Search

Low-income students' preferences for higher education might depend on the uncertainty of financial aid. Using a time discontinuity design, this paper exploits the unanticipated cancellation of a nationwide Colombian merit and need-based scholarship, called "Ser Pilo Paga," to study its consequences on students' preferences for higher education. Preferences are measured using a discrete choice experiment administrated to 949 low-income high school students in 2018. The findings reveal that the scholarship's cancellation reduced higher education ambitions among low-income students due to the decreased interest in both financial aid and high-quality universities. The effects were particularly concentrated on income-eligible individuals who were more likely to obtain the scholarship, as their choices for financial aid and high-quality institutions declined by 15 to 50% of the baseline preference.

The purpose of this study was to explore design student's perceptions over traditional and digital mediums within the design process. In this research, a convenient sample of design students was selected from two universities between Latin America and North America to respond a questionnaire which inquired for the design steps and the type of tools they used. The importance of traditional medium in the design process has been widely researched (e.g. Goldschmidt, 1991; Suwa et al., 1998; Tang & Gero, 2002). In a similar manner, digital medium has evolved in the design practice and researchers have looked at how the use of digital tools affect the design process (Salman, et al.2014). Multiple studies have argued that some stages of this process cannot be supported by digital medium tools (e.g. Bilda & Demirkan, 2003; Kwon, et al., 2005; Meniru, et al., 2003; Stones & Cassidy, 2007). In contrast, digital medium stimulates the occurrence of design patterns and epistemic actions (Yu, et al. 2015: Chandrasekera, 2014). Digital medium will require the development of new knowledge which may affect the designer's role and the education practices of new designers. The outcomes of this study will help design educators to understand design students' preferences in using digital tools and develop curriculums accordingly. In addition, it will aid software developers to better understand, cater to design students' needs and take advantage in the growing shift from traditional to digital medium.

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of aquatic exercise on physical performance in older adults. Databases were searched up to July 2021. Randomized controlled trials were screened by two reviewers, who extracted data and assessed study quality. Ten randomized controlled trials (603 participants) were included. Compared with nonexercising controls, aquatic exercise probably improved lower limb muscle power (30-s Chair Stand Test; mean difference 4.75 repetitions; 95% confidence interval [0.07, 9.42]; I2 = 99%; 251 participants; very low-quality evidence). When comparing aquatic exercise with land exercise, there is probably no superiority in favor of either intervention on dynamic balance (Timed Up and Go Test; mean difference −0.12 s; 95% confidence interval [−0.37, 0.12]; I2 = 3%; 244 participants; very low-quality evidence). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the purpose of ending wars, international organizations and governments promote reintegration projects that seek to transform combatants affiliated with illegal armed groups into citizens through education. The assumption behind these efforts is that through education, ex-combatants will become economically independent, overcome marginalization, experience personal transformations, and integrate into communities. This paper questions this optimistic narrative of education by highlighting the differentiated meanings of education for ex-combatants reintegrating in urban Colombia. Listening to the voices of ex-combatants who have engaged in technical and vocational education programs, this paper compares policy narratives with ex-combatants' narratives regarding the role of education in the reintegration process. The analysis reveals how for ex-combatants, education is a complex social practice that redistributes resources and contributes to positive psychosocial and empowerment transformations. At the same time, it is a process of insertion into an individualistic system and adaptation to unequal participation within the country's socio-economic hierarchy.

Background: Verbal fluency tests (VFT) are highly sensitive to cognitive deficits. Usually, the score on VFT is based on the number of correct words produced, yet it alone gives little information regarding underlying test performance. The implementation of different strategies (cluster and switching) to perform efficiently during the tasks provide more valuable information. However, normative data for clustering and switching strategies are scarce. Moreover, scoring criteria adapted to Colombian Spanish are missing. Aims: (1) To describe the Colombian adaptation of the scoring system guidelines for clustering and switching strategies in VFT; (2) to determine its reliability; and (3) to provide normative data for Colombian children and adolescents aged 6-17 years. Methods & Procedures: A total of 691 children and adolescents from Colombia completed phonological (/f/, /a/, /s/, /m/, /r/ and /p/) and semantic (animals and fruits) VFT, and five scores were calculated: total score (TS), number of clusters (NC), cluster size (CS), mean cluster size (MCS) and number of switches (NS). The intraclass correlation coefficient was used for interrater reliability. Hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted to investigate which strategies were associated with VFT TS. Multiple regressions were conducted for each strategy, including as predictors age, age[superscript 2], sex, mean parents' education (MPE), MPE2 and type of school, to generate normative data. Outcomes & Results: Reliability indexes were excellent. Age was associated with VFT TS, but weakly compared with strategies. For both VFT TS, NS was the strongest variable, followed by CS and NC. Regarding norms, age was the strongest predictor for all measures, while age[superscript 2] was relevant for NC (/f/ phoneme) and NS (/m/ phoneme). Participants with higher MPE obtained more NC, and NS, and larger CS in several phonemes and categories. Children and adolescents from private school generated more NC, NS and larger CS in /s/ phoneme. Conclusions & Implications: This study provides new scoring guidelines and normative data for clustering and switching strategies for Colombian children and adolescents between 6 and 17 years old. Clinical neuropsychologists should include these measures as part of their everyday practice.

