Abstract Anti-formalist constructivism is a legal-educational approach that arises from the combination of different theoretical proposals developed in the global north and accepted in the Latin American reality. Through three fundamental premises for its application, it is expected that criminal procedural law can be taught linking the preconceptions of those who learn, so that from a validation process it is possible to build authentic interpretations with a sense of practical utility. For this, the implementation of performance tests that contain problems without exact answers is proposed, contributing to each student having the possibility of strengthening the development of competences from and for the professional reality of the practice of law. Antiformalist Anti formalist legaleducational legal educational application learn utility this proposed

Resumen El constructivismo antiformalista es un enfoque jurídico-educativo que surge de la conjugación de diferentes propuestas teóricas gestadas en el norte global y acogidas en la realidad latinoamericana. A través de tres premisas fundamentales para su aplicación, se espera que el Derecho Procesal Penal pueda enseñarse vinculando los preconceptos de quienes aprenden, para que a partir de un proceso de validación sea posible construir interpretaciones auténticas con sentido de utilidad práctica. Para ello, se propone la implementación de pruebas de desempeño que contengan problemas sin respuestas exactas, aportando a que cada estudiante tenga la posibilidad de fortalecer el desarrollo de competencias desde y para la realidad profesional del ejercicio del Derecho. jurídicoeducativo jurídico educativo latinoamericana aplicación aprenden práctica ello exactas

This article deals with the nature of social cost-benefit analysis (SCBA) and economic impact analysis (ECIA) of road projects and describes the coherence of and distinctions between the two types of analysis. In the final part of the article, the reasons are given for not including in an SCBA the economic impacts of a road as determined through an ECIA, regardless of how positive they may be. The SCBA of a road project is a systematic procedure to determine the economic viability of the road project by considering the costs and benefits that accrue when the road is constructed and during the service period of the project. The cost component in the SCBA of a road project is the once-off investment or capital cost of taking the road into service or improving it. The benefit component in the SCBA of a road is the difference between recurring costs associated with an improved road and without the road improvement. Recurring costs of a road include (a) road user costs, (b) external costs arising from road use and (c) maintenance costs to protect and preserve the usefulness of the road. The beneficiaries in an SCBA are the road users. The following road user groups can be distinguished: (i) Normal traffic (consisting of existing, normal-growth and non-induced development traffic; (ii) diverted traffic; and (iii) induced traffic (consisting of generated, induced development, and transferred traffic.) To assess the efficiency of resource allocation, an SCBA is based on the consideration of social cost. From the perspective of allocative efficiency, as determined by an SCBA, a road project is regarded as economically viable when the current value of the reduction in recurring costs associated with the road during its service life exceeds the current value of the once-off investment cost of taking the road into service. Road provision and use have economic impacts. Unlike an SCBA, which focuses on the efficiency with which a road project increases accessibility for and the mobility of road users, a regional economic impact analysis (ECIA) focuses on the effectiveness of a project to affect the performance of the economy of a region by enhancing time and place utilities creation by non-road-users. Consequently, an analysis of the effect construction, operation and use of a road will have on regional economic performance should focus on their expected income multiplier and accelerator effects on the number and size of activities in the economy of a region. The following non-road-user groups can be distinguished: (a) The public, (b) landowners, occupants and land users, (c) roadside enterprises, (d) utility enterprises and (e) goods consignors and consignees (in their capacity as non-road-users). An ECIA is based on a consideration of market prices. In an ECIA the following objectives serve as criteria for judging the impact of a road project on the performance of the economy: • Economic growth (including economic development) • Full employment • Price stability • Balance of payments stability • Equitable distribution of income These impacts, regardless of how positive they may be, are not included in an SCBA for the following reasons: • A comprehensive economic assessment consists of two components that are performed in tandem, namely an SCBA and an ECIA. An SCBA relies on allocative efficiency as assessment criterion, while an ECIA relies on output effectiveness as assessment criterion. The inclusion of effectiveness criteria among efficiency criteria in an SCBA will result in a misrepresentation of project viability. • Double counting of benefits will occur when road user cost savings and economic impacts are combined. • Not all the economic benefits obtained through coordinated investment in various sectors, one of which may be a road, can be ascribed to the investment in the road alone. The reason for conducting an ECIA of a road project is to determine to what measure the analysed road is expected to affect the performance of the economy of the region concerned. Although the results of an ECIA do not form part of the outcome of an SCBA, an ECIA can be used as an instrument in the pursuit of the economic policy objectives of a government.

