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This paper presents a unified framework to analyze social mobility (SM) and inequality of opportunity (IOp) in Chile, Colombia, and Mexico, focusing on subnational disparities in intermediate functional areas. Using data from the 2018 Household Survey on Territorial Dynamics and Wellbeing, we estimate SM and IOp simultaneously to investigate how individuals’ origins and circumstances influence their economic outcomes as adults. The study employs rank-rank regression to measure relative SM and introduces additional variables, such as sex and territorial characteristics, to capture IOp. Our findings indicate that absolute mobility is similar across the three countries, but relative mobility is higher in Chile, while IOp is lower compared to Colombia and Mexico. Parental wealth is the most significant determinant of IOp in Mexico, whereas territorial factors play a more influential role in Chile and Colombia. The results suggest that policies aimed at reducing IOp and enhancing SM should combine place-based and person-based interventions, especially in countries where territorial characteristics significantly impact socioeconomic outcomes. This paper contributes to the literature by offering a comparative analysis of SM and IOp within a common analytical framework, thereby enhancing our understanding of the complex interactions between these two concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La Tatacoa Desert, Colombia's second most arid area after La Guajira, is one of the country's main tropical dry forest ecosystems and most attractive natural tourist areas. However, due to its climatic and hydrological conditions, this region presents a worrying panorama on water resources since 90% of the streams crossing La Tatacoa dry up during summer, affecting the water supply for human consumption, agriculture, and livestock. Therefore, groundwater in the area is an invaluable resource that could help meet future demand, and identifying the primary source of recharge becomes an urgent matter. In this paper, we intend to approach the subject only from the analysis of direct recharge for the three main hydrologic conditions in the region: neutral, dry (el Niño), and humid (la Niña), considering the influence of the ENSO. For this purpose, potential recharge was estimated using the SWB (soil water balance) method suggested by the USGS (United States Geological Service). Our results showed that direct recharge for humid conditions is around 380 mm/yr. For neutral and dry conditions, it ranges between 115 mm/yr and 160 mm/yr, corresponding to a recharged precipitation of 10% and 15%, respectively. These values are similar to those reported for semiarid areas, even though rainfall in La Tatacoa ranges between 1000 and 1500 mm/yr. Such low values of direct recharge, compared with the reported use of groundwater in the area, might suggest that there is a complementary source of recharge, probably from the perennial rivers surrounding La Tatacoa (Magdalena or Cabrera), but this is something that is yet to be proven. This study enhances our understanding of groundwater recharge in arid regions, offering new insights for sustainable groundwater management. However, further studies are needed to assess the impact of climate change on direct recharge so that more sustainable water management can be implemented in La Tatacoa, especially concerning supply for the increasing touristic activities. [Display omitted] • La Tatacoa Desert is the second driest region in Colombia, and tourism is growing. • Groundwater is crucial for supply since most streams dry up during El Niño years. • The main source of aquifer recharge is unknown, along with the actual groundwater availability. • More studies are needed to get new insights into sustainable groundwater management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Internal displacement and cross-country migration are an increasing global phenomenon drawing the attention of politicians and the public. Causes and effects on the migrants and receptor populations are varied and often shaped by immigration laws and how migrants and refugees are being dealt with by local conditions, policy frameworks and by the host population (receptors). The massive influx of Venezuelan migrants into Colombia for more than a decade has characteristics which warrant a systematic analysis to identify contextual and individual factors favouring and hindering the well-being of migrants and their new Colombian neighbours of the receptor population. Methods: A household interview survey was conducted in two cities of the Colombo-Venezuelan border: Cucuta and Valledupar. The survey included 412 migrant families, comprising 1656 individuals, and 317 Colombian neighbour families, totalling 1077 individuals. Only migrants staying in the border area for more than 6 months and excluding "short term migrants" who cross the border only for getting treatment or schooling for their children. We used systematic sampling in neighbourhoods with the highest concentration of migrants. The sampling interval was set at every 7 and 6 migrant households. Ethical approval was obtained by the ethics committees of the three participating universities and the local health authority. Results: Venezuelan migrants were younger than their Colombian neighbours (22.04 and 28.69 years respectively). The primary reason for migration among these individuals was economic (84.1%) and much less for political reasons (< 10%); about half of them had entered the country through an irregular crossings, known locally as "trochas". Within this group, around 28% reported experiencing various forms of violence, particularly physical or verbal aggression, much less sexual assault. Following their arrival, irregular migrants had to go through a regulation (legalization) process in Colombia, with 48.1% having either initiated or completed this process. The target migrants have been living in Colombia for an average of 4.3 years, mostly in poor shelters, just as their Colombian neighbours (64.8% and 53% respectively). Both groups, but particularly the migrants, belonged to the lower socioeconomic strata according