中国更需要Value Up而不是Cost Down!

我们正经历经济的冬天，这对很多企业家是好事，因为冬天是一个企业家必须经历的，只有经历过春夏秋冬历练的人才能管理未来。冬天里的企业和企业家最重要的是保持元气，掌握足够的现金流，拥有能量迎接春天的到来。

Interest of D-dimer level,severity of COVID-19 and cost of management in Gabon

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is strongly associated with an increased risk of thrombotic events,including severe outcomes such as pulmonary embolism.Elevated D-dimer levels are a critical biomarker for assessing this risk.In Gabon,early implementation of anticoagulation therapy and D-dimer testing has been crucial in managing COVID-19.This study hypothesizes that elevated Ddimer levels are linked to increased COVID-19 severity.AIM To determine the impact of D-dimer levels on COVID-19 severity and their role in guiding clinical decisions.METHODS This retrospective study analyzed COVID-19 patients admitted to two hospitals in Gabon between March 2020 and December 2023.The study included patients with confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses and available D-dimer measurements at admission.Data on demographics,clinical outcomes,D-dimer levels,and healthcare costs were collected.COVID-19 severity was classified as non-severe(outpatients)or severe(inpatients).A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess the relationship between D-dimer levels and disease severity,with adjusted odds ratios(OR)and 95%CI.RESULTS A total of 3004 patients were included,with a mean age of 50.17 years,and the majority were female(53.43%).Elevated D-dimer levels were found in 65.81%of patients,and 57.21%of these experienced severe COVID-19.Univariate analysis showed that patients with elevated D-dimer levels had 3.33 times higher odds of severe COVID-19(OR=3.33,95%CI:2.84-3.92,P<0.001),and this association remained significant in the multivariable analysis,adjusted for age,sex,and year of collection.The financial analysis revealed a substantial burden,particularly for uninsured patients.CONCLUSION D-dimer predicts COVID-19 severity and guides treatment,but the high cost of anticoagulant therapy highlights the need for policies ensuring affordable access in resource-limited settings like Gabon.

Cost control based on value chain paying equal attention to earning more income and cutting down expense

According to the idea of cost control based on the value chain, several important factors are necessary. Firstly, it is necessary to have enough resources, which must be invested to create advantageous value chain based on customer value. It is also necessary to be sure of the cost advantage of the value chain. Secondly, the consumption of resources must be reduced as much as possible to enable the smallest operating cost for the value chain and make sure of the cost advantage based on maximum business value or profit. It is a kind of cost control from the whole view of creation and supply of value. In practice, it is also a kind of cost control system based on the value chain. It includes enough control and necessary resource investment from the view of the value creation, and keeps consumption of resources to a reasonable level from the view of the value supply. The main object of the first factor is to construct the advantageous value chain from creating customer value; and the second factor is to strengthen the advantageous value chain from supplying or producing customer value. Therefore it is a new kind of idea to explore this cost control from the whole view of creation and supply of value. It is more profitable for businesses to gain sustainable competitive advantage.

Comparison of Top down and Bottom up Cost Approaches in Colon and Rectal Cancer Treatment

Introduction: In recent years, health care expenditures have significantly risen across the world and in Turkey. Because of the limited resources allocated to health, it is very important for countries to conduct studies especially on cost of diseases such as colorectal cancer (CRC) with a high burden of disease and labor loss. The aim of this study was to calculate the cost of treatment for colon and rectal cancers based on two different cost approaches from the perspective of SSI (top-down and bottom-up) and to compare the results obtained. Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from the SSI MEDULA System a total of 62,970 colon and rectal cancer patient for the top-down cost approach. In the bottom-up cost approach, treatment costs were determined based on the expert opinions. Results: The average cost of treatment per patient for colon cancer was determined as 3055.5 TL, for rectal cancer was determined as 4146.2 TL with the top-down cost approach. The average cost of treatment per patient for colon cancer was determined as 14,920.4 TL, for rectal cancer was determined as 17,904.6 TL according to the bottom-up cost approach. Conclusion: Since the bottom-up cost approach provides more detailed information on the cost of illness, and thereby on the use of resources allocated to health, it is thought that the combined use of these two cost approaches completes each other’s weaknesses.

