Abstract: This paper proposes a pipeline for the automation of data between two realms: i) simulation, in a fully nonlinear, and time-dependent structural analysis model and, ii) concrete maturity monitoring data from the construction site. The connection enables an information construct understood for its use within the Digital Twin of the building during construction phases. The pipeline requires a comprehensive coordination between stakeholders at both the site (Construction) and the structural control office, which is challenging. The pipeline consists of a) temperature sensors, b) a mobile app connected to the sensor via Bluetooth with basic instructions for datagatherers, c) integration and interoperability of BIM, and, d) an advanced Finite Element (FE) model. By measuring the concrete temperature during many days, realistic concrete mechanical properties are inferred and infused into the FE models using adequate calibration. Two applications for the improvement of construction activities are identified. Formwork striking and tendons stressing. The paper describes the testbed of all the connections, for the construction of an in-situ casted concrete building in Barcelona, Spain.

Abstract: The use of written texts in English for oral and written communication in Spanish in higher education settings is not uncommon today. The impact that this has on the lexical level has not yet been evaluated in the specialized communicative context of Colombian university higher education. As we will see, in this context the use of terminological Anglicisms is surpassing the Spanish terms that already exist to refer to the same concepts.

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.

Abstract: The case studies of Sudan and Venezuela, in light of the existing literature on diasporas, provide an insight into the role diaspora organisations play in assisting their countries of origin during humanitarian crises. Through a comparative exercise it is shown how they collaborate, coordinate and distribute different types of resources in protracted situations where humanitarian aid is clearly needed but often limited. It is how the performed analysis makes it possible to establish both strengths and weaknesses of these diasporas’ involvement, something that should be carefully considered in terms of the impact on the overall well-being of affected and vulnerable communities in their homelands. Which, in turn, paves the way for more research to be done on diasporas as legitimate humanitarian actors in the international system, as well as highlights the necessity for establishing mutually beneficial relationships with traditional international actors.

Abstract: Irrigation plays a critical role in paddy rice cultivation. Water availability becomes a limiting factor when irrigation do not consider crop water requirements and the predominant edaphic properties. This study was conducted in five paddy rice fields cultivation subjected to different irrigation schedules in the UsoCoello irrigation district, Tolima region, Colombia. The aim of this research was to assess the effectiveness of geophysical data, specifically apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) collected by means of the EM38-MK2 device and multispectral data based on the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) from Sentinel-2A to delineate site- specific management zones (MZs). Prior to analysis, the collected variables underwent exploratory data analysis to identify and remove outliers and inliers. Further, geostatistical techniques were employed to describe the spatial variability of ECa measurements. To reduce dimensionality and account for spatial correlations in the data, a modified version of principal component analysis (PCA) known as MULTISPATI-PCA was applied. Fuzzy k-means was performed to categorize the MZ based on two sPC, where the optimal number of MZs was determined based on summary indices. Finally, each MZ was validated using Mixed Linear Models (MLM) considering spatial structures with random stratified sampling of rice yield and soil water content from TDR measurements. NDWI and ECa were poorly positively correlated (6% to 31% correlation) for most of the Plots to slightly higher negative correlation (3% to 46%) being statistically significant (Pr <0.05), while the multispectral bands showed strong correlation with the vegetation index, they presented the opposite effect (weak correlations) between ECa. Data pre-processing removed 9% (Plot 2) to 21% (Plot 1) of the total observations, lowering the coefficient of variation (CV). The spatial structure was analyzed by semivariograms, and fitted by spherical, gaussian and exponential models showing a high cross validation coefficient (CVC) of 91%, 97.5%, 76%, 70% and 90% for Plot 1 to Plot 5, respectively. Two MZs were selected and their means exhibited statistically significant (Pr<0.05) differences through Tukey’s test, providing further evidence of the effectiveness of integrating geophysical and multispectral data in delineating these zones. This methodology will be used as input for optimizing paddy rice cultivation by means of irrigation scheduling in the UsoCoello irrigation district, Tolima, Colombia.

