Multi-level DEA Approach in Research Evaluation

It is well known that the discrimination power of DEA models will be diminishing if too many inputs or outputs are used. It is a dilemma if the decision makers want to select comprehensive indicators to present a relatively holistic evaluation using DEA. In this work we show that by utilizing hierarchical structures of input-output data DEA can handle quite large numbers of inputs and outputs. We present two approaches in a pilot evaluation of 15 institutes for basic research in Chinese Academy of Sciences using DEA models

Quantum Brownian motion model for the stock market

It is believed by the majority today that the efficient market hypothesis is imperfect because of market irrationality. Using the physical concepts and mathematical structures of quantum mechanics, we construct an econophysics framework for the stock market, based on which we analogously map massive numbers of single stocks into a reservoir consisting of many quantum harmonic oscillators and their stock index into a typical quantum open system--a quantum Brownian particle. In particular, the irrationality of stock transactions is quantitatively considered as the Planck constant within Heisenberg's uncertainty relationship of quantum mechanics in an analogous manner. We analyze real stock data of Shanghai Stock Exchange of China and investigate fat-tail phenomena and non-Markovian behaviors of the stock index with the assistance of the quantum Brownian motion model, thereby interpreting and studying the limitations of the classical Brownian motion model for the efficient market hypothesis from a new perspective of quantum open system dynamics

Searching for the Evidence of Dynamical Dark Energy

In the statistical framework of model-independent Gaussian processes (GP), we search for the evidence of dynamical dark energy (DDE) using the "Joint Light-curve Analysis" (JLA) Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) sample, the 30 latest cosmic chronometer data points (H(z)), Planck's shift parameter from cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropies, the 156 latest HII galaxy measurements and 79 calibrated gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). We find that the joint constraint from JLA + H(z) + CMB + HII + GRB supports the global measurement of $H_0$ by Planck collaboration very much in the low redshift range $z\in[0, 0.76]$ at the $2\sigma$ confidence level (C.L.), gives a cosmological constant crossing (quintom-like) equation of state (EoS) of DE at the $2\sigma$ C.L. and implies that the evolution of the late-time Universe may be actually dominated by the DDE.Comment: EPJC accepted. 7 figures, 10 page

Quantum spatial-periodic harmonic model for daily price-limited stock markets

We investigate the behavior of stocks in daily price-limited stock markets by purposing a quantum spatial-periodic harmonic model. The stock price is presumed to oscillate and damp in a quantum spatial-periodic harmonic oscillator potential well. Complicated non-linear relations including inter-band positive correlation and intra-band negative correlation between the volatility and the trading volume of stocks are derived by considering the energy band structure of the model. The validity of price limitation is then examined and abnormal phenomena of a price-limited stock market (Shanghai Stock Exchange) of China are studied by applying our quantum model.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figure

The BCS Pairing Instability in the Thermodynamic Limit

The superconducting pairing instability---as determined by a divergence of the two-particle susceptibility---is obtained in the mean field (BCS) approximation in the thermodynamic limit. The usual practice is to examine this property for a finite lattice. We illustrate that, while the conclusions remain unchanged, the technical features are very different in the thermodynamic limit and conform more closely with the usual treatment of phase transitions encountered in, for example, the mean-field paramagnetic-ferromagnetic transition. Furthermore, by going to the extreme dilute limit, one can distinguish three dimensions from one and two dimensions, in which a pairing instability occurs even for two particles.Comment: 4 pages + references, 4 figure

Comparative proteomic profiling reveals molecular characteristics associated with oogenesis and oocyte maturation during ovarian development of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel)

Time-dependent expression of proteins in ovary is important to understand oogenesis in insects. Here, we profiled the proteomes of developing ovaries from Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) to obtain information about ovarian development with particular emphasis on differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) involved in oogenesis. A total of 4838 proteins were identified with an average peptide number of 8.15 and sequence coverage of 20.79%. Quantitative proteomic analysis showed that a total of 612 and 196 proteins were differentially expressed in developing and mature ovaries, respectively. Furthermore, 153, 196 and 59 potential target proteins were highly expressed in early, vitellogenic and mature ovaries and most tested DEPs had the similar trends consistent with the respective transcriptional profiles. These proteins were abundantly expressed in pre-vitellogenic and vitellogenic stages, including tropomyosin, vitellogenin, eukaryotic translation initiation factor, heat shock protein, importin protein, vitelline membrane protein, and chorion protein. Several hormone and signal pathway related proteins were also identified during ovarian development including piRNA, notch, insulin, juvenile, and ecdysone hormone signal pathways. This is the first report of a global ovary proteome of a tephritid fruit fly, and may contribute to understanding the complicate processes of ovarian development and exploring the potentially novel pest control targets