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Copyright of Tapuya: Latin American Science, Technology & Society is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Tapuya: Latin American Science, Technology & Society is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In an increasingly competitive environment, many hotels have implemented sustainable practices and have actively involved the guests in the generation of unique experiences through the value co-creation process. In this sense, this paper aims at analysing the impact of 'green' practices and value co-creation on hotel image, guest trust, satisfaction, and loyalty, and to assess the moderating role of culture, conceived as related to guest nationality. To test the model, a quantitative method based on a sample of 611 guests from Spain and Colombia was used. Our results indicated that there are significant differences based on the guests´ nationality regarding the effects of value co-creation and image on trust, image on satisfaction, and satisfaction on loyalty. These findings will allow hotel management to have a better understanding of tourists when designing their corporate strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the conditions under which quality conventions in coffee can be revised. It shows how value is captured by a collective composed by Colombian producers overseeing coffee quality attributes, engaging in relational approaches and building knowledge with international buyers. Interviews were conducted with selected organic producers in Santa Marta, Colombia and buyers (e.g. in Germany, the Netherlands). Due to the sound relations between the staff of the producer organization and a German buyer, the manager of the collective proposed to also export roasted coffee in addition to green coffee. Although roasting at origin is not common in coffee exports, in the case analyzed existing hesitations were abandoned. Eye-level relationships, trust based on a relational approach and knowledge were key to achieving a collective quality construction and subsequent value capture by producers. Over time, these producers have improved their material quality techniques and become more familiar with the places where their coffee circulates and is valued, allowing them to influence the commercial spheres of the coffee business. The discussion is not about changing quality conventions, but on how quality conventions are institutionalized and the narratives behind them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers and practitioners recognise the importance of context when implementing healthcare interventions, but the influence of wider environment is rarely mapped. This paper identifies the country and policy-related factors potentially explaining the country differences in outcomes of an intervention focused on improving detection and management of heavy alcohol use in primary care in Colombia, Mexico and Peru. Qualitative data obtained through interviews, logbooks and document analysis are used to explain quantitative data on number of alcohol screenings and screening providers in each of the countries. Existing alcohol screening standards in Mexico, and policy prioritisation of primary care and consideration of alcohol as a public health issue in Colombia and Mexico positively contributed to the outcome, while the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact. In Peru, the context was unsupportive due to a combination of: political instability amongst regional health authorities; lack of focus on strengthening primary care due to the expansion of community mental health centres; alcohol considered as an addiction rather than a public health issue; and the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare. We found that wider environment-related factors interacted with the intervention implemented and can help explain country differences in outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the scope for upscaling and transnational transfer of participatory landslide risk management strategies for informal settlements in Latin America. Drawing on lessons from transdisciplinary action-research in three neighbourhoods in Medellín, Colombia, and one in São Paulo, Brazil, the paper discusses how bottom-up approaches were developed to co-produce landslide risk management in both Global South cities, in a way that optimises the collaboration between communities and relevant governmental bodies. The analysis focuses on mitigation and 'agreement-seeking', from the perspectives of scale, power and knowledge, which help understand the parallels between co-production of landslide risk management and co-production of urban services. Two key conclusions are that landslide risk management should be built into neighbourhood upgrading and management, and that both community and the state have stronger roles to play in landslide risk management from their respective capacities. The paper also reflects on the role of academia in enabling co-production of landslide risk management through engaging with local communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young people in Colombia present high rates of mental health problems, to which the country’s history of armed internal conflict contributes in complex ways. Mental health services in Colombia are fragmented, inadequate, and difficult to access for many. Young people’s help)seeking is often hindered by mental health stigma and/or poor experiences with services. This paper presents a thematic analysis of qualitative data from a mixed-methods study aimed at developing and testing a mental health intervention for Colombian youths. We draw upon theoretical lenses from scholarly work on stigma and Sen’s ‘capabilities approach’ to inform our analysis of interviews and group discussions with staff and young people involved in the state-funded human capital building programme ‘Jovenes en Acción’ (JeA). By illustrating how study participants talked about stigma, vulnerability, mental health services organisation, and the challenges of discussing mental health topics in a learning environment, we illuminate aspects of mental health support and anti-stigma interventions that might need enhancing. In particular, we suggest that more emphasis on ‘community competencies’ as complementary to and interrelated with individual competencies would strengthen young people’s individual and collective resources for mental wellbeing while being in line with the sociocritical principles of existing human capital-enhancing programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to suggest a mathematical model of unpaid housework and empirically test its main predictions using data from Mexico (2014) and Colombia (2017) time-use surveys. The model, based upon the Marxist-feminist approach, suggests that the magnitude of unpaid housework is determined by the super-exploitation of labor, i.e. the gap between wages and the value of labor-power. The outcome is an equation that relates positively the magnitude of unpaid housework with the super-exploitation of labor. The parametric and nonparametric regression estimates applied in both countries show preliminary empirical support for the theoretical model. The theoretical and empirical findings have several implications for Marxist-feminist literature as well as for empirical research on unpaid housework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of formative research conducted from January to June 2020 in the Department of Atlántico, Caribbean region of Colombia, whose findings were used as inputs to design the national strategy for comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) outside school – Tírala Plena – including its curriculum. This is within the framework of the multi-country project coordinated by UNFPA and WHO aimed at generating evidence on the role of facilitators in the delivery of CSE in non-school