Prototype WSN platform for performing dynamic monitoring of civil engineering structures

Structural Health Monitoring represents the present and future of the civil engineering since, until few years ago, structural diagnosis works had been performed with few resources regarding to experimental techniques. Precisely in the field of monitoring sensors, the progress of new technologies based on wireless communications and Micro-Electro-Mechanical- Systems (MEMS) are of high interest for replacing the handle difficult wired sensors. However, three major limitations of the commercial off-the-shelf technology on WSN (combination of MEMS and wireless technology) for performing dynamic monitoring were identified by means of: (1) not enough sensitivity of the accelerometers; (2) low resolution of the ADC embedded; and (3) lack of synchronization algorithms implemented. This paper presents a new prototype system conceived for performing dynamic monitoring civil engineering structures. This system was jointly conceived by a team of civil, electrical and communication engineers and is a combination of the last technology on high resolution MEMS accelerometers and the state of the art of communication technologies. Despite the fact that the prototype system needs more improvements; the results of several rounds of validation experiences confirm the feasibility for its consideration as an alternative to the conventional wired based sensors.(undefined

Análisis del entorno y caracterización de las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito en Costa Rica

Proyecto de graduación (Licenciatura en Administración de Empresas. Énfasis en Finanzas) Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Escuela de Administración de Empresas, 2015.La investigación describe el entorno y el perfil del sector de las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito de Costa Rica, supervisadas por SUGEF y agremiadas a FECOOPSE. La importancia de este proyecto radica en que hay una proliferación de oferta de servicios financieros por parte de estas entidades y para el año 2012 estas ocupaban el 8,5% del Sistema Financiero Nacional. Para determinar el entorno y el perfil del sector de cooperativas de ahorro y crédito la investigación se dividió en: cualitativo y cuantitativo. Durante la investigación cualitativa se realizó una encuesta para los Gerentes Financieros de dichas entidades con el fin de conocer el entorno y aspectos de perfil. En la investigación cuantitativa, se tomó la información disponible de la página de SUGEF de las cooperativas de ahorro y crédito del periodo comprendido entre el 2012 y 2014, en cuanto a estados financieros en formato para análisis financiero y los indicadores de SUGEF. Se trabajó con dos poblaciones que componen el sector de cooperativas de ahorro y crédito, las entidades supervisadas por SUGEF y aquellas cooperativas de ahorro y crédito no supervisadas pero agremiadas a FECOOPSE. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran que el sector en cuanto a tamaño de activos, pasivo y patrimonio ha crecido en un 100% durante los últimos tres años y que existen factores del entorno que pueden ser afrontados creando sinergia como sector.Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica. Escuela de Administración de Empresa

Study of the environmental influence on the dynamic behavior of adobe walls: preliminary test in laboratory specimens

The shift of modal parameters induced by temperature and humidity effects may mask the changes of vibration properties caused by structural damage because the dynamic properties are often sensitive to changing environmental conditions. Furthermore, temperature and humidity are generally non-uniform and time-dependent variables, and therefore, their simple record in air or at a specific surface cannot be sufficient to obtain useful models to understand the relationship between the dynamic properties and environmental effects.The present paper aims at presenting preliminary findings in the task of quantifying the effects of environmental conditions (variations in temperature and humidity) on the dynamic properties of earthen constructions with a laboratory test campaign. The first stage of the research consisted on the analysis of a real structural system and for this three 1:1 scale adobe walls were built in the laboratory. This stage considered the performance of a long-term monitoring program recording environmental conditions, the surface and inner walls variation of temperature and humidity and the dynamic behaviour of the walls. The second stage consisted on the understanding the correlation between dynamic properties and environmental parameters. In particular, linear auto-regressive models with exogenous variables (ARX) and multiple linear regression models (MLRM) were built and compared. The paper presents the results of the measurements and shows that is possible to distinguish the changes of dynamic properties due to environmental effects in adobe walls.The present work was developed thanks to the funding provided by the program Cienciactiva from CONCYTEC in the framework of the Contract No. 222-2015. The first author acknowledge FONDECYT for the scholarship in support of graduate studies (Contract No. 027-2015-FONDECYT). The second author gratefully acknowledge ELARCH program for the scholarship in support of his PhD studies (Project Reference number: 552129-EM-1-2014-1-IT-ERA MUNDUS-EMA21)

