The effect of collector size on forest litter-fall collection and analysis

1983 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1037-1042 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. McShane ◽  
D. W. Carlile ◽  
W. T. Hinds
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Forest Litter ◽  
Litter Fall ◽  
Laboratory Sample ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Time Required ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Sample Sorting

Litter fall is commonly collected for a variety of ecological studies. This study was designed to test the effect of collector size on the precision of forest litter-fall estimates and on the time involved in laboratory sample sorting. Collectors varied in size from 0.010 to 0.933 m2 and were physically nested, the smaller units within larger units. Ten of these collector combinations were randomly placed on a 1-ha plot in a Douglas-fir/western hemlock (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco/Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) stand in H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest. Collections were made monthly and records were kept of the time required to sort the litter into needles, epiphytes, and miscellaneous categories. Based on a definition of precision as ±10% of the mean, 90% of the time, results indicate (i) that the cost of obtaining precise estimates of needle fall decreases with decreasing collector size to 0.010 m2, (ii) that collectors of any size can be used to obtain estimates of total litter fall if the number of collectors required to obtain precise results is determined, and (iii) that precise estimates of epiphyte biomass require large numbers of samplers and are not cost effective.

scholarly journals Addition of Flucytosine to Fluconazole for the Treatment of Cryptococcal Meningitis in Africa: A Multicountry Cost-effectiveness Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tinevimbo Shiri ◽  
Angela Loyse ◽  
Lawrence Mwenge ◽  
Tao Chen ◽  
Shabir Lakhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Cryptococcal Meningitis ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Costing Analysis ◽  
Very High

Abstract Background Mortality from cryptococcal meningitis remains very high in Africa. In the Advancing Cryptococcal Meningitis Treatment for Africa (ACTA) trial, 2 weeks of fluconazole (FLU) plus flucytosine (5FC) was as effective and less costly than 2 weeks of amphotericin-based regimens. However, many African settings treat with FLU monotherapy, and the cost-effectiveness of adding 5FC to FLU is uncertain. Methods The effectiveness and costs of FLU+5FC were taken from ACTA, which included a costing analysis at the Zambian site. The effectiveness of FLU was derived from cohorts of consecutively enrolled patients, managed in respects other than drug therapy, as were participants in ACTA. FLU costs were derived from costs of FLU+5FC in ACTA, by subtracting 5FC drug and monitoring costs. The cost-effectiveness of FLU+5FC vs FLU alone was measured as the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). A probabilistic sensitivity analysis assessed uncertainties and a bivariate deterministic sensitivity analysis examined the impact of varying mortality and 5FC drug costs on the ICER. Results The mean costs per patient were US $847 (95% confidence interval [CI] $776–927) for FLU+5FC, and US $628 (95% CI $557–709) for FLU. The 10-week mortality rate was 35.1% (95% CI 28.9–41.7%) with FLU+5FC and 53.8% (95% CI 43.1–64.1%) with FLU. At the current 5FC price of US $1.30 per 500 mg tablet, the ICER of 5FC+FLU versus FLU alone was US $65 (95% CI $28–208) per life-year saved. Reducing the 5FC cost to between US $0.80 and US $0.40 per 500 mg resulted in an ICER between US $44 and US $28 per life-year saved. Conclusions The addition of 5FC to FLU is cost-effective for cryptococcal meningitis treatment in Africa and, if made available widely, could substantially reduce mortality rates among human immunodeficiency virus–infected persons in Africa.

scholarly journals The cost of immunising at the general practice level

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikki Turner ◽  
Paul Rouse ◽  
Stacey Airey ◽  
Helen Petousis-Harris
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Cost Allocation ◽  
Cost Model ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Fee For Service ◽  
Activity Based Costing ◽  
Childhood Immunisation ◽  
Practice Nurses ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Cost

INTRODUCTION: Childhood immunisation is one of the most cost-effective activities in health care. However, New Zealand (NZ) has failed to achieve national coverage targets. NZ general practice is the primary site of service delivery and is funded on a fee-for-service basis for delivery of immunisation events. AIM: To determine the average cost to a general practice of delivering childhood immunisation events and to develop a cost model for the typical practice. METHODS: A purposeful selection of 24 diverse practices provided data via questionnaires and a daily log over a week. Costs were modelled using activity-based costing. RESULTS: The mean time spent on an immunisation activity was 23.8 minutes, with 90.7% of all staff time provided by practice nurses. Only 2% of the total time recorded was spent on childhood immunisation opportunistic activities. Practice nurses spent 15% of their total work time on immunisation activity. The mean estimated cost per vaccination event was $25.90; however, there was considerable variability across practices. A ‘typical practice’ model was developed to better understand costs at different levels of activity. CONCLUSIONS: The current level of immunisation benefit subsidy is considerably lower than the cost of a standard vaccination event, although there is wide variability across practices. The costs of delivery exceeding the subsidy may be one reason why there is an apparently small amount of time spent on extra opportunistic activities and a barrier to increasing efforts to raise immunisation rates. KEYWORDS: Immunisation; vaccination; patient care management; cost analysis; cost allocation

scholarly journals Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Biopharmaceuticals for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis: Infliximab, Adalimumab, and Etanercept

