On modular decompositions of system signatures

Considering a semicoherent system made up of $n$ components having i.i.d. continuous lifetimes, Samaniego defined its structural signature as the $n$-tuple whose $k$-th coordinate is the probability that the $k$-th component failure causes the system to fail. This $n$-tuple, which depends only on the structure of the system and not on the distribution of the component lifetimes, is a very useful tool in the theoretical analysis of coherent systems. It was shown in two independent recent papers how the structural signature of a system partitioned into two disjoint modules can be computed from the signatures of these modules. In this work we consider the general case of a system partitioned into an arbitrary number of disjoint modules organized in an arbitrary way and we provide a general formula for the signature of the system in terms of the signatures of the modules. The concept of signature was recently extended to the general case of semicoherent systems whose components may have dependent lifetimes. The same definition for the $n$-tuple gives rise to the probability signature, which may depend on both the structure of the system and the probability distribution of the component lifetimes. In this general setting, we show how under a natural condition on the distribution of the lifetimes, the probability signature of the system can be expressed in terms of the probability signatures of the modules. We finally discuss a few situations where this condition holds in the non-i.i.d. and nonexchangeable cases and provide some applications of the main results

Attitudes of undergraduate nursing students to cultural diversity: (Portuguese-Spanish) in a transboundary context.

Our main goal was to identify the attitudes of nursing students to cultural diversity in a healthcare setting, and find the potential relationship between this and the students' national background and their knowledge of cultural diversity. A descriptive observational study comparing two culturally different populations within a cross-border area (Algarve-Huelva) was conducted. The attitudes of the participants were measured across six categories: this study will describe the most significant ones. The cultural context is essential to the development of attitudes to immigration. Nursing care is a communicative act and encountering the "other" the core of the nursing professionals' work. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

The global shopper & brands communication at airports

This project aims to illuminate two perspectives on travel retail. On the one hand, it describes the main character of the shopping scenario at airports, namely the Global Shopper. It covers the entire profile of the referred character, the main nationalities that represent him and the current shopping trends of the passenger. Also estimates of the booming nationalities and the future purchasing trends are accurately presented. On the other hand, the travel retail market is analyzed from the airport brands’ perspective. It is described what is currently done in terms of brands communication in the top ten airports around the world and the expected future market retail trends. To accurately explore the Global Shopper behavior and purchasing preferences, a market research was conducted with a sample of 128 respondents, male and female, from different nationalities, age groups, occupation and education backgrounds. The essay tests hypothesis regarding the relevance of several variables in the purchasing process of the Global Shopper in order to understand the most pleasant way to approach consumers in travel retail. The main variables studied concern the reasons to shop at airports, to whom the passenger shops, the preferred category and brand of purchase, feelings while shopping abroad, impulsive buying behavior, brand loyalty, the use of mobile devices in the shopping process, brands communication at airports, pre-ordering online and the attitude towards self-service stores. Some findings were in accordance with expectations, while others were a surprise and may produce valuable recommendations for future travel retail practices. 4 The main relevant results concern two areas, namely pre-ordering online and self-service stores. Results showed a certain stress about not having enough time to choose between the various offerings in travel retail, as well as difficulty in dealing with crowed stores. However, pre-ordering online was not common, which would be an initiative that could solve the discomfort at airport’s stores. Moreover, self-service would promote efficiency in stores allowing passengers to save time if they already know how to go through the shopping process by themselves. Another possible recommendation concerns differentiating the strategy in travel retail for the two genders. Some differences were found in the categories bought by male and female, as well as to how brands should shape their approach concerning the demands of each gender

Intercultural mediation at the end of life. Different perceptions of the same process

The aim of this study was to identify the perceptions of palliative care professionals with regards to the management of patients from a different culture, and if there is a need to incorporate an intercultural mediator. To understand the influence of the intercultural mediator as a facilitator in the decision making of the patient and family at the end of life. The methodological approach is centered in pluralism, reinforced by triangulation of data and information. The intercultural mediator is crucial because they can provide light in a multitude of conflict situations caused by lack of knowledge about the patient's culture. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

