Price Advantage Research Articles

Research on Impact of Equity Costs and Environmental Costs on Supply-Side Classified Water Pricing

The classified water pricing system is an effective measure for promoting the rational utilization of water resources under market mechanisms. Studying the water prices of three different types of water sources, including reservoir water, river water, and wastewater treatment plant effluent, is the basis for promoting the use of reclaimed water. However, there remains a spectrum of viewpoints on how to establish a pricing mechanism for reclaimed water at present. This study primarily focuses on the multi-level quality-separated water supply system in Yiwu City, China. It analyzes the limitations of the current water pricing formation mechanism and the externality of integrating reclaimed water into the unified allocation of multiple water sources. Based on the principles of full-cost water pricing and externality theory, a supply-side classified water pricing permit cost and pricing calculation model, covering the entire process of the social water cycle, is proposed. It focuses on the analysis of the impact of equity costs and environmental costs on supply-side classified water pricing. The Shapley value method is used for the technology of cost allocation among stakeholders to reasonably distribute the calculated water pricing of reclaimed water. The price of reclaimed water varies depending on the user type, with residential users paying 2.93 CNY/t, industrial users 4.00 CNY/t, and government allocations at 8.52 CNY/t. Compared with the classified water prices of various stakeholders on the user side of reservoir water, reclaimed water has a significant price advantage. This research demonstrates that the supply-side classified water pricing model, which includes a permit cost and pricing calculation framework, can encourage the supply of higher-quality water at corresponding higher prices, while also providing the internalization of external costs. Furthermore, the Shapley value method of cost allocation can realize the fair burden of stakeholders on the calculated water price and maintain the competitive advantage of reclaimed water prices.

Based on SICAS Model: Research on New Media Marketing Strategy of Cotti Coffee

With the development of people’s living standards and changes in habits, people’s demand for coffee continues to expand. And more and more coffee brands enter the market. In such a fierce market competition, Cotti Coffee quickly entered the market with its price advantage, and adopted some new media marketing strategies to expand its market share. Although its new media marketing strategy has achieved initial results, there are still some shortcomings. So this paper studies the current situation of new media marketing based on the SICAS model and puts forward corresponding optimization suggestions. Fristly, paper analyzes the background of the coffee consuming industry, and then analyzes the theory of SICAS model. Secondly, based on the SICAS model, a consumer questionaire was designed to investigate the new media marketing effect. Finally, according to the survey result, the SICAS model was built and targeted measures were proposed to solve the problems in the new media marketing process of Cotti Coffee. The purpose of paper is to provide improvement measures in new media marketing for Cotti Coffee, and further enrich the content of new media marketing.

Novel Multimode Assay Based on Asymmetrically Competitive CRISPR and Raman Barcode Spectra for Multiple Hepatocellular Carcinoma Biomarkers Detection.

Commercial pregnancy test strips (PTS) possess the advantages of lower price, higher stability, and better repeatability and have been popularized to integrate with novel sensing strategies to detect other disease biomarkers, which accelerates the commercialization process of those novel sensing strategies. However, the current integration of novel sensing strategies into commercial PTS still faced the problems of insufficient quantification, low sensitivity, and lack of multiple detection capabilities. Hence, we proposed the concept of "visual classification recognition, spectral signal subdivision" for multiple hepatocellular carcinoma biomarkers (miRNA122 and miRNA233) detection with dual signals based on asymmetric competitive CRISPR (acCRISPR) and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy coupling with PTS, named the acCRISPR-PTS-SERS assay. In this assay, acCRISPR was used as a nonamplified cascaded signal amplification method to improve the sensitivity of detection. Two AuNPs-based core-shell Raman tags, each corresponding to different miRNA biomarkers, were used to achieve both visual recognition and spectral segmentation to enhance the quantification of PTS detection and the capability for multiple detection. Under the optimal conditions, the LOD for miRNA122 and miRNA223 were 10.36 and 4.65 fM, respectively. The sensitivity was enhanced by nearly 2 orders of magnitude. In the future, simultaneous hand-held detection for fingerprint barcodes of different cancers can be achieved with the assistance of a microfluidic chip and smartphone.

