Spatial Investigation of Mineral Transportation Characteristics in the State of Washington

This study investigates the spatial relationships between construction aggregate shipments and the per axle payload weights of trucks as they pertain to highway deterioration in the state of Washington. A previous study investigated the transportation characteristics of mined aggregates using a spatial autoregressive model, where a significant positive relationship between payload weights and shipment distances was established. This paper expands the previous study by assessing the contribution of aggregate hauling trucks to pavement deterioration using per-axle loads by truck configuration. Results showed a positive relationship between weights per axle load and several shipment distance categories. According to the well-established per axle weight and pavement damage relationship, incremental changes in per axle payload weights resulting from longer shipment distances clearly suggest that longer haulage increases the magnitude of pavement deterioration. This direct relationship between road impact and the distance hauled emphasizes the importance of the proximity of mine sites to different end users

OPTIMIZATION OF SUPPLY CHAIN WITH UNCERTAINTIES

The purpose of this study is to clarify the approach by which companies are solving the problems of optimization of Supply Chain with uncertainties through application of operations research and numerical methods. The problem of Supply Chain maximization is considered on a global scale and the model with uncertainties is developed. An algorithm for optimization is presented for this model

A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS APPROACH TO ESTIMATING DELIVERED COST OF ENERGY FEEDSTOCKS

Due to a large variation in the current research-based recommendations about economic or environmental cost-benefits, the ethanol industry’s sustainable development may be adversely influenced. Moreover, one of the most important considerations for sustainable development of the ethanol industry – economics of transportation is often overlooked. The primary objective of this paper is to explore economic feasibility of biofuels production in the state of Washington, and to report on the availability, collection and transportation costs of feedstocks for ethanol processing using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The GIS Network Analyst Tool is used to spatially analyze forest residue biomass within given haul time area from the ethanol processing plant with the capacity of 55 million gallons per year (MGY). Using census feature classification codes, speed limit

Homeowners’ Prioritization of Landscape Features Regarding Aesthetic, Environmental, Financial, and Psychological Benefits

Maintaining and caring for residential landscapes is a crucial aspect of homeownership in the United States. For homeowners in the United States, residential lawns represent a significant economic investment, signal their social commitments, and reflect their personal characters. To investigate the differences in Florida homeowners’ priorities regarding residential landscape features, an online survey of 1220 homeowners was conducted. Four different groups of homeowners were identified based on their perceived importance of the four landscape features, namely, environmental, financial, aesthetic, and psychological benefits. Factors such as environmental and financial attitudes and social norms influencing homeowners’ decision-making were examined. The findings revealed that homeowners’ knowledge of landscaping practices and environmental attitudes impact their prioritization regarding landscape features

TB financing in East Europe promotes unnecessary hospital admissions: the case of Armenia

Based on cost-effectiveness considerations and on the risk of nosocomial transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international institutions recommend to minimize unnecessary hospitalization of tuberculosis (TB) cases. As in other Former Soviet Union (FSU) countries, the organisations of TB services in Armenia are heavily based on vertical and specialized services. In Armenia, a country of 3.2 million inhabitants, TB is one of the major public health problems with overall notification and estimated mortality rates of 41 and 8.8 cases per 100,000 population in 2011, respectively. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) was 9.4% and 43.2% among new and previously treated cases, respectively, with 11.9% of them estimated to be extensively drug-resistant (XDR-TB). Specialized TB services include 9 in-patient TB departments, 73 out-patient TB units (called TB cabinets) based in general health-care facilities, and 31 laboratories providing sputum smear microscopy, while culture and drug susceptibility testing is performed in the National TB Reference Laboratory. Following WHO recommendations, the Armenian National TB Programme (NTP) expanded the basic package of services provided in out-patient settings, allowing free access/free of charge TB diagnosis and treatment to the population, to achieve the global TB targets in the WHO European Region under the National Strategic Plan 2007-2015 and Consolidated Action Plan to Prevent and Combat M/XDR-TB in the WHO European Region 2011-2015.</br

Cost-Benefit Study of an Expansion for Gruzavik Huesca S.L.

This thesis focuses on studying and analyzing the cost and relative benefits of a business expansion for the commissioning company, Gruzavik Huesca S.L., based in Spain. The re- search aims to provide the commissioning company with a recommendation on the most appropriate strategy and location for the business expansion. The theoretical framework presents all the required background information in order to pro- vide a consistent and high-quality recommendation. The framework consists of financial theory covering financial management essentials, financial statements, and financial state- ment analysis. The theory also covers the different business expansion methods the com- pany can potentially use, followed by academic theory concerning the planning and man- aging stages of business growth. This research involves both qualitative and quantitative research. Financial statements from the commissioning company were analyzed and interpreted. Multiple theories were studied through secondary research, and a qualitative face-to-face interview was also con- ducted providing primary research. Factor-rating analysis was also used to choose be- tween locations. The results from said research are presented in a separate chapter in the thesis. The key findings show that Gruzavik Huesca is financially stable and ready to take on a business expansion. The most appropriate method proves to be of geographic expansion. The research yielded Barcelona and Valencia as the most appropriate locations for the ex- pansion of Gruzavik Huesca to a second facility. All this information will serve Gruzavik Huesca when it decides to trigger such expansion