An integrated approach for analysing and assessing the performance of virtual learning groups

Collaborative distance learning involves a variety of elements and factors that have to be considered and measured in order to analyse and assess group and individual performance more effectively and objectively. This paper presents an approach that integrates qualitative, social network analysis (SNA) and quantitative techniques for evaluating online collaborative learning interactions. Integration of various different data sources, tools and techniques provides a more complete and robust framework for group modelling and guarantees a more efficient evaluation of group effectiveness and individual competence. Our research relies on the analysis of a real, long-term, complex collaborative experience, which is initially evaluated in terms of principled criteria and a basic qualitative process. At the end of the experience, the coded student interactions are further analysed through the SNA technique to assess participatory aspects, identify the most effective groups and the most prominent actors. Finally, the approach is contrasted and completed through a statistical technique which sheds more light on the results obtained that far. The proposal draws a well-founded line toward the development of a principled framework for the monitoring and analysis of group interaction and group scaffolding which can be considered a major issue towards the actual application of the CSCL proposals to real classrooms.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Ensayos de biodegradabilidad anaerobia de efluentes cerveceros con lodo granular y lodo floculento

Desde comienzos de la década de los noventa la industria cervecera del país ha venido implementando tecnologías anaerobias, particularmente del tipo UASB (Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket), para el tratamiento de las aguas residuales de sus plantas industriales en diferentes regiones del país. Por diferentes razones estas instalaciones están funcionando con algunas deficiencias, lo cual es motivo de preocupación tanto para el sector industrial como para las entidades de control. El presente artículo constituye la segunda parte de una investigación encaminada a establecer criterios para la selección y mejoramiento de lodos utilizados en estos sistemas. También se busca analizar la influencia de otros factores asociados como características del desecho, condiciones de operación y parámetros de diseño. El estudio se desarrolló en dos etapas, en las que se emplearon lodo granular y lodo floculento para evaluar la degradabilidad de los residuos líquidos de dos plantas de cerveceras. Igualmente, se incluyó el lodo propio de una de esas instalaciones.At the beginning of nineties the colombian beer industry begun the application of anaerobic technology for the treatment of their wastewater efluents throught different regions of the country. These treatment plants have not been working appropriately due to different factors, and are creating concern among the industrial sector and the water pollution control agencies. This work constitutes the second phase of a research project designed to establish a selection and improvement criteria of the sludges used in the systems. It also looks to analyze other associated factors such as: waste, characteristics, operation conditions and design parameters. The investigation was conducted in two phases using granular and floculent sludges. This method was used for determining the anaerobic biodegradability of wastewater from two industrial plants

Simulation of Single and Twin Impinging Jets in Cross-flow of VTOL Aircrafts (Review)

When operating near the ground beneath a Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing (VSTOL) aircraft a complex turbulent 3D flow is generated. This flow field can be represented by the configuration of twin impinging jets in a cross-flow. Studying these jets is a significant parameter for the design of VTOL aircraft. This flowfield during very low speed or hover flight operations is very complex and time dependent. An important number of experimental researches and simulations have been carried out to be able to understand much better these flows related with powered lift vehicles. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach will be used in this paper work for simulation purposes of a single and twin impinging jet through and without crossflow

Design and construction of a hydraulic channel of variable slope

En este artículo se presenta el diseño, construcción, calibración y validación a través de prácticas experimentales usando un canal hidráulico de pendiente variable. El equipo forma parte del Laboratorio de Hidráulica de la Universidad Manuela Beltrán sede Cajicá en Colombia. El equipo se compone de un soporte estructural en aluminio de 5 metros de largo, un banco hidráulico de 250 litros, un canal rectangular en acrílico de 5 metros de largo, sensores de caudal y presión de bajo costo. Como novedad en comparación a otros prototipos similares, se incluyó un sistema hidráulico acoplado a un sensor de presión para registrar los cambios de presión en diferentes zonas del canal con mayor grado de precisión. Esta herramienta brindará apoyo a estudiantes, docentes e investigadores en los campos de hidráulica, ingeniería ambiental y áreas afines. Finalmente, la validación del funcionamiento del canal se da mediante la reproducción exitosa de experimentos propuestos en la literatura.In this article the design, construction, calibration and validation through experimental assays using a hydraulic channel of variable slope, is presented. This device is part of the Hydraulics Laboratory of the University Manuela Beltrán, campus Cajicá in Colombia. The experimental setup consists of a structural aluminum support of 5m long, a hydraulic bench of 250 liters, a rectangular acrylic channel of 5 meters long, and low-cost flow and pressure sensors. As a novelty, and different from other similar laboratories, a hydraulic system which was coupled to a pressure sensor for recording pressure changes in different areas of the channel with a higher degree of accuracy was included. This tool will provide the necessary support to students, teachers and researchers in the fields of hydraulics, environmental engineering and related areas. Finally, performance validation of the channel was provided by the successful reproduction of experiments proposed in the literature

