Financial Outlays Research Articles

Digital Marketing and its Impact on Start UPS

Startups in the modern business world confront new and different obstacles and possibilitiesevery day, with digital marketing emerging as a game-changer. The significance of online advertising foryoung businesses, with special emphasis on its effects on expansion, brand awareness, and consumerparticipation. Social media marketing, content marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), emailmarketing, and pay-per-click advertising are just few of the many strategies and approaches that fall underthe umbrella of digital marketing. Startups may now compete more successfully in already saturatedsectors with the help of these digital tools for establishing a strong online presence. Startups may reachtheir intended audience more cheaply with digital marketing. Digital marketing helps businesses to makethe most of their limited resources, as opposed to more conventional forms of advertising that oftenneed significant financial outlays. Using data-driven insights, social media interactions, and appealingcontent, startups may better target their marketing to the interests of their target demographic.

A fuzzy logic-based risk assessment framework for the crude oil transportation supply chain

This study proposes a novel approach to increase the efficiency of crude oil transportation by integrating fuzzy logic and the TOPSIS method. The proposed technique addresses the uncertainties and imprecisions in decision-making processes to identify the optimal shipping alternatives. The study also evaluates the static and dynamic risk indicators related to the transportation of crude oil. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is found to be a promising option for crude oil shipments, reducing the risks associated with current routes. Using a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methodology, the research determines China's most efficient crude oil supply channel using a fuzzy-based Improved TOPSIS approach. The economic feasibility of the CPEC option has been confirmed through a thorough cost-benefit analysis (CBA). Additionally, the optimal mode of transportation from CPEC seaports to Western China is determined using the fuzzy-based Improved TOPSIS method. The MCDM criteria considered in all scenarios include time, financial outlays, energy consumption, environmental impact, and security risks. The results indicate that the CPEC route and the maritime route via Myanmar outperform the conventional route that passes through the seaports of Eastern China. This study emphasizes the significant advancement in decision-making in crude oil transportation made possible by the fuzzy-based Improved TOPSIS technique.

Protection of Oats against Puccinia and Drechslera Fungi in Various Meteorological Conditions

Due to their multi-purpose use and, in many cases, lower requirements and financial outlays for cultivation, oats are an interesting crop. However, fungal diseases may contribute to significant declines in grain yields and quality. The aspects that may potentially influence this matter of fact include weather conditions. The aim of the study was to determine the severity of diseases caused by fungi in oat cultivation during the vegetation season. The next goal was to assess the efficacy of the selected active ingredients (a.i.) of fungicides from the chemical groups of triazoles and strobilurins in selected diseases’ control under various meteorological conditions. All of the fungicides were applied in the form of a spray treatment to reduce the severity of the diseases in the cultivation of different oat varieties. Husked and naked oat varieties were used. The health status of the oat plants was determined on the basis of a macroscopic evaluation of plants performed in accordance with the proper methodology. Field experiments were carried out under different weather conditions, which varied over the years during which the trials were conducted. Statistically significant differences were found in the reduction in infection for F and F1 leaves with D. avenae and P. coronata in comparison to the control treatment, regardless of the a.i. used. The use of a.i. tebuconazole (250 g/L), a.i. epoxiconazole (125 g/L), a.i. azoxystrobin (250 g/L) and a.i. picoxystrobin (250 g/L) enabled a reduction in the severity of oat helmintosporiosis in all years of the study for all the varieties analyzed. The efficacy was 72.4%, 74.2%, 71.5%, and 73.1%, respectively. Higher efficacy in reducing P. coronata was found in comparison with D. avenae. The obtained research results confirm the satisfactory efficacy of the above-mentioned active substances in reducing the fungi D. avenae and P. coronata.

Research study of passenger cars repair costs depending on the vehicle make, type of spare parts and the entity providing the service

The high number of road accidents has significant social importance, both in the context of households and enterprises, because each vehicle damage entails financial outlays related to the repair of damaged vehicles. This article analyses the most common types of vehicle damage occurring in road traffic. The object of the research were the vehicles most frequently purchased in Poland in 2022. The research process involved numerical experiment method using the AUDATEX system to determine costs enabling to repair such damage. The analyses take into account various repair options, such as: Authorized Service Station, independent workshop, and conditions proposed by insurance companies in Poland. The research showed cost dependencies between variables such as the vehicle brand, the type of spare parts and the entity providing the service.

