Opportunistic scheduling of flows with general size distribution in wireless time-varying channels

In this paper we study how to design an opportunistic scheduler when flow sizes have a general service time distribution with the objective of minimizing the expected holding cost. We allow the channel condition to have two states which in particular covers the important special case of ON/OFF channels. We formulate the problem as a multi-armed restless bandit problem, a particular class of Markov decision processes. Since an exact solution is out of reach, we characterize in closed-form the Whittle index, which allows us to define a heuristic scheduling rule for the problem. We then particularize the index to the important subclass of distributions with a decreasing hazard rate. We finally evaluate the performance of the proposed Whittle-index based scheduler by simulation of a wireless network. The numerical results show that the performance of the proposed scheduler is very satisfactory

¿Es posible liderar sin estar? El liderazgo en un contexto de teletrabajo

El COVID-19 obligó a muchas empresas a cerrar y a sus empleados a teletrabajar confinados. Desde entonces el teletrabajo se está implantando cada vez con más fuerza. ¿Cómo será liderar equipos que no estén "full time" en la oficina

Blisk blades manufacturing technologies analysis

The paper presents blisk blades manufactured by different manufacturing processes. In this sense, different milling trajectories are presented, and, super abrasive machining strategies and EDM technologies are also tested. Machining times, costs and surface finish are analysed in order to determine optimal machining process for blisk manufactured in low machinability materials.RYC-2017-2264

Impact of the ENSP eLearning platform on improving knowledge, attitudes and self-efficacy for treating tobacco dependence. An assessment across 15 European countries

INTRODUCTION In 2018, the European Network for Smoking Cessation and Prevention (ENSP) released an update to its Tobacco Treatment Guidelines for healthcare professionals, which was the scientific base for the development of an accredited eLearning curriculum to train healthcare professionals, available in 14 languages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ENSP eLearning curriculum in increasing healthcare professionals’ knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy (perceived behavioral control) and intentions in delivering tobacco treatment interventions in their daily clinical routines. METHODS We conducted a quasi-experimental pre-post design study with 444 healthcare professionals, invited by 20 collaborating institutions from 15 countries (Albania, Armenia, Belgium, Italy, France, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Romania, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Ukraine), which completed the eLearning course between December 2018 and July 2019. RESULTS Healthcare professionals’ self-reported knowledge improved after the completion of each module of the eLearning program. Increases in healthcare professionals’ self-efficacy in delivering tobacco treatment interventions (p<0.001) were also documented. Significant improvements were documented in intentions to address tobacco use as a priority, document tobacco use, offer support, provide brief counselling, give written material, discuss available medication, prescribe medication, schedule dedicated appointment to develop a quit plan, and be persistent in addressing tobacco use with the patients (all p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS An evidence-based digital intervention can be effective in improving knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy and intentions on future delivery of tobacco-treatment interventions