Search

The objective of the current work is to explore the most appropriate temperature processing technologies (TPTs) and make their assessment based on the desired performance characteristics (assessment criteria) in the context of Indian cold chain (CC) industries. The assessment criteria and explored TPTs have been framed into a model for their theoretical and empirical assessment. The developed model has been analysed using an integrated approach based on Best Worst Method (BWM) and Evaluation Based on the Distance from Average Solution (EDAS) methods. The key findings of the work show that the criteria 'capability to achieve desired temperature' and 'Compatibility with environmental standards' play a crucial role in selecting a TPT for CC applications. Meanwhile, the refrigeration technologies such as 'solar energy-driven tri-generation refrigeration system' and 'passive cold devices as refrigeration technologies' can be adopted to achieve the optimum performance level of CC. To check the robustness of the results, sensitivity analysis has been performed. In addition, the study offers sound theoretical and managerial implications enriching the literature content into the subject domain and suggesting the most suitable TPT for temperature maintenance in CC, which might help the management to make decisions towards organisational growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lanthanide doped fluoride nanoscintillators have received tremendous attention due to their high photochemical stability and tunable X-ray excited optical luminescence compared to traditional inorganic scintillators. Advancement in this field requires design strategies for the development of nanoscintillators that offer tailorable excitation dynamics through nanostructuring, thus enabling high luminescence in a suitable host. However, selection of an appropriate host matrix with low phonon energy and a nanoarchitecture that mitigates surface quenching due to the large surface-to-volume ratio of nanoparticles is still a challenge. Herein, we introduce NaBiF4:Gd,Tb (NBF) nanoparticles as highly efficient nanoscintillators with reduced afterglow to minimize interference in radioimaging, which utilizes the high X-ray attenuation coefficient of bismuth (5.74 cm2 g−1 at about 100 keV). The host NaBiF4 has a high refractive index and low phonon energy, which reduces the multiphonon non-radiative relaxation rates and enhances the radiative emission probability, thus yielding a long-life time for luminescence. Furthermore, by varying the composition of the nanoparticles and the relative concentrations of Gd and Tb, luminescence at multiple wavelengths in changing relative intensities can be achieved to enable multiplexed imaging. We show that NaBiF4:Gd/Tb can be easily synthesized using the co-precipitation method at room temperature within 1 min. Furthermore, we succeeded in fabricating organic–inorganic nanocomposite self-standing films of NaBiF4:Gd,Tb in high loading, uniformly dispersed in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer. Their application in radiography is demonstrated by recording X-ray images using a commercially available charge-coupled device camera. We attained a resolution comparable to the non-flexible commercial CsI (TI) scintillator and significantly superior to the commercial Gd2O2S:Tb, GOS:Tb scintillators commonly used for screens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the hospitality industry is experiencing an increase in the adoption of subscription-based business models among restaurants. Pricing is a critical factor to consider when deploying the subscription models. However, only a few studies in the literature talk of pricing the new subscriptions and even in these studies no algorithm is given for setting the prices. Consequently, this study aims to derive an optimal pricing strategy for subscription services in the restaurant industry through a two-step implementable framework. In the first step, we try to understand the preferences of the consumers and accordingly curate different subscription packages for them. In the second step, we propose a linear programming-based optimization model to price these packages in an optimal manner. The linear programming model is solved by CPLEX 12.7 solver software. Finally, the authors discuss the theoretical and managerial implications of their findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Winds of globalisation and the growing population have prompted food industries to look for effective and efficient production systems. For the same, various technological upgrades need to be ramped up, having the potential to upscale the procedurals involving the processing, preservation, and quality of food products. Thermal processing is one among the highly opted procedural in the food industry and various field advancements allied with it need to be analysed for exploration of the avenues of intelligent manufacturing. Presented work glimpses the various novel thermal technologies clustered from the insights of research literature, to be enacted in the nowadays food processing arena. Various perspectives allied with its adoption are suited to develop a relational hierarchical framework, which is further contemplated by the fundamentals of probability-based hesitant fuzzy numbers. Outcomes secure the primacies allied with the different thermal technologies under consideration, accomplishing towards its adoption. Evaluated values are further checked for the dimension of robustness and reliability by sensitivity analysis, strengthening its implication perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tribological simulation can be seen as a new study problem developed through modern information technology and computer simulation technology in combination with a variety of mathematical approaches in the field of tribology. There is a need to seek new conducts and means of in-depth study of the wear quantitative law, or else, it will become difficult for a fundamental breakthrough in the prevention and control of wear to be achieved. The tribological simulation research of the typical Pin-on-Disc sliding wear test system has been carried out by the adoption of computer technology and mathematical analysis methods to provide a new wear-analysis method for the simulation of the basic tribological contact problems. In the present research conduct, an attempt has been made to establish the wear simulation model considering multiple parameters based on experimental and theoretical facts. The parameters of the computational model have been determined through the experimental test data. The simulation model has been observed to reflect the basic relationship between input and output of the pin on the dry disc sliding wear test. Experiments performed have confirmed that, under the conditions analysed, the load effect on the wear rate is more critical than the other conditions. The wear rate varies linearly with the considered load conditions. The simulations have been conducted at the different angular velocities of 50, 60 and 70 rpm. These simulations have also revealed the effect of pin diameter on the depth of wear, and the deep insight into the increase of same with an increase in surface area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Nowadays, the adoption of digital technologies getting a significant pace. It has the potential to improve the existing dynamics of the food supply chains and improve its transparency. Many times, uncertainties prevail in the food supply chain performance systems, which cause amplification of risk. These uncertainties are due to a lack of product traceability mechanisms in the food supply chains. Hence, it becomes vital to harness the potential of digital technologies like the Internet of Things, Blockchain, and common digital platforms to improve the flow of information and products in the food supply chain. The presented work is aimed at assessing the impact of digital technologies on risk identification and its mitigation in the food supply chain dynamics. For the same, risks are assessed relative to its mitigation strategy by the two‐stage methodology of preference rating approach. Here, the impacts of risk under consideration are quantified relative to every risk mitigation strategy for a better depiction of the potential of digital transformation of the food supply chain. It yields the broadening of its implication perspectives at operational, strategic and tactical levels of the food supply chain and makes them future‐ready. