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Training in chemistry is essential for undergraduate medical students; however, at the National University of Colombia, basic chemistry courses are associated with high fail rates and low academic performance with regard to first semester students, especially in vulnerable special admission populations. A longitudinal study was carried out via program evaluation methodology using quantitative and qualitative techniques to assess an innovative pedagogical strategy founded on context-based learning and different didactic and evaluative strategies employing information and communication technologies (ICT), which was tested on students of medicine by an interdisciplinary team of teachers in a new course. With the pedagogical strategy, a statistically significant improvement was observed in the academic performance of the students, with an increase in the mean grades that went from 3.61/5.00 to 3.95/5.00, a decrease of the fail rate from 15.50% to 3.48%, and the development of useful chemistry knowledge for the students during their training and for their professional lives. Furthermore, the study became an opportunity for collaborative learning among colleagues, favoring ongoing training of teaching staff and pedagogical innovation in professional learning communities.

With the rapid growth of the technology era, the conventional teaching approach is not sufficient for students of the millennial generation. With this in mind, this article presents the justification for incorporating Kolb's experiential learning, based on laboratory practices with an environment supported by simulation software, combined with problem-based learning, into the Fundamentals of Control and Automation course of the Mechanical Engineering program of the Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander Ocaña. The central objective of the proposal is to work on the generation of competencies and performance skills in the mechanical engineering student from his academic training. This approach takes advantage of the strength of learning based on laboratory practices and problem-based learning using modern teaching technologies and a combination of face-to-face laboratory practices and simulation software, which are associated with Kolb's cycle to facilitate constructivist learning.

Background: Small private online courses (SPOCs) are one of the strategies to introduce the massive open online courses (MOOCs) within the university environment and to have these courses validates for academic credit. However, numerous researchers have highlighted that academic dishonesty is greatly facilitated by the online context in which SPOCs are offered. And while numerous algorithms have already been proposed, no research has been performed on how to transfer this information to instructors, so that they can intervene and decrease the prevalence of this issue. Objectives: In this article, we present a qualitative evaluation of a tool for detecting and monitoring students suspected of academic dishonesty in SPOCs in Selene, a Colombian instance of Open edX. Methods: The evaluation was carried out through semi-structured interviews with four instructors who taught SPOCs with academic recognition at the University of Cauca. Results: The evaluation results indicated that participants found the dashboard reliable and appropriate to detect academic dishonesty behaviours in order to intervene in these cases. Implications: But interventions are difficult to systematise, need an institutional policy, and there is uncertainty about whether these interventions can actually contribute to decreasing academic dishonesty.

What is the impact of social class on college integration? Higher education institutions are becoming more diverse, yet the integration of underprivileged students remains a challenge. Using a social network approach, we analyze the general integration of low socioeconomic status (SES) students, as well as how segregated by class these friends are. The object of analysis is the extreme case of an elite university that, based on a government loan program (Ser Pilo Paga), opened its doors to many low-SES students in a very unequal country, Colombia. Using a mixed methods perspective, including a survey, 61 in depth interviews, and ethnographic observation, we analyze friendship networks and their meanings, barriers, and facilitators. Contrary to the literature, we find that low-SES students had, on average, the same number of connections and were no more isolated than students from upper social classes. Also, low-SES students' networks were not more segregated, even if relations with the upper classes were less likely and required more relational work than with middle or lower class friends. This high level of social integration stemmed from the intense relational work that low-SES students engage in, so as to fit in. Middle class friends act as a catalyst that can enable cross-class friendships.

The purpose of the study was to determine the learning styles (LS) and the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in university students within a competency-based training model, as well as to identify possible differences related to the frequency of use of ICT in terms of gender. A descriptive and correlational quantitative approach was applied with a non-experimental and transversal design. The study used an intentional non-probabilistic sample of 113 students in undergraduate psychology, public accounting and business administration programs that use a competency-based model at a private Colombian university. The outcome showed no significant differences among LS or in the frequency of ICT use in students with competency-based training. Additionally, the outcome showed a gender gap in which male students had the highest scores for the use of ICT.

