scholarly journals Economic Evaluation of Apple Harvest and In-Field Sorting Technology

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 1537-1550
Author(s):  
Zhao Zhang ◽  
Anand Kumar Pothula ◽  
Renfu Lu
Keyword(s):  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Apple Orchards ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
Apple Industry ◽  
Productivity Increase ◽  
One Machine ◽  
The U.S

Abstract. The U.S. apple industry, which generated more than $2.7 billion in revenue at the farm gate in 2013, is facing critical challenges with decreased availability of labor and increased labor and production costs. To address these challenges, a self-propelled apple harvest and in-field sorting machine is being developed in our laboratory. This article reports on the economic evaluation of this prototype machine by considering machine cost (annual ownership and operating costs), harvest productivity increase (including that due to decreased occupational injuries), and cost savings in postharvest storage and packing resulting from in-field sorting of fresh market quality apples from processing apples for both fresh apple growers and processing apple growers. The economic evaluation was conducted based on the assumptions that the machine increases harvest productivity by 43% to 63% and operates for 360 h during the harvest season. For fresh apple orchards with processing apple incidences of 5% to 15%, the net annual benefits that would accrue from owning one machine range from $13,500 to $78,400 when the machine price is between $100,000 and $160,000. For processing apple orchards with processing apple incidences of 80% to 90% and the same machine price range, the net annual benefits that would accrue from owning one machine range from $23,900 to $81,700. Overall, the benefits gained from in-field sorting outweigh those from the harvest productivity increase, and integration of the harvest-assist and in-field sorting functions is more beneficial to apple growers. This technology will help the U.S. apple industry improve labor productivity and reduce production costs, and thus it looks promising for commercialization. Keywords: Apples, Economic evaluation, Harvest-assist, In-field sorting, Machinery system, Occupational injuries.

Immigration and the tech industry: As a labour shortage remedy, for innovation, or for cost savings?

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norman Matloff
Keyword(s):  
Immigration Policy ◽  
Brain Drain ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Foreign Workers ◽  
Service Firms ◽  
It Service ◽  
Labour Shortage ◽  
Labour Costs ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The U.S

The two main reasons cited by the U.S. tech industry for hiring foreign workers--remedying labour shortages and hiring "the best and the brightest"--are investigated, using data on wages, patents, and R&D work, as well as previous research and industry statements. The analysis shows that the claims of shortage and outstanding talent are not supported by the data, even after excluding the Indian IT service firms. Instead, it is shown that the primary goals of employers in hiring  foreign workers are to reduce labour costs and to obtain "indentured" employees. Current immigration policy is causing an ‘Internal Brain Drain’ in STEM.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR BUCKET DESIGN

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 202-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. G. Buriy ◽  
V. S. Shherbakov ◽  
S. B. Skobelev ◽  
V. F. Kovalevskiy
Keyword(s):  
Cost Reduction ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Hydraulic Excavator ◽  
Engineering Structures ◽  
Excavator Bucket ◽  
Productivity Increase ◽  
Hydraulic Excavators ◽  
Reducing Costs ◽  
Rational Operation ◽  
Resistance Forces

Introduction.Construction of engineering structures is impossible without building and road machines. The large volume of financing is allocated for such machines’ purchase. The main ways of reducing costs of the equipment consist in more rational operation of the equipment and also in decrease of equipment’s cost by constructive changes. The paper demonstrates the new design of the single-bucket hydraulic excavator with smaller cost.Materials and methods.The main ways of cost reduction for construction machines are more rational operation and depreciation of a design with the required characteristics’ maintaining. The paper describes constructive changes of the working equipment of the single-bucket hydraulic excavator, which allow decreasing the production costs.Results.The authors describe the new bucket design of the single-bucket hydraulic excavator. Moreover, the authors carry out the analysis of the existing buckets’ design. The paper also illustrates the functioning on bucket forces while digging process. The authors describe the solutions of the problem for productivity increase of the single-bucket in hydraulic excavators. In addition, the authors make the scheme of the bucket loading while digging process. Such scheme helps to reduce resistance forces of digging.Discussion and conclusions.As a result, the paper presents the design of the working equipment of the hydraulic excavator’s single-bucket, which allows reducing resistance forces of digging. Such results would help to establish buckets of bigger capacity and would lead to the productivity increase.

