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In this study, delay line surface acoustic wave devices were prepared using a 128° Y-cut LiNbO3 piezoelectric substrate. Pure MoS2 and composite materials of MoS2 and SiO2 with various morphologies were sprayed to form sensitive layers. By adjusting the amount of NH4OH catalyst in the precursors, the particle sizes of SiO2 nanospheres were successfully controlled at 70, 200, and 300 nm by the sol-gel method. SiO2 nanospheres were then added to the precursor for preparing rosette-shaped MoS2, and nanocomposites were synthesized by the hydrothermal method. As a result, two types of composite material were obtained, namely, the S-M structure and the M-S structure. As ammonia gas sensors, the results showed that all the sensors exhibited negative frequency shifts as the NH3 gas concentration increased. Surface area and pore size distribution analyzer (BET) analysis showed that the highest specific surface area of 115.57 m²/g occurred on the S-M structural composite material. The sensor using the S-M structural composite material has a sensitivity of 1932 Hz/ppm to NH3 gas. The sensing linearity R-squared value is approximately 0.99, with continuous dynamic sensing at NH3 gas concentrations of 5-50 ppm. Finally, we revealed that decorating MoS2 with SiO2 nanospheres can improve the adsorption of ammonia molecules and significantly enhance sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Saw injuries are common, with more 75 000 occurring each year in the United States alone. While these injuries occur frequently, management strategies are not universally agreed upon, and data regarding outcomes and complications are lacking. We propose to provide a comprehensive picture of upper extremity saw injury patterns, management strategies, complications, and outcomes. Methods: Patients presenting to a single level 1 trauma center between 2012 and2019 with upper extremity laceration, crush, or amputation were identified. In all, 10 721 patients were reviewed, and those without wood saw injuries were excluded. Patient demographic information, injury details, management strategy, and outcomes were collected. Results: In all, 283 upper extremity wood saw injuries were analyzed. Injuries most commonly affected the fingers (92.2%), and the frequencies of simple lacerations and complicated injuries were nearly identical. The table saw was the most commonly implicated saw (48%) with more than half of the injuries being complicated, the most common being bone injury. Most patients were treated nonsurgically (81.3%), with the majority undergoing wound care in the emergency department followed by home antibiotics (68.2%). Subsequent complications were exceedingly rare (4.2%), with wound infection occurring in 5 patients. Amputations occurred in 19.4% of patients, leading to permanent functional impairment. Conclusions: Wood saw injuries are common, generating functional and financial burden. While injuries range in severity, management can typically be conducted within the emergency department with local wound care and outpatient oral antibiotics. Injury complications and long-term issues are rare. Ongoing efforts to promote saw safety are required to minimize the burden of these injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Metal Working (1674-165X) is the property of Metal Working Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: Due to their gluten‐free dietary needs, celiac patients cannot find bread with the required texture characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of psyllium powder in the production of rice‐based, gluten‐free bread rolls. In this case, five different bread rolls were produced by adding different proportions (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) of psyllium powder combinations to bread dough made with rice flour. Moisture and ash content, colour values, volume, symmetry and uniformity indices, textural properties and sensory properties were taken into consideration. It was observed that the addition of psyllium powder gave the bread rolls a spongy structure and decreased the hardness values. As the amount of psyllium powder in the dough formulation increased, darkening in colour and increase in moisture values were observed. In addition, the bread sample psyllium powder and rice flour ratios (1:1) had the largest volume index value (98.67 mm), while the same product received the highest score in SAW techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Metal Working (1674-165X) is the property of Metal Working Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Multi-criteria decision making process has been one of the fastest growing areas during the last decades depending on the change in the business sector. Multi-criteria decision making is the most important branch of operation research by which people make complex decision daily life. The major steps in the decision- making approach are selecting the most preferred alternative for the decision-maker, ranking alternatives in order of importance for selection problems, and screening alternatives for the final decision. Employees are an important element of a company that determines its progress. Conventional (manual) recruitment methods are vulnerable to non-technical factors, such as frequent duplication or invalid data. In this study, simple additive weighting and profile matching are proposed to solve the employee selection problem. This study was conducted at the (UPT) Career Development and Entrepreneurship Universitas Brawijaya Malang using data collected from written test selection in 2019. The effectiveness of both methods was analyzed using confusion matrix. The SAW method provides an accuracy rate of 94.7%, a precision rate of 87.5%, Recall rate of 91.3% and F-measure rate of 89.4%. On the other hand, profile matching method obtained the Accuracy rate of 90.4%, Precision rate of 81.4%, Recall rate of 81.4% and F-measure rate of 81.4%. Thus, it can be concluded that both methods have high accuracy values accompanied by high precision values when used for the selection process. This system can also effectively reduce the bias rate of the same data very well, as can be seen from the high recall and F-measure rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Welding processes are widely used technologies in the industrial context for creating permanent connections between mechanical components. This popularity is due to their versatility, which arises from the numerous available process variants and the multiple advantages they offer compared to other joining techniques. In the manufacturing context, where devices often operate in extreme conditions, the quality of welds becomes a critical factor in ensuring the safety and reliability of the manufactured products. Furthermore, a sound joint requires careful compliance with the increasingly stringent design specifications demanded by customers who require industry-standard conformity in order to achieve defect-free, robust, and durable welds. To address these needs and to define the optimal roadmap for the investigated process condition, an experimental investigation was conducted on the submerged arc welding process. The experimental trials involved butt joints of ASTM A516 Gr.70 carbon steel plates with different thicknesses in a flat position, utilizing a U-shaped chamfer and a multi-pass welding technique. For each weldment, the effects of the main process parameters on the qualitative characteristics of the manufactured products were evaluated from a metallurgical perspective. This evaluation included an in-depth metallographic analysis of the heat-affected zone of the carbon steel joint and involved both the measurement of the dimensions of these areas as well as the amount of ferrite and pearlite that resulted as the phases observed in the final microstructure of the steel joint following its solidification. Furthermore, the joint quality was assessed with regard to mechanical strength through hardness measurements. By analysing the experimental data, the paper provides a valuable contribution for increasing the productivity of the investigated