Abstract: The principal objective of this document is to describe some of the relationships and similarities between nostalgia and generativity, two constructs that have been studied separately but rarely together. In order to carry out the research, it has been made a narrative review of various theoretical and empirical articles on both concepts published in different multidisciplinary databases. After a brief synthesis of found literature, a reflective meta-reading was performed, revealing how nostalgia through its relationship with constructs linked to well-being could promote generativity and facilitate the disclosure of intentions and generative actions. Similarly, the review described how both notions are related to the strengthening of existential meaning and quality of life. Resumen: El presente documento tiene como objetivo principal describir algunas de las similitudes y relaciones que existen entre la nostalgia y la generatividad, dos constructos que han sido estudiados separadamente, pero pocas veces de manera conjunta. Para poder llevar a cabo la investigación, se ha realizado una revisión narrativa de varios artículos teóricos y empíricos sobre ambos conceptos que han sido publicados en diferentes bases de datos multidisciplinares. Luego de hacer una breve síntesis de lo encontrado, se realizó una metalectura reflexiva la cual, permitió evidenciar primeramente como la nostalgia a través de su relación con constructos ligados al bienestar pueden promover la generatividad, asimismo, facilita la divulgación de las intenciones y las acciones generativas. De igual manera, se describió como ambos conceptos están relacionados con el fortalecimiento del significado existencial y de la calidad de vida.

Abstract: CO2 emissions in recent years have reached the highest levels historically, with peaks in 2018 and stabilization in 2020 due to the pandemic. Construction and materials production is among the most contributing industries to the greenhouse gas emission (GHG) effect. Architectural design has become an essential tool to face this environmental problem, just like civil engineering with creating, manipulating, and implementing less toxic and harmful building materials, and the energy consumption control in the structure's life cycle, becoming strategies for the significant reduction of anthropogenic emissions. Charcoal manages to store 50% of its carbon content for centuries, while Biochar, due to its pyrolysis production process and natural decomposition, releases up to 90% of carbon in the first ten years. Biochar, the solid subproduct of the pyrolysis process, is widely considered an effective water retention composite thanks to its morphology and high surface area. The opportunity of using it to improve the mechanical properties and achieve rheological requirements in cement pastes and cement mortar on a micro-scale is explored in this study. The results have demonstrated that with small percentages (1 - 5% and 7%) of Biochar used as a filler and substitution by cement weight in the sample preparation process, not only the compressive and flexural strength are increasing, but also the fracture energy, with a more tortuous crack path that increases the final fracture surface at an early age of maturation. However, this same behavior is not reflected at a late maturation age since there is an enhancement compared to the plain cement samples, but not as significant as that which occurs at an early maturation. In cement paste samples, Biochar used as 2% filler by cement weight can increase by 63% and 23% the flexural and compressive strength after 7-days of curing, respectively, while 29% and 13% the flexural and compressive strength after 28-days of curing, respectively. When taking about fracture energy and ductility factor, the behavior still being positive, with an improvement of 124% and 18% respectively after 7-days of curing, while 150% and 14% respectively after 28-days of curing. In cement mortar samples, Biochar was used as a filler and as substitution by cement weight. In this case, the samples do not seem to follow the same trend or behavior as the cement paste, especially at a late maturity; the mechanical properties seem to remain the same as the plain mortar, close to about 6 MPa and 70 MPa at flexural and compressive strength, respectively. The rheological tests' experimental results suggest that the addition of Biochar can increase the consistency of cementitious paste at the fresh state (e.g., increase in plastic viscosity, shear stress, and yield stress) compared to the reference mixture, also offering a way to waste recycling. This main rheological parameter evaluated appears to increment as the addition of Biochar increments, making the sample more viscous. Biochar's effect in the cement matrix in main rheological properties depends on the sample's preparation and the agglomeration of the particles and their content in each preparation.

