A New Affordable Masonry System Based on Unfired Clay Sandwich Panel

Nowadays, construction is one of the main sectors that produces waste and consume more materials and energy, so there is a growing need for alternative construction technologies that allow us to modify this situation. In this context, this paper presents the development of an innovative proposal for an industrialized outdoor enclosure. This solution is based on a constructive system with prefabricated insulated sandwich panels, produced on the basis of a new eco-efficient composite material, based on raw stabilized clay. In this way, it is possible, prioritize environmental issues to significantly reduce the environmental impact generated during the manufacture of the piece. The use in the construction of buildings material such as stabilized raw clay can be an alternative to achieve buildings of nearly zero energy consumption. They are known both from a thermal comfort and ability to regulate temperature and humidity, as well as being materials that contain much less embodied energy. This study is a comparative analysis of building systems, as well, as a serie of selected patent systems and copyrighted materials. On the other hand, it also analyzes their enforcement against the values established by the Spanish building code

La integración de la telemática en la escuela

La telemática implica un desarrollo comunicativo adaptado a las necesidades del usuario. El nuevo paradigma de la comunicación que supone Internet está adquiriendo un protagonismo indiscutible en la sociedad actual. Para el autor, Internet no puede ser considerado sólo como un instrumento: es un medio y, posiblemente, el medio de comunicación con más posibilidades en el futuro. La mayoría de las funciones que permite Internet pueden ser empleadas en los contextos educativos. Pero hay un elemento fundamental que ha roto con la tendencia básicamente audiovisual que estaban siguiendo los medios de comunicación durante el siglo XX: en Internet es fundamental la palabra escrita, la lectura y la escritura. Por otro lado, el artículo alerta sobre los peligros que implica la navegación sin control por las redes telemáticas. Desde el punto de vista académico, el autor sostiene que el trabajo con Internet debe estar integrado curricularmente, pero asimismo no se debería forzar, de un modo insensato, su presencia en las aulas.A telemática implica um desenvolvimento comunicativo adaptado as necessidades dos usuários. O novo paradigma da comunicação que supõe a Internet esta adquirindo um protagonismo indiscutível na sociedade atual. Para o autor, a Internet não pode ser considera só como um instrumento: e um meio e, possivelmente, o meio de comunicação com mais posibilidades no futuro. A maioria das funções que permite a Internet pode ser empregada nos contextos educativa. Mas, há um elemento fundamental que junto com a tendência basicamente áudio visual que estavam seguindo os meios de comunicação durante o século XX: na internet e fundamental a palabra escrita, a leitura, a redação. Por outro lado, o artigo alerta sobre os perigos que implica a naveção sem controle pelas redes telematicas. Desde o ponto de vista acadêmico, o autor sustenta que o trabalho com Internet deve estar integrado curricularmente, mas assim mesmo não deveria forçar, de um modo insensato, sua presença nas aulas

Retos educativos en la sociedad de la información y la comunicación

El desarrollo de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) en el último tercio del siglo XX ha cambiado sustancialmente el mundo en que vivimos. En este sentido los sistemas educativos, que en modo alguno pueden constituir una realidad aparte, han de perseguir principalmente educar en y para un entorno dominado por las mismas. Sólo mediante el análisis crítico de las tecnologías y los medios de comunicación será posible llevar a efecto una labor plenamente formativa. Es un hecho evidente que frente a la irrupción de éstas en nuestra sociedad se ha ejercido, ante todo, una formación instrumental más que didáctica y pedagógica, que sea orientada realmente a una auténtica integración curricular de las TIC. Los autores sostienen que la formación del profesorado debería comenzar por un proceso elemental en tecnologías de la información y mass media, buscando asentar unas bases sólidas desde las que llevar a efecto, con posterioridad, un acceso a las nuevas tecnologías desde una perspectiva pedagógica y educativaO desenvolvimento das tecnologias da informação e da comunicação (TIC) na segunda metade do século XX teve mudanças substanciais no mundo em que vivemos. Neste sentido os sistemas educativos, que de modo algum podem constituir uma realidade aparte, hão de conseguir principalmente educar para o ambiente dominado pelas mesmas. Só mediante a analise critica das tecnologias e dos meios de comunicação será possível leva a efeito um trabalho formativo. E um eixo evidente que frente à irrupção desta na nossa sociedade que há exercido, antes de tudo, uma formação instrumental mais do que didática y pedagógica, que seja orientada realmente a uma autentica integração curricular das TIC. Os autores sustentam que a formação deveria começar por processo elementar em tecnologias da informação e media de massa, buscando assentar uma base sólida desde que leve a efeito, com propriedade, um acesso às novas tecnologias desde uma perspectiva pedagógica e educativa

Nonequilibrium chiral perturbation theory and pion decay functions

We extend chiral perturbation theory to study a meson gas out of thermal equilibrium. Assuming that the system is initially in equilibrium at T-i < T-c and working within the Schwinger-Keldysh contour technique, we define consistently the time-dependent temporal and spatial pion decay functions, the counterparts of the pion decay constants, and calculate them to next to leading order. The link with curved space-time QFT allows to establish nonequilibrium renormalisation. The short-time behaviour and the applicability of our model to a heavy-ion collision plasma are also discussed in this work

Applications of the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire: A Review