Die hoofdoel van die sosialekoste-voordeel-ontleding (SKVO) van 'n pad is om die inligting oor die koste en voordele te verskaf wat nodig is om die lewensvatbaarheid, al dan nie, van die voorsiening en gebruik van die pad te beraam. Die kostekomponent in die SKVO is die eenmalige investeringskoste om die pad tot stand te bring, en die voordeelkomponent is die daling van die herhalende koste wat uit die gebruik en instandhouding van die pad sal spruit. Die hoofdoel van die ekonomiese-impakontleding (EKIO) van 'n pad behels dat die verwagte gevolge van die voorsiening en gebruik van die pad op die ekonomiese vertoning van 'n bepaalde streek geïdentifiseer en bereken word. Dié ontleding berus hoofsaaklik op die volgende: (a) die beraming van die verwagte eenmalige streeksinkome-vermenigvuldigereffek wat uit die investeringsbesteding aan die pad sal spruit, en (b) die beraming van die herhalende streeksinkome-versnellereffek wat uit die gebruik en instandhouding van die pad sal spruit. Die ekonomiese uitwerking van 'n padprojek word nie by 'n SKVO ingereken nie. Die rede hiervoor is drievoudig: Eerstens berus 'n SKVO op toewysingsdoelmatigheid as beoordelingsnorm, en 'n EKIO op doeltreffendheid as beoordelingsnorm. Die kombinering van doeltreffendheidsnorme en doelmatigheidsnorme sal tot 'n wanvertolking van 'n projek se ekonomiese lewensvatbaarheid lei. Tweedens sal voordele dubbeld getel word indien padgebruikerskostebesparings en ekonomiese impakte saamgevoeg word. Derdens kan ekonomiese voordele wat verkry word deur gekoördineerde investering in verskeie sektore, waarvan een 'n pad is, nie alles aan investering in die pad toegeskryf word nie.

ABSTRACT Purpose The paper aims to present a new framework for ESG integration strategies in portfolio optimization problems. The optimization in the new structure focuses on the portfolio level, and the procedure is not focused on utility functions or on preliminary weights applied to the asset level. It applies the resampling technique, and all the portfolios are optimal portfolios in the mean-variance space. It uses a filtering process where only optimal portfolios with lower ESG risks are considered. Therefore, this technique works only with optimized portfolios, avoids concentration bias, and considers estimation errors in the expected returns and in the covariance matrix. Design/methodology/approach: The sample mean returns and covariance matrices generated by a multivariate normal distribution are applied in mean-variance optimization to generate several portfolios in the efficient frontiers. An ESG filtering process is used to select portfolios with lower ESG risks from a sample of 42 companies listed on the Brazilian stock exchange with returns from the period of 2018/01/01 to 2024/04/22. Findings Integration strategy costs may be lower than the best-in-class strategy costs and may be similar to the costs of a negative screening strategy. Social implications The paper presents a framework that considers social, environmental, and governance factors in the portfolio optimization process. Originality The main contribution of this paper is to present a new framework that combines resampling of returns’ mean and covariance based on a multivariate normal distribution with an ESG portfolio filtering process. problems level meanvariance variance space considered Therefore bias matrix Design/methodology/approach Designmethodologyapproach Design methodology approach frontiers 4 20180101 2018 01 2018/01/0 20240422 2024 04 22 2024/04/22 bestinclass best class social environmental 2018010 201 0 2018/01/ 2024042 202 2 2024/04/2 201801 20 2018/01 202404 2024/04/ 20180 2018/0 20240 2024/04 2018/ 2024/0 2024/

