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Purpose: This study aims to identify an automated machine learning algorithm with high accuracy that sport practitioners can use to identify the specific factors for predicting Major League Baseball (MLB) attendance. Furthermore, by predicting spectators for each league (American League and National League) and division in MLB, the authors will identify the specific factors that increase accuracy, discuss them and provide implications for marketing strategies for academics and practitioners in sport. Design/methodology/approach: This study used six years of daily MLB game data (2014–2019). All data were collected as predictors, such as game performance, weather and unemployment rate. Also, the attendance rate was obtained as an observation variable. The Random Forest, Lasso regression models and XGBoost were used to build the prediction model, and the analysis was conducted using Python 3.7. Findings: The RMSE value was 0.14, and the R2 was 0.62 as a consequence of fine-tuning the tuning parameters of the XGBoost model, which had the best performance in forecasting the attendance rate. The most influential variables in the model are "Rank" of 0.247 and "Day of the week", "Home team" and "Day/Night game" were shown as influential variables in order. The result was shown that the "Unemployment rate", as a macroeconomic factor, has a value of 0.06 and weather factors were a total value of 0.147. Originality/value: This research highlights unemployment rate as a determinant affecting MLB game attendance rates. Beyond contextual elements such as climate, the findings of this study underscore the significance of economic factors, particularly unemployment rates, necessitating further investigation into these factors to gain a more comprehensive understanding of game attendance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we analyze how firm-level capabilities and characteristics affect firm innovation activities and innovation outputs in seven Latin American countries in 2016. We include eight innovation activities in accordance with OECD/Eurostat. Using data from the World Bank Enterprise Surveys for manufacturing and services, we distinguish two steps in the innovation process: firm engagement with innovation inputs and the translation of innovation inputs into innovation outputs. The empirical results demonstrate the importance of considering the broad spectrum of innovation activities rather than only focusing on R&D for the production of innovation outputs. The estimates underscore the significance of the impact of economic structure (firm size and sector) on innovation focusing at the micro level. They also suggest a role for government policies in reducing innovation gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews the basic issues involved in identifying and providing solutions to transport problems. The paper argues that solutions focusing solely on investment in capacity or second-best solutions to pricing such as road pricing and free public transport ignore the essential economic relationships involved in transport. The paper provides a critique of investment and pricing and argues for a more integrated approach in which optimal pricing is a core consideration in any investment decisions. This is seen as particularly important in a post Covid-19 world where many of the fundamental drivers of transport demand have changed, and public authorities face significant constraints on budgets whilst new pressures such as commitments to net zero in the face of global warming threats add additional pressures. The paper offers some thoughts on the principles involved in establishing a more suitable structure for dealing with the transport problem. • Identifies the core elements of the transport problem as pricing and investment. • Reviews problems in implementing first-best pricing. • Critiques investment decisions in the light of wider economic impacts. • Considers changes brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and the move to net-zero. • Offers a set of principles for reforming transport policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of the arts and humanities into the core of curriculum along with the sciences and technological disciplines is an emerging issue in educational research. This article seeks to contribute to this research and curricular approach, for which we analyze the emergence of the STEAM movement, its implementation in class, and its social, economic, and educational consequences. The main conclusion reached is that, without ignoring the economic rationality in education, it is necessary to go further in order to embrace a more social and democratic conception of schooling, trying to take advantage of this historical moment to transform education toward a more humanistic approach–without neglecting the scientific facet–that offers a well-rounded education to new generations while, at the same time, responds to the social and economic demands of our current world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Siblings of children with cancer may experience adverse household economic consequences, but their financial outcomes in adulthood are unknown. Methods: A total of 880 siblings (aged 18–64 years) of adult‐aged childhood cancer survivors were surveyed to estimate the prevalence of financial hardship by three established domains (behavioral, material, and psychological). For individual financial hardship items matching the contemporaneous National Health Interview Survey or Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, siblings were compared with the general population by calculating adjusted prevalence odds ratios (ORs) to sample‐weighted responses. Multivariable logistic regression models examined associations between sibling characteristics and each hardship domain and between sibling hardship and survivors' cancer/treatment characteristics. Results: Behavioral, material, and psychological hardship was reported by 24%, 35%, and 28%, respectively. Compared with national survey respondents, siblings were more likely to report worries about medical bills (OR, 1.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–1.22), difficulty affording nutritious foods (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.54–2.07), and forgoing needed medical care (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.10–1.73), prescription medications (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.99–3.20), and dental care (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.15–1.57) because of cost. Sibling characteristics associated with reporting financial hardship in one or more domains included female sex, older age, chronic health conditions, lower income, not having health insurance, high out‐of‐pocket medical expenditures, and nonmedical/nonhome debt. No survivor cancer/treatment characteristics were associated with sibling financial hardship. Conclusions: Adult siblings of childhood cancer survivors were more likely to experience financial hardship compared with the general population. Childhood cancer may adversely affect entire households, with potentially lasting implications. Adult siblings of long‐term childhood cancer survivors may experience greater aspects of financial hardship compared with the general population. A childhood cancer diagnosis and treatment may adversely affect entire households, with potentially lasting implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore financial strategies that intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors undertake when engaging in safety planning and to examine the relationship between these strategies and various survivor characteristics. As part of the cross-sectional study, a total of 425 female survivors of IPV were surveyed. To examine the relationship between financial safety planning strategies and participants' demographic characteristics, abuse experiences, and financial knowledge, binomial logistic regression analyses were conducted. Factors associated with financial safety planning varied by strategy; ethnicity and nativity were often significantly associated. Implications for practice and areas for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change will reduce the availability of Colorado River Water (CRW) in the Lower Colorado River Basin (LCRB) and hydroelectric power generation at Lakes Powell and Mead. Efforts to stabilize reservoir levels in the presence of interdecadal drought are based primarily on shortages in water deliveries to LCRB states and Mexico per the 2007 Interim Guidelines (2007-IG) and later the LCRB Drought Contingency Plan (2019-DCP). When climate effects are considered, the expected energy generation (lakes Mead and Powell combined) is projected to decrease from 6500 GWH in 2024 to 5400 GWH in 2060, despite a 400–600 GWH annual increase consequent to 2019-DCP measures. 