Abstract: Physical therapy is the pillar of rehabilitation for disabilities caused by neurological disorders, however not every patient has access to it due to the lack of human resources. Robot-based rehabilitation can contribute to the solution of this challenge with benefits such as task-oriented exercise routines. In order to increase therapy frequency and intensity, we propose the use of robot skin as multi-sensory interface to maximize the wearability and support of a lightweight elbow flexion/extension exoskeleton. The robot skin exoskeleton detects the motion intention by measuring acceleration, proximity, and interaction forces. This allows the implementation of control modes which are inspired by physical therapy such as passive movement, active support, resistance training, and corrective therapy. To assess every therapy-inspired control mode, a study analyzing force readings and sEMG recordings of the biceps during exoskeleton use was conducted with four healthy subjects to test the exoskeleton functionality. Our results show that higher assistive levels under the supportive therapy control modes result in larger reductions of normalized sEMG (> 40% in passive exercises), whereas higher resistive levels result in an increase of normalized sEMG (> 30% in resistive exercises). Thus, enabling the exoskeleton to use multi-sensory interfaces to implement therapy routines based on user intention.

Abstract: A bio-based future where biomaterials are part of everyday life is the vision and entry point of this thesis. Achieving this scenario requires changes in socio-technical systems by cutting non-renewable materials and redefining cultural and behavioural dynamics in the production-consumption value chain. With a focus on user experience, this research proposes the following. How can the user experience with materials be used as a driver in the biomaterial transition? Several theories related to materials, diffusion of innovations, and sustainability transitions address the challenges and potentials of the biomaterial transition separately. However, there is not an integrated approach. This research aims to tackle this gap articulating a literature review and three exploratory studies as research stages. The results broaden the perception of biomaterials as disruptive innovations. Thus, deepening in their role in shaping social practices redefine the material culture towards a sustainability transition. Resumen: Un futuro de base biológica donde los biomateriales sean parte de la vida cotidiana es la visión y el punto de entrada de esta tesis. Alcanzar este escenario requiere cambios en los sistemas sociotécnicos mediante la reducción de materiales no renovables y la redefinición de dinámicas culturales y de comportamiento en la cadena de valor de producción-consumo. Con un enfoque en la experiencia del usuario, esta investigación propone lo siguiente. ¿Cómo se puede utilizar la experiencia del usuario con los materiales como motor en la transición del biomaterial? Varias teorías relacionadas con los materiales, la difusión de innovaciones y las transiciones de sostenibilidad abordan los desafíos y los potenciales de la transición de los biomateriales por separado. Sin embargo, no existe un enfoque integrado. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo abordar este vacío articulando una revisión de literatura y tres estudios exploratorios como etapas de investigación. Los resultados amplían la percepción de los biomateriales como innovaciones disruptivas. Así, profundizando en su papel en dar forma a las prácticas sociales redefinir la cultura material hacia una transición sostenible.

Abstract: Creativity is a critical human 21st-century skill that allows us to produce novel and valuable ideas. Creative ideas are original and make a unique contribution to any field, but also, they help to solve complex problems that humanity is continuously facing. Creativity is essential at the individual level to solve problems on the job and in daily life. At the societal level, creativity can lead to new scientific findings, new movements in art, and new inventions. Corporations and governments are frequently looking to support and encourage developing creativity as a driver for innovation to promote technological development and economic growth. Educational institutions play a crucial role in this development and in fostering creative thinking. This brief will discuss how creativity has been conceptualized and will share some strategies to foster creativity in a learning environment and the workplace. Also, it will discuss how technology impacts creativity development. La creatividad es una habilidad humana fundamental del siglo XXI que nos permite producir ideas novedosas y valiosas. Resumen: Las ideas creativas son originales y aportan una contribución única a cualquier campo, pero también ayudan a resolver problemas complejos a los que la humanidad se enfrenta continuamente. La creatividad es esencial a nivel individual para resolver problemas en el trabajo y en la vida cotidiana. A nivel social, la creatividad puede conducir a nuevos descubrimientos científicos, nuevos movimientos artísticos y nuevos inventos. Las empresas y los gobiernos buscan con frecuencia apoyar y fomentar el desarrollo de la creatividad como motor de la innovación para promover el desarrollo tecnológico y el crecimiento económico. Las instituciones educativas desempeñan un papel crucial en este desarrollo y en el fomento del pensamiento creativo. En este informe se analizará cómo se ha conceptualizado la creatividad y se compartirán algunas estrategias para fomentarla en un entorno de aprendizaje y en el lugar de trabajo. Asimismo, se analizará cómo la tecnología influye en el desarrollo de la creatividad.

