Abstract: When lower-dimensional self-sustained objects encounter higher-dimensional ones, they can be dissolved and absorbed. We delve into this intriguing erasure phenomenon resulting from topological defects’ interaction. This general phenomenon has significant implications in cosmology and fundamental physics, which we discuss in the first part of the thesis. We start with the erasure of onedimensional objects. One key finding is that vortices or strings of all kinds, such as cosmic strings, QCD flux tubes, or fundamental strings, undergo erasure when encountering defects like domain walls, solitonic structures, or D-branes that deconfine their fluxes. Consequently, a new mechanism of cosmic string break-up emerges. We explain the erasure phenomenon by the loss of coherence in the annihilation process. Additionally, for the case of point-like objects immersed in three-dimensional objects, we explore the interactions between magnetic monopoles and domain walls formed by the same order parameter within an SU(2) gauge theory. As previously suggested, a collision between monopoles and a domain wall leads to their erasure. The monopoles unwind and spread their magnetic charge over the wall, with the erasure process consistently occurring due to the loss of coherence in the collision and the entropy suppression on the recreation of a monopole. This erasure phenomenon has significant cosmological implications, particularly in post-inflationary phase transitions. Furthermore, it sheds light on the nature of gauge theories with coexisting phases, such as confining and Higgs phases. The erasure phenomenon has significant imprints in cosmology and astrophysics as well. In particular, a new mechanism of cosmic string break-up emerges. Moreover, the monopole erasure may serve as a solution to the cosmological monopole problem. In another investigation of interactions of topological defects, we examine the annihilation of a pair of ’t Hooft-Polyakov monopoles confined by a string. We focus on scenarios where the scales of monopoles and strings are comparable. The emitted GW spectrum agrees with previous calculations for wavelengths longer than the system width and before the collision. However, in head-on collisions, the monopoles are never re-created. Instead, the system decays into waves of Higgs and gauge fields, and the recreation of a monopole pair becomes highly improbable due to the loss of coherence during the annihilation process. This behavior is expected to be analogous in systems involving heavy quarks connected by a QCD string. Thus, in a similar regime, the string does not re-stretch after the initial collapse, but the system hadronizes and decays into numerous mesons and glueballs. In the second part of the thesis, we changed our subject of study to another self-sustained objects. These objects attain the maximal entropy permitted by unitarity. They are called saturons, as they saturate unitarity and entropy bounds. Interestingly enough, they share many properties with black holes, for which they are considered exceptional. For instance, the time evolution and information-processing properties of BHs are also found in saturons. Thus, we suggest a “Black hole-Saturon” correspondence. Our work confirms this connection within a renormalizable SU(N) invariant theory. The theory’s spectrum contains a tower of non-topological defects of the Q-ball type, or vacuum bubbles, representing bound states of SU(N) Goldstones. Surprisingly, despite the absence of gravity, these saturated bound states exhibit striking similarities to BHs, displaying an information horizon, an entropy governed by the Bekenstein-Hawking formula, thermal evaporation at a rate corresponding to their inverse radius, and an information retrieval time equivalent to Page’s time. The BH-Saturon correspondence has profound implications for BH physics and saturated systems, both in fundamental theory and observational aspects.

Abstract: One of the recurring problems in the construction industry is its recognised lack of productivity due to different factors, among which could be highlighted the fragmentation of the information flow between the different phases of the project life cycle and the difficulty in communication between the different stakeholders. To address this, the industry has reacted through the use of prefabrication and the implementation of new technologies such as Building Information Modelling. The aim is to improve both productivity, through mass customisation, and the flow of information between phases and stakeholders in the projects, through the use of software and platforms, which also give the possibility of automation with processes such as Generative Design. The dissertation investigates the use of these technologies in the area of prefabrication in construction, focusing on the current implementation of configurators and the associated automation that could be derived from their use for the development of projects. Taking a hybrid prefabrication system (wood and concrete) currently used by CASAIS company as a case study, the research seeks to develop a framework that exploits the modular characteristics of these systems, especially in the design phase. It is in this phase where it is possible to take advantage of the limited number of parameters of the prefabricated elements in automating the generation of design proposals and in obtaining information related to KPIs, which would, in turn, allow a more objective feasibility analysis during this first phase of the project. The indicated solution is, firstly, the proposal of a methodology to develop a configurator applied to the case study, which uses tools and/or platforms, that are currently present in the market related to BIM and the construction industry. Then the dissertation continues with the specific development of the section of the methodology corresponding to the generation of the computational model, and for this purpose visual programming is used, taking as initial information the relevant parameters and data to be obtained that are typical of the prefabrication system studied. The research seeks to make a contribution to the current progress in terms of productivity and information flow that has been developed in the construction industry with the implementation of prefabrication and BIM. With the use of configurators, associated with these new technologies, an incursion into automation methods is proposed, especially in the project gestation phases through Generative Design. Thus, by making use of the mass customisation possibilities offered by prefabrication systems and the integration of nonprofessional agents, (taking advantage of the ease of use of the configurators), a more integrated design process and a more objective decision-making process can be achieved, since it is based on more accurate data related to the feasibility of the projects.

