Search

Many labor scholars and practitioners see the regulation of informal work as necessary to protect the world's most vulnerable workers from market predation. This article advances an alternative perspective: State regulation is a versatile tool that can be wielded either by workers or by elites, often toward contradictory ends. Accordingly, the key question for those seeking to promote decent work is not whether to formalize informal jobs, but rather, formalization by and for whom? The author uses this approach to analyze differential outcomes between efforts to formalize the work of waste pickers in São Paulo, Brazil, and Bogotá, Colombia. Drawing on 24 months of field research, the author documents how São Paulo's formalization policies benefited few street waste pickers, whereas those of Bogotá elevated the incomes, conditions, and voices of thousands of comparable workers. The analysis suggests that formalization is likely to yield pro-worker outcomes only when workers possess sufficient power over policy design and implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes the work "El carnero" by Juan Rodríguez Freyle, a Creole from Bogotá in the 17th century. The chronicle stands out for its novelistic and everyday approach to colonial life instead of recounting epic events of the conquest. Editors Ángel Esteban and Yannelys Aparicio present a critical edition of the work, based on the 1859 prince manuscript, which becomes a reference for future research. [Extracted from the article]

This article presents the findings of a study aimed at explaining the extent of the cognitive gap between secondary schools in Bogotá in 2021, as well as identifying its key determinants. While factors such as the presence of public educational institutions, student-to-teacher ratios, and student food insecurity play a role, the central hypothesis posits that this gap is primarily shaped by patterns of residential segregation. These patterns, measured through segregation indexes of social classes--working, middle, and upper classes--within the city's 112 Zonal Planning Units (UPZ), are critical in explaining the disparity. The results highlight the formation of an increasingly unequal society and raise questions about the validity of merit-based criteria in policies governing access to higher education and the labor market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informal land and building occupations form a significant part of Southern urbanism, emerging as central features of city--making in places defined by colonial histories and dispossession. They transgress normalised property and legal regimes and thereby open the possibility for alternative relations connected to shared practices of use and being in common. Drawing on long-term engaged research in Bogotá, Colombia and Cape Town, South Africa, this paper traces the origins and dynamic trajectories of two occupations, paying particular attention to the ways occupiers engage state logics transversally to assemble material infrastructures and advance citizenship claims. In comparing these situated practices relationally, we identify three modalities of transversal engagement that shape their presents and futures: 1) direct co-design; 2) aspirational co-design, and 3) anticipatory counter-design. Whilst the potentiality and outcomes of these are uncertain, we argue they are important contributors to contesting racialised regimes of dispossession and reimagining more just and equitable urban futures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the crucial role of political willingness and brokerage in the implementation of Bogotá's new feminist care policy, the 'System of Care', which aims to address gender and class inequalities and alleviate care burdens on women. Through a combination of ethnographic data and stakeholder interviews, we analyze the intricate political and social processes that underpin the policy's effectiveness. Drawing on academic literature about care work, policy implementation in weak states, and brokerage, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the policy's development and operation, from the inception of the System of Care to its day-to-day functionality within the local Care Blocks. Our findings underscore the significance of political willingness and brokerage at the macro level, along with the importance of debureaucratization and trust-building at the micro level, as key factors contributing to the policy's success. Yet, the policy innovation also faces several challenges, primarily political uncertainties and the risk of burnout among local Care Block coordinators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban scholars have long engaged with the role of culture in cities. Tracing this debate, this article outlines the evolutions of culture as an object of study in inquiries on the urban and wishes to trouble two persisting trends in this literature. The first is a geographical and theoretical Eurocentric vision of culture, often framing cities beyond the West as exceptions or needing validation through a comparison with a Western case or theoretical model; the second is an economistic vision of culture under neoliberalism, neglecting the political and ideological dimensions of culture. As a step in overcoming these limitations, this article builds around the notion of 're-learning', to re-insert memory, informality and conflicting heritage into the debate on culture in cities. Drawing on an ethnography of the street 'Avenida 26' in Bogotá, Colombia, the article shows that informal cultural practices in the middle of segregation and urban violence can hardly be grasped through the current framing of culture in cities. Yet, they invite an opening up of such a framing to include different ways to cohabit and navigate space through everyday minor engagements. These multifaceted cultural realities urge us to 're-learn' culture in cities anywhere and advance theorisation on culture that takes non-Western urban spaces seriously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica 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.)

