Resumen: Las Reservas Ecológicas, son la base primordial para la subsistencia de la biodiversidad, desempeñan funciones cruciales para el mantenimiento de los ecosistemas, especialmente, en la preservación de los servicios ecosistémicos de regulación del clima y suministro de agua. Determinar la capacidad de acumulación del COS en tres ecosistemas de la Reserva Ecológica Arenillas (REAR) y la influencia que tienen con los factores de profundidad y el tipo de suelo, fue el objetivo de la investigación. Se partió de la hipótesis que dichos factores ejercen un efecto sobre las propiedades físicas-químicas del suelo, provocando la variabilidad del carbono. Se establecieron 14 unidades de muestreo para los tres ecosistemas; 1) Intervenido, 2) Bosque deciduo y 3) Bosque arbustal deciduo, se extrajo de cada unidad dos muestras de suelo a profundidades de (0-10 y 10-30 cm), dando un total de 28 muestras. Los resultados revelaron diferencias significativas entre los tres tipos de ecosistemas, permitiendo afirmar que, en la REAR, el contenido de COS es mayor en el ecosistema de Bosque deciduo, que en los denominados Bosque arbustal deciduo y la zona Intervenida. Así mismo, los suelos del tipo Alfisol y Entisol en el Bosque deciduo presentaron la mayor capacidad de almacenamiento de COS, siendo la capa superficial la de mayor acumulación en los tres ecosistemas. Se concluyó que las bajas precipitaciones, el aumento de la temperatura y la esporádica vegetación producida por actividades antrópicas, afectan el almacenamiento de COS, limitando la prestación de servicios ecosistémicos relacionados con la captura de carbono edáfico.

Abstract: Ecological Reserves are the primary basis for the subsistence of biodiversity, they play crucial roles in the maintenance of ecosystems, especially in the preservation of ecosystem services of climate regulation and water supply. The objective of the research was to determine the accumulation capacity of COS in three ecosystems of the Arenillas Ecological Reserve (REAR) and the influence of depth factors and soil type. It was hypothesized that these factors exert an effect on the physical-chemical properties of the soil, causing carbon variability. Fourteen sampling units were established for the three ecosystems; 1) Intervened, 2) Deciduous Forest and 3) Deciduous shrub forest, two soil samples were extracted from each unit at depths of (0-10 and 10-30 cm), giving a total of 28 samples. The results revealed significant differences between the three types of ecosystems, allowing us to affirm that, in the REAR, the COS content is higher in the deciduous forest ecosystem than in the deciduous shrub forest and the Intermediate zone. Likewise, Alfisol and Entisol soils in the deciduous forest had the highest COS storage capacity, being the surface layer the one with the highest accumulation in the three ecosystems. It was concluded that low precipitation, increased temperature and sporadic vegetation produced by anthropic activities affect COS storage, limiting the provision of ecosystem services related to soil carbon sequestration.

Abstract: This study had the general objective of verifying the relationship between burnout syndrome, social skills, coping strategies, and socio-occupational variables in a sample of 166 elementary school teachers from 13 public schools of Minas Gerais, Brazil, aged between 23 and 65 years, 73 % of whom were female. The Burnout Syndrome Inventory (ISB), the Social Skills Inventory 2 (IHS-2), the Coping Strategies Inventory (IEC), and a socio-occupational questionnaire developed especially for this research were used. A negative correlation was obtained between burnout and repertoire of social skills (r = -.273 and p < .001). The coping strategies that positively correlated with social skills were seeking social support, problem solving, and positive reappraisal. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between coping and professional fulfillment, indicating that teachers who adopted coping strategies were more likely to feel professionally satisfied. The burnout predictor variables were age, marital status, family provision, number of children, length of service, ongoing health care and social resourcefulness. The implications of these results were discussed concerning protective actions for the mental health of teachers and the importance of socio-emotional development in schools.

