Economically Research Articles

Алгоритм диагностики уровня экономической безопасности холдинговых структур

The article discusses ways to diagnose the state of economic security of enterprises, including those that make up holding structures. The methods of conducting an analysis of economic security and methods for determining threshold values are analyzed and presented in the form of a table. The security of the holding structure is based on the results of economic analysis, statistical data, and methods for determining thresholds.

Catalytic methane decomposition on CNT-supported Fe-catalysts

Methane, either as natural gas or as a resource obtained from various bioprocesses (e.g., digestion, landfill) can be converted to carbon and hydrogen according to.CH4(g)→C(s)+2H2(g)ΔH298K=74.8kJ/mol.Previous research has stressed the growing importance of substituting the high-temperature Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) by a moderate temperature Catalytic Methane Decomposition (CMD). The carbon formed is moreover of nanotube nature, in high industrial demand.To avoid the use of an inert support for the active catalyst species, e.g., Al2O3 for Fe, leading to a progressive contamination of the catalyst by support debris and coking of the catalyst, the present research investigates the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as Fe-support.Average CH4 conversions of 75–85% are obtained at 700 °C for a continuous operation of 40 h. The produced CNT from the methane conversion can be continuously removed from the catalyst bed by carry-over due to its bulk density difference (∼120 kg/m3) with the catalyst itself (∼1500 kg/m3). CNT properties are fully specified. No thermal regeneration of the catalyst is required.A tentative process layout and economic analysis demonstrate the scalability of the process and the very competitive production costs of H2 and CNT.

Abbott realtime MTB assay for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in respiratory specimens: a cost-benefit analysis.

Molecular screening for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) can lead to rapid empirical treatment inception and reduce hospitalization time and complementary diagnostic tests. However, in low-prevalence settings, the cost-benefit balance remains controversial due to the high cost. We used a Markov model to perform an economic analysis to evaluate the profit after implementing molecular MTB screening (Period B) compared with conventional culture testing (Period A) in respiratory samples from 7,452 consecutive subjects with presumed tuberculosis (TB). The proportion of positivity was comparable between both periods (P > 0.05), with a total of 2.16 and 1.78 samples/patient requested in periods A and B, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean length of hospital stay was 8.66 days (95%CI: 7.63-9.70) in Period B and 11.51 days (95%CI: 10.15-12.87) in Period A (P = 0.001). The healthcare costs associated with diagnosing patients with presumed TB were reduced by €717.95 per patient with PCR screening. The probability of remaining hospitalized and the need for a greater number of outpatient specialty care visits were the variables with the most weight in the model. Employing PCR as an MTB screening method in a low-prevalence setting may increase the profits to the system.

Productive and Ruminal Microbiological Behavior of Sheep Fed with Two Levels of Dehydrated Orange Residue

Objective: To evaluate the productive and ruminal microbiological behavior of sheep fed with two levels of dehydrated orange residue (DOR). Design/methodology/approach: Thirty Dorper x Katahdin crossbred male sheep with an average live weight of 22 ± 1.0 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design, with three treatments and ten repetitions. The distribution of treatments was as follows: T1 = diet with 0% DOR (control), T2 = diet with 15% DOR, and T3 = diet with 30% DOR. The variables evaluated were daily weight gain, dry matter intake, feed conversion, ruminal pH, and microbiological analysis. Results: There were no significant differences (p&gt;0.05) in the productive variables due to the inclusion of DOR in the diet. Similarly, the concentration of ruminal microorganisms did not present significant differences between treatments. Study limitations/implications: The study did not include an economic analysis that would demonstrate a reduction in production costs by decreasing the inclusion of maize in the diet. Conclusions: Maize grain is one of the most commonly used cereals as an energy source in sheep feeding; however, it can be replaced by DOR up to 30% without affecting the productive and ruminal microbiological variables in fattening sheep.

