Cost-benefit Research Articles

An In-Depth Economic Analysis of Xiangjiang River Water Pollution Control: Introducing New Variables

This study provides a significant economic analysis of pollution control methodologies applied to the Xiangjiang River, advancing the understanding of how economic development and environmental preservation intersect. By integrating previously overlooked variables, the research offers a nuanced perspective on the costs and benefits of safeguarding the river's economic and ecological roles. The hypothesis posits that including additional factors—such as cross-regional economic collaboration and long-term ecological resilience—can reshape traditional cost-benefit analyses of pollution control. Findings suggest that these factors substantially transform the landscape of pollution control, highlighting the need for a broader evaluative framework that encompasses economic, ecological, and social dimensions. The research underscores the importance of regional cooperation and ecological sustainability, offering insights with implications not only for the Xiangjiang River but for other similarly impacted water bodies. This study encourages policymakers and researchers to adopt a more comprehensive approach to pollution control, paving the way for future research and the development of sustainable, cost-effective environmental policies.

The Study on Growth and Yield Attributing Characteristics of Chilli (Capsicum annum L.) Using Foliar Spray of Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA)

Chilli (Capsicum annum L.), is one of the most important spice crops in India. It is widely used in many cuisines as a spice to add hot flavour to dishes and sauces. The production of chilli is affected by several factors governed not only by the inherent genetic factors but also by several environmental factors and management practices. Therefore, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Maulasar, Nagaur-II, Rajasthan (Agriculture University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India) initiated to conduct On Farm Testing (OFT) forassess the effect of Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) ongrowth and yield Attributing characteristics of chilli. The present OFT was carried out at 20 farmers fields of Nagaur district of Rajasthan under supervision of KVK, Nagaur-II, Rajasthan during Zaid season of two consecutive years i.e., 2020-21 and 2021-22. The pooled data of both the years indicated that the foliar spray of naphthalene acetic acid @ 20 PPM increased plant height (70.45 cm), number of branches/plant (14.15), fruit set (49.42%), fruit length (8.40 cm), fruit weight (3.65 g), number of fruits/plant (133.55), fruit yield (292.50 q/ha), net return (₹ 345100) and benefit cost ratio (4.68) as compared to farmers practices (no use of PGR).It isalso observed that days taken to first harvest was almost two weeks earlier with the spray ofNAA. It was 84.50 days after transplanting in treatment (NAA @ 20 PPM) whereas; it was maximum (97.35 days) in control.

Assessment of bacteria-based self-healing concrete through experimental investigations — a sustainable approach

This study aims to evaluate the destructive and non-destructive strength parameters of bacterial concrete with different grades (M20, M25, M30) and cell counts (10^5 and 10^6 cells/ml) using Bacillus subtilis. Additionally, cost analysis and cost–benefit comparisons were conducted for each mix. The effectiveness of B. subtilis in resisting high temperatures was also examined. Findings indicate a 25–40% increase in strength parameters in bacterial concrete compared to conventional concrete. Bacterial mixes consistently showed velocities above 4.45 km/s, indicating excellent quality, surpassing conventional concrete. Notably, bacteria with a cell count of 10^5 cells/ml exhibited greater strength than 10^6 cells/ml across all grades. Cantabro loss tests revealed a 15–25% reduction in wear and tear for bacterial concrete. The bacterial specimens also showed significantly lower strength loss at higher temperatures. This study underscores the potential of bacterial-based self-healing concrete for specific construction applications, offering high temperature resistance, increased strength, and reduced wear and tear.