Costing Break Down of Fully Fashioned Knitwear

Fully fashioned knitwear has a problem that the texture and dimension of the garment, consumption and costing cannot be decided until the pattern is sincerely knitted and carried out environs of stipulations involved in the knitting process. The study finds out a total regular consumption, costing system and its parameters that are required to make a cost sheet of knitwear (sweater). The analysis gives the complete manner of sweater costing with the recommended aid of inspecting the elements that have an impact on costs. Required consumption and costing techniques such as yarn, trims, accessories, testing, rate of manufacturing and FOB are on hand in this study about exhibiting a special model of costing. The cost sheet consists of huge costs incurred at an extensive range of tiers of business operations. The analysis intends to show off from received tech pack to closing cost sheet. Therefore, the producers will obtain a sturdy reflection of a sweater costing method. Effective costing suggests the way to exist in this internationally competitive market.

Complete Garment Costing with Major Cost Breakdown

Apparel business is one of the oldest global businesses. Emergence of different apparel manufacturing nations, rapid development of global supply chains and increasingly higher demand for fast fashion items are exposing the apparel manufacturers to competitive product prices. Alongside, the persistent global depression has also forced the apparel business to curtail the prices to remain sustainable in the industry. Garment costing is the systematic process of meticulously calculating the total cost of a certain quantity of garments from raw material purchase to converting them to the final products, plus other terms and conditions stated by the customers. The sum of these costs adding the profit margin is the selling price. This research outlines the process of preparing cost sheets for basic garment products. The research proposes a clear method of generating easily understandable, complete garment cost sheets for the apparel industry.

Resistance development,cross-resistance,and fitness costs associated with Aphis gossypii resistance towards sulfoxaflor and acetamiprid in different geographical regions

Aphis gossypii has become increasingly difficult to manage due to its strong insecticide resistance.In the laboratory,we established sulfoxaflor-resistant and acetamiprid-resistant strains in two A.gossypii populations with different basal insecticide resistance levels,and evaluated the effects of basal insecticide resistance on the resistance development and cross-resistance,as well as differences in fitness.Under the same selection pressure,Yarkant A.gossypii(with low basal insecticide resistance)evolved resistance to sulfoxaflor and acetamiprid more quickly than Jinghe A.gossypii(with high basal insecticide resistance),and the evolution of A.gossypii resistance to sulfoxaflor developed faster than acetamiprid in both Yarkant and Jinghe,Xingjiang,China.The sulfoxaflor-resistant strains selected from Yarkant and Jinghe developed significant cross-resistance to acetamiprid,imidacloprid,thiamethoxam and pymetrozine;while the acetamiprid-resistant strains developed significant cross-resistance to sulfoxaflor,imidacloprid,thiamethoxam,pymetrozine,and chlorpyrifos.The relative fitness of A.gossypii decreased as the resistance to sulfoxaflor and acetamiprid developed.The relative fitness levels of the sulfoxaflor-resistant strains(Yarkant-SulR and Jinghe-SulR)were lower than those of the acetamipridresistant strains(Yarkant-AceR and Jinghe-AceR).In addition,the relative fitness levels of sulfoxaflor-and acetamiprid-resistant strains were lower in Jinghe than in Yarkant.In summary,basal insecticide resistance of A.gossypii and insecticide type affected the evolution of resistance to insecticides in A.gossypii,as well as cross-resistance to other insecticides.The sulfoxaflor-and acetamiprid-resistant A.gossypii strains had obvious fitness costs.The results of this work will contribute to the insecticide resistance management and integrated management of A.gossypii.

A Hybrid Model for Improving Software Cost Estimation in Global Software Development

Accurate software cost estimation in Global Software Development(GSD)remains challenging due to reliance on historical data and expert judgments.Traditional models,such as the Constructive Cost Model(COCOMO II),rely heavily on historical and accurate data.In addition,expert judgment is required to set many input parameters,which can introduce subjectivity and variability in the estimation process.Consequently,there is a need to improve the current GSD models to mitigate reliance on historical data,subjectivity in expert judgment,inadequate consideration of GSD-based cost drivers and limited integration of modern technologies with cost overruns.This study introduces a novel hybrid model that synergizes the COCOMO II with Artificial Neural Networks(ANN)to address these challenges.The proposed hybrid model integrates additional GSD-based cost drivers identified through a systematic literature review and further vetted by industry experts.This article compares the effectiveness of the proposedmodelwith state-of-the-artmachine learning-basedmodels for software cost estimation.Evaluating the NASA 93 dataset by adopting twenty-six GSD-based cost drivers reveals that our hybrid model achieves superior accuracy,outperforming existing state-of-the-artmodels.The findings indicate the potential of combining COCOMO II,ANN,and additional GSD-based cost drivers to transform cost estimation in GSD.

