A Constraint Programming Approach to Extract the Maximum Number of Non-Overlapping Test Forms

This paper introduces a novel approach for extracting the maximum number of non-overlapping test forms from a large collection of overlapping test sections assembled from a given item bank. The approach involves solving maximum set packing problems (MSPs). A branch-and-bound MSP algorithm is developed along with techniques adapted from constraint programming to estimate lower and upper bounds on the optimal MSP solution. The algorithm is general and can be applied in other applications including combinatorial auctions. The results of computer simulations and experiments with an operational item bank are presented. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Detecting and Diagnostic Checking Multivariate Conditional Heteroscedastic Time Series Models

Two tests for multivariate conditional heteroscedastic models are proposed. One is based on the cross-correlations of standardized squared residuals and the other is a score (Lagrange multiplier) test. The cross-correlations test can be used to detect the presence of multivariate conditional heteroscedasticity whereas the other test can be used for diagnostic checking. Simulation studies on the size and power of the test statistics are reported. The application of the tests is illustrated by an example using the S & P 500 and Sydney All Ordinary Indexes.     

A Joint Integral Test for the Locations of Extrema for Brownian Motion

Let μ⁺(t) and μ⁻(t) be the locations of the maximum and minimum, respectively, of a standard Brownian motion in the interval [0,t]. We establish a joint integral test for the lower functions of μ⁺(t) and μ⁻(t), in the sense of Paul Lévy. In particular, it yields the law of the iterated logarithm for max(μ⁺(t),μ⁻(t)) as a straightforward consequence. Our result is in agreement with well-known theorems of Chung and Erdős [(1952) Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 72, 179–186.], and Csáki, F?ldes and Révész [(1987) Prob. Theory Relat. Fields 76, 477–497].      

Microstructure effect on microtopography of chemically etched α + β Ti alloys

Microstructure effect on chemical etching behavior of the annealed Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-3Al-2.5V titanium (Ti) alloys was compared with that of unalloyed commercially pure titanium. The microstructural evolution of structure phases after annealing the titanium and its alloys at temperature near and above β transus and followed by furnace cooling to room temperature was studied using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction techniques. The microstructure study illustrates that the heat treatment enhanced partitioning effect allows extensive formation of hemispherical and near spherical pits roughened surface to be readily acquired by chemically etching the annealed α + β titanium alloys. The kinetics of the chemical etching reaction process show a linear dependence on time. The annealed α + β titanium alloys that exhibit relatively lower weight loss and thickness reduction rate illustrate less chemical activity than the annealed unalloyed titanium.     

An effect of application of chiral aluminium alkoxides and amides as adducts to zirconium catalyzed carbo- and cycloalumination of olefins

This paper is dedicated to a study of properties of the following novel optically active organoaluminium compounds (OACs): (1S,2S)-l,7,7-trimethyl-2-[(dialkylalumina)oxy]-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptanes and (1S)-N-(dialkylalumina)-6,7-dimethoxy-1-methyl-1,2,3,4- tetrahydroisoquinolines. The synthesis of the chiral OACs was carried out in the reaction of either natural camphor or salsolidine with both AlEt₃ and i-Bu₂AlH. The main goal of the research was to investigate the stereodifferentiating activity of the chiral OACs in the olefin carbo- and cycloalumination reactions, catalyzed by Cp₂ZrCl₂.     

The analysis of volatile trace compounds in landfill gases,compost heaps and forest air

Landfill gas, cryotrapped on a loop fashioned from a length of a capillary gas chromatography (GC) column, was examined for volatile organometallic compounds (VOMCs) and for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by using GC–mass spectrometry (MS). A large number of organic components were present and many were identified, but the only VOMCs present in high enough concentrations to be detected were trimethylstibine and tetramethyltin. The use of inductively coupled plasma (ICP)‐MS as an element‐specific detector allowed the identification of a number of other organometallic species in the landfill gas, including trimethylarsine and trimethylbismuth, and, for the first time, butyltrimethyltin and dibutyldimethyltin. The presence of molybdenum hexacarbonyl was confirmed. Gas from a large‐scale compost heap and from compost incubated in the laboratory contained iodomethane but no common VOMCs (GC–ICP‐MS). Only VOCs were present in forest air (GC–MS). Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Canonical correlation analysis based on information theory

In this article, we propose a new canonical correlation method based on information theory. This method examines potential nonlinear relationships between p×1 vector Y-set and q×1 vector X-set. It finds canonical coefficient vectors a and b by maximizing a more general measure, the mutual information, between a^TX and b^TY. We use a permutation test to determine the pairs of the new canonical correlation variates, which requires no specific distributions for X and Y as long as one can estimate the densities of a^TX and b^TY nonparametrically. Examples illustrating the new method are presented.     

试题质量评价研究

教学过程的规范化管理是保证教学质量的重要手段。考试是对教和学的效果的检验，是教学过程管理规范化必须要解决的问题，一直受到教学管理部门的重视，采取了多项措施解决有关问题，其中一个重要的手段是采用试题库。在采用试题库时，必须要有高质量的试题作保证。本探讨基于KDD技术的试题质量评价方法和指标，并通过实例来说明其有效性。     

遥感器CCD驱动器热设计及其在摄像过程中的温度变化

CCD驱动器是航天成像遥感器摄像过程中的主要热源之一。防止CCD驱动器过热是保证其正常工作的重要方面。介绍了遥感器的工作模式和对CCD驱动器采取的热控制措施。通过热平衡试验,利用回归的方法,对CCD驱动器在摄像过程中的温度变化规律进行了分析,同时对热控制效果进行了评估。CCD驱动器工作时升温速率在0.85℃/min左右,整个摄像过程中最高温度约为26℃,所实施的热控制措施效果理想。     

NDMAP: the best material to study the Haldane's prediction

As predicted by Haldane, spin, S=1 one-dimensional (1D) Heisenberg antiferromagnet (HAF) has an energy gap between the singlet ground state and first excited triplet. On application of magnetic field, the triplet state Zeeman splits and the energy of one of the triplet state becomes zero at a critical field, H_c. Above H_c the system recovers magnetism. Then, we expect that a quasi-1D HAF will show a magnetic long-range ordering (LRO) at low temperatures due to the inter-chain coupling. This field-induced LRO has not been observed before due to complication of the crystal structure in the materials studied so far and/or technical difficulty.From a heat capacity measurement on a single crystal of an S=1 quasi-Q1D HAF, Ni(C₅H₁₄N₂)₂N₃(PF₆), we found an anomaly at a temperature in finite fields indicating a field-induced phase transition. A magnetic LRO is confirmed by a neutron diffraction measurement on the same sample. The temperature versus magnetic field phase diagram of this compound is constructed and discussed.