Pterygoplichthys pardalis (Castelnau, 1855), an introduced species in the Cauca River Basin, Colombia.

Reportamos la introducción de Pterygoplichthys pardalis- una especie íctica de agua dulce de la cuenca del río Amazonas- en la cuenca del río Cauca y en las represas de Salvajina y Calima, Colombia. Alcance: Registramos y evaluamos taxonómicamente a P. pardalis para verificar su identificación, evitando que se eliminen especies nativas morfológicamente similares. Metodología empleada: Se examinó material depositado en algunas colecciones de ictiología, evaluando 35 caracteres morfométricos para su identificación siguiendo las claves de Armbruster. Estos resultados se compararon con la literatura disponible para el género Pterygoplichthys. Conclusiones: Este artículo reporta algunos errores en identificación, principalmente de Pterygoplichthys undecimalis, que en realidad corresponden a ejemplares de P. pardalis. También sugiere dos posibles mecanismos que explican su introducción en cuencas nacionales: i) descuidos durante el comercio de especies ornamentales de peces y por parte de sus compradores y ii) proyectos de acuicultura que pretenden “mejorar” la economía regional sin considerar las características e idoneidad de las especies que buscan fomentar. Finalmente, este artículo alerta sobre la introducción de P. pardalis en cuencas nacionales, y sus posibles efectos sobre especies y ecosistemas nativos.We report Pterygoplichthys pardalis introduction - a freshwater fish species from the Amazon river basin - in the Cauca river basin and in Salvajina and Calima dams, Colombia. Scope: We registered and taxonomically evaluated P. pardalis to verify its identification, seeking to avoid the elimination of native morphologically similar species. Methodology: Material deposited in some ichthyology collections was examined, evaluating 35 morphometric characters for identification following Armbruster’s keys. These results were compared with the available literature for Pterygoplichthys genus. Conclusions: This article reports some identification errors, mainly regarding Pterygoplichthys undecimalis, which actually correspond to P. pardalis. We also suggest two possible mechanisms that explain P. pardalis introduction into national basins: i) oversights during ornamental fish species trade and by their buyers, and ii) aquaculture projects that, seeking to “improve” regional economy, not take into consideration characteristics and suitability of the species they seek to promote. Finally, this article alerts about P. pardalis introduction in national basins and their possible effects on native species and ecosystems

Situación fitosanitaria de los principales sistemas de producción en el Valle del Cauca durante el año de 1997.

El Instituto Colombiano Agropocuario ICA, as Is ontidad responsablo do Pa sanidad agrlcola y pecuarla del pals a través do Is coordlnaclon, I. planoacion, dirección y ojecucion do programas do protecclon y control do todas lag situacionos do riosgo pare Is productividad agropocuaria uttlizando raclonales criterios do compotltividad, sostoniblildad y oquidad con el proposito do participar efoctivamonto on all dosarrollo economico y social del pals. En oste sontido, ontre los diforontes proyectos quo so ojecutan an al Dopartamonto del Valle del Cauca as oncuontre: Diagnostico, vigilancia y alerts fitosanitarla an los principales sistemas do producclon on 01 Valle del Cauca", quo adelantan los técnicos do Sanidad Vegetal on oats Seccional. Como resultado prollmlnar do [as acciones do Vigitancla Fltosanitarta este documento pretends ponor en conoclmlonto do los usuarlos intermediaries del departamento (ontidades del orden municipal y dopartamontal) Is situaciôn fitosanitaria do los principales sistemas do prcducclón (cane do azUcar, café, algodOn, maiz, sorgo, soya, plétano, banano y tomato) on ol Valle del Cauca durante 1997. Las especies restantos so Inoorporarén al sistema do Informaclôn do Vlgilancla fitosanitaila on Is rnedlda an quo so Involucren como fuentes do informaclón todas In entidados del sector agropecuarlo ubicadal on los municiplos del dopartamento

The invisible enemy : Understanding bird-window strikes through citizen science in a focal city

