Universidad Santo Tomás (Colombia)

Yazo-Cabuya E.J., Ibeas A., Rey-Caballero R.

This study addresses risk management in quality management systems by analyzing risk prioritization using the multi-criteria methods Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The primary objective was to identify and evaluate key risks, considering emerging factors such as climate change, to strengthen organizational resilience in the long term. A panel of 42 experts prioritized the following risk typologies: (i) geopolitical, (ii) economic, (iii) social, (iv) technological, and (v) environmental. The results revealed an increase in the importance of geopolitical and economic risks for 2024 compared to 2020, while technological and environmental risks decreased. Additionally, risks were projected over the next 10 years, highlighting extreme climate events and biodiversity loss as the most relevant for 2034. The findings emphasize the need for a proactive approach to risk management, aligned with ISO 9001:2015 standards and its recent climate change amendment published in 2024, to adapt organizational strategies for a constantly evolving global environment and ensure long-term sustainability.

Cadena Muñoz E., Chica Pedraza G., Aponte Moreno A.

The Mobile Cognitive Radio Network (MCRN) are an alternative to spectrum scarcity. However, like any network, it comes with security issues to analyze. One of the attacks to analyze is the Primary User Emulation (PUE) attack, which leads the system to give the attacker the service as a legitimate user and use the Primary Users’ (PUs) spectrum resources. This problem has been addressed from perspectives like arrival time, position detection, cooperative scenarios, and artificial intelligence techniques (AI). Nevertheless, it has been studied with one PUE attack at once. This paper implements a countermeasure that can be applied when several attacks simultaneously exist in a cooperative network. A deep neural network (DNN) is used with other techniques to determine the PUE’s existence and communicate it with other devices in the cooperative MCRN. An algorithm to detect and share detection information is applied, and the results show that the system can detect multiple PUE attacks with coordination between the secondary users (SUs). Scenarios are implemented on software-defined radio (SDR) with a cognitive protocol to protect the PU. The probability of detection (PD) is measured for some signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values in the presence of one PUE or more in the network, which shows high detection values above 90% for an SNR of -7dB. A database is also created with the attackers’ data and shared with all the SUs.

Palencia-Florez D.C., Oviedo-Cáceres M.P., Giraldo Gallo E.A.

The quality of life related to visual function is a multidimensional construct that complements the functional assessment of patients with low vision. It shows the individual's perception of the course of ocular disease and its treatment within the framework of a value system and a sociocultural context. This clinical-epidemiological outcome is recognized as objective and valuable.

Rojas-Valverde D., Castro C., Bonilla D.A., Cardozo L.A., Gómez-Carmona C.D.

Background/Objectives: Endurance triathlons impose substantial physiological stress, yet the effects of short-course formats remain relatively unexplored. This preliminary study presents novel findings on proteinuria and hydration levels in well-trained triathletes. Methods: 27 participants (41.9 ± 7.4 years) who completed a sprint triathlon consisting of a 1500 m swim, 26 km cycle, and 8 km run. Urine samples were collected before and after the race. Results: Our results revealed a significant increase in post-race proteinuria cases from four to nine (p = 0.03) and the first reported case of post-race urobilinuria and ketoacidosis in this context. Additionally, pre-race glucosuria, present in nine cases, decreased to three post-race. Hematuria cases decreased from six to two (p = 0.13) and pre-race leukocyturia resolved post-race. There was a significant increase in urine specific gravity (from 1.018 to 1.023, p = 0.03), indicating dehydration. Conclusions: Short-course triathlons significantly induced post-race proteinuria, urobilinuria, and dehydration, highlighting the substantial physiological stress on kidney function and hydration status despite the shorter distances. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring urinary biomarkers and hydration levels in athletes before and after competition.

Castro Ramírez C., Ruiz González L., Sierra Delgadillo V., Acosta Fajardo L., Córdoba Pulido S., Gutiérrez Gómez D., Romero Correa J., Guzmán Gutiérrez C., Aburto-Corona J.

