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Soto</title> <meta name="description" content="Search results for: De Soto"> <meta name="keywords" content="De Soto"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, minimum-scale=1, maximum-scale=1, user-scalable=no"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" rel="shortcut icon"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/static/plugins/bootstrap-4.2.1/css/bootstrap.min.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/static/plugins/fontawesome/css/all.min.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/static/css/site.css?v=150220211555" rel="stylesheet"> </head> <body> <header> <div class="container"> <nav class="navbar navbar-expand-lg navbar-light"> <a class="navbar-brand" href="https://waset.org"> <img src="https://cdn.waset.org/static/images/wasetc.png" alt="Open Science Research Excellence" title="Open Science Research Excellence" /> </a> <button class="d-block d-lg-none navbar-toggler ml-auto" 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class="input-group"> <i class="fas fa-search"></i> <input type="text" class="search-query" name="q" placeholder="Author, Title, Abstract, Keywords" value="De Soto"> <input type="submit" class="btn_search" value="Search"> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> <div class="row mt-3"> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Commenced</strong> in January 2007</div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Frequency:</strong> Monthly</div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Edition:</strong> International</div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Paper Count:</strong> 31</div> </div> </div> </div> <h1 class="mt-3 mb-3 text-center" style="font-size:1.6rem;">Search results for: De Soto</h1> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">31</span> From De Soto’s Solution to Urban Disaster: The Effects of Land Titling Policies on the Development of Cities of the Global South in the Case of Lima Peru </h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Jitka%20Molnarova">Jitka Molnarova</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Based on De Soto’s idea that a formal land title can provide a secure home and access to credit to poor urban families, a large number of developing countries accepted the formalization of informal settlements as the ultimate solution for their housing crises and struggles with poverty. After two decades of implementation, very little is known about the effects this policy has on the quality of the neighborhoods it produces and on the development of cities in general. Using the capital of Peru -where the solution originated- as a case study, this paper illustrates the negative outcomes this policy has on urban development arguing that land titling encourages 1) expansion of the city often to areas of high physical risk, 2) production of precarious housing on unserviced land, and 3) practices of illegal land trafficking. The evidence is based on interviews with community leaders and officials working at the Cooperation for Formalization of Informal Property (COFOPRI), comparison of satellite images documenting the expansion of Lima in the past twenty years, and a technical evaluation of dozens of houses that have been or are in the process of being granted a land title. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=COFOPRI" title="COFOPRI">COFOPRI</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=De%20Soto" title=" De Soto"> De Soto</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=housing%20policies" title=" housing policies"> housing policies</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=land%20titling" title=" land titling"> land titling</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=land%20trafficking" title=" land trafficking"> land trafficking</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Lima" title=" Lima"> Lima</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Peru" title=" Peru"> Peru</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=precarious%20housing" title=" precarious housing"> precarious housing</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=urban%20expansion" title=" urban expansion"> urban expansion</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/88211/from-de-sotos-solution-to-urban-disaster-the-effects-of-land-titling-policies-on-the-development-of-cities-of-the-global-south-in-the-case-of-lima-peru" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/88211.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">187</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">30</span> Undocumented Migrants on the Northern Border of Mexico: Social Imaginary, and Social Representations</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=C%C3%A9sar%20Enrique%20Jim%C3%A9nez%20Ya%C3%B1ez">César Enrique Jiménez Yañez</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Yessica%20Martinez%20Soto"> Yessica Martinez Soto</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> In the present work, the phenomenon of undocumented migration in the northern border of Mexico is analyzed through the graphic representation of the experience of people who migrate in an undocumented way to the United States. 33 of them drew what it meant for them to migrate. Our objective is to analyze the social phenomenon of migration through the drawings of migrants, using the concepts of social imaginary and social representations, identifying the different significant elements with which this symbolically builds their experience. Drawing, as a methodological tool, will help us to understand the migratory experience beyond words. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mexico" title="Mexico">Mexico</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=social%20imaginary" title=" social imaginary"> social imaginary</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=social%20representations" title=" social representations"> social representations</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=undocumented%20migrants" title=" undocumented migrants"> undocumented migrants</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/91275/undocumented-migrants-on-the-northern-border-of-mexico-social-imaginary-and-social-representations" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/91275.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">401</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">29</span> Effect of Outliers in Assessing Significant Wave Heights Through a Time-Dependent GEV Model</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=F.%20Calder%C3%B3n-Vega">F. Calderón-Vega</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=A.%20D.%20Garc%C3%ADa-Soto"> A. D. García-Soto</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=C.%20M%C3%B6sso"> C. Mösso</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Recorded significant wave heights sometimes exhibit large uncommon values (outliers) that can be associated with extreme phenomena such as hurricanes and cold fronts. In this study, some extremely large wave heights recorded in NOAA buoys (National Data Buoy Center, noaa.gov) are used to investigate their effect in the prediction of future wave heights associated with given return periods. Extreme waves are predicted through a time-dependent model based on the so-called generalized extreme value distribution. It is found that the outliers do affect the estimated wave heights. It is concluded that a detailed inspection of outliers is envisaged to determine whether they are real recorded values since this will impact defining design wave heights for coastal protection purposes. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=GEV%20model" title="GEV model">GEV model</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=non-stationary" title=" non-stationary"> non-stationary</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=seasonality" title=" seasonality"> seasonality</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=outliers" title=" outliers"> outliers</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/147991/effect-of-outliers-in-assessing-significant-wave-heights-through-a-time-dependent-gev-model" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/147991.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">195</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">28</span> Seismic Reliability of Two-DegreE-of-Freedom Systems with Supplemental Damping</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=A.D.%20Garc%C3%ADa-Soto">A.D. García-Soto</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Miguel%20Jaimes"> Miguel Jaimes</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=J.G.%20Vald%C3%A9s-V%C3%A1zquez"> J.G. Valdés-Vázquez</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=A.%20Hern%C3%A1ndez-Mart%C3%ADnez"> A. Hernández-Martínez</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The seismic reliability of two-degree-of-freedom (2DOF) systems with and without supplemental damping are computed. The used records are scaled from realistic records using standard incremental dynamic Analysis (IDA). The total normalized shear base is computed for both cases using different scaling factors, and it is considered as the demand. The seismic reliability is computed using codified design to stipulate the capacity and, after some assumptions, applying the first-order reliability method (FORM). The 2DOF considered can be thought as structures with non-linear behavior, with and without seismic protection, subjected to earthquake activity in Mexico City. It is found that the reliability of 2DOF structures retrofitted with supplemental damper at its first story is generally higher than the reliability of 2DOF structures without supplemental damping. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=2DOF%20structures" title="2DOF structures">2DOF structures</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=IDA" title=" IDA"> IDA</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=FORM" title=" FORM"> FORM</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=seismic%20reliability" title=" seismic reliability"> seismic reliability</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/126842/seismic-reliability-of-two-degree-of-freedom-systems-with-supplemental-damping" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/126842.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">135</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">27</span> Stochastic Modeling of Secretion Dynamics in Inner Hair Cells of the Auditory Pathway</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Jessica%20A.%20Soto-Bear">Jessica A. Soto-Bear</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Virginia%20Gonz%C3%A1lez-V%C3%A9lez"> Virginia González-Vélez</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Norma%20Casta%C3%B1eda-Villa"> Norma Castañeda-Villa</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Amparo%20Gil"> Amparo Gil</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Glutamate release of the cochlear inner hair cell (IHC) ribbon synapse is a fundamental step in transferring sound information in the auditory pathway. Otoferlin is the calcium sensor in the IHC and its activity has been related to many auditory disorders. In order to simulate secretion dynamics occurring in the IHC in a few milliseconds timescale and with high spatial resolution, we proposed an active-zone model solved with Monte Carlo algorithms. We included models for calcium buffered diffusion, calcium-binding schemes for vesicle fusion, and L-type voltage-gated calcium channels. Our results indicate that calcium influx and calcium binding is managing IHC secretion as a function of voltage depolarization, which in turn mean that IHC response depends on sound intensity. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=inner%20hair%20cells" title="inner hair cells">inner hair cells</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Monte%20Carlo%20algorithm" title=" Monte Carlo algorithm"> Monte Carlo algorithm</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Otoferlin" title=" Otoferlin"> Otoferlin</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=secretion" title=" secretion"> secretion</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/96568/stochastic-modeling-of-secretion-dynamics-in-inner-hair-cells-of-the-auditory-pathway" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/96568.