welding process, while simultaneously meeting the specified industrial quality requirements for the products made of medium-thickness carbon steels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biosensors are a new type of sensor that utilize biologically sensitive materials and microbially active analytes to measure a variety of biological signals. The purpose of monitoring is achieved by combining these sensitive materials with analytes such as proteins, cells, viruses, and bacteria, inducing changes in their physical or chemical properties. The use of nanomaterials in fabricating surface acoustic wave (SAW) biosensors is particularly noteworthy for the label-free detection of organisms due to their compact size, portability, and high sensitivity. Recent advancements in the manufacturing techniques of SAW biosensors have significantly enhanced sensor performance and reliability. These techniques not only ensure precise control over sensor dimensions and material properties but also facilitate scalable and cost-effective production processes. As a result, SAW biosensors are poised to become powerful tools for various clinical and rapid detection applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experimental study investigates the effect of the cutting parameters of the Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) process of Ti-6Al-4V alloy material on surface roughness (Ra), cutting time (t) and Material Removal Rate (MRR) then solve the Multiple Objective Optimization Problem using separate Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods namely Entropy-Weighted TOPSIS (E-TOPSIS), MOORA, SAW, VIKOR, and WPM. Focusing on nine 3-levels variants including Operating Voltage (OV), Pulse-On Time (Ton), Pulse-Off Time (Toff), Short-Circuit Off Time (AFF), Secondary Voltage (SV), Feed Rate (WF), Tension (WT), Water Pressure (WL) and Material Cutting Speed (F). Due to the large number of variants studied, the Taguchi L27 experimental design was chosen to reduce the number of experiments while still ensuring reliability in assessing the impact of technological parameters on responses in the study. The optimization results from the different methods indicated two distinct optimal outcomes. According to the E-TOPSIS, MOORA, and SAW, the optimal result is a Ra of 3.27 μm, a t of 7.37 min, and an MRR of 7.45 mm3/min. This result suggests a balanced and harmonious optimization among all criteria. On the other hand, the figures VIKOR and WPM methods are 2.87 μm, 9.57 min, and 5.74 mm3/min, respectively. These results indicate a higher priority for certain criteria, reflected in the lower Ra, longer cutting time, and a smaller MRR in comparison to the figures for the remaining MCDM methods. The different optimal results achieved by various methods highlight that each method is suited to and excels with different sets of values. Therefore, in each specific research or production process, comparing and choosing results calculated by different methods provides a comprehensive view, aiding in making appropriate decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of SAW transducers requires a series of steps ranging from material selection and geometry design to the selection of fabrication techniques for their characterization and validation process. Here, we use the finite element method (FEM) to present a methodology and a detailed analysis of the design of SAW transducers in a delay line configuration. First, we simulate single‐finger and double‐finger configurations with different geometries and designs of IDTs on two piezoelectric substrates, LiNbO3$$ {}_3 $$ in 64°$$ {}^{{}^{\circ}} $$ YX and LiNbO3$$ {}_3 $$ 128°$$ {}^{{}^{\circ}} $$ YX orientation, to compare the simulation results with the analytical delta model and thereby validate the simulation process, presenting Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values ranging from 10.79 dB to 16.42 dB. With the above, we performed a comparative analysis to determine the influence of piezoelectric material and IDT configuration by studying a specific transducer design made to operate at a resonance frequency of 97.02 MHz. We compared identical designs on 128°$$ {}^{{}^{\circ}} $$ YX and 64°$$ {}^{{}^{\circ}} $$ YX orientations of LiNbO3$$ {}_3 $$ with single and double‐finger configurations and added the comparison with the SPUDT configuration. We observed the best results for the single‐finger IDT configuration in 128°$$ {}^{{}^{\circ}} $$ YX LiNbO3$$ {}_3 $$ orientation compared to the other variants through its insertion loss level of −7.29 dB, its average sidelobe level of −18.63 dB, and its average transition band slope for the main lobe of 15.09 dB/MHz. The results guide new researchers or students in expanding the use of numerical tools in designing SAW transducers and SAW devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural design of prestressed arched trusses presents a complex challenge due to the need to balance multiple conflicting objectives such as structural performance, weight, and constructability. This complexity is further compounded by the interdependent nature of the structural elements, which necessitates a comprehensive optimization approach. Addressing this challenge is crucial for advancing construction practices and improving the efficiency and safety of structural designs. The integration of advanced optimization algorithms and decision-making techniques offers a promising avenue for enhancing the design process of prestressed arched trusses. This study proposes the use of three advanced multi-objective optimization algorithms: NSGA-III, CTAEA, and SMS-EMOA, to optimize the structural design of prestressed arched trusses. The performance of these algorithms was evaluated using generational distance and inverted generational distance metrics. Additionally, the non-dominated optimal designs generated by these algorithms were assessed and ranked using multiple multi-criteria decision-making techniques, including SAW, FUCA, TOPSIS, PROMETHEE, and VIKOR. This approach allowed for a robust comparison of the algorithms and provided insights into their effectiveness in balancing the different design objectives. The results of the study indicated that NSGA-III exhibited superior performance with a GD value of 0.215, reflecting a closer proximity of its solutions to the Pareto front, and an IGD value of 0.329, indicating a well-distributed set of solutions across the Pareto front. In comparison, CTAEA and SMS-EMOA showed higher GD values of 0.326 and 0.436, respectively, suggesting less convergence to the Pareto front. However, SMS-EMOA demonstrated a balanced performance in terms of constructability and structural weight, with an IGD value of 0.434. The statistical significance of these differences was confirmed by the Kruskal–Wallis test, with p-values of 2.50 × 10 − 15 for GD and 5.15 × 10 − 06 for IGD. These findings underscore the advantages and limitations of each algorithm, providing valuable insights for future applications in structural optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Chicken and duck eggs are highly nutritious food products that are popular among the Indonesian community. However, their perishable nature leads to a decline in quality if not further processed. The salting process is a simple preservation method that can also enhance the flavor of salted egg products. To produce salted egg products with high organoleptic quality preference, a combination of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) is implemented as a quality decision-making method based on: (1) the experts viewpoints on the importance level of organoleptic criteria, and (2) the scores of organoleptic tests for the criteria of texture, taste, and appearance. In this study, chicken and duck eggs were processed into salted eggs using a salting mixture made of a blend of scouring ash and table salt with a mass ratio of 5:4 and 5:6, resulting in product combinations coded as CE-5/4, CE-5/6, DE-5/4, and DE-5/6. Data processing results on the importance level from the experts viewpoints using the AHP method resulted that the criteria for texture, taste, and