Costa Rica Research Articles

Pesticides in soil, groundwater and food in Latin America as part of one health.

We here report of a conference about "Pesticides in Soil, Groundwater and Food in Latin America as part of One Health" that took place at the "IV Seminario Internacional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (SISA)" in Varadero, Cuba, 8-12 May 2023. Researchers of Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico) and Switzerland (workshop initiator) held presentations about occurrence and effects of pesticides on the environment, human health, the replacement of highly hazardous pesticides (HHP) by agroecological alternatives and the agri-food value chain. In a subsequent round table discussion, the presenters identified deficits, needs, interests and opportunities. According to them, the lack of awareness of pesticide use affects the health and safety of workers applying the chemicals. Despite Latin America representing the main agricultural area in the world with a very intense pesticide use, monitoring data of pesticides in soil, surface and groundwaters, food, as well as in humans are missing. Risks of pesticides to humans should be assessed so that authorities can withdraw or limit within "short time" the access to corresponding formulations on the market. Also, communication is not state of the art and should be improved as, e.g. the teaching of workers and farmers, how to correctly use and apply pesticides or the briefing of decision makers. Pollinators suffer from multiple stressors not the least due to pesticides, and alternatives are badly needed. On the technical side, the different analytical methods to determine residues of active ingredients and transformation products in matrices of concern should be harmonized among laboratories.Seven future actions and goals were identified to overcome the above deficits. Next steps after the publishing of this conference report are to harmonize and complete the information status of the presenters by exchanging the results/data already present. Therefore, a platform of interaction to address issues described above and to enhance collaboration shall be created. Samples of different matrices shall be exchanged to harmonize the chemical analysis and establish interlaboratory comparisons. Such activities might be facilitated by joining international associations or organizations, where researchers can offer their expertise, or by forming a new pesticide network for Central and South America that could present tailored projects to national and international organizations and funding agencies.

Multi-criteria analysis to select sustainable bioenergy from residual biomass in Costa Rica Northern region

Multi-criteria analysis to select sustainable bioenergy from residual biomass in Costa Rica Northern region

Two new species of Epirhyssa (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Rhyssinae) from Costa Rica.

As a result of continuing research on the ichneumonid wasps of Costa Rica, two new species of Epirhyssa (Rhyssinae) are described: E. leonoreae and E. lewisi. A key is provided for the identification of all 14 species now known to occur in the country.

Biological treatment of pesticide-containing wastewater from coffee crops: selection and optimization of a biomixture and biobed design.

The biopurification systems (BPS) or biobeds are employed for the treatment of pesticide-containing wastewater of agricultural origin. The use of these devices for pesticide removal requires the proper optimization of the composition of biomixtures (BPS active matrix) according to the target pesticides applied on a specific crop and the available materials used in their elaboration. This work aims to design a biomixture for the simultaneous treatment of several pesticides applied in coffee crops, according to local practices in Costa Rica. Three biomixtures containing either coffee husk, coconut fiber or rice husk (as the lignocellulosic substrate) were applied for the removal of 12 pesticides. The profiles of pesticide elimination and the mineralization of radiolabeled chlorpyrifos (14C-chlorpyrifos) revealed that the best performance was achieved with the coconut fiber biomixture, even though similar detoxification patterns were determined in every biomixture (according to immobilization in Daphnia magna and germination tests in Lactuca sativa). The optimization of this biomixture's composition by means of a central composite design permitted the definition of two optimal compositions (compost:soil:coconut fiber, % v/v) that maximized pesticide removal: i. 29:7.3:63.7 and ii. 11:7.3:81.7. The validation of these optimized compositions also included the use of an alternative soil from another coffee farm and resulted in overall DT50 values of 7.8-9.0 d for the pesticide mixture. Considering the removal kinetics in the optimized biomixture, a 1 m3 BPS prototype was dimensioned to be eventually used in local coffee farms. This work provides relevant information for the design and implementation of BPS at on-farm conditions for the treatment of pesticide-containing wastewater of a major crop.

