A Hesitant Fuzzy Linguistic TODIM Method Based on a Score Function

The authors are very grateful to the editor and anonymous referees for their insightful and valuable suggestions that have led to an improved version of this paper. The work was partly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (71371107, 71171187), the National Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2013GM011), the Spanish National research project TIN2012-31263, Spanish Ministry of Economy and Finance Postdoctoral Training (FPDI-2013-18193) and ERDF.Hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets (HFLTSs) are very useful for dealing with the situations in which the decision makers hesitate among several linguistic terms to assess an alternative. Some multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods have been developed to deal with HFLTSs. These methods are derived under the assumption that the decision maker is completely rational and do not consider the decision maker's psychological behavior. But some studies about behavioral experiments have shown that the decision maker is bounded rational in decision processes and the behavior of the decision maker plays an important role in decision analysis. In this paper, we extend the classical TODIM (an acronym in Portuguese of interactive and multi-criteria decision-making) method to solve MCDM problems dealing with HFLTSs and considering the decision maker's psychological behavior. A novel score function to compare HFLTSs more effectively is defined. This function is also used in the proposed TODIM method. Finally, a decision-making problem that concerns the evaluation and ranking of several telecommunications service providers is used to illustrate the validity and applicability of the proposed method.National Natural Science Foundation of China 71371107 71171187Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province ZR2013GM011Spanish National research project TIN2012-31263Spanish Ministry of Economy and Finance Postdoctoral Training FPDI-2013-18193European Union (EU

Entropy Measures for Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets and Their Application in Group Decision-Making

Entropy measure is an important topic in the fuzzy set theory and has been investigated by many researchers from different points of view. In this paper, two new entropy measures based on the cosine function are proposed for intuitionistic fuzzy sets and interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets. According to the features of the cosine function, the general forms of these two kinds of entropy measures are presented. Compared with the existing ones, the proposed entropy measures can overcome some shortcomings and be used to measure both fuzziness and intuitionism of these two fuzzy sets; as a result, the uncertain information of which can be described more sufficiently. These entropy measures have been applied to assess the experts’ weights and to solve multicriteria fuzzy group decision-making problems

Effects of transition elements on the site preference, elastic properties and phase stability of L1 2 γ′-Co 3 (Al, W) from first-principles calculations

Abstract(#br)We performed a systematic study of alloying effects on the site preference, elastic properties and phase stability of L1 2 γ′-Co 3 (Al, W) in terms of the first-principles calculations. Up to twenty-one transition metal elements (Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru. Rh, Pd, Hf, Ta, Re, Os, Ir and Pt) were considered in this work. We find that Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Hf, Ta, Re and Os favor to occupy the Al site, and Fe, Ni, Ru. Rh, Pd, Ir and Pt favor to occupy the Co site, except for Y, Fe and Ru, other transition metal elements can stabilize the L1 2 γ′-Co 3 (Al, W) at 0 K. By using stress-strain method, the elastic properties including bulk modulus, shear modulus and Young’s modulus were evaluated. It is verified that the elastic properties of L1 2 γ′-Co 3 (Al, W) depend on not only volume change but also electron density as well as electronic configurations. The thermodynamic results of phase stability of L1 2 γ′-Co 3 (Al, W) reveal that Hf, Ti and Ta are the promising alloying elements to improve the stability of L1 2 γ′-Co 3 (Al, W)

Characterization of the microRNA408-LACCASE5 module as a regulatory axis for photosynthetic efficiency in Medicago ruthenica: implications for forage yield enhancement