Young adults aged 18–28 represent a pivotal demographic whose experiences of inequality significantly shape their life trajectories in cities. Despite their potential for innovation and social advancement, public agendas often marginalize their needs and aspirations. This paper explores urban inequality among young adults by examining how they define and value different aspects of their daily lives when urban inequality is at play. Drawing on focus group discussions in two socioeconomically segregated urban districts in Bogotá, this paper employs the capability approach to construct a comprehensive list of 15 capability domains that young adults use to define and value their daily experiences. The paper adds to the existing literature a detail a step-by-step process involving the identification, selection, and ranking of relevant capabilities, with young adults actively engaged in value judgements through a deliberative process of public reasoning. Findings reveal that quality-of-life domains for young adults extend beyond traditional youth policy sectors, encompassing political participation, public space and mobility, social norms, and independence. The results not only expand the scope of existing youth agendas but also align with demands expressed during recent social unrest in Colombia and the region, where young adults have played a central and vocal role. [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.)

Background: Pompe disease, a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by acid alpha-glucosidase deficiency, results in progressive glycogen accumulation and multisystem dysfunction. Enzyme replacement therapy with recombinant human acid alpha-glucosidase is the standard of care; however, some patients develop anti-recombinant human acid alpha-glucosidase antibodies, leading to reduced efficacy. This case report presents two infants with early-onset Pompe disease who developed IgG antibodies to enzyme replacement therapy and were subsequently treated with methotrexate, highlighting the importance of monitoring antibody development and exploring alternative therapeutic approaches. Case presentation: Patient 1, a 10-month-old female from Bogota, Colombia, presented with generalized hypotonia, macroglossia, hyporeflexia, and mild left ventricular hypertrophy. Diagnostic tests confirmed early-onset Pompe disease, and enzyme replacement therapy was started at 12 months. Due to a lack of improvement and high anti-recombinant human acid alpha-glucosidase IgG antibody titers (1:1800), methotrexate was started at 18 months. After 8 months of combined therapy, antibody titers were negative and significant improvement in motor function was observed using the Gross Motor Function Measure 88. Patient 2, a 7-year-old female from Bogota, Colombia, was diagnosed with early-onset Pompe disease at 12 months and initiated enzyme replacement therapy. At 5 years of age, she experienced frequent falls and grip strength alterations. Functional tests revealed motor development delay, generalized hypotonia, and positive anti-recombinant human acid alpha-glucosidase IgG antibody titers (6400). Methotrexate was initiated, leading to a reduction in falls and antibody titers (3200) after 6 months, with no adverse events or complications. Motor function improvement was assessed using the Motor Function Measurement 32. Conclusions: The presented cases highlight the importance of monitoring patients for anti-recombinant human acid alpha-glucosidase antibody development during enzyme replacement therapy and the potential benefit of methotrexate as an immunomodulatory agent in early-onset Pompe disease. Early diagnosis and timely initiation of enzyme replacement therapy, combined with prophylactic immune tolerance induction, may improve clinical outcomes and reduce the development of anti-recombinant human acid alpha-glucosidase antibodies. The cases also highlight the importance of objective motor function assessment tools, such as Gross Motor Function Measure 88 and Motor Function Measurement 32, in assessing treatment response. Further research is needed to optimize treatment regimens, monitor long-term effects, and address the current limitations of enzyme replacement therapy in Pompe disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to present an integrative model assessing the impact of Food Biosafety Measures (FBM), e-Service Quality (e-SQ), and Product Quality (PQ) on Online Food Delivery Service (OFDS) brand image, e-consumer satisfaction (e-CS), and e-loyalty (e-LO), grounded in Expectation-Disconfirmation Theory (EDT). Employing a cross-sectional survey design, the study analyzed responses from 911 users in Bogotá and Medellín through structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). A multigroup analysis assessed differences across these two cities. The study found that FBM significantly enhances e-CS but does not directly impact brand image, suggesting other factors, such as e-SQ and PQ, play essential roles. E-SQ and PQ robustly influence brand image, which modestly affects both e-CS and e-LO. The study confirms that e-CS significantly fosters e-LO, with FBM indirectly influencing e-LO via e-CS. For OFDS managers and policymakers, emphasizing food biosecurity, service, and product quality is vital for enhancing consumer satisfaction and fostering loyalty. Geographical nuances revealed through multigroup analysis indicate the importance of region-specific strategies for service quality and market expansion. This research fills a gap in the OFDS literature by empirically validating non-food quality attributes in generating e-CS and, indirectly, e-LO. It highlights the complexity of brand image construction and provides a framework for OFDS brands to augment consumer satisfaction and loyalty in a dynamically evolving sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study explores the perceptions surrounding the