Pontificia Universidad Catolica De Chile Research Articles

Towards a reform of the Commercial Codification in Chile

On November 23, 2016, it was 150 years since the promulgation of the Commercial Code of the Republic of Chile by President Jose Joaquin Perez, which became effective on January 1, 1867, exactly ten years after the Code Civil written by Andres Bello. To celebrate this sesquicentennial, various commemorative activities were organized, such as the preparation of a facsimile reprint of the Prince's edition of the Code, ordered to be composed by order of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. As far as we know, of her and of the documented historical study composed to accompany her by Prof. Javier Barrientos Grandon, news has already been given in two reviews.

Socio-Cultural Connections and Ruptures: Social Roles of Older Adults in Chile

This research focused on determining the sociocultural factors that build the social perception of the social roles of senior citizens in Chile in the 2002–2012 period. For this purpose, public opinion was studied in newspapers El Mercurio and La Cuarta. Specialized opinion included the Senior Citizen Program of Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, the National Service for Senior Citizens, the Social Observatory for Aging and Old Age of Universidad de Chile, and the Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology of Chile. A comprehensive methodology was used, along with a bibliographical four-stage design. The following ten sociocultural factors were identified: Health and Quality of Life, Studies and Data, Social Images of Aging, Gerontological Concepts and Sociopolitical Participation, Gerontological Policies, Plans and Principles, Aging, Production and Gender, Institutionalization, Demographic Growth, Gerontological Training, and Exclusion and Old Age. This work suggests modifying the conceptual premise that emphasizes the inexistence of a social role for elderly people with a vision centered on the heterogeneity of social roles under permanent sociocultural construction.

Can we use OpenStreetMap POIs for the Evaluation of Urban Accessibility?

GIScience 2016 Short Paper Proceedings Can we use OpenStreetMap POIs for the Evaluation of Urban Accessibility? S. Steiniger 1 , M.E. Poorazizi 2 , D.R. Scott 1 , C. Fuentes 1 , R. Crespo 3 CEDEUS & Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile A, Avda. Vicuna Mackenna 4860, Macul - Santiago - Chile Email: ssteiniger@uc.cl University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada Email: mepooraz@ucalgary.ca Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Avenida Viel 1497 Ruta 5 Sur - Santiago, Chile Email: ricardo.crespo@ubo.cl Abstract High urban accessibility, measured in terms of easy and fast to reach public and private services, such as schools, parks and shops, is considered an important indicator for quality of life. We developed a web-based platform to measure urban accessibility for transportation planning. Several cities that we aim to study are in Chile where data on urban services is scarce. We evaluated if OpenStreetMap (OSM) can be used as a source of Points of Interest (POI) to evaluate urban accessibility. Based on a field survey in Santiago de Chile, we found that completeness of the OSM POI database is geographical very diverse (7% - 73%) and therefore accessibility scores change significantly. However, scores in some areas did not change much when POIs were added to the OSM database. Given the lack of alternative data sources we recommend using OSM, but suggest evaluating POI completeness in areas with average and low accessibility scores. 1. Urban Accessibility Urban accessibility measures how easy or difficult it is to visit places of one’s day-to-day activities by measuring travel time. As daily activities are considered things such as going to work or school, visiting the library or a park, doing (grocery) shopping, going out to a restaurant, or visiting a movie theatre. Traditionally, transportation planning has focused on measuring accessibility as accessibility to work places, as work-related trips generate high travel demand. Following newer but also classic accessibility measurement theory and practice (e.g., Talen and Anselin 1998; Geurs and van Wee 2004), we developed a web-based platform that measures urban accessibility by counting activity opportunities within a certain travel time – or “travel-shed”. The platform should later be used to evaluate how accessibility changes when investments into urban infrastructure or changes to public transit schedules are made. To evaluate urban accessibility based on activity opportunities and with respect to different modes of travel (e.g. walking, biking, public transit) different data sources are needed: (a) activity opportunities in form of Point of Interest (POI) data, (b) road and pedestrian path network information, and (c) bus and subway/LRT schedules if accessibility with public transit is of interest. In this paper we aim to evaluate how completeness of the (OpenStreetMap) POI database affects calculated walkability scores. 2. Why OpenStreetMap as a Data Source Our first platform prototype was implemented to measure accessibility in Calgary, Canada (Steiniger et al. 2013). For this prototype we used road network data from OpenStreetMap and Points of Interest (POI) were received from MapQuest’s proprietary online database.