Profitability of Soymilk Processing: Implications for Upscaling among Small Scale Enterprises

The profitability of soymilk processing with implications for scaling up among small-scale enterprises was investigated based on data which emanated from the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&amp;T), Moor Plantation, Apata Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. Soymilk, a plant-based product, has gained popularity as a nutritious and sustainable substitute for dairy milk, prompting interest in its production in a commercialized way. In order to establish profitability and upscaling, an economic analysis of soymilk processed at the Institute was carried out on five (5) treatments using two (2) different methods. The partial budgetary and gross margin analysis were used to evaluate the profitability of the soymilk processed. The research outcome showed that treatment Mch2-3.0Syb-3cps was the best with the least cost. Treatment Mch2-3.0Syb-3cps had a positive net benefit of ₦4,090, an incremental net benefit of ₦435, an incremental cost of ₦915 and a marginal rate of returns of 47.54. This implies that compared to other treatments, the Mch2-3.0Syb-3cps method of soymilk processing would give an additional 45.54 litres of soymilk for every ₦1 spent in processing soymilk, which is the highest compared to other treatments. The findings suggest that soymilk processing holds promise as a profitable business if this treatment is adopted and upscaled.

Polypropylene waste plastic fiber morphology as an influencing factor on the performance and durability of concrete: Experimental investigation, soft-computing modeling, and economic analysis

The increasing waste of plastic masses raises the danger alarm due to its adverse impacts on people and the natural environment. Hence, serious attempts should be made to manage this non-biodegradable waste for practical, sustainable, and sufficient uses, such as in construction. This research discusses experimentally the possibility of improving the behavior of concrete reinforced with waste plastic fibers (WPFs) from food trays by examining the effect of fibers morphology on concrete's mechanical properties and durability. This concept was intensively studied for steel fibers but rarely for WPFs. A 0.6 percentage of 30 mm long straight, spiral, and channel fibers were tested and compared. Compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths, impact resistance, water absorption, rapid chloride penetration tests, and microstructural analysis were conducted. The results revealed that the fibers shape influences the mechanical behavior along with the water absorption considerably, and that the spiral fibers exhibited superior performance compared to the other shapes. The mechanical properties of spiral fibers specimens have improved considerably compared to specimens of other shapes. However, the ion chloride penetration resistance did not witness any substantial improvement, and the brittle fracture of concrete did not change by using WPFs, despite the considerable increase of more than 66 % of the impact resistance of specimens with spiral fibers. According to the findings, spiral WPFs enhance concrete's behavior, making WPF implementation in concrete more efficient from an environmental and structural standpoint. Moreover, machine learning modeling and cost/benefit analysis were conducted in this work to better understand the WPF effect on concrete.

The development of fishery-photovoltaic complementary industry and the studies on its environmental, ecological and economic effects in China: A review

The fishery-photovoltaic complementary industry is an emerging industrial model in China that integrates aquaculture with the solar industry. This innovative model involves conducting aquaculture activities while installing photovoltaic modules on the water surface to harness solar energy for electricity generation. However, despite its rapid growth in China, this model lacks substantial scientific data support across various domains. Therefore, based on an analysis of relevant research literature, this study reviews the current development status, environmental and economic effects, as well as challenges faced by the fishery-photovoltaic complementary industry in China. The aim is to provide scientific references for promoting sustainable development within this sector. The findings reveal that existing fishery-photovoltaic complementary industry projects are primarily concentrated in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and Pearl River Basin. The geographical distribution of these projects is predominantly influenced by local aquaculture areas and available solar energy resources, with a greater impact observed from the former rather than the latter. During summer months when water is shaded by photovoltaic panels, a slight decrease in the average water quality parameters across cases was observed, such as a decrease of 0.2 units in pH, a decrease of 1.06 °C in water temperature, a decrease in dissolved oxygen levels of 0.8 mg/L, inorganic nitrogen content and total phosphorus concentration dropped by 0.08 mg/L and 0.02 mg/L respectively. Conversely, there is a moderate increase noted in total nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen levels. The conclusion of the effect on phytoplankton biomass is not uniform, but it will certainly reduce zooplankton biomass. The impact on the species diversity of the zooplankton community was minimal, and its direction, whether positive or negative, varied depending on the specific aquatic ecosystem. A certain degree of shade is advantageous for the cultivation of shade-loving fish. Through the strategic deployment of photovoltaic panels and the implementation of scientific stocking practices, it is possible to achieve sustained levels of fisheries production. This model also can reduce an average of 978.6 tons of CO2 emissions per megawatt per year through energy production, thus achieving the combined goals of energy conservation and emissions reduction, and ensuring the profitability of power generation. Additionally, compared with the land utilization area of 3.66 hm2 per megawatt of traditional ground-mounted photovoltaics, fishery-photovoltaic complementary only requires 1.64 hm2, which can significantly save land resources by utilizing water surfaces, which mitigates the conflict between land use for agriculture and renewable energy installations. At the same time, research also pointed out that the existence of fishery-photovoltaic complementary will inevitably have some negative impacts on bird communities. Economic analyses indicate that while initial infrastructure costs and long payback periods pose challenges, the overall economic feasibility is promising, especially with governmental support and technological advancements. However, several challenges need to be addressed for further development: these include difficulties associated with infrastructure construction and initial costs, long payback periods; insufficient experience and technical support; as well as a lack of research on ecological and environmental impacts - particularly an urgent need for comprehensive life cycle assessments encompassing both environmental and economic aspects. Future research should focus on life cycle assessments, improved PV technology integration, and optimized aquaculture practices.