Abstract: Changes in demographics and epidemiology have made non-communicable diseases (NCDs) a global and highly relevant problem. Globally, oral diseases cause serious health and economic burdens, leading to a substantial reduction in quality of life for those affected. Oral diseases and other NCDs share modifiable risk factors, including tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets, as well as the same socioeconomic determinants. The oral cavity provides valuable insights into overall health, as systemic diseases such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and autoimmune disorders often presents oral manifestations. However, in prison settings, where access to healthcare is limited and challenging as a human right, individuals experience exacerbated oral health outcomes and complications. Oral health status serves as a mirror of overall health, highlighting the interconnectedness between oral health and general well-being. The involvement of health authorities in prison settings plays a significant role in promoting and maintaining optimal oral health, which in turn has a profound impact on the physical and mental health of PLP. The World Health Organization's Oral Health Report of 2022 emphasizes the importance of addressing oral health inequalities as a crucial step in achieving fairness and implementing preventive interventions. Therefore, coherent and comprehensive regulation and legislation in oral health are needed to achieve social justice, ethical public health policies and professional practice. This study used a combination of methods with a focus on qualitative research. The first phase involved following the guidelines set out in “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses (PRISMA)” to conduct a comprehensive and systematic scoping review addressing the primary and secondary objectives of the study. The third objective was covered by semi structured interviews involving purposive sampling, identified by three target groups: dentist personnel working in prisons; prison health experts; harm reduction policymakers, to gain insight from global prison health experts on potential areas of improvement for oral health in prison. In the first phase of this study, scientific articles published between January and August 2022 were gathered and reviewed. Subsequently, in 2023, a series of interviews were conducted involving fifteen participants. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Ruprecht Karls Faculty of Medicine in Heidelberg (S 288/2023). The data collection instrument was carefully designed to accommodate the specific profiles of the participants, all owing for necessary adjustments to ensure the relevance and effectiveness of the study. Online in depth semi structured interviews were conducted via Zoom with relevant health prison experts. The combination of inductive and deductive approaches was used to design the study, collect and analyze data, and answer the research questions. The major findings of this study shed light on the persistent neglection of oral health into the health systems across different settings. Challenges and limitations in addressing oral health in prison, remains with a focus on the provision of emergency treatments and dental mutilations as services provided instead of conservatives approaches. Comprehensive and specialized dental care is necessary to avoid burdens on the health system, mostly from preventable oral disorders. Oral care and basic dental hygiene are still on the list of necessities in prison settings, as well as lack of resources, committed staff, and infrastructure to support the delivery of comprehensive dental services in prisons. In order to increase access to quality dental care, address oral health disparities, and promote the overall well-being of PLP, policy reforms, capacity building, and collaboration are necessary.

Abstract: Technology, events, and sustainability are three interconnected concepts that play a key role in influencing our society and business landscape. Technology has changed various aspects of our lives and the events industry is no exception. The advent of advanced digital tools and platforms has transformed the way events are organized, conducted, and experienced. Events such as festivals, conferences and celebrations traditionally pose significant environmental problems due to their resource-intensive nature. The mass gatherings of people combined with excessive energy consumption, waste generation and greenhouse gas emissions have contributed to the global climate crisis. Faced with this problem, sustainability has become a key factor in event management. Sustainable development in the context of events refers to the adoption of practices that minimize negative environmental, social, and economic impacts. It encompasses a range of strategies including resource efficiency, waste reduction, carbon neutrality and promoting social responsibility. Incorporating sustainability principles into event management helps to take environmental concerns into account and aligns with the growing demand for responsible and ethical practices from consumers and stakeholders. The importance of this research lies in its potential to provide valued insights into how technology can be used to increase sustainability in the events industry. This study examines the intersection of these three concepts and aims to contribute to the development of innovative approaches and best practices for organizing green events. Additionally, understanding the sustainability perspectives and expectations of event attendees will provide valuable guidance to industry leaders in meeting changing market demands. At a time when the climate crisis requires urgent action and when consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the impact of businesses and industries on the environment, it is important to seek innovative solutions that respond to these challenges.