Public Child Care Provision: Unraveling the Consequences of Implementation Variations for Women's Time Allocation

Abstract From analysis of the effects of a national childcare policy on women's time allocation in Costa Rica, it is found that childcare services are associated with increased female labor force participation, greater educational enrollment, and reduced unpaid care work. However, a comparison of two implementing agencies indicates that the overall effects vary by agency. One agency's services yield positive outcomes, such as increased labor force participation, reduced unpaid care work, and increased educational attendance; the other agency's results are less favorable, particularly for part-time childcare users. These findings highlight the challenges governments face when scaling up interventions, as different implementing agencies may modify program criteria, serve distinct populations, and offer varying services. While policies can be effective on a smaller scale, impacts may differ when they are scaled up. Understanding these variations can help governments adapt policies and reallocate resources to achieve their intended goals.

Approaching Equality? Media Treatment of Male and Female Members of Presidential Cabinets in a Cross-Country Comparison

Abstract Generalizability of extant findings about media treatment of women in politics is uncertain because most research examines candidates for the legislature or heads of government, and little work moves beyond Anglo-American countries. We examine six presidential cabinets in Costa Rica, Uruguay, and the United States, which provide differing levels of women’s incorporation into government. These cases permit us to test hypotheses arguing that differences in media treatment of men and women cabinet ministers will decrease as women’s inclusion in government expands, and that media treatment of women is more critical when women head departments associated with masculine gender stereotypes. Results show that greater incorporation of women into government is associated with fewer gendered differences in media coverage, tone of minister coverage is more favorable for women who hold masculine stereotyped portfolios, and that the media does present qualifications of women cabinet ministers.

Enhancing Piano Proficiency: Influential Factors for Success in the Pianism and Worldwide Projection Program at the National University of Costa Rica

The following study approaches factors that can influence the process and progress of piano learning. To do this, a questionnaire was administered to 11 students from the Worldwide Pianism and Projection program at the National University of Costa Rica to know their opinions regarding the determining factors that strengthen piano proficiency. The results show that attention to factors such as learning environment, discipline, motivation, and the teacher-student relationship strengthen piano pedagogy in favor of improving and achieving objectives. In addition, it raises the need to select work strategies that enhance the pianistic progress of students concerning the methodological work in the classroom.  

Carbon Storage in the Forearc Produced by Buoyant Diapirs of Subducted Sediment

AbstractCarbonate sediments transported into the mantle at subduction zone settings account for the majority of the carbon flux into the Earth's interior and are thus critical to the deep carbon cycle. Understanding carbon storage volumes in the deep earth requires knowledge of the degree to which carbonate sediments are stored in the arc lithosphere or descend to the deep mantle. Here, we use petrological‐thermomechanical modeling to indicate that solid‐state diapirs dominate the removal of carbon from subducting plates, which may be the principal carbon‐release mechanism for the Cyclades (Greece) and Costa Rican forearcs. We find that forearc diapirs remove up to ∼80% of subducting carbon and develop diagonally upward, resulting in massive carbon storage in the subarc lithosphere. Outgassing from the carbon storage may cause high carbon outputs and explain volcanic gas with high δ13C at some subduction zones, affecting atmospheric CO2 concentration.

Altitudinal range extension of nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia, Xenarthra), in Irazu Volcano National Park, Costa Rica

The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is a widely distributed species throughout North and South America, however its distribution has been restricted by latitude and altitude due to cold temperatures. The maximum reported altitude for the nine-banded armadillo is between 2000–3000 m asl; hence, new records at high elevations might suggest range shifts. Here we report video evidence of a nine-banded armadillo at 3400 m asl near the summit of the Irazu volcano in Costa Rica, which extends upwards the previously known elevation range by 300 m. We speculate this altitudinal range extension is indicative of regime shifts of ecosystems due to climate variability in response to rising temperatures, such as previously reported for several species.

