Effect of the degradation of different dissolved NOM fractions by the heterogeneous Fenton treatment on the emergence of trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids at drinking water treatment plants

Hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and transphilic fractions of natural organic matter, which are all present in drinking water treatment plants, can play a crucial role on the formation of disinfection by-products after chlorination. In this work, catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (heterogeneous-Fenton) activated by an aluminum/iron-pillared clay catalyst, was tested as an alternative to remove different organic fractions and evaluated its effect on disinfection by-products formation in several stages of two full-scale drinking water treatment plants in Narino˜ (Colombia). The advanced treatment removed 87 % hydrophobic, 36 % hydrophilic, and 70 % transphilic fractions in raw water with mostly hydrophobic character, while in the hydrophilic case, it was removed 47 % hydrophobic, and 40 % hydrophilic fractions. Interestingly, formation of trihalomethanes was reduced in up to 81 %, and haloacetic acids in up to 83 %. Also, the process significantly degraded high (~661 kDa) and low (~6.2 kDa) average molecular weight hydrophobic fractions into lighter, but less disinfection by-products forming ones. Meanwhile, the high average molecular weight (~1000 kDa) hydrophilic fraction was instead transformed into a lighter fraction (<3 kDa). The process showed to be highly efficient to degrade natural organic matter with different polar nature at room temperature and natural pH. However, the application of this treatment on the effluent of a conventional physicochemical unit (from hydrophilic water supply sources) must be avoided, since the residual organic content displayed higher potential for haloacetic acids formation. On the contrary, in hydrophobic water supply sources, it is recommended to apply the process at this point of treatment

Pedagogical strategies in the training of agricultural engineers

Studies on pedagogical strategies in agricultural higher education programs in Colombia are limited; hence, the need to identify the pedagogical strategies used by teachers in the training of agricultural engineers at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Nariño. To do so, information on the 54 subjects of the study plan was analyzed in the form "Thematic Programming by Subject" prepared by the teachers, and descriptive statistics were applied with a deductive approach. The investigation allowed the identification of the following variables: first, pedagogical strategies for knowledge transfer; second, forms of evaluation; third, origin of the bibliography recommended by teachers. The predominant strategy in the training of agricultural engineers is identified with the traditional paradigm in 36 subjects (66.7%), which correspond to the technical disciplines of the curriculum, and where the practical instruction of know-how and field research predominate. In addition, the close relationship between the programmatic contents and the development of competences in the practical field is confirmed. All the faculty in their pedagogical work still resort to the master class, a situation that demonstrates the prevalence of behavioral pedagogical strategies; likewise, most courses favor mixed evaluation; meanwhile, the individual evaluation is applied to a lesser extent, and most professors recommend bibliographical sources of foreign origin. The results constitute valuable information for the formulation of strategies aimed at strengthening the teaching-learning processes and improving the quality of Higher Education

Board of directors and value of Chilean companies

Introduction: Boards of directors are key to organizational performance. This study analyzes the composition of boards in non-financial Chilean companies between 2019 and 2022, focusing on the number of members, female participation, and professional diversity. Objective: To assess how these characteristics impact management practices and the strategic direction of organizations. Methodology: A statistical description and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the relationship between the variables and the company's value (Price to Book, Price to Sales, and EV to EBITDA). Results: The analysis shows an average of 7.9 members per board, low female participation, and a concentration in five professional areas. The number of members is positively related to the company's value in all cases. Female participation shows a negative relationship, while professional diversity has a positive impact in some cases, although not significant in others. Additionally, company size and indebtedness also influence company value. Conclusions: The number of board members positively impacts company value, while female participation and professional diversity show a less clear influence

Development of an agroecological strategy with rural women based on a food consumption score

In rural Colombia, female-headed households represent a vulnerable group regarding food insecurity, highlighting the need for strategies to improve the diversity and volume of cultivated food. This study aimed to develop an agroecological strategy using the Food Consumption Score (FCS) as an indicator. To achieve this, we worked with 38 participants from the Obonuco district in the department of Nariño, conducting an initial characterization through a semi-structured survey and applying the FCS methodology to identify at-risk food groups that could be managed. This information served as the foundation for the participatory design of two gardens based on agroecological principles, and over a year, the contribution of these gardens to the prioritized food groups was evaluated. The results revealed that age, education level, and land access increase vulnerability in this population. Based on the FCS results, the gardens were designed to positively impact five food groups by integrating 15 plant species and two animal protein sources (guinea pigs and eggs). The project enhanced food security among rural women heads of households through participatory strategies, the FCS indicator, and agroecological production processes, creating a methodological framework that can be replicated in similar initiatives

