Ranking Method Research Articles

On a total order on the set of Z-numbers based on discrete fuzzy numbers

Z-numbers were introduced by Zadeh in 2011 as a pair of fuzzy numbers (A, B), where A is interpreted as a fuzzy restriction on the values of a variable, while B is interpreted as a measure of certainty or sureness of A. From the initial proposal, several other approaches have been introduced in order to reduce the computational cost of the involved operations. One of such approaches is called discrete Z-numbers where A and B are modelled as discrete fuzzy numbers. In this paper, the construction of total orders on the set of discrete Z-numbers is investigated for the first time. Specifically, the total order is designed for discrete Z-numbers where the second component has membership values belonging to a finite and prefixed set of values. The method relies on solid and coherent linguistic criteria and several linguistic properties are analyzed. The order involves the transformation of the first components of the discrete Z-numbers by using the credibility of the second components in the sense that a lower credibility enlarges in a greater extent the uncertainty of the first component. Then a total order on the set of discrete fuzzy numbers is applied. Finally, a practical example on how to order discrete Z-numbers is presented and a comparison with other ranking methods is performed from which the strengths of our method are stressed.

Опасность и риск: смысл и толкование терминов

The article provides an analysis of the use of «Hazard» and «Risk» terms and associated phrases in legal and regulatory-technical documents and safety practices; their possible interpretations are identified. Most often, such problems arise during the classification of productions and facilities in accordance with their level of hazard, when various documents and articles use such terms as hazard degree, risk degree, risk level, etc. When using the «Risk» term as a connotation of the «Hazard» term, the probabilistic nature of potential undesirable events is considered; at the same time, the notion «Hazard» rather refers to the sources of hazard and possible consequences of undesirable events. Possible representations of risk as a fundamentally dualistic parameter for a single indicator in order to rank hazardous facilities in accordance with their hazard degree, which caused the use of terms such as hazard degree, hazard level, hazard class, risk index, risk level, etc., have been discussed. This is achieved by using different ranking methods, risk matrices, and risk graphs. Therefore, the «Risk» notion requires additional definitions (for example, «explosion risk index»). Often, the «Risk» term in phrases means probability; however, a certain undesirable event (explosion risk, risk of injuries to personnel, risk of harm to the legitimate interests of citizens) is specified.

Measure Constraints Faced by Farm Women Using ICT Tools by Garett Ranking Method

Traditionally the extension services have focused on male farmers. In the last few decades the concern regarding farm women have been raised globally. There is immediate need to equip these farm women with relevant knowledge and skill. It is only possible if appropriate and relevant Information communication technology (ICT) tools are made available to farm women to get information related to agriculture. The present study was conducted in the Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand state to identify the constraints faced by farm women while using ICT tools. Garrett ranking was used. For this study, respondents were selected by using a Probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling method. To derive the inferences of the study, two blocks were selected for the present study. The study covered four villages & it covered 120 farm women in the selected villages. Data for the study was collected during 2019-20. Primary data was collected from farm women through personal interview method with the help of a pretested schedule. The main personal constraints noticed were lack of preference in using Information communication technology (ICT), lack of training, lack of confidence, lack of motivation and lack of time to utilize Information communication technology (ICT). The main technological constraints were language problem to use Information communication technology (ICT), complex nature of Information communication technology (ICT) restricted availability and restricted accessibility to Information communication technology (ICT) tools. The main cultural constraints were lack of faith in Information communication technology (ICT) tools, traditional belief in the existing system, discouragement from the family and society. The main infrastructural barriers were poor electricity services and poor network connectivity.

