Cost Of Technology Research Articles

MVCV-Traffic: multiview road traffic state estimation via cross-view learning

Fine-grained urban traffic data are often incomplete owing to limitations in sensor technology and economic cost. However, data-driven traffic analysis methods in intelligent transportation systems (ITSs) heavily rely on the quality of input data. Thus, accurately estimating missing traffic observations is an essential data engineering task in ITSs. The complexity of underlying node-wise correlation structures and various missing scenarios presents a significant challenge in achieving high-precision estimation. This study proposes a novel multiview neural network termed MVCV-Traffic, equipped with a cross-view learning mechanism, to improve traffic estimation. The contributions of this model can be summarized into two parts: multiview learning and cross-view fusing. For multiview learning, several specialized neural networks are adopted to fit diverse correlation structures from different views. For cross-view fusing, a new information fusion strategy merges multiview messages at both feature and output levels to enhance the learning of joint correlations. Experiments on two real-world datasets demonstrate that the proposed model significantly outperforms existing traffic speed estimation methods for different types and rates of missing data.

Advancing the affordable and clean energy in large energy-consuming economies: The role of green transition, complexity-based, and geostrategy policies

With decreasing costs of the clean technologies, the balanced scales of the Sustainable Development Goal 7 targets, e.g., energy equity (EE), energy security (ES), and environmental sustainability (EVS), are quickly changing. This fundamental balancing process is a key requirement for a net-zero future. Accordingly, this research analyzes the regime-switching effect of Hydrogen economy as the green transition, sharing economy and economic complexity as the complexity-based, and geopolitical risks and energy prices as the geostrategy policies on the Goal 7 targets. To this end, a Markov-switching panel vector autoregressive method with regime-heteroskedasticity is applied to study advancing the Goal 7 in the world's twenty-five large energy consumers during 2004–2020. Concerning the parameters and statistics of the model, the results refer to the existence of two regimes associated with the Goal 7 corners, called “upward and downward” regimes for EE and “slightly upward and sharply upward” regimes for ES and EVS. It is revealed that the vulnerability of EE and ES targets is considerably reduced when the regime switches to the dominant regime that is “downward” and “slightly upward” regimes respectively, and that of the EVS target remains unaffected. Through the impulse-response analysis, the findings denote that the first hypothesis of the efficiency of the Hydrogen economy in promoting the Goal 7 targets is insignificant. However, the significant short-term and dynamic shock effects of the complexity-based and geostrategy policies on the Hydrogen economy are detected, which will be a feasible alternative assessment in advancing the Goal 7. Further, the complexity-based policies support the Goal 7 targets under different regimes, especially in the short- and medium-term. Hence, the second hypothesis regarding the effectiveness of the complexity-based policies in promoting Goal 7 targets is confirmed. The third hypothesis concerning the complexity of the impact of geostrategy policies on the Goal 7 targets is verified. Particularly, the switching process towards the Goal 7 may not necessarily be restricted by the geopolitical risks. Moreover, EE is supported through energy prices in the short-term under both regimes, while they are non-conductive to promote ES and EVS through time. Accordingly, the decision-makers should acknowledge adopting a regime-switching path forward for ensuring the time-varying balanced growth of the Goal 7 targets as the impact of the suggested policy instruments is asymmetric.

Assessing the demand and current status of agricultural mechanization in major coffee-production areas of Ethiopia

