Caribbean Research Articles

Canasta básica de alimentos con enfoque nutricional: una revisión narrativa

Malnutrition and non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) have reached pandemic level. Promoting a healthy diet is key to curbing the rise of obesity and preventing NCDs. Basic food baskets with a nutritional focus (BFBNF) can complement policies aimed at combating obesity and NCDs in favor of healthy diets. The objective of this work is to review the available literature to compile and analyze evidence regarding BFBNF. There is significant heterogeneity in the approach and design of these baskets. Food grouping varies and depends on factors such as culture and purchasing power. Price, seasonal production, and political will are crucial for countries to develop a healthy food basket. The Latin American and Caribbean region has limited development in terms of BFBNF, which is essential for facilitating access to healthy diets. BFBNF is also useful for designing food and nutrition education programs and informing the design of food and nutrition programs.

Female managers and firm performance: Evidence from the non-agricultural sectors in caribbean countries

This paper investigates whether female-led firms in the Caribbean region are less productive than their male-led counterparts. Whereas previous literature focused on female ownership as a measure of female entrepreneurship overlooking the limited involvement of female owners in the decision-making process, we focus on the gender of the top manager to re-examine the existence of a productivity gap in developing countries, for which evidence is still scarce. Using survey data with gender-related information for firms in non-agricultural private sectors, we apply regression analysis and Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition. We find that female-managed firms in the services sector are on average around 18 per cent less productive than male-managed firms. The main results underscore the role of business constraints in explaining heterogeneous productivity gaps, indicating that female-managed firms encounter greater constraints than their male-managed counterparts. We find that poor access to finance, improper political environment and limited access to electricity mostly affect firms led by women.

Stony coral tissue loss disease: a review of emergence, impacts, etiology, diagnostics, and intervention

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) is destructive and poses a significant threat to Caribbean coral reef ecosystems. Characterized by the acute loss of coral tissue, SCTLD has impacted over 22 stony coral species across the Caribbean region, leading to visible declines in reef health. Based on the duration, lethality, host range, and spread of this disease, SCTLD is considered the most devastating coral disease outbreak ever recorded. Researchers are actively investigating the cause and transmission of SCTLD, but the exact mechanisms, triggers, and etiological agent(s) remain elusive. If left unchecked, SCTLD could have profound implications for the health and resilience of coral reefs worldwide. To summarize what is known about this disease and identify potential knowledge gaps, this review provides a holistic overview of SCTLD research, including species susceptibility, disease transmission, ecological impacts, etiology, diagnostic tools, host defense mechanisms, and treatments. Additionally, future research avenues are highlighted, which are also relevant for other coral diseases. As SCTLD continues to spread, collaborative efforts are necessary to develop effective strategies for mitigating its impacts on critical coral reef ecosystems. These collaborative efforts need to include researchers from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented groups to provide additional perspectives for a disease that requires creative and urgent solutions.

Navigating Flood Resilience: Challenges, Solutions, and Lessons Learnt from the Dominican Republic

Recent unprecedented events worldwide, such as floods in Dubai, recurring heavy rainfall in Santo Domingo, and abrupt temperature changes in the United Kingdom (UK), underscore the tangible impacts of climate change. In response to escalating threats from natural disasters, global communities prioritise resilience and effective disaster management systems. This paper addresses best practices for managing abnormal floods, laying the foundation for the next generation of preparedness and mitigation plans. Focusing on flood risk in Santo Domingo, the study employs the Community Disaster Resilience Framework, conducting a workshop with over 100 stakeholders from government, private, and academic sectors. The assessment spans physical, economic, environmental, and social aspects, revealing common challenges in infrastructure upkeep, public awareness, urban planning, drainage, and economic disparities. The paper proposes technological solutions like predictive maintenance and smart drainage systems, emphasising the potential for implementation. Recognising the importance of community involvement and preparedness, insights from the United Kingdom guide initial steps in strategy development. The conclusions advocate for collaborative efforts among government, academia, and society to navigate the complexities of disaster management and community resilience, ultimately proposing a framework to address these challenges. Further research is suggested in expanding online platforms for disaster risk reduction education in the Caribbean region.