Laparoscopic versus Open Distal Pancreatectomy: Comparative Analysis of Clinical Outcomes at a Single Institution

Background: Distal pancreatectomy (DP) is a standard operation for many pancreatic diseases located to the left of the superior mesenteric vein. Advances in technology have made laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) a safe and feasible procedure. In this study, we reviewed our experience with LDP and compared with open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) for the management of benign and malignant lesions. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of medical records of 93 patients subjected to a DP (ODP=36; LDP=57) for pancreatic tumors between 2001-2015 in the Department of Digestive Surgery of Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. In each patient clinical and surgical characteristic, postoperative evolution and histopathologic examination was analyzed. Results: LDP was associated with significantly less operative blood loss (300 ml vs. 50 ml; p=0.007), higher spleen preservation rate (52.6% vs. 19.2%; p=0.002) and shorter hospital stay (5 days vs. 8 days; p<0.001). There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups Conclusions: LDP is a safe and feasible procedure for DP resections. LDP offers advantages over ODP in terms of reduction of operative blood loss, higher spleen preservation rate and shorter hospital stay.

El ciclo de lectura: estrategia para potenciar a niños no lectores

Propósito: aprender a leer y escribir es un proceso que comienza tempranamente en la vida infantil, a través del uso de conductas de lectura y escritura genuinas en el contexto familiar y en los centros educativos. El propósito de esta experiencia fue mejorar la calidad de la lectura de los niños no lectores de primero básico. Tema: el programa "Aprendizaje Inicial de la Lectura, Escritura y Matemática" de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (AILEM UC), se compone de una serie de estrategias que permiten potenciar este aprendizaje a través de una serie de estrategias de lectura y escritura. Ha sido implementado en diferentes escuelas del país a partir del año 2002 (Swartz, 2010). Desarrollo: se presenta una experiencia exitosa realizada en Chile, en la ciudad de La Serena, utilizando el "Ciclo de lectura", una de las estrategias del programa AILEM, con un grupo de niños de primer año básico que presentaban retraso en el aprendizaje de la lectura. Conclusiones: con el trabajo realizado durante dos meses en forma sistemática por las asesoras, aplicando dicha estrategia, se logró que el grupo de niños no lectores o con retraso en la lectura leyera, a final de año, al menos silábicamente.

INTERVENCIONES REALIZADAS POR RESIDENTES DE CIRUGÍA GENERAL

surgical procedures performed by general surgery residents introduction: The national Society of Surgery has defined the minimum number of surgical procedu - res that must be performed by general surgeons in trainee, however, there is no national data reporting this accomplishment. The aim of this study is to report on detail the surgical interventions performed by General Surgery Residents at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (PUC) as lead surgeons. methods: Retros- pective analysis of surgical procedures performed by 26 Residents of the General Surgery Program (GSP) at PUC who graduated between the years 2012 and 2014. A total of 10.102 registered surgeries were reviewed and summarized. results: The mean number of interventions performed by surgery residents was 481 (20% of them on the first year). The most frequently performed procedures were (mean per resident) laparoscopic cholecystectomy (115;24%), open appendectomy (89;19%), classic hernioplasty (43;9%), laparoscopic appen - dectomy (34;7%) and open cholecystectomy (25;5%). Regarding complex/sub-specialty interventions, partial/ total colectomy (12;2%), thyroidectomy-parathyroidectomy (9;2%), vascular access (8;2%), thoracotomy- VATS-sternotomy (5;1%) and breast surgery (4;1%) were the most commonly performed. Fifty three percent of all procedures were done in an emergency setting. The proportion of emergency procedures increased through the GSP training (elective vs emergency: 62 vs 38% at first year and 34 vs 66% at third year, res - pectively; p < 0.002). Interventions were mainly performed in the capital city of Chile, Santiago (74%) and the remaining were done in other provinces. Regarding only abdominal interventions (mean per resident: 366), 42% was performed by laparoscopy. conclusions: Residents of the PUC-GSP execute a considerable large amount of interventions as resident surgeons throughout their 3-years-training program, exceeding the minimum recommendations established by the national Society of Surgery.

