vol. 13 núm. 22 (2017)

Introduction: This article summarizes the classroom experiences obtained in the application of “The integrative project as a classroom strategy in Industrial Technology courses”, carried out in the fourth semester of the technological program in 2013 and 2014, at the Universidad de Santander (UDES). The objective of this work, carried out during 2015, is to show that the appropriation and integration of the students’ knowledge is materialized in prototype innovation products and in dissertations focused on entrepreneurship. Method: In the course of the integrative project, the formative project methodology was used for building the student’s basic, professional and research skills. The pedagogical experience provides students with the opportunity to participate by proposing innovative ideas as a response to the context problem, as well as by taking advantage of the acquired knowledge and the use of university resources. Results: Appropriation of the integrative project by the student stimulates his creativity to produce the prototype of his proposal. The set of prototypes is donated to a rural community in Bucaramanga, which strengthens the research-outreach alliance, including the preparation of dissertations. Conclusions: The strengthening of skills oriented to the know-how allows the student to be trained comprehensively, feeds him with knowledge, allows him to use it (praxis), and positions him in the market with entrepreneurial ability.

Introduction: This article is the result of the project “Characterization of the supply and distribution chain of mango and citrus production in the municipality of Viotá”, Cundinamarca, conducted in the framework of the Colciencias call for young researchers and innovators, in partnership with sena 2015. Such call seeks to strengthen the vocation for science, technology and innovation in young students of technical high school, technicians, technologists and university students, by creating learning opportunities. The project was carried out by students of the Industrial Engineering program at the Fundación Universitaria Agraria de Colombia. Method: The research was undertaken in two stages; in the first one, the citrus and mango production chain was characterized by collecting primary information, identifying raw materials and inputs used, as well as waste generated by each operation; in the second, an environmental diagnosis was made according to the critical activities of the production process. Results: Aspects related to production practices were identified in the citrus and mango production system of a Viotá association, with a cleaner production approach (cp). Conclusions: The research showed that the greatest environmental problems are associated with inadequate practices in the use of agrochemicals in the stages of fertilization, pest and disease control, as well as the inadequate disposal of inert waste.

Introduction: The article results from the research Analysis of good practices in the coffee milling process: Study experience in the municipality of Viotá, conducted during 2016 at the Fundación Universitaria Agraria de Colombia (Uniagraria). This research is part of the Viotá Center for Research, Social Innovation and Technological Transfer (ciistt), and is the result of the call Young Researchers and Innovators, under the sena-Colciencias partnership. Method: The coffee milling process in producing farms of the municipality of Viotá was characterized by a checklist, which was structured according to the pepsu and 5m methodology. This consists, on the one hand, in analyzing suppliers, inputs, processes, outputs and users; and on the other, machinery and facilities, methods, labor, raw material and environment. Results: The present conditions of the coffee milling process were established, characterizing the stages of receiving, pulping, pulp handling, mucilage removal, washing and sorting, drying, bagging, storage and transportation. Conclusions: In order to improve coffee processing, it is necessary to consider the availability and functionality of machinery and infrastructure, the skills of employees, the good condition of coffee cherry from the crop, standardization and process control, as well as to ensure the minimum impact on the environment.

Introduction: The article arises from the research Agent-based modeling and simulation as an alternative for the study of business organizations, conducted during 2016 at the Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, Bogotá. The authors summarize the most outstanding literature published on the modeling and simulation of complex systems throughout history, particularly agent-based models, in order to form an opinion on their possible contributions to management research. Method: We analyzed the information collected from scientific articles in ProQuest and Scopus databases from 1990 to date, including key concepts of modeling and simulation, based on agents described in some books. Results: Traditional approaches, characterized by the use of statistics and classical mathematics, are not relevant to model organizations because of their deterministic and reductionist view. Therefore, an alternative approach is presented for the study of organizations that are found in the modeling and simulation techniques of the sciences of complexity, whose purpose is to study systems characterized by emerging behaviors. Conclusions: Despite its low popularity, the implementation of these alternatives cannot only benefit organizations, but can also contribute to the creation of guidelines for greater appropriation of simulation models for organizations.

Introduction: The article arises from the research conducted in 2015 at the Universidad Autónoma de Manizales for the Manizales Public Health Secretary’s Office, its purpose was to obtain epidemiological indicators of tuberculosis rapidly and reliably and contribute to the unit’s decision making by including georeferencing elements. Method: Openup, a unified process that applies iterative and incremental approaches within a structured lifecycle, was chosen for the task, and three stages were carried out: project startup, application development, and deployment and validation with the entity. Results: The system developed allows to obtain epidemiological indicators of tuberculosis disease in a bar graph (such as the number of people affected by district), which helps to match information with chosen socioeconomic variables. It also enables the migration of sivigila, sisben and Estadística files, which contain the information necessary to query and view the information in graphs and on maps, making it a web tool. Conclusions: The project provided an easily accessible tool for users at the Manizales Health Secretary’s Office to obtain information of the selected indicators and reduce the time for their construction.