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, demand for processed food items is escalating towards the record consumption volume, which resulted in the surging of the Food Supply Chain (FSCs) network. But, the flow of the commodities through the various channels of the FSC is hampered by the various inefficiencies, which persist due to a lack of monitoring. This results in the widening of the gap between the supply and demand patterns allied with it. To tackle the same, and cater to the upwelling shares of the consumer demand, the dynamics of the Food Supply Chain Performance System (FSCPS) need to be tuned with the avenues of Industry 4.0 practices. Presented work clusters the various attributes of the inefficiencies, which hampers the processed FSCs dynamics and maintenance-related activities, elaborated by their sub-attributes based upon their events of occurrences. A model comprising the various attributes and sub-attributes of inefficiencies constrained outside the organizational boundaries of a firm's FSC is rendered in this study. For effective handling of the mutual interdependencies persisting between the attributes, the methodology of the Graph Theory and Matrix Approach (GTMA) is exercised for the analysis of the developed model. Outcomes of the presented work felicitate the managers of industries, its allied corporates and numerous stakeholders of the FSC to ground a robust decisional framework, governing policies and managing the process permutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, defect luminescence-based ultralong persistent luminescent (PersL) materials have been increasingly appreciated for advanced applications. However, an in-depth understanding of trap manipulation is a big challenge in controlling trap distribution. In this work, we provide a complete understanding of defect-induced photoluminescence (PL) in Zn2GeO4 and the significant role of different defects and defect complexes. Excitation-dependent tunable emissions from blue to green regions indicated different mechanisms for filling traps for different excitation energies. Time-resolved emission spectroscopy (TRES) revealed time-dependent trap distribution, shifting the PL band from blue to green. The existence of different electron–hole recombination pathways in different time windows shed light on the complex PL of Zn2GeO4. Systematic temperature-dependent PL studies imply different trapping and de-trapping processes. We demonstrate the activation energies for different trapping mechanisms and the role of negative thermal expansion (NTE) of Zn2GeO4 in achieving the negative thermal quenching (NTQ) of PL. Further, the aliovalent doping of Pr3+ was used for trap manipulation and introducing additional intermediate defect states. Density functional theory calculations as well as thermoluminescence and electron paramagnetic resonance studies revealed a reduction in defect formation energies for selective defects, four-fold increase in trap density, and trap re-shuffling to optimum trap depths (0.73 eV) on the doping of Pr3+. The rich trap distribution resulted in a two-fold increase in the quantum yield of green emissions (∼19%) due to Zn interstitial defects. Improved afterglow on UV charging and an increase in the afterglow time from a few minutes in undoped Zn2GeO4 to an intense X-ray activated afterglow for 18 hours was observed in the Pr3+ doped Zn2GeO4 phosphor. Analysis of afterglow decay kinetics revealed the prominent trap-to-trap tunnelling mechanisms for long lifetimes. Impedance studies revealed the widening of electron channels and reduced resistance to electron movement with the incorporation of Pr3+ ions that enhanced PersL. LED fabrication was carried out to demonstrate the potential of the Zn2GeO4 phosphor for solid-state lighting. We believe that such kinetic and thermodynamic interpretation of defect chemistry will be helpful in tailoring the optoelectronic properties of native defect phosphors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Emerging biomedical applications such as electrocardiography, electroencephalogram, wireless implantable devices have required optimized power-based SAR ADC in them to reduce package cost and to extend battery life. In view of power optimized SAR ADC, a dynamic controlled comparator with novel static power reduction logic incorporated with common mode kickback noise reduction technique is designed at 45 nm technology in CADENCE Virtuoso in this paper. Designed comparator is analyzed in terms of performance parameters; static power dissipation, transient power dissipation, maximum sampling rate, offset voltage and delay. Simulation and behaviour modeling analyses of proposed dynamic comparator has resulted in five times reduction in static power dissipation along with optimization of transient power and sampling rate as well compared to previously available double tail dynamic comparator. Moreover, it has been mentioned that proposed dynamic comparator is dissipating 2.36 pW of static power and 3.59 nW of transient power with sampling rate of 240 KS/s at 0.5 V. Further, the kickback noise of proposed design is limited to 4.7 mV with maximum delay of 124 ps. Finally, the novel outcomes of proposed comparator are the optimization in required parameters such as power, delay, offset voltage and kickback noise for biomedical applications as compared to double tail dynamic comparator. The proposed consideration for SAR ADC can become a backbone for low power biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the details of the development and performance characterisation of a compact, low-power gamma spectrometer for environmental gamma radiation monitoring networks are presented. To reduce the power consumption and the size of the spectrometer, a gamma detector comprising a silicon photomultiplier coupled to a Gd3Ga3Al2O12:Ce,B (GGAG:Ce,B) scintillator has been used for gamma spectrometry. Initially, a Monte Carlo simulation study was carried out to verify the suitability of the 5 mm × 5 mm × 5 mm GGAG:Ce,B crystal for spectrometry of gamma sources in the energy range 60–1332 keV. For minimising the power consumption, the signal processing electronics has been custom designed. This electronics was realised using standard off-the-shelf components to reduce the cost. The developed spectrometer is of size 16 cm × 10 cm × 6 cm, weighs 600 g and consumes 600 mW power. The spectrometer is developed such that it could be directly interfaced with GSM/Xbee for wireless communication with the radiation monitoring networks. The lower-level discriminator threshold of the system is 40 keV and the total electronic noise is <20 keV. The experimentally measured sensitivity of the spectrometer for 137Cs (662 keV) is 2.4 cps/μGy/h at 3.5 V overvoltage. The spectrometer offers excellent linearity over the measured energy range of 60–1332 keV and an energy resolution of ~10% for 662 keV gamma-ray at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic scintillation detectors like BC501A, BC519, NE213, etc. have an inherent ability to classify neutrons and γ -rays through a process known as pulse shape discrimination (PSD). We developed a deep neural network (DNN)-based machine learning algorithm to discriminate neutrons / γ -rays. The algorithm was trained with data obtained from a BC501A detector considering the Cf-252 source. Further, to assess the performance of the DNN-based PSD algorithm, the algorithm was tested with an independent data set acquired with a different source-detector set-up, namely, BC501 detector with Am–Be source and a different digitiser. Results indicate that our proposed algorithm can successfully discriminate the neutrons and γ -rays with reasonably good accuracy for the independent data set. