Citizen participation, quality of life and territorial trans-regional justice: A social basis for common good

For globalized local worlds undergoing transformation, territorial interventions are increasingly producing larger social and environmental impacts. Macro-interventions profoundly alter the functioning of ecosystems and human habitats or communities, becoming inclusive in extreme situations of exploitation or extraction, risking their very existence. Therefore it is necessary to develop a system or Social Baseline that clearly establishes the philosophical bases, restrictions and criteria that regulate and curb the negative impacts of such interventions. This implies defining methods for citizen participation. This article focuses on defining a basic framework with criteria and indicators that regulate the impact of macro-interventions - of different natures - on human territories and communities

A indexação do conhecimento científico: a necessidade do conhecimento a serviço do desenvolvimento comunitário e da proteção da natureza

The pandemic, the economic crisis, and climate change impose new development models of scientific production, as we suggest in this perspective study. The authors propose “new ways of evaluating academic performance,” which means stopping exclusively rewarding researchers who publish in indexed journals and valuing work with communities and applied interdisciplinary research, aimed at understanding socioenvironmental problems and proposing possible solutions that improve academic performance, improve quality of life of the population, and protect nature.A pandemia, a crise econômica e as mudanças climáticas impõem novos modelos de desenvolvimento da produção científica. Propomos “novas formas de avaliar o desempenho acadêmico”, o que significa deixar de premiar exclusivamente pesquisadores que publicam em periódicos indexados, mas valorizar o trabalho com comunidades e a pesquisa interdisciplinar aplicada, visando compreender problemas socioambientais e sugerir possíveis soluções que melhorem o desempenho acadêmico, a qualidade de vida da população e a proteção da natureza

Diseño de un plan de mantenimiento para incrementar la disponibilidad de máquinas en la empresa Ceramicos Cajamarca S.R.L. - 2019

La presente investigación se realizó en la Empresa Cerámicos Cajamarca S.R.L, dedica a la venta masiva de tres tipos de ladrillo: pandereta, techo 12 y King Kong; debido a la alta demanda de sus productos, la cual, actualmente tiene problemas en la disponibilidad de sus máquinas, y esto, es provocado por la gran cantidad de fallas o averías y deficiencia operativa al momento de utilizar dichas máquinas. Por ello, se propone como objetivo general diseñar un modelo de gestión de mantenimiento para incrementar la disponibilidad de máquinas en dicha empresa. Además, para poder desarrollar el diagnóstico de la empresa se utilizó distintas técnicas como entrevistas y encuestas e instrumentos como fichas de observación, también se realizó un análisis de los datos del área de mantenimiento que cuenta la empresa empleando distintos métodos de recolección de datos logrando el desarrollo de este trabajo. Por otro lado, se obtuvo como resultado que, al analizar el estado actual de la gestión de mantenimiento de las máquinas, se halló cuatro de ellas (Extrusora, Bomba de Vacío, Compresora de Aire y Amasadora) no cumplían con la clasificación excelente que tiene un rango mayor al 95%, por ello, se diseñó un plan de mantenimiento preventivo, así como capacitaciones para el personal de planta. Finalmente se concluyó que, al realizar el plan de mantenimiento preventivo y las capacitaciones, se espera que el nivel de disponibilidad aumente según los resultados mostrado en los indicadores, además al realizar una evaluación económica a través de costo beneficio, se encontró que la empresa tendrá rentabilidad y factibilidad al realizar este proyecto

Estimation of the carbon footprint in the road infrastructure sector: A case study for a 190 km road construction in the operation and maintenance phase, Colombia

La generación de los Gases de Efecto Invernadero (GEI) ha incrementado en los últimos años en el planeta, tal como, reporta la Oficina Nacional de Administración Oceánica y Atmosférica (NOAA) en abril de 2023 se generaron 423,28 ppm de CO2 a nivel mundial, con un incremento de 3,05 ppm CO2 en comparación al año anterior; lo que continúa motivando la búsqueda y aplicación de estrategias para la reducción de estas emisiones en los diferentes sectores socioeconómicos. Para el caso del sector de edificaciones y construcción, se registra una generación importante de emisiones con un valor aproximadamente de 10 GtCO2 (35% a nivel mundial). A nivel de Colombia para el año 2018 se reportó por parte del sector de construcción y transporte una generación de emisiones por 238,93 GgTonCO2e y 29.601,91 GgTonCO2e, respectivamente. En razón a lo anterior, se han desarrollado diferentes metodologías para la estimación de la huella de carbono con el fin de identificar operaciones o procesos sensibles que representen una oportunidad de mejora frente a la emisión de GEI en dichos sectores. La presente investigación se centra en la estimación de la huella de carbono para un corredor vial en la fase de operación y mantenimiento, basado en la metodología GHG Protocol, donde se analizan las fuentes de generación (combustibles fósiles y energía eléctrica) bajo una perspectiva y valores de referencia de estándares internacionales y nacionales, que permiten plantear posibles alternativas para reducir la huella de carbono en pro de contribuir al desarrollo sostenible.Universidad Libre - Facultad de Ingeniería - Especialización en Gerencia AmbientalThe generation of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) has increased in recent years on the planet, as reported by the National Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in April 2023, 423,28 ppm of CO2 were generated worldwide, with an increase of 3,05 ppm CO2 compared to the previous year, which continues to motivate the search and implementation of strategies for the reduction of these emissions in the different socioeconomic sectors. In the case of the building and construction sector, there is a significant generation of emissions with a value of approximately 10 GtCO2 (35% worldwide). At the Colombian level for 2018, the construction and transportation sector reported emissions generation of 238,93 GgTonCO2e and 29.601,91 GgTonCO2e, respectively. Due to the above, different methodologies have been developed to estimate the carbon footprint in order to identify sensitive operations or processes that represent an opportunity to improve GHG emissions in these sectors. This research focuses on the estimation of the carbon footprint for a road construction in the operation and maintenance phase, based on the GHG Protocol methodology, where the generation sources (fossil fuels and electric energy) are analyzed under a perspective and reference values of international and national standards, which allow proposing possible alternatives to reduce the carbon footprint in order to contribute to sustainable development

