26 research outputs found
Poles of regular quaternionic functions
This paper studies the singularities of Cullen-regular functions of one
quaternionic variable. The quaternionic Laurent series prove to be
Cullen-regular. The singularities of Cullen-regular functions are thus
classified as removable, essential or poles. The quaternionic analogues of
meromorphic complex functions, called semiregular functions, turn out to be
quotients of Cullen-regular functions with respect to an appropriate division
operation. This allows a detailed study of the poles and their distribution.Comment: 14 page
Open Problems on Central Simple Algebras
We provide a survey of past research and a list of open problems regarding
central simple algebras and the Brauer group over a field, intended both for
experts and for beginners.Comment: v2 has some small revisions to the text. Some items are re-numbered,
compared to v
Developing a utility index for the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC-C) for fragile X syndrome
Purpose This study aimed to develop a utility index (the
ABC-UI) from the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community
(ABC-C), for use in quantifying the benefit of
emerging treatments for fragile X syndrome (FXS).
Methods The ABC-C is a proxy-completed assessment of
behaviour and is a widely used measure in FXS. A subset
of ABC-C items across seven dimensions was identified to
include in health state descriptions. This item reduction
process was based on item performance, factor analysis and
Rasch analysis performed on an observational study dataset,
and consultation with five clinical experts and a
methodological expert. Dimensions were combined into
health states using an orthogonal design and valued using
time trade-off (TTO), with lead-time TTO methods used
where TTO indicated a state valued as worse than dead.
Preference weights were estimated using mean, individual
level, ordinary least squares and random-effects maximum
likelihood estimation [RE (MLE)] regression models.
Results A representative sample of the UK general public
(n = 349; mean age 35.8 years, 58.2 % female) each valued
12 health states. Mean observed values ranged from
0.92 to 0.16 for best to worst health states. The RE (MLE)
model performed best based on number of significant
coefficients and mean absolute error of 0.018. Mean utilities
predicted by the model covered a similar range to that
observed.
Conclusions The ABC-UI estimates a wide range of
utilities from patient-level FXS ABC-C data, allowing
estimation of FXS health-related quality of life impact for
economic evaluation from an established FXS clinical trial
instrument
Biomarkers in T cell therapy clinical trials
T cell therapy represents an emerging and promising modality for the treatment of both infectious disease and cancer. Data from recent clinical trials have highlighted the potential for this therapeutic modality to effect potent anti-tumor activity. Biomarkers, operationally defined as biological parameters measured from patients that provide information about treatment impact, play a central role in the development of novel therapeutic agents. In the absence of information about primary clinical endpoints, biomarkers can provide critical insights that allow investigators to guide the clinical development of the candidate product. In the context of cell therapy trials, the definition of biomarkers can be extended to include a description of parameters of the cell product that are important for product bioactivity
Health state utilities associated with attributes of treatments for hepatitis C
BACKGROUND: Cost-utility analyses are frequently conducted to compare treatments for hepatitis C, which are often associated with complex regimens and serious adverse events. Thus, the purpose of this study was to estimate the utility associated with treatment administration and adverse events of hepatitis C treatments. DESIGN: Health states were drafted based on literature review and clinician interviews. General population participants in the UK valued the health states in time trade-off (TTO) interviews with 10- and 1-year time horizons. The 14 health states described hepatitis C with variations in treatment regimen and adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 182 participants completed interviews (50 % female; mean age = 39.3 years). Utilities for health states describing treatment regimens without injections ranged from 0.80 (1 tablet) to 0.79 (7 tablets). Utilities for health states describing oral plus injectable regimens were 0.77 (7 tablets), 0.75 (12 tablets), and 0.71 (18 tablets). Addition of a weekly injection had a disutility of −0.02. A requirement to take medication with fatty food had a disutility of −0.04. Adverse events were associated with substantial disutilities: mild anemia, −0.12; severe anemia, −0.32; flu-like symptoms, −0.21; mild rash, −0.13; severe rash, −0.48; depression, −0.47. One-year TTO scores were similar to these 10-year values. CONCLUSIONS: Adverse events and greater treatment regimen complexity were associated with lower utility scores, suggesting a perceived decrease in quality of life beyond the impact of hepatitis C. The resulting utilities may be used in models estimating and comparing the value of treatments for hepatitis C. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10198-014-0649-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users