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Present work covers the treatment of lignin enriched paper industry wastewater (LEPIW) using electrocoagulation (EC) process with stainless steel (SS) electrodes. In this study, EC operation is optimized in term of % chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and treatment cost (USD/kg COD removed). Single parameter study has been performed to study the effect of process parameters on % COD removal and treatment cost. Central composite design (CCD) of design of expert (DOE) has been used to corelate the input (time, initial COD, solution pH and current) and output parameters (% COD removal and treatment cost). Single parameter study states that maximum % COD removal of 84.4 & 77% is achieved in 40 & 60 min for initial COD:500 &1000 mg/L while 74, 66.7 & 58% can be achieved in 100 min for initial COD of 2000, 3000 & 4000 mg/L, respectively under optimum condition (solution pH:7, current: 1 A). Cost analysis summarizes that treatment cost decreases with increase in initial organic load (2.036, 2.075, 1.554, 1.247 & 1.127 USD/kg COD removed for initial COD of 500, 1000, 2000, 3000 & 4000 mg/L, respectively) at optimum condition. The caloric study states 2.31and 3.25 J/mg can be generated from the sludge and scum produced during EC process. DOE software suggests − 6.66–6.79% & − 16.73–7.95% error between experimental and designed value for % COD removal and treatment cost. [Display omitted] • COD removal range 84.4–58% is noticed for initial COD 500–4000 mg/l. • Treatment time increases from 60 to 100 min for initial COD range of 500–4000 mg/l. • Treatment cost 1.12–2.07 USD/kg COD R is noted for COD range of 500–4000 mg/l. • 2.31 and 3.25 J/mg energy is found from generated sludge and scum respectively. • Model predicts − 6.66–6.79% & − 16.73–7.95% error for COD removal & treatment cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, the nursing profession constitutes the largest proportion of the health workforce; however, it is challenged by widespread workforce shortages relative to need. Strategies to promote recruitment of the nursing workforce are well-established, with a lesser focus on strategies to alleviate the burden on the existing workforce. This burden may be exacerbated by the impact of low-value health care, characterised as health care that provides little or no benefit for patients, or has the potential to cause harm. Low-value health care is a global problem, a major contributor to the waste of healthcare resources, and a key focus of health system reform. Evidence of variation in low-value health care has been identified across countries and system levels. Research on low-value health care has largely focused on the medical profession, with a paucity of research examining either low-value health care or the de-implementation of low-value health care from a nursing perspective. The objective of this paper is to provide a scholarly discussion of the literature around low-value health care and de-implementation, with the purpose of identifying implications for nursing research. With increasing pressures on the global nursing workforce, research identifying low-value health care and developing approaches to de-implement this care, is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Au/TiO 2 nanotubes for 4-chloroguaiacol (4-CG) and pulp and paper effluent treatment. • Comparison of electrocatalysis, photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis (PEC). • Identification of degradation intermediates and HO• estimation. • Recirculation mode experiment for 4-CG and real pulp and paper effluent treatment. • Electrical energy consumption for the PEC experiments was examined. A simple anodization technique has been adopted for the synthesis of Au doped TiO 2 nanotubes (Au/TiO 2 NTs) electrode. The physicochemical properties of Au/TiO 2 NTs electrodes have been studied using FE-SEM, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, and UV–vis DRS analysis techniques and, compared with un-doped TiO 2 NTs electrodes. The optimization of process parameters has been carried out for the photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) degradation of 4-CG (4-Chloroguaiacol) under batch-mode experiments. Au/TiO 2 nanotube electrodes showed 84% degradation efficiency in 6 h under optimized conditions viz. 0.15 mM Au loading, 0.08 g L−1 electrolyte concentration, 0.03 A current and pH 3 under UV light irradiations. The degradation of 4-CG was validated with the quantification of generated •OH and degradation intermediates/by-products during the batch-mode PEC treatment. The PEC process was observed to be more efficient for degrading and mineralizing 4-CG when compared to PC and EC processes, individually. PEC degradation of 4-CG has also been assessed in recirculation mode to study the feasibility of synthesized Au/TiO 2 NTs electrodes to treat large volume of contaminant polluted wastewater. For the feasibility of industrial scale applications, pulp and paper mill effluent was subjected to the PEC degradation under recirculation mode using Au/TiO 2 NTs electrodes and significant reduction in COD and TOC values were observed. Overall, the cost of electrical energy consumption was computed for all the batch and recirculation-mode PEC treatment of 4-CG as well as real pulp and paper mill effluent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• RLD dose (0.009 g/g TS) with pH 10 had a significant effect on PPST sludge. • Disperser coupled RLD method got maximal liquefaction rate at 5128 kJ/kg TS. • A higher methane production was attained by disperser coupled RLD method. • Disperser coupled RLD method was obtained a positive net energy of 900.64 kWh. • A net profit of 134 $/ ton of sludge was achieved by disperser coupled RLD method. In this study, the disintegration potential of disperser coupled rhamnolipid (RLD) was investigated on pulp and paper mill secondary sedimentation tank (PPST) sludge. Initially, RLD dosage and pH were optimized for liquefied organic content release. Maximal of liquefied organic content release of 2158 mg/L was attained at an optimized RLD dosage (0.009 g/g TS (Total solids), pH 10). To augment liquefaction of PPST sludge further, disperser and disperser coupled RLD methods were carried out. Disperser coupled RLD method has achieved maximal liquefaction rate (27%) and total suspended solids (TSS) reduction (20%) at 5128 kJ/kg TS when compared to disperser method. Subsequently, methane assay was performed in which disperser coupled RLD method yielded higher methane production of 295 mL/g VS (Volatile solids). Then, cost analysis was performed in which disperser coupled RLD method achieved a net profit of 134 $/ ton of PPST sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a MILP (Mixed Integer Linear Programming) model for a continuous packed-bed biomass dryer. The model minimizes total drying costs, including both capital and operational costs, of the dryer. Heated air, which flows through a biomass bed and perforated conveyor, is used as drying gas by the dryer. We define the dryer size with the help of an experimentally-measured characteristic drying curve. The MILP model is tested in a case study where the dryer is assumed to have been installed at a Scandinavian pulp and paper mill. There are three different heat sources available for the heating of drying air: warm water at 60 °C, warm water at 80 °C and backpressure steam at the pressure of 0.4 MPa. The results indicate that, in practice, the use of only low-temperature warm water flows for heating of drying air is the most economic method when their prices are low (below 1 € MWh −1 in the case study). Warm water flows are usually waste heat from pulp and paper mills and their prices are low compared to the price of back-pressure steam (typically from 10 to 15 € MWh −1 ). The use of steam for drying may be reasonable if the price of warm water is for some reason clearly higher than the price of a typical waste-heat stream. The MILP model presented in this work can be used for minimizing drying costs of any material (not only biomass) dried in a continuous packed-bed dryer if the characteristic drying curve of the material is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a simple and low-cost method for patterning poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) barriers in porous support such as paper for the construction of flexible microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs). The fabrication method consisted of contact-printing a solution of PDMS and hexane (10:1.5 w/w) onto chromatographic paper using custom-designed rubber stamps containing the patterns of μPADs. After penetrating the paper (∼30 s), the PDMS is cured to form hydrophobic barriers. Under optimized conditions, hydrophobic barriers and hydrophilic channels with dimensions down to 949 ± 88 μm and 771 ± 90 μm ( n = 5), respectively, were obtained. This resolution is well-suitable for most applications in analytical chemistry. Chemical compatibility studies revealed that the PDMS barriers were able to contain some organic solvents, including acetonitrile and methanol, and aqueous solutions of some surfactants. This find is particularly interesting given that acetonitrile and methanol are the most used solvents in chromatographic separations, non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis and electroanalysis, as well as aqueous solutions of surfactants are suitable mediums for cell lyses assays. The utility of the technique was evaluated in the fabrication of paper-based electrochemical devices (PEDs) with pencil-drawn electrodes for experiments in static cyclic voltammetry and flow injection analysis (FIA) with amperometric detection, in both aqueous and organic mediums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we describe