Bringing technology back in: a critique of the institutionalist perspective on museums

Sociologists that study organizations often analyze the museum from a cultural perspective that emphasizes the norms of the museum industry and the larger society. We review this literature and suggest that sociologists should take into account the technical demands of museums. Drawing on insights from social studies of technology, we argue that museums are better understood as organizations that must accomplish legitimate goals with specific technologies. These technologies impact museums and the broader museum field in at least three ways: they make specific types of art possible and permit individuals and organizations to participate in the art world; they allow actors to insert new practices in museums; and they can stabilize or destabilize museum practices. We illustrate our arguments with examples drawn from the world of contemporary art

Canine Trypanosoma cruzi infection in the Bolivian Chaco

A cross-sectional study on Trypanosoma cruzi was carried out in 2013 to evaluate the role of dogs as possible source of infection for humans in two rural communities of the highly endemic Bolivian Chaco (Bartolo, Chuquisaca Department, n = 57 dogs; and Ivamirapinta, Santa Cruz Department, n = 48 dogs). Giemsa-stained thick and thin smears, rapid immunochromatographic test (ICT) (Chagas Quick test, Cypress Diagnostic, Belgium) and polymerase chain reaction for T. cruzi on dried blood spots were performed. All smears proved negative by microscopic examination, whereas 23/103 (22%) were positive by ICT and 5/105 (5%) blood samples contained T. cruzi DNA, evidencing the potential role of dogs in the domestic transmission of the parasite

Predicting distributions of rare species: the case of the false coral snake Rhinobothryum bovallii (Serpentes: Colubridae)

Predicting distributions of rare species: the case of the false coral snake Rhinobothryum bovallii (Serpentes: Colubridae). Typically, the lack of enough high-quality occurrence data makes it diffcult to defne the geographic distribution of rare species. However, species distribution models provide a powerful tool for biodiversity management, including efforts to predict the distributions of rare species. Herein, new and historical data are used to model the distribution of the False Tree Coral snake, Rhinobothryum bovallii. The prediction map reveals a disjunct distribution for this species, from the Central American Isthmus to the northwestern portion of South America, with the species occupying lowlands and premontane forests below about 1500 m elevation. We identifed 491,516 km2 of suitable habitat for R. bovallii (minimum training presence threshold of 0.424) and 59,353 km2 of core habitat, with concentrations in three relatively isolated core areas (10-percentile training presence threshold of 0.396), as follow: (1) a “northern core” along the Pacifc and Caribbean coasts of Panama; (2) a “central core” in the Middle Magdalena Valley in Colombia; and (3) a “southern core” in the Ecuadorian Chocó. The occurrence of this species has a strong positive association with low precipitation seasonality, high precipitation in the warmest quarter, and low variability in annual temperature. Xeric and semiarid areas are unsuitable for this species and may pose environmental barriers limiting its distributional range. These results may lead to the discovery of additional populations of R. bovallii, identify priority survey areas, and by determining the extent of its natural habitat promote effective conservation strategies.Prevendo distribuições de espécies raras: o caso da falsa cobra coral Rhinobothryum bovallii (Serpentes: Colubridae). Normalmente, a falta de dados de ocorrência de alta qualidade sufcientes torna difícil defnir a distribuição geográfca de espécies raras. No entanto, os modelos de distribuição de espécies fornecem uma ferramenta poderosa para a gestão da biodiversidade, incluindo esforços para prever a distribuição de espécies raras. Aqui, dados novos e históricos são usados para modelar a distribuição da serpente Rhinobothryum bovallii. O mapa de previsão revela uma distribuição disjunta para essa espécie, do Istmo da América Central à porção noroeste da América do Sul, com a espécie ocupando terras baixas e forestas pré-montanas abaixo de cerca de 1.500 m de altitude. Identifcamos 491.516 km2 de habitat adequado para R. bovallii (limite de corte de presença mínima de treino de 0,424) e 59.353 km2 de habitat central, com concentrações em três áreas centrais relativamente isoladas (limite de corte de 10-percentil de presença de treino de 0,396), como segue: (1) um “núcleo norte” ao longo das costas do Pacífco e do Caribe do Panamá; (2) um “núcleo central” no Vale do Médio Magdalena, na Colômbia; e (3) um “núcleo sul” no Chocó equatoriano. A ocorrência dessa espécie tem forte associação positiva com a baixa sazonalidade da precipitação, alta precipitação no trimestre mais quente e baixa variabilidade na temperatura anual. Áreas xéricas e semiáridas são inadequadas para essa espécie e podem representar barreiras ambientais que limitam sua faixa de distribuição. Esses resultados podem levar à descoberta de populações adicionais de R. bovallii, identifcar áreas prioritárias de levantamento e, ao determinar a extensão de seu habitat natural, promover estratégias de conservação efcazes

Validación de la soldabilidad mediante alambre tubular con núcleo de fundente “FCAW” para aceros navales deteriorados (FLUX CORED ARC WELDING)

