Abstract This work aims to analyze the level of access to public credit of small corn producers in the lake regions of Chapala, Pátzcuaro, and Cuitzeo in the state of Michoacán, within the framework of the neoliberal financial policy adopted in the years 1981-2022 compared to the post-revolutionary period. This productive sector is mainly characterized by having low economic income, little land area, and lack of equipment and machinery, and not being subject to credit, therefore, the members of this sector share the condition of exclusion from financing for production. The methodology used consisted of collecting historical information regarding the operation of public rural financial institutions created in the post-revolutionary period and the neoliberal transition that they experienced in the eighties. Also in obtaining data through the application of 611 surveys to identify some elements that explain the current exclusion from public credit of small corn producers in the lake regions of Michoacán. The results reveal that this productive sector has a low level of access due to the changes in public credit policy promoted by federal governments since the 1990s. These caused radical institutional modifications in the way agricultural credit operates and contributed to the current limited availability of public credit aimed at small corn producers.

Resumen El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el nivel de acceso al crédito público de los pequeños productores de maíz en las regiones lacustres de Chapala, Pátzcuaro y Cuitzeo en el estado de Michoacán, en el marco de la política financiera de corte neoliberal adoptada en los años 1981-2022 en comparación con el periodo posrevolucionario. Este sector productivo se caracteriza principalmente por tener bajos ingresos económicos, disponer de poca superficie de tierra y carencia de equipo y maquinaria y no ser sujeto de crédito, por lo que los integrantes de dicho sector comparten la condición de exclusión al financiamiento para la producción. La metodología empleada consistió en recabar información histórica respecto a la operación de las instituciones financieras rurales públicas creadas en el periodo posrevolucionario y la transición neoliberal que experimentaron en los años ochenta. También en la obtención de datos mediante la aplicación de 611 encuestas para identificar algunos elementos que expliquen la actual exclusión al crédito púbico de los pequeños productores de maíz en las regiones lacustres de Michoacán. Los resultados revelan que este sector productivo tiene un bajo nivel de acceso, condición que obedece a los cambios de la política pública crediticia impulsados por los gobiernos federales desde la década de los noventa. Estos provocaron modificaciones institucionales radicales en la forma de operar el crédito agrícola y contribuyeron a que actualmente se presente una escasa disposición de crédito público dirigido a los pequeños productores de maíz.

ABSTRACT The Yunguyo coastline has been subject to a growing process of severe contamination as a result of anthropic action. The study analyzes the pro-environmental concerns and behaviors of the Yunguyo population regarding environmental management, coastal pollution and effects on human health. The research design is non-experimental, transversal; the approach is quantitative, of a descriptive and correlational nature, level of micro analysis and socio-environmental dimension. The study population comprises 17,343 people over 18 years of age; the sample determined at simple random was 332 heads of family. The data collection technique is the survey through a structured questionnaire. Results: The environmental concerns of the majority of the population are positive regarding sanitation, sources of contamination of the coastal coastline and negative effects on human health. The pro-environmental behaviors of the majority of the urban population of Yunguyo are adequate in environmental management, sanitation and hygiene conditions at home, and access to public social services. Conclusion: There is a relationship between concerns and pro-environmental behaviors of the population regarding environmental management and contamination of the coastal coastline.

RESUMEN El litoral costero de Yunguyo viene siendo objeto de un proceso creciente de contaminación severa producto de la acción antrópica. El estudio analiza las preocupaciones y comportamientos proambientales de la población de Yunguyo sobre gestión ambiental, contaminación del litoral costero y efectos en la salud humana. El diseño de investigación es no experimental, transversal; el enfoque es cuantitativo, de carácter descriptivo y correlacional, nivel de análisis micro y dimensión socioambiental. La población del estudio comprende 17 343 personas mayores de 18 años; la muestra determinada al azar simple fue de 332 jefes de familia. La técnica de recolección de datos es la encuesta a través de un cuestionario estructurado. Resultados: Las preocupaciones ambientales de la mayoría de la población son positivas respecto a saneamiento, fuentes de contaminación del litoral costero y efectos negativos en la salud humana. Los comportamientos proambientales de la mayoría de la población urbana de Yunguyo son adecuados en gestión ambiental, condiciones de sanidad e higiene en el hogar y acceso a servicios sociales públicos. Conclusión: Existe relación entre preocupaciones y comportamientos proambientales de la población respecto a gestión ambiental y contaminación del litoral costero.