a combination of paper-based sensors and a novel smart-phone application for on-site quantification of colorimetric readouts as an ultra-low cost solution to monitoring water quality. The system utilizes a paper-based analytical device (μPAD) that produces a colorimetric signal that is dependent on the concentration of a specific target; a cell phone equipped with a camera for capturing images of two μPADs – one tested with a water sample and the other tested with clean water that is used as a control; and an on-site image processing app that uses a novel algorithm for quantifying color intensity and relating this to contaminant concentration. The cell phone app utilizes a pixel counting algorithm that performs with less bias and user subjectivity than the typically used lab-based software, ImageJ . The use of a test and control strip reduces bias from variations in ambient lighting, making it possible to acquire and process images on-site. The cell phone is also able to GPS tag the location of the test, and transmit results to a newly developed website, WaterMap.ca™, that displays the quantitative results from the water samples on a map. We demonstrate our approach using a previously developed μPAD that detects the presence of organophosphate pesticides based on the inhibition of immobilized acetylcholinesterase by these contaminants. The objective of this paper is to highlight the importance and potential of developing and integrated monitoring system consisting of μPADs, cell-phones and a centralized web portal for low-cost monitoring environmental contaminants at a large-scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• OZNCE method has effectively improved the disintegration of PPMW biosolid. • OZNCE method was achieved 31% of lysis rate at 15 min of pretreatment time. • Higher methane production of 324 L/kg VS was noted for OZNCE method. • Combinative method was achieved a net energy of 168 kWh/ton of biosolid. In this study, ozonation (OZN) combined consortium of hydrolytic enzymes (CE) method was studied for augmenting anaerobic biodegradability (ABD) of pulp and paper industry waste (PPMW) biosolid. Initially, OZN method was performed by varying ozone dosage and pretreatment time. A higher lysis rate and suspended solids (SS) reduction were noticed respectively to be 20% and 15% at an optimized ozone dosage (0.04 g/g TS) and pretreatment time (24 min). For further enhancing PPMW biosolid disintegration, OZNCE method was proceeded with respect to CE dosage and pretreatment time at an optimized ozone dosage (0.04 g/g TS). At 10% v/v CE dosage and 15 min pretreatment time, maximum of lysis rate (31%) and SS reduction (23.5%) were achieved. The pretreated biosolids were subjected to ABD assay in which OZNCE method obtained higher methane gas production potential of 324 L/kg VS. Also, cost analysis was done, which revealed that OZNCE method obtained a net profit of 15 $ per ton of PPMW biosolid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a recent work by Dolan and Edlin, it is concluded that no link can be established between cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA). However, the conclusion seems to depend rather heavily on what is understood by a link between CBA and CEA as well as on the exact meaning of the latter two terms. We argue that there is at least one approach to CBA and CEA in which the two are very intimately linked. On the other hand, the limitations in the access to preference information has consequences for the kind of questions that can be meaningfully addressed in both CBA and CEA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years small satellites have shifted from being secondary items to dominate the space market thanks to, but not only, the development of the large LEO constellations. For small satellites to be highly effective, particularly when arranged in such constellations, each satellite has to be placed in a specific orbital plane and orbital position. Currently, three main options are available to reach a specific orbit. The first, more straightforward solution is to employ a dedicated launch with a small launch vehicle. Plenty of small launchers are in development around the world (with few already operational); however, their cost per kilogram is predicted to be much higher than for large launchers. The second possibility is the exploitation of a rideshare option, where the satellite is transported by a large launcher together with other payloads on a general predetermined orbit. Afterwards the satellite needs to be transferred to its designed orbit. This can be done in two ways: through the use of a satellite carrier (also called self-propelled dispenser) or with the satellite own propulsion system. In both last cases, the mass transported by the launcher into the release orbit is higher than the final one necessary for the nominal mission, impacting total costs. In this paper these three possibilities are compared considering the need to reach various specific orbits, starting from a different release one in the case of the rideshare options. First of all, the change in velocity for different orbital parameters (altitude, eccentricity, phase, argument of perigee, inclination, RAAN) is computed. Afterwards the propulsion mass budget is calculated. Everything else being equal, it is demonstrated mathematically that a dispenser is inherently less efficient than a group of autonomous satellites, particularly for the RAAN change and a large number of carried satellites. However, it is not always possible or convenient to provide small satellites, particularly the smallest ones (nanosats/cubesats/microsats) with comparable propulsion capabilities of a larger dispenser, making the latter still an attractive option in several situations. A cost analysis also shows that, particularly for sophisticated small satellites, when the final orbit is far from the release one, a dedicated small launch vehicle can be cost competitive with the nominally much cheaper large launcher. • Satellites can reach a specific orbit through dedicated launch or rideshare plus orbital transfer. • Sat carriers are mathematically inherently more inefficient than autonomous propulsion. • Penalty increases particularly as the ΔV and the number of satellites increase. • Small launch vehicles are inherently more responsive and expensive than rideshare options. • Launch cost penalty impacts only a fraction of total costs, particularly for unserved orbits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to discuss the controversies surrounding the most recent European regulations, as well as the cost, for a 3D printing workflow using free-source software in the context of a tertiary level university hospital in the Spanish public health system. Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) for head and neck oncological surgery with the printing of biomodels, cutting guides, and patient-specific implants has made it possible to simplify and make this type of highly complex surgery more predictable. This technology is not without drawbacks, such as increased costs and the lead times when planning with the biomedical industry. A review of the current European legislation and the literature on this subject was performed, and comparisons made with the authors' in-house 3D printing setup using free software and different 3D printers. The cost analysis revealed that for the cheapest setup with free software, it would be possible to amortize the investment from case 2, and in all cases the initial investment would be amortized before case 9. The timeframe ranged from 2 weeks with the biomedical industry to 72 h with point-of-care 3D printing. It is now possible to develop point-of-care 3D printing in any hospital with almost any budget. [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]

State-of-the-art dense stereo matching algorithms have achieved excellent performance, demonstrating a capability to attain precise matching in most areas. However, current such methods rarely achieve this when images are captured under poor conditions. To improve the accuracy of the algorithm in such cases, this paper introduces a post-optimization algorithm to rectify matching errors and enhance outcomes. The main research areas of this paper include three aspects. (1) Disparities are classified into reliable and unreliable results based on the analysis of geometric matching relationships, local features in the images, and components within the matching cost function; (2) Subsequent analysis of horizontal image features identifies local characteristic indices calculated through integration along the horizontal axis, which establish specific matching criteria, forming the foundation for a cost volume that encompasses these distinct matches; (3) A redefined matching cost function is applied to previously classified unreliable results to rectify matching errors. This energy function is based on the cost volume above. Experimental results validate the efficacy of the proposed post-optimization algorithm, reducing the average matching errors from 8.66% to 5.85%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the economics of a fuel cell bus fleet powered by hydrogen produced from electricity generated by a wind park in Austria. The main research question is to simultaneously identify the most economical hydrogen generation business model for the electric utility owning wind power plants and to evaluate the economics of operating a fuel cell bus fleet, with the core objective to minimize the total costs of the overall fuel supply (hydrogen production) and use (bus and operation) system. For that, three possible operation modes of the electrolyzer have been identified and the resulting hydrogen production costs calculated. Furthermore, an in-depth economic analysis of the fuel cell buses as