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The partial collapse of a building in Colombia caused severe damage to its structural components -- An implosion was realized to induce the collapse of 50% of the deteriorated building -- To evaluate the influence of the implosion on the remaining structure, a monitoring survey was realized using triaxial accelerometers -- Time signals associated with ambient, seismic and forced vibration were obtained -- A study of the records in the time and the frequency domain was made -- The analysis of the information allowed determining some structural properties that were useful to calibrate the analytical model of the structure

Se presenta la aplicación de una metodología que permite analizar la capacidad de un elemento estructural, basado en un predimensionamiento geométrico y una cuantía supuesta, deduciendo las curvaturas del equilibrio interno, para calcular los desplazamientos, las ductilidades y la fuerza sísmica máxima resistente, de manera que la aceleración estructural pueda ser verificada con el espectro de diseño de la zona sísmica del sitio, elástico o inelástico. Esta metodología permite realizar simultáneamente el análisis y el diseño estructural e ir teniendo en cuenta algunos parámetros importantes como la ductilidad y la capacidad de disipación de energía para el buen comportamiento de los puentes sometidos a fuerzas sísmicas. It proposes an application of a methodology that analyzes the ability of a structural element, based on a geometric pre-dimensioning and a reinforcement supposed, finding from internal equilibrium curvatures to calculate displacements, ductility's and seismic forces resistant, so that acceleration can be verified with the design spectrum of the seismic zone of the site, elastic or inelastic. This method allows simultaneous analysis and structural design and managing some important parameters for optimal seismic performance of bridges.

Objective Presenting the characteristics of a group of children who have been sexually exploited in Bogota, determining the prevalence of sexually-transmitted disease (STD) in this group of children and establishing the factors associated with STD in this population. Methodology This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. The medical charts of children aged 10 to 17 years who sought medical attention at Fundación Renacer between January 2002 and June 2004 were reviewed. The analysis included descriptive statistics, correlations and binomial logistic regression. Results 255 children's charts were included, producing the following characteristics: being female (58.8%), average age was 15.4, 5.9% were affiliated to social security, 89.8% engaged in substance abuse, 41.2% used family planning, 3.9% used a condom during every intercourse and there were 0.86 average pregnancies per female adolescent. Sexually-transmitted disease prevalence was 30.9%. The most common diseases were condilomatosis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection. Substance abuse and infrequent condom use were associated with a diagnosis of STD. Conclusion Child sexual exploitation is a reality in Colombia. In spite of the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that STDs are an important problem in the sexually-abused child population in Bogota. Preventing child sexual exploitation and integral attention for these children (including health service provision) must become a priority.

Objective. To identify the age, sex, mobility, education, work activity, working hours, street dwelling, and social security coverage in a group of children working in the streets in capital cities in Latin America. Material and Methods. Cross sectional study. A questionnaire was applied to 972 children working in the streets of Bogotá, Guatemala City, Mexico City, Quito and San Salvador. Results. A total of 63.3% subjects were boys; 39% were children from displaced families; 18% lived in the streets; 62% worked more than 40 hours per week; 19% were covered by the social security system, and 32% were street vendors. The behavior of variables differed significantly by city. Conclusion. Child labor in the streets is a dangerous activity characterized by long working hours and exposure to risk factors. Child work has different characteristics in each of the cities studied, which suggests that the solution to the problem must be designed on a case by case basis.