Analysis of a passive ankle exoskeleton for reduction of metabolic costs during walking

Modern conflicts demand substantial physical and psychological exertion,often resulting in fatigue and diminished combat or operational readiness.Several exoskeletons have been developed recently to address these challenges,presenting various limitations that affect their operational or everyday usability.This article evaluates the performance of a dual-purpose passive ankle exoskeleton developed for the reduction of metabolic costs during walking,seeking to identify a force element that could be applied to the target population.Based on the 6-min walk test,twenty-nine subjects participated in the study using three different force elements.The results indicate that it is possible to reduce metabolic expenditure while using the developed exoskeleton.Additionally,the comfort and range of motion results verify the exoskeleton's suitability for use in uneven terrain and during extended periods.Nevertheless,the choice of the force element should be tailored to each user,and the control system should be adjustable to optimise the exoskeleton's performance.

Design and implementation of low-cost geomagnetic field monitoring equipment for high-density deployment

The observation of geomagnetic field variations is an important approach to studying earthquake precursors.Since 1987,the China Earthquake Administration has explored this seismomagnetic relationship.In particular,they studied local magnetic field anomalies over the Chinese mainland for earthquake prediction.Owing to the years of research on the seismomagnetic relationship,earthquake prediction experts have concluded that the compressive magnetic effect,tectonic magnetic effect,electric magnetic fluid effect,and other factors contribute to preearthquake magnetic anomalies.However,this involves a small magnitude of magnetic field changes.It is difficult to relate them to the abnormal changes of the extremely large magnetic field in regions with extreme earthquakes owing to the high cost of professional geomagnetic equipment,thereby limiting large-scale deployment.Moreover,it is difficult to obtain strong magnetic field changes before an earthquake.The Tianjin Earthquake Agency has developed low-cost geomagnetic field observation equipment through the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei geomagnetic equipment test project.The new system was used to test the availability of equipment and determine the findings based on big data..

Feasibility of Scaling up the Cost-Competitive and Clean Electrolytic Hydrogen Supply in China

Scaling up clean hydrogen supply in the near future is critical to achieving China’s hydrogen development target.This study established an electrolytic hydrogen development mechanism considering the generation mix and operation optimization of power systems with access to hydrogen.Based on the incremental cost principle,we quantified the provincial and national clean hydrogen production cost performance levels in 2030.The results indicated that this mechanism could effectively reduce the production cost of clean hydrogen in most provinces,with a national average value of less than 2 USD·kg^(-1) at the 40-megaton hydrogen supply scale.Provincial cooperation via power transmission lines could further reduce the production cost to 1.72 USD·kg^(-1).However,performance is affected by the potential distribution of hydrogen demand.From the supply side,competitiveness of the mechanism is limited to clean hydrogen production,while from the demand side,it could help electrolytic hydrogen fulfil a more significant role.This study could provide a solution for the ambitious development of renewables and the hydrogen economy in China.

Cost-Efficient Edge Caching for NOMA-Enabled IoT Services

Mobile edge computing(MEC)is a promising paradigm by deploying edge servers(nodes)with computation and storage capacity close to IoT devices.Content Providers can cache data in edge servers and provide services for IoT devices,which effectively reduces the delay for acquiring data.With the increasing number of IoT devices requesting for services,the spectrum resources are generally limited.In order to effectively meet the challenge of limited spectrum resources,the Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access(NOMA)is proposed to improve the transmission efficiency.In this paper,we consider the caching scenario in a NOMA-enabled MEC system.All the devices compete for the limited resources and tend to minimize their own cost.We formulate the caching problem,and the goal is to minimize the delay cost for each individual device subject to resource constraints.We reformulate the optimization as a non-cooperative game model.We prove the existence of Nash equilibrium(NE)solution in the game model.Then,we design the Game-based Cost-Efficient Edge Caching Algorithm(GCECA)to solve the problem.The effectiveness of our GCECA algorithm is validated by both parameter analysis and comparison experiments.

The potential impact of increased whole grain consumption among Chinese adults on reducing healthcare costs and carbon footprint

Excessive consumption of refined grains harms human health and ecosystem viability.Whole grains,as a healthy and sustainable alternative to refined grains,can benefit individual health by providing dietary fiber,B vitamins,and bioactive substances.Additionally,they aid in improving the environment due to their higher extraction rate and lower carbon emission during the processing stage.However,few studies have attempted to evaluate the economic and social benefits of increasing the amount of whole grain in grain intake.This paper estimates the potential savings in healthcare costs and reduced food carbon footprints(CFs)that could result from a shift toward whole grain consumption following the Chinese Dietary Guidelines(CDG).We investigate hypothetical scenarios where a certain proportion(5–100%)of Chinese adults could increase their whole grain intakes as proposed by CDG to meet the average shortfall of 30.2 g.In that case,the healthcare costs for associated diseases(e.g.,type2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),cardiovascular disease(CVD),and colorectal cancer(CRC))are expected to reduce by a substantial amount,from USD 2.82 to 56.37 billion;the carbon emission levels are also projected to decrease by0.24–5.72 million tons.This study provides compelling evidence that advocating for the transition towards greater consumption of whole grain products could benefit individual health,the environment,and society,by reducing both healthcare costs and carbon emissions.

