Major Expense Research Articles

All May Not Be Forgiven: Post Seminary Financial Liabilities for Diocesan Catholics Pursuing Ordination

Research on Catholic religious vocations has concentrated on student debt primarily as a barrier to entry. This study examines the outstanding liabilities for diocesan Catholics incurred post baccalaureate at the theologate level, shedding light on the misconception that seminarians do not accrue debt. Particular attention is given to the financial obligations of seminarians vis-à-vis their diocese while pursuing ordination and policies for settling debt if one discerns out of seminary or subsequently leaves the priesthood. A survey of Vocation Directors at dioceses that sponsor theologates in the United States was conducted and data collected via questionnaire. Responses analyzed from 21 dioceses across 14 states reveals remarkable consistency in financial policies. The vast majority are willing to accept men for theology with pre-existing educational debt. Further, dioceses cover most major expenses for seminarians in the theologate and nearly all consider there to be no debt incurred at the theologate level. Nevertheless, a common position among dioceses is that outstanding educational debt is primarily the seminarian’s responsibility. This study is relevant to candidates for the priesthood as well as diocesan leadership and acknowledges the role of donors or fundraisers in debt mitigation.

Use of Extension Services by Smallholder Farmers in Kitui County, Kenya: Challenges and Opportunities

Agriculture supports the livelihoods of rural people in developing countries, including Kenya. Agriculture is the mainstay and driver of the Kenyan rural economy. Despite the critical role of agriculture in Kenya, poor access to extension support services persists. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utilization of agricultural extension services by smallholder farmers in Kitui County, Kenya. A total 99 farmers were sampled from Kitui County using a stratified random sampling approach. Secondary information sources such as national and county ministries reports and existing literature were reviewed to supplement the primary data. A Questionnaire was the main tool used for data collection in this study. Data obtained were analyzed through descriptive statistics. This study found that most farmers in Kitui County had access to extension service in their various crop and /or livestock enterprises. Majority of the farmers who had received extension services had applied all the recommendations made by the extension workers. The complexity of technology was stated as the most common reason for the non-application of some recommendations. Majority of the sampled farmers preferred extension information packaged in the form of print, the extension officer himself/face-to-face, radio, television, internet, Barazas, farm visit and self-explanation. Transports, both for the farmer to the service provider’s office and for the service provider to the farm, was cited as a major expenses in livestock and crop agricultural extension. This study recommend that more funds should be allocated to an agricultural extension. For efficient delivery of extension service in Kitui County, extension officers should be well facilitated (especially through adequate transport facilities and access to technologies). Agricultural Extension work requires more funds to reach most of the farmers in vast Kitui County.

Solar-powered modern poultry farm: a case study BAYAT complex Ouargla, Algeria

Energy consumption in poultry farming systems has a direct impact on the thermoregulation of the chickens, the ventilation of the house, and the quality of the air to provide a suitable indoor environment for chicken health. This makes the poultry industry an energy-intensive sector, with gas and electricity as major expenses. Therefore, the integration of solar photovoltaic systems can enhance energy saving in poultry farming, and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. Accordingly, this study conducts thermal analysis to predict heat losses in winter and heat gains in summer according to the method described in the Regulatory Technical Documents (DTR). Our industrial poultry farm is the BAYAT Complex located in the Wilaya of Ouargla. The results obtained show that the total heating power is about 117.67 kW for a livestock building of 120x14 m² area containing 16000 chickens, while the cooling power for the same building is 553.92 kW. In the case of heating, the greatest heat loss comes from losses by transmission, about 88%. In the case of cooling, the internal thermal contributions represent 81% of that which enters through the structure of the building, of which 40% are latent internal contributions while 41% are sensitive.