scholarly journals Cost effectiveness analysis of implementing tuberculosis screening among applicants for non-immigrant U.S. work visas

Pneumonia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bisma Ali Sayed ◽  
Drew L. Posey ◽  
Brian Maskery ◽  
La’Marcus T. Wingate ◽  
Martin S. Cetron
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Home Country ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
The United States ◽  
Active Tuberculosis ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Tuberculosis Screening ◽  
Hospitalization Costs ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Background While persons who receive immigrant and refugee visas are screened for active tuberculosis before admission into the United States, nonimmigrant visa applicants (NIVs) are not routinely screened and may enter the United States with infectious tuberculosis. Objectives We evaluated the costs and benefits of expanding pre-departure tuberculosis screening requirements to a subset of NIVs who arrive from a moderate (Mexico) or high (India) incidence tuberculosis country with temporary work visas. Methods We developed a decision tree model to evaluate the program costs and estimate the numbers of active tuberculosis cases that may be diagnosed in the United States in two scenarios: 1) “Screening”: screening and treatment for tuberculosis among NIVs in their home country with recommended U.S. follow-up for NIVs at elevated risk of active tuberculosis; and, 2) “No Screening” in their home country so that cases would be diagnosed passively and treatment occurs after entry into the United States. Costs were assessed from multiple perspectives, including multinational and U.S.-only perspectives. Results Under “Screening” versus “No Screening”, an estimated 179 active tuberculosis cases and 119 hospitalizations would be averted in the United States annually via predeparture treatment. From the U.S.-only perspective, this program would result in annual net cost savings of about $3.75 million. However, rom the multinational perspective, the screening program would cost $151,388 per U.S. case averted for Indian NIVs and $221,088 per U.S. case averted for Mexican NIVs. Conclusion From the U.S.-only perspective, the screening program would result in substantial cost savings in the form of reduced treatment and hospitalization costs. NIVs would incur increased pre-departure screening and treatment costs.

scholarly journals Prediction of profitability of topworking in older apple orchards under contemporary economic conditions of the Czech Republic  

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 85-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Blažek ◽  
V. Falta ◽  
R. Vávra ◽  
V. Beneš
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Economic Effect ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Health State ◽  
Apple Orchards ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Good Health State

: In the Czech Republic, there is still a predominance of obsolete apple orchards that were established more than 15 years ago and that are not profitable under contemporary conditions. Typical features of these orchards are low or medium tree densities, freely growing semi-standard trees or hedgerows on semi-dwarf, or sometimes also on vigorous, rootstocks. The farmers are not always in a position to completely renovate them, and therefore they are interested in their topworking. The present paper studied the effectiveness of this measure under the current economic and market conditions of this country, using 3 types of orchards with different spacings and rootstocks and 5 groups of tree densities. Four cultivars were chosen as examples of different starting statuses for the modelling of subsequent development in three time horizons and for the prediction of profitability of this treatment. The profitability is based on an increase in farmer prices for cultivars that are presently recommended for replacement of the older ones according to the recent development of these prices on the fresh market. In the case of topworking for Spartan cv., an economic return of the measure can be expected at the earliest after 8 years of running the treated orchard. The greatest increase in profit can be achieved in orchards on the rootstock M 9. Nevertheless, with the decline of tree numbers in the orchard, or with the increase in tree losses, the general economic effectiveness of topworking notably falls. In the case of trees on the rootstock MM 106, this measure can have an economic effect only if at least 80% of the trees is in a good health state and it is presumed that the orchard will be used for another 10 years at least. A list of recommended cultivars to be used for replacement of the old ones is given.

