Industrial University of Santander

Achieving universal electricity access in rural areas remains a complex challenge in many developing countries, particularly for communities located within reach of existing distribution infrastructure but not yet connected. In such contexts, decision-makers must often choose between extending the main grid and deploying off-grid systems. This study presents a structured scoping review based on bibliographic sources, aimed at identifying how decision-making processes are supported in selection of rural electrificationstrategies, when both options are technically and economically viable. Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a multi-phase filtering strategy was applied to the Scopus database, covering literature published between 2013 and 2024. A total of 3780 documents were initially retrieved, from which 136 were selected for in-depth analysis. Data extraction, co-citation mapping, keyword clustering, and thematic coding were used to classify the literature into five decision-related domains: technology selection, network configuration, system optimisation, policy frameworks, and multi-criteria methodologies. The review identifies recurring methodological patterns and systematises the decision-making criteria most frequently applied in rural electrification planning. It highlights that current approaches often treat grid extension and off-grid alternatives within isolated frameworks, despite their coexistence in practical planning scenarios. The analysis reveals significant gaps in the integration of technical, economic, social, environmental and institutional dimensions, as well as in the use of unified indicators that enable meaningful comparisons. These findings emphasise the need for more comprehensive frameworks that reflect the complexity of electrification choices in grid-adjacent rural areas and support more consistent, evidence-based planning processes. • A scoping review of 136 studies assesses decision-making in rural electrification planning. • Literature is categorised across five thematic domains using bibliometric and qualitative methods. • Decision-making tools lack integration of institutional and social dimensions. • Criteria used across studies remain heterogeneous and rarely comparable. • Findings reveal fragmented frameworks for planning trade-offs between grid and off-grid options.

Background:Rectus abdominis fat grafting (RAFG) has emerged as a valuable adjunct to liposuction and abdominoplasty to enhance muscular definition and abdominal contour. Despite its growing popularity, evidence regarding safety, standardization, and outcomes remains limited. This study described a standardized protocol for ultrasound-guided or direct-vision RAFG and evaluated clinical results, complications, and patient satisfaction.Methods:A retrospective review was conducted on 182 consecutive patients who underwent liposuction or abdominoplasty with intramuscular fat grafting to the rectus abdominis between 2022 and 2024. Fat was injected under high-frequency ultrasound guidance or direct vision during abdominoplasty. Demographics, operative time, graft volumes per metamere, complications, and pre- and postoperative BODY-Q abdomen scores were analyzed.Results:The cohort included 182 patients with a mean age of 37.2 years and a mean body mass index of 26.4 kg/m2. The average fat graft volume per patient was 85 mL, distributed across 4 metameres (15, 20, 20, and 30 mL). Complications directly related to the grafting procedure occurred in 2 patients (1.09%): 1 surgical-site infection and 1 fat necrosis. No cases of fat embolism were observed. Mean BODY-Q satisfaction scores improved from 12.5 to 26.2 on a 28-point scale.Conclusions:RAFG using ultrasound guidance or direct visualization with a metameric, small-volume protocol is a safe, reproducible technique that enhances abdominal definition. Its low complication rate and significant improvement in patient satisfaction support its inclusion in contemporary body contouring practices.

Soil contamination with petroleum asphaltenes represents a critical environmental hazard due to their recalcitrant nature and their potential long-term adverse effects on ecosystems, plants, animals, and human health. Bioremediation using microbial consortia capable of degrading heavy hydrocarbons offers a promising strategy for the efficient removal of asphaltenes from contaminated soils. This study aimed to develop a novel fungal consortium highly tolerant to asphaltenes for the bioremediation of contaminated soils and evaluate transcriptional responses during asphaltene degradation. The consortium, composed of Aspergillus oryzae, Penicillium citrinum, and Aspergillus sydowii, was evaluated in microcosm systems containing asphaltene-contaminated soil, and transcriptomic analyses were conducted to assess gene activity. Bioremediation assays revealed that the consortium not only removed but also mineralized asphaltenes, achieving a degradation of up to 55.6 wt% of 5000mg of asphaltenes kg-1 in 30days. Additionally, it exhibited remarkable tolerance to asphaltenes at concentrations exceeding 100,000mg of asphaltenes l-1. Transcriptomic profiling indicated that cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and extradiol dioxygenases were primarily involved during the initial stages of degradation, followed by upregulation of genes encoding laccases and DyP-type peroxidases, suggesting a coordinated metabolic response to the breakdown of complex aromatic compounds. The consortium demonstrated the ability to adapt and overexpress hydrocarbon-degrading genes in response to asphaltene exposure, underscoring its potential as an effective and viable bioremediation tool.