contexts. The research was carried out in four municipalities in northern Colombia, in rural and marginal urban contexts with conditions of vulnerability for the adolescent population, including a strong presence of migrant populations from Venezuela. A total of 150 male and female adolescents ages 10–17 participated in the formative research. Workshops such as patchwork quilt, body mapping and talking maps were used as methods to gather information. The groups were divided by sex and age (10–13 years old and 14–17 years old). Knowledge, attitudes and social norms regarding adolescent pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus, and gender-based violence, were identified in adolescents (schooled and not schooled, but with minimal or no access to CSE). All of the above enabled us to establish a set of recommendations for the strengthening of the CSE strategy Tírala plena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple efforts have been performed worldwide around diverse aspects of land administration. However, land administration data and systems' notorious heterogeneity remains a longstanding challenge to develop a harmonized vision. In this sense, the traditional Spatial Data Infrastructures adoption is not enough to overcome this challenge since data sources' heterogeneity implies needs related to harmonization interoperability, sharing, and integration in land administration development. This paper proposes a graph-based representation of knowledge for integrating multiple and heterogeneous data sources (tables, shapefiles, geodatabases, and WFS services) belonging to two Colombian agencies within a decentralized land administration scenario. These knowledge graphs are developed on an ontology-based knowledge representation using national and international standards for land administration. Our approach aims to prevent data isolation, enable cross-datasets integration, accomplish machine-processable data, and facilitate the reuse and exploitation of multi-jurisdictional datasets in a single approach. A real case study demonstrates the applicability of the land administration data cycle deployed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the SW flank of the Doña Juana Volcanic Complex, Colombia, the dynamic geomorphic system responds to the complex interaction between volcanic, climatic, and tectonic driving forces, where the recent landscape (last ~20 years) is being shaped as a function of denudational processes. Despite the rapid rates of landforms development, the geomorphology of this area is poorly documented. To overcome the lack of information we mapped the area using a GeoSAR DEM and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle based DEM. This paper presents two maps, a 1:25,000 scale map and a 1:5,000 detailed map of landforms along the Humadal Creek. Detailed categorization of landforms (at 1:5,000) allowed us to identify geomorphic processes in the village of Las Mesas and rural areas that triggered hazards for the communities. The morphologic evolution interpretation of this volcanic tropical area serves as a tool for future geohazard assessment in inhabited areas with important information gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aftermath of over 50 years of uninterrupted conflict is not only underdevelopment and casualties. It is also the loss of social ties, the mistrust, and the difficulties to build a society where victims live with those who once were their perpetrators. These difficulties are many times linked to strong negative affect, prejudice, and skepticism towards forgiveness and reintegration. This paper uses the 2016-Americas Barometer database to provide empirical evidence of how Colombians' attitudes towards the FARC-EP shape the probability of believing in forgiveness and supporting the reintegration process. We find that for demobilization to be successful a society needs (i) to reduce the perception of danger when surrounded by former rebels, (ii) to enhance perceptions of friendliness and hard-working on behalf of the ex-combatants, and (iii) to be more educated and allow the victims to speak up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovitraps can detect Aedes vectors at an early stage and can serve as an alarm indicator for outbreak prediction. This study aimed to summarize the available literature about the ovitrap system and to determine its feasibility, required resources and costs when installing and maintaining this vector surveillance system in the municipality of Los Patios, Colombia. A scoping review to assess the role of ovitraps as a tool for Aedes vector surveillance was conducted. The subsequent fieldwork consisted of mapping the municipality, manufacturing, and installing 40 ovitraps in 10 blocks, revising them weekly for 4 weeks by two half-time employed vector control technicians, and carrying out a cost analysis. A total of 38 studies were included in this review showing that ovitraps had a better performance than other entomological surveillance methods and a positive correlation with other entomological and disease variables. From the field results over 4 weeks, a high proportion of positive ovitraps (80%, 90%, 75%, 97.5%) and positive blocks (100%) as well as a good acceptance by house owners (76.9%), were identified. Operational indicators such as average installation time of the ovitraps (10h15 m), weekly reading and reinstallation (on average 7h27 m) and the cost of the intervention (COL$1,142,304.47/US$297) were calculated. Literature shows that ovitraps are sensitive to detect the presence of Aedes mosquitoes, providing data efficiently and timely for outbreak prediction. The field testing showed it is an affordable and feasible method in the context of a Colombian municipality and similar endemic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landfilling is still the most common technology used in developing countries for the final disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW), albeit the negative impacts on the environment such as those caused by the release of greenhouse gases (GHG) that contribute to global warming (GW). The Colombian government set a target of 20% reduction in GHG emissions by year 2030, for which the solid waste management sector has an important role to play. Also, the achievement of the targets of sustainable development goals (SDG) is playing a key role for the government agenda and will do so for the next years. In this context, there is an important room for improvement of the management alternatives in currently operative landfills in the country, especially in terms of measures to reduce fugitive air emissions and leachates. This paper evaluates, using life cycle assessment (LCA) methods, the environmental impacts associated with a landfill in Colombia under four different scenarios: open dumps (zero) and conventional landfill under three landfill gas (LFG) management alternatives: venting (a), flaring (b), and energy recovery (c). The impact categories as well as the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) methods used were determined through the review of LCA studies for MSW management systems in developing countries. Main results show that global warming potential (GWP) was the main environmental impact caused by the landfill operation under the conditions considered; however, GWP was significantly reduced with the shifting from management scenarios with no LFG treatment (o and a: common to most landfills in developing countries) to scenarios where LFG is either flare (b) or utilized for energy production (c). These results suggest that adoption of technologies for LFG capture, burn, and energy recovery must be considered if important reductions of GHGs are expected from the waste management sector, as well as to provide economic incentives to improve the operational sustainability of landfills