Application of Atanassov’s I-fuzzy set theory to matrix games with fuzzy goals and fuzzy payoffs

We aim to extend some results in [6, 7, 8, 2] on two person zero sum matrix games (TPZSMG) with fuzzy goals and fuzzy payoffs to I-fuzzy scenario. Because the payoffs of the matrix game are fuzzy numbers, the aspiration levels of the players are fuzzy as well. It is reasonable to believe that there is some indeterminacy in estimating the aspiration levels of both players from their respective expected pay offs. This situation is modeled in the game using Atanassov??s I-fuzzy set theory. A new solution concept is proposed for such games and a procedure is outlined to obtain the degrees of suitability of the aspiration levels for each of the two players.     

A Hybrid Experimental/Numerical Investigation of the Response of Multilayered MEMS Devices to Dynamic Loading

In order to probe the mechanical response of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) subjected to dynamic loading, a modified split Hopkinson pressure bar was used to load MEMS devices at accelerations ranging from 10³–10⁵  g. Multilayer beams consisting of a PZT film sandwiched between two metal electrodes atop an elastic layer of silicon dioxide were studied because of their relevance to active MEMS devices. Experiments were conducted using the modified split Hopkinson pressure bar to quantify the effects of dynamic loading amplitude, duration, and temporal profile on the failure of the multilayered cantilever beams. Companion finite element simulations of these beams, informed by experimental measurements, were conducted to shed light into the deformation of the multilayered beams. Results of the numerical simulations were then coupled with independent experimental measurements of failure stress in order to predict the material layer at which failure initiation occurred, and the associated time to failure. High-speed imaging was also used to capture the first real-time images of MEMS structures responding to dynamic loading and successfully compare the recorded failure event with those predicted numerically.     

17‐Oxo‐16‐(2‐pyridyl­methyl­ene)­androst‐5‐en‐3β‐ol monohydrate

The title compound, C₂₅H₃₁NO₂·H₂O, has the outer two six‐membered rings in chair conformations, while the central ring is in an 8β,9α‐half‐chair conformation. The five‐membered ring adopts a 13,14‐half‐chair conformation. The pyridyl­methyl­ene moiety has an E configuration with respect to the carbonyl group at position 17. The structure is stabilized by intermolecular O—H?N and O—H?O hydrogen bonds.     

Investigation of the Effect of Substituents on Electronic and Charge Transport Properties of Benzothiazole Derivatives

A series of new benzothiazole-derived donor–acceptor-based compounds (Comp1–4) were synthesized and characterized with the objective of tuning their multifunctional properties, i.e., charge transport, electronic, and optical. All the proposed structural formulations (Comp1–4) were commensurate using FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ESI-mass, UV–vis, and elemental analysis techniques. The effects of the electron-donating group (-CH₃) and electron-withdrawing group (-NO₂) on the optoelectronic and charge transfer properties were studied. The substituent effect on absorption was calculated at the TD-B3LYP/6-31+G** level in the gas and solvent phases. The effect of solvent polarity on the absorption spectra using various polar and nonpolar solvents, i.e., ethanol, acetone, DMF, and DMSO was investigated. Light was shed on the charge transport in benzothiazole compounds by calculating electron affinity, ionization potential, and reorganization energies. Furthermore, the synthesized compounds were used to prepare thin films on the FTO substrate to evaluate the charge carrier mobility and other related device parameters with the help of I-V characteristic measurements.     

A scheme for sequential separation of thorium,lanthanides, uranium in geo-materials and their ICP-OES determination

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Neutral complexes of thorium and lanthanides with 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene and anionic complexes of uranium with the same chelating agent in...     

Synthesis, Characterization and Phosphodiester Bond Cleavage Studies of the Dinuclear, Thioacetatocobalt(II) of 3-methylsulfanylpropionic Acid Complex

A new dinuclear cobalt(II) complex containing monothioacetate and 3-methylsulfanylpropionate ligands was synthesized and fully characterized by spectral, magnetic moment, electrochemical, elemental, thermal and FAB mass analyses data. In order to explore the role of labile metal complexes in promoting phosphodiester hydrolysis, kinetic and mechanistic studies were performed. The hydrolyses of ethyl 4-nitrophenylphosphate (ENPP) and the bis(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) complex are catalytic, as determined by the observations of both rate enhancement and turnover. The pH versus rate profile indicates that deprotonation of the metal-coordinated water occurs to form the active catalyst.     

