Abstract Monkey mortality in Costa Rica is due, in most cases, to anthropogenic factors, such as deforestation, forest fragmentation, lack of tree connectivity, and tourism development in most coastal areas. The latter factor has caused the death of at least 450 monkeys per year due to electrocution, as a result of the increase in electrical wiring that has arisen in the different regions with urban development. Faced with this threat, proposals have been developed to avoid the danger, such as the construction of appropriate passage infrastructure for monkeys, the placement of insulated wiring, and the protection of electrical transformers. Using the morphometric measurements of the four species of monkeys native to Costa Rica (Alouatta palliata, Ateles geoffroyi, Saimiri oerstedii, and Cebus imitator), a model of safe and functional aerial passages or bridges for them was designed, the foundations of which are discussed in this article.

Resumen La mortalidad de los monos en Costa Rica se debe, en la mayoría de los casos, a factores antropogénicos, como la deforestación, la fragmentación de los bosques, la falta de conectividad arbórea y el desarrollo turístico en la mayoría de las zonas costeras. Este último factor ha provocado la muerte de al menos 450 monos por año debido a la electrocución, a raíz del aumento del cableado eléctrico que ha surgido en las diferentes regiones con desarrollo urbanístico. Ante esta amenaza se han elaborado propuestas para evitar el peligro, como la construcción de infraestructura de paso apropiada para los monos, la colocación de cableado aislado y la protección de los transformadores eléctricos. Utilizando las medidas morfométricas de las cuatro especies de monos nativas de Costa Rica (Alouatta palliata, Ateles geoffroyi, Saimiri oerstedii y Cebus imitator), se diseñó un modelo de pasos aéreos o puentes seguros y funcionales para ellos, cuyos fundamentos se discuten en el presente artículo.

RESUMO: A China é o maior país produtor de melão em todo o mundo. A aplicação extrema de fertilizantes durante o plantio de melão representa uma séria ameaça ao meio ambiente e à segurança alimentar, portanto, como promover os agricultores a usar fertilizante orgânico verde tornou-se um tópico importante. Este estudo introduziu criativamente a consciência verde no quadro estendido da teoria do comportamento, planejado para explorar os fatores decisivos da intenção dos agricultores de melão de aplicar fertilizante orgânico verde. O modelo de equações estruturais é usado para investigar a intenção de comportamento de 543 agricultores de melão no Condado de Leting, China. Os resultados sugerem que tanto a norma subjetiva quanto a consciência verde podem afetar positiva e significativamente o comportamento dos produtores de melão. Quando a norma subjetiva aumenta em 1, o desvio padrão, a intenção do agricultor aumenta em 1,028 desvio padrão. Para cada aumento de 1 desvio padrão na consciência verde, a intenção dos agricultores aumentou em 0,703 desvio padrão. RESUMO mundo alimentar portanto tornouse tornou se importante 54 Leting 1028 028 1,02 0703 0 703 0,70 5 102 02 1,0 070 70 0,7 10 07 7 0,

ABSTRACT: China is the biggest muskmelon producing country across the world. Extreme application of fertilizer during planting of muskmelon poses a serious threat to the environment and food safety, so how to promote farmers to use organic fertilizer has become an important topic. This study creatively introduced green awareness into the extended framework of theory of planned behavior to explore the decisive factors of muskmelon farmers’ behavior intention to apply green organic fertilizer. The structural equation model is used for investigating behavior intention of 543 muskmelon farmers in Leting County, China. The results suggested that both subjective norm and green awareness can affect muskmelon farmers’ behavior intention positively and significantly. When the subjective norm increases by 1 standard deviation, the farmers’ intention increases by 1.028 standard deviation; for every 1 standard deviation increase in green awareness, the farmers’ intention increased by 0.703 standard deviation. ABSTRACT world safety topic 54 County significantly 1028 028 1.02 0703 0 703 0.70 5 102 02 1.0 070 70 0.7 10 1. 07 7 0.

