Multilevel Training of Binary Morphological Operators

The design of binary morphological operators that are translation-invariant and locally defined by a finite neighborhood window corresponds to the problem of designing Boolean functions. As in any supervised classification problem, morphological operators designed from a training sample also suffer from overfitting. Large neighborhood tends to lead to performance degradation of the designed operator. This work proposes a multilevel design approach to deal with the issue of designing large neighborhood-based operators. The main idea is inspired by stacked generalization (a multilevel classifier design approach) and consists of, at each training level, combining the outcomes of the previous level operators. The final operator is a multilevel operator that ultimately depends on a larger neighborhood than of the individual operators that have been combined. Experimental results show that two-level operators obtained by combining operators designed on subwindows of a large window consistently outperform the single-level operators designed on the full window. They also show that iterating two-level operators is an effective multilevel approach to obtain better results.

SUPPORT OF MAXIMIZING MEASURES FOR TYPICAL C(0) DYNAMICS ON COMPACT MANIFOLDS

Given a compact manifold X, a continuous function g : X -> IR, and a map T : X -> X, we study properties of the T-invariant Borel probability measures that maximize the integral of g. We show that if X is a n-dimensional connected Riemaniann manifold, with n >= 2, then the set of homeomorphisms for which there is a maximizing measure supported on a periodic orbit is meager. We also show that, if X is the circle, then the ""topological size"" of the set of endomorphisms for which there are g maximizing measures with support on a periodic orbit depends on properties of the function g. In particular, if g is C(1), it has interior points.

On maximizing measures of homeomorphisms on compact manifolds

We prove that given a compact n-dimensional connected Riemannian manifold X and a continuous function g : X -> R, there exists a dense subset of the space of homeomorphisms of X such that for all T in this subset, the integral integral(X) g d mu, considered as a function on the space of all T-invariant Borel probability measures mu, attains its maximum on a measure supported on a periodic orbit.

An indecomposable Banach space of continuous functions which has small density

Using the method of forcing we construct a model for ZFC where CH does not hold and where there exists a connected compact topological space K of weight omega(1) < 2(omega) such that every operator on the Banach space of continuous functions on K is multiplication by a continuous function plus a weakly compact operator. In particular, the Banach space of continuous functions on K is indecomposable.

TAUT REPRESENTATIONS OF COMPACT SIMPLE LIE GROUPS

The concept of taut submanifold of Euclidean space is due to Carter and West, and can be traced back to the work of Chern and Lashof on immersions with minimal total absolute curvature and the subsequent reformulation of that work by Kuiper in terms of critical point theory. In this paper, we classify the reducible representations of compact simple Lie groups, all of whose orbits are tautly embedded in Euclidean space, with respect to Z(2)-coefficients.

Periodic geodesics and geometry of compact Lorentzian manifolds with a Killing vector field

We study the geometry and the periodic geodesics of a compact Lorentzian manifold that has a Killing vector field which is timelike somewhere. Using a compactness argument for subgroups of the isometry group, we prove the existence of one timelike non self-intersecting periodic geodesic. If the Killing vector field is nowhere vanishing, then there are at least two distinct periodic geodesics; as a special case, compact stationary manifolds have at least two periodic timelike geodesics. We also discuss some properties of the topology of such manifolds. In particular, we show that a compact manifold M admits a Lorentzian metric with a nowhere vanishing Killing vector field which is timelike somewhere if and only if M admits a smooth circle action without fixed points.

A group topology on the free abelian group of cardinality c that makes its square countably compact

Under p = c, we prove that it is possible to endow the free abelian group of cardinality c with a group topology that makes its square countably compact. This answers a question posed by Madariaga-Garcia and Tomita and by Tkachenko. We also prove that there exists a Wallace semigroup (i.e., a countably compact both-sided cancellative topological semigroup which is not a topological group) whose square is countably compact. This answers a question posed by Grant.

