SSP: a simple software process for small- size software development projects

A large number of software development projects in Latin- American countries are small-size, poorly defined and time pressured. These projects usually involve under qualified people. Provided that well-known software development models have shown limited applicability in such scenario, developers usually carry out ad-hoc software processes. Therefore, the obtained results are unpredictable. This article presents a Simple Software Process (SSP) for small-size software projects involving under qualified people. The proposal is motivated by current practice in Chile. SSP proposes a step-by-step process which structures the development activities and it improves the process visibility for clients and team members. Furthermore, SSP formally includes “the user/client” as an active role to be played during the project. This process has been used in 22 software projects and the results are encouraging.1st International Workshop on Advanced Software Engineering: Expanding the Frontiers of Software Technology - Session 3: Software Development ProcessRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

A cognitive model of user interaction as a guideline for designing novel interfaces

Adaptive systems behavior based on user models appear promising, mostly for complex environments such as mixed reality environments (MRE). An MRE comprises a virtual representation of the reality as well as physical objects augmented with virtual features. These objects are coupled with the virtual representation so that they can reflect its changes in real time. The proper design of an MRE and the user models that it implies are crucial for its success, but unfortunately, there are no guidelines for the design of these environments. In this paper we present a methodology for designing user models for MRE as well as for the augmentation of physical everyday objects. The user model describes users’ knowledge in two levels of abstraction: objects manipulation (syntax) and its meaning assigned by a community of practice (semantics).1st International Workshop on Advanced Software Engineering: Expanding the Frontiers of Software Technology - Session 2: Software ModelingRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Insight into the dynamics of low temperature dielectric relaxation of ordinary perovskite ferroelectrics

The temperature dependence of the dielectric response of ordinary ferroelectric materials exhibits a frequency-independent anomalous peak as a manifestation of the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition. A second anomaly in the permittivity has been reported in different ferroelectric perovskite-type systems at low temperatures, often at cryogenic temperatures. This anomaly manifests as a frequency-dependent local maximum, which exhibits similar characteristics to that observed in relaxor ferroelectrics around their phase transition. The origin of this unexpected behavior is still controversial. In order to clarify this phenomenon, a model-free route solution is developed in this work. Our findings reveal the same critical linear pattern/glass-like freezing behavior previously observed for glass-forming systems. Contrary to current thought, our results suggest that a critical-like dynamic parameterization could provide a more appropriate solution than the conventional Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann equation. The implemented methodology may open a new pathway for analyzing relaxation phenomena in other functional materials like relaxor ferroics.Postprint (published version

The generalized Vogel-Fulcher-Tamman equation for describing the dynamics of relaxor ferroelectrics

Relaxor ferroelectrics (RF) are outstanding materials owing to their extraordinary dielectric, electromechanical, and electro-optical properties. Although their massive applications, they remain to be one of the most puzzling solid-state materials because understanding their structural local order and relaxation dynamics is being a long-term challenge in materials science. The so-called Vogel-Fulcher-Tamman (VFT) relation has been extensively used to parameterize the relaxation dynamics in RF, although no microscopic description has been firmly established for such empirical relation. Here, we show that VFT equation is not always a proper approach for describing the dielectric relaxation in RF. Based on the Adam-Gibbs model and the Grüneisen temperature index, a more general equation to disentangle the relaxation kinetic is proposed. This approach allows to a new formulation for the configurational entropy leading to a local structural heterogeneity related order parameter for RF. A new pathway to disentangle relaxation phenomena in other relaxor ferroics could have opened.Postprint (published version