Modeling optimal combination of breast and cervical cancer screening strategies in China

BackgroundBreast and cervical cancers are the commonest cancers among women. Secondary prevention of cancer through screening minimizes disease burden and improves survival outcomes. Optimizing screening strategies for breast and cervical cancers is a challenge in resource-limited settings with a high population density such as China. Therefore, we aimed at assessing the efficiency of different combined screening strategies for breast and cervical cancers under different budgets in China.MethodsMarkov cohort model was used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of 36 strategy combinations for breast and cervical cancer screening with varying screening modality and intervals. The results were used as inputs in the Integer Programming (IP) model to determine the combination of the different screening options under different budgets.ResultsThe optimal combination strategy was biennial breast ultrasonography (BUS) and mammography (MAM) in parallel screening and quinquennial human papillomavirus (HPV) for breast and cervical cancer screening under the threshold of the annual per capita social cost investment (PCSCI) (18.80 USD) in China. Using this strategy, the total investment cost for 100,000 females was 1,877,984.50 USD, and the incremental life-years compared with no screening was 3,122 life-years. The optimal combination strategy included annual clinical breast examination (CBE), BUS and MAM in series screening, and biennial thin-layer liquid-based cytology (TCT) and HPV in series screening with the annual PCSCI reaching 37.60 USD. Thereafter, as the cost input continued to increase, the optimal combination strategy remained unchanged, and the sum of incremental life-years and actual input costs did not increase.ConclusionsFrom a social cost–benefit perspective, biennial BUS and MAM in parallel screening, and quinquennial HPV screening is the most efficient combination strategy with limited budget, while annual CBE, BUS and MAM in series screening and biennial TCT and HPV in series screening are the most efficient combination strategy with sufficient budget.

Enhancing geriatric trauma mortality prediction: Modifying and assessing the Geriatric Trauma Outcome Score with net benefit and decision curve analysis.

Calibration and discrimination indicators alone are insufficient for evaluating the clinical usefulness of prediction models, as they do not account for the cost of misclassification errors. This study aimed to modify the Geriatric Trauma Outcome Score (GTOS) and assess the clinical utility of the modified model using net benefit (NB) and decision curve analysis (DCA) for predicting in-hospital mortality. The Trauma Quality Improvement Program (TQIP) 2017 was used to identify geriatric trauma patients (≥ 65 years) treated at Level I trauma centers. The outcome of interest was in-hospital mortality. The GTOS was modified to include additional patient, injury, and treatment characteristics identified through machine learning methods, focusing on early risk stratification. Calibration and discrimination indicators, along with NB and DCA, were utilized for evaluation. Of the 67,222 admitted geriatric trauma patients, 5.6% died in the hospital. The modified GTOS score included the following variables with associated weights: initial airway intervention (5), Glasgow Coma Scale ≤13 (5), packed red blood cell transfusion within 24 h (3), penetrating injury (2), age ≥ 75 years (2), preexisting comorbidity (1), and torso injury (1), with a total range from 0 to 19. The modified GTOS demonstrated a significantly higher area under the curve (0.92 vs. 0.84, p < 0.0001), lower misclassification error (4.9% vs. 5.2%), and lower Brier score (0.036 vs. 0.042) compared to the original GTOS. DCA showed that using the modified GTOS for predicting in-hospital mortality resulted in higher NB than treating all, treating none, and treating based on the original GTOS across a wide range of clinician preferences. The modified GTOS model exhibited superior predictive ability and clinical utility compared to the original GTOS. NB and DCA offer valuable complementary methods to calibration and discrimination indicators, comprehensively evaluating the clinical usefulness of prediction models and decision strategies.

Barriers to dynamic capabilities in non-leading HEIs in the digital era

Abstract This study investigates the barriers that hinder the non-leading Brazilian higher education institutions (HEIs) in repositioning within the digital landscape based on dynamic capabilities. In-depth semi-structured interviews with top managers at six non-leading HEIs show that the main barriers include uncertainty about the traditional HEI future in the digital scenario, lack of strategic tools to reposition the HEIs, lack of knowledge about the cost-benefit of an institution’s digitization, lack of knowledge on how to implement changes, and lack of information on if an HEI should (or not) meet all the new stakeholder needs. These barriers prevent HEIs from successfully adapting to the digital era. Methodologies and tools are required to guide strategic decisions, perform digitization’s cost-benefit analysis, and implement changes that meet stakeholders’ evolving demands. By overcoming these barriers, HEIs can effectively implement dynamic capabilities, transforming the challenges of the digital age into opportunities for growth and innovation.

