Zeitschriftenartikel zum Thema „Gasoline vapor control“

In practice, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pollution can exist when refueling due to the properties of the gasoline, low viscosity and high saturated-vapor pressure. A new gasoline vapor recovery system involving frequency conversion technology and machine learning is developed to cope with this problem. In the proposed system, firstly, the pumping capacity of the vacuum pump is evaluated, and test shows an almost linear relationship between suction volume and frequency. Then, the Multi-Layer Perception (MLP) neural network and the support vector regression (SVR) are employed to predict the gas-liquid ratio, and the numerical examples are presented to prove the high prediction accuracy of the MLP and SVR, respectively, where the MLP neural network has better generalization ability. Finally, compared with the two gasoline vapor recovery systems based on the 1: 1 fixed control model and the PID control model, respectively, the gasoline vapor recovery efficiency is improved significantly by the new gasoline vapor recovery system.

In practice, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pollution can exist when refueling due to the properties of the gasoline, low viscosity and high saturated-vapor pressure. A new gasoline vapor recovery system involving frequency conversion technology and machine learning is developed to cope with this problem. In the proposed system, firstly, the pumping capacity of the vacuum pump is evaluated, and test shows an almost linear relationship between suction volume and frequency. Then, the Multi-Layer Perception (MLP) neural network and the support vector regression (SVR) are employed to predict the gas-liquid ratio, and the numerical examples are presented to prove the high prediction accuracy of the MLP and SVR, respectively, where the MLP neural network has better generalization ability. Finally, compared with the two gasoline vapor recovery systems based on the 1: 1 fixed control model and the PID control model, respectively, the gasoline vapor recovery efficiency is improved significantly by the new gasoline vapor recovery system.

Tightness, dynamic back pressure and air to liquid volume ratio (A/L) of vapor recovery system of gasoline filling stations were detected, VOCs was analyzed by GC, in-station diagnostic operation status was inspected by site investigation. The results denoted that the modification of gasoline filling stations was not complete and the installed vapor recovery systems didn’t operate under normal state. Insufficient understanding on vapor recovery control, poor management and unsuitable regulations resulted in these problems. Some solutions such as enhancing the propaganda, making preferential policies, holding training for the connected staffs, maintenance in time, and revising the unsuitable regulations were proposed. This study has positive significance in promoting vapor recovery control developed in China.

This paper studied gasoline vapor combustion catalyzed by Pd/Al2O3 in oxygen-poor condition. By adjusting the gasoline vapor and oxygen, the inlet temperature and flow rate, collecting data of temperature difference between outlet and inlet as well as the change of gas mixture, the study analyzed the various factors in the catalytic combustion process, and optimized the process control parameters. The results indicated that catalytic combustion was more efficient at the ignition temperature of 274 °C, burned 50% of gasoline vapor in oxygen-poor condition (O2 fraction was 12%).

Many state and local air pollution control agencies are considering rules that would require recovery of vapors from marine loading operations to help meet EPA-mandated ozone level regulations. Most of the proposed rules will require recovery of vapors from crude oil and gasoline loadings. Several marine vapor recovery systems designed for dedicated ships in a dedicated trade have been operated successfully over the past few years, but a universal system has yet to be designed. This paper describes the basic principles of vapor recovery systems as they pertain to inerted tankers. The Gaviota Marine Terminal Vapor Recovery System and other marine systems are briefly described. Complications caused by the impending local or national vapor recovery rules and remaining safety concerns are also discussed.

This paper provides the results of an experimental research on the performance of catalytic combustion of gasoline vapor. A packed bed reactor was built to test the effect of inlet temperature and concentration on catalytic combustion of gasoline vapor over Pd/Al2O3. The study shows that catalytic combustion is a cost-effective and environmental friendly method to control this kind of emission. The light-off temperature is quite low and full conversion rate is easy to achieve. Meanwhile, the method of controlling the bed temperature is proposed to avoid sintering if the technology is utilized in larger-scale equipment.

Bioethanol and dimetyl carbonate (DMC) are considered alternative fuels and additives to the synthesis compounds used now, since bioethanol is a biofuel and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is non-toxic, biodegradable and can be produced in a cleaner way. In this study, the effect of adding dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and ethanol to gasoline on the volatility was investigated. The volatility was the main goal of this research but also, the effect on the antiknock properties was studied. Mixtures of gasoline with DMC or with bioethanol were prepared in different proportions of additive: 3%, 6% and 9% v/v. Additionally, mixtures with 3% v/v ethanol plus 3% or 6% v/v DMC, and3% DMC plus 6% v/v ethanol were prepared. For the volatility evaluation, the ASTM distillation curve and vapor pressure of these mixtures were determined experimentally in order to predict the performance of the resulting fuels. When adding oxygenated compounds, the increase in vapor pressure was proportional to the additive quantity. Additionally, modifications of the ASTM distillation curves were observed, with these indicating the formation of minimum boiling point azeotropes and the corresponding increase in volatility, with good effect on the ease of ignition in the engine. Based on the experimental results, the vapor lock index VLI, drivability index DI and vapor–liquid ratio temperature T(V/L=20) were calculated to quantify the volatility. The experimental results showed that gasoline mixtures with these oxygenated compounds show a significant increase in antiknock properties. Thus, for mixtures with ethanol, the research octane number (RON) increases by up to 2.2 units and the motor octane number (MON) increases by up to 1.2 units. Gasoline mixtures with DMC have another behavior: RON increased by up to 1.5 units, while the MON value increased by up to 2.5 units. For an initial gasoline with RON = 94.7 and MON 84.7, these increases are important and make the difference by exceeding the RON = 95 limit. Adding dimethyl carbonate to gasoline–ethanol blends improves the sensitivity of the fuel.

The evaporative emission control system (EVAP system) is the most commonly used strategy to limit the unburned petrol vapor emissions from a gasoline-fueled vehicle fuel tank, in order to comply with the international regulations on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emission. A carbon canister is used to collect and store the gasoline vapors generated in the tank, then it is purged by the engine intake manifold depression and the vapors are burned in the engine along with the fresh charge. In this activity, a 1.0 L carbon canister for European gasoline vehicles, provided by FCA, has been used for an experimental analysis, in order to characterize its adsorption and desorption behavior. A standard mixture of n-butane and nitrogen (40 g/h of n-butane, 50% vol. with nitrogen) has been used for loading the canister to breakthrough (2 g); canister purging has been performed with 3000 bed volumes of nitrogen flux at 25 L/min. Tests have been performed in FCA laboratories, at the Pomigliano Technical Center. Canister mass gain has been measured during the tests and after each test with a precision weight scale. Internal temperatures have also been measured by K-type thermocouples placed inside the carbon bed; due to the adsorption process, bed temperatures can reach 70 °C. After several tests, results on mass gain show an “aging” trend of the activated carbons.

In this article, we present the possibility of using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy to detect trace, ppm-level (%wt.) concentrations of admixtures in 95-octane lead-free gasoline in straightforward time-of-flight (pulse-delay) measurements performed directly in the liquid. The method was tested on samples containing 75–0.0125% of isopropanol and 0.3–0.0250% of water. The detection limits for isopropanol and water content were determined to be 125 ppm and 250 ppm, respectively, approaching the limits of much more complicated and time-consuming methods (like spectroscopy of the vapor phase). The measured pulse delays were compared with theoretical calculations using the modified Gladstone-Dale mixing rule for the solutions. The comparison demonstrated good agreement for gasoline-alcohol mixtures and large discrepancies for gasoline-water mixtures, suggesting that gasoline-water mixtures cannot be considered idealized binary mixtures. Our results clearly show that the pulse time delay measurement by THz-TDS is a fast and sensitive method of gasoline contamination detection and, as such, can be easily integrated with industrial online real-time quality control applications.

Current regulatory documents in Russia establish the need for testing laboratories to determine such parameters as saturated vapor pressure using the Reid method, air saturated vapor pressure, total vapor pressure of crude oil. In analytical practice, appropriate reference materials are used for measurement quality control, method validation, metrological traceability establishment, and other purposes. In addition, the calculation of various vapor pressure equivalents using correlation equations (DVPE – dry vapor pressure equivalent, RVPE – Reid vapor pressure equivalent, etc.) is regulated by appropriate methods for determining vapor pressure. Vapor pressure is a method-dependent parameter; so many producers of reference materials use interlaboratory experiment as a way to establish a certified value. Thus, when conducting an interlaboratory experiment in the process of certification of reference materials, it was revealed that laboratories can incorrectly interpret the obtained experimental data – consider values of the air saturated vapor pressure, total vapor pressure and even calculated vapor pressure equivalents as the Reid vapor pressure. To solve this problem, the authors of this work set the goal of assessing the equivalence of methods for determining the vapor pressure of oil and oil products used in testing laboratories in order to identify the key characteristics of the stated methods and assess their equivalence. The article discusses methods the vapor pressure determination using an automatic vacuum chamber and a Reid bomb. Various matrices of reference materials (hydrocarbons, gasoline, commercial oil, gas condensate) were investigated, and the calculated vapor pressure equivalents were obtained and compared. It was shown that the air saturated vapor pressure, dry vapor pressure equivalent, Reid vapor pressure equivalent, and total vapor pressure cannot be equated to the saturated vapor pressure values determined by the Reid method. A comparative assessment of methods for determining the vapor pressure of oil and oil products used in testing laboratories can be of assistance to developers of regulatory documents for oil, gas condensate, and motor gasoline, revealing the need to separate the requirements for vapor pressure parameters of the considered objects of analysis and providing empirical material.

Ground-level ozone has become the primary air pollutant in many urban areas of China. Oil vapor pollution from gasoline stations accelerates the generation of ground-level ozone, especially in densely populated urban areas with high demands for transportation. An accurate spatiotemporal distribution of ground-level ozone concentrations (GOCs) around gasoline stations is urgently needed. However, urban GOCs vary sharply over short distances, increasing the need for GOCs at a high-spatial resolution. Thus, a high-spatial resolution (i.e., 1 km) concentration retrieval model based on the GLM and BME method was developed to obtain the daily spatiotemporal characteristics of GOCs. The hourly ozone records provided by the national air quality monitoring stations and multiple geospatial datasets were used as input data. The model exhibited satisfactory performance (R2 = 0.75, RMSE = 10.86 µg/m3). The derived GOCs show that the ozone levels at gasoline stations and their adjacent areas (1~3 km away from the gasoline stations) were significantly higher than the citywide average level, and this phenomenon gradually eased with the increasing distance from the gasoline stations. The findings indicate that special attention should be given to the prevention and control of ground-level ozone exposure risks in human settlements and activity areas near gasoline stations.

Vaporization of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) compounds pollutes the air and causes health hazards at gasoline stations. This study revealed the risk of BTEX exposure according to the hazardous area classification at gasoline stations. The risk assessment of gasoline workers from a representative group of 47 stations, which followed the United States Environmental Protection Agency-IRIS method of assessing BTEX exposure, was expressed as the hazard index (HI). A result of matrix multipliers of the hazardous exposure index and fire possibility from flammable gas classified hazardous area-I and area-II at the fuel dispensers. BTEX concentrations were actively sampled in ambient air and a flammable gas detector was used to measure the flammability level. Results showed that the BTEX concentrations from ambient air monitoring were in the range of 0.1–136.9, 8.1–406.0, 0.8–24.1 and 0.4–105.5 ppb for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene, respectively, which exceeded the NIOSH exposure limit of 100 ppb of benzene concentration. The risk assessment indicated that five stations reached an unacceptable risk of worker exposure to BTEX (HI>1), which correlated with the numbers of gasoline dispensers and daily gasoline sold. The risk matrix classified hazardous area-I at 4 meters and hazardous area-II at 4–8 meters in radius around the fuel dispensers. This study revealed the hazardous areas at gasoline stations and suggests that entrepreneurs must strictly control the safety operation practice of workers, install vapor recovery systems on dispenser nozzles to control BTEX vaporization and keep the hazardous areas clear of fire ignition sources within an eight-meter radius of the dispensers.