2019-DCP shortages decrease cumulative water deliveries to the LCRB states and Mexico during 2022–2060, increasing evaporative losses from lakes Mead and Powell. The cumulative present value of LCRB water deliveries during 2022–2060 dwarfs that of hydroelectric energy benefits. However, the differences in benefits under the two sets of measures reveal that the economic impact of water and energy are of the same order of magnitude. Under the 2019-DCP rules, energy production and recreation benefits are positive in all but one scenario, while overall water deliveries are reduced in two-thirds of all scenarios. The median difference in present value benefits under 2019-DCP compared with the 2007-IG is about +$100 M , but the full range of outcomes for all climate-related scenarios investigated is approximately ±$1 B. Mexico and the seven US states that take water from the Colorado River system have opened negotiations to reallocate Colorado River water ahead of 2026. The process will be contentious due to competing interests and uncertainties related to the projected flows and associated benefits. Here, the present values of Colorado River system water deliveries, hydroelectric energy generation at Lakes Powell and Mead and associated recreational benefits are projected through 2060. For purposes of comparison, the operations analyzed conform to requirements of either the 2007 Interim Guidelines (2007-IG) or the 2019 Drought Contingency Plan (2019-DCP). This offers a baseline and framework for economic evaluation of benefits resulting from river management alternatives beyond those of the 2007-IG and 2019-DCP. Results indicate that the present worth of water deliveries in the Lower Colorado River Basin (LCRB) during 2022–2060 will clearly exceed that of energy generation at Lakes Powell and Mead. However, differences in revenue show that the economic DCP-impact of water and energy are of the same order of magnitude (and larger than recreational benefits). The analysis and results described provide an avenue for proposing, comparing, and selecting rational river management measures in the presence of unavoidable uncertainties and competing interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flooding is Aotearoa-New Zealand's most frequent natural hazard, and there is high confidence that climate change is making extreme rainfall events more frequent and intense. Additionally, there are significant development pressures which could both increase the number of people and assets at risk and the flood hazard. To date, there is no publicly available consistent approach to accurately determine flood risk on a national scale, nor for how this may be changing; although there is a growing legislative requirement to provide quality information over multiple spatial scales. This paper draws on empirical data to gain insights on how to best manage changing flood risks in Aotearoa-New Zealand from the perspective of centrally organised entities. Findings confirm the need for a nationally consistent approach to flood risk management, better understanding of Aotearoa's communities and their vulnerability to floods, equitable access to quality information and decision-support tools, and better understanding of the economic impacts on differing communities, regions and places. The paper concludes that to achieve a flood-resilient Aotearoa, flood governance needs to be reconfigured to achieve national consistency in flood risk management whilst enabling targeted variability at the local scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought an improved understanding of household emergency preparedness (EP) among Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Filipino (Indigenous Pacific People [IPP]) parents in Hawaii. We conducted an exploratory qualitative descriptive study with 60-minute interviews occurring from October 2022 through March 2023. A semi-structured interview guide exploring participant household EP was employed. Prospective participants were females who identified as IPP, caregivers of a 0–12-year-old child, spoke English, and received health services at a federally qualified health center clinic. Two researchers conducted qualitative content analysis on interview transcripts. Initial coding of transcripts identified broad categories or themes. The process was reviewed continuously to verify data and coding procedures. Three investigators independently verified final themes and subthemes. Participants (N=25) were female, between 30–49 years of age (68%), had received some college education (60%), and were fully employed (68%). Major themes included: 1) Perceptions of family EP and current behaviors, 2) Barriers and challenges to family EP, and 3) Perspectives on strategies to improve family EP. Subthemes included risk perception for emergencies; family EP practices; health protection and pandemic preparedness; lack of knowledge and experience; social, cultural and economic barriers; and clinic-based, technology-driven, and community-based interventions. Factors impeding access to healthcare services also impede family EP among IPP groups and their ability to mitigate the impact of future public health emergencies. Targeted, innovative interventions, including ones led by health clinics and those that utilize technology, are needed to overcome common barriers faced and to facilitate the uptake of household EP behaviors among IPP families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship between suicide rates and social, political, and economic factors in Muslim-majority countries, considering the influence of Islam and unique socio-cultural factors. Conducted from January to December 2022, it covered 46 countries, collecting data on suicide rates, income, Human Development Index (HDI), poverty rate, life expectancy, literacy rate, and political system. Suicide rates in Muslim-majority countries could be predicted based on HDI, poverty rates, life expectancy, and literacy rates. Frequency of suicide rates varied across continents, with the highest rates in Africa. Culturally sensitive suicide prevention programs are crucial for Muslim-majority countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Cuba, beans are part of the traditional gastronomy and livelihood of the people. During bean harvest, farmers generate high volumes of stubble, which they burn, thus adversely affecting soil health and organic matter, air quality, and greenhouse gas emissions. Bean harvest occurs during the dry season, a period of feed shortage for livestock, such that integrating farming and livestock production could be a way to feed and fatten sheep at little cost. We assessed the feasibility of feeding bean stubble to sheep by determining 1) volumes produced and nutritional value of stubble, 2) acceptability, performance, and carcass yields of lambs fed stubble, and 3) feasibility for this integrated farming-livestock system at local and regional levels. During harvest, 650 tons of stubble are produced in the municipality of Morón by 190 farmers, which represents a potential to feed more than 3,500 lambs, with acceptable average daily gains of 