The article examines the potential for increasing the harvest of underutilized aquatic biological resources (ABR), including zooplankton and mesopelagic fish, for the production of marine- derived feed ingredients such as fishmeal and fish oil for use in aquaculture and livestock pro-duction. Despite the substantial biomass of these currently unexploited ABR, the prospects for expanding their catch volumes remain constrained by several factors: (i) limited knowledge of their spatiotemporal distribution; (ii) low daily catch volumes and short fishing seasons, which, in combination with current product price levels, render investments economically unviable; (iii) the absence of specialized fishing methods and gear; (iv) overlap with the fishing periods of commercially valuable species; (v) specific features of their biochemical composition that complicate processing; (vi) and the high capital investment required to establish economically sustainable harvesting operations. Based on a comprehensive analysis of these constraints, the study concludes that a significant increase in the utilization of underexploited ABR for the production of marine feed ingredients is unlikely in the near term.

The proliferation of mobile commerce channels has fundamentally reshaped retail ecosystems, particularly in digital markets like China where smartphone adoption approaches saturation among internet users. While extant literature has extensively examined the impact of new channel introductions (e.g., online, offline, mobile) on firm performance, less attention has been paid to consumer behavioral nuances within established digital interfaces. Addressing this gap, our study pioneers a comparative analysis of purchasing dynamics across two dominant yet technologically distinct channels: native apps versus light-app channels (e.g., WeChat mini-programs). While both channels share core mobile attributes (e.g., small screen sizes, on-the-go accessibility), their divergent technological architectures (Swift, Kotlin, and Java vs. HTML, CSS, WXML, and WXSS) create systematically differentiated consumer experiences. Through econometric analysis of 185,437 transaction records from a multichannel B2C platform, we reveal that consumers tend to spend more, purchase more items, and exhibit a lower likelihood of product returns when shopping through the light-app channel compared to native apps. More importantly, these behavioral divergences are moderated by product categories, price levels, and discount depths. Our findings contribute to the multichannel retailing literature by providing new insights into consumers’ behavioral differences between the two popular, yet distinct, mobile channels. Based on these insights, we suggest that multichannel retailers should prioritize channel convenience and accessibility and reconsider their investments in mobile native apps. Additionally, retailers should tailor assortments, pricing, and discount strategies to each channel to effectively engage consumers and stimulate purchases. Our research also emphasizes the importance of aligning marketing, operations, and finance strategies in multichannel retailing.

ABSTRACT This article investigates the long-run relationship between the real crude oil price and the real exchange rate for Canada, a major oil-exporting country. Through hypothesis tests of parameter instability, it is found that the real Canada/U.S. exchange rate is positively cointegrated with the real oil price starting after 2002–2003. This period marked a simultaneous rise in both the price and production of oil in Canada, largely due to advancements in oil sands technology. This finding suggests that Canada’s real exchange rate is not constant but fluctuates with the long-run level of the real oil price. Additionally, in a setting where both Canada and the U.S. operate under inflation-targeting monetary regimes and floating exchange rates, the relative price differential remains stable and does not share the long-run oil-driven trend. As a result, persistent movements in real oil prices that shift the long-run real exchange rate are transmitted primarily through the nominal exchange rate. This enhances the long-run predictability of the nominal exchange rate using the real exchange rate and indicates an economic environment less prone to inflation brought on by higher oil prices.

Background: Access to affordable essential medicines is critical for effective management of hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM). In Zimbabwe, frequent stock-outs in public facilities position private pharmacies as important alternative sources of these medicines. Aim: To assess availability, pricing, and stock-out levels of essential HTN and DM medicines in private retail pharmacies in Gweru Urban District, Zimbabwe. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 40 registered private pharmacies. Data on medicine availability, retail prices, monthly stock-outs, and supply-chain factors were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, stock cards, and observational checklists. Local prices were compared with international reference prices (IRPs). Chi-square analyses evaluated associations between pharmacy characteristics, medicine prices, availability, and stock-out durations. Results: Most tracer medicines for HTN and DM were available in ≥80% of pharmacies, with average stock-outs generally <3 days per month. Pharmacy characteristics were not significantly associated with availability or stock-outs. Medicines with <80% availability and those priced at ≥USD 5 were significantly associated with prolonged stock-outs of ≥7 days (p = 0.006 and p = 0.001, respectively). Local retail prices exceeded IRPs and public facility prices, suggesting potential affordability barriers in the context of an economic crisis, where most health expenditures are out-of-pocket. Key drivers of stock-outs included wholesaler shortages, delivery delays, limited procurement funds, and substitution with alternative medicines. Conclusions: While medicine availability and short-term stock-outs were generally favourable, high retail prices pose a major potential barrier to access. The cost burden is amplified by the common HTN-DM comorbidity, requiring multiple medications per person, thereby further increasing out-of-pocket expenses. High prices may limit adherence, reduce functional capacity, and negatively impact productivity. Policy interventions targeting pricing regulations and value-chain optimization are urgently needed to enhance equitable access to essential NCD medicines in urban Zimbabwe.

