The demand for electrical energy has increased since the population of and automation in factories have grown. The manufacturing industry has been growing dramatically due to the fast-changing ...market, so electrical energy for manufacturing processes has increased. As a result, solar energy has been installed to supply electrical energy. Thus, assessing a solar panel company could be a complex task for manufacturing companies that need to assess, install, and operate solar panels when several criteria with different hierarchies from decision-makers are involved. In addition, the stages of a solar panel system could be divided into analysis, installation, operation, and disposal, and all of them must be considered. Thus, the solar panel company must provide a holistic solution for each stage of the solar panel lifespan. This paper provides a fuzzy decision-making approach (Fuzzy TOPSIS) to deal with the assessment of solar companies using the S4 framework in which the sensing, smart, sustainable, and social features are labeled with linguistic values that allow the evaluation of companies using fuzzy values and linguistic labels, instead of using crisp values that are difficult to define when decision-makers are evaluating a solar company for installation of the solar panels. The S4 features are considered the benefits of the evaluation. In the case study presented, three solar panel companies with different alternatives are evaluated on the basis of three decision-makers from manufacturing companies using the S4 framework. This paper considers the benefits of solar companies in the context of decision-makers participating in a multi-decision selection of such a company to install solar panels, so that the selection process is more effective. Thus, the proposed Fuzzy TOPSIS method proved efficient when selecting a solar panel company from among many options that best meets the needs of manufacturing companies.
Currently, the industrial sector consumes more than 60% of the energy produced in Mexico, mainly from fossil fuels, causing negative impacts on the environment and human beings. Solar energy helps ...companies diversify their energy sources, generate savings, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Moreover, the environmental impact can be reduced when CO2 emissions are reduced. Nevertheless, in Mexico, less than 3.5% of the electricity comes from solar energy, and along with a lack of information about the technical and social aspects involved in photovoltaic (PV) systems, it is difficult for companies to analyze and evaluate relevant data, and thus make effective decisions based on their needs. As such, companies cannot understand the complete lifecycle of PV systems, and, usually, the economic, environmental, and technical decisions are made only using the installation analysis, which is only one stage in the lifespan of PV systems. This paper proposes an S4 framework with the sensing, smart, sustainable, and social features that small and medium-sized companies must consider to install, operate, and dispose of PV systems, considering the Mexican context. The current literature does not show a complete classification to cover the essential S4 features to describe PV systems, so companies only have partial information when deciding about the installation of PV systems. This framework considers all the needs that may exist during the PV systems’ lifecycle, making a detailed evaluation of each of its elements in each lifecycle stage. Consequently, this S4 framework gives a complete guideline allowing companies to decide on PV systems. Finally, this paper presents a case study about a Mexican company that uses the proposed S4 framework to analyze the PV’s lifespan.
The application of fuzzy hybrid methods has significantly increased in recent years across various sectors. However, the application of fuzzy hybrid methods for modeling systems or processes, such as ...fuzzy machine learning, fuzzy simulation, and fuzzy decision-making, has been relatively limited in the energy sector. Moreover, compared to standard methods, the benefits of fuzzy-hybrid methods for capturing complex problems are not adequately explored for the solar energy sector, which is one of the most important renewable energy sources in electric grids. This paper investigates the application of fuzzy hybrid systems in the solar energy sector compared to other sectors through a systematic review of journal articles published from 2012 to 2022. Selection criteria for choosing an appropriate method in each investigated fuzzy hybrid method are also presented and discussed. This study contributes to the existing literature in the solar energy domain by providing a state-of-the-art review of existing fuzzy hybrid techniques to (1) demonstrate their capability for capturing complex problems while overcoming limitations inherent in standard modeling methods, (2) recommend criteria for selecting an appropriate fuzzy hybrid technique for applications in solar energy research, and (3) assess the applicability of fuzzy hybrid techniques for solving practical problems in the solar energy sector.