DUKPT for Software POS: A Technical Key Management Approach for Safeguarding Payment Data

Purpose: The paper explores how the Derived Unique Key per Transaction (DUKPT) encryption technique enhances the security of software-based Point of Sale (POS) systems, addressing rising cyber threats and safeguarding sensitive financial data. It aims to educate stakeholders across industries on DUKPT's implementation and long-term benefits in meeting evolving regulatory and customer demands for data security. Methodology: A thorough literature research and a hands-on examination of DUKPT's use in software-based point-of-sale systems comprise the methodology. Existing research on key management, encryption of payment systems, and the weaknesses of conventional key management techniques are all included in the literature review. The report also provides case studies that show how DUKPT has been implemented in various industries, looking at both technical details and practical results. The examination covers network communication protocols, device security measures, secure key storage, and PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security) compliance. The conclusions are further supported by quantitative data from security breach statistics and qualitative data from interviews with industry professionals. Findings: The findings of this paper reveal that DUKPT significantly enhances the security of software-based POS systems. Key results include: The Derived Unique Key per Transaction (DUKPT) encryption technique offers several advantages. It enhances security by generating a unique encryption key for every transaction, effectively reducing the risk of data breaches and preventing key reuse attacks. Additionally, DUKPT improves operational efficiency by allowing businesses to manage encryption keys securely without significant overhead, resulting in streamlined processes. Its implementation also demonstrates a stronger commitment to regulatory compliance, particularly with PCI DSS standards, minimizing the risk of penalties for non-compliance. Furthermore, the enhanced data security fosters greater customer trust, which ultimately strengthens client loyalty and retention Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice, and Policy: The study makes a unique contribution to the field by providing a thorough analysis of DUKPT's benefits, enhancing theoretical discussions on cryptographic techniques, educating policymakers about the need for updated security regulations to improve cybersecurity in payment systems, and providing useful case studies and suggestions for businesses looking to successfully integrate DUKPT in software POS environments.

MANAGEMENT OF TOMATO LEAF MINOR TUTA ABSOLUTA WITH VARIOUS TYPES OF TRAPS IN FIELD GROWN TOMATOES

Tomato leaf minor (Tuta absoluta ) is a noxious insect pests of tomato crop globally, cause huge losses of tomato in every season. Therefore, the present research was conducted to evaluate effectiveness of management trapping devices for T. absoluta in tomato field. Management traps show varied significantly in their effectiveness to capture moths, maximum mean (25.25±3.52) moths were caught by delta pheromone trap followed by light traps (14.78±1.89), color sticky traps (10.23±2.67) and water pan trap (5.61±01.56), respectively. Due to maximum capture of adult in delta pheromone trap, light trap devices and cultural practices, the lowest (11.90±2.67 %) tomato leaves infestation was recorded in delta type pheromone trap followed by cultural practices (13±2.80 %), light traps (15.35±3.12 %), color sticky traps (20.00±2.80 %), water pan trap (31.13±05.56 %) and control (35.13±04.50 %). However, lowest (05.59±03.62 %) infestation tomato fruit was recorded in delta type pheromone trap followed by cultural practices (8.50±2.1 %), light traps (09.64±02.88 %), color sticky traps (13.81±03.10 %), water pan trap (19.88±03.15 %) and control (22.10±04.50 %), respectively. Results showed the highest yield (6546.60 kg/acre) was obtained in the plots where delta type pheromone traps were installed, followed by plots in which cultural practices were carried out (6476.80 kg/acre), light traps (5943.70 kg/acre), color sticky trap (5863.20 kg/acre), water pan trap (5684.30 kg/acre) and in control (5426.00 kg/acre). The maximum cost benefit ratio (4:18) from the plots where delta pheromone traps were installed followed by cultural practices (4:16), light traps (4:12), color sticky traps (4:10), water pan trap (4:07) and control (4:02), respectively. The highest adult attraction and lowest crop damage with maximum fruit production was recorded after the application delta pheromone traps with cultural practices, thus it is recommended; that the delta pheromone traps along with cultural practices are the convenient practices to monitor and control adult population of tomato leaf miner in infested tomato field.