Many researchers in industry and academia are showing an increasing interest in the definition of fuel surrogates for Computational Fluid Dynamics simulation applications. This need is mainly driven by the necessity of the engine research community to anticipate the effects of new gasoline formulations and combustion modes (e.g., Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition, Spark Assisted Compression Ignition) to meet future emission regulations. Since those solutions strongly rely on the tailored mixture distribution, the simulation and accurate prediction of the mixture formation will be mandatory. Focusing purely on the definition of surrogates to emulate liquid phase and liquid-vapor equilibrium of gasolines, the following target properties are considered in this work: density, Reid vapor pressure, chemical macro-composition and volatility. A set of robust algorithms has been developed for the prediction of volatility and Reid vapor pressure. A Bayesian optimization algorithm based on a customized merit function has been developed to allow for the efficient definition of surrogate formulations from a palette of 15 pure compounds. The developed methodology has been applied on different real gasolines from literature in order to identify their optima surrogates. Furthermore, the ‘unicity’ of the surrogate composition is discussed by comparing the optimum solution with the most different one available in the pool of equivalent-valuable solutions. The proposed methodology has proven the potential to formulate surrogates characterized by an overall good agreement with the target properties of the experimental gasolines (max relative error below 10%, average relative error around 3%). In particular, the shape and the end-tails of the distillation curve are well captured. Furthermore, an accurate prediction of key chemical macro-components such as ethanol and aromatics and their influence on evaporative behavior is achieved. The study of the ‘unicity’ of the surrogate composition has revealed that (i) the unicity is strongly correlated with the accuracy and that (ii) both ‘unicity’ and accuracy of the prediction are very sensitive to the high presence of aromatics.

Internal combustion Rankine cycle engine uses oxygen instead of air as oxidant during the combustion process in gasoline engine. Recycled fluid is employed to control the reaction rate and recycles the exhaust heat inside the cylinder as well. CO2 could be recaptured after separated from the exhaust gas (CO2 and water vapor) during condensation, and an ultra-low emission working cycle is achieved. Considering the side effects of water injection process, EGR is employed to control the combustion process and thermal efficiency of the oxy-fuel combustion cycle is calculated and optimized in this paper. Results show that the application of EGR could slow down the combustion process effectively, and appropriate EGR rate matched with ignition timing would control the reaction rate and cylinder pressure, therefore enhance the engine performance.

Isobutanol, one of the four isomers of butanol (C4H9OH), possesses some favorable properties that make it an attractive fuel for internal combustion engines. For instance, when compared to ethanol, isobutanol features a higher heating value and lower hygroscopicity (which prevents corrosion and enables it to be transported via pipelines). Moreover, its addition to gasoline does not distort the fuel blend’s vapor pressure to the same extent as ethanol does. All of this while having a high octane rating. Those advantages over ethanol suggest that isobutanol has the potential to be used as a gasoline oxygenate or even as a neat fuel. Furthermore, the advances made in biotechnology have enabled isobutanol to be produced from biomass more efficiently, allowing it to be used in compliance with existing renewable energy mandates. This article reviews some of the relevant literature dedicated to isobutanol as a motor fuel, covering its merits and drawbacks. Several studies on its combustion characteristics are also discussed. Most of the included literature refers to the use of isobutanol in spark-ignition (SI) engines, as its properties naturally lend themselves to such applications. However, isobutanol’s utilization in diesel engines is also addressed, along with a couple of low-temperature combustion examples.

Introduction (statement of the problem and relevance). While gasoline-powered vehicles generate a significant amount of hydrocarbons in the form of the fuel system emitted vapors, the main element of the system being the fuel tank, modern requirements for evaporative emission limits are significantly tightened. At the same time, the vaporization process parameters and the fuel vapor amount are determined by the dynamics of fuel heating in the tank under various modes of vehicle operation.The purpose of the research was to develop a “vehicle fuel tank” energy model, seeking to create an open thermodynamic system which can exchange matter and energy with the environment depending on the variable amount of fuel in the tank.Methodology and research methods. The analysis of heat flush connected to the fuel tank and taken away from it was being carried out. As a result of solving equations for open and closed thermodynamic systems, the parameters characterizing the thermal properties of the fuel tank were obtained.Scientific novelty and results. Additional complex parameters have been proposed, the main of which are: heat transfer of the tank; tank heat capacity; supplied heat flux; the rate of heat capacity change; tank emptying time; fuel heating acceleration factor; the maximum rate of change in temperature difference. To assess the heat and power properties of the fuel tank, an additional parameter of the sphere surface area ratio to the surface area of the same volume tank has been proposed, which allowed estimating the fuel tank heat transfer to the environment.Practical significance. Equations have been obtained that allow estimating the level of fuel temperature depending on the thermal properties and shape of the fuel tank in the absence and presence of fuel pump control.

This report provides an example of how a single source of contamination could potentially contribute to all routes of exposure. A modeling approach was used to estimate multiple exposure routes in an attempt to assess the health significance of gasoline-contaminated drinking water supplies. This model consisted of a two-compartment, indoor air quality equation that calculates the contribution made by ambient and indoor air contaminated by a pollutant volatilized from drinking water to that pollutant's inhalation burden. In addition, the model uses the traditional equations for assessing a pollutant's oral and dermal burdens. Benzene, toluene and xylene were used as surrogates for gasoline contamination to determine the contribution of contaminated water to adult and child body burdens from indoor air, oral (drinking water and food) and dermal exposure routes. The contribution thus calculated for each chemical was compared to the EPA's Office of Drinking Water Health Advisories. In terms of acute exposure, the use of chemically contaminated water for showering purposes may generate vapor in the confined area of the bathroom at levels sufficient to cause or contribute to mucous tissue irritation, as commonly reported in affected homes. High temperatures and humidity may also contribute to these effects, especially in the bathroom. In terms of chronic exposure, the use of chemically contaminated water at EPA-recommended guideline amounts in an affected home may result in inhalation, oral and dermal exposures leading to cumulative doses exceeding adult and child total daily body burdens based on EPA's Health Advisories. Thus, this model indicates that the traditional standard/guidelines derivation processes should be reevaluated to consider the pollutant contribution from multiple routes of exposure. The New Jersey Departments of Health and Environmental Protection conducted a study in which concentrations of several pollutants including benzene in the breathing zone were measured during a 15-minute shower in homes with contaminated water. The findings suggest that the air quality model used in the present study may satisfactorily predict the airborne concentrations of pollutants in, at least, the bathroom after showering with contaminated water (Pearson rank correlation coefficient of 0.773 with p = 0.0012 for n =14). The findings of the present study support the use of an adjustment factor for all exposure durations to account for exposures to other sources of the contaminant, i.e., urban, occupational, and food. A value of 20% seems appropriate based on the study's findings. However, it is more likely that this value may be too high considering that occupational and food exposures for most of the contaminants evaluated in the study were not accounted for. The generated values in this study are theoretical and, therefore, should be cautiously interpreted. Limitations of the model include inappropriate use of steady-state dermal absorption rates for the pollutants considered in this study, poor air stripping data, and background indoor air quality data, among others. However, given the limitations of the model, the inherent conservative approach employed in calculating body doses and drinking water guidelines, and the scant reports of ill health effects in households with gasoline-contaminated drinking water, the findings presented in this report should not be discounted and should suggest research efforts to confirm or refute the findings presented in this report. Primary research efforts should concentrate on evaluating dermal uptake of pollutants under initial rate conditions in varying temperatures of soapy water. The Maine Departments of Human Services and Environmental Protection are gathering case history information on several selected homes with contaminated drinking water that have not yet installed charcoal filters. The information gathered will include the results of air monitoring in the bathroom with the shower flowing, an assessment of the pattern of contaminated water use and health questionnaire, among others. The brief health questionnaire will concentrate primarily on acute effects to assess irritant potential of gasoline vapors in bathrooms. Similar information will be gathered from control homes for comparison.

Modeling the fuel injection process in modern gasoline direct injection engines plays a principal role in characterizing the in–cylinder mixture formation and subsequent combustion process. Flash boiling, which usually occurs when the fuel is injected into an ambient pressure below the saturation pressure of the liquid, is characterized by fast breakup and evaporation rates but could lead to undesired behaviors such as spray collapse, which significantly effects the mixture preparation. Four mono–component fuels have been used in this study with the aim of achieving various flashing behaviors utilizing the Spray G injector from the Engine Combustion Network (ECN). The numerical framework was based on a Lagrangian approach and was first validated for the baseline G1 condition. The model was compared with experimental vapor and liquid penetrations, axial gas velocity, droplet sizes and spray morphology and was then extended to the flash boiling condition for iso–octane, n–heptane, n–hexane, and n–pentane. A good agreement was achieved for most of the fuels in terms of spray development and shape, although the computed spray morphology of pentane was not able to capture the spray collapse. Overall, the adopted methodology is promising and can be used for engine combustion modeling with conventional and alternative fuels.

The present work was designed to investigate the changes in some hematological, biochemical parameters and lipid profile as well as possible protective role of vitamins C and E against gasoline vapors induced toxicity in male rats. The present results showed that gasoline 80 vapors significantly decreased (p?0.05) the concentration of total serum protein (TSP) and albumin concentrations and increased (p?0.05) in serum activities of serum aminotransferases (ALT and AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) compared to the control group. Also, exposure to gasoline 80 vapors induced significant decrease (p?0.05) in hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count (RBCs), packed cell volume (PCV) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) compared to control group. On the other hand, exposure to gasoline 80 vapors resulted in significant increase (p?0.05) in the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) relative to untreated experimental animals. However, concomitant treatment with gasoline vapors and administration of vitamins C and E exhibited a protective role on the observed toxic effect of gasoline vapors in male rats. The results of the present study indicated that toxic effects of gasoline vapors could be reduced by dietary supplementation of vitamins C and E.

This study investigated genetic damage in gasoline pump workers using the cytokinesis blocked micronucleus (CBMN) assay. Blood and urine samples were collected from 50 gasoline pump workers and 50 control participants matched with respect to age and other confounding factors except for exposure to benzene through gasoline vapors. To determine the benzene exposure, phenol was analyzed in urinary samples of exposed and control participants. Urinary mean phenol level was found to be significantly high ( P < 0.05) in exposed workers. The CBMN frequency was found to be significantly higher in gasoline pump workers (6.70 ± 1.78) when compared to control individuals (2.20 ± 0.63; P < 0.05). We also investigated influence of polymorphisms of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genes on CBMN frequency. The individuals having GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes had significantly higher frequency of CBMN ( P < 0.05). Our study indicates that chronic and long-term exposure of gasoline vapors can increase genotoxic risk in gasoline pump workers.

