ON HYPERBOLIC TIME DISCOUNTING IN EXHAUSTIBLE RESOURCE MODELS: AN APPLICATION TO WORLD OIL RESOURCES

ABSTRACT. Recent research on discounting in long term economic models involves hyperbolic discounting, in which the marginal discount rate shrinks as time passes. To investigate hyperbolic discounting and exhaustible resource allocation, this work develops a discrete‐time world oil model and model solution procedure, then uses the model to examine the consequences of adopting conventional (constant annual) discounting when hyperbolic discounting is appropriate, of adopting one hyperbolic discount rate path when a different hyperbolic path is appropriate, and of adopting hyperbolic discounting when conventional discounting is appropriate. Five conventional and two hyperbolic discount rate paths are considered. One hyperbolic path is that used by Nordhaus and Boyer [2000]; the other is that recommended by Weitzman [2001]. The generality of the findings is also assessed.     

Robust handling of non‐linear constraints for GA optimization of aerodynamic shapes

A new approach to the robust handling of non‐linear constraints for GAs (genetic algorithms) optimization is proposed. A specific feature of the approach consists of the change in the conventional search strategy by employing search paths which pass through both feasible and infeasible points (contrary to the traditional approach where only feasible points may be included in a path). The method (driven by full Navier–Stokes computations) was applied to the problem of multiobjective optimization of aerodynamic shapes subject to various geometrical and aerodynamic constraints. The results demonstrated that the method retains high robustness of conventional GAs while keeping CFD computational volume to an acceptable level, which allowed the algorithm to be used in a demanding engineering environment. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

集值映射的切导数与向量优化问题的最优性条件

利用集值映射切导数与半可微概念，给出了无约束与具约束的集值向量优化问题局部真有效解与局部强有效解的最优性条件。     

Evaluation of a complete HPLC solvent optimization system involving piece-wise quadratic modelling

Summary Interpretive methods are accepted to give the best possible results for selectivity optimization in HPLC. However the methods are very complex, and most work so far has been detailed academic studies. This paper describes an evaluation of a complete integrated system incorporating peak labelling, modelling of retention behaviour and calculation of response surfaces, with particular emphasis on the retention modelling. The peak labelling section has been discussed previously.A piece-wise quadratic function is investigated for the modelling of retention times across an isoeluotropic plane to effect selectivity optimization in HPLC. This requires 10 data-points on the isoeluotropic plane. The predicted global optimum and local optima are evaluated by comparison of calculated and experimental retention data, for a nine component sample. Seven interstitial points, distributed across the whole plane between the data-points, are similarly evaluated for a related sample. The typical error (in retention time) is less than 2%, often 1%, and the maximum error is 4.2%. At the global optimum the error was found be less than 1.3% for all 9 peaks.     

Approximate minimum-cost multicommodity flows in\tilde O(ɛ −2 KNM) timetime

We show that an ε-approximate solution of the cost-constrainedK-commodity flow problem on anN-nodeM-arc network,G can be computed by sequentially solving O(K(? ^?2+logGK) logGM log (G? ^?1 GK)) single-commodity minimum-cost flow problems on the same network. In particular, an approximate minimum-cost multicommodity flow can be computed in $\tilde O$ (G? ^?2 GKNM) running time, where the notation Õ(·) means “up to logarithmic factors”. This result improves the time bound mentioned by Grigoriadis and Khachiyan [4] by a factor ofM/N and that developed more recently by Karger and Plotkin [8] by a factor of? ^?1. We also provide a simple $\tilde O$ (NM)-time algorithm for single-commodity budget-constrained minimum-cost flows which is $\tilde O$ (? ^?3) times faster than the algorithm developed in the latter paper.     

Optimization of an electrolytic conductivity detector for determination of toxic nitrogen-containing food contaminants separated by open tubular column gas chromatography

The combination of open tubular column gas chromatography with electrolytic conductivity detection has been evaluated for the determination of nitrogen-containing pesticide residues in food extracts. Optimization of the column position at the column-detector interface was crucial to the successful operation of the detector. The signal-to-noise ratio and response stability of the detector are greatly influenced by the composition of the electrolyte solvent. Large volume splitless injections using retention gaps and optimized detector operating conditions enabled pesticide residues in food extracts to be determined at sub parts-per-million levels. Although the electrolytic conductivity detector is less sensitive than the thermionic ionization detector, its greater nitrogen selectivity can he crucial to the determination of nitrogen-containing contaminants in food extracts, particularly in complex mixtures where phosphorus-containing contaminants or matrix compounds are also present.     

