Architectural rendering and 3D visualization

The following thesis, “Architectural Render and 3D Visualization,” describes the process of creating, rendering, and optimizing an Interior Design using a 3D Engine as the principal tool. The tool used during the development is “Unreal Engine,” which allows rendering and interaction in real-time with the scene. At the end of the process, we can obtain an interactive scene rendered with highquality materials trying to reach a realistic real-time scene by mixing modeling, texturing, and illumination techniques. Furthermore, scripting is contemplated in the project scope, looking to optimize the environment where we will be developing the scene, and developing some tools

Tipología de la noción de modelo en ciencia y su aplicación a dos modelos en terapia ocupacional

Este trabajo de grado partió de la preocupación por detenerse a comprender cuáles son las ideas de modelo y de teoría en que se enmarcan los conocimientos de terapia ocupacional, proponiendo un diálogo con la filosofía de la ciencia en relación específica con su noción de modelo y teoría. De manera más concreta el análisis tiene como propósito responder a la pregunta ¿qué tipo de modelos son el modelo desempeño ocupacional realizante y el modelo de ocupación humana, a la luz de una tipología de la noción de modelo de la filosofía de la ciencia

Respuesta a la tensión/compresión del acero inoxidable 316L fabricado por manufactura aditiva

Additive manufacturing has evolved from a rapid prototyping technology to a technology with the ability to produce highly complex parts with superior mechanical properties than those obtained conventionally. The processing of metallic powders by means of a laser makes it possible to process any type of alloy and even metal matrix composites. The present work analyzes the tensile and compressive response of 316L stainless steel processed by laser-based powder bed fusion. The resulting microstructure was evaluated by optical microscopy. Regarding the mechanical properties, the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, percentage of elongation before breakage, compressive strength and microhardness were determined. The results show that the microstructure is constituted by stacked micro molten pools, within which cellular sub-grains are formed due to the high thermal gradient and solidification rate. The compressive strength (1511.88 ± 9.22 MPa) is higher than the tensile strength (634.80 ± 11.62 MPa). This difference is mainly associated with strain hardening and the presence of residual stresses. The initial microhardness was 206.24 ± 11.96 HV; after the compression test, the hardness increased by 23%.La fabricación aditiva ha evolucionado desde una tecnología de prototipado rápido hasta una con la capacidad de producir piezas altamente complejas con propiedades mecánicas que superan las logradas de manera convencional. El procesamiento de polvos metálicos mediante tecnología láser permite el tratamiento de una amplia gama de aleaciones e incluso materiales compuestos. Este estudio analiza la respuesta a tracción y compresión del acero inoxidable 316L fusionado mediante fusión selectiva láser. La microestructura resultante fue analizada mediante microscopía óptica. En cuanto a las propiedades mecánicas, se determinaron la resistencia a la fluencia, la resistencia última a la tracción, el porcentaje de elongación antes de la fractura, la resistencia a la compresión y la microdureza. Los resultados muestran que la microestructura está compuesta por micropiletas fundidas apiladas, dentro de las cuales se generan subgranos celulares debido al alto gradiente térmico y la alta velocidad de solidificación. La resistencia a la compresión (1511.88 ± 9.22 MPa) es superior a la resistencia a tracción (634.80 ± 11.62 MPa). Esta diferencia está principalmente asociada con el endurecimiento por deformación y las tensiones residuales. La microdureza inicial fue de 206.24 ± 11.96 HV, y después de la prueba de compresión, la dureza aumentó en un 23 %

High glucose levels reduce fatty acid oxidation and increase triglyceride accumulation in human placenta

