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Yoselin Benitez Alfonso, a professor in interdisciplinary plant sciences at the University of Leeds, shares her journey and passion for plant science. Growing up in Cuba, she developed a love for nature and later pursued a degree in chemistry in Spain. Despite not having a biology background, she taught herself plant biology and became interested in plasmodesmata research. She is motivated by her love for research, the success of her students, and the impact of her contributions to teaching and diversity. She considers her father and various mentors as role models and enjoys reading papers on plasmodesmata research and plant symbiosis. Her favorite plant is the olive tree due to its symbolism, climate resilience, and economic significance. Yoselin is also involved in the Black in Plant Science Network and has received recognition for her leadership and academic achievements. [Extracted from the article]

Statues of the Virgin Mary have been embarking on various types of movement and migration for centuries. They are the fixed points around which religious activities are carried out in communities in Spain and Latin America and play significant roles in the personal and social lives of their devotees. Until recently, however, scholarship has largely overlooked the potential richness of what religious material cultures can tell us about religious transformation in Latin America. This paper therefore offers a theoretical and methodological advance by way of a ground-up, 'material' approach to understanding religious change through the religious statues themselves. It utilises the statue of the Virgen de la Regla in Chipiona, Spain as a node on a map from which to trace the lines of movement from Spain into Cuba where a replica of the same Virgin, another nodal point, is worshipped as both Virgin Mary and Santeria Orisha Yemayá. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial facilities are vulnerable to the strike of natural phenomena. Their effects on these facilities can cause great economic losses and trigger other process that threat human health and contaminate the environment. Tropical cyclones are one of the most harmful natural phenomena to Cuba because of its recurrence and destructive force. Determining the frequency and intensity with which them might affect important economic places, is vital in order for facilities to get adequately prepared and minimize damages. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to characterize tropical cyclones that have affected Mariel's Special Development Zone (ZEDM in Spanish), where are located more than 50 companies from different economic sectors with great significance to Cuba. It was created a tool that allows to study the tropical cyclones that have affected this area in the 1851-2020 period according to their formation area, intensity, frequency and probability of occurrence. Results shown that the studied area is highly affected by category 1 and 2 hurricanes, with September and October's average paths. This information is useful for optimizing the risk assessment in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the preservation of knowledge for the future generations is one of the problems in the world because the information is increasing fast as a result of the development of science and technology. In the case of the nuclear activity, the scientific and technological accumulated experiences should be preserved taking into consideration the new applications of the nuclear energy in different sectors of the human activity. For this, it is necessary to know the experts who work on different topics. This paper presents a performed study to obtain criterions from Cuban nuclear professionals about the conditions and principles to take into consideration for the selection of an expert in nuclear sciences and technologies. Appling Delphi method, it was obtained that years of experience, publications, participation in scientific events and scientific degree are more accepted criterions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is based on a gender analysis of the main scientific and technological activities carried out by specialists linked to nuclear applications in the nuclear sector and the Cuban nuclear science and technology program. All existing information regarding participation and leadership in science and innovation projects was collected, including projects implemented with the International Atomic Energy Agency, scientific publications, the Nuclear Energy and Advanced Technologies Agency (AENTA) Awards, Cuban Academy of Science Awards, National Innovation Awards, AENTA Branch Forum, international awards, state scientific-technological protection services - radiological surveillance and specialized productions. The analysis has been carried out for the period between 2000-2022, corresponding to the last 22 fiscal years in which there has been an increase in the active participation of women in the nuclear sphere, with the aim of contributing to the decisions in the design of policies and their implementation in the nuclear field for the empowerment of Cuban women in this sector, and with special contribution to the future actions of the Network of Cuban Women in the Nuclear, known as WiN Cuba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses a wide array of original documents collected from Bulgarian, Czech, German, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian and Serbian diplomatic, party and security services archives, reflecting Havana's foreign policy during the Cold War. The article's narrative follows Cuba's Cold War foreign policy in the 1970s. Through its multipolar archival research methodology, the paper aims to help us acquaint a more nuanced and fuller picture of the complex and evolving character of Cuba's Cold War internationalism as seen through the eyes of Moscow's East European allies, marking a clear departure from existing literature mostly engaging Soviet or American sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a comparative study between the structures, regulation and challenges of small and medium size businesses (SMEs) in Australia and two Latin American jurisdictions - Chile and Cuba - with the object of exploring ways in which SME-propitious ecosystem can be configured in an unprecedented crisis situation. It examines the legislation, bodies and regulation in place which deal with SME issues, including consumer protection, and the differing contextual considerations, taking cognizance of the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, the paper explores ways in which SMEs can be assisted and advised of their legal rights, including the provision of clinical and advisory support at a university level, and considers the steps taken by governments in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. To compare practices and learn from them the research utilizes three case studies and contrasts the issues faced in an emerging economy such as Cuba with more established frameworks such as Chile and Australia, both OECD countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In her book Casas del Vedado (1983), Cuban author María Elena Llana explores themes and compositional strategies of non-realistic literary traditions that have remained in force in Latin America to date. In this paper I analyze one of her stories, "Claudina", with the aim of obtaining an understanding of her specific poetics in the general framework of supernatural fiction in our continent, as well as the symbolic meaning of the supernatural used by the author in this short story. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we seek to understand the significance, from a cultural and political point of view, of the presence of the Beatles' music in Noticiero Icaic Latinoamericano in a context of restrictions on the dissemination of rock music in Cuba, at the same time that the youth protagonism was flourishing and the cultural products aimed at youth were proving to be indispensable, to the Cuban government, to stimulate political engagement and the formation of the "new man". Through the research and analysis of the soundtrack of several editions from the period between 1965 and 1972, marked by Beatlemania, we reflect on the use of songs, in their multiple formats and versions, demonstrating the different roles that the music assumes, when combined with the visual material, in dialogue with the bibliography on the subject. We aim to demonstrate how this polysemic musical score, sometimes permeated with ambiguity, sometimes with explicit political discourse, allows us to explore the potentiality of Noticiero as a historical source of the Cuban Revolution, so marked by searches, clashes, and challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on Cuba and its position in global politics by means of geopolitics/geoeconomics. These two concepts are used to describe the current international political dimensions and how different nations attempt to control their position within global power politics. Geopolitics has always been related to the energy economy and energy policy. Cuba has throughout history been heavily connected to the states located in its neighbourhood as well as the international power politics. In this article, we illustrate the impacts of geopolitics and further explain the Cuban dependency on international global politics through Cross-Impact analysis (CIA), especially in terms of its version called Express Cross-Impact Technique (EXIT), developed at Finland Futures Research Institute. Three alternative scenarios are the results of the analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A National Innovation System (NIS) supposes updated, continuous, and collaborative work between different agents, so the value chain approach fits perfectly with this NIS conception. The sector selected to illustrate our proposal is the biotechnological industry because of its structure in technology-based companies and its contributions to de Cuban GDP. This is the first research that works in a proposition of NIS for Cuba. The objective of this paper is to suggest a NIS for Cuba based on the value chain of its biotechnological industry. We follow a benchmarking methodology. First, we analyze nine international NIS experiences from developed and developing countries. Then, we highlight several items to be applied to the Cuban proposed NIS by analyzing five indicators: regulations, technology and innovation policies, financial systems, business activities, and research and education systems. The proposed NIS shows links between funding, production, service, and scientific sectors based on the biotechnological industry. It is considered beneficial for the three most important actors in a nation (companies, government, and society) because it allows a profitable and durable solution for economic and social troubles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very little is known about the investment climate and operations of MNEs in Cuba due to limited data provided by the Cuban government. In this paper, we explore the investment climate in Cuba and identify factors that limit the activities of MNEs. We also assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the future prospects for MNEs in Cuba. Our research is based on questionnaires and semi-structured interviews in MNEs operating in Cuba. MNEs consider low macroeconomic stability, the impossibility of acquiring real estate, access to financing and the movement of capital, and profit repatriation as the most problematic factors for their business activities. On the other hand, IPR protection, corruption, the skills and education of the available workforce and the availability of electricity were assessed as the least problematic. Less than half of the MNEs interviewed found positive changes concerning the investment climate in Cuba during recent years. This implies limited prospects for economic growth in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the way Cuba was represented in noticeable online media in connection with Bernie Sanders' aspirations to become the Democratic nominee for the 2020 presidential election. Traditional anticommunism and a historical one-sided view on Cuba in the press, as well as widespread conceptual confusion about "socialism" in US society, converged against Sanders over the run-up to the nomination, especially at a crucial moment in February 2020 when he was the frontrunner and was interviewed by CBS. The paper analyses the reaction of the online press to Sanders' comments on Cuba during the interview, but also considers other US press reports during 2019 as well as specialised literature on the topic. Discourse Analysis parameters are brought forward to highlight ideological discourse representations in the media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues the origins of research in chemical sciences at the University of Orient, and the first chemical degree course in Cuba. The peculiar origin of the career, as a consequence of the orientation to research towards basic science, promoted by Dr. H. Harry Szmant from whiting the career of Industrial Chemical Engineering, is demonstrated. The creation, purposes and evolution of the Chemical Research Center at the Universidad de Oriente are analized. It is argued that the early decision to organize the Chemistry Conference in 1964, the first on the country, arose from identifying the need to divulgate the results and promote exchange among scientists, It is shown that this event served as platform for the creation of the Cuban Society of Chemistry and the Cuban Journal of Chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of the present paper is to systematize the contributions of more than 15 15 years teamwork around the understanding