A Portfolio Inspired Metric For Project Selection in Construction Management

In this paper we adopt a portfolio management approach to make project selection decisions easer in construction management. In particular, we suggest to extend value-based analysis to project selection within a Portfolio of related projects. We define a new value based indicator, “Project Value to Portfolio Value” (PV2PV) to asses the added value of a new project to the value of the firm’s actual portfolio of projects. The PV2PV indicator allows us to establish the modified ranking of the individual projects of the portfolio should a new incoming project be included in the firm’s portfolio of standing projects. The approach not only is useful for construction corporations but for some financial corporations like Spanish banks, which after the construction bubble have become “project and facility owners”

Aplicación de la Metodología BIM para el análisis de riesgos en un Centro de Salud en la Ciudad de Chiclayo

La siguiente investigación denominada: “Aplicación de la Metodología BIM para el análisis de riesgos en un Centro de Salud en la Ciudad de Chiclayo”, se pudo apreciar las interferencias que hubo en el expediente técnico y se logró identificarlo con la Metodología BIM. El estudio se empezó realizando el modelamiento 3D en el programa Revit V22 según los planos establecidos en el expediente técnico del centro de salud, con ello se puedo obtener los metrados que nos daba el programa Revit y también realizar los riesgos que podía haber en el proyecto, para que así se pudiera realizar la comparación de cada una de las partidas de estructura. Al obtener los metrados y compararlo, se visualizó que había una diferencia entre el expediente técnico y el BIM. Es por ello que el costo directo del presupuesto del expediente técnico. Con la ayuda del BIM se determinó un plan de riesgos que puede existir en el proyecto y así se pueda evitar en el momento de ejecutar. La metodología BIM te facilita poder saber que interferencias tienes en tu proyecto y así evitar saberlo en la fase de la ejecución.The following investigation called: ""Application of the BIM Methodology for risk analysis in a Health Center in the City of Chiclayo"", it was possible to appreciate the interferences that occurred in the technical file and it was possible to identify it with the BIM Methodology. The study began by carrying out the 3D modeling in the Revit V22 program according to the plans established in the technical file of the health center, with this we can obtain the measurements that the Revit program gave us and also carry out the risks that could be in the project. so that the comparison of each of the structure items could be made. When obtaining the measurements and comparing it, it was seen that there was a difference between the technical file and the BIM. That is why the direct cost of the budget of the technical file. With the help of BIM, a risk plan was determined that may exist in the project and thus can be avoided at the time of execution. The BIM methodology makes it easier for you to know what interferences you have in your project and thus avoid knowing it in the execution phase.Tesi

An educational tool for understanding MPEG‐2 video compression and coding techniques

The understanding of the video encoding/decoding processes is a key skill for students of computer science, engineering, or telecommunications, especially those specialized in multimedia. The special characteristics of the video signals, and how such features are leveraged to compress the video frames using coding theory, are hard to understand for engineering students. In this paper, we describe MPEG-2 analyzer, an educational tool designed to provide a comprehensive and interactive way to understand MPEG-2 video compression and encoding techniques. We have used our tool to evaluate its usefulness in reinforcing the knowledge about the MPEG-2 video (de)coding process to Telecommunication Engineering students. Results show that the evaluation of the tool is very positive, and it has helped them to understand many of the complex concepts covered in the course.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBUA

Exploring the influence of seasonal uncertainty in project risk management

27th IPMA World CongressFor years, many research studies have focused on programming projects, assuming a deterministic environment and complete task information. However, during the project performance, schedule may be subject to uncertainty which can lead to significant modifications. This fact has led to an increasing scientific literature in the field. In this article we consider the presence of an uncertainty of seasonal type (e.g. meteorological) that affects some of the activities that comprise the project. We discuss how the project risk can be affected by such uncertainty, depending on the start date of the project. By means of Monte Carlo simulation, we compute the statistical distribution functions of project duration at the end of the project. Then, we represent the variability of the project through the so-called Project Risk Baseline. In addition, we examine various sensitivity metrics - Criticality, Cruciality, Schedule Sensitivity Index -. We use them to prioritize each one of the activities of the project depending on its start date. In the last part of the study we demonstrate the relative importance of project tasks must consider a combined version of these three sensitivity measures.the project SPPORT: “Computational Models for Strategic Project Portfolio Management”, supported by the Regional Government of Castile and Leon (Spain) with grant VA056A12-

Beyond earned value management: a graphical framework for integrated cost, schedule and risk monitoring

26th IPMA World Congress. 2012, Crete, Greece,In this paper, we propose an innovative and simple graphical framework for project control and monitoring, to integrate the dimensions of project cost and schedule with risk management, therefore extending the Earned Value methodology (EVM). EVM allows Project managers to know whether the project has overruns (over-costs and/or delays), but project managers do not know when deviations from planned values are so important that corrective actions should be taken or, in case of good performance, sources of improvement can be detected. From the concept of project planned variability, we build a graphical methodology to know when a project remains “out of control” or “within expected variability” during the project lifecycle. To this aim, we define and represent new control indexes and new cumulative buffers. Five areas in the chart represent five different possible project states. To implement this framework, project managers only need the data provided by EVM traditional analysis and Monte-Carlo simulation. We also explore the sensitivity of the methodology to control variables.Project “Computational Models for Strategic Project Portfolio Management”, supported by the Regional Government of Castile and Leon (Spain) with grant VA056A12-2

