Cost Benefits Research Articles

Use and Costs of Supplemental Benefits in Medicare Advantage, 2017-2021.

Nearly all Medicare Advantage (MA) plans offer dental, vision, and hearing benefits not covered by traditional Medicare (TM). However, little is known about MA enrollees' use of those benefits or how much they cost MA insurers or enrollees. To estimate use, out-of-pocket (OOP) spending, and insurer payments for dental, hearing, and vision services among Medicare beneficiaries. This cross-sectional analysis used pooled 2017-2021 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) and Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) data for MA and TM beneficiaries (excluding those also covered by Medicaid). The analysis was performed from September 10, 2023, to June 30, 2024. MA compared with TM coverage. The main outcome was receipt of eye examinations, corrective lenses, hearing aids, optometry and dental visits, and MA and TM enrollees' and insurers' spending for such services. MEPS and MCBS data were weighted to be nationally representative. We included 76 557 non-dually eligible Medicare beneficiaries, including 23 404 from the MEPS and 53 153 from the MCBS. Weighted demographic characteristics of MA and TM beneficiaries were similar (54.7% and 51.9% female; 39.8% and 35.2% older than 75 years, respectively). Only 54.2% (95% CI, 52.4%-55.9%) and 54.3% (95% CI 52.2%-56.3%) of MA beneficiaries were aware of having MA dental and vision coverage, respectively. MA enrollees were no more likely to receive eye examinations, hearing aids, or eyeglasses than TM enrollees. After adjustment for demographic differences, MA and TM enrollees paid OOP $205.86 (95% CI, $192.44-$219.27) and $226.12 (95% CI, $212.02-$240.23), respectively, for eyeglasses (MA - TM difference, -$20.27 [95% CI, -$33.77 to -$6.77] or -9.0% [95% CI, -14.9% to -3.0%]); $226.82 (95% CI, $202.24-$251.40) and $249.98 (95% CI, $226.22-$273.74) for dental visits, respectively (MA - TM difference, -$23.16 [95% CI, -$43.15 to -$3.17] or -9.3% [95% CI, -17.3% to -1.3%]); and no less for optometry visits or durable medical equipment (a proxy for hearing aids). Nationwide, MA plans' annual spending on vision, dental services, and durable medical equipment totaled $3.9 billion (95% CI, $3.3-$4.4 billion), while enrollees spent OOP $9.2 billion (95% CI, $8.2-$10.2 billion) annually for these services and other private insurers covered $2.8 billion (95% CI, $2.7-$3.0 billion). In this cross-sectional study of 2 nationally representative surveys, MA beneficiaries did not receive more supplemental services than TM beneficiaries, possibly because of cost-sharing and limited awareness of benefit coverage.

Pain Management Services Can Be a Cost-Effective Option over Surgery for the Treatment of Chronic Pain.

The number of facilities and physicians that offer pain management services has grown significantly since the 1970s. Despite the rise in prevalence of individuals with chronic pain during that time, interventional pain physicians remain underutilized. One reason why this may be the case is a large number of patients are referred directly to surgical specialists prior to being seen by an interventional pain physician. With the rising cost of healthcare, a shift away from surgical specialists and towards pain specialists as part of a multidisciplinary care team may help reduce the cost of care for chronic pain patients. Through comparing the costs for patients with various types of chronic back pain, it was found that those who were treated by a pain physician rather than a surgeon saved up to over $8000 USD. Despite the cost benefits, it is important to recognize that healthcare disparities still exist which prevent patients from accessing interventional pain physicians. These disparities include patient location and insurance coverage. Overall, the treatment paradigm should start with non-invasive treatments, followed by minimally invasive procedures, with surgical interventions reserved as a last resort for when less invasive measures fail. Early incorporation of a multidisciplinary care team that includes chronic pain management services is critical for providing appropriate and cost-effective patient care.

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty versus lifestyle modifications for class II obesity patients: a French cost-effectiveness analysis.

