Short-term Losses Research Articles

Medium and short-term effective prestress losses considering multiple factors: Laboratory and on-site beam experiments

The coupling between the creep and shrinkage of concrete, tendon relaxation, and temperature variations makes it difficult to determine the influence of each individual factor on prestress loss. This study investigates the influence of these multiple factors on the medium and short-term prestress of beam bridges, crucial for their durability and safety. Initially, laboratory experiments were conducted on six model beams to analyze medium and short-term prestress variations. Using a pre-designed scheme, the study isolated and quantified the impacts on effective prestress, with losses calculated through superposition. The findings were compared with existing models, leading to the proposal of a refined model for multiple factors affecting prestress. Then the prestress loss experiments on ten full-sized beams, with thirty-five strands, were calibrated based on the proposed model by regression analysis. Based on the modified model of prestress loss, the mentioned influencing factors would be calculated separately, which agree with the measured data from laboratory and in-situ experiments. In the end, the study concludes that creep has the greatest impact on prestress loss, with other factors contributing to varying degrees. Through full-scale tests, parameters for the prestress loss model were verified. The proposed model in this study effectively describes prestress loss within the tested timeframe. The study further concludes that there existed a time lag in prestress tendons and ambient temperature in both laboratory model beams and in-situ full-scale beams. For practical applications in lift-off tests of effective prestress, the appropriate testing time after tensioning to yield relatively stable results is recommended.

Metabolic effects of very-low calorie diet, Semaglutide, or combination of the two, in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background & AimsVery-low calorie diets (VLCD) and the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP1RA) Semaglutide induce significant weight loss and improve glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). This pilot study was conducted to explore the comparative short-term effects of these interventions individually, and in combination, on weight, body composition and metabolic outcomes. MethodsThirty individuals with T2D (age 18-75 years, BMI 27-50kg.m-2) were randomly assigned to receive Semaglutide (SEM), 800 kilocalorie/day VLCD (VLCD), or both in combination (COMB) for 12 weeks. Measurement of weight and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and intravenous glucose tolerance tests (IVGTT) were performed at baseline and post-intervention. Diet diaries were utilised to assess compliance. Insulin first phase response during IVGTT provided a marker of pancreatic beta-cell function, and insulin sensitivity was estimated using HOMA-IR. ResultsSignificantly greater reductions in body weight and fat mass were observed in VLCD and COMB, than SEM (p<0.01 v both). VLCD and COMB resulted in a 5.4 and 7 percentage-point greater weight loss than SEM, respectively. HbA1c and fasting glucose reduced significantly in all groups, however fasting insulin and HOMA-IR improved in VLCD and COMB only. Insulin first phase response during IVGTT increased in SEM and COMB, and this increase was significantly greater in COMB than VLCD (p<0.01). ConclusionVLCD elicited greater short-term losses of weight and fat mass than Semaglutide. Adding VLCD to Semaglutide stimulated further weight loss than Semaglutide alone. The combination did not yield any additive effects on weight and body composition above VLCD alone, but did provoke greater improvements in pancreatic beta-cell function. Thus, combination of Semaglutide and VLCD warrants further exploration as a novel approach to T2D management.

Evaluating the influence of taxation and social security policies on psychological distress: A microsimulation study of the UK during the COVID-19 economic crisis