From Chart Biopsy to Liquid Biopsy: Evaluating the Diagnostic Yield and Clinical Impact of Plasma Microbial Cell-Free DNA Next-Generation Sequencing in the Management of Fever of Unknown Origin.

The underlying cause of fever of unknown origin (FUO) remains unidentified in up to 51% of cases despite systematic evaluation. Microbial cell-free DNA next-generation sequencing (mcfDNA-NGS) offers an agnostic, noninvasive approach to pathogen identification, but the utility and clinical impact of this assay in FUO remain unknown. This retrospective cohort study evaluated adult patients referred for FUO evaluation at a tertiary medical center between November 2019 and November 2023. Patients underwent both standard microbiologic testing (ST) and mcfDNA-NGS. Diagnostic impact was assessed in 4 domains: new diagnoses, earlier time to diagnosis, avoidance of invasive procedures, and non-hypothesis-driven diagnoses. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of positive mcfDNA-NGS testing. Among 176 patients, mcfDNA-NGS was positive in 44.3%, with 49% of these cases considered clinically significant. Infectious cause of FUO was identified in 39% of patients, noninfectious in 35%, and unknown in 26%. mcfDNA-NGS contributed to a positive diagnostic impact in 30% of cases, mainly by earlier diagnosis (16%) and potential for avoidance of invasive procedures (10%). Positive mcfDNA-NGS was significantly associated with higher Charlson comorbidity index score (odds ratio [OR], 1.22; P < .001) and white blood cell (WBC) count ≤4.5 × 109 cells/L (OR, 8.61; P < .001). Conversely, FUO without localization was associated with a decreased likelihood of positive mcfNDA testing (OR, 0.18; P < .001). mcfDNA-NGS effectively complements ST in diagnosing FUO, providing earlier detection and minimizing invasive testing. Clinical predictors such as high comorbidity and low WBC count may guide the optimal use of mcfDNA-NGS in FUO. Prospective evaluation of optimal timing and use of mcfDNA-NGS and cost-benefit analysis in FUO is needed.

Financial Considerations of Vertical Transfer Students: Salary and Student Loan Outcomes for Bachelor’s Degree Recipients

ABSTRACT College continues to be a worthwhile economic investment for students who complete a bachelor’s degree. We examined two labor market outcomes (salary and cumulative student loans borrowed) for bachelor’s degree recipients. We used regression models to investigate the relationship for vertical transfer students who begin at a community college versus a four-year institution and post-baccalaureate salary and student loan outcomes. Our findings show a complex financial picture for students who start at a community college and transfer to a four-year institution: they have less loan debt but earn less salary. Results of this investigation suggest a complicated cost–benefit analysis that community college transfer students must conduct if they are to properly evaluate the efficacy of such a pathway. This study helps address a gap in the literature as there needs to be more information on post-baccalaureate outcomes for vertical transfer students. Future directions for research and implications are also discussed.

Optimizing Fruit Production: A Review of Sensor-based Approaches in Orchard Management

Fruit crops produce higher yields per hectare than other horticultural crops. Fruits are also a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is necessary to monitor and maintain the orchard properly to increase both production and quality of fruits. However, maintaining large orchards is quite difficult. The application of different sensors in fruit crops helps in precise orchard management and, therefore, helps in sustainable production in the long run. Remote sensing tools are useful in gathering data on factors necessary and act as a constraint for increasing the yield potential of fruit crops. An increase in the cost incurred in maintaining the orchards resulted in a low benefit cost ratio in the production of fruits. The application of sensors for the continuous monitoring of orchard facilitates in increased water use efficiency and precise orchard management strategies. This article reviews the use of sensors in various aspects related to fruits crops management.