Abelian torsion groups with a countably compact group topology

Comfort and Remus [W.W. Comfort, D. Remus, Abelian torsion groups with a pseudo-compact group topology, Forum Math. 6 (3) (1994) 323-337] characterized algebraically the Abelian torsion groups that admit a pseudocompact group topology using the Ulm-Kaplansky invariants. We show, under a condition weaker than the Generalized Continuum Hypothesis, that an Abelian torsion group (of any cardinality) admits a pseudocompact group topology if and only if it admits a countably compact group topology. Dikranjan and Tkachenko [D. Dikranjan. M. Tkachenko, Algebraic structure of small countably compact Abelian groups, Forum Math. 15 (6) (2003) 811-837], and Dikranjan and Shakhmatov [D. Dikranjan. D. Shakhmatov, Forcing hereditarily separable compact-like group topologies on Abelian groups, Topology Appl. 151 (1-3) (2005) 2-54] showed this equivalence for groups of cardinality not greater than 2(c). We also show, from the existence of a selective ultrafilter, that there are countably compact groups without non-trivial convergent sequences of cardinality kappa(omega), for any infinite cardinal kappa. In particular, it is consistent that for every cardinal kappa there are countably compact groups without non-trivial convergent sequences whose weight lambda has countable cofinality and lambda > kappa. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Role of Polyelectrolyte for Layer-by-Layer Compact TiO(2) Films in Efficiency Enhanced Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Efficient compact TiO(2) films using different polyeleetrolytes are prepared by the layer-by-layer technique (LbL) and applied as an effective contact and blocking film in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). The polyanion thermal stability plays a major role on the compact layers, which decreases back electron transfer processes and current losses at the FTO/TiO(2) interface. FESEM images show that polyelectrolytes such is sodium sullonated polystyrene (PSS) and sulfonated lignin (SE), in comparison to poly(acrylic acid) (FAA), ensure an adequate morphology for the LbL TiO(2) layer deposited before the mesoporous film, even triter the sintering step at 450 degrees C. The so treated photoanode in DSCs leads to a 30% improvement On the overall conversion efficiency. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is employed to ascertain the role of die compact films with such polyelectrolytes. The significant increase in V(oc) of the solar cells with adequate polyelectrolytes in the LbL TiO(2) films shows their pivotal role in decreasing the electron recombination at the FTO surface and enhancing the electrical contact of FTO with the mesoporous TiO(2) layer.

A compact and high-resolution version of a capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector

An all-in-one version of a capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector is introduced. The absence of moving parts (potentiometers and connectors) makes it compact (6.5 cm(3)) and robust. A local oscillator, working at 1.1 MHz, was optimized to use capillaries of id from 20 to 100 lam. Low noise circuitry and a high-resolution analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (21 bits effective) grant good sensitivities for capillaries and background electrolytes currently used in capillary electrophoresis. The fixed frequency and amplitude of the signal generator is a drawback that is compensated by the steady calibration curves for conductivity. Another advantage is the possibility of determining the inner diameter of a capillary by reading the ADC when air and subsequently water flow through the capillary. The difference of ADC reading may be converted into the inner diameter by a calibration curve. This feature is granted by the 21-bit ADC, which eliminates the necessity of baseline compensation by hardware. In a typical application, the limits of detection based on the 3 sigma criterion (without baseline filtering) were 0.6, 0.4, 0.3, 0.5, 0.6, and 0.8 mu mol/L for K(+), Ba(2+), Ca(2+), Na(+), Mg(2+), and Li(+), respectively, which is comparable to other high-quality implementations of a capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector.

Enhancing the distribution of Swedish tourism services on international markets : Possible export-ready criteria requisitioned by European tour operators

This paper identifies subjects which are relevant for Swedish suppliers of tourism services beforeapproaching foreign markets. Most suppliers are micro, small or medium sized companies anduse intermediaries, such as tour operators, for internationalization. The research considers theopinion of British and German tour operators, which require some criteria beforehand in orderto simplify both the initialization and the development of cooperation. Destination marketingorganizations (DMOs) are hereby the go-betweens since they not only represent small-scalesuppliers on international markets, but also initiate first encounters between suppliers and touroperators. Suppliers need to provide DMOs with accurate information in order to ensure thebest possible representation. After initializing collaboration, business relationships are sought todevelop in order to facilitate long-term cooperation. Proper preparation forms therefore the basefor strengthening the competitiveness of Swedish tourism prior approaching internationalmarkets. The enhancement of distributing Swedish tourism services on foreign markets appearedto be a profitable way to enable further growth, which is strongly limited on the domestic market.Increasing the export share therefore secures and further facilitates tourism’s valuablecontributions to the Swedish economy.

Development of a Compact Solar Combisystem

Within the frame of the project REBUS, "Competitive solar heating systems for residential buildings", which is financed by Nordic Energy Research, a new type of compact solar combisystem with high degree of prefabrication was developed. A hydraulic and control concept was designed with the goal to get highest system efficiency for use with either a condensing natural gas boiler or a pellet boiler. Especially when using the potential of high peak power of modern condensing natural gas boilers, a new operation strategy of a natural gas boiler/solar combisystem can increase the energy savings of a small solar combisystem by about 80% compared to conventional operation strategies.

Final report on heat pump developments in WP 4 - MacSheep Deliverable 4.4 : MacSheep -New Materials and Control for a next generation of compact combined Solar and heat pump systems with boosted energetic and exergetic performance

FP7- MacSheep

A user guide to simple monitoring and sustainable operation of PV-diesel hybrid systems : Handbook for system users and operators

This report contains a suggestion for a simple monitoring and evaluation guideline for PV-diesel hybrid systems. It offers system users a way to better understand if their system is operated in a way that will make it last for a long time. It also gives suggestions on how to act if there are signs of unfavourable use or failure. The application of the guide requires little technical equipment, but daily manual measurements. For the most part, it can be managed by pen and paper, by people with no earlier experience of power systems.The guide is structured and expressed in a way that targets PV-diesel hybrid system users with no, or limited, earlier experience of power engineering. It is less detailed in terms of motivations for certain choices and limitations, but rich in details concerning calculations, evaluation procedures and maintenance routines. A more scientific description of the guide can be found in a related journal article.