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

The Banco de la República, as the Colombian central bank, was created by Law 25 of 1923, that is, a century ago. As a relevant fact in the economic history of the country, it is about showing that the founding of the central bank is an event located at a time and in a certain economic, social and political context, in which, necessarily, they will appear, as in any process. historical, redistributive problems, with winners and losers, both economically and socially and politically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The litterfall production, foliar nutrient dynamics and decomposition are essential to maintain nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and carbon regulation in terrestrial ecosystems. With several studies addressing the variation of these processes, their dynamics in tropical dry forests (TDFs) remain unclear, due to its complex interaction of biotic and abiotic factors. Objective: To evaluate litterfall, nutrient potential return and use efficiency, and decomposition variation in a TDF successional gradient in Tolima, Colombia. Methods: We quantified litterfall from November 2017 to October 2019 in 12 plots distributed in four successional stages: initial, early, intermediate, and late forests. We identified key tree species in foliar litter production and characterized the foliar decomposition of these species. At the community level, we quantified the C, N and P potential return, the N and P use efficiency, and the C:N and N:P ratio. Subsequently, we analyze relationships between vegetation characteristics and some soil chemical properties with these ecological processes. Results: We found that total litterfall in late forests (8.46 Mg ha-1 y-1) was double that found in initial forests (4.45 Mg ha-1 y-1). Decomposition was higher in initial (k = 1.28) compared to intermediate (k = 0.97) and late forests (k = 0.87). The nutrient potential return didn't change along succession, but it did show differences between study sites. The structural development and species richness favored litterfall, while soil chemical conditions influenced nutrient returns and decomposition. Conclusions: TDFs could recover key ecosystem function related to litterfall and nutrient dynamics after disturbances cessation; however, the soil quality is fundamental in return and release of nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nomadas (01217550) is the property of Universidad 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.)

Copyright of Revista Pensamiento Americano is the property of Corporacion Universitaria Americana 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.)

Ilmenite-rich black sands from an alluvial deposit of Barbacoas (Nariño, Colombia) were used as a natural source aiming to obtain a low-cost and highly available photocatalyst. Mineral concentrates were obtained by gravimetric concentration in a Wilfley table (deck tilt angle: 11–14°) followed by dry magnetic or wet electromagnetic separation. Afterwards, the particle size was manually reduced down to −325 mesh. Rietveld refinements using X-ray diffraction data showed that the highest purity achieved was 93.46% of ilmenite (FeTiO3). Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed a polyhedral morphology with an average grain size of 1.33–2.27 μm, granular inclusions of aluminosilicates and appreciable quantities of manganese. The band-gap values determined by UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy were underestimated compared to those reported in the literature, given the impurities in the samples and their optical behavior. Photoluminescence experiments provided a band-gap of 2.68 eV. The photo-oxidative and photo-reductive capabilities of the concentrates were evaluated in the degradation of methyl orange in aqueous solution under UV irradiation. 99% of discoloration was achieved after 50 min for oxidation and after 20 min for reduction, showing the potential of ilmenite-rich concentrates as photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El artículo discurre sobre la independencia de la Banca Central de Colombia en 1923. El autor comenta sobre el rol del banco central en la estabilización económica y monetaria en el país y describe las reformas implementadas al banco desde este periodo. También se considera la historia, la evolución y el desarrollo de la Banca Central durante el siglo 20.

Quercus forests reach their southern limit of distribution in Colombia, where they are represented by Quercus humboldtii. In the inner slopes of the Western and Eastern cordilleras of Colombia, oak forests are located in areas with annual rainfall between 1260 and 1960 mm. Oak forests can also be found in the eastern slope of the Central cordillera (annual rainfall 2300 mm). Oak forests from massifs of the Caribbean were characterized and grouped in the alliance Billio roseae-Quercion humbodtii. Tovomito werddelianae-Quercetum humboldtii is found in well preserved areas between 750 and 950 m on the wet foothills of the Western cordillera (annual rainfall up to 3000 mm). Wettinio praemorsae-Quercetum humboldtii is found between 1600 and 1800 m.s.l.m.) in the south of the Perijá mountains (annual rain fall 1600–1800 mm). We did not find a direct relationship between the amount of rainfall and species richness in both the higher strata and the total number of species. Oak forests are distributed from warm climates with temperatures over 24°C and 700 m of altitude with precipitation close to 2800 mm/year, to cold climates with temperatures under 10°C in altitudes over 3000 m and with annual rainfall between 700 and 3000 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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

Copyright of Revista Colombiana de Psiquiatria is the property of Asociacion Colombiana de Psiquiatria 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 exploratory article describes the growth path of national government expenditure during the last eighty years. It covers the following topics: the long term relation between economic growth and public expenditure; budget policies executed in different macroeconomic contexts; and the evolving institutional frameworks of budget execution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This second paper from Mauricio Avella describes the complete cycle of capital exports originating in the United States in the 1920's: the conversion of United States into a creditor nation; the role of New York as the dominant financial center; and the distribution of United States investments, particularly in South America. Moreover, it examines the availability of these exports to Colombia, and the consequences from collapsing of external credit granted by the United States. Finally, it reviews the balance of the main international creditors when the export cycle of American capital closed in the 1920's. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exome and genome sequencing (ES/GS) are routinely used for the diagnosis of genetic diseases in developed countries. However, their implementation is limited in countries from Latin America. We aimed to describe the results of GS in patients with suspected rare genetic diseases in Colombia. We studied 501 patients from 22 healthcare sites from January to December 2022. GS was performed in the index cases using dried blood spots on filtercards. Ancestry analysis was performed under iAdmix. Multiomic testing was performed when needed (biomarker, enzymatic activity, RNA-seq). All tests were performed at an accredited genetic laboratory. Ethnicity prediction data confirmed that 401 patients (80%) were mainly of Amerindian origin. A genetic diagnosis was established for 142 patients with a 28.3% diagnostic yield. The highest diagnostic yield was achieved for pathologies with a metabolic component and syndromic disorders (p < 0.001). Young children had a median of 1 year of diagnostic odyssey, while the median time for adults was significantly longer (15 years). Patients with genetic syndromes have spent more than 75% of their life without a diagnosis, while for patients with neurologic and neuromuscular diseases, the time of the diagnostic odyssey tended to decrease with age. Previous testing, specifically karyotyping or chromosomal microarray were significantly associated with a longer time to reach a definitive diagnosis (p < 0.01). Furthermore, one out of five patients that had an ES before could be diagnosed by GS. The Colombian genome project is the first Latin American study reporting the experience of systematic use of diagnostic GS in rare diseases., (© 2024. The Author(s).)