Substitution Products Research Articles

Efficiency of processing fish products at enterprises of the Saratov region in the context of import substitution

The relevance of the research lies in the need to develop the fisheries complex of the Saratov region in terms of import substitution of fish products and products of its processing, substantiation of the priority development of the agro-industrial complex as part of the national economy. The scientific significance of this study lies in the possibility of practical application in the region to provide the population with food products, create new jobs, as well as an additional source of replenishment of the regional budget. The proposed methodological aspects can be used in the development of strategic solutions for the development of the fisheries complex of the Russian Federation in the context of import substitution. The proposed mechanism of logistics links will provide canned fish products to the population of the Saratov region, as well as other regions. The authors made a conclusion on the economic efficiency of the organization of processing of river fish caught in freshwater reservoirs of the Saratov region. The relationship between practical efficiency and the level of competitiveness of fish farms in our region is revealed.

Natural spices and flavour substitution in zobo tea and drink production: A review

This paper reviews the effects of natural spices and flavour on the overall quality of zobo tea and drinks. Zobo is made from the calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa, also known as roselle. Zobo tea and drinks are rich in nutrients (carbohydrate, fibre, ash, vitamins A and C), minerals (potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium, iron), and bioactive compounds (organic acids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolic acids) which make them predisposed to microbial proliferation, although nutrient composition and product quality vary with the variety of raw materials used and methods of production. Zobo can be consumed unsweetened or sweetened with honey, maple syrup, sugar cane, or fruit juice extracted from orange, pineapple, apple, or strawberry. Spoilage activities of microorganisms can be minimised with spices when they are used in place of chemical flavouring and preservatives. Several natural preservatives or spices of organic or natural origin could improve the quality attributes of zobo tea and drinks, and reduce both microbial diversity and density. Some of the widely utilised and potential spices include garlic, ginger, mixture of garlic and ginger, lime, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, kola nut, and pepper. These spices, along with the dried calyces of H. sabdariffa, have antimicrobial properties, and are rich in phytonutrients, including vitamins and minerals. The overall effects are highly dependent on the biological composition of natural additives and synergistic or antagonistic effects between roselle calyces and the additives used. If properly packaged, zobo can be kept longer than zobo drinks, thus resulting in a product with longer shelf life. The use of natural additives in zobo production would go a long way towards enriching both the zobo tea and drinks, and subsequently replenishing the lack of nutrients.

Trends in Fatal Poisoning Among Drug Users in France From 2011 to 2021

The DRAMES (Décès en Relation avec l'Abus de Médicaments Et de Substances) register is a database of drug-related deaths with the aim of identifying the psychoactive substances associated with and estimating the trends in these deaths. Our novel approach is based on the collection of data on all deaths for which toxicology experts have performed analyses. To describe drug-related deaths in France and report trends over an 11-year period. This case series used a national register to assess 4460 drug-related deaths that occurred from 2011 to 2021 in France. Data analyses were performed from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2022. Demographic characteristics; medical and substance abuse history; forensic autopsy findings; and toxicology reports. Among the 4460 deceased individuals (mean [SD] age, 37.8 [10.5] years), the mortality rate was highest among men (sex ratio, 4.4:1). Of the deaths involving a single or predominant drug, the legal substitution product, methadone, was the leading cause of death during the entire study period, ahead of heroin-44.7% and 35.9% for methadone vs 15.8% and 21.8% for heroin in 2011 and 2021, respectively. Between 2011 and 2021, most of the drug-related deaths shifted from licit to illicit drugs, and statistically significant variations were found for buprenorphine, cocaine, heroin, methadone, and other licit opioids. Deaths related to polydrug use increased from 23.2% in 2011 to 30.6% in 2021. In this context, opioids remained associated with most deaths, with at least 1 opioid being involved in approximately 9 of 10 cases (85.9%) in 2021. However, the main trend was the dramatic increase in drug combinations with cocaine, from less than one-third of cases in 2011 (30.8%) to more than half in 2021 (57.8%). This case series assessment of 4460 drug-related deaths found that opioids used alone or in combination were the main contributor to drug-related deaths, despite having a lower prevalence than other drugs. This finding is similar to that of other countries; however, in France licit methadone was the leading cause of opioid-related deaths (ahead of heroin) during the study period. Deaths associated with use of cannabis, new psychoactive substances, and stimulants (including amphetamine-type stimulants and cocaine, especially in combination) have increased and should be closely monitored.

