A measurement system, based on high-performance Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and general-purpose acquisition (DAQ) boards, for the evaluation of the synchronized harmonic phasors in the nodes of an electric distribution network, is presented. To meet the requirements of different fields of application, two measurement procedures have been implemented: One is based on a fixed observation window, whereas, in the other one, the observation interval is a function of the actual power system frequency. Experimental tests are presented to characterize the measurement system: The results show that the proposed procedures allow the accuracy that is usually required in power quality monitoring of distribution systems to be reached.\u

We present an overview of the main methodological features and the goals of pharmacoeconomic models that are classified in three major categories: regression models, decision trees, and Markov models. In particular, we focus on Markov models and define a semi-Markov model on the cost utility of a vaccine for Dengue fever discussing the key components of the model and the interpretation of its results. Next, we identify some criticalities of the decision rule arising from a possible incorrect interpretation of the model outcomes. Specifically, we focus on the difference between median and mean ICER and on handling the willingness-to-pay thresholds. We also show that the life span of the model and an incorrect hypothesis specification can lead to very different outcomes. Finally, we analyse the limit of Markov model when a large number of states is considered and focus on the implementation of tools that can bypass the lack of memory condition of Markov models. We conclude that decision makers should interpret the results of these models with extreme caution before deciding to fund any health care policy and give some recommendations about the appropriate use of these models.

Background Sars-Cov-2 is a novel corona virus associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Remdesivir and Dexamethasone are two treatments that have shown to be effective against the Sars-Cov-2 associated disease. However, a cost-effectiveness analysis of the two treatments is still lacking. Objective The cost-utility of Remdesivir, Dexamethasone and a simultaneous use of the two drugs with respect to standard of care for treatment Covid-19 hospitalized patients is evaluated, together with the effect of Remdesivir compared to the base model but based on alernative assumptions. Methods A decision tree for an hypothetical cohort of Covid-19 hospitalized patients, from an health care perspective and a one year horizon is specified. Efficacy data are retrieved from a literature review of clinical trials, whilst costs and utility are obtained from other published studies. Results Remdesivir, if health care costs are related to the days of hospitalization, is a cost saving strategy. Dexamethasone is cost effective with an ICER of <DOLLAR/>5208/QALY, and the concurrent use of Remdesivir and Dexamethasone is the most favorable strategy for higher level of willingness to pay thresholds. Moreover, if Remdesivir has a positive effect on mortality the utility is three times higher respect to base case. Whereas, if health care costs are not related to the length of patient hospitalization Remdesivir has an ICER respect to standard of care of <DOLLAR/>384412.8/QALY gained, which is not cost effective. We also find that Dexaamethasone is cost effective respect to standard care if we compute the cost for live saved with an ICER of <DOLLAR/>313.79 for life saved. The uncertainty of the model parameters is also tested through both a one-way deterministic sensitivity analysis and a probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Conclusion We find that the use of Remdesivir and/or Dexamethasone is effective from an economic standpoint.

Owing to the extension of electric distribution networks, monitoring and control issues rely on large-scale distributed measurement systems, which are able to carry out simultaneous measurements of electrical quantities in several points of the monitored systems. In this paper, the implementation of digital procedures that are suitable for the evaluation of the synchronized harmonic phasors in a flexible phasor measurement unit (PMU) based on PXI modular hardware is presented. The results of the experimental tests are shown to characterize the measurement system to evaluate the behavior of the designed instrument under real operating conditions on three-phase electric distribution networks

No abstract