Construction of capital procurement decision making model to optimize supplier selection using Fuzzy Delphi and AHP-DEMATEL

Purpose – Supplier selection for capital procurement is a major strategic decision for any automobile company. The decision determines the success of the company and must be taken systematically with the utmost transparency. Therefore, the aim of this study is the construction of capital procurement decision making models to optimize supplier selection in the Indian automobile industry. Design/methodology/approach – To achieve the stated objective, a combined approach of fuzzy theory and AHP-DEMATEL is applied. Evaluation parameters are identified through an extensive literature review and criteria validation has been introduced through a Fuzzy Delphi method by using fuzzy linguistic scales to handle the vagueness of information. AHP is employed to find the priority weight of criteria although an inter-relationship map among criteria is not possible through AHP alone since it considers all criteria as independent. To overcome this, DEMATEL is used to establish cause-effect relationships among criteria. Findings – The results show that the total cost of ownership is the first weighted criterion in supplier selection for capital procurement, followed by manufacturing flexibility and maintainability, then conformity with requirement. The cause-effect model shows that supplier profile, total cost of ownership, service support and conformity with requirement are in the cause group and are considered to be the most critical factors in selecting the supplier. Originality/value – The study’s outcome can help the automobile industry to optimize their selection process in selecting their suppliers for capital procurement; the proposed model can provide guidelines and direction in this regard.N

Experimental realization of a high Curie temperature CoFeRuSn quaternary Heusler alloy for spintronic applications

We synthesize CoFeRuSn equiatomic quaternary Heusler alloy using arc-melt technique and investigate its structural, magnetic and transport properties. The room temperature powder X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that CoFeRuSn crystallizes in cubic crystal structure with small amount of DO3 - disorder. The field dependence of magnetization shows non-zero but small hysteresis and saturation behavior up to room temperature, indicating soft ferromagnetic nature of CoFeRuSn. The magnetic moment estimated from the magnetization data is found to be 4.15 {\mu}B / f.u., which is slightly less than the expected Slater-Pauling rule. The deviation in the value of experimentally observed moment from the theoretical value might be due to small disorder in the crystal. The low temperature fit to electrical resistivity data show absence of quadratic temperature dependence of resistivity, suggesting half-metallic behavior of CoFeRuSn. The high Curie temperature and possible half-metallic behavior of CoFeRuSn make it a highly promising candidate for room temperature spintronic applications.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure

COUMARINS: A UNIQUE SCAFFOLD WITH VERSATILE BIOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR

Benzopyrones are the club of compounds that can be coumarins or flavonoids. The hydroxyl derivatives of coumarins such as 4-hydroxycoumarins and 7-hydroxycoumarins have extensive biological activities which have employed for the synthesis of miscellaneous coumarin derivatives. These derivatives have exhibited impressive pharmacological and physiological activities such as anticoagulant, antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, bactericidal, fungicidal, anti-inflammatory agents, and anti-HIV activity. This review comprised pharmacokinetic studies, including absorption, distribution, and metabolism of coumarin analogs along with toxicological studies. The studies of coumarins and their derivatives exhibiting immense pharmacological activity are also summarized in the current study

Magnetic, magnetocaloric and magnetotransport properties of RSn_{1+x}Ge_{1-x} compounds (R=Gd, Tb, Er; x=0.1)

We have studied the magnetic, magnetocaloric and magnetotransport properties of RSn1+xGe1-x(R=Gd, Tb, Er; x=0.1) series by means of magnetization, heat capacity and resistivity measurements. It has been found that all the compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic crystal structure described by the centrosymmetric space group Cmcm (No. 63). The magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity data suggest that all the compounds are antiferromagnetic. Large negative values of {\theta}p in case of GdSn1.1Ge0.9 and TbSn1.1Ge0.9 indicate that strong antiferromagnetic interactions are involved, which is also reflected in the magnetization isotherms. On the other hand ErSn1.1Ge0.9 shows weak antiferromagnetic interaction. The heat capacity data have been analyzed by fitting the temperature dependence and the values of {\theta}D and {\gamma} have been estimated. Among these three compounds, ErSn1.1Ge0.9 shows considerable magnetic entropy change of 9.5 J/kg K and an adiabatic temperature change of 3.2 K for a field of 50 kOe. The resistivity data in different temperature regimes have been analyzed and the dominant contributions have been identified. All the compounds show small but positive magnetoresistance.Comment: 23 pages,11 figure

Isolation and Identification of Fungal Species and Scientific Preservation of World Heritage: Case of Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh, India

Fungi play a considerable role for the deterioration and widely recognized as major bio-deteriogens of cultural heritage depending on climatic conditions, humidity level and surface material for fungal colonization. The weathering of stone monuments is significantly increased by endolitic fungi. Fungi can deteriorate different substrates via various physical and chemical mechanisms. Hyphal growth and penetration into the substrate can cause symptoms like discoloration, bio-pitting, cricketing, exfoliation and patina formation. On the other hand, chemical mechanism includes acid secretion, release of extracellular enzymes, pigment production, oxidation/reduction reaction reactions and secondary mycogenic minerals formation. These process can lead to serious, both esthetic and structural alterations which may be irreversible and could permanently impair artwork. Proper isolation and identification of fungi by different microscopic technique and in vitro biodegradation tests are pivotal in understanding complex bio-deterioration mechanism caused by fungal deteriogens. Bio-deterioration and bio-degradation studies require multidisciplinary approach and close collaboration of microbiologists, chemists and different personnel responsible for safeguarding of cultural property and artifacts, especially restorers and conservators. This article provides information on fungi infesting historical monument of Fatehpur Sikri and their management by biocidal compounds. Present investigation was conducted to evaluate the status of fungal decay of stone monuments of Fatehpur Sikri. A total of 06 fungal species were isolated from colored stains, patinas and biofilms produced on the surfaces of monuments of Fatehpur Sikri due to mechanism of bio-deterioration. The fungal species Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium herbarum, and Rhizopus oryzae were prevalent.Acknowledgement Authors are gratitude to thanks Dr. Alok Tripathi, Director General, NRLC, Lucknow and Additional Director General, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi & Dr. M.K. Bhatnager, Director (Scientific Preservation), Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi & Shri Mangey Ram Superintending Archaeological Chemist, Archaeological Survey of India, Science Branch, Agra for their encouragement and guidance

