BACKGROUND Drug utilization research has an important role in assisting the healthcare administration to know,compute,and refine the prescription whose principal objective is to enable the rational use of drugs.Resear...BACKGROUND Drug utilization research has an important role in assisting the healthcare administration to know,compute,and refine the prescription whose principal objective is to enable the rational use of drugs.Research in developing nations relating to the cost of treatment is scarce when compared with developed countries.Thus,the drug utilization research studies from developing nations are most needed,and their number has been growing.AIM To evaluate patterns of utilization of antipsychotic drugs and direct medical cost analysis in patients newly diagnosed with schizophrenia.METHODS The present study was observational in type and based on a retrospective cohort to evaluate patterns of utilization of antipsychotic drugs using World Health Organization(WHO)core prescribing indicators and anatomical therapeutic chemical/defined daily dose indicators.We also calculated direct medical costs for a period of 6 months.RESULTS This study has found that atypical antipsychotics are the mainstay of treatment for schizophrenia in every age group and subcategories of schizophrenia.The evaluation based on WHO prescribing indicators showed a low average number of drugs per prescription and low prescribing frequency of antipsychotics from the National List of Essential Medicines 2015 and the WHO Essential Medicines List 2019.The total mean drug cost of our study was 1396 Indian rupees.The total mean cost due to the investigation in our study was 1017.34 Indian rupees.Therefore,the total mean direct medical cost incurred on patients in our study was 4337.28 Indian rupees.CONCLUSION The information from the present study can be used for reviewing and updating treatment policy at the institutional level.展开更多
The new edition of the International Production Cost Comparison (IPCC) from ITMF has been published.The report benchmarks manufacturing costs for a range of textile products along the primary textile value chain,disag...The new edition of the International Production Cost Comparison (IPCC) from ITMF has been published.The report benchmarks manufacturing costs for a range of textile products along the primary textile value chain,disaggregated by key cost components at each production stage.展开更多
Against the backdrop of the increasingly complex construction market environment,the whole-process cost management of agency-built projects faces issues such as cost overruns and insufficient management efficiency due...Against the backdrop of the increasingly complex construction market environment,the whole-process cost management of agency-built projects faces issues such as cost overruns and insufficient management efficiency due to the numerous stages and high technical requirements involved.This paper focuses on the key stages of whole-process cost management in agency-built projects,including project initiation,design,construction,and completion.It proposes strategies to optimize the cost management process and enhance management efficiency,providing theoretical support and practical guidance for the whole-process cost management under the agency-built model.展开更多
The purpose of this article is to analyze the advantages and application paths of BIM5D technology in the cost control of completed houses.In the research phase,based on the reading of literature and the combination o...The purpose of this article is to analyze the advantages and application paths of BIM5D technology in the cost control of completed houses.In the research phase,based on the reading of literature and the combination of project materials,the advantages of BIM5D in the cost control project of completed houses are analyzed after introducing the cost control of completed houses and the connotation of BIM5D technology.Finally,this article starts from multiple perspectives,including BIM5D modeling,cost deviation analysis under dynamic cost control,etc.,and finally forms a relatively systematic and complete BIM cost control technology system.It is hoped that this article can provide technical reference value for China’s completed housing projects,promote the improvement of the project team’s cost control level,obtain considerable economic benefits based on completing project construction with quality and quantity,and enhance the competitiveness of enterprises.展开更多
COVID-19 placed increased pressure and urgency for effective cost management,resulting in unprecedented financial strains for hospitals.The pandemic also became a catalyst for accelerating digital transformation to im...COVID-19 placed increased pressure and urgency for effective cost management,resulting in unprecedented financial strains for hospitals.The pandemic also became a catalyst for accelerating digital transformation to improve operations and services in the healthcare industry.Morningdale Hospital is a large and reputable general hospital with a long history in the U.K.You are an intern in the Finance Department of the Hospital.The CEO has asked you to complete a patient-level cost analysis of endoscopic procedures in the Gastrointestinal Department.In your final report,you plan to include a SWOT analysis and a cost analysis using Activity-Based Costing accounting method.展开更多
