Scarce Resources Research Articles

To what extent do lay people and healthcare providers differ in the allocation of scarce medical resources in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Studying the most ethical way to allocate scarce medical resources has been of interest within the last year, due to shortages associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to establish differences between what healthcare providers (HCP) and laypeople consider to be the most ethical way to prioritise the distribution of scarce resources. Healthcare providers ( n = 100) and laypeople ( n = 102) were asked to rank ethical principles from most to least ethical for the allocation of ICU beds in a COVID-19 outbreak, COVID-19 vaccinations and organ transplantation, and the rankings from each scenario across the two groups were compared. Results indicated that HCPs preferred utilitarian principles informed by medical knowledge, such as ‘prognosis’, whereas laypeople preferred less situation-specific and prioritarian principles, such as ‘sickest first’, replicating pre-pandemic findings. Laypeople showed increased in-group agreement when ranking principles, potentially due to the collective experience of the pandemic. Demographic variables such as older age, identifying as Black, Asian or minority ethnic and greater experience with COVID-19, were also associated with a preference for ‘prognosis’.

Needs assessment in long-term care: expression of national principles for priority setting in service allocation

BackgroundLong-term care services for older adults are characterised by increasing needs and scarce resources. Political strategies have led to the reorganisation of long-term care services, with an increased focus on “ageing in place” and efficient use of resources. There is currently limited research on the processes by which resource allocation decisions are made by service allocators of long-term care services for older adults. The aim of this study is to explore how three political principles for priority setting in long-term care, resource, severity and benefit, are expressed in service allocation to older adults.MethodsThis qualitative study uses data from semi-structured individual interviews, focus groups and observations of service allocators who assess needs and assign long-term care services to older adults in Norway. The data were supplemented with individual decision letters from the allocation office, granting or denying long-term care services. The data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsThe allocators drew on all three principles for priority setting when assessing older adults’ long-term care needs and allocating services. We found that the three principles pushed in different directions in the allocation process. We identified six themes related to service allocators’ expression of the principles: (1) lowest effective level of care as a criterion for service allocation (resource), (2) blanket allocation of low-cost care services (resource), (3) severity of medical and rehabilitation needs (severity), (4) severity of care needs (severity), (5) benefit of generous service allocation (benefit) and (6) benefit of avoiding services (benefit).ConclusionsThe expressions of the three political principles for priority setting in long-term care allocation are in accordance with broader political trends and discourses regarding “ageing in place”, active ageing, an investment ideology, and prioritising those who are “worse off”. Increasing attention to the rehabilitation potential of older adults and expectations that they will take care of themselves increase the risk of not meeting frail older adults’ care needs. Additionally, difficulties in defining the severity of older adults’ complex needs lead to debates regarding “worse off” versus potentiality in future long-term care services allocation.Trial registrationNot applicable.

Country-Specific External Costs of Abiotic Resource Use Based on User Cost Model in Life Cycle Impact Assessment.

Abiotic resources are indispensable in society, but there are concerns regarding their depletion, scarcity, and increasing prices, resulting in potential economic damage in the future. To address these concerns, it is effective to consider the external costs of resource use. Although resource availability is different among mining sites, and local conditions are relevant in assessing resource scarcity, previous studies have assessed external costs and potential impacts of abiotic resource use globally. This study provides country-specific characterization factors (CFs) of abiotic resource use in life cycle impact assessment based on the user cost model, which represents the external costs of abiotic resource use to reflect country-specific resource scarcity. We demonstrate considerable variations in the CFs depending on the mining country, suggesting that the choice of mining country can affect external costs. The global external cost of abiotic resource use in 2020 was estimated at 1.9 trillion $, with a major contribution from the extraction of fossil fuels in the United States. Historical trends of the CFs and relevant parameters showed temporal fluctuations, emphasizing the importance of regularly updating the data underlying the calculation of the CFs. Country-level assessments of the external costs of resource use can contribute to discussions on the responsibilities of consuming countries by incorporating material footprint studies.

