This thesis examines the concept of image self-similarity and provides solutions to various associated inverse problems such as resolution enhancement and missing fractal codes. In general, many real-world inverse problems are ill-posed, mainly because of the lack of existence of a unique solution. The procedure of providing acceptable unique solutions to such problems is known as regularization. The concept of image prior, which has been of crucial importance in image modelling and processing, has also been important in solving inverse problems since it algebraically translates to the regularization procedure. Indeed, much recent progress in imaging has been due to advances in the formulation and practice of regularization. This, coupled with progress in optimization and numerical analysis, has yielded much improvement in computational methods of solving inverse imaging problems. Historically, the idea of self-similarity was important in the development of fractal image coding. Here we show that the self-similarity properties of natural images may be used to construct image priors for the purpose of addressing certain inverse problems. Indeed, new trends in the area of non-local image processing have provided a rejuvenated appreciation of image self-similarity and opportunities to explore novel self-similarity-based priors. We first revisit the concept of fractal-based methods and address some open theoretical problems in the area. This includes formulating a necessary and sufficient condition for the contractivity of the block fractal transform operator. We shall also provide some more generalized formulations of fractal-based self-similarity constraints of an image. These formulations can be developed algebraically and also in terms of the set-based method of Projection Onto Convex Sets (POCS). We then revisit the traditional inverse problems of single frame image zooming and multi-frame resolution enhancement, also known as super-resolution. Some ideas will be borrowed from newly developed non-local denoising algorithms in order to formulate self-similarity priors. Understanding the role of scale and choice of examples/samples is also important in these proposed models. For this purpose, we perform an extensive series of numerical experiments and analyze the results. These ideas naturally lead to the method of self-examples, which relies on the regularity properties of natural images at different scales, as a means of solving the single-frame image zooming problem. Furthermore, we propose and investigate a multi-frame super-resolution counterpart which does not require explicit motion estimation among video sequences.

This thesis examines the concept of image self-similarity and provides solutions to various associated inverse problems such as resolution enhancement and missing fractal codes. In general, many real-world inverse problems are ill-posed, mainly because of the lack of existence of a unique solution. The procedure of providing acceptable unique solutions to such problems is known as regularization. The concept of image prior, which has been of crucial importance in image modelling and processing, has also been important in solving inverse problems since it algebraically translates to the regularization procedure. Indeed, much recent progress in imaging has been due to advances in the formulation and practice of regularization. This, coupled with progress in optimization and numerical analysis, has yielded much improvement in computational methods of solving inverse imaging problems. Historically, the idea of self-similarity was important in the development of fractal image coding. Here we show that the self-similarity properties of natural images may be used to construct image priors for the purpose of addressing certain inverse problems. Indeed, new trends in the area of non-local image processing have provided a rejuvenated appreciation of image self-similarity and opportunities to explore novel self-similarity-based priors. We first revisit the concept of fractal-based methods and address some open theoretical problems in the area. This includes formulating a necessary and sufficient condition for the contractivity of the block fractal transform operator. We shall also provide some more generalized formulations of fractal-based self-similarity constraints of an image. These formulations can be developed algebraically and also in terms of the set-based method of Projection Onto Convex Sets (POCS). We then revisit the traditional inverse problems of single frame image zooming and multi-frame resolution enhancement, also known as super-resolution. Some ideas will be borrowed from newly developed non-local denoising algorithms in order to formulate self-similarity priors. Understanding the role of scale and choice of examples/samples is also important in these proposed models. For this purpose, we perform an extensive series of numerical experiments and analyze the results. These ideas naturally lead to the method of self-examples, which relies on the regularity properties of natural images at different scales, as a means of solving the single-frame image zooming problem. Furthermore, we propose and investigate a multi-frame super-resolution counterpart which does not require explicit motion estimation among video sequences.

