On learning process of a newsvendor with censored demand information

A behavioural study on the newsvendor problem without demand distribution knowledge or realized demands is conducted. We configure a censored-information scenario, where only sales data in history are provided. With laboratory experiments, we analyse participants ordering levels and ordering oscillations over time. It is observed that participants perform a significant learning process in the censored-information scenario. Moreover, we find that participants make orders by anchoring on the previous-period sales and adjusting to an adapted inventory level. On the basis of the observations, we propose an exponential-type learning (EXP) model to describe the behaviour of decision makers. Comparing with a chasing model that is popularly used in the full-information scenario, the EXP model is more recommended in the censored-information scenario.     

Self‐assembly of metal–organic framework thin films containing metalloporphyrin and their photocatalytic activity under visible light

With [5,10,15,20‐tetra(4‐carboxyphenyl)porphyrin]Mn(III) and sterically controlled 2,2¢‐dimethyl‐4,4¢‐pyridine as the main raw materials, metal–organic framework thin films containing metalloporphyrin (MnPor‐MOF) with catalytically active sites were built up on functionalized quartz glass surfaces using a layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly method. Retaining active catalytic sites and having a porous reticular structure, the MnPor‐MOF films possessed remarkable photocatalytic activity for oxidative degradation of methylene blue in the presence of hydrogen peroxide under visible‐light irradiation. Most meaningfully, the MnPor‐MOF films were highly stable and simply and conveniently reusable, and are thus a potentially new organic material for photocatalytic wastewater treatment. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of F-doping on the properties of LiFePO4-x/3Fx/C cathode materials via wet mechanical agitation-assisted high-temperature ball milling method

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - LiFePO4-x/3Fx/C (x = 0, 0.03, 0.06, 0.09) were obtained via wet mechanical agitation-assisted high-temperature ball milling method. XRD, SEM,...     

Color tuning of up-conversion emission in ytterbium,erbium, aluminum tri-doped zinc oxide crystal by adjusting aluminum concentration

Ytterbium, erbium, aluminum tri-doped zinc oxide crystal was synthesized, which can turn color from red to green up-conversion luminescence through adjusting aluminum content. When the aluminum concentration reached 4?mol%, the color of up-conversion emission first turn from red to green. Meanwhile, the ratio of red to green emission reduced from 25.32 to 0.26, and the coordinates of chromaticity coordinate calculation changes from (0.5749, 0.3378) to (0.2190, 0.7169) with aluminum concentration range from 0 to 4?mol%. The up-conversion emission peaks at 521, 542, and 660?nm of sample originate from the transitions of ²H_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2, and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 of erbium ions, respectively. X-ray diffraction patterns perform the better crystallization degree with increasing aluminum concentration. The scanning electron microscopy images show the porous and lamellar structures with different aluminum concentrations. A convenient but effective design to obtain ytterbium, erbium, aluminum tri-doped zinc oxide up-conversion luminescence is reported, which can turn color from red to green.     

Optical,electrical, and thermal insulation properties of antimony-doped tin oxide nanoparticles prepared by frozen gel method

Antimony doped tin dioxide (ATO) nanoparticles with different Sb doping contents were prepared by freeze-drying the precursor gel and then calcined procedure. The obtained ATO nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, optical and electrical techniques. Results indicated that ATO with 10 mol% Sb doping is optimal, with which had the lowest resistivity and highest transmittance in visible region as well as narrow particle size distribution. Thermal insulation properties of ATO/waterborne polyurethane (WPU) films coating on the glass substrates with different thickness were studied on a DIY heat insulating measurement box and showed that the glass coated with ATO/WPU films possessed better heat-insulating effect than empty glass .     

Structure‐guided RP‐HPLC chromatography of diastereomeric α‐helical peptide analogs substituted with single amino acid stereoisomers

An α‐helical model peptide (Ac‐EAEKAAKE‐X‐EKAAKEAEK‐amide) was used as a template to examine the efficacy of conventional reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC) in separating peptide analogs with single substitutions (at position X) of diasteromeric amino acids Ile, allo‐Ile, d ‐Ile and d ‐allo‐Ile. We compared differences in peptide retention behavior on a C₈ column and a C₁₈ column at different temperatures. We demonstrated how subtle differences in peptide secondary structure affected by the different substitutions of amino acids with identical overall hydrophobicity enabled effective resolution of these peptide analogs. We also demonstrated the ability of RP‐HPLC to separate Ile‐ and allo‐Ile‐substituted analogs of a 26‐residue α‐helical antimicrobial peptide (AMP), with the substitution site towards the C‐terminus of the α‐helix. These peptides show different values of antibacterial activity and hemolytic activity, and different selectivity against bacteria and human cells. Our results underline the ability of RP‐HPLC to resolve even difficult diasteromeric peptide mixtures as well as its value in monitoring very subtle hydrophobicity changes in de novo‐designed AMP. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.