University of Tolima

The challenges for the inclusion of visually impaired individuals in cities and buildings are significant, particularly in activities related to exploring heritage sites, as there are few activities focused on them, and guided tours are often centered on the visual characteristics of objects. To address this issue, a methodology is presented for the design and production of a portable, collectible, low-cost, and easily manufacturable and replicable three-dimensional device. The methodology is based on incremental innovation, Experiential Learning, participatory design, and Active Experimentation through work with a focus group of visually impaired individuals. 3D prototyping and printing technologies are used to facilitate access for visually impaired individuals to enjoy and exercise their rights to the city and heritage. It is concluded that the 3D portable device, focused on pedagogical processes, is an accessible solution for all institutions, even those with moderate budgets, as is the case in Latin America.

Coffee fermentation represents a natural bioreactor in which microbial metabolism shapes the aroma, acidity, and sensory identity of one of the most valued beverages in the world. This study optimized a semi-controlled fermentation process using commercial lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts under wet conditions to enhance the sensory quality of Coffea arabica var. Colombia at a smallholder scale. A sequential experimental strategy combined a definitive screening design (DSD) to identify key variables—fermentation time (X₁), inoculum concentration (X₂), water content (X₃), microorganism type (X₄), and inoculum preparation method (X₅)—with a factorial optimization step. Relative microbial growth was included as a covariate, and the sensory score (S) of the final coffee served as the main response variable, as determined by a certified Q-grader following the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) cupping protocol. During fermentation, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, and microbial viability were monitored to characterize process dynamics. The DSD revealed that microorganism type, fermentation time, and inoculum preparation method were the most influential factors on sensory outcomes. Optimization predicted the highest S value (85.14) with a yeast inoculum prepared from fresh commercial Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (Levapan, Colombia) and a fermentation duration of 48 h, using minimal inoculum concentration (3%) and water content (50%). Experimental validation confirmed these conditions, achieving a relative error of 0.36%. The results demonstrate that accessible commercial microbial inoculum can significantly improve process control, microbial performance, and sensory quality without requiring specialized infrastructure. This biotechnological approach provides a cost-effective and scalable fermentation model for smallholder producers, integrating microbial optimization with sustainable practices to strengthen participation in the specialty coffee market.

En los ecosistemas dulceacuícolas, la introducción de especies exóticas se convierte en un problema a largo plazo, pues altera el flujo de materia y energía en las comunidades bióticas. Los efectos de los organismos introducidos en los ecosistemas acuáticos dependen de la magnitud de las interacciones que suceden entre las especies nativas y las introducidas. Dichas interacciones son complejas y poco se han estudiado en la región andina colombiana. Por tal razón, en el presente estudio se analizaron las variaciones en el ensamblaje de la comunidad de algas fitoperifíticas en quebradas con y sin la presencia de Oncorhynchus mykiss (trucha arcoíris) y bajo diferentes tipos de cobertura vegetal (bosques frente a pastos y cultivos). Se registró una densidad total de 119.600 organismos/cm³ distribuidos en cuatro filos, seis clases, 22 órdenes, 31 familias y 41 géneros. Se evaluaron cuatro tratamientos, de los cuales los tratamientos tres y cuatro registraron las mayores densidades de perifiton. La división Bacillariophyta se encontró en los cuatro tratamientos evaluados. No se evidenciaron diferencias significativas entre los tratamientos frente a la presencia de trucha arcoíris en las quebradas. El presente estudio presenta información base sobre la influencia de la introducción de O. mykiss en la comunidad de algas fitoperifíticas en quebradas andinas.

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is considered a signature marker for astrocytes in several species, due to its role in cell integrity and signalling. This study aimed at the molecular characterisation of GFAP cDNA from Piaractus orinoquensis and to assess the gene expression in an acute brain injury model. The nucleotide sequence of gfap was obtained from cDNA nanosequencing and full open reading frame was amplified and confirmed by sanger sequencing. Relative gene expression was assessed in fish tissues and in the brain under an acute injury by qPCR. Western blot analysis was performed for the detection of GFAP in the brain. GFAP from Piaractus orinoquensis showed conserved regions and domains and GFAP transcripts were detected in all tissues. In the acute brain injury model, there was a downregulation of GFAP mRNA level as well as for пHIF-1a and GlucoR two hours post-injury. The study of the inflammatory response modulated by astrocytes will help to understand the regulatory mechanisms in the central nervous system and the development of a piscine bio model for human and animal neuropathology. This is the first report of the full open reading frame of red-bellied pacu GFAP cDNA.

Modern surgical practice unfolds in environments characterized by uncertainty, time pressure, technological complexity, and high clinical stakes. Within these conditions, cognitive load emerges as a critical determinant of surgical judgment and intraoperative decision-making. This integrative review synthesizes interdisciplinary evidence from cognitive neuroscience, human factors engineering, and surgical education to examine how mental workload influences performance stability, error vulnerability, and adaptive reasoning during high-risk procedures. The reviewed literature consistently demonstrates that increased cognitive load is associated with performance degradation, particularly when stress amplifies attentional demands and working memory capacity is exceeded. Expertise moderates this relationship by promoting automaticity and efficient cognitive resource allocation; however, even experienced surgeons remain susceptible to overload under unstable or unfamiliar conditions. Measurement methodologies—including subjective workload scales, physiological indicators, behavioral proxies, and neurophysiological signals—reflect ongoing efforts to operationalize cognitive strain within clinical environments. Simulation-based training, deliberate practice frameworks, team communication protocols, and cognitive offloading strategies are repeatedly described as mechanisms capable of enhancing decision stability under pressure. The findings suggest that cognitive load should be conceptualized as a modifiable patient safety variable rather than an unavoidable byproduct of surgical complexity. Integrating cognitive science principles into surgical training and workflow design may strengthen adaptive decision-making and reduce preventable errors. These implications are particularly relevant for diverse international healthcare systems, including those with heterogeneous institutional resources, where optimizing cognitive performance can contribute meaningfully to operative reliability and patient safety.

Neurogenic and chronic pelvic pain syndromes represent a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in urology due to their multifactorial nature, symptom heterogeneity, and frequent absence of definitive objective findings. Conditions such as chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome are characterized by persistent pelvic pain, commonly associated with urinary, sexual, and psychosocial symptoms, leading to substantial impairment in quality of life. This review synthesizes current evidence regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic frameworks, and multidisciplinary management strategies of urologic chronic pelvic pain syndromes. The findings highlight the predominance of neuropathic pain, neurogenic inflammation, and central sensitization as key mechanisms sustaining symptom chronicity, alongside variable contributions from inflammatory and pelvic floor dysfunction processes. Diagnostic approaches remain largely exclusion-based, supported by formal criteria and emerging phenotyping strategies aimed at improving clinical decision-making. Management evidence consistently supports multidisciplinary care models integrating urology-led evaluation with pelvic floor rehabilitation, pain medicine, and psychological or behavioral interventions. Taken together, the results underscore the necessity of mechanism-oriented, patient-centered, and multidisciplinary approaches to improve clinical outcomes and provide a robust educational framework for training clinicians in the management of chronic pelvic pain syndromes.