In most of the machining processes, the complexity arises in the selection of the right process parameters, which influence the machining process and output responses such as machinability and surface roughness. In such situations, it is important to estimate the inter-relationships among the output responses. One such method, Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) is applied to study the inter-relationships of the output responses. Estimation of proper weights is also crucial where the output responses are conflicting in nature. In the current study, DEMATEL technique is used for estimating the inter-relationships for output responses in machining of EN 24 alloy under dry conditions. CRiteria Importance Through Inter-criteria Correlation (CRITIC) method is used to estimate the weights and finally the optimal selection of machining parameters is carried out using Techniques for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method. The model developed guides the decision maker in selection of precise weights, estimation of the inter relationships among the responses and selection of optimal process parameters.

A series of N-acetyl pyrazole derivatives, 1-acetyl-3-aryl-5-[5'-(4-nitrophenyl)-2'-furyl]-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles (5a-j) were synthesized by cyclocondensation reaction between 1-aryl-3-[5-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-furyl]prop-2-en-1-ones (4a-j) and hydrazine hydrate in glacial acetic acid at reflux temperature. Before that, compounds (4a-j) were synthesized by the condensation of 5-(4-nitrophenyl) furan-2-carbaldehyde (3) with various aromatic ketones by using alkali as catalyst. The constitution of the synthesized products has been characterized by using elemental analysis, Infrared,¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy and further supported by Mass spectroscopy. All the products have been screened for their in-vitro biological assay like antibacterial activity towards Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains and antifungal activity towards Aspergillus niger at a concentration of 40 µg/ml. It was exposed that the compounds 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5g, 5h and 5j showed motivating antibacterial and antifungal activity compared to the used reference standard.

Cross-docking is a logistics strategy that consolidates the products of different inbound trucks according to their destinations in order to reduce the inventory, order picking, and transportation costs. It requires a high level of collaboration between inbound trucks, internal operations, and outbound trucks. This article addresses the truck-to-door sequencing problem. Truck-to-door sequencing has been studied by some researchers in different titles such as scheduling and sequencing of inbound and outbound trucks of the cross-dock center. However, previous studies have not considered repeat truck holding pattern. Therefore, it is important to determine the doors and the sequence of the inbound and outbound trucks that should be assigned in a cross-dock center. This paper focuses on optimizing truck-to-door sequencing with consideration of repeat truck holding pattern in inbound trucks in order to minimize makespan. Two methods are considered to solve this problem, including mathematical modeling and a heuristic algorithm. In the first method, a mixed integer-programming model is developed to minimize the makespan. Then, GAMS software is used to solve small-scale problems. In the second approach, a heuristic algorithm is developed to find near-optimal solutions within the shortest time possible and the algorithm is used to solve large-scale problems. The results of the mathematical model and the heuristic algorithm are slightly different and show the good quality of the presented heuristic algorithm.

Science and technological developments in the material field have been currently dedicated to a super strong material potential based on nanotechnology. The super strong material can be created from the mixture of epoxy-resin polymer and SiO₂ (silicon dioxide) nanoparticles. Polymers exist as a nanoparticle adhesive due to nano-SiO₂, which possesses a high amorphic level, resulting in a stronger, more flexible, and stiffer combination than the current super strong material. The advantages of nanocomposite polymer using epoxy- resin and nano-SiO₂ produce strong and light products with an easier production process, utilizing local materials that can improve the following material quality. This study used four material variations, namely P30, P35, P40, and P45, combined with nanoparticles at 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%. Based on the results, the highest compressive strength level was found on the PNK 40 EH2:1N1 mixture at 53.18 MPa with 1627 kg/m3 weight density. From the X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) test results, the following mixture had the lowest amorphic phase, while Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) test results showed that the following mixture absorbed more hydrogen elements, and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observation on the following material mixture had more organized particle distribution.

The present investigation was carried out to study the effects of inorganic, organic nitrogen fertilizers and activators (Humic and Fulvic acid) on chemical composition and productivity of corn. This study was conducted at Shandweel Agricultural Research Stations, Sohag Governorate, Egypt, and is situated at 26.6⁰ N latitude and 37.7⁰ E longitude. Its altitude is about 70 m above mean sea level. Also, this study was performed during two successive summer seasons 2014 and 2015. The experiments were laid down in split-split plot design with four replications. The treatments were included mineral nitrogen application in three levels (i.e. 60, 90 and 120 kg N fed.^-1), organic and bio fertilizer application (without organic and bio fertilizer, 10 m³ FYM fed.^-1 and Microbeine inoculume) as well as foliar spray of humic acid (water spraying, humic and fulvic acid spraying). The obtained results revealed that the interaction effects of all factors under study were significant for all studied traits.

