Panama Research Articles

Diagnóstico de la gobernanza del agua para el desarrollo de la comunidad rural de Platanilla, Darién, Panamá

A rapid diagnosis was conducted in the Platanilla rural community, located in the province of Darién (Republic of Panama), focusing on water, sanitation, and hygiene, and considering water resources as a cross-cutting axis. Mixed methods were applied, including surveys, interviews, and documentary review, in order to build an understanding of water management and its limitations. Findings revealed low population participation and commitment, political instability, and lack of territorial planning, all of which limits water management and governance, regardless of its recognized importance to the community and its land-based accessibility. Social and institutional relearning is required to ensure sustainable territorial transformations in water management and governance, in addition to investments in water supply infrastructure and water treatment and distribution.

Confirmation of Ficus maxima (Moraceae) as a Host Plant for a Spittle Bug, Sphodroscarta (Hemiptera: Cercopoidea: Aphrophoridae), Reared in the Field in Panama

It is impractical to rear tree-feeding Hemiptera in the laboratory, but host-associations can be discovered if adults and immatures are found feeding together on their plant. However, solitary tree-feeding nymphs must be observed closely in the field to capture the adult upon emergence and thus learn the species identity. A spittle bug, Sphodroscarta Stål, 1869 belonging to the gigas group (Hemiptera: Cercopoidea: Aphrophoridae) was reared in the field by monitoring a nymph in a spittle nest on Ficus maxima Miller, 1768 (Moraceae) and obtaining the adult in Arraiján, Republic of Panama. Dates, a 132-day timeline, and photographs are provided.

Caloglossa fluviatilis Krayesky, Fredericq & J.N.Norris (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta) from Bataan province, Luzon Island, Philippines, a new country record

Caloglossa fluviatilis is one of the least known freshwater algal species of its genus, having been reported from its type locality in Pedro Miguel, Republic of Panama, and Chalakkudy and Periyar Rivers in the State of Kerala, India. This study presents a new locality record of the species from Bataan province on the island of Luzon, Philippines. C. fluviatilis is characterised by having (1) a thallus having a width at the internode region narrower than 1.0 mm, (2) moderate development of adventitious secondary branches at the node, and (3) fewer than eight rhizoidal filaments arising from pericentral cells at the node. Indeed, this Philippine population of C. fluviatilis has helped fill the gaps and extended the distribution of the species to the western Pacific region. Further studies and reassessment of freshwater Caloglossa specimens will contribute to further understanding of these little-known genus members.

Relationship between Soil Properties, Content and Dynamics of Cadmium in Creole Cocoa Genotype Grown Organically in Bocas del Toro – Panama

Introduction: Quantifying Cadmium (Cd), helps to know the excess of this element harmful to human health.
 Objectives: Determine the concentrations of Cd and its relationship with the management and properties of the soil, leaf tissue, fruit and cocoa beans grown organically in small farms of producers in the district of Almirante, and to study the dynamics of this element in a Creole cocoa genotype AS-CP 26-61 (mulatto).
 Places and Duration of the Study: The research was carried out during the years 2019 to 2021, in 16 sites of farms of cocoa producers, organically grown, in Almirante, province of Bocas del Toro and the second, was in a house of vegetation, located in the facilities of the Institute of Agricultural Innovation of Panama, in the town of Divisa, corregimiento of Los Canelos, district of Santa María, province of Herrera, Republic of Panama.
 Methodologies: The samples were carried out in the16 farm sites in a systematic way selecting points at uniform distances in an area of 300 m2 with replicas (15 subsamples at depths of 0.30 m), within these areas the samples of leaves and fruits were taken. In the dynamics of the Cd, which was carried out in the creole cocoa genotype AS-CP 26-61 (mulatto), the soil was transferred from a representative area of the Almirante district to a depth of 0.30 m, filling pots with a capacity of 15 kg of dry soil. A completely random design was used, with six (6) treatments and three (3) repetitions. The treatments were (0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 mgCdkg-1) inoculated the soils with cadmium sulfate. Soil samples were taken at two depths (0 to 0.15 m and 0.15 to 0.30 m); followed for plants (roots, stems and leaves), all extracted six (6) months after applying the treatments. Total and bioavailable Cd, Ca, Mg, soil texture, pH, soil organic matter, total foliar Cd, fruits and grains were measured. The analysis of the data was by the Infostat statistician. Soil organic matter was determined by Walkley and Black and total concentrations by USEPA method 3051 A; instead, the bioavailable Cd and K were determined by Mehlich 3; Ca and Mg per KCl; texture by Boyoucos.
 Results: As results in the 16 sites, the total and bioavailable Cd in the soil did not exceed the toxic levels for agricultural soils. On the other hand, the average levels of total Cd in the fruits and grains, did not present absorptions greater than 0.6 mgkg-1. While for the dynamics of Cd in the Creole cocoa genotype AS-CP 26-61 the maximum absorption form is presented by the leaves > roots > stem.
 Conclusion: By increasing the organic matter of the soil, it helps to block the concentrations of Cd in the leaves, fruits and grains; the levels of concentrations of Cd in the grain, do not exceed the maximum limits allowed according to the E.U. The use of the Creole genotype AS-CP 26-61 helped us to know in which part of the plant the concentrations of Cd are most concentrated.

