Preference programming for robust portfolio modeling and project selection

In decision analysis, difficulties of obtaining complete information about model parameters make it advisable to seek robust solutions that perform reasonably well across the full range of feasible parameter values. In this paper, we develop the Robust Portfolio Modeling (RPM) methodology which extends Preference Programming methods into portfolio problems where a subset of project proposals are funded in view of multiple evaluation criteria. We also develop an algorithm for computing all non-dominated portfolios, subject to incomplete information about criterion weights and project-specific performance levels. Based on these portfolios, we propose a project-level index to convey (i) which projects are robust choices (in the sense that they would be recommended even if further information were to be obtained) and (ii) how continued activities in preference elicitation should be focused. The RPM methodology is illustrated with an application using real data on road pavement projects.     

A generalization of the little Picard theorem

We show the little Picard theorem for a map of a quasicompact manifold to a relatively compact domain of Pn whose degeneracy locus of the Kobayashi pseudodistance is contained in some algebraic hypersurface.     

In situ x-ray diffraction measurements of the capillary fountain jet produced via ultrasonic atomization

In situ x-ray diffraction measurements were carried out for investigating the liquid structure in the ultrasonic fountain jet to consider the mechanism of the "ultrasonic ethanol separation" reported by Sato et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 114, 2382 (2001)]. For pure liquids (water and ethanol), it was found that the high frequency ultrasound does not affect the liquid structure microscopically. For the 20 mol % ethanol-water mixture, the estimated ethanol mole fraction in the ultrasonic fountain jet by using the position of the main maximum in the x-ray diffraction profile coincided with that in the reservoir. This result suggests that the ethanol separation is not caused by any distorted liquid structure under the ultrasound irradiation and occurs when or after the generation of the liquid droplet mist.     

Robust portfolio modeling with incomplete cost information and project interdependencies

Robust portfolio modeling (RPM) [Liesiö, J., Mild, P., Salo, A., 2007. Preference programming for robust portfolio modeling and project selection. European Journal of Operational Research 181, 1488–1505] supports project portfolio selection in the presence of multiple evaluation criteria and incomplete information. In this paper, we extend RPM to account for project interdependencies, incomplete cost information and variable budget levels. These extensions lead to a multi-objective zero-one linear programming problem with interval-valued objective function coefficients for which all non-dominated solutions are determined by a tailored algorithm. The extended RPM framework permits more comprehensive modeling of portfolio problems and provides support for advanced benefit–cost analyses. It retains the key features of RPM by providing robust project and portfolio recommendations and by identifying projects on which further attention should be focused. The extended framework is illustrated with an example on product release planning.     

A parallelized integral-direct second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory method with a fragment molecular orbital scheme

We propose a parallelized integral-direct algorithm of the second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) as a size-consistent correlated method. The algorithm is a modification of the recipe by Mochizuki et al. [(1996) Theor Chim Acta 93:211]. There is no need to communicate the bulky data of integrals across worker processes, keeping the formal fifth-power dependence on the number of basis functions. A multiple integral screening procedure is incorporated to reduce the operation costs effectively. An approximate MP2 density matrix can also be directly calculated through the integral contraction with orbital energies. We implement the MP2 code by accepting Kitauras fragment molecular orbital (FMO) scheme as in the program ABINIT-MP developed by Nakano et al. [(2002) Chem Phys Lett 351:475]. The error in the FMO–MP2 energies is found to be within the order of the chemical accuracy. Timing and parallel acceleration results are shown for test molecules.     

Photoinduced electron-transfer reaction of α-bromomethyl-substituted benzocyclic β-keto esters with amines: selective reaction pathways depending on the nature of the amine radical cations

Photoinduced electron-transfer reaction of α-bromomethyl-substituted benzocyclic β-keto esters with tertiary amines was investigated. Debrominated β-keto esters and ring-expanded γ-keto esters were obtained as major products. On the basis of mechanistic experiments it was concluded that these products are formed via a reaction sequence of selective carbon–bromine bond cleavage and subsequent competitive hydrogen abstraction and Dowd–Beckwith ring-expansion of the resulting primary alkyl radicals. The characteristic product distribution observed for the type of amine used is rationalized on the basis of selective reaction pathways of generated radical intermediates that depend on the nature of the amine radical cations.     

Characterizations of normal covers of rectangular products

Stone, Michael and Morita have given various equivalent conditions for normal covers of topological spaces. Here, as an analogue of the classic characterization, we give some characterizations for normal covers of rectangular products in terms of cozero rectangles. Moreover, we apply our characterizations to consider the base-paracompactness of rectangular products.     

Fast and facile dissolution of cellulose with tetrabutylphosphonium hydroxide containing 40 wt% water

Tetrabutylphosphonium hydroxide containing 40 wt% water dissolved 20 wt% cellulose at the final concentration within 5 minutes under mild stirring at 25 °C.