Abstract: This project revises the 3D conceptual model for the Hvíthólar sub-area in the South Zone of Krafla Geothermal Field. Hvíthólar is one of 6 sub-areas in south Krafla, located at the intersection of the south boundary of Krafla caldera, striking E-W, and the NNE-SSW oriented fissure swarms of the North Volcanic Zone. The model developed in this study extends along Vestursvæði, Þríhvrningar, Hvíthólar and Sandabotnaskarð sub-areas with a combined area of around 30 km2. Hvíthólar is the only southern sub-area connected to Krafla power station and has exhibited a considerable production decline over the period of 1990 – 2013. According to a lumped simulation, the Hvíthólar reservoir follows a two tank open system with a volume of 6.00004 km3. The Hvíthólar enthalpy is approximately 1200 kJ/kg; chemically it presents a low concentration of Cl−, and high CO2. To date, most studies support the hypothesis that Hvíthólar characteristics and behaviour are due to the lack of a heat recharge and that the sub-area is in a phase of waning or even becoming extinct. An improved understanding of heat source location and permeability variations will provide the basis of future utilisation decisions. This study presents two alternative conceptual models for Hvíthólar in addition the existing one, as a means to test the current conceptual model in order to determine the potential to extend the life of the asset. An update of the geological model was carried out based on data from shallow and deep wells along the southern part of Krafla geothermal field. This update combined with existing data from surface exploration was used to generate three conceptual models in Leapfrog Geothermal. The models focus on the location of heat source, and the permeability variation at the intersection between caldera boundary and fissure swarm. Each of the models are validated with TOUGH2 simulations. Resumen: Este proyecto revisa el modelo conceptual 3D para la subárea Hvíthólar en la Zona Sur del Campo Geotérmico Krafla. Hvíthólar es una de las 6 subáreas en el sur de Krafla, ubicada en la intersección del límite sur de la caldera de Krafla, con rumbo E-O, y los enjambres de fisuras orientados NNE-SSO de la Zona Volcánica Norte. El modelo desarrollado en este estudio se extiende a lo largo de las subáreas Vestursvæði, Þríhvrningar, Hvíthólar y Sandabotnaskarð con un área combinada de alrededor de 30 km2. Hvíthólar es la única subárea sur conectada a la central de energía de Krafla y ha mostrado una disminución considerable de la producción durante el período 1990 - 2013. Según una simulación de lumped, el reservorio de Hvíthólar sigue un sistema abierto de dos tanques con un volumen de 6.00004 km3. La entalpía de Hvíthólar es de aproximadamente 1200 kJ / kg; químicamente presenta una baja concentración de Cl−, y alta concentración de CO2. Hasta la fecha, la mayoría de los estudios apoyan la hipótesis de que las características y el comportamiento de Hvíthólar se deben a la falta de una recarga de calor y que la subárea se encuentra en una fase de menguante o incluso de extinción. Un mejor entendimiento de la ubicación de la fuente de calor y las variaciones de permeabilidad en el campo proporcionarán la base de futuras decisiones de utilización. Este estudio presenta dos modelos conceptuales alternativos para Hvíthólar además del existente, como un medio para probar el modelo conceptual actual con el fin de determinar el potencial para extender la vida útil del activo. Una actualización del modelo geológico basado en datos de pozos poco profundos y profundos a lo largo de la parte sur del campo geotérmico Krafla fue realizada. Esta actualización, combinada con los datos existentes de la exploración de la superficie, se utilizó para generar tres modelos conceptuales en3D utilizando Leapfrog Geothermal. Los modelos se centran en la ubicación de la fuente de calor y la variación de la permeabilidad en la intersección entre el límite de la caldera y el enjambre de fisuras. Cada uno de los modelos está validado con simulaciones TOUGH2.

Resumen: De acuerdo con la información suministrada por el Grupo Intergubernamental de Expertos sobre Cambio Climático (IPCC), la temperatura media del planeta ha aumentado 1°C desde el periodo industrial (Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible, 2017a). Así, de seguir con las tendencias actuales de emisiones contaminantes la temperatura media en todo el mundo se incrementará en más de 4°C y, en consecuencia, aumentará la probabilidad de que se manifiesten impactos severos e irreversibles a causa del clima, como los desastres naturales, la pérdida de ecosistemas, la inseguridad alimentaria, entre otros. Como resultado de investigación se logró consolidar una síntesis que integra los conceptos de apropiación social del conocimiento, gobernanza, y cambio climático. Propiamente en Colombia, se requieren fortalecer procesos de gobierno con una base de acción pública más cooperativa, y caracterizada por un trabajo más horizontal que vertical, donde confluyan una cantidad de actores e instituciones. En lo que concierne al cambio climático, las circunstancias actuales reflejan que el país podría estar lejos de cumplir las cifras pactadas y que requiere fortalecer iniciativas que apoyen las acciones de mitigación y adaptación. Asimismo, se destaca que se consiguió diseñar una estrategia para soportar un proceso de apropiación social del conocimiento que facilita la generación y uso del conocimiento en cambio climático, y que propende a un buen modelo de gobernanza en Colombia. Previo a este diseño, se evidenció que la apropiación y educación sobre el cambio climático y el desarrollo sostenible también resalta por la diversidad de enfoques de enseñanza y aprendizaje. Finalmente, la validación de la estrategia propuesta permitió llegar a inferencias relacionadas sobre su aplicación dentro de un contexto real, y analizar su viabilidad por medio de una recopilación de evidencia que respalda su interpretación, resultados, y conclusiones. Abstract: According to the information provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the average temperature of the planet has increased by 1°C since the industrial era. Thus, if the current trends in pollutant emissions continue, the average temperature worldwide will increase by over 4°C and, the probability of severe and irreversible impacts caused by weather changes also will rise, such as natural disasters, loss of ecosystems, food availability, among others (Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible, 2017a). As one of the main results, a research synthesis integrating the concepts of social appropriation of knowledge, governance, and climate change was conducted. In the Colombian context, it is necessary to strengthen government processes with a public action founded on horizontal rather than vertical structures, where several actors and institutions converge. Regarding climate change, the current circumstances reflect that the country may be far from fulfilling its commitments and that it needs to strengthen initiative that support mitigation and adaptation actions. A strategy was also designed to support a process of social appropriation of knowledge that facilitates the generation and use of knowledge on climate change, and that also integrates and strengthens good governance actions in Colombia. Prior to this design, it became clear that the appropriation of knowledge on climate change and sustainable development is also highlighted by the diversity of teaching and learning approaches. Finally, the validation of the proposed strategy made it possible to draw related inferences about its application as a support for a process of social appropriation of knowledge and governance in the face of climate change within a real context, and to analyze its viability through a collection of evidence that supports results and conclusions.