Evaluation of Legal Policy Implementation in Addressing Environmental Crisis: A Case Study on Plastic Waste Management

The environmental crisis caused by the escalating issue of plastic waste has garnered significant attention globally, including in Indonesia. Jambi, a region profoundly impacted, grapples with the challenge of managing plastic waste, which accounts for 50 percent of the annual waste production from 2022 to 2023. This study aims to evaluate the implementation of legal policies in addressing this environmental crisis, focusing on plastic waste management in Jambi. Additionally, it examines efforts to prevent further environmental deterioration through legal enforcement. Utilizing a qualitative approach with a case study methodology, data were gathered through interviews with various stakeholders, including governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations, and industrial sectors. Document reviews and literature surveys were also conducted to gain insights into the current state of plastic waste management in Jambi. Findings indicate that despite the existence of legal frameworks aimed at mitigating plastic waste issues, implementation remains limited, failing to significantly reduce plastic waste accumulation in Jambi. Critical factors such as inadequate inter-agency coordination, resource scarcity, and insufficient public awareness hinder effective environmental crisis management efforts. In conclusion, this research underscores the pressing need for more robust implementation of legal policies to combat the environmental crisis, particularly in plastic waste management in Jambi. Additionally, proactive measures through stringent legal enforcement are imperative to prevent further environmental degradation and safeguard the ecological integrity of Jambi's landscape.

Diversified Filtering Mechanism for Evaluation Indicators of Urban Road Renewal Schemes

As global urban infrastructure renewal progresses, the urgent need for sustainability-driven urban renewal intensifies amidst resource scarcity and environmental concerns. Effective evaluation and decision making regarding urban road renewal schemes are prerequisites for their successful implementation. However, variation in the prioritization of indicators in project evaluations and the poor adaptability of existing frameworks hinder the quick assessment of diverse projects. To address this issue, this paper proposes a scheme evaluation framework with embedded renewal project features comprising four modules. Following the initial construction of a sustainability-driven evaluation system, an indicator-filtering mechanism combining the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model with a text similarity algorithm is developed. The Entropy Weight-–TOPSIS method is then employed to derive the final optimal decision based on selected indicators. Applying the decision framework to the G15 Jialiu Widening and Reconstruction Project in Shanghai, China, indicators are reduced by 48.3%, with the optimal scheme decision consistent with the traditional Entropy Weight–TOPSIS method. The framework is robust and enhances decision efficiency, filling theoretical gaps in existing indicator-filtering mechanisms.

Go-encapsulated La-doped lithium manganese oxide assemblies to enhance lithium extraction performance in capacitive deionization

The electrochemical lithium extraction technique from brine has emerged as a key strategy in addressing the issue of lithium resource scarcity. Lithium manganese oxide (LMO) stands out as a typical lithium-ion selective material. Nevertheless, its lithium extraction application is restricted by inadequate conductivity and limited cycling stability. In this report, through a simple electrostatic self-assembling method, a 3-dimensional (3D) GO/La-LMO hybrid was fabricated wherein La-doped LMO (La-LMO) was enveloped by graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets. The resultant GO/La-LMO exhibited a significantly improved electrochemical behavior with fast Li+ diffusion rate and high conductivity. The GO/La-LMO hybrid demonstrated outstanding selectivity for the electrochemical intercalation/de-intercalation of Li+. As a Li+-selective cathode in capacitive deionization (CDI) device, the GO/La-LMO electrode achieved a high Li+ adsorption capacity of 1.33 mmol g−1 (10 mM LiCl) and superior selectivity with a separation factor of 126 (Mg2+/Li+ = 30, molar ratio) in Mg2+/Li+ mixed solution. The Li+ extraction percentage reached 80.4 % in the simulated salt-lake brine. Crucially, the GO/La-LMO electrode substantiated prominent structural stability and low Mn dissolution over 100 cycles, attributed to the synergistic effect of La-doping and GO capsulation to mitigate Jahn-Teller distortion. In addition, the selective adsorption–desorption mechanism of Li+ was confirmed. This work introduces a facile approach for the fabrication of robust carbon-based LMO hybrids, demonstrating the potential applications as high-performance lithium-selective materials.

Serological and epidemiological investigation of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in bovines in Pakistan.

