Assessment Of Benefits Research Articles

Leveraging VGG16 for Fish Classification in a Large-Scale Dataset

When the VGG16 model was applied to fish picture classification, the overall accuracy was a remarkable 99%, demonstrating strong performance over most of the dataset. Still, a thorough assessment of the model's efficacy necessitates a look beyond its general accuracy. A more detailed evaluation is possible thanks to class-specific metrics like precision, recall, and F1-score, which provide information on how well the model performs on particular classes. Although the high overall accuracy is encouraging, more research into these metrics and the possibility of class imbalances should be taken into account to guarantee consistent performance in the fish image classification challenge across all categories. A more comprehensive assessment of the model's effectiveness benefits from a contextual knowledge of the application domain and a careful examination of evaluation measures.

Benefit assessment of extended dosing in cancer patients after their withdrawal from clinical trials.

Background: Clinical trials have been widely recognized as an effective treatment approach by physicians and cancer patients alike. Physicians' evaluations suggest that many patients are likely to continue experiencing benefits from extended dosing of investigational new drugs even after withdrawing from clinical trials. Objective: Given the uncertainty surrounding the efficacy and safety of investigational new drugs, it is essential to continually assess the benefits of extended dosing for patients. Methods: The trial group for this study comprised patients who requested extended dosing after withdrawing from clinical trials at Hunan Cancer Hospital between 2016 and 2020. The control group consisted of patients who received conventional treatment and were enrolled in a 1:1 ratio. Follow-up assessments were conducted every 3months for both groups, and included monitoring of patients' health status, survival time, disease control or remission, treatment modalities received, and medical costs. Results: A total of twenty-three patient pairs were successfully matched for this study. The Ethics Committee approved extended dosing for all patients in the trial group, with an average gap period of 16.48days between their withdrawal from clinical trials and continuous access to the investigational drugs. The median overall survival for patients after withdrawal from clinical trials was 17.3months in the extended dosing group and 12.9months in the control group, with no significant difference observed between the two groups (p > 0.250). The median total cost of treatment after the previous clinical trial was 38,006.76 RMB, of which the median cost of therapeutic drugs for conventional treatment was 15,720 RMB, while extended dosing was provided free of charge. Conclusion: Extended dosing can indeed provide benefits, including survival benefits and economic benefits, to cancer patients after their withdrawal from clinical trials and will clinically present an additional treatment option for patients.

Experimental assessment of combined sliding mode & moment-based control (SM[formula omitted]C) for arrays of wave energy conversion systems

Motivated by the lack of comprehensive experimental implementation and assessment of the potential benefit that can be achieved with energy-maximising optimal control solutions for arrays of wave energy converters (WECs), we present, in this paper, the development, design, experimental implementation, and performance appraisal, of optimal moment-based control for arrays of WEC systems. Both centralised and decentralised controllers are evaluated. Four different WEC array layout configurations are considered, with up to three 1:20 scale prototypes of the Wavestar WEC system operating simultaneously within the basin, subject to a variety of sea state conditions. In particular, the proposed controller, termed sliding-mode-moment-based controller SM2C, is composed of a receding-horizon moment-based reference generation process, and a subsequent proportional–integral–derivative-like continuous sliding mode tracking controller. This composite control structure is implemented and assessed experimentally, providing a detailed analysis of key performance metrics. We show that the proposed SM2C strategy is able to maximise energy absorption for all the considered WEC array layouts, with up to 2.8 times energy improvement when compared to the benchmark controller case. The findings of this experimental study show tangible proof of the performance enhancement that can be achieved in real arrays of WEC systems with the use of appropriate control technology, demonstrating not only the feasibility of the proposed SM2C strategy in itself, but the key role that control systems have to play in the pathway towards effective exploitation of the yet largely untapped wave energy resource.

Evidence inventory: A patient-centered framework for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to assess the clinical benefit of drugs to inform its maximum fair price negotiation.

The Inflation Reduction Act passed in August 2022 empowers the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to negotiate maximum fair prices for certain expensive drugs. In the process of determining maximum fair prices, CMS gathers evidence on the clinical benefits of these drugs as compared with their therapeutic alternative(s) from various sources. As patients are the primary beneficiaries of the treatment, we recommend that CMS should embrace an approach that prioritizes patient experience when evaluating such diverse sources of evidence in the assessment of the clinical benefit. Thus, we propose to draw on several existing frameworks to support the concept of "evidence inventory," a patient-centered approach to systematically evaluate benefits of drugs under consideration. This 4-step process to develop an evidence inventory includes the following: (1) Formulate the research question-in a PICO(T) (P = population, I = Intervention or exposure, C = comparator, O = outcome, and T = time frame) format, (2) Synthesize evidence, (3) Evaluate the evidence-using evidence inventory, and (4) Reevaluate evidence as new information become available. Patients and other relevant stakeholders play a critical role in each of these 4 steps. The proposed evidence inventory holds the potential to provide a structured and transparent patient-centered framework for evaluating the clinical benefits of drugs as compared with their therapeutic alternative(s) informing CMS maximum fair price negotiation.

