Developing experimental learning in a graphical course using Thurstone's Law of comparative judgment

In this paper, one innovative educational experiment to help student obtain a better way to learn spatial vision in graphical course was carried out. After implementation of the improvements into a graphical engineering course, an evaluation study, through surveys, was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of this visual experiment. This empirical study provided one hundred and sixty four andalusian freshmen three types of visualization (2D static depictions, 3D computer depictions and an augmented reality environment that allows multiple participants to interact with 2D and 3D data) required to improve their skills related to spatial vision. According to results, most students showed positive attitudes toward this practice. In addition, students perceived positive impacts of this effort on their learning experience. The responses to surveys illustrated that students prefer 3D traditional learning, however they think augmented reality learning is no useful for better visual understanding of different objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR

Application of Particle Swarm Optimization for Optimizing the Process Parameters in Turning of PEEK CF30Composites

This work deals with optimization of multiple characteristics in CNC turning of reinforced Poly Ether Ether Ketone (PEEK CF30) with TiN coated tools under dry condition. The considered criteria included specific cutting pressure, machining force and cutting power. Three controllable factors of the turning process consisting of cutting speed, depth of cut and feed rate were incorporated. Taguchi design of experiments method was used to arrange the experimentation task. The developed response surface models were then employed with particle swarm optimization (PSO) to optimize the cutting conditions. PSO program gives the minimum values of the considered criteria and the corresponding optimal cutting conditions

¿Quién quiere ser millonario? El concurso como herramienta alternativa de evaluación

Los concursos son una técnica de gamificación que, a través de una dinámica generalmente incremental y competitiva, tratan de favorecer la motivación de los estudiantes y estimular su aprendizaje haciéndolo más atractivo. El contexto de los concursos permite no solo desarrollar competencias técnicas y transversales con su aplicación, sino también plantear formas alternativas de evaluación de contenidos que pueden ser de aplicación en asignaturas de distinta tipología. En este artículo se presenta una experiencia docente en la que el famoso concurso ¿Quién quiere ser millonario? ha sido utilizado como actividad de evaluación alternativa a los exámenes parciales en la asignatura Sistemas de Comunicación en Edificios del cuarto curso del grado en Ingeniería Eléctrica. Para ello, se han implementado dos versiones o modalidades de este concurso: una modalidad on-line donde los estudiantes participaban desde sus casas y una modalidad presencial, donde los estudiantes eran evaluados en el aula ordinaria. El desarrollo de esta actividad durante los dos últimos cursos académicos permite constatar que esta metodología es adecuada para la evaluación de contenidos fundamentales.Contests constitute a gaming technique which, by means of competitive and increasing dynamics, try to boost motivation in students and stimulate their learning progress by making it more attractive. The different types of contests would allow not only to develop technical and cross-curricular competences when applied but also to contemplate alternative ways of content assessment that might be applied in different subjects. This article presents a teaching experience where the famous contest Who wants to be a millionaire has been used as an assessment alternative tool to midterms tests in the subject Communications systems in buildings in the fourth year of the Electrical Engineering bachelor ´s degree. For this matter, two different versions of the contest have been implemented: the online version where students participate from home and the face-to-face version where all the students are assessed in the classroom. The development of this activity during the last two academic courses allows us to confirm that this methodology is suitable to assess essential contents

Implantación de los hornos Cermak-Spirek en la metalurgia de las minas de Almadén

Es conocido que las Minas de Almadén fueron el más grande y rico yacimiento de cinabrio llegando a producir más de un tercio del total del mercurio consumido por la Humanidad. Durante los más de veinte siglos en que fueron explotadas estas famosas minas de forma ininterrumpida, en su departamento metalúrgico, conocido como Cerco de Buitrones, se instalaron la mayor variedad y cantidad de equipos para exprimir de la roca el líquido metal. Los hornos de aludeles, primeros en producir a escala industrial, junto a los hornos de tecnología Spirek y los hornos Pacific, final de la técnica, fueron una revolución en su época y son unas auténticas joyas de la ingeniería. En este trabajo de investigación se han abordado aquellos hechos, anécdotas y vicisitudes más interesantes que permiten conocer todo lo que aconteció y tuvo que ver con la adquisición, implantación y puesta en marcha de los hornos Cermak-Spirek y Spirek en la metalurgia de las Minas de Almadén. Estas instalaciones metalúrgicas permitieron un aumento del rendimiento de la producción y una mejora en las condiciones de salubridad de los operarios que las utilizadas hasta entonces en Almadén, como eran los hornos de aludeles, Idria y Livermore. Además, estos hornos constituyen una importante prueba de la importación tecnológica desde la minería italiana a las españolas a principios del siglo XX a pesar de la rivalidad existente entre ambas

Artificial neural networks back propagation algorithm for cutting force components predictions