RESUMO Finalidade Este artigo apresenta uma abordagem para a estratégia de integração ESG no problema da otimização usando a técnica de reamostragem. A abordagem não utiliza funções de utilidade ou pesos preliminares no nível do ativo, focando nas carteiras. As carteiras são ótimas no espaço de média-variância, para cada amostra de retornos esperados e matriz de covariância. No processo de filtragem, são selecionadas as carteiras com menor risco ESG. Essa técnica trabalha somente com carteiras otimizadas, evita o viés de concentração (poucos ativos na carteira) e considera erros de estimativa nos retornos esperados e na matriz de covariância. Desenho/metodologia/abordagem: As amostras de retornos médios e matrizes de covariância geradas por uma distribuição normal multivariada são aplicadas na otimização média-variância para gerar várias carteiras nas fronteiras eficientes. É utilizado um processo de filtragem ESG para selecionar carteiras com menores riscos ESG de uma amostra com 42 empresas listadas na B3 com retornos no período de 2018/01/01 a 2023/12/31. Constatações Os custos da estratégia de integração podem ser inferiores aos custos da estratégia “best-in-class” e podem ser semelhantes aos custos de uma estratégia de “negative screening”, dependendo dos parâmetros de ambas as estratégias. Implicações sociais O artigo apresenta uma abordagem que considera fatores sociais, ambientais e de governança no processo de otimização de carteiras. Originalidade A principal contribuição deste artigo é a apresentação de uma nova abordagem que combina a reamostragem da média e covariância dos retornos com base numa distribuição normal multivariada com um processo de filtragem de carteiras ESG. ativo médiavariância, médiavariância variância, variância otimizadas poucos carteira Desenho/metodologia/abordagem Desenhometodologiaabordagem Desenho metodologia eficientes 4 B 20180101 2018 01 2018/01/0 20231231 2023 12 31 2023/12/31 bestinclass best in class “best-in-class negative screening, screening , screening” estratégias 2018010 201 0 2018/01/ 2023123 202 1 3 2023/12/3 201801 20 2018/01 202312 2023/12/ 20180 2 2018/0 20231 2023/12 2018/ 2023/1 2023/

Abstract The objective of this work is to analyze the partnership strategy of a company in stable conditions, to try to rescue other companies from the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. For this analysis, we relate the concepts of expected utility, risk, uncertainty and game theory, where the risk factor arises from the association with companies in possible failure, and the uncertainty factor from the lack of knowledge regarding the companies to associate. The results show that the conditions to be associated are different, depending on whether the objective is economic or precautionary. The contribution of the work is to methodologically analyze the concept of precaution, derived from the pandemic, that companies show when they decide to associate. Although the work does not consider information and real conditions of the pandemic, the work concludes and recommends that if companies decided to annex, to cover more market or recover, they would have to consider risk factors and uncertainty.

Resumen El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la estrategia de asociación de una empresa en condiciones estables, para tratar de rescatar a otras empresas por la incertidumbre ocasionada por la pandemia del COVID-19. Para este análisis relacionamos los conceptos de utilidad esperada, riesgo, incertidumbre y teoría de juegos, donde el factor riesgo se desprende por la asociación con empresas en posible fracaso, y el factor incertidumbre por la falta de conocimiento respecto a las empresas a asociar. Los resultados muestran que las condiciones por asociar son distintas, dependiendo si el objetivo es económico o de precaución. La aportación del trabajo es analizar metodológicamente el concepto de precaución, derivado de la pandemia, que muestran las empresas cuando deciden asociarse. A pesar de que el trabajo no considera información y condiciones reales de la pandemia, el trabajo concluye y recomienda que si las empresas decidieran anexarse, para abarcar más mercado o recuperarse, tendrían que considerar factores de riesgo e incertidumbre.

Resumen: En este trabajo se muestra la equivalencia axiomática entre las distintas caracterizaciones del Teorema de la Utilidad Esperada propuestas por Mas-Colell et al. (1995), Jehle y Reny (2011), Maschler et al. (2013) y Rubinstein (2012). Se utiliza un lenguaje general que unifica la notación y se propone una definición recursiva del espacio de loterías de la Teoría de la Utilidad Esperada.

