Introducción. La enseñanza del álgebra lineal sigue planteando retos importantes en la formación de ingenieros, especialmente en lo que respecta a la comprensión de los sistemas de ecuaciones lineales y su conjunto de solución. Desde los postulados de la Teoría APOE, estos conceptos se conciben como construcciones mentales que evolucionan de la acción al esquema, articulando representaciones algebraicas, matriciales y geométricas. Objetivos. Analizar las construcciones mentales que surgen en los estudiantes de ingeniería al resolver sistemas de ecuaciones lineales, basándose en una estrategia de enseñanza diseñada con base en una descomposición genética fundamentada en la Teoría APOE. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo de alcance descriptivo con 26 estudiantes de ingeniería matriculados en un curso de Álgebra Lineal. La enseñanza se organizó según el ciclo de enseñanza ACE y se apoyó en tareas que promovían la transición entre las estructuras mentales. La recolección de datos incluyó producciones escritas y razonamientos de los estudiantes, analizados a la luz de la Teoría APOE. Resultados. Se observó una progresión en la comprensión de los sistemas de ecuaciones lineales y su conjunto de solución, que avanzó desde la aplicación procedimental de métodos algorítmicos hacia formas de razonamiento que integran representaciones algebraicas, matriciales y geométricas. Conclusiones. Los hallazgos confirman que la estrategia didáctica basada en la Teoría APOE orientada por el ciclo ACE facilitó el tránsito desde concepciones operativas hacia una comprensión estructural de los sistemas de ecuaciones lineales en los estudiantes. Esto aporta criterios para diseñar propuestas de enseñanza más coherentes con la naturaleza conceptual del Álgebra Lineal en la formación de ingenieros.
Introducción. La identificación de plantas medicinales nativas suele depender de métodos destructivos, lentos o altamente dependientes de experiencia especializada. Este estudio propone el uso de imágenes hiperespectrales en el infrarrojo cercano (NIR-HSI) y aprendizaje automático como herramientas alternativas, no invasivas, para la discriminación rápida de tres especies medicinales del norte del Perú: Peperomia inaequalifolia (congona), Alternanthera sp. (lancetilla) y Teline monspessulana (retama). Objetivos. Evaluar el desempeño de modelos de clasificación multiclase aplicados a espectros NIR-HSI preprocesados, con el fin de desarrollar un sistema confiable para la identificación vegetal y el control de calidad. Materiales y Métodos. Se recolectaron un total de 1467 espectros mediante una cámara NIR-HSI en el rango de 1300–1700 nm. Los datos espectrales fueron preprocesados utilizando suavizado Savitzky–Golay y normalización por variación normal estándar (SNV). Se entrenaron y evaluaron siete clasificadores de aprendizaje automático mediante validación cruzada estratificada de 5 pliegues, incluyendo Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, XGBoost y Ridge Classifier. Resultados. Random Forest alcanzó el mejor desempeño (accuracy = 0.9959), con un ROC-AUC de 1.00. Los demás modelos presentaron valores de exactitud entre 0.9720 y 0.9945, con valores de ROC-AUC cercanos a 1.00, lo que indica una alta capacidad discriminativa. Conclusiones. La combinación de NIR-HSI y modelos supervisados de aprendizaje automático permite una clasificación altamente precisa de plantas medicinales. Este enfoque muestra potencial para aplicaciones en trazabilidad, aseguramiento de la calidad y validación etnobotánica, particularmente en contextos descentralizados o con recursos limitados.
