Search

Introduction: School mediation training is important because it teaches students to resolve differences in a non-violent way. Despite the benefits it offers, research on the subject is scarce and the background is mostly focused on theoretically understanding the conflict to develop specific techniques and tools that are useful for peer students, teachers and school counselors (Benítez, 2020). In this sense, the need to expand knowledge that allows education from a socio-emotional perspective is identified and therefore, the objective of this research is to establish the influence of multidimensional social competence in the formation of socioemotional skills for school mediation. Method: 1025 Colombian students participated (40.6% men and 59.4% women), aged between 12 and 19 years (M = 14.86; SD = 1.43). A structural equation model informed the relationships and influences of prosociality, social efficacy, and cognitive reappraisal on mediation skills. Results: Specifically, prosocial behavior and cognitive reappraisal affect the understanding and management of conflict. Social efficacy and prosociality would be important in the ease of generating assertive communication. Meanwhile, social efficacy and cognitive reappraisal influence the ability to generate awareness and emotional regulation. Discussion and Conclusions: The mediator's prosociality is the most relevant characteristic because it implies displaying helping behaviors in accordance with the needs expressed by the students. For its part, social efficacy is an important factor because it is associated with motivation, the person's commitment to the task, resistance to frustration, and the management of emotions in relationships. While cognitive reappraisal is influential thanks to the use of strategies such as acceptance, positive focusing and perspective taking.

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the relationship between users' perceived barriers to using virtual and augmented reality technology from stakeholders, identifying perspectives and gaps regarding technology acceptance. Design/methodology/approach: The Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory method is useful for quantitatively evaluating the causal relationship between factors. Combining this method with the grey approach ensures greater accuracy even with limited information. A Scoping Review was conducted to identify the barriers, and data were extracted from a questionnaire administered to experts in the field. Findings: Seven diverse barriers were identified by users, and cause-and-effect relationships were estimated. The results indicate three primary causal barriers and three highly dependent barriers. One of the identified barriers is not relevant in this model. Originality/value: Virtual and augmented reality technologies have been gaining popularity since 2018, allowing users to interact with a virtual environment. These technologies are primarily used in training and education areas. However, due to the innovative nature of the topic, there are a small number of studies on technology acceptance, especially in the Brazilian context. Therefore, this paper contributes to the literature and assists in applying technologies in industries.

When mentioning different actions that lead to the implementation of strategic planning in the use of ICT for achieving educational quality in the UFPS, it should become a concretion of the practical participation of these entities to try to achieve quality standards in education. In this sense, when it is intended to generate actions that lead to consolidating this proposal, the purpose of the research was to establish how ICT improves quality in higher education and to propose a strategic plan that allows its improvement at the Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander, framed in a feasible, field, descriptive project. With a sample of 13 active teachers in the selected university institution. In addition, the survey technique was applied with a questionnaire-type instrument with response options always, almost always, sometimes, almost never and never. Its items were validated employing expert judgment and its reliability was verified through Cronbach's Alpha statistical formula. Subsequently, the respective analysis of the information was carried out to elaborate on the actions to be proposed for the implementation of strategic planning for the achievement of educational quality at the Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander. The results found to indicate the relevance of strategic planning to stimulate educational quality in the university selected for the research, in addition to pointing out organizational aspects that generate administrative waste, are minimized with the systematic application of strategic planning as a projection to the university community.

Networked society before pandemic situation had become the context of a technology-supported environment for learning and teaching. Since COVID-19 pandemic occurred learning happened essentially mediated through connected smart devices that demand digital skills and reinforced Smart learning. This study aims to present a descriptive and comparative analysis focusing on digital competences in three different areas: Use, Learning and Critical thinking, justified in a global situation of intensive use of technology. Each area was analyzed considering the five subareas of digital competence: information management, communication, content creation, safety and problem solving. The study was designed under a non-experimental quantitative methodology in which higher education students from Spain, Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico participated (N=926). Results show significant differences among countries that could help to improve not only formal education in Higher Education, but the digital skills needed for lifelong learning among citizenship in next future conditioned by recent global situation of pandemic.

The purpose of this research was to determine the relevance of the media in the prevention, education and contextual management of COVID-19. Methodology: descriptive non-experimental transectional research. An international survey validated by experts was applied, surveying 1082 people during a month. The countries with the highest participation were Peru, Colombia, Mexico, the United States and Russia. The data was processed using SPSS version 25. 64.7% of the respondents affirmed that the means were decisive in preventing the pandemic; 59.1% recognized the importance of the media for awareness and prevention of the pandemic, and 64% valued the importance of the media for the contextual management of the pandemic; demonstrating a significant relationship between the variables. Contributions: the need for strategic, prudent, ethical and socially responsible communication that benefits citizens in a pandemic situation is highlighted.

In student-teachers' education, it is fundamental to foster the intercultural communicative competence for them to express their views on cultural concepts and phenomena in written and orally, with native and non-native speakers of a foreign language. In the same vein, future foreign language teachers, particularly at an early stage of their learning process, are expected to possess some basic citizen competencies which allow them, amongst other things, to show an understanding of the country they live in, the cultural diversity it has, and the current situation they and their co-nationals are facing (cognitive dimension). Bering in mind the importance of competences mentioned before. This short-scale quantitative study set out to classify the perceptions that a group of student-teachers had on Colombia, their cultural identity, and Colombians' cultural identity in general. To that end, one oral and two written short narratives along with a final questionnaire were collected and analysed using Atlas TI. 8 and Excel spreadsheets. The counting and classification of prominent speech parts that conveyed perceptions (nouns, nouns plus adjectives and adjective per se) unveiled that participants held quite optimistic views on their nation, particularly in cultural, natural, geographic, and culinary aspects. It was also revealed that student-teachers had a high appreciation of themselves culturally speaking, praising their personality and mood as most important features. Furthermore, it was unveiled that participants held a positive view about their compatriots, highlighting their personality, mood, and character. It is important to remark that positive views about own identity were much higher than general views on Colombians.

