Reinforcement corrosion is the main cause of performance deterioration of reinforced concrete(RC)structures.Limited research has been performed to investigate the life-cycle cost(LCC)of coastal bridge piers with nonun...Reinforcement corrosion is the main cause of performance deterioration of reinforced concrete(RC)structures.Limited research has been performed to investigate the life-cycle cost(LCC)of coastal bridge piers with nonuniform corrosion using different materials.In this study,a reliability-based design optimization(RBDO)procedure is improved for the design of coastal bridge piers using six groups of commonly used materials,i.e.,normal performance concrete(NPC)with black steel(BS)rebar,high strength steel(HSS)rebar,epoxy coated(EC)rebar,and stainless steel(SS)rebar(named NPC-BS,NPC-HSS,NPC-EC,and NPC-SS,respectively),NPC with BS with silane soakage on the pier surface(named NPC-Silane),and high-performance concrete(HPC)with BS rebar(named HPC-BS).First,the RBDO procedure is improved for the design optimization of coastal bridge piers,and a bridge is selected to illustrate the procedure.Then,reliability analysis of the pier designed with each group of materials is carried out to obtain the time-dependent reliability in terms of the ultimate and serviceability performances.Next,the repair time of the pier is predicted based on the time-dependent reliability indices.Finally,the time-dependent LCCs for the pier are obtained for the selection of the optimal design.展开更多
Given the growing emphasis on life-cycle analysis in bridge design,the design community is transitioning from the concept of performance-based design in structural engineering to a performance-based design approach wi...Given the growing emphasis on life-cycle analysis in bridge design,the design community is transitioning from the concept of performance-based design in structural engineering to a performance-based design approach within a life-cycle context.This approach considers various indicators,including cost,environmental impact,and societal factors when designing bridges.This shift enables a comprehensive assessment of structural resilience by exam-ining the bridge’s ability to endure various hazards throughout its lifespan.This study provides a comprehensive review of two key research domains that have emerged in the field of bridge life-cycle analysis,namely life-cycle sustainability(LCS)and life-cycle performance(LCP).The discussion on the LCS of bridges encompasses both assessment-based and optimization-based studies,while the exploration of LCP focuses on research examining structures subjected to deterioration over their service life due to deprecating phenomena such as corrosion and relative humidity changes,as well as extreme hazards like earthquakes and floods.Moreover,this study discusses the integration between LCS and LCP,highlighting how combined consideration of these factors can minimize damage costs,improve resiliency,and extend the lifespan of the structure.A detailed evaluation encompasses various life-cycle metrics,structural performance indicators,time-dependent modelling techniques,and analy-sis methods proposed in the literature.Additionally,the research identifies critical gaps and trends in life-cycle analysis within the realm of bridge engineering,providing a concise yet thorough overview for advancing con-siderations in the life-cycle design of bridges.展开更多
With policy support for carbon capture,utilization,and storage(CCUS),an integrated approach that combines energy storage fracturing,CO_(2)-enhanced oil recovery(EOR),and storage emerges as a promising direction for th...With policy support for carbon capture,utilization,and storage(CCUS),an integrated approach that combines energy storage fracturing,CO_(2)-enhanced oil recovery(EOR),and storage emerges as a promising direction for the shale oil industry.The process of energy storage fracturing induces significant changes in the pressure and saturation of the medium.However,conventional simulations often overlook the effects of fracturing and shut-in operations on the seepage field and production performance.Furthermore,fractured shale reservoirs exhibit complex non-Darcy flow characteristics due to intricate pore structures and multi-scale porous media.A comprehensive understanding of flow mechanisms is essential for effective reservoir development and CO_(2) storage.This study establishes a multi-component simulation model that encompasses the life-cycle of fracturing,shut-in,production,and CO_(2) huff-n-puff processes,thereby ensuring the continuity of the seepage field.The model accounts for the effect of nano-confinement on phase behavior by modifying the equation of state.Furthermore,the flux term is adjusted to incorporate Maxwell–Stefan diffusion,pre-/post-Darcy flow,and stress sensitivity.The embedded discrete fracture model(EDFM)is employed to simulate multiphase flow within multi-scale media,and the results from the validation model align satisfactorily with those derived from ECLIPSE.Mechanism analysis indicates that the interaction of multiple mechanisms significantly influences both production and storage performance.Under the multi-mechanism coupling,the cumulative oil production increased by 12.01%,while the utilization and storage factors increased by 62.93%and 8.93%,respectively.The role of molecular diffusion in shale oil reservoirs may be overstated,contributing only a 0.26% enhancement in oil production.Simulation results show that the energy storage fracturing strategy can increase oil production and net present value by 12.47%and 15.07%,respectively.Sensitivity analysis indicates that the CO_(2) injection rate is the main factor affecting the recovery factor,followed by CO_(2) injection time and the number of cycles,with fracturing fluid volume having the least impact.This study develops a multi-process,multi-mechanism simulation framework for multi-scale shale oil reservoirs.This framework provides a robust evaluation system for CCUS-EOR,facilitating informed decision-making in fracturing stimulation,development planning,and parameter optimization.展开更多