The commercialization of perovskite solar cells(PSCs)has garnered worldwide attention and many efforts were devoted on the improvement of efficiency and stability.Here,we estimated the cost effectivities of PSCs based...The commercialization of perovskite solar cells(PSCs)has garnered worldwide attention and many efforts were devoted on the improvement of efficiency and stability.Here,we estimated the cost effectivities of PSCs based on the current industrial condition.Through the analysis of current process,the manufacturing cost and the levelized cost of electricity(LCOE)of PSCs is estimated as 0.57$W^(−1) and 18-22 US cents(kWh)^(−1),respectively,and we demonstrate the materials cost shares 70%of the total cost.Sensitivity analysis indicates that the improvement of efficiency,yield and decrease in materials cost significantly reduce the cost of the modules.Analysis of the module cost and LCOE indicates that the PSCs have the potential to outperform the silicon solar cells in the condition of over 25%efficiency and 25-year lifetime in future.To achieve this target,it is essential to further refine the fabrication processes of each layer in the module,develop stable inorganic transport materials,and precisely control material formation and processing at the microscale and nanoscale to enhance charge transport.展开更多
Rapid urbanization reshapes landscape patterns and intensifies stormwater runoff pressure,yet the shifting cost-effectiveness of green infrastructure across different urban development phases remains poorly quantified...Rapid urbanization reshapes landscape patterns and intensifies stormwater runoff pressure,yet the shifting cost-effectiveness of green infrastructure across different urban development phases remains poorly quantified.Focusing on Beijing’s 150 km2 urban subcenter,this study quantified 21 block-level landscape metrics,which were distilled via principal component analysis into five landform indicators:dominance,fragmentation,edge,aggregation,and shape.K-means clustering classified each block into constructed,constructing,or unconstructed phases.A life-cycle cost analysis then estimated the bioretention investment required to meet an 80%-85%annual runoff volume control target.The constructing phase,characterized by contiguous impervious surfaces at the urban edge,demands 45%more bioretention investment per unit area than the unconstructed phase and 4%more than the constructed phase.As land transitions from unconstructed to constructed,bioretention costs increase by approximately 109%for agricultural land and 86%for green space,whereas changes for residential and commercial areas remain minimal.These results indicate that uniform runoff control investment policies risk underfunding rapidly developing fringes and overfunding consolidated urban centers.A phase-specific and land use-sensitive investment strategy is therefore necessary to avoid capital inefficiency while achieving runoff control goals.By linking dynamic landscape evolution with infrastructure economics,this study provides a forward-looking tool to guide runoff control investment during urban expansion.展开更多
Coal has been dominating the electricity supply in Indonesia,especially in long-term power generation from fossil energy.This dominance is due to lower production costs in coal-fired power plant generation.However,thi...Coal has been dominating the electricity supply in Indonesia,especially in long-term power generation from fossil energy.This dominance is due to lower production costs in coal-fired power plant generation.However,this low price is only based on monetary costs and ignores the social costs.Therefore,this study aims to quantify the social costs of coal-fired generation.Using QUERI-AirPacts modeling,the present study quantifies the social costs resulting from the Tenayan Raya coal-fired generation in Riau,Indonesia.It includes the levelized cost of electricity and health costs into the generation costs.After that,this study calculates the net present value,internal rate return,and project payback period.The study found that as much as$50.22/MWh was the levelized cost of electricity.While$15.978/MWh or$0.015978/kWh was the social cost that was not included in the generating cost.At the electricity production level of 1,380,171.69 MWh per year,there is an expected extra cost of$22,052,383.30 uncounted when externalities are included.For instance,the net present value(NPV)is lower and even negative when external costs are included(-$24,062,274.19)compared to$176,108,091.52 when externalities are not considered.The internal rate of return(IRR)is much higher when the social costs are not considered.The payback period is also shorter when the social costs are excluded than when the externalities are included.This global number indicates that the inclusion of external costs would impact NPV,IRR,and the payback period.This result implies that the government should internalize the external cost to stimulate the electricity producers to conduct cost-benefit analyses.The cost-benefit analysis mechanism would lead the producers to be more efficient.展开更多
The release of a new artificial intelligence(AI)model,ironically,evokes a biblical memory.What has transpired in the past few days echoes the biblical story of David versus Goliath,in which the massive and wellarmed G...The release of a new artificial intelligence(AI)model,ironically,evokes a biblical memory.What has transpired in the past few days echoes the biblical story of David versus Goliath,in which the massive and wellarmed Goliath is defeated by the comparatively puny David,who comes to the battle with only his staff and sling.展开更多
Ultra-low emission of nitrogen oxide(NO_(x))is an irreversible trend for the development of waste-to-energy industry.But traditional approaches to remove NO_(x) face significant challenge s,such as low denitration eff...Ultra-low emission of nitrogen oxide(NO_(x))is an irreversible trend for the development of waste-to-energy industry.But traditional approaches to remove NO_(x) face significant challenge s,such as low denitration efficiency,complex denitration system,and high investment and operating cost.Here we put forward a novel polymer non-catalytic reduction(PNCR)technology that utilized a new type of polymer agent to remove NO_(x),and the proposed PNCR technology was applied to the existing waste-to-energy plant to test the denitration performance.The PNCR technology demonstrated excellent denitration performance with a NO_(x) emission concentration of<100 mg/Nm^(3) and high denitration efficiency of>75%at the temperature range of 800-900℃,which showed the application feasibility even on the complex and unstable industrial operating conditions.In addition,PNCR and hybrid polymer/selective non-catalytic reduction(PNCR/SNCR)technology possessed remarkable economic advantages including low investment fee and low operating cost of<10 CNY per ton of municipal solid waste(MSW)compared with selective catalytic reduction(SCR)technology.The excellent denitration performance of PNCR technology forebodes a broad industrial application prospect in the field of flue gas cleaning for waste-to-energy plants.展开更多