Energy transition in Poland and Spain against changes in the EU energy and climate policy

The European Union climate policy and the subsequent energy transition are expected to cause fundamental changes in individual EU countries, their economies, and industrial sectors. Furthermore, in order to achieve them, high financial outlays are essential. The main purpose of the article is to present a comparative analysis of the pace, directions, and main factors of the energy transition in Poland and Spain against the changes in the EU energy and climate policy. In particular, the subject of the study is the changes in the fuel structure of electricity generation (energy mix) and the changes in the concentration of energy generation. The analysis concentrates on Poland and Spain against the background of the group of EU27 countries. The study adopted a long-term perspective (1990–2020). The methodology used taxonomic measures of variability of structures and measures of concentration, as well as measures of descriptive and mathematical statistics. The result of the research proves that the EU common climate and energy policy has explicitly accelerated changes in the energy mix, both in the EU27 and in the studied countries, including those traditionally based on coal. The concentration analysis demonstrated an increase in diversification resulting in a significant increase in the share of renewable and low-carbon sources. The taxonomic analysis additionally proved that there was a parallel process towards making the energy mix of the studied countries more similar to the EU27. The limitation of the research is the adopted triangulation arrangement of the studied structures (EU27, EU15, countries that accessed the EU after 2004), enforced in this pilot research, but possible to expand the field of perception in subsequent research. What serves as a proof of the originality of the study is the fulfilment of research gaps in the long-term study of the degree of changes in the concentration of the energy mix structure of EU countries, and especially the study of the degree of intensity of its similarity. The application value of the study is its use in the energy policies of countries traditionally based on coal for the indication of the taken position, the goals, and ways to achieve them based on the experience of other countries.

Analysis of CYP1B1 Polymorphisms in Lung Cancer Patients Using Novel, Quick and Easy Methods Based on CAPS and ACRS-PCR Techniques.

Within the sequence of the CYP1B1 gene, more than 50 polymorphisms, resulting from single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), have been described. Some of them play an important role as specific genetic markers in the process of carcinogenesis and for therapeutic purposes. In this publication, we present methods we have developed that enable the specific and unambiguous identification of four polymorphisms that result in amino acid changes: c. 142C > G, c. 355G > T, c. 1294C > G, and c. 1358A > G. Our studies are based on cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPSs) and artificially created restriction site (ACRS) PCR techniques; therefore, they require only basic laboratory equipment and low financial outlays. Utilizing the described methods allows for the reduction of research time and cost, and the minimization of errors. Their effectiveness and efficiency depend on the careful design of appropriate primers and the precise selection of suitable restriction enzymes. As a result, further confirmation by sequencing is not necessary. Using the developed method, we examined 63 patients diagnosed with lung cancer and observed a 1.5 to 2.1 times higher frequency of the analyzed single-nucleotide polymorphisms compared to the frequency in the European population.

AS THE IMPOVERISHED GET EVEN POORER: AN ANALYSIS ON THE IMPACT OF PHILIPPINE TRAIN LAW TO THE MINIMUM WAGE EARNER

In the Philippines, the TRAIN Law or tax reform for acceleration and inclusion legislation was put into effect in 2018. This law sought to significantly alter the nation's tax structure in order to increase money for poverty alleviation, healthcare, and infrastructure. One of the features of the law was to increase the income threshold below which minimum wage earners would not be required to pay income tax. But it also resulted in higher costs for goods and services, which had an effect on Metro Manila's level of living. This qualitative research examines the significant data and information based on the participant's experiences with the TRAIN law. Semi-structured questions were used in the in-depth interview to facilitate deeper clarification and additional discussion. The results show that the majority of the impact of the law on the poor is related to basic needs like food, for which they must cut their budget in order to survive because there are other expenses to consider, such as utility bills and debts. Moreover, it impacts an individual's emotional and overall health, including mental health concerns brought on by financial difficulties. Additionally, it has an impact on their social interaction because they tend to engage with others less frequently because they are preoccupied with the things that need significant financial outlays. Thus, it may be inferred that the poor income class households' standard of living declined with the introduction of TRAIN law. KEYWORDS: tax reform law, poverty alleviation, minimum wage earner

Can health financing programmes reduce food insecurity in a developing country?

Despite the devastating effects of out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures on households' financial outlays, which potentially stifle household resources needed for food consumption, the health financing program-food insecurity nexus is yet to receive much needed attention in the literature. This study makes a significant contribution by investigating the effect of health financing program, conceptualised as membership of a National Health Insurance Scheme, on household food insecurity using the food insecurity experience scale (FIES) and several quasi-experimental methods. Using data from the seventh round of the Ghana Living Standards Survey, our endogeneity-corrected results indicate that membership of a health financing program can contribute to reduction in household food insecurity. The results are robust to alternative conceptualisations of food insecurity and different quasi-experimental methods. The effect of health financing programme membership on food insecurity is more pronounced among urban and female-headed households. Our findings further point to household savings as an important channel through whichmembership ofhealth financing program reduces food insecurity.

