Search

Generally, in real world multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) problems, we concern with inaccurate data. This paper transforms a fuzzy multiple criteria decision making (FMCDM) problem into two linear programming models based on simple additive weighting method (SAW). The new linear models calculate two scores for each alternative in optimistic and pessimistic viewpoints. To rank the alternatives, the numerical value of the arithmetic mean of good score and bad score is used as final score of each alternative. Finally, we illustrate the practical applications of the proposed method in selection an industrial zone for construct dairy products factory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asphalt pavement structures in countries with tropical climates are prone to experience distress, mainly due to water related damage. This study aims to evaluate the effects of ZycoTherm on the behaviour of natural rubber latex (NRL) modified asphalt binders. The morphology of the modified asphalt binders was also investigated. Two different percentages of NRL were incorporated in this study, at 3% and 6% respectively based on the weight of the asphalt binder. The modified asphalt binders (with or without ZycoTherm) were analysed based on softening point, penetration value, rotational viscosity, complex modulus, phase angle, rutting potential, and torsional recovery (TR). Subsequently, the spreadability of NRL in the asphalt binder was observed using a polarising optical microscope. The results indicate that the addition of NRL improved the performance of the asphalt binder in terms of its G*/sinδ parameter. An agglomerated network of mixed microstructures was formed in the modified asphalt binder matrix irrespective of the aging condition. Meanwhile, the morphology structure of virgin and short term-aged binders prepared with ZycoTherm indicates uniform dispersed network monographs. From the modified asphalt binder test results, it can be deduced that asphalt binders prepared with ZycoTherm exhibit superior resistance towards rutting potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pituitary carcinomas are poorly understood, rare entities. They are distinguished from adenomas not by histopathological features but rather by the presence of metastases. Objective: We discuss the diagnosis, mechanism of dissemination and pathogenesis based on a review of the literature and illustrated by a singular case. Case Report: A 59-year-old male presented with a dural-based posterior fossa lesion. He had been diagnosed with a pituitary chromophobe adenoma 43 years earlier that was treated at the time with surgery and radiation therapy. A presumptive diagnosis of a radiation-induced meningioma was made and surgery was recommended. At surgery the tumour resembled a pituitary adenoma. Histopathology, laboratory findings, and the patient's medical history confirmed the final diagnosis of a prolactin-secreting pituitary carcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the longest reported interval between the pituitary adenoma and metastatic lesion diagnosis (43 years). Conclusion: Management should be tailored to individual patient and may include a combination of treatments (surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone-targeted therapy). Functionally active tumours may be monitored with hormone levels as tumour markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Flat foot is one of the lower extremity deformities that might change kinetic variables of gait. Fatigue is one of the factors that can alter the vertical ground-reaction force (GRF). The effect of a fatiguing condition on vertical GRF has not been documented in individuals with flat feet. Objective: To examine the fatigue effect on vertical GRF in individuals with flat feet compared with a normal group during barefoot walking. Design: Repeated-measure ANOVA for the effects of fatigue on individuals with flat feet and normal feet. Setting: Biomechanics laboratory. Participants: 17 subjects with flat feet and 17 normal subjects (recruited according to their arch-height ratio). Main Outcome Measures: Three vertical GRF measures (F1, the first peak force; F2, minimum force; and F3, the second peak force) were extracted before and after a functional fatigue protocol. Results: No significant interaction between fatigue and group was observed for the 3 vertical GRF measures. For F2, fatigue and group effects were significant (P = .001 and P = .02, respectively). Furthermore, F2 was higher in the flat-feet group than in the normal group; F2 also increased after fatigue. For F3, only a significant fatigue effect was observed (P = .004). F3 decreased after fatigue in both groups. Conclusions: In the flat-feet group, a decrease in the variation of vertical GRF might be due to more flexible foot joints. After fatigue, muscles might lose their ability to control the foot joints and cause higher F2 in the flat-feet group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new organic-inorganic nano hybrid ionic liquid based on polyoxometalate H2 [MIMBS]4 [P2W18O62]·11 H2O (MIMBS − P2W18), originated from self-assembling of Dawson-type polyoxometalate [P2W18 O62]6− and organic ionic liquid [1-(3-sulfonic group) butyl-3-methyl imidazolium (MIMBS)] components, has been successfully prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), 1H, 13C, and 15P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The analysis results present that the size range of the nanosheets are between 40 and 50 nm. The resulting heterogeneous catalyst is shown to be an efficient acidic catalyst for the synthesis of symmetrical N, N′-alkylidene bisamides under solvent-free conditions at 80 °C in high yields. After completion of reaction, the catalyst was simply recovered by filtration and recycled without significant loss in the catalytic activity. The hallmark privileges presented by this method are green chemistry, mild condition, simple method and great yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable airline operations have become an increasingly important issue in recent years. With this respect, several initiatives for reducing pollutant emissions—such as carbon dioxide (CO2)—in the airline industry are now under consideration by regulators, policymakers, and companies. The impact of these initiatives upon efficiency levels of airline operations is still being analysed by different authors. This article is focused on the efficiency assessment of 13 major Chinese airlines from 2008 to 2015, applying a modified slack‐based measure model to account for CO2 emissions. The impact of contextual variables related to the airline's age, fleet mix, stock market governance, ownership type, network span, and whether or not it has undergone a previous merger and acquisition process is tested by means of a stochastic non‐linear robust regression approach. Findings suggest that sustainability in Chinese airline operations is dependent upon a number of economic factors such as learning curve, economies of scale, technology type, and network management. Policy implications are derived for Chinese airlines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paved surfaces must reliably bear heavy loads, often under challenging environmental and geotechnical conditions. These requirements are addressed through the use of high-quality, newly produced materials in pavement design. However, in remote locations, newly produced materials are often expensive or unavailable, making waste or alternative materials more attractive. Waste materials can be used in their natural condition but are more commonly stabilised or otherwise improved to meet performance targets. However, this practice can incorporate unwarranted risk into pavement design solutions. The decision to use waste materials in a pavement is a balance between technical risk, maintenance liability, available materials, environmental emissions and capital cost. This study reviews the use of waste materials in pavement design and construction. Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) materials and processed waste plastic for pavement construction are considered. Additionally, blast furnace slag (BFS) and waste glass in pavement construction are evaluated. This review focuses on the effects of alternative materials on the properties of asphalt pavement. The results indicate that RAP is acceptable as an alternative material, while BFS, waste plastic and waste glass can be used under specific conditions. Also, the current and future challenges for the use of waste materials in the pavement industry are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]