Resumen: La principal contribución de la economía a las ciencias sociales es la idea según la cual el mecanismo de libre mercado es capaz de organizar las actividades económicas privadas en un modo favorable para todos los miembros de la sociedad. En este sentido, una completa y satisfactoria teoría sobre el funcionamiento del mercado es el principal desafío para los economistas. Sin embargo, el análisis económico ha restringido la teoría de mercado al estudio del equilibrio general competitivo y sus características, a pesar de la ausencia de una demostración de su estabilidad y de no contar con una tecnología de intercambio que explique la dinámica del mercado. En este sentido, es nuestro propósito presentar una historia sobre la evolución de un modelo dinámico en el cual las transacciones pueden conducir a precios de desequilibrio, y en el que es posible obtener resultados robustos en términos de estabilidad. Dicho modelo, conocido como el ‘Proceso de Hahn’, evolucionó en el periodo comprendido entre 1962 y 1971 con la introducción de un medio de intercambio. Esta evolución, a pesar de su interés para la teoría del mercado, ha sido apenas abordada por los teóricos e historiadores del pensamiento económico. El argumento que desarrollamos muestra cómo, en la versión original del Proceso de Hahn (Hahn y Negishi 1962), hay que admitir la posibilidad de que los agentes sean forzados por el Subastador para que se lleven a cabo las transacciones que garantizan la estabilidad de los intercambios en torno a un equilibrio general competitivo (Veendorp 1969). No obstante, admitir que los intercambios sean forzados, va en contra del principio de interés privado que es base de la teoría del mercado. Siguiendo a Negishi(1982), mostramos que la introducción de medios de intercambio puede resolver tal problema al mismo tiempo que introduce una tecnología de intercambio en el modelo (Arrow and Hahn 1971).Concluimos esta historia con las preguntas y alternativas que surgen de la versión “monetaria” del Proceso de Hahn a la luz de los obstáculos que enfrenta el análisis en desequilibrio. Este ejercicio muestra el interés y la fecundidad de la historia del pensamiento económico como un recurso para la renovación y la la innovación teórica. Abstract: The main contribution of economics to social sciences is the idea that the free market mechanism is capable of organizing private economic activities in a way that is favorable to all members of society. In this sense, a complete and satisfactory theory about the function of the market is the principal challenge for an economist. However, the economic analysis has restricted market theory to the study of the competitive general equilibrium and its characteristics, despite the absence of a demonstration of its stability and despite not having a technology of exchange to explain the market dynamics. In this sense, it is our purpose to present a story about the evolution of a dynamic model in which transactions might lead to disequilibrium prices, and in which it is possible to obtain robust results in terms of stability. The latter model, known as the Hahn Process, evolved in the period between 1962 and 1971 with the introduction of a means of exchange. This evolution, in spite of being of great interest for the market theory, has been approached marginally by theoreticians and historians of economic thought. The argument we develop shows how, in the original version of the Hahn process (Hahn and Negishi 1962), one must admit the possibility of agents being forced by the auctioneer to carry out transactions that guarantee the stability of exchanges towards a competitive general equilibrium (Veendorp 1969). However, to admit that exchanges are forced, breaks down the principle of private interest that is at the very base of market theory. Following Negishi (1982), we show that the introduction of a means of exchange solves the latter problem and simultaneously introduces a transactional technology to the model (Arrow and Hahn 1971). We conclude this story with the questions and alternatives that arise from the “monetary” version of the Hahn Process in light of the obstacles established by the equilibrium analysis. This exercise shows the interest and the fecundity of the history of economic throught as a source of renewal and theoretical innovation.

The thesis is a collection of six stand-alone chapters aimed at setting the foundations for the philosophy of computational social science. Agent-based modelling has been used for social research since the nineties. While at the beginning it was simply conceived as a methodological alternative, recently, the notion of ‘computational social science’ has started to be used to denote a separate disciplinary field. There are important differences with mainstream social science and traditional social research. Yet, the literature in the field has not accounted for these differences. Computational social science is a strongly practice-oriented field, where theoretical and philosophical concerns have been pushed into the background. This thesis presents an initial analysis of the methodology, epistemology and ontology of computational social science, by examining the following topics: 1) verification and validation 2) modelling and theorising 3) mechanisms 4) explanation 5) agency, action and interaction 6) entities and process philosophy. Five general conclusions are drawn from the thesis. It is first argued that the wider ontological base in agent-based modelling allows for a new approach to traditional social dualisms, moving away from the methodological individualism that dominates computational social science. Second, the need to place a distinction between explanation and understanding and to make explanatory goals explicit is highlighted. Third, it is claimed that computational social science needs to pay attention to the social epistemology of the field, for this could provide important insights regarding values, ideologies and interests that underlie the practice of agent-based modelling. Fourth, it is suggested that a more robust theorisation regarding the experimental and model-based character of agent-based modelling should be developed. Finally, it is argued that the method can greatly contribute to the development of a processual account of social life.