Resumen Durante las últimas décadas en Puno, Perú, la problemática de la contaminación se fue agudizando por la acción combinada del crecimiento desordenado de la población urbana, gestión deficiente de residuos sólidos, descarga de aguas servidas sin tratamiento en la bahía del lago Titicaca y prácticas de sanidad e higiene inadecuadas; situaciones que afectan severamente el ambiente y la salud humana. El objetivo del estudio fue caracterizar las actitudes y comportamientos proambientales de la población de la ciudad de Puno en relación al saneamiento, la contaminación y la gestión ambiental. La investigación es no experimental, cuantitativa, trans¬versal, descriptiva, correlacional y nivel de análisis micro. El universo de estudio fue la población mayor de 18 años del área urbana, que comprende 97.264 habitantes; la muestra, deter¬minada al azar simple, fue de 382 personas. Se aplicó un cuestionario estructurado. El análisis descriptivo, inferencial y prueba de hipótesis se realizó con el software estadístico SPSS. Los resultados señalan que las actitudes ambientales de la mayoría de la población son positivas respecto a factores y fuentes de contaminación y efectos en la salud humana; contrariamente, las prácticas ambientales son inadecuadas en gestión ambiental en el hogar y condiciones de sanidad e higiene en la vivienda. Se concluye, que la mejora sostenible de actitudes y comportamientos proambientales, demanda de una nueva política pública de educación ambiental, cuya implementación incorpore la participación efectiva de la sociedad civil con base a un sistema de incentivos.

Abstract During the last decades in Puno, Peru, the problem of contamination has worsened due to the combined action of the disorderly growth of the urban population, poor management of solid waste, discharge of untreated sewage into the bay of Lake Titicaca and practices of inadequate sanitation and hygiene, severely affecting the environment and human health. The objective of the study was to characterize the pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors of the city’s population of Puno in relation to sanitation, pollution and environmental management. The research is nonexperimental, quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational and micro level of analysis. The universe of study was the population over 18 years of age in the urban area, which comprises 97,264 inhabitants; the sample, determined at simple random, was 382 people. A structured questionnaire was applied. Descriptive and inferential analysis and hypothesis testing were performed with SPSS statistical software. The results indicate that the environmental attitudes of the majority of the population are positive regarding factors and sources of pollution and effects on human health. On the contrary, environmental practices are inadequate in environmental management in the home and health and hygiene conditions in the home. It is concluded that the sustainable improvement of pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors demands a new public policy of environmental education, whose implementation incorporates the effective participation of civil society based on an incentive system.

Verlorenvlei is a globally important RAMSAR wetland on the arid west coast of South Africa. A prolonged drought between 2016 and 2021 and increasing competition for water from the agricultural sector resulted in extremely low water levels. We used historical aerial and satellite imagery from 1942 and rainfall and water level data for the past 50 years, to assess habitat changes within the estuarine functional zone of the Verlorenvlei Estuarine Lake. Prior to the drought, lake water levels and water surface area remained stable (1113 ± 27 ha (SE)). Since then, there has been a 64% decrease in open water area, exposing 193 ha of sandbanks, of which 190.9 ha were hyper-sulfidic pyrite-rich. The water in the lower lake was hypersaline (>100), and in the middle, it was acidic (pH<3). The low water level plus sediment and nutrient input from surrounding agriculture resulted in a localised increase in reeds. Additional pressures, such as fires, have reduced the above-ground biomass of reeds and sedges, potentially altering surface morphology and reducing stored carbon. Despite flooding and filling up in June 2023, the lake remained in an acidic state (3.9-4.3). Similar low-lake level, hypersaline and acidic conditions are predicted to become more common under future climate change scenarios where aridity and extreme weather events are anticipated. Inflow of fresh water into the estuary and control of farming practices are required to keep the Verlorenvlei in a functional state, with long-term monitoring necessary to assess the ecological condition in response to restoration actions. SIGNIFICANCE: We assessed the habitat changes in Verlorenvlei, an estuarine lake on the arid west coast of South Africa. Estuarine lakes are scarce, and an extended drought greatly reduced the water surface area, exposing hyper-sulfidic pyrite-rich soils, leading to lake acidification and a negative response from biota. Competition for water from agribusiness and the burning of reeds are added pressures. Subsequent heavy rains have been slow to buffer lake acidity, and the impacts thereof serve as a warning for the management of similar ecosystems and their ecological water requirements, especially under climate change where extreme weather conditions, increased aridity and competition for water are realities.

