Achieve Cost Savings Research Articles

The role of advanced energy management strategies to operate flexibility sources in Renewable Energy Communities

Renewable Energy Communities (REC) can largely contribute to building decarbonization targets and provide flexibility through the adoption of advanced control strategies of the energy systems. This work investigates how the role of flexibility sources will be impacted by shifting towards advanced control strategies under a high penetration of variable Renewable Energy Sources, in the following years. A large residential area with diverse energy systems, building envelope configurations, and energy demand patterns is modeled with the simulation environment RECsim, a virtual testbed for the implementation of energy management strategies in REC. Photovoltaic (PV) panels, Battery Energy Storage and Thermal Energy Storage (TES) of different sizes for each household provide a realistic description of a REC which includes both consumers and prosumers.This study explores a scenario in which advanced controllers based on Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) replace existing Rule-Based Controllers in building energy systems across a significant number of buildings. These control policies are simulated under three different scenarios that consider consumers with different pricing schemes and TES penetration.Efficient control strategies, have demonstrated significant potential, regardless of the presence of thermal storage and ToU pricing schemes, in reducing energy demand by 12.6%, cutting energy costs by 20.8%, and enhancing self-sufficiency and self-consumption, with minimal impact on Shared Energy. Implementing a flat tariff scheme under DRL enables consumers to increase their energy demand during periods of PV generation, which is particularly advantageous in a REC. Also, this approach lowers overall energy demand by 12.6% and boosts self-sufficiency, and it also decreases electricity exports from the REC to the grid by 18.2% compared to a ToU tariff scheme. When using ToU tariffs, thermal storage can be used to achieve cost savings, but total Shared Energy decreases, as do self-sufficiency and self-consumption of the REC. The results indicate that in a REC with high variable renewable energy and decentralized control, consumers using TES and ToU tariffs with peak prices during high irradiance periods may not be beneficial for the grid compliance.In conclusion, the coupling between DRL and thermal storage should be supported by more innovative pricing schemes for RECs and/or coordinated energy management, although it requires advanced communication and monitoring infrastructure.

Practical Implications of Value Based Care in the Setting of Ambulatory Surgery Center

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are increasingly replacing traditional hospital settings for orthopaedic procedures, driven by advancements in surgical techniques, anesthesia, and enhanced recovery protocols. These innovations enable complex procedures to be performed safely in outpatient settings. ASCs align with value-based care (VBC) principles by offering cost-effective, high-quality, and patient-centered care. This article explores strategies to integrate VBC into ASCs, focusing on operational, financial, and clinical enhancements. This analysis evaluates strategies for preparing ASCs for alternative payment models (APMs) like bundled payments and Accountable Care Organizations. It highlights the importance of standardizing practices, such as lean methodologies and Six Sigma approaches, to improve efficiency and outcomes. Data collection is targeted at actionable metrics, and cost management includes strategies like standardized implant selection and vendor negotiations. Financial alignment through performance-based compensation structures was also assessed. ASCs have demonstrated cost savings of up to 45% compared to hospital outpatient departments, driven by streamlined operations and patient-centric approaches. Adopting APMs fosters improved care coordination and efficiency while aligning financial incentives with clinical outcomes. Standardizing practices, such as implant selection and clinical protocols, has reduced variability, enhanced surgical outcomes, and controlled costs. Performance monitoring using metrics like patient-reported outcome measures and surgical complication rates has facilitated continuous improvement. ASCs represent a significant opportunity to implement VBC principles in orthopaedic surgery. By preparing for APMs, standardizing practices, and leveraging performance data, ASCs can achieve cost savings and improve patient outcomes. Continuous improvement and alignment between financial and clinical goals are essential for ASCs to remain leaders in orthopaedic care delivery. These strategies position ASCs to meet the evolving demands of health care while maintaining high-quality, patient-centered care.

