scholarly journals A Proposal for an Integrated Methodological and Scientific Approach to Cost Used Forestry Machines

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-75
Author(s):  
Dalia Abbas ◽  
Fulvio Di Fulvio ◽  
Enrico Marchi ◽  
Raffaele Spinelli ◽  
Mike Schmidt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focal Point ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Forest Operations ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Standard Cost ◽  
Single Piece ◽  
Machine Operators ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Cost Factors ◽  
Input Cost

This paper offers a conceptual analysis of the unaccounted-for cost of owning and operating used machines from an operational, financial and market perspective. It is based on input from experts and a literature review. In the scientific literature, assessing the operating cost of used machines in forest operations is typically based on standard cost assessment methods using costing/pricing input from similar unused machines. This is the case since there are usually no historical data for observed used machines available to analyze. This substitute analysis is problematic to many used and depreciated machines owners. The changing trends in forest technology attest that old machinery do not hold to the same input cost data variables or values of new machines. In fact, they belong to two rather competing different markets: (used vs. new equipment markets). With the technological, market and machinery regulations and dynamic changes, the substitute cost analysis is not representative. Better data is required to understand the cost of owning and operating used machines and the justification is the focal point of this paper. The outcome of the expert and literature analysis in this paper demonstrates that a broader understanding of the cost of a used machine is required and doable. A proposed understanding integrates the machine availability (performance), cost factors (financial) and market evaluation (price), in isolation (single piece of machine) as well as in a fleet, to assess a used machine ownership cost. The study is intended to offer forest machine operators, owners, scientists, and practitioners a proposed new approach to value used machines and further investigations and data inputs required to make used machines costing methods more relevant.

Tap-Noaa's Statistical Spill Trajectory Model: A New Approach To Spill Planning

1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 (1) ◽  
pp. 889-893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather A. Parker-Hall ◽  
Nathalie Dreyfus
Keyword(s):  
Planning Process ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Hard Copy ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Trajectory Model ◽  
Spill Site ◽  
A Site ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Cost Factors ◽  
Area Planning

ABSTRACT TAP (Trajectory Analysis Planner) is an interactive spill planning software that allows planners to assess the threat to specific sensitive sites from spilled pollutants within a geographical region, based on statistical analysis of many possible spill scenarios. TAP is ready to use, preloaded with a large database of thousands of spill trajectories initialized with a range of possible wind, weather, and tidal conditions representing the climatology and expected transport processes for a particular region. TAP users choose from countless spill sources with the movement of the ship-shaped cursor throughout the mapped water body. The threat to each of the predetermined sensitive sites, marked as shoreline segments on the map, is represented by colors, corresponding to the probability of pollutant impact from the selected spill site. Planners can also provide cost or consequence values to sites. TAP will use these along with the database of probabilities to calculate various estimates of spill significance relative to the user's specific concerns, such as feet of boom required to protect a site, or number of birds impacted at each site. TAP also helps users account for pollutant that is removed from the spill zone (skimming, booming, dispersants, etc.). The user can then easily see changes in threat to each site of concern from the reduced amount of pollutant, along with the resultant change in the cost or consequence to protect or clean each threatened site. TAP is a departure from the single-scenario, hard-copy trajectory model output traditionally used for the area planning process. TAP affords a much stronger statistical scenario base for regional planning. It is an interactive database that allows users, with minimal training, to rapidly evaluate numerous spill scenarios, examine particular sites of concern and the changes in threat to those sites with scenario changes. TAP also allows planners to modify cost factors to reflect interests of their individual organizations.

scholarly journals Use of Factors in Development Estimates: Improving the Cost Analyst Toolkit

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (96) ◽  
pp. 40-70
Author(s):  
Matthew Markman ◽  
Jonathan Ritschel ◽  
Edward White
Keyword(s):  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Defense Acquisition ◽  
Engineering Data ◽  
Standard Cost ◽  
Contract Type ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Time And Energy ◽  
Cost Factors ◽  
Relevant Factors

