Remarks on the r and Δ convolutions

In this paper we study the properties of the r–deformation introduced in [B1]. We observe that the associated convolution coming from the conditionally free convolution is associative only for r = 1 and r = 0. We give the realization of some r–Gaussian random variables and obtain Haagerup–Pisier–Buchholz type inequalities. We also study another convolution defined with the use of the r–deformation through a moment–cumulant formula [KY1] and show that it is associative and in general not positive. Partially sponsored with KBN grant no 2P03A00723 and RTN HPRN-CT-2002-00279.     

Spectrophotometric determination of olanzapine by its oxidation with N-bromosuccinimide and cerium(IV)sulfate.

Three simple spectrophotometric methods have been described for the assay of olanzapine in its pure and pharmaceutical formulations. The direct method (A) is based on the drug oxidation with excess of N-bromosuccinimide in acidic medium and the two indirect methods (B and C) are based on the oxidation of the drug with excess of N-bromosuccinimide and cerium(IV)sulfate, followed by the reaction of the unconsumed oxidants with celestine blue. The calibration graphs were linear over the range 10 - 120 microg mL(-1) (method A), 0.5 - 6.0 microg mL(-1) (method B) and 0.6 - 3.0 microg mL(-1) (method C). After validation, the proposed methods were successfully applied to assay of olanzapine in its commercial tablets with mean percentage recoveries of 101.23 +/- 0.10, 96 +/- 0.10 and 94 +/- 0.04%. The mechanism of olanzapine oxidation with N-bromosuccinimide was also proposed.     

Unitarization of Körner-Kuroda model of electromagnetic structure of octet 1/2+ baryons

The Körner-Kuroda model of the electromagnetic structure of octet 1/2⁺ baryons is restored on a more topical physical basis. Electromagnetic radii of baryons under consideration are calculated and compared with other model predictions. By an incorporation of a two-cut approximation of correct form factor analytic properties and nonzero vector-meson widths, the Körner-Kuroda model is unitarized, providing in this manner imaginary parts of the octet 1/2⁺ baryon form factors to be nonzero just starting from a branch point corresponding to the lowest threshold.     

Bayesian analysis of constant elasticity of variance models

This paper focuses on the estimation of some models in finance and in particular, in interest rates. We analyse discretized versions of the constant elasticity of variance (CEV) models where the normal law showing up in the usual discretization of the diffusion part is replaced by a range of heavy‐tailed distributions. A further extension of the model is to allow the elasticity of variance to be a parameter itself. This generalized model allows great flexibility in modelling and simplifies the model implementation considerably using the scale mixtures representation. The mixing parameters provide a means to identify possible outliers and protect inference by down‐weighting the distorting effects of these outliers. For parameter estimation, Bayesian approach is adopted and implemented using the software WinBUGS (Bayesian inference using Gibbs sampler). Results from a real data analysis show that an exponential power distribution with a random shape parameter, which is highly leptokurtic compared with the normal distribution, forms the best CEV model for the data. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of root resistivity on plant water uptake mechanism,part I: numerical solution

The issue of water flow through the root zone of field crops represents a complex problem requiring knowledge of a large spectrum of phenomena from various disciplines. Although many investigations have been devoted to gain better understanding of water dynamics in the root zone, the problem is still insufficiently understood. The main objective of the presented work was to analyze the importance of root water resistivity in the plant water extraction process. The problem was solved numerically for a wide range of the soil–root conductivity ratio (SRCR). Two different types of root water uptake (RWU) mechanisms were obtained. The first one is related to low root resistivity or low SRCR, and, thus, exhibits a so-called “moving uptake front” (MUF) effect observed previously in several experimental studies. The second one is inherent in large values of root resistivity or high values of SRCR (larger than 10⁴), and is strongly dependent on the root density distribution. Deceased.     

Optical characterization of pigments by reflectance spectroscopy in support of UV laser cleaning treatments

The study of optical properties of artwork materials is of fundamental importance for laser-based restoration techniques. In this work, reflectance spectroscopic measurements and colorimetric analyses of painted wooden models were performed to discriminate between pigments on the basis of their spectral features. In particular, the spectral reflection factors of different white pigments were recorded with a fibre optics reflectance spectroscopy module, both before and after excimer laser (248 nm) irradiation. Colour data were obtained and monitored with an integrating sphere spectrophotometer and expressed with the CIE L^*a^*b^* colour coordinates. Moreover, the laser-induced morphological changes of the samples were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. PACS  42.62-b; 61.80.Ba; 07.60.Dq     

Aptasensor for Thrombin Based on Carbon Nanotubes‐Methylene Blue Composites

The amperometric and EQCM aptasensors based on DNA aptamers immobilized by avidin‐biotin method or by electrostatic adsorption onto multiwalled carbon nanotube layer contained methylene blue (MB) have been developed and examined for thrombin detection in buffer and in spiked blood serum. The presence of MB increases the binding capacity of the surface layer and enhances the range of thrombin concentrations to be determined. This results in significant improvement of analytical characteristics of thrombin detection. The EQCM aptasensors allowed us to detect 0.3–100 nM and amperometric aptasensors 10–1000 nM of thrombin.     

Stationary phase analysis of inelastic atomic collisions: Penning ionization

Analytica semi-classical expressions, based on a stationary phase analysis, are presented for the energy distribution of particles ejected in inelastic processes. The tabulation of basic functions yields a considerable savings of computer time. Numerical comparisons with quantal calculations are made for the Penning ionization process involving metastable helium and atomic hydrogen, using two different potentials proposed for the He*H(²Σ) state.