Deforestation is a relevant topic in socioeconomic and environmental studies. It is estimated that three-quarters of terrestrial biodiversity is covered by forest and 15% of all greenhouse emissions are produced by deforestation globally. Colombia contains 4.1% of the rainforest at the global scale and has a long-armed conflict. The vacuum of power left by FARC’s retreat has promoted that pre-existing illegal armed groups and the emergence of new actors began to occupy the municipalities where FARC used to have a presence. This dynamic has increased the rapacious behavior of illegal armed groups, exerting pressure over natural resources and thereby increasing alarmingly deforestation. The present paper demonstrates through an impact evaluation that uses fixed effect as an empirical strategy, that FARC discouraged deforestation before the unilateral ceasefire in the municipalities where they used to have presence at the end of 2014, even though the heterogeneity of its force armed structure also generate negative impacts on forest land. Likewise, the paper also shows that the socioeconomic dynamics both legal and illegal that are promoting deforestation in Colombia should be examined jointly since these dynamics are interlinked. Resumen: La deforestación es un tema relevante en los estudios socioeconómicos y ambientales. Se estima que tres cuartas partes de la biodiversidad terrestre están cubiertas por bosques y el 15% de todas los Gases de Efecto Invernadero (GEI) son producidas por la deforestación a nivel mundial. Colombia contiene el 4,1% de la selva tropical a escala mundial y tiene un conflicto de larga duración. El vacío de poder dejado por la retirada de las FARC ha promovido que los grupos armados ilegales preexistentes y la aparición de nuevos grupos de interés comenzaran a ocupar los municipios donde las FARC solían tener presencia. Esta dinámica ha aumentado el comportamiento rapaz de los grupos armados ilegales, ejerciendo presión sobre los recursos naturales y, por lo tanto, aumentando la deforestación de manera alarmante. El presente documento demuestra, mediante una estrategia empírica de efectos fijos, que las FARC desincentivaron la deforestación antes del cese unilateral en los municipios donde solían tener presencia a finales de 2014, sin embargo, se precisa que la heterogeneidad de su estructura armada también generó impactos negativos en la cobertura forestal. Del mismo modo, el documento también muestra que las dinámicas socioeconómicas, tanto legales como ilegales, que promueven la deforestación en Colombia deben examinarse conjuntamente, ya que estas dinámicas están interrelacionadas.

Abstract: The manufacturing industry remains a critical force in the quest for global sustainability. An increasing number of companies are modifying their operations in favor of more sustainable practices. It is hugely important that all manufacturers, irrespective of the subsector and organizational size, implement practices that reduce or eliminate the negative environmental, social and economic impacts generated by their operations. Consequently, scholars have called for additional studies concerning sustainable manufacturing practices, not only to address the paucity of related literature, but also to contribute to practitioners’ understanding of how to incorporate sustainability into their operations. However, apart from expanding the knowledge of sustainable manufacturing practices, it is first key to understand the ground set of values, or principles, behind sustainable manufacturing operations. For that reason, the purpose of this thesis is to contribute to the existing body of knowledge regarding sustainable manufacturing principles and practices. The results presented in this thesis are based on three studies: a systematic literature review exploring sustainability principles applicable to manufacturing settings, and two empirical studies addressing sustainable manufacturing practices. In general, it is concluded from the literature that there is a little knowledge about sustainability principles from a manufacturing perspective. In relation to the most common sustainable manufacturing practices, it is concluded that these practices mainly refer to energy and material management, and waste management. The study of the adherence of sustainable manufacturing practices to sustainability principles concluded that the principles concerning energy and materials conservation, and waste management create the highest number of practices. Resumen: La industria manufacturera sigue siendo una fuerza crítica en la búsqueda de la sostenibilidad global. Cada vez más empresas están modificando sus operaciones y adoptando prácticas más sostenibles. En consecuencia, los expertos han pedido estudios adicionales sobre las prácticas de manufactura sostenibles, no solo para abordar la poca literatura en este tema, sino también para contribuir a la comprensión de las empresas de cómo incorporar sostenibilidad en sus operaciones. Sin embargo, además de ampliar el conocimiento de prácticas de manufactura sostenibles, primeramente es clave entender el conjunto básico de valores o principios detrás de la manufactura sostenible. Por esa razón, el propósito de esta tesis es contribuir al área de conocimiento con respecto a los principios y prácticas de manufactura sostenible. Los resultados presentados en esta tesis se basan en tres estudios: una revisión sistemática de la literatura que explora los principios de la sostenibilidad aplicables al contexto de la manufactura, y dos estudios de carácter explorativo que abordan las prácticas de manufactura sostenible. Esta tesis concluyó que entre las prácticas de manufactura sostenible más comunes se encuentran las relacionadas con la gestión de energía y materiales y la gestión de residuos. Del mismo modo, el estudio de la adherencia de las prácticas de manufactura sostenibles a los principios de manufactura sostenible se concluye que los principios relacionados a la conservación de la energía y los materiales y la gestión de los residuos generan el mayor número de prácticas.

