Unit Price Research Articles

Improving Network Investment Results by Implementing Competition and Asset Management in the Pavement Type Selection Process

The US spends an estimated $91 billion on US highways every year, with most pavement expenditures going to maintenance of the existing system. However, congestion is a major issue. It is estimated that congestion leads to 5.5 billion wasted hours and 2.9 billion gallons of wasted gas, costing $121 billion annually. Expansion of the system is needed, but current funding streams are not even able to keep up with maintenance needs. The primary approach to address this challenge has been to increase funding. While this is needed, agencies also need to improve the efficiency of their roadway investments to get more out of their pavements. This can be accomplished in two ways. First, agencies can increase competition in the pavement bidding process. Basic economics confirms that when there is competition among many contractors and across paving industries, the average unit prices for pavements are lowered significantly. The second way is to improve the management of the pavement assets to increase the average life of the network. A longer life network, though it may initially cost more, has a larger return to both the agency and the driving public in reduced expenditures and congestion. This paper will show how agencies can improve the pavement network investment efficiency using these two items.

Improving The Creative Economy Through Training in Making Aloe Vera Dish Liquid Soap with Participatory Rural Appraisal Method

This community service program is carried out to improve skills for the women of the Bekasi Ta'lim Bakormata Council as a training program for making liquid dish soap to enhance the community's creative economy in increasing family needs. This method of service uses Participatory Rural Appraisal. The training participants of the partner group amounted to 50 people. The implementation is carried out in stages, with lecture methods, direct practice, and mentoring, which takes 3 months. The results of this program showed a significant increase in the enthusiasm of participants in the training by 45% succeeded in showing excellent results, the activity was carried out in groups, then it could be used as a home business, as evidenced by the sales of 500 bottles, with a unit price of Rp.10,000, per bottle. This training has also succeeded in encouraging local economic diversification, improving welfare, and strengthening the creative economy's potential at the Ta'lim Bakormata Assembly. This program can be a model adopted by other assemblies in the surrounding community.

Differential Effects of Alcohol Policies Across Race/Ethnicity and Socioeconomic Status.

Sociocultural characteristics, including race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES), may affect individuals' attitudes and norms regarding alcohol use and treatment as well as their access to emerging health knowledge, innovative technologies, and general resources for improving health. As a result of these differences, as well as social determinants of health such as stigma and uneven enforcement, alcohol policies may not benefit all population subgroups equally. This review addresses research conducted within the last decade that examined differential effects of alcohol policies on alcohol consumption, alcohol harm, and alcohol treatment admissions across racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups. The authors used the following Boolean phrase search terms to assess the association between race/ethnicity and outcomes: ("alcohol policy" OR "alcohol policies") AND ("race" OR "ethnicity" OR "first nations" OR "African American" OR "Hispanic American" OR "Latino American" OR "Asian American" OR "Native American"). Association with SES was assessed using these terms: ("alcohol policy" OR "alcohol policies") AND ("socioeconomic" OR "class") AND ("effect" OR "impact" OR "outcome"). Both searches were conducted on August 28, 2023, using advanced search in seven EBSCOhost research databases: (1) EBSCO Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate; (2) EBSCOhost E-Journals; (3) EBSCO MEDLINE Complete; (4) SocINDEX with Full Text; (5) APA PsycInfo; (6) LISTA (Library Information Sciences and Technology Abstracts); and (7) GreenFILE. Inclusion criteria for both searches were: (1) publication dates between 2014 and 2023; (2) peer-reviewed research articles; (3) data disaggregated by racial/ethnic and/or SES subgroups; and (4) English language only. The racial/ethnic search produced 64 articles, of which 14 were reviewed as relevant to this study and 50 were excluded. The SES search generated 100 articles, of which 18 were reviewed as relevant to this study and 82 were excluded. Eight of the studies identified by these two searches overlapped (i.e., included both racial/ethnic and SES outcomes), resulting in a total of 24 articles included in this review. Relying upon data from both U.S. and international research, the identified studies focused on differential effects of financially focused alcohol control policies (e.g., taxation and minimum unit pricing policies) as well as access/availability reduction policies (e.g., those governing outlet density, on-/off-premise sales, and establishment licensing). Several studies concluded that price increases via taxes or minimum unit pricing might be particularly effective in reducing the risk of alcohol-related harms in low-income/low-SES populations. Limitations of the present review include lack of standardization in the ways that SES was measured and the difficulty of measuring policy enforceability. Studies focused on differential effects of alcohol control policies across racial/ethnic groups demonstrated complex associations and the need to conduct further research that identifies better ways to reduce policy-induced health disparities across diverse populations.