In this work, we studied the problem of thermoelastic diffusion beams on the basis of modified couple stress theory under the effects of two temperature and laser pulse. The Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and the Laplace transform technique are applied to solve the basic equations of thermoelastic diffusion in the non-dimensional form. The transformed components of displacement, lateral deflection, axial stress, temperature change, concentration, and chemical potential are calculated mathematically to solve the problem. Copper material is used to prepare the mathematical model. The general algorithm of the inverse Laplace transform technique has been calculated numerically. MATLAB software is used to find the results numerically and depict them graphically. The effects of two temperature, laser pulse, and couple stress are presented graphically on the physical quantities. Particular cases are also discussed in the present problem. Laser pulse has many applications in Heat treatment, cutting of plastics, glasses, ceramics, semiconductors and metals, surgery, Lithography, and welding.

Field experiments were carried out for two consecutive seasons at the Experimental Shandaweel Agricultural Research Station, Sohag Governorate, Upper Egypt, during the growing seasons of 2013 and 2014, to study the Effect of Irrigation intervals and foliar spray of zinc and silicon treatments on Maize growth and yield components of maize. Results indicated that, scheduling at every 10 days produced the highest plant height, Flag Leaf area (cm²), Cob length (cm), Weight of 100-grains (g), Biological yield (T/fad.) and Grain yield (ard./fed.) followed by irrigation at 15 and 20 days interval, in contrast irrigation at 25 days interval produced the lowest values and foliar spray of zinc and silicon treatments produced the highest plant height-improved yield and yield components of maize crop. The best yield was obtained from zinc + silicon treatments followed by zinc, silicon treatments. In contrast, untreated treatments produced the lowest values. It can be concluded that the scheduling at every 10 days and application of foliar spray of zinc + silicon treatments as the effective one could be recommended for scheduling irrigation at every 10 days with application of foliar spray of zinc + silicon treatments of maize crop at Shandaweel Agricultural Research Station, Sohag Governorate, Upper Egypt to obtained the best results from maize grain yield.

Nowadays, oil companies have to deal with an increasingly competitive environment. In this sense, the optimization of operational processes to enhance efficiency is crucial. This article addresses the design of a decision support tool for the inland upstream transport logistics in the oil industry based on a case of study in Argentina. This problem is traditionally difficult to solve for managers due to the large number of demand facilities scattered on a large geographic area that have to be served and the consideration of several operational requirements, such as maximum allowable travel times for vehicles, availability of a limited fleet size with a small number of drivers, plus the usual demand constraints as well as those arising from security risks derived from the incompatibility of chemical products. A novel mathematical formulation and a constructive heuristic are proposed in order to address this problem. The results allow to reduce the time that the company spends for obtaining a feasible distribution plan that minimizes the time horizon of the distribution schedule provided to the clients and enhances customer satisfaction.

This project was started when an unknown peak was being detected in the organic volatile impurity (OVI) analysis (using the head-space vapor sampling procedure) of bortezomib (BZB) active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), in pharmaceutical companies. During the OVI analysis of the API of BZB, a huge-area peak with an unknown source appeared in the chromatograms of the gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The data prepared by GC-MAS revealed that the considered huge peak was 3-methylbutanal (3MBut). But, investigating the synthesis procedures showed that during all the synthesis steps, 3MBut or any other solvent containing this impurity was not being applied. Thus, we had concluded that there is a possibility for emergence of this aldehyde from bortezomib itself. To find out which part of bortezomib might turn into 3MBut, we began to investigate all its molecular structure, and hypothesized that the α-amino-boronic acid part of the molecule turned into 3MBut. The experimental analysis and theoretical quantum chemical calculations confirmed that the α-amino-boronic acid center of bortezomib molecule undergoes a rare and unexpected aerobic oxidation by O2 molecule, even in catalyst and solvent-free conditions. The result of this project not only might make clear the passive source of the 3MBut peak of the OVI of bortezomib, but also, it would suggest to store this API in an inert oxygen-free atmosphere to improve the long-term and accelerated (thermal) stability of this very expensive anti-cancer drug.

This review article aims to provide a greater understanding of on-going research in fracture behavior of additively manufacturable microcellular structures. Despite growing recent investigations in the mechanics of microcellular structures, predominantly on their constitutive behavior and structural optimization, understanding the fracture behavior is still in its infancy, particularly for functionally patterned microcellular structures. While presenting a comprehensive review of the past and current research activities, this paper discusses potential future directions that are necessary to fully cover unexplored areas in this field.