Economic Analysis of Seed Spice Cultivation in Gujarat, India

The present investigation was carried out to study the cost of cultivation and returns per hectare of major seed spices in Gujarat. The study was conducted at Banaskantha district for cumin and fennel as per the second highest triennium average area of cumin and fennel and at Junagadh district for coriander as it shows the highest triennium average area of coriander respectively during the year of 2023-24. In Gujarat for 2023-24, cumin cultivation incurred significant costs with hired labour as the largest component at 15.80 per cent, followed closely by family labour (15.65%) and rental value of owned land (13.44%). Fennel farms saw average costs of ₹70468.90 per hectare, peaking at ₹71356.01 on large farms and lowest at ₹67208.33 on small farms, with family labour (17.25%), irrigation (16.04%) and land rental (15.64%) as major expenses. Similarly, coriander farms had an average cost of ₹75939.26 per hectare, highest on large farms at ₹76551.63 and lowest on small farms at ₹74160.06, with rental value on owned land (18.95%), hired labour (16.35%), and family labour (11.74%) being significant costs. Costs increased with farm size across all crops. Cumin proved most profitable with an input-output ratio of 1:3.08, compared to fennel (1:1.48) and coriander (1:1.76) in the same period.

An economic model to understand the cost-effectiveness of olanzapine orally dispersible tablets (ODT) and olanzapine film coated tablets as a group compared with other oral atypical antipsychotics for treating schizophrenia in Morocco

BackgroundAntipsychotic medications are the primary treatment for schizophrenia, with olanzapine being an effective medication for schizophrenia. The economic cost for each individual with schizophrenia is high, with antipsychotic medication being a major expense. This study aims to develop an economic decision model that compares different treatment options for schizophrenia patients, including olanzapine Orally Dispersible Tablets (ODT), olanzapine [ODT + Standard Oral Tablet (SOT)], risperidone (ODT + SOT), and aripiprazole (ODT + SOT), to determine their cost-effectiveness with an objective to optimize healthcare resource allocation in Morocco.MethodsThe study used published medical literature and a clinical expert panel to develop a decision analytic model. This model was designed to capture parameters such as adherence levels, treatment discontinuation, relapse with and without hospitalization, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), treatment-related adverse events, healthcare resource utilization, and associated costs. The main outcomes of interest included the total annual direct cost per treatment, QALYs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per 1 QALY gained. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were employed to account for parameter uncertainty.ResultsAccording to the simulation model, the ODT and ODT + SOT as a group form of olanzapine was the most effective treatment option in terms of the lowest percentages of inpatient relapse, and patients who remained stable (11% and 79% respectively) than risperidone (19% and 62% respectively) and aripiprazole ODT (26% and 50% respectively) and ODT + SOT formulation groups. Olanzapine (ODT + SOT) therapy group was cost-effective when compared to the combined group of ODT + SOT forms of risperidone [ICER: Moroccan Dirham (MAD) 103,907], and aripiprazole (ICER: MAD 65,047). Additionally, olanzapine ODT was found to be cost-effective compared to olanzapine SOT with an ICER of MAD 3921, risperidone ODT with an ICER of MAD 1,02,298, risperidone SOT with an ICER of MAD 31,088, and aripiprazole ODT or SOT formulations. All the above ICERs fall under the willingness-to-pay threshold in Morocco of MAD 250,832.40. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the reliability of the findings.ConclusionsThe model concluded that olanzapine ODT is the most cost-effective first-line treatment option for schizophrenia in Morocco when compared to other atypical antipsychotic medications in ODT and SOT formulations.

Unlocking Lignin's Potential: Engineered Bacterial Laccases to Produce Biologically Active Molecules.

Laccases are biocatalysts with immense potential in lignocellulose biorefineries to valorize emerging lignin monomers for sustainable chemicals. Despite reduced costs over the past two decades, enzymes remain a major expense in biorefining. Protein engineering can enhance enzyme properties and lower costs further. In this study, we used enzyme engineering tools to improve > 400-fold the catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) of a hyperthermostable bacterial laccase for 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, a lignin-related phenolic compound. Furthermore, this evolved variant showed improved activity at neutral to alkaline pH for hydroxycinnamyl alcohols, hydrocinnamic acids, phenylpropanoid and vanillyl derivatives. We optimized conditions for the synthesis of syringaresinol, dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol, thomasidioic acid, biseugenol, dehydrodiisoeugenol, and diapocynin, detailing the pH, catalyst concentration, reaction time, temperature, and oxygenation of the reaction mixtures. Our biocatalytic system offers several advantages, including being free of organic solvents, achieving faster reaction times, using lower amounts of enzymes and delivering excellent yields (up to 100%) than reported methods. Additionally, we provide insights that advance the state-of-the-art in lignin combinatory chemistry. This progress marks a significant step forward in valorizing the lignin chemicals platform, enabling high yields of dimeric compounds with structural scaffolds that can be exploited in various biotechnological areas, such as medicinal chemistry and polymer synthesis.