aroma had final priority weights of 0.244, 0.617, and 0.139, respectively. Final decision-making using the SAW method indicated that the highest to lowest final preference scores were obtained by products CE-5/4, DE-5/4, DE-5/6, and CE-5/6, with the final preference scores of 0.979, 0.963, 0.931, and 0.906, respectively. The results demonstrated that AHP and SAW were successfully implemented to assist in making decisions regarding the quality of salted egg products based on their organoleptic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) mechanism is aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study aims to develop a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model specifically designed to prioritize locations for REDD + projects. The proposed research design focuses on developing a MCDM framework for determining the priority locations for projects using criteria such as climate impact reduction, contributions to local communities, and biodiversity conservation. The study utilized the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Simple Additive Weighting (SAW), Weighted Product Method (WPM), Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), and VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) to determine the prioritization of alternatives based on compromise solutions. The success of this research demonstrates that a systematic approach to determining priority locations can be effectively carried out using MCIM. This research is expected to aid policymakers and stakeholders in making more informed and effective decisions for environmental conservation and climate change mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land suitability assessment, as an important process in modern agriculture, involves the evaluation of numerous aspects such as soil properties, climate, relief, hydrology and socio-economic aspects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of soils for wheat cultivation in the Gavshan region, Iran, as the country is facing the task of becoming self-sufficient in wheat. Various methods were used to evaluate the land, such as multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM), which is proving to be important for land use planning. MCDM and machine learning (ML) are useful for decision-making processes because they use complicated spatial data and methods that are widely available. Using a geomorphological map, seventy soil profiles were selected and described, and ten soil properties and wheat yields were determined. Three MCDM approaches, including the technique of preference ordering by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS), gray relational analysis (GRA), and simple additive weighting (SAW), were used and evaluated. The criteria weights were extracted using Shannon's entropy method. Random forest (RF) model and auxiliary variables (remote sensing data, terrain data, and geomorphological maps) were used to represent the land suitability values. Spatial autocorrelation analysis as a statistical method was applied to analyze the spatial variability of the spatial data. Slope, CEC (cation exchange capacity), and OC (organic carbon) were the most important factors for wheat cultivation. The spatial autocorrelation between the key criteria (slope, CEC, and OC) and wheat yield confirmed these results. These results also showed a significant correlation between the land suitability values of TOPSIS, GRA, and SAW and wheat yield (0.74, 0.72, and 0.57, respectively). The spatial distribution of land suitability values showed that the areas classified as good according to TOPSIS and GRA were larger than those classified as moderate and weak according to the SAW approach. These results were also confirmed by the autocorrelation of the MCDM techniques with wheat yield. In addition, the RF model showed its effectiveness in processing complex spatial data and improved the accuracy of land suitability assessment. In this study, by integrating advanced MCDM techniques and ML, an applicable land evaluation approach for wheat cultivation was proposed, which can improve the accuracy of land suitability and be useful for considering sustainability principles in land management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel TIP–TIG (TT) automatic welding method was used to weld the girth seams of liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanks composed of 9% nickel steel. The microstructure of the joints was characterized via electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction. The tensile strength and ductility of the joints were evaluated via tensile testing. The low-temperature toughness of the joints was investigated via low-temperature impact testing at - 196 °C. This increased the toughness and strength of the TT-welded joint compared to the corresponding values of joints welded using conventional submerged arc welding (SAW). A comparison with the SAW-welded joints revealed that the TT-welded joint presented high strength and excellent low-temperature toughness, which can be primarily attributed to the low heat input. Compared with SAW, TT welding resulted in a lower joint dilution ratio, smaller heat-affected zone, and lower degree of grain coarsening. In addition to fine austenite, as the joint microstructure and several uniformly distributed carbides in the weld seam. These properties hindered the dislocation slip. However, they promoted precipitation strengthening and grain refinement and provided excellent low-temperature toughness to the TT-welded joints. Notably, TT welding does not require weld-bead cleaning between passes. Additionally, owing to improvements in the degree of automation for TT welding, the welding time can be further matched with that of SAW. TT welding with narrow-gap grooves reduces the required amount of filler metal by more than 50%. Therefore, the TT welding process is significantly advantageous and can replace SAW for girth–seam welding of LNG storage tanks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the thermoelastic response of a nanostructure is crucial for the choice of materials and interfaces in electronic devices with improved and tailored transport properties at the nanoscale. Here, we show how the deposition of a MoS2 monolayer can strongly modify the nanoscale thermoelastic dynamics of silicon substrates close to their interface. We demonstrate this by creating a transient grating with extreme ultraviolet light, using ultrashort free-electron laser pulses, whose ≈84 nm period is comparable to the size of elements typically used in nanodevices, such as electric contacts and nanowires. The thermoelastic response, featuring coherent acoustic waves and incoherent relaxation, is tangibly modified by the presence of monolayer MoS2. Namely, we observed a major reduction of the amplitude of the surface mode, which is almost suppressed, while the longitudinal mode is basically unperturbed, aside from a faster decay of the acoustic modulations. We interpret this behavior as a selective modification of the surface elasticity, and we discuss the conditions to observe such effect, which may be of immediate relevance for the design of Si-based nanoscale devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Submerged Arc Welding(SAW),the molten weld metal is immersed in aflux that protects it from air contamination, forming welding slag which is strong enough to protect the weld metal until it solidifies. The used electrode was AWSA5.17EL12. The base metal being welded is ASTM A283 Grade A. In this study, the effect of angle distortion on the T joint was observed by changing the welding parameters. In order to obtain the optimal results, an attempt was made to link the welding parameters to the angle distortion through a mathematical model by using the Box Behnken statistic technique, the feasibility of which was then tested by using ANOVA analysis. What was obtained was analyzed with the help of the response surface methodology (RSM = Response Surface Methodology) then. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important to highlight that in certain specialized industries, humidity detection limit is increasingly stringent. The dynamic range of humidity measurement can be expanded from low relative humidity levels to measurements at the ppm, ppb, or even ppt level. The increasingly tight humidity detection limits, especially in some industries, make this growth all the more important. Two major obstacles prevent the development of high-performance low-humidity sensors based on nanostructured materials: first, the sensor's small water-molecule-absorbing capacity, and second, the restrictions imposed by some harsh environments. As of right now, there are few comprehensive reviews of studies done on trace and low humidity sensors. With any luck, the findings of this research will shed light on how low/trace humidity sensors should be developed, which should speed up the production of high-performance materials and encourage the use of better methods for controlling low humidity. Initially, our attention has been directed toward evaluating the contemporary market outlook and the significance of trace/low humidity sensors, encapsulating the evolutionary trends observed in recent years. We have explored the advancements made and the critical issues requiring attention over the past decade. In conclusion, we have provided a summary and offered insights into the future direction of low and trace humidity sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to design and implement a decision support system (SPK) in the employee admission process at CV. Sumber Solusi Bersana using the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) algorithm. CV. Sumber Solusi Bersama faces the challenge of selecting the best candidates from several qualified applicants based on various criteria, such as education, work experience, skills, and interviews. The SAW method was chosen because of its ability to provide an objective and measurable assessment based on the weight given to each criterion. This study uses a quantitative approach by collecting qualitative data from the recruitment process in CV. Furthermore, calculations are carried out using the SAW algorithm to determine the total score of each applicant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper the humidity sensing properties of regioregular rr-P3HT (poly-3-hexylthiophene) polymer films is investigated by means of surface acoustic wave (SAW) based sensors implemented on LiNbO3 (1280 Y-X) and ST-quartz piezoelectric substrates. The polymeric layers were deposited along the SAW propagation path by spray coating method and the layers thickness was measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique. The response of the SAW devices to relative humidity (rh) changes in the range ~5–60% has been investigated by measuring the SAW phase and frequency changes induced by the (rh) absorption in the rr-P3HT layer. The SAW sensor implemented onto LiNbO3 showed improved performance as the thickness of the membrane increases (from 40 to 240 nm): for 240 nm thick polymeric membrane a phase shift of about −1.2 deg and −8.2 deg was measured for the fundamental (~78 MHz operating frequency) and 3rd (~234 MHz) harmonic wave at (rh) = 60%. A thick rr-P3HT film (~600 nm) was deposited onto the quartz-based SAW sensor: the sensor showed a linear frequency shift of ~−20.5 Hz per unit (rh) changes in the ~5–~50% rh range, and a quite fast response (~5 s) even at low humidity level (~5% rh). The LiNbO3 and quartz-based sensors response was assessed by using a dual delay line system to reduce unwanted common mode signals. The simple and cheap spray coating technology for the rr-P3HT polymer films deposition, complemented with fast low level humidity detection of the tested SAW sensors (much faster than the commercially available Michell SF-52 device), highlight their potential in a low-medium range humidity sensing application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Marmara University Journal of Turkology / Marmara Türkiyat Araştırmaları Dergisi is the property of Marmara University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In order to alleviate the problem of water resources shortage and unequal distribution in time and space in Guyuan City, this paper firstly analyzes the basic situation of water resources in Guyuan City, and constructs a multi-objective optimal allocation model of water resources with economic benefits, social benefits and ecological benefits as the objectives. Then, NSGA-III algorithm is proposed to solve the optimal allocation scheme of water resources. Based on the original NSGA-III algorithm, multi-point crossover operator and multi-point mutation operator, namely non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-III with Random multipoint crossover mutation(RNSGA-III), are used. In the selection of the next generation, SAW and MCDM schemes were used to evaluate the chromosomes and set the weights to achieve better and more ideal results. Finally, the proposed scheme is compared with the existing configuration scheme based on NSGA-III and NSGA-II algorithms. Simulation experiments show that the proposed scheme is better than the allocation scheme based on NSGA-III algorithm and NSGA-II algorithm in the comprehensive cost of economic benefits, water shortage and ecological benefits, which can provide a basis for the rational allocation of water resources in Guyuan City, achieve unified management and sustainable utilization of water resources and support the sustainable development of economy and society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advancement toward sustainable infrastructure presents complex multi-objective optimization (MOO) challenges. This paper expands the current understanding of design frameworks that balance cost, environmental impacts, social factors, and structural integrity. Integrating MOO with multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM), the study targets enhancements in life cycle sustainability for complex engineering projects using precast modular road frames. Three advanced evolutionary algorithms—NSGA-II, NSGA-III, and RVEA—are optimized and deployed to address sustainability objectives under performance constraints. The efficacy of these algorithms is gauged through a comparative analysis, and a robust MCDM approach is applied to nine non-dominated solutions, employing SAW, FUCA, TOPSIS, PROMETHEE, and VIKOR decision-making techniques. An entropy theory-based method ensures systematic, unbiased criteria weighting, augmenting the framework's capacity to pinpoint designs balancing life cycle sustainability. The results reveal that NSGA-III is the algorithm converging towards the most cost-effective solutions, surpassing NSGA-II and RVEA by 21.11% and 10.07%, respectively, while maintaining balanced environmental and social impacts. The RVEA achieves up to 15.94% greater environmental efficiency than its counterparts. The analysis of non-dominated solutions identifies the A 4 design, utilizing 35 MPa concrete and B500S steel, as the most sustainable alternative across 80% of decision-making algorithms. The ranking correlation coefficients above 0.94 demonstrate consistency among decision-making techniques, underscoring the robustness of the integrated MOO and MCDM framework. The results in this paper expand the understanding of the applicability of novel techniques for enhancing engineering practices and advocate for a comprehensive strategy that employs advanced MOO algorithms and MCDM to enhance sustainable infrastructure development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the negative impact on the environment, architects, designers, and construction companies need to find and apply eco-friendly and sustainable building solutions. Due to its renewable nature and numerous advantages, timber has become an attractive substitute for steel and concrete in both residential and non-residential construction projects. However, timber application in the construction of grocery stores is a relatively new concept. The purpose of this research is to propose three alternative timber-based structural systems for a grocery store in Lithuania and to select the most efficient option based on multi-criteria decision-making