Statistical Inference in a Linear Model for Spatially Located Sensors and Random Input

In the paper we consider a random linear model for observations provided by spatially located sensors measuring signals coming from one source. For this model a set of sufficient and complete statistics are found, and it is shown that the maximum likelihood estimators of unknown parameters (characteristics of the source) are functions of those statistics. The problem of nonnegative estimators of variance components of the model is shortly discussed. Comparisons of the mean squared errors of several estimators are given. Numerical example concerning hunting for defects in solar cells is considered in details.     

恐龙不同部位化石的激光拉曼光谱

应用波长为785nm的激光拉曼光对来自武定九厂地区的两个不同部位的恐龙化石样品研究测试,首次在1000 cm-1~1800 cm-1波数段得到碳氢物质的拉曼峰图谱。在该波数范围内,颈椎化石和尾椎化石都有强、弱两类特征峰。它们的强特征峰与源地关系不大,即同一地区的化石特征峰并不很相似。弱拉曼峰与围岩的拉曼峰相似。恐龙化石的强拉曼峰来源于生物遗体分解剩下的碳氢类物质成分,弱拉曼峰源于石化过程中外部填充物质的成分。     

Stability of principal components

In this article we deal with the problem of stability of the conclusions from principal components analysis over repeated samples. We define a measure of stability for each component and investigate some of the measures properties. We then obtain the maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs) of the measures, and derive their joint limiting distributions. The MLEs of the measures turn out to be asymptotically unbiased and jointly have the multivariate normal distribution. Modified estimators are also found to reduce the amount of bias in the MLEs. To facilitate interpretation of the measures we define stability confidence level as coverage probability, and associate with each measure a stability confidence level to describe the measure in terms of probability. Finally, we investigate the stability of the components via a simulation study and compare the performance of the MLEs and the modified estimators in terms of bias and precision. This work was sponsored by a grant from the Office of Vice-President for Research at Kuwait University under project number SS049.     

Details of Structure Formation During the Induction Period of Spinodal-Type Polymer Crystallization

An unexpected type of primary crystal nucleation is described, involving spinodal decomposition (SD) type microphase separation due to the orientation fluctuations of rigid segments prior to crystal nucleation. This type of mechanism was found by the present authors about 10 years ago, and recently, it was theoretically revealed by Olmsted et al. to be one of three types of primary crystal nucleation: the well-known homogeneous crystal nucleation directly from the liquid–crystal coexistence domain, which occurs at higher temperatures above the binodal temperature T _b , crystal nucleation after binodal microphase separation between T _b and spinodal temperature T _s , and that after SD below T _s . The detailed experimental results for the spinodal-type crystal nucleation, especially the temperature dependence of characteristic wavelength in SD, are explained as well.     

Single-mode fused coupler for undersea optical transmission systems

A single mode 3 dB fused coupler, to be used as a redundant laser combiner in the submerged repeater of an undersea optical fibre transmission system, is described. The fabrication and package design of the component for this high reliability application is discussed, and the results of a wide range of environmental tests are given.     

Preparation and dielectric properties of oxide added NaCl-KCl polycrystals

Pure and ZnO and CdO added (separately) polycrystals of NaCl, KCl and (NaCl)_0.5(KCl)_0.5 were prepared by the melt method. Density, atomic absorption spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction measurements indicate that the ZnO and CdO have entered into the lattices of alkali halide crystals. The dielectric measurements indicate that the dielectric parameters increase with the increase in temperature. Also, the dielectric constant and dielectric loss factor values decreased whereas the electrical conductivities increased with the increase in frequency of the AC applied. Significant changes have been observed with the dielectric parameters caused by ZnO and CdO additions. Also, the depth profile study was carried out on CdO added crystals which indicates that the dopant addition creates different layers along the crystal with increase of dopant content from top to bottom.     

A study of the practical limitations of principal components analysis and the labelling of unresolved HPLC peaks

Summary The method of iterative target transformation factor analysis (ITTFA) used in conjunction with second derivative peak finding has shown to be a practical method for the peak deconvolution and reconstruction of HPLC chromatograms and spectra. The second derivative method of peak finding is acceptable for resolutions above 0.5 for peaks of similar heights. Above 0.5 resolution the labelling gives correct results where the spectra are substantially different and also when reasonably similar. Below this value the peak labelling was still accurate where the spectra were different. Solvent effects on the spectra of the compounds studied are small and do not hinder the peak labelling process. Thus small “local” libraries are feasible. Presented at the 17th International Symposium on Chromatography, September 25–30, 1988. Vienna, Austria.     

