A Central Limit Theorem for Non-stationary Strongly Mixing Random Fields

In this paper we extend a central limit theorem of Peligrad for uniformly strong mixing random fields satisfying the Lindeberg condition in the absence of stationarity property. More precisely, we study the asymptotic normality of the partial sums of uniformly \(\alpha \)-mixing non-stationary random fields satisfying the Lindeberg condition, in the presence of an extra dependence assumption involving maximal correlations.     

Synthesis,Properties, and π‐Dimer Formation of Oligothiophenes Partially Bearing Orthogonally Fused Fluorene Units

A series of oligothiophenes that incorporate cyclopenta[c]thiophene‐based units bearing spiro‐substituted dialkylfluorene was synthesized. Photophysical measurements indicated that there was no interruption in the conjugation along the oligothiophene backbones, irrespective of the number or position of this unit. Electrochemical measurements showed that the thiophene 7‐mers and 11‐mer exhibit reversible multi‐oxidation waves. The formation of cationic species was clearly observed from UV/Vis/NIR measurements. Furthermore, the UV/Vis/NIR spectra at 223 K under one‐electron oxidation conditions revealed that the unsubstituted thiophene or bithiophene units remained in the absence of intermolecular π–π interactions, whereas the formation of π‐dimeric species was observed for the thiophene 7‐mer containing an unsubstituted terthiophene ( U₃ ) unit. Theoretical calculations indicated that the combination of the U₃ unit and the all‐trans conformation decreased the intermolecular steric repulsion between the fused cyclopentene ring and its facing thiophene, which may contribute to the formation of the dimeric structure.     

Past-present-future Intertemporal DEA models

It has been well recognized that to thoroughly evaluate a firm’s performance, the evaluator must assess not only its past and present records but also future potential. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no data envelopment analysis (DEA)-type models proposed in the literature that simultaneously take past, present and, especially, future performance indicators into account. Hence, this research aims at developing a new type of DEA model referred to as Intertemporal DEA models that can be used to fully measure a firm’s efficiency by explicitly considering its key inputs and outputs involving the past-present-future time span. In this research, the proposed Intertemporal DEA models are applied to the performance evaluation of high-tech Integrated Circuit design companies in Taiwan to demonstrate their advantages over other DEA models that ignore intertemporal efficiency.     

Photophysical Properties of Some Flavones Probes in Homogeneous Media

Photophysical properties of five hydroxyflavones (HF) (some typical models of flavonols), (3 - HF, 6 - HF, 7-HF, 3, 6 - diHF and 3, 7 - diHF) were studied in homogeneous media by means of UV–vis and steady-state and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopies. Their absorption and fluorescence characteristics based on the flavonols structure are presented and discussed. It was found that the fluorescence of the flavonols depends on the nature of the solvent and on their molecular structure, especially on the position and the number of the -OH groups of the substituted phenyl ring. Attention is paid to the number of the -OH groups that influence the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. The fluorescence quantum yield and the lifetime of the flavonols in heterogeneous media have been also determined. The results are discussed with relevance to the flavonols as sensitive fluorescence probe and to their microenvironments in the systems of biological interest and especially in a typical protein environment.     

Decomposing capacity utilization in data envelopment analysis: An application to banks in India

This paper briefly reviews the existing methods of capacity utilization in nonparametric framework from economic perspectives, and then suggests an alternative in the light of limitations therein. In the spirit of work by Coelli et al. [Coelli, T.J., Grifell-Tatje, E., Perelman, S., 2002. Capacity utilisation and profitability: A decomposition of short run profit efficiency. International Journal of Production Economics 79, 261–278], we propose two methods, radial and non-radial, to decompose the input-based physical (technological) capacity utilization into various meaningful components viz., technical inefficiency, ray economic capacity utilization and optimal capacity idleness. A case study of Indian banking industry is taken as an example to illustrate the potential application of these two methods of decomposition. Our two broad empirical findings are that first, competition created after financial sector reforms generates high efficiency growth, and reduces excess capacity; second, the cost gap of the short-run cost from the actual cost is higher for the nationalized banks over the private banks indicating that the former banks, though old, do not reflect their learning experience in their cost minimizing behavior.     

An epsilon-based measure of efficiency in DEA – A third pole of technical efficiency

In DEA, we have two measures of technical efficiency with different characteristics: radial and non-radial. In this paper we compile them into a composite model called “epsilon-based measure (EBM).” For this purpose we introduce two parameters which connect radial and non-radial models. These two parameters are obtained from the newly defined affinity index between inputs or outputs along with principal component analysis on the affinity matrix. Thus, EBM takes into account diversity of input/output data and their relative importance for measuring technical efficiency.     

Screening the thermal stability of carotenoids-α lactalbumin complex by spectroscopic and molecular modeling approach

Sea buckthorn is a natural food ingredient rich in carotenoids, tocopherols, sterols, flavonoids, lipids, vitamins, tannins and minerals. In this study, we investigated the themostability of the complex formed between α-lactalbumin (α-LA) with carotenoids from sea buckthorn berries extract (CSB) in the temperature range of 25°C to 100°C. The heat induced conformational changes of the α-LA-CSB complex were studied by using fluorescence and molecular modeling techniques. Phase diagram indicated the presence of more than one structurally distinct species as an indicator that temperature influenced the conformation of α-LA. Intrinsic fluorescence studies revealed that carotenoids trapped into the core of α-LA do not bind in locations close to tryptophan (Trp) residues. The synchronous spectra indicated that the interaction between α-LA and CSB had no apparent influence on the local conformation of Trp and tyrosine (Tyr) microenvironments within protein structure. Quenching studies with acrylamide showed that Trp residues had the highest exposure at 80°C, being least accessible to quencher at 60°C. In agreement with the fluorescence spectroscopy observations, the in silico analysis at single molecules level indicated a significant increase of 46.42 Å² and 80.07 Å² of the total accessible surface area of Trp and Tyr residues, respectively with the temperature increase from 25°C to 90°C. Concerning the thermodynamic properties of the α-LA-β-carotene model, the molecular modeling results indicate that the thermal treatment is not favorable for preserving the stability of the complex.