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2022 ◽  
pp. 251512742110688
Author(s):  
Renee D. Watson

The first Heritage’s Dairy Store opened in Westville New Jersey on October 10, 1957. The chain of convenient stores is known for their quality lunchmeats, fresh coffee, and their own brand of milk and ice cream. The company wholesales candy, tobacco, and groceries from its Heritage’s Wholesale Company, which supplies more than 75% of products sold in its 33+ locations. Additionally, Heritage’s now offers customizable food options throughout the day. As the business transitions to the next generation, the leadership has noticed changes within their markets, new trends within the industry, and several marketing related challenges. Following marketing research, Heritage’s found the majority of their consumers were over the age of 50. Research also showed many respondents under 25 were unaware of the company. Additionally, many within the 20–39 age bracket who had heard of the company still did not have a clear understanding of the product offerings or overall brand. Heritage’s is faced with maintaining their current consumer base while simultaneously attracting the younger demographic. Additionally, major changes in technology, store design, marketing, and branding would come at a significant cost. Lastly, the management of Heritage’s seeks to honor their company history while looking toward the future.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shogo Hayashi ◽  
Junya Honda ◽  
Hisashi Kashima

AbstractBayesian optimization (BO) is an approach to optimizing an expensive-to-evaluate black-box function and sequentially determines the values of input variables to evaluate the function. However, it is expensive and in some cases becomes difficult to specify values for all input variables, for example, in outsourcing scenarios where production of input queries with many input variables involves significant cost. In this paper, we propose a novel Gaussian process bandit problem, BO with partially specified queries (BOPSQ). In BOPSQ, unlike the standard BO setting, a learner specifies only the values of some input variables, and the values of the unspecified input variables are randomly determined according to a known or unknown distribution. We propose two algorithms based on posterior sampling for cases of known and unknown input distributions. We further derive their regret bounds that are sublinear for popular kernels. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms using test functions and real-world datasets.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Campbell

According to the bullet-biting response to the non-identity problem: Given a choice between creating a well-off child, A, and a different child, B, that is significantly worse off than A, it is not impermissible to create B. David Boonin has presented an argument for the bullet-biting response. He claims that although the conclusion of his argument is implausible, the rejection of the argument is even more implausible. But Boonin’s argument is more implausible than he realizes. Three specific premises, together with the claim that creating a child cannot make that child better or worse off than she would otherwise have been, jointly entail that it is not impermissible to create children whose lives contain only pain and suffering. This is a damning objection to Boonin’s argument. I argue that this objection cannot be avoided without undermining the other premises of Boonin’s argument. Finally, I suggest a fairly weak moral principle that avoids the bullet-biting response. According The Weak Principle (WP): If you are choosing between only Act 1 and Act 2, then Act 1 is impermissible if (a) the outcome of Act 2 is significantly better than the outcome of Act 1, (b*) Act 2 wouldn’t cause anyone to incur a significant cost, and (c) Act 2 wouldn’t violate anyone’s rights.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melinda A. Roberts

Let’s call the principle that says that the mere addition of the worth-having existence (other things equal) makes things morally better Pareto plus. If we accept Pareto plus, then it seems we should also say that some additions that make at least some person at least a little worse off also may – depending on the numbers – make things morally better. I find that latter claim potentially dangerous. As a main focus of an argument why we ought to do something about climate change, I think it moves people not to do anything much about climate change. People won’t accept that they or their progeny – or the many, many future people beyond their own progeny – should bear a cost, perhaps a significant cost, just to bring ever more future people into existence. But we can’t just reject Pareto plus out of hand. For a number of arguments seem to compel us to accept Pareto plus. My goal in this paper is to identify some of the most interesting of those arguments and to show how, in each case, the argument on closer analysis fails.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waleed Alhazmi ◽  
Maher Alabdullatif