The uptake of dissolved glucose by juvenile green‐lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus)

AbstractA major expense in the operation of bivalve nurseries is the culture of high‐quality live microalgae feeds, and efforts to develop effective alternative feeds have had limited success. Juvenile bivalves are known to be able to absorb dissolved nutrients, but this ability has received minimal attention as a route for supplementary feeding. This study assessed the capacity of juvenile green‐lipped mussels (GLMs) (Perna canaliculus) to uptake and assimilate dissolved glucose at five experimental concentrations (i.e. 10 µg mL−1, 100 µg mL−1, 1 mg mL−1, 10 mg mL−1 and 30 mg mL−1) as a supplement to cultured microalgae. Growth and survival of the mussels were measured over 3 weeks. Although all glucose concentrations improved the performance of mussel spat compared to the control, the best performing was a concentration of 1 mg mL−1 of dissolved glucose which enhanced daily spat growth 2.7 times that of the control live microalgal diet without glucose. Survival was high (i.e. >95%) for all treatments except for the highest experimental concentration of glucose, for which a concentration of 30 mg mL−1 resulted in mean mortality of 24%. Mussel spat supplemented with dissolved glucose accumulated up to 30% greater lipid and improved the carbohydrate content per mg g−1 of ash‐free dry weight as much as 3.5 times compared to those in the control treatment, indicating that they were in greater nutritional condition. This demonstration that dissolved glucose can be used to fuel growth by GLM spat at concentrations as low as 10 µg mL−1 suggests that other soluble nutrients may also act as a supplemental feed for cultured juvenile molluscs. Dissolved nutrients have the potential to improve the performance of spat in nursery systems while simultaneously reducing the reliance of cultured microalgae as a sole feed input.

The Relationship Between Self-Control Factors and Household Saving Behavior

We examined the effect of self-control factors on saving behavior based on the behavioral life cycle hypothesis, using the 2016 and 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances datasets. A model that included self-control factors (behavioral life cycle variables) had a more significant effect on saving behavior than a model that included only normative life cycle variables. Among self-control factors, having at least one saving rule was positively associated with saving behavior, but saving goals were not significantly associated with saving behavior. Having a foreseeable major expense was negatively associated with saving behavior. The findings of this study can assist financial planners, counselors, and educators in developing and implementing strategies related to self-control factors to enhance saving behavior.

The Effect of Advertising on Increasing Sales of Food Products

Reducing the consumption of unhealthy food is a major public health priority. Food marketing is part of the collateral environment that influences children’s food preferences and diet. The food, beverage, and restaurant industries are the biggest individual product advertisers. As such, there is a large concern that advertising can lead to obesity, which may lead to various health problems. The food advertising that children are exposed to falls into two main categories. The first consists of food advertising, and the second consists of food product packaging, which includes television advertising as well as packages of food sold at the supermarket. Advertising is a major business expense that affects certain food product sales. Well-targeted advertising helps to successfully promote food products. The main objective of any for-profit company, like any advertising campaign, is to create sales, and this study is directly interested in examining the impact that food advertising has on food sales. The main purpose of this paper is to determine the factors that more heavily affect the increase of sales of food products, taking into account that advertising has a positive influence.

Techno-economic assessment of bioleaching for metallurgical by-products

This study focused on the economic feasibility of two potential industrial-scale bioleaching technologies for metal recovery from specific metallurgical by-products, mainly basic oxygen steelmaking dust (BOS-D) and goethite. The investigation compared two bioleaching scaling technology configurations, including an aerated bioreactor and an aerated and stirred bioreactor across different scenarios. Results indicated that bioleaching using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans proved financially viable for copper extraction from goethite, particularly when 5% and 10% pulp densities were used in the aerated bioreactor, and when 10% pulp density was used in the aerated and stirred bioreactor. Notably, a net present value (NPV) of $1,275,499k and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 65% for Cu recovery from goethite were achieved over 20-years after project started using the aerated and stirred bioreactor plant with a capital expenditure (CAPEX) of $119,816,550 and an operational expenditure (OPEX) of $5,896,580/year. It is expected that plant will start to make profit after one year of operation. Aerated and stirred bioreactor plant appeared more reliable alternative compared to the aerated bioreactor plant as the plant consists of 12 reactors which can allow better management and operation in small volume with multiple reactors. Despite the limitations, this techno-economic assessment emphasized the significance of selective metal recovery and plant design, and underscored the major expenses associated with the process.