RESUMO A cultura do sorgo é considerada uma das mais importantes do mundo devido a sua versatilidade de utilização. No entanto, o estresse hídrico pode ser considerado uma ameaça significativa para sua produtividade. A busca por produtos mitigadores do estresse hídrico é uma área de pesquisa crucial na agricultura e na gestão de recursos hídricos. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a viabilidade do uso do ácido salicílico como atenuante de estresse hídrico na cultura do sorgo. O experimento foi conduzido em ambiente telado, em delineamento em blocos ao acaso com esquema fatorial 4 × 2, com quatro repetições. Foram avaliados quatro níveis hídricos (40, 60, 80 e 100% da evapotranspiração) e duas concentrações de ácido salicílico (0 e 2,76 g L-1). Foram analisados a altura das plantas, diâmetro do caule, número de folhas, trocas gasosas, pigmentos fotossintéticos e fluorescência da clorofila a. A aplicação de lâminas de irrigação deficitárias reduziu a altura da planta, diâmetro do colmo, número de folhas e clorofila total no sorgo. No entanto, quando essas lâminas foram associadas ao ácido salicílico, foi observado que houve atenuação dos danos, especialmente em relação a clorofila a e b. Além disso, o ácido salicílico quando aplicado isoladamente, contribuiu para redução da temperatura da folha e aumento da eficiência de uso da água. Assim, o ácido salicílico pode ser usado para mitigar os efeitos do estresse salino em plantas de sorgo. utilização entanto produtividade Assim telado 2 repetições 40, 40 (40 60 8 100 evapotranspiração 0 ( 276 76 2,7 L1. L1 L 1 . L-1) caule gasosas planta colmo danos b disso isoladamente água (4 6 10 27 7 L-1 L-

ABSTRACT The sorghum crop is considered one of the most important worldwide due to its versatility. However, water stress can be considered a significant threat to its yield. The search for products that mitigate water stress is a crucial area of research in agriculture and water resources management. Thus, the objective in this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using salicylic acid as a water stress attenuator in sorghum. The experiment was conducted in a screened environment in a randomized block design with a 4 × 2 factorial scheme, with four replicates. Four levels of water (40, 60, 80, and 100% of evapotranspiration) and two concentrations of salicylic acid (0 and 2.76 g L-1) were evaluated. Plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, gas exchange, photosynthetic pigments, and chlorophyll a fluorescence were analyzed. Application of deficit irrigation depths reduced plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, and total chlorophyll in sorghum. However, when these depths were associated with salicylic acid, it was observed that the damage was attenuated, especially in chlorophyll a and b. Furthermore, salicylic acid reduced leaf temperature and increased water use efficiency when applied alone. Thus, salicylic acid can be used to mitigate the effects of salt stress on sorghum plants. versatility However yield management Thus scheme replicates 40, 40 (40 60 80 100 evapotranspiration 0 ( 276 76 2.7 L1 L 1 L-1 evaluated height diameter leaves exchange pigments analyzed attenuated b Furthermore alone plants (4 6 8 10 27 7 2. L-

Abstract: The Galapagos Islands present distinctive challenges in managing their electrical system due to their remote geographical position. Currently, their energy sources are limited to non-renewable energy and partially dependent on renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. The intermittence of these sources poses a threat to the stability and reliability of power systems. The battery energy storage systems (BESS) are a commonly adopted approach for promoting the stability of frequency and voltage in power systems. However, the effectiveness of these systems in accomplishing this objective is contingent on the type of controller and operation used in the storage system. Electrical energy storage systems implement two primary modes of operation; Grid Following and Grid Forming. This paper focuses on the implementation and evaluation in different scenarios of the network-forming mode of operation of the storage system, with the purpose of contributing to the primary frequency regulation in the MRE of the Galapagos Islands. The results obtained demonstrate significant improvements in the stability of the MRE, and greater efficiency in primary frequency regulation.

