The Selection of Dry Port Location by Analytic Network Process Model: A Case Study of Dosso-Niger

The aim of this paper is to select the best location for the construction of a dry port in Niger which is a land locked country (LLC). Niger is located in the Sahel and has a land area of 1,267,000 square kilometers [1], with the closest port being port of Cotonou in Benin. The transport corridor from Niamey to Cotonou is approximately 1036 km long [2]. It is estimated that this corridor carries about 40 percent of Niger’s overseas trade traffic [3]. In this work, the Analytic Network Process (ANP) model is used to determine the optimal location of the dry port, among three major cities: Niamey (capital city), Dosso and Gaya. From the application of this selection model, Dosso was selected as the best location for the location of the dry port, while Gaya and Niamey were placed second and third respectively. The results obtained in this work strongly confirm the decision of the government of Niger to construct a dry port in Dosso, a project that commenced in 2010 and is still in progress.

Flexible,thermal processable,self-healing,and fully bio-based starch plastics by constructing dynamic imine network

The serious environmental threat caused by petroleum-based plastics has spurred more researches in developing substitutes from renewable sources.Starch is desirable for fabricating bioplastic due to its abundance and renewable nature.However,limitations such as brittleness,hydrophilicity,and thermal properties restrict its widespread application.To overcome these issues,covalent adaptable network was constructed to fabricate a fully bio-based starch plastic with multiple advantages via Schiff base reactions.This strategy endowed starch plastic with excellent thermal processability,as evidenced by a low glass transition temperature(T_(g)=20.15℃).Through introducing Priamine with long carbon chains,the starch plastic demonstrated superior flexibility(elongation at break=45.2%)and waterproof capability(water contact angle=109.2°).Besides,it possessed a good thermal stability and self-adaptability,as well as solvent resistance and chemical degradability.This work provides a promising method to fabricate fully bio-based plastics as alternative to petroleum-based plastics.

Chemical structures,analytical approaches and toxicological effects of oxidative derivatives of triglycerides as potential hazards in lipid thermal processing:A review

There is an increasing attention on oxidative derivatives of triglycerides,a group of potential thermal processing induced food toxicants,which are formed during the thermal processing of food lipids.This review aims to summarize current knowledge about their formation mechanisms,detection approaches,and toxicology impacts.Oxidative derivatives of triglycerides are generated through the oxidation,cyclization,polymerization,and hydrolysis of triglycerides under high-temperature and abundant oxygen.The analytical techniques,including GC,HPSEC,MS,^(1)H-NMR were discussed in analyzing these components.In addition,their toxic effects on human health,including effects on the liver,intestines,cardiovascular system,immune system,and metabolism were elucidated.Information in this review could be used to improve the understanding of oxidative derivatives of triglycerides and ultimately improve academic and industrial strategies for eliminating these compounds in thermal processing food systems.

Using Extension Theory and Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process on Heterogeneous Wireless Network Selection Algorithm

In order to solve the problem that determining decision factors weights is of subjectivity in heterogeneous wireless network selection algorithm, a network selection algorithm based on extension theory and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process （FAHP） is proposed in this paper. In addition, user and operator codetermine the optimal network using the proposed algorithm, which can give consideration to user and operator benefits. The fuzzy judgment matrix is coustructed by membership degree of decision factors which is calculated according to extension theory. The comprehensive weight of each decision factor is obtained using FAHP. Finally, the optimal network is selected through total property value ranldng of each candidate network under user preference and operator preference. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can select the optimal network efficiently and accurately, satisfy user preference, and implement load balance between networks.

The suitability assessment on site selection for bottom seeding scallop culture based on analytic hierarchy process

