Experimental investigation of bifurcation behavior in nonlinear microwave circuits

We present an experimental technique to study bifurcations in periodically forced nonlinear microwave circuits, including even physically unstable (periodic) steady states. The designer specifies a key node in the circuit being studied (often associated with an active device) and the method synthesizes a voltage waveform to match the waveform at the selected node so that no current flows across the interface. This null condition is maintained while a parameter, such as bias voltage, is varied over a specified range. The addition of the external nulling source is able to stabilize a steady state that would be unstable in the original circuit. Various applications are presented.This work has been funded by the Spanish Government under contract TEC2014-60283-C3-1-R, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF/FEDER) and the Parliament of Cantabria (12.JP02.64069)

Hygrothermal Performance of Worship Spaces: Preservation, Comfort and Energy Consumption

The energy problem, one the most important on a global scale, greatly affects the environment. Much of the current energy consumption occurs in existing buildings, including heritage buildings with varying protected status. Energy intervention and heritage conservation conflict to some extent, as research focuses more on the search for improved energy efficiency solutions for materials and systems than on their application to heritage buildings. This study describes experimental research on environmental conditioning techniques in spaces of worship in a temperate climate in southern Spain. Buildings were monitored and assessed in the implementation of different environmental techniques—active and combined (passive and active)—with the aim of improving the thermal comfort conditions of the faithful while preserving the cultural heritage of these buildings. The need for a control system of RH and the air system was concluded, as well as radiant floors and radiators, which, in the considered case studies, would barely affect the artworks. 24- and 12-h operation are better suited to heritage preservation than occasional use. All operation schedules are valid for thermal comfort.Universidad de Malaga Universidad de Sevill

Determinación de las condiciones óptimas para la obtención de un fertilizante fosfatado a partir de la roca fosfórica cubana

(Eng) In order to reach food security in the country, it is necessary to intensify the production of fertilizers in a sustainable manner in order to obtain increases in productivity, generate economic profits, and increase the use of national raw materials to reduce imports. For these reasons it is necessary to determine the optimum conditions for the process of obtaining Single Superphosphate (SFS), from the phosphate rock and sulfuric acid at lab scale, and thus determine the values ​​of the variables which intervene in that process and assure the maximum quality of the product. To carry out the research, the rotational centered factorial design 22 with star points was used in 13 experimental runs and an experiment matrix was elaborated with the independent variables, acid / rock ratio and percentage of sulfuric acid, in the range of 1.61-2.06 and 65% -75% respectively. As a result it was obtained that the optimum parameters in the range studied for the benefited Cuban rock are: H2SO4 concentration of 72% and acid / rock ratio of 2.02. The quality indexes of the Superphosphate Simple cured obtained with the optimum parameters are: assimilable phosphorus content of 12.28%, humidity 8.21% and free acidity 2.05%; acting in accordance with international product specifications.(Spa) Con la finalidad de lograr la seguridad alimentaria en el país, es necesario intensificar de manera sostenible la producción de fertilizantes para obtener incrementos de productividad y generar ganancias económicas, potenciando el uso de materias primas nacionales para disminuir las importaciones. Es por ello que, en este trabajo se realizó el estudio de la determinación de las condiciones óptimas del proceso de obtención de Superfosfato Sencillo (SFS) a escala de laboratorio, a partir de la roca fosfórica y el ácido sulfúrico y con ello determinar los valores de las variables que intervienen en el mismo, y que aseguren la máxima calidad del producto. Para la realización de la investigación se utilizó el diseño factorial centrado rotacional 22 con puntos estrellas en 13 corridas experimentales y se elaboró una matriz de experimentos con las variables independientes, relación ácido/roca y porcentaje de ácido sulfúrico, en el intervalo de 1.61-2.06 y 65%-75% respectivamente. Como resultado se obtuvo que los parámetros óptimos en el intervalo estudiado para la roca cubana beneficiada fueron: concentración de H2SO4 de 72% y la relación ácido/roca de 2.02. Los índices de calidad del Superfosfato Sencillo curado obtenido con los parámetros óptimos son: contenido de fósforo asimilable de 12.28%, humedad 8.21% y acidez libre 2.05%; cumpliendo de forma general con especificaciones internacionales del producto

A comprehensive asteroseismic modelling of the high-amplitude delta Scuti star RV Arietis