Abstract: Peace education, pivotal in shaping national identities particularly in post-conflict settings, fosters mutual understanding, dialogue, and reconciliation. In Colombia, the 2016 Peace Agreement represented a major milestone in ending decades of violence, leading to the establishment of the ‘Cátedra de Paz’ in 2015. This initiative mandates its inclusion in the curricula of all educational institutions to instill peace values in youth and promote a culture of engagement among new generations. Despite the progress, this study identifies persistent challenges in program implementation, such as inadequate teacher training, excessive teacher workloads, and insufficient resources, alongside cultural barriers like resistance to change. Semi-structured interviews emphasize the necessity for significant restructuring and enhanced institutional support to effectively incorporate peace education into the national curriculum. Recommendations from participants include specialized teacher training, student-centered pedagogical approaches, rigorous program monitoring, and inclusive educational resources, particularly for marginalized communities. There is widespread agreement on the importance of equipping educators with the skills needed to handle sensitive topics and encourage critical thinking. Although challenges persist, participants concur that ‘Cátedra de Paz’ promotes dialogue and empathy, enabling students to contribute to more peaceful societies. Continued effort and comprehensive strategies involving all stakeholders, from educators to community members, are crucial for achieving post-conflict harmony and equity in Colombia.

Resumen: El estudio resalta la oportunidad para fortalecer la biodiversidad, especialmente a través de la enseñanza de las ciencias ambientales y biociencias con un impacto esperado en el aumento en los niveles de alfabetización científica y su relación bidireccional con la educación y la cultura ambiental en la sociedad colombiana, con foco de estudio e impacto en la población estudiantil de ciencias naturales, biología y educación ambiental en los tres niveles educativos, así como la comunidad académica de las áreas de bioeconomía, ecosistemas naturales y territorios sostenibles. Se realizó una revisión y selección de la literatura científica bajo criterios de inclusión y exclusión como el año de publicación, los idiomas, los países de publicación y/o ejecución del estudio y las bases de datos utilizadas. Así, se tuvieron en cuenta autores que publicaran trabajos de investigación cualitativa y cuantitativa tanto aplicada como no aplicada tales como Boff, Caamaño, Calixto Flores, García & Rodríguez, González González y López & Sánchez. Se encontraron numerosas tendencias, tensiones y limitaciones en la integración de los conceptos de educación ambiental, biodiversidad y alfabetización científica, que se presentan como desafíos en el qué, el para qué y la estructura de la educación ambiental; las definiciones y la enseñanza en la alfabetización científica y la complejidad y relevancia en la comprensión de la biodiversidad. Se hallaron herramientas y conceptualizaciones con un impacto positivo para la conservación de los ecosistemas naturales estratégicos del país como la transversalización de la educación ambiental en el currículo; y el uso sostenible de los recursos por parte de las comunidades y la resignificación y apropiación del ambiente dentro de la cultura de las regiones como las necesidades ambientales contextuales de las poblaciones alfabetizadas. Se resalta el abordaje amplio y complejo de la biodiversidad dentro de un planteamiento nuevo hacia una pedagogía ambiental.

