Total Economic Cost Research Articles

Multi-objective configuration of an intelligent parking lot and combined hydrogen, heat and power (IPL-CHHP) based microgrid

Recently, financial issues have been considered as the main aspects of microgrid (MG) evaluation in the literature. In this study, the optimal configuration of the MG has been calculated by presenting a reliability-constrained optimization model. In this optimization approach, the MG units are considered in full available state and random outage state through the planning horizon. To model a proposed MG in details, its uncertainties are formulated in the main function. A combination of Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) algorithm and K-means clustering algorithm is applied to generate all uncertainties. The proposed model simultaneously optimizes two objectives, namely, economic costs and emission performance. Time of use (TOU) based demand response (DR) program has been employed for optimal management of the demand side. At first, the bi-objective function is converted to a sequence of single-objective constrained problems by employing ε-constraints. All Pareto front solutions are obtained by utilizing GAMS for solving the developed mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model. To make a trade-off among solutions, the max-min fuzzy decision-making method has been used. Due to the positive effect of the DR program on the configuring problem, the total emission and economic costs of MG have been reduced up to 4.01% and 1.72%, respectively.

Production planning optimisation in a sustainable hybrid manufacturing remanufacturing production system

In this study, we investigate a production planning problem in hybrid manufacturing remanufacturing production system. The objective is the determine the best mix between the manufacturing of new products, and the remanufacturing of recovered products, based on economic and environmental considerations. It consists to determine the best manufacturing and remanufacturing plans to minimising the total economic cost (start-up and production costs of new and remanufactured products, storage costs of new and returned products and disposal costs) and the carbon emissions (new products, remanufactured products and disposed products). The hybrid system consists of a set of machines used to produce new products and remanufactured products of different grades (qualities). We assume that remanufacturing is more environmentally efficient, because it allows to reduce the disposal of used products. A multi-objective mathematical model is developed, and a non dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) based approach is proposed. Numerical experience is presented to study the impact of carbon emissions generated by new, remanufactured and disposed products, over a production horizon of several periods.

An update on the economic burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus in China

ABSTRACT Objectives This study aims to update the statistics on the economic burden of T2DM and to identify the factors affecting the economic costs of T2DM in China. Methods This study conducts a systematic review of the existing literature that has reported on the direct economic costs (mainly the direct medical resource consumption) and indirect economic costs (mainly non-medical costs and intangible costs) of T2DM as of 31 May 2019. Results The total expenditure on diabetes in China’s western region is still relatively low. Additionally, the mean direct costs of T2DM are high in China’s northern urban areas. However, compared to urban areas, in rural areas, the largest proportion of the total economic costs of T2DM is the mean indirect costs. Furthermore, age, sex, type and number of complications, type of medical insurance, diabetes duration, level of education, and income are the primary factors that influence the economic burden of T2DM. Conclusion There is a considerable economic burden associated with T2DM in China. Therefore, to address the economic burden of T2DM, it is vital to take measures to reduce the prevalence rate of diabetes.

The Economic Cost of ill Health due to Air Pollution: Evidence from Greece

Purpose: Air pollution and its adverse health effects result in an economic cost to society. Given that the burden of disease from air pollution is to a large extent preventable, estimation of the magnitude of its economic cost is important. We estimate the economic cost of the health impact from exposure to ground-level ozone, and ambient and household PM2.5 air pollution, as well as their joint effects, in Greece. Design/methodology/approach: We analyze the economic cost of the health impact from air pollution using the Cost-of-Illness (COI) as well as the Willingness to Pay (WTP) approach. Finding: Based on the COI approach, air pollution attributable diseases resulted in a total economic cost of €1.27 billion in 2019, or 0.68 percent of GDP. Under the WTP approach, mortality cost is significantly higher. Research limitations/implications: In spite of some standard methodological limitations, giving a monetary value to the burden of disease from air pollution highlights the significance of curbing air pollution, providing at the same time guidance in prioritizing among various competing policy objectives. Air pollution abatement interventions can yield significant benefits for global health and the economy. Originality/value: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study estimating direct and indirect costs of air pollution-attributable health consequences in Greece, using the most recent data for all specific-cause mortality and morbidity outcomes. Employing two alternative methodologies, COI and WTP, we provide a lower and an upper bound of the economic cost of air pollution, respectively. The COI estimates provide a financial measure of the potential gains (by age and gender) if air pollution were to be extensively mitigated. The WTP estimates are a starting point in a cost-benefit analysis evaluating certain environmental regulation policies. Our results and their policy implications could be a guide to other economies with similar characteristics and comparable air pollution levels with those in Greece.

