Homological methods in feature extraction of multidimensional images

We show that the newly developed homology algorithms are helpful in imaging problems on the example of an algorithm extracting one dimensional features from a noisy image. We indicate that in some situations the global nature of this algorithm may become advantageous when compared with the standard algorithms based on skeletonization and pruning. The algorithm works in every dimension. ©2009 IEEE.published_or_final_versionThe 2nd International Congress on Image and Signal Processing (CISP'09), Tianjin, China, 17-19 October 2009. In Proceedings of 2nd CISP, 2009, p. 1-

A Multi-Platform Flow Device for Microbial (Co-) Cultivation and Microscopic Analysis

Novel microbial cultivation platforms are of increasing interest to researchers in academia and industry. The development of materials with specialized chemical and geometric properties has opened up new possibilities in the study of previously unculturable microorganisms and has facilitated the design of elegant, high-throughput experimental set-ups. Within the context of the international Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition, we set out to design, manufacture, and implement a flow device that can accommodate multiple growth platforms, that is, a silicon nitride based microsieve and a porous aluminium oxide based microdish. It provides control over (co-)culturing conditions similar to a chemostat, while allowing organisms to be observed microscopically. The device was designed to be affordable, reusable, and above all, versatile. To test its functionality and general utility, we performed multiple experiments with Escherichia coli cells harboring synthetic gene circuits and were able to quantitatively study emerging expression dynamics in real-time via fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the device provides a unique environment for the cultivation of nematodes, suggesting that the device could also prove useful in microscopy studies of multicellular microorganisms

Mineralogical and oxygen isotope composition of inorganic dust-fall in Wrocław (SW Poland) urban area – test of a new monitoring tool

We have analysed the mineralogical and oxygen isotope composition of solid inorganic atmospheric particles (SIAP) in Wrocław (SW Poland) to determine potential natural and anthropogenic sources of deposited dust. The mineralogical compositions of SIAP and local soils are very similar and quite typical. Dust sources were attributed to high emission sources (two large coal-fired power generation plants, i.e., "Wrocław and "Czechnica") and low emission sources (mostly small furnaces for home heating). A mullite phase was confirmed in the non-magnetic fraction of high emission dust. The δ1818181