90 g per day with minimal supplementation. We thus affirm this is a viable technological practice with economic, ecological, and social implications as an acceptable alternative to burning stubble to enhance food security and livelihoods of small and medium-sized farms, while generating new employment opportunities, especially for rural women. Future studies are needed to evaluate the economic, ecological, and social impacts of this agriculture-livestock integration technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facing budgetary limitations and deteriorating infrastructure, government agencies and municipalities are contemplating a shift from reactive maintenance and repair (M&R) approaches to preventive M&R for road infrastructure. However, ambiguities concerning the long-term returns of preventive M&R for road systems deter their commitment to this transition. Although previous studies have demonstrated the advantages of preventive M&R, a comprehensive understanding of its value remains insufficient, particularly considering budget restrictions, varying levels of required serviceability, the types of preventive treatments, and the extent of preventive M&R. To bridge this knowledge gap, this study evaluated the economic impact of preventive treatments over the lifespan of urban highways, taking an urban highway in South Korea as a case study. The analysis results reveal a significant decrease in costs beginning after the first decade of the systematic applications of preventive M&R, with potential savings ranging between 20% and 30% over a half-century period. The findings will inform road M&R agencies or municipalities about cost profiles when employing preventive treatment methods (PTMs) for road M&R, thereby facilitating PTM implementation to reduce long-term road M&R budgets. Practical Applications: Government agencies and municipalities, grappling with limited budgets and aging road infrastructure, increasingly are considering preventive maintenance and repair (M&R) strategies over traditional reactive approaches. This shift, although promising, faces uncertainties regarding its long-term economic benefits. Prior research has underscored the advantages of preventive M&R, but a thorough understanding of its financial implications, particularly in the context of budget limitations, diverse serviceability needs, and various preventive measures, still is lacking. This study bridges this gap by evaluating the economic impact of preventive M&R on urban highways, using a South Korean urban highway as a case study. Our findings indicate a notable reduction in costs, especially after the first decade, with potential savings of 20%–30% over 50 years. These results offer crucial insights for road maintenance agencies and municipalities, presenting a clear cost–benefit analysis of implementing preventive M&R strategies. Such information is pivotal in aiding these entities to make informed decisions, potentially leading to significant reductions in long-term road maintenance budgets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the investment and reinsurance problem between two insurance companies and a reinsurance company by constructing a two‐layer stochastic differential game. Insurance companies invest in a risk‐free asset, a defaultable bond, and a risky asset under the bi‐fractional Brownian motion environment; reinsurance companies invest in a risk‐free asset and a risky asset under the bi‐fractional Brownian motion environment. In order to maximize the expected utility of the insurance companies' relative wealth and the expected utility of the reinsurance company's wealth at the terminal time, we solve the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equations by using the differential game theory and stochastic optimal control theory and obtain the equilibrium investment–reinsurance and reinsurance premium strategies. Finally, we investigate the influence of the parameters on the equilibrium strategy through numerical examples and analyze its economic implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methods identify cause factors in green supply chain management (GSCM). This study argues that the target method treats affecting factors as unique themes; however, various factors may be mutually antagonistic (i.e., mutually positive or negative) or encompass other meaningful information (e.g., gain/risk, intensify/depress). The factor affecting GSCM implicitly encompasses the economy and ecology (greenness), which may conflict. This new approach can be integrated into the analysis, dividing affecting factors into "cause" and "effect" groups. The organization should focus on affecting factors in the cause group. The findings provide strategic guidance for organizations to practice GSCM. Design/Methodology/Approach: A duo-theme cloud model DEMATEL approach was proposed to divide these affecting factors of GSCM into "economy" and "greenness." The cloud model was applied to overcome the ambiguity and randomness in the concept of uncertainty and allow the integration of mutual qualitative and quantitative mapping. Findings: Six factors in the economic aspect and four in the greenness aspect should be classified as the cause group. Practical implications: Organizations should prioritize these ten factors in their GSCM practices. Doing so makes the GSCM problem relatively straightforward and allows for efficacious decision-making. Originality/Value: This study proposes a duo-theme cloud model DEMATEL approach to identify cause factors in GSCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Seasonal influenza has a significant impact on public health, generating substantial direct healthcare costs, production losses and fiscal effects. Understanding these consequences is crucial to effective decision-making and the development of preventive strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the economic and the fiscal impact of implementing an incremental strategy for seasonal influenza prevention using the cell-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIVc) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Italy. Methods: To estimate the economic impact of implementing this strategy, we performed a cost analysis that considered direct healthcare costs, productivity losses and fiscal impact. The analysis considered a 3-year time horizon. A deterministic sensitivity analysis was also conducted. Results: Assuming a vaccination coverage rate of 30% among HCWs, the analysis considered a total of 203 018 vaccinated subjects. On analysing the overall differential impact (including direct costs, indirect costs and fiscal impact), implementing QIVc vaccination as a preventative measure against influenza among HCWs in Italy would yield societal resource savings of €23 638.78 in the first year, €47 277.56 in the second year, and €70 916.35 in the third year, resulting in total resource savings of €141 832.69. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that implementing the incremental use of QIVc as part of a preventive strategy for seasonal influenza among HCWs in Italy could yield positive economic outcomes, especially in terms of indirect costs and fiscal impact. The resources saved could be utilized to fund further public health interventions. Policy-makers should consider these findings when making decisions regarding influenza prevention strategies targeting HCWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The innovation in technology and economic growth, which are brought about by digital transformation in enterprises, will inevitably impact their performance in the capital market. Using a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2012 to 2021, this study extensively examines the impact, mechanism, and economic consequences of enterprises digital transformation on stock liquidity. The research reveals that enterprises digital transformation can significantly improve stock liquidity. From the perspective of corporate governance, a further analysis indicates that the digital transformation of enterprises can improve stock liquidity by three mechanisms: easing financing constraints, improving the quality of internal control, and enhancing information disclosure. The results of the heterogeneity analysis indicate that the digital transformation of enterprises, combined with a high level of financial technology, developed financial markets, and policy guidance, has a significantly more significant effect on improving stock liquidity. The analysis of economic consequences reveals that the digital transformation of enterprises can lower the risk of a stock price crash and enhance the accuracy of analysts' forecasts, primarily by improving stock liquidity. This study offers empirical evidence from a micro-mechanism perspective that elucidates the spillover effect of enterprise digital transformation on the capital market. It provides insight into the impact of enterprise digital transformation on stock liquidity and offers theoretical guidance to promote the adoption of enterprise digital transformation across different countries and enhance stock liquidity in the capital market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a product of combining digital technology and traditional finance, digital inclusive finance plays a vital role in economic growth. This paper deeply analyzes the impact of digital inclusive finance on economic growth and the specific transmission path. This research selects the municipal panel data of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei from 2011 to 2020 and empirically studies the impact of digital inclusive finance on economic growth. From the perspectives of industrial structure transformation speed, industrial structure upgrading, and industrial structure rationalization, this study analyzes the role of industrial structure in the impact of digital inclusive finance on economic growth and tests the heterogeneity of the impact of digital inclusive finance on economic growth. The results show that digital inclusive finance has a significant role in promoting economic growth. The depth of use of digital inclusive finance has the most significant impact, followed by the breadth of coverage, and the degree of digitization is the smallest. The industrial structure transformation speed and the industrial structure rationalization play a significant intermediary role in the economic growth effect of digital inclusive finance, and the industrial structure upgrading has no significant impact on the economic growth effect of digital inclusive finance; the promotion effect of digital inclusive finance on economic growth is bigger in the economically developed group, the higher digital inclusive finance group and the technologically developed group, and the promotion effect is smaller in the economically underdeveloped group, the lower digital inclusive finance group and the technologically underdeveloped group. The results provide a strong reference for policy formulation to promote the development of digital inclusive finance and economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the optimization of contracted electricity demand (CD) for commercial and industrial entities, focusing on cost reduction within the Brazilian time-of-use electricity tariff scheme. Leveraging genetic algorithms (GAs), this study proposes a practical approach to determining the optimal CD profile, considering the complex dynamics of energy demand on a city-like load. The methodology is applied to a case study at the Federal University of Pará, Brazil, where energy efficiency and demand response initiatives as well as renewable energy projects are underway. The findings highlight the significance of tailored demand management strategies in achieving energy-related cost reduction for large-scale consumers, with implications for economic efficiency in energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• One Polish household wasted 0.56 kg of food per day. • In Polish households, fruit, vegetables, bread are wasted the most during the day. • Household characteristics explain food waste more than individual characteristics. • Single-person households waste more food products and semi-products than other. • On a per capita level Polish households with children waste less food. In Poland, to our best knowledge, none of the scientific publications produced to date have addressed the scale of wasted food in households and the impact of sociodemographic and economic factors on this. This study fills this research gap. The study was carried out in 2019 on a nationwide random-quota sample of 500 households, which are representative of all households. The survey was carried out in the respondents' homes for seven consecutive days. It consisted of an interview conducted by an interviewer (Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews method) and a paper diary completed by the respondents themselves. The aim of the study was to present the volume of wasted food, taking five groups into account,and to examine the impact of the sociodemographic and economic characteristics of the households and the person responsible for preparing meals on food waste. The results show that one person, on average, wasted 62.6 kg of edible food per year (98.2 kg of edible and inedible parts combined). According to the results, the most discarded food products include fruit and vegetables, bread, dairy products, drinks and juices, and cold cuts. Statistical analysis showed that the level of food waste in Polish households is conditioned by characteristics such as household size (persons), the presence and number of children, monthly income, as well as the characteristics of the person responsible for preparing meals, such as age and employment status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to estimate the economic cost benefit of funding influenza vaccination to all Australian adults 50–64 years and predict its effect on sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) deaths and hospitalisation. We combined SCA hospitalisation data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) with survival, vaccination, and cost parameters from published literature to create a model estimating the cost benefit of universally funded influenza vaccinations to prevent SCA deaths and hospitalisation. Costs were considered from a government perspective and included cost of vaccines and GP consultations, whilst averted deaths were estimated through the age-adjusted value of a statistical life. The target policy was estimated to prevent 278 SCA hospitalisations and 1269 SCA deaths. This would result in cost-savings of almost $4 billion annually, with an incremental benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 59.94. The majority of savings were associate with averted deaths. When a sensitivity analysis was performed by altering statistical life year values and reducing life years left, the cost-saving remained significant with a minimum BCR of 29.97 derived. Reducing SCA through extended vaccination including adults 50–64 years is likely to be a cost beneficial policy from a governmental perspective. SCA deaths account for a significant economic loss due to the high mortality rate, which was far greater than the costs saved through averted hospitalisations. More accurate parameters are needed to improve the reliability of these estimate; however, this model can be used as a basis for further research into the economic impact of SCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, with the increasing digital competition among enterprises, it is of great importance for enterprises to promote digital transformation and achieve sustainable development. Taking China's A-share listed companies from 2007 to 2021 as samples, this paper performs empirical tests in order to explore the impact of enterprise digital transformation on the comparability of accounting information and its mechanism. The results show that digital transformation has significantly enhanced accounting information