Accuracy allocation is crucial in the accuracy design of machining tools.Current accuracy allocation methods primarily focus on positional deviation,with little consideration for tool direction deviation.To address th...Accuracy allocation is crucial in the accuracy design of machining tools.Current accuracy allocation methods primarily focus on positional deviation,with little consideration for tool direction deviation.To address this issue,we propose a geometric error cost sensitivity-based accuracy allocation method for five-axis machine tools.A geometric error model consisting of 4l error components is constructed based on homogeneous transformation matrices.Volumetric points with positional and tool direction deviations are randomly sampled to evaluate the accuracy of the machine tool.The sensitivity of each error component at these sampling points is analyzed using the Sobol method.To balance the needs of geometric precision and manufacturing cost,a geometric error cost sensitivity function is developed to estimate the required cost.By allocating error components affecting tool direction deviation first and the remaining components second,this allocation scheme ensures that both deviations meet the requirements.We also perform numerical simulation of a BC-type(B-axis and C-axis type)five-axis machine tool to validate the method.The results show that the new allocation scheme reduces the total geometric error cost by 27.8%compared to a uniform allocation scheme,and yields the same positional and tool direction machining accuracies.展开更多
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is strongly associated with an increased risk of thrombotic events,including severe outcomes such as pulmonary embolism.Elevated D-dimer levels are a critical biomarker for...BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is strongly associated with an increased risk of thrombotic events,including severe outcomes such as pulmonary embolism.Elevated D-dimer levels are a critical biomarker for assessing this risk.In Gabon,early implementation of anticoagulation therapy and D-dimer testing has been crucial in managing COVID-19.This study hypothesizes that elevated Ddimer levels are linked to increased COVID-19 severity.AIM To determine the impact of D-dimer levels on COVID-19 severity and their role in guiding clinical decisions.METHODS This retrospective study analyzed COVID-19 patients admitted to two hospitals in Gabon between March 2020 and December 2023.The study included patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses and available D-dimer measurements at admission.Data on demographics,clinical outcomes,D-dimer levels,and healthcare costs were collected.COVID-19 severity was classified as non-severe(outpatients)or severe(inpatients).A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess the relationship between D-dimer levels and disease severity,with adjusted odds ratios(OR)and 95%CI.RESULTS A total of 3004 patients were included,with a mean age of 50.17 years,and the majority were female(53.43%).Elevated D-dimer levels were found in 65.81%of patients,and 57.21%of these experienced severe COVID-19.Univariate analysis showed that patients with elevated D-dimer levels had 3.33 times higher odds of severe COVID-19(OR=3.33,95%CI:2.84-3.92,P<0.001),and this association remained significant in the multivariable analysis,adjusted for age,sex,and year of collection.The financial analysis revealed a substantial burden,particularly for uninsured patients.CONCLUSION D-dimer predicts COVID-19 severity and guides treatment,but the high cost of anticoagulant therapy highlights the need for policies ensuring affordable access in resource-limited settings like Gabon.展开更多
The ease of accessing a virtually unlimited pool of resources makes Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) clouds an ideal platform for running data-intensive workflow applications comprising hundreds of computational tas...The ease of accessing a virtually unlimited pool of resources makes Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) clouds an ideal platform for running data-intensive workflow applications comprising hundreds of computational tasks. However, executing scientific workflows in IaaS cloud environments poses significant challenges due to conflicting objectives, such as minimizing execution time (makespan) and reducing resource utilization costs. This study responds to the increasing need for efficient and adaptable optimization solutions in dynamic and complex environments, which are critical for meeting the evolving demands of modern users and applications. This study presents an innovative multi-objective approach for scheduling scientific workflows in IaaS cloud environments. The proposed algorithm, MOS-MWMC, aims to minimize total execution time (makespan) and resource utilization costs by leveraging key features of virtual machine instances, such as a high number of cores and fast local SSD storage. By integrating realistic simulations based on the WRENCH framework, the method effectively dimensions the cloud infrastructure and optimizes resource usage. Experimental results highlight the superiority of MOS-MWMC compared to benchmark algorithms HEFT and Max-Min. The Pareto fronts obtained for the CyberShake, Epigenomics, and Montage workflows demonstrate closer proximity to the optimal front, confirming the algorithm’s ability to balance conflicting objectives. This study contributes to optimizing scientific workflows in complex environments by providing solutions tailored to specific user needs while minimizing costs and execution times.展开更多