This research sets out to unveil the potential enrichment of initial narrative writing processes in a group of EFL 5th graders through the implementation of picture books as useful tools which can be used to shape the natural ability of telling an event or a sequence of events systematically of EFL students at this level. In this qualitative approach study, writing was regarded as a formal description of structured data which is outlined in the mind, and which has different cognitive stages and works with pre-established categories, as proposed by Flower and Hayes (2008); furthermore, the learning was contemplated from a genre-based approach in which recognizing the needs and proficiencies of the students was the major concern, and this was fueled and supported by the use of familiar routines and cyclical activities in social contexts during the writing process. After following up and analyzing the whole process 5 graders went through in terms of creating a narrative story embodied in the form and principles of a picture book, it was determined that thanks to the use of illustrations, and words students were able to tell simple but meaningful and creative stories about characters (mostly creatures) they used as the protagonists in their picture books. Equally, it was found that the habitual written practices they were exposed to, contributed to a significant extent, to the enhancement of basic narrative writing skills as they were able to express their view of reality in a concrete and simple form, place their basic grammar and lexicon to the service of the narrations they were trying to render and most importantly, they displayed a better capacity of telling an event or a sequence of events systematically.

Background: National physical activity (PA) policy processes are only beginning to be studied in Latin America, and little attention has focused at the subnational level. This study examined national–subnational relations in the policy process (agenda setting, policy formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation) in selected Latin American countries. Methods: The Global Observatory for Physical Activity's (GoPA!) INTEGRATE-PA-Pol tool was applied in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Mexico. Data were collected in matched pairs of the capital plus one noncapital city among national and subnational policymakers (n = 27), previously identified by the GoPA! Country Contacts. PA policy development and implementation were assessed using descriptive statistics. Results: Twenty-three (response rate = 85.2%) informants provided data, mainly from the health sector (52.2%), followed by the sport (26.1%), transport (13.0%), and education (8.7%) sectors. Most informants reported that their countries had a current PA policy embedded within noncommunicable diseases prevention plans (46.2%), other plans (46.2%), or obesity prevention/management/control plans (7.7%). Respondents at the subnational level rated PA promotion as central (64.3%), while the national-level role was important but not central (75.0%). National and subnational policymakers indicated low-to-little involvement in the other level's PA policy processes across the 5 policy stages. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that collecting national and subnational PA policy data across countries with the active collaboration of the GoPA! network was feasible. We also successfully identified governmental interactions throughout the PA policy process, suggesting suboptimal engagement between national and subnational levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homework assignments in engineering courses are still passive learning instruments that often appear as requirements rather than learning tools. This issue arises because the teaching team usually does not have the capabilities to provide real-time feedback, or to enable students to fix errors in a timely manner. To overcome this challenge, we developed a novel blended-like methodology for homework assignments called TARSIS. This methodology uses a platform to boosts the contribution of homework assignments in the learning process by using a non-penalised attempt mechanism for online solutions, combined with a real-time feedback scheme in both virtual and face-to-face environments. In this study, we describe the methodology and use mixed-method research to assess the performance of TARSIS. Performance data were compared quantitatively with a previous cohort. Moreover, open-ended questions from surveys, interviews, and data from focus groups were qualitatively analysed. Results indicate that students enrolled with TARSIS achieved higher performance in both homework assignments and exams. Furthermore, students' perceptions demonstrate higher enthusiasm and motivation towards the value of homework assignments as mechanisms to promote learning. Effectiveness related to the attempt mechanism and real-time feedback is subsequently explained under key concepts of the socio-cultural vision of education such as reification and participation.

The global pandemic caused by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) disrupted both public and private life for many. Concerning medical students, practical teaching and classrooms were substituted with a virtual curriculum. However, how this new academic environment has affected students' health and lifestyles has yet to be studied. In this study, we surveyed 2,776 students from nine different countries about changes in their university curricula and potential alterations in their daily habits, physical health, and psychological status. We found negative changes across all countries studied, in multiple categories. We found that 99% of respondents indicated changes in their instruction delivery system, with 90% stating a transition to online education, and 93% stating a reduction or suspension of their practical activities. On average, students spent 8.7 hours a day in front of a screen, with significant differences among countries. Students reported worsened studying, sleeping, and eating habits with substantial differences in Latin American countries. Finally, the participants frequently expressed onset and increase in both mental and physical health symptoms: backache, asthenopia, irritability, and emotional instability. Altogether, these results suggest a potential risk in the health and academic performance of future doctors if these new academic modalities are maintained.