well as the electrolyzer technology has been conducted. Results show that investment costs are the largest cost factor for both technologies. Thus, continuous hydrogen production with the smallest possible electrolyzer is the economically most favorable option. In such an operation mode (power grid), the costs of production per kg/H 2 were the lowest. However, this means that the electrolyzer cannot be solely operated with electricity from the wind park, but is also dependent on the electricity mix from the grid. For fuel cell buses, the future cost development will depend very much on the respective policies and funding programs for the market uptake, as to date, the total cost of use for the fuel cell bus is more than two times higher than the diesel bus. The major final conclusion of this paper is that to make fuel cell electric busses competitive in the next years today severe policy interferences, such as subsidies for these busses as well as electrolyzers and bans for fossil energy, along with investments in the setup of a hydrogen infrastructure, are necessary. Cost analysis of a fuel cell electric bus and three hydrogen production operation models. [Display omitted] • Economic analysis of fuel cell buses and green hydrogen production. • Identification of the most suitable electrolyzer operation model. • Investment costs are still the largest cost component. • Technological learning and policy funding schemes may decrease the costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the intelligent construction environment, PC project improves the work efficiency, but the cost control is difficult. This paper will analyze the cost of PC engineering, trying to find out the key points and difficulties of cost control based on intelligent construction. By comparing the PC project with the traditional frame shared wall structure project, this paper makes it clear that the single cost of the PC project can be lower than that of the traditional building in the whole life cycle. Through the analysis of construction data, this paper points out how to solve and control the cost of PC engineering. It is clear that intelligent construction means and BIM technology can improve construction efficiency and quality, ensure safe construction and reduce construction labor costs. PC project is the development direction of future construction. Intelligent information management of prefabricated buildings is recommended to meet the market demand and promote the industry's industrialization and information development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With advances in AI (Artificial Intelligence) and the surge of Big Data, Deep learning (DL) has a remarkable impact on businesses in various domains including finance, marketing, healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture. From sales prediction to detection and monitoring customer behaviors, its use in business analytics is proven to help grow and improve business functions. However, execution of DL can instigate high cost during both model training and deployment. Time and energy are two essential cost factors of DL computation as they imply not only monetary but also environmental consequences. Moreover, different DL architecture incurs different costs. Selecting the best model to train and deploy is hence important to the business. Most existing work focuses on building a DL model that obtains the highest accuracy or similar measures to evaluate quality of data analytics. In this paper, we argue that in practice, such performance criteria may not be adequate, for example, the most accurate model may not be the most cost-effective. This paper studies a practical approach that includes energy consumption during training and deploying the trained DL in deciding what DL model should be deployed. The paper describes how energy consumption can be estimated and illustrates the approach for cost analysis of DL application on the smart agriculture business where plant disease classification model is trained and deployed. Lessons learned from the study is included. In summary, our contributions are: (1) an approach to analyze cost of using DL model in terms of time, accuracy and energy consumption to support model selection, and (2) application of the approach on plant disease classification in smart agriculture business. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delivers up-to-date bibliometric research dealing with deep learning used in forecasting alternative costs in leasing. The study presents a theoretical approach that is developed by the bibliometric maps. The aim of this paper is the identification and exploration of the research gap. The study illustrates the relationships between different science areas, such as applied economics and finances, computer science, deep learning, and machine learning. The alternative costs in the literature are related to non-financial areas and the other Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods to calculate them. There is a scarcity of alternative costs calculation with deep learning procedures or their theoretical analysis. To fill this gap, this study uses VOSviewer software to explore queries' results in the Scopus database and to illustrate the knowledge about alternative costs in deep or machine learning. The results show that: (I) the number of publications tends to increase gradually; (II) prediction or forecasting of the alternative costs is connected directly neither to the lost benefits, nor costs and risk assessment; (III) most studies concern the use of statistical methods in forecasting, but only a few use machine learning algorithms or decision trees. This scientific paper serves as a starting point for future studies dedicated to the deep learning procedures to forecast alternative costs in leasing or other financial processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. What is known about the topic? A chest injury bundle of care (ChIP) improved patient outcomes for patients with blunt chest injury through improved respiratory and analgesia management. Limited information is available regarding the cost of implementing care bundles in hospitals. 2. What does this paper add to existing knowledge? Better patient care and outcomes were not demonstrated to result in changes to hospital treatment costs in this study. 3. What insights does the paper provide for informing healthcare-related decision making? Practitioners, researchers and policymakers should consider the cost of implementing evidence-based practice in the real world. Evidence-based practice like the ChIP care bundle is an investment in better patient outcomes and could also be a potential long-term cost-saving, requiring further research. Blunt chest injury is associated with significant adverse health outcomes. A chest injury care bundle (ChIP) was developed for patients with blunt chest injury presenting to the emergency department. ChIP implementation resulted in increased health service use, decreased unplanned Intensive Care Unit admissions and non-invasive ventilation use. In this paper, we report on the financial implications of implementing ChIP and quantify costs/savings. This was a controlled pre-and post-test study with two intervention and two non-intervention sites. The primary outcome measure was the treatment cost of hospital admission. Costs are reported in Australian dollars (AUD). A generalised linear model (GLM) estimated patient episode treatment costs at ChIP intervention and non-intervention sites. Because healthcare cost data were positive-skewed, a gamma distribution and log-link function were applied. A total of 1705 patients were included in the cost analysis. The interaction (Phase x Treatment) was positive but insignificant (p = 0.45). The incremental cost per patient episode at ChIP intervention sites was estimated at $964 (95 % CI, -966 − 2895). The very wide confidence intervals reflect substantial differences in cost changes between individual sites Conclusions: The point estimate of the cost of the ChIP care bundle indicated an appreciable increase compared to standard care, but there is considerable variability between sites, rendering the finding statistically non-significant. The impact on short- and longer-term costs requires further quantification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"First-last mile" (FLM) is an informal composed-word, widely used to indicate the first and the last leg of each transport movement. In this paper, it is defined as a complex system characterized by three interconnected macro factors that determine the success of a transport planning system. This is a very challenging part of the transport system from a planning perspective because of the critical issues that make it not much reliable and cost-effective. This paper capitalizes on the experiences gained in different implementations/studies and provides a theoretical framework for a good assessment and planning of the first-last mile. It stems from the recognition that the literature proposes different solutions and methods, ranging from the promotion of green transport to the use of ITS technologies. For this reason, this paper aims at elaborating some guidelines on how to tackle the problem in different territorial contexts, trying to be a help to the planners to reduce the negative consequences of mobility. Five main phases are identified here: 1) First-last mile identification; 2) Schematization of the problem and cost analysis; 3) Definition of the stakeholder involvement in the process; 4) Identification of the critical aspects of the process; 5) Identification of the best strategies to reduce costs. For each phase, the indicators to be taken into account for a correct transport planning are discussed, as a first step for stakeholders and policy-makers for making themselves