Cost-benefit Research Articles

Marsh restoration in front of seawalls is an economically justified nature-based solution for coastal protection

A marsh-fronted seawall is a hybrid nature-based coastal protection solution because it attenuates wave energy, reduces erosion, and provides ecosystem services. However, we still have a limited understanding of how to quantify the marsh wave attenuation benefits for economic analysis. Here, we incorporate a prediction of wave attenuation that accounts for species-specific morphology and structural stiffness into a 1-D wave model and validate it with field measurements. Our results show that the wave attenuation varies by a factor of two across different vegetation species. Further, we performed a benefit-cost analysis, in which the economic benefits represent the environmental services value and avoided seawall heightening cost that would otherwise be required to deliver the same overtopping rate without vegetation. We applied the model to a real-world, marsh-fronted seawall design at Juniper Cove, Massachusetts. Although the benefit of marsh-fronted seawalls is sensitive to discount rate, they have benefit-cost ratios greater than one, indicating that it is an economically justified nature-based solution. Further, we found that wave attenuation and benefit-cost ratio are more sensitive to water depth than wave height. Our study demonstrates the importance of considering the coastal protection of marshes and economic benefits in one framework.

Cost-effective non-revenue water reduction: analysis through pilot activities in Kigali City, Rwanda

ABSTRACT Non-revenue water (NRW) is a major problem for water utilities, and its reduction has become an important challenge in ensuring a sustainable water supply. However, a lack of clarity regarding the cost–benefit analysis of investment in pilot activities to reduce NRW may hinder further investment in such projects. Thus, we attempted to identify strategies for effective NRW reduction and establish a method for estimating their cost-effectiveness. To this end, a project to strengthen the NRW management capacity and build a sustainable NRW reduction system was implemented in Kigali City, Rwanda, between 2016 and 2021. The project included four objectives: enhancement of the planning capacity for NRW reduction; acquisition of basic knowledge, skills, and techniques for NRW control; enhancement of staff capacity to execute NRW reduction measures; and establishment of a system to accurately measure NRW ratios. The project helped to formulate a 5-year plan for NRW reduction and 596 employees of Kigali City were trained for the same. The NRW ratios were reduced by 10 and 12% in the two pilot areas of the city. Cost–benefit analysis revealed the effectiveness of the investment in NRW reduction activities over time.

Targeting telecommunications: Why do rebel groups target information and communication technology infrastructure?

Although there has been much interest in how communication technology can shape conflict, the deliberate targeting of the telecommunication infrastructure by rebel groups has been largely overlooked. This article demonstrates that while some rebel groups systematically target telecommunications, others do not. It is argued that this reflects deliberate choices, and that rebel groups adapt their strategies based on cost–benefit analyses. Given the aim of avoiding detection and being targeted themselves, rebels may be more likely to target the telecommunication infrastructure when faced with a government with a technologically sophisticated military. However, a further increase in the opponent’s technological capabilities beyond a certain tipping point may compel rebels to employ preventive measures other than targeting telecommunications. Marxist-socialist or religious groups are expected to be more likely to target telecommunications to maintain a homogeneous propaganda space directed at their constituency, facilitating indoctrination and propaganda. These expectations were evaluated in an analysis of all rebel groups for the period 1970–2013. The results showed a non-linear relationship between rebel targeting of telecommunication infrastructure and the technological capabilities of the government forces, while Marxist-socialist and ethno-religious groups were more likely to target telecommunications compared with other groups.

Paperless libraries: The trending way to go in the fifth industrial revolution

The idea that spurred the author’s interest in carrying out this study results from understanding a cashless society, where users of banking systems only move around with their ATM cards. With their ATM cards, they can access their money anywhere globally. This approach could resonate in libraries, where we now have a paperless society, having cost-benefit analysis in the era of the fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR). The 5IR has to do with humans interacting between technology or machines either to solve individual and organizational societal problems from a general or specific perspective. The interaction between humans and technology would assist in recognizing the synergistic in addressing the support for task accomplishment. The methodology applied is in two stages, first, a systematic literature review and second, interpretive content analysis of literature harvested from the database of Scopus. Findings revealed that technological advancements have enabled paperless libraries such that on-screen reading is increasingly prevalent, rapid development support through mobile computing, software, and internet/connections/Wi-Fi, multifarious electronic information retrieval among others. Furthermore, other findings were anchored on the relevance of paperless libraries in the 5IR, the functionality of paperless library systems, enhanced accessibility, and inclusivity, collaboration and connectivity, and environmental impact. Meanwhile, certain challenges and mitigation strategies were proffered. The study concludes that as we navigate this transformative era, the emergence of paperless libraries stands as a testament to the harmonious integration of technological prowess and human aspirations. Therefore, envision human-machine interactions be encouraged to bring about paperless libraries, considering the significance of AI and human-centric innovation.

