to find out how to affect the average computational time by using different number of nodes.

Multitemporal SAR images have been increasingly used for the detection of different types of environmental changes. The detection of urban changes using SAR images is complicated due to the complex mixture of the urban environment and the special characteristics of SAR images, for example, the existence of speckle. This thesis investigates urban change detection using multitemporal SAR images with the following specific objectives: (1) to investigate unsupervised change detection, (2) to investigate effective methods for reduction of the speckle effect in change detection, (3) to investigate spatio-contextual change detection, (4) to investigate object-based unsupervised change detection, and (5) to investigate a new technique for object-based change image generation. Beijing and Shanghai, the largest cities in China, were selected as study areas. Multitemporal SAR images acquired by ERS-2 SAR and ENVISAT ASAR sensors were used for pixel-based change detection. For the object-based approaches, TerraSAR-X images were used. In Paper I, the unsupervised detection of urban change was investigated using the Kittler-Illingworth algorithm. A modified ratio operator that combines positive and negative changes was used to construct the change image. Four density function models were tested and compared. Among them, the log-normal and Nakagami ratio models achieved the best results. Despite the good performance of the algorithm, the obtained results suffer from the loss of fine geometric detail in general. This was a consequence of the use of local adaptive filters for speckle suppression. Paper II addresses this problem using the nonlocal means (NLM) denoising algorithm for speckle suppression and detail preservation. In this algorithm, denoising was achieved through a moving weighted average. The weights are a function of the similarity of small image patches defined around each pixel in the image. To decrease the computational complexity, principle component analysis (PCA) was used to reduce the dimensionality of the neighbourhood feature vectors. Simple methods to estimate the number of significant PCA components to be retained for weights computation and the required noise variance were proposed. The experimental results showed that the NLM algorithm successfully suppressed speckle effects, while preserving fine geometric detail in the scene. The analysis also indicates that filtering the change image instead of the individual SAR images was effective in terms of the quality of the results and the time needed to carry out the computation. The Markov random field (MRF) change detection algorithm showed limited capacity to simultaneously maintain fine geometric detail in urban areas and combat the effect of speckle. To overcome this problem, Paper III utilizes the NLM theory to define a nonlocal constraint on pixels class-labels. The iterated conditional mode (ICM) scheme for the optimization of the MRF criterion function is extended to include a new step that maximizes the nonlocal probability model. Compared with the traditional MRF algorithm, the experimental results showed that the proposed algorithm was superior in preserving fine structural detail, effective in reducing the effect of speckle, less sensitive to the value of the contextual parameter, and less affected by the quality of the initial change map. Paper IV investigates object-based unsupervised change detection using very high resolution TerraSAR-X images over urban areas. Three algorithms, i.e., Kittler-Illingworth, Otsu, and outlier detection, were tested and compared. The multitemporal images were segmented using multidate segmentation strategy. The analysis reveals that the three algorithms achieved similar accuracies. The achieved accuracies were very close to the maximum possible, given the modified ratio image as an input. This maximum, however, was not very high. This was attributed, partially, to the low capacity of the modified ratio image to accentuate the difference between changed and unchanged areas. Consequently, Paper V proposes a new object-based change image generation technique. The strong intensity variations associated with high resolution and speckle effects render object mean intensity unreliable feature. The modified ratio image is, therefore, less efficient in emphasizing the contrast between the classes. An alternative representation of the change data was proposed. To measure the intensity of change at the object in isolation of disturbances caused by strong intensity variations and speckle effects, two techniques based on the Fourier transform and the Wavelet transform of the change signal were developed. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the result show that improved change detection accuracies can be obtained by classifying the proposed change variables. / <p>QC 20150529</p>