to their educational levels and occupations (street vendors including street musicians and entertainers; 21.6% of migrants and 10.6% of Colombian neighbours). They all had stressful life events recently, with economic hardship being the most significant one, especially among migrants. In terms of exposure to physical violence, the rates were almost equal for both groups. However, specific incidents such as theft, assault and intended homicide were more often experienced by the Colombian receptor population. Legal services were often sought by migrants, mostly in a special advice centre for migrants or from international organizations while their Colombian neighbours resorted mainly to national institutions including the police. For health issues migrants had often to go to private services with out-of-pocket payment while the Colombians accessed the health system through the subsidized or pre-paid health insurance. Emotional and psychological symptoms were frequent in both groups but more among migrants. The Colombian respondents had more frequently negative comments about migrants but acknowledged that they were exploited in Colombia and that they contribute to community activities and the local economy. Conclusion: Both Venezuelan migrants and their Colombian neighbours suffer significantly from the consequences of poverty and stressful living conditions. As such, they require equal attention from policymakers and public services. This attention should encompass enhanced security in the public spaces, accessible legal advice, and comprehensive health support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective is to examine spatial inequalities in COVID-19 mortality rates in Colombia in relation to the spatial distribution of multidimensional poverty. Methods: A retrospective spatial epidemiological study was conducted in Colombia from 2020 to 2022. Spatial statistics such as Moran's I index, LISA analysis, and simultaneous autoregressive conditional (SAC) regression models were used. Results: The Moran's I index for different years was as follows: 2020: 0.3 (p = 0.0001), 2021: 0.27 (p = 0.0001), and 2022: 0.26 (p = 0.0001). In 2020, the significant variables were low educational achievement, barriers to early childhood care, child labor, school non-attendance, informal employment, lack of health insurance, inadequate floor material, and critical overcrowding. In 2021, the significant variables were low educational achievement, critical overcrowding, inadequate excreta disposal, and lack of access to water sources. In 2022, the significant variables were school lag and inadequate excreta disposal. Conclusion: This study revealed that in Colombia, a series of socioeconomic and health factors are interconnected and contribute to COVID-19 mortality. These changes may reflect various socioeconomic, political, and environmental dynamics that shifted during the pandemic years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Colombia, natural hydrogen (H2) was recently declared a source of unconventional renewable energy. An opportunity has been recognized to take advantage of information on the infrastructure of oil fields as a springboard for H2 exploration in the country's sedimentary basins. Establishing similarities and identifying components of the possible H2 systems in the different geological contexts where the presence of H2 has been proven in Colombia's sedimentary basins allows the establishment of the probability of H2 in the Ecopetrol oil and gas fields in Colombia. The components of H2 systems include potential H2 source rocks and reservoirs. Potential accumulations need to be confirmed through measurements, sampling, and well testing. The main types of H2 well exploration carried out in this study resemble those in oil fields and include surface surveys, logging while drilling (mud gas and petrophysics), and downhole sampling. In the case of a hydrocarbon field in the Llanos Basin, a detailed seismic and geological review, supported by surface survey indications of H2 traces, prompted further investigation while drilling wells in the basin to establish the provenance and distribution of H2. Based on the proposed workflows, we evaluated possible strategies in the area. Given the positive evaluation of the possible elements of a theoretical H2 strategy, a sampling plan was defined both in the well and on the surface that will reduce the uncertainty of the prospect of natural H2 in the studied basin but may also be applied to similar geological settings worldwide. This study shows the application of such an H2 exploration strategy, leading to the presented results from the first well and confirming the presence of an active natural H2 system in the Llanos Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction: Bedbugs are obligate hematophagous parasites that are difficult to control and eradicate, which can cause a great psychological and economic impact. This paper presents three clinical cases secondary to a tropical bedbug infestation that were morphologically and genetically identified. Case presentation: A three-member family (mother aged 53 years and two daughters aged 25 and 22 years) living in Medellín (Colombia) requested a private teleconsultation due to generalized pruritus and psychological symptoms (feeling of isolation, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and jumpiness). During the appointment, it was found that the patients presented subtle welts on the upper and lower extremities. Therefore, a visit to the family home was scheduled, finding 155 insects that were later identified as Cimex hemipterus. The patients were prescribed symptomatic treatment and informed about measures to control infestations. A pest control company made several visits to eliminate the bed bugs, but they were ineffective. Finally, the insects were eradicated after 3 months of meticulous daily cleaning with steam and heat. Conclusion: These cases confirm the presence of a tropical bedbug (C. hemipterus) in Colombia and illustrate the significant psychological burden that bedbug infestations can cause and the difficulty of controlling them, thus making this issue an important public health problem.