A fuzzy dynamic model for total quality cost

This paper presents a dynamic Quality Cost Model capable of reconciling contributions of Juran’s traditional Model with those of the Zero Defects Model. Here, the cost functions depend on a company’s level of conformance in each period and at which stage of the Maturity Grid a company is positioned. To determine the stage at which the company is positioned on Crosby’s Maturity Grid, expert’s opinions will be considered using fuzzy logic to incorporate Hidden Quality Costs in the failure costs calculated by the company. The model will introduce exponential regression (ER) using Induced Ordered Weighted Average (IOWA). The results show that the learning process present in the proposed model leads it to evolve over time to positions that bring to mind the Zero Defects model. However, as appreciated in the case study, it can also regress and introduce the organisation into a level of saturation where the Cost of Quality is optimised before reaching perfection

Proposal for a Fuzzy Model to Assess Cost Overrun in Healthcare Due to Delays in Treatment

Apart from the effects of treating those infected with COVID‐19, the pandemic has also affected treatment for other diseases, which has been either interrupted or canceled. The aim of this paper is to provide a financial model for obtaining the cost overrun resulting from the worsening of illnesses and deaths for each of the causes considered. To achieve this, first deaths have been classified into causes of death and for each of these causes, an estimation has been made of the worsening condition of patients due to delay in treatment. Through these data, a fuzzy relation between deaths and the worsening condition of patients can be obtained. Next, the expertise process has been used to estimate cost overrun in relation to patients’ pathologies. The experts’ opinions have been aggregated using ordered weighted average (OWA). Lastly, using fuzzy logic again, a correction coefficient has been determined, which optimizes the future implementation of the proposed model without the need for a new estimation of inputs. The paper concludes with a numerical example for a better comprehension of the proposed theoretical model. Ultimately, it provides the scientific community in general and in particular managers of public administration entities with a novel tool for improving the efficiency of the healthcare system

Fuzzy Systems in Business Valuation

This research aims to develop a model that is able to integrate and objectify information provided by the different business valuation methods, incorporating quality management in its formal approach, which to date has not been considered in the literature about business valuation or quality management. Firstly, the company is valued using the methods which best adapt to its specific characteristics. Because of the subjectivity inherent in any valuation process, the results will be expressed through Triangular Fuzzy Numbers (TFN). These Fuzzy Numbers will be aggregated and summarized by applying Basic Defuzzification Distribution Uncertain Probabilistic Ordered Weighted Averaging operator (BADD-UPOWA). The weighting factors will be: the degree of confidence in each of the business valuation methods applied, and the innovative use of the company’s position on Crosby’s Quality Administration Grid. The results from application of the model in a case study show a significant reduction in uncertainty in contrast to the initial valuations. Moreover, the proposed methodology is seen to increase the final value of the company as its advances in quality management

The relation between corporate social responsibility certification and financial performance: An empirical study in Spain

The relation between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and financial performance (FP) has been widely dealt with in specialized literature. This study has two points of interest: first, we develop a new tool which financially quantifies the value contributed to companies that are committed to CSR; then, we make a practical application of this tool through an empirical study focused on Spanish companies. This study is especially innovative because of the fuzzy methodology used and the way it defines CSR through the IQNet SR10 certification of social responsibility systems. In addition, the measurement of CSR through IQNet SR10 certification is a completely new approach to the subject. An interesting conclusion can be drawn from the empirical study: IQNet SR10 CSR certification increases the value of businesses. However, neither size nor the economic sector they belong to influence this relationship significantly

Mineralogy and morphology of sand: Key parameters in the durability for its use in artificial beach nourishment

Sand is the third most consumed material in the world, although it is a very scarce material. An exhaustive knowledge of sand and its behaviour against the waves is important for selecting the most suitable material to avoid shoreline erosion. To this end, a pattern of behaviour against accelerated wear test has been sought for 26 sand samples with different characteristics and origins (natural, dredged and quarried), with a focus on their mineralogy as well as a comparison of beach evolution carried out by other authors. Several techniques have been applied for characterization: granulometry, calcimetry, XRD and SEM. The results show that the different degrees of sand grain wear are not only due to their size and mineralogy, but also to the morphology of the particles.This work was partially supported by the Universidad de Alicante through the project “Estudio sobre el desgaste y composición de los sedimentos y su influencia en la erosión de las playas españolas” (GRE16-09)

