A hybrid multi-criteria decision model for performance evaluation of sustainable supply chain

The implementation of Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) is at the forefront of organizational activities. However, with a lack of unanimity regarding the implementation of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and the ambiguity surrounding decision making in this turbulent and chaotic environment, it is a tasking process. This paper brings together the KPIs identified from literature and practice via Systematic Literature Network Analysis (SLNA) and Text Mining. Subsequently, this paper evaluates and weights these KPIs through expert opinions via an online survey grounded on a 4-level hierarchical Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) model hinged on FAHP, FTOPSIS and TISM

Vapour Phase Synthesis of 2-Methylpyridine and 4-Methylpyridine Over Potassium Salts of 12-Tungstophosphoric Acid

Vapor phase dehydrocyclization reaction of acetaldehyde and ammonia was investigated over K salts of 12-tungstophosphoric acid as catalysts in a continuous flow fixed bed reactor at 350–450℃. The yield of 2-methylpyridine and 4-methylpyridine were found to be in the range of 38.0–64.5%. The 2-methylpyridine and 4-methylpyridine are used for the preparation of insecticides, poultry drugs, cattle drugs and anti-tuberculosis drugs, veterinary analgesics etc. respectively. The reaction conditions such as temperature, contact time, and molar ratio for achieving optimal yield with respect to 2-methylpyridine and 4-methylpyridine were discussed. Catalysts were characterized through BET surface area, FT-IR, XRD and TGA. NH3-TPD studies exhibit the moderate acidity. The morphology of the catalysts was also studied by FESEM

Nepal paediatric society clinical guidance for management of sepsis and septic shock in the paediatric intensive care units in Nepal

Justification: Sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Nepal. There is a lack of standardisation in the management of severe sepsis and septic shock. Additionally, international guidelines may not be completely applicable to resource limited countries like Nepal. Objective: Create a collaborative standardised protocol for management of severe sepsis and septic shock for Nepal based on evidence and local resources. Process / Methods: Paediatricians representing various paediatric intensive care units all over Nepal gathered to discuss clinical practice and delivery of care of sepsis and septic shock under the aegis of Nepal Paediatric Society. After three meetings and several iterations a standardised protocol and algorithm was developed by modifying the existing Surviving Sepsis Guidelines to suit local experience and resources. Recommendations: Paediatric sepsis and septic shock definitions and management in the early hours of presentation are outlined in text and flow diagram format to simplify and standardise delivery of care to children in the paediatric intensive care setting. These are guidelines and may need to be modified as necessary depending on the resources availability and lack thereof. It is recommended to analyse data moving forward and revise every few years in the advent of additional data

Municipal solid waste management under Covid-19: Challenges and recommendations

Covid-19 is proving to be an unprecedented disaster for human health, social contacts and the economy worldwide. It is evident that SARS-CoV-2 may spread through municipal solid waste (MSW), if collected, bagged, handled, transported or disposed of inappropriately. Under the stress placed by the current pandemic on the sanitary performance across all MSW management (MSWM) chains, this industry needs to re-examine its infrastructure resilience with respect to all processes, from waste identification, classification, collection, separation, storage, transportation, recycling, treatment and disposal. The current paper provides an overview of the severe challenges placed by Covid-19 onto MSW systems, highlighting the essential role of waste management in public health protection during the ongoing pandemic. It also discusses the measures issued by various international organisations and countries for the protection of MSWM employees (MSWEs), identifying gaps, especially for developing countries, where personal protection equipment and clear guidelines to MSWEs may not have been provided, and the general public may not be well informed. In countries with high recycling rates of MSW, the need to protect MSWEs' health has affected the supply stream of the recycling industry. The article concludes with recommendations for the MSW industry operating under public health crisis conditions

Zeolite (ZSM-5) as a Highly Efficient and Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Synthesis of β-Enaminones and β-Enamino Esters

Several β-enaminones and β-enaminoesters have been synthesized in high yields from amine and β-diketone in the presence of Zeolite (ZSM-5) as a catalyst. This method is applicable to both cyclic and acyclic ketones with aromatic and aliphatic amines

Phenotype study of multifoliolate leaf formation in Trifolium alexandrinum L.

Background. The genus Trifolium is characterized by typical trifoliolate leaves. Alterations in leaf formats from trifoliolate to multifoliolate i.e., individual plants bearing trifoliolate, quadrifoliolate, pentafoliolate or more leaflets were reported previously among many species of the genus. The study is an attempt to develop pure pentafoliolate plants of T. alexandrinum and to understand its genetic control. Methods. The experimental material consisted of two populations of T. alexandrinum with multifoliolate leaf expression i.e., interspecific hybrid progenies of T. alexandrinum with T. apertum, and T. alexandrinum genotype Penta-1. Penetrance of the multifoliolate trait was observed among multifoliolate and trifoliolate plant progenies. In vitro culture and regeneration of plantlets from the axillary buds from different plant sources was also attempted. Results. The inheritance among a large number of plant progenies together with in vitro micro-propagation results did not establish a definite pattern. The multifoliolate leaf formation was of chimeric nature i.e., more than one leaf format appearing on individual branches. Reversal to normal trifoliolate from multifoliolate was also quite common. Penetrance and expression of multifoliolate leaf formation was higher among the plants raised from multifoliolate plants. Multifoliolate and pure pentafoliolate plants were observed in the progenies of pure trifoliolate plants and vice-versa. There was an apparent increase in the pentafoliolate leaf formation frequency over the years due to targeted selection. A few progenies of the complete pentafoliolate plants in the first year were true breeding in the second year. Frequency of plantlets with multifoliolate leaf formation was also higher in in vitro axillary bud multiplication when the explant bud was excised from the multifoliolate leaf node. Conclusion. Number of leaflets being a discrete variable, occurrence of multifoliolate leaves on individual branches, reversal of leaf formats on branches and developing true breeding pentafoliolates were the factors leading to a hypothesis beyond normal Mendelian inheritance. Transposable elements (TEs) involved in leaf development in combination with epigenetics were probably responsible for alterations in the expression of leaflet number. Putative TE’s movement owing to chromosomal rearrangements possibly resulted in homozygous pentafoliolate trait with evolutionary significance. The hypothesis provides a new insight into understanding the genetic control of this trait in T. alexandrinum and may also be useful in other Trifolium species where such observations are reported.Peer reviewe