Abstract: Metarhizium brunneum is a soil-borne fungal entomopathogen that can associate with plant roots. Previous studies have demonstrated that root colonization by beneficial fungi can directly affect soilborne pathogens through competition and antibiosis, and can activate a systemic response in plants, resulting in a primed state for a faster and/or stronger response to stressors. However, the mechanisms by which Metarhizium inoculation ameliorates symptoms caused by plant pathogens are not well known. This study evaluated the ability of M. brunneum to protect oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) plants against the soil-borne pathogen Verticillium longisporum, and investigated whether the observed effects are a result of direct interaction and/or plant-mediated effects. In vitro and greenhouse experiments were conducted to measure fungal colonization of the rhizosphere and plant tissues, and targeted gene expression analysis was used to evaluate the plant response. The results show that M. brunneum delayed pathogen colonization of plant root tissues, resulting in decreased disease symptoms. Direct competition and antibiosis were found to be part of the mechanisms, as M. brunneum growth was stimulated by the pathogen and inhibited the in vitro growth of V. longisporum. Additionally, M. brunneum changed the plant response to the pathogen by locally activating key defence hormones in the salicylic acid (SA) and abscisic acid (ABA) pathways. Using a split-root setup, it was demonstrated that there is a plant-mediated effect, as improved plant growth and decreased disease symptoms were observed when M. brunneum was in the systemic compartment. Moreover, a stronger systemic induction of the gene PR1 suggested a priming effect, involving the SA pathway. Overall, this study sheds light on the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of M. brunneum against soil-borne pathogens in oilseed rape plants, highlighting the potential of this fungal entomopathogen as a biocontrol agent in sustainable agriculture Metarhizium brunneum es un hongo entomopatógeno del suelo que puede asociarse con las raíces de las plantas. Resumen: Estudios previos han demostrado que la colonización de raíces por hongos beneficiosos puede afectar a patógenos del suelo a través de la competencia, antibiosis, y activar respuesta sistémica en las plants. Sin embargo, los mecanismos por los cuales este hongo atenúa los síntomas causados por fitopatógenos no son bien conocidos. Este estudio evaluó la capacidad de M. brunneum para proteger las plantas de colza (Brassica napus L.) contra Verticillium longisporum, e investigó si los efectos observados son el resultado de una interacción directa y/o efectos mediados por la planta. Se realizaron experimentos in vitro y en invernadero para medir la colonización fúngica de la rizosfera y los tejidos de la planta, y se midió la expresión de genes específicos relacionados con la respuesta de la planta a patógenos. Los resultados muestran que M. brunneum retrasó la colonización del patógeno en las raíces de la planta, y disminuyo los síntomas de la enfermedad. La competencia directa y la antibiosis son parte de los mecanismos, ya que el crecimiento de M. brunneum fue estimulado por el patógeno e inhibió el crecimiento in vitro de V. longisporum. Además, M. brunneum cambió la respuesta de la planta hacia el patógeno al activar localmente genes de defensa mediadas por el ácido salicílico (SA) y del ácido abscísico. Mediante un experimento de raíces divididas, se demostró que existe un efecto mediado por la planta, ya que se observó un mejor crecimiento de la planta y una disminución de los síntomas de la enfermedad cuando M. brunneum estaba en el compartimento sistémico. Además, una mayor inducción sistémica del gen PR1 sugirió un efecto de ""priming"", mediado por SA.

Abstract: This article presents a case study with various developments of digital twinning of a sample of load tests performed on several railways bridges. The case study is located in Extremadura, South Western Spain and its aim is the generation of a validated, multi-layered information construct in the form of a digital twin as the result of a load test. This result is conceived, not only to verify the assumptions of the design of the bridge but also, to optimize future maintenance plans of the network. This particular case study is framed within a vaster European effort on digitization of the construction sector. Research and Innovation Actions within this demo case are aimed at integrating routine requirements and procedures of load tests with cutting edge digital technologies for the generation of validated virtual replica of these physical bridges. The generated twins during these load tests behaviourally match the obtained response during loading and as such, represent an ideal model for future simulations and behavioural predictions. Different data-gathering techniques and numerical models are integrated within a Common Data Environment (CDE). All efforts related to measurement, simulation, 3D modelling, assessment and validation can be wrapped up systematically for further use during regular operation of the asset.