Optimising Energy Efficiency in Offshore Buildings: Supporting SDG 7 - Clean and Affordable Energy

The offshore oil and gas sector faces significant challenges in reducing its carbon footprint while meeting global energy demand. Offshore structures consume up to 500 MW of energy per day. Despite the potential for 30-40% energy savings with efficiency technologies, only 25% of global platforms implement integrated energy management systems. This study aims to optimize energy efficiency in offshore structures to support SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy. The study uses a multi-method approach, analyzing data from 10 offshore platforms, conducting energy modeling, and cost-benefit analysis. The results show variability in daily energy consumption (423.7 ± 32.5 MW) with key factors such as hydrocarbon production and environmental conditions. Energy efficiency technologies such as hybrid power generation systems and Integrated Energy Management Systems (SMET) show significant potential for savings. The optimization model shows a total potential energy savings of 37.2 ± 2.1%. Economic analysis using Monte Carlo simulations confirms the feasibility of investment with positive NPV for all evaluated technologies. SMET has the most favorable risk-return profile with a mean NPV of 5.8 ± 0.7 million USD. These findings provide important insights for operators and policymakers, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to energy management in offshore structures. Implementation of the proposed energy efficiency strategies can contribute significantly to climate change mitigation and the achievement of SDG 7.

Risks of generative artificial intelligence in financial intermediation and approaches to their assessment

The subject of the study is the impact of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) on financial intermediation and associated risks. The purpose of the study is to assess the current state of GenAI adoption in financial intermediation, identify potential risks and challenges, and explore the implications of increased use of these technologies. The relevance of the study is due to the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and their increasing impact on financial intermediation, which requires a comprehensive analysis and understanding of possible risks and benefits. The research methodology is based on the study of existing research on this topic,identification of current approaches to identifying risks, empirical analysis, including collection and processing of lists of risks of using GenAI and associated consequences. It is concluded that the variability of definitions in risk assessment GenAIcan create significant obstacles to consistency and coordination of actions between various market participants. Moreover, the lack of unified assessment criteria can lead to underestimation or overestimation of potential threats, which increases the likelihood of system failures and increases risks to the sustainability of the financial intermediation system as a whole.As part of the preparation of the study, responses generated by ChatGPT about the assessment of the risks posed by GenAI were used.

Effect of Neem Cake, Neem Oil and Plant Extracts on Purple Blotch of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Caused by Alternaria porri (Ellis) Cif.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the Effect of neem cake, plant extracts and neem oil on purple blotch of onion (Allium cepa L.) caused by Alternaria porri (Ellis) Cif. Six different treatments were tested in a randomized block design with 3 replications at the Central Research Field, Department of Plant Pathology, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj during Rabi season of 2023. The results should that the minimum per cent disease intensity was recorded in T1Neem cake + Neem oil (31.72), T5 Neem cake + Eucalyptus leaf extract (37.40). bulb weight of onion (71.13g), bulb diameter (7.13cm), bulb yield per plot (2.106kg), yield (105.317 q/ha) and benefit cost ratio (1: 4.42) were found in T1Neem cake + Neem oil (31.72) when compared to untreated check and other treatments.

Diurnal activity and resting time allocation of the West African giraffe in an agropastoral human-dominated landscape

Resting is an integral component of animal behavior, contributing to one’s fitness through careful optimization strategies. In large herbivores, resting periods are driven by availability of food, presence of predators, and thermoregulation. A combination of these drivers leads to high variability in resting behaviors and their time allocation throughout the day. However, these drivers are rarely evaluated in the wild. Megaherbivores, including giraffe (Giraffa spp.), adopt social resting strategies, which enable them to optimize the cost–benefit ratio, with rest and vigilance varying with group size and composition. We investigated resting behavior of the West African giraffe (G. camelopardalis peralta) living in a human-populated landscape dominated by agropastoralism activities in Niger. Through direct observation, we evaluated the influence of group size and composition, and presence of livestock and humans on giraffe resting behavior. We concluded that giraffe increased their resting time with shorter distance to other giraffe and livestock. Livestock did not negatively impact giraffe behavior; rather, they provided a kind of “safe environment”. Human presence resulted in only minor changes in vigilance of giraffe and did not significantly affect their resting time. Our findings highlight a positive instance of human–giraffe coexistence in a human-dominated landscape, attributed to the long-term benefits of conservation efforts.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of valvular surgery in high- and low- to middle-income countries: A scoping review.

