Application of Analytic Hierarchy Process to Prioritize Urban Transport Options - Comparative Analysis of Group Aggregation Methods

The present study presents a comparative analysis of different group aggregation methods adopted in AHP by testing them against social choice axioms with a case study of Delhi transport system. The group aggregation (GA) methods and their correctness were tested while prioritizing the alternative options to achieve energy efficient and less polluting transport system in Delhi It was observed that among all group aggregation methods, geometric mean method (GMM) - the most widely adopted GA method of AHP - showed poor performance and failed to satisfy the most popular pareto optimality and non-dictatorship axiom raising questions on its validity as GA method adopted in AHP. All other group aggregation methods viz. weighted arithmetic mean method with varying weights and equal weights (WAMM, WeAMM) and arithmetic mean of individual priorities (AMM) resulted in concurring results with the individual member priorities. This study demonstrates that WeAMM resulted in better aggregation of individual priorities compared to WAMM. Comparative analysis between individual and group priorities demonstrates that the arithmetic mean (AMM) of priorities by individual members of the group showed minimum deviation from the group consensus making it the most suitable and simple method to aggregate individual preferences to arrive at a group consensus.AHP, decision making, GMM, group aggregation, transportation, WAMM

Application of analytic hierarchy process to prioritize urban transport options: Comparative analysis of group aggregation methods

The present study presents a comparative analysis of different group aggregation methods adopted in AHP by testing them against social choice axioms with a case study of Delhi transport system. The group aggregation (GA) methods and their correctness were tested while prioritizing the alternative options to achieve energy efficient and less polluting transport system in Delhi. It was observed that among all group aggregation methods, geometric mean method (GMM) - the most widely adopted GA method of AHP - showed poor performance and failed to satisfy the most popular "pareto optimality and non-dictatorship axiom" raising questions on its validity as GA method adopted in AHP. All other group aggregation methods viz. weighted arithmetic mean method with varying weights and equal weights (WAMM, WeAMM) and arithmetic mean of individual priorities (AMM) resulted in concurring results with the individual member priorities. This study demonstrates that WeAMM resulted in better aggregation of individual priorities compared to WAMM. Comparative analysis between individual and group priorities demonstrates that the arithmetic mean (AMM) of priorities by individual members of the group showed minimum deviation from the group consensus making it the most suitable and simple method to aggregate individual preferences to arrive at a group consensus.AHP, decision making, GMM, group aggregation, transportation, WAMM

Prioritization of Strategies to Overcome Barriers for Cleaner and Energy Efficient Alternatives in Urban Transportation - Multi-criteria Approach

Adoption of cleaner and energy efficient technologies (CEETs) in urban transport experiences certain barriers and deriving a set of policies to remove/reduce barrier in the case of Delhi and Mumbai transport systems was attempted in this study. A set of policy alternatives and measures (PAMs) were identified for each barrier and a pool of barriers PAMs for all barriers were identified which were finally analysed for their potential based on 4 important criteria namely administrative costs, financial burden, human resource benefits, administrative backup and political acceptability. Based on aggregated multi-criteria assessment, the policy of distinct colouring scheme for alternate fuel vehicles (AFVs) stood first followed by awareness campaigns to the drivers, training programs to the workers, single window/priority check points, financial incentives and task force to carry out check. To realize the completeness, potential of PAMs in handling barriers was analysed considering not only a set of criteria but also their potential in handling more than one barrier. In overall ranking, policy to develop partnerships among major stakeholders and awareness campaigns to the drivers showed highest potential in removing barriers for the adoption of CEETs. Based on the ranking under both approaches a set of seven policy measures and alternatives were selected to remove barriers to CEETS and they are partnership between the Government, public sector undertakings and private actors in proving better infrastructure; Financial incentives like free or priority parking, separate lanes for alternative fuel vehicles and free inspection and maintenance; Task force to carry our checks; Heavy fines on defaulters; Distinct colour coding for AFVs; Demonstration of AFVs and their advantages; and Awareness campaigns to drivers. This set of PAMs would be able to control all seven pre-identified barriers to the adoption of CEETs in Delhi and Mumbai urban transportation systems.Barriers, CEETs, multi-criteria, policy analysis, urban transport

Graphical User Interface (GUI) Development for an Optical Communication Simulator

Modeling and simulation tools have been an integral part of engineering world for a long time. Various Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools have been extensively used in various industries and research to evaluate the performance of electronic systems. The advancement of such design tools also has influenced the optical communication sector such that there has been a continuous progress on the Photonic Design Automation (PDA) tools. Currently, many software for simulating optical communications are available. However, they are very expensive and conceal the information on how components are modeled. To avoid these constraints, we developed our own PDA software for optical communication. This thesis delves into the development of Graphical User Interface (GUI) of our software. The studied GUI software conforms to the feature of standard simulation software and assists the users to perform a system-level simulation of fiber optic communication. The developed GUI allows the users to design their layout, run the simulation and view the results in the form of data or plot. The GUI is explained with respect to the graphical layout and the interactive features of the components. The detailed structure is described along with the Java library used to build them. The interactive aspects of GUI are investigated, for adding the hierarchical feature to our GUI software. In addition, a plotting tool is created for the GUI. The thesis provides comprehensive information on working principle of GUI for simulation software and describes the addition of plotting tool and hierarchical design in detail