The role of an inquiry-based practicum in the education of future teachers has been identified as a key component to foster student-teachers' abilities to face problems, try to solve them, work on doubts and produce situated and valuable learning from their own practices (Cochran-Smith & Little, 2001; Beck, 2001). The interaction between mentors and student-teachers involved in this process requires feeding the mutual understanding to collaboratively make decisions to work on difficulties. In this reflective study, the practicum was the perfect scenario to evaluate how student-teachers and mentors engaged in inquiry-based work to face problems on a daily basis in schools in the context of teachers education. This article shows how a group of 12 student-teachers and their mentors experienced difficulties within an inquiry-based practicum in an undergraduate programme while conducting an instructional intervention, designing, implementing and applying a project relevant to their teaching context. Given the qualitative nature of this study, some stages of the process were analysed over a period of a year, bringing as a result relevant insights to enhance their teaching practicum-process in Colombian public schools.

This article analyzes the results of an inquiry into Latin American university community members' perceptions about regulatory processes and asymmetries of information, as influential factors in the governance of Latin American universities. It does so, by examining the national laws in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Mexico. Previous studies in this continent have not considered these aspects and perspectives. Our research found significant differences between countries in terms of the Board of Directors' capacity to act and the control mechanisms they can employ--which can be interpreted as national differences in the availability of their resources and their regulatory capacities. On the level of asymmetry of information, there are differences between countries, which depend on the position of the university members in their institutions. Thus, regulation and information are important factors when it comes to the governance of Latin American universities, and can explain its' diversity.

Copyright of Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia is the property of Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia 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.)

Migration, from rural to urban settings is a common phenomenon in Latin America, due to social, economic, political, and other factors. Young people in search of economic and educational opportunities, financial, and social stability, have been migrating to larger urban centers, thus crafting important shifts in rural labor, generational transfer, and domestic economies. Through a systematic literature review of scientific literature, and documents from public institutions and international organizations, published between 2012 and 2022, this article addresses rural-urban migration of youth in Colombia and Guatemala's cattle sector, particularly identifying (i) driving factors, (ii) their impacts on cattle farming, and (iii) public policies implemented to counteract prejudicial effects. Results show that unemployment, lack of educational opportunities, and insecurity are the main reasons for youth migration to cities or abroad, with Mexico, the United States, and Spain being the most common destinations. Additionally, impacts on the cattle sector include shortage of labor and a perfectible generational transfer, hindering the modernization of the industry and investments in climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. Despite various implemented public policies, the results are partial, and the issue of accelerated youth migration remains relevant. Consequently, without more effective measures adopted by national governments, the cattle sector will lag behind its regional and international competitors, deterring the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. As the main contribution of the study, the analysis of migration is highlighted based on its effects on a specific economic sector and not focused on its causes, as evidenced in a wide range of literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe the epidemiology, incidence, mortality and survival of ocular cancer in Cali between 1962 and 2019. Ecological population-based study analyzing data of incidence, mortality, and 5-years survival of malignant ocular tumors from the Populational Cancer Registry of Cali between 1962 and 2019. Between 1962 and 2019, 586 ocular tumors were found, 50.5% occurred in females, the mean age at diagnosis was 45 years (standard deviation = 25), 70.3% of ocular malignancies occurred in >14 years. The average annual incidence rate was 7.8 per million for male and 6.9 per million for females. Retinoblastoma (21%), squamous cell carcinoma (20%), melanoma (16%) and lymphoma (8%) were the most common neoplasm. In those <15 years, the most frequent malignant tumors were retinoblastomas (85.7%), followed by non-specified malignant neoplasm (NOS, 7.9%), and rhabdomyosarcoma (3.6%). In those >14 years, there were NOS (30%), followed by squamous cell carcinomas (28%), melanomas (23%), and lymphomas (9.7%). Conjunctiva (38.2%), retina (21%) and orbit (10%) constituted the majority of anatomical sites of ocular tumors. The survival rate was about 83.2% and mortality did not show a decreasing trend over time (p >.05). The incidence of ocular cancer in Cali has a slightly increasing trend, with stable behavior in the last decades. Squamous cell carcinoma, retinoblastoma, melanoma and lymphoma are the most frequent ocular cancers, with being retinoblastoma more frequent than melanoma. In general, ocular cancer had good survival rates in Cali. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Andean white ear opossum (Didelphis pernigra, Allen 1900) is one of the three species of the genus Didelphis reported in Colombia. Here we present a systematic review of D. pernigra in Colombia, with a geographical and altitudinal distribution hypothesis from the country. We reported geographic records and scientific available information of D. pernigra in 40 studies, 55.26 % of the available literature corresponded to local and regional inventories; 23.68 % of other documents were studies about mammal assemblages, while 21.05 % were specific studies about the species and the genus Didelphis in Colombia. We classified literature according to the following subcategories: natural history, diet, inventories, threats, reproduction, uses and perceptions. Most of the literature corresponded to detection in inventories (55.26 %), followed by natural history information (21.05 %) and threats (7.89 %). Research about diet, uses, perception and reproduction, had the lowest proportion with 5.26 %. Regarding distribution, geographic records ranged between 1060 and 3740 m across the three Andean ranges of Colombia. In general, little is known about the ecology or natural history of the species, efforts should be focused on filling the information gaps about natural history, and surveys should fill the distribution gaps along the Western and Central ranges of Colombia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Contaduría y Administración is the property of Facultad de Contaduria y Administracion-Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico 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.)