Retention behavior and solvent optimization of organochlorine pesticides in solid-phase extraction

Summary Plots of capacity factor and retention time vs. elution solvent composition were proved to be useful to interpret the retention behavior of Kepone and its metabolites in a reversed-phase solid-phase extraction and to optimize the elution solvent. The percent recovery of Kepone was largely improved when the solvent was optimized. The standard deviations of the results of extractions were also improved upon the optimization of the solvent.     

Spectroscopic and Quantum Mechanical Studies of Substituted Anilines and their Charge-Transfer Complexes with Iodine in Different Solvents

Summary. Equilibrium constants and molar extinction coefficients for 1:1 charge-transfer complexes between 2-hydroxyaniline (HA), 5-chloro-2-hydroxyaniline (CHA), and 4-bromo-2,6-dimethylaniline (BMA) as donors and iodine, as a typical σ-acceptor were determined spectrophotometrically in chloroform, dichloromethane, and carbontetrachloride solutions. Spectral characteristics and formation constants are discussed in terms of donor molecular structure and solvent polarity. The stoichiometry of the complexes was established to be 1:1. For this purpose, optical data were subjected to the form of the Rose-Drago equation for 1:1 equilibria. Electronic absorption spectra of the studied anilines were measured in different solvents. Spectral data were reported and band maxima were assigned to the appropriate molecular orbital transitions (π–π^* and n–π^* electronic transition). Solvent effects on the electronic transitions were discussed. Optimized geometry of the studied anilines was obtained at B3LYP/6-31 + G(d). The effect of the electronic factors of the substituents on the geometrical parameters of the ring has been explored. Geometrical values of the ring deviate from the regular hexagonal ring. Intramolecular H-bonds in HA and CHA have been computed at B3LYP/6-31 + G(d) and MP2/6-31 + G(d) levels. The H-bonding distance was calculated to be 2.105 ? in HA and 2.127 ? in CHA. Abstracted from her M.Sc. thesis     

原子荧光光谱法测定砷过程中还原反应条件的优化

自然界中砷和砷的化合物一般可通过水、大气和食物等途径进入人体,危害人体健康,原子荧光光谱法测定砷含量被广泛应用。为准确测定样品中砷的含量,以原子荧光光谱法(AFS)测定土壤中总砷含量为例,重点研究高价态砷(Ⅴ)还原为低价态砷(Ⅲ)的实验条件,采用正交实验进行条件优化,建立适合的实验方法。通过设计L9(34)正交实验,高价态砷的还原反应与四个因素有关,即与反应温度、反应时间、盐酸加入量和硫脲的用量呈一定的正相关,结果表明,四个因素中硫脲用量的影响最为显著,其次是盐酸加入量、反应时间和反应温度。通过对四个因素的多水平检验,优化后的实验条件为：硫脲用量2.0 mL、盐酸加入量10%、反应时间20 min、温度20～35 ℃(即普通室温)。采用土壤标准物质验证优化后条件的可行性,得出砷的测定值在标准值范围内,RSD在2.2%～4.2%,精密度和准确性均满足质控要求。优化后的实验条件使得操作简便易行,提高了工作效率。     

An Experimental Design Approach to Quantitative Expression for Quality Control of a Multicomponent Antidiabetic Formulation by the HILIC Method

A rapid and reproducible hydrophilic liquid chromatography (HILIC) process was established for concomitant determination of remogliflozin etabonate (RE), vildagliptin (VD), and metformin (MF) in a formulation. A face-centered central composite experimental design was employed to optimize and predict the chromatographic condition by statistically studying the surface response model and design space with desirability close to one. A HILIC column with a simple mobile phase of acetonitrile (65% v/v) and 20 mM phosphate buffer (35% v/v, pH 6, controlled with orthophosphoric acid) was used to separate RE, VD, and MF. RE, VD, and MF were separated in 3.6 min using an isocratic mode mobile phase flow at a flow rate of 1.4 mL at room temperature, and the analytes were examined by recording the absorption at 210 nm. The developed HILIC method was thoroughly validated for all parameters recommended by ICH, and linearity was observed in the ranges 20–150 µg/mL, 10–75 µg/mL, and 50–750 µg/mL for RE, VD, and MF, respectively, along with excellent regression coefficients (r² > 0.999). The calculated percentage relative deviation and relative error ascertained the precision and accuracy of the method. The selectivity and accuracy were further confirmed by the high percentage recovery of added standard drugs to the formulation using the standard addition technique. The robustness of the HILIC processes was confirmed by developing a half-normal probability plot and Pareto chart, as the slight variation of a single factor had no significant influence on the assay outcomes. Utilization of the optimized HILIC procedure for concurrent quantification of RE, VD, and MF in solid dosage forms showed accurate and reproducible results. Hence, the fast HILIC method can be regularly employed for the quality assurance of pharmaceutical preparations comprising RE, VD, and MF.