Abstract WMP101: Global Burden of Stroke Attributable to High BMI in 38 OECD Countries From 1990-2019: A Benchmarking Systematic Analysis

Background: The global burden of stroke remains a significant public health challenge, with high body mass index (BMI) emerging as a notable and modifiable risk factor in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Method: Using Global burden of disease tool, deaths and disability adjusted life years due to Stroke attributable to High BMI were assessed by age, sex, year across the 38 OECD countries from 1990-2019. Result: The total number of deaths saw a decline from 148,031 (95%UI 85,206-219,328) in 1990 to 143,105 (95%UI: 85,383-209,533) in 2019. The annual percentage change (APC) in the total number of DALYs exhibited a decrease of 1% between 1990-2019. Notably, the most substantial increase in APC for deaths was observed in Turkey at 129%, followed by Mexico at 95% from 1990-2019. Conversely, Estonia displayed the most significant decrease in APC at 63%. In relation to DALYs, Turkey experienced the highest APC at 99%, followed by Costa Rica at 85% from 1990-2019. In 2019, the age group of 75-79 exhibited the highest number of deaths (22,709) while the age group of 65-69 had the highest DALYs (553,284). In terms of gender differences, males observed a 5% increase in APC for deaths, whereas females witnessed a 10% decrease in APC from 1990-2019. Conclusion: The global burden of stroke attributable to high BMI in OECD countries highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address the intertwined challenges of obesity and stroke. Efforts to prevent and manage obesity, coupled with targeted interventions to mitigate stroke risk factors, hold the promise of reducing the human, societal, and economic toll of this prevalent and debilitating condition.

Selfing in epiphytic bromeliads compensates for the limited pollination services provided by nectarivorous bats in a neotropical montane forest.

Abstract. Plants with specialized pollination systems frequently exhibit adaptations for self-pollination, and this contradictory situation has been explained in terms of the reproductive assurance function of selfing. In the neotropics, several plant lineages rely on specialized vertebrate pollinators for sexual reproduction, including the highly diverse Bromeliaceae family, which also displays a propensity for selfing. Thus far, the scarce evidence on the role of selfing in bromeliads and in other neotropical plant groups is inconclusive. To provide insights into the evolution and persistence of self-fertilization in the breeding systems of Bromeliaceae, we studied four sympatric epiphytic species from the genus Werauhia (Tillandsioideae) in Costa Rica. We documented their floral biology, pollination ecology and breeding systems. We estimated the contribution of selfing by comparing the reproductive success between emasculated flowers requiring pollinator visits and un-manipulated flowers capable of selfing and exposed to open pollination across two flowering seasons. The studied species displayed specialized pollination by nectar-feeding bats as well as a high selfing ability (auto-fertility index values > 0.53), which was attained by a delayed selfing mechanism. Fruit set from natural cross-pollination was low (<26% in both years) and suggested limited pollinator visitation. In line with this, we found a very low bat visitation to flowers using video-camera recording, from 0 to 0.24 visits per plant per night. On the contrary, the contribution of selfing was comparatively significant since 54-80% of the fruit set from un-manipulated flowers can be attributed to autonomous self-pollination. We concluded that inadequate cross-pollination services diminished the reproductive success of the studied Werauhia, which was compensated for by a delayed selfing mechanism. The low negative effects of inbreeding on seed set and germination likely reinforce the persistence of selfing in this bromeliad group. These results suggest that selfing in bat-pollinated bromeliads may have evolved as a response to pollinator limitation.

Exotic ticks removed from German travelers.

We report the finding of five nymphs and three adult ticks attached to German tourists while traveling the American continents. All eight specimens were morphologically identified and confirmed genetically using the 16S rRNA gene and screened for Rickettsia spp. infections. Five tick species were identified: one Amblyomma mixtum nymph from Ecuador, one Amblyomma varium nymph from Colombia, three Amblyomma coelebs nymphs from Costa Rica, one Amblyomma americanum male from the USA, one Dermacentor andersoni female and one D. andersoni male from Canada. Tick-borne microorganisms screening using the pan-Rickettsia-PCR resulted in two positive and six negative ticks. The A. mixtum nymph was positive for Rickettsia amblyommatis, while the D. andersoni female was positive for Rickettsia peacockii.