Coherent states of a damped harmonic oscillator

We construct here the coherent states (annihilation operator eigenstates) of a damped harmonic oscillator. These coherent states, which are normalizable, have the desired behaviour in the classical limit (ℏ→0).     

Dielectric properties of a strongly polar nematic liquid crystal compound doped with gold nanoparticles

This study focuses on the electrical characteristics of a strongly polar nematic liquid crystal, Hexyloxy-cyanobiphenyl (6OCB), doped with a low concentration (2% by weight) of citrate buffer stabilised gold nanoparticles (GNPs) at low frequencies between 20 Hz and 35 MHz. The doped samples have lower values of nematic–isotropic transition temperature, permittivity (both parallel and perpendicular to the field direction) and dielectric anisotropy; however, relaxation time and activation energy were increased. The observed results could be explained on the basis of weakly anisotropic nature of GNPs and a local rearrangement of liquid crystal molecules surrounding the nanoparticles. Moreover, a complimentary suggestion on a possible change in the dipole–dipole correlation is made to explain the difference in changes (qualitative and quantitative) observed for permittivity of the host nematic liquid crystal doped with GNP. Temperature dependent dielectric relaxation studies indicate an increase in viscosity and potential barrier; and hence a change in strength of inter-molecular and intra-molecular interactions is suggested.     

Underwater adhesive using solid–liquid polymer mixes

Instantaneous adhesion between different materials is a requirement for several applications ranging from electronics to biomedicine. Approaches such as surface patterning, chemical cross-linking, surface modification, and chemical synthesis have been adopted to generate temporary adhesion between various materials and surfaces. Because of the lack of curing times, temporary adhesives are instantaneous, a useful property for specific applications that need quick bonding. However, to this day, temporary adhesives have been mainly demonstrated under dry conditions and do not work well in submerged or humid environments. Furthermore, most rely on chemical bonds resulting from strong interactions with the substrate such as acrylate based. This work demonstrates the synthesis of a universal amphibious adhesive solely by combining solid polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and liquid polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymers. While the dipole-dipole interactions are induced by a large electronegativity difference between fluorine atoms in PTFE and hydrogen atoms in PDMS, strong surface wetting allows the proposed adhesive to fully coat both substrates and PTFE particles, thereby maximizing the interfacial chemistry. The two-phase solid–liquid polymer system displays adhesive characteristics applicable both in air and water, and enables joining of a wide range of similar and dissimilar materials (glasses, metals, ceramics, papers, and biomaterials). The adhesive exhibits excellent mechanical properties for the joints between various surfaces as observed in lap shear testing, T-peel testing, and tensile testing. The proposed biocompatible adhesive can also be reused multiple times in different dry and wet environments. Additionally, we have developed a new reactive force field parameterization and used it in our molecular dynamics simulations to validate the adhesive nature of the mixed polymer system with different surfaces. This simple amphibious adhesive could meet the need for a universal glue that performs well with a number of materials for a wide range of conditions.     

Social media and sensemaking patterns in new product development: demystifying the customer sentiment

Artificial intelligence by principle is developed to assist but also support decision making processes. In our study, we explore how information retrieved from social media can assist decision-making processes for new product development (NPD). We focus on consumers’ emotions that are expressed through social media and analyse the variations of their sentiments in all the stages of NPD. We collect data from Twitter that reveal consumers’ appreciation of aspects of the design of a newly launched model of an innovative automotive company. We adopt the sensemaking approach coupled with the use of fuzzy logic for text mining. This combinatory methodological approach enables us to retrieve consensus from the data and to explore the variations of sentiments of the customers about the product and define the polarity of these emotions for each of the NPD stages. The analysis identifies sensemaking patterns in Twitter data and explains the NPD process and the associated steps where the social interactions from customers can have an iterative role. We conclude the paper by outlining an agenda for future research in the NPD process and the role of the customer opinion through sensemaking mechanisms.