This material aspires to start to evaluate every sorts of corporate cost form the view of modem corporation. Traditionally, there are material costs together with depreciation, salary cost, personal cost, financial co...This material aspires to start to evaluate every sorts of corporate cost form the view of modem corporation. Traditionally, there are material costs together with depreciation, salary cost, personal cost, financial cost, and other cost. For managerial purposes, this paper distinguishes between standard and nonstandard cost. Special attention is devoted to responsibility costs and division of costs. In this modem age, however it is a question whether the understanding of cost should be so narrow and limited to money that a corporation spends during the course of its production, or whether it should include also the constitution of negative externalities--the damages the company causes to the environment. Therefore, the final part of this contribution part deals with function of cost and attempts to provide an evaluation of basic sorts of cost in modem corporation from a broader societal perspective.展开更多
In an environment where demand for housing is growing and the supply from public authorities is virtually non-existent,several mechanisms for housing production are emerging in the formal,semi-informal and informal co...In an environment where demand for housing is growing and the supply from public authorities is virtually non-existent,several mechanisms for housing production are emerging in the formal,semi-informal and informal construction sectors.The project owner wonders how much it costs to construct a building to an acceptable standard.Cost forecasting in general faces a number of difficulties,including a lack of available information during the preliminary phase of the project.As such,estimation becomes a crucial task involving great responsibility,which can lead to either more convincing results or chaotic situations.This study proposes a quick and effective method for estimating the cost of a single-storey F4 residential building.The modelling is done using multiple linear regression based on a statistical approach applied to twenty(20)projects that have already been completed.The project data are collected from design offices in the city of Brazzaville.The method expresses the cost of an F4 construction by certain project tasks,representing five(5)variables,three(3)of which are related to structural work and two(2)to finishing work,which are easy to determine.This approach,known as MECSO(Cost Estimation Model by Sub-structure),gives good results in all statistical tests carried out with reasonable confidence intervals.This method is very practical for engineering professionals working on the evaluation and control of construction costs.展开更多
Background:Radiation cystitis is a well-known complication resulting from radiotherapy for pelvic malignancies.It remains a challenging condition to treat and is associated with significant morbidity for patients.We a...Background:Radiation cystitis is a well-known complication resulting from radiotherapy for pelvic malignancies.It remains a challenging condition to treat and is associated with significant morbidity for patients.We aimed to establish the economic cost burden of presentations and investigations associated with radiation cystitis over a two-year period to a tertiary referral hospital in Ireland.Materials and Methods:A retrospective review of patient charts was performed for radiation cystitisrelated presentations and investigations over 24 months.Costs were estimated in consultation with the hospital finance department and using Health Service Executive data on diagnostic-related groups and average inpatient bed day costs.Results:A total of 56 individual patients were identified over 2 years.91%male,9%female.The mean age was 72 years.Twenty-three patients(41%)required inpatient care.Radiation cystitis accounted for 621 inpatient bed days.Median length of stay was 7.5 days.The inpatient care cost was approximately e545,238(801,908 Canadian dollars(CA$))over 2 years.Conclusion:Radiation cystitis accounts for a significant amount of inpatient bed days.A conservative estimate of the overall cost burden for inpatient care and outpatient investigations exceeds e280,000(CA$411,810)per year.展开更多
The advent of microgrids in modern energy systems heralds a promising era of resilience,sustainability,and efficiency.Within the realm of grid-tied microgrids,the selection of an optimal optimization algorithm is crit...The advent of microgrids in modern energy systems heralds a promising era of resilience,sustainability,and efficiency.Within the realm of grid-tied microgrids,the selection of an optimal optimization algorithm is critical for effective energy management,particularly in economic dispatching.This study compares the performance of Particle Swarm Optimization(PSO)and Genetic Algorithms(GA)in microgrid energy management systems,implemented using MATLAB tools.Through a comprehensive review of the literature and sim-ulations conducted in MATLAB,the study analyzes performance metrics,convergence speed,and the overall efficacy of GA and PSO,with a focus on economic dispatching tasks.Notably,a significant distinction emerges between the cost curves generated by the two algo-rithms for microgrid operation,with the PSO algorithm consistently resulting in lower costs due to its effective economic dispatching capabilities.Specifically,the utilization of the PSO approach could potentially lead to substantial savings on the power bill,amounting to approximately$15.30 in this evaluation.Thefindings provide insights into the strengths and limitations of each algorithm within the complex dynamics of grid-tied microgrids,thereby assisting stakeholders and researchers in arriving at informed decisions.This study contributes to the discourse on sustainable energy management by offering actionable guidance for the advancement of grid-tied micro-grid technologies through MATLAB-implemented optimization algorithms.展开更多
