National Training Service (Colombia)

The Andean–Amazon transition constitutes a pronounced environmental gradient that strongly influences the distribution of aquatic biodiversity; however, the compositional patterns of aquatic insects across this landscape remain sparsely characterized. We evaluated the patterns and drivers of the alpha diversity, taxonomic composition, and beta diversity of aquatic Coleoptera in 30 rivers, comprising 10 independent sampling sites per region (Andean, Transition, and Amazonian) in Caquetá, Colombia. We identified 54 genera, with Elmidae being the dominant family. Alpha diversity analysis using Hill numbers (q = 0, 1, 2) indicated that the Amazon region exhibited significantly higher diversity than the Andean and transition zones. Regarding assemblage structure, multivariate analyses (principal coordinate analysis [PCoA] and permutational multivariate analysis of variance [PERMANOVA]) and indicator value analysis (IndVal) revealed distinct assemblages defined by 15 diagnostic genera. Beta diversity partitioning demonstrated that dissimilarity along the gradient was predominantly driven by balanced variation in abundance, indicating that spatial patterns resulted from the substitution of individuals rather than differences in total abundance. Finally, constrained ordination (redundancy analysis [RDA] and distance-based redundancy analysis [dbRDA]) identified dissolved oxygen, organic substrates, and riparian cover as the primary environmental filters driving compositional differences and beta diversity patterns. Collectively, our findings suggest that the Andean–Amazon transition functions as a strong environmental filter, maintaining high regional diversity through the rapid turnover of specialized genera adapted to distinct local hydro-geomorphological conditions.

In recent decades, robotic locomotion has applied different techniques to emulate central pattern generators (CPGs). The theory of CPG explains the biological functions of motor control in living organisms. This paper presents an unpublished model for coupled nonlinear oscillators. This model employs a canonical nonlinear differential equation system to coordinate joint activity. The analysis, conducted under the criteria of chaos and bifurcation theory, determines that the new model is successful and without the presence of chaos. The new model is compared with other cases, including the Wilson–Cowan, Hopf, and Van Der Pol models, as well as with the operability of different robots. It highlights the new model’s advantages in terms of versatility, simplicity, and processing, as well as the comparisons of metrics of locomotion, such as support factor and symmetry index between hemibody metrics. The new model is applied to the locomotion of two quadruped robots (a crab and a dog) used in research on transitions between types of locomotion, considering both physical and computational limitations.

El propósito del presente estudio fue determinar la validez y confiabilidad de un instrumento de evaluación de cualidades físicas de los jugadores de baloncesto en silla de ruedas con clasificación funcional 3-4-4.5. Se realizó un estudio cuantitativo con enfoque empírico analítico, de tipo evaluativo y longitudinal, utilizando un muestreo no probabilístico con 50 deportistas de las Ligas Nariñenses de Deportistas en Sillas de Ruedas. El análisis estadístico se ejecutó en el software SPSS versión 25 y Jamovi versión 2.3.18. El Análisis Factorial Exploratorio (AFE) cumplió con 4 de 5 criterios y estableció una estructura de 5 factores para el instrumento. Posteriormente, en el Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio (AFC) las medidas de ajuste de bondad confirmaron la validez de constructo: X² = 0.052 (p > 0.05), CFI = 0.938, TLI = 0.921 y RMSEA = 0.06. La confiabilidad del instrumento fue verificada mediante pruebas de Alpha de Cronbach (α = 0.702), Omega de McDonald (Ω = 0.73) y el Test-retest: p > 0.91(todos los valores). En conclusión, el instrumento es válido y confiable para usar con deportistas de baloncesto en silla de ruedas con clasificación 3-4 y 4.5.

Integrating Indigenous and Western ecological knowledge can strengthen understanding of phenological patterns, yet this integration is often constrained by epistemological differences, power asymmetries, and histories of exclusion. We evaluated the potential of the Two-Eye Seeing guiding principle, which integrates the strengths of both knowledge systems, in ongoing biocultural conservation dialogues among local ethnographic leaders, Indigenous scholars, and Western researchers in ecology and anthropology. To identify similarities and differences between the two knowledge systems for success integration, we compared temporal patterns of bird species richness, composition, and relative abundance derived from a culturally embedded phenological device – an ecological calendar developed by the Pamiwã people – and from a community science initiative (eBird data contributed primarily by visiting avitourists). Our comparison revealed both convergence and divergence: phenological patterns in species richness and relative abundance for culturally important birds were broadly similar, whereas species composition varied across the year. These differences reflect distinct experiential approaches to observation. Indigenous observers ground their knowledge in culturally embedded experience and attention to environmental change, resource use, and bird behavior, whereas avitourists focus on personal encounters with more and rarer birds. Biocultural conservation requires integrative methods that are subject to interpretation and uncertainty. Acting as researchers and translators across disciplines, we demonstrate the opportunity to apply the Two-Eye Seeing guiding principle to integrate Indigenous and Western knowledges. This integration provides a tool for long-term monitoring that aligns global platforms such as eBird with local priorities for safeguarding biodiversity and cultural, ancestral, and spiritual values. Our findings highlight the value of iterative ecological calendars, framed by the Two-Eye Seeing guiding principle, as adaptive strategies for local communities to monitor biodiversity and manage their territories.

Introducción: La práctica del ciclismo contribuye a mantener una vida activa y saludable. En Santander, Colombia, la cantidad de personas practicantes de ciclismo de ruta senior máster se ha incrementado en los últimos años, por lo cual es conveniente identificar particularidades de esta población que aporte datos para la formulación de prácticas que desaceleren la pérdida irreversible de capacidades físicas. Objetivo: Analizar las capacidades físicas de ciclistas santandereanos senior máster, al proporcionar recomendaciones para la práctica sistemática saludable. Métodos: Se evaluaron dieciocho (18) ciclistas recreativos hombres con pruebas físicas de fuerza, flexibilidad, potencia de piernas en cicloergómetro con un protocolo incremental y análisis de composición corporal por bioimpedancia. Resultados: El promedio de edad (años) 50.39 ± 8; peso corporal (kg) 75.17 ± 13.5; altura (cm) 170.06 ± 4.5; IMC (kg/m2) 26.4 ± 4.8. Se hallaron correlaciones negativas entre la edad y la fuerza prensil de la mano derecha (p ≤ 0.01) y la mano izquierda (p ≤ 0.05); al igual con el porcentaje de grasa corporal y la potencia de las piernas (p ≤ 0.01). Los ciclistas estudiados poseen niveles de fuerza prensil coherentes con la edad, valores de flexibilidad negativos y resultados de potencia promedio 250 Watts. Conclusiones: Los resultados de este estudio evidencian niveles adecuados de fuerza prensil y potencia de las piernas de las personas participantes, los datos obtenidos son coherentes con la edad. Sin embargo, los valores de flexibilidad resultaron negativos; esto evidencia un escaso entrenamiento de esta capacidad física que influye en el funcionamiento óptimo del organismo durante el envejecimiento.