Repeated measures analysis for functional data

Most of the traditional statistical methods are being adapted to the Functional Data Analysis (FDA) context. The repeated measures analysis which deals with the k-sample problem when the data are from the same subjects is investigated. Both the parametric and the nonparametric approaches are considered. Asymptotic, permutation and bootstrap approximations for the statistic distribution are developed. In order to explore the statistical power of the proposed methods in different scenarios, a Monte Carlo simulation study is carried out. The results suggest that the studied methodology can detect small differences between curves even with small sample sizes.     

A minimal element distortion strategy for computational mesh dynamics

Mesh motion strategy is one of the key points in many fluid–structure interaction (FSI) problems. Due to the increasing application of FSI to solve the current challenging engineering problems, this topic has become of great interest. There are several different strategies to solve this problem, some of them use a discrete and lumped spring–mass system to propagate the boundary motion into the volume mesh, and many others use an elastostatic problem to deform the mesh. In all these strategies there is always risk of producing an invalid mesh, i.e. a mesh with some elements inverted. Normally this condition is irreversible and once an invalid mesh is obtained it is difficult to continue. In this paper the mesh motion strategy is defined as an optimization problem. By its definition this strategy can be classified as a particular case of an elastostatic problem where the material constitutive law is defined in terms of the minimization of certain energy functional that takes into account the degree of element distortion. Some advantages of this strategy are its natural tendency to high quality meshes, its robustness and its straightforward extension to 3D problems. Several examples included in this paper show these capabilities. Even though this strategy seems to be very robust it is not able to recover a valid mesh starting from an invalid one. This improvement is left for future work. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

LDA + U and GGA + U studies of Al-rich and bulk goethite (α-FeOOH)

The electronic and structural properties of bulk goethite and Al-rich goethite were studied on the basis of spin-polarized DFT at the LDA + U and GGA(PW91) + U levels. Firstly, the periodic model of bulk goethite was optimized varying the value of U_eff. Considering all the results obtained we can conclude that the bulk goethite described at the GGA + U level with U_eff = 6 eV gives us the better agreement with different physical properties. The results of magnetic moments of Fe ions, the DOS analysis and the Bader atomic charges identify goethite as an antiferromagnetic Fe(III) compound. For Al-rich goethite the GGA + U (U_eff = 6 eV) approach was used. The isomorphous substitution of one Fe ion with Al ion produces the reduction of the cell parameters with respect to the bulk goethite. Regarding the magnetic ordering, it was observed that Fe atoms surrounding the Al atom must have the same spin projection, i.e., spin-up or -down. The charge density was changed with the addition of Al ion, producing a depletion where the ion is located and some electron redistribution in the zone of the oxygen atoms surrounding the Al ion. This behavior produces some small magnetization in these O ions.     

Volatile Retention and Antifungal Properties of Spray-Dried Microparticles of Lippia sidoides Essential Oil

Spray drying microencapsulation of Lippia sidoides essential oil was investigated. Maltodextrin DE10 and gum arabic at different proportions (4:1, 3:2, 2:3, 0:1 m/m) was used as a carrier. The content of essential oil related to the carrier was 20 and 25% in weight and the emulsions were atomized from 30% up to 60% (m/m) of total solid concentration. Spray dryer inlet temperatures varied from 140 to 160°C and the best thermal efficiency and powder recovery were found at 160°C. Product properties and process performance were assessed on the basis of microscopic features of the powder (shape and size of microparticles), moisture content, and powder recovery. Encapsulation efficiency was estimated through determination of the content of essential oil in the microcapsules. The best encapsulation efficiency was related to experimental parameters as follows: solid content of the encapsulating composition of 50% (m/m), maltodextrin:gum arabic ratio of 0:1 (m/m) and carrier:essential oil ratio of 4:1 (m/m). Antifungal activities of microparticles were evaluated, evidencing their potential as important antifungal agents. The positive findings in this study encourage further research and provide perspectives for the development of phytotherapeutic products from essential oil of Lippia sidoides.     

Porous MgH2/C composite with fast hydrogen storage kinetics

A porous MgH₂/C composite can be synthesized through decomposition of an organo-magnesium precursor under hydrogen pressure. XRD patterns of the porous MgH₂/C composite exhibit a pure MgH₂ phase with a tetragonal structure. The morphology of the resulted samples is significantly dependent on the synthesis temperature and hydrogen pressure. The samples exhibit a rod-like structure and composed of nano-crystallites of MgH₂ with a size of less than 5 nm. TPD spectra of a sample synthesized at 220 °C for 4 h show a remarkable decrease of the onset hydrogen release temperature. Further, this sample also exhibits fast hydrogen adsorption kinetics adsorbing 6 wt % of hydrogen in 3 min at 250 °C. The same amount of hydrogen is adsorbed in 11 min at 200 °C and 40 min at 150 °C, respectively. N₂ physisorption measurements of this sample indicate meso-porosity with a BET surface area of 40.9 m² g⁻¹ and an average pore diameter of 20 nm.     

Supply-cost curves for geographically distributed renewable-energy resources

The supply-cost curves of renewable-energy sources are an essential tool to synthesize and analyze large-scale energy-policy scenarios, both in the short and long terms. Here, we suggest and test a parametrization of such curves that allows their representation for modeling purposes with a minimal set of information. In essence, an economic potential is defined based on the mode of the marginal supply-cost curves; and, using this definition, a normalized log-normal distribution function is used to model these curves. The feasibility of this proposal is assessed with data from a GIS-based analysis of solar, wind and biomass technologies in Spain. The best agreement is achieved for solar energy.     

Modulated heterodyne light scattering set-up for measuring long relaxation time at small and wide angle

We present a simple, compact, and versatile experimental setup working in the heterodyne detection mode with modulation of the reference beam. The system is implemented with a collection optics based on a unimodal optical fiber coupler. This choice allows the heterodyne to be used in a wide range of scattering angles, even for very small ones, without losing the optical beating. The apparatus can be successfully used to study translational diffusive dynamics of dispersed particles at scattering angles smaller than 5° and it is suitable for exploring slow relaxation processes in sub-Hertz frequency domain, for example, in glass-forming systems. It is also possible to measure the electrophoretic mobility by applying an electric field into a charged particles solution.     

Complete robotic inspection line using PC-based control, supervision and parameterization software

Non-flat ceramic products, like toilets and bidets, are fully inspected at the end of the production process, to search for structural, surface and functional defects. Ceramic pieces are transported to the inspection lines assembled in pallets, carried by electro-mechanical fork-lifters or automatic guided vehicles. Pallets need to be disassembled, while feeding with the inspection lines where human operators execute the inspection tasks. Also, the pieces that pass inspection need to be palletized again for product distribution. Those de-palletizing and palletizing operations are physically very demanding and can be performed with advantages by robots.This paper discusses with enough detail the adopted solutions used to perform those tasks, giving special attention to the software designed to parameterize and supervise the system.