Application of magnesium oxide for metal removal in mine water treatment

In this study low-grade magnesium oxide (MgO) produced by calcinations of natural magnesite was used in mine water treatment using a laboratory-column device. The treatment of mine water from the abandoned Osor mine (NE Spain) with MgO showed the removal of metals from both mine water and tailing leachates. The PHREEQC numerical code and the Geochemist’s Workbench code (GWB) were used to evaluate the speciation of dissolved constituents and calculate the saturation state of the effluents. The analysis of the treated mine water showed the removal of As (from 1.59 to 0.31 µg/L), Cd (from 1.98 to <0.05 µg/L), Co (from 19.1 to <0.03 µg/L), F (from 2730 to 200 µg/L), Mn (from 841 to 0.6 µg/L), Ni (from 17.9 to <2 µg/L, U (from 9.16 to 0.08 µg/L), and Zn (from 2900 to 68.5 µg/L). Pb was also removed (from 98 to 35.2 µg/L) in the treatment of contaminated leachates from the mine waste. The mixing of MgO and water at room temperature may promote the formation of a stabilizing agent composed of hydroxides, carbonates, and magnesium-silicate-hydrates (MSH), which may remove Cd, Zn, and similar metals by sorption on MSH, substitution on the MSH lattice, and precipitation or co-precipitation with some of the hydrated phases.This research was funded by the Catalan Agency for the Administration of University and Research Grants (AGAUR), grant number SGR2009. Besides, the research was supported by the Consolidated Research Group on Economic and Environmental Geology and Hydrology (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-University of Barcelona).Peer ReviewedObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::6 - Aigua Neta i Sanejament::6.3 - Per a 2030, millorar la qualitat de l’aigua mitjançant la reducció de la contaminació, l’eliminació dels abocaments i la reducció al mínim de la descàrrega de materials i productes químics perillosos, la reducció a la meitat del percentatge d’aigües residuals sense tractar, i un augment substancial a escala mundial del reciclat i de la reutilització en condicions de seguretatObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::6 - Aigua Neta i SanejamentPostprint (published version

Fertirriego por goteo superficial y enterrado del melón (Cucumis melo L.) en invernadero

Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo determinar el efecto de dos posiciones de instalación de tubos porta goteros, tres láminas de riego y cuatro dosis de potasio sobre la productividad comercial de frutos de melón en invernadero. El experimento fue realizado en un invernadero de 420,0 m2, localizado en Piracicaba - São Paulo – Brasil. El diseño experimental fue en bloques completos al azar en esquema factorial de 2x3x4. Las posiciones de instalación de tubos porta goteros fueron superficial y enterrado a 0,2 m, las láminas de riego fueron 33, 67 y 100 % de la evaporación diaria de un mini tanque evaporimétrico y las dosis de potasio fueron 0, 6, 9 y 12 g de K2O planta-1. El fertirriego fue realizado basándose en la curva de absorción de N y K del cultivo. La evaporación total del mini tanque evaporimétrico durante la época de riego fue de 417,32 mm. La productividad comercial fue influenciada significativamente (P<0,01) por las dosis de potasio, láminas de riego y posición de los tubos porta goteros. Las dosis de potasio 6 y 9 g de K2O planta-1, combinadas con la lámina de 100% y la posición de los tubos porta goteros enterrados, alcanzaron mayor productividad comercial, 61.428 y 66.224 kg ha-1, respectivamente.Peer Reviewe

Feeding behavior of cockatiels in captivity

In nature, cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) feed consists of a huge variety of seeds, fruits, flowers, leaves, and insects. In captivity, their feed is generally poor, as many breeders offer only a mixture of seeds as food, leading to nutrient deficiency and even obesity. This paper presents a study on cockatiel feeding behavior in artificial environments at different stages of development (growth, maintenance, and reproduction), to evaluate their preference from the offer of six different food types (sunflower seed, oats, millet, rice, ration, and a cornmeal based feed or farinhada), and an analysis of their preferences for locations in the cage. No significant differences were observed about the final weight of the birds during the stages of development. Consumption of millet seeds was significantly higher in the growth stage, but at this stage, the birds showed a preference for oats. On the other hand, at the reproduction and maintenance stages, they showed a preference for sunflower seeds. The birds in the reproduction stage were the ones that visited the nest, and the nest grid, the most. Among all the cage locations, all birds showed a preference for the perches.Na natureza a calopsita (Nymphicus hollandicus) tem a sua alimentação composta por uma enorme variedade de sementes, frutos, flores, folhas e insetos. Em cativeiro a sua alimentação geralmente é deficiente, pois muitos criadores oferecem apenas misturas de sementes como alimento, causando deficiência de nutrientes e até mesmo obesidade. Neste trabalho foi realizado um estudo sobre o comportamento alimentar de calopsitas em ambiente artificial em diferentes fases de desenvolvimento (crescimento, mantença e reprodução) e uma análise de uso do espaço pelas aves dentro da gaiola, com o objetivo de avaliar a preferência das aves a partir da oferta de seis diferentes tipos de alimentos (sementes de girassol, aveia, painço, arroz, ração e farinhada) e a preferência das mesmas pelos locais na gaiola. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre as fases de desenvolvimento ao que se diz respeito ao peso final dos animais. O consumo de sementes de painço foi significativamente maior na fase de crescimento, mas o alimento preferido nessa fase foi a aveia. Já nas fases de reprodução e mantença a preferência foi pela semente de girassol. As aves na fase de reprodução foram as que mais visitaram o ninho e a grade do ninho. O local das gaiolas preferido por todas as aves foram os poleiros