Ranking the Performances of Goalkeepers By WASPAS Method: AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023

This study aims to evaluate and rank goalkeepers’ performances who competed in the Asian Cup Qatar 2023 according to some parameters. The sample size of the study was 22 goalkeepers. Data were obtained from the official website of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Transfermarkt. Criteria used in the analysis to rank the performances of the goalkeepers were save percentage per match, number of catches and punches, and successful passes percentage per match. The criteria were weighted via the ranking method. Five steps of the WASPAS method among multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques were used to rank goalkeepers. According to the results of the analysis, GKs were ranked from 1 to 22 in terms of their performances, and the mean composite optimal value (Qi) was 0.696. The highest Qi value was 0.866, while the lowest was calculated as 0.310. According to the performance ranking, the top 3 GKs were determined as Rustam Yatimov (Tajikistan), Meshaal Barsham (Qatar), and Mathew Ryan (Australia). On the other hand, the lowest-ranked GKs were determined as Enando Ari (Indonesia), Zion Suzuki (Japan), and Rami Hamada (Palestine). Key Words: Goalkeeper, goalkeeper performance, ranking goalkeeper, WASPAS method, MCDM

ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF THE COMPETITIVE POTENTIAL OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY ENTITIES: A METHODICAL APPROACH

The article highlights the issues of developing a methodical approach to the analysis and assessment of the competitiveness capability of tourism industry (TI) entities. The main tasks of the study include the analysis of the existing methodical approaches to the assessment of the competitive potential (CP) of business entities and the level of TI development, the justification of the author's methodical approach based on the criteria of transformation of the CP, which allows to determine the level of balance between providers of tourist services and their consumers. The author's methodical approach to the analysis and assessment of the CP of the subjects of the TI is substantiated. The main features of the methodical approaches to assessing the competitive potential of TI entities (CPTIE) are the use of quantitative assessment methods, wide coverage of indicators, an assessment of the entity's strengths and weaknesses, its competitive advantages and relevant conditions for sustainable development, extensive use of the rank method. The proposed methodical model consists of 5 blocks: Block 1 – justification of research elements; Block 2 – determination of research areas; Block 3 – selection of indicators system; Block 4 – calculation of the integral index; Block 5 – transformation of the CPTIE depending on the level of balance/imbalance between suppliers and consumers of tourism services. Each of the blocks contains structural elements of analytical research. The results of the study indicate that the proposed methodical approach to the assessment and analysis of the CPTIE can be used as a basis for developing differentiated approaches to the assessment of transformational changes depending on the phase of their current state.

Two Weighting Methods for Software-Defined Network Controllers Ranking as a Multicriteria Decision-Making Problem

Two Weighting Methods for Software-Defined Network Controllers Ranking as a Multicriteria Decision-Making Problem

Managing healthcare innovation activities in Kazakhstan for optimal effectiveness

ABSTRACT The purpose of the article is to substantiate the theoretical, methodological, and conceptual foundations for managing innovative activities in the healthcare system of the Republic of Kazakhstan and develop recommendations aimed at improving its effectiveness in modern conditions. This study employs a mixed-method approach, integrating retrospective analysis, statistical evaluation, and economic analysis to examine trends and performance in healthcare innovation within Kazakhstan. It utilizes dynamic and structural analysis to assess innovation effectiveness and identifies key factors influencing innovative activity through equity participation and ranking methods, underpinning recommendations for improved management practices. This article critically concludes that healthcare innovation in Kazakhstan must address the low effectiveness of current innovative activities, hindered primarily by insufficient demand and funding constraints. The study underscores the essential role of a robust management mechanism focused on resource allocation, service delivery efficiency, and digital technology integration. It highlights the necessity for strategic funding distribution, enhanced international cooperation, and leveraging higher education institutions for innovation drive. The findings advocate for comprehensive strategies to boost innovation’s commercial efficiency and suggest further research on implementing these strategies in the context of Kazakhstan’s unique socioeconomic landscape and healthcare needs. Priority recommendations aimed at improving the efficiency of managing the country’s healthcare innovation activities have been formed. The results obtained in the study can be useful both to the scientific community and to managers at various levels in the healthcare sector.