Abstract This paper presents an unparalleled engineering assessment conducted to evaluate the feasibility of pre-investing in O2 enrichment technology, with the purpose of increasing the processing capacities of conventional air-based sulfur recovery units (SRUs). Ultimately, the goal is to minimize the overall number of required SRUs for a greenfield gas plant and, consequently, capture a significant cost-avoidance opportunity. The technology review revealed that a high-level O2 enrichment can double the processing capacity of air-based SRU, depending on the H2S content in acid gas. As H2S mole fraction in feed increases, the debottlenecking capability increases. For the project under assessment, the processing capacity of air-based SRUs showed a maximum increase of 80%. On the contrary, operating with high O2 levels, will elevate SRU reaction furnace temperature, and mandates installing high-intensity burners, along with special control and ESD functions, to manage potential risk and ensure safe operation. Additionally, the liquid handling section of SRUs (condensers, collection vessels, degassing vessels, sulfur storage tanks) should be enlarged to accommodate more sulfur production. Typically, the enriched oxygen can be supplied from air separation units (ASUs), which entails significant capital cost. Apart from these special design considerations, there are several advantages for adopting this technology. Oxygen enrichment removes significant nitrogen volumes, which reduces loads on Claus, tail gas treatment, and thermal oxidizer units. Hence, lower capital cost for new plants is acquired due to equipment size reduction. In addition, higher HP steam production and less fuel gas consumption are achieved. Conventionally, O2 enrichment technology is employed in the initial design stage or used to retrofit operating SRUs facilities. However, it is unique to consider O2 enrichment-design requirements as part of new air-based SRUs design for phased program development. The objective is to enable smooth transition to fully O2 enrichment operated SRUs at a later phase of the project without the need for any design modification. This exceptional pre-investment strategy has resulted into reducing the required number of SRUs at phase II from eight to five units; and accordingly, a significant cost avoidance was captured.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Made Suardika ◽  
I Gede Rama Wahyudana ◽  
Eka Wahyu Darmalaksana

Increasing number of threats to corporate and organizational information systems that require prepare for a major crisis. It is necessary for that good planning so that DRP can run optimally. However, in this case, many small and medium enterprises are hampered carry out solid DRP planning because of significant cost constraints quite a lot is needed. The use of cloud computing g can minimize costs. In this paper, it is proposed to combine the two concepts of long-term planning and utilization of multi cloud in its implementation on recovery plan with cloud computing. From result research conducted using AWS multi-cloud and Microsoft Azure, obtained a low risk level on days six and seven with segments 2 and 3 utilizing long-term research


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Jack Baichao Ding ◽  
Kevin Hu

Recent data suggests that the prevalence of smoking in schizophrenia remains high. While reports suggest that smoking increases the risk of developing schizophrenia, the potential causative role of smoking in this relationship needs further investigation. Smokers with schizophrenia are more likely to have more intense positive symptoms and lower cognitive function, but diminished intensity of extrapyramidal side effects than nonsmoking patients with schizophrenia. They were also more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviour compared to nonsmokers, which could suggest higher levels of baseline aggression. The significant cost associated with regular tobacco expenditure can detract from investment in key domains. Large-scale trials have shown that pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation is effective and does not worsen the risk of developing neuropsychiatric symptoms compared to placebo. Electronic cigarette use among schizophrenia patients is high, and there is emerging evidence supportive of its efficacy. Future improvements include large-scale trials assessing the utility, efficacy, and safety of electronic cigarettes in schizophrenia patients.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oleksandr Spuskanyuk ◽  
David C Haeberle ◽  
Brandon Max Baumert ◽  
Brian Matthew King ◽  
Benjamin T Hillier

Abstract The growing number of upcoming well abandonments has become an important driver to seek efficiencies in optimizing abandonment costs while establishing long term well integrity and complying with local regulatory requirements. With an increasing global inventory of Plug and Abandonment (P&A) candidates, Exxonmobil has been driven to look for the most reliable, safe, and cost-efficient P&A technologies. ExxonMobil's P&A guidelines are consistent with and often more stringent than the local regulatory requirements but are also achievable, at least in part, with rigless technologies, leading to a more cost-efficient approach while ensuring well integrity. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the success of rigless abandonments and their benefits compared to rig-based solutions. When developing a well abandonment plan, it is essential to consider a number of factors. These include local regulations, identification of zones to be isolated and suitable caprocks, and recognition of constraints including well history, conditions and uncertainties. Teams should begin with low cost operations without a rig if possible, estimate costs and effectiveness to achieve the barrier requirements, and evaluate batch operation opportunities for multi-well programs. ExxonMobil case studies are shown to help describe in detail how to make decisions about applicability of rigless abandonment options and how to properly execute such abandonments to achieve compliance with the barrier requirements. It has been demonstrated that significant cost savings can be achieved by staging the abandonment program in a way that lower cost technologies are utilized during the early stages of well abandonment, starting with wireline where possible, followed by coiled tubing and finally by a pulling unit, as appropriate. P&A execution could be achieved without a rig in a majority of cases, including most offshore wells, with the need to use a rig only in special circumstances or phases of execution. It is important to note that the barrier placement and safety of rigless P&A execution will not be compromised, as compared to the rig-based P&As. Additional cost savings could be achieved by further optimizing P&A design at the well design stage, ensuring that there are no built-in limiters that would prevent rigless P&A execution at the end of well life. Several case studies from ExxonMobil's global offshore experience demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of rigless P&A operations, with significant cost savings compared to rig-based P&As. It has been evident that rigless P&A choice is applicable to the variety of ExxonMobil's P&A projects of different complexities, with the same or superior quality of abandonment and safety record.