ABSTRACT This study describes the process of Pomacea patula catemacensis grow-out in outdoor tanks. Experimental juvenile snails (1.5-2 months old) obtained from wild breeding snails were reared using a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). The present study focused on increasing the surface area of growth tanks to be used by snails without affecting their growth and survival by adding shelters throughout the water column, which also worked to harbor snails. Two treatments were tested; T1: shelters made with curved clay tiles, T2: curved PVC shelters, and control (without shelters) in triplicate. The stocking density was set at 420 ind m-2 in tanks with 1 m3 total volume, and the culture period was 150 days. The final weight of the snails was significantly higher in control and PVC shelter groups (9.14 ± 2.2 and 8.83 ± 2.31 g, respectively), with PVC shelters showing the highest productivity in total biomass (12.03 ± 0.86 kg tank-1, P < 0.05). Final survival (%) was not significantly different among treatments (56.49 ± 1.62 to 58.05 ± 0.62).

Abstract Creating a new awareness of the environmental crisis has been on the agendas, either directly or indirectly, of many social actors and media products. These include films and videos focusing on environmental issues, given the current important role of audiovisual culture. Against this backdrop, this paper focuses on the Latin American documentaries Hija de la Laguna (Daughter of the Lake; 2015) and A Mãe de Todas as Lutas (The Mother of all Fights; 2021), with the aim of discussing their possible contributions to a broader perception of climate action. Based on a film analysis centred on the protagonists, the aesthetic and stylistic choices of each work, we look into how the narratives of the two documentaries intertwine information and subjective knowledge, the individual and the collective, the local and the global, personal memory and public archives, among other argumentative markers. These categorisations are compared to the decolonial perspective, which is taken up in the text in a broad way, that is in the dialogue with authors who embody the struggles of indigenous and/or marginalised people into decolonial theory. Among the results found, we highlight that the documentaries establish counternarratives that allow us to identify the emergence of female protagonism in the struggles for land and water ownership, the critical stance towards extractivism (and neo-extractivism) and lingering ethnic-racial prejudice. Also worth noting in both films, the documentary language values the subject, without failing to link them with the social context.

Resumo A constituição de uma nova sensibilidade em relação à crise ambiental tem sido pauta, direta ou indiretamente, de diversos atores sociais e produtos midiáticos. Destes, destacam-se os filmes e vídeos que focam a temática ambiental, em função do papel relevante que a cultura audiovisual representa hoje. Com essas premissas, este artigo foca os documentários latino-americanos Hija de la Laguna (2015) e A Mãe de Todas as Lutas (2021), com o propósito de discutir suas possíveis contribuições para uma percepção ampliada das causas climáticas. A partir da análise fílmica centrada nas protagonistas e nas escolhas estéticas e estilísticas de cada obra, este texto investiga como as narrativas dos dois documentários entrelaçam informação e conhecimento subjetivo; indivíduo e coletivo; local e global; memória pessoal e arquivos públicos; entre outros marcadores argumentativos. Essas categorizações são cotejadas ao posicionamento decolonial, assumido no texto de forma ampla, isto é, em diálogo com autores que incorporam as lutas das populações indígenas e/ou marginalizadas à teoria decolonial. Dentre os resultados encontrados, ressaltamos que os documentários estabelecem contranarrativas que permitem identificar a emersão do protagonismo feminino nas lutas pela posse da terra e da água, o posicionamento crítico em relação ao extrativismo (e neoextrativismo) e a permanência dos preconceitos étnico-raciais. Ressalta-se, ainda, nos dois filmes, a constituição de uma linguagem documentária que valoriza o sujeito, sem deixar de articulá-lo ao contexto social.

ABSTRACT Andean and Bolivian Indigenous Communities of Titicaca often depend on their natural resources to ensure their food security, making them especially vulnerable to environmental fluctuations and changes in the ecosystem. Under this criterion, this study applies a qualitative methodology to analyze the relationship between the food security of the communities of the Cohana Bay region (taking the Chojasivi community as a case study) and water pollution in the Katari basin. The results reveal that such contamination has generated a potential effect on access, availability, use and stability over time of the food that makes up the basic food basket of the community.

