scholarly journals Methods and Proposals for Meeting Energy Needs

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-109
Author(s):  
Wes Grebski ◽  
Stefan Czerwiński ◽  
Jan Kania

AbstractThe article includes a comparative analysis of different methods of solving energy problems especially meeting the demand for electricity. Energy problems became a global concern due to the rapid increase in the world population. Energy consumption reflects the habits of the society and the nature of the economy. The focus of the article is the analysis of the United States (USA) energy economy in terms of meeting the needs of industry and society. It includes a comparison of costs of generating electricity obtained from various sources. It also includes an analysis of opportunities and threats related to the energy sector’s dependence on individual energy sources. Meeting the demand for electricity cannot be solved by increasing only the energy generation. The cost of increasing electricity production is always higher compared to increasing energy efficiency. The impact of energy efficiency of devices on energy management was also assessed. The publication also contains practical conclusions and recommendations regarding energy management on a global scale.

2014 ◽  
Vol 84 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 244-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Karp ◽  
Gary Wong ◽  
Marguerite Orsi

Abstract. Introduction: Foods dense in micronutrients are generally more expensive than those with higher energy content. These cost-differentials may put low-income families at risk of diminished micronutrient intake. Objectives: We sought to determine differences in the cost for iron, folate, and choline in foods available for purchase in a low-income community when assessed for energy content and serving size. Methods: Sixty-nine foods listed in the menu plans provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for low-income families were considered, in 10 domains. The cost and micronutrient content for-energy and per-serving of these foods were determined for the three micronutrients. Exact Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for comparisons of energy costs; Spearman rho tests for comparisons of micronutrient content. Ninety families were interviewed in a pediatric clinic to assess the impact of food cost on food selection. Results: Significant differences between domains were shown for energy density with both cost-for-energy (p < 0.001) and cost-per-serving (p < 0.05) comparisons. All three micronutrient contents were significantly correlated with cost-for-energy (p < 0.01). Both iron and choline contents were significantly correlated with cost-per-serving (p < 0.05). Of the 90 families, 38 (42 %) worried about food costs; 40 (44 %) had chosen foods of high caloric density in response to that fear, and 29 of 40 families experiencing both worry and making such food selection. Conclusion: Adjustments to USDA meal plans using cost-for-energy analysis showed differentials for both energy and micronutrients. These differentials were reduced using cost-per-serving analysis, but were not eliminated. A substantial proportion of low-income families are vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies.


Author(s):  
Mark Blaxill ◽  
Toby Rogers ◽  
Cynthia Nevison

AbstractThe cost of ASD in the U.S. is estimated using a forecast model that for the first time accounts for the true historical increase in ASD. Model inputs include ASD prevalence, census population projections, six cost categories, ten age brackets, inflation projections, and three future prevalence scenarios. Future ASD costs increase dramatically: total base-case costs of $223 (175–271) billion/year are estimated in 2020; $589 billion/year in 2030, $1.36 trillion/year in 2040, and $5.54 (4.29–6.78) trillion/year by 2060, with substantial potential savings through ASD prevention. Rising prevalence, the shift from child to adult-dominated costs, the transfer of costs from parents onto government, and the soaring total costs raise pressing policy questions and demand an urgent focus on prevention strategies.


1979 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip R. P. Coelho ◽  
James F. Shepherd

Differences in regional prices and wages are examined for the United States in 1890, together with the relationship between the cost of living and city size, and the determinants of regional industrial growth. Results indicate that regional cost-of-liying differences were sufficiently large so that money wages cannot be used for purposes of comparing the economic well-being of wage earners across regions. Except for the South, money wages and the cost of living were positively correlated. The relative differences in money wages, however, were greater; consequently real wages in high wage-price areas were generally higher.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-39
Author(s):  
Kevin Morris ◽  
Mohammad Nami ◽  
Joe F. Bolanos ◽  
Maria A. Lobo ◽  
Melody Sadri-Naini ◽  
...  

