Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shiqian Wang, Lin Li, Yanjun Jin, Rui Liao, Yen-Ching Chuang, Zhong Zhu
Summary: A model was developed to evaluate and identify key factors contributing to burnout in orthopedic surgeons, providing guidance for managing burnout in hospitals. The model used the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) with 3 dimensions and 10 sub-criteria based on literature review and expert assessment. Expert and purposive sampling was conducted, and 17 orthopedic surgeons were selected as research subjects. The results showed that the personal/family dimension was the key factor affecting burnout, with the top four sub-criteria being little time for family, anxiety about clinical competence, work-family conflict, and heavy work load.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hongping Zhang, Zhenfeng Shao, Jisong Sun, Xiao Huang, Jie Yang
Summary: Floods pose a threat to the sustainable development of high hazard probability areas. Existing flood hazard estimation methods may overlook the threat posed by neighboring cells at the sub-watershed scale. This study proposes an improved flood hazard estimation method that constrains converging related indicators to enhance accuracy. The method shows higher correct and fit ratios in validation, and the derived flood hazard map is more accurate.
Article
Mathematics
Chin-Yi Chen, Jih-Jeng Huang
Summary: This paper presents an innovative method that integrates dynamic Bayesian networks (DBNs) with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to model dynamic interdependencies between criteria in multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problems. The proposed method extends the AHP to accommodate time-dependent issues and reduces to the conventional AHP when ignoring specific information, making it a more general AHP model.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Dibyandu Roy, Anirban Dhar, Venkappayya R. Desai
Summary: Flash floods in northeastern India, particularly during the monsoon season, have become increasingly frequent in recent decades. These floods have caused significant damage and loss, including human suffering, infrastructure damage, ecosystem disruption, and economic losses. This study uses a model combining the grey fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and geographic information system to assess flash flood vulnerability in the Ranikhola watershed, East Sikkim, India. A new Flash Flood Vulnerability Index (FFVI) is proposed, taking into account twelve natural and anthropogenic parameters, and the FFVI map is classified into three vulnerable zones: low, moderate, and high. The sensitivity analysis reveals that land use/land cover has the greatest influence on high vulnerable zones.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Economics
Jamil Hamadneh, Szabolcs Duleba, Domokos Esztergar-Kiss
Summary: This research investigates different actors' viewpoints on the acceptance of privately shared autonomous vehicles (PSAVs), providing important information for decision-makers and transport planners regarding the future implementation of PSAVs. The study finds that safety concerns are the most important factor in accepting PSAV.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ghasan Alfalah, Munther Al-Shalwi, Nehal Elshaboury, Abobakr Al-Sakkaf, Othman Alshamrani, Altyeb Qassim
Summary: Fires pose significant risks to life, property, and the economy. Traditional fire safety assessment methods are laborious and challenging, hindering the identification of fire hazards and optimal safety measures. This research introduces an analytic hierarchy process for assessing building fire safety, supported by case studies that demonstrate its superiority over conventional techniques. The proposed method provides hazard and safety ratings, yielding comprehensible and comparable results, making it a valuable decision-making tool for enhancing fire safety in buildings.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Review
Mathematics
Sangeeta Pant, Anuj Kumar, Mangey Ram, Yury Klochkov, Hitesh Kumar Sharma
Summary: This article provides a brief review of the consistency measures in AHP and the functional relationships among different consistency indices. It also offers some thoughtful research directions for further development and improvement of AHP.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christian X. Briceno-Leon, Diana S. Sanchez-Ferrer, Pedro L. Iglesias-Rey, F. Javier Martinez-Solano, Daniel Mora-Melia
Summary: Pumping station designs in water networks usually consider both technical and economic aspects, but often overlook certain subjective technical factors. This study aims to select the most suitable pump model and determine the priorities of technical and economic factors in pumping station design through a multi-criteria analysis. By integrating technical factors (such as number of pumps and system complexity) and economic factors (investment, operational, and maintenance costs), the methodology seeks to find the most suitable pump model for each case study.
Article
Engineering, Marine
H. Diaz, A. P. Teixeira, C. Guedes Soares
Summary: A Monte Carlo simulation procedure is developed to select the optimum location of wind farms by combining major decision criteria and subjective judgments from decision-makers. The method utilizes Monte Carlo simulation, conventional Analytic Hierarchy Process, and Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process. It is applied to offshore wind farms in Spain to rank the most suitable turbine positioning locations.
Article
Forestry
Emily Garcia-Montiel, Frederick Cubbage, Alberto Rojo-Alboreca, Miriam Mirelle Morones-Esquivel, Concepcion Lujan-Alvarez, Eusebio Montiel-Antuna, Pablito Marcelo Lopez-Serrano, Fernando Perez-Rodriguez, Jose Javier Corral-Rivas
Summary: This paper focuses on the forest certification schemes used in Mexico and uses the AHP method to study the main impacts of forest certification in Mexico. The environmental principle is identified as the most important factor, followed by the social and economic principles. Forest management and production, biodiversity, and forest protection are considered to be the most relevant criteria. Forest certification in Mexico has positive impacts on educational institutions, community services, and forest management.