The transaction cost implications from business angel ownership in the Caribbean

AbstractResearch question/issueThis is a study of the relationship between business angel retained ownership in investee firms across the Caribbean region and their informational asymmetry costs captured in bid‐ask spreads.Research findings/insightsWe find business angel ownership to be associated with a reduction in transaction costs or bid‐ask spreads. However, this is reversed leading to increasing transaction costs following moderation by whether the investee firm has a subsidiary located within an offshore jurisdiction and separately if the investee firm adopts higher levels of Anglo‐American shareholder value corporate governance.Theoretical/academic implicationsWe undertake a novel application of incomplete contracting theory in theorizing the influence of ownership of business angels on the transaction costs of their investee firms. We extend and contribute to theory development through consideration of the presence of investee firm's subsidiary located in offshore financial centers within the firm's corporate network and the degree to which it adopts Anglo‐American shareholder value corporate governance. In the former, we argue business angels are more prone to collaborate with firm insiders to the detriment of outside minority investors given the enhanced opacity and shift in incentives. In the latter, we argue the incongruity between business angels, insiders, and outside minority expectations regarding the adoption of shareholder value governance also leads to elevated transaction costs.Practitioner/policy implicationsBusiness angel finance is widely lauded as a potential source of development capital within regional and developing economies with the potential to rejuvenate otherwise moribund entrepreneurial ecosystems and business sectors. Our study yields important findings relevant for practitioners in formulating development policy nurturing the development of indigenous economies through enhanced business angel participation. It also considers the moderating influence of firm's adoption of Anglo‐American shareholder value corporate governance and whether the firm has a related party located in an offshore financial center, something of profound importance in regions comprising offshore financial centers.

Designing for a Flow: Navigating Temporalities in Housing Considerations in Low-Income and Hazard-Prone Caribbean Contexts

The urgency of addressing housing challenges in low-income areas is increasing due to widening socio-economic inequalities and the worsening impact of natural disasters. Saint Martin, a small Caribbean island, is struggling to provide affordable housing amidst hurricanes, floods, and heat waves. As a result, there has been a rise in self-organized housing units, which are built incrementally and are susceptible to risks. The main challenge is to balance durability, functionality, and esthetic appeal over time. Inspired by St. Martin’s self-organized units, this article explores housing considerations in low-income, hazard-prone contexts by emphasizing their temporalities. Integrating insights from a formative study, including a literature review and ethnographic research, the paper draws on Stewart Brand’s “Layers of Change” and the concept of “Flow”. The study identifies layers within self-organized units corresponding to durability, functionality, and esthetic appeal. It delves into their connection with building activities over time, unveiling the temporalities of housing considerations. This exploration leads to the proposition of “Designing for a Flow” as a novel design approach. Offering practical insights within a concise framework, the study provides nuanced perspectives on mitigating housing challenges in low-income and hazard-prone contexts.

Silent Sites of Memory in Paule Marshall’s "The Chosen Place, The Timeless People"

As the title of the book suggests, The Chosen Place, The Timeless People (1969) is place-focused; it is indeed a narrative of place and its people. The main fictional setting is a fictive Caribbean island, which acts as an essential locale in the protagonists’ act of (re)memory and (com)memoration. An emotionally charged place, this apparently insignificant island acquires a majestic stature in the book; it is space and place, home and exile, paradise and purgatory, past and present, remembrance and forgetfulness. This paper focuses on specific sites which are emblematic of the island community, given the complex role they play in the restoration of memory and identity. Pierre Nora’s concept of lieux de mémoire will be used here with an understanding that, in a Caribbean setting, places record the monumentality of loss caused by colonialism and its aftermath. The cane field and Sugar’s bar are places where the past lives, bearing constant proof of terrifying colonial abuse. Other locales, however, mainly dwellings and gardens, will be identified and examined as a solution to the protagonists’ exile. The paper aims to demonstrate that all these locales are the essence of the island or, to paraphrase Derek Walcott, they are the genuine fresco, map-less, history-less yet quintessential for the ‘persistence of memory.’

