Latin America Countries Research Articles

Compensation for Length of Service: The Case of Latin America Based on the Release of Intangible Social Benefits Promoting Economic Reactivation Post COVID-19

Reactivating the economy during a health crisis involves initiatives to enhance market activities both domestically and internationally. Various governments around the world have strategically decided to act, taking into consideration employment benefits. This research aimed to determine economic satisfaction in the Latin American population as a result of the release of Severance for Time of Service (Compensación por Tiempo de Servicio - CTS), an indicator of intangible labor performance. This study employed a descriptive-analytical methodology with a quantitative, nonexperimental transactional design, focusing on various countries in Latin America with emphasis on Costa Rica, Colombia, Chile, Peru, and Ecuador. The study applied a survey through a virtual form and concluded that 13% lacked or were unaware of the benefit of their time of work, 54% agreed with the measures of their government, and 14% showed disinterest in the calculation of the CTS. It was concluded that strategic economic reactivation, in tandem with employment benefits during a crisis, had a positive effect on the economy of active workers during the pandemic.
 
 Received: 3 November 2023 / Accepted: 29 January 2024 / Published: 5 March 2024

Turkey’s Relations with the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean in the 21st Century: In Search of Strategic Autonomy

Introduction. Turkey’s search for a new regional and global role in a changing world order has increased Ankara’s attention to the Global South, which was peripheral to its foreign policy priorities during the Cold War. Although Ankara’s growing engagement and influence in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region has attracted increasing attention from the research community, Turkey’s foreign policy in this region is still poorly understood. This article attempts to explore Turkey’s policy in LAC during the first decades of the 21st century, placing it in the context of Turkey’s increasing desire for “strategic autonomy.” Methods. The author used a case study approach to analyze Turkey’s policy in LAC. Results. After the Justice and Development Party came to power in Turkey in 2002, Turkey began a systematic effort to develop relations with LAC, expanding political, economic, and cultural ties with countries in the region. Since the July 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, Turkey’s foreign policy has been increasingly guided by the desire for “strategic autonomy.” Growing mistrust and conflicts in Turkey’s relations with the U.S. and the EU have increased Ankara’s interest in seeking alternative partnerships and building situational alliances. Although Ankara’s growing ties with LAC countries (especially Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina) increase the autonomy of its foreign policy, Turkey remains critically dependent on the West, both economically and in terms of security.

Сотрудничество в области безопасности ЕС и Латинской Америки: история и эволюция

Introduction. This article aims to analyze the process of security cooperation between the European Union and countries in Latin America from the perspective of historical institutionalism and the methodological tools proposed by the Copenhagen School. The author covers the main stages of the development of relations between these two regions, starting with early initiatives in the field of political and economic support and moving towards deeper cooperation in the field of security. Methods. The main theoretical and methodological support of this study is historical neo-institutionalism, which focuses attention on the role of institutional choices made earlier in the historical past, i.e., the “path dependence” principle. The research uses the sector-specific approach to security analysis developed by the Copenhagen School. Analysis and results. In the historical context, three main stages can be distinguished in the development of relations between the EU and the countries of the LCA in the field of security. The first bipolar stage (1945–1991) was characterized mainly by political and economic support from the United States and NATO as the main structure of regional security. Relations between the EU and Latin American countries at this time were sporadic, largely complicated by multiple crises within Latin American countries. However, in the 1960s, relations in the fields of economic cooperation and economic security began to be built between the regions. In the conditions of the second stage, post-bipolar (1991–2014), the concept of strategic partnership begins to be actively developed between regions, not only in the economic but also in the political and military spheres. Also, the EU, trying to simultaneously institutionally build its own security policy and the European army, began to conduct peacekeeping operations during this period with varying success (since 2003). The current stage (from 2014 to present) is characterized by growing contradictions between Russia, Ukraine, and the collective West, consolidated around the United States, as well as the destruction of the newly created post-bipolar regional security system. The LCA countries, which are afraid of being drawn into a conflict, are trying to develop their own course in the field of security policy.