Abstract: Overture is a project developed under the concept of Sensible Geometry which explores how information can be represented beyond a two-dimensional form. By transforming it into sensitive objects it becomes more perceivable. Overture is a reactive surface that responds to the presence of people through motion. The panels on the wall represent values through movement - they wave in and out in correlation to the amount of movement sensed. This breathing and pulsing geometric skin shows how much activity goes on in a space, performing a continuous weaving pattern that goes on in a loop unless there is nothing being sensed. Resumen: Overture es un proyecto desarrollado bajo el concepto de geometría sensible que explora cómo la información puede ser representada más allá de una forma bidimensional. Mediante su transformación en objetos sensibles se hace más perceptible. Overture es una superficie reactiva que responde a la presencia de las personas a través del movimiento. Los paneles de la pared representan los valores a través del movimiento que ondea adelante y atrás en correlación con la cantidad de movimiento detectado. Esta respiración y el pulso de la piel geométrica muestra la cantidad de actividad que ocurre en un espacio, mostrando un movimiento continuo hasta que deje de percibir la presencia de personas en el espacio.

Abstract: This study explores the livelihood possibilities of avocado farmers, within a broader examination of the political economy of avocados. It exposes a state-capital arrangement that is promoting a way of organizing society in which livelihood agriculture is being displaced by investment agriculture. Drawing on the systems of provision sop approach under the question of the production of nature, the study examines the links taking avocados from a farm to the hands of a consumer, and inquires about the ways in which the people and places involved have come to occupy a specific role in those processes. For this purpose, a general depiction of the avocado sop exposes how consumer preferences, requirements for international trade, and agricultural policies shape avocados and, consequently, the practices of farmers growing them. The research focuses on the experience of farmers and the ways in which the mentioned state-capital arrangement shapes their livelihood possibilities. Resumen: Este estudio explora las posibilidades de sustento de los productores de aguacate, dentro de un examen más amplio sobre la economía política de esta fruta. Expone cómo la interacción entre la demanda de aguacate y las políticas de exportación promueven una forma de organizar la sociedad en la que la agricultura de inversión está desplazando la agricultura de subsistencia. Con base en el enfoque de sistemas de provisión y la idea de producción de la naturaleza, el estudio examina los vínculos entre el cultivo y los consumidores, e indaga sobre las formas en que las personas y los lugares involucrados han venido a ocupar un papel específico en esos procesos. Una descripción general del sistema de provisión del aguacate expone como las preferencias de consumo, los requerimientos del comercio internacional y las políticas agropecuarias moldean el aguacate y, como consecuencia, las prácticas de los productores. La investigación se centra en la experiencia de los productores y las formas en que los mercados y políticas configuran sus posibilidades de sustento.

Airways and lung parenchyma are distensible anatomical structures and in healthy subjects dilate with each inspiration. This process is even more evident during deep inhalations (DI). The bronchodilatory and bronchoprotective effect of a DI depends on the tethering forces on the airway wall by the expanding parenchyma, and the loss of this function appears to be associated with airway hyperresponsivenes - a characteristic feature of asthma. Models have assumed that the peribronchial parenchyma expansion (EPB) equals that of the subtended parenchyma (ESL). However, the changes in EPB during bronchoconstriction and its relationship with ESL have not yet been characterized. In this thesis, EPB and ESL were measured at baseline and then studied as they changed during bronchoconstriction and DI, and a novel distensibility measurement was proposed. HRCT scans from subjects with mild-to-moderate asthma (AS) and healthy controls (NA) were acquired in 3 conditions in supine position: at baseline, following a methacholine challenge, and with a DI to TLC. ESL and EPB were quantified as the average of the regional voxel-gas-to-tissue-ratio for each segmental region, and for a spherical region around each of the corresponding segmental airways. The difference in parenchymal expansion (E), the vertical-distance between airway’s center point and the respective segment’s center-of-gravity, and the relative distensibility were also measured. E varied among segments with a systematic vertical-distance dependency for all conditions and subjects, significantly higher in NA than AS (P < 0.05). At baseline average segmental E adjusted by vertical-distance was near zero and increased monotonically with bronchoconstriction and after a DI, following closely a linear relationship with average expansion of the lung (ELung) for all AS and NA subjects and conditions. No significant differences were found in this relationship between AS and NA but E adjusted tended to be higher for AS at TLC. We found that EPB, adjusted for the relative-vertical-distance, was lower than ESL (E > 0) with a difference that increased with average-lung-expansion. The spontaneous increase in lung volume following bronchoconstriction or DI increased peribronchial expansion up to a half of the increase in segmental expansion at the same height. This difference represents a type of airway-parenchyma-uncoupling that has not been described, can have important mechanistic implications on the effects of a DI on airway distensibility, and suggests that in clinical asthma a lack of homogeneous parenchymal stiffening may also contribute to airway hyperresponsiveness.

