Towards Smart City Governance. Case Study: Improving the Interpretation of Quantitative Traffic Measurement Data through Citizen Participation.

Citizens play a core role in sustainable cities as users of the services delivered by cities and as active participants in initiatives aimed at making cities more sustainable. This paper considers the role of citizens as information providers and discusses the conditions under which citizens can participate in the development of sustainable cities. The objective of this study is to document the sustainability of an urban transit system and evaluate its compliance, with citizen participation as a major contributor. The methodology used is intensive field visits, interviews, and a mixed analysis of Sant Andreu de Palomar District in Barcelona city. The circulating vehicles are quantitatively monitored, qualitative problems are detected, and the typology of vehicles and other aspects identified and detailed in the study are indicated. All this information is contrasted with that of the technological sensors in the sectors. The results indicate that vehicles in the current pattern of urban density planned under incorrect sensor operation influence sustainable behavior through agglomerative clustering. This paper provides recommendations for future urban sustainability assessment research, including the employment of mixed-methods research, among other strategies. This article is intended to assist policymakers and traffic engineers in evaluating the sustainability of urban transportation infrastructure projects considering citizens as sensors.

Mixed Assessment of Virtual Serious Games Applied in Architectural and Urban Design Education.

The creation and usage of serious games on virtual reality (VR) and/or interactive platforms for the teaching of architecture, construction, urban planning, and other derived areas, such as security and risk prevention, require design processes, studies, and research that lead to further consolidation expansion. In that sense, this paper presents two main aims developed: the improvement of a virtual navigation system through the results of previous user studies and mixed research (quantitative and qualitative) improved based on the user perception for educational and professional uses. The VR system used is based on Unreal Engine programming of the HTC Vive sensor. This study is related to the GAME4City 3.0 and a broader project focused on gamified visualization and its educational uses in architectural and urban projects. The results reflect great interest, good usability, and high motivation for further usage for all types of users. However, an apparent resistance to deepen its use continues to be perceived in academia. Based on the research results, weak points of educational gamified systems have been identified, and the main differences and needs in user profiles' function. With these data, progress regarding implementing this kind of system at the teaching and professional levels must be pursued.

Assessment of a Fenton reaction driven by insoluble tannins from pine bark in treating an emergent contaminant.

Iron ligands as 1,2-dihydroxybenzenes (1,2-DHBs) have been used to increase the oxidizing ability of Fenton systems. However, these kinds of ligands become toxic quinones in the process creating an environmental problem since these compounds cannot be easily separated from a solution. To avoid this problem, in the present work, water-insoluble tannins, obtained from Pinus radiata bark, were used as a source of 1,2-DHBs to promote the oxidizing ability of the Fenton process. The developed system was tested using atrazine, as a substrate, which is a toxic and recalcitrant compound, present in different sources of water. The best reaction conditions established by the experimental design were as follows: pH of 3.6; 2.4 mmol L-1 of H2O2; 150 µmol L-1 of Fe(III); and 800 mg L-1 of tannins. A significant increase in the efficiency of the degradation of atrazine by the heterogeneous Fenton process was observed under these conditions. The repetitive use of the insoluble tannins for Fenton-like processes showed a similar oxidizing ability and did not produce the lixiviation of phenols or other aromatic compounds. Together, the results showed that insoluble tannins could be used safely at least five times to promote the reactivity of Fenton systems.

Relación de la percepción del acudiente del menor sobre la calidad del servicio asistencial de vacunación y su adherencia al programa ampliado de inmunización / Relationship of the children caregiver perception on the quality of care vaccination service and its adherence to the expanded immunization program / Relacionamento de guardião da percepção da criança sobre a qualidade do serviço de vacinação e cuidados de sua adesão ao programa de imunização ampliada