Copolyesteramides: synthesis and kinetic analysis

The synthesis of copolyesteramides using para-acetamido benzoic acid (PABA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by melt polymerization has been studied in detail. The performance of three transesterification catalysts are assessed for three different initial compositions, PABA 60 mol%/PET 40%, PABA 50 mol%/PET 50% and PABA 40 mol%/PET 60%. The polycondensations are found to obey second order kinetics, irrespective of whether the reaction was catalysed or not. The mechanism of initial stage polymerization kinetics of the copolymers has been fully explained.It is suggested that acetic acid is evolved only by the homopolymerization of PABA and that the insertion of a monomer of homopolymer of PABA into PET does not yield any acetic acid. A set of differential equations containing three different rate constants, k₁ for homopolymerization of PABA, k₂ for PET reaction with dimer of PABA and k₃ for PABA reaction with copolymer of PABA and PET has been developed and numerically solved, to study the initial stage kinetics. The computed values of acetic acid are compared with the experimentally collected amount and the three rate constants are optimized using a differential algebraic optimization technique. The present model represents the data with an acceptable accuracy with an average % error of less than 5% between experimental and computed values for the entire experimental range. The correlation coefficient values range between 0.988 and 0.999.Differential scanning analysis of the copolyestermides indicates that 40 mol% PABA and 60% PET had the highest enthalpy values of the order of 18 kJ/mol. It is found that within the copolyesteramide series the degree of crystallinity increased with the increase of PET contents in the feed mixture to the batch reactor.     

J-integral evaluation of nanoclay-modified HDPE/PA6 microfibrillar composites

Microfibrillar composites (MFC) are polymer-polymer composites with many advantages, including good dispersion and bonding of in-situ generated fibrils. Recently, it has been shown that their performance can be enhanced by suitable addition of organophilized montmorillonite (oMMT) provided the numerous oMMT-induced effects are harmonized. This work deals with evaluation of resistance against unstable crack propagation (J-integral) in combination with Charpy and tensile impact strength methods, and SEM observation of fibrils shape and size and fracture surfaces. The results indicate that addition of PA6 inclusions and oMMT to relatively ductile HDPE reduces toughness evaluated using Charpy and J-integral. The fact that tensile impact strength is not reduced by oMMT indicates the importance of the impact testing mode for MFC. Of importance is the fact that formation of PA6 fibres reinforced with oMMT practically does not reduce toughness. Hence, the drawn oMMT-modified system with significantly higher stiffness and practically unchanged fracture resistance can be obtained. Combination of the complex effect of oMMT and in-situ fibrils reinforcement present a tool to attain polymer systems with enhanced well-balanced properties.     

Nanostructure development in nylon 6-Cloisite® 30B composites. Effects of the preparation conditions

PA6 composites with Cloisite® 30B (30B), prepared by different procedures, i.e., melt compounding, static annealing and solution blending, have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and microscopic analyses (TEM, SEM, POM) in order to shed more light on the mechanism of nanostructure development. It has been demonstrated that intercalation of the PA6 chains within the 30B galleries takes place very rapidly, in the absence of applied stresses, even when the size of the clay particles is relatively large (tens of microns) and the clay loading is very high (even 50 wt.%). It has also been shown that, if, conversely, the filler content is low (∼10 wt.% or less) and the particles are tiny (e.g., as for polymer/clay mixtures prepared by precipitation from a common solution), intercalation continues, under quiescent conditions, and leads in reasonable times to complete destruction of the silicate platelets stacking order. The composites with higher filler contents display a mixed exfoliated/intercalated morphology, with the intercalated silicate stacks characterized by an interlayer distance of about 3.7 nm. Contrary to statically annealed composites, the melt kneaded ones are characterized by a homogeneous dispersion of the filler particles and a local parallel orientation of the silicate platelets that induces, during polymer crystallization, an orientation of the polymer crystallites parallel to the faces of the compression molded specimens. Experiments carried out using 30B samples previously treated at 250 °C for 4 h under vacuum (30Bdegr) indicate that this treatment, probably due to the collapsed interlayer spaces, lowers the extent of PA6 chains intercalation. Thus, the relevant PA6/30Bdegr composites are characterized by the coexistence of unintercalated clay tactoids/agglomerates and individual silicate layers formed as result of intercalation on the edges of the filler particles.