Distribution estimation with smoothed auxiliary information

Distribution estimation is very important in order to make statistical inference for parameters or its functions based on this distribution.In this work we propose an estimator of the distribution of some variable with non-smooth auxiliary information,for example,a symmetric distribution of this variable.A smoothing technique is employed to handle the non-differentiable function.Hence,a distribution can be estimated based on smoothed auxiliary information.Asymptotic properties of the distribution estimator are derived and analyzed.The distribution estimators based on our method are found to be significantly efficient than the corresponding estimators without these auxiliary information.Some simulation studies are conducted to illustrate the finite sample performance of the proposed estimators.     

Hub location–allocation in intermodal logistic networks

Within the context of intermodal logistics, the design of transportation networks becomes more complex than it is for single mode logistics. In an intermodal network, the respective modes are characterized by the transportation cost structure, modal connectivity, availability of transfer points and service time performance. These characteristics suggest the level of complexity involved in designing intermodal logistics networks. This research develops a mathematical model using the multiple-allocation p-hub median approach. The model encompasses the dynamics of individual modes of transportation through transportation costs, modal connectivity costs, and fixed location costs under service time requirements. A tabu search meta-heuristic is used to solve large size (100 node) problems. The solutions obtained using this meta-heuristic are compared with tight lower bounds developed using a Lagrangian relaxation approach. An experimental study evaluates the performance of the intermodal logistics networks and explores the effects and interactions of several factors on the design of intermodal hub networks subject to service time requirements.     

Profitability of online order fulfillment in multi-channel retailing

Store-based retailers have been concerned about the high fulfillment costs and low gross margins of their online sales. This paper incorporates such issues in a non-linear mixed-integer profit maximization model of the online order fulfillment process for multi-channel retailers. A solution approach based on an iterative outer-approximation technique is developed. Using empirical data from a large U.S. retailer, the profitability of different options used by multi-channel retailers to fill online orders is evaluated. Managerial insights are developed through a factorial research design that highlights the effect of relevant logistics processes and fulfillment methods on the profitability of online sales for retailers.     

A Robust 3D Cage‐like Ultramicroporous Network Structure with High Gas‐Uptake Capacity

A three‐dimensional (3D) cage‐like organic network (3D‐CON) structure synthesized by the straightforward condensation of building blocks designed with gas adsorption properties is presented. The 3D‐CON can be prepared using an easy but powerful route, which is essential for commercial scale‐up. The resulting fused aromatic 3D‐CON exhibited a high Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area of up to 2247 m² g^?1. More importantly, the 3D‐CON displayed outstanding low pressure hydrogen (H₂, 2.64 wt %, 1.0 bar and 77 K), methane (CH₄, 2.4 wt %, 1.0 bar and 273 K), and carbon dioxide (CO₂, 26.7 wt %, 1.0 bar and 273 K) uptake with a high isosteric heat of adsorption (H₂, 8.10 kJ mol^?1; CH₄, 18.72 kJ mol^?1; CO₂, 31.87 kJ mol^?1). These values are among the best reported for organic networks with high thermal stability (ca. 600 °C).     

Preparation and characterization of potassium copper nickel hexacyanoferrate(II) as an ion exchanger for cesium

Potassium copper nickel hexacyanoferrate(II) [KCNF] was prepared by treating potassium nickel hexacyanoferrate(II) with copper nitrate solution in 0.1M HNO₃. The resulting material was dried at various temperatures. Chemical analysis, i.r., thermal decomposition and surface property measurements were used to characterize the material. The adsorption of cesium from aqueous solutions on KCNF was investigated and optimized as a function of equilibration time and pH. The material dried at 110°C was found to be fairly stable in dilute acids, salt solutions, high doses of gamma-radiation and at high temperature. It also showed better surface properties and a high value of ion exchange capacity (2.25 mmol·g^–1) for cesium.     

On the zeros of certain composite polynomials and an operator preserving inequalities

The Ramanujan Journal - If all the zeros of nth degree polynomials f(z) and $$g(z) = \sum _{k=0}^{n}\lambda _k\left( {\begin{array}{c}n\\ k\end{array}}\right) z^k$$ respectively lie in the cricular...     

Mechanistic Insights into the Synthesis of [Rh(acac)(CO)(NHC)] (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene) Complexes Using a Weak Base

A simple synthetic method to access a wide range of [Rh(acac)(CO)(NHC)] complexes is described. In situ infra-red monitoring provides insights into the mechanism of the reaction, including the identification of a key intermediate. An understanding of the reaction mechanism leads to the discovery of novel pathways to commonly used congeners.     

A radiochemical study on the thermodynamics of cesium adsorption on potassium copper nickel hexacyanoferrate(II) from aqueous solutions

This paper reports a radiochemical study on the themodynamics of cesium adsorption on potassium copper nickel hexacyanoferrate(II) (KCNF) using¹³⁴Cs radionuclide as a radiotracer. The values of themodynamic parameters like H ^o , S ^o and G ^o have been calculated using the temperature dependence of cesium adsorption on KCNF. These values indicate the endothermic nature of the adsorption process. Freundlich and Langmuir izotems have shown their applicability for the adsorption of cesium on KCNF at different temperatures and their corresponding constants have been calculated and interpreted. The Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) equation has also been applied to the adsorption data and the values of mean free energies of the adsorption process at different temperatures have been evaluated. These values indicate that the adsorption of cesium on KCNF is expected to follow an ion exchange process.     

Effect of Different Counterions of the Manganese Salt as Catalyst on the Kinetics of Resorcinol‐Based Belousov–Zhabotinsky Reaction

Kinetic studies on the Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) system with various metal ions as catalysts have been carried out for a long time, but the effect of counteranions associated with the metal ion solution used as the catalyst in the BZ reaction has not been explored. Thus, we have chosen some metal salts as catalysts having the metal ion (Mnⁿ⁺) but with various anions to study the role of different anionic moieties of catalyst on the oscillatory behavior of the resorcinol‐based BZ reaction system. It is found that organic‐type anionic moieties marginalize the role of organic substrates in the reaction system. On the other hand, the inorganic counterions of the catalyst show salting out effects, thereby increasing the ionic strength, which affects the mobility (diffusion) of the ions in our system performed under batch conditions.