Resumen: Las Islas Galápagos, debido a su ubicación geográfica aislada, enfrentan desafíos únicos en la gestión de su Microrred eléctrica (MRE), pues actualmente depende de energías no renovables y en una medida considerable de fuentes de energías renovables, como la energía solar y eólica. Estas fuentes de energía intermitentes, afectan la confiabilidad y estabilidad de la MRE. Una solución destacada en la actualidad es la implementación de los sistemas de almacenamiento de energía con baterías, pues estos sistemas aportan a la estabilidad de frecuencia y voltaje, sin embargo, estos aportes a la estabilidad de frecuencia y voltaje de la MRE están en función del tipo de controlador y operación que se emplee al sistema de almacenamiento. Existen dos modos de operación en sistemas almacenamiento de energía eléctrica; seguidor de red y formador de red. Este trabajo se enfoca en la implementación y evaluación en diferentes escenarios, del modo de operación formador de red del sistema de almacenamiento, con el propósito de aportar a la regulación primaria de frecuencia en la MRE de las Islas Galápagos. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran las mejoras significativas en la estabilidad de la MRE, y una mayor eficiencia en la regulación primaria de frecuencia.

RESUMEN El objetivo general del estudio es determinar la percepción de los estudiantes de una universidad privada en Asunción frente a las medidas de seguridad implementadas en un caso específico de amenaza de tiroteo en el año 2023. El enfoque del estudio es cuantitativo, de diseño no experimental de corte transversal y alcance descriptivo. La población considerada para el estudio estuvo conformada por 8089 estudiantes, determinándose una muestra de 385 personas. La tasa de respuesta fue de 99,7% (384). Los criterios de inclusión considerados fueron estar activo e inscripto en la modalidad presencial, tomar clases presenciales en la sede central y estar de acuerdo en completar la encuesta. Se utilizó la encuesta como recolección de datos mediante un cuestionario diseñado con Google Forms de 12 preguntas. Los resultados más relevantes fueron: 41,9% se encuentra muy de acuerdo que sus pertenencias sean revisadas al ingreso a la institución y 39,3% muy conforme con los mecanismos de seguridad implementados por la universidad. Otras opiniones sobre las medidas de seguridad para prevenir y responder a una amenaza de tiroteo son: uso de detectores de metales manuales, mayor presencia de guardias de seguridad, proponer a la administración el abordaje de la salud mental en la malla curricular, habilitar botón de pánico, simulacros de emergencia y rayos-X para los bolsos y mochilas. Se concluye que el estudiantado se encuentra satisfecho ante las dos dimensiones analizadas: seguridad institucional ante el peligro e identificación, satisfacción y sensación de seguridad por parte del estudiante.

ABSTRACT The general objective of the study is to determine the perception of students at a private university in Asunción regarding the security measures implemented in a specific case of a shooting threat, 2023. The approach of the study is quantitative, with a cross-sectional, non-experimental design. and descriptive scope. The population considered for the study was made up of 8089 students, determining a sample of 385 people. The response rate was 99.7% (384). The inclusion criteria considered were being active and enrolled in the in-person modality, taking in-person classes at the headquarters, and agreeing to complete the survey. The survey was used as data collection through a 12-question questionnaire designed with Google Forms. The most relevant results were: 41.9% strongly agree that their belongings are searched upon entry to the institution and 39.3% strongly agree with the security mechanisms implemented by the university. Other opinions on security measures to prevent and respond to a shooting threat are: use of manual metal detectors, increased presence of security guards, proposing to the administration to address mental health in the curriculum, enabling a stop button panic, emergency drills and X-rays for bags and backpacks. It is concluded that the student body is satisfied with the two dimensions analyzed: institutional security in the face of danger and identification, satisfaction and feeling of security on the part of the student.

