Bernstein estimation for a copula derivative with application to conditional distribution and regression functionals

Bernstein estimators attracted considerable attention as smooth nonparametric estimators for distribution functions, densities, copulas and copula densities. The present paper adds a parallel result for the first-order derivative of a copula function. This result then leads to Bernstein estimators for a conditional distribution function and its important functionals such as the regression and quantile functions. Results of independent interest have been derived such as an almost sure oscillation behavior of the empirical copula process and a Bahadur-type almost sure asymptotic representation for the Bernstein estimator of a regression quantile function. Simulations demonstrate the good performance of the proposed estimators.     

Lower-error and area-efficient antilogarithmic converters with bit-correction schemes

In this article, we have proposed fast lower-error and area-efficient antilogarithmic converters. By employing new approximation schemes with two-region shift-and-add operations, our proposed converters can perform high-speed conversions from logarithmic numbers to binary numbers. Synthesis results show that our proposed converters can achieve time savings of over 32.5% and can save 42.3% of the area used compared with previously proposed methods. In addition, the percent error ranges for various logarithmic number system (LNS)-based operations used by our proposed logarithmic processor are lower than those of previous methods. Our proposed converters can be applied to LNS-based processors to ease the tremendous computation overhead and boost the performance.     

The effect of MgO and SiO2 codoping on the properties of Nd:YAG transparent ceramic

Nd:YAG transparent ceramics were fabricated by a reactive sintering method under vacuum using SiO₂, MgO and compound additives (SiO₂ and MgO) as sintering aids. The effects of SiO₂ and MgO on the microstructure and sintering process of Nd:YAG ceramics were studied. High quality Nd:YAG ceramics with compound sintering aids obtained by vacuum sintering at 1780 °C are composed of grains of the size ∼10 μm, and their transmittance is 82% at 400 nm. It was found the absorption coefficient of 1.0 mol% Nd:YAG ceramic was 8.6 cm⁻¹ at 808 nm and its absorption cross section was calculated to be 6.26 × 10⁻²⁰ cm².     

Phase and morphology evolution of calcium carbonate precipitated by carbonation of hydrated lime

Phase and morphology evolution of CaCO₃ precipitated during carbonation of lime pastes via the reaction Ca(OH)₂ + CO₂ → CaCO₃ + H₂O has been investigated under different conditions (pCO₂ ≈ 10^−3.5 atm at 60 % RH and 93 % RH; pCO₂ = 1 atm at 93 % RH) using XRD, FTIR, TGA, and SEM. Simulations of the pore solution chemistry for different stages and conditions of carbonation were performed using the PHREEQC code to investigate the evolution of the chemistry of the system. Results indicate initial precipitation of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) which in turn transforms into scalenohedral calcite under excess Ca²⁺ ions. Because of their polar character, { 21[`3]4 } left{ {21bar{3}4} right} scalenohedral faces (type S) interact more strongly with excess Ca<sup>2+</sup> than non-polar { 10[`1]4 } left{ {10bar{1}4} right} rhombohedral faces (type F), an effect that ultimately favors the stabilization of { 21[`3]4 } left{ {21bar{3}4} right} faces. Following the full consumption of Ca<sup>2+</sup> ions and further dissolution of CO<sub>2</sub> leading to a pH drop of the pore solution, { 21[`3]4 } left{ {21bar{3}4} right} scalenohedra are subjected to dissolution. This eventually results in re-precipitation of { 10[`1]4 } left{ {10bar{1}4} right} rhombohedra at close-to-neutral pH. This crystallization sequence progresses through the carbonated depth with a strong dependence on the degree of exposure to CO₂, which is controlled by the carbonated pore structure governing the diffusion of CO₂. Both the carbonation process and the scalenohedral-to-rhombohedral transformation are kinetically favored under high RH and high pCO₂. Supersaturation plays a critical role on the nucleation density and size of CaCO₃ crystals. These results have important implications in understanding the behavior of ancient and modern lime mortars for applications in architectural heritage conservation.     

Diode laser thermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

An approach of sample introduction for inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICPMS), diode laser thermal vaporization (DLTV) is described. The method allows quantitative determination of metals in submicroliter volumes of liquid samples. Laser power is sufficient to induce pyrolysis of a suitable substrate with the deposited sample leading to aerosol generation. Unlike existing sample introduction systems based on laser ablation, it uses a NIR diode laser rather than an expensive high-energy pulsed laser. For certain elements, this sample introduction technique may serve as an alternative to solution analysis with conventional nebulizers. Using a prearranged calibration set, DLTV ICPMS provides rapid and reproducible sample analysis (RSD ~ 10%). Sample preparation is fast and simple, and the prepared samples can easily be archived and transported. The limits of detection for Co, Ni, Zn, Mo, Cd, Sn, and Pb deposited on the preprinted paper were found to be in the range of 0.4-30 pg. The method was characterized, optimized, and applied to the determination of Co in a drug preparation, Pb in whole blood, and Sn in food samples without any sample pretreatment.