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To mitigate the existing challenges with piles driven in intermediate geomaterial (IGM), this study presents an economic impact assessment for steel piles in IGMs based on the newly developed and existing static analysis (SA) methods using 149 test pile data from seven US states. The assessment determines the differences in the number of piles and the equivalent steel pile weight. The proposed SA methods yield, on average, a smaller difference in steel weight based on states, pile types, and bearing IGM layers. Three machine learning (ML) algorithms: random forest, support vector machine (SVM) and neural network are applied to predict the difference in steel weight. Three percentage-based variables are employed in the ML algorithms as inputs: total pile penetration, total shaft resistance and end bearing in IGM. Based upon 31 testing data, SVM with the lowest RMSE, MAD and highest pseudo-R2 is identified as the best algorithm. The predicted difference in steel weight from SVM is optimized to zero using a novel application of the genetic algorithm, and various contour maps are generated. These contour maps can be used to predict the difference in steel weight graphically based on the three percentage-based variables for future driven steel piles in IGMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We derived 2015 wildlife-based tourism multipliers for the rural area of Zambia where input-output tables (I-OT) are unavailable. To estimate multipliers in a data-poor environment, the national direct requirements coefficients were first derived from the country's 2010 I-OT. These direct requirements coefficients were re-scaled to rural area region by multiplication with the rural area production percentage shares, while the total requirements coefficients were computed through an inverse matrix conversion (Leontief inverse matrix). This procedure is particularly useful for rural area regions with active wildlife-based tourism, where input-output tables are unavailable, with time and financial resource constraints. The ranges of the derived direct multipliers for output, income, employment and value-added multipliers were 1.10–1.27, 0.04–0.20, 6.01–35.81 and 0.52–0.71, respectively. These estimated multipliers can be used in economic models for measurement of the economic impacts of protected areas is vital for planning and management purposes and for public understanding of wildlife resource values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonprofit community service federations (CSFs) leverage collaborative relationships with community stakeholders and their own direct economic activity to impact local community outcomes. Under the Collective Impact Framework, CSFs influence community outcomes mainly by acting as backbone organizations, which provide central program support and fiscal management services for a nonprofit network of stakeholders and serve as a grantmaking fiscal intermediaries. There remains no standard approach to evaluate impact on community outcomes. Economic impact analysis has been underexamined in academic literature as an approach to community outcomes evaluation. This paper presents a case study of the United Way of Southwest Alabama (UWSWA) to demonstrate the use of economic impact as an outcomes measurement for use in collective impact program evaluation. Economic impact assessment using conventional input–output methodology provides a broad measure of the economic influence of the UWSWA on indicators of regional economic activity such as output, value-added, earnings, and employment. This study uses a 3-year (FY2017-FY2020) sample of financial data supplied by UWSWA to estimate its scope and scale of economic activity. The case of UWSWA demonstrates how economic impact analysis may complement other impact evaluation methods. The paper finds UWSWA generates substantial positive economic effects on its service region through both its grantmaking and business operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Economic inequality has surged to the forefront of U.S. policy debates, driven by rising income and wealth gaps. This paper examines strategies to foster economic growth and reduce income inequality, drawing insights from experiences in Scandinavia, Europe, and Singapore. It assesses the effectiveness of education, tax, and welfare policies in promoting growth, evaluating their costs, benefits, and ease of implementation. The paper also delves into proposed wealth tax plans and their potential to address inequality. Universal Basic Income (UBI) is also examined as a response to workforce challenges, discussing its benefits, costs, and effects on labor supply. Assessing the evidence for each, the paper recommends education reforms, such as doubling the Pell Grants program and implementing conditional tax transfers to low-income families to support education for underprivileged children. Universal basic income shows high potential for reducing inequality, but its implementation is not feasible due to the substantial costs involved. Moreover, more research is needed on wealth taxes to gauge their effects on innovation and entrepreneurship before they can be considered seriously for implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this study was to conduct a cost–utility analysis of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors in real-world, comparing their use with standard care for managing cardiovascular disease. A multicenter prospective study was conducted across 12 Spanish hospitals from May 2020 to April 2022, involving 158 patients with hypercholesterolemia or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This study assessed health-related quality of life (QoL) using the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire. The cost–utility analysis evaluated the economic impact of PCSK9 inhibitors when used with standard care compared to standard care alone, calculating the incremental cost–effectiveness ratio (ICER). This study included 158 patients with an average age of 61 years, male (66.5%). For patients initiating PCSK9 inhibitors, the treatment cost was EUR 13,633.39, while standard therapy cost EUR 3638.25 over two years. QoL for PCSK9 inhibitors stood at 1.6489 over two years, compared to 1.4548 for standard therapy. The results revealed favorable cost–utility outcomes, with an ICER of EUR 51,427.72. Significant improvements were observed in the domains of mobility, self-care, daily activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression (p < 0.001). This study presents the first real-world cost–utility analysis of PCSK9 inhibitors, supporting their economic rationale and highlighting their benefits in clinical practice. Healthcare decision-makers can use these results to inform their decisions and reimbursement policies concerning PCSK9 inhibitors. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT04319081. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital finance enhances corporate ESG performance and is essential for achieving sustainable development; however, its consistent effectiveness in improving ESG outcomes remains contested. Using panel data from A-share listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges in China from 2011 to 2021, this study empirically examines nonlinear effects, transmission mechanisms, and moderating factors. The results indicate a U-shaped relationship between digital finance and ESG performance, with a positive impact becoming apparent when digital finance exceeds the threshold of 3.81. Mechanism tests reveal that green technological innovation and public environmental attention are crucial transmission channels for the nonlinear effects. Furthermore, financial regulation levels and environmental uncertainty negatively moderate this relationship, while corporate digital transformation has a positive moderating effect. Further analysis shows that the U-shaped relationship is more pronounced in areas with lesser financial advancement and higher levels of environmental regulation, as well as in non-high-tech industries, non-manufacturing sectors, smaller firms, and companies without political connections. This study provides empirical evidence and policy insights to support the promotion of financial services that better facilitate corporate sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses an input–output model to assess the economic impact of the 2018 Mile High 420 Festival on the Colorado economy. A comprehensive assessment was conducted to determine the economic impact of the Mile High 420 Festival, which included analyzing the direct, indirect, and induced effects of festival spending. The study involved 233 respondents whose primary motive was to attend the 420 Festival. Using IMPLAN, the study's data were analyzed to determine the economic activity generated by visitor activity. On average, each respondent spent USD 2013 during their trip to Colorado. The largest expense per person was on cannabis-related activities and shopping, followed by lodging and food and drink. When these expenses were multiplied by the number of visitors (25,650), the total spending amounted to USD 51.7 million. When indirect and induced spending was included, the 2018 Mile High 420 Festival generated a total economic impact of over USD 95 million for Colorado. It contributed to the creation of 787 jobs in the region. No study has been conducted on the economic impact of a cannabis-themed festival in the current tourism literature. Therefore, this study contributes to filling this gap by developing literature on the impact of cannabis tourism and its implications for host communities or states, especially for state policymakers and business professionals. The results of this study are expected to serve as a reliable benchmark for subsequent economic impact analyses and comparisons with other industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pandemic has exposed the Russian economy's weaknesses, particularly its insurance industry. In the study, the following qualitative data were utilized: an analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the insurance market in various countries, an assessment of the economic impact of the pandemic on the insurance sector, an examination of trends in the global insurance market, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of insurance companies across different nations. Quantitative data were employed, including the volume of insurance premiums in various countries, the number of insurance contracts, the amount of insurance compensation, the number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population, the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the Producer Price Index (PPI), and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The pandemic impact system was reproduced and built on the example of such countries as Russia, the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, and many others. It has been proven that the development trend of this industry under the pandemic influence is an economic downturn with a decline in profits but an increase in requirements. In some nations, such as the United States and Canada, there was a slowdown in the life and disability insurance market, whereas in other countries, such as China and South Korea, a rapid market expansion was observed. In Russia, the insurance market maintained a positive trajectory in 2021, despite the pandemic's impact. The volume of insurance premiums in Russia increased to 1.5 billion rubles in 2021. Europe and Central Asia experienced diverse effects of the pandemic on insurance markets. In Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, there was a decline in life insurance premiums, while Slovenia observed a positive growth trend. The study outlined the key issues that need to be addressed to reduce the repeated negative impact of pandemics to restore the global insurance market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological restoration projects are designed to improve natural and cultural resources. Spending on restoration also stimulates economic impacts to the restoration economy through the creation or support of jobs and business activity. This paper presents accessible methods for quantifying the economic impacts supported by restoration spending and is written to be a guide and toolbox for an interdisciplinary audience of restoration practitioners and economists. Measuring the economic impacts of restoration can be challenging due to lacking or limited data. The complex, collaborative, and heterogeneous nature of restoration projects can make it difficult to clearly track costs, contributing to limited availability and inconsistency in restoration cost data. And business classification systems, such as the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS), do not include restoration-sectors that consistently describe the patterns of restoration spending. The aims of this paper are to (1) provide restoration practitioners and program managers with a clear understanding of the application of economic impact analyses to restoration, (2) provide a framework for collecting project cost data for economic impact analyses, and (3) provide modeling best practices and an example application of the framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, Ukraine find itself in a very difficult situation, on the one hand, the already unstable economy has just begun to recover after the coronavirus crisis; on the other hand, it is suffering colossal losses from Russian aggression. The article examines the current economic and ecological state of Ukraine, considering the influence of such drastic external factors as a military invasion with the aim of determining the prerequisites for the formation of an effective social and environmental policy and developing approaches to the improvement and stabilization of the national