Social Prosperity Perception in Cultural Tourism Destinations: the Case of Peña de Bernal, Huejotzingo and Yuanhuitlán, México

The present quantitative study with a descriptive design tries to determine the conditions of "social prosperity" of three Mexican cultural tourist destinations, Yanhuitlán, Huejotzingo and Peña de Bernal. These places face similar conditions in aspects like marginalization and poverty but with activities like tourism have tried to reverse these adverse conditions. The objective was to know the perception of their population about the improvement of their living conditions as a result of the tourist activity through the application of surveys carried out in the chosen destinations. The instrument used was a questionnaire with a Likert scale to facilitate the response of the informants and the processing of the information. For the validity and reliability of the measurement instrument a factor reduction analysis and a Cronbach's alpha were elaborated, after which a one-way ANOVA was elaborated to know the differences of means taking the Bonferroni and Scheffe tests. The results show a significant difference between the averages of destinations in how residents perceive prosperity in the selected tourist destinations

Direct Metal Laser Fabrication of Cu Slabs from Powder Precursor: Surface Depth of Melt and Furnace Temperature Issues

A DMLF processing unit based on a raster-scanned 80 W CO2 laser beam has been developed to process single layers of metallic powder precursor. The process chamber provides atmosphere control (high vacuum and inert gas refill) besides temperature elevation up to 700 o C. In this work, copper powder precursor is confined inside a refractory steel mask surrounded by an aluminum oxide jacket that acts as insulator. The powder layers can have thicknesses of 0,5 and 1 mm. An infrared pyrometer measures in real time the temperature at one location in the surface of the powder bed. Scan speed, scan step, and furnace temperature have been varied to find combinations of such parameters that render surface melting and maximum densification. Partially melted samples were produced and their mass density was measured. Micro-hardness and surface roughness were also measured along the resolidified surface, the first rendering an average of 80,6 HV compared to the 90-105 HV of oxygen free copper, while the second resulting in an 8 μm Ra value. Maximum melt of depth achieved is ~0,15 mm followed by a sintered layer.Mechanical Engineerin

Solidification Morphology Analysis of SLM of Cu Powder

The solidification morphology analysis of fine Cu powder melted by a raster scanned energy beam from a focused Nd:YAG laser is presented here. The powder was processed inside of sealed chamber where it was subjected to a high vacuum cycle. The laser fusion process consisted raster scanning a narrow rectangular pattern with a high density of scanning lines, the chamber was purged with inert gas during the process. Up to a 3.3 mm/s laser travel speed and maximum laser power level of 240 W were used to melt a 2 mm thick bed of loose powder. The resulting solidified ingots were separated into categories based on their shape integrity. Metallographic analysis by means of optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy was performed on the cross section and longitudinal section of the ingots with homogeneous surface and complete shape integrity. Characterization revealed an elongated columnar grain structure with a grain orientation along the direction of the laser travel direction, some degree of porosity was observed too in some of the specimens. It was observed that grains diameter ranged from 10 to 100 µm and contained a two phase eutectic microstructure of copper and it oxides. Oxygen content was accounted from a 5.5 up to 8.1 atomic percent, a small percentage of chlorine was present, too. A 2 to 8 percent variation in the Vickers microhardness values were found between the different specimens when measured along the longitudinal section. These HV values corresponded to approximate 20-25% cold rolled oxygen free copper (80-90 HV). The ingots thus produced suggest that a multilayer structure from Cu powder could be build by the SLM process having sufficiently adequate compositional, microstructure and mechanical properties for functional applications.Mechanical Engineerin

Fleur de sel: how does a pinch of suitable choice practices value this sustainable natural resource?

As mechanized processes developed, small producers of traditional sea salt ceased to be competitive. However, when the valuable salt flower (a.k.a. fleur de sel, flower of salt) market appeared, it gave new breath to the activity of traditional salt pan production. Salt flower sensitivity and delicateness became a part of modern food habits. Its crystals present some grain differentiation and these can fulfill diversified consumer tastes. In cooking art, a regular fine flower of salt can be used to finish dishes, whereas a longer and thin grain known as ‘scale’ (a.k.a. écaille de fleur de sel in French) can be used for a more gourmet-like palate. Here a suitable method is presented to sort and grade flower of salt to satisfy different palates. The method of salt flower selection is based on four main characteristics, which should be considered: cleansing, moisture, color, and size. It is the grain size that contributes most to demand allocation. The results show that what is produced (supply) and the demand from customers do not exactly match. The tiniest types of salt flower are usually completely absorbed by the market, whereas the largest types have no market at all.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mechanical Behavior of SLS Components in Relation to the Build Orientation During the Sintering Process as Measured by ESPI

