Application of Multi-Objective Optimization Based on Genetic Algorithm for Sustainable Strategic Supplier Selection under Fuzzy Environment

Purpose: The incorporation of environmental objective into the conventional supplier selection practices is crucial for corporations seeking to promote green supply chain management (GSCM). Challenges and risks associated with green supplier selection have been broadly recognized by procurement and supplier management professionals. This paper aims to solve a Tetra “S” (SSSS) problem based on a fuzzy multi-objective optimization with genetic algorithm in a holistic supply chain environment. In this empirical study, a mathematical model with fuzzy coefficients is considered for sustainable strategic supplier selection (SSSS) problem and a corresponding model is developed to tackle this problem. Design/methodology/approach: Sustainable strategic supplier selection (SSSS) decisions are typically multi-objectives in nature and it is an important part of green production and supply chain management for many firms. The proposed uncertain model is transferred into deterministic model by applying the expected value measure (EVM) and genetic algorithm with weighted sum approach for solving the multi-objective problem. This research focus on a multiobjective optimization model for minimizing lean cost, maximizing sustainable service and greener product quality level. Finally, a mathematical case of textile sector is presented to exemplify the effectiveness of the proposed model with a sensitivity analysis. Findings: This study makes a certain contribution by introducing the Tetra ‘S’ concept in both the theoretical and practical research related to multi-objective optimization as well as in the study of sustainable strategic supplier selection (SSSS) under uncertain environment. Our results suggest that decision makers tend to select strategic supplier first then enhance the sustainability. Research limitations/implications: Although the fuzzy expected value model (EVM) with fuzzy coefficients constructed in present research should be helpful for solving real world problems. A detailed comparative analysis by using other algorithms is necessary for solving similar problems of agriculture, pharmaceutical, chemicals and services sectors in future. Practical implications: It can help the decision makers for ordering to different supplier for managing supply chain performance in efficient and effective manner. From the procurement and engineering perspectives, minimizing cost, sustaining the quality level and meeting production time line is the main consideration for selecting the supplier. Empirically, this can facilitate engineers to reduce production costs and at the same time improve the product quality. Originality/value: In this paper, we developed a novel multi-objective programming model based on genetic algorithm to select sustainable strategic supplier (SSSS) under fuzzy environment. The algorithm was tested and applied to solve a real case of textile sector in Pakistan. The experimental results and comparative sensitivity analysis illustrate the effectiveness of our proposed model.Peer Reviewe

Re?thinking the Promotion of Women's Rights through Islam in India

Religiously framed approaches to women's rights advocacy, which include those that utilise religious discourses or work through religious leaders and institutions, have increasingly been adopted by a variety of actors, particularly in Muslim contexts. While the use of such approaches may often be an effective means of advocating for reform of laws on women's rights that are founded on principles deriving from religious jurisprudence, there remains a need for critical analysis of such engagements. This article examines the experiences of two Muslim women's rights networks in India, the Muslim Women's Rights Network and the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, both of which have attempted to work with religious institutions and through religious framings in order to secure women's matrimonial rights. This case study highlights both the possibilities and limitations of adopting religiously framed approaches and argues that the strategies of women's rights advocates must be grounded within political and social realities without being either essentialist or exclusionary

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Prevalence of Aspergillus hypersensitivity and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in patients with bronchial asthma at a tertiary care center in North India

Background: The prevalence of Aspergillus hypersensitivity (AH) and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) has been variably reported. Systematic data regarding Aspergillus sensitization and ABPA are lacking from this part of the country. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of AH and ABPA in Uttar Pradesh. Setting and Design: This was prospective observational study. All patients attending outpatient Department of Pulmonary Medicine of our institute were included in the study. Subjects and Methods: Consecutive asthmatic patients underwent screening for ABPA using Aspergillus skin test (AST). Those showing a positive response to AST were further evaluated for ABPA. Results: During the study, 350 patients (192 males, 158 females, mean ± standard deviation age: 38.3 ± 12.8) were screened with AST. One hundred and twenty-three patients (35.1%) were tested positive for AST and 21.7% of patients were diagnosed as ABPA. Conclusions: A high prevalence rate of ABPA was observed at our chest clinic. Although comparable with published data from other tertiary centers, it does not represent the true prevalence rates in asthmatics because of high chances of referral bias

