Bayesian Prediction Analysis for Growth Curve Model Using Noninformative Priors

We apply a Bayesian approach to the problem of prediction in an unbalanced growth curve model using noninformative priors. Due to the complexity of the model, no analytic forms of the predictive densities are available. We propose both approximations and a prediction-oriented Metropolis-Hastings sampling algorithm for two types of prediction, namely the prediction of future observations for a new subject and the prediction of future values for a partially observed subject. They are illustrated and compared through real data and simulation studies. Two of the approximations compare favorably with the approximation in Fearn (1975, Biometrika, 62, 89–100) and are very comparable to the more accurate Rao-Blackwellization from Metropolis-Hastings sampling algorithm.     

Magnetic behavior of core–shell particles

We have prepared composite magnetic core–shell particles using the process of soap-free emulsion polymerization and the co-precipitation method. The shell of the synthesized composite sphere is cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) nanoparticles and the core consists of poly(styrene-co-methacrylic acid) polymer. The mean crystallite sizes of the coated CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were controlled in the range of 2.4–6.7 nm by the concentration of [NH₄⁺] and heated temperature. The magnetic properties of the core–shell spherical particles can go from superparamagnetic to ferromagnetic behavior depending on the crystalline sizes of CoFe₂O₄.     

A Bayesian analysis for the seismic data on Taiwan

A Bayesian approach is used to analyze the seismic events with magnitudes at least 4.7 on Taiwan. Following the idea proposed by Ogata (1988,Journal of the American Statistical Association,83, 9–27), an epidemic model for the process of occurrence times given the observed magnitude values is considered, incorporated with gamma prior distributions for the parameters in the model, while the hyper-parameters of the prior are essentially determined by the seismic data in an earlier period. Bayesian inference is made on the conditional intensity function via Markov chain Monte Carlo method. The results yield acceptable accuracies in predicting large earthquake events within short time periods.     

An expedient synthesis of an isofervenulin analogue

An efficient approach has been developed for the synthesis of an isofervenulin analogue 1 employing a one‐pot condensation‐substitution reaction of a chlorocarboethoxytriazine (electrophile) with a urea (nucleophile). The resulting cyclization reaction resulted in the synthesis of a pyrimido‐heterocycle in good yield in either acidic or basic media. The former was assisted by utilizing trimethylsilyl chloride.     

Repetition rate multipliers for efficient implementation of multiphoton and pump-probe fluorescence microscopy

With the advances in pulsed laser systems, microscopic imaging techniques such as multiphoton and pump-probe fluorescence microscopy have developed into effective tools for investigating intensity and time-resolved phenomena inside biological systems. However, pulsed lasers used in these techniques usually are commercial systems with repetition frequencies of around 80 MHz. While these systems have proven to be adequate for multiphoton and pump-probe microscopic imaging applications, the temporal separation of the laser pulse train (around 12.5 ns) is long compared to the fluorescence lifetimes of many common fluorescence species. In this work, we present the designs of repetition rate multipliers based on passive optical components that can be used to increase the efficiency in multiphoton and pump-probe fluorescence microscopy. Depending on the lifetime of fluorescence molecules under investigation, the passive repetition rate multiplier can increase the duty cycle of multiphoton or pump-probe microscopy up to fourfold.     

Temperature‐modulated differential scanning calorimetry studies on the origin of double melting peaks in isothermally melt‐crystallized poly(L‐lactic acid)

In this work, the melting behaviors of nonisothermally and isothermally melt‐crystallized poly(L ‐lactic acid) (PLLA) from the melt were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and temperature‐modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC). The isothermal melt crystallizations of PLLA at a temperature in the range of 100–110 °C for 120 min or at 110 °C for a time in the range of 10–180 min appeared to exhibit double melting peaks in the DSC heating curves of 10 °C/min. TMDSC analysis revealed that the melting–recrystallization mechanism dominated the formation of the double melting peaks in PLLA samples following melt crystallizations at 110 °C for a shorter time (≤30 min) or at a lower temperature (100, 103, or 105 °C) for 120 min, whereas the double lamellar thickness model dominated the formation of the double melting peaks in those PLLA samples crystallized at a higher temperature (108 or 110 °C) for 120 min or at 110 °C for a longer time (≥45 min). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 466–474, 2007     

