Hybrid choice model for propensity to travel and tour complexity

During the last years cities around the world have invested important quantities of money in measures for reducing congestion and car-trips. Investments which are nothing but potential solutions for the well-known urban sprawl phenomenon, also called the “development trap” that leads to further congestion and a higher proportion of our time spent in slow moving cars. Over the path of this searching for solutions, the complex relationship between urban environment and travel behaviour has been studied in a number of cases. The main question on discussion is, how to encourage multi-stop tours? Thus, the objective of this paper is to verify whether unobserved factors influence tour complexity. For this purpose, we use a data-base from a survey conducted in 2006-2007 in Madrid, a suitable case study for analyzing urban sprawl due to new urban developments and substantial changes in mobility patterns in the last years. A total of 943 individuals were interviewed from 3 selected neighbourhoods (CBD, urban and suburban). We study the effect of unobserved factors on trip frequency. This paper present the estimation of an hybrid model where the latent variable is called propensity to travel and the discrete choice model is composed by 5 alternatives of tour type. The results show that characteristics of the neighbourhoods in Madrid are important to explain trip frequency. The influence of land use variables on trip generation is clear and in particular the presence of commercial retails. Through estimation of elasticities and forecasting we determine to what extent land-use policy measures modify travel demand. Comparing aggregate elasticities with percentage variations, it can be seen that percentage variations could lead to inconsistent results. The result shows that hybrid models better explain travel behavior than traditional discrete choice models

Centro histórico de Cartagena de Indias, Colombia: una visión y valoración desde lo bio ambiental y paisajístico.

El artículo destaca un aspecto a considerar en los procesos de análisis, diagnóstico e intervención en edificios y espacios urbanos patrimoniales referente al conocimiento y puesta en valor de los atributos bio ambientales y paisajísticos de edificaciones y espacio público del centro histórico2 de Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. En la actualidad, intervenciones mal realizadas buscando confort artificial, afectaron tanto la coherencia ambiental de edificaciones patrimoniales como la adaptación del espacio urbano a las condiciones climáticas del lugar, generando lo que hemos denominado “esterilización del paisaje”.3 Ante esta realidad, se hace necesario el análisis de los atributos, su comportamiento bio ambiental y los beneficios que ese aspecto genera en zonas patrimoniales, asumiendo que esta información es clave en la elaboración del Plan Especial de Manejo y Protección (pemp) del centro histórico de la ciudad que se estudia.This article illustrates an aspect to be taken into account in the processes of analysis, diagnosis and intervention in buildings and patrimonial urban spaces that has to do with the knowledge and value of the bio environmental and landscape attributes of buildings and public space in the historic center of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. At present, badly performed interventions, seeking artificial comfort, affected both the environmental coherence of heritage buildings, and the adaptation of the urban space to the climatic conditions of the place; generating what we have called “landscape sterilization”. Faced with this reality, it is necessary to analyze attributes, their environmental behavior and the benefits that this generates in heritage zones, assuming that this information is key in the elaboration of the Special Plan for Management and Protection (mtps) of the historic center of the city under study.Universidad San Buenaventura de Cartagena, Colombia

Agro-Industrial Waste from Cocoa Pod Husk (Theobroma cacao L.), as a Potential Raw Material for Preparation of Cellulose Nanocrystals

Obtaining cellulose from agro-industrial waste offers the possibility of generating added value to solid biomass that is currently deposited in sanitary landfills. This research performed the evaluation of a residue from cocoa husk pods (Theobroma cacao L.), from the agricultural industry. The cellulose fiber was obtained through chemical treatments with KOH at 5% w/v to remove non-cellulosic components and then the fiber was bleached with 3% v/v hydrogen peroxide. The changes in chemical structure were determined through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The FTIR analysis confirms the progressive decrease of lignin and hemicellulose after applying chemical treatment. The morphological changes in the surface of the fiber were characterized using the SEM technique. The mass percentage of cellulose increases up to 68 %. It is expected that the Nano Crystals (NCC) extracted from the biomass of the cocoa husk pods, present a high index of crystallinity and that they are also in suitable conditions to be useful as reinforcing agents in polymeric or mineral matrices, and may have potential application for technology transfer