Economic effects of priority setting in healthcare: a scoping review of current evidence

ObjectivesStudy objective was to map the current literature on the economic effects of priority setting at the system level in healthcare.DesignThe study was conducted as a scoping review.Data sourcesScopus electronic database was searched in June 2023.Eligibility criteriaWe included peer-reviewed articles published 1 January 2020–1 January 2023. All study designs that contained empirical evidence on the financial effects or opportunity costs of healthcare priority setting were included excluding disease, condition, treatment, or patient group-specific studies.Data extraction and synthesisTwo independent researchers screened the articles, and two additional researchers reviewed the full texts and extracted data. We used Joanna Briggs Institute checklists to assess the quality of qualitative, quasi-experimental and economic evaluations and the mixed methods appraisal tool for the mixed method studies. Synthesis was done qualitatively and through descriptive statistics.Results8869 articles were screened and 15 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The most common study focus was health technology assessment (7/15). Other contexts were opportunity costs, effects of programme budgeting and marginal analysis, and disinvestment initiatives. Priority setting activities analysed in the studies did not achieve cost savings or cost containment (4/15) or have mixed findings at best (8/15). Only five studies found some indication of cost savings, cost containment or increased efficiency. Also, many of the studies consider costs only indirectly or qualitatively.ConclusionsAll in all, there is very little research addressing the pressing question of whether explicit priority setting and priority-setting methods can support cost containment on a health service system level (regional or national). There is limited evidence of the economic effects of priority setting.

A rapid economic assessment of Wildlife Trusts’ nature prescribing programmes

BackgroundThe Wildlife Trusts play an important role in reducing the impact of poor public health on NHS services, improving human health through nature engagement projects. To bring these health benefits to light, the authors conducted a rapid economic assessment of Wildlife Trusts’ projects. MethodsFive green prescribing projects with the most comprehensive data were selected. Benefits to the participants were identified, including improved mental and physical health and reduced loneliness and physical health. To refine the methodologies for valuing the benefits achieved with each service type and its associated costs, a targeted literature review was conducted. The review encompassed studies considering the valuation of green prescribing services, mental health benefits, physical health benefits, and the economic implications related to reduced loneliness. The costs of running each Wildlife Trusts programme were established, and a subsequent cost:benefit figure calculated. FindingsThe authors concluded from the results that green prescribing has the potential to deliver cost saving benefits to the NHS and “take weight out of the system”. For example, through the Wild at Heart project, that involved 82 participants over a year in Rotherham and Sheffield, they estimated a reduction in NHS costs associated with inpatient admissions, A&E attendances and outpatient appointments by £38 646 per year. Or, every £1 spent on this project is estimated to deliver a £1·19 benefit in terms of reduced costs to the NHS. The research then examined the potential impact if this programme was delivered at scale. Reaching a similar demographic of 1·2 million people living with poor mental health would achieve cost savings to the NHS of £635·6 million and a potential running cost of £534 million. InterpretationNature prescribing projects can deliver a greater saving in healthcare costs than the cost of running them. The Wildlife Trusts and other organisations in the environment sector delivering ‘social prescribing’ should be further integrated into health and social care services in the community. We now need policies that sustainably fund the provision. FundingRoyal Society of Wildlife Trusts.

Exploring the Drivers, Challenges, and Opportunities of Supply Chain Technology Adoption for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have a crucial impact on the Malaysian economy, making major contributions to the functioning of the supply chain. Integrating supply chain technology has become a crucial element in enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of SMEs in Malaysia. During recent years many developing and developed countries have witnessed the expansion of markets and supply chain networks; in the progress of these market and supply systems SMEs find various complexities when they are implementing or improving the technology integration of their supply chain. The current body of literature often addresses the adoption of technology in a general manner or within larger organizations, resulting in a significant gap in study about the specific circumstances and requirements of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This study employs a rigorous methodology that analyzes relevant papers to examine the drivers, challenges, and opportunities for adopting supply chain technology among SMEs in Malaysia. By implementing supply chain technology, Malaysian SMEs can increase their performance in many areas of key performance indicators. This includes improving efficiency, optimizing inventory management, achieving cost savings, enhancing customer service, and increasing market competitiveness. It is believed that the findings of the study can be useful for managers of SMEs, policymakers, and interested stakeholders. This will enable SMEs to navigate the challenges of adopting technology more effectively and enhance global competitiveness.

