A complex multi-state k-out-of-n: G system with preventive maintenance and loss of units

In this study, a multi-state k-out-of-n: G system subject to multiple events is modeled through a Markovian Arrival Process with marked arrivals. The system is composed initially of n units and is active when at least k units are operational. Each unit is multi-state, each of which is classified as minor or major according to the level of degradation presented. Each operational unit may undergo internal repairable or non-repairable failures, external shocks and/or random inspections. An external shock can provoke extreme failure, while cumulative external damage can deteriorate internal performance. This situation can produce repairable and non-repairable failures. When a repairable failure occurs the unit is sent to a repair facility for corrective repair. If the failure is non-repairable, the unit is removed. When the system has insufficient units with which to operate, it is restarted. Preventive maintenance is employed in response to random inspection. The system is modeled in an algorithmic and computational form. Several interesting measures of performance are considered. Costs and rewards are included in the system. All measures are obtained for transient and stationary regimes. A numerical example is analyzed to determine whether preventive maintenance is profitable, financially and in terms of performance.Junta de Andalucía (Spain) FQM-307Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España) MTM2017-88708-PEuropean Regional Development Fund (ERDF

Optimizing a Multi-State Cold-Standby System with Multiple Vacations in the Repair and Loss of Units

A complex multi-state redundant system with preventive maintenance subject to multiple events is considered. The online unit can undergo several types of failure: both internal and those provoked by external shocks. Multiple degradation levels are assumed as both internal and external. Degradation levels are observed by random inspections and, if they are major, the unit goes to a repair facility where preventive maintenance is carried out. This repair facility is composed of a single repairperson governed by a multiple vacation policy. This policy is set up according to the operational number of units. Two types of task can be performed by the repairperson, corrective repair and preventive maintenance. The times embedded in the system are phase type distributed and the model is built by using Markovian Arrival Processes with marked arrivals. Multiple performance measures besides the transient and stationary distribution are worked out through matrix-analytic methods. This methodology enables us to express the main results and the global development in a matrix-algorithmic form. To optimize the model, costs and rewards are included. A numerical example shows the versatility of the model

A complex multi-state system with vacations in the repair

A complex multi-state system subject to wear failure and given preventive maintenance is considered. Various internal levels of degradation are assumed. The repair facility is composed of a repairperson, who may take one or more vacations during the period considered. A policy is established for the repairperson’s vacation time. Two types of task may be performed by the repairperson: corrective repair and preventive maintenance. All embedded times in the system are phase type distributed. The transient and stationary distributions are determined and several reliability measures are developed in a matrix-algorithmic form. Costs and rewards are included in the model. The results are implemented computationally with Matlab. A numerical example shows that the distribution of vacation time can be optimised according to the net reward established.Junta de Andalucía, Spain, FQM-307Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, España, under Grant MTM2017−88708−PEuropean Regional Development Fund (ERDF

El marco jurídico de la protección a deudores hipotecarios. Revisión de las medidas de protección desde el inicio de la crisis hipotecaria en España.

Nuestro objetivo es describir el marco jurídico de la protección a los deudores hipotecarios en España a partir de la crisis bursátil. Hemos analizado el entramado de disposiciones legislativas de protección de deudores hipotecarios, el acceso de las familias al Código de Buenas Prácticas, a la moratoria de los desalojos y al Fondo Social de Viviendas. También tomamos en consideración las aportaciones de la producción científica al respecto. Las conclusiones revelan que las medidas, denunciadas por el Parlamento Europeo, son insuficientes, por su falta de cobertura, y de resolución al problema del realojo de las familias, no dotando a los servicios sociales, instancia que tiene que certificar la necesidad de vivienda social, de instrumentos para resolver esta situación

Application of Machine Learning to support production planning of a food industry in the context of waste generation under uncertainty