Surface water resources have played a fundamental role in the development of human societies. Considering that different agricultural and industrial activities are carried out in the Acacias River basin, the main objective of this research was to analyze the influence of land use on the water quality in this area by identifying the main sources that influence river water quality. The methodology consisted of establishing 12 sampling stations with different land uses at three times. The National Sanitation Foundation-Water Quality Index (NSF-WQI) was applied to the obtained water quality evaluation data. The main results showed that the stations associated with urban centers presented a higher concentration in the following variables: fecal coliforms, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and phosphates. The principal components analysis revealed a close relation between the parameters of fecal coliforms, phosphates and BOD, and the pollution processes by organic matter, which are probably related to domestic and industrial wastewater discharges, and to detergents in urbanized areas. The parameters with the greatest range of values were total dissolved solids and turbidity. These results coincide with what was observed in the correlation analysis. Finally, nitrates showed higher concentrations at stations 6 and 7, associated with agricultural and industrial influence areas (i.e., oil palm crops in the basin). This study about the Acacias River is, thus, extremely important for the region, and concludes that the river's self-purifying capacity allows improved water quality in the areas where the predominant land use is not associated with human settlements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes alternative development coalitions, their contradictions and complexities, and how they promoted a steeply unequal agrarian change through illicit crop substitution. We zoom into two paramilitary-controlled territories in Colombia. We show that those programs counted with significant support from, and were actually driven by, long coalitions that included regional and national politicians, sectors of the rural rich, paramilitary leaders, Colombian government and United States agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotional disorders are highly prevalent in children worldwide. Accordingly, it is necessary to develop assessment tools for these disorders. The Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) is a widely used screening instrument for children and adolescents that can also be used as an outcome measure. A short version of the RCADS (the RCADS-30) has been analyzed extensively in Spain and, more scarcely, in Latin American countries. This study examined the psychometric properties of the RCADS-30 in Colombia for the first time. A large sample of Colombian children between 8 and 12 years responded to the RCADS-30. The internal consistency of the RCADS-30 subscales was acceptable, except for the obsessive-compulsive disorder scale. A confirmatory factor analysis showed that the six-factor model obtained an acceptable fit to the data. This factor model showed scalar measurement invariance across gender and age. The RCADS-30 subscales showed discriminant construct validity according to the heterotrait-monotrait ratio of correlations and convergent validity according to the correlations with the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale -Youth. Girls showed higher scores on all the RCADS-30 subscales than boys, with differences being higher for Depression, Panic Disorder, and Social Phobia. Older children showed higher scores than younger children in Depression and Social Phobia but lower scores in Separation Anxiety Disorder. In conclusion, the RCADS-30 has demonstrated good psychometric properties in Colombian children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a rising global population and looming water shortages in the U.S., there is a pressing need for water-efficient farming methods. The water needs of potato plants decrease in the late season due to foliage aging and tuber maturation. Therefore, proper late-season irrigation is vital in preventing water waste and maximizing potato profits. This study assessed the feasibility of reducing late-season irrigation to improve crop water productivity (WPc), tuber quality, and economic return. Field trials were planted near Othello, WA, across three years (2018–20). Treatments included five irrigation levels (ILs), 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%, and 120% of modeled evapotranspiration (ET), and five potato cultivars: Alturas, Clearwater Russet, Ranger Russet, Russet Burbank, and Umatilla Russet. Treatments started 100 to 105 days after planting (DAP), approximately 1500 day degrees (at or near peak canopy growth), and ended at vine kill, 150 to 155 DAP. Water from reduced ILs of 40% to 80% ET was more efficiently converted into yield (WPc) for Alturas than higher ILs; however, economic return for all cultivars typically peaked when irrigation was supplied at or above 80% ET. Tuber quality generally improved with a reduction in irrigation level, occasionally at the expense of yield and economic value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This text proposes, in the first instance, a reflection on the contributions of popular festivities and carnival to the strengthening of theatrical identity in Colombia and, in a second part, its contributions to artistic education. The aim is to deepen the understanding of the elements of festive culture present in theatrical performances and their possible articulations and interrelations with artistic education processes. The following references are taken: i) three works of Colombian popular theater, by three highly recognized creators, Misael Torres, Juan Carlos Moyano and Críspulo Torres, who have inquired into festive culture, by covering popular festivals, carnival and other traditional manifestations, with the purpose of recognizing in these works part of what constitutes us as a society; our imaginaries expressed in characters, plots, stories, as well as the emergence of methodologies for stage creation; ii) two examples of training projects in formal and non-formal contexts, of academic programs based on popular and festive culture, to create pedagogical proposals based on the recognition of the knowledge immersed in festivals and the possibility of sparking dialogues of knowledge: the Popular Institute of Culture of Cali and the Department of Performing Arts of the Antonio Nariño University. In conclusion, the contributions of festive culture to popular theater and the multiple possibilities generated by its integration in artistic education processes are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is part of a wider research effort in the field of leadership and organizational development, coordinated by the University of Granada and the A.R.E.A Research Group (Analysis of Educational Reality in Andaluz), HUM/672. It was developed in the Cooperative University of Colombia, a country where technical and technological programmes have been promoted in the past 10 years through institutions of higher education. We build on the idea that knowing the leadership styles of teachers and principals is fundamental. The main objective of the study is thus to formulate achievement strategies to improve the educative centre and the educational community at several levels: as individuals, as groups and as an organization. To this aim we conducted a descriptive research with a non-experimental design by the poll method, through the implementation of the "Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire by Bass and Avolio-- LQ" instrument, administered to teachers and principals of technical-technological programmes of the Cooperative University of Colombia. Results show that the elements of Transformational Leadership are predominant over the other types of Leadership. They thus emerge as the key element to strengthen, through individual training processes and organizational improvement strategies, in order to achieve optimal organizational results. This must be carried out from within the educational entity, through the motivation of students and work groups, strengthening the practices of teachers and principals in the development of basic organizational and academic functions.

