Ranking efficient DMUs using the Tchebycheff norm

One problem that has been discussed frequently in data envelopment analysis (DEA) literature has been lack of discrimination in DEA applications, in particular when there are insufficient DMUs or the number of inputs and outputs is too high relative to the number of units. This is an additional reason for the growing interest in complete ranking techniques. In this paper a method for ranking extreme efficient decision making units (DMUs) is proposed. The method uses L_∞(or Tchebycheff) Norm, and it seems to have some superiority over other existing methods, because this method is able to remove the existing difficulties in some methods, such as Andersen and Petersen [2] (AP) that it is sometimes infeasible. The suggested model is always feasible.     

Fuzzy chance-constrained data envelopment analysis: a structured literature review,current trends,and future directions

Fuzzy Optimization and Decision Making - Fuzzy data envelopment analysis (FDEA) is one of the most applicable approaches for performance assessment of peer decision making units under ambiguity...     

PTFE/EP Reinforced MOF/SiO2 Composite as a Superior Mechanically Robust Superhydrophobic Agent towards Corrosion Protection,Self-Cleaning and Anti-Icing

Organic resin cross-linking ZIF-67/SiO₂ superhydrophobic (SHPB) multilayer coating was successfully fabricated on metal substrate. The perfluoro-octyl-triethoxy silane (POTS) modified ZIF-67 and SiO₂ coating was applied on primary coated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and epoxy resin (EP) via spray coating method. Here, we present that the robust superhydrophobicity can be realized by structuring surfaces at two different length scales, with a nanostructure design to provide water repellence and a microstructure design to provide durability. The as-fabricated multilayer coating displayed superior water-repellence (CA=167.4°), chemical robustness (pH=1–14) and mechanical durability undergoing 120th linear abrasion or 35th rotatory abrasion cycle. By applying different acidic and basic corrosive media and various weathering conditions, it can still maintain superior-hydrophobicity. To get a better insight of interaction between inhibitor molecules and metal surface, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed, showing lower energy gap and increased binding energy of ZPS/SiO₂/PTFE/EP (ZPS=ZIF-67+POTS) multilayer coating compared to the ZIF-67/SiO₂/PTFE/EP, thereby supporting the experimental findings. Additionally, such coatings may be useful for applications such as anti-corrosion, self-cleaning, and anti-icing multi-functionalities.     

CoFe2O4@SiO2-PA-CC-guanidine nanoparticles: A novel,efficient, and recyclable catalyst for the synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted-2,6-dicyanoaniline derivatives

A new and efficient procedure for the synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted-2,6-dicyanoaniline derivatives by CoFe₂O₄@SiO₂-PA-CC-guanidine magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) was reported. 3,5-Disubstituted-2,6-dicyanoaniline derivatives were synthesized from malononitrile, aldehydes, and β-nitrostyrene derivatives in good yields. MNPs used for the synthesis of aniline derivatives were easy to recover and reuse. The CoFe₂O₄@SiO₂-PA-CC-guanidine MNPs were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and vibration sample magnetometry techniques.     

2D-to-3D percolation crossover of metal-insulator composites

Percolation properties and d.c. conductivity were determined for an L²×h-random resistor network model of metal-insulator composite films. The effects of the thickness h on the percolation threshold and conductivity were studied numerically in the limit of an infinite size of the L²-plane parallel to the film. For thicknesses ranging from h/L=0.01 to h/L=0.24, a crossover between a finite-size regime and a saturation regime was observed at h/L≈0.1. In the finite-size regime (h/L?0.01), the percolation threshold scales as pc(h)−pc3∝h−1/x, the exponent x being compatible with that of the critical exponent of the 3D correlation length, ν₃. The conductivity exponent t appeared to depend linearly on the ratio h/L with a slope νD compatible with 2+ν₂, where ν₂ is the 2D correlation length exponent. In the saturation regime, a scaling correction for the percolation threshold was found with an exponent 1+1/ν₃. In this regime we also observed a logarithmic dependence of the conductivity exponent on h/L.     

Lipase-catalyzed amidation of carboxylic acid and amines

The amidation reaction is of a very particular interest, especially in the pharmaceutical industry and always requires the activation of the acid with a large excess of reactants. Therefore, a large amount of waste is generated. In order to reduce the environmental impact of such reaction, we have developed enzymatic amidation conditions which are compatible with a wide range of amines and acids, in particular with the biologically relevant lipoic acid. Water is the only by-product generated during this reaction thus a very high atom economy is obtained. In addition, we have shown that the lipase can be recovered and reused several times without a significant loss of activity.     

AES, EELS and TRIM investigation of InSb and InP compounds subjected to Ar ions bombardment

The interaction of ions with matter plays an important role in the treatment of material surfaces. In this paper we study the effect of argon ion bombardment on the InSb surface in comparison with the InP one. The Ar⁺ ions, accelerated at low energy (300 eV) lead to compositional and structural changes in InP and InSb compounds. The InP surface is more sensitive to Ar⁺ ions than that of InSb. These results are directly inferred from the qualitative Auger electron spectra (AES) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) analysis. However, these techniques alone do not allow us to determine with accuracy the disturbed depth in Ar⁺ ions of InP and InSb compounds. For this reason, we combine AES and EELS with the simulation method TRIM (transport and range of ions in matter) to show the mechanism of interaction between the ions and the InP or InSb and hence determine the disturbed depth as a function of Ar⁺ energy.     

Synthesis,structures and antimicrobial activities of nickel(II) and zinc(II) diaminomaleonitrile-based complexes

Three Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes [Ni(L1)], [Ni(L2)], and [Zn(L3)(DMSO)] (L1 = 2,3-bis(2-hydroxybenzylideneimino)-2,3-butenedinitrile, L2 = 2,3-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylideneimino)-2,3-butenedinitrile, L3 = 2,3-bis(2-hydroxy-1-naphthylideneimino)-2,3-butenedinitrile) were obtained in DMSO by one-pot syntheses. The complexes were characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. Also, their solid-state structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The geometries of the Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes were square planar and square pyramidal, respectively. The complexes were screened in vitro against a fungal species and eight species of bacteria, revealing their antimicrobial activity.     

The effect of inorganic and organic macromolecular structures on the performance of metallocene polymerization catalysts

After a short comparative analysis of different macromolecular ligands reported in the relevant literature, the presentation will be centered on the results obtained in the authors' laboratory using structurally defined inorganic supports in terms also of their macromolecular structure. Zeolites and mesomorphous silica can link, after proper chemical modification of their surface with MAO, unmodified metallocene complexes through cage entrapment and weak interactions, thus allowing the transfer from the solution to the solid phase. The metallocene complexes in their new phase are characterized by the catalytic behavior in olefin polymerization after activation with MAO. A decrease of productivity is generally observed depending on the type of support. The steric hindrance provided by the support is evidenced by the depression of chain transfer rate with formation of higher molecular weight polymers. Also shape selectivity is observed during copolymerization of ethylene with α‐olefins having variable size. These steric effects are released when going from HY zeolite to MCM silica.