To investigate the prevalence of paratuberculosis in cattle and buffaloes at twelve public dairy farms in Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 2181 more than two-year-old animals (1242 cattle and 939 buffaloes) were tested by avian tuberculin, i.e., killed purified protein derivative (PPD) of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis and indirect ELISA. Blood and fecal samples were collected from tuberculin positive animals. These samples were further processed by indirect ELISA. The data were analyzed using frequency analysis and logistic analysis procedures. The prevalence of paratuberculosis at public dairy farms was 3.8%, as determined by tuberculin + ELISA test. It varied from 0.71-13.5% with a 100% herd prevalence. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that species, milk production, total animals, total small ruminants, and total buffaloes were significantly associated with the occurrence of paratuberculosis. Odd ratio analysis revealed that with a one-kilogram increase in body weight, there will be a 0.006% increase in disease occurrence. With the increase in one animal in small ruminants and buffaloes, there will be 0.008% and 0.42% greater chances of developing paratuberculosis, respectively. Bivariate logistic regression analysis of cattle and buffaloes revealed that farm number, age, and total number of cattle were significantly associated with the occurrence of paratuberculosis. A one-month increase in lactation length increases the chance of tuberculosis by 0.004%; similarly, a one-liter increase in milk production increases the chance of disease by 10%. With each additional buffalo in the herd, there will be a 0.007% greater chance for the occurrence of paratuberculosis. This study concluded that tuberculin testing can be used in conjunction with ELISA to screen animals for paratuberculosis in countries with scarce resources, such as Pakistan. The efficacy of disease diagnosis can be improved by combining multiple tests.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development and Environmental Resilience

In this section, we delve into the exploration of how artificial intelligence (AI) can contribute to sustainable development and bolster environmental resilience. In light of the pressing global challenges posed by climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation, there arises an imperative to devise innovative solutions that foster sustainable practices and fortify ecosystem resilience. This segment examines a range of AI applications pertinent to sustainable development and environmental resilience. These applications encompass climate modelling, energy efficiency optimization, waste management, biodiversity preservation, and disaster response, among others. Moreover, we delve into both the potential benefits and risks associated with deploying AI in these arenas. Emphasis is placed on the significance of ethical considerations, transparency, and inclusivity in the implementation of AI-driven solutions. The objective of this segment is to offer insights into the effective utilization of AI for cultivating a more sustainable and resilient future. This will be achieved through the presentation of successful case studies, alongside the illumination of emerging trends and prospective pathways

Ionic conductive membrane suitable for sodium metal batteries

Recently, sodium-ion batteries have received great attention primarily due to the scarcity of lithium resources and fluctuations in lithium prices, but sodium-ion batteries have relatively low energy densities. One solution to the low energy density is to employ sodium metal anode, and the risks associated with using metallic sodium could be mitigated by constructing sodium-metal batteries (SMBs) with polymer electrolytes. In this paper, we would like to report a novel gel polymer membrane composed of a cellulose polymer, which not only has a wide electrochemical window, but also has excellent mechanical strength and thermal stability. Moreover, the prepared membrane exhibits high ionic conductivity, thus it can be used as separator and/or electrolyte for ionic batteries. The sodium-metal battery constructed with the prepared gel cellulose electrolyte has been further evaluated by cycling at 0.1C and 60 °C. The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer formed on the surface of the sodium metal anode has been carefully examined using various characterization techniques. The results verify that the ionic-liquids based gel polymer electrolyte (IGPE) is thermally and electrochemically stable, and suitable for high-voltage SMBs.

Effect of Tillage and Mulching on Growth and Yield Performance of Barley under Different Nitrogen and Irrigation Application Rates

Background: Integrated management of soil, water and nutrient resources is critical in improving animal feed production sustainably as it is highly resource demanding. Barley is considered as an excellent choice for animal feed owing to its rich nutritional composition, energy content, palatability, versatility and economic feasibility. Implementing sustainable crop management practices that improve soil health as well as enhance water and nitrogen availability is critical for improving crop productivity and ensuring improved animal feed production in these challenging environments. In arid regions with scarce water resources and less fertile soil, an interplay between water availability and nitrogen fertilization plays a significant role in enhancing barley production. Thus adoption of conservation agricultural practices coupled with optimized irrigation and fertilization regime is crucial in establishing sustainable animal feed production in the region. However, much insight is not delivered in the area of interactive effects of irrigation and fertilization with conservational agricultural practices on sustainable intensification of animal feed production in arid and semi-arid lands. The study investigated the interactive effect of tillage, mulching, irrigation and nitrogen application rates on growth and yield performance of barley under Kuwait’s environmental conditions. Methods: The study was conducted at KISR Station for Research and Innovation-KSRI (29.3156°N, 47.8403°E), Kuwait. The effect of tillage and mulching on the growth and yield performance of barley was evaluated under combinations of three different irrigation (100% ETc, 75% ETc and 50% ETc) and fertilization application rates (0 kg/ha, 50 kg/ha and 100 kg/ha). Split-split plot experimental design was employed with three replications to study the effect of different treatments on plant height, number of plants per square meter, spike length, number of spikes per square meter, biomass yield, grain weight, harvest index and residue yield. Result: Tillage, mulching, irrigation and fertilization application rates imposed a significant interaction effect on barley biomass and grain yield. Minimum tilled plots with mulching under 100% ETc irrigation and 100 kgN/ha recorded the highest biomass and residue yield. For grain yield, minimum as well as conventional tillage with mulching produced the highest value under 100% ETc irrigation and 50 kgN/ha. Highest plant height and number of spikes per square meter was noted in plots with minimum tillage and mulching under 100% ETc irrigation.

