Comparative Analysis Of Efficiency Research Articles

The role of the People’s Advocate (Ombudsman) in Albania: The fulfillment of its duties in defending the rights of the citizens and the need for a resizing

The constant change in state territories and therefore even in human rights, it was necessary to guarantee (in this case) the rights of minorities, which were compromised due to the historical and political circumstances. For this reason the Convention on Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of Minorities have continuously become more protective and completed. European countries and not only have been willing to respect and guarantee every right that is connected to the fact of being a “human being”. Not only in this aspect, but more or less remaining on the same line Europe has also been caring for the institutionalization of certain rights, which should be guaranteed to an individual in its relationship with the state administration. The constitutions of European countries (as well as the latest ones, the countries of Eastern Europe and Western Balkan) installed the institution of the Ombudsman (People’s Advocate). This article aims to present a comparative analysis of the real efficiency of this very important institution in Albania and Balkan. Its legal vacuum, juridical power and its need for resizing.

Comparative analysis of stochastic seasonality, January effect and market efficiency between emerging and industrialized markets

This study investigates whether there are significant differences in investment returns between emerging markets and industrialized markets in terms of stochastic seasonality, January effect and market efficiency. Data on investments, and returns for nine emerging countries and eleven industrialized countries spanning January 1990 to December 2020, were obtained from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The spectral nonparametric test was used to determine the presence of stochastic seasonality for each market while the regression test was used to determine the presence of January effect. In the case of determining the efficiency status of the markets, the variance ratio test and the runs test were used. In cases where there appeared to be differences between the two types of market, Fisher's exact test was used to verify such differences. The results show no significant differences between the two types of markets in terms of seasonality, January effect and efficiency statuses. Apart from Brazil which recorded stochastic seasonality, all others are not stochastically seasonal. In the case of the January effect, it was a mixed bag; five emerging markets had January effect while two industrialized markets had January effect.

Comparative analysis of query execution speed using Entity Framework for selected database engines

This article presents the comparative analysis of time efficiency while executing queries by object-relational mapping framework Entity Framework for the following database engines: Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL and PostgreSQL. Time measurements of obtaining object results from database queries were made by app created in C#. Queries referred to single or multiple tables linked by relationships (1:1, 1:n, m:n) and performed operations of reading, creating, updating and deleting data. Obtained results have been cleaned from outliers and trimmed means were given as final results. Different database engines obtained the shortest query execution times depending on record number and table structures.

Comparative Analysis of Resource use Efficiency of Livestock-based Farming Systems in Saline and Normal Areas of West Bengal

Comparative Analysis of Resource use Efficiency of Livestock-based Farming Systems in Saline and Normal Areas of West Bengal

Comparative analysis of the application efficiency of gold nanoparticles-based SERS in four foodborne pathogenic microbes

It has been widely reported that SERS can detect foodborne pathogenic bacteria, but SERS has only been limited to the detection of purified single bacteria. However, there’s few single bacterial infections in the natural state were found at the most time, and rare comparative investigations of different Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria by SERS exist. At the present study, we are aiming at the comparative analysis of the detection efficiency toward different foodborne pathogenic microbes by a conventional citrate-reduced gold colloid, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. The SERS spectra of samples were collected with sterile 0.5% NaCl solution as aggregating compound. First, the stability of each bacterial were detected with gold nanoparticles. Afterward, SERS signals of the four bacteria were compared at different concentrations, and it was found that Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria have different minimum sensitivity and detection stability. Next, the mixed bacterial SERS detection was applied to classify and identify the similar Raman spectra. Spectral data were analyzed using multivariate data analysis methods, including principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). The SERS procedure we proposed, which utilized gold nanoparticles adsorbing on bacteria and multivariate analysis, allowed differentiation of species. The results of this pilot study demonstrate the potential of SERS to rapidly identify Gram-negative and Gram-positive foodborne pathogens.