In this paper, a teacher-educator and two students of a B.A. program in foreign language teaching (English and French) of a public university in Colombia discuss our pedagogical experiences in a research seedbed. First, we present the conceptualizations underlying our analysis: research seedbeds, undergraduate research education, and curriculum as a process. Second, we describe our contextual background. Third, we analyze our experiences using three themes: creating and recreating curriculum, negotiating the official and non-official curriculum, and taking positions as teacher-researchers. We conclude that research seedbeds can broaden the pedagogical repertoire of undergraduate research education in foreign language programs and that it becomes necessary to conduct studies in this area in Colombia.

Reintegration programs for ex-combatants around the globe promote their technical and vocational education and training (TVET). The aim is to help them develop skills, assume new social roles, and gain community acceptance, yet the experiences and perceptions of the ex-combatants who participate in these programs have been little explored. Thus, it is not known whether this group finds access to TVET useful in building new social networks, which is a critical factor in preventing further violence and achieving social cohesion. This in-depth interview study with female and male ex-combatants from Medellin, Colombia, who are at various stages of TVET engagement examined their perceptions of whether and how TVET contributed to their social reintegration. The findings illustrate that some forms of TVET promoted psychosocial recovery and build social bonds, whereas other types reinforced isolation and segregation. This study also found that the TVET programs overlooked the ex-combatants' limitations on socializing that were imposed by their violent environments and feelings of stigmatization. These findings suggest a need to complement education programs for economic development with approaches that help develop social bonds and trust between ex-combatants and their communities.

This is a cross-sectional study conducted to examine the associations between the composition of friendship networks and health-related behaviors of 988 adolescents (11-18 years old) from Colombia. Participants were asked to self-report behaviors and to nominate their best friends. "Egocentric network analysis" (i.e., analysis of personal networks formed by egos and alters) was conducted to identify "network composition" (i.e., the proportion of network members with a particular attribute or behavior), and associations were analyzed with logistic regression models. Results show that network composition was associated with individual physical activity by boys and with consumption of fruits and vegetables, smoking, and drug use by girls. Regardless of gender, network composition was associated with screen time, fast-food consumption, excessive alcohol consumption, and having had sexual intercourse. These findings highlight the role of the social and behavioral environment in health-related behaviors in adolescents.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to verify some relationships between entrepreneurial attitude, university environment, entrepreneurial culture and entrepreneurial training, which can be used to promote entrepreneurship among university students. Design/methodology/approach: A sample of 3,005 questionnaires answered by students from ten universities in Colombia was gathered and partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used for the analysis. Findings: The results show that the more a student perceives an entrepreneurial culture and the more training he or she receives, the more entrepreneurial attitude he or she will have. Also, it was found that entrepreneurial culture has a positive effect on university environment, and the latter has a positive effect on entrepreneurial training. Research limitations/implications: The main limitation of this study was that only ten Colombian universities were sampled; therefore, general inferences cannot be made. Additionally, the variables investigated here may have not accurately measured the full scale of the entrepreneurship programmes in such universities or the way the culture of these institutions had a direct impact on students. Projects such as the Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Students' Survey (GUESSS), which measure variables related to entrepreneurship at the university level, enable universities to shape their policies around this important topic. This study indicates that universities should offer training in entrepreneurial, problem-solving and communication skills to produce entrepreneurs who can better face current challenges. Originality/value: Other studies have discussed entrepreneurial culture, but they usually deal with university environment, entrepreneurial training and entrepreneurial attitudes separately. This study integrates all these factors and measures the level of interaction between them.

