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This research presents a solution for improving energy efficiency in convenience stores by implementing a building energy management system (BEMS) that uses new logic control in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. These systems currently consume the most energy in convenience stores. Implementing this system not only reduces the energy consumption of the compressors in both systems but also minimizes energy loss due to low desired temperatures in the sale area while maintaining the cabinet temperature at the same level. An experiment was conducted at a 314-square-meter convenience store that was open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and we demonstrated a 4.4-year payback period by controlling AC units close to the desired sale-area temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and increasing the suction pressure at a medium-temperature CDU by 0.3 bar or 31 kPa. This resulted in energy savings of 7.1 kilowatt-hours per day, or 2591.5 kilowatt-hours per year, for the air conditioning system and 2.8 kilowatt-hours per day, or 1022.0 kilowatt-hours per year, for the refrigeration system, resulting in a total energy savings of 9.9 kilowatt-hours per day, or 3613.5 kilowatt-hours per year. The convenience store can use the results of this research to improve the energy efficiency of its cooling system, which includes air conditioning and refrigeration systems, thereby promoting sustainable energy conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research presents a solution for improving energy efficiency in convenience stores by implementing a building energy management system (BEMS) that uses new logic control in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. These systems currently consume the most energy in convenience stores. Implementing this system not only reduces the energy consumption of the compressors in both systems but also minimizes energy loss due to low desired temperatures in the sale area while maintaining the cabinet temperature at the same level. An experiment was conducted at a 314-square-meter convenience store that was open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and we demonstrated a 4.4-year payback period by controlling AC units close to the desired sale-area temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and increasing the suction pressure at a medium-temperature CDU by 0.3 bar or 31 kPa. This resulted in energy savings of 7.1 kilowatt-hours per day, or 2591.5 kilowatt-hours per year, for the air conditioning system and 2.8 kilowatt-hours per day, or 1022.0 kilowatt-hours per year, for the refrigeration system, resulting in a total energy savings of 9.9 kilowatt-hours per day, or 3613.5 kilowatt-hours per year. The convenience store can use the results of this research to improve the energy efficiency of its cooling system, which includes air conditioning and refrigeration systems, thereby promoting sustainable energy conservation.

IntroductionThe prevalence of obesity in the Mexican school-age (5–11 years old) population increased from 8.9 to 18.1% between 1999 and 2022. Although overweight and obesity (OW + Ob) is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon, alongside its increasing trend, changes in eating patterns as a result of obesogenic environments that promote higher energy intake have been documented. The objective of the present study was to detect possible associations between schools and their proximity to and density of convenience stores in Monterrey, Mexico from 2015 to 2018.Materials and methodsAnthropometric data were obtained from a subset of measurements of the National Registry of Weight and Height (RNPT) performed in the Monterrey Mexico metropolitan area in 2015 and 2018, and obesity prevalence was computed and classified into quintiles at the school level. Convenience store data were obtained from the National Directory of Economic Units (DNUE). The analyses consisted of densities within 400-800 m buffers, distance to the nearest stores, and cartographic visualization of the store’s kernel density versus OW + Ob hotspots for both periods.ResultsA total of 175,804 children in 2015 and 175,964 in 2018 belonging to 1,552 elementary schools were included in the study; during this period, OW + Ob prevalence increased from 38.7 to 39.3%, and a directly proportional relationship was found between the quintiles with the higher OW + Ob prevalence and the number of stores for both radii. Hotspots of OW + Ob ranged from 63 to 91 between 2015 and 2018, and it was visually confirmed that such spots were associated with areas with a higher density of convenience stores regardless of socioeconomic conditions.ConclusionAlthough some relationships between the store’s proximity/density and OW + Ob could be identified, more research is needed to gather evidence about this. However, due to the trends and the magnitude of the problem, guidelines aimed at limiting or reducing the availability of junk food and sweetened beverages on the school’s periphery must be implemented to control the obesogenic environment.

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The effects of leadership, person-organization fit, role clarity and burnout on job satisfaction in Mexican convenience stores are examined using the resource-job demands theory. Also, significant differences associated with job positions are sought. The research is probabilistic, quantitative, explanatory, and cross-sectional. In addition, structural modeling is used as a statistical technique. Although all variables have an impact on job satisfaction, the findings show the importance of role clarity in this sector. Moreover, there is a difference between assistants and store managers/leaders in the relationship between leadership and role clarity. Future studies could investigate the effects of these variables on organizational cynicism and inefficacy, as well as assess other leadership styles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]