Meadow Park Community Gardens Improvements

The San Luis Obispo Community Gardens offer space for residents to grow food at a low-cost yearly lease. Among the five Community Gardens in the city, there are over 100 plots available to purchase. These plots can vary from in-ground garden beds, off-ground raised garden beds, and ADA accessible garden beds. The goal with this project is to provide the Community Gardens with infrastructure to allow for a better garden experience and to increase the volume at which San Luis Obispo residents can utilize the gardens. Through communication with the San Luis Obispo Community Gardens, we were able to determine the most necessary improvements for the community gardens: Six Wood ADA Accessible Raised Garden Beds and one Wood 3-Bin Compost System. The garden beds are 2’x4’ and 3’ tall. The compost bin is 3’x9’ and 3’ tall and separated into three 3’x3’x3’ compartments. These garden beds and compost bins will be placed at the Meadow Park Community Garden. This project was lead by the author and assisted by members of the Cal Poly Construction Management department. This project was funded by JB Pacific

Intermediation for technology diffusion and user innovation in a developing rural economy:a social learning perspective

Technology intermediaries are seen as potent vehicles for addressing perennial problems in transferring technology from university to industry in developed and developing countries. This paper examines what constitutes effective user-end intermediation in a low-technology, developing economy context, which is an under-researched topic. The social learning in technological innovation framework is extended using situated learning theory in a longitudinal instrumental case study of an exemplar technology intermediation programme. The paper documents the role that academic-related research and advisory centres can play as intermediaries in brokering, facilitating and configuring technology, against the backdrop of a group of small-scale pisciculture businesses in a rural area of Colombia. In doing so, it demonstrates how technology intermediation activities can be optimized in the domestication and innofusion of technology amongst end-users. The design components featured in this instrumental case of intermediation can inform policy making and practice relating to technology transfer from university to rural industry. Future research on this subject should consider the intermediation components put forward, as well as the impact of such interventions, in different countries and industrial sectors. Such research would allow for theoretical replication and help improve technology domestication and innofusion in different contexts, especially in less-developed countries

Parametric and sensitivity analysis for a proposed filtered tailings storage facility in challenging topography

Parametric and sensitivity analyses were performed for a proposed filtered tail- ings storage facility in challenging topography from the Southern Peru region. The purpose was to identify elements which are likely to dictate performance and stability, and to understand the risk profile for the facility. The analyses were performed varying: foundation material physical and hydraulic properties, tailings physical and hydraulic properties, foundation configuration, seismicity, and staged construction. The physical properties of the foundation material were varied by changing the Mohr-Coulomb strength parameters c’ and φ’, whereas the hydraulic properties were varied by moving the groundwater table upwards or saturating a larger amount of the foundation material. A similar approach was adopted in order to vary the physical and hydraulic properties of the tailings. The foundation configuration was varied by hypothetically moving the starter buttress closer to the edge of steep slopes further downhill from the facility. Staged construction stability analyses were simulated by analyzing filtered tailings fill configurations, which followed the overall design slope but varied in height. All analyses presented herein were conducted for the most critical failure mode for each scenario. The results from these parametric analyses showed that the design of the facility was highly sensitive to tailings potential saturation. In the simulation scenarios, saturation of the tailings caused instability in both static and seismic conditions. This sensitivity to moisture conditions highlighted the importance of properly defining the unsaturated filtered tailings parameters and simulating water infiltration processes through the vadose zone.Fil: Preciado, H. F. AMEC S.A; Perú.Fil: Ale, J. AMEC S.A; Perú.Fil: Byler, B. AMEC Englewood; USA.Fil: Perez, F. AMEC S.A; Perú.Fil: Mejía, V. AMEC S.A; Perú.Fil: McIver, D. Minera IRL SA; Perú.Otras Ingeniería Civi

CompareML: A Novel Approach to Supporting Preliminary Data Analysis Decision Making

