Título del artículo:

The Importance of Ethics in Post - Modern Higher Education: An Occupation by Andrés Entrena Parra

One of the tasks that postmodern institutions of higher education must assume with responsibility in the face of the challeng es imposed by the knowledge society is to form citizens with an ethical sense that can interact with responsibility and commitment in the f ace of uncertainty. This task to which the university has as a challenge has been raised in its transfer, not only as founder and architect but also as educator, by Andrés Entrena Parra and that in this work we will approach from two premises: Education as a moral and ethical duty to the model of the Greeks in the idea of Socratic Morality, Socrates of Plato and the idea of how to form new generations from the Platonic approach, generations that must learn to discern what is right from the middle ground raised in the Nicomachean ethics of Aristotle. A second aspect is the ethical task of the teacher, reflection that is approached fr om the ideas of educating for freedom and democracy, where some postmodern thinkers are taken as theoretical references.

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Aibi, Revista de Investigacion Administracion e Ingenierias

Título del artículo:

Association of estimated sleep duration and naps with mortality and cardiovascular events: A study of 116 632 people from 21 countries

Aims To investigate the association of estimated total daily sleep duration and daytime nap duration with deaths and major cardiovascular events. Methods We estimated the durations of total daily sleep and daytime naps based on the amount of time in bed and self- and results reported napping time and examined the associations between them and the composite outcome of deaths and major cardiovascular events in 116 632 participants from seven regions. After a median follow-up of 7.8 years, we recorded 4381 deaths and 4365 major cardiovascular events. It showed both shorter (<_6 h/day) and longer (>8 h/day) estimated total sleep durations were associated with an increased risk of the composite outcome when adjusted for age and sex. After adjustment for demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviours and health status, a J-shaped association was observed. Compared with sleeping 6–8 h/day, those who slept <_6 h/day had a non-significant trend for increased risk of the composite outcome [hazard ratio (HR), 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 0.99–1.20]. As estimated sleep duration increased, we also noticed a significant trend for a greater risk of the composite outcome [HR of 1.05 (0.99–1.12), 1.17 (1.09–1.25), and 1.41 (1.30–1.53) for 8–9 h/day, 9–10 h/day, and >10 h/day, Ptrend < 0.0001, respectively]. The results were similar for each of all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular events. Daytime nap duration was associated with an increased risk of the composite events in those with over 6 h of nocturnal sleep duration, but not in shorter nocturnal sleepers (<_6 h). Conclusion Estimated total sleep duration of 6–8 h per day is associated with the lowest risk of deaths and major cardiovascular events. Daytime napping is associated with increased risks of major cardiovascular events and deaths in those with >6 h of nighttime sleep but not in those sleeping <_6 h/night.

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European Heart Journal

Título del artículo:

Socratic intellectualism in the teacher\'s moral task

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Aibi, Revista de Investigacion Administracion e Ingenierias

Título del artículo:

Professionals of the new millennium: Called to be agents of change

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Aibi, Revista de Investigacion Administracion e Ingenierias

Título del artículo:

Coagulation and flocculation with plant extracts

The treatment of water in a conventional way includes the operations of coagulation and flocculation as a fundamental part in the removal of solids and other substances that are mixed with water, especially organic and inorganic solids with sizes less than 0.2 mm and densities similar to those of water. This forms a perfect mixture difficult to separate by natural sedimentation; in these cases the addition of coagulants is needed, which breaks the stability of the mixture and segregates the particles in the form of flocs, so that they can be separated by density difference. Reactive substances are used for this reason, such as aluminum sulfate, ferric chloride and aluminum polychloride; these substances are derived from industrial chemical reactions, which entail the use of natural resources and energy to obtain them. In addition to the environmental cost of the production processes, there is the problem of the final disposal of the thickened sludge, because due to its aluminum or iron content, the sludge can be harmful to the environment, especially for plants and animals. To reduce this impact, it is necessary to carry out these operations with substances that do not represent a danger to the environment; in this case, it has been proven that there are plant extracts that can generate the same reaction of segregating the solids and other substances of the water, by means of the reaction of the natural biopolymers of some plants, within which the Moringa oleifera, Melocactus sp, Opuntia sp, Cicer arietinum L, Aloe sp and others with destabilizing activity of particles can generate turbidity and color in water. These plant extracts can efficiently perform the coagulation and flocculation operations without the environmental risk of residual sludge with high concentrations of aluminum or iron.