RESUMEN Las comunidades Indígenas Andino-bolivianas del Titicaca dependen a menudo de sus recursos naturales para garantizar su seguridad alimentaria, lo que las hace especialmente vulnerables a fluctuaciones ambientales y cambios en el ecosistema. Bajo ese criterio, el presente estudio aplica una metodología cualitativa para analizar la relación existente entre la seguridad alimentaria de las comunidades de la región de la bahía de Cohana (tomando como caso de estudio a la comunidad de Chojasivi) y la contaminación hídrica presente en la cuenca Katari. Los resultados revelan que dicha contaminación ha generado un efecto potencial en el acceso, disponibilidad, uso y estabilidad en el tiempo de los alimentos que componen la canasta básica de los comunarios.

Abstract Adopting the proposal of Lindholm y Ekblom (2019), in reference to the elements that constitute biocultural heritage, this research made a comprehensive analysis of each of these elements: ecosystem memory, landscape memories, and place-based memories, which are combined to generate the integrated landscape analysis. In this way, the man-nature relationship is deepened in several senses: the riverside inhabitants of Lake Chapala before it dries up, their interactions with their immediate natural environment, as well as some social tensions due to the presence of other human groups as landowners, settlers and businessmen who decide to appropriate the lake from a commercial, capitalist perspective, as well as romanticize and even discriminate against its original inhabitants due to conflicting visions in their relationship and interaction with Lake Chapala.

Resumen Adoptando la propuesta de Lindholm y Ekblom (2019), en referencia a los elementos que constituyen el patrimonio biocultural, esta investigación analiza de manera conjunta cada uno de éstos: la memoria de los ecosistemas, los recuerdos del paisaje y los recuerdos basados en el lugar, los cuales se combinan para generar el análisis del paisaje integrado. De esta manera, se profundiza en la relación ser humano-naturaleza en diversos sentidos: los habitantes ribereños de la laguna de Chapala antes de su desecación, sus interacciones con su medio natural inmediato, así como algunas tensiones sociales ante la presencia de otros grupos humanos como hacendados, colonos y empresarios, quienes deciden apropiarse del lago desde una perspectiva mercantil, capitalista, así como romantizar e incluso discriminar a sus habitantes originarios por visiones contrapuestas en su relación e interacción con el Lago de Chapala.

Abstract During the neoliberal regime, food policy in Mexico focused on the paradigm of ensuring physical and economic access to safe and cheap food; However, the measures to meet this objective caused, among other things, a trade deficit in basic foods such as corn, orientation of production towards export crops, environmental and people’s health deterioration. In response to this problem, in the mid-1990s, the concept of food sovereignty gained strength. This paradigm contributed to making visible the problems faced by small family productive units and the importance of including in public policy actions that respect the diversity of cultivated seeds, traditional agricultural practices, the care of resources and the reproduction of culturally accepted foods. In this context, the objective of this work is to characterize corn production in three lake regions of Michoacán (Mexico) from the perspective of food sovereignty and, based on this, raise considerations for its strengthening. A comparative analysis was carried out on the approaches of the food sovereignty paradigm based on own information obtained through a survey applied to corn producers from three lake regions of the state of Michoacán. The results show the coexistence of diverse production systems ranging from traditional to intensive production in each region, with manifest experiences of food sovereignty in the Pátzcuaro region and silent in the Cuitzeo region.

