Non-parametric estimation of lifetime and repair time criteria for a semi-Markov process

In this Note, we model an industrial system by a semi-Markov process where failure and repair phenomena are in mutual competition. A non-parametric estimation method for system component lifetime and repair time distributions and for associated hazard rate functions is proposed. The lifetime and repair time empirical distributions are reduced to two Kaplan–Meier estimators. A numerical example from an industrial system with three components and one repair man modeled by a birth and death process is provided to illustrate the previous results. To cite this article: A.-L. Afchain, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 339 (2004).     

Stress monitoring in a Guinness 10-day scuba dive

Nowadays, there is high demand for sensitive gas sensors both for human and environmental monitoring. This paper deals with a high-resolution (0.2 ppb) laser-based photoacoustic spectroscopic system realized at ENEA Frascati, Italy, applied for monitoring stress in scuba divers during sustained immersion by analyzing breath samples. Blood tests and psychometric tests for scuba divers were performed at Catholic University in Rome. Results will be reported and discussed.     

Efficient and simple synthesis of 3-aryl-1H-pyrazoles

Efficient preparation of 3-aryl-1H-pyrazoles by reaction of 1-protected-5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazoles with (het)aryl halides is described. The choice of THP protecting group is discussed.     

Vibrational population distribution of ground state BaO formed by the reaction Ba + O2

The vibrational population distribution of X ¹Σ(υ′' = 0 through ν′' = 7) BaO formed in the reaction Ba + O₂ at 0.3 torr has been measured by laser induced photoluminescence intensities. On the basis of the assumed similarity between the Ba + O₂ and Ba + N₂O reactions, these data suggest that a population inversion may exist between A ¹Σ(ν′ = 1) and X ¹Σ(υⁿ = 7) BaO formed in the latter reaction at ≈ 16 torr.     

Adding Value in Production of Multifunctional Polylactide (PLA)–ZnO Nanocomposite Films through Alternative Manufacturing Methods

Due to the added value conferred by zinc oxide (ZnO) nanofiller, e.g., UV protection, antibacterial action, gas-barrier properties, poly(lactic acid) (PLA)–ZnO nanocomposites show increased interest for utilization as films, textile fibers, and injection molding items. The study highlights the beneficial effects of premixing ZnO in PLA under given conditions and its use as masterbatch (MB), a very promising alternative manufacturing technique. This approach allows reducing the residence time at high processing temperature of the thermo-sensitive PLA matrix in contact of ZnO nanoparticles known for their aptitude to promote degradation effects onto the polyester chains. Various PLA–ZnO MBs containing high contents of silane-treated ZnO nanoparticles (up to 40 wt.% nanofiller specifically treated with triethoxycaprylylsilane) were produced by melt-compounding using twin-screw extruders. Subsequently, the selected MBs were melt blended with pristine PLA to produce nanocomposite films containing 1–3 wt.% ZnO. By comparison to the more traditional multi-step process, the MB approach allowed the production of nanocomposites (films) having improved processing and enhanced properties: PLA chains displaying higher molecular weights, improved thermal stability, fine nanofiller distribution, and thermo-mechanical characteristic features, while the UV protection was confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy measurements. The MB alternative is viewed as a promising flexible technique able to open new perspectives to produce more competitive multifunctional PLA–ZnO nanocomposites.     

Experimental demonstration of a narrowband, angular tolerant, polarization independent, doubly periodic resonant grating filter

Resonant grating filters are promising components for free-space narrowband filtering. Unfortunately, due to their weak angular tolerance, their performances are strongly deteriorated when they are illuminated with a standard collimated beam. Yet this problem can be overcome by resorting to a complex periodic pattern known as the doubly periodic grating [Lemarchand et al., Opt. Lett.23, 1149 (1998)]. We report what we believe to be the first experimental fabrication and characterization of a bidimensional doubly periodic grating filter. We obtained a 0.5 nm bandpass polarization independent reflection filter for telecom wavelengths (1520-1570 nm) that presents a transmittivity minimum of 18% with a standard incident collimated beam.     

High temperature NMR approach of mixtures of rare earth and alkali fluorides: An insight into the local structure

In situ high temperature nuclear magnetic resonance in molten fluoride mixtures gives some structural picture of the complexes existing in the melt, i.e. of their nature and relative proportion. Thanks to the development of a laser heating system associated with a close crucible in boron nitride, we can describe experimentally the evolution of these complexes from the anions and the cations point of view. By ¹⁹F NMR, we have shown the existence of three kinds of fluorine atoms depending on the composition: free fluorine like in pure LiF (non-bonded), bridging fluorine in melts rich in LnF₃ in addition with terminal fluorine singly bonded to one rare earth. Data obtained by NMR spectroscopy are also combined with EXAFS measurements, again thanks to a specific development of the sample holder adapted with molten fluorides and high temperature. This study is a part of our systematic investigation of the different Alk-LnF₃ systems by NMR and EXAFS spectroscopy.     

On the speed of a cookie random walk

We consider the model of the one-dimensional cookie random walk when the initial cookie distribution is spatially uniform and the number of cookies per site is finite. We give a criterion to decide whether the limiting speed of the walk is non-zero. In particular, we show that a positive speed may be obtained for just three cookies per site. We also prove a result on the continuity of the speed with respect to the initial cookie distribution.