The impact of creative tourism on inclusive economic growth

The purpose of the article is to compile the author's characteristics of the values of inclusive tourism and creative development in an inclusive economy based on the analysis of international works of researchers, classification of the values of inclusive development and creative growth in the study of the influence of creative tourism on inclusive economic growth, to determine the level of priority indicators affecting economic growth, to determine the significance in the proportion of several indicators. The regulatory mechanisms necessary for the formation of the necessary level of creative tourism development in the study of development directions in inclusive economic growth are proposed. The relevance of the article lies in the fact that the dynamic development of tourism in the inclusive economic growth of the world's countries is becoming the main topic of research of the United Nations, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development, the World Bank and the whole world. In this regard, since 2021, the Republic of Kazakhstan has also embarked on the development of creative tourism along an inclusive path towards a creative economy. During the research of the article, methods of analyzing various indicators of sustainability, arithmetic mean estimation of the studied indicators and the significance of their specific weight, economic and statistical analysis, generalization, comparison were used. In conclusion, the various effects of several indicators on overall sustainability are identified, the priority weight of inclusive indicators in the development of tourism is determined, through the results obtained, to propose integrated approaches as a means of integration and systematization in ensuring the necessary level in the development of tourism.

Techno economic (TE) analysis of ENCON measures and energy efficient opportunities for the machinery in the engineering workshop

Techno economic (TE) analysis of ENCON measures and energy efficient opportunities for the machinery in the engineering workshop

Yield and economic feasibility of Eucalyptus dunnii stands under different management regimes

The aim of this study was to analyze volume yield, number of logs per assortment and economic feasibility of Eucalyptus dunnii stands under different management regimes. The stands are located in Fernandes Pinheiro, Paraná State, Brazil and cover a total area of 2.26 hectares, fragmented into three strata (treatments): A (8 years after coppicing regime), B (9-year old stand after two thinnings), and C (7-year old stand after one thinning). Diameters at breast height (d) of all trees and heights of 110 trees were obtained. The total height of the other trees was estimated by a hypsometric relationship. Tree volume was obtained through a taper function. For the economic analysis comparing the three strata, the periodic equivalent value (PEV) and the internal return rate (IRR) were evaluated considering an interest rate of 8%. The commercial volumetric estimates ranged from 156.61 to 375.53 m³ ha⁻¹. The stratum A yielded more logs, mostly for energy; stratum B yielded larger logs, and stratum C yielded similar number and volume of logs from all assortment classes. For economic analysis, PEV ranged from R$ 196.16 to R$ 1,255.79 ha year⁻¹, and IRR ranged from 12.73% per year (stratum A) to 21.35% per year (stratum C), based on a interest rate of 8%. It was concluded that the management condition of stratum C resulted in higher economic returns, with its product primarily destined for Sawmill 1.

