Methodology for informed design of sustainable tourism accommodation in Chile’s 9th Region the Gateway to Patagonia

AbstractLying between Chile's agricultural Central Valley and the wilds of Patagonia, the micro region of Araucanía Andina, is seeing a rise in both national and international tourism. With its snow-capped volcanoes, national parks, native forests and indigenous Mapuche culture, the region offers a wide range of activities to the Special Interest Tourist. The development of winter sports facilities and the growth in Northern Hemisphere visitors during the austral winter is extending the season, in what was previously predominantly a destination for Chilean summer holidaymakers. The tourism infrastructure must therefore respond to provide comfortable, energy efficient, sustainable accommodation during both the cold wet winters and short hot summers, meeting the expectations of an ever more demanding international market. The government funded research project “Sustainable Construction System and Energy Efficiency for Special Interest Tourist Infrastructure in the Araucanía Andina,” FONDEF Regional D10R1003, aims to provide the knowledge needed by the local tourist industry to achieve this goal. This paper presents the methodology and outcomes of the project, including the study of local vernacular architecture, post occupation evaluation of existing infrastructure, bioclimatic analysis, environmental and technical assessment of insulation and construction materials, digital simulation of proposals and the construction of physical test cells. The resulting proposal is a system of timber-framed walls, insulated with sheep's wool, finished externally with a ventilated façade. It is hoped that this prefabricated system, in conjunction with best practice guidelines for construction and management, should enable a sustainable future for the region's tourism. At the same time, the methodology provides a replicable template that has already been applied in other regions of the country

Cerebrovascular Events After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as an alternative less invasive treatment for patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Despite the technological development and knowledge improvement in recent years, neurological complications remain a concern, especially with the expansion of the technique toward younger and lower risk patients. Clinical cerebrovascular events have an important impact on patients' morbidity and mortality with a multifactorial origin. While cerebral microembolizations during TAVI is a universal phenomenon and embolic protection devices have been developed in an attempt to reduce them, their clinical utility remains unclear. We review the current evidence on cerebrovascular events associated with TAVI and potential preventive strategies

The reinsertion of controlled internal drug release devices in goats does not increase the pregnancy rate after short oestrus synchronization protocol at the beginning of the breeding season

Trabajo de investigación cuya temática es la sincronización del estro en ovejas de pelo.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of reinserting controlled internal drug release (CIDR) devices after fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) on pregnancy rates in goats. Oestrus was synchronized with a short (5 days) CIDR protocol, and FTAI was conducted 54 hours after CIDR removal. According to the reinsertion of CIDR after FTAI, goats were assigned to three treatments: G0 control group (n = 29), no CIDR reinsertion; G7 group (n = 27), CIDR reinserted 7 days; G14 group (n = 29), CIDR reinserted 14 days. Blood samples were collected to determine progesterone levels. Oestrus appearance (92.9%), interval of CIDR removal to oestrus (IRE = 34.1 ± 1.1 hours), interval of oestrus onset to artificial insemination (IEAI = 20.2 ± 1.0 hours), mean duration of oestrus (38.4 ± 1.4 hours), and pregnancy rates (61.0%) were similar (P > .05) among groups. Progesterone concentrations were higher (P  .05) for all groups. In conclusion, reinsertion of CIDR for 7 or 14 days after a short oestrus synchronization protocol and FTAI did not increase the overall pregnancy rate of goats

Documentary review of wind energy for the generation of electrical energy in Ecuador

La presente investigación estudia las nuevas fuentes de energía renovables aplicables en el País como es la energía eólica, pues existen escasos estudios sobre el tema, que sustente por medio de una investigación científica tecnológica todas las etapas de la generación, acumulación y distribución. Objetivo. Revisar de forma documental la energía eólica para la generación de energía eléctrica en el Ecuador. Metodología. El método aplicado fue con un enfoque cuantitativo con alcance descriptivo, exploratorio y documental. Resultados. En los resultados obtenidos de la investigación documental  se revisaron las tasas de producción de energía eólica que se dan en las diferentes plantas de producción del País en el cantón San Cristóbal en la central “Eólico San Cristóbal” se tiene 2,4 MW y en el cantón Baltra en la central “Baltra Eólico” se cuenta con una generación de 2,25 MW; posteriormente, en la provincia de Loja en la “Central Villonaco” se genera 16,50 MW, la generación eléctrica bruta a nivel nacional para el año 2021 es de 32.206,88 GWh. Conclusión. Se concluyo que el Ecuador posee las condiciones adecuadas para incrementar no únicamente su capacidad sino las plantas que posee; siendo este estudio un aporte al análisis del contexto de su desarrollo dentro del país.The present investigation studies the new renewable energy sources applicable in the country, such as wind energy, since there are few studies on the subject, which support all the stages of generation, accumulation and distribution through technological scientific research. Goal. Documentary review of wind energy for the generation of electrical energy in Ecuador. Methodology. The method applied was with a quantitative approach with a descriptive, exploratory and documentary scope. Results. In the results obtained from the documentary research, the wind energy production rates that occur in the different production plants of the country in the San Cristóbal canton were reviewed in the "Eolic San Cristóbal" power plant, it has 2.4 MW and in the Baltra canton in the "Baltra Eólico" plant has a generation of 2.25 MW; subsequently, in the province of Loja in the "Villonaco Power Plant" 16.50 MW is generated, the gross electricity generation at the national level for the year 2021 is 32,206.88 GWh. Conclusion. It was concluded that Ecuador has adequate conditions to increase not only its capacity but also the plants it has; this study being a contribution to the analysis of the context of its development within the country

Evaluación de la contaminación acústica en el terminal terrestre del cantón Morona, ciudad Macas mediante la identificación de niveles de presión sonora