Efficiency analysis of manufacturing industries in Singapore using the DEA-Malmquist productivity index

This study evaluated the efficiency and productivity of the manufacturing industries of Singapore. Singapore is one of the world’s most competitive countries and manufacturing giants. All 21 manufacturing industries as classified by Singapore’s Department of Statistics were included in the study as decision-making units (DMUs). Using the Malmquist DEA on data spanning 2015–2021, we found that excerpt for the Paper and Paper product industry, all industries recorded positive total factor productivity (TFP). TFP ranged from 0.977 to 1.481. In terms of technical efficiency, 14 out of 21 industries showed positive efficiency change. The highest TFP was recorded in 2020 and the lowest in 2016. By measuring and improving efficiency, industries in Singapore can achieve cost savings, increase output, and enhance their competitiveness in the global marketplace. In addition, efficiency measurement can help policymakers identify potential areas for improvement and develop targeted policies to promote sustainable economic growth. Given these benefits, performance measurement is inevitable for industries and policymakers in Singapore to achieve economic objectives. Manufacturing industries need to find ways to manage the size and scale of operations as we flag this as an area for improvement.

Strategies for Effective Product Roadmap Development and Execution in Data Analytics Platforms

Manufacturing is only one of several industries going through a digital transformation in this era of digital disruption. Manufacturing businesses are racing to adopt IoT-based solutions in order to innovate, increase productivity, lower costs, and gain greater market share because of the enormous transformational potential offered by Internet-of-Things (IoT) & Big Data. It is being used by industrial companies all over the world to increase flexibility while achieving cost savings, reduced inefficiencies, and better performance. It is no longer a trend for the future. But putting Industry 4.0 technology support into practice is a tough endeavour that gets increasingly harder in the absence of a common method. These are produced during the course of business operations and are kept in databases, email communication, transaction logs, free form texts on (business) social media, and other places. Businesses want to integrate data analytics methods into their decision-making processes by utilisation of these data. The field of Big Data analyses has seen tremendous progress in the IT sector in recent years. It appears that in order to deal with the extremely dynamic situations of today, new methods for product route mapping are required. This article provides an overview of the literature in science on product road mapping in order to shed light on the current state of the art & pinpoint research gaps. In order to demonstrate the influence of Industry 4.0 technological innovations on the manufacturing sector, this study provides an organised and content-focused evaluation of the literature. This paper offers recommendations for converting a legacy manufacturing facility into an Industry 4.0-compliant smart plant. Research gaps encompass topics including how to include objectives or results in product roadmaps, how to match a roadmap with the item's vision, and how to include activities related to product discovery in product roadmaps.

Comparative analysis of optimization approaches for combined economic emission dispatch- a comprehensive review

This comprehensive review explores a range of optimization approaches for Combined Economic Emission Dispatch (CEED), covering conventional, non-conventional, and hybrid techniques. CEED is critical in minimizing economic costs and emissions while ensuring power system reliability. Traditional methods focus on cost minimization but overlook environmental considerations. Optimization techniques address this gap by simultaneously optimizing economic and environmental objectives. Hybrid techniques, combining multiple algorithms or integrating renewable energy, further enhance CEED performance. The review evaluates these approaches’ strengths and limitations, considering factors like computational efficiency and solution accuracy. Over the past few decades, a great deal of study has been done on the use of renewable energy (RE) as an alternative source in power generation systems. As a result, the power dispatch problem currently uses the Combined Economic Emission Dispatch (CEED) of thermal and renewable energy resources. It discusses the potential of hybrid techniques and take in consideration renewable energy integration in achieving cost savings and emission reductions, highlighting areas for future research.