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Flocculation: Processes and Applications

Título del artículo:

A repeated measures experiment of green exercise to improve self-esteem in UK school children

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School Nutrition and Activity: Impacts on Well-Being

Título del artículo:

Construct validity of the PHQ-9 in university students in Colombia: A Rasch analysis approach

Introduction: The Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) is one of the most widely used screening instruments for major depressive episodes. However, there are no published studies on Rasch-type analysis of the PHQ-9 among Spanish-speaking university students. Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the PHQ-9 in university students using Rasch-type models and to assess possible biases of the items according to gender. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study evaluated the psychometric performance of the PHQ-9 in health sciences students at the University of Cartagena (Colombia). A random sampling stratified by academic program, semester, and sex was used, obtaining a sample of 550 participants (9 excluded for incomplete responses). Participants signed an informed consent, and the study was approved by an ethics committee. Rasch analysis was used to assess model fit, differential item functioning, dimensionality, local independence, and reliability. Adequate internal consistency (α=0.83, ω=0.89) and factorial validity were found. Results: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 550 health science students from Colombian university. The data were analyzed using a Rasch model, in which the following psychometric characteristics were verified: 1) differential item functioning, 2) dimensionality and local independence, and 3) overall fit. Only item 2 showed a tendency toward differential functioning. Conclusions: One-dimensionality and local independence of the items, moderate reliability, and good general fit were found, although there was a gap between the degree of depression measured by the PHQ-9 and the participants\' responses. The Spanish version of the PHQ-9 for Colombian university students showed adequate item-level psychometric properties for screening for major depressive episodes.

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Medicina Clinica y Social

Título del artículo:

Recurrent Abdominal lymphangioma

Abdominal lymphangioma is a benign congenital malformation characterized by the dilation of lymphatic vessels, with intra-abdominal localization being unusual. The high morbidity and recurrence rate associated with this condition necessitate the investigation of alternative therapeutic modalities, especially for irresectable cases or those with significant morbidity. In this context, we present the clinical case of a 69-year-old patient with a history of recurrent abdominal lymphangioma, associated with obstructive urinary symptoms. Surgical treatment of abdominal lymphangioma, although challenging, is crucial and depends on multiple factors such as the location of the lymphangioma, its size, and its relationship with adjacent structures. The primary goal of treatment is effective surgical management to prevent recurrences and improve the patient\'s quality of life. In this case, the surgery focused on the complete resection of the lymphangioma to minimize the possibility of recurrence and to treat the patient\'s obstructive urinary symptoms.

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Gaceta Medica Boliviana

Título del artículo:

Inferior vena cava filter complication with penetration in to the abdominal aorta

Introduction: inferior vena cava filters (IVCF) are medical devices designed to prevent pulmonary embolism in patients with contraindications to anticoagulation, particularly those at high risk for bleeding or with a history of anticoagulant-related complications. Case report: we present the case of a 48-year-old patient with polytrauma following a motorcycle accident. During her recovery, she developed bilateral deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs. Due to her high hemorrhagic risk, a BARD-type IVCF was implanted. One month later, the patient developed persistent lumbar pain. After an unsuccessful attempt at endovascular removal, imaging confirmed that the filter had perforated the vena cava wall and extended into the infrarenal abdominal aorta. Subsequently, an open surgical extraction was performed with a favorable clinical outcome. Discussion: the incidence of inferior vena cava filter perforation is up to 34 %, with 8 % of cases being symptomatic and 5 % requiring urgent surgical intervention. Proximity to structures such as the aorta and renal arteries increases the risk of severe complications, such as aneurysms or dissections. This case highlights the need for multidisciplinary management and suggests that, in the presence of severe complications, open surgical extraction may be considered a safe alternative when endovascular techniques fail.

