An improved optimization strategy and its application to clustering analysis.

In this paper, a new optimization strategy is put forward which locates as many potential unimodal regions as possible in the search space. The potential optima can be further explored by a global optimization method for searching in the identified unimodal regions. The proposed strategy was evaluated by the optimization of test functions. The results obtained by this approach are comparable with those achieved by variable step size generalized simulated annealing (VSGSA) and a genetic algorithm (GA). Finally, we used this strategy in a clustering analysis of a tobacco data set.     

Synthesis of substituted quinolines using the dianion addition of N-Boc-anilines and alpha-tolylsulfonyl-alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones

A short and versatile synthesis of substituted quinolines is provided. Alkylation of sodium tolylsulfinate with bromomethyl- or chloromethyl ketones generates beta-keto sulfones. Knoevenagel condensation of the beta-keto sulfones with an aldehyde provides alpha-tolylsulfonyl-alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones. Michael addition of the dianion of N-Boc-anilines in the presence of CuCN and LiCl with the unsaturated ketone generates a 1,4-adduct, which after deprotection of the Boc group and thermal elimination of the tolyl sulfone provides the quinoline.     

Experimental and numerical studies of noise-induced coherent patterns in a subexcitable system

A subexcitable medium of Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction subjected to external Gaussian white noise is studied in experiments and numerical simulations. We observe that at an optimal level of noise the wave sources of excited traveling waves become synchronous, as though there exists a long distance spatial correlation. The synchronous behavior fades if the noise level becomes larger or smaller. Numerical simulations confirm the experimental findings, and point out that the best synchronous behavior takes place when the signal-to-noise ratio of waves becomes largest.     

Laser-induced-fluorescence characteristics of a helium arcjet flow

Laser-induced fluorescence is used to characterize the axial velocity and temperature field at the exit plane of a low-power helium arcjet. Two cases were examined, one in which the mass-flow rate was changed at a constant current, and the other where the current was changed at a constant mass-flow rate. At constant mass-flow rate, the velocity scales with the increase in power. At constant current, a higher specific energy results in an unexpected lower mean exit velocity. The temperature profiles show that the nozzle-wall temperature is greater than the mean exit temperature. Along the axis of the arcjet, these measurements indicate the presence of a shock less than one nozzle diameter downstream of the exit. Received: 10 July 2002 / Published online: 22 November 2002 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +1-650-723-1748, E-mail: qwalker@stanford.edu     

Time-variable Method for Studying Reaction Rates in a Calorimeter

A novel method for the determination of rate constants of reactions, the time-variable method, is proposed in this paper. The method needs only three time points (t), peak heights () and pre-peak areas (), obtained from the measured thermoanalytical curve. It does not require the thermokinetic reaction to be completed. It utilizes data-processing on a computer to give the rate constants. Four reaction systems, including a first-order reaction, second-order reactions (with equal concentrations and with unequal concentrations) and a third-order reaction, were studied with this method. The method was validated and its theoretical basis was verified by the experimental results.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Time correlation of momentum in a collisionless plasma due to large fluctuations

The present paper shows that in one-dimensional collisionless plasma, due to large fluctuation, the time correlation of momentum asymptotically behaves inverse quadratically with time. The long-time tail correlation is closely related to nonlinear Landau damping [M.B. Isichenko, Phys. Rev. Lett. 78, 2369 (1997)]. Furthermore, it reveals the possible relationship between fluctuation and dispersion. The result indicates that the long-time tail correlation can also occur in a reversibly dispersive system, where the previous theories are invalid. A by-product proves that it may be efficient to investigate the dispersive features of collisionless plasma in view of time correlation.     

The reaction of carboxylic acid hydrazides with formaldehyde

The hydrazides of benzoic, phenyacetic, and 3-phenylpropionic acids react with an acidic solution of formaldehyde to give 15 . Similar treatment of the corresponding methylhydrazides gave 16 . The ethers 15 can be cleaved to give, after methylation, 16 . Spectral data for 15 and 16 are presented.     

Carbon-13 NMR spectra of some tetra- and pentacyclic triterpene methyl ethers

The carbon-13 NMR spectra have been recorded for representatives of three previously unexamined classes of pentacyclic triterpenes—lupanes, fernanes and arboranes. In addition to the spectra of lupeol methyl ether, cylindrin and arundoin, the spectra of a number of other triterpene methyl ethers are also recorded. The effect of methyl ether formation on the shilding values for carbons in the 3β-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl- ring A system is defined.