Economic Benefits Research Articles

Enhancing Climate Resiliency Through Improving Ecosystem Services in Shoreline Municipalities – Lessons from Canada

The accelerated impacts of climate change in waterfront areas and the proven inefficacy of the aging hardened shoreline infrastructure have driven shoreline management practices to evolve toward the enhancement of ecosystem services at the land-water interface. Gaining momentum as an adaptive approach in regenerative projects, living shorelines are comprised of natural ecosystem components used in combination or in place of traditional hard engineering methods to provide coastal protective services and erosion mitigation. The success of living shorelines in protecting shoreline property and ecosystem integrity varies based on the biogeomorphology and hydrology of the region and is also heavily reliant on social acceptance of the chosen approach and best practice for implementation. The relatively lower lifecycle cost and associated co-benefits of living shorelines have well positioned them as a promising alternative approach in theory. There are, however, gaps in regional long-term datasets and evidence-based guidelines. This research provides an overview of the underlying geopolitical readiness for integrating nature-based solutions in climate adaptation strategies within shoreline municipalities based on a comprehensive literature review complimented by expert interviews. The synthesized data can inform decisions for minimizing the destructive effects of traditional shoreline erosion prevention approaches and encourage successful implementation of solutions that offer ecological, health, social, and economic benefits.

Recovery of compaction resources in internal dump of gently inclined composite coal seam open-pit mine

In the production and construction process of a slowly inclined composite coal seam surface mine in China, the problem of coal compression by the non-working slope is common, but the research on coal recovery is usually conducted for the end slope compression problem. Due to the small economic and reasonable stripping ratio in the early stage of infrastructure construction in an open-pit mine, the buried deep coal seam has not yet been mined and is covered by internal dumping. In recent years, with the gradual increase of the economic and reasonable stripping ratio, the mining of coal seam covered by internal dumping site has become feasible. This paper puts forward the mining scheme for this problem. In this paper, a mathematical model is established, and the trench between the inner dump and the non-working side is used as the working platform for coal seam mining. The relationship between stripping height, working line length and mining width of coal seam is studied. The variation law of production stripping ratio, remining amount, repeated stripping amount and mining width is further analyzed. At the same time, the influence of production stripping cost on the economic and reasonable stripping ratio is studied, and the relationship between transportation cost and discharge distance is established, so as to indirectly determine the relationship between mining width and economic and reasonable stripping ratio. Finally, it is found that the relationship between mining net income and mining width is first proportional and then inversely proportional. Taking an open-pit mine as an example, through the quantitative analysis of economic indicators, the net income of coal mining under different mining widths is calculated. The results show that when the mining width is 271 m, the economic benefit of the inner row mining is the highest, and the net income reaches 2021.4575 million yuan. At this time, the production stripping ratio is 5.25, which is less than the economic and reasonable stripping ratio of 6.95. The practical significance of the results is to improve the overall economic benefits and recovery rate of mining enterprises, and ensure the safe, green and efficient mining of mines.

Influence of Forest Plantation Establishment Schemes on Community Livelihoods: A Case of Makutano Forest Kericho County, Kenya

Exploitation of forest resources has been a thorny issue to many countries. In efforts to restore degraded forests, countries have resulted to establishing forest plantations. There is also need to sustain livelihoods of these populations living around forests. Kenya on its part, adopted Plantation Establishment and livelihoods Improvement scheme (PELIS) program as part of participatory Forest management (PFM). PELIS involves the planting of food crops together with tree seedlings. It is however not clear whether balance has been strike between attaining forest cover and improving community livelihoods as was the intent of the program. Consequently, this study sought to shed light on this issue by looking at the influence of forest plantation on community livelihoods. This study adopted the decentralized forest management theory. Cross-sectional research design was adopted. Quantitative and qualitative methods were employed in data collection and analysis. The target population was 1719 which included forest adjacent community (FAC) members, and community based organization (CBO) leaders. From this a sample of 212 was selected. Systematic sampling was used in selecting the households and snowball sampling in selecting the CBO leaders involved in two tire focused group discussion. Questionnaire schedules were prepared to be used among household members. The findings indicated a significant influence of PELIS on community livelihood (f = 221.642, P=0.000). Those near the forest registered to have derived more economic benefits than those far away from the forest (f= 3.127, P= 0.000). A strong relationship between the frequency of attending CFA and CBO meetings, the level of involvement in decision making and planning of forest activities (B = 3.479, P< 0.05) was noted. The size of land available for cultivation was found to be statistically significant to food security among the community (f= 221.642, P= 0.000). The most important and most utilized forest products were firewood at 95%, fodder at 71% and droppers from tree pruning at 68%. Further research is needed on how more benefits from products like herbs, wild vegetables and honey cold be realized.