Abstract The export of coffee, which makes up 2.73 percent of all plantation commodities, is a major source of income for the state. The US and Germany have been Indonesia’s top two coffee export markets for the last 30 years. Examining the competitive landscape and the variables impacting the amount of coffee exported from Indonesia to the US and Germany is the primary objective of this study. Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) and the Error Correction Model (ECM) are the analytic frameworks employed in this research. From 1994 until 2023, secondary time series data is utilized. It turns out that the US and Germany are two of Indonesia’s most lucrative export markets for coffee. Global coffee prices and GDP have a negative long-term effect on coffee export volume to the US and Germany, although production, consumption, and substitute price levels have a favorable effect. Immediate influences on U.S. coffee exports are beneficial for GDP, consumption, and the cost of alternative commodities, but negative for worldwide coffee output and prices. Coffee exports to Germany are negatively affected by GDP and the global coffee price in the near term, but positively affected by production, consumption, and the price of alternative commodities.

Abstract We develop a model that integrates modern theories of labor market flows with nominal wage rigidities to study the consequences of inflation on the labor market. Nominal wage stickiness incentivizes workers to engage in job-to-job transitions after an unexpected increase in the price level. Such dynamics lead to a rise in aggregate vacancies associating a seemingly tight labor market with lower real wages—two facts observed during the recent inflation period. The calibrated model jointly matches aggregate and cross-sectional trends in worker flows and wages during the 2021-2024 period. Using historical data, we show that prior periods of high inflation were also associated with increasing vacancies and upward shifts in the Beveridge curve. Our results suggest that policymakers and academics should be cautious about viewing the rise in the vacancy-to-unemployment rate as a sign of a tight labor market during inflationary periods without holistically looking at other labor market indicators.

The Pathfinder Service is a collaboration between the Irish National Ambulance Service and Beaumont Hospital, Ireland. It was implemented in 2020 as an alternative to the traditional ambulance response model. An Advanced Paramedic and an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist respond to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) calls. The Pathfinder team may treat patients at home or transport them to hospital. Follow-up care is also provided. The aim of this study was to conduct a micro-costing analysis from a health service perspective to assess the difference in EMS costs when provided by Pathfinder compared with the traditional ambulance response. The Pathfinder cohort was identified from Pathfinder records. A comparable cohort was identified who met Pathfinder inclusion criteria but had emergency department ambulance conveyance. Both cohorts were contacted by telephone, and consenting individuals were interviewed about their contacts with healthcare providers. The analysis compared the cohorts in terms of age, sex and frailty score, the proportion of individuals who used various services, and the volume and cost of services. The seven-day costs were accumulated into major cost groups and total cost, and the difference in mean costs were reported at 2023-€ price level. Patient satisfaction was also recorded. Data were obtained from 108 patients with Pathfinder dispatch and 89 with traditional ambulance dispatch. The mean cost of the Pathfinder service was €3315 while the mean costs of the traditional ambulance model was €5482. The mean cost difference (€2,167, p &lt; .001) indicates that Pathfinder is cheaper than the traditional ambulance model. Ninety-eight percent of participants were very satisfied or more than satisfied with Pathfinder in comparison with 85% in the traditional ambulance response group. These results suggest Pathfinder is a service that achieves high patient satisfaction at a lower cost than the traditional ambulance response model.

