Some properties of the bivariate lognormal distribution for reliability applications

In this paper, we study the bivariate lognormal distribution from a reliability point of view. The conditional distribution of X given Y > y is found to be log‐skew normal. The monotonicity of the hazard rates of the univariate as well as the conditional distributions is discussed. Clayton's association measure is obtained in terms of the hazard gradient, and its value in the case of our model is derived. The probability distributions, in the case of series and parallel systems, are derived, and the monotonicity of their failure rates is discussed. Three real applications of the bivariate lognormal distribution are provided, two from financial economics and one from reliability. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coupling vs. conductance for the Jerrum–Sinclair chain*

We address the following question: is the causal coupling method as strong as the conductance method in showing rapid mixing of Markov chains? A causal coupling is a coupling which uses only past and present information, but not information about the future. We answer the above question in the negative by showing that there exists a bipartite graph G such that any causal coupling argument on the Jerrum–Sinclair Markov chain for sampling almost uniformly from the set of perfect and near perfect matchings of G must necessarily take time exponential in the number of vertices in G. In contrast, the above Markov chain on G has been shown to mix in polynomial time using conductance arguments. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 18: 1–17, 2001     

Approximate analytical solutions of a class of boundary layer equations over nonlinear stretching surface

Third order nonlinear ordinary differential equations, subject to appropriate boundary conditions arising in fluid dynamics, are solved using three different methods viz., the Dirichlet series, method of stretching of variables, and asymptotic function method. Similarity transformations are used to convert the governing partial differential equations into nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The numerical results obtained from the above methods for various problems are given in terms of skin friction. Our study revealed that the results obtained from these methods agree well with those of direct numerical simulation of ordinary differential equations. Also, these methods have advantages over pure numerical methods in obtaining derived quantities such as velocity profile accurately for various values of the parameters at a stretch.     

Pulsatile flow between permeable beds

Pulsatile flow of a viscous fluid between two permeable beds is analyzed. The flow between and through the permeable beds are governed by the Navier-Stokes equations and Darcy's law, respectively. The velocity field and the volume flux are obtained for several cases and discussed. Further, when the permeability parameter k→0, the results agree with those of Wang (J. Appl. Mech. 38 (1971) 553).     

Novel and efficient supramolecular synthesis of pyrroles in the presence of β-cyclodextrin in water

A simple and efficient synthesis of highly substituted pyrroles was achieved in water medium via multi-component strategy, using amine,DMAD/DEAD as well as phenacyl bromide catalyzed by β-CD.Utilizing this protocol various pyrrole derivatives were synthesized in good to excellent yields.     

Statistics and schools

This paper considers the place of statistics in school, putting forward the view that it should be seen as an interdisciplinary subject, relevant to all pupils, rather than solely as a separate specialism for a minority of children.     

A generalization of set-valued Prešić–Reich type contractions in ultrametric spaces with applications

In this paper, we study the existence and uniqueness of coincidence and common fixed point of a set-valued and a single-valued mapping satisfying generalized set-valued Pre?i?–Reich type contractive condition in ultrametric spaces without the property of completeness. As an application, the well-posedness of a common fixed point problem is proved. An example is given to illustrate our results. Our results generalize and extend the results of Pre?i?–Reich in the context of ultrametric spaces.     

Almost Ricci solitons and K-contact geometry

We give a short Lie-derivative theoretic proof of the following recent result of Barros et al. “A compact non-trivial almost Ricci soliton with constant scalar curvature is gradient, and isometric to a Euclidean sphere”. Next, we obtain the result: a complete almost Ricci soliton whose metric \(g\) is \(K\) -contact and flow vector field \(X\) is contact, becomes a Ricci soliton with constant scalar curvature. In particular, for \(X\) strict, \(g\) becomes compact Sasakian Einstein.