in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pneumococcal diseases have a clinical and economic impact on the population. Until this year, a 10-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PCV10) used to be applied in Colombia, which does not contain serotypes 19A, 3, and 6A, the most prevalent in the country. Therefore, we aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of the shift to the 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13). A decision model was used for newborns in Colombia between 2022–2025 and adults over 65 years. The time horizon was life expectancy. Outcomes are Invasive Pneumococcal Diseases (IPD), Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), Acute Otitis Media (AOM), their sequelae, Life Gained Years (LYGs), and herd effect in older adults. PCV10 covers 4.27% of serotypes in the country, while PCV13 covers 64.4%. PCV13 would avoid in children 796 cases of IPD, 19,365 of CAP, 1,399 deaths, and generate 44,204 additional LYGs, as well as 9,101 cases of AOM, 13 cases of neuromotor disability and 428 cochlear implants versus PCV10. In older adults, PCV13 would avoid 993 cases of IPD and 17,245 of CAP, versus PCV10. PCV13 saves $51.4 million. The decision model shows robustness in the sensitivity analysis. PCV13 is a cost-saving strategy versus PCV10 to avoid pneumococcal diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conflicts have a strong impact on land tenure, use, distribution, accessibility, and governance; consequently, a sustainable strategy for peacebuilding requires the set-up of land-based institutional arrangements from the peace negotiation phase onwards. Based on the concept of territorial peace, these arrangements have a key role in the reconstruction of the collective, productive, and symbolic functions of the territory after conflicts, and in addressing conflict root causes related to land inequality. This paper contributes to the development of the concept of territorial peace by providing a framework for its operationalisation, based on three categories of arrangements, and testing it, to qualitatively explore and compare two comprehensive peace agreements: Colombia and the Philippines. Land may take the role of peacemaker in addressing territorial peace's collective dimensions, especially when it is at the core of a peace agreement; however, its implementation remains volatile if it lacks trust, security, and technical capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetlands are vulnerable to groundwater extraction, which has proven detrimental to aquatic ecosystems around the planet. As wetlands rank among the world's most endangered ecosystems, versatile strategies are required to protect them. This paper provides a modelling-based method to delineate protection buffers in wetlands subject to groundwater extraction. The technique is sufficiently flexible to cater to a wide variety of conditions, and simple enough to underpin management decisions on a daily basis. A numerical model is used to obtain a map of the critical rate of groundwater abstraction, based on the distance between wetlands and suitable discharge thresholds. The outcomes determine the allowed pumping rate at any point under steady and transient-state conditions. A new iteration is developed every time a new pumping allowance is made. This procedure is demonstrated by means of hypothetical scenarios, as well as by a case study application in the Valle del Cauca region, Colombia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio-insulations have gained great interest in recent years due to their potential to reduce energy consumption without negative environmental impacts. Fique is one of the most important crops in Colombia, it has shown a low thermal conductivity which makes it a potential replacement for the common insulation materials. However, there are few works that study its thermal properties. In order to enhance the understanding of fique as thermal insulation, in this paper a morphological analysis of raw fique fibers and Thermogravimetry (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) tests of three fique samples are presented, namely, natural fique without treatment, fique washed with a commercial softener and fique after having been soaked for 24 hours in the same softener. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the properties of using a generalized additive model with embedded variable selection for the prediction of bankruptcy. The main purpose is to explore an innovative way to close the gap between interpretation and prediction that has prevented widespread use of methods based on machine learning. An additive model enables the incorporation of nonlinear effects for each predictor, thereby enhancing the predictive power over classical linear models, while simultaneously keeping the marginal effects for interpretation separated. In addition, we propose a penalization likelihood approach that automatically selects important financial ratios and classifies them under linear and nonlinear effects, thereby improving the interpretation of the estimations. We implemented the proposed model on data from the retail industry in Colombia. The results demonstrate a good generalization performance of the algorithm and a prediction accuracy not far below typical black box algorithms such as random forest and support vector machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Latin America, cooperatives have proven to be powerful change agents, strengthening the longer-term sustainability of peasant agriculture to decrease vulnerability. In Colombia, the IMPACT project provided support to cooperatives, like Coocampo, in their development process. IMPACT's work was guided by a gender equity and empowerment approach to international development. This paper examines learning that resulted from participation in IMPACT's gender equity strategy, as realized through Coocampo activities. This qualitative case study examines how a critical transformative-learning focussed approach to gender in development, one incorporating women and men as change agents, created a shift towards a more equitable sharing of livelihood income; greater female participation in Coocampo activities and governance; and in some cases, a transformation of participants' perceptions of their roles as women and men, of themselves, and of their possibilities in life. Scholars call for ways for men and women to work in solidarity towards gender justice. This study contributes by presenting findings where a comprehensive approach was taken to enable gender justice by working towards women's empowerment and re-defining gender roles, and by working to improve economic security for families in an equitable way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the economic and environmental impacts that have arisen from the adoption and use of genetically modified (GM) cotton and maize in Colombia in the fifteen years since GM cotton was first planted in Colombia in 2003. A total of 1.07 million hectares have been planted to cotton and maize containing GM traits since 2003, with farmers benefiting from an increase in income of US $301.7 million. For every extra US $1 spent on this seed relative to conventional seed, farmers have gained an additional US $3.09 in extra income from growing GM cotton and an extra US $5.25 in extra income from growing GM maize. These income gains have mostly arisen from higher yields (+30.2% from using stacked (herbicide tolerant and insect resistant cotton and +17.4% from using stacked maize). The cotton and maize seed technology have reduced insecticide and herbicide spraying by 779,400 kg of active ingredient (−19%) and, as a result, decreased the environmental impact associated with herbicide and insecticide use on these crops (as measured by the indicator, the Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ)) by 26%. The technology has also facilitated cuts in