Introduction: Anticoagulant rodenticides are generalist toxicants that have lethal and sublethal effects on non-target species, leading to an impact on wildlife conservation due to poisoning and bioaccumulation of these substances. However, in Colombia, little research has been conducted on this environmental issue. This study evaluated the use of anticoagulant rodenticides in an urban area in Colombia from an ecological and regulatory perspective. Methods: First, the study analyzed the usage patterns of anticoagulant rodenticides for public health in the urban area of Medellı́n over a seven-year period. It also evaluated the potential impact of anticoagulant rodenticides deposits on the city's Main Ecological Structure and the predator species that may be indirectly affected. Additionally, the study analyzed compliance with regulations on the sale and use of anticoagulant rodenticides in Colombia, specifically for products marketed online. A Hot Spot Analysis was conducted to determine the potential risk of the Main Ecological Structure and the predators selected to be exposed to anticoagulant rodenticides.deposit. On the other hand, the ecotoxicological information of the anticoagulant rodenticides commercialized online in Colombia was characterized, and it was verified whether they complied with the necessary sanitary and environmental national regulations. Results: Between 2016 and 2022, over 3 million grams of brodifacoum, were applied in the urban area of Medellı́n and critical ARs hotspots were identified. The use of anticoagulant rodenticides has significantly increased the doses and number of application sites each year. More than half of the points (51.13%) in which anticoagulant rodenticides were applied were within the Main Ecological Structure. The Strigiformes order represents the greatest risk of indirect exposure to anticoagulantrodenticides. Discussion: Currently, many anticoagulant rodenticide products lack ecotoxicity studies for non-target species and fail to adequately inform consumers of the potential environmental impacts resulting from the use of these poisons. To gain a better understanding of the prevalence, transfer routes, and possible acute and chronic effects of anticoagulant rodenticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colombia experienced one of the fastest declines in fertility in the world: children per woman fell from 7 in 1960 to 3 in 1985. Despite the stark inequalities of the country, the regional character of the decline has been neglected in previous research. This study examines the rapid decline in fertility rates in the country, focusing on regional patterns. Using complete census registers from 1973 to 1993, it provides a detailed empirical perspective on the fertility transition. By analysing spatial patterns with Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA), the study identifies geographical clusters and explores the association between geography and fertility before and during the fertility transition. Additionally, new estimations of fertility rates from 1958 to 1990 are presented at the subnational level. The findings indicate that before the fertility transition, fertility patterns were influenced by historical legacies and geographical endowments. However, after 1964, fertility began to decline simultaneously across all regions, regardless of their historical fertility levels. While regional convergence in fertility rates was not achieved by 1983, the total fertility rate halved in most regions within just 25 years. Despite regional disparities, the fertility decline in the country was not only fast but also widespread. This simultaneous decline suggests that socioeconomic improvements alone do not always explain demographic processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overcrowding is a worldwide problem, and long waiting times are associated with increased morbidity and even mortality of patients regardless of triage classification. Although there are many tools published in the literature that contribute to the reduction of overcrowding, for the Colombian population there are not many tools evaluated to reduce the length of stay of patients in the emergency department. This is a retrospective analytical study that compared whether there was a difference in patient definition time and ED length of stay between a group attended under an early care protocol (PAT) versus the usual protocol. Of the total of 969 patients included it was found that the group attended under the PAT protocol had a shorter definition time than the usual protocol, also the Emergency department length of stay (EDLOS) was significantly lower in the PAT group compared to the usual protocol. The implementation of the PAT protocol performed by emergency physicians allows a faster contact with the patient by the physician, and leads to a significant reduction of EDLOS, contributing to the reduction of overcrowding in the emergency department. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Massive Open Online Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have been transitioning slowly from being completely open and without clear recognition in universities or industry, to private settings through the emergence of Small and Massive Private Online Courses (SPOCs and MPOCs). Courses in these new formats are often for credit and have clear market value through the acquisition of competencies and skills. However, the endemic issue of academic dishonesty remains lingering and generating untrustworthiness regarding what students did to complete these courses. In this case study, we focus on SPOCs with academic recognition developed at the University of Cauca in Colombia and hosted in their Open edX instance called Selene Unicauca. We have developed a learning analytics algorithm to detect dishonest students based on submission time and exam responses providing as output a number of indicators that can be easily used to identify students. Our results in two SPOCs suggest that 17% of the students that interacted enough with the courses have performed academic dishonest actions, and that 100% of the students that were dishonest passed the courses, compared to 62% for the rest of students. Contrary to what other studies have found, in this study, dishonest students were similarly or even more active with the courseware than the rest, and we hypothesize that these might be working groups taking the course seriously and solving exams together to achieve a higher grade. With MOOC-based degrees and SPOCs for credit becoming the norm in distance learning, we believe that if this issue is not tackled properly, it might endanger the future of the reliability and value of online learning credentials.

Copyright of Salud Uninorte is the property of Fundacion Universidad del Norte 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 Reumatología Clínica is the property of Elsevier B.V. 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.)

Today it is necessary to approach environmental topics with students in an interdisciplinary manner to mitigate the environmental damages that the Earth is suffering. In this paper we report an action-research and innovation study aimed at sensitizing students with respect to the care and preservation of the environment through the writing of short descriptive texts in English. The study had four stages: motivation, knowledge of ecological vocabulary, production of sentences and paragraphs, construction of short descriptive texts with the help of guidance questions and their publication in the school newspaper. The findings show that the procedure used in class promotes interdisciplinary work around environmental topics as well as the development of writing skills.

