Search

From a technical and economic point of view, cold gas propulsion for nanosatellites is one of the more rational systems. There is a problem, however: the optimal spherical shape for a high-pressure vessel only takes up half the cubic volume of the CubeSat unit. To increase the volume, it is proposed to switch to a cubic-shaped tank. The aim of this work is to synthesize the more rational structural design of a pressurant tank that fits within a cubic constraint, which provides the perfect balance between the mass of the structure and the delta-V budget available for the propulsion system. The proposed variants are as follows: a set of four cylinders with spherical bottoms; 14 equal spheres arranged in a face-centered cubic packing; a thin-walled cube supported by ribs, the location and parameters of which provide the smallest mass of the structure; a cube, the reinforcement scheme of which is calculated using topology optimization method; an original polyspheric and bypass design schemes where the filling of the volume of the cube is created by a set of spherical and cylindrical shells of different radii. All the considered vessel variants can be obtained using additive technologies, such as selective laser sintering. For each variant, the internal volume and mass of the vessels were obtained, as well as the delta-V budget, taking into account the mass of the tank and the mass of the stored gas. The analysis of the results reveals that there are two structures that are more rational. The new bypass scheme provides the largest delta-V budget, but it has a 1.6 times larger mass than the initial spherical vessel design. It should be noted that the difference in vessel mass is not crucial for CubeSat form factor satellites. Choosing a rational design may require a larger delta-V budget. The possibility of increasing the reserve delta-V of the CubeSat cold gas propulsion system by 25–35 % due to the transition from a spherical to a cube-shaped tank has been demonstrated. At the same time, the mass of the tank structure increases by 1.6–6.3 times, which can be considered an acceptable price for increasing the efficiency of the propulsion system. The new bypass scheme offers the optimal balance of mass and delta-V reserve. • Increasing the delta-V budget of the CubeSat cold gas propulsion system by 25–35 %. • Transition from a spherical pressure vessel to a conformable pressure vessel. • The new vessel design scheme gives the largest delta-V budget, is proposed. • Considered variant of vessel can be obtained using additive technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the network flow interdiction problem (NFI), an interdictor aims to remove arcs of total cost at most a given budget B from a network with given arc costs and capacities such that the value of a maximum flow from a source s to a sink t is minimized. We present a polynomial-time (B + 1) -approximation algorithm for NFI with unit arc costs, which is the first approximation algorithm for any variant of network flow interdiction whose approximation ratio only depends on the budget available to the interdictor, but not on the size of the network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivated by a transit line planning problem in transportation systems, we investigate the following capacitated assignment problem under a budget constraint. Our model involves L bins and P items. Each bin l has a utilization cost c l and an n l -dimensional capacity vector. Each item p has an n l -dimensional binary weight vector r l p , where the 1s in r l p (if any) appear in consecutive positions, and its assignment to bin l yields a reward v l p. The objective is to maximize total rewards through an assignment that satisfies three constraints: (i) the total weights of assigned items do not violate any bin's capacity; (ii) each item is assigned to at most one open bin; and (iii) the overall utilization costs remain within a total budget B. We propose the first randomized rounding algorithm with a constant approximation ratio for this problem. We then apply our framework to the motivating transit line planning problem, presenting corresponding models and conducting numerical experiments using real-world data. Our results demonstrate significant improvements over previous approaches in addressing this critical transportation challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research on financial planning and budget management methods using big data technology is mainly based on the limitations of traditional financial planning and budget management in processing large amounts of data, real-time analysis, and prediction accuracy. By integrating big data technology, financial planning and budget management can become more dynamic and adaptable. This can enable enterprises to analyze historical data and market trends, and more accurately formulate financial budgets to make the most timely decisions. Through experimental data, it can be concluded that the use in financial planning and budget management can significantly improve the financial efficiency and decision-making quality of enterprises. It can be seen that the budget management effect of the financial planning and budget management system with the addition in the manual review process increased from 53.41% to a maximum of 128.30%, and most of the data was above 114.76%. The accuracy rate of the system's testing plan, improvement success rate, and completely infeasible judgment accuracy were all above 98.35%. It is not difficult to find that enterprises can optimize budget allocation through data-driven methods, better understand market and customer needs, and achieve revenue growth and cost savings, ultimately improving their competitiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public expenditure aims to achieve social objectives by improving a range of socially valuable attributes of benefit (arguments in a social welfare function). Public expenditure is typically allocated to public sector budgets, where budget holders are tasked with meeting a subset of social objectives. Decision makers require an evidence-based assessment of whether a proposed investment is likely to be worthwhile given existing levels of public expenditure. However, others also require some assessment of whether the overall level and allocation of public expenditure are appropriate. This article proposes a more general theoretical framework for economic evaluation that addresses both these questions. Using a stylized example of the economic evaluation of a new intervention in a simplified UK context, we show that this more general framework can support decisions beyond the approval or rejection of single projects. It shows that broader considerations about the level and allocation of public expenditure are possible and necessary when evaluating specific investments, which requires evidence of the range of benefits offered by marginal changes in different types of public expenditure and normative choices of how the attributes of benefit gained and forgone are valued. The proposed framework shows how to assess the value of a proposed investment and whether and how the overall level of public expenditure and its allocation across public sector budgets might be changed. It highlights that cost-benefit analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis can be viewed as special cases of this framework, identifying the weakness with each. • Recently developed methods of economic evaluation account for the reality of a range of social objectives and multiple constrained public sector budgets, but fail to fully account for the implications of the private consumption value of attributes and do not address the broader questions of the appropriate level and allocation of public expenditure. • This study proposes a more general theoretical framework for economic evaluation highlighting that the valuation of attributes of benefit and the extent to which public expenditure affects them is necessary to address whether a proposed investment is good value and whether the level and allocation of public expenditure are appropriate. This framework exposes the assumptions embedded in cost-benefit analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis and identifies why neither address these questions adequately. • We provide a stylized example of a proposed investment in a simplified UK context with 2 public sectors (healthcare and Adult Social Care) and a private sector. We show that the information required to evaluate a proposed investment also provides an estimate of the marginal value of public funds across public sectors that can be used to inform broader public expenditure decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We develop a model on how military and trade alliances can impact defense spending. • Importance of trade and its balance with the leader influences defense spending. • The larger the leader's trade and surplus, the lower the minor partners' spending. Military spending was the main government expenditure until the 20th century, and it still represents a significant fraction of most governments' budgets. We develop a theoretical model to understand how both military and trade alliances with military leaders can impact defense spending. By increasing the costs of military aggression by a non-ally, an alliance reduces the probability of war and allows minor partners reducing their military spending in exchange for a stronger trade relationship with an alliance leader and a higher trading surplus for the latter. We test our hypotheses with data on 138 countries for 1996–2020. Our results show that the importance of the trade relationship and the trade balance with the military alliance leader is a significant driver of military spending. The greater the weight of trade with the military leader and the higher its trade surplus, the lower is the defense spending of the minor partner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arrangement of charging infrastructure has become an urgent issue as electric logistics vehicles (ELVs) transition from urban areas to intercity operations. In this study, we established a multi-stage layout model for intercity charging and swapping infrastructure (CSI) based on the travel characteristics of electric logistics vehicles, to minimize the investment cost of operators and the time cost of vehicle users in Hubei Province, China. Furthermore, the effect of "random", "conservative", and "radical" layout strategies for the infrastructure