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) allows producing real parts from CAD data from materials with different characteristics compared to the final model, presenting dissimilar mechanical properties between the prototype and the product. The purpose of this work is to correlate the mechanical behavior of beam-type specimens produced by SLS with build orientation angle used as a process parameter, also attempting to demonstrate how this parameter affects the accuracy of the Empirical Similitude Method (ESM). ESM presents itself as a valuable tool when creating scale models with SLS, specifically in the framework of evolutionary product design. More specifically, the Young modulus variation of test specimens of well-known dimensions and material (DuraformTM PA2 ), will be characterized by loading them within the elastic range. The resulting elastic deformations will be measured using the technique of Electronic Speckle Pattern Interferometry (ESPI) for small deformations in an out-of-plane configuration, contrasting these results with the elastic theory of deformations. As a main result, it was found that there exists a linear correlation between the build angle and the elastic modulus of the parts. Secondly, it was demonstrated empirically that the ESM predicts better the mechanical response of the part than TSM. Moreover, a 30% error reduction can be achieved within the ESM when using the build orientation angle as a process parameter.Mechanical Engineerin

Latent segmentation of older adults in the use of social networks and e-banking services

Introduction. This study analyses heterogeneity in the online behaviour of elderly people. Previous research has centred on the socio-demographic segmentation of the elderly regarding their Internet use. Method. The novelty that this study adds is in determining this segmentation through variables that have been especially chosen for studies of the elderly and which are related to their utilitarian use of e-banking, compared to the more hedonic nature of using online social networks. Analysis. The sample was collected using 474 students over 55 years old enrolled in a class of experience in a University in the South of Europe (Spain). We use a latent class cluster model which is appropriate in situations of a posterior segmentation. Results. In dealing with such behaviour in situations of the elderly using these technologies, we have detected the presence of five groups or segments with highly differentiated use-related profiles concerning the variables analysed: venturesomeness, technology anxiety and selfconfidence in information and communication technologies use. Conclusion. We discover the existence of heterogeneity in the behaviour of the elderly regarding services available in Internet. The results support the idea proposed. The stereotype of the elderly cut off from technology is mistaken, as is shown by the different segments found

ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems: Critical Analysis of Literature Review

Purpose and Methodology/Approach: This paper follows a previous one focused on a bibliographic review of motivations, benefits and difficulties in implementing quality management systems (QMS) based on ISO 9001 standard (Saraiva et al, 2017). Controversial, conflicting and even contradictory, and/or non-consensual findings in same or different countries have suggested other dimensions were lacking. So, a further and critical analysis was deepened in order to identify possible flaws in dimensions of analysis and in methodological issues, which is the scope of this paper. Findings: Many research works were based on perceptions/opinions (eg. motivations, benefits, difficulties) and tangible results were missing, being conclusions built only on qualitative data. Quantitative data were not used to objectivize and validated qualitative findings. Physical or economic indicators rarely were presented. Researchers may not have asked for quantitative data or even ignore these aspects of organizational reality, or the organizations also do not have this type of data. It is hard to corroborate statements (from company’s managers) or findings (from researchers) without other objective evidences (examples are: motivations influence the QMS performance; cost reduction is a benefit; the biggest difficulties in implementation/certification of QMS are the excessive and complex (bureaucratic) documentation, the weak commitment to quality by management and staff, the high cost/scarce resources and the time spent with the additional tasks for the implementation process; organizations operating an ISO 9001 QMS show a better performance). Another matters such as the relative size of the certification phenomenon in each country or region and their economic and social development were generally unknown or were not taken into account. These contextual factors can distort findings. The scientific affiliation of researchers (eg. Industrial engineering, Management, Sociology, Organizational psychology) may also have implications for the research perspective and aspects that are privileged in analysis and conclusions. Research Limitation/implication: Additionally, other methodological issues can also be related to data collection instruments (eg. questionnaires to collect perceptions/opinions) are not the most appropriate for achieving some desired information or data processing does not validate conclusions. Thus, we will take into account in our future research these limitations we have identified in this one and strongly recommend to other researchers our conclusions. Originality/Value of paper:These reflections and findings suggest further and deeper work for research in QMS and other related topics, looking for those dimensions already identified as missing, and/or considering more dimensions, bearing in mind concerns that quality movement is losing popularity, because it does not appear to managers consistently with quantitative data proving contributions of quality to increase productivity and competitiveness. Finally, we raise methodological questions about research on these topics, and other dimensions of analysis are recommended

¿No hay eco en el eco?. El memoricidio de la Nakba y sus resistencias

La Nakba de 1948 significó el desarraigo del pueblo palestino, la desmembración de su país y la destrucción de gran parte de la Palestina árabe. Sin embargo, este fenómeno histórico ha sido negado sistemáticamente por el relato oficial sionista-israelí. Se ha llevado a cabo lo que puede denominarse como un 'memoricidio', es decir, la eliminación física de los elementos identitarios del pueblo palestino, el intento de borrar su paso por la tierra y la pretensión de acabar con su memoria colectiva. Pero la Nakba tiene una importancia primordial en las resistencias palestinas, que han desarrollado numerosas estrategias para salvaguardar la cultura palestina y reivindicar el derecho al retorno de los refugiados reconocido por la Asamblea General de la ONU