Self-confidence and consensus-based group decision making methods and applications

As the field of intelligent decision making continues to evolve, research on multi-attribute group decision making (MAGDM) is advancing at a steady pace. Nevertheless, existing research seldom addresses the aggregated solution of self-confidence and consensus in decision making information with diverse possibilities, despite its relevance to uncertain decision making environments. Consequently, this paper presents an approach to self-confidence and consensus-based group decision making. Firstly, the method provides a way for transforming three-parameter interval grey numbers into randomized decision making information. This establishes the foundation for the computation of possibility decision making information for uncertain decisions. Then, a method based on self-confidence and consensus is developed to determine the decision makers (DMs) weights, which is derived from the randomized decision making information. Next, a novel self-confidence index (SCI) for computing self-confidence and a new group consensus index (GCI) for computing consensus are demonstrated, and a reliability index (REI) method for randomized decision making information is given, which is used to identify high self-confidence and high consensus decision making information to improve the quality of decisions. Subsequently, a possibility ranking method is constructed based on pairwise comparisons of alternatives, taking into account density preferences, in order to obtain final possibility ranking conclusions. Finally, an illustrative example is provided to illustrate the concrete implementation process of the methods employed in this research. The efficacy of the proposed method is also demonstrated through a comparative analysis with the other methods.

Hybrid Model for Conducting Multiple Citation Analysis Operations Using the Same Citation Data

This study proposes a hybrid model, which can be used for conducting various citation analysis operations over a set of research works/papers interconnected with each other through their citations and references. Citation analysis of papers becomes important while evaluating their role and influence in a particular field and understanding their relation and connectivity of content with other important documents in the same field. The citation analysis methods can further be used for tracing the relationship between domains, keywords, and many other relative factors, based on the criteria considered for citation analysis operation. The research in the field of citation analysis, traditionally focussed on developing new citation analysis methods for better evaluation or ranking of the papers. This paper proposes a model, where multiple existing citation analysis operations can be implemented in a single platform. The proposed model calculates the result for co-citation analysis, bibliographic coupling, and citation density analysis. The process involved in the development of this model is discussed in detail in the later part of the manuscript. The process is based on computational coding, and hence special attention needs to be paid to the proper arrangement of papers in tabular form, based on the information of their year of publication and their citation network data. An algorithm for the model has been proposed in the later part of the manuscript that is based on the code formulated to find the relative data for conducting the operations.

Soil ecological risk assessment of ten industrial areas in China based on the TRIAD and VIKOR methods

The TRIAD approach is widely used as a scientific methodology available to deal with site-specific contamination scenarios. In this study, a soil environmental risk assessments (SERA) of ten industrial sites in China was conducted by ranking risks across multiple sites based on the TRIAD method, and attempted to provide an alternative method for risk ranking, the VIKOR method, when reference screening values for assessing individual indicators are unavailable. The VIKOR method was developed to address ranking and selection problems in multi-criteria decision-making, particularly in complex decision environments. The present assessments analyzed 33 chemical analysis indicators, 14 ecotoxicological indicators, and 5 ecological indicators related to soil microbial diversity, subsequently compared and discuss the differences in risk ranking results obtained using the two methods. The results of the TRIAD approach showed that six sites (including F, G, E, B, J and I) were ranked high in the risk order, which were in the moderate-risk range (Integrated risk value, 0.5–0.75). While the results of the VIKOR method showed that four sites (including F, G, H, and E) were ranked high in the risk order, followed by another four sites (including D, A, B, and C). Although there were differences in the assessment results, both methods consistently identified three sites (including F, G, and E) with relatively higher risks. The results indicated that when the TRIAD method is not applicable in special cases, the VIKOR comprehensive evaluation can be used to infer the relative ecological risk of the assessed site.

Investigation of reciprocal rank method for automatic generation control in two-area interconnected power system

In this article, the design and performance analysis of Jaya-assisted reciprocal rank-based proportional–integral–derivative controller with derivative filter (PIDn) is proposed for the automatic generation control (AGC) problem of two-area interconnected power systems. The filter with a derivative gain is used to nullify the impact of noise in the input signal. The integral of time multiplied square error (ITSE) of frequency deviations, tie-line power deviations, and area-control errors is the foundation of the goal function developed for tuning controller parameters (ACEs). A single overall objective function is created by combining these sub-objectives. ITSEs of two areas, ITSEs of tie-line power deviation, and ITSEs of ACEs of two areas are weighted and summarized to form the overall goal function. Each sub-relative goal’s importance in the control design is evaluated using the weights in the overall objective function. The weights in this article are determined using the reciprocal rank approach in a methodical manner, in contrast to earlier techniques where weights were either assumed equally by ignoring the relative relevance of sub-objectives or chosen at random. The resultant total objective function is minimized using the Jaya method. Six different test cases involving various load disturbances in the interconnected areas are used to evaluate the performance of the suggested Jaya optimizer-assisted reciprocal rank technique-based controller. Additionally, the performance of various controllers tuned with the sine cosine algorithm (SCA), salp swarm algorithm (SSA), symbiotic organisms search (SOS), Nelder–Mead simplex (NMS), and Luus–Jaakkola (LJ) algorithms is compared with that of the Jaya-tuned controller. The time domain specifications are provided for each of the six test scenarios. To display the differences in frequencies and tie-line power, the results are also shown. Statistical analysis is also provided to assess the suggested controller’s overall efficacy.