Establishing a Receptor Binding Assay for Ciguatoxins: Challenges, Assay Performance and Application.

Ciguatera, a global issue, lacks adequate capacity for ciguatoxin analysis in most affected countries. The Caribbean region, known for its endemic ciguatera and being home to a majority of the global small island developing states, particularly needs established methods for ciguatoxin detection in seafood and the environment. The radioligand receptor binding assay (r-RBA) is among the in vitro bioassays currently used for ciguatoxin analysis; however, similarly to the other chemical-based or bioassays that have been developed, it faces challenges due to limited standards and interlaboratory comparisons. This work presents a single laboratory validation of an r-RBA developed in a Cuban laboratory while characterizing the performance of the liquid scintillation counter instrument as a key external parameter. The results obtained show the assay is precise, accurate and robust, confirming its potential as a routine screening method for the detection and quantification of ciguatoxins. The new method will aid in identifying high-risk ciguatoxic fish in Cuba and the Caribbean region, supporting monitoring and scientific management of ciguatera and the development of early warning systems to enhance food safety and food security, and promote fair trade fisheries.

Microwave hydrolysis, as a sustainable approach in the processing of seaweed for protein and nanocellulose management

The nature of marine biomass is very complex for a material scientist due to the large seasonal variation in the chemical composition that makes it difficult to prepare standardized products. A systematic investigation of the interaction of microwave irradiation with seaweed from Norway and Caribbean region was performed, covering a broad temperature range (130 → 170 °C) and without and with addition of ℽ-valerolactone (GVL) in ratios of 1:4 and 1:2. The temperatures above 150 °C and without addition of GVL led to the closure of mass balances up to 90 % that includes polysaccharides, “pseudo-lignin” fraction, fatty acids, and proteins. Fucoidan and mannose represented >50 % of all detected polysaccharides in ascophyllum nodosum (AN), while aegagropila linnaei (AL) contained mostly glucose. The presence of arabinose and rhamnose in the upper surface of the cell wall hinders the glucose release during microwave treatment. The differences in the polysaccharide composition among both algae samples hindered the definition of a parameters set that can be used in microwave treatment of various seaweed species. A large fraction of protein (> 95 %) remained in the seaweed solid residue. Higher amount of protein was determined in AL, which was dominated by leucine and lysine. Another potential barrier to the application of seaweed in industry is the limited knowledge on the chemical composition of “pseudo-lignin” and extractives. The total amino acid analysis was identified as the most accurate to characterize the protein yield and composition. The results showed that microwave treatment of seaweed is indeed a viable method for producing bioactives in the temperature range 120–150 °C, and proteins and nanocellulose at temperatures above 170 °C without using GVL. The microwave temperature and seaweed type played a dominating role in the mass closure balances leading to >95 % identified compound.

Using recent genetic history to inform conservation options of two Lesser Caymans iguana (Cyclura nubila caymanensis) populations

The Sister Islands rock iguana (Cyclura nubila caymanensis) is critically endangered and endemic to the Caribbean islands Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. The Cayman Brac population and indeed the entire species is under threat from habitat destruction, invasive species, and anthropogenic impacts on the island. We assessed the genetic diversity, estimated effective population sizes, and tested for differentiation of populations between these two islands to inform potential future translocation should this be needed for the Cayman Brac population. Two mitochondrial DNA markers (cytochrome b and NADH subunit 4) and seven DNA microsatellite markers were used to assess the genetic diversity, genetic structure, demographic history, and effective population size of the two iguana populations. Mitochondrial DNA showed no genetic differentiation between populations; however, we found little to moderate divergence with microsatellites. We compared multiple demographic scenarios and revealed that ongoing gene flow is likely. The demographic history implied a significant genetic bottleneck around 10,000 years ago, coinciding with the sea level rise at the close of the last glacial period, and the start of the Holocene. Estimates of current effective population sizes indicate a small-scale number of breeders on each island of similar magnitude to the census mature population size (between 100 and 800 individuals). The relatively low differentiation between populations supports the possible development of active genetic management plans to manage the declining populations of the Sister Islands rock iguana.