Abstract Background It has been evidenced that gamification has scope in the change of people behavior and in the acquisition of knowledge, therefore this methodology contributes to the promotion of health and adapts to the needs of children from the language of play, which increases their motivation in health literacy processes, so it is necessary to encourage the acquisition of new methodologies for community mothers and women caregivers, who are configured as promoters of healthy habits with their children. Objectives To train 150 women in the methodology of Gamification for the promotion of healthy habits in children; for which 20 sessions were developed addressing the following modules: a) Empowerment of women b) Gamification methodology c) Healthy habits and lifestyles d) Healthy eating e) Physical activity. Results The training of women evidenced a) the empowerment and recognition as health promoters for their life and that of their community b) the identification of the methodology of gamification and its application in processes of promotion of healthy habits c) a high adherence in the participation and learning through gamification methodology, training 150 women through sessions mediated by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Learning and Knowledge Technologies (TACs) and Technologies of Empowerment and Participation (TEP) enabling the participation of women from urban and rural territories, which accounts for an inclusive process and democratization of health knowledge, impacting both women and their families, communities and children under their care, an average of 5 members per woman, benefiting 750 people in health promotion actions. Conclusions 150 women were certified, who from the application of the gamification methodology promote healthy habits in children, in their families and their communities, starting from the recognition of the experience of these in themselves to be health promoters in their territories. Key messages • Training women in gamification methodologies to promote healthy habits in children strengthens the health system by empowering them in their role as health literacy teachers in their territories. • ICT, TAC and TEP enable access to health education from an inclusive process that democratizes knowledge so that communities are active agents in health promotion activities.

Castro Ramírez C., Mendoza D., Triana-Reina H.R., Gálvez A., Ruiz N., Leandro R., Díaz del Castillo A., Saenz N., Serrato J., Sánchez Revilla J.

Abstract Background Sedentary behavior and physical inactivity are associated with an increased risk of chronic disease and mortality. Studies have shown the benefits of active transport to reduce NCDs. In Colombia, studies have been developed to determine the factors associated with the use of active transport, in cities such as Bogota but not nationally, therefore, this study seeks to determine the factors associated with the use of active transport in users of the National Program of Habits and Healthy Lifestyle (HEVS) led by the Ministry of Sport of Colombia in partnership with municipal sports and departmental. Methods The research presented a quantitative approach on a retrospective basis. The population consisted of 75,086 users of the HEVS program in 2019, over 18 years old (average = 44.04 and D.E. = 15.75 years old) of which 87.7% were women. For the statistical analysis a forward logistic regression model was carried out, with the dependent variable: active transport use (0 = no active transport use and 1 = active transport use). Results 41.6% of 75086 participants reported using active transport, corresponding to 31,211. Regular users, who attend physical activity programs 3 times a week, report a higher probability of using active transport OR = 1.38 (95% CI 1.31 to 1.45), compared to those who attend less than 3 times a week. Being female represents a greater probability of using active transport compared to men, OR = 1.39 (95% CI 1.32 to 1.47), those who add salt to food are also more likely to use active transport than those who do not add, OR = 2.04 (95% CI 1.92 to 2.26) and in terms of physical activity, those who meet the minimum recommendations in minutes a week use active transport more likely than those who do not comply, OR = 1.49 (95% CI 1.4 to 1.6). Conclusions Using active transport is associated with greater compliance with weekly physical activity recommendations. Women are more likely to use active transport just like people who add salt to food. Key messages • In order to reduce NCDs in the Colombian population, walking or cycling is proposed because it is associated with a greater probability of compliance with weekly physical activity recommendations. • Formulating public policies in Colombia that encourage the use of active transport would contribute to meeting weekly physical activity requirements.

Fonseca‐Guerra I.R., Posada A.M., Rozo M.E., Pineda M.E.