Contribution of decision support systems to water management improvement in basins with high evaporation in Mediterranean climates

[EN] The entry into force of Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 23 October 2000 established a new model for the management and protection of surface water and groundwater in Europe. In this sense, a thorough knowledge of the basins is an essential step in achieving this European objective. The utility of integrative decision support systems (DSS) for decision-making in complex systems and multiple objectives allows decision-makers to identify characteristics and improve water management in a basin. In this research, hydrological and water management resource models have been combined, with the assistance of the DSS AQUATOOL, with the aim of deepening the consideration of losses by evaporation of reservoirs for a better design of the basin management rules. The case study treated is an Andalusian basin of the Atlantic zone (Spain). At the same time, different management strategies are analysed based on the optimization of the available resources by means of the conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater.The study was performed with the support of the Ecological Transition Ministry, through the Biodiversity Foundation.Ruíz-Ortíz, V.; García-López, S.; Solera Solera, A.; Paredes Arquiola, J. (2019). Contribution of decision support systems to water management improvement in basins with high evaporation in Mediterranean climates. Hydrology Research. 50(4):1020-1036. https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2019.014S10201036504Alcamo J. , HenrichT. & RoschT.2000World Water in 2025 – Global Modelling and Scenario Analysis for the World Commission on Water for the 21st Century. Report A0002, Centre for Environmental System Research, University of Kassel, Germany.ALCAMO, J., FLÖRKE, M., & MÄRKER, M. (2007). Future long-term changes in global water resources driven by socio-economic and climatic changes. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 52(2), 247-275. doi:10.1623/hysj.52.2.247Allen R. G. , PereiraL. S., RaesD. & SmithM.2006Crop Evapotranspiration. Guidelines for Computing Crop Water Requirements (FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56). Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy. http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/x0490s/x0490s00.htm (accessed 10 September 2018).Andreu, J., Capilla, J., & Sanchís, E. (1996). AQUATOOL, a generalized decision-support system for water-resources planning and operational management. Journal of Hydrology, 177(3-4), 269-291. doi:10.1016/0022-1694(95)02963-xAndreu J. , SoleraA., CapillaJ. & FerrerJ.2007Modelo SIMGES de simulación de la gestión de recursos hídricos, incluyendo utilización conjunta. Versión 3.03.01. Manual de usuario (Model SIMGES simulation of water resources management, including conjunctive use. 3.03.01 version. User Manual). Polytechnic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.Condon, L. E., & Maxwell, R. M. (2013). Implementation of a linear optimization water allocation algorithm into a fully integrated physical hydrology model. Advances in Water Resources, 60, 135-147. doi:10.1016/j.advwatres.2013.07.012EC (European Commission) 2012 A Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Water Resources. European Commission, 14.11.2012 COM (2012) 673 final, Brussels, Belgium.González-Zeas D. 2012 Impacto del cambio climático sobre los usos del agua en Europa (Impact of Climate Change on Water Uses in Europe). PhD thesis, University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.Junta de Andalucía. Consejería de Medio Ambiente y Ordenación del Territorio. 2016Plan Hidrológico del Guadalete Barbate (2015–2021) (Hydrological Plan of the Guadalete Barbate 2015–2021). http://www.juntadeandalucia.es (accessed 25 May 2018).Li, P., Qian, H., & Wu, J. (2018). Conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water to reduce soil salinization in the Yinchuan Plain, North-West China. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 34(3), 337-353. doi:10.1080/07900627.2018.1443059Paredes, J., Andreu, J., & Solera, A. (2010). A decision support system for water quality issues in the Manzanares River (Madrid, Spain). Science of The Total Environment, 408(12), 2576-2589. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.02.037Pedro-Monzonís, M., Jiménez-Fernández, P., Solera, A., & Jiménez-Gavilán, P. (2016). The use of AQUATOOL DSS applied to the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting for Water (SEEAW). Journal of Hydrology, 533, 1-14. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2015.11.034Tabari, M. M. R., & Soltani, J. (2012). Multi-Objective Optimal Model for Conjunctive Use Management Using SGAs and NSGA-II Models. Water Resources Management, 27(1), 37-53. doi:10.1007/s11269-012-0153-7Singh, A. (2013). Irrigation Planning and Management Through Optimization Modelling. Water Resources Management, 28(1), 1-14. doi:10.1007/s11269-013-0469-ySingh, A. (2014). Conjunctive use of water resources for sustainable irrigated agriculture. Journal of Hydrology, 519, 1688-1697. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2014.09.049Singh, A. (2014). Simulation–optimization modeling for conjunctive water use management. Agricultural Water Management, 141, 23-29. doi:10.1016/j.agwat.2014.04.003Sophocleous, M. (2002). Interactions between groundwater and surface water: the state of the science. Hydrogeology Journal, 10(1), 52-67. doi:10.1007/s10040-001-0170-8Strosser P. , RoussardJ. & GrandmouginB.2007EU Water Saving Potential. ENV.D.2/ETU/2007/0001r. Final Report. 247. http://ec.europa.eu (accessed 2 July 2018).Hassan, S. M. T., Lubczynski, M. W., Niswonger, R. G., & Su, Z. (2014). Surface–groundwater interactions in hard rocks in Sardon Catchment of western Spain: An integrated modeling approach. Journal of Hydrology, 517, 390-410. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2014.05.02