Informe redactado por el médico y político Manuel Plata Azuero, en el que denuncia que el gobierno de Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera ha ordenado la compra de material armamentista a Estados Unidos, y que este ha llegado en la embarcación "El Rayo". A lo largo del documento, Plata sostiene que la compra no solo es ilegítima, sino que puede poner en riesgo la estabilidad y paz de los Estados Unidos de Colombia.

Documento mediante el cual se informa a los miembros del Congreso Nacional acerca de la importancia de continuar la construcción del ferrocarril de Girardot y las razones presupuestales que llevaron a detenerla. El impreso también incluye referencias al trazado de la vía que realizó Indalecio Liévano Reyes, las dificultades geográficas y atmosféricas que entorpecen la construcción y la crítica a varias cláusulas del contrato de elaboración de la vía férrea.

La Despensa D.C is a venture created by two people who wanted to start selling healthy products in Bogotá through social networks. However, thanks to their short age and inexperience, they have committed different mistakes that probably have been the reason why they have struggled to grow faster. Among the most serious failures that are diagnosed, is the lack of a structured strategy of digital marketing, which really identifies their segment and through this can create strategies that ultimately increase sales and profitability of the company. In this degree project, a diagnosis of the company's situation is made and an action plan is developed to carry it out in a realistic and organized way.

El siguiente trabajo de grado va a desarrollar el plan estratégico de mercadeo para la empresa Cec; una empresa de consultoría. En primer lugar, se va a hacer un contexto del entorno en un análisis situacional, en el que se va a plantear el macro entorno y micro entorno. En el macro entorno se hablará de la situación actual del país, cifras de crecimiento y número de empresas vigentes por tamaño y locación geográfica. En el contexto del micro entorno se investigará a profundidad el sector de la consultoría y su entorno. Siguiente a esta investigación del entorno se desarrollara una auditoria interna en la que se evaluará por medio del diamante de Porter las ventajas competitivas y las posibles debilidades de la compañía, con el fin de revisar posibles estrategias y tácticas a corregir y potencializar y comunicar las fortalezas. Al finalizar el trabajo se entenderá con precisión en que entorno se encuentra la consultora Cec y que planes, posiciones y estrategias de mercadeo se pueden llevar a cabo para diferenciarse en el mercado, potencializar sus fortalezas y mejorar las debilidades, logrando crecimiento y rentabilidad en la compañía.

Background: Type 2 diabetes is often a stigmatized condition as it is considered a lifestyle-related disease in many societies. It is important to understand stigma and its sources, but little research on this matter was found in the UK. This study aimed to investigate perceived stigma, self-stigma and flourishing in the context of type 2 diabetes. Method: The present study sought to investigate the lived experiences of people with a type 2 diabetes diagnosis in the UK. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted, 6 individuals living with type 2 diabetes were interviewed (aged 41-79 years; 66.67% female; 33.33% male). Results: Reflective thematic analysis of the data generated four overarching themes. The first theme, ‘Receiving a diabetes diagnosis’ encapsulates the psychological reaction at the time participants received their diagnosis. The second theme, ‘coping with diabetes’ encapsulates what patients experience after diagnosis. The third theme, ‘Accepting the diagnosis’ shows current attitudes and feelings towards diabetes. Finally, the fourth theme, ‘Stigma around type 2 diabetes’ refers to the attitudes participants have perceived from others and its sources. Discussion: The results indicate that patients in this study perceive stigma from health providers, media, and the general population, but they have not internalised it. They believe stigmatising comments come from a lack of awareness and lack of knowledge about diabetes. The findings demonstrate gaps in the patient-health provider relationship that lead to resistance towards attending medical appointments.

