On the convergence of the affine-scaling algorithm

The affine-scaling algorithm, first proposed by Dikin, is presently enjoying great popularity as a potentially effective means of solving linear programs. An outstanding question about this algorithm concerns its convergence in the presence of degeneracy. In this paper, we give new convergence results for this algorithm that do not require any non-degeneracy assumption on the problem. In particular, we show that if the stepsize choice of either Dikin or Barnes or Vanderbei, et al. is used, then the algorithm generates iterates that converge at least linearly with a convergence ratio of , wheren is the number of variables and (0,1] is a certain stepsize ratio. For one particular stepsize choice which is an extension of that of Barnes, we show that the cost of the limit point is within O(/(1–)) of the optimal cost and, for sufficiently small (roughly, proportional to how close the cost of the nonoptimal vertices are to the optimal cost), is exactly optimal. We prove the latter result by using an unusual proof technique, that of analyzing the ergodic convergence of the corresponding dual vectors. For the special case of network flow problems with integer data, we show that it suffices to take = 1/(6mC), wherem is the number of constraints andC is the sum of the cost coefficients, to attain exact optimality.This research is partially supported by the U.S. Army Research Office, contract DAAL03-86-K-0171 (Center for Intelligent Control Systems), by the National Science Foundation, grant NSF-ECS-8519058, and by the Science and Engineering Research Board of McMaster University.     

Evaluation of minimum detectable amounts of iodine in biological samples by neutron activation analysis

Evaluation of minimal detectable amounts (MDA) of iodine in various or specified irradiation and measurement conditions is described. Interfering contributions due to Na and Cl to the spectral background as well as the dead time of detection system were calculated in details based on an experimental approach. The MDA of iodine for some important biological samples with various Na and Cl concentrations can be evaluated and predicted according to the specified irradiation and measurement arrangements to meet the requirement of analytical purposes.     

Triisopropyltriazacyclononane copper(II): an efficient phosphodiester hydrolysis catalyst and DNA cleavage agent

A 6000-fold rate enhancement has been observed for the hydrolysis of bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) in the presence of 0.2 mM Cu(i-Pr(3)[9]aneN(3))(2+) at pH 9.2 and 50 degrees C. In a direct comparison, the rate of hydrolysis of BNPP is accelerated at least 60-fold over the previously reported catalyst Cu([9]aneN(3))(2+). As observed for Cu([9]aneN(3))(2+), hydrolysis is selective for diesters over monoesters. Hydrolysis of BNPP by Cu(i-Pr(3)[9]aneN(3))(2+) is catalytic, exhibiting both rate enhancement and turnover. The reaction is inhibited by both p-nitrophenyl phosphate and inorganic phosphate. The reaction is first-order in substrate and half-order in metal complex, with a k(1.5) of 0.060 +/- 0.004 M(-1/2) s(-1) at 50 degrees C. The temperature dependence of the rate constant results in a calculated activation enthalpy (Delta H(++) of 51 +/- 2 kJ mol(-1) and activation entropy (Delta S(++)) of -110 +/- 6 J mol(-1) K(-1). The kinetic pK(a) of 7.8 +/- 0.2 is close to the thermodynamic pK(a) of 7.9 +/- 0.2, consistent with deprotonation of a coordinated water molecule in the active form of the catalyst. The active catalyst [Cu(i-Pr(3)[9]aneN(3))(OH)(OH(2))](+) is in equilibrium with an inactive dimer, and the formation constant for this dimer is between 216 and 1394 M(-1) at pH 9.2 and 50 degrees C. Temperature dependence of the dimer formation constant K(f) indicates an endothermic enthalpy of formation for the dimer of 27 +/- 3 kJ mol(-1). The time course of anaerobic DNA cleavage by Cu(i-Pr(3)[9]aneN(3))(2+) is presented over a wide range of concentrations at pH 7.8 at 50 degrees C. The concentration dependence of DNA cleavage by Cu([9]aneN(3))(2+) and Cu(i-Pr(3)[9]aneN(3))(2+) reveals a maximum cleavage efficiency at sub-micromolar concentrations of cleavage agent. DNA cleavage by Cu(i-Pr(3)[9]aneN(3))(2+) is twice as efficient at pH 7.8 as at pH 7.2.     

