391 research outputs found
Ismaila monstrosa bergh (Copepoda:Splanchnotrophidae) found parasitizing in Ercolania funerea (Costa) (Gastropoda: Ascoglossa)
No full textThe parasitic copepod Ismaila monstrosa Bergh is recorded from the ascoglossan opisthobranch Ercolania funerea (Costa). One specimen of E.funerea from St. Thomas, U. S. Virgin Islands, contained one egg-bearing female and one male copepod. This is the first record from the type locality since the original description of I. monstrosa, and the first certain record of an identifiable endoparasitic copepod from an ascoglossan. All records of endoparasitic copepods from shell-less opisthobranchs are listed. Some systematic problems of the family Splanchnotrophidae are discussed. Keys to generic identification of females and males of the four genera of copepods occurring as endoparasites of shell-less opisthobranchs are presented.</p
Les commissions électorales en Afrique de l'Ouest
No full text[author: Mathias Hounkpe ; Ismaila Madior Fall]Electronic ed.: Abuja ; Bonn : FES, 201
COPD Exacerbations, Costs, and Health Care Resource Utilization Before and After Initiation of Fluticasone Furoate/Umeclidinium/Vilanterol in Routine Care in the USA
No full textNicola A Hanania,1 Scott H Bunner,2 Lindsay GS Bengtson,2 Afisi S Ismaila,3,4 Michael Bogart5 1Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; 2Optum, Eden Prairie, MN, USA; 3Value Evidence and Outcomes, GSK, Collegeville, PA, USA; 4Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; 5US Value Evidence & Outcomes, GSK, Research Triangle Park, NC, USACorrespondence: Afisi S Ismaila, Value Evidence and Outcomes, GSK, 1250 S. Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA, 19426-0989, USA, Tel +1 919-3158229, Email [email protected]: To examine the impact of initiating fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI) in a single device on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations, COPD exacerbation-related costs, and all-cause and COPD-related healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs in patients with COPD.Methods: Retrospective database analysis of patients with COPD aged ≥ 40 years who initiated FF/UMEC/VI between September 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018 (index date: first pharmacy claim for FF/UMEC/VI), following evidence of multiple-inhaler triple therapy (MITT) (≥ 30 consecutive days) in the year prior to index. COPD exacerbations, COPD exacerbation-related costs, and all-cause and COPD-related HCRU and costs were compared between the baseline period (12 months prior to and including index) and follow-up period (12 months following index).Results: Data from 912 patients (mean [SD] age: 71.2 [8.1], 51.2% female) were included in the analyses. Among the overall cohort, mean count of total COPD exacerbations (moderate or severe) per patient was statistically significantly lower in the follow-up period compared to baseline (1.2 vs 1.4, p=0.001). The proportion of patients with ≥ 1 COPD exacerbation (moderate or severe) was also statistically significantly lower in the follow-up period compared to baseline (56.4% vs 62.4%, p=0.001). All-cause and COPD-related HCRU were similar during follow-up compared to baseline, although the proportion of patients with COPD-related ambulatory visits was lower during follow-up (p< 0.001). COPD-related office visit costs, emergency room visit costs, and pharmacy costs were statistically significantly lower during follow-up compared to baseline (p< 0.001; p=0.019; p< 0.001, respectively).Conclusion: In a real-world setting, patients on MITT who subsequently initiated FF/UMEC/VI in a single device had significant reductions in the rate of COPD exacerbations (moderate or severe). Switching to FF/UMEC/VI also resulted in improvements in some HCRU and cost outcomes. These data support the use of FF/UMEC/VI among patients at high risk of exacerbation to reduce future risk and improve outcomes.Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, exacerbations, healthcare utilization, multiple-inhaler triple therapy, FF/UMEC/VI, single-inhaler triple therap
Determinants of Trust in B2C E-commerce and Their Relationship with Consumer Online Trust
No full textDeterminants of trust in B2C e-commerce and their relationship with consumer online trust
No full textRégression quantile non-croisée