Medicago ruthenica is closely related to Medicago sativa, a commonly cultivated forage. Characterized by its high tolerance to environmental stress, M. ruthenica is a valuable genetic resource. However, low yield limits its large-scale utilization. Leaf morphology, an important agronomic trait, is closely related to forage yield and photosynthetic efficiency. In the presented study, “Correlation of Leaf Morphology and Photosynthetic Performance with Forage Yield in Medicago ruthenica: The Underlying Molecular Mechanisms,” comprehensive data analysis revealed a significant positive association between leaf width and leaf area with forage yield in Medicago ruthenica (p < 0.05). The specific cultivar “Mengnong No.1 (MN No.1) had a large leaf area, and its physiological parameters related to photosynthetic characteristics were superior. Anatomical examination revealed that the leaves of MN No.1 had strong palisade tissue and compact cell structure. Subsequent investigations, utilizing small RNA and transcriptome sequencing, discerned critical miRNA-target gene networks that underpin the high photosynthetic efficiency in M. ruthenica. A total of 63 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified, inclusive of several well-characterized miRNAs such as miR408, miR171, and miR398. These miRNAs were predicted to target 55 genes (mRNAs), of which 6 miRNA-target gene pairs, particularly those involving miR408and miR171, exhibited inverse expression patterns. Among the six postulated miRNA-target gene pairs, the targeted cleavage of LACCASE5 (LAC5) by miR408 was conclusively validated through degradome sequencing, with the cleavage site pinpointed between the 9th and 10th nucleotides from the 5′end of miR408 via the 5′-RLM-RACE assay. Therefore, it is posited that the miR408-MrLAC5 module constitutes a central mechanism in fostering high photosynthetic efficiency in M. ruthenica. Moreover, these findings also provide valuable information for further study of the regulatory genes and miRNA functions of forage yield in legume forage

Purification and characterization of a novel defensin from the salivary glands of the black fly, Simulium bannaense

BACKGROUND: Black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) are haematophagous insects that can cause allergic reactions and act as vectors of pathogens. Although their saliva has been thought to contain a diverse array of physiologically active molecules, little information is available on antimicrobial factors in black fly salivary glands, especially no defensins have been reported so far. METHODS: A novel cationic defensin designated SibaDef was purified using reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) from the salivary glands of the black fly Simulium bannaense. The amino acid sequence of SibaDef was determined by a combination method of automated Edman degradation and cDNA sequencing. The morphologic changes of Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus or Bacillus subtilis treated with SibaDef were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed to analyze the expression of SibaDef mRNA in whole bodies of insects after oral infection with the bacteria S. aureus or B. subtilis. RESULTS: Surprisingly, the phylogenetic analysis of defensin-related amino acid sequences demonstrated that SibaDef is most closely related to defensins from the human body louse Pediculus humanus corporis (Anoplura: Pediculidae), rather than to other dipteran defensins. SibaDef showed potent antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive bacteria with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.83 μM to 2.29 μM. SEM analysis indicated that SibaDef killed microorganisms through the disruption of cell membrane integrity. The transcript levels of SibaDef in the bacteria-immunized flies increased with the time course, reaching maximum at 36 h and then slowly decreased from that time point. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that SibaDef is involved in the innate humoral response of the black fly S. bannaense, and it might play a significant role in the defence against microorganisms in both sugar and blood meals

A strategy for designing microencapsulated composite phase change thermal storage materials with tunable melting temperature

Abstract(#br)Thermal energy storage technology with high temperature phase change materials (PCMs) plays an increasingly important role in the concentrated solar power plants and industrial waste heat recovery systems. In this study, a novel displacement reaction between tetraethoxysilane as SiO 2 source and molten raw Al powder was purposed to successfully prepare Al-Si/Al 2 O 3 high temperature composite PCMs. Interestingly, by proposed synthetic methodology, we not only achieved the in-situ synthesis of Al-Si alloy PCM and Al 2 O 3 shell, but also realized the controllability of Al-Si alloy composition and Al 2 O 3 shell layer thickness. Our results indicated that the melting temperature of the prepared composite PCMs depended on the composition of Al-Si alloy, and could be designed within a certain temperature range (from 574.0 °C to 641.4 °C), instead of a particular temperature point. The melting temperature adjustability of the prepared composite PCMs provided an additional flexibility in different working temperature conditions. Moreover, the prepared composite PCMs exhibited a relatively high thermal storage capacity (248.6 J/g to 331.0 J/g), good thermal stability, excellent repeatable utilization property and certain shell layer self-repairing ability in the working temperature range. Therefore, the prepared composite PCMs can prove to be promising thermal energy storage materials for improving the energy efficiency in various systems under different working temperature conditions

