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Since 2010, there has been an approximate annual increase of 1% in CO2 emissions due to buildings. The reduction of energy consumption and consequently the mitigation of Greenhouse Gases are global goals due to the global issue of climate change. A key step in achieving these goals is to improve the energy performance of buildings, thereby reducing energy consumption and emissions generated by the built environment. In this regard, the present research focuses on identifying and estimating strategies to reduce energy consumption in buildings known as Community Police Units (UPCs) located in the city of Guayaquil, which corresponds to a very hot and humid climate zone. The study consists of statistical analysis of the historical energy performance of 43 buildings sharing the same architectural design. Additionally, the selection of a representative building was made for energy use monitoring and energy simulation. The results revealed a potential saving of 16 000 kWh per year by reducing the control temperature of the air conditioning system by 1°C and adjusting the on/off schedule. This is equivalent to 1 150 USD and 5 metric tons of CO2 emissions.

La promulgación de la Ley 21.430 de Garantías de los derechos de la niñez y adolescencia, requiere una adaptación de la institucionalidad chilena cuyos objetivos, en síntesis, son el cambio de relación del Estado con niños, niñas, adolescentes y jóvenes, además de la generación de las condiciones necesarias para que ellas y ellos puedan ejercer sus derechos humanos. Adicionalmente el Estado requiere hacer un esfuerzo para superar las condiciones adversas con que llegan a este momento los grupos sociales identificados como niñeces y juventudes por la propia Ley. Finalmente se señalan las expectativas que este nuevo cuerpo legal generan para la incorporación de este sector en la vida societal si se implementara la Ley en todos sus contenidos. Su completa y adecuada implementación tendría un efecto generacional positivo en el grupo social niñez y juventud.

En el presente estudio se desarrolla una metodología para la unificación de datos eléctricos y catastrales mediante la aplicación combinada de herramientas SIG y SQL. Las principales técnicas de unión espacial utilizadas son: intersección espacial, unión de entidades por atributos y análisis de proximidad. Además, fueron aplicados principalmente algoritmos SQL de comparación y selección de datos. Como caso de estudio se utilizó información catastral y eléctrica de los clientes regulados por la Empresa Eléctrica Quito (EEQ) dentro del casco urbano de Quito. Se logró unificar el 25 % del total de registros. Además, se encontró que la distribución espacial de los datos unificados es homogénea dentro del área de estudio, y es cuantitativamente representativo en la mayor parte de parroquias. Finalmente se comprobaron los resultados mediante una validación en sitio, con lo que se verificó la validez de la metodología planteada. En base a los resultados obtenidos, el procedimiento de unificación expuesto en este estudio, puede ser replicado en otras zonas cuya información presente características similares a los datos manejados y así obtener un insumo importante para la definición de indicadores energéticos para calificación energética, comparativa o categorización de edificaciones.

Las estrategias para promover el uso eficiente de energía y el confort térmico han sido acciones aplicadas mundialmente. Siendo la variación de temperatura un factor preocupante para los gobiernos debido a la influencia por alcanzar las metas energéticas propuestas por los ODS. En este sentido, el comportamiento térmico al interior de una edificación podría estar relacionado a las condiciones externas y se pueden estimar a través de herramientas de simulación energética. Sin embargo, los resultados presentan diferentes niveles de incertidumbre debido a la calidad de datos meteorológicos, las propiedades de los materiales, los patrones de ocupación, así como la complejidad de generar procesos de evaluación térmica. Frente a esto, mediciones experimentales para evaluar el estado real de una edificación y así predecir su comportamiento respecto a la meteorología pueden tener un gran aporte. En este contexto, este estudio desarrolla una metodología para evaluar la incidencia del clima en el comportamiento térmico de una edificación. La evaluación se realiza en una vivienda prototipo experimental localizada en una región ecuatorial monitoreada por aproximadamente un año. Con los datos disponibles, se desarrollaron modelos de regresión lineal validados para estimar el comportamiento de la temperatura interior en función de una o varias variables ambientales. Los resultados del modelo de predicción de la temperatura interna del aire presenta un R2 de 0.41, en el peor de los casos cuando se disponga solo de la temperatura ambiente para la predicción, y un error experimental del 10%. Por lo tanto, esta metodología puede ser replicada en edificaciones de diferentes usos, clima y ajustada a la disponibilidad de datos.

Intestinal parasites are considered an important public health problem. The purpose of the research was to relate environmental sanitation to the prevalence of intestinal parasites in three urban communities of the Maracaibo municipality. Type of descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional research. The identification of risk factors for environmental sanitation was made through an epidemiological sheet, involving a total of 345 individuals, including as variables to investigate the sanitation: water storage, accumulation of garbage, presence of harmful fauna and overcrowding in housing. For the identification of intestinal parasites, a direct coproparasitological examination was performed with physiological saline solution and lugol. Statistical analyzes were performed applying frequency distributions, contingency tables and association of variables using the Chi square test, applying the SPSS V.20. Regarding the main risk factors of environmental sanitation, it was found: water storage (98%), garbage accumulation (94%) and presence of harmful fauna (92%). The prevalence of parasitosis was 46%, mainly by Blastocystis sp (72%), resulting in 65% monoparasitic. 48% presented inadequate environmental sanitation, 39% of the sample presented parasitosis when there is poor environmental sanitation. In conclusion, it was found that the prevalence of parasitic infections was high, as well as the associated risk factors, which led to an association between inadequate environmental sanitation and the presence of parasitosis in the studied communities.

