Impact of Social, Political and Economic Globalization on Gender Inequality Index in Pakistan: A Time Series Analysis

This study is designed to calculate the newly introduced Gender Inequality Index for Pakistan according to the formula mentioned in technical notes of United Nations Development Report (2010) and then finding the impact of Social, Political and Economic Globalization on Gender Inequality Index. Time series data from 1980 to 2014 is used for Gender Inequality Index, Social, Political and Economic Globalization. Johnsons Co-integration technique is applied to investigate the impact of social, economic and political globalization on gender inequality index in Pakistan. The results of study show negative and significant relationship between economic globalization, social globalization and gender inequality index, while a negative but insignificant relationship is found between political globalization and gender inequality index. The results of the study are consistent with various theoretical and empirical studies. The policies related to globalization promotion are recommended to enrich the country with development through gender balances. To increase impact of political globalization, Pakistan needs to put more emphasis in following the spirit of treaties which target gender disparity of which she is the signator

Topological Structure of Single-Valued Neutrosophic Hesitant Fuzzy Sets and Data Analysis for Uncertain Supply Chains

From production to retail, the food supply chain (FSC) encompasses all stages of food production. Food is now transmitted across continents over long ranges. People depend on supply chains for basic necessities such as food, water, drinks, etc. Any disruption in these shipment pipelines poses a serious threat to human life. Supplier selection (SS) has been identified as a crucial component of FSC, which has been contemplated as a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem in many studies. The failure of some specific MCDM problems is due to failure in contemplating the relationships between alternatives under uncertain circumstances. To address such challenges, we present a contemporary method for designating green suppliers based on single-valued neutrosophic hesitant fuzzy (SVNHF) information, in which the input assessment is taken into account using single-valued neutrosophic hesitant fuzzy numbers (SVNHFNs). The foremost purpose of this analysis is to construct a topological structure on single-valued neutrosophic hesitant fuzzy sets (SVNHFSs) as well as to validate several key properties with examples. We discuss certain properties of SVNHF topology such as the SVNHF closure, SVNHF interior, SVNHF exterior, and SVNHF frontier. We also examine the conceptualization of the SVNHF dense set and SVNHF base in SVNHF topology using comprehensive examples. Eventually, to demonstrate and validate the superiority and inferiority ranking (SIR) method and choice value (CV) method in terms of their rationality and scientific basis, a real-world example of supplier selection in a food supply chain is provided. A comparative analysis is also performed to discuss the symmetry, validity and advantage of the proposed techniques

Topological Data Analysis with Spherical Fuzzy Soft AHP-TOPSIS for Environmental Mitigation System

The idea of spherical fuzzy soft set (SFSS) is a new hybrid model of a soft set (SS) and spherical fuzzy set (SFS). An SFSS is a new approach for information analysis and information fusion, and fuzzy modeling. We define the concepts of spherical-fuzzy-soft-set topology (SFSS-topology) and spherical-fuzzy-soft-set separation axioms. Several characteristics of SFSS-topology are investigated and related results are derived. We developed an extended choice value method (CVM) and the AHP-TOPSIS (analytical hierarchy process and technique for the order preference by similarity to ideal solution) for SFSSs, and presented their applications in multiple-criteria group decision making (MCGDM). Moreover, an application of the CVM is presented in a stock market investment problem and another application of the AHP-TOPSIS is presented for an environmental mitigation system. The suggested methods are efficiently applied to investigate MCGDM through case studies

Topological Data Analysis with Spherical Fuzzy Soft AHP-TOPSIS for Environmental Mitigation System

The idea of spherical fuzzy soft set (SFSS) is a new hybrid model of a soft set (SS) and spherical fuzzy set (SFS). An SFSS is a new approach for information analysis and information fusion, and fuzzy modeling. We define the concepts of spherical-fuzzy-soft-set topology (SFSS-topology) and spherical-fuzzy-soft-set separation axioms. Several characteristics of SFSS-topology are investigated and related results are derived. We developed an extended choice value method (CVM) and the AHP-TOPSIS (analytical hierarchy process and technique for the order preference by similarity to ideal solution) for SFSSs, and presented their applications in multiple-criteria group decision making (MCGDM). Moreover, an application of the CVM is presented in a stock market investment problem and another application of the AHP-TOPSIS is presented for an environmental mitigation system. The suggested methods are efficiently applied to investigate MCGDM through case studies

Topological Data Analysis of m-Polar Spherical Fuzzy Information with LAM and SIR Models

The concept of m-polar spherical fuzzy sets (mPSFS) is a combination of m-polar fuzzy sets (mPFS) and spherical fuzzy sets (SFS). An mPSFS is an optimal strategy for addressing multipolarity and fuzziness in terms of ordered triples of positive membership grades (PMGs), negative membership grades (NMGs), and neutral grades (NGs). In this study, the innovative concept of m-polar spherical fuzzy topology (mPSF-topology) is proposed for data analysis and information aggregation. We look into the characteristics and results of mPSF-topology with the help of several examples. Topological structures on mPSFSs help with both the development of new artificial intelligence (AI) tools for different domain strategies and the study of different kinds of uncertainty in everyday life problems. These strategies make it possible to recognise and look into a situation early on, which helps professionals to reduce certain risks. In order to address various group decision-making issues in the m-polar spherical fuzzy domain, one suggestion has been to apply an extended linear assignment model (LAM) along with the SIR method known as superiority and inferiority ranking methodology in order to analyze road accident issues and dispute resolution. In addition, we examine the symmetry of optimal decision and perform a comparative study between the research carried out using the suggested methodology and several existing methods

