The effect of partial automation on the productivity and cost of a mobile tower yarder

t Integration of technology is commonplace in forestry equipment supporting higher levels of automation and efficiency. For technology adoption to be successful it must demonstrate improvement in productivity, cost–effectiveness or in human factors and ergonomics. Cable yarding lends itself to automation with repetitive machine movement along a fixed corridor, as established by the skyline. This study aimed at investigating the difference in productivity between the two possible settings (manual and automated) of a Valentini V850 yarder equipped with automatic path programming, with a Bergwald 3-t carriage and radio controlled chokers. The study took place in the northern Italian Alpine eastern region over a period of 8 days on two separate corridors, resulting in 280 measured cycles split between manual and automated. Results in terms of absolute numbers were very close for the two system options, but significant differences were found. For example, inhaul time was longer, but outhaul time shorter for the automated system. Productivity ranged from 8.2 to 13.3 m3 PMH-1, and cost from approximately 20 to 30 € m-3. The automated system did achieve a significantly higher productivity, but differences declined with extraction distance. When that was combined with the slightly higher cost for the automated system, the automated system was more cost-effective on extraction distances less than 200 m, and the manual system on longer distances.

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Enhancement in productivity and income sustainability through Integrated farming system approaches for small and marginal farmers of Eastern India

Journal of AgriSearch ◽

10.21921/jas.v4i2.7777 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

SANJEEV KUMAR ◽

SHIVANI . ◽

S. K. SAMAL ◽

S. K. DWIVEDI ◽

MANIBHUSHAN .

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Recycling ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Fruit Trees ◽

Farming System ◽

Eastern Region ◽

Net Income ◽

System Productivity ◽

Integrated Farming ◽

Systems Models ◽

The Cost

Integration of different components viz. livestock, fishery, horticulture, mushroom etc. along with field crops not only enhanced productivity but by-products (waste) of one component act as input for another component through resource recycling within the system. Six integrated farming systems models with suitable combinations of Crop, vegetables, fruit trees, fish, livestock, mushroom etc. were made and evaluated at the experimental farm of ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna during 2012-16 for harness maximum income, nutrient recycling and employment. Among six combinations, crop + fish + duck + goat resulted as most profitable combination in terms of productivity (RGEY- 22.2t), net income (Rs. 2,15,900/ha), additional employment (170 days/year) with income sustainability index (ISI) by 90.2. Upon nutrient recycling prepared from different wastes from the system Crop + fish + duck + goat combination added N (56.5 kg), P (39.6 kg) and K (42.7 kg) into the soil and reduced the cost of cultivation by 24 percent and was followed by crop + fish + goat combination. Crops grown under IFS mode with different types of manures produced 31 percent higher yield over conventional rice- wheat system. The contribution of crops towards the system productivity ranged from 36.4 to 56.2 %, while fish ranged from 22.0-33.5 %; for goat 25.4-32.9 %; for poultry 38.7 %; for duck 22.0-29.0 %; for cattle 32.2% and for mushroom 10.3 %.

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How the United Kingdom Controls Pharmaceutical Prices and Spending: Learning From Its Experience

International Journal of Health Services ◽

10.1177/0020731421997094 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 002073142199709

Author(s):

Marc A. Rodwin

Keyword(s):

United Kingdom ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Market Prices ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Generic Market ◽

Pharmaceutical Spending ◽

The Difference ◽

The Government ◽

Pharmaceutical Prices ◽

Limit Access

To control costs and improve access, nations can adopt strategies employed in the United Kingdom to control pharmaceutical prices and spending. Current policy evolved from a system created in 1957 that allowed manufacturers to set launch prices, capped manufacturers’ rates of return, and later cut list prices. These policies did not effectively control spending and had limited effects on purchase prices. The United Kingdom currently controls pharmaceutical spending in 4 ways. (a) Since 1999, it has typically paid no more than is cost-effective. (b) Since 2017, for medicines that will have a significant budget impact, National Health Service England seeks discounts from cost-effective prices or seeks to limit access for 2 years to patients with the greatest need. (c) Since 2014, statutes and a voluntary scheme have required branded manufacturers to pay the government rebates to recoup the difference between the global pharmaceutical budget and actual spending. (d) For hospitals, generics and some patented drugs are procured through competitive bidding; community pharmacies are reimbursed through a system that provides an incentive to beat average generic market prices. These policies controlled the growth of spending, with the largest effects following budget controls in 2014. Changes since 2008 have reduced savings, first by paying more than is cost-effective for cancer drugs and then by applying higher cost-effectiveness thresholds for some drugs used to treat cancer and certain other drugs.

