A cognitive analytics management framework to select input and output variables for data envelopment analysis modeling of performance efficiency of banks using random forest and entropy of information

The efficiency of banks has a critical role in development of sound financial systems of countries. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) has witnessed an increase in popularity for modeling the performance efficiency of banks. Such efficiency depends on the appropriate selection of input and output variables. In literature, no agreement exists on the selection of relevant variables. The disagreement has been an on-going debate among academic experts, and no diagnostic tools exist to identify variable misspecifications. A cognitive analytics management framework is proposed using three processes to address misspecifications. The cognitive process conducts an extensive review to identify the most common set of variables. The analytics process integrates a random forest method; a simulation method with a DEA measurement feedback; and Shannon Entropy to select the best DEA model and its relevant variables. Finally, a management process discusses the managerial insights to manage performance and impacts. A sample of data is collected on 303 top-world banks for the periods 2013 to 2015 from 49 countries. The experimental simulation results identified the best DEA model along with its associated variables, and addressed the misclassification of the total deposits. The paper concludes with the limitations and future research directions.

     

Electrochemical Determination of Copper(II) in Water Samples Using a Novel Ion-Selective Electrode Based on a Graphite Oxide–Imprinted Polymer Composite

A novel copper(II)-selective electrode based on graphite oxide/imprinted polymer composite was developed for the electrochemical monitoring of copper(II) (Cu²⁺) ions. The electrode exhibited highly selective potentiometric response to Cu²⁺ with respect to common alkaline, alkaline earth and heavy metal cations. The composite composition studies indicated that the most suitable composite composition performing the most promising potentiometric properties was 20.0% ionophore (Cu²⁺-ion imprinted polymer), 10.0% paraffin oil, 5.0% multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and 65.0% graphite oxide. The fabricated electrode exhibited a linear response to Cu²⁺ over the concentration range of 1.0?×?10^??6–1.0?×?10^??1?M (correlation coefficient of 0.9998) with a sensitivity of 26.1?±?0.9?mV decade^??1. The detection limit of the fabricated electrode was determined to be 4.0?×?10^??7?M. The electrode worked well in the pH range of 4.0–8.0. The electrode had stable, reversible and fast potentiometric response (3?s). In addition, the electrode had a lifetime of more than 1 year. The analytical applications of the proposed electrode were performed using as an indicator electrode for the potentiometric titration of Cu²⁺ with ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid solution and for the determination of Cu²⁺ of spiked river, dam, and tap water samples. The obtained results for potentiometric titration and water samples were satisfactory.     

Crystal and molecular structures of two unsaturated monosaccharides: methyl 6-(N-benzenesulfonylamino)-N,O-isopropylidene-2,3,6,8-tetradeoxy-α-D-erythrooct-2-enopyranos-4-uloside,and 1,1-O,O-ethylidene-3,4-dideoxy-D,L-hex-3-enoz-2-ulopyranos-5-ulose

Methyl 6-(N-benzenesulfonylamino)-N,O-isopropylidene-2,3,6,8-tetradeoxy--d-erythrooct-2-enopyranos-4-uloside, C₁₈H₂₃N₁O₆S₁, (3) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space groupP2₁2₁2₁. The unit cell parameters are:a=7.839(2),b=10.111(2),c=24.217(5) Å. The dihydropyranone ring adopts a deformed sofa conformation with the O5 atom deviating 0.586(2) Å from the least-squares plane and the -face of the carbonyl group shielded by the terminal (C8) methyl group. 1,1-O,O-Ethylidene-3,4-dideoxy-d,l-hex-3-enoz-2-ulopyranos-5-ulose, C₈H₁₀O₅, (6) crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupP2₁/n. The unit cell parameters are:a=6.310(1),b=18.656(3),c=7.604(1) Å, =106.01(1)°. The dihydropyranone ring adopts a deformed sofa conformation with O6 atom deviating 0.482(1) Å from the leastsquares plane and the hydroxy and dioxolanyl substituents are in pseudoaxial and pseudoequatorial positions, respectively. The average planes of six-membered and five-membered rings are approximately coplanar.     