The aim of this research is to evaluate the effect of foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) on the yield and phytochemical content in hydroponically grown cucumber (
L.). (1) Background: The ...importance of Mexico's cucumber production is based on its cultivation in recent decades as one of the major winter crops; in addition, the production of vegetables under hydroponic systems has increased significantly during the last few years, with cucumber being one of the vegetables with a high economic potential. (2) Methods: A completely randomized experimental design with 15 repetitions was used. SA at five doses (0.075, 0.1, 0.15, 0.25, and 0.5 mM) and one control (distilled water) was sprinkled weekly on cucumber plants. The evaluated variables were yield (total fruit weight per plant), fruit parameters (length, size and firmness), and nutraceutical quality of cucumber. (3) Results: Low concentrations of SA improve the yield and high concentrations decrease it, but the nutraceutical quality of fruits is improved, as compared to the control treatment. (4) Conclusions: In order to obtain a higher content of bioactive compounds without affecting the yield and commercial quality of cucumber fruits, it is advisable to use the average concentration (0.15 mM) of SA.
The difficulty of the microbial conversion process for the degradation of sotol vinasse due to its high acidity and organic load makes it an effluent with high potential for environmental ...contamination, therefore its treatment is of special interest. Calcium carbonate is found in great abundance and has the ability to act as a neutralizing agent, maintaining the alkalinity of the fermentation medium as well as, through its dissociation, releasing CO2 molecules that can be used by phototrophic CO2-fixing bacteria. This study evaluated the use of Rhodopseudomonas telluris (OR069658) for the degradation of vinasse in different concentrations of calcium carbonate (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% m/v). The results showed that calcium carbonate concentration influenced volatile fatty acids (VFA), alkalinity and pH, which in turn influenced changes in the degradation of chemical oxygen demand (COD), phenol and sulfate. Maximum COD and phenol degradation values of 83.16 ± 0.15% and 90.16 ± 0.30%, respectively, were obtained at a calcium carbonate concentration of 4%. At the same time, the lowest COD and phenol degradation values of 52.01 ± 0.38% and 68.21 ± 0.81%, respectively, were obtained at a calcium carbonate concentration of 0%. The data obtained also revealed to us that at high calcium carbonate concentrations of 6–10%, sotol vinasse can be biosynthesized by Rhodopseudomonas telluris (OR069658) to VFA, facilitating the degradation of sulfates. The findings of this study confirmed the potential for using Rhodopseudomonas telluris (OR069658) at a calcium carbonate concentration of 4% as an appropriate alternative treatment for sotol vinasse degradation.
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•Carotenoid and Bacteriochlorophyll production by Rhodopseudomonas from sotol vinasse.•Rhodopseudomonas demonstrated its metabolic adaptability to grow in an opaque medium.•Rhodopseudomonas in presence of carbonate improved the degradation of sotol vinasse.
Objetivo: Valorar la respuesta conductual diurna de bovinos productores de carne en finalización intensiva en el trópico seco. Materiales y Métodos: En el otoño se realizó un estudio observacional ...prospectivo con duración de seis semanas. A las 8:00, 12:00 y 16:00 h se registraron las pautas conductuales, temperatura ambiente y humedad relativa; el índice de temperatura y humedad fue calculado. Los bovinos se alojaron en corrales provistos de sombra de polipropileno y corrales sin sombra. Resultados: A las 8:00 h todos los bovinos estuvieron sujetos a condiciones ambientales de confort térmico (p<0.01); pero a las 12:00 h los bovinos bajo sombra estuvieron en peligro térmico y a las 16:00 h en alerta térmica, y a las 12:00 y 16:00 h en los bovinos sin acceso a sombra persistió el peligro térmico (p<0.01). El acceso al comedero se inhibió a las 8:00 y 12:00 h e incrementó a las 16:00 h, pero la rumia disminuyó a las 8:00 y 16:00 y aumentó a las 12:00 h (p<0.01). Los indicadores de descanso son mayormente observados en peligro y alerta térmica (p<0.01). Los indicadores agonistas se encuentran inhibidos a las 8:00 y 12:00 h (p≤0.04). La conducta social es mayormente manifiesta a las 16:00 h (p<0.001). Conclusiones: La expresión diurna de la conducta bovina relacionada con el factor climático y la provisión de sombra, puede ser inhibida en las horas de más alta influencia calórica expresada en el índice de temperatura y humedad.
