368 research outputs found
Risk Aversion in Finite Markov Decision Processes Using Total Cost Criteria and Average Value at Risk
In this paper we present an algorithm to compute risk averse policies in
Markov Decision Processes (MDP) when the total cost criterion is used together
with the average value at risk (AVaR) metric. Risk averse policies are needed
when large deviations from the expected behavior may have detrimental effects,
and conventional MDP algorithms usually ignore this aspect. We provide
conditions for the structure of the underlying MDP ensuring that approximations
for the exact problem can be derived and solved efficiently. Our findings are
novel inasmuch as average value at risk has not previously been considered in
association with the total cost criterion. Our method is demonstrated in a
rapid deployment scenario, whereby a robot is tasked with the objective of
reaching a target location within a temporal deadline where increased speed is
associated with increased probability of failure. We demonstrate that the
proposed algorithm not only produces a risk averse policy reducing the
probability of exceeding the expected temporal deadline, but also provides the
statistical distribution of costs, thus offering a valuable analysis tool
Trading Safety Versus Performance: Rapid Deployment of Robotic Swarms with Robust Performance Constraints
In this paper we consider a stochastic deployment problem, where a robotic
swarm is tasked with the objective of positioning at least one robot at each of
a set of pre-assigned targets while meeting a temporal deadline. Travel times
and failure rates are stochastic but related, inasmuch as failure rates
increase with speed. To maximize chances of success while meeting the deadline,
a control strategy has therefore to balance safety and performance. Our
approach is to cast the problem within the theory of constrained Markov
Decision Processes, whereby we seek to compute policies that maximize the
probability of successful deployment while ensuring that the expected duration
of the task is bounded by a given deadline. To account for uncertainties in the
problem parameters, we consider a robust formulation and we propose efficient
solution algorithms, which are of independent interest. Numerical experiments
confirming our theoretical results are presented and discussed
The management of municipal solid waste in Hong Kong : a study of civic engagement strategies
published_or_final_versionPolitics and Public AdministrationMasterMaster of Public Administratio
Cost-effectiveness analysis of left atrial appendage occlusion compared with pharmacological strategies for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation
Background Transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is a promising
therapy for stroke prophylaxis in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) but
its cost-effectiveness remains understudied. This study evaluated the cost-
effectiveness of LAAO for stroke prophylaxis in NVAF. Methods A Markov
decision analytic model was used to compare the cost-effectiveness of LAAO
with 7 pharmacological strategies: aspirin alone, clopidogrel plus aspirin,
warfarin, dabigatran 110 mg, dabigatran 150 mg, apixaban, and rivaroxaban.
Outcome measures included quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), lifetime costs
and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). Base-case data were derived
from ACTIVE, RE-LY, ARISTOTLE, ROCKET-AF, PROTECT-AF and PREVAIL trials. One-
way sensitivity analysis varied by CHADS2 score, HAS-BLED score, time
horizons, and LAAO costs; and probabilistic sensitivity analysis using 10,000
Monte Carlo simulations was conducted to assess parameter uncertainty. Results
LAAO was considered cost-effective compared with aspirin, clopidogrel plus
aspirin, and warfarin, with ICER of US2,447, and 50,000/QALY. Conclusions
Transcatheter LAAO is cost-effective for prevention of stroke in NVAF compared
with 7 pharmacological strategies. Condensed abstract The transcatheter left
atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is considered cost-effective against the
standard 7 oral pharmacological strategies including acetylsalicylic acid
(ASA) alone, clopidogrel plus ASA, warfarin, dabigatran 110 mg, dabigatran 150
mg, apixaban, and rivaroxaban for stroke prophylaxis in non-valvular atrial
fibrillation management
Boolean Game on Scale-free Networks
Inspired by the local minority game, we propose a network Boolean game and
investigate its dynamical properties on scale-free networks. The system can
self-organize to a stable state with better performance than random choice
game, although only the local information is available to the agent. By
introducing the heterogeneity of local interactions, we find the system has the
best performance when each agent's interaction frequency is linear correlated
with its information capacity. Generally, the agents with more information gain
more than those with less information, while in the optimal case, each agent
almost has the same average profit. In addition, we investigate the role of
irrational factor and find an interesting symmetrical behavior.Comment: 12 pages and 6 figure
Understanding longevity in Hong Kong: a comparative study with long-living, high-income countries
