Estudio piloto sobre la comunicación y transmisión del conocimiento científico en los grupos de investigación universitarios

Los grupos de investigación universitarios comienzan a sentir la necesidad de gestionar la comunicación en el planteamiento, desarrollo y difusión de sus investigaciones. Es necesario poner en valor el uso de la comunicación en los programas científicos de actuación y sus resultados, como herramienta que contribuye a la eficacia, difusión y aplicación de los resultados de la investigación. En este estudio se presentan los resultados de la aplicación de un cuestionario a miembros de grupos de investigación universitarios, con el objetivo de conocer cómo gestionan la comunicación en sus proyectos, qué valor le atribuyen, qué tipo de actuaciones relacionadas con la comunicación realizan en cada etapa del proyecto y qué elementos condicionan la aplicabilidad de los resultados de investigación. Para ello, se indaga el uso habitual que se realiza de la comunicación en tres etapas: la comunicación para la investigación, la comunicación en la investigación y la comunicación de la investigación. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto la infrautilización de la comunicación en los procesos de investigación aplicados y en el establecimiento de interacciones entre el grupo investigador y los públicos involucrados o afectados por los resultados de la investigación. En conclusión, la gestión de la comunicación como herramienta de los grupos de investigación asegura la eficacia académica y la calidad de las investigaciones, así como la aplicabilidad socioeconómica de los resultados de la investigación.

Effect of the intercalated cation-exchanged on the properties of nanocomposites prepared by 2-aminobenzene sulfonic acid with aniline and montmorillonite

Polymer/montmorillonite nanocomposites were prepared. Intercalation of 2-aminobenzene sulfonic acid with aniline monomers into montmorillonite modified by cation was followed by subsequent oxidative polymerization of monomers in the interlayer spacing. The clay was prepared by cation exchange process between sodium cation in (M–Na) and copper cation (M–Cu). XRD analyses show the manifestation of a basal spacing (d-spacing) for M–Cu changes depending on the inorganic cation and the polymer intercalated in the M–Cu structure. TGA analyses reveal that polymer/M–Cu composites is less stable than M–Cu. The conductivity of the composites is found to be 103 times higher than that for M–Cu. The microscopic examinations including TEM picture of the nanocomposite demonstrated an entirely different and more compatible morphology. Remarkable differences in the properties of the polymers have also been observed by UV–Vis and FTIR, suggesting that the polymer produced with presence of aniline has a higher degree of branching. The electrochemical behavior of the polymers extracted from the nanocomposites has been studied by cyclic voltammetry which indicates the electroactive effect of nanocomposite gradually increased with aniline in the polymer chain.

Polyaniline/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites Obtained by In Situ Intercalation and Oxidative Polymerization in Cationic Modified-Clay (Sodium, Copper and Iron)

Polyaniline/montmorillonite nanocomposites (PANI/M) were obtained by intercalation of aniline monomer into M modified with different cations and subsequent oxidative polymerization of the aniline. The modified-clay was prepared by ion exchange of sodium, copper and iron cations in the clay (Na–M, Cu–M and Fe–M respectively). Infrared spectroscopy confirms the electrostatic interaction between the oxidized PANI and the negatively charged surface of the clay. X-ray diffraction analysis provides structural information of the prepared materials. The nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and their thermal degradation was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The weight loss suggests that the PANI chains in the nanocomposites have higher thermal stability than pure PANI. The electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites increased between 12 and 24 times with respect to the pure M and this increase was dependent on the cation-modification. The electrochemical behavior of the polymers extracted from the nanocomposites was studied by cyclic voltammetry and a good electrochemical response was observed.

New Literacy for Reading Using ICT

This article will analyse the key strategies in the relationship between reading and writing in the area of ICT and the resulting importance in supporting literacy in this area so that the education system as a whole (primary and secondary schools and universities) can be guided to make full use of the opportunities ICT can provide. ICTs are able to help improve overall comprehension, evaluate general perspectives and raise awareness of the value of cooperation and, as a result, the essential quality of individuals and their contributions. These contributions are far-reaching and strategic. The benefits of applying ICT in reading and writing are also felt in oral expression and can result in education based more on dialogue which, in turn, leads to social change.

Removal of 8-quinolinecarboxylic acid pesticide from aqueous solution by adsorption on activated montmorillonites

Sodium montmorillonite (Na-M), acidic montmorillonite (H-M), and organo-acidic montmorillonite (Org-H-M) were applied to remove the herbicide 8-quinolinecarboxylic acid (8-QCA). The montmorillonites containing adsorbed 8-QCA were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray fluorescence thermogravimetric analysis, and physical adsorption of gases. Experiments showed that the amount of adsorbed 8-QCA increased at lower pH, reaching a maximum at pH 2. The adsorption kinetics was found to follow the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The Langmuir model provided the best correlation of experimental data for adsorption equilibria. The adsorption of 8-QCA decreased in the order Org-H-M > H-M > Na-M. Isotherms were also used to obtain the thermodynamic parameters. The negative values of ΔG indicated the spontaneous nature of the adsorption process.

