Body size estimation: multichannel or opponent process?

Theoretical thesis.Bibliography: pages 59-64.1. Body size estimation : multichannel or opponent process? -- 2. Method -- 3. Results -- 4. Discussion.While body image distortion is a widespread issue both Australia and worldwide, little research has focussed solely on how humans visually encode body size. For example, it is not yet known whether body size is encoded through a multichannel (three or more neural channels) or an opponent process (where only two neural channels encode the stimulus). The present study aims to determine which of these processes encodes body size, through the useof visual after effects, which are defined as a change in appearance of a test stimulus after prolonged exposure to an adapting stimulus. Twenty participants viewed either expanded/‘fat’ bodies, or contracted/‘thin’ bodies at four separate levels of adaptor extremity. Following a baseline and a two-minute adaptation phase, participants were asked to select which of two distorted images (one expanded and one contracted by 3%) appeared more ‘normal’. Pre- to Post-Adaptation Scores (PPAS), or the change in after effect magnitude, was the main dependent variable across all levels (1-4) and group (expanded/contracted adaptors). Although the pattern of results was consistent with that of an opponent process in the expanded group only (after effect magnitude linearly increased as a function of adaptor extremity), no significant results in the contracted group were obtained. Limitations and reasons for non-significance are discussed, and plans to rectify these issues are outlined.Mode of access: World wide web1 online resource (iii, 69 pages) colour illustration

Patient and Clinician Preferences for Genetic and Genomic Testing in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Discrete Choice Experiment

Precision (personalised) medicine for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) adopts a molecularly guided approach. Standard-of-care testing in Australia is via sequential single-gene testing which is inefficient and leads to tissue exhaustion. The purpose of this study was to understand preferences around genetic and genomic testing in locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC. A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted in patients with NSCLC (n = 45) and physicians (n = 44). Attributes for the DCE were developed based on qualitative interviews, literature reviews and expert opinion. DCE data were modelled using a mixed multinomial logit model (MMNL). The results showed that the most important attribute for patients and clinicians was the likelihood of an actionable test, followed by the cost. Patients significantly preferred tests with a possibility for reporting on germline findings over those without (β = 0.4626) and those that required no further procedures over tests that required re-biopsy (β = 0.5523). Physician preferences were similar (β = 0.2758 and β = 0.857, respectively). Overall, there was a strong preference for genomic tests that have attribute profiles reflective of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) and whole exome sequencing (WES)/whole genome sequencing (WGS), irrespective of high costs. Participants preferred tests that provided actionable outcomes, were affordable, timely, and negated the need for additional biopsy

Treatment preferences among Japanese patients and physicians for epidermal growth factor receptor‐mutant non‐small cell lung cancer

Abstract Introduction Evidence is limited on preferences of Japanese patients and physicians in treatment for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐mutant non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several oral or intravenous novel agents for EGFR exon 20 insertions are under development. The aim of our study was to investigate which attributes of novel treatments influenced selection of oral or intravenous agents among treated patients and treating physicians in Japan. Methods The study was designed by board‐certified oncologists, patient representatives, and analytics specialists. Eligible participants completed an online survey with a discrete choice experiment presenting two treatment profiles described by attributes: mode of administration (oral or intravenous); frequency of administration; overall response rate (ORR); average progression‐free survival (PFS); chance of experiencing severe side effects (SEs); mild–moderate gastrointestinal SEs; mild–moderate skin‐related SEs; and patient out‐of‐pocket costs. Results Fifty‐four patients (all self‐reported EGFR‐mutant) and 74 physicians participated from December 2021 to August 2022. All attributes being equal, there was greater preference for oral administration. However, there was greater preference for intravenous over oral, when ORR and PFS improved by 10% and 1 month, and severe SEs reduced by 10%. Physicians exhibited greater preference for PFS compared to patients (p < 0.01). Ranked order of attribute importance was as follows: (1) PFS; (2) ORR; (3) severe SEs, expressed by patients and physicians alike. Conclusions Our study revealed Japanese physician and patient preferences in treatment options for EGFR‐mutant NSCLC. Compared to the strong preference for a more efficacious drug, the preference of oral versus intravenous revealed a smaller impact