methods. Three alternative glued laminated timber (glulam) structural systems—the glulam column and truss system, the glulam three-hinge frame system, and the glulam column and double-tapered beam system—were designed. The systems were evaluated against ten criteria, reflecting structural properties, cost efficiency, assembling complexity, and aesthetics. Multiple-criteria assessments by the COmplex PRoportional ASsessment (COPRAS) method and simple additive weighting (SAW) method revealed that the best-performing alternative is the glulam column and double-tapered beam system due to the lower cost of load-bearing structures, the smaller quantity of required steel details and fittings, and the highest maximum utility ratio according to serviceability limit states compared to other alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GHz operating single port SAW resonators have been manufactured on Sc0.3Al0.7N/Si substrate. The thickness of the ScAlN thin layer was 0.8 μm. Advanced nano‐lithographic techniques have been developed for devices manufacturing. Rayleigh and Sezawa modes have been evidenced on Sc0.3Al0.7N/Si structure. The targeted applications are temperature sensors for harsh environmental operations. The sensitivity and temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) of the manufactured devices have been experimentally determined and analyzed. The mode shapes of the resonances that appear in the devices supported on Sc0.3Al0.7N/Si substrate were evidenced by finite element method (FEM) simulations. A technique that combines FEM with Coupling of Modes (COM) was used for the determination of the resonance frequencies. Simulations performed for the temperature dependence of the resonance frequency led to results close to the experimental ones for the Rayleigh mode as well as for the Sezawa mode for devices supported on Sc0.3Al0.7N/Si substrate. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The latest trends in the field of the on-site detection of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) involve increasing the availability of point detectors to enhance the operational awareness of commanders and soldiers. Among the intensively developed concepts aimed at meeting these requirements, wearable detectors, gas analyzers as equipment for micro- and mini-class unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and distributed sensor networks can be mentioned. One of the analytical techniques well suited for use in this field is surface acoustic wave sensors, which can be utilized to construct lightweight, inexpensive, and undemanding gas analyzers for detecting CWAs. This review focuses on the intensively researched and developed variant of this technique, utilizing absorptive sensor layers dedicated for nerve CWAs' detection. The paper describes the mechanism of the specific interaction occurring between the target analyte and the sensing layer, which serves as the foundation for their selective detection. The main section of this paper includes a chronological review of individual achievements in the field, largely based on the peer-reviewed scientific literature dating back to the mid-1980s to the present day. The final section presents conclusions regarding the prospects for the development of this analytical technique in the targeted application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart disease (HD) is considered the main cause of death rate around the world. Multiple systems and biomedical instruments in hospitals take large amounts of medical data. Thus, understanding the data linked with HD is vital to enhance the prediction performance. The timely intervention of HD is the most important factor in preventing patients from additional damage. In recent times, non-invasive medical procedures, including artificial intelligence-based approaches have been used in the healthcare sector. Particularly machine learning (ML) applies various techniques and algorithms that are extensively applied and are especially effective in accurately detecting HDs within short period. However, HD prediction is a challenging task. The largest size of medicinal database has made it a challenge for clinicians to understand the complicated feature relations and make disease predictions. Therefore, this study presents a Neutrosophic Fuzzy SAW with Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Heart Disease Recognition and Classification (NFSAW-AISHDC) technique in Healthcare Sector. The NFSAW-AISHDC technique mainly focuses on the adoption of neutrosophic fuzzy simple additive weighting (NFSAW) with feature selection process for HD detection. The NFSAW-AISHDC method exploits min-max scalar to scale the input medical data. For feature selection, the NFSAW-AISHDC method uses beluga whale optimization (BWO) algorithm to choose feature subsets. Moreover, the NFSAW-AISHDC technique applies NFSAW approach to the identification of HDs. The performance values of the NFSAW-AISHDC methodology undergoes using benchmark database. The experimental outcome underlined the promising results of the NFSAW-AISHDC method with other models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of Internet of Things (IoT) systems is driven by their potential to improve efficiency, enhance decision-making, and create new business opportunities across various domains. In this paper, the main selection problems in IoT-type systems, criteria used in multi-criteria evaluation, and multi-criteria methods used for solving IoT selection problems are identified. Then, a Hybrid Group Multi-Criteria Approach for solving selection problems in IoT-type systems is proposed. The approach contains the Best Worst Method (BWM) weighting method, multi-criteria Simple Additive Weighting (SAW), Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR), and Complex Proportional Assessment Method (COPRAS), and a method that combines the solutions obtained using the four considered multi-criteria methods to obtain a single solution. The SAW, TOPSIS, VIKOR, and COPRAS methods were analyzed in relation to their advantages, disadvantages, inputs, outputs, measurement scale, type of normalization, aggregation method, parameters, complexity of implementation, and interactivity. An application of the Hybrid Group Multi-Criteria Approach for IoT platform selection and a comparison between the SAW, TOPSIS, VIKOR, and COPRAS solutions and the solution of the proposed approach is realized. A Spearman correlation analysis is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work presents the design, a 2D and 3D finite element method (FEM) simulation, analysis, and optimization of a surface acoustic wave (SAW) based gas sensor. The simulation of SAW gas sensors with and without the presence of nanorods is performed. Gas adsorption on a surface causes a change in the mass, modulus, and conductivity of the sensing layer, which can be accurately, detected using SAW-based gas sensors. The device is constructed using a YZ-cut lithium niobate as a substrate, which is covered by a 0.2 µm thick intermediate layer upon which ZnO nanorods are present operating at 4 µm wavelength. Simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics are performed using eigen frequency, time-dependent, and frequency domain analysis. The materials of the intermediate layer as well as interdigitated transducers (IDTs) and the height of the nanorods are varied for the optimization of the device. The frequency shift and total displacement were seen to be significantly improved for the nanorod-based SAW gas sensor device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Techno.com is the property of Universitas Dian Nuswantoro, Fakultas Ilmu Komputer and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Custom electronics tailored for ultrasonic applications with four ultrasonic transmit-receive channels and a nominal 25 MHz single channel frequency were developed for ultrasound BAW and SAW biosensor uses. The designed integrated microcontroller, supported by Python with a SciPy library, and the developed system measured the time of flight (TOF) and other wave properties to characterize the acoustic properties of a bulk