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Angiologia

Título del artículo:

State influence on the socio-environmental conflict surrounding palm oil in Colombia

The oil palm is an important productive engine in rural territory whose extractivist logic envisions risks to the environment and society. This research sought to analyze the role of the State in the development of the palm oil agroindustry in Colombia from 1945 to 2022, under a descriptive methodology with documentary, evolutionary and multivariable design. A historical difference was found in the palm border, noting the significant expansion after including the palm business in the public agenda, in parallel, impacts have been recorded against the environment and the peasant and ethnic communities, whose echo in history remains, in addition, the analysis of the legal-administrative framework regarding palm oil reflects a weak sustainable development model, based on anthropocentrism. This background reveals the fallacious discourse about the Ecological Constitution and a strong challenge that the subsequent governments must deal with, since the country requires measures to promote the financial sustainability of the rural area with respect for socio-environmental integrity.

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Reforma y Democracia

Título del artículo:

Changes in c-Fos protein expression in telencephalic hemispheres of a neotropical fish Piaractus orinoquensis after exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide

Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) can be found in waterbodies and may affect aquatic populations, resulting in physiological and behavioral impairments. In Colombia, white cachama (Piaractus orinoquensis) are frequently found in areas subjected to glyphosate aerial fumigation. This study aims to investigate changes in c-Fos protein expression in P. orinoquensis telencephalic hemispheres after exposure to 0, 1, 5, and 10 mg/L glyphosate for 30, 60, and 90 min. For this purpose, 5 µm paraffin sections were obtained and used for c-Fos immunodetection. To define the effect of xenobiotics on c-Fos expression, nuclei were taken from the dorsal dorsal (Dd), dorsomedial (Dm), dorsal posterior (Dp), dorsolateral (Dl), ventral (Vv), dorsoventral (Vd), and ventrolateral (Vl) regions of P. orinoquensis telencephalic hemispheres. Except for Dd nuclei, other nuclei showed an initial increase in c-Fos+ cells, followed by a progressive decrease toward values similar to those observed in unexposed individuals. In Dd nuclei, the initial tendency was toward a reduced number of c-Fos-expressing cells, followed by an increase in unexposed values. As changes in the number of cells containing c-Fos can be related to changes in neuronal activity, GBH exposure may potentially affect the fish’s behavioral and sensorial performance, resulting in a reduced survival probability in its natural environment.

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Journal of Biosciences

Título del artículo:

External validation and comparison of six cardiovascular risk prediction models in the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE)-Colombia study

Aims: To externally validate the SCORE2, AHA/ACC pooled cohort equation (PCE), Framingham Risk Score (FRS), Non-Laboratory INTERHEART Risk Score (NL-IHRS), Globorisk-LAC, and WHO prediction models and compare their discrimination and calibration capacity. Methods and results: Validation in individuals aged 40-69 years with at least 10 years of follow-up and without baseline use of statins or cardiovascular diseases from the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE)-Colombia prospective cohort study. For discrimination, the C-statistic, and receiver operating characteristic curves with the integrated area under the curve (AUCi) were used and compared. For calibration, the smoothed time-to-event method was used, choosing a recalibration factor based on the integrated calibration index (ICI). In the NL-IHRS, linear regressions were used. In 3802 participants (59.1% women), baseline risk ranged from 4.8% (SCORE2 women) to 55.7% (NL-IHRS). After a mean follow-up of 13.2 years, 234 events were reported (4.8 cases per 1000 person-years). The C-statistic ranged between 0.637 (0.601-0.672) in NL-IHRS and 0.767 (0.657-0.877) in AHA/ACC PCE. Discrimination was similar between AUCi. In women, higher over-prediction was observed in the Globorisk-LAC (61%) and WHO (59%). In men, higher over-prediction was observed in FRS (72%) and AHA/ACC PCE (71%). Overestimations were corrected after multiplying by a factor derived from the ICI. Conclusion: Six prediction models had a similar discrimination capacity, supporting their use after multiplying by a correction factor. If blood tests are unavailable, NL-IHRS is a reasonable option. Our results suggest that these models could be used in other countries of Latin America after correcting the overestimations with a multiplying factor.