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic, with up to 17% of French population affected. European guidelines recommend surgical management at specific weight and comorbidity level; however, less than 2% of eligible patients undergo surgical bariatric interventions. To extend the benefits of bariatric interventions to the untreated population with obesity, endoscopic techniques such as endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) have been developed. Analysis of costs and long-term benefits of ESG across stakeholders is needed. This work aimed to assess the healthcare economic and outcomes for ESG in the French healthcare system. A cost-utility analysis study was conducted to evaluate class II obesity patients, stratified into ESG and lifestyle modifications or lifestyle modifications alone groups. Health benefits were measured as quality-adjusted life years (QALY) and costs benefits expressed as incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). A 6-state Markov model was used and base case scenario analysis was used to assess ESG benefits against lifestyle modifications only. One-way sensitivity analysis (OWSA) and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed to evaluate uncertainty on health care interventions and worse case scenarios, respectively. ESG population from the France center included 59 patients, lifestyle modification group was drawn from the MERIT cohort. The base case scenario showed higher costs for ESG procedure compared to lifestyle modifications alone; however, gain in terms of QALY (+ 1,3) is observed maintaining ICER below the set threshold. Also OWSA and probabilistic analysis confirmed ESG cost-effectiveness. OWSA allowed identification of ICER-influencing factors; probabilistic sensitivity analysis confirmed ESG to be cost-effective in 99.29% of iterations. ESG is cost-effective in the French healthcare system. Its potential to reach an untreated portion of the population living with obesity should prompt its uptake into clinical practice. The results of this study should sustain ESG implementation throughout France and possible integration of its reimbursement by the public healthcare system.

Acceptability of improved cook stoves-a scoping review of the literature.

Improved cooking stoves (ICS) are intended to reduce indoor air pollution and the inefficient use of fuel yet there is often reticence to shift permanently to ICS. Drawing on a scoping review, this article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of factors affecting the acceptability of ICS. A scoping review was carried out using a systematic search strategy of literature. All articles identified in three major databases that included Pubmed/Medline, Scopus and Web of Science underwent screening followed by content analysis to generate major and minor themes using a structured social level analysis. The analysis identified factors at micro, meso, and macro-social levels that potentially contribute to an adoption of an improved cooking stove (ICS). The findings from the review were discussed and refined among a group of experts identified based on their prior academic or commercial contributions related to ICS. Adoption of ICS was dependent on functional outputs (e.g. cleanliness, and cooking efficiency) while meeting local social and cultural demands (e.g. cooking large meals, traditional meals, and taste). Health and cost benefits played an important role in the adoption and sustained use of ICS. The adoption of ICS was enabled by use among neighbors and other community members. Sustained use of ICS depended on fuel supply, fuel security and policies promoting its use. Policies offering subsidies in support of supply-chain garnered institutional trust among community members and resulted in the sustained use of ICS. In addition to design attributes of ICS that could meet both scientific and social demands, policies supporting promotion of clean energy, subsidies and supplies can substantially enhance the adoption of ICS.

Fabrication of CoSe2/FeSe2 heterostructures with stable solid electrolyte interface film and low surface activation energy for Na-ion batteries

The abundant availability and potential cost benefits of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have generated increasing interest as viable alternatives to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the development of SIBs is considerably hindered...

Health-care resource use and costs associated with inflammatory bowel disease in northwest London: a retrospective linked database study

