scholarly journals Cost Assessment of Five Different Maize Grain Handling Techniques to Reduce Postharvest Losses from Insect Contamination

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Darfour ◽  
Kurt A. Rosentrater

Farmers in developing nations encounter high postharvest losses mainly attributable to the lack of modern techniques for threshing, cleaning, grading, and grain storage. Mechanized handling of grain in developing countries is rare, although the technology is effective against insects and pest infestations. The objective was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of five grain handling techniques that have the ability to reduce postharvest losses from insect infestation. The five methods were metal silo plus all accessories (m. silo + acc.), metal silo only (m. silo), woven polypropylene plus phosphine (w. PP. + Phos.), woven polypropylene only (w. PP.), and Purdue Improved Crop Storage bags only (PICS). The functional unit used was handling 1 kg of maize grain. The cost analysis of each technique was calculated based on equations using a spreadsheet. The annual capital and operational costs of handling using m. silo + acc. or m. silo were very high, unlike the PICS, w. PP. + Phos., or w. PP. The annual capital and operational costs decreased as production scale increased. Food security (due to reduced insects and pest infestations) and financial prospects of farmers can improve when the grain is mechanically handled with m. silo + acc. or m. silo.

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajabali Daroudi ◽  
Ali Akbari Sari ◽  
Azin Nahvijou ◽  
Ahmad Faramarzi

Abstract Background Determining the cost-effectiveness thresholds for healthcare interventions has been a severe challenge for policymakers, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to estimate the cost per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) averted for countries with different levels of Human Development Index (HDI) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Methods The data about DALYs, per capita health expenditure (HE), HDI, and GDP per capita were extracted for 176 countries during the years 2000 to 2016. Then we examined the trends on these variables. Panel regression analysis was performed to explore the correlation between DALY and HE per capita. The results of the regression models were used to calculate the cost per DALY averted for each country. Results Age-standardized rate (ASR) DALY (DALY per 100,000 population) had a nonlinear inverse correlation with HE per capita and a linear inverse correlation with HDI. One percent increase in HE per capita was associated with an average of 0.28, 0.24, 0.18, and 0.27% decrease on the ASR DALY in low HDI, medium HDI, high HDI, and very high HDI countries, respectively. The estimated cost per DALY averted was $998, $6522, $23,782, and $69,499 in low HDI, medium HDI, high HDI, and very high HDI countries. On average, the cost per DALY averted was 0.34 times the GDP per capita in low HDI countries. While in medium HDI, high HDI, and very high HDI countries, it was 0.67, 1.22, and 1.46 times the GDP per capita, respectively. Conclusions This study suggests that the cost-effectiveness thresholds might be less than a GDP per capita in low and medium HDI countries and between one and two GDP per capita in high and very high HDI countries.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 992
Author(s):  
Valeriu Savu ◽  
Mădălin Ion Rusu ◽  
Dan Savastru

The neutrinos of cosmic radiation, due to interaction with any known medium in which the Cherenkov detector is used, produce energy radiation phenomena in the form of a Cherenkov cone, in very large frequency spectrum. These neutrinos carry with them the information about the phenomena that produced them and by detecting the electromagnetic energies generated by the Cherenkov cone, we can find information about the phenomena that formed in the universe, at a much greater distance, than possibility of actually detection with current technologies. At present, a very high number of sensors for detection electromagnetic energy is required. Thus, some sensors may detect very low energy levels, which can lead to the erroneous determination of the Cherenkov cone, thus leading to information errors. As a novelty, we propose, to use these sensors for determination of the dielectrically permittivity of any known medium in which the Cherenkov detector is used, by preliminary measurements, the subsequent simulation of the data and the reconstruction of the Cherenkov cone, leading to a significant reduction of problems and minimizing the number of sensors, implicitly the cost reductions. At the same time, we offer the possibility of reconstructing the Cherenkov cone outside the detector volume.