of communication as a field of complex inter and transdisciplinary reflections, built on the research practice of the Center for Cuban and Caribbean Social Studies “Dr. José A. Portuondo ”, from the Universidad de Oriente (Cuba). To systematize the results, a large volume of data contained in 49 undergraduated and postgraduated investigations, 60 scientific articles, 8 books, 15 book chapters, as well as the empirical experience accumulated in dozens of communities, cultural projects, social institutions was analyzed., local governments, unions, companies, scientific events among others, where research results have been socialized and introduced. A complex conception of communication of a socio-anthropological and micro-cultural nature is proposed, which is already located in the analysis of the media, cultural management, socio-cultural relations, politics and local development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the project for the Introduction of Technologies for the Diagnosis and Treatment of cancer in our country, the Cuban Cyclotron Project was carried out, which included the structural design of the building where a medium energy particle accelerator is installed and the rest of equipment and facilities for the production of positron-emitting radiopharmaceuticals, the preparation of the production plan and the development of various stages until the start of operations. It is the first time in Cuba that a center for the production of radiopharmaceuticals of this type is set up, which is subject to compliance with specific radiological safety requirements and good practices so that the facility is safe and sustainable in the future. This paper presents the experience carried out over ten years to design and build a production center that meets the production expectations of the Ministry of Public Health to improve early diagnosis capabilities for cancer and other chronic non-communicable diseases. As a result, a facility has been built in Havana where the first cyclotron in Cuba was launched at the Specialized Center for Diagnosis and Therapy, which has a production capacity to distribute radiopharmaceuticals to the capital and other provinces of the country; as well as export to countries in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the ending of the XVIII century, there are in Cuba a distinguished group of People with a great monetary power and interested in culture. Colonial authorities don't feel safe with this people who has something in common: they are afro-descendant. This s the main argument for create a politic oppression designed for destroy this economic elite. This was created against the colonial system and they were involved in polemic actions like La Escalera Conspiracy in 1844. But colonial authorities just can pull down their economic power, not their ideas. With this paper, from the view of the oppression against black people, we want to give light about the resistance and the educational level that black Cubans reach in the most significant time within the process of creation of the whole Cuban identity between 1844 and 1898. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the historical trajectories of South-South and triangular cooperation and its dimensions in Latin America. Based on this information, the paper intends to assess the framework’s role as an instrument of public diplomacy in developing countries, which enables participating countries to strengthen their international presence and establish strategic alliances with other countries. Building on the theoretical perspective of the framework, the study analyzes specific Cuban cases of South-South cooperation, linking them with the characteristic elements of public diplomacy, and assesses their impact on international development cooperation. In conclusion, the paper contends that Cuba and South Korea should explore the possible concrete links between the elements of international development cooperation and those of public diplomacy, and seek opportunities to foster South-South cooperation as part of public diplomacy. This will help developing countries to discover and establish new forms of exchanges between them and strengthen their cooperative relations with partner countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the individual conditions of journalistic production in two independent medias of the media-partisan structure in Cuba. These can be considered among the most internationally recognized Cuban media. In the research, in-depth interviews with 40 journalists. It was found that these conditions are marked, fundamentally, by the confluence in the two media organizations of young graduates of journalism courses in the country with a multiple spatial location, and different referents and professional trajectories. A professional identification with the functions of journalism to inform, monitor power, participate in social debate and show society in its diversity, among others, was also detected. In addition, personal concerns were found about the violence against independent journalism on the island. It was concluded that these conditions materialize in terms of an anti-authoritarian professional discursiveness (and representation) shared by journalists. A comparison with the findings of inquiries located in other national spaces is proposed in the conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beginning of Science and Technology-Based Innovation (STI) policies in Cuba should be traced to 1961, with the so-called Literacy Campaign that declared the Nation as the First Latin-American Country Free from Illiteracy. From this moment to our days, Cuba has developed a significant Research and Development (R&D) infrastructure and committed human resources on Science, Technology and Innovation. This paper explores the links among Cuban Science, Technology and Innovation System and National Education System for the achievement of scientific technical achievements, within the context of the actualization of Cuban Model for Economic and Social Development. Also, It takes into consideration the role of education and training within a learning economy and Mode 1 to Mode 2 knowledge production process transition. A comprehensive approach to national, sectorial and local innovation systems actors and interactions with education and training experiences is discussed, as well as general reflections regarding Innovation and Education within the National Economic and Social 2030 Plan, which may contribute to a better understanding of the role of education within the Cuban National System of Technology and Innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cojímar Formation, --Lower Miocene (upper part) to Middle Miocene (lower part)--, is a unit in Western Cuba well known for its extensive development and exposure outcrops. It has been widely used in bioestratigraphic studies. However, paleoecological studies on this