In practical scheduling problems, some factors such as depreciation cost, green costs like the amount of energy consumption or carbon emission, other resources consumption, raw material cost, etc., are not explicitly related to the machine processing times. Most of these factors can be generally considered as machine costs. Considering the machine cost as another objective alongside the other classical time-driven decision objectives can be an attractive work in scheduling problems. However, this subject has not been discussed thoroughly in the literature for the case the machines have fixed processing costs. This paper investigates a general unrelated parallel machine scheduling problem with the machine processing cost. In this problem, it is assumed that processing a job on a machine incurs a particular cost in addition to processing time. The considered objectives are the makespan and the total cost, which are minimized simultaneously to obtain Pareto optimal solutions. The efficacy of the mathematical programming approach to solve the considered problem is evaluated rigorously in this paper. In this respect, a multiobjective solution procedure is proposed to generate a set of appropriate Pareto solutions for the decision-maker based on the mathematical programming approach. In this procedure, the ϵ-constraint method is first used to convert the bi-objective optimization problem into single-objective problems by transferring the makespan to the set of constraints. Then, the single-objective problems are solved using the CPLEX software. Moreover, some strategies are also used to reduce the solution time of the problem. At the end of the paper, comprehensive numerical experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed multiobjective solution procedure. A vast range of problem sizes is selected for the test problems, up to 50 machines and 500 jobs. Furthermore, some rigorous analyses are performed to significantly restrict the patterns of generating processing time and cost parameters for the problem instances. The experimental results demonstrate the mathematical programming solution approach's efficacy in solving the problem. It is observed that even for large-scale problems, a diverse set of uniformly distributed Pareto solutions can be generated in a reasonable time with the gaps from the optimality less than 0.03 most of the time.

The Central Coast of Vietnam, spanning from Thanh Hoa province to Binh Thuan province, holds a highly significant political and economic position, with the marine economy making substantial contributions to the existence and development of the region. This study aims to identify the factors influencing marine economic development (MED), evaluate the extent of influence of each factor, and determine whether security and coastal defense (SCD) plays an intermediary role in the development of the marine economy in the Central Coast provinces of Vietnam. The research conducted a typical survey of 268 fishermen engaged in marine economic activities, including aquaculture and the exploitation of aquatic resources, across the coastal provinces of the Central Coast of Vietnam. The collected data was analyzed using the structural equation modeling method through PLS-SEM software. The results of the study indicate that six factors have a direct and positive impact on MED. These factors, ranked by decreasing levels of influence, are: SCD (β = 0.412), Policy and Management (PM) (β = 0.329), Human Resources (HR) and Marine Infrastructure (MI) (both β = 0.268), Marine Resources (MR) (β = 0.204), and the lowest, Technology and Protection of Marine Environment (TPME) (β = 0.152). Additionally, the findings reveal that the three factors are HR, PM, and MI positively influence the SCD variable, with the levels of influence ranked as follows: HR (β = 0.272), PM (β = 0.224), and MI (β = 0.166). Moreover, at a significance level of 5%, all independent variables (HR, PM, and MI) exhibit statistically significant indirect relationships with MED through the SCD variable, confirming that SCD serves as an intermediary in the relationship with MED. Based on these findings, the study proposes managerial implications to support the development of the marine economy in the Central Coast provinces of Vietnam.

A series of new compounds, Substituted 2-((2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-2-yl)thio)-N'-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)acetohydrazide (3a-3g), 2-((2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-2-yl)thio)-N-(2,4'-dioxospiro[indoline-3,2'-thiazolidin]-3'yl)acetamide (4a-4g), and 2'-(((2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-2-yl)thio)methyl)spiro[indoline-3,5'-thiazolo[4,3-b][1,3,4]oxadiazol]-2-one (5a-5g), were synthesized and checked for their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antibacterial activities. Compound 5d proved to be the most potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent. The analgesic activity, however, was maximum in compound 5e. The structural integrity of the synthesized compounds was ascertained using elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy (IR), and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR).

Consumer awareness is one where the buyer could take the right decision in purchasing all types of product. Marketers in view of earning profit, neglect the interest of the consumers and this leads to exploitation of the buyers. To investigate the current scenario, this study focused on the consumer awareness in the urban and rural area towards the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) along with the exploitation if any that existed in the market. For this purpose, 557 consumers who were using FMCG products residing in the western region of Tamilnadu were selected through cluster sampling followed by simple random sampling. To meet out the objectives, various statistical tools through SPSS 21 were applied and the result revealed that all the constructs like communication, price, labeling, promotion and unfair trade practices, if any remarkably influencing the consumer awareness. Also, labeling has a noteworthy mediating role between consumer awareness and satisfaction. But there existed a direct negative effect of consumer awareness on the satisfaction. It is suggested that marketers need to focus to fulfill all the rights of the consumers as detailed in the consumerism.