Abstract: This research aims to create non-hurricane non-tornadic maps of extreme wind speeds for the mean recurrence intervals MRIs 700, 1700, and 3000 years, covering the Colombian territory. For infrastructure design, these maps are combined with existing hurricane wind speed studies, to be used as input loads due to wind. For each station with non-thunderstorm wind speeds time histories in the input data, following (Pintar, Simiu, Lombardo, & Levitan, 2015), extreme wind speeds corresponding to each MRI are calculated using a Peaks Over Threshold Poisson Process POT-PP extreme value model, then wind velocities with the same MRI are spatially interpolated to generate continuous maps for the whole study area. The annual exceedance probability for all velocity values in 700, 1700 and 3000 years MRIs output maps are respectively 1/700, 1/1700 and 1/3000. Regarding input data, not only time series of field measurements from IDEAM methodological stations are used, but also postprocessed information coming from the Integrated Surface Database ISD, and ERA5 forecast reanalysis data. This condition demanded a comparison of the different data sources, in order to verify the feasibility in the use of ISD and ERA5, this is downscaling support. The result of the comparison showed little similarity between the different sources, but taking into account that complete and adequate measured data from IDEAM was not available. Before to apply POT-PP, ISD and IDEAM data sources were standardized to meet the requirement of three seconds (3-s) wind gust speed, ten (10) meters anemometer height, and terrain open space condition. Due to the limitation in the classification of thunderstorm and non-thunderstorm data, it was not possible to take real advantage of POT-PP method, which was limited/restricted from non-homogeneous to homogeneous and from nonstationary to stationary, being equivalent to use the most common POT - generalized Pareto approach. Non-hurricane maps were created for data sources ISD and ERA5, using Kriging as spatial interpolation method. After the integration with previous hurricane studies, the results of ERA5 showed the most reliable final maps, despite limitations in the input data to guarantee downscaling support. ISD final map showed very high wind values, which are unlikely. These shortcomings may be corrected when complete IDEAM data-source and storm data classification are available. A complete R tool was implemented to solve the whole process, which is based in copyrighted code for declustering and thresholding generously given by Dr Adam L. Pintar adam.pin [email protected] - NIST, U.S Department of Commerce. Resumen: Esta investigación tiene como objetivo la creación de mapas de velocidades de viento extremo (no-huracán, no tornado) para los periodos de retorno 700, 1700 y 3000 años, cubriendo todo el territorio colombiano. Estos mapas se combinaron con estudios sobre velocidades de viento de huracanes para ser usados como cargas de viento para diseño de infraestructura. Para cada estación en los datos de entrada con historias de tiempo de velocidades de viento tipo ""no tormenta"", siguiendo (Pintar, Simiu, Lombardo, & Levitan, 2015), se calcularon velocidades extremas de viento correspondientes a cada periodo de retorno, usando un modelo de valores extremos de picos sobre el umbral - proceso de Poisson (POT-PP), para posteriormente interpolar velocidades de viento con el mismo periodo de retorno y generar mapas continuos para toda el área de estudio. La probabilidad de excedencia anual para todos los mapas resultantes con valores de velocidad de 700, 1700 y 3000 años, son 1/700, 1/1700 y 1/3000 respectivamente. En relación con los datos de entrada, no solamente se usaron las series de tiempo de los datos de campo del IDEAM, pero también datos de la base de datos ISD (Integrated Surface Database) y datos de reanálisis de ERA5, sin embargo, los resultados finales se basaron solamente en ERA5.

Abstract: The co-combustion of coal and waste biomass is an advantageous option for combined waste biomass disposal and energy production. However, co-firing coal with waste biomass has to overcome various ash-related operational problems, for example, ash agglomeration and bed defluidisation in fluidised bed boilers. Using spent coffee grounds (SCG) for energy generation via co-combustion is much more sustainable and environmentally friendly than SCG disposal in landfills. The research done so far on the co-combustion of coal and SCG is quite scarce and almost non-existing. Further research is needed to understand how the properties of SCG affect the co-combustion of coal and SCG in existing coal-fired boilers. This study investigates the combustion of a bituminous coal blended with SCG in a pilot-scale (30kWth) bubbling fluidised bed (BFB) combustor focusing on CO and NOx emissions, combustion performance, and agglomeration tendency. The BFB combustion tests were conducted at 900 ?C and atmospheric pressure using silica sand as the bed material. For comparison purposes, combustion tests of the same coal in pure and blended with wheat straw pellets at the same blending ratio were also performed. Further, ash fusibility studies were performed to elucidate the interactions between the coal ash and SCG ash, and the effect of ash compositions on the fusibility temperatures. Samples of the used bed material collected from the combustor and cyclone ash were characterised by SEM-EDS and XRF. The BFB combustion test results revealed that SCG could reduce the efficiency loss of coal combustion under co-combustion conditions. Despite the higher K2O content in SCG compared to wheat straw, a reduced agglomeration tendency was observed with the BFB combustion of the coal-SCG blends. The results from the characterisation of the used bed material, cyclone ash, and ash fusibility studies confirmed this finding, which was attributed to the formation of high melting temperatures Mg- and Ca-bearing compounds.

Personas - comunidades

En este trabajo se da cuenta de las relaciones, siempre difíciles, que se establecen entre las ciencias y las mujeres. Se analizan los diversos factores de la exclusión de las mujeres del conocimiento científico y de la tecnología y cómo el enfoque feminista ha afectado a la filosofía de la ciencia, es decir, a la forma en que se entienden actualmente ciencia y tecnología.

Dentro del inmenso mar de opciones que ofrece la Web 2. 0, el Blog es para los estudiantes y profesores una bitácora del proceso educativo, un espacio para preguntar, publicar trabajos o registrar enlaces hacia recursos relevantes. Los blogs y las herramientas Web 2. 0 han adquirido una dimensión social impensada, tanto por su penetración, como por la calidad y variedad de sus contenidos, llegando incluso a ser motivo de inspiración para obras literarias, teatrales y producciones cinematográficas.

Este libro pretende ofrecer una introducción al estado de la cuestión, que abarque tanto los principales obstáculos (técnicos, económicos, institucionales y legales) para la preservación de los recursos digitales como las iniciativas que buscan soluciones para conseguir su perdurabilidad.

AutoCAD 2010 es en la actualidad una de las aplicaciones más respetadas y utilizadas por diseñadores, ingenieros y arquitectos. Con este manual a color aprenderá a manejarla de forma cómoda. En esta versión de AutoCAD se presentan interesantes novedades, tanto en su aspecto como en sus herramientas y funciones, que incrementan las posibilidades de creación y diseño técnico.