Costa Rica Research Articles

Propuesta de Estrategia para la vinculación y seguimiento de las personas graduadas de los planes de estudio de la Escuela de Bibliotecología, Documentación e Información de la Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica (2022-2026)

For the present investigation, a compilation and organization of information sources was carried out that dealt with the issue of linking and monitoring the graduates of the different study programs of the career of the School of Library Science, Documentation and Information (EBDI) of the National University of Costa Rica. The selected contents of the sources consulted were analyzed, identifying the current need to create a strategy that would guide and coordinate all the new initiatives to strengthen the link and facilitate the follow-up of these professionals with the EBDI, taking into account the topics of interest identified for updating, and continuous training. This proposal has the objective of strengthening the link, monitoring and communication between both parties considered through a strategy for the period 2022-2026 that would facilitate updated knowledge of labor market conditions, the management of alliances and the interests of updating and education. permanent considering the experience and learning achieved by graduates. This academic exercise was carried out with a mixed approach in which different techniques and sources of qualitative and quantitative information were used, facilitating the obtaining of results such as: a description of the context and identification of the updating needs of the people graduates, the identification of the context and needs of both the graduates and the EBDI in maintaining constant links and communication with each other and a strategy proposal for linking and monitoring these professionals with the EBDI.

Persistence in the Unemployment and Inflation Relationship. Evidence from 38 OECD Countries

AbstractThis paper focuses on the analysis of persistence in the unemployment and inflation rates in a group of 38 OECD countries as well as on the relationship between the two variables. For this purpose, fractional integration is used. The results indicate that the two individual variables are highly persistent, especially the unemployment rate, and evidence of mean reversion is only found in the cases of Colombia and Costa Rica for unemployment and in Norway for inflation. Conducting the analysis on the difference between the two variables, the order of integration is significantly smaller in a number of cases, and reversion to the mean takes place in the cases of Austria, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Israel, and Turkey. Policy recommendations derived from the results are presented in the concluding section of the article.

Two new genera of Eulophinae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), including four new species parasitoids on Gracillariidae (Lepidoptera) leaf miners in Costa Rica

Two new genera, Petiolachertus and Macroplectron, each with two new species, P. castor and P. pollux, T. nishidai and T. safron, respectively, are described. Petiolachertus belongs in the tribe Eulophini and Macroplectron in Cirrospilini. Petiolachertus castor, P. pollux and T. nishidai are described from both sexes and have been reared from Gracillariidae leaf miners (unidentified Gracillariidae and Phyllocnistis sp.); T. safron is described from the female only and has been collected through sweeping. The two new genera are diagnosed from other genera in the respective tribes. All material is from Costa Rica.

The Shift to the 5.0 Revolution: The Challenges of Public Education in Costa Rica

Objective: The objective of this qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study was to understand the causes and effects contributing to a specific phenomenon. Theoretical Framework: The study is contextualized within the realm of virtual education and digital transformation, emphasizing the need for a more active and dynamic approach in state support for students. Method: In-depth interviews and a bibliometric review were employed to identify key factors and comprehend the phenomenon under investigation. Result: It was found that students demand more active and dynamic state support, with measurable objectives, in line with the online teaching model and digital transformation goals. Discussion: It was concluded that the success of virtual education requires an agile, flexible, and dynamic teaching model that aligns with national objectives. Research Implications: This study suggests the need for reforms in virtual education to align with national digital transformation goals. Additionally, it underscores the importance of a more dynamic and measurable approach in state support for students. Originality/Value: The combination of qualitative methods and bibliometric review provides a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in virtual education, representing a significant contribution to both academia and educational policies.

