Total Annual Amount Research Articles

Bias correction of daily precipitation from climate models, using the Q‐GAM method

AbstractClimate models are useful tools for analyzing historical and projecting future climate conditions. However, the model results tend to differ systematically from observations, particularly for parameters with complex spatial and temporal distributions such as precipitation. A combination of quantile mapping and generalized additive models (GAMs) is presented and proposed as a new method (Q‐GAM) for the bias correction of daily precipitation. Q‐GAM is demonstrated by using data from five European stations with different climate characteristics. For each station, the closest continental grid point of a EURO‐CORDEX climate model was selected for bias correction. A bootstrapping experiment is presented with over 1000 repetitions of randomly splitting the historical period 1981 to 2005 into a calibration and evaluation period. The results for all stations reveal that Q‐GAM is a straightforward, accurate and computationally efficient method for the bias correction of precipitation. In particular, the method improves the frequency of dry days and the total annual rainfall amount. This outcome is robust across stations with varying climate characteristics and also to the choice of calibration and evaluation periods. Similar results are also obtained for other precipitation characteristics such as the 0.9 and 0.95 quantiles.

A roadmap for generating annual bycatch estimates from sparse at-sea observer data

Abstract To support ecosystem-based fisheries management, monitoring data from at-sea observer (ASO) programs should be leveraged to understand the impact of fisheries on discarded species (bycatch). Available techniques to estimate fishery-scale quantities from observations range from simple mean estimators to more complex spatiotemporal models, each making assumptions with differing degrees of support. However, the resulting implementation and analytical trade-offs are rarely discussed when applying these techniques in practice. Using blue shark (Prionace glauca) bycatch in the Canadian pelagic longline fishery as a case study, we evaluated the performance of seven contrasting approaches to estimating total annual discard amounts and assessed their trade-offs in application. Results demonstrated that simple approaches such as mean estimator and nearest neighbors are feasible to implement and can be as efficient for prediction as complex models such as random forest and mixed-effects models. The traditionally used catch-ratio estimator consistently underperformed among all tested models, likely due to misspecified correlative relationships between target and bycatch species. Overall, efforts in model-based approaches were rewarded with very small gains in predictive ability, suggesting that such models relying on environmental, biological, spatial, and/or temporal patterns to improve prediction of bycatch may lack sufficient foundation in data-limited contexts.

Techno-economic evaluation and improved sizing optimization of green hydrogen production and storage under higher wind penetration in Aqaba Gulf

On shore wind farms designed for hydrogen production present a promising avenue for maximizing the utilization of wind energy, achieving decarbonization and energy security objectives across various sectors. However, existing understanding of these systems, particularly in terms of economic and technical considerations, remains challenging. Hence, this paper introduces a comprehensive numerical modeling aimed at assessing the feasibility of hydrogen production from onshore wind farms for the arid costal community south of Aqaba Gulf, Saudi Arabia. This model incorporates formulas to compute wind power output, electrolyzer plant sizing, and hydrogen generation based on fluctuating wind speeds. The objective is to identify the optimal setup for a hydrogen station fueled by high wind resources, while also evaluating its economic feasibility and reliable capacity to reduce hydrogen production cost and minimize carbon emissions. The results show that the optimal Onshore Wind-Hydrogen System (OWHS) consists of 26 units of WT (each is 6.15 MW), Alkaline Electrolyzers plant with a capacity of 120 MW, and a group of hydrogen storage tanks of total size of 300 tones. The hydrogen demand and the subsidiary electric needs are successfully met with the 160 MW of wind generation capacity installed within the system with negligible capacity shortage and unmet demand. The employed set of alkaline electrolyzers has a total rated capacity of 120 MW and can stay in operation for 7335 h/yr to produce a total annual amount of 8,214,152 kg/yr of green hydrogen. The proposed system generates hydrogen with a moderate price since the LCOH obtained is found 5.26 $/kg which falls within the global range that varies from 4 to 6 $/kg. Moreover, the CO2 mitigation of the designated OWHS reaches 3343.72 Mt. with a corresponding $133,748 carbon credit gain. The sensitivity analysis shows that the total net present cost (TNPC) is highly sensitive to wind speed, hydrogen cost, and hydrogen demand but less so to inflation and discount rates. The TNPC increases by 22 % with a 5 % decrease in wind speed, as well as reducing hydrogen costs by 25 % and 50 % decreases TNPC by 14.63 % and 29.26 %, respectively. While, increasing hydrogen demand by 20 % and 40 % raises TNPC by 30.3 % and 51.4 %, respectively. This study aims to assist stakeholders and policymakers in refining onshore wind‑hydrogen systems to economically fulfill the requirements of hydrogen production for the arid costal community in Saudi Arabia.