Abstract: In this work, we prove the axiomatic equivalence of several characterizations of the Expected Utility Theorem proposed by Mas-Colell et al. (1995), Jehle and Reny (2011), Maschler et al. (2013), and Rubinstein (2012). A general language is used for unifying the notation, and we introduce a recursive definition of the lottery space in the Expected Utility Theory.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the antecedents that influence SME managers’ intentions to engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and whether these intentions translate into actual CSR engagement behaviour. Theoretical framework This study used the Theory of Planned Behaviour to examine the influence of SME managers’ attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control on their intention to engage in CSR activities. Trait Theory and Expected Utility Theory were also used to explain the influence of risk orientation and participative leadership style on their attitudes towards CSR. Design/methodology/approach Primary data were collected using questionnaires. The data, which consisted of 301 respondents, were analysed using PLS-SEM. Findings Risk orientation and participative leadership style had a significant influence on the managers’ attitudes. Attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control were also found to have a significant effect on their intention to engage in CSR, which subsequently influenced their actual CSR behaviour. Practical & social implications of research For policy makers, this study provides a reference for encouraging CSR engagement among SMEs. For managers and owners of SMEs, it identifies the antecedents that are important for a positive attitude towards CSR engagement. Originality/value The findings enrich the literature on risk orientation and participative leadership, which are important antecedents of managers’ CSR attitudes. The findings also support the applicability of the Theory of Planned Behaviour in the area of CSR engagement in the context of SMEs. (CSR behaviour activities Designmethodologyapproach Design methodology approach questionnaires 30 respondents PLSSEM. PLSSEM PLS SEM. SEM PLS-SEM Attitudes makers SMEs Originalityvalue Originality value 3

Abstract Purpose: This paper aims to provide empirical evidence for using the prospect theory (PT) basic assumptions in the Argentine context. Mainly, this study analysed the financial decision-making process in students of the economic-administrative academic area of two universities, one public and one private, in Córdoba. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis methodology included (1) the descriptive statistical analysis to identify the presence of the certainty, reflection and isolation effects; (2) the construction of a set of indicators on the application of the PT; (3) the chi-squared independence test, to determine if the decisions made are independent of the degree course taken; (4) the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test, to determine if the decisions made by individuals vary according to the semesters taken or students' levels of progress; and (5) the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test, to determine if there are differences between the decisions made by men and women. Findings: The empirical results provided evidence on the effects of certainty, reflection and isolation in both universities, concluding that the study participants make financial decisions in situations of uncertainty based more on PT than on expected utility theory. Originality/value: This study contributes to the empirical evidence in a different Latin-American context, confirming that individuals make financial decisions based on the PT independently of their degree course, semester, level of advance, gender or the kind of university where they belong (public or private).

RESUMEN En este trabajo se muestra una metodología para determinar la red eléctrica de distribución de baja tensión (BT) técnica y económicamente adaptada, en un escenario aleatorio de incorporación de generación distribuida fotovoltaica (GDFV). Una red es adaptada cuando está diseñada minimizando los costos totales fijos y variables, y optimizando el equipamiento para satisfacer adecuadamente la demanda (tanto la demanda actual como su crecimiento esperado). El estudio considera que la incorporación de GDFV es exógena. El método se basa en el concepto de Hosting Capacity (HC) o Factor de Capacidad (FC). En el artículo se analizan cuatro redes de BT típicas del área metropolitana de Buenos Aires, Argentina (AMBA). Las redes son resueltas mediante un flujo de potencia estadístico, tomando como variables aleatorias la demanda residencial, la penetración de GDFV y la potencia y localización de los generadores fotovoltaicos dentro de la red. Mediante esta metodología se obtiene el factor de capacidad estadístico (FCE), el cual es usado para realizar el estudio técnico-económico de la red. Finalmente se obtiene la red adaptada para cada nivel de penetración de GDFV. Los resultados muestran que, sin penetración de GDFV, existen diferentes opciones de redes de distinto costo por km2. Cuando aumenta la penetración de GDFV, se van descartando (debido a su FCE) las redes de menor costo por km2 y sólo sobreviven las redes de mayor costo por km2 (las de menor módulo de transformación). Una vez superado el 70% de penetración de GDFV, ninguna de las redes estudiadas se contempla como opción.