A digital twin model-based approach to cost optimization of residential community microgrids

This paper presents a peer-to-peer community cost optimization approach based on a single-prosumer energy management system.Its objective is to optimize energy costs for prosumers in the community by enhancing the consumption efficiency.This study was conducted along two main axes.The first axis focuses on designing a digital twin for a residential community microgrid platform.This phase involves data collection,cleaning,exploration,and interpretation.Moreover,it includes replicating the functionality of the real platform and validating the results.The second axis involves the development of a novel approach that incorporates two distinct prosumer behaviors within the same community microgrid,while maintaining the concept of peer-to-peer energy trading.Prosumers without storage utilize their individual PV systems to fulfill their energy requirements and inject excess energy into a local microgrid.Meanwhile,a single prosumer with a storage system actively engages in energy exchange to maximize the community’s profit.This is achieved by optimizing battery usage using a cost optimization solution.The proposed solution is validated using the developed digital twin.

CO_(2)capture costs of chemical looping combustion of biomass:A comparison of natural and synthetic oxygen carrier

Chemical looping combustion has the potential to be an efficient and low-cost technology capable of contributing to the reduction of the atmospheric concentration of CO_(2) in order to reach the 1.5/2°C goal and mitigate climate change.In this process,a metal oxide is used as oxygen carrier in a dual fluidized bed to generate clean CO_(2) via combustion of biomass.Most commonly,natural ores or synthetic materials are used as oxygen carrier whereas both must meet special requirements for the conversion of solid fuels.Synthetic oxygen carriers are characterized by higher reactivity at the expense of higher costs versus the lower-cost natural ores.To determine the viability of both possibilities,a techno-economic comparison of a synthetic material based on manganese,iron,and copper to the natural ore ilmenite was conducted.The synthetic oxygen carrier was characterized and tested in a pilot plant,where high combustion efficiencies up to 98.4%and carbon capture rates up to 98.5%were reached.The techno-economic assessment resulted in CO_(2) capture costs of 75 and 40€/tCO_(2) for the synthetic and natural ore route respectively,whereas a sensitivity analysis showed the high impact of production costs and attrition rates of the synthetic material.The synthetic oxygen carrier could break even with the natural ore in case of lower production costs and attrition rates,which could be reached by adapting the production process and recycling material.By comparison to state-of-the-art technologies,it is demonstrated that both routes are viable and the capture cost of CO_(2) could be reduced by implementing the chemical looping combustion technology.

Reliability-based life-cycle cost seismic design optimization of coastal bridge piers with nonuniform corrosion using different materials

Reinforcement corrosion is the main cause of performance deterioration of reinforced concrete(RC)structures.Limited research has been performed to investigate the life-cycle cost(LCC)of coastal bridge piers with nonuniform corrosion using different materials.In this study,a reliability-based design optimization(RBDO)procedure is improved for the design of coastal bridge piers using six groups of commonly used materials,i.e.,normal performance concrete(NPC)with black steel(BS)rebar,high strength steel(HSS)rebar,epoxy coated(EC)rebar,and stainless steel(SS)rebar(named NPC-BS,NPC-HSS,NPC-EC,and NPC-SS,respectively),NPC with BS with silane soakage on the pier surface(named NPC-Silane),and high-performance concrete(HPC)with BS rebar(named HPC-BS).First,the RBDO procedure is improved for the design optimization of coastal bridge piers,and a bridge is selected to illustrate the procedure.Then,reliability analysis of the pier designed with each group of materials is carried out to obtain the time-dependent reliability in terms of the ultimate and serviceability performances.Next,the repair time of the pier is predicted based on the time-dependent reliability indices.Finally,the time-dependent LCCs for the pier are obtained for the selection of the optimal design.

