Cost-benefit Research Articles

IOT-Enabled Smart Healthcare: Developing Predictive Models for Chronic Disease Management Using Wearable Sensors

Abstract: Real-time monitoring and prediction models will be used to assess the efficiency of the IoT-enabled smart healthcare solutions in managing chronic diseases. From this study, in addition to the quantitative data, including the performance of the model, patient engagement, and cost savings, qualitative information obtained from the patients and healthcare professionals will be employed using a mixed-methods research approach. This collected rich data from surveys, performance measurements, real-time monitoring data, and cost analyses with 50 health professionals and 200 chronic disease patients. The results of the study indicate that predictive models, more particularly the Neural Network, enhanced the ability to identify cases of chronic illness with an accuracy of 92.4%. Extremely high patient satisfaction rates: 9.0 out of 10. Real-time monitoring shows hospital admissions falling by as much as 50% among those suffering with respiratory disease. Cost-benefit analysis also documented financial sustainability, with overall annual cost reduction at 43.3%. Soon after implementation, usage metrics also revealed that the average user uses it three times a day, while patient-provider interactions increased by 150%. This study highlights how IoT technologies would benefit patients' clinical conditions, improve chronic disease management, and save healthcare expenses.

Comprehensive Analysis of Implementing Robotics in the Indian Construction Industry

Implementing robotics in the Indian construction industry presents a significant opportunity to address longstanding challenges such as labour shortages, project delays, safety concerns, and quality inconsistencies. As India's urbanization accelerates, the demand for faster, safer, and more efficient construction processes is growing. This comprehensive analysis explores the potential benefits, obstacles, and strategies associated with adopting robotics in India’s construction sector. Key drivers include increasing automation trends, government initiatives like "Make in India," and the global shift toward smart infrastructure. However, challenges such as high initial investment, a fragmented industry structure, and the need for skilled operators and technicians could hinder widespread adoption. The analysis also highlights the role of robotics in enhancing productivity, reducing construction costs, and improving worker safety through a cost-benefit analysis, ultimately paving the way for more sustainable and advanced construction methodologies in India.

Cost-benefit analysis: just a step in the HIA process

Abstract The economic analysis within Health Impact Assessments (HIA) is a critical component in informing public policy decisions by assessing the financial implications of health outcomes associated with the different intervention options. Health metrics play a role defining the cost-effectiveness and societal value associated with the interventions. These metrics, quantifying the health impacts, include quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), years of life lost (YLLs) or disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). On another level, such metrics need to be translated into cost-effectiveness and societal value in which other methods play a role, such as the value of statistical life (VSL) or the value of a life year (VOLY). While VSL quantifies the value individuals place on reducing mortality risk, VOLY evaluates the value attributed to extending life expectancy. On another hand, uncertainties related to economic valuation pose challenges to the accuracy and reliability of cost estimates within HIA. These come from several factors, including data quality, methodological differences across studies, and subjective judgments involved in valuing health states. In fact, estimating the economic value of a prevented death involves multifaceted considerations and important assumptions. Additionally, assigning monetary values to non-fatal health outcomes, such as disability or reduced quality of life, involves subjective assessments and value judgments. By selecting appropriate metrics, considering diverse data sources, and addressing methodological steps and uncertainties, HIA practitioners can improve the utility of economic assessments, facilitating evidence-based decision-making in public health policy and resource allocation. This work was supported by National Funds through FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia,I.P., within CINTESIS, R&D Unit (reference UIDP/4255/2020).

Measuring the economic impact of environmental stressors on health

Abstract Environmental stressors are an important source of burden of disease worldwide. The accurate economic evaluation of health hazards caused by environmental stressors guide the design of more effective and comprehensive public policies. However, guidelines on cost assessment, monetisation and discounting methodologies are scarce. Therefore, several different methodologies are applied in multiple contexts, making comparability difficult. Within BEST-COST, methods for monetising health hazards caused by environmental stressors are identified and described based on a systematic review approach. An electronic search was performed in Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and Econlit, alongside with grey literature and citation and reference tracking identifying all relevant studies. Different methods are identified, such as value of a statistical life (VSL) and value of a life year (VOLY), as well as specificities from data collection to modelling for the economic evaluation. These methods may be categorised based on their approach (market-based or non-market based), perspective of analysis (payer, patient or societal) and health measures. In this presentation, the various key methodologies to assess the economic impact of environmental stressors on health will be introduced and demonstrated. Through these insights, workshop participants will be supported in performing health impact assessments and cost-benefit analyses, which play a pivotal role in informing public policies that impact environment and subsequently health.