P002 A comparison between radiologically reported osteopenia and the FRAX score as an indication for bone densitometry

Abstract Background/Aims Osteopenia is defined as a bone mineral density score between -1 and -2.5 standard deviations compared to a young adult reference mean (T-score) based on dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Radiologists continue to use the term in a generic and qualitative manner to mean decreased bone mineral density, but they cannot distinguish between osteopenia and osteoporosis which means patients then go on to have a DXA. We would like to see if a FRAX (fracture risk assessment tool) can safely replace osteopenia as an indication for a DXA. Methods We retrospectively identified 2276 patients to have had a DXA scan from October 2022 to March 2023 according to the departmental database. Their referral forms were obtained from the Electronic Medical Record (EMR). Out of these, 150 patients were referred with a sole indication being radiologically reported osteopenia. Out of 150 patients, 22 were excluded as they were found to have other indications not reported on their referral from and seven more were excluded as three had bilateral hip replacement, three were below 40 and one was undergoing gender reassignment and was on oestrogen. The remaining 121 patients were included in the study and their post BMD ( bone mineral density) FRAX score was obtained from patient EMR. Pre BMD FRAX was also calculated using clinical information available on patient’s EMR retrospectively. NOGG ( National Osteoporosis Guideline Group) recommendation of treatment based on the fracture risk as per the FRAX were then compared between pre and post BMD retrospectively to see if there would be any change in treatment plan. Results Of total 121 patients included, 94 were female. Mean age was 68 years. Retrospective review of the case notes revealed that using a FRAX with BMD, total 34 (28.1%) patients needed treatment for osteoporosis while 87 (71.9%) did not. Of 87 patients not requiring treatment, 55 would not have received DXA scan if FRAX assessment was done without BMD. Of the 34 who did need treatment, 32 would still be recommended for a DXA while only two patients wouldn’t. However, these two patients had other clinical indications for osteoporosis assessment and would still have required a specialist referral such that a decision can be made about DXA. Conclusion If radiologically reported osteopenia as an indication for a DXA is replaced by FRAX, DXA would not be needed in nearly half of the patients. This will have potential to save scarce DXA resource without compromising patient safety, treatment plan, and will reduce waiting times. Disclosure S. Srinivas: None. K. Hood: None. H. Sapkota: None.

Opinion Study on the Effects of School Dropouts among the Parents Meensurutty Village, Ariyalur District, Tamilnadu

Dropout rates are considered to be a great wastage in the education system, not only do many students leave school without acquiring basic skills, but their premature departure represents a significant waste of scarce education resources. A person who leaves school, college, or university before completing a qualification, or a person who lives in an unusual way: a high school/college dropout. He was a loner and a dropout. On an individual level, dropping out of school often leads to lower paying jobs and less job stability. This can lead to a cycle of poverty and difficulty making ends meet. In addition, dropouts are more likely to become involved in crime and to struggle with addiction. Parents and the community play a crucial role in preventing and addressing school dropouts. Their involvement and support are vital for creating a positive and conducive environment that promotes academic success and reduces the risk of students leaving school prematurely.