Placentas of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) exhibit an altered lipid metabolism. The mechanism by which GDM is linked to alterations in placental lipid metabolism remains obscure. We hypothesized that high glucose levels reduce mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and increase triglyceride accumulation in human placenta. To test this hypothesis, we measured FAO, fatty acid esterification, de novo fatty acid synthesis, triglyceride levels, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase activities (CPT) in placental explants of women with GDM or no pregnancy complication. In women with GDM, FAO was reduced by ~30% without change in mitochondrial content, and triglyceride content was threefold higher than in the control group. Likewise, in placental explants of women with no complications, high glucose levels reduced FAO by ~20%, and esterification increased linearly with increasing fatty acid concentrations. However, de novo fatty acid synthesis remained unchanged between high and low glucose levels. In addition, high glucose levels increased triglyceride content approximately twofold compared with low glucose levels. Furthermore, etomoxir-mediated inhibition of FAO enhanced esterification capacity by ~40% and elevated triglyceride content 1.5-fold in placental explants of women, with no complications. Finally, high glucose levels reduced CPT I activity by ~70% and phosphorylation levels of acetyl-CoA carboxylase by ~25% in placental explants of women, with no complications. We reveal an unrecognized regulatory mechanism on placental fatty acid metabolism by which high glucose levels reduce mitochondrial FAO through inhibition of CPT I, shifting flux of fatty acids away from oxidation toward the esterification pathway, leading to accumulation of placental triglycerides. © 2013 the American Physiological Society.This study was supported by a grant from the Carlos III Health Institute (CP08/00106), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (SAF2009-11282), and the FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG (PIRG06-GA-2009-25369) to G. Perdomo; a grant from the Consejería de Salud, Junta de Andalucía (N°0269/05.2005) to J. L. Bartha; and grant from the Carlos III Health Institute (PI11/00676) to F. Bugatto.Peer Reviewe

Genetic deficiency of apolipoprotein D in the mouse is associated with nonfasting hypertriglyceridemia and hyperinsulinemia

Producción CientíficaApolipoprotein D (ApoD) is an atypical apolipoprotein with an incompletely understood function in the regulation of triglyceride and glucose metabolism. We have demonstrated that elevated ApoD production in mice results in improved postprandial triglyceride clearance. This work studies the role of ApoD deficiency in the regulation of triglyceride and glucose metabolism and its dependence on aging. We used ApoD knockout (ApoD-KO) mice of 3 and 21 months of age. Body weight and food intake were measured. Hepatic histology, triglyceride content, lipoprotein lipase levels, and plasma metabolites were studied. Phenotypic characterization of glucose metabolism was performed using glucose tolerance test. β-Cell mass, islet volume, and islet number were analyzed by histomorphometry. Apolipoprotein D deficiency results in nonfasting hypertriglyceridemia in young (P = .01) and aged mice (P = .002). In young ApoD-KO mice, hypertriglyceridemiawas associated with 30% to 50% increased food intake in nonfasting and fasting conditions, respectively, without changes in body weight. In addition, lipoprotein lipase levels were reduced by 35% in adipose tissue (P = .006). In aged ApoD-KO mice, hypertriglyceridemia was not associated with changes in food intake or body weight, whereas hepatic triglyceride levels were reduced by 35% (P = .02). Furthermore, nonfasting plasma insulin levels were elevated by 2-fold in young (P = .016) and aged (P = .004) ApoD-KO mice, without changes in blood glucose levels, glucose tolerance, β-cell mass, or islet number. These findings underscore the importance of ApoD in the regulation of plasma insulin levels and triglyceride metabolism, suggesting that ApoD plays an important role in the pathogenesis of dyslipidemia

