Agile testing practices in software quality: State of the art review

In this paper you can find a review of articles related to agile testing practices in software quality, looking for theoretical information and real cases applied to testing inside a modern context, comparing them with the standard procedures taking into account their advantages and relevant features. As final result, we determine that agile practices in software quality have wide acceptance and many companies have chosen their use for all their benefits and impact on development software processes in several real applications, not necessarily IT governance ones, since other kind of technical applications have shown excellent results on testing

Multi-Trait selection indices for identifying new cassava varieties adapted to the Caribbean Region of Colombia

In Colombia, the highest cassava production comes from the semi-arid region of the Atlantic Coast with relatively low yield for fresh consumption (≤11 t/ha). Development of improved varieties is based on a plant ideotype which integrates a group of desirable traits independently measured in the field. However, selecting high performance genotypes for several traits simultaneously is a complex process. Sixteen genotypes were evaluated under four environmental conditions (localities) of the Colombian Caribbean region (Cereté, Carmen de Bolivar, Agustín Codazzi, and Sevilla), and two production cycles (2016/2017–2017/2018) in order to assess phenotypic expression of selected traits, their stability, and utility in genotype selection. Selection of promising genotypes should consider both their superiority and stability. Genotypes SM3106-14, GM1692-56, CM9456-12, and GM214-62 were selected based on their agronomic performance. In addition, frequency analysis of sensorial data showed that genotypes CM9456-12, SM1127-8, SM3553-27, and SM3562-32 were preferred by panelists who assessed, color, flavor, texture, and root shape. Determination of superiority through across-environments, multi-trait selection index allows identifying genotypes with superior per-formance. However, selection was improved when local multi-trait selection indices were includ-ed—phenotypic stability determination (through Lin and Binns index and AMMI model) supported an adequate selection of superior and stable cassava genotypes. The inclusion of palatability re-sponse and quality features determination in cassava genotypes can be recommended to identify genotypes with higher adoption rates by farmers and consumers

Análisis económico de la producción de berenjena (Solanum melongena L.) en dos zonas productoras del Caribe colombiano: Sabanas de Sucre y Valle del Sinú en Córdoba

This paper describes the socioeconomic and technological characteristics of the eggplant production system in the microregions of the Sinú Valley and Sucre Savannas in Colombia. Through the simple random sampling technique, we selected 62 farmers. It was collected data using a formal structured survey previously tested and analyzed.  Small producers plant the crop in an average area of ​​0.6 hectares. The average age is 53 years with more than 30 years of experience in cultivation. It is less expensive to produce eggplant in the state of Sucre than in Córdoba, due to the proportion in which labor is involved in production costs, because they are higher for Sucre State with 75% of the total costs, on the contrary, in Córdoba State the labor force participates in 63%. The net income is higher in the case of Córdoba owing to the difference in yields, which are 35 t/ha-1 while for Sucre they are 25 t/ha-1. With regard to marketing margins, for each monetary unit that the consumer pays, $0.82 constitutes profits that are in the intermediation chain distributed. The participation of 53$0,82 constituyen utilidades que se distribuyen en la cadena de intermediación, la cual corresponde a un valor muy alto, siendo este de un 53 %. Se concluye que el agricultor es el que más arriesga y el que menos recibe de esta diferencia del precio entre el agricultor y el consumidor final

Economic analysis of the production of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) in two producing areas of the Colombian Caribbean: Sucre Savannas and Sinú Valley in Córdoba

1 recurso en línea (páginas 17-34).This paper describes the socioeconomic and technological characteristics of the eggplant production system in the microregions of the Sinú Valley and Sucre Savannas in Colombia. Through the simple random sampling technique, we selected 62 farmers. It was collected data using a formal structured survey previously tested and analyzed. Small producers plant the crop in an average area of 0.6 hectares. The average age is 53 years with more than 30 years of experience in cultivation. It is less expensive to produce eggplant in the state of Sucre than in Córdoba, due to the proportion in which labor is involved in production costs, because they are higher for Sucre State with 75% of the total costs, on the contrary, in Córdoba State the labor force participates in 63%. The net income is higher in the case of Córdoba owing to the difference in yields, which are 35 t/ha-1 while for Sucre they are 25 t/ha-1. With regard to marketing margins, for each monetary unit that the consumer pays, $0.82 constitutes profits that are in the intermediation chain distributed. The participation of 53$0,82 constituyen utilidades que se distribuyen en la cadena de intermediación, la cual corresponde a un valor muy alto, siendo este de un 53 %. Se concluye que el agricultor es el que más arriesga y el que menos recibe de esta diferencia del precio entre el agricultor y el consumidor final.Bibliografía y webgrafía: páginas 33-34

Lovastatin delays infection and increases survival rates in AG129 mice infected with dengue virus serotype 2

