Religion, Politics and War In the Creation of an Ethos of Conflict in Colombia; The case of the War of the Thousand Days (1899-1902)

The purpose of this thesis is to understand the way in which religion and politics played a role in the formulation of a cyclical ethos of conflict, focusing in the last and most important civil war of nineteenth-century Colombia: The War of the Thousand Days (1899-1902). A historiographical review was used to understand the interactions between these two structures, and it pointed at a main problem centered in the political use of religion, as well as the transformation of political debate into a matter of political faith. In conclusion, the War of the Thousand days strengthened narratives of vengeance, worsened the situation of the country, and solidified an ethos of conflict in which the State used the Church to legitimize itself against the threats to the status quo of systemic inequality

Soft computing applied to optimization, computer vision and medicine

Artificial intelligence has permeated almost every area of life in modern society, and its significance continues to grow. As a result, in recent years, Soft Computing has emerged as a powerful set of methodologies that propose innovative and robust solutions to a variety of complex problems. Soft Computing methods, because of their broad range of application, have the potential to significantly improve human living conditions. The motivation for the present research emerged from this background and possibility. This research aims to accomplish two main objectives: On the one hand, it endeavors to bridge the gap between Soft Computing techniques and their application to intricate problems. On the other hand, it explores the hypothetical benefits of Soft Computing methodologies as novel effective tools for such problems. This thesis synthesizes the results of extensive research on Soft Computing methods and their applications to optimization, Computer Vision, and medicine. This work is composed of several individual projects, which employ classical and new optimization algorithms. The manuscript presented here intends to provide an overview of the different aspects of Soft Computing methods in order to enable the reader to reach a global understanding of the field. Therefore, this document is assembled as a monograph that summarizes the outcomes of these projects across 12 chapters. The chapters are structured so that they can be read independently. The key focus of this work is the application and design of Soft Computing approaches for solving problems in the following: Block Matching, Pattern Detection, Thresholding, Corner Detection, Template Matching, Circle Detection, Color Segmentation, Leukocyte Detection, and Breast Thermogram Analysis. One of the outcomes presented in this thesis involves the development of two evolutionary approaches for global optimization. These were tested over complex benchmark datasets and showed promising results, thus opening the debate for future applications. Moreover, the applications for Computer Vision and medicine presented in this work have highlighted the utility of different Soft Computing methodologies in the solution of problems in such subjects. A milestone in this area is the translation of the Computer Vision and medical issues into optimization problems. Additionally, this work also strives to provide tools for combating public health issues by expanding the concepts to automated detection and diagnosis aid for pathologies such as Leukemia and breast cancer. The application of Soft Computing techniques in this field has attracted great interest worldwide due to the exponential growth of these diseases. Lastly, the use of Fuzzy Logic, Artificial Neural Networks, and Expert Systems in many everyday domestic appliances, such as washing machines, cookers, and refrigerators is now a reality. Many other industrial and commercial applications of Soft Computing have also been integrated into everyday use, and this is expected to increase within the next decade. Therefore, the research conducted here contributes an important piece for expanding these developments. The applications presented in this work are intended to serve as technological tools that can then be used in the development of new devices

Un sistema alternativo de intercambio comercial: el comercio justo

Each day, each and every one ofus becomes conamners; every selection done, gives direction to lhe lIlllrlcet and lhe economy inside lhe country and worldwide. Today, we have lhe freedom to choose from a variety ofproducts and brands !hat cover our needa and desires, but rarely, we stop to think about lhe people and lhe process!hat made possible lhe axrival oflhese products to lhe shelves where lhey are displayed. The trulh is lha! lhe system leading lhe global supp!ies lIlllrlcet is controlled by 20 corporations. In this system, lhe producer docs not always obtain lhe payment !hat may suit lhe value of lheir done han! work in order to get lhe product, marginalizing lhe access ofa decent !ife. The aim ofthis paper is to characterize an alternative trade system: "Fair Trade", which seeks to reward lhe producer for his work integrating!he products price, lhe social, economic and environmental costs