RECENT ADVANCES IN THE FIELD OF BRIDGE LOAD TESTING

Load testing of bridges is commonly used to verify the performance of a bridge prior to opening as well as for the assessment of existing bridges. This paper reports on recent advances in the field of bridge load testing, based on experimental work carried out in Europe as well as international collaboration efforts. The experimental, numerical and analytical work that has been carried out in these past years is summarized. The main findings are: 1) modern instrumentation techniques (such as acoustic emission measurements and digital image correlation) can be combined with traditional measurements to gain more in-depth insights during and after the test; 2) for load testing to be fully compliant with current codes, a probabilistic substantiation of the methodology is needed; and 3) international collaboration is key in order to successfully update current codes and guidelines and develop recommendations and sets of best practices. The recent advances in North America and Europe have also resulted in improvements to the practice of bridge load testing in Latin America (in particular in Costa Rica and Colombia). To conclude, load testing is an important tool for engineers faced with the task of assessing existing bridges. The aforementioned efforts will result in improved recommendations for the assessment of concrete bridges by load testing to be included in codes and guidelines in Ecuador and other countries in Latin America.

Вооруженные силы Латинской Америки: силовой потенциал, новые функции и фактор внерегиональных связей

Introduction. As a state institution, the Armed Forces of countries in Latin America maintain certain development dynamics in the 21st century. The analysis of those problems gives an opportunity to determine the armed force potential of the Latin American region. Methods and materials. The study is based on distinguishing between the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the transformation of the Armed Forces of the Latin American region. During the analysis of both aspects, the key methodic role belongs to the comparative method. The quantitative parameters are represented in two aspects: national and international. The dynamics of the basic quantitative parameter, the Armed Forces number, and also the positioning of the armies of that region on the global scale are compared. Analysis. Since the eve of the 21st century, practically all the countries of Latin America have demonstrated a tendency toward the growth of the active military staff, proving the increment of the militarization of the region. That process represents one of the macrotendencies characterizing the actual development of the region. Results. According to the criteria of the militarization degree, three groups of countries are singled out: the stable high dynamics group, the middle dynamics indications group, and the low indications group. In the transformation of regional armies in the 21st century, the qualitative change is the appearance of a spectrum of new non-traditional functions. The hypotheses formulated in the study are the following: “The broadening of the sociopolitical functions of the military is related to the changes in attitudes toward security in the countries of the region.” The scrutiny of the military-industrial complexes of the Latin American countries gives a reason to affirm that their potentiality is mainly restricted in its character. The dependent and peripheric character of the region determines its quality as a market for the NATO countries military-technical arsenal.

Pemberian SABU (Serum Anti-Bisa Ular) untuk Kasus Gigitan Ular Awitan Lama dengan Komplikasi Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

Background: Snakebite is a neglected disease in subtropical and tropical countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Snakebite is one of the most common venomous animal bites in the world. Case: A 34-year-old male presented with a history of snakebite two days before with a swollen left gluteus and spontaneous gum bleeding. At the emergency room, the patient was fully conscious with blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg, temperature of 36.8oC, pulse rate of 80 beats per minute, and respiration rate of 18 times per minute. Blood studies showed prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), leucocytosis, thrombocytopenia, low hemoglobin, and elevated renal function test. The patient's condition was improved after administration of anti-snake venom, vitamin K injection, transfusion of fresh frozen plasma and packed red cells. He was discharged after three days of hospital stays. Conclusion: Antivenom is the only specific antidote to snake venom; in Indonesia, there is only one local antivenom, commonly known as SABU (serum anti-bisa ular). Inappropriate use of antivenom should be strongly discouraged. Administration of the antivenom should be accompanied by preparedness for anaphylaxis risk.