This study presents a conceptual framework proposal for integrating urban freight initiatives (UFIs), or city logistics initiatives, into urban planning and urban management (UPUM) land use and infrastructure systems. As a novel approach, this framework integrates three components: Firstly, a conceptual basis on three economic geography theory principles—location, agglomeration, and urbanisation. Secondly, spatial analysis and subsequent clustering integrate companies' spatial positions, their proximity to other companies, their freight intensity, and the characteristics of the zonal road infrastructure; these clusters are defined as freight traffic zones (FTZs). Thirdly, a functional yet strategic UFI clustering or grouping is proposed to work in an optimised and integrated manner with the FTZs' opportunities for efficiency and reduced externalities. It is expected that the integrated result of these three components can serve to optimise freight initiatives and road infrastructure from a city governance perspective, reduce freight externalities, and function as a stakeholder cooperation tool from government-led, policy-driven perspectives. This research also identifies and characterises various variables influencing the emergence and existence (planned or organic) of FTZs and shows how these could be incorporated into high-level UPUM processes. Although it is deemed that the principles and methodological approach followed here could be common to urban areas, an example for the Metropolitan Area of the Aburra Valley (MAAV), in Colombia, is presented as an initial case study. Conclusively, this paper introduces a pioneering methodology for integrating UFIs into city or metropolitan governance, offering guidance for policymakers to promote sustainable freight systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zika, a viral disease transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitoes, emerged in the Americas in 2015, causing large-scale epidemics. Colombia alone reported over 72,000 Zika cases between 2015 and 2016. Using national surveillance data from 1121 municipalities over 70 weeks, we identified sociodemographic and environmental factors associated with Zika's emergence, re-emergence, persistence, and transmission intensity in Colombia. We fitted a zero-state Markov-switching model under the Bayesian framework, assuming Zika switched between periods of presence and absence according to spatially and temporally varying probabilities of emergence/re-emergence (from absence to presence) and persistence (from presence to presence). These probabilities were assumed to follow a series of mixed multiple logistic regressions. When Zika was present, assuming that the cases follow a negative binomial distribution, we estimated the transmission intensity rate. Our results indicate that Zika emerged/re-emerged sooner and that transmission was intensified in municipalities that were more densely populated, at lower altitudes and/or with less vegetation cover. Warmer temperatures and less weekly-accumulated rain were also associated with Zika emergence. Zika cases persisted for longer in more densely populated areas with more cases reported in the previous week. Overall, population density, elevation, and temperature were identified as the main contributors to the first Zika epidemic in Colombia. We also estimated the probability of Zika presence by municipality and week, and the results suggest that the disease circulated undetected by the surveillance system on many occasions. Our results offer insights into priority areas for public health interventions against emerging and re-emerging Aedes-borne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate monitoring of metabolic syndrome in older adults is relevant in terms of its early detection, and its management. This study aimed at proposing a novel semiparametric modeling for a cardiometabolic risk index (CMRI) and individual risk factors in older adults. Methods: Multivariate semiparametric regression models were used to study the association between the CMRI with the individual risk factors, which was achieved using secondary analysis the data from the SABE study (Survey on Health, Well-Being, and Aging in Colombia, 2015). Results: The risk factors were selected through a stepwise procedure. The covariates included showed evidence of non-linear relationships with the CMRI, revealing non-linear interactions between: BMI and age (p< 0.00); arm and calf circumferences (p<0.00); age and females (p<0.00); walking speed and joint pain (p<0.02); and arm circumference and joint pain (p<0.00). Conclusions: Semiparametric modeling explained 24.5% of the observed deviance, which was higher than the 18.2% explained by the linear model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Miocene strike‐slip tectonics was responsible for creating and closing short‐lived (ca. 6 Ma) passages and the emergence of isolated topography in the Northern Andes. These geological events likely influenced the migration and/or isolation of biological populations. To better understand the paleogeography of the Miocene hinterland and foreland regions in the Northern Andes, we conducted a source‐to‐sink approach in the Magdalena Basin. This basin is located between the Central and Eastern Cordilleras of Colombia and contains an ample Miocene record, which includes Lower Miocene fine‐grained strata and Middle Miocene to Pliocene coarsening‐up strata. Our study presents a new data set that includes detrital U–Pb zircon ages (15 samples), sandstone petrography (45 samples) and low‐temperature thermochronology from the Southern Central Cordillera (19 dates); which together with previously published data were used to construct a paleogeographical model of the Miocene hinterland and foreland regions in the Northern Andes. The evolution of the Magdalena Basin during the Miocene was characterized by playa and permanent lake systems at ca. 17.5 Ma, which may be related to a marine incursion into NW South America and western Amazonia. The appearance of Eocene to Miocene volcanic sources in the Honda Group after ca. 16 Ma suggests the development of fluvial passages, which connected the Pacific with the western Amazonia and Caribbean regions. These passages were synchronous with a time of Miocene exhumation and topographic growth (ca. 16 to 10 Ma) in the Central Cordillera and the transition from lacustrine to fluvial deposition in the Magdalena Basin. Middle to Late Miocene strike‐slip deformation promoted by oblique plate convergence and the oblique collision of the Panamá‐Chocó Block likely explains the synchronous along‐strike fragmentation and exhumation in the Central Cordillera. [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.)