economy. To achieve the goals of the article, have been used intersectoral balance and in particular economic impact analysis (EIA), which was conducted on the example of the Ukrainian agricultural sector, because it is one of the three driving forces of its economy. The results of the study showed the scenarios of possible changes and their consequences for the economy of the state as a whole, and in the future can be used for study in order to develop new and improve existing methods of solving socio-economic problems at the national level and preserving natural capital, as one of the key elements on path to sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores the identification and management of historical mosques as tourism destinations, comparing the cases of Indonesia and Japan. It examines different management patterns and strategies for developing historical mosques as heritage tourism products, emphasizing the preservation of authenticity and cultural elements. The study employed a qualitative descriptive method to examine the tourism activities of historical mosques in Japan and Indonesia. The data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and open-ended questionnaires. There were 50 respondents from Indonesia's mosque and 30 respondents from Japan's mosque. The interviews and open questionnaires were carried out face to face using Indonesian for Indonesia and for Japan using English and Japanese translator assistance. The study highlights the importance of incorporating cultural attractions, festivals, and halal markets to enhance the tourist experience. It also discusses the positive impact of visiting historical mosques on changing perceptions and promoting understanding of Islamic culture. However, the paper has limitations, such as a lack of comprehensive analysis of the economic impact and limited geographic scope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spain is the world's leading producer and exporter of fresh lemons, with production concentrated in the southeast. The significance of this region in lemon production and the impact of agriculture on the economy and environment make optimizing lemon cultivation crucial. The main production models of lemon in Southeastern Spain (conventional Fino and Verna) are established and evaluated economically and environmentally through life cycle costing (LCC) and life cycle assessment (LCA). Both models have a similar cost structure, with variable costs (94% of the total) being the most significant, particularly labor and irrigation, followed by fertilizers and pest control. The key difference is in productivity; Verna has a higher unit cost due to lower productivity. As in LCC, in LCA the contributions of the components to the impacts of the models are very similar due to the similarities in the production models. However, Fino shows lower absolute values due to higher productivity. Fertilizers are the component with the highest contributions to the impacts, specifically their manufacture. For global warming, low values were obtained: 0.063 and 0.081 kg CO2-eq·kg−1 for Fino and Verna, respectively, which may result from diverse factors: high productivity, low pesticide and machinery use, and low nitrous oxide emissions because of aridity. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was performed on the origin of water sources and calculation methods of pesticide emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a social and economic impact analysis of the Burundi political crisis (2015 to 2017) accompanied by economic sanctions. We perform our analysis with a macro–micro-simulation framework. We constructed a macro–micro analytical framework that includes a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model and a micro-simulation (MS) model. This framework allows us to link shocks of a more macroeconomic nature such as reductions in foreign aid, reductions in the supply of public services, on household decomposed to focus the analysis on children. Scenarios were designed and applied to capture the sanctions associated with the crisis and other manifestations of the crisis. The distributional analysis is performed with the standard indices (FGT and Gini), and we innovated by extending our social analysis on five social indicators by combining results from our CGE model and elasticities linking growth and social indicators from the literature. The macroeconomic and sectoral results show significant negative effects on GDP, skilled employment, and unemployment. The social impact analysis carried out with our framework and with observed data shows a very significant negative impact on the five social indicators selected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enlargement of the European Union in 2004 marked a significant milestone in the history of European integration, bringing ten new member states into the Union. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the economic impact of this enlargement two decades later. Drawing from the economic literature and descriptive analysis, the paper examines both anticipated benefits and realised outcomes. Preceding the enlargement, ex ante analyses projected substantial gains in GDP, trade integration and welfare for both acceding and existing member countries. These expectations were largely met. At the macroeconomic level, the paper shows a significant reduction in trade costs, enhanced trade integration and deepening participation in cross-border value chains within the Single Market. Some challenges remain, however, in terms of social and territorial cohesion in these countries. The lessons learned from this enlargement underscore the continuous nature of integration, beginning with accession preparation and producing tangible effects throughout the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Community Service & Empowerment is the property of Journal of Community Service & Empowerment and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Covid-19 pandemic that broke out in 2019 was one of the largest epidemics in human history after the Spanish flu of 1918-1919 (Trilla, Trilla and Daer, 2008). Its spread across Africa, and Zimbabwe in particular, shook economies and disrupted social structures, severely affecting the mental health of the populace. However, calamities like Covid-19 are hardly gender-neutral. While Covid-19 had negative psychosocial and economic impacts on all gender groups, women suffered disproportionately from the socio-economic and psychological toll of the epidemic. Using qualitative research methods based on interviews and observations in Harare Zimbabwe, this article explores the experiences of urban Zimbabwean women during the Covid-19 pandemic. The outbreak of covid-19 and the consequential lockdowns had a marked disruptive effect on urban formal and informal sources of livelihoods than it had on the largely subsistence rural economy. We, therefore, analyse the urban socio-cultural and economic