A new approach to the analysis and rating Ecuadorian Cooperative System

This document exposes a EWS that is based on two models, the first corresponds to a full econometric model such as the Logistics and the second is a financial model based on OVT for the KMV model. Both models are based on financial indicators CAMEL evaluation methodology for the Cooperative System of Ecuador, so that they become an easy tool for interpretation by the entities that comprise this system as well as the regulator and supervisor, giving rise to easily identify financial crisis phenomena. The models exposed are considered inside the MPT where CAMEL is a traditional finance valuation model and Logit & KMV are new tools like a EWS. Hence, the three models CAMEL, KMV and Logit, are placed to the Ecuadorian cooperative reality in order to establish a rating of each entity that labors in the Cooperative System headed for analyze its current financial situation and identify possible vulnerability of the system.Modelo de Evaluación CAMEL, Sistema de Alertas Tempranas, Modelo Logit Dicotómico, Matriz de Transición, Modelo Merton, Cadenas de Markow, Valoración de Opciones, Enfoque de Señales.

Mediação escolar e relação escola-família

Tese de mestrado, Ciências da Educação (Educação Intercultural), Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto de Educação, 2012O presente trabalho, enquadra-se na modalidade de estágio curricular, realizado na Escola Básica de Telheiras, para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciências da Educação, na área da Educação Intercultural. A área de intervenção em que esta modalidade de trabalho se insere é a Mediação em contexto escolar. E teve como principal objectivo a criação e desenvolvimento de um Gabinete de Mediação Escolar para combater os conflitos na escola. Através das entrevistas1 realizadas como diagnóstico de necessidades para a criação do Gabinete, também se constatou a necessidade de melhor as relações entre a escola e a família, então criei um subprojecto que pretendia mediar a relação escola-família com o objectivo de levar os encarregados de educação a participar mais da vida escolar dos alunos. Durante o estágio, participei também em dois projectos e várias actividades da escola. A minha participação nos projectos e outras actividades baseava-se, essencialmente, no apoio e dinamização das actividades realizadas. A realização deste estágio permitiu-me consolidar aprendizagens não só na área de intervenção em que estava a actuar, mas também na generalidade do contexto escolar.This work into the kind of curricular, in São Vicente – Telheiras Basic School, for the Degree of Master of Science in Education in the area of Intercultural Education. The intervention area where this type of work fits is Mediation in schools context. And had as main objective the creation and development of an Office of School Mediation to tackle conflicts at school. Through interviews and needs assessment for the creation of the office, also noted the need for better relations between school and home, so I created a subproject intended to mediate school-family relationship with the aim of bringing the guardians to participate more in school life of students. During the internship, I also participated in two projects and multiple school activities. My participation in projects and other activities was based primarily on support and promotion of activities. The realization of this internship allowed me to consolidate learning not only in the area of intervention that was acting, but also in the wider school context

Raspcare: A Telemedicine Platform for the Treatment and Monitoring of Patients with Chronic Diseases

Metabolic and electrophysiological measures must remain within normal values to maintain the quality of life of chronic patients. Furthermore, depending on the age and disease stage of the individual, automatic identification of risk situations is critical for emergency support. To achieve these goals, this study proposes a technological solution termed Raspcare to help both the patients in their self-care and the medical teams monitoring the patients. The solution consists of a domestic gateway equipped with a microcontroller and various interfaces to allow interaction between the platform and household devices, such as televisions, biometric sensors, blood glucose metres, non-invasive pressure gauges, smartphones and smartwatches, among others. The gateway implements a Linux OS application responsible for executing the user’s health plan, which involves periodic measurements, medications and dietary care. Moreover, the application has data processing algorithms to establish alerts for the automatic detection of abnormal measurements and falls

PROPAGACIÓN in vitro DE QUISHUAR (Buddleja incana Ruíz & Pav)

