scholarly journals Cost efficient internet of things based smart farm system for rural farmers: Leveraging design thinking approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-120
Author(s):  
Segun Adebayo ◽  
Ozichi Emuoyibofarhe ◽  
Tolulope Awofolaju
Keyword(s):  
Design Thinking ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Impact Performance ◽  
Farm Productivity ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
Cost Efficient ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

Farmers are faced with challenges of producing enough food and the use of traditional methods seems not to keep pace with the ever-growing demand of the populace thus creating increased concern in food scarcity. Although it has been identified that smart tools will enhance the production pace needed in the Agricultural sector, unfortunately, most of these tools are designed for farmers without their inputs, thus creating tools that are not meeting demands. This study focused on a farmer-centered design, development, and deployment approach to improving farm productivity. The design thinking approach was used to identify the specific need of the farmers in selected areas, ideas were created using brainstorming sessions involving experts in the field, and prototypes were developed and deployed to evaluate the impact performance. The result shows that the proposed system improved the cost-benefit ratio of crop farming from 2.14 to 2.26. This is a 12% productivity increase.

scholarly journals Firms Political Connections and Winning Government Contracts

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saidatou Dicko
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Political Connections ◽  
Government Contracts ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Canadian Context ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
Corporate Actions ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

<p>This study investigates the impact of political connections on the awarding of government contracts to Canadian companies.<strong> </strong>Two-stage least squares (2SLS) analyses were performed on a sample of S&amp;P/TSX companies from 2010 to 2014 inclusively.<strong> </strong>The results show that political connections are positively and significantly associated with the winning of government contracts. Politically connected firms obtain more government contracts and higher contract values than non-connected firms. Political connections thus appear to be directly associated with securing government contracts in the Canadian context. Firms can view political connections as a non-market, long-term strategy to help them gain competitive advantages and improve their performance. Accordingly, they tend to appoint directors and managers taking these connections and the advantages that can be gained into account. However, they must seriously consider the cost-benefit ratio of this strategy. For example, the costs incurred could be ethical in nature and firms could find themselves in a position of conflict of interest that could lead to extensive negative media exposure.<strong> </strong>These results alert regulatory and governmental organizations to the need for them to remain vigilant and to strengthen corporate governance regulations to prevent the excesses and abuses that could arise from firms’ political actions.<strong> </strong>Our study is the first to demonstrate a direct relationship between corporate political connections and government contracts in the Canadian context. The results confirm the growing interdependence between politics and business, particularly the increase in the number of corporate actions intended to influence government decisions.</p>

Carp polyculture in ponds in greater Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Colavito
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Internal Rate Of Return ◽  
Extensive Training ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Aquaculture Production

Abstract The greater Mymensingh area comprises seven districts and a population of over 17 million people (2002). This area was the location of DANIDA's Mymensingh Aquaculture Extension Project (MAEP) implemented jointly with the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) to assess the potential of aquaculture to alleviate poverty. The MAEP (1989-2003) promoted carp polyculture through the development of hatcheries, nurseries, micro-credit, and an extensive training programme targeted at the poorest households. The MAEP played a key role in initiating improved aquaculture practice in Bangladesh. Winrock International was engaged by DANIDA to document the impact of the MAEP. In the Mymensingh area, over 1.4 million households have adopted carp polyculture. Annual income per household from carp polyculture is US$ 145 (2002). Unit yields increased from 1 to 3.3 t ha-1 from 1989 to 2002. Total production has increased from 85,000 to 351,000 t resulting in an annual increase in revenue of US$ 204 million. Over 40% of Bangladesh's aquaculture production now comes from greater Mymensingh, which has less than 10% of the nation's population. The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for the MAEP investment is 224% and the cost benefit ratio is 1:27. The MAEP has had a profound impact in improving the lives of the rural poor.

scholarly journals The Role of the Clinical Pharmacist in an Irish University Teaching Hospital: A Mixed-Methods Study

Pharmacy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Sarah Ronan ◽  
Nicola Shannon ◽  
Katie Cooke ◽  
Trish McKeon ◽  
Elaine K. Walsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Drug Event ◽  
Benefit Ratio ◽  
Cost Avoidance ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