Introduction. The conversion of tropical forests to agricultural and pastoral land has reduced soil carbon stocks by 12 to 30% and removed more than 200 Mg C per hectare of aboveground biomass, which reinforces interest in agroforestry systems that can sequester carbon and restore degraded soils. Objectives: To describe and quantitatively analyse the evolution of research on carbon sequestration in tropical agroforestry systems, identifying temporal, geographical and thematic patterns to inform mitigation policies. Materials and Methods. A systematic bibliometric review of the Scopus database was conducted using a specific search string, with no language or time restrictions; after screening and metadata cleaning, 788 documents published between 1992 and 2026 in 283 sources were analysed with Bibliometrix and VOSviewer, with 2026 records treated as early access items. Results. The results show an annual growth rate of 4.16%, a mean article age of 7.25 years, 3,121 authors with an average of 5.36 co-authors per article and 43.78% international co-authorship, 5,580 references and 2,092 author keywords, a core of nine journals that concentrate 27% of publications, recurrent institutional and national participation patterns, and thematic clusters centred on agroforestry, soil carbon, ecosystem services and land use. Conclusions. The field is now well established and offers a contextual basis for discussions on ecosystem-based mitigation, restoration of degraded tropical landscapes and low carbon rural development, although important gaps remain regarding costs, equity, gender, indigenous peoples and rural wellbeing that future research agendas need to address.
Introducción. Palmas como Attalea butyracea funcionan como ecotopos silvestres clave para especies del género Rhodnius, al proporcionar refugio, condiciones microclimáticas adecuadas y acceso a hospedadores vertebrados, contribuyendo así al mantenimiento de los ciclos de transmisión de Trypanosoma cruzi en paisajes intervenidos. Objetivo. Evaluar la infestación de palmas de Attalea butyracea por triatominos y determinar la infección natural por T. cruzi mediante métodos parasitológicos y moleculares en El Zulia, Norte de Santander, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Entre agosto y septiembre de 2021 se muestrearon 100 palmas utilizando trampas Angulo modificadas. Los insectos recolectados fueron identificados morfológicamente y mediante la secuenciación del gen mitocondrial citocromo b. La infección se evaluó mediante examen microscópico del contenido intestinal y detección por PCR de ADN de T. cruzi. Resultados. Se recolectaron 64 ejemplares del género Rhodnius, con un índice de infestación del 30 % de las palmas muestreadas. La infección natural fue del 31 % por microscopía y del 40 % por PCR. El análisis molecular confirmó la presencia de Rhodnius robustus I. Conclusiones. La detección de R. robustus I resalta la importancia de integrar la vigilancia molecular para identificar con mayor precisión los vectores y monitorear su capacidad de dispersión y adaptación. La vigilancia entomológica continua en ecotopos naturales es esencial para prevenir la reinfestación y consolidar los logros de los programas de control.
Introducción. El análisis cuantitativo del crecimiento bacteriano es esencial en los estudios microbiológicos, ya que permite evaluar las tasas de supervivencia y proliferación microbiana, facilitando el control y la manipulación de las comunidades. Sin embargo, el conteo manual tradicional de Unidades Formadoras de Colonias (UFC) en placas Petri presenta limitaciones importantes, como el altoconsumo de tiempo y recursos, además de la variabilidad asociada a la subjetividad del analista. Objetivo. Desarrollar un script en Python para el conteo eficiente y preciso de UFC a partir de imágenes digitales. Materiales y Métodos. Se recolectaron muestras de agua de lagunas supraglaciares del glaciar Llaca (Perú), las cuales se sembraron en medios agar nutritivo y R2A mediante el método de extensión en placa. Las culturas fueron incubadas a 5 °C durante 30 días y fotografiadas utilizando una cabina fotográfica diseñada para estandarizar la captura de imágenes. Resultados. El script, desarrollado en Google Colaboratory, siguió tres etapas: preprocesamiento, segmentación y conteo de colonias. Se seleccionó la umbralización adaptativa gaussiana por su robustez frente a variaciones en las condiciones de imagen. El sistema fue evaluado mediante la comparación directa entre conteo automático y manual en 91 imágenes, alcanzando una precisión del 97% ± 0.12, un recall del 95% ± 1.10 y una métrica F-Measure del 96% ± 0.10, con un tiempo promedio de procesamiento de 0,4 segundos por imagen. Conclusiones. El sistema demostró ser una alternativa confiable, rápida y de bajo costo para la cuantificación de UFC, fácilmente replicable en laboratorios microbiológicos con recursos limitados.
