An Approach to Optimize the Management of Information Security in Public Organizations of Ecuador

The problems of information security in public organizations in Ecuador are evident, which, as a result, have led to corruptions that are present at all levels of operational, tactical and strategic management. The objective of this chapter is to analyze the available information found in different media, written, spoken, among others. The deductive method was used for the collection of information and observation techniques. It turned out the improve in the administrative processes, prototype diagram of sequence of access of users and services, prototype of integration of technologies of security of the information for public organizations of Ecuador. It was concluded that to avoid corruption in a country change should happen at all levels: the way of thinking and culture of the inhabitants, laws, penalties to politicians without parliamentary immunity, application of information and communications technologies (ICT) in an appropriate manner, and complying with international standards in information security. To improve information security, administrative policies on information security must be changed, and technologies related to immutable security algorithms, Ledger, Hyperledger, etc., must be used

Climate Services for Resilient Development (CSRD) Partnership’s work in Latin America

The Climate Services for Resilient Development (CSRD) Partnership is a private-public collaboration led by USAID, which aims to increase resilience to climate change in developing countries through the development and dissemination of climate services. The partnership began with initial projects in three countries: Colombia, Ethiopia, and Bangladesh. The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) was the lead organization for the Colombian CSRD efforts – which then expanded to encompass work in the whole Latin American region

Interoperability in Emergency Management. A Solution Based on Distributed Databases and P2P Networks

[EN] To successfully confront a disaster, it is necessary the coordinated and collaborative participation of multiple agencies related to public safety, which provide a response consistent with the requirements of emergency environment and all those affected. For this, is necessary the permanent information exchange between the involved agencies that allows to joint its efforts and to face the emergency of the best possible way. This article describes the interoperability platform architecture, which enables agencies involved in management of an emergency, exchange information using their own information systems and computer tools. The architecture core is inside its Shared Information Space, which manages it as a single storage entity, all information coming from the information systems integrated to the platform. It is founded on a non-relational distributed database and a P2P communications network, to share out the workload between all the platform nodes in order to award availability and scalability to the architecture.SECTOR is currently under development and is part of the Seventh Framework Program of the European Union for Research and Technological Development (FP7), which aims to improve the interconnection, coordination and collaboration between emergency and crisis management systems.Zambrano-Vizuete, OM.; Pérez-Carrasco, FJ.; Esteve Domingo, M.; Palau Salvador, CE. (2018). Interoperability in Emergency Management. A Solution Based on Distributed Databases and P2P Networks. Computer Science and Information Systems. 15(2):257-272. https://doi.org/10.2298/CSIS170227001ZS25727215

Demand-led approaches to drive post-harvest innovation and nutritious RTB products

Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB) Strategy Development Workshop Report

Bus Rapid Transit: A Handbook for Partners, MTI Report 06-02

In April 2005, the Caltrans Division of Research and Innovation (DRI) asked MTI to assist with the research for and publication of a guidebook for use by Caltrans employees who work with local transit agencies and jurisdictions in planning, designing, and operating Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems that involve state facilities. The guidebook was also to assist to transit operators, local governments, community residents, and other stakeholders dealing with the development of BRT systems. Several areas in the state have experienced such projects ( San Diego , Los Angeles , San Francisco , and Alameda County ) and DRI wished to use that experience to guide future efforts and identify needed changes in statutes, policies, and other state concerns. Caltrans convened a Task Team from the Divisions of Research and Innovation, Mass Transportation, and Operations, together with stakeholders representing many of those involved with the BRT activities around the state. Prior to MTI’s involvement, this group produced a white paper on the topic, a series of questions, and an outline of the guidebook that MTI was to write. The MTI team conducted case studies of the major efforts in California, along with less developed studies of some of the other BRT programs under development or in early implementation phases around the state. The purpose was to clarify those issues that need to be addressed in the guidebook, as well as to compile information that would identify items needing legislative or regulatory action and items that Caltrans will need to address through district directives or other internal measures. A literature scan was used to develop a bibliography for future reference. The MTI team also developed a draft Caltrans director’s policy document, which provides the basis for Caltrans’ actions. This ultimately developed to be a project within a project. MTI submitted a draft document to Caltrans as a final product from the Institute. Task team members and Caltrans staff and leadership provided extensive review of the draft Bus Rapid Transit: A Handbook for Partners. Caltrans adopted a new Director’s Policy and published the document, BRT Caltrans. The MTI “wraparound” report presented below discusses in more detail the process that was followed to produce the draft report. The process was in many ways as much a project as the report itself