China’s Defense Cooperation with Latin America and Caribbean: Trends and Limitations

Introduction. China started to develop military-to-military ties and defense-industrial cooperation with Latin America and Caribbean countries in the early 2000s as an element of its strategy of comprehensive cooperation with the region. Defense cooperation was mentioned in the Chinese documents and statements on the policy in the region from the early 2000s. However, China has always considered this defense cooperation to be just a secondary, subordinate element of its overall strategy in the region. Methods. The article is based on Chinese publications, statements, and documents concerning China’s policies in defense cooperation with the region, as well as on Latin American and other Western publications on specific cooperation projects. The author compares the Chinese approach to defense cooperation with Latin America to similar Chinese cooperation policies in other regions, especially in Africa. Analysis.China views defense cooperation with Latin America as a subordinate element of its general strategy of economic and political presence in the region. Cultivating ties with the local military elites of Latin America is especially emphasized, and the exchange of military delegations started in the early 2000s. To boost defense cooperation, China is sometimes ready to provide significant military assistance to the region. China has established permanent mechanisms of defense dialogue with the regional countries in the form of regular forums and conferences. Other important venues of military cooperation include personnel training, joint exercises, and the region’s visits by Chinese warships. China has managed to establish a presence on the arms market in Latin America in the 2000s but has failed to become a major weapons provider in the region. Currently, Chinese arms sales in Latin America are in decline. However, China has achieved major results in the development of dual-use technology cooperation with the LAC countries, especially in the fields of space and internal security. That may create preconditions for faster development of military and military technical cooperation between China and Latin America in the future. So far, the Chinese approach to defense cooperation in the region remains more cautious and gradual compared to cooperation with Africa. China is reluctant to challenge the US red lines here. That may change in the future as China-US relations continue to deteriorate. Authors contributions. Ekaterina Kosevich was responsible for researching and covering the development of political relations between China and Latin America. Vasily Kashin touched on cooperation in defense, the security industry, and dual-use technology.

A closer look at Cuba’s public health model that prioritizes population health

As the largest Caribbean island, Cuba is known for its picturesque Havana boardwalk, musical rhythms, and tropical climate. A closer look at the national public health model that integrates care for Cuban citizens, however, is fundamental to learn and adapt lessons learned and best practices to bridge knowledge-practice gaps within global health systems. In this visual essay, the author explores connections between photography and community health, illustrating an invaluable story about a primary care workforce, supported by the health system infrastructure, dedicated to achieve high-quality community health for citizens. She shares photographs coupled with narrative elements to showcase the population health model of Cuba, one Latin America and Caribbean country that has received international recognition for achieving universal health care to residents. She weaves words and images to portray her experiences of completing clinical rotations in tuberculosis prevention and control at the ‘Pedro Kourí’ Tropical Medicine Institute and surrounding public health institutions in the capital city of Havana.

Investment Cooperation of the EAEU Countries and Latin America in Modern Conditions

The relevance of the study is related to the trend of the states of the "global" South towards a polycentric world, accompanied by an independent foreign economic course. The EAEU is interested in expanding cooperation with Latin American countries. The purpose is to conduct a comparative analysis of the macroeconomic indicators of the EAEU and LAC countries and FDI destinations based on statistical data. Objectives: to analyze the current state of macroeconomic indicators of the integration associations of the EAEU and LAC in order to identify identical development indicators; to characterize the country and sectoral directions of FDI of the EAEU countries in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean in comparison with similar investments of the countries of the "collective" West and the United States. Methodology. Investment cooperation is analyzed within the framework of the theory of structural functionalism (Parsons) using macroeconomic indicators of foreign trade cooperation based on UNCTAD statistics on world investments, data from the central banks of Bolivia, Brazil, statistical agencies CEPAL and the Bank of Russia. Results. It has been proved that investment flows between the EAEU and LAC have developed unevenly, and the volume of investments has fluctuated significantly. This trend reflects the general stagnation of the EAEU's investment activity in Latin America outside the commodity sectors. The leading sector attracting investment is the software and IT services sector in LAC. Conclusions. There is a trend towards an increase in the volume of trade turnover between the regions of the EAEU and the LAC, but investment cooperation between the countries is slowed down due to the logistical inaccessibility of the region, the insufficient development of the port infrastructure of the LAC, the lack of interbank relations, and insufficient state support in the LAC.