Bird-window collisions have been estimated to be among the most important sources of bird death. Despite increasing knowledge in Latin America, our understanding of this phenomenon is still incipient, with research performed in Mexico limited to a handful of studies. Here, we present the results of a citizen science effort focused on bird-window collisions at seven buildings in the university campus of the National School of Higher Studies (ENES) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, located in the city of Leon (central Mexico). Our main goal was to describe seasonal patterns of bird-window collisions and their relationship with building traits (i.e., building height, window area) through citizen science monitoring strategies. Our results showed that collisions were higher in two of the seven studied buildings, with two bird species recording almost half of the total collisions: Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) and Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea). Seasonally, April was the only month to differ from the rest of the studied months, showing significantly higher rate of bird-window collision. Regarding building traits, only building height was related to the number of recorded bird-window collisions. In sum, our study provides findings from an understudied area, showing the value of citizen science approaches to generate knowledge on a deadly phenomenon. Notably, besides the potential drawbacks and importance of generating this kind of information, our project raised awareness on the topic across the entire campus community, from the students and academics to the administration, highlighting the potential for social impact with these kinds of projects.Peer reviewe

Estilos de vida en estudiantes del área de la salud de Bucaramanga

ABSTRACT: In this study, the lifestyles of 378 health care students from Bucaramanga city were examined. Four analytical dimensions were considered: exercise and physical activity; alcohol consumption; smoking and psychoactive substances use; and sexuality. The research concludes that consistent with previous studies the possession of knowledge, adequate health beliefs, and motivations towards healthy practices are insufficient for the adoption of healthy behaviors. A larger exploratory study that addresses the reasons for the inconsistencies between beliefs and motivations versus healthy practices is required.RESUMEN: En el presente estudio se evaluaron los estilos de vida de 378 estudiantes del área de la salud residentes en la ciudad de Bucaramanga. Se estudiaron cuatro dimensiones analíticas: ejercicio y actividad física; consumo de alcohol; consumo de cigarrillo y sustancias psicoactivas; y la sexualidad. La investigación concluyó que, acorde con estudios previos, la posesión de conocimiento no es suficiente para la adopción de conductas saludables, así como tampoco lo son el disponer de creencias adecuadas sobre la salud o de motivaciones consistentes frente a la práctica saludable. Se requiere un estudio explicativo de mayor envergadura que aborde las razones de las incongruencias entre las creencias y las motivaciones frente a las prácticas saludables.

Green Infrastructure in the Space of Flows: An Urban Metabolism

Recent research demonstrates that urban metabolism studies hold ample scope for informing more sustainable urban planning and design. The assessment of the resource flows that are required to sustain the growth and maintenance of cities can allow gaining a clear picture of how cities operate to comply with environmental performance standards and to ensure that both human and ecosystem health are preserved. Green infrastructure (GI) plays a key role in enhancing both cities’ environmental performance and health. For example, GI interventions mitigate the Urban Heat Island effect (improved thermal comfort), reduce particulate matter concentration (healthier air quality), and sequestrate and store atmospheric carbon (climate change mitigation). Research on ecosystem services and the application of the concept in urban planning provides a growing evidence base that an understanding of provisioning and regulating services can facilitate more environmentally informed GI planning and design. The contribution of GI in enhancing human health and psychological wellbeing is also evidenced in recent studies valuing both material and immaterial benefits provided by urban ecosystems, including cultural ecosystem services. Therefore, the use of ecosystem service frameworks can help reveal and quantify the role of GI in fostering both urban environmental quality and the wellbeing of human populations. However, there remains little discussion of how health and wellbeing aspects can be integrated with environmental performance objectives. In this chapter, urban metabolism thinking is proposed as a way forward, providing analytical tools to inform environmentally-optimized strategies across the urban scales. Opportunities to foster integrated urban metabolism approaches that can inform more holistic GI planning are discussed. Finally, future research avenues to incorporate the multiple dimensions of human health and wellbeing into urban metabolism thinking are highlighted

The experience of launching a psychological hotline across 21 countries to support Ukrainians in wartime

