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Colombia is considered a pioneer in inclusive recycling in Latin America and the state-led formalisation policies are considered a referent for the socio-economic inclusion of waste pickers beyond the region. Nevertheless, more than 60,000 waste pickers in Colombia are struggling to remain in place despite these inclusive recycling and formalisation policies. This paper examines the implementation of formalisation policies and their consequences for the population of waste pickers by comparing evidence from two Colombian cities: Bogotá and Cartagena de Indias. The paper draws on extensive qualitative community-based research methodology with waste pickers in both cities guided by an interdisciplinary epistemological position to support Colombian waste pickers' political struggle for recognition from a theoretical reflection. This paper shows how formalisation policies became a mechanism of manifold dispossessions in both cities. This paper categorises three forms of enclosures faced by waste pickers: (a) material and socio-economic; (b) bodily and spatial; and (c) political and organisational. Finally, this paper concludes by urging to consider the situated social, political, and cultural facets of waste pickers' labour to enhance grassroots reflections on how to achieve greater levels of social justice and inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many countries, the advancement of hydropower resources has been hindered by economic factors and insufficient data on topography, streamflow, environmental sensitivity, power grid, and, most importantly, the location of potential hydropower sites. This challenge is particularly pronounced in certain African and Latin American river systems. Developing web-based maps of hydropower resources based on geographic information systems and advanced mapping technologies can facilitate the initial assessment of hydropower sites. This is especially relevant for developing sites in remote areas and data-scarce regions. The available geospatial datasets, remote sensing technologies, and advanced GIS modelling techniques can be used to identify potential hydropower sites and assess their preliminary characteristics. This paper reviews web-based hydropower atlases in African and Latin American countries. Their main features are represented and compared with the recently launched HYPOSO map viewer covering two African countries (Cameroon and Uganda) and three Latin American countries (Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador). This hydropower atlas consists of 20 spatial layers. Its particular focus is to present a geospatial dataset of new hydropower sites with concise information for potential investors. These so-called virtual hydropower atlases can be only one type of discovery at the early project stage, automatically identifying sites worthy of further investigation. A formal validation of the web-based atlases, including the HYPOSO hydropower atlas, is briefly considered. Creating open-access hydropower map viewers is anticipated to significantly enhance the hydropower development database in these nations, offering valuable insights for small and medium-scale projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hispanic Society Museum & Library (HSML) holds a collection of nine viceregal barniz de Pasto objects, made by Indigenous artisans in the 17th and 18th centuries. Designed to imitate Asian lacquers and intended for European aesthetic tastes, barniz de Pasto is an example of Indigenous technique and knowledge that has survived to the present day. An in-depth analysis of five of these barniz de Pasto objects, dated to the first half and last quarter of the 17th century based on their iconography, was carried out through a combination of non-invasive and micro-invasive techniques, including portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectroscopy to investigate the possible presence of inorganic pigments, and fiber-optics reflectance spectroscopy (FORS) and reflectance imaging spectroscopy (RIS) to provide molecular information on colorants and their distributions across the objects. Dyes and pigments were also identified using Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). The nature of the resin was determined by FTIR and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), while the decoration stratigraphy and composition were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). This paper confirms the use of mopa mopa, the resin used in the barniz de Pasto technique, in two objects not previously analyzed, and identifies indigo, insect-based red, calomel, lead white, and an unknown flavonol-based yellow dye, and challenges the use of calomel as a temporal marker for these works. Taken together, these results expand our understanding of the material use and explorations undertaken by artists during this time period to create such elaborate and enduring objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines how utopian river planning has arisen in Colombia and Spain since the late nineteenth century. Specifically, the paper contributes to understanding how particular ideologies of modernism and development present in territorial planning connect both countries. Taking Thomas More's classic work 'Utopia' as the analytical reference, I analyze how utopian tendencies have traveled through time and space to shape territorial planning and water governance. In both countries, this was evident in the late nineteenth century through the political project to strengthen the nation state. For Spain, I describe the regenerationist movement and the hydraulic utopia led by the Spanish intellectual Joaquín Costa, who forged the dream of a water nationhood. By contrast, in Colombia, several political intellectuals looked at Europe and North America as a source of inspiration to achieve progress by controlling rivers. Through the method of disjunctive comparison, I show how the same utopian notions are expressed in similar ways in distinct contexts: violently governing the flows of rivers, standardizing minds and ordering territories towards capital growth. This paper contributes to grasping the notions and roots of the discourses that have colonized the political water agendas in both countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colombia has extensive laws prohibiting discrimination against sexual minority people. However, violence and discrimination toward sexual minorities are still frequent. While a growing body of research shows that sexual minority people experience elevated rates of discrimination and domestic abuse globally, little research has been conducted on these issues affecting sexual minorities in Colombia specifically. Using minority stress theory as a conceptual framework, this paper aims to fill this gap by examining the prevalence of experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) and witnessed discrimination and the relationship of these stressors to self-reported health among a national sample of sexual minority Colombians. We found that bisexual individuals experienced higher rates of physical and sexual IPV, compared to lesbian and gay individuals. Additionally, sexual minority Colombians who experienced IPV and witnessed discrimination were more likely to report having poorer health, compared to those who had not. We discuss the implications of our findings for future research and clinicians working with sexual minority clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Like many coastal lagoons in several countries, the "Navío Quebrado" lagoon (La Guajira, Colombia) is a very delicate and precious environment; indeed, it is a nationally recognized Flora and Fauna Sanctuary. Several factors, including climate change, are threatening its existence because of changes in the governing hydro-morphological and biological processes. Certainly, the first step to addressing this problem is to understand its hydrological behavior and to be able to replicate, via simulation, its recent history before inferring likely futures. These potential futures will be marked by changes in the water input by its tributary, the Camarones River, and by modified water exchange with the sea, according to a foreseen sea level rise pattern, as well as by a different evaporation rate from the free surface, according to temperature changes. In order to achieve the required ability to simulate future scenarios, data on the actual behavior have to be gathered, i.e., a monitoring system has to be set up, which to date is non-existent. Conceptually, designing a suitable monitoring system is not a complex issue and