Hearts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 561-569
Author(s):  
Abhisheik Prashar ◽  
Kurt Mitchell ◽  
Andrew Hopkins ◽  
Mark Sader ◽  
Ananth M. Prasan

Objectives: We sought to investigate the rates of same-day discharge (SDD) post elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) at our institution and review its safety by examining clinical outcomes. We also performed an economic analysis evaluating our hospital’s cost data for SDD following PCI. Methods: Patients undergoing elective PCI at St George Hospital, Australia, from January 2017 to December 2019 were evaluated. Primary outcomes included 7-day major adverse cardiovascular endpoints (MACEs) and readmission to hospital within 30 days. Results: Among 502 patients who underwent elective PCI, 421 patients (83.8%) were managed with SDD. There was one case of acute stent thrombosis and one case of coronary wire-induced perforation requiring a pericardial drain that occurred following elective PCI with SDD (0.54%). Unplanned cardiac re-hospitalisation at 30 days following elective PCI was 5.2%. SDD after elective PCI was associated with a healthcare cost saving of AUD 4817 per case. Conclusion: SDD following elective PCI was demonstrated to be a safe and effective strategy that was also associated with significant cost savings. SDD following elective PCI warrants more widespread use as it lowers healthcare costs, has equivalent patient outcomes and improves patient satisfaction.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiwei David Yue ◽  
Andrew Slocum ◽  
Xiaohong Lucy Tian ◽  
Linping Ke ◽  
Megan Westerman ◽  
...  

Abstract After fracturing, it is common practice to leave offshore wells shut-in from days to weeks for operational purposes. During the recent historic decline of demand for global crude, a trend has been witnessed to shut in even newly fractured wells under design for an extended period. The cause of these extended shut-ins can be attributed to various factors including operational logistics as well as economic factors. The shut-in extension brings some unique scaling challenges for well designs. In this paper, an integrated scale inhibitor (SI)/fracturing fluid package is presented with detailed laboratory prerequisites data to validate its efficacy for long-term scale protection during the extended shut-in. Utilizing seawater in offshore fracturing can provide significant cost savings to an operation. Unfortunately, in regions with barium-rich formations, the use of seawater brings tremendous barite scaling risk. In order to solve this challenge, the investigation focused on the selection of the most effective inhibitors for long-term barite inhibition under the simulated reservoir conditions. Along with the scale inhibitor selection, the crosslinked gel had to be carefully optimized to eliminate any potential negative interference the gel additives could impart to the performance of the inhibitor. Furthermore, the inhibitor was tested in the crosslinking system to meet optimum rheology requirements. Utilizing the broken gel containing the designed inhibitor package, barite precipitation could be prevented for months under the simulated testing conditions. Due to high levels of sulfate from seawater and the barium originating from the formation, barite scale formed immediately upon mixing of the two types of water in absence of the appropriate scale inhibitors. Solid scale products featuring slow releasing of the inhibitor ingredients was proven insufficient for this application. With extensive laboratory screening, the candidate chemistry demonstrated great brine-calcium tolerance, superior scale inhibition performance for both sulfate and carbonate scales, and the minimum interferences for the crosslinking engineering to meet necessary proppant carrying capacity. To mimic the gel-breaking process and heterogeneous bleeding from the formation water, the inhibitor was crosslinked with the gel at various loading rates (1 gpt to 10 gpt) and broken at the elevated reservoir temperature, then mixed with the different ratios of the formation water. Reliable scale inhibition performance was achieved for an extended period of time for up to six weeks. Incorporating SI into the fracturing stimulation package is a convenient method for operators to include a scale-control program into well-defined fracturing designs with minimal adjustment and also add significant cost-saving for offshore logistics and rig time (Fitzgerald, et al., 2008). The scale inhibitor product presented in this paper shows a superior solution to protect assets from scale deposition for an extended shut-in period.


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