Green governance and the EKC hypothesis: Evidence from Vietnamese provinces

The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) posits an inverted U-shaped relationship between environmental degradation and economic development, suggesting that while economic growth may initially harm the environment, it can ultimately lead to both economic and environmental benefits in the long run. Empirical evidence of this hypothesis strongly supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Good Jobs and Economic Growth), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). While the EKC literature focused more on national or cross-country analyses, limited studies examined this hypothesis at the regional or provincial level and often used data from the U.S. and China. This study revisits the EKC hypothesis in Vietnamese provinces by examining municipal solid waste (MSW), which is important to the SDGs but has attracted less attention compared to other pollutants. The role of green governance, measured via the provincial green index (PGI), is also examined. Findings indicate that the EKC exists at the provincial level in Vietnam, with the PGI reducing the GDP requirement for the EKC turning point, thereby accelerating environmental improvements. Consequently, promoting green governance is important for emerging countries such as Vietnam to achieve sustainable development and the SDGs.

Irrigation automation: overcoming challenges and promoting opportunities in family farming

Family farming in Brazil faces significant challenges regarding access to modern technologies, such as mechanisation and irrigation, which are more accessible to agribusiness. This disparity directly impacts the productivity and sustainability of family farming. The article aims to explore the economic and environmental benefits of irrigation automation for family farming, highlighting the importance of adapting this technology to local conditions and techniques already used by small producers. A multidisciplinary approach was used, combining literature review, data analysis, and the inclusion of a proposed irrigation automation board. Data were collected through interviews with agricultural producers and content analysis to identify patterns and research gaps. The proposed irrigation automation board proved efficient and accessible for small producers, allowing control of up to four distinct irrigation zones. The technology provided more precise and efficient irrigation, reducing costs and increasing productivity. Additionally, automation allowed farmers more time for other activities, improving their quality of life. Irrigation automation offers significant benefits for family farming, such as greater water efficiency, cost reduction, and increased productivity. However, it is essential to adapt this technology to local conditions and techniques already used by small producers. Public policies that encourage and value local production are essential to promote the sustainable development of family farming and reduce social inequalities

Whole-chain intensification of pig and chicken farming could lower emissions with economic and food production benefits.

Intensified monogastric livestock management could conserve feed inputs and mitigate some of the environmental and climate challenges associated with animal production. In this study, we used data from 166 countries to model the environmental, climate and economic impacts of pig and chicken intensification. We found that whole-chain intensification could reduce annual nitrogen and greenhouse gas emissions by 49% (4.6 Tg) and 68% (554 Tg CO2-equivalent), respectively. These changes translate to 5.0 Tg lower nitrogen fertilizer input for feed production, resulting in an overall benefit of US$93 billion. Integrated crop-livestock optimization under intensive management could release 27 Mha of cropland and provide additional food for 310 million people. A judicious promotion of intensification could alleviate global pressures related to food security, environment and climate change.

Financial Performance and Competitor analysis: Evidence on Starbucks

This research mainly studied and analysed all aspects of Starbucks finance, focussed on investigating the development trend of Starbucks in 2022 and 2023, conducted a brief study and discussion on the company’s finances, and obtained several important conclusions through a series of data. Several vital data show some characteristics of the company’s operation and management, which brings a lot of meaningful utilisation value and is worth learning from and thinking about. In the years after the COVID-19 pandemic, Starbucks was able to quickly restore and develop its economic system thanks to its stable system and management system. This article will also study the economic benefits brought by the management system. In addition, the article also collects data from two competitors in the same industry as Starbucks and reflects the advantages and disadvantages of Starbucks in the industry through comparison. Among them, the most noteworthy is the research on several economic methods carried out by Starbucks, which shows Starbucks’ stable economic system and management methods.