Repairs and changes of steel plates in the structure of the vessels where it is possible to find steels with a high degree of deterioration need reliable welded joints in naval steel of the type ASTM A–131 Gr. A new to old. Due to the fact that the variables associated to the weldability of the materials to be repaired are not known, it is necessary to make a study on the weldability of steel ASTM A131 Gr A, in full penetration seams or junctures, under the various parameters involved in the welding process, to determine the influence of the corroding residues that affect the application of welding compounds through the analysis of the metallurgical reactions of liquid condition in order to select the contributing materials with the alloy elements that are able to prevent these phenomena and to recommend the best practices for the electric arc welding process with tubular electrode with FCAW flux core.Las reparaciones y cambios de láminas de acero en la estructura de los buques donde se presentan aceros con alto grado de deterioro, requieren uniones soldadas confiables en el acero naval ASTM A–131 Gr. A nuevo a viejo. Debido al desconocimiento de las variables asociadas con la soldabilidad de los materiales a reparar, es necesario realizar el estudio de la soldabilidad del acero ASTM A131 Gr A, en uniones o juntas de penetración completa, bajo los diferentes parámetros del proceso de soldeo, determinar la influencia de los residuos de corrosión que afectan la aplicación de la soldadura, mediante análisis de las reacciones metalúrgicas de estado líquido para seleccionar los materiales de aporte con elementos de aleación capaces de evitar estos fenómenos y recomendar las mejores prácticas del proceso soldeo por arco eléctrico con electrodo tubular con núcleo de fundente FCAW

Gestión en restaurantes, basada en los prerrequisitos del sistema APPCC

The present study was conducted to evaluate the food hygiene and safety management of Restaurants on the Gastronomic Boulevard of Pampatar, Margarita Island, Venezuela, based on the prerequisite programs of the HACCP system. In order to fulfill this purpose, interviews were carried including 37 questions to 11 restaurant managers using as a reference measurement, the table of hygiene effectiveness included in the Regulation SG. n. 484 published in the Official Gazette of Venezuela n. 36.100; this therefore gave rise to a graded percentage scale for measuring the fulfillment of the prerequisites. This was divided into six categories, ranging from unsatisfactory to very satisfactory. The evaluation of the study showed a range at the satisfactory level of 73.28%. In the second part of the study, the good handling of food hygiene was verified by analyzing each item of the questionnaire used with that which is established in the concepts of the HACCP system.En el presente artículo se muestra la evaluación de la gestión de la higiene e inocuidad de los alimentos, basada en los conceptos de los prerrequisitos del sistema APPCC, en los restaurantes del Boulevard Gastronómico de Pampatar, Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. Para lograr este propósito se aplicó una encuesta con 37 preguntas a 11 gerentes de restaurantes; como referencia de medición, se utilizó la tabla de efectividad higiénica de la Resolución SG. n.º 484, Gaceta Oficial de Venezuela n.º 36.100; a partir de ésta se creó una escala porcentual para la medición de los prerrequisitos, dividida en seis categorías, que van desde muy deficiente a muy satisfactorio. La evaluación del estudio se ubicó en un 73,28%, nivel satisfactorio. En la segunda parte del estudio se verifica el buen manejo de la higiene de los alimentos, al analizar cada ítem del cuestionario aplicado con lo establecido en los conceptos del sistema APPCC

Fabricação de implantes ortopédicos a partir da usinagem de osso humano

Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia MecânicaO presente trabalho, tem como objetivo o desenvolvimento de implantes de uso ortopédico e dental, manufaturados por usinagem a partir do osso humano como material de base. Discute-se a necessidade de utilizar parafusos na fixação de fraturas, a natureza destes parafusos de uso tópico na ortopedia, a geometria, funções e materiais, bem como as características que eles deveriam atender quando fabricados de osso. Aprofunda-se a discussão com relação ao papel que o próprio osso tem na solução de muitos problemas de reconstituição do esqueleto humano. Destaca-se a ausência de publicações sobre o tema usinagem deste material. Quanto à manufatura, apresentam-se os resultados obtidos na condução de centenas de experimentos de usinagem sobre osso tanto em estado fresco como liofilizado e que resultaram na produção de usinados em osso humano. Diante dos resultados promissores, obtidos tanto no estudo da textura quanto da integridade e resistência mecânica dos implantes protótipos desenvolvidos, propõe-se uma série de modelos que simulam os resultados obtidos em relação à textura e integridade superficial e sobre a qualidade geométrica desses implantes, quando usinados com diferentes tipos de ferramentas e em diferentes condições de corte. Propõe-se também um modelo de relacionamento entre as variáveis dinâmicas do processo de usinagem por torneamento com a geometria das ferramentas de corte e com as variáveis desse processo. Finalmente, propriedades mecânicas do osso humano são estudadas e apresentadas com o intuito de caracterizar a matéria-prima e seu potencial como material de engenharia quanto utilizado na fabricação dos implantes

Adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico y no farmacológico en pacientes con falla cardiaca

