Universidad Católica Boliviana

Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, presents a complex epidemiological landscape for the transmission of Strongyloides stercoralis, shaped by both environmental and socioeconomic factors. Despite rapid urban growth, many neighborhoods continue to experience inadequate sanitation, unpaved roads, overcrowded housing and frequent exposure to feral animals, conditions that collectively create a favorable environment for parasite transmission. Critically, national databases lack comprehensive epidemiological data on strongyloidiasis, highlighting a significant gap in disease surveillance. Existing studies in the region are limited in scope, often focusing on rural or immunocompromised populations, and fail to provide an updated picture of prevalence in urban settings. The absence of updated prevalence data and standardized diagnostic protocols further hinders effective public health interventions. Santa Cruz de la Sierra underscores the pressing need for localized, data driven strategies to detect and control strongyloidiasis in Bolivia.

This preliminary exploratory study investigates the chemical composition and antioxidant potential of Apis mellifera honeys from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, a region with notable honey production but limited data. Eleven samples collected between 2023 and 2024 were processed to obtain enriched extracts (EE) using solid-phase extraction. Chemical profiles were obtained by TLC and HPLC. Total phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity (DPPH•, TEAC, FRAP) were determined spectrophotometrically. Profiles revealed compositional differences, with tentative identification of phenolic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, and flavonoid derivatives. Total phenolics ranged from 3.57 to 24.95 mg GAE/100 g of honey, and TEAC from 0.37 to 2.10 μmol TE/g honey. Notably, sample M11, with Tessaria spp. reported as a dominant floral source, exhibited the highest antioxidant potential, suggesting interest for functional applications. Darker honeys generally had higher antioxidant capacity, though not always reflecting chemical diversity. These findings highlight the complex bioactive composition of Bolivian honeys and the role of floral and environmental factors.

This study presents a multi-period Generalized Cell Formation Problem with Machine Availability (GCFP-MA) aimed at designing manufacturing cells that explicitly account for equipment reliability, maintainability, and temporal degradation. The proposed model extends classical formulations by introducing (i) availability-based constraints derived from Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) and Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) and Markov-Chain models, (ii) downtime penalty costs reflecting non-production losses, and (iii) a multi-period horizon that captures system dynamics over time. To solve the resulting NP-hard problem, the Black Widow Optimizer (BWO)-a population-based metaheuristic inspired by cannibalistic reproduction-is implemented and validated against an exhaustive search benchmark. Computational experiments confirm that the BWO attains the global optimum with substantially reduced computational effort, achieving a balanced trade-off between exploration and exploitation. Results highlight that incorporating availability and repair dynamics prevents infeasible or over-optimistic configurations and yields cost-effective, robust cell layouts. The proposed approach provides both theoretical and practical contributions by integrating availability engineering and production system design within a unified optimization framework.

We are living in a unique moment in history. Thanks to technology, today we have achieved achievements that previously seemed unimaginable and we have overcome barriers whose existence we were unaware of. Distance is no longer a limit for information, and the circulation of ideas is increasingly fast, immediate, surprising and personalized. It is shocking to see how information has become so accessible, even excessively. We are aware of what is happening around us without the need to constantly look for it. Social media, automatic summaries, and access to artificial intelligence produce content at breakneck speed, transforming the way we engage with knowledge and the world.

This study analyzes the construction of romantic myths among Bolivian men through music. Using a qualitative approach with a cross-sectional and phenomenological design based on cogneme trees, four critical dimensions are identified: the concept of music as art and harmony, its operational functions, and the prevalence of specific myths. The research was conducted using the focus group technique, where a question guide was applied to three groups of five men aged 25 to 30 from the city of La Paz, all single and engaged in or with work experience in music. The findings reveal that music acts as a “substitute language” that allows men to express vulnerability under the shelter of emotional catharsis. The myth of “love as suffering” predominates, where pain is validated as a sign of authenticity. Likewise, a tension is observed between the idealization of romantic omnipotence (“love conquers all”) and an emerging view of more open relationships, suggesting a transition in traditional Bolivian masculinity in relation to hegemonic romantic models.