unit through foraminifera, both planktonic and benthic species, are considered insufficient. The richness and variety of microfossils, especially foraminifera, has allowed us to address the paleoecological aspect. In this paper, the sedimentary environment is established. Besides the systematic classification of these species was updated and the biozonation re-evaluated from planktonic foraminifera. A detailed sampling, from material taken every 15 meters was fulfilled along with a compilation of all species of foraminifera reported for the studied unit. The micropalaeontological analysis allowed the identification of 40 taxa of planktonic foraminifera grouped into 12 genera, being the most representative Globigerina, Globigerinoides, Orbulina, and Globorotalia. Moreover, 226 taxa of benthic foraminifera belonging to 102 genera were determined. These included: Lituolida, Loftusiida, Textulariida, Lagenida, Rotaliida and Miliolida suborders. The main genres represented were Cibicides, Cibicidoides, Cibicobis, Uvigerina, Angulogerina, Anomalinoides, Planulina, Bolivina, Amphistegina, Lenticulina, Nodosaria, and Textularia. Cojímar Formation corresponds to a deep platform, which was determined from the benthic microforaminifera (Uvigerina, Lenticulina, Marginulina) analyzed. Thanatocenoses developed in outer neritic to upper bathyal depths between 100 m - 500m. New reports of both planktonic foraminifera species for that unit as small benthic, such as Anomalinoides flintii, A. trinitatensis, Planulina valued cf. P. mantaensis, Catapsydrax cf. C. dissimilis, Globigerinoides cf. G. obliquus, Globigerinoides primordius, and Hastigerina praesiphonifera were evaluated. As a contribution Gyroidinoides cibaoensis taxon is here first reported to Cuba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the efficiency and effectiveness of social spending in Cuba, considering that this serves as a reference to analyze the importance assigned to social policy in a country. For this purpose, it starts with the analysis of Cuba's current situation in comparison with Latin America, based on the use of different social performance indicators. Likewise, a synthetic indicator of such performance is constructed as a measure of effectiveness and is compared with the expenditures spent for such purposes, as a measure of efficiency. It is found that Cuba is the most effective country in the region, but at the same time the least efficient. In order to face this challenge, a set of policy reflections is synthesized to contribute to the improvement of equity in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper traces the complex sugar trade between Cuba and the East European Socialist states (the German Democratic Republic, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and Hungary) from the Cuban revolution in 1959 until the dissolution of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA) in 1991. To Cuba, selling its sugar to the Socialist states at above-world market prices was an expression of East European states' socialist solidarity. To the bloc states, it was a form of economic aid to Cuba. This formulation not only went against the preferred form of exchange within the CMEA, namely cooperation based on mutual interest but also incensed the Cubans who felt the revolution was entitled to the support of all Socialist states from Berlin to Moscow. Amid this complicated relationship, the reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev posed a serious challenge to Cuba, which was unprepared to face the free market. The result was a loss of foreign markets and a severe domestic crisis known as the Special Period. This work seeks to provide a new reading of the ebb and flow between Cuba and its Socialist trading partners, relying on the views expressed in the candid reports of the East European diplomats and experts, who were involved in the day-to-day managing of their respective states' economic relations with the Caribbean nation. It is based on original research in foreign ministry, party, and security services archives of the East European states. It also utilizes primary material originating from the Cuban foreign ministry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El profesor José Rafael Estrada González es considerado el "Padre de la Neurología cubana". Su formación como neurólogo y neuropatólogo en el Massachusetts General Hospital de EE. UU., después de graduarse como médico en la Universidad de La Habana, junto a su reconocido intelecto, hicieron que fuera pionero en el desarrollo de la Neurología en el país desde comienzos de la década de los cincuenta. Al triunfo de la Revolución, el Ministerio de Salud Pública lo designó para organizar los servicios neurológicos y neuroquirúrgicos, junto a los escasos especialistas de Neurocirugía que quedaron en el país. Fundó el Hospital de Neurología en enero de 1962, en el puesto de director, que a partir de 1966 pasó a ser el Instituto de Neurología y Neurocirugía. Se distinguió como neurólogo, docente e investigador, y sus enseñanzas se han extendido no solo a las generaciones de neurólogos y neurocirujanos, sino también a toda la comunidad de neurocientíficos que formó. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo describir algunos aspectos de la trayectoria del Prof. José Rafael Estrada González en lo que concierne a su vida personal, como médico, científico, educador y revolucionario. Professor José Rafael Estrada González is considered to be the father of Cuban Neurology. His training as a neurologist and neuropathologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital in the USA, after graduating as a doctor at the University of Havana, together with his renowned intellect, made him a pioneer in the development of Neurology in the country from the beginning of the fifties. At the triumph of the Revolution, the Ministry of Public Health appointed him to organize neurological and neurosurgical services, alongside the few neurosurgery specialists that remained in the country. He founded the Neurology Hospital in January 1962, in the position of director, which from 1966 became the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery. He distinguished himself as a neurologist, professor, and researcher, and his teachings have extended not only to generations of neurologists and neurosurgeons, but also to the entire community of neuroscientists that he trained. The present paper aimed to describe some aspects of Prof. José Rafael Estrada González path in regard to his personal life, as a doctor, scientist, professor and revolutionary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses disaster risk management as a complex social process and its evolution since the 1990s. It focuses on the particularities of the Cuban model and the measures applied to improve prevention, preparation, response and recovery actions, endorsed in a set of legal documents. The article