Neurological disorders significantly impact the world’s economy due to their often chronic and life-threatening nature afflicting individuals which, in turn, creates a global disease burden. The Group of Twenty (G20) member nations, which represent the largest economies globally, should come together to formulate a plan on how to overcome this burden. The Neuroscience-20 (N20) initiative of the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics (SBMT) is at the vanguard of this global collaboration to comprehensively raise awareness about brain, spine, and mental disorders worldwide. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the various brain initiatives worldwide and highlight the need for cooperation and recommend ways to bring down costs associated with the discovery and treatment of neurological disorders. Our systematic search revealed that the cost of neurological and psychiatric disorders to the world economy by 2030 is roughly $16T. The cost to the economy of the United States is $1.5T annually and growing given the impact of COVID-19. We also discovered there is a shortfall of effective collaboration between nations and a lack of resources in developing countries. Current statistical analyses on the cost of neurological disorders to the world economy strongly suggest that there is a great need for investment in neurotechnology and innovation or fast-tracking therapeutics and diagnostics to curb these costs. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, SBMT, through this paper, intends to showcase the importance of worldwide collaborations to reduce the population’s economic and health burden, specifically regarding neurological/brain, spine, and mental disorders.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura J Craven ◽  
Seema Nair Parvathy ◽  
Justin Tat-Ko ◽  
Jeremy P Burton ◽  
Michael S Silverman

Abstract Background Knowledge of the impact of the gut microbiome on conditions other than Clostridium difficile infection has been rapidly increasing, and the potential usefulness of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in these indications is being explored. The need to exclude donors with an increased risk of these diseases has left uncertainties regarding the cost and feasibility of donor screening. The aim of this study was to compare our experience to other donor-screening programs and report the costs associated with establishing a donor-screening program, for the treatment of metabolic syndrome-related conditions. Methods Forty-six potential donors (PDs) had their medical histories and physical examinations undertaken by a physician. Blood, stool, and urine were screened for 31 viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoan agents in addition to biochemical characteristics. The price of advertising, doctor’s visits and diagnostic tests were calculated to determine the cost of finding a donor. Results Of the PDs screened, 5 of 46 passed the history, examination, blood, stool, and urine tests. The most common reasons for exclusion included a body mass index &gt;25 or the detection of Blastocystis hominis, Dientamoeba fragilis, or Helicobacter pylori. Four of five eligible donors had subsequent travel or illness that contraindicated donation, so only 1 of 46 PDs was suitable. The total cost for finding a single suitable donor was $15190 US dollars. This screening was performed in Canada, and costs in the United States would be substantially higher. Conclusions New potential therapeutic uses for FMT have created a demand for stricter exclusion criteria for donors. This study illustrates that screening many individuals to find a donor and the subsequent associated costs may make central processing and shipment a more reasonable alternative.


Author(s):  
Zegbeh C. Jallah ◽  
Pamela Moalli ◽  
Andrew Feola ◽  
William Barone ◽  
Stacy Palcsey ◽  
...  

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a multifactorial disorder characterized by the descent of the pelvic organs into the vaginal canal. This disorder is associated with decreased quality of life, and even depression, yet 50% of women over the age of fifty are living with POP. The cost associated with the repair of POP exceeds one billion dollars annually, in the United States alone. This rather exorbitant figure includes the cost of surgery performed for symptom management, but does not include strategies which address the underlying cause of the disorder for which there are none. Because failure rates of native tissue repairs are as high as 30%, vaginal mesh is increasingly used in the surgical repair of POP. The procedure aims to reinforce the fibromuscular layer of the vagina and the paravaginal attachments, thus providing structural integrity to the weakened native tissues. However, the use of mesh is limited by mesh-related complications including exposure, erosion, pain contraction and infection.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Melnik ◽  
Kirill Ermolaev