To determine the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and its association with epidemiological characteristics, a cross-sectional study was conducted in two communities of the Maracaibo Municipality, State of Zulia. To collect data, an epidemiological record was used; 406 randomly selected individuals participated; for each one, a direct tological examination with SSF-Lugol was per formed. In dividuals over 18 years (72.1%) and females (51.4%) predominated. The overall prevalence of Blastocystis sp. infection was 38.9%; poly-parasitism predominated (54.4 %), identifying Endolimax nana (36.1%) as the most frequently associated commensal species, followed by Giardia intestinalis (22.1%), among the pathogens. There was significant association (p0.05). Limitations in community and personal hygiene standards are determinants for the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in these communities.

Rabies is a lethal zoonosis, and due to its wide distribution around the world, it constitutes a relevant problem for the public health system. It is an acute viral encephalomyelitis, transmitted by the bite of an infected animal. Rabies is endemic in the State of Zulia and has been a health problem of high social impact. The objective of this study was to determine the cases of urban rabies in the State of Zulia from 2007 to July 2013 and to identify its distribution according to municipalities and species. The research is descriptive; a documentary review of records from the Regional Zoonosis Coordination of the State of Zulia was carried out for the period under study. From the 2130 diagnosed samples, a total occurrence of 117 (5.49%) cases of urban rabies was found among the different municipalities; 116 of these cases were diagnosed in animals and one in a human being, a three-year-old girl from the Maracaibo Municipality. The highest occurrence was in the municipalities of Maracaibo (42.73%) and Lagunillas (23.08%). The study recommends coordinating extension activities in communities, based on responsible pet possession and handling as well as the need to optimize vaccination procedures as a measure to eliminate the risk of infection.

OBJETIVO:Apresentar nossa experiência em dacriocistorrinostomia endoscópica, discutindo os resultados com os encontrados na literatura. MÉTODOS: O material desse estudo consistiu de 16 dacricistorrinostomias realizadas em 12 pacientes acompanhados no período de 2009 a 2011. Analisamos sexo, idade no momento da cirurgia, etiologia da dacriocistite, quadro clínico, número de cirurgias necessárias para a correção, seguimento pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: Houve predomínio do sexo feminino em relação ao masculino (5:1) com idades entre 8 e 71 anos, com média de 35,2 anos. Com relação à etiologia, oito foram classificados como idiopáticos; três, pós-traumáticos e um iatrogênico. Os pacientes foram acompanhados em média durante o período de seis meses, com melhora dos sintomas. Apenas dois pacientes evoluíram com permanência de epífora, sendo um deles reoperado com êxito por via externa. CONCLUSÃO:A cirurgia endoscópica endonasal deve ser considerada nos pacientes com obstrução das vias lacrimais, devido ao seu alto índice de sucesso, além de ser um procedimento seguro, com menor morbidade e proporcionar melhor resultado estético.

Occupational exposure to biological fluids through mucocutaneous contact and related factors was determined through a descriptive study using a sample of 156 medical technicians working in public clinical laboratories in the metropolitan area of Zulia. A survey for data collection was designed which explored exposure and related factors such as compliance with post biological exposure measures. The age average of the bioanalysts was 41.9± 9.7; 87.2% were female. Results evidenced occupational exposure through mucocutaneous accidents, with a prevalence rate of 172.6 accidents for every 100 workers, represented primarily by splashes 44.3% and spray 32.7%, detected at amoderate level involving female workers with age ranges 54-60 and 26-32, 1-8 years on the job, during day shifts. Biological accidentality according to associate factors showed moderate exposure levels for all the biological fluids investigated in small volumes, at the level of the ocular mucosa, in sample processing and waste disposal areas. A medium compliance level was recorded for post-exposure handling, with a statistically significant difference (p>0.01) among the measures investigated. The magnitude and characteristics of exposure to biological fluids poses a problem that could impact personnel health, and it should be addressed institutionally to achieve effective prevention and risk control management.

A case of balantidiasis in an Amerindian Yukpa child with diarrhea due to Balantidium coli was reported in the Sierra de Perijá-Venezuela. The diagnosis was made with direct stool examination. The initial management included Metronidazol, with a satisfactory outcome.

Professional Social Work Education is commemorating 75 years of its contribution in addressing social problems and social welfare in India. While engaging layers of social realities, social work tries to create academic rigour, tests out new models and demands a statutory professional regulatory system. This article provides an overview on the issues, challenges and concerns of social work education in India. The first part details the historical development, the second part brings out various debates, the third part discusses the future concerns and challenges for social work education in India and it ends with a discussion.