Abstract: The invention relates to an adaptation system for adapting a deformable model comprising a plurality of model elements to an object of interest in an image data set, the adaptation system comprising a selector for selecting at least one image- driven model element from the plurality of model elements and an adapter for adapting the deformable model on the basis of optimizing a model energy of the deformable model, the model energy comprising an internal energy of the plurality of model elements and an external energy of the at least one image-driven model element, thereby adapting the deformable model. By enabling the adaptation system to selectively choose the image- driven model elements, the adaptation system of the current invention allows excluding a poorly adaptable model element from interacting with the image data set and thus from being pulled and/or pushed by the image data set into a wrong location.

Abstract: A fin tube heat exchanger where both a heat transmission promotion effect and water discharge ability by guiding fins are simultaneously achieved. The fin tube heat exchanger (1) has heat transmission fins (2) placed in an airflow, and also has heat transmission tubes (3) inserted in the heat transmission fins (2) and placed in the direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the airflow. A set of guiding fins (21a, 21b) and a set of guiding fins (21c, 21d) are formed by cutting and bending on the surface of each heat transmission fin (2), and the sets are on both sides, respectively, of each heat transmission tube (3). Each set of the guiding fins (21a, 21b)(21c, 21d) are linearly aligned from the up-stream side toward the downstream side of the direction of the airflow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a component having a substrate and a ceramic heat-insulating layer which is arranged thereon. This heat-insulating layer has a columnar structure having ceramic stems which are essentially oriented mainly normal to the surface of the substrate and have a respective stem diameter of less than 2.5 &mgr;m. The invention also relates to a coating apparatus for producing a heat-insulating layer on a substrate and to a method of coating a substrate in the manner of a reactive gas-flow sputtering method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a component having a substrate and a ceramic heat-insulating layer which is arranged thereon. This heat-insulating layer has a columnar structure having ceramic stems which are essentially oriented mainly normal to the surface of the substrate and have a respective stem diameter of less than 2.5 &mgr;m. The invention also relates to a coating apparatus for producing a heat-insulating layer on a substrate and to a method of coating a substrate in the manner of a reactive gas-flow sputtering method.

Abstract: A phosphate-free liquid detergent composition having useful soil-removing characteristics can be prepared from a mixture of at least one liquid anionic or nonionic surfactant material, water or water-glycol mixtures, and a reaction product of citric acid and a water soluble or water dispersible amine. In a preferred embodiment the liquid detergent composition also contains enzymes.