Stock Return and Trading Volume Relation in Nepalese Stock Market: An ARDL Approach

The relationship between stock returns and trading volume observed in this research is based on 149 monthly data (mid-July 2005 to mid-December 2017) of NEPSE index. The relationship between stock returns and trading volume is examined using Autoregressive Distributed Lag approach. The research investigated the long-run and short-run relationship between trading volume and stock returns. The study detected significantly positive relationship between trading volume and stock returns in both long as well as short run. Therefore, the research concludes that impact of stock returns on trading volume is significant in Nepalese Stock Market, indicates that market participants use volume as an introduction of stock returns. From investment perspective, the relationship between trading volume and stock returns is of great importance to individuals who invest in share market instruments. Keywords: Trading volume, stock returns, ARDL approac

Performance of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) grown on different fingermillet husk substrates

Substrate type is one of the major factors affecting the growth and yield of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). Five substrates; Finger millet husk, Fingermillet husk + Molasses, Fingermillet husk + Rice bran, Fingermillet husk + Wheat bran, Fingermillet husk +Mustard oilseed cake, were evaluated for growth and productivity of oyster mushroom. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with each treatment replicated seven times. Additives were added on finger millet husk @5% of its dry weight. Standard cultivation practice was followed with steam sterilization and spawning was done in poly bags containing 2.5 kg of wet substrate. Data were collected on time taken for full spawn run, fresh mushroom yield, biological efficiency and cropping duration upto three flushes. Molasses took the least duration (16.86 days) for full spawn run which was found to be statistically at par with wheat bran(17.13 days) and rice bran(17.75 days) whereas control treatment took the longest duration (21.62 days). Rice bran produced the highest fresh mushroom yield (793.04g/bag) with highest biological efficiency (137.92%), which was statistically at par with control, molasses and wheat bran. Similarly, rice bran had least cropping duration (66.62 days) followed by control (67.88 days), molasses (69.14 days), wheat bran (70.12 days) and mustard oilseed cake (73.86 days). The lowest fresh yield (521.84 g/bag) with lowest biological efficiency (90.75%) and the longest cropping duration (73.86 days) was observed on mustard oilseed cake supplementation. This study revealed that molasses, rice bran and wheat bran accelerated spawn run whereas mustard oilseed cake supplementation produced lowest fresh mushroom yield with least biological efficiency and highest cropping duration showing that it was ineffective for increasing yield and productivity of oyster mushroom

Effect of different substrate sterilization methods on performance of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

Saabunud / Received 21.01.2021 ; Aktsepteeritud / Accepted 16.04.2021 ; Avaldatud veebis / Published online 16.04.2021 ; Vastutav autor / Corresponding author: Sanju Shrestha [email protected] sterilization of substrates is an indispensable step in oyster mushroom cultivation. Oyster mushroom growers in Nepal usually follow three different substrate sterilization methods; however, their comparative effectiveness is vastly unexplored. Thus, these experiments were carried out at the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), Lamjung Campus, Lamjung, Nepal from January to March, in the years 2017 and 2019. The objective of these experiments was to identify the most appropriate method of sterilization. Three different types of sterilization methods viz chemical sterilization (formaldehyde + carbendazim), steam sterilization, and hot-water sterilization were evaluated for the growth parameters and productivity of oyster mushroom cultivated on rice straw. The experiments were laid out on Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with ten replications. The results showed that the spawning rate was 3.2% of the wet substrate. Data were collected until the third flush. A significantly longer duration to colonize the substrate (29.7 days) was observed under chemical sterilization. The oyster mushroom performed best under steam sterilization as it took the shortest time for pinhead formation (34.30 days), fruiting body formation (43.60 days), cropping duration (89.30 days), and produced the highest mushroom yield (1401.9 g per 4 kg bag), and consequently, the highest biological efficiency (101.38%). Average pileus diameter and stipe length were statistically indifferent among the treatments suggesting the significant effect of sterilization methods on the yield of oyster mushroom but not on its morphological attributes

PANEL STRATIFICATION IN META-ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE ECONOMIC STUDIES

Meta-analyses of past research outcomes are becoming more popular, however, the issue of the panel nature of data has not been empirically investigated. We test various forms of data stratifications into panels for outdoor recreation economic studies but do not find any significant effects, possibly because of inherent data complexity.Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,