Factor Estimating is a technique commonly used by defense acquisition analysts to develop cost estimations. However, previous studies developing factors for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the life cycle are limited. This research expands the current toolkit for cost analysts by developing cost factors in previously unexplored areas. More specifically, over 400 cost reports are utilized to create new standard cost factors that are delineated by five categories: commodity type, contract type, contractor type, development type, and Service. The factors are developed for those elements that are common in a wide array of projects such as program management, systems engineering, data, or training. This new factor dataset provides cost analysts with the information necessary to appropriately identify and select the most relevant factors to use when developing future cost estimates. Through statistical analysis, the research also helps identify those elements in which more analysts’ time and energy should be allocated when developing their estimates.

scholarly journals NUMERICAL STUDY OF OPTIMAL BUFFER SIZE AND VACATION LENGTH IN M/G/1/K QUEUES WITH MULTIPLE VACATIONS

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Kilhwan Kim
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Study ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Buffer Size ◽  
Multiple Vacations ◽  
System Parameters ◽  
Vacation Time ◽  
Holding Cost ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Cost Factors

Nowadays, due to the advent of clouding computing, buffer size can be readily extended in a couple of minutes for computing servers, where the buffer size should not be considered as given when optimizing the system performance. In this context, we explore optimal combinations for the buffer size and the length of vacation time in M/G/1/K queues with multiple vacations numerically. We consider the cases of deterministic and exponentially distributed vacation and service times. In order to do this, we also formulate an optimal problem and define cost factors: the customer loss cost, the buffer holding cost, and the server operating cost. We present some numerical examples to investigate the impact of the system parameters such as the buffer size, the length of the vacation time, and the distribution of the service time, to performance measures and the total cost. We also investigate optimal combinations for the buffer size and the vacation length for various values of the cost factors.

Janus – A New Approach to Air Combat Pilot Training

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (4) ◽  
pp. 7-22
Author(s):  
Georges Bridel ◽  
Zdobyslaw Goraj ◽  
Lukasz Kiszkowiak ◽  
Jean-Georges Brévot ◽  
Jean-Pierre Devaux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Training System ◽  
Embedded Sensors ◽  
Pilot Training ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Combat Aircraft ◽  
Air Combat ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Advanced jet training still relies on old concepts and solutions that are no longer efficient when considering the current and forthcoming changes in air combat. The cost of those old solutions to develop and maintain combat pilot skills are important, adding even more constraints to the training limitations. The requirement of having a trainer aircraft able to perform also light combat aircraft operational mission is adding unnecessary complexity and cost without any real operational advantages to air combat mission training. Thanks to emerging technologies, the JANUS project will study the feasibility of a brand-new concept of agile manoeuvrable training aircraft and an integrated training system, able to provide a live, virtual and constructive environment. The JANUS concept is based on a lightweight, low-cost, high energy aircraft associated to a ground based Integrated Training System providing simulated and emulated signals, simulated and real opponents, combined with real-time feedback on pilot’s physiological characteristics: traditionally embedded sensors are replaced with emulated signals, simulated opponents are proposed to the pilot, enabling out of sight engagement. JANUS is also providing new cost effective and more realistic solutions for “Red air aircraft” missions, organised in so-called “Aggressor Squadrons”.

Determination of the minimum number of technological bases of a part

2020 ◽  
pp. 73-75
Author(s):  
B.M. Bazrov ◽  
T.M. Gaynutdinov
Keyword(s):  
Cost Price ◽  
Labor Input ◽  
Part Surface ◽  
Technological Base ◽  
Size Accuracy ◽  
Minimum Number ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Input Cost ◽  
Selection Of

The selection of technological bases is considered before the choice of the type of billet and the development of the route of the technological process. A technique is proposed for selecting the minimum number of sets of technological bases according to the criterion of equality in the cost price of manufacturing the part according to the principle of unity and combination of bases at this stage. Keywords: part, surface, coordinating size, accuracy, design and technological base, labor input, cost price. [email protected]

scholarly journals A Threat of Farmers’ Suicide and the Opportunity in Organic Farming for Sustainable Agricultural Development in India

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karthikeyan Mariappan ◽  
Deyi Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Conventional Farming ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Small Scale Farmers ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Input Cost