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Design and Testing of an Experimental Steam-Induced Burn Model in Rats

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2017/9878109 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Vlad Porumb ◽

Alexandru Florentin Trandabăț ◽

Cristina Terinte ◽

Irina Draga Căruntu ◽

Elena Porumb-Andrese ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Automated System ◽

Level Of Automation ◽

Exposure Temperature ◽

Degree Burn ◽

Computer Controlled ◽

The Difference ◽

High Level ◽

New Treatments ◽

Experimental Burns ◽

Second Degree

Background. Most of the current models for experimental burns pose difficulties in ensuring consistency and standardization.Aim of Study. We aimed to develop an automated, reproducible technique for experimental burns using steam-based heat transfer.Methods. The system developed for steam exposure was based on a novel, integrated, computer-controlled design. Three groups of rats were exposed to steam for 1, 3, and 7 seconds. The lesions were evaluated after 20 minutes, 48 hours, and 72 hours after burn induction.Results. One-second steam application produced a superficial second-degree burn; three-second application induced deep second-degree burn; and seven-second application led to a third-degree burn.Conclusion. The high level of automation of our integrated, computer-controlled system makes the difference between our system and other models, by ensuring the control of the duration of exposure, temperature, and pressure and eliminating as many potential human generated errors as possible. The automated system can accurately reproduce specific types of burns, according to histological assessment. This model could generate the reproducible data needed in the study of burn pathology and in order to assess new treatments.

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Relevant continuing professional development and quality resource situation make the Difference in student academic performance

Journal of Educational Management ◽

10.47963/jem.v11i.231 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Leticia Bosu

Keyword(s):

Professional Development ◽

Academic Performance ◽

Survey Design ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Continuing Professional Development ◽

Eastern Region ◽

Academic Qualification ◽

The Difference ◽

The Government ◽

Descriptive Survey

This study seeks to look at the relationships among teachers’ academic qualification, availability of quality resources and the performance of students in Mathematics, English and Integrated science of Basic Schools at Kwahu-East in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The authors used a descriptive survey design which adopted the questionnaire, interview and observation in the collection of data. The authors used stratified random sampling in selecting 180 teachers whereas purposive sampling was used in selecting 27 headteachers and District Education Officers which used the Pearson correlation in the analysis. The study revealed that a teacher’s academic qualification obtained through education had no significant relationship with student’s academic performance in the respective subjects being measured by this study. The authors recommend that the Government of Ghana concentrate on providing continuing professional development (CPD) programmes that concentrate on practical situations in the schools and channel more resources to schools.

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Research on the public sports service efficiency and spatial-temporal evolution in China

10.31124/advance.13536488 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

JIAO LINYAN ◽

QIAO ZIWEI ◽

MI SIMENG ◽

Jung Woo Jin

Keyword(s):

Spatial Data ◽

Evaluation Index System ◽

Spatial Data Analysis ◽

Eastern Region ◽

Data Envelopment ◽

Input Output ◽

Super Efficiency ◽

The Public ◽

Output Efficiency ◽

The Difference

Taking 31 provinces as the research object, this paper constructed the input-output efficiency evaluation index system of public sports service in China. The paper evaluated the input-output efficiency level and spatial-temporal pattern of public sports services using the methods of data envelopment analysis and exploratory spatial data analysis. The results show that: (1) The average comprehensive super-efficiency value of public sports service in 2016 was higher than that in 2008, and the provinces with the comprehensive super-efficiency value greater than 1 increased, but the difference between provinces in 2016 was more obvious. (2) Compared with 2008, the efficiency distribution of public sports service in 2016 is more balanced among the three regions, the difference between the eastern region and the central region is reduced. (3) The efficiency of public sports service has different spatial correlation in the geographical spatial distribution, and this correlation shows the reverse in the two measurements.