Sustainability seeks to provide economically viable products in an environmentally friendly way while respecting worker rights. Physical wellbeing forms part of these rights. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) diminish productivity, cause absence from work, impose costs on the public health system and can cast doubt on the sustainability of a company or a product. The objective of the present work is to review the literature on the application of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) on a worldwide level. In this work, the use of the NMQ has been classified by categories of knowledge, countries and years. The search was made using “Web of Science-Core Collection”. In total, 259 articles were chosen from scientific journals and conferences related, according to the title and or abstract, to the practical application of the questionnaire. In conclusion, the NMQ has been applied mainly in three sectors: “activities related to treating human health and social issues”, “manufacturing industries”, and “agriculture, livestock, fishing, and forestry”. The NMQ is an indirect method commonly used individually or complemented with other methods for evaluating the MSD and possible associated psychosocial and labour risks. The use of NMQ can help in the evaluation of the sustainability of a company

Assessment of Postural Load during Melon Cultivation in Mediterranean Greenhouses

Health and safety at work directly influence the development of sustainable agriculture. In the agricultural sector, many farm workers suffer musculoskeletal disorders caused by forced posture. The objective of this research is to assess working postures during melon cultivation in Almería-type greenhouses. The Ovako Working Posture Assessment System (OWAS) has been used with pictures of the tasks. The variables studied by multiple correspondence analysis were as follows: Subtask, Posture code, Back, Arms, Legs, Load, Risk, and Risk combination. The OWAS analysis showed that 47.57% of the postures were assessed as risk category 2, 14.32% as risk category 3, 0.47% as risk category 4, and the rest as risk category 1. Corrective measures should be implemented immediately, as soon as possible, or in the near future, depending on the risks detected

Exploring the Interplay between CAD and FreeFem++ as an Energy Decision-Making Tool for Architectural Design

The energy modelling software tools commonly used for architectural purposes do not allow a straightforward real-time implementation within the architectural design programs. In addition, the surrounding exterior spaces of the building, including the inner courtyards, hardly present a specific treatment distinguishing these spaces from the general external temperature in the thermal simulations. This is a clear disadvantage when it comes to streamlining the design process in relation to the whole-building energy optimization. In this context, the present study aims to demonstrate the advantages of the FreeFem++ open source program for performing simulations in architectural environments. These simulations include microclimate tests that describe the interactions between a building architecture and its local exterior. The great potential of this mathematical tool can be realized through its complete system integration within CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software such as SketchUp or AutoCAD. In order to establish the suitability of FreeFem++ for the performance of simulations, the most widely employed energy simulation tools able to consider a proposed architectural geometry in a specific environment are compared. On the basis of this analysis, it can be concluded that FreeFem++ is the only program displaying the best features for the thermal performance simulation of these specific outdoor spaces, excluding the currently unavailable easy interaction with architectural drawing programs. The main contribution of this research is, in fact, the enhancement of FreeFem++ usability by proposing a simple intuitive method for the creation of building geometries and their respective meshing (pre-processing). FreeFem++ is also considered a tool for data analysis (post-processing) able to help engineers and architects with building energy-efficiency-related tasks

Performance Variables and Technical Penalties of the Split Leap

Los autores desean mostrar su agradecimiento a las gimnastas participantes en este estudio por su esfuerzo entusiasta e implicación durante la ejecución de la habilidad de salto analizadaSe analizó la relación entre las penalizaciones técnicas obtenidas en la ejecución de un elemento gimnástico aislado con el nivel competitivo de las gimnastas, sus características antropométricas y las variables temporales y angulares más importantes analizadas en dicha habilidad. Fueron seleccionadas 29 gimnastas (17,1 ± 3,1 años) procedentes de distintos niveles competitivos. Tres entrenadores evaluaron la ejecución mediante una adaptación del Código de Puntuación. Se observaron asociaciones significativas directas e indirectas (p < 0,05): bajo índice de adiposidad (rho = 0,643), tiempo total de batida (rho = 0,619), tiempo total de vuelo (rho = - 0,596), máxima amplitud articular de caderas (rho = - 0,902) y máxima extensión de los tobillos (rho = - 0,738). La valoración de las penalizaciones así como el uso del nivel competitivo y del Salto Zancada como test específico han resultado ser herramientas útiles para la valoración del rendimientoThe aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the following aspects: the technical penalties obtained in the execution of an isolated gymnastics element, the competitive level of the gymnasts, their anthropometric characteristics, and the most important temporal and angular variables analyzed in this skill. Twenty nine gymnasts (aged 17.1 ± 3.1 years) from different competition levels were selected. Three coaches evaluated the execution through an adaptation of the Code of Points. Significant direct and indirect associations were observed (p < 0.05): low adiposity index (rho = 0.643), take-off total time (rho = 0.619), flight total time (rho = - 0.596), maximum range of motion of the hips (rho = - 0.902), and maximum extension of ankles (rho = - 0.738). The assessment of penalties as well as the use of competitive level and Split Leap as specific tests, have demonstrated to be useful tools for evaluating performanc

On the Influence of Shade in Improving Thermal Comfort in Courtyards

This study analyzes the thermal performance of courtyards in traditional buildings in the city center of Córdoba (South of Spain), one of them displaying a shading component, to determine the influence of this precise element. The courtyards have been monitored simultaneously during a summer period when temperatures during the day reached over 45 °C. The obtained data was contrasted, and we confirmed that the shading element provided an improvement of the thermal performance of the courtyard which doubled the thermal leap between outdoor and inside the courtyard temperatures when the shading element was installed, in comparison to the courtyard without shade. Therefore, the tempering effect of courtyards can be significantly improved by means of using these simple elements