Research on Natural Disaster Risk Based on Garch Volatility and Monte Carlo Algorithm

The purpose of this paper is to study the optimal decision problem of different agents. Firstly, the expression of the profit process of the insurance company is established, and then the loss caused by the natural disaster is fitted into the insurance formula using the double cross-verified natural disaster model. The first is the prediction model of random disaster loss based on Garch volatility test. The other is ridge regression, which combines the possible relevant factors and then makes the forecast. The two results were cross-verified by Garch volatility test again, and then risk assessment and scheme decision were made based on Monte Carlo algorithm and time value theory, and 50,000 simulations were carried out. By estimating the probability of frequency, the probability of bankruptcy under different premiums is obtained. This paper makes an empirical study of New Mexico and Henan in China. For the United States, the paper concludes that an average unit price of $34-35 per policy is appropriate. For Henan Province, this paper focuses on the implementation of natural disaster insurance, and carries out model simulation. The result shows that the premium price of 15% bankruptcy rate is 8 ~ 10 yuan, which is lower than the current policy price, proving that the policy has advantages.

Features of disposable e-cigarettes and their association with pricing and consumer preference: Evidence from web data of US online stores.

Disposable e-cigarettes designed for one-time use are the most popular option among youth users in the United States (US). Product-level data (e.g., sales prices, flavors) of disposables in the online market are lacking. This study aims to identify key characteristics of online disposables and estimate their association with pricing and consumer preferences. Data analysis using detailed features of 2320 unique e-cigarette disposable products scraped from the websites of five US online vape shops. Product size was measured as volume in milliliter (ml) or number of puffs. Sales prices were standardized as price per ml volume and price per puff. Consumer preferences were measured by the total number of reviews for each product, and (when a product was reviewed) by the numeric rating it received, which ranged from 1 to 5 stars. Key product features included battery capacity (mAh), nicotine concentration (mg/ml), explicit marketing claims of nicotine salt and synthetic nicotine products, and product primary flavor (fruit, tobacco, sweet, menthol, alcohol, etc.). Number of consumer reviews (3.92 [range = 0,72]) and numeric ratings (4.51 [1, 5]) were statistically significantly higher for disposables with higher nicotine concentration. While the average unit price of disposables in dollars (13.95 [1.99, 129.99]) sold in online stores was similar to those in brick-and-mortar stores, online products on average had lower price per ml (1.93 [0.07, 20.00]) due to volume discounts. Number of reviews and ratings were statistically significantly higher for fruit and sweet flavors (coefficient = 0.17, p < 0.05), compared with alcohol flavors (coefficient = -0.07, p < 0.05). Compared with products with a battery capacity ≤500 mAh, consumers gave 30% to 78% fewer reviews (p < 0.001) and 4% to 7% lower ratings (p < 0.01) for products with a battery capacity >500 mAh. In US-based online vape shops, disposable e-cigarettes with higher volume sizes are associated with lower prices, suggesting that price discounts for disposables primarily take the form of volume discounts. Consumers appear to prefer disposable e-cigarettes with lower capacity batteries, high nicotine concentrations, no synthetic nicotine, and fruit/sweet flavours.