This study evaluates the implementation of Indonesia’s carbon tax policy and its role in promoting the transformation toward environmentally friendly industries. Using a qualitative literature review approach, the research synthesizes evidence from academic publications, policy reports, and institutional documents to assess policy effectiveness, institutional readiness, and industry responses. The findings indicate that the current carbon tax—characterized by low pricing levels, limited sectoral coverage, and weak enforcement—has not yet functioned as a significant driver of green innovation or sustainable investment. The analysis shows that many firms perceive the tax primarily as a regulatory formality rather than a strategic market signal, largely due to policy ambiguity, insufficient integration with green finance mechanisms, and weak inter-institutional coordination. The study underscores the importance of aligning fiscal instruments with complementary policies and robust institutional frameworks to enhance their effectiveness in developing country contexts. It also highlights the need for future empirical research focusing on firm-level behavioral responses and the long-term effects of carbon pricing on industrial sustainability. Keywords: carbon tax; environmental fiscal policy; green industrial transformation; Indonesia; climate policy implementation.

This community service initiative provides a comprehensive business analysis to evaluate financial feasibility, aiming to mitigate potential losses and ensure operational viability. By offering concrete data on business prospects and challenges, this analysis serves as a strategic guide for resource allocation and market targeting, while simultaneously enhancing attractiveness to potential investors. The program was conducted in the South Nunukan District, Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan. As Indonesia's 34th province and a strategic border region, North Kalimantan faces significant challenges in food security due to limited supply chains. A central component of this study is the Break-Even Point (BEP) analysis—the threshold at which a business incurs neither profit nor loss. The BEP analysis provides critical insights into the relationship between pricing, operational costs, sales volume, and production levels. Consequently, it serves as a vital decision-making tool for business owners to optimize profitability. The results of this study demonstrate that, despite the continued use of traditional methods, the polyculture system remains highly profitable and sustainable for the local community.

ABSTRACT Modern macroeconomics ignores the recent proliferation of new monies. We show in our model that new monies like credit cards or stable coins or crypto currencies or helicopter money can cause a huge increase in prices, like the 1970s inflation when credit cards emerged in full use. These monies are not perfect substitutes, so shrinking conventional money supply to compensate for the growth of new monies comes at a welfare cost. Price levels are determined by money chasing goods, measured by the separate quantities of each kind of money and the scale of individual transactions. In Part I we introduce a one period version of our model in which we concentrate on the transactions role of monies. We show how fiat wealth (net of taxes) can be positive if there are enough gains to trade. Monies that raise fiat wealth (such as helicopter money) cause more inflation—eventually even hyperinflation—by increasing the interest rate, which reduces transactions. In contrast, credit cards (and central bank purchases of bonds) also cause inflation, but they enhance transactions and welfare. In Part II we present a multiperiod version in which the store‐of‐value role of money, and expectations about future policy, also affect inflation.

Retraction Note: Chaotic Bi-LSTM and attention HLCO predictor-based quantum price level fuzzy logic trading system

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the availability, price levels, affordability, and utilisation of targeted drugs for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in China.MethodsThis study utilized a retrospective longitudinal design, based on drug procurement data from 859 public hospitals in China, covering the period from January 2019 to December 2023. Accessibility of 11 PAH-targeted therapies was evaluated across three key dimensions: availability (proportion of hospitals stocking the drug), price level (the Defined Daily Dose cost, namely, DDDc = Total annual drug expenditure/DDDs of the drug), and affordability (out-of-pocket expenses as a percentage of household disposable income).ResultsWhile there was a significant overall improvement in the accessibility of PAH-targeted drugs, structural disparities in accessibility were evident across different drug types, hospital tiers, and between urban and rural areas, as well as among income groups. Availability data showed that tertiary hospitals had significantly better access to NMI-negotiated drugs than secondary hospitals (p = 0.006). Among all drugs, treprostinil had the highest availability (56.1% across hospitals), while newer drugs such as selexipag had very low availability (<10%). Price analysis revealed that the DDDc for most drugs had significantly decreased, including sildenafil (−91.0%) and macitentan (−95.2%), while iloprost remained costly (>3,700 CNY). In terms of affordability, in 2023, all drugs were affordable for the highest-income urban groups, while no drugs were affordable for the lowest-income rural groups, with the cost burden of iloprost accounting for 8,454.8% of the disposable income of the rural population. Drug accessibility exhibited significant structural imbalances, with some drugs being “affordable but hard to obtain” (e.g., riociguat) and others “highly burdensome and poorly accessible” (e.g., treprostinil).ConclusionThe findings demonstrate significant improvements in the affordability and availability of PAH-targeted therapies over the study period; however, notable inequalities persist in accessibility improvements across urban and rural areas and income groups. Future policies should be tailored to address specific accessibility challenges for different drug categories and focus on overcoming medication access barriers for low-income rural populations to foster health equity.