The Decline of College Textbook Publishing: Cengage Learning and McGraw-Hill

2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 284-299
Author(s):  
Bob Carbaugh
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Jel Classification ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Book Market ◽  
Educational Materials ◽  
College Textbook ◽  
Revenue Streams ◽  
Textbook Publishing ◽  
Harmful Effects ◽  
The U.S

America’s college textbook publishers historically had a business model based on continuing profits and growth led by high prices. However, that model eroded as competition from the used-book market and rental textbooks resulted in falling textbook sales and losses for publishers. Textbook publishers are currently revising their business model so as to move away from printed textbooks to digital (online) educational materials. Also, publishers are downsizing their operations and undergoing mergers with each other to survive in the marketplace. The 2019 merger proposal of McGraw-Hill and Cengage Learning reflects the current problems of college textbook publishing: The merger would be between two financially weak companies that are attempting to reduce overhead and production costs and create additional revenue streams. However, the U.S. Department of Justice’s concerns about the harmful effects on competition led to the companies’ agreement to abandon their plans to merge in May 2020. JEL Classification: A00, K21, L22, L41

scholarly journals Economic evaluations of health care interventions in Oropharyngeal Dysphagia after Stroke: Protocol for a Systematic Review.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Marin ◽  
Mateu Serra-Prat ◽  
Omar Ortega ◽  
Pere Clavé
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Oropharyngeal Dysphagia ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Economic Evaluations ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Healthcare Interventions ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Background and purpose: Oropharyngeal Dysphagia (OD) affects 40-81% of patients after stroke. A recent systematic review on the costs of OD and it’s main complications showed higher acute and long-term costs for those patients who developed OD, malnutrition and pneumonia after stroke. These results suggest that appropriate management of post-stroke OD could lead to reduction of clinical complications and significant cost savings. The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the available literature exploring the efficiency or cost-effectiveness of available healthcare interventions on the appropriate management of OD. Methods: A systematic review on economic evaluations of health care interventions on post-stroke patients with OD following PRISMA recommendations will be performed. MEDLINE, Embase, the National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database and the Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Registry Database will be searched and a subsequent reference check will be done. English and Spanish literature will be included without date restrictions. Studies will be included if they refer to economic evaluations or studies in which cost savings were reported in post-stroke patients suffering OD. Studies will be excluded if they are partial economic evaluation studies, if they refer to esophageal dysphagia, or if OD is caused by causes different from stroke. Evidence will be presented and synthetized with a narrative method and using tables. Quality evaluation will be done using Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) Statement. Discussion: The protocol for this systematic review is the first step to assess the cost-effectiveness of the healthcare interventions that have been described as potential treatments for post-stroke OD. This systematic review will summarize the current evidence on the relation between cost and benefits associated with the appropriate management of OD in post-stroke patients. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42020136245

Diversity and abundance of arthropod by-catch in semiochemical-baited traps targeting apple clearwing moth (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) in organic and conventional apple orchards in British Columbia, Canada

2014 ◽  
Vol 147 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Marius Aurelian ◽  
Maya L. Evenden ◽  
Gary J.R. Judd
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Grape Juice ◽  
Tree Density ◽  
Mass Trapping ◽  
Apple Orchards ◽  
Apple Industry ◽  
Baited Traps ◽  
Clearwing Moth ◽  
The Difference ◽  
By Catch