Clinging fauna associated with nearshore pelagic sargassum rafts in the Eastern Caribbean: Implications for coastal in-water harvesting

Tropical Atlantic blooms of pelagic Sargassum species are associated with severe inundation events along the coasts of Caribbean and West African nations that cause extensive ecological and socioeconomic harm. The use of in-water harvesting as a management strategy avoids the plethora of challenges associated with shoreline inundations. Moreover, with a growing interest in the valorisation of this raw material, in-water harvesting provides the best opportunity to collect substantial amounts of ‘fresh’ sargassum that can be used in a variety of applications. However, in-water harvesting of sargassum will remove organisms associated with the floating habitat, resulting in loss of biodiversity, thus creating a potential management dilemma. To address this management concern, we assessed the clinging fauna associated with sargassum rafts at various distances from shore. From a total of 119 dipnet samples of sargassum, we recorded 18 taxa, across 6 phyla (Arthropoda, Mollusca, Chordata, Platyhelminthes, Nemathelminthes, Annelida) with the phylum Arthropoda being the most speciose (n = 10). Our multivariate and model selection analyses support that distance from shore and season are the most important drivers of variability in community composition and that season is the most important driver of individual abundance and number of taxa across samples. Overall, rafts within 0–3000 m of the shoreline of Barbados harbored low biodiversity and were dominated by small invertebrates (mean size: 5.5 mm) of no commercial value. Results suggest that biodiversity trade-offs associated with in-water sargassum harvesting in coastal areas are likely to be negligible.

Insights into Caribbean tectonics from a detrital zircon U-Pb provenance study of siliciclastic strata in western and central Cuba

The tectonic affinity and origins of the Jurassic, siliciclastic San Cayetano and Constancia formations exposed in western and central Cuba in the Caribbean region remain debated. The scarcity of modern geochronologic studies on these Cuban units hampers both sedimentary provenance and palinspastic reconstructions, resulting in Caribbean models that tend to oversimplify the formation of Cuba and correlate the Jurassic strata to various regions such as North America, South America, the Yucatán margin, or the conceptual Caribeana domain. Using laser ablation−inductively coupled plasma−mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), we conducted a detailed detrital zircon (DZ) U-Pb provenance study of these Cuban siliciclastic strata that provides critical insights into understanding the formation of Cuba during the Early Jurassic rifting stages of Pangea. Results from 19 San Cayetano Formation samples show a dominant Oaxaquia (ca. 1 Ga) and Chiapas batholith (ca. 250 Ma) signature, while six Constancia samples display variable ca. 1 Ga and ca. 250 Ma grains. The Lower Cretaceous Polier Formation and the Paleocene Moncada Formation also display the same ca. 1 Ga and ca. 250 Ma signatures. After comparing these Cuban data with data from other regional DZ studies, we propose that that the San Cayetano and Constancia formations are correlative to the Todos Santos Formation located in the southwestern Yucatán region of Mexico. These Cuban units were predominantly deposited adjacent to the Chiapas batholith during the Early Jurassic in northwest−southeast-trending basins created by Pangean rifting. They were eventually sheared during eastward migration of the Caribbean plate and transported northward until they collided with the North American continent in the Paleogene. This DZ study provides new constraints on the tectonic provenance of western and central Cuba and improves plate tectonic reconstructions of the Caribbean.

How international organizations can support the development of cardio-oncology in the Latin American and the Caribbean region.

