The evolution of mass tourism destinations: new approaches beyond deterministic models in Benidorm (Spain)

Although deterministic models of the evolution of mass tourism coastal resorts predict an almost inevitable decline over time, theoretical frameworks of the evolution and restructuring policies of mature destinations should be revised to reflect the complex and dynamic way in which these destinations evolve and interact with the tourism market and global socio-economic environment. The present study examines Benidorm because its urban and tourism model and large-scale tourism supply and demand make it one of the most unique destinations on the Mediterranean coast. The investigation reveals the need to adopt theories and models that are not purely deterministic. The dialectic interplay between external factors and the internal factors inherent in this destination simultaneously reveals a complex and diverse stage of maturity and the ability of destinations to create their own future.

The role of authenticity in tourism planning: empirical findings from southeast Spain

Tourism is the main economic activity in many towns in the province of Alicante in southeast Spain and has turned this area into a paradigmatic example of mass tourism on the Mediterranean coast. Since the 1960s, the province's coastal towns have opted for a development model centred on what is known as 'residential tourism' or 'second-home tourism', with few exceptions, such as Benidorm. We wish to put forward the argument that the main social agents in the tourism sector have not perceived the 'search for authenticity' as a factor that may attract tourists to this area. To this end, we will start by reviewing critically the theoretical discourse about the role played by authenticity in the motivation of tourists. Then we will discuss some of the results obtained from empirical, qualitative research that included 37 in-depth interviews. As a guide for our empirical research, we use a model based on the stakeholder theory. The epistemological difficulties faced by researchers do not justify certain critical arguments that try to highlight the impossibility of operationalising essential concepts and approaches such as that of authenticity. Therefore, it is necessary that empirical research continues to delve into the sociological keys that determine the 'search for authenticity' in the tourists' experience.

New method for designing distillation columns of multicomponent mixtures

This paper presents a series of calculation procedures for computer design of ternary distillation columns overcoming the iterative equilibrium calculations necessary in these kind of problems and, thus, reducing the calculation time. The proposed procedures include interpolation and intersection methods to solve the equilibrium equations and the mass and energy balances. The calculation programs proposed also include the possibility of rigorous solution of mass and energy balances and equilibrium relations.

Preparation, characterisation and testing of CuO/Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 catalysts for NO oxidation to NO2 and mild temperature diesel soot combustion

CuO/ceria-zirconia catalysts have been prepared, deeply characterised (N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms at −196 °C, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, XPS, TEM and H2-TPR) and tested for NO oxidation to NO2 in TPR conditions, and for soot combustion at mild temperature (400 °C) in a NOx/O2 stream. The behaviour has been compared to that of a reference Pt/alumina commercial catalyst. The ceria-zirconia support was prepared by the co-precipitation method, and different amounts of copper (0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 wt%) were loaded by incipient wetness impregnation. The results revealed that copper is well-dispersed onto the ceria-zirconia support for the catalysts with low copper loading and CuO particles were only identified by XRD in samples with 4 and 6% of copper. A very low loading of copper increases significantly the activity for the NO oxidation to NO2 with regard to the ceria-zirconia support and an optimum was found for a 4% CuO/ceria-zirconia composition, showing a very high activity (54% at 348 °C). The soot combustion rate at 400 °C obtained with the 2% CuO/ceria-zirconia catalyst is slightly lower to that of 1% Pt/alumina in terms of mass of catalyst but higher in terms of price of catalyst.

A systematic study on the influence of carbon on the behavior of hard-to-ionize elements in inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry

A systematic study on the influence of carbon on the signal of a large number of hard-to-ionize elements (i.e. B, Be, P, S, Zn, As, Se, Pd, Cd, Sb, I, Te, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, and Hg) in inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry has been carried out. To this end, carbon matrix effects have been evaluated considering different plasma parameters (i.e. nebulizer gas flow rate, r.f. power and sample uptake rate), sample introduction systems, concentration and type of carbon matrix (i.e. glycerol, citric acid, potassium citrate and ammonium carbonate) and type of mass spectrometer (i.e. quadrupole filter vs. double-focusing sector field mass spectrometer). Experimental results show that P, As, Se, Sb, Te, I, Au and Hg sensitivities are always higher for carbon-containing solutions than those obtained without carbon. The other hard-to-ionize elements (Be, B, S, Zn, Pd, Cd, Os, Ir and Pt) show no matrix effect, signal enhancement or signal suppression depending on the experimental conditions selected. The matrix effects caused by the presence of carbon are explained by changes in the plasma characteristics and the corresponding changes in ion distribution in the plasma (as reflected in the signal behavior plot, i.e. the signal intensity as a function of the nebulizer gas flow rate). However, the matrix effects for P, As, Se, Sb, Te, I, Au and Hg are also related to an increase in analyte ion population caused as a result of charge transfer reactions involving carbon-containing charged species in the plasma. The predominant specie is C+, but other species such as CO+, CO2+, C2+ and ArC+ could also play a role. Theoretical data suggest that B, Be, S, Pd, Cd, Os, Ir and Pt could also be involved in carbon based charge transfer reactions, but no experimental evidence substantiating this view has been found.

Analysis of the Connecting Zone between Consecutive Sections in Distillation Columns Covering Multiple Feeds, Products and Heat Transfer Stages

In the present work, we provide a systematic analysis about all tine streams involved in the zone connecting two consecutive sections for the design of distillation columns with different thermal feed conditions, product extractions and heat additions or withdrawals. This analysis allows a better understanding of what happens on a feed or side draw (of mass or energy) stage, what compositions are or are not in equilibrium, and the impact on internal liquid and vapor flows.

A Construction Management Framework for Mass Customisation in Traditional Construction

A Mass Customisation model is discussed as a competitive positioning strategy in the marketplace adding value to the customer’s end-use. It includes the user as part of the construction process responding to the customer’s demands and wishes. To the present day, almost all proposals for Mass Customisation have been focused on the design phase and single family houses. The reality is that the processes carried out in the work execution are so inefficient that the costs of the Mass Customisation models are assumed by the customer and they do not offer solutions that support the change management. Furthermore, this inefficiency often makes Mass Customisation unfeasible in terms of deadlines and site management. Therefore, the present proposal focuses on achieving the paradigm of Mass Customisation in the traditional residential construction complementary to the existing proposals in the design phase. All this through the proposal of a framework for the integral management in the work execution, which will address change management introduced by the users offering an efficient and productive model that reduces costs in the process. This model will focus on the synergy between different strategies, techniques and technologies currently used in the construction management (such as Lean Construction or Six Sigma), together with, other strategies and technologies that have proven to be valid solutions in other fields (such as Business Process Management, Service Oriented Architecture, etc.).

A new survey of cool supergiants in the Magellanic Clouds

Aims. In this study we conduct a pilot program aimed at the red supergiant population of the Magellanic Clouds. We intend to extend the current known sample to the unexplored low end of the brightness distribution of these stars, building a more representative dataset with which to extrapolate their behaviour to other Galactic and extra-galactic environments. Methods. We select candidates using only near infrared photometry, and with medium resolution multi-object spectroscopy, we perform spectral classification and derive their line-of-sight velocities, confirming the nature of the candidates and their membership in the clouds. Results. Around two hundred new red supergiants have been detected, hinting at a yet to be observed large population. Using near- and mid-infrared photometry we study the brightness distribution of these stars, the onset of mass-loss, and the effect of dust in their atmospheres. Based on this sample, new a priori classification criteria are investigated, combining mid- and near-infrared photometry to improve the observational efficiency of similar programs to this.