Introduction: This is the result of a research project that intends to show the importance of including the electrical substation simulator in the course that bears the same name (School of Engineering, Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas). We propose an improved version of the simulator that includes all existing configurations and design modules. Method: Sample surveys were used to find out the students’ perception of the electric substation simulator as a learning methodology and its effect on course repetition figures. A summary of how the software was developed and its validation through a simulation that allows to show the advantages of its use for electrical maneuvers, along with recent modifications, is provided. Results: The potentiality of the tool is shown by the simulation of an electric maneuver. Through the sample surveys, it was obtained that more than 80 % of the students affirm that the simulator was a useful tool for electrical maneuvers, since this topic was very difficult to learn; therefore, it can contribute to reduce course repetition rates. Conclusions: The inclusion of the simulator demonstrated the usefulness of this virtual tool for understanding the operation and maintenance of high and extra high voltage installations (electrical substations). This is framed by the concept of virtual laboratories and is valid for the training of science and engineering students, thus contributing to improve their performance in different subjects.

 Introduction: This article derives from the research titled Use of reversed-phase hplc for the determination of free formaldehyde content in nail polishes, conducted in 2015 at the Center for Applied Innovation in Competitive Technologies (ciatec). Method: The free formaldehyde content was determined in 50 samples of nail polishes of various brands marketed in León, Guanajuato, Mexico. Samples were treated according to the iso 17226-1:2003 method, with slight modifications: 2 ± 0.1 g of nail polishes were weighed in 100 ml Erlenmeyer flasks, 40 ml of 0.1 % sodium dodecyl sulfonate were added; the samples were then capped and left in a water bath at 40 °C under constant stirring for 60 minutes; they were subsequently filtered, and aliquots of each sample were taken for derivatization with 0.3 % 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine for 60 minutes. The analytical determination was achieved by reversed-phase hplc-diode array detection. Results: All nail polish samples tested were below the regulatory limit of 0.2 % free formaldehyde content in cosmetics. Conclusions: We obtained toxicologically relevant information on free formaldehyde in nail polishes, in addition to checking the versatility and robustness of the test method. 

Introduction: This article presents the variations in water quality in the upper basin of the Bogotá River by interpreting the results obtained from the semiannual monitoring conducted by the Cundinamarca environmental authority (Corporación Autónoma Regional - car) during 2008-2015. These results correspond to the research project Economic, social and institutional variables of greater influence over second generation indicators related to the water resource and its management, carried out by the research group Neotic of the School of Engineering, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Bogotá, during 2016. Method: Based on the information provided by car, the water quality index (wqi) established by the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (ideam) for Colombia was calculated. Results: The excessive use of agrochemicals in the upper basin of the Bogotá River has repercussions on it, since water quality already shows deterioration from this place. Anthropic factors are the main cause of pollution and environmental deterioration due to agroindustrial operations carried out around its waters. Conclusions: Although municipal mayors are aware of the problems of the Bogotá River and include mechanisms to address them in their municipal development plans, the results obtained demonstrate the need to formulate new environmental strategies or reformulate existing ones for the care and protection of this resource.

When I started writing this editorial for the journal Ingeniería Solidaria about innovation and entrepreneurship in Colombia, I wondered why in this country there is no Mark Zuckerberg (founder of Facebook), Steve Jobs (founder of Apple), Bill Gates (founder of Microsoft) or Jack Ma (co-founder of Alibaba), to name some of the most important innovators and entrepreneurs of recent times. Why could they succeed in the United States and China and we cannot do the same in Colombia, where there is so much talent?

Introduction: The results of three projects carried out at the Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Tepexi during 2014-2015 are presented, which were aimed at the development of one of the poorest regions in Mexico. Method: The first project consisted in the preparation of an oral hygiene product from the shoquillo plant (Rhus chondroloma), for which infusions of the plant with other species were evaluated, determining their acceptance through a sensory analysis. In the second project, a building block was made of marble cutting waste, which was combined with other construction products, and their physicochemical properties were determined based on the standards applicable to these products. The last project consisted in the manufacture of a strap from pet bottles, checking its resistance and elongation. Results: It is possible to develop a natural oral hygiene product that is pleasant to the senses when combining the plant extract with mint and peppermint. Using marble powder, a non-structural block was obtained, thus making use of this waste and avoiding pollution. The strap made from pet meets the requirements to be used by industries in the region. Conclusion: The projects have enabled the institute’s academic community to interact with the communities where they were carried out, since the main objective is to make an impact on the sustainable development of the region.