AbstractApple clearwing moth (ACM),Synanthedon myopaeformis(Borkhausen) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), is an invasive species and destructive pest of commercial apple trees in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Mass trapping with Concord grape juice and sex pheromone is being developed as an organic pest management tactic. We quantified the diversity and abundance of arthropod by-catch in these traps during the 2009 flight (13 June–31 July) of ACM. Paired traps were deployed in organic and conventionally managed apple orchards planted using different tree densities representing the extremes of the current BC apple industry. Using seasonal by-catch and community-level statistical analyses we determined that family communities of arthropods caught in juice-baited and pheromone-baited traps differed significantly. Yellow juice-baited traps caught a greater variety of arthropod families in greater abundance than pheromone-baited yellow Unitraps®. We show that for each trap type, family communities caught in organic versus conventional orchards were significantly different. Organic orchard management affected abundance of some beneficial taxa, but the sign of the difference depended on the taxon examined (e.g., ladybeetles increased versus lacewings declined). Tree density had no effect on by-catch. Managing ACM by mass trapping may be detrimental to ecosystem services because many nontarget beneficial species are caught. A balanced risk-to-benefit approach should be taken before this technology is widely implemented against ACM.

Ekonomic efficiency of the bioprepations application when goosberry (Ribes uva-crispa L.) under the conditions of the Ukraine`s Lisosteppe

2020 ◽  
pp. 184-190
Author(s):  
O.G. Polgorodnik ◽  
◽  
S.I. Gradchenko ◽  
L.O. Barabash ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Powdery Mildew ◽  
Cost Recovery ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
The Other ◽  
Rate Of Return ◽  
Lower Yield ◽  
Yield Increase ◽  
Additional Costs ◽  
Biological Protection

In the conditions of the Ukraine`s Lisosteppe the efficiency of the researched biological protection means Trichodermin, Planryz, Pentafag and Gaupsin in dejecting the development of and septoria spot in the gooseberry orchards appeared to depend both on the experimental preparations and cultivar peculiarities. The cv Svarog biological resistance to powdery mildew proved higher as compared to “Tiasmyn” on the background of the protective treatments with biological preparations.The development of on the variety “Tiasmyn” varied from 24.4 to 31.1 % and on “Svarog” from 12.7 to 17.6 %. The preparation Gaupsin turned on more efficient against diseases in comparison with the other biological preparations during all the research years. The economic evaluation showed that in the “Tiasmyn” orchards in the variants with using the biopreparations the production costs per ha rose by 9.6 - 13.0 %, including the plants protection by 1.9-1.7 % as compared to the control but thanks to the yield increase by13.8-20.0 % the profit was higher by 17.6-26.3 %. The most effective variant in this cultivar protection system was the preparation Gaupsin utilization – the rate of return cost recovery was 225 %. The profit per hectare in the above mentioned treatment rose to 129.6 thousand grn under a profitableness level of 124.1 %. The cultivar “Svarog” was characterized with the lower yield than “Tiasmyn” in all the variants. As a result the profit and profitableness rise of the economic efficiency indices in the treatments with the biopreparations usage in comparison with the control (as a result of the yield increase by 19.6-25.4 % the profit rose by 22.7-35.1 %). When applying Gaupsin the highest rate of return cost recovery of the additional costs, profit per hectare and profitableness level were achieved – 230.9 %, 120.8 thousand grn and 119.4 % respectively. The obtained results enable to recommend Gaupsin as an element of the gooseberry orchards protection from the main diseases in the Ukraine`s Lisosteppe.

The United States in the Global Economy

2020 ◽  
pp. 11-34
Author(s):  
Douglas A. Irwin
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
International Trade ◽  
Public Opinion ◽  
World Trade ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Basic Facts ◽  
Fragmentation Of Production ◽  
The U.S

This chapter sets out basic facts about international trade and the U.S. economy. It describes how world trade has expanded rapidly in the recent decades and explains how the development provides the context in which to consider trade policy. The chapter discusses the reasons for the increase in trade and how trade has changed with the fragmentation of production and the increase in trade of intermediate goods. It talks about the state of public opinion on the question of globalization. It also analyzes protectionist policies that directly harm employment in domestic industries by raising production costs in addition to forcing consumers to pay higher price for the products they buy.

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