Resumen: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo general verificar la relación entre el síndrome de burnout, las habilidades sociales, el afrontamiento y las variables sociolaborales en una muestra de 166 profesores de educación básica de 13 escuelas públicas del interior de Minas Gerais, Brasil, con edades entre 23 y 65 años, el 73 % de los cuales son mujeres. Se utilizó el Inventario de Síndrome de Burnout (ISB), el Inventario de Habilidades Sociales 2 (IHS-2), el Inventario de Estrategias de Afrontamiento (IEC) y un cuestionario sociolaboral desarrollado especialmente para esta investigación. Se obtuvo una correlación negativa entre el burnout y el repertorio de habilidades sociales (r = -.273 y p = .001). Las estrategias de afrontamiento que se correlacionaron positivamente con las habilidades sociales fueron: búsqueda de apoyo social, resolución de problemas y reevaluación positiva. Además, hubo una correlación positiva entre el afrontamiento y la realización profesional, lo que indica que los profesores que adoptaron estrategias de afrontamiento tenían más probabilidades de sentirse realizados profesionalmente. Las variables predictoras del agotamiento fueron la edad, el estado civil, la provisión familiar, el número de hijos, el tiempo de servicio, la atención médica continua y la desenvoltura social. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados respecto de las acciones protectoras para la salud mental de los docentes y la relevancia del desarrollo socioemocional en las escuelas.

Resumo: Este estudo teve como objetivo geral verificar a relação entre síndrome de burnout, habilidades sociais, coping e variáveis sócio-ocupacionais em uma amostra de 166 professores do ensino fundamental de 13 escolas públicas do interior de Minas Gerais, Brasil, com idades entre 23 e 65 anos, sendo 73 % do sexo feminino. Foram utilizados o Inventário da Síndrome de Burnout (ISB), o Inventário de Habilidades Sociais 2 (IHS-2), o Inventário de Estratégias de Coping (IEC) e um questionário sócio-ocupacional desenvolvido especialmente para esta pesquisa. Obteve-se correlação negativa entre o burnout e o repertório de habilidades sociais (r = -0,273 e p < 0,01). As estratégias de coping que se correlacionaram positivamente com as habilidades sociais foram: busca de suporte social, resolução de problemas e reavaliação positiva. Ademais, houve correlação positiva entre coping e realização profissional, indicando que professores que adotaram estratégias de enfrentamento apresentaram maior tendência a sentirem-se realizados profissionalmente. As variáveis preditoras do burnout foram idade, estado civil, provimento familiar, número de filhos, tempo de serviço, tratamento contínuo de saúde e desenvoltura social. Discutiu-se a implicação desses resultados no tocante às ações protetivas de saúde mental docente e quanto à relevância do desenvolvimento socioemocional nas escolas.

ABSTRACT This research was conducted in the rural areas of Clara and La Hilera, Tacuarembó, Uruguay. The objective was to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food situation of households in these communities with dispersed population characteristics, from a human right to food perspective. A cross-sectional mixed descriptive study was conducted. Data were collected using the ELCSA scale, non-participant observations, semi-structured interviews with adults responsible for household food provision, and in-depth interviews with qualified informants from both areas. The results show that the level of household food insecurity remained the same in half of the households before and after the onset of the pandemic. It is concluded that the pandemic did not cause changes in the acquisition and local availability of food in almost all households.

RESUMEN La presente investigación se desarrolló en los parajes rurales de Clara y La Hilera, Tacuarembó, Uruguay. El objetivo se centró en conocer el impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en la situación alimentaria de los hogares de estas comunidades con características de población dispersa, desde una perspectiva del derecho humano a la alimentación. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, mixto. Los datos fueron recabados a través de la escala ELCSA, observaciones no participantes, entrevistas semiestructuradas dirigidas a las personas adultas responsables de la alimentación en el hogar y entrevistas en profundidad a informantes calificados de ambos parajes. Entre los resultados se destaca, que los valores de inseguridad alimentaria de los hogares previo y luego de iniciada la pandemia se mantiene en la mitad de los mismos. Se concluye que la pandemia no provocó cambios en la adquisición y disponibilidad local de alimentos en prácticamente la totalidad de los hogares.