Global disparities in valvular surgery services exist. Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) and cost-utility analysis can be used to guide national investment decisions. This scoping review aims to synthesize economic evaluations for valvular surgery by income settings and provide recommendations. A systematic literature review identified primary CEAs or CUAs in English comparing surgical management strategies for valvular heart disease. MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Business Source Complete were searched using keywords "valvular surgery," "valve disease," "cost-effectiveness," and "cost-benefit analysis". Articles comparing outcomes or costs only were excluded. Search results were uploaded and screened on COVIDENCE. Variables from eligible articles were charted in a spreadsheet. Twenty articles were eligible, six from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and 14 from high-income countries (HICs). In HICs, the top conditions were degenerative aortic valve disease (7/14) and mitral valve disease (4/14) compared to congenital (2/6) and rheumatic heart diseases (2/6) in LMICs. HICs evaluated new technologies and techniques, whereas LMICs compared different valve types or surgery versus no intervention. Most articles used published studies (12/20) or databases (7/20) to conduct their CEA and quality-adjusted life years was the most common effectiveness measure (12/20). Comparator interventions were cost-effective in all LMIC articles and in 8/14 for HICs. Economic evaluations are mostly conducted in HICs and for adult conditions. More analyses in LMICs are needed. This can be facilitated by maintaining databases, documenting costs, and implementing quality of life assessments.

Evaluating Sustainability: A Social Cost-Benefit Analysis of Shrimp Aquaculture Practices in Kerala

Kerala is blessed with an abundance of freshwater and brackish water rivers, estuaries, backwaters, and interconnecting backwaters. These bodies of water add to the inland production and make the land lush and fertile. As per the ‘State Wise Area Utilized and Production of Tiger Shrimp 2020-21’ data of MPEDA Kerala has 2813.85ha area under culture in hectares and 1128.98 estimated production in tonnes. In the last decades its development has attracted considerable attention because of its export potential. During the study period (2017-18), Kerala produced an estimated 2,952.56 metric tonnes of farmed shrimp annually, out of which 26.34 percent were produced scientifically and the remaining 73.66 percent were produced traditionally. State fishery sector is also promoting ‘one paddy one shrimp farming’ project as it is suitable for coastal wetland economy like Kerala. Consequently, shrimp aquaculture sector plays a major role in the coastal wetland economy of Kerala, which has 234 prawn filtration fields covering 12873ha and 65213ha of brackish water area. ‘Sustainable blue economy’ states that shrimp aquaculture contributes to food security, social status, livelihood for the poor, women's empowerment through employment, increased family income, and purchasing power to the Kerala economy, it is necessary to question the sustainability of the Kerala shrimp aquaculture sector, particularly in light of the micro plastic pollution caused by current shrimp aquaculture practices. Kerala is a top producer of shrimp raised in aquaculture due to its abundant backwater and estuary water bodies. There are claims that the amount of shrimp consumed domestically is also rising. Exposure to Micro plastics poses a severe risk to the health and well-being of regular shrimp users. Using Soya Bean Meal (SBM), a reasonably priced and sustainable substitute for artificial fish feed becomes necessary. In light of this, this paper conducts a sustainability analysis based on social cost-benefit analysis of the feeding practices currently used by the shrimp aquaculture industry in Kerala.