Occupational burnout syndrome in the nursing staff of the Parrita health area, Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Objetivo: identificar la prevalencia del síndrome de desgaste ocupacional en los funcionarios del Departamento de Enfermería del Área de Salud de Parrita de la Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social durante el año 2023. Metodología: se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo trasversal. Se aplicó el instrumento denominado Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) validado al español a 40 trabajadores de la salud. Se calculó la prevalencia del síndrome de desgaste ocupacional y se analizaron sus tres dimensiones: cansancio emocional, despersonalización y realización personal. También se realizó correlación estadística entre la presencia de indicios del síndrome y las variables incluidas en el estudio. Resultados: la prevalencia de funcionarios con indicios del síndrome de desgaste ocupacional identificada fue 47,5%. El 42,5% de los funcionarios presentaron afectación en dimensión de realización personal, 7,5% en la despersonalización y 5,0% en cansancio emocional. No se identificó relación estadísticamente significativa entre las variables incluidas en el estudio y la presencia de indicios de este síndrome. Conclusión: existe una prevalencia elevada de indicios del síndrome de desgaste ocupacional en el personal del Departamento de Enfermería del Área de Salud de Parrita, evidenciado principalmente en la dimensión de la realización personal.

Healthcare provision for medical tourism: A comparative review.

Providing quality services, using modern technologies, having effective marketing, and providing services at an international level have led to the globalization of hospital services. This study aimed to identify the components of health services in developing countries that provide services to international patients. A comparative review was conducted by searching in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Google, and the websites of the World Medical Tourism Organization, the World Bank, and the Ministry of Health of the selected countries from 2000 to 2022. Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Costa Rica, the UAE, and Singapore were selected. The data were collected and analyzed using a comparative table. Different strategies were used to develop the medical tourism industry among the studied countries, but the main challenges in this field included the inappropriateness of the quality of the services provided or the provision of services that did not meet the needs of patients, the lack of expert human resource, not using medical facilitation companies, communication problems with patients, insufficient government support for medical tourism, and strict laws regarding business. The development of activities in the medical tourism industry requires planning in various dimensions. It seems that developing the medical marketing and activities of facilitator companies to facilitate patient admission, monitoring the quality of services provided, improving interdepartmental coordination, and considering a single trustee for this industry will improve the medical tourism status in Iran.

An updated checklist of the marine birds (Aves) of Golfo Dulce, southern Costa Rica

Golfo Dulce is a fjord-like embayment on the southern Paci&amp;#64257;c coast of Costa Rica, which encompasses the marine protected area of Piedras Blancas National Park. The gulf is surrounded by mangroves, rocky shores, and sandy beaches that are home to migratory and resident bird species. Here, we provide a checklist of 73 marine birds, including records of six years of annual counts and incidental observations in Golfo Dulce. This paper represents an updated bird list, based on the 1998 Basic Information Units from Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad. We added 16 species to the list, showing the importance of maintaining a monitoring program of marine birds in the Golfo Dulce area. We have also demonstrated the valuable contributions of citizen science for obtaining scienti&amp;#64257;c information.

Advancing isotope‐enabled hydrological modelling for ungauged calibration of data‐scarce humid tropical catchments