On the Specific Adsorption of 7-methylguanine on Au(111) Surfaces for the Electroanalytical Sensing of Methylation Levels

The electrochemical determination of 7-methylguanine (7-mG) may result of interest because its presence can serve as probe of cytosine methylation of which is known as the most relevant epigenetic modification of DNA. This work explores the electrochemical response of 7-mG on different gold surfaces, both poly and single crystalline surfaces (Au (110), Au (111) and Au (100)). The results show that the adsorption-desorption process of the 7-mG is sensitive to the surface structure of the gold electrodes. Particularly, 7-mG adsorption-desorption profile on a Au (111) electrode exhibits some specific contributions which are found sensitive to the 7-mG concentration and, thereby could allow its quantification. These results may shed light on the future development of an electrochemical sensor for the diagnosis of the methylation degree in DNA.Authors would like to acknowledge funding obtained through the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN) CTQ2013-48280-C3-3-R project

Image Analysis Applications for the Study of Segregation in Lightweight Concretes

The use of lightweight concrete allows great flexibility and cost savings when it is used in building construction having a positive impact on the energy consumption of buildings due to its good thermal characteristics. However, it is also known that the differences between the densities of the materials used to produce these concretes make it highly susceptible to the segregation phenomenon. The main objective of the present work is to present a method to quantify this phenomenon using techniques of image analysis. In this work, a lightweight concrete produced was molded in cylindrical molds using different times of internal vibration and causing different degrees of segregation. The samples were cured, vertically saw-cut in two pieces (halves) and the sections were photographed. Subsequently, the halves were saw-cut horizontally in four equal parts and posteriorly their densities were determined experimentally. The densities obtained were used to calculate the segregation index of each sample (experimental method). Furthermore, the photographed sections were processed using image analysis software in order to determine the volumetric proportions of aggregates in each sample (noise reduction, threshold adjustment, binarization and fill holes). The processed images were used to calculate the densities and segregation index of the lightweight concrete produced through image analysis. In addition, using the photographed sections, a vertical density profile was programmed to analyze the distribution of the lightweight concrete components (mortar and aggregate). Finally, the results obtained experimentally and through image analysis were compared. This study demonstrates that the image analysis allows a deeper knowledge of the behavior of segregated concrete.This research was funded by the University of Alicante (GRE13-03) and (VIGROB-256)

Proposing a New Method Based on Image Analysis to Estimate the Segregation Index of Lightweight Aggregate Concretes

This work presents five different methods for quantifying the segregation phenomenon in lightweight aggregate concretes (LWAC). The use of LWACs allows greater design flexibility and substantial cost savings, and has a positive impact on the energy consumption of a building. However, these materials are susceptible to aggregate segregation, which causes an irregular distribution of the lightweight aggregates in the mixture and may affect the concrete properties. To quantify this critical process, a new method based on image analysis is proposed and its results are compared to the well-established methods of density and ultrasonic pulse velocity measurement. The results show that the ultrasonic test method presents a lower accuracy than the other studied methods, although it is a nondestructive test, easy to perform, and does not need material characterization. The new methodology via image analysis has a strong correlation with the other methods, it considers information from the complete section of the samples, and it does not need the horizontal cut of the specimens or material characterization.This research was funded by the University of Alicante ((GRE13-03) and (VIGROB-256))

Prevalence, geographic distribution, and geographic variability of major cardiovascular risk factors in Spain: pooled analysis of data from population-based epidemiological studies: the ERICE study