Obliged tolerance: Power at the intersection of everyday peace and the intervention economy

This article explores the economic relationships of host and refugee communities in the context of international humanitarian interventions and their implications for everyday peace. It argues for an expanded understanding of power in everyday peace, incorporating an analysis of the interplay between international interventions, local power dynamics and everyday peace. It responds to the call for increased attention to the economic dimensions of peacebuilding, particularly at the local level. The article introduces the concept of obliged tolerance to explain some of the socioeconomic motivations for different actors in the intervention economy to engage in everyday peace processes. Those benefitting from the international intervention actuate less empowered community members to practice tolerance for peaceful coexistence which sustains the economic benefits derived from the intervention economy. The findings from research conducted in Lebanon indicate that humanitarian interventions shape a peace that primarily benefits affluent and influential actors, while marginalised individuals engage in everyday peace for survival and to pursue socioeconomic opportunities. By integrating an analysis of everyday economic interactions, this article highlights the role of power dynamics and economic motivations based on obliged tolerance in shaping everyday peace, challenging conventional notions of everyday peace as a social coping mechanism that people practice entirely voluntarily.

Risk and path analysis of global industrial transformation in the context of climate change

Global industrial transformation is accelerating, and climate risks and natural disasters brought by climate change may have an impact on global industrial transformation. Therefore, how to promote global industrial reform in the context of climate change is an important issue that needs to be urgently solved by various countries at this stage. Starting from the background of climate change, this paper deeply discusses the impact of climate change on global industrial transformation and analyzes the possible risks and challenges. The results show that the impact of climate change on global industrial transformation may be a double-edged sword. Global industrial development may make new progress under the influence of climate change, but climate change may affect the process of industrial transformation, bring some pressure to industrial development, and reduce the economic benefits of industrial development. Therefore, it is necessary to scientifically understand the impact of climate change, take effective measures to mitigate climate risks and promote high-quality industrial development. Due to the differences in the economic levels of different countries, it is necessary to formulate corresponding development measures according to their conditions in the process of coping with climate change. The conclusions of this paper provide implications for coping with climate change and global industrial transformation.

The Correlation of the Smart City Concept with the Costs of Toxic Exhaust Gas Emissions Based on the Analysis of a Selected Population of Motor Vehicles in Urban Traffic

The intensive development of road transport has resulted in a significant increase in air pollution. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable in urban areas. This creates the need for analyses and forecasts of the scale and extent of future emissions of harmful substances into the environment. The aim of this study was to estimate the costs of the emission of toxic components of exhaust gases generated by all users of conventionally propelled vehicles travelling on a section of urban road in the next 25 years. The traffic study was carried out on an urban traffic route, playing a key role for road transport in the dimension of a given urban agglomeration. The traffic forecast for the analysed road section was based on the results of our own measurements carried out in April 2023 and external data from the General Directorate for Roads and Motorways. The results of the observations concerned six categories of vehicles for the morning and afternoon rush hours. Based on the data obtained, the generic structure of the vehicle population on the analysed section and the average daily traffic were determined. Using the methodology contained in the Blue Book of Road Infrastructure, parameters were calculated in the form of annual indicators of traffic growth on the analysed section, travel speed, and annual air pollution costs for selected vehicle categories, remembering at the same time that the Blue Book-based methodology does not distinguish between unit costs in relation to the type of emissions. The results of the study confirmed that there was an increase in the cost of toxic emissions for each vehicle category over the projected 25-year period. The largest increases were seen for trucks with trailers and passenger cars. In total, for all vehicle categories, emission costs nearly doubled from 2024 to 2046, from EUR 3,745,229 to EUR 7,443,384, due to the doubling of the number of vehicles resulting from the traffic forecast. The analyses presented here provide an answer to the question of what pollution costs may be faced by cities in which road transport will continue to be based on conventional types of propulsion. In addition, the research presented can be used to develop urban mobility transformation plans for the coming years, within the scope of the widely promoted smart city concept and the idea of electromobility, by pointing out to local authorities the direct economic benefits of these changes.