Perspectiva de Género y Política Pública deportiva: El Caso de (CONADE)

This article is a revision about the incorporation of the gender mainstreaming in the CONADE, the objective was to identify with interviews and an analysis from a qualitative perspective the situation of the incorporation of the gender mainstreaming in the sports public policy of high performance between the 2012 and 2018, and also to identify some gender gaps. The method was the grounded theory where the theory is created from the information.  It was found that women have been gradually accessing decision-making positions but there is still a long way to go, also the lack of policies of conciliation of work, family and social life, as well as attention in cases of harassment. It is concluded that progress in terms of gender perspective and sport has been slow since it is observed that some measures are still a sample of good actions without major importance as the lack of giving information to athletes about harassment.El presente artículo es una revisión sobre la incorporación de la perspectiva de género en la CONADE, cuyo objetivo consistió en identificar a través de entrevistas y análisis desde un enfoque cualitativo la situación de la incorporación de la perspectiva de género en el ámbito de la política pública de deporte de alto rendimiento en México, entre el 2012 y el 2018.  , así como la identificación de algunas brechas de género. El acercamiento fue desde el método de teoría fundamentada donde los datos van construyendo la teoría. Se encontró que las mujeres han ido accediendo de manera gradual a puestos de toma de decisiones pero aún hay un gran camino por recorrer, también se evidenció la falta de políticas de conciliación de la vida laboral, familiar y social, así como las estrategias de atención ante casos de acoso y hostigamiento. Se concluye que el avance en materia de perspectiva de género y deporte ha sido lento pues se observa que algunas medidas se quedan en un punto de buenas acciones sin mayor trascendencia como la falta de capacitación a deportistas sobre temas de acoso y hostigamiento

Molecular and pharmacological modulation of CALHM1 promote neuroprotection against oxygen and glucose deprivation in a model of hippocampal slices

Calcium homeostasis modulator 1 (CALHM1) is a calcium channel involved in the regulation of cytosolic Ca2+ levels. From a physiological point of view, the open state of CALHM1 depends not only on voltage but also on the extracellular concentration of calcium ([Ca2+]) ions. At low [Ca2+]e or depolarization, the channel is opened, allowing Ca2+ influx; however, high extracellular [Ca2+]e or hyperpolarization promote its resting state. The unique Ca2+ permeation of CALHM1 relates to the molecular events that take place in brain ischemia, such as depolarization and extracellular changes in [Ca2+]e, particularly during the reperfusion phase after the ischemic insult. In this study, we attempted to understand its role in an in vitro model of ischemia, namely oxygen and glucose deprivation, followed by reoxygenation (OGD/Reox). To this end, hippocampal slices from wild-type Calhm1+/+, Calhm1+/-, and Calhm1-/- mice were subjected to OGD/Reox. Our results point out to a neuroprotective effect when CALHM1 is partially or totally absent. Pharmacological manipulation of CALHM1 with CGP37157 reduced cell death in Calhm1+/+ slices but not in that of Calhm1-/- mice after exposure to the OGD/Reox protocol. This ionic protection was also verified by measuring reactive oxygen species production upon OGD/Reox in Calhm1+/+ and Calhm1-/- mice, resulting in a downregulation of ROS production in Calhm1-/- hippocampal slices and increased expression of HIF-1α. Taken together, we can conclude that genetic or pharmacological inhibition of CALHM1 results in a neuroprotective effect against ischemia, due to an attenuation of the neuronal calcium overload and downregulation of oxygen reactive species productionThis research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities Ref RTI2018-095793-B-I00 and Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid Ref. B2017/BMD-3827 to MGL. ETN PURINESDX Research and Innovation Agreement Nº 766124. Program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie and Proyectos Santander-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid 2017, to MFC

Welded, sandblasted, stainless steel corrugated bars in non-carbonated and carbonated mortars: A 9-year corrosion study

Three different stainless steel corrugated grades (UNS S20430, S30403 and S32205) were similar welded to stainless steel bars with the same composition and dissimilar welded to carbon steel (CS). After cleaning the welding oxides by sandblasting, the reinforcements were embedded in mortar with chlorides and some of the samples were carbonated. Corrosion activity was monitored using corrosion potential (Ecorr) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). After 8 years of exposure, the samples were anodically polarized. Visual evaluation of the attack was performed after another additional year of exposure. Similar welded stainless steels offer a good durability if they have been sandblasted, except for S20430 when it is embedded in carbonated mortar with chlorides. Dissimilar welded steels are active since the beginning of the exposure for both studied conditions, but sandblasting reduces the corrosion rate of CS compared to non-welded CS bars.The present work was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the Project reference BIA2007-66491-C02-02