Resumen Durante el régimen neoliberal, la política alimentaria en México se centró en el paradigma de asegurar el acceso físico y económico a alimentos inocuos y baratos; sin embargo, las medidas para atender este objetivo provocaron, entre otras consecuencias, un creciente déficit en la balanza comercial de alimentos básicos como el maíz, la orientación de la producción hacia cultivos de exportación, y el paulatino deterioro de la calidad ambiental y de la salud de las personas. Frente a esta compleja problemática, a mediados de la década de los años noventa, surge con fuerza el paradigma de soberanía alimentaria, cuyo concepto contribuyó a visibilizar los problemas que enfrentan las pequeñas unidades productivas familiares y la importancia de incluir en la política pública acciones que respeten la diversidad de las semillas cultivadas, las prácticas agrícolas tradicionales, el cuidado de los recursos y la reproducción de alimentos culturalmente aceptados. En este contexto, el presente trabajo tiene como objetivo caracterizar la producción de maíz de tres regiones lacustres de Michoacán desde la perspectiva de la soberanía alimentaria y, a partir de ello, delinear algunas consideraciones de política pública para su fortalecimiento. Para ello, se realizó un análisis comparado sobre los planteamientos del paradigma de soberanía alimentaria a partir de información propia obtenida mediante una encuesta aplicada a productores de maíz de tres regiones lacustres del estado de Michoacán. Los resultados muestran la coexistencia de diversos sistemas productivos que van desde los tradicionales hasta la producción intensiva en cada región, observando experiencias de soberanía alimentaria manifiestas en la región Pátzcuaro y silenciosas en la región Cuitzeo.

Resumen Desde su descolonización en los años 1960, África ha sido entendida en el imaginario global como un lugar de conflictos armados, inestabilidad política y pobreza. Sin embargo, durante las últimas décadas el continente ha atravesado un importante proceso de estabilización, democratización y pacificación. Desde el liderazgo de Mandela en África, en la década de 1990, hasta la creación y consolidación de la Unión Africana (UA), en 2002, los esfuerzos pacificadores han transformado radicalmente el continente. En este proceso han participado numerosos actores internacionales, continentales y regionales, como las Naciones Unidas (ONU), la UA y la Comunidad para el Desarrollo del África Meridional (SADC), que, en conjunto, han implementado diferentes enfoques para la consolidación de la paz en el continente. Uno de ellos es la puesta en marcha de una activa iniciativa de “diplomacia preventiva”, destinada a hacer frente a las tensiones antes de que se conviertan en conflictos armados. Algunos de los ejemplos más importantes son la disputa entre Malawi y Tanzania, por la demarcación de las fronteras nacionales en el lago Malawi, y la participación continental en la resolución de las crisis políticas de Lesoto y Gambia. Este artículo destaca los esfuerzos para prevenir los conflictos en África, a nivel estatal y desde las organizaciones regionales. También se analiza la forma en que África se ha convertido en un punto de referencia en las iniciativas internacionales de diplomacia preventiva, al tiempo que se asumen las carencias y dificultades a las que todavía se enfrenta el aparato de consolidación de la paz del continente.

Abstract Since decolonisation in the 1960s, Africa has been associated with conflict, political instability, and poverty. However, during the past few decades, the continent has gone through an outstanding process of stabilisation, democratisation, and pacification. From Mandela’s leadership in Africa in the 1990s to the creation and consolidation of the African Union (AU) since 2002, the pacifying efforts have radically transformed the continent. This process has involved many international and continental actors such as the United Nations (UN), the AU and regional organisations, such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), different approaches to peacebuilding as well as the implementation of an active “preventive diplomacy” initiative aimed at dealing with tensions before they turn into armed conflicts. As a result, Africa has provided several preventive diplomacy experiences, not only for the UN, but also for the world as a whole. Some of the most important examples include the dispute between Malawi and Tanzania, for the demarcation of national borders in Lake Malawi, and the active participation in solving the political crises in Lesotho and Gambia. This paper highlights the innovative efforts to prevent conflict in Africa, both at State and Regional Organisations levels. It also analyses the way in which Africa has become a point of reference in international preventive diplomacy initiatives, while, at the same time, coming to terms with the shortcomings and difficulties still faced by the continent’s peacebuilding apparatus.

The transplant rate in Chile is low compared to other countries. Although significant advances have been made to increase this number, there is little clarity regarding safety protocols for organ procurement teams. Internationally, various tragedies have marked this work, the most famous being the one that occurred in Michigan, where a medical team lost their lives when they crashed into a lake during transport for a lung transplant. Years after the tragedy, repeated complaints by medical personnel came to light concerning the lack of safety during transfers. Although organ procurement inherently carries associated risks, these should be kept to a minimum. In 2020, a safety guide was created to make progress with participation from the most crucial transplant organizations in the United States. Recommendations were issued regulating air and ground transportation, insurance, and the future of transplant activity. In Chile, technical guidelines that regulate procurement need to specify crucial safety metrics, and there is no publicly available information or recommendations, leaving safety to the discretion of local institutions. While it is essential to recognize the national effort to improve the number of transplants year after year, it is necessary to advance in improving the safety of procurement teams and not wait for a tragedy to occur to generate the required changes, particularly in a country with challenging geography like Chile.