Assessment of select direct and indirect pozzolanic reactivity test outcomes with robust regression and ranking analysis

The use of pozzolanic materials as a sustainable partial replacement option for portland cement in concrete has been extensively studied over the last few decades. This study aimed to assess the pozzolanic reactivity of seven different powdered materials: pottery cull, brick powder, lightweight aggregate fines, class C fly ash, silica fume, glass powder, and dolostone. Pozzolanic reactivity was evaluated using seven different direct and indirect methods, including the Frattini test, strength activity index (SAI), ultrasound pulse velocity index (UPVI), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses (TG/DTA), calorimetry, electrical conductivity, and pH. Robust correlations and a ranking analysis were performed to evaluate the relationship and efficiency between various direct and indirect test methods. Results of the robust regression analyses showed that Frattini and TGA, SAI and electrical conductivity, SAI and calorimetry, and UPVI and calorimetry were well correlated, suggesting that these methods may be suitable alternatives to each other. According to the ranking method, electrical conductivity and calorimetry are the most rapid and efficient methods for the assessment of different pozzolans in comparison to other longer-duration test methods examined in this study.

Selection of unmanned aerial vehicle systems for border monitoring using the MPSI-SPOTIS method

PurposeThe present paper assesses the decision problem of selecting Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems (SARP) by the hybrid MPSI-SPOTIS approach for deployment in border control and transborder illicit combat.Design/methodology/approachBy the hybrid MCDA MPSI-SPOTIS approach, and from the database available in Gettinger (2019), models were filtered by Endurance, Range, Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW), and Payload, fitting within the classification of Categories EB 0 and 2. Category EB 1 was not considered in this study due to the limited number of models in the data source.FindingsThe use of the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) tool MPSI-SPOTIS allowed the determination of weights by stochastic criteria, applied in a ranking method resistant to reverse ordering. The application of the method identified the Raybird-3 (Cat EB 0) and Searcher (Mk3) (Cat EB 2) models as the best alternatives. From a proposed clustering, other selection possibilities with close performance in the evaluation were presented. The cost criterion was not taken into consideration due to the absence of information in the data source employed. Future studies are suggested to include criteria related to the life cycle and acquisition cost of the models.Research limitations/implicationsThe cost criterion was not taken into consideration due to the absence of information in the data source used. Future studies are suggested to include criteria related to the life cycle and acquisition cost of the models.Originality/valueThis paper aims to propose a technology selection method applied to complex defense acquisitions when multiple factors influence the decision makers and it is hard to obtain a major optimum solution in multitask and multi-mission platform.

Assessment of Cybersecurity in Industry 4.0 using Delphi-Based Factor Relationships and Comprehensive Distance-Based Ranking Methods under Uncertainty

Industry 4.0 is a new revolution in which internet connection technologies are interfaced with various components of industrial systems to create the smart factories and manufacturing organizations of the future to achieve a sustainable manufacturing framework. A large number of networked devices presents a significant chance to gather important data for improving the technology of decision-making to enhance product life-cycle management. Industry 4.0 technologies will face significant challenges and obstacles due to the cybersecurity and data privacy problems suffered by current Internet technology. In actuality, cybersecurity poses an important challenge to the advancement of sustainable manufacturing. Cybersecurity architectures are widely employed to prevent intrusions and attacks on computers and networks. As a result, there is a major decrease in the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies and the sustainable manufacturing framework within organizations. To achieve the implementation of this sustainable manufacturing in companies we suggested five cybersecurity measures and six criteria. The proposed decision-making method aims to rank the cybersecurity procedures. The ranking of these measures used a combination of Delphi-FARE (factor relationship) and COBRA (comprehensive distance-based ranking) methods based on a neutrosophic environment. The result showed that alternative one “Data Encryptions” is the best one, and alternative five “Cloud Servers” is the worst one. We conducted a sensitivity and comparison analysis to verify the stability of the model and its performance with other models and demonstrated impressive results.