Evaluation method and design of greenhouse pear pollination drones based on grounded theory and integrated theory.

Greenhouse cultivation promotes an efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural production model, significantly enhancing resource sustainability and advancing sustainable agriculture. Traditional greenhouse pollination methods are inefficient and labor-intensive, limiting the economic benefits of greenhouse pear cultivation. To improve pollination efficiency and achieve fully automated mechanized operations, an innovative design method for greenhouse pear pollination drones has been developed. First, design criteria were extracted using Grounded Theory (GT), and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was employed to determine the weight of user demand evaluation indicators. Next, the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) method translated user needs into technical requirements, resulting in the final ranking of design element weights. The drone was then designed based on these weighted rankings, yielding an optimal solution. This method quantifies the functional requirements of the product, effectively identifying key needs for the greenhouse pear pollination drones and proposing targeted solutions. Additionally, it provides a design reference for other highly functional agricultural machinery products.

Life cycle cost approach involving steam transport model for insulation thickness optimization of steam pipes

Efficient steam pipe insulation is critical for minimizing heat loss during transportation, ensuring the economic viability of thermal processes or end-user applications. Unlike water-based systems, steam heat loss mechanisms are intricate, predominantly influenced by the transition of steam to condensate which introduces latent heat, thus significantly impacting overall heat loss. This study employs a life-cycle cost approach, integrating a comprehensive steam transport model to evaluate the optimal insulation thickness under varying temperature, flow rates and composite insulation schemes. The steam transport model incorporates a drainage energy loss term, providing a detailed depiction of the energy balance along the steam pipe. Results from the steam transportation simulation conducted on a single long pipe demonstrate a ∼4.6 % deviation between simulated and measured heat loss values. Furthermore, Life cycle cost analysis highlights the economically advantageous insulation configuration, comprising an aerogel blanket as the inner layer and glass wool as the outer layer. With increasing temperature, augmenting the proportion of aerogel blanket yields economic benefit, with the optimum thickness exhibiting a linear growth trend. Conversely, as the flow rate increases, the optimum insulation thickness remains constant.

Solar Dryers: Technical Insights and Bibliometric Trends in Energy Technologies

This review article provides a comprehensive analysis of the technical advancements and research trends in solar drying technologies for agricultural products. The study encompasses various innovations in energy storage systems, including phase change materials (PCMs) and the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for optimizing the drying process. Through a bibliometric analysis of 126 scientific papers published between 1984 and 2024, five major research clusters were identified: energy generation, heat transfer, thermal storage, simulation modeling, and the integration of hybrid systems. The results demonstrate a marked increase in scientific output over the past decade, emphasizing a growing interest in the sustainable use of solar energy for drying applications. Key findings highlight that while PCM-based storage solutions significantly enhance the thermal stability of dryers, the high implementation costs and technical complexities limit their adoption, especially in small-scale operations. Similarly, CFD models have proven effective in optimizing air and temperature distribution within dryers; however, their performance is hindered by real-world fluctuations in solar radiation and humidity levels. To address these limitations, future research should focus on the development of cost-effective PCM materials and the improvement of CFD models for dynamic environmental conditions. The review concludes by emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in the design and application of these technologies, recommending the inclusion of real-world case studies to better illustrate the practical implications and economic benefits of solar drying technologies for agricultural production.

Oxidation of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid in strongly alkaline and high-salt solutions via ultrasonic-assisted ozone: Helping radioactive waste disposal and environmental safety

4-Hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA), as a gibbsite dissolution inhibitor and typical personal care products (PPCPs), seriously troubles radioactive waste disposal and environmental safety. This work studies the degradation mechanism of 4-HBA in ultrasonic-assisted ozonation in strongly alkaline and high-salt solutions, and comprehensively evaluates its environmental lifetime. Ultrasonic can significantly increase the effect of ozone by 1.52 times, making the degradation rate of 4-HBA reach 63.49 % within 60 min. The better electrochemical performance indicates that the redox reaction between US/O3 system and 4-HBA is more prominent. Experimental analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the effects of OH, 1O2, O2−, and others on the degradation of 4-HBA are 56.6 %, 17.8 %, 22.1 %, and 3.5 % respectively, and HO3 is the most important precursor for OH evolution. Mechanistic exploration and DFT calculations show that degradation behavior of 4-HBA in strongly alkaline and high-salt solutions, i.e., decarboxylation reaction, ring opening, hydroxylation, aldol condensation, and hydrogenation, is significantly different from acidic or neutral solutions. Based on the environmental lifetime assessment of the intermediate product, US/O3 technology can help reduce the toxicity of 4-HBA. The US/O3 process is used to remove 4-HBA from strongly alkaline and high-salt solutions, which has huge potential economic benefits in the fields of nuclear waste chemistry and environment.