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe phytopathogenic genus Fusarium can cause damage such as root and stem rot in economically important crops, with significant implications. To seek a sustainable method for controlling this phytopathogen in seeds, the antifungal activity of essential oils (EOs) from thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and oregano (Origanum vulgare) was evaluated against isolates of F. graminearum, F. equiseti, F. culmorum and F. oxysporum originating from quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) crops in the Boyacá (Colombia).RESULTSInitially, the effectiveness of commercial fungicides against the mentioned phytopathogenic fungi was evaluated. Upon verifying that these isolates exhibited high resistance to these compounds, the EOs were assessed as a potential control alternative. A disk diffusion assay demonstrated complete in vitro inhibition of the growth of the evaluated phytopathogens when undiluted EOs were used. Subsequently, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of these oils was determined using the agar well diffusion technique, revealing a MIC of 10 and 1 μL mL−1 for thyme and oregano oil, respectively. Following this, the antifungal activity of the EOs applied to quinoa seeds was evaluated, and germination indices were measured as an indirect indicator of their toxicity.CONCLUSIONDespite both EOs successfully inhibiting microbial growth in the seeds, it was also found that thyme EO at 100 μL mL−1 and oregano EO at 10 μL mL−1 inhibited seed emergence and germination. However, lower concentrations exhibited a reduction in fungal population without affecting these germination indices. Therefore, it is suggested that the use of these compounds has potential in the treatment and disinfection of quinoa seeds. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Gonzalez Rodriguez J.R., Tovar Fierro G.M., Ferreira Bohorquez E.J., Ochoa Vera M.E., Luna-Gonzalez M.L., Betancur Calderon J.M., Ospina Galeano D.C., Galan Borda D.L.

Sanchez J.C., Tinjaca L.A., Samaca J.S., Peña J.C.

Miller M., Paternina J.L., Contreras S.F., Cortes C.A., Myrzik J.M.

In the context of a real electrical distribution network in Puerto Carreño, Colombia, this paper addresses the challenge of enhancing power supply reliability through the strategic integration of Renewable Energy Sources with Hydrogen Energy Systems. The planning problem is reformulated as a Mixed-Integer Quadratically Constrained Programming problem, enabling the use of efficient solvers with global optimal solution. Considering the extensive curtailment options and numerous allocation components, the optimization problem naturally scales up. To address this computational intensity, representative scenarios are derived from the original high-dimensional probability distribution employing the Gaussian Mixture Model. These scenarios are used in conjunction with the proposed optimization framework to achieve cost-effective power grids while reducing fossil fuel dependency.

Dumont E., Castillo J.J., Rozo C.E., Zappalá G., Slipets R., Thamdrup L.H., Rindzevicius T., Zor K., Boisen A.

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is an immunosuppressant widely used in transplantations, for which therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) has proven beneficial. There is furthermore a need to develop affordable, rapid, and benchtop analytical methods to perform TDM of MPA in a point-of-need setting. In this paper, we report for the first time the Raman fingerprint region and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) vibrations of MPA through density functional theory calculations. The output of these simulations was compared with experimental data from electrochemically assisted SERS, i.e. application of a well-defined potential or sequence of potentials in SERS assays. The systematic electrochemically assisted SERS experimental study was carried out to understand the adsorption behaviour of MPA on gold nanopillars (AuNPs) when different potentials were applied. We found that MPA interacts with the AuNPs through its benzofuran heterocycle and carboxylic acid group. Applying different potentials on the SERS substrate resulted in band shifts, which we hypothesise to originate from molecular reorientation on the metal surface. Moreover, an electrochemically assisted SERS assay was developed and carried out on a portable Raman spectrometer. We show that MPA detection can be performed in less than 5 min in a clinically relevant concentration range (1 – 50 µM), with improved repeatability compared to a SERS assay without any applied potential (overall RSD decrease from 34.6 % to 18.5 %).

Rodrigues K.P., Aguilar B.A., Sánchez-Delgado J.C., da Veiga A.C., Velasco T.E., Chinellato N.T., Dilarri M.E., de Souza H.C.

Systemic arterial hypertension is accompanied by autonomic impairments that, if not contained, promotes cardiac functional and morphological damages. Pyridostigmine bromide (PYR) treatment results in positive effects on autonomic control and beneficial cardiac remodeling. These findings were also observed after aerobic physical training (APT). However, little is known about PYR effects on left ventricular contractility, mainly when it is combined with APT. We aimed to investigate the effects of chronic acetylcholinesterase inhibition on cardiac autonomic tone balance, coronary bed reactivity, and left ventricular contractility in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) submitted to APT. Male SHR (18 weeks) were divided into two groups (N = 16): untrained and submitted to APT for 14 weeks (18th to 32nd week). Half of each group was treated with PYR (15 mg/kg/day) for two weeks (31st to 32nd week). The experimental protocol consisted of recording hemodynamic parameters, double autonomic blockade with atropine and propranolol, and assessment of coronary bed reactivity and ventricular contractility in isolated hearts using the Langendorff technique. PYR and APT reduced blood pressure, heart rate, and sympathetic influence on the heart. The Langendorff technique showed that APT increased coronary perfusion pressure and left ventricle contractility in response to coronary flow and β-agonist administration. However, treatment with PYR annulled the effects of APT. In conclusion, although chronic treatment with PYR reduces cardiac sympathetic tonic influence, it does not favor coronary bed reactivity and cardiac contractility gains. PYR treatment in the trained SHR group nullified the coronary vascular reactivity and cardiac contractility gains.