Ordered PtNiTiZrHf nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes catalyze hydrogen evolution reaction with high activity and durability

With the scarcity of the earth's natural resources, hydrogen production from electrolyzing water is seen as an alternative energy source. Although platinum (Pt) is an advanced catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), its application is limited by high cost and limited electrocatalytic performance. In this article, the five-element alloy nanoparticles are successfully synthesized on carbon nanotubes (CNT) by employing liquid-phase reduction and gas-phase sintering to reduce Pt utilization and improve catalytic performance. For comparison, a series of ordered and disordered (PtNi)x(TiZrHf)100-x/CNT catalysts are obtained. Results show that the ordered samples have more excellent HER catalytic performance and stability than disordered samples in 0.5 M H2SO4 and 1 M KOH electrolytes. In particular, when the electrolyte is acidic, the overpotentials of ordered (PtNi)55(TiZrHf)45/CNT at 10 and 100 mA cm−2 are 11 and 52 mV, with low Tafel slope of 37.73 mV dec−1. At 10 mA cm−2, the stabilization time can reach 58 h, which is much better than commercial Pt/C (20 wt.%). Density functional theory (DFT) calculation shows that ordered (PtNi)55(TiZrHf)45/CNT has lower hydrogen adsorption energy and activated water adsorption energy than disordered one, indicating better performance in both acidic and alkaline electrolytes. It is mainly attributed to the electronic coupling effect after ordering that makes the overall D-band center decrease. This work presents a cost-effective approach to optimize the structural design for acid-base HER electrocatalysts.

What Drives Mating Effort: Fear of Singlehood, Relationship Status, and Self-Esteem

Abstract Purpose Attracting and maintaining a romantic partner requires considerable effort. In the current study, we aimed to test the hypothesis that fear of singlehood is a primary factor driving individuals to allocate scarce resources in the mating domain. Methods We conducted a close-ended survey with a sample of 990 Greek and Turkish-speaking participants. Results We found that that a stronger fear of singlehood was associated with higher mating effort. Moreover, voluntarily single participants experienced lower fear of singlehood compared to other categories of singles and individuals in intimate relationships. Additionally, higher self-esteem was associated with lower fear of singlehood. We also identified a significant indirect effect of relationship status and self-esteem on mating effort through fear of singlehood. Specifically, involuntarily single individuals tended to exert more mating effort due to heightened fear of singlehood compared to those in other relationship status categories. Furthermore, higher self-esteem was associated with reduced mating effort, as it was associated with lower fear of singlehood. These findings held true across both the Greek and Turkish samples. Conclusion Relationship status and self-esteem play a role in mating effort through fear of singlehood.

Is Green Transition in Europe Fostered by Energy and Environmental Efficiency Feedback Loops? The Role of Eco-Innovation, Renewable Energy and Green Taxation

AbstractGreen transition is in the core of the European policy agenda to achieve the ambitious goal of climate neutrality following the launch of the European Green Deal. The cornerstone of the new growth strategy of Europe is resource efficiency which focuses on shifting to a more sustainable production paradigm by conserving scarce resources and by prioritizing enhanced environmental performance. Scattered efforts to investigate the drivers of resource efficiency measures have shed light on the key drivers, however, those consider resource efficiency measures in isolation neglecting for feedback loops influencing green transition. Therefore, we develop a conceptual framework to study green transition as a system of resource efficiency measures affected by feedback loops, path dependence, green technologies, and green policy tools. We mobilize the analysis by devising a unique balanced panel covering the EU-28 from 2010 through 2019, including policy efforts paving the way for green transition. Econometric results based on a system of fractional probit models, indicate that resource efficiency measures are intertwined via feedback loops, especially in the case of environmental efficiency. Green technologies affect green transition, however, rebound effects emerge in the case of energy efficiency. Past performance affects current levels pushing towards divergence. Evidence suggests that green taxation fosters energy efficiency whereas hinders environmental efficiency. The asymmetric operation of feedback loops and green taxation on energy and environmental efficiency highlights that horizontal policies hinder rather than foster green transition. This study contributes to SDGs 7, 12, 13 and 16.

Data services at the academic library: a natural history of horses and unicorns

Objective: Increases in data-intensive research at colleges and universities is driving demand for data services provided by academic libraries. The current work investigates the distribution of library data services, how such services are offered, and the effect of resourcing on the amount of services offered by a library. Methods: We used a web-based inventory of 25 academic libraries at U.S. Research 1 (R1) Carnegie institutions to assess the state of data services at university libraries. We categorized and quantified services, and tested for an effect of library resourcing on the size of library data service portfolios.Results: Support for data management and geospatial services was relatively widespread, with increasing support in areas of data analyses and data visualization. There was significant variation among services in the modality in which they were offered (web, consult, instruction) and library resourcing had a significant effect on the number of data services a library offered.Conclusions: While a core subset of these data services are offered at most academic libraries, more specialized topics are restricted to well-resourced libraries. In light of the influence of resource scarcity on the number of services a library can offer, intra- and inter-campus partnerships will be critical to ensure campus support for data service needs.

