Application of Integrated BWM Fuzzy-MARCOS Approach for Coating Material Selection in Tooling Industries.

The life of metal forming dies and the efficiency of tooling industries depends on the mechanical and wear properties of tool steel. These properties can be further improved by depositing the ceramic coating on heat-treated tool steel. Numerous coating materials with various excellent features are already available commercially; however, the selection of the best coating material is still an immense challenge for users. Compared to various studies related to material selection problems in the contrasting area of utilization, remarkably, little research work has been done in tooling industries. In the present work, we have identified eight coating materials (alternatives) and nine evaluation criteria under the consultation of an expert in the tooling application and tribological field. To deal with this coating material selection problem, an integrated fuzzy-multi attributed decision-making method is proposed which comprises best worst method and fuzzy-Measurement Alternatives and Ranking according to the Compromise Solution method. This integrated fuzzy- multi attributed decision-making method is used to evaluate the alternatives, and the obtained results were scrutinized via utilizing various sensitivity analysis procedures. In the first phase of analysis, seven scenarios of criteria weight change were used, which was derived by the best-worst method; dynamic matrices are used in the second phase of analysis. In the third and fourth phases, obtained ranks were compared with those obtained by different weight calculation methods and ranking methods, respectively. In the present study, AlCrN/TiAlN coating (alternative Cm5) was found to be the best coating material based on the results obtained after sensitivity analysis. Further, in this study, we have proposed a novel method that helps to solve the coating material selection problem or any kind of selection complications.

Effect of lubricated sliding wear against CFRPEEK on the nanomechanical properties of Ag alloyed Cr/DLC thin film.

Ag-doped Cr/DLC coatings were deposited on medical grade 316 LVM stainless steel using DC magnetron sputtering. Morphological study of the coating indicated the formation of island of Ag clusters owing to the inability of Ag to form carbides, which is also corroborated from the XRD analysis. The composite coating showcased elastic nature suggestive from the p-h curve obtained from the nanoindentation test. However, the coating possesses 33% ductility, which is an important virtue for stress relieving attributed to Ag in the carbon matrix. The coating registered improved adhesion due to Cr3C2 carbide formation in the interlayer. The composite coating was subjected to lubricated sliding in physiological fluid against carbon fiber reinforced PEEK (CFRPEEK) friction pair to realize a closer scenario to hip implant articulation. A lubricious film of Ag with scattered particles of PEEK was formed in the sliding interface resulting in a long run-in process during sliding. The composite coating suffered mild wear on the Ag-doped DLC top layer with few gullies of wear scar deep into the interlayer due to graphitization of carbon in the film. A statistically significant difference was observed in the hardness, H3/E2, elastic work, and plastic work; however, there was no statistically significant difference in H/E attribute between the unworn and worn surface. What is more, Raman spectra of the worn (ID/IG = 1.9 ± 0.2) and unworn surface (ID/IG = 2.1 ± 0.1) were indicative of no significant loss in the structural integrity of the composite coating.

Antioxidant and immunostimulant ß-glucan from edible mushroom Russula albonigra (Krombh.) Fr.

A water soluble ß-glucan (PS) with an average molecular weight ∼1.95 × 10(5)Da was isolated from the alkaline extract of ectomycorrhizal edible mushroom, Russula albonigra (Krombh.) Fr. and found to consist of terminal, (1 → 3)-, (1 → 6)-, and (1 → 3,6)-linked ß-D-glucopyranosyl moieties in a ratio of nearly 1:2:2:1. The structure of this PS was elucidated on the basis of total hydrolysis, methylation analysis, Smith degradation, partial hydrolysis, and 1D/2D NMR experiments. On the basis of these experiments, the repeating unit of the PS was found to contain a backbone of three (1 → 6)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl residues, one of which was branched at O-3 position with the side chain consisting of two (1 → 3)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl and a terminal ß-D-glucopyranosyl residue. This PS showed in vitro macrophage activation by NO production as well as splenocytes and thymocytes proliferation. Moreover, it also exhibited potent antioxidant activities.

A partially methylated mannogalactan from hybrid mushroom pfle 1p: purification, structural characterization, and study of immunoactivation.

A new water-soluble heteropolysaccharide (PS-II) with apparent molecular weight ∼1.65×10(5) Da, was isolated from the fruiting bodies of hybrid mushroom pfle 1p by hot aqueous extraction. It is composed of d-mannose, d-galactose, and 3-O-Me-d-galactose in a molar ratio of 1.0:0.99:1.1. The structural investigation of PS-II has been carried out using acid hydrolysis, methylation analysis, periodate oxidation study, and 1D/2D NMR experiments. Based on the results of these experiments, it was established that PS-II contained a main chain of (1→6) linked α-d-galactopyranosyl residues, one of which was substituted at C-2 by a terminal mannopyranosyl residue and also methylated at C-3 position. This heteropolysaccharide (PS-II) exhibited macrophage activation by NO production as well as in vitro splenocyte and thymocyte stimulation.

Structural studies of an immunostimulating gluco-arabinan from seeds of Caesalpinia bonduc.

