Geological adaptability matching design of disc cutter using multicriteria decision making approaches

Geological adaptability matching design of a disc cutter is the prerequisite of cutter head design for tunnel boring machines(TBMs)and plays an important role in improving the tunneling efficiency of TBMs.The main purpose of the cutter matching design is to evaluate the cutter performance and select the appropriate cutter size.In this paper,a novel evaluation method based on multicriteria decision making(MCDM)techniques was developed to help TBM designers in the process of determining the cutter size.The analytic hierarchy process(AHP)and matter element analysis were applied to obtaining the weights of the cutter evaluation criteria,and the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation and technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution(TOPSIS)approaches were employed to determine the ranking of the cutters.A case application was offered to illustrate and validate the proposed method.The results of the project case demonstrate that this method is reasonable and feasible for disc cutter size selection in cutter head design.

Application of an Optimized Entropy-TOPSIS Multicriteria Decision Making Model to Facilities Management

Performance evaluation of facilities management plays a key role in the facilities management process. This paper proposes an optimized multicriteria decision making model to evaluate the performance of facilities management in schools in Hong Kong. In this model, entropy weights acted as weight coefficients for evaluated criteria in order to avoid uncertainty and randomicity of subjective judgments. Besides, the TOPSIS method was incorporated in this model. Then this model was em- ployed to evaluate the performance of facilities management in classrooms, offices and laboratories and satisfying results were obtained. Moreover, findings indicated that one of the schools could be rehabilitated rather than removed.

Novel Scheme for Essential Proteins Identification Based on Improved Multicriteria Decision Making

Identifying essential proteins from protein-protein interaction networks is important for studies onbiological evolution and new drug’s development.Most of the presented criteria for prioritizing essential proteinsonly focus on a certain attribute of the proteins in the network,which suffer from information loss.In order toovercome this problem,a relatively comprehensive and effective novel method for essential proteins identificationbased on improved multicriteria decision making(MCDM),called essential proteins identification-technique fororder preference by similarity to ideal solution(EPI-TOPSIS),is proposed.First,considering different attributes ofproteins,we propose three methods from different aspects to evaluate the significance of the proteins:gene-degreecentrality(GDC)for gene expression sequence;subcellular-neighbor-degree centrality(SNDC)and subcellular-indegree centrality(SIDC)for subcellular location information and protein complexes.Then,betweenness centrality(BC)and these three methods are considered together as the multiple criteria of the decision-making model.Analytic hierarchy process is used to evaluate the weights of each criterion,and the essential proteins are prioritizedby an ideal solution of MCDM,i.e.,TOPSIS.Experiments are conducted on YDIP,YMIPS,Krogan and BioGRIDnetworks.The results indicate that EPI-TOPSIS outperforms several state-of-the-art approaches for identifyingthe essential proteins through the performance measures.

Probabilistic Analysis and Multicriteria Decision for Machine Assignment Problem with General Service Times

In this paper we carried out a probabilistic analysis for a machine repair system with a general service-time distribution by means of generalized Markov renewal processes. Some formulas for the steady-state performance measures. such as the distribution of queue sizes, average queue length, degree of repairman utilization and so on. are then derived. Finally, the machine repair model and a multiple critcria decision-making method are applied to study machine assignment problem with a general service-time distribution to determine the optimum number of machines being serviced by one repairman.

Weighted Parameterized Correlation Coefficients of Indeterminacy Fuzzy Multisets and Their Multicriteria Group Decision Making Method with Different Decision Risks

Real-life data introduce noise,uncertainty,and imprecision to statistical projects;it is advantageous to consider strategies to overcome these information expressions and processing problems.Neutrosophic(indeterminate)numbers can flexibly and conveniently represent the hybrid information of the partial determinacy and partial indeterminacy in an indeterminate setting,while a fuzzy multiset is a vital mathematical tool in the expression and processing of multi-valued fuzzy information with different and/or same fuzzy values.If neutrosophic numbers are introduced into fuzzy sequences in a fuzzy multiset,the introduced neutrosophic number sequences can be constructed as the neutrosophic number multiset or indeterminate fuzzy multiset.Motivated based on the idea,this study first proposes an indeterminate fuzzy multiset,where each element in a universe set can be repeated more than once with the different and/or identical indeterminate membership values.Then,we propose the parameterized correlation coefficients of indeterminate fuzzy multisets based on the de-neutrosophication of transforming indeterminate fuzzy multisets into the parameterized fuzzy multisets by a parameter(the parameterized de-neutrosophication method).Since indeterminate decision-making issues need to be handled by an indeterminate decision-making method,a group decision-making method using the weighted parameterized correlation coefficients of indeterminate fuzzy multisets is developed along with decision makers’different decision risks(small,moderate,and large risks)so as to handle multicriteria group decision-making problems in indeterminate fuzzy multiset setting.Finally,the developed group decision-making approach is used in an example on a selection problem of slope design schemes for an open-pit mine to demonstrate its usability and flexibility in the indeterminate group decision-making problem with indeterminate fuzzy multisets.

Multicriteria Methods for Distributed Generation Resources Optimization

The optimization process of embedded, or DG （distributed generation） is a very complex task, and it should be evaluated and compared by means of multi-criteria methods of analysis. The classical method for selection is usually based only on a single criterion analysis, and it is defined by thermal or economic aspects. The problem of optimal dispatch of DG is typical example of optimization, because it differs from the classical problem of generation dispatch in the power system, due to the specific criteria related to the DG interconnection. The most important goals are to maximize the renewable production and to minimize the total cost, while satisfying additional constraints related to the operation of a distribution network. As there are many DGs in a distribution network, it is very complicated to decide the optimal DG outputs to satisfy all the criteria and constraints imposed by the distribution network. Another problem is the lack of the dispatcher control over DGs, and very often, the only available action is to switch on or off the generator. Finally, network operator and DG owner perspective are often opposed regarding appropriate control action in the network. In this paper, a multicriteria decision support based on AHP （analytical hierarchical processes） method is proposed for the choice of the dispatching action. The method is illustrated on the choice of the DG to be switched off in the case or reverse power flow.

