Low Price Research Articles

Argentine Malbec market: comparative study of general chemical parameters and sensory properties within low, medium and high price segments

Malbec, Argentina's emblematic wine, is appreciated worldwide for its unique characteristics and distinctive organoleptic profile. As demand for Malbec wines increases locally in Argentina and international markets, there is a need to better understand the relationship between the price of these wines and their chemical and sensory characteristics. The aim of this study was to describe and quantify the sensory attributes and chemical parameters (in particular, phenolics) of Argentinean Malbec wines of different price segments. In order to observe the differences between each price range, the eight best-selling wines from the low, medium, and high price categories were analysed. Wine general analytical parameters and phenolics composition were determined and a descriptive analysis was performed with a trained panel. The results show that it was only possible to differentiate between the high- and low-price ranges. Both ranges exhibited variability, including different types of wines. Significant differences were identified in several parameters, such as O.D.280, titratable acidity, malic acid, volatile acidity, alcohol, glucose and total sugars. There were also significant differences in anthocyanins, LPP, SPP, TPP and tannins. The high-price range was characterised by higher alcohol content, greater polyphenol concentration and greater colour intensity. Sensorially, they were distinguished by the descriptors wood, astringency and colour. The low-price range was associated with low colour intensity and higher total sugar content. This is the first study to clearly establish the sensory differences among different price ranges of Argentine wines. Our study demonstrated that wine pricing is not determined in a subjective or arbitrary manner; rather, wines produced for a specific segment are intentionally designed to achieve the desired sensory and chemical characteristics.

Cobalt Phosphide Decorating Metallic Cobalt With a Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nano‐Shell Surpasses Platinum Group Metals for Oxygen Electrocatalysis Applications

ABSTRACTIt has been a long‐standing challenge to cultivate capable and resilient oxygen electrocatalysts with higher activity, low price, and long lifetime to replace the commonly used platinum group metals, i.e., Pt for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and RuO2/IrO2 for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). This work presents a promising approach to address the challenges associated with oxygen electrocatalysis by introducing a cobalt phosphide/metallic cobalt (Co2P/Co) core wrapped in a nitrogen‐doped conductive carbon (CN) nano‐shell, demonstrated as Co2P/Co@NC. The strong chemical bonding between metallic cobalt and phosphorus, nitrogen and conductive carbon contributes to the enhanced conductivity and stability of the electrocatalyst. The nitrogen doping in the carbon shell provides additional Co–N active sites, which are crucial for ORR activity. Co2P/Co@NC demonstrates promising activity and stability compared to noble metals such as Pt for ORR in an alkaline medium. This suggests its potential as a cost‐effective alternative to Pt‐based catalysts. Further, due to factors such as strong cobalt‐phosphide bonding, high cobalt oxidation states and excellent conductivity of the nitrogen‐doped carbon shell, the Co2P/Co@NC outperforms noble metal oxides like iridium dioxide (IrO2) and ruthenium dioxide (RuO2) for OER. Co2P/Co@NC exhibits a low potential difference of 0.63 V, which is among the lowest reported for bifunctional electrocatalysts capable of both ORR and OER. Overall, the described strategy offers a promising avenue for developing efficient, low‐cost and stable electrocatalysts for oxygen reactions, which are crucial for various electrochemical energy conversion and storage technologies, such as fuel cells and metal–air batteries.

Impact of Natural Disasters on House Prices: A Global Analysis and Policy Implications

This study addresses the limited research on how natural disasters affect house prices by analyzing data from 117 countries between 2000 and 2018, using a panel regression approach to assess these impacts. The results reveal that natural disasters tend to decrease house prices, a finding that holds strong across multiple robustness checks. Specifically, geological disasters are found to have the most significant negative impact on property values. The study also distinguishes between the effects of small and large disasters, with both showing a clear downward effect on house prices. These insights carry important implications for policymakers and investors, as lower house prices in disaster-prone areas may indicate reduced consumption and investment due to the wealth effect, potentially leading to wider economic downturns. To support these regions, economic policymakers might consider measures such as low-tax policies or quantitative easing. The findings also highlight the urgent need for governments to address climate change impacts on the housing market by adopting sustainable technologies and renewable energy sources. Keywords Natural Disasters, House Pricing, Climate Change, Statistical model