Parameters controlling the evaluation of polymeric coatings for carbon steel alloy

The efficiency of polymeric coatings as corrosion protective materials for carbon steel alloy in sea water was evaluated by different methods: electrochemical techniques (open circuit and potentiodynamic measurements), analytical and spectroscopic techniques (inductive coupled plasma, scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction). The study was made using ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM)/poly&!lpar;ethylene&!rpar; (PE) blend of different ratios. The effect of blend ratio on corrosion protection efficiency was investigated. The best results for corrosion control were achieved using samples with 2 mm thickness. The data obtained reveal that applying adhesive on the substrate increases the protective properties of the coatings. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Heterocycles from Pyrazoloylhydroximoyl Chloride: Synthesis of Certain Quinoxaline,Benzothiadiazine, Benzoxadiazine,Quinazolinone, Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine,Imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine,Isoxazole, Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyridazine and Pyrrolidino[3,4-d]isoxazolin-4,6-dione Derivatives

3-Ethoxycarbonyl-5-methyl-1-(4-methylphenyl)-4-pyrazoloylhydroximoyl chloride (1) reacted with o-phenylenediamine, o-aminothiophenol, o-aminophenol and methyl anthranilate to afford 3-nitrosoquinoxaline, benzothiadiazine, benzoxadiazine, and 3-hydroxyquinazoline, respectively. Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine, imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine and isoxazole derivatives were obtained via the reaction of 1 with 2-aminopyridine, 2-aminopyrimidine and the appropriate active methylene compounds, respectively. Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyridazines, and pyrrolidino[3,4-d]isoxazolines derivatives were also synthesized. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were established on the basis of spectral data and alternate synthesis whenever possible.     

(2,6‐Bis{1‐[4‐(dimethylamino)phenylimino]ethyl}pyridine)dichlorido(triphenylphosphine‐κP)ruthenium(II): a zigzag chain of fused centrosymmetric R22(12) rings

The title compound, [RuCl₂(C₂₅H₂₉N₅)(C₁₈H₁₅P)], a transfer hydrogenation catalyst, is supported by an N,N′,N′′‐tridentate pyridine‐bridged ligand and triphenylphosphine. The Ru^II centre is six‐coordinated in a distorted octahedral arrangement, with the two Cl atoms located in the axial positions, and the pyridine (py) N atom, the two imino N atoms and the triphenylphosphine P atom located in the equatorial plane. The two equatorial Ru—N_imino distances (mean 2.093 Å) are substantially longer than the equatorial Ru—N_py bond [1.954 (4) Å]. It is observed that the N_imino—M—N_py bond angle for the five‐membered chelate rings of 2,6‐bis(imino)pyridine‐based complexes is inversely related to the magnitude of the M—N_py bond. The title structure is stabilized by intra‐ and intermolecular C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, as well as by intramolecular π–π stacking interactions between the aromatic rings belonging to the triphenylphosphine ligand and the dimethylaminophenyl fragment. The intermolecular hydrogen bonds form an R₂²(12) ring and a zigzag chain of fused centrosymmetric rings running parallel to the [100] direction.     

Voltammetric analysis of Cu (II), Cd (II) and Zn (II) complexes and their cyclic voltammetry with several cephalosporin antibiotics

Both osteryoung square wave voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry have been utilized to elucidate and confirm the possible complexation reaction that occur between the various cephalosporin antibiotics and either the toxic, non-essential metal ion, viz. Cd (II), or the essential but toxic (when their concentration exceeds certain level in serum) metal ions, viz. Cu (II) and Zn (II). Voltammetric measurements indicated the existence of 1:1 metal-to-ligand ratio (as in cephalexin and cephapirin complexes), 1:2 ratio (such as in cefamandole, cefuroxime and cefotaxime complexes) and 2:1 ratio in case of ceftazidime complexes. Adsorption behavior was evidenced for Cu (II)-cefuroxime or ceftazidime complexes as well as for those for Zn (II)-cephalexin or cephapirin. This phenomenon could be used for the determination of either the antibiotic or the metal ion using adsorptive stripping voltammetry. Detection limits down to 7x10(-10) M have been easily achieved.     

Ene reaction of the active XCN− and XCO group with ketones. A novel synthesis of X-oxo-α-amino- and X-oxo-oα-hydroxy-acids.

Thermal reaction of butyl N-(p-toluenesulphonyl)iminoacetate and diethyl mesoxalate with ketones leads to the derivatives of X-oxo-α-amino-acids and X-oxo-α-hydroxy -acids, respectively.     

Estimation of sample processing uncertainty for chlorpyrifos residue in cucumber

Sample processing is a very important component of uncertainty in analytical results. In order to have reliable results, the laboratory sample should be properly processed to obtain statistically homogenous matrix—before the representative test portions are withdrawn for analysis. The use of ¹⁴C-labeled compound is preferable because the analyte can be quantified without cleanup. The method is based on surface treatment of cucumber with ¹⁴C-chlorpyrifos, determination of ¹⁴C-chlorpyrifos activity in the replicate test portions of different size, and determination of the uncertainty of sample processing.     

The acid-base properties of Fast Grey R. A.

Summary The acid-base properties of Fast Grey R. A. have been studied with reference to the mode of chelation of the dye with different valent metals. The pK values of 3.83, 10.53 and 10.70 corresponding to the three steps of ionization of the free acid were evaluated by the aid of the relation between log [acid]/[salt] and p_H values obtained during the course of the potentiometric titration of the free acid with a free base.