Aminoethylprolyl (aep) PNA: mixed purine/pyrimidine oligomers and binding orientation preferences for PNA:DNA duplex formation

[structure in text] The synthesis of (2S,4S)- and (2R,4S)-aepPNA monomers of adenine, guanine, and cytosine (3-5) and their incorporation at appropriate positions into aegPNA sequence 7 leads to mixed aeg-aep backbone/mixed nucleobase PNAs 8-11. The thermal stabilities of the derived duplexes with DNA are found to be dependent on nucleobase and backbone stereochemistry.     

Optimum covariate designs in a binary proper equi-replicate block design set-up

The choice of covariates values for a given block design attaining minimum variance for estimation of each of the regression parameters of the model has attracted attention in recent times. In this article, we consider the problem of finding the optimum covariate design (OCD) for the estimation of covariate parameters in a binary proper equi-replicate block (BPEB) design model with covariates, which cover a large class of designs in common use. The construction of optimum designs is based mainly on Hadamard matrices.     

On upper bounds for the growth rate in the extended Taylor-Goldstein problem of hydrodynamic stability

For the extended Taylor-Goldstein problem of hydrodynamic stability governing the stability of shear flows of an inviscid, incompressible but density stratified fluid in sea straits of arbitrary cross-section a new estimate for the growth rate of an arbitrary unstable normal mode is given for a class of basic flows. Furthermore the Howard’s conjecture, namely, the growth rate kc _i → 0 as the wave number k → ∞ is proved for two classes of basic flows.     

Capacity augmentation of a supply chain for a short lifecycle product: A system dynamics framework

For an innovative product characterized by short product lifecycle and high demand uncertainty, investment in capacity buildup has to be done cautiously. Otherwise either the product’s market diffusion is impeded or the manufacturer is left with unutilized capacity. Using the right information for making capacity augmentation decisions is critical in facing this challenge. In this paper, we propose a method for identifying critical information flows using the system dynamics model of a two-echelon supply chain. The fundamental premise of system dynamics methodology is that (system) structure determines (its) behavior. Using loop dominance analysis method we study the feedback loop structure of the supply chain system. The outcome is a set of dominant loops that determine the dynamics of capacity growth. It is revealed that the delivery delay information has little effect while the loop that connects retail sales with production order affects the dynamics significantly. Modifying this loop yields appropriate capacity augmentation decisions resulting in higher performance. What-if analyses bring out effects of modifying other structural elements. In conclusion, we claim that the information feedback based methodology is general enough to be useful in designing decision support systems for capacity augmentation. The limitations of the model are also discussed and possible extensions identified.     

A class of risk processes with reserve-dependent premium rate: sample path large deviations and importance sampling

Let (X(t)) be a risk process with reserve-dependent premium rate, delayed claims and initial capital u. Consider a class of risk processes {(X ^ε (t)): ε > 0} derived from (X(t)) via scaling in a slow Markov walk sense, and let Ψ_ε(u) be the corresponding ruin probability. In this paper we prove sample path large deviations for (X ε (t)) as ε → 0. As a consequence, we give exact asymptotics for log Ψ_ε(u) and we determine a most likely path leading to ruin. Finally, using importance sampling, we find an asymptotically efficient law for the simulation of Ψ_ε(u). AMS Subject Classifications 60F10, 91B30 This work has been partially supported by Murst Project “Metodi Stocastici in Finanza Matematica”