Abstract Background With 20–40% of patients who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) not responding to therapy, resource use and costs can be high. We performed a descriptive analysis of health-care data for IBD management in the National Health Service to explore potential areas for improvement. Methods In this exploratory study, we analysed real-world data from the Discover dataset for adults with a diagnosis of incident IBD recorded in northwest London, UK, between 31 March, 2016, and 31 March, 2020. We compared mean visit numbers and primary and secondary care costs per patient to examine resource use and costs for active disease versus remission. Results We included 7,733 patients (5,872 with ulcerative colitis [UC], 1,427 with Crohn’s disease [CD], and 434 with codes for both [termed IBD-undefined in this study]). Remission was recorded in 19,218 (82%) of 23,488 observations for UC, 4,686 (82%) of 5,708 for CD, and 1,122 (65%) for IBD-undefined observations. Health-care resource use was significantly higher with active disease in all settings except primary care for UC. Total health-care costs were greater with active disease than remission for all diagnoses (all p < 0.0001). The main driver of costs was inpatient hospital care among those with active disease; elective inpatient costs were high among patients with UC and IBD-undefined in remission. Conclusions Higher health-care resource use and costs were observed with active disease, which underscores the importance of early induction and maintenance of remission in UC and CD. Updated strategies that incorporate treat to target may offer cost benefits by the offsetting of biologic drug costs with a reduction in costly inpatient hospital stays. Trial registration This trial was not registered as it used pseudonymised retrospective data.

The excess direct social cost of dementia-related neuropsychiatric symptoms: a beyond silos region-wide cohort study.

The objective was to estimate the excess formal social costs or direct non-healthcare costs of dementia-related neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS). The presence of dementia, NPS, antipsychotic and/or antidepressant use, somatic and psychiatric comorbidities, and formal social benefits were studied in a region-wide cohort of all over-60-year-olds. A random forest-based algorithm identified NPS and two-part regression models and entropy balance were used. Of 215,859 individuals, 7,553 (3.50%) had dementia, 74,845 (34.7%) had some NPS and 20,787 (9.63%) received long-term care benefits. Notably, nearly two-thirds (63.9%) of people with dementia received benefits. The probability of having social costs varied markedly with age (OR: 12.28 [10.17 - 14.82] for >90-year-olds category), and the presence of dementia (OR: 7.36 [6.13 - 8.84]) or NPS (OR: 3.23 [2.69 - 3.88]). NPS (RC: 1.39 [1.31 - 1.49]]) and dementia (RC: 1.32 [1.24 - 1.41) were associated with higher average benefit costs. Low socioeconomic status was significantly associated with both a higher probability of receiving benefits (OR: 1.52 [1.38 - 1.68]) and higher costs of their provision (RC: 1.18 [1.15 - 1.21]). The burden of caring for NPS is greater than that indicated by the literature as these symptoms multiply the social costs of dementia by more than three due to the greater use of residential care and formal coverage reaches more patients than that indicated by the literature. The greater presence of dementia and NPS in the lower SES population indicates an inequality in health attenuated by a greater use of social benefits.

The Current State and Future Development Directions of Camera Supply Chain Management

Modern camera supply chain management is constantly evolving in the context of globalization, digitalization, and rapid technological advancements, becoming a key factor for camera manufacturers to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and tackle market competition. This study delves into the current state of the camera supply chain, exploring the many challenges and potential opportunities within it. The research shows that while a globalized supply chain brings significant cost benefits to manufacturers, it also presents risks of supply chain disruptions, rising cost pressures, and increasing management complexity. By introducing advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain, manufacturers can enhance the transparency, flexibility, and sustainability of the supply chain. Furthermore, promoting green supply chain management practices will help companies achieve more efficient supply chain management while reducing their environmental footprint. This study ultimately suggests diversification of supply chains, technological innovation, and sustainable development as the core strategies for future camera supply chain optimization to address the complex and volatile market environment.

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF WINDING TYPES AND ROTOR STRUCTURE IN SYNCHRONOUS RELUCTANCE MOTOR

Synchronous Reluctance Motors (SynRMs) have attracted a lot of attention in recent years due to their simple construction, high efficiency and the fact that they do not require rare earth magnets. SynRMs produce torque by directing the magnetic flux through barriers in the rotor, making them a low-cost alternative. The performance of the motor can vary significantly depending on the design of the stator windings and rotor barriers. Different combinations of stator winding types and the number of rotor barriers directly affect the critical performance parameters of the motor such as torque, efficiency, torque ripple, output power, saliency ratio and copper consumption. In this study, SynRMs using six different stator winding types and two different rotor barrier structures (3 and 4 barriers) are analyzed. Output power, efficiency, torque, torque ripple, saliency ratio, d-q axis inductances depending on current phase angle, total losses and copper consumption are investigated. The effect of full pitch and shortened pitch configurations in winding structures on the performance is discussed comparatively. The effect of 3 and 4 barrier rotors on these parameters is also evaluated. These analyses aim to reveal the ways in which winding and rotor configurations in motor design can be used to optimize performance. SynRMs can provide energy efficiency and cost benefits in a variety of industrial applications, therefore selecting the proper configuration is of great importance from both an economic and performance perspective.