Abstract Introduction Adenoidectomy is one of the most common procedures performed by otolaryngologists. Traditional adenoid curettage is performed blindly, which can result in inadequate removal of the adenoid and injury to the surrounding structures. Objective To perform transnasal endoscopic examinations to assess the nasopharynx after conventional curettage adenoidectomy. Methods The present prospective study included 100 children with a mean age of 4.2 ± 3.07 years. It is composed of two steps: conventional curettage adenoidectomy by a resident trainee; and endoscopic evaluation of the nasopharynx through a 0° telescope to assess adenoidal remnants, injury to the surgical field or adjacent structures, and bleeding points. Results Adenoid remnants were observed in 42% of the cases after conventional adenoid curettage in multiple locations, such as the roof of the nasopharynx over the choana (24%), the tubal tonsil (12%), the posterior pharyngeal wall (4%), and the posterior end of the nasal septum (2%). Injury to the surgical field and adjacent structures was observed in 46% of the cases (posterior pharyngeal wall: 23%; lateral pharyngeal wall: 11%; Passavant ridge: 10%; and the Eustachian tube orifice: 2%). Endoscopic bleeding was observed in 29% of the cases; 13% of the cases were from adenoid remnants, 10%, from the mucosa, and 6%, from the pharyngeal muscles. Bleeding was mild in 19% of the cases, moderate in 9%, and severe in 1%. Conclusion Endoscopic evaluation of the nasopharynx following conventional adenoid curettage provides important data regarding adenoid remnants, injury to the surgical field or nearby structures, and bleeding points, which aids in the provision of optimal care and in the achievement of a better outcome. otolaryngologists blindly 10 42 4 2 4. 307 3 07 3.0 years steps trainee 0 points locations 24%, 24 24% , (24%) 12%, 12 12% (12%) 4%, 4% (4%) 2%. 2% . (2%) 46 23% 23 11% 11 ridge 10% orifice 2%) 29 13 mucosa 6 6% muscles 19 9 9% 1 1% outcome 30 3. (24% (12% (4% (2% (24 (12 (4 (2 (1 (

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to determine how beneficiaries of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) perceive the universal health care reform project in terms of the variables of financing and provision of services in the city of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. The study was carried out under a quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational methodological approach, applying a questionnaire to a stratified sample of 384 IMSS beneficiaries. Although the results highlight the low knowledge of the aspects of the reform project towards the universality of health services, users confirm the need for changes in the current health system and their willingness to make an additional contribution conditioned to the improvement of the service. The conclusions highlight some progress in the migration towards a universal health system, although there is still time to get the reform approved. This work aims to contribute to the existing literature by offering practical reflections that support the design and implementation of public policies in the health sector.

RESUMEN El objetivo de esta investigación consistió en determinar cómo perciben los derechohabientes del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) el proyecto de reforma de universalización de salud en cuanto a las variables financiamiento y prestación de servicios en la ciudad de San Luis Potosí, México. El estudio se ejecutó bajo un enfoque metodológico cuantitativo, no experimental, transversal, descriptivo y correlacional, aplicando un cuestionario a una muestra estratificada de 384 derechohabientes del IMSS. Si bien los resultados destacan el bajo conocimiento de los aspectos del proyecto de reforma hacia la universalidad de los servicios de salud, los usuarios confirman la necesidad de cambios en el sistema de salud actual y su disposición para realizar una aportación adicional condicionada a la mejora del servicio. Las conclusiones resaltan algunos avances en la migración hacia un sistema de salud universal, aunque todavía falta tiempo para lograr la aprobación de la reforma. Este trabajo pretende contribuir a la literatura existente ofreciendo reflexiones prácticas que sustenten el diseño e implementación de políticas públicas del sector salud.

Abstract Invisibility is an issue that requires more attention among healthcare professionals, as some activities in Primary Care go unnoticed. One example is the offer of complementary therapies, whose implementation has been frail and, consequently, can be overlooked in the Unified Health System. This study aims to understand the factors contributing to the public invisibility of Integrative and Complementary Practices in Primary Care. It is a descriptive, exploratory, and qualitative research involving semi-structured interviews with 20 professionals in the Metropolitan Region of Goiânia. Thematic content analysis was applied to the interviews, revealing elements indicating the public invisibility of these practices, such as insufficient discussion in team meetings, inconsistency in the recording in user files, and low prioritization in implementation. In the interviews, social humiliation, a product of public invisibility, can also be perceived due to overload, embarrassments, and lack of physical space for the provision of practices to the users. It is concluded that Integrative and Complementary Practices are often overlooked in Primary Care. unnoticed therapies consequently System descriptive exploratory semistructured semi structured 2 Goiânia meetings files humiliation overload embarrassments users