Evaluation of Statistical Treatment of Left-Censored Contamination Data: Example Involving Deoxynivalenol Occurrence in Pasta and Pasta Substitute Products.

The handling of data on food contamination frequently represents a challenge because these are often left-censored, being composed of both positive and non-detected values. The latter observations are not quantified and provide only the information that they are below a laboratory-specific threshold value. Besides deterministic approaches, which simplify the treatment through the substitution of non-detected values with fixed threshold or null values, a growing interest has been shown in the application of stochastic approaches to the treatment of unquantified values. In this study, a multiple imputation procedure was applied in order to analyze contamination data on deoxynivalenol, a mycotoxin that may be present in pasta and pasta substitute products. An application of the proposed technique to censored deoxynivalenol occurrence data is presented. The results were compared to those attained using deterministic techniques (substitution methods). In this context, the stochastic approach seemed to provide a more accurate, unbiased and realistic solution to the problem of left-censored occurrence data. The complete sample of values could then be used to estimate the exposure of the general population to deoxynivalenol based on consumption data.

Optimizing Protein Fiber Spinning to Develop Plant-Based Meat Analogs via Rheological and Physicochemical Analyses.

The substitution of meat products in the human diet with plant-based analogs is growing due to environmental, ethical, and health reasons. In this study, the potential of fiber-spinning technology was explored to spin protein fiber mimicking the structural element of meat muscle for the purpose of developing plant-based meat analogs. Overall, this approach involved extruding fine fibers and then assembling them into hierarchical fibrous structures resembling those found in whole muscle meat products. Considering the nutritional facts and to help build muscle fiber, soy protein, polysaccharide (pectin, xanthan gum, or carrageenan), plasticizer (glycerol), and water were used in the formulations to spin into fibers using an extruder with circular orifice dies. Extrudability and thermal and rheological properties were assessed to characterize the properties of the spun fiber. The extrusion trials showed that the presence of the polysaccharides increased the cohesiveness of the fibers. The properties of the fibers produced also depended on the temperature used during extrusion, varying from pasty gels to elastic strands. The extrudability of the fibers was related to the rheological properties (tan δ) of the formulations. This study demonstrated that fiber-spinning technology can be used to produce fibrous materials from plant-derived ingredients. However, the formulation and operating conditions must be optimized to obtain desirable physicochemical and functional attributes in the fibers produced.

Panic Buying, Product Substitution and Channel-Shifting Behaviour During Pandemic

The present study attempts to investigate the impact of the locational restriction imposed by the government, restricted mobility of the people and supply disruption at the customer interface arising out of COVID-19 on panic buying, product substitution and channel-shifting behaviour of consumers. A questionnaire survey was carried out to seek responses from Indian consumers on the items representing the above components on a 5-point Likert scale. A total of 425 usable responses were analysed using the structural equation modelling considering locational restriction and supply disruption at the customer interface as exogenous variables, difficulty in accessibility as a mediating variable, and panic buying and product substitution as endogenous variables. Further, the channel-shifting behaviour of consumers was investigated for different channels across different product categories during the lockdown. The study reveals that supply disruption at the customer interface has a significant influence on product substitution and panic buying behaviour. It was also observed that there has been a significant decrease in the use of traditional retail chains for staple food items post lockdown. The insights drawn from the study are useful for managers in designing appropriate channel strategies when faced with disruptions caused by a pandemic.

Risk based approach to documenting consumer behavior changes during the COVID-19 pandemic

The purpose of the research was to analyze the implications consumer behavior changes have on a long-term business activities and their future development. The analysis was based on risks related to these changes and their immediate and long-term effects on businesses. A list of 24 individual risks was created based on the findings of empirical study. The 6 most significant risks were further analyzed in terms of their impacts on societies. The increase in amount of products bought by consumers during the pandemic was the most severe risk. The findings provide businesses with guidelines to define their strategic goals and means to flexible adjust them when the next pandemic arises in the frame of sustainable development. Although the main cause of observed product brand substitutions that occurred during the pandemic was the lockdowns and production slowdown, many consumers also changed their preferences, which resulted in the substitution of products for other brands. Evidence shows that during the pandemic, consumers paid more attention to the ratio of price and quality of the product. However, social conscience will always be in conflict with selfish needs that also proved significant during the pandemic since excessive stockpiling and increase in waste production were observed.