ALGORITHM FOR CALCULATING RELIABILITY OF ON-SITE POWER SUPPLY SCHEMES USING CONNECTION COEFFICIENTS

The article deals with the method of simplifying the forecasting of reliability parameters and assessing the technical condition of the most critical nodes of the power supply system by means of connection coefficients. The aim of the study is to develop a methodology to determine the probability of failure-free operation of the power supply scheme using connection coefficients. Materials and methods. The scheme of 10/0,4 kV power supply within the workshop is presented. Probabilistic methods of reliability determination and mathematical statistics were used. Research results. The probability of failure-free operation in time using the exponential distribution law has been calculated. Graphs of dependences of probability of system uptime on the number of load connections, as well as graphs of changes in the values of connection coefficients in time are presented. The formulas for the load connection factors depending on the number of connections are derived. The received analytical expressions allow to model values at possible additional load connections. The obtained dependences allow to determine the probability of failure-free operation time of low-voltage electrical equipment, as well as the schemes of the in-house power supply. Conclusions. The proposed methodology simplifies the forecasting of reliability parameters of the scheme of the internal shop power supply and the assessment of the technical condition of the most important and critical nodes. The modeled values of the load connection coefficients can be used in technical and economic calculations, namely for further increase of the number of outgoing lines from the switchboard and distribution point or increase of the load on the line taking into account the permissible probability of failure-free operation of the scheme. The results of the study are recommended to evaluate technical performance and determination of the main reliability parameters of the operating systems of in-plant power supply.

Air-Mediated Biomimetic Synthesis of Polyhydroxyalkanoate with C4 Diol.

Poly(4-hydroxybutyrate) (P4HB) is a high-performance, well-recyclable, and biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). However, conventional bioproduction of homopolymeric P4HB involves complex and costly processes with C4 feedstocks, particularly 1,4-butanediol (BDO), and enzyme-coenzyme systems in genetically engineered bacteria. An alternative extracellular chemical route utilizing aerial oxidation of BDO offers cost and energy benefits but struggle with conversion efficiency. Inspired by efficient intracellular oxidation of primary alcohols, we propose a ruthenium-phosphine synergistic catalytic system that mimics enzyme-coenzyme functionality. This system effectively catalyzed the air-mediated, solvent-free oxidation of BDO to produce γ-butyrolactone (γ-BL) and oligomeric P4HB, with a space-time yield (10.37 g [γ-BL unit] g-1 catalyst h-1) surpassing the values (<5.5) of previous approaches. The oligomer-containing products were reversibly converted to γ-BL and then to P4HB (28.9 kDa) via ring-opening polymerization, exceeding reported values (<16 kDa). This study provides the potential for large-scale synthesis of high-value PHAs from diverse non-grain-based diols, offering economic and environmental advantages.

Decision support system for determining capital investment value in biodiesel production using the net present value method