seems easy to implement. However, the environmental, socio-cultural, and socio-economic context makes every little step a hard climb. An extremely simple—almost "primitive"—monitoring system has been set up in this case, which is based on very basic measurements of river flow velocity and water levels (river, lagoon, and sea) and the direct participation of local stakeholders, the most important of which is the National Park unit of the Sanctuary. All this may clash with the latest groovy advances of science, such as in situ automatized sensors, remote sensing, machine learning, and digital twins, and several improvements are certainly possible and desirable. However, it has a strong positive point: it provides surprisingly reasonable data and operates at almost zero additional cost. Several technical difficulties made this exercise interesting and worthy of being shared. Its novelty lies in showing how old, simple methods may offer a working solution to new challenges. This humble experience may be of help in several other similar situations across the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The determination of truth in the aftermath of war aiming at establishing justice and peace is a key element of a transitional justice (TJ) process. The theory of justice of Roland Dworkin deals with an approach in which the interpretation of values such as equality, liberty or truth are paramount. Dworkin's theory of justice is applied to constitutional states and lays out how democratic values are negotiated. The goal of a TJ process is to lead a state towards democracy after a war or internal armed conflict. TJ processes as well as Dworkin's theory of justice are to be understood as dynamic, which implies that they are subject to constant change and thus to be considered in their respective social, cultural, political, and economic contexts. This paper explores the relationship between truth and justice in the framework of a TJ trial and Roland Dworkin's theory of justice. The TJ process in Colombia serves as a case study because that was where I conducted field research in TJ in 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Word-of-mouth behavior is one of the most effective marketing communications. Despite not being able to be controlled by the company, it can be influenced. Its importance lies in its effectiveness in repeat sales and attracting new customers. However, in the study of consumer behavior, it has been shown that the differences between subgroups can be relevant for the business sector, allowing it to generate specific strategies for each segment. In that respect, this research aims to find the determinants of WOM in generations X and Y to know the meanings these consumers give to the elements proposed within the SOR paradigm. A quantitative study was conducted using a sample of 537 e-commerce customers surveyed with a structured questionnaire to test the proposed relationships. Results are analyzed with structural equations, and a multigroup analysis is presented to find the differences between generation X and generation Y. The results indicate that, for millennials, the ease of use of electronic stores is essential to enjoying the shopping experience. Implications are discussed in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the application of the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index Decomposition Analysis (LMDI) to the aggregate carbon intensity (ACI) of the power sector in Colombia in the period 1990–2020, with the aim of identifying the main drivers influencing the ACI change. The analysis performed identifies the main drivers among: carbon intensity, generation efficiency, and contribution of fossil generation at the specific and total level of electricity production. The analysis is performed at the aggregate and disaggregated level of fossil fuels. Due to the highly variable behavior of the ACI, a multi-temporal decomposition is performed in the eight presidential administrations in the period of analysis. For each period, the main drivers are identified and the energy policy implications and their effects on the operation and management of the power sector are analyzed. The results show that the main driver is the fossil share of total energy production. Important effects on thermal generation efficiency and fossil energy mix were also identified in some analysis periods. The need for effective long-term policies and regulation in relation to the factors influencing the ACI was identified. It is recommended to accelerate the diversification of the energy mix of the power sector and the permanent monitoring of the behavior of the drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the energy efficiency issue in household appliances, which has led to the establishment of policies at a global level in favor of setting minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), which guarantee end users are able to select more efficient equipment. The countries of the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and the Community of the European Union were taken as references to review their policies and implementation strategies, in order to be compared with the Colombian panorama (at the market, technical and political levels). This allows the establishment of common aspects and differences related to the determination of energy consumption, adjusted volume, and formalization of efficiency ranges, and in the specific case of domestic refrigeration. Managing to distinguish the most relevant aspects for the successful adoption of these policies in Colombia. It is evident that the implementation of these guidelines has a positive impact on the market of the countries and communities of reference. Similarly, the MEPS are shown as a mechanism to regulate energy consumption in the residential sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of this paper was to propose a program to develop sustainable tourism at Santurbán moor in Colombia. This would open new paths toward economic growth for the communities inhabiting this sector who are currently facing a serious dilemma. First, the moor is an area of vital importance to the sustainability of more than two million people, who depend on water generated in the area. On the other hand, this land contains great mineral wealth and agricultural resources. This has generated an already long-lasting conflict of interest between environment conservation and the possible economic exploitation of the Santurbán moor through industrial mining. To this end, we conducted bibliographic research on sustainable tourism, specifically with scientific ends, that considered the potential of this area for its implementation. Prospective methodology was applied, beginning with the selection of a panel of experts to identify the most important external and internal variables that could affect the area. Then, Impact Matrix Cross-Reference Multiplication Applied to a Classification (MICMAC) software was used to identify the correlation between the different actors and their possible contributions. As a result of this research, a proposal is presented that is focused on the needs of the community living in the area, as supported by science and the academic community, and by the use of Industry 4.0 and related new technologies. This strategy could be used in other protected areas in Colombia, or throughout the world, that are currently being visited by tourists who, maybe unwillingly, are actually putting the sustainability of these areas at risk. In the future, this strategy will be consolidated and will lead to technological applications. This will allow tourists to enjoy protected places without threatening the conservation of these habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Street vending is one of the most important economic activities of the informal sector. This paper highlights the diversity of street vending. We extend the previous analysis of the informal economy in one city, Cali, Colombia, with data on informal workers in two public spaces: Downtown and Santa Helena, and workers in the mass transit bus system. We show how the informal economy varies greatly within one city. Provided the lack of data in the study of the informal economy, most studies describe the dynamics of the informal sector as uniform across the urban space. In this analysis, we present evidence about the spatial segmentation and diversity of street vendors by their socioeconomic conditions, profits, and earnings. We further explore the spatial segmentation by analyzing the large indebtedness and financial exclusion of street vendors. We report that workers in the mass transit system are the most