2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tinevimbo Shiri ◽  
Angela Loyse ◽  
Lawrence Mwenge ◽  
Tao Chen ◽  
Shabir Lakhi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Mortality from cryptococcal meningitis remains very high in Africa. In the Advancing Cryptococcal Meningitis Treatment for Africa (ACTA) trial, 2 weeks of fluconazole (FLU) plus flucytosine (5FC) was as effective and less costly than 2 weeks of amphotericin-based regimens. However, many African settings treat with FLU monotherapy, and the cost-effectiveness of adding 5FC to FLU is uncertain. Methods The effectiveness and costs of FLU+5FC were taken from ACTA, which included a costing analysis at the Zambian site. The effectiveness of FLU was derived from cohorts of consecutively enrolled patients, managed in respects other than drug therapy, as were participants in ACTA. FLU costs were derived from costs of FLU+5FC in ACTA, by subtracting 5FC drug and monitoring costs. The cost-effectiveness of FLU+5FC vs FLU alone was measured as the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). A probabilistic sensitivity analysis assessed uncertainties and a bivariate deterministic sensitivity analysis examined the impact of varying mortality and 5FC drug costs on the ICER. Results The mean costs per patient were US $847 (95% confidence interval [CI] $776–927) for FLU+5FC, and US $628 (95% CI $557–709) for FLU. The 10-week mortality rate was 35.1% (95% CI 28.9–41.7%) with FLU+5FC and 53.8% (95% CI 43.1–64.1%) with FLU. At the current 5FC price of US $1.30 per 500 mg tablet, the ICER of 5FC+FLU versus FLU alone was US $65 (95% CI $28–208) per life-year saved. Reducing the 5FC cost to between US $0.80 and US $0.40 per 500 mg resulted in an ICER between US $44 and US $28 per life-year saved. Conclusions The addition of 5FC to FLU is cost-effective for cryptococcal meningitis treatment in Africa and, if made available widely, could substantially reduce mortality rates among human immunodeficiency virus–infected persons in Africa.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-173
Author(s):  
Kelvin Riupassa ◽  
Narizma Nova ◽  
Endah Lestari ◽  
Sri Juniarti Azis ◽  
Wahyu Sulistiadi

Background: An ambulance is a vehicle designed to be able to handle emergency patients, provide first aid and carry out intensive care while on the way to a referral hospital. Ambulance operations require a large amount of funds obtained from APBD funds through tariffs that were passed through the DKI Jakarta Governor Regulation five years ago. For this reason, a new tariff is required to adjust to current conditions. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to calculate the unit cost of ambulance services in DKI Jakarta to be a consideration in the tariff setting policy in DKI Jakarta province. Research Metodes: This study uses a quantitative descriptive approach to obtain information about the unit cost of the Jakarta ambulance production unit. The method used is the calculation of real cost using the basis of the causes of costs. This research was conducted at the DKI Jakarta Emergency Ambulance using secondary data on investment costs, operational costs and maintenance costs in 2018. Results: The total cost of emergency ambulance in 2018 is known that the proportion of three cost components, namely operational costs, is 76%, followed by investment costs of 20% and maintenance costs of 3%. The calculation of the total cost of medical evacuation using the double distribution method is Rp. 98,915,016,805.00 divided by the number of medical evacuations in 2018 of 37,564 activities, the unit cost of medical evacuation for the AGD of DKI Jakarta Health Office is Rp. 2,633,215.00 without subsidies. APBD costs, while if the subsidy component is included in the calculation, the unit cost for one trip to the AGD of the Health Office is Rp. 604,071.00. This is still far above the current tariff of Rp. 450.00, so the cost recovery rate (CRR) is still below. 100%. Conclusion: From the three cost components consisting of investment, operational and maintenance costs,the largest proportion was operational costs at 76%. The Cost Recovery Rate has not reached 100% so that the existing rates have not covered the costs incurred.   Keywords: ambulance; price fixing; unit cost


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-21
Author(s):  
Imtiaz Ahmed Khan ◽  
Altaf Hussain Abro ◽  
Farooque Ahmed Leghari

The paper discusses the minority shareholders’ protection under the quantumof agency cost in corporate governance in Pakistan. The agency theory statesthat in most of the cases, the controlling shareholders and the topmanagement are normally involved in expropriating the funds of the company.This phenomenon increases the agency cost. The agency cost is directlyproportional to the cost of functioning of the company. In other words, theagency cost is inversely proportional to the profit of the company. Accordingto the agency theory, if the agency cost is decreased, the profit for investorincreases. The Pakistani corporate sector is dominated by the businessfamilies, the state and an opportunity to get the private benefits at the cost ofother stakeholders. There are the different mechanisms as discussed andapplied around the world to minimize the agency cost so as to make companyfinancially strong and better profit for the investors. In Pakistan, the agencycost is very high. Hence, there is a need to revamp the corporate governancemechanism to reduce the agency cost in order to provide a better protection tominority shareholders in a particular in the context of the global trend keepingin the view of the nature of corporate structure in Pakistan.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Calvien Kawenas ◽  
Sifrid S. Pangemanan ◽  
Robert Lambey

The write-off of receivables is a loss arising from uncollectible receivables caused by various causes. The problem raised in this study is whether the application procedure is in accordance with the PMK No. 31 / PMK.07 / 2005 and what factors become obstacles in the process of write-off of receivables. The method used in this research is descriptive research method that is qualitative. Based on the results of the research from the RSUP Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Manado, the procedures for the elimination of goods are in accordance with applicable government regulations. If the factors are negative inhibitors, the operational costs are irregular, the amount of operational costs required for the cost exceeds the amount of the receivables to be collected, the non-timeframe for submission of proposals for write-off of receivables, documents / filing requirements for origination submissions not made RSUP Prof. Dr. R. D. Kandou Manado must meet the requirements regarding the time period for collection of accounts more effective and efficient.Keywords: Proposal Submission, Research, Accounts Receivable Removal


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-17
Author(s):  
A. Ewusi ◽  
J. Seidu

Rehabilitation works were carried out on boreholes in the Dunkwa Mining town in the Central Region of Ghana. These works were carried out because the boreholes had lost their original yields due to clogging, corrosion and encrustation and had been abandoned for a long time. The cost of drilling a new well and assessing the productivity of the well is $4,500 which is more expensive that carrying out rehabilitation works which is cheaper, about $800. Also, the initial yields of the boreholes were very high according to the feasibility report which is not a common characteristic of the rocks in the area. Camera inspection followed by rehabilitation, pre and post pumping tests were carried out to assess whether there has been an improvement in their yield after the exercise and that the yield obtained will be adequate for a water supply design. Results show that all the boreholes had an improvement in their yields (57.19 - 259.80 %) after the rehabilitation. It can therefore be concluded that rehabilitation is effective in restoring boreholes to their original yields. Organisations drilling boreholes to communities can take advantage of rehabilitation of the existing boreholes located in the communities which are high yielding, thereby reducing project implementation cost. Keywords: Borehole Rehabilitation, Borehole Yields, Borehole Camera Inspection, Pumping Test


2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard C. Hicks ◽  
Keith Wright

Implementations of inference engine systems invoke many costs, including the cost of the inference engine itself, the cost of integrating the inference engine, and the cost of specialized personnel needed to create and maintain the system. These costs make a very high return on investment a criterion for incorporating these systems into the corporate portfolio of applications and technologies. Recently, the No Inference Engine Theory (NIET) [8] has been developed for creating procedural propositional logic rule-based systems. The NIET systems are implemented in traditional procedural languages such as C++ and do not need an inference engine or proprietary languages, thus eliminating the cost of the inference engine, the cost of integrating the system, and the cost for knowledge of a proprietary language. In addition, these procedural systems are an order of magnitude faster [8] than inference systems and maintain linear performance. For problems using propositional logic, the procedural systems described in this paper offer dramatically lower costs, higher performance, and ease of integration. Lowering the external costs and eliminating the need for specialized skills should make NIET systems more profitable and lead to the wider use of propositional logic systems in business.


Author(s):  
Cheng Hong ◽  
Yuxi Wang ◽  
Jiankun Yang ◽  
Yuri M. Berbert ◽  
Marcelo I. Lourenço ◽  
...  

The development of a subsea field implies a complex design procedure with very high costs involved. The combination of low oil price, harsh environment, very deep waters and high drilling costs has emphasized the need for new ideas to reduce both CAPEX and OPEX. The paper considers different subsea layout scenarios of a typical deep water field. Each scenario is optimized considering pipeline length, equipment cost and flow assurance. The software QUE$TOR is then applied to estimate the cost of each optimized scenario. Two of them are selected for further studies, FPSO connected to six slots subsea manifolds, and subsea separator connected to eight slots cluster manifolds with tie-back to an existing platform. The latter representing a hybrid solution based on the subsea-to-shore concept. Cost and technical feasibility are considered in order to evaluate the two scenarios.


Author(s):  
Amanda Hart

The topic of my research is informal recycling with a focus on developing nations. Scavengers are considered people who sort through garbage but not through an organization. There is a negative stigma that is associated with this type of lifestyle. The discussion will explore the benefits of organized informal recycling programs in countries such as Brazil and Nigeria. When informal recycling becomes organized jobs are created allowing for more residents to become employed. Some of the benefits of informal recycling include reducing the volume of waste, the life span of disposal sites is increased as well it helps reduce the amount of methane produced. These programs also allow for certain materials to be discovered which can easily be reused. For example, there are metals that can be sorted through and ultimately sold to companies. Another example would be the organics from the garbage are used in order to support pig farms. This decreases the cost of production for the pig farmers, which allows them a larger profit margin. Also, social, economic, environmental and health issues will be discussed in further detail. Finally, terms will be defined to allow a better understanding of the informal recycling world and how it operates.


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