Resumo A invisibilidade é uma questão que necessita de maior atenção entre os profissionais de saúde, pois algumas atividades na Atenção Primária passam despercebidas. Um exemplo é a oferta de terapias complementares, cuja implementação tem sido frágil e, consequentemente, pode ser invisibilizada no Sistema Único de Saúde. Este estudo visa compreender os fatores que contribuem para a invisibilidade pública das Práticas Integrativas e Complementares na Atenção Primária. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, exploratória e qualitativa, envolvendo entrevistas semiestruturadas com 20 profissionais na Região Metropolitana de Goiânia. A análise de conteúdo temática foi aplicada às entrevistas, revelando elementos que indicam a invisibilidade pública dessas práticas, como a falta de discussão nas reuniões de equipe, a desuniformidade no registro nos prontuários dos usuários e a baixa priorização na implementação. Nas entrevistas, a humilhação social, produto da invisibilidade pública, também pode ser percebida devido à sobrecarga, constrangimentos e falta de espaço físico para a oferta das práticas aos usuários. Conclui-se que as Práticas Integrativas e Complementares são frequentemente invisibilizadas na Atenção Primária. saúde despercebidas complementares consequentemente Saúde Tratase Trata se descritiva qualitativa 2 Goiânia equipe social sobrecarga Concluise Conclui

BACKGROUND: Despite inpatient rehabilitation many stroke survivors struggle with community reintegration on returning home. The environment to which the stroke survivor returns affects and may limit participation in home and community-based activities. AIM: To describe stroke survivors' lived experiences of the environmental barriers and facilitators to community reintegration in an under resourced urban metropolitan sub-district in the Western Cape, South Africa. METHODS: A descriptive, qualitative study design with a phenomenological emphasis used semi-structured interviews to collect the data from purposefully selected stroke survivors who had been discharged for more than one year following inpatient rehabilitation. Supporting data were collected from interviews with two occupational therapists providing rehabilitation services to the stroke survivors. Deductive priori coding of semi-structured interviews with 11 stroke survivors, based on the environment subsystems described in the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) model explored the barriers and facilitators to their community reintegration. FINDINGS: Of the six environmental sub systems in the PEOP model the systems and policy, access to information and health education, social determinants of health in the form of poor rehabilitation planning and loss of income as well as the built and natural environment presented the greatest barriers to the stroke survivor participants' community reintegration. However, reintegration was facilitated by social support and social capital, social determinants of health in the form of support groups as well as assistive technologies. CONCLUSION: Community reintegration continues to be a challenge for stroke survivors in an under-resourced urban sub-district due to environmental barriers associated with factors such as poor social support, inadequate implementation of policies and systems, poor compliance with home programmes, low socioeconomic status, poor access within the built and natural environment and inappropriate assistive devices. Several facilitators that occupational therapists can focus on to enable community reintegration included ensuring effective social support, access to community-based organisations, the introduction of home visits and provision of appropriate assistive devices. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE All stroke survivors must receive a comprehensive discharge plan to facilitate adequate access to continued rehabilitation and support for successful community reintegration. • There must be a specific referral to primary health care rehabilitation services on discharge from hospital. • Occupational therapists at community level have the responsibility to: o advocate for, or assist stroke survivors to self-advocate, the removal of inter-sectoral environmental barriers that limit their community reintegration and community participation, o where possible provide services in the home and involve midlevel workers when conducting home visits to enable successful reintegration into the home and resumption of occupational roles where possible, o look to other resources in their community that can assist in facilitating the community reintegration of stroke survivors to enable access to health, education, productive activities, and social and leisure participation opportunities, o improve their collaboration with the communities that they service.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a global crisis in higher education, where students were required to transition to emergency remote teaching (ERT). This study explored students' experiences of online assessments and feedback during the pandemic to inform future practice. METHODOLOGY: This study utilised a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative design with purposeful sampling to describe student's experiences of online assessments. Data were collected from occupational therapy students in 2022. The Assessment Experiences Questionnaire was sent to all eligible participants (n=166). Data were analysed using SPSS version 28. RESULTS: Students reported that 'tackling' assignments made them apply their learning more deeply (79.75%; n=63). More than half of the students learned more from doing assignments than studying course material (61.25%; n=49). Majority of students felt they did not receive timely feedback through online assessments (67.5%, n=54)( which impacted their learning. More than half of the students use feedback in preparation for assignments (56.25%; n=45), hence timely and quality feedback is needed. CONCLUSION: Occupational therapy students had a positive experience of online assessments; however, the transition was challenging. It is recommended for lecturers to consider the challenges of online assessments, the number of assessments and timely feedback for an effective online learning process. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE • For online learning to be effective, relevant and timely access to resources and support systems are required. These include internet access, resources like laptops and smartphones which facilitate engagement with remote learning. • The provision of institutional and academic support can positively influence students' experiences of online learning. • Timing and quality of feedback is essential to the online learning experience. Delayed feedback can negatively impact learning, emphasising the importance of timely feedback to aid student growth and improved learning outcomes. • Students' experiences and perceptions of how they receive feedback change over time. Thus, personalised feedback focusing on improvement rather than comparison to peers should be emphasised in the learning environments to which they are exposed. • The importance of effective time management in students is emphasised for online learning and students need to be equipped with these skills for this mode of learning.