Evaluating Tax Compliance Cost on SME Performance in Vietnam

This study focuses on the burden of tax compliance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam which is a vital component of Vietnam economy, accounted for 45% GDP and 31% of total State budget revenue, attract more than 5 million employees. Based on a quick survey on the compliance cost and their impact on the performance of Vietnamese SMEs, we try to make a contribution not only for researchers but also for legal and taxation system to improve the transparency of accounting information system, internal control of the firms. The result of our study suggests that among those tax compliance cost in the SMEs: external, internal tax cost, and miscellaneous tax cost, the internal tax cost accounted for the major expenses in tax compliance in Vietnam, after that the miscellaneous tax cost also a significant cost for complying with tax regulation. External costs were evaluated at low percentage compared to the left component of tax procedure cost. With this result, study have shown some tax compliance cost type making burden for SME as well as evaluating issue in tax system in Vietnam.

An artificial intelligence approach of feature engineering and ensemble methods depicts the rumen microbiome contribution to feed efficiency in dairy cows

Genetic selection has remarkably helped U.S. dairy farms to decrease their carbon footprint by more than doubling milk production per cow over time. Despite the environmental and economic benefits of improved feed and milk production efficiency, there is a critical need to explore phenotypical variance for feed utilization to advance the long-term sustainability of dairy farms. Feed is a major expense in dairy operations, and their enteric fermentation is a major source of greenhouse gases in agriculture. The challenges to expanding the phenotypic database, especially for feed efficiency predictions, and the lack of understanding of its drivers limit its utilization. Herein, we leveraged an artificial intelligence approach with feature engineering and ensemble methods to explore the predictive power of the rumen microbiome for feed and milk production efficiency traits, as rumen microbes play a central role in physiological responses in dairy cows. The novel ensemble method allowed to further identify key microbes linked to the efficiency measures. We used a population of 454 genotyped Holstein cows in the U.S. and Canada with individually measured feed and milk production efficiency phenotypes. The study underscored that the rumen microbiome is a major driver of residual feed intake (RFI), the most robust feed efficiency measure evaluated in the study, accounting for 36% of its variation. Further analyses showed that several alpha-diversity metrics were lower in more feed-efficient cows. For RFI, [Ruminococcus] gauvreauii group was the only genus positively associated with an improved feed efficiency status while seven other taxa were associated with inefficiency. The study also highlights that the rumen microbiome is pivotal for the unexplained variance in milk fat and protein production efficiency. Estimation of the carbon footprint of these cows shows that selection for better RFI could reduce up to 5 kg of diet consumed per cow daily, potentially reducing up to 37.5% of CH4. These findings shed light that the integration of artificial intelligence approaches, microbiology, and ruminant nutrition can be a path to further advance our understanding of the rumen microbiome on nutrient requirements and lactation performance of dairy cows to support the long-term sustainability of the dairy community.

Economy of Scale of Energy Intensity in Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR)

More water utilities are adopting aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) to balance long-term water supply and demand. Due to large implementation and operation costs, ASR projects need to be optimized, particularly for energy use, which is a major operating expense. This study examines the relationships among energy use, recharge, and recovery at two ASR projects in the western United States. The major finding is an economy of scale for recovery processes, but not for gravity-fed recharge processes. The economy of scale found is as follows: the energy intensity recovered decreases with volume. This suggests it is more energy-efficient to recover large volumes of water in one interval instead of recovering smaller volumes at more frequent intervals. The H2Oaks recovery process experienced a 78% decrease in energy intensity from 0 to 50,000 m3 recovered, while the Sand Hollow site experienced a 43% decrease in energy intensity from 0 to 50,000 m3 recovered. Statistical analyses of the recovery process showed p values lower than 0.0001, R2 values between 0.43 and 0.57, and a RMSE value between 0.55 and 2.1, indicating the presence of a moderate correlation between energy and volume. This economy of scale has been observed in multiple instances in water and wastewater treatment. This finding not only has applications to ASR but also to all recovery or recharge wells, whether or not they are paired with each other. Furthermore, this study confirms the need for more reliable and accessible energy data to fully understand the implications of the energy–water nexus.