of the liquid in a microchannel or acoustic properties of biological species attached to an analytic surface in real time. The system can utilize both piezoelectric and capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers. The device demonstrated a linear response to changes in water salinity. This response was primarily attributed to the time-of-flight (TOF) changes related to the varying solution density. Furthermore, real-time DNA oligonucleotide-based interactions between oligonucleotides immobilized on the device's analytical area and oligonucleotides attached to gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) in the solution were demonstrated. The biological interaction led to an exponential decrease in the acoustic interfacial wave propagating across the interface between the solution and the solid surface of the sensor, the TOF signal. This decrease was attributed to the increase in the effective density of the solution in the vicinity of the sensor's analytical area, as Au NPs modified by oligonucleotides were binding to the analytical area. The utilization of Au NPs in oligonucleotide surface binding yields a considerably stronger sensor signal than previously observed in earlier CMUT-based TOF biosensor prototypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decisions around distributing available funds among potential land consolidation projects require a thorough analysis in order to maximize the effects of land consolidation. In order to avoid choosing the wrong land consolidation projects, different methods can be used. Generally, there are two possible groups of methods: one based on a qualitative approach (DELPHI; SWOT) and one based on a quantitative approach (AHP, VIKOR, SAW, TOPSIS, etc.). In this research, the focus was on the sensitivity of the resulting rankings affected by varying the input data in multi-criteria analysis methods, with an emphasis on the variation in the weight and the choice of criteria. This research was motivated by the subjective character of the choice of criteria and their weighting before applying the multi-criteria analysis methods. Four methods were included (AHP, TOPSIS, VIKOR, and SAW) for the multi-criteria analysis, with three ways of defining weights (consistent, modified, or quasi-consistent and freely determined without taking consistency into account), in order to determine the influence of the different methods on the final ranking. The weights were defined only by an acceptable interval of values. The sensitivity of the methods was investigated using the differences in the obtained rankings between each method. A case study is provided on real data, and the results are discussed. The results showed a relatively small variance and possible equal rankings of projects by means of statistical analyses. This finding opens up the possibility of the valuation of projects instead of simple rankings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delta ferrite typically forms during single and multipass welding thermal cycle. It is known that delta ferrite affects corrosion and creep resistances, which are important to the reliability of steam turbine components. This work investigated numerically the effect of thermofluid field on delta ferrite formation during the application of multi-pass submerged arc welding (SAW) in a test coupon fabricated with a high Cr-content (up to 12% wt.) martensitic stainless steel (MSS). Welding parameters and assembly dimensions were similar to those used in the joint between blades and the spacer band for a steam turbine high-pressure module. Also, a finite element model (FEM) was applied to perform the numerical analysis of heat diffusion. The analysis considered the adjusted weld pool morphology and incorporated thermal contact resistances among weld passes with a high tendency to the chemical species concentration. The step thermal cycle induced in each weld pass was employed to estimate the heating and cooling rates at different points of the fusion zone (FZ) and the adjacent region. Enriching of alphagen elements such as Cr and Mo was responsible for eutectic delta ferrite formation in the partial melting zone (PMZ). This fact was corroborated experimentally through microscopy techniques, X-ray diffraction (DRX), and mechanical tests. The comparison between numerical and experimental results indicated that flow velocities and their behavior had the most critical effect on the element accumulation and delta ferrite formation. The mechanical characterization results demonstrated the deleterious ferrite effect on the mechanical properties of critical weld regions in the 12Cr-1Mo MSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, a large amount of rice straw ash is being dumped as waste creating soil and water pollution. The manufacturing of welding fluxes requires minerals which are mined out from the earth's crust creating environmental ill effects. This paper presents a novel methodology for utilizing rice straw ash in the manufacturing of submerged arc welding (SAW) fluxes. The chemical composition of the joints produced with the developed flux is well within the acceptable range of American Welding Society (AWS) specifications. Their tensile strength and joint efficiency are 8% and 9% more than the joints produced with a commercial flux respectively. Their bead geometries are comparable to the beads deposited with the commercial flux. The joints are sufficiently ductile and could easily pass the bend test. The weld metal exhibits a desired microstructure containing acicular ferrite. This technology may turn the rice straw ash into a blessing in disguise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development is a perspective on economic progress that takes into account the equilibrium among social, economic, and environmental elements. This implies that endeavours aimed at development should guarantee the satisfaction of present generations' requirements while safeguarding the capacity of future generations to fulfil their own necessities. In the context of an aging society, sustainable development involves providing solutions, services, and technologies that address the needs of older people while also minimizing negative impacts on the environment and future generations. The aim of this article is to identify, analyse and evaluate technologies that improve the quality of life of older people without compromising the well-being of future generations from ecological, social, ethical and other perspectives. Technologies that enhance the quality of life for older people are often referred to as gerontechnologies in the literature. The article identifies and then selects 3 gerontechnologies that can improve the quality of life of older people while remaining sustainable. Further, 42 criteria for evaluating gerontechnologies were identified. These gerontechnologies were then evaluated by potential users. A ranking of gerontechnologies was further developed. CAWI and CATI methods were used in the survey. The SAW method was used to build the ranking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Like the entire food production industry, the market for producing and trading healthy food products faces uncertainty. These days it has a direct relationship with global challenges such as instability of energy prices, breakdown of supply chains, lack of raw materials necessary for food production, climate change and its consequences, and other difficult-to-predict aspects, that have a considerable impact not only on the price of finished products but also on the possibilities of realization on the market. Consequently, to ensure at least the minimum stability of the market for the production of healthy products, companies need an academic support tool, the application of which can help absorb the challenges posed by global markets. This article analyzes the main risks arising for this market due to the unstable raw material supply market. Moreover, it analyzes possible alternatives when choosing supply channels and suppliers. Hence, it raises a dilemma: Is it indispensable to follow all the main principles of sustainable development to manage risks