deployment was analyzed based on an improved genetic algorithm. It is found that the random layout strategy leads to a balance between infrastructure operators and users with the lowest total cost, which is 81.2% and 88.8% of the costs based on the radical strategy and the conservative strategy, respectively. The conservative strategy could reduce investment risks for operators with the lowest investment cost, while the radical strategy prioritizes the convenience of electric logistics vehicles, with the lowest user time cost. The case study suggests that choosing conservative strategies can bring benefits when the budget is limited, while radical strategies have more advantages when the budget is abundant. Random strategies bring the best overall social benefits. The configuration of CSI and travel characteristics of ELVs play important roles in determining layout strategies. • Travel characteristics of electric logistics vehicles is explored. • Multi-stage layout model for intercity charging and swapping infrastructure. • To minimize the investment cost of operators and the time cost of vehicle users. • The effect of random, conservative, and radical strategies is analyzed. • Results show that each strategy has its specific application scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carpooling is one of the travel demand management strategies to mitigate road congestion. Incentive-Based Travel Demand Management (IBTDM) strategies are pivotal for carpool promotion by providing incentives to address inconveniences and privacy apprehensions, yet their efficacy lacks validation. Considering the constraints of incentive budget as well as the penetration rate, it is important to assess the long-term impact of incentives on carpooling, improve the programs in term of information feedback and identify the individuals who are most inclined to carpool. To achieve the goals, we conducted a laboratory experiment through WeChat applet platform focused on carpooling and departure time choices. 194 participants successfully completed the entire experiment. The experiment emphasizes several crucial elements, including long term (participants making daily travel choices in one month), the interactivity and information feedback mechanisms, instruments enhancing participant engagement (redeeming incentives at the end of the experiment, etc.), exit questionnaire to collect travelers' behavioral strategies. The findings elucidate several key insights: 1) Incentives have a significant long-term influence on encouraging travelers to carpool, and compensatory mechanisms for unsuccessful carpool matches further amplify travelers' impetus. 2) IBTDM administrations can promote carpooling by improving feedback information according to travelers' learning effect in each round, such as introducing real-time displays of the numbers of carpool drivers and passengers. 3) Drawing from the analysis of travelers' participation, behavioral compliance and psychological strategies of carpooling, it can be inferred that individuals with higher incomes, fewer commuting days who have a solid grasp of the experimental mechanism, constitute prospective candidates for carpooling programs. This work contributes to helping IBTDM administrations clarify the target participants and develop a more reasonable carpooling program. The behavioral data collection approach based on our laboratory experiment is portable for future studies. • An interactive long-term laboratory experiment was conducted by WeChat applet. • Incentives have a significant long-term impact on promoting carpool. • Participants' information-based learning effects affect their travel behaviors. • Young, high-income travelers with good experimental understanding tend to carpool with incentives. • Low-income travelers with private cars tend to adjust departure times with incentives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is based on decision tree algorithm and data mining analysis technology to achieve the intelligence of financial management and decision-making in enterprise, providing effective support for financial management. An improved metric based C4.5 decision tree algorithm was proposed, which combines data warehousing, data mining, and analysis techniques, and adopts a data-driven approach to establish intelligent financial management in enterprise. Apply it to early warning of budget execution progress in financial projects, conduct experimental analysis and result research. In this experiment, data mining achieved significant results. From the root node of the decision tree, it can be seen that whether the project budget execution progress at the end of July is greater than 22.79% is of great significance for determining whether the project budget can reach 97% of the year-end budget execution progress. Based on the experimental results, it is concluded that as of July, more attention should be paid to the execution of project budgets, and effective management of data is the primary task and goal of financial institutions in enterprise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To obtain feedback from school nutrition stakeholders on an agent-based model simulating school lunch to inform model refinement and future applications. Qualitative study using online discussion groups. School nutrition professional stakeholders across the US. Twenty-eight school nutrition stakeholders. Perceptions and applicability of MealSim for school nutrition stakeholders to help reduce food waste. Deductive approach followed by inductive analysis of discussion group transcripts. Stakeholders appreciated the customizability of the cafeteria characteristics and suggested adding additional characteristics to best represent the school meal system, such as factors relating to school staff supervision of students during meals. The perceived utility of MealSim was high and included using it to train personnel and to advocate for policy and budgetary changes. However, they viewed MealSim as more representative of elementary than high schools. Stakeholders also provided suggestions for training school nutrition administrators on how to use MealSim and requested opportunities for technical assistance. Although agent-based models were new to the school nutrition stakeholders, MealSim was viewed as a useful tool. Application of these findings will allow the model to meet the intended audience's needs and better estimate the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marketing has proven to be an important asset to every business, and the growth of digital platforms has made it even more crucial, which makes the use of tools to measure and guide advertising strategies almost mandatory. In this context, Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM) has been seen as a powerful tool for backing up this process. However, the sole use of MMM does not help with complex budget allocation decisions, and some of the most used solutions for this modeling lacks on effective or intuitive solutions for this kind of problem. That said, the subject of this article is the proposal of a budget-allocation method consisting of a two-stage differential evolution optimization algorithm that considers the carryover and saturation effects for media channels in the calculations. The model was evaluated on a counterfactual scenario, aiming at the improvement of the Return on Ad Spend over a real scenario of an open database and showed positive results with a significant hypothetical increase in the financial result of the given scenario, proving to be a viable tool for this use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delivery of nitrogen (N), one of the most important elements for life, to Earth thought to have occurred via both undifferentiated and differentiated bodies, lasting at least 50–100 Ma from the birth of the Solar System. Therefore, to understand how Earth got its N, it is imperative to know the N budget of the earliest formed bodies in our Solar System. The best astromaterials available for providing constraints on N budget of the earliest formed planetesimals are the iron meteorites. However, iron meteorites are crystallized products of a liquid alloy and do not represent the N budget of the bulk cores of various iron meteorite parent bodies (IMPBs). Therefore, to determine how N partitioned between solid alloy (sa) and liquid alloy (la) (D N s a / l a ) during crystallization of molten metal alloy core, we present a series of equilibrium partitioning experiments at 1–2 GPa and 1150–1550 ℃ for various initial starting compositions having different sulfur (S), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe) and fixed nitrogen (N) concentrations. We observe that N changes from mildly incompatible to mildly compatible with increasing S concentration in the liquid alloy. Furthermore, we observed that N concentration in solid alloy decreases with increasing temperature, while pressure and Ni content showed almost no effect on the partitioning behavior of N. We used a regression model based on the results of our study and a previous study to establish a parameterization for D N s a / l a . Using our parameterized D N s a / l a , we determine potential siderophile element proxies of N in metallic systems and model the initial N budget of various IMPBs groups pertaining to the inner (Non-Carbonaceous (NC) reservoir) and outer Solar System (Carbonaceous (CC) reservoir). Between two possible end-member styles of IMPB differentiation (IMO – Internal Magma Ocean; EMO – External Magma Ocean), EMOs result in a higher initial N budget with a major fraction getting lost via atmospheric loss. Importantly, our calculations suggest a gradation in the N budget of CC and NC IMPBs with CC IMPBs hosting lesser N than NC IMPBs. Therefore, the early Solar protoplanetary disk likely showed a gradation in N both in its elemental and isotopic composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a pricing model to ensure the budget balance of a company responsible for collecting and treating solid household waste in a city. The model used is of the Principal-Agent type which considers two actors at play, namely the leader (the service provider company) and the follower (the households and establishments that are the beneficiaries of the waste collection service). The model is a constrained bi-level optimization program. The model was applied in the case of Benin to the Grand Nokoué waste management and healthiness Company (SGDS-GN) whose intervention area, in the beginning, covers five communes in the southern part of the country. The solving of the optimization program was made with three (03) scenarios: the company spends two (02) times a week for waste collection (scenario 1), the company spends three (03) times a week for waste collection (scenario 2) and the company spends four (04) times a week for waste collection (scenario 3). The simulation results show that scenario 2 with three (03) passages per week appears more optimal for both the company (the operating result is higher) and the beneficiaries of waste collection services (the rate to be paid is lower). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Project delivery model impacts the results of the projects regardless the type. This paper discusses about the elements of a project delivery models used in Queensferry Crossing project and how such elements impacted the project in the planning, design, and construction phases in terms cost, quality, and time. This project is considered as one of the successful projects as the project was delivered on time, under the estimated budget with high quality of performance. This paper has investigated and documented the main reasons why the project was a successful in terms of cost, quality, and time. For gathering data, several ways have been followed such as literature study, document study interviews with two highly involved person from the project, workshops with the project team and the Queensferry Crossing site visit. This paper discusses four project delivery model elements to investigate the case project. Organization form has been studied to know the organization of the project was structured, Project structure has been studied to know how the project has been planned from the initiation to the completion and the Procurement been studied to learn more about the procurement process throughout the planning, design, and construction period. Lastly, the Agreement format of the project that has also been studied to know how different contracts has been used in the project. This paper also discusses lessons learned from the project. This study calls for future research on project delivery models and generate a big question whether the project delivery models should be situational or fixed for all projects which means once a project leads to success should the organization continue that model to the other projects too or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on how data from completed projects can be applied to uncertainty analysis. Cost estimates and risk assessments in public construction projects rely on expert opinions and, by little extent, historical figures. By analysing the relationship between project features and budget deviation through statistical methods, we find that total area and estimated square meter price is significantly negatively correlated to cost overruns. Smaller projects tend to have higher cost overruns than larger ones. We argue that cost risk analyses can be improved by such insight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) is an important photochemical pollutant in the troposphere, whereas long-term measurements are scarce in rural areas in North China Plain (NCP), resulting in unclear seasonal variations and sources of PAN in rural NCP. In this study, we conducted a 1-year observation of PAN during 2021-2022 at the rural NCP site. The average concentrations of PAN were 1.10, 0.75, 0.65, and 0.88 ppbv in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, respectively, with a 1-year average of 0.81 ± 0.60 ppbv. Calculations indicate that the loss of PAN through thermal decomposition in summer accounts for 43.2% of the total formed PAN, which is an important reason for the low concentration of PAN in summer. We speculate that since the correlation between PAN and O 3 in winter is significantly lower than that in other seasons, the observed regional transport of PAN cannot be ignored in winter. Through budget analysis, regional transport accounted for 12.8% and 55.9% of the observed PAN on the spring and winter pollution days, respectively, which showed that regional transport played key roles during the photochemical pollution of the rural NCP in winter. The potential source contribution function revealed that the transported PAN mainly comes from southern Hebei in spring. In winter, the transported PAN was mainly from Langfang, Hengshui, and southern Beijing. Our findings may aid in understanding PAN variations in different seasons in rural areas and highlight the impact of regional transport on the PAN budget. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the associations between provider payment methods and expenditure of depressive patients, stratified by service types and hospital levels. We used a 5 % random sample of urban claims data in China (2013–2017), collected by China Health Insurance Research Association. Provider payment methods (fee-for-services, global budget, capitation, case-based and per-diem payments) were the explanatory variables. A generalized linear model was fitted for the associations between provider payment methods and expenditure. All analyses were adjusted for patient"cioeconomic and health-related characteristics. In total, 64,615 depressive patient visits were included, 59,459 for outpatients and 5156 for inpatients. Female patients accounted for 63.00 %. The total and out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure significantly differentiated by provider payments. Among outpatient services, when comparing with fee-for-services, capitation payment was associated with substantial marginal reduction in total and OOP expenditure (−$34.18, −$9.71) in primary institutes, yet increases ($27.26, $24.11) in secondary hospitals. Similarly, global budget was associated with lower total and OOP expenditure (−$13.51, −$1.61) in secondary hospitals, while higher total and OOP expenditure ($7.43, $32.27) in tertiary hospitals than fee-for-services. For inpatients, total and OOP expenditures under per-diem (−$857.65, −$283.48) and case-based payments (−$997.93, −$137.56) were remarkably smaller than those under fee-for-services in primary and secondary hospitals, respectively. Besides, case-base payment was only linked with the largest reduction in OOP expense (−$239.39) in inpatient services of tertiary hospitals. Only urban claims data was included in this study, and investigations for rural population still warrant. And updated data are needed for future studies. There were varying correlations between provider payment methods and expenditure, which differed by service types and hospital levels. These findings provided empirical evidence for optimizing the mixed payment methods for depression in China. • There were distinctive associations between provide payment methods and depression-associated expenditure in urban China. • Capitation payment and global budget were related to less outpatient expense in primary and secondary hospitals separately. • Per-diem and case-based payments were linked to less inpatient expense in primary and secondary hospitals, respectively. • Our findings supported to tailor the payment method for depressive patients considering service types and hospital levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The financial impact of cancer medicines on health systems is not well known. We describe temporal trends in expenditure on cancer medicines within the single-payer health system of Ontario, Canada, and the extent of clinical benefit these treatments offer. In this cross-sectional study, we identified cancer medicines and expenditures from formularies and costing databases (the New Drug Funding Program, Ontario Drug Benefit Program, and The High-Cost Therapy Funding Program) during 10 consecutive years (April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2022) in Ontario, Canada. For intravenous medicines, we applied the European Society for Medical Oncology Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale (ESMO-MCBS) to identify expenditures associated with substantial clinical benefit. We also identified treatments associated with improved overall survival or quality of life. 69 intravenous and 98 oral or injectable medicines were funded during 2012–22. Annual expenditure on cancer medicines increased by approximately 15% per year during 2012–22; the increase was more rapid in the most recent 4 years. Total expenditure on cancer medicines in the 2021–22 financial year was CA$1·7 billion. Immune checkpoint inhibitors were the single biggest expense by class ($284 million), representing 17% of the entire cancer medicine annual budget. Drugs with the highest individual costs were lenalidomide ($178 million) and pembrolizumab ($163 million), each accounting for around 10% of the entire budget. 29 (76%) of 38 indications eligible for ESMO-MCBS scoring met the threshold for substantial clinical benefit. Eight (21%) indications had no randomised trial evidence of improved overall survival, and only four (11%) were associated with improved QOL. $346 million (67% of the expenditure on intravenous cancer medicines) was spent on drugs that improved median overall survival by more than 6 months, $82 million (16%) was spent on medicines with overall survival gains of 3–6 months, and $32 million (6%) was spent on medicines with overall survival gains of less than 3 months. $53 million (10%) was spent on medicines with no established improvement in overall survival. Costs of cancer medicines to the Canadian health system are increasing rapidly. Most funded indications met thresholds for substantial clinical benefit and two-thirds of the expenditure were for medicines that improve survival by more than 6 months. Whether this cost trajectory can be maintained in a sustainable, equitable, high-quality health system is unclear. Efforts are needed to ensure the price of medicines with substantial benefit is affordable and funding of treatments with very modest benefit might need to be re-assessed, particularly when alternative supportive and palliative therapies are available. None. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the numerical simulation, the transport impacts of H 2 and CO 2 on the NO formations of premixed and diffusion opposed biogas-H 2 flames were isolated quantitatively by using the fictious species method. The combined and individual impacts of H 2 and CO 2 transport on the NO concentrations, radical pools and critical reactions were compared and investigated comprehensively. The results show that the NO concentration of diffusion flame can be increased steadily with either H 2 or CO 2 transport, while the NO concentration of the premixed flame can be increased and decreased at fuel-lean and fuel-rich conditions respectively owing to the dominant role of H 2 transport in the coupling transport influence. The CO 2 transport is confirmed to have the effective influence on the NO formations in the fast reaction zones of the premixed flames based on the convection-diffusion-reaction (CDR) budget analysis, but its effects on the NO concentration are weakened effectively owing to that the NO production in the post-flame zone plays a more dominant role in the NO concentration of the premixed flame. Additionally, the H 2 and CO 2 transport have the opposite impacts on the major NO production/destruction reactions in the premixed flame but they exert negative or positive effects simultaneously in the diffusion flame. In either premixed or diffusion flame, the H 2 and CO 2 transport can influence the NO production primarily by affecting the NO/NO 2 conversion rate, the thermal route (N + OH NO + H) and the NNH intermediate route (HNO + H H 2 +NO). Particularly, unlike the CO 2 transport effects on the thermochemistry identified in our previous studies, the CO 2 transport is found to be relatively insignificant to the NO generation of the premixed biogas-H 2 flame. Meanwhile, for the NO production in the diffusion biogas-H 2 flame, the CO 2 transport effects could account for around 25% of total transport effects of H 2 and CO 2 , suggesting that the CO 2 transport should be not neglected when investigating the NO production in the diffusion biogas-H 2 flame. • Simultaneous impacts of H2 and CO2 transport on NO formations are studied. • NO productions in premixed/diffusion biogas-H2 flames are compared and analyzed. • CDR budget analysis of NO is conducted to clarify transport impacts of H2 and CO2. • CO2 transport is important/negligible to NO formation of diffusion/premixed flames. • H2 transport dominates NO formations via NO/NO2 conversion, thermal and NNH route. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apatite, as an accessory phase in igneous and metamorphic rocks, has important petrological significance due to its capacity to accommodate appreciable amounts of many trace elements in its mineral structure. To better constrain trace element partitioning between apatite and silicate melts, we conducted experiments that produced apatites approaching fluorapatite (FlAp), hydroxylapatite (OHAp) and chlorapatite (ClAp) endmembers separately at 1050 and 1100 °C, 1 GPa pressure, under oxygen fugacity (f O 2) about one log unit below iron-wüstite buffer to four log unit above fayalite-magnetite-quartz buffer. We report the results of 12 experiments which demonstrate that ClAp exhibits lower trace element partition coefficients compared with FlAp and OHAp, especially for Rare Earth Elements (REEs) under all run conditions explored, suggesting trace element partitioning is sensitive to anion site occupancy. Divalent cations are less sensitive to anion occupancy. Positive Eu partitioning anomalies (DEu/DEu*, where Eu is the chondrite normalized abundance and Eu* is the interpolated value from neighboring elements ordered by atomic number) are observed in ClAp experiments under relatively low f O 2 s, whereas negative Eu anomalies are exhibited by FlAp and OHAp under the same f O 2 conditions. We infer that anionic occupancies have a direct impact on the substitution mechanisms of trace elements in apatite, thereby influencing their partition coefficients. Beyond the anions, correlations of apatite compositional components (X Ca , X Na , X P and X Si ) with partition coefficients suggest they exert crystal chemical controls on trace element partitioning. Based on these observations, we developed parameterized lattice strain models to predict the partitioning of divalent and trivalent elements as a function of temperature and apatite composition, and an f O 2 -dependent apatite-melt Eu partitioning model and oxybarometer. We further developed a Eu in apatite-plagioclase oxybarometer that enables us to calculate the f O 2 of apatite and plagioclase-bearing magmatic and subsolidus systems, and evaluated the influence of subsolidus reequilibration on the new oxybarometer. Applied to one of our experiments, winonaite HaH193, and samples from Sept Iles layered intrusion, the oxybarometer recovers their anticipated f O 2 s, ranging from about two log units below the iron-wüstite buffer to the fayalite-magnetite-quartz buffer. Using the new REE and f O 2 -dependent Eu partitioning models, we constrained the petrogenesis of lunar KREEP basalt and estimated the relative volatile content in the late lunar magma ocean (LMO) cumulates. The model suggests a relative depletion of Cl in the LMO cumulates, consistent with Cl isotopic analyses and volatile abundance measurements in previous work, suggesting that differential loss of volatiles occurred before or during the late-stage evolution of the LMO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SigNals Of Opportunity: P-band Investigation (SNOOPI) will be the first in-space demonstration of P-band (240–380 MHz) signals of opportunity (SoOp) remote sensing and validation of a prototype P-band SoOp instrument. This technique has the potential to enable remote sensing of root-zone soil moisture (RZSM) and snow water equivalent (SWE). SNOOPI technology validation goals will be met by targeting observations within 9 km of SMAP calibration/validation sites in the continental United States. A second priority is collection of continuous phase data over snow-covered regions. These goals are evaluated under constraints of a limited data budget and mission lifetime, with a launch expected in early 2024. SNOOPI will capture the autocorrelation of a signal formed by the interference between the direct and reflected signals. The complex surface reflection coefficient (phase and magnitude) can be extracted from this observation. Definition of critical instrument and mission requirements for SNOOPI are described. Analyses and simulations used to justify these requirements are presented, including orbit coverage, uncertainty in the open-loop delay-Doppler prediction, observations error, and mission planning operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a fixed prize budget, to increase total effort, we design a two-stage lottery contest where heterogeneous agents face the prospect of promotion and the threat of demotion from one stage to the next. We develop two competing theoretical models to generate predictions about behavior: (i) the standard economic model and (ii) a behavioral model where agents derive non-monetary utility from winning. The experimental results provide strong support for the use of promotion and demotion in contests when abilities are homogeneous, however, they do not provide strong support for the use of promotion and demotion in contests when ability differences are large. Our experimental results are consistent with the predictions made by the behavioral model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The use of vacuum-induced hemorrhage control (VHC) devices potentially saves costs. • Patients treated with uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) have highest saving potential. • In Germany, 7,129 and 49,523 patients had (main or secondary) diagnosis of PPH. This study aimed to assess the budget impact of vacuum-induced hemorrhage control (VHC) devices for treating postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) from the perspective of the German statutory health insurance (SHI). Evidence shows that treating PPH with VHC instead of uterine balloon tamponade (UBT) can reduce resource consumption (e.g., reduced number of blood transfusions and length of stay). A budget impact model combining aggregated German real-world reimbursement data of PPH cases with the assumption of resource reduction due to VHC usage was developed. Diagnosis-related groups (DRG) of PPH cases and their frequencies were collected using a publicly available database. A "downgrading mechanism" was performed, leading to a less resource-intensive DRG, i.e., resulting in a lower flat fee to be paid by SHI. Four subgroups were differentiated based on coded diagnoses and procedures: 1) PPH (O72.-) as main diagnosis, 2) PPH as secondary diagnosis, 3) UBT procedure coded, and 4) UBT or standard tamponade coded. Weighted averages of cost savings per case were calculated. Data from 7,129 (subgroup 1), 49,523 (subgroup 2), 1,668 (subgroup 3), and 3,406 (subgroup 4) cases were retrieved. After applying the downgrading mechanism, cost savings (weighted average) resulted in 184.09 €, 210.50 €, 921.33 €, and 633.74 € for subgroups 1–4, respectively, This is the first German budget impact analysis of VHC for the treatment of PPH. Results showed the highest cost-saving potential for cases currently treated with UBT. Demonstrating not only clinical but also financial consequences of innovative treatments is crucial for the adoption into clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, sustainable development has become a challenge for many societies due to natural or other disruptive events, which have disrupted economic, environmental, and energy infrastructure growth. Developing hydrogen energy infrastructure is crucial for sustainable development because of its numerous benefits over conventional energy sources. However, the complexity of hydrogen energy infrastructure, including production, utilization, and storage stages, requires accounting for potential vulnerabilities. Therefore, resilience needs to be considered along with sustainable development. This paper proposes a decision-making framework to evaluate the resilience of hydrogen energy infrastructure by integrating resilience indicators and sustainability contributing factors. A holistic taxonomy of resilience performance is first developed, followed by a qualitative resilience assessment framework using a novel Intuitionistic fuzzy Weighted Influence Nonlinear Gauge System (IFWINGS). The results highlighted that Regulation and legislation, Government preparation, and Crisis response budget are the most critical resilience indicators in the understudy hydrogen energy infrastructure. A comparative case study demonstrates the practicality, capability, and effectiveness of the proposed approach. The results suggest that the proposed model can be used for resilience assessment in other