vulnerable and indebted and how the large indebtedness to illegal payday lenders is a major barrier for street vendors to move out of poverty. We conclude that it is important to understand the granularity of the urban informal economy in order to craft suitable public policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents quantitative research on the perception of the didactic use of virtual reality by university professors in Colombia, with special attention to the differences according to their area of knowledge, as the main variable, and gender and digital generation, as secondary variables. The study involved 204 professors from different Colombian universities. As an instrument, a survey designed for this purpose was used with four scales that were used to measure, on a Likert scale, different dimensions involving the participants' perception of the use of virtual reality in the classroom. The answers were analyzed statistically and the differences in the perceptions have been identified by means of parametric statistical tests according to the following: (i) area of knowledge, (ii) gender, (iii) digital generation of the participants. The results showed that the participants expressed high valuations of virtual reality, despite having intermediate or low levels of digital competence. Gaps were identified in terms of area of knowledge, gender, and digital generation (digital natives or immigrants) with respect to opinions of virtual reality and digital competence. The highest valuations of virtual reality are given by professors of Humanities, and by digital natives. It is suggested that Colombian universities implement training plans on digital competence for professors and that these plans be aimed at strengthening knowledge of virtual reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme rainfall events in Andean basins frequently trigger landslides, obstructing river channels and causing flash flows, loss of lives, and economic damage. This study focused on improving the modeling of these events to enhance risk management, specifically in the La Liboriana basin in Salgar (Colombia). A cascading modeling methodology was developed, integrating the spatially distributed rainfall intensities, hazard zoning with the SLIDE model, propagation modeling with RAMMS using calibrated soil rheological parameters, the distributed hydrological model TETIS, and flood mapping with IBER. Return periods of 2.33, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 years were defined and applied throughout the methodology. A specific extreme event (18 May 2015) was modeled for calibration and comparison. The spatial rainfall intensities indicated maximum concentrations in the northwestern upper basin and southeastern lower basin. Six landslide hazard maps were generated, predicting landslide-prone areas with a slightly above random prediction rate for the 2015 event. The RAMMS debris flow modeling involved 30 simulations, indicating significant deposition within the river channel and modifying the terrain. Hydraulic modeling with the IBER model revealed water heights ranging from 0.23 to 7 m and velocities from 0.34 m/s to 6.98 m/s, with urban areas showing higher values, indicating increased erosion and infrastructure damage potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Workplace energy conservation is vital for sustainability, as it reduces environmental harm, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and conserves natural resources. Such procedures lead to significant financial savings, adherence to environmental standards, enhanced corporate social responsibility, and improved organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). This study investigated the impact of organizational culture (OCULT) on OCB, with environmental knowledge (EK) and attitude toward energy savings (ATES) as mediating factors. Components of the theories of planned behavior and value-belief-norm were evaluated through a structural equation model, showing that OCULT influences OCB through EK and ATES, suggesting OCULT's direct and indirect effects on OCB. The degree to which EK and ATES mediate these effects varies, emphasizing the importance of a strong OCULT in fostering an environmentally conscious workplace. Specifically, the findings reveal that OCULT is responsible for positively impacting ATES and EK, with path coefficients of 0.587 and 0.661, respectively. OCB is positively influenced by it (coefficient of 0.228). The research indicates that knowledge is vital in improving organizational behaviors, with a significant correlation between EK and OCB (coefficient of 0.675). Mediation analysis indicates that EK mediates the relationship between OCULT and OCB (standardized estimate of 0.344), and that ATES and EK together can enhance OCB (standardized estimate of 0.078), demonstrating a robust and meaningful causal effect mediating this link. This outcome is the product of the mutually beneficial interaction among various variables. This study highlights the importance of integrating cultural considerations into knowledge management to foster a more engaged and proactive workforce, which will enhance organizational performance. As a practical implication, managers should promote energy-saving behaviors and nurture a supportive OCULT to enhance OCB. Incorporating sustainability into core organizational strategies will result in a dedicated workforce actively participating in OCB and energy-saving initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the personalist leadership style of Fabio Vásquez, a founding member of the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN), the Colombian guerrilla group. Personalism, as a theoretical framework for understanding Latin American leaders, has primarily focused on traditional political practices, emphasizing the tensions and conflicts among formal institutions, political parties, and personalist politicians. While these studies provide valuable insights, they overlook leaders who operate outside conventional political structures who also rely on personalist strategies to attract and retain followers. This article seeks to bridge this gap by presenting a case study of Vásquez's leadership style. In an era marked by the resurgence of populism and renewed interest in the effects of personalism on conventional politics, this article argues that examining personalist leadership within revolutionary insurgent groups that reject conventional party politics is necessary for a thorough understanding of the phenomenon. In particular, it offers a comprehensive overview of how Vásquez's personalist strategies shaped the ELN's early insurgency, ultimately revealing the strengths and vulnerabilities of such leadership within revolutionary movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the understandings of quality recognized by diverse actors along the coffee chain with focus on specialty coffee producers. In the specialty coffee niche, the assessment of (physical) quality acts as a coordination device among chain actors that enables the identification of divergences on how quality is practiced. This paper aims to uncover how quality attributes (e.g., physical, symbolic) are understood (perceived) by value chain actors and are interwoven with quality conventions (e.g., market, green). Explorative interviews were carried out with Colombian producers located in selected coffee regions. A cupping exercise (tasting of coffee) was organized with producers. Afterwards, another informal cupping was done with roasters in Vienna, Austria. By coupling the concepts of quality attributes and conventions, the paper proposes a theoretical framework that connects quality attributes, conventions and the links to value addition (i.e., from parchment coffee to roasted coffee). Results show that the understandings of quality produce risky battles and ruptures among producers to follow certain conventions. The divergences, risky battles and ruptures in the understandings of quality acknowledged by producers are not only based on "roaster-driven" quality definitions penetrating the producers' community, or the (individual) knowledge gained by producers, but also on the regulatory framework pursued by producers in a country with a strong coffee federation aiming to legitimize and safeguard the product's reputation. To what extent is sound experimentation allowed, and direct exchange and interaction between producers, buyers and roasters desirable? Specialty coffee represents a differentiation alternative for small producers located in remote rural areas. Therefore, a transparent and inclusive dialogue between chain actors is required to reduce