ABSTRACT This work shows a technical-economic procedure to determine the adapted network in a low voltage (LV) residential electrical system with photovoltaic distributed generation (PVDG). A network is adapted when it is designed to minimize the total fixed and variable costs and optimize the equipment to adequately satisfy the demand (both the current demand and its expected growth). The study will consider that the decision to install PVDG is exogenous. The method is based on the concept of Hosting Capacity (HC). This paper analyzes four typical LV networks in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. A statistical power flow solves the networks. We take the following statistical variables: residential load, PVpenetration, PVpower, and location. We obtain the statistical HC for each network, and the HC is used to carry out the technical-economic study of the network. Finally, we establish the adapted network for each level of penetration. The results show that, without PVDG penetration, there are different network options with different costs per km2. When PVDG penetration increases, the networks with the lowest cost per km2 are discarded (due to their FCE), and only the networks with the highest cost per km2 survive. Once 70% penetration of PVDG has been exceeded, none of the studied networks is considered an option..

Abstract The present work completed in January 2021 determined a price hedging model in the coffee futures markets. Following the analytical method, first, the behavior of the historical prices from January 2015 to December 2020 in the spot market and in the futures market was observed and analyzed, later using the standard deviation of the historical data, the volatility that exists in the futures market and its impact on the final price that producers receive for their harvest at the end of each production cycle was calculated. Applying the statistical theory of the binomial tree, the expected prices of the following three four-month periods are estimated, subsequently, the utility function of the producer is modeled, assuming it as the expectation of income and its variance, later the utility function of the producer is found and optimized to know the number of contracts that guarantees the hedging of the price of production. The results of this work suggest that the final income of the producer will depend directly on the production that is expected to have in each productive cycle, on the speculative game on the stock exchange (number of contracts) and on the forecast of the spot price at the time of the evaluation, finally, it is concluded that the producers could be motivated to use futures contracts as a hedging strategy, since even if the profits are not extraordinary, the income will always be higher when such hedging is used.

Resumen El presente trabajo terminado en enero de 2021 determinó un modelo de cobertura de precios en los mercados de futuros de café. Siguiendo el método analítico, primeramente, se observó y analizo el comportamiento de los precios históricos comprendidos de enero de 2015 a diciembre de 2020 en el mercado spot y en el mercado de futuros, posteriormente utilizando la desviación estándar de los datos históricos, se calculó la volatilidad que hay en el mercado de futuros y el impacto de este en el precio final que reciben los productores por su cosecha al finalizar cada ciclo productivo. Aplicando la teoría estadística del árbol binomial se estiman los precios esperados de los siguientes tres cuatrimestres, posteriormente, se modela la función de utilidad del productor asumiéndola como la esperanza del ingreso y la varianza de este, posteriormente se halla y optimiza la función de utilidad del productor para conocer el número de contratos que garantiza la cobertura del precio de la producción. Los resultados de este trabajo sugieren que el ingreso final del productor dependerá directamente de la producción que se espera tener en cada ciclo productivo, del juego especulativo en bolsa (número de contratos) y del pronóstico del precio spot al momento de la evaluación, finalmente se concluye que los productores podrían estar motivados a la utilización de contratos de futuros como una estrategia de cobertura, ya que aunque las ganancias no sean extraordinarias, el ingreso siempre será mayor cuando se utiliza dicha cobertura.

