There is a need for cost-efficient methods in consumer research. Existing qualitative methods are expensive to conduct. This paper aims to improve the focus group method. The objective was to improve focus groups with...There is a need for cost-efficient methods in consumer research. Existing qualitative methods are expensive to conduct. This paper aims to improve the focus group method. The objective was to improve focus groups with different aims： shorter time conducting interviews, interview greater number of respondents, deliver results faster than traditionally analysis of data, and lower total cost. CurroCus groups of 15-45 minutes duration were tested in five different experiments, including 70 to 160 respondents in groups of 7-11 respondents. The name of the new method is formed from the word ＂Curro＂ in Latin that means speed in English, and ＂Cus＂ that is the last syllable of the word ＂focus＂, thereby forming a new word： CurroCus~ on the method. The results from testing of the CurroCus~ group method at different cases showed that trained moderators and observers could collect relevant responses in a given time for each group. It was possible to process a number of 6 to 10 respondents for each group. By conducting several successive groups, saturation of information was reached after an adequate number of CurroCus~ groups. Therefore, the total number of respondents can be optimized and results can be more precise, with reduced risk of inaccuracy. At the same time, the cost for each case can be lowered substantially, in our cases to approximately 1/10 of a traditional focus group cost. The role （skills） of the moderator is important. A disadvantage is the risk that some of the respondents are not able to express their thoughts in due time when time is limited. There is a need for more research on all parts of the CurroCus group process.展开更多
The Magnetic Barkhausen Noise （MBN） technology is a non-destructive method to measure the neutral temperature of thc CWR track. A series of in-field verifications and data comparison on Australian mainline tracks ha...The Magnetic Barkhausen Noise （MBN） technology is a non-destructive method to measure the neutral temperature of thc CWR track. A series of in-field verifications and data comparison on Australian mainline tracks have shown the results from that system are highly accurate and reliable. The system can be an accuracy and cost-effective tool to prevent the potential buckling and break of CWR rails. The physical backgrounds and features of the system are represented in this paper. The Darwin-Alice Springs Line is a newly constructed main line in Australia which is linked from the north and middle of Australia. Originally, this rail line is designed and constructed in a ＂cost-effective＂ way to a lower price, and the key parameters are relatively low. To maintain the stability of the CWR tracks in a very harsh environment, some new technologies such as the MBN technology were utilised. From the results of neutral temperature, it is found that the majority of them are very high. Combined with the calculation and finite element analysis, these problems evidenced that it is caused by the low toe load fastening system and high sleeper spacing. After that some suggestions are given to improve the stability of the CWR on the railway line.展开更多
Filgrastim is used to accelerate hematopoietic recovery after ABMT （allogeneic bone marrow transplantation）. Its impact on the total cost of patient care remains to be explored. We therefore undertook a cost effecti...Filgrastim is used to accelerate hematopoietic recovery after ABMT （allogeneic bone marrow transplantation）. Its impact on the total cost of patient care remains to be explored. We therefore undertook a cost effectiveness analysis in the context of a randomized single blinded clinical trial of Filgrastim versus placebo in post ABMT. A primary endpoint, duration of myelosuppression, and three secondary end points （number of days of fever, length of hospital stay, survival at one hundred days） were used to assess efficacy. Direct costs were evaluated and allowed the calculation of the ICER （incremental cost-effectiveness ratios） for the major endpoint of the trial. Sixteen patients were included in the study. The duration of myelosuppression was significantly decreased in the Filgrastim arm with medians of 15 days vs. 19 days in the placebo arm （p = 0.023）. Cost analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the two arms. According to the calculation of ICER, Filgrastim was more costly and more effective than placebo for the number of days of aplasia avoided and the number of days with fever avoided. Placebo strictly dominated filgrastim for days of hospitalization avoided. Filgrastim has proven effective in reducing the duration of aplasia without increasing costs.展开更多
文摘There is a need for cost-efficient methods in consumer research. Existing qualitative methods are expensive to conduct. This paper aims to improve the focus group method. The objective was to improve focus groups with different aims： shorter time conducting interviews, interview greater number of respondents, deliver results faster than traditionally analysis of data, and lower total cost. CurroCus groups of 15-45 minutes duration were tested in five different experiments, including 70 to 160 respondents in groups of 7-11 respondents. The name of the new method is formed from the word ＂Curro＂ in Latin that means speed in English, and ＂Cus＂ that is the last syllable of the word ＂focus＂, thereby forming a new word： CurroCus~ on the method. The results from testing of the CurroCus~ group method at different cases showed that trained moderators and observers could collect relevant responses in a given time for each group. It was possible to process a number of 6 to 10 respondents for each group. By conducting several successive groups, saturation of information was reached after an adequate number of CurroCus~ groups. Therefore, the total number of respondents can be optimized and results can be more precise, with reduced risk of inaccuracy. At the same time, the cost for each case can be lowered substantially, in our cases to approximately 1/10 of a traditional focus group cost. The role （skills） of the moderator is important. A disadvantage is the risk that some of the respondents are not able to express their thoughts in due time when time is limited. There is a need for more research on all parts of the CurroCus group process.
文摘The Magnetic Barkhausen Noise （MBN） technology is a non-destructive method to measure the neutral temperature of thc CWR track. A series of in-field verifications and data comparison on Australian mainline tracks have shown the results from that system are highly accurate and reliable. The system can be an accuracy and cost-effective tool to prevent the potential buckling and break of CWR rails. The physical backgrounds and features of the system are represented in this paper. The Darwin-Alice Springs Line is a newly constructed main line in Australia which is linked from the north and middle of Australia. Originally, this rail line is designed and constructed in a ＂cost-effective＂ way to a lower price, and the key parameters are relatively low. To maintain the stability of the CWR tracks in a very harsh environment, some new technologies such as the MBN technology were utilised. From the results of neutral temperature, it is found that the majority of them are very high. Combined with the calculation and finite element analysis, these problems evidenced that it is caused by the low toe load fastening system and high sleeper spacing. After that some suggestions are given to improve the stability of the CWR on the railway line.
文摘Filgrastim is used to accelerate hematopoietic recovery after ABMT （allogeneic bone marrow transplantation）. Its impact on the total cost of patient care remains to be explored. We therefore undertook a cost effectiveness analysis in the context of a randomized single blinded clinical trial of Filgrastim versus placebo in post ABMT. A primary endpoint, duration of myelosuppression, and three secondary end points （number of days of fever, length of hospital stay, survival at one hundred days） were used to assess efficacy. Direct costs were evaluated and allowed the calculation of the ICER （incremental cost-effectiveness ratios） for the major endpoint of the trial. Sixteen patients were included in the study. The duration of myelosuppression was significantly decreased in the Filgrastim arm with medians of 15 days vs. 19 days in the placebo arm （p = 0.023）. Cost analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the two arms. According to the calculation of ICER, Filgrastim was more costly and more effective than placebo for the number of days of aplasia avoided and the number of days with fever avoided. Placebo strictly dominated filgrastim for days of hospitalization avoided. Filgrastim has proven effective in reducing the duration of aplasia without increasing costs.