Adverse event management costs for first-line treatment with cetuximab or panitumumab of RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer patients in Latin America.

203 Background: Anti-EGFR treatment of RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in Latin America includes cetuximab or panitumumab, added to chemotherapy (cet+CT and pan+CT, respectively). Adverse event (AE) profiles for each regimen may influence the treatment decision. This study aimed to estimate the associated financial impact of AE management in three countries: Argentina (AR), Brazil (BR) and Panama (PA) from a healthcare payer perspective. Methods: We revised a published Microsoft Excel-based economic model to calculate average patient- and population-level costs from a payer perspective of mCRC AE management for first-line cet+CT and pan+CT treatment, using AE frequency and severity data derived from the authorization relevant FDA prescribing information (PI), multiplied by the country-specific unit costs of managing AEs. Costs of AE management were obtained from publicly available sources in each country and converted to US dollars (USD). Country-specific market research data were applied to calculate costs at the eligible mCRC population level. The model structure and input parameters were endorsed by local practising oncologists. Results: A 17.5% (all-grade) and 31.6% (grade 3-4) lower average per patient AE frequency were estimated from the PI, for cet+CT vs pan+CT. Cost results are presented in the table. Projected AE management costs of cet+CT for the eligible mCRC population are $297,643 (AR), $124,981 (BR) and $65,895 (PA), annually, reducing current annual estimated AE costs by $42,181 (AR), $8,548 (BR) and $4,691 (PA). Conclusions: According to the average estimated AE frequencies, patients treated with cet+CT are expected to experience fewer AEs than with pan+CT. According to our analyses, the lower frequency rates could result in lower overall and severe AEs’ management costs, resulting in 12.4% (AR), 6.4% (BR) and 6.6% (PA) lower costs of AE management for cet+CT versus pan+CT.[Table: see text]

LG and Others v. Rina SpA, Ente Registro Italiano Navale

352State immunity — Jurisdictional immunity — Action for damages against ship classification and certification company acting upon delegation from Republic of Panama — Council Regulation (EC) No 44/2001 of 22 December 2000 on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters — Article 2(1) — Whether Italian court having jurisdiction under Regulation — Article 1(1) — Scope of civil and commercial matters — Operations of ship classification and certification societies — Public powers — Whether classification and certification operations conducted in exercise of public powers — Immunity from jurisdiction — Whether customary international law principle of jurisdictional immunity of States precluding court from exercising jurisdiction under Regulation — The law of the European Union

Evaluation of the Leaf Extracts of Kalanchoe pinnata and Kalanchoe daigremontiana Chemistry, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activity

The aim of this study was to analyze the chemical components and evaluate the biological activity of the extracts from the leaves Kalanchoe pinnata and Kalanchoe daigremontiana, which are cultivated in the province of Chiriqui, Republic of Panama. Phytochemicals components, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were studied. The composition of the obtained petroleum ether, ethanol and aqueous extracts was analyzed by phytochemical screening. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was studied using three in vitro model systems (DPPH radical scavenging assay, nitric oxide radical scavenging assay, and superoxide radical scavenging activity). The anti-inflammatory activity of these species was studied using an in vivo model (ʎ-carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats). Phytochemical analysis of the extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, triterpenes, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, saponins and glycosides. The greatest radical inhibitory effect was observed in the DPPH model where the ethanolic extracts of both species developed a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect, the K. pinnata extract reached a maximum inhibitory effect of 49.5 ± 5.6% (2000

First record of Caecilia guntheri Dunn, 1942 (Gymnophiona, Caeciliidae) in Central America

I report the first encounter in Central America of an individual of Caecilia guntheri Dunn, 1942 (Gymnophiona, Caeciliidae). The individual was observed and collected in a primary evergreen submontane forest in Cerro Pirre, Darien Province, Republic of Panama. It was identified mainly by the low counts of secondary and primary folds. The encounter of this individual of C. guntheri highlights the disjunct populations and apparently the results of dispersion of this species from South to Central America by biotic exchange as result of the closure of the Isthmus of Panama.