Biodiesel is a renewable alternative that is a biofuel for diesel engine/motor applications. It is a fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) that is produced from vegetable oil or animal fat and can be renewed. The esterification/ transesterification process results in low CO2/CO2 emissions. Indonesia's energy consumption has increased by 7% annually in recent years, while the global energy consumption has only increased by 2% annually. This condition accelerates the rate of exploitation of fossil resources, including oil, natural gas, and coal, in comparison to the discovery of new reserves (replace reserves ratio). Economic calculations are conducted during the pre-design phase of a biodiesel chemical plant to ascertain the viability of investing in a biodiesel plant. The feasibility of capital investment in a factory production activity is estimated through the use of economic analysis, which involves the evaluation of capital requirements, predicted profits, payback period, taxes imposed, and break-even point. Furthermore, economic analysis is also used to ascertain the profitability of a factory that has been designed. The net present value (NPV) method is employed to develop a decision support system that simplifies the investment calculation process. In the present era of globalization, a company or investor must act promptly to make decisions and take action. The Net Present Value (NPV) method is used to assist in decision-making. The NPV method is a decision-making process that evaluates the feasibility of whether an investment is worthwhile. The value of an asset is determined by the initial purchase price and the time value of money, which are combined to calculate Net Present Value. The investment value of the SPK that has been designed is determined using the NVP procedure.

Green building adoption in Qatar: PLS-SEM-based analysis of drivers and barriers

PurposeThe study is about conducting a quantitative inquiry of the drivers that facilitate and barriers that hinder the adoption of Green Buildings (GBs) in Qatar. This will help pave the ground for increased GB development in Qatar.Design/methodology/approachUsing previously published studies, 21 barriers and 14 drivers related to GB development are identified. Based on the findings of a questionnaire survey involving 102 construction industry experts, the significance of GB drivers and barriers in the case of Qatar is determined. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis is conducted to determine the significance of relationships of drivers and barriers for GB adoption in Qatar. While conducting PLS-SEM analysis, drivers and barriers have been aggregated and subsequently analyzed across 4 and 5 constructs, respectively.FindingsWhile all the driver constructs are interrelated, only drivers related to economic and cost benefits have a significant relationship with GB adoption. Also, in case of barriers, only the barriers related to fear of extra expense and additional work have a significant relationship with GB adoption.Research limitations/implicationsBased on the relationships of drivers and barriers identified, recommendations are provided for increased uptake of GBs in Qatar. The study findings will enable decision-makers to ease the process as well as initiate policymaking for increased GB adoption. Theoretically, the findings of this study will contribute to the growing knowledge of GB projects.Originality/valueGB development is highly contextual in terms of the region of development. In-depth studies on GB drivers and barriers have been missing for Qatar and this gap is filled by this study.

Constitutional approaches to social rights and obligations

It is indicated that human rights are an important moral parameter in the organization of the activity of the economic system. Standards and rules in the field of human rights determine the basis on which economic problems should be solved, without reducing them to economic calculation only. The article analyzes the three main social security systems in the world, which are implemented in different ways, compatible with different cultures, dominant ideologies and taxing capacity. Social rights in international agreements can have legal or moral force for countries. In monistic legal systems, international treaties will automatically be incorporated into national law upon ratification, while dualistic systems require the transformation of the treaty into domestic law through legislation. The Constitution of Ukraine does not consider social security rights in the same way as civil and political rights. The right to social security imposes an obligation on the state to define and actually provide at least minimum social standards, and the right to social protection is implemented without regard to minimum needs. Terminological discussions regarding the content of the terms “social security” or “social protection” require clarification of the content of the concept used in the Constitution of Ukraine, rather than the method of its implementation. Instead of both terms, the author proposes to use the concept of “social guarantees”, which directly indicates the obligation of the government to ensure a national minimum of sufficiency, below which no one is allowed to fall. The evolution of concepts is directly related to taxation. The guarantee of the right to social security determines the source of resources for their provision. In the American Convention, rights and duties are detailed. In contrast, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is limited to indicating that everyone has duties to society. Rights and duties are interconnected, just like all human rights, which are indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. The obligation to pay tax on the basis of ability to pay and in accordance with the rule of law does not deny any rights confirmed by the Universal Declaration, and allows for the guarantee of rights to social security.

