Universidad De Ciencias Research Articles

Comprehensive Management of Water Resources: A Step-By-Step Path Towards a Sustainable Campus At The U.D.C.A (Bogotá, Colombia)

Universities are recognized as essential agent of change since future decision-makers related to sustainability are going and will pass through their classrooms. This circumstance becomes an excellent opportunity to demonstrate, with example, and instill in the students how these types of organizations control and approach implementing practices that guarantee sustainability and the appropriate use of resources over time. The Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales has undertaken different actions related to the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) on campus since 1990. This work focuses on the actions carried out by the Integrated Environmental Management System (latest institutional management model) between the 2014-2016 period to improve the university campus's IWRM (drinking water and wastewater management) from a systemic point of view. The actions implemented were part of the project: Reusing treated water at the University's Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). This project included the following objectives: 1) Reduce the volume and economic costs of sludge water disposal; 2) Reduce drinking water consumption; and 3) Promote environmental education about water resources in students of the different programs of the University. The results were: 1) A decrease of 68.3% in volume and 69.5% in costs of sludge water disposal; 2) A 41.2% saving in drinking water consumption; and 3) 2,475 members of the university community impacted by issues related to the management of water resources.

The U.D.C.A. on the Road to Environmental Sustainability in Its Infrastructure and Environment

The Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales U.D.C.A. has been walking a path from Sustainable Development to Environmental Sustainability, which is evidenced through initiatives in infrastructure and its environment, according to the Institutional Educational Project, which recognizes the Campus as a Living Classroom. In this opportunity, the process that is being advanced in terms of infrastructure and environmental management with three initiatives will be presented: 1. The U.D.C.A. environmental memory trail, an ecological trail under construction, which allowed articulating teaching, research, and social projection from a research seedbed of Environmental History, which collects environmental information related to biological, ecological and cultural aspects of the species of fauna and flora that are present on Campus. 2. The Tingua Refuge, an emblematic site of the UniversityUniversity recognized for its conservation of wild species such as Tinguas and ducks, where classroom projects are being developed with students of the Environmental Analysis Technology program to measure the quality of the water as a first step for its ecological restoration process, to turn it into a bio-indicator of environmental health for the UniversityUniversity. 3. The development of infrastructure as an axis of change toward the environmental sustainability of the University is part of the University's Infrastructure Master Plan, which defines the conditions under which the U.D.C.A. advances the necessary actions in environmental, urban, rural, and architectural aspects to adapt the academic spaces.

Socio-ecological influences on access to abortion care in Costa Rica: a qualitative analysis of key perspectives from clinical and policy stakeholders

Costa Rica prohibits abortion except under narrow circumstances to save the pregnant person’s life. The country boasts historically strong support for social policy and human rights, while also presenting a complex and restrictive abortion access landscape. From September 2021 to March 2022, we conducted 23 interviews with obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) physicians, OB/GYN medical residents, and policy stakeholders to explore the socio-ecological influences on abortion access in Costa Rica. We sampled clinicians and policy stakeholders from the Universidad de Ciencias Médicas listserv through snowball sampling and conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews in Spanish. We identified limited access to comprehensive sexual health education, lack of support from interpersonal networks, inadequate provider knowledge and training, financial and migratory status, and both provider and community stigma as substantial barriers to abortion access. This study addresses a gap in published research around the social determinants of abortion in Costa Rica and sheds light on the attitudes and opinions of the medical and policy stakeholder communities about abortion access. The results highlight the need for expanded access to comprehensive sexual health education, abortion-related training for healthcare providers, and increased programming efforts, such as funding, outreach, and implementation, to ensure comprehensive reproductive health services are available and accessible, especially for vulnerable populations in Costa Rica.

University scientific production: The case of the Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales (Bogotá, Colombia)

The research and scientific production of Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales U.D.C.A was analyzed based on the intellectual capital approach, global academic rankings, research, and scientific production in the last 40 years. The Scimago Graphica tool and the VOSviewer software were used for the bibliometric and content analysis of the scientific publications available in the Scopus database. The bibliometric analysis showed that there are 534scientific documents in the Scopus database, with at least one author affiliated with U.D.C.A. Of these, 84 % can be found in SciELO and 56 % on Publindex. Most documents (70 %) are in English, and 27 % are in Spanish. The citations of 7 articles account for 64.4 % (37,147) of the total citations. Authors with affiliation U.D.C.A have collaborated with researchers from 72 countries. Based on intellectual capital and scientific production, U.D.C.A is currently in model 2.0 and is transitioning towards model 3.0, drawn by three areas: Medicine, Environmental Sciences, and Veterinary. These areas have focused on inter-institutional cooperation, internationalization, regionalization, and globalization. However, they must incorporate business development, digital technologies, virtual learning, knowledge capitalization, and entrepreneurship. The other areas of knowledge need to reconsider the type and scope of research they develop to be relevant to the academic community and society.