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">221</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">26</span> Autism Screening Questionnaire for Daycare Attendees</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=David%20Alejandro%20Torres-Lopez">David Alejandro Torres-Lopez </a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Lilia%20Albores-Gallo"> Lilia Albores-Gallo</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ronald%20Soto-Calderon"> Ronald Soto-Calderon</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Roberto%20Lagunes-Cordoba"> Roberto Lagunes-Cordoba</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Autism Screening Questionnaire for Daycare Attendees (ASQ-DAT) is a screening instrument that assesses the risk of autism in children between 12 and 47 months, being the first free observational instrument created according to the criteria of the DSM-5 that can be applied by teachers in nurseries. The people in charge of answering the questionnaires are the daycare assistants. Its application presents a series of previous activities with which daycare assistants are familiar (dance, games, oral narration and breakfast), which are executed with the children and then answer a questionnaire with dichotomous questions "Yes/No" in approximately 3 minutes per child. The instrument was developed with the participation of nurseries according to the protocols of the creation of psychometric instruments of the Classical Test Theory having as a gold standard ADOS-2 Modules T and 1. The results of the investigation show that the use of ASQ-DAT combined with the application of M-CHAT / RF provides more information about the risk of ASD in young children, which allows improvements in the screening. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=diagnosis" title="diagnosis">diagnosis</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=screening" title=" screening"> screening</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=autism" title=" autism"> autism</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=daycare" title=" daycare"> daycare</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/92545/autism-screening-questionnaire-for-daycare-attendees" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/92545.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">219</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">25</span> Solving the Set Covering Problem Using the Binary Cat Swarm Optimization Metaheuristic</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Broderick%20Crawford">Broderick Crawford</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ricardo%20Soto"> Ricardo Soto</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Natalia%20Berrios"> Natalia Berrios</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Eduardo%20Olguin"> Eduardo Olguin</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> In this paper, we present a binary cat swarm optimization for solving the Set covering problem. The set covering problem is a well-known NP-hard problem with many practical applications, including those involving scheduling, production planning and location problems. Binary cat swarm optimization is a recent swarm metaheuristic technique based on the behavior of discrete cats. Domestic cats show the ability to hunt and are curious about moving objects. The cats have two modes of behavior: seeking mode and tracing mode. We illustrate this approach with 65 instances of the problem from the OR-Library. Moreover, we solve this problem with 40 new binarization techniques and we select the technical with the best results obtained. Finally, we make a comparison between results obtained in previous studies and the new binarization technique, that is, with roulette wheel as transfer function and V3 as discretization technique. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=binary%20cat%20swarm%20optimization" title="binary cat swarm optimization">binary cat swarm optimization</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=binarization%20methods" title=" binarization methods"> binarization methods</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=metaheuristic" title=" metaheuristic"> metaheuristic</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=set%20covering%20problem" title=" set covering problem"> set covering problem</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/47183/solving-the-set-covering-problem-using-the-binary-cat-swarm-optimization-metaheuristic" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/47183.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">396</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">24</span> An AFM Approach of RBC Micro and Nanoscale Topographic Features During Storage</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=K.%20Santacruz-Gomez">K. Santacruz-Gomez</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=E.%20Silva-Campa"> E. Silva-Campa</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=S.%20%C3%81lvarez-Garc%C3%ADa"> S. Álvarez-García</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=V.%20Mata-Haro"> V. Mata-Haro</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=D.%20Soto-Puebla"> D. Soto-Puebla</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=M.%20Pedroza-Montero"> M. Pedroza-Montero</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Blood gamma irradiation is the only available method to prevent transfusion-associated graft versus host disease (TA-GVHD). However, when blood is irradiated, determine blood shelf time is crucial. Non-irradiated blood has a self-time from 21 to 35 days when is preserved with an anticoagulated solution and stored at 4°C. During their storage, red blood cells (RBC) undergo a series of biochemical, biomechanical and molecular changes involving what is known as storage lesion (SL). SL include loss of structural integrity of RBC, a decrease of 2,3-diphosphatidylglyceric acid levels, and an increase of both ion potassium concentration and hemoglobin (Hb). On the other hand, Atomic force Microscopy (AFM) represents a versatile tool for a nano-scale high-resolution topographic analysis in biological systems. In order to evaluate SL in irradiated and non-irradiated blood, RBC topography and morphometric parameters were obtained from an AFM XE-BIO system. Cell viability was followed using flow cytometry. Our results showed that early markers as nanoscale roughness, allow us to evaluate blood quality since another perspective. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=AFM" title="AFM">AFM</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=blood%20%CE%B3-irradiation" title=" blood γ-irradiation"> blood γ-irradiation</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=roughness" title=" roughness"> roughness</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=storage%20lesion" title=" storage lesion"> storage lesion</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/7888/an-afm-approach-of-rbc-micro-and-nanoscale-topographic-features-during-storage" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/7888.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">533</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">23</span> Process Optimization of Mechanochemical Synthesis for the Production of 4,4 Bipyridine Based MOFS using Twin Screw Extrusion and Multivariate Analysis</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ahmed%20Metawea">Ahmed Metawea</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Rodrigo%20Soto"> Rodrigo Soto</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Majeida%20Kharejesh"> Majeida Kharejesh</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Gavin%20Walker"> Gavin Walker</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ahmad%20B.%20Albadarin"> Ahmad B. Albadarin</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> In this study, towards a green approach, we have investigated the effect of operating conditions of solvent assessed twin-screw extruder (TSE) for the production of 4, 4-bipyridine (1-dimensional coordinated polymer (1D)) based coordinated polymer using cobalt nitrate as a metal precursor with molar ratio 1:1. Different operating parameters such as solvent percentage, screw speed and feeding rate are considered. The resultant product is characterized using offline characterization methods, namely Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM) in order to investigate the product purity and surface morphology. A lower feeding rate increased the product’s quality as more resident time was provided for the reaction to take place. The most important influencing factor was the amount of liquid added. The addition of water helped in facilitating the reaction inside the TSE by increasing the surface area of the reaction for particles <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=MOFS" title="MOFS">MOFS</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=multivariate%20analysis" title=" multivariate analysis"> multivariate analysis</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=process%20optimization" title=" process optimization"> process optimization</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=chemometric" title=" chemometric"> chemometric</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/143640/process-optimization-of-mechanochemical-synthesis-for-the-production-of-44-bipyridine-based-mofs-using-twin-screw-extrusion-and-multivariate-analysis" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/143640.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">159</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">22</span> Perception of Violence through the Drawing: A Research with Mexican University Students</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Yessica%20Martinez%20Soto">Yessica Martinez Soto</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Cesar%20E.%20Jimenez%20Yanez"> Cesar E. Jimenez Yanez</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Margarita%20Barak%20Velasquez"> Margarita Barak Velasquez</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Yaralin%20Aceves%20Villanueva"> Yaralin Aceves Villanueva</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The presence of violent behavior in society is growing rapidly, which causes people to live in an environment of constant tension due to fear of becoming victims of violent acts. It is up to social scientists to be able to carry out analyzes in this regard to identify the different ways in which violence is normalized among people. The interest of this research work focuses on investigating the perception of violence in Mexican University students through the technique of drawing. To carry out this research, we worked with 67 university students from the Autonomous University of Baja California in Mexico, who drew an image of how they understood the concept of violence. His works showed us a variety of emotions, actions, and elements that relate and link with violence. One of the methodological tools to recognize and establish the link between the knowledge of a concept between discourse and practice is through graphic representations, that is, drawings. Although the drawing gives us a personal interpretation of the reality of each artist, the repetition of elements and the representation of similar situations allowed us to identify the degrees of incidence of the different types of violence and the areas in which it manifests itself. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=college%20students" title="college students">college students</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mexico" title=" Mexico"> Mexico</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=social%20representations" title=" social representations"> social representations</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=violence" title=" violence"> violence</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/91278/perception-of-violence-through-the-drawing-a-research-with-mexican-university-students" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/91278.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">232</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">21</span> Seismic Behavior of Three-Dimensional Steel Buildings with Post-Tensioned Connections</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Manuel%20E.%20Soto-L%C3%B3pez">Manuel E. Soto-López</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Israel%20Gaxiola-Avenda%C3%B1o"> Israel Gaxiola-Avendaño</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Alfredo%20Reyes-Salazar"> Alfredo Reyes-Salazar</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Eden%20Boj%C3%B3rquez"> Eden Bojórquez</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sonia%20E.%20Ruiz"> Sonia E. Ruiz</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The seismic responses of steel buildings with semi-rigid post-tensioned connections (PC) are estimated and compared with those of steel buildings with typical rigid (welded) connections (RC). The comparison is made in terms of global and local response parameters. The results indicate that the seismic responses in terms of interstory shears, roof displacements, axial load and bending moments are smaller for the buildings with PC connection. The difference is larger for global than for local parameters, which in turn varies from one column location to another. The reason for this improved behavior is that the buildings with PC dissipate more hysteretic energy than those with RC. In addition, unlike the case of buildings with WC, for the PC structures the hysteretic energy is mostly dissipated at the connections, which implies that structural damage in beams and columns is not significant. According to this results, steel buildings with PC are a viable option in highseismicity areas because of their smaller response and self-centering connection capacity as well as the fact that brittle failure is avoided. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=inter-story%20drift" title="inter-story drift">inter-story drift</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=nonlinear%20time-history%20analysis" title=" nonlinear time-history analysis"> nonlinear time-history analysis</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=post-tensioned%20connections" title=" post-tensioned connections"> post-tensioned connections</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=steel%20buildings" title=" steel buildings"> steel buildings</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/18722/seismic-behavior-of-three-dimensional-steel-buildings-with-post-tensioned-connections" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/18722.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">499</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">20</span> Multi-Criteria Inventory Classification Process Based on Logical Analysis of Data</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Diana%20L%C3%B3pez-Soto">Diana López-Soto</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Soumaya%20Yacout"> Soumaya Yacout</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Francisco%20%C3%81ngel-Bello"> Francisco Ángel-Bello</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Although inventories are considered as stocks of money sitting on shelve, they are needed in order to secure a constant and continuous production. Therefore, companies need to have control over the amount of inventory in order to find the balance between excessive and shortage of inventory. The classification of items according to certain criteria such as the price, the usage rate and the lead time before arrival allows any company to concentrate its investment in inventory according to certain ranking or priority of items. This makes the decision making process for inventory management easier and more justifiable. The purpose of this paper is to present a new approach for the classification of new items based on the already existing criteria. This approach is called the Logical Analysis of Data (LAD). It is used in this paper to assist the process of ABC items classification based on multiple criteria. LAD is a data mining technique based on Boolean theory that is used for pattern recognition. This technique has been tested in medicine, industry, credit risk analysis, and engineering with remarkable results. An application on ABC inventory classification is presented for the first time, and the results are compared with those obtained when using the well-known AHP technique and the ANN technique. The results show that LAD presented very good classification accuracy. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=ABC%20multi-criteria%20inventory%20classification" title="ABC multi-criteria inventory classification">ABC multi-criteria inventory classification</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=inventory%20management" title=" inventory management"> inventory management</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=multi-class%20LAD%20model" title=" multi-class LAD model"> multi-class LAD model</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=multi-criteria%20classification" title=" multi-criteria classification"> multi-criteria classification</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/29498/multi-criteria-inventory-classification-process-based-on-logical-analysis-of-data" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/29498.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">881</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">19</span> Optimal Concentration of Fluorescent Nanodiamonds in Aqueous Media for Bioimaging and Thermometry Applications</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Francisco%20Pedroza-Montero">Francisco Pedroza-Montero</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Jes%C3%BAs%20Na%C3%ADn%20Pedroza-Montero"> Jesús Naín Pedroza-Montero</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Diego%20Soto-Puebla"> Diego Soto-Puebla</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Osiris%20Alvarez-Bajo"> Osiris Alvarez-Bajo</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Beatriz%20Castaneda"> Beatriz Castaneda</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sof%C3%ADa%20Navarro-Espinoza"> Sofía Navarro-Espinoza</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mart%C3%ADn%20Pedroza-Montero"> Martín Pedroza-Montero</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Nanodiamonds have been widely studied for their physical properties, including chemical inertness, biocompatibility, optical transparency from the ultraviolet to the infrared region, high thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength. In this work, we studied how the fluorescence spectrum of nanodiamonds quenches concerning the concentration in aqueous solutions systematically ranging from 0.1 to 10 mg/mL. Our results demonstrated a non-linear fluorescence quenching as the concentration increases for both of the NV zero-phonon lines; the 5 mg/mL concentration shows the maximum fluorescence emission. Furthermore, this behaviour is theoretically explained as an electronic recombination process that modulates the intensity in the NV centres. Finally, to gain more insight, the FRET methodology is used to determine the fluorescence efficiency in terms of the fluorophores' separation distance. Thus, the concentration level is simulated as follows, a small distance between nanodiamonds would be considered a highly concentrated system, whereas a large distance would mean a low concentrated one. Although the 5 mg/mL concentration shows the maximum intensity, our main interest is focused on the concentration of 0.5 mg/mL, which our studies demonstrate the optimal human cell viability (99%). In this respect, this concentration has the feature of being as biocompatible as water giving the possibility to internalize it in cells without harming the living media. To this end, not only can we track nanodiamonds on the surface or inside the cell with excellent precision due to their fluorescent intensity, but also, we can perform thermometry tests transforming a fluorescence contrast image into a temperature contrast image. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=nanodiamonds" title="nanodiamonds">nanodiamonds</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=fluorescence%20spectroscopy" title=" fluorescence spectroscopy"> fluorescence spectroscopy</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=concentration" title=" concentration"> concentration</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=bioimaging" title=" bioimaging"> bioimaging</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=thermometry" title=" thermometry"> thermometry</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/142223/optimal-concentration-of-fluorescent-nanodiamonds-in-aqueous-media-for-bioimaging-and-thermometry-applications" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/142223.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">405</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">18</span> Evaluation of the Discoloration of Methyl Orange Using Black Sand as Semiconductor through Photocatalytic Oxidation and Reduction</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=P.%20Acosta-Santamar%C3%ADa">P. Acosta-Santamaría</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=A.%20Ibat%C3%A1-Soto"> A. Ibatá-Soto</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=A.%20L%C3%B3pez-V%C3%A1squez"> A. López-Vásquez</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Organic compounds in wastewaters coming from textile and pharmaceutical industry generated multiple harmful effects on the environment and the human health. One of them is the methyl orange (MeO), an azoic dye considered to be a recalcitrant compound. The heterogeneous photocatalysis emerges as an alternative for treating this type of hazardous compounds, through the generation of OH radicals using radiation and a semiconductor oxide. According to the author’s knowledge, catalysts such as TiO<sub>2</sub> doped with metals show high efficiency in degrading MeO; however, this presents economic limitations on industrial scale. Black sand can be considered as a naturally doped catalyst because in its structure is common to find compounds such as titanium, iron and aluminum oxides, also elements such as zircon, cadmium, manganese, etc. This study reports the photocatalytic activity of the mineral black sand used as semiconductor in the discoloration of MeO by oxidation and reduction photocatalytic techniques. For this, magnetic composites from the mineral were prepared (RM, M1, M2 and NM) and their activity were tested through MeO discoloration while TiO<sub>2</sub> was used as reference. For the fractions, chemical, morphological and structural characterizations were performed using Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDX), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis. M2 fraction showed higher MeO discoloration (93%) in oxidation conditions at pH 2 and it could be due to the presence of ferric oxides. However, the best result to reduction process was using M1 fraction (20%) at pH 2, which contains a higher titanium percentage. In the first process, hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) was used as electron donor agent. According to the results, black sand mineral can be used as natural semiconductor in photocatalytic process. It could be considered as a photocatalyst precursor in such processes, due to its low cost and easy access. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=black%20sand%20mineral" title="black sand mineral">black sand mineral</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=methyl%20orange" title=" methyl orange"> methyl orange</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=oxidation" title=" oxidation"> oxidation</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=photocatalysis" title=" photocatalysis"> photocatalysis</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=reduction" title=" reduction"> reduction</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/54594/evaluation-of-the-discoloration-of-methyl-orange-using-black-sand-as-semiconductor-through-photocatalytic-oxidation-and-reduction" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/54594.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">383</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">17</span> Lexical Knowledge of Verb Particle Constructions with the Particle on by Mexican English Learners</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sarai%20Alvarado%20Pineda">Sarai Alvarado Pineda</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ricardo%20Maldonado%20Soto"> Ricardo Maldonado Soto</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The acquisition of Verb Particle Constructions is a challenge for Spanish speakers learning English. The acquisition is particularly difficult for speakers of languages with no verb particle constructions. The purpose of the current study is to define the procedural steps in the acquisition of constructions with the particle on. There are three outstanding meanings for the particle on; Surface: The movie is based on a true story, Activation: John turn on the light, Continuity: The band played on all night. The central aim of this study is to measure how Mexican Spanish participants respond to both the three meanings mentioned above and the degree of meaning transparency/opacity of on verb particle constructions. Forty Mexican Spanish learners of English (20 basic and 20 advanced) are compared against a control group of 20 American native English speakers through a reaction time test (PsychoPy2 2015). The participants were asked to discriminate 90 items based on their knowledge of these constructions. There are 30 items per meaning divided into two groups of transparent and opaque meaning. Results revealed three major findings: Advanced students have a reaction time similar to that of native speakers (advanced 4.5s versus native 3.7s), while students with a lower level of English proficiency, show a high reaction time (7s). Likewise, there is a shorter reaction time in constructions with lower opacity in the three groups of participants, with differences between each level (basic 6.7s, advanced 4.3s, and native 3.4s). Finally, a difference in reaction time can be identified according to the meaning provided by the construction. The reaction time for the activation category (5.27s) is greater than continuity (5.04s), and this category is also slower than the surface (4.94s). The study shows that the level of sensitivity of English learners increases significantly aiming towards native speaker patterns as determined by the level of transparency of meaning of each construction as well as the degree of entrenchment of each constructional meaning. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=meaning%20of%20the%20particle" title="meaning of the particle">meaning of the particle</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=opacity" title=" opacity"> opacity</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=reaction%20time" title=" reaction time"> reaction time</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=verb%20particle%20constructions" title=" verb particle constructions"> verb particle constructions</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/91993/lexical-knowledge-of-verb-particle-constructions-with-the-particle-on-by-mexican-english-learners" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/91993.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">265</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">16</span> Isolation and Characterization of the First Known Inhibitor Cystine Knot Peptide in Sea Anemone: Inhibitory Activity on Acid-Sensing Ion Channels</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Armando%20A.%20Rodr%C3%ADguez">Armando A. Rodríguez</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Emilio%20Salceda"> Emilio Salceda</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Anoland%20Garateix"> Anoland Garateix</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Andr%C3%A9%20J.%20Zaharenko"> André J. Zaharenko</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Steve%20Peigneur"> Steve Peigneur</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Omar%20L%C3%B3pez"> Omar López</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Tirso%20Pons"> Tirso Pons</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Michael%20Richardson"> Michael Richardson</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mayl%C3%ADn%20D%C3%ADaz"> Maylín Díaz</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Yasnay%20Hern%C3%A1ndez"> Yasnay Hernández</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ludger%20St%C3%A4ndker"> Ludger Ständker</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Jan%20Tytgat"> Jan Tytgat</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Enrique%20Soto"> Enrique Soto</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Acid-sensing ion channels are cation (Na+) channels activated by a pH drop. These proteins belong to the ENaC/degenerin superfamily of sodium channels. ASICs are involved in sensory perception, synaptic plasticity, learning, memory formation, cell migration and proliferation, nociception, and neurodegenerative disorders, among other processes; therefore those molecules that specifically target these channels are of growing pharmacological and biomedical interest. Sea anemones produce a large variety of ion channels peptide toxins; however, those acting on ligand-gated ion channels, such as Glu-gated, Ach-gated ion channels, and acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), remain barely explored. The peptide PhcrTx1 is the first compound characterized from the sea anemone Phymanthus crucifer, and it constitutes a novel ASIC inhibitor. This peptide was purified by chromatographic techniques and pharmacologically characterized on acid-sensing ion channels of mammalian neurons using patch-clamp techniques. PhcrTx1 inhibited ASIC currents with an IC50 of 100 nM. Edman degradation yielded a sequence of 32 amino acids residues, with a molecular mass of 3477 Da by MALDI-TOF. No similarity to known sea anemone peptides was found in protein databases. The computational analysis of Cys-pattern and secondary structure arrangement suggested that this is a structurally ICK (Inhibitor Cystine Knot)-type peptide, a scaffold that had not been found in sea anemones but in other venomous organisms. These results show that PhcrTx1 represents the first member of a new structural group of sea anemones toxins acting on ASICs. Also, this peptide constitutes a novel template for the development of drugs against pathologies related to ASICs function. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=animal%20toxin" title="animal toxin">animal toxin</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=inhibitor%20cystine%20knot" title=" inhibitor cystine knot"> inhibitor cystine knot</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=ion%20channel" title=" ion channel"> ion channel</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=sea%20anemone" title=" sea anemone"> sea anemone</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/66405/isolation-and-characterization-of-the-first-known-inhibitor-cystine-knot-peptide-in-sea-anemone-inhibitory-activity-on-acid-sensing-ion-channels" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/66405.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">310</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">15</span> Reliability Levels of Reinforced Concrete Bridges Obtained by Mixing Approaches </h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Adri%C3%A1n%20D.%20Garc%C3%ADa-Soto">Adrián D. García-Soto</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Alejandro%20Hern%C3%A1ndez-Mart%C3%ADnez"> Alejandro Hernández-Martínez</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Jes%C3%BAs%20G.%20Vald%C3%A9s-V%C3%A1zquez"> Jesús G. Valdés-Vázquez</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Reyna%20A.%20Vizguerra-Alvarez"> Reyna A. Vizguerra-Alvarez</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Reinforced concrete bridges designed by code are intended to achieve target reliability levels adequate for the geographical environment where the code is applicable. Several methods can be used to estimate such reliability levels. Many of them require the establishment of an explicit limit state function (LSF). When such LSF is not available as a close-form expression, the simulation techniques are often employed. The simulation methods are computing intensive and time consuming. Note that if the reliability of real bridges designed by code is of interest, numerical schemes, the finite element method (FEM) or computational mechanics could be required. In these cases, it can be quite difficult (or impossible) to establish a close-form of the LSF, and the simulation techniques may be necessary to compute reliability levels. To overcome the need for a large number of simulations when no explicit LSF is available, the point estimate method (PEM) could be considered as an alternative. It has the advantage that only the probabilistic moments of the random variables are required. However, in the PEM, fitting of the resulting moments of the LSF to a probability density function (PDF) is needed. In the present study, a very simple alternative which allows the assessment of the reliability levels when no explicit LSF is available and without the need of extensive simulations is employed. The alternative includes the use of the PEM, and its applicability is shown by assessing reliability levels of reinforced concrete bridges in Mexico when a numerical scheme is required. Comparisons with results by using the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) technique are included. To overcome the problem of approximating the probabilistic moments from the PEM to a PDF, a well-known distribution is employed. The approach mixes the PEM and other classic reliability method (first order reliability method, FORM). The results in the present study are in good agreement whit those computed with the MCS. Therefore, the alternative of mixing the reliability methods is a very valuable option to determine reliability levels when no close form of the LSF is available, or if numerical schemes, the FEM or computational mechanics are employed. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=structural%20reliability" title="structural reliability">structural reliability</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=reinforced%20concrete%20bridges" title=" reinforced concrete bridges"> reinforced concrete bridges</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=combined%20approach" title=" combined approach"> combined approach</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=point%20estimate%20method" title=" point estimate method"> point estimate method</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=monte%20carlo%20simulation" title=" monte carlo simulation"> monte carlo simulation</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/42506/reliability-levels-of-reinforced-concrete-bridges-obtained-by-mixing-approaches" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/42506.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">346</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">14</span> Calcein Release from Liposomes Mediated by Phospholipase A₂ Activity: Effect of Cholesterol and Amphipathic Di and Tri Blocks Copolymers</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Marco%20Soto-Arriaza">Marco Soto-Arriaza</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Eduardo%20Cena-Ahumada"> Eduardo Cena-Ahumada</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Jaime%20Melendez-Rojel"> Jaime Melendez-Rojel</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Background: Liposomes have been widely used as a model of lipid bilayer to study the physicochemical properties of biological membrane, encapsulation, transport and release of different molecules. Furthermore, extensive research has focused on improving the efficiency in the transport of drugs, developing tools that improve the release of the encapsulated drug from liposomes. In this context, the enzymatic activity of PLA₂, despite having been shown to be an effective tool to promote the release of drugs from liposomes, is still an open field of research. Aim: The aim of the present study is to explore the effect of cholesterol (Cho) and amphipathic di- and tri-block copolymers, on calcein release mediated by enzymatic activity of PLA2 in Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) liposomes under physiological conditions. Methods: Different dispersions of DPPC, cholesterol, di-block POE₄₅-PCL₅₂ or tri-block PCL₁₂-POE₄₅-PCL₁₂ were prepared by the extrusion method after five freezing/thawing cycles; in Phosphate buffer 10mM pH 7.4 in presence of calcein. DPPC liposomes/Calcein were centrifuged at 15000rpm 10 min to separate free calcein. Enzymatic activity assays of PLA₂ were performed at 37°C using the TBS buffer pH 7.4. The size distribution, polydispersity, Z-potential and Calcein encapsulation of DPPC liposomes was monitored. Results: PLA₂ activity showed a slower kinetic of calcein release up to 20 mol% of cholesterol, evidencing a minimum at 10 mol% and then a maximum at 18 mol%. Regardless of the percentage of cholesterol, up to 18 mol% a one-hundred percentage release of calcein was observed. At higher cholesterol concentrations, PLA₂ showed to be inefficient or not to be involved in calcein release. In assays where copolymers were added in a concentration lower than their cmc, a similar behavior to those showed in the presence of Cho was observed, that is a slower kinetic in calcein release. In both experimental approaches, a one-hundred percentage of calcein release was observed. PLA₂ was shown to be sensitive to the 4-(4-Octadecylphenyl)-4-oxobutenoic acid inhibitor and calcium, reducing the release of calcein to 0%. Cell viability of HeLa cells decreased 7% in the presence of DPPC liposomes after 3 hours of incubation and 17% and 23% at 5 and 15 hours, respectively. Conclusion: Calcein release from DPPC liposomes, mediated by PLA₂ activity, depends on the percentage of cholesterol and the presence of copolymers. Both, cholesterol up to 20 mol% and copolymers below it cmc could be applied to the regulation of the kinetics of antitumoral drugs release without inducing cell toxicity per se. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=amphipathic%20copolymers" title="amphipathic copolymers">amphipathic copolymers</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=calcein%20release" title=" calcein release"> calcein release</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cholesterol" title=" cholesterol"> cholesterol</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=DPPC%20liposome" title=" DPPC liposome"> DPPC liposome</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=phospholipase%20A%E2%82%82" title=" phospholipase A₂"> phospholipase A₂</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/138744/calcein-release-from-liposomes-mediated-by-phospholipase-a2-activity-effect-of-cholesterol-and-amphipathic-di-and-tri-blocks-copolymers" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/138744.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">163</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">13</span> Empirical Superpave Mix-Design of Rubber-Modified Hot-Mix Asphalt in Railway Sub-Ballast</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Fernando%20M.