The influence of plant genomics on plant evolution

With the increasing demand for high-quality tea, the genetic basis of ideal traits of tea plants has been widely concerned. The research on tea tree genomics, specifically focusing on “Longjing 43”, provides significant insights into plant evolution and breeding. “Longjing 43” was chosen due to its complex genome and economic importance. The study successfully assembled its genome to the chromosome level, revealing a large and heterogeneous genome with numerous repetitive sequences. Comparative genomics showed that hybridization has been a key driver of genetic diversity and adaptability in tea plants. These findings are crucial for developing marker-assisted selection (MAS) techniques, improving traits such as disease resistance, flavor, and stress response. Moreover, the research underscores the role of tea tree genomics in preserving cultural heritage and promoting economic benefits through enhanced tea quality. This study contributes to the broader understanding of plant genomics by illustrating the evolutionary processes and potential applications in agriculture, conservation, and industry, thus offering a comprehensive tool for future plant breeding and genetic improvement strategies.

Predicting Online Gaming Behavior: A Comparative Analysis of Random Forest and Gaussian Naive Bayes Models

With the rising impact and economic benefits of the online gaming industry, online gaming companies need to understand players’ behavior to evaluate their products better and adjust their developing strategy. This paper uses machine learning models to predict players’ online gaming behaviors. The study utilizes the dataset from Kaggle, which contains 40,034 samples with 13 features related to player demographics, game preferences, and gameplay behaviors. The primary objective is to classify two target variables: ‘EngagementLevel’ and ‘InGamePurchases.’ Data preprocessing steps included handling missing values, encoding categorical features, normalizing numerical data, and addressing class imbalances using the Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE). The Random Forests (RF) and Gaussian Naïve Bayes (GNB) models were employed to predict the target variables. The RF model significantly outperformed the GNB model in both classification tasks, especially when predicting the in-game purchases. The RF model’s robustness is attributed to its ability to handle complex, non-linear relationships and interactions between features, while the GNB model’s performance was limited by its assumptions of feature independence and normally distributed data. The findings suggest that RF is a more effective tool for predicting online gaming behaviors, particularly in scenarios with complex feature interactions. Future research could incorporate additional machine learning models and more diverse datasets to further enhance predictive accuracy and offer a more comprehensive understanding of online gaming behaviors.

Vaccination Coverage among Institutionalized Elderly Population: A Case Study in Cascais, Portugal

Abstract Vaccination stands as a cornerstone of public health, significantly reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with infectious diseases. However, the aging demographic, with declining homeostasis and immunosenescence, presents new challenges. Those residing in nursing homes face heightened risks of infectious diseases due to proximity and interactions with multiple staff members. In Portugal, elderly vaccination against tetanus/diphtheria (Td) is integrated into the National Vaccination Program, with additional official recommendations for pneumococcal (Pn), seasonal influenza, and COVID-19 vaccinations. Specific vaccination campaigns in nursing homes for influenza and COVID-19 are coordinated by Public Health Units. This study aimed to assess the vaccination coverage for these vaccines among the institutionalized elderly in Cascais municipality and evaluate the implementation of official recommendations. A survey of nursing homes in Cascais was conducted, and the vaccination status of residents was assessed through electronic records in February 2024. Statistical analysis was performed. Vaccination status for each vaccine was considered valid if individuals had received at least one dose of Pn13 or Pn23, a Td vaccine dose within the last 10 years, and vaccinations against influenza and COVID-19 within the last 6 months. Among 2189 institutionalized elderly in Cascais, 87% were vaccinated against both influenza and COVID-19, 39% against Td, and 17% against pneumococcal disease. While influenza and COVID-19 vaccination coverage is high, the tetanus/diphtheria vaccination rate is low, and pneumococcal vaccination is very low, despite official recommendations. This population remains at increased risk for preventable diseases. Monitoring vaccination status and implementing targeted vaccination campaigns are crucial for increasing coverage, realizing health and economic benefits and preventing severe diseases. Key messages • Vaccination is essential for safeguarding the health of institutionalized elderly populations. There is a need for targeted interventions to address preventable diseases and protect these individuals. • Monitoring vaccination status and implementing targeted campaigns are critical for increasing coverage and realizing health and economic benefits among elderly populations in nursing homes.