Lutz Creek watershed, Barro Colorado Island, Republic of Panama

AbstractLutz creek is a small (9.69 ha) catchment located on Barro Colorado Island (BCI), a 1500‐ha island in Lake Gatún, the principal freshwater reservoir (425 ha, 26 m above sea level) of the Panama Canal watershed in central Panama. In 1972, a concrete V‐notch weir was installed on the creek, located at 9°09′42.8358″N, 79°50′15.6699″W, and hydrological record keeping began. The island was first established as a research station in 1923 and precipitation data collection was initiated in 1925. A meteorological tower, installed in 1972 and located a few meters from the weir, is currently instrumented to collect air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, evapotranspiration and solar radiation. In addition, since 1972, gravimetric soil moisture has been measured at least biweekly at 10 sites located throughout the Lutz Catchment above the location of the weir. Data collection and the administration of BCI are the responsibility of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI; https://stri.si.edu) which funds the data collection and storage. Data are in the public domain, entitled ‘Lutz Watershed And Meteorological Tower’ and are available at the STRI Physical monitoring website https://biogeodb.stri.si.edu/physical_monitoring/.

Analysis of the bibliometric impact of novel biomolecules discovered in Panama through bioprospecting

Analysis of the bibliometric impact of novel biomolecules discovered in Panama through bioprospecting

Modern Panama: From Occupation to Crossroads of the Americas

Modern Panama: From Occupation to Crossroads of the Americas

Novedades para las aráceas costarricenses (Araceae) con notas nomenclaturales

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Araceae es una familia de plantas herbáceas ampliamente distribuida en el mundo, es notable por su sorprendente diversidad morfológica y su vasta variedad de hábitats. La familia comprende ocho subfamilias, 143 géneros y 3667 especies. La región centroamericana posee alrededor de 780 especies, de las cuales 262 se encuentran en Costa Rica. En esta contribución, incluimos cuatro nuevos registros de aráceas para la flora de Costa Rica, pertenecientes a los géneros Anthurium, Philodendron y Spathiphyllum. Adicionalmente, se discuten aspectos nomenclaturales de A. myosuroides. Métodos: Los nuevos registros se realizaron mediante trabajo de campo en Fila Anguciana, Cerros Turrubares y Volcán Miravalles. La correcta identidad taxonómica de las especies se confirmó mediante la revisión de literatura y por comparación con especímenes de herbario, especialmente los ejemplares tipo provistos por los herbarios de la Universidad de Panamá (PMA) y el Jardín Botánico de Missouri (MO). También se consultó, en línea, la base de datos de JSTOR Global Plants y la colección del Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle de París (P). Se proporcionan descripciones, discusiones taxonómicas e ilustraciones de las características morfológicas de los nuevos registros. Resultados clave: Se presentan Anthurium roseospadix, A. myosuroides, Philodendron pseudauriculatum y Spathiphyllum dressleri como nuevos registros para la flora de Costa Rica. Además, se propone una lectotipificación para Pothos myosuroides. Conclusiones: Considerando los nuevos registros presentados en este trabajo, la flora de aráceas de Costa Rica ahora comprende 266 especies, donde la diversidad de Anthurium, Philodendron y Spathiphyllum aumentó a 94, 63 y 10 especies, respectivamente.

Modern Panama: From Occupation to Crossroads of the Americas

Modern Panama: From Occupation to Crossroads of the Americas

First host plant record for Pacarina (Hemiptera, Cicadidae)

Twenty-ninePacarina(Hemiptera: Cicadidae) adults, 12 males and 17 females, emerged from the soil of a pottedDracaena trifasciata(Asparagaceae) in Arraiján, Republic of Panama, providing the first rearing records and the first definitive host plant records for any species ofPacarina. These rearedPacarinaappear to be morphologically distinct from all known species ofPacarinaand likely represent an undescribed species. In light of this finding, we also discuss the taxonomy, biogeography, and ecology ofPacarina.