Barriers to Smallholder Farmers in Production and Marketing of Wheat in Karatu District, North Tanzania

Smallholder farmers are central to the development of the agriculture sector and they are crucial in contributing to the food security of the majority. Wheat is the fourth most consumed crop in Tanzania. However, the country’s production is only 20% of the consumption demand regardless of the suitable resources for crop productivity. This study aimed to explore the main barriers to smallholder wheat production as the driver in securing national food security and economic development. More specifically, the objectives of this paper were to identify the challenges of Karatu smallholder farmers in the production and marketing of wheat, the extent of the wheat market and the factors that determine farmers' market decisions. Simple random sampling was used to select household respondents from five villages. The collected data from the field, households, and institutions was analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences tool. Estimation of the average yields was done by considering the recorded harvest of farmers and weighing them to a randomly selected number of harvest units. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine the level of influence of independent variables on wheat production and marketing by smallholder farmers. The paper derives a significant level of contribution of numerous variables to the farmers’ production and marketing of wheat in the Karatu district. It was found that smallholder wheat production in Karatu is hindered by various challenges while capital and abiotic variables play the most roles. The findings revealed that the amount of yields was less than one tonne per hectare which indicates below average production. Low yields were a result of the intensity of production challenges and constraints. Additionally, wheat price advantage, capital support, and technical and market assurance emerge as the dominant influences on smallholder farmers' market participation. This paper provides useful information for economic development, specifically information for making relevant decisions on the use of scarce agricultural resources in wheat production and reformulation of agricultural development policies through updated wheat production and marketing information

Quality assessment of spent laying hens and analysis of influencing factors

In China, a considerable number of spent laying hens are disposed annually, with the majority being processed into various food products. The sale of spent laying hens has become a significant revenue stream within the poultry industry. We selected spent laying hens at 100 weeks of age as the research subjects to explore the factors influencing their market price. Information was gathered through product and enterprise investigations. Thereafter, 90 Rhode Island Red laying hens, also at 100 weeks old, were acquired for slaughter. The carcass evaluation was conducted utilizing the methodology prescribed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Tibial specimens were procured for the purpose of quantifying their length, mass, diameter, maximum breaking strength, maximum breaking distance, as well as for determining the concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, and ash content. Through comprehensive market research and industry surveys, this study found that the primary factor affecting the selling price of spent laying hens is body weight, with 1.5 to 2 kg of chickens being preferred. The USDA quality assessment standards for post-slaughter evaluation, it was found that the incidence of dislocation was 11.1 %, which emerged as a primary factor affecting carcass quality, directly resulting in a decline in quality. The results of the correlation analysis showed that there was no significant relationship between the bone health status and dislocation in laying hens. Dislocations occur mainly due to direct external forces during the culling process caused by the injuries during the slaughter process. Surveys show that the main factor affecting the selling price of spent laying hens is body weight, and the optimal weight range is where farmers gain price advantages during the culling process. The principal factor impacting the carcass quality of spent laying hens is dislocation, which are mainly caused by excessive culling and have no obvious correlation with bone health.

Improved DDPG algorithm-based path planning for unmanned surface vehicles

As a promising mode of water transportation, unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) are used in various fields owing to their small size, high flexibility, favorable price, and other advantages. Traditional navigation algorithms are affected by various path planning issues. To address the limitations of the traditional deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) algorithm, namely slow convergence speed and sparse reward and punishment functions, we proposed an improved DDPG algorithm for USV path planning. First, the principle and workflow of the DDPG deep reinforcement learning (DRL) algorithm are described. Second, the improved method (based on the USVs kinematic model) is proposed, and a continuous state and action space is designed. The reward and punishment function are improved, and the principle of collision avoidance at sea is introduced. Dynamic region restriction is added, distant obstacles in the state space are ignored, and the nearby obstacles are observed to reduce the number of algorithm iterations and save computational resources. The introduction of a multi-intelligence approach combined with a prioritized experience replay mechanism accelerates algorithm convergence, thereby increasing the efficiency and robustness of training. Finally, through a combination of theory and simulation, the DDPG DRL is explored for USV obstacle avoidance and optimal path planning.