Economic determinants are important for population health, but actionable evidence of how policies can utilise these pathways remains scarce. This study employs a microsimulation framework to evaluate the effects of taxation and social security policies on population mental health. The UK economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic provides an informative context involving an economic shock accompanied by one of the strongest discretionary fiscal responses amongst OECD countries.The analytical setup involves a dynamic, stochastic, discrete-time microsimulation model (SimPaths) projecting changes in psychological distress given predicted economic outcomes from a static tax-benefit microsimulation model (UKMOD) based on different policy scenarios. We contrast projections of psychological distress for the working-age population from 2017 to 2025 given the observed policy environment against a counterfactual scenario where pre-crisis policies remained in place. Levels of psychological distress and potential cases of common mental disorders (CMDs) were assessed with the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12).The UK policy response to the economic crisis is estimated to have prevented a substantial fall (over 12 percentage points, %pt) in the employment rate in 2020 and 2021. In 2020, projected psychological distress increased substantially (CMD prevalence increase >10%pt) under both the observed and the counterfactual policy scenarios. Through economic pathways, the policy response is estimated to have prevented a further 3.4%pt [95%UI 2.8%pt, 4.0%pt] increase in the prevalence of CMDs, approximately 1.2 million cases. Beyond 2021, as employment levels rapidly recovered, psychological distress returned to the pre-pandemic trend. Sustained preventative effects on poverty are estimated, with projected levels 2.1%pt [95%UI 1.8%pt, 2.5%pt] lower in 2025 than in the absence of the observed policy response.The study shows that policies protecting employment during an economic crisis are effective in preventing short-term mental health losses and have lasting effects on poverty levels. This preventative effect has substantial public health benefits.

Development and Applicability Evaluation of Damage Scale Analysis Techniques for Agricultural Drought

In recent years, the intensity and frequency of droughts have been increasing with the advent of the climate crisis. Agricultural droughts have a significant economic and social impact. Agricultural drought is not only a natural disaster but also leads to food security threats and reduced economic activities, such as decreased productivity. Therefore, it is very important to specify the scale of agricultural drought and quantitatively estimate the economic damage. In this study, we developed an analytical methodology to quantitatively assess the economic damage of agricultural drought and estimated the damage of agricultural drought in 2018 and 2019 for the Republic of Korea. The 2018 agricultural drought was estimated to have caused USD 4.438 million in damage cost and USD 5.180 million in recovery cost. The 2019 drought was less damaging than the previous year, with an estimated damage cost of USD 286,000 and recovery costs of USD 218,000. The results suggest that the economic impact of agricultural drought varies by region depending on the frequency and intensity of the drought and confirm the importance of regional strategies for effective drought management and response. The impacts of agricultural drought go beyond short-term agricultural losses and lead to long-term economic burdens. Therefore, the results of this study are expected to be used as a basis for understanding the impacts of agricultural drought on national economies and for developing policies and strategies to minimize impacts.

Do soil enzyme activities explain stimulated carbon mineralization following liming?

Losses of soil organic carbon (C) following liming have been proposed to result from stimulated C mineralization, which could occur through a variety of mechanisms including soil enzymes. Given the pH-sensitivity of enzyme activities, liming could impact catalysis of C mineralization by extracellular enzymes independently of microbial response. To this end, we evaluated the responses of C mineralization as CO2 flux, permanganate-oxidizable C (POXC), and the activities of C-hydrolytic enzymes to liming of a Haplic Ferralsol (Typic Kandiudox) in western Kenya under three differing 11-year soil fertility managements: unfertilized (UNF), mineral fertilized (MIN), and organic fertilized (ORG). Five rates of Ca(OH)2 (1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, and 7.5 t ha−1) and an unlimed control were used to establish a pH gradient of 4.6–6.4. Soil C mineralization rates assessed as CO2 production peaked within 5 d for high liming rates, and converged to a similar rate as unlimed soils after 21 d. At 28 d, activities of β-glucosidase and cellobiohydrolase decreased with increasing pH, increased for β-glucosaminidase, and were unaffected for β-galactosidase. POXC generally increased with liming rate for fertilized soils, more so in ORG and less in MIN soils, with relative increases of 18%, 5%, and 1% for ORG, MIN and UNF soils, respectively, at 7.5 relative to 0 t ha−1 liming. This study identifies potentially rapid albeit short-lived stimulation of C mineralization following addition of a highly soluble liming agent. Notably, decreases in activities of soil enzymes that catalyze the first and last step of the cellulosic C depolymerization suggests that short-term losses of soil C were not driven by enzyme activities, and may occur in spite of lowered C-hydrolytic enzyme activity. The enhanced C mineralization observed could reflect augmentation of labile C pools via non-enzymatic processes (e.g., desorption) in the short-term.