Impact of oncology pharmacy services on the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. To evaluate the effect of oncology services rendered by clinical pharmacists on reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and improving overall treatment experiences. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using studies retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Research Information Sharing Service (RISS). The incidence and severity of CINV were evaluated as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes were patient adherence, patient satisfaction, quality of life (QoL), emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and costs. A total of 12 studies were selected for systematic review, with 8 studies eligible for meta-analysis. We found that clinical pharmacy services contributed to preventing and alleviating CINV as well as improving patient's medication adherence, treatment satisfaction, and QoL, reducing hospital visits, and achieving cost savings. In the meta-analysis, pharmacists' interventions were notably effective in reducing the incidence of nausea (odds ratio [OR], 1.917; 95% CI, 1.243-2.955; P = 0.003) and vomiting (OR, 2.491; 95% CI, 1.199-5.177; P = 0.014) during overall treatments periods relative to results in control groups. In addition, the impact of clinical pharmacy services on CINV control was greater during the delayed phase compared to the acute phase. This study demonstrated the important role of clinical pharmacy services in controlling CINV and enhancing the overall treatment experience for patients with cancer. Further studies with standardized pharmacists' services and outcome measures are needed to validate our findings.

Tier-specific energy benchmarking for disparate schools in developing South Africa

The increasing impacts of human-induced climate change in developing countries have spurred government policies, activism, and sustainability research aimed at reducing energy consumption. Understanding the electricity usage of buildings is crucial to cutting carbon emissions and achieving cost savings. This study addresses the challenge of establishing realistic and relevant energy benchmarks for educational institutions in developing countries, specifically focusing on the Western Cape, South Africa. Schools in this region exhibit significant differences in energy intensities but are currently assessed using the same reference standard. A top-down analysis was performed using descriptive statistics to develop energy performance benchmarks tailored to unique patterns of energy consumption in schools. Data from 31 less affluent schools were collected using smart meters to ensure accuracy. The proposed reference benchmarks, ranging from 12 to 37kWh/m2 per year, are significantly lower than the existing 60kWh/m2 per year benchmark, demonstrating substantial potential for energy savings. This nuanced benchmarking approach accounts for seasonal and term variations in energy usage, providing a more accurate comparison across schools. The research introduces a novel, context-sensitive benchmarking method that extends beyond existing standards by incorporating these variations. It underscores the importance of localized benchmarks for achieving school energy efficiency, contributing to environmental preservation and financial savings. The proposed benchmarks offer a robust framework for policymakers, standard bureaus, and education departments to craft energy efficiency policies that drive progress in the education sector. By addressing the unique energy usage patterns of schools, this approach facilitates targeted interventions, leading to improved energy management and sustainability.

Global Leadership and Sustainability

This research article delves into the dynamic relationship between global leadership and sustainability, underscoring the critical influence that leaders wield in guiding organizations towards sustainable practices. As global challenges such as environmental degradation, climate change, and social inequality become more pressing, the need for leaders who can navigate these complexities and foster sustainable growth becomes increasingly urgent. This paper explores the essential qualities of global leaders who prioritize sustainability, the innovative strategies they employ, and the tangible impacts of their efforts on both organizational performance and broader societal well-being. We begin by identifying the characteristics that distinguish effective global leaders in the realm of sustainability. These leaders are visionary thinkers with a long-term perspective that balances economic success with environmental and social responsibility. They are ethically oriented, ensuring that their decisions reflect a commitment to the greater good. Their cultural sensitivity allows them to appreciate the global implications of local actions, and their adaptability and drive for innovation enable them to foster a culture of continuous improvement within their organizations. The article then examines specific strategies that these leaders use to embed sustainability into their organizational frameworks. This includes aligning their organizational goals with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), implementing comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, investing in green technologies, and engaging stakeholders in meaningful ways. These strategies are illustrated through case studies of companies like Patagonia and Unilever, which have successfully integrated sustainability into their business models under visionary leadership. Furthermore, the paper highlights the positive outcomes that organizations experience when they prioritize sustainability. Enhanced brand reputation, improved financial performance, effective risk management, and higher employee engagement are some of the key benefits. Companies known for their sustainable practices often attract loyal customers and talented employees, achieve cost savings through efficient resource use, and open up new market opportunities. The article emphasizes that global leadership and sustainability are deeply interconnected in today’s world. Leaders who embrace sustainability drive not only organizational success but also contribute significantly to global efforts towards creating a more equitable and sustainable future. As environmental and social challenges continue to intensify, the role of global leaders in promoting and implementing sustainable practices is more crucial than ever. This research underscores the necessity for visionary, ethical, culturally sensitive, and innovative leadership to navigate the complexities of sustainability and lead organizations towards a sustainable future.