No full text"L'estimation des extrêmes constitue une des étapes importantes pour l'analyse du risque dans plusieurs domaines tels qu'en finance, hydrologie, météorologie, biologie, trafic internet... Elle consiste à développer un modèle propabiliste et de déterminer les seuils de dépassement correspondant à une probabilité donnée, souvent exprimée en termes de périodes de retour des événements à estimer. Depuis son introduction en 1928 par Fisher et Tippet, la théorie des valeurs extrêmes a connu plusieurs développements et des applications dans différents domaines. Elle permet grâce aux résultats théoriques de déduire les propriétés asymptotiques des lois de probabilité des extremums. Les dernières décennies ont connu des développements pour introduire les effets de covariables dans des approches qui considéraient seulement des suites de variables aléatoires indépendantes et identiquement distribuées. L'objectif est d'estimer les quantiles de la variable d'intérêt en fonction des covariables. La régression quantile fait partie des approches qui tiennent compte de la structure de dépendance entre la variable étudiée et les covariables pour l'estimation des quantiles correspondant à n'importe quelle probabilité au non-dépassement. Il s'agit d'un généralisation de la régression médiane qui est solution de la minimisation des résidus absolus au lieu des moindres carrées dans le cas de la moyenne. Depuis son introduction 1978 par Koenker, cette approche a connu des développements importants en termes d'inférence statistique avec des approches d'optimisation numériques ou de développements probabilistes équivalents. L'estimation des quantiles conditionnels pour diférentes valeurs des probabilités, se fait généralement séparément ; ce qui causent des problèmes au niveau du non-respect de l'ordre de ces quantiles. En effet, cette estimation séparée mène à des croisements entre les courbes. La résolution de ce problème est connue sous le nom de non-croisement pour assurer un ordre croissant entre les quantiles de la même variable. La majorité des travaux considèrent une contrainte additionnelle qui tient compte de cet ordre. Le but de ce travail est de proposer une nouvelle approche bayésienne permettant de résoudre le problème de croisement des courbes de quantiles. Cette théorie comprend des résultats fondamentaux de la théorie des valeurs extrèmes, les principales approches de la régression quantile et les résultats théorique de l'approche proposée. On considère alors une contrainte additionnelle où on suppose que la distribution de la variable étudiée est à variations régulières qu'on transforme sous forme de contrainte dans la résolution des systèmes d'équations associées aux quantiles à estimer. Une illustration de l'approche proposée est présentée sur deux types de modèles qu'on a générés par simulations de Monte Carlo. Le premier représente une structure de dépendance linéaire alors que le second correspond à une dépendance plus complexe avec des sauts au niveau de la moyenne. Cette illustration est suivie par une application et comparaison de l'approche proposée par celle de Bondell et al. (2010). Les résultats sont très satisfaisants et tiennent compte de la forme de la queue de la distribution de la variable étudiée qui correspondand à l'intensité maximale des cyclones tropicaux avec des indices climatiques comme covariables."--Résumé.statement of responsibility: Ismaila, BaldéThèse présentée en vue de l'obtention du diplôme de maîtrise es sciences mathématiques.thesis: M. Sc. (mathématiques) Université de Moncton 2016bibliography: Comprend des références bibliographiques: feuilles 70-71.additional physical form: Également disponible en version électronique. Les pages contenant des informations personnelles ne sont pas reproduites
Ternary Oxides of s- and p-Block Metals for Photocatalytic Solar-to-Hydrogen Conversion
No full textOxides containing metals or metalloids from the p block of the periodic table (e.g., In, Sn, Sb, Pb, and Bi) are of technological interest as transparent conductors and light absorbers for solar-energy conversion due to the tunability of their electronic conductivity and optical absorption. Comparatively, these oxides have found limited applications in hydrogen photoelectrolysis, primarily due to their high electronegativity, which impedes electron transfer for reducing protons into hydrogen. We have shown recently that inserting s-block cations into p-block metal oxides is effective at lowering electronegativities while affording further control of band gaps. Here, we explain the origins of this dual tunability by demonstrating the mediator role of s-block cations in modulating orbital hybridization while not contributing to frontier electronic states. From this result, we carry out a comprehensive computational study of 109 ternary oxides of s- and p-block metal elements as candidate photocatalysts for solar hydrogen generation. We down-select the most desirable materials using band gaps and band edges obtained from Hubbard-corrected density-functional theory, with Hubbard parameters computed entirely from first principles, evaluate the stability of these oxides in aqueous conditions, and characterize experimentally four of the remaining materials, synthesized with high phase uniformity, to validate and further develop the computational models. We thus propose nine oxide semiconductors, including CsIn_{3}O_{5}, Sr_{2}In_{2}O_{5}, and KSbO_{2}, which, to the extent of our literature review, have not been previously considered as water-splitting photocatalysts