Role of the amniotic membrane as a biological graft material in intra oral lesions

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the Human Amniotic Membrane (AM) as a biological graft material after excision of intraoral lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A lyophilized AM (procured from tissue bank of TATA Memorial Hospital) was used in the treatment of 10 patients who had developed secondary surgical defects in the tongue and buccal mucosa after the surgical excision of precancerous lesions such as leukoplakia, erythroplakia, and verrucous hyperplasia. The effectiveness of the AM was assessed by scoring its operability during the surgical procedure and by the hemostatic status, pain relief, feeding situation, epithelialization and scar contracture in the postoperative period. Its usefulness was evaluated by considering its effectiveness and safety based on the absence of wound infection and graft rejection. RESULTS: The membrane was found to be easy to handle as an intraoral graft material. It adhered well to the bare connective and muscular tissues. Graft was well taken up in all cases without any significant bleeding. Only one buccal case had shown severe contracture and associated pain. No remarkable adverse effects were observed in the process of wound epithelialization. Two patients had episode of infection at 2 weeks and 1 month post op follow up. The average score of the patients was 14.1 points (9 to 16 points) in the present study, with 16 being the highest possible score. CONCLUSION: This study showed the clinical usefulness of the human AM as a biological graft material when used intraorally. Although the number of cases was small, the results suggested that the human AM is biologically acceptable graft to oral wounds and could be a suitable clinical alternative for repair of the oral defects

CHEMICAL EXAMINATION AND IN VITRO ANTIFUGAL CHRACTERIZATION OF ESSENTIAL OIL FROM AERIAL PARTS OF SWERTIA PETIOLATA D. DON

Objective: The aim of this research work was to evaluate the important phytochemical and their antifungal activity against crops pathogens from essential of Swertia petiolata. Methods: The phytochemical composition and antifungal activity of essential oil from aerial parts of Swertia petiolata D. Don obtained from hydro-distillation and analyzed by GC/GC-MS analysis in relation with their Kavot indices and mass spectra and their antifungal activity by disk diffusion method. Results: The oil is rich in monoterpenoids and oxygenated sesquiterpenoids. A total of 39 chemical constituents were identified representing 87.50% and major chemical constituents were identified as n-tetradecanal (15.16%), isopropylcyclohexene (13.58%), trimethylsilylpalmitate (12.50%), longipianol (7.76%), n-eocosane (7.46%), z-patchenal (4.40%), guaiadienal (4.07%), and heptadecanal (3.86%) whereas oxygenated monoterpenoids were minor constituents. The antifungal activity was studied by disk diffusion method with 57.63±0.10% and 44.34±0.13% mycelial growth inhibition. The oil was active against Bipolaris maydis and Rhizoctonia solani at concentration of 2.5μg/μL while, Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria alternata were least active for this oil. The minimum inhibitory concentration and IC50 showed a range from 1.2 μg/μL to 1.8 μg/μL as compared with standard fungicides (Amphotericin and Clotrimazole) with IC50 values ranging from 0.5 μg/μL to 0.9 μg/μL and 0.5 μg/μL to 1.5 μg/μL. Conclusions: The essential oil dominated by n-tetradecanal (15.16%), isopropylcyclohexene (13.58%), trimethylsilylpalmitate (12.50%), longipianol (7.76%), n-eocosane (7.46%), z-patchenal (4.40%), and guaiadienal (4.07%) as the major components from aerial parts which showed a marked antifungal activity against Bipolaris maydis and Rhizoctonia solani

IoT based Personal Voice Assistant

Today, technological advancement is increasing day by day. Earlier, there was only a computer system in which we could only perform a few tasks. But now, machine learning, artificial intelligence, deep learning, and a few more technologies have made computer systems so advanced that we can perform any type of task. In this era of advancement, if people are still struggling to interact using various input devices, then it's not worth it. For this reason, we developed a voice assistant using Python that allows the user to run any type of command in Linux without interaction with the keyboard. The main task of the voice assistant is to minimize the use of input devices like the keyboard and mouse. It will also reduce hardware space and cost

Survey on unmanned aerial vehicle for Mars exploration: deployment use case

In recent years, the area of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has seen rapid growth. There has been a trend to build and produce UAVs that can carry out planetary exploration throughout the past decade. The technology of UAVs has tremendous potential to support various successful space mission solutions. In general, different techniques for observing space objects are available, such as telescopes, probes, and flying spacecraft, orbiters, landers, and rovers. However, a detailed analysis has been carried out due to the benefits of UAVs relative to other planetary exploration techniques. The deployment of UAVs to other solar bodies has been considered by numerous space agencies worldwide, including NASA. This article contributes to investigating the types of UAVs that have been considered for various planetary explorations. This study further investigates the behaviour of UAV prototypes on Mars’ surface in particular. It has been discovered that a prototype UAV flight on Mars has a higher chance of success. In this research, a prototype UAV has been successfully simulated to fly on Mars’ surface. This article discusses the opportunities, challenges, and future scope of deploying UAVs on Mars.ye