To Purchase or to Sell: Capacity Agreement in High-Speed Railway and Airline Cooperation

High-speed railways (HSR) and airlines can complement each other in long-distance journeys served by connecting flights through a hub. To encourage airline-HSR cooperation and promote intermodal transport services, we examine two capacity agreements under the capacity limitations of HSR and/or airlines and their effects on ticket pricing, passenger volume, travel time, frequency, consumer surplus, social welfare, and profitability. In a capacity sell agreement, HSR sells its capacity to airline (HSA), and airline provides the bundling service. In a capacity purchase agreement, HSR purchases airline capacity (HPA) and offers the bundled service. We first analytically compare two capacity agreements with no-cooperation cases, and find that the joint ticket price under the HSA agreement offers a price advantage over individual ticket purchases in non-cooperation scenarios only when HSR is capacity-constrained. Although the HPA agreement also exhibits a similar joint price advantage as the HSA agreement, it requires the stringent condition that both transport modes have limited capacities. Regarding consumer surplus, it tends to increase under the HSA agreement when both transport modes have capacity limitations or both do not have capacity limitations. However, the increasing trend can be relaxed to different capacity limitation conditions under the HPA agreement. We then directly compare the HSA and HPA agreements through simulations. The results indicate that the HSA agreement yields higher consumer surplus and profits than the HPA agreement, while the HPA agreement achieves greater social welfare.

Metal‐Organic Framework Materials as Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Rechargeable Zn‐Air Batteries

AbstractRechargeable Zn‐air batteries offer the advantages of environmental friendliness, safety, low prices and high energy density, and are highly valued. However, the major challenge faced by rechargeable Zn‐air batteries nowadays is the low energy efficiency due to the slow reaction kinetics of electrocatalyst at the air cathode. Bifunctional catalysts are key to the development of Zn‐air batteries by improving their overall performance and long‐term cycling stability. Metal‐organic framework (MOF) materials have shown great benefits as oxygen electrocatalysts in promoting oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). This paper reviews the recent advances of three kinds of MOF materials as bifunctional catalysts for rechargeable Zn‐air batteries. Additionally, this paper also discusses the synthetic design strategy of MOF composite derivatives, and concludes by suggesting the application of MOF materials in the field of rechargeable Zn‐air batteries.

The Role Mechanism of Social Preferences and Price Advantage in the Market Economy

In today's market economy environment, social preferences and price advantage, as two core driving forces, directly influence market operation and development trajectories. As consumer demand becomes increasingly diversified, social preferences intuitively reflect deep-seated cultural identity and value orientations, even guiding market trends. Price advantage, as the cornerstone of market competition, also impacts corporate production and development. These two elements intertwine: social preferences infuse emotional and cultural content into pricing strategies, while price advantage becomes an effective means to satisfy social preferences and achieve market penetration. A deep understanding and skillful application of these mechanisms are crucial for companies to navigate the complex and ever-changing market environment and achieve sustainable development.

Second-hand car price prediction based on multiple linear regression and random forest

The second-hand car market is a hot topic. Buying a second-hand car has advantages in price and many other aspects. Therefore, it is important to establish a good price prediction model. This paper will explore the factors that affect the price of second-hand cars. After analyzing and learning many kinds of literature, this paper establishes a multiple linear regression model and a random forest model and makes a comparative analysis of the model effect. The sum of the square error and R-square value of the random forest are better than the multiple linear regression model. Among the factors affecting the price of second-hand cars, the year of production has the greatest impact on the price, which shows that the age of the year is an important factor in determining the price of second-hand cars. The next most important factor is the number of kilometers traveled, followed by fuel type and transmission type-finally, engine displacement, number of transfers and number of seats. The random forest model established in this paper has better application value to price prediction.