Realización de un plan de negocios para la creación de una compañía orientada al desarrollo de presupuestos y diseños de infraestructura hospitalaria

It is a business plan applied in consultancy in studies and complementary designs applied to hospital infrastructure to help process and achieve positive progress in the presentation of projects before the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Colombia or the Secretary of Departmental Health. del Huila, depending on the source of financing and the number of resources. As a result of the preparation of this business plan, the company will supply or facilitate the carrying out of studies and designs, in addition to budgets in accordance with the needs of public entities such as: budget for civil works, budget and complementary studies for: electrical networks, of air conditioning and mechanical ventilation, medical gas networks, pumping system and hydraulic network, fire network system (extinction and detection), among others. The service includes deliverables such as: soil study, topographic survey with georeferenced points to the IGAC coordinates, plans and calculation reports of each of the networks; Reports on the quantities of civil works, unit price analysis, quotations for relevant civil works materials, a general list of materials, labor and equipment will be delivered in the budgets; in addition to the analysis of the Administration, contingencies and utility (AIU), auditing analysis, calculation of the multiplier factor, among others. The costs of preparing the project will be made with its own resources, as well as its financing. The opportunity of the market is found in the shortcomings that the entities have in the presentation of the projects before the competent entities; and the expected result is to achieve labor independence as a main source of income, in addition to achieving the master's degree.

Analisis Perhitungan Biaya Produksi Dengan Metode Variable Costing Pada PT. Gudang Garam Tbk. Padang Sidempuan

Variable costing method is a method of determining the cost of production that classifies costs based on cost behavior. The calculation of the cost of production is an important thing to note because of the increasing competition between companies in producing quality products at quite competitive prices. The purpose of this study was to analyze the calculation of the cost of production using the variable costing method for the selling price of Cigarette Clove Filters at PT. Gudang Garam. Based on the calculation of the cost of production using the company method, it is higher than the calculation using the variable costing method. The cost of production using the company method is IDR 100,704,757,320 and the calculation of the cost of production using the variable costing method is IDR 68,304,757,320. Determining the selling price of the method calculatiion of the cost of production using the company method is higher than the variable costing method of IDR 1,510.57/stick. While the calculation of the cost of production using the variable costing method, the unit selling price of the product is IDR 1,024.57/stick. The difference in the selling price of this product unit occurs because the calculation of the cost of production is also different.

Alcohol-related injury hospitalisations in relation to alcohol policy changes, Northern Territory, Australia, 2007-2022: A joinpoint regression analysis.

The Northern Territory (NT) of Australia has the highest rates of alcohol consumption and injury in the country. We aimed to: (i) describe the epidemiology of alcohol-related injury (ARI) hospitalisations in the NT; (ii) estimate the proportion of alcohol involvement in injury hospitalisations; and (iii) consider the influence of alcohol policies on ARI hospitalisation trends. We conducted a retrospective time-series study using coded hospitalisation data from NT public hospitals between 2007 and 2022. ARI hospitalisation was defined combining indicators for injury and acute alcohol use. We undertook descriptive analyses and calculated alcohol involvement against all injury hospitalisations. Annual percent changes (APC) were computed using joinpoint regression to examine the influence of alcohol policies on ARI hospitalisation trends by NT geographical regions (Central Australia and Top End). Alcohol use was associated with 22.6% of all injury hospitalisations. The most common cause of ARI hospitalisations was assault (46%). In Central Australia, a significant trend decline (APC -12.2; p = 0.011) was observed after 2017 following alcohol policies implemented between 2017 and 2018 (Banned Drinkers Register v2; Minimum Unit Price; and Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspectors). Consecutive years with the greatest decrease in Central Australia were 2013-2014 (APC -25.8) and 2018-2019 (APC -35.1); likely influenced by alcohol policies in effect at the time. In the Top End, a non-significant trend decline (APC -26.1; p = 0.186) was observed after 2020. Alcohol policies implemented between 2017 and 2018 were associated with reduced ARI hospitalisations in Central Australia. Alcohol policies that demonstrated reduced harm should be sustained.