Resumen: La presencia de bacterias coliformes en el agua presenta una amenaza potencial a la salud pública, ya que puede incrementar el riesgo de enfermedades infecciosas en la población más vulnerable. El asunto resulta más complicado cuando se desconoce la calidad fisicoquímica y microbiológica del agua que se consume. El presente estudio tiene la finalidad de evaluar el estado actual de la calidad de agua de consumo en tres Organizaciones Territoriales de Base (OTB’s) del Municipio de Vinto-Cochabamba y la relación de dependencia de los parámetros microbiológicos con las OTB’s. Los análisis de laboratorio de 30 muestras tomadas en los diferentes domicilios (10 muestras por OTB) muestran el cumplimiento de los límites máximos permisibles de los parámetros fisicoquímicos (pH, conductividad, alcalinidad y dureza) según la Norma Boliviana 512 (NB 512). Respecto a los parámetros microbiológicos para coliformes totales, de las 30 muestras analizadas solo 11 cumplieron con el límite máximo permisible, a diferencia del parámetro de coliformes termorresistentes, donde 25 de las 30 muestras cumplieron con el límite máximo permisible. Los parámetros microbiológicos fueron sometidos al análisis de chi-cuadrado, dando evidencia suficiente para afirmar con un 95% de confianza que los resultados de coliformes totales y termorresistentes no depende de la OTB (p=0.36). Al contrastar los resultados de agua de consumo domiciliario con la del agua suministrada, puede especularse que la contaminación de origen microbiológico ocurre ya sea en las tuberías de distribución, tanques domiciliarios y/o las prácticas de uso del agua de cada domicilio

Abstract:The presence of coliform bacteria in water presents a potential threat to public health, as it can increase the risk of infectious diseases in the most vulnerable population. The matter is more complicated when the physicochemical and microbiological quality of the water consumed is unknown. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the current state of the quality of drinking water in three Territorial Base Organizations (OTB’s) of the Municipality of Vinto-Cochabamba and the relationship of dependence of the microbiological parameters with the OTB’s. Laboratory analyzes of 30 samples taken from different homes (10 samples per OTB) show compliance with the maximum permissible limits of physicochemical parameters (pH, conductivity, alkalinity and hardness) according to Bolivian Standard 512 (NB 512). Regarding the microbiological parameters for total coliforms, of the 30 samples analyzed, only 11 met the maximum permissible limit, unlike the total coliform parameter, where 25 of the 30 samples met the maximum permissible limit. The microbiological parameters were subjected to chi-square analysis, providing sufficient evidence to affirm with 95% confidence that the results of total and heat-resistant coliforms do not depend on the OTB (p=0.36). By contrasting the results of household water consumption with that of water supplied, it can be speculated that contamination of microbiological origin occurs either in the distribution pipes, household tanks and/or the water use practices of each household.

Abstract: In 1991 the dissolution of the Soviet Union marked the orthodox end of the cold war, whose main ideological axis, containment of communism under the logic of being an “external threat”, lost its main antagonist. However, this work exposes the continuity of that logic in the post-Soviet period. Using primary sources this article traces the historical origin of the anti-communist imaginary against an “external threat”, its instrumental exacerbation in the cold war in Latin America and exposes the presence of this practice in a post-bipolar conflict scenario: Mexicoʼs presidential race in 2006.

Resumen: En 1991, la disolución de la Unión Soviética supuso el fin ortodoxo de la guerra fría, cuyo eje ideológico principal, la contención del comunismo bajo la lógica de ser “amenaza externa”, perdía así a su principal antagonista. Sin embargo, este trabajo expone la continuidad de esa lógica en el marco histórico postsoviético. Mediante fuentes primarias (entrevistas con actores del proceso estudiado, material bibliohemerográfico y de archivo), este artículo rastrea el origen histórico del imaginario anticomunista contra una “amenaza externa”; su exacerbación instrumental en la guerra fría en América Latina y excepcionalidad mexicana. Sus hallazgos exponen la vigencia de esa práctica en un marco posterior al conflicto bipolar: la contienda presidencial de México en 2006.