Displacement and conflict substantially heighten the risk of gender-based violence including intimate partner violence (IPV), experienced by women and girls. This study aims to examine the links between conflict, forced displacement and IPV using nationally representative survey data measuring IPV combined with data on conflict-related violence from two different conflict-affected settings: Colombia and Liberia. We find that forced displacement is strongly associated with increased lifetime and past year IPV. Displaced women and girls in Colombia and Liberia have a 36 and 55 per cent, respectively greater risk of experiencing past year IPV and 39 and 49 per cent greater risk of experiencing lifetime IPV in each country respectively, compared to their non-displaced counterparts. Both conflict and displacement are independently and significantly associated with past year IPV. Taking conflict intensity into account increases the associated IPV risk to 40 and 60 per cent in Colombia and Liberia respectively. Recognising the increased prevalence of IPV for displaced women is vital to providing effective assistance. Humanitarian, state and peace-building efforts, should encompass the provision of a range of assistance services to help displaced and conflict-affected women heal from the impacts of the violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.)

Introduction: There are several risk factors associated with developing mental disorders among people over 60 years of age. Mental health encompasses multiple domains or capacities, which can comprise the psychological wellbeing of older people. Therefore, resilient coping, self-compassion, self-esteem, hopelessness, quality of life, and depression are considered the characteristics and adaptive mechanisms that bring together the main risk and protective factors for imbalance in mental wellbeing. Objective: This study aimed to establish the demographic, social, and family factors, as well as the clinical characteristics and lifestyle habits that influence the mental health of the elderly people in the city of Medellin, in the year 2021, to build a mental health index. Methodology: This study adopts a quantitative approach, employs retrospective temporality, and utilizes secondary sources. A cross-sectional survey was carried out with the SABAM Project (health and mental wellbeing of older adults from five cities in Colombia in 2021 by its Spanish acronym) database (secondary source), which is part of the research group "Public Health Observatory" of CES University (Medellin, Colombia). The database comprised 500 records of people aged over 60 years from the city of Medellin in 2021. While constructing the index, a principal component analysis was used, along with the Varimax method for factor analysis rotation. Results: The median age of the general population was 67 years (IQR 6372); for men, the median age was 66 years (IQR 63-71) and for women, the median age was 67 years (IQR 63-72). An association was found between low socioeconomic levels, alcohol consumption, and the level of higher education (university--postgraduate) with low levels of the Mental Health Index in people over 60 years of age in Medellin during the year 2021. Conclusion: A quantitative model was developed to predict either a positive or negative prognosis in the mental wellbeing of the population over 60 years of age in the city of Medellin. The model was also used for the development of a sociodemographic profile highlighting the impact on mental health among people over 60 years of age with limited economic resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Diabetes stands as one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists rank among the most effective medications for lowering blood glucose and body weight, as well as reducing cardiovascular risk in individuals with diabetes. Observational studies complement experimental evidence in new settings, different populations, and real-world healthcare practices. Methods: A multicentric observational study of adults with type 2 diabetes treated with once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide in four health centers in Colombia was conducted. The protocol for the present study was not pre-registered. Results: Data from 186 patients were included. Most patients were women (57%) with a mean age of 62.8 ± 12.1 years. One year of once-weekly semaglutide usage was associated with a mean reduction in HbA1C of -1.47% (95% CI -1.76, -1.17), weight loss of -4.23 kg (95% CI -5.34, -3.12), and albumin/creatinine ratio of -18.6 mg/g (95% CI -60.2, -5.9). Approximately half the treated patients achieved a level of HbA1c ≤7% by the end of follow-up. Adverse events were rare and consistent with clinical trial safety profiles. Conclusion: In Colombia, administering semaglutide subcutaneously once a week over a 1-year period led to an average weight loss of 4.2 kg and a decrease of 1.4% in HbA1c. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal History of Latin American Education / Revista Historia de la Educación Latinoamericana is the property of Universidad Pedagogica y Tecnologica de 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.)