Photoswitchable Composite Polymer Electrolytes Using Spiropyran-Immobilized Nanoporous Templates

Composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) with smart, stimuli-responsive characteristics have gained considerable attention owing to their noninvasive manipulation and applications in future technologies. To address this potential, in this work, we demonstrate photoresponsive composite polymer electrolytes, consisting of gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) and spiropyran-immobilized nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (SP-AAO) templates. Under UV irradiation, the close SP form isomerizes to the open merocyanine (MC) form, creating extremely polarized AAO surfaces; whereas, under visible light irradiation, the MC form reverts to the SP form, creating neutral surface conditions. The electrostatic interactions between ions and AAO surfaces are investigated by attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Moreover, the behavior of ionic conductivity of the GPE@SP-AAO is found to be consistent with the kinetics of isomerization tracked by UV-Vis spectroscopy. This work provides a promising platform for developing next-generation photoelectronic smart devices.     

New correlation equations for predicting filter coefficient ratio of submicron particles at high ionic strength when the diffusiophoretic effect is considered

New correlation equations for the deep-bed filtration, including the term of diffusiophoresis, in addition to the Derjaguin and Landau, Verwey and Overbeek interactions, the Brownian diffusion and the interception, for predicting the initial collection efficiency under the favorable deposition condition and the filter coefficient ratio under the unfavorable deposition condition are derived by using the Brownian dynamics-simulation method. These new correlation equations for predicting the filter coefficient ratio are able to describe previous experimental results especially well for those submicron particles that are at high ionic strength.     

Wound Healing Attributes of Polyelectrolyte Multilayers Prepared with Multi‐l‐arginyl‐poly‐l‐aspartate Pairing with Hyaluronic Acid and γ‐Polyglutamic Acid

Biodegradable multi‐l ‐arginyl‐poly‐l ‐aspartate (MAPA), more commonly cyanophycin, prepared with recombinant Escherichia coli contains a polyaspartate backbone with lysine and arginine as side chains. Two assemblies of polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) are fabricated at three different concentration ratios of insoluble MAPA (iMAPA) with hyaluronic acid (iMAPA/HA) and with γ‐polyglutamic acid (iMAPA/γ‐PGA), respectively, utilizing a layer‐by‐layer approach. Both films with iMAPA and its counterpart, HA or γ‐PGA, as the terminal layer are prepared to assess the effect on film roughness, cell growth, and cell migration. iMAPA incorporation is higher for a higher concentration of the anionic polymer due to better charge interaction. The iMAPA/HA films when compared to iMAPA/γ‐PGA multilayers show least roughness. The growth rates of L929 fibroblast cells on the PEMs are similar to those on glass substrate, with no supplementary effect of the terminal layer. However, the migration rates of L929 cells increase for all PEMs. γ‐PGA incorporated films impart 50% enhancement to the cell migration after 12 h of culture as compared to the untreated glass, and the smooth films containing HA display a maximum 82% improvement. The results present the use of iMAPA to construct a new layer‐by‐layer system of polyelectrolyte biopolymers with a potential application in wound dressing.     

A Simple Approach for Multi‐fidelity Experimentation Applied to Financial Engineering

In practical applications, information about the accuracy or ‘fidelity’ of alternative surrogate systems may be ambiguous and difficult to determine. To address this problem, we propose to treat surrogate system fidelity level as a categorical factor in optimal response surface design. To design the associated experiments, we apply the Expected Integrated Mean Squared Error optimal design criterion, which takes into account both variance and bias errors. The performance of the proposed design was compared using three test cases to four types of alternatives using the Empirical Integrated Squared Error. Because of its ability to foster relatively accurate predictions, the proposed design is recommended in fidelity experimental design, particularly when the experimenters lack sufficient information about the fidelity levels of surrogate systems. The method was applied to the case of intraday trading optimization in which data were collected from the Taiwan Futures Exchange. We also calculated the implied volatility from the Merton's Jump‐diffusion model via the fast Fourier transform algorithm with three different models of varying fidelity levels. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.