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A study to assess functional outcome of cemented and uncemented total hip replacement in a tertiary care center

International Journal of Research in Orthopaedics ◽

10.18203/issn.2455-4510.intjresorthop20193679 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (5) ◽

pp. 828

Author(s):

Kunal Ajitkumar Shah ◽

Mohan Madhav Desai

Keyword(s):

Functional Outcome ◽

Total Hip Replacement ◽

Hip Replacement ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Harris Hip Score ◽

Total Hip ◽

Vas Score ◽

Group A ◽

The Difference ◽

Group B

Background: Total hip replacement (THR) is the most successful and cost effective treatment with aim of pain relief and functional rehabilitation for hip disorders. As the implant designs of THR have evolved over time, the functional outcome and survivorship has improved. Even after so many advancements, it remains unclear that which implants are better, uncemented or cemented. Hence, we took up this study to analyze which of the uncemented or cemented THR have better functional outcome.Methods: This was a longitudinal study conducted during 2014 to 2018. Hundred cases were randomized into groups of 50 each. All patients with age between 55-80 years in whom THR was indicated were included in the study. Uncemented THR was done in Group A and cemented THR was done in Group B. Patients were followed up at 12 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and 3 years. At follow-up, functional examination in terms of visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Harris hip score (HHS) was done.Results: The mean age of patients in Group A (uncemented) and Group B (cemented) was 62.5 years and 60 years respectively. We found that the difference of VAS score and HHS between Group A and B was statistically significant at 12 weeks and 6 months. The difference of VAS and HHS scores between Group A and B at 12 months and 3 years was not significant.Conclusions: We conclude that cemented THR has better functional outcome at short term. They are cost effective option at age ≥55-60 years.

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Are SSRIs a Cost-Effective Alternative to Tricyclics?

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.168.4.404 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 168 (4) ◽

pp. 404-409 ◽

Cited By ~ 64

Author(s):

Matthew Hotopf ◽

Glyn Lewis ◽

Charles Normand

Keyword(s):

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Drop Out ◽

Attrition Rates ◽

The Difference ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

The Cost ◽

Effectiveness Studies

BackgroundSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are more expensive than tricyclics. Reports have suggested that SSRIs are cost-effective because they are better tolerated and safer in overdose.MethodA systematic review of all randomised controlled trials (RCTs), meta-analyses, and cost-effectiveness studies comparing SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).ResultsNone of the RCTs provided an economic analysis and there were methodological problems in the majority which would preclude this approach. Meta-analyses suggest that clinical efficacy is equivalent but slightly fewer patients prescribed SSRIs drop out of RCTs. Cost-effectiveness studies have been based on crude ‘modelling’ approaches and over-estimate the difference in attrition rates and the cost of treatment failure. It appears impossible to evaluate the economic aspects of suicide because of its rarity.ConclusionsThere is no evidence to suggest that SSRIs are more cost-effective than TCAs. The debate will only be concluded when a prospective cost-effectiveness study is done in the setting of a large primary care based RCT.

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Abstract 3774: Cost Effectiveness Of Enoxaparin In Patients With ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction: Results From EXTRACT-TIMI 25

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.116.suppl_16.ii_858-b ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽

Author(s):

Zefeng Zhang ◽

Paul Kolm ◽

Wei Zhang ◽

Edward Ewen ◽

Claudine Jurkovitz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Unfractionated Heparin ◽

