On the equivalence of quadratic optimization problems commonly used in portfolio theory

In the paper, we consider three quadratic optimization problems which are frequently applied in portfolio theory, i.e., the Markowitz mean–variance problem as well as the problems based on the mean–variance utility function and the quadratic utility. Conditions are derived under which the solutions of these three optimization procedures coincide and are lying on the efficient frontier, the set of mean–variance optimal portfolios. It is shown that the solutions of the Markowitz optimization problem and the quadratic utility problem are not always mean–variance efficient.     

Sampling in a weighted Sobolev space

We show that functions f in some weighted Sobolev space are completely determined by time-frequency samples ${\{f(t_n)\}}_{n\in \mathbb{Z}}\cup {\{\stackrel{?}{f}({\lambda }_k)\}}_{k\in \mathbb{Z}}$ along appropriate slowly increasing sequences ${\{t_n\}}_{n\in \mathbb{Z}}$ and ${\{{\lambda }_n\}}_{n\in \mathbb{Z}}$ tending to ±∞ as $n\to \pm \infty$.     

Reconstruction of thermally quenched glow curves in quartz

The experimentally measured thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves of quartz samples are influenced by the presence of the thermal quenching effect, which involves a variation of the luminescence efficiency as a function of temperature. The real shape of the thermally unquenched TL glow curves is completely unknown. In the present work an attempt is made to reconstruct these unquenched glow curves from the quenched experimental data, and for two different types of quartz samples. The reconstruction is based on the values of the thermal quenching parameter W (activation energy) and C (a dimensionless constant), which are known from recent experimental work on these two samples. A computerized glow-curve deconvolution (CGCD) analysis was performed twice for both the reconstructed and the experimental TL glow curves. Special attention was paid to check for consistency between the results of these two independent CGCD analyses. The investigation showed that the reconstruction attempt was successful, and it is concluded that the analysis of reconstructed TL glow curves can provide improved values of the kinetic parameters E, s for the glow peaks of quartz. This also leads to a better evaluation of the half-lives of electron trapping levels used for dosimetry and luminescence dating.     

Correlation Between Autofluorescence Intensity and Tumor Area in Mice Bearing Renal Cell Carcinoma

Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) is a porphyrin derivative that is accumulated in cancerous tissue in consequence of the tumor-specific metabolic alterations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accumulation of PpIX in mice bearing renal cell carcinoma by spectroscopy analysis. A total of 24 male Balb/c mice, 6 weeks old, were divided into six groups: Normal (without inoculation of tumor cells) and 4, 8, 13, 16, and 20 days after inoculation of tumor cells. The orthotopic tumor model of renal cancer was used. Murine renal cell carcinoma (Renca cells) were inoculated into the subcapsular space of the kidney. Normal and tumor-bearing kidneys in different progression stages were removed and analyzed by ex-vivo spectroscopy and by microscopy, for tumor histometric analysis. Emission spectra were obtained by exciting the samples at 405 nm. Significant differences between normal and tumor-bearing kidneys in autofluorescence shape occurred in the 600–700 nm spectral region. A good correlation was found between emission band intensity at 635 nm and the tumor area.     

Construction and evaluation of tetrafluoroborate selective electrodes

Summary The construction and evaluation of three types of tetrafluoroborate electrodes without internal reference solution is described. Sensors for electrodes of Type A and Type B use tetraoctylammonium tetrafluoroborate as carrier and 2-nitrophenyloctylether and dibutylphthalate, respectively, as solvent mediators. Electrodes of Type C use the 92-05-02 Orion commercial sensor based on a complex of tris(1,10-phenanthroline)-Ni(II) dissolved in p-nitrocymene. Membranes were applied on a conductive support consisting of a mixture of graphite with a non-conductive epoxy resin. The three types of electrodes showed a similar behaviour with linear responses within the concentration range 10^–5–10^–1 mol/l in tetrafluoroborate, with slopes of 58 mV per decade when the pH of the solutions was between 3 and 11.5. Electrodes of Type A showed the lowest short term hysteresis after treatment with interfering species and offered the best reproducibility and lifetime. Therefore, they were used in the determination of tetrafluoroborate ion in plating baths by means of the sample addition method, giving results with an average spike recovery of 100.5% and a mean coefficient of variation of 1.0%.     

Synthesis,structure and mass spectral fragmentation of a series of substituted furazano[3,4-b]quinoxaline 1-oxides and their deoxides

A series of substituted furazano[3,4-b]quinoxaline 1-oxides have been prepared by oxidation of the respective 2,3-bis(hydroxyimino)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxalines with nitric acid and their structure was confirmed by means of their nmr spectra. A very rapid equilibrium occurs between their two isomeric N-oxide forms via the dinitroso equivalent, and the influence of the 6(7)-substituents on the equilibrium is discussed. These compounds were easily deoxygenated by triphenylphosphine in quantitative yields to the corresponding furazans. The electron impact mass spectra of both of the above series of compounds have also been recorded and their fragmentation pattern is discussed.     

Nature of the chemical bond and prediction of radiation tolerance in pyrochlore and defect fluorite compounds

The radiation tolerance of synthetic pyrochlore and defect fluorite compounds has been studied using ion irradiation. We show that the results can be quantified in terms of the critical temperature for amorphization, structural parameters, classical Pauling electronegativity difference, and disorder energies. Our results demonstrate that radiation tolerance is correlated with a change in the structure from pyrochlore to defect fluorite, a smaller unit cell dimension, and lower cation-anion disorder energy. Radiation tolerance is promoted by an increase in the Pauling cation-anion electronegativity difference or, in other words, an increase in the ionicity of the chemical bonds. A further analysis of the data indicates that, of the two possible cation sites in ideal pyrochlore, the smaller B-site cation appears to play the major role in bonding. This result is supported by ab initio calculations of the structure and bonding, showing a correlation between the Mulliken overlap populations of the B-site cation and the critical temperature.     

Synthesis and mass spectra of 1-arylideneamino-1,2,3-triazoles

The synthesis of the title Compounds is described. Their mass spectra upon electron impact are given and the main fragmentation pathways are described.     

Optimization and comparison of MAE, ASE and Soxhlet extraction for the determination of HCH isomers in soil samples

The microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and Soxhlet extraction of two isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane, alpha-HCH and gamma-HCH, from a polluted landfill soil have been optimized following different experimental designs. In the case of microwave-assisted extraction, the following variables were considered: pressure, extraction time, microwave power, percentage of acetone in n-hexane mixture and solvent volume. When ASE extraction was studied the variables were pressure, temperature and extraction time. Finally, the percentage of acetone in n-hexane mixture and the extraction time were the only variables studied for Soxhlet extraction. The concentrations obtained by the three extraction techniques were, within their experimental uncertainties, in good agreement. This fact assures the possibility of using both ASE and MAE techniques in the routine determination of lindane in polluted soils and sediments.