In the paper we develop a hybrid decision support method in case of dependent decision criteria. It includes methods of decision theory, fuzzy sets, mathematical programming and statistics, which are ...adapted to different stages of the multicriteria evaluation of alternatives depending on the specific problem being solved and on the quality of the input expert information. The use of the hybrid method is illustrated by the solution of practical problems.
Context. The pairwise comparison method is a component of several decision support methodologies such as the analytic hierarchy and network processes (AHP, ANP), PROMETHEE, TOPSIS and other. This ...method results in the weight vector of elements of decision-making model and is based on inversely symmetrical pairwise comparison matrices. The evaluation of the elements is carried out mainly by experts under conditions of uncertainty. Therefore, modifications of this method have been explored in recent years, which are based on fuzzy and interval pairwise comparison matrices (IPCMs).
Objective. The purpose of the work is to develop a modified method for calculation of crisp weights based on consistent and inconsistent multiplicative IPCMs of elements of decision-making model.
Method. The proposed modified method is based on consistent and inconsistent multiplicative IPCMs, fuzzy preference programming and results in more reliable weights for the elements of decision-making model in comparison with other known methods. The differences between the proposed method and the known ones are as follows: coefficients that characterize extended intervals for ratios of weights are introduced; membership functions of fuzzy preference relations are proposed, which depend on values of IPCM elements. The introduction of these coefficients and membership functions made it possible to prove the statement about the required coincidence of the calculated weights based on the “upper” and “lower” models. The introduced coefficients can be further used to find the most inconsistent IPCM elements.
Results. Experiments were performed with several IPCMs of different consistency level. The weights on the basis of the considered consistent and weakly consistent IPCMs obtained using the proposed and other known methods have determined the same rankings of the compared objects. Therefore, the results using the proposed method on the basis of such IPCMs do not contradict the results obtained for these types of IPCMs using other known methods. Rankings by the proposed method based on the considered highly inconsistent IPCMs are much closer to rankings based on the corresponding initial undisturbed IPCMs in comparison with rankings obtained using the known FPP method. The most inconsistent elements in the considered IPCMs are found.
Conclusions. The developed method has shown its efficiency, results in more reliable weights and can be used for a wide range of decision support problems, scenario analysis, priority calculation, resource allocation, evaluation of decision alternatives and criteria in various application areas.
A tool is proposed to evaluate multifactor risks during the operation of an innovation system of technological forecast. A modified BOCR method of analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is developed. It ...allows: integrating the situation and force majeur risk evaluation into an overall structure of decision making with the help of AHP along with evaluating benefits, costs, and opportunities for each alternative; processing expert judgments in the form of fuzzy preference relations; taking into account a time parameter, when decision factors and alternatives may be corrected or fundamentally changed during some period. Indices of the risk of subjective judgment (information risk) evaluation are developed for given point, interval, and fuzzy expert judgments and probability distribution of expert judgments.
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with polyps is associated with eosinophilic inflammation, in which the key mediator is interleukin - 5 (IL-5) and is often combined with asthma.
To evaluate the ...therapeutic potential of reslizumab-humanized anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of CRS with polyps in patients with severe asthma.
We investigated the cases of 9 patients with severe asthma treated with intravenous reslizumab at a dose of 3 mg per 1 kg of weight with regularity once in 4 weeks. The presence of CRS with polyps was revealed in 7 of 9 patients, SCT scanning of the paranasal sinuses indicated changes in all the patients, 2 patients had symptoms of chronic non-allergic rhinitis (NARES).The treatment effectiveness control was carried out after 6 months from the beginning of the treatment by the dynamics of nasal symptoms (SNOT-22), endoscopic image of the nose, total polyp score (TPS), changes in the SCT of the paranasal sinuses on the Lund-Mackay scale, rhinocytogram, the content of eosinophilic cationic protein in the blood, the level of systemic eosinophilia. The effectiveness of asthma control was assessed by the reduction of the frequency of asthma exacerbations, the need for systemic corticosteroids, spirometry data and Asthma Control Test (ACT) results. Along with a marked improvement in asthma control, 8 out of 9 patients displayed clinical, endoscopic, radiological signs of weakening of nasal symptoms. More significant improvement in asthma control was achieved in patients having CRS with polyps. In the group of patients having CRS with polyps, it was possible to detect anamnestic presence of NARES symptoms in the early stages of the disease. This indicates that NARES can be a precursor to the development of eosinophilic, non-IgE-induced asthma and nasal polyps.
Treatment with reslizumab in patients with eosinophilic asthma and concomitant CRS with polyps and chronic non-allergic rhinitis (NARES) leads not only to improved control of asthma symptoms, but also to a significant regression of nasal symptoms.