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to ground the assessment of the various costing perspectives associated with the dynamics of processed food supply chains (FSCs), for questing the avenues of profitability within a food processing enterprise. Design/methodology/approach: This study underpins the development of the relation hierarchical model, binding the cluster of the key costing enactors, with the various incurred costs in the food supply chain performance system. The developed model is seeded by the inputs gathered from the case enterprises under consideration, which is further contemplated by extending the fundamentals of bipolar fuzzy sets with the methodology of ELECTRE-II. Findings: Secured primacies owing to the mutual correspondence between the costing cluster reveal the impact of procurement cost in the dynamics of FSC. Furthermore, an inference is grounded relative to the other entities of total costs like investment, production, transportation, distribution and retailing by considering the perspective of a case enterprise. It yields that procurement costing procedurals need to be deliberated supremely, considering the vitality of the costing perspective associated with the other procedurals of the case enterprise. Originality/value: The framework developed in the presented work clusters the various costing enactors along with the costings in processed FSCs, binding its holistic perspective rather than the discrete approach. The present research work provides an origin to explore the various miniatures more precisely succeeding to secure primacies for upscaling the profit-cost notions. As costing determines the avenues bundled with the production and consumption of various food commodities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic properties of Y0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (YSMO) and La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (LSMO) thin films heterostructures (YSMO/LSMO) deposited on single-crystalline (001) SrTiO3 (STO), (001) LaAlO3 (LAO) and MgO substrates using pulsed laser deposition technique were investigated. Magnetization (M) vs. the applied field (H) measurements revealed shift in hysteresis loop showing the exchange bias effect of about 80 Oe for the heterostructures on LAO substrate, which was absent for those on STO substrates. In order to investigate this, single-layer LSMO layers were deposited on these substrates. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed significant compressive strain and a weaker tensile strain for LSMO films on LAO and STO substrates, respectively. Raman spectroscopy measurements further confirmed the lattice mismatch-induced strain in LSMO layer on LAO substrate. These different strain conditions in LSMO films on both the substrates are suggested to be contributing to the emergence of different magnetic ground states in these systems, which could be leading to pinning of spins at the interface and resulting in a significant exchange bias effect (EBE) on LAO substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The current study aims to deliver a consolidated view of environmental sustainability in cold supply chain performance systems (CSCPS), incorporating theoretical and empirical analysis for improving environmental standards. For this purpose, this study firstly aims to explore and analyze the various crucial challenging factors for environmental sustainability in the cold supply chain (CSC). Secondly, it discovers the most effective sustainable strategies for improving the environmental sustainability of CSCPS. Design/methodology/approach: The exploration of the crucial challenging factors and the proposed sustainable strategies have been done using a systematic literature review relevant to the sustainable performance of CSC. At the same time, semi-structured brainstorming sessions were conducted with the domain professionals having an industrial and academic background to finalize the strategies. Empirical analysis has been performed using an intuitionistic fuzzy (IF) based hybrid approach of SWARA and COPRAS methods. Findings: The key findings of the study address that "higher energy consumption during refrigerated transportation and storage" is the most crucial challenge for environmental sustainability in CSC. In addition, "managerial refrain to profit decline due to sustainability implementation" is the second most crucial challenge that hinders the adoption of sustainable practices in CSCs. Meanwhile, the governmental attention to motivating organizations for green adoption and implementation of solar energy-driven refrigeration technologies are the two most important discoveries of the study that might help in improving CSC's environmental performance. Research limitations/implications: From the implications side, the study enriches and extends the current literature content on CSC sustainability. In addition, it offers sound managerial implications by identifying the challenges that create threats among the management for sustainability adoption and suggesting the most suitable sustainable strategies, which may help the management to raise the environmental performance of their CSC. Besides having various important theoretical and managerial implications for the study, contemplation of only environmental sustainability traits as a broader perspective limits the scope of the study. Originality/value: The study's main contribution is the exploration of the most crucial challenges imparting obstructions in sustainable development and sustainable strategies, which may get the interest of the CSC players, market leaders, and industrial and academic practitioners working in the domain of CSC sustainability. In addition, this study offers structured theoretical and empirical evidence for CSC's environmental sustainability, thus playing a bridging role between theoretical sustainability concepts and its practical implications in CSC industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Adopting the circular economy (CE) notion in the supply chain perspective is necessary for the sustainability viewpoint. However, such practices are deficient, especially in developing countries like India, because of several obstacles. The purpose of this study was to create an approach for circular supply chain management (CSCM) adaption in Indian rubber industries by identifying and evaluating its associated obstacles. Design/methodology/approach: A hybrid approach of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the grey-based ELECTRE method had been employed in this research to obtain the mutual rankings of the identified obstacles based on their impressions on the CSCM prosperity criteria through a case study and involving diverse expert's opinions. Findings: Presented study's findings illustrate that "Lack of consumer knowledge and consciousness towards environmental sustainability" was found to be the top-ranked obstacle followed by "Unwillingness towards supply chain re-structuring". Research limitations/implications: The obstacles' prioritized rankings could help leaders to create sequential strategies for adapting a resilient CSCM structure by systematically eliminating these obstacles. Moreover, the pinpointed critical obstacles could be investigated further in separate studies and generate future studies' scope. Originality/value: During the extensive literature survey, it had been found that the CSCM practices are in the fledgling stage in the developing country's context. Moreover, studies related to CSCM adaption in rubber-based manufacturing industries were much lacking. Presented work is peculiar, aiming to accelerate the CSCM adaption in the industrial rubber sector in developing countries like India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of high-quality polystyrene-based plastic scintillators with fluorescent dyes such as b-PBD, p-TP and DPB as dopants have been synthesized by thermal bulk polymerization in an in-house developed muffle furnace to analyse the effect of dyes on their scintillation performance. The comparative studies revealed that b-PBD is the efficient fluorescent dye for the polystyrene-based plastic scintillator and shows better performance with high fluorescence intensity, short decay time of 3.3 and 6.2 ns under γ-ray and fast neutron excitation, significant radiation resistance and the light yield is found to be 50% of that of stilbene crystal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the effect on the mechanical and tribological behaviour of aluminium alloy (AA 7175) reinforced with marble dust has been studied. The waste powder of marble developed during its processing, which is a huge environmental waste as its disposal is very difficult. The remarkable wear and friction resistant properties of marble dust make to promising material to be used in MMC. Marble dust used untreated may result in defective MMC due to the presence of moisture and chemical contamination. In this article the marble dust was preheated at a temperature of 150°C and 300°C to remove the volatile chemical contamination and moisture. The composite of preheated marble dust and AA 7175 was formed by stir casing. The optical microscopy and XRD analysis was carried for examining the microstructure and dispersion of marble dust particles in the AA 7175 matrix. The microhardness of the MMC sample improved but the tensile strength slightly decreased. The high-temperature tribological study of the developed composite was performed using the Pin-on-Disc tribometer. The scanning electron microscopy was done to study the worn out surfaces. There was considerable improvement in the tribological