The seismic performance of residential buildings is a pressing concern in high‐seismicity regions. In Colombia, Thin Lightly Reinforced Concrete Wall (TLRCW) buildings have become a common solution to address the housing deficits. This study evaluates the impact of structural configuration on the seismic performance of 52 low‐ and mid‐rise constructed TLRCW buildings, examining key parameters such as stiffness index, wall index, aspect ratio, longitudinal reinforcement ratios distributed in the wall web and concentrated at the wall edge, wall thickness, and confinement. Numerical simulations in OpenSeesPy were used to assess the performance of archetypes under a set of hazard‐consistent ground motion records, generating fragility curves for each archetype. For each archetype, the seismic performance is evaluated in terms of the probability of collapse for the maximum considered earthquake (MCE). The results show that certain structural configurations can increase the probability of collapse for low‐rise and mid‐rise buildings. Specifically, very thin walls (80–100 mm) with aspect ratios greater than 6, light longitudinal reinforcement ratio distributed in the wall web using a single layer of welded wire mesh (less than 0.20%), and light vertical reinforcement concentrated at the wall edge (less than 0.50%) increase the probability in low‐rise buildings. In contrast, high steel ratios of vertical reinforcement concentrated at the wall edges (more than 2%) combined with low web reinforcement (0.20% or less) are key attributes in mid‐rise buildings that lead to unacceptable seismic performance.

Un virus poco conocido, pero con alta letalidad y capacidad de transmitirse entre personas, recuerda que las próximas amenazas sanitarias pueden surgir en la interfaz entre humanos, animales y ambiente. El virus Nipah, identificado en Asia hace poco más de dos décadas, ha provocado brotes con elevada mortalidad y evidencia clara de transmisión humano-humano, lo que lo sitúa entre los patógenos con potencial epidémico. Aunque no se han documentado casos en América Latina, factores como la biodiversidad, la transformación de ecosistemas y la creciente movilidad internacional plantean escenarios plausibles para su introducción. En este contexto, Colombia enfrenta el reto de fortalecer la vigilancia epidemiológica y la preparación del sistema de salud desde un enfoque de Una Salud.

La insuficiencia cardíaca avanzada es un síndrome terminal caracterizado por disfunción ventricular severa y compromiso multiorgánico, incluido el sistema urológico. Realizamos una revisión sistemática de estudios observacionales y ensayos clínicos que evaluaron complicaciones urológicas en la insuficiencia cardíaca avanzada, siguiendo las directrices del Cochrane Handbook. Cinco estudios, con un total de 1,478 participantes, cumplieron los criterios de elegibilidad. Los desenlaces primarios fueron la prevalencia y el impacto en la calidad de vida, evaluados mediante instrumentos validados (RAND-36, IIQ-SF7). La disfunción sexual fue altamente prevalente, reportada en el 48–84% de los hombres y el 63–80% de las mujeres, y se asoció con mayor edad, obesidad y baja actividad física. La incontinencia urinaria afectó al 49% de los pacientes y se relacionó con dosis más altas de diuréticos y menor adherencia al tratamiento. Ambas complicaciones se asociaron de manera consistente con puntuaciones reducidas de calidad de vida y una carga física y emocional significativa. Las limitaciones de la evidencia incluyeron tamaños de muestra pequeños, definiciones y medidas de desenlace heterogéneas, y un seguimiento longitudinal limitado. En general, las complicaciones urológicas son comunes, clínicamente relevantes y con frecuencia subestimadas en la insuficiencia cardíaca avanzada. Estos hallazgos respaldan la integración rutinaria del cribado, asesoramiento y manejo específicos en la atención integral de la insuficiencia cardíaca, y destacan la necesidad de investigaciones prospectivas y estandarizadas.

Abstract The production of biolubricants has gained growing interest due to their biodegradability and low toxicity, motivating the search for low-cost raw materials such as animal fats. This study investigated the synthesis of biolubricants from crude poultry oil, a residue of the poultry-processing industry. The raw material was characterized and conditioned through acid esterification and alkaline transesterification to obtain biodiesel with a low acid number (<1 mg KOH/g) and high methyl ester content. This biodiesel was then reacted with polyols via reverse transesterification to produce biolubricants. A Central Composite Design was employed to evaluate two polyols—trimethylolpropane (TMP) and neopentylglycol (NPG)—using biodiesel-to-polyol molar ratio (MR) and sodium methoxide concentration as variables, while reaction time, temperature, pressure, and agitation remained constant. After centrifugation, only the liquid fraction was analyzed, with biolubricant recoveries ranging from 20% to 60%. Kinematic viscosity was measured according to ASTM D445, and the five samples with the highest viscosities from each design were further examined through viscosity index determination and thermogravimetric analysis. Optimal conditions for producing an International Organization for Standardization Viscosity Grade (ISO VG) 32-grade biolubricant were obtained at a 4:1 biodiesel-to-TMP MR with 1% w/w of catalyst. Only TMP-based formulations met ISO VG 32 and 46 viscosity classifications, whereas NPG-based samples exhibited insufficient viscosity. These results demonstrate the feasibility of converting poultry waste oil—an abundant, low-value byproduct—into high-performance biolubricants through reverse transesterification. In contrast to studies focused on vegetable oils such as palm or jatropha, this work validates animal fat-derived biodiesel as a viable precursor for ISO-grade lubricants, offering a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to edible oils.