Simultaneous preference estimation and heterogeneity control for choice-based conjoint via support vector machines

Support vector machines (SVMs) have been successfully used to identify individuals’ preferences in conjoint analysis. One of the challenges of using SVMs in this context is to properly control for preference heterogeneity among individuals to construct robust partworths. In this work, we present a new technique that obtains all individual utility functions simultaneously in a single optimization problem based on three objectives: complexity reduction, model fit, and heterogeneity control. While complexity reduction and model fit are dealt using SVMs, heterogeneity is controlled by shrinking the individual-level partworths toward a population mean. The proposed approach is further extended to kernel-based machines, conferring flexibility to the model by allowing nonlinear utility functions. Experiments on simulated and real-world datasets show that the proposed approach in its linear form outperforms existing methods for choice-based conjoint analysis.     

Controllability results for the Moore–Gibson–Thompson equation arising in nonlinear acoustics

We show that the Moore–Gibson–Thomson equation

$\tau {?}_{ttt}y+\alpha {?}_{tt}y?c^2\mathrm{\Delta }y?b\mathrm{\Delta }{?}_{t}y=k{?}_{tt}(y^2)+{\chi }_{\omega (t)}u,$

is controlled by a force that is supported on an moving subset $\omega (t)$ of the domain, satisfying a geometrical condition. Using the concept of approximately outer invertible map, a generalized implicit function theorem and assuming that $\gamma :=\alpha ?\frac{\tau c^2}{b}>0$, the local null controllability in the nonlinear case is established. Moreover, the analysis of the critical value $\gamma =0$ for the linear equation is included.     

Polar Order,Mirror Symmetry Breaking,and Photoswitching of Chirality and Polarity in Functional Bent-Core Mesogens

In recent years, liquid crystals (LCs) responding to light or electrical fields have gained significant importance as multifunctional materials. Herein, two new series of photoswitchable bent-core liquid crystals (BCLCs) derived from 4-cyanoresorcinol as the central core connected to an azobenzene based wing and a phenyl benzoate wing are reported. The self-assembly of these molecules was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing light microscopy (POM), electro-optical, dielectric, second harmonic generation (SHG) studies, and XRD. Depending on the direction of the COO group in the phenyl benzoate wing, core-fluorination, temperature, and the terminal alkyl chain length, cybotactic nematic and lamellar (smectic) LC phases were observed. The coherence length of the ferroelectric fluctuations increases continuously with decreasing temperature and adopts antipolar correlation upon the condensation into superparaelectric states of the paraelectric smectic phases. Finally, long-range polar order develops at distinct phase transitions; first leading to polarization modulated and then to nonmodulated antiferroelectric smectic phases. Conglomerates of chiral domains were observed in the high permittivity ranges of the synclinic tilted paraelectric smectic phases of these achiral molecules, indicating mirror symmetry breaking. Fine-tuning of the molecular structure leads to photoresponsive bent-core (BC)LCs exhibiting a fast and reversible photoinduced change of the mode of the switching between ferroelectric- and antiferroelectric-like as well as a light-induced switching between an achiral and a spontaneous mirror-symmetry-broken LC phase.     

Covalent Cross-Linking of 2H-MoS2 Nanosheets

The combination of 2D materials opens a wide range of possibilities to create new-generation structures with multiple applications. Covalently cross-linked approaches are a ground-breaking strategy for the formation of homo or heterostructures made by design. However, the covalent assembly of transition metal dichalcogenides flakes is relatively underexplored. Here, a simple covalent cross-linking method to build 2H-MoS₂–MoS₂ homostructures is described, using commercially available bismaleimides. These assemblies are mainly connected vertically, basal plane to basal plane, creating specific molecular sized spaces between MoS₂ sheets. Therefore, this straightforward approach gives access to the controlled connection of sulfide-based 2D materials.     

Phosphorus-Containing Dendrimers: Synthesis and Properties

Several series of phosphorus-containing dendrimers have been designed to study the variation of their properties, depending on the type, the location (surface, branches, core, and cavities), and the number of functions implied.     

Comparison of two types of vertically aligned ZnO NRs for highly efficient polymer solar cells

Vertically aligned ZnO nanorods (NR) are prepared by two different syntheses methods and applied on polymer solar cells (PSCs). The ZnO electrodes work as the electron transport layer with the P3HT:PCBM blend acting as the active material. Several organic blend solution conditions are optimized: concentration, solvent, and deposition speed. The effect of different NR electrode morphologies is analyzed on the solar cell performance and characterized by current–voltage curves and IPCE analyses. The photovoltaic performance of the solar cells was observed to be influenced by many factors, among them infiltration of the organic P3HT:PCBM blend within the ZnO NR layer. The infiltration of the active layer was monitored by cross section SEM and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses. Our results show that higher power conversion efficiencies are achieved when shorter NRs lengths are applied. The best power conversion efficiency obtained was 2.0% for a 400 nm ZnO NR electrode. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013