Desalination of mother liquor generated from the precipitation of lithium carbonate during the recycling of retired lithium ion battery

Generally, hydrometallurgy process is adopted in factory to recover valuable metal from anode materials in lithium ion battery. The mother liquor generated from the precipitation of lithium carbonate in this process is often managed by evaporative crystallization process which is high energy-consuming and expensive. The methodology employed in this research involves pretreatment and bipolar membrane electrodialysis to partition salts within the mother liquor into acids and bases, thereby achieving cost savings. The findings reveal that a significant 76.5 % reduction in COD is achievable through the application of potassium permanganate and activated carbon in the treatment of the mother liquor. Subsequently, the treated mother liquor can be transfer to electrodialysis process for further treatment. During this process, desalination of the mother liquor occurs, leading to the decomposition of sodium sulfate into sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide. Analysis of the experimental data reveals that optimizing the initial concentrations of sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide within the acid and alkali collection chambers, along with the application of elevated electric current density and maintaining a high pH value of the mother liquor, yields improvements in current efficiency and concomitant reductions in energy consumption. Under optimal conditions, the current efficiency of acid and alkali preparation is 52.53 % and 62.12 % respectively, along with energy consumption of acid and alkali preparation is 8.68kWh/kg and 8.99kWh/kg respectively. The pretreatment and bipolar membrane electrodialysis process is low-energy consumption and inexpensive, facilitating a reduction in processing expenses to $6.659 per ton of mother liquor.

Print Quality Analysis of Stone Paper and Coated Sticker Paper Used in Screen Printing

The sustainable use of natural resources is becoming an increasingly important issue today. Stone paper, produced as an alternative to cellulose-based paper from the forest, is rich in minerals and produced without cellulose and water. This study focuses on the behavior of screen-printing ink on two different papers, stone paper and coated sticker paper. Properties such as ink adhesion, rubbing resistance, optical printing ink density, ink consumption, and lightfastness were measured on these surfaces. Solvent- and UV-based inks were used, and printing was carried out on cellulose-based (coated sticker paper) and mineral-based (stone paper) paper layers using three different mesh counts (90, 120, and 140 tpc). The rubbing resistance and lightfastness of the papers were also measured. The present findings revealed that stone paper had the same printability properties as cellulose-based paper. The study concluded that using a 140 tpc mesh with both types of ink results in a high-lightfastness ink layer and lower ink consumption. UV-based inks exhibited high rub resistance across all mesh counts. Additionally, when printing with stone paper, there will be a reduction in ink consumption, thereby achieving cost savings. Based on the present findings, it was concluded that water- and oil-resistant stone paper can be considered an essential alternative in many fields, including the printing industry.

Assessment of the effects of the use of preconsumer cotton waste on the quality of rotor yarns

Due to the shortage of raw fiber materials and stricter legislative conditions, it has become necessary to process even the more contaminated fiber wastes that contain only a small amount of useable fibers. Hence, this paper investigates the impact of different cleaning channels on the Rieter R37 rotor spinning machine in controlling spinning strategy and yarn quality using recovered blowroom cotton waste fibers. The study involves spinning 98-tex yarns with different cleaning channels during the spinning process, using recovered blowroom cotton waste in blends with virgin cotton processed into slivers by two methods. Qualitative indicators in the fiber-sliver-yarn line were evaluated and graphically compared. The statistical significance of the influencing factors was determined using the Generalized Anova. Additionally, the quality of the experimental samples was compared to authentic data from global production using the USTER® STATISTIC. The results underline the significant influence of fiber quality, sliver preparation method and implemented cleaning channels on the arrangement of fibers in yarn structures as evidenced by structural and mechanical parameters. In particular, the comparison with USTER® STATISTICS confirms that all yarns meet the required quality standards for selected applications, including those spun exclusively from 100 % cotton waste. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that this innovative technology enables yarn manufacturers to meet customer demands, ensure optimal yarn quality and achieve cost savings by optimizing waste removal without compromising fiber yield.