Renewable energy waste recycling

Broad field of technologies is related to the countries’ green hydrogen goals, with renewable energy technology (RE) being a significant part. RE’s ability to support green hydrogen industry is now being hindered by the waste issue. By 2050, the world will have accumulated up to 60–70 million tons of waste photovoltaic (PV) modules, 43.4 million tons of wind turbine blades and up to 1 million tons of lithium batteries. Existing technologies and recycling capacities are not capable of recycling these volumes, since the readiness levels of most of the applicable technologies is assessed as TRL3 - TRL8 and their economic efficiency is below the profitability level. The purpose of this work is to substantiate the need and calculate the amount of state support for the development of RE waste recycling technologies. It has been determined that the sum of economic losses in the absence of recycling by 2050 will amount to up to 215 billion dollars, including in the RE leading regions: in China 81 billion dollars, in the EU 42 billion dollars, in the USA 26 billion dollars. The regional distribution of waste volume is presented, grouped by energy price level: 30% of waste in countries with the highest energy tariffs, mainly in Europe, 20% in regions with an average price, including all of North America, 50% in regions with the lowest price - most Asian countries. The dynamics of the increase in the number of patents for the selected IPCs for the period 2000–2024 was obtained, and the leading countries were identified. It is shown that the effect of state support for recycling will be obtained in three industries: firstly, a cost-effective industry for recycling renewable energy waste will be formed, secondly, the availability of scarce materials for renewable energy producers will increase, and thirdly, unconstrained RE deployment will back the green hydrogen development. The timeframe of the countries’ hydrogen goals and the RE waste accumulation trends jointly indicate the urgency of the waste issue, when the analysis proves the reasonable request for the state involvement.

Energy Flexibility in Aluminium Smelting: A Long-Term Feasibility Study Based on the Prospects of Electricity Load and Photovoltaic Production

This paper investigates the economic feasibility of utilising energy flexibility in aluminium production as a viable solution to leverage electricity surpluses arising from the increasing number of photovoltaic (PV) system installations. Future trends suggest that the generation capacity of PV systems will soon surpass consumption, leading to significant electricity surpluses, particularly during the summer. This surplus electricity, which is anticipated to be available at low prices, offers a unique opportunity to evaluate different investment and utilisation scenarios for aluminium production while simultaneously decreasing its environmental impact. The results demonstrate that, despite their high initial investment cost, large-scale PV power plants can potentially deliver maximum economic gains over a ten-year period. Conversely, the direct utilisation of surpluses without substantial investment can yield savings of up to EUR 17 million within the same time frame for Slovenia’s case with an aluminium smelter, which has a maximum power usage of 60 MW. The findings of this study have significant implications in terms of shaping future energy strategies and policies, emphasizing the value of integrating renewable energy sources and industrial processes for enhanced economic and environmental outcomes.

Chinese Consumers' Satisfaction with Online Shopping Platforms

With the rapid development of Internet technology, China's online shopping industry is also expanding rapidly, becoming an important part of global e-commerce. This article investigates Chinese consumers' satisfaction levels with Taobao, Jingdong (JD.com), and Pinduoduo, three of the country's most popular e-commerce sites. The article reviews the historical development of these platforms, their market positioning, and some of the unique spending habits of Chinese consumers. This paper analyzes several key factors that affect consumer satisfaction, including delivery accuracy, price, information quality, payment convenience, and security. The way that these aspects are handled by each platform greatly affects the buying experience of users. Technological innovations on platforms such as Taobao, such as AI-driven recommendations, have dramatically improved user experience and satisfaction. Jingdong has improved its delivery efficiency and customer satisfaction by building its own logistics system, and Pinduoduo's logistics are both slightly inadequate in comparison. However, Jingdong's logistics during peak hours still needs to be improved. The paper also points out that while price is a very important factor for consumers when choosing a platform, Pinduoduo still needs to find a balance between low price and service quality. Lastly, future studies can explore how cross-border e-commerce and the behavioral inclinations of various user groups could impact the platform's subsequent development stage. These findings suggest that continued attention to these factors can provide online shopping platforms with strategies to increase consumer satisfaction and improve service quality, as well as provide new ideas for academic research.