Capabilities of using UAVs and close range photogrammetry to determine short-term soil losses in forest road cut slopes in semi-arid mountainous areas.

The soil losses that are caused should be examined by monitoring the forest roads in the periods after they are built. In traditional soil loss determination studies that require intensive labour, due to difficulties in parcel setup, leaks from the connection points of the system, overflow of the material in the storage units and regular follow-up of the precipitation, etc., the system has its disadvantages. In this study, studies were carried out to evaluate the possibilities of using UAV and close range photogrammetry (CRP) methods, which are remote sensing techniques, and to determine the soil losses in forest road cut slopes in semi-arid mountainous areas. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of the methods are discussed. A 100-m section of the secondary forest road was chosen as the study area. Data acquisition was carried out by UAV and CRP methods in the period of May 2020-November 2020. In the results of the study, the volumetric deformation per unit area results, a - 0.0060 m3m-2 erosion amount and a 0.0046 m3m-2 accumulation amount were determined by UAV. In addition, in the photogrammetric method, a - 0.0050 m3m-2 erosion amount and a 0.0031 m3m-2 accumulation amount were found. When both methods were compared temporally, the processes took approximately 2 times longer in the CRP method. In addition, while the ground sampling distance of DEMs and orthophotos produced with the UAV was 2cm, it was obtained as 1cm in the CRP method and terrestrial receptions were found to be 2 times higher resolution. According to the results obtained, the CRP method gives results that are more accurate in such studies.

Innovations for sustainability in the roll-out of the Sustainable Development Goals

Companies have been adapting their strategic decisions in order to align with Sustainable Development Goals since 2015. A motivation for companies to align their strategic decisions with Sustainable Development Goals is to gain legitimacy among supranational organizations, governments, and civil society. Some demonstrate the strength of their commitment to these goals by investing in innovations designed to boost their organizational performance; while others turn to greenwashing in a bid to maintain profits. Investing in sustainability innovations has become a key manifestation of firms’ commitment to Sustainable Development. This study aims to analyse the interaction between sustainability commitment, innovations for sustainability and organizational performance. A sample of 3,420 companies for the period 2015 to 2020 is used to test two working hypotheses. Despite the significant gains it brings in terms of sustainability performance, the results show that investing in innovation for sustainability carries the risk of short-term losses. This has several implications. Some companies may subscribe to Sustainable Development Goals in their pursuit of legitimacy rather than out of true commitment. However, actual engagement in innovation for sustainability can attract potential investors, and, in our view, should be encouraged by politicians and lawmakers.

Green bonds, transition to a low-carbon economy, and intertemporal welfare allocation: Evidence from an extended DICE model

&lt;p&gt;Short-term reductions in social welfare, expected to be caused by a currently imposed carbon tax, are among the obstacles to a rapid transition to a low-carbon economy. Using an extended DICE model, we studied the potential of green bonds to both accelerate this transition and smoothen welfare losses and gains in a socially optimal way. We showed that green bonds can indeed accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and that lower interest rates on bonds speed up this acceleration. Moreover, bonds can reduce short-term welfare losses; however, to eliminate welfare losses, additional compensation mechanisms are needed. For example, bonds at a 3% interest rate can decrease the peak atmospheric carbon concentrations by about 20% and shorten the initial time, during which society is worse off from 75 to 45 years. Retaining at least the same consumption level as in the no-mitigation scenario, without using bonds, is possible only through a decrease in abatement efforts. Green bonds of sufficiently low interest rates allow improving intertemporal welfare as well as achieving a more pronounced climate change mitigation with respect to both mitigation and no-mitigation scenarios without bonds.&lt;/p&gt;

Financial Feasibility Study of Perum Damri Serang Branch Business Study on Transport Trajects of Tanjung Lesung and Sawarna National Tourism Strategic Areas