“Solidarity Is a Matter of the Heart”: Anti-Imperialist Solidarity Donations in GDR Children's Magazines

AbstractThe article examines the role of children's magazines in promoting internationalism and solidarity in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). Analysing the magazines ABC-Zeitung, Bummi, and Frösi, it sheds light on their contribution to the GDR's system for collecting and distributing charitable donations and to cultivating children's commitment to countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The article uncovers multifaceted layers of meaning associated with internationalism and emphasizes the significance of the connection between the state-ideological and the everyday levels. Its analysis of primary sources, including articles from the children's magazines, files from the Federal Archives, and historical publications, reveals that the magazines played a crucial role in fostering international solidarity and shaping the political consciousness of young readers. The use of techniques such as suggestion, competition, and renunciation in the magazines not only evoked a sense of collective responsibility, but also positioned children as active contributors to shaping an international socialist future. The children's magazine Bummi is particularly significant in the GDR's charitable donations system as it shows the involvement of other parts of society and thus raises issues of transgenerational education through the medium of children's magazines. By shifting away from the narrative of indoctrination, this article highlights the broader understanding of internationalism in the GDR and its integration into everyday life. It therefore underscores the vital role of children's magazines not only in fostering a stance of anti-imperialist solidarity among young readers, but also in shaping the GDR's vision of an international socialist future.

The formalization of microenterprises in middle-income countries: informal institutions as a mechanism to address institutional incongruence

PropósitoO objetivo deste estudo é investigar o papel das vendas, usadas como um indicador de tamanho, na mediação do impacto da incongruência institucional entre instituições formais e informais na formalização de microempresas em países de renda média na América Latina.MétodoUtilizamos um modelo de regressão Probit para examinar a formalização empresarial como um resultado binário de instituições formais e informais. Os dados foram coletados por meio de 110 entrevistas e pesquisas em 52 municípios da Região Metropolitana de Santiago, Chile. O estudo empregou uma abordagem de amostragem estratificada e foi realizado entre novembro de 2022 e janeiro de 2023.ResultadosNossos resultados oferecem três ideias-chave sobre a formalização de microempresas em países de renda média. Primeiro, demonstramos que as instituições formais não influenciam significativamente as decisões de formalização entre as microempresas em países de renda média; isso desafia a crença tradicional de que as instituições formais, por si só, influenciam significativamente a formalização nesses contextos. Segundo, nosso estudo mostra que as instituições informais são preditores significativos da informalidade, especialmente entre as microempresas menores. Terceiro, nosso estudo destaca que o efeito negativo das instituições informais sobre a formalização é mais forte para negócios de menor porte; portanto, a incongruência institucional entre instituições formais e informais diminui para negócios de maior porte.OriginalidadeEste artigo contribui para a literatura iluminando os impulsionadores da formalização em países de renda média, ao contrário da maioria dos estudos de formalização na região latino-americana, que se concentram principalmente em países de baixa renda. Nossos achados sugerem que os responsáveis pelas políticas em países de renda média deveriam focar em impulsionar o crescimento das microempresas por meio das vendas, em vez de se concentrar em grupos demográficos específicos ou depender exclusivamente do cumprimento institucional formal para promover a formalização.

Causes and prognosis of adults experiencing a first seizure in adulthood: A pilot cohort study conducted in five countries in Latin America.

There are limited data on first seizure (FS) among adults in low and middle-income countries. We describe findings from a prospective cohort study involving 180 adults presenting with seizures in emergency departments in five Latin American countries. Overall, 102 participants (56.7%) had acute symptomatic seizures (ASyS) while 78 (43.3%) had unprovoked seizures (UPS). Among patients with ASyS, 55 (53.9%) had structural causes, with stroke (n = 24, 23.5%), tumor (n = 10, 9.8%), and trauma (n = 3, 3%) being the most frequent. Nineteen patients (18.6%) had infectious causes, including four (4%) with meningoencephalitis, three (3%) neurocysticercosis, and two (2%) bacterial meningoencephalitis. Twenty patients (19.6%) had metabolic/toxic evidence, including four (4%) with uremic encephalopathy, two (2%) hyponatremia, and three (3%) acute alcohol intoxication. Immune dysfunction was present in seven (7%) patients and neurodegenerative in two (2%). Among participants with UPS, 45 (57.7%) had unknown etiology, 24 (30.7%) had evidence of structural disorders (remote symptomatic), four (5%) were related to infectious etiology (>7 days before the seizure), and five (6.4%) had genetic causes. During the 3- and 6-month follow-up, 29.8% and 14% of patients with UPS, respectively, experienced seizure recurrence, while 23.9% and 24.5% of patients with ASyS had seizure recurrence. Longer follow-up is necessary to assess seizure recurrence for patients with ASyS after the acute cause is resolved and to determine the 10-year risk of recurrence, which is part of the definition of epilepsy. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: We monitored 180 adults who presented with their first seizure in emergency departments across five Latin American countries. Among these patients, 57% had acute symptomatic seizures, with structural causes such as stroke (23%), infection (17%), or tumor (10%) being more prevalent. Among the 43% with unprovoked seizures, 58% showed no identifiable acute cause, while 6.4% were due to genetics. Within 3 months after their initial seizure, 26.6% of individuals experienced a second seizure, with 11.9% continuing to have seizures in Months 3-6. Between Months 3 and 6, an additional 20% of patients encountered a second seizure. Research is needed to better understand the cause and prognosis of these patients to improve outcomes.