New Scenarios for a Shift towards Agroecology in Viticulture

In the light of its negative impacts on the environment and human health, conventional agriculture is currently facing new challenges;for example, reducing pesticide reliance, improving biodiversity, adapting to climate change and reconciling winegrowers with consumers, which require changes to be made to vineyard management. A shift towards more sustainable agriculture via the development of agroecological systems may be key to meeting these environmental, economic and social challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of existing viticultural systems, as well as that of three new scenarios that we built to change conventional vine production systems and their related practices. The end aim is to adopt the principles of agroecology, and more virtuously, to ensure that vine production remains in line with societal expectations. First, thirty-eight different viticultural systems were chosen. Three realistic scenarios for changing these production systems were then built by working with stakeholders and incorporating the best practices that had been identified in the vineyard. Conventional practices were optimised in the first scenario and an agroecological approach was adopted for the other two scenarios: an Agroecological scenario (using synthetic chemicals) and an Agroecological-Bio scenario (organic system). All three scenarios were based on a combination of good practices which contribute to enhancing vineyard biodiversity, and which thus restore biological regulation and in turn reduce pesticides. The viticultural systems performances have been evaluated with a methodology involving multicriteria decision aid using ELECTRE Tri-C and ELECTRE III methods. Seven evaluation criteria were selected which covered socio-economic performance (economic profitability, workload and system complexity) and environmental performance (pesticide pressure, pesticide ecotoxicity, agroecological practices and pesticide drift). The best performances were achieved by the two agroecological scenarios, and this methodology can be adaptable to different production systems everywhere in different viticultural regions.

Two New Methods for Multiattribute Decision Makings with Information Partially Known

This paper investigated multiattribute decision makings with the decision maker’s preference information partially known.The weighted average programming and minimum weighted average deviation methods were established.Feasibility and effectiveness of the two methods were illustrated with an actual example.

Multiple Criteria Decision Making with Respect to Multiple Experts

This paper deals with the multiple experts multiple criteria decision making (MEMCDM) problem. To help experts in a committee in reaching a satisfactory decision outcome, a three phase decision making method is developed in this study. We describe the procedure of the proposed three phase method and its application in a case study. Three phases—the initial comparison test, criteria aggregation, and experts’ aggregation, are concerned with fuzzy evaluation of the multiple criteria, which is based on fuzzy preference ordering and membership functions of the fuzzy set theory. The algorithms are presented thoroughly for each phase of overall procedure of MEMCDM. The three phase method combines the Delphi interactive method and the evaluation of minimal separation measure from the ideal solution. Finally worthwhile directions for future research are summarized.

GLOBAL AWARENESS,FUTURE CITY DESIGN AND DECISION MAKING

Our world has been changing at an exponential rate. As a result of this rapid growth, we will be forced to make changes in not only the way we live in the environment but also in the environment itself such as designing the cities of the future to be in greater harmony with the increasing population and growing complexity. The paper contains both reflections on global awareness and comprehensive criteria and their priorities for choosing the most desirable city.

A PURCHASING DECISION: SELECTING A SUPPLIER FOR A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

Supplier selection is one of the most crucial activities performed by organizations because of its strategic importance. Supplier selection is a multi-objective problem involving both quantitative and qualitative criteria. Over the years a number of quantitative approaches have been tried. Although the Analytic Hierarchy Process （AHP） has previously been used in supplier selection problems, one major weakness of the application-oriented AHP literature is that it tends to focus on the mechanics of AHP instead of on the theoretical and practical implications associated with finding a solution. Though it is one of the most extensively used Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis methodologies, our literature search indicated that most studies found the best solution and stopped there, ignoring sensitivity analysis. Performing sensitivity analysis is very important for practical decision making, sometimes even as important as finding the best solution. In this paper for the first time a comprehensive application of AHP for a real-world case is presented along with sensitivity analysis in choosing the best suppliers for a Turkish construction company. As a result of this study the company decided to allocate the order quantities between the two top suppliers.

Improved indoor environment through optimised ventilator and furniture positioning:A case of slum rehabilitation housing,Mumbai,India

This study optimized the ventilator and furniture location of a tenement unit in a low-income urban habitat to obtain maximum experiential indoor environmental quality(e-IEQ)over the breathing zone.Hypothetical interior layouts using a combination of the two design parameters of ventilator location and bed position were generated for optimizing the design layout.This layout could promote maximum indoor airflow and minimum indoor air temperature and contaminant concentration.In this study,an improved indoor environment is hypothesized to be attainable through improved natural ventilation and thermal performance in the occupied zones.A sequential methodology involving“parametric design modeling ecomputational simulationemultiobjective optimizationemulticriteria decision making”-based framework was selected.Results exhibited that the currently designed tenement unit had a poor indoor environment,whereas the hypothesized iterated layout“optimized design layout,scenario 3(ODL 3)”derived from the optimization and decision-making algorithm performed effectively in providing e-IEQ.An increase in experiential indoor air velocity by 0.2 m/s and a decrease in temperature by 2C were observed over the monitoring point in the ODL 3 considering the existing scenario.Therefore,this study can find a way toward the development of sustainable habitat design guidelines under upcoming slum redevelopment policies across the nation.