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.

Techno-economic feasibility analysis of photovoltaic systems in remote areas for indigenous communities in the Colombian Guajira

Abstract: Universal access to clean electricity can be achieved in harmony with measures aimed at reducing environmental burdens at a comparatively competitive investment cost. In this paper, we sized and conducted an economic analysis of three photovoltaic systems for installation in remote areas populated by indigenous communities. These alternative electricity access solutions were designed using a decision support framework that considers optimal system sizing, reliability and efficiency. The study considered three community size scenarios: small communities or Segment 1 (S1), medium communities or Segment 2 (S2) and large communities or Segment 3 (S3). Thanks to this information, we were able to estimate the energy demand within each scenario and design three optimized renewable energy systems. According to the results, the cost of energy was calculated as being COP $1,125, COP $1002 and COP $1159 per kWh for communities S1, S2 and S3, respectively. Scenario S2 is the cheapest option due to the lower average household income (COP $61.369 per month with respect to COP $81.975 and COP $86.460 for S1 and S3, respectively). Finally, the results clearly indicate that the cost per kWh could be as little as COP $450, COP $401 and COP $464 for segments S1, S2 and S3, respectively (values closer to the 2015 national average unit cost in kWh, which was COP $391 for the off-grid system), if the government were to subsidize up to 60% of the electricity supply cost. This shows that, under this assumption, the evaluated technology could be competitive alternative for meeting the energy needs of the target population.

Entendiendo las generaciones: una revisión del concepto, clasificación y características distintivas de los Baby Boomers, X Y Millennials

Abstract: La diversidad generacional que actualmente interactua en el lugar de trabajo representa un reto para las organizaciones, ya que resulta mas complejo el desarrollo de acciones encaminadas a atraer y fidelizar al talento humano. El presente articulo describe el concepto del termino “generacion” analizando los enfoques de diversos autores. Asi mismo, se clasifican los diferentes grupos generacionales que han existido en la sociedad, de acuerdo con la fecha en que emergen y son relevados por la siguiente generacion. Finalmente, se incluye una perspectiva resumida de las generaciones Baby Boomer, Generacion X y Generacion Y o Millennials, haciendo enfasis en aspectos como actitud hacia el trabajo, principales motivantes y sus preferencias en educacion. Lo anterior constituye un valioso aporte hacia la comprension de las caracteristicas de los grupos generacionales que convergen en el lugar de trabajo, brindando a las organizaciones informacion util tanto para el desarrollo de estrategias efectivas para la seleccion, fidelizacion y motivacion de su fuerza laboral como para aprovechar las fortalezas de cada grupo generacional

Enhanced Zika virus susceptibility of globally invasive Aedes aegypti populations.

Abstract: The drivers and patterns of zoonotic virus emergence in the human population are poorly understood. The mosquito Aedes aegypti is a major arbovirus vector native to Africa that invaded most of the world’s tropical belt over the past four centuries, after the evolution of a “domestic” form that specialized in biting humans and breeding in water storage containers. Here, we show that human specialization and subsequent spread of A. aegypti out of Africa were accompanied by an increase in its intrinsic ability to acquire and transmit the emerging human pathogen Zika virus. Thus, the recent evolution and global expansion of A. aegypti promoted arbovirus emergence not solely through increased vector–host contact but also as a result of enhanced vector susceptibility.