vol. 12 núm. 20 (2016)

Introduction: This article is the result of the “Design and installation of a pneumatic system for Aeronautics Maintenance Technology students’ instruction (TMA)”. The research was conducted during 2014 and 2015 by the Police Aviation School research group (esavi), attached to the National Directorate of Schools (DINAE). Methodology: design and construction of a lab with a pneumatic system for handling aviation materials and structures by the Aeronautics Maintenance Technology students. The pneumatic network in galvanized steel was used with a first generation Quincy compressor that the National Police has in the hangar of Mariquita, Colombia. For the construction and installation, laws that analyzed the behavior of gases applied in the installation of the existing pneumatic network had to be studied. Results: the pneumatic system was installed as a teaching tool in order to improve the skills of knowledge to students. The pneumatic system created maintained constant pressure between 90-100 psi at the six work points adapted in the pneumatic system required for the operation of the tools used in the aviation field. Conclusions: the classroom designed allowed simulating actual working conditions to ensure that students gain the skills for future job performance

Introduction: This article is a derivative research product from the project “Use of waste waters as alternative substrate to generate microalgae biomass”, developed by the Environmental and Bioprocessing Engineering Research Incubator (SIIAB) of the Universidad Sergio Arboleda. The project was implemented during the year 2015. The objective of the research was to evaluate the use microalgae Scenedesmus sp. as a processing tool of industrial waste waters produced in a textile company located in Bogota (Colombia) that presents high concentrations of heavy metals, aluminum and inorganic nutrients, all of which can alter the quality of superficial and subterranean body of waters. Methodology: The research evaluated three different dilutions of waste waters (100 %, 50 % and 20 %) in order to assess the effect the industrial effluent has on the growth of microalgae during a 15-day period. Results: A faster growth of Scenedesmus was obtained in undiluted water (100 % concentration) and in such a way were obtained reductions in aluminum (of 88.8 %), chrome (of 85.21 %), nitrates (of 99.81 %) and nitrites (of 99.9 %), and to a lesser degree in content of organic material (of 25.2 %). Discussion: The microalgae Scenedesmus sp. showed to contribute in phytoremediation on waste waters of the textile industry, which can be used as alternative substrate to generate microalgae biomass.

Introduction: This research is part of the project “Algorithm model for the implementation of configurations on network devices”, ascribed to the Master’s Degree of Information and Communications Sciences of the District University Francisco Jose de Caldas during the years 2015 and 2016. The detected issue is the search of configurations in network devices, which has proven to be a complex and repetitive task due to the wide variety of existent configurations. Methodology: This article presents the development of two domain-specific languages (dsl) based on mde. One is graphic: cnpGraph, and the other is textual: cnpText, as a proposed solution to the problem. Each tool generates a document with network protocols configurations required for network devices, regardless of the devices being routers or switches. Results: The tests were conducted using different scenarios and configurations, and comparing the search times through the use of domain-specific languages and conventional searches. The results show that cnpGraph and cnpText reduce in over 80 % the time used in finding the required configurations. Discussion: The main characteristic of both cnpGraph and cnpText is the possibility of increasing the amount of protocols and private brands of routers and switches, as well as associating protocols with the purpose of adding new network devices from different manufacturers and to access the necessary configuration in order to stablish every type of network.

Introduction: This article is the result of research carried out in the master’s thesis titled “Road and Railway transport mode choice model for general cargo to be xportedimported. Application to the Medellin-Port of Cartagena road system”, by Universidad Nacional de Colombia. The purpose of the research is to develop a diagnosis of the railway system in Colombia to discover the reasons why the Colombian industry, after mainly using the railway system to transport its goods for more than 100 years, is not using this mode of transport at present, to assess future possibilities to use this system for the transport of goods. Methodology: A qualitative research was conducted in this study to analyze the evolution of the railway from its creation to its decline and the current status of the Colombian railway system for the transport of goods. A focus group was then carried out to establish why the Colombian industry does not use the railway. Results: These reasons mainly include the lack of suitable infrastructure for the transfer of goods and the reliability of such mode of transport. Conclusions: The need to facilitate the implementation of a multimodal integration for freight transport in Colombia is huge; thus, the Colombian Government may influence the variables considered relevant for the industry to use the railway system when upgrading the railways.