Comparison of the response and mechanisms of MAL-PDT of different squamous carcinoma cell lines

Comparison of the response and mechanisms of MAL-PDT of different squamous carcinoma cell lines

Monitoring of the PDT by infrared images – A clinic study

Monitoring of the PDT by infrared images – A clinic study

Unveiling the molecular mechanisms involved in the cytotoxicity induced by photodynamic therapy in human breast cancer cells

Unveiling the molecular mechanisms involved in the cytotoxicity induced by photodynamic therapy in human breast cancer cells

Automatic System Distillation for Wine Fruit

This paper describes in detail an automatic laboratory scale (50 L) batch packed column distillation system, which has been assembled at the Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. The system includes real-time monitoring of temperatures (in different parts of the system), alcoholic strength, flow rates and heating power. In addition, this system allows manipulating the flow rate of the cooling water in the partial condenser and the heating power in the boiler. Data acquisition and control strategies were developed in LabVIEW® environment. The system allows developing and managing strategies to control several variables, such as distillate alcohol strength, specific temperatures and heating and cooling rates.&#61472;

How can development and plasticity contribute to understanding evolution of the human brain?

How can development and plasticity contribute to understanding evolution of the human brain?

Generation of Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Generation of Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Una experiencia de formación universitaria para comunicar sobre desigualdad y pobreza

Este artículo analiza una experiencia de enseñanza en comunicación, pobreza y desigualdad implementada en Chile durante 2012 y 2013 por profesores y estudiantes de pre y posgrado de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. El objetivo fue integrar en la formación universitaria el derecho a la comunicación e información de quienes viven en la marginalidad; en este caso, menores de una comuna con altos índices de pobreza, cuyos derechos han sido vulnerados. Los estudiantes realizaron talleres de comunicación con niños y adolescentes, que aprendieron a reportear y generar contenidos locales en distintos medios. Se discuten los resultados del caso y los desafíos para futuras formaciones en otros contextos de desigualdad.

Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia in Chile. Treatment and Outcomes in Patients Admitted at the Hospital Clinico De La Pontificia Universidad Catolica De Chile Between 2010–2014