Abstract Forty years after the beginning of the transition in Argentina and 50 years after the Chilean coup d'état, this article analyzes the sexual violence against women implemented in clandestine detention centers (CDCs) as political, terrorist, and genocidal violence. Through a qualitative approach to the testimonies of former political prisoners, this paper aims to understand sexual violence against women in the experiences of concentration camps as a specific form of violence within the framework of conservative reconstructions of the civil-military dictatorships in Argentina and Chile. This violence, which was a total patriarchal act, not only sought to punish and discipline “deviant” female militants, but also to harm militant men. Likewise, it was established as a permanent threat against female detainees and a way of suppressing change and subjective, cultural, and social subversions, which, in parallel or as part of the political experience, developed in the countries of the Latin American Southern Cone. It is argued that sexual violence is a form of terrorism and genocide, since it projects terror into a specific group of the population and seeks to annul the possibility of being a woman when she breaks with the sacralized mandates of the patriarchal order.

Resumen A raíz de que se cumplen 40 años del inicio de la transición en Argentina y 50 del golpe de Estado en Chile, en este artículo se aborda la violencia sexual cometida contra las mujeres en los centros clandestinos de detención para argumentar que se trata de una violencia política, terrorista y genocida. A través de un acercamiento cualitativo a los testimonios de expresas políticas, el objetivo del texto es comprender la violencia sexual contra las mujeres en las experiencias concentracionarias en cuanto violencia específica en el marco de la reconstrucción conservadora de las dictaduras cívico-militares de Argentina y Chile. Con esa violencia, que fue un acto patriarcal total, no solo se buscó castigar y disciplinar a las militantes “desviadas”, sino que también se pretendía dañar a los hombres militantes. Asimismo, se instaló como una amenaza permanente contra las detenidas y una forma de suprimir los cambios y las subversiones subjetivas, culturales y sociales, que en paralelo o formando parte de la experiencia política, se desarrollaron en los países del Cono Sur latinoamericano. Se plantea que la violencia sexual es una forma de terrorismo y genocidio, toda vez que instala el terror en un grupo específico de la población y busca anular la posibilidad de ser mujer cuando se rompe con los mandatos sacralizados del orden patriarcal.

Abstract The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in laboratory medicine (LM) has led to a qualitative leap in the diagnosis of diseases that afflict humans. The development of robots for measurement, calculation and prediction has increased the reliability, validity and reproducibility of AI diagnostic tests, leading to an easy choice of such technology in the clinical laboratory. However, AI in LM entails several ethical reflections that need to be considered. The incipient technology under development, the presence of cognitive biases in algorithms and data, the uncertainty of robot performance, technological limitations, the threat to privacy, and the absence of a legal framework open ethical conflicts that lacerate human equity, safety, and autonomy. The technological imperative of AI in LM must not overcome responsibility, nor infringe on the dignity of the person.

Resumen El uso de la Inteligencia artificial (IA) en la Medicina de laboratorio (ML) ha provocado un salto cualitativo en el diagnóstico de enfermedades que aquejan al ser humano. El desarrollo de robots para la medición, cálculo y predicción ha aumentado la confiabilidad, validez y reproducibilidad de las pruebas diagnósticas con IA, induciendo a una fácil elección de dicha tecnología en el laboratorio clínico. Sin embargo, la IA en la ML entraña una serie de reflexiones éticas que deben considerarse. La incipiente tecnología en desarrollo, la presencia de sesgos cognitivos en los algoritmos y datos, la incertidumbre del funcionamiento del robot, las limitaciones tecnológicas, la amenaza a la privacidad y la ausencia de un marco legal abren conflictos éticos que laceran la equidad, la seguridad y la autonomía del hombre. El imperativo tecnológico de la IA en la ML no debe superar la responsabilidad, ni atentar contra la dignidad de la persona.