MANUFACTURING OF CLAY BRICKS BY USING Water Treatment Plant SLUDGE

Water treatment plant (WTP) sludge disposal is a major environmental concern that requires creative methods for management. In order to reduce the environmental impact of sludge disposal and improve the sustainability of the brick- making process, this study investigates the viability of using WTP sludge as an additional material in the production of clay bricks. The study looks into WTP sludge's physiochemical characteristics and prospective use as a raw material for brick manufacturing. The study investigates the impact of adding different amounts of WTP sludge to clay brick formulations on important factors such compressive strength, water absorption, and durability using experimental analysis. The findings show that adding WTP sludge can improve the characteristics of clay bricks; the best combinations outperform traditional bricks in terms of performance. Furthermore, by lowering the cost of raw materials and limiting waste disposal costs, the use of WTP sludge offers possible financial advantages. Environmental evaluations show that using WTP sludge in brick production has several sustainable benefits, such as lower energy use, carbon emissions, and a reliance on virgin resources. Furthermore, the use of sludge in bricks supports the circular economy and waste diversion initiatives. All things considered, this study shows that using WTP sludge in the manufacturing of clay bricks is a feasible and ecologically friendly strategy. Through the utilization of waste materials for applications with added value, this study provides valuable insights into tackling resource scarcity and environmental issues in the building sector. Key Words: Clay bricks, WTP sludge, Waste utilization, Industrial ecology, Waste-to-resource conversion.

Circular And Sustainable: Evaluating Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling using a Combined Statistical Entropy and Life Cycle Assessment Methodology.

While there has been a growing interest on the concept of Circular Economy (CE), its correlation with sustainability remains controversial. In this work, the combination of Statistical Entropy Analysis (SEA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is proposed as a new methodology to evaluate recycling processes from the perspective of materials circularity and environmental impacts using a Li-ion battery recycling process as a case study. This work addresses the need of quantitative circularity indicators, as SEA evaluates the concentration of materials at a systems level, while LCA measures the environmental impact of recycling processes in comparison with virgin raw materials production. It was found that process optimization points can be found by simultaneously accounting for materials recovery and the LCA categories of global warming potential, ozone depletion and mineral resource scarcity. Furthermore, a strong correlation was found for the first time between the recovery of critical elements and the environmental impact of raw materials production. The proposed methodology thus offers a robust analysis of a product lifecycle that aids in its design and optimization from the CE perspective.

Joint cooperative caching and power control for UAV-assisted internet of vehicles

In view of the current problems of spectrum resource scarcity, return congestion, and insufficient energy utilization in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-assisted Internet of Vehicles (IoV), this paper investigates the cooperative caching and power control, and proposes a joint optimization method to improve the overall Energy Efficiency (EE) . In this method, we first propose a communication establishment threshold to control the V2V communication distance and serve as a joint optimization factor. Then we derive the closed form expressions of offloading ratio and EE of the UAV-assisted IoV, and formulate the optimization problem of maximizing EE. Due to the coupling relationship between caching strategy and transmission power, it is difficult for us to directly solve the optimization problem. Furthermore, we propose an alternating optimization algorithm for solving the optimization problem. Finally, the experimental simulation compare the propose joint optimization method with other existing optimization methods, and the simulation results prove the effectiveness and superiority of the propose joint optimization method.

Valuing resources in Thailand using the budget constraint method

This study develops comprehensive monetary conversion factors for Thailand to apply in life cycle assessment (LCA) in order to account for environmental externalities associated with products and services. An innovative methodology integrates resource scarcity alongside six determinants within the budget constraint approach to derive lacking economic production factors. The estimated potential gross economic production per capita represents the willingness to pay for alleviating damages. Impact assessment data is then monetized into quality adjusted life years, biodiversity adjusted hectare years, and monetary values. The resulting factors enable consistent valuation of environmental costs and benefits of products and services alongside techno-economic aspects. The outcomes are relevant to sustainability assessment and reporting needs by offering localized means to quantify dependencies and externalities. Application of developed monetary conversion factors to energy, transport, industry, infrastructure, and tourism sectors can internalize environmental impacts from production and consumption activities. The methodology provides policymakers and businesses with a holistic measure to make informed decisions aligned with sustainability goals and resilient economic growth. By reconciling development with resource conservation, this research aims to steer decisions that improve societal well-being and economic growth in balance with the planet.