Deficit Irrigation of Forage Cactus (Opuntia stricta) with Brackish Water: Impacts on Growth, Productivity, and Economic Viability under Evapotranspiration-Based Management

Climate change significantly impacts agriculture and forage production, requiring the implementation of strategies toward increased water and energy use efficiency. So, this study investigated the yield of forage cactus (Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw) under different irrigation depths using brackish groundwater (1.7 dS m−1), whose management was based on reference evapotranspiration (ETo) estimated by the Hargreave–Samani (HS) and Penman–Monteith (PM) equations. The research was conducted in Independência, Ceará, Brazil, under the tropical semi-arid climate. A randomized block design in a 2 × 5 factorial scheme was employed, varying the ET0 estimation equations (HS and PM) and irrigation levels (0; 20; 40; 70; and 100% of total required irrigation—TRI). Growth, productivity, and water use efficiency variables were evaluated at 6, 12, and 18 months after treatment initiation. The economic analysis focused on added value, farmer income, and social reproduction level. The results showed no isolated effect of the equations or their interaction with irrigation depths on the analyzed variables, suggesting that irrigation management can be effectively performed using the simpler HS equation. Furthermore, there was no statistical difference between the means of 100% and 70% TRI as well as between 70% and 40% TRI for most variables. This indicates satisfactory crop yield under deficit irrigation. Dry matter productivity and farmer income at 12 months resulting from complementary irrigation with depths between 40% and 70% of TRI were significantly higher than under rainfed conditions. The 70% depth resulted in yields equivalent to those at 100% TRI, with the social reproduction level being achieved on 0.65 hectares in the second year.

Probability ogives for trends in stock biomass and fishing mortality from landings time series

AbstractMost fisheries are conducted without any scientific knowledge about the size and productivity of the stocks that support them. This navigation in the dark in most fisheries is a major obstacle in making them sustainable sources of nutrition for people in general and income for fishers and other economic actors along supply chains. Fisheries that have not been assessed generally are data‐intermediate and data‐poor, the latter usually having annual time series of landings as the single piece of data available. A major effort in the last two decades has been directed toward developing ‘catch‐only’ stock assessment methods, although some of these methods have been tested and found deficient. Here we provide a novel approach to using annual landing time series as the single source of data to qualitatively judge the condition of un‐assessed stocks using frequentist cumulative probability ogives, both in terms of stock biomass and fishing mortality. A meta‐analysis of the FishSource database allowed us to infer statistical patterns from hundreds of assessed fisheries and thousands of annual landings, biomass, and fishing mortality observations. Four stock‐management types were considered separately in the analysis: short‐lived and others (mid‐ to long‐lived) stocks, controlled or not controlled by catch limits. Obtained cumulative probability ogives provide clear evaluations of stock biomass and fishing mortality trends in all four stock‐management types, leading to actionable information on probable current status and future trends. Using these probability ogives, we developed decision trees that lead to qualitative scores on the exploitation status of un‐assessed stocks.

A systematic review of aspects of NUDT15 pharmacogenomic variants and thiopurine-induced myelosuppression

Abstract Objectives Evidence for NUDT15 pharmacogenomic variants and thiopurine-induced myelosuppression (TIM), consists predominantly of association data in Asian, mixed variant homozygote/heterozygote populations. We therefore sought evidence on; (i) NUDT15 genotype-guided thiopurine dosing. (ii) Association data for TIM in NUDT15 variant heterozygotes with inflammatory bowel disease. (iii) Association data for NUDT15 variants with TIM in Europeans. (iv) Health economic data for NUDT15 genotyping in inflammatory bowel disease. Methods A systematic review was conducted, consisting of database searches, screening against pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria, and assessment of risk of bias using study-specific appraisal tools. Key findings Titles/abstracts of 493 articles were screened, with 29 studies included. (i) Significant reductions in TIM with genotype-guided thiopurine dosing were reported by both trials and a cohort study. (ii) TIM rates were significantly higher in NUDT15*3 heterozygotes vs. wild type. Data were conflicting for rarer variants. (iii) Four of five studies reported an association with TIM for at least one or a combination of NUDT15 variants in Europeans (OR 9.5–38.2), but data were conflicting. (iv) Both health economic analyses found TPMT/NUDT15 genotyping cost-effective in Asian populations, but not when a European population was considered. Conclusion Limited data showed an association with TIM in NUDT15 variant heterozygotes and Europeans and the potential for genotype-guided dosing to reduce TIM. Studies were generally small, heterogenous, and of variable quality. The low prevalence of rarer NUDT15 variants/variants in Europeans likely contributed to contradictory findings. Further research on the clinical utility of genotyping in diverse populations will help inform future economic analyses.