Trying to understand the causes of climate change can be confusing. On the one hand, methane (CH4) emissions from cattle, and methane emissions from food wastes in landfills, are said to contribute to greenhouse gases (GHGs) that drive climate change. People are working on feed additives for dairy cows to reduce their methane emissions. But, at the same time, cattle manure and food wastes can be fed into anaerobic digesters to convert these organic wastes to biogas; the resulting “renewable methane” or “renewable natural gas” (RNG), can be used in place of fossil natural gas and avoid extra GHG emissions and stop global warming. Can we have it both ways? Burning gasoline in our cars and trucks generates carbon dioxide (CO2), which is said to contribute to climate change. But more than 8 billion people on planet Earth, breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide every minute of the day. And so do all the other animals who live on this planet, breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Is our breathing also contributing to climate change, just as the emissions from our automobile tailpipes? It is time to step back from all the hype, evaluate the various sources of CO2 and CH4 being generated and review the “mass balance” of these gases in our atmosphere. Some of these are part of the natural biogenic carbon cycle and some are simply adding to the overall mass balance. What is driving climate change - excess GHGs from the biogenic carbon cycle, excess emissions from other sources, or both? Let’s take a fresh look at the available data. (Of course, water vapor also plays a part in the climate change story, as a “positive feedback” effect. As non-condensable GHGs rise in concentration and slightly warm the planet, slightly warming oceans add a bit more water vapor to the story and push the warming up a bit more). During the past few decades, a great deal of pertinent data has been carefully observed and recorded, by world-class scientists and engineers. This data is available in the public domain and is now easily available on the internet. These data sources come from reputable organizations, such as NASA (National Atmospheric and Space Administration), NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), USGS (United States Geological Survey) and international organizations such as the “Global Carbon Project” and “Our-World-in-Data”. How much of the growing concentration of CO2 (and CH4) in our atmosphere can be attributed to out-of-control emissions of biogenic carbon? How much of the CO2 rise can be attributed to fossil fuel emissions: 10%, 50%, 90%, or more? The available data appear to show that the emissions from burning fossil fuels, more than account for all of the rise of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere during the past 60 years, or longer. In comparison, the biogenic carbon cycle data seem to be very consistent, year after year, decade after decade and have little or no impact on climate change. But, let’s have a closer look at the available data, and let the data speak for itself.

This article presented a possible protective solution to the diverse health problems associated with human beings inhaling routine anthropogenic airborne particulates and micro-organisms by introducing some regular user friendly barrier covering implements i.e. narrows it down to zero pollutant inhaled for each person’s health care protection via the introduction of cosmetic-style barrier coverings, for the individual sense organs (i.e. nose-mouth-eye). Comprehensively, the atmosphere air is a mixture of several gases, consisting of three main components (78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% argon), water vapor, trace gases such as the noble gases (neon, helium, krypton, and xenon); greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone); and the other gases such as hydrogen, iodine, carbon monoxide, ammonia, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide, etc. Furthermore, particulate matter (PM) a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets, such as dust, dirt, soot (a.k.a. black carbon), smoke, and smog-causing pollutants such as oxides of nitrogen (NOx), oxides of sulfur (SOx), are regularly being released into the atmosphere by human activities (anthropogenic sources). Along with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) i.e. chemical gases released from solid and liquid chemical products such as detergents, pesticides, printer supplies, adhesives, furniture, electronics, paints (and many other products), gasoline vapors, power plants and automobile exhaust, re-occurring wildfires and bush burning in different parts of the world (e.g. Canada, Brazil, California, etc.). Specifically, the June 2023 Canadian wildfire, whose smoke drifted into the northeast United States, and then temporarily made New York City “the most polluted city on the planet”, plus, the occasional air borne viruses and bacteria diseases (particles and respiratory droplets), during pandemics e.g. influenza, corona virus disease 19 (COVID-19), the common respiratory syncytial virus (RSV-a seasonal virus, characterized by variable epidemiology, depending on geographic area and climate) that share many similar symptoms as corona virus, etc. Most notably, this July 22, 2023 Erika Edwards report on “tripledemic” quoted Dr Mandy Cohen (director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), as saying that the American people are expecting to have three bugs out there, “three viruses: COVID, of course, flu and RSV”. This means that many Americans will be urged to get three different vaccinations this fall: COVID, RSV and the annual flu shot. “But that will be a challenge for the health care system, (said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases expert and professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center), at a time when there’s already vaccine fatigue”. The pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHGs- CO2, CH4, N2O, O3, etc.) do not only contributing to climate change (e.g. global warming the emphasis in my first and second articles) but are also the major air, water, and soil pollution that already afflictsmany cities/countries globally today. Air pollutants with the strongest evidence for public health concern include particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).

Purpose. To substantiate the possibility of using thermocatalytic sensors in systems for monitoring working conditions to control the content of gasoline vapours in the air of the working area of oil and fuel facilities. Research methods. The paper applies analytical methods for studying the processes occurring in thermocatalytic sensors, which are based on the basic provisions of electrical engineering and the theory of heat and mass transfer, evaluation and generalisation of research results. Results. The use of thermocatalytic sensors in systems for monitoring working conditions to control the content of gasoline vapours in the air of the working area of oil and fuel complex facilities is substantiated. It is shown that the sensitivity of thermocatalytic gas analyzers, which is necessary to control the content of gasoline vapours within the maximum permissible concentrations (MPC), can be ensured by selecting the sensor power mode with voltage stabilisation on the comparative element, carrying out periodic automatic checking and correcting zero readings of gas analyzers. Originality. It consists in the use of a method of feeding a thermocatalytic sensor with voltage stabilization on a comparative sensing element, which ensures a stable temperature regime of thermoelements, and improving the method of monitoring and correcting zero readings of thermocatalytic gas analyzers by reducing the sensor supply voltage to the value at which the oxidation reaction of gasoline vapours does not occur on the working thermoelement of the sensor, which consists in the calculated determination of the zero displacement of the measuring bridge in the operating mode of the sensor power supply and taking into account the value of this displacement when determining the current value of the gasoline vapour content. Practical value. The proposed solutions to increase the sensitivity of gas analyzers create conditions for the use of relatively simple, stable and cheap thermocatalytic sensors in the systems for monitoring working conditions to control the content of gasoline vapours in the air of the working area of oil and fuel complex facilities, which creates the prerequisites for the introduction of modern information technologies in the field of health and safety of workers. Key words: working conditions, gasoline vapours, air of the working area, control, sensors, gas analyser, monitoring

In this work the lubricity of several ethanol (hydrated or anhydrous) / gasoline fuel blends was measured by using a conventional HFRR tester. Tests were carried out at 25ºC with no water vapour pressure control, according to the ASTM D6079 standard. According to the results the range of variation of the mean wear scar diameter was small among tested fuels in the range E-20 to E-85, indicating that the addition of ethanol, anhydrous or hydrated, did not impact significantly blend lubricity. The addition of hydrated ethanol (96% v/v) slightly improved blend lubricity in comparison with the addition of anhydrous ethanol. The higher mean wear scar diameters, lower fluid film traces and higher friction coefficients obtained for all tested fuels, in comparison with the typical values for diesel fuels, indicate the necessity of using lubricity additives when gasoline or ethanol / gasoline blends are used in new engine technologies requiring higher pressures in the fuel injection system.

Motor gasoline is essentialy a complex mixture of hydrocarbons distilling between about 40°C and 225°C and consisting of compounds generaly in the range C5 to C12. Small amounts of additives are also used to exchange various aspects of the performance of the fuel. Gasoline produced from different refin[1]eries can vary widely in compositions, even at the same octane level.The primary requirement of a gasoline is that should burn smoothly without exploding, under the conditions existing in the combustion chamber of the spark-ignition, so that themaximum amount of useful energy is liberated[1].The volatility of a gasoline has a vital influence on the both performance of a car emission. It affects the way car starts, the time it takes to warm up, the exten to which ice will form in the carburator, causing stalling and other problems; it influences vapour lock in the fuel system and indirectly it determines overall fuel economy. Volatility is a measure of the ability of a fuel to pass from the liquid to the vapour state under varying conditions.In cold weather, cars can take a very significant time to warm-up i.e., be capable of smooth, non-hesitating accelerations without the use of the choke. The fuel parameter that is found to have the grestest influence on warm-up is the mid-boiling range volatility as characterized by for example; the 50 per cent distillation temperature. Even after the car has warmed up, fuel volatility can still have an influence on acceleration time. Low volatility fuels obviously give leaner mixture and as mixtures leaner, acceleration performance can fall off quite rapidly.The fraction of the fuel that influences acceleration behaviour to the greatest extent is in the mid and to a lesser extent the higher boiling range. Thus, the 50% distillation temperature, sometimes together with the 90% distillation, must be controlled to ensure optimum acceleration behaviour. The factors which influence vapour lock is the volatility characteristics of the fuel. The degree to which a fuel is liable to give vapour lock depends mainly on its front end volatility. A number of different front-end volatility parameters have been used to define the vapour locking tendency of a fuel, such as RVP, percentage evaporated at 70°C, the 10 and 15% slope of the distillation curve, the vapour/liquid ratio at a given temperature and pressure. These distillation characteristics affect the following performance characteristics: starting, vapour lock and driveability.ASTM D4814-98a the standard specification for Automotive Spark-Ignition Engine Fuel has included Driveability Index as an item of performance requirement of the fuel. The inclusion of the parameter is to provide control of distillation parameters that influence cold start and warm up driveabilities.

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is widely used as a gaseous fuel in spark ignition engines because of its considerable advantages over gasoline. However, the LPG engine suffers a torque loss because the vapour-phase LPG displaces a larger volume of air than do gasoline droplets. In order to improve engine power as well as fuel consumption and air-fuel ratio control, considerable research has been devoted to improving the LPG injection system. In the liquid-phase LPG injection systems, the injection rate of an injector is affected by the fuel temperature, injection pressure, and driving voltage. When injection conditions change, the air-fuel ratio should be accurately controlled in order to reduce exhaust emissions. In this study, correction factors for the fuel injection rate are developed on the basis of fuel temperature, injection pressure, and injector driving voltage. A compensation method to control the amount of injected fuel is proposed for a liquid-phase LPG injection control system. The experimental results show that the liquid-phase LPG injection system works well over the entire range of engine speeds and load conditions, and the air-fuel ratio can be accurately controlled by using the proposed compensation algorithm.

Numerical analysis is used to gain information on the spray propagation and mixture formation in tumble guided gasoline direct injection (DI) engines. In order to achieve reliable predictions an atomization model for high-pressure swirl injectors is described and verified by comparison to experimental data. The approach is capable of adequately predicting the most important effects, such as nozzle orifice diameter, cone angle or injection pressure on spray development. Furthermore, it is found that the pre-jet generated at the beginning of the injection strongly affects the overall spray development. The temporal development of the pre-jet is described empirically. The in-cylinder computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis reveals that the tumble charge motion strongly affects spray propagation and mixture formation in the stratified operation mode, as it transports the fuel vapour cloud towards the spark plug. The CFD simulation improves understanding of the interaction between the flow field, spray propagation and evaporation and enables guidance of the optimization of the flow control and of the injection parameters for tumble guided gasoline DI engines.

The use of cytogenetic parameters, including micronuclei and seminal fluid quality, is one of the most important indicators relied upon to determine the harm that a person may suffer during his work. Benzene is an important organic product. When exposed to it continuously, it may lead to many disorders. As well as exposure to gasoline, vapors can cause damage to the DNA, which is one of the possible causes of cancer in humans. The study was conducted on 80 individuals, 50 workers in filling stations who are permanently exposed to petroleum derivatives by inhaling them while refueling vehicles, and {the control group} also consisted of 30 individuals collected from rural areas. Cells of Exfoliated buccal and seminal fluid were obtained from each subject to examine. The frequency of micronucleus among workers in filling stations results showed a significant increase compared to the control group. The hesitance of micronuclei among workers in filling stations was (106± 3.23) compared to the control group which was (27.6 ± 3.26), as well as the results obtained showed that there were statistically significant differences between semen indicators for workers in filling stations compared to the control group, there is exception.

