A Note on Exact Moment Computation for Normal Lead Times in the Two-Supplier Case

In the stochastic lead time inventory model with two suppliers and different normal lead times, the mean and variance of the lead-time demand distribution are traditionally computed using numerical integration. Tables are made available to help practitioners determine the minimum size of replenishments when orders to the suppliers are placed at the same time. This paper presents closed-form solutions to evaluate the required quantities of interest and tries to correct some mistakes in the existing tables. The expressions given here may also provide insight into the choice of sole versus dual suppliers.     

Building the Additive Utility Functions for CAD-UFRJ Evaluation Staff Criteria

This paper presents an application of the UTA method for building utility functions for the evaluation criteria defined by the Staff Evaluation Commission (CAD) of the Rio de Janeiro Federal University (UFRJ). Every year, the CAD-UFRJ gives the staff evaluation results for each Postgraduate Engineering Programme. However, the method used to generate the staff evaluation is assumed unknown. Trying to find the CAD-UFRJ preference structure, the evaluation results supplied by CAD-UFRJ are used to apply the UTA method. Some additional information obtained from the CAD-UFRJ data is incorporated in the optimal solutions analysis.     

Solid phase synthesis of 5-aminopyrazoles and derivatives

The development of a novel solid phase synthesis of some 5-aminopyrazoles and derivatives is described. Reaction of hydrazines with solid supported β-keto-nitrile (1) affords 5-aminopyrazoles (2) the amino group of which is readily acylated or sulphonylated. Generation of the solid supported β-keto-nitrile (1) is non trivial and represents a key step in the overall synthesis.     

Rate enhancement of PFP sulfonate ester aminolysis by chloride salts in organic and aqueous media

We report here, a method of accelerating the rate of aminolysis of PFP sulfonates to yield sulfonamides using tetrabutylammonium salts. We have previously explored the utility of employing PFP sulfonates in the formation of sulfonamides; however we demonstrate here the advantages of combining the existing methodology with a revised protocol which allows the diversity within both the sulfonate ester and the amine to be extended.     

Cooperative Lewis Pairs Based on Late Transition Metals: Activation of Small Molecules by Platinum(0) and B(C6F5)3

A Lewis basic platinum(0)–CO complex supported by a diphosphine ligand and B(C₆F₅)₃ act cooperatively, in a manner reminiscent of a frustrated Lewis pair, to activate small molecules such as hydrogen, CO₂, and ethene. This cooperative Lewis pair facilitates the coupling of CO and ethene in a new way.     

Extreme red shifted SERS nanotags

Surfaced enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanotags operating with 1280 nm excitation were constructed from reporter molecules selected from a library of 14 chalcogenopyrylium dyes containing phenyl, 2-thienyl, and 2-selenophenyl substituents and a surface of hollow gold nanoshells (HGNs). These 1280 SERS nanotags are unique as they have multiple chalcogen atoms available which allow them to adsorb strongly onto the gold surface of the HGN thus producing exceptional SERS signals at this long excitation wavelength. Picomolar limits of detection (LOD) were observed and individual reporters of the library were identified by principal component analysis and classified according to their unique structure and SERS spectra.     

Structural and thermal characterization of copper(II) complexes with phenyl-2-pyridylketoxime and deposition of thin films by spin coating

Four copper(II) oxime complexes, [Cu(HPPK)(PPK)X] (HPPK = phenyl-2-pyridylketoxime and X = CI^? (I), CF₃COO^? (II), C₃F₇COO^? (III), and [Cu(PPK)₂]₂ (IV)), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy (IR), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD analysis revealed that I–III contain copper(II) coordinated by four nitrogen atoms from two oxime molecules in the basal plane and one monodentate anion X in the apical position of a distorted square pyramid. Complex IV is dimeric and it is formed by two Cu(PPK)₂ units. Bridges between these units are formed by the two oxygen atoms of the deprotonated oxime groups. Thermal stability of I–IV was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in air and in nitrogen atmosphere, respectively. Evolved gaseous decomposition products were characterized by IR. I–IV decompose via multistep processes. Fluorocarbons and CO₂ were observed to be the most abundant gaseous species evolved. Preliminary ammonolysis experiments were performed to examine the possibility of using II and IV as precursors for the synthesis of copper nitride. Moreover, solutions of IV were spin-coated onto silicon substrates. Surface structure and morphology of the resulting films were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) and layers with island-like distribution of material were observed.     

Programming With Models: Writing Statistical Algorithms for General Model Structures With NIMBLE

We describe NIMBLE, a system for programming statistical algorithms for general model structures within R. NIMBLE is designed to meet three challenges: flexible model specification, a language for programming algorithms that can use different models, and a balance between high-level programmability and execution efficiency. For model specification, NIMBLE extends the BUGS language and creates model objects, which can manipulate variables, calculate log probability values, generate simulations, and query the relationships among variables. For algorithm programming, NIMBLE provides functions that operate with model objects using two stages of evaluation. The first stage allows specialization of a function to a particular model and/or nodes, such as creating a Metropolis-Hastings sampler for a particular block of nodes. The second stage allows repeated execution of computations using the results of the first stage. To achieve efficient second-stage computation, NIMBLE compiles models and functions via C++, using the Eigen library for linear algebra, and provides the user with an interface to compiled objects. The NIMBLE language represents a compilable domain-specific language (DSL) embedded within R. This article provides an overview of the design and rationale for NIMBLE along with illustrative examples including importance sampling, Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) and Monte Carlo expectation maximization (MCEM). Supplementary materials for this article are available online.     

A flexible synthesis of C-6 and N-1 analogues of a 4-amino-1,3-dihydroimidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-2-one core

A flexible route which enables access to derivatives of 4-amino-1,3-dihydroimidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-2-ones is described. Issues of selectivity, reaction safety, and low yields in original routes are overcome with the key improvements to the route, including a Negishi cross-coupling and use of a carbamate as a protecting group and intrinsic carbonyl source. The new route enables variation of C-6 and N-1 substituents.     

The effect of annealing temperatures on surface properties,hydroxyapatite growth and cell behaviors of TiO2 nanotubes

Well‐ordered TiO₂ nanotubes were prepared by the electrochemical anodization of titanium in an ethylene glycol electrolyte containing 1 wt% NH₄F and 10 wt% H₂O at 20 V for 20 min, followed by annealing. The surface morphology and crystal structure of the samples were examined as a function of the annealing temperature by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. Crystallization of the nanotubes to the anatase phase occurred at 450 °C, while rutile formation was observed at 600 °C. Disintegration of the nanotubes was observed at 600 °C and the structure vanished completely at 750 °C. Electrochemical corrosion studies showed that the annealed nanotubes exhibited higher corrosion resistance than the as‐formed nanotubes. The growth of hydroxyapatite on the different TiO₂ nanotubes was also investigated by soaking them in simulated body fluid (SBF). The results indicated that the tubes annealed to a mixture of anatase and rutile was clearly more efficient than that in their amorphous or plain anatase state. The in vitro cell response in terms of cell morphology and proliferation was evaluated using osteoblast cells. The highest cell activity was observed on the TiO₂ nanotubes annealed at 600 °C. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.