Unfolding kinetic fragility in relaxor ferroelectrics

The fragility parameter is one of the most important material constants that is extensively used in glass science, playing a central role in the enhancement of the understanding the glass formation process of disordered systems. Although fragility has been widely used, this concept has never been precisely defined and evaluated in relaxor ferroelectrics. Here, we have filled up this scientific gap. Based on a generalized Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann equation, the fragility parameter is introduced for relaxor ferroelectrics. The new formulation has been quantitatively assessed by combining dielectric spectroscopy and pyroelectric measurements on canonical relaxors. A clear correlation between the fragility and a new local structural heterogeneity related order parameter elucidates new information about the ferroelectric order of relaxor ferroelectrics. A new pathway to disentangle relaxation phenomena in other relaxor ferroics could have opened.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Evidence for a dynamics crossover and its implication on the freezing temperature determination of relaxor ferroelectrics

Relaxor ferroelectrics are characterized by a broadened and dispersive permittivity peak in their temperature-dependent dielectric spectra. Although several models have been proposed to explain the nature of these materials, understanding their relaxation dynamics still remains open and requires additional theoretical and experimental explanations. Particularly, a precise determination of the freezing temperature still remains controversial because the influence of dynamic ruptures at temperatures approaching the freezing states (dynamic crossovers) has never evaluated before. In this paper, a model-free approach for describing the super-Arrhenius behaviour in glassy systems is validated for relaxor ferroelectrics. As a result, a predicted dynamic change at a specific temperature (crossover temperature) is evidenced by a derivative-based representation of the relaxation time data. The Stickel function is suggested as a more straightforward but model-dependent method for obtaining the dynamic crossover temperature. Furthermore, the divergence (freezing) temperature is obtained on the basis of the Grüneisen-style activation energy temperature index without assuming any model equation for parameterizing the relaxation data. The influence of the dynamic change occurrences on the freezing temperature determination is also considered, showing that the dynamic crossover temperature determination is a key factor for a proper finding of the freezing temperature in relaxor ferroelectrics.Postprint (author's final draft

A cognitive model of user interaction as a guideline for designing novel interfaces

Adaptive systems behavior based on user models appear promising, mostly for complex environments such as mixed reality environments (MRE). An MRE comprises a virtual representation of the reality as well as physical objects augmented with virtual features. These objects are coupled with the virtual representation so that they can reflect its changes in real time. The proper design of an MRE and the user models that it implies are crucial for its success, but unfortunately, there are no guidelines for the design of these environments. In this paper we present a methodology for designing user models for MRE as well as for the augmentation of physical everyday objects. The user model describes users’ knowledge in two levels of abstraction: objects manipulation (syntax) and its meaning assigned by a community of practice (semantics).1st International Workshop on Advanced Software Engineering: Expanding the Frontiers of Software Technology - Session 2: Software ModelingRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

SSP: a simple software process for small- size software development projects

A large number of software development projects in Latin- American countries are small-size, poorly defined and time pressured. These projects usually involve under qualified people. Provided that well-known software development models have shown limited applicability in such scenario, developers usually carry out ad-hoc software processes. Therefore, the obtained results are unpredictable. This article presents a Simple Software Process (SSP) for small-size software projects involving under qualified people. The proposal is motivated by current practice in Chile. SSP proposes a step-by-step process which structures the development activities and it improves the process visibility for clients and team members. Furthermore, SSP formally includes “the user/client” as an active role to be played during the project. This process has been used in 22 software projects and the results are encouraging.1st International Workshop on Advanced Software Engineering: Expanding the Frontiers of Software Technology - Session 3: Software Development ProcessRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Enfoque para o manejo de resíduos não perigosos aproveitáveis, empregando uma estação ecológica