behaviour of composite prepared by pre-heating the marble dust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this report, high concentrations of dye doped advanced plastic scintillators are fabricated by bulk thermal polymerization. High soluble primary fluor 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO) having emission wavelength within the UV spectrum and the wavelength shifter 3-hydroxyflavone (3HF) showing emission peak at 530 nm were mixed into the styrene base matrix. The wavelength shifter eliminates the phenomenon of self-absorption, which increases the energy transfer efficiency from the primary dye to the spectral shifter. The structural confirmation was performed by XRD measurement and the surface morphology of the synthesized polystyrene-based plastic scintillators were examined using FESEM. The elemental analysis, purity of the material, chemical states and its compositions were analyzed through EDS, FT-Raman and XPS techniques, respectively. Our studies revealed the good scintillation performance of these novel clear and transparent scintillators for fast neutron detection, showing maximum emission peak around 540 nm with bright green fluorescence, fast scintillation decay under neutron and gamma excitation and good neutron/gamma pulse shape discrimination with a figure of merit of 1.6. The fabricated plastic scintillators possessed an energy linearity of more than 99.8% from the pulse spectra analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Speciation of actinide (An) and lanthanide (Ln) in technologically important ceramics is very important from both fundamental as well as technological aspects. The intrinsic structural flexibility of perovskite containing AO6 and BO12 polyhedra makes them suitable and rich hosts for An and Ln. In this work, emphasis was given to deciphering information such as oxidation state, local dopant site, charge compensating defects, excited state kinetics, and so forth in BaHfO3 (BHO) related to dopant uranium (BHO‐U) and cerium (BHO‐Ce). Several spectroscopic techniques namely, time‐resolved photoluminescence (TRPL), positron annihilation lifetime spectra (PALS), and thermoluminescence (TL) spectroscopy coupled with density functional theory (DFT) were employed to probe the same. Ce and U though are distributed at both Ba and Hf sites, Ce prefers the former, while U prefers the latter site. Uranium on the other hand stabilizes as U6+ in the form of octahedral uranate ion giving green emission. PALS suggested the formation of defects in BHO‐Ce and BHO‐U with oxygen vacancies predominating in the former whereas BHO‐U perovskites are loaded with cation vacancies and vacancy clusters. These cation vacancies are responsible for lower TL output in BHO‐U. TL measurements also suggested cerium doping leads to a higher density of deeper traps in BHO‐Ce compared to uranium doping in BHO‐U which is in concurrence with DFT results and may have implications in designing afterglow phosphors based on perovskite. We believe this work would have a long‐term impact on exploring the potential of perovskite for nuclear waste host and afterglow phosphors applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fabrication and the scintillation properties of a polyvinyltoluene-based plastic scintillator doped with 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO) and 1,4-bis[2-(phenyloxazolyl)]-benzene (POPOP) are presented. The XRD structural analysis and SEM-EDS technique confirm the amorphous nature of the material. The high optical transparency of 88% over the entire visible region, the refractive index of 1.57 near to that of glass and the emission wavelength at 425 nm make the synthesized PVT scintillator well suitable for radiation detection and measurements. The scintillation lifetime of 4 ns under 137Cs exposure revealed its utilization as fast timing detector for Time-of-Flight measurements. The fabricated scintillator shows a maximum light output of 65% of stilbene crystal. Scintillation light loss shown for 60Co irradiations with radiation doses of 1 Mrad and 1.98 Mrad evinced the good radiation hardness characteristic of the material, bringing about a best candidate for high radiation level environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In developing nations, the changing lifestyle of the masses and the winds of globalization have increased the consumption rate of processed food items. However, the network of processed food supply chains is confronting various challenges impacting the production-consumption avenues. The presented work aims to identify and analyze the challenges encumbering the processed food supply chain dynamics. To meet this goal, thirty-two distinct challenges are identified from the research literature and refined by seeding inputs from field experts into an exploratory factor analysis. Challenges of high field relevance are further analyzed for the contextual interrelationships and severity by the novel hybrid approach Interval Valued Neutrosophic Vague Set Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory. The outcomes of the presented work find their implication in formulating the decisional framework and strategic and tactical roadmaps to mitigate the impact of these challenges to mapping demand and supply patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak resulting in Cold Supply Chain (CSC) disruptions and shed new light on the potential opportunities yielded from the pandemic. In addition, the work also aims to explore the most appropriate strategies to minimize CSC disruption due to the COVID-19 outbreak and to repurpose to create conditions as they were before the pandemic. The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on CSCs has been analyzed theoretically and empirically, considering seven broader assessment criteria. To diminish the disruption due to COVID-19, eight of the most appropriate remedial strategies have been proposed in this study. A new hierarchical model was developed to articulate the analysis and consolidate various issues pertinent to CSC disruption caused by COVID-19 in one frame. The developed model was analyzed using a hybrid approach of SWARA-based MULTIMOORA methods. The SWARA method has been used to analyze the significance of considered assessment criteria, while the MULTIMOORA method has been used to analyze the mutual importance of proposed strategies. The findings of this paper show that 'structural impact' and 'business and financial impact' are the two most affected traits of CSC during the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the world. Meanwhile, the strategies 'development of safe and healthier work scenario for partners of the cold chain' and 'successful monitoring and implementation of COVID-19 protocols' are the two most important proposed strategies that might help management to mitigate the influence of the COVID-19 outbreak on CSCs. Findings of this research enable CSC managers and policy-makers to develop potential and robust plans for their operations to respond to disruptive situations like COVID-19 and turn them into opportunities for organizational growth and improving the health of society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materials that can depict persistent deep red light under both ultraviolet (UV) and X-ray illumination can be a boon to sustainable economy, particularly for optical imaging, solid state lighting, and anticounterfeiting applications. Herein, we have made a series of compounds starting from ZnGa2O4:Cr3+ to ZnAl2O4:Cr3+ (individual spinel) by substituting the varied concentration of Al3+ in place of Ga3+ in ZnGa2−xAlxO4:Cr3+ (solid solution). By virtue of the structural and defect engineering doping strategy, the photo and radioluminescence are expected to be improved. Both Cr and Al doping was found to be energetically favorable in ZnGa2O4, where the same does not hold true for Ga doping in ZnAl2O4, as indicated by the DFT-calculated defect formation energies. There seems to be ordering around the dopant ion in the solid solutions compared to either ZnGa2O4 or ZnAl2O4 and is also reflected to as lower persistent luminescence (PerL) lifetimes. PerL under UV, in general. was found to be lower with the enhancement in the Al3+ content endowed by the formation of Cr–Cr ion pair, lower probability of antisite formation, and widening band gap. On the other hand, X-ray excited emission enhances in the solid solution due to the decrease in cation inversion and associated defects. Confocal Microscopy showed that larger particles depicted much brighter deep red emission but failed to percolate to the human cells to a detectable