Introduction: Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia (AML) is the most frequent acute leukemia in the adults and its incidence increases with age. There are few studies about the demography and outcomes of AML patients in Chile and the only report belongs to a public hospital from 2000. We discuss the results of patients treated in our institution with AML non promyelocytic.Patients and Methods: Retrospective analysis of the epidemiologic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of diagnosis (cytology and flow cytometry) and treatment of AML non promyelocytic patients between 2010-2014. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS Statistics v21 software.Results: 63 patients were diagnosed with AML non M3, 52 males (66%), with a median age of 55.4 years (range: 16 - 89). Diagnosis laboratory tests (mean values and ranges) were: WBC 45.989/mm3 (range: 700 - 405.000); hemoglobin 9,1 g/dl (range: 5,2 - 14,1); platelets 75.548/mm3 (range: 10.000 - 454.000); peripheral blood blasts 38% (range 0 - 100); bone marrow blasts 74% (range 25 - 100%). The cytogenetic risk groups were: favorable (n=5, 8%), intermediate (n=33, 52%), adverse (n=8, 13%) and unknown (n=17, 27%). Of all the patients, 75% (n=47) received induction chemotherapy (CT) and 25% (n=16) palliative care. The mean age of the group with cytogenetic analysis was 51.2 years and only 8.6% did not receive consolidation CT. On the other hand, the group of patients with unknown cytogenetics had a mean age of 68 years and 57% did not receive consolidation CT. The mean survival of the CT group was 27.3 month (range: 0 - 53). By contrast, the mean survival in the palliative care group was 1 month (range: 0 - 6). The mean follow up in all patients was 13 months, (range: 1 - 55) and 17 months (range: 1 - 54) in the group that received CT. 87% (n=41) of patients with CT had febrile neutropenia with respiratory and intestinal focus most commonly identified. The induction mortality was 4,2% (n=2). Complete cytologic remission was achieved in 70% (n=33). The 3-year relapse free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in the CT group were 25% and 31%, respectively. The multivariate survival analysis using Cox’s regression demonstrated that the variables that had significant impact in RFS and OS were: age at diagnosis (<60 years), achievement of disease remission and the use of induction and consolidation CT (high dose cytarabine versus others). In this analysis the cytogenetic risk did not have any impact in OS. The patients that only had induction CT (but not consolidation) had significantly better survival rates compared to the group in palliative care (6 months vs. 1 month, respectively, p=0.001). The mortality during the follow up of patients who had survived the induction CT was 47% (n=22), 2/3 of leukemia and 1/3 of infections.Conclusions: Our study shows that in our center, CR rates and OS rates after induction and consolidation chemotherapy are similar to those reported in international series, and are better than the data that was previously reported in our country. Low induction CT mortality, and the efficacy of CT in patients younger than 60 years old stand out in our report and validate the efficacy of intensive CT. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Experiencia de transición de la secundaria a la universidad de estudiantes admitidos en una universidad tradicional chilena (CRUCH) vía admisión especial de carácter inclusivo

Based on a qualitative research design, this study aimed to reconstruct the transition experience from high school to university of a group of young university students from their own perspective. They were accepted through Talent+Inclusion, a special admission program at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, a traditional institution belonging to the Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH). The perspective of young students, who are key players in the whole learning process, may provide relevant information to the continuous improvement of support programs offered to freshmen when entering higher education. The main findings were summarized, describing the interviewees’ entry trajectory and its principal characteristics, challenges, and difficulties faced by students in their first year, as well as the enablers and projections about future. Differences among academic cultures, identified in students’ narratives, were observed and described, and their impact on inclusion, promotion of learning, and students’ sense of belonging to the university were discussed.

CARACTERÍSTICAS CLÍNICO-PATOLÓGICAS Y SOBREVIDA DE PACIENTES CON CÁNCER DE MAMA BILATERAL SINCRÓNICO

Clinicopathological features and survival of patients with bilateral synchronous breast cancer Introduction: Bilateral synchronous breast cancer (BSBC) has a variable incidence and conflicting data on prognosis. Our goal is to evaluate the characteristics and survival of patients with BSBC treated at Cancer Center of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. Patients and Methods: Descriptive study. We identified patients treated between January 1999 and May 2013. We evaluated and compared characteristics from BSBC patients with a local cohort of non-synchronous breast cancer. Results: The incidence of BSBC was 1.8% (n = 28). Three patients were excluded because of missing data. Therefore we analyzed 25 patients (50 tumors). Median age: 50 years (33-84). The dominant tumors diagnosis was clinical in 47.6% of cases, and imaging in 90.5% of the contra-lateral non-dominant (p = 0.04). Average tumor size of invasive tumors was 2.5 cm for dominant tumor versus 1.7 cm for the non-dominant (p = 0.02). 81.4% of invasive tumors were estrogen receptor (ER) positive. Histological and subtype concordance between both tumors was 88% and 72% respectively. 54% of patients with BSBC were managed with total mastectomy versus 28.4% in the control group no BSBC (p = 0.0001). The estimated overall survival at 10 years was 76.5% in patients with no BSBC versus 62% in those with BSBC (p = 0.08). Conclusions: The BSBC is rare. Frequently they are ER positive tumors, mostly diagnosed through images and managed with less conservative surgery.