Investigating the characteristics and influencing mechanisms of urban vitality in mountainous cities can contribute to enhanced urban resilience, optimised resource allocation, and sustainable development. However, most existing studies have focused on static analyses at single spatial scales, making it difficult to fully reveal the evolutionary trends of urban vitality under complex topographic constraints or the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of its influencing factors. This study examines Guiyang, one of China’s fastest-growing cities, focusing on both its economic development and population growth. Based on social media data and geospatial big data from 2019 to 2024, the spatiotemporal permutation scan statistics (STPSS) model was employed to identify spatiotemporal areas of interest (ST-AOIs) and to analyse the spatial distribution and day-night dynamics of urban vitality across different phases. Furthermore, by incorporating transportation and topographic factors characteristic of mountainous cities, the multiscale geographically and temporally weighted regression (MGTWR) model was applied to reveal the driving mechanisms of urban vitality. The main findings are as follows: (1) Urban vitality exhibits a multi-center, clustered structure, gradually expanding from gentle to steeper slopes over time, with activity patterns shifting from an afternoon peak to an all-day distribution. (2) Significant differences in regional vitality resilience were observed: the core vitality areas exhibited stable ST-AOI spatial patterns, flexible temporal rhythms, and strong adaptability; the emerging vitality areas recovered quickly with low losses, while low-vitality areas showed slow recovery and insufficient resilience. (3) The density of commercial service facilities and the level of housing prices were continuously enhancing factors for vitality improvement, whereas the density of subway stations and the degree of functional mix played key roles in supporting resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. (4) The synergistic effect between transportation systems and commercial facilities is crucial for forming high-vitality zones in mountainous cities. In contrast, reliance on a single factor tends to lead to vitality spillover. This study provides a crucial foundation for promoting sustainable urban development in Guiyang and other mountainous regions.

This study explores how globalization affects economic inequality across social classes through transnational economic interactions by a quantitative analysis and case studies. A multivariate linear regression model is constructed based on World Bank data after the 2008 financial crisis. The results show that export price levels(log(pl_x)) and capital prices(log(pl_k)) significantly increase income inequality, while consumer prices(log(pl_c)) and share of labor income(labsh) have a suppressive effect. The study found that domestic policies(such as the high welfare system in Northern Europe) can partially offset the negative impact of globalization, but the model has limited explanatory power for Latin American and African countries. The study advocates addressing the challenge of inequality under globalization through tax reform, strengthening social security and industrial diversification policies.

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) burden and cost-effectiveness of infant RSV immunisation was evaluated by comparing seven strategies in terms of costs and Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) from health care payer's perspective: no universal immunisation, year-round or seasonal maternal vaccination (MV), year-round or seasonal nirsevimab (NmAb) at birth, seasonal NmAb+catch-up for infants ≤ 6-month and a combined MV+NmAb with catch-up strategy. Seasonal NmAb+catch-up averted the most disease, while seasonal MV averted the least, but had the lowest incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (€11,276/QALY gained) at current list prices (MV €186, NmAb €778). Extensive trade-offs between NmAb and MV show at which cost per dose which strategy would be deemed cost-effective. At a willingness to pay of €35,000/QALY gained, seasonal NmAb + catch-up was preferred if NmAb < €210; otherwise, seasonal or year-round MV was preferred when MV < €220 or <€75, respectively. The combined strategy became preferred at low MV and NmAb costs. Besides price level, cost-effectiveness was most sensitive to RSV hospital burden.

Abstract Using an administrative nationwide dataset of 1,673 tea producers, this study examines the key factors that drive tea pricing. Empirical results indicate that price levels vary across production regions, tea varieties, altitude, and certification status. On average, black tea commands higher prices, while other teas (green, Oolong, and Baozhong) are typically lower. However, as a special local tea, Oriental Beauty (and other teas) has the highest price. The cultivation altitude and organic certification are significantly associated with price premiums. In summary, this study provides strong evidence to show that regional origin, growing conditions, and certification may greatly influence tea’s market price, offering practical insights for producers and policymakers.

