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The Cenozoic sedimentary basins of northwestern Colombia contain clues to understanding the evolution of past ecosystems and their possible relationship to regional events, such as the uplift of the northern Andes and the collision of the Panama-Chocó Block with the South American continent. However, these basins have not been thoroughly investigated. This work aims to fill this knowledge gap by performing a comprehensive palynological analysis of the Amagá Basin (Valle del Cauca). Three outcrops were studied to determine their depositional ages, paleoenvironments, and overall floral composition over time. To contextualize our analyses, a comparison was made with two drill holes (ANH-SSJ-Nueva Esperanza-1X and ANH-San Jacinto-1) in the Sinú-San Jacinto Basin in the Colombian Caribbean. The application of the palynological zonation from the Llanos Basin in eastern Colombia was also used to evaluate its suitability in the Amagá Basin. The age of deposition was determined by using several traditional palynostratigraphic markers, including Perisyncolporites pokornyi, Foveotriporites hammeni, Retibrevitricolporites speciosus, Magnastriatites grandiosus, Concavissimisporites fossulatus, Clavainaperturites microclavatus, and Polypodiaceoisporites pseudopsilatus. This assemblage indicates a Middle to Late Eocene, Oligocene, and Miocene age spanning from ~40 to 18 Ma (~22 Myr). However, there are also some differences with respect to the Llanos zonation, such as the absence of Cicatricosisporites dorogensis. Based on this age model, we question whether it is correct to include all these deposits in a single lithostratigraphic unit under the rank of a formation. In the Caribbean, stratigraphic units of similar age exhibit a greater number of key taxa than in the Llanos zonation. In addition, the presence of calcareous microfossils allows for a more detailed determination of the sedimentation age. Furthermore, the discovery of new pollen and spore species could improve the resolution of the biostratigraphy in western Colombia. In the Amagá Basin, only terrestrial palynomorphs were found, which, together with the sedimentary facies, suggest a humid lowland tropical vegetation in fluvial and lacustrine environments.

BackgroundCervical cancer (CC) promotion and prevention (P&P) programmes' challenge lies in guaranteeing that follow-up strategies have a real impact on reducing CC-related mortality rates. CC P&P programme compliance and coverage rates are relevant indicators for evaluating their success and good performance; however, such indicators' frequency rates are considerably lower among women living in rural and border areas. This study was aimed at identifying factors associated with CC screening programme attendance for women living in Colombia's Amazon region.MethodsThis study (qualitative and quantitative phases) was carried out between September 2015 and November 2016; women residing in the border towns of Leticia and Puerto Nariño participated in it. The first phase (qualitative) involved interviews and focus group discussions; this led to establishing factors related to CC P&P programme attendance which were used in the quantitative phase for designing a survey for determining the strength of association in a logistic regression model. The terms attendance and compliance were considered to apply to women who had followed the 1-1-3 scheme throughout their lives, i.e. a cytology examination every 3 years after receiving two consecutive negative annual cytology results.ResultsInclusion criteria were met by 309 women (≥18-year-olds having an active sexual life, having resided in the target community for at least one year); 15.2% had suitable P&P programme follow-up. Screening programme attendance was positively associated with first intercourse after becoming 20 years-old (aOR: 3.87; 1.03-9.50 95%CI; p = 0.045), frequent contraceptive use (aOR: 3.11; 1.16-8.33 95%CI; p = 0.023), awareness of the age to participate in P&P programmes (aOR: 2.69; 1.08-6.68 95%CI; p = 0.032), awareness of cytology's usefulness in identifying cervical abnormalities (aOR: 2.43; 1.02-5.77 95%CI; p = 0.043) and considering cytology important (aOR: 2.64; 1.12-6.19 95%CI; p = 0.025). Women living in rural areas had a lower probability (aOR 0.43: 0.24-0.79 95%CI; p = 0.006) of adhering to CC P&P programmes.ConclusionsThis study's findings suggested the need for including novel strategies in screening programmes which will promote CC P&P activities going beyond hospital outpatient attendance to reach the most remote or widely scattered communities, having the same guarantees regarding access, opportunity and quality. Including education-related activities and stimulating the population's awareness regarding knowledge about CC prevention could be one of the main tools for furthering the impact of attendance at and compliance with P&P programmes.

