Bifurcation of limit cycles from an n-dimensional linear center inside a class of piecewise linear differential systems

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

A Weak Maximum Principle for Optimal Control Problems with Nonsmooth Mixed Constraints

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Miscibility in a degenerate fermionic mixture induced by linear coupling

We consider a one-dimensional mean-field-hydrodynamic model of a two-component degenerate Fermi gas in an external trap, each component representing a spin state of the same atom. We demonstrate that the interconversion between them (linear coupling), imposed by a resonant electromagnetic wave, transforms the immiscible binary gas into a miscible state, if the coupling constant, kappa, exceeds a critical value, kappa(cr). The effect is predicted in a variational approximation, and confirmed by numerical solutions. Unlike the recently studied model of a binary Bose-Einsten condensate with the linear coupling, the components in the immiscible phase of the binary fermion mixture never fill two separated domains with a wall between them, but rather form antilocked (pi-phase-shifted) density waves. Another difference from the bosonic mixture is spontaneous breaking of symmetry between the two components in terms of the numbers of atoms in them, N(1) and N(2). The latter effect is characterized by the parameter nu equivalent to(N(1)-N(2))/(N(1)+N(2)) (only N(1)+N(2) is a conserved quantity), the onset of miscibility at kappa >=kappa(cr) meaning a transition to nu equivalent to 0. At kappa linear coupling, and the developing spatial structure resembles the known Larkin-Ovchinnikov-Fulde-Ferrell states in the Fermi mixture. Dynamical states, when kappa is suddenly switched from zero to a value exceeding kappa(cr), are considered too. In the latter case, the system features oscillatory relaxation to the mixed state.

Valorização da reserva operativa em um ambiente competitivo para geradores hidrelétricos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Procedimento MIXED do SAS® para análise de modelos mistos

O modelo misto consiste numa importante classe de modelos que tem sido tradicionalmente analisada por meio de procedimentos da análise de variância. Nos modelos mistos, três aspectos são fundamentais: estimação e testes de hipóteses dos efeitos fixos, predição dos efeitos aleatórios e estimação dos componentes de variância. Na análise de modelos lineares mistos desbalanceados, a estimação dos componentes de variância é de fundamental importância e depende da estrutura de covariâncias e dos métodos de estimação utilizados. Nesse contexto, este artigo pretende apresentar os principais métodos de estimação e de análise utilizados no estudo de modelos lineares mistos com estruturas gerais de covariâncias nos efeitos aleatórios, disponíveis no procedimento MIXED, do SAS (Statistical Analysis System).

Bayesian longitudinal data analysis with mixed models and thick-tailed distributions using MCMC

Linear mixed effects models are frequently used to analyse longitudinal data, due to their flexibility in modelling the covariance structure between and within observations. Further, it is easy to deal with unbalanced data, either with respect to the number of observations per subject or per time period, and with varying time intervals between observations. In most applications of mixed models to biological sciences, a normal distribution is assumed both for the random effects and for the residuals. This, however, makes inferences vulnerable to the presence of outliers. Here, linear mixed models employing thick-tailed distributions for robust inferences in longitudinal data analysis are described. Specific distributions discussed include the Student-t, the slash and the contaminated normal. A Bayesian framework is adopted, and the Gibbs sampler and the Metropolis-Hastings algorithms are used to carry out the posterior analyses. An example with data on orthodontic distance growth in children is discussed to illustrate the methodology. Analyses based on either the Student-t distribution or on the usual Gaussian assumption are contrasted. The thick-tailed distributions provide an appealing robust alternative to the Gaussian process for modelling distributions of the random effects and of residuals in linear mixed models, and the MCMC implementation allows the computations to be performed in a flexible manner.

A linear optimization approach to the combined production planning model

Two fundamental processes usually arise in the production planning of many industries. The first one consists of deciding how many final products of each type have to be produced in each period of a planning horizon, the well-known lot sizing problem. The other process consists of cutting raw materials in stock in order to produce smaller parts used in the assembly of final products, the well-studied cutting stock problem. In this paper the decision variables of these two problems are dependent of each other in order to obtain a global optimum solution. Setups that are typically present in lot sizing problems are relaxed together with integer frequencies of cutting patterns in the cutting problem. Therefore, a large scale linear optimizations problem arises, which is exactly solved by a column generated technique. It is worth noting that this new combined problem still takes the trade-off between storage costs (for final products and the parts) and trim losses (in the cutting process). We present some sets of computational tests, analyzed over three different scenarios. These results show that, by combining the problems and using an exact method, it is possible to obtain significant gains when compared to the usual industrial practice, which solve them in sequence. (C) 2010 The Franklin Institute. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reductions in the Prevalence and Incidence of Geohelminth Infections following a City-wide Sanitation Program in a Brazilian Urban Centre

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Selection of alfalfa cultivars adapted for tropical environments with repeated measures using PROC MIXED of SAS (R) System

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

An improved electrophoretic method for a screening program for haemoglobinopathies

A method for a screening program for haemoglobinopathies in a starch agar gel mixed with saponin is presented. Normal and abnormal blood containing haemoglobins S, C, I, M Boston, D Punjab, beta thalassaemia major and beta thalassaemia minor, were applied, in a tray with the capacity for 100 samples. The electrophoresis was performed in 45 min using 300 V. This method offers special advantages for the examination of a large number of samples, using a small amount of whole blood and without the previous preparation of haemoglobin solution.