Ethiopia, the primary coffee producer in Africa and the fifth in the world is facing challenges in agricultural mechanization. The research aims to assess the status, constraints, preferences, and demand of mechanization in Ethiopia, focusing on strategies to improve smallholder access to capital-intensive inputs and bridgethe gap between mechanization and farmers’ needs. A household survey and focus group discussions were conducted on 136 random samples using a multistage procedure, with semi-structured questionnaires used to interview 81 households of small-scale and 19 households of large-scale coffee farmers. The studyfound that preferences for each operation during coffee production are based on difficulties in work drudgery, with 42.45% believing that the first energy-consuming operation is hole digging for coffee plantation and cultivation. Coffee harvesting is a highly time-sensitive operation for 49.4% of smallholder farmers, with handtools being the main implement dominantly used for weeding. Poor harvesting practices reduce the quality of coffee during processing, and some unions have two or more wet mills using old machinery. The main challenges for low mechanization in Ethiopia include difficult topography, fragmented land, a lack of manpower,lack of awareness of technology, weak linkages of coffee mechanization channels, high technology costs, a shortage of running budgets, and a weak support system of cooperatives and unions. Experts suggest that capacity building on extension systems is the best way to facilitate the extension system of coffee mechanization technology. Assessments of technology manufacturers, machine assemblers, maintenance service providers, and importers were conducted in Harar, Hawassa, Jimma, Bonga, and Addis Ababa cities. Challenges include a lack of enabling laws and incentives to facilitate business start-ups. Importation of small-scale enginedriven equipment is an additional means to meet demand in some cooperativesand may provide farmers with an alternative source of cheaper machinery. Ethiopian academics and higher education institutions are essential players in exploring mechanization options, and public and private sectors, including cooperatives and farmer organizations, need to have a clear understanding of their respectiveresponsibilities and areas for collaboration.

Transmission Scheme Design of Gearbox for 15MW Offshore Semi-direct-driven Wind Turbine

In order to further improve the reliability of wind turbine operation, reduce manufacturing, installation and maintenance costs, and make the size of the gearbox further reduced, in this paper, the gear box design of 15MW offshore semi-direct-driven wind turbine is studied. First, analyze the development trend and demand, draw up the basic transmission plan, then, carry on the gear structure design, use the software modeling, the motion analysis and carry on the check, the life analysis, finally, the design of sealing mode, design box, end cover structure, determine the fastener, connection, design of dust-proof program and design of lubrication. This reduces the weight and volume of the main engine of the medium-speed transmission mechanism of the wind turbine. The obvious benefits are lower overall load, lower difficulty in manufacturing, transportation and installation, lower cost and controllable technology, the market prospects are broad and competitive.

Cost and deployment consequences of advanced planning for negative emissions with direct air capture in the U.S. Eastern Interconnection

Negative emissions systems differ from net-zero systems by deploying significantly more negative emission technologies. The emerging literature on negative emission power systems assumes straight transition pathways from the present systems to final negative emissions systems. Such straight transition paths are unlikely, as deployment of negative emission technologies such as direct air capture might occur via crash course to respond to climate crises and utilities are investing towards net-zero systems instead of negative emissions systems. In this paper, to inform policymakers of the different outcomes of planning for negative emissions systems at different timelines, we quantify the value of planning for a negative emissions power system beginning now versus after achieving a net-zero emissions system in 2050. We apply a macro-scale capacity expansion planning model to the Eastern Interconnection power system to quantify the technological deployments and cost consequences of these two decarbonization pathways to reach a negative emission power system. We find advanced planning for a negative emissions system favors more deployment of storage technologies, which increases system flexibility and allows for better utilization of renewable generation to reduce investments in other technologies, including transmission lines. This change in distribution of investments across technologies leads to small annual cost saving of $6 billion, or 1%. We also find that further delay in planning for a negative emission system after reaching net-zero by 5, 10, and 15 years could significantly increase total system cost by 29%, 35%, and 41% respectively due to higher deployment of negative emission technologies. Our results indicate that, given small annual cost saving from advanced planning for a negative emission power system, economically utilities are on the right path in planning for a net-zero power system by 2050. However, planning should not be delayed further after reaching net-zero to avoid missing cumulative emission targets or significant cost consequences.

Profitability of Noisy Certification in the Presence of Loss Averse Buyers*

We study how the inaccuracy of a costly certification technology affects a monopolistic seller's profitability. We compare three scenarios: no certification, a 100% accurate certification, and a 50% accurate certification that produces accurate evaluations half the time. The noisy certification environment is never the most profitable and, depending on the buyers' loss aversion, can be the least profitable. However, a noisy certification can be more profitable than an accurate one, as it discourages the over‐certification that occurs in an accurate certification environment. Experimentally, the noisy certification is shown to be the least profitable treatment, whereas the accurate certification is shown to be the most profitable.