the divergences in the understandings of quality to balance the value appropriation along the chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This empirical paper addresses the need for more in depth understanding of signs and characteristics of transgressive learning in a context of runaway climate change. In a world characterized by systemic global dysfunction, there is an urgency to foster rapid systemic change which can steer our paths towards meeting the SDG goals. The contention of this paper is that, although there is a need for rapid change, it is fundamental to understand how such change can come about, so as to co-create and investigate learning environments and forms of learning that can lead to a systemic change towards sustainability. Anchored in the emerging concept of transgressive learning, this article employs the innovative Living Spiral model to track critical learning moments by facilitators and participants in multi-stakeholder Transformation Labs (T-Labs), which took place in 2017/2018 in various grassroots sustainability initiatives in Colombia and The Netherlands. The results of the analysis highlight the importance of the values of "acknowledging uncertainty", "community", and "relationality" in disrupting world-views through promoting reflexivity in participants and facilitators. This paper concludes that more research on the power dynamics of "absences" in transformative research is needed to better capture the challenges of overcoming sustainability challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research revealed the potential of tidal energy in the central coastal region of the Colombian Pacific. Buenaventura City, located in the Valle del Cauca department in Colombia, has an important opportunity to develop tidal power technologies near its marine coastal areas. This research implemented a 3D hydrodynamic model for simulating the hydrodynamics of the Buenaventura Bay to provide data as input for evaluating the hydraulics of a tidal barrage without sluicing through CFD modeling. According to the results, the velocities across the gates during Syzygy (April 2021) showed impressive velocities between 9 and 11 m/s, which suggest a high possibility of producing electricity through tidal turbines. The mean behavior of velocities in the gates pointed to values of 3 and 5 m/s in most of the cases. The results during the Stoa condition were interesting because flow velocities higher than 1 m/s were not expected. This is promising because the plant might produce electricity even during the Stoa condition. For the first time, the results of this research suggest that there exists a high possibility of implementing tidal barrage plants in Buenaventura City, Colombia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equine influenza is a viral disease caused by the equine influenza virus (EIV), and according to the WOAH, it is mandatory to report these infections. In Latin America and Colombia, EIV risk factors have not been analyzed. The objective of this research is to perform an epidemiological and molecular analysis of the EIV in horses with respiratory symptoms from 2020 to 2023 in Colombia. Molecular EIV detection was performed using RT–qPCR and nanopore sequencing. A risk analysis was also performed via the GEE method. A total of 188 equines with EIV respiratory symptoms were recruited. The positivity rate was 33.5%. The descriptive analysis showed that only 12.8% of the horses were vaccinated, and measures such as the quarantine and isolation of symptomatic animals accounted for 91.5% and 88.8%, respectively. The variables associated with the EIV were the non-isolation of positive individuals (OR = 8.16, 95% CI (1.52–43.67), p = 0.014) and sharing space with poultry (OR = 2.16, 95% CI (1.09–4.26), p = 0.027). In conclusion, this is the first EIV investigation in symptomatic horses in Colombia, highlighting the presence of the virus in the country and the need to improve preventive and control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dominant conceptions of solidarity economy, social enterprise, and innovation (SSEI) remain poorly positioned for understanding the diverse models emerging across the global South. The purpose of this paper is to examine the power relations between the global North and South in the production and dissemination of SSEI knowledge, highlighting the importance of recognizing alternative discourses in the global South. This contextual analysis is developed through consideration of the construction of the hybrid SSEI model in Colombia, drawing upon postcolonial theory and using Nicholls' framework on the legitimacy of SSEI discourses. This paper offers the first application of postcolonial theory to the analysis of SSEI in the global South. This research has demonstrated that the construction of the SSEI sector in Colombia is a reflection of the dynamic interplay of the hybrids, as it incorporates the hero entrepreneur and business-like discourses within the traditional community discourse, which indeed is a combination of domestic (indigenous collective practices) and colonizer influences (e.g., cooperatives, associations). This paper also identifies the current tensions that have emerged from such hybridity within the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential for generating electricity with photovoltaic systems is high in Colombia given its geographical position in the tropic. Some departments in Colombia have low electricity coverage and high rates. In the department of Putumayo there is a low coverage rate and high energy costs, while the solar radiation potential is high. Due to the geographical differences of the Putumayo subregions, the radiation potential for electricity generation is unknown. In addition, in this department the energy tariffs are above the national average. The objective of this paper is to determine the effective potential for solar photovoltaic power generation in the Putumayo department with a detailed methodology considering the information of different remote database and meteorological stations and some technical conditions. It was found that the highest effective solar potential occurs in the Amazon region, and the lowest in the Andean region in the Putumayo. On the other hand, when evaluating electricity consumption and tariffs in the regions, it is concluded that consumption can be satisfied with photovoltaic systems by producing self-generating electricity and distributed generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasingly common and associated with healthcare settings, Candida infections are very important, since some species of this genus can develop antifungal resistance. We contribute data on the epidemiology, antifungal susceptibility, and genetic diversity of Candida non-albicans and non-auris affecting critically ill patients in a fourth-level hospital in Colombia. Ninety-seven isolates causing invasive infections, identified by conventional methods over 18 months, were studied. Data from patients affected by these yeasts, including sex, age, comorbidities, treatment, and outcome, were analysed. The antifungal susceptibility of the isolates was determined, and the ribosomal DNA was sequenced. Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida dubliniensis, and Candida guilliermondii caused 48.5% of all cases of invasive candidiasis. The species were mainly recovered from blood (50%). Patients were mostly men (53.4%), between 18 days and 93 years old, hospitalized in the ICU (70.7%). Overall mortality was 46.6%, but patients in the ICU, using antibiotics, with diabetes mellitus, or with C. glabrata infections were more likely to die. Resistant isolates were identified in C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. glabrata. This study provides epidemiological data for the surveillance of emerging Candida species, highlighting their clinical impact, as well as the emergence of antifungal resistance and clonal dispersal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For indigenous people in Colombia, high infection rates with Chagas disease (CD) are known. Methods: In 2018 and 2020, nine villages were screened for CD. CD-positive patients could enter a drug observed treatment. While, in 2018, Benznidazole (BNZ) was provided as the first-line drug by the government, nifurtimox (NFX) was administered in 2020. Results: Of 121 individuals treated with BNZ, 79 (65%) suffered from at least one adverse event (AE). Of 115 treated with NFX, at least one AE occurred in 96 (84%) patients. In 69% of BNZ cases, the side effects did not last longer than one day; this applied to 31% of NFX cases. Excluding extreme outlier