Improving Sustainable Development Outcomes through Best Management Practices

Over the last several decades the world has undergone several economic, political, environmental, and cultural changes. Society is faced with countless challenges that surround sustainable development. Progress has been made with respect to world poverty, technological development, and environmental awareness. However, we have an opportunity to improve the leadership, planning, implementation, and monitoring of sustainable development projects. Notwithstanding having better technology and increased access to more data and information, we are still not able to optimize sustainable development decisions. This paper addresses a few critical aspects of strategic management and some resulting challenges faced by policy makers, managers, and implementers of sustainable development projects who come from the private sector, public sector and NGOs. The paper offers some managerial recommendations on how to enhance the leadership, planning, implementation, and monitoring of sustainable development projects

Narco-Submarines: Specially Fabricated Vessels Used for Drug Smuggling Purposes

This work is intended to be an initial primer on the subject of narco-submarines, that is, those specially fabricated vessels utilized principally by Colombian narco traffickers and developed to smuggle cocaine into the United States illicit drug market.https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgu_facbooks/1029/thumbnail.jp

Generación de un sistema de control y monitoreo para un brazo robótico prototipo basado en la internet de las cosas y la integración de LabVIEW y SolidWorks

La propuesta se orientó a la integración de la tecnología IOT con los Softwares: LabVIEW y SolidWorks con el fin de generar un sistema de control y monitoreo para un brazo robótico. Se tomó como referencia un modelo de brazo de 6 grados de libertad de la biblioteca de Thingiverse, al mismo que se aplicó modificaciones y se las validó mediante un análisis estático con el software SolidWorks previo a su mecanizado con tecnología de impresión 3D. Como elemento hardware principal, se utilizó una Raspberry Pi3 empleada como punto de conexión con la plataforma IOT Remote para generar el acceso remoto al equipo, como soporte local de Python en donde se desarrollaron algoritmos para gestionar las señales de control hacia los actuadores del prototipo y la generación de una interfaz gráfica de alto nivel para interacción con el usuario. Para la inducción de movimiento al dispositivo robótico se emplearon servomotores MG996R de 11 kgfxcm y un microservo MG90S 2,2 kgfxcm en torque, en conjunto con la interfaz de potencia PCA9685. Se logró por medio de la habilitación del módulo SOFT-MOTION enlazar LabVIEW y SolidWorks, plataformas empleadas para el monitoreo virtual del brazo robótico. Además, se empleó LabVIEW como receptor y emisor de información de la plataforma IOT y como fuente de información para el entorno de simulación en SolidWorks. Mediante pruebas de funcionalidad se estableció que los ángulos emitidos por la interfaz gráfica poseen un margen de error de 1 a 2 grados, el consumo de corriente del sistema fue de aproximadamente de un amperio, en el análisis estático se determinó que el material empleado en la construcción del brazo una deformación de 0,00013 - 0,020 imperceptible a una fuerza de 100N. Se recomienda no efectuar movimientos bruscos ni sobrecargar el brazo podrían generarse averías o bloqueo en los actuadores.The proposal was oriented to the integration of the IOT technology with the Softwares: LabVIEW and SolidWorks to generate a control and monitoring system for a robotic arm. A 6-degree-of-freedom arm model was taken as a reference from the Thingiverse library, to which modifications were applied and validated through static analysis with SolidWorks software before machining with 3D printing technology. As the main hardware element, a Raspberry Pi3 was used as a connection point with the IOT Remote platform to generate remote access to the equipment, as local Python support where algorithms were developed to manage the control signals to the prototype actuators and the generation of a high-level graphical interface for interaction with the user. For the induction of movement to the robotic device, MG996R servo motors of 11 kgfxcm and a MG90S microservo 2.2 kgfxcm in torque were used, in conjunction with the PCA9685 power interface. Through the enabling of the SOFT-MOTION module, it was possible to link LabVIEW and SolidWorks, platforms used for the virtual monitoring of the robotic arm. Besides, LabVIEW was used as a receiver and transmitter of information from the IOT platform and as a source of information for the SolidWorks simulation environment. Through functionality tests, it was established that the angles emitted by the graphic interface have a margin of error of 1 to 2 degrees, the current consumption of the system was approximately one ampere, in the static analysis it was determined that the material used in the arm construction a deformation of 0.00013 - 0.020 imperceptible at a force of 100N. It is recommended not to make sudden movements or overload the arm, which could cause failure or blockage of the actuators

