Lecciones aprendidas en la determinación del estado actual de los procesos de gestión de requisitos usando el CMMI como modelo de referencia

Invariablemente una de las primeras acciones en un proyecto de mejora es el poder determinar el estado actual del proceso. Por consiguiente, una organización que pretende mejorar su proceso de gestión de requisitos requiere utilizar un método de evaluación, que le permita identificar las fortalezas y debilidades de su proceso actual, con el fin de priorizar sus acciones de mejora. Este artículo presenta las lecciones aprendidas resultado de la aplicación de una metodología alternativa, mediante el uso de un cuestionario, para determinar el estado actual del proceso de gestión de requisitos que permite identificar, por un lado, las prácticas del proceso que se ejecutan rutinariamente y están bien documentadas y, por otro lado, las prácticas del proceso que requieren de una atención prioritaria.

Simulation of Temperatures and Stresses during Construction of a RCC Dam

Se describen las variaciones de temperaturas y de tensiones durante la construcción de presas de hormigón compactado. The curing of concrete is an exothermic process. The heat of hydration generated induces temperature increases in the concrete, which will disappear in the long term by heat conduction in the concrete mass and thermal exchanges with the environment. The problem is of particularly interest for large concrete masses, as is the case of dams, because the time involved in the heat diffusion process grows with the square of the dimensions and a hotter dam interior implies the possibility of cracking the exposed surfaces of the dam. The Cuira dam, currently being built in Venezuela using roller compacted concrete, is a 134 m high, arch-gravity dam. In support of the design, different strategies were analysed, including various combinations of cooling of the water and the aggregate in order to achieve acceptable results. The calculations were conducted with Abaqus, taking into account all the necessary mechanical and thermal characteristics, as well as the relevant non-linearities. The analyses led to the conclusion that no cooling was required, even taking into account the stress state imposed by an early and rapid filling of the reservoir.

Monitorización y verificación de un almacenamiento geológico de CO2. Aplicación de la monitorización superficial en la PDT de Hontomín (Burgos, España)

La necesidad de reducir las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero ha contribuido al desarrollo de nuevas tecnologías de utilización sostenible de los combustibles fósiles. Destacan entre ellas la captura y almacenamiento de CO2 (CAC), aunque su aplicación industrial aún requiere avances tecnológicos. En este sentido, la Fundación Ciudad de la Energía (CIUDEN) desarrolla un proyecto integral de demostración de las técnicas CAC en el marco del proyecto Compostilla OXYCFB300 financiado por el programa europeo “European Energy Program for Recovery (EEPR)”

Emisiones de CO, CO2 y SO2 durante procesos de calentamiento de coque y carbón compactado y no compactado

La autoignición de sustancias pulverulentas sigue siendo un gran problema hoy en día, causando una gran cantidad de pérdidas humanas y en las instalaciones. Este proceso es muy común y ocurre en todas las industrias en las que se generan y almacenan productos en forma de polvo, pero especialmente en la industria del carbón. Un factor importante en la autoignición de parvas de almacenamiento de carbón es la emisión de gases que se produce debido a su calentamiento, por lo que es importante conocer qué tipo de gases se emiten y qué tipo de almacenamiento puede hacer que esta emisión disminuya, almacenamiento compactado o no compactado. Para contestar a estas cuestiones se han analizado las emisiones de CO, CO2 y SO2 en muestras de coque y carbón a diferentes temperaturas y con diferentes pesos y compactación. Los resultados de este estudio concluyen la gran influencia de estos factores en estas emisiones. Gracias a estos resultados se ha propuesto un método de extrapolación para determinar la cantidad de sustancias emitidas y sus caudales en volúmenes reales de almacenamiento.