Cuban Land Use and Conservation, from Rainforests to Coral Reefs

Cuba is an ecological rarity in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its complex political and economic history shows limited disturbances, extinctions, pollution, and resource depletion by legal or de facto measures. Vast mangroves, wetlands, and forests play key roles in protecting biodiversity and reducing risks of hazards caused or aggravated by climate change. Cuba boasts coral reefs with some of the region’s greatest fish biomass and coral cover. Although Cuba has set aside major protected areas that safeguard a host of endemic species, its environment is by no means pristine. Its early history is one of deforestation and agricultural production for colonial and neo-colonial powers. Using remote sensing, we find Cuba’s land today is 45% devoted to agricultural, pasturage, and crop production. Roughly 77% of Cuba’s potential mangrove zone is presently in mangrove cover, much outside legal protection; this is likely the most intact Caribbean mangrove ecosystem and an important resource for coastal protection, fish nurseries, and wildlife habitat. Even the largest watersheds with the most agricultural land uses have a strong presence of forests, mangroves, and wetlands to buffer and filter runoff. This landscape could change with Cuba’s gradual reopening to foreign investment and growing popularity among tourists—trends that have devastated natural ecosystems throughout the Caribbean. Cuba is uniquely positioned to avoid and reverse ecosystem collapse if discontinuities between geopolitical and ecosystem functional units are be addressed, if protection and conservation of endemic species and ecosystems services accompany new development, and if a sound ecological restoration plan is enacted

360 años de historia de las ideas y visiones rosaristas: una interpretación de su impacto en el país

Trabajo de investigación para la celebración de la conmemoración de los 360 años de la Universidad del Rosario: “360 años de historia de las ideas y visiones rosaristas: una interpretación de su impacto en el país”. En su investigación se pretende plasmar el panorama que nos presenta la Universidad del Rosario a lo largo de 360 años de existencia y revelar su participación y contribución a la historia de nuestro país

Modelo de implementacion de un centro de responsabilidad para la unidad de equipos clinicos quirurgicos del Hospital Base de Curico

263 p.Esta memoria tiene como Objetivo Principal Diseñar un Modelo de Implementación de un Centro de Responsabilidad (Unidad de Gestión Administrativa y Médica, que tiene un único responsable) para la Unidad de Equipos Clínicos Quirúrgicos del Hospital Base de Curicó, en respuesta a los requerimientos que debe cumplir esta Institución para adquirir la condición de Autogestionado en Red, por la nueva Normativa de Salud. El estudio, en pro del cumplimiento del Objetivo principal, se inicia haciendo una descripción del Sistema Hospitalario en forma global como particular, para los Centros de Costos que integrarán el Centro de Responsabilidad. Luego, para identificar el funcionamiento actual de los Centros de Costos, se realiza un Análisis Diagnóstico de la Calidad de las Atenciones Médicas Prestadas (Nº de Reclamos y Sugerencias) y de la Cantidad de Demanda Insatisfecha (Nº de Paciente en Listas de Espera), a través de Diagramas de Pareto y Diagramas Causa- Efecto. Posteriormente, se definen los elementos genéricos más trascendentes en el futuro funcionamiento de CR (Planificación Estratégica, Soporte Personas e Infraestructura, Cartera de Servicios y Control de Gestión a través de, Planificación de Producción, Pronóstico de Recursos Humanos por Regresión Lineal, junto a Consideración de RRHH y Físicos), en base a los resultados obtenidos del Diagnóstico Inicial. Como una forma de transparentar y controlar las Actividades Asistenciales Operativas, Administrativas desarrolladas por los Centros de Costos, se costean a través de Método de Costeo ABC, haciendo del Costo un indicador de control en el proceso mejora, en el que se encuentra inserto el Hospital. Finalmente para traducir lo aprendido respecto al Sistema Hospitalario en que se desarrollará el CR, de manera de asegurar una Propuesta de Implementación sustentable, flexible a los requerimientos del Hospital Base, se utiliza el Cuadro de Mando Integral, que en sus 4 Perspectivas, recoge los factores decidores del éxito del funcionamiento del CR. Esta herramienta permite definir Indicadores que retroalimentarán la gestión del Responsable del CR, evidenciando desviaciones respecto a los objetivos que se fijen para el CR, dando lugar a mejoramientos futuros

Cosolvent Effects of Ethanol and Dissolved Organic Matter on the Aqueous Solubility and Partitioning of Organochlorine Pesticides