Transportation refers to the act of relocating or transferring an object from one location to another, with the intention of enhancing its utility or enabling its application for specific purposes in the new destination. Public transportation refers to a form of mass transportation that provides passenger services through a collective travel system. This method of transportation is accessible to the general public, operates on predetermined routes, and requires payment for each individual journey. Public transportation operates on a rental or payment system. The primary function of public transportation is to cater to the mobility needs and interests of the community. Survey research encompasses the examination of both extensive and limited populations through the collection of data from representative samples. Its primary objective is to ascertain the relative prevalence, distribution, and interrelationship of variables. In summary, it may be concluded that both routes did not demonstrate financial feasibility within the initial two-year period, considering a discount rate of 12.5%. While the internal rate of return (IRR) study suggests the possibility of long-term profitability, it is crucial to thoroughly evaluate the short-term risks and losses that are brought to light by the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) and net present value (NPV) calculations. When making decisions on the operation of this route, it is necessary to carefully analyze several elements, such as market conditions, competition, and prevailing economic circumstances. Prior to proceeding with or ceasing route operations, it is imperative to conduct a comprehensive study and engage in strategic planning that aligns with DAMRI's commercial objectives.

Profiling of Skeletal Muscle and Adipose Tissue Depots in Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer Receiving Different Forms of Androgen Deprivation Therapy

BackgroundAndrogen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a common treatment modality for men with prostate cancer. Increases in adipose tissue mass and decreases in skeletal muscle mass are known on-target adverse effects of standard ADT. The effects of newer agents such as abiraterone acetate (ABI) and enzalutamide (ENZA) on body composition and how these compare with standard luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists (aLHRHs) are unclear. ObjectiveTo assess the effects of different forms of androgen deprivation therapy on body composition in men with prostate cancer. Design, setting, and participantsUsing a retrospective design, 229 patients receiving aLHRHs alone (n = 120) or in combination with ABI (n = 53) or ENZA (n = 56) were studied. Outcome measurements and statistical analysisMuscle, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were assessed at baseline, 6 mo, and 18 mo after initiating therapy using a cross-sectional densitometry analysis performed on standard of care computed tomography images. Response trajectories for all treatment groups were calculated via a two-way analysis of variance post hoc test, for both within-group and between-group differences. Results and limitationsTreatment with aLHRHs, ABI, and ENZA was associated with a median muscle volume loss of –1.4%, –4.8%, and –5.5% at 6 mo, and –7.1%, –8.1%, and –8.3% at 18 mo, respectively. Therapy with aLHRHs was associated with minimal changes in VAT (0.3% at 6 mo and –0.1% at 18 mo). ABI therapy was associated with significant increases in VAT at 6 mo (4.9%) but not at 18 mo (0.5%), and ENZA therapy was associated with significant decreases in VAT (–4.6% at 6 mo and –5.4% at 18 mo). With respect to SAT, treatment with aLHRHs was associated with increases over time (8.6% at 6 mo and 4.7% at 18 mo), ABI was associated with decreases over time (–3.6% at 6 mo and –6.8% at 18 mo), and ENZA had no clear effects (1.7% at 6 mo and 3.3% at 18 mo). ConclusionsADT regimens cause significant short-term losses in muscle mass, with the most rapid effects occurring with ABI and ENZA. The three regimens have disparate effects on SAT and VAT, suggesting distinct roles of androgens in these tissues. Patient summaryAndrogen deprivation therapy alters body composition in men with prostate cancer. Abiraterone and enzalutamide are associated with losses in muscle mass compared with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists. These treatments impact subcutaneous and visceral fat mass, suggesting distinct roles of androgens in these tissues.