Abstract The pregnancy rate (PR) is nowadays the most informative reproductive parameter, as it encompasses the proportion of cows that become pregnant from the total number of cows eligible for insemination in each estrous cycle. In the international scientific literature, there are several analyses concerning PR change effects on the profitability of dairy herds. In this study, the economic consequences of PR changes in a dairy herd under intensive management was calculated. We developed a mathematical model, based on the Monte Carlo simulation model, to estimate herd performance and economic utility using different pregnancy rates (between 15 and 30). The simulation was done using a fixed conception percentage of 30, so the increment in pregnancy rate only depended on the efficiency of estrus detection (EED) increase. In the generated model scenarios, PR increase had a positive effect on the annual cow income per year; however, the extra income had a quadratic trend with a revenue decline, when PR reached 20 %. So for every percentage point, where PR was increased from 15 to 20 %, an additional cow income of USD 40.46 per year was generated. Furthermore, the additional income for every percentage point, when the PR was increased from 20 to 25 % was USD 21; and USD 6.88, when the increase was from 25 to 30 %. We can conclude that any changes in herd management to increase the EED and thereby the PR should have lower costs compared with the expected benefits; otherwise, they will diminish their usefulness.

ABSTRACT In the opinion of the productive sectors of the country, a good technical study was not carried out to evaluate the economic and financial impact. With the withdrawal in 2017. the productive apparatus of the country is experiencing a slight growth that is expected to improve to boost the economy. This scientific article is of exploratory, descriptive and bibliographic-documentary research with a quantitative approach, the unit of analysis as primary source was obtained the financial statements and reports presented in the SIC, SRI, BCE y el INEC. The results obtained from the calculations of indicators and correlation of the variables confirm that in 2017. There is an increase in income and utility due to the release of safeguards, ending the fiscal period with positive figures, once again gaining prominence in the country's economy, being an important contribution to GDP and the various manufacturing sectors.

RESUMEN A criterio de los sectores productivos en Ecuador no se realizó un buen estudio técnico que permita evaluar cuál sería el impacto económico y financiero con la imposición de las salvaguardias. El trabajo de investigación busca determinar el impacto financiero de la eliminación de las salvaguardias en empresas del sector metalmecánico, es de tipo exploratorio, descriptivo y bibliográfico documental con un enfoque cuantitativo, utilizando como fuentes de datos los estados financieros e informes presentados en la SIC, SRI, BCE y el INEC. Los resultados obtenidos de los cálculos de indicadores financieros y la correlación de las variables confirman que en el año 2017 existe un aumento en los ingresos y utilidad en función de la liberación de las salvaguardias, finalizando el periodo fiscal con cifras positivas obteniendo nuevamente el protagonismo en la economía del país, siendo un aporte importante en el PIB y los diversos sectores manufactureros.

Abstract This work of a socioeconomic nature proposes to know the level of use and usefulness of the results of the evaluations of the field support programs in Mexico, in the period 2001-2017, it is a meta-evaluation or evaluation of the evaluation, which considers particularly those two key aspects of the evaluation process. To carry out the study, information was obtained from the possible users of the evaluations through a survey applied online or directly. The foregoing is relevant since in Mexico the formal evaluation of SADER’s field support programs before SAGARPA dates back to the end of 1997, with the Alliance for the Field, to the current programs and also in an important period of time. From 2001 to date, the federal government has maintained a technical cooperation agreement with FAO to conduct this process. Thus, this work is also relevant for decision-making since it corroborates, among other things, the limited use of evaluations carried out in decision-making for the improvement of programs. Finally, it is expected to contribute to motivate a technical-methodological and normative redefinition of the external evaluation process of the field support programs in Mexico and thus achieve the objective of improving the performance of said programs to which they are assigned year after year. important public resources to improve the standard of living of the population living in rural areas.

Resumen Este trabajo de carácter socioeconómico se plantea conocer el nivel de uso y utilidad de los resultados de las evaluaciones de los programas de apoyo al campo en México, en el periodo 2001-2017, se trata de una metaevaluación o evaluación de la evaluación, que considera particularmente esos dos aspectos clave del proceso de evaluación. Para realizar el estudio se obtuvo información de los posibles usuarios de las evaluaciones a través de una encuesta aplicada en línea o de manera directa. Lo anterior, es relevante ya que en México la evaluación formal de los programas de apoyo al campo de la SADER antes SAGARPA se remonta hacia finales de 1997, con la Alianza para el Campo, hasta los programas actuales y además en un importante periodo de tiempo de 2001 hasta la fecha el gobierno federal ha mantenido un acuerdo de cooperación técnica con la FAO para conducir dicho proceso. Así, este trabajo es pertinente también para la toma de decisiones ya que corrobora, entre otras cosas, el limitado uso de las evaluaciones realizadas en la toma de decisiones para el mejoramiento de los programas. Finalmente, se espera contribuir a motivar una redefinición técnica-metodológica y normativa del proceso de evaluación externa de los programas de apoyo al campo en México y se logre así el objetivo de mejorar el desempeño de dichos programas a los cuales año con año se le destinan importantes recursos públicos para el mejoramiento del nivel de vida de la población que vive en el medio rural.