The current work and further steps of the psychological hotline launched by the National Psychological Association of Ukraine (NPA) are discussed along with a call for action to mental health professionals worldwide. Design/methodology/approach – This paper describes the training and support of the NPA’s hotline staff as well as reflections on the hotline’s work from June 2022 to April 2023. Findings – With broad international support, the NPA’s psychological hotline currently operates in 21 countries providing psychological assistance and referrals to other service providers within Ukraine and abroad. We propose further steps of its work, including international collaboration. Originality/value – Providing citizens of Ukraine with broad public access to evidence-based remote psychological support through NPA’s hotlines is a high priority considering the war’s negative impact on mental health diverse and the limited capacity of the state mental health system. Keywords: crisis interventions, psychological hotline, psychological first aid, Russian invasion, Russian-Ukrainian war, war-related traum

Abdominal obesity and low physical activity are associated with insulin resistance in overweight adolescents: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT: Background: Previous studies have assessed the metabolic changes and lifestyles associated with overweight adolescents. However, these associations are unclear amongst overweight adolescents who have already developed insulin resistance. This study assessed the associations between insulin resistance and anthropometric, metabolic, inflammatory, food consumption, and physical activity variables amongst overweight adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional study divided adolescents (n = 120) between 10 and 18 years old into 3 groups: an overweight group with insulin resistance (O + IR), an overweight group without insulin resistance (O-IR), and a normal-weight control group (NW). Adolescents were matched across groups based on age, sex, pubertal maturation, and socioeconomic strata. Anthropometric, biochemical, physical activity, and food consumption variables were assessed. Insulin resistance was assessed using homeostatic model assessment (HOMA Calculator Version 2.2.2 from ©Diabetes Trials Unit, University of Oxford), and overweight status was assessed using body mass index according to World Health Organization (2007) references. A chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. ANOVAs or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for continuous variables. Multiple linear regression models were used to calculate the probability of the occurrence of insulin resistance based on the independent variables. Results: The risk of insulin resistance amongst overweight adolescents increases significantly when they reach a waist circumference > p95 (OR = 1.9, CIs = 1.3-2.7, p = 0.013) and watch 3 or more hours/day of television (OR = 1.7, CIs = 0.98-2.8, p = 0.033). Overweight status and insulin resistance were associated with higher levels of inflammation (hsCRP ≥1 mg/L) and cardiovascular risk according to arterial indices. With each cm increase in waist circumference, the HOMA index increased by 0.082; with each metabolic equivalent (MET) unit increase in physical activity, the HOMA index decreased by 0.026. Conclusions: Sedentary behaviour and a waist circumference > p90 amongst overweight adolescents were associated with insulin resistance, lipid profile alterations, and higher inflammatory states. A screening that includes body mass index, in waist circumference, and physical activity evaluations of adolescents might enable the early detection of these alterations

Exploring Attitudes Toward “Sugar Relationships” Across 87 Countries: A Global Perspective on Exchanges of Resources for Sex and Companionship

The current study investigates attitudes toward one form of sex for resources: the so-called sugar relationships, which often involve exchanges of resources for sex and/or companionship. The present study examined associations among attitudes toward sugar relationships and relevant variables (e.g., sex, sociosexuality, gender inequality, parasitic exposure) in 69,924 participants across 87 countries. Two self-report measures of Acceptance of Sugar Relationships (ASR) developed for younger companion providers (ASR-YWMS) and older resource providers (ASR-OMWS) were translated into 37 languages. We tested cross-sex and cross-linguistic construct equivalence, cross-cultural invariance in sex differences, and the importance of the hypothetical predictors of ASR. Both measures showed adequate psychometric properties in all languages (except the Persian version of ASR-YWMS). Results partially supported our hypotheses and were consistent with previous theoretical considerations and empirical evidence on human mating. For example, at the individual level, sociosexual orientation, traditional gender roles, and pathogen prevalence were significant predictors of both ASR-YWMS and ASR-OMWS. At the country level, gender inequality and parasite stress positively predicted the ASR-YWMS. However, being a woman negatively predicted the ASR-OMWS, but positively predicted the ASR-YWMS. At country-level, ingroup favoritism and parasite stress positively predicted the ASR-OMWS. Furthermore, significant cross-subregional differences were found in the openness to sugar relationships (both ASR-YWMS and ASR-OMWS scores) across subregions. Finally, significant differences were found between ASR-YWMS and ASR-OMWS when compared in each subregion. The ASR-YWMS was significantly higher than the ASR-OMWS in all subregions, except for Northern Africa and Western Asia