The Journal of Mine Action Issue 5.2 (2001)

Landmines in Central and South Americ

Microalgae as future superfoods: Fostering adoption through practice-based design research

Consumers’ eating habits are gradually changing. In the next few decades, this shift will not be solely dictated by individuals’ decisions but by the need to feed an ever-increasing population in the face of global resources’ impoverishment. Novel superfoods rich in nutrients and produced with sustainable methods, including microalgae, maybe a solution. However, their unusual aspect, the palatability, and the lack of knowledge by most people could be obstacles to adoption. This study aims at encouraging the use of microalgae as food, highlighting the importance that design plays in the transition towards more sustainable production and consumption patterns. Through practice-based design research, characterized by empirical experiments, a survey, an engaging workshop, and the development of a fully-functional open-source product, the authors conceptualize a theoretical framework within which similar product-service systems could thrive. This real-world experimentation is of interest for academics, professionals, makers in the field of design, etc. It suggests that multidisciplinarity, education, and replicability are the keys to addressing this topic and paves the way for further technical and humanistic research

Prototype for a Rural Primary Healthcare Center in Paraguay

Primary Health Care Centers in Paraguay are the architectural settings for the first level of access to healthcare in Paraguay, providing health promotion, pre- vention, diagnosis, treatment, and health education. These centers are built based on four standard typologies, of which two consist of permanent health- care facilities and two of satellite or mobile units. Standard designs for these centers typically consist of residential scaled buildings, with spaces linked by a single central circulation corridor and lacking adequate attention to ventilation and daylight. The public healthcare system in Paraguay is organized around four levels of care, and the complexity and nature of care at each level require different fa- cilities. The first level provides primary care services in small scale facilities designed to serve no more than 5000 people and aim to be the first point of access to public healthcare for the population, hence the importance of access to care throughout the country. Yet, Paraguay presents cultural and geographic particularities, along with infrastructure and investment limitations that chal- lenge access to care that the PHC model pursues. Many communities still lack access to primary healthcare and there remains a need to build new primary care centers or replace existing facilities. Current design prototypes for Primary Healthcare Centers do not adequately enable the effective and efficient delivery of culturally relevant patient and com- munity centered care. Hence, they do fulfill their intended role in the Healthcare System’s integrated network. This study aims to identify those issues and de- fine which ones can be addressed through architecture. The primary objective of this thesis is to design a prototype for a Rural Primary Healthcare Center in Paraguay which considers the physical, cultural, and normative context to support the provision of effective and efficient care. It proposes that Primary Healthcare Centers should have a standardized program with a customizable design that can utilize local labor, materials and traditional construction sys- tems that do not require additional training, or extra cost and time expenditure. Primary Healthcare Centers should also provide spaces to support community health and wellbeing with site design features that support healthful community activities and providing pleasing natural settings for patients, staff and the community. A literature review, and an architectural review of relevant case studies, helped inform best practices that are organized in eight design guidelines that include climatic and cultural responsiveness, flexibility, and resilience. The guidelines provide guidance in support of designing comfortable, appropriate spaces for the engagement of both patients and staff. Research into existing documentation on primary healthcare centers in Paraguay and the evidence collected resulted in a proposal for a new prototype program and site selection criteria based on local codes but that also incorporates best practice features observed in similar case studies from Latin America to significantly improve performance and enhance the experience of the patients and staff. The design proposal in this thesis serves as an example to illustrate how the design guidelines could be utilized toward to the design of a Primary Health care Center in Paraguay. It accommodates clinic, administrative, and support areas and pays special attention to the natural areas surrounding the building, considering the existing vegetation as an essential part of the response to cli-matic conditions. The material and construction systems are carefully chosen based on the guidelines and the cultural and physical context analysis

Social science perspectives on managing agricultural technology

TechnologyAgricultural researchResource managementFarmer participationEvaluation