Association Between Hospital Efficiency and Quality of Care Among Fee-for-Service Medicare Beneficiaries with Prostate Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Technical efficiency evaluates a hospital's economic performance and plays an important role in variations in quality of care and outcomes. The study objective was to examine the association between hospital efficiency and quality of care among fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries with prostate cancer and to assess if race moderates this association. Retrospective study using Surveillance, Epidemiological, and End Results-Medicare (SEER-Medicare) data from 1998 to 2016 for prostate cancer patients aged ≥ 66. We computed hospital technical efficiency using a data envelopment analysis. Outcomes were emergency room visits, hospitalizations, cost, and mortality (all-cause and prostate cancer-specific). We used competing risk regression for survival, log-link GLM models for cost, and Poisson models for count data. The propensity score approach was used to minimize selection bias. The cohort consisted of 323,325 patients. Compared to higher efficiency hospitals (upper quartile), low hospital efficiency (i.e., lower quartile) was associated with a higher hazard of long-term mortality (Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.05, 1.08) and long-term prostate cancer-specific mortality (HR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.11, 1.17). Compared to higher efficiency levels, lower levels were associated with impaired emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and costs. A one unit increase in the efficiency score was associated with greater benefits for cost and mortality for African American and white patients. The benefit was larger for African American patients compared to white patients. Increasing hospital efficiency may help improve outcomes among Medicare prostate cancer patients. Policies to redirect patients to hospitals with higher efficiency can enhance the quality of care and outcomes.

Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete: A Systematic Review of Usage in Shield Tunnel Segment

With the advancement of tunnel construction, the load-bearing capacity of shield tunnel segments is diminishing, while issues of deformation and fissuring are becoming more conspicuous, posing direct threats to structural integrity and functionality. Steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) is considered a prevalent material, endowed with high strength, excellent crack control, fracture toughness, and remarkable economic advantages. This paper surveys the state-of-the-art research on SFRC, systematically encapsulating key aspects regarding its composition, attributes, methods of segment reinforcement, constitutive models for SFRC segments, and performance enhancements of SFRC segments. By optimizing steel fiber content, aggregate preparation, and selection of chemical admixtures, the mechanical performance of SFRC can be augmented, among which the aspect ratio (l/d) and volume fraction (Vf) of steel fibers exert the most significant influence. Compared with conventional reinforcing materials, SFRC possesses benefits of low cost, uncomplicated fabrication, and superior durability. As a heterogeneous multiphase composite, SFRC exhibits high strength, stiffness, and excellent crack resistance, which can amplify the load-bearing capacity and deformation resistance of the segments, defer damage inception, and thereby enhance the safety and durability of tunnel-lining segments. This study assists in redressing the deficiencies of current shield tunnel segment reinforcement technologies and further facilitates the extensive employment of SFRC in tunnel segment strengthening and restoration.

Implementing sustainable practices to reduce wastage and costs in adenotonsillectomy.

Surgical waste presents significant environmental and economic challenges in healthcare. Adenotonsillectomy, a common otolaryngological procedure, contributes to this issue. There is limited research on sustainability measures in adenotonsillectomy, and no studies have specifically identified waste reduction strategies for this operation in a general ENT unit. This study aimed to identify sustainable practices for waste reduction in adenotonsillectomy surgeries and quantify the extent of waste reduction in terms of weight and cost. The items opened and waste produced during adenotonsillectomies in a single institution were documented, including weights and costs. After reviewing the actual materials used by otolaryngologists and identifying potentially avoidable waste, a low-waste setup was designed. Waste weight and costs were evaluated post-implementation and compared with baseline values. Several steps to reduce wastage in adenotonsillectomy surgeries were identified, including the elimination of surgical drapes and gowns. This resulted in a waste reduction of over 60%, with an average reduction in weight per case of 1.114 kg. The estimated reduction over 1 year for 294 cases was 327.52 kg. The mean reduction in material costs per case was $41.67, with an extrapolated annual savings of $12 250.98 for 294 cases. Implementing sustainable practices in adenotonsillectomy surgeries can significantly reduce waste and healthcare facility cost, providing both environmental and economic benefits.