Consequences of non-adherence to treatment are expressed in various spheres of the individual's life, in various components of the health system and in the population's morbidity and mortality, which generates repercussions in the medical and economical aspects and in the individual’s life quality. Objective: To determine the prevalence of adherence to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment in patients with heart failure. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in patients with heart failure during 2012 in the Heart Failure and Heart Transplant Clinic of the Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia. 161 adult patients were included with the diagnosis of heart failure. Adherence to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment was evaluated as well as compliance of the patients with heart failure. Results: 80.12% (n=129; 95% CI 73.11 – 85.98%) of the patients are often adhered to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment, compliance to pharmacological treatment with the Morisky-Green test was of 53.42% (n=86; 95% CI 45.39 - 61.3%). Conclusions: The results of this study are an approach to the problem of adherence to pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of patients with heart failure. It is recommended for future researches, the realization of multicenter studies with probabilistic samplings.Las consecuencias de la no adherencia al tratamiento se expresan en diversas esferas de la vida de la persona, en diversos componentes del sistema de salud y en el cuadro de morbilidad y mortalidad de la población, lo cual genera grandes repercusiones desde el punto de vista médico, económico y en la calidad de vida de la persona. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico y no farmacológico en pacientes con falla cardiaca. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal en pacientes con falla cardiaca en el 2012 en la Clínica de Falla Cardiaca y Trasplante Cardiaco de la Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia. Se incluyeron 161 pacientes adultos con diagnóstico médico de falla cardiaca. Se evaluó la adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico y no farmacológico y el cumplimiento en los pacientes con falla cardiaca. Resultados: El 80.12% (n=129; IC 95% 73.11 - 85.98%) de los pacientes se encuentra frecuentemente adheridos al tratamiento farmacológico y no farmacológico, el cumplimiento al tratamiento farmacológico con el test de Morisky-Green fue de 53.42% (n=86; IC 95% 45.39 - 61.3%). Conclusiones: Los resultados del presente estudio son un acercamiento a la problemática de la adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico y no farmacológico de los pacientes con falla cardiaca. Se recomienda para futuras investigaciones, la realización de estudios multicéntricos con muestreos probabilísticos

Keck HIRES Spectroscopy of Extragalactic HII Regions: C and O Abundances from Recombination Lines

We present very deep spectrophotometry of 14 bright extragalactic HII regions belonging to spiral, irregular, and blue compact galaxies. The data for 13 objects were taken with the HIRES echelle spectrograph on the Keck I telescope. We have measured CII recombination lines in 10 of the objects and OII recombination lines in 8 of them. We have determined electron temperatures from line ratios of several ions, specially of low ionization potential ones. We have found a rather tight linear empirical relation between Te([NII]) and Te([OIII]). We have found that OII lines give always larger abundances than [OIII] lines. Moreover, the difference of both O++ abundance determinations --the so-called abundance discrepancy factor-- is very similar in all the objects, with a mean value of 0.26+/-0.09 dex, independently of the properties of the HII region and of the parent galaxy. Using the observed recombination lines, we have determined the O, C, and C/O radial abundance gradients for 3 spiral galaxies: M33, M101, and NGC2403, finding that C abundance gradients are always steeper than those of O, producing negative C/O gradients accross the galactic disks. This result is similar to that found in the Milky Way and has important implications for chemical evolution models and the nucleosynthesis of C.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ, 54 pages, 4 figure

Mejoramiento de la gestión logística de las empresas afi liadas a Acoplásticos: diagnóstico y recomendaciones

The article presents the results, diagnosis, findings and recommendations of the research on the key logistic activities of companies members of ACOPLASTICOS, mainly those engaged in the packaging sector. A 10-month study was conducted, approved by the Colombian Association of Plastic Industries (Acoplásticos) and with the financial support of the Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF). Acoplásticos managers as well as members of an ad hoc committee of logistic businessmen of this sector and executives of member companies collaborated with this study. To carry it out, a comprehensive analysis of the functioning of the logistic operation was developed by means of a business survey and in-depth interviews. The initial conclusions of the diagnosis were: “Dispersed” logistic activities, non-existence of a chain integrating suppliers, distributors and clients; lack of efficient information systems; weaknesses in the assessment of suppliers of raw materials and delivery performance.El artículo presenta los resultados, diagnóstico, conclusiones y recomendaciones correspondientes a la investigación sobre las principales actividades logísticas de las empresas afiliadas a Acoplásticos, con énfasis en el sector de empaques y envases. Se realizó un estudio durante cerca de 10 meses, aprobado por la Asociación Colombiana de Industrias Plásticas (Acoplásticos) y con el apoyo financiero de la Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF). Colaboraron directivos de Acoplásticos, miembros del Comité "ad hoc" de empresarios logísticos del sector y directivos de empresas afiliadas. Para tal efecto se elaboró un análisis integral del funcionamiento de la operación logística con base en la aplicación de una encuesta empresarial y entrevistas en profundidad. Las primeras conclusiones del diagnóstico inicial son: actividades logísticas "dispersas"; no existe una cadena de suministro integrada con proveedores, distribuidores y clientes; faltan sistemas de información eficientes; existen falencias en evaluación de proveedores de materias primas y desempeño de entregas