No country is an island. International cooperation and climate change

We explore the cross-country implications of climate-related mitigation policies. Specifically, we set up and estimate a three-country, two-sector (brown vs green) DSGE model with negative production externalities stemming from carbon-dioxide emissions. The model is used to characterize the welfare-enhancing equilibrium under alternative containment policies. According to the optimal policy mix: i) fiscal policy focuses on reducing emissions; ii) countries cooperate with each other to reduce the losses generated by climate policies; iii) monetary policy looks through environmental objectives but adapts its strategy when the costs of the environmental transition materialize. All other policy combinations either fall short of the Paris agreement's objective or are not incentive-compatible, i.e. the implied short-term losses would prevent the implementation of efficient long-term climate policies.

Cashew processing in Ghana – A case for infant industry support?

West Africa produces almost half of the world's cashew nuts. With the domestic cashew processing industry still in its infancy, however, most of it is exported as raw material and processed in India and Vietnam. In Ghana, this is provoking discussions about market interventions to support domestic processing. Since different price policies have diverging implications for farmers and processors, the choice of the policy instrument leads to conflicts of interest between the two groups. In this study, we analyse the short- and long-term economic impacts of enhancing cashew processing through (i.) a temporary export tax on raw cashew nuts, (ii.) a temporary subsidy to cashew processors, and (iii.)a temporary export tax on raw cashew nuts, with government revenues passed on to cashew growers. For this purpose, we develop a partial equilibrium model for the Ghanaian cashew market including the processing from raw cashew nuts to kernels. We find that in the short run, all price policies lead to a substantial increase in processing at the expense of net welfare. We argue, however, that the sector may experience productivity gains through learning by doing and thus, after price policies are phased out, stick to its increased level of output such that short-term welfare losses could be recouped. Therefore, temporarily introduced price policies could help the infant cashew processing industry to grow up, promote the development of the domestic cashew sector, and be welfare-enhancing in the long run. A subsidy to processors is the most appropriate option to achieve this.

Will restricting rural land expropriation reduce rural land value capture? Local government strategies through the lens of policy instruments

The practice of land value capture (LVC) from collectively owned rural land is undergoing changes in rural land marketisation as local governments are constrained in their power to expropriate rural land. Previous studies have either overestimated short-term rural LVC losses or exaggerated long-term urban LVC increases, while generally neglecting long-term rural LVC changes. Here, we present an analytical framework via the prism of policy instruments to make sense of the evolving practice of rural LVC. Our empirical evidence from China considers disparities in practice and outcomes across scales of governance and between inland–coastal and urban–rural settings, based on 145 semi-structured interviews from 430 transaction cases. We offer insight into discussions concerning stakeholder relationships in rural LVC. This article was published open access under a CC BY licence: https://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0 .

Impact of Goods and Services Tax on Indian Economy – Logistic Sector

Important new legislation in India is the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The GST Act bill was first adopted by the Rajya Sabha on August 6, 2016, and then by the Lok Sabha on August 8, 2016. On July 1, 2017, the legislation will go into force. All value creation is subject to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which is a multi-stage, destination-based tax. Products and services are subject to this kind of tax based on the location of the final consumer. It is proposed that all steps, from manufacturing to consumption, be taxed, with the potential to reclaim taxes already paid. In a nutshell, the final customer is liable for all taxes, and value added to a product or service is subject to taxation. Input Tax Credit (ITC) was made accessible across the whole value chain, and the government benefited greatly from this since GST consolidated a broad range of national and state taxes on most goods and services. The number of tax brackets has decreased to a historic low. The creation of a consolidated digital platform for use by taxpayers is also well underway. More than 26 months and many policy changes later, it seems that not everything has gone as planned. This, however, was not completely out of the question, and the government was prepared to suffer short-term losses in exchange for long-term gains. The tax rates and number of tax bands under India's Goods and Services Tax (GST) are among the highest and most extensive in the world. The rising technical and regulatory obstacles only make life more difficult. The government has enhanced the GST collection goal to Rs. 1.10 crore per month commencing in December 2019 to guarantee revenue collection according to objectives. It is the duty of GST officers to ensure that the appropriate GSTR-1 and 3B returns are filed if penalties or fines were waived at a recent GSTC meeting. Taxpayers who want to avoid penalties must come forward and file their returns by January 10, 2019. The existing GST cannot be considered flawless since it does not apply to all products and services, there are difficulties to collecting input tax credits, and GST rates are often skewed.