Analysis and Classification of Bone Fractures Using Machine Learning Techniques

Human bones are the hard organs that protect vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and other internal organs. Fractures of the bones are a prevalent issue among humans. Bone fractures may develop from an accident or another circumstance when there is great pressure on the bones. It may be difficult and time-consuming to determine the site of a fracture in a patient who is suffering discomfort. The manual examination of fractures during radiological interpretation is a time-consuming and error-prone process. This may result in erroneous detection, poor fracture healing, and an extensive procedure. So, this research proposed an effective approach to rectifying bone fractures with the inclusion of the latest technologies. The solution is proposed by employing a Deep learning model. Moreover, a novel concept of classification is also incorporated. Firstly; the MURA dataset was collected from Stanford. Secondly; The proposed model used techniques like DCNN (Deep Convolution Neural Network) and use Alex Net model. Bones are classified into fractured or non-fractured through a classification approach. The proposed model was created using Google Colab. The proposed model was trained by repeating several experiments. The performance was evaluated based on accuracy. The suggested model results were compared with baseline algorithms as well. Consequently, the findings of this work will be useful for the medical industry

Correlation of asthma severity, IgE level, and spirometry results with HRCT findings in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis

Context: Few studies have been done for correlating asthma severity, IgE level, and spirometry results with high-resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) findings in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Aims: This prospective observational study was conducted to correlate asthma severity, IgE level, and spirometry results with HRCT findings in ABPA. Settings and Design: Prospective observational. Subjects and Methods: Fifty consecutive adult patients with asthma and positive specific IgE (>0.35 kUA/L) to Aspergillus fumigatus were recruited from October 2015 to July 2017. Asthma severity, IgE levels, and spirometry results were correlated with HRCT score, bronchiectasis score, air trapping segments, and low-attenuation lung volume on inspiratory CT and expiratory CT. Statistical Analysis Used: One way ANOVA, Spearman’s correlation coefficients. Results: Asthma severity showed a significant positive correlation with HRCT score and bronchiectasis score. MEF pre and postbronchodilator values showed a significant negative correlation with HRCT score, bronchiectasis score, and percentage expiratory volumes -851 to -950 HU voxels. FEV1 prebronchodilator value showed a significant negative correlation with percentage expiratory volume -851 to -950 HU voxels and percentage expiratory volume -851 to -1024 HU voxels. Specific IgE antibody level showed a significant positive correlation with bronchiectasis score. Conclusions: Asthma severity, specific IgE level, and MEF values showed a good correlation with HRCT findings. The restrictive pattern is common on spirometry in patients of ABPA. In addition to central bronchiectasis, peripheral bronchial and small airway involvement was an important finding in ABPA. Expiratory HRCT may reveal air trapping in patients having no abnormality on inspiratory CT

The Mechanical and Comfort Properties of Viscose with Cotton and Regenerated Fibers Blended Woven Fabrics

The increasing demand of cotton and low production rate to fulfill the world requirements has boosted the production of regenerated cellulose based fibers. The purpose of this work was to compare the performance and comfort properties of regenerated cellulose fibers. For this purpose, cotton, viscose, tencel, modal, bamboo and viscose fibers were taken. Cotton and viscose of 100% and blends (50:50) of viscose with cotton and regenerated fibers were taken. Normal yarn of count 20 tex was made and plain woven fabric samples were made and then pre-treated. The Warp-wise and weft-wise tensile and tear strengths were recorded. In addition, the tests of air-permeability, moisture management and thermal resistivity were performed It is found that the viscose:tencel and viscose:modal blends give better mechanical and comfort properties than all other blends. Also, it is found that viscose:cotton blend gives the lowest mechanical and comfort properties out of all studied fabrics. It is concluded that viscose makes more suitable blend with tencel and modal which outperforms in mechanical and comfort properties than other blends. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.24.2.18260</p