Let C be a set of colors, and let ?be an integer cost assigned to a color c in C. An edge-coloring of a graph ?is assigning a color in C to each edge ?so that any two edges having end-vertex in common have different c...Let C be a set of colors, and let ?be an integer cost assigned to a color c in C. An edge-coloring of a graph ?is assigning a color in C to each edge ?so that any two edges having end-vertex in common have different colors. The cost ?of an edge-coloring f of G is the sum of costs ?of colors ?assigned to all edges e in G. An edge-coloring f of G is optimal if ?is minimum among all edge-colorings of G. A cactus is a connected graph in which every block is either an edge or a cycle. In this paper, we give an algorithm to find an optimal edge- ??coloring of a cactus in polynomial time. In our best knowledge, this is the first polynomial-time algorithm to find an optimal edge-coloring of a cactus.展开更多
In this paper,by constructing the current graph of the complete graph K_(12s+9)and a mapping function,we prove that K_(12s+9)(s is an odd number)has at least 6^(2s)×3^(s+3/2) nonisomorphic orientable quadrangular...In this paper,by constructing the current graph of the complete graph K_(12s+9)and a mapping function,we prove that K_(12s+9)(s is an odd number)has at least 6^(2s)×3^(s+3/2) nonisomorphic orientable quadrangular embeddings,and the orientable genus is(12s+9)(12s+4)/8+1.Every one of the nonisomorphic orientable quadrangular embeddings has at least twenty-four 4-edge-colors,and each color appears around each face of orientable quadrangular embeddings.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
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 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
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
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 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
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 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
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
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
In the increasingly competitive construction market,the engineering quantity list pricing model,as an important way of project cost management,is of crucial significance for construction enterprises to control costs a...In the increasingly competitive construction market,the engineering quantity list pricing model,as an important way of project cost management,is of crucial significance for construction enterprises to control costs and enhance benefits.This study deeply analyzes the characteristics of engineering quantity list pricing,and elaborates on the dilemmas faced by construction enterprises in project cost control,such as lagging concepts,imperfect mechanisms,weak risk management and control,and lack of construction-stage management.Based on this,from the dimensions of strengthening management and control concepts,improving supervision mechanisms,enhancing risk management and control capabilities,and attaching importance to construction-stage cost management,this study proposes project cost management and control strategies that are in line with the actual situation of construction enterprises,aiming to promote construction enterprises to achieve scientific management and optimization of project costs under the engineering quantity list pricing model.展开更多
Burden sharing has been a perennial issue in the transatlantic alliance,primarily entailing cost sharing and responsibility sharing.During the first Trump administration,the dispute over cost sharing had been prominen...Burden sharing has been a perennial issue in the transatlantic alliance,primarily entailing cost sharing and responsibility sharing.During the first Trump administration,the dispute over cost sharing had been prominent,while the Biden administration placed more emphasis on responsibility sharing to facilitate its strategic goal of“outcompeting”China.The Ukraine crisis had prompted a US-Europe consensus on cost sharing,but the urgency of responsibility sharing subsequently increased.The shift from jointly providing the economic resources to extensively sharing the security responsibilities ref lects the recalibration of the US strategic focus and its higher expectations for the role of European allies.Nevertheless,Europe's response to the US call for responsibility sharing has been relatively limited.The responsibility sharing within the US-Europe alliance and their future relationship will be subject to the strategic coordination between the two sides and multiple complex factors.展开更多
Full cost accounting,as a comprehensive cost measurement method,integrates direct and indirect costs to reallocate costs across departments.Performance evaluation serves as a method to assess a hospital’s overall per...Full cost accounting,as a comprehensive cost measurement method,integrates direct and indirect costs to reallocate costs across departments.Performance evaluation serves as a method to assess a hospital’s overall performance and management capabilities.Both full cost accounting and performance evaluation are critical tools in the financial management of public hospitals,playing pivotal roles in accounting practices.The concepts of full cost accounting and performance evaluation were investigated in this study,and the existing challenges and the theoretical basis for their integration were analyzed.An integrated model was constructed,and its application cases and effectiveness in the financial management of public hospitals were discussed.Finally,measures to integrate full cost accounting and performance evaluation were proposed,including improving full cost accounting mechanisms,standardizing accounting practices,optimizing cost allocation methods,establishing a unified management platform,and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.This study provides new insights to enhance the quality and efficiency of financial management in public hospitals,laying a foundation for their sustainable development.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
文摘Let C be a set of colors, and let ?be an integer cost assigned to a color c in C. An edge-coloring of a graph ?is assigning a color in C to each edge ?so that any two edges having end-vertex in common have different colors. The cost ?of an edge-coloring f of G is the sum of costs ?of colors ?assigned to all edges e in G. An edge-coloring f of G is optimal if ?is minimum among all edge-colorings of G. A cactus is a connected graph in which every block is either an edge or a cycle. In this paper, we give an algorithm to find an optimal edge- ??coloring of a cactus in polynomial time. In our best knowledge, this is the first polynomial-time algorithm to find an optimal edge-coloring of a cactus.