aware of the significant potential of this issue. • Different solutions and various methods are proposed in the literature for planning freight-passengers first-last mile (FLM). • This paper identifies a systematic approach for the analysis of a wide category of FLM problems. • It proves a useful effort to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of each instance. • Implications of the study and directions for future research are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing penetration of photovoltaic technology in the electricity market requires the development of a methodology that facilitates the optimisation of photovoltaic plants with single-axis trackers. This paper presents an optimisation methodology that takes into account the most important design variables of single-axis photovoltaic plants, including irregular land shape, size and configuration of the mounting system, row spacing, and operating periods (for backtracking mode, limited range of motion, and normal tracking mode). Equations for the determination of the optimal row spacing and operating periods have been developed and is presented in detail. A packing algorithm that takes into account the irregular land shape and the possible configurations of the mounting systems is also presented. The objective function is the total area of the photovoltaic field and the optimisation is performed by a packing algorithm. As the economic aspect of energy generation also plays a key role in decision-making, the levelised cost of energy has been used to assess the economic viability of the optimal layout of the mounting systems. The results show that the proposed methodology and packing algorithm are able to optimise the photovoltaic plant with single-axis solar tracking and provide reliable results after a reasonable computation time. The methodology was demonstrated in detail for a Spanish photovoltaic plant (Granjera photovoltaic power plant), including the optimal layout of the mounting systems and the cost analysis for this layout. The optimal layout of the mounting systems could increase the amount of energy captured by 91.18% in relation to the current of Granjera photovoltaic power plant. The mounting system configuration used in the optimal layout is the one with the best levelised cost of energy efficiency, 1.09. The presented optimisation methodology can be utilised to facilitate the optimal design of commercial photovoltaic plants with single-axis trackers. Therefore, questions such as: what is the optimal distribution of mounting systems?, how much energy will this distribution produce?, and at what cost will it produce it?, can be answered by using the proposed methodology. • The optimal layout of single-axis solar trackers in large-scale PV plants. • A detailed analysis of the design of the inter-row spacing and operating periods. • The optimal layout of the mounting systems increases the amount of energy by 91%. • Also has the best levelised cost of energy efficiency, 1.09. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As installed wind power capacity continues to rise, the cost of onshore wind power generation in China has fallen, far exceeding the world average. The purpose of this study is to explore the main factors affecting onshore wind power in China and to identify ways to reduce costs. So as to reduce the cost of wind power and promote the large-scale grid-connected use of wind power. Therefore, this paper summarizes various factors that affect the development of onshore wind power. We also provide a comprehensive and repeatable MFLC (multi-factor learning curve) method to evaluate the factors affecting the cost of onshore wind power. Subsequently, the learning rates of various factors are calculated using this method. The results show that empirical learning by increasing installed capacity/generation, improving technology and selecting sites which are rich in natural resources, and appropriately reducing capital investment and material prices can significantly reduce the LCOE (levelized cost of electricity) of onshore wind power in China. Compared with wind power giants of the United States and Germany, the reduction in the cost of onshore wind power generation in China is more dependent on inputs such as capital investment and raw materials, while experience plays a relatively minor role. The ability to make full use of natural resources and to convert wind energy into electricity more efficiently is crucial to reducing the cost of wind power. • This paper summarizes various factors that affect the development of onshore wind power. • A comprehensive and repeatable MFLC method is built in this paper. • The learning rates of various factors are calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substantial changes in the energy system are necessary to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality. Green hydrogen is a key to defossilisation. Politicians frequently mention the use of hydrogen in the building sector to supply decentrally produced heat as a potential field of application. An advantage repeatedly mentioned is that the existing gas distribution network infrastructure is an important asset that could still be used in the future. However, there is a lack of analyses of the conversion of gas distribution networks to hydrogen focussing on the economic implications on the costs of the distribution network infrastructure. The paper provides insights using a techno-economic model network analysis (MNA) tool called gas Distribution grId modelliNg tOol (DINO). The analysis is carried out for Germany and considers hydrogen use in all counties. The results are compared to a synthetic methane and electrification scenario. In the hydrogen scenario, the total need for distribution grids is decreasing until 2050 by at least 130,000 km. The network length of the synthetic methane scenario is slightly lower and that of the electrification scenario drops to zero. The annual operation costs are lower in all scenarios as gas demand and infrastructure are reduced. Nevertheless, the total annual cost in the hydrogen scenario is potentially two times higher than in the case of the synthetic methane scenario and more than four times higher than in the electrification scenario. Based on the present results, it is questionable whether an advantage of the continued use of the existing gas distribution grid infrastructure in case of synthetic gas or hydrogen scenarios exists. • Impact of the energy transition on gas distribution networks by comparing three defossilisation pathways. • Application of a model network analysis to the use of hydrogen to derive the cost-optimal gas distribution networks. • First nationwide analysis of hydrogen in gas distribution grids based on the German case at the county level. • Decreasing demand for gas distribution infrastructure in all scenarios and highest costs in the case of hydrogen use. • Questionable advantage of continued infrastructure use in case of conversion of existing gas distribution networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of large scale ocean current power generally encounters difficulties associated with water depth, seafloor engineering, storms and current meanders. The Cross-stream Active Mooring (CSAM) is a recently proposed new concept to overcome these issues. It features serial mooring of multiple turbines on a common tether as a linear array, single point anchoring and applying hydro sails to position the linear array across current streams over deep seafloor or seabed not suitable for anchoring construction. The CSAM can change the linear array's horizontal position to track meandering velocity core to increase system power capacity and adjust its depth to avoid storms. This paper proposes and studies a new concentrated anchoring concept of high capacity based on slope enhancement and assembled anchors to resolve issues of anchoring on rocky undersea ridges in many areas along the Kuroshio. Two new gravity anchor designs making use of seafloor landforms are devised and analyzed. Efficiency of assembled anchor blocks is analyzed and tested using models. Anchoring sites, anchor implementation and large scale deployment with an example 1 GW power plant in the Kuroshio southeast of Taiwan are discussed. A preliminary cost analysis of the anchors and of the CSAM-based example power plant is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blockchain is an up-and-coming technology designed to ease the process of verifying legitimate products without the need of a centralized system. An example of a well-known technology using Blockchain is Bitcoin and Ethereum cryptocurrency. Blockchain technology will ensure that data residing within each block cannot be tampered with by anyone other than the owner. This paper uses Blockchain technology to develop a system where customers can validate a product legitimacy without the need of a corresponding merchant. This system will be able to be used by manufacturers and companies to ensure that their products will be harder to counterfeit, therefore they will gain more trust from customers. The Ethereum blockchain is used to build the proposed model that is capable of tracing every item's creation and transactions, ensuring the credibility of an item's genuineness. Our simulation results in an effective model and a cost analysis that shows that the model uses an average gas amount of 715,046.3 gwei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prearranged and on-demand ride services that match passengers and drivers using smartphone applications over a network have developed rapidly across the world. However, the maximum efficiency of the entire hailing demand market and the driver deserve further attention to identify potential improvements. This paper makes the first attempt to conduct a