[Abstract] Introduction and objectives. To determine the prevalence and geographic distribution of major cardiovascular risk factors in the Spanish population. To investigate whether geographic variability exists. Methods. Data were pooled from eight cross-sectional epidemiologic studies carried out in Spain between 1992 and 2001 whose methodological quality satisfied predefined criteria. Individual data were reassessed and analyzed by age group (20-44 years, 45-64 years, and [.greaterequal] 65 years), sex, and geographic area. The study population included 19 729 individuals. Mean values and unadjusted and adjusted prevalence rates were derived for various risk factors. Results. The most common cardiovascular risk factors in the Spanish population were, in descending order: hypercholesterolemia (ie, total cholesterol >200 mg/dL) in46.7%, hypertension in 37.6%, smoking in 32.2%, obesity in 22.8%, and diabetes mellitus in 6.2%. The mean values for blood pressure, body mass index, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glycemia varied considerably with age, sex, and geographic area. The highest levels of cardiovascular risk factors were observed in Mediterranean and south-eastern areas of the country and the lowest, in northern, and central areas. Conclusions. The prevalence of major cardiovascular risk factors in Spain was high. Their distribution varied considerably with geographic area.[Resumen] Introducción y objetivos. Estimar la prevalencia y la distribución geográfica de los principales factores de riesgo cardiovascular en la población española. Investigar la existencia de diferencias geográficas. Métodos. Agregación de ocho estudios epidemiológicos transversales, realizados en España entre 1992 y 2001, que superaron criterios de calidad metodológica. Reanálisis conjunto de los datos individuales por grupos de edad (20-44, 45-64 y [.greaterequal] 65 años), sexo y grandes áreas geográficas. Población de estudio: 19.729 sujetos. Estimación de valores medios y prevalencias crudas y ajustadas. Resultados. Por orden decreciente, los factores de riesgo cardiovascular más frecuentes en la población española fueron la hipercolesterolemia (colesterol total > 200 mg/dl, 46,7%), hipertensión arterial (37,6%), tabaquismo (32,2%), obesidad (22,8%) y diabetes mellitus (6,2%). Los valores medios de presión arterial, índice de masa corporal, colesterol de las lipoproteínas de alta densidad y glucemia varían ampliamente con la edad, el sexo y las áreas geográficas. La mayor carga de factores de riesgo cardiovascular se observa en las zonas sureste y mediterránea y la menor, en las áreas norte y centro. Conclusiones. En España la prevalencia de los principales factores de riesgo cardiovascular es elevada. Hay marcadas diferencias geográficas en su distribución

Changes in the content of chlorophylls and carotenoids in the rind of Fino 49 lemons during maturation and their relationship with parameters from the CIELAB color space

In the present work, the coordinates L*, a* and b* from the CIELAB color space, as well as the chlorophyll, total carotenoids and the content of the carotenoids Lutein and β-cryptoxanthin were measured in the skin of fruits from the Fino 49 lemon during its development, with the aim of understanding the relationship that exists between the color changes of the fruit’s skin (color coordinates) and the pigment content. Also, the understanding of the relative importance of the contents of lutein and β-cryptoxanthin with respect to the total content of carotenoids was sought. The period of study lasted three years; from September 2015 to January 2016, from September 2016 to January 2017, and from September 2017 to January 2018, the periods that comprised the color changes of the lemon fruit until its harvest. The fruits were measured every two weeks in the experimental plot of the IMIDA (Murcian Institute of Agricultural and Food Research and Development) located at La Alberca (Murcia, Spain) and in the experimental orchards from the CEBAS-CSIC, located in Santomera (Murcia). During he experiment, the color and chlorophyll, Lutein and β-cryptoxanthin concentrations were measured. The results showed that there was a good correlation between the color coordinates and the pigments responsible for the lemon’s skin color: all the color pigments were correlated with the a*, b* color coordinates and the Hue angle index. Throughout the fruit’s maturation, a degradation of the chlorophylls was observed, as well as an increase of β-cryptoxanthin, which is responsible for the green and yellow color of the fruits, respectively. Lutein, which was found in high concentrations, decreased with time, but did not contribute to the fruit’s color