fuel use, resulting in a reduction in the release of greenhouse gas emissions from the GM cotton and maize cropping area and contributed to saving scarce land resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our cost-of-illness (COI) model adopted payer and societal perspectives over five years to measure the economic burden of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in Colombia. A prevalence-based model was constructed to estimate costs and economic consequences for SLE patients in Colombia. The model included four health states: three phenotypes of SLE representing mild, moderate, and severe states and death. The clinical inputs were captured from the published literature and validated by the Delphi panel. Our model measured direct medical and indirect costs, including disease management, transient events, and indirect costs. One-way sensitivity analysis was also performed. The number of Colombian SLE patients was 37,498. The number of SLE patients with mild, moderate, and severe phenotypes was 5343, 28757 and 3,397, respectively. SLE-patients with moderate (Colombian pesos; COP 146 billion) and severe phenotypes (COP276 billion) incurred higher costs than those with mild phenotypes (COP2 billion), over 5 years. The total SLE cost in Colombia over five years from the payer and societal perspectives was estimated to be COP 915 billion and 8 trillion, respectively. The costs per patient per year from the payer and societal perspectives were COP 4,881,902 ($3,510) and COP 46,637,054 ($33,528), respectively. The burden of SLE in Colombia over five years is substantially high, mainly due to the consequences of economic loss because it affects women and men of working age, in addition to the costs of SLE management and its consequences, such as flares, infection, and organ damage. Our COI indicated that disease management costs among patients with moderate and severe SLE were substantially higher than those among patients with a mild phenotype. Therefore, more attention should be paid to limiting the progression of SLE and the occurrence of flares, with the need for further economic evaluation of novel treatment strategies that help in disease control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Colombia, 98% of landmines occur in rural areas, where the main victims of amputation are farmers. The challenges these amputees face in their agricultural work remain unknown. The aim of this study is to determine the mobility and postural limitations these farmers face in carrying out their daily activities. Forty-nine participants meeting the following criteria were interviewed: transtibial amputee, 18 years and over, performs agricultural labour and wears the prosthesis daily. Subsequently, the interview transcripts were subjected to a content conventional analysis and responses were organized according to the abstraction process to identify categories and subcategories of the problems. Main problems reported were walking on sloping, uneven and wet terrain, problems associated with the stump skin, squatting, kneeling, using vehicles or animals for transportation and carrying objects over 30 kg. Postures such as sitting, running, jumping, and standing on tiptoes were mentioned less frequently. In conclusion, the prostheses worn by transtibial amputee farmers are not suitable for working on sloping and uneven terrain, nor for performing postures such as kneeling or squatting. These postures are very common in agricultural and livestock tasks in countries with mountainous areas such as Latin American countries. The recognition of problems reported by farmers transtibial amputees, may help to improve the design of prostheses so that they meet the needs of this population and decrease secondary injuries associated with prosthetic use. This information is useful to identify compensatory postures that facilitate prosthetic adaptation and rehabilitation for amputees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climatic seasons have been shown to determine the temporal fluctuations in species communities of different ecosystems. Here, we assessed the diversity of spider assemblages in dry, transition and rainy seasons in the "Guillermo Piñeres" Botanical Garden (GPBG), Turbaco, Colombia. We collected spider assemblages between June 2018 and April 2019 through standardized day and night sampling methods for tropical ecosystems: looking up, looking down, beating and leaf litter sieving. In total, we collected 1585 individuals, belonging to 28 families and 112 (morpho) species. We calculated the effective species richness (Hill numbers) to evaluate the changes in diversity across seasons and used clustering and ordination methods (Jaccard index-based nMDS) to identify differences in the composition of the assemblages. Also, we compared the abundance and species richness of predatory guilds of the three seasons. The transition season showed the highest diversity with 94 morphospecies, an effective number of species of 48.7 and a dominance of 32.4 effective species. The clustering and ordination methods grouped the sampling events into three groups, each corresponding to a climatic season. The most abundant guild was the orb web weavers, with the highest value in the rainy season, while "other hunters" were the most species rich. Our results indicate that the spider assemblages in GPBG present a seasonal variation in diversity, probably influenced by climatic conditions. Understanding how these seasonal changes occur is necessary to develop forest management strategies for monitoring and management projects on the conservation of species assemblages according to the Convention on Biological Diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of integrating fuel cells into stand-alone power generation systems, combined with different technologies such as diesel generators, wind turbines, and batteries. An optimisation analysis was performed using the Hybrid Optimization Model for Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) software to minimise energy costs and several system architectures were obtained for different operating scenarios. The performance and cash flow of the selected system were included. The results suggest that the combination of traditional technologies for fuel cell power generation could be feasible for a country like Colombia, depending on economic factors such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the discount rate, and the availability of renewable resources. The proposed system achieves a Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) of $0.112/kWh, comparable to state-of-the-art systems in the literature. This research contributes to the global effort of transitioning to alternative energy sources and reducing carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is growing interest in pharmaceutical innovation in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), but information on existing activities, capacities, and outcomes is scarce. We mapped available data at the global level, and studied the national pharmaceutical innovation systems of Bangladesh and Colombia to shed light on pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) in the Global South, including challenges and prospects, to help fill existing knowledge gaps. Methods: We gathered and analyzed data from three types of sources: literature, semi-structured interviews with key informants, and publicly available data on R&D funding, R&D scientific capacity measured by human resources, and clinical trial activities. Results: Pharmaceutical R&D activities are occurring in many LMICs, but 16 countries have emerged as frontrunners. Investment in R&D in LMICs has increased in the past decade, particularly from middle-income countries (MICs). Capacity is also growing, with an increase in the number of research organizations and the amount of funding available from external