The research addresses occupational burnout on university teachers, understood as progressive loss of energy, emotional exhaustion, fatigue, irritability, negative attitudes and feelings of dissatisfaction. The purpose of the study was to compare the presence of job burnout on teachers of the School of Education and Electronic Engineering from a Public University of Peru. It was developed according to principles of quantitative approach, transactional non-experimental design, and type of substantive, descriptive-comparative research. The sample was made up of 125 teachers from both faculties to which the Occupational Attendance Scale-EDO was administered. This instrument presented the required validity and reliability. The results obtained through the confirmatory factor model of structural equations, estimated through the asymptotic free distribution method, led to the conclusion that the teachers from the School of Education report greater emotional wear than teachers of the School of engineering.

Anastrepha ludens (Loew) is one of the most destructive insect pests damaging several fruits of economic importance. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is used under an area-wide integrated pest management approach, to suppress these pest populations. Mass rearing facilities were initially established to produce sterile males of bi-sexual strains in support of SIT. The first genetic sexing strain (GSS) for A. ludens, Tapachula-7, based on pupal color dimorphism, was a key development since the release of males-only significantly increases the SIT efficiency. In this study, we document the development of a novel pupal color-based GSS. Twelve radiation-induced translocation lines were assessed as potential GSS in terms of recombination rates and rearing efficiency at a small scale. The best one, GUA10, was cytogenetically characterized: it was shown to carry a single translocation between the Y chromosome and chromosome 2, which is known to carry the black pupae marker. This GSS was further evaluated at medium and large scales regarding its genetic stability, productivity and quality versus Tapachula-7. GUA10 presented better genetic stability, fecundity, fertility, production efficiency, flying ability, and male mating, clear indicators that GUA10 GSS can significantly improve the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of SIT applications against this pest species.

The transgenic strain of the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) VIENNA 8 1260, developed from the classical genetic sexing strain VIENNA 8, has two molecular markers that exhibit red fluorescence in the body and green fluorescence in testicles and sperm. These traits offer a precise tool to discriminate between mass-reared sterile males and wild fertile males, and they could potentially increase the effectiveness of control programs for this pest. To assess the risk of horizontal transfer of the fluorescence transgenes in natural ecosystems, we used the VIENNA 8 1260 strain and the medfly parasitoid Fopius ceratitivorus. The fluorescence signal and the inheritance of the fluorescence gene markers were monitored for over 16 generations (about two years) in both species using fluorescence microscopy and a PCR-based assay. The PCR analysis was performed in four independent laboratories. Both fluorescence microscopy and PCR analysis indicated that no horizontal gene transfer of the DsRed transgene occurred during 16 generations of medfly parasitoid rearing under experimental conditions.

