Stochastic optimization of forward recursive functions

This note solves a finite-horizon stochastic optimization problem with forward recursive criterion through dynamic programming. The forward recursive criterion is wide; it includes additive (discounted), multiplicative (discounted risk-sensitive), minimum and terminal criteria. The basic idea is to apply invariant imbedding method for the stochastic optimization. The method incorporates recursive accumulation process into dynamics by expanding the original state space.     

Modelling of a single drop impact onto liquid film using particle method

The process of single liquid drop impact on thin liquid surface is numerically simulated with moving particle semi‐implicit method. The mathematical model involves gravity, viscosity and surface tension. The model is validated by the simulation of the experimental cases. It is found that the dynamic processes after impact are sensitive to the liquid pool depth and the initial drop velocity. In the cases that the initial drop velocity is low, the drop will be merged with the liquid pool and no big splash is seen. If the initial drop velocity is high enough, the dynamic process depends on the liquid depth. If the liquid film is very thin, a bowl‐shaped thin crown is formed immediately after the impact. The total crown subsequently expands outward and breaks into many tiny droplets. When the thickness of the liquid film increases, the direction of the liquid crown becomes normal to the surface and the crown propagates outward. It is also found that the radius of the crown is described by a square function of time: r_C = [c(t ? t₀)]^0.5. When the liquid film is thick enough, a crown and a deep cavity inside it are formed shortly after the impact. The bottom of the cavity is initially oblate and then the base grows downward to form a sharp corner and subsequently the corner moves downward. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Facilitated sulfate transfer across the nitrobenzene-water interface as mediated by hydrogen-bonding ionophores.

Facilitated SO4(2-) transfers by hydrogen bond-forming ionophores are investigated across the nitrobenzene (NB)-water interface by using polarography with a dropping electrolyte electrode. Bis-thiourea 1, alpha,alpha'-bis(N'-p-nitrophenylthioureylene)-m-xylene, is found to significantly facilitate the transfer of the highly hydrophilic SO4(2-) whereas its counterpart, N-(p-nitrophenyl)-N'-propylthiourea (ionophore 2), cannot. In contrast to the predominant formation of a 1:1 complex with SO4(2-) in the bulk NB phase, the SO4(2-) transfer assisted by 1 is indeed based on the formation of a 1:2 complex between SO4(2-) and ionophore, even under the condition of [SO4(2-)]aq > [1]org. Such an exclusive formation of the 1:2 (SO4(2-) to ionophore) complex at the NB-water interface is not observed with structurally similar bis-thiourea 3, alpha,alpha'-bis(N'-phenylthioureylene)-m-xylene, where p-nitrophenyl moietes of bis-thiourea 1 are simply replaced by phenyl groups. The facilitated transfer of SO4(2-) with bis-thiourea 1 is further compared to that of HPO4(2-) and H2PO4- across the NB-water interface, which was previously shown to be assisted by 1 through the formation of the 1:1 and 2:1 (anion to ionophore) complexes, respectively. On the basis of these examinations, unique binding behaviors of hydrogen bond-forming ionophores at the NB-water interface are discussed, with a view towards development of ionophore-based anion-selective chemical sensors.     

Fluorescence spectra and chemical species of fluorescein molecules adsorbed on a calcinated porous Vycor glass

Properties of fluorescence and the excitation spectra of fluorescein molecules adsorbed onto a calcinated (773 K) porous Vycor glass have been investigated as a function of the amount of adsorbed dye (the surface coverage, θ = 0.00051 and 0.0098). The fluorescence and fluorescence-excitation spectra of fluorescein adsorbed onto Vycor glass showed the spectrum only due to cation species at θ = 0.00051. On the other hand, the spectra observed at θ = 0.0098 suggested the presence of cation, anion, and dianion species on the surface of Vycor glass. These results indicated the existence of at least two different types of adsorption sites involving the Brønsted acid site on the surfaces of Vycor glass.     

Multiplex amplified product-length polymorphism analysis of 36 mitochondrial single-nucleotide polymorphisms for haplogrouping of East Asian populations

We present a reliable, rapid, and economical multiplex amplified product-length polymorphism (APLP) method for analyzing the haplogroup-diagnostic mitochondrial single-nucleotide polymorphisms (mtSNPs) in East Asian populations. By examining only 36 haplogroup-specific mtSNPs in the coding region by using four 9-multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequent electrophoresis, we could safely assign 1815 individuals from 8 populations of Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Germans to 45 relevant haplogroups. This multiplex APLP analysis of coding-region mtSNPs for haplogrouping is especially useful not only for molecular phylogenetic studies but also for large-scale association studies due to its rapid and economical nature. This is the first panel of mtSNPs in the coding region to be used for haplogrouping of East Asian populations.     

Mutagenesis approaches to deduce structure-function relationships in terpene synthases

This review highlights mutagenesis studies of terpene synthases, specifically sesquiterpene synthases and oxidosqualene cyclases. Mutagenesis studies of these enzymes have provided mechanistic insights, structure-function relationships for specific enzymatic residues, novel terpene structures and enzymes with novel activities. The literature through 2002 is reviewed and 113 references cited.     

Inclusion-water-cluster in a three-dimensional superlattice of gold nanoparticles

Three-dimensional particle crystals made of dicarboxylic thiolate (MSA)-stabilized gold nanoparticles were formed at an air/water interface. FTIR spectra of this supracrystal showed that three well-resolved peaks existed from 3400 to 3550 cm-1 just falling in a region of OH stretching vibrational mode. Precise analysis showed that all these peaks originated from the water cluster included in the interstice of a particle crystal.     

Regioselective synthesis and properties of novel [60]fullerene bisadducts containing a dibenzocrown ether moiety

The reactions of [60]fullerene with bis-o-quinodimethane precursors 3, 4, and 5 containing a dibenzo-18-crown-6, 24-crown-8 and 30-crown-10 moiety, respectively, were investigated. Both 3 and 4 provided trans-4 bisadducts 6a and 7a, respectively, as major product, though the selectivity in the latter was lower than that in the former. As minor product, 6b (cis-2) was produced from 3, while 7c (e) as well as 7b (cis-2) were produced from 4. Precursor 5 exclusively afforded e bisadduct 8 without any other regioisomers. These bisadducts showed different ionophoric properties from one another; for instance, 6a and 7b exhibited a high complexing ability toward the K+ ion, while 6b hardly showed complexation with any alkali metal ions. The selectivity coefficients (K(Na,K)(pot)) of 6a and 7b toward K+ over Na+ ion, determined with an ion-selective electrode, were much higher than that of dibenzo-18-crown-6.