Can Docked Bike-Sharing Systems Reach Their Dual Sustainability in Terms of Environmental Benefits and Financial Operations? A Comparative Study from Nanjing, 2017 and 2023

In this paper, we investigate the sustainability of docked bike-sharing in Nanjing in terms of environmental benefits and financial operations by comparing the data of March 2017 and March 2023 in Nanjing. We modify a community detection method, give and prove dynamic boundary conditions for the objective function of the heuristic algorithm, and realize the estimation of the rebalancing coefficients for this mega-system, thus obtaining more accurate emission factors. We find that there are significant differences in the results obtained from environmental benefit assessments over time. Further, there are also significant differences at the national level. This may signify that the assessment data of one country’s system cannot give a direct reference for another country’s system. Second, we considered the economic basis required for the environmental benefits of docked bike-sharing systems. We have calculated the sustainability of the system’s financial operations by considering its revenues over the next nine years, including the cost of facility inputs, facility upgrades, dispatching costs, labor costs, maintenance costs, and the time value of money. The results show a 4.6-fold difference in emission factors between 2017 and 2023; comparing 2017 to 2023 (when demand loss has been severe), the investment in 2017 will be recouped 2 years later than in 2023. Switching distribution vehicles from fuel vehicles to electric trikes would severely deteriorate the operator’s key financial metrics while only reducing the emission factor value by 8.64 gCO2 eq/km, leading to an unsustainable system. This signals the potential for the financial unsustainability, or even bankruptcy, of operators if the requirements for sustained emissions reductions from the bike-sharing system are divorced from the form of the economy on which it is sustainably operated. Finally, we consider the geographical patterns between environmental benefits and financial operations. We find that financial sustainability varies across geographic locations. Under financial sustainability, we gave emission factors under the mix distribution vehicle scenario.

Prevalence of Cardiovascular Drugs and Oral Anticoagulant Use among Persons with and without Parkinson's Disease.

Cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases are common among persons with Parkinson's disease (PD), but it is unknown how the prevalence of cardiovascular drug and oral anticoagulant use changes in relation to PD diagnosis. We investigated the prevalence of cardiovascular drug and oral anticoagulant use among persons with and without PD among 17,541 persons who received incident PD diagnosis in 2001-2015 in Finland and their 116,829 matched comparison persons. Prevalence was calculated in 6-month time windows from 5 years before to 5 years after PD diagnosis (index date) and compared to a matched cohort without PD using generalized estimating equations. Persons with PD had higher prevalence of any cardiovascular drugs (unadjusted OR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.11-1.18) and oral anticoagulants (unadjusted OR = 1.16; 95% CI: 1.11-1.22) before index date than those without PD. After index date, persons with PD had lower prevalence of cardiovascular drugs (0.94; 95% CI: 0.91-0.96), and no difference was observed for oral anticoagulants. Prevalence of any cardiovascular drugs on the index date was 66 and 61% for persons with and without PD, respectively. β-blockers were the most common cardiovascular drugs in both cohorts. Warfarin was the most common oral anticoagulant, but the use of direct oral anticoagulants increased during the last years of follow-up. Orthostatic hypotension and weight loss likely explain the decreased cardiovascular drug use after PD diagnosis. Results with oral anticoagulants may reflect clinical assessment of benefits being larger than risks, despite the risks associated with their use in persons with PD.

Corporate Digital Responsibility and the Business Implications of Quantum Computing

While artificial intelligence has been attracting increasing investment and controversy, a new, and potentially much more powerful technology, Quantum Computing, is on the business horizon. Already, organizations are assessing its potential for addressing a range of computationally challenging issues, such as last-mile optimization and cryptanalysis to break encryption algorithms, and are exploring possible applications in a range of business areas. While the advent of Quantum Computing may bring an array of opportunities and benefits, the companies developing and applying Quantum Computing technologies will face, and have to address, new sets of corporate social, ethical, economic, technical and environmental responsibilities. Using a qualitative research method based on secondary sources, this article examines the implications for Quantum Computing for corporate digital responsibility, and assesses the guidance currently being offered by leading consultancies for organisations deploying Quantum Computing. The results suggest that although there is some guidance on how companies can apply and exploit Quantum Computing technology, there is as yet little consideration of the possible downsides, including, for example, potential negative environmental impacts. Further research is needed to develop a more balanced assessment of benefits and disbenefits as Quantum Computing is deployed in the corporate world and wider global society.