Demand-driven climate change mitigation and trade-offs from wood product substitution: The case of Swedish multi-family housing construction

Multi-family housing construction (MFHC) with wood instead of concrete as frame material results in lower greenhouse gas emissions. Hence, substituting wood for concrete in MFHC in Sweden until 2030, and onwards to 2070, could be a promising climate change mitigation option. But to what extent, and how would it impact Sweden's forests? Here we assess climate and biodiversity implications - in terms of the area of old forest - of a completely wood-based future MFHC in Sweden. The wood required is assumed to be exclusively sourced as additional fellings in Swedish forests, thus carbon leakage from wood imports as well as displacement of other wood uses can be disregarded. Different types of timber frame systems and the role of varying future dwelling sizes are considered. We find that the wood needed for a complete substitution of concrete would result in very minor increases in harvests. We further register slight net additional climate change mitigation, irrespective of the wood construction system. There is a small tradeoff between climate change mitigation and biodiversity, as the area of old forest reduces slightly. The largest climate benefit, and lowest impact on Swedish forests, is provided when using timber-light frame combined with reduced dwelling size.

Endogenous choice of price or quantity contract with upstream advertising

AbstractWe investigate a supply chain comprising a manufacturer engaged in advertising and two retailers who compete with differentiated products. We examine the endogenous choice between competing on quantity or price for the retailers. Our analysis reveals that, depending on the level of product substitutability, the range of possible outcomes is varied and includes Cournot, Bertrand, and Cournot‐Bertrand under informative advertising. This result contradicts the established understanding that firms tend to engage in Cournot competition as their dominant strategy. Furthermore, we find that under persuasive advertising, Cournot or Bertrand outcomes may be optimal, but Cournot‐Bertrand never arises as an equilibrium.

Perspectives of two competing manufacturers: customer rebate vs. contract mechanism

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the potentials of dynamic, commitment and revenue-sharing contracts; that a nonrebate offering manufacturer can use to safeguard his profit while his competitor offers customer rebates in a supply chain consisting of two manufacturers and a common retailer.Design/methodology/approachWe consider a two-period supply chain model to explore optimal decisions under eight possible scenarios based on the contract and rebate offering decisions. Because the manufacturers are selling substitutable products, therefore, a customer rebate on one of the products negatively impacts the selling quantity of other. Optimal price, rebate, and quantities are examined and compared to explore the strategic choice for both the rebate offering and non-rebate offering manufacturer. Comparative evaluation is conducted to pinpoint how the parameters such as contract parameters and its nature affect the members.FindingsThe results demonstrate that all these contracts instigate the rebate offering manufacturer to provide a higher rebate, but do not ensure a higher profit. If the revenue sharing contract is offered to the common retailer, the effectiveness of the rebate program might reduce significantly, and the rebate offering manufacturer might receives lower profits. A non-rebate offering manufacturer might use a commitment contract to ensure higher profits for all the members and make sure the common retailer continues the product.Originality/valueThe effect of customer rebate vs. supply chain contract under competition has not yet been explored comprehensively. Therefore, the study contributes to the literature regarding interplay among pricing decision, contract choice and rebate promotion in a two-period setting. The conceptual and managerial insights contribute to a better understanding of strategic decision-making for both competing manufacturers under consumer rebates.

The impact of stockout‐based switching on fill rates

AbstractThe possibility of product substitution due to a stockout provides retailers with a buffer against lost sales but can also complicate the management of inventory because both substitute and primary demand affect inventory levels. Since most retailers make their inventory decisions around a desired service level (e.g., fill rate), it is important to understand how customer substitution behavior can influence different measures of customer service. In this study, an extensive theoretical framework is presented and used to develop a decision tree approach for predicting realized item and category fill rates. We find that item fill rate is primarily a function of the target service level of the focal item and the willingness to switch from an alternate item to the focal item. Category fill rate is influenced by the target service level of both items, with willingness to switch amplifying their effect. The decision tree approach is found to be an accurate predictor in most cases, however, it tends to overestimate item fill rate when the willingness to substitute from the alternate item increases. The approach also accurately predicts category fill rates, outside of scenarios with asymmetric substitutability.