Design and construction of a hydraulic channel of variable slope

En este artículo se presenta el diseño, construcción, calibración y validación a través de prácticas experimentales usando un canal hidráulico de pendiente variable. El equipo forma parte del Laboratorio de Hidráulica de la Universidad Manuela Beltrán sede Cajicá en Colombia. El equipo se compone de un soporte estructural en aluminio de 5 metros de largo, un banco hidráulico de 250 litros, un canal rectangular en acrílico de 5 metros de largo, sensores de caudal y presión de bajo costo. Como novedad en comparación a otros prototipos similares, se incluyó un sistema hidráulico acoplado a un sensor de presión para registrar los cambios de presión en diferentes zonas del canal con mayor grado de precisión. Esta herramienta brindará apoyo a estudiantes, docentes e investigadores en los campos de hidráulica, ingeniería ambiental y áreas afines. Finalmente, la validación del funcionamiento del canal se da mediante la reproducción exitosa de experimentos propuestos en la literatura.In this article the design, construction, calibration and validation through experimental assays using a hydraulic channel of variable slope, is presented. This device is part of the Hydraulics Laboratory of the University Manuela Beltrán, campus Cajicá in Colombia. The experimental setup consists of a structural aluminum support of 5m long, a hydraulic bench of 250 liters, a rectangular acrylic channel of 5 meters long, and low-cost flow and pressure sensors. As a novelty, and different from other similar laboratories, a hydraulic system which was coupled to a pressure sensor for recording pressure changes in different areas of the channel with a higher degree of accuracy was included. This tool will provide the necessary support to students, teachers and researchers in the fields of hydraulics, environmental engineering and related areas. Finally, performance validation of the channel was provided by the successful reproduction of experiments proposed in the literature

Hybrid Model for the Analysis of Human Gait: A Non-linear Approach

In this work, a generalization of the study of the human gait was made from already existent models in the literature, like models of Keller and Kockshenev. In this hybrid model, a strategy of metabolic energy minimization is combined in a race process, with a non-linear description of the movement of the mass center’s libration, trying to reproduce the behavior of the walk-run transition. The results of the experimental data, for different speed regimes, indicate that the perimeter of the trajectory of the mass center is a relevant quantity in the quantification of this dynamic. An experimental procedure was put into practice in collaboration with the research group in Biomedical Engineering, Basic Sciences and Laboratories of the Manuela Beltrán University in Bogotá, Colombia

La ciencia en las políticas de resiliencia climática para la agricultura: Lecciones aprendidas desde la implementación del programa CCAFS en Honduras

Los niveles de integración de la ciencia en los procesos políticos dependen de varios factores como las relaciones de confianza entre formulador y actor de investigación, la forma de comunicación y el grado de certidumbre percibido de los resultados de investigación. A través de un estudio de diferentes procesos de construcción de política para la resiliencia agroclimática en Honduras se analizó la estrategia de engagement para informar las políticas de resiliencia agroclimática por el programa CCAFS-CIAT, se destacan algunos alcances y oportunidades de mejora

Culture and Psychiatric Evaluation: Operationalizing Cultural Formulation for DSM-5

The Outline for Cultural Formulation (OCF) introduced with DSM-IV provided a framework for clinicians to organize cultural information relevant to diagnostic assessment and treatment planning. However, use of the OCF has been inconsistent, raising questions about the need for guidance on implementation, training, and application in diverse settings. To address this need, DSM-5 introduced a cultural formulation interview (CFI) that operationalizes the process of data collection for the OCF. The CFI includes patient and informant versions and 12 supplementary modules addressing specific domains of the OCF. This article summarizes the literature reviews and analyses of experience with the OCF conducted by the DSM-5 Cross-Cultural Issues Subgroup (DCCIS) that informed the development of the CFI. We review the history and contents of the DSM-IV OCF, its use in training programs, and previous attempts to render it operational through questionnaires, protocols, and semi-structured interview formats. Results of research based on the OCF are discussed. For each domain of the OCF, we summarize findings from the DCCIS that led to content revision and operationalization in the CFI. The conclusion discusses training and implementation issues essential to service delivery