work of typhlologists in Colombia. Methodology: The fieldwork was conducted with three population groups: professionals in typhlology, professional blind adults, and blind youth from district educational institutions in the city of Bogota, Colombia. Semi-structured interviews were used as the primary instrument for data collection. Results: It is evident that, although national regulations highlight the importance of typhlology in inclusive education, there is no official profile stablished by the Ministry of National Education in which the field of action, characteristics and specific functions are established. In other words, there is no professionalization of the typhlologist's work. This means that any professional with a minimum of experience in relation to the educational process can accompany the visually impaired population. This could affect the quality of support provided to people with this type of disability in the country. Conclusions: It is necessary to recognize the importance of typhlology as a profession that contributes to inclusive education, to the extent that it addresses all the dimensions of visual impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Consillium Academica initiative, spearheaded by the academic vicedeanship of the Faculty of Sciences at Universidad Nacional de Colombia in Bogotá, is based on a comprehensive clustering analysis of undergraduate students. This study leverages data spanning from the 2012-1S to 2022-2S academic terms to semi-automatically identify a group of students consistently exhibiting academic underperformance each semester with a potential high risk of academic dropout. The methodology employed in this initiative serves as a proactive measure to identify and support students at risk, to improve the effectiveness of the intervention strategies of the tutor-teacher program, facilitating direct contact between mentors and identified students to provide personalized guidance and academic advisement. This article presents the methodology, key findings, and implications of the Consillium Academica initiative, shedding light on its potential to fortify academic support systems and contribute to the overall success and retention of undergraduate students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the interaction between Cervantes' Don Quixote and its cinematic transmutation in Un tal Alonso Quijano by Libia Stella Gómez (2020), focusing on the characters of Don Quixote and Dulcinea. We begin with a consideration of the type of adaptive approach and the change in semiotic medium proposed by Un tal Alonso Quijano, based on which we compare some aspects of both stories. Subsequently, we analyze the interpretation and original development present in the film of the characters Don Quixote and Dulcinea, specifically as residents of Bogotá in the 21st century who, amid frustration, choose to wear a mask. However, in the end, through a process of disenchantment, they will come to understand that they must confront their fears without resorting to imposture. Thus, Gómez's proposal gives the characters a new configuration that ultimately contributes to keeping the Cervantine myth alive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historian Catalina Muñoz, associate professor at the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, founded the project "Historias para lo que viene" to promote reflections in favor of peace and combat social inequality. In an interview, she discusses her trajectory as a researcher, the relationship between public history and present demands, and the social impacts of public history projects. Muñoz highlights the importance of public history in countries with authoritarian pasts and the need for a long-term vision to deal with current challenges and sensitive memories. She also addresses the development of the public history movement in Colombia and the challenges and impacts of the project "Historias para lo que viene" on people's lives and the community in general. [Extracted from the article]

This paper engages recent writing on urban trauma, exploring its connection with the gendered forms of activism that displaced women practise as they seek to rebuild more emancipatory urban futures. Their activisms are situated in the context of multiple, ongoing and intersecting forms of violence from intimates, armed groups and the state, including institutional neglect (in and of the city) that is racialised and gendered. We draw on participatory action research undertaken with women in the Colombian cities of Bogotá and Medellín. Using creative audio-visual methods over several months, women co-researchers produced a documentary in which they chart the ways that they claim spaces of the city inside and outside their homes. We draw particular attention here to the temporal dimension of urban trauma as it intersects with migrant women's spatial biographies; this has consequences for their activisms which also transcend the sites and scales of public and private spheres, national and global crises and individual and community responses. We argue that it is the gradually accruing and multiplying character of violence and trauma which in turn necessitates the gradual and multiscalar development of these activisms. The women used ecological metaphors of rooting and growth to explain how, through these activisms and directly informed by past traumatic events, they 'come back to life'. Together, they build solidarity networks and alliances, and imagine and practise alternative feminist urban futures and modes of recovery in their new urban homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Copyright of Revista Trabajo Social is the property of Universidad Nacional 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.)

Copyright of Revista Trabajo Social is the property of Universidad Nacional 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.)