Powdered Medical Adhesive with Long Lasting Adhesion in Water Environment.

Medical adhesives have been used under surgical conditions. However, it is always a big challenge to maintain long-term adhesion in a water environment. Besides, it usually takes a long time to complete the adhesion, and the operation might be complicated. In this study, tannic acid and gelatin solution under acidic conditions were mixed, flocculated, lyophilized, and crushed; thus, a powdered medical adhesive (POWDER) was prepared with long-lasting adhesion in a water environment, convenience, and low price. Tannic acid bound gelatin and maintained adhesive force primarily through hydrogen bonding and reacted with amino sulfhydryl and other amino acid residues after oxidation into aldehyde, exhibiting excellent underwater adhesion. Oxidized dextran (ODex) powder rich in an aldehyde group was introduced to provide covalent binding in the adhesive. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that POWDER could quickly adhere to various tissues in the water environment. In vitro skin adhesion experiments demonstrated that it could achieve effective adhesion in a water environment for up to 60 days. Its blood compatibility, low cytotoxicity, and biodegradability were also verified. The POWDER developed in this study is of great significance for patients who need rapid wound treatments.

Assessment of a coupled electricity and hydrogen sector in the Texas energy system in 2050

Due to its ability to reduce emissions in the hard-to-abate sectors, hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in future energy systems. This study modifies a sector-coupled dynamic modeling framework for electricity and hydrogen by including policy constraints, carbon prices, and possible hydrogen pathways and applies it to Texas in 2050. The impact of financial policies, including the US clean hydrogen production tax credit, on required infrastructure and costs are explored. Due to low natural gas prices, financial levers are necessary to promote low-carbon hydrogen production as the optimized solution. The Levelized Costs of Hydrogen are found to be $1.50/kg in the base case (primarily via steam methane reformation production) and lie between $2.10 - 3.10/kg when production is via renewable electrolysis. The supporting infrastructure required to supply those volumes of renewable hydrogen is immense. The hydrogen tax credit was found to be enough to drive production via electrolysis.

Article: Redefining Global Trade: The Interplay of Geopolitics, Economic Resilience, and Sustainability?

This paper explores the shifting dynamics of global trade amid rising geopolitical tensions between the United States, the European Union, and China. It traces the evolution from post-World War II American-led globalization to hyperglobalization, where China emerged as a global manufacturing powerhouse. While hyperglobalization spurred economic growth and lowered consumer prices, it also led to job losses, income inequality, and environmental degradation in developed economies.The COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing US-China trade conflict have accelerated a shift towards economic resilience and national security. The US has responded by decoupling from China, particularly in critical sectors like technology and clean energy, viewing economic policy as integral to national security. Meanwhile, the EU, though aligned with the US in geopolitical concerns, remains economically dependent on China and has adopted a more regulatory approach. The EU seeks to balance its economic ties with China by leveraging trade regulations, such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), to encourage Chinese investment while promoting higher environmental and social standards.The paper also examines the increasing influence of environmental policies on trade, noting how both the US and EU are integrating sustainability into their trade frameworks. However, this trend raises concerns about the potential for environmental regulations to become trade barriers, further complicating international relations.

Informing HPV vaccine pricing for government-funded vaccination in mainland China: a modelling study