Actitudes lingüísticas de guanacastecos hacia la variedad lingüística del español del Valle Central

In this research paper, a study based on linguistic behaviors present in Guanacaste speakers has been performed. The study addresses the linguistic varieties of Spanish in the Central Valle of a student sample from the National University of Costa Rica.The main objective is to analyze the linguistic behaviors of a group of Guanacaste speakers towards the linguistic varieties of Spanish within Central Valle. To accomplish this objective, a five-level Likert scale questionnaire is being proposed as the instrument to collect data on linguistic behaviors from Spanish from Central Valle. Moreover, in the same questionnaire, there have been included three open questions. This qualitative approach is being used to collect valuable information to complement the statistical data. Subsequently, the information obtained from the questionnaires is analyzed using statistical tools such as comparative charts and graphs. The objective would be to determine the linguistic behaviors of Guanacaste students from Chorotega and Omar Dengo’s National University sites. Regarding the results, the majority of the students interviewed (migrated and non-migrated) are aware of the linguistic differences between Guanacaste and Vallecentraleños speakers, linguistic prejudices still persist in the popular belief of some Costa Rican speakers; and finally, related with the linguistic variety under study, the Spanish from the Central Valley, there co-occur accommodation processes or linguistic adaptations, linguistic insecurity, linguistic change (manifested with the phenomenon of migration), attitudes of loyalty and linguistic identity reinforced with attitudes of greater awareness and acceptance of the linguistic and cultural diversity of Costa Rica. It may be concluded that in regard to the perception of the interviewed speakers, the historical division between the varieties of Spanish from Guanacaste and the Central Valley has been kept. However, the study of such linguistic varieties shows a leveling and progressive approach of both linguistic varieties, it is especially notable in those students who have lived abroad. The present study has five sections: the introduction; the theoretical frame; the methodological framework; the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the linguistic behaviors within the areas of the present study (Guanacaste and Central Valley) and finally, conclusions.

A New Name for Plants Previously Called Parablechnum christii (Blechnaceae) in Costa Rica and Panama

The name Parablechnum christii (C. Chr.) Gasper & Salino has been applied to a small species with few pairs of short pinnae that is endemic to Costa Rica and Panama. After reviewing type material of this name, we conclude that it has been misapplied and is, in fact, a synonym of P. falciforme (Liebm.) Gasper & Salino, an older name. Because the specimens previously identified as P. christii lack a name, we propose P. talamancanum S. Molino & R. C. Moran for these plants. The species is endemic to the mountains of Costa Rica and Panama, from 1200 to 3350 m.

Perceptions of Animal Welfare on Livestock: Evidence from College Agronomy Students in Costa Rica

Ethical considerations regarding our treatment of animals have gained strength, leading to legislation and a societal focus across various disciplines. This is a subject of study within curricula related to agri-food sciences. The aim was to determine the perceptions of agronomy university students concerning animal welfare in livestock production systems. A survey was conducted to encompass various aspects, from participants’ sociodemographic attributes to their attitudes and behaviors regarding animal welfare and the consumption of animal products. Statistical analysis, performed using R software, delved into the associations between participants’ characteristics and their perspectives on the ethical, bioethical, and legal dimensions of animal welfare. Associations between demographic factors and ethical viewpoints among students were identified. Gender differences emerged in animal treatment perceptions, while rural and urban environments impacted perspectives on various animals. Bioethical considerations revealed distinctive disparities based on gender and education in concerns regarding animal welfare, value perceptions, evaluations of animal behaviors, and opinions on animal research. It is crucial to distinguish between animal welfare and the ethical considerations arising from coexisting with sentient beings capable of experiencing suffering. Ethical theories provide a lens through which we perceive our obligations toward animals. The responsibility to ensure animal welfare is firmly rooted in recognizing that animals, like humans, experience pain and physical suffering. Consequently, actions causing unjustified suffering or mistreatment, particularly for entertainment purposes, are considered morally unacceptable.