Introduction: This article is the result of the research project “Analysis of energy opportunities with alternative sources in the Department of Nariño —Alternar”, conducted from the year 2014 to early 2016, by the Universidad de Nariño, in cooperation with the Universidad de los Andes and asc Ingenieria s. a. e. s. p., and the support of the Nariño Governorate Office. The project was financed by the General System of Royalties during the year 2014 in Colombia. The objective of the research is to propose a structure for an inclusive and sustainable leveraging of local resources for the generation of energy, by investigating Intelligent Networks technology and micro-grids applied to un-interconnected zones (zni). Methodology: The studies were conducted in two populations of the Pacific region of Nariño, where the coverage index of the energy grid is very low (2-5 hours/day). The following steps were performed to determine the energy potential of every zni: geographic and socioeconomic characterization of the location, characterization of energy demand, characterization of forestry waste, design of the gasification and hybrid system installations, and predesign of the electric grid. Results: In the two zni of the study, the hybrid system equipment is described using simulations of optimization in Homer. Discussion: It is feasible to use forestry waste for the energization of zni with sustainable energy in order to minimize dependence of fossil fuels and thus reducing the production of greenhouse gases.

Introduction: This article is a case study of the project “Energy quality directed to harmonic values in the lighting systems used in traffic light intersections of the city of Bogota, D. C.”. The project was conducted during the year 2015 by the Universidad Distrital Francisco Jose de Caldas. Methodology: The measurements were directed to harmonic distortions and power factors in the lighting systems -type led in Bogota, incandescent and halogen, to contrast with the recommended thd levels for every type in iec 61000-3-2. A digital meter, model everfine pf9811, was used in the analysis. Results: Significant harmonic distortion and encumbrance of the grid were determined when using the new led lighting system, which renders a significant drop in energy quality with which the control equipment operates. Discussion: Technical challenges are evidenced for the start-up of intersections due to electromagnetic disturbances that affect the electric grid caused by new lighting technologies. Because of that, the electromagnetic disturbances in the electric grid must be mitigated or eradicated. The conclusion and recommendation of the case study is the observation of existent base values in this article and in new research.

Introduction: This article is the result of the research “Assessment of torque and power in an internal combustion engine using partial mixtures of biodiesel at 2,800 masl (meters above sea level), according to the norm sae j1349 and inen rte 017”, conducted by the research group of the Faculty of Motor Vehicle Engineering of the International University of Ecuador (Quito), from May 1, 2014 to July 13, 2015. The research concluded biodiesel’s behavior at certain heights, specifically at 2,800 masl, using partial mixtures of biodiesel with Colombian and Ecuadorian nationally produced biodiesel. Methodology: The comparative mathematical analysis is described of biofuel samples in percentages of B5, B10 and B30, furnished by the company Lafabril, while taking into account environmental factors native of the country where the tests were being conducted. Results: The data produced in the lab was quantitatively substantiated with partial mixtures of biodiesel, and in such a way were obtained the curvatures of torque and power, as well as the emission of particulate matter. Discussion: Using the characteristics of local fuel and their respective partial mixtures of biofuel, a decrease of particulate matter and efficient values of torque and power in biofuel B30 were obtained, being this last one the most stable and regular,since it didn’t produce spikes in the obtained information.

Introduction: This research article is an update of the project “Expert System for the selection of plastic materials for the design and preparation of new products”, developed in 1990 by the Central University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas. The objective of the current research, conducted in the year 2015 by the Cooperative University of Colombia, is to update the expert system developed in 1990. Methodology: The Common kads methodology was used for the development of the expert system, which allows the structuration of knowledge by creating a distinction between different domains of application, task and inference, thus enabling the reuse of components. During the inference process, a search direction directed by objectives was used, due to the characteristics of knowledge contained in the bases, in which the inference process is initiated without preliminary information.  Results: The newer version of the system improves the inferences, offers a more user-friendly interface and extends knowledge. Discussion: The addition of knowledge bases, adapted to new situations, has an effect in the elicitation of better and more substantiating research answers, and the implementation of the new system over ucShell 3.0 provides a remarkable improvement in the interface, including the possibility of offering images and video during the inference process and admitting knowledge bases of any size while facilitating their exchange.

