Root Asymptotics of Spectral Polynomials

We have been studying the asymptotic energy distribution of the algebraic part of the spectrum of the one-dimensional sextic anharmonic oscillator. We review some (both old and recent) results on the multiparameter spectral problem and show that our problem ranks among the degenerate cases of Heine-Stieltjes spectral problem, and we derive the density of the corresponding probability measure.

HISTORICAL PLASTER COMPOSITION DETECTION USING REFLECTANCE SPECTROSCOPY

Reflectance spectroscopy is a non-invasive method that is based on the fact that a specificobject/material provides various reflectances in different wavelengths across the spectral range. Itcan provide unique information regarding the material composition of the object of interest and hasbeen used in many fields in recent years. Determining composition of historical plaster is veryimportant when defining its individual components and possibly place of origin or even its age. Thisinformation can be a key issue for its future repairs that are desired to be done as similar to theoriginal method as possible.For a precise reflectance spectroscopy material detection, a fine spectral library is needed.Special mathematical methods are used for comparison of measured spectral curve with individualspectral curves stored in the used spectral library. The spectral analysis then shows similarity ofthe measured curve with the reference ones.This paper introduces results of the new plaster composition spectral library created byDepartment of Geomatics, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Praguewithin the Czech Ministry of Culture Project (DF13P01OVV002). This spectral library has beentested on two historical plaster samples

Probing the Accretion Processes in Soft X-Ray Selected Polars

High-energy data of accreting white dwarfs give access to the regime of the primary accretion-induced energy release and the different proposed accretion scenarios. We perform XMM-Newton observations of polars selected due to their ROSAT hardness ratios close to -1.0 and model the emission processes in accretion column and accretion region. Our models consider the multi-temperature structure of the emission regions and are mainly determined by mass-flow density, magnetic field strength, and white-dwarf mass. To describe the full spectral energy distribution from infrared to X-rays in a physically consistent way, we include the stellar contributions and establish composite models, which will also be of relevance for future X-ray missions. We confirm the X-ray soft nature of three polars

Research focused on low carbonation of concrete under old cement-based render

In-situ research and laboratory study of the concrete of old bridges shows that despite the low strength classes of concrete and the long time of exposure to CO2, it is possible to moderate the depth of their carbonation. Many old bridges were found during the in-situ survey in Slovakia, which showed negligible carbonation under an old cement render (PRC) even after more than 100 years of direct exposure to CO2. At the same time, it was found that if this protective layer was significantly damaged or missing in some places, the depth of carbonation of the same concrete reached considerable depths, locally 70-80 mm. The article presents and summarizes the findings from in-situ and laboratory research with a possible explanation of this phenomenon

Creating Panoramic Images for Bladder Fluorescence Endoscopy

The medical diagnostic analysis and therapy of urinary bladder cancer based on endoscopes are state of the art in urological medicine. Due to the limited field of view of endoscopes, the physician can examine only a small part of the whole operating field at once. This constraint makes visual control and navigation difficult, especially in hollow organs. A panoramic image, covering a larger field of view, can overcome this difficulty. Directly motivated by a physician we developed an image mosaicing algorithm for endoscopic bladder fluorescence video sequences. In this paper, we present an approach which is capable of stitching single endoscopic video images to a combined panoramic image. Based on SIFT features we estimate a 2-D homography for each image pair, using an affine model and an iterative model-fitting algorithm. We then apply the stitching process and perform a mutual linear interpolation. Our panoramic image results show a correct stitching and lead to a better overview and understanding of the operation field.

