A data clustering approach to identify Logical Functional ATFCM Areas

The paper presents the methodology designating to identify the network effect between a global set of capacity constraints made of sector and airport capacities. The goal is to solve this problem as locally as possible, this being possible by reducing the difficulty of global network impact assessment problem through the definition of Logical ATFCM Functional Areas (LFAAs). First, a new approach for the evaluation of the current network effect handled by the CFMU (EUROCONTROL Central Flow and Management Unit) slot allocation process is proposed. The assessment methodology including the definition of network effect indicators and statistical results are presented so as to provide a global insight of the network effect intensity and distribution. While this approach addresses network effect assessment in the post-operations phase, the second part of the paper introduces a methodology and key concepts aiming at anticipating the network effect through the definition of LFAAs. Thus, the present study aims to provide the initial methods, key concepts and tools to the definition of functional ATFCM areas

Benefits of homeopathic complementary treatment in patients with breast cancer: A retrospective cohort study based on the French nationwide healthcare database

International audienceBackgroundComplementary therapy in oncology aims to help patients better cope with the illness and side effects (SEs) of cancer treatments that affect their quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to assess the benefits of homeopathic treatment on the health-related QOL (HRQOL) of patients with non-metastatic breast cancer (BC) prescribed in post-surgical complementary therapy.Patients and methodsAn extraction from the French nationwide healthcare database targeted all patients who underwent mastectomy for newly diagnosed BC between 2012 and 2013. HRQOL was proxied by the quantity of medication used to palliate the SEs of cancer treatments.ResultsA total of 98,009 patients were included (mean age: 61 ± 13 years). Homeopathy was used in 11%, 26% and 22% of patients respectively during the 7–12 months before surgery, the 6 months before, and 6 months after. Thereafter, the use remained stable at 15% for 4 years. Six months after surgery, there was a significant overall decrease (RR = 0.88, confidence interval (CI)95 = 0.87–0.89) in the dispensing of medication associated with SEs in patients treated with ≥ 3 dispensing of homeopathy compared to none. The decrease appeared to be greater for immunostimulants (RR = 0.79, (CI)95 = 0.74–0.84), corticosteroids (RR = 0.82, (CI)95 = 0.79–0.85), and antidiarrheals (RR = 0.83, (CI)95 = 0.77–0.88).ConclusionThe study showed an increasing use of homeopathy in patients with BC following diagnosis. This use was maintained after surgery and seemed to play a role in helping patients to better tolerate the SEs of cancer treatments.Micro-abstractThis study evaluated the benefits of homeopathy on the quality of life (QOL) of patients with non-metastatic breast cancer (BC). There is an increasing use of homeopathy in patients with BC after diagnosis, leading to an overall decrease in medications that palliate the side effects of cancer treatment. This may indicate that QOL is improved in patients with BC who use homeopathy