Abstract: This article is oriented to the development of an application that implements the method of supervised classification of vector support machines (MSV) on images from remote sensors, whether active or passive that are stored in a spatial database. of a relational type that allows contributing and supporting the classification of images, according to normality and abnormality parameters, where it is also possible to store these results within the same database management system. Given that the MSV supervised classification algorithm is widely accepted by the scientific community as one of the best classification techniques, since it allows very good accuracy in diagnosing the different coverings present in the soil. Since it seeks not only to find a dissociation between these, but to achieve a separation between the elements to be classified, it will be implemented as a classification technique. The application is designed for the end user, which allows not only obtaining support and sustenance when making decisions, but also facilitating the updating of the database, the inclusion or deletion of information from it, as well as the possibility of choosing the main characteristics that must be taken into account during the classification process. This utility is of great value, since when working with images with similar characteristics, the possibility of establishing dissociation ranges or weights for the different coverages directly affects the expected result. Finally, a case study related to deforestation in the Colombian Amazon will be presented, where the utility of the application will be demonstrated by means of a supervised classification, which will be compared with the classification module of some software that currently implements it.

Resumen: Este artículo está orientado al desarrollo de una aplicación que implemente el método de clasificación supervisada máquinas de soporte vectorial (MSV) sobre imágenes provenientes de sensores remotos ya sean activos o pasivos que se encuentren almacenadas en una base de datos espacial de tipo relacional que permita contribuir y soportar la clasificación de imágenes, según parámetros de normalidad y anormalidad, donde se consiga además almacenar estos resultados dentro del mismo sistema manejador de bases de datos. Dado que el algoritmo de clasificación supervisada MSV es ampliamente aceptado por la comunidad científica como una de las mejores técnicas de clasificación, ya que permite tener una muy buena exactitud en el diagnóstico de las diferentes coberturas presentes en el suelo, puesto que busca no solo encontrar una disociación entre estas, sino lograr una separación entre los elementos a clasificar, se implementará como técnica de clasificación. La aplicación está diseñada para el usuario final, que permita no sólo obtener un apoyo y sustento al momento de tomar decisiones, sino que facilite la actualización de la base de datos, la inclusión o la eliminación de información de la misma, así como la posibilidad de elegir las características principales que se deban tener en cuenta durante el proceso de clasificación. Esta utilidad es de gran valor, ya que, al trabajar con imágenes de características similares, la posibilidad de establecer rangos de disociación o pesos a las diferentes coberturas afecta directamente el resultado que se espera obtener. Finalmente se presentará un caso de estudio relacionado con la deforestación de la amazonia colombiana donde se demostrará la utilidad de la aplicación por medio de una clasificación supervisada la cual será comparada con el módulo de clasificación de algunos softwares que la implementan en la actualidad.

Abstract Current trends in science education recommend the complementary use of virtual and hands-on methods of teaching. In neurobiology, for instance, there is a plethora of virtual laboratories and simulators that can be readily combined with traditional physical labs. Unfortunately, physical laboratories are almost unaffordable for many institutions due to the high cost of equipment. In this paper, we present a simple and low-cost in vivo method for demonstrating some of the basic biophysical properties of neural action potentials. The method involves the following steps: a) dissection of the ventral nerve cord of earthworm; b) electrical stimulation; c) amplification and visualization of the medial and lateral giant fibers’ action potentials; and d) recording. The system showed stability, expected amplification, high signal-to-noise ratio, and an estimated total cost of US$ 5.662. We provide guidelines for assembling the system and discus its utility as a teaching alternative for low budget institutions.