Objectives: Blunt abdominal trauma is a common cause of emergency department admission. Computed tomography (CT) scanning is the gold standard method for identifying intra-abdominal injuries in patients experiencing blunt trauma, especially those with high-energy trauma. Although the diagnostic accuracy of this imaging technique is very high, patient admission and prolonged observation protocols are still common practices worldwide. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of intra-abdominal injury in hemodynamically stable patients with high-energy blunt trauma and a normal abdominal CT scan at a Level-1 Trauma Center in Colombia, South America, to assess the relevance of a prolonged observation period. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of patients admitted to the emergency department for blunt trauma between 2021 and 2022. All consecutive patients with high-energy mechanisms of trauma and a normal CT scan at admission were included. Our primary outcomes were the incidence of intra-abdominal injury identified during a 24-hour observation period or hospital stay, ICU admission, and death. Results: We included 480 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 33 (IQR 25.5, 47), and 74.2% were male. The most common mechanisms of injury were motor vehicle accidents (64.2%), falls from height (26%), and falls from bikes (3.1%). A total of 99.2% of patients had a Revised Trauma Score of 8. Only 1 patient (0.2%) (95% CI: 0.01–1.16) presented with an abdominal injury during the observation period. No ICU admissions or deaths were reported. Conclusion: The incidence of intra-abdominal injury in patients with hemodynamically stable blunt trauma and a negative abdominal CT scan is extremely low, and prolonged observation may not be justified in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water quality is one of the most relevant issues related to water management, with water pollution and access to clean water for drinking and irrigation being common issues in developing countries. Groundwater is an available water source, especially where surface sources are scarce or unsuitable. In this sense, studies to improve knowledge of aquifers should be undertaken where information on groundwater resources is not available. In the current study, 50 groundwater samples were collected from rural and urban wells used by local communities for human consumption and to irrigate local crops. Several indices for drinking water and irrigation use have been used for the assessment of water quality. Conversely, the carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic human health risks due to exposure to heavy metals in the groundwater were estimated, as were the predominant hydrochemical characteristics. The groundwater water quality index (GWQI) shows values < 100 for all the samples; groundwater is recommended for drinking after disinfection. By contrast, the irrigation water quality index (IWQI) shows that 80% of groundwater samples pose a potential threat to irrigation, with restriction categories ranging from high to severe. The individual hazard quotients were < 1. However, the multielement and multipathway hazard index (HI) for children and adults were > 1, whereas As and Mn had a higher contribution to the HI. The Piper trilinear diagram shows that hydrochemical facies of Ca2+ and HCO3− are significantly dominant. By contrast, weathering of rocks and atmospheric precipitation is the dominant factors regulating the chemistry of groundwater in the aquifer system of La Mojana. Our findings indicate that there are significant potential noncarcinogenic health risks for local populations exposed to groundwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Los programas de protección social se han convertido en una herramienta indispensable y efectiva para mejorar las condiciones de vida de la población en situación de pobreza y vulnerabilidad. En este artículo se examinan los cinco principales programas de transferencias monetarias de Colombia, y se estudian su historia, su focalización, su cobertura, su operatividad y los compromisos fiscales derivados de su implementación. Asimismo, se hace una revisión de las evaluaciones de impacto de estos programas y sus resultados en múltiples indicadores sociales. Este trabajo es un primer intento de consolidación de la información existente sobre el tema en Colombia, que permite entender de manera comprehensiva el alcance y los retos de estos programas, así como identificar posibles áreas de investigación y mejora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Taeniasis and cysticercosis are parasitic infections that affect humans and pigs. Their global distribution constitutes a serious public health issue with significant implications for pork production. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of porcine cysticercosis in backyard swine from 42 indigenous communities throughout Tuchín-Córdoba, Colombia. Between December 2020 and March 2021, free-range pigs (n = 442) were assessed using the ELISA cysticercosis Ag test; 85 pigs were examined through sublingual visual evaluation, and 4 slaughtered pig carcasses were subjected to standard operation inspection. The collected cysticercus underwent histological and PCR analysis. Furthermore, 192 surveys of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) were used to identify the factors that facilitate infection transmission. Serological investigation revealed that 9.7% (46/472) of the animals were positive for cysticerci Ag. Sublingual inspection identified cysticercus in 28.7% (25/87) of the animals, while PCR analysis indicated that cysticercus corresponded to the T. solium American/African genotype. The factors associated with T. solium infection in the pigs in the surveyed areas numbered 14. The majority are associated with factors that promote the active persistence of Taenia solium's life cycle in an area, such as lack of environmental sanitation, a lack of coverage or care for drinking water and wastewater treatment services, and no solid waste disposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban centers settled under the influence of volcanic activity are common in the Colombian Andes, particularly those such as Manizales city (ca. 400,000 inhabitants) and other smaller towns on the western flank of the Central Cordillera. Several pumice-rich tephra layers widely dispersed beneath the city suggest multiple Plinian-type eruptions have occurred nearby. From this geological record, the four youngest, thickest, and most persistent layers in the region are the most representative of this activity. This work uses mapping, physical descriptions, radiocarbon dating, and calculation of physical parameters to: (1) define and characterize the tephra sequence, (2) determine the age of the eruptions, (3) define the source and eruptive dynamics associated with each of the events, and (4) give insights into the volcanic hazard for Manizales city. The deposits were named in this study as Lower Manizales (Lm), Middle-lower Manizales (Mlm), Middle-upper Manizales (Mum) and Upper Manizales (Um) tephra layers, together forming the "Manizales tephra sequence". Mapping of the deposits revealed the lower layer originated from the little known Plazuela volcano (~ 15 km east of Manizales), while the others originated in the Cerro Bravo volcano (~ 25 km east of Manizales). The radiometric analysis indicates that the lowest tephra layer originated at 7879.5 ± 55.5 cal. years BP, while the three overlying layers were deposited at 7730 ± 55 cal. years BP, 5294 ± 19 cal. years BP, and 2759 ± 20 cal. years BP. All of these deposits were formed by Plinian-type eruptions, with column heights varying between 18 and 29 km. The minimum tephra volume emitted by each eruption was between 0.21 and 0.38 km3, and the emission rate 21.6 × 107 kg/s for the Lm layer, 3.38 × 107 kg/s for the Mlm layer, 6.27 × 107 kg/s for the Mum layer, and 5.16 × 107 kg/s for the Um layers. The results suggest that the region is strongly threatened by pyroclastic falls associated with several active volcanoes located in the Central Cordillera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutations in the lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) gene, which catalyzes the esterification of cholesterol, result in two types of autosomal recessive disorders: Familial LCAT deficiency (FLD) and Fish Eye Disease (FED). While both phenotypes are characterized by corneal opacities and different forms of dyslipidemia, such as low levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), FLD exhibits more severe clinical manifestations like splenomegaly, anemia, and renal failure. We describe the first clinically and genetically confirmed case of FLD in Colombia which corresponds to a 46-year-old woman with corneal opacity, hypothyroidism, and dyslipidemia, who does not have any manifestations of renal failure, with two pathogenic heterozygous missense variants in the LCAT gene: LCAT (NM_000229.2):c.803G>A (p.Arg268His) and LCAT (NM_000229.2):c.368G>C (p.Arg123Pro). In silico analysis of the mutations predicted the physicochemical properties of the mutated protein, causing instability and potentially decreased LCAT function. These compound mutations highlight the clinical heterogeneity of the phenotypes associated with LCAT gene mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Neurológica Colombiana is the property of Colombian Association of Neurology / Asociacion Colombiana de Neurologia 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.)