highlights the international recognition of the Cuban model and its successful results in the application of a series of measures, including the requirement that institutions carry out disaster risk studies. Also noteworthy are the hazard, vulnerability and risk studies (PVR) developed at the territorial level, the compatibility of the economic and social development of the country with the interests of Civil Defense, and the implementation of Management Centers for Risk Reduction. Likewise, the article draws attention to the development experienced by research, which has evolved from the Macroproject to the Life Task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the powerful influence of Cuba on the life and work of Benito Pérez Galdós, whether in his journalistic or literary production. Spaniard emigration to the Caribbean, the wars in Cuba and, in particular, the defeat of 1898, are recurring themes in his work, as well as the role played by the United States in the disappearance of the last Spanish overseas possessions and the threat of North American imperialism to the Hispanic culture of America. Galdós, therefore, coexisted with the importance of the Island for Spain in the 19th century, the impact of its loss and sympathy for the Cuban political project (liberal, secular and reformist). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the patterns of health biotechnology publications in six Latin American countries from 2001 to 2015. The countries studied were Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba and Mexico. Before our study, there were no data available on HBT development in half of the Latin-American countries we studied, i.e., Argentina, Colombia and Chile. To include these countries in a scientometric analysis of HBT provides fuller coverage of HBT development in Latin America. The scientometric study used the Web of Science database to identify health biotechnology publications. The total amount of health biotechnology production in the world during the period studied was about 400,000 papers. A total of 1.2% of these papers, were authored by the six Latin American countries in this study. The results show a significant growth in health biotechnology publications in Latin America despite some of the countries having social and political instability, fluctuations in their gross domestic expenditure in research and development or a trade embargo that limits opportunities for scientific development. The growth in the field of some of the Latin American countries studied was larger than the growth of most industrialized nations. Still, the visibility of the Latin American research (measured in the number of citations) did not reach the world average, with the exception of Colombia. The main producers of health biotechnology papers in Latin America were universities, except in Cuba were governmental institutions were the most frequent producers. The countries studied were active in international research collaboration with Colombia being the most active (64% of papers co-authored internationally), whereas Brazil was the least active (35% of papers). Still, the domestic collaboration was even more prevalent, with Chile being the most active in such collaboration (85% of papers co-authored domestically) and Argentina the least active (49% of papers). We conclude that the Latin American countries studied are increasing their health biotechnology publishing. This strategy could contribute to the development of innovations that may solve local health problems in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on community development and its relationship to eco-tourism as a means of creating a sustainable future for local Cuban communities. If communities control local resources to create economic opportunities for local goals, there is a greater chance that community development will be more effective and sustainable. Local empowerment can play a key role in community development through ecological and cultural tourism. The focus of this paper is Cuba's potential to develop into a major ecological and cultural tourism center within international tourism. Recent policy announcements regarding the intention to diversify Cuba's economy and move people into private enterprise will require new employment opportunities, especially those with lower opportunity costs and resources. The growth of small paladares (restaurants run by self-employed owners) and casas particulares (rooms for rent in private homes), which provide low environmental impact and resource use, are compatible with ecocultural tourism's emphasis on the local. In an era of increasing environmental costs and resource scarcity, eco-cultural tourism offers a sustainable alternative to conventional tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to analyse the trajectory and dynamics of Cuban agriculture since the Revolution. It examines the main challenges, divergences and contradictions of its socialist strategy in the agrarian sector, stressing the limits of the industrial and agricultural models and the forces of production inherited from the capitalist world. For this purpose, I examine changes and continuities in terms of land management, crop production, the technological model and agricultural policy. Finally, I look at Cuban agriculture transformations in the 1990s from a social and solidarity economy perspective, signalling their contributions to the renewal of Cuban socialism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The macro-environment in which social marketing is practised is an important factor in how it is structured and practiced, as well as its effectiveness. This paper analyses Cuban practices aimed at encouraging health behaviour change from a social marketing perspective. We utilise the case study method to assess the key social marketing dimensions of three health promotion programmes (tobacco, tuberculosis and AIDS) in Cuba. Each case is assessed against social marketing benchmark criteria used in prior research. Analysis of the cases is used to explicate the Cuban government use of macrosocial marketing approaches to address health challenges. Results demonstrate: (1) how Cuba uses a unique organisational approach to address population health needs and challenges and (2) the role of particularities of the Cuban context in the theory and practice of social marketing in Cuba. An examination of Cuban social marketing activities can broaden our understanding of the way social marketing is conceptualised and practised and may help increase the effectiveness of social marketing to improve health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines secondary sanctions as part of the triangular relations between the United States, the European Union and Cuba. The analysis - built on Dittmer's (1981) strategic triangle theory and Womack's (2016) studies of asymmetric relationships - questions the evaluation of sanctions