Mauricio Nasi Lignarolo (b. Bogotá, 1949* - 2023) is an Italian/Colombian composer, harpist, multikeyboard instrumentalist, and biologist currently living in Bogotá, Colombia, where he has lectured at colleges and universities, offered composition workshops and seminars, and performed in a variety of ensembles. Maestro Nasi is a multi-faceted individual, immersed in numerous fields of the arts and sciences, and a speaker of multiple languages, including Latin. He began composing in 1975 and to date has written a total of 183 musical works, several of them adapted in diverse instrumental versions. Currently, most of his works remain unpublished. His creative style revives traditional tonality and musical modes, with clear romantic-impressionist influences, writing toccatas, berceuses, and pavanes, predominantly—a body of work that positions him as a leading cosmopolitan modern composer. The data for my doctoral essay has been primarily collected directly from the primary source, Maestro Nasi, through video-recorded interviews, from his archives, and from the manuscripts of all his compositions, which are located in his personal library. This essay classifies and integrates all the information into a detailed biography, a study of his piano pieces, and a complete catalogue of his works in chronological order and by genre. My project brings attention to a remarkable but littleknown artistic voice, introducing him to the English-speaking world. Resumen: Mauricio Nasi Lignarolo (n. Bogotá, 1949* - 2023) es un compositor ítalo-colombiano, arpista, multiinstrumentista de teclado y biólogo. Actualmente reside en Bogotá, Colombia, donde ha impartido conferencias en colegios y universidades, ofrecido talleres de composición y seminarios, y actuado en diversas agrupaciones musicales. El Maestro Nasi es una figura versátil, inmersa en numerosos campos de las artes y las ciencias, y habla varios idiomas, incluido el latín. Comenzó a componer en 1975 y hasta la fecha ha escrito un total de 183 obras musicales, varias de las cuales han sido adaptadas en diversas versiones instrumentales. En la actualidad, la mayoría de sus obras permanecen inéditas. Su estilo creativo revive la tonalidad tradicional y los modos musicales, con claras influencias románticas e impresionistas, componiendo principalmente toccatas, berceuses y pavanas. Este conjunto de obras lo sitúa como un destacado compositor moderno y cosmopolita. Los datos para mi tesis doctoral se han recopilado principalmente directamente de la fuente principal, el Maestro Nasi, a través de entrevistas en video, de sus archivos personales y de los manuscritos de todas sus composiciones, que se encuentran en su biblioteca personal. Esta tesis clasifica e integra toda la información en una biografía detallada, un estudio de sus piezas para piano y un catálogo completo de sus obras en orden cronológico y por género. Mi proyecto llama la atención sobre una voz artística notable pero poco conocida, presentándola al mundo de habla inglesa.