Resumen Las tasa de trasplantes en Chile es baja en comparación con otros países. Si bien se han hecho importantes avances para aumentar este número, existe poca claridad en cuanto a protocolos de seguridad de los equipos de procuramiento de órganos. A nivel internacional existen diferentes tragedias que han marcado este trabajo, la más conocida es la ocurrida en Michigan, donde un equipo médico perdió la vida al caer sobre el lago en un transporte por un trasplante de pulmón. Años después de la tragedia se conocieron los reiterados reclamos por parte del personal médico en relación a la falta de seguridad durante los traslados. Si bien el procuramiento de órganos tiene un riesgo asociado inherente, este se debe mantener al mínimo. Para avanzar en esto se confeccionó una guía de seguridad donde participaron las organizaciones de trasplante más importantes de Estados Unidos. Se emitieron recomendaciones, donde se regula el transporte aéreo, terrestre, seguros y el futuro de esta actividad. En Chile la orientación técnica que regula el procuramiento, no especifica ninguno de estos puntos y no existe información pública disponible, dejando la seguridad a disposición de las instituciones locales. Si bien es importante reconocer el esfuerzo nacional por mejorar el número de trasplantes año a año, es necesario avanzar en mejorar la seguridad de los equipos de procuramiento, y no esperar que ocurra una tragedia, para generar cambios necesarios, particularmente en un país con una geografía desafiante como Chile.

Resumen: El nitrógeno en el suelo es crucial para la agricultura, pero a menudo es limitante, afectando el rendimiento de los cultivos. La deficiencia requiere fertilizantes sintéticos, pero su uso inadecuado causa daños ambientales y costos elevados. Las bacterias del género Rhizobium, simbiontes de leguminosas, ofrecen una solución al fijar nitrógeno de manera sostenible, reduciendo la dependencia de fertilizantes. Esta investigación determinó el número más probable (NMP) de células de Rhizobium spp. procedente de dos biofertilizantes comerciales de origen ecuatoriano y mexicano en condiciones de invernadero. Para esto, se realizó la inoculación directa con disoluciones seriadas (10-1 a 10-10) en macetas con pomina esterilizada al vapor, donde se germinaron plantas de frijol ejotero (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) de la variedad Blue Lake. A los 45 días después de siembra (DDS) se evaluaron los siguientes indicadores morfológicos: área foliar, peso de la planta en húmedo, altura de planta y número de flores, determinándose diferencias estadísticas entre el tipo de biofertilizante y la concentración de cada dilución. El experimento se adecuó a un diseño de bloques completos al azar con arreglo de parcela dividida con tres repeticiones por dilución, en consideración de las fluctuaciones de temperatura presentes en la zona de estudio. El NMP, al 95% de confianza, fue de 4,45x107 rizobios g-1 de pomina en una dilución 10-5 para el biofertilizante mexicano, y 1,48x105 rizobios g-1 de pomina en una dilución 10-4 para el biofertilizante ecuatoriano. La dilución óptima estimada para ambos productos fue de 10-8.

Abstract: Soil nitrogen is crucial for agriculture, but it is often limited, affecting crop yields. Deficiency requires synthetic fertilizers, but their improper use results in environmental damage and high costs. Bacteria of the genus Rhizobium, symbionts of legumes, offer a sustainable solution by fixing nitrogen, thus reducing dependence on fertilizers. This research determined the most probable number (MPN) of cells of Rhizobium spp. from two commercial biofertilizers of Ecuadorian and Mexican origin under greenhouse conditions. For this, direct inoculation with serial dilutions (10-1 to 10-10) was performed in pots with steam-sterilized pumice where Blue Lake variety snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants were germinated. The following morphological indicators were evaluated at 45 days after sowing (DAS): leaf area, plant wet weight, plant height, and number of flowers, determining statistical differences between the type of biofertilizer and the concentration of each dilution. The experiment followed a randomized complete block design with a split-plot arrangement, with three replicates per dilution, considering temperature fluctuations in the study area. The MPN at 95% confidence was 4.45x107 rhizobia g-1 of pumice at a 10-5 dilution for the Mexican biofertilizer, and 1.48x105 rhizobia g-1 of pumice at a 10-4 dilution for the Ecuadorian biofertilizer. The estimated optimal dilution for both products was 10-8.