Cost-benefit analysis of ballast water treatment for three major port clusters in China: evaluation of different scenario strategies

IntroductionThe expansion of maritime trade has led to the introduction of invasive species into aquatic ecosystems through ballast water discharge. China, being a major player in global trade and manufacturing, has experienced negative impacts on its coastal ecosystems and marine biodiversity.MethodsThis study examines the cost‒benefit trade-offs of ballast water management policies for major port clusters in China and other global ports. This paper evaluates compliance costs for individual vessels and fleets under different policy scenarios and ballast water treatment system (BWTS) installation strategies.ResultsThe onboard BWTS installation strategy appears to be more cost-effective under the existing International Maritime Organization (IMO) policy. However, with stricter global discharge requirements or a substantial increase in BWTS capital and operating costs, strategies based on port location could prove more beneficial due to potential economies of scale. Notably, ships with high ballast water discharge volumes, like bulk carriers, are potentially better equipped to cope with future policy shifts. In the face of stricter regulations in China, projected annual compliance cost increases range from $456 million (cost data based on China) to $1.205 billion (cost data based on US).DiscussionPolicymakers are advised to adopt a comprehensive view of ballast water management policies, taking into account the trade-offs between compliance costs and environmental risks. Other essential factors, such as advancements in BWTS technology, fuel consumption, emissions, and maintenance costs, also demand careful consideration in policy development.

Green manufacturing facilities – Meeting CO2 emission targets considering power and heat supply

To achieve carbon neutrality in the industrial sector, variable low-carbon and low-cost electricity sources, together with a variety of storage technologies, maybe the only viable path. Here, we investigate the diverse scenarios for manufacturing facilities (MF) under different emission reduction targets to determine the least-cost decarbonization pathway. This study developed a multi-energy model to assess emission reduction versus cost ratio and gave a technology roadmap for MF, i.e., cost-effectiveness of each technology at a given decarbonization level. We optimized the dispatch of each scenario with the least cost objective and step-wise reduced the emissions of selected exemplar European MF from current levels until the solution came out as infeasible due to the lifecycle emissions of considered technologies. Results showed that electrical boiler became key technology from 10% emission reduction target (ERT), while battery storage is cost-effective for medium ERT and H2 facility remains a critical part of achieving deep decarbonization targets (>80%). This analysis reveals a basic understanding of a given technology's economic viability to target a certain decarbonization goal and would help guide MF that are more inclined to invest in having their green energy distributed system. Sensitivity analysis of key parameter values (i.e., grid electricity/gas prices, technology costs) reveals that the H2 facility will play a critical role in deep decarbonization and high gas prices made the expensive heat pumps cost-effective in all scenarios. Furthermore, the future costs of electrolyzer, fuel cell, heat pump, and battery storage will decide the technological transformation speed for the industrial sector.

Optimization Countermeasure of Ginlong Technologies Cost Management Based on Strategic Perspective

Consolidating and enhancing global competitive advantages is an important strategic goal for inverter companies, and strategic cost management is a vital means to improve cost control capabilities and enhance competitive advantages. Based on the theory of strategic cost management, a study was conducted on Ginlong Technologies to explore its strategic positioning, value chain, and cost drivers. It was found that the company faced issues such as unclear strategic positioning and incomplete value chain. Improvement suggestions were proposed, thereby providing valuable insights for both company development and academic research.