sources. The total number of clinical trials and the proportion of trials in LMICs increased markedly, and there is also growing activity in the earlier, more innovative and riskier Phase 1 and 2 trials. Non-commercial entities comprise the majority of clinical trial funders and sponsors in LMICs. Finally, investments have borne fruit, as indicated by a number of innovative medicines developed in LMICs. The Bangladesh and Colombia country studies showed that there is still a need for both targeted R&D policies to strengthen capacities in the pharmaceutical sector, and more government support to overcome the challenges of a lack of funding and coordination among different actors. Conclusions: By triangulating between the data sources, it was possible to paint a broad picture of who was involved in pharmaceutical R&D in LMICs, in which particular countries, for which diseases, in which R&D phases, and with what results—as well as how these trends have changed over time. Prioritizing pharmaceutical R&D is an important strategy for better meeting health needs. The trendlines are promising, but focused attention is still needed to realize the potential for greater innovation in the Global South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current context of climate change and global energy demand, the use of energy from waste has become one strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the replacement of fossil fuels by other non-conventional energy sources through the use of biogas produced in landfills. Although there have been some improvements in solid waste management practices in Colombia, current levels of recycling and materials recovery are still poor as only about 10% of the waste produced is recovered, so it is expected that, as for most developing countries, final disposal in landfills will continue to be the main form of municipal solid waste (MSW) management in the coming decades. The optimization of waste degradation and stabilization processes is an essential key aspect for the environmental performance and economic sustainability of waste management systems in developing countries like Colombia. However, assessing the feasibility of biogas production in landfills requires a reasonable level of accuracy for the generation of methane, a sufficient understanding of the underlying generation processes and their relation with the physicochemical characteristics of the waste and landfill disposal conditions. Source segregation of MSW is either poor or non-existing in Colombia, as in most developing countries, which makes difficult to predict landfill gas generation even with the aid of current landfill emissions models. Only a few studies have been conducted to characterize biogas and methane production potential of mixed MSW landfilled in Latin-American countries, with few studies reported in Brazil and in Colombia. In this study, we show the results of biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests with 4–5 years old samples of municipal solid waste (MSW) excavated from a landfill site located in Colombia. Collected samples were characterized and the easy and medium biodegradable fractions used in the experiments. The results show an average total production of 34.8 − 37.9 L CH4 kg-1 DM added which is comparable with similar studies using excavated landfilled waste of similar characteristics. These results suggest that considering the potential of methane production from landfilled waste in developing countries, it is an alternative that could be considered to enhance the environmental performance of landfill sites by reduction of the emissions of uncontrolled CH4 and promote the use of non-conventional energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prevention capacity of local health organisations is associated with the performance and outcomes in public health. In Colombia, where cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, there is limited knowledge about the capacity of local health departments to prevent this condition. Efforts are needed to address problems, potential solutions and expected outcomes regarding cardiovascular disease. In this study, a conceptual model for cardiovascular disease prevention capacity in Colombian local health departments was developed, a questionnaire based on this model was validated, the overall cardiovascular disease prevention capacity in a subsample of these organisations was measured, and the association between cardiovascular disease prevention capacity and political, population, and organisational factors was examined. Once the acceptable performance of the questionnaire was verified, variability in cardiovascular prevention capacity was found among a subsample of local health departments. Furthermore, this study provides primary evidence regarding the association between the size of local health departments and overall cardiovascular disease prevention capacity in Colombia. Future studies should focus on measuring this capacity on a larger scale and developing, implementing, and evaluating interventions aimed at strengthening cardiovascular prevention capacity in Colombian local jurisdictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 vaccination is a global priority. Latin American countries have some of the highest COVID-19 death rates worldwide with vaccination hampered by a variety of reasons, including mis- and disinformation, vaccine hesitancy, and vaccine supply constraints. Addressing vaccine hesitancy through effective messages has been found to help increase vaccine uptake. Participatory processes could be used to co-design health messages for this purpose. This article describes the methodology used to co-design evidence-based audio messages to be deployed in a cohort of individuals through an interactive voice response (IVR) mobile phone survey intervention, aimed towards increasing vaccination uptake in an adult population in Colombia. Participants of the COVID-19 vaccination message co-design process included a sample of the general population of the country, representatives of the funder organisation, and research team members. The co-design process consisted of four phases: (1) formative quantitative and qualitative research, (2) message drafting based on the results of the formative research, (3) message content evaluation, and (4) evaluation of the voices to deliver the audio messages; and was informed by reflexive meetings. Three categories of evidence-based audio messages were co-designed, each corresponding to an arm of the mHealth intervention: (1) factual messages, (2) narrative messages, and (3) mixed messages. An additional fourth arm with no message was proposed for control. The iterative co-design process ended with a total of 14 audio messages recorded to be deployed via the intervention. Co-developing health messages in response to health emergencies is possible. Adopting more context-relevant, participatory, people-centred, and reflexive multidisciplinary approaches could help develop solutions that are more responsive to the needs of populations and public health priorities. Investing resources in message co-design is deemed to have a greater potential for influencing behaviours and improving health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tapuya: Latin American Science, Technology & Society is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Tapuya: Latin American Science, Technology & Society is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Tapuya: Latin American Science, Technology & Society is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Tapuya: Latin American Science, Technology & Society is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this article, I analyze why inequality can discourage investment. I derive my hypothesis from the theory of aspirations as a reference point. A more significant aspiration gap – the distance between the current