Bank competition with technological innovation based on evolutionary games

We investigate the competition between banks according to an evolutionary model, in which the payoff gradient depends on a time-variant technological innovation factor. The explicit solutions of equilibrium strategies are derived via the method of characteristics. Advantageous technological innovation reduces costs and increases profits and credit supply. Better technology also induces the market’s herding behavior. Under the Bertrand competition, besides technological innovation, we consider the product substitutability and obtain the equilibrium price, which depends on a substitution parameter and the marginal cost. If there is moderate product differentiation, banks will not always reduce interest rates to seize market share.

The effect of treating public services as commodities

IMPACTThe case for competition and marketization of public services, though widely accepted in government, has been made through the application of formal economic reasoning rather than practical experience. Efficient market production relies on a process of defining services in terms which allow for competition, choice and the substitutability of tradable products. The evidence for this theoretical position is mixed at best. This article provides policy-makers, those commissioning services and practitioners with support in arguing for public services to be judged by different criteria.

Loss or Dilution-A New Diagnostic Method to Assess the Impact of Dilution on Standard Laboratory Parameters.

Intraoperative fluid therapy is regularly used in patients undergoing cardiac surgery procedures with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Although fluid administration has several advantages, it unavoidably leads to hemodilution. The hemodilution may further influence the interpretation of concentration-based laboratory parameters like hemoglobin (Hgb), platelet count (PLT) or prothrombin time (PT). These all parameters are commonly used to guide blood product substitution. To assess the impact of dilution on these values, we performed a prospective observational study in 174 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. We calculated the total blood volume according to Nadler's formula, and fluid therapy was correlated with a newly developed dilution coefficient formula at the end of CPB. Intravenously applied fluids were measured from the beginning of the anesthesia (baseline, T0) and 15 min after the end of protamine infusion (end of CPB, T1). The amount of the administered volume (crystalloids or colloids) was calculated according to the percentage of the intravascular fluid effect, and intraoperative diuresis was further subtracted. The median blood volume increased by 148% in all patients at T1 compared to the calculated total blood volume at T0. This led to a dilution-dependent decrease of 38% in all three parameters (Hgb 24%, corrCoeff = 0.53; PLT 41%, corrCoeff = 0.68; PT 44%, corrCoeff = 0.54). The dilution-correlated decrease was significant for all parameters (p < 0.001), and the effect was independent from the duration of CPB. We conclude that the presented calculation-based approach could provide important information regarding actual laboratory parameters and may help in the guidance of the blood product substitution and potential transfusion thresholds. Further research on the impact of dilution and related decision-making for blood product substitution, including its impact on morbidity and mortality, is warranted.

Love of variety and gains from trade

We show analytically and quantitatively how gains from trade depend on love of variety, defined as the extent to which an additional product variety generates benefits in either final or intermediate consumption. To do this, we use a multi-country, multi-sector heterogeneous-firm gravity trade model where love of variety is parameterized separately from product substitutability using a generalized CES demand function. Counterfactual simulations based on a calibrated version of this model show that the gains from trade commonly vary by a proportion of one to three depending on the value of the love-of-variety elasticity. Trade war simulations also point to the strong sensitivity of the assessed impacts. We conclude that love of variety may be an important determinant of the gains from trade, an aspect that has so far been overlooked for the sake of convenience in the modeling framework and due to lack of empirical estimates.