ABSTARCT: It has been reported that treatment of DENV-infected cultures with Lovastatin (LOV), can affect viral assembly. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of LOV on the survival rate and viremia levels of DENV-2-infected AG129 mice. Methodology/Principal Findings: Mice were inoculated with 16106 plaque-forming units (PFU/ml) of DENV-2 and treated with LOV (200 mg/kg/day). Pre-treatment with one or three doses of LOV increased the survival rate compared to untreated mice (7.3 and 7.1 days, respectively, compared to 4.8 days). Viremia levels also decreased by 21.8% compared to untreated mice, but only in the group administered three doses prior to inoculation. When LOV was administered after viral inoculation, the survival rate increased (7.3 days in the group treated at 24 hpi, 6.8 days in the group treated at 48 hpi and 6.5 days in the group treated with two doses) compared to the untreated group (4.8 days). Interestingly, the serum viral titer increased by 24.6% in mice treated at 48 hpi with a single dose of LOV and by 21.7% in mice treated with two doses (at 24 and 48 hpi) of LOV compared to untreated mice. Finally histopathological changes in the liver and spleen in infected and untreated mice included massive extramedullary erythropoiesis foci and inflammatory filtration, and these characteristics were decreased or absent in LOV-treated mice. Conclusions/Significance: Our results suggest that the effect of LOV on viremia depends on the timing of treatment and on the number of doses administered. We observed a significant increase in the survival rate in both schemes due to a delay in the progression of the disease. However, the results obtained in the post-treatment scheme must be handled carefully because this treatment scheme increases viremia and we do not know how this increase could affect disease progression in humans

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to <90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], >300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of <15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P<0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

Gestión del conocimiento. Perspectiva multidisciplinaria. Volumen 10

El libro “Gestión del Conocimiento. Perspectiva Multidisciplinaria”, Volumen 10, de la Colección Unión Global, es resultado de investigaciones. Los capítulos del libro, son resultados de investigaciones desarrolladas por sus autores. El libro es una publicación internacional, seriada, continua, arbitrada de acceso abierto a todas las áreas del conocimiento, que cuenta con el esfuerzo de investigadores de varios países del mundo, orientada a contribuir con procesos de gestión del conocimiento científico, tecnológico y humanístico que consoliden la transformación del conocimiento en diferentes escenarios, tanto organizacionales como universitarios, para el desarrollo de habilidades cognitivas del quehacer diario. La gestión del conocimiento es un camino para consolidar una plataforma en las empresas públicas o privadas, entidades educativas, organizaciones no gubernamentales, ya sea generando políticas para todas las jerarquías o un modelo de gestión para la administración, donde es fundamental articular el conocimiento, los trabajadores, directivos, el espacio de trabajo, hacia la creación de ambientes propicios para el desarrollo integral de las instituciones

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Río y desarrollo urbano en Barranquilla y Montería

This article makes a first approach to the role played by the Magdalena and Sinú rivers as an axis of urban and territorial development in the cities of Barranquilla and Montería, respectively. Based on a documentary review and emphasizing the scenario that constitutes Law 388, financing plans, programs and instruments are identified and compared, as well as the city model.This paper is divided into three parts that seek to answer the following questions: What is the role of the river in urban growth of Monteria and Barranquilla? What territorial management and financing instruments have these cities used to manage development in front of rivers? What are the successes, difficulties and tendencies of these cities in the face of the construction of an ordering model in front of the river?In the first place, a contextual review is made of the relationship between rivers and the growth of cities from the second half of the 20th century until the beginning of the 21st century. Then the plans, the instruments of management, financing and the model of cityare identified from the law 388 of 1997 and the adoption of territorial zoning plans. Next, the most relevant elements of the urban development of these cities and their relationshipwith the river are contrasted. It is concluded that the city models, although linked to the river, are distant due to the economic vocation of each city; likewise, the sources of financing of the plans related to the river have different origins, although they are framed in the same law.O artigo pretende fazer uma primeira abordagem ao papel desempenhado pelos rios Magdalena e Sinú como um eixo de desenvolvimento urbano e territorial nas cidades de Barranquilla e Montería, respectivamente. Com base em uma revisão documental eenfatizando o cenário que constitui a Lei 388, os planos, programas e instrumentos de financiamento são identificados e comparados, bem como o modelo de cidade.Este artigo está dividido em três partes que procuram responder às seguintes questões: Qual é o papel do rio no crescimento urbano de Monteria e Barranquilla? Quais instrumentos de gestão e financiamento territorial essas cidades usaram para gerenciar o desenvolvimento em frente aos rios? Quais são os sucessos, dificuldades e tendências dessas cidades diante da construção de um modelo de ordenação em frente ao rio?Em primeiro lugar, faz-se uma revisão contextual da relação entre os rios e o crescimento das cidades a partir da segunda metade do século XX até o início do século XXI. Em seguida, os planos, os instrumentos de gestão, o financiamento e o modelo de cidade sãoidentificados a partir da lei 388 de 1997 e a adoção de planos territoriais de zoneamento. Em seguida, os elementos mais relevantes do desenvolvimento urbano dessas cidades e sua relação com o rio são contrastados. Conclui-se que os modelos da cidade, embora ligados ao rio, estão distantes devido à vocação econômica de cada cidade; Da mesma forma, as fontes de financiamento dos planos relacionados ao rio têm origens diferentes, embora estejam enquadradas na mesma lei.Este artículo realiza un primer acercamiento al papel que han jugado los ríos Magdalena y Sinú como eje de desarrollo urbano y territorial en las ciudades de Barranquilla y Montería, respectivamente. A partir de una revisión documental y haciendo énfasis en el escenarioque constituye la ley 388, se identifican y comparan los planes, programas e instrumentos de financiación, así como el modelo de ciudad. El trabajo se divide en tres partes que buscan responder a las siguientes preguntas: ¿Cuál es el papel del río en crecimiento urbano de Montería y Barranquilla? ¿Cuáles instrumentos degestión y financiación territorial han utilizado estas ciudades para gestionar el desarrollo frente a los ríos? ¿Cuáles son los éxitos, dificultades y tendencias de estas ciudades frente a la construcción de un modelo de ordenamiento frente al río?En primer lugar, se hace una revisión contextual en la relación de los ríos con el crecimiento de las ciudades desde la segunda mitad del siglo XX hasta la entrada en el S XXI. Luego se identifican los planes, los instrumentos de gestión, financiación y el modelode ciudad a partir de la ley 388 de 1997 y la adopción de los planes de ordenamiento territorial. A continuación, se contrastan los elementos más relevantes del desarrollo urbano de estas ciudades y su relación con el río. Se concluye que los modelos de ciudad, si bien están ligados al río, distan debido a la vocación económica de cada ciudad; de igual forma las fuentes de financiación de los planes relacionados al río tiene orígenes diferentes, aunque estén enmarcados en la misma ley