Article
Operations Research & Management Science
Abhijit Majumdar, Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Aastha Agarwal, Kanika Prajapat
Summary: This study investigates the rank reversal phenomenon in AHP caused by the aggregation of benefit and cost criteria, revealing that using different methods and approaches can lead to different ranking outcomes. It is demonstrated that separating benefit and cost criteria during aggregation is the most irrational approach, while aggregating them together is the most logical and sound method.
OPERATIONS RESEARCH PERSPECTIVES
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mimica R. Milosevic, Milos M. Nikolic, Dusan M. Milosevic, Violeta Dimic
Summary: The balance between resource consumption and the ability of natural systems to meet the needs of future generations is crucial for sustainability. Decision-making plays a significant role in aligning economic growth with environmental and social development. The study explores the use of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and fuzzy AHP (FAHP) approaches in managing natural and human resources for sustainable economic development. The findings emphasize the importance of the stability of the business environment and sectors.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Christina Francis, Paul Hansen, Bjarnheoinn Guolaugsson, David M. Ingram, R. Camilla Thomson
Summary: This article discusses the development of a standardized Multi-Criteria Assessment tool by the EnergyREV Research Consortium to evaluate Smart Local Energy Systems. A main survey with 234 responses revealed Environment as the most important criterion for SLES.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Li Zhu, Zhonghua Zhao, Yiping Wang, Qunwu Huang, Yong Sun, Dapeng Bi
Summary: This study utilized Analytic Hierarchy Process and Life Cycle Assessment methods to determine evaluation indicators and rankings, proposing a Toilet Assessment Scheme. The results indicated that water conservation, environmental protection, and indoor environmental quality should be prioritized. Additionally, experts had differing emphases on the evaluation scheme based on gender, profession, and generation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Management
Jih-Jeng Huang
Summary: This paper proposes a nested AHP/ANP method to solve the two-stage consumer choice issue and demonstrates a case study to verify the proposed method. The independence of global and local criteria determines whether it is a nested AHP problem or a nested ANP problem.
JOURNAL OF THE OPERATIONAL RESEARCH SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Sony Baral, Mathias Neumann, Bijendra Basnyat, Kalyan Gauli, Sishir Gautam, Shes Kanta Bhandari, Harald Vacik
Editorial Material
Forestry
Emin Zeki Baskent, Jose Guilherme Borges, Harald Vacik, Keith M. Reynolds, Luiz Carlos E. Rodriguez
Summary: This special issue focuses on studying decision support systems in forest management planning to address multiple ecosystem services, emphasizing their importance in addressing forest multifunctionality, ecosystem service scenario and trade-off analysis, and representing the interests and behavior of stakeholders.
Article
Forestry
Markus Sallmannshofer, Debojyoti Chakraborty, Harald Vacik, Gabor Illes, Markus Loew, Andreas Rechenmacher, Katharina Lapin, Sophie Ette, Dejan Stojanovic, Andrej Kobler, Silvio Schueler
Summary: The study compared global and regional models of native riparian tree species in central to south-eastern Europe, highlighting the importance of soil predictors over bioclimatic variables. The results showed most species are predicted to decrease in future occurrence probability, potentially leading to significant loss for economically and ecologically important tree species.
Review
Forestry
Meryem Tahri, Jan Kaspar, Harald Vacik, Robert Marusak
Summary: Due to social and environmental changes, managers are using multi-attribute decision-making techniques and geographic information systems for participatory planning in forest landscapes. Analytic Hierarchy Process is the most common method used in combination with spatial knowledge, with key criteria including distance to road, water bodies, slope, and vegetation cover. Easy to use methods can engage laymen in decision-making, while more advanced techniques are used by experts for robust and reliable results. Future research should focus on providing easy access to spatial information for synergistic effects.
ANNALS OF FOREST SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Werner Toth, Harald Vacik, Helga Puezl, Henrik Carlsen
Summary: The study demonstrates the use of the ANP technique to prioritize SDG targets and take into account all positive and possible indirect interactions. By combining multiple analytical methods, the quality of policy advice can be improved, enhancing its depth and scope.
SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Meryem Tahri, Jan Kaspar, Anders L. Madsen, Roman Modlinger, Khodabakhsh Zabihi, Robert Marusak, Harald Vacik
Summary: The European spruce bark beetle is the most serious disturbance agent for European forests, requiring measures to reduce losses. This study compared two methods for predicting bark beetle infestations, with Bayesian belief networks found to be more efficient.