Agriculture is the main sources of income for humans. Likewise, agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy. In India, Tamil Nadu regional state has a wide range of possibilities to produce all varieties of organic products due to its diverse agro-climatic condition. This research aimed to identify the economics and efficiency of organic farming, and the possibilities to reduce farmers’ suicides in the Tamil Nadu region through the organic agriculture concept. The emphasis was on farmers, producers, researchers, and marketers entering the sustainable economy through organic farming by reducing input cost and high profit in cultivation. A survey was conducted to gather data. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been used to test the hypothesis regards the cost and profit of rice production. The results showed that there was a significant difference in profitability between organic and conventional farming methods. It is very transparent that organic farming is the leading concept of sustainable agricultural development with better organic manures that can improve soil fertility, better yield, less input cost and better return than conventional farming. The study suggests that by reducing the cost of cultivation and get a marginal return through organic farming method to poor and small scale farmers will reduce socio-economic problems such as farmers’ suicides in the future of Indian agriculture.

scholarly journals ANN-Based Decision Making in Station Keeping for Geotechnical Drilling Vessel

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 596
Author(s):  
Murugan Ramasamy ◽  
Mohammed Abdul Hannan ◽  
Yaseen Adnan Ahmed ◽  
Arun Kr Dev
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Water Depth ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Station Keeping ◽  
Operational Information ◽  
Effective Option ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Cost Factors

Offshore vessels (OVs) often require precise station-keeping and some vessels, for example, vessels involved in geotechnical drilling, generally use Spread Mooring (SM) or Dynamic Positioning (DP) systems. Most of these vessels are equipped with both systems to cover all ranges of water depths. However, determining which system to use for a particular operational scenario depends on many factors and requires significant balancing in terms of cost-benefit. Therefore, this research aims to develop a platform that will determine the cost factors for both the SM and DP station-keeping systems. Operational information and cost data are collected for several field operations, and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) are trained using those data samples. After that, the trained ANN is used to predict the components of cost for any given environmental situation, fieldwork duration and water depth. Later, the total cost is investigated against water depth for both DP and SM systems to determine the most cost-effective option. The results are validated using two operational scenarios for a specific geotechnical vessel. This decision-making algorithm can be further developed by adding up more operational data for various vessels and can be applied in the development of sustainable decision-making business models for OVs operators.

Inferring age from otolith measurements: a review and a new approach

2004 ◽  
Vol 61 (7) ◽  
pp. 1269-1284 ◽  
Author(s):  
RIC Chris Francis ◽  
Steven E Campana
Keyword(s):  
Simulation Experiment ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
New Method ◽  
Population Parameters ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
Mixture Analysis ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Individual Fish ◽  
The Cost

In 1985, Boehlert (Fish. Bull. 83: 103–117) suggested that fish age could be estimated from otolith measurements. Since that time, a number of inferential techniques have been proposed and tested in a range of species. A review of these techniques shows that all are subject to at least one of four types of bias. In addition, they all focus on assigning ages to individual fish, whereas the estimation of population parameters (particularly proportions at age) is usually the goal. We propose a new flexible method of inference based on mixture analysis, which avoids these biases and makes better use of the data. We argue that the most appropriate technique for evaluating the performance of these methods is a cost–benefit analysis that compares the cost of the estimated ages with that of the traditional annulus count method. A simulation experiment is used to illustrate both the new method and the cost–benefit analysis.

ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE PUBLIC FOOD SYSTEM IN UZBEKISTAN DURING THE SOVIET PERIOD

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 49-55
Author(s):  
Bunyod Nosirov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Food System ◽  
Soviet Period ◽  
Soviet Rule ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Management Structure ◽  
The Public ◽  
Technical Base ◽  
New Directions ◽  
Public Catering ◽  
The Cost

The article discusses the issues of the activity of the public catering system during the Soviet period, in particular, the policy and problems in this area affecting the issues of ensuring the material and technical base, as well as the need of the population itself in the field of public catering.During the years of Soviet rule, new directions in the public catering system were formed. A new approach was integrated in the management structure and in provision.A differentiated approach was introduced in the direction of public catering, i.e. reform in the issue of service, the cost of public catering. In other words, the cost price and service (in the public catering system) in large enterprises differed sharply from the prices in schools.

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