The measurement of relative efficiency using data envelopment analysis with assurance regions that link inputs and outputs

The most popular weight restrictions are assurance regions (ARs), which impose ratios between weights to be within certain ranges. ARs can be categorized into two types: ARs type I (ARI) and ARs type II (ARII). ARI specify bounds on ratios between input weights or between output weights, whilst ARII specify bounds on ratios that link input to output weights. DEA models with ARI successfully maximize relative efficiency, but in the presence of ARII the DEA models may under-estimate relative efficiency or may become infeasible. In this paper we discuss the problems that can occur in the presence of ARII and propose a new nonlinear model that overcomes the limitations discussed. Also, the dual model is described, which enables the assessment of relative efficiency when trade-offs between inputs and outputs are specified. The application of the model developed is illustrated in the efficiency assessment of Portuguese secondary schools.     

Computational methods for delay parabolic and time‐fractional partial differential equations

This article is concerned with ?‐methods for delay parabolic partial differential equations. The methodology is extended to time‐fractional‐order parabolic partial differential equations in the sense of Caputo. The fully implicit scheme preserves delay‐independent asymptotic stability and the solution continuously depends on the time‐fractional order. Several numerical examples of interest are included to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2010     

Study of a cylindrical ion trap supplied by a periodic impulsional potential

This article reports on some theoretical studies concerning the impulsional mode of a cylindrical ion trap (CIT) supplied with a periodic impulsional radio frequency (rf) voltage of the form V_accosΩt/(1 ? kcos2Ωt) with 0 ≤ k < 1. The performance characteristics of CIT impulsional mode, for the twelve stability regions, were computed using fifth order Runge‐Kutta method and were compared to the classical sinusoidal mode k = 0. Also, the results show that, for the same equivalent operating point in two stability diagrams (having the same β_z) the associated modulated secular ion frequencies behavior are the same. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nuclear factor of activated T cells negatively regulates expression of the tumor necrosis factor receptor-related 2 gene in T cells

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-related 2 (TR2, HVEM or TNFRSF-14) plays an important role in immune responses, however, the mechanisms regulating its expression are unclear. To understand the control of TR2 gene expression, we studied the upstream region of the gene. Gel supershift assays revealed inducible binding of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) to a putative NFAT site within the TR2 promoter. Furthermore, cotransfection of a dominant negative NFAT construct, or siRNA for NFAT, resulted in increased expression of a TR2 reporter gene. Our findings demonstrate that NFAT negatively regulates TR2 expression in activated T cells.     

Elastic modulus of the crystalline regions of chitin and chitosan

The elastic moduli E_l of the crystalline regions of α‐chitin and chitosan in the direction parallel to the chain axis were measured by X‐ray diffraction. The E_l values were 41 GPa for α‐chitin, and 65 GPa for chitosan, respectively, at 20°C. The contracted skeletons of α‐chitin and chitosan are the key factor for the low E_l values compared with that (138 GPa) of cellulose I. The E_l value of α‐chitin was constant at 41 GPa both at −190°C and 150°C, which indicates that the molecular chain of α‐chitin is stable against heat within the temperature and stress range studied. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 1191–1196, 1999     

Elastic modulus of the crystalline regions of polyimide derived from poly(amic acid)–biphtalic dianhydride and p-phenylene diamine

The elastic modulus E_l of the crystalline regions in the direction parallel to the chain axis was measured by X-ray diffraction for polyimide derived from polyamic acid (biphthalic dianhydride and p-phenylene diamine). These specimens were cured by two different routes: curing at 200 °C, and at 400 °C for 1 h, respectively (2STEPS), and curing from 80 °C to 400 °C stepwise (nine steps) for 1 h at each step (STEPWISE). The E_l values of 54–169 GPa were obtained for the STEPWISE specimen and 80–178 GPa for the 2STEPS specimen, depending on the meridional reflection employed for measurement of the E_l value. A linear relationship between the E_l value and the fiber identity period was obtained from each meridional diffraction, such that the E_l value increased with an increase in the fiber identity period. The E_l value of the fully extended structure was estimated to be 210 GPa. These are considered to be due to the coexistence of polymorphs with different skeletal structures. The crystalline regions of the 2STEPS specimen seems to consist of a more extended skeleton than those of the STEPWISE specimen. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 3294–3301, 1999     

Numerical stability analysis of numerical methods for volterra integral equations with delay argument

The present paper deals with the stability properties of numerical methods for Volterra integral equations with delay argument. We assess the numerical stability of numerical methods with respect to the following test equations (0.1a) $$y\left( t \right) = \psi \left( 0 \right) + \int_0^t {\left( {py\left( s \right) + q\left( {s - \tau } \right)} \right)ds (0 \leqslant t \leqslant X)}$$ (0.1b) $$y\left( t \right) = \psi \left( t \right) \left( {t \in [ - \tau ,0)} \right)$$ where τ is a positive constant, and P and q are complex valued. We investigate the stability properties of reducible quadrature methods and θ-methods in the case of the above test equations     

A New Trajectory Reversing Method for Estimating Stability Regions of Autonomous Nonlinear Systems

A new method is presented for estimating regions of asymptoticstability for autonomous nonlinear dynamical systems. The underlyinganalysis uses a combination of Lyapunov theory, simulation and sometopological properties of the stability boundary. The advantages of themethod are the accuracy of estimation of the true stability boundary,its numerical robustness and its applicability to wide classes ofdynamical systems. The main limitation is that a global Lyapunovfunction for the system must be available.     

Microstructural investigation of high‐speed melt‐spun nylon 6 fibers produced with variable spinning speeds

The structural details of high‐speed melt‐spun nylon 6 fibers at spinning speeds ranging from 4500 to 6100 m/min were investigated by solid‐state proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy, density and birefringence measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The analyses of the proton spin‐lattice relaxation times in the rotating frame and correlation times confirmed the existence of three different phases, the immobile crystalline, intermediate rigid amorphous, and mobile amorphous regions, in the fiber sample. At spinning speeds lower than 5200 m/min, the portion of the crystalline phase increased at the expense of the rigid amorphous region and then reached a plateau afterward, from which the mobile amorphous portion increased. Combined analyses of density and birefringence measurements, DSC, and XRD in conjunction with NMR results indicated that the formation of the γ crystal became predominant compared to that of the α crystal. The orientation factor of the crystalline phase increased slightly with increasing spinning speed, whereas the amorphous orientation factor decreased because of the increase of the purely amorphous region. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 1285–1293, 2000     

东疆部分地区寄生蜂资源的初步调查

本文通过对新疆东部部分地区寄生蜂资源进行初步调查,并应用生物多样性主要特性指数的分析方法,对不同地区采集到的5 705头标本进行多样性分析。东疆的寄生蜂资源主要集中在以姬小蜂科Eu loph idae、金小蜂科P terom a lidae、环腹瘿蜂科F ig itidae、茧蜂科B racon idae、蚜茧蜂科A ph id iidae、姬蜂科Ichneum on idae等为主的27科。结果表明:巴里坤山前草地的寄生蜂多样性指数最高,而在巴里坤农田的寄生蜂多样性指数最低;木垒山地草原的寄生蜂丰富度指数最高,而多样性指数则比较低;各地物种优势度相差不大。