Postharvest Chemical Treatment of Physiologically Induced Stem End Blockage Improves Vase Life and Water Relation of Cut Flowers

Wound-induced xylem occlusion significantly affects the vase life of cut flowers, as oxidative stress and the polymerization of phenolic compounds lead to the deposition of phenolic compounds/secondary metabolites in the stem ends of cut flowers to heal open tissues of freshly cut stems and prevent microbial invasion. However, this deposition causes blockage of vessels, reduced water uptake, and shortened vase life. The physiological plugging of vessels is linked with various oxidative enzymes’ (PAL, PPOs, LACs, and COs) actions taken to increase the synthesis of different compounds, e.g., lignin, suberin, tyloses, gel, and latex, in wounded areas. The use of chemical preservatives/enzyme inhibitors is one of the safest and most efficient techniques employed to minimize vascular blockage and inhibit phenolic compounds deposition and exudation. This review mainly discusses the types of oxidative enzymes, their pathways and biochemistry along with production of secondary metabolites, their biosynthesis, and their modes of action involved in vascular blockage. It also summarizes the different types of preservatives used in postharvest treatments to improve relative water uptake, flower fresh weight, petal protein content, and hydraulic conductance and prolong the vase life of cut flowers during storage. It is hoped that this elaborate study will help researchers in designing new studies concerning occlusion caused by the accumulation of phenolic compounds in vessels

Relationship of cell surface hydrophobicity with biofilm formation and growth rate: A study on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli

Objective(s): This study was designed to determine the relationship of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli isolates in multispecies biofilms and their individual phenotypic characters in biofilm consortia. Materials and Methods:  The subject isolates were recovered from different food samples and identified on the basis of growth on differential and selective media.  Tube methods, Congo-red agar method, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to study biofilms phenotypes. The hydrophobicity of the strains was evaluated by the adhesion to apolar solvent. Results: The results showed that E. coli dominated the pre-biofilm stage. It has been observed that E. coli adopted biofilm life much before S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. However, after adopting biofilm lifestyle, slowly and gradually, P. aeruginosa dominated the consortia and dispersed other stakeholders. The subject isolates of P. aeruginosa produce cis-2-decanoic acid to disperse or inhibit S. aureus and E. coli biofilms. Gas-chromatography and mass spectrometry results showed that cis-2-decanoic was higher in the co-culture condition and increased at late log-phase or at stationary phase. Although majority of S. aureus were unable to compete with P. aeruginosa, however, a minor population competed, survived, and persisted in biofilm consortia as small colony variants. The survivors showed higher expression of sigB and sarA genes. P. aeruginosa showed comparatively higher hydrophobic surface properties. Conclusion: Comparative analysis showed that cell surface hydrophobicity, growth rate, and small colony variants (SCVs) are correlated in biofilm consortia of the P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and E. coli

PS/PANI/MoS2 Hybrid Polymer Composites with High Dielectric Behavior and Electrical Conductivity for EMI Shielding Effectiveness

Liquid exfoliated molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets and polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles are dispersed in polystyrene (PS) matrix to fabricate hybrid polymer composites with high dielectric and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding behavior. A phase-separated morphology is formed when PANI and MoS2 are incorporated into polystyrene (PS) matrix. An increasing concentration of MoS2 nanoparticles inside PS/PANI (5 wt %) polymer blend forms an interconnected network, resulting in high electrical conductivity and dielectric behavior, making them a suitable candidate for EMI shielding application. An increment in dielectric constant and loss, up to four and five orders of magnitude, respectively, is recorded at a maximum concentration of 1 wt % of MoS2 in PS/PANI-5 polymer blend at 100 Hz. The enhanced dielectric characteristics for PS/PANI/MoS2 composites are then theoretically evaluated for the estimation of EMI shielding effectiveness in the frequency range of 100 Hz to 5 MHz. The maximum dielectric constant and loss achieved for PS/PANI-5 wt %/MoS2-1 wt % are responsible for estimated shielding effectiveness of around 92 dB at 100 Hz. The increase in dielectric behavior and shielding effectiveness is probably due to the increased number of charged dipoles accumulated at the insulator–conductor interface

Examining the psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic: an international cross-sectional study protocol

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic exposed people to significant and prolonged stress. The psychosocial impacts of the pandemic have been well recognised and reported in high-income countries (HICs) but it is important to understand the unique challenges posed by COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where limited international comparisons have been undertaken. This protocol was therefore devised to study the psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in seven LMICs using scales that had been designed for or translated for this purpose.Methods and analysis This cross-sectional study uses an online survey to administer a novel COVID Psychosocial Impacts Scale (CPIS) alongside established measures of psychological distress, post-traumatic stress, well-being and post-traumatic growth in the appropriate language. Participants will include adults aged 18 years and above, recruited from Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, Somalia and Turkey, with a pragmatic target sample size of 500 in each country.Data will be analysed descriptively on sociodemographic and study variables. In addition, CPIS will be analysed psychometrically (for reliability and validity) to assess the suitability of use in a given context. Finally, within-subjects and between-subjects analyses will be carried out using multi-level mixed-effect models to examine associations between key sociodemographic and study variables.Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval was granted by the Human Ethics Committee, University of Otago, New Zealand (Ref. No. 21/102). In addition, international collaborators obtained local authorisation or ethical approval in their respective host universities before data collection commenced.Participants will give informed consent before taking part. Data will be collected and stored securely on the University of Otago, New Zealand Qualtrics platform using an auto-generated non-identifiable letter-number string. Data will be available on reasonable request. Findings will be disseminated by publications in scientific journals and/or conference presentations.Trial registration number NCT05052333