En este artículo se presenta la construcción y validación inicial del instrumento GHYCAL (Gestión de la Higiene y Calidad), aplicable en el diagnóstico de los 7 planes previos de higiene y trazabilidad, necesarios para implantar un protocolo Análisis de Peligros y Puntos Críticos de Control (HACCP) en cualquier empresa del sector agroalimentario. Para su construcción se elaboró un primer instrumento que contenía 78 criterios relacionados con gestión de la higiene en la industria agroalimentaria, que fue sometido a un proceso de validación de contenido por expertos conocedores de temas relacionados con inocuidad, seguridad alimentaria e higiene de alimentos, utilizando la metodología conocida como sesiones Delphi; posteriormente, se realizó el cálculo de confiabilidad utilizando como medida de consistencia interna el coeficiente Alfa de Cronbach, mediante la aplicación del instrumento en 53 empresas del sector agroalimentario; por último, se determinó la validez de criterio, comparando los resultados de aplicación del instrumento GHYCAL con los resultados de aplicación del instrumento Safety and Quality on Food (S&Q), en las mismas 53 empresas del sector agroalimentario. El instrumento final compuesto por 77 ítems contenidos en 7 sets de preguntas que corresponden a los mismos prerrequisitos establecidos en el protocolo HACCP, obtuvo valores de alfa de Cronbach entre 0,83 y 0,94 para los sets de preguntas y de 0,98 para el total del cuestionario, con respecto a la evidencia relacionada con el criterio, los resultados similares permiten adoptar el concepto de validez concurrente.Neste artigo se apresenta a construção e validação inicial do instrumento GHYCAL (Gestão da Higiene e Qualidade); aplicável no diagnóstico dos 7 planos prévios de higiene e rastreabilidade, necessários para implantar um protocolo de Análise de Perigos e Pontos Críticos de Controle (HACCP) em qualquer empresa do setor agroalimentício. Para a sua construção foi elaborado um prímeiro instrumento que continha 78 criterios relacionados com a gestão da higiene na indústria agroalimentícia, que foi submetido a um processo de validação do conteúdo por expertos conhecedores de temas relacionados com a inocuidade, segurança alimentar e higiene de alimentos, utilizando a metodología conhecida como sessões Delphi; posteriormente foi realizado o cálculo de confiabilidade utilizando como medida de consist&etilde;ncia interna o coeficiente Alfa de Cronbach, mediante a aplicação do instrumento em 53 empresas do setor alimentício; por último, foi determinada a validade do critério, comparando os resultados de aplicação do instrumento GHYCAL com os resultados de aplicação do instrumento Safety and Quality on Food (S&Q), nas mesmas 53 empresas do setor agroalimentício. No instrumento final conformado por 77 itens distribuídos em 7 sets de perguntas que correspondem aos mesmos pré-requisitos establecidos no protocolo HACCP, se obtiveram valores de alfa de Cronbach entre 0,83 e 0,94 nos sets de perguntas y de 0,98 no total do questionário, ao respeito á evidencia relacionada com o criterio, os resultados similares permitem adotar o conceito de validade concurrenteThis article presents the construction and initial validation of the instrument "GHYCAL" (Hygiene and Quality Management) which allows preliminary assessment of the 7 previous hygiene and traceability plans, needed to implement a protocol of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) in any company in the food industry to construct it, an initial instrument containing 78 criteria related to hygiene management in the food industry was developed, and it was subject of a process of content validation by experts on innocuity issues, food safety and food hygiene, using the methodology known as Delphi sessions, and thereafter, the calculation of reliability was performed using as a measure of internal consistency the Cronbach's Alpha coefficient, by applying the instrument in 53 food businesses and, finally the criterion validity was determined by comparing the results of the application of the GHYCAL instrument with the results of application of the instrument on Food Safety and Quality (S & Q) in the same 53 food businesses. The final instrument consists of 77 Ítems contained in 7 sets of questions that correspond to the same prerequisites established in the HACCP protocol, getting Cronbach's alpha values between 0.83 and 0.94 for the set of questions and 0.98 for total instrument, regarding the evidence related to the criteria, similar results can adopt the concept of concurrent validity

Durante 1996, la economía de Costa Rica mostró un estancamiento en su actividad productiva que finalmente devino en una contracción del 1% en el Producto Interno Bruto (PIB), después de un año previo de desaceleración en ese agregado nacional(2,5% de variación en 1995) y muy lejos del desempeño alcanzado en 1992 (7,7%) y 1993 (6,5%). Esa contracción económica apenas si puede asociarse al cumplimiento de presuntas severas metas de estabilización macroeconómica contabilizadas en el último convenio respectivo con el Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI). En efecto, el déficit fiscal excedió las expectativas del Gobierno y se situó en el 5,1% respecto del PIB, superando al indicador del año previo que fue del 4,4%; y el déficit en la cuenta corriente de la balanza de pagos incrementó su participación respecto del PIB (1,6%). El nivel de divisas en poder del Banco Central se contrajo ligeramente a contrapelo de la meta del programa de estabilización. Los precios, sin embargo, mostraron una desaceleración en su ritmo de crecimiento; así, la inflación disminuyó hasta ubicarse en un 13,9%, medida por la variación anual del índice de precios al consumidor (IPC) a diciembre.