The provision of political goods and governance in marginalised local communities, located in Cape Town, South Africa, during the national lockdown periods (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) is described. The focus is on an African city, drawing attention to the growing importance of urban governance on the continent. Rapid urbanisation and emergency periods (such as the pandemic) are adding to the complexity of the urban space. This study found that communities in the city relied mostly on themselves for the provision of goods, and that the provision of security remains a critical political good, informing governance. However, the findings confront literature on a hierarchy of political goods, in which security is at the apex. In the given context, the sequence of the provision of goods changes to a non-hierarchical process. The fulfilment of other political goods will facilitate improved provision of security. Good governance needs to be informed by an integrated approach to, and the synchronous fulfilment of, political goods. SIGNIFICANCE: • During times of emergencies, already marginalised urban communities experience greater political neglect and are left to protect themselves and to provide for each other. • These communities experience desertion across the spectrum of political goods. • Resilience in such communities needs to be improved through good governing principles. • Although optimal local level governance relies heavily on the provision of security, the importance of the provision of education, employment, political freedom, housing, and health services (to mention a few) requires renewed attention.

This research explored the denitrification potential of a submerged zone incorporated into the present permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP) design. The following three main factors controlling denitrification were investigated through a laboratory study: (i) detention time, (ii) inclusion of a carbon source (newspaper), and (iii) submerged zone depth. The study used 10 columns, each fully packed with 50-63 mm washed aggregate and including a 1.5 m deep submerged zone. Columns were paired according to detention time (1, 2, 5, 10 and 'varied' days) with one set including newspaper, the other set not. All columns were loaded with synthetic stormwater over a 4-month period. Samples were taken from different submerged depths (0, 300, 600, 900, 1200 and 1 500 mm) and analysed for concentrations of ammonia (NH3), nitrate (NO3-) and phosphate (PO4(3-)) every 10 days. This study found that 10 - or more - days detention and the provision of a carbon source had the most significant impact on denitrification - providing an overall mean NO3- and nitrogen removal above 41% and 59%, respectively. Moreover, a submerged depth of 300 mm was sufficient to achieve a minimum NO3- removal of 41% in columns which included a carbon source and had 10 days detention. Generally, an increase in detention time resulted in an increase in NH3 and PO4(3-) removal with overall mean values of 86% and 30%, respectively, achieved with 10-day detention periods.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Meningitis, encephalitis and meningoencephalitis are caused by several pathogens, but viral etiology is the most common. Diagnosis consists of clinical history, observation of the patient and isolation of the agent. The virus is often not identified and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The long-term prognosis is not yet widely discussed, but the most common sequelae include difficulty concentrating, behavioral and/or speech disorders and memory loss. Many of these patients do not return to work and a good number of those who do that require some readjustment in their tasks. Case Report: This is a case of a 47-year-old nurse working in an Internal Medicine service, in which two weeks after providing care to a patient with meningoencephalitis, a condition compatible with the same diagnosis began. Because it is considered to be related to the health care provided, it is reported as a suspected Occupational Disease, but it is not recognized. After four years of initial participation, she started complaining of difficulty with attention and memory, with progressive evolution, being evaluated by Neurology, without conclusive results. Over this time it was necessary to restrict some nursing tasks, essentially due to memory difficulties. Due to worsening of complaints, five years after the first neurology evaluation, the patient is evaluated one more time. It is again reported as a suspected Occupational Disease, being recognized with a permanent partial disability of 82.5%. Discussion/ Conclusion: As infections are transmitted in the provision of healthcare, it is important to take into account measures that reduce transmissibility and protect Healthcare Professionals, for which the Occupational Health Service is fundamental, participating in diagnosis and referral, but essentially contributing to adaptation initial position of the job, keeping the worker active for as long as possible. The delay in recognizing the Occupational Disease results from the fact that the consequences only appear several years later and are progressive in nature. This case emphasizes the heavy burden of the sequelae of meningoencephalitis, resulting in a high degree of disability, incompatible with the continuous exercise of the profession. It was possible to establish the association with professional activity, which reinforces the risk to which Healthcare Professionals are exposed.

