Numerical Techniques in Lévy Fluctuation Theory

This paper presents a framework for numerical computations in fluctuation theory for Lévy processes. More specifically, with $\bar X_t:= \sup_{0\le s\le t} X_s$ denoting the running maximum of the Lévy process X _t , the aim is to evaluate ${\mathbb P}(\bar X_t \le x)$ for t,x?>?0. We do so by approximating the Lévy process under consideration by another Lévy process for which the double transform ${\mathbb E} e^{-\alpha \bar X_{\tau(q)}}$ is known, with τ(q) an exponentially distributed random variable with mean 1/q; then we use a fast and highly accurate Laplace inversion technique (of almost machine precision) to obtain the distribution of $\bar X_t$ . A broad range of examples illustrates the attractive features of our approach.     

A review on lignocellulose/poly (vinyl alcohol) composites: cleaner approaches for greener materials

Cellulose - Lignocellulose (LC) is an abundant resource in nature often neglected, underutilised, and even disposed of with an extra cost. Though extracting cellulose or starch from LC is very...     

Preparation and characterization of durable micro/nanocapsules for use in self-healing anticorrosive coatings

In the field of coatings, extensive laboratory research has been conducted in the last decade. In the present work, effectiveness of epoxy resin filled micro/nanocapsules was investigated for future using in healing of cracks generated in coatings. Micro/nanocapsules were prepared by in situ polymerization of urea–formaldehyde resin to form shell over epoxy resin droplets. The optimal process parameters for synthesizing the micro/nanocapsules were selected. The as-synthesized capsules were studied by various characterizations techniques, including scanning electron microscope (SEM), particle size analyzer (PSA), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results indicate that micro/nanocapsules containing epoxy resins can be synthesized successfully. The rough outer surface of microcapsule is composed of agglomerated urea–formaldehyde nanoparticles. They basically exhibit good storage stability at room temperature, and they are chemically stable before the heating temperature is up to approximately 250°C.     

Synthesis and labeling of p-NH2-Bn-DTPA-(Dabcyl-Lys6,Phe7)-pHBSP with 99mTc as a radiopeptide scintigraphic agent to detect cardiac ischemia

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Myocardial ischemia and infarction represent a major health burden worldwide, but their immediate diagnosis can reduce mortality and healthcare...     

Aerodynamics of an isolated slot-burner from a tangentially-fired boiler

The aerodynamic development of fully turbulent isothermal jets issuing from rectangular slot-burners was modelled by obtaining a solution to the Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equations. A finite-volume method was used with the standard k–ε, RNG k–ε and Reynolds stress turbulence models. The slot-burners were based on physical models, which were designed to be representative of typical burner geometries found in tangentially-fired coal boilers. Two cases were investigated, in which jets from three vertically stacked rectangular nozzles discharged at 90° and then 60° to the wall containing the burner. The nozzle angle had little effect on jet centreline velocity decay, with the 60° nozzle showing a marginally higher rate of decay. The jets from the 60° nozzles were found to deviate slightly from their geometric axis slightly due to internal pressure redistribution in the flow at the nozzles. The simulations were validated against the physical models and were found to reproduce the flow field of the jets accurately with the Reynolds stress model producing the best results.     

Reactivity of the Latent 12‐Electron Fragment [Rh(PiBu3)2]+ with Aryl Bromides: Aryl?Br and Phosphine Ligand C?H Activation