The article examines virtual inflation in live-service game economies, specifically the persistent rise in in-game price levels driven by imbalances between resource creation and removal. Relevance stems from the operational pressure inflation places on progression pacing, market legitimacy, and monetization efficiency in free-to-play and hybrid models. Novelty lies in synthesizing recent case-based evidence with contemporary analytical methods to propose a compact, implementable control logic centered on measurable price indices and policy levers that preserve player utility. The study aims to identify sustainable mechanisms that restrain inflation without destabilizing payer behavior. To achieve this aim, a narrative review method is applied, combining comparative analysis of documented interventions with findings from recent literature on virtual economy modeling, market design, and balancing tools. Sources include developer patch documentation and economic reporting, platform fee specifications, analytics metric definitions, and peer-reviewed or academic work on virtual economy measurement and intervention design. The conclusion formulates operationally actionable implications for the economy and product teams working in U.S.-market live services.

Biological processes underpin centralized wastewater treatment but are difficult to deploy at a small scale. Thermomechanical and thermochemical approaches could enable household-level sanitation, yet their economic and environmental potential remains unclear. We assessed two prototype household reinvented toilets (HRTs), with either pasteurization mechanical dewatering (PMD) and supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) treatment processes, using integrated process simulation, techno-economic analysis, and life cycle assessment under uncertainty. The total annualized expenditures (including capital and operating) are 1.41-1.87 (5th to 95th percentiles) and 1.85-2.45 USD·cap-1·day-1 for PMD and SCWO, respectively, placing both at the high end of global centralized treatment prices. The life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions span 321-452 and 362-520 kg CO2-eq·cap-1·year-1 for PMD and SCWO, respectively, with the grid electricity contributing 87-90% in both HRTs. Poor solid-liquid separation disproportionately increases costs and GHG emissions for SCWO relative to PMD. In the short term, optimizing a few levers─number of users, flush water volume, and the detailed design of the SCWO unit─can significantly reduce cost and emissions. In the long term, operating at maximum efficiency reduces both cost and emissions by approximately 70%. Deployment in locations with low wage, low-carbon electricity, low price levels, and large household sizes offers the greatest potential, positioning HRTs as viable advanced decentralized sanitation options in specialized settings.

The urban area of ​​Surabaya exhibits intense business competition in the culinary industry, particularly in the sale of dim sum (Dimsay) products. To successfully increase sales volume, businesses must effectively manage customer perceptions of their products and the quality of their service. The purpose of this research is to examine and describe how taste, price level, and service quality impact Dimsay sales growth in Surabaya, both individually and collectively. This research employed quantitative methods through a survey. Data collection was conducted by distributing a questionnaire to 40 respondents, who were frequent Dimsay consumers in Surabaya. The respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique. The collected data were then analyzed using multiple linear regression to test the validity of the formulated hypotheses. The results of the research show that, in general (through the F test), taste (X1), price (X2), and service quality (X3) have a significant and positive influence on sales growth (Y). When viewed separately (through a t-test), taste and price factors are proven to have a significant influence on sales increases, but the service quality factor does not show a significant influence in this study. The main findings of this study indicate that the taste factor (X1) is the most dominant aspect in influencing customer choices and driving sales increases. This suggests that even though price and service are taken into account, consistency in maintaining taste quality remains the most important element in building customer loyalty in the Dimsay market in Surabaya City

Formulating effective policy in developing economies requires a deep understanding of the complex interplay between macroeconomic variables and price levels. This study creates a detailed empirical model to explain price-level movements in Ghana using key determinants like money supply, fiscal balance, public debt, and exchange rate. Using quarterly time-series data from 1990 to 2023, the study employs Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL), Vector Error Correction (VECM), and Vector Autoregressive (VAR) models to analyse short- and long-run relationships. The models confirm that the exchange rate and money supply are primary drivers of price levels. The ARDL model identified a significant long-run relationship, with an error correction term (-0.47) suggesting that 47% of deviations from long-term equilibrium are corrected quarterly. The VECM confirmed this long-run stability, while the Variance Decomposition analysis showed the exchange rate and money supply account for over 60% of changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) over a 10-period horizon. The findings highlight the critical need for Ghanaian policymakers to manage currency fluctuations and money growth to ensure price stability.