AbstractRealistic projections of the future climate and how this translates to water availability is crucial for sustainable water resource management. However, data availability constrains the capacity to simulate streamflow and corresponding hydrological processes. Developing more robust hydrological models and methods that can circumvent the need for large amounts of hydro‐climatic data is crucial to support water‐related decisions, particularly in developing countries. In this study, we use natural isotope tracers in addition to hydro‐climate data within a newly developed version of the spatially‐distributed J2000iso as an isotope‐enabled rainfall‐runoff model simulating both water and stable isotope (δ2H) fluxes. We pilot the model for the humid tropical San Carlos catchment (2500 km2) in northeastern Costa Rica, which has limited time series, but spatially distributed data. The added benefit of simulating stable isotopes was assessed by comparing different amounts of observation data using three model calibration strategies (i) three streamflow gauges, (ii) three gauges with stream isotopes and (iii) isotopes only. The J2000iso achieved a streamflow Kling–Gupta efficiency (KGE) of 0.55–0.70 across all the models and gauges, but differences in hydrological process simulations emerged when including stable water isotopes in the rainfall‐runoff calibration. Hydrological process simulation varied between the standard J2000 rainfall‐runoff model with a high simulated surface runoff proportion of 37% as opposed to the isotope version with 84%–89% simulated baseflow or interflow. The model solutions that used only isotope data for calibration exhibited differences in simulated interflow, baseflow and model performance but captured bulk water balances with a reasonable match between the simulated and observed hydrographs. We conclude that J2000iso has shown the potential to support water balance modelling for ungauged catchments using stable isotope, satellite and global reanalysis data sets.

HEDONIC PRICE OF FREE-RANGE EGGS IN COSTA RICA

Eggs are a highly consumed animal product in Costa Rica. It is grown in different production systems and differentiation attributes, although there is little information about consumption and consumer preferences for grazing production. This study aimed to determine the effect of free-grazing on the price per kilogram of eggs paid by the consumer in Costa Rica. The results show a positive effect of 19.77% on price of eggs produced in free-grazing systems, but preference for other attributes such as nutritional fortification, egg size and brand names were also determined. Incorporating free-range technologies to replace caged poultry production can contribute to animal welfare and balance with nature, and producers can opt for differentiated prices in local markets.

Ideal L2 Pre-service Teacher Selves: The Case of University Pre-service Teachers in Costa Rica

The ‘L2 Motivational Self System’ (L2MSS) (Dörnyei &amp; Ryan, 2015) sheds light on theoretical tenets for research in language learner motivation. The L2MSS has been adapted into the ‘Possible Language Teacher Self’ (PLTS) (Kubanyiova, 2009) to explore language teacher motivation. Nonetheless, there is scarce research on a self-system for L2 pre-service teachers. Therefore, in this qualitative study, the characteristics of the Ideal L2 Pre-Service Teacher Self were explored to identify a possible motivational self-system. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted and thematic analysis was implemented. Participants (N=2) were pre-service L2 teachers from a university in Costa Rica. Findings revealed that participants mentioned four common traits of an ideal L2 pre-service teacher self: (1) passion, (2) knowledge, (3) adaptability, and (4) language proficiency. Contrary to Kubanyiova’s (2009) PLTS and Dörnyei’s (2009b) and Dörnyei &amp; Ryan’s (2015) L2MSS, both participants share an ‘L2 Pre-service Teacher Self System’ including four elements: (1) Ideal L2 Pre-service Teacher Self, (2) ought-to L2 Pre-service Teacher Self, (3) current L2 Pre-service Teacher Self, and (4) Feared L2 Teacher Self. It is discussed and concluded that a PLTS system might include the elements just mentioned. However, further exploration on an L2 Pre-Service Teacher Self is mandatory to better understand the motivation and self-identity of L2 pre-service teachers.

Progressive Greying in the Blue-gray Tanager, Thraupis episcopus (Linnaeus, 1766), in Costa Rica

Progressive Greying in the Blue-gray Tanager, Thraupis episcopus (Linnaeus, 1766), in Costa Rica

Draft genomes of two phylotype I and II Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC) isolates causing bacterial wilt in tomato plants from Costa Rica.

Bacteria from RSSC hold agricultural significance as they are the causal agents of bacterial wilt. Here, we report the draft genomes of two bacteria extracted from vascular tissues of infected tomato plants. Isolate RALF-MA was classified as Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum (phylotype I) and RALSA-MA as Ralstonia solanacearum (phylotype II).