Introduction: This article is the result of the research project “Ecological Station based on renewable energies” currently developed by the Research Group on Technology and environment (gita) of the Corporación Universitaria Autónoma del Cauca and funded by the Human Talent Education Network Project for Social and Productive Innovation in the department of Cauca (InnovAcción Cauca), for a period of one year (September 2015 to 2016, the same month). Methodology: A review of the literature regarding the management of usable non-hazardous waste RnPA) is made, and includes technological trends and Management strategies. Additionally, a comparison is made based on the objectives of environmental education and major gaps and voids present when handling RnPA. Results: the architecture of an eco-friendly station (eco-station) as a pedagogical strategy, which integrates different forms of learning into the management RnPA during the collection stage.  Conclusions: material detection systems, user interaction, selection of waste and renewable energy supply within the eco-station streamline the learning process in the management and collection of RnPA at the source.Introducción: este artículo es producto del proyecto de investigación “Estación ecológica con base en energías renovables”, desarrollado actualmente por el Grupo de Investigación en Tecnología y Ambiente (GITA) de la Corporación Universitaria Autónoma del Cauca y financiado por el Proyecto Red de Formación de Talento Humano para la Innovación Social y Productiva en el departamento del Cauca (InnovAcción Cauca), por un periodo de un año (de septiembre del 2015 al 2016, del mismo mes). Metodología: se realiza una revisión de la literatura en relación con el manejo de residuos no peligrosos aprovechables (RnPA), presentando las tendencias tecnológicas y estrategias de manejo. Adicionalmente, se realiza una comparativa con base en los objetivos de la educación ambiental y se presentan las principales brechas y vacíos en el proceso de manejo de los RnPA. Resultados: la arquitectura de una estación ecológica-amigable (eco-estación) como estrategia pedagógica, donde se integran distintas formas de aprendizaje en el manejo de RnPA para su etapa de recolección. Conclusiones: los sistemas de detección de materiales, de interacción de usuario, de selección de residuos y de alimentación energética renovable en el interior de la eco-estación dinamizan el proceso de aprendizaje en el manejo y recolección en la fuente de RnPA.Introdução: este artigo é o resultado do projeto de investigação “Estação ecológica com base em energias renováveis”, desenvolvido atualmente pelo Grupo de Investigação em Tecnologia e Ambiente (gita) da Corporação Universitária Autónoma do Cauca e financiado pelo Projeto Rede de Formação de Talento Humano para a Inovação Social e Produtiva no departamento do Cauca (Inovação Cauca), por um período de um ano (de setembro de 2015 a 2016, do mesmo mês). Metodologia: é feita uma revisão da literatura no que tange o manejo de resíduos não perigosos aproveitáveis (RnPA), apresentando as tendências tecnológicas e estratégias de manejo. Adicionalmente, realiza-se uma comparação baseada nos objetivos da educação ambiental e apresentam-se os principais gaps e vazios no processo de manejo dos RnPA. Resultados: a arquitetura de uma estação ecológica-amigável (eco-estação) como estratégia pedagógica, onde se integram diversas formas de aprendizagem no manejo de RnPA para sua fase de coleta. Conclusões: os sistemas de detecção de materiais, de interação de usuário, de seleção de resíduos e de alimentação energética renovável no interior da eco-estação dinamizam o processo de aprendizado no manejo e coleta na fonte de RnPA

Detection system of magnetic nanoparticles in biological tissues by Magnetoencephalography

Magnetic nanoparticles are useful for a wide range of applications from data storage to medical imaging. Their unique features (controllable size in the nanoscale range, possibility to be coated with biological molecules, response to the application of a magnetic field...) make the development of a variety of medical applications possible, both for diagnosis and therapy [1-3]. On the other hand, Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is a non-invasive functional imaging technique that enables the description of the temporal and spatial patterns of brain activity in resting conditions or related to different basic cognitive processes, by detecting the weak magnetic fields generated by currents in the neurons [4,5]. The detection of the weak magnetic fields depends on gradiometer detection coils coupled to a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). However, MEG systems are not currently being used for the detection of MNPs in biological tissues. A system to newly detect Magnetic Nanoparticles (MNPs) in the brain and in biological tissues will be described. The method uses a commercial Magnetoencephalograph (MEG) and opens new possibilities to extend the use of MEG systems to new applications for both diagnosis and therapy of medical diseases, different from its common use in neurological diagnosis. To test the validity of the system, in this work, we will show its ability to detect MNPs in biological tissues and their possible use in diagnosis of cerebral brain microinjurie