Food democracy as food security strategy: The case of a Costa Rican tourism town

Tourism communities such as Monteverde, Costa Rica, the site of this study, have been profoundly impacted by the loss of tourism revenue during COVID-19. Faced with intensified food insecurity caused by the cascading impacts of this pandemic, the community has organized initiatives to stimu­late local, sustainable food production to increase food security during the COVID-19 economic recovery. This paper adopts a food democracy framework to analyze restaurants’ regional food purchases, barriers to local purchasing, and tour­ists’ interest in and ability to identify local food products. Our findings show that nearly all restaurant owners identified benefits of purchasing regional food but reported multiple barriers to buying locally. Tourists reported high interest in eating locally produced food but do not have enough information to identify farm-to-fork options. Local food initiative stakeholder inter­views show that emergent strategies demonstrate a move toward food democracy actions by promot­ing communication and co-learning between res­taurants, food producers, and tourists to rein­force principles of food democracy. Based on our find­ings, we recommend (a) strengthening producer-to-restaurant networks, (b) enhancing communication of local food production benefits and responsi­bilities to restaurants, and (c) promot­ing the locally made certification for restaurants to strengthen localized food networks and direct tourists to transformative food strategies underway in Monteverde.

Navigating the pandemic: A critical perspective on COVID-19 responses in Central America

Following the World Health Organization’s declaration of the new coronavirus as a pandemic, nations had to act swiftly to draft effective strategies for the prevention and containment of COVID-19. International literature highlights a range of approaches taken by countries, with varying degrees of success, as measured by the quality and responsiveness of their public health systems. This brief perspective proposes a critical-gerontological reflection on the Central American countries, highlighting the divergent regional approaches to the pandemic that resulted in unequal figures between nations. Despite the intention to face the health challenge collectively, varying governmental positions had a direct impact on the health of the older population. Costa Rica and Panama responded similarly to the crisis, showcasing their better social and health scenarios compared to their peers. The Central American approach to public health was tailored to the political ideology of each country, rather than adhering to the common objectives set by the regional integration scheme in place. Despite the pandemic posing a challenge, the region remains committed to building universal, equitable, and comprehensive public health for older people.

Changes in blue whale survival and abundance in the Gulf of California

AbstractUnderstanding the drivers of population abundance and distribution is fundamental to ecology and key to informing conservation actions, particularly in endangered species like blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus). Historically, some Eastern North Pacific blue whales have aggregated in the Gulf of California (GoC) each winter. Using photo‐identification data collected around Loreto Bay from 1984 to 2020, we analyzed 453 sightings histories using mark‐recapture models. Estimated apparent survival (including permanent emigration) decreased from 0.991, 95% CI [0.977, 0.997] in 1985 to 0.889, 95% CI [0.807, 0.939] in 2019. The estimated number of whales using the study area declined from 96 whales, 95% CI [50, 254] in 2012 to 13 whales, 95% CIs [12, 23 and 12, 28] in 2018 and 2019. Abundance of the whole Eastern North Pacific population is slowly increasing, so our results likely reflect declining usage of the GoC. Linear models found a relationship between the number of whales in the GoC and the difference in sea surface temperature between the study area and the Costa Rica Dome wintering area, suggesting that environmental variation could explain variation in blue whale numbers in the GoC. These results highlight the importance of tracking population dynamics as changing environmental conditions affect the range and distribution of populations.

Physical Activity Policies at National and Subnational Levels: A Study in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Mexico.

National physical activity (PA) policy processes are only beginning to be studied in Latin America, and little attention has focused at the subnational level. This study examined national-subnational relations in the policy process (agenda setting, policy formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation) in selected Latin American countries. The Global Observatory for Physical Activity's (GoPA!) INTEGRATE-PA-Pol tool was applied in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Mexico. Data were collected in matched pairs of the capital plus one noncapital city among national and subnational policymakers (n = 27), previously identified by the GoPA! Country Contacts. PA policy development and implementation were assessed using descriptive statistics. Twenty-three (response rate = 85.2%) informants provided data, mainly from the health sector (52.2%), followed by the sport (26.1%), transport (13.0%), and education (8.7%) sectors. Most informants reported that their countries had a current PA policy embedded within noncommunicable diseases prevention plans (46.2%), other plans (46.2%), or obesity prevention/management/control plans (7.7%). Respondents at the subnational level rated PA promotion as central (64.3%), while the national-level role was important but not central (75.0%). National and subnational policymakers indicated low-to-little involvement in the other level's PA policy processes across the 5 policy stages. This study demonstrated that collecting national and subnational PA policy data across countries with the active collaboration of the GoPA! network was feasible. We also successfully identified governmental interactions throughout the PA policy process, suggesting suboptimal engagement between national and subnational levels.

Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence: Latin American Pediatric Neurosurgery Course LACPN (2004-2024)

Two decades ago, a visionary initiative was launched in Latin America with the aim of advancing pediatric neurosurgery education and expertise across the region. Today, as we mark the 20th anniversary of the Latin American Pediatric Neurosurgery Course (LACPN), it is an opportune moment to reflect on its journey, celebrate its achievements, and chart a course for its continued success. The LACPN was established with a clear mission: to provide a platform for knowledge exchange, skill development, and collaboration among neurosurgeons dedicated to caring for children with neurological conditions. Designed to cover the major fields in Pediatric Neurosurgery, the scientific program is divided into annual courses over a 3-year cycle, with each biannual course is based on a four-day program divided in the morning sessions; lectures and case discussion an afternoon session; lectures, video session, "hand-on", and "solve a case". Following the ESPN post-graduate course and Asian-Australasian Course in Pediatric Neurosurgery program. At the heart of the LACPN's success lies its unwavering commitment to education and training, a culture of continuous learning and mentorship, the LACPN has not only raised the standard of care but also inspired a new generation of neurosurgeons dedicated to pediatric neurosurgery in the past 20 years. Over the past 18 years of LACPC more than 350 different trainees (from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Mexico, Venezuela, Bolivia, Cuba, Paraguay, and others) and 73 faculty invitees (from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, USA, France, Italy, Costa Rica, Colombia, Turkish, Singapore, Spain, UK, and Australia, South Africa) have attended the course. In 2024, the LACPN become an official course of the Latin American Association for Pediatric Neurosurgery (ASOLANPED). This year the course was held in Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the brilliant direction of Dr. Ramiro delRio and Dr. Sebastian G. Jaimovich. As we reflect on the past 20 years, it is evident that the LAPNC has made a profound impact on the field of pediatric neurosurgery in Latin America. Its legacy extends far beyond the confines of the operating room, encompassing a legacy of excellence, collaboration, and compassion that will continue to shape the future of pediatric neurosurgery for generations to come. As we celebrate this significant milestone, we are reminded that our work is far from complete. Challenges remain, ranging from disparities in access to care to the need for continued innovation and research. As we look ahead to the next 20 years and beyond, let us recommit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence, the advancement of knowledge, and the relentless pursuit of better outcomes for the children and families we serve.LACPN is a unique course! Friendship, collaboration and opportunities for everyone are the pillars of this course. In closing, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have contributed to the success of the Latin American Pediatric Neurosurgery Course over the past two decades – the organizers, faculty, participants, sponsors, and supporters. Your dedication, passion, and commitment have made this journey possible, and we look forward to continuing our shared mission of advancing pediatric neurosurgery in Latin America and beyond. Here's to 20 years of excellence, and to many more years of innovation, collaboration, and impact. See you in Rio de Janeiro 2024!!