Simulation of extractive distillation of C6 components from Fischer‐Tropsch Synthesis oil

AbstractExtractive distillation is used for separating oxygenates from other components in the C6 cut oil from Fischer‐Tropsch Synthesis followed by separating 1‐hexene from N‐hexane using the same solvent as the extractant. Furfural (FUR) is identified as an excellent solvent for extractive distillation of the C6 cut from FTS oil for separating oxygenates from other components as well as for separating 1‐hexene from N‐hexane via searching from more than 100 solvents by simulation using Aspen Plus. The behavior of the newly found solvent FUR is compared with that of the reported best solvent N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP) and the results show that FUR scheme has the advantages of lower market price, lower dosage needed, less reboiler duty required and higher overall tray efficiency for fulfilling the same separation task.

A superhydrophilic/air superoleophobic sponge based on layer by layer deposition for high-performance continuous adsorption water in oil

At present, there are few studies on the removal of water from oil, but water in fuel can cause machine malfunctions and even safety accidents, which cannot be ignored. In this study, an oil-resistant superhydrophilic/air superoleophobic sponge (SS-MS) was designed to selectively absorb water from oil. Through layer by layer deposition, polyphenols, particles, and fluorinated surfactants were assembled on the sponge, finally achieving the effect of super hydrophilic and super oil phobic in the air. The contact angle of the modified sponge SS-MS on diesel oil can reach 153°, and the absorption efficiency of water in diesel oil can reach more than 99 %. Moreover, a continuous selective absorption device for water in oil was constructed, the SS-MS sponge can still achieve a water absorption efficiency of 98 % after ten cycles. Importantly, the SS-MS has excellent mechanical and chemical stability under 80 % strain, different pH, UV irradiation times and temperatures. In addition, the materials used in this study are all green and low-pollution substances, and melamine sponge has the advantages of low price, light weight, good elasticity and high porosity. In summary, SS-MS offers a new approach to remove water from fuel and has the potential for large-scale applications.

코어뱅킹(Core Banking)산업의 진화와 미래: 뱅크웨어글로벌의 사례를 중심으로

The study examines the Korean core banking industry's growth from Bankware Global to the present and its future problems. To this end, in-depth interviews with insiders and various data are analyzed to view the historical development of core banking, focusing on Bankware Global, a leader in 'cloud-based core banking', and its competition and strategic direction. This study will reveal the strategic importance of shifting core banking to the cloud and its consequences for bank and financial institution managers. Bankware Global was founded as banks and financial firms moved their computing infrastructure to the cloud from the fourth to the fifth generation. Based on a cloud-based core system, Bankware Global's core banking solution can easily assemble and grow financial goods and business operations including banks, cards, and capital. Bankware Global's flagship products support the most technologies compared to competitors, and its customized development method gives it a competitive advantage in quality, price, and time saved by more than 30%. These features should help Bankware Global maintain its lead in the limitless financial software market, which has no borders or large and small scale.

Exploring the diffusion of low-carbon power generation and energy storage technologies under electricity market reform in China: An agent-based modeling framework for power sector

Promoting the widespread adoption of multi-complementary low carbon power generation technologies is a fundamental strategy for attaining carbon neutrality within the electricity sector. In the context of electricity market reform, this study develops an agent-based modeling framework integrated simulation with optimization. The model uses agent-based simulation to analyze annual market dynamics and low-carbon technology diffusion, with a two-stage optimization for energy storage and spot market simulation. The research findings indicate: (1) For different power generation technologies, the spot market can establish differentiated average prices, making the market price of carbon-captured coal power higher than that of conventional coal power, which are advantageous in reducing the subsidies required to promote the diffusion of carbon capture technology. (2) Expanding the spot market scale and implementing differentiated capacity compensation mechanisms both promote carbon capture technology diffusion. Nevertheless, with the marginal clearing mechanism, thermal power holds a average price advantage than renewable energy. Failing to control the growth of thermal power capacity will result in increased carbon emissions. (3) After 2030, energy storage's role in balancing supply and demand grows. Storage capacity should align with renewable energy scale and the regional characteristics of wind and solar resources to prevent overbuilding and stranded assets.