Transmissions are an essential part of a vehicle powertrain. An optimally designed powertrain can result in energy savings, reduced environmental impact and increased comfort and reliability. Along with other components of the powertrain, efficiency is also a major concern in the design of transmissions. The churning power losses associated with the motion of gears through the oil represent a significant portion of the total power losses in a transmission and therefore need to be estimated. A lack of reliable empirical models for the prediction of these losses has led to the emergence of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) as a means to (i) predict these losses and (ii) promote a deeper understanding of the physical phenomena responsible for theselosses in order to improve existing models. The commercial CFD solver STAR-CCM+ is used to investigate the oil distribution and the churning power losses inside two gearbox configurations namely an FZG (Technical Institute for the Study of Gears and Drive Mechanisms) gearbox and a planetary gearbox. A comparison of two motion handling techniques in STARCCM+ namely MRF (Moving Reference Frame) and RBM (Rigid Body Motion) models is made in terms of the accuracy of results and the computational requirements using the FZG gearbox. A sensitivity analysis on how the size of gap between the meshing gear teeth affects the flow and the computational requirements is also done using the FZG gearbox. Different modelling alternatives are investigated for the planetary gearbox and the best choices have been determined. The numerical simulations are solved in an unsteady framework where the VOF (Volume Of Fluid) multiphase model is used to track the interface between the immiscible phases. The overset meshing technique has been used to reconfigure the mesh at each time step. The results from the CFD simulations are presented and discussed in terms of the modelling choices made and their effect on the accuracy of the results. The MRF method is a cheaper alternative compared to the RBM model however, the former model does not accurately simulate the transient start-up and instead provides just a regime solution of the unsteady problem. As expected, the accuracy of the results suffers from having a large gap between the meshing gear teeth. The use of compressible ideal gas model for the air phase with a pressure boundary condition gives the optimum performance for the planetary gearbox. The outcomes can be used toeffectively study transmission flows using CFD and thereby improve the design of future transmissions for improved efficiency.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-04-22Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:44:52Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 almeida_lq_dr_rcla.pdf: 17677431 bytes, checksum: ea6571858fa70223c40e497bfb39dacf (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Les fleuves urbains au Brésil sont synonymes d'environnements dégradés, dévalués et niés par la société. Ces espaces se sont rendus alternative d'accès au logement pour une masse de pauvres qui ne peuvent pas acquérir un espace sûr la ville. La jonction de pauvreté, d'habitation improvisée, peu d'infrastructure, avec l'occupation d'espaces exposés à des aléas naturels, a créé des territoires de risques et des vulnérabilités, qui fréquentement coïncident avec les environnements fluviaux urbains. Ainsi, il s'est défini comme principale proposition de cette thèse analyser les risques et les vulnérabilités socio-environnementaux de fleuves urbains au Brésil, en ayant le bassin hydrographique du fleuve Maranguapinho, localisé dans la Région Métropolitaine de Fortaleza - RMF, Ceará, comme espace d'étude de cas pour compréhension des interrelations entre des vulnérabilités sociales et exposition aux risques naturels, principalement les risques d'inondations. La méthodologie utilisée a employé des techniques statistiques, de la superposition cartographique, des incursions dans l’espace d’étude, pour produire un indice de vulnérabilité socio-environnementaux du secteur étudié. Il s'est conclu qu'il y a des forts coïncidences entre les espaces susceptibles à des processus naturels dangereux, comme est le cas des inondations - processus naturel remorque à la dynamique des fleuves et de leurs bassins hydrographiques, et les espaces de la ville qui présentent les pires indicateurs sociaux, économiques et de l'accès à des services et l'infrastructure urbaine / Os rios urbanos no Brasil são sinônimos de ambientes degradados, desvalorizados e negados pela sociedade. Esses espaços se tornaram a alternativa de acesso à moradia para uma massa de pobres que não podem adquirir um espaço seguro na cidade. A junção de pobreza, habitação improvisada, pouca infraestrutura, com a ocupação de espaços expostos a perigos naturais, criou territórios de riscos e vulnerabilidades, que frequentemente coincidem com os ambientes fluviais urbanos. Assim, definiu-se como principal proposta desta tese analisar os riscos e as vulnerabilidades socioambientais de rios urbanos no Brasil, tendo a bacia hidrográfica do rio Maranguapinho, localizada na Região Metropolitana de Fortaleza – RMF, Ceará, como área de estudo de caso para compreensão das inter-relações das vulnerabilidades sociais e exposição aos riscos naturais, principalmente os riscos de inundações. A metodologia utilizada empregou técnicas estatísticas, sobreposição cartográfica, trabalhos de campo, para produzir um índice de vulnerabilidade socioambiental da área estudada. Concluiu-se que há fortes coincidências entre os espaços susceptíveis a processos naturais perigosos, como é o caso das inundações – processo natural atrelado à dinâmica dos rios e de suas bacias hidrográficas, e os espaços da cidade que apresentam os piores indicadores sociais, econômicos e de acesso a serviços e infraestrutura urbana / The urban rivers in Brazil are synonymous of degraded, devaluated and denied environments for the society. These spaces had become the alternative access to housing for a mass of poor persons who cannot acquire a safe space in the city. The junction of poverty, improvised habitation, little infrastructure, with the occupation of prone spaces to the natural hazards, created territories of risks and vulnerabilities, that frequently coincide with urban fluvial environments. Thus, the main proposal of this thesis is to analyze the risks and the socioenvironmental vulnerabilities of urban rivers in Brazil, having being chosen the the Maranguapinho river hydrographic basin as case study area, located in the Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza - MRF, Ceará, to the understanding of the inter-relations between social vulnerabilities and exposure to the natural risks, mainly the risks of floodings. The methodology used statistical techniques, cartographic overlapping, field research, to produce an socio-environmental vulnerability index of the case study area. It was concluded that it has serious coincidences between the susceptibles spaces to natural hazards processes, e.g floodings – natural process linked to the rivers’ dynamics and its hydrographic basin, and the spaces of the city that present the worse social, economic, access the services and urban infrastructure index