In China,electric vehicle(EV)fast-charging power has quadrupled in the past five years,progressing toward 10-minute ultrafast charging.This rapid increase raises concerns about the impact on the power grid including i...In China,electric vehicle(EV)fast-charging power has quadrupled in the past five years,progressing toward 10-minute ultrafast charging.This rapid increase raises concerns about the impact on the power grid including increased peak power demand and the need for substantial upgrades to power infrastruc-ture.Here,we introduce an integrated model to assess fast and ultrafast charging impacts for represen-tative charging stations in China,combining real-world charging patterns and detailed station optimization models.We find that larger stations with 12 or more chargers experience modest peak power increases of less than 30%when fast-charging power is doubled,primarily because shorter charg-ing sessions are less likely to overlap.For more typical stations(e.g.,8-9 chargers and 120 kW·charger^(−1)),upgrading chargers to 350-550 kW while allowing managed dynamic waiting strategies(of∼1 minute)can reduce overall charging times to∼9 minutes.At stations,deploying battery storage and/or expanding transformers can help manage future increases in station loads,yet the primary device cost of the former is∼4 times higher than that of the latter.Our results offer insights for charging infrastructure planning,EV-grid interactions,and associated policymaking.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Drug utilization research has an important role in assisting the healthcare administration to know,compute,and refine the prescription whose principal objective is to enable the rational use of drugs.Research in developing nations relating to the cost of treatment is scarce when compared with developed countries.Thus,the drug utilization research studies from developing nations are most needed,and their number has been growing.AIM To evaluate patterns of utilization of antipsychotic drugs and direct medical cost analysis in patients newly diagnosed with schizophrenia.METHODS The present study was observational in type and based on a retrospective cohort to evaluate patterns of utilization of antipsychotic drugs using World Health Organization(WHO)core prescribing indicators and anatomical therapeutic chemical/defined daily dose indicators.We also calculated direct medical costs for a period of 6 months.RESULTS This study has found that atypical antipsychotics are the mainstay of treatment for schizophrenia in every age group and subcategories of schizophrenia.The evaluation based on WHO prescribing indicators showed a low average number of drugs per prescription and low prescribing frequency of antipsychotics from the National List of Essential Medicines 2015 and the WHO Essential Medicines List 2019.The total mean drug cost of our study was 1396 Indian rupees.The total mean cost due to the investigation in our study was 1017.34 Indian rupees.Therefore,the total mean direct medical cost incurred on patients in our study was 4337.28 Indian rupees.CONCLUSION The information from the present study can be used for reviewing and updating treatment policy at the institutional level.
文摘The new edition of the International Production Cost Comparison (IPCC) from ITMF has been published.The report benchmarks manufacturing costs for a range of textile products along the primary textile value chain,disaggregated by key cost components at each production stage.
文摘Against the backdrop of the increasingly complex construction market environment,the whole-process cost management of agency-built projects faces issues such as cost overruns and insufficient management efficiency due to the numerous stages and high technical requirements involved.This paper focuses on the key stages of whole-process cost management in agency-built projects,including project initiation,design,construction,and completion.It proposes strategies to optimize the cost management process and enhance management efficiency,providing theoretical support and practical guidance for the whole-process cost management under the agency-built model.
文摘The purpose of this article is to analyze the advantages and application paths of BIM5D technology in the cost control of completed houses.In the research phase,based on the reading of literature and the combination of project materials,the advantages of BIM5D in the cost control project of completed houses are analyzed after introducing the cost control of completed houses and the connotation of BIM5D technology.Finally,this article starts from multiple perspectives,including BIM5D modeling,cost deviation analysis under dynamic cost control,etc.,and finally forms a relatively systematic and complete BIM cost control technology system.It is hoped that this article can provide technical reference value for China’s completed housing projects,promote the improvement of the project team’s cost control level,obtain considerable economic benefits based on completing project construction with quality and quantity,and enhance the competitiveness of enterprises.
文摘COVID-19 placed increased pressure and urgency for effective cost management,resulting in unprecedented financial strains for hospitals.The pandemic also became a catalyst for accelerating digital transformation to improve operations and services in the healthcare industry.Morningdale Hospital is a large and reputable general hospital with a long history in the U.K.You are an intern in the Finance Department of the Hospital.The CEO has asked you to complete a patient-level cost analysis of endoscopic procedures in the Gastrointestinal Department.In your final report,you plan to include a SWOT analysis and a cost analysis using Activity-Based Costing accounting method.
基金National Key R&D Program of China(No.2021YFB3800068)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.U21A20171).