ABSTRACT Losses and spills of refined petroleum products have in some cases become a groundwater problem of major significance. The effects of fugitive volatile organics in the subsurface are various. Common concerns are the contamination of potable water supplies, long-term health problems associated with inhalation of hydrocarbon vapors and odors, and flammable concentrations of vapors in homes, utility conduits, and buildings. The sources of petroleum losses are also quite varied, ranging from small losses at homeowners' fuel storage tanks to major leaks at commercial refining, storage, transfer, and retailing facilities. Although recent years have seen marked increases in the safe handling, control, and transfer of refined organic products, inadvertent, accidental, and certainly unintentional losses of organics still occur. When these problems occur, it is common for the smaller losses at retail outlets (service stations) to have the greater social and environmental impacts. This is true because the retail outlets are often located in close proximity, if not immediately adjacent, to commercial and residential establishments. Such facilities may rely on individual groundwater supplies that are subject to degradation by the lost hydrocarbon products, or they may be serviced by common utilities, whose backfilled pathways act as conduits for transmission of the fugitive product and associated vapors. These factors of physical proximity and reliance on groundwater, when coupled with the introduction of refined organic products to the subsurface, generate problems of local significance and sensitivity. Cleanup programs must entail mechanisms of thorough definition, symptoms treatment, and comprehensive removal or abatement of the organic product in the subsurface. These aproaches must be technically sound, acceptable to governing regulatory agencies, physically and economically possible to enact, and acceptable to affected parties. Groundwater Technology has carried out many such programs. This paper discusses two case histories. One case history describes the successful collection and removal of approximately 8,000 gallons of offending unleaded gasoline that had threatened closure of public buildings. This remedial action was accomplished by the application of a specially designed, sensor-controlled, two-pump recovery system that removed the product from an unconsolidated sand aquifer. The second case history shows the success of employing a program combining bioreclamation, air stripping, and granular activated carbon usage to abate contamination of a bedrock aquifer. The contamination problem involved soluble components of unleaded gasoline that affected more than 10 water supply wells.

Abstract. The effects of photochemical aging on emissions from 15 light-duty gasoline vehicles were investigated using a smog chamber to probe the critical link between the tailpipe and ambient atmosphere. The vehicles were recruited from the California in-use fleet; they represent a wide range of model years (1987 to 2011), vehicle types and emission control technologies. Each vehicle was tested on a chassis dynamometer using the unified cycle. Dilute emissions were sampled into a portable smog chamber and then photochemically aged under urban-like conditions. For every vehicle, substantial secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation occurred during cold-start tests, with the emissions from some vehicles generating as much as 6 times the amount of SOA as primary particulate matter after three hours of oxidation inside the chamber at typical atmospheric oxidant levels. Therefore, the contribution of light duty gasoline vehicle exhaust to ambient PM levels is likely dominated by secondary PM production (SOA and nitrate). Emissions from hot-start tests formed about a factor of 3–7 less SOA than cold-start tests. Therefore, catalyst warm-up appears to be an important factor in controlling SOA precursor emissions. The mass of SOA generated by photo-oxidizing exhaust from newer (LEV1 and LEV2) vehicles was only modestly lower (38%) than that formed from exhaust emitted by older (pre-LEV) vehicles, despite much larger reductions in non-methane organic gas emissions. These data suggest that a complex and non-linear relationship exists between organic gas emissions and SOA formation, which is not surprising since SOA precursors are only one component of the exhaust. Except for the oldest (pre-LEV) vehicles, the SOA production could not be fully explained by the measured oxidation of speciated (traditional) SOA precursors. Over the time scale of these experiments, the mixture of organic vapors emitted by newer vehicles appear to be more efficient (higher yielding) in producing SOA than the emissions from older vehicles. About 30% of the non-methane organic gas emissions from the newer (LEV1 and LEV2) vehicles could not be speciated, and the majority of the SOA formed from these vehicles appears to be associated with these unspeciated organics. These results for light-duty gasoline vehicles contrast with the results from a companion study of on-road heavy-duty diesel trucks; in that study late model (2007 and later) diesel trucks equipped with catalyzed diesel particulate filters emitted very little primary PM, and the photo-oxidized emissions produced negligible amounts of SOA.

Abstract. The effects of photochemical aging on emissions from 15 light-duty gasoline vehicles were investigated using a smog chamber to probe the critical link between the tailpipe and ambient atmosphere. The vehicles were recruited from the California in-use fleet; they represent a wide range of model years (1987 to 2011), vehicle types and emission control technologies. Each vehicle was tested on a chassis dynamometer using the unified cycle. Dilute emissions were sampled into a portable smog chamber and then photochemically aged under urban-like conditions. For every vehicle, substantial secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation occurred during cold-start tests, with the emissions from some vehicles generating as much as 6 times the amount of SOA as primary particulate matter (PM) after 3 h of oxidation inside the chamber at typical atmospheric oxidant levels (and 5 times the amount of SOA as primary PM after 5 × 106 molecules cm−3 h of OH exposure). Therefore, the contribution of light-duty gasoline vehicle exhaust to ambient PM levels is likely dominated by secondary PM production (SOA and nitrate). Emissions from hot-start tests formed about a factor of 3–7 less SOA than cold-start tests. Therefore, catalyst warm-up appears to be an important factor in controlling SOA precursor emissions. The mass of SOA generated by photooxidizing exhaust from newer (LEV2) vehicles was a factor of 3 lower than that formed from exhaust emitted by older (pre-LEV) vehicles, despite much larger reductions (a factor of 11–15) in nonmethane organic gas emissions. These data suggest that a complex and nonlinear relationship exists between organic gas emissions and SOA formation, which is not surprising since SOA precursors are only one component of the exhaust. Except for the oldest (pre-LEV) vehicles, the SOA production could not be fully explained by the measured oxidation of speciated (traditional) SOA precursors. Over the timescale of these experiments, the mixture of organic vapors emitted by newer vehicles appears to be more efficient (higher yielding) in producing SOA than the emissions from older vehicles. About 30% of the nonmethane organic gas emissions from the newer (LEV1 and LEV2) vehicles could not be speciated, and the majority of the SOA formed from these vehicles appears to be associated with these unspeciated organics. By comparing this study with a companion study of diesel trucks, we conclude that both primary PM emissions and SOA production for light-duty gasoline vehicles are much greater than for late-model (2007 and later) on-road heavy-duty diesel trucks.

More than 75% of waste is toxic to the environment and humans. The aim of the study was to invistigate the toxic effect of ecotoxicants on the rudiments of the teeth of laboratory animals. The experiment was carried out on 30 white outbred rats weighing 180–250. All animals were divided into 2 groups: control (Group 1) and experimental (Group 2). During the experiment, all animals of the experimental groups were subjected to inhalation exposure to gasoline and formaldehyde vapors. Animals of the control group were supplied with normal air around the clock. The jaws of rats were decalcified for 30 days in a 10% formic acid solution in a 10% buffered formalin solution. After dehydration of the material in a battery of alcohols of increasing concentration (ethanol - concentration from 70% to 100% absolute) was poured into paraffin according to the generally accepted method. Using a rotary microtome brand LEICA RM 2145 (LEICA, Germany), histological sections 5–8 µm thick were made. The sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and picrofuchsin according to the Van Gieson method. Stained sections were examined and photographed using an AXIO IMAGER-Z1 light microscope (CARL ZEISS, Germany). In the control group of rats, a morphological picture of normal tooth histogenesis was observed at a late stage of development. In the structure of the tooth germs of rat pups of the 2nd group, a violation of the processes of histogenesis of most tooth germs and a change in the structure of the periodontal tissues were found. In the epithelium of the gingival mucosa, signs of dystrophic changes were determined, up to cell destruction; in the connective tissue plate of the gingival mucosa, in the periodontium and in the zone of formation of the alveolar bone, signs of inflammatory phenomena were determined in the form of cell infiltrations and circulatory disorders in the form of expansion of the lumens and blood filling of the vessels. In the area of the tooth germs, destructive changes in odontoblasts and enameloblasts were manifested, which was probably one of the reasons for the disruption of the processes of dentinogenesis and enamel formation, expressed in the heterogeneity of the formation of dentin and enamel layers. This confirms the toxic effect of ecotoxicants on the rudiments of the teeth of laboratory animals.

La relación entre el costo de la Canasta Normativa de alimentos y el monto del salario mínimo ha sido variable en Venezuela. De acuerdo a las estadísticas que se manejaban en el Consejo Nacional de la Alimentación (1995-2002), durante el lapso 1990-1999 el salario mínimo se mantuvo por debajo del valor de la canasta, generalmente con una diferencia entre ellos de 10-20%. Entre 1995 y 1997, período de aplicación de la llamada Agenda Venezuela, dicha diferencia aumentó apreciablemente, y el salario mínimo sólo cubría el 40-50% del costo de la canasta. Hacía el final de la década, el salario mínimo se acercó de nuevo al precio de la canasta. En el bienio 2000-2002, por primera vez en mucho tiempo, el salario mínimo superó, ligeramente, el costo del conjunto básico de alimentos necesarios para alimentar a una familia de 5 miembros. Durante la primera década de Siglo XXI, un período de abundantes ingresos petroleros, se intentó mantener la paridad entre ambos indicadores y temporalmente aumentó el acceso físico y económico a los alimentos. El Ingreso familiar medio, donde por lo menos dos miembros de una familia tenían empleo, hacía que ésta pudiera cubrir sus necesidades básicas, aunque sin capacidad para ahorrar o asumir gastos exagerados. La inestabilidad política causada por las reformas gubernamentales, como por ejemplo la aprobación de la ley de tierras, provocó que, progresivamente, esa relación se fuera deteriorando y el aporte del salario dejó de satisfacer las necesidades de alimentación del grupo familiar. La implementación de drásticas medidas económicas, como un estricto control de cambio y la inseguridad jurídica derivada de la invasión y expropiación de predios agrícolas y pecuarios, industrias y edificaciones habitacionales, afectaron a los principales sectores productivos del país. Con ello, no sólo el costo de los alimentos se elevó desmesuradamente, sino que atravesamos un largo período de escasez de alimentos y otros productos básicos. La distorsión entre la oferta y la demanda y la política de control de precios condujo a la aparición de largas colas frente a las bodegas y supermercados, el acaparamiento de productos de primera necesidad y el mercado negro donde se adoptó el dólar estadounidense como moneda de tasación, frente a la galopante devaluación del bolívar que ha conducido a tres reconversiones monetarias. En consecuencia, el costo de la canasta de alimentos básicos acompañó a la espiral inflacionaria, mientras el salario mínimo cayó a montos irrisorios, incapaces de cubrir las necesidades básicas de la población, no sólo en lo tocante a la alimentación, sino también a la salud, vivienda, vestido y transporte. A ello se sumó la crisis de los servicios (electricidad, agua, gas doméstico y gasolina) y el aumento de la delincuencia y la inseguridad, parámetros ellos que caracterizan la grave crisis económica y social que todavía azota al país y han sumido en la pobreza y la desnutrición a la mayoría de la población y ha motivado la emigración de millones de venezolanos.