areas. • A Holistic taxonomy of resilience is proposed for hydrogen infrastructure. • A Novel IFWINGS is proposed for advanced qualitative resilience assessment. • Importance of regulation, government preparation, and crisis response budget are discussed. • A Practical and effective application on a real hybrid wind-hydrogen power plant is presented. • Framework provides a tool for promoting sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In reliability engineering studies, the accelerated life tests with optimal test design that balances cost constraints is particularly important since the lifetimes of electro-mechanical, electronic, and mechanical goods are typically modelled with this characteristic. Comparative optimal test plans for accelerated life tests are developed in a variety of applications, including engineering, biological, medical, and other related fields. In this study, we compare, under cost restriction with a specified budget, optimum multiple constant stress and step stress accelerated life tests based on progressive-type-I censoring. The goal is to assess the advantage provided by step-stress testing over constant-stress testing. In order to conduct an accelerated life test effectively, stress durations need to be carefully specified during the design stage due to limited resources in engineering practice. The estimated accuracy of the parameters of interest and the expense of the experiment are directly impacted by the stress durations. Under a prespecified budget and cost constraints, this article examines the optimal stress durations based on D-, E-, T-, C-, R-, and P-optimal criteria. These criteria are also contrasted together. We illustrate the application of the optimal durations using numerical and simulation examples. A study is conducted to determine how sensitive the optimal duration is to model parameter misspecification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of perishable products declines continuously during the transportation process, rendering the delivery of a product with good freshness a challenging task in urban areas. We investigate how to plan activities to preserve the freshness level of products within a specific distance range. To this end, we construct an analytical model consisting of an online retailer and a third-party logistics service provider that loads the product from the retailer's fulfillment center and delivers it to various destinations with cold-chain logistics operations. The retailer seeks an appropriate balance between the delivery of good freshness, the farthest distance of delivery, and a limited budget for cold-chain logistics. We derive the optimal size of the area in which the freshness of products is maintained to the maximum possible level and the farthest distance that the retailer should consider when fulfilling online orders. This study includes three scenarios: in-house operation, outsourcing, and a hybrid mode. In outsourcing, the retailer pays a service fee based on the number of orders fulfilled within a specific area. The primary finding is that the retailer can choose an appropriate combination of the service fee rate and budget to control the scale of the area that guarantees good freshness. This finding has managerial significance, in that the ability to accurately predict and control the freshness by the distance range can reduce the occurrence of customers complaining about the quality of the delivered products. • Propose an optimal control model to characterize the fresh preservation actions within a specific distance range. • Derive the optimal size of the area that guarantees the good freshness of products. • Find a combination of the logistics service fee rate and budget to control the freshness. • Analyze the relationship between the freshness guarantee area and population density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While several governmental and research efforts are set upon mobility-as-a-service (MaaS), most of them are driven by individual travel behavior and potential usage. However, considering only individuals' preferences carries the risk of neglecting societal benefits going beyond individual travel behavior. This study addresses the valuation of different features of MaaS-services from a social desirability perspective as compared to social investments in biking infrastructure and in public transport, and aims at eliciting trade-offs between different features of such projects. This analysis is conducted on the basis of Participatory Value Evaluation (PVE). In PVE-experiments, individuals select their preferred portfolio of government projects given a constrained public budget and societal preferences for (the impacts of) government projects can be determined based on these choices. The results show that the population of Rotterdam exhibits a willingness to allocate public resources to all types of investment projects considered in the analysis. However, the willingness to allocate resources to bike infrastructure projects and public transport seems to be higher than the willingness to dedicate resources to MaaS subsidies. Within the different types of MaaS subsidies considered, subsidies aimed at sustainability exhibit a larger social valuation. Strong negative synergies among similar projects exist, signalizing that individuals prefer diversifying the use of public resources across different types of investment projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cost performance problems and overruns were common and considered the major cause of projects due to not gaining the expected profit margin, With an 86% likelihood of overrun in international buildings projects, and at least 30%- 40% of global projects experiencing subpar cost performance and overruns. The poor performance of project costs was attributed to inadequacies of project control systems, as they were responsible for monitoring project costs. Inadequate controlling systems suggest that established controlling tools fail to execute their function. Therefore, a successful control system was crucial to reducing project failure. Thus, The question that drives this study is 'What were the successful cost practices and techniques commonly utilized in controlling construction expenditures and conserving project anticipated profit?'. Following PRISMA protocol guidelines, the study systematically reviewed the previous literature by searching academic databases for relevant articles. The study aimed to examine successful controlling strategies and tools commonly utilized. Fifteen common techniques were identified and found that budgeting monitoring, resources monitoring, interim valuation, unit costing, and cost variance analysis were successful, provided a comprehensive outline of each method, identified the fundamental ideas underlying technique differentiation, and summarized their benefits and drawbacks. Two controlling system implementation strategies were discussed, they were corrective and proactive approaches. A project development stage-based technique selection guide was proposed. The paper also proposed a control framework that integrated proactive and corrective measures into project control to inhibit overruns. The research also examined project controlling technique selection factors that should be considered when choosing the one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to enhance the operational performance of urban rail transit networks under overloaded conditions, this study proposes a novel network-level collaborative passenger flow strategy based on a sliding window mechanism. The main idea is to categorize arriving passengers at stations into different groups using variable-length windows and allocate them to specific trains. With the aim of minimizing the total passenger extra waiting time under cost budget, we establish a mixed integer programming model with sliding window constraints, flow distribution constraints, and node flow constraints to build the optimal matching relation between passenger flow demands and transportation resources. Specifically, the model incorporates precise quantity constraints related to transfers, facilitating the accurate quantification of both internal and external demands of network passenger flow. Then we use logical constraint transformation and linearization techniques to enable the model to be solved directly by commercial optimization solvers. For large-scale problems, we adopt a rolling horizon approach to improve computing efficiency. To validate the effectiveness of the sliding-window based passenger control method, we conduct case studies including a small designed example and real-world research on the Beijing Subway network. The experimental results demonstrate that our proposed model assists managers in developing flexible and accurate network-level collaborative passenger flow control schemes. • A novel sliding window control strategy is applied to network-level passenger flow control in urban rail transit network. • A mixed integer programming model with flow allocation variables is proposed to reduce passenger delay under budget costs. • Constraints and objectives are decomposed by transformation techniques to improve solving efficiency. • Rolling horizon approach is adopted to address large-scale solving problems. • Accurate and flexible passenger flow control schemes are generated in a designed case and a real case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of overseas military bases requires significant investment from the defence budget, but the literature is still divided on whether this has a negative impact on the host nation's economy. This study empirically examines these issues using data from the most recent US defence budget, revenue statistics from military contractors, and financial information from US military bases in Japan. The results of the study suggest that the construction of overseas bases only harms the American economy if they are acquired through military occupation. On the other hand, building overseas bases that are secured through an alliance will support American economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the alteration of river-derived sediments through a large estuary and the implications for elemental cycling and global climate, this study analyses lithium (Li) isotopes and elemental concentrations (e.g., Li, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Fe and Al) of both the dissolved load and different phases of the sediment load (i.e., exchangeable, carbonate, oxide, clay