The Impact of Serialisation on Operational Efficiency and Productivity in Irish Pharmaceutical Sites

Technology enabling drug serialisation technology was introduced by regulators to enhance security in pharmaceutical supply chain and protect drugs from infiltration by falsified and substandard medicines. The introduction of systems for serialisation required huge financial outlays manufacturers of pharmaceuticals. This study investigated the impact of serialisation on the operational efficiency and productivity in Irish pharmaceutical sites. A qualitative study was conducted with 11 manufacturing sites in Ireland. The participating companies operated a total of 114 pack-lines, representing approximately 65% of the automated packing lines in the country. The study found that serialisation had a negative effect on packaging production line OEE and line availability and on the individuals cost per unit of packaged pharmaceuticals. The research results estimated that the capital costs of serialisation were four times greater than those estimated by the regulators. There was a 4.1 cents average cost per pack for serialisation with high volume sites reporting an annual cost of serialisation of up to €4.5 m per annum and a 2.7% increase in the average cost of goods sold. A pattern whereby where many pharmaceutical manufacturers are transitioning from smaller batch production and moving toward larger batch production sizes in order to increases efficiencies was identified. The research also proposed the use of a serialisation depreciation factor as a method to determine the impact of serialisation on the cost of goods sold. This is the first study of its kind into the cost of serialisation from a manufacturer’s viewpoint and studying the effects of serialisation on productivity, line availability and operational efficiency.

Challenges of the Green Transformation of Transport in Poland

The transition to more eco-friendly forms of transport is one of the main challenges for the Polish economy in the coming decades. Poland, as a member of the European Union, must adapt to the requirements regarding, in particular, reducing carbon dioxide emissions related to new vehicles. The implementation of these changes will require significant financial outlays and structural reconstruction of transport (both public and private), as well as remodeling of the functioning and habits of society. The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the challenges of the green transformation of transport in Poland. The following research methods were used: desk research, focus interview–expert research, and an original approach to the use of SWOT analysis. Based on the conducted analyses, Poland’s strategic position in the context of the “transport greening” process was determined. The strategy is in line with the concept of “reorganization”, calling for a thorough restructuring of the development strategy. This entails coordinated efforts, such as conducting in-depth evaluations of current strategies, securing increased funding, providing support for research, and implementing public education initiatives. In essence, the study emphasizes the necessity for significant endeavors to effectively manage the green transition of transportation in Poland.

Design of Dyes Based on the Quinoline or Quinoxaline Skeleton towards Visible Light Photoinitiators.

Dyes based on quinoline and quinoxaline skeletons were designed for application as visible light photoinitiators. The obtained compounds absorb electromagnetic radiation on the border between ultraviolet and visible light, which allows the use of dental lamps as light sources during the initiation of the photopolymerization reaction. Their another desirable feature is the ability to create a long-lived excited state, which enables the chain reaction to proceed through the mechanism of intermolecular electron transfer. In two-component photoinitiating systems, in the presence of an electron donor or a hydrogen atom donor, the synthesized compounds show excellent abilities to photoinitiate the polymerization of acrylates. In control tests, the efficiency of photopolymerization using modified quinoline and quinoxaline derivatives is comparable to that obtained using a typical, commercial photoinitiator for dentistry, camphorquinone. Moreover, the use of the tested compounds requires a small amount of photoinitiator (only 0.04% by weight) to initiate the reaction. The research also showed a significant acceleration of the photopolymerization process and shortening of the reaction time. In practice, this means that the new two-component initiating systems can be used in much lower concentrations without slowing down the speed of obtaining polymer materials. It is worth emphasizing that these two features of the new initiating system allow for cost reduction by reducing financial outlays on both materials (photoinitiators) and electricity.

Hard Coal as a Necessary Energy Resource in Poland

The geopolitical situation in Europe has changed dramatically due to the war waged by the Russian Federation in Ukraine. This makes it necessary to become independent from supplies of mineral resources, especially energy from Russia. According to the authors, ensuring Poland’s energy security will require a longer use of coal as the primary energy resource than initially expected. The expected increase in energy demand may cause a negative energy balance in the country. Renewable energy sources dependent on weather conditions cannot with certainty ensure energy security. On the other hand, nuclear requires large financial outlays and a longer time for reactors’ construction. In addition, it has other disadvantages (the problem of waste, environmental impact in the event of a malfunction and the need to import uranium). In these circumstances, coal may be a raw material that meets the economic needs and ensures the energy security of the country.

