A two-phase approach for setting targets in DEA with negative data

Conventional DEA models have been introduced to deal with non-negative data. In the real world, in some occasions, we have outputs and/or inputs, which can take negative data. In DEA literature some approaches have been presented for evaluating performance of units, which operate with negative data. In this paper, firstly, we give a brief review of these works, then we present a new additive based approach in this framework. The proposed model is designed to provide a target with non-negative value associated with negative components for each observed unit, failed by other methods. An empirical application in banking is then used to show the applicability of the proposed method and make a comparison with the other approaches in the literature.     

Determination of brilliant green from fish pond water using carbon nanotube assisted pseudo-stir bar solid/liquid microextraction combined with UV-vis spectroscopy-diode array detection

This paper describes the development of a new design of hollow fiber solid/liquid phase microextraction (HF-SLPME) for determination of brilliant green (BG) residues in water fish ponds. This method consists of an aqueous donor phase and carbon nanotube reinforced organic solvent (acceptor phase) operated in direct immersion sampling mode. The multi-walled carbon nanotube dispersed in the organic solvent is held in the pores and lumen of a porous polypropylene hollow fiber. It is in contact directly with the aqueous donor phase. In this method the solid/liquid extractor phase is supported using a polypropylene hollow fiber membrane. Both ends of the hollow fiber segment are sealed with magnetic stoppers. This device is placed inside the donor solution and plays the rule of a pseudo-stir bar. It is disposable, so single use of the fiber reduces the risk of carry-over problems. Brilliant green (BG) after extraction from the aqueous samples with mentioned HF-SLPME device was determined by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy with diode array detection (UV-vis/DAD). The absorption wavelength was set to 625 nm (λ(max)). The effect of different variables on the extraction was evaluated and optimized to enhance the sensitivity and extraction efficiency of the proposed method. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 1.00-10,000 μg L(-1) of BG in the initial solution with R(2)=0.979. Detection limit, based on three times the standard deviation of the blank, was 0.55 μg L(-1). All experiments were carried out at room temperature (25±0.5°C).     

Experimental and Theoretical Assessment of Brittle Fracture in Engineering Components Containing a Sharp V-Notch

A criterion was proposed to predict brittle fracture in engineering components containing sharp V-shaped notches and subjected to mixed mode I/II loading. The criterion, called SV-MTS, was developed based on the maximum tangential stress (MTS) criterion proposed originally for analyzing crack problems. The curves which are obtained from the SV-MTS criterion could be used conveniently to predict the fracture resistance and also the notch bifurcation angle in sharp V-notched components under pure mode II and also mixed mode loading. To evaluate the validity of the proposed criterion, a set of fracture tests were conducted on a new test specimen, called sharp V-notched Brazilian disc (SV-BD), under mixed mode loading conditions. It is shown that the experimental results obtained from PMMA specimens are in very good agreement with the curves of SV-MTS criterion.     

Highly chemoselective reductive amination-coupling by one-pot reaction of aldehydes, HMDS and NaBH4

An efficient and highly chemoselective synthesis of symmetrical secondary amines via reductive amination of aldehydes with inexpensive and commercially available HMDS and sodium borohydride in high to quantitative yields is reported.     

Doppler-free two-photon spectroscopy of the 2ν3 band of SF6

The assignments of most of the observed Doppler-free two-photon spectra of the 2ν₃ band of SF₆ near the P(14)–P(20) lines of a 10-μm CO₂ waveguide laser are reported. The rovibrational and anharmonic constants for this band were obtained, along with ground state constants determined from observed “forbidden” transitions.     

Copper(II)-selective fluorimetric bulk optode membrane based on a 1-hydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone derivative having two propenyl arms as a neutral fluorogenic ionophore

A new optical chemical sensor has been developed for the selective determination of copper(II) ions in aqueous solutions. The reversible sensing system was prepared by incorporating 1-hydrpxy-2-(prop-2'-enyl)-4-(prop-2'-enyloxy)-9,10-anthraquinone (AQ) as a neutral Cu2+-selective fluoroionophore in the plasticized PVC membrane with potassium tetrakis(p-chlorophenyl borate) as an anionic additive. The response of the sensor is based on the fluorescence quenching of AQ by Cu2+ ions. At a pH 5.5, the proposed sensor displays a calibration response for Cu2+ over a wide concentration rang of 1.0 x 10(-2) to 1.0 x 10(-6) M, with a relatively fast response of less than 40 s. In addition to high stability and reproducibility, the sensor shows a unique selectivity towards Cu2+ ion with respect to common co-existing cations. The proposed fluorescence optode was applied successfully to the determination of copper(II) in black tea samples.     

Morphology and magnetic properties of FeCo nanocrystalline powder produced by modified mechanochemical procedure

Properties of FeCo nanocrystalline intermetallic powders prepared by salt-matrix hydrogen reduction of a milled Fe₂O₃-Co₃O₄ mixture were investigated. The product of 72 ks ball-milling at 350 rpm was CoFe₂O₄ nanopowder. Reduction of this powder for 3.6 ks by hydrogen at 750 °C resulted in the formation of Fe_0.67Co_0.33 stoichiometric compound. Scanning electron microscopy, electron dispersive spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and vibrating sample magnetometry were used to characterize the nanopowder. Using a salt-matrix (NaCl as a dispersion medium) resulted in the decrease of the reduction temperature and improvement of the morphology and magnetic properties of the nanopowder. Dispersion of the ball-milled product in Hexan resulted in further improvements of the magnetic properties.     

Pure parametric excitation of a micro cantilever beam actuated by piezoelectric layers

This paper deals with the stability analysis of transverse motions of a cantilever microbeam sandwiched by two piezoelectric layers located on the lower and upper surfaces of the microbeam. Application of same DC and AC voltages to the upper and lower piezoelectric layers creates an axial force with steady and time-varying components. The eigenfunction expansion of the transverse motion equation leads to the creation of a Mathieu type parametric equation which is mostly seen in the stability analysis of the structures in the literature; using Floquet theory for single degree of freedom systems the stable and unstable regions of the problem are investigated. The effect of viscous damping and DC voltage on the stability region of the problem is also studied. The results show the stabilizing effect of the viscous damping and positive DC voltage on the behavior of the microbeam. The achieved results are finally compared with those reported in the literature.     

n-almost prime submodules

Let R be a commutative ring with identity. A proper submodule N of an R-module M will be called prime [resp. n-almost prime], if for r ∈ R and a ∈ M with ra ∈ N [resp. ra ∈ N \ (N: M) ^n?1 N], either a ∈ N or r ∈ (N: M). In this note we will study the relations between prime, primary and n-almost prime submodules. Among other results it is proved that:

1. If N is an n-almost prime submodule of an R-module M, then N is prime or N = (N: M)N, in case M is finitely generated semisimple, or M is torsion-free with dim R = 1.
2. Every n-almost prime submodule of a torsion-free Noetherian module is primary.
3. Every n-almost prime submodule of a finitely generated torsion-free module over a Dedekind domain is prime.
4. There exists a finitely generated faithful R-module M such that every proper submodule of M is n-almost prime, if and only if R is Von Neumann regular or R is a local ring with the maximal ideal m such that m ² = 0.
5. If I is an n-almost prime ideal of R and F is a flat R-module with IF ≠ F, then IF is an n-almost prime submodule of F.