Mo-doped LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode materials with improved performance for lithium ion batteries

The high nickel ternary LiNi[Formula: see text]Co[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]O2 (NCM811) cathode material has attracted much attention owing to its advantages of high capacity and low price. However, NCM811 suffers from surface side reactions and cation mixing, which results in an unstable crystal structure and lower Coulomb efficiency and capacity in lithium ion batteries. In this work, Mo-doped cathode material NCM811 is effectively synthesized by high-temperature solidification approach. The characterization results show that the doped NCM811 can form a coating layer on the surface, preventing electrolyte side reactions with the electrode. As the cathode for lithium ion batteries, the Mo-doped NCM811 electrode shows an initial discharge capacity of 185.21[Formula: see text]mAh/g and obtains 156.33[Formula: see text]mAh/g with a capacity retention of 84.5% after 100 cycles at 1C. This study provides a simple and reliable method of fabricating high-performance NCM811 cathode materials.

Construction of Hierarchical Black TiO2/Carbon Fiber: Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity Based on Schottky Heterojunctions.

Photocatalytic antimicrobials, as emerging advanced oxidative antimicrobial materials, have the advantages of low price and long-lasting antimicrobial properties. Nevertheless, with catalysts increasingly trending toward nanoscale dimensions, the environmental challenge of catalyst recycling becomes more pronounced. In this paper, we propose utilizing one-dimensional carbon fiber as a substrate, employing the nucleating agent method to induce Titanium dioxide (TiO2) growth on the fiber surface. Furthermore, the material's band gap underwent modification through hydrogen calcination, thus resulting in the attainment of hierarchical black TiO2/carbon fiber composites with visible light-driven capabilities. The characterization of the materials was conducted via scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results revealed that when the black hydrogenated TiO2 was composited with carbon fiber, the Schottky heterojunction was formed, and thus effectively improved the photocatalytic effect of the composites. Notably, the degradation rate of methylene blue achieved 96.25% within 150 min when utilizing black TiO2/carbon fiber composites, while the inactivation rate of Escherichia coli (E. coli) reached 97.58% within 0.5 h and attained complete inactivation within 60 min.

Surface- modified preparation of CuFe2O4/sodium alginate hydrogel catalysts for the long-lasting degradation of tetracycline

Copper ferrate spinel (CuFe2O4) catalysts are widely used in advanced oxidation processes for environmental wastewater treatment due to their advantages of low price, mild reaction conditions and ease of operation. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the factors influence the surface properties of catalysts on their catalytic activity. In this research, the effects of process parameters on the surface properties of CuFe2O4 were investigated, and the relationship between the surface properties of CuFe2O4 and its catalytic activity was clarified. The optimised CuFe2O4 exhibited 92.4 % degradation of tetracycline (TC) and 55 % mineralisation of total organic carbon (TOC) within 30 min, the pseudo-first-order reaction rate was 0.0315 min−1, which was 2.2 times higher than that of the unoptimised CuFe2O4. The mechanism of action for enhancing catalyst performance and the degradation mechanism of tetracycline were clarified through a combination of characterization analysis. To further solve the problems of secondary pollution caused by ion leaching and the difficulty of practical application of powder catalysts, novel hydrogel microspheres composed of sodium alginate and CuFe2O4 were prepared by using the property of metal ions and sodium alginate to form a solid gel (SA/Ort-6). SA/Ort-6 was characterized by low ion leaching, excellent performance and excellent stability. The mass ratio of catalyst to treated water could be up to 1:22,000, and the mass ratio of catalyst to treated water can reach up to 1:22000, the removal rate of TOC was stable above 35 %. This study provides valuable insights into the relationship between surface properties and catalytic performance of CuFe2O4, offers a new approach to effectively solve leaching of metal ions, and opens up a new avenue for practical application of powder catalysts.