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Ahmad Gholami ◽  
Jassem Azizpoor ◽  
Elham Aflaki ◽  
Mehdi Rezaee ◽  
Khosro Keshavarz
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The Other ◽  
Cost Data ◽  
Fars Province ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Cost

Introduction. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic progressive inflammatory disease that causes joint destruction. The condition imposes a significant economic burden on patients and societies. The present study is aimed at evaluating the cost-effectiveness of Infliximab, Adalimumab, and Etanercept in treating rheumatoid arthritis in Iran. Methods. This is a cost-effectiveness study of economic evaluation in which the Markov model was used. The study was carried out on 154 patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Fars province taking Infliximab, Adalimumab, and Etanercept. The patients were selected through sampling. In this study, the cost data were collected from a community perspective, and the outcomes were the mean reductions in DAS-28 and QALY. The cost data collection form and the EQ-5D questionnaire were also used to collect the required data. The results were presented in the form of an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, and the sensitivity analysis was used to measure the robustness of the study results. The TreeAge Pro and Excel softwares were used to analyze the collected data. Results. The results showed that the mean costs and the QALY rates in the Infliximab, Adalimumab, and Etanercept arms were $ 79,518.33 and 12.34, $ 91,695.59 and 13.25, and $ 87,440.92 and 11.79, respectively. The one-way sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the results. In addition, the results of the probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) indicated that on the cost-effectiveness acceptability curve, Infliximab was in the acceptance area and below the threshold in 77% of simulations. The scatter plot was in the mentioned area in 81% and 91% of simulations compared with Adalimumab and Etanercept, respectively, implying lower costs and higher effectiveness than the other two alternatives. Therefore, the strategy was more cost-effective. Conclusion. According to the results of this study, Infliximab was more cost-effective than the other two medications. Therefore, it is recommended that physicians use this medication as the priority in treating rheumatoid arthritis. It is also suggested that health policymakers consider the present study results in preparing treatment guidelines for RA.

scholarly journals The Technique and Cost of Radiosurgery for the Treatment of 1-3 Brain Metastases

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 795-799
Author(s):  
Waseem Sharieff ◽  
Anthony Whitton ◽  
Tom Chow ◽  
Doug Wyman ◽  
James Wright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Incremental Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Patient Volume ◽  
Multiple Lesions ◽  
Robotic Radiosurgery ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Main Determinants ◽  
The Cost

Background:Radiosurgery can be delivered through a variety of modalities including robotic and fixed gantry linacbased systems. They appear equally effective and safe. Thus, community need and costs remain the main determinants for choosing a given modality. We performed an economic evaluation to identify settings in which one modality could be preferred over the other.Methods:Using local estimates of resource volumes and unit prices, we computed the incremental cost/patient of robotic radiosurgery compared to fixed-gantry radiosurgery from a payer's perspective. By varying parameters of resource volumes, we performed a probabilistic analysis stratified by number of brain lesions. in addition, we performed sensitivity analyses to examine the effect of patient volume on cost/patient.Results:The cost of robotic radiosurgery was $4,783/patient, and cost of fixed-gantry radiosurgery was $5,166/patient. The mean incremental cost was $-383 (95% interval: $-670, $110) for all lesions, $78 ($23, $123) for solitary lesions, and $-610 ($-679, $-534) for multiple lesions. The cost/patient of robotic radiosurgery varied from $5,656 (low volume setting) to $4,492 (high volume setting).Conclusion:in settings of moderate to high volume (6-10 hours of daily operation), and in multiple lesions, robotic radiosurgery is more cost effective than fixed-gantry radiosurgery.