Simple Summary: Floral-visiting insects and pollinators play an important role in ecosystem services, and consequently, their identification and study are essential to their adequate preservation and management in crops of agricultural interest. Coffee is a worldwide commodity; however, the diversity of insects that visit its flowers has been little studied. The objective of this research was to quantify the abundance, richness, and functional diversity of coffee floral-visiting insects, especially bees. The results showed that coffee crops host a wide diversity of flower visitors, especially bees, which could be beneficial for productivity and contribute to the maintenance of plant species that accompany coffee cultivation. Despite the important role that flower-visiting insects play in agricultural production, none of the previous studies of coffee pollinators in Colombia have incorporated functional diversity into their analysis. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify the abundance, richness, and functional diversity of insects that visit flowers in coffee crops. Twenty-eight plots were selected among five sites in the north, center, and south of Colombia. In each plot, coffee flower insect visitors were collected and recorded on 90 trees at eight-minute intervals per tree, at three different times over three days. All sampling was carried out during two flowering events per year, over three years, resulting in a total of 1240 h of observations. Subsequently, the insects were taxonomically identified, and the number of individuals and species, as well as the diversity of the order q, were estimated. Functional diversity was also characterized in the bee community. The results: (a) 23,735 individuals belonging to 566 species were recorded; of them, 90 were bees, with the native species being the most abundant during 10:30 and 13:00 h; (b) bees formed five functional groups, with corbiculate and long-tongued non-corbiculate bees being the most abundant and occupying the largest regions of functional space; (c) potential pollinators in coffee crops are Apis mellifera, Nannotrigona gaboi, Tetragonisca angustula, Geotrigona cf. tellurica, and Partamona cf. peckolti. Coffee crops host a wide diversity of flower visitors, especially bees, which could be beneficial for productivity and contribute to the maintenance of plant species that accompany coffee cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Points: Question: What are the best-performing organ dysfunction–based criteria to implement the definition of sepsis and septic shock in children with suspected infection? Findings: In this international, multicenter, retrospective cohort study including more than 3.6 million pediatric encounters, a novel score, the Phoenix Sepsis Score, was derived and validated to predict mortality in children with suspected or confirmed infection. The new criteria for pediatric sepsis and septic shock based on the score performed better than existing organ dysfunction scores and the International Pediatric Sepsis Consensus Conference criteria. Meaning: The new data-driven criteria for pediatric sepsis and septic shock based on measures of organ dysfunction had improved performance compared with prior pediatric sepsis criteria. Importance: The Society of Critical Care Medicine Pediatric Sepsis Definition Task Force sought to develop and validate new clinical criteria for pediatric sepsis and septic shock using measures of organ dysfunction through a data-driven approach. Objective: To derive and validate novel criteria for pediatric sepsis and septic shock across differently resourced settings. Design, Setting, and Participants: Multicenter, international, retrospective cohort study in 10 health systems in the US, Colombia, Bangladesh, China, and Kenya, 3 of which were used as external validation sites. Data were collected from emergency and inpatient encounters for children (aged <18 years) from 2010 to 2019: 3 049 699 in the development (including derivation and internal validation) set and 581 317 in the external validation set. Exposure: Stacked regression models to predict mortality in children with suspected infection were derived and validated using the best-performing organ dysfunction subscores from 8 existing scores. The final model was then translated into an integer-based score used to establish binary criteria for sepsis and septic shock. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome for all analyses was in-hospital mortality. Model- and integer-based score performance measures included the area under the precision recall curve (AUPRC; primary) and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC; secondary). For binary criteria, primary performance measures were positive predictive value and sensitivity. Results: Among the 172 984 children with suspected infection in the first 24 hours (development set; 1.2% mortality), a 4-organ-system model performed best. The integer version of that model, the Phoenix Sepsis Score, had AUPRCs of 0.23 to 0.38 (95% CI range, 0.20-0.39) and AUROCs of 0.71 to 0.92 (95% CI range, 0.70-0.92) to predict mortality in the validation sets. Using a Phoenix Sepsis Score of 2 points or higher in children with suspected infection as criteria for sepsis and sepsis plus 1 or more cardiovascular point as criteria for septic shock resulted in a higher positive predictive value and higher or similar sensitivity compared with the 2005 International Pediatric Sepsis Consensus Conference (IPSCC) criteria across differently resourced settings. Conclusions and Relevance: The novel Phoenix sepsis criteria, which were derived and validated using data from higher- and lower-resource settings, had improved performance for the diagnosis of pediatric sepsis and septic shock compared with the existing IPSCC criteria. This cohort study derives and validates novel criteria for diagnosis of pediatric sepsis and septic shock across high-resource and low-resource international settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of teenage pregnancy in Colombia is higher than the worldwide average. The identification of socio-geographical disparities might help to prioritize public health