Selection of an Insurance Company in Agriculture through Hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making.

Crop insurance is used to reduce risk in agriculture. This research is focused on selecting an insurance company that provides the best policy conditions for crop insurance. A total of five insurance companies that provide crop insurance services in the Republic of Serbia were selected. To choose the insurance company that provides the best policy conditions for farmers, expert opinions were solicited. In addition, fuzzy methods were used to assess the weights of the various criteria and to evaluate insurance companies. The weight of each criterion was determined using a combined approach based on fuzzy LMAW (the logarithm methodology of additive weights) and entropy methods. Fuzzy LMAW was used to determine the weights subjectively through expert ratings, while fuzzy entropy was used to determine the weights objectively. The results of these methods showed that the price criterion received the highest weight. The selection of the insurance company was made using the fuzzy CRADIS (compromise ranking of alternatives, from distance to ideal solution) method. The results of this method showed that the insurance company DDOR offers the best conditions for crop insurance for farmers. These results were confirmed by a validation of the results and sensitivity analysis. Based on all of this, it was shown that fuzzy methods can be used in the selection of insurance companies.

Application of the new simple weight calculation (SIWEC) method in the case study in the sales channels of agricultural products.

In this research is presented a new method for determining the weights of criteria called simple weight calculation (SIWEC) method. The steps of this method are presented in the practical example of determining the importance of criteria for the needs of sales of agricultural products in the Semberija region. During the presentation of this method two methods are elaborated the simple SIWEC method which includes numerical ratings and the fuzzy SIWEC method which includes ratings in the form of linguistic value. In the selected example is presented how to use this method in order to determine the importance of criteria and in both cases the criterion of sales reliability is given the greatest weight. The contribution SIWEC method is reflected in its simplicity, which facilitates decision-making.•The method presented in this research apart from others is that it uses the evaluation of the criteria by decision makers, so the criteria should not be ranked and compared, but simply evaluated.•Unlike similar methods, the presented method uses the adjusted steps of the method for ranking the alternatives, and decision makers are given a different importance in the decision-making.

Evaluation of rapeseed varieties using novel integrated fuzzy PIPRECIA - Fuzzy MABAC model.

Decision making is constantly present in agriculture. Choosing the wrong variety carries the risk that the investment in terms of sowing does not pay off at all. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the variety that gives the best results. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to apply multi-criteria decision-making of available varieties, which is, in this paper, done on the example of hybrid varieties of rapeseed that were created by selection at the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad. By applying fuzzy logic, a novel integrated Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) model is developed and rapeseed varieties were evaluated. For determining four main and 20 subcriteria, fuzzy PIPRECIA (PIvot Pairwise RElative Criteria Importance Assessment) method has been applied based on fuzzy Bonferroni operator, while for ranking alternatives fuzzy MABAC (Multi-Attributive Border Approximation area Comparison) method has been used. The results obtained using the novel integrated fuzzy MCDM model showed that the variety A2 - Zorica has the best results, followed by A1 - NS Ras, while the worst results were seen by the variety A5 - Zlatna. These results were confirmed using other five fuzzy MCDM methods. Sensitivity analysis-changing criteria weights showed the worst results in the variety A6 - Jovana, which took last place in the application of 18 scenarios. The presented model and the results of this research will help farmers to solve this decision problem.

Post-operative condition of breast cancer patients from standpoint of psycho-oncology--preliminary results.

INTRODUCTION: Information on being diagnosed to have cancer is always shocking for the patient, and it always causes a lot of psychosocial problems during its treatment. In these moments, patients need understanding, support and someone who can help them to apprehend all available options and choices clearly. The purpose of this study is to show the psychological states of patients with breast cancer after breast surgery, the importance of the psychological support, and first experiences in psycho-oncological management of breast cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study sample included 46 women, their average age being 52.32 (+/- 8.98), who had answered questions in a questionnaire in the period after surgery. RESULTS: The patients experienced fears and worries associated with almost every part of cancer treatment likely to happen in the near future. The fear of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (67%), the horror of losing hair (59%) and the fear of relapse or disease progression (57%) were evident. Moreover, the patients dreaded the forthcoming pathological results and the decisions to be made by the Oncology Commission (57%), with accompanying insomnia caused by disturbing thoughts in 39% of the patients. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that psychological support is important in this early period after breast surgery due to the vulnerability of the patients, and because it can diminish the risk of potential escalation of distress.

Innovative approach to laser acupuncture therapy of acute obstruction in asthmatic children.

A prospective randomized study encompassed 100 patients with asthma in the stage of acute bronchial obstruction, 7 to 17 years of age, of both sexes and with the similar rate of attack severity. The patients were spirometrically monitored (FVC, FEV1, PEF and FEF 25-75%) by a pediatrician-pulmonologist for 12 days. Fifty patients were subjected to conservative drug therapy, whereas other 50 patients additionally underwent the Su Jok therapy according to the 6-Ki principles, applying laser ray at the acupuncture points in the hand. After 12 days of treatment the group, in which both therapy methods were applied, reached the range of referent values for all investigated parameters. In the same period of time the group undergoing only conservative drug therapy retained values below the reference ones for the given age for 3 (FEV1, PEFR and FEF 25-75%) out of 5 investigated parameters. The obtained results differed from the group subjected to the combined therapy with the high rate of statistical significance. On the basis of the obtained results the efficacy of the 6-Ki technique of Su Jok therapy was confirmed as the therapeutic method supplementary to the conservative drug therapy in the treatment of acute bronchial obstruction in asthmatic children, provided that therapy is carried out in stationary conditions and under constant spirometric surveillance of the patient.

[Osteosynthesis with Kirschner pin fixation in treatment of fractures with dislocation of the lateral condyle of the humerus in a pediatric population]. / Osteosinteza kirsnerovim iglama u lecenju preloma lateralnog kondila humerusa sa disokacijom ulomka u decjem uzrastu.

INTRODUCTION: Fractures of lateral condyle represent 17% of all pediatric fractures of the distal humerus, and in current pediatric orthopedics there is still no agreement regarding optimal treatment modalities. We presented a treatment protocol for pediatric dislocated fractures of the lateral condyle of the humerus used at the Pediatric Surgery Clinic in Novi Sad. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over the study period (1991-2000) a total of 48 patients with dislocated fractures of the lateral condyle of the humerus were hospitalized at the Pediatric Surgery Clinic. Orthopedic reduction and percutaneous pin fixation under radiological supervision was done in 15 patients, while 33 patients needed surgical reduction and pin fixation. RESULTS: Satisfactory results were obtained in 42 patients (91.3%), out of which 29 patients (63.1%) presented with excellent results. Good results were obtained in 8 patients (17.4%), and fair results in 5 patients (10.8%). Unsatisfactory results were present in 4 patients (8.7%). Two patients were lost to follow-up. DISCUSSION: Dislocation fractures of the lateral condyle represent high risk for development of complications. Adequate diagnosis and treatment represent basic conditions for successful postinterventional result. Orthopedic reduction with percutaneous pin fixation is recommended for fractures that may be anatomically reduced. In cases of unsatisfactory results of reduction, as well as in cases with completely dislocated and rotated fragments, surgical reduction and pin fixation is necessary. CONCLUSIONS: Satisfactory results in 91.3% of cases, and long-term experience suggest that the recommended therapeutic option is adequate in treatment of dislocated fractures of the lateral condyle of the humerus in pediatric population.