Telehealth-delivered Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder: Patient Perspectives in the Age of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated increases in alcohol use and ushered in virtually delivered health care, creating an opportunity to examine the impacts of telehealth on alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment. To understand these impacts, we explored perspectives on telehealth-delivered psychotherapy among individuals with AUD. This was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Participants (N = 31) were patients with AUD who had received telehealth-delivered AUD psychotherapy in the last 2 years (n = 11) or had never experienced AUD psychotherapy (n = 20), recruited from two large academically-affiliated health care systems in Michigan between July and August 2020. Participants were asked about perceived barriers and facilitators to AUD psychotherapy, benefits and drawbacks of telehealth-delivered AUD psychotherapy, and changes needed to improve psychotherapy delivery. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed iteratively using thematic analysis. Participants identified factors relating to perceptions of and experience with telehealth-delivered AUD psychotherapy. Findings reflected four major themes: treatment accessibility, treatment flexibility, treatment engagement, and stigma. Perceptions about telehealth's impact on treatment accessibility varied widely and included benefits (e.g., eliminating transportation challenges) and barriers (e.g., technology costs). Treatment flexibility and treatment engagement factors included the ability to use phone and video and perceptions of receiving care via telehealth, respectively. Telehealth impacts on treatment stigma were also a key theme. Overall, perceptions of telehealth treatment for AUD varied. Participants expressed the importance of options, flexibility, and collaborating on decisions with providers to determine treatment modality. Future research should explore who benefits most from telehealth and avenues to enhance implementation.

Research Progress of Carbon-Neutral Design for Buildings

The construction industry has become one of the main drivers of the increase in carbon emissions and subsequent climate change. In this study, we focused on building carbon neutrality design and used CiteSpace V.6.2.R2 to conduct bibliometric analysis of published papers (2008–2023). After the initial screening, 280 pieces of relevant literature were obtained, including reviews, research papers, and case studies. Following further screening and excluding duplicate literature articles, 50 pieces of literature were ultimately selected as references for this paper, covering various aspects of key scientific issues, implementation approaches, and emerging research frontiers in carbon-neutral design for buildings. The research results show that significant progress has been made in energy conservation, materials, structures, systems, and operations in the research on carbon-neutral design for buildings. However, there are still issues, such as unclear implementation paths for carbon-neutral design, incomplete lifecycle assessment of carbon-neutral design, and high cost of carbon neutrality technologies in current research. Therefore, further research on the overall concept of carbon-neutral design, the progress and implementation of carbon neutrality technologies, and the integration of carbon-neutral design with sustainable development concepts are necessary. To sum up, this paper presents a thorough overview of the advancements in carbon-neutral design for buildings, examines the existing research challenges, and suggests potential avenues for future research. This paper’s findings can provide guidance for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to promote the development and application of carbon-neutral design for buildings and to achieve sustainable development goals.

Unveiling environmental implications of Canadian electricity system's low-carbon transitions: A multi-regional stochastic optimization-driven input-output model

Low-carbon transition of the electricity system is essential for achieving greenhouse gas (GHG) emission mitigation goals. Nevertheless, such a transition involves various complexities and the related environmental impacts on various sectors need to be explored. In this study, a multi-regional stochastic optimization-driven input-output model (STIO) has been developed to unveil the environmental implications of the low-carbon transitions under various policy scenarios from a sectoral perspective and applied to Canada. STIO can (1) explore optimal decarbonization pathways under uncertainties through a stochastic electricity system optimization module; (2) link the outputs to a power generation technology-focused input-output module to examine sectoral-level environmental impacts; (3) reflect the interactive effects of multiple policy factors on system response through an interaction analysis module. Results find that higher carbon taxes would reduce direct and indirect emissions of the electricity sector by 38.3% and 33.1%, respectively, in 2050. Specifically, the significance of indirect emissions from the natural gas-fired power sector in Alberta is highlighted; its reduced production would indirectly curtail emissions in the oil and gas extraction (Canada's largest GHG emissions source) and services (the highest GDP contributor to Canada's economy) sectors by 15.9% and 16.1%, respectively. Further analysis shows that the interaction among a high-level carbon tax and increasing capital cost of natural gas-fired power technology would contribute to the electricity sector's indirect emission reductions. The findings can help policymakers gain insights into the environmental impacts of various decarbonization pathways on the whole economy.