A new ultrasonic signal amplification method for detection bacteria

A new method is presented that increases the sensitivity of ultrasound-based techniques for detection of bacteria. The technique was developed for the detection of catalase-positive microorganisms. It uses a bubble trapping medium containing hydrogen peroxide that is mixed with the sample for microbiological evaluation. The enzyme catalase is present in catalase-positive bacteria, which induces a rapid hydrolysis of hydrogen peroxide, forming bubbles which remain in the medium. This reaction results in the amplification of the mechanical changes that the microorganisms produce in the medium. The effect can be detected by means of ultrasonic wave amplitude continuous measurement since the bubbles increase the ultrasonic attenuation significantly. It is shown that microorganism concentrations of the order of 105 cells ml−1 can be detected using this method. This allows an improvement of three orders of magnitude in the ultrasonic detection threshold of microorganisms in conventional culture media, and is competitive with modern rapid microbiological methods. It can also be used for the characterization of the enzymatic activity.

Repercusiones de las etapas del desarme sobre las políticas nacionales de ciencia y tecnología

Cuando el título de la presente contribución fue escrito, estaban aún cercanos los ecos de toda la serie acontecimientos que llenaron, de forma esperanzada, la primera mitad del presente año. Parecía que el miedo a una conflagración global se había alejado y que los dos grandes bloques habían llegado a un entendimiento que presagiaba un futuro brillante. Artículos como el célebre ¿El fin de la historia?, de Francis Fukuyama, marcaron el inicio de un conjunto de visiones optimistas de la historia, en las que el hombre iba, por fin, a poderse dedicar a toda una serie de tareas que, hasta ahora, había pospuesto ante la inminencia de tensiones más o menos reales. Parecía que un nuevo espíritu se había adueñado de la Humanidad y que todos los problemas de carácter político iban a desaparecer en virtud de la aceptación universal de un principio de armonía en torno a los valores incuestionables de la Democracia. Puede ser conveniente, a efectos de resaltar este espíritu que comentamos, entresacar algún párrafo del citado artículo de Fukuyama.

Enhanced recommendations for e-learning authoring tools based on a proactive context-aware recommender

Authoring tools are powerful systems in the area of e-Learning that make easier for teachers to create new learning objects by reusing or editing existing educational resources coming from learning repositories or content providers. However, due to the overwhelming number of resources these tools can access, sometimes it is difficult for teachers to find the most suitable resources taking into account their needs in terms of content (e.g. topic) or pedagogical aspects (e.g. target level associated to their students). Recommender systems can take an important role trying to mitigate this problem. In this paper we propose a new model to generate proactive context-aware recommendations on resources during the creation process of a new learning object that a teacher carries out by using an authoring tool. The common use cases covered by the model for having recommendations in online authoring tools and details about the recommender model itself are presented.

The city as a learning gamified platform

The area of mobile city guides has grown really fast in the last years based on new mobile capabilities. This growth has been fostered by the evolution of ubiquitous systems and the great penetration of smartphones in the society. In this paper we propose a generic model to support a new way of visiting the city: instead of as a place for tourism, we see it as a place for learning in which located educational resources are available for end users. The model has been conceived as a way to encourage them to create their own educational tours, in which Learning Points Of Interest are set up to be discovered. Two main use cases are supported by the model: formal (conducted by a teacher) and informal (no educator is related to the learning experience) outdoor mobile learning. Details about the impact of the conjunction of tourism, learning and gamification dimensions in the model design, as well as about the model itself are provided. Finally, a mobile application prototype developed in the context of the FI-CONTENT European project is presented as a proof of concept of the model.

Integration of SCORM packages into web games

This paper presents a model that enables the integration of SCORM packages into web games. It is based on the fact that SCORM packages are prepared to be integrated into Learning Management Systems and to communicate with them. Hence in a similar way they can also be integrated into web games. The application of this model results in the linkage between the Learning Objects inside the package and specific actions or conditions in the game. The educational content will be shown to the players when they perform these actions or the conditions are met. For example, when they need a special weapon they will have to consume the Learning Object to get it. Based on this model we have developed an open source web platform which main aim is to facilitate teachers the creation of educational games. They can select existing SCORM packages or upload their own ones and then select a game template in which the Learning Objects will be integrated. The resulting educational game will be available online. Details about the model and the developed platform are explained in this paper. Also links to the platform and an example of a generated game will be provided.