Optimal application of pavement preservation or preventive maintenance is critical for highway agencies to allocate the limited budget for different treatments. This study developed an integrated life-cycle cost analy...Optimal application of pavement preservation or preventive maintenance is critical for highway agencies to allocate the limited budget for different treatments. This study developed an integrated life-cycle cost analysis （LCCA） model to quantify the impact of pavement preservation on agency cost and vehicle operation cost （VOC） and analyzed the optimal timing of preservation treatments. The international roughness index （IRI） data were extracted from the long-term pavement performance （LTPP） program specific pavement studies 3 （SPS-3） to determine the long-term effectiveness of preservation treatments on IRI deterioration. The traffic loading and the initial IRI value significantly affects life extension and the benefit of agency cost caused by pavement preservation. The benefit in VOC is one to two orders greater in magnitude as compared to the benefit in agency cost. The optimal timing calculated based on VOC is always earlier than the optimal timing calculated based on agency cost. There are considerable differences among the optimal timing of three preservation treatments.展开更多
Water is an essential resource for agriculture and the majority of land is irrigated through borewells or wells.The power requirement for an irrigation pump motor is fed by the on-grid power supply but the availabilit...Water is an essential resource for agriculture and the majority of land is irrigated through borewells or wells.The power requirement for an irrigation pump motor is fed by the on-grid power supply but the availability of electricity in rural areas is still questionable.With rising concerns about global warming and the rise in carbon footprints,it is necessary to choose clean and green energy,thereby attaining self-sustainable life.India receives yearly a mean solar irradiation of 6.5 kWh/m^(2)day.Hence,a solar photovoltaic-water-pumping system(SPV-WPS)is a suitable alternative to grid energy;thereby,the farmers would generate electricity through the solar photovoltaic system and become self-sufficient in their energy needs.In this paper,two different agricultural fields in Tamil Nadu,India that deploy flood irrigation and drip irrigation are taken as a case study.The paper discusses the concerns on the use of grid power and their carbon footprint,design and simulation of 4-and 5.5-kW SPV-WPSs using PVsyst 7.1.1,and the advantages of using SPV-WPSs and life-cycle cost analysis on different use cases.The Government of India has introduced a special scheme to promote the installation of SPV-WPSs by offering attractive incentives through PM-Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan(KUSUM)yojana.The results of the case study show that with the use of SPV-WPSs,either with or without subsidy,the farmer could gain a minimum of 250%on the investment with a project lifetime of 25 years.展开更多
Intelligent chatbots powered by large language models(LLMs)have recently been sweeping the world,with potential for a wide variety of industrial applications.Global frontier technology companies are feverishly partici...Intelligent chatbots powered by large language models(LLMs)have recently been sweeping the world,with potential for a wide variety of industrial applications.Global frontier technology companies are feverishly participating in LLM-powered chatbot design and development,providing several alternatives beyond the famous ChatGPT.However,training,fine-tuning,and updating such intelligent chatbots consume substantial amounts of electricity,resulting in significant carbon emissions.The research and development of all intelligent LLMs and software,hardware manufacturing(e.g.,graphics processing units and supercomputers),related data/operations management,and material recycling supporting chatbot services are associated with carbon emissions to varying extents.Attention should therefore be paid to the entire life-cycle energy and carbon footprints of LLM-powered intelligent chatbots in both the present and future in order to mitigate their climate change impact.In this work,we clarify and highlight the energy consumption and carbon emission implications of eight main phases throughout the life cycle of the development of such intelligent chatbots.Based on a life-cycle and interaction analysis of these phases,we propose a system-level solution with three strategic pathways to optimize the management of this industry and mitigate the related footprints.While anticipating the enormous potential of this advanced technology and its products,we make an appeal for a rethinking of the mitigation pathways and strategies of the life-cycle energy usage and carbon emissions of the LLM-powered intelligent chatbot industry and a reshaping of their energy and environmental implications at this early stage of development.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
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos.51921006 and 51725801Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities under Grant No.FRFCU5710093320Heilongjiang Touyan Innovation Team Program。