COMUNICACIÓN SOCIAL DE LAS CIENCIAS: NECESIDAD DE FORMACIÓN EN LA UNIVERSIDAD DE PANAMÁ

El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido analizar y evaluar la necesidad de crear una formación en comunicación de las ciencias en la Universidad de Panamá. Desde esta perspectiva, nos centramos en analizar las posiciones y opiniones de los distintos estamentos involucrados en el proceso de comunicación de las ciencias, dentro y fuera de la institución. Para ello se analizó documentación y resultados de estudios existentes, se realizaron dos entrevistas y se aplicaron tres encuestas a distintos actores del engranaje profesional y académico de la comunicación social y las ciencias y se compararon sus datos. Los resultados obtenidos indican una gran demanda de especialización en comunicación social de las ciencias proveniente tanto de los profesionales que hacen ciencia como de los comunicadores sociales y un gran interés por promover este tema por parte de las instituciones académicas y gubernamentales. Este trabajo justifica la necesidad de crear una formación en comunicación social de las ciencias en la Universidad de Panamá, que forme comunicadores que adquieran capacidades para conocer y dominar las herramientas de la comunicación plural de las ciencias para una mejor difusión de los conocimientos científicos que se producen en Panamá y en el mundo para la ciudadanía panameña.

Reflexión Weberiana del Maestro Darío Mesa Chica Sobre Administración Pública.

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Evaluación de la seguridad en las instalaciones eléctricas de las viviendas del distrito de Changuinola

Tener una instalación eléctrica segura en un hogar es de mucha importancia, de esta manera se salvaguardan de los peligros y riesgos que puede causar una mala instalación como también protegemos la vida de cada persona y del hogar. Las malas instalaciones eléctricas y el descuido con la instauración del gas son los riesgos más comunes para las fiestas de fin de año causantes de incendios. De allí que, el objetivo de la investigación es evaluar la seguridad en las instalaciones eléctricas de las viviendas del distrito de Changuinola. Este estudio se realizó en el distrito de Changuinola, en donde se evaluó la instalación eléctrica aplicando un cuestionario a 225 personas, además de evaluar los riesgos de las instalaciones eléctricas de 25 viviendas aplicando un checklist como instrumento. Los resultados indican que que el 35% de las viviendas evaluadas no cumplen con la norma NFPA de 2008 y el 65% si cumple con las normas.

How Digitalization and IoT Can Improve the Operations of Panama Canal

The objective of this study was to review and investigate how data information systems are used to control operations and influence management decisions at the Panama Canal. It takes the view that the Panama Canal combines basic technology and complex systems to keep canal operations running safely and efficiently, and growing; ultimately keeping the Global economy in motion and profitable. From this perspective, it shows how ports around the world may look to the Panama Canal for solutions they can incorporate to remain relevant and competitive. This paper also discusses how the Panama Canal Authority utilizes legacy systems along with a wide variety of technology systems and equipment to collect data, and translate it into useful information that is used in planning and running day-to-day operations.

Helicobacter pylori en Costa Rica, más de una década de investigaciones

En investigaciones realizadas en el Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología (CIB) en agua de consumo humano de Costa Rica, se analizó un total de 112 muestras de agua potable de 20 cantones situados en áreas de baja y alta incidencia de cáncer gástrico del país. Se logró el cultivo exitoso y la identificación molecular de la bacteria Helicobacter pylori con el marcador glmM en el 39% de las muestras de áreas de alta incidencia y en el 7.5% de las muestras de áreas de baja incidencia. Además, se analizaron muestras de agua potable (n = 44) de acueductos costarricense con tratamiento de cloración en áreas seleccionadas con alta prevalencia de cáncer gástrico, así como muestras de agua de consumo humano de Panamá (n = 44) de acueductos que suministran agua no tratada para consumo humano en la provincia de Chiriquí. En el caso de las muestras de Costa Rica, se determinó que el 79.5% de las muestras fue positivo para H. pylori; eliminando valores atípicos, la cuantificación de las bacterias se determinó en 3,6 × 103 copias/100 mL de agua. Para Panamá, se determinó que el 86% de las muestras fueron positivas para la presencia de H. pylori con un valor de 3.3 × 102 copias/100 mL agua. La diferencia en los valores entre los acueductos en ambos países reveló una distribución ambiental de las bacterias de interés epidemiológico en cada caso, que puede explicar la diferencia entre las tasas de cáncer gástrico entre ambos países.

Five New Species of the Dynastine Genus Tomarus Erichson (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), with an Illustrated Key to Species

A neotype for Tomarus bidentulus (Fairmaire, 1892) is designated, and five new species of the genus Tomarus Erichson are described and illustrated: Tomarus laticaudus Lopez-Garcia and Deloya, new species (Panama); T. maracaiboensis Lopez-Garcia and Deloya, new species (Venezuela); T. moroni Lopez-Garcia and Deloya, new species (Brazil); T. paranaensis Lopez-Garcia and Deloya, new species (Brazil); and T. pilcopataensis Lopez-Garcia and Deloya, new species (Peru). An illustrated key to the 35 currently known species of the genus is included.