Inspection Manpower Planning for X & S Control Charts

2012 ◽  
Vol 488-489 ◽  
pp. 1624-1630
Author(s):  
Wen An Yang ◽  
Wen He Liao ◽  
Yu Guo
Keyword(s):  
Control Charts ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Manpower Planning ◽  
Sampling Interval ◽  
Optimal Number ◽  
Optimization Strategy ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Time Required ◽  
The Cost ◽  
And Control

A method of determining the optimal number of inspectors and/or working time required on a specific SPC activity is presented in the study. The issue of inspection manpower planning is handled as a constrained optimization problem. The optimization strategy is not only to minimize the avoidable surplus quality loss due to failure of detecting the out-of-control states but to determine the cost of inspection manpower from the perspective of deploying an appropriate amount of inspection manpower in a cost-effective manner, and meanwhile the values of sample size, sampling interval and control limits of control charts are also determined. The result obtained indicates that the total cost (or loss) can be substantially reduced if implementing control charts was equipped with adequate inspection manpower.

scholarly journals Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Candesartan Therapy in Comparison to Candesartan-Amlodipine Therapy on Hypertensive Outpatients

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (22) ◽  
pp. 3837-3840
Author(s):  
Faridah Baroroh ◽  
Andriana Sari ◽  
Noviana Masruroh
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cost Effectiveness Analysis ◽  
Effectiveness Analysis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Hypertension Therapy ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Cost

BACKGROUND: he achievement of optimal hypertension therapy requires cost-effective medicine. The treatment of hypertensive patients needs for long-term medication have made medical costs a prime issue in health economics. AIM: This study aims to determine the cost effectiveness of candesartan therapy compared to candesartan-amlodipine therapy on hypertensive outpatients. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study that compares candesartan therapy to candesartan-amlodipine therapy at a public hospital from payers’ perspective. The outcome is the percentage of targeted blood pressure decrease after three months of therapy. The cost effectiveness analysis uses the Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) based on the ratio of cost difference to the outcome in both therapy groups. RESULTS: As many as 111 patients participated in this research, comprising 40 candesartan therapy patients and 71 patients with the combination of candesartan-amlodipine. Of the participants, 63.96% were female, 57.66% were aged 60 or older, and 56.32% had diabetes mellitus as the most common complication. Results show that the average direct medical cost per patient for a therapy of three months with candesartan was IDR 1,050,536 ± 730,007 and IDR 760,040 ± 614,290 for a candesartan-amlodipine therapy. The mean decline of systolic and diastolic blood pressure under candesartan therapy is less than that of candesartan-amlodipine, although without any significant difference (p > 0.05). It follows that the effectiveness of candesartan (85%) is greater than that of the candesartan-amlodipine combination (84.50%). Candesartan therapy is thereby more cost-effective with an ICER value of IDR 580,993/%. CONCLUSION: Hypertension therapy by candesartan is more cost-effective than candesartan-amlodipine therapy with a cost addition of IDR 580,993.

A cost-utility analysis of open A1 pulley release for the treatment of trigger finger

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1083-1086 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul H. C. Stirling ◽  
Nicholas D. Clement ◽  
Paul J. Jenkins ◽  
Andrew D. Duckworth ◽  
Jane E. McEachan
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life Year ◽  
Cost Utility ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Life Years ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life ◽  
A1 Pulley

The United Kingdom National Institute for Health and Care Excellence considers a procedure to be cost-effective if the cost per quality-adjusted life year gained falls below a threshold of £20,000–£30,000 (€22,600–33,900; US$24,600–$36,900). This study used cost per quality-adjusted life year methodology to determine the cost-utility ratio of A1 pulley release. Pre- and postoperative EuroQol 5 Dimensions 5 Likert scores were collected prospectively over 6 years from 192 patients. The median pre- and postoperative indices derived from the EuroQol 5 Dimensions 5 Likert scores were significantly different at 0.77 and 0.80. The mean life expectancy was 21 years. The mean number of quality-adjusted life years gained was 1 per patient. The mean cost-utility ratio per patient was £32,308 (€36,508; US$39,730) and £16,154 (€18,254; US$19,869) at 1 and 2 years, respectively. Provided the benefit of surgery was maintained over the remaining life expectancy, the cost-utility ratio decreased to £1537 (€1737; US$1891) per patient. A1 pulley release is cost-effective provided the benefit is maintained for 2 years. The procedure is also associated with a statistically significant improvement in quality of life. Level of evidence: III

Estimating the real cost of adjuvant (adj) trastuzumab (T) in patients (pts) with HER-2+ (H+) early stage breast cancer (ESBC): Potential impact of reduced use of expensive oncology drugs (EOD) in metastatic breast cancer (MBC)

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6534-6534
Author(s):  
R. O'Cearbhaill ◽  
E. Wilson ◽  
A. deFrein ◽  
Z. Qadir ◽  
D. McDonnell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Societal Cost ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
The Real ◽  
Real Cost ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Cost