SUSTAINABILITY IN SUPPLY CHAINS: STRATEGIES AND PRACTICES FOR A GREENER FUTURE

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the critical importance of integrating sustainability practices into supply chain management. It aims to explore strategies and best practices that businesses can adopt to mitigate environmental challenges, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and transition towards greener supply chains.Implications – The integration of sustainability into supply chain management has far-reaching implications for businesses, the environment, and society. By adopting sustainable practices, organizations can enhance their brand reputation, increase customer loyalty, achieve cost savings, improve risk management, foster innovation, and gain a competitive advantage. Additionally, the adoption of green supply chain practices contributes to environmental conservation, resource efficiency, and the mitigation of climate change impacts.Originality/Value – This study offers a comprehensive analysis of sustainable supply chain practices, with a particular focus on Thailand's manufacturing sector. It provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing sustainability strategies across various industries. The research highlights best practices, case studies, and recommendations tailored to the Thai context, enabling businesses to navigate the transition towards greener supply chains effectively. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the significance of Thailand's sustainability efforts in influencing global standards and positioning the nation as a leader in responsible manufacturing practices.

HGTDR: Advancing drug repurposing with heterogeneous graph transformers.

Drug repurposing is a viable solution for reducing the time and cost associated with drug development. However, thus far, the proposed drug repurposing approaches still need to meet expectations. Therefore, it is crucial to offer a systematic approach for drug repurposing to achieve cost savings and enhance human lives. In recent years, using biological network-based methods for drug repurposing has generated promising results. Nevertheless, these methods have limitations. Primarily, the scope of these methods is generally limited concerning the size and variety of data they can effectively handle. Another issue arises from the treatment of heterogeneous data, which needs to be addressed or converted into homogeneous data, leading to a loss of information. A significant drawback is that most of these approaches lack end-to-end functionality, necessitating manual implementation and expert knowledge in certain stages. We propose a new solution, Heterogeneous Graph Transformer for Drug Repurposing (HGTDR), to address the challenges associated with drug repurposing. HGTDR is a three-step approach for knowledge graph-based drug repurposing: (1) constructing a heterogeneous knowledge graph, (2) utilizing a heterogeneous graph transformer network, and (3) computing relationship scores using a fully connected network. By leveraging HGTDR, users gain the ability to manipulate input graphs, extract information from diverse entities, and obtain their desired output. In the evaluation step, we demonstrate that HGTDR performs comparably to previous methods. Furthermore, we review medical studies to validate our method's top 10 drug repurposing suggestions, which have exhibited promising results. We also demonstrated HGTDR's capability to predict other types of relations through numerical and experimental validation, such as drug-protein and disease-protein inter-relations. The source code and data are available at https://github.com/bcb-sut/HGTDR and http://git.dml.ir/BCB/HGTDR.

Recovery of ecosystems pollution by contaminants of potential concern using phytoremediation techniques.

Phytoremediation is a technology that uses plants to break down, remove, and immobilize contaminants in surface water, shallow groundwater, and sediment to achieve cost savings compared with conventional treatments. This study describes a marshy land on an explosives manufacturing site in India that consistently reported elevated concentrations of nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, perchlorate, and lead (contaminants of potential concern-CoPC). The study also illustrates the potential for addressing the human health and environmental risks associated with the explosives manufacturing industrsy in India using innovative, sustainable, and carbon-neutral techniques. This work focuses on reconstructed marshy lands, desedimentation, microwatershed management, and phytoremediation using Phragmites and Vetiveria species (also known as vetiver) to reduce contaminants in surface water and groundwater, improve stormwater management and carbon capture, and increase natural capital like biodiversity. The results obtained during the trial indicate that the selected indigenous species are effective and can be used to remediate sediment and shallow groundwater for many CoPC in tropical climates. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1987-2002. © 2024 SETAC.