The OpenModelica Compiler-Compiler parser generator (OMCCp) is an LALR(1) parser generator implemented in the MetaModelica language with parsing tables generated by the tools Flex and GNU Bison. The code generated for the parser is in MetaModelica 2.0 language which is the OpenModelica compiler implementation language and is an extension of the Modelica 3.2 language. OMCCp uses as input an LALR(1) grammar that specifies the Modelica language. The generated Parser can be used inside the OpenModelica Compiler (OMC) as a replacement for the current parser generated by the tool ANTLR from an LL(k) Modelica grammar. This report explains the design and implementation of this novel Lexer and Parser Generator called OMCCp. Modelica and its extension MetaModelica are both languages used in the OpenModelica environment. Modelica is an Object-Oriented EquationBased language for Modeling and Simulation.

This dissertation aims at gaining an understanding about the current conceptualization that the music industry has regarding music artists as brands, in order to bridge the gap between the consumer goods’ branding theory, the arts branding literature and the music business’ reality. Although the body of literature pertaining to arts marketing is vast (O’Reilly, 2011), the one related to arts branding is small. Moreover, when it comes to music artists branding, the academic works are even scarcer. A definition of music artists brands, and related constructs such as music artists brand identity, music artists image, music artists brand loyalty and brand equity have not yet been presented by the literature. Pervaded by Cultural branding principles and by adopting Grounded theory, this research conceptualizes music artists as brands through the perspectives of nine music industry’s professionals. Based on unstructured interviews conducted with these practitioners, the concept of music artists as brands is contextualized within the decline of record sales during the 2000s. Music artists brands are characterized as multidimensional constructs understood as systems of values and experiences that foreground their identity upon the artists’ songs and human essence. Moreover, music artists are brands that are constructed following a Brand-orientation approach (Urde, 1999) and for which, in response to the culture of contemporary society, the image is constituted solely on visual elements. Aligned with Cultural branding, music artists are conceptualized as entities, which are socially constructed and found their value upon their fans. This co-creation of the brand frames the music industry within a service-dominant logic (Vargo and Lusch, 2004) in which the delivery of experiences is fundamental (Iglesias et al, 2011). This research positions brand alliances between artists and commercial brands as an implicit element of the definition of music artists brands, their brand identity and brand equity. Furthermore, as an implied aspect of these constructs, co-branding alliances are placed as enhancers of the music industry’s short and long-term sustainability. Lastly, contrary to common statements found in the literature, a harmonious coexistence between art, brands, artists and commercialization is acknowledged by this dissertation.

Abstract: A recent petrophysical formulation states that all the storage mechanisms present in shale reservoirs are best represented by a quintuple porosity system that is further fed by dissolved gas in the solid kerogen. The quintuple porosity system is made up of: 1) adsorbed gas in the pore walls of the organic matter. 2) free gas stored in the inorganic matrix porosity. 3) free gas stored in natural fractures (microfractures and slot porosity) 4) free gas stored in the hydraulic fractures created around the wellbore by the stimulation job. 5) free gas stored in the organic nanopores. This thesis presents a new material balance methodology for shale gas and shale condensate reservoirs that considers all the aforementioned storage mechanisms. Results lead to the conclusion that ignoring the effects of gas diffusion from kerogen in shale material balance calculations can lead to pessimistic estimates of both OGIP and production forecasts. Resumen: Una formulación petrofísica reciente indica que todos los mecanismos de almacenamiento presentes en yacimientos de lutita son representados por un sistema de quíntuple porosidad que, además, se alimenta de gas disuelto en el kerógeno sólido. El sistema de quíntuple porosidad está compuesto de: 1) gas adsorbido en las paredes de los poros en la materia orgánica. 2) gas libre almacenado en la porosidad de la matriz inorgánica. 3) gas libre almacenado en las fracturas naturales (microfracturas y porosidad ranurada). 4) gas libre almacenado en las fracturas hidráulicas creadas alrededor de la cara del pozo por el trabajo de estimulación. 5) gas libre almacenado en los nanoporos de la materia orgánica. Esta tesis presenta una nueva metodología para balance de materia de yacimientos de lutita de gas y gas condensado que considera todos los mecanismos de almacenamiento previamente mencionados. Los resultados permiten concluir que si los efectos de la difusión de gas del kerógeno son ignorados en los cálculos de balance de materia en yacimientos de lutita, pueden obtenerse estimados pesimistas tanto de gas original en sitio como de los pronósticos de producción.