Cost Effective ◽

St Elevation Myocardial Infarction ◽

Published Data ◽

Outpatient Procedures ◽

Life Years ◽

St Elevation ◽

The Difference

Background: The efficacy of enoxaparin versus unfractionated heparin in the setting of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been demonstrated in EXTRACT-TIMI 25, with 17% reductions in relative risk in the primary endpoint of death or nonfatal recurrent myocardial infarction (MI) (p<0.0001). This study considers the cost effectiveness of enoxaparin versus unfractionated heparin with fibrinolysis based on EXTRACT-TIMI 25. Methods: The ITT population of 20,479 patients from 48 countries were monitored for clinical and adverse events during the index hospitalization and through 30 days. Trial-wide resource utilization from all participating countries was used in the analysis while all costs were based on 2004 US costs. Medicare Fee Schedule was used for outpatient procedures and DRGs were applied for index and subsequent hospitalizations costs. Lost life years associated with 30-day in-trial events (death, MI and stroke) were estimated from published data from Framingham. Results: Overall, costs of index hospitalizations and outpatient procedures were lower, while costs for the subsequent hospitalization were higher for the enoxaparin patients. Total 30 days’ costs remained lower for enoxaparin, although the difference did not reach significance. Life years lost were significantly less with enoxaparin. For lifetime, when costs beyond the trial period were considered, the costs of enoxaparin in patients with STEMI were $506 higher, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of enoxaparin compared to UFH was $4,369 per life year gained, with 99.9% of estimates falling below the $50,000 per life year gained threshold. Conclusions: Enoxaparin is effective in reducing mortality or nonfatal MI, and is highly cost-effective strategy in the US settings for the treatment of STEMI patients.

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A Cost-Effective Method to Reproduce the Morphology of the Nearshore and Intertidal Zone in Microtidal Environments

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs12111880 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 1880

Author(s):

Stefano Furlani ◽

Valeria Vaccher ◽

Vanja Macovaz ◽

Stefano Devoto

Keyword(s):

Intertidal Zone ◽

Field Tests ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Time Lapse ◽

3D Models ◽

The North ◽

Cost Effective Method ◽

Photogrammetric Method ◽

The Difference ◽

Sea Wall

The photogrammetric method is widely used in coastal areas and in submerged environments. Time-lapse images collected with unmanned aerial vehicles are used to reproduce the emerged areas, while images taken by divers are used to reproduce submerged ones. Conversely, 3D models of natural or human-made objects lying at the water level are severely affected by the difference in refractive index between air and seawater. For this reason, the matching of 3D models of emergent and submerged coasts has been very rarely tested and never used in Earth Sciences. The availability of a large number of time-lapse images, collected at the intertidal zone during previous snorkel surveys, encouraged us to test the merging of 3D models of emerged and submerged environments. Considering the rapid and effective nature of the aforementioned program of swim surveys, photogrammetric targets were not used during image acquisition. This forced us to test the matching of the independent models by recognizing prominent landforms along the waterline. Here we present the approach used to test the method, the instrumentation used for the field tests, and the setting of cameras fixed to a specially built aluminum support console and discuss both its advantages and its limits compared to UAVs. 3D models of sea cliffs were generated by applying structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry. Horizontal time-lapse images, collected with action cameras while swimming parallel to the coastline at nearly constant velocity, were used for the tests. Subsequently, prominent coastal landforms were used to couple the independent models obtained from the emergent and submerged cliffs. The method was pilot tested in two coastal sites in the north-eastern Adriatic (part of the Mediterranean basin). The first site was a 25 m sea wall of sandstone set within a small harbor, while the second site was a 150 m route below plunging limestone cliffs. The data show that inexpensive action cameras provide a sufficient resolution to support and integrate geomorphological field surveys along rocky coastlines.

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Applying Control Abstraction to the Design of Human–Agent Teams

Systems ◽

10.3390/systems8020010 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 10 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Clifford D. Johnson ◽

Michael E. Miller ◽

Christina F. Rusnock ◽

David R. Jacques

Keyword(s):

Automated System ◽

Cognitive Resources ◽

System Control ◽

Human Control ◽

Human Agent ◽

Human Attention ◽

Levels Of Automation ◽

Individual Decisions ◽

System States ◽

Insight Into

Levels of Automation (LOA) provide a method for describing authority granted to automated system elements to make individual decisions. However, these levels are technology-centric and provide little insight into overall system operation. The current research discusses an alternate classification scheme, referred to as the Level of Human Control Abstraction (LHCA). LHCA is an operator-centric framework that classifies a system’s state based on the required operator inputs. The framework consists of five levels, each requiring less granularity of human control: Direct, Augmented, Parametric, Goal-Oriented, and Mission-Capable. An analysis was conducted of several existing systems. This analysis illustrates the presence of each of these levels of control, and many existing systems support system states which facilitate multiple LHCAs. It is suggested that as the granularity of human control is reduced, the level of required human attention and required cognitive resources decreases. Thus, it is suggested that designing systems that permit the user to select among LHCAs during system control may facilitate human-machine teaming and improve the flexibility of the system.

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