Diseño de una intervención psicoeducativa para promover un comportamiento pro-ambiental altamente eficiente en participantes con elevados niveles de valores biosféricos

Now at days the situation about climate change has turned alarming and it may turn way more if we realize that, according to some official estimations of near future events, equatorial zones may be threatening by severe droughts. Even though there are plenty tools in knowledge areas related to human behavior and environmental care, the work that has been done locally to change those catastrophic probabilities is scarce. This work puts together some of the more relevant proposals of several knowledge areas, as psychology, communication, and environmental remediation, in an intervention design that aims to promote efficient pro-environmental work in those participants who are really motivated to change this reality and are willing to lead it. This environmental intervention proposes the learning of certain information and the practice of several techniques as attention restoration, redirecting attention, meditation and a vicarious experience, all designed together in a program that hopefully could generate an important improvement on emotional intelligence, creativity, pro-environmental self-efficacy, and self-control, all abilities that might be directly involved on pro-environmental activities. Finally, the work includes a brief analysis of the limitations of the design and some recommendation for further development of the intervention.La situación medioambiental actual en tanto al cambio climático resulta alarmante, y lo es aún más, si tenemos en cuenta que de acuerdo a ciertas estimaciones oficiales se ha resaltado que las zonas ecuatoriales corren un gran riesgo de sequías en algunos años. Sin embargo, a pesar de que contamos con una gran cantidad de herramientas en varias áreas relacionadas con el comportamiento humano y el cuidado medioambiental, poco es el trabajo que realmente se ha realizado a nivel local para sembrar un futuro más prometedor. Este trabajo reúne algunas de las propuestas más relevantes de varias áreas del conocimiento, entre ellas las de la psicología, la comunicación y la remediación ambiental,; y las concentradas en el diseño de un programa psicoeducativo destinado a promover un trabajo pro-ambiental altamente eficiente entre aquellas personas que están motivadas a para realizar importantes cambios y liderarlos. Esta intervención medioambiental propone el aprendizaje y práctica de ciertas técnicas informativas, de restablecimiento cognitivo, redireccionamiento de la atención, meditación y una experiencia vicaria diseñadas en conjunto para aumentar los niveles de inteligencia emocional, creatividad, autoeficacia pro-ambiental y autocontrol. Finalmente se hacen algunas recomendaciones de cuáles fueron las limitaciones en el diseño de la intervención, así como de sugerencias en tanto a un desarrollo aún más avanzado de la misma

Out-of-plane buckling of boundary regions in planar RC structural walls: an approach to prevent instability

Despite the slenderness that usually characterizes planar RC structural walls, these structural elements effectively resist significant in-plane earthquake demands. However, during the 2010 Chile and 2011 New Zealand earthquakes, some medium to high-rise buildings exhibited out-of-plane buckling instability, a failure mode that had only been observed in experiments. This failure mode was first studied in the 1980s; however, it was just after the recent earthquakes that several studies arose to improve design procedures to avoid future damage. Parameters as the height-to-thickness ratio, reinforcement content, material properties, and the hysteretic behavior of the longitudinal steel have been identified as critical for the onset of buckling instability. In this paper, the influence of the concrete cover was studied through a fiber-based element parametric analysis conducted on 120 RC prisms that simulate boundary elements of special RC walls. The prisms were subjected to incremental axial cyclic loading that mimics the effects of in-plane lateral displacements. As a result, a new approach is presented to limit tensile strains developed in the longitudinal reinforcement of boundary zones to prevent the onset of out-of-plane buckling instability

Desbalance entre costo del inventario y nivel de servicio de producto terminado

The main objective of this work is to develop a control and management tool for the finished product inventory of a company with the help of technological tools such as Excel and R Studio software. For this reason, the variables that intervene in the inventory control will be analyzed, such as: historical sales data, atypical sales data, forecast model, lead time, service level, safety stock, average inventory and optimal inventory. In addition, the inventory optimization model is based on the statistical analysis of data such as: coefficients of variation, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values, and quartiles. Due to the reliability of the data and strategic information of the company, this study has its limitations and therefore assumptions are generated that will be detailed so that the tool in the future can be used, tested and improved as necessary.El presente trabajo tiene como principal objetivo desarrollar una herramienta de control y gestión para el inventario de producto terminado para una empresa industrial con la ayuda de herramientas tecnológicas como Excel y el software R Studio. Por tal razón, se analizarán las variables que intervienen o afectan directa e indirectamente al inventario como: datos históricos de venta, datos atípicos de ventas, pronóstico de demanda futura, modelo de proyección, tiempos de reabastecimiento, nivel de servicio, stock de seguridad, inventario promedio e inventario óptimo. Además, el modelo de optimización del inventario está basado en el análisis estadístico de datos como: coeficientes de variación, desviación estándar, valores mínimos y máximos y cuartiles. Debido a la confiabilidad de los datos e información estratégica de la empresa, el presente estudio tiene sus limitaciones y por lo tanto se generan supuestos que serán detallados para que la herramienta a futuro pueda ser utilizada, evaluada y mejorada según amerite