ABSTRACT Background: The main aim of our study was to evaluate the current usefulness of the CCI in predicting mortality in older people and the concordance between various comorbidity indices. Design: An observational, concurrent cohort study was performed. Location: Internal Medicine Service of a tertiary hospital, outpatients in a health centre and residents in four nursing homes. Participants: 375 individuals ≥65 years and with expected survival ≥6 months, without cognitive impairment. Main measurements: Three indices, the CCI, the Geriatric Index of comorbidity (GIC), and the Kaplan-Feinstein index (KFI), were administered in all participants. At 12 months, mortality was evaluated. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 23.0 statistical programme. Results: Average age 81.4 years. The CCI revealed low-medium comorbidity in the outpatient group aged 65-75: 43 (75.4%), moderate-high morbidity and more common in hospitalized patients: 19 (61.3%) and nursing homes: 5 (62.5%). At one year follow-up 59 (16.1%) individuals died: CCI: 10 (6.4%) low-medium and 49 (23.3%) moderate-high comorbidity, OR 3.63 (95% CI 1.76-7.51); KF: 27 (13.3%) low-medium and 32 (19.5%) moderate-high comorbidity, OR 1.38 (95% CI 0.78-2.44) and GIC: 45 (14.1%) low-medium and 14 (29.2%) moderate-high comorbidity, OR 2.47 (95% CI 1.21-5.06). The concordance between CCI-KF: 65-75 years K=0.62, 76-85 years: K=0.396 and ≥86 years: K=0.255. Concordance between CCI-GIC was: 65-75 years K=0.202, 76-85 years: K=0.069 and ≥86 years: K=0.118. Conclusion: CCI was found to be the best predictor of mortality after one year of follow up. There was considerable concordance between CCI and KF in the 65-75 years and remaining age groups. Correlation with GIC was low.

RESUMEN Objetivo: El objetivo principal de nuestro estudio fue evaluar la utilidad actual del índice de comorbilidad de Charlson (CCI) para predecir la mortalidad en personas mayores y la concordancia entre varios índices. Diseño: Estudio observacional, cohorte concurrente. Emplazamiento: Servicio de Medicina Interna de un hospital terciario, pacientes ambulatorios de un centro de salud y residentes de cuatro hogares de ancianos. Participantes: 375 individuos ≥ 65 años, con supervivencia esperada ≥ 6 meses, sin deterioro cognitivo. Mediciones principales: Se realizaron tres índices: CCI, el índice geriátrico de comorbilidad (GIC) y el índice de Kaplan-Feinstein (KF). A los 12 meses, se registró mortalidad. Los datos se analizaron con IBM SPSS Statistics® versión 23.0. Resultados: Edad media: 81,4 años. El CCI mostró comorbilidad baja-media en el grupo ambulatorio de 65-75 años (43 [75,4%]); moderada-alta más común en hospitalizados (19 [61,3%]) y en hogares de ancianos (5 [62,5%]). Al año fallecieron 59 (16,1%) individuos: con CCI: 10 (6,4%) comorbilidad baja-media y 49 (23,3%) moderada-alta, odds ratio (OR) 3,63 (intervalo de confianza [IC] 95% 1,76-7,51); con KF: 27 (13,3%) baja-media y 32 (19,5%) moderada-alta, OR 1,38 (IC 95% 0,78-2,44), y con GIC: 45 (14,1%) baja-media y 14 (29,2%) moderada-alta, OR 2,47 (IC 95% 1,21-5,06). La concordancia entre CCI-KF fue: 65-75 años: K = 0,62, 76-85 años: K = 0,396, y ≥ 86 años: K = 0,255. La concordancia entre CCI-GIC: 65-75 años: K = 0,202, 76-85 años: K = 0,069, y ≥ 86 años: K = 0,118. Conclusión: El CCI es el mejor predictor de mortalidad después de 1 año de seguimiento. Concordancia considerable entre CCI y KF en los individuos de 65-75 años, en el resto de las franjas etarias la correlación con GIC fue insignificante.