Paper Session II-D - Project Vision: A Model Program to Educate the Next Generation of Engineers, Scientists, and Mathematicians

Project VISION (Very Intensive Scientific Intercurricular On-Site Education) is a joint effort among NASA/John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida International University, Universidad del Turabo, Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the Caguas/Gurabo Public Schools in Puerto Rico. The project\u27s main mission is to institutionalize change among the elementary and middle school science and math teachers at participating schools. Thereafter, the teachers provide their students with continuously enriched instruction in the principles of science and math through the use of hands-on and minds-on experiments called learning modules. These learning modules have been classified according to the national science and math education standards established by the National Committee on Science Education Standards and Assessments and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, respectively

Synthesis and Characterization of a Coagulating Agent from Plantain Peel Starch (Musa paradisiaca), as Coadjuvant in Water Treatment

Coagulation processes are widely used for water treatment, mainly with chemical coagulants. In this research, starch derived from a waste (unripe plantain peel, Musa paradisiaca) was used as a starting point for a chemical modifcation. Through acetylation, its chemical structure was modifed and characterized by infrared spectrophotometry, for its evaluation as a coadjuvant in coagulation operations to reduce the turbidity of raw water. Two experimental designs were developed to evaluate the incidence of modifed starch as the main coagulant, or in conjunction with a conventional coagulant (Al2(SO4)3), at diferent (Al2(SO4)3)/acetylated starch ratios, in jar-test experiments. In the frst experimental design, with the acetylated starch as the main coagulant, turbidity removal percentages reached 47.93% (average value, 41.18%). For the (Al2(SO4)3)/acetylated starch coagulation process, 98.91% turbidity removal was reached in the second experimental design (average value, 97.16%). The impact of starch chemical substitution degree and the (Al2(SO4)3)/acetylated starch ratio on the fnal turbidity obtained in the jar-tests was determined using ANOVA test. There was a great infuence of the chemical substitution degree and the concentration of acetylated starch utilized, when modifed starch was used as the main coagulant. For the second experimental design, the (Al2(SO4)3)/acetylated starch ratio had a greater incidence on the turbidity removal. Thus, modifed starch obtained from plantain peel waste is a promising coadjuvant material for water coagulation processes

Paper Session II-D - Project Vision (Very Intensive Scientific Intercurricular Onsite Education): A Partnership Among NASA/John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida International University, Universidad del Turabo, Dade County Public Schools, and the Caguas/Gurabo Public Schools.

Project VISION is a joint effort among NASA/John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida International University, Universidad del Turabo, Dade County Public Schools and the Caguas/ Gurabo Public Schools. The project’s main mission is to institutionalize change among the 7th grade science and mathematics teachers at participating public middle schools. A further aspect of the mission is to enhance the science and math education of the public middle school students during the phase of institutionalization. Project VISION will not need to generate any new educational materials to fulfill its mission. Rather than generating new materials, Project VISION will use the vast quantities of high quality learning modules, lessons, hands-on experiments and other educational materials available at NASA and other scientific depositories. The project will identify, adopt and then adapt these learning modules or learning materials to best meet the needs and capabilities of the target student and teacher populations. A further goal of this project lies within the realm of NASA’s Mission - to specifically focus our activities on middle schools that serve socially and economically disadvantaged students. Additionally, the project will invite members of the private and public sectors to serve as lecturers, mentors and role models. The project will perform program evaluations to measure the levels of success and accomplishments of each of the proposed activities