This master thesis is an attempt to contribute to the understanding of urban water systems through the use of the urban metabolism (UM) framework. By developing steady-state models with STAN, a software used for material flow analysis (MFA), the urban water flows are quantified and analyzed as they enter the system boundary and are transformed by anthropogenic processes. Such a model has been applied to a specific urban water system in the town of Palomino, Colombia, to research the main barriers and opportunities for a sustainable urban water system. The area under study corresponds to a system boundary of 4.83 km2, and the analysis was performed for the year 2015. A detailed examination of Palomino’s water system was established based on primary data collection through survey processes, mapping, and semi-structured interviews. Based on the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the water system, a conceptual urban water metabolism (UWM) model was created to identify the critical flows of the water system through a monthly (31-day) analysis based on fourteen scenarios, each including four variables: Touristic season, Hours without electricity per month, Percentage of water losses due to pipelines leaks, and Percentage of water losses due to user’s behavior. Subsequently, a definition of sustainable urban water management system (SUWMS) was generated based on a literature review and an industrial ecology perspective, wherein the system is analyzed using a holistic, system thinking approach. Guided by the SUWMS definition and the local conditions of Palomino’s urban water system, various sustainable water technologies and initiatives are introduced as a set of potential solutions to shift the current water system towards a SUWMS. Finally, the potential of the sustainable water supply technique of rainwater harvesting to influence the current UWM of Palomino was assessed by identifying changes in the UWM for three key years: 1969, a year of extreme rainfall; 1997, a year of El Niño phenomenon characterized by extreme drought, and 1987, a year of ‘standard’ precipitation. The analysis was based on a critical scenario with the highest water losses and water demand. The rainwater harvesting collection capacity was determined by a storage capacity of 2000 L per household, while taking into account water consumption (water demand) per household between rain events on a monthly basis analysis. This condition implied that, even though the analysis was based on steady-state modeling, a semi-dynamic analysis was performed based on the variations of the stored rainwater volume (?V) between the time intervals determined by the rain events per month (?t).

Ucronía (Uchronia en inglés) es un neologismo derivado de la palabra utopía. Aquí la noción de lugar (topos) es remplazada por la noción del tiempo (chronos). Este término también esta relacionado con las nociones de narración paralela o alternativa de las historias; es la estrategia que uso para revisar el tiempo, en un intento de re-presentar el pasado y promulgar el futuro, Esta aproximación me permite simultáneamente revisar las etapas de la niñez, la adolescencia, la adultez, y la vejez dentro de la “realidad” de la condición humana y de la misma manera, proyectar las fases de la vida dentro de la condición de las naciones tras la alborada de la globalización. Estas diferentes etapas están basadas paralelamente en cuatro países distintos: Colombia, Alemania Occidental, Yugoslavia y Emiratos Árabes Unidos (lo que fue el Grupo D del Mundial de fútbol Italia ’90. Cada etapa trata a una nación en un momento de transición al mismo tiempo que es explorada la experiencia personal e individual de la crisis. Con esto doy una mirada a la identidad individual y a la cultura como un espacio de juego y auto-diseño. Es un ejercicio en el cual me convierto en “el otro” al tiempo que exploro un estado de crisis resultante de las políticas neoliberales y sus inherentes inequidades. Ucronía es entonces, una desviación ficcional de los eventos históricos y su conexión con la utopía debe mantenerse presente. En su marco teórico Uchronia es la oportunidad de volver a un punto en el tiempo en donde una sociedad transformada o ideal parece estar al alcance. Por medio de un movimiento hipotético en el tiempo y para realizar las posibilidades de un “nuevo hombre” que existió en un momento crucial: El año 1990.