This work contributes to the structure investigation on the basis of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). A new analytical scattering function for polydispers precipitates with diffusion zones is presented and used in SANS experiments. For diluted and dense packed systems structure describing parameter values were obtained. These results lead to a deeper understanding of the process of nanocristallization of amorphous alloys. The investigation of SANS on Fe73.5Si15.5B7Cu1Nb3 shows that the Fe3Si type nanocrystals created in the amorphous matrix during annealing are covered by Nb-atoms. The accumulation of Nb-atoms or Nb-B-aggregates acting as inhibitors at the surface of the nanocrystals is assumed to be the basic mechanism controlling the evolution of the precipitates. For the first time this inhibitor-model is shown to be correct without doubts. In the Zr32Ti7.5Al10Cu20Ni8 amorphous alloy the formation of ultrafine nanocystals of about 2-3 nm in diameter was observed. The nanocrystallization starts after ordered clusters achieved particular sizes and a certain packing fraction. This leads to a new model for the microscopic formation procedure of ultrafine nanocrystals in this amorphous alloy. Theoretical models of fractal systems are applied to complicated polydisperse materials. Both the theory for an exact surface fractal of Hermann (1994)and the model for coupled volume and surface fractals in the formulation of Wong (1992) are shown to be applicable. The latter approach is applied to experimental data here for the first time. With computer simulations conditions for scattering experiments were optained therewith predictions about the quality and grade of fractality in real specimens become possible. / Die vorliegende Arbeit ist ein Beitrag zur Strukturaufklärung mittels Neutronen-Kleinwinkel-Streuung (SANS). Es wird eine neu entwickelte analytische Streufunktion für polydisperse Ausscheidungen mit Diffusionszonen genutzt, um SANS Experimente auszuwerten. Sowohl für verdünnte, als auch für dicht gepackte Systeme werden auf diese Weise quantitative Strukturparameter gewonnen. Diese liefern einen Beitrag zum Verständnis des Nanokristallisationsverhaltens amorpher metallischer Gläser. Die Auswertung der Experimente an on Fe73.5Si15.5B7Cu1Nb3 zeigt, dass Fe3Si-artige Nanokristalle, die während der Temperaturbehandlung in der amorphen Matrix entstehen, von Nb-Atomen bedeckt werden. Diese Ansammlung von Nb-Atomen oder von entsprechenden Nb-B-Aggregaten auf der Oberfläche dieser Ausscheidungen hemmt das Größenwachstum der entstehenden Nanokristalle. Dieses Inhibitor-Modell wurde hier erstmals zweifelsfrei bestätigt. In Proben des amorphen metallischen Glases Zr32Ti7.5Al10Cu20Ni8 werden ultrafeine Ausscheidungen mit Durchmessern von 2-3 nm beobachtet. Diese entstehen verzögert nach der Ausprägung dicht gepackter Gebiete mit erhöhter Nahordnungsstruktur. Es wird ein Modell vorgeschlagen, das diesen Prozess erklären kann. Theoretisch diskutierte Modelle für fraktale Systeme werden auf komplizierte polydisperse Materialien angewendet. Sowohl die Formulierung von Hermann (1994) für ein exaktes Oberflächenfraktal, als auch der erstmals auf experimentelle Daten angewendete Ansatz von Wong (1992) für ein gekoppeltes Volumen- und Oberflächenfraktal erweisen sich als praktisch nutzbar. Mittels Computersimulationen wurden Bedingungen abgeleitet, die an Streuexperimente zu stellen sind, damit Aussagen über Qualität und Grad von Fraktalität in realen Proben getroffen werden können.

The way in which macroscopic transport results from microscopic dynamics is one of the important questions in statistical physics. Dynamical systems theory play a key role in a resent advance in this direction. Offering relatively simple models which are easy to study, dynamical systems theory became a standard branch of modern nonequilibrium statistical physics. In the present work the deterministic diffusion generated by simple dynamical systems is considered. The deterministic nature of these systems is more clearly expressed through the dependencies of the transport quantities as functions of systems parameters. For fully hyperbolic dynamical systems these dependencies were found to be highly irregular and, in fact, fractal. The main focus in this work is on nonhyperbolic and on intermittent dynamical systems. First, the climbing sine map is considered which is a nonhyperbolic system with many physical applications. Then we treat anomalous dynamics generated by a paradigmatic subdiffusive map. In both cases these systems display deterministic transport which, under variation of control parameters, is fractal. For both systems we give an explanation of the observed phenomena. The third part of the thesis is devoted to the relation between chaotic and transport properties of dynamical systems. This question lies at the heart of dynamical systems theory. For closed hyperbolic dynamical systems the Pesin theorem links the sum of positive Lyapunov exponents to the Kolmogorov-Sinai entropy. For open hyperbolic systems the escape rate formula is valid. In this work we have formulated generalizations of these formulas for a class of intermittent dynamical systems where the chaotic properties are weaker.