Narco Armor: Improvised Armored Fighting Vehicles in Mexico

The introduction of this work analyzes the types and evolution of cartel IAFVs in Mexico. To this analysis can be added “vehicle number 24” in the picture gallery, which highlights fixed 50 cal. sniper rifles and machine guns found in or on various vehicles seized from the cartels. These represent multiple 50 cal. sniper rifles and heavy machine guns on fixed mounts inside vehicles and, in one instance, on the back of a vehicle with armored gun shield protection. While we have seen no photographic evidence of an organic (main) gun placed on cartel IAFVs as of yet, these weapons and the ammo identified on the back of vehicle number 19—the popemobile— as scaling out to approximately 25mm bore diameter along with the 50 cal. rounds suggest that heavy infantry weapons have been fired from the interior of some of the larger IAFVs. Additionally, one of the images in vehicle number 21 is thought to confirm antitank weaponry damage to the driver’s seat area of the vehicle. This would suggest that rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) or other antitank weaponry, not uncommon in cartel arsenals, were, indeed, used in engagements between opposing cartel mounted forces, as has been reported. Given the apparent cessation of the fielding of narco armor since early 2012, quite possibly these vehicles have reached an evolutionary dead end, with more emphasis once again placed by the cartels on fielding more stealth-masked armored vehicles, such as armored SUVs, that better blend in with civilian cars and trucks so as to eluded identification and targeting by Mexican federal forces. Still, given the ever changing conflict waging in Mexico among the cartels and against th

Extended pelvic lymphadenectomy in prostate cancer: is warranted in patients at low risk?

Determinar la incidencia de compromiso ganglionar de acuerdo a la clasificación de riesgo de D’amico en los pacientes llevados a prostatectomía radical con linfadenectomía pélvica ampliada (LDN). Identificar la proporción de subestadificación de cáncer de próstata por biopsia comparado con el estudio patológico ganglionar y determinar el riesgo de recaída bioquímica según la subestadificación. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó una revisión de la historia clínica de los pacientes llevados a prostatectomía radical con linfadenectomía pélvica ampliada (LDN) en el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INC) desde enero de 2006 hasta enero de 2012.: To determine the incidence of nodal involvement according to the classification of D'amico risk and the possible role of this procedure in patients with low risk prostate cancer taking into account the percentage of understaging by biopsy and its possible influence on the risk of biochemical. Materials and methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients undergoing radical prostatectomy with extended pelvic lymphadenectomy in the NCI from January 2006 to January 2012

Dipolar Interactions and Origin of Spin Ice in Ising Pyrochlore Magnets

Recent experiments suggest that the Ising pyrochlore magnets ${\rm Ho_{2}Ti_{2}O_{7}}$ and ${\rm Dy_{2}Ti_{2}O_{7}}$ display qualitative properties of the spin ice model proposed by Harris {\it et al.} \prl {\bf 79}, 2554 (1997). We discuss the dipolar energy scale present in both these materials and consider how they can display spin ice behavior {\it despite} the presence of long range interactions. Specifically, we present numerical simulations and a mean field analysis of pyrochlore Ising systems in the presence of nearest neighbor exchange and long range dipolar interactions. We find that two possible phases can occur, a long range ordered antiferromagnetic one and the other dominated by spin ice features. Our quantitative theory is in very good agreement with experimental data on both ${\rm Ho_{2}Ti_{2}O_{7}}$ and ${\rm Dy_{2}Ti_{2}O_{7}}$. We suggest that the nearest neighbor exchange in ${\rm Dy_{2}Ti_{2}O_{7}}$ is {\it antiferromagnetic} and that spin ice behavior is induced by long range dipolar interactions.Comment: 4 postscript figures included. Submitted to Physical Review Letters Contact: [email protected]

Student´s Perspective about Good Practices in Classroom Management: A Quantitative Researc

This article explores the main characteristics students expect from an English teacher in the classroom and analyzes the influence of their age in choosing one trait over another one. This study searched for a significant relationship between age and the most expected features in the classroom. The survey collected information about: Domain of subject, Confidence in the environment, Language and culture promoting, Good sense of humor, Patience, Students motivation, Class Dynamics, Promoting values, Flexibility, Friendly. Data originated from a sample of 100 randomly chosen students from the English Language Center from the third and fourth Levels of English. The study confirms that age does not influence the preferences in English learning students and those learners valued three domains: Teacher's knowledge, teacher's methodology, and teacher's personality.It also suggests that teachers should receive more training on identifying strategies for managing sizeable multiple level classes and combine that with ways of developing motivation in the classroom while adapting themselves to suit local contexts.  Surge una pregunta sobre qué es una buena práctica docente, especialmente en la enseñanza del inglés. Este artículo explora las principales características que los estudiantes esperan de un profesor de inglés en el aula y analiza la influencia de la edad de los estudiantes en sus preferencias al elegir un rasgo sobre otro. Este estudio buscó una relación significativa entre la edad y las características más esperadas en el aula. La encuesta recogió información sobre: ​​Dominio de la asignatura, Confianza en el entorno, Fomento del lenguaje y la cultura, Buen sentido del humor, Paciencia, Motivación de los estudiantes, Dinámica de clase, Fomento de valores, Flexibilidad, Amabilidad. Los datos se originaron a partir de una muestra de 100 estudiantes de tercer y cuarto nivel de inglés, del Centro de Idiomas, elegidos al azar. El estudio confirma que la edad no influye en las preferencias de los estudiantes que aprenden inglés y que los estudiantes valoran tres dominios: conocimiento del profesor, metodología del profesor y personalidad del profesor. Sugiere que los profesores deberían recibir más formación sobre la identificación de estrategias para gestionar clases importantes en varios niveles y combinar eso con formas de desarrollar la motivación en el aula mientras se adaptan a los contextos locales