interventions. Aim: To describe variation in the probability of teenage maternity across geopolitical departments and socio-geographical intersectional strata in Colombia. Methods: A cross-sectional study based on live birth certificates in Colombia. Teenage maternity was defined as a woman giving birth aged 19 or younger. Multilevel analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy (MAIHDA) was applied using multilevel Poisson and logistic regression. Two different approaches were used: (1) intersectional: using strata defined by the combination of health insurance, region, area of residency, and ethnicity as the second level (2) geographical: using geopolitical departments as the second level. Null, partial, and full models were obtained. General contextual effect (GCE) based on the variance partition coefficient (VPC) was considered as the measure of disparity. Proportional change in variance (PCV) was used to identify the contribution of each variable to the between-strata variation and to identify whether this variation, if any, was due to additive or interaction effects. Residuals were used to identify strata with potential higher-order interactions. Results: The prevalence of teenage mothers in Colombia was 18.30% (95% CI 18.20–18.40). The highest prevalence was observed in Vichada, 25.65% (95% CI: 23.71–27.78), and in the stratum containing mothers with Subsidized/Unaffiliated healthcare insurance, Mestizo, Rural area in the Caribbean region, 29.08% (95% CI 28.55–29.61). The VPC from the null model was 1.70% and 9.16% using the geographical and socio-geographical intersectional approaches, respectively. The higher PCV for the intersectional model was attributed to health insurance. Positive and negative interactions of effects were observed. Conclusion: Disparities were observed between intersectional socio-geographical strata but not between geo-political departments. Our results indicate that if resources for prevention are limited, using an intersectional socio-geographical approach would be more effective than focusing on geopolitical departments especially when focusing resources on those groups which show the highest prevalence. MAIHDA could potentially be applied to many other health outcomes where resource decisions must be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we present new records of the extinct South American proboscidean Notiomastodon platensis from three new fossiliferous sites in the riverbed of Cauca River, in the department of Valle del Cauca, Colombia. The fossil specimens were found in late Pleistocene deposits and include immature to senile Notiomastodon platensis individuals, comprising abundant dental and post-cranial materials. A review of the geographic distribution of the Notiomastodon platensis records in Colombia suggests that this giant mammal used the inter-Andean valleys as migratory corridors, possibly due to the presence of more suitable environmental conditions (lower temperatures and dry-forest) and energy-saving terrains, avoiding more prominent Andean hills. In addition, the Cauca Valley deposits stand out as having palaeontological significance to the comprehension of the late Pleistocene of the western region of South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Türkiye has projected itself as a middle power through a rapprochement with the Global South since the early 2000s, when it embarked on a multifaceted foreign policy and developed relations not only with Europe, but also with the rest of the world, identifying Latin America as one of its priorities. From this point, Bogotá-Ankara's relations show an evolution in the external actions of both nations, and after more than a decade of deepening political, economic and cultural relations, it is pertinent to examine the level of rapprochement achieved. The purpose of the article is to observe how the nations that are part of the Global South have stimuli for new approaches that account for the strengthening of relations in the periphery. The hypothesis is that Ankara and Bogotá, taking advantage of a structure that is moving towards multipolarity, have projected themselves as emerging economies based on fundamental internal changes. Foreign policy does not always obey a planned strategy, but rather responds to external motivations and internal changes, as has been the case with the Colombian-Turkish rapprochement. The text is divided into three parts. First, it compares their trajectories in globalisation, particularly since 2010; second, it analyses the evolution of trade relations to examine their impact on the deepening of the political link; and finally, it puts into perspective the present and future challenges of a budding partnership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical coastal lagoons are valuable ecosystems that provide vital ecological services. Understanding vegetation health dynamics is essential to conserve and manage these environments effectively. Also, some landscape-related aspects suffer changes through time due to natural and human-driven factors. Analyzing a landscape's evolution allows getting to know the place's identity and underlying interactions with its population. This study employed satellite imagery from the Landsat 8 mission and advanced data analysis techniques to investigate vegetation health's temporal and spatial patterns in Ciénaga de Mallorquín , a coastal lagoon in Northern Colombia. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was calculated from the satellite data to quantify vegetation biomass and its health. The results show a significant decline in NDVI values between 2013 and 2018, followed by a recovery phase between 2018 and 2022. However, the NDVI levels in 2022 remain significantly lower than those in 2013, indicating the need for continued conservation efforts. This study demonstrates the power of remote sensing as a tool for monitoring vegetation dynamics and informing sustainable management practices in tropical coastal ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ingeniería e Investigación is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ingenieraia 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.)