%20Soto">Fernando M. Soto</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Gaetano%20Di%20Mino"> Gaetano Di Mino</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The design of an unmodified bituminous mixture and three rubber-aggregate mixtures containing rubber-aggregate by a dry process (RUMAC) was evaluated, using an empirical-analytical approach based on experimental findings obtained in the laboratory with the volumetric mix design by gyratory compaction. A reference dense-graded bituminous sub-ballast mixture (3% of air voids and a bitumen 4% over the total weight of the mix), and three rubberized mixtures by dry process (1,5 to 3% of rubber by total weight and 5-7% of binder) were used applying the Superpave mix-design for a level 3 (high-traffic) design rail lines. The railway trackbed section analyzed was a granular layer of 19 cm compacted, while for the sub-ballast a thickness of 12 cm has been used. In order to evaluate the effect of increasing the specimen density (as a percent of its theoretical maximum specific gravity), in this article, are illustrated the results obtained after different comparative analysis into the influence of varying the binder-rubber percentages under the sub-ballast layer mix-design. This work demonstrates that rubberized blends containing crumb and ground rubber in bituminous asphalt mixtures behave at least similar or better than conventional asphalt materials. By using the same methodology of volumetric compaction, the densification curves resulting from each mixture have been studied. The purpose is to obtain an optimum empirical parameter multiplier of the number of gyrations necessary to reach the same compaction energy as in conventional mixtures. It has provided some experimental parameters adopting an empirical-analytical method, evaluating the results obtained from the gyratory-compaction of bituminous mixtures with an HMA and rubber-aggregate blends. An extensive integrated research has been carried out to assess the suitability of rubber-modified hot mix asphalt mixtures as a sub-ballast layer in railway underlayment trackbed. Design optimization of the mixture was conducted for each mixture and the volumetric properties analyzed. Also, an improved and complete manufacturing process, compaction and curing of these blends are provided. By adopting this increase-parameters of compaction, called 'beta' factor, mixtures modified with rubber with uniform densification and workability are obtained that in the conventional mixtures. It is found that considering the usual bearing capacity requirements in rail track, the optimal rubber content is 2% (by weight) or 3.95% (by volumetric substitution) and a binder content of 6%. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=empirical%20approach" title="empirical approach">empirical approach</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=rubber-asphalt" title=" rubber-asphalt"> rubber-asphalt</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=sub-ballast" title=" sub-ballast"> sub-ballast</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=superpave%20mix-design" title=" superpave mix-design"> superpave mix-design</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/69025/empirical-superpave-mix-design-of-rubber-modified-hot-mix-asphalt-in-railway-sub-ballast" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/69025.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">368</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">12</span> Structural Performance of Mechanically Connected Stone Panels under Cyclic Loading: Application to Aesthetic and Environmental Building Skin Design</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Michel%20Soto%20Chalhoub">Michel Soto Chalhoub</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Building designers in the Mediterranean region and other parts of the world utilize natural stone panels on the exterior façades as skin cover. This type of finishing is not only intended for aesthetic reasons but also environmental. The stone, since the earliest ages of civilization, has been used in construction and to-date some of the most appealing buildings owe their beauty to stone finishing. The stone also provides warmth in winter and freshness in summer as it moderates heat transfer and absorbs radiation. However, as structural codes became increasingly stringent about the dynamic performance of buildings, it became essential to study the performance of stone panels under cyclic loading – a condition that arises under the building is subjected to wind or earthquakes. The present paper studies the performance of stone panels using mechanical connectors when subjected to load reversal. In this paper, we present a theoretical model that addresses modes of failure in the steel connectors, by yield, and modes of failure in the stone, by fracture. Then we provide an experimental set-up and test results for rectangular stone panels of varying thickness. When the building is subjected to an earthquake, its rectangular panels within the structural system are subjected to shear deformations, which in turn impart stress into the stone cover. Rectangular stone panels, which typically range from 40cmx80cm to 60cmx120cm, need to be designed to withstand transverse loading from the direct application of lateral loads, and to withstand simultaneously in-plane loading (membrane stress) caused by inter-story drift and overall building lateral deflection. Results show correlation between the theoretical model which we derive from solid mechanics fundamentals and the experimental results, and lead to practical design recommendations. We find that for panel thickness below a certain threshold, it is more advantageous to utilize structural adhesive materials to connect stone panels to the main structural system of the building. For larger panel thicknesses, it is recommended to utilize mechanical connectors with special detailing to ensure a minimum level of ductility and energy dissipation. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=solid%20mechanics" title="solid mechanics">solid mechanics</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cyclic%20loading" title=" cyclic loading"> cyclic loading</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=mechanical%20connectors" title=" mechanical connectors"> mechanical connectors</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=natural%20stone" title=" natural stone"> natural stone</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=seismic" title=" seismic"> seismic</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=wind" title=" wind"> wind</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=building%20skin" title=" building skin"> building skin</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/7514/structural-performance-of-mechanically-connected-stone-panels-under-cyclic-loading-application-to-aesthetic-and-environmental-building-skin-design" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/7514.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">255</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">11</span> Interactive Lecture Demonstration and Inquiry-Based Instruction in Addressing Students' Misconceptions in Electric Circuits</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mark%20Anthony%20Casimiro">Mark Anthony Casimiro</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ivan%20Culaba"> Ivan Culaba</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Cornelia%20Soto"> Cornelia Soto</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Misconceptions are the wrong concepts understood by the students which may come up based on what they experience and observe around their environment. This seemed to hinder students’ learning. In this study, six different misconceptions were determined by the researcher from the previous researches. Teachers play a vital role in the classroom. The use of appropriate strategies can contribute a lot in the success of teaching and learning Physics. The current study aimed to compare two strategies- Interactive Lecture Demonstration (ILD) and Inquiry-Based Instruction (IBI) in addressing students’ misconceptions in electric circuits. These two strategies are both interactive learning activities and student-centered. In ILD, the teacher demonstrates the activity and the students have their predictions while in IBI, students perform the experiments. The study used the mixed method in which quantitative and qualitative researches were combined. The main data of this study were the test scores of the students from the pretest and posttest. Likewise, an interview with the teacher, observer and students was done before, during and after the execution of the activities. Determining and Interpreting Resistive Electric Circuits Test version 2 (DIRECT v.2) was the instrument used in the study. Two sections of Grade 9 students from Kalumpang National High School were the respondents of the study. The two strategies were executed to each section; one class was assigned as the ILD group and the other class was the IBI group. The Physics teacher of the said school was the one who taught and executed the activities. The researcher taught the teacher the steps in doing the two strategies. The Department of Education level of proficiency in the Philippines was adopted in scoring and interpretation. The students’ level of proficiency was used in assessing students’ knowledge on electric circuits. The pretest result of the two groups had a p-value of 0.493 which was greater than the level of significance 0.05 (p >0.05) and it implied that the students’ level of understanding in the topic was the same before the execution of the strategies. The posttest results showed that the p-value (0.228) obtained was greater than the level of significance which is 0.05 (p> 0.05). This implied that the students from the ILD and IBI groups had the same level of understanding after the execution of the two strategies. This could be inferred that either of the two strategies- Interactive Lecture Demonstration and Inquiry-Based Instruction could be used in addressing students’ misconception in electric circuit as both had similar effect on the students’ level of understanding in the topic. The result of this study may greatly help teachers, administration, school heads think of appropriate strategies that can address misconceptions depending on the availability of their materials of their school. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=inquiry-%20based%20instruction" title="inquiry- based instruction">inquiry- based instruction</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=interactive%20lecture%20demonstration" title=" interactive lecture demonstration"> interactive lecture demonstration</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=misconceptions" title=" misconceptions"> misconceptions</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=mixed%20method" title=" mixed method"> mixed method</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/86075/interactive-lecture-demonstration-and-inquiry-based-instruction-in-addressing-students-misconceptions-in-electric-circuits" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/86075.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">220</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">10</span> Antibacterial and Anti-Biofilm Activity of Vaccinium meridionale S. Pomace Extract Against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella Enterica</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Carlos%20Y.%20Soto">Carlos Y. Soto</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Camila%20A.%20Lota"> Camila A. Lota</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=G.%20Astrid%20Garz%C3%B3n"> G. Astrid Garzón</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Bacterial biofilms cause an ongoing problem for food safety. They are formed when microorganisms aggregate to form a community that attaches to solid surfaces. Biofilms increase the resistance of pathogens to cleaning, disinfection and antibacterial products. This resistance gives rise to problems for human health, industry, and agriculture. At present, plant extracts rich in polyphenolics are being investigated as natural alternatives to degrade bacterial biofilms. The pomace of the tropical Berry Vaccinium meridionale S. contains high amounts of phenolic compounds. Therefore, in the current study, the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of extracts from the pomace of Vaccinium meridionale S. were tested on three foodborne pathogens: Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 (ATCC®700728TM), Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus (ATCC® 6538TM), and Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (ATCC® 13076TM). Microwave-assisted extraction was used to extract polyphenols with aqueous methanol (80% v/v) at a solid to solvent ratio of 1:10 (w/v) for 20 min. The magnetic stirring was set at 400 rpm, and the microwave power was adjusted to 400 W. The antimicrobial effect of the extract was assessed by determining the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) against the three food poisoning pathogens at concentrations ranging from 50 to 2,850 μg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/mL of the extract. Biofilm inhibition was assessed using a crystal violet assay applying the same range of concentration. Three replications of the experiments were carried out, and all analyses were run in triplicate. IC50 values were determined using the GraphPad Prism8® program. Significant differences (P<0.05) among means were identified using one-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the post-hoc least significant difference (LSD) test using the Statgraphics plus program, version 2.1.There was significant difference among the mean IC50 values for the tested bacteria. The IC50 for S. aureus was 48 ± 9 μg GAE/mL, followed by 123 ± 49 μg GAE/mL for Salmonella and 376 ± 32 μg GAE/mL for E. coli. The percent inhibition of the extract on biofilm formation was significantly higher for S. aureus (85.8  0.3), followed by E. coli (74.5  1.0) and Salmonella (53.6  9.7). These findings suggest that polyphenolic extracts obtained from the pomace of V. meridionale S. might be used as natural antimicrobial and anti-biofilm natural agents, effective against S. aureus, E. coli and Salmonella enterica. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=antibiofilm" title="antibiofilm">antibiofilm</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=antimicrobial" title=" antimicrobial"> antimicrobial</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=E.%20coli" title=" E. coli"> E. coli</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=S.%20aureus" title=" S. aureus"> S. aureus</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=salmonella" title=" salmonella"> salmonella</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=IC50" title=" IC50"> IC50</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=pomace" title=" pomace"> pomace</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=V.%20meridionale" title=" V. meridionale"> V. meridionale</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/177951/antibacterial-and-anti-biofilm-activity-of-vaccinium-meridionale-s-pomace-extract-against-staphylococcus-aureus-escherichia-coli-and-salmonella-enterica" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/177951.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">63</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">9</span> Investigation of Polypropylene Composite Films With Carbon Nanotubes and the Role of β Nucleating Agents for the Improvement of Their Water Vapor Permeability</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Glykeria%20A.%20Visvini">Glykeria A. Visvini</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=George%20N.%20Mathioudakis"> George N. Mathioudakis</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Amaia%20Soto%20Beobide"> Amaia Soto Beobide</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Aris%20E.%20Giannakas"> Aris E. Giannakas</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=George%20A.%20Voyiatzis"> George A. Voyiatzis</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Polymeric nanocomposites have generated considerable interest in both academic research and industry because their properties can be tailored by adjusting the type & concentration of nano-inclusions, resulting in complementary and adaptable characteristics. The exceptional and/or unique properties of the nanocomposites, including the high mechanical strength and stiffness, the ease of processing, and their lightweight nature, are attributed to the high surface area, the electrical and/or thermal conductivity of the nano-fillers, which make them appealing materials for a wide range of engineering applications. Polymeric «breathable» membranes enabling water vapor permeability (WVP) can be designed either by using micro/nano-fillers with the ability to interrupt the continuity of the polymer phase generating micro/nano-porous structures or/and by creating micro/nano-pores into the composite material by uniaxial/biaxial stretching. Among the nanofillers, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exhibit particular high WVP and for this reason, they have already been proposed for gas separation membranes. In a similar context, they could prove to be promising alternative/complementary filler nano-materials, for the development of "breathable" products. Polypropylene (PP) is a commonly utilized thermoplastic polymer matrix in the development of composite films, due to its easy processability and low price, combined with its good chemical & physical properties. PP is known to present several crystalline phases (α, β and γ), depending on the applied treatment process, which have a significant impact on its final properties, particularly in terms of WVP. Specifically, the development of the β-phase in PP in combination with stretching is anticipated to modify the crystalline behavior and extend the microporosity of the polymer matrix exhibiting enhanced WVP. The primary objective of this study is to develop breathable nano-carbon based (functionalized MWCNTs) PP composite membranes, potentially also avoiding the stretching process. This proposed alternative is expected to have a better performance/cost ratio over current stretched PP/CaCO3 composite benchmark membranes. The focus is to investigate the impact of both β-nucleator(s) and nano-carbon fillers on water vapor transmission rate properties of relevant PP nanocomposites. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=carbon%20nanotubes" title="carbon nanotubes">carbon nanotubes</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=nanocomposites" title=" nanocomposites"> nanocomposites</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=nucleating%20agents" title=" nucleating agents"> nucleating agents</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=polypropylene" title=" polypropylene"> polypropylene</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=water%20vapor%20permeability" title=" water vapor permeability"> water vapor permeability</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/165337/investigation-of-polypropylene-composite-films-with-carbon-nanotubes-and-the-role-of-v-nucleating-agents-for-the-improvement-of-their-water-vapor-permeability" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/165337.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">74</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">8</span> Metacognitive Processing in Early Readers: The Role of Metacognition in Monitoring Linguistic and Non-Linguistic Performance and Regulating Students' Learning</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ioanna%20Taouki">Ioanna Taouki</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Marie%20Lallier"> Marie Lallier</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=David%20Soto"> David Soto</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Metacognition refers to the capacity to reflect upon our own cognitive processes. Although there is an ongoing discussion in the literature on the role of metacognition in learning and academic achievement, little is known about its neurodevelopmental trajectories in early childhood, when children begin to receive formal education in reading. Here, we evaluate the metacognitive ability, estimated under a recently developed Signal Detection Theory model, of a cohort of children aged between 6 and 7 (N=60), who performed three two-alternative-forced-choice tasks (two linguistic: lexical decision task, visual attention span task, and one non-linguistic: emotion recognition task) including trial-by-trial confidence judgements. Our study has three aims. First, we investigated how metacognitive ability (i.e., how confidence ratings track accuracy in the task) relates to performance in general standardized tasks related to students' reading and general cognitive abilities using Spearman's and Bayesian correlation analysis. Second, we assessed whether or not young children recruit common mechanisms supporting metacognition across the different task domains or whether there is evidence for domain-specific metacognition at this early stage of development. This was done by examining correlations in metacognitive measures across different task domains and evaluating cross-task covariance by applying a hierarchical Bayesian model. Third, using robust linear regression and Bayesian regression models, we assessed whether metacognitive ability in this early stage is related to the longitudinal learning of children in a linguistic and a non-linguistic task. Notably, we did not observe any association between students’ reading skills and metacognitive processing in this early stage of reading acquisition. Some evidence consistent with domain-general metacognition was found, with significant positive correlations between metacognitive efficiency between lexical and emotion recognition tasks and substantial covariance indicated by the Bayesian model. However, no reliable correlations were found between metacognitive performance in the visual attention span and the remaining tasks. Remarkably, metacognitive ability significantly predicted children's learning in linguistic and non-linguistic domains a year later. These results suggest that metacognitive skill may be dissociated to some extent from general (i.e., language and attention) abilities and further stress the importance of creating educational programs that foster students’ metacognitive ability as a tool for long term learning. More research is crucial to understand whether these programs can enhance metacognitive ability as a transferable skill across distinct domains or whether unique domains should be targeted separately. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=confidence%20ratings" title="confidence ratings">confidence ratings</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=development" title=" development"> development</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=metacognitive%20efficiency" title=" metacognitive efficiency"> metacognitive efficiency</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=reading%20acquisition" title=" reading acquisition"> reading acquisition</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/131657/metacognitive-processing-in-early-readers-the-role-of-metacognition-in-monitoring-linguistic-and-non-linguistic-performance-and-regulating-students-learning" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/131657.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">150</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">7</span> Seismic Response of Reinforced Concrete Buildings: Field Challenges and Simplified Code Formulas</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Michel%20Soto%20Chalhoub">Michel Soto Chalhoub</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Building code-related literature provides recommendations on normalizing approaches to the calculation of the dynamic properties of structures. Most building codes make a distinction among types of structural systems, construction material, and configuration through a numerical coefficient in the expression for the fundamental period. The period is then used in normalized response spectra to compute base shear. The typical parameter used in simplified code formulas for the fundamental period is overall building height raised to a power determined from analytical and experimental results. However, reinforced concrete buildings which constitute the majority of built space in less developed countries pose additional challenges to the ones built with homogeneous material such as steel, or with concrete under stricter quality control. In the present paper, the particularities of reinforced concrete buildings are explored and related to current methods of equivalent static analysis. A comparative study is presented between the Uniform Building Code, commonly used for buildings within and outside the USA, and data from the Middle East used to model 151 reinforced concrete buildings of varying number of bays, number of floors, overall building height, and individual story height. The fundamental period was calculated using eigenvalue matrix computation. The results were also used in a separate regression analysis where the computed period serves as dependent variable, while five building properties serve as independent variables. The statistical analysis shed light on important parameters that simplified code formulas need to account for including individual story height, overall building height, floor plan, number of bays, and concrete properties. Such inclusions are important for reinforced concrete buildings of special conditions due to the level of concrete damage, aging, or materials quality control during construction. Overall results of the present analysis show that simplified code formulas for fundamental period and base shear may be applied but they require revisions to account for multiple parameters. The conclusion above is confirmed by the analytical model where fundamental periods were computed using numerical techniques and eigenvalue solutions. This recommendation is particularly relevant to code upgrades in less developed countries where it is customary to adopt, and mildly adapt international codes. We also note the necessity of further research using empirical data from buildings in Lebanon that were subjected to severe damage due to impulse loading or accelerated aging. However, we excluded this study from the present paper and left it for future research as it has its own peculiarities and requires a different type of analysis. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=seismic%20behaviour" title="seismic behaviour">seismic behaviour</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=reinforced%20concrete" title=" reinforced concrete"> reinforced concrete</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=simplified%20code%20formulas" title=" simplified code formulas"> simplified code formulas</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=equivalent%20static%20analysis" title=" equivalent static analysis"> equivalent static analysis</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=base%20shear" title=" base shear"> base shear</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=response%20spectra" title=" response spectra"> response spectra</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/7518/seismic-response-of-reinforced-concrete-buildings-field-challenges-and-simplified-code-formulas" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/7518.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">232</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">6</span> Stability of Porous SiC Based Materials under Relevant Conditions of Radiation and Temperature </h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Marta%20Malo">Marta Malo</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Carlota%20Soto"> Carlota Soto</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Carmen%20Garc%C3%ADa-Rosales"> Carmen García-Rosales</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Teresa%20Hern%C3%A1ndez"> Teresa Hernández</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> SiC based composites are candidates for possible use as structural and functional materials in the future fusion reactors, the main role is intended for the blanket modules. In the blanket, the neutrons produced in the fusion reaction slow down and their energy is transformed into heat in order to finally generate electrical power. In the blanket design named Dual Coolant Lead Lithium (DCLL), a PbLi alloy for power conversion and tritium breeding circulates inside hollow channels called Flow Channel Inserts (FCIs). These FCI must protect the steel structures against the highly corrosive PbLi liquid and the high temperatures, but also provide electrical insulation in order to minimize magnetohydrodynamic interactions of the flowing liquid metal with the high magnetic field present in a magnetically confined fusion environment. Due to their nominally high temperature and radiation stability as well as corrosion resistance, SiC is the main choice for the flow channel inserts. The significantly lower manufacturing cost presents porous SiC (dense coating is required in order to assure protection against corrosion and as a tritium barrier) as a firm alternative to SiC/SiC composites for this purpose. This application requires the materials to be exposed to high radiation levels and extreme temperatures, conditions for which previous studies have shown noticeable changes in both the microstructure and the electrical properties of different types of silicon carbide. Both initial properties and radiation/temperature induced damage strongly depend on the crystal structure, polytype, impurities/additives that are determined by the fabrication process, so the development of a suitable material requires full control of these variables. For this work, several SiC samples with different percentage of porosity and sintering additives have been manufactured by the so-called sacrificial template method at the Ceit-IK4 Technology Center (San Sebastián, Spain), and characterized at Ciemat (Madrid, Spain). Electrical conductivity was measured as a function of temperature before and after irradiation with 1.8 MeV electrons in the Ciemat HVEC Van de Graaff accelerator up to 140 MGy (~ 2·10 -5 dpa). Radiation-induced conductivity (RIC) was also examined during irradiation at 550 ºC for different dose rates (from 0.5 to 5 kGy/s). Although no significant RIC was found in general for any of the samples, electrical conductivity increase with irradiation dose was observed to occur for some compositions with a linear tendency. However, first results indicate enhanced radiation resistance for coated samples. Preliminary thermogravimetric tests of selected samples, together with posterior XRD analysis allowed interpret radiation-induced modification of the electrical conductivity in terms of changes in the SiC crystalline structure. Further analysis is needed in order to confirm this. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=DCLL%20blanket" title="DCLL blanket">DCLL blanket</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=electrical%20conductivity" title=" electrical conductivity"> electrical conductivity</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=flow%20channel%20insert" title=" flow channel insert"> flow channel insert</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=porous%20SiC" title=" porous SiC"> porous SiC</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=radiation%20damage" title=" radiation damage"> radiation damage</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=thermal%20stability" title=" thermal stability"> thermal stability</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/76433/stability-of-porous-sic-based-materials-under-relevant-conditions-of-radiation-and-temperature" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/76433.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">200</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">5</span> Increased Stability of Rubber-Modified Asphalt Mixtures to Swelling, Expansion and Rebound Effect during Post-Compaction</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Fernando%20Martinez%20Soto">Fernando Martinez Soto</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Gaetano%20Di%20Mino"> Gaetano Di Mino</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The application of rubber into bituminous mixtures requires attention and care during mixing and compaction. Rubber modifies the properties because it reacts in the internal structure of bitumen at high temperatures changing the performance of the mixture (interaction process of solvents with binder-rubber aggregate). The main change is the increasing of the viscosity and elasticity of the binder due to the larger sizes of the rubber particles by dry process but, this positive effect is counteracted by short mixing times, compared to wet technology, and due to the transport processes, curing time and post-compaction of the mixtures. Therefore, negative effects as swelling of rubber particles, rebounding effect of the specimens and thermal changes by different expansion of the structure inside the mixtures, can change the mechanical properties of the rubberized blends. Based on the dry technology, different asphalt-rubber binders using devulcanized or natural rubber (truck and bus tread rubber), have served to demonstrate these effects and how to solve them into two dense-gap graded rubber modified asphalt concrete mixes (RUMAC) to enhance the stability, workability and durability of the compacted samples by Superpave gyratory compactor method. This paper specifies the procedures developed in the Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Palermo during September 2016 to March 2017, for characterizing the post-compaction and mix-stability of the one conventional mixture (hot mix asphalt without rubber) and two gap-graded rubberized asphalt mixes according granulometry for rail sub-ballast layers with nominal size of Ø22.4mm of aggregates according European standard. Thus, the main purpose of this laboratory research is the application of ambient ground rubber from scrap tires processed at conventional temperature (20ºC) inside hot bituminous mixtures (160-220ºC) as a substitute for 1.5%, 2% and 3% by weight of the total aggregates (3.2%, 4.2% and, 6.2% respectively by volumetric part of the limestone aggregates of bulk density equal to 2.81g/cm³) considered, not as a part of the asphalt binder. The reference bituminous mixture was designed with 4% of binder and ± 3% of air voids, manufactured for a conventional bitumen B50/70 at 160ºC-145ºC mix-compaction temperatures to guarantee the workability of the mixes. The proportions of rubber proposed are #60-40% for mixtures with 1.5 to 2% of rubber and, #20-80% for mixture with 3% of rubber (as example, a 60% of Ø0.4-2mm and 40% of Ø2-4mm). The temperature of the asphalt cement is between 160-180 ºC for mixing and 145-160 ºC for compaction, according to the optimal values for viscosity using Brookfield viscometer and 'ring and ball' - penetration tests. These crumb rubber particles act as a rubber-aggregate into the mixture, varying sizes between 0.4mm to 2mm in a first fraction, and 2-4mm as second proportion. Ambient ground rubber with a specific gravity of 1.154g/cm³ is used. The rubber is free of loose fabric, wire, and other contaminants. It was found optimal results in real beams and cylindrical specimens with each HMA mixture reducing the swelling effect. Different factors as temperature, particle sizes of rubber, number of cycles and pressures of compaction that affect the interaction process are explained. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=crumb-rubber" title="crumb-rubber">crumb-rubber</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=gyratory%20compactor" title=" gyratory compactor"> gyratory compactor</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=rebounding%20effect" title=" rebounding effect"> rebounding effect</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=superpave%20mix-design" title=" superpave mix-design"> superpave mix-design</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=swelling" title=" swelling"> swelling</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=sub-ballast%20railway" title=" sub-ballast railway"> sub-ballast railway</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/73683/increased-stability-of-rubber-modified-asphalt-mixtures-to-swelling-expansion-and-rebound-effect-during-post-compaction" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/73683.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">243</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">4</span> The Role of a Biphasic Implant Based on a Bioactive Silk Fibroin for Osteochondral Tissue Regeneration</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Lizeth%20Fuentes-Mera">Lizeth Fuentes-Mera</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Vanessa%20Perez-Silos"> Vanessa Perez-Silos</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Nidia%20K.%20Moncada-Saucedo"> Nidia K. Moncada-Saucedo</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Alejandro%20Garcia-Ruiz"> Alejandro Garcia-Ruiz</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Alberto%20Camacho"> Alberto Camacho</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Jorge%20Lara-Arias"> Jorge Lara-Arias</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ivan%20Marino-Martinez"> Ivan Marino-Martinez</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Victor%20Romero-Diaz"> Victor Romero-Diaz</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Adolfo%20Soto-Dominguez"> Adolfo Soto-Dominguez</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Humberto%20Rodriguez-Rocha"> Humberto Rodriguez-Rocha</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Hang%20Lin"> Hang Lin</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Victor%20Pena-Martinez"> Victor Pena-Martinez</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Biphasic scaffolds in cartilage tissue engineering have been designed to influence not only the recapitulation of the osteochondral architecture but also to take advantage of the healing ability of bone to promote the implant integration with the surrounding tissue and then bone restoration and cartilage regeneration. This study reports the development and characterization of a biphasic scaffold based on the assembly of a cartilage phase constituted by fibroin biofunctionalized with bovine cartilage matrix; cellularized with differentiated pre-chondrocytes from adipose tissue stem cells (autologous) and well attached to a bone phase (bone bovine decellularized) to mimic the structure of the nature of native tissue and to promote the cartilage regeneration in a model of joint damage in pigs. Biphasic scaffolds were assembled by fibroin crystallization with methanol. The histological and ultrastructural architectures were evaluated by optical and scanning electron microscopy respectively. Mechanical tests were conducted to evaluate Young's modulus of the implant. For the biological evaluation, pre-chondrocytes were loaded onto the scaffolds and cellular adhesion, proliferation, and gene expression analysis of cartilage extracellular matrix components was performed. The scaffolds that were cellularized and matured for 10 days were implanted into critical 3 mm in diameter and 9-mm in depth osteochondral defects in a porcine model (n=4). Three treatments were applied per knee: Group 1: monophasic cellular scaffold (MS) (single chondral phase), group 2: biphasic scaffold, cellularized only in the chondral phase (BS1), group 3: BS cellularized in both bone and chondral phases (BS2). Simultaneously, a control without treatment was evaluated. After 4 weeks of surgery, integration and regeneration tissues were analyzed by x-rays, histology and immunohistochemistry evaluation. The mechanical assessment showed that the acellular biphasic composites exhibited Young's modulus of 805.01 kPa similar to native cartilage (400-800 kPa). In vitro biological studies revealed the chondroinductive ability of the biphasic implant, evidenced by an increase in sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAGs) and type II collagen, both secreted by the chondrocytes cultured on the scaffold during 28 days. No evidence of adverse or inflammatory reactions was observed in the in vivo trial; however, In group 1, the defects were not reconstructed. In group 2 and 3 a good integration of the implant with the surrounding tissue was observed. Defects in group 2 were fulfilled by hyaline cartilage and normal bone. Group 3 defects showed fibrous repair tissue. In conclusion; our findings demonstrated the efficacy of biphasic and bioactive scaffold based on silk fibroin, which entwined chondroinductive features and biomechanical capability with appropriate integration with the surrounding tissue, representing a promising alternative for osteochondral tissue-engineering applications. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=biphasic%20scaffold" title="biphasic scaffold">biphasic scaffold</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=extracellular%20cartilage%20matrix" title=" extracellular cartilage matrix"> extracellular cartilage matrix</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=silk%20fibroin" title=" silk fibroin"> silk fibroin</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=osteochondral%20tissue%20engineering" title=" osteochondral tissue engineering"> osteochondral tissue engineering</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/104390/the-role-of-a-biphasic-implant-based-on-a-bioactive-silk-fibroin-for-osteochondral-tissue-regeneration" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/104390.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">153</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">3</span> Absenteeism in Polytechnical University Studies: Quantification and Identification of the Causes at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=E.%20Mas%20de%20les%20Valls">E. Mas de les Valls</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=M.%20Castells-Sanabra"> M. Castells-Sanabra</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=R.%20Capdevila"> R. Capdevila</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=N.%20Pla"> N. Pla</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Rosa%20M.%20Fernandez-Canti"> Rosa M. Fernandez-Canti</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=V.%20de%20Medina"> V. de Medina</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=A.%20Mujal"> A. Mujal</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=C.%20Barahona"> C. Barahona</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=E.%20Velo"> E. Velo</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=M.%20Vigo"> M. Vigo</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=M.%20A.%20Santos"> M. A. Santos</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=T.%20Soto"> T. Soto</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Absenteeism in universities, including polytechnical universities, is influenced by a variety of factors. Some factors overlap with those causing absenteeism in schools, while others are specific to the university and work-related environments. Indeed, these factors may stem from various sources, including students, educators, the institution itself, or even the alignment of degree curricula with professional requirements. In Spain, there has been an increase in absenteeism in polytechnical university studies, especially after the Covid crisis, posing a significant challenge for institutions to address. This study focuses on Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya• BarcelonaTech (UPC) and aims to quantify the current level of absenteeism and identify its main causes. The study is part of the teaching innovation project ASAP-UPC, which aims to minimize absenteeism through the redesign of teaching methodologies. By understanding the factors contributing to absenteeism, the study seeks to inform the subsequent phases of the ASAP-UPC project, which involve implementing methodologies to minimize absenteeism and evaluating their effectiveness. The study utilizes surveys conducted among students and polytechnical companies. Students' perspectives are gathered through both online surveys and in-person interviews. The surveys inquire about students' interest in attending classes, skill development throughout their UPC experience, and their perception of the skills required for a career in a polytechnical field. Additionally, polytechnical companies are surveyed regarding the skills they seek in prospective employees. The collected data is then analyzed to identify patterns and trends. This analysis involves organizing and categorizing the data, identifying common themes, and drawing conclusions based on the findings. This mixed-method approach has revealed that higher levels of absenteeism are observed in large student groups at both the Bachelor's and Master's degree levels. However, the main causes of absenteeism differ between these two levels. At the Bachelor's level, many students express dissatisfaction with in-person classes, perceiving them as overly theoretical and lacking a balance between theory, experimental practice, and problem-solving components. They also find a lack of relevance to professional needs. Consequently, they resort to using online available materials developed during the Covid crisis and attending private academies for exam preparation instead. On the other hand, at the Master's level, absenteeism primarily arises from schedule incompatibility between university and professional work. There is a discrepancy between the skills highly valued by companies and the skills emphasized during the studies, aligning partially with students' perceptions. These findings are of theoretical importance as they shed light on areas that can be improved to offer a more beneficial educational experience to students at UPC. The study also has potential applicability to other polytechnic universities, allowing them to adapt the surveys and apply the findings to their specific contexts. By addressing the identified causes of absenteeism, universities can enhance the educational experience and better prepare students for successful careers in polytechnical fields. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=absenteeism" title="absenteeism">absenteeism</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=polytechnical%20studies" title=" polytechnical studies"> polytechnical studies</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=professional%20skills" title=" professional skills"> professional skills</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=university%20challenges" title=" university challenges"> university challenges</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/169716/absenteeism-in-polytechnical-university-studies-quantification-and-identification-of-the-causes-at-universitat-politecnica-de-catalunya" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/169716.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">68</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">2</span> The Impact of β Nucleating Agents and Carbon-Based Nanomaterials on Water Vapor Permeability of Polypropylene Composite Films</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Glykeria%20A.%20Visvini">Glykeria A. Visvini</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=George%20%CE%9D.%20Mathioudakis"> George Ν. Mathioudakis</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Amaia%20Soto%20Beobide"> Amaia Soto Beobide</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=George%20A.%20Voyiatzis"> George A. Voyiatzis</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Polymer nanocomposites are materials in which a polymer matrix is reinforced with nanoscale inclusions, such as nanoparticles, nanoplates, or nanofibers. These nanoscale inclusions can significantly enhance the mechanical, thermal, electrical, and other properties of the polymer matrix, making them attractive for a wide range of industrial applications. These properties can be tailored by adjusting the type and the concentration of the nanoinclusions, which provides a high degree of flexibility in their design and development. An important property that polymeric membranes can exhibit is water vapor permeability (WVP). This can be accomplished by various methods, including the incorporation of micro/nano-fillers into the polymer matrix. In this way, a micro/nano-pore network can be formed, allowing water vapor to permeate through the membrane. At the same time, the membrane can be stretched uni- or bi-axially, creating aligned or cross-linked micropores in the composite, respectively, which can also increase the WVP. Nowadays, in industry, stretched films reinforced with CaCO3 develop micro-porosity sufficient to give them breathability characteristics. Carbon-based nanomaterials, such as graphene oxide (GO), are tentatively expected to be able to effectively improve the WVP of corresponding composite polymer films. The presence in the GO structure of various functional oxidizing groups enhances its ability to attract and channel water molecules, exploiting the unique large surface area of graphene that allows the rapid transport of water molecules. Polypropylene (PP) is widely used in various industrial applications due to its desirable properties, including good chemical resistance, excellent thermal stability, low cost, and easy processability. The specific properties of PP are highly influenced by its crystalline behavior, which is determined by its processing conditions. The development of the β-crystalline phase in PP, in combination with stretching, is anticipating improving the microporosity of the polymer matrix, thereby enhancing its WVP. The aim of present study is to create breathable PP composite membranes using carbon-based nanomaterials, such as graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). Unlike traditional methods that rely on the drawing process to enhance the WVP of PP, this study intents to develop a low-cost approach using melt mixing with β-nucleating agents and carbon fillers to create highly breathable PP composite membranes. The study aims to investigate how the concentration of these additives affects the water vapor transport properties of the resulting PP films/membranes. The presence of β-nucleating agents and carbon fillers is expected to enhance β-phase growth in PP, while an alternation between β- and α-phase is expected to lead to improved microporosity and WVP. Our ambition is to develop highly breathable PP composite films with superior performance and at a lower cost compared to the benchmark. Acknowledgment: This research has been co‐financed by the European Union and Greek national funds through the Operational Program Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, under the call «Special Actions "AQUACULTURE"-"INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS"-"OPEN INNOVATION IN CULTURE"» (project code: Τ6YBP-00337) <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=carbon%20based%20nanomaterials" title="carbon based nanomaterials">carbon based nanomaterials</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=nanocomposites" title=" nanocomposites"> nanocomposites</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=nucleating%20agent" title=" nucleating agent"> nucleating agent</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=polypropylene" title=" polypropylene"> polypropylene</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=water%20vapor%20permeability" title=" water vapor permeability"> water vapor permeability</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/165339/the-impact-of-v-nucleating-agents-and-carbon-based-nanomaterials-on-water-vapor-permeability-of-polypropylene-composite-films" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/165339.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">86</span> </span> </div> </div> <ul class="pagination"> <li class="page-item disabled"><span class="page-link">&lsaquo;</span></li> <li class="page-item active"><span class="page-link">1</span></li> <li class="page-item"><a class="page-link" href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=De%20Soto&page=2">2</a></li> <li class="page-item"><a class="page-link" href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=De%20Soto&page=2" rel="next">&rsaquo;</a></li> </ul> </div> </main> 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