文摘The commercialization of perovskite solar cells(PSCs)has garnered worldwide attention and many efforts were devoted on the improvement of efficiency and stability.Here,we estimated the cost effectivities of PSCs based on the current industrial condition.Through the analysis of current process,the manufacturing cost and the levelized cost of electricity(LCOE)of PSCs is estimated as 0.57$W^(−1) and 18-22 US cents(kWh)^(−1),respectively,and we demonstrate the materials cost shares 70%of the total cost.Sensitivity analysis indicates that the improvement of efficiency,yield and decrease in materials cost significantly reduce the cost of the modules.Analysis of the module cost and LCOE indicates that the PSCs have the potential to outperform the silicon solar cells in the condition of over 25%efficiency and 25-year lifetime in future.To achieve this target,it is essential to further refine the fabrication processes of each layer in the module,develop stable inorganic transport materials,and precisely control material formation and processing at the microscale and nanoscale to enhance charge transport.
基金supported by the Science and technology development project of Transport Planning and Research Institute of Ministry of Transport of China(No.092517-905).
文摘Rapid urbanization reshapes landscape patterns and intensifies stormwater runoff pressure,yet the shifting cost-effectiveness of green infrastructure across different urban development phases remains poorly quantified.Focusing on Beijing’s 150 km2 urban subcenter,this study quantified 21 block-level landscape metrics,which were distilled via principal component analysis into five landform indicators:dominance,fragmentation,edge,aggregation,and shape.K-means clustering classified each block into constructed,constructing,or unconstructed phases.A life-cycle cost analysis then estimated the bioretention investment required to meet an 80%-85%annual runoff volume control target.The constructing phase,characterized by contiguous impervious surfaces at the urban edge,demands 45%more bioretention investment per unit area than the unconstructed phase and 4%more than the constructed phase.As land transitions from unconstructed to constructed,bioretention costs increase by approximately 109%for agricultural land and 86%for green space,whereas changes for residential and commercial areas remain minimal.These results indicate that uniform runoff control investment policies risk underfunding rapidly developing fringes and overfunding consolidated urban centers.A phase-specific and land use-sensitive investment strategy is therefore necessary to avoid capital inefficiency while achieving runoff control goals.By linking dynamic landscape evolution with infrastructure economics,this study provides a forward-looking tool to guide runoff control investment during urban expansion.
文摘Coal has been dominating the electricity supply in Indonesia,especially in long-term power generation from fossil energy.This dominance is due to lower production costs in coal-fired power plant generation.However,this low price is only based on monetary costs and ignores the social costs.Therefore,this study aims to quantify the social costs of coal-fired generation.Using QUERI-AirPacts modeling,the present study quantifies the social costs resulting from the Tenayan Raya coal-fired generation in Riau,Indonesia.It includes the levelized cost of electricity and health costs into the generation costs.After that,this study calculates the net present value,internal rate return,and project payback period.The study found that as much as$50.22/MWh was the levelized cost of electricity.While$15.978/MWh or$0.015978/kWh was the social cost that was not included in the generating cost.At the electricity production level of 1,380,171.69 MWh per year,there is an expected extra cost of$22,052,383.30 uncounted when externalities are included.For instance,the net present value(NPV)is lower and even negative when external costs are included(-$24,062,274.19)compared to$176,108,091.52 when externalities are not considered.The internal rate of return(IRR)is much higher when the social costs are not considered.The payback period is also shorter when the social costs are excluded than when the externalities are included.This global number indicates that the inclusion of external costs would impact NPV,IRR,and the payback period.This result implies that the government should internalize the external cost to stimulate the electricity producers to conduct cost-benefit analyses.The cost-benefit analysis mechanism would lead the producers to be more efficient.
文摘The release of a new artificial intelligence(AI)model,ironically,evokes a biblical memory.What has transpired in the past few days echoes the biblical story of David versus Goliath,in which the massive and wellarmed Goliath is defeated by the comparatively puny David,who comes to the battle with only his staff and sling.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.92367107)。
文摘Ultra-low emission of nitrogen oxide(NO_(x))is an irreversible trend for the development of waste-to-energy industry.But traditional approaches to remove NO_(x) face significant challenge s,such as low denitration efficiency,complex denitration system,and high investment and operating cost.Here we put forward a novel polymer non-catalytic reduction(PNCR)technology that utilized a new type of polymer agent to remove NO_(x),and the proposed PNCR technology was applied to the existing waste-to-energy plant to test the denitration performance.The PNCR technology demonstrated excellent denitration performance with a NO_(x) emission concentration of<100 mg/Nm^(3) and high denitration efficiency of>75%at the temperature range of 800-900℃,which showed the application feasibility even on the complex and unstable industrial operating conditions.In addition,PNCR and hybrid polymer/selective non-catalytic reduction(PNCR/SNCR)technology possessed remarkable economic advantages including low investment fee and low operating cost of<10 CNY per ton of municipal solid waste(MSW)compared with selective catalytic reduction(SCR)technology.The excellent denitration performance of PNCR technology forebodes a broad industrial application prospect in the field of flue gas cleaning for waste-to-energy plants.