During the COVID 19 pandemic, Online Asynchronous Focus Groups (OAFG) through WhatsApp were conducted to explore women's experiences in the context of Congenital Syphilis prevention in Colombia. This paper discusses issues raised by the OAFGs (not least in relation to face-to-face focus groups). After a review of the literature on online and offline focus groups, there is a consideration of some key features of our OAFGs. In particular, we note how silence, presence, attention, continuity and multiplicity manifested in our OAFGs. We suggest that rather than regarding OAFGs as inferior to the 'gold standard' of face-to-face focus groups, our OAFGs raise important questions about our assumptions about focus group methodology. For instance, what counts as participant engagement, what comprises 'useful' social data, and what constitute the boundaries of a focus group all emerge as critical issues. We go on to reflect on some of the implications of these issues for the fruitfulness of OAFG methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hass avocado fruit diseases are one of the main marketing constraints in Colombia. To identify and reveal the diversity of fungi associated with diseases in fruits and peduncles, symptomatic samples were collected from 67 farms in the 9 main Hass avocado-producing municipalities of the department of Cauca located in southwestern Colombia. A total of 237 monosporic isolates were obtained that were subjected to DNA extraction, amplification of the ITS region, sequencing and functional diversity analysis based on Hill numbers by municipality and altitude. The results indicated that the genera Pseudocercospora, Diaporthe, Colletotrichum, Neofusiococcum, Lasiodiplodia and Pestatoliopsis were associated with fruit diseases. The genus with the highest number of effective species was Colletotrichum. The ITS region revealed 100% identity of the species Pseudocercospora norchiensis, which was the first report of this pathogen in the crop. There was a greater richness and diversity of associated species in the three municipalities, revealing that the higher the altitude was, the lower the richness and diversity of fungi associated with fruit diseases. These results will provide a better understanding of the identification and diversity of pathogenic microorganisms present in avocado production systems in this region of Colombia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrification using renewable energy sources represents a clear path toward solving the current global energy crisis. In Colombia, this challenge also involves the diversification of the electrical energy sources to overcome the historical dependence on hydropower. In this context, green hydrogen represents a key energy carrier enabling the storage of renewable energy as well as directly powering industrial and transportation sectors. This work explores the realistic potential of the main renewable energy sources, including solar photovoltaics (8172 GW), hydropower (56 GW), wind (68 GW), and biomass (14 GW). In addition, a case study from abroad is presented, demonstrating the feasibility of using each type of renewable energy to generate green hydrogen in the country. At the end, an analysis of the most likely regions in the country and paths to deploy green hydrogen projects are presented, favoring hydropower in the short term and solar in the long run. By 2050, this energy potential will enable reaching a levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) of 1.7, 1.5, 3.1 and 1.4 USD/kg-H2 for solar photovoltaic, wind, hydropower and biomass, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The transition to college life can impact the mental health of students. There are mental health care strategies that promote connection with the body's internal signals, which can help to improve mental well-being, manage emotions, and reduce the risk of suicide in university students. Aim: This study aimed to examine the association between interoceptive body awareness variables and suicidal orientation in a sample of 169 undergraduate students in Colombia. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 with Colombian students as the participants. Results: The findings revealed a significant and moderately negative correlation between the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) total score and the Inventory of Suicide Orientation (ISO-30) total score (r = −0.54, p < 0.001). Confidence and self-regulation were identified as the most influential factors in the relationship between MAIA and ISO-30. Significant correlations were observed (p < 0.001), indicating moderate correlation values ranging from −0.43 to −0.57. Discussion: Our findings support the existence of a negative correlation between interoceptive body awareness and suicidal orientation. Further research is needed to better understand this relationship and to develop specific interventions based on body awareness to prevent suicide orientation. Conclusion: There are practical implications associated with recognizing the importance of body awareness in relation to decreasing suicidal orientation, and multidisciplinary teams addressing mental health can incorporate this knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales is the property of Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicas y Naturales 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 Ibero-Latinoamericana de Seguros is the property of Pontificia Universidad Javeriana 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.)