quantitative analysis of the intangible costs generated from ridesourcing trips using an observed ridesourcing dataset provided by Didi Chuxing, including the waiting time costs attributable to waiting for the passenger and the future opportunity costs of different Trip Order Markets. Then, a quantitative method is developed to calculate the specific value of the above intangible costs of each ridesourcing trip. The results show that the average cost of a trip drops by 9.64% when intangible costs are considered, and a large difference exists among the values under various spatial-temporal conditions. In addition, the relative relationship between two types of intangible costs shows a large discrepancy in some sensitive areas. The findings of this study can help transit agencies better understand ridesourcing service and develop strategies for setting reasonable prices and allocating capacity. • This paper explores the composition of trip cost of online car-hailing. • The definition of intangible costs are conducted, including waiting time cost and future opportunity cost. • A logical and feasible intangible costs quantitative method is proposed for the study. • The relative relationship among intangible costs also can be used on sensitive areas identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is the thermo-ecological cost analysis of cogeneration and polygeneration energy systems. Within the paper biomass-fired CHP plants and their integration with thermal conversion of biomass units are investigated. In order to estimate the environmental effects of integration, the allocation of the thermo-ecological cost between different products is required. Some of the allocation methods have their origins in economic cost allocation, others in energy, emission or exergy analysis. Within this paper four different methods are investigated: avoided production in national energy system, avoided production in single-product processes, and physical and exergetic allocation. When applied to cogeneration technology, the avoided production in national energy system can give misleading results, mainly due to the nature of the thermo-ecological cost. In polygeneration energy systems, the avoided production in separate processes method can also lead to wrong conclusions due to the assumptions concerning reference efficiencies. At the end, the exergetic allocation method is proposed as a suitable way to allocate the thermo-ecological cost in cogeneration and polygeneration energy systems. Additionally, positive environmental effects of integration can be observed. • Thermo-ecological cost analysis of cogeneration and polygeneration energy system is presented. • Four thermo-ecological cost allocation methods are considered. • Examples of thermal conversion of biomass are included in the paper. • Exergetic allocation method for the thermo-ecological cost was determined as the most suitable one. • Process integration within the analysed thermal conversion of biomass case studies shows positive environmental effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The economic development of rural areas depends on three-phase networks, which are characterized by serving loads with greater power than single-phase networks. • Demonstrates, based on several scenarios, the economic viability of three-phase two-wire (TPTW). • Proposes to reuse materials and convert SWER networks into TPTW (Three-Phase Two-Wire) networks reducing environmental impact. This paper presents a methodology to support the hypothesis that the Three-Phase Two-Wire (TPTW) system is an excellent economic alternative for rural properties that do not have their electricity needs met by single-phase systems. It is necessary to convert these networks into three-phase systems so that the rural areas can offer new opportunities for economic development. However, the costs of such investments represent a great challenge to be overcome. In an early assessment, it may seem trivial that the TPTW offers a lower cost because of the reduction in construction elements; however, the choice of a distribution system is a task that involves a complex analysis of factors. To evaluate the costs involved, four main scenarios are examined, which are compared to the conventional three-phase system. This paper is unprecedented because there are no works in the technical literature that compare the choice of these technologies in terms of costs, especially as regards the TPTW system, whose technical issues are not yet fully established. The results of confirm that the TPTW system can overcome the economic challenges when the investments made in previous installations are considered or when the purpose is to take three-phase electricity to places without centralized generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An efficient method for seismic fragility of shear walls is developed. • The proposed method uses sequential Bayesian inference with a binary analysis chain. • The truncation strategy of analysis is combined with the proposed method. • The convergence index of a seismic fragility curve is proposed. • The proposed method improves numerical efficiency for fragility calculation. The seismic performance of shear walls in nuclear power plants is critical because a failure of such structures can cause severe accidents. Thus, research on the seismic fragility of shear walls in nuclear power plants has been attempted. However, conventional seismic fragility analysis requires high computational costs. In this context, several researchers proposed an efficient seismic fragility method by reducing required numerical analyses. But, this method still demands quite an amount of numerical cost. To overcome this issue, this paper presents an enhanced method for more efficiently assessing the seismic fragility of shear walls through sequential Bayesian inference and truncation strategy. The core idea of the proposed method introduces a binary analysis result chain and combines such a chain with sequential Bayesian inference. The sub-strategy of the method employs the truncation strategy for reducing the number of analyses. Also, an approach to evaluate a convergence index of a seismic fragility curve for each step is embedded into the sequential Bayesian inference for minimizing additional analysis cost. As a result, the proposed method of this paper reduces the computational cost even though it provides similar accuracy results compared to the existing seismic fragility methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a generic process for conducting research on property rights in informal settlements from a new institutionalist perspective. The paper is premised on the fact that informal urban settlements have peculiar characteristics that complicate investigations using conventional methods. However, analytical approaches based on new institutionalism have gradually gained prominence over more traditional approaches amongst scholars in developing countries. New institutionalist methods of juxtaposing investigations of formal and informal institutions and relaxing some of the assumptions of conventional theories have enabled the inclusion of situations involving incomplete or imperfect property rights and positive transaction costs in the analysis. This paper shows that a "new institutionalist perspective" is not one coherent school of thought but rather a diverse group of theories with some common tenets dominated by three varieties of institutionalism, namely, rational choice, historical, and sociological. While a common framework would be ideal, this paper instead advocates for a dynamic research process that can be customised for examinations of property rights in different informal settlements, thus contributing to the literature by extending the application of new institutionalism to situations with "incomplete" property rights. • Highlights the three main varieties of new institutionalism. • Highlights the application of new institutionalist perspectives in different fields. • Advocates for the use of new institutionalist perspective in research on property rights in informal settlements. • Proposes an eight-steps process to aid research on property rights in informal settlements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A quantified and comparative study of multiple cultivation platforms using functional food wheatgrass plantlets. • Ideal answer for urban population looking at different methods to cultivate superfood wheatgrass locally. • Wheatgrass plantlets grown in potting mix has most nutrients than other cultivation platforms. • Soil based systems require less maintenance, skills, costs than hydroponics and aeroponics. Limitation to cultivable area and increasing food demand has steered development of urban farming. Practice of container gardening, patio gardening and rooftop gardening cause soil erosion while soil-less systems like hydroponics and aeroponics are expensive. Balancing traditional and contemporary methods need to be identified. We assessed the growth and nutrient values of functional food wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivated in different growth media – soil, hydroponics, aeroponics and paper-pulp based potting mix soil. Height, fresh weight, protein, minerals, and vitamins composition of wheatgrass plantlets were estimated. Construction and running costs for six-month period were compared. Plantlets harvested from potting mix soil had highest height & weight gain (at 88.67 cm and 15.13 gm) and all-around nutrient contents over others. Cost analysis shows that working costs for potting mix soil-based systems are most productive for a long duration (17x and 23x cheaper than hydroponics and aeroponics). The current study shows suitability of potting mix soil over other cultivation methods for wheatgrass for urban farming needs. Potting