Edge detection algorithm based on fuzzy logic theory for a local vision system of robocup humanoid league

Este artículo presenta el desarrollo de un algoritmo para la extracción de bordes basado en la teoría de lógica difusa, mediante el cual es posible reconocer las marcas de un campo de juego para la liga humanoide de RoboCup. El algoritmo propuesto describe la creación de un sistema de inferencia difuso que permite evaluar la relación existente entre los pixeles de una imagen, encontrando así las variaciones en los niveles de gris para una vecindad de pixeles específica. Posteriormente se plantea la implementación del método OTSU para binarizar la imagen obtenida en el proceso difuso y así generar una imagen que contiene solo los bordes extraídos, validando el algoritmo en imágenes de la liga humanoide. Luego se analizan los resultados obtenidos evidenciando el buen desempeño del algoritmo, considerando que el tiempo de procesamiento de la propuesta es tan solo el 35% más del tiempo necesario en métodos tradicionales, mientras que los bordes extraídos son unos 52% menos susceptibles al ruido.At this paper we shown the development of an algorithm to perform edges extraction based on fuzzy logic theory. This method allows recognizing landmarks on the game field for Humanoid League of RoboCup. The proposed algorithm describes the creation of a fuzzy inference system that permit evaluate the existent relationship between image pixels, finding variations on grey levels of related neighbor pixels. Subsequently, it shows an implementation of OTSU method to binarize an image that was obtained from fuzzy process and so generate an imagecontaining only extracted edges, validating the algorithm with Humanoid League images. Later, we analyze obtained results that evidence a good performance of algorithm, considering that this proposal only takes an extra 35% processing time that will be required by traditional methods, whereas extracted edges are 52% less noise susceptible

Hydrophobic Coatings for Corrosion Control of Aluminum Heat Exchangers

The production of thin films (nanocoatings) is a technological field with many applications to elaborate materials with new properties to be used as corrosion protection of traditional metals. Hydrophobicity is an example of such properties. In this chapter, an example of two hydrophobic corrosion coatings for possible use over aluminum heat exchanger geothermal power plants is discussed. Material substrate preparation, synthesis of hydrophobic sol‐gel nanocoating, characterization, and electrochemical evaluation as a function of time of immersion, which are compared to another commercial fluorinated compound, are presented. Good corrosion protection was found for both hydrophobic coatings for possible application in geothermal heat exchangers

A study of the prostate, androgens and sexual activity of male rats

BACKGROUND: The prostate is a sexual gland that produces important substances for the potency of sperm to fertilize eggs within the female reproductive tract, and is under complex endocrine control. Taking advantage of the peculiar behavioral pattern of copulating male rats, we developed experimental paradigms to determine the influence of sexual behavior on the level of serum testosterone, prostate androgen receptors, and mRNA for androgen receptors in male rats displaying up to four consecutive ejaculations. METHODS: The effect of four consecutive ejaculations was investigated by determining levels of (i) testosterone in serum by solid phase RIA, (ii) androgen receptors at the ventral prostate with Western Blots, and (iii) androgen receptors-mRNA with RT-PCR. Data were analyzed with a one-way ANOVA followed by a post hoc application of Dunnett's test if required. RESULTS: The constant execution of sexual behavior did not produce any change in the weight of the ventral prostate. Serum testosterone increased after the second ejaculation, and remained elevated even after four ejaculations. The androgen receptor at the ventral prostate was higher after the first to third ejaculations, but returned suddenly to baseline levels after the fourth ejaculation. The level of mRNA increased after the first ejaculation, continued to increase after the second, and reached the highest peak after the third ejaculation; however, it returned suddenly to baseline levels after the fourth ejaculation. CONCLUSION: Four consecutive ejaculations by sexually experienced male rats had important effects on the physiological responses of the ventral prostate. Fast responses were induced as a result of sexual behavior that involved an increase and decrease in androgen receptors after one and four ejaculations, respectively. However, a progressive response was observed in the elevation of mRNA for androgen receptors, which also showed a fast decrease after four ejaculations. All of these changes with the prostate gland occurred in the presence of a sustained elevation of testosterone in the serum that started after two ejaculations. A consideration of these fast-induced changes suggests that the nerve supply plays a key role in prostate physiology during the sexual behavior of male rats