Objetivo: determinar la relación de la percepción del acudiente del menor sobre la calidad del servicio asistencial de vacunación y su adherencia al Programa Ampliado de Inmunización en una institución de salud en Cúcuta. Materiales y Métodos: estudio descriptivo, corte transversal, con una muestra de 334 niños. Se aplicó el cuestionario de la Escala Servqual, evaluando las dimensiones de elementos tangibles: fiabilidad, capacidad de respuesta, seguridad y empatía. Se utilizó la escala de Linkert donde 1 es la menor calificación y 5 la mayor calificación. Resultados: los acudientes tienen una percepción de indiferencia del 55.7% e insatisfacción del 34.4% en la dimensión tangible porque en oportunidades carecen de información. Menor es el nivel de satisfacción en la fiabilidad con el 24.3% expresaron sentirse muy satisfechos con los tiempos de espera prolongados para el acceso al servicio. Mientras en la capacidad de respuesta, el 6.9% de los acudientes manifestaron estar satisfechos, opinión más frecuente en acudientes de niños entre los 2 y 5 años. Igualmente frente a la seguridad, la mayoría expresan un grado de satisfacción neutro, siendo más frecuentes en acudientes de menores de 1 año y medio de edad 61.2%. Para la empatía, se constata un nivel alto de insatisfacción donde solo el 5.1% se considera satisfecho frente a un 43.1% de insatisfacción. Conclusión: los usuarios se encuentran vinculados al servicio de vacunación por demanda y necesidad pero es evidente que se debe fortalecer todas las dimensiones de forma integral.

Objective: to determine the relationship of the child´s caregiver perception on the quality of care vaccination service and its adherence to the expanded immunization program in a health institution in Cucuta city. Materials and Methods: a descriptive, cross-sectional, with a sample of 334 children, Servqual Scale questionnaire was applied, testing the dimensions of tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy. Linkert scale is used, where 1 is the lowest rating and 5 is the highest rating. Results: the caregivers have perceived indifference of 55.7% and 34.4% dissatisfaction in the tangible dimension opportunities because they have a certain lack of information. The lower level of satisfaction with the reliability 24.3% reporting a very good feeling of satisfaction with long waiting times for accessing to the service. While responsiveness 6.9% of caregivers were satisfied. That is the more frequent opinion of caregivers of children between 2 and 5 years old. Facing security, most of them have a neutral level of satisfaction, being more frequent in caregivers of children under 1 year and a half old 61.2%. For empathy, there is a high level of dissatisfaction where only 5.1% is satisfied compared to 43.1% of dissatisfaction. Conclusion: Users are attached to the vaccination service by demand and need but it´s evident to strengthen all dimensions integrally.

Objetivo: para determinar a relação do guardião percepção da criança sobre a qualidade do serviço de vacinação e cuidados de sua adesão ao Programa Alargado de Vacinação em uma instituição de saúde em Cucuta. Materiais e Métodos: estudo descritivo, transversal, com uma amostra de 334 crianças, questionário Servqual Escala foi aplicada, avaliando as dimensões de tangibilidade, confiabilidade, receptividade, segurança e empatia. Linkert escala em que 1 é a classificação mais baixa e 5 a mais alta classificação é usado. Resultados: os cuidadores têm percebido a indiferença de 55,7% e 34,4% insatisfação nas oportunidades dimensão tangíveis por falta de informação. Quanto mais baixo o nível de satisfação com a fiabilidade com 24,3% relataram sentir-se muito satisfeito, com longos tempos de espera para o acesso ao serviço. Enquanto a capacidade de resposta, 6,9% dos cuidadores estavam satisfeitos, guardiões de opinião mais freqüentes de crianças entre 2 e 5 anos. Também contra mais segurança, expressando um grau de satisfação neutra, sendo mais freqüente em cuidadores de crianças menores de 1 ano e meio de idade 61,2%. Para empatia, um alto nível de insatisfação onde apenas 5,1% está satisfeito em comparação com 43,1% de insatisfação é encontrado. Conclusão: Utilizadores estão ligados à demanda de serviços de vacinação e precisa, mas claramente deve ser reforçada todas as dimensões de forma holística

Características sociodemográficas asociadas a la sobrecarga de los cuidadores de pacientes diabéticos en Cúcuta / Demographic characteristics associated with overload of caregivers of diabetic patients in Cúcuta