Analysis of the Economic Burden of Chronic Kidney Disease With Comorbidities Among Patients in Xuzhou, China.

To analyze the costs and medication patterns of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and comorbidities in Xuzhou, China, using a large electronic medical records database. Data were obtained from an electronic medical records database. The annual per-person and per-visit cost of hospitalization, as well as the proportions of those costs, are presented. The majority of the participants were middle-aged men, and had medical insurance. Glomerulonephritis was the primary cause of CKD in patients with an identified etiology. The average per-visit cost of hospitalization for the CKD-renal anemia and CKD-mineral and bone disorder groups was 8,674.5 (5,154.3-13,949.6) and 8,182.6 (4,798.2-12,844.7) Yuan, respectively, which was greater than that of the other groups. The major expenses incurred were for diagnostics, drug usage, surgical procedures, laboratory tests and material costs. The substantial burden imposed by CKD with comorbidities indicates the importance of implementing public health strategies aimed at detecting and preventing these conditions in the general population. With the aging population, our nation may experience a greater CKD-related economic burden.

Out-of-pocket and catastrophic health expenditure among patients of sexually transmitted infections at a tertiary care center: A cross-sectional study.

Economic burden imposed by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is substantial in low-middle-income countries like India, in spite of the fact that national programs for controlling STIs are operational. The aim of this study was to estimate the out-of-pocket expenses and catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) incurred by patients of STIs and analyze expenditure pattern in relation to various clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study among patients attending Suraksha Clinic. The study was conducted among patients aged ≥18 years. Data were collected regarding various direct and indirect expenses incurred, after adjusting any reimbursement or waive off. Total costs exceeding 10% of annual household income were considered catastrophic. Stepwise regression analysis was used to analyze predictors, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Out of 157 patients, most were suffering from herpetic ulcers (27.4%). The median and interquartile range (IQR) for total OOPE of STI management was ₹1950 (IQR 1035-5725). Direct expenditure constituted major expenses with a median of ₹1850 (IQR 787.50-5385.0). The cost of STI management was catastrophic in 15.2% of cases. Lower socioeconomic status, longer traveling distance, overnight stay as a part of seeking treatment at Suraksha Clinic, previous history of other than allopathic treatment, and quack consultation were found to be independent predictors of CHE. Despite free diagnostic and treatment services to STI patients under the National AIDS Control Programme, many incurred considerable costs and catastrophic expenditure toward STI care. Better outreach of health services is required to maximize STI control and lower financial morbidity.

Saving, Buying and Spending Patterns of Overseas Filipino Workers in the Ilocos Region

This research study discusses the saving, buying and spending patterns of Overseas Filipino Workers. It used quantitative research design and has 772 OFW-respondents coming from all parts of the country. The sampling design was convenience-snowball non-probability sampling design. Findings suggest that most of the respondents were female, college graduate, have 1-2 dependents and are currently working in Hong Kong. As to buying and spending preferences of OFWs, they intend to plan ahead of time what they are buying. They are responsible spenders since they know how hard it is to earn money abroad. Food, remittance and health and wellness are the major expenses of OFWS. Many OFWs also allot portion of their income to savings. One of the limitations of this study is that this research paper only considered one point in time.&#x0D;