SIGNIFICANCE: Recent research reveals that the arid western interior of South Africa has experienced substantially more humid conditions on several occasions during the last 70 000 years. These findings, likely regional in scope, speak to changes to the resource base available to prehistoric hunter-gatherers. Together with recent archaeological findings from this region, there has emerged a growing recognition that previously archaeologically overlooked areas of South Africa's arid interior need to be included in models of human history. This presents new challenges for archaeologists and palaeoclimatologists, particularly given the prevalence of surficial, rather than stratified, archaeological evidence throughout much of this region.

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) frequently coexist, resulting in adverse outcomes. However, controversies remain regarding the efficacy of catheter ablation (CA) in AF patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction. Objectives The purpose of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of prospective randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of CA versus medical therapy (MT) in AF patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤45%. Methods We searched the literature for studies that compared CA to MT in AF patients with LVEF ≤45%. A meta-analysis of 7 clinical trials was performed, including 1163 patients with AF and HF. Subgroup analysis was performed based on baseline LVEF. All tests were 2-sided; only the p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results We found that CA was associated with lower all-cause mortality (risk ratio: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.72; p<0.01) and greater improvements in LVEF (mean difference: 4.80%, 95% CI: 2.29% to 7.31%; p<0.01) compared to MT. Patients in the CA group had a lower risk of HF hospitalization and AF recurrence and a significantly better quality of life than those in the MT group. The results of subgroup analysis indicated that patients with milder left ventricular dysfunction improved LVEF after AF ablation (mean difference: 6.53%, 95% CI: 6.18% to 6.88%; p<0.01) compared to patients with more severe disease (mean difference: 2.02%, 95% CI: 0.87% to 3.16%; p<0.01). Conclusions Our meta-analysis demonstrated that CA was associated with significant improvements in outcomes of AF patients with LVEF ≤45%. Additionally, AF patients with milder left ventricular dysfunction could benefit more from CA. (AF (HF coexist However (CA metaanalysis meta (MT (LVEF 45 ≤45% 116 2sided sided 2 2-sided pvalue p value 005 0 05 <0.0 allcause all cause ratio 052 52 0.52 95 CI 037 37 0.3 0.72 072 72 p<0.01 p001 01 mean difference 480 4 80 4.80% 229 29 2.29 7.31% 731 31 653 6 53 6.53% 618 18 6.18 6.88% 688 88 202 02 2.02% 087 87 0.87 3.16% 316 3 16 p<0.01. . Additionally ≤45 11 00 <0. 5 0.5 9 03 0. 0.7 07 p<0.0 p00 48 8 4.80 22 2.2 7.31 73 65 6.53 61 1 6.1 6.88 68 20 2.02 08 0.8 3.16 ≤4 <0 p<0. p0 4.8 2. 7.3 6.5 6. 6.8 2.0 3.1 ≤ < p<0 4. 7. 3. p<