Introducción: Determinar la asociación entre las características sociodemográficas con el grado de sobrecarga en los cuidadores de pacientes diabéticos del Hospital Universitario ERASMO MEOZ durante el año del 2010 y primer semestre del 2011. Materiales y Métodos: Trabajo de investigación de abordaje cuantitativo descriptivo correlacional. Previa autorización de las directivas de la institución, de la verificación del cumplimiento de criterios de inclusión y de la participación voluntaria con consentimiento bajo información, se aplica en 252 cuidadores dos instrumentos caracterización sociodemográfica de los cuidadores y escala de sobrecarga del cuidador de Zarit. Resultados: Respecto a las características demográficas y grado de sobrecarga, se reportó asociación estadísticamente significativa en las variables género, edad, estado civil, ocupación, y horas de cuidado; contrario al nivel de escolaridad, estrato de la vivienda y parentesco en las que no encontró relación directa con la percepción de sobrecarga. Discusión y Conclusiones: En el estudio algunas variables del perfil sociodemográfico del cuidador y de la provisión del cuidado aparecen fuertemente relacionadas con la percepción de sobrecarga de éste. Lo encontrado plantea la necesidad de la participación de enfermería en la definición de estrategias concretas y comprometidas en el diagnostico precoz y tratamiento oportuno de los efectos adversos por sobrecarga, y en la adopción de medidas necesarias para su control.

Introduction: To determine the existent association among the sociodemographic characteristics with the burden stress level of caretakers of diabetic patients in the ERASMO MEOZ University Hospital during the year 2010 and the first semester of the year 2011. Materials and Methods: Quantitative research work of descriptive correlational approach. Previous approval by the board of directors of the institution on the verification of the compliance of standards of inclusion and voluntary participation with consent under knowledge applicable to 252 participant’s two tools (socio - demographic characterization of caregivers and Scale of Zarit caregiver burden). Results: Regarding the demographic characteristics and the degree of overload, a significant statistic of association was reported in the different variables such as gender, marital status, occupation, time and number of hours spent as a caretaker; contrary to their age, level of education and social status, in which there no direct relationship found with the perception of the burden. Discussion and Conclusions: In the study variables of socio – demographic profile of the caregiver and care provision are strongly related to this perception of overload. This finding raises the need for nursing involvement in the definition of specific strategies and committed in the early diagnosis and treatment of adverse effects due to overload, and measures for their control.

Factores asociados a mortalidad por neumonía en un hospital de tercer nivel de Colombia / Factors associated to mortality due to pneumonia in a tertiary hospital of Colombia

Objetivos: determinar las variables asociadas con mortalidad por neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (NAC) en un hospital de Colombia. Materiales y métodos: estudio de corte transversal en pacientes mayores de 14 años con diagnóstico de NAC entre 1 enero 2010 y 30 marzo 2012. Se consideraron variables sociodemográficas, clínicas, paraclínicas y terapéuticas. se hicieron análisis bivariados y multivariados con paquete estadístico SPSS-20.0. Resultados: de 297 casos con NAC, hubo predominio masculino (53.5%), edad promedio 56.3±22.4 años. El 22.6% de los casos murieron. Las variables frecuencia cardiaca >120/minuto (OR:3.8; IC 95%:1.492-10.008, p = 0.005), sepsis (OR:6.7; IC95%:2.193-20.823, p=0.001), ingreso a unidad de cuidado intensivo (OR:8.9; IC 95%:2.831-28.592, p<0.001) se asociaron estadísticamente con riesgo de morir por NAC. Discusión: se identificaron los factores de riesgo asociados a mortalidad por NAC. Se debe implementar una guía de práctica clínica que cuantifique el riesgo para ofrecer la mejor atención posible y el cuidado necesario que identifique las variables relacionadas con un desenlace fatal. (ActaMed Colomb 2013; 38: 233-238).

Objectives: to determine the variables associated with mortality due to Community acquired Pneumonia (CaP) in a hospital in Colombia. Materials and methods: cross-sectional study in patients older than 14 years with a diagnosis of CAP between January 1st, 2010 and March 30th, 2012. Socio-demographic, clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic variables were considered. Bivariate and multivariate analyzes were performed with SPSS-20.0. Results: of 297 cases with CAP there was male predominance (53.5%); mean age 56.3 ± 22.4 years. 22.6% of patients died. The variables heart rate > 120/minute (OR: 3.8 , 95% CI:1.492-10.008, p = 0.005) , sepsis (OR : 6.7 , 95% CI :2.193-20.823, p = 0.001), admission to intensive care unit (OR: 8.9, 95% CI: 2.831 -28.592, p < 0.001) were statistically associated with the risk of death by CAP. Discussion: we identified risk factors associated with mortality due to CAP. It must implement a clinical practice guideline to quantify the risk to provide the best possible care and the care needed to identify the variables associated with a fatal outcome. (Acta Med Colomb 2013; 38: 233-238).