Gasto estatal y administración de justicia en Colombia

La administración de justicia es una función pública que debe ser suministrada de manera eficiente y oportuna por el Estado. En este trabajo se describe la evolución del gasto estatal en justicia y se analiza de manera general el comportamiento reciente de los indicadores de desempeño sectorial tomando en consideración las reformas institucionales de los últimos años y la mayor asignación de recursos, por parte del Gobierno.El trabajo está dividido en cinco secciones. En la primera se describe brevemente la organización del poder judicial a partir de la reforma constitucional de 1991. En la segunda, se analiza la evolución del gasto sectorial a nivel agregado y por entidades. En la tercera sección, se describe la problemática del sector a través del comportamiento de una serie de indicadores de rendimiento. En la cuarta, se expone, de manera general, el nexo entre la situación penitenciaria y la  administración de justicia en el país. Finalmente, se presentan algunas conclusiones

Optimización multi-objetivo en procesos biotecnológicos : aplicación al cultivo de células vegetales en suspensión de Thevetia peruviana

RESUMEN: La productividad de los bioprocesos es un compromiso entre dos objetivos en conflicto, la maximización de la velocidad de crecimiento de la biomasa y la minimización del consumo de sustrato. En este trabajo, se resuelve un problema de optimización multi-objetivo para mejorar la productividad del cultivo en suspensión de células vegetales de la especie Thevetia peruviana. La solución del problema multi-objetivo permitió determinar las concentraciones iniciales óptimas de sustrato y biomasa para garantizar la máxima productividad. La optimización se lleva a cabo utilizando un modelo mecanistico, que incluye una representación de los procesos intracelulares que tienen lugar en las células vegetales. Las mejores soluciones se eligieron del frente de Pareto teniendo en cuenta el criterio experto. Los resultados indican que se recomienda una concentración inicial de inóculo de 3.91g/L y una concentración inicial de sacarosa de 23.63g/L como condiciones iniciales para obtener una productividad de biomasa de 1.57g/L*día con un consumo aceptable de sacarosa. Se llevó a cabo la validación experimental del óptimo encontrado y la productividad obtenida fue de 1.52g/L usando una concentración de inóculo inicial de 4.27g/L y una concentración inicial de sacarosa de 25.44g/L. Los resultados sugieren que la metodología propuesta puede ampliarse para aumentar la productividad en términos de producción de metabolitos a partir de estos cultivos de células vegetales y otras especies vegetales.ABSTRACT: Bioprocesses productivity is a compromise between two conflicting objectives, maximization of biomass growth rate and minimization of substrate consumption. In this work, a model based multi-objective optimization problem is solved for improving the process productivity in plant cell suspension cultures of Thevetia peruviana. A solution of the multi-objective problem allowed determining the optimal initial concentrations of substrate and biomass for assuring maximal productivity. Model-based optimization is carried out using a mechanistic model, which includes a representation of the intracellular processes taking place on the plant cells. The best solutions were chosen from the Pareto front in agreement with expert criterion. Results indicate that an initial inoculum concentration of 3.91g/L and an initial sucrose concentration of 23.63g/L, are recommended as initial conditions for obtaining a biomass productivity of 1.57g/L*day with an acceptable sucrose uptake. Experimental validation of the optimal found was carried out and the productivity obtained was 1.52g/L using an initial inoculum concentration of 4.27g/L and an initial sucrose concentration of 25.44g/L. Results suggest that the proposed methodology can be extended to increase the productivity in terms of metabolite production from this plant cell cultures and other plant species

Lipid dys-homeostasis contributes to APOE4-associated AD pathology

The association of the APOE4 (vs. APOE3) isoform with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is unequivocal, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. A prevailing hypothesis incriminates the impaired ability of APOE4 to clear neurotoxic amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) from the brain as the main mechanism linking the apolipoprotein isoform to disease etiology. The APOE protein mediates lipid transport both within the brain and from the brain to the periphery, suggesting that lipids may be potential co-factors in APOE4-associated physiopathology. The present study reveals several changes in the pathways of lipid homeostasis in the brains of mice expressing the human APOE4 vs. APOE3 isoform. Carriers of APOE4 had altered cholesterol turnover, an imbalance in the ratio of specific classes of phospholipids, lower levels of phosphatidylethanolamines bearing polyunsaturated fatty acids and an overall elevation in levels of monounsaturated fatty acids. These modifications in lipid homeostasis were related to increased production of Aβ peptides as well as augmented levels of tau and phosphorylated tau in primary neuronal cultures. This suite of APOE4-associated anomalies in lipid homeostasis and neurotoxic protein levels may be related to the accrued risk for AD in APOE4 carriers and provides novel insights into potential strategies for therapeutic intervention

Specific shifts in the endocannabinoid system in hibernating brown bears

In small hibernators, global downregulation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is involved in modulating neuronal signaling, feeding behavior, energy metabolism, and circannual rhythms, has been reported to possibly drive physiological adaptation to the hibernating state. In hibernating brown bears (Ursus arctos), we hypothesized that beyond an overall suppression of the ECS, seasonal shift in endocannabinoids compounds could be linked to bear's peculiar features that include hibernation without arousal episodes and capacity to react to external disturbance. We explored circulating lipids in serum and the ECS in plasma and metabolically active tissues in free-ranging subadult Scandinavian brown bears when both active and hibernating. In winter bear serum, in addition to a 2-fold increase in total fatty acid concentration, we found significant changes in relative proportions of circulating fatty acids, such as a 2-fold increase in docosahexaenoic acid C22:6 n-3 and a decrease in arachidonic acid C20:4 n-6. In adipose and muscle tissues of hibernating bears, we found significant lower concentrations of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), a major ligand of cannabinoid receptors 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2). Lower mRNA level for genes encoding CB1 and CB2 were also found in winter muscle and adipose tissue, respectively. The observed reduction in ECS tone may promote fatty acid mobilization from body fat stores, and favor carbohydrate metabolism in skeletal muscle of hibernating bears. Additionally, high circulating level of the endocannabinoid-like compound N-oleoylethanolamide (OEA) in winter could favor lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation in peripheral tissues. We also speculated on a role of OEA in the conservation of an anorexigenic signal and in the maintenance of torpor during hibernation, while sustaining the capacity of bears to sense stimuli from the environment

