Generalization and ranking of fuzzy numbers by relative preference relation

We define $$2n+1$$ 2 n + 1 and 2n fuzzy numbers, which generalize triangular and trapezoidal fuzzy numbers, respectively. Then, we extend the fuzzy preference relation and relative preference relation to rank $$2n+1$$ 2 n + 1 and 2n fuzzy numbers. When the data is representable in terms of $$2n+1$$ 2 n + 1 fuzzy number, we generalize the FMCDM (fuzzy multi-criteria decision making) model constructed with TOPSIS and relative preference relation. Lastly, we give an example from telecommunications to present the proposed FMCDM model and validate the results obtained.

Clarifying the nature of the association between social dominance orientation and environmentalism

<p>A small number of studies have reported a negative association between social dominance orientation (SDO: the relative preference for social inequality and intergroup dominance) and environmentalism. However, the existing research has yet to fully investigate the nature of this relationship. In this thesis, I develop a programme of research that aims to clarify how ideology relates to environmentalism, in several important ways. I start by systematically reviewing the relationship between SDO, the related ideological construct of right-wing authoritarianism (RWA: the preference to submit to authority and tradition, and punish those who deviate), and environmentalism. I do this by meta-analysing the associations reported in the existing literature, and previously un-published datasets. These analyses show that both ideological constructs are important for understanding human-environment relations. Importantly, SDO is more strongly related to environmentalism in general population samples than in student samples, which helps to reconcile previous inconsistencies in the literature. I then explore the ideology-environmentalism link over time, comparing the strengths of the associations with environmentalism and SDO and RWA. Consistent with the meta-analyses I show that, while RWA is more predictive of changes in environmental attitudes over time in student populations, SDO is the key predictor among general population samples. Therefore, dependent on sample, these findings indicate that endorsing these ideologies lead to changes in environmentalism over time. Next, I elaborate on the SDO-environmentalism relationship by exploring whether and how the two facets of SDO (anti-egalitarianism and dominance) differentially relate to environment-relevant attitudes. Overall, I find that anti-environmental attitudes are largely driven by individual preference for inequality rather than for intergroup dominance. Previous work, including my own, has focused exclusively on quantitative survey-based methods. I invited individuals scoring relatively high, moderately, and low on SDO to share their ideas on climate change. Interviews with these individuals revealed that many were concerned about the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to climate change. Most participants were also armed with justifications excusing their, and others’, inaction on the problem. To establish how the ideas shared in the interviews related to SDO, I reworked them into statements for survey-based research. This research demonstrates that ideology (both SDO and RWA) also related to most of these interview-based statements, with those scoring higher on dominance attitudes more opposed to top-down action on climate change, and those more tolerant of inequality more opposed to individual action. In sum, my work adds to the growing body of research that establishes ideology as a barrier to environmental engagement. My findings support the interpretation of SDO as a barrier to engagement through an environmental justice framework. If we are to stop the warming of the planet and increased social inequality that this brings, then we must also understand ideology as a barrier to belief and action on climate change.</p>

Resolving the conflict of nuclear wastewater discharging into the ocean based on the GMCR

PurposeJapan's decision to release nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean in 2023 has sparked strong opposition at home and abroad. In this study, Graph Model for Conflict Resolution (GMCR) method is adopted to analyze the conflict problem, and reasonable equilibrium solutions are given to solve the conflict event.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, GMCR is adopted to solve the conflict problem. First, identify the key decision-makers (DMs) on the issue of nuclear effluent and the relevant options they might adopt. Second, the options of each DM are arranged and combined to form a set of feasible states. Thirdly, the graph model is constructed according to the change of DM's options, and the relative preference of each DM is determined. Finally, the conflict problem is solved according to the definition of GMCR equilibrium.FindingsDischarging nuclear wastewater into the ocean is not the right choice to solve the problem. Developing more space to store nuclear wastewater is more conducive to the protection of the ocean environment.Practical implicationsIt is undesirable for the Japanese government to unilaterally discharge nuclear wastewater into the ocean. Objectively assessing the radioactivity of nuclear wastewater and the cooperation of relevant stakeholders can better solve this conflict.Originality/valueThe problem arising from Japan's releasing plan is complicated because of a lack of information and the existence of multiple stakeholders, while GMCR can help us with a better view of the current circumstance in the conflict.

Clarifying the nature of the association between social dominance orientation and environmentalism

