A genetic algorithm for solving the fixed-charge transportation model: Two-stage problem

Transportation of goods in a supply chain from plants to customers through distribution centers (DCs) is modeled as a two-stage distribution problem in the literature. In this paper we propose genetic algorithms to solve a two-stage transportation problem with two different scenarios. The first scenario considers the per-unit transportation cost and the fixed cost associated with a route, coupled with unlimited capacity at every DC. The second scenario considers the opening cost of a distribution center, per-unit transportation cost from a given plant to a given DC and the per-unit transportation cost from the DC to a customer. Subsequently, an attempt is made to represent the two-stage fixed-charge transportation problem (Scenario-1) as a single-stage fixed-charge transportation problem and solve the resulting problem using our genetic algorithm. Many benchmark problem instances are solved using the proposed genetic algorithms and performances of these algorithms are compared with the respective best existing algorithms for the two scenarios. The results from computational experiments show that the proposed algorithms yield better solutions than the respective best existing algorithms for the two scenarios under consideration.     

Analysis of rectangular laminated composite plates via FSDT meshless method

A meshless approach based on the reproducing kernel particle method is developed for the flexural, free vibration and buckling analysis of laminated composite plates. In this approach, the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) is employed and the displacement shape functions are constructed using the reproducing kernel approximation satisfying the consistency conditions. The essential boundary conditions are enforced by a singular kernel method. Numerical examples involving various boundary conditions are solved to demonstrate the validity of the proposed method. Comparison of results with the exact and other known solutions in the literature suggests that the meshless approach yields an effective solution method for laminated composite plates.     

Prediction of optimum process parameters to achieve eco-friendly desizing of organic cotton fabrics with indigenously produced alpha-amylase and their enzyme kinetics

An attempt has been made to study the desizing of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) starch-based organic cotton fabric using alpha-amylase enzyme with various process parameters such as enzyme concentration, temperature and reaction time. These process variables are selected based on the Box–Behnken design of experiment and the output of experiment resulted in weight loss of the fabric and their results are optimized with minimum error. The test results are analyzed using Design-Expert software 8.0 to predict the optimum process parameters to achieve the required desizing efficiency and their results are compared with actual trials. The alpha-amylase enzyme kinetics are studied at various concentrations, temperatures and reaction times to optimize the desizing process parameters. The performance of desizing was assessed by an iodine test and FTIR results to confirm the degradation of PVA starch in the desized organic cotton fabrics.     

Plant products as fumigants for stored-product insect control

Research studies on plant essential oils and their constituents as fumigants, i.e., compounds acting on target insects in the vapour or gaseous phase, against stored-product insects have been reviewed. Fumigant toxicity tests conducted with essential oils of plants (mainly belonging to Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, Lauraceae and Myrtaceae) and their components (cyanohydrins, monoterpenoids, sulphur compounds, thiocyanates and others) have largely focused on beetle pests such as Tribolium castaneum, Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus oryzae and Sitophilus zeamais but little or no attention has been paid towards moths such as Corcyra cephalonica and Sitotroga cerealella. Adults were generally susceptible, whereas, eggs were either tolerant or highly susceptible depending on insect species and the type of essential oil or component. The essential oils proved effective in mixture with CO₂ or ethyl formate. Mode of action studies on monoterpenoids indicate inhibition of acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity as the major site of action. Although, in laboratory tests with adult insects, some of the plant compounds have shown insect toxicity comparable to methyl bromide or chloropicrin, their physical properties such as high molecular weight as well as high boiling point and very low vapour pressure are barriers for application in large-scale fumigations. Plant products, therefore, have the potential for small-scale treatments, space fumigations and as adjuvants for conventional fumigants. The constraints including lack of data for single or multiple components of essential oils on sorption, tainting and residues in food commodities, and registration protocols have been highlighted. The use of egg and pupal stages or preferably mixed-age cultures of target insects in screening tests with any new plant essential oil/compound has also been stressed.     

Detecting localized homogeneous anomalies over spatio-temporal data

The last decade has witnessed an unprecedented growth in availability of data having spatio-temporal characteristics. Given the scale and richness of such data, finding spatio-temporal patterns that demonstrate significantly different behavior from their neighbors could be of interest for various application scenarios such as—weather modeling, analyzing spread of disease outbreaks, monitoring traffic congestions, and so on. In this paper, we propose an automated approach of exploring and discovering such anomalous patterns irrespective of the underlying domain from which the data is recovered. Our approach differs significantly from traditional methods of spatial outlier detection, and employs two phases—(i) discovering homogeneous regions, and (ii) evaluating these regions as anomalies based on their statistical difference from a generalized neighborhood. We evaluate the quality of our approach and distinguish it from existing techniques via an extensive experimental evaluation.     

Electrospun MgO/Nylon 6 Hybrid Nanofibers for Protective Clothing

Nano-Micro Letters - Magnesia (MgO) nanoparticles were produced from magnesite ore (MgCO3) using ball mill. The crystalline size, morphology and specific SSA were characterized by X-ray diffraction...     

In vitro corrosion behaviour of plasma nitrided Ti–6Al–7Nb orthopaedic alloy in Hanks solution

Titanium alloy (Ti–6Al–7Nb) used for orthopaedic applications was nitrided using a conventional dc plasmatechnique. Load-dependent microhardness measurements exhibit a hardness of 2087 H_v at 25 g load for the alloy nitrided at 900 8C for 8 h. Cyclic polarization measurement in Hanks solution show maximum corrosion rate and minimum areaof repassivation for the alloy nitrided for 8 h at 900 8C. Electrochemical impedance measurements show an increase in charge transfer resistance and decrease in double layer capacitance when compared to untreated alloy.     

Dispatching rules for scheduling in assembly jobshops - Part 1

Research on jobshop scheduling has tended to concentrate on the development of dispatching rules for jobs that are independent, i.e. single-component jobs. However, in real-life situations, many jobs involve assembly operations that require scheduling of multiple components through the jobshop where both serial and parallel operations take place. In this two-part paper, we consider the problem of scheduling in assembly jobshops, i.e. jobshops that manufacture multi-level assembly jobs. The development of new and efficient dispatching rules with a view to address various measures of performance related to flowtime and staging delay of jobs is first undertaken. A new concept, called 'operation synchronization date' is introduced and made use of in the new dispatching rules. The best existing dispatching rules and the proposed dispatching rules are relatively evaluated by an exhaustive simulation study. The results indicate that the proposed rules emerge to be superior to the existing ones for most measures of performance.     

Nitrites Derived From Foneiculum Vulgare (Fennel) Seeds Promotes Vascular Functions

Abstract: Recent evidence has demonstrated that nitrites play an important role in the cardiovascular system. Fennel (Foneiculum vulgare) seeds are often used as mouth fresheners after a meal in both the Indian sub‐continent and around the world. The present study aims to quantify the nitrite and nitrates in fennel seeds as well as elucidating the effect of fennel derived‐nitrites on vascular functions. Results from our study show that fennel seeds contain significantly higher amount of nitrites when compared to other commonly used post‐meal seeds. Furthermore our study confirmed the functional effects of fennel derived‐nitrites using in vitro and ex vivo models that describe the promotion of angiogenesis, cell migration, and vasorelaxation. We also showed that chewing fennel seeds enhanced nitrite content of saliva. Thus our study indicates the potential role of fennel derived‐nitrites on the vascular system. Practical Application: This study is focused on determining the effect of fennel‐derived nitrites on angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels from pre‐existing ones), cell migration, and vasorelaxation (dilation of blood vessels) thereby preserving cardiovascular health.