Food production is a complex process where uncertainty is very relevant (e.g. stochastic yield and demand, variability in raw materials and ingredients…), resulting in differences between planned production and actual output. These discrepancies have an economic cost for the company (e.g. waste disposal), as well as an environmental impact (food waste and increased carbon footprint). This research aims to develop tools based on data analytics to predict the magnitude of these discrepancies, improving enterprise profitability while, at the same time, reducing environmental impact aiding food waste management. A food company that produces liquid products based on fruits and vegetables was analyzed. Data was gathered on 1,795 batches, including the characteristics of the product (recipe, components used…) and the difference between the input and the output weight. Machine Learning (ML) algorithms were used to predict deviations in production, reducing uncertainties related to the amount of waste produced. The ML models had greater predictive capacity than a linear model with stepwise parameter selection. Then, uncertainty is included in the predictions using a normal distribution based on the residuals of the model. Furthermore, we also demonstrate that ML models can be used as a tool to identify possible production anomalies. This research shows innovative ways to deal with uncertainty in production planning using modern methods in the field of operation research. These tools improve classical methods and provide production managers with valuable information to assess the economic benefits of improved machinery or process controls. As a consequence, accurate predictive models can potentially improve the profitability of food companies, also reducing their environmental impact.</p

Application of an Enzymatic Hydrolysed L-alpha-Amino Acid Based Biostimulant to Improve Sunflower Tolerance to Imazamox

Herbicides, commonly used in agriculture to control weeds, often cause negative effects on crops. Safeners are applied to reduce the damage to crops without affecting the effectiveness of herbicides against weeds. Plant biostimulants have the potential to increase tolerance to a series of abiotic stresses, but very limited information exists about their effects on herbicide-stressed plants. This study aims to verify whether the application of a potential safener such as Terra-Sorb®, an L- -amino acid-based biostimulant, reduces the phytotoxicity of an Imazamox-based herbicide and to elucidate which tolerance mechanisms are induced. Sunflower plants were treated with Pulsar® 40 (4% Imazamox) both alone and in combination with Terra-Sorb®. Plants treated with the herbicide in combination with Terra-Sorb® showed higher growth, increased acetolactate synthase (ALS) activity, and amino acid concentration with respect to the plants treated with Imazamox alone. Moreover, the biostimulant protected photosynthetic activity and reduced oxidative stress. This protective effect could be due to the glutathione S-transferase (GST) induction and antioxidant systems dependent on glutathione (GSH). However, no effect of the biostimulant application was observed regarding phenolic compound phenylalanine ammonium-lyase (PAL) activity. Therefore, this study opens the perspective of using Terra-Sorb® in protecting sunflower plants against an imazamox-based herbicide effect.PAI program (Plan Andaluz de Investigacion, Grupo de Investigacion) AGR28

Study of Zn accumulation and tolerance of HMA4 TILLING mutants of Brassica rapa grown under Zn deficiency and Zn toxicity

This work was supported by the PAI programme (Plan Andaluz de Investigación, Grupo de Investigación AGR282) and by a Grant from the FPU of the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia awarded to ENL [FPU14/01858].Nowadays, Zinc (Zn) deficiency is the most widespread micronutrient deficiency but simultaneously Zn toxicity is produced due to environmental pollution. A potential method to alleviate Zn deficiency and to reduce Zn concentration in soils is through the generation of plants with enhanced capacity for Zn accumulation and higher tolerance. This could be achieved through the modification of HMA4 transporter. BraA.hma4a-3 is a TILLING mutant plant that presents one modification in HMA4 transporter. Thus, in this study we analyzed the potential of BraA.hma4a-3 for Zn accumulation and Zn deficiency and toxicity tolerance. BraA.hma4a-3 and parental R-o-18 plants were grown with different Zn doses: 1 µM ZnSO4 (Control), 0.01 µM ZnSO4 (Zn deficiency) and 100 µM ZnSO4 (Zn toxicity). Parameters of biomass, Zn concentration, photosynthesis, oxidative stress, N metabolism and amino acids (AAs) were measured. BraA.hma4a-3 did not affect plant biomass but did increase Zn accumulation in leaves under an adequate Zn supply and Fe under control and Zn deficiency doses. Regarding stress tolerance parameters and N metabolism, BraA.hma4a did not produce alterations under control conditions. In addition, under Zn toxicity, parameters suggest a greater tolerance. Briefly, the obtained results point to BraA.hma4a-3 as a useful mutant to increase Zn accumulationPlan Andaluz de Investigación AGR282Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia FPU14/0185