and ensure the production of healthy food products? The research aims to develop and practically test a methodological tool as an intelligent decision support system for healthy food production companies to help select the most suitable raw material suppliers in the context of global supply chain risks. The authors of this article, using an expert assessment method and multi-criteria mathematical modeling SAW, provide a tool with the help of which companies can make decisions related to the choices of raw material suppliers to adapt to emerging global risks while minimally violating the principles of sustainable development. The novelty of this research stems from the fact that it is rare research that uses a comparative analysis of simple additive weighting to show the value and the cost of each alternative for the selection of raw material suppliers in healthy food production companies. Consequently, research fills a knowledge gap and presents a tool to help companies make informed decisions. To create a practical tool for the evaluation of the best suppliers under multicriteria evaluation, it must be possible to adapt that evaluation to specific conditions for risk management under changes in the global market. In the research, the most important task solved was the selection of appropriate criteria for the assessment of raw materials suppliers. The SAW method for multicriteria evaluation is recognized as the most suitable method of evaluation of companies when you need to select the most suitable one to prevent the main risks in the context of global challenges. After systematizing the basic information about the process of raw materials supplier selection for the healthy food production industry and developing an evaluation tool, it was tested practically in a healthy food production company in Kaunas town (Lithuania). After performing an expert evaluation according to the criteria and after multi-criteria evaluation calculations, the priority list of the most suitable suppliers was created to prevent risk in the future if the situation in the global market changes in negative aspects. The scientific potential of evaluating and selecting the most suitable raw materials suppliers for healthy food production companies is critical in the context of global risks that apply under situations of energy crisis, war, pandemic, economic risks, and other global challenges. Only by using an intelligent support system for the selection of the most suitable ram materials suppliers and having prepared a list of alternatives ones, healthy food production companies make sure to manage main risks and successfully compete in the global market. The proposed intelligent decision-making tool has been tested in real business conditions, and its suitability is fully justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The active manipulation of particle and cell trajectories in fluids by high-frequency standing surface acoustic waves (sSAW) allows to separate particles and cells systematically depending on their size and acoustic contrast. However, process technologies and biomedical applications usually operate with non-spherical particles, for which the prediction of acoustic forces is highly challenging and remains a subject of ongoing research. In this study, the dynamical behavior of prolate spheroids exposed to a three-dimensional acoustic field with multiple pressure nodes along the channel width is examined. Optical measurements reveal an alignment of the particles orthogonal to the pressure nodes of the sSAW, which has not been reported in literature so far. The dynamical behavior of the particles is analyzed under controlled initial conditions for various motion patterns by imposing a phase shift on the sSAW. To gain detailed understanding of the particle dynamics, a three-dimensional numerical model is developed to predict the acoustic force and torque acting on a prolate spheroid. Considering the acoustically induced streaming around the particle, the numerical results are in excellent agreement with experimental findings. Using the proposed numerical model, a dependence of the acoustic force on the particle shape is found in relation to the acoustic impedance of the channel ceiling. Hence, the numerical model presented herein promises high progress for the design of separation devices utilizing sSAW, exploiting an additional separation criterion based on the particle shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between the period from 2018 to the first semester of 2020, a total of 2.4 million students who owned the Kartu Indonesia Pintar (Indonesia Smart Card) were at risk of not being able to access the Program Indonesia Pintar due to delays in entering recipient data, misdirected targeting, and fund disbursement obstacles. During its implementation, there were issues with inaccurate data of Kartu Indonesia Pintar recipients, resulting in the beneficiaries not being entirely targeted correctly. According to Article 12 of Minister of Education and Culture Regulation No. 10 of 2020, schools, as educational units, are assigned the responsibility of managing the Smart Indonesia Program at the school level. This includes tasks such as proposing eligible student candidates for the Program based on criteria, monitoring and assisting the smooth process of receiving the benefits, and accommodating students who hold the Kartu Indonesia Pintar (KIP). However, schools faced difficulties in obtaining the eligibility data of potential Indonesia Pintar Program recipients through the school proposal format. The objective of this research is to determine the eligibility of potential Indonesia Pintar Program recipients using a combination of Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) techniques. The SVM model was trained using kernel tricks and parameter selection (C and gamma) based on data sourced from the DAPODIK application of students in SMK Negeri 1 Kota Bekasi for the academic years 2020/2021 to 2022/2023, with a dataset containing 2499 rows . This dataset was used to determine the eligibility of potential Indonesia Pintar Program recipients. The SAW method was then employed to calculate scores based on the weighting of attributes possessed by the students, which were subsequently ranked from the highest score. The Linear Kernel with parameter values C=0.1 and gamma=0.1 achieved an accuracy of 88.8% during the classification of test data, using 10% of the total dataset, which amounted to 250 rows of data. The combination of SVM and SAW methods resulted in the classification of eligibility for potential Indonesia Pintar Program recipients, ranked based on their scores using the weighted assessment with the SAW method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degradation of land and increasing water scarcity are existing challenges for agricultural sustainability, necessitating the implementation of improved soil-conservation practices at the watershed scale. The identification and selection of critical/prone areas based on erosion-governing criteria is essential and helps in the execution of the management process for determining priority. This study prioritizes erosion-prone sub-watersheds (alternatives) based on morphometric parameters (multiple criteria) via five Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approaches, i.e., AHP: Analytical Hierarchy Process; TOPSIS: Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution; VIKOR: VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje; SAW: Simple Additive Weighting; and CF: Compound Factor. Based on their priority score, 19 sub-watersheds were classified into four priority classes: low priority (0–0.25), moderate priority (0.25–0.50), high priority (0.50–0.75), and very high priority (0.75–1). The results revealed that about 8.34–30.15% area of the Burhanpur watershed is critically prone to erosion, followed by 23.38–52.05% area classed as high priority, 7.47–49.99% area classed as moderate priority, and 10.33–18.28% area classed as low priority. Additionally, four indices—percentage of changes (∆P), intensity of changes (∆I), the Spearman rank correlation coefficient test (SCCT), and