Nursery production, acclimatization, and orchard transplantation of Argania spinosa: Evaluating the impact of costs and plant age

The depletion of the argan area over time underscores the importance of enhancing the quality of argan seedlings to support regeneration. Key factors such as seedling age and nursery techniques including shade, substrate, and container play a crucial role in improving seedling quality and ensuring successful transplantation. Our study assessed the impact of seedling age, shading, substrate composition, and container volume on argan seedling production during the nursery phase and their influence in the transplantation phase. The findings revealed 40% shade covering in 12- and 18-month-old seedlings exhibited the most growth potential, while unshaded compartments were suitable for 6-month-old seedlings. Substrates S1, S3 and S6 respectively, resulted in the highest quality seedlings overall, with S1 being the most effective for 6-month-old seedlings, and S3 and S6 showing more impact for 12- and 18-month-old seedlings. Furthermore, the use of larger containers contributed to the production of high-quality seedlings. Field results showed lower mortality rates across different seedling ages (3.1% to 9.3%) and revealed no significant difference among the combinations, except for seedlings produced under 40% shade, where the S3C3 combination followed by S1C2 in the 6-month nursery production period demonstrated the highest relative growth rate in shoot length. The relative growth rate in diameter reported its highest value in the S1C2 combination of 18-month and 6-month-old seedlings. A cost benefit analysis was carried out, which revealed that the cost-effective combination was S1C2, followed by S3C3 for 6-month-old nursery age under the 40% compartment.

Development of 1 ×1 km gridded emission inventory for air quality assessment and mitigation strategies from open biomass burning in Karnataka, India

In this work, we have developed a high-resolution (1 ×1 km grid) emission inventory of greenhouse gases and air pollutants from open biomass burning (OBB) in Karnataka for 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020, and 2022. Secondary and field datasets were used to validate the emission inventories. The GIS-based statistical model and activity data were used to estimate greenhouse and air pollutant gas emissions from OBB (Forest, grassland, and crop fires). The uncertainty analysis of the emissions were done using the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) model and Low Emission Analysis Platform (LEAP) tool was used for projecting the emissions to 2050 based on the annual average growth rate. According to our results, the total OBB burned areas (%) in Karnataka during the aforementioned years were 24.43, 15.69, 15.95, 11.41, 26.73, and 5.78. The results showed that total annual average OBB emissions in Karnataka for 2000–2022 in Gg were SO2 (6.67), NOx (9.48), NH3(9.80), CO (670.12), OC (59.78), BC (5.09), CO2 (11071 .11), CH4(33.68), PM10(84.29), PM2.5(81.08), NMVOC (74.13), and NO2 (4.80) respectively. The districts of Kalburgi, Raichur, Bagalkot, Uttara Kannada, and Shivamogga have the highest emissions from OBB in Karnataka from 2000 to 2022. The emission uncertainty results showed ±26.92, ±28.17, and ±30.27 % for the crop, grassland, and forest fires, respectively. Under the business-as-usual (BAU) scenarios, the CH4 emissions from forest, grassland, and crop fires are projected at 8823, 2.64, and 5262 metric tonnes by 2030 and 58046, 10, and 30700 metric tonnes by 2050, respectively. The developed high-resolution inventories are the most up-to-date surface emission datasets with hotspots in Karnataka from OBB emission. National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) and India’s Net-Zero Emission target by 2070, our high-resolution emission inventories and mitigation strategies may be helpful for air quality monitoring, health benefits analysis, and policy-making studies in Karnataka, India.

Improved access and care through the implementation of virtual Hallway, a consultation platform in Nova Scotia: preliminary findings from a feasibility evaluation

BackgroundWhile previous studies have examined various platforms that enable providers to connect, Virtual Hallway (VH) stands out with its unique features. The value add is that this online platform connects primary care providers and specialists for synchronous phone-based conversations and aims to reduce referrals and enhance the quality of referrals. VH allows providers to easily log in, select the required specialty, book call times, receive reminders, and have calls documented, ensuring a high connection rate. In May 2022, the provincial health authority in Nova Scotia, a Canadian province, and VH initiated a feasibility study facilitated through the Health Innovation Hub in Nova Scotia. The goal was to enable primary care providers to connect with specialists, thereby reducing wait times and unnecessary referrals, and facilitating timely access to relevant clinical direction for patients. The current evaluation assessed utilization, value for money in economic analysis, and consultation experiences.MethodsThe study used post, cross-sectional, and cost-benefit study designs. We collected data through various methods, including administratively recorded utilization, theory-driven surveys, and cost data. Utilization was measured by the number of completed consults and the number of healthcare professionals using the VH platform. We analyzed the data using a combination of descriptive statistics and a cost-benefit analysis, which also involved conducting probabilistic sensitivity analysis.ResultsThe study found that approximately 84% of the VH consultations avoided needing in-person specialist referrals. The return on investment was 1.8 (95% CI: 0.8 to 3.0), indicating that the monetary value of the measurable benefits associated with VH exceeded the value of the resources invested. The provider experience survey revealed high satisfaction levels with VH across user groups, with 92% of specialists and 96% of primary care providers reporting being satisfied or highly satisfied with their experience. These positive indicators of provider experience were further supported by the fact that 97% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they intended to continue to use VH in their practice, and 97% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they would recommend VH to a colleague.ConclusionsThe study suggests that VH was well-received by users, with high levels of satisfaction reported and a reduced need for in-person referrals. It also represented value for money. Further research could explore how the availability of virtual health services can lead to reduced utilization of healthcare resources among different groups of patients.