The relationship between agricultural credit and agricultural production as well as the impacts on sustainable development (i.e., poverty alleviation, reduction of inequalities, food and nutrition security, and stimulation of economic growth) have been widely documented. The objective of this study is to analyze the impact of credit on cattle production and deforestation in Colombia through spatial panel data models. For this purpose, a departmental data panel for the period 2011–2020 was built, based on available information from public entities. The results suggest that in Colombia, the relationship between access to credit and cattle production is significant and can be either negative or positive. In addition, there is evidence of spatial dependence, meaning that cattle production in one department is being affected by cattle production in a neighboring department or by all the departments that make up the national territory. Regarding deforestation, results show that, although the number of cattle present in a department does affect its annual deforestation rate due to a poor coverage of sustainably intensified cattle ranching systems, there is no relationship between deforestation and the access to credit nor any spatial correlations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Western Amazon is a highly biodiverse area. Zooplankton diversity studies in the region have been primarily conducted in Peru and Colombia, with limited research in the Ecuadorian Amazon. To address this gap, our research aimed to enhance taxonomic knowledge and understand zooplankton diversity patterns in the Napo and Pastaza lower basins at different spatial and temporal scales. Two sampling expeditions were conducted in the high waters of 2021 and rising waters of 2022. Dry conditions in 2021 led to lower-than-expected water levels. The study identified 107 zooplankton species, revealing variations in richness and composition between years, lakes, and depth strata. Grande Lake, deeper and wider than Delfincocha, exhibited significant turnover variations across strata in both seasons. Despite a relative longitudinal homogenization between channels and floodplains during high waters, beta diversity across vertical and temporal gradients highlighted complex dynamic zooplankton communities in both lakes. In addition, we include the first records of 44 taxa for the Ecuadorian Amazon and 36 for Ecuador. These findings emphasize the need for targeted research and conservation efforts in the face of escalating environmental threats to the Western Amazon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water resources in the Urabá region of Colombia, one of the most significant banana-producing areas for global consumption, are confronted with substantial challenges due to agro-industrial activities, population growth, untreated wastewater discharge, and excessive groundwater usage. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of surface waters in Urabá, delving into the influence of agro-industrial activities and human interventions on water quality. The evaluation includes a correlation analysis of multiple water quality parameters measured in ten significant rivers of the region. The findings reveal overall water pollution, potentially associated with the lack of wastewater treatment systems in nearby communities and indicate potential seawater intrusion due to groundwater overexploitation from human and agricultural activities. Among the studied rivers, the Apartadó River exhibits the poorest water quality, while the León River demonstrates better conditions, benefiting from less human interference and natural ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of the Omicron variant has generated concerns about the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. We evaluated the serum neutralizing activity of antibodies against the Omicron (lineage BA.1.1) by plaque reduction neutralizing test, as well as its correlation with age and gender, in a Colombian cohort six months after being vaccinated with BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNTech). Compared to all other variants analyzed, a significantly lower neutralizing activity (p<0.001) was observed against Omicron. Interestingly, older individuals exhibited lower titers against Omicron than those younger than 40. No statistical differences in neutralizing activity were observed according to gender. Our results showed that two doses of BNT162b2 might not provide robust protection against the Omicron variant over time. It is necessary to consider including changes in the composition of the vaccines to protect against new emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 and campaigns to implement additional booster vaccinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioassays were conducted under controlled conditions to determine the response of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) larvae fed with corn materials expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal endotoxins: (1) VT Double Pro® (VT2P) expressing Cry1A.105-Cry2Ab2 proteins and (2) VT Triple Pro® (VT3P) expressing Cry1A.105-Cry2Ab2-Cry3Bb1 proteins. The parameters assessed were: (i) mortality rate, and (ii) growth inhibition (GI) with respect to the control. To conduct this study, larvae were collected from commercial non-Bt corn fields, in four agricultural sub-regions in Colombia, between 2018 and 2020. Fifty-two populations were assessed from the field and neonate larvae from each of the populations were used for the bioassays. The study found that mortality rates in the regions for larvae fed with VT2P corn ranged from 95.1 to 100.0%, with a growth inhibition (%GI) higher than 76.0%. Similarly, mortality rate for larvae fed with VT3P corn were between 91.4 and 100.0%, with a %GI above 74.0%. The population collected in Agua Blanca (Espinal, Tolima; Colombia) in 2020, showed the lowest mortality rate of 53.2% and a %GI of 73.5%, with respect to the control. The population that exhibited the lowest %GI was collected in 2018 in Agua Blanca (Espinal, Tolima, Colombia) with a 30.2%, growth inhibition, with respect to the control. In recent years, the use of plant tissue to monitor susceptibility to fall armyworm has proven to be useful in the resistance management program for corn in Colombia determining that the FAW populations are still susceptible to Bt proteins contained in VT2P and VT3P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cost‐effective, large‐scale strategies are needed to restore degraded ecosystems worldwide. Applied nucleation is one technique that can accelerate succession in tropical forests. However, the effectiveness of irrigation and fertilization in the context of large‐scale applied nucleation in tropical dry forests (TDFs) has not yet been tested. To this end, we established a large‐scale experiment in southwestern Colombia on abandoned pastures. We planted 11,382 seedlings of 11 native species coupled with six management treatments that varied in the amounts of fertilizer and water. We monitored survival, height, and resprouting ability seedlings over 2 years. We also estimated the cost of seedling production, planting procedures, management, and monitoring, and assessed their cost‐effectiveness using seedling survival as an indication of effectiveness. After 2 years, 73% (8,266) of seedlings planted survived, and species survival ranged from 5 to 99%. Individuals that received the lowest amount of fertilizer (25 g of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium [NPK]) with additional irrigation had the highest survival rates (>76%). Final height ranged from 52 to 330 cm across species. Seedlings that received the highest amount of fertilizer (50 g of NPK) without additional irrigation had the highest mean final height (174 ± 9.0 cm). The control was cheapest ($7313/ha) and the most cost‐effective method in terms of seedling survival. Our findings suggest that the best way to establish cost‐effective, large‐scale restoration projects in TDFs is to plant native species mixtures of locally adapted species without fertilization and irrigation and to invest in long‐term monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biomédica: Revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud is the property of Instituto Nacional de Salud of Colombia 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.)