Application of the interval approach to determine the exploitation time of pipelines

The fundamental problem from the point of view of pipeline exploitation in KGHM Polska Miedz S.A. is the very high overwearing of the pipes used for the transport of tailings, as well as determining the time of trouble-free operation of pipe system components. Failures involve significant financial outlays, severe restrictions on operation and in some cases even stopping operation. For this reason, it is vital to monitor the condition of the transport systems, as well as to determine the permissible service life of the pipe sections, after which segments at risk should be replaced or turned over in order to extend their further operation. This paper focuses on the application of interval numbers to assess the durability of piping systems. The calculations were made using classical interval numbers by using code written in INTLAB libraries. The correctness of the solutions obtained was verified using the Monte Carlo method, assuming a uniform distribution of random variables.

Next Generation Sequencing in orthopaedic infections – Where is the road headed?

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has emerged as a game changer in the field of orthopaedic diagnostics, notably in the detection and management of infections associated with prosthetic joints and implants. This paper conducts an exhaustive examination of the pivotal role, outcomes, and prospective future uses of NGS in diagnosing orthopaedic infections. In comparison to conventional culture-based methods, NGS offers a marked improvement in sensitivity thereby facilitating prompt and comprehensive identification of pathogens. This encompasses the ability to detect polymicrobial infections, antibiotic-resistant strains, and previously imperceptible microorganisms. Furthermore, this article delves into the technology's contribution to advancing personalized medicine and promoting judicious antibiotic use. Nonetheless, the seamless integration of NGS into routine clinical practice is impeded by challenges such as substantial financial outlays, the requisite for specialized equipment and expertise, and the intricacy associated with data analysis. Notwithstanding these impediments, the potential for NGS to revolutionize orthopaedic diagnostics remains substantial, with ongoing advancements poised to address current limitations and broaden its scope within clinical applications.

The strategic challenges of the decarbonisation of the manufacturing industry

The paper presents the problematic scope of decarbonisation of the heavy processing of the energy and carbon-intensive industry in relation to Polish conditions. The paper is part of the ongoing discussion of scientists and practitioners on the strategic challenges of the decarbonisation of industry in Poland. The paper is the result of conceptual research carried out on the basis of a review of secondary sources of information. In line with EU requirements, the industrial strategy must include a vision for 2050 decarbonisation. The ambitious “net zero” target – the prospect of zero CO2 emissions by 2050 – requires significant financial outlays and profound technological and organisational changes in many industries. The paper is an introduction to the discussion on the preparation of Polish industry for profound changes in decarbonisation.

Impact of 5G Wireless Technologies on Cloud Computing and Internet of Things (IOT)

With its promise of unmatched speed, low latency, and widespread device connection, the introduction of 5G wireless technology represents a critical turning point in the development of telecommunications. This study examines how 5G would significantly affect cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT), two important technical areas.5G brings about a paradigm change in the field of cloud computing by facilitating quicker and more dependable connectivity between end-user devices and cloud servers. High data transmission rates and low latency enable real-time service delivery and processing, creating new opportunities for resource-intensive applications like edge computing, virtual reality, and augmented reality. The integration of 5G with cloud computing has the potential to transform cloud-based services' architecture and functionalities, enhancing their responsiveness and dynamism. Moreover, a new age of automation and communication is heralded by the merging of 5G with IoT. The large flood of IoT devices is accommodated by 5G's expanded network capacity, which facilitates smooth communication and coordination amongst them. By enabling IoT applications with never-before-seen speed and dependability, this synergy opens up new opportunities in industries including industrial automation, smart cities, healthcare, and agriculture. The convergence of 5G and IoT not only expedites the implementation of IoT solutions but also amplifies their efficiency and scalability. But there are obstacles in the way of 5G's revolutionary promise. As more and more devices are connected and data is exchanged, security and privacy issues become critical. In addition, significant financial outlays and careful planning are needed to meet the infrastructure needs for the rollout of 5G. The symbiotic link between 5G, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things is thoroughly examined in this article. It seeks to contribute to the knowledge of the technical environment and direct future research and development activities in order to fully realize the promise of 5G-enabled innovations by analysing the possibilities and difficulties posed by this convergence.