Social Cost Benefit Analysis – a powerful tool for decision making

Abstract Health Impact Assessment provides policy makers with important information about health effects of programs, policies, plans or projects (PPPP). However, PPPP may have many more effects, both positive and negative, direct and indirect, intended and unintended, immediate and in the far future. Ex-ante insights in all these effects may help policy makers to optimize decision-making, but also to communicate realistically to all stakeholders about the PPPP. Weighing effects that may be very different in scale and reach different stakeholders in different ways is inevitable. One powerful tool to help decision makers in this task is Social Cost Benefit Analysis (SCBA). SCBA requires to specify and quantify all effects of PPPP over a specified time horizon. It is also necessary to specify a base-case scenario, i.e. how the problem under study would develop without further investments in PPPP. All effects of PPPP need to be quantified in monetary terms, these can be financial, e.g. healthcare costs or costs of productivity losses, or non-financial, for instance by placing a value of €50,000 on a QALY gained or a DALY averted or a value of €3,5 million on a lost life. PPPP with positive net monetary value are considered welfare enhancing, while PPPP with a negative monetary value do not add to welfare in society. In the Netherlands, government asks any bigger PPPP to be quantified with SCBA methodology. Guidance on unit values for non-monetary effects is given. This contribution will elaborate on results of the SCBA method for different alcohol policy measures, such as increase in excise taxes, minimum unit pricing, closure of vending spots and a total marketing ban. SCBA is a powerful tool to inform policy makers and assist in their decision making processes. It is also a labour and data intensive process that should only be used for larger PPPP investments and not for local decision making.

An overview and comparison of approaches used for health policy analysis: What to use and when?

Abstract Background Public health challenges are complex and analyzing them requires advanced approaches such as, societal cost-benefit analysis (SCBA), health impact assessment (HIA), and strategic foresight. Analyzing health policy is a multifaceted process, and depends on, among others, the scope, approach, and policy goals. Given this complex and multifaceted nature, it is not always clear which approach to use, and how the approaches can complement each other. Therefore, health policy analysis could benefit from practical and explicit guidance regarding clear identification of cases and types of analysis. Hence in this paper we aim to develop a framework that can provide this guidance. Methods In this paper we describe the differences and similarities of three distinct health policy assessment approaches, SCBA (an economic evaluation approach that takes into account the impact on society as a whole), HIA (is a combination of tools that focus on evaluating the potential health effects of a given policy) and strategic foresight (a systematic and participatory approach used to anticipate and plan for future trends and uncertainties that may impact policy), their application, and how they can complement each other within the field of public health. A framework that can be used when deciding which health policy approach to use for a given case will be developed, based on existing literature, frameworks, and a case study. Discussion This paper contributes to knowledge on health policy analysis and towards efficiency and clarity in analyses conducted in this field. Key messages • There is little guidance regarding how to conduct health policy analysis. • Clear guidance on which approaches to use and how they complement each other will contribute towards efficiency and clarity in health policy analysis.

Scalability and Replicability Analysis in Smart Grid Demonstration Projects: Lessons Learned and Future Needs

This paper compares various approaches to the scalability and replicability analysis (SRA) of smart grid pilot projects, highlighting the need for a comprehensive SRA methodology as called for by the European Commission and International Energy Agency. This study addresses the need for a standardized SRA methodology and explores how three EU-funded projects—Platone, EUniversal, and IElectrix—adapted the general guidelines developed by the BRIDGE initiative. These guidelines provide recommendations for developing a comprehensive large-scale deployment analysis. The results show that while the guidelines are usable and flexible, project-specific conditions and data availability limitations—particularly in regulatory and technical analysis—can pose challenges. Some key recommendations to overcome these and facilitate future applications are identified. These include defining SRA methodologies and securing data-sharing agreements early. The lack of standardized approaches for presenting SRA results hampers cross-project comparison. Thus, creating an open-use case repository and updating the BRIDGE guidelines with more detailed examples, benchmarks, and reference networks is recommended. Additionally, linking SRA with cost–benefit analysis (CBA) is suggested in order to evaluate the commercial viability of smart grid solutions. The paper concludes that while the BRIDGE guidelines have proven to be fit for purpose, further developments are needed to facilitate their practical application in real-world projects.