limit; hence, future work is needed for the functionalization of the ZnGa2−xAlxO4:Cr3+ spinel. This work could be of great implication in designing need-based materials, where UV and X-ray excitation is required, for deep red emission with persistent characteristics from chromium-doped spinels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adsorbing halogen and alkali metals atoms modify the optical and electrical characteristics of WSe2 monolayer (2D). The electrical and optical characteristics of the Wse2 monolayer, alkali and halogen atoms adsorbed WSe2 structures are investigated through density functional theory (DFT) simulations. The pristine WSe2 monolayer has insignificant absorption in the infrared and most parts of the visible region, and substantial absorption in the ultraviolet (UV) region (λ < 410 nm) as well as in a small section of the visible spectrum. The absorption coefficient of alkali–halogen adsorbed structures of WSe2 seems to expand with wavelength, and absorption peaks move toward the higher energy region of the optical spectrum, resulting in redshift effect. Significant absorption is observed in the entire visible spectrum (~ 410 to 780 nm) for both alkali and halogen adsorbed WSe2 nanostructures. The chlorine, bromine, and iodine adsorbed WSe2 structure shows larger absorption in the entire visible region among all other adsorbed structures. Presence of absorption peaks in the visible range of wavelengths rather than in the UV region, is beneficial for optoelectronic applications such as LEDs, CRTs, solar cells, and sensors. Trends in computed dielectric constant and refractive index values are also found to be compatible with trends in absorption coefficient values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension-II (SNAPPE-II) and Paediatric Risk of Mortality-III (PRISM-III) are scores which have been used in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) setting for quite some time now. However, these have never been utilised in a preoperative setting to predict outcome. Aim: To study the risk scores PRISM-III and SNAPPE-II to predict outcome in neonates undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational cohort study conducted in Lady Hardinge Medical College and Kalawati Saran Children Hospital, New Delhi, India on 100 neonates. The PRISM-III and SNAPPE-II scores were calculated preoperatively to predict the postoperative outcome. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15.0 was used for analysis. Discriminatory capacity of scores was assessed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. Specificity and sensitivity were calculated to identify the cut-off value of the scoring system that would predict outcome. The calibration of both the scoring systems was established by using Hosmer- Lemeshow goodness of fit test. Results: The mean age of population was 8.23±7.93 days, with 69% males and 31% females. The mortality rate was 12%. The maximum sensitivity (91.67%) and specificity (93.18%) for PRISMIII score was found at score 23, whereas best sensitivity (100%) and specificity (81.82%) for SNAPPE-II was at 26.5. The area under ROC for PRISM-III and SNAPPE-II was 0.946 and 0.944 respectively showing excellent discriminatory power. The Hosmer- Lemeshow test showed a good calibration for the study model. Conclusion: Both the scoring systems PRISM-III and SNAPPEII are excellent predictors of postoperative outcomes. PRISMIII is marginally better than SNAPPE-II for diagnostic accuracy. Both scores are well calibrated for Indian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current scenario, climatic adversities and a growing population are adding woes to the concerns of food safety and security. Furthermore, with the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 by the United Nations (UN), focusing on sustainable production–consumption, climatic vulnerabilities need to be addressed. Hence, in order to map the sustainable production–consumption avenues, agricultural practices need to be investigated for practices like Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA). A need has arisen to align the existing agricultural practices in the developing nation towards the avenues of CSA, in order to counter the abrupt climatic changes. Addressing the same, a relation hierarchical model is developed which clusters the various governing criteria and their allied attributes dedicated towards the adoption of CSA practices. Furthermore, the developed model is contemplated for securing the primacies of promising practices for the enactment of CSA using the duo of the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) and Fuzzy AHP (FAHP). The outcomes result in the substantial sequencing of the key attributes acting as a roadmap toward the CSA. This emphasizes the adoption of knowledge-based smart practices, which leaps from the current agricultural practices toward the CSA. Furthermore, by intensifying the utilization of the improved and resilient seed varieties and implying the fundamentals of agroforestry, we secure primacy to counter the adversities of the climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The catastrophic state of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has seized off all the operations along with the globe. It has not only distressed the socio-economic structure of the world but also mounted enormous pressure on the governmental bodies to save the lives of the people. Despite this, severe impacts of the same have been observed on the small and medium manufacturing enterprises (SMME) practices, resulting in the economic downturn. The purpose of this study is to facilitate the SMME's with circular economy (CE) practices to overcome the negative impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on their supply chain (SC) operations. Design/methodology/approach: The presented work identified seven critical impacts as criteria of the novel COVID-19 pandemic on the Indian SMME and seeks to identify the relief measures in the CE paradigm by identifying 13 prominent enablers to CE as alternatives. Experts' opinions have been engaged to detect CE enablers' proficiency to overpower the pandemic impact through a questionnaire-based survey. The obtained data have been clustered and analyzed through a hybrid approach of entropy weight method and grey relational analysis to find an organized ranking of the enablers. Findings: Current work spotlights the SMME's losses due to SC disruptions and declined consumption patterns. The waste augmentation during the pandemic era has also been grouped in this study, primarily associating with the SC's waste generation. The result of the performed analysis shows that the CE enabler "waste reduction and its transformation into a resource (E1)" have achieved the highest rank among all the considered enablers, governing a higher demand toward reusing waste for better handling the post COVID era state of affairs. Originality/value: The presented study aimed to suppress the pandemic impact and generate anticipation of the CE concept, which might help the managers and policymakers identify its urgent need to achieve a stable and resilient SC system in a post COVID period. Presented work is peculiar, aiming to accelerate the CE adaption with green material usage in the industrial sector to suppress the present miserable condition and to achieve industrial and social sustainability for a better-foreseen future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased globalization and the surging count of the population across the world indicate the need for more sustainable supply chains, especially those allied with the food industry. Nowadays, the demand for processed food items is increasing and establishing new markets globally. The sequence of activities starting from the farm and ending at the fork determines the sustainability within processed food supply chain (FSC) dynamics. Emphasizing sustainability-based performance systems in the processed FSC marks an effective and efficient utilization of resources, strengthening the dimension of economic, environmental, and societal benefits. The presented work aimed to review the avenues for adopting sustainability in the actions of Indian processed FSCs. For the same relation hierarchical models, clustering the various key enactors of sustainability in processed FSCs, every functional tier was developed. This relational, hierarchical framework was contemplated by implying the Pythagorean fuzzy set. The proposed methodology handled the mutual interrelation between the enactors and the uncertainty associated with human judgments, establishing the sequence of sustainability