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European Journal of Preventive Cardiology

Título del artículo:

Valorization of Gold Mining Tailings Sludge from Vetas, Colombia as Partial Cement Replacement in Concrete Mixes

The accumulation and improper management of mining tailings represent significant environmental and public health challenges globally, due to their potential for water contamination and the presence of heavy metals. In recent years, various studies have explored the feasibility of using mining wastes, such as tailings sludge, as partial replacements for cement in concrete mixes. The literature highlights the pozzolanic properties of mining tailings attributable to their silica and alumina content, which contribute to the improved structural characteristics, chemical resistance, and enhanced durability of concrete. This research evaluates the specific potential of gold mining tailings sludge (REMI) from the municipality of Vetas, Santander, Colombia, as a sustainable substitute in cementitious materials. Characterization methodologies including X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the pozzolanic behavior of REMI due to its high content of silica- and alumina-rich amorphous phases and verified negligible contamination levels (Hg and cyanide below detectable limits). Concrete mixes with varying cement substitution levels (0% to 50%) were formulated and systematically evaluated to determine optimal substitution ranges based on criteria such as density, workability, setting time, and compressive strength. Consistent with previous studies, the results revealed an optimal replacement rate between 10% and 20%, with a particular emphasis on the 20% substitution achieving mechanical strengths comparable to traditional concrete. These findings underscore the technical viability and environmental benefits of using mining tailings sludge, contributing both to sustainable waste management and the advancement of eco-efficient concrete technologies.

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Buildings

Título del artículo:

Gold Nanoparticles Decorated TiO2 Nanosheets as a Highly Selective Photocatalyst for the C-N Cross Coupling Reactions of Bio-Based Alcohols and Aniline Under Visible Light

Cross-coupling reactions of alcohols and anilines for the synthesis of imines and secondary amines are highly atom-efficient processes. In this study, a visible light photocatalytic procedure was developed for the synthesis of imines on Au nanoparticles supported on TiO2 nanosheets. AuNPs/TNSs drive the photocatalytic dehydrogenation of the alcohol into an aldehyde, accompanied by the formation of molecular hydrogen, resulting in the condensation of the aldehyde with aniline to obtain the respective imine. Biomass-derived alcohols such as vanillyl, veratryl alcohol, and myrtenol were successfully evaluated in the dehydrogenative condensation with aniline to obtain the respective imines in high yields. Electrochemical analysis confirmed that the high yield of imine (95%) is due to the strong interaction of Au nanoparticles with the TiO2 nanosheet support, which generates a better separation of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs and a faster interfacial charge transfer, which improves the photocatalytic properties related to the calculated values of photonic efficiency (ξ).

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ChemCatChem

Título del artículo:

A Colombian strain of Clostridioides difficile ribotype 002 induces a highly inflammatory response in a mouse infection model

Clostridioides difficile causes diarrhea associated with antibiotic use in hospitalized patients. Recent studies have identified that C. difficile ribotypes RT002, RT106, and RT591 as the most prevalent circulating strains in Colombia; thus, we aimed to assess the capability of these ribotypes to elicit an inflammatory response during in vivo infection. To achieve this, C57BL/6 mice were treated with cefoperazone (CPZ) for 5 d to develop C. difficile infection (CDI) model. Two days post-antibiotic treatment, the mice were orally inoculated with 1 × 105 spores of C. difficile strains belonging to ribotypes RT002, RT106, RT591, and RT027 (ATCC strain, used as control). A group of animals was euthanized on day 7 post-infection to determine the bacterial load, total leukocyte number, and chemokines/cytokines levels in situ, and for histopathological analysis. RT002-infected groups showed significantly higher bacterial load, CD45+ leukocytes, and RANTES, eotaxin, MCP-1, G-CSF, and IL-2 levels compared to the other groups, suggesting a robust immune response. Furthermore, histopathological analysis of colonic tissue from the group infected with RT002 revealed the presence of an inflammatory response similar to the hypervirulent strain RT027. These results suggest that RT002 of C. difficile, one of the main circulating strains in Colombia, can induce a severe inflammatory response, potentially correlating with increased virulence and severity of these strains in CDI cases.