It is common to associate entrepreneurship with a need —usually when something hard to face occurs— the loss of a job we considered stable and secure, often unexpectedly. Creating a business then becomes a way out, starting a business becomes a necessity. And then, we begin to think that everything we learned so far is no longer useful to face this new situation. This is because we were trained for a few decades, to have “a formal job that would last a lifetime”.

Introduction: This article is the result of the research titled “Sustainability of sugar cane bagasse utilization in Valle del Cauca, Colombia”, developed in 2015 at the Faculty of Environmental Engineering at the Universidad Santo Tomás. Methodology: the sustainability of sugarcane bagasse utilization produced in the Valle del Cauca was determined using the integrated sustainable development indicator S3 and the biogram developed by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). For this analysis, a diagnosis of the current bagasse utilization was performed; variables and periods involved were defined, the indicator was calculated and the sustainability of bagasse utilization was analyzed. Results: the result of the current sugar cane bagasse utilization sustainability is 0.51, which represents an average sustainability for the periods evaluated. Conclusions: It was concluded that the most important aspects to improve sustainability include environmental dimension discharge management, improvements on the productivity of bagasse in the economic dimension and greater coverage of programs in the social dimension.

Introduction: This article is the result of the research project “Ecological Station based on renewable energies” currently developed by the Research Group on Technology and environment (gita) of the Corporación Universitaria Autónoma del Cauca and funded by the Human Talent Education Network Project for Social and Productive Innovation in the department of Cauca (InnovAcción Cauca), for a period of one year (September 2015 to 2016, the same month). Methodology: A review of the literature regarding the management of usable non-hazardous waste RnPA) is made, and includes technological trends and Management strategies. Additionally, a comparison is made based on the objectives of environmental education and major gaps and voids present when handling RnPA. Results: the architecture of an eco-friendly station (eco-station) as a pedagogical strategy, which integrates different forms of learning into the management RnPA during the collection stage.  Conclusions: material detection systems, user interaction, selection of waste and renewable energy supply within the eco-station streamline the learning process in the management and collection of RnPA at the source.

Introduction: This article is the result of reading, review, analysis of books, magazines and articles well known for their scientific and research quality, which have addressed the software quality testing process. The author, based on his work experience in software development companies, teaching and other areas, has compiled and selected information to argue and substantiate the importance of the software quality testing process. Methodology: the existing literature on the software quality testing process was analyzed at a local, national and global context. The ScienceDirect, Elsevier, Springer, Wiley Online Library, Proquest, Engineering Village, Scopus, Dialnet databases were thoroughly reviewed.  Results: important concepts are described in the testing process, characteristics, methodologies and frameworks focused on the proper implementation of a testing process. Conclusions: The Article gives rise to results and conclusions in order for software product development companies to improve performance, effectiveness and optimization of software quality testing processes, and it is also a fundamental base to undertake software quality research processes.

Introduction: This article is the result of the research “Importance of the CRM Software simplicity from the user’s perspective”, conducted by the Research Group in Interoperability in Academic Networks (GIIRA) of the District University Francisco Jose de Caldas, during the year 2015. Methodology: The Kanban method was implemented in the Open Source Vtiger-based platform, and 20 user companies were monitored for data collection in order to compare their usage with the information obtained during the first semester of 2015. During that period, the platform had an interface similar to Vtiger’s.  Results: 85 % of the companies increased their use of the platform significantly up to 310 %. The other 10 % did not present significant variations, and the remaining 5 % registered a decrease in their use of the platform. Discussion: The implementation of the Kanban method in the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software allows access to commercial management information in an organized manner, thus highlighting key facts that are easily conclusive, and redirecting additional information, if necessary.