Long Range Order at Low Temperature in Dipolar Spin Ice

Recently it has been suggested that long range magnetic dipolar interactions are responsible for spin ice behavior in the Ising pyrochlore magnets ${\rm Dy_{2}Ti_{2}O_{7}}$ and ${\rm Ho_{2}Ti_{2}O_{7}}$. We report here numerical results on the low temperature properties of the dipolar spin ice model, obtained via a new loop algorithm which greatly improves the dynamics at low temperature. We recover the previously reported missing entropy in this model, and find a first order transition to a long range ordered phase with zero total magnetization at very low temperature. We discuss the relevance of these results to ${\rm Dy_{2}Ti_{2}O_{7}}$ and ${\rm Ho_{2}Ti_{2}O_{7}}$.Comment: New version of the manuscript. Now contains 3 POSTSCRIPT figures as opposed to 2 figures. Manuscript contains a more detailed discussion of the (i) nature of long-range ordered ground state, (ii) finite-size scaling results of the 1st order transition into the ground state. Order of authors has been changed. Resubmitted to Physical Review Letters Contact: [email protected]

Dislipidemia como factor de riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares y hepáticas en adultos.

Dyslipidemias are those alterations in the synthesis, transport or metabolism of lipoproteins that occur with altered lipid concentrations, both due to excess hyperlipidemia. The study of these anomalies is important, since there is a significant association between alterations in plasma lipoproteins and the development of the atherosclerotic process. The objective of the research was to analyze dyslipidemia associated with risk factors for cardiovascular and liver diseases in adults. The research design was qualitative and the type of study is systematic review with a scientific search strategy with publications from the years 2015-2021, the same one that 54 scientific articles were chosen, in total to the work. Bibliographic reviews of scientific articles in English and Spanish were carried out in journals indexed in pubmed, Scopus, Biomed Central, Scielo and Science Direct.Among the results, it is evident that dyslipidemia is considered a risk factor that leads to comorbid diseases such as obesity, hypertension, acute myocardial infarction, cerebral vascular events, and liver cirrhosis and steatosis, among others, decreasing the quality of lives of adults who develop a non-communicable chronic disease. Therefore, the population must be intervened with educational models of health prevention, making known the importance of following an adequate diet.Las dislipidemias son aquellas alteraciones en la síntesis, transporte o metabolismo de las lipoproteínas que cursan con concentraciones de lípidos alteradas, tanto por exceso hiperlipidemia.  El estudio de estas anomalías es importante, ya que existe una asociación significativa entre las alteraciones de las lipoproteínas plasmáticas y el desarrollo del proceso aterosclerótico. El objetivo de la investigación fue Analizar la dislipidemia asociados a factores de riesgos de enfermedades cardiovasculares y hepáticas en adultos. El diseño de la investigación fue cualitativo y el tipo de estudio es de revisión sistemática con estrategia de búsqueda científica con publicaciones desde los años 2015-2021, la misma que se escogieron 54 artículos científicos, en total al trabajo.  Se realizaron revisiones bibliográficas de artículos científicos en idioma inglés y castellano en revistas indexadas en pubmed, Scopus, Biomed Central, Scielo y Science Direct. Dentro de los resultados se evidencia que la dislipidemia es considerada como un factor de riesgo que conlleva a enfermedades de comorbilidad tales como la obesidad, hipertensión, infarto agudo al miocardio, eventos vasculares cerebrales y cirrosis hepáticas y esteatosis, entre otros,   disminuyendo la calidad de vida de los adultos que lleguen a desarrollar alguna enfermedad crónica no transmisibles. Por lo que se debe de intervenir a la población con modelos educativos de prevención en salud, dando a conocer lo importante de seguir un régimen alimenticio adecuado