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Virulence

Título del artículo:

Switching off the yeast-to-hyphae transition in Yarrowia lipolytica through histone deacetylase inhibitors

Fungi can develop a variety of morphotypes to survive, colonize, adapt and prevail under different environmental conditions. In general, two morphological shapes encompass the others: yeast (unicellular) and hyphae (multicellular). Under specific conditions, some fungi can adopt these two cellular morphologies, and for this reason, they are called dimorphic. Histone acetylation and deacetylation are well-known important mechanisms of chromatin remodelling that control cell differentiation processes as dimorphism. The reactions involved are catalysed by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs), respectively. In the present work, we used Yarrowia lipolytica as a dimorphic fungal model to investigate the effect of HDAC chemical inhibition on the growth and yeast-to-hyphae switch of fungi. For this purpose, we tested the compounds sodium butyrate (SB) and valproic acid (VPA) as epigenetic modulators. Our results indicated that Y. lipolytica tolerates high doses of these inhibitors due to its lipolytic nature. However, once the metabolic capability of the fungus is overcome, SB and VPA strongly suppress hyphal growth, suggesting that histone acetylation plays a pivotal role in the regulation of this process.

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Research in Microbiology

Título del artículo:

Microbiological identification of pathogens in water from educational centers in Norte de Santander

Introduction: Water is an essential resource for survival, and therefore, its quality and safety must be a priority, especially for susceptible population groups. Objectives: To determine the presence of mesophilic aerobes, coliforms, and Pseudomonas in drinking water in schools from three municipalities of Norte de Santander. Materials and Methods: Maintenance personnel were inquired about water storage. Samples from different sources were collected and processed using the membrane filtration method to identify aerobic mesophilic bacteria, E. coli, coliforms, Pseudomonas spp., and Salmonella spp. following the technical standards established for each microorganism. Results: Mesophilic bacteria growth was identified in 77.50% of the samples, total coliforms in 84.00%, fecal coliforms in 72.00%, and Escherichia coli in 21%. Pseudomonas spp. was also identified in 73.00% of the samples and Salmonella spp. in 10.50%. Discussion: These findings reflect non-compliance with current regulations due to the presence of indicator organisms such as mesophiles and the indicator par excellence in water quality: coliforms, a fact that is ratified by the presence of Pseudomonas spp. and Salmonella spp. Conclusions: The presence of these microorganisms is associated with failures in the water purification process, which allows us to expose the need for corrective actions to guarantee the microbiological quality of water and ensure health.

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Revista Cuidarte

Título del artículo:

Evaluating brain mechanisms of combined vagus nerve stimulation and mindfulness training for migraine: A randomized 2 × 2 factorial clinical trial protocol

Background: Migraine is a major cause of disability and efficacious interventions are needed. In this mechanistic study, we investigate the combined, and potentially synergistic, effects of a multimodal intervention combining Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and transcutaneous auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) for migraine. Methods: We utilize a modified double-blinded, placebo-controlled, 2 × 2 factorial randomized longitudinal design to assess the effects of an 8-week MBSR intervention with concomitant Respiratory-gated Auricular Vagal Afferent Nerve Stimulation (RAVANS) taVNS on migraine pathophysiology primary outcomes. We will enroll 150 patients with migraine (4–20 headache days/month). After a run-in month of daily diaries, we expect to randomly assign N = 96 participants to one of four treatment groups: (1) MBSR+RAVANS taVNS, (2) MBSR+Sham taVNS, (3) Nature Education Control (NEC) + RAVANS taVNS, or (4) NEC + Sham taVNS. Before and after intervention, participants have three in-person assessments (a 7 T MRI scan, an autonomic/sensory testing (AST) visit, and a 3 T PET-MRI scan). The primary outcomes for this study assess (1) central sensitization (brainstem/cortical response to trigeminal sensory afference), (2) autonomic dysfunction (High Frequency-Heart Rate Variability (HF-HRV) response to stressors), and (3) neuroinflammation (PET[11C]PBR28 signal). Results: Funded by NIH (P01AT009965), registered (NCT03592329). Final longitudinal outcomes will be collected by May 2025. Conclusion: This mechanistic study is designed to investigate both independent and synergistic neurobiological effects of MBSR and RAVANS taVNS interventions on three distinct pathophysiological mechanisms of migraine. This research will elucidate the mechanistic and potentially synergistic effects of behavioral interventions (e.g., mindfulness) and device-based treatments (e.g., taVNS) for migraine.