carried out by the US Departments of State, Commerce and the Treasury, noting that, by prioritising the impact on the target's economy, the evaluation ignores other fundamental effects of the sanctions in terms of triangular relations with allies and alternative powers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper identifies the innovation capabilities in the biotechnology sector of BioCubaFarma. Seven types of capacities are assumed for a better understanding of innovation capacities: learning capacity, R+D+i, resource allocation, organisation, production, marketing and strategic planning. The study shows the essential elements of the most critical capabilities and draws conclusions about the most important aspects of the process of conversion to biotechnology for companies in Cuba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to present some partial results of research about asymmetry in international relations, focusing on the EU's Common Position on Cuba and its consequences for the links between both players. The paper examines the EU's loss of the channels of influence, the persistent fractures and competition between the European supranational strategy and the national diplomacies of the Member States, and the underestimation of the contextual and relational factors that acted in favour of Cuba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their characteristics, cooperatives have a great potential for women and men to participate on equal terms, although gender imbalances still exist. In order to explore this issue, this paper reviews the evolution of the cooperative movement with respect to gender equality, paying attention to the forces in the environment that have strengthened this position. It also analyses the elements that act in environments as disparate as those of Cuba and Spain and that favor the participation of women in cooperatives. Reference is made to Non-agricultural Cooperatives in Cuba and Associated Work Cooperatives in Spain, which are similar organizations. Using a qualitative methodology, theoretical methods of a socio-legal nature were used, which made it possible to focus on the evolution of cooperativism as part of a historical process and to compare the cases of both countries. The corpus has been made up of the main international declarations on gender and the Social Economy, as well as laws, regional and national public policies that promote gender equality in cooperatives. The results indicate that, with the particularities of each country, the evolution of the international context has exerted pressure for action in this area. However, the changes introduced by cooperatives require that the experience for women be successful, in terms of promoting real long-term empowerment and being a viable economic alternative that transcends the times of crisis that have encouraged them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with major challenges faced by Cubans concerning labor and care, from the perspective on the care economy and its implications for gender equality. Concepts are discussed first, and then the current situation of labor and care in Cuba is depicted. Some suggestions about what kind of public policies should be adopted are made. The results show that, in spite of the progress made in Cuban women's rights and opportunities, gender equality is not fully guaranteed, which is showed mostly in sociocultural patterns accentuating the sexual division of labor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The collection of solid waste and the recovery of recyclable material from waste are major challenges Cuba has been facing for many years. In this paper, we briefly sketch the actual waste situation and analyse the causes of the obvious deficiencies of the waste sector. We conducted a small survey in Havana city to assess people's awareness of the garbage problem, their appraisal of the actual situation and their willingness to contribute personally to an improvement of the waste situation. Based on the insights gained from this survey and from our theoretical analysis of the Cuban waste management we develop suggestions for an improvement of the waste situation in Cuba. These suggestions take into account that the financial means available to reform the waste management system in Cuba are severely restricted. Therefore, our suggestions are more focused on organisational and motivational changes than on the introduction of high technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuba's new Fundamental Law, passed on February 24th 2019, is considered the next step in the structural changes that have taken place in the country. These changes create uncertainties, increase social vulnerability and highlight spaces subject to greater risks. This paper forms part of the current debate on Cuba's transformation, based on knowledge of its socioeconomic reality and the thinking of Poland's "transitology" school. The text of the country's new constitution is analysed through this comparison. Based on the conviction that individual and collective actions in Cuban society increase the unpredictability of the process of change, this article aims to suggest that the text of the new constitution manifests the imponderables of the Cuban transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims at communicating the origin and evolution of the application of psychological science to the multidisciplinary field of occupational health in Cuba. Several factors are taken into account in this process: the social and socio-labor context, with a relatively extensive exposure, given the uniqueness of the Cuban social system. The trajectory of occupational health in the country and its current critical situation. The contributions of the professional practice of psychologists in work scenarios, which gave rise to occupational health psychology as a line of work in research, teaching and professional practice. It emphasizes the need to develop theoretical and methodological work in this area from a psychodynamic point of view, which takes subjectivity into account, for which the cultural historical approach of L. S. Vygotsky is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the pre-professional journalistic culture of Ecuador, Cuba and Venezuela based on the degree of permissiveness held by Journalism students in regard to controversial ethical practices and their views of the media and the journalistic profession. We surveyed a probabilistic sample of 1,273 students from 21 universities enrolled on their first course (Ecuador=500, Venezuela=390, Cuba=383) in 2016. The results show that future journalists are reluctant to accept questionable journalistic practices, and hold a pessimistic view as to the quality and confidence of the media and the profession. We found that the degree of permissiveness is related to the perceived risk-reward analysis in terms of the quality of journalism