Background: The physical activity (PA) prescription workshop for physicians, through the global health initiative "Exercise is Medicine" (EIM), has trained more than 4000 health care professionals (HCPs) in Latin America. It has shown to be effective in increasing PA prescription knowledge and awareness among HCPs. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the curricular and pedagogical approach used by EIM Colombia at the PA prescription workshops implemented between 2014 and 2015. Methods: A mixed methods study, with a sequential explanatory design was implemented among a convenience sample of HCPs attending twenty-six PA prescription workshops. HCPs health status, PA personal habits, and medical practices were collected using a questionnaire at baseline among 795 participants (pre-test measurement), and subsequently quantitatively analyzed. A workshop satisfaction survey was administered after the completion of the workshop among 602 HCPs. The curricular and pedagogical approach of the workshop, the designers' and students' contextual factors, and perceptions about the workshop were measured using qualitative methods (analysis of the procedures manual, two workshop observations, three semi-structured interviews, and one focus group including 8 HCPs). Results: The workshop is student-centered and guided by an expert with an academic and clinical background. Learning was achieved with theoretical and practical components using authentic performance and collaborative learning. An active teaching and learning approach was used with strategies such as interactive lectures, hands-on elements, and role-playing (patient-counselor). The workshop emphasized an individual approach when prescribing PA integrating in clinical practice not only health benefits but also patient´s beliefs, motivations, needs, and barriers. Conclusions: Evidence-based practices and authentic performance were the most salient pedagogical elements used by EIM Colombia at the PA prescription workshop. A knowledge assessment that includes the practical aspect is suggested for future workshops. The curricular and pedagogical approach of the PA prescription workshop implemented in Colombia is well received by the medical community and a useful continuing medical education intervention with a potential contribution to current, and future health promotion needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseño y Comunicación is the property of Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Diseno y Comunicacion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal for Equity in Health is the property of BioMed Central 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.)

Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) are recognised worldwide not only as man's best friend, but also as a form of anthropogenic edge effect impacting wildlife through predation, competition and disease infection. In the Northern Andes, there is growing evidence of dogs inducing activity shifts or alterations in the habitat use of native mammalian species. However, little information exists on direct attacks of dogs on wildlife, even in the case of species of conservation concern such as the mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque). Here, we used camera traps to report two cases of dogs chasing and attacking mountain tapirs in a protected area of the Central Andes of Colombia. The first event showed a direct physical contact between a living adult mountain tapir and two dogs, but the picture's angle did not lead to observable signs of wounds or other injuries. The second event showed an adult mountain tapir running while being chased by the same two dogs of the first event, denoting a stressful moment for the tapir. This may have negative consequences on the populations of mountain tapirs through decreased reproductive performance and foraging efficiency, increased potential for disease outbreaks and more. Population management and control of domestic dogs inside and around protected areas must be considered a priority in future conservation actions to support a healthy population of mountain tapirs and other imperilled species in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anuario de Psicología Jurídica is the property of Colegio Oficial de Psicologos de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In Southwestern Colombia, cocoa clones are cultivated in which productivity characteristics predominate over bean quality. In this study, cocoa beans of the CCN-51 clone harvested in the Tumaco region (Nariño, Colombia) were fermented following four different treatments: (1) spontaneously (at room temperature for 120 h) in traditional conditions (Control); (2) traditional processing with a pre-drying (sun-dried for 24 h) treatment (PD); (3) with fermentation (for 120 h) after inoculation of a yeast starter culture (YS); and (4) including both treatments, pre-drying and yeast inoculation (PD + YS). Chemical composition, fatty acids, total polyphenol, methylxanthines (theobromine and caffeine) and lactic acid content of cocoa beans were determined. Chemical and fatty acid composition and theobromine content were not affected by the different fermentation treatments applied (p > 0.05). When analyzing total polyphenol content, YS (16.62 mg/g) and PD + YS (17.74) treatments significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the content of these compounds at the end of the fermentation process, affecting cocoa flavour, while PD treatment decreased (p < 0.05) the caffeine content (0.68 mg/g) of cocoa beans. Finally, lactic acid content decreased because of both inoculation of yeast starter (1.11 mg/g) and mainly the pre-drying treatment (0.60). In conclusion, solar pre-drying in the open air and the inoculation of yeast starter treatments could improve the final quality of cocoa beans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of solar drying on the physical, chemical, and sensory properties of lemongrass grown in Antioquia, Colombia. Two single‐factor experimental designs were used. The first one, evaluated the drying method: dryer with solar collector and ventilation cycle programmer (D2), African Drying Bed (ADB), and Traditional Drying (TD); with load of 7 kg/m2. The second experimental design evaluated different loads (7 kg/m2 and 10 kg/m2) in dryers D2 and D1. The following analysis were performed: drying time, moisture content, color, volatile compounds, and sensory. Drying times were 26.3 h for D2 and 30.2 h for D1. The drying time was higher in ADB and TD. There were no significant differences in a* for the samples D2 (−2.23) and D1 (−1.41), which had a lower loss of green color, indicating a lesser degradation of chlorophyll against ADB and TD. Geranial and neral were found in a higher amount, isogeranial and β‐myrcene were also identified. D2 and D1 presented a higher aromatic intensity with overall quality of 7.1 and 6.9, respectively (0–10 scale). With the use of the dryers inside the greenhouse, drying times were reduced, generating a product with better characteristics in color and sensory attributes. Practical applications: Almost all the seasoning and infusion industries in Colombia import the spices used as raw material in their products, even though with inferior quality from the sensory point of view, however, complying with other commercial criteria. The cost of dehydrated lemongrass imported in Colombia is higher when compared to other imported spices. Lemongrass grown in Antioquia, Colombia, presents some drawbacks in its postharvest processes, which makes its commercialization difficult at the national and international level. The results from this research show that using dryers with solar collector, fan, and ventilation cycle control; located inside the greenhouse solar dryer; it is possible to better control the drying process, obtaining competitive products at the industrial level, which could economically help producing families. Moreover, the times for drying are decreased and a product that meets the quality standards required by the industry in generated, overcoming those obtained from the traditional drying methods currently used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Psicoperspectivas is the property of Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso, Escuela de Psicologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article discusses a study conducted in Colombia that examined the impact of intraoperative aerobic culture on antibiotic therapy and clinical outcomes in patients with complicated appendicitis. The study found that a significant percentage of patients had positive results from intraoperative cultures, with the most common microorganisms being Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Some of these microorganisms showed resistance to beta-lactams. The study suggests that using intraoperative cultures can modify antibiotic therapy and reduce the risk of surgical site infection in patients with complicated appendicitis. The authors recommend routine use of intraoperative cultures in these patients to improve antibiotic management and reduce surgical site infections. [Extracted from the article]

The electrification of isolated or rural areas brings with it technical, economic, and social challenges that differentiate the operation of these networks compared to the traditional operation of large electrical power systems, such as the dependence of air or river transport on fuel for the supply of generation plants, the absence of individual measurement and the obsolete infrastructure of the distribution networks. Therefore, this paper proposes a hybrid methodology for studying a Colombian case, analyzing the development of programs for rational electricity use and energy efficiency in isolated areas. These first steps are related to the diagnosis of the current conditions of the power network, the identification of actors that can influence the regulation of the electricity service in the area, and the proposal of mechanisms that allow promoting the rational and efficient use of the electricity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Colombian Journal of Anesthesiology / Revista Colombiana de Anestesiología is the property of Sociedad Colombiana de Anestesiologia y Reanimacion 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 Mexican Journal of Economics & Finance / Revista Mexicana de Economia y Finanzas is the property of Instituto Mexicano de Ejecutivos de Finanzas 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.)

