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Introduction: The paper "Moluscos de la Isla del Coco" (Mollusks of Cocos Island) published in the Revista del Colegio Superior de Señoritas (1935) is the translation to Spanish of one of the last works of Paul Biolley Matthey (1862-1908), Swiss naturalist that lived in Costa Rica. This article was one product of a malacological research carried out during a scientific expedition organized by the 'Instituto Físico- Geográfico Nacional de Costa Rica' (IFGN) in 1902 to Cocos Island, at a time when the country claimed its sovereignty both in this territory. Objective: To analyze the contributions of the article "Moluscos de la Isla del Coco" from the Social History of Science approach. Methods: Most of the researches that have applied this approach in Costa Rica analyze processes of institutionalization of scientific disciplines. The methodology used in these works was very useful for the analysis of the Biolley article, together with the information of historical data provided by other texts about Cocos Island and the development of scientific research in Costa Rica from a temporal perspective. In addition, tables were made to synthesize the classification of the species and genera studied by Biolley in Cocos Island to identify their provenance and the habitat in which they lived. Results: This study of Biolley constitutes a text of interest from the point of view of the Social History of Science, due to the descriptions it offers of the physical conditions of the territory of Cocos Island, of the different species of mollusks located in them and to the exchange of information with national and foreign scientists that show the participation of Biolley in scientific networks. Conclusions: The analysis of the information with the Social History of Science approach, concludes that the compilation of the flora and fauna permits a greater knowledge of the natural resources of the explored territories, in order to colonize them and integrate them into the economic dynamics of the Central Valley of Costa Rica. However, attempts colonize Cocos Island failed given the distance between this and the continent, in addition to the topographic conditions that prevent the permanent establishment of human populations and their productive activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this writing I present a brief description of some busts of Christopher Columbus engraved in coins, medals, paper money, and postage stamps around 1892. The bust of Columbus engraved in the gold coins of Costa Rica (1897-1928) and in paper money until 1942, is similar to the medal designed in 1892 by Francisco Asís López in Madrid, and the medal in turn is probably based on the painting of Columbus made by Lorenzo Lotto in 1512. The medal and portrait are illustrated in the 1893 catalogue published in New York by Nestor Ponce de León, the up to date reference at the time on the many looks of Columbus. Columbus arrived at Cariari, Costa Rica, during his fourth voyage in 1502, and the event is engraved in the 50 colones bank note of 1942. The last coin of Costa Rica with a bust of Columbus was issued in 1997. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper highlights the central role that urban forestry management and development should play in future efforts to articulate holistic conservation and urban improvement projects in Costa Rica. With this in mind, it provides a non-exhaustive examination of the state of the art in the country. Likewise, this article briefly analyzes the state of knowledge and professional development in this area of expertise. Finally, the paper offers a reflection on the role that the social sciences ought to play in improving the practice and the development of knowledge in this emergent and transdisciplinary field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to address the issue of credit cards and the deficiencies of public policy related to that subject in Costa Rica. For that purpose, we taking into consideration the perspective of Regulations of Credit and Debit Cards, that protect rights such as confidentiality, discretion in handling data and the information right; however, it is limited in terms of regulating and promoting the financial system balance which allows cardholders protection from excessive interest rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses key aspects of the debate on political parties and power networks, focusing empirically analyze the presence of such actors within political parties Liberación Nacional y Partido Unidad Social Cristiana and their presence on the formation of cabinets in the Costa Rican government. Highlights CINDE alliance partners, CEFSA and the Central American Academy, who control the state institutions linked to the export sector from 1986 to 2010. It discusses the limits of procedural democracy to allow such corporate trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I analyze the connections that occurred between the electoral offer of candidate Laura Chinchilla and the new demographic, social and sexual realities of Costa Rica, which help to understand why mainly women and older people voted for her. In addition, I explain the new challenges the Costa Rican society faces in terms of a necessary new social and sexual contract, and the prospect of its approach, or not, by the Government of the first woman President. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarizes a discussion about the configuration, action, and actual relevance of alternative transportation organizations in Costa Rica. These organizations claim to fight for an improvement in the exercise of mobility rights for everyone. At the same time, they put pressure for the implementation of safety measures in the political, legal, social, and infrastructural spheres that comprise sustainable transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a model of periodization and developmental analysis of trade unions in Costa Rica during 20th century. This seeks to identify as the political and economical changes influencing unionist organizations and how these have led to fragment, and loss of significance, as well as a constant unionization rate decrease, even though by the end of last century, a stable union base was still observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper gives the results of a study that was based on exploration in self-esteem in two ethnic groups (Térrabas and Borucas). In this, 170 young people participated: 72 Térrabas and 98 Borucas. Both cases show good results with respect to the personal identity of young participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Costa Rica has mangrove forests on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. The Pacific side has 99% of the mangrove area of the country. In this review we compile available information on the mangroves of the north Pacific coast of Costa Rica, from Bahía Salinas, on the border with Nicaragua, to the tip of the Peninsula de Nicoya at Cabo Blanco. We provide information on the location of the mangroves and all available information for each mangrove forest. These mangrove communities are smaller in extension and tree sizes, and have lower