Abstract: Stochastic time series methods for load forecasting are the traditional methods used by electric power companies [1] because they can model seasonal and stochastic behavior of the load [2]. A load time series has patterns that repeat at different time scales such as daily, weekly or yearly. These patterns indicate that load can be predicted and the shortest seasonality component has the highest effect on the forecast. There might be conditions in which load is in different time resolutions, has a different amount of missing data or is under special events such as COVID-19 pandemic. Load forecasting methods should be able to perform well under these circumstances. On the other hand, neural networks are a wide research topic, they can learn [3] and have low forecasting errors [4]. In this work we explain the main characteristics of load demand in time, load forecasting and we compare stochas-tic time series methods with neural networks for load forecasting in terms of the error with respect to the real load. Resumen: Los métodos de series de tiempo estocásticos para pronósticos de carga son los métodos tradicionales usados por compañías de energía eléctrica [1] porque pueden modelar el comportamiento estocástico y estacional de la carga [2]. Una serie de tiempo de carga tiene patrones que se repiten en diferentes escalas de tiempo como diaria, semanal o anual. Estos patrones indican que la carga puede ser predicha y que el componente de estacionalidad más corto tiene el efecto más grande en el pronóstico. Pude que haya condiciones en las cuales la carga este en diferentes resoluciones de tiempo, tenga una diferente cantidad de datos faltantes o este bajo eventos especiales como la pandemia COVID-19. Los métodos de pronóstico de carga deberían ser capaces de llevarse a cabo bien bajo estas circunstancias. Por otra parte, las redes neuronales son un tema de investigación amplio, ellas pueden aprender [3] y tienen errores de pronóstico bajos [4]. En este trabajo explicamos las principales características de la demanda de carga en el tiempo, pronósticos de carga y comparamos métodos de serie de tiempo estocásticos con redes neuronales para pronósticos de carga en términos del error con respecto a la carga real. [1] H. Wang, B.-S. Li, X.-Y. Han, D.-L. Wang and H. Jin, "Study of Neural Networks for Electric Power Load Forecasting," Third International Symposium on Neural Networks - Advances in Neural Networks - ISNN 2006, Proceedings, Part II, pp. 1277-1283, 2006. [2] K. Berk, Modeling and Forecasting Electricity Demand, Siegen: Springer Spektrum, 2015. [3] H. Alfares and N. Mohammad, "Electric load forecasting: Literature survey and classification of methods," International Journal of Systems Science - IJSySc. 33, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 23-34, 2002. [4] M. Singh and R. Maini, "Various Electricity Load Forecasting Techniques with Pros and Cons," International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering (IJRTE), vol. 8, pp. 220-229, 2020.

