Fuzzy analytic hierarchy process using intuitive vectorial centroid for eco-friendly car selection

Eco-friendly car is expected to be the next driving market force for global transportation and technology due to its paramount importance towards the sustainability of the environment and society. However, the actual sales of eco-friendly car are not that convincing and it is even decreasing because the consumer is still uncertain to consider eco-friendly as one of the criteria for them to buy their cars. This situation is worsen by the lack of information and awareness regarding sustainability transportation initiatives. Due to the uncertainty and vague understanding of the consumer about this problem, this paper attempts to investigate the current preference of consumer to buy their cars, and whether they really need to buy the eco-friendly car by using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) which implements the Intuitive Vectorial Centroid (IVC). Based on FAHP, the imprecise or fuzzy judgment from the decision maker can be incorporated, to anticipate a better decision for eco-friendly car selection. The outcome of FAHP is compared with crisp Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and the findings shows that FAHP can provide an accurate and consistent result with AHP, although it deals with fuzzy judgment inputs from multiple decision makers

Investigating the potential of endophytic lactic acid bacteria isolated from papaya seeds as plant growth promoter and antifungal agent

Endophytic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from papaya seeds, including a consortium of two LAB isolates, Weissella cibaria PPKSD19 and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis PPSSD39 could previously inhibit papaya dieback disease causative agent, Erwinia mallotivora BT-MARDI in vitro, indicating their potential as biofertilizer. However, further characterizations on other plant growth-promoting (PGP) properties of the LABs are prerequisite to use in agricultural settings as bio-inoculum. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate PGP potentials further and in vitro antifungal activity of the LABs against various plant pathogens. The LAB isolates were tested positive in indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), siderophore, and ammonia production and could solubilize phosphate. Weissella cibaria PPKSD19 and L. lactis subsp. lactis PPSSD39 exhibited the strongest in vitro antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum TKA and Curvularia lunata. Inoculum concentration of 1x10 cfu/ml of W. cibaria PPKSD19 and L. lactis subsp. lactis PPSSD39 mixture showed the highest increment in shoot and root dry weight. In conclusion, W. cibaria PPKSD19 and L. lactis subsp. lactis PPSSD39 consortium displayed promising plant probiotic potential. These results highlighted the possibility of the bacterial consortium to be exploited as bioinoculant to promote plant growth and inhibit phytopathogens causing plant diseases