Banana (Musa sp.) crops have one of the greatest economic impacts in Colombia, with an estimated production of 2.2 million tons in 2019. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three antibrowning solutions: S1 (citric acid), S2 (citric acid + ascorbic acid), and S3 (citric acid + ascorbic acid + sodium metabisulfite) on the color, moisture, aw, pH, and acidity characteristics of flour from rejected green bananas. No significant differences were found (P>0.05). The values of a* and b* in all samples were in the grey zone. L* and WI presented values close to 50, which could be defined as a flour in a medium range of clarity. The citric acid anti-browning solution was selected based on criteria such as cost and availability. The second part of the study assessed the effect of the storage time (1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 days) at 7 °C on the color and texture of fresh bananas; and pH, instrumental, and sensory color of banana flour. There were differences noticeable for the human eye in the color (ΔE) of the peel from day 3 compared to day 1; while in the pulp, these changes were observed from day 7. Statistically significant differences in instrumental and sensory color properties of banana flour were observed after day 7 (P<0.05). The maximum storage time at 7 °C of fresh green bananas to produce banana flour should not exceed 7 days because color may be affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Boletin de Geologia is the property of Universidad Industrial de Santander 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.)

Introduction: A complex relationship between donor and recipient characteristics influences kidney transplant (KT) success. A tool developed by Bae S. et al. (Survival Benefit Estimator, SBE) helps estimate post-KT survival. We aim to evaluate the predictive performance of the SBE tool in terms of 5-year patient survival after a kidney transplant. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of all deceased-donor KT recipients between January 2009 to December 2021. A descriptive analysis of clinical and sociodemographic characteristics was performed. The SBE online tool was used to calculate the predicted patient survival (PPS) and the survival benefit at five years post-KT. Comparisons between predictive vs. actual patient survival were made using quintile subgroups. Three Cox regression models were built using PPS, EPTS, and KDPI. Results: A total of 1145 recipients were evaluated. Mortality occurred in 157 patients. Patient survival was 86.2%. Predictive survival for patients if they remained on the waiting list was 70.6%. The PPS was 89.3%, which results in a survival benefit (SB) of 18.7% for our population. Actual survival rates were lower than the predicted ones across all the quintiles. In unadjusted analysis, PPS was a significant protective factor for mortality (HR 0.66), whereas EPTS (HR 8.9) and KDPI (HR 3.25) scores were significant risk factors. The discrimination of KDPI, PPS, and EPTS scores models were 0.59, 0.65, and 0.66, respectively. Conclusion: SBE score overestimated actual survival rates in our sample. The discrimination power of the score was moderate, although the utility of this tool may be limited in this specific population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Andean Cordilleras of Colombia, especially the Cordillera Occidental, are among the areas with the highest diversity of Pristimantis frogs in the world. Within the Cordillera Occidental, the Serranía de los Paraguas is famous for its high diversity of sympatric species of Pristimantis frogs. In this study, we investigated acoustic frequency segregation in five sympatric and syntopic species of the genus Pristimantis inhabiting this Serranía. It is important to point out that three of the five species' calls are described for the first time: Pristimantis brevifrons, P. ptochus, and P. silverstonei. Our results showed that acoustic frequency segregation occurs among these five Pristimantis species. Another notable result was the inverse relationship between dominant frequency and male body size, which was corroborated in all species except in P. alius. Finally, we suggested that for improving our knowledge on species coexistence in Pristimantis, future research should also focus on species history and character evolution, given that the evolutionary history is also fundamental for explaining species coexistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we describe and illustrate Schlegelia longirachis a new species from montane forest remnants (1200--1900 m) in the Western slope of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia (“Serranía de Las Quinchas” and Virolín county) in the Departments of Boyacá and Santander. A root-climbing liana, the new species is contrasted to S. fuscata, S. monachinoi and S. parviflora, the three most morphologically similar species of Schlegelia. This new species is differentiated from its putative close relatives by vegetative (texture, colour, pubescence and shape in leaves, bracts, bracteoles pedicel, calyx and corolla), inflorescences as well as floral characters (staminode absent). We provide an updated key to 24 known species of Schlegelia. For the identification key, S. fuscata and S. roseiflora are regarded here as different from S. parviflora. S. urbaniana is considered a synonym of S. axillaris, whereas S. fastigiata is separated from S. sulphurea as a recognizable species. Schlegelia has its center of distribution in Colombia, where 17 of the species are known to occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesocarnivores play a key role in ecosystem dynamics through the regulation of prey populations and are sensitive to environmental changes; thus, they are often considered good model organisms for conservation planning. However, data regarding the factors that influence the habitat use of threatened small wild felids such as the Andean tiger cat (Leopardus tigrinus pardinoides) are scarce. We conducted a two-year survey with 58 camera trap stations to evaluate the determinants of Andean tiger cat habitat use in three protected areas in the Middle Cauca, Colombia. We developed site occupancy models and found that Andean tiger cat habitat use increased with leaf litter depth at intermediate elevations and far from human settlements. Through conditional cooccurrence models, we found that Andean tiger cat habitat use was invariant to the presence of prey or potential intraguild competitors and killers/predators, but its detectability increased when they were present and detected. This suggests that Andean tiger cats may be more likely to be detected in sites with high prey availability. We found that Andean tiger cats preferred sites with deep leaf litter, which is a particular feature of cloud forests that provides suitable conditions for ambush hunting and hiding from intraguild enemies. Our results showed that Andean tiger cats avoided human settlements, which may minimize potential mortality risks in those areas. Moreover, the restricted use of middle elevations by Andean tiger cats suggested that they could be used as a sentinel species to track the effects of climate change since their suitable habitat is likely to be projected upward in elevation. Future conservation actions must be focused on identifying and mitigating human-related threats close to the Andean tiger cat habitat while preserving microhabitat conditions and the existing networks of protected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cultura del Cuidado Enfermería is the property of Revista Cultura del Cuidado Enfermeria 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 Via Inveniendi et Iudicandi is the property of Universidad Santo Tomas 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 Colombia Medica is the property of Universidad del Valle 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.)

The article focuses on investigating JAK2, CALR, and MPL gene mutations in Colombian patients with BCR-ABL Negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms. It aims to determine the mutation frequencies in these genes, providing crucial molecular insights for accurate diagnosis and management of these neoplasms in the Colombian population. It further highlights the importance of molecular profiling in understanding and treating these diseases.

Objective: To validate a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) against multiple 24-hour dietary recalls (DRs) that could be used for Colombian adults. Methods: A convenience sample of 219 individuals participated in the study. The validity of the FFQ was evaluated against multiple DRs. Four dietary recalls were collected during the year, and an FFQ was administered at the end of the study along with the fourth DR. Results: Deattenuated correlation coefficient for FFQ against mean intake of 4 DRs varied from 0.77 for carbohydrate, 0.55 for energy, and 0.51 for protein. In rural areas, lower correlations were observed. The overall extent of agreement in each quartile of estimated nutrient intake varied from 61% to 83%. Conclusions and Implications: The FFQ provides moderate to high estimates for energy and nutrient intake and can be employed to rank individuals based on their habitual intake. (Contains 2 tables.)

In this essay, the author discusses schooling in the context of war, privatization, and the general neo-liberal shift in education. Specifically, the author reflects on the experiences of three schools in Medellin, Colombia, that are found in the cross-hairs of an ongoing civil conflict. In contrast to the prevailing ideologies and social conditions that limit the full range of possibilities made available to youth to develop their full human potential and participation in civic life, the author makes an argument for critical democracy based on Freire's notion of dialogic action. Liberal and deliberative models of democracy grounded in Western social theory are also discussed. (Contains 2 footnotes.)

In response to the difficult social, economic and political problems that Colombia faces, such as inequality, discrimination, weak civil society--fuelled by illegality and drug trafficking--the Colombian Ministry of Education has embarked on an ambitious citizenship education program, with the hope of strengthening the role of education by establishing alternative solutions. This innovative program attempts to counteract Colombians' recourse to violence as a means of solving the country's endemic problems by developing the competencies of students, teachers and other participants in education. The competencies include sound reasoning, care for others, communication skills, reflection on action, knowledge and active participation in classroom, school and community matters. This six-and-a-half-year-old project has started to create an educational system that takes into account many of the elements and relationships fundamental to the socio-political and moral behaviour of all involved. The paper indicates the horizons that this program opens up and discusses some of the problematic aspects that still need to be addressed for the program to be sustainable. (Contains 1 table and 2 notes.)