and residue) in the Amazon estuary. The results show that river-derived sediments remove Li from the dissolved load, largely due to cation retention in secondary clays. By modelling the Li mass-balance and isotope fractionation, we estimate that the river-derived sediments gain 3–4 μg/g Li from the dissolved load in the Amazon estuary, with a Li isotope fractionation factor (α clay-solution) of approximately 0.975. Considering the whole Amazon estuary, the river-derived sediments remove around 3.6–4.8 × 109 g/yr of Li from the dissolved load. Specifically, around 1.0–1.7 × 108 g/yr of Li is removed from river water (∼1.8–3.0% of the dissolved Li discharge flux of the Amazon River) and around 3.5–4.7 × 109 g/yr of Li is removed from seawater, which represents a significant sink from the ocean. This estuarine Li sink is likely to be related to continental erosion rates; thus, continental weathering and erosion regimes could influence not only riverine Li input, but could also directly affect the Li sink, leading to a dual control on the Li budget and isotope composition in the ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction projects are prone to cost overruns and delays that can significantly impact their profitability and quality. Identifying the root causes of these issues is critical to finding practical solutions. This study focuses on the Egyptian construction sector and identifies the top six factors that lead to cost overruns and delays in mega construction projects. These factors are inadequate project planning, poor communication and coordination, changes in project scope, lack of skilled labour, insufficient budget allocation, and payment delays. The study recommends strategies to mitigate these factors, such as involving all stakeholders in the planning process, using project management tools, and setting realistic timelines to improve project planning and scheduling. Regular meetings and clear communication channels can achieve effective communication and coordination. The study also suggests managing changes in project scope through effective change management processes and ensuring sufficient budget allocation by conducting accurate cost estimates and setting aside contingency funds. These recommendations can provide practical insights for practitioners and policymakers in the construction industry to mitigate the impact of cost overruns and delays. Overall, the study emphasises the importance of identifying and addressing the key factors contributing to cost overruns and delays in mega construction projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While welfarist economics (WE) methods rely wholly on individuals' valuations, extra-welfarist (EW) methods seek alternative measures of value. Major reviews of the EW literature conclude that EW studies almost universally replace "utility" with "health" as the maximand. This analysis seeks to understand what conclusions are necessary and sufficient to make EW and WE methods concurrent and discusses implications for measuring social value. Using standard WE methods, I demonstrate that EW is equivalent to WE with 2 key restrictions—individuals have constant returns to health in producing utility and health budgets are fixed. Fixing budgets removes a key WE step, determining the marginal rate of substitution between consumption and health, the willingness to pay for health gains. Because EW methods equate with WE with these 2 restrictions, I show how formal models to construct aggregated social welfare functions (SWFs) in WE frameworks lead directly to SWF models using EW models of value. I also show that, in fixed-budget health systems, when SWFs place different values for improving health of different subpopulations, aggregate health output fails as a SWF criterion. I demonstrate how different societal values can and should enter EW SWF models using WE criteria. I also discuss the implications when either of these key restrictions does not properly represent people's preferences. Once EW methods are shown to be a restricted form of WE methods, those WE methods can illuminate how best to measure SWFs in EW environments. • Extra-welfarist (EW) economics eschews using individuals' own utilities, the only proper value measure in standard welfarist economics (WE). By far the most common practice in EW replaces "utility" with "health" to measure of value. This analysis focuses on that specific definition of EW. Proof is given that EW then coincides with WE when constant return to health and fixed budgets are assumed, which are the necessary and sufficient restrictions to make WE and EW equivalent. • Proper WE social welfare functions (SWFs) are restricted to linear weighted sums of individual utilities, in which the weights come from political or ethical but not economic analyses. In cases which WE and EW are equivalent, these same WE approaches guide the proper construction of EW SWFs. When "health" is the maximand, and every person has equal weight in the SWF, this justifies maximizing total population health within a fixed healthcare system budget. • Proof is given that use of standard incremental cost-effectiveness analysis achieves this goal. However, if different societal members have different SWF function weights, for example, by sex, income, or racial disparities, then maximizing SWFs requires measuring actual amounts interventions used and their marginal productivity on each relevant subgroup. If "health" is not the sole maximand, more-complex methods are required to measure total social welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To review the current academic evidence describing how data from health technology assessments (HTAs) informs procurement decisions for medical devices. A systematic literature review was performed to identify relevant studies and criteria used in medical device purchasing or procurement decisions. Included articles were screened for relevancy and risk of bias. The included studies were summarized qualitatively. A total of 292 studies were screened, of which 11 matched the inclusion criteria. Included studies' geographies and HTA maturity varied. Some studies described hospital-level HTA processes, whereas others focused on national-level recommendations. Criteria for procurement decisions included standard HTA factors, such as efficacy, cost, cost-effectiveness, and budget impact; broader issues were also noted, including impact on the organization, ethical aspects, staff workload, and volume. There was little consideration of device-specific characteristics, such as life cycle, learning curve, or incremental technical innovation. Few decisions referred to HTA reports as part of the procurement decision; similarly, few HTA reports included a procurement perspective to help guide the procurement bodies. There is minimal evidence that notes HTA influencing medical device procurement. Procurement bodies and hospitals may not be incentivized to publish their work and transparency could be improved; further research would better describe the link between HTA and procurement. Such research would enable the HTA agencies to meaningfully assess devices to target procurement bodies and allow device sponsors to prioritize evidence. This could limit redundancy, improve evidence, and ultimately promote savings to healthcare systems and expand access. • Limited evidence exists regarding how health technology assessment (HTA) (at national, regional or hospital level) informs medical device procurement. • Our systematic review identified 11 studies that have assessed different approaches to use HTA in procurement. Some focused on national-level HTA, whereas others described the establishment of hospital HTA processes to inform decision making at a local level. • A key inference is that procurement bodies may not be incentivized to publish their decision-making processes, hence the lack of available evidence. We propose further transparency and research to establish key information used in procurement and to ensure that HTA processes adequately address these needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is under transformation in sub-Saharan Africa where millions still do not have access to a healthy diet. Policy makers in this region should find ways to accelerate agricultural transformation while increasing access to healthy diets. Optimizing agriculture's public budget stands out as a handy option. By combining a dynamic computable general equilibrium model and a multi-criteria decision-making technique, and applying them in the context of Ethiopia, this paper points to an important trade-off that policy makers should keep in mind. An optimal allocation of agriculture's public budget aimed at increasing agri-food output, creating off-farm jobs and reducing rural poverty, which are agricultural transformation objectives, will help to reduce the cost of a healthy diet, allowing around 2 million more Ethiopians to afford it. This number could even be higher should policy makers allocate the budget optimally aiming at only lowering the cost of a healthy diet, but at the cost of reducing household income and slowing down transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most countries rolled out COVID-19 vaccination during 2021–2022. However, COVID-19 vaccine delivery cost estimates are still needed to support planning and budgeting to integrate COVID-19 vaccines into routine programs and to target high risk populations, specifically within resource-scarce contexts. Management Sciences for Health and the COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Partnership Working Group collected country-level data through two surveys exploring global experiences with vaccine roll-out. 40 respondents from 27 countries responded to the surveys in November 2021 and May 2022. Respondents described their country's human resources needs, vaccine delivery modalities, demand generation strategies, booster uptake, cold chain capacity, supplies, and sub-population targets. The surveys highlighted unexpected trends in hiring, reliance on newer and costlier delivery and demand generation methods and significant gaps regarding HR, supplies, boosters, cold chain and reaching sub-populations. These types of opportunity assessments are useful ways of rapidly filling gaps in information needed to adequately cost alternative delivery strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A full-scale square-back Ahmed body is analysed experimentally and numerically for a free-stream flow velocity of 45 m / s corresponding to a Reynolds number R e H = 7. 