On the asymmetrical dependence of the threshold pressure of infiltration on the wettability of the porous solid by the infiltrating liquid

A general equation has been derived for the threshold pressure of infiltration of liquids into porous solids. From this equation all the known equations for the threshold pressure can be obtained, using different assumptions on the morphology of the porous solid and on the way how the liquid infiltrates the solid. Particularly, the Young-Laplace equation, the Carman-equation, and the modification of the Carman equation, suggested by White and later by Mortensen and Cornie have been reproduced as particular cases of the general equation. A new particular solution of this general equation is also suggested, taking into account that the original solid/gas interface inside the porous body is not fully replaced by the solid/liquid interface during infiltration, especially for the case of non-wetting liquids. The new, general equation consists of three semi-empirical parameters, which should be found experimentally for a given type of morphology of the porous solid and for the given ratio of the surface tension to the density of the infiltrating liquid metal. The new equation provides a value of the threshold contact angle to be between 65.5° and 90°, depending on the morphology of the porous solid. Consequently, the threshold pressure appears to be an asymmetrical function of the contact angle. Based on the new equation, the practical constancy of the threshold pressure is predicted in the interval of the contact angles between 120° and 180°.     

Groundwater Numerical Simulation in an Open Pit Mine in a Limestone Formation Using MODFLOW

Numerical groundwater simulations of a complex limestone formation quarry in northern Spain enabled problems there to be quantified. A conceptual model of the aquifer, based on extensive in situ field work and information analysis was developed using MODFLOW. Steady state simulations as well as a first transient simulation were performed. The predictions matched the measured flows in the pit reasonably well, allowing practical scenarios of immediate interest to be simulated. Model calibration suggested a new permeability zonation, dependent of the degree of fracturing. The model provides a consistent quantitative framework with which new tests or operations can be evaluated in a cost effective manner.     

Improving spectral results in a GTS context

This paper shows the advantages of post-processing spectral classifications in a Geographical Information System (GIS) context in order to improve results. A maximum-likelihood algorithm was used to classify(both supervised and non-supervised) a Landsat TM sub-image in Central Mexico. Purely spectral processing yielded poor accuracy results, showing the spectral limitation to distinguish classes; as a consequence, merging classes was necessary in order to increase accuracy (from less than 55 to 82 per cent). GIS rules were finally applied based on ancillary data (terrain mapping units and elevation data) improving the final accuracy to 88.2 and 83.0 per cent (supervised and non-supervised classifications).     

Pole-assignment problem for discrete-time linear periodic systems

This paper considers the pole-assignment problem for discrete-time linear periodic systems through the use of linear periodic state-variable feedback control. It is shown that if the N-periodic system with m inputs and n states is completely reachable then the problem can be reduced to the pole-assignment problem for a discrete-time linear invariant system with Nm inputs and n states.     

Land-use classification in central Spain using SIR-A and MSS imagery

Abstract

Methods for making more efficient use of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery are considered. Local standard deviation and autocorrelation texture measures are used to provide information on the spatial variability in the scattering cross-section. Use of these statistics in a window of 180×180m improved classification success rates from 39 to 66 per cent with digitized shuttle imaging radar (S1R-A) data. Multispectral scanner (MSS) achieves 70 per cent success with the same window size and, by combining this with SAR, a 78 per cent success rate is reached.     

A simple geometrical model for analysing the spectral response of a citrus canopy using satellite images †

Abstract

A simple geometrical model has been proposed for a citrus canopy. We assume the citrus orchard to be a lattice structure, with the trees positioned at its points and where the composite-scene reflectance is the sum of the reflectance of its individual components as weighted by their respective surfaces within a unit area. The model has been used to analyse the citrus spectral response obtained from Landsat-5 TM images for winter and summer, where the status of the orchard is different. The correlations between spectral and geometrical data show the influence of per cent crop cover, shadows and background in the composite scene reflectance. We conclude that the summer images could be more useful than the winter ones for parcel classification according to per cent crop cover.     

A Linear Stochastic Programming Model for Optimal Leveraged Portfolio Selection

The literature of portfolio optimization is extensive and covers several important aspects of the asset allocation problem. However, previous works consider simplified linear borrowing cost functions that leads to suboptimal allocations. This paper aims at efficiently solving the leveraged portfolio selection problem with a thorough borrowing cost representation comprising a number lenders with different rates and credit limits. We propose a two-stage stochastic programming model for asset and debt allocation considering a CVaR-based risk constraint and a convex piecewise-linear borrowing cost function. We compare our model to its counterpart with the fixed borrowing rate approximation used in literature. Numerical results show our model significantly improves performance in terms of risk-return trade-off.     

Polyphosphates as inhibitors of surface mould growth on hard cheese during ripening

A novel treatment using polyphosphates to protect cheeses against superficial mould growth was assayed. The treatments were: control commercial paint with natamycin (I), commercial paint based on polyvinyl–water (II), immersion in a saturated solution of polyphosphate (III), immersion and commercial paint (IV), commercial paint of polyphosphate solutions (V) and immersion and commercial paint of a saturated solution of polyphosphates (VI). The cheeses were ripened for 6 months. Superficial mould growth was inhibited in groups IV and VI when compared to cheeses from the control group (I). Statistical sensory analysis made between cheeses from groups IV and I (control) showed no significant differences.