ENVIRONMENTAL MODELLING & SOFTWARE
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Sony Baral, Mathias Neumann, Bijendra Basnyat, Ram P. Sharma, Ramesh Silwal, Him Lal Shrestha, Thakur Subedi, Harald Vacik
Summary: This study collated data from destructive sampled Shorea robusta trees in Nepal to create new stem and branch volume functions. The results indicate that crown dimensions are important for accurate branch volume predictions, but do not significantly affect stem volume predictions. Estimating volume with only diameter at breast height can result in precise stem estimates and fair branch estimates. The study provides reliable growing stock estimates and considers the effects of spacing and crown dimensions on stem taper and allocation patterns.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Sophia-Marie Horvath, Maximilian Michael Muhr, Mathias Kirchner, Werner Toth, Verena Germann, Laura Hundscheid, Harald Vacik, Marco Scherz, Helmuth Kreiner, Franz Fehr, Florian Borgwardt, Astrid Guhnemann, Benedikt Becsi, Annemarie Schneeberger, Georg Gratzer
Summary: This paper reviews and assesses methods used to analyze the interactions between entities in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It categorizes the methods into argumentative, literature, linguistic, simulation, statistical, and other quantitative methods, and evaluates their suitability for addressing policy coherence from different perspectives. The assessment finds that no single method is the most suitable, but quantitative methods are most frequently applied in the scientific context.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & POLICY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Sony Baral, Narayan Prasad Gaire, Anjana Giri, Tek Maraseni, Bijendra Basnyat, Ambika Paudel, Ripu Kunwar, Santosh Rayamajhi, Saroj Basnet, Shiva K. Sharma, Chiranjeewee Khadka, Harald Vacik
Summary: This study developed a tree-ring chronology of Shorea robusta and examined its sensitivity to climate change. The findings indicate that the growth of S. robusta is positively correlated with temperature, while the relationship with moisture is weak. The analysis of tree-ring width, basal area increment, and size-based growth revealed an increasing growth trend, possibly influenced by ongoing climate change.
TREES-STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Mathias Neumann, Lena Vila-Vilarde, Mortimer M. Mueller, Harald Vacik
Summary: The lack of reliable field observations on fuel load and structure hampers the understanding of fires in temperate European coniferous forests. In this study, fuel load and structure were quantified for Austrian coniferous forests using 93 sample plots. The results showed significant differences in fuel types among regions and forest types, with higher fuel load in Picea abies stands and lower fuel load in Pinus nigra forests. The study also highlighted the importance of consistent terminology and fuel classification in interpreting differences between regions and forest types.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF WILDLAND FIRE
(2022)
Article
Economics
Georg Winkel, Marko Lovric, Bart Muys, Pia Katila, Thomas Lundhede, Mireia Pecurul, Davide Pettenella, Nathalie Pipart, Tobias Plieninger, Irina Prokofieva, Constanza Parra, Helga Pulzl, Dennis Roitsch, Jeanne-Lazya Roux, Bo Jellesmark Thorsen, Liisa Tyrvainen, Mario Torralba, Harald Vacik, Gerhard Weiss, Sven Wunder
Summary: This paper assesses the state and prospects of forest ecosystem services provision in Europe, identifying six challenges and three opportunities. Four policy pathways are introduced to better align forest ecosystem services provision and demand. The momentum of the EU Green Deal is emphasized for incentivizing the provision of multiple forest ecosystem services.
FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Patrick Huber, Mikko Kurttila, Teppo Hujala, Bernhard Wolfslehner, Mariola Sanchez-Gonzalez, Maria Pasalodos-Tato, Sergio de-Miguel, Jose Antonio Bonet, Marlene Marques, Jose G. Borges, Cristian Mihai Enescu, Lucian Dinca, Harald Vacik
Summary: The forest-based sector plays a significant role in supporting Europe's transition to a more integrated and bio-based circular economy. Non-wood forest products (NWFPs) have great potential to diversify the forest bioeconomy, providing additional income and ecological benefits. However, there is a lack of attention and knowledge regarding the socio-economic relevance of NWFPs, which hinders forest-based decision making. This study investigates the future potential of 38 NWFPs through multi-criteria analysis and highlights the opportunities for forest owners to focus on the joint production of wood and non-wood resources.
Article
Agronomy
Gergo Dioszegi, Markus Immitzer, Mortimer M. Mueller, Harald Vacik
Summary: Estimating forest fire danger is important for forest fire management in Austria. The study used the fine fuel moisture code (FFMC) to determine ignition danger. The results show that the interpolated large-scale FFMC can capture local moisture conditions but cannot capture the microclimate-induced differences between forest structures and precipitation events.
AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST METEOROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kevin W. Nyongesa, Christoph Pucher, Claudio Poletti, Harald Vacik
Summary: This study explored the spatio-temporal variability of the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) and its influence on fire occurrence in Mount Kenya Forest Reserve and National Park (MKFRNP). The findings showed that fire occurrence is most frequent during the dry seasons and that the relationship between fire occurrence and VCI distribution varies between different land use types. The study suggests that satellite data can be useful in improving fire management and planning in MKFRNP. Overall, the findings contribute to a better understanding of the factors influencing fire occurrences in the area.
Review
Ecology
Roman Bercak, Jaroslav Holusa, Jan Kaczmarowski, Lukasz Tyburski, Ryszard Szczygiel, Alexander Held, Harald Vacik, Jan Slivinsky, Ivan Chromek
Summary: This study summarizes the fire protection situation in Central European countries and the severity and danger of forest fires in disturbed areas. It provides a unified international language for managing fire protection and preparedness in disturbed areas and serves as a reference for establishing strict legislative rules at the state level.