Recently, the Mostela system emerged as an expansion of camera trapping to gain new insights into the assemblages of small-sized and cryptic mammals. Despite being an established technique to study the natural history and ecology of rodents, shrews and small carnivores in Europe, its potential in tropical areas remains unexplored. We present the results of a pilot hybrid survey with conventional trail cameras and Mostelas conducted in a private protected area situated in the Cordillera Occidental of Colombia. We installed eight Mostelas paired with an external trail camera 550 m apart from each other from May to October 2022 in the Mesenia-Paramillo Nature Reserve. The Mostelas recorded two species of small carnivores, the threatened and unknown Colombian weasel (Neogale felipei), and the Long-tailed weasel (Neogale frenata), including several small rodents and marsupials. Mostelas captured a larger proportion of small non-volant mammals that could at least be identified to genus level compared to conventional trail cameras. We found that using baits inside Mostelas yielded a greater number of detections and richness compared to surveys not using them. Finally, we encourage the use of this hybrid system to improve the monitoring of poorly known small non-volant mammals in the Andean cloud forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social factors and networks of friends can influence an adolescent's behavior, including academic performance (AP) in school. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between AP and adolescents' social networks in a Caribbean city in Colombia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 806 schoolchildren from 12 to 17 years old of both sexes (52.7% girls), selected by multi-stage sampling from schools in the rural and urban areas of the city of Montería, Colombia. The AP was obtained from the school records; the sociodemographic variables included the location of the school (rural or urban), family structure, family functioning (Apgar score), and family affluence scale. Social network variables included social activity, popularity, reciprocity, homophily, friends' academic performance, network size, network density, cluster of friends, and centrality. Results: The AP was inversely associated with the Apgar score in boys. No associations of AP with the school location, family structure, family affluence scale, and age were observed. In social network variables, AP was positively associated with popularity and friends' academic performance in girls and boys, and negatively associated with homophily in boys. Conclusions: AP was associated with social network variables. These results could help implement interventions to improve adolescents' social environment and AP. [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.)

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]