Leptolide improves insulin resistance in diet-induced obese mice

Producción CientíficaType 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a complex disease linked to pancreatic beta-cell failure and insulin resistance. Current antidiabetic treatment regimens for T2DM include insulin sensitizers and insulin secretagogues. We have previously demonstrated that leptolide, a member of the furanocembranolides family, promotes pancreatic beta-cell proliferation in mice. Considering the beneficial effects of leptolide in diabetic mice, in this study, we aimed to address the capability of leptolide to improve insulin resistance associated with the pathology of obesity. To this end, we tested the hypothesis that leptolide should protect against fatty acid-induced insulin resistance in hepatocytes. In a time-dependent manner, leptolide (0.1 µM) augmented insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB) by two-fold above vehicle-treated HepG2 cells. In addition, leptolide (0.1 µM) counteracted palmitate-induced insulin resistance by augmenting by four-fold insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of PKB in HepG2 cells. In vivo, acute intraperitoneal administration of leptolide (0.1 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg) improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in lean mice. Likewise, prolonged leptolide treatment (0.1 mg/kg) in diet-induced obese mice improved insulin sensitivity. These effects were paralleled with an ~50% increased of insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of PKB in liver and skeletal muscle and reduced circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines in obese mice. We concluded that leptolide significantly improves insulin sensitivity in vitro and in obese mice, suggesting that leptolide may be another potential treatment for T2DM.This research has been funded by Sociedad Española de Diabetes (Ayudas Investigación Básica 2014), Salud Castilla y León (BIO/VA40/15)Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, (SAF2014-58702-C2-1-R),(SAF2014-58702-C2-2-R

Caracterización y espacialización regional de sistemas de producción prioritarios

Caracterizar y/o diagnosticar conjuntamente con la especialización de los sistemas agropecuarios, constituyen herramientas indispensables al orientar y ejecutar la investigación y transferencia de tecnología, bajo el enfoque sistémico de la producción. Actualizar estos procesos de manera periódica hará potencialmente más sólida la generación de la investigación y más adecuada su transferencia y a su vez permitirá soluciones tecnológicas a la producción agropecuaria y a su entorno socioecon6mico con respuestas al mejoramiento de los sistemas identificados

Diagnóstico sobre la generación de valor compartido en las empresas líderes productores productoras de plásticos en Colombia

El presente trabajo de investigación busca hacer un diagnóstico sobre el Estado de la Generación de Valor Compartido a través de Prácticas Ecoeficientes en tres Empresas Productoras de Plástico en Colombia, el enfoque sobre Valor Compartido fue motivado por Centrum Católica Business School y se seleccionaron tres empresas de este Sector debido al impacto que tiene el Plástico en el medioambiente. La población identificada fue de 20 principales empresas del sector de Plástico en Colombia, donde tres de las empresas atendieron la invitación a participar en el estudio, siendo estas de tamaños diversos en nivel de Activos, una grande, otra mediana y otra pequeña. Para recolectar la información se aplicó un instrumento orientado a identificar las prácticas ecoeficientes en cada una de las compañías encuestadas, en un periodo de tiempo comprendido entre los años 2012 al 2015 y una entrevista al CEO o al ejecutivo designado por la empresa, por lo anterior el diseño de la investigación se definió de tipo cualitativo, descriptivo y transeccional. En los hallazgos del presente trabajo, se pudo observar que el Estado de la Generación de Valor Compartido a través de Prácticas Ecoeficientes no es homogéneo, la empresa de mayor tamaño presenta un avance importante en relación con la aplicación de prácticas ecoeficientes, las otras dos empresas de menor tamaño, aunque han iniciado el ajuste de sus procesos aún tienen un escaso avance en prácticas ecoeficientes, por lo tanto, el estado de aplicación de Valor Compartido también es escaso. Dentro de las principales recomendaciones para las tres empresas, en especial para las de menor tamaño se ha planteado la necesidad de definir un portafolio de proyectos orientado con las mejores prácticas de ecoeficiencia, que incluya indicadores claves, haciendo énfasis en los proyectos de mayor relevancia para la generación de Valor CompartidoThe present research work seeks to make a diagnosis about the State of Shared Value Generation through Eco-efficient Practices in three Plastic Production Companies in Colombia, the Focus on Shared Value was motivated by Centrum Católica Business School and three companies were selected from this Sector, due to the impact that Plastic has on the environment. The identified population was of 20 main companies of the Plastic sector in Colombia, where three of the companies attended the invitation to participate in the study, being these of diverse sizes of assets, one large, one medium and a small one. In order to collect the information, an instrument was developed to identify eco-efficient practices in each of the companies surveyed, in a period of time between the years 2012 to 2015 and an interview with the CEO or the executive appointed by the company, the research design was defined as qualitative, descriptive and transectional. In the findings of the present study, it was observed that the State of Shared Value Generation through Eco-efficient Practices is not homogeneous. The larger enterprise presents an important advance in relation to the application of eco-efficient practices, the other two companies although they have begun to adjust their processes, they still have little progress in eco-efficient practices, therefore the status of Value- Sharing application is also scarce. Among the main recommendations for the three companies, especially for the smaller ones, the need to define a portfolio of projects guided by the best eco-efficiency practices, including key indicators, with emphasis on the most relevant projects for The generation of Shared ValueTesi