Sustainable Dengue Prevention and Management: Integrating Dengue Vaccination Strategies with Population Perspectives.

The GEMKAP study (2023) unveiled consistent knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) levels across Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Latin America (LATAM) countries regarding dengue, with variations in the willingness to vaccinate. Despite an overall KAP parity, the disparities within and between the countries indicated the need for both overarching and tailored strategies. Population-wide gaps in dengue awareness result in suboptimal vaccination priorities and preventive measures. This commentary delves into identifying the drivers and barriers for implementing a multi-pronged dengue prevention and management program, emphasizing the pivotal role of vaccination alongside education and vector control. Drawing on expert interviews in APAC and LATAM, informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), four key themes emerged: prioritizing and continuously advocating for dengue on national health agendas, fostering stakeholder collaboration, incorporating population perspectives for behavioral change, and designing sustainable dengue prevention and management programs. Successful implementation requires evidence-based decision making and a comprehensive understanding of population dynamics to design adaptive education tailored to diverse population views. This commentary provides actionable strategies for enhancing dengue prevention and management, with a pronounced emphasis on dengue vaccination, advocating for a holistic, population-centric approach for sustained effectiveness.

Feasibility and Colonoscopy Yield Using the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)-Based Colorectal Cancer Screening in a Latin America Country

Background and aimsOrganized colorectal cancer (CRC) is not widely practiced in Latin America and the results of regional studies may help overcome barriers for implementation of national screening programs. We aimed to describe the implementation and findings of a fecal immunochemical test (FIT)-based program in Brazil. MethodsIn a prospective population-based study, asymptomatic individuals (50 to 75 years-old) from Sao Paulo city were invited to undergo FIT for CRC screening. Participants with positive FIT (>10 μg Hb/g feces) were referred for colonoscopy. Subjects were classified into groups according to the presence of CRC, precursor lesions, and other benign findings, possibly related to bleeding. ResultsOf a total of 9,881 subjects, 7.8% had positive FIT and colonoscopy compliance was 68.9% (n=535). Boston scale was considered adequate in 99% and cecal intubation rate was 99.4%. CRC was diagnosed in 5.9% of the cases, adenoma in 63.2%, advanced adenoma (AA) in 31.4%, and advanced neoplasia (AN) in 33.0%. Age was positively associated with CRC (p=0.03). Higher FIT concentrations were associated with increased detection of CRC (p<0.008), AA (p<0.001), and AN (p<0.001). ConclusionImplementation of a FIT-based CRC screening program was feasible in a low-resource setting, and there was a high yield for neoplasia in individuals with a positive FIT. This approach could be used as a model to plan and disseminate organized CRC screening more broadly in Brazil and Latin America.