the Kendall tau correlation coefficient test (KTCCT)—were employed to compare the models. This study confirms the efficacy of morphometric parameters for prioritizing sub-watersheds to preserve soil and the environment, particularly in areas for which limited information is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Steel Pipe is the property of Steel Pipe Magazine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The goal of this study is to find a solution to the issue of choosing the best student internship for the BPKD office in Pematangsiantar city. This office decides the best intern candidates to hire competent, skilled candidates who can improve their adaptability and perception in enhancing their performance and carrying out the assigned tasks. A Decision Support System (DSS) powered by computers is used for this selection. The decision support system applies the SAW approach. Responsibility, Delay, Attitudes/Ethics, Presence, and Cooperation are the criteria employed in this strategy. The results of the study include recommendations for the top interns, with Mona Rachel Sitohang coming in at number one with an alternative value of 0.7500, followed by Irviana Soneta Manalu at number two with a value of 0.7042 and Elsa Paulina Simanjuntak at number three with a value of 0.6042. This office may find it simpler to choose the top student internship candidates using this decision assistance system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical phenomena of submerged arc welding (SAW) conducted with a 1.6 mm flux-cored wire were investigated using X-ray imaging technique. Three kinds of metal transfer modes were confirmed in this paper, namely the front flux wall-guided droplet transfer, back flux wall-guided droplet transfer, and repelled droplet transfer, of which the corresponding percentages were 47.65%, 45.29%, and 7.06%, respectively. Although the average sizes of the droplets for SAW and FCAW (flux-cored wire welding) were 2.0 mm and 1.9 mm with an average droplet transfer time of 90.3 ms, it required 36.4% more time for the droplet of SAW to finish one metal transfer than it did in FCAW. In addition, the volume of the cavity was not constant but repeated a cycle mode of "expansion and contraction" during the whole process. Thus, the dynamics of the cavity and viscous resistance caused by the flux collectively slowed down the velocity of the droplets from the wire to the weld pool in SAW. Compared with FCAW, a smoother weld without pits and pores was manufactured during the SAW process. Due to the compression effect of the flux, the 14.5 mm average weld width of SAW was 2.9 mm shorter than that of the FCAW. Furthermore, the thickness of slag with a porous structure in SAW was 2.7 times of that in FCAW, indicating that it could provide better protection to the weld of SAW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population growth has resulted in an increase in land exploitation on a large scale. Therefore, to increase crop yield and sustainable use of soil, it is necessary to exploit the land according to its potential. Due to land suitability assessment’s multifactor nature, it needs a method for evaluating the factors simultaneously; in this case, multi-criteria decision models can be used. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the efficiency of the parametric method (square root) with multi-criteria decision-making approaches (technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and simple additive weighting (SAW)) for evaluating land suitability in some rice cultivated areas in Khuzestan province, southwest Iran. A total of 28 rice farms were selected in the study area, and a pedon was dug, examined, and sampled in each. Several physicochemical land characteristics were used for the evaluation process, such as soil, climate, and topographical factors. According to the results, soil texture is the main limiting factor for rice farming in the study region, and organic carbon, salinity, and alkalinity ranked next. The range of land index for rice cultivation calculated by the square root method was from 19.3 to 70.9, from 49 to 95.3 by TOPSIS, and from 3.57 to 74.7 by SAW. The calculated explanatory coefficients between the actual yield and land indices for rice products estimated by the square root method, the TOPSIS approach, and the SAW method were 0.44, 0.63, and 0.60, respectively. This result confirms the high accuracy of TOPSIS method compared to SAW and square root methods. TOPSIS is therefore the ideal method for prioritizing options based on the simulation of the ideal answer because it is highly technical and robust in its decision-making approach. Furthermore, it uses the standardization method, equations, mathematical matrices, and suitable weights. Overall, it can be recommended as a suitable efficiency approach for land suitability evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The realization of company goals is greatly influenced by the manager's decisions in the activities of managing production processes. To make decisions, managers use different decision-making methods, taking into account different criteria on the basis of which they choose the best alternative. The paper presents the optimization of the technological process of banana ripening using the simple additive weighting (SAW) method. The research monitored temperature correction, ripening gas dosage concentration, duration of treatment, commodity loss, including correction of accompanying factors of green banana fruit ripening. By applying the SAW method on 400 performed ripenings in the period from 2017 to 2020, the best results were achieved at a temperature of 18.5 °C, with an ethylene concentration of 840 ppm, process time of 112 h and achieved kalo of 233 kg. The total cost of ripening based on the examined parameters is 250.12 € which can save 81.42 € and meet the finishing standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of high-frequency acoustic waves with microfluidics has been gaining popularity as a method of separating cells/particles. A standing surface acoustic wave (sSAW) device produces constructive interference of the stationary waves, demonstrating an increase in cell separating efficiency without damaging/altering the cell structure. The performance of an sSAW device depends on the applied input signal, design of the IDT, and piezoelectric properties of the substrate. This work analyzes the characteristics of a validated 3D finite element model (FEM) of LiNbO3 and the effect on the displacement components of the mechanical waves under the influence of sSAWs by considering XY-, YX-, and 1280 YX-cut LiNbO3 with varying electrode length design. We demonstrated that device performance can be enhanced by the interference of multiple waves under a combination of input signals. The results suggest that 1280 YX-cut LiNbO3 is suitable for generating higher-amplitude out-of-plane waves which can improve the effectiveness of acoustofluidics-based cell separation. Additionally, the findings showed that the length of the electrode impacts the formation of the wavefront significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Love-type acoustic wave sensor (AT-cut quartz substrate, SiO2 guiding layer) with a center frequency of approximately 120 MHz was used to detect a simulant of pathogenic botulinum neurotoxin type A—recombinant of BoNT-A light chain—in liquid samples. The sensor was prepared by immobilizing monoclonal antibodies specific for botulinum neurotoxin via a thiol monolayer deposited on a gold substrate. Studies have shown that the sensor enables selective analyte detection within a few minutes. In addition, the sensor can be used several times (regeneration of the sensor is possible using a low pH buffer). Nevertheless, the detectability of the analyte is relatively low compared to other analytical techniques that can be used for rapid detection of botulinum neurotoxin. The obtained results confirm the operation of the proposed sensor and give hope for further development of this label-free technique for detecting botulinum neurotoxin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]