A fundamental challenge is to understand nonequilibrium statistical mechanics starting from microscopic chaos in the equations of motion of a many-particle system. In this thesis we summarize recent theoretical advances along these lines. We focus on two different approaches to nonequilibrium transport: One considers Hamiltonian dynamical systems under nonequilibrium boundary conditions, another one suggests a non-Hamiltonian approach to nonequilibrium situations created by external electric fields and by temperature or velocity gradients. A surprising result related to the former approach is that in simple low-dimensional periodic models the deterministic transport coefficients are typically fractal functions of control parameters. These fractal transport coefficients yield the first central theme of this thesis. We exemplify this phenomenon by deterministic diffusion in a simple chaotic map. We then construct an arsenal of analytical and numerical methods for computing further transport coefficients such as electrical conductivities andchemical reaction rates. These methods are applied to hierarchies of chaotic dynamical systems that are successively getting more complex, starting from abstract one-dimensional maps generalizing a simple random walk on the line up to particle billiards that should be directly accessible in experiments. In all cases, the resulting transport coefficients turn out to be either strictly fractal, or at least to be profoundly irregular. The impact of random perturbations on these quantities is also investigated. We furthermore provide some access roads towards a physical understanding of these fractalities. The second central theme is formed by a critical assessment of the non-Hamiltonian approach to nonequilibrium transport. Here we consider situations where the nonequilibrium constraints pump energy into a system, hence there must be some thermal reservoir that prevents the system from heating up. For this purpose a deterministic and time-reversible modeling of thermal reservoirs was proposed in form of Gaussian and Nose-Hoover thermostats. This approach yielded simple relations between fundamental quantities of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and of dynamical systems theory. Our goal is to critically assesses the universality of these results. As a vehicle of demonstration we employ the driven periodic Lorentz gas, a toy model for the classical dynamics of an electron in a metal under application of an electric field. Applying different types of thermal reservoirs to this system we compare the resulting nonequilibrium steady states with each other. Along the same lines we discuss an interacting many-particle system under shear and heat. Finally, we outline an unexpected relationship between deterministic thermostats and active Brownian particles modeling biophysical cell motility.

Ces travaux de thèse définissent un environnement de développement ouvert et extensible pour la conception de logiciels à base de composants. L'environnement se présente comme une chaîne de compilation d'architectures logicielles, acceptant des architectures écrites dans des langages différents et fournissant des fonctionnalités comme la génération de code ou le déploiement. L'extensibilité de l'outil est assurée par une architecture à base de composants implantant des patrons de programmation extensibles et supportant un mécanisme de plug-in pour intégrer des extensions de tierces parties. L'utilisation de l'outil est illustrée au travers deux cadres applicatifs ayant pour trame les systèmes sur puces. La première illustre le développement de systèmes d'exploitation pour ceux-ci. La deuxième illustre la définition d'un nouveau langage facilitant l'expression de la synchronisation au sein d'applications de traitement de flux multimédia réparties.

No description available.

La définition de formes par ces procédés itératifs génère des structures avec des propriétésspécifiques intéressantes : rugosité, lacunarité. . . . Cependant, les modèles géométriques classiquesne sont pas adaptés à la description de ces formes.Dans le but de développer un modeleur itératif pour concevoir des objets fractals décrits à l'aide duBCIFS, nous avons développé un ensemble d'outils et d'algorithmes génériques qui nous permettentd'évaluer, de caractériser et d'analyser les différentes propriétés géométriques (la localisation, lecalcul de l'enveloppe convexe, de la distance à partir d'un point, etc) de fractals. Nous avons identifiéles propriétés des opérations standards (intersection, union, offset, . . . ) permettant de calculer uneapproximation d'image des fractales et de plus d'optimiser ces algorithmes d'approximation.Dans certains cas, il est possible de construire un CIFS avec l'opérateur de HUTCHINSON généralisédont l'attracteur est suffisamment proche du résultat de l'opération par rapport à la métrique deHausdorff. Nous avons développé un algorithme générique pour calculer ces CIFS pour une précisiondonnée. Nous avons défini la propriété d'auto-similarité de l'opération, qui définie un ensemble detransformations utilisé dans un système itératif résultant.Pour construire un CIFS exact de l'image, si il existe, il faut prouver tous les similitudes nécessairesmanuellement. Nous explicitons également la condition de l'opération, quand le résultat peut êtrereprésenté par un IFS avec un opérateur de HUTCHINSON généralisé. Dans ce cas, il n'est que cettecondition à prouver manuellement