The diploma thesis is focused on the issue of sedimentation stability of magnetorheological fluids, whis represents one of the most important characteristics determining the reliability of these fluids. Higher sedimentation stability can by achieved in several ways. Methods that are further examined in the thesis include particle polymerization and the addition of clay mineral additives. Both achieve positive results by schowing increased sedimentation stability. However, in the case of additives, the effect is much higher. In particular, the CLAYTONE 40 additive achieves a lower particle sedimentation rate while maintaining the same viscosity as the commercial LORD-122ED. The results provide significant knowledge in the field and can bring magnetorheological fluids closer to wider commercial use.

The aim of the master’s thesis is an investigation of volume mesh quality, turbulent models and models of rotation and their influence on aerodynamic coefficients of rotating wheels. Mesh independence study and near-wall prism layer modelling are also of high importance. Subsequently, the appropriate turbulent model is used for research of wheel rotation on drag and lift on a front and rear axle of the vehicle compared to the stationary case.

This dissertation explores the role of brainstem structures in the development and expression of generalized tonic-clonic seizures. The functional consequences of brainstem seizures are investigated using the kindling paradigm in order to understand the behavioral and cognitive effects of generalized seizures. <BR><BR> I begin by investigating the general characteristics of brainstem kindling. The first experiment demonstrates that certain brainstem sites are indeed susceptible to kindling and begins to delineate the features that distinguish brainstem seizures from those evoked at other brain regions. Further investigation of the EEG signal features using wavelet analysis reveals that changes in the spectral properties of the electrographic activity during kindling include significant changes to high-frequency activity and organized low-frequency activity. I also identify transitions that include frequency sweeps and abrupt seizure terminations. The changing spectral features are shown to be critically associated with the evolution of the kindled seizures and may have important functional consequences. The surprising responsiveness of some brainstem structures to kindling forces us to reconsider the overall role of these structures in epileptogenesis as well as in the healthy dynamical functioning of the brain. <BR><BR> In order to study the functional consequences, a series of experiments examines the changes in behavior, cognition and affect that follow these brainstem seizures. Although the results show no effects on spatial learning or memory, there are significant and complex effects on anxiety- and depression-like behavior that appear to be related to motivation. In order to further study the cognitive effects, a second set of behavioral experiments considers how context (i.e., the environment) interacts with the behavioral changes. The results indicate that changes in affect may only be apparent when choice between seizure-related and seizure-free contexts is given, suggesting that the environment and choice can play key roles in the behavioral consequences of seizures. This thesis also includes an appendix that applies synchrotron imaging to investigate the anatomical consequences of electrode implantation in kindling and shows that significantly increased iron depositions occur even with purportedly biocompatible electrodes widely used in research and clinical settings. <BR><BR> Examination of the role of brainstem structures in generalized seizures in this dissertation offers new perspectives and insights to epileptogenesis and the behavioral effects of epilepsy. The changes in EEG features, behavior, affect and motivation observed after brainstem seizures and kindling may have important clinical implications. For example, the results suggest a need to reexamine the concept of psychogenic seizures, a potential connection to Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), and the contribution of environmental factors. It is hoped that these findings will help elucidate the complex issues involved in understanding and improving the quality of life for people with epilepsy.