7 × 1 0 5 . Numerical simulations are performed for matching inflow conditions and different turbulence models. The main goal of this study is to examine the effectiveness of the Delayed Detached Eddy Simulations and the Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes k − ω SST turbulence model to capture the mean flow physics. Local and global aerodynamic parameters are compared with experimental results, including boundary-layer parameters evolving over the roof, the wake characteristics, the shear layer, and the mass entrained into the wake. A particularly good agreement is found between the experiment and the DDES. An in-depth analysis of the shear-layer growth, mass-entrainment and momentum budget analyses along the recirculation region interface, allow for identifying and quantifying the differences in predicting drag and the mechanisms at stake between the different approaches. The momentum budget, performed on the experimental data shows that pressure can be accurately obtained from experiments and closely follows that computed from high-fidelity numerical simulations. These results confirm the effectiveness of DDES in studying flows at high Reynolds numbers. The mass/momentum budget along the recirculation-region interface is also found as a possible mean to quantify road vehicle's aerodynamic performances, naturally extending to more complex geometries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the optimal duration of unemployment insurance (UI) benefits in a job search model where a risk neutral UI agency cannot monitor the search effort of risk-averse workers. Unemployment assistance benefits for noneligible unemployed are taken as exogenous by the unemployment agency which chooses optimally the constant level of UI benefits, the date of their exhaustion and the constant level of the financing tax. So, due to possible finite values of the duration of unemployment benefits, the resulting agency's problem involves nonstationarities that appears somewhat difficult to solve from the analytical viewpoint. Based upon the geometric properties of the incentive and budget constraints, we successfully provide two explicit sufficient conditions regarding the parameters of the model for obtaining a positive and finite optimal duration of UI. We then give a theoretical rationale for most unemployment insurance systems. • Optimal unemployment insurance in a nonstationary job search model. • Study of geometric properties of the set of constraints to circumvent nonstationary complexities. • Sufficient conditions for finite optimal duration of unemployment benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The previous adversarial training methods tended to use a larger uniform perturbation budget to obtain an inclusive decision boundary, which improved robustness. However, this large uniform perturbation budget will bring an unnecessary increase in the margin along adversarial directions, causing heavy cross-over between natural and adversarial examples. It is not conducive to balancing the trade-off between robustness and natural accuracy. In this paper, we propose a novel adversarial training scheme, namely Moderate-Margin Adversarial Training (MMAT), to achieve a better trade-off. Specifically, we generate finer-grained adversarial examples to mitigate the cross-over between them and natural examples of neighboring classes. Meanwhile, we design a hybrid loss to learn adversarial examples and natural examples respectively to further obtain a moderate decision boundary. Extensive experiments show MMAT achieves high natural accuracy and robustness under both black-box and white-box attacks. Especially, state-of-the-art robustness and natural accuracy are achieved on SVHN. • A novel adversarial training scheme is proposed for a better trade-off between robustness and natural accuracy. • Finer-grained adversarial examples are generated by an example-dependent attack strategy. • The performance of a model depends on the distance between examples and its decision boundary. • Examples near the decision boundary are the key factors affecting the trade-off. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contingency is a critical component in the cost estimation process for any construction project. The contingency reserve considers potential costs related to risks and uncertainties associated with construction projects. It is usually assumed to damp any resulting uncertain monetary impact and to prevent project cost overrun. Many contingency calculation methods for construction projects proposed in literature ranged from simple percentage to complex mathematical methods. Deciding the optimum contingency method for a given project at a given phase represents the main challenge in cost estimation process. This study presents a comprehensive compilation of all contingency calculation methods and divided them into three main groups: deterministic, probabilistic, and modern mathematical methods which have been discussed in details. Appropriate method for estimating contingency amount depends on many criteria such as project peculiarity, complexity, ease of method used, and the accuracy level of the estimates. This study proposed a practical guidance approach for construction agencies to choose their appropriate cost contingency method. This research is expected to help agencies/owners in the budget development stage to allocate a contingency budget for their construction projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored the potential benefits of digital financial education programs among Hispanics, through the design, implementation and evaluation of a community-based digital intervention called Mind Your Money (MYM). This program sought to improve financial capability and reduce financial stress among low-to-moderate income Hispanics residing in the Greater Los Angeles area. We assessed the program through a randomized controlled trial with a wait-list control group. Our digital financial education program had a high retention rate and a positive statistical significant effect on financial capability. Participants who completed program activities were more likely to have a budget or spending plan and felt more confident about their ability to pay for unexpected expenses. We also find that those in the treatment group show lower levels of financial stress in comparison to the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Libyan Government decided to build 1,500 schools in the reconstruction plan. Libyan Construction Industry (LCI) suffers from projects' poor value. So, effective management of resources is crucial. LCI should adopt cost-optimizing tools. This study applied value engineering (VE) to School Model 15 at Al-Khums City to maximize the utilization of the available budget. The saving of the significant items ranged between 20% and 30% leading to cost reduction in the overall project. The study concluded that Educational Facilities Authority (EFA) could save about 30% of the assigned funds. This result encourages the EFA to create a VE department in its organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to test (official) evaluation criteria including the potential role of budget impact (BI) on health technology assessment (HTA) outcomes published by the Federal Joint Committee (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss [GBA]) and the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (Institut für Qualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit im Gesundheitswesen [IQWiG]) in Germany as well as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in England. Data were extracted from all publicly available GBA decisions and IQWiG assessments as well as NICE single technology appraisals between January 2011 and June 2018, and information with regard to evaluation criteria used by these agencies was collected. Data were analyzed using logistic regression to estimate the effect of the BI on the HTA outcomes while controlling for criteria used by GBA/IQWiG and NICE. NICE recommendations are largely driven by the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio and, if applicable, by end-of-life criteria (P <.01). While IQWiG assessments are significantly affected by the availability of randomized controlled trials and patient-relevant endpoints (P <.01), GBA appraisals primarily focus on endpoints (P <.01). The BI correlated with NICE single technology appraisals (inverted-U relationship, P <.1) and IQWiG recommendations (increasing linear relationship, P <.05), but not with GBA decisions (P >.1). Nevertheless, given that IQWiG assessments seem to be more rigorous than GBA appraisals regarding the consideration of evidence-based evaluation criteria, decisions by GBA might be negatively associated with the BI. Results reveal that GBA/IQWiG and NICE follow their official evaluation criteria consistently. After controlling for all significant variables, the BI seems to have an (independent) effect on HTA outcomes as well. • Empirical studies usually focus on the effect of evaluation criteria on recommendations by health technology assessment (HTA) agencies or compare assessment outcomes and underlying regulations. • Findings add to the existing evidence that both the Federal Joint Committee (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss [GBA])/Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (Institut für Qualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit im Gesundheitswesen [IQWiG]) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) follow their evaluation criteria consistently, as also reflected in the frequent occurrence of variation in recommendations. Furthermore, budget impact seems to have an effect on HTAs by GBA/IQWiG and NICE. • This article will contribute to health policy making in Europe, in particular to the debate whether and, if so, to what extent budget impact analyses shall be included in HTA to inform decision makers in England and Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficiency of the planning process in public transport is represented through different measures, which are practically impossible to optimize simultaneously. This study defines a bi-objective optimization problem for the transit network design to analyze the trade-off between minimization of travel times and reducing monetary costs for passengers (which was not addressed in the literature) while considering a hard constraint for operational