TWILIGHT OF THE TOFFS: FALL OF A CASTE, RISE OF A MYTH

Dissertation ABSTRACT: This dissertation deals with the representation of the interwar upper classes (above all, the aristocracy) in the contemporary English novel. I have chosen three novels for my study: Ian McEwan‟s Atonement (2001), Kazuo Ishiguro‟s The Remains of the Day (1989) and Evelyn Waugh‟s Brideshead Revisited (1945). My main critical perspective is a structuralist one, namely that of Roland Barthes in his Mythologies (1956). I show how, notwithstanding the period in which they were written, their aesthetic orientation, or their authors‟ personal stand concerning their society, the chosen novels, spanning six decades, can be analyzed by applying the same „figures of myth‟, according to Barthes‟s terminology. To facilitate a better understanding of this literature, I have also connected it with a common historical and ideological background, that of the interwar period. Moreover, as Barthes‟s ideological stand is a Marxist one, if heterodoxically so, I will be relating the novels to a number of Marxist concepts, such as hegemony, dominant and residual cultures, or false consciousness. Concepts from other fields of contemporary intellectual history, such as psychoanalysis, will also be featured for the same purpose. Finally, I have also given a prominent role to social history in my analysis. My main conclusion will be that myth has superseded factual representation of the traditional landed aristocracy, turning it into a category that is still operative in the domain of fiction, informing the international reading public‟s views of British society and culture, even after the historical demise of that social class

Implementacion de un establecimiento de larga estadia para el adulto mayor en la ciudad de Talca.

127 p.En este trabajo se realiza un estudio para la Implementación de un Establecimiento de Larga Estadía para el Adulto Mayor en la Ciudad de Talca, enfocado especialmente a los segmentos socioeconómicos ABC1 C2. Se lleva a cabo este proyecto porque en el actual escenario no existe un establecimiento que proporcione este tipo de servicio con una alta calidad, existen clientes por abastecer los cuales están en aumento por la transición demográfica que vive el país. Para lograr conocer el atractivo del mercado se utilizan dos herramientas en particular, el Análisis Porter de las fuerzas competitivas del que se genera una estrategia a nivel de negocio, y el Análisis Situacional FODA del que se genera una matriz con el fin crear estrategias para aprovechar las fortalezas internas, las oportunidades externas, disminuir las debilidades y enfrentar las amenazas. Una vez definido el atractivo del mercado se procede a realizar un análisis económico-financiero para evaluar si es factible llevar a cabo el proyecto y como reacciona al disminuir las principales variables de las que depende el ingreso del establecimiento. Una vez llevado a cabo el estudio se logra concluir que el proyecto es factible puesto que presenta un VAN positivo y además una TIR muy por sobre el costo de oportunidad utilizado para la evaluación del proyecto

Dissecting the microglial response in transgenic models of amyloidogenesis and tauopathy

Amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptide deposits and hyperphosphorylated tau protein (phospho-tau) accumulate in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brains. These abnormal protein aggregates leads to glial activation, synaptic dysfunction, neuronal loss and cognitive decline. While microglial response has mostly been analyzed in relation to Abeta accumulation, little is still known about inflammatory processes associated with tau pathology. Microglial reactivity and defective glial responses have been involved in these proteinopathies. Our aim is to clarify the effects of Abeta and tau separately, in order to improve the comprehension of their differential contribution to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. We compared the progression of these processes in an amyloidogenic AD model (APPSL/PS1M146L) and two different models of tauopathy (ThyTau22 and hP301S) from 2 to 18 months of age. Accumulation of aggregated proteins was assessed using specific anti- Abeta and phospho-tau antibodies. Inflammatory response was studied using a battery of microglial markers (Iba1, CD45, CD68, Trem2 and Gal-3). In the hippocampus of these models, Tau and Abeta pathologies initiated as early as 2 months of age and increased progressively with aging. Neuritic plaques induced a strong microglial activation associated to plaques in APP/PS1 mice. Interestingly, inflammatory markers and microglial reactivity were barely increased in the hippocampus of ThyTau mice in contrast to not only APP/PS1, but also to P301S mice, which displayed a prominent microglial response. Deciphering the specific effects of Abeta, tau and their different toxic species, would indeed enable the development of novel therapeutic strategies and drugs targeting neuroinflammatory pathways related to these proteinopathies.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de excelencia Andalucía-Tech. Supported by PI18/01557 (AG) and PI18/01556 (JV) grants from ISCiii of Spain co-financed by FEDER funds from European Union, and by grant PPIT.UMA.B1.2017/26 (RS-V)

3D numerical simulation of slope-flexible system interaction using a mixed FEM-SPH model

Flexible membranes are light structures anchored to the ground that protect infrastructures or dwellings from rock or soil sliding. One alternative to design these structures is by using numerical simulations. However, very few models were found until date and most of them are in 2D and do not include all their components. This paper presents the development of a numerical model combining Finite Element Modelling (FEM) with Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) formulation. Both cylindrical and spherical failure of the slope were simulated. One reference geometry of the slope was designed and a total of 21 slip circles were calculated considering different soil parameters, phreatic level position and drainage solutions. Four case studies were extracted from these scenarios and simulated using different dimensions of the components of the system. As a validation model, an experimental test that imitates the soil detachment and its retention by the steel membrane was successfully reproduced.The FORESEE project has received funding from the EuropeanUnion’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program undergrant agreement No 769373