Comprehensive Benefit Assessment of the Middle Route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project Based on Markowitz Theory

Comprehensive Benefit Assessment of the Middle Route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project Based on Markowitz Theory

Optimizing landfill mining operations: a comparative analysis of material flow and cost–benefit assessment for medium- and large-scale sites

Optimizing landfill mining operations: a comparative analysis of material flow and cost–benefit assessment for medium- and large-scale sites

Water-related liveability assessment: Indicators for evaluation of urban design

Sustainable water management, and the reshaping of the interactions between environment, infrastructure and humans it implies, increasingly requires consideration of the associated effects on urban liveability. This paper presents a suitable method of systematic assessment of water-related liveability benefits of different urban designs. The study identified a long list of potential indicators and then down-selected and tested 23 indicators that can quantify liveability aspects of water-related urban environment (green space, blue space, water infrastructure). These were used the quantify and compare water-related liveability of three development scenarios for a 130-ha precinct in South Australia. The study found that designs with water sensitive features contribute to the liveability of medium-density redevelopment through improved accessibility of green and blue space, use of irrigated green space, use of alternative water source systems and diversity of public green space. However, the effect of population size is notable, with the availability of blue and green space being higher in low-density scenarios. The study provides a methodology for understanding the relationship between water and liveability by measuring aspects of water-related environment as mid-point indicators, rather than end point indicators such as residential satisfaction. This work could inform further studies of the trade-offs between liveability and water provisioning in the design of future cities and climate adaptation efforts.

Environmental Impact Assessment of Plastic Waste Management Scenarios in the Canadian Context

Given the scale of plastic generation, its persistent presence in the environment, and the urgent need to transition to a net-zero emissions paradigm, managing plastic waste has gained increasing attention globally. Developing an effective strategy for plastic waste management requires a comprehensive assessment of the potential benefits offered by different solutions, particularly with respect to their environmental impact. This study employs the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology to evaluate the environmental impact of two alternative scenarios to the As-Is scenario for managing plastic waste in the province of British Columbia in Canada. The LCA results suggest that the Zero Plastic Waste scenario, which heavily relies on chemical recycling, may not inherently result in a reduced environmental footprint across all impact categories. This is notable when the focus is solely on end-of-life treatment processes, without considering the produced products and energy. The Intermediate scenario reduces the amount of plastic waste sent to landfills by directing more end-of-life plastic to mechanical recycling facilities. This scenario provides immediate benefits for resource conservation, with a minimal increase in the environmental burden resulting from treatment processes. Nonetheless, achieving a net-zero transition requires combining traditional and emerging recycling technologies. The current study could offer some guidance to policymakers on strategies for fostering more sustainable management of plastic waste.

Assessment of Socio-Economic Benefits from the Construction of Bypasses of Transport Infrastructure

The aim of the study is to analyse the feasibility of the second phase of the construction of the Rožaje (Montenegro) bypass project. The objectives of the construction of this bypass are to eliminate or reduce existing problems by redirecting transit flows to the bypass. Based on the observed economic costs of construction and the expected economic benefits from the project in a 20-year period, by applying Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), the indicators of the project economic feasibility were determined. As part of the socio-economic analysis of the project feasibility, the expected benefits for transport users (savings in travel time and savings in the vehicle exploitation costs), as well as external impacts (impacts on safety and impacts on the environment) were assessed. The analysis showed the dominant savings are in travel time and vehicle exploitation costs. The economic net present value (ENPV) of this project is positive and amounts to EUR 55 054 502, the economic internal rate of return (EIRR) is 26.88% (with a discount rate of 5%), while the benefit-cost ratio (B/CR) is 4.96. All scenarios developed within the Project Sensitivity Analysis have confirmed that this project has satisfactory economic justification.

How to Use Janus Kinase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis? A Clinical Assessment of Risks and Benefits.

To provide an updated understanding of risks and benefits of Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) versus biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Shared decision-making is needed in choosing between JAKi and bDMARDs. Cardiovascular disease, malignancy, and thromboembolic events guide this choice. In patients with active RA despite methotrexate use, tumor necrosis factor inhibitor is conditionally favored over JAKi for low-cardiovascular-risk patients and strongly favored in those with pre-existing cardiovascular disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors.Suboptimal treatment of treatment-refractory RApatients may pose a greater absolute cardiovascular risk than with JAKi use. Use of aspirin and statin may be considered to reduce cardiovascular risk. New safety data on JAKi has redefined the treatment approach in RA. JAKi remains an important oral medication option in active RA despite treatment with bDMARDs, especially in those with low cardiovascular risk.