Cost of human papillomavirus vaccine delivery in a single-age cohort, routine-based vaccination program in Senegal

IntroductionIn 2018, Senegal introduced human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its routine immunization program for all nine-year-old girls nationwide. We evaluated the costs of Senegal’s introduction of HPV vaccine via this delivery approach. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, incremental, ingredients-based cost evaluation from the provider perspective. The study timeframe included Senegal’s first planning meeting in 2018 through data collection in early 2020. We collected costs from all involved units at the national and regional levels. A multi-stage cluster sampling approach was used to obtain a nationally representative sample of districts and health facilities. Weights were applied to costs from sampled units to estimate costs across all units. The cost evaluation was based on four dimensions: program activity, resource input, payer, and administrative level. Total costs were divided by the number of HPV doses administered to determine cost per dose and per dimension. ResultsExcluding vaccine program activity costs, the total financial and economic delivery costs of Senegal’s HPV vaccination program were US$ 1,152,351 and US$ 2,838,466, respectively (US$ 3.07 and US$ 7.56 per dose, respectively). A total of 375,608 HPV vaccine doses were administered during the cost evaluation. Training and per diem represented the largest shares of financial costs. Service delivery and personnel time accounted for the largest shares of economic costs. By administrative level, district and health facility levels had the largest shares of financial and economic costs, respectively. Senegal’s Ministry of Health accounted for the largest share of financial and economic costs. Including vaccine program activity costs (US$ 4.68/per dose), the total financial cost was US$ 2,911,343 (US$ 7.75 per dose). ConclusionThis cost evaluation can support Senegal’s future vaccine introductions and inform other countries planning to introduce HPV vaccine nationwide. These findings support previous costing studies which anticipated potential economies of scale during the transition from HPV vaccine pilot demonstration projects to national introduction.

Cost of Traveling to Follow-up Appointments at Kidney Transplant Clinics

The number of kidney transplant (KT) recipients has increased in recent years, saturating kidney transplant visits at transplant centers (TCs). Furthermore, some patients live far from TCs, which adds displacement costs to their expenses. To solve these problems, joint follow-up of KT recipients has been initiated at TCs and referral hospitals. We performed a cross-sectional study in a cohort of 64 KT recipients during joint follow-up in TCs and the Hospital Arnau de Villanova (HAV) using a survey that evaluated the displacement costs as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. Distance (320 km [IQR, 300-340 km] vs 15 km [IQR, 4-60 km]; P < .001), time (240 minutes [IQR, 210-240 minutes] vs 40 minutes [IQR, 30-68 minutes]; P < .001), total economic cost per visit (€60 [IQR, €50-90] vs €10 [IQR, €2-15]; P < .001), and annual CO2 emission (32.3 kg vs 1.4 kg; P < .05) were greater when patients traveled to TCs. Nephrologists at both TCs and HAV were rated positively by patients, while the displacement costs associated with travel to the TCs and the smaller size of the HAV were seen as negative aspects. Overall, 93.75% of the KT recipients preferred joint follow-up. This study suggests that joint follow-up between TCs and referral hospitals is an economic and ecological solution for follow-up in KT recipients living far away and visiting their referral hospital, which is the preferred choice for most patients.

Costos energéticos y económicos de los motocultores YTO DF 15L y DONGFENG DF 151L en la preparación de suelos

