Central American Technological University

Abstract Background Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), characterized by elevated serum TSH with preserved free thyroxine levels, is frequently identified in adult populations and has been suggested as a potential contributor to impaired renal function. Nevertheless, the strength and consistency of the association between SCH and the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remain unclear. Methods We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA 2020 recommendations. A comprehensive search of major electronic databases identified observational studies that reported incident CKD among individuals with SCH. Five studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, collectively encompassing more than 4 million participants. Random-effects models were used to estimate pooled risk ratios (RR). The quality and risk of bias of the included studies were assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. Results Across the pooled analysis, SCH was associated with a higher likelihood of developing CKD (RR 1.19; 95% CI 1.10-1.29). Heterogeneity across studies was moderate (I2 = 48.9%). Multiple sensitivity analyses, including exclusion of high-risk studies and alternative SCH definitions, showed consistent results, reinforcing the stability of the observed association. Evaluation of funnel plot symmetry did not reveal meaningful publication bias. Conclusions Individuals with SCH exhibit a modest but significant increase in the risk of incident CKD. These findings support the relevance of thyroid function abnormalities in renal risk profiling and raise the possibility that earlier recognition or intervention in SCH could influence long-term kidney outcomes. Future prospective studies and interventional trials are needed to clarify whether managing SCH may prevent or delay CKD progression.

This work presents the design, development, and experimental validation of an electromagnetic end-effector with passive eddy current damping aimed at reducing residual vibrations and impact-induced rebound in SCARA robotic manipulation tasks. The proposed system integrates a magnetic gripping mechanism with a passive damping module based on the interaction between permanent magnets and a conductive plate, eliminating the need for active control systems.A structured V-model-inspired methodology was implemented, encompassing conceptual design, CAD modeling, prototype fabrication, and controlled experimental validation. A functional prototype was developed and tested on an industrial SCARA robot under repetitive pick operations. Experimental evaluation was conducted using 150 trials across different damping configurations, measuring peak acceleration, residual vibration, and rebound behavior. The results demonstrate that the inclusion of passive eddy current damping significantly improves the dynamic response of the end-effector, achieving reductions in vibration and impact instability compared to the non-damped configuration. Additionally, the system performance was found to depend on geometric parameters such as the distance between magnets and the conductive plate, as well as the plate thickness.The proposed approach provides a simple, robust, and energy-efficient solution for enhancing stability in robotic manipulation systems, with potential applications in industrial automation and precision handling tasks.

Este estudio presenta una experiencia de Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) desarrollada entre estudiantes de la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Sede Ambato (PUCESA) y la Universidad Tecnológica Centroamericana (UNITEC), orientada al estudio del aprovechamiento de polímeros reciclados en la elaboración de concreto permeable sostenible. El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar el potencial del aprendizaje colaborativo internacional como estrategia pedagógica para abordar problemáticas ambientales globales desde un enfoque interdisciplinario. La metodología se estructuró como un proyecto académico de cuatro semanas basado en aprendizaje por proyectos, en el cual equipos binacionales de estudiantes desarrollaron tres líneas de trabajo: identificación de las principales fuentes de residuos plásticos en Honduras y Ecuador, evaluación de las propiedades técnicas y ambientales del uso de plásticos reciclados en mezclas de concreto permeable, y evaluación de los impactos ambientales, sociales y económicos asociados a este material. Los resultados evidencian que la incorporación de plásticos reciclados puede contribuir a reducir la huella ambiental del concreto y mejorar propiedades térmicas del material, aunque con limitaciones en la resistencia mecánica para aplicaciones estructurales. Honduras presenta mayor contaminación plástica per cápita pese a generar volúmenes similares a Ecuador, evidenciando que la ineficiencia en la gestión de residuos, más que la generación, es el principal factor determinante del impacto ambiental. En cuanto a la experiencia de internacionalización, COIL no solo favoreció el desarrollo de competencias interculturales, trabajo colaborativo y pensamiento crítico, sino que también permitió articular estos aprendizajes con la aplicación técnica del diseño de concreto permeable con incorporación de plásticos reciclados. En consecuencia, la integración de proyectos COIL en programas de ingeniería no solo promueve la internacionalización del currículo, sino que también potencia la aplicación práctica del conocimiento técnico en la resolución de problemas ambientales contemporáneos.

Objective. To determine the current state of Honduras’ health financing system. Methods. This study applied a qualitative design based on the World Health Organization’s Health Financing Progress Matrix (HFPM) to evaluate the health financing system in Honduras. Data were collected through 18 in-depth interviews with informants from diverse institutions, tailored to their expertise. The results were internally validated via a workshop including 12 additional experts. Thematic coding was used to classify findings across seven health financing assessment areas and 19 attributes. The HFPM’s desirable attributes framework allowed the researchers to classify the findings into four relevant categories: emerging (score of 1.00-1.99), progressing (score of 2.00-2.99), established (score of 3.00-3.99), and advanced (score of 4.00) Results. The overall score for Honduras’ health financing system was 1.72 of 4.00, indicating an emerging level of development. While attributes related to institutional capacity achieved a progressing score (2.02), domains regarding financial protection lagged at an emerging level (1.33). Critical weaknesses were identified in resource pooling (1.20) and in benefit entitlements and access conditions (1.20), both of which consistently showed low performance. Conversely, public financial management scored higher (2.40), though accountability and budget alignment gaps persist. Regarding Universal Health Coverage objectives, most dimensions scored below 2.00. Among the intermediate objectives, transparency and accountability scored the highest (1.83). Of the final objectives, quality approached progressing (2.33). Conclusion. The health financing system of Honduras exhibits limited institutional maturity and significant structural challenges in financing its health care system. Future reforms must effectively aim to reduce financial barriers for the population.

In Honduras, the volatility of conventional diesel prices and its heterogeneous nature have increased the operating costs of heavy-duty transport, thereby affecting its performance. This justifies the evaluation of renewable alternatives compatible with the existing fleet. In this context, an indicative evaluation of the use of biodiesel as a partial substitute for conventional diesel in articulated trucks was conducted, focusing on the B20 blend (20% biodiesel, 80% conventional diesel) in a logistics company (HOCORA Transport), with a focus on performance, costs, and emissions. B100 biodiesel was obtained from BIOSA/COINSU, and B20 blends (and, when available, B12.5) were prepared. GHG Emissions were estimated using TTW/WTW emission factors tabulated for blending ratios. Four trips with B20 averaged 1.95 km/L, while two trips with B12.5 reached 2.14 km/L; the cost per kilometre with B20 ranged between 9.36-15.07 HNL/km and with B12.5 between 9.15-9.91 HNL/km, highlighting the influence of route, load, and traffic rather than the percentage of biodiesel.