contexts that shaped women's daily experiences in the context of Covid-19 and how this affected their economic and psychological situation. We aver that while Covid-19 made women 'beasts of burden' who had to provide for the household and family, it also served as a means of social reconstruction and provided opportunities for women's social and economic advancement and long-term psychological well-being. Covid-19 broke down and weakened the manipulative patriarchal socio-cultural norms that excluded women from economic and social advancement. Using the neo-dependency analytical framework, this article contends that while crises worsen conditions for vulnerable groups, there should also be space to celebrate the breaking of exploitative social structures that have kept women in subservient positions for centuries. By exposing the weaknesses of patriarchy, Covid-19 signalled the development of a new social order that recognises and celebrates women's courage, strengths, and resilience in times of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We estimate potential regional industrial effects in case of a threatening gas deficit. For Germany, the reduction leads to a potential decrease in industrial value added by 1.6 %. The heterogeneity across German states is remarkable, ranging from 2.2 % for Rhineland-Palatinate to 0.7 % for Hamburg. We emphasize the need for regional input-output tables to conduct economic analysis on a sub-national level, particularly when regional industrial structures are heterogeneous. The approximation with national figures can lead to results that differ both in magnitude and relative regional exposure. Our findings highlight that more accurate policy guidance can be achieved by improving the regional database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports an analysis using the computable general equilibrium (CGE) model to calculate the economic development and emissions under different air pollution prevention strategies, with a focus on the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei rim surrounding the cities in the 'Capital Economic Circle'. It appeared that raising the emission tax effectively suppressed air pollution but also suppressed economic development. Raising the emission subsidy promoted economic development, but did not suppress air pollution. A stepwise tax collection mode can be used to formulate the emission tax. When using emission subsidies to encourage manufacturers to improve their exhaust treatment technology, the policy should be tilted towards small enterprises to reduce economic pressure on them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fasciola hepatica affects cattle and buffaloes causing decreased production and liver condemnation at slaughter. Objective: To determine liver condemnation frequency, temporal distribution, and associated factors, as well as the spatial distribution and economic impact of F. hepatica infection based on postmortem inspection of cattle and buffaloes processed between 2010 and 2019 at one of the main slaughterhouses in Colombia. Methods: An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was carried out, with a convenience non-probability sampling. Temporal distribution of liver condemnation frequency was analyzed. Pearson χ² test was used to determine association between the dependent variable (i.e., presence/absence of adult parasites of F. hepatica) and frequency rates between months and years. Monthly rainfall data was compared with the accumulated monthly frequency. Association between the dependent variable and production type (i.e., industrial-type bovine cattle--intended for milk production, and commercial-type bovine cattle--intended for meat production), weight, and sex (odds ratios, OR and confidence intervals, 95% CI) was explored. Descriptive maps of the municipalities presenting at least one positive case of F. hepatica in 2019 and weighted prevalences, both for bovines and buffaloes, were designed. Only losses due to liver condemnation between 2010 and 2019 were considered in the economic impact analysis. Results: A total of 1,947,233 animals were processed during the study period, resulting in 3.1% overall frequency of fasciolosis. Industrial-type cattle presented 7.4% higher risk of developing F. hepatica compared to commercialtype cattle (OR=0.074; 95% CI:0.07-0.08). Likewise, male cattle presented 3.88 times more risk compared to females (OR=3.88; 95% CI:3.49-4.33). Economic losses due to liver condemnation were estimated at US$1,129,660 for the study period. Conclusion: This is the first report of Fasciola hepatica in buffaloes in Colombia. Liver condemnations in Colombia occur throughout the year, although its frequency increases during the rainy season. The economic losses, estimated by liver condemnation due to fasciolosis, are high; however, it is necessary to explore such losses considering other productive indicators and larger animal populations. This work demonstrates the importance of systematizing the information generated in slaughterhouses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examines the impacts of saponin, extracted from the fruits of Acacia Concinna, in its effectiveness as a dispersant and stabilizer during the pipeline conveyance of iron ore particles. The basic fundamental characteristics of iron ore, which comprises a majority of hematite and has a size of (≤75 µm), have been examined and characterized. Iron ore water slurry (IWS) rheological behavior has been investigated as a function of saponin doses, pH, particle concentration, and the shear rate-shear stress correlation. The change in zeta potential with pH is used to compute the isoelectric point of IWS. An appropriate mechanism has been presented to explicate the interaction between saponin and particles of Iron ore. The surface-modified particles exhibit improved dispersion characteristics in the aqueous solution due to the modification of electrostatic force that the surface charge on each particle causes. Investigation indicates that the optimal proportion of saponin had a significant favorable effect on the fluidity and stability of the suspension. The analysis of the economic impact of the dispersant has been conducted through the evaluation of slurry head loss and specific energy consumption (SEC) pertaining to the implementation of the IWS pipeline in its intended commercial application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has initiated more telecommuting (or working from home) than ever. This paper provides an economic analysis of the impacts of telecommuting on the residential location choice equilibrium. In particular, this paper employs a simplified monocentric city model of urban spatial structure to analytically examine the impacts of telecommuting on residential location choices and the associated commuting pattern in a city, considering that telecommuting may have positive, zero, or negative impact on individual income level. We found