Modified Clinoptilolite for the Removal of Rhodamine B Dye from Wastewater

This study reveals the modification of the surface area of natural zeolite Clinoptilolite (CLN) by implementing the ion exchange method. The ammonium chloride cation exchange method was adopted and was followed by calcination at 450 °C for 5 h. This procedure helps to increase the surface area of CLN and also enhances its adsorption efficiency. The modifications of the CLN were confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The efficiency and adsorption capacity of the modified CLN were determined by the adsorption of a Rhodamine B (Rh B) dye from an aqueous medium. The comparative analysis of the adsorption efficiency of raw CLN and the modified CLN revealed an enhanced adsorption of Rh B by the modified CLN at pH = 10. For desorption, different solvents were used. The results showed good desorption in ethanol and methanol, and poor desorption in acidic (HCl) and basic (NaOH) solutions. The kinetic study of the adsorption of Rh B by the modified CLN helped us to conclude that the adsorption follows a pseudo-second-order kinetics. For the surface study and to understand the mechanism of adsorption, several isotherm models were applied to the adsorption data at equilibrium. The data showed consistency with the Freundlich adsorption isotherm confirming that the process took place at its heterogeneous surface. The experimentally calculated adsorption capacity of the modified CLN was 2.81 mg g−1, showing a comparable value to certain other common adsorbents. Therefore, the modified CLN may also be considered a cost-effective and promising adsorbent for the removal of Rh B dye from wastewater.

NFTs versus conventional cryptocurrencies: A comparative analysis of market efficiency around COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine conflict

This paper examines the efficiency of the market for non-fungible tokens (NFTs) against the backdrop of the market for fungible tokens (FTs) that includes Bitcoin and Ethereum. We focus on two important shocks: the outbreak of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. To this end, we employ martingale difference sequence and conditional heteroscedasticity estimation techniques. We find that the efficiency of both markets fluctuates in time and the aforementioned shocks have a profound effect on FTs and NFTs. More specifically, we find that the effect of COVID-19 is heterogeneous for both markets, whereas that of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is homogenous for NFTs but heterogeneous for FTs.

Comparative analysis of the diagnostic efficiency of the four thyroid imaging reporting and data systems

The purpose of this study was to comparative analyze the diagnostic efficiency of Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System proposed by Kwak, American College of Radiology, the European Thyroid Association and the Chinese Medical Association, respectively (Kwak TI-RADS, ACR TI-RADS, EU-TIRADS and C-TIRADS, respectively) for malignant risk stratification of thyroid nodules. A total of 1142 thyroid nodules confirmed by cytological or surgical pathologies were retrospectively classified according to Kwak TI-RADS, ACR TI-RADS, EU-TIRADS and C-TIRADS. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, Youden index, and accuracy of each TI-RADS for nodules was calculated and compared. The diagnostic sensitivity of ACR TI-RADS was 85.5%, which was lowest (all P < 0.05). The diagnostic specificity of ACR TI-RADS was higher than that of Kwak TI-RADS and EU-TIRADS (all P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference compared with that of C-TIRADS (x2 = 2.335, P = 0.126). The diagnostic accuracies of the four methods were more than 85%, and there were no significant differences (all P > 0.05). The AUC of C-TIRADS was highest among the four methods (all P < 0.05). The four methods have high diagnostic efficiency in malignant risk stratification of thyroid nodules, and the AUC of C-TIRADS was higher than that of the other three methods.

Comparative Network Efficiency Analysis of the Airlines in Turkey After Deregulation

Deregulation has significantly developed the civil air transport industry in an ever-globalizing world. Even though deregulation has caused significant structural transformations in airline companies, the effect of deregulation effect on the production, marketing efficiency, and competitiveness of airline carriers worldwide, especially in Turkey, has not been fully revealed yet. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the efficiency of Turkish air carriers after the deregulation process in Turkish civil aviation by dividing the efficiency into production and market efficiency. Production and marketing efficiencies of airlines were estimated using the window network data envelopment analysis methodology. Efficiency analysis results showed production efficiency at 0.887, marketing efficiency at 0.764, and system efficiency at 0.796. Results also indicate that low-cost airlines have a higher production efficiency score (0.918) than full-service airlines (0.825). In comparison, the marketing efficiency of full-service airlines (0.879) is higher than that of low-cost carriers (0.708). The study determined that the system efficiency does not change according to the business model. The system efficiency score of the full-service provider airlines with a larger market share is higher and more balanced. The close and dynamic monitoring of the air transport market and the continuation of operations under a business model incorporating an appropriate marketing mix will increase the marketing efficiency of the airlines.

Urban Economic Resilience and Supply Chain Dynamics: Evaluating Monetary Recovery Policies in Global Cities during the Early COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted global economies, underscoring the urgency of deriving lessons to enhance future crisis preparedness. This study explores the effects of monetary recovery policies on supply chain dynamics across key global cities during the pandemic’s initial phase, emphasising policy interactions, industry engagement, and economic resilience. Utilising principal component analysis (PCA), data envelopment analysis (DEA), and tobit regression, we present a pioneering method to unravel the complex relationship between economic policies and urban supply chains. PCA simplifies data complexity and reveals complex policy-resilience relationships, while DEA facilitates a comparative efficiency analysis. Our findings underscore the critical importance of supply chain resilience in fostering early economic recovery, indicating that cities implementing diverse, sector-specific policies achieved more notable improvements in gross domestic product (GDP). This research not only advances methodological approaches for policy evaluation but also provides valuable insights for optimising urban economic recovery strategies amidst global challenges.

