Universidad del Norte, Colombia

About: Universidad del Norte, Colombia is a education organization based out in Barranquilla, Colombia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 3562 authors who have published 4355 publications receiving 37861 citations. The organization is also known as: University of the North, Colombia & Uninorte.

Global Bacteria Optimization Meta-Heuristic: Performance Analysis and Application to Shop Scheduling Problems

Abstract: A large number of real-life optimization problems in economics and business are complex and difficult to solve. Hence, using approximate algorithms is a very good alternative to solve this class of problems. Meta-heuristics solution procedures represent general approximate algorithms applicable to a large variety of optimization problems. Most of the meta-heuristics mimic natural metaphors to solve complex optimization problems. This chapter presents a novel procedure based on Bacterial Phototaxis, called Global Bacteria Optimization (GBO) algorithm, to solve combinatorial optimization problems. The algorithm emulates the movement of an organism in response to stimulus from light. The effectiveness of the proposed meta-heuristic algorithm is first compared with the well-known meta-heuristic MOEA (Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm) using mathematical functions. The performance of GBO is also analyzed by solving some singleand multi-objective classical jobshop scheduling problems against state-of-the-art algorithms. Experimental results on well-known instances show that GBO algorithm performs very well and even outperforms existing meta-heuristics in terms of computational time and quality of solution. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61350-086-6.ch009

Relationship between measures of academic quality and undergraduate student attrition: the case of higher education institutions in the Colombian Caribbean region

Abstract: Undergraduate student attrition is a major concern in higher education. It is usually explained by the impact of student attributes; however, recent developments in student success literature point to the need of exploring institutional practices that may impact a student's decision to abandon their studies. The current weight of academic quality assurance for Colombian higher education institutions (HEI) and what such measures may mean for how HEI fulfill their missions indicates the need to consider a possible relation between such quality measures and undergraduate student attrition. Using official databases from the Colombian Ministry of Education for the year 2009, this study explores through analysis of variance the relationship between attrition and three measures of academic quality: accreditation status, professional test scores required to graduate (Saber Pro Exam) and the number of research groups at HEI. The scope of the study is the Colombian Caribbean region and the sample includes 19 HEI. S...

Compact device for controlling and modifying the pressure of a gas or a mixture of gases

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for controlling the pressure of a gas in a circuit by means of the generation of bubbles through a liquid, this effect being is used to produce a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The invention comprises a container containing a liquid; a bubble tube with one end located outside the liquid connected to a device connected to a patient's respiratory tract and the other end located within the liquid; and means for adjusting the level of liquid in the container. The device may also comprise, in addition to the aforesaid, means to stabilize the liquid level inside the container, humidifying and heating means located inside the container, and a gas-recycling system that conveys all or a portion of the gases generated in the container towards the humidifying and heating device.