This study aims to investigate the strategies employed by halal food manufacturers in Malaysia to mitigate operational supply risks. This study selected a sample of 369 respondents using a simple random sampling method to participate in the main survey. The collected dataset was analysed using covariance-based software (AMOS-SEM)) to test the study hypotheses. The findings of this research highlight that halal food manufacturers in Malaysia proactively adopt measures to manage operational supply risks from suppliers. Notably, they utilize behaviour-based and buffer-based strategies to effectively minimize the impact of these risks. This study focused on supply-related risks. To secure the integrity of halal, the firms must address demand-related risks and governmental and organizational risks to ensure the halalness of halal products. Therefore, it is crucial to consider risk management for all parts of the supply chain to guarantee the halal compliance of food products. The study highlights halal firms' need for behaviour-based and buffer-based risk management strategies to mitigate price, quality, and delivery risks while ensuring brand reputation and consumer trust through collaboration, information sharing, and supplier performance evaluation. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the operational supply risks faced by halal food manufacturers, offering insights into the unique challenges and vulnerabilities within the halal food supply chain. By specifically focusing on Malaysia, this research contributes to the limited existing literature in this specific context, further enriching our knowledge in this field.

This study aims to investigate the strategies employed by halal food manufacturers in Malaysia to mitigate operational supply risks. This study selected a sample of 369 respondents using a simple random sampling method to participate in the main survey. The collected dataset was analysed using covariance-based software (AMOS-SEM)) to test the study hypotheses. The findings of this research highlight that halal food manufacturers in Malaysia proactively adopt measures to manage operational supply risks from suppliers. Notably, they utilize behaviour-based and buffer-based strategies to effectively minimize the impact of these risks. This study focused on supply-related risks. To secure the integrity of halal, the firms must address demand-related risks and governmental and organizational risks to ensure the halalness of halal products. Therefore, it is crucial to consider risk management for all parts of the supply chain to guarantee the halal compliance of food products. The study highlights halal firms' need for behaviour-based and buffer-based risk management strategies to mitigate price, quality, and delivery risks while ensuring brand reputation and consumer trust through collaboration, information sharing, and supplier performance evaluation. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the operational supply risks faced by halal food manufacturers, offering insights into the unique challenges and vulnerabilities within the halal food supply chain. By specifically focusing on Malaysia, this research contributes to the limited existing literature in this specific context, further enriching our knowledge in this field.

Automated guided vehicle (AGV) is widely used in automated manufacturing systems as a material handling tool. Although the task scheduling problem with isomorphic AGV has remained a very active research field through the years, too little work has been devoted to the task scheduling problems with heterogeneous AGVs. A coupled task with heterogeneous AGVs is a complex task that needs the cooperation of more than one type of AGVs. In this paper, a manufacturing system with two types of AGVs and three types of tasks is studied. To solve the coupled task scheduling problem with heterogeneous AGVs in this manufacturing system, we introduce two new methods based on the established mathematical model, namely, the decoupled scheduling strategy and coupled scheduling strategy with multi-decision model. The decoupled scheduling strategy is widely used in coupled task scheduling problems. However, there are some situations that the decoupled scheduling strategy cannot solve the problem well. To overcome the problem, the multi-decision point model solves the coupled task scheduling problem without decomposition. In order to ensure the searching speed and searching accuracy, a novel hybrid heuristic algorithm based on simulated annealing algorithm and tabu search algorithm is developed. The simulation experiment results show the proposed coupled scheduling algorithm has priority in coupled task scheduling problems.

A series of 6-(Aryl)-4-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenylmethoxy)-3-methoxyphenyl]-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-indazol-3-one derivatives (3a-3i) have been synthesized by refluxing of previously synthesized Ethyl-4-(aryl)-6-[4-(2,4-Dichlorophenylmethoxy)-3-methoxyphenyl]-2-oxo-cyclohex-3-eneoates (2a-2i) with hydrazine hydrate in methanol for 7-8 hours in presence of catalytic amount of glacial acetic acid. The analytical and physical data of all the synthesized compounds (2a-2i) and (3a-3i) were observed and reported. The structures of each newly synthesized Indazole derivative have been characterized by various methods like Elemental analysis, Infrared spectroscopy, 1H-NMR and 13CMR spectroscopy and Mass spectroscopy. Furthermore, each compound was screened for its in-vitro antibacterial activity towards Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains and antifungal towards fungi Aspergillus niger (A. niger) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) with the concentration of 40 μg/ml and data was collected.

In today’s rapidly changing business environment, franchisees’ market responsiveness is a way to create a sustainable competitive advantage. Drawing on the resource-based view, dynamic capability perspective and relational view, this study examines the relationships between franchisor resources, relational capital, market responsiveness, and franchisee performance. Based on data collected from 152 franchisees in a convenience store chain in Taiwan, the analysis revealed that market responsiveness, franchisor resources and relational capital are all positively related to franchisee performance. Franchisor resources and relational capital positively affect franchisee performance both directly and indirectly through market responsiveness. Furthermore, relational capital has the strongest effect on franchisee performance.

In this charge we designated a Hilbert-Johnson process by coupling of heterocyclic N-silylated with benzyl chloride at 100°C using the calcined red algae (CRA) doped with ammonium sulfate (AS), AS@CRA as a heterogeneous catalyst. The resulting examination systems, which included atomic absorption, BET methodology and X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), were employed to describe these catalysts. The effect of catalyst and alkylated agent were extensively studied. This catalyst can also be recycled several times in this condensation, and lastly, we suggested a probable answer mechanism for this process. Moreover, our molecular docking investigation revealed the anti-tuberculosis potential of the synthesized compounds. Notably, the drug isoniazid exhibited higher binding energies compared to the products 2a, 2b, and 2c. Additionally, the ADME study suggests that highly efficacious synthetic compounds may possess anti-tuberculosis properties.