Incorporation of Phase Change Materials in Buildings

This review paper explores the integration of phase change materials (PCMs) in building insulation systems to enhance energy efficiency and thermal comfort. Through an extensive analysis of existing literature, the thermal performance of PCM-enhanced building envelopes is evaluated under diverse environmental conditions. This review highlights that PCMs effectively moderate indoor temperatures by absorbing and releasing heat during phase transitions, maintaining a stable indoor climate. This paper also delves into the detailed concepts of PCMs, including their classification and various applications within building insulation. It is noted that different types of PCMs have unique thermal properties and potential uses, which can be tailored to specific building requirements and climatic conditions. Furthermore, cost–benefit and environmental assessments presented in the reviewed studies suggest that incorporating PCMs into building materials offers significant potential for reducing energy consumption and mitigating environmental impacts. These assessments indicate that PCMs can lead to substantial energy savings by decreasing the reliance on heating and cooling systems, thereby lowering overall energy costs and carbon emissions. However, despite the promising outlook, this review identifies a need for further research to optimize PCM formulations and integration methods. This optimization is essential for overcoming current challenges and facilitating the widespread adoption of PCMs in the construction industry. Addressing issues such as long-term durability, compatibility with existing building materials, and cost-effectiveness will be crucial for maximizing the benefits of PCMs in enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability in buildings. Overall, this review underscores the transformative potential of PCMs in building insulation practices. By providing a comprehensive overview of PCM classifications, applications, and their impacts on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, this paper lays the groundwork for future advancements and research directions in the field of PCM-enhanced building technologies.

The basic income for care leavers in Wales pilot evaluation: Protocol of a quasi-experimental evaluation.

This study will evaluate the Basic Income for Care Leavers in Wales pilot (BIP), which is the most generous basic income scheme in the world. A cohort of care-experienced young people who become aged 18 during a 12-month enrolment period (July 2022-June 2023) are receiving £1,600 (before tax) per month for two years, and the Welsh Government intends this to have a range of benefits. This evaluation will examine the impact of BIP, the implementation of the pilot and how it is experienced, and its value for money. The study is a theory-based quasi-experimental evaluation, and the design and methods are informed by ongoing co-production with care-experienced young people. We will estimate the impact of BIP on participants using self-reported survey data and routinely collected administrative data. This will include outcomes across a range of domains, including psychological wellbeing, physical and mental health, financial impact, education, training and volunteering. Comparisons between temporal (Welsh) and geographical (English, using administrative data) controls will be done using coarsened exact matching and difference in differences analysis. The process evaluation will examine how BIP is implemented and experienced, primarily through monitoring data (quantitative) and interview, observational, and focus group data (qualitative). The economic evaluation will take a public sector and a societal perspective to identify, measure and value the costs and outcomes of BIP, and to synthesise the evidence to inform a social cost-benefit analysis at 24 months post-intervention. BIP is unusual in that it targets a wide range of outcomes and is available to an entire national cohort of participants. The evaluation also has several practical constraints. Therefore, the study will use a range of methods and triangulate between different analyses to assess how successful it is. Findings will inform policy in relation to care leavers, social security and basic income studies worldwide.