In the effort to promote ethanol/gasoline blends as an alternative fuel, potential negative impacts on the environment have been overlooked. Ethanol is produced in the Midwest and transported to the coasts. With the increased usage and the long distances of transport, a spill is reported on the average of every two days. The Midwest is also a location of high pesticide usage. The coincidence of ethanol spills and high pesticide usage in agricultural watersheds raises the concern that ethanol might enhance the concentration of regulated organochlorine pesticides in surface waters. Thus, the objective of this research was to examine the aqueous solubility and partitioning behavior of organochlorine pesticides in the presence of ethanol. The work reported here showed increases in the aqueous solubility of the organochlorine pesticides, dieldrin, lindane, and chlorpyrifos of about 7.46, 3.31, and 6.61 orders of magnitude, respectively, as the ethanol mass fraction increased from 0.0 to 1.0. A two-part log-linear model, with the breakpoint occurring at an ethanol mass fraction of approximately 0.35 was adequate to describe the relationship between the aqueous solubility of these compounds and the ethanol mass fraction, for all the pesticides examined. The breakpoint seems to be independent of the solute and dependent only on the ethanol-water interactions. The increase in the aqueous solubility of pesticides in the presence of ethanol can affect the partitioning behavior of such compounds between an organic liquid phase (e.g. iso-octane and gasoline) and water. This research showed that, in a water/ethanol/organic liquid system, ethanol displays a high preference for the aqueous phase. The aqueous solubility of the organic liquid also increased by orders of magnitude, but its concentration was still considerably lower than that of ethanol. The high concentration of ethanol resulted in an increased concentration of the organochlorine pesticides in the aqueous phase, causing a decrease in the partition coefficient by 4.83, 2.03, and 4.82 orders of magnitude for dieldrin, lindane, and chlorpyrifos, respectively. A log-log relationship between the partition coefficient versus the aqueous solubility of the pesticide was observed, with a slope of -1 and a y-intercept independent of the specific pesticide. Additionally, river sediment contains organic matter that, if dissolved, can further increasing the aqueous solubility of the pesticides. This study showed that the presence of DOM can further increase the aqueous solubility of lindane by over one order of magnitude. The results suggest that both the composition and concentration of DOM are important factors in determining the extent of the impact on the aqueous solubility, with DOM extracted from contaminated river sediments, like that from the Anacostia River, having a greater effect relative to that extracted from natural soils dominated by humic materials. Moreover, the solute’s polarity compatibility with the DOM was an important factor. In particular, a greater enhancement was noted for lindane, since its smaller size and more symmetric configuration made it more compatible with the bonding structure of the DOM.PHDEnvironmental EngineeringUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140813/1/oteromar_1.pd

Las inundaciones en la provincia de Tucumán: una problemática que se repite

La provincia de Tucumán se encuentra emplazada en la porción NW del país y cuenta con un clima del tipo monzónico, con precipitaciones intensas durante la época estival. En los últimos años, la misma fue testigo de eventos hidrometeorológicos que alteraron el normal funcionamiento de la sociedad, dejando incomunicados numerosos pueblos y ciudades. Como ejemplo podemos citar las comunas rurales de Lamadrid y Sol de Mayo, ubicadas en el departamento Graneros o la localidad de Juan Bautista Alberdi. Incluso la capital provincial se vio afectada por el desborde de canales que cruzan en diferentes puntos a la ciudad cabecera. El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar la situación actual de las inundaciones como una problemática recurrente en diferentes puntos de la provincia. La metodología a utilizar será el empleo de bibliografía específica para el sustento teórico y la información que brindan los sistemas de información geográfica. Este trabajo se realizará en el marco de una tesis de grado y cuenta con trabajos logrados en jornadas anteriores, donde, por un lado, se analizaron las causas de las inundaciones en la comuna rural de Lamadrid, mediante el uso de los sistemas de información geográfica y por el otro, se analizó el rol que juega el embalse de Rio Hondo en las comunidades cercanas y el aumento de su superficie devenido de la acumulación de sedimentos fluviales.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Las inundaciones en la provincia de Tucumán: una problemática que se repite

La provincia de Tucumán se encuentra emplazada en la porción NW del país y cuenta con un clima del tipo monzónico, con precipitaciones intensas durante la época estival. En los últimos años, la misma fue testigo de eventos hidrometeorológicos que alteraron el normal funcionamiento de la sociedad, dejando incomunicados numerosos pueblos y ciudades. Como ejemplo podemos citar las comunas rurales de Lamadrid y Sol de Mayo, ubicadas en el departamento Graneros o la localidad de Juan Bautista Alberdi. Incluso la capital provincial se vio afectada por el desborde de canales que cruzan en diferentes puntos a la ciudad cabecera. El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar la situación actual de las inundaciones como una problemática recurrente en diferentes puntos de la provincia. La metodología a utilizar será el empleo de bibliografía específica para el sustento teórico y la información que brindan los sistemas de información geográfica. Este trabajo se realizará en el marco de una tesis de grado y cuenta con trabajos logrados en jornadas anteriores, donde, por un lado, se analizaron las causas de las inundaciones en la comuna rural de Lamadrid, mediante el uso de los sistemas de información geográfica y por el otro, se analizó el rol que juega el embalse de Rio Hondo en las comunidades cercanas y el aumento de su superficie devenido de la acumulación de sedimentos fluviales.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació