Quadratic data envelopment analysis

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) offers a piece-wise linear approximation of the production frontier. The approximation tends to be poor if the true frontier is not concave, eg in case of economies of scale or of specialisation. To improve the flexibility of the DEA frontier and to gain in empirical fit, we propose to extend DEA towards a more general piece-wise quadratic approximation, called Quadratic Data Envelopment Analysis (QDEA). We show that QDEA gives statistically consistent estimates for all production frontiers with bounded Hessian eigenvalues. Our Monte-Carlo simulations suggest that QDEA can substantially improve efficiency estimation in finite samples relative to standard DEA models.     

On the Spectra of Carbon Nano-Structures

An explicit derivation of dispersion relations and spectra for periodic Schrödinger operators on carbon nano-structures (including graphene and all types of single-wall nano-tubes) is provided.     

The Effect of Preparation Method and Calcination Temperature on the Crystallite Size and Surface Area of Perovskite-Type SrFeO x

We have investigated the synthesis of perovskite-type SrFeO_x (2.5 x 3.0) using three preparative methods: sol-gel, mechanochemical processing and solid state reactions at high temperature of the corresponding oxides. The sample obtained after calcination of the gel from sol-gel method, contained the least amount of strontium carbonate impurity. The amount of strontium carbonate impurity decreased with the increase in calcination temperature. Perovskites obtained have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nitrogen adsorption isotherms. Samples obtained from three methods have been compared with respect to calcination temperature, crystallite size and specific surface area.Issued as NRCC No. 46479.     

Theory of reflectance measurements in quantitative evaluation in TLC and HPTLC. 1. Multilayer model of reflectance and transmittance

In the approach described in this paper, the layer of adsorbent is divided into n sublayers. The radiation density in each sublayer is given by the sum of the transmittance and the reflectance of the adjacent sublayers. Absorption of light by the layer or the substance will diminish this radiation density. Depending upon the factors of reflectance and transmittance some light will pass to the adjacent sublayers. Two polynomials are derived from this readily understood formulation to calculate the reflectance or the transmittance of a layer of finite thickness. The algorithms given describe the reflectance and transmittance encountered in practical measurements with large amounts of substance per spot, as well as with small amounts. There are no restrictions with respect to nonideal scattering or reflection by the adsorbent layer support.     

Derivatization of carboxylic acids with 9-bromomethylacridine using micellar phase-transfer catalysis

Summary Micellar phase-transfer catalysis (MPTC) offers the opportunity to derivatize carboxylic acids directly in an aqueous matrix without prior extraction of the acids into a suitable aprotic solvent. The currently developed MPTC system consists of a non-ionic surfactant, Arkopal N-130, an ion-pair agent, tetrakis-(decyl)-ammonium bromide, and a novel fluorescence reagent, 9-bromomethylacridine. The MPTC system can be applied to the derivatization of many types of carboxylic acids. The reaction rate is affected by the lipophilicity of the acid and by the presence of other functional groups. For lipophilic carboxylic acids the reaction is complete within 5 min at 60°C and pH 7.0.     

High-temperature TG/DSC/QMS applications in environmental protection

The decomposition reactions of polystyrene, phenolic resin and a protective undercoating material for automobiles which contains PVC were tested using a new type of thermal analysis — mass spectrometry coupling system for measurements to 1500C or 2000C, which is based on the principle of a two-step skimmer orifice system. The results will be presented, with particular emphasis on the detection sensitivity of the new system for the products of decomposition.The capability of this coupling system to detect even heavy metals such as lead and silver in the waste gases from decomposition or after evaporation at high temperatures will also be demonstrated.     

Zur Automatisierung der Auswertung bei der quantitativen Spektralanalyse

Zusammenfassung Die Eigenschaften der photoelektrischen und photographischen Registrierung von Spektren werden besprochen und die Bedeutung der photographischen Registrierung für die Verfahrensentwicklung und Routineanalyse von Proben wechselnder Zusammensetzung hervorgehoben. Das Programmsystem für den elektronischen Digitalrechner und verschiedene Möglichkeiten der Datenerfassung werden beschrieben. Durch diese Automatisierung der Auswertung wird gegenüber dem herkömmlichen Rechenbrettverfahren eine Beschleunigung um den Faktor 200 erreicht.

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Summary The characteristics of the photoelectric and photographic registration of spectra are discussed and the importance of the photographic registration for the development of methods and the routine analysis of samples of changing composition is emphasized. The program system for the electronic digitalcomputer and different possibilities of data collecting are described. Automating the evaluation has resulted in a speeding-up factor of 200 compared with the traditional computing board method.

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Die obige Arbeit wurde erwähnt von Herrn Dr. Pohl am 6. 10. 1964 in Düsseldorf in seinem Vortrag Erfassen und Verwerten von chemischen Daten. [Diese Z. 209, 19 (1965).]

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Außerdem wurde uns die Arbeit von Tunnicliff und Weaver, Analytical Chemistry 36, 2318 (1964), erst nach Abschluß unserer Arbeit bekannt. Die Autoren befassen sich mit einer ähnlichen Aufgabe, wobei allerdings das Problem der Linienauswahl eingehender behandelt wird als bei uns.     

A Review on the Potential and Limitations of Recyclable Thermosets for Structural Applications

Abstract

The outstanding performance of conventional thermosets arising from their covalently cross-linked networks directly results in a limited recyclability. The available commercial or close-to-commercial techniques facing this challenge can be divided into mechanical, thermal, and chemical processing. However, these methods typically require a high energy input and do not take the recycling of the thermoset matrix itself into account. Rather, they focus on retrieving the more valuable fibers, fillers, or substrates. To increase the circularity of thermoset products, many academic studies report potential solutions which require a reduced energy input by using degradable linkages or dynamic covalent bonds. However, the majority of these studies have limited potential for industrial implementation. This review aims to bridge the gap between the industrial and academic developments by focusing on those which are most relevant from a technological, sustainable and economic point of view. An overview is given of currently used approaches for the recycling of thermoset materials, the development of novel inherently recyclable thermosets and examples of possible applications that could reach the market in the near future.