Evaluating AI-Generated Emails: A Comparative Efficiency Analysis

This study investigates the efficiency of large language models (LLMs) in producing routine, negative, and persuasive business emails for educational purposes within the context of Business Writing. Specifically, it compares the outputs generated by four widely-used LLMs (ChatGPT 3.5, Llama 2, Bing Chat, and Bard) when presented with identical email scenarios. These generated emails are evaluated using an elaborate rubric, allowing for a systematic assessment of LLMs' performance across three distinct email types. The results of the study show that the output with the same prompt varies greatly despite the rather formulaic nature of business emails. For instance, some LLMs struggle with following the requested structure and maintaining consistency in tone, while others have issues with unity and conciseness. The findings of this research hold implications for teaching business writing (rubrics, task instructions, in-class implementation), as well as for the integration of AI in professional communication at large.

Comparative Analysis of Various Topologies for AC and DC Power Distribution Systems on Efficiency Grounds

Efficiency is the factor that once wiped DC out of the power system at the birth of electricity, in nineteenth century. The battle of currents between AC and DC has reignited with the aggravating employment of DC in the sectors of generation, transmission, and utilization. This calls for cutting edge research in the field of comparative efficiency analysis of AC and DC, on distribution scale. The current research effort compares AC and DC distribution systems on efficiency grounds, for various topologies. The two systems are compared employing normal distribution technique for residential load profile. The varying efficiency of power electronic converters (PECs) with stochastic load profiles is modeled using MATLAB/SIMULINK, for each topology. DC takes the lead against AC with efficiency advantage for energy efficient load-based architectures. The architectures with variable speed drive-based loads, the efficiency advantage in favor of DC is between 1% and 2%, however, the efficiency advantage reaches to 12% with inherent DC loads. In contrast, AC takes the lead with conventional distribution, with an efficiency advantage between 4% and 5%. The findings of current research work can prove to be beneficial in making policy decisions for the adoption of DC at distribution scale.

Intranasal administration enhances size-dependent pulmonary phagocytic uptake of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles

BackgroundNanoparticles exhibit distinct behaviours within the body, depending on their physicochemical properties and administration routes. However, in vivo behaviour of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles, especially when administered nasally, remains unexplored; furthermore, there is a lack of comparative analysis of uptake efficiency among different administration routes. Therefore, here, we aimed to comprehensively investigate the real-time in vivo behaviour of PLGA nanoparticles across various administration routes. PLGA-NH2 nanoparticles of three sizes were synthesised using an oil-in-water single-emulsion method. We assessed their uptake by murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells using fluorescence microscopy. To enable real-time tracking, we conjugated p-SCN-Bn-deferoxamine to PLGA-NH2 nanoparticles and further radiolabelled them with 89Zr-oxalate before administration to mice via different routes. Nanoparticle internalisation by lung immune cells was monitored using fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis.ResultsThe nanoparticle sizes were 294 ± 2.1 (small), 522.5 ± 5.58 (intermediate), and 850 ± 18.52 nm (large). Fluorescent labelling did not significantly alter the nanoparticle size and charge. The level of uptake of small and large nanoparticles by RAW264.7 cells was similar, with phagocytosis inhibition primarily reducing the internalisation of large particles. Positron emission tomography revealed that intranasal delivery resulted in the highest and most targeted pulmonary uptake, whereas intravenous administration led to accumulation mainly in the liver and spleen. Nasal delivery of large nanoparticles resulted in enhanced uptake by myeloid immune cells relative to lymphoid cells, whereas dendritic cell uptake initially peaked but declined over time.ConclusionsOur study provides valuable insights into advancing nanomedicine and drug delivery, with the potential for expanding the clinical applications of nanoparticles.