enactors. Outcomes of the presented study have implications in developing the framework, policy formulation, decisional attributes, facilitating field practitioners in streamlining, and embedding sustainability within the actions of processed FSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present Industry 4.0 technologies for advancing the circular economy (CE) adaption in manufacturing industry's supply chain (SC) network. To pursue the same, Industry 4.0 technological aspects were recognized as solution measures to overcome the challenges for CE implementation in SC. Design methodology approach: A new hierarchical framework containing 13 leading CE challenges and eight promising Industry 4.0 technological aspects had been proposed, representing their mutual relationship. The proposed framework was analysed using a hybrid approach of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and combinative distance-based assessment (CODAS) under interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy (IVIF) environment. The IVIF-AHP was used to acquire the priority weights of the CE challenges, whereas the IVIF-CODAS was used to attain the preference order of the proposed technological aspects. Findings: The key findings of the present work indicate that "Information disruptions among the SC members due to multiple channels" and "Manpower inability to handle the toxic materials" are the two most critical challenges hindering the adoption of CE practices in SC. Along with, the results also demonstrate that to overcome these challenges, "Smarter equipment to empower flexibility and mass customization" and "Big data driven decision-making system" are the two most significant Industry 4.0 technological solutions, adoption of which might encourage the organizations to align their operations with CE philosophies. Research limitations implications: The sample size of the experts engaged in work was limited; however, big data studies could be conducted in future to capture more insights of the stated topic. In addition to this, to understand the implication of CE on Industry 4.0-based manufacturing, a separate study can be synthesised in future. Originality value: The proposed work facilitates a new framework consolidating various perspectives associated with CE implementation into a manufacturing industry considering the scenario of Indian rubber industry. This study enables the decision-makers to recognize the challenging factors for CE implementation into their organizations and up-taking the proposed Industry 4.0 practices as technological measures for improving the organization overall performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Revenue management (RM) helps predict customer demand to optimize inventory availability and price so that revenue growth can be maximized. The main aim of revenue management is to sell the right product at the right time and for the right price to the right consumer. Over the past two decades, revenue management techniques for restaurant industries have started to appear in the literature. This paper aims to thoroughly review this literature and identify emerging issues. The paper is mainly structured around strategic levers of restaurant revenue management, barriers to the implementation of revenue management strategies in restaurants, and emerging themes in restaurant revenue management. The paper concludes with a summary of key findings and carefully identified directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium iodides are very efficient single‐crystal scintillators for thermal neutron detection. Doping with silver, as activator ions, has shown to improve its limitation of discriminating gamma background by introducing pulse shape discrimination ability. To improve the scintillation performance, single crystals of LiI:Ag, codoped with different concentration of Sr ions, are grown and characterized in details. A systematic investigation of radioluminescence, thermoluminescence, and scintillation properties along with the decay kinetics provides better understanding about the role of defect structure in scintillation mechanism. The extra charge, provided by Sr2+ ions, is found to alter the defect structure with relative reduction of the contribution from the deeper trap centers in comparison with the shallow traps. Consequently, it leads to a significant improvement of light yield quenching under higher excitation density of charged particle irradiation. The 0.1% Sr codoped crystals provide a better discrimination ability of neutron and gamma radiations for simultaneous detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A poor performance of the cold supply chain (CSC) may increase the loss of quality and potency of perishables and temperature-sensitive products that deteriorate the financial and environmental aspects of the same. The purpose of the current research work is to identify the critical performance factors (criteria) and their co-factors (sub-criteria) that are responsible for the performance measurement of CSC and suggest the best possible solutions (alternatives) to improve the same. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve the objective of the research, a hierarchical model has been developed and analyzed using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)-Fuzzy TOPSIS as a hybrid approach to obtain the severity weights of the identified criteria and prioritization toward their relative importance for the best possible alternatives. Findings: Analysis reveals that the criteria "energy consumption" comes out to be the most critical criteria, and alternative "application of passive cold devices" is the most effective solution for improving the performance of CSC. Higher energy consumption leads to a higher rate of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions increasing the global warming phenomenon, high operational cost and degradation of natural energy resources. The Application of Passive Cold Devices (PCDs) utilizes solar energy to operate the refrigeration units reducing the energy consumption, environmental and operating cost of CSC. Research limitations/implications: The research work provides several insights into the critical issues related to the CSC and suggests significant findings that enable the management and decision-makers to adopt these practices for performance evaluation and improvement of the same. The key findings of the work, such as "application of passive cold devices" and "application of IoT in cold chain logistics", facilitate an improved platform to improve the CSC performance and proposed several directions that will enhance the merit of future research. Originality/value: The presented study consolidates the various perspectives associated with CSC performance, explores the most critical criteria and proposes the best suitable cold chain practices for organizational growth. The work also provides an analytical analysis with the essence of practicalities and sensitivity analysis to support the robustness of the results. By enriching the literature and quantitative analysis of the new proposed model, this paper forms vast managerial and research implications in the field of CSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to presents a novel integrated fuzzy decision support system for analyzing the issues related to failure of a milk process plant unit. Design/methodology/approach: Process failure mode effect analysis (PFMEA) approach was implemented to list failure causes under each subsystem/component and fuzzy ratings for three risk criteria, i.e. probability of failure occurrence (O_f), severity (S) and non-detection (O_d) are collected against the listed failure causes through experts feedback. A new doubly technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (DTOPSIS) approach was implemented within fuzzy PFMEA tool for ranking of listed failure causes. The proposed decision support system overcomes the restrictions of classical PFMEA and IF-THEN rule base PFMEA approaches in an effective way. Findings: Failure causes such as electrical winding failure (RM4), high pressure in plate region (C1), communication problem in supervisory control and data acquisition control (MS3), insulation problem (ST2), lever breakage (B2), gasket problem (D3), formation of holes (PHE5), cavitations (FP7), deposition of milk particle inside the pipeline because of improper cleaning (MHP2) were acknowledged as the most critical one with the application of proposed decision support system. Research limitations/implications: The analysis results are based on subjective judgments of the experts and therefore correctness