Gasto público en educación y su impacto en el trabajo infantil en Cajamarca y Huancavelica

Objective: Determine the impact of public spending on education on child labor in Cajamarca and Huancavelica, 2012-2020 period. Method: The research was of a quantitative, non-experimental and cross-sectional type; with an explanatory scope; the population was based on the data from the statistical series of public spending on education for both primary and secondary education along with the rate of boys, girls and teenagers in the departments of Cajamarca and Huancavelica, which were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics and the platform of Educational Quality Statistics (Peru’s Ministry of Education). Results: The impact of total spending on education in soles per student is less than 0,0078%; being clear when the economic theory of education coincides with the statistical and econometric evidence found with the fixed effects method. It is evidenced that Huancavelica has adverse conditions to the economic well-being, since it has its own characteristics that increase the level of child labor, unlike Cajamarca. Conclusion: Public spending on education for both primary and secondary levels have a negative impact on child labor.Objetivo: Determinar el impacto del gasto público en educación en el trabajo infantil en Cajamarca y Huancavelica, periodo 2012-2020. Método: La investigación fue de tipo cuantitativo no experimental y transversal, de alcance explicativo. La población estuvo compuesta por los datos de las series estadísticas del gasto público en educación, tanto para primaria y secundaria, y por la tasa de niños, niñas y adolescentes de los departamentos de Cajamarca y Huancavelica, los cuales fueron obtenidos del Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática y de la plataforma de Estadística de Calidad Educativa (Ministerio de Educación). Resultados: El impacto del gasto total, en soles, en educación por alumno es menos de 0,0078%, siendo claro al coincidir la teoría económica de educación con la evidencia estadística y econométrica hallada con el método de efectos fijos. Se evidencia que Huancavelica posee condiciones adversas al bienestar económico, puesto que tiene características propias que aumentan el nivel de trabajo infantil a diferencia de Cajamarca. Conclusión: El gasto público en educación tanto para el nivel primario como secundario tiene un impacto negativo en el trabajo infantil

Desbalance entre costo del inventario y nivel de servicio de producto terminado

The main objective of this work is to develop a control and management tool for the finished product inventory of a company with the help of technological tools such as Excel and R Studio software. For this reason, the variables that intervene in the inventory control will be analyzed, such as: historical sales data, atypical sales data, forecast model, lead time, service level, safety stock, average inventory and optimal inventory. In addition, the inventory optimization model is based on the statistical analysis of data such as: coefficients of variation, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values, and quartiles. Due to the reliability of the data and strategic information of the company, this study has its limitations and therefore assumptions are generated that will be detailed so that the tool in the future can be used, tested and improved as necessary.El presente trabajo tiene como principal objetivo desarrollar una herramienta de control y gestión para el inventario de producto terminado para una empresa industrial con la ayuda de herramientas tecnológicas como Excel y el software R Studio. Por tal razón, se analizarán las variables que intervienen o afectan directa e indirectamente al inventario como: datos históricos de venta, datos atípicos de ventas, pronóstico de demanda futura, modelo de proyección, tiempos de reabastecimiento, nivel de servicio, stock de seguridad, inventario promedio e inventario óptimo. Además, el modelo de optimización del inventario está basado en el análisis estadístico de datos como: coeficientes de variación, desviación estándar, valores mínimos y máximos y cuartiles. Debido a la confiabilidad de los datos e información estratégica de la empresa, el presente estudio tiene sus limitaciones y por lo tanto se generan supuestos que serán detallados para que la herramienta a futuro pueda ser utilizada, evaluada y mejorada según amerite

When the absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence: Nasa (Loasaceae) rediscoveries from Peru and Ecuador, and the contribution of community science networks

Documentation of plant taxa has long been subject to the temporal and spatial selectivity of professional research expeditions, especially in tropical regions. Therefore, rare and/or narrowly endemic species are sometimes known only from very few and very old herbarium specimens. However, these taxa are very important from a conservation perspective. The lack of observations of living plants and confirmation of the actual occurrence of taxa hinders the planning and implementation of effective conservation measures. Community science networks have recently made tremendous contributions to documenting biodiversity in many regions across the globe. The rediscovery of six species of Nasa (Loasaceae) from Peru and Ecuador primarily via the platform iNaturalist, is reported.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de BiologíaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Ecología Tropical (CIBET

Challenges for Food and Nutrition Security in the Americas: Costa Rica and its commitment to sustainability

