Assessing the effectiveness of ISO 3382 for evaluating the acoustical quality of italian historical theatres: the case study of the Bonci Theatre

The present study concerns the acoustical characterisation of Italian historical theatres. It moved from the ISO 3382 which provides the guidelines for the measurement of a well established set of room acoustic parameters inside performance spaces. Nevertheless, the peculiarity of Italian historical theatres needs a more specific approach. The Charter of Ferrara goes in this direction, aiming at qualifying the sound field in this kind of halls and the present work pursues the way forward. Trying to understand how the acoustical qualification should be done, the Bonci Theatre in Cesena has been taken as a case study. In September 2012 acoustical measurements were carried out in the theatre, recording monaural e binaural impulse responses at each seat in the hall. The values of the time criteria, energy criteria and psycho-acoustical and spatial criteria have been extracted according to ISO 3382. Statistics were performed and a 3D model of the theatre was realised and tuned. Statistical investigations were carried out on the whole set of measurement positions and on carefully chosen reduced subsets; it turned out that these subsets are representative only of the “average” acoustics of the hall. Normality tests were carried out to verify whether EDT, T30 and C80 could be described with some degree of reliability with a theoretical distribution. Different results, according to the varying assumptions underlying each test, were found. Finally, an attempt was made to correlate the numerical results emerged from the statistical analysis to the perceptual sphere. Looking for “acoustical equivalent areas”, relative difference limens were considered as threshold values. No rule of thumb emerged. Finally, the significance of the usual representation through mean values and standard deviation, which may be meaningful for normal distributed data, was investigated.

Depth of cure of resin composites: is the ISO 4049 method suitable for bulk fill materials?

To evaluate if depth of cure D(ISO) determined by the ISO 4049 method is accurately reflected with bulk fill materials when compared to depth of cure D(new) determined by Vickers microhardness profiles.

Certificación de normas ISO

Es común percibir que, en la empresas pequeñas o que recién comienzan, el mecanismo de control asociado es el de observación directa por parte del propietario. En cambio para las empresas de mayor tamaño, existen mecanismos más sofisticados de control que permiten realizar un registro más profundo de las actividades, su desarrollo y por sobre todo su adecuación con los objetivos de la firma. Más allá de ser una pequeña o gran empresa, cada una debería implementar un Sistema de Control de Gestión para facilitar el mejoramiento continuo de cada elemento de la organización. Lecar S.A. es una empresa familiar dedicada a la compra - venta de automotores nuevos y usados en la provincia de Mendoza, que ha sufrido a lo largo de sus años varias modificaciones en su estructura, pero nunca logró establecer un orden formal en sus actividades. Se podría decir, que un problema desde el punto de vista social, es una dificultad o impedimento que se interpone para el desarrollo normal de una situación, y por lo tanto requiere de una solución. Los objetivos de este trabajo se pueden disgregar en uno general que es el de formular y documentar un manual de políticas y procedimientos para las áreas operativas más importantes de Lecar S.A. y otros, un tanto más específicos, como analizar la empresa Lecar S.A. en su estado actual, analizar los beneficios y costos de los manuales de políticas y procedimientos en una empresa familiar, establecer conocimientos generales sobre calidad en la gestión y realizar un acercamiento a los instrumentos de certificación de normas de calidad en la gestión de las empresas.

Procedure for verification of sound source coverage over façades according to the International Standard ISO 140-5