Determinantes sociales de salud en los agricultores del resguardo indígena Zenú

Objetivo: Analizar los determinantes sociales de salud presentes entre los indígenas agricultores del Resguardo Zenú de San Andrés de Sotavento. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo de corte, con enfoque cuantitativo, participaron 64 indígenas agricultores de las comunidades Celeste Imperio y Santa Elena del Municipio de San Andrés de Sotavento en el año 2012, se seleccionaron bajo la técnica del muestreo aleatorio simple. La recolección de la información se efectuó a través de encuestas estructuradas diligenciadas mediante entrevista. Resultados: El rango de edad de la población sujeto osciló entre 18 a 70 años, existe 41% de analfabetismo absoluto, las familias son extensas con orientación endogámica, las condiciones de vida son precarias, hay ausencia de actividad recreativa y actividad física programada, 97% percibe menos de un salario mínimo mensual legal vigente producto del trabajo comunitario, 95.3% pertenece al regimen de salud subsidiado, todos carecen de afliación a riesgos laborales y pensión, 77% admitió que tuvo algún accidente laboral en el último año, así mismo, 70% manifestó morbilidad sentida relacionada con la actividad laboral. Conclusiones: Los determinantes de carácter social que infuyen negativamente en la salud identifcados fueron: sociopolítico, circunstancias materiales, factores biológicos, conductuales y laborales; los cuales se refejan en defciencias en su calidad de vida, morbilidad sentida, accidentalidad laboral, fragilidades en el Sistema de Protección Social, altos índices de analfabetismo absoluto, pobreza y características que indiscutiblemente reafrman la relación perversa e interdependiente entre analfabetismo, pobreza y salud. Sin embargo, la cohesión social se identifcó como determinante social de infuencia positiva para la salud (94%).Objective: To analyze the social determinants of health present among indigenous farmers of Zenú reservation of San Andrés de Sotavento. Methodology: Descriptive cutting with a quantitative approach, 64 indigenous farmers of communities Celeste Imperio and Santa Elena of the municipality of San Andrés de Sotavento participated in 2012; they were selected by simple random sampling technique. The data collection was conducted through structured surveys flled by interview. Results: The age range of the target population oscillated from 18 to 70 years, there is 41% of total illiteracy, families are large with inbred orientation, living conditions are poor, there are no recreational activity or physical activity programs, 97 % earn less than the monthly legal minimum wage of community work product, 95.3% belongs to the subsidized health regime, all lack of affliation to occupational hazards and pension, 77% admitted that they had some accident in the last year also 70 % said they felt morbidity related to work activity. Conclusions: The identifed social determinants that negatively affect health were: socio-political, material circumstances, biological, behavioral and occupational factors; which are refected in defciencies in their quality of life, perceived morbidity, occupational accidents, weaknesses in the social protection system, high levels of absolute illiteracy, poverty and characteristics that undoubtedly reinforce the perverse and interdependent relationship between illiteracy, poverty and health. However, social cohesion was identifed as a positive infuence of health (94%)

Determinantes sociales de salud en los agricultores del resguardo indígena Zenú

Objetivo: Analizar los determinantes sociales de salud presentes entre los indígenas agricultores del Resguardo Zenú de San Andrés de Sotavento. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo de corte, con enfoque cuantitativo, participaron 64 indígenas agricultores de las comunidades Celeste Imperio y Santa Elena del Municipio de San Andrés de Sotavento en el año 2012, se seleccionaron bajo la técnica del muestreo aleatorio simple. La recolección de la información se efectuó a través de encuestas estructuradas diligenciadas mediante entrevista. Resultados: El rango de edad de la población sujeto osciló entre 18 a 70 años, existe 41% de analfabetismo absoluto, las familias son extensas con orientación endogámica, las condiciones de vida son precarias, hay ausencia de actividad recreativa y actividad física programada, 97% percibe menos de un salario mínimo mensual legal vigente producto del trabajo comunitario, 95.3% pertenece al regimen de salud subsidiado, todos carecen de afliación a riesgos laborales y pensión, 77% admitió que tuvo algún accidente laboral en el último año, así mismo, 70% manifestó morbilidad sentida relacionada con la actividad laboral. Conclusiones: Los determinantes de carácter social que infuyen negativamente en la salud identifcados fueron: sociopolítico, circunstancias materiales, factores biológicos, conductuales y laborales; los cuales se refejan en defciencias en su calidad de vida, morbilidad sentida, accidentalidad laboral, fragilidades en el Sistema de Protección Social, altos índices de analfabetismo absoluto, pobreza y características que indiscutiblemente reafrman la relación perversa e interdependiente entre analfabetismo, pobreza y salud. Sin embargo, la cohesión social se identifcó como determinante social de infuencia positiva para la salud (94%).Objective: To analyze the social determinants of health present among indigenous farmers of Zenú reservation of San Andrés de Sotavento. Methodology: Descriptive cutting with a quantitative approach, 64 indigenous farmers of communities Celeste Imperio and Santa Elena of the municipality of San Andrés de Sotavento participated in 2012; they were selected by simple random sampling technique. The data collection was conducted through structured surveys flled by interview. Results: The age range of the target population oscillated from 18 to 70 years, there is 41% of total illiteracy, families are large with inbred orientation, living conditions are poor, there are no recreational activity or physical activity programs, 97 % earn less than the monthly legal minimum wage of community work product, 95.3% belongs to the subsidized health regime, all lack of affliation to occupational hazards and pension, 77% admitted that they had some accident in the last year also 70 % said they felt morbidity related to work activity. Conclusions: The identifed social determinants that negatively affect health were: socio-political, material circumstances, biological, behavioral and occupational factors; which are refected in defciencies in their quality of life, perceived morbidity, occupational accidents, weaknesses in the social protection system, high levels of absolute illiteracy, poverty and characteristics that undoubtedly reinforce the perverse and interdependent relationship between illiteracy, poverty and health. However, social cohesion was identifed as a positive infuence of health (94%)