Scallop culture is an important way of bottom-seeding marine ranching,which is of great significance to improve the current situation of fishery resources.However,there are some problems in site-selection evaluation of marine ranching,such as imperfect criteria system,complex structure,untargeted criteria quantification,etc.In addition,no site-selection evaluation method of bottom-seeding culture areas for scallops is available.Therefore,we established a hierarchy structure model according to the analytic hierarchy process(AHP)theory,in which social,physical,chemical,and biological environments are used as main criteria,and marine functional zonation,water depth,current,water temperature,salinity,substrate type,water quality,sediment quality,red tide,phytoplankton,and zooplankton are used as sub-criteria,on which a multi-parameter evaluation system is set up.Meanwhile,the dualism method,assignment method,and membership function method were used to quantify sub-criteria,and a quantitative evaluation for the entire criteria was added,including the evaluation and analysis of two types of unsuitable environmental situations.By overall consideration in scallop yield,quality,and marine ranching construction objectives,the weight of the main criteria could be determined.Five grades in the suitability corresponding to the evaluation result were divided,and the Python language was used to create an evaluation system for efficient calculation and intuitive presentation of the evaluation outcome.Eight marine cases were simulated based on existing survey data,and the results prove that the method is feasible for evaluating and analyzing the site selection of bottom-seeding culture areas for scallops under various environmental situations.The proposed evaluation method can be promoted for the site selection of bottom-seeding marine ranching.This study provided theoretical and methodological references for the site selection evaluation of other types of marine ranching.

Shale Fracturability Graphic Template Based onMixed Analytic Hierar-chy Process andMutation Theory

Due to the depletion of conventional energy reserves,there has been a global shift towards non-conventional energy sources.Shale oil and gas have emerged as key alternatives.These resources have dense and heterogeneous reservoirs,which require hydraulic fracturing to extract.This process depends on identifying optimal fracturing layers,also known as‘sweet spots’.However,there is currently no uniform standard for locating these sweet spots.This paper presents a new model for evaluating fracturability that aims to address the current gap in the field.The model utilizes a hierarchical analysis approach and a mutation model,and is distinct in its use of original logging data to generate a fracturability evaluation map.Using this paper’s shale fracturing sweet spot evaluation method based on a two-step mutation model,four wells in different blocks of Fuling and Nanchuan Districts in China were validated,and the results showed that the proportion of high-yielding wells on the sweet spot line could reach 97.6%,while the proportion of low-producing wells was only 78.67%.Meanwhile,the evaluation results of the model were compared with the microseismic data,and the matching results were consistent.

Analytic Hierarchy Process for Technological Risks in the Process of Innovative Drug Development in China

Objective To identify the critical risks in the process of innovative drug research and development,and to provide reference for improving the efficiency of innovative drug development and risk control in China.Methods Expert investigation and analytic hierarchy process were used to determine the weights of different risks.Results and Conclusion The research and analysis results showed that the risks at different stages of development had different effects on the success rate of drug development,among which the risk at the drug discovery stage influenced the most.In the drug discovery stage,inappropriate target selection had the greatest impact on the success rate of drug development.The lack of appropriate cell tissue or animal models had the greatest impact on the success rate of drug development from the discovery of a compound to the application for clinical trials.The difference in changes between nonclinical and clinical studies had the greatest impact on the success rate of drug development from early clinical studies to pivotal clinical studies.Incorrect dose selection had the greatest impact on the success rate of drug development from pivotal clinical studies to marketing authorization applications.The biggest impact from the marketing authorization application to the approval stage was inadequate communication with regulators.After investigating the weight of risk factors in the process of innovative drug development based on scientific methods,a new perspective for the risk control of new drug development and improving the research and development efficiency is provided.

Optimization of extraction process for total flavonoids of Sophorae Flos for the treatment of hyperlipidemia based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of Sophora Flos(SF)in the treatment of hyperlipidemia(HLP)using network pharmacology and molecular docking methods,and to optimize the extraction process of the predicted active components.The STRING database was used for protein interaction analysis and PPI network construction via Cytoscape 3.9.1.Pymol was employed for docking and visualization.An extensive review of SF identifi ed 6 active ingredients,297 related objectives,84 disease objectives,and 57 total objectives.After protein interaction and topology analysis,18 core targets were identified.These included 146 gene function entries(P<0.05).Active compounds,mainly flavonoids,can modulate the expression of various proteins such as TNF,IL-6,IL-1β,PPARG,and TGFB1 to achieve therapeutic effects on HLP.The network pharmacology and molecular docking results suggested that the active fl avonoids component in SF may be related to the treatment of hyperlipidemia.Therefore,the orthogonal experiment method was used to optimize the extraction process of total fl avonoid from SF using ethanol refl ux extraction,based on a single factor experiment.The effects of refl ux time,solid-liquid ratio,ethanol concentration,and other factors on the extraction of total fl avonoid from SF were investigated.The optimum process conditions were refl ux time of 1.25 h,solid-liquid ratio of 1:15 g/mL and ethanol concentration of 60%.Using these conditions,the purity of total fl avonoid extracted from SF was 70.33±0.22%.