Violencia simbólica en la enseñanza superior de enfermería: Una revisión narrativa

Introducción: La violencia simbólica es una de las formas más comunes de interacción al interior de la sociedad, es imperceptible, naturalizada y también se presenta en el campo académico Objetivo: Explorar la literatura existente en relación a la presencia de violencia simbólica en las prácticas pedagógicas universitarias de los programas de enfermería. Materiales y métodos: Revisión narrativa de literatura entre 2018 y 2024, utilizando Scopus, Redalyc, Dialnet, Web of Science, Science Direct, DOAJ y Repositorios universitarios, a través de la metodología propuesta por Arksey y O’Malley. Resultados: Se obtuvieron 24 artículos para análisis temático, se encontró como principales sujetos de estudio a los estudiantes, no obstante, son protagonistas también las interacciones entre docentes y administrativos, el uso de metodologías cualitativas es el más común permitiendo entender la dimensión subjetiva del asunto de la violencia simbólica, existe poca producción relacionada con las prácticas pedagógicas en enfermería. Conclusiones: La narrativa sugiere que la producción científica con respecto al tema está en aumento, la violencia basada en género ha sido la más investigada en el ámbito educativo, se encontró que existen prácticas docentes violentas en aula, las políticas educativas y la estructura institucional tiende a generar discriminación y exclusión de algunos grupos poblacionales

Adaptation of green onion clones (Allium fistulosum L.) in the high tropic of Nariño, Colombia

Green onion plays a crucial role in the peasant economy of the department of Nariño, Colombia. Therefore, a wide range of varieties adapted to the production area is required. This research aimed to evaluate the adaptation of nine green onion clones through an Agronomic Evaluation Test in three producing environments of Nariño: Pasto, Buesaquillo, and Mueses. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with four replications, assessing yield, pseudostem length, and pseudostem diameter. A combined analysis of variance was performed for environments, clones, and cuttings. The highest yields of pseudostem were obtained in Obonuco and Buesaquillo, with 49.15 and 48.87 t/ha/cutting, respectively, with clones 1 (65.24), 33 (53.18), 38 (52.15), and 30 (47.66) showing outstanding performance across the three environments. Among the three cuttings, the highest yield was found in cutting 3 with 51.70 t/ha. For pseudostem length, the highest averages were found in Mueses with 31.88 cm and in Buesaquillo with 31.00 cm. The outstanding clones, across the three environments, were 38, 1, 33, and 30, with averages between 28.91 and 36.59 cm. Regarding the diameter of pseudostems, the highest averages were found in Obonuco, with 17.26 mm; the clones that stood out in the environments were 1 (18.15), 28 (17.33), 17 (17.02), and 33 (16.66). Clones 38 and 33 showed the highest averages across all variables, making them strong candidates for further commercial validation to diversify green onion varieties in Nariño

Organizational identification and member retention in nonprofit organizations: communication and accountability

Introduction: Nonprofit Organizations (NPOs) face a complex relationship with their stakeholders. For their performance to be successful, it is crucial to implement strategies that link the social value of their mission to their management, enhancing their legitimacy without compromising operational efficiency. Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify the communication factors used by NPOs in their accountability processes that generate identification and retention of members in the Asociación Colombiana de las Micro, Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas [Colombian Association of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises] (ACOPI) Bogotá – Cundinamarca from 2016 to 2020. Methodology: A qualitative approach was adopted, with descriptive and interpretive scope, based on interviews with members of the Board of Directors and staff of ACOPI. Results: The organization has developed an effective strategic communication approach that favors member retention, brand positioning, and the fulfillment of its mission, using both interactive and traditional communication channels. Members show strong emotional and behavioral attachment, which reinforces their identification with and commitment to the association. Conclusion: The analysis revealed that fulfilling the mission improves organizational performance and strengthens members’ trust