Projected near-future changes in precipitation extremes over Anambra-Imo River Basin inferred from CMIP6 HighResMIP

The southeastern region of Nigeria is susceptible to flood disasters primarily triggered by extreme precipitation with localized impacts. This study uses the output of High-Resolution Model Intercomparison Project (HighResMIP) of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) to investigate seasonal dependent changes in precipitation extremes in the near future (2031–2050) in the Anambra-Imo River Basin, in the southeastern region of Nigeria. Evaluating the models against observation for the 1995–2014 period, it is found that models reproduced the spatial pattern of the observed annual precipitation extremes over the river basin. Results show that in the near future, annual precipitation extremes will be characterized by a robust increase in annual total precipitation amount (PRCPTOT), maximum 5-day precipitation (RX5day), and heavy precipitation (R10mm). The models project a significant increase in PRCPTOT, RX5day, R10mm, and wet-day intensity (SDII) for the June–July–August (JJA) and September–October–November (SON) seasons. The results demonstrate a robust and higher magnitude increase in precipitation extremes during the SON season. Specifically, PRCPTOT, RX5day, R10mm and SDII are projected to increase by up to 46 mm, 24 mm, 1.2 days and 2.4 mm/day, respectively. Whereas during the March–April-May (MAM) season, the HighResMIP suggests that PRCPTOT, R10mm, and SDII will marginally increase over the eastern part of the Anambra-Imo River Basin. Besides, the December–January–February (DJF) season will be characterized by a marginal increase in the precipitation extremes, especially over the southern fringes of the river basin. We note that in the near future, precipitation extremes in the river basin will be characterized by more intense and less frequent precipitation extremes during the JJA and SON, potentially exacerbating flash flooding in the river basin. Hence, the results of this study may be vital for near-term socio-economic planning and policy decisions that will minimize the impact of flood disasters in the Anambra-Imo River Basin.

Proposal and design a comprehensive framework to provide water and energy from rain and precipitation

In this paper a new renewable energy source was proposed based on rain power. Rain energy was not used as an energy source up to now; so, in this research its applicability was investigated as a green large scale power source. Hence, three innovative mechanisms were presented to harvest the energy of rain. Firstly, the kinetic energy of rain drops was converted to electricity using piezoelectric harvesters designed and named as Pizo-panel collectors. Secondly, potential energy of collected rainwater was enhanced by utilizing designed towers and converted to electricity using a water turbine. Thirdly, collected water was used in osmotic power units to generate electricity from the salinity gradient of that rain water and brine. The results show that generated power in the presented power plant named as rain power plant, was considerable and can be used for diversifying of energy basket. In addition to power generation, collected water in the rain power plant can be used for supplying urban and agricultural need for water. The presented power source not only does not have destructive impacts on the environment, but also helps the soil to prevent it from splash and crusting erosion. The results showed that total global annual rain energy potential amount was estimated to be 3.44×108 GWh which is comparable with global potential of solar energy. Also, the results showed that for rainy areas with an annual rainfall of 200 cm, 2.59 kWh/m2 could be produced, which is equal to 51.7 MWh for an area of 200,000 m2.

