L. M. Garcia-Raffi

Tunable wideband bandstop acoustic filter based on two-dimensional multiphysical phenomena periodic systems

The physical properties of a periodic distribution of absorbent resonators is used in this work to design a tunable wideband bandstop acoustic filter. Analytical and numerical simulations as well as experimental validations show that the control of the resonances and the absorption of the scatterers along with their periodic arrangement in air introduce high technological possibilities to control noise. Sound manipulation is perhaps the most obvious application of the structures presented in this work. We apply this methodology to develop a device as an alternative to the conventional acoustic barriers with several properties from the acoustical point of view but also with additional esthetic and constructive characteristics.

Evidences of evanescent Bloch waves in phononic crystals

We show both experimentally and theoretically the evanescent behavior of modes in the band gap of finite phononic crystal (PC). Based on experimental and numerical data we obtain the imaginary part of the wave vector in good agreement with the complex band structures obtained by the extended plane wave expansion. The calculated and measured acoustic field of a localized mode out of the point defect inside the PC presents also evanescent behavior. The correct understanding of evanescent modes is fundamental for designing narrow filters and waveguides based on PCs with defects.

Evanescent modes in sonic crystals: complex dispersion relation and supercell approximation

Evanescent modes in complete sonic crystals (SCs) and SC with point defects are reported both theoretically and experimentally in this paper. Plane wave expansion (PWE) and in general, ω(k) methods have been used to calculate band structures showing gaps that have been interpreted as ranges of frequencies where no real k exists. In this work, we extend PWE to solve the complex k(ω) problem applied to SC, introducing the supercell approximation for studying one vacancy. Explicit matrix formulation of the equations is given. This k(ω) method enables the calculation of complex band structures, as well as enabling an analysis of the propagating modes related with real values of the function k(ω), and the evanescent modes related with imaginary values of k(ω). This paper shows theoretical results and experimental evidences of the evanescent behavior of modes inside the SC band gap. Experimental data and numerical results using the finite elements method are in very good agreement with the predictions obtained ...

The Dual Space of an Asymmetric Normed Linear Space

Given an asymmetric normed linear space (X, q), we construct and study its dual space (X ∗ , q ∗). In particular, we show that (X ∗ , q ∗) is a biBanach semilinear space and prove that (X, q) can be identified as a subspace of its bidual by an isometric isomorphism. We also introduce and characterize the so-called weak* topology which is generated in a natural way by the relation between (X, q) and its dual, and an extension of the celebrated Alaoglus theorem is obtained. Some parts of our theory are presented in the more general setting of the space LC (X, Y) of all linear continuous mappings from the asymmetric normed linear space X to the asymmetric normed linear space Y. In particular, we show that LC (X, Y) can be endowed with the structure of an asymmetric normed semilinear space and prove that it is a biBanach space if Y is so.

Validation of the use of Actigraph GT3X accelerometers to estimate energy expenditure in full time manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury

Study design:Cross-sectional validation study.Objectives:The goals of this study were to validate the use of accelerometers by means of multiple linear models (MLMs) to estimate the O2 consumption (VO2) in paraplegic persons and to determine the best placement for accelerometers on the human body.Setting:Non-hospitalized paraplegics’ community.Methods:Twenty participants (age=40.03 years, weight=75.8 kg and height=1.76 m) completed sedentary, propulsion and housework activities for 10 min each. A portable gas analyzer was used to record VO2. Additionally, four accelerometers (placed on the non-dominant chest, non-dominant waist and both wrists) were used to collect second-by-second acceleration signals. Minute-by-minute VO2 (ml kg−1 min−1) collected from minutes 4 to 7 was used as the dependent variable. Thirty-six features extracted from the acceleration signals were used as independent variables. These variables were, for each axis including the resultant vector, the percentiles 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th; the autocorrelation with lag of 1 s and three variables extracted from wavelet analysis. The independent variables that were determined to be statistically significant using the forward stepwise method were subsequently analyzed using MLMs.Results:The model obtained for the non-dominant wrist was the most accurate (VO2=4.0558−0.0318Y25+0.0107Y90+0.0051YND2−0.0061ZND2+0.0357VR50) with an r-value of 0.86 and a root mean square error of 2.23 ml kg−1 min−1.Conclusions:The use of MLMs is appropriate to estimate VO2 by accelerometer data in paraplegic persons. The model obtained to the non-dominant wrist accelerometer (best placement) data improves the previous models for this population.

The bicompletion of an asymmetric normed linear space

A biBanach space is an asymmetric normed linear space (X,‖·‖) such that the normed linear space (X,‖·‖s) is a Banach space, where ‖x‖s= max {‖x‖,‖-x‖} for all x∈X. We prove that each asymmetric normed linear space (X,‖·‖) is isometrically isomorphic to a dense subspace of a biBanach space (Y,‖·‖Y). Furthermore the space (Y,‖·‖Y) is unique (up to isometric isomorphism).

Propagating and evanescent properties of double-point defects in sonic crystals

Complex band structures and multiple scattering theory have been used in this paper to analyze the overlapping of the evanescent waves localized in point defects in sonic crystals (SCs). The extended plane wave expansion (EPWE) with supercell approximation gives the imaginary part of the Bloch vectors that produces the decay of the localized modes inside the periodic system. Double cavities can present a coupling between the evanescent modes localized in the defect, showing a symmetric or antisymmetric mode. When point defects are close, the complex band structures reveal a splitting of the frequencies of the localized modes. Both the real part and the imaginary values of k of the localized modes in the cavities present different values for each localized mode, which gives different properties for each mode. The novel measurements, in very good agreement with analytical data, show experimental evidence of the symmetric and antisymmetric localized modes for a double-point defect in SCs. The investigation of the localization phenomena and the coupling between defects in periodic systems has fundamental importance in both pure and applied physics.

Hole distribution in phononic crystals: Design and optimization

An exhaustive study has been made into the potential improvement in attenuation and focusing of phononic crystal arrays resulting from the deliberate creation of vacancies. Use is made of a stochastic search algorithm based on evolutionary algorithms called the epsilon variable multi-objective genetic algorithm which, in conjunction with the application of multiple scattering theory, enables the design of devices for effectively controlling sound waves. Several parameters are analyzed, including the symmetries used in the distribution of holes and the optimum number of holes. The validity and utility of the general rules obtained have been confirmed experimentally.

Simulation of light collection in scintillators with rough surfaces

Abstract A simple model to evaluate the light collection in scintillators with rough surfaces by Monte Carlo simulation is proposed. The model has a single parameter related to the degree of roughness. The results are compared with measurements for a long tapered BGO crystal.

Band gap creation using quasiordered structures based on sonic crystals

It is well known that sonic crystals are periodic structures that present acoustic band gaps attenuation centered at frequencies related with the lattice constant of the structure. We present an approach based on genetic algorithms to create band gaps in a predetermined range of frequencies. The mechanism used by genetic algorithms to achieve this objective is the creation of vacancies in a starting sonic crystal, built with air-embedded rigid scatterers. As a result of the optimization process, we obtain quasiordered structures on which acoustic properties are based in the multiple scattering theory.