Fluctuations in time intervals of financial data from the view point of the Gini index

We propose an approach to explain fluctuations in time intervals of financial markets data from the view-point of the Gini index. We show the explicit form of the Gini index for a Weibull distribution: A good candidate to describe the first passage time of foreign exchange rate. The analytical expression of the Gini index compares well with the value obtained from empirical data.     

Burst-mode EDFA based on a mid-position gain flattening filter with an overpumping configuration for variable traffic conditions in a WDM environment

The WDM flatness easily collapses due to substantial changes in input power, an inherent problem in optical packet communication because of dynamic changes in traffic density. We propose a burst-mode EDFA with a novel configuration based on the concept of a mid-position gain flattening filter (GFF) with overpumping. This configuration can effectively suppress gain transience while maintaining WDM flatness.     

Selective separation of water–ethanol mixture through synthetic polymer membranes having carboxylic acid as a functional group

Separation of water–ethanol mixture through a membrane was carried out by pervaporation using a membrane which provided a hydrogen-bonding interaction. A membrane obtained from poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylonitrile) was effective for a selective separation of water from aqueous ethanol solution by pervaporation technique. Spectroscopic and flux analyses verified that this high selectivity toward water was attributed to the hydrogen-bonding interaction between water and acrylic acid (carboxylic acid) unit in the membrane. On the other hand, a membrane from poly(acrylic acid-co-styrene) preferentially permeated ethanol in the low water feed concentration region.     

Determination of phosphorus in steel by the combined technique of laser induced breakdown spectrometry with laser induced fluorescence spectrometry

Laser induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS) combined with laser induced fluorescence spectrometry (LIFS) has been applied for detection of trace-level phosphorus in steel. The plasma induced by irradiation of Nd:YAG laser pulse for ablation was illuminated by the 3rd harmonic of Ti:Sapphire laser tuned to one of the resonant lines for phosphorus in the wavelength region of 253–256 nm. An excitation line for phosphorus was selected to give the highest signal-to-noise ratio. Fluorescence signals, P213.62 and P214.91 nm, were observed with high selectivity at the contents as low as several tens µg g^− 1. Fluorescence intensities were in a good linear correlation with the contents. Fluorescence intensity ratio of a collisionally assisted line (213.62 nm) to a direct transition line (214.91 nm) was discussed in terms of the analytical conditions and experimental results were compared with a calculation based on rate equations. Since the fluorescence signal light in the wavelength range longer than 200 nm can be transmitted relatively easily, even through fiber optics of moderate length, LIBS/LIFS would be a versatile technique in on-site applications for the monitoring of phosphorus contents in steel.     

Crystal Structures of Mono-, Di-, and Tri(p-tert-butyl)-thiacalix[4]arenes: Dimeric Self-inclusion Behavior

X-Ray crystal structures of the mono-, di-, and tri(p-tert-butyl)-substituted thiacalix[4]arenes (TC4As; 1, 2, and 3, respectively) have beendetermined. TC4As 1–3 adopt a cone conformation and form dimeric self-inclusion units in such a manner that phenol moieties are inserted into the cavity of each molecule. In all the crystal structures of 1–3, lateralface-to-face interactions exist between the phenol rings that do not bear a tert-butyl substituent, and seemingly, this molecular assembly stabilizes the formation of self-inclusion. TC4As 1 and 2 adopt a cone conformation with C₂ symmetry, leading to the formation of rim-to-rim intermolecular hydrogenbonds so as to link the dimeric units up and down. On the other hand, 3 adopts a regular cone conformation with C₄ symmetry to form cyclic hydrogen bonds withinthe rim part of TC4A.     

An Accurate Characterization of CRT Monitor (I) Verifications of Past Studies and Clarifications of Gamma

CRT monitors are widely used to view images on the Internet. The color images on the computer graphic display can be printed out or displayed on other monitors through the Internet, and color matching between the original and the reproduction is very important. The color management systems (CMSs) are useful for the color matching. CMSs utilize device profiles, in which color characteristic information is stored, and these profiles are generated by device characterization. Thus, an accurate characterization of the monitor is essential for better color matching. CRT monitor characteristics can be described by the tone reproduction curves (TRCs) of each channel, and color additive matrix. In this paper, these characteristics were investigated from a physical point of view. Various kinds of flare and the interdependence among the channels were also investigated and verified. The definition of the term “gamma” is clarified, which is very often used to describe the TRC. Various definitions are compared and a new definition of S-γ is proposed.     

Inclusion complexation of octaethyl-p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene octaacetate with methylene blue and control of its inclusion ability by alkali metal cations

The equilibrium constants for the inclusion complexation of octaethyl-p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene octaacetate (Calix-B8-EA) with methylene blue (MB) were determined spectrophotometrically. Calix-B8-EA, which has a flexible hydrophilic pseudo-cavity formed by polyfunctional esters on the lower rim, is an effective receptor for alkali and alkaline-earth cations, and its ester carbonyl group forms the complex with metal cations. We have examined the ability to include the organic molecule (methylene blue (MB)) into the upper main cavity of Calix-B8-EA formed the complex of alkali metal cations with ester carbonyl groups on the lower rim. It was found that Calix-B8-EA forms a 1:1 inclusion complex of MB with the upper main cavity and, in the presence of excess alkali metal cations, the association constants increase with an increase in the size of the metal cations complexed with the polyfunctional groups on the lower rim. Further, the structure of the inclusion complex of MB with cation-complexed Calix-B8-EA is characterized by 2D ROESY-NMR measurements. Based on the results, we have demonstrated the control of the inclusion ability by changing the portal size of the calixarene cavity.