Introduction. Tensile cracking can affect the stability and performance of geotechnical structures, particularly when tensile failure mechanisms develop in soil masses. Objective. To establish a correlation between ac and at in soils through laboratory testing and numerical modeling. Materials and Methods. Unconfined compression and indirect tensile tests were conducted on three predominantly sandy soils with different fines contents. Numerical simulations were performed to reproduce the stress conditions of both tests, and statistical analyses were applied to evaluate the relationship between ac and at. Results. Tensile strength (at) was significantly lower than compressive strength (ac), ranging between 17% and 19% of ac. A positive linear relationship was identified between both parameters, with high correlation and determination coefficients. Numerical simulations showed good agreement with experimental data. Conclusions. A correlation equation between ac and at is proposed for the analyzed soils, allowing the indirect estimation of tensile strength from compressive strength values. Its applicability is limited to soils with characteristics similar to those studied.
Introduction. Livestock productivity in Colombia largely depends on forage-based feeding systems, where nutritional quality directly influences digestibility and metabolizable energy in ruminants (ME-r). Objectives. To analyze the AlimenTro database in order to evaluate the relationship between nutrients, digestibility, and ME of tropical forages using Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) and the Random Forest algorithm. Materials and Methods. A total of 500 samples of grasses, legumes, and shrubs from the AlimenTro database were evaluated using standardized methodologies, including near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), proximate analysis, and in situ techniques. CCA was applied to identify multivariate associations between nutrients and energy parameters, while the Random Forest algorithm was used to assess predictive performance and variable importance, yielding low root mean square error (RMSE) values. Results. CCA revealed that fiber fractions, including neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin, and hemicellulose, were negatively associated with digestibility and ME, whereas crude protein and starch showed positive associations. The Random Forest model achieved R(2 )values greater than 0.95, with low RMSE and mean absolute error (MAE), confirming its high predictive accuracy and highlighting fiber and protein as key predictors. Conclusions. The integration of CCA and Random Forest provides a robust and applicable approach for predicting the nutritional quality of tropical forages. This methodological framework supports the development of more efficient and sustainable feeding strategies in tropical livestock systems.
Introduction. The teaching and learning of linear algebra remain a persistent challenge in engineering education, particularly regarding students' understanding of systems of linear equations and their associated solution sets. From the perspective of APOS Theory, these concepts are understood as mental constructions that develop through a progression from Actions to Processes and, in some cases, toward Objects, involving the articulation of algebraic, matrix, and geometric representations. Objectives. This study examines the mental constructions that engineering students develop when solving systems of linear equations within a teaching strategy informed by a genetic decomposition grounded in APOS Theory. Materials and methods. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted with 26 engineering students enrolled in a Linear Algebra course. Instruction was designed according to the ACE teaching cycle and supported by tasks intended to foster transitions among mental structures. Data sources included students' written productions and their articulated reasoning, which were analyzed using APOS Theory as an analytical framework. Results. The analysis reveals a progression in students' understanding of systems of linear equations and their solution sets, moving from predominantly procedural and algorithmic approaches toward reasoning that coordinates algebraic, matrix, and geometric representations. Conclusions. The findings suggest that a teaching strategy grounded in APOS Theory and structured through the ACE cycle supports students' development from operational treatments of systems of linear equations toward more structural forms of understanding. These results contribute to ongoing discussions on the design of instructional approaches that align with the conceptual demands of linear algebra in engineering education.
Introduction. The growing demand for effective post-stroke rehabilitation has accelerated the integration of robotic systems incorporating artificial intelligence and sensor technologies into clinical practice. Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of robotic systems in the rehabilitation of patients with ischemic stroke in Ukrainian clinics. Materials and Methods. A controlled experimental study was conducted with 62 patients randomly assigned to control (conventional physiotherapy) and experimental (physiotherapy plus robotic-assisted therapy) groups. Robotic exoskeletons and sensorbased simulators were used. Outcomes were assessed using validated tools: Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Adaptive algorithms adjusted therapy intensity to individual needs. Results. The experimental group showed greater improvement compared with the control group, with a mean increase of 6.63 points on the FMA scale, a reduction of 4.17 seconds in TUG time, and an increase of 44.47 meters in 6MWT distance. Improvements were statistically significant (p < 0.05) and consistent with international evidence supporting early and intensive rehabilitation. However, the relatively small sample size and short follow-up period limit generalizability. Conclusions. Robotic-assisted rehabilitation significantly enhances motor function, endurance, and functional mobility after stroke. These findings support its integration as a complementary strategy within clinical rehabilitation protocols. Further multicenter studies with long-term follow-up are needed to standardize protocols and evaluate sustainability of outcomes.