文摘Reinforcement corrosion is the main cause of performance deterioration of reinforced concrete(RC)structures.Limited research has been performed to investigate the life-cycle cost(LCC)of coastal bridge piers with nonuniform corrosion using different materials.In this study,a reliability-based design optimization(RBDO)procedure is improved for the design of coastal bridge piers using six groups of commonly used materials,i.e.,normal performance concrete(NPC)with black steel(BS)rebar,high strength steel(HSS)rebar,epoxy coated(EC)rebar,and stainless steel(SS)rebar(named NPC-BS,NPC-HSS,NPC-EC,and NPC-SS,respectively),NPC with BS with silane soakage on the pier surface(named NPC-Silane),and high-performance concrete(HPC)with BS rebar(named HPC-BS).First,the RBDO procedure is improved for the design optimization of coastal bridge piers,and a bridge is selected to illustrate the procedure.Then,reliability analysis of the pier designed with each group of materials is carried out to obtain the time-dependent reliability in terms of the ultimate and serviceability performances.Next,the repair time of the pier is predicted based on the time-dependent reliability indices.Finally,the time-dependent LCCs for the pier are obtained for the selection of the optimal design.
文摘Given the growing emphasis on life-cycle analysis in bridge design,the design community is transitioning from the concept of performance-based design in structural engineering to a performance-based design approach within a life-cycle context.This approach considers various indicators,including cost,environmental impact,and societal factors when designing bridges.This shift enables a comprehensive assessment of structural resilience by exam-ining the bridge’s ability to endure various hazards throughout its lifespan.This study provides a comprehensive review of two key research domains that have emerged in the field of bridge life-cycle analysis,namely life-cycle sustainability(LCS)and life-cycle performance(LCP).The discussion on the LCS of bridges encompasses both assessment-based and optimization-based studies,while the exploration of LCP focuses on research examining structures subjected to deterioration over their service life due to deprecating phenomena such as corrosion and relative humidity changes,as well as extreme hazards like earthquakes and floods.Moreover,this study discusses the integration between LCS and LCP,highlighting how combined consideration of these factors can minimize damage costs,improve resiliency,and extend the lifespan of the structure.A detailed evaluation encompasses various life-cycle metrics,structural performance indicators,time-dependent modelling techniques,and analy-sis methods proposed in the literature.Additionally,the research identifies critical gaps and trends in life-cycle analysis within the realm of bridge engineering,providing a concise yet thorough overview for advancing con-siderations in the life-cycle design of bridges.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52341401)the National Key Research and Development Program of China under grant(No.2022YFE0206700)+4 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42302272)the State-funded Postdoctoral Fellowship Program(No.GZB20230862)the Science Foundation of China University of Petroleum,Beijing(No.2462023XKBH006)the Science Foundation of China University of Petroleum,Beijing(No.2462021YJRC012)the Open Project Program of Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment(Jilin University),Ministry of Education(No.202306ZDKF05).
文摘With policy support for carbon capture,utilization,and storage(CCUS),an integrated approach that combines energy storage fracturing,CO_(2)-enhanced oil recovery(EOR),and storage emerges as a promising direction for the shale oil industry.The process of energy storage fracturing induces significant changes in the pressure and saturation of the medium.However,conventional simulations often overlook the effects of fracturing and shut-in operations on the seepage field and production performance.Furthermore,fractured shale reservoirs exhibit complex non-Darcy flow characteristics due to intricate pore structures and multi-scale porous media.A comprehensive understanding of flow mechanisms is essential for effective reservoir development and CO_(2) storage.This study establishes a multi-component simulation model that encompasses the life-cycle of fracturing,shut-in,production,and CO_(2) huff-n-puff processes,thereby ensuring the continuity of the seepage field.The model accounts for the effect of nano-confinement on phase behavior by modifying the equation of state.Furthermore,the flux term is adjusted to incorporate Maxwell–Stefan diffusion,pre-/post-Darcy flow,and stress sensitivity.The embedded discrete fracture model(EDFM)is employed to simulate multiphase flow within multi-scale media,and the results from the validation model align satisfactorily with those derived from ECLIPSE.Mechanism analysis indicates that the interaction of multiple mechanisms significantly influences both production and storage performance.Under the multi-mechanism coupling,the cumulative oil production increased by 12.01%,while the utilization and storage factors increased by 62.93%and 8.93%,respectively.The role of molecular diffusion in shale oil reservoirs may be overstated,contributing only a 0.26% enhancement in oil production.Simulation results show that the energy storage fracturing strategy can increase oil production and net present value by 12.47%and 15.07%,respectively.Sensitivity analysis indicates that the CO_(2) injection rate is the main factor affecting the recovery factor,followed by CO_(2) injection time and the number of cycles,with fracturing fluid volume having the least impact.This study develops a multi-process,multi-mechanism simulation framework for multi-scale shale oil reservoirs.This framework provides a robust evaluation system for CCUS-EOR,facilitating informed decision-making in fracturing stimulation,development planning,and parameter optimization.
