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This paper argues the origins of research in chemical sciences at the University of Orient, and the first chemical degree course in Cuba. The peculiar origin of the career, as a consequence of the orientation to research towards basic science, promoted by Dr. H. Harry Szmant from whiting the career of Industrial Chemical Engineering, is demonstrated. The creation, purposes and evolution of the Chemical Research Center at the Universidad de Oriente are analized. It is argued that the early decision to organize the Chemistry Conference in 1964, the first on the country, arose from identifying the need to divulgate the results and promote exchange among scientists, It is shown that this event served as platform for the creation of the Cuban Society of Chemistry and the Cuban Journal of Chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a historical analysis of two fundamental aspects of hydraulic engineering is made. They are the construction of works and engineering teaching in Cuban context. Evolution of construction and its influence in the formation of professionals can be appreciated. Also, the presence of this professionals has influenced the amount and complexity of works. Here, some social and environmental factors are mentioned, establishing an ancient memory, which has been divided into five parts withholding five centuries. On each part development of works and teaching of this engineering are presented, thus making a historical - logical link between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a review of information on personalities, institutions, publications, projects, studies, investigations, and scientific instruments related to Cuban seismology. The paper covers 479 years, from the first earthquake report (1528, in Baracoa) to the present. Five seismologists (Andrés Poey γ Aguirre {1825-1919}, Benito Viñes Martorell, S.J. {1837- 1893}, Pedro Salteraín γ Legarra {1835-?}, Mariano Gutiérrez Lanza {1865-1943}, and Eduardo Montelieu γ de la Torre {1883-?}) carried out scientific work of outstanding quality. The seismicity in the southeastern part is the most important in the country, in terms of magnitude, intensity and frequency of earthquake occurrence. Two earthquakes of 9 degrees (MSK) and eight of 8 degrees (MSK) were recorded, and a 6.9 maximum magnitude was registered on 25.05.1992 in Cabo Cruz. The strongest earthquake in the western part of the island occurred on 22.01.1880 (I = 8 degrees, MSK) in San Cristóbal. Recorded fatalities from earthquakes for the entire territory are slightly over one hundred, much less than in other countries in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to analyze a special industrial space created by the Cuban sugar industry: the batey, or sugar industrial town. The batey will be considered as a tourist resource, following the WTO's FAS model (Factors, Attractors and Support Services). The batey can be considered as a historical and artistic resource, demonstrating part of the island's heritage and economic/industrial past. First, this study analyzes the characteristics that define the batey as a tourist resource. Second, this study describes the conditions needed to transform a factor into an attractor, taking into account the socio-cultural and political context where the process takes place. The Batey Brasil is located in the Camagüey region. So it is important to take into consideration the opportunities and potential problems of developing a tourist product in this region. Finally, this paper ends with some policy recommendations for tourist development in Camagüey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main cooling strategy in warm climates, as that of Cuba, is the solar control. However, the sun brake was in disuse, so glass windows without solar protection was increased and the costs of its affectations were ignored. The objectives of this paper are: to characterize the historical evolution of the use of brise-soleil as a shady resource and to obtain the designing angles for solar protection elements so that they can be more efficient and economic. Through virtual simulation (validated through a scale model experiment) the parameters proposed by the current rules and other national documents regarding the design of solar protection in architecture were checked. The criterion for a single type of solar protection element in the north and south facades in the city of Camaguey was changed. Besides, it was demonstrated that multiple elements are more efficient. On the other hand, optimized angles for the design of these elements were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the period of colonial Havana had sculptural works and monuments, first made by foreign artists and then from the late nineteenth century, also by Cuban sculptor. This paper makes a brief review of outstanding examples of sculpture in the Centro Habana municipality and also addresses, for their significance examples located in a border area with Old Havana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper briefly describes the stages of the historical evolution of the town of Matahambre, the physical spatial characteristics that identify the town and distinguish it in the Cuban geography with forms that characterize the settlement which adapts to the rough topography and the vegetation during the process of urbanization. All this makes up a peculiar place, with a rustic architecture that has been coined as a wild landscape. Lastly, cultural values as well as historical memories and attributes which give matahambre the features of a cultural landscape are shown in this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The illness-health process has been changed in the last years. As a matter of fact culture has been taken an important roll in the way every community sees the concepts of health and sickness and in the way they face them. Every oficial medical system has been taking all the non formal practices into account. More and more elements of natural medicine are incorporated to the every day medical practice. The evolution of the medical system to promotion and prevention programs has changed the way traditional medicine is focus. The paper pretends to show the medical anthropology development in Cuba, it's past and present. The Historical method was used to analized the information. It's concluded that the process health-illness is not sufficient studied by the cuban medical anthropology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cojímar is a small town in the east of Havana city. Founded in the middle of the 16th century, it experienced some development as a spa at the end of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, interrupted only by the exploitation of the Eastern beaches on the Havana seashore. A sustained decline that no other economic activity has been able to stop began at that time together with a significant environmental deterioration. This paper analyses the potentialities and constraints Cojímar faces in recovering its tourism operations without compromising the environment and offers some proposals in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chemistry in Cuba started at the beginning of the last century, involving fields like medicine and sugar cane industry. The chemical activities were associated with the names of Félix Varela, José A. Saco, José de la Luz y Caballero, José Casaseca and Álvaro Reynoso. In this paper an historical view of the Chemistry in Cuba since 1814 when the first cuban chemist Estevez y Cantal, analyzed the Ugalde¨s pill until nowadays is exposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]