mix does not contribute to soil erosion as in case of natural soil based urban farming. Our results support the idea of utilization of potting mix for urban agricultural needs without indulging in cost- and technology- invested methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on comprehensive analysis of fixed-time stability and energy consumed by controller in nonlinear neural networks with time-varying delays. A sufficient condition is provided to assure fixed-time stability by developing a global composite switched controller and employing inequality techniques. Then the specific expression of the upper of energy required for achieving control is deduced. Moreover, the comprehensive analysis of the energy cost and fixed-time stability is investigated utilizing a dual-objective optimization function. It illustrates that adjusting the control parameters can make the system converge to the equilibrium point under better control state. Finally, one numerical example is presented to verify the effectiveness of the provided control scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancements in colorectal cancer treatment have substantially improved overall survival. However, the cost of treating colorectal cancer places a significant economic burden on populations and healthcare systems. It is accepted that costs and what a health system charges may differ. This study aims to understand the expenditure on colorectal cancer globally. Specifically, this paper systematically reviews the literature to estimate the direct costs of each component in treating colorectal cancer, including primary care, diagnostics, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and follow-up. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews: National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database Guide, Econlit and grey literature from the January 1, 2000 to the February 1, 2020. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Evers' Consensus on Health Economic Criteria checklist. In total, 39,489 records were retrieved, and after appropriate culling of non-relevant articles, 15 studies were included. Costs for treating colorectal cancer varied due to heterogeneity between different studies despite comparing similar clinical settings and study perspectives. Studies that presented an average cost per patient demonstrated that surgical costs ranged from $1,149 to $34,606, chemotherapy ranged from $1,883 to $18,021 and radiotherapy ranged from $2,037 to $5,347 in 2018 USD. Identifying these costs can impact health care budgets and guide policymakers in making informed decisions for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For floating renewable energy devices to become more cost-efficient and commercially scalable, their mooring system designs must be low-cost and suited for large-scale installations. Large arrays of floating devices, such as wave energy converters (WECs), will likely be designed with an individual mooring system for each device in the array. However, new mooring technology advancements provide options to use shared mooring lines to connect adjacent devices to one another, reducing the total number of anchors in the array, thereby reducing material use and cost. This paper explores the design, modeling, and cost analysis of shared mooring systems for various sizes of arrays consisting of heaving oscillating water column (OWC) WECs. Shared mooring systems for WEC arrays sized in 2 × N and N × N grid layouts are designed to meet the relevant design standards, checking their performance with a nonlinear time-domain dynamic simulation, and the costs of each are calculated and compared. Several assumptions are taken in the design process to produce efficient results, providing a preliminary optimization for guidance on design decisions rather than a full, detailed design analysis. Mooring system costs per WEC were found to decrease as the number of WECs in the array increase, up to certain array sizes. The 2 × 3 array had the lowest mooring system cost per WEC out of all arrays considered, with a 60% cost reduction relative to using individual mooring systems. The 3 × 3 and 4 × 4 arrays achieved a 50% cost per WEC reduction. In addition to these significant cost reductions, the shared mooring system designs can provide advantages through smaller mooring system footprints, lower installation times, and less seabed disturbance. • WEC arrays with shared mooring lines reduce mooring system costs per WEC. • MoorDyn has been used to simulate shared mooring systems and WEC devices together. • Adjusting mooring lines based on environmental load directionality can lower costs. • A 2 × 3 array had the greatest mooring cost reduction, at 60% of the baseline array. • The 3 × 3 and 4 × 4 arrays also had significant mooring cost reductions of 50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exergy-based methods consist of at least an exergetic analysis, which can be combined with an economic analysis and a life cycle assessment in order to evaluate and improve energy-intensive processes. The author coined the term exergoeconomics in 1984 to replace the term thermoeconomics when exergy costing is used in the combination of an exergetic analysis with a cost analysis and to emphasize the role of exergy in the efforts to reduce the product cost. He also developed a general exergoeconomic methodology based on exergy-based variables and on appropriate definitions of the "product" and "fuel" for each component of an energy conversion system. These definitions and the application of exergoeconomics were generalized by A. Lazzaretto and the author in 2006 in an approach based on specific costs (SPECO approach). L. Meyer and the author coined the term exergoenvironmental analysis in 2009 for the combination of an exergy analysis with a life-cycle analysis when exergy is used to assign environmental impacts to streams. An exergoenvironmental analysis uses the methodological background of exergoeconomic methods. Starting in 2002, to reduce the limitations of the conventional exergy-based methods, and to facilitate system optimization, the author, and later in cooperation with T. Morosuk and co-workers at TU Berlin, developed the advanced exergy-based methods, which are based on the notion that the inefficiencies (exergy destruction and exergy loss), the costs, and the environmental impacts can be split into avoidable/unavoidable and endogenous/exogenous parts, to improve understanding of the formation process of inefficiencies, costs and environmental impacts within an energy conversion system. As often happens, after their introduction, all the above terms and methods have been misused and misinterpreted by some other authors. This paper briefly reviews past contributions by the author and some other exergy practitioners and discusses future developments. It concludes, that the advanced exergy-based methods need further development to be generalized, and integrated and to reduce their subjectivity in addition to the efforts and time required for their application. Development of appropriate software and shortcut methods will facilitate their use by researchers and engineers in industry and the application of exergy-based methods in energy-intensive industrial processes for multiobjective optimization purposes. • The most promising exergy-based methods are briefly reviewed. • Expected future developments are discussed. • More industrial applications are needed. • Misinterpretations and misuses of the methods limit their development. • The methods can be used to fairly apportion pollutants among countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an uncertainty modeling method for the aggregated power flexibility of DERs. Basically, both outer and inner approximated power-energy boundary models are utilized to describe the aggregated flexibility of controllable DERs. These power and energy boundary parameters are uncertain because the availability of controllable devices, such as electric vehicles and thermostatically controlled loads, cannot be precisely predicted. The optimal operation problem of the aggregator is thus formulated as chance-constrained programming (CCP). Then, a flexibility envelope searching algorithm based on the ALSO-X+ method is proposed to solve the CCP, the result of which is a conservative approximation of the original CCP but not as conservative as the Conditional Value-at-Risk approximation. After optimizing the aggregated power of the group of DERs, the decision at the aggregator level is disaggregated into the flexibility regions of individual DERs. Finally, the numerical test demonstrates the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method. • Uncertainty modeling of the aggregated flexibility of DERs. • Chance constraint approximation based on the ALSO-X+ approach. • Comparative analysis of costs, risk levels, and feasibility with Conditional Value at Risk. • Comparison between the outer and inner approximated flexibility aggregation models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the cost function of a single-server queueing system with Poisson input stream and Erlang- k service time will be analyzed. Treated as a function of the traffic intensity ρ , with respect to some known constants, we will show that its stationary points are solutions of a fourth-degree polynomial equation with real coefficients. Moreover, an explicit form of these solutions is given and it is shown the function reaches a minimum value at some of these points. For illustration, a numerical analysis of the cost function is carried out by changing the values of the costs, which are changed according to the principle of arithmetic progression. Also, a statistical analysis of the relationship between optimal solutions ρ ⁎ and Φ (ρ ⁎) is done. • A cost function is formed for