Model for the implementation of strategies for the solar energy use in a healthcare network

The implementation of strategies for solar energy use (SSEU) such as photovoltaic (PVS) and solar thermal systems (STS) in hospitals are alternatives for reducing conventional fuels consumption and CO2 emissions of energy-intensive buildings. However, there are barriers to the deployment of renewable energies in such buildings, which focus on technology costs and economic inventiveness. Thus, there is a need for tools that address the particularities of hospitals and that can provide new information to management authorities for the development of sustainable policies. The objective of this paper is to introduce a model for SSEU implementation in a healthcare network. For this purpose, a workflow is presented that allows the analysis of 3 levels in the health sector (healthcare network, hospital, and pavilion), where the aim is to: i. Identify hospitals with solar potential in a healthcare network, ii. Sectorize suitable surfaces in potential hospitals for SSEU implementation and iii. Determine the architectural, environmental, and economic feasibility of technologies. In this case, a healthcare network located in Micro-Región del Gran La Plata (Argentina) is selected as a case study. Based on the indexes developed, it was observed that potential hospitals are those located in peripheral areas. Then, linking critical fuel consumption values with solar radiation in the building envelope made it possible to detect suitable sectors for the installation of PVS on roofs and STS on north façades. Finally, state-subsidized energy and technology costs present an economic barrier to project implementation for hospital managers. However, by shifting the subsidy to the purchase of technologies, viable results could be achieved.

Scenario Discovery Analysis of Drivers of Solar and Wind Energy Transitions Through 2050

AbstractDeep human‐Earth system uncertainties and strong multi‐sector dynamics make it difficult to anticipate which conditions are most likely to lead to higher or lower adoption of renewable energy, and models project a broad range of future solar and wind energy shares across future scenarios. To elucidate these dynamics, we explore a large data set of scenarios simulated from the Global Change Analysis Model (GCAM), and use scenario discovery to identify the most significant factors affecting solar and wind adoption by mid‐century. We generated a data set of over 4,000 scenarios from GCAM by varying 12 different socioeconomic factors at high and low levels, including assumptions about future energy demand, resource costs, and fossil fuel emissions paths, as well as specific technology assumptions including wind and solar backup requirements and storage costs. Using scenario discovery, we assess the most important factors globally and regionally in creating high fractions of solar and wind energy and explore interconnected effects on other systems including water and non‐CO2 emissions. Globally and regionally, we found that solar and wind‐related technology costs were the primary drivers of high wind and solar energy adoption, though a few regions depend heavily on other parameters like carbon capture and storage costs, population and gross domestic product trajectories, and fossil fuel costs. We also identify four key paths to high solar and wind energy by mid‐century and discuss their tradeoffs in terms of other outcomes.

Barriers to off-grid energy development: Evidence from a comparative survey of private sector energy service providers in Eastern Africa

In light of recent growth and falling costs of solar photovoltaic technology, this paper examines the barriers and opportunities facing off-grid development in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, four countries whose off-grid sectors vary in maturity. We compare and link the perspectives of nearly 200 private companies to the development of the sector in each country, and measure trade-offs among different institutional designs for regulating and supporting off-grid investment. The survey reveals a set of common challenges but also considerable variation within and across countries. Development of the market is constrained by a lack of market information and technical capacity, insufficiently comprehensive regulation, and in specific countries, informal sector competition (Tanzania), the cost of doing business (Ethiopia), poor tariff policy (Tanzania), and lack of funding (Uganda). Moreover, firm responses emphasize the need for several policy supports: subsidy, financing, access to foreign exchange, technical assistance for regulatory matters, and capacity building. A discrete choice experiment clarifies these policy preferences, but reveals trade-offs as well as country differences. Though the off-grid sector is growing in all four countries, many policy and regulatory obstacles remain, and these will continue to challenge achievement of SDG7: Sustainable, modern energy for all.

Longitudinal analysis of shoulder arthroplasty utilization, clinical outcomes, and value: a comparative assessment of changes in improvement over 15years with a single platform shoulder prosthesis.