Abstract: An economic model, the Colombian Forest Sector Model (CFSM), was created to analyze Colombia's commercial forest plantation policy spanning from 2018 to 2038 (PFCm policy). The CFSM is an econometric model that uses neoclassical theory to predict quantities and prices in Colombia's forest product markets. Phase I of the CFSM, detailed in this study, includes a growth and yield simulator for Colombian forest plantations and two market submodels: one for Unprocessed Wood and another for Manufactured Wood Products. Using the CFSM-I, two PFCm policy objectives were simulated to reveal their impacts on the Colombian forest sector. Simulations of expanding Colombia's forest plantation area from 0.3 million hectares in December 2015 to 1.5 million hectares by 2025 showed a fivefold increase in the volume of industrial wood available in plantations from 2015 to 2047, averaging 20.8 million cubic meters of underbark roundwood annually. This expansion would significantly affect the unprocessed wood market, multiplying wood supply and exports by 2.5 and 14.5 times, respectively, while reducing the supply price by an average of 24% compared to a scenario without plantation expansion. Simulations of a 5.5-fold expansion in Colombia's manufactured wood forest product industry's current (2022) production capacity from 2023 to 2038 indicated an average 8% increase in the consumption of unprocessed wood and manufactured wood products by the pulp and paper industry over the next 25 years, compared to a no-expansion scenario. Additionally, imports of these products and manufactured furniture industry products would decrease by 35% and 25%, respectively. Simulations of alternative plantation area expansion policies enriched the information available for policymakers and other stakeholders in preparation for the first round of the PFCm policy evaluation, scheduled for 2023 after the initial implementation period ended in December 2022. Resumen: Se creó un modelo económico, el MFSC, para el sector forestal de Colombia, con el propósito de analizar la política de plantaciones forestales comerciales en Colombia para el período 2018-2038 (PFCm). Este modelo, basado en la teoría neoclásica de mercados competitivos, proyecta cantidades y precios en los mercados de productos forestales colombianos. La Fase I del modelo, denominada CFSM-I, se enfoca en el crecimiento de plantaciones forestales y dos submodelos de mercado: madera sin procesar y productos manufacturados de madera. Las simulaciones muestran que una expansión de las plantaciones de 0,3 a 1,5 millones de hectáreas para 2025 incrementaría la disponibilidad de madera industrial en Colombia cinco veces, con un promedio anual de 20,8 millones de metros cúbicos de madera sin corteza. Esta expansión impactaría significativamente el mercado de madera sin procesar, multiplicando la oferta y las exportaciones por 2,5 y 14,5 veces, respectivamente, mientras que reduciría el precio de suministro en un 24% en comparación con la no expansión. Además, simulaciones de una expansión de 5,5 veces la capacidad actual de producción de productos maderables entre 2023 y 2038 indican un aumento del consumo de madera sin procesar y productos maderables manufacturados por la industria de la pulpa y papel en un 8% cada uno. Asimismo, las importaciones de estos productos y de productos manufacturados de la industria del mueble disminuirían un 35% y un 25%, respectivamente, en comparación con el escenario sin expansión. Estas simulaciones de políticas alternativas de expansión enriquecen la información disponible para los responsables de políticas nacionales y otras partes interesadas, de cara a la primera evaluación de la política del PFCm programada para 2023 después de su implementación inicial en diciembre de 2022.

Abstract: Claystone degradation under the effect of freezing and thaw cycles represents a key aspect in the production of erodible material in mountain ranges. Erosion processes have numerous potential consequences such as dam filling, increment in slope instability, increase of badlands, among others. Due to the possible effects related to erosion, numerous research processes have been carried out following primarily experimental approaches based on both soil physical characteristics and mechanical properties. However, these have been based on a macroscopic scale. This document presents the development of a research process based on the implementation of numerical models aimed at representing the processes involved in freezing and thawing phenomena on porous media and their effect on potential changes in soil microfabric. A calibration and validation process of the proposed numerical models was carried out based on experimental measurements of the thermal behavior of soil samples subjected to freezing and thawing cycles. Using the numerical relationships found, a methodology for determining the soil water retention curve (SWRC) was established (as a first approximation) based on a quick and relatively simple freezing and thawing test under undrained conditions. Simultaneously, and following the main objective of the research, the microfabric state during cyclic freezing and thawing was established following the relationship between SWRC and pore size distribution (PSD), as well as the possible hysteresis between freezing and thawing processes. The significant effect of these thermodynamic processes on the state of the terrain, was identified particularly in regard to increased erodibility. One possible cause for particle detachment necessary for erosion processes to occur lies in the development of macroporosity along with the existence of gaps between pore families in the PSD. This behavior was observed through the developed numerical processes. The combined effect of freezing and thawing cycles leads to an increase in soil erodibility. Finally, though a constitutive model-based approach, the cryogenic suction paths associated with freezing and thawing processes under the modification of the soil’s microstructure were established. A final perspective to soil's mechanical degradation is presented in terms of the hydraulic work associated with the cryogenic suction paths developed within the soil mass. Both the progressive evolution of the microstructure (through PSD) and the values of hydraulic work associated with each cycle show an attenuation in the incremental change as the cycles continue. Due to the numerical nature of the approximations and the trends found, further cyclical laboratory tests should be carried out. However, these represent a novel approach to the degradation phenomenon as well as the effects associated with the soil water retention curve.