Exploring Spatio-Temporal Precipitation Variations in Istanbul: Trends and Patterns from Five Stations across Two Continents

This study aims to reveal the long-term station-based characteristics of precipitation in Istanbul, a mega city located on the continents of Europe and Asia, with complex topography and coastline along the Marmara and Black Seas. Using data from five different stations, three located in the European continent and two in the Asian continent, with measurement periods ranging from 72 to 93 years, wet and dry days have been identified, statistics on precipitation conditions during the warm and cold seasons have been generated, categorization based on precipitation intensities has been performed, and analyses have been conducted using extreme precipitation indices. At stations located in the northern part of the city, higher annual total precipitation has been observed compared to those in the south. A similar situation applies to the number of wet days. While during the cold season, the wet and dry day counts are nearly the same across all stations, this condition exhibits significant differences in favor of dry days during the warm season. Apart from dry conditions, “moderate” precipitation is the most frequently observed type across all stations. However, “extreme” events occur significantly more often (6%) during the warm season compared to the cold season (2%). Long-term anomalies in terms of annual precipitation totals have shown similarity between stations in the north and south, which has also been observed in longitudinally close stations. Despite the longer duration of the cold season and stronger temperature gradients, extreme rainfall events are more frequent during the warm season, primarily due to thunderstorm activity. While trend analyses revealed limited significant trends in precipitation intensity categories and extreme indices, the study highlights the importance of comprehensive examination of extreme rainfall events on both station-based and regional levels, shedding light on potential implications for regional climate change. Lastly, during the cold season, the inter-station correlation in terms of annual total precipitation amounts has been considerably higher compared to the warm season.

Economic valuation of a mesocarnivore’s impact management

Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have interacted with humans during their common history. We used a contingent valuation method to assess the economic value of the management of this mesocarnivore’s negative impacts. We carried out face-to-face interviews with 746 Greek residents, using a multiple-bounded discrete choice approach to estimate willingness to pay (WTP) for red fox management under three impact situations: attack domestic animals, reduce game, carry disease. About 51.9%, 33.0%, and 81.1% of the respondents stated a mean WTP of €34.1, €44.9, and €72.1 for each situation, respectively. The total annual amounts of €18.7 million, €15.7 million, and €61.7 million could be collected from the target population for red fox management when they attack domestic animals, reduce game, and carry disease, respectively. Attitudes and likeability toward foxes were negatively associated while knowledge about foxes and fear of them were positively associated with WTP. The younger, richer, less educated, rural, farmers, hunters, and pet owners were generally more willing to pay for red fox management across situations. Females were more willing to pay for managing predation on domestic animals, while males were more willing to pay for managing predation on game. Our findings showed that the Greek residents highly value the management of red foxes in all impact situations and would be valuable for further advising the management process.

The Impact of Group- and Single-Tree-Selection Cuttings on Runoff and Sediment Yield in Mixed Broadleaved Forests, Northern Iran

Silvicultural treatment and the forest harvesting operations using different methods can lead to an increase in the production of runoff and sediment by changing the canopy and soil surface where they are conducted. In order to investigate this issue, sampling plots were established in the Namkhaneh district of the Kheyrud forest with three replications for every treatment: control stand and tree harvesting systems using single-selection cuttings and group-selection cuttings. The amount of runoff and sediment was collected and estimated from precipitation over a period of one year. Also, some soil physical properties such as bulk density, penetration resistance, sand, silt, and clay content, soil moisture, and soil organic matter were measured. The results showed that tree harvesting systems has a significant effect on runoff, the runoff coefficient, and sediment but the season (growing season and fall) and the combined effect of tree harvesting systems and the season have no significant effect on the runoff coefficient and sediment. The mean runoffs of each rainfall event for the control, single-tree, and group-selection treatments were 5.67, 8.42, and 10.28 mm, respectively, and the sediment amounts were 3.42, 6.70, and 11.82 gr/m2, respectively. Furthermore, the total annual erosion amounts of the control, selection, and grouping treatments were 0.427, 0.838, and 2.178 t/ha, respectively. The bulk density, penetration resistance, and percentage of sand and silt were positively related and the percentages of clay and organic matter were negatively related with the amount of runoff and sediment. In the method of individual selection cuttings, the damage to the forest in terms of the amount of runoff and soil erosion was less than for the group-selection cuttings. Forest harvesting by the selection method (single-selection and group-selection) has caused different changes in the vegetation canopy. The final summary of our results could be the advice to predominantly use the single-selection method in high-slope stands.