state and the aspired state – leads to frustration and fewer incentives to invest. In study I, I use data from a longitudinal panel, exploiting environmental shocks to identify a plausibly exogenous source of variation for inequality. I combine it with an indirect measurement of aspirations using data on wealth, computed for the plausible reference group, defined as cells within the population, sharing similar observable characteristics. Finally, I use the variation in the total debt as the outcome variable. In study II, I use data from a specialized survey where shocks and aspirations are directly measured. I look at total debt as the outcome. Although the two tests are only partially conclusive, the evidence aligns with the central hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glaciated Andean mountains have experienced several decades of shrinkage in their transition to non-glaciated regimes. This study analyses the period of hydrologic transition from 1956 to 2020 in a watershed of the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy (SNC), which is the most extensive remaining tropical glacier in Colombia. Using ground hydrometeorological data, remote sensing products, a metric of extreme flow regulation, and decadal flow duration curves, the study shows how the combined effect of continuous glacier shrinkage, highly variable precipitation regimes and increasing human extractions have altered the hydrological capacity of the watershed to regulate high, low, and mean flows. The alteration is noticeable since the 2000s, when communities have effectively benefited from the surplus of baseflow provided by the shrinking glacier to the limit, creating an unsustainable dependency with potential restrictions of use in the short run and major implications for water security of humans and the environment in the forthcoming decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the long-lasting civil war in Colombia, thousands of people were displaced mainly from rural to urban areas, causing social disruption and prolonged poverty. This study aimed at analyzing the traumatic experience many years ago on the current psycho-emotional status of displaced families as well as the ongoing inequalities regarding displaced and non-displaced communities in one of the most affected areas by the armed conflict. An interview survey was conducted among 211 displaced families and 181 non-displaced families in 2 adjacent compounds in Valledupar, Colombia. The questionnaire used questions from the validated national survey and was revised and applied by staff members of the departmental secretary of health who conducted additional in-depth interviews. The study showed that the living conditions of the displaced community were precarious. The past traumatic events many years ago and the current difficult living conditions are associated with psychological problems being more frequent among the displaced people. The displaced people had experienced more violent acts and subsequently had a larger number of emotional symptoms (fright, headache, nervousness, depression, and sleeplessness). Other stress factors like economic problems, severe disease or death of family members and unemployment prevailed among displaced persons. The non-displaced lived in a more protected environment with less exposure to violence and stress, although belonging to a similarly low socio-economic stratum. It is recommended to take measures for a better protection of the displaced community, improve their access to the job market, offer different leisure activities and facilitate public transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drug shortages are a global problem. Analyzing shortages worldwide is important to identify possible relationships between drug shortages across countries, determine strategies that reduce drug shortages, and reduce the inequality in access to medicines between countries. In contrast to well-documented shortages in high-income countries, there are few studies that consider low- and middle-income economies. We evaluate drug shortages in one middle-income country, Colombia. Methods: We collected data from INVIMA, the institution responsible for managing medicine shortage alerts in Colombia. We classified the data using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system and analyzed them using descriptive statistics. We considered a study period from 2015 to 2021 (vital medicines) and from 2010 to 2020 (non-vital medicines). Results: In total, 173 unique ATC codes were in shortage. These included antidotes, alimentary tract and metabolism products, anesthetics, cardiac stimulants and antithrombotic agents. The major causes were manufacturing problems and few suppliers. Drug shortages substantially increased from 2020 to May 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among resolved shortages, the average duration was 1.6 years with a standard deviation of 1.9 years. The longest, naloxone tablets, were in shortage for almost 10 years. Conclusions: Drug shortages are a persistent problem in Colombia. Government institutions have made progress in implementing systems and procedures to report them. However, the approaches implemented need to be maintained and refined. This study lays the groundwork for the analysis of drug shortages in other LMICs. We highlight the necessity of addressing drug shortages in their global context and reducing the inequality in access to medicines between countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After more than fifty years of guerrilla warfare, Colombia is enduring a peace process with the most important guerrilla group through a peace agreement signed by the end of 2016. Despite this achievement, the basic conditions determined by John Fagg Foster for institutional adjustment were not fulfilled, affecting the implementation of the accord and facing strong opposition from conservative sectors. The resistance of the institutional matrix of this country's elites shows the difficulties and resistance to even moderate institutional changes in a society with a deep divide in political, social, and economic conditions. The case is unique, despite the obvious economic and social advantages of the peace deal and reveals the deep crucial role of traditional and ceremonial institutions in blocking social progress. The pandemic and the more conservative political orientation of the present government just worsened the difficulties amidst the current conditions, increasing the distance from the requirements established by J. Fagg Foster. An evaluation of the current process is presented and conclusions about possible outcomes are explored given the present upheaval and social movements we endure today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breeding of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) shows restrictions in the genetic advance because of the effect of the environment. Therefore, the behavior of the yield components of genotypes varies according to the crop's environment. The genotype x environment interaction can cause genotypes with high yields in one location not to behave in the same way in other localities, which limits the recommendation of cultivars for different environments. The objective of this research was to evaluate agronomic traits in new improved bean cultivars in high tropic environments, as well as to determine which cultivars show phenotypic stability for yield. Multi-environment tests were carried out during 2016 and 2017 in two regions of the department of Cundinamarca, in Colombia. Significant differences were found for the genotype x environment interaction and highly significant differences for the evaluation environments and genotypes. The greatest variation was attributed to genetic effects, followed by environmental effects and the genotype x environment interaction. The first two principal components for grain