Current measurement by Faraday effect on GEPOPU

The design and calibration of an optical current sensor using BK7 glass is presented. The current sensor is based on the polarization rotation by Faraday effect. GEPOPU is a pulsed power generator, double transit time 120ns, 1.5 Ohm impedance, coaxial geometry, where Z pinch experiment are performed. The measurements were performed at the Optics and Plasma Physics Laboratory of Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. The verdet constant for two different optical materials was obtained using He-Ne laser. The values obtained are within the experimental error bars of measurements published in the literature (less than 15% difference). Two different sensor geometries were tried. We present the preliminary results for one of the geometries. The values obtained for the current agree within the measurement error with those obtained by means of a Spice simulation of the generator. Signal traces obtained are completely noise free.

Inseminación intrauterina en mayores de 38 años, ¿vale la pena?

Objetivos: Realizar un análisis costo-eficiencia de los resultados obtenidos con inseminación intrauterina homóloga (IIU) en parejas infértiles cuyas mujeres fueran 38 años o mayores, en una unidad de reproducción humana, y comparar dicho rendimiento con lo publicado para el mismo grupo etario con técnicas de alta complejidad, en el Registro Latinoamericano de Reproducción Asistida (RedLARA). Diseño: Estudio retrospectivo, comparativo. Institución: Unidad de Reproducción Humana, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. Participantes: Mujeres mayores de 38 años tratadas con inseminación intrauterina homóloga. Intervenciones: Se revisó los resultados obtenidos en 5 421 ciclos de inseminación intrauterina homóloga (IIU) realizados entre enero 2000 y septiembre de 2011. Con el fin de analizar el impacto de la avanzada edad reproductiva, se comparó los resultados obtenidos en mujeres menores de 38 años (4 000 ciclos) y en aquellas de 38 años y más (1 421 ciclos). Se describe las tasas de embarazo clínico obtenidas con los distintos protocolos de estimulación ovárica. El análisis costo-eficiencia al intentar tres ciclos de IIU previo a optar por fertilización in vitro (FIV) en mujeres mayores de 38 años, en lugar de ir directamente a FIV, fue comparado con los datos publicados en la Red Latinoamericana de Reproducción Asistida 2009 para ciclos de FIV/ICSI en mujeres de edad reproductiva avanzada. Principales medidas de resultados: Análisis costo-eficiencia de intentar tres ciclos de IIU previo a optar por FIV, en mujeres mayores de 38 años. Resultados: Se incluyó 600 embarazos clínicos en toda la serie, lo que correspondió a una tasa de embarazo clínico de 11,1%, con multigestación de 5,3%. En mujeres de 38 años y más hubo significativo descenso de las mismas tasas (7,5% y 2,8%, respectivamente). Resultó evidente el aporte que implican los esquemas con gonadotropinas en las tasas de embarazo clínico obtenidas con los distintos protocolos de estimulación ovárica. El análisis costo-eficiencia demostró un beneficio en intentar 3 ciclos de IIU, cuando se reúne los criterios de inclusión, previo a optar por fertilización in vitro (FIV), en lugar de ir directamente a FIV. Conclusiones: En mujeres de 38 años y más disminuyeron las tasas de embarazo clínico y multigestación. El análisis costo-eficiencia demostró un beneficio en intentar tres ciclos de IIU, cuando se reúnelos criterios de inclusión, previo a optar por fertilización in vitro (FIV), en lugar de ir directamente a FIV.

