IR signature estimation of an object or a target by taking into account atmospheric effects

In this study, a reference infrared (IR) image of an object or a target was analyzed, and the IR signature was calculated. Background and atmospheric effects were decomposed so that the calculation errors were minimized. Depending on the reference IR image, the IR signature at any distance and any angle was estimated while considering atmospheric effects. Calculated results were obtained from IR images taken from the same distance and angle, and were compared with the estimated results. The comparison of the measured and calculated signatures demonstrated the accuracy of the proposed method of estimation.     

Restructuring forward step of MARS algorithm using a new knot selection procedure based on a mapping approach

In high dimensional data modeling, Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) is a popular nonparametric regression technique used to define the nonlinear relationship between a response variable and the predictors with the help of splines. MARS uses piecewise linear functions for local fit and apply an adaptive procedure to select the number and location of breaking points (called knots). The function estimation is basically generated via a two-stepwise procedure: forward selection and backward elimination. In the first step, a large number of local fits is obtained by selecting large number of knots via a lack-of-fit criteria; and in the latter one, the least contributing local fits or knots are removed. In conventional adaptive spline procedure, knots are selected from a set of all distinct data points that makes the forward selection procedure computationally expensive and leads to high local variance. To avoid this drawback, it is possible to restrict the knot points to a subset of data points. In this context, a new method is proposed for knot selection which bases on a mapping approach like self organizing maps. By this method, less but more representative data points are become eligible to be used as knots for function estimation in forward step of MARS. The proposed method is applied to many simulated and real datasets, and the results show that it proposes a time efficient forward step for the knot selection and model estimation without degrading the model accuracy and prediction performance.     

用密度泛函理论研究纳米级的硼簇Bn（n=13～20）的物理和化学性质

采用密度泛函理论B3LYP与6—311＋＋G方法研究了硼簇Bn（n=13～20）的电子和几何结构、总能量、结合能、谐波频率、点对称性、电荷分布、偶极矩、化学键以及最高分了占据轨道和最低分子占轨道能量差．此外,借助第一和第二能级差确定最稳定的硼簇尺寸．研究表明硼簇几乎所有的物理性质有尺寸依赖性,双环管状结构的B20具有最高平均结合能．内有一原子的二十面体结构的B13不具有稳定构型,这种结构转变为开放式笼状．B20出现二维到三维的结构转变．Mulliken分析表明电荷分布有x-z和y-z平面对称．硼簇的平面稳定性可以通过离域键（π键和σ键）以及多中心键来解释．     

Effects of extremely strong turbulent medium on scintillations of partially coherent annular and flat-topped Gaussian beams

Scintillation index of partially coherent annular and partially coherent flat-topped Gaussian beams propagating in horizontal links is found at the receiver origin when these beams propagate in extremely strong atmospheric turbulence. Scintillation index of coherent versions of such beams attain unity saturation value whereas the decrease in the degree of source coherence results in the decrease of the scintillations. At a fixed degree of partial coherence, thin ring sized annular beams possess smaller scintillations than thick ones. For partially coherent flat-topped Gaussian beams, higher flatness yields smaller intensity fluctuations. In extremely strong turbulence, partially coherent annular and partially coherent flat-topped Gaussian beams have smaller scintillations when compared to partially coherent single Gaussian beam scintillations.     

Crank–Nicolson method for the fractional diffusion equation with the Riesz fractional derivative

We examine a numerical method to approximate to a fractional diffusion equation with the Riesz fractional derivative in a finite domain, which has second order accuracy in time and space level. In order to approximate the Riesz fractional derivative, we use the “fractional centered derivative” approach. We determine the error of the Riesz fractional derivative to the fractional centered difference. We apply the Crank–Nicolson method to a fractional diffusion equation which has the Riesz fractional derivative, and obtain that the method is unconditionally stable and convergent. Numerical results are given to demonstrate the accuracy of the Crank–Nicolson method for the fractional diffusion equation with using fractional centered difference approach.     

Reducing disparities in large-scale emergency medical service systems

Emergency Medical Service (EMS) systems operate under the pressure of knowing that human lives might be directly at stake. In the public eye there is a natural expectation of efficient response. There is abundant literature on the topic of efficient planning of EMS systems (maximizing expected coverage or minimizing response time). Other objectives have been considered but the literature available is very sparse compared to efficiency-based works. Furthermore, while real size EMS systems have been studied, the use of exact models is usually hindered by the amount of computational time required to obtain solutions. We approach the planning of large-scale EMS systems including fairness considerations using a Tabu Search-based heuristic with an embedded approximation procedure for the queuing submodel. This allows for the analysis of large-scale real systems, extending the approach in which strategic decisions (location) and operative decisions (dispatching) are combined to balance efficiency and fairness.     

Detection of Sn(II) ions via quenching of the fluorescence of carbon nanodots

We report that fluorescent carbon nanodots (C-dots) can act as an optical probe for quantifying Sn(II) ions in aqueous solution. C-dots are synthesized by carbonization and surface oxidation of preformed sago starch nanoparticles. Their fluorescence is significantly quenched by Sn(II) ions, and the effect can be used to determine Sn(II) ions. The highest fluorescence intensity is obtained at a concentration of 1.75 mM of C-dots in aqueous solution. The probe is highly selective and hardly interfered by other ions. The quenching mechanism appears to be predominantly of the static (rather than dynamic) type. Under optimum conditions, there is a linear relationship between fluorescence intensity and Sn(II) ions concentration up to 4 mM, and with a detection limit of 0.36 μM.

Determination of levetiracetam in human plasma by online heart‐cutting liquid chromatography: Application to therapeutic drug monitoring

Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic drug for the treatment of psychiatric patients. In this study, a selective, straightforward, and rapid online heart‐cutting liquid chromatography method was developed for the therapeutic drug monitoring of levetiracetam. This method allows for the determination of levetiracetam in human plasma without complex sample preparation. The mobile phases consisted of 30 mM aq. orthophosphoric acid solution/methanol (70:30) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min for the first system and 10 mM aq. orthophosphoric acid solution/methanol (55:45) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min for the second system. The first separation was carried out on a GL Sciences Intersil ODS‐3 column (4.6 mm × 150 mm, 3 µm) and the second separation was carried out on a Restek Ultra PFPP column (4.6 mm × 150 mm, 5 µm). The detection was carried out at 205 nm for both systems. The method was validated for selectivity and linearity, which were in the 6–60 µg/mL range. Intra‐ and interassay accuracies were <112.6%, and the intra‐ and interassay precisions were <6.4% for all quality control samples. The lower limit of quantitation was 6 µg/mL. The developed method was successfully applied for therapeutic drug monitoring of plasma samples from patients.