Nivel de felicidad en un grupo de adultos mayores de montería, pertenecientes a un programa de danza.

Objective. Describe the level of  happiness  of  a  group  of older adults belonging to the project of solidarity extension of the University of Cordoba “Dancing for my health”. Materials and method. Research of a quantitative nature, the sample consisted of 36 longevity selected for convenience to whom the General Happiness Scale was applied. Results. The predominant gender was female with 91%, the age range ranged from 60-90 years, after   a year of belonging to the program all without exception to a greater or lesser degree expressed  to  feel happy, the highest levels occurred in females, Nevertheless, in contrasting happiness level with having and being, this trend changes 86% showed low levels of happiness, stating that if they had less economic concerns they  could be happier. Conclusions. The high perception of happiness evidenced could be related to the fact that the older adults performed for a prolonged period and in a stable physical activity (dance) and participated actively in a program of solidarity extension with educational, welfare and recreational interventions in which Had the opportunity to share frequently with their counterparts, corroborating once again  the  importance  of  dance  as  a main strategy and integrating axis, a fundamental element to increase the socializing capacity, welfare, self care, health and happiness in the elderly; Therefore, it is necessary to reorient and optimize the Public Policies for the health and well-being of the longevity, expanding their opportunities of inclusion to integral health programs.Objetivo. Describir el nivel de felicidad de un grupo de adultos mayores perteneciente al proyecto de extensión solidaria  de  la  Universidad  de   Córdoba   “Bailando   por mi salud”. Materiales y métodos. Investigación de naturaleza cuantitativa, la muestra la constituyeron 36 longevos seleccionados por conveniencia a quienes se les aplicó la Escala General de la Felicidad. Resultados. El sexo predominante fue femenino con 91%, el rango de edad osciló entre 60 - 90 años, después de un año de pertenecer al programa todos sin excepción en mayor o menor grado expresaron sentirse felices, los niveles más altos se dieron en las mujeres, no obstante, al contrastar nivel de felicidad frente al tener y al ser, esta tendencia cambia en un 86% y alcanzó bajos niveles de felicidad, afirmando que si tuvieran menos preocupaciones económicas pudieran ser más felices. Conclusiones. La alta percepción de felicidad evidenciada, podría estar relacionada con el hecho de que los adultos mayores realizaron por un período prolongado y en forma estable actividad física (baile)  y  participaron  activamente  en  un programa de extensión solidaria con intervenciones educativas, asistenciales y recreativas en el cual tuvieron la oportunidad de compartir frecuentemente con sus homólogos, corroborando una vez más la importancia del baile como estrategia principal y eje integrador, elemento fundamental para aumentar la capacidad socializante, de bienestar, autocuidado, salud y felicidad en las personas mayores; por ello, es preciso reorientar y optimizar las Políticas Públicas en pro de la salud y bienestar de los longevos ampliando sus oportunidades de inclusión a programas integrales de salud