The objective of this study was to determine the energy and economic cost of the YTO DF 15L and DONGFENG DF 151L mechanized agricultural sets (double pass of rotovator) in the work of preparation of sandy-clay and loamy-clay soils, respectively. The methodology for determining total energy costs (MJ.h-1) and per worked area (MJ.ha-1) was used; likewise, Cuban Standard NC 34-38:2003 allowed the calculation of total economic costs (USD.h-1) and per worked area (USD.ha-1). The main findings showed that the total energy cost (EST) reached values of 78.50 and 75.30 MJ. h-1, with the energy sequestered by fuel (ESc) indicator prevailing with a share of 55 and 58.4%, in the EST structure, the energy costs per worked area EST (ha) registered 1.574,00 and 1.883,00 MJ.ha-1. On the other hand, the direct operating cost (Gd), reported 5.31 and 5.68 USD.h-1, with the cost per salary (Gs), the indicator that predominated with 68.and 70.4% in the distribution of Gd, and the cost per worked area (Gex), presented figures of 106.20 and 142.00 USD.ha-1, for the YTO DF 15L and DONGFENG DF 151L sets, respectively. The YTO DF 15L power tiller, with rotovator, distinguished itself as the agricultural set with the lowest EST (ha) and Gex, by 16 and 25%, respectively, in the agricultural operation provided.

Effect of Time Interval From Diagnosis to Treatment on Economic Burden in Families of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The study aimed to investigate the economic costs in families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and explored how the time interval from diagnosis to treatment time interval from the date children first diagnosed with ASD to the date of first speech/behavior treatment influenced the economic costs. It was a cross-sectional study that recruited families with autistic children in Changsha, Hunan Province of China during March to November 2018. A self-designed questionnaire was applied to collect ASD-related economic costs in the two vital periods including the 12-month period after diagnosis and the most recent 12 months during the course of ASD. In total, 136 families with autistic children completed the interview. The results showed that 46.3% of children started intervention within 1 month. The median of total economic costs of these families in the 12-month period after diagnosis and the most recent 12 months was 26,502.26 RMB and 29,411.91 RMB, respectively. Compared with the time interval shorter than 1 month, time interval over 6 months was significantly associated with high direct economic costs (βSD = 0.308, 95% CI = 0.177, 1.254), inpatient/outpatient and drugs costs (βSD = 0.276, 95% CI = 0.104, 1.181), direct non-medical costs (βSD = 0.287, 95% CI = 0.140, 1.206), and total economic burden (βSD = 0.311, 95% CI = 0.186, 1.262); besides, time interval between 4 and 6 months was significantly related to large indirect costs (βSD = 0.230, 95% CI = 0.098, 1.363) in the 12-month period after diagnosis. Similarly, time interval between 1 and 3 months was significantly associated with high direct non-medical costs (βSD = 0.198, 95% CI = 0.004, 1.013) in the 12-month period after diagnosis. However, time interval from diagnosis to treatment was not correlated to economic costs in the recent 12 months. In the long term, shortening the time interval from diagnosis to treatment would reduce the economic burden on families, especially in the 12-month period after diagnosis.

An Economic Analysis of the Cost of a Regional Crisis Stabilization Unit.

Crisis stabilization units (CSUs) are one type of "alternative to arrest" program used for jail diversion. We aimed to estimate the economic costs of starting and operating a CSU in Arkansas. We estimated the economic costs of the Pulaski County Regional CSU (PCRCSU) located in Little Rock, Arkansas, from September 1, 2018, to August 31, 2019. We collected data through interviews about start-up and ongoing management costs. We calculated total annual economic cost, average admission cost, and average 24 hr admission cost. There were 536 admissions to the CSU during the study period. The average length of stay was 60.27 hr. The total annual cost of the PCRCSU was $1,636,831 and average per admission cost was $3,054. Our results provide valuable economic data to government stakeholders who are considering establishing a CSU.

Economic costs at age five associated with very preterm birth: multinational European cohort study

BackgroundThis study aims to estimate the economic costs of care provided to children born very preterm and extremely preterm across 11 European countries, and to understand what perinatal and socioeconomic factors contribute to higher costs.MethodsGeneralised linear modelling was used to explore the association between perinatal and sociodemographic characteristics and total economic costs (€, 2016 prices) during the fifth year of life.ResultsLower gestational age was associated with increased mean societal costs of €2755 (p < 0.001), €752 (p < 0.01) and €657 (p < 0.01) for children born at < 26, 26–27 and 28–29 weeks, respectively, in comparison to the reference group born at 30–31 weeks. A sensitivity analyses that excluded variables (BPD, any neonatal morbidity and presence of congenital anomaly) plausibly lying on the causal pathway between gestational age at birth and economic outcomes elevated incremental societal costs by €1482, €763 and €144 at < 26, 26–27 and 28–29 weeks, respectively, in comparison to the baseline model.ConclusionThis study provides new evidence about the main cost drivers associated with preterm birth in European countries. Evidence identified by this study can act as inputs within cost-effectiveness models for preventive or treatment interventions for preterm birth.ImpactWhat is the key message of your article? This study provides new evidence about the magnitude and drivers of economic costs associated with preterm birth in European countries.What does it add to the existing literature? Lower gestational age is associated with increased mean societal costs during mid-childhood with indirect costs representing a key driver of increased costs.What is the impact? For policy makers, this study adds to sparse evidence about the main cost drivers associated with preterm birth in European countries beyond the first 2 years of life.