Abstract: The generation of genetic diversity via mutagenesis is routinely used for protein engineering and pathway optimization. Current technologies for random mutagenesis often target either the whole genome or relatively narrow windows. To bridge this gap, we developed CoMuTER (Confined Mutagenesis using a Type I-E CRISPR-Cas system), a tool that allows inducible and targetable, in vivo mutagenesis of genomic loci of up to 55 kilobases. CoMuTER employs the targetable helicase Cas3, signature enzyme of the class 1 type I-E CRISPR-Cas system, fused to a cytidine deaminase to unwind and mutate large stretches of DNA at once, including complete metabolic pathways. The tool increases the number of mutations in the target region 350-fold compared to the rest of the genome, with an average of 0.3 mutations per kilobase. We demonstrate the suitability of CoMuTER for pathway optimization by doubling the production of lycopene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae after a single round of mutagenesis. Resumen: La generación de diversidad genética mediante mutagénesis es utilizada habitualmente para la ingeniería de proteínas y la optimización de vías metabólicas. Las tecnologías actuales para realizar mutagénesis aleatoria a menudo se dirigen a todo el genoma o a secuencias relativamente estrechas de ADN. Para cerrar esta brecha, desarrollamos CoMuTER (mutagénesis confinada utilizando un sistema CRISPR-Cas tipo I-E, por sus siglas en inglés), una herramienta que permite la mutagénesis in vivo inducible y dirigida de loci genómicos de hasta 55 kilobases. CoMuTER emplea la helicasa Cas3, enzima distintiva del sistema CRISPR-Cas clase 1 tipo I-E, fusionada a una citidina desaminasa para desenrollar y mutar grandes extensiones de ADN a la vez, incluidas vías metabólicas completas. La herramienta aumenta en un 350 veces el número de mutaciones en la región objetivo en comparación con el resto del genoma, con un promedio de 0,3 mutaciones por kilobase. Demostramos la idoneidad de CoMuTER para la optimización de vías al duplicar la producción de licopeno en Saccharomyces cerevisiae después de una sola ronda de mutagénesis.

Abstract: This thesis revolves around Metarhizium, fungi well-known for their entomopathogenic nature but recently discovered to have multifaceted lifestyles. They thrive in soil as saprophytes and engage in plant rhizospheres, positively impacting plant health. However, the mechanisms underlying these interactions remain elusive. The thesis examines Metarhizium brunneum's connections with plants, insects, and pathogens through five distinct chapters. These chapters entail: 1) identifying fungal isolates' differences and their efficacy as biocontrol agents, 2) exploring their association with crops, particularly oilseed rape and potatoes, and understanding their effects on insect pests and plant diseases, 3) studying the impact on herbivores like Psylliodes chrysocephala, Myzus persicae, and Brevicoryne brassicae feeding on Brassica napus plants, 4) evaluating their influence on the cabbage root fly (Delia radicum) and the mechanisms involved in plant defense pathways, and 5) examining their ability to protect oilseed rape plants against Verticillium longisporum, dissecting the mechanisms through in vitro and greenhouse experiments. These research aspects collectively elucidate the potential applications of Metarhizium brunneum and contribute to a deeper understanding of its role in agricultural systems. Resumen: Esta tesis gira en torno a Metarhizium, hongos bien conocidos por su naturaleza entomopatógena, pero de los que recientemente se ha descubierto que tienen estilos de vida polifacéticos. Prosperan en el suelo como saprofitos y se introducen en las rizosferas de las plantas, influyendo positivamente en su salud. Sin embargo, los mecanismos que subyacen a estas interacciones siguen siendo elusivos. La tesis examina las conexiones de Metarhizium brunneum con plantas, insectos y patógenos a través de cinco capítulos distintos. Estos capítulos comprenden: 1) identificar las diferencias de los aislados fúngicos y su eficacia como agentes de biocontrol, 2) explorar su asociación con los cultivos, en particular la colza y la patata, y comprender sus efectos sobre las plagas de insectos y las enfermedades de las plantas, 3) estudiar el impacto sobre herbívoros como Psylliodes chrysocephala, Myzus persicae, y Brevicoryne brassicae que se alimentan de plantas de Brassica napus, 4) evaluar su influencia en la mosca de la raíz de la col (Delia radicum) y los mecanismos implicados en las vías de defensa de las plantas, y 5) examinar su capacidad para proteger las plantas de colza oleaginosa contra Verticillium longisporum, diseccionando los mecanismos mediante experimentos in vitro y en invernadero. Estos aspectos de la investigación dilucidan colectivamente las aplicaciones potenciales de Metarhizium brunneum y contribuyen a una comprensión más profunda de su papel en los sistemas agrícolas.

Abstract: The need for measurable data from physical assets to actively feed a living Digital Twin (DT) is paramount. The requirements and needs that the gathered data should fulfill in order to be practically implemented in the stream data pipeline are heterogeneous, some of them general and other case-specific. This article summarizes a set of identified challenges and requirements for a seamless infusion of well-established Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems within DT platforms, without the objective of solve all of them. This identification is performed based on a review of traditional SHM systems with a vast array of information sources as well as on the review of techniques for the systematic digitalization of existing assets. On the other hand, ten real demo cases belonging to Ashvin, an H2020 Research and Innovation project, are providing real world testing beds for an active development of SHM infused in DT systems. Multiple information sources are studied in those sites, which also enriches with more realism, the identification of requirements and challenges presented herein. These assets provide a perspective to researchers about practical implications of these needs.