Optimization of Manure-Based Substrate Preparation to Reduce Nutrients Losses and Improve Quality for Growth of Agaricus bisporus

With the growing world population, food demand has also increased, resulting in increased agricultural waste and livestock manure production. Wheat straw and cow dung are rich nutrient sources and, if not utilized properly, may lead to environmental pollution. Keeping in view the cultivation of Agaricus bisporus on straw/manure-based substrate, the current study aimed to optimize the conventional manure preparation technique to reduce nutrient losses and keep the quality of manure at its best. The treatments were considered as traditional and optimized schemes for mushroom substrate preparation. The results achieved herein indicated that the nutrient losses were low in the optimum scheme. For carbon (C), the loss was 43.55% at the substrate stage in the traditional scheme and reduced to 37.75% in the optimum scheme. In the case of nitrogen (N), the loss was 22.01% in the traditional scheme and was lower (18.49%) in the optimum scheme. The nutrient concentration in Agaricus bisporus was higher with the optimum scheme compared with the traditional scheme. It was 1.74% for C, 7.17% for N, 3.58% for phosphorus (P), and 4.92% for potassium (K). The optimum scheme also improved the Agaricus bisporus yield per unit area (84.55%) and the total yield (28.92%). The net income of the optimum scheme was 102.95% higher compared to the traditional scheme. The economic analysis also revealed that the benefit–cost ratio of the optimum scheme was high (48.86%) compared with the traditional scheme. This study concludes that the use of the optimum scheme can better utilize the wheat straw and cow manure waste for substrate preparation and reducing nutrient losses. In addition, the final mushroom residue can also be used as a leftover substrate for further utilization.

Effect of Different Weed Management Practices on growth and yield in Potato at Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the fifth most important crops in the world in terms of production with an estimate of 375 million metric tons. In Nepal, potato ranks second in terms of production and sixth in terms of area coverage. Potato production is affected by weed infestation. Weeds compete with crops for nutrients, water and other resources, which eventually reduce the crop yield. The critical period of crop-weed competition for potato is 25-40 days from planting depending on the climatic-zone and planting seasons. The most common method of weed control in Nepal is manual method, while herbicides are uses in less areas. Weeds are considered as the major problem in conventional and organic farming, due to lower yields by weeds and higher costs of labor for weed control. Mulching is one of the best and safest practice for effective weed management in potato due to which micro-climate manipulation is developed. Metribuzin is widely used herbicides in potato that controls a range of broadleaf weed species and suppresses many grassy weeds. To study the performance of different weed management practices in potato ten treatments were set up viz., three herbicides (pendimethalin@ 1.0 kg a.i ha-1, metribuzin@ 0.5 kg a.i ha-1 and atrazine @ 0.25 kg a.i ha-1) constituting seven treatments, one mulching with rice straw, one treatment with two manual hoeing, and another treatment with no any weed management practices as control.The treatments were laid out in RCB design with 4 replications. The potato variety Janak Dev was planted on 12th Feb 2021 and 23rd Jan 2022 with tuber rate of 4.1 t.ha-1 with row spacing of 60 cm and plant to plant 20 cm in a plot size of 4 x 3 meter in flat bed. Growth parameters such as plant height, plant fresh and dry biomass were recorded. Data on weed density, weed dry biomass, and tuber yield were taken.The economics of the different treatments were calculated. Among the treatments metribuzin@ 0.25 kg a.i ha-1 as pre-emergence proved effective in controlling weeds showing highest weed control efficiency (200.7 %) and tuber yield (32.79 t ha-1) . However, the treatment rice straw mulch @ 6 t ha-1 produced the highest tuber yield (38.31 t ha-1), 73.4 % increased yield over control, weed control efficiency(147.1%), economic benefit (NRS 13,40,850), benefit cost ratio (4.93).The treatment rice straw mulch @ 6 t ha-1 showed superiority among the different weeds management practices.

Technical and Economic Assessment of Tomato Cultivation Through a Macro-Tunnel Production System with the Application of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus

Bacterial inoculants hold promise for enhancing the sustainability and profitability of tomato cultivation in macro-tunnel systems. This study aimed to evaluate the technical and economic viability of applying Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus to tomato production. The separate addition of native G. diazotrophicus GIBI025 and GIBI029 isolates and a commercial inoculant containing Azotobacter chrococcum and Azospirillium sp. was evaluated at a rate of 1 × 108 CFU·mL−1 without nitrogen addition. Conventional fertilization treatment with no bacteria added and 100%-nitrogen fertilization relative to crop requirements (added as MAP and urea) was also assessed. The treatments were evaluated within the macro-tunnel production system. The experiment utilized a completely randomized block design with four replications per treatment, and each experimental unit consisted of 20 plants. The yield (kg·ha−1) was calculated and economic assessment was performed. The results show that native G. diazotrophicus isolates in tomato cultivation under the macro-tunnel production system improved its economic viability, achieving yields up to 95,501 kg·ha−1 without the addition of nitrogenous fertilizers. This research reveals benefit–cost ratios achieving 1.57 and net incomes reaching 16,707 US dollars per hectare. This work demonstrated that the native isolates assessed may be used in the pursuit of more integrated, sustainable, and competitive cultural practices.