6534 Background: Pts with H+ early stage BC have an approximately 35% risk of developing MBC (BCIRG001). T has been reported to reduce this risk by 33–50%, but costs approximately €;30k per pt, a burden some health systems deem unsustainable. This risk reduction might however result in decreased utilization of EOD in MBC, lowering the societal cost of adjT. We attempted to estimate the cost per relapse prevented (Crp), and the real cost of adjT, allowing for potential savings in prevented cases of MBC. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the mean cost per pt of AdjT (1 year) and of EOD in MBC in St. Vincent's University Hospital. We devised an equation to calculate the Crp for adj T. Crp=[A-M(NRA/104)]/[NRA/104] where A = cost per pt for adjT, M = EOD cost per pt with MBC, N = % of pts relapsing after standard adj treatment, RA = % reduction in the risk of relapse after adjT (over standard adj). Results: H+ pts with MBC received T (average 34 cycles €;2,400 each) with a combination of the following drugs: docetaxel (x8 €;1,500), gemcitabine (x5 €;1,215), capecitabine (x8 €;400), vinorelbine ( x19 €;187). Only 2 pts received bevacizumab (Bev) (x15 €;3,000). In our unit the mean EOD cost per pt with MBC was €;108k. The cost per relapse prevented for a 33% and a 50% reduction in relapse rate would be €;152k and €;63k, respectively. Furthermore, assuming a 50% reduction in the rate of relapse (from 35 to 17.5%) the real cost of adjT per pt treated is not €;30k, but approximates €;11k (€;30k×100-{17.5x €;108k}). Conclusions: The reduced utilization of EOD in MBC likely has a very beneficial impact on the societal cost of adjT. Confirmation of the efficacy of shorter adjT (e.g. FinnHer) would produce further benefit. The increasing use of novel EOD in MBC e.g. Bev would make adjT even more cost-effective. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Selecting a Cost-Effective Number of Samples To Use at Preselected Locations

1992 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-49
Author(s):  
Stephen Grotzinger ◽  
Douglas Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Allocation ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Approximate Solutions ◽  
Optimal Number ◽  
Contamination Control ◽  
Microelectronics Industry ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Effective Number Of Samples ◽  
The Cost

In the control of environmental contaminants, it is often useful to sample at preselected locations to determine concentrations and their means. These locations might be on a surface, throughout a room, or outdoors. Applications include air and water pollution control, industrial hygiene, and contamination control in industry. Contamination is a major cause of yield and reliability losses in the microelectronics industry. Sampling the cleanroom environment or sampling the product surfaces can help diagnose and prevent contamination problems, but sampling is becoming increasingly expensive. One wants to use sampling resources effectively to achieve desired low levels of uncertainly. We assume that the locations to be sampled have been selected, perhaps as described by Cooper et al. We show how to calculate the optimal number of samples to be taken at each location so as to minimize the uncertainty in the mean over the entire region under study, subject to a cost constraint. We consider two distinet criteria for measuring this uncertainty. We also address the optimal allocation for minimizing the cost, subject to an upper bound on the standard error. We also discuss the differences between these approximate solutions and the true solutions, which are integers.

Une méthode prédictive non biaisée et géoréférencée d'estimation des dommages résidentiels d'inondation

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 914-922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Leclerc ◽  
Yves Secretan ◽  
Mourad Heniche ◽  
Taha B.M.J Ouarda ◽  
Joëlle Marion
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Modeling ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Flood Risk Management ◽  
Economical Analysis ◽  
Residual Level ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Rating Curves ◽  
Simulation Results ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Cost

Flood risk management for residences requires an economical analysis involving the mean annual damage by floods, taking into account the whole range of probability of floods and the cost of projected fluvial enhancements and measures, taking also into account the residual level of risk. Efficient methods are therefore necessary to estimate these risk values. The proposed approach is of a "distributed" type; it involves numerical modeling for estimating "residential submersion depth", a variable, which explains most of the direct damages to residences. The method relies on an individualized georeferenced definition of each residence. Measured submersion data and the compensations obtained from the huge Saguenay flood in 1996 (Ville de Laterrière) were used to build empirical laws based on submersion. Four distinct relationships were established: residences with or without a basement and valued below or above $50,000 each were assigned a specific relationship. With these relationships, direct residential damages in Laterrière were assessed by using only simulation results at the georeferenced position of sector residences as input. It was then possible to evaluate the total amount of direct home damages in Laterrière.Key words: flood, risk, damage rating curves, Saguenay floods, numerical modeling, predictive model, georeference, geographic information system.

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