The role of play in early childhood education curricula in Greece and the world: A systematic literature review

The scope of this systematic review is to present the role of play within early childhood education curricula in Greece and around the world. In particular, findings will be presented from 25 early childhood education curricula from the past 15 years (2004-2018). Seven of these come from countries of the European Union, one from a country that used to be a member of the European Union, two from countries of Africa, seven from countries of North and Latin America and the Caribbean, six from counties of Asia and two from Oceania. Findings present the role of play within the early childhood education curricula and where possible the role of the educator in relation to play in preschool settings. From the systematic review and the analysis of the curricula we can conclude that early childhood education curricula are in their majority child-centered, they vary in form and recognize the importance of play in children’s holistic development and learning. Educators on their behalf tend to adopt various roles in order to support and promote play at the nursery school, indoors and outdoors in cooperation with parents and other professionals. Factors that influence the content of early childhood curricula and the role of play in them, are geographic location, cultural heritage, structure of society, knowledge of history and respect for the past and the future always in relation to the needs of the children of this age.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Programs in Latin America

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with increasing incidence and mortality in Latin America. CRC screening programs can reduce disease burden, but information on screening programs in Latin America is limited. To describe characteristics (eg, type of program, uptake, neoplastic yield) of CRC screening programs in Latin America. PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, PsycINFO, Web of Science Core Collection, LILACS, and SciELO were searched from inception to February 2023. Relevant references from bibliographies, conference proceedings, and gray literature were considered. The search strategy included English, Spanish, and Portuguese terms. Included were studies of CRC screening programs in Latin America using fecal immunochemical test (FIT) or colonoscopy as the primary screening method. Four reviewers independently assessed study eligibility based on titles, with review of abstracts and full texts as needed. Guidelines from Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) were followed for data abstraction and quality assessment. Descriptive information was extracted, and data were pooled using a random-effects model. Program performance indicators included rates of participation and FIT positivity, adenoma detection rate (ADR), advanced adenoma detection rate (AADR), CRC detection rate, and colonoscopy quality indicators. There were 17 studies included from upper middle-income and high-income countries in Latin America with a total of 123 929 participants. Thirteen studies used FIT as the initial screening method, whereas 4 used screening colonoscopy. The participation rate in FIT-based programs was 85.8% (95% CI, 78.5%-91.4%). FIT positivity rates were 15.2% (95% CI, 9.6%-21.8%) for the 50-ng/mL threshold and 9.7% (95% CI, 6.8%-13.0%) for the 100-ng/mL threshold. For FIT-based studies, the pooled ADR was 39.0% (95% CI, 29.3%-49.2%) and CRC detection rate was 4.9% (95% CI, 2.6%-7.9%); for screening colonoscopy-based studies, the pooled ADR was 19.9% (95% CI, 15.5%-24.8%) and CRC detection rate was 0.4% (95% CI, 0.1%-0.8%). This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that CRC screening in upper middle-income countries in Latin America is feasible, detecting rates of neoplasia comparable with those of high-income regions. Population-based screening programs should be developed or enhanced in these settings. There is a knowledge gap regarding feasibility and yield of screening programs in lower middle-income countries.

Senior entrepreneurship in Latin America: evaluation and support from entrepreneurship ecosystems approach

Purpose The purpose of this study is to make an exploratory analysis of the impact of the entrepreneurial ecosystem (EE) as defined by Acs et al. (2014) on opportunity-driven senior entrepreneurial activity in Latin America. Design/methodology/approach The research uses data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor and the Global Entrepreneurship and Development Institute of five Latin America countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico), providing a total of 15,019 observations of people that are 50+ years old, between the years 2013 and 2017. A multi-level logistic regression model was used to estimate the relation between the total entrepreneurial activity by opportunity of seniors and some EE indicators. A total of three equations were estimated on the data set described. Findings This research confirms the relevance of some elements of EE on senior entrepreneurship in Latin America. Entrepreneurial attitudes have a positive relationship with senior entrepreneurs, generating higher levels of entrepreneurial ventures. The combination of institutions that support these attitudes on the EE enhances senior entrepreneurial activity. It also demonstrates that a higher level of entrepreneurial education at postschool stages is relevant to increasing senior entrepreneurial activity. Originality/value This research makes some interesting contributions in the field of measuring the impact of EE on senior entrepreneurship by opportunity in developing countries, filling a literature gap. It allows us to glimpse some measures that policymakers could take to improve the entrepreneurial activity of this segment in the region, such as implementing programs that facilitate networking opportunities and mentorship, along with providing training in business and financial literacy.