«ЗЕЛЕНИЙ» ОБЛІК В УКРАЇНІ ТА ЗА ЇЇ МЕЖАМИ: НАБУТТЯ ДОСВІДУ

The existent approaches to a «green» account need to examine not only, from the necessity of maintenance of natural resources and guard of environment, but also as a process that integrates life with social aspects, by financial operations and influences on all spheres of economic activity and its safety. Therefore, using experience of foreign countries, it need green account to implement to the different spheres of national economy, applying the wide set of tools of analysis, evaluation, audit, monitoring and digitalization. The purpose of the research is expansion of limits of perception of «green» account in a theory and practice of instrument of management modern socio-economic development as on the level development level of separate business of region and national economy. The object of the research is a process of expansion the traditional account and including for its of instruments of ecology and social responsibility of business. The method of the research became modern methods and principles of scientific cognition, methods and methodologies of realization of audit, instruments of financial and economic analysis, principles of social responsibility of business that will allow to enter the existent approaches a «green account» in a modern theory and practice of traditional account that influences on steady and stability of national economy. The hypothesis of the research became a supposition about possibility of introduction of foreign mechanisms and instruments of «green» account in a theory in practice of traditional account. The statement of basic materials. It is well-proven that the task of «green» account there is harmonization the protection of environment with socio-economic and technological activity with helps by means of account instruments. It is confirmed, that a «green» account becomes the constituent of conception of steady development today, what proclaimed UN, and its main tendencies spread the input of the ecological development systems on all levels of management, using renewable energy, diminishing contamination of air, water, abbreviating the volumes of placing of wastes and so on. It is offered to the existent types of public account to add an ecological audit, which is sent to the search verification of observance of real ecological internals, standards and requirements that is pulled out by society. It is marked that «green» account allows obtaining information about charges and receipts of ecological benefits, which helps administrative composition to control, make decision, report and protect an environment. It is showed the list of benefits reasonable that it is possible to get if input of foreign experience of the using «green» account in the traditional system of account in Ukraine. The originality and practical significance of the research are confirmed by the ground of necessity of the using all elements, instruments and constituents of «green» account at a traditional account. Conclusions and perspectives of further research. It is well-proven that it is necessary to change approaches to «green» account, especially in a post-war period, because «green» account includes the economic, social and evaluation ecological aspects of enterprises activity that should be concerted with the landscape of country and its territories. A «green» account now become control system by all ecological charges that take into attention different general interests for strengthening of ecological state and socio-economic safety of environment. And this situation are allowing the determination of standards, rules and criteria, which should be reasonable and codification on the basis of certain practical experience, with bringing competent domestic and international organizations to forming of the special standards of «green» account for inhibition and normalization of ecological and socio-economic situation in a country and its territories. Further researches will be sent to the input of the special educational programs on the first, second and third educational levels and on the courses of in-plant training all professional directions that are the experience of successful global development of world community.

Adsorption and storage of hydrogen- A computational model approach

Due to the imperative global energy transition crisis, hydrogen storage and adsorption technologies are becoming popular with the growing hydrogen economy. Recently, complex hydrides have been one of the most reliable materials for storing and transporting hydrogen gas to various fuel cells to generate clean energy with zero carbon emissions. With the ever-increasing carbon emissions, it is necessary to substitute the current energy sources with green hydrogen-based efficient energy-integrated systems. Herein, we propose an input-output model that comprehends complex hydrides such as lithium and magnesium alanates, amides and borohydrides to predict, estimate, and directly analyse hydrogen storage and adsorption. A critical and thorough comparative analysis of the respective complex hydrides for hydrogen adsorption and storage is discussed, elucidating the storage applications in water bodies. Several industrial scale-up processes, economic analysis, and plant design of hydrogen storage and adsorption approaches are suggested through volumetric and gravimetric calculations.