基金supported by the Key R&D Program of Zhejiang Province(Nos.2023C01166 and 2024SJCZX0046)the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.LDT23E05013E05 and LD24E050009)the Natural Science Foundation of Ningbo(No.2021J150),China.
文摘Accuracy allocation is crucial in the accuracy design of machining tools.Current accuracy allocation methods primarily focus on positional deviation,with little consideration for tool direction deviation.To address this issue,we propose a geometric error cost sensitivity-based accuracy allocation method for five-axis machine tools.A geometric error model consisting of 4l error components is constructed based on homogeneous transformation matrices.Volumetric points with positional and tool direction deviations are randomly sampled to evaluate the accuracy of the machine tool.The sensitivity of each error component at these sampling points is analyzed using the Sobol method.To balance the needs of geometric precision and manufacturing cost,a geometric error cost sensitivity function is developed to estimate the required cost.By allocating error components affecting tool direction deviation first and the remaining components second,this allocation scheme ensures that both deviations meet the requirements.We also perform numerical simulation of a BC-type(B-axis and C-axis type)five-axis machine tool to validate the method.The results show that the new allocation scheme reduces the total geometric error cost by 27.8%compared to a uniform allocation scheme,and yields the same positional and tool direction machining accuracies.
文摘BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is strongly associated with an increased risk of thrombotic events,including severe outcomes such as pulmonary embolism.Elevated D-dimer levels are a critical biomarker for assessing this risk.In Gabon,early implementation of anticoagulation therapy and D-dimer testing has been crucial in managing COVID-19.This study hypothesizes that elevated Ddimer levels are linked to increased COVID-19 severity.AIM To determine the impact of D-dimer levels on COVID-19 severity and their role in guiding clinical decisions.METHODS This retrospective study analyzed COVID-19 patients admitted to two hospitals in Gabon between March 2020 and December 2023.The study included patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses and available D-dimer measurements at admission.Data on demographics,clinical outcomes,D-dimer levels,and healthcare costs were collected.COVID-19 severity was classified as non-severe(outpatients)or severe(inpatients).A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess the relationship between D-dimer levels and disease severity,with adjusted odds ratios(OR)and 95%CI.RESULTS A total of 3004 patients were included,with a mean age of 50.17 years,and the majority were female(53.43%).Elevated D-dimer levels were found in 65.81%of patients,and 57.21%of these experienced severe COVID-19.Univariate analysis showed that patients with elevated D-dimer levels had 3.33 times higher odds of severe COVID-19(OR=3.33,95%CI:2.84-3.92,P<0.001),and this association remained significant in the multivariable analysis,adjusted for age,sex,and year of collection.The financial analysis revealed a substantial burden,particularly for uninsured patients.CONCLUSION D-dimer predicts COVID-19 severity and guides treatment,but the high cost of anticoagulant therapy highlights the need for policies ensuring affordable access in resource-limited settings like Gabon.
文摘The ease of accessing a virtually unlimited pool of resources makes Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) clouds an ideal platform for running data-intensive workflow applications comprising hundreds of computational tasks. However, executing scientific workflows in IaaS cloud environments poses significant challenges due to conflicting objectives, such as minimizing execution time (makespan) and reducing resource utilization costs. This study responds to the increasing need for efficient and adaptable optimization solutions in dynamic and complex environments, which are critical for meeting the evolving demands of modern users and applications. This study presents an innovative multi-objective approach for scheduling scientific workflows in IaaS cloud environments. The proposed algorithm, MOS-MWMC, aims to minimize total execution time (makespan) and resource utilization costs by leveraging key features of virtual machine instances, such as a high number of cores and fast local SSD storage. By integrating realistic simulations based on the WRENCH framework, the method effectively dimensions the cloud infrastructure and optimizes resource usage. Experimental results highlight the superiority of MOS-MWMC compared to benchmark algorithms HEFT and Max-Min. The Pareto fronts obtained for the CyberShake, Epigenomics, and Montage workflows demonstrate closer proximity to the optimal front, confirming the algorithm’s ability to balance conflicting objectives. This study contributes to optimizing scientific workflows in complex environments by providing solutions tailored to specific user needs while minimizing costs and execution times.
文摘This material aspires to start to evaluate every sorts of corporate cost form the view of modem corporation. Traditionally, there are material costs together with depreciation, salary cost, personal cost, financial cost, and other cost. For managerial purposes, this paper distinguishes between standard and nonstandard cost. Special attention is devoted to responsibility costs and division of costs. In this modem age, however it is a question whether the understanding of cost should be so narrow and limited to money that a corporation spends during the course of its production, or whether it should include also the constitution of negative externalities--the damages the company causes to the environment. Therefore, the final part of this contribution part deals with function of cost and attempts to provide an evaluation of basic sorts of cost in modem corporation from a broader societal perspective.
