A grey approach for forecasting in a supply chain during intermittentdisruptions

The supply chains today have become vulnerable to frequent disruptions, and with continuing emphasis on efficiency, lacks robustness to deal with them. A part of the solution lies in forecasting the disruption beforehand and the other part in knowing which policies will suit such disrupted conditions best. Accurate and immediate forecasts are a must in a supply chain and hence play a huge role in stabilizing. This study compares the performance of three established forecasting methods (moving average, weighted moving average and exponential smoothing) as well as grey prediction method, during disruptions and stable situations. The experiments are performed in the form of discrete event simulation, on a four stage beer game settings. The results show that moving average and weighted moving average methods become incompetent during disruptions, and are useful only during stable times, when the demand hovers around a predefined mean value. Exponential smoothing and grey method seems to give better results during disruptions and also during stable times in upstream tiers. Grey prediction method in particular is the best method when the disruption frequency is high and also when the disruption impact is gradual rather than sudden.     

Spatial Wavefunction-Switched (SWS) InGaAs FETs with II–VI Gate Insulators

This paper presents the implementation of a novel InGaAs field-effect transistor (FET), using a ZnSe-ZnS-ZnMgS-ZnS stacked gate insulator, in a spatial wavefunction-switched (SWS) structural configuration. Unlike conventional FETs, SWS devices comprise two or more asymmetric coupled quantum wells (QWs). This feature enables carrier transfer vertically from one quantum well to another or laterally to the wells of adjacent SWS-FET devices by manipulation of the gate voltages (V _g). Observation of an extra peak (near both accumulation and inversion regions) in the capacitance–voltage data in an InGaAs-AlInAs two-quantum-well SWS structure is presented as evidence of spatial switching. The peaks are attributed to the appearance of carriers first in the lower well and subsequently their transfer to the upper well as the gate voltage is increased. The electrical characteristics of a fabricated SWS InGaAs FET are also presented along with simulations of capacitance–voltage (C–V) behavior, showing the effect of wavefunction switching between wells. Finally, logic operations involving simultaneous processing of multiple bits in a device, using coded spatial location of carriers in quantum well channels, are also described.     

Self-activated ‘green’ carbon nanoparticles for symmetric solid-state supercapacitors

Tuning of porosity and surface properties of nanoparticles especially on carbon-based nanomaterials, adopting a ‘greener’ or self-activation synthesis technique for electrical charge storage, is progressing. Herein, we report the self-activation of Teak wood sawdust in a nitrogen atmosphere at different activation temperatures to synthesize carbon nanoparticles. The activated carbon nanoparticles synthesized at 900 °C exhibits a maximum?~?360 m² g^?1 surface area with?~?2 nm average pore size diameter. Five electrolytes viz. KOH, KCl, Na₂SO₄, NaCl, and H₃PO₄ are used for studying the supercapacitance nature of the activated carbon nanoparticles in a 3-electrode configuration. A maximum specific capacitance of?~?208 F g^?1 @ 0.25 A g^?1 is obtained in 1 M KOH as the electrolyte. Two symmetric supercapacitors, aqueous (1 M KOH) and solid-state (PVA/KOH), are fabricated, and their performance difference is compiled. The solid-state symmetric supercapacitor performs in a wider voltage window (1.7 V) with a superior energy density of 27.1 Wh kg^?1 at a power density of 178 W kg^?1.

Graphical abstract

     

Solubility and dissolution enhancement strategies: current understanding and recent trends

Identification of lead compounds with higher molecular weight and lower aqueous solubility has become increasingly prevalent with the advent of high throughput screening. Poor aqueous solubility of these lipophilic compounds can drastically affect the dissolution rate and subsequently the drug absorbed in the systemic circulation, imposing a significant burden of time and money during drug development process. Various pre-formulation and formulation strategies have been applied in the past that can improve the aqueous solubility of lipophilic compounds by manipulating either the crystal lattice properties or the activity coefficient of a solute in solution or both, if possible. However, despite various strategies available in the armor of formulation scientist, solubility issue still remains an overriding problem in the drug development process. It is perhaps due to the insufficient conceptual understanding of solubility and dissolution phenomenon that hinders the judgment in selecting suitable strategy for improving aqueous solubility and/or dissolution rate. This article, therefore, focuses on (i) revisiting the theoretical and mathematical concepts associated with solubility and dissolution, (ii) their application in making rationale decision for selecting suitable pre-formulation and formulation strategies and (iii) the relevant research performed in this field in past decade.     

Humble,humane and harmonious houses of Laurie Baker

Laurie Baker (1917–2007) was an architect from Birmingham, who settled and worked in India, where he met and was profoundly influenced by Gandhi. In India, he developed simple and indigenous principles of design of houses, which are comfortable and affordable by the poor. Laurie Baker is often called the Mahatma Gandhi of domestic architecture. His work is truly sustainable architecture – ecological, economic and social.     

Gonflement de la chaux dans les briques

Le problème de l'éclatement des briques dû à l'action de la chaux devient grave dans la fabrication des briques en différents endroits de l'lnde et d'ailleurs. Des briques cuites tombent en poussière lorsqu'elles sont exposées à l'air libre, du fait de la présence de particules de chaux. L'Institut central de recherche de la construction de Roorkee s'est attachée à l'étude du mécanisme par lequel les chlorures peuvent prévenir cet inconvénient.     

Differential finishing of freeform surfaces (knee joint) using R-MRAFF process and negative replica of workpiece as a fixture

It is difficult and challenging to achieve uniform nanoscale surface finish in the contact zone, particularly on freeform (or sculptured) surfaces having different curvatures at different locations. Femoral (or, Knee joint component) is one of such biomedical freeform component which has complex profile along its curvature. Surface conditions of a femoral decide the life of the implant and they play a crucial role in its functionality. The variation in surface roughness of the femoral should be minimum in the contact zone. For this purpose, a special tooling is being proposed for rotational magnetorheological abrasive flow finishing (R-MRAFF) process. A negative replica of the workpiece (knee joint) as a tool (or a fixture) is used so that the medium flow velocity in the fluid flow channel is almost constant (or minimum possible variations) along the medium flow direction. It is able to do differential finishing also along the curvature. In addition, pulsating magnetic field has been used to generate vibrations in the medium in the finishing zone so that the possibility of fresh abrasive particles interacting with the surface of femoral is high. The surface finish has been achieved ranging from 26 nm to 62 nm using the proposed finishing technique and negative replica of the workpiece (femoral) as a fixture.