Technical Options and Cost Estimates for Spent Nuclear Fuel Management at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plants

In the planning and management of the interim storage of spent nuclear fuel, the technical and economic parameters that are involved have a significant role in increasing the efficiency of the storage system. Optimal parameters will reduce the total economic costs for countries embarking on nuclear energy, such as the UAE. This study evaluated the design performance and economic feasibility of various structures and schedules, to determine an optimal combination of parameters for the management of spent nuclear fuel. With the introduction of various storage technology arrangements and expected costs per unit for the storage system design, we evaluated eight major scenarios, each with a cost analysis based on technological and economic issues. We executed a number of calculations based on the use of these storage technologies, and considered their investment costs. These calculations, which were aligned with the net present value approach and conducted using MS Project and MATLAB software programs, considered the capacities of the spent fuel pools and the amount of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) that will be transferred to dry storage facilities. As soon as they sufficiently cool, the spent nuclear fuel is to be stored in a pool storage facility. The results show that applying a centralized dry storage (CDS) system strategy is not an economically feasible solution, compared with using a permanent disposal facility (PDF) (unless the variable investment cost is reduced or changed). The optimal strategy involves operating a spent fuel pool island (SFPI) storage after the first 20 years of the start of the permanent shutdown of the reactor. After 20 years, the spent fuel is then transferred to a PDF. This strategy also results in a 20.9% to 26.1% reduction in the total cost compared with those of the other strategies. The total cost of the proposed strategy is approximately 4,307 million USD. The duration of the fuel storage and the investment cost, particularly the variable investment cost, directly affect the choice of facility storage.

Closed-loop supply chain potential of agricultural plastic waste: Economic and environmental assessment of bale wrap waste recycling in Finland

It is estimated that 12000 tons of plastic waste is annually generated from the agricultural sector in Finland, and more than half of it comprises bale wrap films. Up to 70% of plastic film waste from the agricultural sector in Finland goes into landfills, and only around 10% is recycled. Recycling plastic material is desirable in order to close the loop in achieving a circular economy. This paper aims to assess the environmental and economic implications of bale wrap collection and recycling within the Finnish context. Two different collection scenarios, S1 (once a year collection) and S2 (twice a year collection), covering 179 farms, were assessed. The research applied vehicle routing problem and environmental life cycle costing to quantify the cost and environmental impact per ton of granulate recycled material produced. It took a consequential approach, where the system boundary was expanded, and product substitution was considered. Overall, S1 offers 27% more economic savings with 36% less global warming potential (GWP) than S2. The collection phase, which has not commonly been included in existing recycling studies, shows significance in both scenarios. Although it only contributed about 0.7-1.2% to GWP, collection accounted for 32-36% of the total economic cost. Critical parameters were primarily associated with the market substitution factor and material loss during the recycling process. This study demonstrates that recycling bale wrap can provide environmental and economic savings. Furthermore, it shows the importance of decision-makers in prioritizing goals to balance environmental and economic objectives.