La autoeficacia emprendedora ha ganado importancia en los últimos años en el campo del emprendimiento, con base en ello el objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar el efecto de la autoeficacia emprendedora sobre el desempeño empresarial de las micro y pequeñas empresas de cuatro provincias peruanas, para ello se evaluó a un total de 382 emprendedores de diversas instituciones quienes fueron evaluados a través de una encuesta con propiedades psicométricas adecuadas. Dentro de los principales resultados se determinaron valores significativos a un nivel de confianza del 95% (p=0.00; p

Electrification using renewable energy sources represents a clear path toward solving the current global energy crisis. In Colombia, this challenge also involves the diversification of the electrical energy sources to overcome the historical dependence on hydropower. In this context, green hydrogen represents a key energy carrier enabling the storage of renewable energy as well as directly powering industrial and transportation sectors. This work explores the realistic potential of the main renewable energy sources, including solar photovoltaics (8172 GW), hydropower (56 GW), wind (68 GW), and biomass (14 GW). In addition, a case study from abroad is presented, demonstrating the feasibility of using each type of renewable energy to generate green hydrogen in the country. At the end, an analysis of the most likely regions in the country and paths to deploy green hydrogen projects are presented, favoring hydropower in the short term and solar in the long run. By 2050, this energy potential will enable reaching a levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) of 1.7, 1.5, 3.1 and 1.4 USD/kg-H2 for solar photovoltaic, wind, hydropower and biomass, respectively.

The purpose of the startup approach is to find an appropriate course of action that adds value to the economy’s development. This study is aimed to determine the effect of the lean startup approach with mediating effect of business coaching to foster innovative work behavior in women entrepreneurs. Additionally, the study also examines the moderating effect of age on the lean startup approach and innovative work behavior. A quantitative approach was employed. The findings show that the relationship between the lean startup approach and innovative work behavior is significant. Moreover, the findings also revealed a significant mediating effect of business coaching and moderating effect of age. This research encourages practitioners and scholars to deal with women entrepreneurship incubation initiatives in the lean startup methodology. Furthermore, this study also leads to a deeper understanding of women’s ideas for business exploration, growth, and implementation. The study contends that guidelines and directives are critical for creative entrepreneurial behavior.

The recent outbreak of epidemic disease (COVID-19) has dramatically changed the socio-economic and environmental dynamics of the world. In particular, it affects human movement, travel intentions, and ambient air pollution amid rising stringency measures. Therefore, this study examines the influence of tourism knowledge, environmental vulnerability, and risk knowledge on travelers’ intentions in China’s tourism industry during COVID-19. To address the study objectives, an online survey questionnaire was created, through which a valid sample of 402 respondents was achieved. The direct and indirect relationship between variables was tested through structural equation modeling, the outcomes confirm that both tourism knowledge and risk knowledge in terms of COVID-19 significantly and negatively define the travelers’ intention toward tourism. Moreover, environmental vulnerability moderately affected tourism behavior and augmented with COVID-19 stringency disclosures. The mediating effect of risk perception and attitude towards the relationship between exogenous and endogenous constructs was tested. It shows a significant mediating impact of risk perception, environmental hazards and attitude towards risk on the nexus between tourism knowledge and travelers’ intention. The study offers valuable recommendations for policymakers to understand tourist intentions and climate vulnerability.