RESUMO Introdução: As meningites, encefalites e meningoencefalites são causadas por vários agentes patogénicos, mas a etiologia vírica é a mais comum. O diagnóstico consiste na história clínica, observação do doente e no isolamento do agente (mas muitas das vezes o vírus não é identificado), encontrando-se associado a morbilidade e mortalidade significativas. O prognóstico a longo prazo ainda não é muito discutido, mas as sequelas mais frequentes incluem dificuldade de concentração, distúrbios do comportamento e/ou da fala e perda de memória. Muitos destes doentes não regressam ao trabalho e uma boa parte dos que o fazem necessitam de algum reajuste nas tarefas. Descrição do Caso: Trata-se de um caso de uma enfermeira de 47 anos a laborar num internamento de Medicina Interna, em que duas semanas após prestar cuidados a doente com meningoencefalite, inicia quadro compatível com o mesmo diagnóstico. Por se considerar relação com os cuidados de saúde prestados, é participado como suspeita de Doença Profissional, mas não sendo reconhecida. Após quatro anos da participação inicial, inicia queixas de dificuldade de atenção e memória, com evolução progressiva, sendo avaliada por Neurologia, sem resultados conclusivos. Ao longo deste tempo foi necessário restringir algumas tarefas de enfermagem, essencialmente por dificuldades de memória. Por agravamento das queixas, cindo anos após a primeira avaliação de neurologia, é avaliada novamente por agravamento significativo da semiologia. É novamente participada como suspeita de Doença Profissional, sendo reconhecida com uma incapacidade permanente parcial de 82.5%. Discussão/ Conclusão: Enquanto infeções transmitidas na prestação de cuidados de saúde, é importante ter em conta medidas que diminuem a transmissibilidade e protegem os Profissionais de Saúde, para o qual o Serviço de Saúde Ocupacional é fundamental, participando no diagnóstico e encaminhamento, mas essencialmente contribuindo para a adaptação inicial do posto de trabalho, mantendo o trabalhador no ativo o máximo de tempo possível. O atraso no reconhecimento da Doença Profissional resulta do facto de as sequelas só se manifestarem vários anos após e serem de caráter progressivo. Este caso enfatiza o pesado fardo das sequelas da meningoencefalite, resultando num elevado grau de incapacidade, incompatível com o exercício contínuo da profissão. Foi possível estabelecer a associação com a atividade profissional, o que reforça o risco a que os Profissionais de Saúde estão expostos.

Abstract (Introduction): The variability of geographic space, in terms of the horizontal structure of landscapes, influences ecology and suggests an association between landscape heterogeneity indices (LHI) and ecosystem services (ES). This relationship is crucial for conservation and sustainable development in Latin America, given the diversity of landscapes, from tropical forests to snow-capped mountains and deserts, which harbor a unique wealth of biodiversity and ecological functions. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between LHI and ES. (Methodology): Fourteen landscape heterogeneity indices and seven ecosystem services were calculated in Santa María Huatulco, Oaxaca, and related to the estimated ecosystem services for the same area. (Results): The models showed a statistically significant relationship between LHI and ES, suggesting that certain LHI can influence the provision and distribution of ES. (Conclusions): Therefore, understanding how LHI affect ES is essential to promote sustainable development in Latin America.

Resumen (Introducción): La variabilidad del espacio geográfico, en términos de la estructura horizontal de los paisajes, influye en la ecología y sugiere una asociación entre los índices de heterogeneidad paisajística (IHP) y los servicios ecosistémicos (SE). Esta relación es crucial para la conservación y el desarrollo sostenible en América Latina, dada la diversidad de paisajes, desde selvas tropicales hasta montañas nevadas y desiertos, que albergan una riqueza única de biodiversidad y funciones ecológicas. (Objetivo): Se buscó determinar la relación entre los IHP y los SE. (Metodología): Se calcularon catorce índices de heterogeneidad paisajística y siete servicios ecosistémicos en el municipio de Santa María Huatulco, Oaxaca, y se relacionaron con los servicios ecosistémicos estimados para la misma área de estudio. (Resultados): Los modelos demostraron una relación estadísticamente significativa entre los IHP y los SE. (Conclusiones): Investigar y comprender como los IHP afectan la oferta y distribución de los SE es esencial para promover un desarrollo sostenible en América Latina.