single-server queueing system with Poisson input stream and Erlang-k service time. • Stationary points of the proposed cost function are solutions of fourth-degree polynomial equation with real coefficients. • The sensitivity of the parameters is tested according to the principle of arithmetic progression. • A statistical analysis of the optimal solutions is made and an economic interpretation of the results is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for electric energy storage in the ongoing energy transition with large-scale construction of renewable energy leads to increasing interest for upgrading existing hydropower plants to pumped storage plants. Such upgrading is possible by using existing dams and waterways, and only upgrade the electromechanical equipment. However, this alternative has several technical limitations that must be overcome. The boosterpump concept is a possible solution to overcome these technical limitations. This paper presents the concept and a demonstration on two case-study hydropower plants. A novel electro-mechanical layout and hydraulic design has been developed. The layout, operation, physical dimensions, performance, costs and market analyses are presented. The costs are compared to constructing a new reversible unit in parallel with reuse of the existing dams and waterways. The boosterpump concept is found technically feasible for both Roskrepp HPP and Vinje HPP, and the technology is currently considered to be at TRL 4–5. The cost calculations show that reconstructing with a boosterpump costs 25–35 % less than installing a new reversible unit constructed in parallel. The reconstruction is only found economically feasible for the Roskrepp HPP under the given assumptions and market expectations for these two projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the fuel-optimal satellite formation reconfiguration problem with continuous low-thrust control. Based on the relative eccentricity and inclination (E/I) theory, a comprehensive approach to optimal continuous low-thrust reconfiguration in circular or near-circular orbits is proposed. By analyzing the feasible fuel cost lower bound, the reconfiguration scenarios are categorized into four types, and the corresponding optimal or suboptimal control schemes are derived. More specifically, for suboptimal continuous control schemes, the relation between user-defined variables with fuel-cost is derived, providing a clear direction for better fuel cost. Compared with previous work that gives only feasible analytical solutions or obtains optimal solutions with numerical methods, the proposed method provides an efficient approach to optimal continuous low thrust reconfiguration for feasible scenarios and adjustable sub-optimal schemes for unfeasible scenarios. The proposed framework contributes to the practical application in engineering, enabling the design and analysis of more cost-effective space missions. The analysis of fuel cost reveals that the optimal continuous low thrust reconfiguration is limited with scenarios. The overall solutions are simulated and validated in four reconfiguration scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Original paper overestimated health and economic losses due to phthalate exposure. • Possible clerical error in population number doubled the estimated numbers. • More thorough discussion of confounding factors specific for phthalate exposure is desired. • Holistic examination of alternatives for phthalate is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selection and interaction of different manufacturing technologies are major challenges in product development and production processes. Costs are one criterion for selecting the most suitable manufacturing technology for a component. Therefore, they must be considered for an automated technology selection in part screening approaches. These costs arise during the component manufacture, during the transport of the components to the production site, and within the factory's assembly line. However, holistic cost data is not available at an early stage during product development. Hence, these information gaps must be filled to ensure the correct selection of a component's manufacturing technology. This paper first analyzes the cost data of past product developments regarding potential differences between manufacturing technologies. Abstracted geometric part information and production-related aspects are derived and predicted to serve as input features for the subsequent cost prediction. These AI-based cost prediction models are trained for relevant cost types along the part's lifecycle. The most capable prediction models are combined into a manufacturing technology-dependent cost analysis of the components. Based on that, the forecasted costs of different manufacturing scenarios represent one input for the overarching part screening methodology to select the most suitable manufacturing technology for each component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The international hydrogen supply chain has been commercialized and promoted hydrogen trade. With the global energy transition, the two are expected to play a more important role and make hydrogen become a major international energy trade category similar to natural gas and LNG. This paper considers importing two hydrogen sources to Huizhou of China through MCH-TOL hydrogen storage technology from Saudi Arabia, which are produced from Natural gas + CCS and from renewable energy sources. It is estimated that the costs of dehydrogenation and purification after landing are 27.6 CNY/kgH 2 and 32.7 CNY/kgH 2 respectively, which are difficult to be competitive. Therefore, the strategy and goal of cost reduction are proposed. It is expected to control the costs of dehydrogenation and purification to less than 25 CNY/kgH 2 , and explore the feasibility of developing large-scale and economically competitive hydrogen import business in China. • Composition, development status and prospect of international hydrogen supply chain and global hydrogen export. • Select suitable liquid organic hydrogen carrier for hydrogen trans -ocean transportation. • Introduce the hydrogenation and dehydrogenation processes of Methylcyclohexane - Toluene hydrogen storage technology. • Cost estimation and competitiveness analysis of importing hydrogen from Saudi Arabia to Huizhou, Guangdong, China. • Provide strategic suggestions for China to reduce the cost of importing hydrogen from overseas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing number of corporations are adapting their strategies to include projects aimed at achieving United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Nonetheless, the implementation of these projects revives a fifty-year old question about the impact of sustainable activity on corporate financial performance and sustainability outcomes. This paper proposes the analysis of the Switching Costs of sustainable projects as a way to identify areas of improvement for corporate strategies, thus responding to the urgent need for models and assessment tools able to achieve financial and sustainability objectives as claimed by both practice and academia. A conceptual framework relating the Switching Costs of sustainable projects to sustainability and corporate financial performance has been developed and applied in this research to a case-study company, Walmart Mexico and Central America. This paper addresses the challenge of recognising, collecting and gauging the effect of the changes, particularly those of an intangible nature, generated by the sustainable projects. Image 109514 • Addressing corporate challenges of Sustainable Development Goals-oriented projects. • Achieving the dual strategic objective of sustainability and financial performance. • Switching cost analysis is able to reveal the intangible effects of changes. • A conceptual framework and an assessment tool for strategy improvement are developed. • The new analytical approach is applied to a 'best-in-class' case company. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• TRs and RG were co-treated to produce a new blended binder with good mechanical strength and water resistance. • RG and CRG can effectively activate the hydraulic property of TRs by electrodeless resistivity test. • This paper provides a cost-effective method to recycling TRs and RG. The huge accumulations of Ti-extracted residues (TRs) and red gypsum (RG), which are the solid by-products from TiO 2 pigment industry, have caused a series of on-site and off-site environmental problems. This work is concerned with the feasible recycling of TRs, RG, calcined RG (CRG) as main components in the production of a novel cementing material. The resulting mechanical strength, softening coefficient, hydration behavior (electrical resistivity) and microstructure (porosity and hydration products) of this binder were investigated. It was found that the flexural strength, compressive strength and softening coefficient of mortar samples at 28 days can reach up to 6.3 MPa, 47.9 MPa and 0.87, respectively. An electrodeless resistivity test, over a period of 72 h was also conducted: an increasing content of RG from 0 to 40% retarded the hydration within the first 24 h, whereas both the binders incorporating 20% CRG plus 20% RG and 40% RG were responsible for the later accelerating hydration. Moreover, an increase of RG's content (from 10% to 40%) and the substitution of CRG for RG decreased total porosity and narrowed pore size distribution of mortar samples. Results from X-ray diffraction and morphology analysis revealed that the intertwined hydrated products in the hardened binders were needle-like ettringite, unreacted bar-like gypsum and filamentous C-(A)-S-H, ensuring the blends with a good water resistance. In summary, this paper provides