Using ohmic heating to shorten the tempering time for frozen fish

SummaryThawing is necessary to restore the freshness of fish before cooking because fish is often frozen to retain its freshness. Frequently, fish is partially thawed (or ‘tempered’) as it is easier to handle in this form than fully thawed fish. However, the conventional tempering techniques – immersion in water and still air tempering – take a long time and alter the fish's characteristics. Hence, the aim of this study was to use the heat generated inside the frozen fish, or ohmic heating, to alter the tempering process. Compared with conventional tempering operations, in this study, three voltage levels (20, 30 and 40 V/cm) were used for ohmic tempering. The fish quality and yield findings revealed that 30‐V/cm ohmic heating was more appropriate, even though ohmic heating at 40 V/cm provided the shortest tempering time. The main operating expense for ohmic tempering was the power cost of USD 58.5/100 kg, whereas the major operating expense for water immersion was the cost of water supply and wastewater treatment, which was around USD 108/100 kg. By using ohmic heating instead of still air and water immersion to temper the frozen fish, not only was less time required while retaining the freshness of the fish but the cost of tempering was also reduced.

Pathways to financial fiteracy

Background of the study: This study explores financial behaviors and information sources among off-campus university students, emphasizing challenges in using library materials for financial literacy. Purpose: The research aims to comprehensively understand the financial landscape of off-campus university students, identifying key behaviors, information sources, and obstacles related to financial literacy. Method: A cross-sectional survey involving 245 off-campus university students was conducted to gather pertinent data. A self-administered questionnaire served as the primary data collection tool. The collected data underwent analysis using descriptive statistics to draw meaningful insights. Findings: Off-campus university students' major expenses included school-related costs and food. Common financial behaviors included living within means, avoiding borrowing, and budgeting. Despite these practices, many students expressed financial dissatisfaction. Family members were the primary information source, followed by friends, Google, and online books. Libraries were not a significant source. Limited time emerged as the main hindrance to using library materials for financial literacy. Conclusion: In conclusion, off-campus university students, constrained by limited time, face challenges accessing library resources for financial literacy, necessitating targeted programs to address their unique needs and providing valuable insights for institutions and policymakers.

Long-term alliance for pathology equipment and technology acquisition: a paradigm shift for improved quality and efficiency.

Personnel costs are the largest single budget item in the clinical laboratory, other major expenses being equipment, analyzers, blood and blood components, and cost of day-to-day consumables. This report describes our experience with developing a long-term relationship with a single major vendor as a paradigm shift from the traditional multiple vendors, multiple contracts, and recurrent extended negotiations. Our objective was to develop a long-term approach for replacement of effete equipment and upgrades to operations in a pathology and laboratory medicine department in collaboration with vendors providing equipment and services. Major vendors were invited to visit the department to analyze the workload and workflow and suggest integrated solutions to meet the goals of the department. Multiple iterations of the proposals were evaluated, and a recommendation made to the medical center leadership. The vendor, the medical center, and the department jointly developed a 15-year partnership plan to improve the operations of pathology services. The agreement encompasses a range of management and performance criteria for both sides. The salient items discussed were laboratory staffing, turnaround time, workload change, test insourcing, reference laboratory costs, and scholarly productivity and teaching. The agreement reduced laboratory staffing by 21%, eliminated stat tests by reducing the turnaround time for routine tests to less than 45 minutes for 90% of tests, with an increase of 9.1% in the number of tests, Cost avoidance in salary and reference laboratory costs was $3,424,136/year against an expected target of $2 million in total savings, despite not including cost avoidance from promoting appropriate use of laboratory testing for inpatients and increase in revenue from increase in ambulatory testing. Vizient score in laboratory utilization improved from the 94th to 76th percentile. Scholarly output increased by more than 100%. This model of a long-term alliance with a chosen vendor led to improvements in quality and efficiency.

Financial literacy and its determinants and consequences: New survey evidence from Finland

AbstractWe examine financial literacy in Finland and its connection with various financial outcomes using novel survey data collected in 2023. While the overall Finnish financial literacy level is about average among the OECD countries, there is significant heterogeneity within the population. Women have lower financial literacy than men. The young and the old have lower financial literacy than respondents in their prime working age, and entrepreneurs have higher financial literacy than other groups. Financial literacy is also correlated with higher educational levels. We further study the relationship between financial literacy and a number of economic outcome variables. We find financial literacy to be negatively related to coping with a major expense, facing an income shock, and with perceived over-indebtedness. However, we do not find a statistically significant relationship between financial literacy and retirement planning in Finland.