Institutional structure and state regulation of NIS

Сurrent geopolitical situation caused by unfriendly policies and sanctions against Russia by the states of Western Europe and the United States are the main reasons for the preservation and development of its state sovereignty, further improvement of innovation policy. In addition to the above, we can add the withdrawal of foreign companies from the Russian market, the ban on the supply of Russian high-tech products to foreign markets, the instability of the economic situation in domestic markets, in terms of import substitution of products and the reorientation of the Russian economy to the markets of Southeast Asia and China. Taking into account the modern transformation processes taking place in the domestic innovation market, a special role is assigned to the National Innovation System (NIS), consisting of a complex of interrelated business entities and institutional organizations interacting with each other in the process of innovation. The main element of the NIS is the state, which ensures the functioning and comprehensive support of innovation activities, as well as the formation of its strategic priorities, monitoring and coordination. The functions of state power to regulate economic development in the field of innovation, at the stage of formation and functioning of the NIS, are represented by organizational and financial support, the creation of incentives and conditions for the organization and implementation of innovative activities by business entities. With the targeted support of the state, the institutional structures of NIS are able to: increase the volume of modern high-tech technologies and high-tech industries, increase the output of competitive innovative products, stimulate the construction of innovative infrastructure and, in general, increase the level of development of the Russian economy. State regulation of innovation activity includes two management subsystems: the first one serves to ensure direct management of innovation activities, by virtue of its authority, and the second is intended for state regulation of innovations carried out by large corporations, high-tech enterprises, due to the importance of their activities for the state. As a scientific increment of the research results, the authors introduce the concept of institutional mechanism of NIS development, with the integration of key areas of development. The most important function of this mechanism is the scientific, industrial and technological sphere, using intellectual property and artificial intelligence technologies implemented in national technoparks, regional innovation centers, territories of advanced development of high technologies.

Can Product Substitutability Ameliorate the Adverse Effects of Inventory Stockouts?

Can Product Substitutability Ameliorate the Adverse Effects of Inventory Stockouts?

Pricing Decisions and Member Participation Conditions in the Platform Supply Chain with Seasonal Demand: A Game Theory-Based Analysis

In a platform supply chain containing an sharing platform, a retailer, and two upstream factories, we consider the sales of two substitutable products and the constraints on the participation of non-platform members in the game, construct a dynamic game model of the platform supply chain with demand fluctuations due to seasonal changes, and use the inverse induction method to derive the thresholds for the participation of the retailer and factories in the game and the optimal price of each member, analyze the pricing decisions and participation game process among members. Our findings are as follows. (1) The threshold for the retailer to participate in the game during peak season is greater than that in the off-season, while the manufacturer's threshold is the opposite. (2) The platform should reduce commissions during peak season, factories should reduce wholesale prices, and the retailer should increase sales price. (3) The increase in price sensitivity coefficient, inventory cost and production cost are all detrimental to the platform, whereas an increase in the cross-price sensitivity coefficient is usually beneficial. (4) Whether it is the peak season or the off-season, the increase in demand fluctuations is bad for all chain members.

IRMPD spectroscopy and quantum-chemical simulations of the reaction products of cisplatin with the dipeptide CysGly

The inorganic antineoplastic drug cisplatin was made to react in solution with the dipeptide cysteinylglycine (CysGly), chosen as a functional model of glutathione, and the reaction products were analyzed using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Selected complexes, i.e., the primary substitution product cis-[PtCl(NH3)2(CysGly)]+ and the chelate cis-[PtCl(NH3)(CysGly)]+, were submitted to IR multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy obtaining their vibrational features. The experimental IR ion spectra were compared with the calculated IR absorptions of different plausible isomeric families, finding CysGly to bind preferentially platinum(II) via its deprotonated thiolic group in the monovalent complex, cis-[PtCl(NH3)2(CysGly)]+, and to evolve in the S,N-bound chelate structure cis-[PtCl(NH3)(CysGly)]+ through the SH and NH2 functionality of the cysteine residue. Moreover, our findings indicate that the platination reaction does not affect the CysGly peptide bond, which remains in its trans configuration.These results provide additional insights into the reactivity of Pt(II)-complexes with glutathione which is involved in cellular cisplatin resistance.

Material Substitution Strategies for Energy Reduction and Greenhouse Gas Emission in Cement Manufacturing

While there is strong demand for cement because of its widespread use in modern society, its production is a source of international concern due to the large amounts of energy required and the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced in the process. These GHGs deplete the ozone layer and speed up global warming. Therefore, it is important to investigate several methods of handling this issue, and material replacement has been proposed as the best option among many others. In this study, we examine the different strategies that have employed material substitution to reduce energy use and GHG emissions during the past decade. In this study, we provided an overview of the cement production processes and outlined the various material replacement choices available to us (including waste or recycled materials and other materials). This study found that partial (1–60%) and total material substitution in cement production processes have been reported to lower energy consumption by 5.5% to 40% and greenhouse gas emissions by 1% to 94%. This highlights the importance of material substitution in cement production for reducing energy consumption and emissions of greenhouse gases.