a cost-effective approach for utilizing TRs and RG to produce a high-strength cementing material as an alternative to ordinary Portland cement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An accelerated reliability growth model is developed. • The approach incorporates usage heterogeneity and failure learning effect. • Cost-based optimization model is proposed. • Optimal reliability growth test program is derived. • Applicability of the approach is verified through a numerical example. For products sold with a two-dimensional warranty policy, the warranty servicing cost can be reduced through reliability growth during development. This paper investigates a multi-phase reliability growth test program for repairable products with independent competing failure modes. Considering a test-find-test scheme, an accelerated reliability growth model is developed, allowing different failure modes having distinct accelerated relationships. Taking usage heterogeneity and mode-specific failure learning effect into account, the reliability growth is achieved through periodic fixes on a phase-by-phase basis. From the manufacturer's perspective, the main objective is to achieve the optimal trade-off between the warranty cost and the reliability growth test cost by determining the optimal test program that minimizes the expected total cost per product sold, ensuring that the pre-specified reliability growth requirement is met. Assuming the tri-Weibull product failure distribution, we illustrate the proposed optimization model numerically and study the effect of relevant parameters on the optimal reliability growth test program. The results show that the proposed approach yields significant cost reduction and reliability improvement for the examples studied in this paper, especially when the manufacturer possesses high failure learning ability, and the product has expensive repair cost per a warranty failure and extensive warranty coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cost estimates for advanced low-carbon technologies are widely sought but flawed. • Two categories of questions frame most cost analyses: "What if?" and "What will?". • Conventional "bottom-up" costing is appropriate only for hypothetical (what if) designs. • A hybrid method of bottom-up and top-down costing is proposed for "what will" it cost. • This approach offers more realistic projections of future costs and the experience needed. Energy research and development (R&D) programs throughout the world seek improved or lower-cost technology options that can generate electricity or other products with little or no emissions of greenhouse gases or other pollutants. Novel methods of CO 2 capture and storage (CCS) as well as more efficient fossil fuel power plants are among the technologies widely being pursued. To assess the viability and competitiveness of a proposed new technology, a common figure of merit is the expected cost of a mature plant at commercial scale. This paper identifies critical shortcomings in the methods currently used to estimate such costs and proposes a new hybrid approach combining "bottom-up" and "top-down" methods to obtain more realistic cost projections for new advanced technologies. While this paper focuses on advanced fossil fuel plants the proposed methodological developments apply equally to all other advanced energy technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had successfully concluded a Coordinated Research Project (CRP) on the techno-economic aspects of nuclear hydrogen production with the participation of eleven countries including leading countries on nuclear hydrogen production such as Japan, USA, China, India, Republic of Korea and Canada. The activities carried out through this four-years CRP paved the way for addressing several development key issues related to nuclear hydrogen production. The main focus was on assessing various technological and economic aspects of potential nuclear hydrogen production options. The CRP has resulted in finalizing four detailed case studies on different systems for nuclear hydrogen production. These case studies were used to perform benchmark analysis for the IAEA Hydrogen Economic Evaluation Programme (HEEP), developed by the IAEA to support Member States considering the use of nuclear energy for hydrogen production. This paper highlights some activities, results, and status of international collaborative efforts on nuclear hydrogen production conducted in the Member States (MSs) participated to the CRP. The paper also presents the results of country-specific case studies considering different nuclear reactors and hydrogen technologies. • IAEA Coordinated Research Project on nuclear hydrogen technoeconomics was successfully concluded. • Technology-based technoeconomic case studies of nuclear hydrogen production are created. • Cost analysis of country-specific nuclear hydrogen production case studies is performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, in order to be competitive on the market, it is fundamental to design optimized devices. This is especially true in the Oil&Gas sector where the product's weight has a material influence on all operations. Reducing this parameter implies a significant decrease in the project's cost. This paper wants to propose an innovative approach to the study of the kinematic rotation of a prototype machine required to lay down an umbilical product, needed for the distribution of electricity among platforms. The aim of this paper is to resolve whether an optimization in terms of size and weight of the main piston that activates the chute rotation might be found, and if so what might be the magnitude of the possible optimization. The project has been carried out in collaboration with F.lli Righini, a world-wide leader in designing and manufacturing offshore equipment. A comparison between analytical and actual components leads to a real design approach which can be used by other companies and research centers in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Cost engineering and economic analysis are key elements of the performance assessment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. The CCS field has seen noticeable advances in the transparency and rigor of costing studies, but there is still significant room for improvement in three major areas: the more rigorous application of good cost engineering practices; the inclusion (and progression) of recent methodological advances; and adaptation to changing policy focus. Here, we discuss each of these three areas, bringing diverse information sources together into one paper, and summarising important advances made in recent years, with the goal of strengthening CCS cost engineering and economic analysis in general. The first part of the paper discusses equipment design and sizing; cost indices and location factors; process and project contingency costs; CO 2 transport and storage costs; and uncertainty analysis and validation. The second part discusses new insights and advances in capture plant integration costs; the costs of steam supply; flexible dispatch of power plants with CCS; a hybrid method for the costing of advanced CCS technologies; qualitative uncertainty analysis methods; and calculation methods for CO 2 avoidance costs in non-power industries. The third part highlights several recent changes in the policy environments and how they affect the requirements of CCS costing studies. We close the paper by echoing earlier calls for the transparent reporting of assumptions and input variables underlying costing studies and by prioritising three CCS costing issues for further methods and guideline development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In recent years, satellite design has extended towards miniaturisation to reduce associated cost with launching and conducting space missions. Small satellites provide low-cost platforms for space missions. However, this lower cost comes at the expense of the removal of key sub-systems, such as the propulsion system, due to the small available onboard volume and mass restrictions. For this reason, small, lightweight, high-performing and affordable propulsion systems are necessary. However, there is limited research available on the comparison of propulsion technologies with regards to cost. Motivated by the above challenges the objective of this paper is to provide a comparison of propulsion technologies that are compatible with small satellites with respect to cost and application. The different propulsion systems are investigated for three mission scenarios, a small on-orbit manoeuvre, a station-keeping, and a lunar orbit transfer mission. Each system is evaluated in terms of a total figure of merit which incorporates nine variables such as propellant mass, safety, and hardware price, that affect the total cost of a propulsion system. This figure of merit is used to quantitatively compare the propulsion systems to identify cost-effective solutions as a function of various mission scenarios. Solar thermal propulsion has been proposed for small satellite applications, but information regarding the concepts are not available in a single report. Therefore, a secondary objective of this paper is to provide the reader with a review of the current status of solar thermal propulsion. An important finding of this research is the classification of propulsion systems in terms of thrust, specific impulse, cost, and application. Highlights • Performance classification of propulsion technologies for small satellites. • A review of solar thermal propulsion systems including performance characteristics. • The investigation of cost effective propulsion systems for three mission cases. • Highlighting the applications of a water-solar thermal propulsion system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]