scholarly journals Fish Scales and Their Biomimetic Applications

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asim Asghar Yaseen ◽  
Taha Waqar ◽  
Muhammad Azhar Ali Khan ◽  
Muhammad Asad ◽  
Faramarz Djavanroodi
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Fish Scales ◽  
Military Operations ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Ballistic Impacts ◽  
Processing Cost ◽  
Structural Configurations ◽  
The Impact

Biomaterials are evolving quite rapidly over the last decade. Many applications have been considered toward their involvement in saving lives in the line of duty for law enforcement agencies and military operations. This article discusses recent work on the role of biomaterials that can be considered as a competitive alternative to composites, being used against ballistic impacts. The fish-scaled biomaterials are focused on in this paper, highlighting their excellent mechanical properties and structural configurations. In its natural environment, the scale provides fishes with an armor plating, which is significantly effective in their survival against attacks of predator and the impact inflicted from sharp teeth. These bioinspired materials, if engineered properly, can provide an excellent alternative to current Kevlar® type armors, which are significantly heavier and can cause fatigue to the human body over long-term usage. The investigated materials can provide effective alternatives to heavier and expensive materials currently used in different industrial applications. Additionally, some recent development in the usage of fish scales as a biomaterial and its applications in rapid prototyping techniques are presented. Finally, this review provides useful information to researchers in developing and processing cost-effective biomaterials.

scholarly journals Anti-meningococcal B vaccination in Italian adolescents: a cost-effective health opportunity

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Panatto ◽  
P Landa ◽  
D Amicizia ◽  
P L Lai ◽  
E Lecini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Vaccination Strategy ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Dose Schedule ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
International Setting ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Invasive disease due to Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) is a serious public health problem even in developed countries, owing to its high lethality rate (8-15%) and the invalidating sequelae suffered by many (up to 60%) survivors. As the microorganism is transmitted via the airborne route, the only available weapon in the fight against Nm invasive disease is vaccination. Our aim was to carry out an HTA to evaluate the costs and benefits of anti-meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination with Trumenba® in adolescents in Italy, while also considering the impact of this new vaccination strategy on organizational and ethics aspects. Methods A lifetime Markov model was developed. MenB vaccination with the two-dose schedule of Trumenba® in adolescents was compared with 'non-vaccination'. Two perspectives were considered: the National Health Service (NHS) and society. Three disease phases were defined: acute, post-acute and long-term. Epidemiological, economic and health utilities data were taken from Italian and international literature. The analysis was conducted by means of Microsoft Excel 2010®. Results Our study indicated that vaccinating adolescents (11th year of life) with Trumenba® was cost-effective with an ICER = € 7,912/QALY from the NHS perspective and € 7,758/QALY from the perspective of society. Vaccinating adolescents reduces the number of cases of disease due to meningococcus B in one of the periods of highest incidence of the disease, resulting in significant economic and health savings. Conclusions This is the first study to evaluate the overall impact of free MenB vaccination in adolescents both in Italy and in the international setting. Although cases of invasive disease due to meningococcus B are few, if the overall impact of the disease is adequately considered, it becomes clear that including anti-meningococcal B vaccination into the immunization program for adolescents is strongly recommended from the health and economic standpoints. Key messages Free, large-scale MenB vaccination is key to strengthening the global fight against invasive meningococcal disease. Anti-meningococcal B vaccination in adolescents is a cost-effective health opportunity.

Farmer Participatory Crop Improvement. I. Varietal Selection and Breeding Methods and Their Impact on Biodiversity

1996 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 445-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Witcombe ◽  
A. Joshi ◽  
K. D. Joshi ◽  
B. R. Sthapit
Keyword(s):  
Plant Breeding ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Participatory Plant Breeding ◽  
Participatory Varietal Selection ◽  
Farmer Participatory Research ◽  
Long Term Effect ◽  
Impact On Biodiversity ◽  
The Impact

SUMMARYFarmer participatory approaches for the identification or breeding of improved crop cultivars can be usefully categorized into participatory varietal selection (PVS) and participatory plant breeding (PPB). Various PVS and PPB methods are reviewed. PVS is a more rapid and cost-effective way of identifying farmer-preferred cultivars if a suitable choice of cultivars exists. If this is impossible, then the more resource-consuming PPB is required. PPB can use, as parents, cultivars that were identified in successful PVS programmes. Compared with conventional plant breeding, PPB is more likely to produce farmer-acceptable products, particularly for marginal environments. The impact of farmer participatory research on biodiversity is considered. The long-term effect of PVS is to increase biodiversity, but where indigenous variability is high it can also reduce it. PPB has a greater effect on increasing biodiversity although its impact may be limited to smaller areas. PPB can be a dynamic form of in situ genetic conservation.

scholarly journals The Impact of the Introduction of Innovative REDS Scale for the Evaluation of Central Tunnelled Catheter (CTC) Exit Site on Infection Prevention in Long-Term Haemodialyzed Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomasz Porazko ◽  
Edyta Stasiak ◽  
Marian Klinger
Keyword(s):  
Blood Stream Infection ◽  
Bloodstream Infections ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Blood Stream ◽  
Site Infection ◽  
Exit Site ◽  
Exit Site Infection ◽  
The Impact