yield showed 88.86% of the variation of the genotype x environment interaction. Cultivars Serrania and Sutagao, of climbing growth habit, were identified as stable and with high yield potential, so they can be considered as a commercial alternative for bean growers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colombia provides a unique setting to understand the complicated interaction between health systems, health insurance, migrant populations, and COVID-19 due to its system of Universal Health Coverage and its hosting of the second-largest population of displaced persons globally, including approximately 1.8 million Venezuelan migrants. We surveyed 8,130 Venezuelan migrants and Colombian nationals across 60 municipalities using a telephone survey during the first wave of the pandemic (September through November 2020). Using self-reported enrollment in one of the several Colombian health insurance schemes, we analyzed the access to and disparities in the use of health-care services for both Colombians and Venezuelan migrants by insurance status, including access to formal health services, virtual visits, and COVID-19 testing for both groups. We found that compared with 3.6% of Colombians, 73.6% of Venezuelan telephone survey respondents remain uninsured, despite existing policies that allow legally present migrants to enroll in national health insurance schemes. Enrolling migrants in either the subsidized or contributory regime increases their access to health-care services, and equality between Colombians and Venezuelans within the same insurance schemes can be achieved for some services. Colombia's experience integrating Venezuelan migrants into their current health system through various insurance schemes during the first wave of their COVID-19 pandemic shows that access and equality can be achieved, although there continue to be challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major theoretical issue about health system reform involving decentralization has been whether it promotes equity of health system funding. An article by the principal author and others in 2003 showed that, under certain conditions and policies, decentralization improved the equity of allocation of financial resources to different income levels of municipalities in Colombia and Chile. Another recurring issue has been whether reforms can be sustained over time. In a follow-up study in 2015, we found that the equity of national allocations was sustained even though the allocation rules for intergovernmental transfers and insurance funding sources had changed, as long as per capita allocation rules were retained. Nevertheless, the wealthier municipalities in Chile were able to increase their own source funding contributing to a larger gap between wealthy and poor municipalities, suggesting that in order to assure continued equity some compensation for these funds be included in intergovernmental transfer rules or that local source funding be restricted by national policy. These reforms may be more likely to be sustained if they become embedded in existing financial systems and if they receive support of status quo constituencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the medical humanitarian context, the challenging task of collecting health information from people on the move constitutes a key element to identifying critical health care needs and gaps. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), during its long history of working with migrants, refugees and mobile populations in different contexts, has acknowledged how crucial it is to generate detailed context-related data on migrant and refugee populations in order to adapt the response interventions to their needs and circumstances. In 2019, the Brazilian Medical Unit/MSF developed the Migration History Tool (MHT), an application based on the life history method which was created in close dialogue with field teams in order to respond to information needs emerging from medical operations in mobile populations. The tool was piloted in two different contexts: firstly, among mobile populations transiting and living in Beitbridge and Musina, at the Zimbabwe-South Africa border; and, secondly, among Venezuelan migrants and refugees in Colombia. This article describes the implementation of this innovative method for collecting quantitative retrospective data on mobility and health in the context of two humanitarian interventions. The results have proven the flexibility of the methodology, which generated detailed information on mobility trajectories and on the temporalities of migration in two different contexts. It also revealed how health outcomes are not only associated with the spatial dimensions of movement, but also with the temporalities of mobility trajectories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective interventions exist for heavy drinking and depression but to date there has been limited translation into routine practice in global health systems. This evidence-to-practice gap is particularly evident in low- and middle-income countries. The international SCALA project (Scale-up of Prevention and Management of Alcohol Use Disorders and Comorbid Depression in Latin America) sought to test the impact of multilevel implementation strategies on rates of primary health care-based measurement of alcohol consumption and identification of depression in Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. To describe the process of development and cultural adaptation of the clinical intervention and training package. We drew on Barrero and Castro's four-stage cultural adaption model: 1) information gathering, 2) preliminary adaption, 3) preliminary adaption tests, and 4) adaption refinement. The Tailored Implementation in Chronic Diseases checklist helped us identify potential factors that could affect implementation, with local stakeholder groups established to support the tailoring process, as per the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Going to Scale Framework. In Stage 1, international best practice guidelines for preventing heavy drinking and depression, and intelligence on the local implementation context, were synthesised to provide an outline clinical intervention and training package. In Stage 2, feedback was gathered from local stakeholders and materials refined accordingly. These materials were piloted with local trainers in Stage 3, leading to further refinements including developing additional tools to support delivery in busy primary care settings. Stage 4 comprised further adaptions in response to real-world implementation, a period that coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, including translating the intervention and training package for online delivery, and higher priority for depression screening in the clinical pathway. Our experience highlights the importance of meaningful engagement with local communities, alongside the need for continuous tailoring and adaptation, and collaborative decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract–In nonexperimental settings, the regression discontinuity (RD) design is one of the most credible identification strategies for program evaluation and causal inference. However, RD treatment effect estimands are necessarily local, making statistical methods for the extrapolation of these effects a key area for development. We introduce a new method for extrapolation of RD effects that relies on the presence of multiple cutoffs, and is therefore design-based. Our approach employs an easy-to-interpret identifying assumption that mimics the idea of "common trends" in difference-in-differences designs. We illustrate our methods with data on a subsidized loan program on post-education attendance in Colombia, and offer new evidence on program effects for students with test scores away from the cutoff that determined program eligibility. for this article