Reinforced Poly Ether Ether Ketone with 30% of Carbon Fiber (PEEK CF30) offer several thermo-mechanical advantages over standard materials and alloys which make them better candidates in different applications. However, the hard and abrasive nature of the reinforcement fiber is responsible for rapid tool wear and high machining costs. It is very important to find highly effective ways to machine that material. Accordingly, it is important to predict forces when machining fiber matrix composites because this will help to choose perfect tools for machining and ultimately save both money and time. In this study, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was applied to predict the cutting force components in turning operations of PEEK CF30 using TiN coated cutting tools under dry conditions where the machining parameters are cutting speed ranges, feed rate, and depth of cut. For this study, the experiments have been conducted using full factorial design experiments (DOEs) on CNC turning machine. The results indicated that the well-trained (ANN) model could be able to predict the cutting force components in turning of Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Polymer (CFRP) composites. Complementary results that were not used during derivation of the ANN model have enabled one to assess the validity of the obtained predictions

Innovative temporary edge protection system in trench works for the construction industry and rescue operations.

This study assessed an innovative temporary edge protection system (TEPS) designed and developed to improve the ergonomics, health and safety at trench works in the construction industry, which ranks as one of the most hazardous worldwide. A wooden prototype of this innovative TEPS was built, and its mechanical resistance was compared to a conventional one. Thereafter, field tests were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of this pioneering TEPS. Both in analytical studies and field tests, the mechanical resistance to static loads of the TEPS complied with EU standards, and outperformed the conventional TEPS. The novel TEPS is effective as fall protection for different trench shoring systems and in buildings without edge protection systems. Moreover, this novel lightweight TEPS is easy to transport, with simple and safe on-site installation

Innovative temporary edge protection system in trench works for the construction industry and rescue operations

This study assessed an innovative temporary edge protection system (TEPS) designed and developed to improve the ergonomics, health and safety at trench works in the construction industry, which ranks as one of the most hazardous worldwide. A wooden prototype of this innovative TEPS was built, and its mechanical resistance was compared to a conventional one. Thereafter, field tests were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of this pioneering TEPS. Both in analytical studies and field tests, the mechanical resistance to static loads of the TEPS complied with EU standards, and outperformed the conventional TEPS. The novel TEPS is effective as fall protection for different trench shoring systems and in buildings without edge protection systems. Moreover, this novel lightweight TEPS is easy to transport, with simple and safe on-site installation

Niveles de mercurio en ambiente y en fluidos biológicos. Caso de la metalurgia en Almadén, España (1986-2001)

This paper presents the monitoring and follow-up of environmental and biological mercury levels among metallurgy workers of the Almadén Mines in Spain, which provided the foundation for the mine’s occupational health department to implement a method that allowed establishment of "critical levels" that would trigger specific preventive interventions.The study was part of an information-gathering project targeting 15 jobs (up to 70 workers), focused on worker living conditions, environmental and personal mercury concentrations, job schedules and shifts, medical surveillance, job profiles, monthly baseline biological controls (using Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry) and maximum allowable biological exposure levels. Mercury levels were analyzed at several levels: facility-wide, in workplaces with continuous and alternating shifts, and, lastly, at the job level. Results showed that, since plant processes were automated in 1997, there had been a definite improvement in workplace mercury levels, and that a reduction of shifts, from the standpoint of the risk posed by exposure to mercury, was not justified. Between two periods (1986-1997 and 1998-2001), mercury exposures at the job level decreased significantly, although a closer evaluation of the soot operator and miscellaneous laborer jobs was warranted.Se presenta el estudio de diagnóstico y seguimiento de los niveles de mercurio en ambiente y en fluidos biológicos de los trabajadores de la metalurgia de Minas de Almadén (España) con el fin de aportar los insumos necesarios para que el Área de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales implantara un método que permitiera establecer unos “niveles críticos” para adoptar acciones preventivas en base a éstos. El estudio se enmarcó dentro de un programa de recolección de datos sobre 15 puestos de trabajo (hasta 70 operarios) como condiciones de vida del trabajador, niveles de exposición al mercurio mediante muestreos ambientales y personales, horarios y turnos de trabajo, reconocimientos médicos, profesiogramas, controles biológicos mensuales en condiciones basales (utilizando el Análisis por Espectrofotometría de Absorción Atómica en Vapor Frío) y valores biológicos máximos permisibles. Se analizaron los niveles de mercurio en la instalación, considerada globalmente, en puestos de trabajo con jornada continua y jornada alterna y, finalmente, en el puesto de trabajo como unidad operativa. Los resultados arrojaron que, a partir de la automatización de la planta en 1997, la mejora de los niveles de mercurio en ambiente de trabajo fue evidente y que la reducción de jornada, considerándola desde la perspectiva del riesgo al mercurio, no estaba justificada. Estableciendo dos periodos (1986-1997 y 1998-2001), los indicadores de mercurio, obtenidos en relación al puesto de trabajo como unidad operativa, experimentaron una notable disminución y evidenció que era necesario prestar especial atención a los puestos de trabajo de operador de hollines y peón de servicios varios