Medication review (MR) is a vital part of the pharmacist’s role in hospital. However, in the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH), Cork, Ireland, this has not been fully implemented due to resource issues. In addition, the cost of providing this service has not been evaluated. Moreover, it is not clear how other members of the multidisciplinary team e.g., Nurses, value any interventions made as a result of the MR. This mixed methods study assessed the impact of MR in terms of (i) potential clinical harm, (ii) cost avoidance and (iii) the views of nursing staff on the role of the pharmacist. The setting is a 192-bed, voluntary, acute hospital, in the Munster region of Ireland. Study I: The pharmacist provided MR to patients conventionally once a week. Any interventions were then assessed for potential clinical harm and to calculate cost avoidance. Study II: Semi-structured interviews, guided by a topic guide were completed with 12 nurses (11 female). Thematic analysis was used to code the main themes. Main outcome measure: To estimate the cost, cost avoidance, and the net cost benefit ratio of MR provided by pharmacists. Study I: Of 128 patients who received the MR, 113 interventions were made. The estimated cost of providing the MR was €2559 (senior pharmacist). Using €1084 as the cost of an adverse drug event (ADE), the cost avoidance was calculated at €42,330. This led to a net cost benefit of €39,771 (senior pharmacist) which equated to a net cost benefit ratio of 16.5:1. Study II: The main themes were (i) perceptions of pharmacy services, (ii) the role of the pharmacist—past, present and future, and (iii) teamwork and communication. Nurses expressed a desire to have more pharmacists present on the wards.

scholarly journals Effect of Instructor-Personalized Multimedia in the Online Classroom

2009 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Jean Mandernach
Keyword(s):  
Student Engagement ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Online Course ◽  
College Level ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
University Policy ◽  
Conflicting Evidence ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

There is considerable evidence that well-designed multimedia resources can enhance learning outcomes, yet there is little information on the role of multimedia in influencing essential motivational variables, such as student engagement. The current study examines the impact of instructor-personalized multimedia supplements on student engagement in an introductory, college-level online course. A comparison of student engagement between courses that feature increasing numbers of instructor-personalized multimedia components reveals conflicting evidence. While qualitative student feedback indicates enhanced engagement as a function of instructor-generated multimedia supplements, quantitative data reports no significant differences in engagement or learning between the various levels of multimedia inclusion. Findings highlight the complexity surrounding the appropriate use of multimedia within an online course. University policy-makers and instructors are cautioned to examine carefully the cost-benefit ratio of multimedia inclusion for online learning environments.

scholarly journals Terrorism and National Morality

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
William R. DiPietro
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Social Benefits ◽  
Benefit Ratio ◽  
Theoretical Hypothesis ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

<p><em>This paper empirically investigates whether there is a negative relationship between the impact of terrorism in a country and national morality. A negative relationship between terrorism and national morality is predicted to exist, because it is reasoned that, in general, greater national morality leads to higher individual and social costs of terrorism, and to lower individual and social benefits from terrorism. Given the standard neoclassical assumption of rationality, an increase in the cost benefit ratio of terrorism due to increased national morality means that, with increased national morality, individuals will rationally choose to engage in less terrorism.The paper uses cross country regression analysis on contemporary data to test these ideas. It regresses the impact of terrorism on national morality and other variables. The results of the empirics of the paper are consistent with the key theoretical hypothesis. They show that the impact of terrorism is negatively associated with national morality. </em></p>

Intraoperative OCT – Real-World User Evaluation in Routine Surgery

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Juergens ◽  
Sofie Michiels ◽  
Maria Borrelli ◽  
Kistina Spaniol ◽  
Rainer Guthoff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intraoperative Imaging ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
User Friendliness ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Surgical Microscope ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Intraoperative Oct

Abstract Background In recent years, great progress has been made in intraoperative imaging using optical coherence tomography (iOCT). There are now several commercially available iOCT systems that allow high-resolution imaging of all structures of the eye without interrupting surgery. This real-time visualisation can provide additional information to conventional surgical microscopy, but is relatively expensive. The aim of our study was to find out how often OCT integrated into the surgical microscope is used by trained surgeons, or to what extent they consider that iOCT is relevant for intraoperative procedures. Patients and Methods A prospective monocentric analysis was conducted of the field of application and user-friendliness of the EnFocus Ultra-Deep OCT (Leica Microsystems), a mobile device combination of surgical microscope and OCT. The use and benefit were investigated of iOCT, which was not mandatory. Standardised documentation and evaluation using a questionnaire was performed by the respective surgeon (n = 5) immediately after surgery. Results Over a period of 25 working days, 118 procedures were performed in the operating theatre equipped with the microscope-OCT combination. The iOCT was used in 24.6% of the 118 procedures performed. iOCT was regarded as crucial to the intraoperative procedure in 3 of the 29 patients. In one patient, it was possible to check graft orientation during a DMEK operation in a very opaque cornea and, in the second patient, to visualise the correct positioning of an iris diaphragm in the capsular bag. In the third patient, the risk of developing a pseudoforamen was assessed, and this led to the decision not to perform a full gliosis peel. Conclusion Experienced surgeons in a university eye hospital with a full surgical spectrum considered that intraoperative OCT was decisive for the course of surgery in only a few selected surgical situations, e.g. in case of limited corneal transparency. The impact of the use of iOCT on post-operative outcome quality still needs to be evaluated by larger prospective studies. On the basis of this survey, the cost-benefit ratio is still unclear.

scholarly journals Cardiovascular Imaging in Obesity

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 744
Author(s):  
Sophie I. Mavrogeni ◽  
Flora Bacopoulou ◽  
George Markousis-Mavrogenis ◽  
George Chrousos ◽  
Evangelia Charmandari
Keyword(s):  
Wall Motion ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Diffuse Fibrosis ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Obese Children ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Rest Perfusion ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
Obese Subjects ◽  
The Cost

Obesity represents one of the most challenging public health problems of our century. It accounts for approximately 5% of deaths worldwide, mostly owing to cardiovascular disease and its associated complications. Cardiovascular noninvasive imaging may provide early accurate information about hypertrophy and ischemia/fibrosis in obese subjects. Echocardiography and nuclear cardiology have serious limitations in obese subjects owing to poor acoustic window and attenuation artifacts, respectively. Coronary computed tomography angiography can provide information about obstructive coronary disease; however, the use of radiation is a serious disadvantage. Finally, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) holds the promise of an “all in one” examination by combining evaluation of function, wall motion/thickness, stress rest/perfusion, replacement and diffuse fibrosis without radiation. Future studies are required to document the cost/benefit ratio of the CMR in the evaluation of cardiovascular risk in overweight/obese children and adolescents.

Home Visitation Investment

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-169
Author(s):  
NORMAN J. SISSMAN
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Home Visits ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Home Visitation ◽  
Benefit Ratio ◽  
Health Care Resources ◽  
Detailed Consideration ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
Women And Children ◽  
The Cost

To the Editor.— Two recent reviews in Pediatrics1,2 provide much interesting information on the effect of home visits on the health of women and children. However, I was disappointed not to find in either article more than token reference to the cost of the programs reviewed. In this day of increasingly scarce health care resources, we no longer have the luxury of evaluating programs such as these without detailed consideration of their cost-benefit ratio.

scholarly journals Ultrasound scan as a potential source of nosocomial and cross-infection: a literature review

2015 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 319-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Hadyme Miyague ◽  
Fernando Marum Mauad ◽  
Wellington de Paula Martins ◽  
Augusto César Garcia Benedetti ◽  
Ana Elizabeth Gomes de Melo Tavares Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Cross Infection ◽  
Ultrasound Scan ◽  
Benefit Ratio ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
The Cost

AbstractThe authors review the main concepts regarding the importance of cleaning/disinfection of ultrasonography probes, aiming a better comprehension by practitioners and thus enabling strategies to establish a safe practice without compromising the quality of the examination and the operator productivity. In the context of biosafety, it is imperative to assume that contact with blood or body fluids represents a potential source of infection. Thus, in order to implement cleaning/disinfection practice, it is necessary to understand the principles of infection control, to consider the cost/benefit ratio of the measures to be implemented, and most importantly, to comprehend that such measures will not only benefit the health professional and the patient, but the society as a whole.

scholarly journals Comparative economics of cashew nut kernel processing technology in Bastar region of India

2014 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-172
Author(s):  
Praveen Kumar Verma ◽  
SK Nag ◽  
SK Patil
Keyword(s):  
Cost Reduction ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Economic Viability ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Cashew Nut ◽  
Net Profit ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
Comparative Economics ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Improved Technology

The paper has studied the economic viability of improved technology (Introduced under NAIP component-3) for extraction of cashew kernel from cashew nut in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, India. Cost concept has been used to calculate economics of cashew kernel. The technology (Boiling, steaming, cutting, drying, and peeling) has been found viable over conventional practices (Traditional manual separation by stone or hammer) on account of higher recovery of 40 percent and cost reduction by 29.71 percent. Overall net profit per unit (One unit includes one boiler, one steamer, two cutter, one dryer, six peelers and cost of land, depreciation and interest on working capital) in the case of improved technology has been estimated to be Rs 7.32 lakh. Cost of production in machine extraction practices was 202.80 Rupees per kilogram of cashew in spite of traditionally practiced 288.56 Rupees per kilogram. The cost benefit ratio was found higher in machine extraction (1.57) as compare to traditionally practiced (0.169). The mechanical decortications and separation could not only save time and money, also reduced women drudgery (due to manual breaking by stone or hammer to separate kernel). The technology has been found suitable for promotion of entrepreneurship on the processing of cashew kernel from cashew nut in the production catchments which otherwise is not properly utilized. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v39i1.20166 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 39(1): 165-172, March 2014

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