values, average duration of AEs differed highly significantly: BNZ (M = 0.7, SD = 1.4) and NFX (M = 1.7, SD = 1.5, p < 0.001). Using an intensity scale, AEs were highly significantly more severe for NFX (M = 2.1, SD = 0.58) compared to BZN (M = 1.1, SD = 0.38), p < 0.001. When analyzing the duration in relation to the intensity, the burden of AEs caused by NFX was significantly more pronounced. Dropouts (n = 2) due to AEs were in the NFX-group only. Conclusions: Side effects caused by BNZ were significantly fewer, as well as milder, shorter in duration, and more easily treatable, compared to NFX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coffee has immense value as a worldwide-appreciated commodity. However, its production faces the effects of climate change and the spread of severe diseases such as coffee leaf rust (CLR). The exploration of fungal endophytes associated with Coffea sp. has already found the existence of nearly 600 fungal species, but their role in the plants remains practically unknown. We have researched the diversity of leaf fungal endophytes in two Coffea arabica varieties: one susceptible and one resistant to CLR. Then, we conducted cross-infection essays with four common endophyte species (three Colletotrichum sp. and Xylaria sp. 1) and Hemileia vastatrix (CLR) in leaf discs, to investigate the interaction of the endophytes on CLR colonisation success and severity of infection. Two Colletotrichum sp., when inoculated 72 h before H. vastatrix, prevented the colonisation of the leaf disc by the latter. Moreover, the presence of endophytes prior to the arrival of H. vastatrix ameliorated the severity of CLR. Our work highlights both the importance of characterising the hidden biodiversity of endophytes and investigating their potential roles in the plant-endophyte interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migration, whether triggered by single events, such as violent conflict, or by long term pressures related to environmental change or food insecurity is altering sustainable development in societies. Although there is a large amount of literature, there is a gap for consolidating frameworks of migration-related to the interaction and correlation between drivers. We review scientific papers and research reports about three categories of drivers: Environmental Change (EC), Food Security (FS), and Violent Conflict (VC). First, we organize the literature to understand the explanations of the three drivers on migration individually, as well as the interactions among each other. Secondly, we analyse the literature produced regarding Colombia, Myanmar, and Tanzania; countries with different combinations of the driving factors for migration. Although we find that many correlations are explained in the literature, migration is mostly driven by structural vulnerabilities and unsustainable development paths in places that have a low resilience capacity to cope with risk. For example, food insecurity, as a product of environmental changes (droughts and floods), is seen as a mediating factor detonating violent conflict and migration in vulnerable populations. The paper contributes to the literature about multi-driven migration, presenting an overview of the way in which different driver combinations trigger migration. This is important for determining the best governance mechanisms and policy responses that tackle forced migration and improve the resilience of vulnerable communities as well as sustainable development. [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]

In this work, the influence of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the Extreme Precipitation Indices (EPIs) was analyzed, and these ENSO-forced anomalies were compared with the long-term change in the EPIs. The annual time series of the EPIs were built from 880 precipitation stations that contained daily records between 1979 and 2022. These daily time series were filled, then the eleven (11) annual time series of the EPIs were built. To calculate ENSO-driven anomalies, the several phases of the phenomenon were considered (i.e., warm phase or El Niño years, cold phase or La Niña years, and normal or neutral years). For a particular EPI, the values calculated for the extreme phases of the ENSO were grouped, and these groups were compared with the group made up of the EPI values for the neutral years. To calculate the long-term change, two periods (1979–1996 and 2004–2021) were considered to group the EPI values. Maps showing the magnitude and significance of the assessed change/anomaly were constructed. The results allowed us to identify that the EPIs are generally "wetter" (i.e., higher extreme precipitation, longer wet periods, shorter dry periods, etc.) during La Niña hydrological years, while the opposite changes are observed during El Niño years. Furthermore, ENSO-induced anomalies are more important than the long-term changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exploration of natural H2 or white hydrogen has started in various geological settings. Ophiolitic nappes are already recognized as one of the promising contexts. In South America, the only data available so far concerns the Archean iron-rich rocks of the Mina Gerais in Brazil or the subduction context of Bolivia. In Colombia, despite government efforts to promote white hydrogen, data remain limited. This article introduces the initial dataset obtained through soil gas sampling within the Cauca-Patia Valley and Western Cordillera, where the underlying geology comprises accreted oceanic lithosphere. In this valley, promising areas with H2 potential were identified using remote sensing tools, in particular vegetation anomalies. The Atmospherically Resistant Vegetation Index (ARVI) appears to be well adapted for this context and the field data collection confirmed the presence of H2 in the soil in all pre-selected structures. The valley undergoes extensive cultivation, mainly for sugar cane production. While H2 emissions lead to alterations in vegetation, unlike reports from other countries, they do not result in its complete disappearance. Soil gas measurements along the thrusts bordering the Cauca Valley also show high H2 content in the fault zones. In the valley, the presence of sedimentary cover above the ophiolites which are presumably the H2 generating rocks, which addresses the possible presence of reservoirs and seals to define potential plays. Drawing parallels with the Malian case, it could be that the intrusive element could serve as seals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land cover classification, generated from satellite imagery through semantic segmentation, has become fundamental for monitoring land use and land cover change (LULCC). The tropical Andes territory provides opportunities due to its significance in the provision of ecosystem services. However, the lack of reliable data for this region, coupled with challenges arising from its mountainous topography and diverse ecosystems, hinders the description of its coverage. Therefore, this research proposes the Tropical Andes Land Cover Dataset (TALANDCOVER). It is constructed from three sample strategies: aleatory, minimum 50%, and 70% of representation per class, which address imbalanced geographic data. Additionally, the U-Net deep learning model is applied for enhanced and tailored classification of land covers. Using high-resolution data from the NICFI program, our analysis focuses on the Department of Antioquia in Colombia. The TALANDCOVER dataset, presented in TIF format, comprises multiband R-G-B-NIR images paired with six labels (dense forest, grasslands, heterogeneous agricultural areas, bodies of water, built-up areas, and bare-degraded lands) with an estimated 0.76 F1 score compared to ground truth data by expert knowledge and surpassing the precision of existing global cover maps for the study area. To the best of our knowledge, this work is a pioneer in its release of open-source data for segmenting coverages with pixel-wise labeled NICFI imagery at a 4.77 m resolution. The experiments carried out with the application of the sample strategies and models show F1 score values of 0.70, 0.72, and 0.74 for aleatory, balanced 50%, and balanced 70%, respectively, over the expert segmented sample (ground truth), which suggests that the personalized application of our deep learning model, together with the TALANDCOVER dataset offers different possibilities that facilitate the training of deep architectures for the classification of large-scale covers in complex areas, such as the tropical Andes. This advance has significant potential for decision making, emphasizing sustainable land use and the