Performing Cost-Effectiveness Analyses to Support Policy Making: Key Lessons From the Assessment of Aducanumab

The purpose of this paper is to describe the process and the methods of cost-effectiveness analysis for clinicians interested in joining or leading aspects of this branch of evidence-based research. Cost-effectiveness is a useful tool for policymakers and is considered a starting point for discussions of fair pricing. Clinicians are important members of teams conducting cost-effectiveness analyses, particularly as it relates to integrating their clinical expertise into the decisions around the design and conduct of the analysis. Their input is essential in assuring that models adequately reflect clinical practice and are informed by expert judgments of how existing data can best be interpreted to build a comprehensive analysis of the clinical and economic outcomes of different treatment options. We illustrate specific contributions that clinicians are well positioned to make in these teams using a recent cost-effectiveness analysis of aducanumab that was conducted to support fair drug pricing. While discussing these contributions, we explain key components of a cost-effectiveness analysis, such as time horizon, health states, and perspective, to support the understanding of the methods of cost-effectiveness by the clinical researchers and to promote a common dialogue among these multidisciplinary teams.

A Comprehensive PED-Database for Mapping and Comparing Positive Energy Districts Experiences at European Level

Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) are considered as one of the pioneer strategies to guide cities in their energy planning process towards climate neutrality in an attractive, innovative and human-centered way. The concept of PED is the result of a long co-creation process and integrates several multidimensional features, aiming to promote the sustainable development of urban areas and the transition of cities towards a climate neutral energy system. The paper provides an overview of the first outcomes of WG1 “PED Mapping, Characterization and Learning”, in the research COST Action CA19126 “Positive Energy Districts European Network” (PED-EU-NET). This study describes activities that focus on creating a comprehensive PED-Database by mapping existing concepts, strategies, projects, technological and non-technological solutions related to PEDs in Europe. The main objective of the Database is to support municipalities through the decision-making process by providing strategies for building and running a successful PED that can provide alternatives to consider, and is powered by an interactive web-based map. The design of the Database framework is supported by a step-by-step methodology adopted in the framework of the CA19126 in order to develop the PED-Database as an interactive, updatable and user-friendly tool.

Analysis of critical issues in retrofitting of ICE vehicles

Vehicle population is increasing at an alarming rate causing cities, and towns to suffer air pollution due to inefficient engines. Every year millions of vehicles are being manufactured and scrapped. Disposal or scrapping of vehicles before their useful life is not a good option. All the parts and systems of a vehicle wear out at different rates. By employing this technology of retrofit for the next 10 to 15 years, the owners will be able to contribute to society by decreasing input energy for massive automobile industries. Based on the life span of automobile parts a range of age has been found in this research at which retrofit can be carried out. In this research, cost analysis of vehicles has been carried out which shows a decrease in performance with increased maintenance, repair, and replacement cost. A mathematical model has been created for performance and cost. The minima of this mathematical model are known as retrofit age. It has been shown in this research that the time has come to adopt this technology, due to inadequate recycling of automobile parts, limited processing plants, and limited scraps yard. For this study, Honda Activa 5G, Bajaj pulsar 500, and Maruti Baleno has been considered.

The Utilization of Social Media by Small and Medium Food Vendors in Brunei Darussalam

This research examines the factors that contribute to the utilization of social media by the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the food industry in Brunei Darussalam. It also investigates how social media provides opportunities to SMEs. This research was done using a quantitative method through primary research that was focused on small and medium-sized food vendors in Brunei Darussalam. Survey questions were distributed to food SMEs and vendors, who use social media to assist them in conducting their business, to serve as a guideline to understand how social media networks can lead to positive business outcomes and how understanding key factors may lead to optimizing product portfolios and to discover new opportunities for their business to expand. Based on the authors' research, cost effectiveness was found to influence social media usage among the small and medium food vendors in Brunei. Factors such as trust, interactivity and compatibility, however were not found to be the factors influencing the utilization of social media.

The Utilization of Social Media by Small and Medium Food Vendors in Brunei Darussalam

This research examines the factors that contribute to the utilization of social media by the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the food industry in Brunei Darussalam. It also investigates how social media provides opportunities to SMEs. This research was done using a quantitative method through primary research that was focused on small and medium-sized food vendors in Brunei Darussalam. Survey questions were distributed to food SMEs and vendors, who use social media to assist them in conducting their business, to serve as a guideline to understand how social media networks can lead to positive business outcomes and how understanding key factors may lead to optimizing product portfolios and to discover new opportunities for their business to expand. Based on the authors' research, cost effectiveness was found to influence social media usage among the small and medium food vendors in Brunei. Factors such as trust, interactivity and compatibility, however were not found to be the factors influencing the utilization of social media.

Age Estimation with Smartphone: Is It Reliable for Forensics Identification?

Age estimation is one of the important components in forensic science used for personal identification, biological profile reconstruction, and help narrowing the search possibilities. Age estimation can be done by various methods and biological evidence, such as the human face. The human face is one of biometrics that provides a variety of information. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of age estimation with face using smartphone for forensic identification based on previous studies and experiences. Age estimation by face is based on age progression that causes attrition and degeneration on soft tissue. With the development of technology, age estimation by face can be done with applications or websites on smartphone. In general, the utilization of smartphone can reduce waste, pollution, research cost and easier to save and share. A lot of applications have been developed and free to download. Unfortunately, the accuracy of its results is unknown. In conclusion, the applications for age estimation on smartphone give quiet good results and can be used as a supporting tool to estimate age in forensic identification.

Non-Neutral Marginal Innovation Costs, Omitted Variables, and Induced Innovation

Prior tests of Hicks’ Induced Innovation Hypothesis (IIH) have been greatly hampered because the lack of supply-side data implicitly requires the untenable assumption that the marginal research cost is the same for different inputs. We document that, with appropriate model specification and panel data, a two-way fixed-effects estimator can account for much of the non-neutrality of the innovation function. Using a test procedure that is robust to a time-variant and non-neutral innovation function, we test the IIH in U.S. agriculture for the period 1960–2004. We use only readily available data for innovation demand and total public research expenditures.

The Utilization of Social Media by Small and Medium Food Vendors in Brunei Darussalam

This research examines the factors that contribute to the utilization of social media by the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the food industry in Brunei Darussalam. It also investigates how social media provides opportunities to SMEs. This research was done using a quantitative method through primary research that was focused on small and medium-sized food vendors in Brunei Darussalam. Survey questions were distributed to food SMEs and vendors, who use social media to assist them in conducting their business, to serve as a guideline to understand how social media networks can lead to positive business outcomes and how understanding key factors may lead to optimizing product portfolios and to discover new opportunities for their business to expand. Based on the authors' research, cost effectiveness was found to influence social media usage among the small and medium food vendors in Brunei. Factors such as trust, interactivity and compatibility, however were not found to be the factors influencing the utilization of social media.