Evaluating Greek equity funds using data envelopment analysis

This study assesses the relative performance of Greek equity funds employing a non-parametric method, specifically Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Using an original sample of cost and operational attributes we explore the e¤ect of each variable on funds' operational efficiency for an oligopolistic and bank-dominated fund industry. Our results have significant implications for the investors' fund selection process since we are able to identify potential sources of inefficiencies for the funds. The most striking result is that the percentage of assets under management affects performance negatively, a conclusion which may be related to the structure of the domestic stock market. Furthermore, we provide evidence against the notion of funds' mean-variance efficiency

Automatic Bleeding Frame and Region Detection for GLCM Using Artificial Neural Network

 Wireless capsule endoscopy is a device that inspects the direct visualization of patient’s gastrointestinal tract without invasiveness. Analyzing the WCE video is a time- consuming task hence computer aided technique is used to reduce the burden of medical clinicians. This paper proposes a novel color feature extraction method to detect the bleeding frame. First, we perform word based histogram for rapid bleeding detection in WCE images. Classification of bleeding WCE frame is performed by applying for glcm using  Artificial Neural Network and K-nearest neighbour method. Second we propose a two-stage saliency map extraction method. In first stage saliency, we inspect the bleeding images under different color components to highlight the bleeding regions. From second stage saliency red color in the bleeding frame reveals that the region is affected. Then, by using algorithm we fuse the two-stage of saliency to detect the bleeding area. Experimental results show that the proposed method is very efficient in detecting the bleeding frames and the region

A Novel Two-Stage Approach For Automatic Detection of Brain Tumor

Brain tumor is one of the most life-threatening diseases, and it is the most common type of cancer that occurs among those in the age group belonging to 0-19. It is also a major cause of cancer-related deaths in children (males and females) under age 20 hence its detection should be fast and accurate. Manual detection of brain tumors using MRI scan images is effective but time-consuming. Many automation techniques and algorithms for detection of brain tumors are being proposed recently. In this paper, we propose an integrated two-step approach combining modified K-means clustering algorithm and Hierarchical Centroid Shape Descriptor (HCSD). The images are clustered using modified K-means based on pixel intensity, and then HCSD helps to select those having a specific shape thus making this approach more effective and reliable. Simulation of the proposed work is done in MATLAB R2013a. Tests are carried out on T1 weighted MRI scan images

Subtle Radiological Features of Splenic Avulsion following Abdominal Trauma

Splenic trauma in children following blunt abdominal injury is usually treated by nonoperative management (NOM). Splenectomy following abdominal trauma is rare in children. NOM is successful as in the majority of instances the injury to the spleen is contained within its capsule or a localised haematoma. Rarely, the spleen may suffer from an avulsion injury that causes severe uncontrollable bleeding and necessitates an emergency laparotomy and splenectomy. We report two cases of children requiring splenectomy following severe blunt abdominal injury. In both instances emergency laparotomy was undertaken for uncontrollable bleeding despite resuscitation. The operating team was unaware of the precise source of bleeding preoperatively. Retrospective review of the computed tomography (CT) scans revealed subtle radiological features that indicate splenic avulsion. We wish to highlight these radiological features of splenic avulsion as they can help to focus management decisions regarding the need/timing for a laparotomy following blunt abdominal trauma in children

Data envelopment analysis in financial services: a citations network analysis of banks, insurance companies and money market funds

Development and application of the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method, have been the subject of numerous reviews. In this paper, we consider the papers that apply DEA methods specifically to financial services, or which use financial services data to experiment with a newly introduced DEA model. We examine 620 papers published in journals indexed in the Web of Science database, from 1985 to April 2016. We analyse the sample applying citations network analysis. This paper investigates the DEA method and its applications in financial services. We analyse the diffusion of DEA in three sub-samples: (1) banking groups, (2) money market funds, and (3) insurance groups by identifying the main paths, that is, the main flows of the ideas underlying each area of research. This allows us to highlight the main approaches, models and efficiency types used in each research areas. No unique methodological preference emerges within these areas. Innovations in the DEA methodologies (network models, slacks based models, directional distance models and Nash bargaining game) clearly dominate recent research. For each subsample, we describe the geographical distribution of these studies, and provide some basic statistics related to the most active journals and scholars

Absence of N-terminal acetyltransferase diversification during evolution of eukaryotic organisms

Protein N-terminal acetylation is an ancient and ubiquitous co-translational modification catalyzed by a highly conserved family of N-terminal acetyltransferases (NATs). Prokaryotes have at least 3 NATs, whereas humans have six distinct but highly conserved NATs, suggesting an increase in regulatory complexity of this modification during eukaryotic evolution. Despite this, and against our initial expectations, we determined that NAT diversification did not occur in the eukaryotes, as all six major human NATs were most likely present in the Last Eukaryotic Common Ancestor (LECA). Furthermore, we also observed that some NATs were actually secondarily lost during evolution of major eukaryotic lineages; therefore, the increased complexity of the higher eukaryotic proteome occurred without a concomitant diversification of NAT complexes

Modeling adsorption in metal-organic frameworks with open metal sites : propane/propylene separations

We present a new approach for modeling adsorption in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with unsaturated metal centers and apply it to the challenging propane/propylene separation in copper(II) benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (CuBTC). We obtain information about the specific interactions between olefins and the open metal sites of the MOP using quantum mechanical density functional theory. A proper consideration of all the relevant contributions to the adsorption energy enables us to extract the component that is due to specific attractive interactions between the pi-orbitals of the alkene and the coordinatively unsaturated metal. This component is fitted using a combination of a Morse potential and a power law function and is then included into classical grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations of adsorption. Using this modified potential model, together with a standard Lennard-Jones model, we are able to predict the adsorption of not only propane (where no specific interactions are present), but also of propylene (where specific interactions are dominant). Binary adsorption isotherms for this mixture are in reasonable agreement with ideal adsorbed solution theory predictions. We compare our approach with previous attempts to predict adsorption in MOFs with open metal sites and suggest possible future routes for improving our model

Shear Resistance of portal Frame Reinforced with Bamboo and Steel Rebar: Experimental and Numerical Evaluation

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the shear resistance of portal frame fabricated with bamboo and steel rebar by following experimental and numerical approaches. In support of sustainable construction, bamboo stripes were utilized as a partial replacement of steel rebar at tension zone of members that are subjected to lateral loading. The performance of nominal portal frame, which are fabricated with steel reinforcement was compared to the portal frames having several replacements of steel reinforcement with bamboo, in terms of seismic resistance and lateral load capacity. The experimental data was correlated based on software analysis using ABAQUS. The partial replacement of steel with bamboo under tension zone of the beams in portal frame was found to be highly effective, and also that the flexural rigidity of the partial bamboo reinforced frame was slightly higher than the nominal portal frame. This study provides insight on the possibility of reinforcing structural members with bamboo, when lateral loading is imminent on the structure