Energy efficiency improvement in industrial companies is an essential prerequisite for the enhancement of their competitive positions in the national and global markets. Yet, the approaches currently employed in respect of the energy management do not fully utilize the innovative potential of energy technologies to achieve strategic goals. One way to further develop energy management is theoretical justification of the use of new approaches based on the suggested concept of the energy saving and energy efficiency processes’ positioning in the system of a company’s management priorities. In this article, we consider the applied use of the developed conceptual approach from the perspective of the energy saving and energy efficiency program development at the company. The main purpose of this paper is to justify the relations between energy management and strategic decision making in industrial companies. The results of the research conducted, firstly, make a certain contribution into the research of strategic multiple benefits of energy efficiency in a company; secondly, they expand understanding of the impact of energy saving and energy efficiency improvement on the achievement of operational, tactical and strategic results of the company’s activities; thirdly, they provide methodological decision support for the development of energy saving and energy efficiency programs taking into account the management and organizational barriers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 1718-1728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura E Targownik ◽  
Eric I Benchimol ◽  
Julia Witt ◽  
Charles N Bernstein ◽  
Harminder Singh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Anti–tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drugs are highly effective in the treatment of moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), but they are very costly. Due to their effectiveness, they could potentially reduce future health care spending on other medical therapies, hospitalization, and surgery. The impact of downstream costs has not previously been quantified in a real-world population-based setting. Methods We used the University of Manitoba IBD Database to identify all persons in a Canadian province with CD or UC who received anti-TNF therapy between 2004 and 2016. All inpatient, outpatient, and drug costs were enumerated both in the year before anti-TNF initiation and for up to 5 years after anti-TNF initiation. Costs before and after anti-TNF initiation were compared, and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to look for predictors of higher costs after anti-TNF initiation. Results A total of 928 people with IBD (676 CD, 252 UC) were included for analyses. The median cost of health care in the year before anti-TNF therapy was $4698 for CD vs $6364 for UC. The median cost rose to $39,749 and $49,327, respectively, in the year after anti-TNF initiation, and to $210,956 and $245,260 in the 5 years after initiation for continuous anti-TNF users. Inpatient and outpatient costs decreased in the year after anti-TNF initiation by 12% and 7%, respectively, when excluding the cost of anti-TNFs. Conclusions Direct health care expenditures markedly increase after anti-TNF initiation and continue to stay elevated over pre-initiation costs for up to 5 years, with only small reductions in the direct costs of non-drug-related health care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Damer P. Blake ◽  
Jolene Knox ◽  
Ben Dehaeck ◽  
Ben Huntington ◽  
Thilak Rathinam ◽  
...  

Abstract Coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria species parasites, has long been recognised as an economically significant disease of chickens. As the global chicken population continues to grow, and its contribution to food security intensifies, it is increasingly important to assess the impact of diseases that compromise chicken productivity and welfare. In 1999, Williams published one of the most comprehensive estimates for the cost of coccidiosis in chickens, featuring a compartmentalised model for the costs of prophylaxis, treatment and losses, indicating a total cost in excess of £38 million in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1995. In the 25 years since this analysis the global chicken population has doubled and systems of chicken meat and egg production have advanced through improved nutrition, husbandry and selective breeding of chickens, and wider use of anticoccidial vaccines. Using data from industry representatives including veterinarians, farmers, production and health experts, we have updated the Williams model and estimate that coccidiosis in chickens cost the UK £99.2 million in 2016 (range £73.0–£125.5 million). Applying the model to data from Brazil, Egypt, Guatemala, India, New Zealand, Nigeria and the United States resulted in estimates that, when extrapolated by geographical region, indicate a global cost of ~ £10.4 billion at 2016 prices (£7.7–£13.0 billion), equivalent to £0.16/chicken produced. Understanding the economic costs of livestock diseases can be advantageous, providing baselines to evaluate the impact of different husbandry systems and interventions. The updated cost of coccidiosis in chickens will inform debates on the value of chemoprophylaxis and development of novel anticoccidial vaccines.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document