Copyright of Hipogrifo: revista de literatura y cultura del siglo de oro is the property of Hipogrifo: revista de literatura y cultura del siglo de oro 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 Digital de Derecho Administrativo is the property of Universidad Externado 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.)

Copyright of Kepes is the property of Universidad de Caldas 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 Kepes is the property of Universidad de Caldas 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 Profile: Issues in Teachers' Professional Development is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ciencias Humanas 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: Temporary abdominal closure (TAC) techniques are essential in managing open abdomen cases, particularly in damage control surgery. Skin-only closure (SC) and Bogota bag closure (BBC) are commonly used methods for TAC, but their comparative effectiveness in achieving primary fascial closure (PFC) remains unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the rates of PFC between patients undergoing SC and BBC techniques for TAC in peritonitis or abdominal trauma cases at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Surgical A Unit of Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, from January 2022 to July 2023. Approval was obtained from the institutional review board, and patient consent was secured for data use. Patients undergoing temporary abdominal closure using either skin-only or Bogota bag techniques were included. Exclusions comprised patients younger than 15 or older than 75 years, those with multiple abdominal wall incisions, and those with prior abdominal surgeries. Data analysis utilized SPSS version 25. The study aimed to assess outcomes following damage control surgery, focusing on primary fascial closure rates and associated factors. Closure techniques (skin-only and Bogota bag) were chosen based on institutional protocols and clinical context. Indications for damage control surgery (DCS) included traumatic and non-traumatic emergencies. Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) was measured using standardized methods. Patients were divided into SC and BBC groups for comparison. Criteria for reoperation and primary fascial closure were established, with timing and technique determined based on clinical assessment and multidisciplinary team collaboration. The decision to leave patients open during the index operation followed damage control surgery principles. Results: A total of 193 patients were included in this study, with 59.0% undergoing skin-only closure (SC) and 41.0% receiving Bogota bag closure (BBC). Patients exhibited similar demographic characteristics across cohorts, with a majority being male (73.1%) and experiencing acute abdomen of non-traumatic origin (58.0%). Among the reasons for leaving the abdomen open, severe intra-abdominal sepsis affected 51.3% of patients, while 42.0% experienced hemodynamic instability. Patients who received SC had significantly higher rates of primary fascial closure (PFC) compared to BBC (85.1% vs. 65.8%, p = 0.04), with lower rates of fascial dehiscence (1.7% vs. 7.6%, p = 0.052) and wound infections (p = 0.010). Multivariate regression analysis showed SC was associated with a higher likelihood of achieving PFC compared to BBC (adjusted OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.3–3.8, p < 0.05). Conclusion: In patients with peritonitis or abdominal trauma, SC demonstrated higher rates of PFC compared to BBC for TAC in our study population. However, further studies are warranted to validate these results and explore the long-term outcomes associated with different TAC techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The stigma and social discrimination against cisgender women sex workers lead many of them to live in conditions characterized by social inequality, marginalization, persecution, and limited opportunities for sexual health literacy. Consequently, they are often compelled to establish a framework of preventive beliefs with little scientific validity, which they use to identify, mitigate, or avoid sexual health risks arising from their interactions with clients. This study investigates the sexual health beliefs that influence self-care practices aimed at preventing sexually transmitted infections among cisgender women sex workers in Colombia. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study framed in Hermeneutic Phenomenology. In-depth interviews and discussion groups were conducted with 34 cisgender women sex workers over 18 years of age in the center of the cities of Bogotá and Barranquilla in Colombia. Results: Seven themes emerged from the reflective and inductive thematic analysis of the narratives: (1) popular habits for the prevention of contagion, (2) ocular assessment of genitals, (3) condom lubrication, (4) suspicion of a hidden infection in the client, (5) saliva and oral contact as a source of contagion, (6) avoidance of semen contact, (7) and trust in God as protection. Conclusions: The findings reflect the need for health and social professionals to promote participatory and inclusive cooperation with sex workers to update the framework of preventive beliefs that help them guide sexual health self-care with autonomy and self-efficacy, strengthening favorable beliefs and negotiating unfavorable ones. It is also essential to have a sex worker-informed sexual health policy that guides the promotion of sexual health that is sensitive to the needs and consistent with the risks of sex work and ensures friendly and non-oppressive preventive care environments for sex workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of different machine learning models in estimating the pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical expenditures associated with Diabetes Mellitus type II diagnosis, based on the clinical risk index determined by the analysis of comorbidities. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, we have used data from 11,028 anonymized records of patients admitted to a high-complexity hospital in Bogota, Colombia between 2017–2019 with a primary diagnosis of Diabetes. These cases were classified according to Charlson's comorbidity index in several risk categories. The main variables analyzed in this study are hospitalization costs (which include pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical expenditures), age, gender, length of stay, medicines and services consumed, and comorbidities assessed by the Charlson's index. The model's dependent variable is expenditure (composed of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical expenditures). Based on these variables, different machine learning models (Multivariate linear regression, Lasso model, and Neural Networks) were used to estimate the pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical expenditures associated with the clinical risk classification. To evaluate the performance of these models, different metrics were used: Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Mean Squared Error (MSE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Coefficient of Determination (R2). Results: The results indicate that the Neural Networks model performed better in terms of accuracy in predicting pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical expenditures considering the clinical risk based on Charlson's comorbidity index. A deeper understanding and experimentation with Neural Networks can improve these preliminary results, therefore we can also conclude that the main variables used and those that were proposed can be used as predictors for the medical expenditures of patients with diabetes type-II. Conclusions: With the increase of technology elements and tools, it is possible to build models that allow decision-makers in hospitals to improve the resource planning process given the accuracy obtained with the different models tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As evidenced in the literature, music has accompanied the human being for millennia, in different situations, emotions and activities. In addition, not only does it allow expressions of internal personal states and feelings, but it can also produce many positive effects in those who practice it. Various authors have explored these benefits that musical activity brings, mainly in children. They highlight positive aspects of learning music in different areas of knowledge, in school performance and even improvements in the IQ of infants. However, despite the large number of studies regarding the benefits of music in children and the different nascent teaching alternatives, in Colombia the situation continues to be dramatic in terms of the incorporation of musical activity in the school curriculum. The foregoing added to political factors, teaching spaces and teacher training. In this way, the present work offers a new musical learning alternative, aimed at children from 7 to 11 years old, through a musical software focused on the initial teaching of the instrumental keyboard. It is important to mention that the software has a feedback system based on decision trees, which allows reinforcing the topics covered in the application. Finally, a comparative analysis is presented between teaching using the software and traditional teaching with the book, through an Investigation-Action carried out over six days with two students from a public school in the city of Bogotá, Colombia. This Investigation-Action allowed to observe positive results based on the comments and performance of the participants, which opens a great possibility for the subsequent scaling of this application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study features the perspectives of language teacher-researchers as ethnographers exploring the urban semiotic landscape in the historic district of Bogotá, Colombia. We posed a question: What can teacher-researchers learn from studying this urban semiotic landscape through a decolonial lens? Using collaborative ethnography, we analyzed how teacher-researchers engaged with wall art. They recognized that representations of racial and linguistic diversity in wall art make local sources and ways of being visible for decolonizing education. Decolonizing educational research might be one step toward decolonizing resources and territories in Latin American societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetlands provide ecosystem services such as flood protection, improved water quality, and wildlife habitat, but are under attack in urban land-use conflicts in the Global South. This article presents two cases of local wetlands governance conflicts in Colombia (Humedal la Conejera, Bogotá, Cundinamarca) and Argentina (Laguna de Rocha, Esteban Echeverría, Gran Buenos Aires) to illustrate divergent pathways toward improved environmental governance via citizen pressures: the collaborative method (Bogotá) and the adversarial method (Buenos Aires). While existing scholarship on citizen-led regulation stresses the importance of collaboration between community organizations and the state, this article argues that adversarial tactics are also a key component of environmental governance. In both cases, citizen-led pressures led to increased enforcement of regulatory measures to restore wetlands and gain protected-area status. Citizen-led governance involved adversarial strategies such as marches, litigation, and shaming and blaming in the media, as well as collaborative strategies such as creating broad-based educational forums, working inside city government, and partnering directly with public institutions to set new policies. Against the backdrop of extensive collusion between elected officials and land developers, citizen-led subnational environmental governance has become the regulatory regime of last resort in urban Latin America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution, particularly from particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon (eBC), has been implicated in airway pathologies. This study aims to assess the relationship between exposure to these pollutants and respiratory function in various populations, including healthy individuals, while seeking an accurate assessment method. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bogotá, evaluating respiratory function in the users of bicycles, minivans, and buses through spirometry and impulse oscillometry. Measurements were taken along two main avenues, assessing the PM2.5 and eBC concentrations. The results reveal higher pollutant levels on AVE KR 9, correlating with changes in oscillometry values post-travel. Cyclists exhibited differing pre- and post-travel values compared to bus and minivan users, suggesting aerobic exercise mitigates pollutant impacts. However, no statistically significant spirometry or impulse oscillometry variations were observed among routes or modes. Public transport and minivan users showed greater PM2.5 and eBC exposure, yet no significant changes associated with environmental contaminants were found in respiratory function values. These findings underscore the importance of further research on pollutant effects and respiratory health in urban environments, particularly concerning different transport modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a methodology for the optimal design of series of sewer pipes including pumping stations. It employs a Shortest Path Algorithm to select the optimal combination of pipe diameters and invert elevations, as well as the optimal pumping features such as the number of pumps, location, and pumping head. The methodology is intended to be applied to the design of any sewer series. Although these are uncommon in real infrastructure, the study allows an analysis of the effect of pipe roughness, inflows, and pipe length on the total cost of the system and pumping features. The methodology was tested in theoretical series of 10 and 20 pipes as well as in a real series that is part of the sewer system of Bogotá, Colombia. The resulting designs suggested that using smooth pipes and reducing the pumping flow rate would decrease the cost of sewer systems in flat terrain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colombia aims to boost the utilization of mass transportation systems in its major cities while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, in alignment with the commitments of the COP21 agreement. In 2020, the transport sector in Colombia accounted for 34.4% of the country's energy demand and was responsible for ~49% of its total CO2 emissions. This article presents an assessment of energy consumption, environmental effects and the fuel costs of Bogotá's bus rapid transit system based on the Activity, Share, Intensity, Fuel methodology. A long-term analysis spanning from 2021 to 2040 was developed using the long-range energy alternatives planning platform. To conduct this assessment, the tool was calibrated using data from 2019 and 2020. Four distinct scenarios based on energy policies implemented in Bogotá were examined: Business as Usual, Fast Transition, High Growth and Low Growth. Regarding energy consumption and environmental effects, the results underscore the pivotal role of diversifying energy sources and reducing reliance on fossil fuels such as oil. Consequently, the analysis emphasizes the urgent need to accelerate the transition to alternative energy sources such as natural gas and electricity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai, Psychologia-Paedagogia is the property of Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania 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.)

We study the effectiveness of the mobility restrictions imposed by governments to curb urban mobility. We use mobile phone-tracked movements to determine whether users left their homes and explore the role of socio-economic differences across neighbourhoods in explaining their unequal response to lockdown measures. We rely on novel data showing changes in movements in highly disaggregated spatial units in Bogotá, Colombia, before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, matched with data on socio-economic characteristics and data on non-pharmaceutical interventions implemented in the period of analysis. We find that the general lockdown imposed in the city significantly reduced mobility (by about 41 percentage points). When looking at the unequal response across locations, we find that low-income areas, with higher population density, informality and overcrowding, reacted less to mobility restrictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is the most frequent cause of cardiorespiratory arrest and subsequent death in children worldwide. There have been limited studies regarding ARF in high altitude settings. The aim of this study was to calculate mortality and describe associated factors for severity and mortality in children with ARF. Methods: The study was conducted within a prospective multicentric cohort that evaluated the natural history of pediatric ARF. For this analysis three primary outcomes were studied: mortality, invasive mechanical ventilation, and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) length of stay. Eligible patients were children older than 1 month and younger than 18 years of age with respiratory difficulty at the time of admission. Patients who developed ARF were followed at the time of ARF, 48 h later, at the time of discharge, and at 30 and 60 days after discharge. It was conducted in the pediatric emergency, in‐hospital, and critical‐care services in three hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia, from April 2020 to June 2021. Results: Out of a total of 685 eligible patients, 296 developed ARF for a calculated incidence of ARF of 43.2%. Of the ARF group, 90 patients (30.4%) needed orotracheal intubation, for a mean of 9.57 days of ventilation (interquartile range = 3.00–11.5). Incidence of mortality was 6.1% (n = 18). The associated factors for mortality in ARF were a history of a neurologic comorbidity and a higher fraction of inspired oxygen at ARF diagnosis. For PICU length of stay, the associated factors were age between 2 and 5 years of age, exposure to smokers, and respiratory comorbidity. Finally, for mechanical ventilation, the risk factors were obesity and being unstable at admission. Conclusions: ARF is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Understanding the factors associated with greater mortality and severity of ARF might allow earlier recognition and initiation of prompt treatment strategies. [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.)