Design of a Mobile App to Monitor and Control in Real Time Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Peru

Diabetes in the world is a big problem. In addition, in Peru there are high cases of diabetes mellitus type 2, this happens due to insulin resistance, which causes damage to muscle, liver. In addition to the fact that the fat cells do not generate insulin correctly is because the body needs to generate more insulin so that glucose can enter the cells. Due to the problem that exists, a solution to the problem was sought with the objective of developing the design of a mobile application to monitor in real time, in such a way that it helps patients with diabetes to have a good monitoring plan. The methodology developed in the research is Design Thinking as it fits perfectly to the solution of the problems of society which was successfully developed using the phases of empathizing, defining, ideating, prototyping and finally testing. As a result, the design of the mobile application to monitor and control in real time patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 in Peru was obtained. In addition, obtained data on diabetes in Peru verified by the Ministry of Health, such as the results of registered cases of diabetes in Peru 2022, type of diabetes that develop in Peru on a large scale, type of diabetes in men and women. The complications that arise in the progression of the disease in addition to the cases of records according to sex and period of the year 2020 to 2022. Also, the cases presented diabetes throughout Peru therefore a survey was conducted where professors of the Universidad de Ciencias y Humanidades were conducted to qualify the prototypes for development which returned favorable results for implementation.

Teaching creative careers in the pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the major concerns at the Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de América Latina (UCAL; the University of Sciences and Arts of Latin America) has been to keep offering high-quality education with effective teaching methodologies and creativity at its core. This article aims to describe and understand the use of digital tools for class preparation, synchronous encounters, storage, interaction, collaborative work and assessment by UCAL’s instructors in creative careers. It finds that instructors were proactive about learning and using a variety of digital tools. Gamification apps and interactive boards were instructors’ favourites because they tended to motivate their students the most. No statistically significant associations were found between tool selection and course, sex, or age. Based on the evidence, this article will propose general guidelines for a training plan for instructors.

A bibliometric analysis of nursing and midwifery research in the Caribbean.

To determine the research output of Caribbean nurses and midwives. We searched the Scopus database to identify publications by Caribbean nurses and midwives during the period 2000-2020. Publications were included in the analysis if they had at least one author who was either a nurse or midwife and affiliated with a Caribbean geographic location. All publication types and languages were included in the analysis. Organization analysis and collaboration networks were created using the VOS Viewer application. The number of Scopus publications by Caribbean nurses and midwives progressively grew from 22 in 2000 to 584 in 2020. Cuba recorded the highest number of nursing research publications (319) followed by Jamaica (92), and Puerto Rico (59). Most publishing institutions were universities. The University of the West Indies (Jamaica) ranked highest with 15.2% of publications, followed by Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana with 14.4% of publications, Universidad de Puerto Rico ranked third with 9.8% of publications. The majority of publications (83.6%) were peer reviewed research articles, while review articles accounted for 9.8% of publications. Six out of the ten journals that published most research done by Caribbean nurse researchers were Cuban journals which published a total of n=250 (75.8%) articles. All six journals had no impact factor and had low cite scores. Our analysis of bibliometric indicators suggest that recent and steady growth in nursing and midwifery research in the Caribbean has had low visibility. Equipping nurses and midwives with the necessary knowledge and skills to lead, teach, and conduct high quality research through doctorate level education is an imperative for increasing research productivity among Caribbean nurses and midwives. Nursing and midwifery research is critical for evidence-based nursing and midwifery practice. High quality and context specific research evidence will enable Caribbean nurses and midwives to provide quality and culturally sensitive nursing and midwifery care and contribute to evidence informed policy decisions.