Development of the new machine-learning approach in pipeline condition assessment prediction and optimizing rehabilitation strategies

Purpose This paper aims to outlines a model for water main rehabilitation in Kitchener, Ontario, using a machine-learning approach. Water main networks are vital infrastructure, requiring regular condition assessments to ensure consistent service. Budgets are often allocated for nondestructive testing methods, but using machine learning to predict network conditions offers cost benefits. Design/methodology/approach The study focuses on a prediction approach that includes the rehabilitation requirement model. The Decision Tree machine learning method was applied to predict water main pipe breaks in 2024. Based on the predictions, 24 pipes were identified for rehabilitation, and the appropriate Trenchless Rehabilitation Method was selected accordingly. Findings The model, applied to data from Kitchener, successfully predicted 24 water main pipe breaks for 2024. The largest pipe diameter was 1200 mm, and the longest length was 6977 m. A cost comparison, factoring in Environmental and Social (E&amp;S) costs, showed that open-cut methods were 25% more expensive than Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP). When E&amp;S costs were included, the total cost of the open-cut method increased by approximately 300% compared to sliplining. Originality/value Based on the pipe characteristics, CIPP lining and sliplining are recommended for rehabilitation by the City of Kitchener. This study presents a novel approach using Decision Tree machine learning techniques to predict pipe breaks, with a 97% prediction accuracy, making it a promising alternative to traditional models.

Determining the potential of international passenger rail services with applications to the European night train market

AbstractTransport demand represents the essential basis in the design of public transport services. Information on this is accordingly a necessary prerequisite for the preparation of supply. In the following, a general approach is presented using the example of the European night train market, with which potentials can be derived despite little knowledge of the mobility needs of the market and demand matrices can be drawn up as a basis for economic calculations. By calculating a heuristic rule, the optimal path through a network in line planning is not exclusively a function of the edge evaluations but considers the node potentials determined this way. Transport demand represents the essential basis in the design of public transport services. Information on this is accordingly a necessary prerequisite for the preparation of supply. In the following, a general approach is presented with which potentials can be derived despite little knowledge of the mobility needs of the market. In the context of graph theory, the potential of nodes is evaluated and these are included downstream to the edge selection in form of a rucksack problem. By calculating a heuristic rule, the optimal path through a network in line planning is therefore not exclusively a function of the edge evaluations but considers the node potentials as well. Based on this demand matrices can be drawn up as a basis for economic calculations. Regarding the current debate on the expansion of night train services in Europe, this approach can be adapted to the conception of an overnight train. An overview of all night trains in Northern, Central and Western Europe in 2021 is provided for this purpose and the suitability of the approach is demonstrated using an example. It will be successful in setting up a route network from which passenger flows can be derived. However, possible adaptions that can be considered as second-best solutions are not taken into account and require further development of the approach.

Shortening the Payback Period of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Benefits from Photovoltaic Rooftop Systems

This paper presents an analysis of shortening the payback period of greenhouse gas reduction benefits from photovoltaic rooftop systems. The objective was to evaluate the amount of carbon credits generated and their returns. The study includes an economic analysis and a comparison of the economic outcomes with and without the consideration of carbon credits from 149.80 kWp and 25.68 kWp photovoltaic rooftop systems. The study evaluated the amount of electrical energy produced by the photovoltaic rooftop systems, estimated using the PVsyst program version 7.3.1, at a factory in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. The economic indices analyzed in this study include the payback period, net present value (NPV), benefit–cost ratio (B/C ratio), and internal rate of return (IRR). The analysis is divided into four case studies: Case 1 is the base case, and Cases 2, 3, and 4 consider carbon credits for 7, 14, and 25 years, respectively. The economic indices analyzed in Case 1 include the financial internal rate of return (FIRR), payback period, financial net present value (FNPV), and B/C ratio. In Cases 2, 3, and 4, the economic indices analyzed are the economic internal rate of return (EIRR), the economic net present value (ENPV), the B/C ratio, and the payback period. This paper outlines a new economic calculation approach that incorporates carbon credits produced by photovoltaic rooftop systems, which helps achieve break-even points more quickly. It also discusses the application of carbon credits in conjunction with renewable energy.