The high price of HPV vaccines remains a significant barrier to vaccine accessibility in China, hindering the country's efforts toward cervical cancer elimination and exacerbating health inequity. We aimed to inform HPV vaccine price negotiations by identifying threshold prices that ensure that a government-funded HPV vaccination programme is cost-effective or cost-saving. We used a previously validated transmission model to estimate the health and economic impact of HPV vaccination over a 100-year time horizon from a healthcare payer perspective. Threshold analysis was conducted considering different settings (national, rural, and urban), cervical cancer screening scenarios (cytology-based or HPV DNA-based, with different paces of scale-up), vaccine types (four types available in China), vaccine schedules (two-dose or one-dose), mode of vaccination (routine vaccination with or without later switching to high-valency vaccines), willingness-to-pay thresholds, and decision-making criteria (cost-effective or cost-saving). Furthermore, we examined the budget impact of introducing nationwide vaccination at the identified threshold prices. Using the current market price, national routine HPV vaccination with any currently available vaccine is unlikely cost-effective. Under a two-dose schedule, the prices of the four available HPV vaccine types cannot exceed $26-$36 per dose (44.1%-80.2% reduction from current market prices) depending on vaccine type to ensure the cost-effectiveness of the national programme. Adopting vaccination at threshold prices would require an annual increase of 72.18%-96.95% of the total annual National Immunization Programme (NIP) budget in China. A cost-saving routine vaccination programme requires vaccine prices of $5-$10 per dose (depending on vaccine type), producing a 21.38%-34.23% increase in the annual NIP budget. Adding the second dose is unlikely to be cost-effective compared to a one-dose schedule, with the threshold price approaching or even falling below zero. Rural pilot vaccination programmes require lower threshold prices compared with a national programme. Our study could inform vaccine price negotiation and thus facilitate nationwide scale-up of current HPV vaccination pilot programmes in China. The evidence may potentially be valuable to other countries facing HPV introduction barriers due to high costs. This approach may also be adapted for other contexts that involve the introduction of a pricy vaccine. CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (CIFMS); Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Dynamic pricing with multiple consumers and alternating offers under retailer competition: theory and experiment

AbstractWe introduce and test a stylized model of dynamic pricing under duopolistic competition. In our model, a consumer receives alternating price offers between two retailers over an indefinite number of periods so that the game or “season” terminates with a fixed probability after each period. The two retailers do not know the valuation of the consumer for the good they are competing to sell to the consumer, but they have common knowledge about the probability distribution of the valuation. Our equilibrium analysis suggests that price offers decrease exponentially across periods over the season. Moreover, when there are multiple consumers in the game, as long as their valuations are ex ante independently and identically distributed, the equilibrium predictions are the same regardless of the number of consumers. An experiment on the model showed that subjects acting as retailers often overpriced relative to equilibrium predictions. In addition, the theoretical invariance with respect to the number of consumers did not hold: consumers seemed to be more prone to strategic waiting in the first period of the season when there were multiple consumers (compared with when there was only a single consumer), leading to a decrease in the per-consumer payoff of the retailer who made the price offer in the first period and a corresponding increase in per-consumer payoff of the other retailer. There is also evidence of within-session evolution that led to lower retailer prices that were closer to equilibrium predictions, and higher tendency for consumer strategic waiting, as the session progressed.

The Influence Of Product Quality, Service Quality, Price And Brand Image On Shopee Customer Satisfaction

Purpose – This paper seeks to examine the influence of product quality, service quality, price and brand image on shopee customer satisfaction survey in Bengkulu province. Methodology/approach – The data collection method used in this research is the direct or self-administered data collection method, namely the distribution method by distributing online questionnaires to obtain information from respondents. Distribution of questionnaires was carried out by distributing questionnaires online to respondents via social media such as WhatsApp, Instagram and assisted by closest friends in distributing questionnaires. This research collected a sample of 309 respondents.. Findings – It was found that . Good quality, low prices, good brand image and good service quality can increase the satisfaction of customers who shop at Shopee in the community in the city of Bengkulu and have a positive and significant influence. Novelty/value – because product quality, price, brand image and service quality have an influence on customer satisfaction, so it is important for companies to evaluate further the variables that form customer satisfaction to make customers more satisfied. Keywords Because product quality, price, brand image and service quality have an influence on customer satisfaction, it is important for companies to evaluate further the variables that form customer satisfaction to make customers more satisfied. keywords service quality, product quality, price brand image.

The Economics of Production and Marketing of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) in Bukidnon, Philippines

Bukidnon, a province in Region X, is known for its high percentage of oyster mushrooms, accounting for 85.15 percent of total produce. This research aimed to determine production and marketing practices, yield per fruiting bag, marketing channels, and costs. We observed three marketing channels, and the average yield per bag was 0.18 grams per day. Variables affecting productivity included extension visits, educational attainment, culture house temperature, and substrate types. However, producers faced issues like spawn unavailability, poor development, and spoilage. The lack of government equipment support and lower prices led to many farmers stopping production, especially during the pandemic.

