A feature-dependent variational level set formulation is proposed for image segmentation. Two second order directional derivatives act as the external constraint in the level set evolution, with the directional derivative across the image features direction playing a key role in contour extraction and another only slightly contributes. To overcome the local gradient limit, we integrate the information from the maximal (in magnitude) second-order directional derivative into a common variational framework. It naturally encourages the level set function to deform (up or down) in opposite directions on either side of the image edges, and thus automatically generates object contours. An additional benefit of this proposed model is that it does not require manual initial contours, and our method can capture weak objects in noisy or intensity-inhomogeneous images. Experiments on infrared and medical images demonstrate its advantages.

A novel generalised successive overrelaxation (GSOR) method for solving generalised saddle point problems is proposed, based on splitting the coefficient matrix. The proposed method is shown to converge under suitable restrictions on the iteration parameters, and we present some illustrative numerical results.

Generalised centrohermitian and skew-centrohermitian matrices arise in a variety of applications in different fields. Based on the vibrating structure equation where M, D, G, K are given matrices with appropriate sizes and x is a column vector, we design a new vibrating structure mode. This mode can be discretised as the left and right inverse eigenvalue problem of a certain structured matrix. When the structured matrix is generalised centrohermitian, we discuss its left and right inverse eigenvalue problem with a submatrix constraint, and then get necessary and sufficient conditions such that the problem is solvable. A general representation of the solutions is presented, and an analytical expression for the solution of the optimal approximation problem in the Frobenius norm is obtained. Finally, the corresponding algorithm to compute the unique optimal approximate solution is presented, and we provide an illustrative numerical example.

Two-grid finite element methods for the steady Navier-Stokes/Darcy model are considered. Stability and optimal error estimates in the H1-norm for velocity and piezometric approximations and the L2-norm for pressure are established under mesh sizes satisfying h = H2. A modified decoupled and linearised two-grid algorithm is developed, together with some associated optimal error estimates. Our method and results extend and improve an earlier investigation, and some numerical computations illustrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the new algorithm.

Traffic flow is treated as a continuum governed by the kinematic LWR model and the Greenshield flux function. The model is modified to describe traffic flow on a road with traffic lights or a roundabout. Parameters introduced determine the traffic flow behaviour and queue formation, and numerical simulations based on the Godunov method are carried out. The numerical procedure is shown to converge, and produces results consistent with previous analytic results.

We discuss a control problem involving a stochastic Burgers equation with a random diffusion coefficient. Numerical schemes are developed, involving the finite element method for the spatial discretisation and the sparse grid stochastic collocation method in the random parameter space. We also use these schemes to compute closed-loop suboptimal state feedback control. Several numerical experiments are performed, to demonstrate the efficiency and plausibility of our approximation methods for the stochastic Burgers equation and the related control problem.