Interference Mitigation and Power Consumption Reduction for Cell Edge users in Future Generation Networks

In 5G heterogeneous networks (HetNets), a unique and promising option to address the growing demand for higher data rates is network densification of small cells (SCs) and macro cells (MCs). Unfortunately, the 5G HetNets are suffering severe issues due to the interference caused by these densely populated SCs and their high-power consumption. To lessen interference and boost network throughput, a New Soft Frequency Reuse (NSFR) technique is put forth in this work. The proposed scheme uses the Soft Frequency Reuse (SFR) for on/off switching of the SCs according to their Interference Contribution Rate (ICR) values. By splitting the cell region into edge and center zones, it resolves the interference issue caused by the densely packed SCs. Moreover, SC on/off switching addresses the issue of excessive power consumption and improves the 5G network's power efficiency. Furthermore, this work tackles the irregular shape nature problem of 5G HetNets and compares two different proposed shapes for the centre zone of the SC, existing irregular and proposed circular shapes. Additionally, the optimum radius of the centre zone, which maximizes the total system data rate, is obtained. A comparative analysis of power consumption, data rate and power efficiency was performed between the NSFR model, the SFR model and the proposed model. The results show that for 1000 number of equipment, the proposed model has a low power consumption of 1.72KW compared to 3.51KW for SFR and 3.73KW for NSFR. Data rate of 12.19kbps compared to 11.42kbps for SFR and 11.09kbps for NSFR. Also, power efficiency of 610kbps/W compared to 572kbps/W for SFR and 560kbps/W for NSFR. These results imply that the interference mitigation handled by the proposed scheme improves by approximately 22%.

Comparative Analysis of Efficiency and Environmental Impact of Various Marine Oil Cleanup Technologies

Marine oil pollution, stemming from human activities, poses severe threats to ecosystems and coastal areas globally. This study assesses and compares various marine oil cleanup technologies, examining their efficiency and environmental impacts. The overview covers mechanical methods (e.g., skimming, barriers) and chemical/biological approaches (e.g., bioremediation, chemical agents). Evaluation criteria include effectiveness in diverse environments, cleanup speed, scalability, and cost/resource requirements. Case studies like the Dalian Port 7·16 Oil Leak and the Bohai Bay Oil Spill shed light on applied technologies and their outcomes. Recommendations emphasize enhancing cleanup strategies and regulatory frameworks for efficient responses to oil spill events. This study advocates for understanding cleanup technology limitations and ecological impacts while promoting sustainable strategies to combat marine oil pollution's adverse effects.

Comparative analysis of profitability and efficiency of conventional and organic pea production: A case of Northwestern Himalayas

The cultivation of vegetables serves as a vital pillar in horticulture, offering an alternative avenue towards achieving economic sustainability. Unfortunately, farmers often lack adequate knowledge on optimizing resource utilization, which subsequently results in low productivity. Furthermore, there has been insufficient research conducted on the comparative profitability and efficient use of resources for pea cultivation. So, the present study was conducted to examine the profitability and resource use efficiency of conventional and organic pea production in Northwestern Himalayan state. Using the technique of purposive sampling, the districts and villages were selected based on the highest area. By using simple random sampling, a sample of 100 farmers was selected, out of which 50 were organic growers and 50 were inorganic growers, who were further categorized as marginal and small. The cost incurred was higher for the cultivation of inorganic vegetable crops, whereas returns and output-input ratio was higher in organic cultivation. The cultivation of peas revealed that the majority of inputs were being underutilized, and there was a need for proper reallocation of the resources, which would result in enhanced production. Further, major problems in the cultivation of vegetable crops were a high wage rate, a lack of organic certification, a shortage of skilled labour and a lack of technical knowledge.

МЕТОД ПІДВИЩЕННЯ ЕНЕРГЕТИЧНОЇ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ ФОТОЕЛЕКТРИЧНИХ ПАНЕЛЕЙ ЗА РАХУНОК ПЕРЕТВОРЕННЯ ЇХ У ГІБРИДНИЙ КОЛЕКТОР

Abstract. This work provides a general description of the method of increasing the energy characteristics of solar photovoltaic panels by converting them into a hybrid collector, as well as an economic assessment of the feasibility of using this method and a comparative analysis of efficiency. Due to the increased relevance of autonomous sources of electrical energy in today's society, special attention is paid to renewable energy sources, in particular solar photovoltaic panels. The construction of rooftop SPPs is becoming more and more relevant in the context of modern trends in distributed generation and reliability of electricity supply. Increasing the energy efficiency of solar photovoltaic panels is one of the aspects that harmoniously combines increasing energy sustainability, reliability and autonomy. The essence of the proposed method is to convert any existing solar photovoltaic panel into a hybrid collector through the use of a special device. Due to its design, this device almost does not affect the reduction of the intensity of solar radiation on the surface of the panel, but at the same time it allows receiving heat energy in the form of a heated coolant. Depending on the priority direction of operation of the hybrid collector, it is possible to increase the generation of electrical energy by reducing the surface temperature of the panel, reducing temperature losses, and more fully using thermal energy. Theoretically, it is possible to increase the efficiency of a solar photovoltaic panel by 166% using this method, which is a high indicator. And the specific cost of 1 kW h of energy for this method with full use of thermal energy is 5 times lower compared to existing designs. Key words: electrical energy, photovoltaic solar panels, temperature coefficient, hybrid collector, thermal energy, panel heating, insolation area

