Mathematical topographical correction of XPS images using multivariate statistical methods

For rough heterogeneous samples, the contrast observed in XPS images may result from both changes in elemental or chemical composition and sample topography. Background image acquisition and subtraction are frequently utilized to minimize topographical effects so that images represent concentration variations in the sample. This procedure may significantly increase the data acquisition time. Multivariate statistical methods can assist in resolving topographical and chemical information from multispectral XPS images. Principal component analysis (PCA) is one method for identification of the highest correlation/variation between the images. Topography, which is common to all of the images, will be resolved in the first most significant component. The score of this component contains spatial information about the topography of the surface, whereas the loading is a quantitative representation of the topography contribution to each elemental/chemical image. The simple‐to‐use self‐modelling mixture analysis (Simplisma) method is a pure variable method that searches for the source of most differences in the data and therefore has the potential to distinguish between chemical and topographical phases in images. The mathematical background correction scheme is developed and validated by comparing results to the experimental background correction for samples with differing degrees of topography. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamics of Single-Pulse Echo Signals under the Conditions of Zeeman Switching

The signals of a single-pulse echo (SE) generated on nonresonant excitation of an inhomogeneously broadened two-level system by a radio-frequency pulse (RFP), against the background of which a magnetic video pulse (MVP) of certain length has been switched on, have been described analytically. It is established that under the conditions of such excitation several SE signals are formed whose generation moments are determined by the duration and amplitudes of the RFP and MVP. The amplitudes of some of these signals depend on the Rabi frequency according to a quadratic law, and the amplitudes of others depend on this frequency according to a biquadratic law. It has been established that the mechanism underlying the appearance of these signals is associated with zero beats arising as a result of superposition of the magnetization fluctuations at variable frequencies and at a frequency of detuning from resonance. It is shown that in the limiting case, where the RFP duration considerably exceeds the duration of the MVP or is comparable with it, the number of SE signals decreases to two. Theoretical results on the formation of SE and the dependence of the amplitude of these signals on the MVP amplitude agree with the experimental data on NMR pulsed signals in ferromagnetic materials.     

Determining radii of meromorphy via orthogonal polynomials on the unit circle

Using a convergence theorem for Fourier–Padé approximants constructed from orthogonal polynomials on the unit circle, we prove an analogue of Hadamard's theorem for determining the radius of m-meromorphy of a function analytic on the unit disk and apply this to the location of poles of the reciprocal of Szeg functions.     

Asymptotic Correction of More Sturm–Liouville Eigenvalue Estimates

The asymptotic correction technique of Paine, de Hoog and Anderssen can dramatically improve the accuracy of finite difference or finite element eigenvalues at negligible extra cost if closed form expressions are available for the errors in a simpler related problem. This paper gives closed form expressions for the errors in the eigenvalues of certain Sturm–Liouville problems obtained by various methods, thereby increasing the range of problems for which asymptotic correction can achieve maximum efficiency. It also investigates implementation of the method for more general problems.     

Improving forecasting performance by employing the Taguchi method

To satisfy the volatile nature of today’s markets, businesses require a significant reduction in product development lead times. Consequently, the ability to develop precise product sales forecasts is of fundamental importance to decision-makers. Over the years, many forecasting techniques of varying capabilities have been introduced. The precise extent of their influences, and the interactions between them, has never been fully clarified, although various forecasting factors have been explored in previous studies. Accordingly, this study adopts the Taguchi method to calibrate the controllable factors of a forecasting model. An L₉(3⁴) inner orthogonal array is constructed for the controllable factors of data period, horizon length, and number of observations required. An experimental design is then performed to establish the appropriate levels for each factor. At the same time, an L₄(2³) outer orthogonal array is used to consider the inherited parameters of forecasting method as the noise factors of Taguchi method simultaneously. An illustrated example, employing data from a power company, serves to demonstrate the thesis. The results show that the proposed model permits the construction of a highly efficient forecasting model through the suggested data collection method.     

The solution of orthogonal Procrustes problems for a family of orthogonally invariant norms

The orthogonal Procrustes problem involves finding an orthogonal matrix which transforms one given matrix into another in the least-squares sense, and thus it requires the minimization of the Frobenius matrix norm. We consider, the solution of this problem for a family of orthogonally invariant norms which includes the Frobenius norm as a special case.     

Asymmetry in the Multiprotein Systems of Molecular Biology

Signaling in living systems needs to achieve high specificity, to be reversible, and to achieve high signal to noise. Signaling mediated by multiprotein systems has evolved that avoids the requirement for high-affinity binary complexes that would be difficult to reverse and which, in the overcrowded cell, would lead to excessive noise in the system. Symmetrical structures are only occasionally formed. When they are, it is principally to colocate components, for example, the tyrosyl kinases of growth factors, where dimers form. Symmetry is, however, often broken, presumably to create more sensitivity and specificity in the signaling system by assembling other components, into higher-order multiprotein systems. The binding of a single heparin to two 1:1 FGF:FGFR complexes is an example, as is the binding of a single ligase to the Xrcc4 dimer, perhaps so creating a further DNA-binding site.     

The Generalized West Decomposition of Operators and Other Compact Perturbation Problems

This paper introduces the concept of the generalized Riesz operators and the concept of the generalized West decomposition of a general operator which generalizes the definition of the West decomposition of Riesz operators, and proves that the following three statements are equivalent on a general Banach space： （a） Every generalized Riesz operator has the generalized West decomposition; （b） Every operator makes strong Stampfli theorem true; Every operator has Apostol＇s compact correction.     

泛函梯度数值计算的一种新方法—正交试验法

本文研究并揭示了L_(2~a)(2~(2~a-1))型正交表行(列)间的递推规律,提出了一种泛函梯度数值计算的新方法——正交试验法,该方法在计算速度和精度上优于直接梯度法;在通用性及节省内存方面优于伴随算子法。     

Asymptotic Behavior of Sobolev-Type Orthogonal Polynomials on a Rectifiable Jordan Curve or Arc

Our object of study is the asymptotic behavior of the sequence of polynomials orthogonal with respect to the discrete Sobolev inner product <formula> \langle f, g \rangle = ∈t_{E} f(ξ) \overline{g(ξ)} ρ(ξ) |d ξ|+ f(Z) A g(Z)^H, </formula> where E is a rectifiable Jordan curve or arc in the complex plane f(Z) = (f(z_1), \ldots, f^{(l_1)}(z_1) , \ldots , f(z_m) , \ldots ,f^{(l_m)}(z_m)), A is an M \times M Hermitian matrix, M l ₁ + ⋅s + l _m + m , |d ξ| denotes the arc length measure, ρ is a nonnegative function on E , and z _i ∈Ω, i=1,2,\ldots,m , where Ω is the exterior region to E . July 23, 1999. Dates revised: September 11, 2000 and February 16, 2001. Date accepted: February 26, 2001.