New multi-criteria LNN WASPAS model for evaluating the work of advisors in the transport of hazardous goods

Neural Computing and Applications - Successfully organizing the transport of hazardous materials and handling them correctly is a very important logistical task that affects both the overall flow...     

Hematite Core Nanoparticles with Carbon Shell: Potential for Environmentally Friendly Production from Iron Mining Sludge

Hematite nanoparticles with amorphous, yet relatively uniform carbon shell, were produced based exclusively on the waste sludge from the iron mine as the raw material. The procedure for acid digestion-based purification of the sludge with the full recovery of acid vapors and the remaining non-toxic rubble is described. Synthesis of the hematite nanoparticles was performed by the arrested precipitation method with cationic surfactant. The particles were thoroughly characterized and the potential of their economical production for the battery industry is indicated.     

A novel integrated large-scale group MCDM model under fuzzy environment for selection of reach stacker in a container terminal

Applied Intelligence - The selection of transshipment and handling machinery in container terminals is a complex and responsible task due to a number of daily operations required. Accordingly,...     

Spatial Pattern of Phytoplankton Based on the Morphology‐Based Functional Approach along a River–Floodplain Gradient

Current efforts to yield an appropriate method that would simplify the use of phytoplankton in the ecological evaluation of freshwaters resulted in different approaches based on clustering phytoplankton organisms. In this study, we applied the morphology‐based functional group (MBFG) concept to determine the spatial changes of phytoplankton in the natural riverine floodplain of the alluvial reaches of the Danube River along the horizontal gradient from the river towards the floodplain habitats. The obtained results showed that the magnitude of environmental changes depended on alternations in hydrological variables (hydropattern and water level) that influenced changes in the physical and chemical conditions. High‐intensity flood pulses caused environmental homogenizations and nitrate enrichment of the floodplain habitats. Phytoplankton dynamics were strongly associated with the environmental changes, and using the MBFG approach, two basic hydrological conditions were identified: inundation phase dominated by diatoms (GVI) and isolation phase dominated by filamentous cyanobacteria (GIII). Total diatom biomass decreased along the floodplain gradient with a diminishing of physical constraints, and site‐specific variables became more important in favouring diatom assemblages. The different response of cyanobacterial species to mixing regime was of particular significance for species successions during bloom period. Altogether, classifying very diverse diatoms (centrics and pennates and planktonic and benthic) and cyanobacterial taxa into single groups represents a weakness of the MBFG approach, which might make it impossible to reflect all the ecological differences governed by environmental constraints along river–floodplain gradients. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrochemical Behavior of Sintered CuAg4 at. pct Alloy

The electrochemical characteristics of sintered CuAg4 at. pct alloy in different stages of synthesis and thermomechanical treatment were examined by cyclic voltammetry in a NaOH medium. On the voltammograms recorded at the sintered alloy, six current waves can be noticed at the anodic part, and six corresponding current waves are observed at the cathodic part. A possible electrochemical reaction is attributed to each wave. The effect of the potential reversing limit was used to distinguish the correlation between the anodic and cathodic peaks. After the deformation with 60 pct deformation degree, the alloy becomes more corrosion resistant, whereas the corrosion mechanism remains the same as before mechanical treatment. Subsequent anneal of the deformed alloy at 533 K (260 °C) for 150 minutes leads to the hardening effect. At the same time, the alloy remains corrosion stable, and some of the current waves present at the other voltammograms are hardly noticeable here. Also, we propose our own model of oxide layer formation on the surface of a Cu-Ag alloy.