A general unified framework for pairwise comparison matrices in multicriterial methods

In a Multicriteria Decision Making context, a pairwise comparison matrix $A=(a_{ij})$ is a helpful tool to determine the weighted ranking on a set $X$ of alternatives or criteria. The entry $a_{ij}$ of the matrix can assume different meanings: $a_{ij}$ can be a preference ratio (multiplicative case) or a preference difference (additive case) or $a_{ij}$ belongs to $[0,1]$ and measures the distance from the indifference that is expressed by 0.5 (fuzzy case). For the multiplicative case, a consistency index for the matrix $A$ has been provided by T.L. Saaty in terms of maximum eigenvalue. We consider pairwise comparison matrices over an abelian linearly ordered group and, in this way, we provide a general framework including the mentioned cases. By introducing a more general notion of metric, we provide a consistency index that has a natural meaning and it is easy to compute in the additive and multiplicative cases; in the other cases, it can be computed easily starting from a suitable additive or multiplicative matrix

Transitive matrices, strict preference and intensity operators

Let X be a set of alternatives and a_{ij} a positive number expressing how much the alternative x_{i} is preferred to the alternative x_{j}. Under suitable hypothesis of no indifference and transitivity over the pairwise comparison matrix A= (a_{ij}), the alternatives can be ordered as a chain . Then a coherent priority vector is a vector giving a weighted ranking agreeing with the obtained chain and an intensity vector is a coherent priority vector encoding information about the intensities of the preferences. In the paper we look for operators F that, acting on the row vectors translate the matrix A in an intensity vector

A survey on pairwise comparison matrices over abelian linearly ordered groups

In this paper, we provide a survey of our results about the pairwise comparison matrices defined over abelian linearly ordered groups

Fondamento della Responsabilità Penale nel Diritto Internazionale: Corruzione e riciclaggio

Distinzione tra diritto penale internazionale e diritto internazionale penale; Principi di diritto penale (principio di legalità e della responsabilità personale) applicati in sede internazionale; statuto della Corte Penale Internazionale; Approfondimento dello studio sul reato transnazionale;Analisi dei delitti di corruzione e riciclaggio nell'ambito della Convenzione di Palermo delle Nazioni Unit

Simplified approach to integrate seismic retrofitting prioritization with social cost evaluation: A case study in central Italy

In the last three decades, bridge stock seismic retrofitting prioritization has become one of the cult topics for scientific discussions in the bridge management strategies. More recent methods are focusing on the evaluation of the generalized failure cost, of a specific bridge derived from direct and indirect costs induced to the users/residents of the area exposed to the seismic hazard as a consequence of bridge collapse. However, when these approaches have to be applied to large transport networks, appear still very complex and computa-tional demanding, and therefore simplified methods to evaluate the impact in terms of social cost related to the reduced efficiency of a transportation network due to potential bridge failure, are required.In this work, a simplified method for seismic retrofitting prioritization on a bridge stock is proposed, which is based on a "blended" approach considering specific fragility curves according to several bridge features and condition state, seismic inputs and generalized failure costs related to the transportation network. The effectiveness of the method has been showed on a case study of a local bridge stock placed in central Italy and the obtained results have been compared with those provided by more refined transport simulation models, on one hand, and by more traditional prioritization approaches, on the other. It is highlighted that this method can be very useful for transportation network managers with in a limited budget scenario, in case of lack of information about possible earthquake -induced impacts on a transportation network efficiency.(c) 2022 Periodical Offices of Chang'an University. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co. Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC -ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Optical properties of V2O3 in its whole phase diagram