Central tunneled catheter (CTC)-related infections are a leading cause of a catheter loss, thus being the source of significant morbidity and mortality. The study aims at evaluating the impact of the implementation of the innovative redness, edema, discharge and tenderness, symptoms (REDS) scale (devised by the authors) for the description of the tunnel condition on the frequency of infection in long-term catheter users. The same cohort of the 40 patients was observed for 4 years altogether: 2 years before and 2 years after REDS application. The results, as well as follow-up evaluation of participants, were compared. The 2-year cumulative incidence of the CTC exit site infection (ESI) dropped significantly (log-rank p < 0.001) from 0.89 episode/1,000 catheter days (53.5%, 95% CI [35.9%; 66.2%]) in the period before REDS was used—to 0.26 episode/1,000 catheter days (18.6%, 95% CI [6.1%; 29.4%]) in the time of REDS application. There were also significantly fewer episodes of ESI complicated with catheter-related blood stream infection (CRBSI) requiring the CTC removal (0.6 episode/1,000 catheter days; 18.6%, 95% CI [6.1%; 29.4%] vs. 0.3 episode/1,000 catheter days; 4.7%, 95% CI [0.0; 10.7%]; log-rank p = 0.04, in pre-REDS and REDS time, respectively). The REDS scale appears to be a simple, cost-effective tool reducing the frequency of the tunneled CTC exit site infection and associated bloodstream infections.

scholarly journals The Impact of Socio-Economic Inertia and Restrictions on Net-Negative Emissions on Cost-Effective Carbon Price Pathways

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andries F. Hof ◽  
Kaj-Ivar van der Wijst ◽  
Detlef P. van Vuuren
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Carbon Price ◽  
Learning By Doing ◽  
Optimal Price ◽  
Initial Carbon ◽  
Negative Emissions ◽  
The Interest Rate ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Carbon Prices

Many countries have indicated to plan or consider the use of carbon pricing. Model-based scenarios are used to inform policymakers about emissions pathways and cost-effective carbon prices. Many of these scenarios are based on the Hotelling rule, assuming that a carbon price path increasing with the interest rate leads to a cost-effective strategy. We test the robustness of this rule by using experiments with plausible assumptions for learning by doing, inertia in reducing emissions, and restrictions on net-negative emissions. Analytically, we show that if mitigation technologies become cheaper if their capacities are increased, Hotelling does not always apply anymore. Moreover, the initial carbon price is heavily influenced by restrictions on net-negative emissions and the pathway by both restrictions on net-negative emissions and socio-economic inertia. This means that Hotelling pathways are not necessarily optimal: in fact, combining learning by doing and the above restrictions leads to initial carbon prices that are more than twice as high as a Hotelling pathway and thus to much earlier emission reductions. The optimal price path also increases less strongly and may even decline later in the century, leading to higher initial abatement costs but much lower long-term costs.

scholarly journals The scope and impact of thyroid disease

1996 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Wartofsky
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Disease ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Primary Care Providers ◽  
Thyroid Disorders ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
The Us ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Diagnostic Approaches ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Aspects of the incidence and demographics of common thyroid disorders in the US (and elsewhere, to a lesser extent) are reviewed. The impact of healthcare reform and the efforts of managed care organizations to impose cost-effective management for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorders are bringing unusual pressures to bear on both clinical laboratories and practicing endocrinologists. I discuss the potential dangers of utilization of suboptimally focused diagnostic approaches and of the inefficiencies in clinical management by primary-care providers, who often lack sufficient expertise, as opposed to endocrinologists. More than dollars are at stake, and the suboptimal management of common thyroid disorders presents several significant risks. Finally, I propose a general blueprint for the ongoing development of a structure for continuing quality improvement of the laboratory and clinical diagnosis, treatment, and long-term follow-up of patients with thyroid disease.

scholarly journals Mechanical Evaluation of Polymer Composite Hip Protectors

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Daniel Diniz Melo ◽  
Ayrles S. Gonçalves Barbosa ◽  
Ricardo Oliveira Guerra
Keyword(s):  
Polymer Composite ◽  
Hip Fractures ◽  
Impact Load ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate ◽  
Geriatric Population ◽  
Hip Protectors ◽  
Energy Absorbing ◽  
The Impact

Hip fractures often result in serious health implications, particularly in the geriatric population, and have been related to long-term morbidity and death. In most cases, these fractures are caused by impact loads in the area of the greater trochanter, which are produced in a fall. This work is aimed at developing hip protectors using composite materials and evaluating their effectiveness in preventing hip fractures under high impact energy (120 J). The hip protectors were developed with an inner layer of energy absorbing soft material and an outer rigid shell of fiberglass-reinforced polymer composite. According to the experimental results, all tested configurations proved to be effective at reducing the impact load to below the average fracture threshold of proximal femur. Furthermore, an addition of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) to the impacted area of the composite shell proved to be beneficial to increase impact strength of the hip protectors. Thus, composite hip protectors proved to be a viable alternative for a mechanically efficient and cost-effective solution to prevent hip fractures.