Introduction. Palms such as Attalea butyracea function as key sylvatic ecotopes for species of the genus Rhodnius, providing shelter, suitable microclimatic conditions, and access to vertebrate hosts, thus contributing to the maintenance of Trypanosoma cruzi transmission cycles in disturbed landscapes. Objective. To evaluate the infestation of Attalea butyracea palms by triatomines and to determine natural infection by T. cruzi using parasitological and molecular methods in El Zulia, Norte de Santander, Colombia. Materials and methods. Between August and September 2021, 100 palms were sampled using modified Angulo traps. The collected insects were identified morphologically and through sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Infection was assessed by microscopic examination of intestinal contents and PCR detection of T. cruzi DNA. Results. A total of 64 specimens of the genus Rhodnius were collected, with an infestation index of 30% of the sampled palms. Natural infection was 31% by microscopy and 40% by PCR. Molecular analysis confirmed the presence of Rhodnius robustus I. Conclusions. The detection of R. robustus I highlights the importance of integrating molecular surveillance to improve the accuracy of vector identification and to monitor their dispersal and adaptation capacity. Continuous entomological surveillance in natural ecotopes is essential to prevent reinfestation and to consolidate the achievements of control programs.
Introduction. Burrow and tunnel systems preserved in sandy and muddy marine substrates are commonly associated with the behavioral activities of polychaete worms and other benthic invertebrates, providing relevant ethological information in sedimentary records. Objectives. This study aims to i) describe the morphological and ethological characteristics of a radial ichnofossil, ii) evaluate its possible correspondence with previously established radial ichnogenera, and iii) propose paleoecological interpretations of the trace-making organism and its depositional environment. Materials and Methods. A detached sandstone block from the Aguardiente Formation (Albian-Cenomanian, Lower Cretaceous) was examined along the banks of the Hisgaura River, San Andr & eacute;s municipality (Santander, Colombia). The trace architecture was documented through high-resolution photography, digital image processing, and artificial intelligence-assisted three-dimensional reconstruction to enhance visualization of its morphology and internal organization. UPGMA-Jaccard similarity and parsimony analyses were applied to assess relationships with other radial and rosette ichnogenera. Results. The specimen is preserved in full relief and consists of a central ellipsoidal chamber from which slightly sinuous tubular galleries radiate, locally arranged in superposed tiers. Similarity analysis groups the structure with Arenituba, Guanshanichnus, and Hartsellea. Parsimony analysis recovered a single most-parsimonious tree (length = 32 steps; CI = 0.34; RI = 0.7) in which the specimen forms part of a clade characterized primarily by branched galleries and shallow-marine occurrence. Conclusions. The structure records ethological evidence of a benthic organism inhabiting sandy shallow-marine environments. Diagnostic differences preclude confident assignment to any previously established radial ichnogenus.
