Monotone Nonincreasing Random Fields on Partially Ordered Sets. I

For an arbitrary poset H and measure ρ on H × _R (where _R is the real axis), we construct a monotone decreasing stochastic field η_ρ and compute its finite-dimensional distributions. In the case where H is a Λ-semilattice and the measure ρ satisfies additional conditions, we compute various characteristics of the field η_ρ such as the expectation of the field value at a point, variance of the field value at a point, and correlation function of the field. The described construction of random fields gives a new method for constructing positive definite functions on posets. Bibliography: 6 titles.__________Translated from Zapiski Nauchnykh Seminarov POMI, Vol. 301, 2003, pp. 92–143.     

Equilibrium Shapes of Pressure Vessel Domes in Asymmetric Winding

Errors in the programs of winding pressure vessels can lead to an asymmetric reinforcement structure, which affects the equilibrium shape of their domes and the tension in the left and right families of filaments. In this paper, equations determining the equilibrium shape of the domes, the tension in filaments, and the shear stresses between layers are obtained. Examples with winding trajectories in the form of geodesics and constant-deviation lines are considered. It is found that, for pressure vessels, in the absence of external torque, the tension levels in filaments of the left and right families differ considerably. It is also revealed that, for actual friction coefficients in winding, the shear stresses taken up by the binder are insignificant. __________ Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 41, No. 6, pp. 743–752, November–December, 2005.     

Mechanical mixtures of Me (Ni, Pd) Ce oxides and silica-supported heteropolyacids: Role and optimal concentration of each active species in n-hexane isomerization

Catalytic properties of silica-supported heteropolyacids (HPA) in a mechanical mixture with reduced Me-Ce oxides (Me = Ni, Pd) in n-hexane isomerization are studied. The role of each component of the mixed oxides (Ce and, typically, Ni and Pd) and their optimum content has been illuminated: cerium is not only beneficial for eliminating or preventing coke deposition but is also effective for maintaining the Keggin structure of the highly-organized HPA during the reaction and probably allows a better dispersion of the second metal species. Nickel and palladium, present as Ni⁰ and Pd⁰, reinforce the activation of the alkane, which is difficult to obtain by means of a direct attack by an acid, and, thus, enhance noticeably the activity of the catalyst. The best mechanical mixtures are obtained with 30–70 wt % NiCeO-HPW/SiO₂ and 50–50 wt % Pd_0.1CeO-HPW/SiO₂. These mixtures have the highest efficiency for a Ni/(Ni + W) atomic ratio of 0.66 and a Pd/(Pd + W) ratio of 0.40, respectively. Finally, the conversion of n-hexane is in the order HPW > HSiW > HBW, which seems to be consistent with the order of their acid strength as per the literature, but the isomerization selectivity appears to be slightly higher on HSiW. Published in Russian in Kinetika i Kataliz, 2006, Vol. 47, No. 1, pp. 24–28. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Papieruntersuchung

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry -     

Activity of microemulsion-based nanoparticles at the human bio-nano interface: concentration-dependent effects on thrombosis and hemolysis in whole blood

Background: Although microemulsion-based nanoparticles (MEs) may be useful for drug delivery or scavenging, these benefits must be balanced against potential nanotoxicological effects in biological tissue (bio-nano interface). We investigated the actions of assembled MEs and their individual components at the bio-nano interface of thrombosis and hemolysis in human blood. Methods: Oil-in-water MEs were synthesized using ethylbutyrate, sodium caprylate, and pluronic F-68 (ME4) or F-127 (ME6) in 0.9% NaCl_w/v. The effects of MEs or components on thrombosis were determined using thrombo-elastography, platelet contractile force, clot elastic modulus, and platelet counting. For hemolysis, ME or components were incubated with erythrocytes, centrifuged, and washed for measurement of free hemoglobin by spectroscopy. Results and conclusions: The mean particle diameters (polydispersity index) for ME6 and ME4 were 23.6 ± 2.5 nm (0.362) and 14.0 ± 1.0 nm (0.008), respectively. MEs (0, 0.03, 0.3, 3 mM) markedly reduced the thromboelastograph maximal amplitude in a concentration-dependent manner (49.0 ± 4.2, 39.0 ± 5.6, 15.0 ± 8.7, 3.8 ± 1.3 mm, respectively), an effect highly correlated (r2 = 0.94) with similar changes caused by pluronic surfactants (48.7 ± 10.9, 30.7 ± 15.8, 20.0 ± 11.3, 2.0 ± 0.5) alone. Neither oil nor sodium caprylate alone affected the thromboelastograph. The clot contractile force was reduced by ME (27.3 ± 11.1–6.7 ± 3.4 kdynes/cm², P = 0.02, n = 5) whereas the platelet population not affected (175 ± 28–182 ± 23 10⁶/ml, P = 0.12, n = 6). This data suggests that MEs reduced platelet activity due to associated pluronic surfactants, but caused minimal changes in protein function necessary for coagulation. Although pharmacological concentrations of sodium caprylate caused hemolysis (EC₅₀ = 213 mM), MEs and pluronic surfactants did not disrupt erythrocytes. Knowledge of nanoparticle activity and potential associated nanotoxicity at this bio-nano interface enables rational ME design for in vivo applications.     

Photoluminescence linewidth broadening due to alloy/thickness fluctuation of CdxZn1 − xSe/ZnSe triple quantum wells

Photoluminescence (PL) linewidth broadening of Cd_xZn_{1 − x}Se/ZnSe triple quantum wells, grown on GaAs substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), has been investigated. Various quantum well (QW) samples have been prepared with different QW thickness and composition (Cd-composition). Measured and calculated PL linewidth are compared. Both composition and thickness fluctuations are considered for the calculation with the parameters such as the volume of exciton, nominal thickness and composition of QWs. Surface roughness measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM) is used to estimate the interface roughness. Results show that when Cd-composition increases additional linewidth broadening due to Zn/Cd interdiffusion is enhanced.     

Puzzles in astrophysics in the past and present

About 400 years have passed since the great discoveries by Galileo, Kepler, and Newton, but astronomy still remains an important source of discoveries in physics. They start with puzzles, with phenomena difficult to explain, and phenomena which in fact need new physics for explanation. Do such puzzles exist now? There are at least three candidates: absence of absorption of TeV gamma radiation in extragalactic space (violation of Lorentz invariance?), absence of GZK cutoff in the spectrum of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays (new particle physics?), tremendous energy (up to 10⁵⁴ erg) released in gamma ray bursts on a time scale of a second (collapsing stars or sources of a new type?). Do these puzzles really exist? A critical review of these phenomena is given.     

Order restricted randomized designs for control versus treatment comparison

We develop a method of randomizing units to treatments that relies on subjective judgement or on possible coarse modeling to produce restrictions on the randomization. The procedure thus fits within the general framework of ranked set sampling. However, instead of selecting a single unit from each set for full measurement, all units within a set are used. The units within a set are assigned to different treatments. Such an assignment translates the positive dependence among units within a set into a reduction in variation of contrasting features of the treatments. A test for treatment versus control comparison, with controlled familywise error rate, is developed along with the associated confidence intervals. The new procedure is shown to be superior to corresponding procedures based on completely randomized or ranked set sample designs. The superiority appears both in asymptotic relative efficiency and in power for finite sample sizes. Importantly, this test does not rely on perfect rankings; rather, the information in the data on the quality of rankings is exploited to maintain the level of the test when rankings are imperfect. The asymptotic relative efficiency of the test is not affected by estimation of the quality of rankings, and the finite sample performance is only mildly affected.