Abstract: The use of bacterial pigments with biotechnological potential advances are growing and more and from this natural source are developed several products with different applications in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics and other industries, presenting advantages in economic and environmental issues, fulfilling a demand and bringing benefits For consumer health and reducing the use of chemical synthetized products. The aim of this study was the production, working volume and characterization of pigments synthesized by Chryseobacterium KR6 and Lysobacter A03 bacteria isolated from chicken and penguin feathers, respectively. The pigments were characterized by KOH 20% test, UV-visible, colors system CIELAB, HPLC-DAD-MS, FTIR and was evaluated the antioxidant capacity. The pigments from KR6 and A03 presents some characteristics from flexirubin and xanthomonadin non- brominated type pigments respectively. Pigment from KR6 shows a positive bathochromic shift when colonies or the extracted pigment are in presence of alkaline solution (KOH20%) and also have a λmax at 450nm in acetone when analyzed by UV-Vis. The FTIR analysis shows some principal functional groups that might be from a flexirubin molecule. Pigment from A03 didn’t present any shift when flooded with KOH and the λmax was 419 nm and 427 nm in acetone and chloroform respectively. The two pigments presented antioxidant activity evaluated by the capture of the free radical ABTS. It was not possible to propose a chemical structure for the two pigments; purification processes are necessary for a molecular identification of the biotechnologically viable pigments.

Abstract: The adequate provision of service delivery is essential for social welfare; however, providers performance varies, tending to underperform in developing countries. Therefore, whether providers responsiveness is sensitive to citizen oversight remains a relevant question for public governance. To this extent, Understanding the dynamics of accountability as a strategy to foster access, quality, and affordability of services delivery is vital to ensure development. This thesis establishes a quantitative assessment of the relationship between accountability and development. First, I systematically reviewed the empirical literature evaluating how accountability interventions affect service delivery in developing countries between 1990-2020, finding twenty-one papers from nine developing countries. Then, I conducted a meta-analysis based on an RVE model with over 90 outcomes to quantitatively synthesise the effectiveness of accountability in triggering citizen oversight of service delivery and providers responsiveness. The findings suggest that although accountability increases citizen knowledge of civic and political means to demand service delivery reforms, factors such as context, accountability structure and interventions length influence its effectiveness. While the results provide evidence to inform policy-making about aspects that effectively ignite citizen participation, they also suggest future research avenues to further conceptualise this relationship in an era of widely accessible information and new approaches to democracy.

Abstract: Entrepreneurial Companies play a fundamental role in economic growth, the creation of employment, local and regional development, and social cohesion. Start-ups will not necessarily become the largest source for employment, but they are considered economic drivers that commercialize innovation, expand internationally and create economic value. With the recent increase in prominence of new entrepreneurial ventures all over the world, much attention has been devoted to the creation of new firms. Belgium consists of three main regions: Brussels, Flanders, and Wallonia. The breakdown of start-ups according to these regions is the following: Brussels: 31.5%, Flanders: 53.4%, and Wallonia: 15.1%. Note that Brussels, despite hosting only 11% of all active companies in Belgium, is doing exceptionally well regarding its share of start-ups and scaleups; almost 50% of all Belgian start-ups are concentrated in and around the cities of Brussels, Ghent, and Antwerp. It is no surprise that, being the largest cities of Belgium, students make up for a significant portion of the population. More than half of the companies are active in the following categories: eCommerce, Software as a Service (SaaS), consumer mobile/web applications, industrial technology/production, and education. Half of the companies are at the start-up stage (i.e. completion of MVP or initial customers/revenue). 22% is in the seed stage and 24% in growth stage - 85% of the companies are mainly in B2B. While the majority (55%) of entrepreneurs believe that their product or service is a novelty in the world, only 4% realizes that their product or service is not a market innovation. In addition to that, 23% of startups do not have employees (Mohout, 2016). The supplying side of the market for informal capital consists of high net-worth individuals with considerable business experience, commonly known as Business Angels (BAs). Business Angels invest a portion of their wealth in high-risk, high-return start-ups (Coveney & Moore, Business Angels: Securing Start-up Finance, 1998). While it is difficult to precisely quantify the size of the angel market (due to its informal nature), some studies estimate its size to be twice the size of the institutional venture capital market (Freear, Sohl, & Wetzel, 1995). This suggests that Business Angels provide the largest amount of capital among early-stage ventures and fund a greater number of firms than venture capitalists (VCs) do. After receiving a first investment from a Business Angel, start-ups face a new critical question: whether to raise new funding under the form of debt or equity and, in the case of equity, involving new Business Angels or migrating to Venture Capital. Literature suggests that these young enterprises more often than not receive funds from equity in the early stages. However, in the case of demand for more resources and having a BA as back up, the entrepreneur may appeal to traditional financing sources in order to maintain the ownership. Resumen: Las microempresas juegan un rol fundamental en el crecimiento económico de un país, la creación de nuevos empleos y el desarrollo local y regional. Start-ups no se convierten necesariamente en la mayor fuente de empleo pero si son considerados impulsadores económicos que comercializan innovación, se expanden internacionalmente y crean valor económico. Después de recibir una primera inversión de un Ángel Inversionista, Start-Ups tienen que enfrentar una nueva y critica pregunta: ¿es mejor conseguir nuevos fondos adquiriendo una deuda o nuevo capital proveniente de inversionistas y en caso de recurrir a inversionistas, conseguir un nuevo ángel inversionista o migrar a un fondo de inversión? La literatura sugiere que estas nuevas empresas a menudo reciben fondos de capital en las primeras etapas de inversión. Sin embargo, teniendo un Ángel inversionista como respaldo, el empresario puede optar por métodos de financiación más tradicionales con la intensión de mantener propia la empresa.