Practical Applications of The Tax Benefits of Direct Indexing: Not a One-Size-Fits-All Formula

In <ext-link><bold><italic>The Tax Benefits of Direct Indexing: Not a One-Size-Fits-All Formula</italic></bold></ext-link>, from the Summer 2022 issue of <bold><italic>The Journal of Beta Investment Strategies</italic></bold>, <bold>Nathan Sosner</bold> and <bold>Stanley Krasner</bold> (both at <bold>AQR Capital Management</bold>), and <bold>Michael Gromis</bold> (a student at <bold>Harvard Law School</bold>), explore the magnitude and sources of the tax benefit of a direct-indexing tax-loss-harvesting strategy. The authors note that capital losses realized by loss-harvesting strategies are most valuable when investors use them to offset short-term capital gains from other investments and that investors most likely to experience regular short-term capital gains are high-net-worth investors with allocations to hedge funds and derivatives. In fact, they show that only this subset of investors is situated to enjoy a long-run tax benefit from direct indexing that comes from the difference in short-term capital gains and long-term capital gains tax rates—what the authors call a <italic>character benefit</italic>. More typical investors, with mostly long-term capital gains from other investments, can only enjoy a deferral component of the tax benefit, which declines to zero as the strategy portfolio appreciates. However, the authors show that the deferral benefit is still available in the long run to those investors who make systematic contributions to their portfolios. Furthermore, the future tax liability that results from gain deferral can be reduced by combining the direct-indexing strategy with a charitable-giving program. Absent regular short-term losses or systematic contributions to the portfolio, the tax benefits of direct indexing decay and disappear after five years, on average. Given these nuances, it is important that advisors deepen their understanding of the tax-loss-harvesting strategies as platforms for implementing the strategies become more popular and widespread.

The Political Economy of Protected Area Designations: Commercial Interests in Conservation Policy

Abstract States have increased the pace and scale of conservation efforts in recent years as they strive to meet ambitious terrestrial and marine protected area targets. The ecological gains made in this push for protections, however, seem to be no better than if governments designated protected areas at random. Many critics point to states prioritizing quantity over quality of protections—rightly so—but this point does not fully explain the shortcomings of the global biodiversity network. The problem is more deeply rooted in the processes through which governments designate protected areas. Governments prioritize minimizing short-term commercial losses over maximizing long-term ecological gains in conservation policy processes, leading to two predominant types of protected area: residual and paper park. The causal mechanism driving these processes is how salient industry interests are in an area targeted for protections, which predicts government policy response, demonstrated here through case studies in Australia and the United States.

Microchips and sneakers: Bilateral trade, shifting power, and interstate conflict.

Strong commercial ties promote peace as states shun the opportunity costs of economic disruption. However, trade also enriches and empowers states, rendering them more capable of enforcing long-term settlements. Given economic disruption does not last forever, countries can be incentivized to trade short-term economic losses for long-term political or territorial gains. This trade-off can restrict or even reverse the pacifying effect of commerce as it renders states incapable of committing to existing peaceful deals. I argue the scope condition hinges on the existing power imbalance and the security externalities of trade, defined as states' abilities to translate trade gains into (potential) military power. For countries where the existing power gap is not extreme, the impact of bilateral strategic trade is contingent upon a country's trade externality relative to its opponent's. Although increased bilateral trade can be peace-promoting when the relative externality is small, the pacifying effects can dissipate as a relatively weaker state becomes more capable of exploiting trade gains. Building on recent work in network analysis, I propose a new measurement of trade externalities to test the above theory and find supporting results.

Will R&D make investors more tolerant? Analysis based on the performance forecast of Chinese listed companies.