How Product Standards Influence Tea Exports? Empirical Evidence from India

India has witnessed a declining trend in tea exports in the recent period, which can partly be attributed to competition from exporters (e.g., Kenya and Sri Lanka) enjoying price advantages over the Indian varieties. However, although after the inception of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995, the tariff barriers on Indian tea exports have come down across developed partners, the incidence of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) has emerged as a challenge in many destinations, with a possible dampening effect on exports. The present analysis attempts to analyse whether the imposition of product standard related measures, particularly sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) interventions, may have negatively influenced Indian tea exports over the period 1996–2021. Rather than considering the mere presence of SPS–TBT standards in major partner countries, their potential impacts on Indian tea exports have been determined by analysing the stringency levels of the corresponding notifications submitted to the WTO. The constructed stringency patterns are then incorporated into the Poisson pseudo maximum likelihood estimation models. The observed negative influence of standard-related measures in partner countries on Indian tea exports calls for policy interventions to enable the sector to better ensure compliance in the future.

Pengaruh Promosi dan Harga terhadap Keputusan Pembelian Ayam Penyet Nasi Tutug Oncom Setu Melalui Aplikasi Gofood

Tutug Oncom is a small restaurant that sells Tutug Oncom rice in the Bekasi area. This research aims to influence promotions and prices on purchasing decisions for Ayam Penyet Nasi Tutug Oncom via the Gofood application. Using the research method using the Partial Least Square (PLS) quantitative approach via SmartPLS 4.0, data from 100 respondents was analyzed to test the proposed hypothesis. The analysis results show that Gofood promotions, especially through advertising and price discounts, significantly influence purchasing decisions. This shows that effective promotional strategies can increase consumer interest in choosing Ayam Penyet Nasi Tutug Oncom via the Gofood platform. Furthermore, price factors also proved to be important, with price advantages and competitive pricing positively affecting purchase decisions. The managerial implications suggest that companies should consider relevant promotional strategies and competitive pricing to maximize product appeal in the online market. The study also reveals the dominant consumer profile, with the majority of respondents aged 21-25 years, mostly female, and predominantly students. These findings indicate that the younger generation, especially those actively using technology, are the primary target in digital marketing strategies employed by Gofood. This research not only provides insights into the factors influencing purchase decisions in the context of food delivery applications but also offers a foundation for further studies to explore other variables that may affect consumer preferences online.

A STUDY ON THE REGIONAL MARKET POSITIONING OF BZ RESTAURANT CHAIN COMPANIES: A CASE STUDY OF CHENGDU

BZ Catering Chain Company is a large catering service company that operates authentic Sichuan hotpot. Its headquarters are located in Chengdu. The company’s Dalongyi Hot Pot launched its legendary journey in Yulin, Chengdu in 2013. This paper primarily examines the regional market positioning of BZ Catering Chain Company in the Chengdu market, as well as the upcoming launches of new products. This paper concentrates on the various aspects that BZ Catering Chain Company should take into account, ranging from conducting market research to determining its regional market positioning, and exploring strategies to increase consumer preference for the company's products. Furthermore, it examines the factors that will affect consumers' willingness to buy. This paper examines the BZ restaurant chain's product positioning from the perspective of consumer purchasing behavior. Based on a combination of empirical analysis and marketing environment analysis, BZ Catering Chain Company should position its products mid-to-high-end, focus on product quality, and use price competition as a marketing tool at specific times and in specific regions. After securing initial profits, it should leverage the advantages of high quality and low price to quickly penetrate the market.