Reinforcement Learning in Healthcare: A Survey

As a subfield of machine learning, reinforcement learning (RL) aims at optimizing decision making by using interaction samples of an agent with its environment and the potentially delayed feedbacks. In contrast to traditional supervised learning that typically relies on one-shot, exhaustive, and supervised reward signals, RL tackles sequential decision-making problems with sampled, evaluative, and delayed feedbacks simultaneously. Such a distinctive feature makes RL techniques a suitable candidate for developing powerful solutions in various healthcare domains, where diagnosing decisions or treatment regimes are usually characterized by a prolonged period with delayed feedbacks. By first briefly examining theoretical foundations and key methods in RL research, this survey provides an extensive overview of RL applications in a variety of healthcare domains, ranging from dynamic treatment regimes in chronic diseases and critical care, automated medical diagnosis, and many other control or scheduling problems that have infiltrated every aspect of the healthcare system. In addition, we discuss the challenges and open issues in the current research and highlight some potential solutions and directions for future research.

Project risk management in Iranian small construction firms

The objective of this study is to evaluate RM in small projects in Iran using identification of status, barriers, and the impact of RM on project performance. In this study, theoretical foundations and research literature were first developed through library, and then a questionnaire about these variables was designed and distributed among a number of experts in the active construction companies. Data were collected from 40 projects submitted by 25 experts from 5 executive companies. According to the studies, 10 barriers are identified as major obstacles to RM implementation in such projects, prioritized as follows: (1) lack of potential benefits, (2) not economical, (3) lack of time, (4) lack of budget, (5) lack of knowledge, (6) lack of government legislation, (7) lack of manpower, (8) low profit margin, (9) complexity of analytical tools, and (10) competition among SMCs. The findings of this research can provide an in-depth understanding of RM in small projects in Iran and make benefits of RM convincing to the participants of small projects.

Happiness and pro-environmental consumption behaviors

PurposeThis paper employs the theoretical foundations for subjective well-being to examine the impacts of two underlying dimensions of subjective well-being (psychological well-being and social well-being) on pro-environmental consumption behaviors (PECBs). In this research, the moderating role of exposure to positive environmental messages on media in the relationship between subjective well-being and PECBs is also examined.Design/methodology/approachThis research uses a quantitative research method with data collected from an online survey questionnaire posted in Facebook groups related to PECBs in Vietnam.FindingsPsychological well-being and social well-being are found to be separate significant predictors of PECBs. More importantly, exposure to positive environmental messages on media was found to reinforce the impacts of psychological well-being on PECB but not moderate the relationship between social well-being and PECB.Originality/valueThis research offers a new insight for encouraging PECB from the perspective of subjective well-being. Different from the extant perspectives, which usually examine subjective well-being as a unidimensional antecedent of PECB, the authors highlight that subjective well-being can influence PECB in two separate dimensions. Moreover, this research extends existing literature by accentuating the role of exposure to environmental messages in the association between different types of social well-being and PECB.

Methodology of Teaching Methods of FEM Analysis Using Software ANSYS

This paper presents the authors' experience of teaching the finite element method (FEM) at university. With the development of computational tools in the second half of the twentieth century, there was also the development of computational methods focused on the algorithmization of engineering tasks based on FEM. From the solution of individual problems of the state of stress and deformation from the influence of the external environment, a complex solution of the mutual interaction of the system of deformable bodies (elements) has been performed while improving the physical and geometric characteristics of modern materials and structures. Many processes in the automatic design system take place as if in a "black box" and the process of verifying the achieved results becomes the most important stage in the design activity. Without knowledge of the theoretical basis of FEM, physical and mathematical modeling, verification procedures and methods, the design of a structure cannot be safe and reliable. In this paper we present one of the possibilities how the student can get acquainted with the theoretical foundations of FEM and with computational procedures using ANSYS software.

Analysis of financial and economic activities

The textbook discusses the theoretical foundations of economic analysis as a system of knowledge about the subject and objects, method and tasks, methodology and organization of analytical work at the enterprise. The methods of managerial and financial analysis of the business entity's activities, including the calculation of reserves for improving the results of production and economic activity, are presented. Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of secondary vocational education of the latest generation. For students of secondary vocational educational institutions studying in an enlarged group of specialties 38.02.00 "Economics and Management".

FORENSIC ACCOUNTING EXPERTISE OF PAYMENT WITH PERSONNEL: PROBLEMS AND IMPROVEMENT

In modern conditions, forensic examination is of particular importance, which determines its further development as a scientific branch of knowledge and type of activity. Forensic accounting examination of labor and its payment includes determining the correctness of the calculation of wages to employees, planning the wage fund, the correctness of the application of forms of remuneration, calculation of wages (including incentive payments and additional wages, payment for holidays, weekends, downtime), the correctness of attributing to the composition of production costs (work performed, services rendered), payment or non-payment of wages. Forensic accounting expertise of payroll settlements with employees is one of the most demanded subtypes of expertise. However, problems remain in her methodology that need to be resolved. The aim of the study is to develop the theoretical foundations of forensic accounting expertise of payments to personnel. Due to the lack of standard methods, we propose the definition of the subject, object and tasks of forensic accounting expertise of settlements with employees on wages, the types of work of such an examination stage as research, as well as an algorithm for conducting expert research to identify cases of non-payment of wages to employees of the organization. These proposals will optimize the activities of the forensic expert-economist, contribute to the development of methods and organization of forensic accounting expertise, the correctness of calculations with employees on wages and their timely payment

Internet technologies

The material of the textbook is aimed at obtaining competencies in the field of Internet technologies. In a simple and accessible language, the theoretical foundations of Internet technologies are described, the study of which will help to eliminate gaps in knowledge on the current type of activity of almost every person. The seven workshops given in the manual will provide an opportunity to acquire skills and competencies that are in demand in the labor market and necessary for the implementation of professional and daily tasks. Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation. For students and teachers of higher education and people interested in developing their key competencies in the field of information and communication technologies.

Design and Build Flotocombines and Water Combines Based on the Principle of Biosimile

In the article offered to the attention of readers, for the first time in the world literature, both the theoretical foundations for creating flotocombines based on a multi-stage and generalized flotation model are considered, and practical recommendations based on the principles of biosimile. Possible schemes of flotocombines of the KBS type and special purpose are shown. New aeration systems for use in various flotation apparatus, including flotocombines, are considered. Practical examples of the use of new flotation equipment are described. It is offered to a wide range of readers, including researchers, university professors, graduate students, masters, bachelors and senior students.