Resumen: A sus 64 años, el reconocido arquitecto Le Corbusier decidió construir el Cabanon, una pequeña cabaña de 16m2 en la orilla del Mediterráneo, como un refugio apartado en el que pasaba sus vacaciones. Resulta intrigante que el arquitecto emblemático del ""movimiento moderno"", símbolo de progreso cultural y tecnológico basado en la ciencia e industrialización, optara, al final de su carrera, por apartarse de la vida ""moderna"" y las ""comodidades"" que ésta conlleva. Esta es la motivación para un análisis que se adentra en la evaluación de las condiciones de habitabilidad térmica de la estructura, junto con la implementación de estrategias bioclimáticas que logren prolongar el tiempo en el que ésta mantiene temperaturas interiores dentro de rangos considerados como confortables. Esta aproximación busca explorar el comportamiento térmico de arquitecturas icónicas y fomentar la reflexión sobre el concepto de la mínima habitabilidad en un contexto de crisis ambiental. Además, presenta la oportunidad de comparar las exigencias normativas españolas con los estándares de confort más actuales. La metodología implica simulaciones del comportamiento térmico a lo largo del año y la aplicación de los rangos de temperaturas confortables según las normativas CTE- DB-HE y EN 16798-1. En la medida en que el Cabanon sea capaz de ofrecer condiciones confortables desde el punto de vista térmico, podríamos cuestionarnos si la arquitectura y energía que demandan nuestras ciudades es un imperativo para proporcionar ambientes térmicamente habitables. ¿Es la reducción de un consumo inevitable e in- sostenible de energía la única vía hacia la sostenibilidad? ¿O es a partir de una arquitectura deconstruida, que elimina la dependencia de energía externa, como podemos acercarnos a estándares de vida contemporáneos? Los resultados revelan que, según la EN 16798-1, el Cabanon lograba proporcionar condiciones de confort térmico durante el 88% del tiempo del mes en que era habitado, y un 53% según el CTE-DB- HE. Mediante un análisis detallado del contexto y la aplicación de estrategias bioclimáticas, esta cabaña consigue extender el porcentaje a un 91% de todo el año dentro de la EN 16798-1 y un 60% en el rango CTE.DB.HE. Ofreciendo hasta un 25% más de horas de confort que una vivienda estándar que cumple con la normativa europea vigente en cuanto a ahorro energético. Esto confirma la utilidad del modelo adaptativo para elevar los límites de confort durante los meses cálidos y proporcionar una proyección precisa de la neutralidad térmica en edificios ventilados naturalmente. En contraste, la normativa española no provee esta precisión y sus exigencias conllevan al aumento de la demanda energética. El análisis del comportamiento térmico del Cabanon, además de ser un trabajo investigativo de arquitectura histórica, explora en qué medida la energía del entorno puede proveer condiciones que nos acerquen al confort térmico en la vivienda mediterránea. Partir de esta comprensión, ofrece un abordaje alternativo con fines proyectuales en el que se vuelve válido comenzar con lo mínimo para alcanzar lo máximo, en lugar de partir de lo máximo para lograr lo mínimo.

Resumen: La unidad de cuidado intensivo es considerada como uno de los servicios integradores de más importancia en las instituciones de salud. La gestión de la calidad en ellas ha sido un reto complejo de abordar al tener características sui generis en dependencia de la calidad de los pacientes que recibe en relación con las especialidades disponibles. Es por ello por lo que a través del Consenso Colombiano De Calidad En Cuidados Intensivos se ha buscado estructurar un plan de gestión que permita encontrar un marco común y sobre el estructurar las estrategias de control y mejora. Por medio de las estrategias de planificación estratégica y gestión estudiadas en el máster en Dirección y Gestión Sanitaria de la Universidad Internacional de la Rioja, se identificaron aspectos claves a mejorar en la clínica Medicentro Familiar IPS, ubicada en la localidad de Fontibón, de la ciudad de Bogotá, D.C. Se evidencio que a pesar de haber un cumplimiento de los estándares mínimos de calidad de la resolución 0256 de 201 del Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social de Colombia, existen aspectos que merecen una atención: Estructural: no disponibilidad de los servicios de radiología intervencionista, hemodinamia y neurointervencionismo. Docente: ausencia de un plan de formación de residentes. Recursos humanos: tercerización del personal médico. Calidad: la falta de un sistema de reporte anónimo y temprano de actos inseguros y / o eventos adversos; problemas en el programa de optimización de antimicrobianos que favorecen la variabilidad en la selección e inicio de antibióticos. Abstract: The intensive care unit is considered one of the most important integrative services in health institutions. Quality management in them has been a complex challenge to address as they have sui generis characteristics depending on the quality of the patients they receive in relation to the available specialties. This is why, through the Colombian Consensus on Quality in Intensive Care, we have sought to structure a management plan that allows finding a common framework and structuring control and improvement strategies. Through the strategic planning and management strategies studied in the master's degree in Health Direction and Management at the International University of La Rioja, key aspects to improve were identified in the Medicentro Familiar IPS clinic, located in the town of Fontibón, in the city from Bogotá, D.C. It was evident that despite compliance with the minimum quality standards of resolution 0256 of 201 of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Colombia, there are aspects that deserve attention: Structural: non-availability of interventional radiology services, hemodynamics and neurointerventionism. Teacher: absence of a resident training plan. Human resources: outsourcing of medical personnel. Quality: the lack of an anonymous and early reporting system for unsafe acts and/or adverse events; problems in the antimicrobial optimization program that favor variability in the selection and initiation of antibiotics.