Mechanism of Rosae Rugosae Flos flavonoids in the treatment of hyperlipidemia and optimization of extraction process based on network pharmacology

This study aims to identify a natural plant chemical with hypolipidemic effects that can be used to treat high cholesterol without adverse reactions.Through network pharmacology screening,it was found that Rosae Rugosae Flos(RF)flavonoids had potential therapeutic effects on hyperlipidemia and its mechanism of action was discussed.TCMSP and GeneCards databases were used to obtain active ingredients and disease targets.Venn diagrams were drawn to illustrate the findings.The interaction network diagram was created using Cytoscape 3.8.0 software.The PPI protein network was constructed using String.GO and KEGG enrichment analysis was performed using Metascape.The results revealed 2 active flavonoid ingredients and 60 potential targets in RF.The key targets,including CCL2,PPARG,and PPARA,were found to play a role in multiple pathways such as the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway,lipid and atherosclerosis,and cancer pathway in diabetic complications.The solvent extraction method was optimized for efficient flavonoid extraction based on network pharmacology prediction results.This was achieved through a single factor and orthogonal test,resulting in an optimum process with a reflux time of 1.5 h,a solid-liquid ratio of 1:13 g/mL,and an ethanol concentration of 50%.

Seismic risk evaluation for a planning mountain tunnel using improved analytical hierarchy process based on extension theory

Seismic risk evaluation(SRE) in early stages(e.g., project planning and preliminary design)for a mountain tunnel located in seismic areas has the same importance as that in final stages(e.g.,performance-based design, structural analysis, and optimization). SRE for planning mountain tunnels bridges the gap between the planning on the macro level and the design/analysis on the micro level regarding the risk management of infrastructural systems. A transition from subjective or qualitative description to objective or quantitative quantification of seismic risk is aimed to improve the seismic behavior of the mountain tunnel and thus reduce the associated seismic risk. A new method of systematic SRE for the planning mountain tunnel was presented herein. The method employs extension theory(ET)and an ET-based improved analytical hierarchy process. Additionally, a new risk-classification criterion is proposed to classify and quantify the seismic risk for a planning mountain tunnel. This SRE method is applied to a mountain tunnel in southwest China, using the extension model based on matter element theory and dependent function operation.The reasonability and flexibility of the SRE method for application to the mountain tunnel are illustrated.According to different seismic risk levels and classification criteria, methods and measures for improving the seismic design are proposed, which can reduce the seismic risk and provide a frame of reference for elaborate seismic design.

Construction of Value Models of Consumer Creation for Agricultural Products Based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP)

With the increased competition of modern economy and globalization,consumer creation which based on the analysis of consumer behavior was more and more attentioned and respected by business.Based on the meaning and characteristics of agricultural product consumer creation,index system of value model of agricultural product consumer creation was put forward through analytical hierarchy process（AHP）.The weights of the indicators and related indicators of impact on the value were analyzed,and value models of agricultural product consumer creation were constructed to provide ideas for development of agricultural product consumer market and research of consumer value.Consumer creation was constructed to provide ideas for development of agricultural product consumer market and research of consumer value.

Comparative Study on the Development Levels of Cold Chain Logistics for Agricultural Products between China and Developed Countries Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process

By introducing the analytic hierarchy process （AHP）, a model is constructed to compare the logistics development level of cold chain for agricultural products between China and other developed countries such as United States, Japan and Euro- pean. The paper makes a comparative study on the development levels of agricultural cold chain logistics in China and developed countries from the aspects of the level of cold chain logistics facilities and equipments, the degree of cold chain logistics market-oriented and the capacity of cold chain logistics, then determines the problems of cold chain logistics in China. With the experiences learning from developed countries, some countermeasures are proposed to resolve those problems of cold chain logistics for agricultural products development combining with the national conditions in China.