The goal of this longitudinal analysis of anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) utilization from 2007 to 2021 is to quantify changes in clinical outcomes, cost, and value, resulting from the introduction and adoption of new shoulder arthroplasty (SA) technologies. We analyzed an international database of a single SA prosthesis (Equinoxe; Exactech, Inc.; Gainesville, FL, USA) for all clinical sites that have continuously enrolled cases from 2007 to 2021 to compare changes in primary aTSA and primary rTSA utilization and outcomes across 3, 5-year cohorts based upon the date of implantation. A value analysis was conducted across the 5-year implantation cohorts, with value measured by the ratio of each postoperative outcome measure at 24-36months and 36-60months after surgery, and the average implant selling price each year for the U.S. sites in constant 2007 U.S. dollars. These measures of value were compared between cohorts to quantify the impact of new technology introduced over the study period. A dramatic increase in rTSA utilization was observed across the 6 sites over the 15-year study period, along with a rapid adoption of new aTSA and rTSA technologies. The average patient receiving primary aTSA and primary rTSA changed over the 15-year study period, with significant shifts in diagnosis, comorbidities, and preoperative functional status. A comparison of postoperative results demonstrated that both aTSA and rTSA clinical and radiographic outcomes showed improvement relative to 2007-2011. Over this 15-year study period, the average aTSA implant selling price has been relatively stable while the average rTSA implant selling price has significantly declined. As a result, the value associated with the Equinoxe rTSA significantly increased for nearly every outcome measure at 24-36months and 36-60months after surgery, while value associated with the Equinoxe aTSA stayed relatively constant from 2007 to2021. Our 6042-patient longitudinal analysis quantified numerous changes in utilization, outcomes, and value across 6 clinical sites over the 15-year study period. Rapid adoption of new aTSA and rTSA technologies was observed and clinical and radiographic outcomes improved relative to 2007-2011. These clinical improvements, in combination with steady aTSA and declining rTSA implant prices, have driven rTSA value to continuously increase while aTSA value has been maintained at a high-level over the 15-year study period with this particular SA system, even when considering the cost and adoption of new technologies.

A Review on CO2 Sequestration: The Indian Scenario

Abstract To address the carbon dioxide (CO2) and other green-house gas (GHG) emission issues and combat climate change, various world summits have taken place starting with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at Rio in 1992 to the COP26 at Glasgow in 2021. Although the Paris Agreement of 2015, a legally binding international treaty intended to keep global average temperature rise below 2°C (preferably 1.5°C), it appears too tough a target considering the present day scenarios of insincerity by the advanced and rich nations. On the other hand, adaptation of CCS (carbon capture and storage) technologies in industrial scale have not yet been possible because of economic unviability. Although the western countries such as the USA and the EU have invested considerable amount of funds for R&D to make the CCS technologies successful, the developed technologies are only up to the pilot scale. More funding and focused R&D are needed to make the proven CCS technologies economic in industrial scales. The R&D efforts by other countries are still insignificant. India being the fourth largest emitter of GHGs in the world, is a signatory to most of the global treaties and is trying to adopt various CCS technologies. However, no significant progress has been made so far although some initiations have been observed after the recent pledge made by the Hon. Prime Minister of India in COP26 at Glasgow for a ‘net zero’ carbon by 2070. Industrial utilization of CO2 is negligible in the country except that Tata Steel Ltd. recently installed a demonstration carbon capture plant (5 TPD CO2) at its Jamshedpur works. There are no visible efforts from the power sectors who are one of the major contributors of CO2. Future availability of CCS technologies to Indian industries shall primarily be determined by the investments they make in R&D to develop the technologies on their own or in collaboration with research laboratories. Substituting carbon with green hydrogen and using renewable energy to run the steel plants would be desirable. Implementation of costly CCS technologies in India would need incentives from government as well as involvement and financial commitment from private industries which has been very low over the years. In this article we have taken a fresh stock of the situation with respect to the global targets set, efforts being made, technological interventions and their adaptability, R&D efforts required, funding opportunities, promises made, the gaps in available technologies, and target accomplishments. Indian status has been reviewed with respect to CCS: where does it stand, what are the challenges and what is the way forward for this fast-growing developing country to address the climate change keeping a balance with its fast growth rate.