Synthesis, Characterization and Conducting Properties of Nanocomposites of Intercalated 2-Aminophenol with Aniline in Sodium-Montmorillonite

A simple method was used to synthesize poly(2-aminophenol), poly(2-aminophenol-co-Aniline) and polyaniline nanocomposites with sodium-montmorillonite (Na-M) using in situ intercalative oxidative polymerization. Morphology and thermal properties of the synthesized nanocomposites were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis. The thermal analysis shows an improved thermal stability of the nanocomposites in comparison with the pure poly(2-aminophenol). The intercalation of polymers into the clay layers was confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies, TEM images and FTIR spectroscopy. In addition, the room temperature conductivity values of these nanocomposites varied between 8.21 × 10−5 and 6.76 × 10−4 S cm−1. The electrochemical behavior of the polymers extracted from the nanocomposites, has been analyzed by cyclic voltammetry. Good electrochemical response has been observed for polymer films; the observed redox processes indicate that the polymerization into Na-M produces electroactive polymers.

Algerian natural montmorillonites for arsenic(III) removal in aqueous solution

The adsorption of As(III) from aqueous solutions using naturally occurring and modified Algerian montmorillonites has been investigated as a function of contact time, pH, and temperature. Kinetic studies reveal that uptake of As(III) ions is rapid within the first 3 h, and it slows down thereafter. Equilibrium studies show that As(III) shows the highest affinity toward acidic montmorillonite even at very low concentration of arsenic. The kinetics of As(III) adsorption on all montmorillonites used is well described by a pseudo-second-order chemical reaction model, which indicates that the adsorption process of these species is likely to be chemisorption. Adsorption isotherms of As(III) fitted the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models well. The adsorption of As(III) is pH-dependent obtaining an optimal adsorption at pH 5. From the thermodynamic parameters, it is concluded that the process is exothermic, spontaneous, and favorable. The results suggest that M1, M2, and acidic-M2 could be used as low-cost and effective filtering materials for removal of arsenic from water.

Characterization and electrochemical properties of conducting nanocomposites synthesized from p-anisidine and aniline with titanium carbide by chemical oxidative method

A novel polymer/TiC nanocomposites “PPA/TiC, poly(PA-co-ANI)/TiC and PANI/TiC” was successfully synthesized by chemical oxidation polymerization at room temperature using p-anisidine and/or aniline monomers and titanium carbide (TiC) in the presence of hydrochloric acid as a dopant with ammonium persulfate as oxidant. These nanocomposites obtained were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). XRD indicated the presence of interactions between polymers and TiC nanoparticle and the TGA revealed that the TiC nanoparticles improve the thermal stability of the polymers. The electrical conductivity of nanocomposites is in the range of 0.079–0.91 S cm−1. The electrochemical behavior of the polymers extracted from the nanocomposites has been analyzed by cyclic voltammetry. Good electrochemical response has been observed for polymer films; the observed redox processes indicate that the polymerisation on TiC nanoparticles produces electroactive polymers. These nanocomposite microspheres can potentially used in commercial applications as fillers for antistatic and anticorrosion coatings.

3D geometry of growth strata in a fault-propagation fold: insights into space–time evolution of the Crevillente Fault (Abanilla-Alicante sector), Betic Cordillera, Spain

This work presents a 3D geometric model of growth strata cropping out in a fault-propagation fold associated with the Crevillente Fault (Abanilla-Alicante sector) from the Bajo Segura Basin (eastern Betic Cordillera, southern Spain). The analysis of this 3D model enables us to unravel the along-strike and along-section variations of the growth strata, providing constraints to assess the fold development, and hence, the fault kinematic evolution in space and time. We postulate that the observed along-strike dip variations are related to lateral variation in fault displacement. Along-section variations of the progressive unconformity opening angles indicate greater fault slip in the upper Tortonian–Messinian time span; from the Messinian on, quantitative analysis of the unconformity indicate a constant or lower tectonic activity of the Crevillente Fault (Abanilla-Alicante sector); the minor abundance of striated pebbles in the Pliocene-Quaternary units could be interpreted as a decrease in the stress magnitude and consequently in the tectonic activity of the fault. At a regional scale, comparison of the growth successions cropping out in the northern and southern limits of the Bajo Segura Basin points to a southward migration of deformation in the basin. This means that the Bajo Segura Fault became active after the Crevillente Fault (Abanilla-Alicante sector), for which activity on the latter was probably decreasing according to our data. Consequently, we propose that the seismic hazard at the northern limit of the Bajo Segura Basin should be lower than at the southern limit.