As a small nation with high biodiversity and an extensive system of protected areas, Costa Rica will face particular challenges regarding food security over the next few years. Thus, whatever development model the country chooses, it must achieve a compromise between conservation and production (agricultural, energy and so on). Although the country’s malnutrition levels are below 5%, socioeconomic asymmetries - which have been increasing in recent years - put a growing proportion of the population at risk. Costa Rica also has a high disaster risk (due to volcanism, seismicity and climatic events), which is likely to be increased by climate change. Moreover, the country’s population is aging and growing very little in absolute numbers, which is also reflected in the predominance of farmers growing older. It is important to mention that the country relies heavily on food imports, mainly of basic grains, to cover the needs of its population. Food production uses a large amount of imported seed and propagating material, which are often not suited to local conditions, as well as very intensive use of agrochemicals, with negative consequences for health and the environment. Over the next few years, it will be crucial to maintain solid public higher-education and research structures in the agricultural field. Although there is no shortage of water in the country in general, water is unevenly distributed at certain times and between regions. Another important challenge is that overweight and obesity show an increasing and alarming upward trend. A comprehensive approach considering many actors and positions is required to ensure food and nutrition in Costa Rica over the next fifty years. To this end and to be consistent with a long tradition that has earned the country recognition, the government should continue with its policies to conserve protected areas and biodiversity. At the same time, it should increase productivity and yields in land with a clear agricultural vocation. This is important for reducing dependence on imported food in order to meet the basic needs of the country’s inhabitants. In order to achieve broad access to sufficient nutritious food, it is essential to reduce the gaps in the population’s socioeconomic conditions. Production systems should be more environmentally friendly by reducing the use of agrochemicals, and making more and better use of soil, and integrated pest, water resources, waste and residue-management practices. It will also be important to encourage, where possible, the use of local species or those adapted to local conditions, some of which are little known and underutilized, which are important for the diet beyond caloric intake (as a source of micronutrients, vitamins and functional compounds). This requires considering the enormous biodiversity present in the country and encouraging genetic improvement in order to reduce dependence on imported seed and propagation materials, since these were often developed for other climatic and edaphic conditions, as well as different productive systems. It is essential to achieve greater differentiation of products that follow certain quality standards in terms of production, marketing and nutritional value over the next few years, and for this to provide some form of competitive advantage. Prevention and mitigation measures must be taken against disasters that can be caused by specific events (hurricanes, volcanoes, earthquakes, etc.) or climate change. It will be important to continue the construction and maintenance of water collection, storage and supply works to reduce water shortages in particular areas and at specific times. Agricultural activity must be made attractive so that young people choose to remain in the countryside rather than migrating to cities. State funding for research on priority issues for the country must be increased, and incentives created so that the private sector also becomes interested in supporting research. It is also necessary to continue promoting high-level human resource training, preferably at top universities abroad, to promote agricultural research. Likewise, technical and vocational education must be promoted with the participation of various institutions (such as the Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje, technical and vocational colleges and dual education). The country must consider a wide range of options for agricultural production with a view toward ensuring food and nutrition for its inhabitants. This framework must consider all the (bio)technological options, provided they do not conflict with the environment and health. It is also essential to continue and intensify programs that seek to promote healthy eating habits and encourage physical activity among the population.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Agroalimentarias::Centro para Investigaciones en Granos y Semillas (CIGRAS)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Agroalimentarias::Instituto de Investigaciones Agrícolas (IIA

Global attitudes in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 pandemic: ACIE Appy Study

Background: Surgical strategies are being adapted to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations on the management of acute appendicitis have been based on expert opinion, but very little evidence is available. This study addressed that dearth with a snapshot of worldwide approaches to appendicitis. Methods: The Association of Italian Surgeons in Europe designed an online survey to assess the current attitude of surgeons globally regarding the management of patients with acute appendicitis during the pandemic. Questions were divided into baseline information, hospital organization and screening, personal protective equipment, management and surgical approach, and patient presentation before versus during the pandemic. Results: Of 744 answers, 709 (from 66 countries) were complete and were included in the analysis. Most hospitals were treating both patients with and those without COVID. There was variation in screening indications and modality used, with chest X-ray plus molecular testing (PCR) being the commonest (19\ub78 per cent). Conservative management of complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis was used by 6\ub76 and 2\ub74 per cent respectively before, but 23\ub77 and 5\ub73 per cent, during the pandemic (both P < 0\ub7001). One-third changed their approach from laparoscopic to open surgery owing to the popular (but evidence-lacking) advice from expert groups during the initial phase of the pandemic. No agreement on how to filter surgical smoke plume during laparoscopy was identified. There was an overall reduction in the number of patients admitted with appendicitis and one-third felt that patients who did present had more severe appendicitis than they usually observe. Conclusion: Conservative management of mild appendicitis has been possible during the pandemic. The fact that some surgeons switched to open appendicectomy may reflect the poor guidelines that emanated in the early phase of SARS-CoV-2