Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a representative method to estimate efficient frontiers and derive efficiency. However, in a situation with weight restrictions on individual input–output pairs, its suitability has been questioned. Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to develop a mathematical method, which we call the input-oriented ratio-based comparative efficiency model, DEA-R-I, ...

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a mathematical approach to measuring the relative efficiency of peer decision making units (DMUs). It is particularly useful where no a priori information on the tradeoffs or relations among various performance measures is available. However, it is very desirable if “evaluation standards,” when they can be established, be incorporated into DEA performance eval...

This paper advances the design of Rod Pre-strained Dielectric Elastomer Actuators (RP-DEAs) in their capability to generate comparatively large static actuation forces with increased lifetime via optimized electrode arrangements. RP-DEAs utilize thin stiff rods to constrain the expansion of the elastomer and maintain the in-plane pre-strain in the rod longitudinal direction. The aim is to study...

The concept of disjunct eddy sampling (DES) for use in measuring ecosystem-level micrometeorological fluxes is re-examined. The governing equations are discussed as well as other practical considerations and guidelines concerning this sampling method as it is applied to either the disjunct eddy covariance (DEC) or disjunct eddy accumulation (DEA) techniques. A disjunct eddy sampling system was ...

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) has been applied in many efficiency studies in the banking sector. Conventional DEA models consider the system as a single-process black box. There are however a number of so-called network DEA approach that consider the system as composed by distinct processes or stages, each one with its own inputs and outputs and with intermediate flows among the stages. In th...

Ligand binding to the thyroid hormone nuclear receptor beta1 (TRbeta(1)) is inhibited by desethylamiodarone (DEA), the major metabolite of the widely used anti-arrhythmic drug amiodarone. Gene expression of thyroid hormone (triiodothyronine, T(3))-regulated genes can therefore be affected by amiodarone due to less ligand binding to the receptor. Previous studies have indicated the possibility o...

In this paper, we will propose numerically tractable formulations of the diversification-consistent DEA tests, which generalize traditional DEA tests as well as mean-risk models. We employ general deviation measures to measure risk of the investment opportunities. We will compare strength of the tests and give characterizations of efficient and inefficient investment opportunities. US industry ...

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) models have been used in formulating the Malmquist index to measure productivity change over time periods. In this article, we question the validity of this index in the presence of input/output slacks that appear in DEA models used. We demonstrate with an application to banking that Malmquist index loses its meaning whenever slacks are present. As a corrective m...