Wire Bond Ability Enhancement of 8 Leads Small Outline Integrated Circuit and 14 Leads Thin Shrink Small Outline Package Using AuPd Coated Cu Wire Bonding for Automotive Devices

Paper present a study enhancement of wire bonding process in the integrated circuit package with 2N AuPd coated Cu wire (2N-AuPdCu) for Automotive devices. Wire bonding is the electrical connection between pad and leadframe. In present, Au wire is recently use for interconnection while the gold price still exorbitant and caused concern to the wire bonding cost. Cu wire is a lower price and considered to be an alternative for the interconnection but still concern in term of corrosion and reliability. Recently, 4N AuPd coated Cu wire (4N-AuPdCu) material have been introduced for automotive device but still encounter the reliability problem. The 2N AuPd coated Cu wire was developed version for more reliability enhancement and consider to use for alternative wire of automotive device. In the experiment, Au wire, 4NAuPdCu wire and 2N AuPd coated Cu wire were used for wire bonding process on 8 leads Small Outline Integrated Circuit Package (8L-SOIC) and 14 leads Thin Shrink Small Outline Package (14L-TSSOP) to compare wire bond ability. Analysis, this package tested wire bond ability and reliability. The results performed well in wire bond ability and reliability for 2N AuPd coated Cu wire when comparing with Au wire and 4N AuPd coated Cu wire. Therefore, 2N AuPd coated Cu wire can enhance the quality and reliability for 8L-SOIC package and 14L-TSSOP package for automotive device.

The Bitter Taste of Brazil's Temporary Import Ban on Robusta Coffee

ABSTRACTBrazil, a leading Robusta coffee producer and exporter, faced a significant drought in 2016–2017, which drastically reduced production and depleted stocks. Consequently, Brazil temporarily permitted the import of one million 60‐kg bags of Robusta coffee in the spring 2017. An import ban was imposed shortly afterward due to lobbying by domestic Robusta farmers. We examine the welfare and trade impacts of the drought and subsequent import ban on stakeholders in the Robusta bean and soluble coffee markets. The import ban improved the welfare of Brazilian Robusta producers by $174.85–$280.26 million, nearly offsetting the drought's effects. However, it increased unit cost for Brazilian soluble processors by 10% and reduced consumer surplus in Brazil by $108.35–$174.44 million. Deadweight losses remained minimal due to the markets' price inelasticity. Major Robusta exporters faced reduced exports to Brazil and up to 9% lower prices, losing 0.3363–0.7564 million 60‐kg bags. Additionally, foreign consumers of Brazilian soluble coffee lost $62–$107 million in welfare from higher prices. without the import ban, global stakeholders would have seen a $12.61/bag higher world bean price. The drought benefitted Robusta sellers outside Brazil but harmed net importers, even with the ban in place.

Diverse Attitudes Toward AI-Produced Music: A Case Study between Instrument Learners and Non-Instrument Learners in Yangtze River Delta Region

Recently, with the gradual popularization of AI technology in music, AI music generation technology, as a tool, has triggered thoughts about the transformation of traditional music composition while enhancing the innovation and efficiency of music creation. This study aims to explore the different attitudes toward AI-generated music among instrumental and non-instrumental learners in the Yangtze River Delta region of China, so as to increase the knowledge of AI music composition technology. This study uses a questionnaire method to collect quantitative data, with semi-structured interviews as a qualitative supplement. It is found that most people are aware of AI music technology and express acceptance. The style, uniqueness, and quality of AI-generated works, as well as the convergence of the technology on traditional platforms, and copyright issues, are topics of concern. The differential impact of whether or not one has learned a musical instrument on attitudes towards AI music centers on personal preference. The low price of the service was a significant influencing factor for those who embraced the improved AI technology. In addition, instrumental learners placed more emphasis on the professionalism, artistry, and emotionality of AI music, while non-instrumental learners placed more emphasis on the technological convenience and affordability of AI music. This study helps to demonstrate the influence of instrumental learning experiences on people’s attitudes towards AI music generation, and can provide inspiration for further exploration of music education research in cross-cultural contexts. Meanwhile, the emotional relationship and cognitive responses between humans and AI music can be revealed more.