Vanadium sesquioxide V2O3 is considered a textbook example of Mott-Hubbard physics. In this paper we present an extended optical study of its whole temperature/doping phase diagram as obtained by doping the pure material with M=Cr or Ti atoms (V1-xMx)2O3. We reveal that its thermodynamically stable metallic and insulating phases, although macroscopically equivalent, show very different low-energy electrodynamics. The Cr and Ti doping drastically change both the antiferromagnetic gap and the paramagnetic metallic properties. A slight chromium content induces a mesoscopic electronic phase separation, while the pure compound is characterized by short-lived quasiparticles at high temperature. This study thus provides a new comprehensive scenario of the Mott-Hubbard physics in the prototype compound V2O3

3D DIGITISATION IN CULTURAL HERITAGE KNOWLEDGE AND PRESERVATION: THE CASE OF THE NEPTUNE STATUE IN BOLOGNA AND ITS ARCHETYPE

Abstract. In the field of Cultural Heritage, the availability of a complete, detailed and photo-realistic 3D model of the objects of interest permits to describe all the aspects related to geometry, colours and materials, as well as the work techniques and the decay state. Besides, it offers multiple possibilities for the documentation, the analysis and the study.This paper describes the experience, carried out by the DICAM Geomatics group of the University of Bologna, about the 3D digitisation of two important statues of Neptune, by means of the integration of 3D image-based and range-based techniques. The two artworks, both realized by the sculptor Giambologna, are the big bronze statue of the god adorning the homonymous fountain, one of the most symbolic monuments of the city of Bologna, and its archetype, exhibited in one of the civic museums.The obtained 3D models, beyond the important function of documentation, knowledge and preservation of the two objects, also permit a comparison between the small archetype, conveniently scaled, and the big final statue. In the manuscript all the surveying and data processing operations concerning the objects digitisation are described. Particular attention is paid to the problems related to the scale of the archetype and the comparison between the two obtained 3D models, with the aim to evaluate and represent the occurred changes

Gingival crevicular fluid alkaline phosphate activity during the retention phase of maxillary expansion in prepubertal subjects: A split-mouth longitudinal study

NTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to monitor the alveolar bone formation at the tension sites of teeth supporting the appliances for rapid maxillary expansion (RME) during the retention phase according to the local gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. METHODS: This split-mouth prospective study included 23 prepubertal subjects (15 girls, 8 boys; mean age, 9.0 \ub1 1.4 years) who had a constricted maxillary arch and were undergoing RME. Periodontal parameters, including probing depth, were recorded at 3 and 6 months after RME. Furthermore, the GCF ALP activity was measured at the tension sites of the supporting test teeth (TT) and at the antagonist control teeth (CT) sites. RESULTS: Periodontal parameters were generally similar between the TT and CT sites during the study, with the exception that probing depth underwent a slight increase at the TT sites. At baseline, the GCF ALP activity was similar between the TT and CT sites; however, at both 3 and 6 months, significantly greater enzymatic activity was seen at the TT sites. The overall probing depth changes were not significantly correlated with the corresponding GCF ALP activity changes for either the TT or the CT sites. CONCLUSIONS: Alveolar bone formation at the tension sites would last up to 6 months of retention after RME. These results warrant more comprehensive studies to assess whether the GCF ALP activity has potential as a diagnostic tool for bone formation during the retention phase of RME

Polyphenols as potential agents in the management of temporomandibular disorders

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) consist of multifactorial musculoskeletal disorders associated with the muscles of mastication, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and annexed structures. This clinical condition is characterized by temporomandibular pain, restricted mandibular movement, and TMJ synovial inflammation, resulting in reduced quality of life of affected people. Commonly, TMD management aims to reduce pain and inflammation by using pharmacologic therapies that show efficacy in pain relief but their long-term use is frequently associated with adverse effects. For this reason, the use of natural compounds as an effective alternative to conventional drugs appears extremely interesting. Indeed, polyphenols could represent a potential therapeutic strategy, related to their ability to modulate the inflammatory responses involved in TMD. The present work reviews the mechanisms underlying inflammation-related TMD, highlighting the potential role of polyphenols as a promising approach to develop innovative management of temporomandibular diseases