Adipose Tissue Therapeutics for Scar Rehabilitation after Thermal Injury

Background: Burn injuries are common and in the long term can lead to hypertrophic or keloid scars, pain and pruritus, limited mobility across joints, and disfigurement. Numerous reports suggest adipose derived tissues, including adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) and processed lipoaspirate, can improve acutely healing wounds from a variety of etiologies including excisional, thermal, and radiation injuries by both secretion of growth factors and direct differentiation. There are many options for scar treatment, including laser therapy, silicone sheets, steroid injection, and even skin grafting however these techniques either lack optimal efficacy or involve significant cost and morbidity. Clinical case series suggest a beneficial effect of adipose tissues in improving scarred tissues, however this phenomenon has not been extensively studied in animal models especially in a thermal scar model. Objectives: (1) Determine if adipose tissue can accelerate and improve scar remodeling subacutely after acute wound healing has occurred. (2) Determine if the effect is related to adipose derived stem cells or other components of lipoaspirate. Methods: 50 CD1 nu/nu athymic mice received a standardized 70°C 10 second burn with a brass rod to the dorsal skin. Digital photographs and hyperspectral images were taken immediately following injury and serially over the study’s entirety. Burned skin reliably progressed through normal stages of wound healing to a scarred and granulating state. At six weeks post-burn animals received subcutaneous injection immediately beneath the scar with fresh human lipoaspirate (n=10), high dose hADSCs in matrigel (n=10), low dose hADSCs in matrigel (n=10), matrigel control (n=10), or were not injected (n=10). At 4 weeks post-injection (10 weeks post-burn) animals were sacrificed and tissue samples were harvested for histological molecular analysis. Results: Oxygenation and perfusion profiles from hyperspectral imaging and scar wound area correlated between groups suggesting methodological consistency of burns prior to any intervention. Oxygenated hemoglobin at 10 weeks in scars treated with lipoaspirate increased significantly more compared to 6-week pre-treatment baseline than all other groups (1.57x vs. 0.85x, p Conclusion: A consistent model of burn injury and scar maturation is described. Preliminary HSI and scar area data suggest scar improvement in lipoaspirate treated scars compared to ADSCs and controls

Lipoaspirate and Adipose Stem Cells as Potential Therapeutics for Chronic Scars

Introduction: Burn injuries can lead to hypertrophic or keloid scars, causing pain and long lasting mobility issues. Current therapies are often unsatisfactory, costly, or morbid. Prior studies suggest adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) and lipoaspirate can improve scar outcomes of acute thermal wounds. Clinical reports suggest lipoaspirate and ADSCs can improve chronic burn scar remodeling. However, this has not been extensively studied in animal models. We sought to determine if adipose tissue can improve chronic scar remodeling and to compare the effects of ADSCs and processed lipoaspirate. Methods: 50 CD1 nu/nu athymic mice received a standardized deep partial-thickness thermal burn. Scars matured for 6 weeks. Photographs and perfusion measurements by hyperspectral imaging (HSI) were taken over the entire study. Lipoaspirate and ADSCs (SVF and ex-vivo culture with flow cytometry confirmation) were obtained from a discarded human pannus specimen. After 6 weeks, animals received a 0.6cc subcutaneous graft beneath the scar of either: human lipoaspirate processed with the Coleman technique, high-dose (106) hADSCs in Matrigel, low-dose (104) hADSCs in Matrigel, Matrigel only, or not injected (n=10 per group). At 10 weeks, animals were sacrificed and scar tissue was harvested for histological and molecular analysis. Results: HSI oxygenated hemoglobin values in lipoaspirate treated scars increased significantly more compared to 6-week pre-treatment baseline than all other groups (p \u3c 0.05). Planimetry analysis showed reduction in wound area in lipoaspirate treated mice compared to control groups (p \u3c 0.01). Blood vessel density quantification on Masson’s trichrome stains suggests increased density in lipoaspirate treated scars versus controls (p \u3c 0.01). Conclusion: HSI, blood vessel density, and scar analysis suggest improvement in lipoaspirate treated scars compared to controls. Preliminary molecular data offers some insight to this trend. No effect was seen with ADSCs at either concentration at the analyzed timepoints. Molecular analyses are ongoing to investigate cellular mechanisms in regulating scar remodeling