Introduction. The identification of native medicinal plants often relies on destructive, timeconsuming, or expert-dependent methods. This study proposes the use of near-infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) and machine learning as alternative, non-invasive tools for the rapid discrimination of three medicinal species from northern Peru: Peperomia inaequalifolia (congona), Alternanthera sp. (lancetilla), and Teline monspessulana (retama). Objectives. To evaluate the performance of multiclass classification models applied to preprocessed NIR-HSI spectra, aiming to develop a reliable system for plant identification and quality control. Materials and Methods. A total of 1467 spectra were collected usinga NIR-HSI camera in the range of 1300-1700 nm. Spectral data were preprocessed using Savitzky-Golay smoothing and standard normal variate (SNV). Seven machine learning classifiers were trained and evaluated through stratified 5-fold cross-validation, including Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, XGBoost, and Ridge Classifier. Results. Random Forest achieved the highest performance (accuracy = 0.9959), with a ROC-AUC of 1.00. The remaining models yielded mean accuracies ranging from 0.9720 to 0.9945, with ROC-AUC values close to 1.00, indicating strong discriminative capability. Conclusions. The combination of NIR-HSI and supervised learning models enables highly accurate classification of medicinal plants. This approach shows potential for traceability, quality assurance, and ethnobotanical validation, particularly in decentralized or resource-limited settings.
Introduction. Tejuino is an artisanal Mexican fermented corn beverage with limited shelf life, challenging industrial production. Research on microbial safety methods remains scarce despite their cultural importance. Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Ultrasound-assisted thermal processing (USTP) on microbial safety and physicochemical properties on tejuino beverage. Materials and Methods. Commercial tejuino samples (200 mL) underwent ultrasonic treatment at 0.5 kJ/mL at 20 degrees C, followed by thermal treatment at 45-65 degrees C (USTP-USTP 65). Fresh, pasteurized (65 degrees C/30 min), and ultrasound-treated samples served as controls. Analyses included microbiological [aerobic mesophilic bacteria (AMB), coliform bacteria (CB), molds and yeasts (MY), lactic acid bacteria (LAB)] and physicochemical parameters (pH, acidity, soluble solids, browning index, density, viscosity, conductivity, turbidity, color), as well as antioxidants [total soluble phenols (TSP), DPPH, ABTS, FRAP]. Results. AMB, CB, and MY counts decreased under USTP treatments while maintaining substantial LAB concentrations in a temperature-dependent response (USTP45-USTP65) compared to controls. All physicochemical properties except density were altered by USTP treatments in a temperature-dependent manner compared to fresh control. USTP45, USTP50, and USTP55 treatments showed similar TSP content and antioxidant activity by DPPH and ABTS compared to ultrasound-treated and fresh controls, while FRAP values decreased significantly in temperatures of >50 degrees C. Conclusions. The ultrasound-assisted thermal processing can be a viable alternative for the industrial manufacturing of tejuino.
Introduction. Beef is the second most consumed animal protein in Indonesia after chicken. Its demand increases during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, driving seasonal price spikes. These fluctuations challenge the government in maintaining price stability, with regional differences further complicating policy decisions. Objectives. This study aims to group Indonesian provinces by monthly beef price trends using time series clustering and to perform group-level forecasting with Time Series Regression that incorporates the effects of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. This approach simplifies modeling complexity and supports efficient policy-making for beef price stabilization. Materials and Methods. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to optimize the dataset before clustering using the Weighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (WPGMA) algorithm, combined with the Autocor relation-Function (ACF) Distance similarity measure. Time Series Regression (TSR) models with dummy variables for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha effects were then applied to each cluster for forecasting. Results. The analysis identified five optimal clusters, with a silhouette coefficient value of 0.61. Forecasting within each cluster showed in-sample MAPE values ranging from 1.05% to 5.15%. All clusters exhibited an increasing trend in beef prices from September 2023 to August 2024, highlighting the impact of calendar events and regional characteristics on price dynamics. Conclusions. The clustering-based forecasting approach effectively simplifies price analysis across regions, supporting targeted policy interventions and improving the accuracy of beef price predictions in Indonesia.