that the income effect of telecommuting and its relative magnitude against the commuting cost govern whether telecommuting will attract more to live in the suburb or the downtown. Moreover, the impacts of housing supply and commuting costs on the residential location choice equilibrium are dependent on the level of telecommuting, where such impacts diminish when the level of telecommuting increases. Furthermore, this paper derives and examines analytical solutions for the optimal level of telecommuting, the optimal housing supply and the optimal transport investment (that reduces commuting cost) in order to improve social welfare or the housing operator's profit in the context of telecommuting. How these optimal solutions are related to the level of telecommuting is also analyzed. This study provides understanding on how telecommuting may affect the joint equilibrium of residential location choice and commuting and how housing supply and transport investment should be adjusted in response to telecommuting. • This paper analyzes the impacts of telecommuting on residential location choices. • The income effect of telecommuting affects where to live. • We analyze the optimal telecommuting level, housing supply and transport investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research was conducted to ascertain the impact of imports on Iraq's GDP, which is a critical element in the development of economic policies and strategies. The study demonstrated that imports had a detrimental impact on Iraq's GDP in both the short and long term by employing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to examine the relationship between imports and domestic product. According to the shortterm elasticity value of (-0.24), the increase in imports resulted in a 24% decrease in GDP in Iraq, with a minor 1% offset in other sectors. This decrease in GDP underscores the substantial influence that an increase in imports can have on a nation's overall economic performance. This research emphasises the significance of evaluating the effects of import trends on technological advancements, resource allocation, and infrastructure projects in Iraq. Engineers and policymakers can strive to create sustainable solutions that foster domestic production, innovation, and economic growth in the long term by acknowledging the detrimental impacts of excessive imports on GDP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Regional Studies & Local Development is the property of Padova University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The direct‐to‐consumer (D2C) shipping mode presents new opportunity for fresh peach sales in North America where demand over the past four decades has steadily declined. The hazards in this distribution mode are severe, and fresh peaches are fragile emphasizing the need for proper protection. A full analysis that not only encompasses the effects of the D2C distribution environment but also incorporates analyses of the environmental and economic impact of the packages utilized for transit of peaches is necessary. In this study, we use the metrics of peach grade, firmness, soluble solids concentration and percent softness before and after the distribution simulation to compare the protective performance of six DTC packaging systems. All six packages consist of a single layer corrugated box with varying primary packaging. A life cycle analysis of each package system is performed as well as an economic analysis on the packaged materials and cost to ship. We conclude that peach damage in shock testing is related to the freedom of movement that peaches have within each package type and varies by package system. All the package types evaluated amplify input vibration in the frequency range commonly associated with the input from the tires of truck‐trailer systems. There are no statistical differences between package systems in the distribution simulation of the six package types except in peach softness and grade of melting flesh peaches. Finally, we found that a reduction in material use and change in format, that is, foam sheets to foam netting, provides for sufficient peach protection while reducing environmental and economic impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the growth potential of ultra wide band (UWB), the government revised the technical requirements in November 2022 to enable services to use the technology through mobile communication devices such as smartphones. This study estimates the economic impact of an unlicensed spectrum management policy by analyzing cases of technical requirement revisions. Through inter-industry analysis, the revision of technical requirements is expected to induce a production effect of KRW 7.1787 trillion and an added-value effect of KRW 2.2151 trillion over the next 10 years. As an unlicensed spectrum is expected to be utilized in various industrial fields, regulators are implementing active management policies. However, analyses of the contribution of these policies to the national economy are lacking. This study not only addresses this academic gap but also provides foundational data for market-based spectrum management policies based on economic feasibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This chapter offers an overview of economic developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) since the Competitiveness Outlook (CO) in 2021. Topics include the economic impact of BiH's external shocks and economic convergence, progress made and challenges encountered in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, a recap of its progress towards the European Union (EU) accession, and the slow growth projection in its economy in 2024.

The eradication of gender discrimination traditions and the reduction of income disparities are vital global objectives outlined in Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 10, particularly in African nations where gender and income gaps persist. In alignment with these goals, this study employs wavelet techniques to investigate the relationship between income inequality and gender equality in 31 selected African countries, utilizing available data spanning from 1998 to 2020. Analysis of the co-movement between gender equality and income gap reveals that gender equality plays a crucial role in narrowing the income disparity in African countries. Expanding the analysis to control for the impact of economic growth through the implementation of partial wavelet tools, does not change these results. Further dissemination of our findings reveals that improved gender equality has a more pronounced impact on reducing income inequality in anglophone nations compared to their francophone counterparts, given variations in legal frameworks and religious practices. This emphasizes the importance of gender-sensitive policies in effectively addressing income inequality in Africa and suggests that policymakers should tailor country-specific policies to account for differences