Model-based clustering for random hypergraphs

Advances in Data Analysis and Classification - A probabilistic model for random hypergraphs is introduced to represent unary, binary and higher order interactions among objects in real-world...     

Estimation of the Moments of the Residence Time and First Passage Time from Experimentally Measurable Permeation Parameters via a New Formulation of the Transmission Matrix

Siegel's analysis on membrane transport in the Laplace domain [J. Phys. Chem. 95 (1991) 2556] in terms of transmission matrix, T(s), has been extended to a more useful formulation. This is achieved by combining uses of the matrix transport equations appropriate for void initial condition, or for saturated equilibrium, or of Dirac delta functional type and the theorem det[T(s)] = 1. This formulation enables us to expand T(s) in power series of the Laplace variable, s, with the expansion coefficients as the algebraic functions of the experimentally measurable transport parameters. Utility of the formulation is illustrated in the estimation of the experimentally inaccessible time moments for the first passage or residence times. It was also applied to the percutaneous drug delivery to obtain from the experimental data. The higher moments of the time lag or time lead using a graphic method.     

Kinetics of Complex Formation Between Cobalt(II) and the Polyamine Me2Octaen

Abstract

The kinetics and the equilibria of complex formation between Co(II) and the linear polyamine 1,25-dimethyl-1,4,7,10,13,16,19,22,25-nonaazapentacosane (Me₂Octaen) have been investigated in aqueous solution under anaerobic conditions by the stopped-flow and potentiometric method. Static titrations and kinetic experiments indicate that below pH 5.6 the binding of Co(II) to the ligand gives rise to several 1:1 complexes differing for their degree of protonation, whereas above pH 5.6 binuclear complexes are formed as well. The analysis of the kinetic data reveals that the mostly reactive form of the ligand (denoted in its fully protonated form as H₉L₉₊) is H₆L⁶⁺. The species H₅L⁵⁺ and H₄L⁴⁺ yield only a minor contribution to the overall process of complex formation. Measurements at different ionic strengths have shown positive salt effects, as expected for reactive processes involving particles with charges of the same sign. The analysis of the results shows that Co²⁺ and H₆L⁶⁺ react according to the internal conjugate base mechanism.     

Dynamic pricing with uncertain production cost: An alternating-move approach

This article studies a two-firm dynamic pricing model with random production costs. The firms produce the same perishable products over an infinite time horizon when production (or operation) costs are random. In each period, each firm determines its price and production levels based on its current production cost and its opponent’s previous price level. We use an alternating-move game to model this problem and show that there exists a unique subgame perfect Nash equilibrium in production and pricing decisions. We provide a closed-form solution for the firm’s pricing policy. Finally, we study the game in the case of incomplete information, when both or one of the firms do not have access to the current prices charged by their opponents.     

Compositional dependence of serrated flow in nickel binary solid solutions during high-temperature microindentation

At 450?°C, pure nickel and nickel binary solid solutions, containing Ru, Rh, W, Re, Ir and Pt, have a smooth load–depth curves. In contrast, the alloying addition of Nb, Mo, Pd and Ta results in the occurrence of serrations in their load–depth profiles. Analyses show the load increment of the quasi-elastic segments scales linearly with the load at their starting point. The slope of such linear relationships was normalized by the solute concentration and then plotted against the diffusion rate of transition metal solutes within the nickel lattice and along dislocation cores. Linear relationships were observed in both cases. Results suggest that the solute diffusion along dislocation cores coupled with the atomic size misfit are mainly responsible for such serrations.     

Oxidized Xanthan Gum Crosslinked NOCC: Hydrogel System and Their Biological Stability from Oxidation Levels of the Polymer

Dynamic hydrogel systems from N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan (NOCC) are investigated in the past years, which has facilitated their widespread use in many biomedical engineering applications. However, the influence of the polymer's oxidation levels on the hydrogel biological properties is not fully investigated. In this study, chitosan is converted into NOCC and introduced to react spontaneously with oxidized xanthan gum (OXG) to form several injectable hydrogels with controlled degradability. Different oxidation levels of xanthan gum, as well as NOCC/OXG volume ratios, are trialed. The infrared spectroscopy spectra verify chemical modification on OXG and successful crosslinking. With increasing oxidation levels, more dialdehyde groups are introduced into the OXG, resulting in changes in physical properties including gelation, swelling, and self-healing efficiency. Under different volume ratios, the hydrogel shows a stable structure and rigidity with higher mechanical properties, and a slower degradation rate. The shear-thinning and self-healing properties of the hydrogels are confirmed. In vitro assays with L929 cells show the biocompatibility of all formulations although the use of a high amount of OXG15 and OXG25 limited the cell proliferation capacity. Findings in this study suggested a suitable amount of OXG at different oxidation levels in NOCC hydrogel systems for tissue engineering applications.     

Adaptive variable step-size neural controller for nonlinear feedback active noise control systems

Adaptive filter techniques and the filtered-x least mean square (FxLMS) algorithm have been used in Active Noise Control (ANC) systems. However, their effectiveness may degrade due to the nonlinearities and modeling errors in the system. In this paper, a new feedback ANC system with an adaptive neural controller and variable step-size learning parameters (VSSP) is proposed to improve the performance. A nonlinear adaptive controller with the FxLMS algorithm is first designed to replace the traditional adaptive FIR filter; then, a variable step-size learning method is developed for online updating the controller parameters. The proposed control is implemented without any offline learning phase, while faster convergence and better noise elimination can be achieved. The main contribution is that we show how to analyze the stability of the proposed closed-loop ANC systems, and prove the convergence of the presented adaptations. Moreover, the computational complexities of different methods are compared. Comparative simulation results demonstrate the validity of the proposed methods for attenuating different noise sources transferred via nonlinear paths, and show the improved performance over classical methods.     

Cyclopropane derivatives from the lithium aluminium hydride reduction of methoxyalkynols

Lithium aluminium hydride reduction of methoxyalkynol(1) yields cyclopropane derivatives (2) and (3), both formed by loss of a methoxy group; a reaction scheme for their formation is presented.     

Reactivity of hydrazinophthalazine drugs with the lipid peroxidation products acrolein and crotonaldehyde

The nucleophilic drug hydralazine strongly inhibits cell toxicity mediated by acrolein, a short chain 2-alkenal formed during lipid peroxidation. We here report the chemistry of acrolein-trapping by hydralazine, and show that together with its structural analogue dihydralazine, it also readily traps crotonaldehyde. Isolable reaction products included (1E)-acrylaldehyde phthalazin-1-ylhydrazone (E-APH), (1Z)-acrylaldehyde phthalazin-1-ylhydrazone (Z-APH), (1E,2E)-but-2-enal phthalazin-1-ylhydrazone (E-BPH) and (1Z,2E)-but-2-enal phthalazin-1-ylhydrazone (Z-BPH). Concentration-dependent formation of (1E)-acrylaldehyde phthalazin-1-ylhydrazone was observed in the culture media of cells co-exposed to hydralazine and the acrolein precursor allyl alcohol. These aldehyde-sequestering properties of hydrazinophthalazine drugs may contribute to the protection they provide against 2-alkenal-mediated toxicity.