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Contemporary Clinical Trials

Título del artículo:

Smart recycling and sustainable lignocellulosic waste management

Lignocellulosic waste management and smart recycling strategies are critical components of a sustainable bioeconomy and environmental stewardship. The increasing generation of lignocellulosic waste from agricultural, forestry, and industrial activities poses significant environmental and economic concerns. Conventional disposal methods such as landfilling and incineration contribute to pollution and resource depletion. In response, smart recycling techniques have emerged as viable solutions for converting lignocellulosic waste into valuable resources while minimizing environmental impact. Mechanical, chemical, and biological processes are integral to smart recycling, enabling the conversion of waste biomass into biofuels, biochemicals, biopolymers, and other high-value products. Advanced technologies such as pyrolysis, hydrothermal processing, enzymatic hydrolysis, and fermentation offer efficient pathways for lignocellulosic waste valorization, contributing to energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The integration of circular economic principles into lignocellulosic waste management promotes material reuse, recycling, and resource efficiency. This approach emphasizes the transformation of waste streams into secondary raw materials, thereby reducing dependence on finite resources and mitigating environmental degradation. Case studies and real-world applications have underscored the feasibility and scalability of smart recycling techniques across diverse waste streams and regions. However, challenges persist in terms of technological maturity, economic viability, and regulatory frameworks, necessitating interdisciplinary collaboration and policy interventions to facilitate its widespread adoption and implementation. Hence, keeping in view the necessity of the synthesis of innovative technologies, sustainable practices, and policy initiatives is imperative for advancing lignocellulosic waste management.

Acerca de la revista donde se publicó este artículo:

Value Addition and Utilization of Lignocellulosic Biomass: Through Novel Technological Interventions

Título del artículo:

Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Activities, and Toxicology of the Subfamily Gomphrenoideae (Amaranthaceae): A Comprehensive Review

The subfamily Gomphrenoideae is composed of about 480 accepted species, many of which have been historically used as medicinal plants, reason why they have been studied in terms of chemical profile, biological activity, and safety. This review consolidates the advances in research on this subfamily over the past 47 years, emphasizing its promising biotechnological potential and justifying the development of research in species that remain unstudied; additionally, it presents new perspectives based on the current knowledge, including the study of in vitro cultures and co-cultures of the members of this subfamily as a sustainable approach to standardizing their chemical profiles and, consequently, enhancing their biotechnological potential. The information was collected from scientific databases such as Wiley Online Library, PubMed, Springer Link, Scielo, and Nature Research for 4 years. Verification of the scientific names and affiliations of the plants was carried out using the databases Global Biodiversity Information Facility (www.gbif.org), Plants of the World Online (www.plantsoftheworldonline.org), and The Plant List (www.theplantlist.org). To date, 512 chemical compounds have been reported for this subfamily, evidencing a wide diversity of chemical structures. It was also shown that the extracts, fractions, isolated pure compounds, and nanoparticles of this subfamily present antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antihyperglycemic activity, among others. Likewise, it is evident that the members of this subfamily do not present toxicity.