This paper presents a new verification procedure for sound source coverage according to ISO 140?5 requirements. The ISO 140?5 standard applies to the measurement of façade insulation and requires a sound source able to achieve a sufficiently uniform sound field in free field conditions on the façade under study. The proposed method involves the electroacoustic characterisation of the sound source in laboratory free field conditions (anechoic room) and the subsequent prediction by computer simulation of the sound free field radiated on a rectangular surface equal in size to the façade being measured. The loudspeaker is characterised in an anechoic room under laboratory controlled conditions, carefully measuring directivity, and then a computer model is designed to calculate the acoustic free field coverage for different loudspeaker positions and façade sizes. For each sound source position, the method provides the maximum direct acoustic level differences on a façade specimen and therefore determines whether the loudspeaker verifies the maximum allowed level difference of 5 dB (or 10 dB for façade dimensions greater than 5 m) required by the ISO standard. Additionally, the maximum horizontal dimension of the façade meeting the standard is calculated and provided for each sound source position, both with the 5 dB and 10 dB criteria. In the last section of the paper, the proposed procedure is compared with another method used by the authors in the past to achieve the same purpose: in situ outdoor measurements attempting to recreate free field conditions. From this comparison, it is concluded that the proposed method is able to reproduce the actual measurements with high accuracy, for example, the ground reflection effect, at least at low frequencies, which is difficult to avoid in the outdoor measurement method, and it is fully eliminated with the proposed method to achieve the free field requisite.

Influence of loudspeaker directivity and measurement geometry on direct acoustic levels over façades for acoustic insulation tests with the International Standard ISO 140-5

The International Standard ISO 140-5 on field measurements of airborne sound insulation of façades establishes that the directivity of the measurement loudspeaker should be such that the variation in the local direct sound pressure level (ΔSPL) on the sample is ΔSPL < 5 dB (or ΔSPL < 10 dB for large façades). This condition is usually not very easy to accomplish nor is it easy to verify whether the loudspeaker produces such a uniform level. Direct sound pressure levels on the ISO standard façade essentially depend on the distance and directivity of the loudspeaker used. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the test geometry for measuring sound insulation and explains how the loudspeaker directivity, combined with distance, affects the acoustic level distribution on the façade. The first sections of the paper are focused on analysing the measurement geometry and its influence on the direct acoustic level variations on the façade. The most favourable and least favourable positions to minimise these direct acoustic level differences are found, and the angles covered by the façade in the reference system of the loudspeaker are also determined. Then, the maximum dimensions of the façade that meet the conditions of the ISO 140-5 standard are obtained for the ideal omnidirectional sound source and the piston radiating in an infinite baffle, which is chosen as the typical radiation pattern for loudspeakers. Finally, a complete study of the behaviour of different loudspeaker radiation models (such as those usually utilised in the ISO 140-5 measurements) is performed, comparing their radiation maps on the façade for searching their maximum dimensions and the most appropriate radiation configurations.

Benefits of the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards: a literature review

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to determine the similarities and differences between the benefits derived from implementing the ISO 9001 and the ISO 14001 standards. Methodology/Approach: The paper reviews the literature using an electronic search in the ScienceDirect, ABI/Inform, Emerald databases to identify papers focusing on the adoption of the ISO 9001 and 14001 standards and the benefits derived from implementing them. Findings: The paper identifies 82 articles about ISO 9001 and 29 about ISO 14001. Although some differences can be observed between the benefits considered by ISO 9001 and 14001, there is a great degree of coincidence in the benefits studied. The review suggests 13 benefits as the most usually analyzed (including environmental performance for the case of the ISO 14001 standard) by scholars. It is suggested that both standards have clear benefits on operational, people and customer results and that the effects on financial performance are inconclusive. Limitations/implications: One limitation of this paper is that the works identified are conditioned by the search strategy used. In addition, other key words could be included in future studies such as operational, market, quality, financial performance, and customer satisfaction in order to expand this search. Originality/Value: The main contribution is that the paper identifies the literature gap and future research proposals with regard to the benefits of the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards.