Biorefining Technologies in the Global South

The Global South faces a significant challenge in accessing clean and affordable energy due to underdevelopment. However, these regions possess abundant but underutilized biomass resources that can be converted into clean energy and valuable chemicals through bio-refining technologies. These technologies are gaining popularity worldwide as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional petroleum-based industries, presenting viable paths for environmental sustainability, economic growth, and energy security in the Global South. This chapter reviews the bioenergy resources available with their total estimated potentials in the Global South. Savings estimate from improved stoves as well as the estimated number of biorefineries in the global south countries with their installed capacities were highlighted using comparative efficiency analysis. It also examines the socio-economic and environmental impacts of bio-refining activities in the Global South and outlines the way forward. Socioeconomic impacts analysis suggests that enabling policy frameworks, such as renewable energy targets, carbon pricing mechanisms, biofuel mandates, and research grants, are crucial to advancing the adoption and spread of bio-refinery technologies in the Global South. Ultimately, the sustainable development of the Global South through bio-refinery technologies offers opportunities for energy independence, economic diversification, and environmental preservation.

Теоретическая оценка эффективности применения одноступенчатых длинноходовых поршневых компрессоров в холодильной технике и системах сжижения углеводородов

The analysis of the main modern technologies for obtaining low temperatures and liquefying hydrocarbons using compressor equipment is presented and the most significant results of research in the field of low-flow compressors based on low-speed, long-stroke piston stages are presented. A method for calculating an ideal vapor-compression refrigeration cycle is presented, adapted to the object under consideration, taking into account the possibility of implementing quasi-isothermal compression. A comparative computational analysis of temperature conditions and thermodynamic efficiency of a two-stage refrigeration cycle and single-stage refrigeration cycles is carried out during adiabatic and quasi-isothermal compression processes in the boiling temperature range 278 K ... 198 K. It is shown that in terms of the discharge temperature and coefficient of performance, a single-stage vaporcompression ammonia refrigeration machine based on a low-speed quasi-isothermal stage is comparable to a similar two-stage machine based on adiabatic stages. This allows, in relation to actual objects — small refrigeration machines and installations, to predict both the energy and technical advantages of using a single-stage scheme based on low-speed, long-stroke piston compressors. In addition, it has been shown that the effective use of such a compressor is also possible in hydrocarbon liquefaction systems, while ensuring their safe temperature conditions in a wide range of atmospheric temperatures.

INCREASING THE LEVEL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY OF PUMPING UNITS BY ENERGY SAVING DURING REGULATION

The relevance of improving calculation methods for pumping units of hydraulic systems in order to save energy and correspondingly increase their level of environmental safety is substantiated. To speed up hydraulic calculations and increase their accuracy, it is proposed to approximate the existing characteristics of centrifugal pumps, which are usually presented in the equipment passport in graphic form, with a quadratic parabola. The general equations for the analytical determination of the working point parameters, the construction of the pressure characteristics of the pump at a new rotation frequency and the formula for the geometric location of the tops of the pressure characteristics for different rotation frequencies of the impeller were obtained. It has been proven that with frequency control, the pump characteristic shifts equidistantly along the parabola of proportionality. In a similar way, the characteristics of the pump are affected by the casing of the impeller. An equation has been obtained that allows, without resorting to the grapho-analytical method, to calculate the change in the characteristics of the pump with a proportional change in all its dimensions and a constant frequency of rotation and the equation of the curve of similar modes. This curve is proposed to be called the similarity curve. It is shown that the velocity coefficient is a constant value along the polynomial curve. On the basis of the obtained results, a method of comparative analysis of the energy efficiency of the regulation of the pumping unit by changing the rotation frequency and proportionally changing all dimensions of the impeller is proposed. The application of the method is demonstrated on concrete examples. Achieving the highest efficiency of the pumping unit ensures the lowest energy consumption, thus minimizing emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere. Keywords: environmental safety, efficiency, centrifugal pumps, flow regulation, hydraulic resistances, change of rotation frequency, laws of similarity, laws of proportionality