Cost Analysis of a Hand Hygiene Improvement Strategy in Long-Term Care Facilities

ObjectivesTo evaluate whether the costs of a successful tailored multifaceted strategy to improve hand hygiene compliance outweighed the savings by reducing infection costs in Dutch long-term care facilities (LTCFs). DesignA retrospective cost analysis alongside a stepped-wedge cluster-randomized controlled trial. Setting and ParticipantsThe study included 14 LTCFs (23 wards) in the Netherlands. MethodsThe cost analysis was based on the costs of the intervention vs the savings from avoided infections and associated treatment costs. Infection-related costs of the “usual-care” period were compared with the combined infection-related costs and intervention costs from the “intervention” period and the costs in the “post-intervention period.” Multilevel analyses, with a linear model with periods as fixed effects, random effects for cluster LTCFs, and fixed effects for each step, were completed. ResultsThere are no significant differences in total costs considering the 3 periods. When adjusting for time and clustering, the mean infection-related costs per week per LTCF for all the infections combined were highest during “usual-care” before the hand hygiene intervention was performed, namely 680 euros per week. Assuming the effect of the improvement strategy would be present for 12 months, the costs per week in the “intervention” and “post-intervention” periods were 627 euros (95% CI, 383–871) and 731 euros (95% CI, 508–954), respectively. Assuming the effect of the improvement strategy will last longer than 1 year (ie, 18 and 24 months), the average cost for the “intervention period” and the “post-intervention” period decreased to 615 euros and 719 euros during the intervention and 609 euros and 715 euros after the intervention, respectively. Conclusions and ImplicationsOur multifaceted hand hygiene improvement strategy achieves cost savings. The results of our study are the first of an economic analysis of a hand hygiene improvement strategy in LTCFs. The results need to be confirmed by further economic evaluations.

Ml-driven approaches to enhance inventory planning: Inoculant weight application in casting processes

This study addresses the complexities of inventory management in the casting industry, focusing on a proprietary inoculant crucial for casting process. The unpredictable nature of inoculant usage, influenced by various casting variables, challenges conventional calculations. To overcome these, expert opinions were gathered to identify features for accurate prediction of inoculant requirements, and an annual dataset was created. This dataset underwent data preprocessing to introduce new features and mitigate outliers. Machine learning models, including decision tree, random forest, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), elastic net regression, ridge regression, multiple linear regression, gradient boosting, extreme gradient boosting, and voting regression, were trained and tested. The voting regression algorithm, which combines decision tree and LASSO through hard voting, demonstrates that combining high-variance low-bias and low-variance high-bias algorithms can achieve competitive performance with low errorwithout overfitting. Predictions obtained using the voting regression algorithm for the entire year’s data were analyzed using batch size determination algorithms, Wagner-Whitin and Silver-Meal, with Wagner-Whitin providing cost advantage. This study highlights the potential of predicting materials with uncertain usage through AI techniques and historical data, minimizing inventory cost. The findings offer practical insights for managers, demonstrating how advanced predictive models can enhance decision-making, improve inventory planning, and achieve cost savings. This approach is valuable without needing additional investment in material requirement planning, especially where bill of materials’ reliability is reduced by environmental factors.

APPLICATION OF VALUE ENGINEERING IN ARCHITECTURAL WORK ON THE LAHAIROI LATERI CHURCH, AMBON CITY

Effective construction cost control such as saving construction costs will increase the chances of project success and user satisfaction. The biggest component in construction costs is material. High material costs necessitate a review of building functions. Construction savings are made by reviewing the largest cost components in architectural work. Review of material components is carried out using the value engineering method. Value engineering is a method for getting an alternative picture so that the costs incurred are more efficient than the initial planning costs. The application of value engineering to construction projects has a major impact on planning by generating reviews to obtain cost effectiveness. Research was conducted at the Lahairoi Lateri Church Building project located in Ambon City. The aim of this research is to find alternative material substitutes for architectural work and obtain total cost savings by using the concept of value engineering. The use of the value engineering concept is carried out by information phase, analyzing the function of using index function analysis techniques, identifying alternative materials, and evaluating the results of the alternative materials. Research using the value engineering concept on the Lahairoi Lateri Church Building Construction project, Ambon City achieved cost savings of 861,116,841.05 IDR. This amount saves 5.32% of the initial architectural work costs of 16,170,539,500 IDR. These results show that value engineering can eliminate unnecessary costs in church-type building without changing the building function.