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Chemistry and Biodiversity

Título del artículo:

Beyond technical skills: the importance of values in entrepreneurial finance and business success

This study investigates the influence of entrepreneurs\' personal values, ascribed and achieved characteristics, and family background, on business performance, with a particular focus on entrepreneurial finance in Bogotá, Colombia. By analyzing a sample of 771 entrepreneurs, the research identifies how personal values—shaped by gender, age, and family background—directly influence strategic decision-making, leadership styles, and long-term business success. Using factor analysis for dimension reduction, the study confirms that entrepreneurial success is not only determined by technical competencies or external conditions, but also by the alignment between personal values, leadership approaches, and the relational nature of local entrepreneurial ecosystems. The findings show that male and female entrepreneurs prioritize different values, younger entrepreneurs focus more on personal growth and recognition, while older entrepreneurs emphasize responsibility and stability. Furthermore, entrepreneurs from business-owning families value innovation and autonomy, while first-generation entrepreneurs focus more on hard work and economic security. These insights highlight the need for context-sensitive, value-based entrepreneurial support programs that go beyond traditional financial training to foster inclusive, value-driven entrepreneurial ecosystems. The study contributes to the literature on entrepreneurial finance by demonstrating that personal values are essential drivers of business strategies and performance, particularly in emerging economies.

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Aibi, Revista de Investigacion Administracion e Ingenierias

Título del artículo:

Anti-Müllerian hormone concentration and scrotal circumference as predictors of fertility-linked characteristics in male Brahman and Simmental bulls

This study investigates whether pre-pubertal scrotal circumference (SC) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations indicate sexual precocity in Brahman and Simmental bulls. Fifty-three bulls (Brahman, n = 27; Simmental, n = 26) were used. Scrotal circumference was measured at three periods: pre-puberty (Brahman = 19.99±0.20 months; Simmental = 9.13±0.17 months), puberty (Brahman = 21.42±0.20 months; Simmental = 18.26±0.17 months), and post-puberty (Brahman = 33.34±0.55 months; Simmental = 24.07±0.17 months). A single sample taken at the pre-pubertal period was used for the AMH determination. Two classes were defined based on the frequency distribution of AMH concentrations: low AMH <2.28 ng/mL and high AMH ≥2.28 ng/mL. Scrotal circumference was negatively correlated with the percentage of total defects (r = −0.5957; P = 0.0246) and positively correlated with the percentage of normal sperm (r = 0.595; P = 0.0265). There was a high correlation between SC and assessment periods (pre-puberty, puberty, and sexual maturity) in both breeds (Brahman: r = 0.8776; P = 0.0005; Simmental: r = 0.7483; P = 0.0002). At puberty, SC was higher (P = 0.0002) in animals of the low AMH class (34.78±0.78 cm) than in the high AMH class (32.47±0.42 cm). Males classified as having low AMH concentration had better (P<0.0001) andrological assessments, (vigorous oscillatory movement or vigor: 3.92±0.20; sperm mass movement or turbulence: 2.63±0.19; progressive motility: 77.55±3.80) than those classified as having high AMH concentration (vigor = 3.33±0.19; turbulence = 2.06±0.19; progressive motility = 65.14±3.79). Pre-pubertal AMH concentrations are negatively correlated with SC and are a good predictor of sexual precocity in Brahman and Simmental bulls.

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Revista Brasileira De Zootecnia

Título del artículo:

Performance and User Experience Assessment of a BCI-Controlled Robotic System for Assisted Arm and Forearm Rehabilitation (Brazo-FiT)

Robotic rehabilitation technologies have become increasingly important in addressing functional mobility limitations, affecting millions of people globally. These technologies offer personalized therapy through consistent and precise control of limb movements. User feedback is important to improve these systems´ design and functionality and attain better rehabilitation outcomes. The Brazo-FiT system is a rehabilitation tool designed for upper extremity therapy, operated through a brain-computer interface (BCI) and comprising a UR3 collaborative robot and a supportive setup including a height-adjustable chair, a large display, and an Arduino controller. This setup enables personalized therapy by interpreting users’ imagined movements and translating them into physical arm and forearm movements via the robot. This study evaluates Brazo-FiT performance and user experience. Brazo-FiT demonstrates effective interpretation of movement imagination with an average training phase classification accuracy of 90% and 76% after cross-validation and a 60% success rate during online testing. User satisfaction is notably high, with positive feedback on the system’s efficiency, appearance, smoothness of operation, and component comfort. Open-ended responses suggest areas for improvement, including more personalized session pacing and enhanced cognitive guidance for movement imagination.