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has established as a criterion of parasitological quality for irrigation water, ≤ 1 helminth egg/liter, which guarantees the safety in agricultural products. In this study, the presence of parasites in surface water used for irrigation of crops (n = 96) and vegetables (celery and lettuce) (n = 120), from the Former La Ramada irrigation district, was evaluated using conventional and molecular parasitological methods. Our findings showed contamination of irrigation systems in the study area with domestic wastewater, demonstrated by the presence of Ancylostomatidae eggs, Ascaris spp., Hymenolepis spp., Trichuris spp., Capillaria spp., Giardia spp. cysts, and oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium spp. A prevalence of 33% and 23.3% was calculated for helminths and protozoa, respectively in vegetables, representing a possible risk to human and animal health in relation to these parasites. These findings show the need for continuous monitoring of the water quality used for crop irrigation, as well as the safety of food, taking into account the values established in national and international regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traffic-related crashes are a leading cause of premature death and disability. The safe systems approach is an evidence-informed set of innovations to reduce traffic-related injuries and deaths. First developed in Sweden, global health actors are adapting the model to improve road safety in low- and middle-income countries via technical assistance (TA) programs; however, there is little evidence on road safety TA across contexts. This study investigated how, why, and under what conditions technical assistance influenced evidence-informed road safety in Accra (Ghana), Bogotá (Colombia), and Mumbai (India), using a case study of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS). Methods: We conducted a realist evaluation with a multiple case study design to construct a program theory. Key informant interviews were conducted with 68 government officials, program staff, and other stakeholders. Documents were utilized to trace the evolution of the program. We used a retroductive analysis approach, drawing on the diffusion of innovation theory and guided by the context-mechanism-outcome approach to realist evaluation. Results: TA can improve road safety capabilities and increase the uptake of evidence-informed interventions. Hands-on capacity building tailored to specific implementation needs improved implementers' understanding of new approaches. BIGRS generated novel, city-specific analytics that shifted the focus toward vulnerable road users. BIGRS and city officials launched pilots that brought evidence-informed approaches. This built confidence by demonstrating successful implementation and allowing government officials to gauge public perception. But pilots had to scale within existing city and national contexts. City champions, governance structures, existing political prioritization, and socio-cultural norms influenced scale-up. Conclusion: The program theory emphasizes the interaction of trust, credibility, champions and their authority, governance structures, political prioritization, and the implement-ability of international evidence in creating the conditions for road safety change. BIGRS continues to be a vehicle for improving road safety at scale and developing coalitions that assist governments in fulfilling their role as stewards of population well-being. Our findings improve understanding of the complex role of TA in translating evidence-informed interventions to country-level implementation and emphasize the importance of context-sensitive TA to increase impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article uses the case of the bookstore Librería Colombiana and the broad investment portfolio of their owners—the partnership Camacho Roldán & Tamayo—to show how networks of commodity exchange shaped Bogotá's space during the late nineteenth century and its articulation to the rural and the global. I examine the combined speculative investments of the partnership in books, cows, and land to explain how they turned Librería Colombiana into a landmark in the city and benefited from the credit it yielded to further their social standing and economic power. By siphoning off capital from their hacienda to buy foreign books and urban land during the whirlwind of speculation spurred by the urban renovations processes, Camacho Roldán & Tamayo helped connect Bogotá to a global world of books, altering social and spatial relations, and reinforcing the city's domination over its hinterland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Leptospirosis is a re-emerging zoonosis that is under-reported in tropical countries, and canines can be a potential reservoir of the disease. The objective of this study was to diagnose Leptospira spp. that is actively infected and re-infected in stray dogs and cats from Bogota, D.C., Colombia. Materials and Methods: A sample of 200 animals, including dogs and cats from the animal protection programs of Bogota, Colombia, were used in this study. Blood was collected from these animals for serum and DNA analysis. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using the 16s rRNA primer set, and higher-quality amplification products were sequenced by Sanger. For serodiagnosis, a group of PCR-positive samples was tested using the microagglutination test (MAT). Results: The overall PCR positivity of stray dogs and cats was 56%, 52.9%, and 65.3% in dogs and cats, respectively. The MAT seropositivity was 77.3%, and only dogs showed titers higher than 1:400. Canicola, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona, Hardjo Prajitno, and Canicola and Hardjo prajitno were the serogroups associated with dogs and cats, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the strains belonging to Leptospira interrogans serovars related to isolated samples of American, European, and Asian bats (Myotis myotis), dogs, and bovines of American origin. Conclusion: These results showed that stray dogs and cats were previously exposed to different serovars of Leptospira spp. and re-infected with other serovars that actively participated in the transmission cycle. These findings highlight the importance of actively diagnosing infectious animals to design effective intervention strategies. [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.)