We present a comprehensive asteroseismic study of the double-mode high-amplitude delta Scuti star HD 187642 (RV Arietis). The modelling includes some of the most recent techniques: 1) effects of rotation on both equilibrium models and adiabatic oscillation spectrum, 2) non-adiabatic study of radial and non-radial modes, 3) relationship between the fundamental radial mode and the first overtone in the framework of Petersen diagrams. The analysis reveals that two of the observed frequencies are very probably identified as the fundamental and first overtone radial modes. Analysis of the colour index variations, together with theoretical non-adiabatic calculations, points to models in the range of [7065,7245] K in effective temperature and of [1190, 1270] Myr in stellar age. These values were found to be compatible with those obtained using the three other asteroseismic techniques.Comment: accepted for publication in A&

Bootstrap-based procedures for inference in nonparametric receiver-operating characteristic curve regression analysis

Prior to using a diagnostic test in a routine clinical setting, the rigorous evaluation of its diagnostic accuracy is essential. The receiver-operating characteristic curve is the measure of accuracy most widely used for continuous diagnostic tests. However, the possible impact of extra information about the patient (or even the environment) on diagnostic accuracy also needs to be assessed. In this paper, we focus on an estimator for the covariate-specific receiver-operating characteristic curve based on direct regression modelling and nonparametric smoothing techniques. This approach defines the class of generalised additive models for the receiver-operating characteristic curve. The main aim of the paper is to offer new inferential procedures for testing the effect of covariates on the conditional receiver-operating characteristic curve within the above-mentioned class. Specifically, two different bootstrap-based tests are suggested to check (a) the possible effect of continuous covariates on the receiver-operating characteristic curve and (b) the presence of factor-by-curve interaction terms. The validity of the proposed bootstrap-based procedures is supported by simulations. To facilitate the application of these new procedures in practice, an R-package, known as npROCRegression, is provided and briefly described. Finally, data derived from a computer-aided diagnostic system for the automatic detection of tumour masses in breast cancer is analyse

Seismology of beta Cephei stars: differentially-rotating models for interpreting the oscillation spectrum of nu-Eridani

A method for the asteroseismic analysis of beta Cephei stars is presented and applied to the star nu Eridani. The method is based on the analysis of rotational splittings, and their asymmetries using differentially-rotating asteroseismic models. Models with masses around 7.13 M_sun, and ages around 14.9 Myr, were found to fit better 10 of the 14 observed frequencies, which were identified as the fundamental radial mode and the three L=1 triplets g, p, and p. The splittings and aymmetries found for these modes recover those provided in the literature, except for p. For this last mode, all its non-axysimmetric components are predicted by the models. Moreover, opposite signs of the observed and predicted splitting asymmetries are found. If identification is confirmed, this can be a very interesting source of information about the internal rotation profile, in particular in the outer regions of the star. In general, the seismic models which include a description for shellular rotation yield slightly better results as compared with those given by uniformly-rotating models. Furthermore, we show that asymmetries are quite dependent on the overshooting of the convective core, which make the present technique suitable for testing the theories describing the angular momentum redistribution and chemical mixing due to rotationally-induced turbulence.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, 8 tables. ApJ (in press

Bootstrap-based procedures for inference in nonparametric ROC regression analysis

Before the use of a diagnostic test in a routine clinical setting, the rigorous evaluation of its diagnostic accuracy is an essential step. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve is the measure of accuracy most widely used for continuous diagnostic tests. However, the possible impact of extra information about the patient (or even the environment) on diagnostic accuracy needs to be also assessed. In this paper, attention is focused on an estimator for the covariate-specific ROC curve based on direct regression modelling and nonparametric smoothing techniques. This approach defines the class of generalized additive models for the ROC curve (ROC-GAM). The main aim of the paper is to offer new inferential procedures for testing the effect of co- variates over the conditional ROC curve within the ROC-GAM context. Specifically, two different bootstrap-based tests are suggested to check (a) the possible effect of continuous covariates on the ROC curve; and (b) the presence of factor-by-curve interaction terms. The validity of the proposed bootstrap-based procedures is supported by simulations. To facilitate the application of these new procedures in practice, an R-package, known as npROCRegression, is provided and briefly described. Finally, data derived from a computed-aided diagnostic (CAD) system for the automatic detection of tumour masses in breast cancer is analysed