Meta-analysis of nature conservation values in Asia & Oceania: Data heterogeneity and benefit transfer issues

We conduct a meta-analysis (MA) of around 100 studies valuing nature conservation in Asia and Oceania. Dividing our dataset into two levels of heterogeneity in terms of good characteristics (endangered species vs. nature conservation more generally) and valuation methods, we show that the degree of regularity and conformity with theory and empirical expectations is higher for the more homogenous dataset of contingent valuation of endangered species. For example, we find that willingness to pay (WTP) for preservation of mammals tends to be higher than other species and that WTP for species preservation increases with income. Increasing the degree of heterogeneity in the valuation data, however, preserves much of the regularity, and the explanatory power of some of our models is in the range of other MA studies of goods typically assumed to be more homogenous (such as water quality). Subjecting our best MA models to a simple test forecasting values for out-of-sample observations, shows median (mean) forecasting errors of 24 (46) percent for endangered species and 46 (89) percent for nature conservation more generally, approaching levels that may be acceptable in benefit transfer for policy use. We recommend that the most prudent MA practice is to control for heterogeneity in regressions and sensitivity analysis, rather than to limit datasets by non-transparent criteria to a level of heterogeneity deemed acceptable to the individual analyst. However, the trade-off will always be present and the issue of acceptable level of heterogeneity in MA is far from settle

Hypophosphatemia Associated with Intravenous Iron Therapies for Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Systematic Literature Review

John A Glaspy,1 Michelle Z Lim-Watson,2 Michael A Libre,3 Swagata S Karkare,3 Nandini Hadker,3 Aleksandra Bajic-Lucas,2 William E Strauss,2 Naomi V Dahl2 1UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA; 2AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Waltham, MA, USA; 3Trinity LifeSciences, Waltham, MA, USACorrespondence: Naomi V DahlAMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1100 Winter Street, Waltham, MA 02451, USATel +1 617-498-7650Email [email protected]: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a prevalent yet underdiagnosed condition with a significant impact on quality of life. Oral iron supplementation is often poorly tolerated or yields inadequate response, requiring the use of intravenous iron (IVI) in some patients. Administration of certain IVI preparations has been associated with decreases in serum phosphate levels and clinically significant hypophosphatemia, which has been reported to lead to adverse events including serious fatigue and osteomalacia.Objective: The purpose of this study was to systematically assess the prevalence, clinical consequences, and reporting of treatment-emergent hypophosphatemia within literature investigating IVI therapies marketed in the United States (US).Methods: A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted using the PubMed database to identify publications reporting serum phosphate levels or rates of hypophosphatemia within adult IDA patient populations receiving current US-marketed IVIs.Results: The SLR yielded 511 unique publications, with 40 records meeting the final inclusion criteria. Most studies did not report phosphate monitoring methodology or an explicit definition of hypophosphatemia. Hypophosphatemia rates ranged from 0.0% to  92.1% for ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), 0.0% to  40.0% for iron sucrose, 0.4% for ferumoxytol, and 0.0% for low-molecular-weight (LMW) iron dextran. Randomized controlled studies described hypophosphatemia as “asymptomatic” or did not report on other associated sequelae. Eleven case reports detailed treatment-emergent hypophosphatemia in patients treated with FCM. Patients with acute hypophosphatemia primarily developed severe fatigue; those with repeated FCM dosing developed chronic hypophosphatemia associated with osteomalacia and bone deformities.Conclusion: Studies analyzed in this SLR reported a range of hypophosphatemia rates, with the highest consistently seen in patients treated with FCM. Across the clinical literature, there appeared to be minimal standardization of phosphate monitoring and definitions of hypophosphatemia. Although multiple cases have documented serious clinical consequences of hypophosphatemia associated with certain IVIs, current trials neither consistently nor adequately assess the frequency and severity of treatment-emergent hypophosphatemia and may underestimate its prevalence.Keywords: IDA, phosphate, hypophosphatemia, iron supplementatio

Valoração contingente do parque "Chico Mendes": uma aplicação probabilística do método Referendum com bidding games

A valoração ambiental é uma ferramenta relevante para determinação do valor de bens que não possuem mercado definido. O parque ambiental "Chico Mendes", situado em Rio Branco - Acre, em razão de suas características de não-rivalidade e não-excludência, é um bem público. O método de valoração contingente constitui uma das técnicas que possibilitam a determinação do valor econômico de um bem público. De forma geral, este trabalho busca determinar o valor econômico total do parque "Chico Mendes". Os resultados mostram que a renda familiar, o valor da verdadeira disposição a pagar, o sexo e a idade são variáveis importantes para explicar probabilidade do indivíduo se dispor a contribuir para conservação e manutenção dos serviços oferecidos pelo parque. Por fim, o bootstrapping e a análise de risco fornecem maior segurança aos resultados encontrados.<br>The object of this study is the environmental park "Chico Mendes" located in Rio Branco - Acre. Being unique and all-enclosing in its nature it is a public asset. The contingent valuation makes possible the determination of the total economic value total of a public asset. The people's willingness to pay for the park maintenance and conservation shows a determination of the consumers' preference. This work attempts to determine the total economic value of the park. The results show that family income, value of monthly contribution, sex and age explain the probability of a person to contribute to the park conservation. Finally, bootstrapping and risk analysis provide greater safety to the results found