Se evaluó la contaminación acústica del Terminal Terrestre Dr. Roberto Villarreal V. mediante los niveles de presión sonora que se genera, teniendo como objetivo conocer el valor de ruido ambiental existente. Se realizó un levantamiento de información en el área de estudio, identificando las zonas sensibles a la contaminación acústica, precisando nueve puntos de monitoreo; para la realización de la cartografía temática (mapa de ruido) se utilizó la herramienta informática ArcGIS aplicando la técnica de Distancia Inversa Ponderada (IDW). Para la obtención de datos se utilizó un sonómetro integrador Tipo II, con ponderación frecuencial A y modo de respuesta lenta (Slow), en tres periodos de tomas (mañana, tarde y noche) mediante la metodología de 15 segundos reportando 5 muestras de 15s durante 10 minutos por cada punto obteniendo 405 muestras diarias. Los resultados se obtuvieron aplicando la metodología dada en la normativa Acuerdo Ministerial 097 Anexo 5 del Ministerio de Ambiente, mostrando que en los tres periodos establecidos los puntos P3 ubicado en el área de Embarque Intercantonal con 66.99 dB, P4 ubicado en el área de confitería con 68.00 dB, P7 ubicado en la llegada de buses con 68.52 dB y P8 ubicado en el área de Embarque Interprovincial con 67.64 dB, presentaron mayor nivel de ruido, superando el límite permisible de 55 dB. Determinando que el ruido que se produce en el terminal es influenciado por el ruido externo como las actividades económicas y tráfico vehicular liviano y pesado que se desarrollan alrededor de las instalaciones de área de estudio, generando un cambio de nivel de ruido en el terminal

The impact of extensive grazing in the behavior of soluble sugars in Prosopis laevigata (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) M.C.Johnst. trees

Objective: To evaluate the impact of extensive grazing in the accumulation of soluble sugars in Prosopis laevigata trees, whose leaves and fruits are directly consumed by cattle. Design/Methodology/Approach: The ejido Emiliano Zapata in Durango was the study area. Stem and root samples were collected from a stand of extensive grazing and a stand without cattle. The sampling was carried out in three growth stages: March (flowering), June (fruition), and October (leaf fall). The samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen and were lyophilized. Afterwards, they were ground and 10 mg of dry matter were weighted in microtubes. The total soluble sugars (TSS) concentration was determined following the Van Handel methodology, using a spectrophotometer at 625 nm. The statistical analysis was carried out using an ANOVA and the Tukey’s test. Results: In March, the grazing area had lower TSS concentrations during regrowth than the area without grazing, both at root and stem levels. Study Limitations/Implications: The intensity of grazing and the pasture rotation should be regulated to favor carbohydrate accumulation in trees, which is required for the formation of the meristematic tissues. Finding/Conclusions: Extensive grazing has an impact on the synthesis and accumulation of TSS in mesquite trees. Therefore, the consumption of branches, leaves, and fruits decreases TSS concentrations in the stem and the root

Energy subsidies, public investment and endogenous growth

We consider impacts of fossil fuel subsidy reforms on economic growth, focusing mostly on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. The main empirical result is that a country that initially subsidizes its fossil fuels, and then eliminates or reduces these subsidies, will as a result experience higher economic GDP per capita growth, and higher levels of employment and labor force participation, especially among the young. These effects are strongest in countries whose fuel subsidies are high at the outset, such as in the MENA region. Our model predicts that a 20 US$ cents average increase in the gasoline and diesel prices per liter, through removal of subsidies, increase the GDP per capita growth rate by about 0.48% and 0.30%, respectively. In the MENA countries, governments’ savings from reduced subsidies seem to be earmarked mainly to health expenditures, education expenditures and public investment in infrastructure. These channels appear to be strong contributing factors to higher long-run growth when fuel subsidies are reduced

Demands and Resources of the Work–Family Interface among Micro-Entrepreneurs in Chile

This research was designed to test how the demands–resources model is associated with the work–family interface. The present paper focused on time pressure and workload measured according to self-efficacy and personal autonomy as well as the perceptions of satisfaction with that balance. We developed an interpretative qualitative study of the meaning of the work–family interface by concentrating on the paradoxes that emerge from this relationship and from the bidirectionality. A qualitative methodology was used, and data were obtained through 44 semi-structured interviews with male and female micro-entrepreneurs from Chile who were selected according to inclusion criteria such as sex and type of micro-entrepreneur as well as their work–family balance. The interviewees had different family configurations. The results show that the group developed dual perceptions of the interface, with workload and time pressure becoming resources, and these aspects could be managed in their favor to reinforce the development of other personal resources such as autonomy and self-efficacy. The interviewees also made analytical adjustments to context sequences so that demands could be resolved subjectively by turning them into resources that provide meaning to the actions and give legitimacy to their personal decisions. The study contributes to the literature by providing a better understanding of the perceptions of micro-entrepreneurs regarding the positive connections between family and work and the negative consequences of the conflict to redefine the demands–resources model

Post-Occupancy evaluation of state schools in 5 climatic zones of Chile

This paper presents the results of a study, commissioned by the Chilean Ministry of Education and UNESCO, of hygro-thermal comfort, visual comfort, acoustics and indoor air quality, as experienced in selected classrooms of 8 state schools located in distinct climatic zones in Chile. Using a post-occupancy evaluation methodology developed by the authors, 14 classrooms were evaluated with visual analysis, questionnaires and insitu measurements over a 5 day period. Although limited in its duration, the study clearly highlighted deficits in each of the areas of study; these included unacceptable sound pollution arising from transport; overheating due to excessive solar gain; insufficient heating and poorly insulated building fabric; poor indoor air quality; and poor day and electric lighting