Urban environmental degradation and the standard of living: the case of the Spanish mining industry (1870–1930)

This paper analyses the consequences of urban environmental degradation on the well-being of Spanish miners. It is based on analyses of differences in mortality and height. The first part of the paper examines new hypotheses regarding the urban penalty. We take into consideration existing works in economic theory that address market failures when analysing the higher urban death rate. We explain the reduction in height using the model recently created by Floud, Fogel, Harris and Hong for British cities. The second part of the paper presents information demonstrating that the urban areas in the two largest mining areas in Spain (Bilbao and the Cartagena-La Unión mountain range) experienced a higher death rate relative to rural areas as a consequence of market failures derived from what we term an ‘anarchic urbanisation’.

Implementation Feasibility of a Digital Nervous System for the Construction Industry: For Efficient and Effective Information Management across the Project Lifecycle

The construction industry has long been considered as highly fragmented and non-collaborative industry. This fragmentation sprouted from complex and unstructured traditional coordination processes and information exchanges amongst all parties involved in a construction project. This nature coupled with risk and uncertainty has pushed clients and their supply chain to search for new ways of improving their business process to deliver better quality and high performing product. This research will closely investigate the need to implement a Digital Nervous System (DNS), analogous to a biological nervous system, on the flow and management of digital information across the project lifecycle. This will be through direct examination of the key processes and information produced in a construction project and how a DNS can provide a well-integrated flow of digital information throughout the project lifecycle. This research will also investigate how a DNS can create a tight digital feedback loop that enables the organisation to sense, react and adapt to changing project conditions. A Digital Nervous System is a digital infrastructure that provides a well-integrated flow of digital information to the right part of the organisation at the right time. It provides the organisation with the relevant and up-to-date information it needs, for critical project issues, to aid in near real-time decision-making. Previous literature review and survey questionnaires were used in this research to collect and analyse data about information management problems of the industry – e.g. disruption and discontinuity of digital information flow due to interoperability issues, disintegration/fragmentation of the adopted digital solutions and paper-based transactions. Results analysis revealed efficient and effective information management requires the creation and implementation of a DNS.

Intelligent Decision-Making System Frameworks for a Digital Plan of Work: A Theoretical Investigation for the Construction Industry

The construction industry is characterised by fragmentation and suffers from lack of collaboration, often adopting adversarial working practices to achieve deliverables. For the UK Government and construction industry, BIM is a game changer aiming to rectify this fragmentation and promote collaboration. However it has become clear that there is an essential need to have better controls and definitions of both data deliverables and data classification. Traditional methods and techniques for collating and inputting data have shown to be time consuming and provide little to improve or add value to the overall task of improving deliverables. Hence arose the need in the industry to develop a Digital Plan of Work (DPoW) toolkit that would aid the decision making process, providing the required control over the project workflows and data deliverables, and enabling better collaboration through transparency of need and delivery. The specification for the existing Digital Plan of Work (DPoW) was to be, an industry standard method of describing geometric, requirements and data deliveries at key stages of the project cycle, with the addition of a structured and standardised information classification system. However surveys and interviews conducted within this research indicate that the current DPoW resembles a digitised version of the pre-existing plans of work and does not push towards the data enriched decision-making abilities that advancements in technology now offer. A Digital Framework is not simply the digitisation of current or historic standard methods and procedures, it is a new intelligent driven digital system that uses new tools, processes, procedures and work flows to eradicate waste and increase efficiency. In addition to reporting on conducted surveys above, this research paper will present a theoretical investigation into usage of Intelligent Decision Support Systems within a digital plan of work framework. Furthermore this paper will present findings on the suitability to utilise advancements in intelligent decision-making system frameworks and Artificial Intelligence for a UK BIM Framework. This should form the foundations of decision-making for projects implemented at BIM level 2. The gap identified in this paper is that the current digital toolkit does not incorporate the intelligent characteristics available in other industries through advancements in technology and collation of vast amounts of data that a digital plan of work framework could have access to and begin to develop, learn and adapt for decision-making through the live interaction of project stakeholders.

Comparing Common Data Environment Platforms for Student Collaborative Working: A Case Study from Ulster University

PAS1192-2 (2013) outlines the “fundamental principles of Level 2 information modeling”, one of these principles is the use of what is commonly referred to as a Common Data Environment (CDE). A CDE could be described as an internet-enabled cloudhosting platform, accessible to all construction team members to access shared project information. For the construction sector to achieve increased productivity goals, the next generation of industry professionals will need to be educated in a way that provides them with an appreciation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) working methods, at all levels, including an understanding of how data in a CDE should be structured, managed, shared and published. This presents a challenge for educational institutions in terms of providing a CDE that addresses the requirements set out in PAS1192-2, and mirrors organisational and professional working practices without causing confusion due to over complexity. This paper presents the findings of a two-year study undertaken at Ulster University comparing the use of a leading industry CDE platform with one derived from the in-house Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), for the delivery of a student BIM project. The research methodology employed was a qualitative case study analysis, focusing on observations from the academics involved and feedback from students. The results of the study show advantages for both CDE platforms depending on the learning outcomes required.