文摘In an environment where demand for housing is growing and the supply from public authorities is virtually non-existent,several mechanisms for housing production are emerging in the formal,semi-informal and informal construction sectors.The project owner wonders how much it costs to construct a building to an acceptable standard.Cost forecasting in general faces a number of difficulties,including a lack of available information during the preliminary phase of the project.As such,estimation becomes a crucial task involving great responsibility,which can lead to either more convincing results or chaotic situations.This study proposes a quick and effective method for estimating the cost of a single-storey F4 residential building.The modelling is done using multiple linear regression based on a statistical approach applied to twenty(20)projects that have already been completed.The project data are collected from design offices in the city of Brazzaville.The method expresses the cost of an F4 construction by certain project tasks,representing five(5)variables,three(3)of which are related to structural work and two(2)to finishing work,which are easy to determine.This approach,known as MECSO(Cost Estimation Model by Sub-structure),gives good results in all statistical tests carried out with reasonable confidence intervals.This method is very practical for engineering professionals working on the evaluation and control of construction costs.
文摘Background:Radiation cystitis is a well-known complication resulting from radiotherapy for pelvic malignancies.It remains a challenging condition to treat and is associated with significant morbidity for patients.We aimed to establish the economic cost burden of presentations and investigations associated with radiation cystitis over a two-year period to a tertiary referral hospital in Ireland.Materials and Methods:A retrospective review of patient charts was performed for radiation cystitisrelated presentations and investigations over 24 months.Costs were estimated in consultation with the hospital finance department and using Health Service Executive data on diagnostic-related groups and average inpatient bed day costs.Results:A total of 56 individual patients were identified over 2 years.91%male,9%female.The mean age was 72 years.Twenty-three patients(41%)required inpatient care.Radiation cystitis accounted for 621 inpatient bed days.Median length of stay was 7.5 days.The inpatient care cost was approximately e545,238(801,908 Canadian dollars(CA$))over 2 years.Conclusion:Radiation cystitis accounts for a significant amount of inpatient bed days.A conservative estimate of the overall cost burden for inpatient care and outpatient investigations exceeds e280,000(CA$411,810)per year.
文摘The advent of microgrids in modern energy systems heralds a promising era of resilience,sustainability,and efficiency.Within the realm of grid-tied microgrids,the selection of an optimal optimization algorithm is critical for effective energy management,particularly in economic dispatching.This study compares the performance of Particle Swarm Optimization(PSO)and Genetic Algorithms(GA)in microgrid energy management systems,implemented using MATLAB tools.Through a comprehensive review of the literature and sim-ulations conducted in MATLAB,the study analyzes performance metrics,convergence speed,and the overall efficacy of GA and PSO,with a focus on economic dispatching tasks.Notably,a significant distinction emerges between the cost curves generated by the two algo-rithms for microgrid operation,with the PSO algorithm consistently resulting in lower costs due to its effective economic dispatching capabilities.Specifically,the utilization of the PSO approach could potentially lead to substantial savings on the power bill,amounting to approximately$15.30 in this evaluation.Thefindings provide insights into the strengths and limitations of each algorithm within the complex dynamics of grid-tied microgrids,thereby assisting stakeholders and researchers in arriving at informed decisions.This study contributes to the discourse on sustainable energy management by offering actionable guidance for the advancement of grid-tied micro-grid technologies through MATLAB-implemented optimization algorithms.
基金the support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(72325006,72488101,and 72293601)the Sze Family Foundationthe Climate Imperative Foundation(#2024-001465)
文摘In China,electric vehicle(EV)fast-charging power has quadrupled in the past five years,progressing toward 10-minute ultrafast charging.This rapid increase raises concerns about the impact on the power grid including increased peak power demand and the need for substantial upgrades to power infrastruc-ture.Here,we introduce an integrated model to assess fast and ultrafast charging impacts for represen-tative charging stations in China,combining real-world charging patterns and detailed station optimization models.We find that larger stations with 12 or more chargers experience modest peak power increases of less than 30%when fast-charging power is doubled,primarily because shorter charg-ing sessions are less likely to overlap.For more typical stations(e.g.,8-9 chargers and 120 kW·charger^(−1)),upgrading chargers to 350-550 kW while allowing managed dynamic waiting strategies(of∼1 minute)can reduce overall charging times to∼9 minutes.At stations,deploying battery storage and/or expanding transformers can help manage future increases in station loads,yet the primary device cost of the former is∼4 times higher than that of the latter.Our results offer insights for charging infrastructure planning,EV-grid interactions,and associated policymaking.