Consumer Preferences for Health Services Offered by Health Insurance Companies in Germany

Abstract German health insurance companies increasingly strive to position themselves as health partners to their customers to improve customers’ health and contain costs. However, there is uncertainty about customers’ preferences for health services offered by health insurance companies. Therefore, this paper studies consumer preferences for health services that are or could be provided by health insurance companies in Germany. An online survey was conducted using two stated preference techniques to collect and analyze the data (namely, rating and ranking of health services considered by insurance companies). A sample of 880 German health insurance customers between 18 and 65 years old filled out the online questionnaire, of which 860 submitted complete responses. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was used for the rating and ranking. Preliminary examinations, care management, and health programs were the three health services most important to the respondents. The results suggest that people want their health insurance to support them with preventive health services that offer direct therapeutic value and not just informational, economic, access-related, or convenience-related benefits. These preferences for health services are homogeneous for most subgroups of the population, implying that health insurance companies could consider an overall strategy to address these preferences for all clients by focusing on the important health services. Key messages • People value health services provided by health insurers that offer direct therapeutic value over those that offer only informational, economic, access or convenience benefits. • As preferences are homogeneous across the population, insurers could consider an overall strategy by focusing on the important health services.

Plan for the crisis!

Abstract Background The COVID-19-crisis has posed major challenges for organisations providing care in terms of fulfilling their contracts as well as maintaining their quality standards. This project aimed to analyse the implementation of gender and diversity sensitive crisis preparedness in health and social care organisations in Austria. The innovation of this project lies in the organisational crisis preparation including the interfaces of all organisations and actors involved in the care of a vulnerable person. Methods A comprehensive survey and analysis of existing structures and processes was carried out. A participatory approach was used to develop modular guidelines tailored to different crisis scenarios. This was followed by a detailed process analysis, integration of good practices and the creation of assessment tools for practical evaluation. Staff training and technology needs were identified, followed by an assessment of the applicability of the findings to other social sector organisations. Results This project created guidelines with modular structures that enable preparation for crises and their consequences. Thereby strategies for risk mitigation and good practice examples, e.g. from the COVID-19 pandemic, were developed. A self-assessment of the status of crisis preparation as well as the continuous monitoring with special consideration of the intersectional diversity of the target groups and their vulnerability was developed and made available on the web. Conclusions The project results in guidelines as well as a self-assessment and monitoring tool directly benefiting the participating organisations. Through its transferability to other organisations the project promotes overall crisis resilience and sustainably strengthens the care for vulnerable groups in times of crisis. In addition, solidarity-based help in crisis situations is promoted. The project promotes not only organisational, but also individual as well as macro-social and economic benefits. Key messages • The project developed guidelines for gender and diversity sensitive crisis preparedness for health and social care organisations, including risk mitigation strategies and self-assessment/monitoring. • Crisis preparation must be systematically implemented in health and social care organisations involved in care of vulnerable persons.

Study on the Level Measurement and Spatial Distribution of Comprehensive Competitiveness of Logistics Industry in Henan Province

This paper takes the 18 cities in Henan Province as the research object, combining their relevant data in 2022, and conducts a comparative study on the comprehensive competitiveness indicators of logistics industry in Henan Province through factor analysis method. Starting from the three dimensions of infrastructure level, economic benefits, and development scale, this paper explores the level of comprehensive competitiveness of logistics industry in Henan Province and explores the spatial distribution characteristics of comprehensive competitiveness through spatial trend analysis and natural breakpoint method. And it puts forward corresponding improvement strategies.