Combining reinforcement learning with mathematical programming:An approach for optimal design of heat exchanger networks

Heat integration is important for energy-saving in the process industry.It is linked to the persistently challenging task of optimal design of heat exchanger networks(HEN).Due to the inherent highly nonconvex nonlinear and combinatorial nature of the HEN problem,it is not easy to find solutions of high quality for large-scale problems.The reinforcement learning(RL)method,which learns strategies through ongoing exploration and exploitation,reveals advantages in such area.However,due to the complexity of the HEN design problem,the RL method for HEN should be dedicated and designed.A hybrid strategy combining RL with mathematical programming is proposed to take better advantage of both methods.An insightful state representation of the HEN structure as well as a customized reward function is introduced.A Q-learning algorithm is applied to update the HEN structure using theε-greedy strategy.Better results are obtained from three literature cases of different scales.

Synthesis of indirect work exchange networks considering both isothermal and adiabatic process together with exergy analysis

In this paper, an efficient methodology for synthesizing the indirect work exchange networks(WEN) considering isothermal process and adiabatic process respectively based on transshipment model is first proposed. In contrast with superstructure method, the transshipment model is easier to obtain the minimum utility consumption taken as the objective function and more convenient for us to attain the optimal network configuration for further minimizing the number of units. Different from division of temperature intervals in heat exchange networks,different pressure intervals are gained according to the maximum compression/expansion ratio in consideration of operating principles of indirect work exchangers and the characteristics of no pressure constraints for stream matches. The presented approach for WEN synthesis is a linear programming model applied to the isothermal process, but for indirect work exchange networks with adiabatic process, a nonlinear programming model needs establishing. Additionally, temperatures should be regarded as decision variables limited to the range between inlet and outlet temperatures in each sub-network. The constructed transshipment model can be solved first to get the minimum utility consumption and further to determine the minimum number of units by merging the adjacent pressure intervals on the basis of the proposed merging methods, which is proved to be effective through exergy analysis at the level of units structures. Finally, two cases are calculated to confirm it is dramatically feasible and effective that the optimal WEN configuration can be gained by the proposed method.

Sustainability Assessment and Ranking of Run of the River(RoR) Hydropower Projects Using Analytical Hierarchy Process(AHP):A Study from Western Himalayan Region of India

In the present scenario,tapping the unutilised hydropower potential is one of the highest priorities in developing countries of the world.Special emphasis is being imparted to run of the river(RoR)mode of power generation.However,the governments are now facing the dilemma whether to promote small hydropower projects(SHPs) or encourage large hydropower projects(LHPs).RoR large hydropower projects result into large scale cutting of mountains for constructing tunnels and access roads,generation of huge quantity of muck and large scale impact on flora and fauna due to diversion of rivers/streams.On the other hand,though SHPs are claimed to be greener and more sustainable by a section of researchers and energy planners but,they will be required to be set up in large number to generate equivalent amount of electricity.The aim of this study is to rank the most sustainable installed capacity range of RoR hydropower projects.To achieve this aim,the study proposes the use of quite popular multi-criteria decision making(MCDM)method of Operation Research named Analytical Hierarchy Process.A case study has been presented from Himachal Pradesh,a hydro rich state located in the western Himalayan region.As per sustainability assessment carried out in this study,hydropower projects in the capacity range 1 to 5 MW have been ranked to be the most sustainable.

Preparation of Ephedra houttuynia Granule and Its Therapeutic Mechanism of Anti-Mycoplasma gallisepticum Infection Based on Network Pharmacology

The use of Chinese herbal medicines can replace antibiotics that cause drug-resistance problems,which are currently necessary for disease control.In this paper,a traditional Chinese medicine compound named Ephedra houttuynia granule for the treatment of Mycoplasma galliscepticum(MG)infection was prepared.Furthermore,its action mechanism was explored through network pharmacology.The optimal extraction and granulation processes of the compound were determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)method and L9 orthogonal test,and in the treatment experiment,Ephedra houttuynia granule showed a significant therapeutic effect on MG infection.In the study of network pharmacology,the results showed that the core targets of Ephedra houttuynia granule against MG infection were vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGFA),fos proto-oncogene(FOS),prepro-coagulation factor II(F2),etc.,the gene ontology/kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(GO/KEGG)analysis results indicated that the signaling pathways of neuroactive ligand receptor interaction,cAMP,IL-17,T cell receptor,and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)might involve in anti-MG infection.In conclusion,this study would provide a new idea for elucidating the action mechanism of other diseases in veterinary clinic,which had a certain guiding significance.