Benefit–cost analysis in the 5.9 GHz band

Abstract In 2020 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) revisited a spectrum allocation decision it made in 1999. The Agency found that frequencies set aside for specific technologies used by vehicles – Intelligent Transportation Services (ITS) – had been left largely unused. It crafted new rules, shifting 45 MHz of the 75 MHz allocation to newly designated wireless services focusing on Wi-Fi applications, while leaving the remaining (40% of bandwidth) reserved for ITS. The FCC decision was premised on a cost–benefit analysis performed by the agency, supported by two similar studies submitted by outside interests. Yet, upon examination, the cost–benefit calculations prove stunningly uncompelling. In their economic logic, their understanding of existing market data and their use of FCC policy, fundamental errors render net benefit estimates irrelevant to decision-making. In particular, the value of marginal products (VMPs) as well as the opportunity costs of rival allocations are ignored. These failings are stunning, both on their own and given that the FCC, in its reallocation, critiqued its 1999 decision as socially unproductive – and yet deployed just the same basic methodological format, relying on FCC administrative determinations to select favored business models for supplying wireless services.

Compost amendments up to one inch restore dry rangeland soil health

Societal Impact StatementRangelands harbor immense diversity and provide ecosystem services across vast swaths of land while supporting rural economies and the food system, but degraded rangelands may require active management to restore diversity and function. We added varying amounts of compost to understand if there are linear or saturating effects on vegetation and soil characteristics. We found linear effects on water movement and soil carbon, but little effect on vegetation community or abundance. Our results provide guidance for grassland managers to make cost–benefit analyses for using compost in their own situations.Summary Dry rangelands systems coproduce food and other ecosystem services, but degradation of productivity, diversity, and water holding capacity may require active intervention to restore function. Compost amendments on grasslands have improved vegetation, soil carbon, and water characteristics, but practitioners lack guidance of optimal use to meet their management goals. We compared surface‐dressed compost additions up to 2.5 cm at two ranches in New Mexico, USA, and measured plant composition and biomass, soil bulk density, hydraulic conductivity, aggregate stability, and total carbon content (0–10 cm depth) up to two years after addition. We used model selection to determine if response relationships with compost amount were supported, linear, or non‐linear. We found that 2.5 cm compost additions nearly doubled litter cover after two years. Soil carbon increased linearly with compost depth, with the 2.5 cm depth nearly doubling carbon content compared to control after two years. Hydraulic conductivity increased linearly with compost depth in the first year at one site. Other variables showed little response to compost. Overall, we did not identify strong saturating responses over this range of compost additions. Our results provide guidance for land stewards to assess their resources and management goals to optimize compost addition to build rangeland soil health.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Enzymatic Hydrolysis Alternatives for Food Waste Management

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the economic, environmental, and social viability of the enzymatic hydrolysis process for food waste valorization by applying cost-benefit analysi (CBA). Our research was based on the investigation of three scenarios/alternatives for the final product of the enzymatic hydrolysis process and the production of bioethanol, bioactive peptides, and organic acids. Key economic indicators, such as cost/benefit ratios, net present value (NPV), and internal rate of return (IRR), were used to evaluate financial performance. At the end of the CBA, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to highlight the performance of each scenario under varying conditions, including fluctuating costs, benefits, and discount rates. These results indicate that enzymatic hydrolysis offers a significant opportunity for reducing food waste and its environmental impacts and promotes sustainability. Bioactive peptide production was found to be the most environmentally viable option, offering the highest cost-benefit efficiency. In both the optimistic and pessimistic scenarios of the sensitivity analysis, the results revealed that bioactive peptide production is economically viable, while the other alternatives, such as bioethanol and organic acid production, are more sensitive to economic and operational changes. This study revealed that enzymatic hydrolysis, as evaluated through CBA, offers a viable and impactful method for food waste management. It reduces environmental impacts, enhances sustainability, and aligns with the principles of a circular economy. The adoption of such innovative waste management strategies is considered essential for building a more sustainable and resource-efficient food system.