Computational thinking (CT) uses concepts that are essential to computing and information science to solve problems, design and evaluate complex systems, and understand human reasoning and behavior. This way of thinking has important implications in computer sciences as well as in almost every other field. Therefore, we contend that CT should be taught in elementary schools and included in every university's educational curriculum. Several studies that measure the impact of teaching programming, analytical thinking, and CT have been conducted. In this review, we analyze and discuss findings from these studies and highlight the importance of learning programming with a focus on the development of CT skills at a young age. We also describe the tools that are available to improve the teaching of CT and provide a state-of-the-art overview of how programming is being taught at schools and universities in Colombia and around the world.

Copyright of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseño y Comunicación is the property of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseno y Comunicacion 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, Francisco de Roux reflects on the discernment of the Church in the midst of the pain of the victims of the internal war in Colombia. He highlights the importance of fraternity and communion in the construction of a universal human community based on dignity, justice, and peace. The work of the Commission for the Clarification of Truth, Coexistence, and Non-Repetition in Colombia is mentioned, as well as the importance of seeking the truth to confront the violence in the war. The text also emphasizes the importance of the encyclical Fratelli tutti and the need for the Church to commit to the construction of a global community based on fraternity and human dignity. [Extracted from the article]

Snakebite accident treatment requires the administration of antivenoms that provide efficacy and effectiveness against several snake venoms of the same genus or family. The low number of immunogenic components in venom mixtures that allow the production of antivenoms consequently gives them partial neutralization and a suboptimal pharmacological response. This study evaluates the immunorecognition and neutralizing efficacy of the polyvalent anticoral antivenom from the Instituto Nacional de Salud (INS) of Colombia against the heterologous endemic venoms of Micrurus medemi, and M. sangilensis, and M. helleri by assessing immunoreactivity through affinity chromatography, ELISA, Western blot, and neutralization capability. Immunorecognition towards the venoms of M. medemi and M. sangilensis showed values of 62% and 68% of the protein composition according to the immunoaffinity matrix, respectively. The analysis by Western blot depicted the highest recognition patterns for M. medemi, followed by M. sangilensis, and finally by M. helleri. These findings suggest that the venom compositions are closely related and exhibit similar recognition by the antivenom. According to enzyme immunoassays, M. helleri requires a higher amount of antivenom to achieve recognition than the others. Besides reinforcing the evaluation of INS antivenom capability, this work recommends the use of M. helleri in the production of Colombian antisera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates challenges and opportunities in adopting free and open-source software (FOSS) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Monteria, Colombia. The research reveals that around 77.5% of SMEs prefer free software, yet surprisingly, 80% are unaware of the benefits of open-source licenses, with nearly 45% not adopting them due to lack of knowledge. Implementing FOSS in SMEs offers legal and economic advantages, including reduced software acquisition costs, compliance with data protection and privacy regulations, and fostering innovation. However, adoption barriers persist, necessitating further research for enhancing implementation in Colombian SMEs. Notably, Colombia's ethical framework for AI serves as a guide for ethical AI and open-source software deployment, aligned with sustainable development goals. This study highlights free software usage prevalence in Monteria's SMEs and critical factors hindering full adoption. Addressing challenges and leveraging potential benefits can improve efficiency, regulatory compliance, and contribute to sustainable development. Continued research in this field can promote broader and stronger implementation of FOSS in Colombian SMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution includes particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which eventually reach the placenta, triggering adverse perinatal outcomes through long-term exposure. Lately, air pollution has increased over the Metropolitan Area of Medellin-Colombia (MAMC), but its effects on pregnancy are still unknown. In this research, a real-time analysis of total airborne PAHs was made using a photoelectric sensor for residential places influenced by the industrial and traffic sources affecting the southern and northern MAMC during the second peak of the bimodal tendency for PM2.5 emissions in this region. Additionally, individual PAHs were analyzed by GC/MS coupled with pressurized hot water extraction methodology. The data were applied using an inhalation intake model to assess pregnancy exposure. The average concentration of PAHs in the southern MAMC was three times higher than in the northern MAMC, where the missed abortion rate has been 1.4 times higher according to the database. Previous research indicates that PAHs act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during pregnancy and that even heavy congeners could reside in umbilical cord blood. Finally, the annual series of missed abortion rates in the MAMC exhibited a significant correlation with the annual average levels of PM2.5, which were associated with PAHs through correlation analysis (r2 = 0.69, p < 0.01). While this significant correlation does not imply causality, our results suggest an important connection between both variables, opening a gap for a deeper understanding of how regions with high PAH convergence influence the missed abortion rates in MAMC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivated by the evolving global food landscape and its detrimental impacts on society, the environment, and health, this research aims to understand consumer perceptions, preferences and involvement regarding sustainable food products and consumption practices. To this aim, three countries were chosen for their distinct economic, cultural, and demographic differences (Spain, Türkiye, and Colombia), enabling an exploration of how these factors influence sustainability perceptions. The results show high levels of awareness, knowledge, consumption, and willingness to switch to