Growth and Yield Performance of Different Mustard Varieties Grown in Barind Tract Soils of Bangladesh

The present research was conducted to investigate the growth and yield performance of thirteen mustard varieties grown in Chapai Nawabganj district, Bangladesh. Thirteen mustard varieties, viz. “BINA Sarisha-4”, “BINA Sarisha-7”, “BINA Sarisha-9”, “BINA Sarisha-10”, “BARI Sarisha-14”, “BARI Sarisha-15”, “BARI Sarisha-16”, “BARI Sarisha-17”, “BARI Sarisha-18”, an “Indian tall” variety, “Indian short” variety, a Japanese variety “Sarisha” and a local variety were cultivated during “Rabi” (rainy) season 2021-2022. The preparation of land with recommended fertilizer doses, the experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design consisting of three replications. All the growth, yield, and yield attributes significantly differed among the mustard varieties. In growth attributes, the highest value in plant height (149.97 cm), number of leaves per plant (16.77), leaf length (12.33 cm), number of branches per plant (11.40), and tap root length (22.53 cm) for “Indian tall” variety, “Indian short” variety , “BARI Sarisha-18”, “BINA Sarisha-7”, and “Japanese Sarisha”, respectively. In terms of yield and yield attributes, number of siliqua per plant (102.00), siliqua length (6.37 cm), number of grains per siliqua (39.50), grain yield per plot (576.33), 1000-seeds weight (3.75 g), biological yield (5.06 ton.ha-1), and harvest index (35.23%) was highest in the “Indian tall” variety , “BARI Sarisha-14”, “BARI Sarisha-14”, “BINA Sarisha-9”, and “Indian short” variety , respectively. The maximum benefit cost ratio (BCR) was 2.21, observed in “BINA Sarisha-9”. Besides, BCR 1.71 and 1.66 were for “BARI Sarisha-14” and “Japanese Sarisha”, respectively. The findings of the study suggested that “BINA Sarisha-9”, “BARI Sarisha-14”, and “Japanese Sarisha” would be suitable for better productivity and recommended for cultivation in the medium highland of Chapai Nawabganj district of Bangladesh.

The evaluation and cost-benefit analysis of a nonemergency private transportation program for low-income adults in a rural setting

BackgroundAccess to transportation can improve the health of communities. Since 2015, Project TRIP (Transporting Residents with Innovative Practices) has offered free nonemergency privately operated individualized transportation for low-income residents in rural eastern North Carolina. We sought to evaluate the impact of Project TRIP on health outcome and healthcare utilization measures and to conduct an economic evaluation of its cost benefit. MethodsKey health outcome and healthcare utilization variables were compared across 101 Project TRIP users before and after TRIP participation via data obtained from electronic health records from 2017 to 2021. The cost-benefit analysis included a comparison of the costs of operating Project TRIP as compared to the savings of fewer hospital and emergency department admissions. Pre and post TRIP comparisons were analyzed on the following: A1C scores, no show/missed appointments, body weight, body mass index, and number of emergency room and hospital admissions. ResultsOver half (58%) of Project TRIP users were female with a mean age of 54. Most riders were Black (69%), either received Medicaid (32%) or Medicare (17%) or were uninsured (22%). All variables showed a decrease (improvement) post TRIP utilization. The average A1C level decreased by 0.52 post TRIP utilization (statistically significant at 10% level). The number of hospital admissions also decreased (statistically significant at 1% level) for TRIP users. Other key measures also improved for TRIP users but not at statistically significant levels. The estimated net savings of Project TRIP in hospital and emergency room visits alone after deducting operating costs in the past 5 years was $720,544. ConclusionsThis study found that access to a non-emergency medical transportation program was cost-effective in reducing emergency room and hospital expenditures. Project TRIP users demonstrated an improvement in health outcomes post TRIP utilization. Expanding model rural transit programs and policies are needed.