Guzmán A.H., Hernández Guzmán D., Milanés C.B., Ramírez O., Herrera Tapias B., Montero O.P., Gutiérrez Reyes A., Zielinski S.

The paper is about community-based participatory research on environmental conflicts about sand quarries in northern Bogotá. Community-based participatory research is applied to understand the environmental conflicts of mining activities. The approach was suitable for improving the relevance and acceptance of research in the local community. It invited community members to participate and uphold their views about the social conflicts and environmental impacts arising from mining activities. The findings highlight the need for participatory environmental governance, integrating local communities and power relations analysis in environmental decision-making.

Tørisen T.A., Glanville J.M., Loaiza A.F., Bidonde J.

We conducted a scoping review of the evidence for the use of the Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT) tool in emergency pediatric patients, in hospital and prehospital settings. We focused on the psychometric properties of the PAT, the reported impact, the setting and circumstances for tool implementation in clinical practice, and the evidence on teaching the PAT. We followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews and registered the review protocol. We searched MEDLINE, PubMed Central, the Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, Scopus, CINAHL, Grey literature report, Lens.org, and the web pages of selected emergency pediatrics organizations in August 2022. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data from eligible articles. Fifty-five publications were included. The evidence suggests that the PAT is a valid tool for prioritizing emergency pediatric patients, guiding the selection of interventions to be undertaken, and determining the level of care needed for the patient in both hospital and prehospital settings. The PAT is reported to be fast, practical, and useful potentially impacting overcrowded and understaff emergency services. Results highlighted the importance of instruction prior using the tool. The PAT is included in several curricula and textbooks about emergency pediatric care. This scoping review suggests there is a growing volume of evidence on the use of the PAT to assess pediatric emergency patients, some of which might be amenable to a systematic review. Our review identified research gaps that may guide the planning of future research projects. Further research is warranted on the psychometric properties of the PAT to provide evidence on the tool’s quality and usefulness. The simplicity and accuracy of the tool should be considered in addressing the current healthcare shortages and overcrowding in emergency services. Review registration: Open Science Framework; 2022. https://osf.io/vkd5h/

Guillén Tamayo D.J., Lascar Alarcón de Malpartida L.E., Ibárcena Ibárcena V.R., Cano Castro G.P., Mena Alanoca L.J., Carreon Oviedo R.B., Braun A.

In Latin America, there is a lack of green infrastructure (GI) to enhance urban resilience and reduce the contagion levels, particularly in times of pandemic. Therefore, a simplified method is needed to define GI in critical public health risk scenarios, especially when access to geospatial information is limited. The objective of this study is to propose a simplified method called GreenNet-Covid19 in Peru during critical public health scenarios using spatial analysis methods to define the global GI index (GGII) and select the potential integration areas for GI (PIAGI). This method is based on the approach proposed by Aguileraet al. (2018), which utilized spatial analysis in Metropolitan Arequipa and its surroundings during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, in addition to the four dimensions proposed Aguilera et al. (2018), a fifth dimension called 'risk due to COVID-19' was introduced, allowing to obtain the GGII and define the PIAGI. The GGII showed high ecological and biodiversity potentials at the vegetation cover level. However, the loss of GGII connectivity in urban areas posed a threat to the intricate connectivity of the highlands, thus increasing the risk of COVID-19 spread. Meanwhile, the PIAGI exhibited relatively low values compared with those of the GGII. Yet, the loss of PIAGI connectivity in urban areas strengthened the factors contributing to COVID-19 propagation. The intersection between the COVID-19 and PIAGI risk layers at the 'very high,' 'high,' and 'medium' levels demonstrated a high capability for reducing the contagion risk in future pandemics. The introduction and implementation of this method in territorial planning is facilitated by its applicability to any Latin American territory.