Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

The new challenges for health systems worldwide are aimed at guaranteeing the quality of health services.  In this study, carried out at the El Ángel Basic Hospital, the quality of nursing services was evaluated from the perspective of the users and the level of compliance with quality standards related to the care process. A non-experimental mixed methodological approach with a descriptive and cross-sectional design was adopted. The study population included nursing professionals and external users of emergency, gynecology, and surgery services from September to December 2023. A sample of 12 nurses and 140 users were selected through convenience and systematic sampling, respectively. The results revealed a demographic diversity among users, highlighting a worrying lack of health insurance affiliation. In addition, a generally positive perception was observed in aspects such as security and empathy, although areas such as reliability and responsiveness showed variable levels of satisfaction. Specifically, problems were identified in the availability of medications and equipment in the emergency service, as well as concerns in the response capacity and empathy in the surgery and gynecology services. These findings highlight the need for improvements to guarantee more effective and satisfactory care for users in different areas of the hospital's nursing services.

Cellular concrete is a lightweight material that requires specialized design to meet mechanical parameters such as density, as well as compressive and flexural strength. Although cellular concrete is used in other countries, its production in Costa Rica represents an innovation, as it involves the development of a mix design adapted to locally available materials. Its significance lies in its versatility and its potential to increase construction productivity.The objective of this study is to determine, through laboratory testing, the mix designs for producing cellular hydraulic concrete using an air-entraining admixture, blended hydraulic cement modified with limestone and pozzolan, and aggregates derived from andesite alluvium.The tests were conducted in 2023 at the National Laboratory of Materials and Structural Models at the University of Costa Rica, under controlled conditions and in accordance with standards from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and guidelines from the American Concrete Institute (ACI). The results suggest that the fine aggregate sourced from andesite alluvium meets the technical requirements and enables the formulation of mixes that conform to the design parameters. In addition, tests on the density of fresh concrete indicate that there is insufficient evidence to conclude that the experimental densities differ from the  theoretical values. Finally, the compressive and tensile strength results of the cellular concrete are acceptable according to the statistical parameters used in the design.

Steel Frames with Intentionally Eccentric Braces (FIEBs) are an innovative Seismic Force-ResistingSystem (SFRS) that offers significant advantages compared to Concentrically Braced Frames (CBFs).Recent research has shown that the adjustable stiffness and strength of Braces with IntentionalEccentricity (BIEs) with square Hollow Structural Section (HSS) bracing members allows for a bettercontrol over the structure’s dynamic response and for a reduction of the capacity-based design forces onthe non-energy-dissipating members.In this article, the aptness of W-shapes, C-shapes, and round HSSs to be employed as bracingmembers in multi-story FIEBs is evaluated preliminarily. To this end, hypothetical buildings with FIEBsbased on the three section types as their SFRS are designed using a displacement-based procedure forthe seismic hazard of locations in Costa Rica, and their performance is assessed numerically with Non-Linear Response History Analysis (NLRHA).The results show that the three section types produce FIEBs that display a satisfactory seismicresponse in terms of maximum story drifts and story shears, and that the use of W-shape BIEs results inthe most cost-effective designs.

Foamed, expanded, or cellular asphalt is a relatively recent technology, although its use has been documented since 1957. Foamed asphalt is a technique that allows the expansion and mixing of asphalt with various types of aggregates to produce economical pavement structures with relatively high load-bearing capacity.

This project aims to analyze the behavior of gap-graded mixes using commonly used binders and aggregates in Costa Rica, with the goal of developing specifications focused on designing and constructing mixes that are more resistant to rutting and offer greater durability. To achieve this, work was carried out on selecting the optimal gradation, and Marshall mix designs as well as Superpave mix designs were developed. Laboratory-scale rutting was analyzed using the Georgia Loaded Wheel Tester, resilient modulus was measured through indirect tensile testing, and moisture sensitivity was evaluated using immersion-compression tests (retained tensile strength and uniaxial compression). It was found that a lack of aggregate cubicity can negatively impact the performance of this type of mix, as it prevents achieving effective stone-on-stone contact. Mixes produced with cellulose fiber exhibited greater deformation compared to mixes without cellulose fiber. Moreover, both dry and conditioned strength values were lower in cellulose fiber mixes compared to those without cellulose fiber.

Over the past decade, there has been a growing interest in asphalt technology regarding the use of polymer-modified binders. This is due to the increasing demand for hot mix asphalt, the rise in traffic volumes, and the high loads and tire inflation pressures that have led to premature rutting in pavements. Additionally, the implementation of specifications developed by the SHRP research group requires that the asphalt binder used in hot mix asphalt performs well under both low and high service temperatures. Furthermore, the introduction of highway concession systems demands longer pavement life spans, aiming to reduce the risk of early failures.

As is well known, the use of polymers in the preparation of asphalt mixtures dates back more than half a century. In countries with more advanced technology, laboratory tests are conducted related to the behavior of polymer-modified asphalt mixtures. Projects are developed to improve pavement performance, resulting in significantly longer design periods and service life compared to conventional pavements.

One of the challenges associated with dense hot-mix asphalt is its tendency to suffer long-term permanent deformation, especially under harsh traffic loads and extreme weather conditions. Moreover, when such deformation occurs, it often leads to a gradual loss of surface texture, rendering the pavement smooth and potentially endangering road safety.

Over the past 24 months, the inspection of plants and process audits conducted by Lanamme-UCR identified a particular case involving a construction company that, at two asphalt plants located in different sites, was producing asphalt mix with a high degree of boiling. This raised concerns about the effect of this phenomenon on the properties of the asphalt mixture.

The section of National Route No. 601, between Route No. 18 (Limonal–Tempisque) and the CEMEX cement manufacturing plant, was paved using Roller-Compacted Concrete (RCC), placed with a paver over the existing, shaped, and compacted granular base. The work was carried out between July and August 2002.