Quadratic data envelopment analysis

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) offers a piece-wise linear approximation of the production frontier. The approximation tends to be poor if the true frontier is not concave, eg in case of economies of scale or of specialisation. To improve the flexibility of the DEA frontier and to gain in empirical fit, we propose to extend DEA towards a more general piece-wise quadratic approximation, called Quadratic Data Envelopment Analysis (QDEA). We show that QDEA gives statistically consistent estimates for all production frontiers with bounded Hessian eigenvalues. Our Monte-Carlo simulations suggest that QDEA can substantially improve efficiency estimation in finite samples relative to standard DEA models.     

Effective dimensionality approach to the RKKY interaction in multilayer systems

We consider RKKY interaction in a quasi 2D system with nonparabolic dispersion. In our paper we calculate the RKKY range function assuming the in-layer confinement via effective dimensionality approach. We show, that indirect magnetic exchange in our system can be modelled by the effective spectral dimension which equals one.     

New ligands for the Fe(III)‐mediated reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate

A series of (di)picolinic acids and their derivates are investigated as novel complexing tridentate or bidentate ligands in the iron‐mediated reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in N,N‐dimethylformamide at 100 °C with 2,2′‐azobisisobutyrontrile as an initiator. The polymerization rates and polydispersity indices (1.32–1.8) of the resulting polymers are dependent on the structures of the ligands employed. Different iron complexes may be involved in iron‐mediated reverse atom transfer radical polymerization, depending on the type of acid used. ¹H NMR spectroscopy has been used to study the structure of the resulting polymers. Chain‐extension reactions have been performed to further confirm the living nature of this catalytic system. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2912–2921, 2006     

Focusing and diffraction by an optical lens and a small circular aperture

Based on the vectorial Rayleigh–Sommerfeld diffraction integrals, analytical expressions for the transversal and axial field distribution of plane waves propagating through a thin lens followed by a small circular aperture are derived and used to study the focusing and diffraction properties of plane waves. Some special cases of our general result are discussed, and illustrative numerical calculation results are given. It is found that the vectorial nonparaxial approach should be applied if the aperture dimension is comparable with the wavelength or the focusing is strong.     

Dynamic complexities in predator–prey ecosystem models with age-structure for predator

Natural populations, whose generations are non-overlapping, can be modelled by difference equations that describe how the populations evolve in discrete time-steps. In the 1970s ecological research detected chaos and other forms of complex dynamics in simple population dynamics models, initiating a new research tradition in ecology. However, in former studies most of the investigations of complex population dynamics were mainly concentrated on single populations instead of higher dimensional ecological systems. This paper reports a recent study on the complicated dynamics occurring in a class of discrete-time models of predator–prey interaction based on age-structure of predator. The complexities include (a) non-unique dynamics, meaning that several attractors coexist; (b) antimonotonicity; (c) basins of attraction (defined as the set of the initial conditions leading to a certain type of an attractor) with fractal properties, consisting of pattern of self-similarity and fractal basin boundaries; (d) intermittency; (e) supertransients; and (f) chaotic attractors.     

A Language for Teaching Discrete-event Simulation

Courses which teach discrete-event simulation are based on many different simulation languages. The requirements for a language to support teaching simulation are discussed. In particular, it is recommended that such languages separate into distinct modules those aspects of simulation which are taught as separate topics. Implementation of the separation is discussed. The SEESIM language, developed as a teaching aid, is described, and examples of its use are given. Straightforward use of SEESIM can be learned quickly, yet the language provides facilities for a staged introduction to advanced concepts of simulation.     

非完整系统Chetaev动力学和vakonomic动力学的等价条件

就一般非完整约束系统，从约束方程满足的变分恒等式出发，利用增广位形流形上的向量场定义三类非自由变分，即非完整变分：vakonomic变分、Hlder变分、Suslov变分，并讨论它们之间的关系以及它们成为自由变分的充要条件.利用非完整变分以及相应的积分变分原理建立两类动力学方程：vakonomic方程和Routh方程或Chaplygin方程.通过vakonomic方程分别与Routh方程和Chaplygin方程比较，得到它们具有共同解的两类充分必要条件.这些条件并不是约束的可积性条件. 关键词： 非完整约束 非完整变分 Chetaev条件 vakonomic动力学     

论大学物理实验体系建设与教学改革

传统的物理实验是按普通物理、电子线路和近代物理等内容进行划分，这种体系突出了学科的系统性，但忽视了学科之间的兼容互补性，各学科相互独立，限制了学生跨学科思维能力和创新能力的培养，建立现代物理实验教学新体系是大学物理实验教学改革的必然趋势．新的物理实验体系应依照训练层次，划分为引导性实验、基本实验、综合性实验、设计性实验、研究性实验．并需要注重时代性和先进性，改革和更新大学物理实验教学内容，改革实验教学与管理模式，形成新的运行机制，从而达到学生素质和能力的提高．     

The operational performance of the Yale ESTU

The ESTU began operation in 1988 and achieved the design voltage of 20 MV in 1990. Since that time, improvements to the gas handling system, negative ion injector, accelerator terminal and control system have greatly increased its capability and reliability. Today, the ESTU can efficiently produce an extensive assortment of stable ions at wide-ranging energies in support of low-energy nuclear physics.