Mapping the Dispersion Pollution Load of Animal Waste and Investigating its Environmental Effects: The Case of Karaman

Animal wastes are not stored correctly and are used haphazardly without control in agricultural lands. As a result, it causes many irreparable environmental pollution, especially water pollution. These wastes, which are described as diffuse pollution, cause pollution of both underground and surface water resources directly or indirectly and even make them unusable. In this research, waste generation as a result of animal breeding in Karaman province, its districts, neighborhoods and villages and the effects of animal wastes on environmental pollution were evaluated with distributed pollutant load calculations. In the study, the number of 1019277 ovine and 81368 bovine in Karaman in 2022 was used. The total nitrogen (TN) produced annually by the animals has been calculated as 1,723.23 tons/year, and the total phosphorus (TP) amount is determined as 124.23 tons/year. Additionally, for large ruminant animals, the annual total amount of dry manure is 130,305.77 tons, and for small ruminant animals, it is 41,984.27 tons. To prevent environmental pollution, these wastes should be stored in closed areas in compliance with standards, and processes such as composting, drying, and biogas production should be applied. By doing so, not only can environmental pollution be mitigated but also economic value can be obtained. The proper management and utilization of these wastes have high economic potential and can contribute to sustainable development, supporting the country’s economy. In addition, this study is a source for researchers working in the field in calculating the pollution load of animal wastes and is thought to be a guide for decision makers and practitioners.

Increased drought and extreme events over continental United States under high emissions scenario

The frequency, severity, and extent of climate extremes in future will have an impact on human well-being, ecosystems, and the effectiveness of emissions mitigation and carbon sequestration strategies. The specific objectives of this study were to downscale climate data for US weather stations and analyze future trends in meteorological drought and temperature extremes over continental United States (CONUS). We used data from 4161 weather stations across the CONUS to downscale future precipitation projections from three Earth System Models (ESMs) participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase Six (CMIP6), specifically for the high emission scenario SSP5 8.5. Comparing historic observations with climate model projections revealed a significant bias in total annual precipitation days and total precipitation amounts. The average number of annual precipitation days across CONUS was projected to be 205 ± 26, 184 ± 33, and 181 ± 25 days in the BCC, CanESM, and UKESM models, respectively, compared to 91 ± 24 days in the observed data. Analyzing the duration of drought periods in different ecoregions of CONUS showed an increase in the number of drought months in the future (2023–2052) compared to the historical period (1989–2018). The analysis of precipitation and temperature changes in various ecoregions of CONUS revealed an increased frequency of droughts in the future, along with longer durations of warm spells. Eastern temperate forests and the Great Plains, which encompass the majority of CONUS agricultural lands, are projected to experience higher drought counts in the future. Drought projections show an increasing trend in future drought occurrences due to rising temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns. Our high-resolution climate projections can inform policy makers about the hotspots and their anticipated future trajectories.

Evaluation of Cloud Water Resources in the Huaihe River Basin Based on ERA5 Data

High-resolution reanalysis data are an effective way to evaluate cloud water resources (CWRs). Based on ERA5 reanalysis data and gridded observed precipitation data, combined with the diagnostic quantification method of cloud water resource (CWR-DQ), we analyze and evaluate the CWRs and their distribution characteristics in the Huaihe River Basin from 2011 to 2021. Moreover, we compare and evaluate the CWRs of two typical precipitation processes in summer and winter. The results show that the annual total amount of atmospheric hydrometeor (GMh) in the Huaihe River Basin is approximately 1537.3 mm. The precipitation (Ps) is 963.5 mm, the cloud water resource (CWR) is 573.8 mm, and the precipitation efficiency of hydrometeor (PEh) is 62.4%. The CWR in the Huaihe River Basin shows a slow increasing trend from 2011 to 2021.The monthly variations in Ps, CWR, and PEh show a single peak distribution. The spatial horizontal distributions of the gross mass of water vapor (GMv), GMh, and Ps in the Huaihe River Basin are zonal, and the values decrease with increasing latitude. In summer, the hydrometeors are mainly distributed in the middle layer (between 600 and 350 hPa). The hydrometeors in spring, autumn, and winter are mainly below 500 hPa. Two cases reveal that GMv, the condensation from water vapor to hydrometeors (Cvh), GMh, Ps, and PEh in the summer case are significantly higher compared to those in the winter case, while the CWRs are similar. The results are helpful for proposing rational suggestions for the Huaihe River Basin and to provide some beneficial reference for the development of CWRs.