ABSTRACT The mangroves are exposed to threats such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme events, in addition to socioeconomic pressures. This study aimed to carry out a vulnerability and risk climate analysis for the Colombian mangrove socioecosystem. 22 threat indicators, eight of sensitivity and 18 of adaptive capacity were used, and through multivariate numerical analysis, the vulnerability and climate risk indices for Colombian Pacific and Caribbean mangroves were generated. The mangroves that presented the highest risk in the Caribbean were located in the Manaure, Tubará and, Puerto Escondido municipalities, while in the Pacific these high-risk areas were located on the southern coast in the Olaya Herrera, Francisco Pizarro, and La Tola municipalities, and in the northern coast in the Bahía Solano municipality. The threat indicators that captured the greatest variability in the analysis were: sea level rise, change in the coastline, change in water supply, change in mangrove coverage due to change in the coastline, change in temperature and precipitation due to El Niño and La Niña, and human footprint. These results are input for climate management of mangroves in Colombia and will contribute to the National Mangrove Program. Likewise, it can contribute to the National Mangrove Restoration Plan, the Nationally Determined Contribution of Colombia (NDC), the Long-Term Climate Strategy of Colombia E 2050, and the Territorial Plans for Climate Change Adaptation of the states and municipalities.

RESUMEN Los manglares están expuestos a amenazas como el aumento del nivel del mar, la erosión costera, el aumento de la frecuencia e intensidad de eventos extremos, además de presiones socioeconómicas. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo realizar un análisis de vulnerabilidad y riesgo climático para el socioecosistema de manglar de Colombia. Se utilizaron 22 indicadores de amenaza, 8 de sensibilidad y 18 de capacidad adaptativa; mediante un análisis numérico multivariado se generaron los índices de vulnerabilidad y riesgo climático para los manglares del Pacífico y del Caribe de Colombia. Los manglares que presentaron mayor riesgo en el Caribe se ubicaron en los municipios de Manaure, Tubará y Puerto Escondido, mientras que en el Pacífico estas áreas de alto riesgo se ubicaron en la costa sur, en los municipios de Olaya Herrera, Francisco Pizarro y La Tola, y en la costa norte de Bahía Solano. Los indicadores de amenaza que capturaron la mayor variabilidad del análisis fueron: el aumento del nivel del mar, el cambio en la línea de costa, el cambio en la oferta hídrica, el cambio en la cobertura de manglares por cambio en la línea de costa, el cambio en la temperatura y la precipitación debido a El Niño y La Niña, y la huella humana. Estos resultados son un insumo para la gestión climática de los manglares en Colombia y contribuirán al Programa Nacional de Manglares. Asimismo, podrán contribuir al Plan Nacional de Restauración de Manglares, la Contribución Nacionalmente Determinada de Colombia (NDC), la Estrategia Climática de Largo Plazo de Colombia E2050, y los Planes Territoriales de Adaptación al Cambio Climático de los departamentos y municipios.

Resumen Introducción. La competitividad mide la capacidad de una empresa u organización de producir y comercializar un bien o producto con mayor eficiencia y eficacia en comparación con otros competidores. Objetivo. Analizar las fuerzas competitivas relacionadas con la productividad y comercialización del grano de cacao por parte de los cacaocultores de San José de Cúcuta y aportar información para futuras investigaciones encaminadas hacia el mejoramiento del sector cacaotero. Materiales y métodos. La investigación fue desarrollada en el municipio de San José de Cúcuta, en las veredas de Guaramito, Matecaña, La Floresta, Banco de Arena y Palmarito, Colombia, durante el año 2022. La población de estudio fue productores de cacao residentes en la zona rural del municipio. El muestreo fue de tipo no probabilístico, lo que representó una muestra por conveniencia, allí se lograron identificar 86 productores de cacao que estuvieron en disposición para responder la encuesta. La modalidad fue observacional de tipo cuantitativo. Para el análisis de la información, se aplicaron métodos estadísticos descriptivos e inferenciales. Resultados. Con relación a la capacidad de negociación de los productores sobre los precios del grano, el 34,88 % consideró que es muy bajo. Para el caso de acceso a la tecnología para el cultivo, el 47,67 % expresó como bajo. Referente a costos de producción el 45,35 % respondieron que son altos. En cuanto a productos sustitutos el 84,88 % de los encuestados considera que existe una amenaza de nivel medio a muy alto. Conclusiones. En el municipio de San José de Cúcuta, la producción de cacao es una actividad de importancia productiva y socioeconómica. Respecto al poder de los comercializadores, los cacaocultores no ejercen ningún efecto positivo sobre los precios del grano producido en la zona de estudio, por el contrario, deben someterse a lo impuesto por las grandes industrias del país.