<p>A small number of studies have reported a negative association between social dominance orientation (SDO: the relative preference for social inequality and intergroup dominance) and environmentalism. However, the existing research has yet to fully investigate the nature of this relationship. In this thesis, I develop a programme of research that aims to clarify how ideology relates to environmentalism, in several important ways. I start by systematically reviewing the relationship between SDO, the related ideological construct of right-wing authoritarianism (RWA: the preference to submit to authority and tradition, and punish those who deviate), and environmentalism. I do this by meta-analysing the associations reported in the existing literature, and previously un-published datasets. These analyses show that both ideological constructs are important for understanding human-environment relations. Importantly, SDO is more strongly related to environmentalism in general population samples than in student samples, which helps to reconcile previous inconsistencies in the literature. I then explore the ideology-environmentalism link over time, comparing the strengths of the associations with environmentalism and SDO and RWA. Consistent with the meta-analyses I show that, while RWA is more predictive of changes in environmental attitudes over time in student populations, SDO is the key predictor among general population samples. Therefore, dependent on sample, these findings indicate that endorsing these ideologies lead to changes in environmentalism over time. Next, I elaborate on the SDO-environmentalism relationship by exploring whether and how the two facets of SDO (anti-egalitarianism and dominance) differentially relate to environment-relevant attitudes. Overall, I find that anti-environmental attitudes are largely driven by individual preference for inequality rather than for intergroup dominance. Previous work, including my own, has focused exclusively on quantitative survey-based methods. I invited individuals scoring relatively high, moderately, and low on SDO to share their ideas on climate change. Interviews with these individuals revealed that many were concerned about the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to climate change. Most participants were also armed with justifications excusing their, and others’, inaction on the problem. To establish how the ideas shared in the interviews related to SDO, I reworked them into statements for survey-based research. This research demonstrates that ideology (both SDO and RWA) also related to most of these interview-based statements, with those scoring higher on dominance attitudes more opposed to top-down action on climate change, and those more tolerant of inequality more opposed to individual action. In sum, my work adds to the growing body of research that establishes ideology as a barrier to environmental engagement. My findings support the interpretation of SDO as a barrier to engagement through an environmental justice framework. If we are to stop the warming of the planet and increased social inequality that this brings, then we must also understand ideology as a barrier to belief and action on climate change.</p>

ОЦЕНКА ЭФФЕКТОВ ВЛИЯНИЯ МЕЖГОСУДАРСТВЕННОЙ ИНТЕГРАЦИИ НА АГРАРНЫЙ СЕКТОР КАЗАХСТАНА

Researching the agro-industrial complex development in formation of the Eurasian economic Union context is intended to assess the impact on agricultural production stability and competitiveness and its growth in integration process. Using the following indicators to assess the international economic integration process was carried out effects assessment of interstate integration on stability and competitiveness Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector: the economic openness indicator, the share of mutual trade turnover in the total trade turnover, the index of intra-industry trade for two countries case and one industry (the Grubel-Lloyd index), the preference coefficient, the mutual preference coefficient, the relative preference coefficient. Countries that are members to the integration Union get a number of dynamic advantages, which are showed in integration development process in the long term. There are not excluded the probability of the following negative integration effects – unilateral advantages for more developed member countries, price increases due to the formation of member countries’ transnational companies, demonstrations of descending economies effects scale (losses on scale). In general, the positive effects of integration, both static and dynamic, exceed the negative ones. Исследуя развитие агропромышленного комплекса в условиях формирования Евразийского экономического союза, предполагается оценить влияние на устойчивость и конкурентоспособность аграрного производства нарастание интеграционного процесса. С помощью показателей, позволяющих оценить процесс международной экономической интеграции: показатель открытости экономики, доля оборота взаимной торговли в общем обороте торговли, индекс внутриотраслевой торговли для случая двух стран и одной отрасли (индекс Грубеля-Ллойда), коэффициент предпочтения, коэффициент взаимного предпочтения, коэффициент относительного предпочтения, проведена оценка эффектов межгосударственной интеграции на устойчивость и конкурентоспособность аграрного сектора Казахстана. Страны, входящие в интеграционный союз, получают ряд динамических преимуществ, которые проявляются в процессе развития интеграции в долгосрочном периоде, где не исключается вероятность возникновения негативных эффектов интеграции - односторонних преимуществ для более развитых стран-участниц, повышение цен вследствие формирования транснациональных компаний стран-участниц, проявлений нисходящего эффекта масштаба (потерь на масштабе). В целом позитивные эффекты интеграции, как статические, так и динамические, превышают негативные.

Investigating the Structure of Son Bias in Armenia With Novel Measures of Individual Preferences

Sex ratios at birth favoring boys are being documented in a growing number of countries, a pattern indicating that families selectively abort females. Son bias also explains why, in many countries, girls have more siblings and are born at relatively earlier parities compared with their brothers. In this study, we develop novel methods for measuring son bias using both questionnaire items and implicit association tests, and we collect data on fertility preferences and outcomes from 2,700 participants in Armenia. We document highly skewed sex ratios, suggesting that selective abortions of females are widespread among parents in our sample. We also provide evidence that sex-selective abortions are underreported, which highlights the problem of social desirability bias. We validate our methods and demonstrate that conducting implicit association tests can be a successful strategy for measuring the relative preference for sons and daughters when social desirability is a concern. We investigate the structure of son-biased fertility preferences within households, across families, and between regions in Armenia, using measures of son bias at the level of the individual decision-maker. We find that men are, on average, considerably more son-biased than women. We also show that regional differences in son bias exist and that they appear unrelated to the socioeconomic composition of the population. Finally, we estimate the degree of spousal correlation in son bias and discuss whether husbands are reliably more son-biased than their wives.

Always Valid Inference: Continuous Monitoring of A/B Tests

A/B tests are typically analyzed via frequentist p-values and confidence intervals, but these inferences are wholly unreliable if users endogenously choose samples sizes by continuously monitoring their tests. We define always valid p-values and confidence intervals that let users try to take advantage of data as fast as it becomes available, providing valid statistical inference whenever they make their decision. Always valid inference can be interpreted as a natural interface for a sequential hypothesis test, which empowers users to implement a modified test tailored to them. In particular, we show in an appropriate sense that the measures we develop trade off sample size and power efficiently, despite a lack of prior knowledge of the user’s relative preference between these two goals. We also use always valid p-values to obtain multiple hypothesis testing control in the sequential context. Our methodology has been implemented in a large-scale commercial A/B testing platform to analyze hundreds of thousands of experiments to date.