VAr planning using genetic algorithm and linear programming

A combined methodology consisting of successive linear programming (SLP) and a simple genetic algorithm (SGA) solves the reactive planning problem. The problem is divided into operating and planning subproblems; the operating subproblem, which is a nonlinear, ill-conditioned and nonconvex problem, consists of determining the voltage control and the adjustment of reactive sources. The planning subproblem consists of obtaining the optimal reactive source expansion considering operational, economical and physical characteristics of the system. SLP solves the optimal reactive dispatch problem related to real variables, while SGA is used to determine the necessary adjustments of both the binary and discrete variables existing in the modelling problem. Once the set of candidate busbars has been defined, the program implemented gives the location and size of the reactive sources needed, if any, to maintain the operating and security constraints.

Effect of a heat-treatment on the linear dimensional change of a hard chairside reline resin

Statement of problem. Little data are available regarding the effect of heat-treatments on the dimensional stability of hard chairside reline resins. Purpose. The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate whether a heat-treatment improves the dimensional stability of the reline resin Duraliner II and to compare the linear dimensional changes of this material with the heat-polymerized acrylic resin Lucitone 550. Material and methods. The materials were mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions and packed into a stainless steel split mold (50.0 mm diameter and 0.5 mm thickness) with reference points (A, B, C, and D). Duraliner II specimens were polymerized for 12 minutes in water at 37°C and bench cooled to room temperature before being removed from the mold. Twelve specimens were made and divided into 2 groups: group 1 specimens (n=6) were left untreated, and group 2 specimens (n=6) were submitted to a heat-treatment in a water bath at 55°C for 10 minutes and then bench cooled to room temperature. The 6 Lucitone specimens (control group) were polymerized in a water bath for 9 hours at 71°C. The specimens were removed after the mold reached the room temperature. A Nikon optical comparator was used to measure the distances between the reference points (AB and CD) on the stainless steel mold (baseline readings) and on the specimens to the nearest 0.001 mm. Measurements were made after processing and after the specimens had been stored in distilled water at 37°C for 8 different periods of time. Data were subjected to analysis of variance with repeated measures, followed by Tukey's multiple comparison test (P<.05). Results. All specimens exhibited shrinkage after processing (control, -0.41%; group 1, -0.26%; and group 2, -0.51%). Group 1 specimens showed greater shrinkage (-1.23%) than the control (-0.23%) and group 2 (-0.81%) specimens after 60 days of storage in water (P<.05). Conclusion. Within the limitations of this study, a significant improvement of the long-term dimensional stability of the Duraliner II reline resin was observed when the specimens were heat-treated. However, the shrinkage remained considerably higher than the denture base resin Lucitone 550. Copyright © 2002 by The Editorial Council of The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.

Stochastic Stability for Markovian Jump Linear Systems Subject to a Crucial Failure Event

This paper is concerned with the stability of discrete-time linear systems subject to random jumps in the parameters, described by an underlying finite-state Markov chain. In the model studied, a stopping time τ Δ is associated with the occurrence of a crucial failure after which the system is brought to a halt for maintenance. The usual stochastic stability concepts and associated results are not indicated, since they are tailored to pure infinite horizon problems. Using the concept named stochastic τ-stability, equivalent conditions to ensure the stochastic stability of the system until the occurrence of τ Δ is obtained. In addition, an intermediary and mixed case for which τ represents the minimum between the occurrence of a fix number N of failures and the occurrence of a crucial failure τ Δ is also considered. Necessary and sufficient conditions to ensure the stochastic τ-stability are provided in this setting that are auxiliary to the main result.

The LQ control problem for Markovian jumps linear systems with horizon defined by stopping times

This paper deals with a stochastic optimal control problem involving discrete-time jump Markov linear systems. The jumps or changes between the system operation modes evolve according to an underlying Markov chain. In the model studied, the problem horizon is defined by a stopping time τ which represents either, the occurrence of a fix number N of failures or repairs (TN), or the occurrence of a crucial failure event (τΔ), after which the system is brought to a halt for maintenance. In addition, an intermediary mixed case for which T represents the minimum between TN and τΔ is also considered. These stopping times coincide with some of the jump times of the Markov state and the information available allows the reconfiguration of the control action at each jump time, in the form of a linear feedback gain. The solution for the linear quadratic problem with complete Markov state observation is presented. The solution is given in terms of recursions of a set of algebraic Riccati equations (ARE) or a coupled set of algebraic Riccati equation (CARE).

Rubber tree early selection for yield stability in time and among locations

Rubber production in the rubber tree [Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Muell. Arg.] can be expressed differently in different environments. Thus the objective of the present study was to select productive progenies, stable and responsive in time and among locations. Thirty progenies were assessed by early yield tests at three ages and in three locations. A randomized block design was used with three replications and ten plants per plot, in 3 × 3 m spacing. The procedure of the mixed linear Reml/Blup model-restricted maximum likelihood/best non-biased linear prediction was used in the genetic statistical analyses. In all the individual analyses, the values observed for the progeny average heritability (ĥpa 2) were greater than those of the additive effect based on single individuals (ĥa 2) and within plot additive (ĥad 2). In the joint analyses in time, there was genotype × test interaction in the three locations. When 20 % of the best progenies were selected the predicted genetic gains were: Colina GG = 24.63 %, Selvíria GG = 13.63 %, and Votuporanga GG = 25.39 %. Two progenies were among the best in the analyses in the time and between locations. In the joint analysis among locations there was only genotype × location interaction in the first early test. In this test, selecting 20 %, the general predicted genetic gain was GG = 25.10 %. Identifying progenies with high and stable yield over time and among locations contributes to the efficiency of the genetic breeding program. The relative performance of the progenies varies depending of the age of early selection test. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.