Tres segmentos configuran el número 12/9 de la Revista Boletín Redipe. El primero está relacionado con la educación ética y rural. El segundo, en torno al macroproyecto Iberoamericano de Valores éticos en clave comprensivo edificadora que agencia la Universidad Masferrer, entre otras, y el tercero, en torno a resultados de investigación que desarrolla la Universidad Minuto de Dios, sede Bucaramanga. Veamos. Parte I: Educación ética y política pública LA EDUCACIÓN ÉTICA Y CIUDADANA EN COLOMBIA: UN ANÁLISIS DE PARTIR DE LOS CONCEPTOS DE RECONOCIMIENTO Y MENOSPRECIO DE AXEL HONNETH: REVISIÒN BLIOGRÀFICA. Artículo de investigación de Juan Carlos Cardona Londoño, Corporación Universitaria U de Colombia. Propone la construcción de una aproximación al estado del arte sobre la Teoría del Reconocimiento, menosprecio moral y la educación ética y ciudadana en Colombia, procurando establecer los principales lineamientos conceptuales propuestos por Axel Honneth como principal representante contemporáneo de la Escuela de Frankfurt. Indaga en bases de datos y repositorios universitarios que tuvieran como núcleo reflexivo educación ética y ciudadana, Axel Honneth, menosprecio y reconocimiento, que nos acercan a los debates intelectuales que han girado sobre su génesis e impacto en los contextos educativos colombianos. CRISIS DE LA EDUCACIÓN RURAL Y SU POLÍTICA PÚBLICA EN COLOMBIA. Artículo de reflexión generativa a cargo del académico Eduardo Plazas Motta, Universidad Surcolombiana. Analiza propuestas de política pública para atender la educación formal de las comunidades rurales de nuestro país en sus dos últimas décadas, su relación y posibles efectos con los principales propósitos de la educación para América Latina, centralizados en los ejes de calidad, acceso, y eficacia, Además, revisa la pertinencia de los diferentes modelos educativos flexibles (MEF) que históricamente se han utilizado y han jugado un papel importante en la formación de las comunidades rurales, aunque hoy se encuentren desactualizados y requieren ser repensados desde modelos interculturales, tecnológicos y pertinentes. Recoge un análisis del impacto de los planes de desarrollo nacional y planes decenales de educación de la última década, sus implicaciones y la realidad de la educación rural, la crisis general en el territorio colombiano, sin que a la fecha se hayan podido resolver los grandes retos que tiene el sector, pero al mismo tiempo, conservar la esperanza de un desarrollo sostenible para el campo, sus pobladores y sus procesos de formación, desde la propuesta de reforma rural integral. Parte II: Macroproyecto Valores éticos y morales. 3.FORMACIÓN DE ESTUDIANTES UNIVERSITARIOS EN VALORES ÉTICO- MORALES DESDE UNA MIRADA COMPRENSIVO-EDIFICADORA. Artículo de reflexión de Celso Rodríguez Echenique, Universidad Salvadoreña “Alberto Masferrer” (ICTUSAM), en torno al Macroproyecto “Valores éticos y morales en la formación profesional de los estudiantes universitarios desde una mirada comprensivo edificadora”, en el cual interactúan académicos de la Universidad Salvadoreña “Alberto Masferrer” junto a la Universidad Modular Abierta, capítulo Sonsonate, de El Salvador; Universidad de La Laguna, Islas Canarias, España; la Red Iberoamericana de Pedagogía (REDIPE) y la Academia Alma máter. Hace referencia a los valores ético-morales que los estudiantes universitarios reciben durante su formación como futuros profesionales en sus respectivos países de origen. En particular recoge los primeros trabajos aprobados entre los recibidos de algunos de los miembros que participan en este Macro-proyecto, donde se intenta poner en contexto el estado del arte del tema en cuestión desde una mirada comprensivo-edificadora. INCLUSIÓN DESDE UNA PRÁCTICA DE VALORES ENELCONTEXTO UNIVERSITARIO. Jacqueline Coromoto Guillén de Romero, Universidad Técnica de Manabí. Portoviejo. Ecuador; Pedro Luis Bracho-Fuenmayor, Universidad de Tarapacá. Chile, José Miguel Esperanza Amaya, Universidad Salvadoreña Alberto Masferrer; Maritza Elizabeth Quiroz Vinces y Karina Elizabeth Vásquez Mejía, Universidad Técnica de Manabí. Portoviejo. Ecuador. Artículo de investigación en torno a la inclusión desde la práctica de valores en el contexto universitario, enfatizando en la discapacidad de los estudiantes en la Universidad Técnica de Manabí, en Ecuador. Se centra en teorías aportadas por Villaescusa (2022), Araujo y Vélez (2022), entre otros. Los resultados permiten determinar situaciones importantes acerca de la inclusión desde la práctica de valores en el contexto de la universidad, toda vez que los hallazgos confirman la intención de asumir a las personas con discapacidad de manera justa e igualitaria, atendiendo a sus características físicas, intelectuales, auditivas, visuales, que implican un proceso de integración especial para ellos por las dificultades que se le presentan para aprender, participar y desenvolverse como cualquier otro estudiante, concluyendo que hay tolerancia a la diversidad e igualdad de oportunidades en la Universidad estudiada, y existen políticas específicas para darle atención. PASADO SISTÉMICO Y PRESENTE DESAFIANTE: ¿CÓMO LOS ESTUDIANTES UNIVERSITARIOS CUBANOS CONSTRUYEN SU PERSONALIDAD MORAL Y ÉTICA DURANTE SU FORMACIÓN PROFESIONAL? Artículo de revisión de los académicos Víctor Bless Gutiérrez y Ramón Rubén González Nápoles, Universidad de Oriente- USAM. Se propone fundamentar la necesidad apremiante de una revisión de la literatura para abordar e identificar la producción académica basada en la construcción de la personalidad moral y ética de los estudiantes universitarios cubanos durante su formación profesional en el contexto actual. Los hallazgos sostienen participación activa de las Instituciones de Educación Superior (IES), para replantear sus propósitos y compromiso con nuestro Proyecto Social. Recomendamos para futuras investigaciones trabajar en el contexto de la Pedagogía Comprensivo Edificadora como un marco institucional fuerte y dinámico. EL VALOR IDENTIDAD CULTURAL. CONSIDERACIONES METODOLÓGICAS PARA SU FORMACIÓN, A TRAVÉS DE LAS ESCULTURAS. Artículo de investigación de Luís René Quiala Martínez y Ermis González Pérez, Universidad de Las Tunas, relacionado con la formación de valores a través del trabajo con las esculturas, como parte de la formación integral de los estudiantes universitarios. Idea rectora del Modelo de Formación de la sociedad cubana actual, que se refiere a centrar la labor de la comunicación pública, en la formación de valores de los profesionales. Se aportan elementos sobre la concepción del valor identidad, que se debe jerarquizar como núcleo del sistema de valores que se pondera institucionalmente en las diversas carreras universitarias y se identifica el potencial axiológico de la escultura al respecto. También se ofrecen consideraciones metodológicas para la formación del valor identidad cultural, a partir del potencial axiológico de las esculturas, que contienen: las etapas en que se organizan las actividades de interacción con las esculturas, un ejemplo de estas y posibles técnicas participativas a utilizar en las mismas, para contribuir a elevar la calidad del proceso formativo en la Educación Superior Cubana y en particular en la carrera Comunicación Social. CONSTRUYENDO VALORES DESDE UNA VISIÓN AMBIENTALISTA: una mirada comprensivo edificadora en estudiantes universitarios. María Teresa Hernández, Universidad Bicentenaria de Aragua- USAM. Artículo de revisión de tipo analítico hermenéutico referido a un proceso de comprensión articulado a principios éticos que precisan a las personas como seres responsables, solidarios y críticos. Permite develar la construcción en valores desde una visión ambientalista con una mirada comprensivo edificadora en estudiantes universitarios. Los resultados obtenidos indicaron la necesidad de revisar la didáctica, el currículo y la evaluación para la incorporación de acciones que promuevan en los procesos de enseñanza y de aprendizaje el desarrollo de competencias transversales básicas relacionadas con la sostenibilidad y adecuar su práctica al desarrollo pedagógico. Se concluye que debe asumirse los valores desde una visión ambientalista como disciplina que ofrece oportunidades para comprender los procesos que contribuyen a la comprensión de los mecanismos bajo una mirada comprensivo edificadora, en torno a la enseñanza, formación y aprendizajes desde la reflexión, relacionando cognición y conciencia crítica para desarrollar actitudes que dan lugar a logros educativos, además, permitir a los estudiantes desarrollar sus potencialidades para que incorporen alternativas de innovación en los procesos áulicos mediante acciones prácticas concretas. TRANSCULTURA AXIOLÓGICA EN LA EDUCACIÓN DESDE LA MIRADA DE LOS DOCENTES UNIVERSITARIOS. Artículo de relfexión generativa. Francis Soledad Saavedra Peña, Universidad Salvadoreña Alberto Masferrer, orientado a revelar algunos elementos esenciales que caracterizan la relación entre Cultura, Axiología y formación ciudadana como pilares en la transformación de la comunidad universitaria. Enfatiza en que la formación debe traspasar los límites de lo instructivo y centrar su atención en el ser humano, en el desarrollo de su personalidad, y por tanto en aspectos significativos, conscientes del compromiso social, como principal prioridad; asimismo, en la educación transcultural, orientada a respetar y valorar las diferencias culturales, fomentando el diálogo y el entendimiento mutuo. Gran parte de lo mono-cultural se basa en la idea de que el único conocimiento válido es el conocimiento científico, académico e institucionalizado, despreciando y subestimando otras epistemologías, consideradas poco rigurosas. En este sentido, la axiológica transcultural se convierte en una herramienta fundamental para transferir valores universales y promover el respeto, la tolerancia y la aceptación de la diversidad cultural. En esta vía acentúa la necesidad de promover la interculturalidad en las aulas y promover un diálogo con respeto a la alteridad y valores universales, que conduzca a una sociedad más justa, equitativa, inclusiva y humanista. Una axiología pertinente a la educación implica una relación con los valores personales y sociales del individuo. Las actitudes positivas del docente hacia la axiología educativa, deben permitir que, además de transmitir conocimientos, sirvan para mejorar las relaciones interpersonales de todo el personal que labora dentro de estos establecimientos educativos. PERSPECTIVA COMPRENSIVA EDIFICADORA DE LA FORMACIÓN DE VALORES, A PARTIR DE REFERENTES LATINOAMERICANOS DE LA LITERATURA. Artículo de reflexión generativa a cargo de los académicos José Miguel Esperanza Amaya, José Alberto Rosabal Rodríguez, Celso Rodríguez Echenique, USAM. Analiza los valores éticos y morales presentes en la producción literaria de José Martí, Alberto Masferrer, Gabriela Mistral y Pablo Neruda, enfatizando en el modo de utilizar las obras de estos referentes latinoamericanos en las clases y destacar sus valores, para la formación integral de los estudiantes universitarios, desde una perspectiva integral, comprensiva y edificante, que los sitúe como agentes de cambios sociales positivos en sus contextos culturales. USO RESPONSABLE DE LA INTELIGENCIA ARTIFICIAL EN ESTUDIANTES UNIVERSITARIOS: UNA MIRADA TECNOÉTICA. Artículo de investigación de Marco Antonio Martínez González, Centro de Investigación y Servicios Educativos (CISE) sobre el uso responsable de la inteligencia artificial en la elaboración de trabajos académicos en los estudiantes de la Licenciatura en Ingeniería Mecánica Automotriz de la Escuela de Mecánica Diésel y Gasolina del puerto de Veracruz. Describe la importancia del desarrollo de la reflexión y criticidad en el uso de la Inteligencia Artificial en el contexto educativo. Dicha investigación se desarrolló a través de una metodología cualitativa, en donde para recabar la información se utilizó la técnica de la entrevista estructurada. Los resultados obtenidos enfatizan que los estudiantes usan la Inteligencia Artificial como un recurso que los limita en el desarrollo del pensamiento crítico, en donde usan la información obtenida sin un análisis pertinente, concluyendo que el papel del docente es primordial para el uso objetivo, responsable y ético del mismo. Parte II: Investigaciones Uniminuto ANÁLISIS DEL PROGRESO Y DESEMPEÑO DE PROGRAMAS DE DESARROLLO SOCIAL. CASO: “AGENDA REGIONAL COMUNA 1 CIUDAD FUTURA – UNIMINUTO”. Artículo de investigación de Juan Sebastián Dugarte Mendoza, Tatiana Gualdrón Porras, Nelson Javier Hernández Bueno, José Alonso Caballero Márquez, Claudia Consuelo Pinzón Velasco, David Andrés Suarez Suarez, Diana Alexandra Rodríguez Quiñónez, Cesar Augusto Silva Giraldo, Fabio Augusto Niño Liévano, Erika Patricia Ramírez Oliveros & Yohanna Milena Rueda Mahecha, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Bucaramanga – Colombia. Analiza el desempeño y progreso del programa “Agenda Regional: Comuna 1 Ciudad Futura” de la Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios (UNIMINUTO) en Bucaramanga, Colombia, que integra proyectos en educación, organización comunitaria, productividad y sostenibilidad. Se aplicaron teorías como la Teoría del Cambio y Evaluación de Impacto Social y Ambiental, y la Gestión de la Realización de Beneficios. Los resultados indican un cumplimiento de 0.77 en el análisis multidimensional por proyecto. Se evidencia una buena gestión de proyectos y enfoque transdisciplinario, pero hay deficiencias en las variables sostenibilidad, evaluación de impacto, comunicación y reporte, y beneficios. Es necesario fortalecer los procesos de gestión, enfocándose en la creación de valor económico en las comunidades y la identificación de métricas para comprender el progreso y desempeño. La implementación de métricas permitirá la aplicación de técnicas de monitoreo y control más robustas. Se sugiere el desarrollo de actividades para mejorar la comunicación y difusión de los logros del programa. ANÁLISIS DE CORRELACIÓN DEL SECTOR ENERGÉTICO Y EL DESARROLLO SOCIOECONÓMICO: ESTUDIO DE CASO COLOMBIA. Artículo de investigación elaborado por Nelson Javier Hernández Bueno, Sergio Andrés Gómez Mutis, Wilman Yesid Ardila Barbosa, Juan Sebastián Dugarte Mendoza, José Alonso Caballero Márquez, Cesar Augusto Silva Giraldo, David Andrés Suarez Suarez, Liliana Margarita Pérez Olmos & Tatiana Gualdrón Porras. Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios - UNIMINUTO, Bucaramanga – Colombia. Dirigido a analizar y cuantificar la relación entre las ramas de la economía colombiana y el impacto energético en el desarrollo del PIB en Colombia. Aborda el Producto Interno Bruto de Colombia y cada una de las categorías económicas o ramas de la economía colombiana para analizar el impacto de esta variable en el crecimiento de cada una de estas. Los resultados mostraron que en Colombia la actividad comercial es la categoría más interrelacionada con el índice del PIB, presentando una relación del 94.90%; seguido por los servicios de transporte que mostraron una correlación del 94.25%. En cuanto al sector energético, la rama de Manufactura tuvo una relación de 84.10% con el PIB; Las actividades de suministro de energía mostraron el 74,23% de la relación, y el petróleo y la minería tuvieron una conexión menor del 25,14% con el PIB. Se logró comprobar que el Producto Interno Bruto (PIB) esta correlacionado e impacta en las categorías económicas (ramas) al modelamiento del consumo energético nacional y sumado a la integración de variables independientes que describan su comportamiento se genera una herramienta de análisis del sector. Así mismo se pudo evidenciar el índice de correlación del crecimiento económico de Colombia y el tipo de impacto en cada una de las ramas. Las conclusiones corroboraron la hipótesis de que la correlación permite identificar tendencias del comportamiento del consumo energético del país. Queda como trabajo futuro proyectar el impacto de las variables diferentes al factor macroeconómico e instrumentos de validación de escenarios. ECUACIONES ESTRUCTURALES PARA EL ANÁLISIS DE LA ALFABETIZACIÓN FINANCIERA EN ESTUDIANTES DE SECUNDARIA EN BUCARAMANGA. José Alonso Caballero Márquez, Sergio Andrés Gómez Mutis, Liliana Margarita Pérez Olmos, Cesar Augusto Silva Giraldo, Juan Sebastián Dugarte Mendoza, David Andrés Suarez Suarez, Nelson Javier Hernández Bueno, Diana Alexandra Rodríguez Quiñónez, Fabio Augusto Niño Liévano, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios – UNIMINUTO, Bucaramanga, Colombia. Artículo de investigación sobre la alfabetización financiera en estudiantes de secundaria, por medio de ecuaciones estructurales, para conocer la importancia de cada uno de los elementos que componen esta alfabetización y de ese modo proponer estrategias para su impulso. Se destacan como principales resultados el equilibrio entre el conocimiento, comportamiento y actitud para la formación de los alumnos; la necesidad de fortalecer tanto el conocimiento financiero como matemático, así como la planeación financiera en el corto y largo plazo. COMPORTAMIENTO NO ÉTICO E INCIDENCIA EN DESERCIÓN Y RENDIMIENTO ACADÉMICO DE ESTUDIANTES REGULARES DEL SUBPRO- GRAMA MEDICINA VETERINARIA, UNELLEZ, 2023-I. Doris J. Barrios Aular Unellez, VPDS. El presente artículo es avance de investigación de Macro proyecto Interinstitucional, que persigue analizar el comportamiento no ético e incidencia en deserción y rendimiento académico en estudiantes regulares, del Subprograma Medicina Veterinaria, Sub proyecto Microbiología, de la Universidad Nacional Experimental de Los Llanos Occidentales “Ezequiel Zamora” período 2023-I. Esta investigación se justifica ante el comportamiento no ético en algunos docentes, que aprueban alumnos sin habilidades y destrezas, verificable por prueba diagnóstica empírica en la materia prelante, que predispone a deserción y ralentiza el progreso de la temática y por responsabilidad de autoridades al faltar supervisión y de estudiantes que callan ausencias del docente, en espera de ser aprobados solo por realizar un informe, que no defiende, ni dominan. En este sentido, el problema es: actitud e intencionalidad para desarrollar habilidades y destrezas en Microbiología, ante situaciones de comportamiento no ético dentro del aula de clase. En relación a la metodología, trata de investigación empírica, vinculada al área gestión educativa, sub-área desarrollo sostenible de la educación; enfoque cualitativo, nivel exploratorio, tipo hermenéutico; modalidad por diseño de campo. EMPRENDIMIENTO RURAL GENERACIONAL CON ENFOQUE DE GÉNERO: Experiencias significativas en el Magdalena Medio Colombiano. Artículo de investigación de Diana Alexandra Rodríguez Quiñónez, Sergio Andrés Gómez Mutis, Wilman Yesid Ardila Barbosa, Liliana Margarita Pérez Olmos, Cesar Augusto Silva Giraldo, Fabio Augusto Niño Liévano, Liliana Patricia Gonzalez Clavijo, Juan Sebastián Dugarte Mendoza, David Andrés Suarez Suarez & José Alonso Caballero Márquez, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios - UNIMINUTO, Bucaramanga – Colombia, sobre el diseño de un modelo de emprendimiento asociativo rural generacional con enfoque de género en el Magdalena Medio Colombiano, orientado a disminuir las transgresiones de la dependencia socioeconómica de la mujer hacia el logro de un bienestar individual, familiar y colectivo. Como resultado, este modelo bajo estrategias de innovación social enfatiza en la redirección de recursos tecnológicos, financieros y participativos, que favorecen la planeación y ejecución de iniciativas productivas hacia la autonomía femenina, la superación de micromachismos de la región y la implementación de acciones en autogestión comunitaria, dentro del marco de la economía solidaria. ESTUDIO DE CASO EN ATENCIÓN DOMICILIARIA DE PACIENTES: CONDICIONES DE LA TAREA Y SUS EFECTOS EN TRABAJADORES DEL SECTOR SALUD. Artículo de investigación de los académicos Erika Patricia Ramírez Oliveros, Angelica Nohemy Rangel Pico, Yohanna Milena Rueda Mahecha, Diana Alexandra Rodríguez Quiñónez, Liliana Margarita Pérez Olmos, Hermes González Acevedo, Cesar Augusto Silva Giraldo, Claudia Consuelo Pinzón Velasco, Juan Sebastián Dugarte Mendoza & David Andres Suarez Suarez, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios - UNIMINUTO, Bucaramanga – Colombia en torno a la hospitalización domiciliaria por la cual un grupo de profesionales se traslada al domicilio del paciente y lo acompaña en su proceso de recuperación. Los estudios realizados a esta población son escasos, por tanto esta investigación buscó evidenciar los riesgos, específicamente los psicosociales a los que ven enfrentados en el cumplimiento de las actividades en esta modalidad. EXPLORANDO LA REALIDAD DEL CONOCIMIENTO, USO Y ACCESO A ELEMENTOS DE HIGIENE MENSTRUAL EN BUCARAMANGA: EL CASO DE MUJERES Y PERSONAS MENSTRUANTES EN SITUACIÓN DE VULNERABILIDAD SOCIOECONÓMICA. Artículo de investigación de Tatiana Gualdrón Porras, Juan Sebastián Dugarte Mendoza, Fabio Augusto Niño Liévano, Claudia Consuelo Pinzón Velasco, Nelson Javier Hernández Bueno, Liliana Patricia Gonzalez Clavijo, Cesar Augusto Silva Giraldo, Diana Alexandra Rodríguez Quiñónez & Yohanna Milena Rueda Mahecha, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Bucaramanga, Colombia. María Camila García García, Fundación Panamericana para el Desarrollo, Bucaramanga, Colombia. Yesid Suarez García, Inxait, Bogotá, Colombia. Socializa los resultados obtenidos en la caracterización realizada a mujeres y personas menstruantes en situación de vulnerabilidad socioeconómica del municipio de Bucaramanga con la finalidad de explorar la realidad del conocimiento, uso y acceso a elementos de higiene menstrual. GESTIÓN DE RIESGOS EN PROYECTOS PREDICTIVOS CON VARIABLES DICOTÓMICAS: CASO PROYECTO DE CONSULTORÍA. Artículo de investigación elaborado por Juan Sebastián Dugarte Mendoza, Fabio Augusto Niño Liévano, Cesar Augusto Silva Giraldo, Yohanna Milena Rueda Mahecha, David Andrés Suarez Suarez, Tatiana Guadrón Porras, Erika Patricia Ramírez Oliveros, José Alonso Caballero Márquez, Claudia Consuelo Pinzón Velasco, Diana Alexandra Rodríguez Quiñónez & Nelson Javier Hernández Bueno, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Bucaramanga – Colombia. Presenta la aplicación de las variables dicotómicas como herramienta para la gestión de riesgos en proyectos de tipo predictivo; además, propone el uso de la Curva S Integrada, como representación gráfica que incluye las variables costo, tiempo, alcance y calidad. Todo ello apoyado en la gestión del riesgo y en la aplicación de la técnica “¿Qué pasa sí?”, desde donde se proponen escenarios de trabajo en el proyecto. La técnica se aplica a un caso relacionado con un proyecto de consultoría estratégica para una empresa del sector metalmecánico en Colombia, desde el caso es posible identificar que la Curva S Integrada presenta un mejor ajuste al resultado final del proyecto, en comparación que la Curva S generada al momento de la planeación. INTERVENCIÓN INTEGRAL AL SÍNDROME DEL CUIDADOR PRINCIPAL CON PACIENTES EN PROGRAMAS DE CUIDADOS PALIATIVOS. Artículo de investigación de Diana Alexandra Rodríguez Quiñónez, Hermes González Acevedo, Liliana Margarita Pérez Olmos, Claudia Consuelo Pinzón Velasco, Liliana Patricia González Clavijo, Cesar Augusto Silva Giraldo, Juan Sebastián Dugarte Mendoza, Yohanna Milena Rueda Mahecha & Erika Patricia Ramírez Oliveros, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios - UNIMINUTO, Bucaramanga – Colombia, sobre el aumento de la cronicidad de enfermedades en la población que precisa identificar familiares que ocupen responsabilidades de cuidado en el deterioro progresivo de salud y que se incrementan hasta la condición del final de la vida “muerte”. Desarrolla un análisis del síndrome del cuidador quemado con pacientes de programas de cuidados paliativos de la ciudad de Bucaramanga, a partir de un estudio transversal que identifica los aspectos sociodemográficos del perfil del cuidador principal y los factores asociados a la sobrecarga tanto física como emocional (valorado mediante escala validada de Zarit). Los resultados de esta investigación refieren que el perfil del cuidador principal son mujeres con sobrecargas desencadenadas por factores tales como: agotamiento emocional, ausencia de libertad y desarrollo de actividades de ocio, y la desatención en su salud. LA IMPORTANCIA DE LA PREVENCIÓN DE LA ENFERMEDAD LABORAL EN COLOMBIA. Artículo de investigación de Liliana Margarita Pérez Olmos, Hermes Ramón González Acevedo, Claudia Consuelo Pinzón Velasco, Diana Alexandra Rodríguez Quiñónez, Nelson Javier Hernández Bueno, Wilman Yesid Ardila Barbosa, Liliana Patricia González Clavijo, David Andrés Suarez Suarez, Cesar Augusto Silva Giraldo, Yohanna Milena Rueda Mahecha, Juan Sebastián Dugarte Mendoza & Erika Patricia Ramírez Oliveros, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios - UNIMINUTO, Bucaramanga – Colombia, acerca de la prevención de enfermedades laborales en Colombia, manifestando la necesidad de profundizar en los factores que inciden en la generación de riesgos laborales y proponer medidas efectivas para su prevención. En los resultados y discusión se evidencia la falta de una cultura de la prevención en las empresas y la importancia de la evaluación de riesgos laborales y la implementación de medidas de control para la eliminación o reducción de los mismos. Se hace referencia a estudios que muestran que la exposición a agentes químicos es uno de los principales factores de riesgo para la salud de los trabajadores, por lo que se propone la implementación de medidas de control que permitan reducir la exposición a estos agentes en los lugares de trabajo. Además, se destaca la necesidad de una mayor atención a las desigualdades de género en materia de salud laboral. Las conclusiones del estudio destacan la importancia de la prevención de enfermedades laborales para la salud y seguridad de los trabajadores y para el desarrollo económico y social del país. Se hace un llamado a la acción de los diferentes actores involucrados, incluyendo las entidades gubernamentales, las empresas y los trabajadores, para promover una cultura de la prevención y establecer medidas efectivas para la eliminación o reducción de los riesgos laborales. Además, se hace énfasis en la importancia de la investigación y el monitoreo continuo de la situación de las enfermedades laborales en Colombia, para poder identificar nuevas tendencias y establecer políticas efectivas de prevención y atención. En conclusión, el presente artículo de reflexión resalta la importancia de la prevención de enfermedades laborales en Colombia y propone medidas concretas para su prevención y control. PERCEPCIÓN DE LOS ESTUDIANTES DE TRABAJO SOCIAL DE LA CORPORACIÓN UNIVERSITARIA MINUTO DE DIOS SEDE BUCARAMANGA, EN EL CUIDADO DE LA SALUD MENTAL Y CON RESPECTO A LA RESPONSABILIDAD SOCIAL UNIVERSITARIA. Artículo de investigación de Claudia Consuelo Pinzón Velasco, Tatiana Gualdrón Porras, Erika Patricia Ramírez Oliveros, Cesar Augusto Silva Giraldo, Yohanna Milena Rueda Mahecha, Juan Sebastián Dugarte Mendoza, Diana Alexandra Rodríguez Quiñónez, Liliana Margarita Pérez Olmos, Fabio Augusto Niño Liévano, Liliana Patricia González Clavijo, David Andrés Suarez Suarez & José Alonso Caballero Márquez, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios – UNIMINUTO, Bucaramanga, Colombia. Analiza la percepción de los estudiantes en el cuidado de la salud mental de la universidad, con respecto a la responsabilidad social universitaria Los resultados arrojados muestran con claridad el conocimiento de los conceptos de salud integral y salud mental de parte de los estudiantes. De igual manera, la mitad de los estudiantes entrevistados conoce de los programas o proyectos realizados por la Corporación universitaria minuto de Dios sede Bucaramanga para promover la salud integral de los estudiantes. PROSPECTIVA ESTRATÉGICA “EL MIC MAC” COMO APOYO A IDENTIFICACIÓN DE VARIABLES CLAVE PARA LA FORMULACIÓN DE PLANES ESTRATÉGICOS, APLICACIÓN A LA MICROEMPRESA “ANÁLISIS DE CASO MICROMERCADOS Y TENDEROS EN EL ÁREA METROPOLITANA DE BUCARAMANGA”. Artículo de investigación elaborado por Fabio Augusto Niño Liévano, Cesar Augusto Silva Giraldo, Juan Sebastián Dugarte Mendoza, Tatiana Gualdrón Porras, Ramiro Andrés Vanegas Rangel, Yohanna Milena Rueda Mahecha, David Andrés Suarez Suarez, Diana Alexandra Rodríguez Quiñónez, Sergio Andrés Gómez Mutis, Wilman Yesid Ardila & José Alonso Caballero Márquez, Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Bucaramanga – Colombia, sobre la aplicación de la prospectiva estratégica como una herramienta para la toma de decisiones en microempresas, centrándose específicamente en el caso de los micro mercados y tenderos en el área metropolitana de Bucaramanga. Los resultados obtenidos revelaron que la prospectiva estratégica puede ser una herramienta eficaz para identificar variables clave, oportunidades y amenazas, formular estrategias a largo plazo y tomar decisiones informadas en el entorno de la microempresa. Se resaltó la importancia de la anticipación y la visión de futuro en la toma de decisiones estratégicas, así como la necesidad de adaptar y aplicar estas técnicas de prospectiva de manera adecuada a las características y recursos de las microempresas. En particular, se encontró que la combinación del direccionamiento estratégico y la prospectiva permite formular planes estratégicos mucho más efectivos al aprovechar las herramientas prospectivas, como en el caso del MIC MAC utilizado en este estudio. Demuestra que la prospectiva estratégica, específicamente el uso del MIC MAC, puede ser una valiosa herramienta para las microempresas, como los micro mercados y tenderos en el área metropolitana de Bucaramanga, en la identificación de variables clave, la formulación de estrategias y la toma de decisiones informadas. Los hallazgos resaltan la importancia de incorporar enfoques prospectivos en la planificación estratégica de las microempresas para adaptarse y competir de manera efectiva en entornos empresariales cambiantes. planes estratégicos mucho más efectivos al aprovechar las herramientas prospectivas, como en el caso del MIC MAC utilizado en este estudio. IMPLEMENTACIÓN DE SCRUM COMO TÉCNICA DIDÁCTICA EN LA ENSEÑANZA: EVALUACIÓN DE LA EXPERIENCIA Y PERCEPCIONES DE LOS ESTUDIANTES DE UN PROGRAMA DE POSGRADO EN GERENCIA DE PROYECTOS. Artículo de investigación de los académicos Juan Sebastián Dugarte Mendoza, Fabio Augusto Niño Liévano, Erika Patricia Ramírez Oliveros, Cesar Augusto Silva Giraldo, Eduardo Arango Tobón, Yohanna Milena Rueda Mahecha, David Andrés Suarez Suarez, & Tatiana Gualdrón Porras Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios, Bucaramanga – Colombia, en torno a la implementación de SCRUM como técnica didáctica en un curso de Formulación de Proyectos en un programa de posgrado en Colombia. Los resultados muestran que la comunicación y colaboración en los equipos son cruciales, pero se identificaron falencias en la capacitación, apoyo y estructura de roles de SCRUM. Los procesos de evaluación y seguimiento se ajustaron a las expectativas, y los estudiantes mostraron interés en la técnica. Para optimizar la implementación de SCRUM, se recomienda fortalecer la capacitación, la estructura y roles de SCRUM, la colaboración y comunicación, mantener el enfoque en la evaluación y seguimiento, y continuar fomentando la retroalimentación de los estudiantes.