Background Since 2013, Hong Kong has sustained the world’s highest life expectancy at birth—a key indicator of population health. The reasons behind this achievement remain poorly understood but are of great relevance to both rapidly developing and high-income regions. Here, we aim to compare factors behind Hong Kong’s survival advantage over long-living, high-income countries. Methods Life expectancy data from 1960–2020 were obtained for 18 high-income countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development from the Human Mortality Database and for Hong Kong from Hong Kong’s Census and Statistics Department. Causes of death data from 1950–2016 were obtained from WHO’s Mortality Database. We used truncated cross-sectional average length of life (TCAL) to identify the contributions to survival differences based on 263 million deaths overall. As smoking is the leading cause of premature death, we also compared smoking-attributable mortality between Hong Kong and the high-income countries. Findings From 1979–2016, Hong Kong accumulated a substantial survival advantage over high-income countries, with a difference of 1·86 years (95% CI 1·83–1·89) for males and 2·50 years (2·47–2·53) for females. As mortality from infectious diseases declined, the main contributors to Hong Kong’s survival advantage were lower mortality from cardiovascular diseases for both males (TCAL difference 1·22 years, 95% CI 1·21–1·23) and females (1·19 years, 1·18–1·21), cancer for females (0·47 years, 0·45–0·48), and transport accidents for males (0·27 years, 0·27–0·28). Among high-income populations, Hong Kong recorded the lowest cardiovascular mortality and one of the lowest cancer mortalities in women. These findings were underpinned by the lowest absolute smoking-attributable mortality in high-income regions (39·7 per 100 000 in 2016, 95% CI 34·4–45·0). Reduced smoking-attributable mortality contributed to 50·5% (0·94 years, 0·93–0·95) of Hong Kong’s survival advantage over males in high-income countries and 34·8% (0·87 years, 0·87–0·88) of it in females.
Interpretation Hong Kong’s leading longevity is the result of fewer diseases of poverty while suppressing the diseases of affluence. A unique combination of economic prosperity and low levels of smoking with development contributed to this achievement. As such, it offers a framework that could be replicated through deliberate policies in developing and developed populations globally.VC-R acknowledges support from the ARC (ARC DP210100401)
Towards a global partnership model in interprofessional education for cross-sector problem-solving
Objectives
A partnership model in interprofessional education (IPE) is important in promoting a sense of global citizenship while preparing students for cross-sector problem-solving. However, the literature remains scant in providing useful guidance for the development of an IPE programme co-implemented by external partners. In this pioneering study, we describe the processes of forging global partnerships in co-implementing IPE and evaluate the programme in light of the preliminary data available.
Methods
This study is generally quantitative. We collected data from a total of 747 health and social care students from four higher education institutions. We utilized a descriptive narrative format and a quantitative design to present our experiences of running IPE with external partners and performed independent t-tests and analysis of variance to examine pretest and posttest mean differences in students’ data.
Results
We identified factors in establishing a cross-institutional IPE programme. These factors include complementarity of expertise, mutual benefits, internet connectivity, interactivity of design, and time difference. We found significant pretest–posttest differences in students’ readiness for interprofessional learning (teamwork and collaboration, positive professional identity, roles, and responsibilities). We also found a significant decrease in students’ social interaction anxiety after the IPE simulation.
Conclusions
The narrative of our experiences described in this manuscript could be considered by higher education institutions seeking to forge meaningful external partnerships in their effort to establish interprofessional global health education
An Internet quiz game intervention for adolescent alcohol drinking: a clustered RCT
Background and Objectives: Interventions on adolescent drinking have yielded mixed results. We assessed the effectiveness of an Internet quiz game intervention compared to conventional health education. Methods: In this cluster randomized controlled trial with parallel group design, we randomly allocated 30 participating schools to the Internet quiz game intervention or the conventional health education (comparison) group, with 1:1 ratio. Students of Hong Kong secondary schools (aged 12–15 years) were recruited. The intervention was a 4-week Web-based quiz game competition in which participating students answered 1000 alcohol-related multiple-choice quiz questions. The comparison group received a printed promotional leaflet and hyperlinks to alcohol-related information. Results: Of 30 eligible schools, 15 (4294 students) were randomly assigned to the Internet quiz game intervention group and 15 (3498 students) to the comparison group. Average age of participants was 13.30 years. No significant between-group differences were identified at baseline. Overall retention rate for students was 86.0%. At 1-month follow-up, fewer students in the intervention group reported drinking (9.8% vs 12.1%, risk ratio 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68 to 0.92; P = .003), and those who drank reported drinking less alcohol (standardized difference β −0.06, 95% CI −0.11 to −0.01; P = .02). Between-group differences remained statistically significant at 3-month follow-up (10.4% vs 11.6%, risk ratio 0.86, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.999; P = .048; β −0.06, 95% CI −0.11 to −0.01; P = .02). Conclusions: The Internet quiz game intervention reduced underage drinking by 21% at 1-month and 14% at 3-month follow-up compared with conventional health education
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