costs. Indeed, the minimization of monetary costs for passengers is relevant in transport systems without a complete integrated fare system, where passengers may pay for each trip-leg; thus, modeling monetary costs for users is essential when referring to the system's accessibility and route choice. To achieve our goal, we implement an epsilon-constraint algorithm capable of obtaining high-quality approximations of the Pareto front for benchmark instances in hours of computational time, which is reasonable for strategic planning problems. Numerical results show that the conflict between both objectives is evident, and it is possible to identify the more useful lines to optimize each objective, leading to relevant information for the decision-making process. Finally, we perform a sensitivity analysis on the budget parameter of our optimization problem, showing the classic trade-off between the operational costs and the level of service in terms of travel time and monetary cost. • Our study defines a bi-objective problem for the transit network design. • This study analyzes the trade-off in reducing travel times and monetary costs. • We identify the lines that have a more significant impact on each objective. • Our model is a flexible tool to obtain information about transport systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Kenya introduced a quadrivalent HPV vaccine (GARDASIL-4©) for ten-year-old girls in late 2019. • HPV vaccination is estimated to reduce lifetime cervical cancer cases and deaths by 42–60 %. • HPV vaccination is cost-effective, but a single dose strategy could have similar benefits for less cost. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of cervical cancer cases and deaths worldwide. Kenya introduced a quadrivalent HPV vaccine (GARDASIL, hereafter referred to as GARDASIL-4) for ten-year-old girls in late 2019 with donor support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. As Kenya may soon graduate from Gavi support, it is important to evaluate the potential cost-effectiveness and budget impact of the current HPV vaccine, and potential alternatives. We used a proportionate outcomes static cohort model to evaluate the annual budget impact and lifetime cost-effectiveness of vaccinating ten-year-old girls over the period 2020–2029. We included a catch-up campaign for girls aged 11–14 years in 2020. We estimated cervical cancer cases, deaths, disability adjusted life years (DALYs), and healthcare costs (government and societal perspective) expected to occur with and without vaccination over the lifetimes of each cohort of vaccinated girls. For each of the four products available globally (CECOLIN©, CERVARIX©, GARDASIL-4©, and GARDASIL-9 ©), we estimated the cost (2021 US$) per DALY averted compared to no vaccine and to each other. Model inputs were obtained from published sources, as well as local stakeholders. We estimated 320,000 cases and 225,000 deaths attributed to cervical cancer over the lifetimes of the 14 evaluated birth cohorts. HPV vaccination could reduce this burden by 42–60 %. Without cross-protection, CECOLIN had the lowest net cost and most attractive cost-effectiveness. With cross-protection, CERVARIX was the most cost-effective. Under either scenario the most cost-effective vaccine had a 100 % probability of being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of US$ 100 (5 % of Kenya's national gross domestic product per capita) compared to no vaccination. Should Kenya reach its target of 90 % coverage and graduate from Gavi support, the undiscounted annual vaccine program cost could exceed US$ 10 million per year. For all three vaccines currently supported by Gavi, a single-dose strategy would be cost-saving compared to no vaccination. HPV vaccination for girls is highly cost-effective in Kenya. Compared to GARDASIL-4, alternative products could provide similar or greater health benefits at lower net costs. Substantial government funding will be required to reach and sustain coverage targets as Kenya graduates from Gavi support. A single dose strategy is likely to have similar benefits for less cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 requires cabinet-level agencies to use evidence to justify and support budget and policy making. As investigators from the Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) program, we were tasked with assisting Veterans Health Administration (VHA) leadership with the implementation of the Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018. Through meetings with stakeholders, we identified a gap in the review process for legislative and budget proposals; no systematic process existed to evaluate the supporting evidence base for proposals. Here, we describe the development, refinement, and use of a checklist to assess the strength of evidence included in VHA legislative and budget proposals for changes to care delivery; clinical, research, and administrative operations; and staffing and workforce issues. The evidence assessment checklist is now part of the regular review process for VHA legislative and budget proposals. It is also being adapted for use elsewhere within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The checklist has provided a framework for briefings and training on best practices for using evidence to guide policy and budget decisions. Including evidence reviews in the legislative and budget proposal prioritization process may be an effective institutional arrangement to promote the use of evidence to inform high-level health policy decisions and to build a "culture of evidence" within the government. • The Veterans Health Administration's experience with evidence-based medicine made it well positioned to strengthen the link between evidence and budget and policy decisions, in compliance with the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018. • We describe the development, refinement, and use of a checklist to assess the strength of evidence included in Veterans Health Administration legislative and budget proposals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global target of achieving universal health coverage by 2030 is a nightmare in most developing countries. To seek in-depth reasons, this study examines the effects of health insurance on healthcare utilization in Tanzania. This study used a non-experimental research design. Probit model, negative binomial regression, and instrumental variable Poisson with generalized method of moments were used to solve the healthcare utilization puzzle by the use of Andersen Health Care Utilization Model by using the Tanzania Panel Survey data of 2020/21. The findings showed that education level, income, age, residence, household size, insurance, and distance from homestead to health facilities are significant policy intervention factors for improving households' healthcare utilization behavior among households in Tanzania. Prioritize should be made on interventions that ensure the affordability of health services without compromising the quality of services offered and expanding the share of the government budget on health sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyper-heuristics can be applied to solve complex optimization problems. However, they need a substantial number of fitness function evaluations to discover a good approximation to the global optimum, especially for large-scale problems. Recently, surrogate-assisted algorithms have drawn increasing attention, and have shown their potential to deal with expensive complex optimization problems. This paper aims to use surrogates to approximate HHGA's (Ahmed Bacha et al., 2019) fitness functions, an efficient hyper-heuristic for solving the permutation flowshop problem, one of the most important scheduling types in modern industries. The objective is to approximate, in an online approach, the fitness function, reducing considerably the execution time of HHGA while maintaining its quality. The proposed online surrogate model is mainly designed to capture the details of the fitness function to enhance the accuracy estimation. The experimental results on Taillard's widely used benchmark problems show that the proposed fitness approximation-assisted HHGA is able to achieve competitive performance on a limited computational budget. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managerial accountants spend a large part of their working time on more operational activities in cost accounting, reporting, and operational planning and budgeting. In all these areas, there has been increasing discussion in recent years, both in theory and practice, about using more digital technologies. For reporting, this means not only an intensified discussion of technologies such as RPA and AI but also more intensive changes to existing reporting systems. In particular, management information systems (MIS), which are maintained by managerial accountants and used by managers for corporate management, should be mentioned here. Based on an empirical survey in a large German company, this article discusses the requirements and assessments of users when switching from a regular MIS to a cloud-based system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FPGA devices have great benefits over traditional computational hardware like CPUs and GPUs that can be exploited in order to have greater performance on specialized tasks. This article aims to showcase some of these benefits and compare a small use-case with real world metrics. Previous researches have shown that ASIC devices can perform better on specialized tasks due to low latency but an FPGA device might be the key in developing a reconfigurable hardware that suits most Neural Network training algorithms for development purposes, without compromising performance. The test environment results show clearly the benefits and pitfalls of this approach. Using custom, modular processing cores can help developers in creating their own processing units that enhance the developer experience and have the benefit of faster processing times. In order to prove these claims we implement a few of the proposed cores, test them against conventional CPUs and GPUs and showcase the potential flexibility during development. The results highlight that FPGA devices can be faster than conventional processing units and developers can increase their productivity via the performance gains, but for the best results, the hardware choices need to be made according to project and budget constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]