Introduction. Quantitative analysis of bacterial growth is essential in microbiological studies, as it enables the evaluation of microbial survival and proliferation rates, facilitating control and manipulation of microbial communities. However, traditional manual counting of colony-forming units (CFUs) on Petri dishes presents major limitations, including high time and resource consumption, and variability linked to the analyst's subjectivity. Objectives. This study aimed to develop a Python-based script for efficient and accurate CFU counting using digital images. Materials and Methods. Water samples were collected from supraglacial lakes of the Llaca Glacier (Peru) and inoculated on nutrient agar and R2A media using the spread plate method. Cultures were incubated at 5 degrees C for 30 days and photographed using a custom-built photographic chamber that standardized image capture. Results. The script, implemented in Google Colaboratory, follows a three-stage process: preprocessing, segmentation, and colony counting. Gaussian adaptive thresholding was selected for segmentation due to its robustness under variable image conditions. The system's performance was evaluated by comparing automated results with manual counts across 91 images. The method demonstrated high efficiency, achieving an precision of 97% +/- 0.12, a recall of 95% +/- 1.10, and an F-measure of 96% +/- 0.10, with a processing time of only 0.4 seconds per image. Conclusions. These results demonstrate that the system offers a reliable, fast, and low-cost alternative for CFU quantification. Its design is simple and adaptable, making it a replicable tool for microbiological laboratories, especially in resource-limited settings.
Introducción. El plomo es un metal pesado ampliamente utilizado en la industria automotriz y constituye uno de los agentes tóxicos más perjudiciales para los seres vivos. Los perros que habitan talleres de mecánica automotriz pueden estar expuestos de forma crónica a este metal, lo que los convierte en potenciales centinelas de la contaminación ambiental. Objetivo. Determinar los niveles de plomo en perros que pernoctan en talleres de mecánica automotriz en Cajamarca (Perú). Materiales y Métodos. Se cuantificaron los niveles de plomo en sangre de 16 perros mediante espectrofotometría de absorción atómica con horno de grafito. Resultados y discusión. Los niveles de plomo oscilaron entre 0,427 μg/dL (0,0043 ppm) y 4,348 μg/dL (0,0435 ppm), con una media ± desviación estándar de 2,264 ± 1,243 μg/dL y un coeficiente de variación del 54,907 %. El 18,75 % (3/16) de los perros presentó niveles de plomo en sangre superiores a 3,5 μg/dL, valor de referencia establecido por los CDC para niños en EE. UU., indicando la presencia de exposición ambiental en estos entornos. Conclusiones. Aunque la mayoría de los perros presentó niveles por debajo del umbral crítico para la salud humana, la detección de valores elevados en algunos caninos sugiere posibles riesgos a largo plazo tanto para los animales como para el personal que trabaja en estos talleres. Estos hallazgos resaltan la necesidad de estudios adicionales para caracterizar las fuentes de exposición y sus implicancias en un enfoque de salud integral.
Introducción. La incorporación de nuevos materiales y tecnologías ha abierto vías de investigación en mezclas asfálticas. Diversos estudios se han centrado en modificar los métodos de fabricación convencionales mediante la sustitución o mejora de componentes tradicionales. Entre estos, se han investigado las microfibras sintéticas de polipropileno como sustitutos parciales de los agregados minerales. Objetivos. Evaluar la resistencia indirecta a la tracción y la estabilidad de mezclas asfálticas en frío reforzadas con 0,20 % y 0,25 % de microfibras de polipropileno. Materiales y Métodos. Se preparó una mezcla asfáltica en frío de referencia (arena-asfalto) siguiendo el método de Hubbard Field. Dos mezclas modificadas se elaboraron reemplazando una proporción del agregado con 0,20 % y 0,25 % de microfibras en volumen. Se evaluaron las propiedades índices de las mezclas modificadas y se compararon con la mezcla de referencia. También se realizaron ensayos de resistencia indirecta a la tracción. Resultados. La incorporación de microfibras de polipropileno incrementó la estabilidad en condiciones ambientales hasta un 21 % y mejoró la resistencia indirecta a la tracción aproximadamente en un 100 % respecto a la mezcla de referencia. Además, se mejoraron la compatibilidad y la reducción de vacíos de aire. Sin embargo, con un contenido de 0,25 %, la expansión aumentó notablemente, superando los límites especificados, mientras que la absorción de agua se mantuvo en rangos aceptables. Conclusiones. El refuerzo de mezclas asfálticas en frío con microfibras de polipropileno produjo mejoras significativas en estabilidad, compactación y resistencia, sin comprometer criterios esenciales de desempeño.
