BACKGROUND Syphilis in pregnancy imposes a significant global health and economic burden. More than half of cases result in serious adverse events, including infant mortality and infection. The annual global burden from mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of syphilis is estimated at 3.6 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and $309 million in medical costs. Syphilis screening and trea...

Natural gas produced at high pressure (50-70 bar) is the only industrial source of helium (He). A membrane separation process may offer a more efficient production system with smaller footprint and lower operational cost than conventional cryogenic system. Inorganic membranes with high mechanical strength are known to exhibit good stability at high pressure. In this work, two inorganic membrane...

Nowadays one of the most important energy sources is natural gas. By depletion of oil reservoirs in the world, natural gas will emerge as the future energy source for human life. One of the major concerns of gas suppliers is being able to supply this source of energy the entire year. This concern intensifies during more consuming seasons of the year when the demand for natural gas increases, r...

As a general branch of project scheduling problems, resource investment problem (RIP) considers resource availabilities as decision variables to determine a level of employed resources minimizing the costs of the project. In addition to costs (cash outflows), researchers in the later extensions of the RIP took payments (cash inflows) received from clients into account and used the net present v...

BACKGROUND Consistent with observational studies, a randomized controlled intervention trial of adult male circumcision (MC) conducted in the general population in Orange Farm (OF) (Gauteng Province, South Africa) demonstrated a protective effect against HIV acquisition of 60%. The objective of this study is to present the first cost-effectiveness analysis of the use of MC as an intervention to...

Although the practical importance of investment analysis in long-term energy investments is well understood, choosing the proper method has always been a dilemma. In this regard, classic evaluation methods, with a history of almost a century, are mostly favored, but using them in the valuation of long-lasting energy projects has particular shortcomings, nevertheless. The drawbacks mainly stem f...

OBJECTIVE A previous cost-benefit analysis found Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) to be cost-beneficial from a societal perspective. This paper develops a cost-benefit model that includes the employer's perspective by considering the costs of absenteeism and impaired presenteeism due to problem drinking. METHODS We developed a Monte Carlo simulation model to es...

Without disruptive change, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fossil production of chemicals and plastics will double by 2050. The transition to net-zero GHG requires a concerted strategy for the whole chemical industry due its integrated supply chains. A cost analysis is needed determine required investments design carbon-pricing incentives. Here, we present cost-optimal investment pathways g...

This paper proposes an approach for improving the plant efficiency by reducing the heat rejection temperature of power cycle using Kalina Cycle System 11 (KCS11) which is integrated at the steam condenser of a 500 MWe SubC (subcritical) coal-fired power plant. It is modelled by using power plant simulation software ‘Cycle Tempo’ at different plant operating conditions. Results show t...