Studying the effectiveness of investments in hotel services using customer sentiment analysis

AbstractThe main aim of the article is to assess investments in hotel services in Poland in 2018–2020. The assessment was carried out by examining the correlation between financial outlays in the hotel industry in powiats (counties) and voivodeships of Poland and customer opinions expressed in internet entries on the websites of individual tourist facilities. The methodology for testing the sentiment of text documents is an unsupervised classification algorithm applied to the Polish language. The classification task consists of the unsupervised assignment of a text document to one of three sentiment classes: positive, neutral, or negative. The research is based on opinions collected from 906 hotels and the amount of financial investment in individual hotel segments (categories) in the surveyed years on a powiat basis. Financial investment data were gathered from the official statistical yearbook websites and internet entries were scraped from the websites of individual tourist facilities. The analysis shows a positive relationship between the size of investment in hotel services and the sentiment of customers' opinions. The scientific contribution of the research is threefold. Firstly, an attempt is made to assess the efficiency of investments in hotel services in Poland in recent years. Secondly, the approach applied omits the downsides of other popular models of assessing the quality of services. Thirdly, the algorithm used quite precisely finds the categories required for a different kind or broader analysis of the quality of hotel services.

Financial involvement of local government units in achieving environmental objectives of sustainable development in Poland

Poland’s achievement of sustainable development goals, including environmental goals, requires substantial financial outlays and the necessity of incurring high expenditures by, among others, local government units (LGU). The article focuses on green investment expenditures incurred by LGU budgets. The aim is to identify and diagnose the spatial variation of these expenditures in the context of sustainable development goals and the new taxonomy for classifying economic activities as environmentally sustainable. The added value of the article is: first, to identify the structure of green investment expenditures of LGU, which enables to show their changes in the context of sustainable development goals, and second, to conduct a comprehensive comparative analysis of these expenditures, including all cities with county rights and municipalities, divided into urban, rural and urban-rural types in Poland into three periods: 2004-2006, 2007-2013 and 2014-2020. The study, carried out using the TOPSIS method, showed a wide variation in the level of green investment expenditures made from the budgets of local government units.

A Bilevel Model for Carbon Pricing in a Green Supply Chain Considering Price and Carbon-Sensitive Demand

In today’s industrial landscape, there is a mounting urgency to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts of emissions stemming from supply chain operations. On one front, policy-makers impose increasingly stringent emission reduction targets for supply chains, while on another front, consumers express a heightened preference for products and services with reduced carbon footprints. This study addresses the challenge of determining an optimal carbon pricing strategy by integrating the imperatives of a green supply chain with carbon taxation policies. To this end, we introduce a bi-level mixed-integer linear programming model for supply chain network planning, encompassing considerations of carbon taxation policies and the responsiveness of demand to the final product’s price and associated carbon emissions. Findings from a case study underscore that an escalation in carbon pricing prompts the supply chain to prioritize emissions reduction through the utilization of environmentally conscious approaches. The results reveal the need for a USD 0.9/kg carbon price to achieve a 10% emission reduction, resulting in an 80% profit decline. Notably, a 10% reduction has profound impacts, which leads to the suggestion of a gradual approach. Furthermore, as carbon prices reach higher levels, the supply chain tends toward curtailing production, thereby fostering an environment conducive to emission abatement. Consequently, policy formulators must judiciously calibrate a fitting carbon pricing mechanism to strike a harmonious equilibrium between emission reduction targets and the financial outlays of the supply chain.

How hospital patients use antiulcer drugs: An observational study in a general hospital in Bangladesh

According to reports, anti-ulcer medications proton pump inhibitor (PPI) have been used in unsuitable clinical contexts, which frequently increases the risk of side effects, drug interactions, and expenses. Examining the suitability of PPI medication and its use with frequency for patients in Bangladeshi hospital was the goal of this study. In a tertiary care hospital, a two-month cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the types of PPI prescription, their appropriateness, and their tendency to be used. Following signed informed consent, 166 patients who were prescribed PPI at the time of discharge were enrolled, and information was gathered using a structured questionnaire. A total of 166 PPI-prescribed patients were interviewed. All of them were in the age between 20-65 years. Among the 166 PPI users, 86 were male and 80 were female. Among the 166 PPI users, 68 (41% approx.) properly used PPI according to prescription and direction, 98 (59% approx.) used PPI medication improperly. This study shows that PPIs are being used excessively. It is vital to enhance PPI prescription in order to decrease medication interactions, side effects, and needless financial outlays.