We examine spatial spillovers in violent crime and its under-reporting in Bogotá, Colombia, using a cuadrante (quadrant) level data. To model spatial spillovers, we use a spatial panel model with fixed effects, and to address under-reporting, we use the stochastic frontier approach as a tool. The novel statistical approach is combined with a database of police-reported crimes in Bogotá to examine how influential surrounding areas with high criminal offenses are on crime (under)reporting. The results suggest that spatial correlations are highly significant and that under-reporting is mainly related to interactions with other localities, which have important public policy implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism has impacts on the way territories develop, primarily driven by uses associated with the ownership of a second home or the creation of recreational spaces that do not directly benefit the native population but rather cater to tourists. In the areas surrounding Bogotá, the planning instruments of medium and small municipalities lack the basic criteria to address a balance between economic development and sustainable land use. This prompted an investigation focused on documentary analysis, cartography, construction permits, administrative acts, regulations, and field observations. The impacts on territorial occupancy related to tourism development in Anapoima were identified, and recommendations were formulated to improve living conditions resulting from the sustainable tourism development in the municipality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Timely diagnosis and proper recognition of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is essential to establish early management in inpatients and outpatients. There are different classification scales to identify SLE, which include various clinical and serological aspects. In 2021, the SLE Risk Probability Index (SLERPI) was published, which focuses predominantly on the clinical characteristics of patients with suspected SLE and uses a simple algorithm for early recognition of the disease. The aim of this study is to compare the European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology (ACR/EULAR) classification criteria, the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) criteria, and the SLERPI criteria in a cohort of Colombian patients with SLE and to analyze the correlations observed between their absolute scores. Methods: A registry of SLE patients from two referral hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia, was used. 2021 SLERPI, 2019 ACR/EULAR, and 2012 SLICC scores were calculated for each patient and the correlations found between the scales were analyzed. The sensitivities of each were compared, and frequency analyses were conducted among different clinical and laboratory variables. Results: Between 2016 and 2019, 146 patients diagnosed with SLE were registered, including inpatients and outpatients. The median age was 36 years (interquartile range 26–51), and 82.2% were women. According to the SLERPI criteria, a high prevalence of antinuclear antibodies (92%), immunological disorders (71%), and arthritis (64%) were observed. The most used treatments were corticosteroids (87.6%) and chloroquine (67.8%). A Spearman evaluation analysis was performed, with a moderately strong correlation of 0.76 (p =.000) between the SLERPI and ACR/EULAR scales and very strong correlation of 0.80 (p =.000) between the SLERPI and SLICC. Patients classified with SLE according to the SLERPI scale exhibited a higher incidence of hematological compromise, along with elevated levels of serological markers such as anti-DNA antibodies. Additionally, this group more commonly received treatments involving corticosteroids and azathioprine, and displayed a higher prevalence of hypertension. Conclusion: The SLERPI scale could be useful in the diagnosis of SLE, especially in early stages, given its good correlation with other classification scales and its good sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of valorizing the organic fraction of urban solid waste (OFMSW) in megacities, dark fermentation emerges as a central strategy alongside composting and anaerobic digestion. This article focuses on assessing the environmental, technical, and energy viability of dark fermentation using life cycle assessment (LCA) and circular economy principles. Dark fermentation for biohydrogen production is an active and promising research field in the quest for sustainable biofuels. In this context, defining operational parameters such as organic loading and the substrate-inoculum ratio is relevant for achieving better production yields. Laboratory tests were conducted using organic loading values of 5, 10, and 15 g of volatile solids per liter (gVS/L) and with substrate-inoculum ratios (s/x) of 1, 0.75, and 0.5 g of volatile solids of substrate per gram of volatile solids of inoculum (gVSs/gVSi). The combination with the best performance turned out to be an initial organic loading of 10 gVS/L and an s/x of 1 gVSs/gVSi. From this result, it was determined that the s/x had a greater impact on production. Finally, a valorization plant was dimensioned with the scaled-up process, starting from the municipal solid waste generated by Bogotá projected for 2042. The scaling was demonstrated to be energetically sustainable, producing a power of 2,368,358.72 kWh per day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]