Live Long and Educate

Using the lenses of Vygotskian constructivism, situated cognition, the antecedents of flow, and a pedagogy interwoven with the multiliteracy framework, the authors present a COVID-19 simulation game. The game has multiple levels, challenges, disrupters, and allows for student player groups to work together (i.e., collaborate within and across player groups) to achieve the strategic objectives of the game. The player groups have an overall goal to minimize loss of life, while other parameters need to be optimized, depending on the stakeholder group that the player group is role-playing. While the game can be digitized, it is presented in a manner that allows instructors to implement the game simulation right away in their classrooms. Assessment rubrics, decision matrix templates, and debriefing notes are provided to allow for student learners to reflect on their decisions (based on course concepts) both individually and as a player group.

Determining the best strategy to reduce losses in Banias water network, based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process AHP: تحديد الاستراتيجية الأفضل لتخفيف الفواقد في شبكة مياه مدينة بانياس بالاعتماد على طريقة التحليل الهرمي Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)

The study aims to choose the best strategy for reducing Water losses in Banias City Water Distribution network, that reaches a large percentage about 65%, based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The strategies (alternatives), the main and secondary criteria necessary to reach the construction of the decision matrix and the development of the final strategies for the work of the Establishment in accordance with it, based on the opinions of experts in the Banias Water Establishment, in addition to references and previous studies in the field of research. The necessary questionnaire was prepared and then distributed to a group of experts (30 experts) of engineers and technicians working in Banias Water Establishment, and thus conducting comparison process between the main criteria, the sub- criteria, and the alternatives for the sub- criteria. The Expert Choice Software Which is based on AHP method, is used, and It automatically performs mathematical processes and calculates final relative weights to obtain the final decision matrix. The results showed that the strategy of dividing the network into district metered areas ranked first, with the highest rating of 27.8%, followed by the strategy of control and pressure management with 13.6%, while the strategy of replacing meters came last with 3.5%.

Decision-making method based on game theory and grey theory in a single-value neutrosophic environment and its application to typhoon disaster assessment

PurposeThe Chinese believe that “man will conquer the sky” and “fighting with the sky brings endless joy”. Considering that disaster assessment can be regarded as a two-person, zero-sum game problem between nature and human beings, this paper proposes a multi-attribute decision-making method based on game theory and grey theory in a single-value neutrosophic set environment. Due to the complexity and uncertainty of the decision-making environment, the method builds a decision matrix based on single-valued neutrosophic numbers.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the authors use the single-value neutrosophic information entropy to calculate the attribute weights and the weighted decision matrix. Second, the optimal mixed strategy method based on linear programming solves the optimal mixed strategy for both sides of the game so that the expected payoff matrix can be obtained. Finally, grey correlation analysis is used to obtain the closeness coefficient of each alternative based on the expectation payoff matrix to identify the ranking result of the alternative.FindingsAn example is used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, and its rationality is verified through a comprehensive comparison and analysis of the various aspects.Practical implicationsThe proposed decision-making method can be applied to typhoon disaster assessment. Such assessment results can provide intelligent decision support to the relevant disaster management departments, thereby reducing the negative impact of typhoon disasters on society, stabilizing society and improving people's happiness. Further, the method can be used for decision-making, recommendation and evaluation in other fields.Originality/valueThe proposed method uses single-value neutrosophic numbers to solve the information representation problem of decision-making in a complex environment. Under a new perspective, game theory is used to handle the decision matrix, while grey relational analysis converts inexact numbers to exact numbers for comparison and sorting. Thus, the proposed method can be used to make reasonable decisions while preserving information to the extent possible.

Structure and Performance Attributes Optimization and Ranking of Gamma Irradiated Polymer Hybrids for Industrial Application

The selection of suitable composite material for high-strength industrial applications, from the list of available alternatives, is a tedious task as it requires an optimized structural performance-based solution. This study aimed to optimize the concentration of fillers, i.e., vinyl tri-ethoxy silane and absorbed gamma-dose, to enhance the properties of an industrial scale polymer, i.e., ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The UHMWPE hybrids, in addition to silane, were treated with (30, 65, and 100 kGy) gamma dose and then tested for ten application-specific structural and performance attributes. The relative importance of attributes based on an 11-point fuzzy conversation was used for establishing the material assessment graph and corresponding adjacency matrix. Afterwards, the normalized values of attributes were used to establish the decision matrix for each alternative. The normalization was performed after the identification of high obligatory valued (HOV) and low obligatory valued (LOV) attributes. After this, suitability index values (SIVs) were calculated for ranking the hybrids that revealed hybrids 65 kGy irradiated the hybrid as the best choice and ranked as first among the existing alternatives. The major responsible factors were higher oxidation strength, a dense cross-linking network, and elongation at break. The values of the aforementioned factors for 65 kGy irradiated hybrids were 0.24, 91, and 360 MPa, respectively, as opposed to 0.54, 75, and 324 MPa for 100 kGy irradiated hybrids, thus placing the latter in second place regarding higher values of Yield Strength and Young Modulus. Finally, it is believed that the reported results and proposed model in this study will improve preoperative planning as far as considering these hybrids for high-strength industrial applications including total joint arthroplasty, textile-machinery pickers, dump trucks lining ships, and harbors bumpers and sliding, etc.

