A Multivariate Homogeneously Weighted Moving Average Control Chart

This paper presents a multivariate homogeneously weighted moving average (MHWMA) control chart for monitoring a process mean vector. The MHWMA control chart statistic gives a specific weight to the current observation, and the remaining weight is evenly distributed among the previous observations. We present the design procedure and compare the average run length (ARL) performance of the proposed chart with multivariate Chi-square, multivariate EWMA, and multivariate cumulative sum control charts. The ARL comparison indicates superior performance of the MHWMA chart over its competitors, particularly for the detection of small shifts in the process mean vector. Examples are also provided to show the application of the proposed chart. - 2013 IEEE.Scopu

Effect of Oxygen and Initiator Solubility on Admicellar Polymerization of Styrene on Silica Surfaces

Although admicellar polymerization has been termed the surface analog of emulsion polymerization, previous reports utilizing free radical-initiated admicellar polymerization relied on high levels of the free radical initiator when compared to emulsion polymerization, likely due to the presence of oxygen in the reported admicellar polymerization systems. Admicellar polymerizations of styrene on the surface of precipitated silica initiated by either a water-soluble or a water-insoluble initiator were studied to determine the effect of dissolved oxygen and free radical initiator solubility on the kinetics, yield, and molecular weight of the polymer formed. Results show that the presence of oxygen reduces the polymer yield and limits molecular weight. The solubility of the initiator also affected the polymer formed in the admicellar polymerization of styrene. While monomer conversions and polymer yield were similar, the molecular weights of polymerizations initiated by a water-soluble initiator were higher than comparable polymerizations initiated by a water-insoluble initiator

Rapid temperature responses of photosystem II efficiency forecast genotypic variation in rice vegetative heat tolerance

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We are grateful to the University of Nottingham glasshouse staff for their assistance with general plant maintenance. We thank Laura Briers for supplying the photograph used in Figure 1. This article benefited substantially from the critical insight of Dr Alex Burgess. JNF is supported by the Palaeobenchmarking Resilient Agriculture Systems (PalaeoRAS) project funded by the Future Food Beacon of the University of Nottingham. EHM receives funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC, grant no. BB/R004633/1). KES is supported by a University of Nottingham–BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership studentship.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Bounds on Heavy-to-Heavy Mesonic Form Factors

We provide upper and lower bounds on the form factors for B -> D, D^* by utilizing inclusive heavy quark effective theory sum rules. These bounds are calculated to leading order in Lambda_QCD/m_Q and alpha_s. The O(alpha_s^2 beta_0) corrections to the bounds at zero recoil are also presented. We compare our bounds with some of the form factor models used in the literature. All the models we investigated failed to fall within the bounds for the combination of form factors (omega^2 - 1)/(4 omega)|omega h_{A2}+h_{A3}|^2.Comment: 27 pages, 10 figure

Albedo and Reflection Spectra of Extrasolar Giant Planets

We generate theoretical albedo and reflection spectra for a full range of extrasolar giant planet (EGP) models, from Jovian to 51-Pegasi class objects. Our albedo modeling utilizes the latest atomic and molecular cross sections, a Mie theory treatment of extinction by condensates, a variety of particle size distributions, and an extension of the Feautrier radiative transfer method which allows for a general treatment of the scattering phase function. We find that due to qualitative similarities in the compositions and spectra of objects within each of five broad effective temperature ranges, it is natural to establish five representative EGP albedo classes: a ``Jovian'' class (T$_{\rm eff} \lesssim 150$ K; Class I) with tropospheric ammonia clouds, a ``water cloud'' class (T$_{\rm eff} \sim 250$ K; Class II) primarily affected by condensed H$_2$O, a ``clear'' class (T$_{\rm eff} \gtrsim 350$ K; Class III) which lacks clouds, and two high-temperature classes: Class IV (900 K $\lesssim$ T$_{\rm{eff}}$ $\lesssim$ 1500 K) for which alkali metal absorption predominates, and Class V (T$_{\rm{eff}}$ $\gtrsim$ 1500 K and/or low surface gravity ($\lesssim$ 10$^3$ cm s$^{-2}$)) for which a high silicate layer shields a significant fraction of the incident radiation from alkali metal and molecular absorption. The resonance lines of sodium and potassium are expected to be salient features in the reflection spectra of Class III, IV, and V objects. We derive Bond albedos and effective temperatures for the full set of known EGPs and explore the possible effects of non-equilibrium condensed products of photolysis above or within principal cloud decks. As in Jupiter, such species can lower the UV/blue albedo substantially, even if present in relatively small mixing ratios.Comment: revised LaTeX manuscript accepted to Ap.J.; also available at http://jupiter.as.arizona.edu/~burrows/paper

Conformational and Structural Relaxations of Poly(ethylene oxide) and Poly(propylene oxide) Melts: Molecular Dynamics Study of Spatial Heterogeneity, Cooperativity, and Correlated Forward-Backward Motion

Performing molecular dynamics simulations for all-atom models, we characterize the conformational and structural relaxations of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide) melts. The temperature dependence of these relaxation processes deviates from an Arrhenius law for both polymers. We demonstrate that mode-coupling theory captures some aspects of the glassy slowdown, but it does not enable a complete explanation of the dynamical behavior. When the temperature is decreased, spatially heterogeneous and cooperative translational dynamics are found to become more important for the structural relaxation. Moreover, the transitions between the conformational states cease to obey Poisson statistics. In particular, we show that, at sufficiently low temperatures, correlated forward-backward motion is an important aspect of the conformational relaxation, leading to strongly nonexponential distributions for the waiting times of the dihedrals in the various conformational statesComment: 13 pages, 13 figure

Uneven and combined development and unequal exchange: the second wind of neoliberal ‘free trade’?

With capitalist social relations emerging in a prior system of absolutist states in Europe, the outward expansion of capitalism through conditions of uneven and combined development became dependent on the existence of multiple political entities. States in turn are brought into relations of unequal exchange within the global economy. This article analyses the way in which current neoliberal ‘free trade’ policies are related to these fundamental capitalist dynamics, deepening further processes of uneven and combined development as well as unequal exchange