文摘In this paper,by constructing the current graph of the complete graph K_(12s+9)and a mapping function,we prove that K_(12s+9)(s is an odd number)has at least 6^(2s)×3^(s+3/2) nonisomorphic orientable quadrangular embeddings,and the orientable genus is(12s+9)(12s+4)/8+1.Every one of the nonisomorphic orientable quadrangular embeddings has at least twenty-four 4-edge-colors,and each color appears around each face of orientable quadrangular embeddings.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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In the increasingly competitive construction market,the engineering quantity list pricing model,as an important way of project cost management,is of crucial significance for construction enterprises to control costs and enhance benefits.This study deeply analyzes the characteristics of engineering quantity list pricing,and elaborates on the dilemmas faced by construction enterprises in project cost control,such as lagging concepts,imperfect mechanisms,weak risk management and control,and lack of construction-stage management.Based on this,from the dimensions of strengthening management and control concepts,improving supervision mechanisms,enhancing risk management and control capabilities,and attaching importance to construction-stage cost management,this study proposes project cost management and control strategies that are in line with the actual situation of construction enterprises,aiming to promote construction enterprises to achieve scientific management and optimization of project costs under the engineering quantity list pricing model.
文摘Burden sharing has been a perennial issue in the transatlantic alliance,primarily entailing cost sharing and responsibility sharing.During the first Trump administration,the dispute over cost sharing had been prominent,while the Biden administration placed more emphasis on responsibility sharing to facilitate its strategic goal of“outcompeting”China.The Ukraine crisis had prompted a US-Europe consensus on cost sharing,but the urgency of responsibility sharing subsequently increased.The shift from jointly providing the economic resources to extensively sharing the security responsibilities ref lects the recalibration of the US strategic focus and its higher expectations for the role of European allies.Nevertheless,Europe's response to the US call for responsibility sharing has been relatively limited.The responsibility sharing within the US-Europe alliance and their future relationship will be subject to the strategic coordination between the two sides and multiple complex factors.
文摘Full cost accounting,as a comprehensive cost measurement method,integrates direct and indirect costs to reallocate costs across departments.Performance evaluation serves as a method to assess a hospital’s overall performance and management capabilities.Both full cost accounting and performance evaluation are critical tools in the financial management of public hospitals,playing pivotal roles in accounting practices.The concepts of full cost accounting and performance evaluation were investigated in this study,and the existing challenges and the theoretical basis for their integration were analyzed.An integrated model was constructed,and its application cases and effectiveness in the financial management of public hospitals were discussed.Finally,measures to integrate full cost accounting and performance evaluation were proposed,including improving full cost accounting mechanisms,standardizing accounting practices,optimizing cost allocation methods,establishing a unified management platform,and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.This study provides new insights to enhance the quality and efficiency of financial management in public hospitals,laying a foundation for their sustainable development.
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.