Modeling the impacts of national and institutional financial aid opportunities on persistence at an elite Chilean university

Much of the recent Chilean educational debate and reform has centered around issues of higher education cost, debt burden, and availability of grants versus loans. This quantitative case study of Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile sought to understand the longitudinal contributions of combinations of types of financial aid to persistence of low-income students. The results identified that the aggregate availability of both grants and loans at the university-level has a net positive contribution beyond the contributions of national-level grants and loans. In finest distinction, however, only ministry aid (in the form of need-based grants and loans) decreased the likelihood of dropping out. Such findings suggest that universities may want to consider carefully as part of a comprehensive persistence plan how they leverage institution-level contributions to student aid packages.

Special Bilingual Issue on Engineering in the Americas

As the ASCE’s first bilingual peer-reviewed technical journal publication, this special issue on engineering in the Americas represents a new era for ASCE publications. ASCE is a global organization with 15 international sections, 16 international groups, and thousands of international members. Through the publication of this bilingual issue, ASCE is developing a platform to collect and disseminate work on a global basis inmultiple languages. The hope is that this effort will pave the way for ASCE to develop other bilingual technical journal special issues and, eventually, journals dedicated to publishing in this format. This publication is a collaborative effort between many dedicated members of the civil engineering community. The ASCE International Activities Committee proposed the idea and made financial resources available for translations from the bequest of Robert B. Lea to support the “foreign relations activities” of the society. ASCE then partnered with the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile and their journal, Revista Ingenieria de Construccion (RIC), to turn the idea into reality. The Journal of Construction Engineering and Management (JCEM) and RIC editorial staffs took on additional work to pursue this endeavor. The JCEM provided an exceptional stage for this bilingual issue test case. Civil and construction engineers throughout the Americas are dealing with similar challenges in design, construction, operations, and maintenance of capital facilities, as will be discussed this October when ASCE conducts its 144th Annual Conference in Panama. Similarly, construction researchers in North and South America are addressing these challenges with a variety of unique approaches. By breaking down the language barriers that can inhibit publication opportunities and hinder the dissemination of research, the JCEM has opened new doors for authors to publish their work. As the Department of Construction Engineering and Management of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile’s first collaborative peer-reviewed journal publication, this special issue represents a milestone in internationalization. Published since 1986 by the Department of Construction Engineering and Management of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, RIC was the ideal platform for carrying out this effort because it has earned important international recognition, particularly among Latin American researchers. The collaboration agreement was the start, and the process then required a large number of peer reviewers from North and South America. This project became a reality only through this collaborative effort. To maintain the rigorous standards of the JCEM and RIC, a dual peer review process was undertaken through which authors from multiple countries were allowed to submit their work in their native language. Authors originally submitted papers in their native language for peer review. Accepted papers were then translated and reviewed again in the second language. Authors were required to address comments from both sets of reviewers. The papers were accepted for publication in this special issue only after being reviewed and approved by this dual review process. This special issue contains 14 pairs of papers that address a wide variety of research on engineering in the Americas. The articles cover an impressive scope of topics that are unified by their importance to the Americas. The issue publishes articles on earthquakes and the resulting structural responses, and others addressing knowledge management and sustainability. Construction design and methods, performance modeling, and reflections on how to improve engineering education are also included in this issue. We would like to thank Charles T. Jahren, who as Editor of JCEM in 2009, wholeheartedly supports this endeavored with the concurrence of Associate Editor (at the time) Jesus de la Garza and Senior Specialty Editor Carl Haas. The support of these individuals made this special issue possible. We would like to further thank Angela Cochran and Jennifer Parresol at ASCE journals, who worked tirelessly to overcome many obstacles in shepherding these first bilingual manuscripts through the peer review and publication process. We also thank Ximena Araya at RIC journals, who managed the Spanish peer review and translation process. As guest editors of this special issue, we hope that this journal breaks down barriers to publishing in multiple languages. We anticipate that this JCEM example will serve as a model of new avenues for authors to internationally disseminate their innovative research.