A water-soluble gluco-arabinan (PS-II, M(W)∼62 kDa) isolated from the alkaline extract of the endosperm of Caesalpinia bonduc showed the presence of T-Glcp, (1→4)-Glcp, (1→2,3)-Glcp, T-Araf, (1→5)-Araf, (1→2,5)-Araf, and (1→2,3,5)-Araf in a relative proportion of approximately 2:2:2:3:2:1:1. The proposed repeating unit of the polysaccharide possessed a branched backbone of two (1→3)-α-D-glucopyranose followed by four (1→5)-α-L-arabinofuranose residues. In case of two (1→3)-α-D-glucopyranose, branching occurs at O-2 by a same residue terminated by another one at O-4 position. Out of four (1→5)-α-l-arabinofuranose residues, one residue is terminated at O-2 and O-3 by two arabinofuranose residues and another one situated at the adjacent position is terminated at O-2 with same residue, and two (1→5)-α-L-arabinofuranose residues are free from branching and located before and after the two branched arabinofuranose residues. This gluco-arabinan molecule and previously reported arabinan showed similar extent of splenocytes and thymocytes stimulation, but arabinan showed appreciable macrophage activations.

A heteropolysaccharide from an edible hybrid mushroom pfle 1p: structural and immunostimulating studies.

A water-soluble heteropolysaccharide (PS-I) having molecular weight ~2.1×10(5) Da was isolated from hot aqueous extract of the fruit bodies of hybrid mushroom pfle 1p. The hybrid mushroom pfle 1p was obtained through intergenic protoplast fusion between Pleurotus florida and Lentinula edodes. The heteropolysaccharide contained D-glucose, D-galactose, and D-mannose in a molar ratio of nearly 4:2:1. The structural investigation of PS-I has been carried out using sugar and methylation analyses as well as 1D/2D NMR experiments ((1)H, (13)C, DEPT-135, DQF-COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, ROESY, HSQC, and HMBC). Based on the results of these experiments, the repeating unit of the PS-I was established as: [structure: see text]. PS-I showed in vitro macrophage activation by NO production and also stimulated splenocytes and thymocytes.

An immunostimulating water insoluble ß-glucan of an edible hybrid mushroom: isolation and characterization.

An immunostimulating water-insoluble ß-glucan isolated from hot alkaline extract of the fruiting bodies of an edible somatic hybrid mushroom of Pleurotus florida and Calocybe indica var. APK2 showed significant macrophage, splenocyte, and thymocyte activations. On the basis of total hydrolysis, methylation analysis, and NMR experiments ((1)H, (13)C, DQF-COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, DEPT-135, and HSQC), the repeating unit of the polysaccharide is established.

Chemical analysis of an immunostimulating (1→4)-, (1→6)-branched glucan from an edible mushroom, Calocybe indica.

An immunostimulating water-soluble glucan was isolated from hot aqueous extract of fruit bodies of an edible mushroom Calocybe indica. Structural investigation of the glucan was carried out using acid hydrolysis, methylation analysis, and NMR studies ((1)H, (13)C, DEPT-135, TOCSY, DQF-COSY, NOESY, ROESY, HMQC, and HMBC). On the basis of above-mentioned experiments, the structure of the repeating unit of the polysaccharide was established as [see figure in text]. This glucan stimulated the splenocytes and thymocytes.

Structural characterization of an immunoenhancing cytotoxic heteroglycan isolated from an edible mushroom Calocybe indica var. APK2.

A water-soluble polysaccharide of an edible mushroom Calocybe indica var. APK2 showed immunoenhancing (macrophage, splenocyte, thymocyte, and bone marrow activation) and cytotoxic activity toward HeLa cell lines and found to consist of D-glucose, D-galactose, and L-fucose in a molar ratio of nearly 3:1:1. On the basis of acid hydrolysis, methylation analysis, and NMR studies ((1)H, (13)C, DEPT-135, TOCSY, DQF-COSY, NOESY, ROESY, HMQC, and HMBC), the structure of the repeating unit of the fuco-galacto-glucan was established as: [see formula in text].

Structural characterization and study of immunoenhancing and antioxidant property of a novel polysaccharide isolated from the aqueous extract of a somatic hybrid mushroom of Pleurotus florida and Calocybe indica variety APK2.

A water-soluble polysaccharide was isolated from the aqueous extract of the fruit bodies of somatic hybrid PCH9FB, obtained through intergeneric protoplast fusion between the strains Pleurotus florida and Calocybe indica var. On the basis of total acid hydrolysis, the polysaccharide was found to contain galactose, fucose, and glucose in a molar ratio of nearly 2:1:2. Methylation analysis and NMR experiments ((1)H, (13)C, DEPT-135, DQF-COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, ROESY, HMQC, and HMBC) showed that the structure of the repeating unit present in the polysaccharide was This molecule showed macrophage, splenocyte, thymocyte activation as well as antioxidant property.

Chemical analysis and study of immunoenhancing and antioxidant property of a glucan isolated from an alkaline extract of a somatic hybrid mushroom of Pleurotus florida and Calocybe indica variety APK2.

A water-soluble glucan isolated from an alkaline extract of fruit bodies of a somatic hybrid mushroom PCH9FB of Pleurotus florida and Calocybe indica var. APK2 strains showed antioxidant properties with immune activation of macrophage, splenocyte, and thymocyte. On the basis of acid hydrolysis, methylation, periodate oxidation and NMR studies ((1)H, (13)C, DEPT-135, DQF-COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, ROESY, HMQC, and HMBC) the structure of the repeating unit of the glucan was established as: [structure: see text].