Assessing spatiotemporal trends of total and extreme precipitation in a subtropical highland region: A climateperspective.

This study used a dataset of 30 years (1990-2020) of daily observations from 24 meteorological stations in the northern highlands of Pakistan to assess trends in extreme precipitation indices. The RClimDex model was used to analyze the indices, and the Modified Mann-Kendal test and the Theil-Sen slope estimator were applied to determine trends and slopes, respectively. The results showed a significant decrease in total annual precipitation amount (PRCPTOT) with varying rates of negative trend from -4.44 mm/year to -19.63 mm/year. The total winter and monsoon precipitation amounts were also decreased during the past three decades. The intensity-based precipitation indices (RX1Day, RX5Day, R95p, R99p, and SDII) showed a significant decrease in extreme intensity events over time, while the count of consecutive dry days (CDD) and consecutive wet days (CWD) indicated a significant decrease in duration at multiple stations. The annual counts of days with precipitation more than or equal to 10 mm (R10), 20 mm (R20), and 25 mm (R25) exhibited a significant decrease in frequency of extreme precipitation events, with the decrease more pronounced in the northern parts of the study domain. The findings of this study indicate a significant decline in the intensity, frequency, and extent of precipitation extremes across the northern highlands of Pakistan over the past 30 years.

Extreme precipitation patterns in the Asia–Pacific region and its correlation with El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

In the Asia–Pacific region (APR), extreme precipitation is one of the most critical climate stressors, affecting 60% of the population and adding pressure to governance, economic, environmental, and public health challenges. In this study, we analyzed extreme precipitation spatiotemporal trends in APR using 11 different indices and revealed the dominant factors governing precipitation amount by attributing its variability to precipitation frequency and intensity. We further investigated how these extreme precipitation indices are influenced by El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) at a seasonal scale. The analysis covered 465 ERA5 (the fifth-generation atmospheric reanalysis of the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) study locations over eight countries and regions during 1990–2019. Results revealed a general decrease indicated by the extreme precipitation indices (e.g., the annual total amount of wet-day precipitation, average intensity of wet-day precipitation), particularly in central-eastern China, Bangladesh, eastern India, Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia. We observed that the seasonal variability of the amount of wet-day precipitation in most locations in China and India are dominated by precipitation intensity in June–August (JJA), and by precipitation frequency in December–February (DJF). Locations in Malaysia and Indonesia are mostly dominated by precipitation intensity in March–May (MAM) and DJF. During ENSO positive phase, significant negative anomalies in seasonal precipitation indices (amount of wet-day precipitation, number of wet days and intensity of wet-day precipitation) were observed in Indonesia, while opposite results were observed for ENSO negative phase. These findings revealing patterns and drivers for extreme precipitation in APR may inform climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies in the study region.

Chemical Composition of Litterfall in Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) Forests

The quantity and quality of litterfall in forests play an important role in their condition. Through it, a large part of the chemical elements are returned to the cycle of the ecosystem, it is an essential carbon depot, it affects regeneration, soil moisture, fertility, composition, fauna, and flora. The present study aims to evaluate the role of the litterfall as a depot of chemical elements. The total annual amount of elements returned to the beech forest ecosystem is 1264.97 kg.ha-1, of which macroelements are 1257.79 kg.ha-1, and microelements - are 7.19 kg.ha-1. The predominant elements are: carbon - about 80%, hydrogen - about 13%, nitrogen - 3%, and calcium - 2%. The remaining elements are represented in very small amounts – less than 1%. Microelements are presented in the following sequence: Mg >Mn >Fe >Zn >Pb >Cu.