A pie o en bici. Perspectivas y experiencias en torno a la movilidad activa

Los modelos de desarrollo urbano, de ocupación territorial y de movilidad con los que hemos sobreocupado y sobreexplotado La Tierra durante las últimas décadas han desencadenado la actual crisis medioambiental que tiene repercusiones directas también sobre las personas. Un cambio del modelo de movilidad que priorice los modos peatonal y ciclista —los principales modos activos— puede contribuir de forma decisiva a combatir y superar estas crisis. Este libro presenta once perspectivas y once experiencias en torno a la movilidad activa y se dirige a todas las personas interesadas en el presente y futuro de nuestro planeta, y en su propio bienestar. Cada perspectiva se aproxima a la movilidad activa poniendo el acento en un aspecto concreto: la salud pública, el medio ambiente, el diseño viario, la forma urbana, el planeamiento urbanístico, la gobernanza, la participación ciudadana, el urbanismo táctico, la comunicación, las nuevas fuentes de datos y las áreas urbanas históricas. Las experiencias son las de once ciudades europeas —en su mayoría, españolas— de características y tradiciones culturales muy diversas. Es un trabajo colectivo en el que han participado casi treinta autores. Gestores públicos, urbanistas, investigadores y docentes universitarios… todos con un interés común en transmitir la necesidad de cambiar nuestro modelo de transporte urbano, dando a los modos activos el protagonismo que nuestro planeta y nosotros mismos merecemos

Improvement of the physiological response of barley plants to both Zinc deficiency and toxicity by the application of calcium silicate

V.P. Acknowledges Erasmus traineeship program by the University of Naples "Federico II". Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Granada / CBUA.An adequate availability of Zinc (Zn) is crucial for plant growth and development given the essentiality of this element. Thus, both Zn deficiency and Zn toxicity can limit crop yields. In plants, the responses to Zn imbalances involve important physiological aspects such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, phytohormone balance, tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) metabolism, and organic acids (OAs) accumulation. However, a way to improve tolerance to stresses such as those produced by nutritional imbalances is the application of beneficial elements such as silicon (Si). In this study, we grew barley plants in hydroponics under Zn deficiency and toxicity conditions, applying Si in the form of CaSiO3 in order to assess its effectiveness against Zn imbalances. Parameters related to plant growth, oxidative stress, TCA enzyme activities, phytohormones and OAs accumulation were analyzed. Both Zn deficiency and toxicity reduced leaf biomass, increased ROS accumulation, and affected phytohormone and OAs concentrations and TCA enzyme activities. CaSiO3 treatment was effective in counteracting these effects enhancing Zn accumulation under Zn deficient conditions and limiting its accumulation under toxic conditions. In addition, this treatment decreased ROS levels, and improved ascorbate/glutathione and phytohormonal responses, citrate synthase activity, and malate/oxalate ratio. Therefore, this study enhanced the notion of the efficacy of CaSiO3 in improving tolerance to Zn imbalances.Universidad de Granada / CBU

Diseño y cálculo de una cubierta de barras y membranas tensadas para un estadio.

El objetivo del proyecto va a consistir en el diseño y el cálculo de una cubierta formada por barras y membranas tensadas localizada en un nuevo estadio que se va a construir en Madrid. Para ello se va a utilizar un software de análisis estructural mediante elementos finitos llamado RFEM de Dlubal. Mediante este programa se va realizar un modelado en 3D para posteriormente obtener la forma óptima de la membrana pretensada, y se va a llevar a cabo un estudio de la estructura con las diferentes hipótesis de carga que van a afectar a la cubierta. Finalmente se extraerán las conclusiones y se realizará una optimización de la estructura a partir de los resultados obtenidos en la simulación. Todo el análisis se hará de acuerdo al Código Técnico de la edificación (CTE) y al Eurocódigo 3 (EC3).<br /