Quishuar es una especie forestal apreciada por sus usos. La explotación intensiva y la oferta insatisfecha de plantas han sido limitantes para cumplir con programas de reforestación. La micropropagación es una técnica que ayudaría a erradicar este problema ya que el propósito es producir mayor cantidad de plantas en menor tiempo. El objetivo de esta investigación fue desarrollar protocolos para la desinfección, establecimiento y multiplicación in vitro, para el efecto se realizaron ensayos partiendo de semillas y brotes de plantas. La primera fase se realizó con semillas, utilizando kilol y benomil, junto con NaOCl al 3 % (10 min). Los resultados indican que el porcentaje de germinación fue de 100 % en MS (Murashige y Skoog medium) y el porcentaje de contaminación y oxidación de 0 %. Por otro lado, los brotes sometidos a fungicidas con adición de antioxidantes y NaOCl al 1 % (10 min) no presentaron contaminación ni oxidación. El porcentaje de brotación fue de 100 % en WPM (Woody Plant Medium). En la segunda fase en medio MS sin adición de hormonas se observó una mayor longitud de brote (1.95 cm), número de nudos (1.94 nudos) e índice de multiplicación (2.47). Basándose en los resultados, se sugiere que los protocolos son efectivos para la propagación in vitro.// Quishuar is a forest species which is well known for its uses. Intensive farming and unsatisfied plant supply have been limited to meet reforestation programs. Micropropagation is a technique that would help eradicate this problem as the purpose is to produce more plants in less time. The objective of this research was to develop protocols for disinfection, establishment, and multiplication in vitro; for this reason, tests from seeds and plants sprouts were carried out; the first phase with seeds, using kilol and benomil, together with NaOCl at 3 % (10 min). The results indicate that the germination percentage was 100 % in MS (Murashige y Skoog medium) and the contamination, oxidation percentage was 0 %. On the other hand, plants sprouts exposed to fungicides, antioxidants and NaOCl at 1 % (10 min), did not have contamination or oxidation. The sprouting percentage was 100 % in WPM (Woody Plant Medium). In the second phase in MS medium without the addition of hormones, plant sprouts (1.95 cm), knots number (1.94 knots) and multiplication rate (2.67) were observed. Based on the results, it is suggested that protocols are effective for in vitro propagation

A methodological proposal based on the World Health Organization classification of interventions

UIDB/05021/2020 UIDP/05021/2020Coronavirus disease 2019 was identified as a pandemic and Brazil is one of the major epicentres. One of the Brazilian states affected is Ceará, where this research group works. This group was challenged by a Hospital stakeholder to develop a communication channel with the health professionals and the coronavirus disease 2019 patient's family. This article presents a part of this whole project. The main methodological approach was the user-centred design based on user experience elements. Benchmarking was applied to understand the state-of-art of Brazilian apps that were related to coronavirus disease 2019. The research process was based on a systematic approach that was carried out by a multidisciplinary team that worked through four work cycles (identification, classification, screening, analysis). This work was based on two main points: (a) World Health Organization digital health guidelines, specifically digital health interventions (b) System Usability Scale. As a result, apps features were gathered according to the digital health interventions and their experiences were analysed on System Usability Scale. This work has provided an overview of apps that were available and how they support the coronavirus disease 2019 context. Another valuable contribution is the understanding of how the industry was satisfying the user's needs. These two results can provide a holistic view for future product development that can be used in different contexts of health issues. One of the highlighted conclusions was that digital health interventions should be adapted to the local context because these World Health Organization guidelines were open. Moreover, the System Usability Scale is an effective method to compare different digital health solutions.publishersversionpublishe

Análisis mecánico de albañilería arqueológica de adobe bajo cargas de compresión uniaxial: El caso de Huaca de la Luna

This article presents an experimental and numerical study for the mechanical characterization under uniaxial compressive loading of the adobe masonry of one of the most emblematic archaeological complex in Peru, 'Huaca de la Luna' (100-650AD). Compression tests of prisms were carried out with original material brought to the laboratory. For measuring local deformations in the tests, displacement transducers were used which were complemented by a digital image correlation system which allowed a better understanding of the failure mechanism. The tests were then numerically simulated by modelling the masonry as a continuum media. Several approaches were considered concerning the geometrical modelling, namely 2D and 3D simplified models, and 3D refined models based on a photogrammetric reconstruction. The results showed a good approximation between the numerical prediction and the experimental response in all cases. However, the 3D models with irregular geometries seem to reproduce better the cracking pattern observed in the tests.Patronato Huacas del Valle Moche; Proyecto Piloto de Evaluación del Estado Estructural Actual y Comportamiento Sísmico del Complejo Arqueológico Moche Huaca de la Luna, Dirección de Gestión de la Investigación (DGI PUCP), ref. 89-201