Analogy to help learn and understand the second law of thermodynamics, entropy, entropy generation, irreversibility, and power cycles

Teaching and learning Thermodynamics have challenges. Energy and the First Law as the Energy Conservation Principle are usually well accepted. This is not the case with the Second Law, entropy, entropy generation, and the consequences of the Second Law. Analogies can be used to help learn and understand the Second Law of Thermodynamics, entropy, entropy generation, irreversibility, and power cycles. The present work proposes a Thermodynamics-Economics analogy. The analog of heat transfer (flowing in the decreasing temperature direction, driven by a temperature difference) is the traded merchandise transfer (flowing in the increasing unit price direction) in normal trading operations. Developments start with the economic analog of Clausius inequality. The analog of entropy is the merchandise financial value, and the analog of the entropy generation is the financial value generation. Irreversibility is associated with entropy generation, and economic irreversibility is related to economic entropy (financial value) generation. The reversible and irreversible power cycles also have their economic analogs. The irreversibility associated with heat transfer through a finite temperature difference also has its economic analog. The economic Second Law developments are more familiar to students and more easily understandable, which can help them learn the Second Law of Thermodynamics and its implications.

Informal pricing in formal fish markets: evidence from the Solomon Islands

How are fish prices determined in the largest formal market in the Solomon Islands? The Honiara Central Market is the country’s primary fresh produce market, serving as an important conduit between rural food producers and urban consumers. One distinctive characteristic of this market is that despite a diverse range of reef fish species being available, all reef fish are traded nominally as homogeneous goods with no price differentiation. Using transaction-level data collected from the market, we show the prevalence of informal pricing, wherein the unit price of fish is implicitly differentiated based on fish species groups, quality, and buyers’ attributes. This result aligns with our expectation that diverse species groups and qualities are traded in a competitive environment with many vendors and buyers, where reef fish are indeed traded as heterogeneous products. Although fish provide a vital source of food and income for Pacific Island countries, the pricing of this vital natural resource is poorly understood. Our study provides new insights into how fish prices are determined in a formal market within the context of small island developing states.

Dairy farmers' satisfaction with the price paid by processors in competitive markets.

Price is the main attribute considered in negotiations between companies in many agricultural commodity markets. However, there is evidence that unit price is only one factor affecting dairy farmers' satisfaction with dairy processors, which has implications for the coordination of supply chains. The understanding of price satisfaction as embodying multidimensional attributes that influence farmer satisfaction are important for the formulation of commercial strategies aimed at reducing market asymmetries. The objective of this study was to assess dairy farmers' satisfaction with the prices they receive across multiple dimensions and to determine its relationship with overall satisfaction with dairy processors within a competitive market context. A conceptual Price Satisfaction model was used, and Exploratory Factor Analysis was applied to identify the main constructs of satisfaction levels with price. Regression models were used to identify the relationship between theoretical constructs and levels of satisfaction. The results indicate that, in order of importance, milk dairy farmers' satisfaction with the price is explained by the constructs Price Transparency, Price-Quality Ratio, Price Credibility, Price Confidence and Price Fairness. Furthermore, the level of satisfaction with the price and the overall satisfaction of dairy farmers with dairy processors is independent of their technological level or scale of production. The results also suggest that a significant part of the satisfaction level of rural dairy farmers goes beyond the multidimensional aspects of price satisfaction, as is the case with milk in Brazil.