Resumen: Esta investigación compara las memorias escritas en la Comisión de la Verdad de Colombia -un documento de 11 tomos resultante de la firma del Acuerdo de Paz con la guerrilla de las FARC- con otras memorias orales sobre las causas y consecuencias de la guerra urbana en Medellín entre 1977 y 2006. Los resultados del método comparativo de las memorias establecieron tres causales de la violencia en Medellín: la disputa por la tierra, el ethos social y el círculo de venganza. Además, se hallaron tres consecuencias: la creación de milicias urbanas y grupos de autodefensas, la reunión de múltiples guerras en un mismo periodo histórico (guerrillas, carteles de narcotráfico, autodefensas y grupos delincuenciales), y el desarrollo de mecanismos de resistencia civil e institucional. Este es, pues, un análisis revisionista a la diversa literatura científica sobre el conflicto en Medellín, al trabajo de la Comisión de la Verdad y a las memorias orales de organizaciones sociales, para concatenar ideas similares frente a las causas y consecuencias de la violencia. La investigación aporta, desde una perspectiva sociohistórica, a la comprensión del conflicto que marcó a Medellín como la ciudad más violenta del mundo en 1991 con más de 6 mil asesinatos. Abstract: This investigation looks to compare the written memories in the Commission of Colombian Truth with other oral memories about the causes and consequences of the war in Medellin between 1977 and 2006. Although the Colombian armed conflict was centralized in rural areas and resulted in 12,000 victims, cities like Medellin were also locations of confrontation. The results establish three causes of the violence in Medellin: the dispute over the land, the social ethos and the circle of vengeance. Furthermore, three consequences were found: the creation of urban militias, and self-defense groups, the reunion of multiple wars in a single historical period (guerillas, drug trafficking cartels, self-defense and delinquent groups), and the development of mechanisms of civil and institutional resistance. This article hopes to, from a socio-historical perspective, further understand the conflict that framed Medellin as the most violent city in the world in 1991.

Abstract: Housework and care have historically been associated with women, the feminine, and have been considered unproductive tasks despite its demanding and inexhaustible nature. It is not by chance that, within the framework of the modern-colonial gender system, these jobs are carried out by migrant and precarious women. This dissertation comprises an investigation about the life stories of migrant women of diverse origins, analyzing the intersection of our life experiences, tightening the thread of power relations that cross us, and exploring how closeness is woven from conversation and company. Through an approach to the embodied knowledge of domestic workers in Spain, it accounts for the creation of a shared intimacy, in a search to challenge the power dynamics that situate us and put the hierarchy between productive, reproductive, and even unproductive jobs in tension. At the same time, it seeks to give birth to an artistic practice that allows the female life experience to be captured under a horizontal logic, conversation, and mutual care. Resumen: Los trabajos de cuidado en el espacio doméstico han estado asociados históricamente con las mujeres, lo femenino, y se han considerado tareas improductivas a pesar de su naturaleza demandante e inagotable. No es casualidad que, en el marco del sistema moderno-colonial de género, estos trabajos sean llevados a cabo por mujeres migrantes y precarizadas. La presente tesina comprende una investigación acerca de historias de vida de mujeres migrantes de orígenes diversos analizando la intersección de nuestras experiencias de vida, tensando el hilo de las relaciones de poder que nos atraviesan y explorando cómo se teje confidencia a partir de la conversación y la compañía. Mediante una aproximación a los saberes encarnados de trabajadoras del hogar en España, da cuenta de la creación de una intimidad compartida, en una búsqueda por desafíar las dinámicas de poder que nos sitúan y poner en tensión la jerarquía entre trabajos productivos, reproductivos e incluso improductivos. A su vez, busca dar a luz una práctica artística que permita plasmar la experiencia de vida femenina bajo una lógica horizontal, de conversación y de cuidado mutuo.