of risk ranking results are totally dependent upon the quality of input data/information available from these experts. However, the analyst has taken proper care for considering the vagueness of the raw data by incorporating fuzzy set theory within the proposed decision support system. Practical implications: The proposed fuzzy decision support system has been presented with its application on milk pasteurization plant of a milk process industry. The analysis based ranking results have been supplied to maintenance manager of the plant and a consent was shown by him with these results. Once the top management of the plant took decision for the implementation of these results, the detailed robustness of the proposed decision support system could be evaluated further. Social implications: The analysis result would be highly useful for minimizing sudden breakdowns and operational cost of the plant which directly contributes to plant's profitability. With the decrease in the chances of sudden breakdowns there would be high safety for the people working on/off the plant's site. Further, with increase in availability of the considered plant the societal daily demand related to dairy products could be easily fulfilled at reasonable prices. Originality/value: The performance and proficiency of the proposed decision support system has been evaluated by comparing the ranking results with classical TOPSIS and VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) approaches based results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single crystals of Gd 3 Ga 3 Al 2 O 12 :Ce,B were grown and coupled to Si-based photosensors, i.e. avalanche photodiode (APD) and silicon photomultipliers (SiPM), to develop a compact yet efficient thermal neutron detector. The performance of a GGAG:Ce,B/CsI:Tl phoswich coupled to SiPM is also studied for the detection and the discrimination of thermal neutrons in the presence of gamma background. The observed characteristic peaks around 35 and 78 keV corresponding to low-energy X-rays and conversion electrons resulting from the thermal neutron capture are found to be well discriminated from the gamma background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TThe electronic and optical properties of sphalerite (ZnS) are modulated by adsorbing alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) and halogen (F, Cl, Br, I, At). Simulations based on density‐functional theory are used to study the electronic and optical properties of pristine sphalerite and alkali‐halogen adsorbed sphalerite structures. The results suggest that pristine sphalerite has high absorption in several portions of ultraviolet (UV) region (λ < 250 nm) and negligible absorption in the visible and IR region. The alkali‐halogen adsorbed structure of sphalerite results into red‐shift phenomenon in which an increase in absorption coefficient with wavelength is observed or spectrum shifting towards the red end is observed. Strong absorption for both alkali and halogen adsorbed nanostructures is found throughout the visible zone (~410 to 780 nm) of the spectrum. Bromine adsorbed sphalerite structure results in highest value of absorption in visible region in comparison to other alkali and halogen adsorbed structures. This shift in absorption peaks from UV region to desired visible region range is beneficial for optoelectronic applications and in fabrication of optoelectronics devices such as LED, ARC, solar cells, CRTs and sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has created the catastrophic situation, it has crippled all the economic activities and seized off the operations of food supply chain (FSC). Disrupted FSC escalated the societal concerns related to food safety and security. The purpose of this study is to consolidate various issues, exploring the perspectives associated with the agricultural practices, food industries and society concerns related with the FSC performance system dynamics amid of COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: To structure this work, a detailed research literature insight focussing on the key findings associated with the past disease outbreaks like influenza, avian flu, Ebola, bird flu, SARS, foot and mouth disease and ongoing phase of COVID-19, encompassing the perspective related with various agricultural and concerned supply chain practices is clustered. Furthermore, issues having relevancy with the notion of this work, sourced from platforms of print and electronic media have been incorporated to ground the reality associated with the impacts, for better visualisation of the perspectives. Findings: This study outlays the key findings which are relevant with the past pandemic outbreaks from the core of the research literature. It details the impact of the current COVID-19 scenario on the various FSC operations, focussing on dimensions allied with the industry, economic and society concerns. For the same, to mitigate the effects, relief measures focussing on the short- and long-term perspectives have been incorporated. Steps ramped up by the Government of India (GOI) to safeguard masses from the threat of food security, accelerate pace of the FSC operations and upscale operating capacities of the industries and agriculture practices have incorporated. Research limitations/implications: Presented work is persuaded amid of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions hence it outlays the theoretical perspectives only. But, these perspectives portray the ongoing scenario's impacts, extending its implication to the people coming from the industry and academia background. This study can felicitate the government bodies to make them familiar with the various impacts which indented the FSCs, food industries and added woes to the society concerns. Originality/value: India is the second largest populated nation of the world, and outspread of the COVID-19 has capsized the FSCs and raised the various instances, making population vulnerable to the threats of food insecurity. This study encompasses effect of the FSC disruption by incorporating its effect on the food industries practices, societal issues and extending possible relief measures to restructure the FSC dynamics. As of now, study focussing on the Indian FSC concerns, detailing of impacts due to pandemic outbreak, relief measures to sail out of the hard times are not available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The <100> plane of trans-Stilbene (TSB) crystal has been grown using the low-temperature modified vertical Bridgman method with slight modification in the growth setup. The design of a reformed vertical Bridgman method attached with a gear mechanism was used successfully for the growth of good optical quality TSB crystal. The grown single crystal possesses higher transparency, which proves the crystal's suitability for scintillator and optical applications. Several growth conditions were scientifically optimized to attain improved transmittance. The thermogravimetric analysis confirms that the material is steady up to 125 °C without any phase change. The ordinary (no) and also extraordinary refractive index (ne) was evaluated by utilizing the prism coupling technique at various wavelengths in the range from 407 to 1551 nm. The neutron and gamma-ray discrimination capabilities were measured by pulse shape discrimination (PSD method) through using standard 137Cs (gamma rays) and Am–Be (neutron) radioactive sources with excellent performance. Hirshfeld surface analysis was carried out to explore the various intermolecular interactions in the TSB crystal. The maximum interaction is H...H (51.4%), which is confirmed by the abundance of hydrogen on the molecule. Results are discussed in relation to optical, structural, and scintillation properties of the grown TSB crystal. Due to its PSD ability, this crystal scintillator could be used for numerous utilizations in the division of radiation detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The silicon dioxide (i.e. quartz) has been finely viewed as one of the exceedingly claimed contemporary ceramics which is getting broad engineering applications owing to its superior and excellent properties. Though, its effective and productive processing is still unanswered. This study has been intended to study the consequence of numerous input factors, i.e.; feed rate, tool rotation, ultrasonic power, and coolant pressure on the measures of hole quality (chipping thickness, and surface roughness) experimentally, in rotary type ultrasonic drilling of silicon dioxide. The experiments have been schemed out by employing response surface methodology. The evaluation and