Health problems in the Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) region are highly concentrated on non-communicable diseases, being cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and cancer the leading causes of death. Different countries of the region are at different stages of development in addressing CVDs and cancer. Opportunities for training and continuing education in cardio-oncology, as well as active cardio-oncology groups, are primarily limited to large academic institutions in major metropolitan areas. In addition, the development of advanced imaging modalities in LAC faces challenges such as the high cost of equipment, a lack of equipment maintenance and service, as well as insufficient specific training for both imaging specialists and referring clinicians. To contribute to the implementation of actionable strategies ensuring equitable access to care for all, international organizations, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), offer support for the regional development of health projects that address educational needs. In this context, a new IAEA regional cooperation project for LAC titled 'Strengthening of regional capacities on the use of Nuclear Medicine techniques in a Cardio-oncology multimodality approach in patients with cancer' will be developed during 2024-2025. The experience of some centres, as well as national experiences in certain countries of the region, that have been previously involved in other regional projects, can be leveraged for the benefit of the entire region. We present a proposed road map for cross-institutional/countries collaboration in the development of cardio-oncology in the LAC region, contributing to decreasing the barriers to the growth of the subspecialty.

Characteristics and species composition of a small-scale shark fishery in Puerto Rico: Jurisdictional issues enable legal landings of prohibited and endangered species

Shark fishing is increasingly regulated in the Caribbean region. We present new information on the characteristics, landings, species composition, and size composition of the shark fishery of Puerto Rico, a U.S. Caribbean territory, and discuss current regulatory issues. Sharks are mainly landed in a small-scale targeted fishery operating in territory jurisdiction (coast to 17 km) that supplies local demand for inexpensive fish. There are at least 16 species caught: a small number of large Tiger (Galeocerdo cuvier) and Blacktip (Carcharhinus limbatus) sharks and many small but adult Sharpnose sharks (Rhizopriodon spp.) accounted for >80% of landed weight. The catch of Sharpnose sharks was significantly skewed to males. Juvenile Scalloped Hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) were the second-most caught species but accounted for a small proportion of the landed weight and value given their small size. Differences between territory and U.S. federal regulations (17 km-370 km jurisdiction) leads to legal territory landings of federally prohibited species, especially Scalloped Hammerhead sharks, which might undermine the conservation potential of federal regulations. Scalloped Hammerhead sharks are also listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) making ongoing catches more problematic from a legal perspective. Scalloped Hammerhead shark catch reduction could have minimal livelihood impacts because of their low value, which presents an opportunity for stakeholders to engage on catch reduction measures. This study provides new details on how and why different shark species are caught in Puerto Rico, which could facilitate better management that protects threatened species and maintains livelihoods for people.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cardiometabolic patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection in Latin America.

A cross-sectional survey including 38 questions about demography, clinical condition, changes in health habits, and medical treatments for cardiometabolic patients in outpatient follow-up was conducted. From June 15 to July 15, 2020, a total of 13 Latin-American countries participated in enrolling patients. These countries were divided into 3 geographic regions: Region 1 including North, Central, and Caribbean Regions (NCCR), Region 2 including the Andean Region (AR), and Region 3 including the Southern Cone Region (SCR). 4.216 patients were analyzed, resulting in a coefficient of 33.82%, 32.23%, and 33.94% for NCCR, AR, and SCR, respectively. Significant differences were found between the AR, SCR, and NCCR regions. The analysis of habitual medication usage showed that discontinued use of medication was more present in AR, reaching almost 30% (p < 0.001). The main finding of this study was the negative impact that restrictive measures have on adherence to medications and physical activity: Rs = 0.84 (p = 0.0003) and Rs = 0.61 (p = 0.0032), respectively. AR was the most vulnerable region. Restrictive quarantine measures imposed by the different countries showed a positive correlation with medication discontinuation and a negative correlation with physical activity levels in patients analyzed. These findings characterize the impact of the consequences left by this pandemic. Undoubtedly, restrictive measures have been and will continue to have reverberating negative effects in most Latin-American countries.