The processing of petroleum products in gasoline storage and distribution facility for loading operation, has caused the generation of vapor emissions sources. Benzene is one of those vapor emissions that workers are likely to be exposed at high exposure level during conducting out specific tasks such as loading gasoline to various petroleum storage transport modes. This results in many problems on human health such as cancer and non-cancer diseases. However, the estimate of benzene exposure to indicate the control measures has not been fully explored in previous researches. In this study, the occupational exposure estimate of benzene in Gabon’s gasoline storage and distribution facility was investigated by using a quantitative and predictive exposure inhalation model; to estimate benzene concentration before and after applying control measures. The results indicate that the benzene concentrations varied between 9.46 mg/m³ and 187 mg/m³ for short term and has the value of 187 mg/m³ for long term. The implementation of control measures including using vapor recovery system, chemical filter mask and improving worker’s behavior might contribute to significantly reduce benzene concentration to the range of 4.52 – 29.08 mg/m³ for short term and down to 4.55 mg/m³ for long term. This almost meets the Agency Governmental Industrial Hygienists standard, in which occupational exposure limit for short term and long term exposure is 8.1 mg/m³ and 3.16 mg/m³, respectively.

Abstract. Pedregal Station is located in a residential area in thesouthwest portion of Mexico City, where the worst ozone episodes are registered. Three models for forecasting ozone are analyzed based on the 19 mean semester maximum values of daily ozone registered at Pedregal Station. The logarithm model seems to fit best the availabledata. Its use suggests that near 10 years have to elapse fom July 2005, before air quality is recovered. Additional control measures are suggested, such as, doubling concentration of MTBE, reducing gasoline Reid Vapor Pressure from 7.5 to 7 psia and increasing efficiency and cover of the public transport system, but reinforcing the presentcontrol policies.Resumen. En la estación de Pedregal, localizada en la zona residencialde la región suroeste de la Ciudad de México, se registran los peores episodios de ozono. Se analizan tres modelos para pronosticar ozono sobre la base de los 19 datos del valor medio semestral de la máxima concentración diaria de ozono registrados en la estación de Pedregal. El modelo logarítmico es el que se ajusta mejor a los datos disponibles. Su uso sugiere que se requieren cerca de 10 años a partir de julio 2005, para recuperar la calidad del aire respecto al ozono. Se sugieren medidas adicionales de control, tales como doblar la concentración de MTBE, reducir la presión de vapor de la gasolina Reid de 7.5 a 7.0 psia e incrementar la eficiencia y cobertura del transporte público, pero reforzando las medidas actuales.

Internal combustion engines are considered primarily responsible for air pollution. Accordingly, a concentrated effort has been made to reduce these pollutants which are emitted from the exhaust system of these engines while preserving energy and fuel consumption. There are also other sources besides internal combustion engines, such as power stations and those released from industry and home consumption. Industrial and household fuel consumers are also adding pollution. The industrial development requires the establishment of effective control systems to deal with its equipment to increase its operational life and increase its productivity with lower maintenance costs. Therefore, the aim of the study in this research is exposed to be used of adaptive neural fuzzy inference system to control the components of the emission of exhaust pollutants for gasoline vehicle. Exhaust pollutants consist of unburned carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, water vapor nitrogen oxides, and energy produced from the combustion process which emit into atmosphere through the exhaust tailpipe. Also, there are hydrocarbons produced from gasoline vaporization and from the crankcase of the vehicle. The results indicate that the adaptive neural fuzzy inference system proves to be a useful tool for simulating and controlling vehicle engine exhaust emissions.