analysis of the microstructure of processed samples have also been attempted. This testing has revealed the existence of dominated brittle type of fracture along with the slighter plastic flow that takes away the material from the work. The fitness and consistency of the built-up mathematical model have also been developed with the trial runs. The optimization of measured multiple responses has been carried by using desirability based approach, and at optimized variable values, the superior test run values for chipping thickness, and surface roughness have been observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A phoswich detector was fabricated using a combination of single-crystal scintillators of CsI:Tl and Gd3Ga3Al2O12:Ce,B. The performance characteristics of this novel phoswich detector were investigated for thermal neutron detection in the presence of different gamma backgrounds using an Am–Be source and in a research reactor beam line. High atomic density and excellent thermal neutron capture cross section of Gd leads to the high detection efficiency for thermal neutrons in a 1-mm thin disk of Gd3Ga3Al2O12 crystal. The high figure of merit of ~6.5 obtained for thermal neutron detection ensures the detector’s excellent discrimination property in the presence of high gamma background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An integrated approach was used to characterize Eu2+ doped CsCaCl3 and CsCaI3 crystals theoretically and experimentally. The temperature dependence of photoluminescence excitation, emission, and decay time was studied to better understand the energy transport and migration mechanism in these materials. The broadening and redshift of emission with increasing temperature was explained for both crystals by simultaneous quenching of emission and interaction of emission states with lattice vibration. The unusual increase of photoluminescence decay time with increasing temperature was ascribed to the presence of states with a lowered radiative rate slightly above the emitting states. The electronic and optical properties were also calculated theoretically with the help of Density functional theory in order to explain the Eu2+ emission properties in these crystals. The calculation explains the better scintillation light output and proportionality in CsCaI3. The promising cross-luminescent efficiency of these materials is also explained with the help of electronic band structure and dispersion of the partial density of the states of constituent atoms. Despite structural anisotropy, the calculated optical properties of CsCaI3 are nearly isotropic, and therefore the synthesis of optically transparent polycrystalline ceramics may be possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, single crystals of a new nonhygroscopic scintillating material of tetrafluoroaluminate (TlAlF4) were grown using the Bridgman–Stockbarger technique. The diffraction pattern obtained from powder X-ray diffraction was found to be in good agreement with the reference data. The X-ray-induced luminescence measurements of the grown crystal sample exhibit a very strong intrinsic emission band in the wavelength range from 300 to 450 nm, with a peak maximum at 390 nm. Scintillation properties, such as pulse height spectra and decay time of the grown crystals, were investigated using γ-rays from the 137Cs radiation source. The scintillation light yield was found to be ~11 800 ph/MeV. At room temperature, the measured decay time profile was fitted with three exponential functions; the result showed a fast component of 194 ns (13.1%), a medium component of 992 ns (84.6%), and a slow component of 3.5 μs (2.3%). Trap centers were studied using the results obtained from thermally stimulated luminescence. The temperature dependence of the scintillation light yield and decay time was also studied. The results showed that TlAlF4 is a promising scintillator crystal, and thus, a potential candidate for X-ray and γ-ray detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Presented work gives comparative review of food supply chain (FSC) under various notions related to its conceptualisation, operationality and technological advancements in lieu with Industry 4.0 revolution. In Indian scenario, the impression of FSC seems in a scattered way that cannot be directly useful for an organisation, to overcome this scattering, a framework has been developed to consolidate the previous research works and exploration of new trends in food supply chain management (FSCM) in context to Indian scenario. Design/methodology/approach: This article encapsulates the essence of various research articles and reports retrieved from databases of Emerald and Elsevier's Science direct, clustering the various notions related to FSC in Indian context. To visualise the one-sight view of related works, a pictorial representations have also been appended. Findings: This article explains the general aspect of FSC and its linkage in context to Indian system. Presented work outlays both empirical and theoretical approaches trending from last 15 years. As research count in context to Indian FSC is lacking, so this work will be a road map for expedition in direction of FSCM, in era of research. Practical implications: Findings and suggestion in this work can expanded in various industries related to food, helping to turn their fortune and enrichment of Indian FSC. Social implications: Food is binding word for all the commodities, and its effective supply chain management is a big boon for economy of country along with large employment generation for people directly/indirectly associated with this industry. This article covers a generalise approach from ground level framework to a level of advancement which fulfil technological aspects, future needs and upcoming trends in lieu to need of developing nation. Originality/value: As limited research is done in Indian FSCM, this work to bridge this gap along with a well-defined framework which going to explore FSC. This work is going to be facilitation for researchers of this area as no major review for Indian context has not been published. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drugs in the chemical space beyond the rule of 5 (bRo5) can modulate targets with difficult binding sites while retaining cell permeability and oral absorption. Reviewing the syntheses of bRo5 drugs approved since 1990 highlights synthetic chemistry's contribution to drug discovery in this space. Initially, bRo5 drugs were mainly natural products and semi‐synthetic derivatives. Later, peptidomimetics and de novo designed compounds, that include up to seven chiral centres and macrocyclic rings became dominant. These drugs are prepared by total synthesis, sometimes by routes of more than 25 steps with stereocentres originating from the chiral pool, or being installed by chiral induction or enzymatic resolution. Interestingly, ring‐closing metathesis proved to be the method of choice for macrocyclisation in hepatitis C virus protease inhibitors. We conclude that structural simplification, planning of synthetic routes regarding incorporation of stereocentres and macrocyclisation, as well as incorporation of structural knowledge and consideration of chameleonic properties in design, should facilitate drug discovery in bRo5 space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we have extended our study on the effect of codopants on the scintillation properties of Ce-doped Gd3Ga3 Al2O12(GGAG:Ce) single crystals by investigating their pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) abilities. The GGAG:Ce crystals were grown with boron and calcium codopants using the Czochralski technique. The codoping was found to have substantial effects on the PSD ability of these scintillators. Observable difference in the pulse shapes for alpha and gamma radiations in the B-codoped GGAG:Ce scintillators exhibited the highest PSD, while those with Ca codoping showed no discrimination among the studied samples despite having a significant effect on the scintillation kinetics and a strong quenching of the light yield by alpha radiations that resulted in a minimum α/γ ratio. A correlation of the PSD properties with the defect structure of these single crystals has been made by using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) for the first time. OSL studies with infrared, blue, and green light provided an insight into the role of defect centers in the relaxation mechanism of the scintillation kinetics of the GGAG:Ce crystals, which subsequently affects their ability to discriminate different kinds of radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]