ESG investing versus the market: returns and risk analysis and portfolio diversification in Latin-America

PropósitoSe examina el rendimiento de los índices-ESG en América Latina (AL), evaluando sus características de riesgo y retorno en comparación con los índices convencionales.Diseño/metodología/enfoque:Utilizando un enfoque cuantitativo, analizamos los índices-ESG de Brasil, México, Chile, Perú y Colombia, empleando ratios de Sharpe, Sortino y Omega para medir los rendimientos ajustados al riesgo. Se utiliza análisis de regresión para evaluar la replicabilidad de los índices-ESG por parte de los índices de referencia. Se realizan simulaciones de Monte-Carlo para explorar el aumento en los rendimientos ajustados al riesgo cuando se incorporan los índices-ESG en las carteras.Hallazgos:El estudio aborda preguntas críticas: ¿Pueden los índices-ESG superar a sus índices de referencia? ¿Pueden estos índices-ESG ser replicados por sus contrapartes de referencia? ¿Mejoran los índices-ESG la diversificación de las carteras? Los hallazgos revelan que la inversión en índices-ESG tiene el potential de mejorar los rendimientos y la diversificación de las carteras de inversión.Limitaciones/implicaciones de la investigación –Aunque este estudio se centra en diversas economías de AL, es importante tener en cuenta variaciones en moneda y volatilidad.Originalidad/valor:La principal contribución de este estudio radica en su enfoque en países de AL en el examen de carteras diversas; ofrece valiosos conocimientos sobre el rendimiento de los índices-ESG en esta región en comparación con los índices convencionales.

Insect as food: search for new protein dietary sources – A review

The increasing global need for food has sparked a great deal of interest in the consumption of novel and diversified sources of protein. Dietary protein not only plays a critical function in the prevention of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) but also in how the human diet affects the environment. Eating insects has been practised for a very long time. Edible insects have clear economic and environmental benefits, and recently, their huge potential in numerous industries has brought them to the forefront. Due to cultural prejudices towards hazardous insects, edible insects in Western nations are more likely to be used as animal feed than as human food, even though their abundance should be advantageous to human health. However, insects are a major source of protein for many countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Insects may be used to address issues with the conservative food supply chain, such as the scarcity of land, water, and energy resources. Our analysis shows that, despite the fact that consumers affected by Western eating habits are unfamiliar with it, entomophagy is steadily growing throughout the world. Numerous studies have been done to increase their value, however questions about the security of the food supply have been raised. In this review of literature study, comparison have been made with ingestible insects with those of other conventional protein sources. The development of contemporary entomophagy was discussed along with their historical perspective. The practical methods and tactics has been also suggested to encourage the consumption of edible insects.

Consequences of COVid-19 in Latin American dentists in the first year of the pandemic, the period prior to vaccination campaigns

ObjectivesThe aim of this investigation was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dentists in Latin America during the initial year of the outbreak, specifically within the timeframe preceding vaccination campaigns. This study determined the various facets in which dentists were affected and exactly what proportion of them was harmed. MethodsA comprehensive 33 question survey was distributed across 19 Latin American countries after the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic's presence in the region. ResultsThere was an absence of statistically significant differences in responses among the surveyed countries in Latin America, with the exception of four questions out of the total 33. Some relevant findings of Latin American were: one in three dental professionals experienced discrimination based on their occupation. Concurrently, three out of four dentists reported initiating new activities to lessen discomfort. Notably, 8.63 % of respondents sought assistance from a psychologist or psychiatrist, while 17.71 % resorted to the consumption of psychoactive substances within the first year of the pandemic.Furthermore, 7.28 % of the professionals indicated that they still had not obtained all the necessary personal protective equipment for their work and 92.05 % disclosing that they personally financed these essential resources. A certain percentage of dentists stated that the quality of care decreased due to the implementation of the new safety measures (40.03 %) or due to their own feelings during patient interactions (23.11 %). Lastly, 38.85 % of dentists contemplated leaving the profession. ConclusionsThe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dentists was decidedly adverse, manifesting both in personal and professional fields, despite the diverse measures undertaken by these professionals to mitigate its effects.