Determination of soil quality index in areas with high erosion risk and usability in watershed rehabilitation applications

Erosion is an important environmental issue threatening natural resources and ecosystems, especially soil and water. Soil losses occur in many parts of the world due to erosion at different degrees, and various rehabilitation plans have been carried out to reduce these losses. However, soil protection applications are generally carried out by considering only the essential characteristics of the soil. This may decrease the chance of success of rehabilitation applications. The present study aimed to determine the soil quality index (SQI) by weighting the soil quality parameters according to the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) in the Çapakçur microcatchment (Bingöl, Türkiye) where soil loss is high. Accordingly, 428 soil samples were taken from the study area and analyzed. The soil losses in the Çapakçur watershed were calculated employing the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE). To determine the soil quality index, a total of 20 indicators were used, including (i) physical soil properties, (ii) chemical soil properties, and (iii) soil nutrient content. Soil quality index results are divided into classes between 1 and 5. As a result of the study, the annual total amount of soil lost from the microcatchment was calculated as 96,915.20 tons, and the yearly average amount of soil lost from the unit area was calculated as 10.14 tonsha-1. According to SQI, the largest area in the microcatchment was Class-2 (weak), with 39.49%, whereas the smallest area was 1.4% (the most suitable). However, it was determined that there was a significant negative relationship between SQI and soil erodibility. Considering the SQI distribution of the area in the planning of soil protection and erosion prevention practices in watershed rehabilitation studies may increase success.

Post-Baccalaureate Federal Loans De-Subsidization: Impacts on Compositional Attributes, Extensive and Intensive Borrowing Margins, and Anticipatory Effects

ABSTRACT The 2011 Budget Control Act eliminated the in-school interest subsidy for graduate and professional students borrowing under the Stafford Loan Program. As a result, starting on July 1, 2012, graduate and professional students borrowing Stafford Loans became responsible for the interest accruing during their in-school deferment period. This study assesses the effect of this de-subsidization on students’ compositional attributes (e.g. gender, ethnicity, income), borrowing behaviors (e.g. extensity or participation in and intensity or magnitude of borrowing), total annual amounts borrowed, sources of lenders, and anticipatory effects (i.e., changes in borrowing behaviors based on the knowledge of policy change before this policy was implemented). To address this goal, we relied on repeated cross-sectional data drawn from three iterations of the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study. We found evidence of compositional changes that signaled a reduction of white and an increase of first-generation in college for graduate students. We found no evidence of declines in student loan participation; however, we found anticipatory effects with about 45,000 (6%) graduate and professional students maxing out their allowed Stafford amounts before July 2012, a strategy that allowed graduate students continuing graduate school enrollment to be grandfathered this subsidy into the new policy era. Although debt burden increased by 3.86% post-policy, effect heterogeneity tests indicated that law students decreased their total debt amounts by 18.8%, with 83% of this reduction resulting from borrowing less from Stafford loans.

Projected changes in extreme rainfall and temperature events and possible implications for Cameroon's socio‐economic sectors

AbstractExtreme events like flooding, droughts and heatwave are among the factors causing huge socio‐economic losses to Cameroonians. Investigating the potential response of rainfall and temperature extremes to global warming is therefore critically needed for tailoring and adjusting the country's policies. Recent datasets have been developed for this purpose within the Coordinated Output for Regional Evaluations (CORDEX‐CORE) initiative, at ~25 km grid spacing. These regional climate models were used to dynamically downscaled four global climate models participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5), under the optimistic and pessimistic representative concentration pathways (RCPs) 2.6 and 8.5, respectively. These models were employed in this study for characterizing the response of Cameroon's extreme precipitation and temperature events to global warming, using seven indices defined by the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices. Under global warming, the maximum number of consecutive dry (wet) days' is expected to increase (decrease). However, the annual total rainfall amount is expected to increase, mainly due to the intensification of very wet days and daily rainfall intensity. Furthermore, the temperature‐based indices reveal an increase (decrease) in the total annual hot (cold) days, and overall, changes intensify with increased radiative forcing. The high‐mitigated low‐emission pathway RCP2.6 features attenuated changes, and even sometimes adapts to reverse the sign of changes. Designing reliable policies to limit the risks associated with the above changes is required, as their socio‐economic consequences are likely to include food insecurity, heat‐related illness, population impoverishment, price rises and market instability.