Comparative efficacy of long-acting muscarinic antagonist monotherapies in COPD: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
No full textAfisi Segun Ismaila,1,2 Eline L Huisman,3 Yogesh Suresh Punekar,4 Andreas Karabis31Value Evidence and Outcomes, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; 2Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; 3Real World Strategy and Analytics, Mapi Group, Houten, the Netherlands; 4Value Evidence and Outcomes, GlaxoSmithKline, Uxbridge, UKBackground: Randomized, controlled trials comparing long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) efficacy in COPD are limited. This network meta-analysis (NMA) assessed the relative efficacy of tiotropium 18 µg once-daily (OD) and newer agents (aclidinium 400 µg twice-daily, glycopyrronium 50 µg OD, and umeclidinium 62.5 µg OD).Methods: A systematic literature review identified randomized, controlled trials of adult COPD patients receiving LAMAs. A NMA within a Bayesian framework examined change from baseline in trough forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), transitional dyspnea index focal score, St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire score, and rescue medication use.Results: Twenty-four studies (n=21,311) compared LAMAs with placebo/each other. Aclidinium, glycopyrronium, tiotropium, and umeclidinium, respectively, demonstrated favorable results versus placebo, for change from baseline (95% credible interval) in 12-week trough FEV1 (primary endpoint: 101.40 mL [77.06–125.60]; 117.20 mL [104.50–129.90]; 114.10 mL [103.10–125.20]; 136.70 mL [104.20–169.20]); 24-week trough FEV1 (128.10 mL [84.10–172.00]; 135.80 mL [123.10–148.30]; 106.40 mL [95.45–117.30]; 115.00 mL [74.51–155.30]); 24-week St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire score (-4.60 [-6.76 to -2.54]; -3.14 [-3.83 to -2.45]; -2.43 [-2.92 to -1.93]; -4.69 [-7.05 to -2.31]); 24-week transitional dyspnea index score (1.00 [0.41–1.59]; 1.01 [0.79–1.22]; 0.82 [0.62–1.02]; 1.00 [0.49–1.51]); and 24-week rescue medication use (data not available; -0.41 puffs/day [-0.62 to -0.20]; -0.52 puffs/day [-0.74 to -0.30]; -0.30 puffs/day [-0.81 to 0.21]). For 12-week trough FEV1, differences in change from baseline (95% credible interval) were -12.8 mL (-39.39 to 13.93), aclidinium versus tiotropium; 3.08 mL (-7.58 to 13.69), glycopyrronium versus tiotropium; 22.58 mL (-11.58 to 56.97), umeclidinium versus tiotropium; 15.90 mL (-11.60 to 43.15), glycopyrronium versus aclidinium; 35.40 mL (-5.06 to 76.07), umeclidinium versus aclidinium; and 19.50 mL (-15.30 to 54.38), umeclidinium versus glycopyrronium. Limitations included inhaler-related factors and safety; longer-term outcomes were not considered.Conclusion: The new LAMAs studied had at least comparable efficacy to tiotropium, the established class standard. Choice should depend on physician’s and patient’s preference.Keywords: anticholinergics, muscarinic antagonist, bronchodilator, systematic review, meta-analysi
Cost-Effectiveness of Single-Inhaler Triple Therapy (FF/UMEC/VI) versus Tiotropium Monotherapy in Patients with Symptomatic Moderate-to-Very Severe COPD in the UK
No full textRobyn Kendall,1 Alan A Martin,2 Dhvani Shah,3 Soham Shukla,4 Chris Compton,5 Afisi S Ismaila4,6 1ICON Health Economics, ICON plc, Vancouver, BC, Canada; 2Value Evidence and Outcomes, GSK, London, UK; 3ICON Health Economics, ICON plc, New York, NY, USA; 4Value Evidence and Outcomes, GSK, Collegeville, PA, USA; 5Global Respiratory Franchise, GSK, London, UK; 6Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, CanadaCorrespondence: Afisi S Ismaila, Value Evidence and Outcomes, GSK, 1250 South Collegeville Road, Collegeville, PA, 19426-0989, USA, Tel +1 919 315 8229, Email [email protected]: For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who remain symptomatic despite maintenance treatment, clinical management guidelines recommend a stepwise escalation from monotherapy to dual therapy, and from dual therapy to triple therapy. However, in clinical practice, patients are often escalated directly from monotherapy to triple therapy based on disease severity. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of once-daily, single-inhaler fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI) triple therapy compared with long-acting muscarinic antagonist monotherapy with once-daily tiotropium (TIO) in patients with symptomatic moderate-to-very severe COPD, from a UK National Health Service perspective.Patients and Methods: The validated GALAXY-COPD disease progression model was populated with patient baseline characteristics and treatment effect data from the 12-week GSK Study 207626 comparing FF/UMEC/VI with TIO in patients with moderate-to-very severe COPD. UK unit costs and drug costs (British Pound, 2021) were applied to healthcare resource utilization and treatments. The base case analysis was conducted over a lifetime horizon, and costs and health outcomes (except for life years [LYs]) were discounted at 3.5% per year. Model outputs included exacerbation rates, healthcare costs, LYs, quality-adjusted LYs (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios.Results: Overall, treatment with FF/UMEC/VI resulted in increased clinical benefit (reduction in total exacerbations and increased overall survival and QALYs), coupled with cost savings (derived from lower maintenance and exacerbation healthcare costs) compared with TIO monotherapy. In the base case analysis, FF/UMEC/VI provided an additional 0.393 LYs (95% range: 0.176, 0.655) and 0.443 QALYs (0.246, 0.648), at a cost saving of £ 880 (£ 54, £ 1608) versus TIO. FF/UMEC/VI remained the cost-effective (dominant) treatment option across sensitivity and scenario analyses.Conclusion: FF/UMEC/VI offers greater clinical benefits and is a cost-effective treatment option compared with TIO for the treatment of adult patients with COPD with persistent symptoms and/or who are at risk of exacerbation in the UK.Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, health technology assessment, economic evaluation, real-world, single-inhaler triple therap
Comparative efficacy of combination bronchodilator therapies in COPD: a network meta-analysis
No full textEline L Huisman,1 Sarah M Cockle,2 Afisi S Ismaila,3,4 Andreas Karabis,1 Yogesh Suresh Punekar2 1Mapi Group, Real World Strategy and Analytics and Strategic Market Access, Houten, the Netherlands; 2Value Evidence and Outcomes, GlaxoSmithKline, Uxbridge, UK; 3Value Evidence and Outcomes, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; 4Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada Background: Several new fixed-dose combination bronchodilators have been recently launched, and assessing their efficacy relative to each other, and with open dual combinations is desirable. This network meta-analysis (NMA) assessed the efficacy of umeclidinium and vilanterol (UMEC/VI) with that of available dual bronchodilators in single/separate inhalers. Methods: A systematic literature review identified randomized controlled trials of ≥10 weeks among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients (≥40 years), assessing the efficacy of combination bronchodilators in single or separate inhalers. Comparative assessment was conducted on change from baseline in trough forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total scores, transitional dyspnea index (TDI) focal scores, and rescue medication use at 12 weeks and 24 weeks using an NMA within a Bayesian framework. Results: A systematic literature review identified 77 articles of 26 trials comparing UMEC/VI, indacaterol/glycopyrronium (QVA149), formoterol plus tiotropium (TIO) 18 µg, salmeterol plus TIO, or indacaterol plus TIO, with TIO and placebo as common comparators at 12 weeks and approximately 24 weeks. The NMA showed that at 24 weeks, efficacy of UMEC/VI was not significantly different compared with QVA149 on trough FEV1 (14.1 mL [95% credible interval: -14.2, 42.3]), SGRQ total score (0.18 [-1.28, 1.63]), TDI focal score (-0.30 [-0.73, 0.13]), and rescue medication use (0.02 [-0.27, 0.32]); compared with salmeterol plus TIO on trough FEV1 (67.4 mL [-25.3, 159.4]), SGRQ total score (-0.11 [-1.84, 1.61]), and TDI focal score (0.58 [-0.33, 1.50]); and compared with formoterol plus TIO 18 µg on SGRQ total score (-0.68 [-1.77, 0.39]). Results at week 12 were consistent with week 24 outcomes. Due to lack of availability of evidence, no comparison was made with formoterol plus TIO on FEV1 or TDI at 24 weeks. Conclusion: UMEC/VI has comparable efficacy to other dual-bronchodilator combinations on available efficacy endpoints. Keywords: LABA/LAMA, UMEC/VI, QVA149, fomoterol, tiotropium, glycopyrronium, indacaterol, umeclidiniu
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