comparability, which is still significant after a series of robustness tests. The mechanism test shows that the improvement of the comparability of accounting information by the digital transformation is mainly achieved by alleviating earnings management and agency problem. Further research shows that when the degree of market competition or transparency is high, the role of enterprise digital transformation in enhancing the comparability is more significant. This paper enriches the literature on the economic consequences of digital transformation and the factors affecting the comparability of accounting information. At the same time, the conclusions of this paper confirm the governance effect of enterprise digital transformation, provide evidential support for investors to improve decision-making efficiency, and urge enterprises to accelerate digital transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several countries continue to invest in variable renewable energy (VRE) sources to replace fossil fuels and achieve a nationally determined contribution. Consequently, as the share of VRE generation in each country's power grid increases, its curtailment also increases. Current studies on VRE curtailment are based on a comparative analysis of statistical data collected from different countries. However, only a few studies present detailed results based on historical curtailment data collected from individual wind farms. This study analyzes the curtailment data collected for three wind farms over four years. The duration, curtailed output, and cost per curtailment were determined to be 200 min, 38 MWh, and $3.02k, respectively. Finally, the curtailment loss to wind farms caused by the increasing share of VRE generation in the power grid was estimated. The curtailed output and curtailment cost are estimated to increase by 1.3 GWh and $107.6k, respectively, when the share of VRE in the power grid increases by 1%. These findings can aid in identifying the curtailment experienced by wind farm operators and subsequent potential economic losses. Moreover, they can form the basis for establishing an efficient curtailment cost compensation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the impact of arms embargoes on the economic performance of major international defense companies. The direction of this effect is not immediately clear as it relies on the embargo evading opportunities by exporting companies on the one hand and the stringency of enforcement by the sending state on the other. The main findings in this study indicate that the total revenues of a defense company significantly drop after the introduction of an arms embargo. As a result, the net profits of these companies are under downward pressure when the number of arms embargoes increases globally. It turns out that the ability of a firm to effectively mitigate the negative consequences of an embargo is both related to firm-specific particularities, such as the degree of diversification, as well as, country differences. For instance, the negative effect appears, in particular, to be present in countries with a strong rule of law or effective control of corruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to analyse the process of equipping the Polish Air Force with the F-16 aircraft. The Polish F-16 programme serves as an essential source of knowledge for avoiding errors that may occur when introducing new weapon systems in Poland, or other post-communist countries that are still reliant on Soviet-designed military technologies. Due to various external and internal factors, not all elements of the F-16 programme are suitable for replication in the acquisition of new weapon systems; however, some solutions have been applied in Poland's F-35 and WISŁA air defence programmes. The authors examined selected aspects of the F-16 programme, including its historical background, legal and organisational framework, personnel training, infrastructure, logistics, and the economic implications of the offset agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the role of infrastructure in the nexus between financial development and economic growth in 20 SSA countries. Our study is among the few to have observed an asymmetric connection between financial development and growth, while also measuring the interactive role of infrastructure on growth in SSA, which is considered the most vulnerable region in the world. While employing the pooled mean group (PMG) estimation technique on the data (spanning 1985 - 2018) obtained through secondary sources, our empirical findings suggest a non-linear linkage between financial development and economic growth, such that the positive impact outweighs the negative one in both the shortrun and the long-run. The non-linear estimate, however, provides that financial development has a mixed impact on economic growth as it indicates a positive effect to a certain level after which it hurts growth. Moreover, a negative long-run coefficient is observed on infrastructure, wherein it reduces the growth rate of the SSA economy by an average of 0.27%. On the final note, the interaction effect of infrastructure and financial development reveal a positive linkage with economic growth, wherein infrastructure enhances the longrun positive effect of financial development on the growth of the SSA countries by 0.23%. These results have important policy implications on the economies of the West African countries considered, as the study reveals inefficiency of infrastructure investment in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bundelkhand region is far behind in the availability of soil and water both natural resources due to erratic rainfall and hard rock terrains (Tyagi, 1997). Conservation of such type of natural resources for livelihood security with a strong commitment would be the foremost challenge of the 21st century. The home of over 15.62 million humans and 8.36 million livestock, suffers from water scarcity, natural resource degradation, low crop productivity (1-1.5 Mg/ha), low rainwater use efficiency (35-45%), poor soil fertility, frequent droughts, poor irrigation facilities, inadequate vegetation cover and frequent crop failure resulting in scarcity of food, fodder and fuel (Palsaniya et al. 2008). Under such circumstances, the goal of doubling farmer's income by the year 2022 has been dubbed as impossible and unrealistic by some experts (Gulati and Saini, 2016). Hence, this study was conducted to assess the impact of agroforestry based crop production for provide an economic feasibility as well as perfect diet. Methods: The study was conducted at Garhkundar-Dabar (GKD) watershed located between 78° 52' 39" to 78° 54' 44" E longitude and 25° 26' 23" to 25° 28' 32" N latitude with an altitude varying from 208 to 285 m above mean sea level in Bundelkhand region of central India. The net return was calculated by subtracting the cost of cultivation incurred from sowing to harvesting, for each crop from the gross return and then benefit-cost ratio was estimated by dividing the net returns with cost of cultivation. Result: The study has revealed that after watershed interventions and agroforestry based Crop cultivation, the expenses on irrigation and labour will decrease, crop productivity will improve as well as benefit-cost ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruptions across industries worldwide. This paper aims to analyze the economic impact of the pandemic on the sales performance of basic commercial areas in Seoul, Korea. Using a regression analysis with credit card transaction data, the study underscores the critical nature of determining the reference point for comparison. Firstly, in comparison to the revenue in the same quarter before the onset of the pandemic, a significant decrease in revenue was observed across most categories during the pandemic periods. Secondly, when compared to the counterfactual revenue in the same period, extrapolated by an exponential smoothing forecasting, the overall revenue