Use of Renewable Energy in Agriculture in Terms of Sustainability: Hatay/Turkey Example

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of renewable energy in agriculture and environmental sustainability. Data was obtained with a face to face survey from 120 farmers whom selected randomly from the districts of Hatay province. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to analyze whether the numerical variables fit the normal distribution or not. Kruskal-Wallis test was used for nonparametric data. The variables found to be significant in the Kruskal- Wallis test were interpreted by using the Mann-Whitney U test. It is found out that age, education level, farm size, total energy cost and income of farmers had a significant relation between groups. Also, differences were identified between farmers' opinions about the use of renewable energy sources and their agricultural practices. Energy is one of the most expensive inputs in agricultural production (especially in irrigation) in the region. The annual total energy amount of the farmers was ₺48.991,60. The total cost of energy affects farmers' information resources. Big farms have a high level of technology use. As a result, the importance of agriculture, energy, environmental protection and sustainability has been evaluated and related recommendations were developed for the region.

Evaluation of the Long-Term Utilization of the Internet of Things in a Batch-Type Ceramics Kiln

Batch-type ceramic kilning is an energy-intensive process whose primary expense is fuel consumption. This work demonstrates the incorporation of the Internet of Things (IoT) into an existing ceramic furnace to achieve more precise temperature profile control and lower fuel consumption. A long-term analysis of the kiln owner’s continuous utilization and adoption of the technology was performed. A total of 20 kilns in northern Thailand’s factories have been selected for implementation. The owner of the facility, who is also the operator of the kiln, can monitor and modify the kiln’s settings online using near-real-time information. The sensors, wireless connection devices, a cloud server, and mobile applications that comprise the IoT are tailored to achieve these goals. The kiln has been outfitted with sensors such as a gas flow meter, a gas pressure sensor, and kilning room temperature, wall temperature, and ambient temperature sensors. Using the narrowband-IoT (NB-IoT) network provided by a local communication company, continuous monitoring data, consisting of 8 to 10 hours of kilning time and 2-3 batches per week, have been sent to a cloud server every minute. On a smartphone, online information with alerts can be displayed. The study’s outcomes indicate that a kiln operator can consistently control the kiln from batch to batch, resulting in minimal fuel consumption. Compared to before the installation of IoT, data collected over three years indicates a 5.6% improvement in energy efficiency. Total annual petroleum savings amount to $59,787 for the 20 kilns. The straightforward repayment period is 4.7 years. According to a field investigation, IoT technology has an approval rating of nearly 9 out of 10.

Credit strategy of micro, small, and medium enterprises with known reputation risk: Evidence from a comprehensive evaluation model

With poor financial information transparency, and relatively weak profitability and asset strength stability, Small, medium and micro enterprises started late in China. This makes commercial banks need to bear more risks when providing loans to small, medium and micro enterprises than large enterprises. Big. When commercial banks do not have credit records of certain small, medium and micro enterprises, this will increase the risk that banks need to bear when lending to these small, medium and micro enterprises without credit records, and will also increase the difficulty of credit loan for small, medium and micro enterprises in commercial banks.First of all, we should comprehensively analyze the credit risk of enterprises, establish the TOPSIS comprehensive evaluation model, and then establish the constraint conditions according to the data given by the topic, calculate the interest rate of bank loans to each type of enterprises, so as to determine the bank’s credit strategy. The paper seeks the bank’s credit strategy for these enterprises when the annual total amount of credit is fixed. We use AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) to normalize the credit rating, and then get the relevant data ranking of enterprises with credit records through TOPSIS comprehensive evaluation model. Through cluster analysis, we divide them into nine categories, and make the optimal credit strategy from the perspective of interest rate and credit line.