diversity compared to the mangroves on the southern section of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The dominant species are Rhizophora mangle and Rhizophora racemosa along the canal edges, backed by Avicennia germinans, and farther inland Avicennia bicolor, Laguncularia racemosa and Conocarpus erectus. At Potrero Grande a healthy population of Pelliciera rhizophorae, a rare species, has been reported. We recognized 38 mangrove communities in this part of the country, based on the National Wetland Inventory, published papers, field observations, theses, technical reports, and the national topographic maps (1:50 000, Instituto Geográfico Nacional). Relatively detailed information could be found for only five mangrove forests, for 14 more only prelimary and incomplete lists of plants and in some cases of animal species are available, for nine there is even less information, and for nine more only their location is known, which in some cases was not correct. Detail mapping, characterization of the vegetation and fauna, physiological studies, analyses of biogeochemical and physical processes, economic valuations, and determination of the health status of the mangrove of the northern Pacific coast, as well as for the rest of Costa Rica, are neccesary and urgent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although this paper does not pretend to be a history of the Costa Rican Philosophical Association, it may be helpful in its reconstruction. Its aim is to reflect informally on the activities of the Association in these fifty years and to explore some possibilities for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper I explore the democratic potential of direct democracy, on the basis of a case study of the referendum on CAFTA that took place in Costa Rica on October 7, 2007. Theoretically, I aspire to show how developments in the field of participatory democracy can enrich the analysis of democratic regimes. Empirically, I describe the institutional design and political practices in this first experience. I conclude that the referendum entailed reversals in terms of electoral fairness and legitimacy, as well as progress in the construction of citizenship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Comités Patrióticos emerged in the context of the historic referendum on the Free Trade agreement with the United States. This paper offers an analysis of this movement based on a year of ethnographic research. I focus on questions of spatiotemporality and political scale, in order to illuminate how this movement has attempted, during and after the referendum, to articulate a new political structure capable of acting at once on local and national scales in order to challenge the neoliberal project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the evolution of public opinion, during the Referendum campaign over CAFTA. The data is based on telephone national surveys and includes the level of information, possible effects on the person interviewed, on the country, on its welfare State and on poor and vulnerable groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemoglobinopathies are hereditary autosomic recessive diseases. A total of 70 943 samples of whole blood collected by heel prick in filter paper (S&S 903) from throughout Costa Rica (October 2005-October 2006) were analyzed to detect variants of hemoglobin by the iso-electric focusing technique. Eight hundred ninety one cases presented some variant, for a frecuency of 1/79. Five cases are homozygous for hemoglobin S (sickle cell disease) and one shows the double heterozygous genotype SC. In this study the S and C variants of hemoglobin, although with some local differences, are widespread all over the country. Thus, the prevention of new cases is important through the testing of hemoglobin in the Costa Rican National Newborn Screening Program, together with a Interdisciplinary National Program of Education for the disease and carrier status (AS/AC) for patients, families and medicar personnel. This is the basis for proper genetic counseling, to improve treatment and to reduce morbi-mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes some of the changes in the curricula of the Escuela de Trabajo Social de la Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) (School of Social Work of the University of Costa Rica) from 1950 to 1980, a period during which social work came of age. The results of the analysis show the main influences of the period, including national historical events and differences with curricula proposed by the United Nations (UN), influences that later informed the debate on Latin American social work. The paper points out the importance of recognizing these influences as the primary critical impulse behind the development of curricula for Costa Rican social work in the 20th century. [TRANSLATION]

The arguments presented by Espinoza et al. In their paper "Relationship of genetically modified crops with the environment and health of the Costa Rican human population" published in this journal (Rev. Biol. Trop. 52: 727-732, 2004) are questioned and refuted. The arguments are confronted with evidence offered by scientists and national and international independent organizations around the world (e.g. World Health Organization, Consumers International, Physicians and Scientists for Responsible Application of Science and Technology, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, the Council of the University of Costa Rica, and the Independent Science Panel) showing the current uncertainty and limitations of science in this area, as well as those of proposed and applied biosafety approaches. Environment, biodiversity and food security are so important and basic matters, that there is need of serious testing, particularly when promises seem to be based on environmentally dangerous ideas promoted half a century ago by the so called "green revolution". Debate should continue, based on a holistic analysis of facts and with ethical reasoning, avoiding emotional positions that can confuse virtual reality with reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article, first part of a paper on the subject, develops an approach to those tensions faced by the profession of Social Work, in the context of the beginning and consolidation of the industrialist State in Costa Rica. It details the transformations of the production mode, the changes in the world of work, and the political-institutional image that was expressed in matters of social security in those years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an analysis of the situation of the agriculture sector in Latin America. It presents the causes of the crisis in this sector, and the actions taken by the developed countries to promote its development. It also presents an analysis of the agriculture sector's contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and the links it can generate. A whole chapter presents an analysis of the Costa Rican agriculture sector based on current data from various sources: Estado de la Nación, Promotora de Comercio Exterior, Banco Central de Costa Rica, Ministerio de Comercio Exterior, and others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]