Resumen: En las últimas décadas en Colombia se han percibido cambios importantes en la agricultura, relacionados con la concentración de la tierra, la expansión de la frontera agropecuaria, el crecimiento de algunos cultivos propios de la agricultura empresarial, así como el interés y adquisición de tierras por parte de actores nacionales y extranjeros. A nivel de las políticas públicas, los últimos gobiernos han realizado esfuerzos por permitir, en la legislación, la adquisición o el uso de tierras públicas por parte de empresas. Se destaca, dentro de estos esfuerzos, la promulgación de la Ley Zidres en 2016. Dichas transformaciones se enmarcan dentro de dinámicas internacionales que han llevado a la adopción del modelo de agronegocio en diferentes países. Esta tesis analiza, en el marco del neoliberalismo, la expansión del agronegocio en Colombia, a través del estudio de las transformaciones a nivel productivo, territorial y de las políticas públicas. El desarrollo de esta investigación se apoyó en la discusión teórica sobre hegemonía, en los elementos del análisis del discurso y en los desarrollos conceptuales sobre el agronegocio. El recorrido histórico sobre la cuestión agraria en Colombia, así como el estudio de la implementación del neoliberalismo y los cambios generados en la agricultura, que se han profundizado en los últimos años, sugieren la disputa del agronegocio por la hegemonía. Esta se ha intensificado, principalmente, a partir del acuerdo de paz firmado entre el gobierno de Juan Manuel Santos y la guerrilla de las FARC-EP, que incluyó la pauta de la Reforma Rural Integral y dio protagonismo a la economía campesina y a la democratización de la tierra.

Abstract: The following text explores the potential business opportunities of international performing arts markets for an emerging Colombian producing company, Media Naranja (MN), which I founded, and currently manage. This research document begins with the definition of four key terms which have been essential for my development as a professional producer and are the foundation for the conceptual framework of Entrepreneurship, Strategic Planning, Funding Models, and Networking; examined concepts from scholars such as Tom Aegeson, Lidia Varbanova, Ivan Misner and Octavio Arbeláez. In the second part of this text, I discuss key learning points through the master's degree and how they have led me to frame my practice as a producer in an international environment. Then, the third is a glance at the cultural landscape of performing arts markets, its definition and purpose, emphasising the Performing Arts Market of the Atlantic South (Mercado de las Artes Performativas del Atlántico Sur –MAPAS). The fourth part is a SWOT analysis on a proposed project to participate in MAPAS 2020, on behalf of MN, as a producer and tour booker of one Colombian theatre piece. Based on the above, I conclude with a professional and personal plan that encompasses twelve months. This plan has been shaped by the experience along the course, the development of my company and my personal goals. Resumen: El siguiente texto explora las oportunidades comerciales potenciales de los mercados internacionales de las artes escénicas para una productora colombiana emergente como lo es Media Naranja (MN), la cual fundé y actualmente administro. Este documento de investigación comienza con la definición de cuatro términos clave que han sido fundamentales para mi desarrollo como productora profesional y son la base del marco conceptual: Emprendimiento, Planificación Estratégica, Modelos de Financiamiento y Networking; conceptos examinados por académicos como Tom Aegeson, Lidia Varbanova, Ivan Misner y Octavio Arbeláez. En la segunda parte de este texto, se analizan los conceptos claves de aprendizaje a través del máster y cómo me han llevado a enmarcar mi práctica como productora en un entorno internacional. Luego, el tercero es una mirada al panorama cultural de los mercados de las artes escénicas, su definición y propósito, haciendo énfasis en el Mercado de las Artes Escénicas del Atlántico Sur (MAPAS). La cuarta parte es un análisis DOFA sobre una propuesta de proyecto para participar en MAPAS 2020, en representación de MN, como productora y gestora de una gira de una obra de teatro colombiano. Con base en lo anterior, concluyo con un plan profesional y personal que abarca doce meses. Este plan ha sido moldeado por la experiencia a lo largo de la maestría, el desarrollo de mi empresa y mis objetivos personales.