Abstract Introduction. Competitiveness measures the ability of a company or organization to produce and market a good or product more efficiently and effectively compared to other competitors. Objective. To analyze the competitive forces related to the productivity and marketing of cocoa beans by the cocoa farmers of San José de Cúcuta, and to provide information for future research aimed at improving the cocoa sector. Materials and Methods. The research was carried out in the municipality of San José de Cúcuta, in the rural areas of Guaramito, Matecaña, La Floresta, Banco de Arena, and Palmarito, Colombia, during 2022. The study population consisted of cocoa producers residing in the rural area of the municipality. The sampling was non-probabilistic, representing a convenience sample, with 86 cocoa producers identified as willing to respond to the survey. The study was observational and quantitative in nature. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were applied for data analysis. Results. Regarding the producers’ bargaining power over grain prices, 34.88 % considered it to be very low. In terms of access to cultivation technology, 47.67 % expressed it as low. Concerning production costs, 45.35 % reported them as high. As for substitute products, 84.88 % of the respondents perceived a medium to very high-level threat. Conclusions. In the municipality of San José de Cúcuta, cocoa production is a significant productive and socio-economic activity. Regarding the power of marketers, cocoa farmers exert no positive influence over the prices of the grain produced in the study area; on the contrary, they are subjectted to the prices imposed by the country’s industries.

Resumen Este estudio investiga manifestaciones de microagresiones raciales, con énfasis en medir el trauma racial experimentado por estudiantes negros matriculados en cursos de biblioteconomía. El objetivo general es comprender cómo se manifiestan las microagresiones raciales en este contexto. Los objetivos específicos incluyen: 1) definición conceptual de microagresiones raciales y sus características; 2) categorización de las formas en que estas microagresiones se manifiestan en las interacciones; 3) aplicación de la Escala de Microagresión Racial en la Enseñanza de la Biblioteconomía (EMREB). Desde el punto de vista metodológico, se trata de una investigación aplicada, cualitativa, que utiliza métodos documentales, bibliográficos, exploratorios y descriptivos. El estudio se divide en tres fases: 1) revisión de la literatura; 2) aplicación de cuestionarios y análisis de resultados; 3) desarrollo y aplicación de la escala. El análisis y aplicación de la escala revelan la presencia de microagresiones, que se manifiestan a través de prácticas sutiles, mensajes verbales y no verbales llenos de desprecio, sexismo y racismo, perpetuados por profesores y colegas blancos en el ámbito de la clase. Las microagresiones más frecuentes caen en las categorías de Deslegitimación/Invalidación y Amenaza/Intimidación, y las formas de opresión se cruzan con la opresión de género, racial y sexual en la experiencia educativa de los estudiantes negros en la educación superior. Con la escala, se encontró que las microagresiones raciales tienen consecuencias traumáticas y, junto con las categorías de opresión observadas, tienen un impacto duradero en la vida de los estudiantes negros observados.

Abstract The study investigates manifestations of racial microaggressions, with an emphasis on measuring racial trauma experienced by black students enrolled in Library Science courses. The overall goal is to understand how racial microaggressions manifest in this context. Specific objectives include: a conceptual definition of racial microaggressions and their characteristics; categorization of the ways in which these microaggressions manifest in interactions; and application of the Racial Microaggression Scale in Library Science Education. From a methodological point of view, it is applied qualitative research that uses documentary, bibliographic, exploratory and descriptive methods. The study is divided into three phases: 1) literature review; 2) application of questionnaires and analysis of results; and 3) development and application of the scale. The analysis and application of the scale reveal the presence of microaggressions, which are manifested through subtle practices and verbal and non-verbal messages full of contempt, sexism and racism, perpetuated by white teachers and colleagues in the classroom. The most common microaggressions fall into the categories of Delegitimization/Invalidation and Threat/Intimidation, and forms of oppression intersect with gender, racial, and sexual oppression in the educational experience of black students in higher education. With the scale, racial microaggressions were found to have traumatic consequences and, along with the categories of oppression observed, have a lasting impact on the lives of the Black students observed.