Cost/Benefit Analysis (CBA) for Legislative Agenda in Nigeria

Cost/Benefit Analysis (CBA) for Legislative Agenda in Nigeria

Use of Supporting Documents: Cost-Benefit Analysis in Legislative Drafting

Use of Supporting Documents: Cost-Benefit Analysis in Legislative Drafting

Carbon Neutral Strategies in the Case of Google Inc: A Case Study of Carbon Offset Mechanisms and Renewable Energy Projects

Abstract: Facing the serious challenge of global climate change, Google Inc. has adopted a series of innovative strategies to reduce its carbon footprint and promote corporate sustainability. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of how Google reduces carbon emissions and promotes sustainable development through a series of innovative measures, including large-scale investment in renewable energy, improving data center efficiency, implementing carbon offset projects, and promoting technological innovation in the field of transportation. These actions demonstrate Google's commitment to environmental protection and provide a model for other companies to follow. The study evaluated the economic feasibility and environmental benefits of Google's strategies through a cost-benefit analysis. The results show that despite technical challenges and market uncertainty, Google's environmental investments can bring significant economic benefits in the long term while having a positive impact on the environment. These strategies help Google achieve its carbon neutrality goals and provide momentum for the global transition to a low-carbon economy. In addition, the study emphasizes the importance of socio-cultural factors in promoting environmental strategies. Google has raised public awareness of climate change and enhanced social support for environmental actions through community involvement and educational programs. These findings reveal the need for companies to adopt environmental protection measures in the context of globalization and provide practical guidance for other organizations to implement sustainable development strategies.

Optimizing Productivity and Economics of Maize + Legumes Intercropping: A Study on the Impact of Natural and Organic Farming Practices

Background: Excessive use of chemical fertilizers in a cropping system adversely affects the soil health and crop productivity. To ensure food security, nutritional balance and environmental sustainability, a shift towards eco-friendly organic farming based agricultural systems was imperative. But it also poses challenges for small farmers who owe a small number of animals and they need to purchase bulk organic manures. Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) emerges as an alternate and advocate for low-input, climate-resilient practices which include beejamrit, jeevamrit, achhadana and whapasa. With the aim of increasing the production of the crops per unit area in the present study, different intervals (14, 21 and 28 days) of jeevamrit under natural farming plots and matka khad (30 days interval) under organic farming plots were tested in different maize based intercropping systems. Methods: A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2020 and 2021 at the Zero Budget Natural Farm (ZBNF), Department of Organic Agriculture and Natural Farming, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur. The experiment was comprised of thirteen treatments which were tested in randomized block design with three replications. Result: Among different treatments significantly higher values of yield attributes and yield of maize were recorded under maize + lobia and jeevamrit spray at 14 days interval during kharif 2020 and maize + soybean and jeevamrit spray at 14 days interval during kharif 2021. In case of economics, higher gross returns, net returns and benefit cost ratio were recorded under maize + soybean and jeevamrit spray at 14 days interval during kharif 2020, whereas during kharif 2021, maize + soybean and matka khad spray at 30 days interval resulted in the highest returns.

A comparison of visual and molecular methods for inferring biological communities in aquaculture enriched sediments - Impact assessment and cost-benefit analysis

Nutrients introduced to the environment by finfish aquaculture pose environmental risks, which can be mitigated by robust environmental monitoring. Biological communities in soft sediments are good indicators of aquaculture derived environmental changes. Traditionally, monitoring programs have visually surveyed macrofauna communities. However, DNA metabarcoding is a potentially more efficient alternative. We compared alpha diversity, multivariate dispersion and taxonomic composition of macrofauna communities with metabarcoding derived bacterial and eukaryote communities along an organic enrichment gradient at a salmon farm in Tasmania, Australia. Additionally, we conducted a cost-benefit analysis comparing the approaches. All methods identified indicator taxa that changed in abundance over the enrichment gradient. Macrofauna analysis was the most sensitive method for detecting changes in alpha diversity, while metabarcoding was most sensitive for multivariate dispersion. Taxonomic composition of animal communities derived from the two methods differed drastically. Metabarcoding was cheaper than macrofauna for ≥93 samples and quicker for ≥14 samples.

New Linked Employee-Employer Data Show Workforce Composition Is Associated With Health Insurance Offers Among Small Employers.

Decades of research shows that small firms are much less likely to offer health insurance than large firms, but less is known about differences among small employers. We examine this issue using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey-Insurance Component with Administrative Records (MEPS-ICAR), a unique employer-employee linked data set that is constructed by matching the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey-Insurance Component (MEPS-IC) to Internal Revenue Service administrative records and the Decennial Census. Multivariate analyses show that among firms with fewer than 50 workers, the probability that workers receive an insurance offer is positively associated with higher median workforce incomes, and conditional offers of dependent coverage increase when the majority of workers are married or from a family with at least three members. This first application of the MEPS-ICAR highlights the significance of workforce characteristics in shaping small employer insurance benefits and the data's usefulness for expanding analyses of policy changes, wage-benefit tradeoffs, and health insurance benefits.

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.