Oxidative addition of aryl bromides to 12‐electron [Rh(PiBu₃)₂][BAr^F₄] (Ar^F=3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃) forms a variety of products. With p‐tolyl bromides, Rh^III dimeric complexes result [Rh(PiBu₃)₂(o/p‐MeC₆H₄)(μ‐Br)]₂[BAr^F₄]₂. Similarly, reaction with p‐ClC₆H₄Br gives [Rh(PiBu₃)₂(p‐ClC₆H₄)(μ‐Br)]₂[BAr^F₄]₂. In contrast, the use of o‐BrC₆H₄Me leads to a product in which toluene has been eliminated and an isobutyl phosphine has undergone C? H activation: [Rh{PiBu₂(CH₂CHCH₃C H₂)}(PiBu₃)(μ‐Br)]₂[BAr^F₄]₂. Trapping experiments with ortho‐bromo anisole or ortho‐bromo thioanisole indicate that a possible intermediate for this process is a low‐coordinate Rh^III complex that then undergoes C? H activation. The anisole and thioanisole complexes have been isolated and their structures show OMe or SMe interactions with the metal centre alongside supporting agostic interactions, [Rh(PiBu₃)₂(C₆H₄O Me)Br][BAr^F₄] (the solid‐state structure of the 5‐methyl substituted analogue is reported) and [Rh(PiBu₃)₂(C₆H₄S Me)Br][BAr^F₄]. The anisole‐derived complex proceeds to give [Rh{PiBu₂(CH₂CHCH₃C H₂)}(PiBu₃)(μ‐Br)]₂[BAr^F₄]₂, whereas the thioanisole complex is unreactive. The isolation of [Rh(PiBu₃)₂(C₆H₄O Me)Br][BAr^F₄] and its onward reactivity to give the products of C? H activation and aryl elimination suggest that it is implicated on the pathway of a σ‐bond metathesis reaction, a hypothesis strengthened by DFT calculations. Calculations also suggest that C? H bond cleavage through phosphine‐assisted deprotonation of a non‐agostic bond is also competitive, although the subsequent protonation of the aryl ligand is too high in energy to account for product formation. C? H activation through oxidative addition is also ruled out on the basis of these calculations. These new complexes have been characterised by solution NMR/ESIMS techniques and in the solid‐state by X‐ray crystallography.     

Synthesis of multiresponsive β‐cyclodextrin nanocomposite through surface RAFT polymerization for controlled drug delivery

In this study, a unique magnetic, pH, and thermo‐responsive hydrogel nanocomposite was synthesized via surface reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and N‐isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAM) in the presence of magnetic β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD). The nanocomposite demonstrated a pH‐responsiveness behavior at pHs 3 and 9. Moreover, swelling behaviors of nanocomposite were measured in solutions with various temperatures. Furthermore, the nanocomposites exhibited high swelling capacity by applying an external magnetic field because of the presence of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles in the polymer structure. Besides, the doxorubicin (DOX) loading and releasing behaviors of the hydrogel nanocomposites were studied because of the stimuli‐responsive properties of the synthesized carriers. The adsorption of DOX obeyed a pseudo‐second‐order model and fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm model with the maximum adsorption capacity uptake of 291 mg g^?1. In conclusion, the hydrogel nanocomposites were found to be as potential nanocarriers for use in controlled release applications.     

A model of the vertical apparent mass and the fore-and-aft cross-axis apparent mass of the human body during vertical whole-body vibration

The apparent mass of the human body reflects gross movements caused by whole-body vibration and can be used to predict the influence of body dynamics on seat transmissibility. With vertical excitation, various models fit the measured vertical apparent mass of the human body, but experiments also show high fore-and-aft forces on the seat (the fore-and-aft cross-axis apparent mass) that have not influenced current models. This paper defines a model that predicts the vertical apparent mass and the fore-and-aft cross-axis apparent mass of the seated human body during vertical excitation. A three degree-of-freedom model with vertical, fore-and-aft and rotational (i.e. pitch) degrees of freedom has been developed with twelve model parameters (representing inertia, stiffness, damping, and geometry) optimised to the measured vertical apparent mass and the measured fore-and-aft cross-axis apparent mass of the body. The model provides close fits to the moduli and phases for both median data and the responses of 12 individual subjects. The optimum model parameters found by fitting to the median apparent mass of 12 subjects were similar to the medians of the same parameters found by fitting to the individual apparent masses of the same 12 subjects. The model suggests the seated human body undergoes fore-and-aft motion on a seat when exposed to vertical excitation, with the primary resonance frequency of the apparent mass arising from vertical motion of the body. According to the model, changes in the vertical, fore-and-aft, or rotational degree of freedom have an effect on the resonance in the fore-and-aft cross-axis apparent mass.