in gender laws, cultures, and religious beliefs. Overall, our study presents novel evidence linking income and gender inequality in Africa at country level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Jurnal Manajemen dan Organisasi is the property of IPB University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper studies the impact of migration and digitisation on global remittance volumes. It finds that changes in migration trends are not only improving the financial status of the families affected but also positively affecting the flow of income for some low and middle-income countries, contributing significantly to their gross domestic product, and thus providing them with more money to spend on social infrastructure. At the same time, increasing digitisation within the remittance industry is driving greater efficiency and thus reducing the cost of remittance and, in turn, reducing reliance on traditional and less efficient information-based remittance approaches, such as hawala. The paper uses both graphical analysis and regression analysis to illustrate the economic impact of migration trends and technological innovation in the remittance sector. Looking to the future, the paper predicts exciting times for the remittance industry due to further shifts in migration patterns and the adoption of new digital technologies, such as distributed ledger technology and blockchain. The paper calls for more opportunities for similar investigations as well as studies into how factors such as stringent implementation and the enforcement of financial crime regulation and policy frameworks by governments have a bearing on the growth of the remittance industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hacettepe University Journal of Economics & Administrative Sciences / Hacettepe Üniversitesi Iktisadi ve Idari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Hacettepe University, Faculty of Economic & Administrative Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study evaluated economic impact analysis of VCDP on net farm income (NFI) of rice farmers in Niger State, Nigeria. Primary data were used. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select a total sample size of 292 rice farmers which comprised of 155 value chain development program beneficiaries and 137 non-beneficiaries. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, multiple regression analysis, difference-in-difference method (DD), propensity score matching (PSM), principal component analysis, F-Chow test, and t-test. The gross margin ratio for VCDP beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries was 88% and 71%. Rice production was profitable. The result of the difference-in-difference regression analysis showed that treatment (P< 0.10), period (P< 0.01), interaction (P< 0.10), level of educational (P< 0.10), and farm experience (P< 0.10), were statistically significant variables influencing the net farm income of rice farmers in the study area. The results of PSM show that the coefficient of Average Treatment Effect for all matching algorithms for net farm income of rice farmers such as nearest neighbor, radius, kernel, and stratification were significant at (P< 0.01). The F-Chow test conducted for difference between NFI of participant and nonparticipant of VCDP was statistical significant. This shows that VCDP impacted positively on NFI of rice farmers. The study recommends that low-interest loans should be made available to rice farmers to increase income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the impact of rural road provision on the macroeconomic objective of full employment. It deals with the extent to which roads act as direct generators of jobs during their construction and service periods, and the ways in which effective roads could indirectly stimulate employment opportunities quantitatively and, from a skills perspective, qualitatively. The economic impact analysis (ECIA) of road provision indicates the typical worker–hour requirements for the approximate estimation of employment needs. These estimates can be used whenever detailed estimates are not yet available. The estimates are provided for the construction and operation of (1) basic rural road segments, (2) bridges and viaducts, and (3) intersections, roundabouts (traffic circles), and interchanges. Where road projects contain other physical components, such as tunnels and toll plazas, the former three groups of employment rates could be used in combination with worker– hour estimates for the construction and maintenance of tunnels and tollrelated components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study explores the engagement of national standards bodies and practitioners with the ISO 12913 series on soundscape. It reveals critical challenges in stakeholder engagement, communication, competence, and practical application. A strategic roadmap, aligned with the normalization process theory, is proposed, comprising meaningful stakeholder engagement, building workability and integration, and community building and reflective monitoring. Results underscore the influence of national priorities, communication gaps, limited resources, and the need for practical guidance. Future efforts should focus on promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration and developing tools to quantify the societal and economic impact of soundscape interventions, addressing the multifaceted barriers identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as "mad cow disease," is a fatal neurological disorder in cattle attributed to abnormal brain protein aggregation. This disease presents multifaceted challenges, encompassing public health concerns due to potential transmission to humans, challenging disease control in cattle, and economic impacts on the livestock industry and global trade. Understanding the complex science of prion diseases like BSE is essential for managing and preventing its spread. We conducted a comprehensive investigation into BSE prevalence over the past decade in Akmola Province to analyse its temporal and spatial dynamics. The study explores the progression of BSE from its introduction into the cattle population to the establishment of enzootic equilibrium, highlighting the impact of control measures and key determinants influencing prevalence growth. Our findings offer valuable insights into the spatiotemporal patterns of BSE prevalence and its implications for disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depression is a serious public health concern due to its prevalence and associated discomfort, dysfunction, morbidity, and economic impact. Depression is more prevalent in women than in males. There is a need to investigate the course of depressive disorders in India to identify the necessity and duration of ongoing treatment. Studies should also assess cost‑effective treatment strategies that can be easily implemented in primary care settings to successfully