The failure or success of an enterprise depends upon its working capital management practices (WCMP) along with effective corporate social responsibilities (CSR) and social entrepreneurship (SE). These factors ensure not only the soundness of financial indicators but also the profitability of an enterprise. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the impact of CSR, SE, and WCMP on the performance of small–medium enterprises (SMEs) of tourism sector, during the lockdown period in Malaysia. The goals also include the investigation of moderating role of employee behavior (EB) among the nexus of CSR, SE, WCMP, and performance of SMEs. The survey was performed to find out the practices adopted by the SMEs during corona days. A quantitative research method has been adopted to get data with convenient sampling technique, and PLS-SEM has been exploited to find out the significant nexus among CSR, SE, WCMP, and the performance of SMEs. The results indicate that CSR, SE, and WCMP have a positive association with the performance of SMEs in Malaysia. The results also indicate that EB positively moderates among the nexus of CSR, SE, WCMP, and the performance of SMEs in Malaysia. Stock review strategies by the SMEs during the corona days also exhibit significant differences except for no stock review. Significant differences between the enterprises show a lack of adaptation of the financial indicators that determine enterprise soundness. The study not only provides guidelines for entrepreneurs of SMEs but also helps in maintaining standards for the evaluation of the enterprises.

Modern management requires the highest level of analytics and the optimisation of business processes with a low risk of poor management decisions. These are essential since rapid changes in the financial world and the external environment can have critical effects. The direction of a company’s growth and the effectiveness of its management systems depend directly on the quality of intellectualisation. This study aims to develop a new methodology for studying the criteria and results of the intellectualisation processes to achieve the highest efficiency in company management systems. This study used sociological and empirical methods to find intellectualisation efficiency criteria. These criteria were then used to analyse the intellectualisation process in ten Russian companies. The correlation analysis method revealed a close relationship between the intellectualisation integral indicator and company performance over time. The results showed that the intellectualisation efficiency criteria are intellectualisation indicators in human resource management systems as well as computer-aided and automated management systems. In addition, it was found that company performance depends on the intellectualisation integral indicator, the human intelligence and artificial intelligence synergy, as well as on the efficiency of using artificial intelligence in business processes.

The objective of this paper is to present an effective and reliable method for the traffic surveillance using the concepts of digital image processing. The paper proposes a system that can detect, track, and estimate velocity of vehicles using an uncalibrated camera and also detect and recognize their registration number plate. This approach provides a cost-effective alternative for traffic flow monitoring and surveillance. This robust system finds its applications in urban traffic management systems, military installation, and research facility security systems. This approach is a computationally efficient approach for detecting and tracking moving cars on the road utilizing uncalibrated cameras mounted on the road. It is also helpful for military installation because all the security issues have been detected by using this approach.

To solve the difficulty in selecting the crossover probability and mutation probability in genetic algorithms, a fuzzy immune algorithm based on adaptive estimation of crossover probability and mutation probability in a fuzzy reasoning system is proposed, and it is used in the parameter optimization design of a two-degree-of-freedom PID controller. According to the experiment and simulation results, classic genetic algorithm evolution tends to halt after 37 generations, with a fitness value of 7.135, whereas fuzzy genetic algorithm evolution tends to stop after 20 generations, with a fitness value of 7.486. The 2-DOF PID controller that was created can give the system strong target value following and interference suppression features at the same time.

In an agriculture sector, the quality of several raw crops depends upon the time factor. After harvesting, it is necessary to bring the crops either to cold storage or directly to customer though wholesale dealers. Keeping crops in cold storage decrease the nutrition value and also increase the overall cost of the crop leading to price hike. So, it will be best if the crops are put in the market as soon as possible. This can only be possible if the logistic system is updated and can handle the real-time requirement of agriculture product transport. This study investigates and highlights the possible IoT-based logistic support using artificial intelligence for the farmers such that a fast corridor is created between farmers’ lands to end-user customers. This will benefit the farmers in two-fold; first, it will increase the revenue of farmers by decreasing the time span avoiding cold storage fees, and second, it will maintain the quality of crops.