Farmer Participatory Crop Improvement. I. Varietal Selection and Breeding Methods and Their Impact on Biodiversity

1996 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 445-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Witcombe ◽  
A. Joshi ◽  
K. D. Joshi ◽  
B. R. Sthapit
Keyword(s):  
Plant Breeding ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Participatory Plant Breeding ◽  
Participatory Varietal Selection ◽  
Farmer Participatory Research ◽  
Long Term Effect ◽  
Impact On Biodiversity ◽  
The Impact

SUMMARYFarmer participatory approaches for the identification or breeding of improved crop cultivars can be usefully categorized into participatory varietal selection (PVS) and participatory plant breeding (PPB). Various PVS and PPB methods are reviewed. PVS is a more rapid and cost-effective way of identifying farmer-preferred cultivars if a suitable choice of cultivars exists. If this is impossible, then the more resource-consuming PPB is required. PPB can use, as parents, cultivars that were identified in successful PVS programmes. Compared with conventional plant breeding, PPB is more likely to produce farmer-acceptable products, particularly for marginal environments. The impact of farmer participatory research on biodiversity is considered. The long-term effect of PVS is to increase biodiversity, but where indigenous variability is high it can also reduce it. PPB has a greater effect on increasing biodiversity although its impact may be limited to smaller areas. PPB can be a dynamic form of in situ genetic conservation.

scholarly journals Lean Management Practices’ Effects on Brazilian Firms: A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 84-108
Author(s):  
Filipe Lage de Sousa ◽  
Mauricio Canêdo-Pinheiro ◽  
Bernardo Pereira Cabral ◽  
Glaucia Estefânia de Sousa Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Lean Management ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Innovation Outcomes

One of the key drivers for a firm's productivity growth is management. One lean management practice considered cost-effective is Kaizen. Originally from Japan, the Kaizen basic concept is continuous improvement with the involvement of the full workforce. Using a firm-level dataset from Brazil's innovation and manufacturing surveys, this paper evaluates quantitatively whether Kaizen has impacted the performance of domestic firms. Our initial results suggest a productivity premium on Kaizen adopters, yet when it materializes is not detectable in the short term. Moreover, the impact on innovation is observable after Kaizen implementation. Understanding these outcomes with a qualitative approach, our analysis highlights the importance of Kaizen on innovation, especially by improving worker's time at the production line as well as the long-term vision of Kaizen on productivity. In summary, Kaizen is not a magic wand that improves firms’ performance in a wide array of indicators yet it may boost innovation outcomes in the short term aiming to improve productivity in the long term if it is implemented carefully and persistently, as established by its basic principles.

scholarly journals Nearly zero energy renovation concepts for apartment buildings

2020 ◽  
Vol 172 ◽  
pp. 18009
Author(s):  
Kalle Kuusk ◽  
Jens Naumann ◽  
Annina Gritzki ◽  
Clemens Felsmann ◽  
Michele De Carli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Energy Calculation ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Apartment Buildings ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
The Impact

Revised EPBD directive has set ambitious targets for renovation. It is stated that Member States shall establish a long-term strategy facilitating the cost-effective transformation of existing buildings into nearly-zero energy buildings. The long-term strategy should set out a roadmap with a view to the long-term 2050 goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union. This creates the need for cost-efficient renovation solutions which can be implemented in large scale. The impact assessment shows that roughly a doubled renovation rate of 3 % would be needed to accomplish the energy efficiency ambitions in a cost-effective manner. The objective of this study is to specify renovation concepts with adequate heating and ventilation, based on Estonian and German apartment buildings and corresponding local solutions. Energy performance and sizing analyses were conducted for selected multifamily apartment buildings typical for 1960-70es with three different renovation concepts. Energy calculations were conducted with national energy calculation methods and national energy requirements for major renovation. In the renovation, the building envelope insulation, air tightness, and heating and ventilation systems were improved so that the renovated building complies with national nearly zero-energy requirement for major renovation.

scholarly journals Early selection of potato clones with the H1 resistance gene – the relation of nematode resistance to quality characteristics

2014 ◽  
Vol 50 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 278-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Milczarek ◽  
A. Przetakiewicz ◽  
P. Kamiński ◽  
B. Flis
Keyword(s):  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Potato Cultivar ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Nematode Resistance ◽  
Early Selection ◽  
New Variety ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
Resistant Progeny ◽  
The Impact

Breeding a new potato cultivar is a long-term process ending with a few elite individuals from initially large populations. Screening for resistance in the seedling and first clonal generations is a cost-effective and efficient way to reduce the time needed to create a new variety. Unlike the phenotypic assessment of resistance to nematodes, marker-assisted selection (MAS) can be applied at early stages of selection. The frequent question among breeders is about the impact of early selection for resistance on the agronomic value of finally selected resistant progeny. The study presents a relationship between the presence of markers TG689 and 57R and some agricultural traits in field grown seedlings and three successive vegetative generations. Both markers are linked to H1 gene, which confers resistance to the golden cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis. Clones with these markers had higher total tuber and starch yield than those without the markers. A negative relationship between marker presence and quality was not observed.

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