In the era of innovation dividends, whether investors, as the main participants in the capital market, can tolerate enterprise innovation activities is the key to whether the capital market can help enterprises innovate. This paper takes the listed companies of Shanghai and Shenzhen A-shares in China that disclosed quantitative performance forecasts from 2016 to 2021 as samples, obtains the market reaction of performance forecasts through the event study method and uses them as proxy variables of investors' short-term performance expectations, and uses multiple regression analysis to explore the impact of corporate R&D on investors' short-term performance expectations. The results are as follows: (1) corporate R&D investment significantly reduces investors' short-term performance expectations (that is, investors have a significant tolerance effect on enterprises with higher R&D investment); (2) the increase in the shareholding ratio of institutional investors weakens the tolerance effect; and (3) with the implementation of China's innovation-driven strategy, the tolerance effect of its capital market on enterprise R&D gradually increases, especially for high-tech companies, but has a low tolerance effect on state-owned companies' R&D risk. The results show that investors in China's capital market are not completely rational in their response to corporate R&D, and investors are willing to bear more short-term performance losses for high R&D investment, which is consistent with prospect theory.

Analysis of Financial-Economic Indicators of Startups

This article delves into the financial-economic dynamics of international startups, with a focus on three prominent companies: Monday, Bolt, and Airbnb. The study examines changes in assets, funding sources, and financial results from 2018 to 2022, revealing divergent trends. Bolt has experienced significant asset growth, primarily driven by borrowing, while Monday has shown increased financial independence. Despite negative net profits, these startups prioritize long-term strategies over shortterm profitability, as evidenced by positive gross profits. Furthermore, the article extends its financial-economic indicator analysis to Armenian startups, specifically Krisp and Picsart, examining their from 2021 to 2022. Krisp has demonstrated a reduction in assets alongside a decrease in liabilities, leading to improved financial independence. In contrast, Picsart has exhibited asset growth driven by internal resources, resulting in enhanced return on assets. Overall, this research highlights that startups strategically invest in expansion, anticipating long-term gains and increased market share value, despite short-term losses. The findings provide valuable insights into the financial dynamics of startups, emphasizing their unique approach to sustainability and growth.

The role of landscape management practices to address natural resource degradation and human vulnerability in Awash River basin, Ethiopia

Landscape management practices (LMP) support addressing the vulnerability of small-scale producers (SSPs) through providing a means of sustaining and strengthening community livelihoods and building their resilience and the environment. However, addressing the vulnerability of SSPs through the implementation of LMP requires meaningful community engagement and assessing the benefits and costs from the perspective of local communities. This study was conducted in two watersheds, Maybar-Felana and Gelana, in the Awash River basin, Ethiopia. The study assessed the links between natural resource degradation and the vulnerability of SSPs, local communities' opinion on the benefits and costs of LMP and the implications of implementing LMP for addressing vulnerability. It gathered and analyzed data through key informant interviews (KII), focus group discussions (FGDs) and GIS and remote sensing techniques. Diverse LMP such as afforestation/reforestation, exclosures, terrace and bunds and crop- and soil-based soil amendments were adopted in the studied watersheds. These practices contributed to the improvement of natural resources such as forests and the services they provide. Over the last 21 years (2000−2021), forest cover increased by 11.5 and 42.5% in Maybar-Felana and Gelana watersheds, respectively, while shrublands increased by 41.1% in Maybar-Felana. In line with this, the SSPs identified multiple benefits of LMP including the restoration of degraded vegetation, reducing runoff and soil loss, improving access to water for multiple uses and increasing agricultural productivity. The adopted LMP contributed to reducing livelihood vulnerability through reducing incidents of weather extremes such as flood and drought, improving food and water security, enhancing resource availability, and building livelihood assets. The SSPs also identified multiple economic and social costs of LMP, suggesting that addressing the economic and social costs through balancing short-term economic losses with long-term environmental benefits of interventions is crucial to sustaining the LMP and the benefits they provide.