Urban Regeneration: Economic and Social Impacts of a Multifunctional Sports Park in Reggio Calabria

Urban areas increasingly face complex challenges in achieving sustainability, particularly in balancing economic, social, cultural, and environmental needs. Despite their significant potential, multifunctional infrastructures remain underexplored, especially in socio-economically disadvantaged and marginal contexts, where they could play a crucial role in urban regeneration processes. This research, based on a case study of an unused urban infrastructure in Southern Italy, adopts a methodological framework to transform these abandoned urban spaces into integrated multifunctional infrastructures capable of providing social, sports, cultural, educational, and recreational services. The proposed framework offers a comprehensive decision-making tool for planners and policymakers, enabling the assessment of multifunctional infrastructures as strategic assets for urban regeneration. The study employs Discounted Cash Flow Analysis (DCFA) and Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) to assess the economic feasibility and social sustainability of the proposed project. Investment and management costs were analyzed and compared against both direct and indirect economic benefits, revealing scenarios that support the feasibility of public–private investment. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis corroborates the robustness of the model, demonstrating its applicability under variable economic and social conditions. In conclusion, the evaluation results highlight the transformative potential of multifunctional infrastructures, highlighting their ability to generate significant social and economic impacts.

Modelling the social cost of carbon for Malaysia

The interest in the economics of climate change and the need to quantify a more accurate financial value of the damage caused by every additional metric tonne of greenhouse gas (GHG), known as the social cost of carbon (SCC), is growing. Governments and decision-makers have utilised SCC estimations for more than ten years in benefit-cost analysis, using insights from climate science, economics, demography, and other fields. Malaysia has committed to reduce 45% of its GHG emission intensity by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030 compared to the 2005 level and achieve net-zero as early as the year 2050. However, current estimations of SCC are high and may negatively impact the Malaysian economy and no longer align with the latest research. To achieve its objective of net-zero emissions, the government of Malaysia must capitalise on the country's potential as a carbon sink by increasing conservation efforts in protected areas and arresting deforestation. It will establish an ideal trajectory for the SCC that aligns with its environmental obligations while supporting sustainability in the face of climate change challenges. A price on GHG emissions can help mitigate and adapt to climate change. This study aims to determine the SCC in Malaysia, fill the gap in the downscaled Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) and develop a new model called the Integrated Climate Model for Malaysia (ICLIM-2024R). The Nordhaus IAM model was downscaled using Malaysian data, including emissions from deforestation and an additional function for carbon sinks. With current policies, the SCC in the business-as-usual scenario (BAU) will be 64 USD/tCO2e in 2025 and 212 USD/tCO2e by 2050. The study recommended pathway is to increase the Totally Protected Area (TPA) of forests, which will yield a lower SCC of 23 USD/tCO2e in 2025 and 152 USD/tCO2e by 2050 compared to BAU, meeting commitments to the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) as well as the Paris Agreement. The Malaysian government should urgently leverage its carbon sink potential to set Malaysia's optimal SCC, achieve its net-zero goal, and grow the climate-friendly economy by marketing lower carbon-intensity products.Graphical

Low-Cost Direct Digital Synthesis-Based On-Chip Waveform Generation for Analog/Mixed Signal BIST Applications

