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Background and Aims: Multiple sources of medical oxygen, namely liquid medical oxygen (LMO) tanks, pressure swing adsorption (PSA) plants, concentrators, and gaseous cylinders, are available at different healthcare facilities. These sources of oxygen have varying installation and operational costs. In low-resource settings, it is imperative to utilise these assets optimally. This study investigated the operational costs of multiple oxygen sources available at a healthcare facility. Methods: A Microsoft (MS) Excel-based model was developed to analyse and compare the oxygen manufacturing costs (in ₹/m³) using PSA plants and procurement costs (in ₹/m³) of LMO and third-party vendor-refilled cylinders. Results: The oxygen manufacturing costs for PSA plants of different capacities and running times on electricity and diesel generators (DGs) as a power source were calculated. This study highlights the cost-benefit of using PSA plants over LMO and third-party vendor-refilled cylinders as a source of oxygen. PSA plants are most economical when they are of higher capacity and used to their maximum capacity on electricity as the power source. On the contrary, they are most expensive when used on a DG set as a power source. Furthermore, this study provides evidence of PSA plants being more cost-effective for refilling cylinders using a booster compressor unit when compared to third-party vendor-cylinder refilling. Conclusion: Given their cost-effectiveness and low third-party dependence, they should be utilised to their maximum capacity as medical oxygen sources at healthcare facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India's cement industry is the second largest in the world, generating 6.9% of the global cement output. Polycarbonate waste ash is a major problem in India and around the globe. Approximately 370,000 tons of scientific waste are generated annually from fitness care facilities in India. Polycarbonate waste helps reduce the environmental burden associated with disposal and decreases the need for new raw materials. The primary variable in this study is the quantity of polycarbonate waste ash (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% of the weight of cement), partial replacement of cement, water-cement ratio and aggregates. The mechanical properties, such as compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural test results, of the mixtures with the polycarbonate waste ash were superior at 7, 14 and 28 days compared to those of the control mix. The water absorption rate is less than that of standard concrete. Compared with those of conventional concrete, polycarbonate waste concrete mixtures undergo minimal weight loss under acid curing conditions. Polycarbonate waste is utilized in the construction industry to reduce pollution and improve the economy. This study further simulated the strength characteristics of concrete made with waste polycarbonate ash using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and decision trees. Cement, polycarbonate waste, slump, water absorption, and the ratio of water to cement were the main components that were considered input variables. The suggested decision tree model was successful with unparalleled predictive accuracy across important metrics. Its outstanding predictive ability for split tensile strength (R2 = 0.879403), flexural strength (R2 = 0.91197), and compressive strength (R2 = 0.853683) confirmed that this method was the preferred choice for these strength predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rice is the major crop in India in terms of area, production and consumption. Rice occupies about 23% of the gross cropped area and 35% of the total area under food grains in the country. Rice is of one key importance to the economy as well as a staple food for Telangana people, requiring about 50 lakh tons annually to feed the state population. In recent times the area under rice cultivation has been increased and is expected to hit the one crore acre mark by rabi season 2022. In any type of crop production system an accountability of inputs, energy spent, yield and costs must be monitored, by that one can modify it or substitute it for obtaining the better results. Methods: Due to decline in the share of agriculture workers in the country, there is a need to adopt new technologies in rice cultivation. Dry direct seeding of rice refers to direct sowing of rice seeds in the dry field rather than by transplanting seedlings from the nursery. A study was conducted to compute the inputs and energy consumptions in manual transplanted rice production (MTR) and dry direct seeding rice production (DDSR) methods of paddy cultivation in the combined Nalgonda district of Telangana State, during 2020-21. Firstly, the different operations performed in these two methods were listed out, then by using suitable energy equivalents total energy consumed in two methods of operations were calculated. Result: The human energy spent in the manual transplanted rice production and dry direct seeded rice productions were 506 and 92.84 MJ/ha respectively. Specific energy noted for dry direct seeded rice production and manual transplanted rice productions were 2.10 and 2.28 MJ/kg respectively. A total saving of Rs. 16,000/-ha-1 was recorded by practicing the dry direct seeded rice production method over the manual transplanted rice production method. On comparing both the methods for overall energy consumption, manual energy consumption and cost of cultivation DDSR method was found to be more efficient than MTR method in the district. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rifampicin-resistant (RR) tuberculosis (TB) in children is a major global health concern but is often neglected in economics research. Accurate cost estimations across the spectrum of paediatric RR-TB treatment regimens are critical inputs for prioritisation and budgeting decisions, and an existing knowledge gap at local and international levels. This normative cost analysis was nested in a Phase I/II pharmacokinetics, safety, tolerability, and acceptability trial of TB medications in children in South Africa, the Philippines and India. It assessed the pharmaceutical costs of 36 childhood RR-TB regimens using combinations from 16 different medicines in 34 oral formulations (adult and child-friendly) in 11 weight bands in children <15 years of age. The analysis used local and Global Drug Facility pricing, and local and international guideline recommendations, including adaptions of BPaL and BPaLM regimens in adults. Costs varied significantly between regimen length, age/weight banding, severity of disease, presence of fluroquinolone resistance, and different country guideline recommendations. WHO recommended regimen costs ranged 12-fold: from US$232 per course (short regimen in non-severe disease) to US$2,761 (long regimen in severe, fluroquinolone-resistant disease). Regimen treating fluoroquinolone-resistant infection cost US$1,090 more than comparable WHO-recommended regimen. Providing child-friendly medicine formulations in <5-year-olds across all WHO-recommended regimens is expected to cost an additional $380 (range $212-$563) per child but is expected to have wider benefits including palatability, acceptability, adherence, tolerability, and dose accuracy. There were substantial differences in regimen affordability between countries when adjusted for purchasing power and domestic spending on health. Appropriate, effective, and affordable treatment options are an important component of the fight against childhood RR-TB. A comprehensive understanding of the cost and affordability dynamics of treatment options will enable national TB programs and global collaborations to make the best use of limited healthcare resources for the care of children with RR-TB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concrete production is energy-intensive and has an adverse impact on the environment due to the raw materials involved. Currently, India has abundant reserves of fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS). Despite various applications, fly ash often ends up in landfills. Given its abundance, there is a growing interest in utilising substantial quantities of fly ash in concrete production. In the current study, M30-grade concrete is designed with very high levels of fly ash and GGBS. Additionally, quick lime (QL) is incorporated as a supplementary agent to augment lime content. A total of twenty concrete mixes have been developed with different combinations of fly ash, GGBS, and QL. Results illustrate that the addition of QL does not show overall strength improvement to the GGBS-based mixes, but it impacts on fly ash-based mixes. The targeted design strength is achieved with 70% cement replacement with fly ash and QL. The strength development depends on the pozzolanic reaction initiated and the formation of hydration products in the system. The environmental impact of concrete is assessed by analysing its life cycle assessment using a cradle-to-gate approach. The energy requirement and kg-CO 2 eq. emissions depend on the level of cement replacement. The fly ash-based concrete emits less kg-CO 2 eq. and requires less energy than the GGBS-based mixes. Overall, the designed strength is achieved with 65% fly ash, requiring 59% less energy, reducing 54% CO 2 footprint, 56% GWP 100 , 80% HTP inf , 46% ODP inf, and cost by 34% compared to OPC-based concrete. [Display omitted] • Large quantities of fly ash and GGBS are used in concrete production. • A life cycle assessment and cost analysis performed on concrete samples. • High-volume fly ash concrete is cost-effective, eco-friendly and maintains adequate strength compared to high-volume GGBS concrete. • The proposed approach reduces virgin material extraction and preserves natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Economic burden imposed by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is substantial in low‑middle‑income countries like India, in spite of the fact that national programs for controlling STIs are operational. Aims: The aim of this study was to estimate the out‑of‑pocket expenses and catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) incurred by patients of STIs and analyze expenditure pattern in relation to various clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. Settings and Design: This was a hospital‑based cross‑sectional study among patients attending Suraksha Clinic. Subject and Methods: The study was conducted among patients aged ≥18 years. Data were collected regarding various direct and indirect expenses incurred, after adjusting any reimbursement or waive off. Total costs exceeding 10% of annual household income were considered catastrophic. Stepwise regression analysis was used to analyze predictors, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of 157 patients, most were suffering from herpetic ulcers (27.4%). The median and interquartile range (IQR) for total OOPE of STI management was `1950 (IQR 1035–5725). Direct expenditure constituted major expenses with a median of `1850 (IQR 787.50–5385.0). The cost of STI management was catastrophic in 15.2% of cases. Lower socioeconomic status, longer traveling distance, overnight stay as a part of seeking treatment at Suraksha Clinic, previous history of other than allopathic treatment, and quack consultation were found to be independent predictors of CHE. Conclusions: Despite free diagnostic and treatment services to STI patients under the National AIDS Control Programme, many incurred considerable costs and catastrophic expenditure toward STI care. Better outreach of health services is required to maximize STI control and lower financial morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]