Building a binary outranking relation in uncertain, imprecise and multi-experts contexts: The application of evidence theory

AbstractWe consider multicriteria decision problems where the actions are evaluated on a set of ordinal criteria. The evaluation of each alternative with respect to each criterion may be uncertain and/or imprecise and is provided by one or several experts. We model this evaluation as a basic belief assignment (BBA). In order to compare the different pairs of alternatives according to each criterion, the concept of first belief dominance is proposed. Additionally, criteria weights are also expressed by means of a BBA. A model inspired by ELECTRE I is developed and illustrated by a pedagogical example

The first belief dominance: A new approach in evidence theory for comparing basic belief assignments

In this paper, we consider problems where the data is uncertain and/or imprecise and given by basic belief assignments (BBA's). In order to compare the different pairs of the BBA's, a new concept called the first belief dominance is proposed. This is naturally inspired by the concept of first stochastic dominance that allows comparing probability distributions. Finally, an application in multicriteria decision aid context is presented to illustrate the proposed technique. © 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.SCOPUS: cp.kinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

A ranking model in uncertain, imprecise and multi-experts contexts: the application of evidence theory

We consider ranking problems where the actions are evaluated on a set of ordinal criteria. The evaluation of each alternative with respect to each criterion may be imperfect and is provided by one or several experts. We model each imperfect evaluation as a basic belief assignment (BBA). In order to rank the BBAs characterizing the performances of the actions according to each criterion, a new concept called RBBD and based on the comparison of these BBAs to ideal or nadir BBAs is proposed. This is performed using belief distances that measure the dissimilarity of each BBA to the ideal or nadir BBAs. A model inspired by Xu et al.'s method is also proposed and illustrated by a pedagogical example. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Inc.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Potential of Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Performed on Protected Telescope Catheter Samples for Early Adaptation of Antimicrobial Therapy in ARDS Patients

Background: Diagnosis of co/superinfection in patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is challenging. The FilmArray Pneumonia plus Panel (bioMérieux, France), a new rapid multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (mPCR), has never been assessed on a blinded protected telescope catheter (PTC) samples, a very common diagnostic tool in patients under mechanical ventilation. We evaluated the performance of mPCR on PTC samples compared with conventional culture and its impact on antibiotic stewardship. Methods: Observational study in two intensive care units, conducted between March and July 2020, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in France. Results: We performed 125 mPCR on blinded PTC samples of 95 ARDS patients, including 73 (77%) SARS-CoV-2 cases and 28 (29%) requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Respiratory samples were drawn from mechanically ventilated patients either just after intubation (n = 48; 38%) or later for suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) (n = 77; 62%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values of mPCR were 93% (95% CI 84–100), 99% (95% CI 99–100), 68% (95% CI 54–83), and 100% (95% CI 100–100), respectively. The overall coefficient of agreement between mPCR and standard culture was 0.80 (95% CI 0.68–0.89). Intensivists changed empirical antimicrobial therapy in only 14% (18/125) of cases. No new antibiotic was initiated in more than half of the CAP/HAP pneumonia-suspected cases (n = 29; 60%) and in more than one-third of those suspected to have VAP without affecting or delaying their antimicrobial therapy. Conclusions: Rapid mPCR was feasible on blinded PTC with good sensitivity and specificity. New antibiotics were not initiated in more than half of patients and more than one-third of VAP-suspected cases. Further studies are needed to assess mPCR potential in improving antibiotic stewardship