Addressing the Gap Areas Crucial for Survival by Focusing on the Key Growth Determinants of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in India: A critical analysis Pertaining to Textile Sector MSMEs

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are crucial for the overall development of the country. Realising the same, there are various policy support measures introduced by the government. This paper attempts to study the gaps in the present policies available for the MSMEs with respect to the textile sector MSMEs. Through a systematic approach, based on secondary literature and stakeholder engagement, the study attempts to come up with a decision matrix based on the identified key growth determinants of MSMEs. A questionnaire was developed for collecting the responses from expert stakeholders to rank the identified list of determinants influencing the growth of MSMEs. A mix of top-down and bottom-up methodology has been adopted to identify the key determinants of MSMEs having the major influence on the sector’s growth. It was found that the top 10 determinants influencing the growth of MSMEs are profitability, quality of product, entrepreneurial behaviour, legal structure, product differentiation strategy, new/improved products produced, industry friendly policies, employee sensitiveness, ability to fund enterprise growth from profits generated. It is argued that in order to make MSMEs sustainable, policymakers should take a targeted approach focusing on these key growth determinants so as to create a conducive ecosystem for MSMEs. JEL Codes: O100, L210, L250

Blockchain Technology for Projects: A Multicriteria Decision Matrix

This research aims to develop a multicriteria decision matrix (MCDM) for project management practitioners, which will support blockchain type selection, evaluate blockchain platforms, and plan blockchain systems. The MCDM is substantiated through a case study, which includes a questionnaire and an illustrative example pertinent to the construction industry. It was discovered in this study that consortium blockchain is superior in dealing with the characteristics of projects, and Hyperledger Fabric is chosen as the best applicable platform. In planning a blockchain-based project management system, project management practitioners should consider user requirements such as network participants, principal transactions, communication channels, and smart contracts.

A Fast Diagnosis Method of Escalator Reversal Faults Based on Dynamic Information and Multiattribute Decision-Making

There are many reasons for escalator reversal failure, and the reasons are distributed in different locations. It is difficult to locate the specific location of the fault in the actual fault troubleshooting. At the same time, the information related to the failure is not used in the troubleshooting, so there is a problem of inefficient troubleshooting. To this end, this paper proposes a multiattribute decision-making method that integrates dynamic information and gives the optimal troubleshooting order to improve the efficiency of the troubleshooting. First of all, according to the structure of the escalator components, the escalator reversal fault tree is established. Secondly, a static decision matrix is established by comprehensively considering the failure probability, search cost, and influence degree of the bottom event of the fault tree. Finally, the influence matrix of information on each attribute is given by the dynamic information obtained in troubleshooting, the static decision fusion influence matrix determines the dynamic decision matrix, the dynamic decision matrix is weighted and normalized, and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution is used to determine the optimal troubleshooting order. Taking the reversal failure of a certain type of escalators as an example, the method of multiattribute decision-making of fusion dynamic information is used to shorten the troubleshooting time, improve the efficiency of troubleshooting, and verify the effectiveness of this method.

Industrial robot selection using a multiple criteria group decision making method with individual preferences

This paper proposes a multiple criteria group decision making with individual preferences (MCGDM-IP) to address the robot selection problem (RSP). Four objective criteria elicitation approaches, namely, Shannon entropy approach, CRITIC approach, distance-based approach, and ideal-point approach, are proposed to indicate individual decision makers. A preliminary group decision matrix is therefore formulated. Both preferential differences representing the preference degrees among different robots, and preferential priorities representing the favorite ranking of robots for each individual decision maker, are analyzed to propose a revised group decision matrix. A satisfaction index is developed to manifest the merits of the proposed MCGDM-IP. An illustrative example using the data drawn from previous literature is conducted to indicate the effectiveness and validity of MCGDM-IP. The results demonstrate that the MCGDM-IP could generate a more satisfactory scheme to evaluate and select industrial robots, with an improvement of group satisfactory level as 2.12%.

Design and assessment of water source alternatives for Mariout 2 water treatment plant extension

Factors such as population increase and industrialization, coupled with the establishment of touristic villages, have necessitated an upgradation of water treatment plants (WTPs) in Egypt. In this study, three different water source alternatives were designed and compared with a simple decision matrix to select the most appropriate one for upgrading and extending the Mariout 2 WTP. The first two alternatives are located on the k-40 Alex-Cairo desert road and k-77 EL Nasr canal, respectively, where the water source is obtained from the Nile River. The third alternative is located at the k-51 Alex-Matrouh coastal road and a non-conventional seawater source is used. The design results showed that the required energy power of the first, second, and third alternatives were 0.31, 0.066, and 0.72 kw/purified m3, respectively. The operational costs of the first, second, and third alternatives were 0.665, 0.426, and 6.621 EGP/m3, respectively. The cost of the intake pipes was found to be the lowest for the third alternative, whereas it was found to be the highest for the first one. Based on the results obtained from the decision matrix, the third alternative was found to be the most appropriate alternative followed by the second one. This study may assist in making decisions regarding the water source selection and treatment methods for the extension of the fourth stage of the Mariout 2 WTP.

Integrated Underground Mining Hazard Assessment, Management, Environmental Monitoring, and Policy Control in Pakistan

This study focused on the significance of underground mining in Pakistan, resulting in the employment of operational staff to undertake the primary tasks of this sector, such as explosions, rock excavation, mineral research, mining-supporting walls, and mine compactivity. Occupational accidents and illnesses arise due to the activities mentioned above because the working circumstances are not optimal. The decision-matrix risk-assessment (DMRA) approach, in which incidents are evaluated according to their severity and probability, was also utilized to improve working conditions, including public health and environment protection. To assess the risks and to select which actions should continue in the same manner, we highlighted hazards that need control measures and, as the last option, those that must be stopped. By taking into account the results of the study, corrective actions were proposed that can help avoid the occurrence of the presented accidents through applying occupational safety and health regulations issued by the Department of Minerals and Mines, which is a governmental entity responsible for both the issuing and the compliance to those regulations. The current study also outlined the requirements that must be reported under mining-related laws.