HUMAN-MACHINE INTERACTION IN SOLVING TASKS OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT

The paper discusses issues of human-machine interaction in solving tasks of the planning department under severe resource restrictions using information technology. The negative factors influencing specialists of the planning department in solving their tasks under the given circumstances are shown. Specific features of designing the user interface in this subject area are noted. Directions to increase the efficiency of reaction of the planning department’s specialists to change the current situation by visual and sound notification of various events are marked. Various ways to develop user interface to generate a conflict-free plan under severe resource restrictions are considered. The variants of informative presentation of operational and statistical information to stakeholders are analyzed. These issues are discussed by the example of the planning department which solves the tasks of allocation of control facilities for spacecraft (a subset of satellite range scheduling problem)

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN ULTRA-HIGH ENERGY NEUTRINO ASTRONOMY

We outline the current situation in ultrahigh energy (UHE) cosmic ray physics, pointing out the remaining problems, in particular the puzzle concerning the origin of the primary radiation and the role of neutrino astronomy for locating the sources. Various methods for the detection of UHE neutrinos are briefly described and their merits compared. We give an account of the achievements of the existing optical Cherenkov neutrino telescopes, outline the possibility of using air fluorescence and particle properties of air showers to identify neutrino induced events, and discuss various pioneering experiments employing radio and acoustic detection of extremely energetic neutrinos. The next generation of space, ground and sea based neutrino telescopes now under construction or in the planning phase are listed

Structural assessment and expected utility gain

This paper contains an introduction, probabilistic formulation, and exemplification (1) of system state and utility actions, (2) system state and utility action value analysis and (3) a threshold formulation for a predicted information and action decision analysis. The approaches build upon structural condition assessment and provide a basis for the condition management by maximising the expected utility for information and actions before information acquirement and action implementation. Following the basic distinction of system state and utility actions, strengthening, replacement, repair, load reduction and consequence reduction actions are formulated. With an exemplary study encompassing an expected utility calculation and an action value analysis, it is demonstrated how expected utility optimal physical system changes can be identified before implementation. The threshold formulation for a predicted information and action decision analysis relies on the equality of the decision theoretical posterior action optimality condition. By extending the exemplary predicted action decision analyses with different structural health information (SHI), the threshold formulation is exemplified and the optimal condition management strategies are identified

Model Atmosphere Spectrum Fit to the Soft X-Ray Outburst Spectrum of SS Cyg

The X-ray spectrum of SS Cyg in outburst has a very soft component that can be interpreted as the fast-rotating optically thick boundary layer on the white dwarf surface. This component was carefully investigated by Mauche (2004) using the Chandra LETG spectrum of this object in outburst. The spectrum shows broad ( ≈5 °A) spectral features that have been interpreted as a large number of absorption lines on a blackbody continuum with a temperature of ≈250 kK. Because the spectrum resembles the photospheric spectra of super-soft X-ray sources, we tried to fit it with high gravity hot LTE stellar model atmospheres with solar chemical composition, specially computed for this purpose. We obtained a reasonably good fit to the 60–125 °A spectrum with the following parameters: Teff = 190 kK, log g = 6.2, and NH = 8 · 1019 cm−2, although at shorter wavelengths the observed spectrum has a much higher flux. The reasons for this are discussed. The hypothesis of a fast rotating boundary layer is supported by the derived low surface gravity

The Influence of CO2 Admixtures on Process in Titan's Atmospheric Chemistry

The exploration of planetary atmosphere is being advanced by the exciting results of the Cassin-Huygens mission to Titan. The complex chemistry revealed in such atmospheres leading to the synthesis of bigger molecules is providing new insights into our understanding of how life on Earth developed. In our experiments Titan's atmosphere is simulated in a glow discharge formed from a mixture of N2:CH4:CO2 gas. Samples of the discharge gas were analysed by GC-MS and FTIR. The major products identified in spectra were: hydrogen cyanide, acetylene and acetonitrile. The same compounds were detected in the FTIR: hydrogen cyanide, acetylene and ammonia. Whilst many of these compounds have been predicted and/or observed in the Titan atmosphere, the present plasma experiments provide evidence of both the chemical complexity of Titan atmospheric processes and the mechanisms by which larger species grow prior to form the dust that should cover much of the Titan's surface