conservation of natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Amacayacu National Park in Colombia, which partially overlaps with Indigenous territories, several elements of an inclusive protected area management model have been implemented since the 1990s. In particular, a dialogue between scientific researchers, indigenous people and park staff has been promoted for the co-production of biological and cultural knowledge for decision-making. This paper, based on a four-year ethnographic study of the park, shows how knowledge products about different components of the socio-ecosystem neither were efficiently obtained nor were of much importance in park management activities. Rather, the knowledge pertinent to park staff in planning and management is the know-how required for the maintenance and mobilization of multi-scale social-ecological networks. We argue that the dominant models for protected area management—both top-down and inclusive models—underestimate the sociopolitical realm in which research is expected to take place, over-emphasize ecological knowledge as necessary for management and hold a too strong belief in decision-making as a rational, organized response to diagnosis of the PA, rather than acknowledging that thick complexity needs a different form of action. Co-production of knowledge is crucial for governance, but mainly not for the reasons for which it is promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) is not only a prominent, globally promoted policy to foster nature conservation, but also increasingly propagated as an innovative and self-sustaining governance instrument to support poverty alleviation and to guarantee water, food, and energy securities. In this paper, we evaluate a PES scheme from a multi-scalar and political-ecology perspective in order to reveal different power dynamics across the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus perspective. For this purpose, we analyze the PES scheme implemented in the Hidrosogamoso hydropower project in Colombia. The paper shows that actors' strongly divergent economic and political power is determinant in defining how and for whom the Nexus-related water, food, and energy securities are materialized. In this case, the PES scheme and its scalar politics, as fostered by the private/public hydropower alliance, are instrumental to guaranteeing water security for the hydropower scheme, which is a crucial building-block of Colombia's energy security discourse. For this, the water and food securities of the adjacent, less powerful communities are sacrificed. Examining the on-the-ground politics of WEF Nexus is key to understanding their impact on equitable and sustainable governance of water, energy, and food in the everyday lives of millions of resource users. We conclude that politicizing the Nexus can help to trace both the flows of resources and the flows of power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we compare recent efforts towards the constitutionalization of the right to water in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru to understand the opportunities and limitations related to the attempts to enhance access to piped water to the highest normative level. Peru passed a constitutional amendment in 2017 while Brazil and Colombia have seen much right-to-water activism but have not succeeded in passing such reforms. We explore the role of the existing domestic legal frameworks on drinkable water provision and water management towards the approval of constitutional amendments. We find that all three countries have specialized laws, water governing institutions, and constitutional jurisprudence connecting access to water with rights, but the legal opportunity structures to enforce socio-economic rights vary; they are stronger in Colombia and Brazil, and weaker in Peru. We argue that legal opportunity structures build legal environments that influence constitutional reform success. Legal opportunity structures act as incentives both for social movements to push for reforms and for actors with legislative power to accept or reject them. Our findings also show that in some contexts political cost is a key element of constitutional reforms that enshrine the right to water; therefore, this is an element that should be considered when analyzing these processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to its ecological and recreational relevance, beach cleanliness is also one of the five most important aspects (i.e., the "Big Five") for beach visitors around the world. Nonetheless, few efforts have been carried out to guide the sound management of this rising issue. This paper presents a quantitative and qualitative method to assess the level of beach cleanliness, in order to allow managers to focus their attention on the environmental management of the most frequent and relevant types of litter in tropical areas. In a first step, a survey on users' perception was applied to 361 beachgoers in eight beaches in Colombia to identify the most relevant types of beach litter and the weighting factors to obtain quantitative calculations. In a second step, the thirteen categories of litter identified were analyzed in relation to beach cleanliness, origin of litter, and environmental impact, to define its individual weighting importance. Some categories were also selected according to particularities of tropical countries, such as the presence of abundant natural vegetation debris and gross polystyrene items, largely transported by rivers in great quantities. In a third step, the method was then tested at eight beaches in the Caribbean coast of Colombia through a period of four months, during which 192 transect samplings were carried out. The qualitative module of the proposed technique, named Beach Litter Assessment Technique—Qualitative and Quantitative (BLAT-QQ), identified the main types of beach litter and the quantitative module gave an overview on the state of beach cleanliness. The method is demonstrated to be quick and effective in diagnosing beach cleanliness, providing a simple instrument to carry out sound environmental management actions in coastal destinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The El Guájaro reservoir, situated in northern Colombia, holds significant economic and ecological importance. It is categorized as eutrophic due to factors such as wastewater discharges, agricultural practices, and the dragging of limestone material. These factors create favorable conditions for cyanobacterial proliferation. This study evaluates the diversity and abundance of cyanobacteria, with special attention to the genera identified as toxin producers, and bloom formers within the reservoir. Sampling was conducted in the photic zone at seven stations during both rainy and dry seasons between 2015 and 2019. Abundance and diversity were quantified using the iNEXT program, while a beta diversity analysis assessed community differentiation in relation to environmental parameters. A total of 86 species from 12 orders and 42 genera were identified, with 44% of these species noted as potentially toxic. A significant predominance of filamentous species was identified. Pseudanabaena and Phormidium were the most frequent and abundant genera. The results reveal distinct distribution and abundance patterns influenced by seasonal fluctuations. A notable bloom, co-dominated by Microcystis and Dolichospermum, occurred during the 2019 dry season, leading to the mortality of livestock and other animals. Urgent governance measures and control strategies are imperative to mitigate the health impact of such blooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccination has proven to be one of the most effective strategies against the COVID-19 pandemic. Several studies have evaluated and confirmed its effectiveness in different populations, particularly in reducing severe outcomes such as hospitalization and death. Some studies have investigated the effectiveness of vaccination against the infection, identifying the need for booster doses. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of the vaccination schedule on the probability of infection in a sample of Colombian patients during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was associated with the emergence and predominance of the Omicron variant. A cross-sectional study was conducted on individuals who underwent RT-PCR testing for COVID-19 detection in a dedicated laboratory in Bogotá, Colombia, between 30 December 2021 and 7 February 2022. A total of 1468 subjects was included in the study, of whom 36.6% (n = 538) had a positive PCR test for COVID-19. The comparison between fully vaccinated individuals with a booster dose and those without the booster dose revealed a 28% reduction in the odds of infection (OR = 0.719 CI 0.531–0.971). Age (OR = 1.009 CI 1.001–1.018) and low economic status (OR = 1.812 CI 1.416–2.319) were associated with an increased risk of infection. These findings suggest the need for a booster vaccination in the general population to improve the prevention rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection and mitigate severe outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to identify the main variables that determine the adoption of Fintech services in young students in the Colombian context through a model with five factors proposed to explain this behavior in 124 Colombian university students. The methodological design followed a quantitative approach and an exploratory–descriptive scope. For data processing, the statistical techniques exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to extract the relevant factors and evaluate the measurement model. To test the hypotheses about the relationships of the conceptual model constructs, Cramer's V coefficient was used. The results showed that financial education and social influence have a positive effect on perceived benefit; in turn, low regulation is not strongly related to perceived benefit and is not dependent on social influence. However, digital literacy is affected by financial education and social influence. It is concluded that the number of mobile users in Colombia is increasing rapidly; however, the adoption of Fintech is slow. In addition, most of the university students in this study do not know what Fintech is, but they recognize that they use it frequently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One important strategy to increase vaccination coverage is to minimize missed opportunities for vaccination. Missed opportunities for simultaneous vaccination (MOSV) occur when a child receives one or more vaccines but not all those for which they are eligible at a given visit. Household surveys that record children's vaccination dates can be used to quantify occurrence of MOSVs and their impact on achievable vaccination coverage. We recently automated some MOSV analyses in the World Health Organization's freely available software: Vaccination Coverage Quality Indicators (VCQI) making it straightforward to study MOSVs for any Demographic & Health Survey (DHS), Multi-Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), or Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) survey. This paper uses VCQI to analyze MOSVs for basic vaccine doses among children aged 12–23 months in four rounds of DHS in Colombia (1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010) and five rounds of DHS in Nigeria (1999, 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018). Outcomes include percent of vaccination visits MOSVs occurred, percent of children who experienced MOSVs, percent of MOSVs that remained uncorrected (that is, the missed vaccine had still not been received at the time of the survey), and the distribution of time-to-correction for children who received the MOSV dose at a later visit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Universities are central organisations that can act as promoters and amplifiers of regional just transitions. In this paper, we analyse how a Colombian regional university, the University of Ibagué (UI), is playing this role through two initiatives: (1) a governance experiment piloted between 2018 and 2019 that constructed an aspirational vision for this university through the definition of eight human capabilities; (2) a formal curriculum regional programme named Peace and Region (P&R) established in 2010 as a service-learning strategy for undergraduates in their final year. To analyse the contribution of these two initiatives towards a just transition, we built a specific analytical framework based on the human development and capability approach and Regional Transition Pathways to Sustainability (RTPS). Exploring both the content and the process of building the list and perceptions of the different actors involved in the P&R programme, we found that both initiatives have a strong directionality that resonates with the normative ambition of a just transition. Moreover, in both processes, people involved have expanded human capabilities, and co-produced holistic and transdisciplinary knowledge through the interaction of academic and non-academic actors. From an RTPS perspective, the programme captures regional complexity and moulds micro-dynamics to socially fair and sustainable paths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing its large-scale mining industry is an economic priority for Colombia. However, national capacity to assess and manage the water resource impacts of mining is currently limited. This includes lack of baseline data, lack of suitable hydrological models and lack of frameworks for evaluating risks. Furthermore, public opposition to large scale mining is high and is a barrier to many proposed new mining projects mainly because of concerns about impacts on water resources. There are also concerns about impacts on the uplands that are important water sources, particularly the páramo ecosystem. This paper argues the case for a new framework for Strategic Assessment of Regional Water Impacts of Mining, aiming to support land use planning decisions by government for selected mining and prospective mining regions. The proposed framework is modelled on the Australian Government's Bioregional Assessments program, converted into seven stages plus supporting activities that meet the Colombian development context. The seven stages are: (1) Contextual information; (2) Scenario definition; (3) Risk scoping; (4) Model development; (5) Risk analysis; (6) Database development; and (7) Dissemination by government to stakeholders including the general public. It is emphasised that the process and results should be transparent, the data and models publicly accessible, and dissemination aimed at all levels of expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El Juego is a multicultural community of 30 people that exists as a permanent laboratory of conflict resolution and healing. Two and a half years ago, during the pandemic and after four years of living as nomads, we bought together one hundred and forty hectares in San Rafael, Antioquia, to live in close connection with nature and promote reforestation by creating a natural reserve. In this article, we share some of our reflections and experiences of collective healing. We do so through an exercise in autoethnography carried out by two members of our community following the death of Camelia, one of our horses. We then pull out themes that appeared in the autoethnographic pieces, sharing our reflections on developing a more intimate relationship with nature. In the discussion, we draw on the literature on anarchism and Indigenous ways of knowing and enrich it with the lived experience of the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1989, a skin of a small spotted cat, from the Galeras Volcano in southern Colombia (Nariño Department), was donated to the Instituto Alexander von Humboldt (identification, ID 5857) at Villa de Leyva (Boyacá Department, Colombia). Although originally classified as Leopardus tigrinus, its distinctiveness merits a new taxonomic designation. The skin is distinct from all known L. tigrinus holotypes as well as from other Leopardus species. Analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes from 44 felid specimens (including 18 L. tigrinus and all the current known species of the genus Leopardus), the mtND5 gene from 84 felid specimens (including 30 L. tigrinus and all the species of the genus Leopardus), and six nuclear DNA microsatellites (113 felid specimens of all the current known species of the genus Leopardus) indicate that this specimen does not belong to any previously recognized Leopardus taxon. The mtND5 gene suggests this new lineage (the Nariño cat as we name it) is a sister taxon of Leopardus colocola. The mitogenomic and nuclear DNA microsatellite analyses suggest that this new lineage is the sister taxon to a clade formed by Central American and trans-Andean L. tigrinus + (Leopardus geoffroyi + Leopardus guigna). The temporal split between the ancestor of this new possible species and the most recent ancestor within Leopardus was dated to 1.2–1.9 million years ago. We consider that this new unique lineage is a new species, and we propose the scientific name Leopardus narinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the legal challenges related to preserving sunken military vessels as Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) in Colombia. These challenges include Spanish galleon shipwrecks, limited international cooperation, and the lack of legal recognition for sunken military vessels under domestic law (Law 1675 of 2013). To address these issues, this article reviews the concepts of warship and sovereign immunity as they relate to the status of sunken military vessels. The study places a particular focus on the USS Kearsarge, a military shipwreck in Colombian territorial waters protected by the Sunken Military Craft Act of 2004 (SMCA) of the United States. Additionally, it analyzes the legal frameworks and management of UCH in both Colombia and the United States, as well as providing two lists of Colombia's sunken military vessels and foreign sunken military vessels in its waters. The research concludes by highlighting the complexities of managing UCH in Colombia and offering a prospectus on the future of the USS Kearsarge wreck site as shared heritage. Ultimately, this study underscores the need for a more comprehensive legal framework and greater international cooperation to ensure the preservation and protection of sunken military vessels in Colombia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper identifies and assesses the economic value of the main natural benefits relating to the complex system of wetlands (CSW) belonging to the San Juan River in the Colombian Magdalena Medio. This is a region rich in biodiversity and natural resources, which in the past was hit by violence and the actions of different armed groups. Benefit estimation takes into account diverse monetary valuation techniques, such as market prices for direct wetland uses and the transfer of benefits, for the assessment of indirect use and non-use values. The results reveal that the most important values relate to ecotourism (60.1%) as a possible future use of the CSW, the benefit of preventing flooding (28.4%), and the biodiversity that inhabits the area (6.7%). All three values represent the total economic value of the CSW. This research also finds that the benefits of the ecosystems currently provided by the CSW exceed the opportunity cost, represented by the total conversion of the area to livestock. Lastly, the net present value (NPV) of 25 and 75 years, relating to the benefits of the CSW, exceeds the income from the conversion of land to livestock, revealing profitable investments in conservation and ecotourism projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a set of five indicators to monitor the bioeconomy in Colombia and Antioquia, one of the main regions of the country. The proposed indicators encompass the dimensions of sustainability and emphasize the role of knowledge and scientific research as driving forces of the bioeconomy strategies. To estimate the contribution of the bioeconomy to value added, employment, and greenhouse gas emissions, an input–output analysis is carried out. In addition, text mining analysis techniques are implemented to identify the research groups with an agenda related to bioeconomy fields. Our results reveal an important slot to foster the growth of a sustainable bioeconomy that enables local economies to achieve inclusive growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contributes to the circular economy (CE) literature by investigating the drivers of success of the CE implementation in the construction sector and how those drivers can complement any implementation process in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). To do so, we analyzed the case of TECMO Estructuras Metálicas, using the methodology proposed by Jaca and colleagues to implement the CE in SMEs. It is a Colombian company with more than five decades of experience in the manufacture and installation of steel and aluminum structures for small and large building and infrastructure projects. The data were collected between August 2019 and November 2020 through direct communication with the company via workshops, meetings, and company reports. This research found that five drivers are relevant for implementing CE in the construction sector: fertile ecosystem, management commitment, identification of valuable materials, green teams, and CE intermediaries. Moreover, this study also contributes to teaching the implementation of the CE in companies, since it shows that through the methodology presented, implementation projects can be developed in postgraduate classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salvia aratocensis (Lamiaceae) is an endemic shrub from the Chicamocha River Canyon in Santander (Colombia). Its essential oil (EO) was distilled from the aerial parts of the plant via steam distillation and microwave-assisted hydrodistillation and analyzed using GC/MS and GC/FID. Hydroethanolic extracts were isolated from dry plants before distillation and from the residual plant material after distillation. The extracts were characterized via UHPLC-ESI(+/−)-Orbitrap-HRMS. The S. aratocensis essential oil was rich in oxygenated sesquiterpenes (60–69%) and presented τ-cadinol (44–48%) and 1,10-di-epi-cubenol (21–24%) as its major components. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the EOs, measured via an ABTS+• assay, was 32–49 μmol Trolox® g−1 and that measured using the ORAC assay was 1520–1610 μmol Trolox® g−1. Ursolic acid (28.9–39.8 mg g−1) and luteolin-7-O-glucuronide (1.16–25.3 mg g−1) were the major S. aratocensis extract constituents. The antioxidant activity of the S. aratocensis extract, obtained from undistilled plant material, was higher (82 ± 4 μmol Trolox® g−1, ABTS+•; 1300 ± 14 μmol Trolox® g−1, ORAC) than that of the extracts obtained from the residual plant material (51–73 μmol Trolox® g−1, ABTS+•; 752–1205 μmol Trolox® g−1, ORAC). S. aratocensis EO and extract had higher ORAC antioxidant capacity than the reference substances butyl hydroxy toluene (98 μmol Trolox® g−1) and α-tocopherol (450 μmol Trolox® g−1). S. aratocensis EOs and extracts have the potential to be used as natural antioxidants for cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Game-based learning (GBL) places high demand on educational resources and has been widely practiced in classrooms in many developed countries; however, few studies on GBL and its influencing factors have been conducted in developing countries. To address this research gap, a mixed-methods study was conducted in a state high school in the Amazon region of Colombia with 64 tenth-graders who were learning English as a foreign language to identify the factors that affect learners' learning outcomes when serious games are applied to vocabulary learning, with a specific focus on learning engagement. This study drew on both quantitative and qualitative data collected from surveys, interviews, and pre- and post-tests. The results showed that engagement and prior knowledge can positively predict GBL outcomes, while contextual factors and family condition had an adverse impact on GBL outcomes (Adjusted R2 = 0.635, p < 0.01). The results also indicated that a male student with a higher level of prior knowledge would be more likely to achieve good grades in GBL. Based on the study results, several implications are proposed for incorporating serious games for vocabulary learning in less-developed regions. This study results provide important practical implications for high schools in developing countries to implementing GBL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colombian hippopotamus populations are increasing against the backdrop of general species decline. In addition to wider calls for further protection, this pocket population is considered an invasive species and is subject to ongoing legal discussions about how they should be controlled and managed. These proceedings currently consider two options: whether the hippopotamus population needs to experience yearly culls or to use a fertility management program. This article explores whether species justice has a place within the control of non-native species via this case study of the Colombian hippo legal proceedings. When reviewing this case, neither euthanasia nor fertility control are fully in the interests of the species; however, fertility control is more in line with their interests. The conclusion considers whether it is possible to recognise the interests of wildlife within species management and how a shift towards the interests of species and species justice at minimum could provide more dignified and harmless methods of species control as well as find alternative solutions which are more in the interest of the majority of parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]