Evaluation of the effects of Chinese Dietary Guidelines on nutrition,environment,and cost

National dietary guidelines serve as a strategic tool to facilitate dietary adjustments,improve human nutrition,and reduce environmental strain by guiding individuals toward healthier dietary choices.This study examines the evolution of Chinese Dietary Guidelines(CDG)and compares them with Chinese residents’current dietary structure.The effects of the CDG on nutrition,the environment,and cost were evaluated.The results demonstrated that the gap between Chinese residents’dietary structure and the CDG predominantly manifests as a severe deficiency in dairy consumption.The nutrients currently recommended in the CDG cannot meet the needs of the human body and have significant environmental impacts.In terms of cost,rural residents’incomes may not be sufficient to fully adhere to CDG recommendations.We propose that future updates to the CDG should address issues related to inadequate nutrition and significant environmental impacts.Simultaneously,the government should prioritize facilitating access to the nutritionally adequate food recommended in the CDG for low-income groups.

Optimized scheduling of integrated energy systems for low carbon economy considering carbon transaction costs

With the introduction of the“dual carbon”goal and the continuous promotion of low-carbon development,the integrated energy system(IES)has gradually become an effective way to save energy and reduce emissions.This study proposes a low-carbon economic optimization scheduling model for an IES that considers carbon trading costs.With the goal of minimizing the total operating cost of the IES and considering the transferable and curtailable characteristics of the electric and thermal flexible loads,an optimal scheduling model of the IES that considers the cost of carbon trading and flexible loads on the user side was established.The role of flexible loads in improving the economy of an energy system was investigated using examples,and the rationality and effectiveness of the study were verified through a comparative analysis of different scenarios.The results showed that the total cost of the system in different scenarios was reduced by 18.04%,9.1%,3.35%,and 7.03%,respectively,whereas the total carbon emissions of the system were reduced by 65.28%,20.63%,3.85%,and 18.03%,respectively,when the carbon trading cost and demand-side flexible electric and thermal load responses were considered simultaneously.Flexible electrical and thermal loads did not have the same impact on the system performance.In the analyzed case,the total cost and carbon emissions of the system when only the flexible electrical load response was considered were lower than those when only the flexible thermal load response was taken into account.Photovoltaics have an excess of carbon trading credits and can profit from selling them,whereas other devices have an excess of carbon trading and need to buy carbon credits.

Cost analysis of radical resection of malignant breast tumors under the China Healthcare Security Diagnosis Related Groups payment system

BACKGROUND Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women worldwide and poses a severe threat to their health.Therefore,this study examined patients who underwent breast cancer surgery,analyzed hospitalization costs and structure,and explored the impact of China Healthcare Security Diagnosis Related Groups(CHS-DRG)management on patient costs.It aimed to provide medical institutions with ways to reduce costs,optimize cost structures,reduce patient burden,and improve service efficiency.AIM To study the CHS-DRG payment system’s impact on breast cancer surgery costs.METHODS Using the CHS-DRG(version 1.1)grouping criteria,4073 patients,who underwent the radical resection of breast malignant tumors from January to December 2023,were included in the JA29 group;1028 patients were part of the CHS-DRG payment system,unlike the rest.Through an independent sample t-test,the length of hospital stay as well as total hospitalization,medicine and consumables,medical,nursing,medical technology,and management expenses were compared.Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to test the cost correlation.RESULTS In terms of hospitalization expenses,patients in the CHS-DRG payment group had lower medical,nursing,and management expenses than those in the diagnosis-related group(DRG)non-payment group.For patients in the DRG payment group,the factors affecting the total hospitalization cost,in descending order of relevance,were medicine and consumable costs,consumable costs,medicine costs,medical costs,medical technology costs,management costs,nursing costs,and length of hospital stay.For patients in the DRG nonpayment group,the factors affecting the total hospitalization expenses in descending order of relevance were medicines and consumable expenses,consumable expenses,medical technology expenses,the cost of medicines,medical expenses,nursing expenses,length of hospital stay,and management expenses.CONCLUSION The CHS-DRG system can help control and reduce unnecessary medical expenses by controlling medicine costs,medical consumable costs,and the length of hospital stay while ensuring medical safety.

Impact of carbon disclosure on debt financing costs

Creditors,such as banks,often use disclosed environmental information to assess a company’s environmental risk and ensure the safety of debt funds.Consequently,carbon disclosures have become an important consideration for creditors when making investments.This study explores the relationship between carbon disclosure and debt financing costs using data on listed companies from 2008 to 2019.The results show that carbon disclosure can reduce the debt financing costs of enterprises,and that this influence is more significant for private companies than for state-owned enterprises.Instrumental variables and Propensity Score Matching(PSM)were used to evaluate the robustness of negative relationships.Furthermore,carbon disclosure has a more significant impact on debt costs with less environmental supervision pressure,weak residents’environmental awareness,and weak product market competition.These findings provide guidance for companies’carbon information disclosure and support the establishment of official carbon disclosure standards.