Protective effects of epoxypukalide on pancreatic b-cells and glucose metabolism in STZ-induced diabetic mice

Producción CientíficaDiabetes is a consequence of a decrease on functional β-cell mass. We have recently demonstrated that epoxypukalide (Epoxy) is a natural compound with beneficial effects on primary cultures of rat islets. In this study, we extend our previous investigations to test the hypothesis that Epoxy protects β-cells and improves glucose metabolism in STZ-induced diabetic mice. We used 3-months old male mice that were treated with Epoxy at 200 μg/kg body weight. Glucose intolerance was induced by multiple intraperitoneal low-doses of streptozotocin (STZ) on 5 consecutive days. Glucose homeostasis was evaluated measuring plasma insulin levels and glucose tolerance. Histomorphometry was used to quantify the number of pancreatic β-cells per islet. β-cell proliferation was assessed by BrdU incorporation, and apoptosis by TUNEL staining. Epoxy treatment significantly improved glucose tolerance and plasma insulin levels. These metabolic changes were associated with increased β-cell numbers, as a result of a two-fold increase in β-cell proliferation and a 50% decrease in β-cell death. Our results demonstrate that Epoxy improves whole-body glucose homeostasis by preventing pancreatic β-cell death due to STZ-induced toxicity in STZ-treated mic

Altered surface expression of insulin-degrading enzyme on monocytes and lymphocytes from COVID-19 patients both at diagnosis and after hospital discharge

Although the COVID-19 disease has developed into a worldwide pandemic, its pathophysiology remains to be fully understood. Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), a zinc-metalloprotease with a high affinity for insulin, has been found in the interactomes of multiple SARS-CoV-2 proteins. However, the relevance of IDE in the innate and adaptative immune responses elicited by circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells is unknown. Here, we show that IDE is highly expressed on the surface of circulating monocytes, T-cells (both CD4+ and CD4−), and, to a lower extent, in B-cells from healthy controls. Notably, IDE’s surface expression was upregulated on monocytes from COVID-19 patients at diagnosis, and it was increased in more severe patients. However, IDE’s surface expression was downregulated (relative to healthy controls) 3 months after hospital discharge in all the studied immune subsets, with this effect being more pronounced in males than in females, and thus it was sex-dependent. Additionally, IDE levels in monocytes, CD4+ T-cells, and CD4− T-cells were inversely correlated with circulating insulin levels in COVID-19 patients (both at diagnosis and after hospital discharge). Of note, high glucose and insulin levels downregulated IDE surface expression by ~30% in the monocytes isolated from healthy donors, without affecting its expression in CD4+ T-cells and CD4− T-cells. In conclusion, our studies reveal the sex- and metabolism-dependent regulation of IDE in monocytes, suggesting that its regulation might be important for the recruitment of immune cells to the site of infection, as well as for glucometabolic control, in COVID-19 patients.This work was funded by the European Commission–NextGenerationEU (Regulation EU 2020/2094), through CSIC’s Global Health Platform (PTI Salud Global) and Junta de Castilla y León (Proyectos COVID 07.04.467B04.74011.0) to D.B. The project leading to these results had received funding from the “La Caixa” Foundation under agreement LCF/PR/PR18/51130007 to G.P. and grant PID2019-110496RB-C22 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 to G.P. This research was funded by the Programa Estratégico Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular (IBGM), Junta de León and the European Social Fund (ORDER EDU/574/2018)