The geographic and phylogenetic structure of public DNA barcode databases: an assessment using Chrysomelidae (leaf beetles)

IntroductionDNA barcoding in insects has progressed rapidly, with the ultimate goal of a complete inventory of the world’s species. However, the barcoding effort to date has been driven by a few national campaigns and leaves much of the world unsampled. This study investigates to what degree the current barcode data cover the species diversity across the globe, using the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae as an example.MethodsA recent version (June 2023) of the Barcode-of-Life database was subjected to test of sampling completeness using the barcode-to-BIN ratio and sampling coverage (SC) metric. All barcodes were placed in a phylogenetic tree of ~600 mitochondrial genomes, applying phylogenetic diversity (PD) and metrics of community phylogenetics to national barcode sets to test for sampling completeness at clade level and reveal the global structure of species diversity.ResultsThe database included 73342 barcodes, grouped into 5310 BINs (species proxies) from 101 countries. Costa Rica contributed nearly half of all barcode sequences, while nearly 50 countries were represented by less than ten barcodes. Only five countries, Costa Rica, Canada, South Africa, Germany, and Spain, had a high sampling completeness, although collectively the barcode database covers most major taxonomic and biogeographically confined lineages. PD showed moderate saturation as more species diversity is added in a country, and community phylogenetics indicated clustering of national faunas. However, at the species level the inventory remained incomplete even in the most intensely sampled countries, and the sampling was insufficient for assessment of global species richness patterns.DiscussionThe sequence-based inventory in Chrysomelidae needs to be greatly expanded to include more areas and deeper local sampling before reaching a knowledge base similar to the existing Linnaean taxonomy. However, placing the barcodes into a backbone phylogenetic tree from mitochondrial genomes, a taxonomically and biogeographically highly structured pattern of global diversity emerges into which all species can be integrated via their barcodes.

SLARD consensus for the treatment of focal chondral lesions of the knee

ObjectivesTo establish a consensus of the Latin American knee surgeons from SLARD for treating focal chondral lesions of the knee. MethodsA formal consensus was conducted among three groups of surgeons from the Latin American society of arthroscopy (SLARD) with special interest in cartilage. First, the steering group (n=9), created a list of 21 statements on controversial topics and compiled a review of literature for each topic. Secondly, the rating group (n=19), gave a score to each statement according to their agreement with it, over two rounds (score: 1-9). Median scores and agreement levels were calculated and each statement was categorized as inappropriate, uncertain or appropriate. Finally, the lecture group (n=24), evaluated the appropriateness and clinical relevance for each statement. ResultsDuring the first round, there was strong agreement on 5% of the statements, relative agreement on 14% and lack of consensus on 81% of statements. After the second round, there was strong agreement on 57% of statements, with 43% having relative agreement and no statement having a lack of consensus. The lecture group approved all the statements. ConclusionSLARD arrived at a consensus on the 21 statements proposed. This consensus includes literature review and clinical experience, which represents the expert opinion of a society. Strong agreement was found in the advantage of using arthroscopy to diagnose chondral lesions, pre-injury level as an age modification of treatment, superiority of nanofractures compared to microfractures, advantages of adding scaffolds, benefits of PRP in the midterm and faster return to sport with osteochondral autografts. Level of evidenceIV. What are the new findingsThis is the first formal consensus from SLARD about the treatment of focal chondral lesions of the knee.This consensus includes 55 orthopaedic surgeons from 13 countries in Latin America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, México, Panama, Peru and Uruguay).This consensus about focal chondral lesions presents 21 statements in relation to the actual evidence, but also according to the Latin American context, available resources and experience.

Venom-microbiomics of eight species of Neotropical spiders from the Theraphosidae family.

Tarantulas are one of the largest predatory arthropods in tropical regions. Tarantulas though not lethal to humans, their venomous bite kills small animals and insect upon which they prey. To understand the abiotic and biotic components involved in Neotropical tarantula bites, we conducted a venom-microbiomics study in eight species from Costa Rica. We determined that the toxin profiles of tarantula venom are highly diverse using shotgun proteomics; the most frequently encountered toxins were ω-Ap2 toxin, neprilysin-1, and several teraphotoxins. Through culture-independent and culture-dependent methods, we determined the microbiota present in the venom and excreta to evaluate the presence of pathogens that could contribute to primary infections in animals, including humans. The presence of opportunistic pathogens with hemolytic activity was observed, with a prominence of Stenotrophomonas in the venoms. Other bacteria found in venoms and excreta with hemolytic activity included members of the genera Serratia, Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Microbacterium, and Morganella. Our data shed light on the venom- and gut-microbiome associated with Neotropical tarantulas. This information may be useful for treating bites from these arthropods in both humans and farm animals, while also providing insight into the toxins and biodiversity of this little-explored microenvironment.

