The optimal ordering policy of the EOQ model under trade credit depending on the ordering quantity from the DCF approach

This paper discusses the optimum order quantity of the EOQ model that is not only dependent on the inventory policy but also on firm’ credit policy. Here, the conditions of using a discounted cash-flows (DCF) approach and trade credit depending on the quantity ordered are discussed. We consider that if the order quantity is less than at which the delay in payments is permitted, the payment for the item must be made immediately. Otherwise, the fixed trade credit period is permitted.     

Bootstrapping sums of independent but not identically distributed continuous processes with applications to functional data

In many areas of application, the data are of functional nature, such as (one-dimensional) spectral data and two- or three-dimensional imaging data. It is often of interest to test for the significance of some set of factors in the functional observations (e.g., test for the mean differences between two groups). Testing hypotheses point-by-point (voxel-by-voxel in neuroimaging studies) results in a severe multiple-comparisons problem as the number of measurements made per observation is typically much larger than the number of observations (“large p, small n”). Thus solutions to this problem should take into account the spatial correlation structure inherent in the data. Popular approaches in such a setting include the general Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) approach and the permutation test, but these rely on strong parametric and exchangeability assumptions. In situations in which these assumptions are not satisfied, a nonparametric multiplier bootstrap approach may be used. Motivated by this problem, we present general results for multiplier bootstraps for sums of independent but not identically distributed processes. We also consider the application of these results to an imaging setting and provide sufficient conditions that will ensure asymptotic control of the familywise error rate.     

Inverse nodal problem for differential pencils

An inverse nodal problem is studied for the diffusion operator with real-valued coefficients on a finite interval with Dirichlet boundary conditions. The oscillation of the eigenfunctions corresponding to large modulus eigenvalues is established and an asymptotic of the nodal points is obtained. The uniqueness theorem is proved and a constructive procedure for solving the inverse problem is given.     

Effects of Damping Mechanisms in Free and Forced Vibrations of Some Structural Members

For continuous vibrating systems, such as bars and beams, end-mounted in the environment, knowledge about the mass, damping and stiffness properties of the resonating environment is important for analyzing free and forced vibrations of such structural members which are also damped themselves. To finally get an identification of the clamping parameters, examinations of both vibrating structural members for various restraint conditions and dynamic interaction with viscoelastic halfspaces, etc., are required. As a first step, longitudinal bar vibrations are studied in detail. The method of separation of variables combined with the reformatted orthogonality relation, and numerical integration is applied for calculating the free and forced oscillations. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A mixed-valent ruthenium-oxo oxalato cluster Na7[Ru4(mu3-O)4(C2O4)6] with potent anti-HIV activities

A structurally characterized mixed-valent tetranuclear ruthenium-oxo oxalato cluster exhibits anti-viral activities toward R5- and X4-tropic HIV-1, and possesses cytoprotective activity toward HIV-1 infected cells.     

Direct determination of acylcarnitines in amniotic fluid by column-switching liquid chromatography with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A direct, simple, and simultaneous determination of acylcarnitines in amniotic fluid was developed using column-switching liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The analytes can be assayed within 20 min without any sample preparation process, and we monitored separated acylcarnitines with positive electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS/MS. The calibration ranges of acylcarnitines were 1 to 100 nmol/L. The linearity of the method was 0.992 to 0.999, and the limits of detection at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 were 1 nmol/L. The coefficients of variation were in the range of 5.2 to 13.3% for within-day variation and 6.7 to 11.9% for day-to-day, respectively. We detected acylcarnitines in the amniotic fluid of 22 women in the early stages of their pregnancies in the range of 2.2 to 17.2 nmol/L. The proposed method could be applied to diagnosis, monitoring, and biomedical investigations of inborn errors of the organic acid and fatty acid metabolism of the embryo.     

Size-dependent surface CO stretching frequency investigations on nanodiamond particles

In this work, the spectroscopic properties of surface functionalized nanodiamond particles are investigated via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The functionalization of the nanodiamond surface was achieved chemically using strong acid treatment method. The size dependent C=O stretching frequency (between 1680 and 1820 cm(-1)) are studied for particle diameter sizes from the 5 to 500 nm range. The surface C=O stretching frequencies at approximately 1820 cm(-1), for large particle size (500 nm), down shifted to 1725 cm(-1) (5 nm) with decreasing particle sizes. We attributed the shift as a result of hydrogen bond formation between the COOH groups in the carboxylated nanodiamond surfaces. Particle size was characterized with dynamic light scattering method and surface morphology of the particles was investigated with scanning electron microscopy. The influence of pH value on C=O stretching frequency is also analyzed. This finding affords useful information for the studying of surface functionalized nanodiamonds with implications for their interaction with biomolecules.     

In situ and ex situ observations of the growth dynamics of single perylene nanocrystals in water

The growth dynamics of fluorescent perylene nanocrystals, which are fabricated by the reprecipitation method, was investigated using in situ and ex situ single-particle fluorescence measurements. A red shift in the emission maxima as the aging time increased was observed by single-particle fluorescence spectral measurements. The number and size of the nanocrystals increased with the increasing aging time in water. It was concluded that the metastable intermediates, such as clusters and initial nanoparticles, are relevant for the early stages of nucleation and growth of the perylene nanocrystals.     

Prevention of UV radiation-induced premature skin aging in hairless mice by the novel compound Melanocin A

Repetitive exposure of the skin to UV radiation induces various harmful changes, such as thickening, wrinkle formation, inflammation and carcinogenesis. A variety of natural compounds and synthetic compounds have been studied to determine whether they can prevent UV-induced harmful effects. In this study, we investigated the effect of a novel compound, Melanocin A, which was isolated from Eupenicillium shearii F80695, on UV-induced premature skin aging. First, we studied the effect of Melanocin A on UV-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression in an immortalized human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT, in vitro. Acute UV irradiation induced MMP-9 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels and Melanocin A suppressed this expression in a dose-dependent manner. We then investigated the effect of Melanocin A on UV-induced skin changes in hairless mice in vivo. Chronic exposure of hairless mouse dorsal skin to UV increased skin thickness and induced wrinkle formation and the gelatinase activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Moreover, Melanocin A significantly suppressed UV-induced morphologic skin changes and MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. Taken together, these results show that Melanocin A can prevent the harmful effects of UV that lead to skin aging. Therefore, we suggest that Melanocin A should be viewed as a potential therapeutic agent for preventing and/or treating premature skin aging.