ABSTRACT Maize (Zea mays L.) is highly sensitive to salt stress, which poses a threat to its production, especially with predicted increases in salinity due to climate change. Enhancing salt tolerance in maize is critical to mitigating these adverse effects, sustaining its production, and ensuring global food security. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of exogenously applied lipoic acid or Si, alone or in integration with soil application of vermicompost-tea on physio-biochemical components, antioxidant defense systems, growth, and yield of maize plants exposed to salt stress. The application of vermicompost-tea was carried out as a soil treatment incorporated into irrigation water at a concentration of 200 L ha-1, and administered in three equal doses in irrigation water within the last 10 min of drip irrigation. Silicon was applied at a rate of 6 mM using potassium silicate and lipoic acid was applied at 0.1 mM. Silicon and lipoic acid were applied three times at 25, 40, and 55 d after planting. The results indicated that the integrative application of soil-based vermicompost-tea with exogenously applied Si or lipoic acid significantly enhanced all studied parameters. Specifically, the combination of Si with vermicompost-tea exhibited the highest improvement percentage compared to untreated control in chlorophyll a (60.3%), chlorophyll b (72.7%), carotenoids (69.9%), net photosynthetic rate (111%), transpiration rate (134%), stomatal conductance (129.5%), relative water content (28.4%), membrane stability index (44.3%), N (33.4%), P (71.9%), K (39.7%), Ca (89.9%), K/Na (81.2%), total soluble sugars (63.7%), proline (60.1%), ascorbate (44.4%), glutathione (83.5%), and α-tocopherol (72.1%). These positive effects were reflected in enhancing yield traits under salt-affected soil conditions by enhancing plant height (25.1%), number of grains per row (43.3%), number of rows per ear (26.7%), 1000‐grain weight (25.9%), grain yield (45.4%), and biological yield (42.8%) compared to untreated control.

Antibiotic resistance is a global threat, with a disproportionate burden of mortality in low- and middle-income countries. It is increasing in both the public and private healthcare sectors within South Africa, especially in Gram-negative organisms, and is associated with increased use of World Health Organization watch and reserve antibiotics. There is a need for improved access to new antibiotics to treat infections caused by drug-resistant organisms in order to limit side-effects and improve patient outcomes of currently available antibiotics. We propose the responsible introduction of these new antibiotics with both administrative and clinical oversight in order to preserve the longevity of these precious antibiotics.

Cholera is an acute infectious disease caused by two toxin-producing strains, namely Vibrio cholerae O1, and Vibrio cholerae O139. Its recorded history stretches as far back as 1817, in Bengal, India, yet it continues to be a public health threat to this present day. Although cholera epidemics are now a relatively rare phenomenon in developed countries, frequent epidemics continue to be experienced in sub-Saharan Africa. Africa accounted for 63.33% of the 223 370 cases of and 4 159 deaths from cholera that were reported globally in 2020. Furthermore, of the 342 900 cholera cases and 3 304 cholera deaths reported globally in 2022, 40.28% of the cases and 77.85% of the deaths were in Africa. Inadequate sanitation infrastructure as well as inadequate provision of quality, safe drinking water in South Africa still creates conducive conditions for the transmission of cholera. In addition, climate change is increasingly becoming a risk factor towards the spread of V. cholerae pathogens in inland regions. To make recommendations on how South Africa, and potentially the Southern African region as a whole, can minimise the resurgence of cholera, this review addressed the following questions: Does South Africa have adequate sanitation infrastructure to curb the spread of cholera? Is there enough intentional surveillance of environmental water sources for vibrios as a cholera outbreak predictive tool? What is the impact of climate change on the resurgence of cholera in South Africa? And, what needs to be done to curb the resurgence of cholera in South Africa?