Positive shrinkage, improved pretest and absolute penalty estimators in partially linear models

Shrinkage estimators of a partially linear regression parameter vector are constructed by shrinking estimators in the direction of the estimate which is appropriate when the regression parameters are restricted to a linear subspace. We investigate the asymptotic properties of positive Stein-type and improved pretest semiparametric estimators under quadratic loss. Under an asymptotic distributional quadratic risk criterion, their relative dominance picture is explored analytically. It is shown that positive Stein-type semiparametric estimators perform better than the usual Stein-type and least square semiparametric estimators and that an improved pretest semiparametric estimator is superior to the usual pretest semiparametric estimator. We also consider an absolute penalty type estimator for partially linear models and give a Monte Carlo simulation comparisons of positive shrinkage, improved pretest and the absolute penalty type estimators. The comparison shows that the shrinkage method performs better than the absolute penalty type estimation method when the dimension of the parameter space is much larger than that of the linear subspace.     

Shield versus sword resource distribution in K-round duels

The paper considers optimal resource distribution between offense and defense in a duel. In each round of the duel two actors exchange attacks distributing the offense resources equally across K rounds. The offense resources are expendable (e.g. missiles), whereas the defense resources are not expendable (e.g. bunkers). The outcomes of each round are determined by a contest success functions which depend on the offensive and defensive resources. The game ends when at least one target is destroyed or after K rounds. We show that when each actor maximizes its own survivability, then both actors allocate all their resources defensively. Conversely, when each actor minimizes the survivability of the other actor, then both actors allocate all their resources offensively. We then consider two cases of battle for a single target in which one of the actors minimizes the survivability of its counterpart whereas the counterpart maximizes its own survivability. It is shown that in these two cases the minmax survivabilities of the two actors are the same, and the sum of their resource fractions allocated to offense is equal to 1. However, their resource distributions are different. In the symmetric situation when the actors are equally resourceful and the two contest intensities are equal, then the actor that fights for the destruction of its counterpart allocates more resources to offense. We demonstrate a methodology of game analysis by illustrating how the resources, contest intensities and number of rounds in the duels impact the survivabilities and resource distributions.     

Optimal Solutions in the Multi-location Inventory System with Transshipments

We consider a single-period multi-location inventory system where inventory choices at each location are centrally coordinated. Transshipments are allowed as recourse actions in order to reduce the cost of shortage or surplus inventory after demands are realized. This problem has not been solved to optimality before for more than two locations with general cost parameters. In this paper we present a simple and intuitive model that enables us to characterize optimal inventory and transshipment policies for three and four locations as well. The insight gained from these analytical results leads us to examine the optimality conditions of a greedy transshipment policy. We show that this policy will be optimal for two and three locations. For the n location model we characterize the necessary and sufficient conditions on the cost structure for which the greedy transshipment policy will be optimal.      

One-Step Synthesis of 2-Amino-1-methylimidazo[4,5-b]quinoline

The novel title compound, a linear isomer of the food mutagen IQ, has been prepared in 67 % yield by Friedländer synthesis from creatinine and 2-aminobenzaldehyde.     

All alkoxide route to manganate and coboltate perovskite films and powders: effects of processing parameters

Manganate and cobaltate perovskites having the general formula ABO₃ have many technologically important applications. Here we present all alkoxide based routes to manganate and coboltate perovskite films and nano-phase powders of the compositions; LCMO (La_0.67Ca_0.33MnO₃), LSMO (La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃), LNCMO (La_0.33Nd_0.33Ca_0.33MnO₃), LBSMO (La_0.75Ba_0.125Sr_0.125MnO₃) and LSCO (La_0.50Sr_0.50CoO₃). The Mn and Co (oxo) methoxy-ethoxide precursors were prepared by reaction of MnCl₂ or CoCl₂ with 2 Kmoe in methoxy-ethanol-toluene. After hydrolysis of the alkoxide solutions by atmospheric air all systems produced X-ray and electron diffraction amorphous gels of high elemental homogeneity, and the IR spectra showed that they consisted of hydrated oxo-carbonates. Heating in air resulted in similar weight-loss curves for all studied gels passing; loss of H₂O in the range 20–300 °C, decomposition of carbonate groups into oxide and CO₂ in the temperature range 300–700 °C, and in some cases loss of a small amount of oxygen in the temperature range 700–1,000 °C. The pure perovskites were obtained at 690–770 °C with heat rates of typically 5–20 °C min^?1 without annealing. Perovskites could also be obtained at 550 °C by annealing, but these perovskites are prone to be A-site ion inhomogeneous according to the TEM EDS studies, which was not the case for the perovskites heat-treated to at least the carbonate decomposition temperature. This A-site inhomogeneity is ascribed to sequential decomposition of carbonates due to their different thermal stabilities, which is probably a general feature also with other sol–gel precursors and low temperature annealing. High quality polycrystalline films were prepared on Si/SiO₂/TiO₂/Pt substrates with all compositions and high quality epitaxial films were prepared of LCMO (on 100 LaAlO₃) and LSCO (on 100 SrTiO₃). The colossal magneto resistance (CMR) of the epitaxial LCMO films of 32% (246 K) is in parity with PLD derived films. The conductivities of the epitaxial and polycrystalline LSCO films were 1.9 mΩcm (on STO) and 1.7 mΩcm (on α-Al₂O₃, respectively).     

Confocal scanning microfluorometry of dual-labelled specimens using two excitation wavelengths and lock-in detection technique

A new technique for simultaneous recording of multiple fluorophores has been implemented in a confocal scanning laser microscope. Dual excitation wavelengths, intensity-modulated at different frequencies and two lock-in amplifiers tuned to the corresponding frequencies are used. In this way two fluorophores can be independently, albeit simultaneously, excited. This technique, Intensity-modulated Multiple-beam Scanning (IMS) microfluorometry, has the potential to virtually eliminate the cross-talk between fluorophores that often occurs when recording multiple-labelled specimens. Furthermore, it will offer simultaneous information about both the excitation and emission spectra of the fluorophores used. Also, variations in decay time over the image area can be studied independently and simultaneously for two fluorophores.