decrease during the periods was less pronounced, except in a few categories. Interestingly, certain categories appeared to witness marginal increases in sales after the pandemic. The paper discusses some policy implications of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses carbon emissions and value-added embodied in trade between two large developed countries, South Korea and the United States, during 2000-2014. Using multi-regional input-output (MRIO) tables, our analysis reveals that carbon emissions and value-added embodied in exports grew by 19% and 101% for South Korea but shrank by 43% and 7% for the United States. As a result, South Korea experienced a 40% increase in net carbon exports and 243% increase in net valueadded exports. At the industry level, the primary drivers of changes in carbon exports were electricity and basic materials. The majority of industries in witnessed improvements in carbon intensities suggesting improved environmental efficiency. While both countries achieved a decoupling of carbon emissions from value-added exports, substantial year-to-year and sectoral variations were observed. Finally, structural decomposition analysis indicates that domestic supply-side factors played a role in decreasing emissions whereas foreign demand-side factors contributed to emissions increases. In line with the main findings, various implications for policy and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic development of a remote, mountainous region poses a challenge anywhere. Based on field research and documentary evidence, this article examines how such a development challenge has been addressed in Daocheng county, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan province. In doing so, it investigates the different forms of economic development, how such development comes about, and the role played by government in economic development. The article also probes the broader socioeconomic consequences of economic development. The fact that Daocheng is a predominantly Tibetan county adds a nationality dimension to the issue of economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the intersection between Frank Gehry's iconic Hotel Marqués de Riscal (MdR) and the Marques de Riscal winery, investigating their causal relationship with the surge in wine tourism. Using Google Trends data and empirical research, it establishes the influential role of the MdR Hotel in driving positive impacts on the winery and the local economy. Findings highlight: (1) the hotel's symbolic signaling elevates the winery's reputation globally, (2) repositioning efforts lead to increased economic returns and profitability, and (3) the transformational MdR Hotel attracts visitors, generating new economic activity and job opportunities in the Rioja region. Insights into the transformative effects of the iconic MdR Hotel on the winery and the local economy are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of the economic impacts of marine invasive species is fundamental for adopting mitigation measures, yet such impacts have been underreported in the Mediterranean Sea. The silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus) is a toxic pufferfish that since its introduction has seriously disturbed small-scale fisheries along the eastern Mediterranean coast. This species depredates on fishing gears, causing damage to nets, longlines and commercial catches. To quantify its economic impact on small-scale fisheries, we interviewed 141 fishers from Crete (Cretan and Libyan Sea) and the Ionian Sea (Greece) during May 2020–December 2022. The mean annual economic cost resulting from L. sceleratus depredation was estimated at EUR 6315 ± 2620 per vessel in Crete and EUR 258 ± 120 in the Ionian Sea. Additionally, observer surveys carried out on board small-scale fishing vessels in Crete showed that depredation probability was significantly influenced by fishing depth, sea surface temperature, gear type (nets, longlines) and region (Cretan, Libyan Sea). L. sceleratus was caught more frequently and in higher numbers in the Libyan Sea. In response to depredation, fishers in Crete have altered their fishing tactics in terms of fishing in deeper waters, reducing fishing time and changing the technical characteristics of fishing gears. Our results underscore the adverse impacts of L. sceleratus on Greek small-scale fishers, emphasizing the need for region-specific management plans where the species establishes large populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study, using real-world data, assesses the impact of RS testing on treatment pathways and the associated economic consequences of such testing. This paper pertains to lobular breast cancer. Methods: A retrospective, observational study was undertaken between 2011 and 2019 on a cross-section of hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative, lymph node-negative, early-stage breast cancer patients. All patients had ILC and had RS testing in Ireland. The patient population is representative of the national population. Patients were classified as low (RS ≤ 25) or high (RS > 25) risk. Patients aged ≤50 were stratified as low (RS 0–15), intermediate (RS 16–25), or high risk (RS > 25). Results: A total of 168 patients were included, most of whom had grade 2 (G2) tumors (n = 154, 92%). Overall, 155 patients (92.3%) had low RS (≤25), 12 (7.1%) had high RS (>25), and 1 (0.6%) had unknown RS status. In 29 (17.5%) patients aged ≤50 at diagnosis, RS was ≤15 in 16 (55%), 16–20 in 6 (21%), 21–25 in 5 (17%), >25 in 1 (3.5%), and unknown in 1 (3.5%). Post RS testing, 126 patients (78%) had a change in chemotherapy recommendation; all to hormone therapy. In total, only 35 patients (22%) received chemotherapy. RS testing achieved a 75% reduction in chemotherapy use, resulting in savings of €921,543.84 in treatment costs, and net savings of €387,283.84. Conclusions: The use of this test resulted in a 75% reduction in chemotherapy and a significant cost savings in our publicly funded health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Equitable access to healthcare is a priority of many healthcare systems, aiming to ensure access is driven by need and not minority groups such as those defined by sexual orientation. However, there are healthcare areas where inequity in access across sexual orientation groups is found that are not justified based on need. Mandated LGBTQ+-specific training of the healthcare workforce may help address some barriers of access for these groups. The study aims to understand the potential economic implications for mandated LGBTQ+-specific healthcare training on the healthcare system in England, UK to inform commissioning of training provision. Methods: Cervical cancer screening was used as an exemplar case where there appears to be inequity in access for different sexual orientation groups. A decision model was developed and analysed that considered the impacts of greater uptake of screening for lesbian and bisexual women due to LGBTQ+ training. Costs took the perspective of the healthcare system and outcomes modelled were cancer cases averted in a timeframe of 5 years. Results: Based on cervical cancer screening alone, where training costs are fully attributed to this service, training would likely result in fewer cancer cases detected in the lesbian and bisexual populations, though this comes at a modest increase in healthcare sector costs, with this increase largely reflecting a greater volume of screens. Training costs do not appear to be a major component of the cost implications. Conclusions: In resource-constrained systems with increasing pressures for efficiency savings, the opportunity cost of delivering training is a realistic component of the commissioning decision. The findings in this paper provide a signal that mandated LGBTQ+ training in healthcare could lead to potentially greater outcomes and in breaking down barriers of access and could also enable the healthcare system to provide more equitable access to healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Batteries are crucial to manage the rising share of intermittent energy sources and variability in demand. Most technoeconomic models in the literature oversimplify battery degradation representation. Accounting properly for battery degradation allows for better cost tradeoffs and optimal battery usage, especially in dynamic settings. We propose a highly accurate and scalable formulation for battery degradation that considers the combined impact of cycle depth (CD) and state of charge on calendar and cycle aging. This includes a novel way to track charge‐discharge cycles. We test the consequences of battery degradation in a stylized price arbitrage model on battery operation and solution times. When ignoring battery degradation, ex post calculations reveal hidden degradation costs that exceed revenues and hence turn seemingly profitable trades into losing trades. Considering battery degradation leads to smaller CDs and lower average states of charge. Overall, we show that a much‐improved representation of battery degradation is possible at modest computational cost, allowing better decisions and higher profits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: I examined whether retrospective evaluations of local governments were influenced by perceptions of local governments' influence. Methods: I fielded a survey (n = 1000) that asked respondents about their local governments, their perceptions of the economy and crime, and the influence of local governments on the economy and crime. Results: I found that respondents who strongly agreed with a statement that local governments had important economic consequences were more likely to connect their perceptions of the local economy to their evaluations of their local government than those who only somewhat agreed, or neither agreed nor disagreed with that statement. I found that respondents who strongly agreed with a statement that local governments could reduce violent crime were more likely to connect their perception of local crime to their evaluation of their local government than those who neither agreed nor disagreed with that statement. Conclusion: I found some evidence that retrospective evaluations are moderated by perceptions of local government influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The poultry industry is one of the most important agricultural subsectors, significantly contributing to protein supply and holding a unique position in terms of production and employment. To expand and boost profitability in this industry, it is important to analyze the economic factors of production, so that the factors influencing the rise in productivity of broiler production units may properly be recognized. As a result, the effective factors on the productivity of the Arian broiler sector in Iran's Kurdistan Province were investigated and prioritized in the current study. In order to evaluate the productivity of the industry, four main factors including human capital, economic, technical, and environmental variables were evaluated. The DEMATEL-ANP integrated approach was then used to determine the relative weights of the factors. The results revealed that the human capital component had the highest impact and the economic component was identified as the most influential factor among the other factors. Furthermore, the economic indicator had the highest priority, with a weight of 0.17. Of the 29 research components (sub-criteria), the "broiler farmer experience", with a weight of 0.042, exerted the greatest impact on the productivity of the province's broiler sector. The "feed cost", "day-old chicks cost", and "health care cost" ranked the second to fourth, respectively. According to the findings, more attention should be devoted to the production chain, such as input production and poultry vaccinations, in order to accomplish and also enhance productivity in the broiler industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platform capitalism is a growing reality with a widening social and economic impact. The rapid expansion of Short-Term Rental (STR) platforms has led to new challenges for policy regulation. The main objective of this paper is to shed some light on current conflicts surrounding the regulation of STR. The body of literature on this topic mainly focuses on the increasing substitution of sharing economy by commercial hosts. By contrast, we explain that the ideological notion of host hinders the understanding of the supply-side structure. A critical approach (as critique of ideology and ideological categories) should entail a class perspective based on rent theory and engage with critical works on platform capitalism. In this article, we propose an innovative analytical approach to STR supply-side supported by rent theory, which focuses on the relationship of agents with land and technology ownership and specialised management services, as these are forms of rent appropriation. From this point of view, these supply-side agents are not hosts, but class factions with common and competing economic interests in rent appropriation. Therefore, they can employ a variety of strategies to influence the political regulation of STRs. Based on in-depth interviews with landlords, individual managers, and corporate agencies in Andalusia (Southern Spain), we show the conflicting internal structure behind the ideological notion of host and even professionalisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using measures rooted in welfare economics, this article quantifies the economic consequences arising from occupational segregation by gender and migration status in twelve European countries. We also identify the most inclusive European labor markets by building counterfactual distributions. In particular, we remove cross-country differences in immigrants' origin, years of residence, and education, thus determining the contribution that these variables make to the geographical disparities. Our results reveal that the economic consequences of segregation are negative for most foreign workers, especially for immigrant women in Italy, Spain, Germany, and Slovenia. Portugal emerges as a reference point because immigrant workers have a better position compared to other countries, which does not seem to arise from their basic individual characteristics. Our analysis highlights the importance of policy actions aimed at improving the occupational sorting of immigrant workers, such as investing in skills development, avoiding occupational downgrading, and incorporating a gender perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opportunity youths (OY) are youths between 16 and 24 years of age who are neither in school nor working. Research suggests that youth disconnection can have negative consequences on youths' well-being, their communities, and the economy at large. The existing literature however neglects the underlying socio-demographic and economic factors that systematically contribute to the cause of youth disconnection in the United States. This study aims to explore the characteristics associated with youth disconnection and their spatially varying effects in different regions across the contiguous United States. Using data from the 2015 to 2019 5-year American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample, results suggest that areas with higher percentages of OY are located in the Sunbelt region (e.g., southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia). Moreover, a multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) analysis illustrated spatially varying relationships with disconnection, demonstrating that factors have unique effects across different geographic areas. The potential impact of intersectionality for OY by race and ethnicity, ability, nationality, language, income, and parenting status is discussed. These results highlight the influence of local contexts in creating and reinforcing youth disconnection as well as informing responses to local support services for OY. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the spatial–temporal dynamics of both natural and planted forests is critical for sustainable forest management and assessing ecological benefits or impacts. In 2020, China's forest area encompassed approximately 220 million hectares, accounting for around 5 % of the global forest area. Furthermore, China boasts the largest planted forest area worldwide. However, knowledge regarding the spatial–temporal dynamics of China's natural and planted forests has remained elusive. To fill this gap, we first generated wall-to-wall natural and planted forest maps at 30-m resolution for China every-five years from 1990 to 2020 by using 447,730 images from Landsat-4/5/7/8/9 surface reflectance archive and 656,920 field samples, which were a combination of crowdsourced data and expert knowledge. Secondly, we analyzed the spatial–temporal dynamics of natural and planted forests at multiple-scales from 1990 to 2020. The resultant maps achieved an overall accuracy ranging from 77.33 %±0.67 % to 81.78 % ± 0.59 % and revealed opposite trends in the areas of natural and planted forests from 1990 to 2020. During these three decades, China's planted forest area increased by 447,500 km2 while the natural forest area decreased by 219,100 km2. The spatial–temporal dynamics of China's natural and planted forests result from China's vast forest management programs in addition to social and economic factors. Variations of these factors at different scales not only determined the primary goals of protecting natural forests and expand planted forests but also resulted in increasing forest areas for many consecutive years by planting forests that offset the loss of natural forests. Our maps provide timely and valuable insights into the benefits and impacts of natural and planted forests in China, which are both closely linked to sustaining human well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the nexus between oil prices (Oil) and economic output (IIP) asymmetrically in the Indian context using quarterly data from 1996–1997:Q1 to 2019–2020:Q4. To this end, we have used a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model. The main findings of the study are as follows—firstly, the Wald test confirms the nonlinearities among the negative and positive shocks in Oil, EX and IR in the long run. Secondly, the NARDL model reveals that negative shock in oil price stimulate the IIP, whereas positive shock in Oil fails to influence IIP. The positive shock in EX strengthens the Indian economy by having a positive and significant impact on IIP, while the negative shock in EX is insignificant. The positive and negative shocks in IR negatively impact IIP in the long run. The study demonstrates that Oil, EX and IR exert asymmetric pressure on IIP in the long run. Concisely, India's economic output is more responsive to oil prices decrease than oil prices increase. Therefore, the asymmetric oil prices‐economic output nexus has substantial policy implications, particularly for prudent energy policy in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most migration studies and theories focus on understanding the initial migration of people from their home country. Less attention has been paid to the factors influencing immigrants' preferences to either permanently settle in the host country, return to their home country or move onwards to another destination. Understanding the characteristics and motives of those who aspire to leave the host country is, however, valuable for both host and home countries to formulate appropriate and effective policies in order to retain their valued immigrants or citizens and foster their successful (re-)integration. This paper provides a comprehensive global analysis of the characteristics and circumstances that shape first-generation immigrants' aspirations to stay, return or migrate onwards, based on individual-level data from the Gallup World Polls across 138 countries worldwide between 2009 and 2016. Our study reveals that immigrants' stated preferences are strongly influenced by demographics, human and spiritual capital, as well as by soft factors, such as social ties and sociocultural integration, while economic factors have a more feeble influence. Changes in circumstances in the home and host countries are also important determinants of locational aspirations. Some interesting exceptions to our results stand out when we differentiate home and host countries by their economic development levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Economic burden studies can provide insights into the drivers leading to increasing healthcare costs. It can also provide a more holistic view of how diseases impact the welfare of patients and their families. Having concrete estimates of the economic burden across multiple diseases can help policymakers determine which diseases are economically more burdensome. This study aimed to review and summarise comprehensively economic burden studies across multiple diseases in the Nordic countries between 2000 and 2020. Methods: According to the 2020 PRISMA statement, a systematic literature review was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Academic Search Premier and Global Health databases using key terms related to the economic burden of any disease in Denmark, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Grey literature was also reviewed. Results: A total of 10,050 potential titles and abstracts were identified and screened, and 254 full-text papers that met the inclusion criteria were evaluated by two independent reviewers. Of these, 119 articles were included in a qualitative synthesis. Twenty-nine had clearly defined comparison groups, thus able to attribute the costs to the disease. Large variations concerning methodology and cost components were noted. Across diseases, the economic burden ranged from EUR 1668 per patient annually for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to EUR 93,041 for multiple sclerosis. However, estimates varied widely, even within each disease. Conclusions: Our review highlights the need for more comparable economic burden studies. Future studies should focus on applying robust methodology and homogeneous cost-reporting methods to inform policymakers about which diseases are economically more burdensome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing analyses of lifestyle in migration studies have focused on individual, rather than family, aspirations, while studies of Chinese transnational migration have focused on instrumentalism, rather than the quality-of-life factors, driving family migration. Moreover, these two fields of study have tended to center on the privileges of relatively affluent migrants, largely overlooking important familial and economic dimensions for middle- and upper-middle-class migrants. Drawing on 38 in-depth interviews with returnee parents from Hong Kong who have migrated back to their previous places of residence in the West or have plans to do so, this article addresses these gaps by examining reverse family migration considerations. We identify the aspiration for a better quality of life for the family, rather than for the self, as the dominant driver of migration. We find that returnee parents' main frames of reference for considering how and where to live were shaped by interactions between their children's education, economic factors, transnational mobility, and imaginary and emotional aspects of migration. Our analysis shows the value of engaging with lifestyle in efforts to understand reverse migration among Chinese families. More broadly, this article contributes to better understanding of migration motivation by drawing attention to family-centered lifestyle aspirations and the coexistence of privilege and precarity among relatively affluent middling migrants, areas that have been insufficiently explored in research on Chinese transnational migration and lifestyle migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]