The Colombian Amazon is a megadiverse region with high potential for commercial use in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries, constantly expanding and looking for new alternatives from natural resources; unfortunately, few characterization reports of its profitable non-timber species in Colombia have been conducted. This work aimed to perform a comprehensive analysis of traditionally used species: Carapa guianensis (Andiroba), Euterpe precatoria (Asai), Mauritia flexuosa (Miriti), Astrocaryum murumuru (Murumuru), Plukenetia volubilis (Sacha Inchi), and Caryodendron orinocense H.Karst (Cacay). For this purpose, oil and fat quality indices, phytosterol, carotenoid, tocopherol, and tocotrienol content, as well as density and refractive index, were measured to establish their quality level. Multivariate analysis showed four groups of samples; such differences were mainly due to the composition rather than quality indices and physical properties, especially the content of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. All species reported a precise composition, which makes them noninterchangeable, and Miriti oil arose as the most versatile ingredient for the industry. The Colombian Amazon region is a promising source of quality raw material, especially for oils/fats and unsaturated fatty acids; this resulted in the most interest for pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mobility plan and the road infrastructure works implemented, together with the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) connected bus system in its first two phases, generated optimistic expectations about the reduction of lethal crashes in the city. This research studies the relationship between investments in transportation infrastructure in the city and the distribution of traffic fatalities. Although it is not strictly speaking an impact assessment, the approach we propose performs geostatistical contrasts between intervened and non-intervened areas, using a geographically weighted model that attempts to model the spatial variability of the factors associated with the intra-urban road traffic crash rate, controlling for infrastructure interventions and some proxy indicators of urban structure. The findings reveal that fatalities decreased in areas both with and without intervention. Despite the expectation of reducing fatal injuries, the differential effects of the interventions were relatively small. The risk of road traffic crashes was even increased in critical points of the city with recurrent lethal crashes. The effects of road interventions on fatal road traffic crashes in Cali did not correspond to the high social and economic costs involved in the BRT system and the work plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Communities and local governments invest in compassionate communities (CCs) a great deal of time, money, effort, and work. However, it is not known whether the CCs are having the effect they are expected to have, so the value of continuing with these initiatives is unknown, and there is a need for a model for evaluating CCs to solve the question. Objectives: To identify a set of core outcomes or benefits that should be measured to assess the impact of the CCs. Design: Multiple-methods study involving three communities, each in a different country (Argentina, Colombia, and Switzerland). Methods and analysis: To identifying the set of core outcomes, which is the first step in developing the CC evaluation model, five phases will follow: online meetings, literature review, fieldwork, Delphi survey, and social transfer. We will involve members of the local communities of Bern, Buenos Aires, and Medellin at three different levels: (1) citizens (e.g. patients, caregivers, and family members), (2) organizations and institutions involved in the program implementation (e.g. health care organizations, churches, non-governmental organizations, and schools), and (3) political and governmental sectors. Ethics: The study will be conducted following existing international regulations and guidance such as the Declaration of Helsinki. The ethics committee of Pallium Latin America and the ethics committee of the canton of Bern considered our application exempt from the need for approval. Ethics approval in Bern and Buenos Aires is in the process of being obtained. The ethics committee of the Pontifical Bolivarian University approved this protocol. Discussion: We expect that this project will help bridge the gap in knowledge regarding the measurable impact of the CCs and enhance more CC development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piper quinchasense is described and illustrated as a new species occurring in the understory of wet montane forest of the middle Magdalena Valley in Colombia, the easternmost portion of the Chocó Region. Its relationships are discussed with related taxa from the Macrostachys clade. An identification key for 35 Neotropical Piper species with peltate leaves is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For infective endocarditis (IE) with extensive perivalvular lesions or end-stage cardiac failure, heart transplantation (HT) may be the last resort. We retrospectively collected all cases of HT for IE within the International Collaboration on Endocarditis (ICE) network. Between 1991 and 2021, 20 patients (5 women, 15 men), median age 50 years [interquartile range, 29–61], underwent HT for IE in Spain (n = 9), France (n = 6), Switzerland (n = 2), Colombia, Croatia, and USA (n = 1). IE affected prosthetic (n = 10), and native valves (n = 10), primarily aortic (n = 11) and mitral (n = 6). The main pathogens were oral streptococci (n = 8), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 5), and Enterococcus faecalis (n = 2). The major complications included heart failure (n = 18), peri-annular abscess (n = 10), and prosthetic valve dehiscence (n = 4). Eighteen patients had previous cardiac surgery for this episode of IE, and four were on circulatory support before HT (left ventricular assist-device and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation, 2 patients each). The median time interval between first symptoms of IE and HT was 44.5 days [22–91.5]. The main post-HT complication was acute rejection (n = 6). Seven patients died (35%), four during the first month post-HT. Thirteen (81%) of the 16 patients discharged from the hospital survived with a median follow-up of 35.5 months [4–96.5] after HT, and no relapse of IE. IE is not an absolute contraindication for HT: Our case series and the literature review support that HT may be considered as a salvage treatment in highly-selected patients with intractable IE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]