Internal combustion Rankine cycle (ICRC) power plants use oxy-fuel firing with recycled water in place of nitrogen to control combustion temperatures. High efficiency and specific power output can be achieved with this cycle, but importantly, the exhaust products are only CO2 and water vapor: The CO2 can be captured cheaply on condensation of the water vapor. Here we investigate the feasibility of using a reciprocating engine version of the ICRC cycle for automotive applications. The vehicle will carry its own supply of oxygen and store the captured CO2. On refueling with conventional gasoline, the CO2 will be off-loaded and the oxygen supply replenished. Cycle performance is investigated on the basis of fuel-oxygen-water cycle calculations. Estimates are made for the system mass, volume, and cost and compared with other power plants for vehicles. It is found that high thermal efficiencies can be obtained and that huge increases in specific power output are achievable. The overall power-plant system mass and volume will be dominated by the requirements for oxygen and CO2 storage. Even so, the performance of vehicles with ICRC power plants will be superior to those based on fuel cells and they will have much lower production costs. Operating costs arising from supply of oxygen and disposal of the CO2 are expected to be around 20 c/l of gasoline consumed and about $25/tonne of carbon controlled. Over all, ICRC engines are found to be a potentially competitive option for the powering of motor vehicles in the forthcoming carbon-controlled energy market.

Background: Multiple studies, including both humans and animals, have demonstrated that gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuel exhaust emissions include chemical components harmful to the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of kerosene and naphtha vapors on several blood parameters in rats. Methods and Results: The study was conducted on 10–12-week-old male Wistar albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) (n=20) weighing 150–200g. The experimental rats were categorized into two groups, each including five animals. The rats were exposed to kerosene and naphtha vapors for 15, 30, and 45 days, with six hours of daily exposure. Two control groups of animals, each including five animals, were exposed to room air. One group of rats was allowed to inhale the vapors emitted by the evaporating kerosene. Another group underwent an identical process for the naphtha vapors. Both groups of animals were exposed to daily vapors for six hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., six days a week, for three different durations: 15, 30, and 45 days. Blood samples were tested for hematological indices using a Cell Dyn Ruby Hematology Analyzer (Abbott, USA). On days 15, 30, and 45 of the experiment, rats exposed to kerosene and naphtha vapors had an increase in the total number of leukocytes, an increase in the percentage of lymphocytes, and a decrease in the percentage of neutrophils, compared to the control group (P<0.05 in all cases). At 15, 30, and 45 days of the experiment, the total number of RBCs increased significantly (P<0.05 in all cases). In addition, under the influence of kerosene and naphtha vapors, a higher level of PCV and MCV was noted at 30 and 45 days of the experiment, compared to the control group. At the same time, at the indicated stages of the experiment, there was a significant decrease in MCH and MCHC, compared to the control group (P<0.05 in all cases). Conclusion: exposure to naphtha and kerosene vapor significantly affects a variety of WBC and RBC parameters, exhibiting toxic effects.

MotivationGas stations chronically release gasoline vapor to the environment that contains the carcinogen benzene. However, there is no method for estimating setbacks for a gas station depending on an acceptable excess cancer risk due to the benzene emissions, sales volume, benzene content of the emissions, and inhalation dose, without performing an air dispersion simulation for each scenario.MethodsWe developed a new modeling framework, in which only one air dispersion simulation is performed for a reference gas station. Then, a new scaling law is used to estimate cancer risks and setbacks for different gas station characteristics and exposure scenarios.ResultsOur new scaling law allows estimating cancer risk vs. distance as a function of an acceptable excess cancer risk, total benzene emission rate, and frequency of exposure. Setbacks can also be determined from this scaling law or graphically from a design chart. Calculated setbacks differ only slightly from those determined from air dispersion simulations. Different emission control technologies substantially affect calculated setbacks.ConclusionsWe developed a framework that allows policy makers to examine easily how setbacks depend on regulatable measures such as emission control and acceptable cancer risk as well as on exposure characteristics. The framework also allows incorporating a safety factor to account for increased emissions. While this study was conducted in the context of US gas stations, our framework can be applied world-wide.

As renewable energy sources, ethanol and butanol are usually added to fuels to reduce the fossil fuel consumption and soot emissions. Gasoline direct injection with multi-hole injectors provides accurate plume control, enabling ejection toward the desired location, while spray pattern shift leads to deviation in the injection direction. The spray shift needs to be modulated to realize the desired spray pattern, which is complicated by oxygenated fuel addition. To illustrate the shift induced by oxygenated fuel addition, numerical simulations and experimental studies were performed. The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the spray under various operating conditions were obtained via the diffuse backlight illumination and phase Doppler anemometry methods and the simulation of the internal three-phase flow. Moreover, typical single-component and binary fuels were employed to define the general envelope of the multi-component nature for auxiliary analysis. The shift in condition- and time-dependent spray patterns under both flashing and non-flashing conditions were illustrated. The spray morphologies were characterized by rectangular- and trapezoid-like trends. The addition of oxygenated fuels resulted in a smoother trend due to the change of the vapor pressure and surface tension of the mixed fuel. Moreover, it resulted in the variation of the critical width, which is crucial for the spray pattern shift. Additionally, the correlation between the critical width and ambient pressure was obtained. For the non-flashing spray, the internal flow and jet instabilities both influenced the spray width, and the correlation between gas ingestion and turbulence characteristics was obtained. This study aimed to provide guidance for better utilization of oxygenated fuels.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the effect of exposure to gasoline vapor (GV) on the histomorphology and biochemical markers of renal function in rats. Methods: Twenty-four mature Wistar Albino rats weighing 180–200 g were randomly divided into two groups (n = 12 per group). Animals in group 1 (G1) served as unexposed controls, while animals in group 2 (G2) were exposed to GV for 35 days. At the end of the exposure, the animals were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis while the kidneys were removed and processed for histopathological evaluation. Results: Serum biochemical markers of renal function in the exposed group differed significantly (p< 0.05) from the unexposed group in urea (45.16 ± 1.00mg/dl versus(vs) 13.20 ± 0.69 mg/dl), creatinine (1.16 ± 0.27mg/dl vs 0.38 ± 0.10mg/dl), uric acid (3.66 ± 0.82mmol/L vs 1.96 ± 0.08mmol/L), potassium (6.90 ± 0.27mmol/L vs 3.57 ± 0.26mmol/L), sodium (182.60 ± 3.21mmol/L vs 141.33 ± 10.46mmol/L), chloride (119.00 ± 1.58mmol/L vs 103.33 ± 2.07mmol/L), pH (6.82 ± 0.22 vs 7.38 ± 0.25), bicarbonate (16.60 ± 5.03mmol/L vs 26.50 ± 3.45mmol/L), and glucose (125.60 ± 16.23mg/ dl vs 83.33 ± 4.46mg/dl). Histopathological examination of kidney sections revealed areas of degenerative and necrotic changes in the glomerulus, tubules, and renal vasculature, particularly in the cortical portion of the kidney. Conclusion: Chronic exposure to gasoline compounds may be associated with significant structural and biochemical derangements in kidney function.

Gasoline station attendants are exposed to numerous chemicals that might have genotoxic and carcinogenic potential, such as benzene in fuel vapor and particulate matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in vehicle exhaust emission. According to IARC, benzene and diesel particulates are Group 1 human carcinogens, and gasoline has been classified as Group 2A “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” At gas stations, self-service is not implemented in Turkey; fuel-filling service is provided entirely by employees, and therefore they are exposed to those chemicals in the workplace during all working hours. Genetic monitoring of workers with occupational exposure to possible genotoxic agents allows early detection of cancer. We aimed to investigate the genotoxic damage due to exposures in gasoline station attendants in Turkey. Genotoxicity was evaluated by the Comet, chromosomal aberration, and cytokinesis-block micronucleus assays in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Gasoline station attendants ( n = 53) had higher tail length, tail intensity, and tail moment values than controls ( n = 61). In gasoline station attendants ( n = 46), the frequencies of chromatid gaps, chromosome gaps, and total aberrations were higher compared with controls ( n = 59). Increased frequencies of micronuclei and nucleoplasmic bridges were determined in gasoline station attendants ( n = 47) compared with controls ( n = 40). Factors such as age, duration of working, and smoking did not have any significant impact on genotoxic endpoints. Only exposure increased genotoxic damage in gasoline station attendants independently from demographic and clinical characteristics. Occupational exposure-related genotoxicity risk may increase in gasoline station attendants who are chronically exposed to gasoline and various chemicals in vehicle exhaust emissions.

The aim of the study was to study the morphological changes in the liver tissues of laboratory rats under the influence of ecotoxicants and during perinatal prophylaxis. The experiment was carried out on white outbred rats weighing 180-250. A total of 50 animals were involved in the experiment. All animals were divided into 5 groups: control and 4 experimental. All animals of the experimental groups were subjected to inhalation effects of gasoline and formaldehyde vapors, in the 1st (control) group, only poisoning with ecotoxicants was used, in the 2nd group, against the background of poisoning with ecotoxicants, peptinsorbent was used, in the 3rd group - a membrane protector - magnolia vine, in the 4th group beets, in the 5th experimental group - peptinsorbent, membrane protector and beets. The structure of the liver of rat pups born from female rats subjected to subchronic poisoning with gasoline and formaldehyde throughout pregnancy has pronounced pathomorphological signs characteristic of hepatosis, turning into toxic hepatitis. The use of lemongrass, peptinsorbent and beetroot separately, along with intoxication of pregnant rats, somewhat reduced the degree of pathomorphological changes in the liver of born rats, but not drastically. Against the background of using a combined mixture (peptinsorbent + lemongrass "membrane protector" + beetroot) in subsequently born rat pups, the structure of the liver is relatively better than in the control group, with the exception of certain areas of the liver, in which hemostasis and moderately pronounced dystrophic changes in hepatocytes are detected. Based on the results of the experimental study, it can be concluded that the combined mixture (peptinsorbent + lemongrass "membranoprotector" + beetroot) is effective as a hepatoprotective agent for liver damage by ecotoxicants.

Objetivo: Analizar el poder de decisión de los principales Grupos de Interés Económico (GIEs) dentro del mercado mexicano de las gasolinas y el diésel al mes de octubre del 2021. Metodología: Tomando en cuenta a 20 principales GIEs, se aplica la teoría de juegos y simulaciones en Scilab para determinar los elementos del juego generado en dicho mercado. Resultados: Se encuentra una gran cantidad y diversidad de maneras que las GIEs tienen para formar parte de un grupo dominante en dicho mercado, donde los grupos pequeños pueden tener relevancia. Además, se encuentra que la estabilidad de las alianzas depende de la solidez de la misma y sus condiciones iniciales. Limitaciones: Sólo se analizan los 20 principales GIEs del mercado mexicano de las gasolinas y el diésel. Originalidad y valor: No se encontró en la literatura algún trabajo que aplicara la teoría de juegos para analizar este tipo de mercados. La importancia de hacer este tipo de estudios radica en conocer los posibles escenarios donde una coalición de GIEs puede tener un control parcial del mercado de estos petrolíferos. Conclusiones: Este tipo de estudios puede coadyuvar a la toma de decisiones por parte de las empresas dentro de dicho mercado y por parte del gobierno, en su papel de agente regulador.