Waveform generation as part of on-chip built-in self-test (BIST) circuitry often necessitates sufficient linearity without expensive hardware overhead. Achieving high linearity is critical for accurate signal generation, especially in applications requiring high precision, such as biomedical and instrumentation applications. Currently, achieving the high linearity and precision required in signal generators often relies on costly hardware such as automated test equipment (ATE). This paper presents a DAC-based arbitrary waveform generator (AWG). We use a low-cost DAC and a fully digital on-chip testing and calibration approach to nullify the effect of the DAC’s non-linearity on the generated waveform. The ultra-low cost and high linearity benefit of the proposed waveform generator makes it highly suitable for integration into resource-constrained systems. The proposed approach is validated using simulation results of the small-area DAC designed in TSMC 0.18 μm technology and the testing and calibration algorithms implemented in MATLAB. The DAC, designed with a matching accuracy at only the 5-bit level, is able to generate a signal with an ENOB of 12 bits alongside an SFDR and THD surpassing 100 dB. This high level of signal purity is consistently maintained across 100 Monte Carlo simulations, demonstrating the robustness of the architecture against PVT variations as well as random mismatches.

Reconfiguration strategy for solar array system on stratospheric airship based on cost-benefit analysis

Reconfiguration strategy for solar array system on stratospheric airship based on cost-benefit analysis

Health and associated economic benefits of reduced air pollution and increased physical activity from climate change policies in the UK.

Climate change policies do not always include analysis of air quality and physical activity co-benefits. We compared business as usual (BAU) UK policy with Net Zero scenarios from the UK Climate Change Committee for road transport and building sectors. We quantified and monetised the health benefits of the Balanced Net Zero (BNZP) and Widespread Innovation (WI) Pathways. Air pollution concentrations were predicted using Chemical Transport Models and population-weighted. Shifts from car to walking and cycling for transport were converted to METhrs/week. Literature concentration-response functions were combined with baseline rates from routine statistics/other sources. Mortality and multi-morbidity impacts were calculated using lifetable analysis, and an incidence/prevalence model from 2019 to 2154 (a lifetime after 2050). Monetary values were applied to the results. The BNZP policy compared with BAU gave 4.9 (95% confidence interval 1.0-9.0) million life-years gained (LYG) (UK population, to 2154), including 1.1 (0.7-1.6) million LYG from active travel improvements. Avoided COPD and childhood asthma cases were 201,000 (150,000 - 250,000) and 192,000 (64,600-311,000). The monetised air quality morbidity benefits (£52.1 (36.4 - 67.8) billion) substantially added to the air quality mortality benefits (£77.9 (42.9 to 90.8) billion). Total yearly monetised benefits for BNZP vs BAU summed to 2154 (air pollution/active travel) were £153 (122 to 184) billion (core); 278 (228 to 334) billion (+outcomes with weaker evidence). Adding the effects of air pollution reductions on disease incidence, with effects of air pollution and physical activity on mortality, increases the monetised benefits that may justify Net Zero policies in cost-benefit analysis.

Outpatient flexible cystoscopy in urogynaecology: a tertiary hospital's experience.

This study is a retrospective evaluation of a new outpatient flexible cystoscopy service in a tertiary care hospital in Dublin, Ireland. This is a retrospective observational study. This study has been held at the Department of Gynaecology, Rotunda Hospital, Dublin. This included all women who underwent outpatient flexible cystoscopy in Rotunda Hospital between May 2023 to October 2024. Retrospective data collection included patient demographics, indications for referrals, cystoscopic findings, post-procedural complications, and cost-benefit analysis. A total of 77 women underwent flexible cystoscopy. The mean age was 52.5years ranging from 20 to 85years. Flexible cystoscopy was successfully completed in all patients, and there were no post procedure complications. The most common indications were as follows: recurrent urinary tract infections (36%) and bladder pain syndrome (36%), followed by overactive bladder symptoms (14%). Fifty-five percent of patients had no abnormal findings. The most common abnormality found was trabeculations (39%), followed by glomerulations (9%). A cost-benefit analysis showed an approximate saving of € 1211 per patient leading to a saving of over € 93,000 over a period of 18months. Outpatient cystoscopy is a low-risk, feasible, well tolerated, and safe diagnostic procedure, with no post-procedure complications observed in this study. It avoids the risks of general anaesthesia and is associated with lower procedural costs.