Semiparametric Inference in Seasonal and Cyclical Long Memory Processes

Several semiparametric estimates of the memory parameter in standard long memory time series are now available. They consider only local behaviour of the spectrum near zero frequency, about which the spectrum is symmetric. However long-range dependence can appear as a spectral pole at any Nyqvist frequency (reflecting seasonal or cyclical long-memory), where the spectrum need display no such symmetry. We introduce Seasonal/Cyclical Asymmetric Long Memory (SCALM) processes that allow differing rates of increase on either side of such a pole. To estimate the two consequent memory parameters we extend two semiparametric methods that were proposed for the standard case of a spectrum diverging at the origin, namely the log-periodogram and Gaussian or Whittle methods. We also provide three tests of symmetry. Monte Carlo analysis of finite sample behaviour and an empirical application to UK inflation data are included. Our models and methods allow also for the possibility of negative dependence, described by a possibly asymmetric spectral zero.     

Evaluation of several finishes on severely weathered wood

Alkyd-, oil-modified-latex-, and latex-based finishes were applied to severely weathered western redcedar and redwood boards that did not have any surface treatment to ameliorate the weathered surface prior to painting. Six finishes were evaluated annually for 11 years for cracking, flaking, erosion, mildew growth, discoloration, and general appearance. Lowsolids-content latex finishes that contained about 10% raw linseed oil and 11% acrylic resin (i.e., the oil-modified latex finishes) performed better on badly weathered wood than did the alkyd and the other latex finish, even after 11 years. Latex finishes that contained raw linseed oil probably stabilized the weathered surface and plasticized the finish. The stabilization of the wood surface and the flexibility of the finish throughout its service life are the important factors in finish performance on these weathered substrates. Forest Products Laboratory, One Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, WI 53705-2398. The use of trade or firm names in this publication is for reader information and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture of any product or service. The Forest Products Laboratory is maintained in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin. This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and it is therefore in the public domain and not subject to copyright.     

OPTIMIZATION OF SINGLE-ZONE DRYING OF POLYMER SOLUTION COATINGS TO AVOID BLISTER DEFECTS

The optimal conditions for drying polymer-solvent coatings result from a trade-off between minimizing the residual solvent level and creating defects. Blistering defects can be caused by boiling the solvent within the coating. In this paper, we use a detailed drying model with automated constrained optimization to find optimal drying conditions for prototypical coatings that minimize the residual solvent without blistering the coating. The drying oven is assumed to have a single zone with fixed residence time. The optimal drying conditions include the oven air temperature and substrate-side and coating-side heat transfer coefficients The latter are constrained to physically reasonable values. According to our results, the optimal coating-side heat transfer coefficient is always equal to or greater than the optimal substrate-side heat transfer coefficient.     

Kinetics of emitted mass—A study with three dry powder inhaler devices

The purpose of this study was to understand the kinetics of emptying of micronised salbutamol sulphate (SS) and lactohale 300 (LH300) under varying air flow rates (30–180 L min⁻¹) from three dry powder inhaler devices, Rotahaler^® (RH), Monodose Inhaler^® (MI) and Handihaler^® (HH). Aerosol concentration vs. time profiles, determined through real-time laser diffraction particle sizing, demonstrated that the majority of the powder from RH was emitted within one second while a more prolonged aerosolisation was observed from MI and HH. Peak aerosol concentrations were achieved more rapidly from RH compared to MI for both SS and LH300. Calculated cumulative emitted mass (CCEM) vs. time profiles were obtained from the aerosol concentration vs. time profiles and the emitted mass and the rate of CCEM (k_CCEM), estimated from a modelling approach, increased with increasing air flow rates. The k_CCEMvs. air flow rate profiles of SS and LH300 were significantly different at high air flow rates. The k_CCEM was highest from RH and lowest from MI. Differences in k_CCEM between the devices were related to capsule aperture size while the differences between the materials were due to the powder bed structure. This approach provided an understanding of the rate at which powder mass emptied from dry powder inhaler devices and was proposed to be a powerful development tool for the future powder inhalers.     

Internal particle size distribution of biofuel pellets

Several methods for disintegration of biofuel pellets were tested and compared for their ability to break up the pellets into the original particles of the raw material. Analyses performed on softwood pellets and straw pellets concluded that wet disintegration in water at ambient temperature is insufficient for a determination of the internal particle size distribution of wood- and straw pellets. When the wet disintegration was performed with water heated to the boiling point and coupled with mechanical disintegration in terms of stirring a more complete disintegration of the pellets was obtained. Based on the results obtained in the initial study a round robin was set up including six European laboratories where the selected method was tested. In the round robin test the method combining heated water and stirring of the slurry was tested on solid biofuel pellets produced of comminute straw, deciduous wood and coniferous wood respectively. With the method a satisfactory disintegration was obtained of all three types of pellets.Further wet disintegration of coniferous pellets was compared to a dry disintegration using a hammer mill. The dry disintegration of the coniferous pellets resulted in smaller particle sizes compared to the wet disintegration using heated water and stirring of the slurry indicating a further disintegration of the original particles in the hammer mill process.Overall the wet disintegration combined with mechanical impact was found to be the most suitable method for disintegration of solid biofuel pellets. Combined with sieving analysis the method gives realistic image of the internal particle size distribution of solid biofuel pellets.     

Core-shell structured nanoassemblies based on β-cyclodextrin containing block copolymer and poly(β-benzyl L-aspartate) via host-guest complexation

Double hydrophilic copolymers (PEG-b-PCDs) with one PEG block and another block containing β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) units were synthesized by macromolecular substitution reaction. Via a dialysis procedure, complex assemblies with a core-shell structure were prepared using PEG-b-PCDs in the presence of a hydrophobic homopolymer poly(β-benzyl l-aspartate) (PBLA). The hydrophobic PBLA resided preferably in the cores of assemblies, while the extending PEG chains acted as the outer shell. Host-guest interaction between β-CD and hydrophobic benzyl group was found to mediate the formation of the assemblies, where PEG-b-PCD and PBLA served as the host and guest macromolecules, respectively. The particle size of the assemblies could be modulated by the composition of the host PEG-b-PCD copolymer. The molecular weight of the guest polymer also had a significant effect on the size of the assemblies. The assemblies prepared from the host and guest polymer pair were stable during a long-term storage. These assemblies could also be successfully reconstituted after freeze-drying. The assemblies may therefore be used as novel nanocarriers for the delivery of hydrophobic drugs.