A fuzzy quantitative model for assessing the performance of pharmaceutical supply chain under uncertainty

PurposeThis study aims to investigate a reliability-level demand-oriented pharmaceutical supply chain design with maximal anticipated demand coverage. Different hospitals with the particular reliability value associated with the various pharmaceutical items (PIs) are considered. An inter-connected multi-period supply chain comprising manufacturers, distribution centers, hospitals and patients is assumed for the smooth flow of health-care items, enhancing supply chain reliability. A reliability index for PIs is depicted to highlight product preference and facilitate hospitals’ service levels for patients.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-integer multi-objective programming problem that maximizes maximal demand coverage minimizes the total economic costs and pharmaceutical delivery time is depicted under intuitionistic fuzzy uncertainty. Further, a novel interactive neutrosophic programming approach is developed to solve the proposed pharmaceutical supply chain management (PSCM) model. Each objective’s marginal evaluation is elicited by various sorts of membership functions such as linear, exponential and hyperbolic types of membership functions and depicted the truth, indeterminacy and falsity membership degrees under a neutrosophic environment.FindingsThe proposed PSCM model is implemented on a real case study and solved using an interactive neutrosophic programming approach that reveals the proposed methods’ validity and applicability. An ample opportunity to generate the compromise solution is suggested by tuning various parameters. The outcomes are evaluated with practical managerial implications based on the significant findings. Finally, conclusions and future research scope are addressed based on the proposed work.Research limitations/implicationsThe propounded study has some limitations that can be addressed in future research. The discussed PSCM model can be merged with and extended by considering environmental factors such as the health-care waste management system, which is not included in this study. Uncertainty among parameters due to randomness can be incorporated and can be tackled with historical data. Besides, proposed interactive neutrosophic programming approach (INPA), various metaheuristic approaches may be applied to solve the proposed PSCM model as a future research scope.Practical implicationsThe strategy advised is to provide an opportunity to create supply chains and manufacturing within India by helping existing manufacturers to expand, identifying new manufacturers, hand-holding and facilitating, teams of officers, engineers and scientists deployed and import only if necessary to meet timelines. Thus, any pharmaceutical company or organization can adopt the production and distribution management initiatives amongst hospitals to strengthen and enable the pharmaceutical company while fighting fatal diseases during emergencies. Finally, managers or policy-makers can take advantage of the current study and extract fruitful pieces of information and knowledge regarding the optimal production and distribution strategies while making decisions.Originality/valueThis research work manifests the demand-oriented extension of the integrated PSCM design with maximum expected coverage, where different hospitals with pre-determined reliability values for various PIs are taken into consideration. The practical managerial implications are explored that immensely support the managers or practitioners to adopt the production and distribution policies for the PIs to ensure the sustainability in supply chain design.

Intersectoral costs of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV: a systematic review of cost-of-illness (COI) studies

BackgroundSexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV can generate costs both within and outside the health sector (i.e. intersectoral costs). This systematic review aims (i) to explore the intersectoral costs associated with STIs and HIV considered in cost-of-illness (COI) studies, (ii) to categorise and analyse these costs according to cost sectors, and (iii) to illustrate the impact of intersectoral costs on the total cost burden.MethodsMedline (PubMed), EMBASE (Ovid), Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EconLit and NHS EED were searched between 2009 and 2019. Key search terms included terms for cost-of-illness, cost analysis and all terms for STIs including specific infections. Studies were included that assessed intersectoral costs. A standardised data extraction form was adopted. A cost component table was established based on pre-defined sector-specific classification schemes. Cost results for intersectoral costs were recorded. The quality of studies was assessed using a modified version of the CHEC-list.Results75 COI studies were considered for title/abstract screening. Only six studies were available in full-text and eligible for data extraction and narrative synthesis. Intersectoral costs were captured in the following sectors: Patient & family, Informal care and Productivity (Paid Labour). Patient & family costs were addressed in four studies, including patient out-of-pocket payments/co-payments and travel costs. Informal care costs including unpaid (home) care support by family/friends and other caregiver costs were considered in three studies. All six studies estimated productivity costs for paid labour including costs in terms of absenteeism, disability, cease-to-work, presenteeism and premature death. Intersectoral costs largely contributed to the total economic cost burden of STIs and HIV. The quality assessment revealed methodological differences.ConclusionsIt is evident that intersectoral costs associated with STIs and HIV are substantial. If relevant intersectoral costs are not included in cost analyses the total cost burden of STIs and HIV to society is severely underestimated. Therefore, intersectoral costs need to be addressed in order to ensure the total economic burden of STIs and HIV on society is assessed, and communicated to policy/decision-makers.