文摘Optimal application of pavement preservation or preventive maintenance is critical for highway agencies to allocate the limited budget for different treatments. This study developed an integrated life-cycle cost analysis （LCCA） model to quantify the impact of pavement preservation on agency cost and vehicle operation cost （VOC） and analyzed the optimal timing of preservation treatments. The international roughness index （IRI） data were extracted from the long-term pavement performance （LTPP） program specific pavement studies 3 （SPS-3） to determine the long-term effectiveness of preservation treatments on IRI deterioration. The traffic loading and the initial IRI value significantly affects life extension and the benefit of agency cost caused by pavement preservation. The benefit in VOC is one to two orders greater in magnitude as compared to the benefit in agency cost. The optimal timing calculated based on VOC is always earlier than the optimal timing calculated based on agency cost. There are considerable differences among the optimal timing of three preservation treatments.
文摘Water is an essential resource for agriculture and the majority of land is irrigated through borewells or wells.The power requirement for an irrigation pump motor is fed by the on-grid power supply but the availability of electricity in rural areas is still questionable.With rising concerns about global warming and the rise in carbon footprints,it is necessary to choose clean and green energy,thereby attaining self-sustainable life.India receives yearly a mean solar irradiation of 6.5 kWh/m^(2)day.Hence,a solar photovoltaic-water-pumping system(SPV-WPS)is a suitable alternative to grid energy;thereby,the farmers would generate electricity through the solar photovoltaic system and become self-sufficient in their energy needs.In this paper,two different agricultural fields in Tamil Nadu,India that deploy flood irrigation and drip irrigation are taken as a case study.The paper discusses the concerns on the use of grid power and their carbon footprint,design and simulation of 4-and 5.5-kW SPV-WPSs using PVsyst 7.1.1,and the advantages of using SPV-WPSs and life-cycle cost analysis on different use cases.The Government of India has introduced a special scheme to promote the installation of SPV-WPSs by offering attractive incentives through PM-Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan(KUSUM)yojana.The results of the case study show that with the use of SPV-WPSs,either with or without subsidy,the farmer could gain a minimum of 250%on the investment with a project lifetime of 25 years.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(72061127004 and 72104164)the System Science and Enterprise Development Research Center(Xq22B04)+1 种基金financial support from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council(EPSRC)Programme(EP/V030515/1)financial support from the Science and Technology Support Project of Guizhou Province([2019]2839).
文摘Intelligent chatbots powered by large language models(LLMs)have recently been sweeping the world,with potential for a wide variety of industrial applications.Global frontier technology companies are feverishly participating in LLM-powered chatbot design and development,providing several alternatives beyond the famous ChatGPT.However,training,fine-tuning,and updating such intelligent chatbots consume substantial amounts of electricity,resulting in significant carbon emissions.The research and development of all intelligent LLMs and software,hardware manufacturing(e.g.,graphics processing units and supercomputers),related data/operations management,and material recycling supporting chatbot services are associated with carbon emissions to varying extents.Attention should therefore be paid to the entire life-cycle energy and carbon footprints of LLM-powered intelligent chatbots in both the present and future in order to mitigate their climate change impact.In this work,we clarify and highlight the energy consumption and carbon emission implications of eight main phases throughout the life cycle of the development of such intelligent chatbots.Based on a life-cycle and interaction analysis of these phases,we propose a system-level solution with three strategic pathways to optimize the management of this industry and mitigate the related footprints.While anticipating the enormous potential of this advanced technology and its products,we make an appeal for a rethinking of the mitigation pathways and strategies of the life-cycle energy usage and carbon emissions of the LLM-powered intelligent chatbot industry and a reshaping of their energy and environmental implications at this early stage of development.
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.