Political Participation of Business Organizations in the Construction of the Technical Vocational Education and Training System in Costa Rica between 1980 and 2021

Political Participation of Business Organizations in the Construction of the Technical Vocational Education and Training System in Costa Rica between 1980 and 2021

Advancing progress on tobacco control in low-income and middle-income countries through economic analysis

BackgroundMore than 80% of the world’s 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), where progress to address tobacco and its harms has been slow. The perception...

Deforestation and Bovine Rabies Outbreaks in Costa Rica, 1985-2020.

In Latin America, rabies virus has persisted in a cycle between Desmodus rotundus vampire bats and cattle, potentially enhanced by deforestation. We modeled bovine rabies virus outbreaks in Costa Rica relative to land-use indicators and found spatial-temporal relationships among rabies virus outbreaks with deforestation as a predictor.

Lifetime milk production of Holstein cattle in the humid tropics compared to Holstein-Gyr and Holstein-Brahman crosses.

Crossbred cattle are commonly used for milk production in the tropics, combining the potential benefits of pure breeds with the heterosis effects of the offspring. However, no comprehensive assessment of lifetime productivity for crossbred versus purebred cattle in low-altitude tropical environments has been carried out. The present study compares the lifetime productivity of purebred Holstein (HO, n = 17,269), Gyr (GY4, n = 435), and Brahman (BR4, n = 622) with crossbreds Gyr × Holstein (GY × HO, n = 5521) and Brahman×Holstein (BR × HO, n = 5429) cows from dairy farms located in low and medium altitude tropical regions in Costa Rica. The production traits of interest were age at first calving (AFC), days open (DO), milk production per lactation (TMP), lactation length (LLEN), age at culling (ACUL), and number of lactations (NLAC). Estimates of heterosis were also calculated. The AFC for GY × HO crosses (33-34 months) was not significantly different (p > .05) from HO (33.8 months). For BR × HO crosses, a significant (p < .05) decrease in AFC (BR3HO1 35.6 months, BR2HO2 34.5 months, and BR1H03 33.3 months) was observed as the fraction of HO breed increased. Estimates of heterosis for AFC were favourable for both crosses, of a magnitude close to 3%. The DO for F1 crosses (GY2HO2 94 days; BR2HO2 96 days) was significantly (p < .05) lower than HO (123 days). Estimates of heterosis for DO were also favourable and above 15% for both crosses. The TMP and LLEN were higher for HO (TMP = 5003 kg; LLEN = 324 days) compared with GY × HO (TMP = 4428 to 4773 kg; LLEN = 298 to 312 days) and BR × HO (TMP = 3950 to 4761 kg; LLEN = 273 to 313 days) crosses. Heterosis for TMP was favourable but low for both crosses, with a magnitude below 3.0%. The NLAC for HO (4.6 lactations) was significantly (p < .05) lower than F1 (GY2HO2, 5.8 lactations; BR2HO2, 5.4 lactations). Heterosis for NLAC was above 6.0% for both crosses. Overall, estimates of lifetime income over feed costs per cow on average were USD 2637 (30.3%) and USD 734 (8.4%) higher in F1 GY × HO and BR × HO, respectively, compared to HO. In conclusion, crossbred animals, specifically those with Gyr and Brahman genetics, extend the productive lifespan, increasing economic returns.

Interpreting results, impacts and implications from WHO FCTC tobacco control investment cases in 21 low-income and middle-income countries

BackgroundTobacco control investment cases analyse the health and socioeconomic costs of tobacco use and the benefits that can be achieved from implementing measures outlined in the WHO Framework Convention on...