Ontology‐based Grid resource management

Grid resources are typically diverse in nature with respect to their software and hardware configurations, resource usage policies and the kind of application they support. Aggregating and monitoring these resources, and discovering suitable resources for the applications become a challenging issue. This is partially due to the representation of Grid metadata supported by the existing Grid middleware which offers limited scope for matching the job requirements that directly affect scheduling decisions. This paper proposes a semantic component in conventional Grid architecture to support ontology‐based representation of Grid metadata and facilitate context‐based information retrieval that complements Grid schedulers for effective resource management. Web Ontology language is used for creating Grid resource ontology and Algernon inference engine has been used for resource discovery. This semantic component has been integrated with conventional Grid schedulers. Several experiments have also been carried out to investigate the performance overhead that arises while integrating this component with Grid schedulers. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Efficiency of a dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical device using thionine and triturated zinc oxide at different potency

A new and novel material, triturated zinc oxide nanoparticles, which is eco-friendly, easily available, low in cost, has been used here for the first time for enhancement of photovoltage generation and efficiency of a dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical device. This material when diluted and strongly agitated, together termed as potentized, is used as nanomedicine for centuries. This study using this material at two different potencies (6C and 30C) shows that addition of this material to thionine dye of concentration 0.85 μM enhances photovoltage generation significantly. The efficiency obtained with the latter is ~0.41%, whereas it is ~0.003% with dye only.     

Foam Mat Drying of Alphonso Mango Pulp

The foam mat drying of Alphonso mango pulp using various food foaming agents, namely soy protein (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%) with methyl cellulose (0.5%), glycerol mono stearate (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0%), and egg albumen (2.5, 5.0, 10 and 15%) with methyl cellulose (0.5%), was studied. Drying was carried out in a batch type thin layer dryer at four drying temperatures (60, 65, 70, and 75°C) on 1-, 2-, or 3-mm thickness foamed samples. The optimum concentrations of each foaming agent were determined to be 1% soy protein, 2% glycerol mono stearate, and 10% egg albumen. All were obtained after 25 min whipping time. The drying time was lower for foamed mango pulps as compared to non-foamed pulp at all drying temperatures. Biochemical analysis showed that the foam mat dried powder at 60°C retained a significantly higher (P < 0.05) content of biochemical compounds than at higher temperatures. The treatment of mango pulp with 10% egg albumen and 0.5% methyl cellulose and drying at 60°C (1-mm foam thickness), retained the highest nutritional quality characteristics than the other treatments.     

Synthesis of Metastable, Wurzite-Based Zinc Oxide-Cobalt(II) Oxide Solid Solutions by Spray Pyrolysis

Aqueous solutions of acetates and nitrates of zinc and cobalt have been spray decomposed to study the production of extended solid solutions in the ZnO–CoO system. Examination of the products of a variety of synthesis conditions indicates that up to 70% CoO may be retained in the solid solution in the wurzite phase, even though a comparison of the equilibrium solubility in the phase diagram might be expected to favor the formation of a rock-salt-based solid solution.     

On generalized similarity measures for Pythagorean fuzzy sets and their applications to multiple attribute decision-making

In this paper, we develop a new and flexible method for Pythagorean fuzzy decision-making using some trigonometric similarity measures. We first introduce two new generalized similarity measures between Pythagorean fuzzy sets based on cosine and cotangent functions and prove their validity. These similarity measures include some well-known Pythagorean fuzzy similarity measures as their particular and limiting cases. The measures are demonstrated to satisfy some very elegant properties which prepare the ground for applications in different areas. Further, the work defines a generalized hybrid trigonometric Pythagorean fuzzy similarity measure and discuss its properties with particular cases. Then, based on the generalized hybrid trigonometric Pythagorean fuzzy similarity measure, a method for dealing with multiple attribute decision-making problems under Pythagorean fuzzy environment is developed. Finally, a numerical example is given to demonstrate the flexibility and effectiveness of the developed approach in solving real-life problems.     

The relevance of Industry 4.0 and its relationship with moving manufacturing out,back and staying at home

In view of the fact that Industry 4.0 is becoming increasingly essential, the implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies is believed to be an essential strategic component in further increasing the efficiency of manufacturing processes and in determining decisions concerning globalisation strategies. Thus, this paper provides an empirical analysis of the essential constructs of Industry 4.0, and drivers and barriers for Industry 4.0. The paper is based on 270 valid answers to a questionnaire-survey distributed among Danish manufacturers. Regression analyses were used to test the proposed hypotheses. The results of the analyses reveal that the identified drivers and barriers for Industry 4.0 have a positive impact on the perceived relevance of Industry 4.0 among companies. Furthermore, the analyses show that the perceived relevance of Industry 4.0 among companies has a positive impact on companies that have moved manufacturing back and on companies that have moved manufacturing out and back. Conversely, the perceived relevance of Industry 4.0 among companies has a negative impact on companies that have remained domestic. The perceived relevance of Industry 4.0 has no impact on companies that have moved manufacturing out. This research, in general, offers to both researchers and practitioners an increased consciousness concerning the relevant drivers and barriers for Industry 4.0 in decision processes about where to locate manufacturing.     

Fabrication of copper–TiC–graphite hybrid metal matrix composites through microwave processing

The significant requirements such as wear resistance and better tribological properties in addition to good electrical conductivity necessitate the development of copper-based advanced metal matrix composites for electrical sliding contact applications. Though the addition of graphite to copper matrix induces self-lubricating property, the strength of the composite reduces. The improvement in the strength of the composite can be achieved by reinforcing harder ceramic particles such as SiC, TiC, and Al₂O₃. In this paper, the development of hybrid composite of copper metal matrix reinforced with TiC and graphite particles through microwave processing was investigated. The effects of TiC (5, 10, and 15 vol.%) and graphite (5 and 10 vol.%) reinforcements on physical and mechanical properties of microwave-sintered copper–TiC–graphite hybrid composites are discussed in detail. Micrographs show the uniform distribution of reinforcements in copper matrix. Microwave-sintered composites exhibited higher relative density, sintered density, and hardness compared with conventionally sintered ones.