Basic measurements of radiation from the Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN) in the years 1992 to 2012, reference list of 6378 datasets

In the framework of the global energy balance, the radiative energy exchanges between Sun, Earth and space are now accurately quantified from new satellite missions. Much less is known about the magnitude of the energy flows within the climate system and at the Earth surface, which cannot be directly measured by satellites. In addition to satellite observations, here we make extensive use of the growing number of surface observations to constrain the global energy balance not only from space, but also from the surface. We combine these observations with the latest modeling efforts performed for the 5th IPCC assessment report to infer best estimates for the global mean surface radiative components. Our analyses favor global mean downward surface solar and thermal radiation values near 185 and 342 Wm**-2, respectively, which are most compatible with surface observations. Combined with an estimated surface absorbed solar radiation and thermal emission of 161 Wm**-2 and 397 Wm**-2, respectively, this leaves 106 Wm**-2 of surface net radiation available for distribution amongst the non-radiative surface energy balance components. The climate models overestimate the downward solar and underestimate the downward thermal radiation, thereby simulating nevertheless an adequate global mean surface net radiation by error compensation. This also suggests that, globally, the simulated surface sensible and latent heat fluxes, around 20 and 85 Wm**-2 on average, state realistic values. The findings of this study are compiled into a new global energy balance diagram, which may be able to reconcile currently disputed inconsistencies between energy and water cycle estimates.

The Standard ISO 15489-1 in German and Spanish: an Interlinguistic Comparison

The aim of this paper is to deepen in the terminology of Records Management established by ISO standards, through a concrete example such as an interlinguistic comparison between UNE ISO 15489-1 and DIN ISO 15489-1, that is, between the Spanish and German versions of the ISO 15489-1. For that, the text is divided into two major and complementary parts, which are similar to both analytical perspectives adopted: the semantic one and the pragmatic one. The first one compares the words per se, taking into account the significant or word form as well as the significance or meaning. In the second part, examples of use from both languages are discussed, concerning the three terms considered essential in the text (Record, Records Management System and Records Management). The main conclusion lies in understanding how important the language is as a discrete tool of work for all information scientists, specially concerning to the standards, where the translators must show their best linguistic strategies to go unnoticed.

Oil Retention and Pressure Drop in Horizontal and Vertical Suction Lines with R410A / POE ISO 32

In refrigeration systems a small amount of compressor lubricant is entrained in the refrigerant and circulated through the system, where some is retained in each component. The suction line to the compressor has the largest potential for oil retention. This paper presents results from an experimental apparatus that has been constructed to circulate POE (polyolester) oil and R410A at a controlled mass flux, OCR (oil in circulation ratio), and apparent superheat, and to directly measure the pressure drop and mass of oil retained in horizontal and vertical suction lines. The bulk vapor velocity and overall void fraction are determined from direct mass and temperature measurements. The oil retention, pressure drop, and flow regimes near the minimum ASHRAE recommended mass flux condition are explored. It was found that oil retention begins to increase sharply even above the minimum recommended flux, so conditions near the minimum should be avoided. Two relationships were developed to predict the oil retention in the vertical and horizontal suction lines. The average error from the predictions method was 10.9% for the vertical tube, and 7.9% for the horizontal tube.

Importância da certificação ISO 9001 na performance das empresas de transportes em Portugal

Mestrado em Gestão e Estratégia Industrial

Sistema de control de calidad en las unidades de auditoría interna de instituciones descentralizadas públicas de El Salvador en base a Normas ISO 9001:2008.