Novel core/void/shell composite phase change materials for high temperature thermal energy storage

Abstract(#br)Metallic solid-liquid phase change materials (SLPCMs) are crucial for the thermal energy storage technology of various industrial systems. However, the encapsulation of metallic SLPCMs is still technically difficult. In this pursuit, the present research envisaged the development of a novel technology to successfully prepare the core(=Al-Si/Bi)/void/shell(=Al 2 O 3 ) composite SLPCMs by using Al/Bi immiscible alloy powders as starting material and tetraethoxysilane as SiO 2 source. The Al-Si alloy and Al 2 O 3 shell were in-situ synthesized by the displacement reaction between SiO 2 and molten Al. Interestingly, most of the Bi distributed in the shell of Al/Bi immiscible alloy powders could not only improve the activity of alloy powders and promote the formation of precursor shell, but also be recycled by evaporation to form the void layer during the calcination process of composite SLPCMs. The produced void layer provided a space buffer to alleviate the volume expansion of the core SLPCM, and thereby improving the thermal cycling stability of the prepared composite SLPCMs. The thermal cycling test results showed that after 300 thermal cycles, the melting latent heat reduction of the core(=Al-Si/Bi)/void/shell(=Al 2 O 3 ) composite SLPCMs (24.3-31.7J/g) was much less than that of the core(=Al-Si)/shell(=Al 2 O 3 ) composite SLPCM (58.1J/g). Moreover, the prepared Al-Si/Bi/Al 2 O 3 exhibited an adjustable melting temperature (571.9℃ to 631.9℃) and average particle diameter (39.3μm to 112.6μm), relatively high thermal conductivity [2.068W(mK) -1 to 2.966W(mK) -1 ], and excellent thermal energy storage capacity (209.5J/g to 278.2J/g). Thus, the prepared Al-Si/Bi/Al 2 O 3 composite SLPCMs are potential thermal energy storage materials, which can be used to improve the energy efficiency of various industrial systems

Functional group differentiation of isomeric solvents enables distinct zinc anode chemistry

Electrolytes hold the key to realizing reliable zinc (Zn) anodes. Divergent organic molecules have been proven effective in stabilizing Zn anodes; however, irrational comparisons exist due to the uncontrolled molecular weights and functional group amounts. In this work, two “isomeric molecules”: 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) and 1-methoxy-2-propanol (PM), with identical molecular weights but different functional groups, have been studied as co-solvents in electrolytes, which have delivered distinct electrochemical performance. Experimental and simulative study indicates the dipole moment induced by the hydroxyl groups in PM (higher molecular polarity than ether groups in DME) reconstructs the space charge region, enhances the concentration of Zn2+ in the vicinity of Zn anodes, and in-situ derives different solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) models and electrode–electrolyte interfaces, resulting in exceptional cycling stability. Remarkably, the Zn||Cu cell with PM worked over 2000 cycles with high Coulombic efficiency (CE) of 99.7%. The Zn||Zn symmetric cell cycled over 2000 h at 1 mA·cm−2, and showed excellent stability at an ultrahigh current density of 10 mA·cm−2 and capacity of 20 mAh·cm−2 over 200 h (depth of discharge, DOD of 70%). The Zn||sodium vanadate pouch cell with a high mass loading of 6.3 mg·cm−2 and a high capacity of 24 mAh demonstrates superior cyclability after 570 h. This work can be a good starting point to provide reliable guidance on electrolyte design for practical aqueous Zn batteries