There are a large number of machine learning algorithms as well as a wide range of libraries and services that allow one to create predictive models. With machine learning and artificial intelligence playing a major role in dealing with engineering problems, practising engineers often come to the machine learning field so overwhelmed with the multitude of possibilities that they find themselves needing to address difficulties before actually starting on carrying out any work. Datasets have intrinsic properties that make it hard to select the algorithm that is best suited to some specific objective, and the ever-increasing number of providers together make this selection even harder. These were the reasons underlying the design of CompareML, an approach to supporting the evaluation and comparison of machine learning libraries and services without deep machine learning knowledge. CompareML makes it easy to compare the performance of different models by using well-known classification and regression algorithms already made available by some of the most widely used providers. It facilitates the practical application of methods and techniques of artificial intelligence that let a practising engineer decide whether they might be used to resolve hitherto intractable problems. Thus, researchers and engineering practitioners can uncover the potential of their datasets for the inference of new knowledge by selecting the most appropriate machine learning algorithm and determining the provider best suited to their data

Time-Expanded F-OTDR based on binary sequences

In this paper, the capabilities of time-expanded phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (TE F-OTDR) using binary sequences are demonstrated. We present a highly flexible and integrable TE F-OTDR approach that allows a customized distributed optical fiber sensor (range, spatial resolution, and acoustic sampling) by simply changing the length of the binary sequence and the reference clock frequencies of the binary sequence generators. The here presented architecture eliminates the need for the cumbersome arbitrary signal generators used to date to create the dual-comb spectra for interrogating the fiber. In this approach, the use of large binary sequences allows us to obtain dual combs in a simple and cost-effective way. Spatial resolution of ~1 cm is achieved, attaining ~15, 000 independent measurements points along the interrogated fiber, with a capability of sensing ~30, 000 measurements points

Translucent perovskite photovoltaics for building integration

Transparent photovoltaics provide diverse levels of average visible transmittance (AVT) along with concurrent light harvesting, making glass façades and windows accessible for photovoltaics. However, improvements in power conversion efficiency (PCE) and aesthetics are required to enhance commercial viability and public acceptance. This work presents the scalable fabrication of efficient micro-patterned translucent perovskite photovoltaics at optical qualities suited for building integration. Optimized laser-scribed transparent areas (25 μm) mitigate detrimental effects on electrical performance, featuring perovskite solar cells with 44% AVT and demonstrating industrial glass quality through neutral color rendering (CRI 97) and only 3% haze. Highlighting scalability, submodules yield PCEs of 9.0% at 32% AVT (4 cm2 aperture area). The transfer to two-terminal perovskite–perovskite tandem solar cells exhibiting PCEs of 17.7% at 12% AVT and 11.1% at 31% AVT demonstrates the first translucent perovskite tandem photovoltaics. Lastly, the novel concept of transmittance gradients with 7% cm−1 absolute change in AVT and 12.0% PCE for submodules is presented, providing a foundation for architectural individualizations

CAMBIOS EN LAS VARIABLES DE RIESGO CARDIOVASCULAR EN UNA COHORTE DE ESTUDIANTES UNIVERSITARIOS DE LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO

Las enfermedades cardiovasculares ocupan actualmente los primeros lugares de mortalidad  y en países desarrollados y  de acuerdo a las tendencias actuales  lo serán también en los países en desarrollo. No se han realizado estudios de cohorte relacionados a conocer el comportamiento de las variables cardiovasculares en población de América Latina, por ello, el propósito del presente estudio fue determinar el comportamiento a tres años y medio de las variables de riesgo cardiovascular en estudiantes universitarios de la ciudad de México. (Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa).El diseño del  estudio fue  de cohorte prospectiva. Ingresaron 73 estudiantes, se autoaplicó un cuestionario para obtener información demográfica, de antecedentes patológicos heredofamiliares y factores de riesgo. Se medió, peso, talla, Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC), Circunferencia de Cintura (CC) % de grasa corporal y presión arterial. Se tomó muestra sanguínea en ayunas para medir colesterol total (CT), triglicéridos (Tg), Lípidos de Baja densidad (LDL) y de alta densidad (HDL)  y glucosa. Se calculó el Índice Aterogénico (IA). Resultados. El total de alumnos que terminaron el seguimiento fue de 50.  35 mujeres y 15 hombres.  El 70% de los estudiantes tenía antecedentes familiares de diabetes, 38% de hipertensión, 12% era fumador  y 58% ingería alcohol por lo menos una vez al mes. De acuerdo al IMC el 34% de las mujeres tenía sobrepeso y 5.7 eran obesas. Durante el periodo de seguimiento, los hombres incrementaron significativamente (0,00) el peso, la CC, y la glucosa. Las mujeres solo el LDL, la sístole y diástole disminuye de manera significativa ( 0.23, 0.18) respectivamente. Ningún estudiante fue diabético o hipertenso durante el periodo de estudio. Los hallazgos de este estudio no tienen relevancia clínica aún, sin embargo se debe enfatizar en la prevención primaria dentro de las universidades. Abstract Cardiovascular diseases are one of the main causes of death and disability in developed countries and it is currently increasing in developing countries too. Given that there are scarce cohort studies in -Latin America regarding cardiovascular risk factors, particularly in young population groups, the purpose of the this study was to follow up the behaviour of cardiovascular variables during a period of three and a half years. The study was conducted in a university student population ages 18 to 25 years old. Methodology.  A prospective cohort study of 73 university students from Mexico City was performed. A self-assessment questionnaire was used to obtain demographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors. Anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical variables were measured every three months. In addition, weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), percentage body fat, and blood pressure were measured. From blood samples, cholesterol, triglycerides, High Density Lipoproteins and glucose were measured. Low Density Lipoproteins were calculated using the Friedewald formula. Paired Student’s t-tests were performed in order to compare means and cases  were expressed in graphical formats for lipid results. Results. Only 35 women and 15 men completed the three and a half years follow up. Of this total, 70% of students had diabetes background, 38% had hypertension, 12% had smoked and 58% had drank alcohol at least once a month. According to BMI measurements, 34% of women were overweight and 5.7% were obese compared with men where 27.7% were overweight. Men presented no cases of obesity. Conclusions. The behavior of cardiovascular variables over the three and a half- year period were different - between women and men. During this period, men increased significantly (0 .000) their weight, WC, BMI, and glucose levels.  Women, only LDL levels  increased significantly (0.18) while systole and diastole measures decrease significantly ( 0.23, 0.18). No subjects reported suffering from diabetes or hypertension during the period of study. The difference over the follow up did not have clinical relevance. Palabras clave: Variables cardiovasculares, cohorte, estudiantes universitarios

International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) consensus recommendations: Hearing loss in the pediatric patient

OBJECTIVE To provide recommendations for the workup of hearing loss in the pediatric patient. METHODS Expert opinion by the members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group. RESULTS Consensus recommendations include initial screening and diagnosis as well as the workup of sensorineural, conductive and mixed hearing loss in children. The consensus statement discusses the role of genetic testing and imaging and provides algorithms to guide the workup of children with hearing loss. CONCLUSION The workup of children with hearing loss can be guided by the recommendations provided herei

Peces de la cuenca del río Pauto, Orinoquia colombiana

This paper presents an updated list of the fishes of the Pauto river basin, Casanare. The update process was realized by collections in the field in the middle and lower part of the basin, revision of reference collections and secondary information available. A total of 182 species are recorded. Of these species, 60 are new records for the Pauto river basin. Only one species is included in the Red Book of freshwater fishes of Colombia. At the regional level, 52 species were identified as ornamental, and 24 are used as food; 8 species are exploited for both purposes. Based on the results, it is indispensable to re-evaluate the importance of the Pauto river basin as an area of interest for regional conservation