Trends and factors associated with recent HIV testing among women in Haiti: a cross-sectional study using data from nationally representative surveys

IntroductionIn the Latin America and Caribbean region, Haiti is one of the countries with the highest rates of HIV. Therefore, this study examined the factors associated with HIV testing among women in Haiti and trends in HIV testing in 2006, 2012, and 2016/17.MethodsData from the last three Haitian Demographic and Health Surveys (2006, 2012, and 2016/17) were used. The analysis was restricted to women aged of 15–49 years who made their sexual debut. STATA/SE 16.0 was employed to analyze the data by computing descriptive statistics, Chi‑square, and multilevel regression model to describe the trends and identify factors associated with HIV testing in Haiti. P-value less than 0.05 was taken as a significant association.ResultsHIV testing prevalence increased more than twofold from 2006 (8.8%) to 2017 (21.3%); however, it decreased by 11.6% between 2012 and 2016/17. Additionally, the results indicated that age, place of residence, region, education level, wealth index, mass media exposure, marital status, health insurance, age at first sex and number of sexual partners were significantly associated with HIV testing.ConclusionsTo significantly increase HIV testing prevalence among women, the Haitian government must invest much more in their health education while targeting vulnerable groups (youth, women in union, and women with low economic status).

Forest Cover and Locality Regulate Response of Watershed Discharge to Rainfall Variability in Caribbean Region

Reforestation often occurs when the economy shifts from agriculture to industry and services such as tourism. However, there is a lack of coherent knowledge and investigation about the impact of reforestation in the tropics on hydrological variability as well as flood risks. It is unclear how changes in forest cover and pattern will affect flood risks and watershed response to future altered rainfall intensity. This study uses the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT+) to simulate the impact of reforestation, the locality of forest, and the concentrated rainfall on the hydrology of the largest watershed in Puerto Rico. SWAT+ is a computer model simulating watershed hydrology driven by meteorological input and the characteristics of soils and land use. We hypothesized that increased forest cover, especially at low elevation range, would reduce flood risk and that reduced rain days while maintaining the mean annual rainfall invariant would increase stream discharge variability. We found that reforestation significantly reduced large discharges but increased small discharges; that forest at low elevation tended to reduce large and extreme discharges in comparison with forest at high elevation; and that more concentrated rainfall not only increased the rainfall variability but also increased the discharge variability. However, both the impact of shifting forest locality and the response of watershed to altered rainfall intensity strongly depended on geophysical factors such as ranges of elevation and slope. Moving forests to lower elevation in subbasins with steeper slopes showed a stronger reduction in extreme discharges than in subbasins with flatter slopes. On the other hand, subbasins with steeper slopes tended to response more strongly to more concentrated rainfall with greater increase in discharge variability than subbasins with flatter slopes. To cope with future increased climate variability, our results favor reforestation at lower elevation for watershed with large elevation ranges and steep slopes.

RENEWING THE AGENDA FOR PEACE: MOBILIZING THE MULTILATERAL SYSTEM TO PREVENT NUCLEAR RISKS

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has brought back the spectre of nuclear war. A sustained nuclear “sabre-rattling” from Russian authorities has triggered a dynamic debate about the Russian nuclear doctrine, the feasibility of use of “tactical” nuclear warheads in the Ukrainian battle theatre, the alleged consequences of such use, including escalation to a wider nuclear exchange with the United States and NATO, and the impact of such developments in global peace and security. The alarming prospect of nuclear devastation requires a bold political response from all peace-loving nations, particularly those from the South, cooperating with United Nations members coalescing around the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and, more widely, in like-minded coalitions galvanized by the humanitarian consequences of nuclear detonations. The Latin American and Caribbean region, and Chile in particular, have a special responsibility to deploy their diplomatic capabilities, inter alia, by supporting the Secretary General’s “New agenda for peace”, and mobilising the normative and operational powers of the General Assembly.