The Intergenerational Effects of Economic Sanctions

Abstract While economic sanctions are successful in achieving political goals, they can hurt the civilian population. These negative effects could be even more detrimental and long lasting for future generations. This study estimates the effects of economic sanctions on children’s education by exploiting the United Nations sanctions imposed on Iran in 2006. Using the variation in the strength of sanctions across industries and difference-in-differences with synthetic control analyses, this study finds that the sanctions decreased children’s total years of schooling by 0.1 years and the probability of attending college by 4.8 percentage points. Moreover, households reduced education spending by 58 percent—particularly on school tuition. These effects are larger for children who were exposed to the sanctions for longer. The results imply that sanctions have a larger effect on the income of children than their parents. Therefore, ignoring the effects of sanctions on future generations significantly understates their total economic costs.

Recycling Lithium from Waste Lithium Bromide to Produce Lithium Hydroxide.

Lithium resources face risks of shortages owing to the rapid development of the lithium industry. This makes the efficient production and recycling of lithium an issue that should be addressed immediately. Lithium bromide is widely used as a water-absorbent material, a humidity regulator, and an absorption refrigerant in the industry. However, there are few studies on the recovery of lithium from lithium bromide after disposal. In this paper, a bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) process is proposed to convert waste lithium bromide into lithium hydroxide, with the generation of valuable hydrobromic acid as a by-product. The effects of the current density, the feed salt concentration, and the initial salt chamber volume on the performance of the BMED process were studied. When the reaction conditions were optimized, it was concluded that an initial salt chamber volume of 200 mL and a salt concentration of 0.3 mol/L provided the maximum benefit. A high current density leads to high energy consumption but with high current efficiency; therefore, the optimum current density was identified as 30 mA/cm2. Under the optimized conditions, the total economic cost of the BMED process was calculated as 2.243 USD·kg−1LiOH. As well as solving the problem of recycling waste lithium bromide, the process also represents a novel production methodology for lithium hydroxide. Given the prices of lithium hydroxide and hydrobromic acid, the process is both environmentally friendly and economical.

Individual and population level estimates of work loss and related economic costs due to mental and substance use disorders in Metropolitan São Paulo, Brazil

BackgroundWe estimate work loss and economic costs due to mental and substance use disorders in the economically active population of the São Paulo Metropolitan Area, Brazil. MethodsThe São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey assessed a population-based sample of 3,007 economically active residents using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 3.0 and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2 to investigate, respectively, 12-month psychiatric disorders, work performance, and economic costs. ResultsAbsenteeism over the past 12 months was reported by 12.6%, and presenteeism by 14.7% (qualitative loss) and 13.1% (quantitative loss). Having any mental disorder was associated with 17.6 days of absenteeism and 37.7 days of reduced-qualitative and/or quantitative functioning. Fourteen mental disorders were significantly associated with work loss, with odds ratios ranging from 2.3 for adult separation anxiety to 40.4 for oppositional defiant disorder. At a population-level, oppositional defiant disorder, panic disorder, attention deficit disorder, and dysthymia contributed to the largest costs. The total annual economic costs were USD $83.2 billion/year, representing 6.1% of Brazil's Gross Domestic Product in 2007. LimitationsDiagnosis of mental disorders was based on self-reported symptoms. Work loss assessment was restricted to 30 days before the interview and may not fully represents the annual real experience and symptoms of the respondents which would lead to an overestimation of the burden. ConclusionsMental disorders impose a great negative impact on work performance and functioning, with a consequent high economic burden, pointing to the need of implementing cost-effective interventions to prevent work loss.

Evaluating farm and export competitiveness of the Irish dairy industry: post-quota analysis