An online e-Learning authoring tool to create interactive multi-device learning objects using e-Infrastructure resources

Education can take advantage of e-Infrastructures to provide teachers with new opportunities to increase students' motivation and engagement while they learn. Nevertheless, teachers need to find, integrate and customize the resources provided by e-Infrastructures in an easy way. This paper presents ViSH Editor, an innovative web-based e-Learning authoring tool that aims to allow teachers to create new learning objects using e-Infrastructure resources. These new learning objects are called Virtual Excursions and are created as reusable, granular and interoperable learning objects. This way they can be reused to build new ones and they can be integrated in websites or Learning Management Systems. Details about the design, development and the tool itself are explained in this paper as well as the concept, structure and metadata of the new learning objects. Lastly, some real examples of how to enrich learning using Virtual Excursions are exposed.

A model for integrating learning object repository resources into web videoconference services

Reusing Learning Objects saves time and reduce development costs. Hence, achieving their interoperability in multiple contexts is essential when creating a Learning Object Repository. On the other hand, novel web videoconference services are available due to technological advancements. Several benefits can be gained by integrating Learning Objects into these services. For instance, they can allow sharing, co-viewing and synchronized co-browsing of these resources at the same time that provide real time communication. However, several efforts need to be undertaken to achieve the interoperability with these systems. In this paper, we propose a model to integrate the resources of the Learning Object Repositories into web videoconference services. The experience of applying this model in a real e-Learning scenario achieving interoperability with two different web videoconference services is also described.

An architecture for integrating learning object repository resources into web videoconference services

Reusing Learning Objects saves time and reduce development costs. Hence, achieving their interoperability in multiple contexts is essential when creating a Learning Object Repository. On the other hand, novel web videoconference services are available due to technological advancements. Several benefits can be gained by integrating Learning Objects into these services. For instance, they can allow sharing, co-viewing and synchronized co-browsing of these resources at the same time that provide real time communication. However, several efforts need to be undertaken to achieve the interoperability with these systems. In this paper, we propose a model to integrate the resources of the Learning Object Repositories into web videoconference services. The experience of applying this model in a real e-Learning scenario achieving interoperability with two different web videoconference services is also described.

Análisis de la permeabilidad al aire de filtros de protección respiratoria

Los filtros que forman los equipos de protección respiratoria están constituidos por una serie de capas formadas por fibras entrecruzadas, orientadas al azar, que reducen los espacios libres en la dirección del flujo de aire inspiratorio. La estructura tridimensional formada permite orificios mayores que las partículas a retener con el fin de no provocar una excesiva caída de presión. Cuando los orificios se reducen significativamente o se obstruyen por la deposición excesiva de partículas carbón, se crea una elevada resistencia al paso del aire que provoca la incomodidad del filtro, disminuyendo su permeabilidad. Cuanto mayor sea el número de capas filtrantes (espesor) mayor es la eficacia del filtro pero también es mayor la resistencia que ofrece tanto a la respiración como a la eliminación del calor y la humedad generados en su interior.

Sight distance for traffic safety analysis using GIS

Sight distance is of major importance for road safety either when designing new roads or analysing the alignment of existing roads. It is essential that available sight distance in roads is long enough for emergency stops or overtaking manoeuvres. Also, it is vital for engineers/researchers that the tools used for that analysis are both powerful and intuitive. Based on ArcGIS, the application to be presented not only performs an exhaustive sight distance calculation, but allows an accurate analysis of 3D alignment, using all new tools, from a Digital Elevation Model and vehicle trajectory. The software has been successfully utilised to analyse several two-lane rural roads in Spain. In addition, the software produces thematic maps representing sight distance in which supplementary information about crashes, traffic flow, speed or design consistency could be included, allowing traffic safety studies.

A gradient-enhanced continuum damage model for fibre-reinforced materials

Modelo de daño no local definido a materiales fibrados. Este modelo se aplica al estudio de problemas típicos en la biomecánica de los tejidos blandos, como las paredes arteriales.