treat depression. Methods: This study aimed to estimate the Serum L-Acetyl Carnitine (LAC) levels in depressive episodes, mainly to find a correlation between the levels and depression and also to correlate the values to the severity of depression with a depression rating scale like Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). LAC levels were estimated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 60 individuals after obtaining their informed consent. This included 30 cases of diagnosed depression and 30 age and sex-matched normal controls. The diagnosed depressive episodes were rated in MADRS, and a score was assigned based on the same. The results were tabulated and statistically analyzed. The mean age of the case group was 41.37 ± 11.32 and control group was 41.50 ± 14.37. The incidence of depressive symptoms was higher in females (53%) than males(47%). The incidence of depressive symptoms was higher in the 41–50-year age group than in any other group. The acetyl carnitine-LAC levels were significantly decreased in patients with depressive episodes (950.7 ± 902.7) compared to the control (1799.6 ± 67.1), respectively. The Pearson’s correlation shows there is a strong negative correlation between the MADRS score and the levels of acetylcarnitine in the cases which was statistically significant, P < 0.001. Conclusions: LAC may have an important role in the pathophysiology of depression by its epigenetic action on metabotropic glutamate receptors and the decrease in the brain tissue may induce depressive symptoms, and consequently, their supplementation causes a rapid antidepressant effect. Hence, it could be a useful biochemical marker for the diagnosis of depression and also an effective for the treatment of depression [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization has reformed the peripheries of China's main cities during the last four decades. The rural areas have been constantly developed through infrastructure development in recent days which introduces a newly semi-urban region referred to as Desakota. The purpose of this research is to discover potential influencing factors of housing construction technology in desakotas of China which needs to be assessed for the implementation of Desakotas forming globally. In this study, a total of six key primary factors and twenty key secondary factors have been shortlisted, which were surveyed by 120 respondents. After the statistical analysis, it is seen that one primary factor, "Architectural and engineering mechanical factors" has been ranked top. Moreover, "Cost, financial and economic evaluation and Analysis of the impact of the natural environment on buildings" both ranked top among twenty secondary factors. This study adds to the body of knowledge by revealing the primary contributing elements for the first time that need to be taken into consideration in the rural and town communities of desakotas in China. The study results could help stakeholders, construction firms, academicians, researchers, and the government to focus their efforts and resources on the significant changes in the Desakotas in preparation for rapid urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofuels, especially ethanol, have gained immense popularity in the global energy sector, driven by a significant increase in demand. Ethanol production using agroindustrial residues reduces costs and can provide a destination for these residues that are generally wasted. In this context, the cashew apple emerges as an attractive and unconventional feedstock for bioethanol production. Although the technology to obtain ethanol from cashew apple juice is present in several studies, the key elements that determine its economic feasibility have never been defined. Then, this study aimed to present the first techno-economic assessment of ethanol production from cashew apple juice. Two industrial full-detailed scenarios were proposed based on the application of the obtained ethanol, where in scenario I, 2.1 × 106 liters of ethanol are produced for combustion purposes (94% w/w), while in scenario II, 2.8 × 106 liters of ethanol are produced for antiseptic purposes (70% w/w). The yields calculated in the proposed scenarios I and II were 66.5 L/ton and 88.9 L/ton, respectively, values comparable with those found in the literature using sugar cane and sweet sorghum as feedstocks. Then, the production of ethanol from cashew apple juice proved technically feasible. Economic sensibility analysis showed that both proposed scenarios are economically viable, as long as the cashew apple acquisition cost is at most 17.2 US$/ton for the scenario I and 28.1 US$/ton for scenario II. The raw material cost was the most crucial parameter to impact the economic analysis. In conclusion, the proposed biorefinery returned promising results, and it can consolidate a new raw material for ethanol production, provided that idle capacity is reduced and heat generation from cashew apple bagasse is optimized. [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]

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how the once-off increase in regional income that will result from investment in roads and the recurring increase in regional income that will stem from the use of economically viable new roads can be estimated. Once-off economic benefits occur because of the multiplier effect triggered by the initial investment expenditure on a road, while recurring economic benefits result from the income accelerator effect that use of the road during its service period will have. To determine the regional income multiplier effect of the investment expenditure on a proposed road during its construction period, it is necessary to estimate (i) the tax amounts included in the investment amount as a ratio of the total project investment amount, (ii) the monetary amount saved by project workers as a ratio of the total project investment amount, and (iii) the expenditure on imported project inputs as a ratio of the total project investment amount. An analysis that incorporates the above-mentioned three fund leakages from the circular flow of regional income will show that the representative income multiplier of South African rural paved road construction projects has a value of 4,58. The gross national income multiplier effect stemming from road construction expenditure can be categorised as follows: Multiplier 1 -- 1,99 2 -- 2,99 3 -- 3,99 4 -- 4,99 ≥ 5 Rating Poor Satisfactory Good Very good Excellent In the rating scale above, a gross national income multiplier effect stemming from road construction projects with a value of less than 2,00 is regarded as "poor", because such a multiplier value is usually associated with economically unviable road projects. Gross national road construction multiplier effects with a value of 2,00 or more are associated with economically viable projects. An analysis as referred to above will show that, with a once-off gross income multiplier value of 