Introduction. Springs are natural discharges of groundwater to the surface and represent strategic resources for water supply, biodiversity conservation, and social and economic well-being. Understanding their ecology is essential for establishing priorities for sustainable management and conservation. Objectives. To characterize the structure of aquatic macroinvertebrate communities and assess water quality in three springs—one hydrothermal—of the Chili River sub-basin, Arequipa, Peru. Materials and Methods. A non-experimental, cross-sectional design was applied. Aquatic macroinvertebrates were sampled using a Surber net, and physicochemical parameters were measured in situ with a multiparameter probe. Results. A total of 42 aquatic macroinvertebrate families were recorded across the three springs. Chironomidae and Hydroptilidae dominated in Ojo del Milagro; Hyalellidae and Glossosomatidae in Yumina; and Hydroptilidae and Naididae in Yura. Significant differences were observed among springs in physicochemical and hydrological characteristics, as well as in the structural composition of macroinvertebrate communities. The mean Andean Biotic Index (ABI) scores indicated water quality ranging from good to very good. Conclusions. The composition and structure of macroinvertebrate communities differed significantly among the three springs, driven mainly by local physicochemical conditions and water use at each site.
Introduction. People deprived of liberty are exposed to multiple risk factors that lead to physical and emotional deterioration, thereby increasing their vulnerability to suicide. It is imperative to identify reliable warning signs to prevent this issue and to guide the implementation of life- reserving interventions. Objectives. To analyze sociodemographic, penitentiary, and psychological factors associated with suicidal risk among individuals incarcerated in correctional facilities in Bucaramanga. Materials and Methods. The SCL-90 Symptom Inventory and the Plutchik Suicide Risk Scale were administered to a non-random sample of 73 incarcerated individuals who voluntarily agreed to participate. In addition to descriptive analyses and tests comparing means and proportions across groups defined by suicide risk status, a logit model was estimated to identify variables influencing the probability of suicidal risk. Results and Discussion. The prevalence of suicidal risk in the sample was 70%. The presence of suicidal ideation (AME = 18.96 pp, p = 0.042), together with certain psychosomatic dimensions—such as obsessive-compulsive behavior (AME = 24.46 pp, p = 0.029) and sensitivity (AME = 21.82 pp, p= 0.004)—emerged as relevant indicators for early detection of suicidal risk. Conclusions. The findings are consistent with prior studies reporting a high incidence of suicidal risk in this population, significantly influenced by psychosomatic factors and suicidal ideation. Life preservation programs (AME = –21.91 pp, p= 0.061) may contribute to mitigating this issue.
Introduction. Urban riparian corridors are critical for biodiversity conservation, hydrological regulation, and ecosystem connectivity. However, anthropogenic pressures and extreme climate events have disrupted their ecological integrity, particularly in rapidly urbanizing Andean regions. Objectives. This study aims to characterize the floristic composition and structural attributes of woody vegetation in a riparian section of the La Vega River microwatershed (Tunja, Boyacá), which was disturbed by dredging activities following the 2010– 2011 La Niña event. Materials and methods. Field sampling was conducted through 20 transects (50 × 2 m; total area 0.2 ha) along both riverbanks within the university campus. All woody individuals with a diameter at breast height (DBH) > 1 cm were recorded. Structural parameters (density, dominance, frequency, Importance Value Index), species richness estimators, and diversity indices (Shannon-Wiener, Simpson, Margalef) were calculated. Results. A total of 782 individuals were recorded, comprising 37 species, 28 genera, and 21 families. The family Fabaceae was dominant, with exotic species such as Acacia decurrens (IVI = 139%), A. mearnsii, and A. melanoxylon prevailing across the site. Native species including Juglans neotropica, Sambucus peruviana, Quercus humboldtii, and Prunus serotina showed lower abundance but play important ecological roles. Conclusions. The high dominance of exotic Acacia species indicates ongoing ecological alteration within the riparian corridor. Active management and restoration strategies are needed to curb the spread of invasive species and promote the recovery of native riparian vegetation.
