Abstract The optimization of structures is a wished goal, but it is not always achieved in engineering practice, due to either the large additional effort that it demands or the lack of necessary resources to carry it out. Structural engineers usually use batch procedures, consisting of utilizing the software, in which data are input, running the analysis and evaluating the results, along which it is decided whether the design is accepted or modifications must be made, in which case the process is repeated again. The consequence of this is that the final result, normally, will always be improvable. For that reason, the field of optimization has usually been reserved to the academia. The new currents of structural engineering seek optimization by means of parametric design and evolutionary computing. As an additional contribution to the use of these resources, the objective of this work is to present an algorithm developed through visual programming for sizing, shape and topology optimization of plane trusses of the classic Howe, Pratt or Warren typologies, and to highlight the advantages that the use of this resource provides for the professional work of structural engineers, since it allows them to develop their own algorithms without the need of previous knowledge of programming, and to achieve economic and environmental benefits from saving materials. All this configures a clear transfer of the advances of computer technology to professional practice, extending the frontiers of the academic sphere. As an example of application, a truss analyzed by traditional methods, without optimizing, and the same truss optimized with the aforementioned algorithm, are compared.

Resumen La optimización de estructuras es un fin anhelado, pero no siempre se concreta en la práctica de la ingeniería, bien sea por el ingente esfuerzo adicional que demanda o por no contarse con los recursos necesarios para llevarlo a cabo. El ingeniero estructural habitualmente utiliza procedimientos tipo lote, consistentes en emplear software donde se ingresan los datos, se ejecuta el análisis y se evalúan los resultados sobre los que se decide si se acepta el diseño o se le deben practicar modificaciones, en cuyo caso el proceso se vuelve a repetir. Consecuencia de ello es que el resultado final, normalmente, será susceptible a mejoras, de allí que el campo de la optimización usualmente ha quedado reservado al ámbito académico. Las nuevas corrientes de la ingeniería estructural procuran la optimización apoyándose en el diseño paramétrico y la computación evolutiva. Como aporte adicional al empleo de estos medios, el objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un algoritmo desarrollado mediante programación visual para la optimización de las secciones, forma y topología de celosías planas de tipologías clásicas, como: Howe, Pratt o Warren. Asimismo, destacar las ventajas que provee el empleo de este recurso para la labor profesional del ingeniero estructural, al permitirle desarrollar sus propios algoritmos sin necesidad de conocimientos previos de programación, y lograr beneficios tanto económicos como medioambientales a partir del ahorro de materiales. Todo ello configura un claro traslado de los avances de la tecnología informática a la práctica profesional, excediendo las fronteras de las aplicaciones académicas. Como ejemplo de aplicación se compara una armadura analizada mediante procedimientos tradicionales, sin optimizar, y la misma armadura optimizada con el algoritmo mencionado.

BACKGROUND The anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective properties of curcumin (Cur), a natural polyphenolic flavonoid isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, are increasingly considered to have beneficial effects on the progression of Chagas heart disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of oral therapy with Cur on T. cruzi-mediated cardiovasculopathy in acutely infected mice and analyse the in vitro response of parasite-infected human microvascular endothelial cells treated with this phytochemical. METHODS Inflammation of heart vessels from Cur-treated and untreated infected mice were analysed by histology, with benznidazole (Bz) as the reference compound. Parasitaemia was monitored by the direct method. Capillary permeability was visualised by Evans-blue assay. Myocardial ET-1, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA expressions were measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Microvascular endothelial HMEC-1 cells were infected in vitro with or without addition of Cur or Bz. Induction of the Ca2+/NFAT pathway was assessed by fluorometry, immunoblotting, and reporter assay. FINDINGS Oral Cur therapy of recently infected mice reduced inflammatory cell infiltration of myocardial arteries without lowering parasite levels. Compared to that of the phosphate-buffered saline-receiving group, hearts from Cur-treated mice showed significantly decreased vessel inflammation scores (p < 0.001), vascular permeabilities (p < 0.001), and levels of IL-6/TNF-α (p < 0.01) and ET-1 (p < 0.05) mRNA. Moreover, Cur significantly (p < 0.05 for transcript; p < 0.01 for peptide) downregulated ET-1 secretion from infected HMEC-1 cells. Remarkably, Cur addition significantly (p < 0.05 at 27.0 μM) interfered with T. cruzi-dependent activation of the Ca2+/NFATc1 signalling pathway that promotes generation of inflammatory agents in HMEC-1 cells. CONCLUSIONS Oral treatment with Cur dampens cardiovasculopathy in acute Chagas mice. Cur impairs the Ca2+/NFATc1-regulated release of ET-1 from T. cruzi-infected vascular endothelium. These findings identify new perspectives for exploring the potential of Cur-based interventions to ameliorate Chagas heart disease.

Resumen En este trabajo se propone un método integrado para la estimación de la competitividad de fabricación de las empresas utilizando su rendimiento comparativo en sus objetivos de fabricación. El método desarrollado utiliza un extenso análisis de la literatura, junto con un análisis de expertos a través del método Delphi para identificar los factores que influyen en la competitividad de la industria bajo estudio. Diferentes coeficientes estadísticos tales como el alfa de Cronbach, W de Kendall, kappa de Fleiss y la correlación intraclase se utilizan para asegurar la fiabilidad de los instrumentos y de la opinión de los expertos. El análisis exploratorio de factores (EFA por sus siglas en inglés) y un posterior análisis factorial confirmatorio (CFA por sus siglas en inglés) se utilizan como el medio para obtener el modelo de medición con el que se calcula un indicador de la competitividad de fabricación. Un caso de estudio empírico utilizando el método propuesto se lleva a cabo en una muestra de plantas maquiladora de ropa.

Abstract This paper proposes an integrated method for estimating the manufacturing competitiveness of companies using their comparative performance in their manufacturing objectives. The developed method uses an extensive analysis of the literature along with expert analysis through the Delphi method to identify the factors influencing competitiveness in the industry under study. Different statistical coefficients such as Cronbach’s alpha, Kendall’s W, Fleiss’ kappa and Intraclass Correlation are used to assure reliability in the instruments and the experts’ opinion. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a subsequent confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) are used as the means to obtain the measurement model with which to calculate an indicator of manufacturing competitiveness. An empirical case study using the proposed method is performed in a sample of apparel maquiladora plants.