Benefits and harms of breast cancer screening revisited: a large, retrospective cross-sectional study quantifying treatment intensity in women with screen-detected versus non-screen-detected cancer in Australia and New Zealand

ObjectivesNon-mortality benefits of breast cancer screening are rarely considered in assessments of benefits versus harms. This study aims to estimate the rate of overdiagnosis in women with screen-detected breast cancer...

HTA321 Factors Influencing the Shi Costs of Orphan Drugs After Their Renewed Regular Benefit Assessment Due to Exceeding the Sales Threshold in Germany

HTA321 Factors Influencing the Shi Costs of Orphan Drugs After Their Renewed Regular Benefit Assessment Due to Exceeding the Sales Threshold in Germany

Excessive mortality risk associated with new opioid use in older people with dementia

AbstractBackgroundOpioids have been associated with an increased excess mortality‐risk in the general population. Older people with dementia have been prescribed opioids more frequent and the use of strong opioids has increased considerably over the past decade among older people with dementia. Whether opioids are associated with an excess mortality risk in older people with dementia is unknown.MethodMatched cohort study using nationwide registries. All Danish residents aged 65 years and older diagnosed with dementia between 01.01.2008‐31.12.2018 were included. Exposure was defined as first opioid prescription after dementia diagnosis (1 year washout before diagnosis). Persons exposed to opioids were matched with up to two unexposed persons on age and sex. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare rates of death within 180 days after the initiation of opioid treatment and adjusted for potential confounders (time since diagnosis, nursing home residency, comorbidity, admission within 30 days, number of medications).ResultForty‐two percent (31,619/75,471) of older people with dementia redeemed a prescription for an opioid after their diagnosis of dementia. We matched 31,619 exposed persons to 63,235 unexposed. Among the exposed, 10,642 (33.7%) died within 180 days after initiating their first opioid prescription compared with 3980 (6.4%) of the unexposed, yielding a 4‐fold increased excess mortality risk (adjusted Hazard ratio (95% CI): 4.13 (3.98‐4.30)). Strong opioids were associated with a 6‐fold increased mortality risk (6.34 (6.00‐6.69)), whereas the risk was lower for weak opioids (2.52 (2.38‐2.67). Among those who had redeemed transdermal fentanyl as their first prescription, 65.3% died within the first 180 days compared with 6.7% in the unexposed with a risk of 8.03 (7.02‐9.18). The risk was greatest within the first 14 days, where the mortality (for all opioids) was increased 11‐fold (10.95 (9.87‐12.15)), but there was still a 2‐fold increased mortality risk after 90 days (2.36 (2.21‐2.52)).ConclusionNew opioid use was frequent among elderly with dementia, and this was associated with a markedly increased excess mortality, which is worrisome. The data calls for more research to identify sub‐groups with highest excess mortality risk to make a risk–benefit assessment and guidelines to assure appropriate prescribing.

HTA342 Real World Evidence in German HTA: The Challenges of Comparative Routine Practice Data Collection (ABD) for Early Benefit Assessment (AMNOG)

HTA342 Real World Evidence in German HTA: The Challenges of Comparative Routine Practice Data Collection (ABD) for Early Benefit Assessment (AMNOG)

HTA29 Analysis of the Change of the Added Benefit and Respective Reasons in Renewed Regular Benefit Assessments of Orphan Drugs Due to Exceeding the Sales Threshold in Germany

HTA29 Analysis of the Change of the Added Benefit and Respective Reasons in Renewed Regular Benefit Assessments of Orphan Drugs Due to Exceeding the Sales Threshold in Germany

HTA104 Data on Patient-Reported Outcomes Is Not a Prerequisite for Achieving an Additional Benefit in German Early Benefit Assessment of New Medicinal Products Approved for Dermatological Diseases

HTA104 Data on Patient-Reported Outcomes Is Not a Prerequisite for Achieving an Additional Benefit in German Early Benefit Assessment of New Medicinal Products Approved for Dermatological Diseases

HTA135 Uncertainty in AMNOG Benefit Assessments: Reflection of G-BA's Underlying Motivation to Cause AbD

HTA135 Uncertainty in AMNOG Benefit Assessments: Reflection of G-BA's Underlying Motivation to Cause AbD