Purpose This paper aims to examine the competitiveness trends and rankings of the Irish dairy sector at the farm and trade levels, relative to selected European Union (EU) Member States, in the context of the removal of the EU milk quota in 2015. Design/methodology/approach Competitiveness indicators including partial productivity measures and accountancy-based indicators were used for farm competitiveness, and net export market share and normalised revealed comparative advantage (NRCA) were used for export competitiveness. Findings Amongst the countries examined, Ireland had the highest growth in partial productivity indicators and was ranked first with the lowest total costs and cash costs per kg of milk solids post-quota. However, the total economic cost sub-components showed that Irish dairy farmers had high opportunity costs for owned land and labour. While Irish dairy products such as butter and powders have demonstrated growth potential in competitiveness post-quota with Irish butter and whey ranked in top three relative to other countries, other products, i.e. cheese and liquid milk have declined in competitiveness according to key export competitiveness indicators used. Practical implications The challenge for Irish dairy farmers is how to mitigate relatively high land and labour costs, which can limit farm competitiveness in the long run. The key players in the Irish dairy industry can now better position themselves in the global dairy market, recognizing the competitiveness dynamics of the different dairy products and their competitors. Policy implications and further areas of research have been identified to help improve the overall competitiveness position. It is surprising that Irish butter is a leader in the EU, yet not much research has been done to understand the market dynamics of this sector. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first of its kind to use both farm and export competitiveness measures to analyse the Irish dairy industry relative to other countries in the context of quota abolition. Unlike previous studies on dairy export competitiveness, this study has disaggregated the processed dairy products, which allowed for the ranking of countries and comparability across countries using NRCA.

Vaccine preventable diseases surveillance in Nepal: How much does it cost?

Assessing the cost of vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) surveillance is becoming more important in the context of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) funding transition, since GPEI support to polio surveillance helped the incremental building of VPD surveillance systems in many countries, including low income countries such as Nepal. However, there is limited knowledge on the cost of conducting VPD surveillance, especially the national cost for surveillance of multiple vaccine-preventable diseases. The current study sought to calculate the economic and financial costs of Nepal’s comprehensive VPD surveillance systems from July 2016 to July 2017. At thecentral level, all surveillance units were included in the sample. At sub-national level, a purposive sampling strategy was used to select a representative sample from locations involved in conducting surveillance. The sub-national sample costs were extrapolated to the nationwide VPD surveillance system. Nepal’s total annual economic cost of VPD surveillance was USD 4.81 million or USD 0.18 per capita, while the total financial cost was USD 4.38 million or USD 0.16 per capita. Government expenditures accounted for 56% of the total economic cost, and World Health Organization accounting for 44%. The biggest cost driver was personnel accounting for 51% of the total economic cost. WHO supported trained surveillance personnel through donor funding, mainly from Global Polio Eradication Initiative. As a polio transition priority country, Nepal will need to make strategic choices to fully self-finance or seek full donor support or a mixed-financing model as polio program funding diminishes.

Organizational and Functional Structure of the System of Information and Analytical Management of Construction Waste Streams

Purpose. The main purpose of the work is to define and substantiate the principles, functional requirements and objectives of the implementation of information and analytical support for the management of waste streams of construction and wracking as secondary resources; development of the organizational and functional structure of the information-analytical management system, which would satisfy the conditions for the introduction of a logistical approach within the framework of integrated management of construction waste streams and became the basis for creating a single information platform. Methodology. As a methodological basis for the research of the process of managing the secondary resources streams and reversible streams in the construction industry, a logistic approach is used. It involves the analysis of factors influencing the system and study of its dynamic behavior as a complex adaptive system. The system approach in the development of information-analytical management systems involves solving the following tasks: development of a functional model of the management system of construction and wracking waste streams; construction of interaction matrices of automated processes and data routing processes; modeling the logical architecture of the data warehouses; development of a software and hardware set. Findings. The main tasks of developing information support for the logistics management system of construction and wracking waste streams are substantiated. The integration into the system of the following functional blocks is proposed: database formation; block for estimating the total economic costs of the process; environmental damage assessment blocks; information risk assessment; evaluation of alternative methods of waste stream management; optimal route formation block; visualization block. Based on the generalization of requirements and possibilities of the functionality analyzed information-analytical systems and requirements which would provide efficiency of construction waste streams management, the organizational-functional structure of the system of information-analytical management is proposed. Originality. The work gives reasons for the inclusion in the list of functional blocks of the organizational and functional structure of the information-analytical management system, which should be the basis for creating an information platform for the management of construction and wracking waste streams, environmental and information risk assessment. Practical value. Implementation within the information-analytical management of environmental damage assessment (as part of the efficiency assessment of the construction waste streams) and information risk assessment (as a tool of logistical approach) will provide the ability to predict key system indicators, make optimal decisions aimed at maximum inclusion of construction waste streams in the system as a potential secondary raw material, a sufficient level of economic and environmental efficiency with the optimal level of logistics costs.