BACKGROUND. Many studies have shown that South African women tend to initiate antenatal care late in their pregnancies. This presents challenges in the provision of quality healthcare to both mother and child. There are several studies on the social and cultural reasons for late booking. However, understanding the factors in a woman's choice to initiate antenatal care is important in informing healthcare strategies and policies. METHODS. This study was an analytical cross-sectional study of household and general health factors associated with attendance of antenatal care by pregnant women in Tshwane in 2015. It was a secondary data analysis from complete data sampling households registered on AitaHealth™. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to assess which factors are associated with antenatal care attendance. RESULTS. The age of the head of the household was a significant factor in the attendance of antenatal care. The odds of attending antenatal care were 3.3, 2.1 and 1.8 times higher in households where the head of the household was 30 - 39 years of age, 20 - 29 or 40-49 years of age, respectively, than when between 10-19 years of age. Factors that increased the odds of attending antenatal care were living in households that had electricity and piped water, and running a business from home. Residing in a permanent dwelling and being food secure increased the odds of antenatal care attendance. CONCLUSION. The identified health and household factors should inform policies and programmes geared towards improving services around antenatal care provision.

The number of people on Earth and human activities are currently taking on frightening proportions with far-reaching consequences for our planet, its biodiversity and ultimately the human race itself. Ten thousand years ago, humans represented 1% of the total biomass of all land vertebrates. The rest was made up by wild animals. Currently, humans, livestock and pets make up 99% of terrestrial vertebrate biomass, while wild animals represent only 1%. It took millennia for the human population to reach the 1 billion mark and that only by 1890. By 1960, however, the world population had grown to 3 billion. Today there are 8 billion people living on our planet. According to Population Matters, the world population will be approximately 10,4 billion by the end of this century, despite the gradual decline in the growth rate in some countries. There is only a 23% chance that the total population growth rate will tail off before 2100. The population of the 47 least developed countries is likely to triple between 2017 and 2100 to around 3 billion. There are currently 62 million people in South Africa. About 67,9% of our population (in 2021) live in urban areas. The South African population grew by 0,87% in 2023. The fertility rate is 2,30 (2023). It is estimated that by 2050 75,5 million people will be living in South Africa, with 8 out of every 10 people living in urban areas, which would significantly increase the pressure on infrastructure. The Global Footprint Network states that humans currently use the resources of 1,75 Earths. If the situation does not improve, by 2050 we would need the equivalent of three Earths to survive. More than 4 billion people will have little or no water by 2050, and South Africa even now has been classified as a "water-stressed" country. Medical science is continually contributing to more babies surviving their entry into the world and to our living increasingly longer. Life expectancy has risen from 46 years in 1950 to 73,2 years in 2023. By 2050 it will be 77 years. What can be done? Empowerment of women is important. Population growth can be curbed to a reasonable extent by giving more girls access to education. This certainly does not mean that girls or women alone should be held responsible for the current population growth, but much more will have to be done about sex education, women's rights will have to be actively promoted and there will have to be better provision and use of contraceptives. Obviously, these issues should be approached and handled with due caution. In this regard, countries such as Thailand and South Korea have, in the recent past, proved that good education may result in lower birth rates. In Africa, women with no education have an average of 5,4 children; women who completed high school an average of 2,7 children and women with tertiary education an average of 2.2. In Nigeria, every year of school attendance by girls cuts the birth rate by a tenth. In addition, intensified efforts to reform economies and societies should be considered. For the sake of the survival of the human species and the sustainability of the Earth, ecological and economic justice and the empowerment ofwomen have to be encouraged. The Millennium Project - a global participatory think tank that was founded in 1996 under the auspices of the American Council for the United Nations University, but which became independent in 2009 and has since grown into a global network of institutions and individuals - aims to improve humankind's prospects for a better future. It recommends, among other things, the following: • Support a policy aimed at improving the survival of children, responsible family planning and educational opportunities for (especially) girls. • Improve methods that will ensure skills and employment opportunities for young people, as well as care and services for the elderly. • Implement the UN's urban agenda. • Create enough smart cities where citizens with urban intelligence can help in eco-smart ways with the necessary improvements in the city. • Increase training in resilience, and improve disaster prediction and management. • Provide guidance for people about urban ecology. • Intensify research and development in saltwater agriculture (halophytes or salt plants) on coastlines to produce food for humans and animals, biofuel and pulp for the paper industry, and to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2). This will ease the pressure on freshwater agriculture. • Improve agricultural and irrigation management. • Invest in precision agriculture and aquaculture. • Reduce food losses from the "farm to the mouth" (one third or 1,3 billion tons of agricultural production is wasted in this way every year). • Establish seaweed to restore wild fish populations along coastlines. The World Bank estimates that 90% of marine life is completely depleted. • Expand the production of insects for animal feed and human diets (insects have a low environmental impact, and 2 billion people already supplement their diet with insects today). • Encourage vegetarianism. Although there are more ways to address these important global challenges, responsible family planning remains one of the most important. This is an extremely sensitive issue for many people (especially in Africa), but if it is not promoted in a humane, informed and responsible way, the sustainability of life on our planet will increasingly come under tremendous pressure in various respects.