An Experimental Analysis of Taguchi-Based Gray Relational Analysis, Weighted Gray Relational Analysis, and Data Envelopment Analysis Ranking Method Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approaches to Multiple-Quality Characteristic Optimization in the CNC Drilling Process

An Experimental Analysis of Taguchi-Based Gray Relational Analysis, Weighted Gray Relational Analysis, and Data Envelopment Analysis Ranking Method Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approaches to Multiple-Quality Characteristic Optimization in the CNC Drilling Process

Characterizing Freshwater Ecotoxicity of More Than 9000 Chemicals by Combining Different Levels of Available Measured Test Data with In Silico Predictions.

Ecotoxicological impacts of chemicals released into the environment are characterized by combining fate, exposure, and effects. For characterizing effects, species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) estimate toxic pressures of chemicals as the potentially affected fraction of species. Life cycle assessment (LCA) uses SSDs to identify products with lowest ecotoxicological impacts. To reflect ambient concentrations, the Global Life Cycle Impact Assessment Method (GLAM) ecotoxicity task force recently recommended deriving SSDs for LCA based on chronic EC10s (10% effect concentration, for a life-history trait) and using the 20th percentile of an EC10-based SSD as a working point. However, because we lacked measured effect concentrations, impacts of only few chemicals were assessed, underlining data limitations for decision support. The aims of this paper were therefore to derive and validate freshwater SSDs by combining measured effect concentrations with in silico methods. Freshwater effect factors (EFs) and uncertainty estimates for use in GLAM-consistent life cycle impact assessment were then derived by combining three elements: (1) using intraspecies extrapolating effect data to estimate EC10s, (2) using interspecies quantitative structure-activity relationships, or (3) assuming a constant slope of 0.7 to derive SSDs. Species sensitivity distributions, associated EFs, and EF confidence intervals for 9862 chemicals, including data-poor ones, were estimated based on these elements. Intraspecies extrapolations and the fixed slope approach were most often applied. The resulting EFs were consistent with EFs derived from SSD-EC50 models, implying a similar chemical ecotoxicity rank order and method robustness. Our approach is an important step toward considering the potential ecotoxic impacts of chemicals currently neglected in assessment frameworks due to limited test data. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1914-1927. © 2024 The Author(s). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Comparison of Design Requirements for Non-Anchored and Anchored Sheet Piles as Retaining Wall in a Basement

The construction of a 9-meter deep basement on clay soil with a soft consistency necessitates the use of a sheet pile for soil retention. Selected due to the soft soil conditions and a high groundwater level at the site, the sheet pile effectively addresses these challenges. The design calculations for the sheet pile, based on the Terzaghi concept, incorporated both active and passive earth pressures determined using the Rankine method. Analysis revealed a lateral force of 19,624 t/m² at a depth of 9 meters. The resulting design specifies a 10-meter embedded concrete pile without anchors, requiring a total sheet pile length of 19 meters. The chosen sheet pile type is W-600 A-1000. Alternatively, with anchors, the design calls for a 4-meter depth using type W-325A-1000 concrete sheet pile, with one anchor installed at a depth of 3 meters. The anchor's tensile strength is 5.46 tonnes, resisting a force of 113.817 Tm with a diameter of 5 cm. Modelling analysis showed that unanchored sheet piles have a safety factor of 0.770 and exhibit lateral deformation of 0.00803 meters. Conversely, the addition of anchors enhances the safety factor to 1.146 and increases lateral deformation to 0.0195 meters, indicating that anchors significantly improve safety and reduce deformation.