Abstract
Background
Cigarette craving, which can negatively impact smoking cessation, is reportedly stronger in women than in men when they initiate abstinence from smoking. Identifying approaches to ...counteract craving in people of different sexes may facilitate the development of personalized treatments for Tobacco Use Disorder, which disproportionately affects women. Because cigarette craving is associated with nicotine dependence and structure of the insula, this study addressed whether a person’s sex influences these associations.
Methods
The research participants (n = 99, 48 women) reported daily cigarette smoking and provided self-reports of nicotine dependence. After overnight abstinence from smoking, they underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging scanning to determine cortical thickness of the left and right anterior circular insular sulcus, and self-rated their cigarette craving before and after their first cigarette of the day.
Results
Women reported stronger craving than men irrespective of smoking condition (i.e., pre- and post-smoking) (P = .048), and smoking reduced craving irrespective of sex (P < .001). A 3-way interaction of sex, smoking condition, and right anterior circular insular sulcus thickness on craving (P = .033) reflected a negative association of cortical thickness with pre-smoking craving in women only (P = .012). No effects of cortical thickness in the left anterior circular insular sulcus were detected. Nicotine dependence was positively associated with craving (P < .001) across groups and sessions, with no sex differences in this association.
Conclusions
A negative association of right anterior insula thickness with craving in women only suggests that this region may be a relevant therapeutic target for brain-based smoking cessation interventions in women.
La concentración de ionica de la solución nutritiva en sistemas hidroponicos influye en el rendimiento y la calidad de los frutos cosechados. Bajo esta perspectiva el objetivo de este estudio fue ...determinar el efecto de la conductividad eléctrica (CE) de la solución nutritiva (SN) sobre el rendimiento y contenido de compuestos bioactivos en frutos de pimiento morrón. Bajo un diseño experimental completamente al azar con diez repeticiones, plantas de pimiento fueron irrigadas con una SN a diferente CE (1, 2, 3.2 y 4 dS m-1), se determinó el rendimiento y en frutos se cuantificaron los compuestos biactivos. Los resultados indican que una conductividad eléctrica de tres o superior mejora la calidad nutracéutica, pero disminuye el rendimiento de pimiento morrón. El manejo agronómico de la CE en la SN es una alternativa para incrementar la calidad nutracéutica y la capacidad antioxidante de los frutos de pimiento morrón desarrollado en condiciones hidroponicas.
Objetivo: Valorar la respuesta conductual diurna de bovinos productores de carne en finalización intensiva en el trópico seco. Materiales y Métodos: En el otoño se realizó un estudio observacional ...prospectivo con duración de seis semanas. A las 8:00, 12:00 y 16:00 h se registraron las pautas conductuales, temperatura ambiente y humedad relativa; el índice de temperatura y humedad fue calculado. Los bovinos se alojaron en corrales provistos de sombra de polipropileno y corrales sin sombra. Resultados: A las 8:00 h todos los bovinos estuvieron sujetos a condiciones ambientales de confort térmico (p<0.01); pero a las 12:00 h los bovinos bajo sombra estuvieron en peligro térmico y a las 16:00 h en alerta térmica, y a las 12:00 y 16:00 h en los bovinos sin acceso a sombra persistió el peligro térmico (p<0.01). El acceso al comedero se inhibió a las 8:00 y 12:00 h e incrementó a las 16:00 h, pero la rumia disminuyó a las 8:00 y 16:00 y aumentó a las 12:00 h (p<0.01). Los indicadores de descanso son mayormente observados en peligro y alerta térmica (p<0.01). Los indicadores agonistas se encuentran inhibidos a las 8:00 y 12:00 h (p≤0.04). La conducta social es mayormente manifiesta a las 16:00 h (p<0.001). Conclusiones: La expresión diurna de la conducta bovina relacionada con el factor climático y la provisión de sombra, puede ser inhibida en las horas de más alta influencia calórica expresada en el índice de temperatura y humedad.
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