Comments of the Auditing Standards Committee of the Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association on the PCAOB’s Proposal on Firm and Engagement Metrics

SUMMARY On April 9, 2024, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the Board or PCAOB) issued a request for comment on its proposal Firm and Engagement Metrics (PCAOB 2024a). This comment letter summarizes the views of the participating members of the Auditing Standards Committee of the Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association. We commend the PCAOB for its efforts to promote audit quality by emphasizing firm and engagement metrics. Based on our evaluation of the proposal, we offer some overall observations, key takeaways from academic research, and perspectives on the PCAOB’s economic analysis.

Clinical and economic evaluation of tralokinumab for atopic dermatitis.

Tralokinumab is the first selective interleukin 13 inhibitor approved for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. This article reports the findings of a comprehensive literature review and extensive economic analysis to assess tralokinumab's safety, effectiveness, and cost. Evidence synthesis involved evaluating comparative effectiveness and conducting economic sensitivity analyses. This review was prepared by the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) Student Chapter. The student author group won the AMCP National Pharmacy and Therapeutics competition for their tralokinumab product review in March 2023.

Economic analysis and competition policy practice: A comparative empirical examination

This paper contributes to empirical studies of competition policy enforcement. The study applies an empirical approach to measure the extent of economic analysis (legal standard) applied by competition authorities in antitrust cases by leading developing countries, namely, Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa (4 out of 5 BRICS countries). Using antitrust case-by-case information we explore the level, dynamics, and convergence of legal standards in antitrust investigations. The results indicate that the countries differ in the legal standard used, even on the same conduct type under investigation. On average, competition authorities in Brazil and India apply higher legal standards than those in Russia and South Africa. The ranking of legal standards by conduct groups differs as well, with vertical agreements and abuse of dominance cases having the highest levels. There is no evidence of an increasing trend or convergence in the legal standard in antitrust investigations, either between cases of the same conduct group or between countries investigated. This study also does not find unambiguous evidence on the effect of resources (funding and staff) on legal standards or on the consistency of case-specific analysis.

Comments of the Auditing Standards Committee of the Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association on the PCAOB’s Proposal on Firm Reporting

SUMMARY On April 9, 2024, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the Board or PCAOB) issued a request for comment on its proposal Firm Reporting (PCAOB 2024). This comment letter summarizes the views of the participating members of the Auditing Standards Committee of the Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association. We commend the PCAOB for its efforts to promote audit firm transparency. Our comments include overall observations and perspectives on the Board’s economic analysis.

A novel solar-aided NOx removal system in peaking power plants

Solar–coal hybrid power generation achieves the production of efficient, clean, and low-carbon electricity. The association between solar heat and selective catalytic reduction NOx removal (SCR de-NOx) can lead to the development of a novel solar-aided NOx removal system for peaking power plants. In this study, a novel system was proposed, in which large amount of flat-plate and small amount of trough solar energies were integrated to optimise the SCR de-NOx and energy utilisation in the boiler tail. Thermodynamic, NOx removal, and economic analyses were performed. For a typical peaking unit, the proposed system produced 14.6 MWe of solar-generated electric power and exhibited a high solar-to-electricity efficiency of 30.15 %. The integrated solar heat significantly increased the SCR de-NOx temperature and NOx removal efficiency. Based on its outstanding solar conversion performance, the proposed system achieved a net annual benefit (NAB) of 24.01 million Chinese yuan (CNY) and maintained a low cost of solar-generated electricity (COEs) of 0.56 CNY/kWh. Based on cascade utilisation of solar thermal energy, the proposed system achieved high performance under all loads and significantly improved the NOx removal performance under low and medium loads, especially for peaking power plants.