Die aantal mense op aarde en hulle/ons aktiwiteite neem tans skrikwekkende afmetings aan met wydlopende gevolge vir ons planeet, biodiversiteit en uiteindelik onsself. Die moderne mens het sy teenwoordigheid op die aarde en die benutting van hulpbronne baie lank as sy onaantasbare reg gesien. Die huidige uitwerking van byvoorbeeld bevolkingsgroei en besoedeling versteur die aarde se natuurlike ritme in so 'n mate dat ons nou nie meer op 'n kitsoplossing kan hoop nie. Die mens se getalle neem teen so 'n tempo toe dat dit nie net nadelig vir die planeet is nie, maar ook vir die mensdom self. Wat kan gedoen word? Bemagtiging van vroue speel 'n belangrike rol. Dit beteken beslis nie dat meisies en vroue alleen vir die huidige bevolkingsgroei verantwoordelik gehou moet word nie. Die bevolkingsgroei kan egter in 'n redelike mate vertraag word deur veral meer meisies toegang tot onderwys en opleiding te gee - asook hul lewensomstandighede te verbeter. Ook sal daar heelwat meer aan seksopvoeding gedoen moet word, vroueregte sal daadwerklik bevorder moet word en daar sal beter voorsiening en gebruik van voorbehoedmiddels moet wees. Uiteraard moet hierdie kwessies met die nodige omsigtigheid benader en hanteer word. In hierdie verband kan onder andere Thailand en Suid-Korea genoem word wat in die onlangse verlede bewys het dat goeie onderwys geboortesyfers laat daal. In Afrika het vroue wat geen onderwys ontvang nie, gemiddeld 5,4 kinders; vroue wat hoërskool voltooi het gemiddeld 2,7 kinders en vroue wat tersiêre studie deurloop het, gemiddeld 2,2 kinders. In Nigerië sny elke jaar wat meisies skool bywoon, die geboortesyfer met 'n tiende. Hiermee saam sal daar ook verskerpte pogings moet wees om ekonomieë en samelewings te hervorm. Ter wille van die mens se voortbestaan en die volhoubaarheid van lewe op aarde moet ekologiese en ekonomiese geregtigheid, en die bemagtiging van vroue aangemoedig word.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine if migration modifies the management and composition of agrobiodiversity in the homegardens, spaces where the richness of species ensures the provision of goods. In Dzoyaxché, Yucatán, we conducted semi-structured interviews and generated agrobiodiversity inventories in were applied to homegardens without migrants (SSM) and with migrants (SCM). The SSM recorded higher floristic and backyard fauna diversity; in SCM, there was a redistribution of management responsibilities. Thus, rural-urban migration, in Dzoyaxché, is a factor that determines agrobiodiversity.

Resumen El objetivo del estudio fue determinar si la migración modifica el manejo y la composición de la agrobiodiversidad en los solares, espacios donde la riqueza de especies asegura la provisión de bienes. En Dzoyaxché, Yucatán, se aplicó una entrevista semiestructurada y se realizó el inventario de la agrobiodiversidad a solares sin migrantes (SSM) y con migrantes (SCM). Los SSM registraron mayor diversidad florística y de fauna de traspatio; mientras que en SCM se registró una redistribución de las responsabilidades de manejo. En conclusión, la migración rural-urbana en Dzoyaxché es un factor que determina la agrobiodiversidad.