EXPLORING THE PRICING STRATEGIES OF VEGETABLES VENDORS

Pricing is one of the determining factors in assessing gross sales and profit, especially in vegetable vendors. Pricing techniques shall be assessed to reach long-term profitability. This study examines how vegetable vendors of Bongao Public Market decide on prices. Five standard pricing methods were explored, including adding a markup to costs, pricing based on competitors, setting prices according to perceived value, setting high prices then lowering them over time, and adjusting with low prices to gain market share. Fifty respondents were chosen to participate in this study through simple random sampling. This study used surveys, interviews, and market observations. The findings show that vendors are aware of pricing techniques. They use different strategies depending on factors like production costs, competition, and customer preferences. This study aimed to help vendors and others in the vegetable business make better decisions by understanding these pricing methods and their effects. KEYWORDS: Pricing, Pricing Strategies, Vendors, Vegetables Vendors

Marketing Strategies for Chinese Smartphone Brands to Compete with iPhone

Chinese cell phone brands face increasing competition at home and abroad, especially from the dominance of the foreign brand iPhone. The competitive pressure on these brands has intensified against the backdrop of U.S. sanctions on Chinese mobile chips. This study examines the marketing strategies of leading Chinese brands such as Huawei, Xiaomi, and OPPO to cope with this competitive landscape. The study examines how these brands have successfully entered and expanded into overseas markets through case studies and data analysis. The findings show that these brands have adopted strategies such as catering to specific consumer needs, utilizing low prices to attract consumers with limited budgets, increasing brand awareness, and exploring new international markets. Notably, Huawei’s patriotic marketing strategy brings both benefits and risks, while OPPO’s use of brand partnerships is also a noteworthy marketing approach. The study concludes that while the iPhone maintains a stable market share and loyal fan base in China, Chinese brands must adopt a differentiation strategy to avoid direct competition with Apple. This requires focusing on unique value propositions, such as superior affordability, innovative features, or tailored marketing approaches, to secure a more diverse and resilient market position.

Paradox: Revolutionizing American-Inspired Sportswear in the Chinese Market

Paradox aims to disrupt the rapidly growing Chinese sportswear market, which has reached a size of $47.8 billion, by targeting men aged 15-35 years—a demographic that consumes over 60% of the sportswear in the country. The company leverages American-inspired designs combined with affordable pricing, addressing the gap created by leading brands such as Nike, which often overprice their products, limiting access for the targeted consumers. Paradox’s competitive advantage lies in delivering quality comparable to American labels at lower price points, appealing to emerging middle-income earners eager to embrace an American athletic lifestyle.The founding team, comprised of experienced professionals from the sportswear industry, has streamlined the supply chain and manufacturing processes to maintain efficiency while employing a direct-to-consumer business model. With projected conservative sales growth of 25% per year and a solid marketing strategy focused on influencer partnerships and e-commerce, Paradox is set for significant market entry. The startup seeks $10,000 in funding to launch its first collection and expects to generate profits within the first 18 months. With its unique value proposition, strong management team, and targeted approach to an underserved market, Paradox presents itself as a lucrative investment opportunity poised to revolutionize the sportswear sector in China.

Contributing Factors to Quail Farming Failures in Brebes and Potential Mitigation Strategies

This study aims to identify the determinant factors leading to failure and to explore potential solutions for small-scale quail farmers in Brebes Regency. The research employs a quantitative approach, distributing questionnaires directly to 59 quail farmers in the Brebes region, including both active and inactive participants in quail farming. The questionnaire instrument is designed comprehensively to identify various factors contributing to failure in quail farming enterprises. The survey indicates that quail farmers face several major challenges, including high feed costs, low egg prices, and high quail mortality due to disease. All farmers also experience difficulties in marketing, limited capital, and threats from natural disasters. Lack of knowledge and poor farm management are additional issues, while competition with large-scale farmers makes it difficult for small-scale farmers to survive. Value-added products are considered highly profitable by all respondents. quail farmers in Brebes express a significant need for and strong support of government subsidies for feed costs, marketing assistance, training programs provided by veterinary departments, and the reinforcement of farmer organizations. Additionally, they concur that the adoption of advanced technologies, the enhancement of consumer awareness, the development of value-added products, and the expansion into new markets will contribute to greater efficiency and profitability within their operations.