Cost and related factors analysis for patients undergoing colon polyp surgery based on DRG mode.

The aim of the study was to analyze the hospitalization costs of patients with intestinal polyps undergoing colonic polyp surgery and associated influencing factors and to explore the entry point of cost control and the way of fine management. One year before (2021) and one year after (2022) the implementation of the Diagnosis Related Grouping (DRG), the patients receiving APC, CSP and EMR in GK39 (colonoscopy operation) group were included in a second Affiliated Hospital in Nanjing according to the Nanjing grouping scheme. Descriptive analysis method and multiple linear regression method were used for analysis. After the implementation of DRG in 2022, the average hospitalization cost of patients decreased by 19.46% compared with the same period last year. Before and after the implementation of DRG, medical technology costs accounted for the highest proportion of hospitalization costs. Age, hospitalization days, number of polyps, number of clamps and clinical pathway had statistically significant effects on hospitalization cost (p<0.05), among which hospitalization days, number of polyps, and number of clamps had the greatest impact on hospitalization cost, followed by age and clinical pathway. The implementation of DRG has a positive effect on guiding hospitalization cost control. It is suggested to realize accurate cost control by analyzing the cost structure of the disease group. Clinical pathway completion rate has a direct impact on the implementation effect of DRG, including cost control. It is suggested to refine clinical pathway management and achieve scientific cost control through continuous optimization and improvement of clinical pathway management.

Using Green Target Costing and Reverse Engineering Techniques to Reduce Costs

The research aims to clarify the knowledge foundations of the green target cost technologies and reverse engineering and to clarify their role in reducing costs. It also aims to use the two technologies in the research sample company and to indicate their role in reducing costs. The deductive approach was used in the theoretical side of the research and the inductive approach in the practical side, and the researcher reached a set of conclusions, the most important of which are: The green target costing technique is a useful tool to help determine the allowable cost of the product because customers are often unwilling to bear additional purchase costs for products and in light of The conclusions that have been reached, the researcher presented a set of recommendations, the most important of which are: The economic unit, the research sample, must seek to know the details and components of competing products in order to be able to develop its products in line with the capabilities of the competing product.

B2C or O2O? The strategic implications for the fresh produce supply chain based on blockchain technology

The breakout of COVID-19 has made consumers pay attention to the quality and source of fresh produce sold on e-commerce platforms, while the information traceability feature of blockchain can effectively monitor fresh produce quality and cope with fresh produce safety issues. Considering influencing factors such as the cost of blockchain technology, and the perceived and real quality of fresh produce, should blockchain technology be adopted in the supply chains for fresh produce? In this paper, for a fresh produce supply chain consisting of an e-commerce platform, i.e., Business-to-Consumer (B2C) or Online-to-Offline (O2O), and an offline retailer, we apply the Stackelberg game model to investigate the equilibrium strategy of the supply chain under the following scenarios: Model C(O) where the B2C (O2O) supply chain without blockchain technology; and Model CB(OB) where the B2C (O2O) supply chain implements blockchain technology. We research the conditions for implementing blockchain technology in the B2C (O2O) supply chain, the best business model for the e-commerce platform, and the conditions for the offline retailer to cooperate with the O2O e-commerce platform. Further, we investigate the impact of consumers’ awareness of traceability and the incentive effect of government subsidy on the implementation of blockchain technology. It is shown that the B2C (O2O) supply chain implements blockchain technology only when consumers' awareness of traceability is high. At this time, the offline retailer has the willingness to cooperate with the e-commerce platform. For the B2C supply chain, government subsidies are beneficial to the B2C e-commerce platforms but not to the offline retailer. For the O2O supply chain, government subsidies are beneficial to both the O2O e-commerce platform and the offline retailer.