Fluoride in drinking water can lead to a crippling disease called fluorosis. As there is no cure for fluorosis, prevention is the only means of controlling the disease and research into fluoride remediation is critical. This work begins by providing a new approach to assessing fluoride remediation strategies using a combination of groundwater chemistry, saturation indices, and multivariate statistics based on the results of a large groundwater survey performed in a fluoride-contaminated region of India. From the Indian groundwater study, it was noted that one technique recommended for defluoridation involved using hydrous ferric oxide (HFO) as a solid phase sorbent for fluoride. This prompted investigation of bacteriogenic iron oxides (BIOS), a biogenic form of HFO, as a means of approaching bioremediation of fluoride. Batch sorption experiments at ionic strengths ranging from 0.001 to 0.1 M KNO3 and time course kinetic studies with BIOS and synthetic HFO were conducted to ascertain total sorption capacities (ST), sorption constants (Ks), and orders of reaction (n), as well as forward (kf) and reverse (kr) rate constants. Microcosm titration experiments were also conducted with BIOS and HFO in natural spring water from a groundwater discharge zone to evaluate fluoride sorption under field conditions. This thesis contributes significant, new information regarding the interaction between fluoride and BIOS, advancing knowledge of fluoride remediation and covering new ground in the uncharted field of fluoride bioremediation.

This thesis investigates the potential of fractal dimension (FD) as a tool for enhancing airborne magnetic data. More specifically, this thesis investigates the potential of FD-based texture transform images as tools for aiding in the interpretation of airborne magnetic data. A series of different methods of estimating FD are investigated, specifically: • geometric methods (1D and 2D variation methods and 1D line divider method); • stochastic methods (1D and 2D Hurst methods and 1D and 2D semi-variogram methods), and; • spectral methods (1D and 2D wavelet methods and 1D and 2D Gabor methods). All of these methods are able to differentiate between varying theoretical FD in synthetic profiles. Moreover, these methods are able to differentiate between theoretical FDs when applied to entire profiles or in a moving window along the profile. Generally, the accuracy of the estimated FD improves when window size is increased. Similarly, the standard deviation of estimated FD decreases as window size increases. This result implied that the use of moving window FD estimates will require a trade off between the quality of the FD estimates and the need to use small windows to allow better spatial resolution. Application of the FD estimation methods to synthetic datasets containing simple ramps, ridges and point anomalies demonstrates that all of the 2D methods and most of the 1D methods are able to detect and enhance these features in the presence of up to 20% Gaussian noise. In contrast, the 1D Hurst and line divider methods can not clearly detect these features in as little as 10% Gaussian noise. Consequently, it is concluded that the 1D Hurst and line divider methods are inappropriate for enhancing airborne magnetic data. The application of these methods to simple synthetic airborne magnetic datasets highlights the methods’ sensitivity to very small variations in the data. All of the methods responded strongly to field lines some distance from the causative magnetic bodies. This effect was eliminated through the use of a variety of tolerances that essentially required a minimum level of difference between data points in order for FD to be calculated. Whilst this use of tolerances was required for synthetic datasets, its use was not required for noise corrupted versions of the synthetic magnetic data. The results from applying the FD estimation techniques to the synthetic airborne magnetic data suggested that these methods are more effective when applied to data from the pole. Whilst all of the methods were able to enhance the magnetic anomalies both at the pole and in the Southern hemisphere, the responses of the FD estimation techniques were notably simpler for the polar data. With the exception of the 1D Hurst and line divider methods, all of the methods were also able to enhance the synthetic magnetic data in the presence of 10% Gaussian noise. Application of the FD estimation methods to an airborne magnetic dataset from the Merlinleigh Sub-basin in Western Australia demonstrated their ability to enhance subtle structural features in relatively smooth airborne magnetic data. Moreover, the FD-based enhancements were able to enhance some features of this dataset better than any of the conventional enhancements considered (i.e. an analytic signal, vertical and total horizontal derivatives, and automatic gain control). Most of the FD estimation techniques enhanced similar features to each other. However, the 2D methods generally produced clearer results than their associated 1D methods. In contrast to this result, application of the FD-based enhancements to more variable airborne magnetic data from the Tanami region in the Northern Territory demonstrated that these methods are not as well suited to this style of data. The main conclusion from this work is that FD-based enhancement of relatively smooth airborne magnetic data can provide valuable input into an interpretation process. This suggests that these methods are particularly useful for aiding in the interpretation of airborne magnetic data from regions such as sedimentary basins where the distribution of magnetic sources is relatively smooth and simple. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1339560 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, Australian School of Petroleum, 2008