more sustainable habits, although differences between countries were also found (price sensitivity in Spain and demand for information regarding sustainable food in Colombia). In addition, a group of consumers has been identified that is influenced by health, shows positive behaviours and perceptions towards sustainable food, and is not price sensitive. The study is significant, as it addresses the information gap between consumers, producers, and policymakers regarding sustainable food awareness. It seeks to provide insights into cultural influences on sustainability perceptions and aims to assist in developing educational programs and policies to promote sustainable consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance, identified by the World Health Organization as a top global public health concern, prompts a critical examination of practices contributing to this problem, as in the case of artificial insemination where antimicrobials are commonly included in sperm doses. This study assessed three equine semen processing techniques (Simple Centrifugation, Single-Layer Colloidal Centrifugation, and Filtration) for their impact on quality and microbial load, both immediately after processing and after refrigeration for 48 h. Results showed no significant differences in sperm quality immediately after processing among protocols, except for a higher straightness index in the filtrated and colloidal-centrifuged samples compared to raw semen. In 48 h chilled samples, only the linearity and oscillation index were significantly higher in colloidal-centrifuged samples. Microbial load analysis revealed no significant differences between protocols after refrigeration and minor differences between some protocols and raw sperm values. Thus, irrespective of antibiotic presence, the evaluated methods maintained semen quality and reduced microbial load to the same extent as the traditional antibiotic-containing protocol. These findings suggest the potential of alternative processing protocols, coupled with hygiene practices, to mitigate or eliminate non-therapeutic antibiotic use and contribute to controlling bacterial resistance. Further studies are warranted to validate these results. The study assessed the impact of four equine semen processing techniques on sperm quality and microbial load immediately post-processing and after 48 h of refrigeration. The aim was to explore the potential reduction of prophylactic antibiotic usage in semen extenders. Semen from ten adult stallions was collected and processed under a strict hygiene protocol and divided into four aliquots: Simple Centrifugation with antibiotics (SC+), Simple Centrifugation (SC−), Single-Layer Colloidal Centrifugation (CC−), and Filtration (with SpermFilter®) (F−), all in extenders without antibiotics. Sperm motility, viability, and microbial load on three culture media were assessed. No significant differences were observed in the main in the sperm quality parameters among the four protocols post-processing and at 48 h (p < 0.05 or p < 0.1). Microbial loads in Columbia 5% Sheep Blood Agar and Schaedler vitamin K1 5% Sheep Blood Agar mediums were significantly higher (p < 0.10) for raw semen than for CS+, CC−, and F− post-processing. For Sabouraud Dextrose Agar medium, the microbial load was significantly higher (p < 0.10) in raw semen compared to CS+ and F−. No significant differences (p < 0.10) were found in 48 h chilled samples. Regardless of antibiotic presence, the evaluated processing methods, when combined with rigorous hygiene measures, maintained semen quality and reduced microbial load to the same extent as a traditional protocol using antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soils with appropriate water and air conditions improve microbiological activity, but agriculture frequently deteriorates soil's physical requirements and impairs microbes' survival. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between physical soil conditions and microbiological activity under different agricultural use and management systems in the warm tropical climate of Colombia. To evaluate physical soil conditions, bulk density (Bd), total porosity (Pt), macroporosity (MPt), water content, temperature, and mechanical penetration resistance (MPR) were measured on surface soil (0 to 10 cm) at three different use and management systems: irrigated rice (IR), pasture (P) and native forest with cacao (FC). The measured biological properties were the carbon of microbial biomass (C-MB) and the presence of bacteria and fungi. Soil organic carbon (SOC) was determined to calculate the microbiological quotient (MQ). The C-MB was significantly higher in FC (132.25) and P (148.11) but lower in IR (41.61). No significant differences were observed between the soil use system in the count of bacteria and fungi. The MQ (0.44) was higher in IR (0.22), revealing a significant effect of the soil use system on microbiological activity. Less anthropic intervention and permanent plant covers, such as FC and P, enhance microorganism's survival, evidenced by higher C-MB content, correlated with soil Bd and MPt. The abundance of bacteria and fungi in the soil is affected by the physical conditions, primarily by Pt and MPt. However, fungi survive better with less water content, existing a differentiated effect of the physical conditions of the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents two studies evaluating the construct validity and reliability of the "Young's Early Maladaptive Schema Questionnaire - Short Version" (YSQ-S3; Young, 2005). The first study, with 1004 participants, showed that the YSQ-S3 had excellent overall reliability according (Cronbach’s α= .97; ω= .97); while the factors showed acceptable to good reliability according to the range in which the minimum and maximum reliability coefficients of the 18 scales were placed (α from .67 to .89, and ω from .67 to .86). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed that the model with 18 first-order correlated factors had the best fit indices. In addition, using CFA with second-order factors, evidence was found to support the hierarchical organization of the instrument into five second-order domains. Study 2, with 806 participants, successfully replicated the best model of study 1 against an alternative one. It is concluded that the YSQ-S3 is a valid and reliable instrument for the Colombian adult population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anuario de Psicología Jurídica is the property of Colegio Oficial de Psicologos de Madrid 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 Revista Euro Latinoamericana de Análisis Social y Político (RELASP) is the property of Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Facultad de Ciencia Politica y Relaciones Internacionales 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.)