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Ifmbe Proceedings

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Underground Gas Storage in an Extra-Heavy Oil Reservoir in the Orinoco Oil Belt-Eastern Venezuela Basin: Modeling Phase Behavior and Main Recovery Mechanisms

The management and storage of gases are essential to produce energy with low environmental impact from the different hydrocarbon basins in Venezuela. In particular, Eastern Venezuela Basin, where a wide variety of reservoirs with different types of complex mixtures are found (including the highly viscous oil reservoirs of the Orinoco Oil Belt), encompasses potential structures for management and storage of produced gases due to proven reservoir/seal integrity and existing infrastructure in many cases. This article presents a methodology for the storage of gases (i.e., carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen, hydrogen) in an extra-heavy crude oil field in the Eastern Venezuela Basin, with special emphasis on the analyses of phase behavior, role of cushion and type of gas, flow and recovery mechanisms, as well as prospective additional recovery of hydrocarbons. To reproduce the phase behavior and flow/recovery mechanisms, it was necessary to build a fluid model by tuning an equation of state using a PVT analysis representative of the area under study (Junín Block of the Orinoco Belt), specifically, lab tests such as Constant Composition Expansion, Differential Liberation, separator tests, together with viscosity measurements. This fluid model was based on a tailored lumping scheme that allowed the evaluation of the injection of CO2, methane, nitrogen, and hydrogen. Additionally, miscibility slim tube experiments by injecting each of these gases (as solvents) are utilized and matched accordingly. Finally, multiple scenarios of gas injections were simulated in a cluster of wells in the field by evaluating gas injection time, injection and production rates, effect of pressure on the integrity of the reservoir, along with the possible impact on the production of hydrogen and additional recovery of hydrocarbons. Results of this study show the effect of the type of gas injected on the hydrocarbon storage and recovery capabilities in a real reservoir model, where the injected gases are immiscible with the selected extra-heavy crude oil. Different predictions of gas injection in both the crude oil and water zones, as well as the main mechanisms involved in the process are discussed in this article. Based on the complexity of current reservoir fluids (free gas, oil, water, emulsions, etc.), a program of fluid sampling and laboratory analyses are recommended, including pore scale analysis for the quantification of dissolution, trapping and wettability of the injected gases, among others. This article may serve as a basis for feasibility studies of gas storage in extra-heavy crude oil reservoirs in Venezuela and worldwide for the acquisition of experimental data and reservoir monitoring, which in turn would allow a successful implementation of this technology in a full-field scale.

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Society of Petroleum Engineers SPE Conference at Oman Petroleum and Energy Show Opes 2025

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In vitro antitumor capacity of extracts obtained from the plants Plukenetia volubilis (Sacha inchi) and Moringa oleifera in gastric cancer

Background: Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Perioperative or adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival in patients with stage 1B or higher cancers. Moringa oleifera and Plukenetia volubilis (Sacha inchi) have been reported to enhance various biological functions, including antitumor and antiproliferative activity. Methods: In order to evaluate this potential present in crude extracts of the leaves of these plants, as well as the seed oil of P.volubilis, the antitumor activity was determined according to the effect of these derivatives on different biological parameters such as cytotoxicity, proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis (among others), in AGS cells (CRL-1739). Results: All extracts tested were cytotoxic at 90 and 160 μg/ml concentrations. P. volubilis seed oil showed 95% mortality at 1% concentration (CC 50 = 46.7%). Cell proliferation was inhibited, and all extracts affected the cell cycle, but the P. volubilis oil significantly induced an accumulation of AGS cells in the sub G1 phase, inducing DNA fragmentation as a mechanism of cell death. The ethanolic M. oleifera leaf extract also inhibited cell migration. Conclusion: M. oleifera, P. volubilis leaf extracts and P. volubilis seed oil can potentially be antitumor products. Further validation in a murine model of gastric cancer is needed to investigate the antitumor potential of these extracts further and to continue the development of herbal products that can help in the management of this type of tumor.

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