"Effectiveness of Shock Wave Therapy in Injuries of Tendons and Ligaments of the Osteomyoarticular System"

Marisel Ibarbia Carreras1*, Ernesto W Planas Montalvo2 and Alina del Pilar Marín Díaz1 Author Affiliations 11st Grade Specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Assistant Professor and Associate Researcher, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas, Cuba 2Specialist of 1st Grade Internal Medicine, Assistant Professor and Associate Researcher, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas, Cuba Received: July 06, 2021 | Published: July 22, 2021 Corresponding author: Marisel Ibarbia Carreras, International Scientific Orthopedic Complejo “Frank País”, Ave 51, # 19603, e/196 and 202, la Lisa, La Habana, Cuba DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2021.37.005992

Advances in the UCHSat-1 Nanosatellite: Design and Simulation

In 2015, at the Image Processing Research Laboratory (INTI-Lab) of the Universidad de Ciencias y Humanidades, one proposed the INCA programme (Research Programme on Aerospace Sciences). As a part of this programme, the design of a nanosatellite was included. Although the progress was plodding, after 3 years one wants to show these advances. One of the main limitations to have access to space, especially for developing countries, is the high cost of missions. In this sense, in the present work, we propose the use of commercial electric, electronic and electromechanical (EEE) devices, these being more economical than those for military use. UCHSat-1 nanosatellite advances are mainly at the simulation level. It is a CubeSat of 3 units that can be simulated with the help of the beeApp tool of Open Cosmos. Likewise, the nanosatellite modules are being implemented as a function of Arduino. The obtained results show, at least in the first instance, the feasibility of the use of Arduino for the implementation of the different nanosatellite modules.

Conductas de riesgo psicosocial en alumnos del Plantel 01 (Colegio de Bachilleres de Chiapas)

The present quantitative research addresses, at a comparative descriptive level, the issue of psychosocial risk factors at the high school level of school center 01 “Tuxtla Terán” of Colegio de Bachilleres de Chiapas (COBACH) located in the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez; making a comparison between groups of regular students with irregular students. The intervention is a product of the inter-institutional work of the academic body “education and contemporary social processes” of the Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas (UNICACH) and of the Procurator's Office of Human Rights (Directorate of Attention to Victims) attached to the General Procurator's Office from Chiapas. It tends to be thought that repetitive students are predisposed toto risky behaviors and, in the words of the educational authorities, to be objects of low academic performance, school failure or dropout. Psychosocial risk behaviors tend to be increased in adolescence, with age being an indirect factor in transgressive or criminal behavior that may put their physical and mental health at risk. For example, in the use and abuse of toxic substances such as drugs, alcohol, suicide attempt, antisocial behavior, risky sexual behavior or teenage pregnancy.

Prevalencia de la Arteria Estriada Medial Distal en una Muestra de Poblaciones Colombiana y Peruana

The distal medial striate artery is part of the brain circulation, born from the anterior cerebral artery generally at the level of the anterior communicating artery, although according to different studies its origin varies, being thus difficult to determine with accuracy. Its clinical importance lies in the prevalence of aneurysms found in this artery, which could later cause complications due to the region they irrigate, these being the somatic-vital and neuropsychological sequelae, in addition to its inadequate surgical approach without foreseeing the alterations that may be caused; Because of the above it is of vital importance that health professionals have prior knowledge of the anatomy and prevalence of this artery in the population. An observational descriptive study was carried out in which the distal medial striated artery in 70 brain cells, pieces from the Medicine amphitheatres of the Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales U.D.C.A. (Bogota), the Universidad Cientifica del Sur UCSUR (Lima); fixed in 10 % formalin, morphometric measurements were made by automatic calibrator and the photographic record was taken with a Canon camera. Subsequently, the statistical analysis was executed through the IBM SPSS Statistics program 24. A prevalence of 88.6 % of at least one distal medial striate artery was found in the Colombian population and 97.1 % of the Peruvian population. An average external diameter of 0.64 mm was identified in the Colombian population and 0.68 mm in the Peruvian population. An average length of 2.5 cm was observed in both populations. The largest place of origin was evidenced in the A2 portion of the ACA with 37.1 % of the Colombian population and 51. 4 % of t he Peruvian populati on. The anat omy and t he corresponding anatomical variations of this artery must be adequately known to be able to perform an adequate neurological and neurosurgical approach.

Trees and shrubs of the tropical dry forest of the Magdalena river upper watershed (Colombia).