SYSTEMIC ADMINISTRATION OF EPOTHYLONE-D RECUES MEMORY AND AMELIORATES ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE-LIKE PATHOLOGY IN APP/PS1 MICE

Aims Cognitive and memory decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients is highly related to synaptic dysfunction and neuronal loss. Tau hyperphosphorylation destabilizes microtubules leading to axonal transport failure, accumulation of autophagy/vesicular material and the generation of dystrophic neurites, thus contributing to axonal/synaptic dysfunction. In this study, we analyzed the effect of a microtubule-stabilizing drug in the progression of the disease in an APP751SL/PS1M146L transgenic model. Method APP/PS1 mice (3 month-old) were weekly treated with 2 mg/kg intraperitoneal injections of Epothilone-D (Epo-D) for 3 months. Vehicle-injected animals were used as controls. For memory performance, animals were tested on the object-recognition tasks, Y-maze and Morris water maze. Levels of Abeta, ubiquitin, AT8 and synaptic markers were analyzed by Western-blot. Hippocampal plaque burden, dystrophic and synaptic loadings were quantified after immunostaining by image analysis. Results Epo-D treated mice showed a significant improvement in the performance of hippocampus-associated cognitive tests compared to controls. This memory recovery correlated with a significant reduction in the AD-like hippocampal pathology. Abeta, APP and ubiquitin levels were significantly reduced in treated animals, and a decrease in both the plaque loading and the axonal pathology was also found. Finally, synaptic levels were significantly preserved in treated animals in comparison with controls. Conclusion Epo-D treatment promotes synaptic and cognitive improvement, reduces the accumulation of extracellular Abeta and the associated neuritic pathology in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 model. Therefore, microtubule stabilizing drugs could be considered therapeutical candidates to slow down AD progression.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. Supported by FIS-PI15/00796 (AG), FIS-PI15/00957(JV) and co-financed by FEDER funds from European Union

Enhancing Survival, Engraftment, and Osteogenic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising candidates for bone regeneration therapies due to their plasticity and easiness of sourcing. MSC-based treatments are generally considered a safe procedure, however, the long-term results obtained up to now are far from satisfactory. The main causes of these therapeutic limitations are inefficient homing, engraftment, and osteogenic differentiation. Many studies have proposed modifications to improve MSC engraftment and osteogenic differentiation of the transplanted cells. Several strategies are aimed to improve cell resistance to the hostile microenvironment found in the recipient tissue and increase cell survival after transplantation. These strategies could range from a simple modification of the culture conditions, known as cell-preconditioning, to the genetic modification of the cells to avoid cellular senescence. Many efforts have also been done in order to enhance the osteogenic potential of the transplanted cells and induce bone formation, mainly by the use of bioactive or biomimetic scaffolds, although alternative approaches will also be discussed. This review aims to summarize several of the most recent approaches, providing an up-to-date view of the main developments in MSC-based regenerative techniques

Centro empresarial para el emprendimiento e innovación en el distrito de San Miguel

Desde hace varias décadas, en especial, las dos últimas pertenecientes al siglo 21 el ámbito mundial se ha desarrollado de una manera acelerada tanto en el sector tecnológico y teniendo un impacto positivo en la economía mundial, lo cual ha permitido generar una cantidad sorprendente de avances en beneficio de las personas, los mismos que pertenecen al contexto de la globalización de actividades económicas y de competencias internacionales. Algunos ejemplos de esta situación son los posicionamientos de países como Estados Unidos o China como líderes en una amplia variedad de mercados, los Tratados de Libre Comercio (TLC) en América y la conectividad de negocios entre distintos continentes. Una de las características más importantes del fenómeno de globalización es el desarrollo de nuevas tecnologías, nuevos productos y nuevas empresas o emprendimientos, denominadas Startups, quienes son responsables de estas disrupciones. Por otro lado, la constante búsqueda por innovar de parte de la mayoría de empresas en diferentes países en el mundo para mejorar y facilitar la vida de sus habitantes genera un proceso de integración económica mundial que relaciona el comercio, capital y tecnología

Generación de energía eléctrica renovable utilizando una baldosa piezoeléctrica - 2020

El presente informe de investigación tuvo como objetivo la generación energía eléctrica renovable mediante el diseño de una baldosa piezoeléctrica, esto se dio por medio del efecto piezoeléctrico el cual tiene la función de convertir la energía mecánica de un objeto con masa en energía eléctrica renovable. El tipo de investigación fue aplicada y de nivel explicativo, debido a que trato de explicar las causas en distintas etapas del estudio, originando secuencias de causa y efecto, y el diseño de la investigación fue experimental puro. En los resultados podemos observar que se logró diseñar una baldosa piezoeléctrica a partir de la evaluación de los parámetros físicos: peso específico (5842.18 ), conductividad eléctrica (59.524 , trabajo mecánico y la resistencia eléctrica (112 0−8 . Así mismo se halló la energía mecánica y se obtuvo ( 37.35 J, 35.36 J, 33.71 J), también se calculó la energía eléctrica que genera cada peso (370, 420, 410), (350, 330, 320), (230, 210, 240) respectivamente, y por último se halló el tiempo que se demorara en cargar una batería de 3.5 V, siendo el tiempo más óptimo de 16 horas con 40 minutos esto generado con 420 Wh de energía renovable