Implications of overlap in tariff policy on waste management costs in Italian municipalities

Abstract In today’s race toward a more circular economy, optimization of tariff design is important for minimizing the environmental impact and costs of municipal waste management. This study examines the overlap of an incentive-based tariff method and the unit pricing system. We address whether this overlap impacts the effectiveness and efficiency of waste management in Italian municipalities. Based on a panel data sample for 5,512 municipalities from 2016 to 2022, a generalized method of moments estimation was employed for a linear dynamic panel model. The results suggest that there is room for optimizing their overlap under certain circumstances—specifically, when the availability of waste treatment facilities is adequate and the percentage of separate waste collection is high. The interaction between the percentage of separate collection and the incentive tariff method contributed to cost reduction, confirming the need for consistency and compatibility of a tariff scheme with circular economy objectives. The effective adoption of both tools, as well as other actions such as information campaigns and service delivery improvements, can promote waste sorting and investment in management facilities. The results provide insights for policymakers seeking to design more effective and efficient policy measures aimed at maximizing environmental effectiveness, in accordance with the polluter-pays principle, and minimizing costs.

Exploring Rice Export Competitiveness in India: A Comparative Analysis of Rice Products

The study examined the export performance and competitiveness of Indian rice using compound annual growth rate and nominal protection coefficient (NPC) and revealed symmetric comparative advantage (RSCA). From 2011 to 2021, there was a significant increase in the export quantity, value, and unit price of basmati and non-basmati rice. NPC results revealed that rice in the husk (paddy or rough), husked (brown) rice, and broken rice were competitive in export. Further, the average NPC for the semi-milled rice category was 1.05, reflecting a lack of competitiveness. RSCA revealed that India has a comparative advantage in rice, including husk (paddy or rough), semi-milled, and broken rice. However, Pakistan has a strong comparative advantage in semi-milled rice (including basmati). Therefore, India must improve its competitiveness with semi-milled rice. India should also take measures to expand its basmati rice export to higher potential markets like Europe and non-basmati rice export to new African countries.

Analisis Proses Produksi dan Perhitungan Harga Pokok Produksi pada UKM Batagor ESQ

The owner of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Batagor ESQ is located in Bogor, in the implementation of financial records still needs help. One of the impacts of SMEs that have financial records is that they can know and control the expected level of business profits. In accordance with the name of the business, this SME carries out activities to produce and sell battery products. The purpose of this study is to analyze the production process and calculate the cost of production of Batagor ESQ SMEs. The research was carried out through interviews with the owners to get clear information. In addition, this research was also carried out by surveying the Batagor ESQ SMEs. The results of the research on the calculation of the Cost of Production (HPP) were obtained with a unit price of IDR 5.000. The results obtained from the application of the financial literacy concept turned out to be enough to increase their business, so that finances became more structured and clear. With a total revenue of IDR 70,000,000 and production costs of IDR 18,731,000 for a period of one month. The profit margin obtained by Batagor ESQ SMEs is 73.24%.

Value creation of straw-based biogas in China

BackgroundValue creation is a common concept in business, and the core purpose of economic activity. “Value creation” of biogas refers to how much biogas value can be created when it is used for different purposes. The fact that 1 m3 of biogas contains enough value as an energy carrier to replace coal, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and natural gas in the power and heat sector, as well as gasoline and diesel as a vehicle fuel, receives too little attention in China. The use of agricultural residues and waste is not only a key element for the reduction of resource demand and climate gas emissions, but also offers the potential for value creation. Biogas provision, which is being promoted more and more in China, could be the key to unlocking this potential.ResultsTo assess the potential of value creation for straw-based biogas in China, we calculated the value created by substituting fossil fuels by biogas in different provinces. Likewise, we calculated the collectable straw potential between 2011 and 2020 by using data regarding methane yield, the official biogas electricity price and rate of subsidy by province, as well as market prices of fossil fuels issued by the National Bureau of Statistics as unit price. Furthermore, the amount of value that 1 m3 methane creates in different applications is compared in Chinese yuan, euro and dollar.ConclusionsThe results showed that value creation for vehicle use is the highest, which reached 5.52/6.57/8.16 yuan/m3 methane (0.789/0.939/1.166 USD/m3) as a gasoline replacement, and 5.17/5.81/7.07 yuan/m3 methane (0.699/0.785/0.955 USD/m3) as a diesel replacement; followed by substitution of natural gas, and LPG; the current most common use, electricity generated by the CHP plant showed a relatively low value, which reached 1.08/1.90 yuan/m3 methane (0.154/0.271 USD/m3); and the heat supply showed the lowest with only 0.56 yuan/m3 methane (0.08 USD/m3). This scientific calculation method of the value of biogas as an energy carrier provides a basis for further development of the biogas industry. This paper initially raises this research question in China.