Orthogonality and unitary conditions for solutions to some consistent linear matrix equations

The nonlinear matrix equation (A1 + B1X1D1)(A2 + B2X2D2) = A, presents a matrix identity, where A, Ai, Bi, and Di are known matrices of suitable sizes and Xi are unknown matrices for i = 1,2, over the field of complex numbers ℂ. Several known simple methods in linear algebra can handle the orthogonality problem. In this paper, we select some linear matrix equations as illustrative examples to discuss some properties of pairs of identically dimensional consistent linear matrix equations, then apply specific matrix analytic tools, among them is the matrix rank method, the rank of a matrix is one of the most basic quantities and useful methods and tools that are widely used in linear algebra specifically, in matrix theory and its applications. We consider certain forms of linear matrix equations such as T1X1 = N1 and the system A3X3 = C3, X3B3 = D3, to derive novel conditions dictating the orthogonality of all solutions to two consistent matrix equations, as well as the necessary and sufficient conditions for all solutions to be unitary, further we give an illustrative example.

Mapping the Livelihood Vulnerabilities of Women Informal Workers in Coimbatore District During Covid-19

The present study was undertaken to examine the women informal worker’s socio economic profiles, nature of work and challenges faced by them during COVID – 19 in Coimbatore district. Empirical research design has been adopted. Primary data has been collected from women informal workers residing in Coimbatore District. Five specific informal sector groups namely, construction workers, street vendors, waste-pickers, domestic workers and homeless persons have been considered for the study. Considering that a very limited database of informal sector workers exists, sample of 149 informal workers in 11 taluks of Coimbatore District has been chosen using snow-ball sampling technique. Interview schedule will be adopted to collect data from the women workers. Data collected has been analyzed using Percentage analysis and weighted average ranking method. The findings of the study reveals that the COVID-19 lockdown have increased debt of the women in informal sector. The study also found that the expectations of this workforce from the government, including minimum wages, job security, and improved workplace safety. Overall, these findings call for targeted interventions and policy measures to address the specific needs and challenges faced by women informal workers, ultimately contributing to their resilience and well-being.

THE METHOD OF RANKING EFFECTIVE PROJECT SOLUTIONS IN CONDITIONS OF INCOMPLETE CERTAINTY

The subject of research in the article is the process of ranking options in support systems for project decision-making under conditions of incomplete certainty. The goal of the work is to increase the efficiency of technologies for automated design of complex systems due to the development of a combined method of ranking effective options for building objects in conditions of incomplete certainty of input data. The following tasks are solved in the article: analysis of the current state of the problem of ranking options in support systems for project decision-making; decomposition of problems of system optimization of complex design objects and support of project decision-making; development of a variant ranking method that combines the procedures of lexicographic optimization and cardinal ordering in conditions of incomplete certainty of input data. The following methods are used: systems theory, utility theory, optimization, operations research, interval and fuzzy mathematics. Results. According to the results of the analysis of the problem of supporting project decision-making, the existence of the problem of correctly reducing subsets of effective options for ranking, taking into account factors that are difficult to formalize and the experience of the decision-maker (DM), was established. Decomposition of the problems of system optimization of complex design objects and support for project decision-making was carried out. For the case of ordinalistic presentation of preferences between local criteria, an estimate of the size of the rational reduction of subsets of optimal and suboptimal options for each of the indicators is proposed. Its use allows for one approach to obtain a subset of effective variants of a given capacity for analysis and final selection of the DM. A method of transforming the ordinalistic presentation of preferences between local criteria to their quantitative presentation in the form of weighting coefficients is proposed. Conclusions. The developed methods expand the methodological foundations of the automation of processes supporting the adoption of multi-criteria project decisions. They make it possible to correctly reduce the set of effective alternatives in conditions of incomplete certainty of the input data for the final choice, taking into account factors that are difficult to formalize, knowledge and experience of ODA. The practical use of the obtained results will allow to reduce the time and capacity complexity of the procedures for supporting project decision-making, and due to the use of the technology of selection of subsets of effective options with intervally specified characteristics - to guarantee the quality of project decisions and to provide a more complete assessment of them.