Abstract B016: Developing diagnostic tools via mutational spectra analysis and multiomic plasma profiling from liquid biopsies to identify potential signatures in cancer in Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract Cancer, especially lung cancer is a leading cause of nosocomial deaths worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a five-year survival rate of only 24%. Early diagnoses markedly improves survival with personalized cancer therapies using non-invasive techniques for asymptomatic detection of mutational spectrum-related by genotyping NSCLC patients, even prior to symptoms. Analysis of conformational change in proteins due to mutations in oncogenes allow for mutation-specific treatment with specialized cancer drugs. In addition, tumor mutational burden (TMB) is a promising predictive biomarker for cancer immunotherapy as high TMB patients respond better to immune checkpoint inhibitors cancer drugs. Treatment planning for non-small cell lung cancer generally requires testing for EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, MET, RET and KRAS gene alterations or whole genome analysis to assess TMB. The Caribbean region remains disadvantaged by the lack of available genetic testing mainly due to accessibility. We propose the genotyping of 30 stage III-IV NSCLC patients via next-generation sequencing (NGS) to improve personalized therapies. Through the analysis of tumor-specific alterations amongst a complete mutation spectrum analysis, including single nucleotide variants (SNVs), insertions, deletions, copy number variations (CNVs), and methylation alterations, we would generate data to be used as an accurate form of cancer genotyping for diagnostic purposes. We intend to include these genes as biomarkers in a mutational spectrum analysis, to be collated into a predictive DNA assay to be used for the first time as a diagnostic/prognostic tool in a medically underserved community. We intend to also identify TMB-high patients without cost-prohibitive whole genome sequencing by focusing on DNA damage repair (DDR) genes. There is an increasing utilization of agnostic testing which involves the analysis of all potentially actionable genes across all tumor and cancer types. The invention of genomic-tailored specialized cancer treatments has resulted in a spectacular improvement in disease outcomes for a significant portion of cancer patients, which we hope to offer to improve clinical outcomes and prognosis in the racially diverse population of Trinidad and Tobago. Citation Format: Nicole Ramlachan, Samuel M. West. Developing diagnostic tools via mutational spectra analysis and multiomic plasma profiling from liquid biopsies to identify potential signatures in cancer in Trinidad and Tobago [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: DNA Damage Repair: From Basic Science to Future Clinical Application; 2024 Jan 9-11; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B016.

The Relationship Between the Saharan Air Layer, Convective Environmental Conditions, and Precipitation in Puerto Rico

AbstractThe Saharan Air Layer (SAL) is a hot, dry, and dust‐laden feature that advects large concentrations of dust across the Atlantic annually to destination regions in the Americas and Caribbean. However, recent work has suggested the SAL may be a contributing factor to high‐impact drought in the Caribbean basin. While the SAL's characteristic dust loadings have been the focus of much previous research, fewer efforts have holistically engaged the co‐evolution of the dust plume, its associated convective environment, and resultant rainfall in Caribbean islands. This study employs a self‐organizing map (SOM) classification to identify the common trans‐Atlantic dust transport typologies associated with the SAL during June and July 1981–2020. Using the column‐integrated dust flux, termed integrated dust transport (IDT), from MERRA‐2 reanalysis as a SAL proxy, the SOM resolved two common patterns which resembled trans‐Atlantic SAL outbreaks. During these events, the convective environment associated with the SAL, as inferred by the Gálvez‐Davison Index, becomes less conducive to precipitation as the SAL migrates further away from the west African coast. Simultaneously, days with IDT patterns grouped to the SAL outbreak typologies demonstrate island‐wide negative precipitation anomalies in Puerto Rico. The SOM's most distinctive SAL outbreak pattern has experienced a statistically significant increase during the 40‐year study period, becoming roughly 10% more frequent over that time. These results are relevant for both climate scientists and water managers wishing to better anticipate Caribbean droughts on both the long and short terms.