Underwater multiple target tracking decision making based on an analytic network process

Underwater multi-target tracking logic and decision （UMTLD） has difficulty resolving multi-target tracking problems for underwater vehicles. Present methods assume factors in UMTLD are uncorrelated, when these are actually in a complex, interdependent relationship. To provide this, an index set of multi-target tracking decision characteristics and an analytic network process （ANP） model of the UMTLD method was -established. This method brings the index set of multi-target tracking decision into the ANP model, and the optimization multitarket tracking decision is achieved via computation of the resulting supermatrix. The rationality and robustness of decision results increase in simulations by 13% and 47% respectively with analytic hierarchy process （AHP）. These results indicate that the ANP method should be the preferred method when UMTLD factors are interdependent.

Assessment of Effects of Green Construction by Analytic Hierarchy Process and Fuzzy Synthetic Judgment Method

The index system, code system, and weights of indexes are established to assess the effects of green construction. The index system consists of index level, factor level and sub-factor level. The analytic hierarchy process is used to determine the weights of indexes, and the consistency test indicate that the weight assignment is reasonable. Using fuzzy synthetic judgment method, the assessment model is built, which includes factor set, weight set and conclusion set. An example is given to demonstrate the assessment procedures.

Evaluation on Ecological Vulnerability of the Vegetation in the Subei Lake Watershed Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process

[ Objective] The research aimed to evaluate ecological vulnerability of the vegetation in the Subei Lake watershed based on analytic hierarchy process （AHP）. [ Method] From actual situation of the vegetation ecology in the Subei Lake watershed, by the established evaluation index system of vegetation ecology, based on AHP, indicator weight at each layer was determined. Comprehensive index method was used to calculate ecological fragility degree of the vegetation in each evaluation unit to evaluate ecological vulnerability of the vegetation. [ Result] Ecological vulnera- bility of the vegetation was divided into four levels, such as extremely fragile, highly fragile, moderately fragile and lowly fragile in the Subei Lake watershed. The extremely fragile area, where buried depth of the groundwater level was generally less than 1.0 meter, distributed in beach zones near the Subei Lake, and its relationship between vegetation and groundwater was close. The lowly fragile areas scattered in the ridge zone around the Subei Lake watershed, where buried depth of the groundwater level was 10.0 -40.0 meters, and their relationship between vegetation growth and groundwater depth was not obvious. Buried depth of groundwater had the most sensitive influence on vegetation ecology, and it was the key factor between utilization of groundwater resources and eco-environment protection in the study area. E Conclusion] The researches provided scientific evidence for regional eco-environment protection, rational development and utilization of water resources, and coordinated development of economy and society.

Landslide susceptibility assessment using the certainty factor and analytic hierarchy process

A new approach combining the certainty factor(CF) and analytic hierarchy process(AHP) methods was proposed to assess landslide susceptibility in the Ziyang district, which is situated in the Qin-Ba Mountain region, China. Landslide inventory data were collected based on field investigations and remote sensing interpretations. A total of 791 landslides were identified. A total of 633 landslides were randomly selected from this data setas the training set, and the remaining landslides were used for validation as the test set. Nine factors, including the slope angle, slope aspect, slope curvature, lithology, distance to faults, distance to streams, precipitation, road network intensity degree and land use were chosen as the landslide causal factors for further susceptibility assessment. The weight of each factor and its subclass were calculated by AHP and CF methods. Landslide susceptibility was compared between the bivariate statistical method and the proposed CF-AHP method. The results indicate that the distance to streams, distance to faults and lithology are the most dominant causal factors associated with landslides. The susceptibility zonation was categorized into five classes of landslide susceptibility, i.e., very high, high, moderate, low and very low level. Lastly, the relative operating characteristics(ROC) curve was used to validate the accuracy of the new approach, and the result showed a satisfactory prediction rate of 78.3%, compared to 69.2% obtained with the landslide susceptibility index method. The results indicate that the CF-AHP combined method is more appropriate for assessing the landslide susceptibility in this area.