Determinants of depression and anxiety in informal waste pickers: a cross-sectional study of informal waste pickers in Hong Kong

BackgroundThere are growing global concerns about informal waste pickers and their health issues. This cross-sectional study drew on the structural violence theory to examine the mental health situation of informal waste pickers in Hong Kong and identified the determinants of depression and anxiety in them ranging from individual to societal and governmental levels.MethodThe data from the largest territory-wide study of informal waste pickers in 2023 was analysed. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were used to investigate the association between mental health and socioeconomic variables, including demographic background, governmental measures against informal waste pickers, other negative experiences related to safety and public discrimination, and supportive resources. The symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) and General Anxiety Disorder (GAD).ResultsThe results showed that physical strain/illness and chronic illness caused by long-term scavenging works (for depression adjusted OR 3.33, 95% CI [1.75, 6.31]; for anxiety adjusted OR 5.01, 95% CI [2.45, 10.24]), recycling or personal property stolen (for depression adjusted OR 2.04, 95% CI [1.23, 3.36]; for anxiety adjusted OR 2.72, 95% CI [1.62, 4.56]), being treated rudely by citizens (for depression adjusted OR 2.16, 95% CI [1.32, 3.55]); for anxiety (adjusted OR 2.85, 95% CI [1.74, 4.67]) are the critical risk factors of informal waste pickers’ mental health. While higher intention to continue scavenging work if financial conditions permit is the critical protective factor for depression (adjusted OR 0.46, 95% CI [0.24, 0.88]) and anxiety (adjusted OR 0.43, 95% CI [0.22, 0.86]), compared to lower intention to continue scavenging work if financial conditions permit in the multivariate model.ConclusionsThis study discloses the close relationship between informal waste pickers’ long-term physical strain/illness and mental health and identifies the governmental measures, other negative experiences related to safety issues and public discrimination as risk factors for informal waste pickers’ mental health. Providing outreach, tailored medical services, increasing the unit price of recycling, developing specific recycling zones and establishing membership-based organisations help alleviate the challenges of precarious employment and enhance the well-being of the informal waste pickers.

Assessing the Effects of Unit-Based Pricing on Household Waste Reduction During COVID-19 in Japan

Focusing on the COVID-19 period in Japan, this study identifies the effectiveness of a municipal unit-based pricing (UBP) system on household waste reduction through a panel data analysis targeting 770 cities for 2013–2022. It focuses on simple unit pricing (SUP) and two-tiered pricing (TTP) systems as the UBP components. As previous studies have not considered the COVID-19 period when assessing UBP, this study significantly contributes to the literature by providing new evidence. The main findings are as follows: First, SUP effectively reduced household waste even during the COVID-19 period; however, its effectiveness was slightly neutralized owing to the pandemic environment. Second, TTP also restrained household waste efficiently; however, its effect was smaller than that of SUP, and its reduction effect accelerated during the COVID-19 period (in 2020) because people became cautious about excessive waste volumes beyond the TTP criteria. The study implicates the need to expand the municipal adoption of the UBP system for household waste reduction.

An evaluation of the impact of a national Minimum Unit Price on alcohol policy on alcohol behaviours.