are available online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article identifies factors related to the local context that influence the valuation of a local, traditional and internationally recognized music festival. Analyzing the case of Petronio Álvarez Pacific Music Festival held in Cali (Colombia), a valuation equation of the festival is estimated via an ordered probit model based upon microdata provided by a face-to-face survey (N = 1257). Results show that there are two key factors shaping the valuation of the festival: (i) previous experience of attending the festival, (ii) perceptions and expectations individuals have over the implications of the festival celebration (even if not participating), that is, the territory's externalities (the creation of income and employment for the city) and personal benefits (cultural enrichment and enjoyment of a well-executed festival's plan). Finally, our work provides policymakers with an instrument that reduces uncertainty about the characteristics of the festival, which can also be used as a managerial decision instrument based on empirical evidence about individuals' perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What was the relationship between the sources of capital and the creation of internal markets in business groups in Colombia? A detailed history of the evolution of ownership schemes and capital structure of the 25 largest Colombian business groups between 1950 and 1975 answers this question. The business history and varieties of capitalism literatures have identified this organisational structure as one of the key characteristics of Latin American business and economic development. Business groups in Colombia have been key players since the second half of the twentieth century, when they adopted a new organisational structure that allowed the internalisation of capital provided by new financial legislation promoted by the World Bank. Analysis of previously unknown historical evidence explains the capital structure of the group-affiliated firms. Examples of specific groups illustrate the analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pacific Alliance is an economic and development initiative where four Latin American nations: Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, seek the growth in the economics of the four nations. It is in this way that agriculture plays an important role in this union since it is one of the greatest sources of income in each nation. However, the internal conflict that afflicts each country generates stagnation in economic growth, affecting its exports. Forced displacement is one of the main consequences of the internal conflict within the countries that make up the Pacific Alliance. Therefore, a model of Population Dynamics System P (PDP System) is proposed, viewing this phenomenon as a classic predator-prey model, where one 'predator' resources that in this case are the territories, and in this struggle one species predominates over the other. The simulations showed how the populations are being affected and how the analogy between the social conflict described above and the Lokta-Volterra model can be modelled with a topic that has always been considered to be social. Although much more complex scenarios can be simulated by adding other variables, this study is an approach that yields important results that can be considered in other studies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Acute bronchiolitis is the leading cause of hospitalization in the pediatric population. The inappropriate prescription of antibiotics in acute bronchiolitis is associated with bacterial resistance, higher costs, and risk of adverse effects in this population. The objective of this work is to develop a predictive model of inappropriate use of antibiotics in children with acute bronchiolitis in Colombia. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients under 2 years of age with a diagnosis of acute bronchiolitis from two hospitals in Rionegro, Colombia. To identify factors independently associated with inappropriate use of antibiotics, we used logistic regression and estimated odds ratios (ORs). To assess discrimination, area under the curve (AUC) was estimated with a 95% confidence interval and plotted using AUC–ROC plots. To correct sampling bias of variance parameters and to evaluate the internal validity of the model, repeated curved validation "tenfold cross-validation" was used, comparing the area under the ROC curve obtained in the repetitions with that observed in the model Results: A total of 415 patients were included. 142 patients (34.13%) had a prescription of some antibiotic during their hospital stay. In 92 patients (64.78%, 95% CI 56.3 to 72.6%) the prescription of antibiotics was classified as inappropriate. Age older than 1 year, chest retractions, temperature between 37.5 °C and 38.5 °C and leukocyte count between 10,000 and 15,000 million/mm3 were the predictive variables of inappropriate use of medications in this population. Conclusion: The presence of fever between 37.5 °C and 38.5 °C, leukocytosis between 10,000 and 15,000 million/mm3, and age older than 1 year and presence of chest retractions, should alert the physician regarding the high risk of inappropriate prescription of antibiotics. Patients with acute bronchiolitis with a score on our scale greater than 2 should be carefully evaluated regarding the need for the use of antibiotics, if prescribed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of renewable energy is a necessity nowadays and like any other technology involves challenges and opportunities to achieve. The main objective of our projects in an off-grid vulnerable community in Colombia is to design a smart grid to control the power grid, but also to understand the grid behavior and the actors (generators and consumers) for which a smart monitoring system must be implemented in the initial phase of these initiatives. This work proposes the design of a smart monitoring sensing system to gather information on both the status of electrical variables (i.e., power, current, voltage, reactive energy, and power factor) and environment variables (i.e., temperature, solar radiation, GPS, humidity, and atmospheric pressure) for an off-grid renewable energy system fit for a vulnerable community in Colombia. The system was created as a web-app that allows multiplatform access and allows scalability for large numbers of generators and loads. Finally, the system offers flexibility to exploit different sensors or hardware to measure the variables since it only reads the information from the data base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to evaluate the provision of energy services in non-interconnected zones (NIZ) between 2018 and 2019 using open data from the Colombian government and business intelligence methodology. The analysis is approached from the ETL (Extract, Transform, Load). It focuses on the variables obtained from the National Monitoring Centre (CNM) for monitoring the operation of these zones, where there is a Telemetry System that provides monthly information on location variables, energy variables, such as active and reactive energy maximum power, maximum power per day, and hours of service delivery. We concluded that in the years, 2018–2019 energy consumption in NIZ has remained stable with a variation of 0.19%. On the other hand, the NIZ include 56% of Colombia's states, and the energy consumption is concentrated in 6 of the 93 municipalities with 80% of national consumption. The challenges in these areas are associated not only with the quality and provision of energy services but also with the environmental challenges that mean that most of these areas obtain their energy supply from fossil fuels, being protected areas such as ecological reserves, the biosphere, or the jungle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]