Enfoques teóricos de la Arquitectura moderna

El presente trabajo busca responder a la siguiente pregunta: ¿Cuáles han sido los enfoques teóricos más relevantes en la Arquitectura moderna? La respuesta a este interrogante tiene como objetivo aclarar los escenarios globales planteados por la práctica de la Arquitectura, permitiendo así ubicar el ejercicio de la Arquitectura latinoamericana y colombiana. Tiene como propósito elaborar una ilustración sobre los múltiples enfoques teóricos que han dirigido la producción de la Arquitectura en los diferentes momentos de la historia, para visualizar un estado del arte en relación con pensamiento arquitectónico, a partir de la caracterización de las diferentes maneras de hacer Arquitectura que se han dado hasta la actualidad. Esta labor investigativa se justifica en la necesidad de establecer las referencias necesarias para la definición del factor identitario del Programa de Arquitectura de CECAR, y ubicarlo en las diferentes escuelas de pensamiento. La metodología utilizada para el logro de los objetivos es la investigación documental, utilizando como fuente de información los escritos sobre Teoría de la Arquitectura producidos hasta la actualidad, donde destacan autores como Pevsner, Gideon, Benevolo, Frampton, entre otros. Sobre este conjunto de información, se aplicó un análisis hermenéutico que permite la construcción de las categorías explicativas para alcanzar el propósito trazado. Los resultados se organizaron a partir de la indagación sobre las transformaciones que dieron origen a la Arquitectura moderna, en vista de que el concepto de Arquitectura del Lugar es una resistencia al discurso del movimiento moderno. Por ende, se hace necesario explicar en qué consiste este movimiento, desde las siguientes corrientes: Historicismo, Funcionalismo, Racionalismo, Organicismo y Deconstructivismo. Seguidamente, se aborda el concepto de Arquitectura del Lugar y del Habitar, como aquel que se ajusta al Programa de Arquitectura de CECAR, haciendo énfasis en este concepto y explicándolo, en detalle, desde el ámbito internacional, latinoamericano y nacional.The present work seeks to answer the following question: What have been the most relevant theoretical approaches in modern architecture? The answer to this question is to clarify the global scenarios raised by the practice of Architecture, thus allowing to locate the exercise of Latin American and Colombian Architecture. Its purpose is to elaborate an illustration about the multiple theoretical approaches that have directed the production of Architecture in the different moments of history, to visualize a state of the art in relation to architectural thought, from the characterization of the different ways of doing Architecture that have been given until today. This research work is justified in the need to establish the necessary references for the definition of the identity factor of the CECAR Architecture Program, and place it in the different schools of thought. The methodology used to achieve the objectives is documentary research, using as a source of information the writings on Theory of Architecture produced to date, which include authors such as Pevsner, Gideon, Benevolo, Frampton, among others. On this set of information, a hermeneutic analysis was applied that allows the construction of explanatory categories to achieve the purpose outlined. The results were organized based on the inquiry into the transformations that gave rise to modern Architecture, in view of the fact that the concept of Place Architecture is a resistance to the discourse of the modern movement. Therefore, it is necessary to explain what this movement consists of, from the following currents: Historicism, Functionalism, Rationalism, Organicism and Deconstructivism. Next, the concept of Architecture of the Place and of the Inhabiting is approached, like that one that adjusts to the Program of Architecture of CECAR, making emphasis in this concept and explaining it, in detail, from the international, Latin American and national scope