in Cuba and Ecuador, and that the student perceptions of ethics differ in Venezuela and Ecuador. We conclude that, despite their political similarities in terms of having left-wing Governments, perceptions in the three countries diverge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Higher education continues to be in the process of change in the national and international context, determined by the needs of structural and curricular modernization, as well as by the need to respond to social requirements. Massiveness is a strength based on accessibility to the university and is related to equity and equality of rights for all in the training process of the health professional, but, on the other hand, it constitutes a challenge for the system which can directly affect quality in the process of medical teaching. This paper aims to address some guidelines and points of view about the interaction between medical teaching in mass environments and its challenge to increase quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El financiamiento de los sistemas de salud juega un rol central en los niveles de cobertura de los servicios de salud; asimismo, repercute en la calidad y en los resultados alcanzados no solo en esta esfera, sino también en términos sociales en general. Es por ello, que el propósito del presente artículo es reflexionar acerca de cómo el financiamiento de los sistemas de salud juega un rol clave en la provisión de servicios de mayor calidad, en el logro de una mayor cobertura y mejores resultados. La experiencia cubana ha alcanzado notables resultados en esta área, los cuales constituyen un referente a nivel mundial. En el caso de Cuba, esto se ha traducido en un financiamiento estatal de manera creciente en tiempo destinado al sistema nacional de salud, como una forma de garantizar una elevada cobertura, acceso universal, sostenibilidad de diferentes programas; así como, la calidad y resultados alcanzados en dicha área. Financing of health systems plays an essential role in the coverage levels of health services, likewise, this financing influence in quality and results achieved not only in this sphere, but also in social terms in general. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to reflect about the way the financing of health services plays an essential role in the provision of higher quality services, in achieving a greater coverage and better results. Cuban experience has reached remarkable results in this area, which constitutes a point of reference worldwide. In the case of Cuba, this has been translated in an ever growing state financing of the national health system in order to guarantee a higher coverage, worldwide access, different programs sustainability, as well as the quality and results achieved in such area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To commemorate the 500th anniversary of the city of Havana, the Isotope Center reviews its activity since its creation. The production of radionuclidemarked compounds and other radiochemical work at the Institute of Nuclear Physics, inaugurated in 1969, stimulated the applications of open radioactive sources, which can be considered as the most tangible organized antecedent of the center. Later in the 1980s, the Executive Secretary for Nuclear Affairs accelerated, diversified and expanded nuclear applications, developed the training of highly qualified staff and experts as well as international cooperation. The creation of the Center for Applied Nuclear Development Studies coincided with the consolidation of a group of biotechnological research and production institutions and with these applications gaining importance in Nuclear Medicine. It was soon recognized that it was not possible to continue managing a growing inventory of radionuclides. As a result, CENTIS, a specialized center with a complete cycle, was designed and built, which comprised not only research and development, but also production and marketing. When in 1994 CENTIS became part of the Nuclear Energy Agency, investment was concluded and the production methodologies of the most important radiopharmaceuticals were established. In more than 20 years of work CENTIS has become the main support of Nuclear Medicine in the country. With its metrological capabilities in the magnitude of radioactivity and its non-clinical and clinical research, it is increasingly part of the socio-economic life of the country and its capital. In this paper the main results of each stage are detailed in relation to the mission of the center and a technical assessment is made regarding the actions taken to favor their target sectors: health and biomedical research. Periods of five years in favor of centuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A short-term study abroad course (one-week) was conducted in Cuba with 21 students and two professors during spring break 2017. We had the opportunity to observe and participate in a variety of physical activity opportunities, experience the Cuban culture (including food, physical activity, and sports), and interact with remarkable athletes in Santa Clara and Havana, Cuba. We visited historical and cultural landmarks in Havana and Santa Clara, spending the nights in Casas Particulares (accommodations in a private home). This paper provides suggested steps for implementing a successful short-term study abroad program with a focus on physical activity and culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the tension between the concept of suffering as employed in Rafael Correa's humanist migration discourse and the migratory experience of Cuban immigrants in Ecuador. Despite the former president's revolutionary discourse, Cuban migrants face triple discrimination: social, economic and legal, in the context of both Ecuadorian and Cuban migration policies. This study contributes to the literature on migration and suffering, as well as the emerging literature on the discursive gaps inherent in Latin American immigration policy liberalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the frame of a society which is building Socialism, the analysis of employment and wages variables, as well as the scheme of a wage policy, even international theory and experience in market economies can be assessed, cannot leave aside Marxist conceptions, instead they must be conceptualized from a vision coherent to the basic principles of a socialist model. In that model, wages are an instrument for individual and social realization of the subject in her/his double condition of worker and co-owner of the means of production and, besides, for distribution of the wealth created according to work in order the develop productive forces and to achieve social equality. This paper analyzes the characteristics of the transition period to Socialism and then qualifies what are consider the essential foundations for a wage policy according to the Cuban socioeconomic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financing of health systems plays an essential role in the coverage levels of health services, likewise, this financing influence in quality and results achieved not only in this sphere, but also in social terms in general. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to reflect about the way the financing of health services plays an essential role in the provision of higher quality services, in achieving a greater coverage and better results. Cuban experience has reached remarkable results in this area, which constitutes a point of reference worldwide. In the case of Cuba, this has been translated in an ever growing state financing of the national health system in order to guarantee a higher coverage, worldwide access, different programs sustainability, as well as the quality and results achieved in such area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents, in the context of the universal health strategy, some general considerations and economic actions on financing, efficiency and other economic challenges of public health in Cuba. Official bibliographic sources of the Cuban state were revised up to 2015. The analyses of time series were adjusted to constant prices of 1997 and the official exchange rate of 1 Cuban peso = 1 US dollar. The Cuban National Health System has a solid infrastructure, consisting of a wide network of health facilities that guarantee full coverage, access and equity in the services provided to the population through qualified human resources. An economic analysis was carried out under the conceptual framework of the universal health strategy, with an emphasis in financing, efficiency and challenges of the Cuban public health system to maintain the right to health of its citizens, equity, coverage and access to the services provided, including the elimination of economic, sociocultural and gender barriers, as well as solidarity with the Cuban population and the world. It was concluded that in Cuba, universal health is considered one of its most valuable achievements, although it is needed a most efficient analysis of reliable and available sources, research and application of results to practice on the strengths and weaknesses of the system regarding health economics, updating and a better use of resources and technologies, as well as deepening the lessons learned and facing remaining challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to describe the opportunities and challenges of training processes in the coordination of regional and national communication initiatives for arboviral disease prevention, using the lessons learned in the Cuban context as an example. In February 2016 and December 2017, professional staff from the Pedro Kour' Institute of Tropical Medicine attended workshops for strengthening communication capacities for arboviral disease prevention in primary health care settings through gradual introduction of the most recent approaches promoted by the Pan American Health Organization in this regard. National, provincial, municipal, and health area specialists with diverse professional profiles were trained; multidisciplinary teams were strengthened at the different levels; specific tasks were assigned and coordinated at each level; and demonstration sites were established for the communication approaches promoted in the workshops. Learning needs in the field of mass communication were also identified, and activities for training technical staff and for monitoring and evaluation were introduced in the national strategy 2018-2021 to guarantee the implementation and sustainability of communication activities. Notwithstanding, participating institutions will have to address the challenges characteristic of communication for arboviral disease prevention, which include the rotation of trained personnel, the mobilization of resources for communication, and the identification of appropriate evaluation indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The achievements and challenges arising from the application of eHealth in the Cuban context to support universal health are presented. The Ministry of Public Health defi- ned the Computerization Strategy, whose lines of work are based on the components declared in the Strategy and Plan of Action on eHealth of the Pan American Health Organization, and in the Policy for the Computerization of the Society, approved by the Cuban Government. The paper describes the actions of the Cuban strategy elaborated to solve the limitations in the technological infrastructure, to develop the platforms, the tools and the applications required by the health services, and to stimulate the professionals' abilities to use them. The results of eHealth in Cuba are based on the application and evaluation of the strategy implemented in the framework of the improvement of the health sector through projects such as the electronic medical record called Galen Clínicas, the training of human resources and the resources for information and education from the Infomed Health Telematics Network. These models of solidarity and collaborative networking have contributed to universal health and positively impacted on the health system beyond the borders. The challenges of eHealth are the development of initiatives in mobile health --in which there is little experience--; telemedicine --a project that is stopped--; integration and interoperability among applications; the sustainability of the implemented solutions; insuffi- cient technological infrastructure; and strengthening of the legal framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its impact on human health and its capacity to cause damage, disasters are one of the global problems that most concern the international community. However, and in spite of the efforts made by many health systems, the reduction of vulnerabilities and the lack of strategies to avoid or minimize risks have not received enough attention yet. As Cuba is located in an area of permanent danger of disasters, its health sector has accumulated considerable experience in the management of risks and in the assurance of less risky future scenarios, with active participation of the community and a planned and organized process to address the impact of climate change. This paper summarizes some of these experiences and describes the dangers, vulnerabilities, and risks of disasters in Cuba, its Civil Defense System, and planning and organization in the health sector for disaster reduction, as well as the main effects and challenges of climate change in the health system. Lessons learned and good practices support the key role of human resources to reduce vulnerabilities; the greatest challenges are to avoid or minimize risks, to advance research, to train professionals for climate change, and to optimize the organization of health systems and services in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]