Introduction: It should be an organizational commitment to ensure that both men and women have equal access to employment opportunities without experiencing or feeling any form of workplace discrimination. Nations like Colombia, with the support of institutions such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), have worked diligently on formulating policies to eliminate discrimination worldwide and provide equal opportunities in the workplace for all individuals, regardless of their religious beliefs, political ideology, skin color, sexual orientation, or origin, among other factors. Objective: To analyze how processes of discrimination can impact the generation of decent work for all individuals. Materials and Methods: To achieve the research objectives, both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed under a descriptive approach with correlational statistical analysis. Results: It can be established that the establishment of decent and dignified work for individuals is reflected when there is no workplace discrimination. This reflects the organization's interest in viewing individuals as fundamental elements for organizational development and competitiveness. Conclusions: Today, no society is free from any action related to discrimination. In light of this, it is important to emphasize that workplace discrimination is a phenomenon that is not local or national but universal in nature and constantly evolving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People living with HIV have an increased risk of cancer compared to the general population. However, with the increase in life expectancy and advances in antiretroviral therapy, the survival of patients with cancer and HIV has changed. Objective: To determine the survival of patients living with HIV and cancer in Cali, Colombia. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia. Data from the HIV database was crossed with data from the hospital and population-based cancer registries between 2011-2019. Patients <18 years, limited available clinical information on the diagnosis and treatment of HIV and cancer, and non-oncological tumor diagnosis were excluded. Results: A total of 173 patients were included. The frequencies of AIDS-defining neoplasms were: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (42.8%), Kaposi sarcoma (27.8%), and cervical cancer (4.6%). Overall survival was 76.4% (95% CI 68.9-82.3) at five years. Poorer survival was found in patients with AIDS-defining infections (56.9% vs. 77.8%, p=0.027) and non-AIDS-defining infections (57.8% vs. 84.2%, p=0.013), while there was better survival in patients who received antiretroviral therapy (65.9% vs. 17.9%, p=0.021) and oncological treatment (66.7% vs. 35.4%, p<0.001). The presence of non-AIDS-defining infections increases the risk of dying (HR = 2.39, 95% CI 1.05-5.46, p=0.038), while oncological treatment decreases it (HR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.14-0.80, p=0.014). Conclusions: In people living with HIV, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Kaposi sarcoma are the most common neoplasms. Factors such as AIDS-associated and non-AIDS-associated infections have been identified as determinants of survival. Cancer treatment seems to improve survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exercise of youth citizenship in Colombia implies the participation of young people in public decision making. This article builds upon the frameworks of the Youth Citizenship Statute and the Public Policy of Digital Government and presents the process and results of a pilot program on the formation of legal, political and ethical competencies of young people in Marinilla, Antioquia. The program aimed to, aid youth citizenship in real and virtual spaces in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. A multi-methodological model of digital research-action was implemented including Logical Framework Methodology (LFM), Technologies for Empowerment and Participation (TEP), and Digital Action and Local Political Advocacy (Adiplo). Twenty young people participated in the virtual course. As a result, the course qualified and contributed to the formation of the candidacy and election of five of the participants as municipal youth councilors of Marinilla. In addition, the participants provided their evaluation of public youth policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Lasallista de Investigación is the property of Corporacion Universitaria Lasallista 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 aim of the present study was twofold: first, to determine the meeting all three 24‐h movement guidelines in Colombian preschool‐aged children, and second, to explore the associations between different socio‐ecological correlates and the meeting of these guidelines. This was a cross‐sectional study with data from the Encuesta Nacional de Situación Nutricional (ENSIN‐2015) in Colombia, 2015–2016. The sample comprised 3002 low‐income preschoolers (3–4 years old, 50.7% boys). Data on physical activity, screen time, and sleep time were collected using the Cuestionario para la Medición de Actividad Física y Comportamiento Sedentario, reported by their parents. In total, 18 potential correlates (individual, interpersonal, organizational, and community level) were analyzed. Backward binary logistic regression analysis was performed with the potential correlates as independent variables and meeting all three 24‐h movement guidelines as dependent variables. The prevalence of preschoolers meeting all three 24‐h movement guidelines or none was 4.8% and 16.6%, respectively. In the final model, boys (odds ratio [OR] = 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–3.50) and those who do not have television in their bedroom (OR = 2.09, 95%CI 1.05–4.14) were more likely to meet all three 24‐h movement guidelines compared to with girls and those who have television, respectively. In conclusion, strategies to promote adherence to all 24‐h movement guidelines among low‐income preschoolers are warranted, and should focus on actions considering the importance of sex and home environment changes to support these movement behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have deficits in social interaction and expressing and understanding emotions. Based on this, robots for children with ASD have been proposed. However, few studies have been conducted about how to design a social robot for children with ASD. Non-experimental studies have been carried out to evaluate social robots; however, the general methodology that should be used to design a social robot is not clear. This study proposes a design path for a social robot for emotional communication for children with ASD following a user-centered design approach. This design path was applied to a case study and evaluated by a group of experts in psychology, human–robot interaction, and human–computer interaction from Chile and Colombia, as well as parents of children with ASD. Our results show that following the proposed design path for a social robot to communicate emotions for children with ASD is favorable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ginecología y Obstetricia de México is the property of Federacion Mexicana de Ginecologia y Obstetricia 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.)

Past research has associated callous-unemotional traits (CU) in young people with serious conduct problems and antisocial behavior. However, whether CU traits influence implicit attitudes toward violence remains largely unexplored. We assess this hypothesis in two independent samples: a sample of youth with no criminal records (Study 1, N = 86), and in a sample of young offenders (Study 2, N = 61). Both groups were not compared due to theoretical (very different demographics) and statistical reasons (the total sample was insufficient to be able to reach the statistical power required in the comparison of both groups). Further, we use an implicit procedure to examine whether CU traits modulate wanting for violent stimuli. Across two samples of youth, we found little evidence of an association between CU traits and implicit violent cognition. In youth with no criminal records, implicit attitudes toward violence were related to the unemotional factor of CU traits, but unrelated to other factors and to a global CU traits score. CU traits were not associated with implicit attitudes toward violence in young offenders. The latter finding was mirrored in the implicit wanting task. Overall, our findings cast some doubts on the adequacy of implicit measures to assess implicit violent cognition in youth with CU traits. We discuss potential methodological limitations of this research (e.g., characteristics of the sample and performance in the implicit procedures) that may impact our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciencia y Tecnología Agropecuaria is the property of Agrosavia 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.)