Dispersion Compensation in Externally Modulated Transmission System Using Chirped Fiber Grating

We present an externally modulated NTSC AM-VSB erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA)-repeated system in the 1550 nm region which uses a chirped fiber grating (CFG) as a dispersion compensation device. In contrast to the conventional externally modulated fiber optical CATV systems, either with or without dispersion compensation fiber (DCF), good performances of carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) ≥50 dB, composite second order (CSO) ≥74 dB, and composite triple beat (CTB) ≥65 dB were achieved for the full channel band after a 100-km single-mode fiber (SMF) transmission.     

Synthesis,and Antimycobacterial and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Certain Fluoroquinolone Derivatives

Certain 1‐ethyl‐ and 1‐aryl‐6‐fluoro‐1,4‐dihydroquinol‐4‐one derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for antimycobacterial and cytotoxic activities. Preliminary results indicated that, for 1‐aryl‐6‐fluoroquinolones, both 7‐(piperazin‐1‐yl)‐ and 7‐(4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl) derivatives, 9b and 11a , are able to completely inhibit the growth of M. tuberculosis at a concentration of 6.25 μg/ml, while the 7‐[4‐(2‐oxo‐2‐phenylethyl)piperazin‐1‐yl] derivative 13 exhibits only 31% growth inhibition at the same concentration. For 1‐ethyl‐6‐fluoroquinolones, both 7‐[4‐(2‐oxopropyl)piperazin‐1‐yl]‐ and 7‐[4‐(2‐oxo‐2‐phenylethyl)piperazin‐1‐yl]‐derivatives, 2a and 2b , respectively, show complete inhibition, while their 2‐iminoethyl and substituted phenyl counterparts 3a and 2c are less active. In addition, the 6,8‐difluoro derivative was a more‐favorable inhibitor than its 6‐fluoro counterpart ( 2b vs. 2d ). These results deserve full attention especially because 2a, 2b, 9b , and 11a are non‐cytotoxic at a concentration of 100 μM . Furthermore, compound 9b proved to be a potent anti‐TB agent with selective index (SI)>40 and an EC₉₀ value of 5.75 μg/ml.     

Robust Output Tracking Control of an Uncertain Linear System via a Modified Optimal Linear-Quadratic Method

This study investigates the robust output tracking problem for a class of uncertain linear systems. The uncertainties are assumed to be time invariant and to satisfy the matching conditions. According to the selected nominal parameters, an optimal solution with a prescribed degree of stability is determined. Then, an auxiliary input via the use of an adapting factor, connected to the nominal optimal control, is introduced to guarantee the robustness and prescribed degree of stability for the output tracking control of the uncertain linear systems. This method is very simple and effective and can reject bounded uncertainties imposed on the states. A maglev vehicle model example is given to show its effectiveness.     

Analysis of nine rhubarb anthraquinones and bianthrones by micellar electrokinetic chromatography using experimental design

An efficient micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) method has been developed for the analysis of nine anthraquinones and bianthrones in rhubarb. A chemometric approach was used to search for the optimum conditions of separation. Those factors which were found to be significant with a screening design were further optimized with a central composite face-centered (CCF) design. Acetonitrile concentration was found to be the most influential, not only in resolution, but also in analysis time and peak asymmetry. With the optimized conditions: 15 mM sodium tetraborate/15 mM sodium dihydrogenphosphate buffer, 30 mM sodium deoxycholate, pH 8.6, 17 vol.% acetonitrile and 28 kV, nine tested analytes were baseline-separated within 14 min. The method was validated to analyze the rhubarb material. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) was manipulated to remove interfering substances. Five anthraquinones and two glycosidic bianthrones were detected and quantificated. The method should be suitable for determining these major active principles in rhubarb crude drugs.