Resumo Fundamento A fibrilação atrial (FA) e a insuficiência cardíaca (IC) coexistem frequentemente, resultando em desfechos adversos. No entanto, permanecem controvérsias quanto à eficácia da ablação por cateter (AC) em pacientes com FA com disfunção ventricular esquerda grave. Objetivos O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma metanálise de ensaios prospectivos randomizados e controlados para avaliar a eficácia da AC versus terapia médica (TM) em pacientes com FA com fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) ≤45%. Métodos Procuramos na literatura estudos que comparassem AC com TM em pacientes com FA com FEVE ≤45%. Foi realizada uma metanálise de 7 ensaios clínicos, incluindo 1.163 pacientes com FA e IC. A análise de subgrupo foi realizada com base na FEVE basal. Todos os testes foram bilaterais; apenas o valor p <0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados Descobrimos que a AC estava associada a menor mortalidade por todas as causas (taxa de risco: 0,52, IC 95%: 0,37 a 0,72; p<0,01) e maiores melhorias na FEVE (diferença média: 4,80%, IC 95%: 2,29% a 7,31%; p<0,01) em comparação com TM. Os pacientes do grupo AC apresentaram menor risco de hospitalização por IC e recorrência de FA e qualidade de vida significativamente melhor do que aqueles do grupo TM. Os resultados da análise de subgrupo indicaram que pacientes com disfunção ventricular esquerda mais leve melhoraram a FEVE após a ablação de FA (diferença média: 6,53%, IC 95%: 6,18% a 6,88%; p<0,01) em comparação com pacientes com doença mais grave (diferença média : 2,02%, IC 95%: 0,87% a 3,16%; p<0,01). Conclusões Nossa metanálise demonstrou que a AC foi associada a melhorias significativas nos resultados de pacientes com FA com FEVE ≤45%. Além disso, pacientes com FA com disfunção ventricular esquerda mais leve poderiam se beneficiar mais com a AC. (FA (IC frequentemente adversos entanto (AC (TM (FEVE 45 ≤45% clínicos 1163 1 163 1.16 basal bilaterais 005 0 05 <0,0 significativo taxa 052 52 0,52 95% 95 037 37 0,3 0,72 072 72 p<0,01 p001 01 diferença 480 4 80 4,80% 229 2 29 2,29 7,31% 731 31 653 6 53 6,53% 618 18 6,18 6,88% 688 88 202 02 2,02% 087 87 0,87 3,16% 316 3 16 p<0,01. . disso ≤45 116 1.1 00 <0, 5 0,5 9 03 0, 0,7 07 p<0,0 p00 48 8 4,80 22 2,2 7,31 73 65 6,53 61 6,1 6,88 68 20 2,02 08 0,8 3,16 ≤4 11 1. <0 p<0, p0 4,8 2, 7,3 6,5 6, 6,8 2,0 3,1 ≤ < p<0 4, 7, 3, p<

ABSTRACT Water security in Andean watersheds depends on adaptive water management in the face of glaciohydrological and socioeconomic impacts. The Parón sub-basin in the Santa River basin (Ancash, Peru) is a suitable case in this respect. Water is regulated by a floodgate in the Parón lake, which has become a focal point of social conflict. This study analyzes the water balance of this sub-basin using a semi-distributed hydrological model for the present (2006-2016) and future (2030-2050), considering different scenarios of precipitation variation, glacial melting, and increased water demand. Without regulation of the lake, the sub-basin would enter into a strong water deficit in the dry months (June-August). Until 2030 (2050), assuming a maximum regulation of 2.6 m³/s, a 15% (35%) increase in precipitation, and a 10% (26%) decrease in the glacier contribution to the annual flow, water availability would be reduced by 37% (35%). In a pessimistic scenario with a 15% (35%) decrease in precipitation, water availability would still be reduced by 47% (56%) annually. These results highlight the need to keep a socially acceptable minimum water flow (>2 m³/s) to avoid critical levels of water scarcity in the dry months and to address the needs of local water users.

RESUMEN La seguridad hídrica en las cuencas andinas depende de una gestión adaptativa del agua ante los impactos glaciohidrológicos y socioeconómicos. La subcuenca Parón en la cuenca del río Santa (Áncash, Perú) representa un caso idóneo en este aspecto. El agua es regulada mediante una compuerta en la laguna Parón, convertida en un punto focal de conflicto social. Este estudio analiza el balance hídrico de esta subcuenca mediante un modelo hidrológico semidistribuido para el presente (2006-2016) y futuro (2030-2050), considerando diferentes escenarios de variación de la precipitación, derretimiento glaciar e incremento de la demanda del agua. Sin regulación de la laguna, la subcuenca entraría en un fuerte déficit hídrico en los meses de estiaje (junio-agosto). Hasta el 2030 (2050), asumiendo una regulación máxima de 2.6 m³/s, un aumento de la precipitación en 15% (35%) y una disminución de la contribución glaciar al caudal en 10% (26%) a nivel anual, la disponibilidad hídrica se reduciría en 37% (35%). En un escenario pesimista con una disminución de la precipitación en 15% (35%), la disponibilidad hídrica se reduciría aún en 47% (56%) anualmente. Estos resultados resaltan la necesidad de mantener un mínimo de caudal de agua (>2 m³/s) socialmente aceptable para evitar niveles críticos de escasez hídrica en los meses de estiaje y para satisfacer las necesidades de los usuarios de agua locales.