EFFICIENT VERSUS NON-EFFICIENT STATED CHOICE DESIGNS. A COMPARISON IN A MODE CHOICE CONTEXT

This paper evaluates gains in efficiency produced by the use of efficient designs to analyze stated choice (SC) data. Based on a standard experiment used in a previous research, we compare the efficiency of this design with that of the efficient design obtained according to the minimization of the D-error, considering different modelling strategies. The experiment was conducted in the context of the choice between the plane and the new high speed train in the route Madrid-Barcelona. As the levels assigned to some attributes in the stated choice exercise were customized to each respondent experience, pivoting the information provided by preliminary revealed preference questions around the reference alternative (the plane, in this case), a different efficient design was created for every respondent in the sample. Results of the analysis demonstrate that substantial gains in the significance level of the parameter estimates could have been attained if the efficient design had been used to analyze SC data.Stated Choice Data, Efficient Designs, Discrete Choice Models

Modelling mode choice for freight transport using advanced choice experiments

In this paper we use advanced choice modelling techniques to analyse demand for freight transport in a context of modal choice. To this end, a stated preference (SP) survey was conducted in order to estimate freight shipper preferences for the main attributes that define the service offered by the different transport modes. From a methodological point of view, we focus on two critical issues in the construction of efficient choice experiments. Firstly, in obtaining good quality prior information about the parameters; and secondly, in the improved quality of the experimental data by tailoring a specific efficient design for every respondent in the sample. With these data, different mixed logit models incorporating panel correlation effects and accounting for systematic and random taste heterogeneity are estimated. For the best model specification we obtain the willingness to pay for improving the level of service and the elasticity of the choice probabilities for the different attributes. Our model provide interesting results that can be used to analyse the potential diversion of traffic from road (the current option) to alternative modes, rail or maritime, as well as to help in the obtaining of the modal distribution of commercial traffic between Spain and the European Union, currently passing through the Pyrenees

Comportamiento de las genodermatosis en el municipio de San Juan y Martínez

Introduction: genetic diseases and congenital defects constitute the second cause of death only in the child of one year; these diseases can be of chromosomal, multifactorial and monogenetic origin. Genodermatoses are included in the last one, where the early diagnosis influences on the prognosis of life of the genetic carrier.Objective: to characterize the behavior of genodermatoses in San Juan y Martinez municipality in the period 2018-2019.Methods: a descriptive, cross-sectional research was conducted, with a target group comprising 476 patients with genetic diseases and a sample of 40 patients with genodermatoses; working with the variables of age, sex, color of skin, family history, type of genodermatosis and type of hereditary patterns, through the collection of data for the review of clinical histories.    Results: it was recorded that 83,3 % belonged to male sex, white skin color prevailed (78 %), 29 patients had no family history, ichthyosis (27,5 %) predominated, and autosomal dominant hereditary pattern was the most frequent (70 %). Conclusions: genetic diseases are gaining a greater position in society every day, as a result preventive actions must be taken, starting from the Primary Health Care in order to counteract its incidence and improve the quality of life of the patients. Introducción: las enfermedades genéticas y defectos congénitos constituyen la segunda causa de muerte en menores de un año, conociendo que estas enfermedades pueden ser de origen cromosómico, multifactorial y monogénicas. En esta última se incluyen las genodermatosis, donde el diagnóstico precoz influye en el pronóstico de vida del paciente que la contrae.Objetivo: caracterizar el comportamiento de las genodermatosis en el municipio de San Juan y Martínez en el período 2018-2019.Métodos: se realizó una investigación descriptiva y transversal, con un universo de 476 pacientes con enfermedades genéticas y una muestra de 40 pacientes con genodermatosis. Se trabajó con las variables: edad, sexo, color de la piel, antecedentes familiares, tipo de genodermatosis y tipo de patrones de herencia, mediante la obtención de datos por la revisión de historias clínicas.Resultados: se obtuvo que el 83,3 % pertenecían al sexo masculino, predominó el color de la piel blanca con un 78 %, 29 pacientes no tuvieron antecedentes patológicos familiares, predominaron las ictiosis con un 27,5 %, y el patrón de herencia más frecuente fue el autosómico dominante con un 70 %.Conclusiones: las enfermedades genéticas cada día ganan un lugar mayor en la sociedad, por lo que se deben intensificar las acciones preventivas desde la atención primaria de salud, para así contrarrestar su incidencia y mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes

Comportamiento de las genodermatosis en el municipio de San Juan y Martínez

Introduction: genetic diseases and congenital defects constitute the second cause of death only in the child of one year; these diseases can be of chromosomal, multifactorial and monogenetic origin. Genodermatoses are included in the last one, where the early diagnosis influences on the prognosis of life of the genetic carrier.Objective: to characterize the behavior of genodermatoses in San Juan y Martinez municipality in the period 2018-2019.Methods: a descriptive, cross-sectional research was conducted, with a target group comprising 476 patients with genetic diseases and a sample of 40 patients with genodermatoses; working with the variables of age, sex, color of skin, family history, type of genodermatosis and type of hereditary patterns, through the collection of data for the review of clinical histories.    Results: it was recorded that 83,3 % belonged to male sex, white skin color prevailed (78 %), 29 patients had no family history, ichthyosis (27,5 %) predominated, and autosomal dominant hereditary pattern was the most frequent (70 %). Conclusions: genetic diseases are gaining a greater position in society every day, as a result preventive actions must be taken, starting from the Primary Health Care in order to counteract its incidence and improve the quality of life of the patients. Introducción: las enfermedades genéticas y defectos congénitos constituyen la segunda causa de muerte en menores de un año, conociendo que estas enfermedades pueden ser de origen cromosómico, multifactorial y monogénicas. En esta última se incluyen las genodermatosis, donde el diagnóstico precoz influye en el pronóstico de vida del paciente que la contrae.Objetivo: caracterizar el comportamiento de las genodermatosis en el municipio de San Juan y Martínez en el período 2018-2019.Métodos: se realizó una investigación descriptiva y transversal, con un universo de 476 pacientes con enfermedades genéticas y una muestra de 40 pacientes con genodermatosis. Se trabajó con las variables: edad, sexo, color de la piel, antecedentes familiares, tipo de genodermatosis y tipo de patrones de herencia, mediante la obtención de datos por la revisión de historias clínicas.Resultados: se obtuvo que el 83,3 % pertenecían al sexo masculino, predominó el color de la piel blanca con un 78 %, 29 pacientes no tuvieron antecedentes patológicos familiares, predominaron las ictiosis con un 27,5 %, y el patrón de herencia más frecuente fue el autosómico dominante con un 70 %.Conclusiones: las enfermedades genéticas cada día ganan un lugar mayor en la sociedad, por lo que se deben intensificar las acciones preventivas desde la atención primaria de salud, para así contrarrestar su incidencia y mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes

A latent class model with attribute cut-offs to analyze modal choice for freight transport

We use stated preference data to analyze modal choice for freight transport when information about attribute cut-offs is introduced into the utility specification. Different choice models are estimated to account for the negative effect produced when these threshold values are violated. In order to better understand the heterogeneity in shippers’ preferences, a latent class model incorporating cut-offs penalties is estimated. Our results provide evidence of the existence of differentiated classes of individuals regarding both the perception of the main attributes affecting modal choice in the corridor under analysis and penalties imposed when these attributes do not meet acceptable levels of service

Analyzing discrepancies between willingness to pay and willingness to accept for freight transport attributes

In this paper we use discrete choice data to analyze asymmetries in the preference for freight transport attributes. A reference dependent utility specification allowed us to test for the existence of substantial asymmetries in perception of the transport cost. Hence, the re-estimation of our models in the WTP/WTA space helped us to quantify significant discrepancies between the WTP and WTA for the attributes included in the choice experiment, namely transit time, service frequency and delays in delivery time. Results are deemed essential to define alternative services to road capable to attract substantial volumes of freight.Financial support provided by the Project ‘‘Modelización de previsiones de tráfico de mercancías y posibilidades de transporte intermodal con Europa (PREVITRANS)”. Expediente P4/08. Ministerio de Fomento. Convocatoria de ayudas del Programa Nacional de Cooperación público-privada, Subprograma de proyectos relativos a transporte e infraestructuras, en el marco del Plan Nacional de I+D+i, 2008–2011. This work was also supported by the University Jaume I of Castellon under Grant 13I298 of the Research Promotion Plan 2013; and the Valencia Regional Government under Grant GV/2015/096 supporting R&D Projects of Emerging Research Groups 2015

Real-life effectiveness of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir in hepatitis C patients previously treated with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir or glecaprevir/pibrentasvir

Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UABSofosbuvir, velpatasvir and voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX) is the recommended rescue therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis C infection who fail direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Data are limited on the effectiveness of this treatment after the current first-line therapies. Our aim was to analyse the effectiveness and safety of SOF/VEL/VOX among patients failing sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) or glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB). Retrospective multicentre study (26 Spanish hospitals), including chronic hepatitis C patients unsuccessfully treated with SOF/VEL or GLE/PIB, and retreated with SOF/VEL/VOX ± ribavirin for 12 weeks between December 2017 and December 2022. In total, 142 patients included: 100 (70.4%) had failed SOF/VEL and 42 (29.6%) GLE/PIB. Patients were mainly men (84.5%), White (93.9%), with hepatitis C virus genotype (GT) 3 (49.6%) and 47.2% had liver cirrhosis. Sustained virological response (SVR) was evaluated in 132 patients who completed SOF/VEL/VOX and were followed 12 weeks after end of treatment; 117 (88.6%) achieved SVR. There were no significant differences in SVR rates according to initial DAA treatment (SOF/VEL 87.9% vs. GLE/PIB 90.2%, p = 0.8), cirrhosis (no cirrhosis 90% vs. cirrhosis 87.1%, p = 0.6) or GT3 infection (non-GT3 91.9% vs. GT3 85.5%, p = 0.3). However, when considering the concurrent presence of SOF/VEL treatment, cirrhosis and GT3 infection, SVR rates dropped to 82.8%. Ribavirin was added in 8 (6%) patients, all achieved SVR. SOF/VEL/VOX is an effective rescue therapy for failures to SOF/VEL or GLE/PIB, with an SVR of 88.6%. Factors previously linked to lower SVR rates, such as GT3 infection, cirrhosis and first-line therapy with SOF/VEL were not associated with lower SVRs

Effectiveness and safety of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir in patients with chronic hepatitis C previously treated with DAAs.

Around 5% of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treated with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents do not achieve sustained virological response (SVR). The currently approved retreatment regimen for prior DAA failure is a combination of sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, and voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX), although there is little data on its use in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to analyse the effectiveness and safety of SOF/VEL/VOX in the real-world setting. This was a prospective multicentre study assessing the efficacy of retreatment with SOF/VEL/VOX in patients who had experienced a prior DAA treatment failure. The primary endpoint was SVR 12 weeks after the completion of treatment (SVR12). Data on safety and tolerability were also recorded. A total of 137 patients were included: 75% men, 35% with liver cirrhosis. Most were infected with HCV genotype (GT) 1 or 3. The most common prior DAA combinations were sofosbuvir plus an NS5A inhibitor or ombitasvir/paritaprevir/r+dasabuvir. A total of 136 (99%) patients achieved undetectable HCV RNA at the end of treatment. Overall SVR12 was 95% in the 135 patients reaching this point. SVR12 was lower in patients with cirrhosis (89%, p = 0.05) and those with GT3 infection (80%, p  Real-world data show that SOF/VEL/VOX is an effective, safe rescue therapy for patients with prior DAA treatment failure despite the presence of resistance-associated substitutions. However, patients with liver cirrhosis infected by GT3 remain the most-difficult-to-treat group. Treatment with sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX) for 12 weeks is the current recommendation for the 5% of patients infected with HCV who do not achieve eradication of the virus under treatment with direct-acting antivirals. In a Spanish cohort of 137 patients who failed a previous combination of direct-acting antivirals, a cure rate of 95% was achieved with SOF/VEL/VOX. Genotypic characteristics of the virus (genotype 3) and the presence of cirrhosis were factors that decreased the rate of cure. Treatment with SOF/VEL/VOX is an effective and safe rescue therapy due to its high efficacy and very good safety profile

Diagnostic yield of chest and thumb ECG after cryptogenic stroke, Transient ECG Assessment in Stroke Evaluation (TEASE): an observational trial

Objective In stroke survivors, atrial fibrillation (AF) is typically evaluated solely by short-term ECG monitoring in the stroke unit. Prolonged continuous ECG monitoring or insertable cardiac monitors require substantial resources. Chest and thumb ECG could provide an alternative means of AF detection, which in turn could allow prompt anticoagulation to prevent recurrent stroke. The objective of this study was to assess the yield of newly diagnosed AF during 28 days of chest and thumb ECG monitoring two times per day in cryptogenic stroke.Methods This study, Transient ECG Assessment in Stroke Evaluation, included patients who had a stroke from Region Gävleborg, Sweden, between 2017 and 2019. Patients with a recent ischaemic stroke without documented AF (or other reasons for anticoagulation) before or during ECG evaluation in the stroke unit were evaluated using the Coala Heart Monitor connected to a smartphone application for remote monitoring.Results The prespecified number of 100 patients (mean age 67.6±10.8 years; 60% men) was analysed. In nine patients (9%, number needed to screen 11) AF but no other significant atrial arrhythmias (>30 s) was diagnosed. The mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was similar among patients with AF and no AF (4.9±1.1 vs 4.3±1.3; p=0.224) and patients with AF were older (74.3±9.0 vs 66.9±10.8; p=0.049). Patients performed on average 90.1%±15.0% of scheduled transmissions.Conclusion In evaluation of cryptogenic stroke, 9% of patients had AF detected using chest and thumb ECG two times per day during 1 month. In many stroke survivors, this is a feasible approach and they will be potentially protected from recurrent stroke by anticoagulation treatment.Trial registration number NCT03301662