Estimating fixed-effect panel stochastic frontier models by model transformation

Traditional panel stochastic frontier models do not distinguish between unobserved individual heterogeneity and inefficiency. They thus force all time-invariant individual heterogeneity into the estimated inefficiency. Greene (2005) proposes a true fixed-effect stochastic frontier model which, in theory, may be biased by the incidental parameters problem. The problem usually cannot be dealt with by model transformations owing to the nonlinearity of the stochastic frontier model. In this paper, we propose a class of panel stochastic frontier models which create an exception. We show that first-difference and within-transformation can be analytically performed on this model to remove the fixed individual effects, and thus the estimator is immune to the incidental parameters problem. Consistency of the estimator is obtained by either N→∞ or T→∞, which is an attractive property for empirical researchersStochastic frontier models; Fixed effects; Panel data

Stationary Light Pulses in Cold Atomic Media

Stationary light pulses (SLPs), i.e., light pulses without motion, are formed via the retrieval of stored probe pulses with two counter-propagating coupling fields. We show that there exist non-negligible hybrid Raman excitations in media of cold atoms that prohibit the SLP formation. We experimentally demonstrate a method to suppress these Raman excitations and realize SLPs in laser-cooled atoms. Our work opens the way to SLP studies in cold as well as in stationary atoms and provides a new avenue to low-light-level nonlinear optics.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Mutations in the PKM2 exon-10 region are associated with reduced allostery and increased nuclear translocation.

PKM2 is a key metabolic enzyme central to glucose metabolism and energy expenditure. Multiple stimuli regulate PKM2's activity through allosteric modulation and post-translational modifications. Furthermore, PKM2 can partner with KDM8, an oncogenic demethylase and enter the nucleus to serve as a HIF1α co-activator. Yet, the mechanistic basis of the exon-10 region in allosteric regulation and nuclear translocation remains unclear. Here, we determined the crystal structures and kinetic coupling constants of exon-10 tumor-related mutants (H391Y and R399E), showing altered structural plasticity and reduced allostery. Immunoprecipitation analysis revealed increased interaction with KDM8 for H391Y, R399E, and G415R. We also found a higher degree of HIF1α-mediated transactivation activity, particularly in the presence of KDM8. Furthermore, overexpression of PKM2 mutants significantly elevated cell growth and migration. Together, PKM2 exon-10 mutations lead to structure-allostery alterations and increased nuclear functions mediated by KDM8 in breast cancer cells. Targeting the PKM2-KDM8 complex may provide a potential therapeutic intervention

Overseas Chinese Environmental Engineers and Scientists Association (OCEESA) Report, Regular Issue, February 2020

This OCEESA report, which is regular issue of OCEESA Journal (Overseas Chinese Environmental Engineers and Scientists Association Journal). This report is OCEESA report number: OCEESA/JL-2020/3701, February 2020, ISSN 1072 -7248. This report is also OCEESA Journal, Volume 37, Number 1, February 2020. Yung-Tse Hung, Permanent Executive Director, OCEESA, is editor of this report. This issue includes: (A) 10 OCEESA Best Papers (B) 6 OCEESA Papers; 21.Zhang-Zhi Charlie Huang 黄长志 , Implementing Compensation System for Environmental Damages: Challenges and Solutions, 22. Hanlu Yan, Kaimin Shih施凱閔 , Quantitative X-Ray Diffraction for Characterizing P Recovery Products from Wastewater, 23. Kaimin Shih 施凱閔 , Material Mineralogical Technology for Pollution Prevention and Resource Recovery材料礦物學技術於污染防治與資源回收的應用, 24. Kuo-Kunag Hsu 許國光 , Cleanup of MSW-Gasified Synthesis Gas, 25. Pao-Chiang Yuan 袁保強 , End of Useful Life Computer Recycling Program at Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi, USA, 26. Qin Qian钱琴, Bo Sun, Xianchang Li, Frank Sun, Che-Jen Lin, Water quality modeling with data collected by wireless sensor networks (WSNs) in an experimental pond: A case study; (C) 3 technical papers; 28. Abdulkarim Alorayfij, Yung-Tse Hung, Anaerobic digestion of agricultural waste, 29. Abdullah Alshati, Yung-Tse Hung, Methane Gas Production from Animal Waste, 30. Abdulmajeed Alshatti, Yung-Tse Hung, Treatment of Timber Industry Wastes, 31. OCEESA Constitutions By-Laws (5 November 2000 edition), 32. OCEESA Constitutions By-Laws (14 February 2006 edition), 33. OCEESA Constitutions By-Laws (27 October 2013 edition), 34. Lawrence Kong-Pu Wang letter of support Yung-Tse Hung Permanent Executive Director OCEESA 12-30-20, 35. Wen-Chi Ku letter of support Yung-Tse Hung Permanent Executive Director OCEESA 12-03-20, 36. OCEESA Member Application Form and Information, 37. Mailing Address Pag

High-Mobility Pentacene-Based Thin-Film Transistors With a Solution-Processed Barium Titanate Insulator

Abstract—Pentacene-based organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) with solution-processed barium titanate (Ba1.2Ti0.8O3) as a gate insulator are demonstrated. The electrical properties of pentacene-based TFTs show a high field-effect mobility of 8.85 cm2 · V−1 · s−1, a low threshold voltage of −1.89 V, and a low subthreshold slope swing of 310 mV/decade. The chemical composition and binding energy of solution-processed barium titanate thin films are analyzed through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The matching surface energy on the surface of the barium titanate thin film is 43.12 mJ · m−2, which leads to Stranski–Krastanov mode growth, and thus, high mobility is exhibited in pentacene-based TFTs. Index Terms—Barium titanate, high field-effect mobility, high permittivity, organic thin-filmtransistor (OTFT), solution process

Overseas Chinese Environmental Engineers and Scientists Association (OCEESA) Report, Dec 2016.

This Overseas Chinese Environmental Engineers and Scientists Association (OCEESA) report is 2016 Directory of Overseas Chinese Environmental Engineers and Scientists Association (OCEESA), Report number: OCEESA/JL-2016/33D1, December 2016, ISSN 1072 -7248. This report was prepared by Yung-Tse Hung, Permanent Executive Director, OCEESA. This report includes OCEESA contact information, list of OCEESA Directors, list of OCEESA past presidents, OCEESA membership data, constitutions and by laws of OCEESA (5 November 2000 edition), constitutions and by laws of OCEESA (14 February 2006 edition), constitutions and by laws of OCEESA (27 October 2013 edition), membership application form, letter from Wen-Chi Ku to confirm Yung-Tse Hung OCEESA permanent executive director, letter from Lawrence Kong-Pu Wang to confirm Yung-Tse Hung OCEESA permanent executive director