A great concern when utilizing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is how final priority vector, resulting from inconsistent analysis, behaves compared with original ranking, consistent analysis. The AHP utilizes an inconsistency index to predict rank reversal. In addition of AHP, several authors have worked on developing alternative indexes, goal improving predictability However, indexes do n...

A matrix balancing problem and an eigenvalue problem are transformed into two minimumnorm point problems whose difference is only a norm. The matrix balancing problem is solved by scaling algorithms that are as simple as the power method of the eigenvalue problem. This study gives a proof of global convergence for scaling algorithms and applies the algorithm to Analytic Hierarchy process (AHP),...

Because of the many limitations traditional failure mode effect and criticality analysis (FMECA), an integrated risk assessment model with improved FMECA, fuzzy Bayesian networks (FBN), evidence reasoning (ER) is proposed. A new characterization parameter system constructed in model. rule base based on confidence structure by combining set theory expert knowledge, BN technology used to realize ...

The pairwise comparison method is an interesting technique for building a global ranking from binary comparisons. In fact, some web search engines use this method to quantify the importance of a set of web sites. The purpose of this paper is to search a set of priority weights from the preference information contained in a general pairwise comparison matrix; i.e., a matrix without consistency a...

BACKGROUND Habitat loss and overexploitation are among the primary factors threatening populations of many mammal species. Recently, aquatic mammals have been highlighted as particularly vulnerable. Here we test (1) if aquatic mammals emerge as more phylogenetically urgent conservation priorities than their terrestrial relatives, and (2) if high priority species are receiving sufficient conserv...

Hygiene management is essential for rearing Campylobacter free broiler flocks. In this study, several hygiene factors (e.g., thinning, water supply, stable cloths, stable condition, stable environment, etc.) are categorized and aggregated in a developed risk priority number (RPN). This number is measuring the quality of hygiene management of a broiler farm with one single value (range: 801–4005...

OBJECTIVES To describe the safety attitudes and beliefs of junior (aged 16-18 years) Australian football players. SETTING Six Victorian Football League Under 18 (VFL U18) clubs in Victoria, Australia. METHODS Cross sectional survey. Altogether 103 players completed a self report questionnaire about their safety beliefs and perceptions of support when injured, across three contexts in which ...

The contamination of ores with wastes or materials of lower than the cut-off grade is referred to as dilution. Dilution is an undesirable phenomenon that, on one hand, reduces the product grade and, consequently, reduces the sales prices and, on the other hand, adds an extra cost to waste production. Therefore, studying and evaluating the dilution risk is important in mining, and especially in ...