Abstract: This research aims to identify the potential implications of the Design Thinking methodology applied to Urban Design processes, as a useful tool to guide situated design processes and innovation facing complexity, learning through the process based on reflective action learning among others. The study analyzes the experience of urban designers and academics on developing urban design projects within the framework of the Master in Integrated Cities Design (MDCI in Spanish) at the Universidad Viña del Mar, Chile (2019-2020), who implemented an Urban Design process under the hypothesis that it serves as an innovative tool in three aspects: empathy, iteration, and scalability. It takes a phenomenological qualitative research methodology and analyzes both the common and distinct experiences of urban designers and academics at the MDCI project laboratory that they recognize as relevant in the process. The experiences were evaluated through group interviews. The data analysis was done through coding methods based on Grounded Theory, identifying those experiences relevant to the Urban Design process that promote the capacity for innovation in the production of urban space. A total of nine innovation dimensions relevant to Urban Design are identified insofar as Design Thinking promotes a focus on the process and not on the final project, encouraging situated knowledge that explores the territory through experimentation based on artifacts and experiences and aims to open ongoing questions. All of this promotes learning through the process of iteration where the Urban Designer takes on the role of facilitator of design processes, promoting forms of local governance for a specific issue and incorporating diverse disciplinary and experiential approaches to address the urban problem.

Resumen: la metodología de Design Thinking en procesos de diseño urbano, como una herramienta procedimental útil para orientarlos de manera situada en el territorio y de forma innovadora frente a desafíos complejos, y que permite el aprendizaje durante el proceso mediante la acción reflexiva. El estudio se basa en el análisis de la experiencia de diseñadores y académicos involucrados en proyectos desarrollados en el marco del Magíster en Diseño de Ciudades Integradas (MDCI) de la Universidad Viña del Mar, Chile (2019-2020), quienes implementaron la metodología bajo la hipótesis de que esta es una herramienta innovadora en tres aspectos: la empatización, la iteración y la escalabilidad. La metodología de investigación es cualitativa del tipo fenomenológica, analiza las experiencias comunes y distintas de los profesionales. Estas se evaluaron mediante entrevistas grupales. El análisis de los datos se desplegó a través de métodos de codificación basados en la teoría fundamentada (Grounded Theory), identificando experiencias relevantes para el proceso de diseño urbano que promuevan la capacidad de innovación en proyectos de este tipo. Se identificaron nueve dimensiones de innovación relevantes, en tanto el Design Thinking 1) se enfoca en el proceso mismo y no necesariamente en el proyecto final, promoviendo el conocimiento situado mediante la experimentación basada en artefactos y experiencias; 2) origina interrogaciones constantes y el aprendizaje durante el proceso de iteración, situando al diseñador como un facilitador; 3) impulsa formas de gobernanza local para un problema específico, incorporando diversos enfoques experienciales a la hora de abordar el problema urbano.

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this research was to analyze the expression profile of miR-155, miR-146a, and miR-326 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 47 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) and 39 control subjects, as well as the possible association with autoimmune or inflammatory markers. Subjects and methods Expression profile of miRs by means of qPCR using TaqMan probes. Autoantibodies and inflammatory markers by ELISA. Statistical analysis using bivariate correlation. Results The analysis of the results shows an increase in the expression of miR-155 in T1D patients in basal conditions compared to the controls (p < 0.001) and a decreased expression level of miR-326 (p < 0.01) and miR-146a (p < 0.05) compared T1D patients to the controls. miR-155 was the only miRs associated with autoinmmunity (ZnT8) and inflammatory status (vCAM). Conclusion Our data show a possible role of miR-155 related to autoimmunity and inflammation in Chilean patients with T1D.

Infection recurrence rates among hepatitis B virus infected liver allograft recipients, may be as high as 80%. Immunoprophylaxis with anti HBVgammaglobulin may reduce these rates and improve survival. The dose of anti HBV gammaglobulin that must be used is not clearly defined. The most commonly accepted protocol uses 10,000 units during the anhepatic phase and 10,000 units daily during one week, followed by weekly doses of 10,000 units during one month and maintenance with 10,000 units monthly, without measuring anti hepatitis B surface antigen antibodies (antiHBs). Some reports recommend the use of immunoglobulin on demand, to maintain antiHBs titers between 100 and 250 U/l. The infection recurrence rates among patients treated with immunoglobulin and Lamivudine fluctuates between 0 and 10%, during follow up periods of 13 to 30 months. We report three liver allograft recipients that received immunoglobulin on demand, using a mean of41,000 units, maintaining adequate antiHBs titers.

A start-up strategy was presented and evaluated to obtain a well-established biofilm in a gas lift-reactor capable both for the removal of organic matter and sulphate. Pumice stone was used as material support. The influence of shear forces, given by the biogas recirculation, the effect of the COD/SO4-2 ratio and the OLRs increase were evaluated on the reactor performance. From the first stages, cell colonization was observed along with the presence of extracellular polymeric substances. The COD and sulphate removal was over 70%, for all conditions. The increase of gas flow did not have an adverse effect on biofilm development even though there was some detachment. Specific methanogenic activity of the biofilm increased along the experiments. Operational parameters as alkalinity and alkalinity ratio were within the recommended values for the operation with sulphate-rich wastewater. For gas-lift reactors operation it becomes fundamental to have a suitable start-up strategy that takes into account the initial biofilm development from a non-acclimatized biomass.

Background: The current treatment recommendation for chronic hepatitis C virus infection is the combination of peginterferon and ribavirin for 24 or 48 weeks, depending on the viral genotype. The aim of the therapy is to obtain a sustained virological response. Aim: To report our experience in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Material and Methods: Analysis of 52 patients treated between September 2000 and June 2009. Patients with genotype 1 or 5 were treated with peginterferon alpha 2a (180 ug/week) and ribavirin (1000 mg/day for those weighing less than 75 kg and 1200 mg/day for those weighing more than 75 kg) during 48 weeks. Patients with genotypes 2 and 3 were treated for 24 weeks with the same dose of peginterferon and ribavirin 800 mg /day. Results: Viral genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 5 were present in 81, 4, 11 and 4% of patients, respectively. Twenty four patients (46 %), 18 with genotype 1, achieved a sustained viral response. Age was the only variable that infl uenced the response to treatment. Conclusions: Approximately half of the patients with chronic hepatitis C, achieve a sustained viral response with peginterferon and ribavirin.