El impacto del Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) con los Estados Unidos en la balanza de pagos hasta 2010

Este trabajo evalúa el posible impacto del Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLC) entre Colombia y Estados Unidos sobre los principales rubros de la balanza de pagos, para el período 2007-2010. En la estimación de los efectos del TLC sobre el comercio de bienes se utilizó un modelo multisectorial de equilibrio general. Adicionalmente, se usaron otros métodos de proyección para las cuentas de servicios y para la inversión extranjera directa (IED)

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Twin deficits in Colombia between 1970 and 2019: lack of savings or overinvestment?

ilustraciones, gráficasEl propósito de esta tesis es analizar para Colombia si existe una relación entre el balance ahorro-inversión público y el balance ahorro-inversión de la economía con datos anuales desde 1970 hasta 2019. En particular, si existió tal relación, evaluar si el balance público o fiscal determinó el balance ahorro-inversión de la economía o balance externo, o lo contrario, antes y después de la crisis financiera internacional entre 2007 y 2009, estimar el impacto de sus choques y derivar implicaciones de política. Es decir, se examinan empíricamente las posibles causalidades y se responde si los cambios se presentaron por un problema de falta de ahorro o de exceso de inversión público o privado. La respuesta a esta pregunta es de particular interés para la política fiscal y macroeconómica. La metodología empírica utiliza pruebas de causalidad de Granger, un modelo VAR estándar y regresiones de proyecciones locales de Jordà (2005), que permiten estimar funciones de impulso respuesta con choques plenamente identificados y un modelo de regresión uniecuacional. Los resultados obtenidos no rechazan la presencia de los déficits gemelos en los datos y período estudiado, pero la causalidad estadística encontrada se presenta del balance externo al balance público, como lo evidencian Ramos y Rincón (2000) y concuerda con lo que predeciría la hipótesis de “dominancia de la balanza de pagos” (Ocampo, 2013). Se estima que un choque de un punto porcentual del balance externo aumenta el balance público en 0,25 puntos porcentuales en el segundo año y de 0,32 puntos porcentuales para el tercer año. Así mismo, el balance ahorro-inversión público es más deficitario, en 1,07 puntos porcentuales, después de la crisis financiera internacional 2007–2009, que antes de la crisis. (Texto tomado de la fuente).The purpose of this thesis is to analyze for Colombia if there is a relationship between the public savings-investment balance and the economy savings-investment balance with annual data from 1970 to 2019. If such a relationship existed, evaluate if the public or fiscal balance caused the savings-investment balance of the economy or external balance, before and after the international financial crisis between 2007 and 2009, estimate the impact of their shocks and derive policy implications. That is, the possible causalities are empirically examined, and it is answered whether the changes occurred due to a problem of lack of savings or excess investment. The answer to this question is of particular interest to fiscal and macroeconomic policy. The empirical econometric methodology used is Granger's causality tests, a standard VAR model and local projections regressions by Jordà (2005), which allow estimating impulse response functions with fully identified shocks and a single equation regression model. The results obtained corroborate that there is the presence of twin deficits in the data and period studied, but the statistical causality found is presented from the external balance to the public balance, as evidenced by Ramos and Rincón (2000), and agrees with what would predict the hypothesis of "dominance of the balance of payments" (Ocampo, 2013). It is estimated that a shock of one percentage point of the external balance increases the public balance by 0,25 percentage points in the second year and by 0,32 percentage points for the third year. Likewise, the public savings-investment balance is more in deficit, by 1,07 percentage points, after the 2007–2009 international financial crisis, than before the crisis.Incluye anexosMaestríaMagíster en Ciencias EconómicasTeoría y política económic

Multi-objective optimization in biotechnological processes: application to plant cell suspension cultures of Thevetia peruviana

La productividad de los bioprocesos es un compromiso entre dos objetivos en conflicto, la maximización de la velocidad de crecimiento de la biomasa y la minimización del consumo de sustrato. En este trabajo, se resuelve un problema de optimización multi-objetivo para mejorar la productividad del cultivo en suspensión de células vegetales de la especie Thevetia peruviana. La solución del problema multi-objetivo permitió determinar las concentraciones iniciales óptimas de sustrato y biomasa para garantizar la máxima productividad. La optimización se lleva a cabo utilizando un modelo mecanistico, que incluye una representación de los procesos intracelulares que tienen lugar en las células vegetales. Las mejores soluciones se eligieron del frente de Pareto teniendo en cuenta el criterio experto. Los resultados indican que se recomienda una concentración inicial de inóculo de 3,91g/L y una concentración inicial de sacarosa de 23,63g/L como condiciones iniciales para obtener una productividad de biomasa de 1,57g/L*día con un consumo aceptable de sacarosa. Se llevó a cabo la validación experimental del óptimo encontrado y la productividad obtenida fue de 1,52g/L usando una concentración de inóculo inicial de 4,27g/L y una concentración inicial de sacarosa de 25,44g/L. Los resultados sugieren que la metodología propuesta puede ampliarse para aumentar la productividad en términos de producción de metabolitos a partir de estos cultivos de células vegetales y otras especies vegetales