In 2018, Scotland pioneered national legislation which set a Minimum Unit Price (MUP) of 50 pence (∼US$0.64, €0.59) per unit of UK alcohol sold (8g/10ml). To inform policy development, we examine the policy effect using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C), employing longitudinal data for over 17200 individuals. The effect of MUP on AUDIT-C scores is inferred by employing difference-in-difference regression. Pre- and post-intervention alcohol behaviours of individuals from Scotland are compared to a matched 'control' from England. Drinking at hazardous and harmful levels could be identified, as well as the frequency of alcohol consumption, number of drinks and heavy episodic drinking. Estimates adjust for demographic, socioeconomic and health characteristics. Potential inequalities by gender, age and household income are examined. MUP led to an estimated 5.3% reduction in the number of drinks consumed on drinking occasions, though a statistically significant effect on overall reported AUDIT-C scores or drinking at hazardous levels was not detected, with few differential effects for subgroups. Differences in the findings of this research compared to other studies may be explained by differences in population coverage collected in the survey data, compared to more comprehensive, population-wide administrative data, as well as sample attrition.

Pt-Cu Nanosheet Catalysts for Pemfcs with Enhanced Durability through Galvanic Replacement Reaction

In order to cope with the cataclysmic environmental problems, PEMFCs are in the spotlight as a next-generation renewable energy utilization candidate, but the high platinum unit price used in the catalyst layer is still a sticking point. Accordingly, attempts are being made to maximize platinum utilization and improve performance through shape control of the catalyst, but there is a problem in that the structure collapses under extreme PEMFCs driving conditions and the performance deteriorates rapidly, resulting in wistful durability. In this work, Pt-Cu nanosheet with 15~20 nm lateral size and 1 nm thickness was synthesized on carbon support (PtCu NS/C) and further enhanced durability through surface copper substitution using galvanic replacement reaction (G-PtCu NS/C). To clarify the catalyst structure in more detail, acid-leached Pt-Cu nanosheet (A-PtCu NS/C) was synthesized by eluting copper on the surface, and the differences in electronic structure were compared through XAS and XPS. In the half-cell configuration, G-PtCu NS/C demonstrated high performance and excellent durability retention after 30,000 square-wave cycles (SWC) of accelerated stress test (AST). Moreover, G-PtCu NS/C showed marginal shift in CO adsorption peak after AST, indicating the high stability of catalyst structure. In the full-cell test, performance of G-PtCu NS/C after 30,000 SWC AST is consistent to initial performance, while PtCu NS/C showed noticeable power density drop at high current density region. Ex-situ EDS elemental mapping and XRF of membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) after AST confirms that transition metal dissolution on G-PtCu NS/C was imperceptible. Our study suggests new engineering method for shaped controlled catalysts to be applied on PEMFCs.

Master–Slave Game Optimization Scheduling of Multi-Microgrid Integrated Energy System Considering Comprehensive Demand Response and Wind and Storage Combination

This paper addresses the critical challenge of scheduling optimization in regional integrated energy systems, characterized by the coupling of multiple physical energy streams (electricity, heat, and cooling) and the participation of various stakeholders. To tackle this, a novel multi-load and multi-type integrated demand response model is proposed, which fully accounts for the heterogeneous characteristics of energy demands in different campus environments. A leader–follower two-layer game equilibrium model is introduced, where the system operator acts as the leader, and campus load aggregators, energy storage plants, and wind farm operators serve as followers. The layer employs an enhanced particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to iteratively adjust energy sales prices and response compensation unit prices, influencing the user response plan through the demand response model. In the lower layer, the charging and discharging schedules of energy storage plants, wind farm energy supply, and outputs of energy conversion devices are optimized to guide system operation. The novelty of this approach lies in the integration of a game-theoretic framework with advanced optimization techniques to balance the interests of all participants and enhance system coordination. A case study is conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy, demonstrating significant economic benefits. The results show that the model encourages stakeholders to invest in energy infrastructure and actively participate in coordinated dispatch, leading to improved overall system efficiency and comprehensive revenue enhancement for the multi-agent energy system.