This work applies stress tensors inversions and quantification of fracture patterns along the Mesa de Los Santos, in the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia, to better understand the potential fluid flow. It thus contributes to the conceptual hydrogeological model. The area was subdivided into three blocks, separated by the NW Potreros and the Los Santos faults, having minor inner faults of different orientations. This separation facilitates the analysis of the fractures measured in the field, which in general show high dip angles and a conjugate geometry in the northern block, tension fractures (Mode I) in the central block, and a random distribution in the southwestern block. Win-Tensor treatment of slickensides yielded a maximum horizontal stress (SHmax) of 111o, which coincides with the WNW-ESE tensor observed from the conjugate and tension joints. We then used FracPaQ to generate interpolation maps of fracture intensity and density. The maps show the highest values in the central block and the lowest in the northern block, where the precipitation is higher, causing intensive rock weathering and homogenization of the fracture planes. Although the highest values of connectivity by line are found to the south of the mesa, we suggest the possibility of greater flow from the recharge zone (NE) along bedding planes and open NW-SE fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study characterizes patients receiving evolocumab in clinical practice and assesses treatment effectiveness, safety and persistence outcomes across five countries. Methods: This retrospective and prospective observational study enrolled patients initiated on evolocumab during August 2017 to July 2019 at 49 sites across Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Medical records data were extracted within 6 months prior to (baseline) and every 3 months for 12 months post evolocumab initiation and reported as available. Results: A total of 578 patients were enrolled (40.1% female, median age 60 [interquartile range (IQR) 51–68] years); 83.7% had atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and/or familial hypercholesterolemia. Median low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) at baseline was 3.4 (IQR 2.7–4.2) mmol/L (131.5 [IQR 104.4–162.4] mg/dL), with 75.6% of patients receiving a statin (59.2% high intensity). Compared to baseline, the median lowest LDL-C was reduced by 70.2% and remained stable over 12 months of treatment. Guideline-recommended LDL-C thresholds < 1.8, < 1.4 and < 1.0 mmol/L (< 70, < 55 and < 40 mg/dL) were achieved by 75.3%, 63.6% and 47.4% of patients. LDL-C outcomes were consistent across high- and very high-risk patients. Background lipid-lowering therapy remained relatively stable. No serious treatment-emergent adverse events were reported, and persistence to evolocumab was 90.2% at 12 months. Conclusion: These findings provide real-world evidence that evolocumab use is in accordance with its international guideline-recommended place in dyslipidemia therapy, as well as confirmation of its effectiveness and safety in a heterogeneous population. Evolocumab can address a healthcare gap in the management of dyslipidemia by increasing the proportion of patients achieving LDL-C goals recommended to lower cardiovascular risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the automation process in Colombia, a country that has low R&D and productivity and high labor informality. We estimate event-study models to evaluate the differential effect of the pandemic on job openings and salaried employment by the potential degree of automation of each occupation. The results indicate that both vacancies and salaried employment declined more in highly automatable occupations. However, there is no evidence of persistent effects. We find that automation mainly affected the labor market of females, individuals over 40 years old, and low-paid occupations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder for which there are no therapeutics to date. Several mutations in presenilin 1 (PSEN 1), which is the catalytic component of γ-secretase complex, are causal of FAD. Recently, the p.Ile416Thr (I416T) PSEN 1 mutation has been reported in large kindred in Colombia. However, cell and molecular information from I416T mutation is scarce. Here, we demonstrate that menstrual stromal cells (MenSCs)-derived planar (2D) PSEN 1 I416T cholinergic-like cells (ChLNS) and (3D) cerebral spheroids (CSs) reproduce the typical neuropathological markers of FAD in 4 post-transdifferentiating or 11 days of transdifferentiating, respectively. The models produce intracellular aggregation of APPβ fragments (at day 4 and 11) and phosphorylated protein TAU at residue Ser202/Thr205 (at day 11) suggesting that iAPPβ fragments precede p-TAU. Mutant ChLNs and CSs displayed DJ-1 Cys106-SO3 (sulfonic acid), failure of mitochondria membrane potential (ΔΨm), and activation of transcription factor c-JUN and p53, expression of pro-apoptotic protein PUMA, and activation of executer protein caspase 3 (CASP3), all markers of cell death by apoptosis. Moreover, we found that both mutant ChLNs and CSs produced high amounts of extracellular eAβ42. The I416T ChLNs and CSs were irresponsive to acetylcholine induced Ca2+ influx compared to WT. The I416T PSEN 1 mutation might work as dominant-negative PSEN1 mutation. These findings might help to understanding the recurring failures of clinical trials of anti-eAβ42, and support the view that FAD is triggered by the accumulation of other intracellular AβPP metabolites, rather than eAβ42. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]