4,58, the construction of economically viable roads will afford the government a "very good" opportunity to generate income effectively, especially considering that the national economy-wide gross income multiplier in South Africa is 3,27, which shows that the gross income multiplier of road construction is 40% higher than the economy-wide gross income multiplier. The reasons why the once-off gross regional income multiplier stemming from construction expenditure on rural road projects is "very good" are as follows: (1) A substantial proportion of the payroll of road construction workers is subject to zero or low personal income tax rates. (2) The propensity to consume among rural, unskilled and semi-skilled workers (in areas where rural roads are constructed) is generally high, which implies a low savings leakage. (3) Labourers needed for road construction are usually recruited from (or from close by) the areas where a road is to be built. Furthermore, low-income earners tend to buy and consume goods that are produced locally. (4) Generally, there is a relatively small need to import economic resources for road construction projects. Items like timber, sand, stone, gravel, filling material, bitumen, cement, steel and most of the road construction equipment are of regional or, at least, South African origin. The pace at which an economically viable road will stimulate regional income will be reflected by the new traffic it induces and any existing traffic that it diverts from less beneficial roads. In the social cost-benefit analysis of a road, it is estimated by what proportion induced and diverted traffic will increase the road user surplus. This expected proportional increase in road user surplus will accelerate (stimulate) the once-off regional multiplier and is termed the "regional income stimulation factor". Project-driven induced investment activities -- i.e. downstream investment activities made possible by the provision of the road -- usually (a) involve technically more sophisticated construction projects than the analysed road itself, (b) require the importation of a greater proportion of finished goods and specialised equipment, and (c) involve more skilled and highly skilled workers, whose income is subject to high income tax rates and who exhibit a higher propensity for saving than unskilled workers. Such downstream activities will collectively have a greater leakage effect than that incorporated in the once-off regional multiplier pertaining to construction of the road, which will depress the magnitude of the recurring regional income accelerator. The different formulae used to calculate the recurring income accelerator are detailed in the body of the article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article deals with the nature of social cost-benefit analysis (SCBA) and economic impact analysis (ECIA) of road projects and describes the coherence of and distinctions between the two types of analysis. In the final part of the article, the reasons are given for not including in an SCBA the economic impacts of a road as determined through an ECIA, regardless of how positive they may be. The SCBA of a road project is a systematic procedure to determine the economic viability of the road project by considering the costs and benefits that accrue when the road is constructed and during the service period of the project. The cost component in the SCBA of a road project is the once-off investment or capital cost of taking the road into service or improving it. The benefit component in the SCBA of a road is the difference between recurring costs associated with an improved road and without the road improvement. Recurring costs of a road include (a) road user costs, (b) external costs arising from road use and (c) maintenance costs to protect and preserve the usefulness of the road. The beneficiaries in an SCBA are the road users. The following road user groups can be distinguished: (i) Normal traffic (consisting of existing, normal-growth and non-induced development traffic; (ii) diverted traffic; and (iii) induced traffic (consisting of generated, induced development, and transferred traffic.) To assess the efficiency of resource allocation, an SCBA is based on the consideration of social cost. From the perspective of allocative efficiency, as determined by an SCBA, a road project is regarded as economically viable when the current value of the reduction in recurring costs associated with the road during its service life exceeds the current value of the once-off investment cost of taking the road into service. Road provision and use have economic impacts. Unlike an SCBA, which focuses on the efficiency with which a road project increases accessibility for and the mobility of road users, a regional economic impact analysis (ECIA) focuses on the effectiveness of a project to affect the performance of the economy of a region by enhancing time and place utilities creation by non-road-users. Consequently, an analysis of the effect construction, operation and use of a road will have on regional economic performance should focus on their expected income multiplier and accelerator effects on the number and size of activities in the economy of a region. The following non-road-user groups can be distinguished: (a) The public, (b) landowners, occupants and land users, (c) roadside enterprises, (d) utility enterprises and (e) goods consignors and consignees (in their capacity as non-road-users). An ECIA is based on a consideration of market prices. In an ECIA the following objectives serve as criteria for judging the impact of a road project on the performance of the economy: * Economic growth (including economic development) * Full employment * Price stability * Balance of payments stability * Equitable distribution of income These impacts, regardless of how positive they may be, are not included in an SCBA for the following reasons: * A comprehensive economic assessment consists of two components that are performed in tandem, namely an SCBA and an ECIA. An SCBA relies on allocative efficiency as assessment criterion, while an ECIA relies on output effectiveness as assessment criterion. The inclusion of effectiveness criteria among efficiency criteria in an SCBA will result in a misrepresentation of project viability. * Double counting of benefits will occur when road user cost savings and economic impacts are combined. * Not all the economic benefits obtained through coordinated investment in various sectors, one of which may be a road, can be ascribed to the investment in the road alone. The reason for conducting an ECIA of a road project is to determine to what measure the analysed road is expected to affect the performance of the economy of the region concerned. Although the results of an ECIA do not form part of the outcome of an SCBA, an ECIA can be used as an instrument in the pursuit of the economic policy objectives of a government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]