El presente trabajo está enfocado sobre la problemática referente a la falta de un sistema interno de control de calidad para obtener una seguridad razonable del cumplimiento de las Normas de Auditoría Gubernamental en las unidades de auditoría interna de las instituciones descentralizadas públicas de El Salvador. Los objetivos establecidos son proponer un sistema de control de calidad basado en la Norma ISO 9001:2008, que garantice el cumplimiento razonable de las NAG, emitidas por la Corte de Cuentas de la República de El Salvador, en el trabajo de las unidades antes mencionadas, así como elaborar políticas y procedimientos como instrumento de apoyo al sistema. La metodología utilizada fue el tipo de investigación analítica descriptiva, considerando que es una investigación concluyente, cuyo objetivo principal es describir las características o funciones del problema en cuestión, también permite la formulación de preguntas importantes para la obtención de datos acerca del problema planteado. Por tanto al abordar la problemática identificada en la implementación de un sistema de control de calidad en las unidades de auditoría interna en mención, se propone un instrumento actualizado que sirva de herramienta a las mismas. Además, en las visitas de campo se utilizó como instrumento recolector de datos la encuesta fundamentada con la herramienta del cuestionario, que se diseñó con preguntas cerradas, las cuales fueron necesarias para conocer el estado de los aspectos de control de calidad contenidos en el marco normativo, técnico y legal de las unidades de análisis. El estudio determinó que a pesar de que las unidades de auditoría en mención afirman tener conocimientos sobre sistemas internos de control de calidad y la mayoría expresa haberlo establecido en sus respectivas actividades, al indagar con preguntas de control más puntuales, queda en evidencia la existencia de la problemática, en base a los análisis de estas, ya que además de poseer conocimientos técnicos y legales, necesitan documentar sus políticas, procedimientos para facilitar el proceso de la auditoría y mejorar continuamente sus procesos. De lo anterior se concluye que las unidades de auditoría a pesar de poseer un sistema de control de calidad, no cumplen todos los aspectos de calidad exigidos por las Normas de Auditoría Gubernamental, de igual manera que los jefes encuestados en su mayoría no han sido partícipes de algún tipo de capacitación sobre los beneficios de calidad, que la normativa internacional ISO 9001:2008 ofrece al ser adoptado como herramienta sin importar si el servicio lo brinda una organización pública o empresa privada. Basados en los resultados de la investigación de campo, y considerando la importancia de garantizar la calidad en las actividades realizadas ,se ha elaborado la presente propuesta que está diseñada para proporcionar una herramienta basada en la norma internacional ISO 9001:2008 para el establecimiento, documentación, implementación y mantenimiento de un sistema interno de control de calidad y dar cumplimiento a las Normas de Auditoría Gubernamental, además se recomienda cómo un instrumento que puede ser utilizado para el desarrollo del trabajo así como del conocimiento de los miembros de la unidad, considerando que el personal involucrado en auditoría interna de las instituciones descentralizadas públicas, debe conocer sobre aspectos de calidad, y mantener un sistema interno de modo que se orienten las acciones al mejoramiento de los servicios.

Factores de éxito en el programa de responsabilidad social empresarial (RSE) para el sector salud, aplicación de la norma ISO 26000 en la IPS Fundación Cardio Infantil

El presente estudio tiene como objetivo mostrar los factores de éxito del programa de Responsabilidad Social de la Fundación Cardioinfantil, teniendo en cuenta que esta institución se ha convertido en un referente de compromiso social y sostenibilidad en el sector salud y en las instituciones de cuarto nivel de complejidad. Para alcanzar este objetivo se realizaron visitas y se aplicó un instrumento en la Fundación Cardioinfantil y en cuatro instituciones más del mismo nivel de atención en las ciudades de Bogotá, Cali y Medellín, donde generosamente aportaron información acerca del desarrollo de sus programas de Responsabilidad Social y de la aplicación de los tópicos contenidos en la ISO 26000 dentro de sus instituciones. Así mismo dentro de la Fundación Cardioinfantil se realizó una entrevista con la persona encargada de desarrollar el programa, quien manifestó los detalles del funcionamiento de este y los esfuerzos realizados para lograr la diferenciación en el sector salud. A través de este recorrido por las diferentes instituciones de salud consultadas y de la investigación realizada en la fundación Cardioinfantil se realizó una matriz DOFA que nos reveló la falta de comunicación en las mejoras realizadas en las diferentes organizaciones de salud, una vez han detectado las fallas en inherentes a su actuación con los grupos de interés. La adopción de estándares internacionales para la gobernanza y aplicación de los programas de RSE aún es incipiente en el sector salud en general. También es posible resaltar el hecho de que programas de RSE desarrollados a nivel de la fundación Cardioinfantil evolucionan hacia la innovación en la calidad de la atención y la trasformación de sus organizaciones hacia la mejora continua.