BackgroundWe describe the database of trees and shrubs of tropical dry forest patches of the Magdalena upper river basin in Colombia, preserved in the Herbarium of Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales. The dataset includes 211 taxa, from which 156 were identified to species. We reported 48 families and 137 genera. The most species rich and abundant families were Fabaceae and Rubiaceae and the most abundant species was Talisia stricta (Sapindaceae). We found differences in diversity between north and south zones of the study area.New informationThe Magdalena river upper watershed region is an important tropical dry forest conservation area. Twenty nine species and 4 genera recorded in this study have not been reported in previous reviews of the region. Additionally, Oxandra espintana is reported in literature as critically endangered and Aspidosperma polyneuron is reported as endangered, but there are no studies about their conservation status in the region. Our results suggest the strong need to develop additional inventories of plants that contribute to the knowledge of the plant diversity of this ecosystem in the region and studies of their conservation status.

Implementation of a Beowulf Cluster and Analysis of its Performance in Applications with Parallel Programming

In the Image Processing Research Laboratory (INTI-Lab) of the Universidad de Ciencias y Humanidades, the permission to use the embedded systems laboratory was obtained. INTI-Lab researchers will use this laboratory to do different research related to the processing of large scale videos, climate predictions, climate change research, physical simulations, among others. This type of projects, demand a high complexity in their processes, carried out in ordinary computers that result in an unfavorable time for the researcher. For this reason, one opted for the implementation of a high-performance cluster architecture that is a set of computers interconnected to a local network. This set of computers tries to give a unique behavior to solve complex problems using parallel computing techniques. The intention is to reduce the time directly proportional to the number of machines, giving a similarity of having a low-cost supercomputer. Different performance tests were performed scaling from 1 to 28 computers to measure time reduction. The results will show if it is feasible to use the architecture in future projects that demand processes of high scientific complexity.

Render Farm for Highly Realistic Images in a Beowulf Cluster using Distributed Programming Techniques

Now-a-days, photorealistic images are demanded for the realization of scientific models, so we use rendering tools that convert three-dimensional models into highly realistic images. The problem of generating photorealistic images occurs when the three-dimensional model becomes larger and more complex, so the time to generate an image is much greater due to the limitations of hardware resources, about this problem is implemented the render farm, which consists in a set of computers interconnected by a high-speed network that provides a strip of the global image distributed in each participating computers with the intention of reducing the processing time of highly complex computational images. The research was implemented in a high-performance Beowulf group of the Universidad de Ciencias y Humanidades using a total of 18 computers. To demonstrate the efficiency of a rendering farm implementation, scalability tests were performed using a 360° equirrectangular model with a total of 67 million pixels, the work is carried out to achieve highly complex renderings in less time to benefit the direction of the research.

Virtualizing a Cluster to Optimize the Problems of High Scientific Complexity within an Organization

The Image Processing Research Laboratory (INTI-Lab) of the Universidad de Ciencias y Humanidades has several research projects related to computer science needing high computational resources. Some of these projects are associated with climate prediction, molecule modeling, physical simulations, and others these applications generate a significant amount of data, regarding the big data issue, despite having excellent hardware features, the final result is obtained after hours or days of calculation depending on the algorithm complexity. For this reason, it is not possible to present optimal solutions at an ideal time. .In this work, we propose the virtualization and configuration of a high-performance cluster (HPC) known commercially as a supercomputer that is composed of several computers connected to a high-speed network to behave like a single computer. The virtualization is used to run a scientific algorithm that will apply performance tests using four virtual computers to demonstrate that the reduction of time is achieved by using more machines and thus be able to be implemented in the laboratories of the institution.

RESPIROMETRÍA DINÁMICA: SIMULACIÓN DE TRASTORNOS OBSTRUCTIVOS Y RESTRICTIVOS

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la variación de los parámetros normales del flujo respiratorio en los estudiantes de Fisiología, carrera Medicina, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas, I semestre 2018 utilizando la Respirometría dinámica en condiciones obstructivas y restrictivas. 
 MÉTODOS: 7 sujetos con una condición saludable, estudiantes del curso de Fisiología en Universidad de Ciencias Médicas durante el I semestre 2018. Fueron sometidos a tres pruebas respiratorias: en reposo, simulando condición obstructiva y simulando condición restrictiva durante un ciclo respiratorio. 
 RESULTADOS: El análisis estadístico demostró que, para la mayoría de los parámetros respiratorios evaluados, no hubo un cambio diferencial significativo. Los parámetros FEV1, CVF, PIF, FEF25-75, e índice de Tiffeneau en los sujetos experimentales, no indicaron cambios al ser expuestos a diferentes condiciones simuladas tal como se esperaba. La medición del parámetro PEF, reflejó que, ocurrió una disminución de flujo al ser expuesto a las diferentes pruebas dinámicas.1 
 CONCLUSIÓN: En el experimento se observó que para los parámetros evaluados con excepción de la variable PEF, no existe una diferencia al simular condiciones restrictivas y obstructivas con respecto a la condición de reposo.

Physiological and Molecular Characterization of <i>Malassezia pachydermatis</i> Reveals No Differences between Canines and Their Owners

Introduction: The genus Malassezia comprises 17 species of commensal and pathogenic yeasts of homeotherms animal skin. The most common species are M. furfur, M. globosa, and M. sympodialis in humans and M. pachydermatis in animals. However, some publications have reported potentially serious human infections by M. pachydermatis in individuals with risk factors and the isolation of human species from domestic animals. Given the scarcity of information about their capacity for transmission between hosts and zoonotic potential, the aim of the present study was to physiologically and molecularly characterize Malassezia spp. isolates obtained from canines and their human owners. Materials and Methods: An experimental study was conducted at the Veterinary Clinic of Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales of Bogota (Colombia) from July 2015 to December 2016. Phenotypic identification and molecular characterization via the amplification of the 5.8S rDNA- ITS2 and 26S rDNA gene regions, nucleic acid sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses were performed on isolates originating from canines with otitis externa and from the skin of healthy owners compatible with Malassezia spp. Results: Eighty samples were cultured, of which 32 (40%) were suggestive of Malassezia spp. A total of 29 out of 46 (63%) isolates in canines and 3 out of 34 (9%) isolates in humans corresponded entirely with M. pachydermatis. Isolates from the canines and their owners presented similar behavior in biochemical and phospholipase activity tests, 100% molecular sequence identities, and close proximity in the phylogenetic trees. Conclusion: The isolation of M. pachydermatis from humans and their dogs with identity based on biochemical, physiological, molecular, and phylogenetic perspectives indicate the ability of this species to adapt to new hosts and its potential for zoonotic transmission. These findings contribute to knowledge of the ecology of this important fungus in human and veterinary medicine.

Efecto de Caryodendron orinocense sobre la degradación de la materia seca

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro and in situ dry matter degradation by including cacay cake (Caryodendron orinocense) on a diet based on Brachiaria dictyoneura. The experiment was developed in an animal nutrition laboratory on the Animal Sciences Faculty at the Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales, Bogotá, Colombia, in July 2015. Four treatments were evaluated: B. dictyoneura, cacay cake and two mixtures of B. dictyoneura: cacay cake (80:20 and 60:40). The chemical composition and the in vitro and in situ degradability of the dry matter and the crude protein, at 48 hours were determined. The variables were analyzed through a complete randomized design with four treatments. The inclusion of cacay cake decreased the cell wall-associated with carbohydrate concentration and increased the higher digestibility nutrients; the crude protein and dry matter, in situ and in vitro degradability increased 22, 6 and 38%, respectively. In conclusion, the inclusion of cacay cake on a diet of B. dictyoneura improves dry matter degradation in vitro and in situ conditions.

Open Science for Medical Students: Quincke's Research Scholarship

IntroductionQuincke's Research Scholarship is a selective and inclusive summer course highly novel since its pedagogical point of view. This special course is devoted to medical students and residents from diverse medical specialties. Heinrich Quincke, medical doctor from Germany, was the pioneer in cerebrospinal fluid analysis in 1881.MethodThe students and residents were selected over the base of their records and its curriculum vitae mainly supported by some previous research experience like the participations in scientific meetings for medical students or not, papers published and awards. Since 2012 more than 60 students from all the Cuban medical universities and faculties and a group of students from China, Viet Nam, Uruguay, Mexico and Bolivia were participated.The employed modality is the so called open science, i.e. during the first day the students received primary original data from a research done by researcher from LABCEL (Central Laboratory on Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis), Facultad Miguel Enríquez, Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de La Habana, Cuba with the cooperation with the Neurochemistry Lab, Goettigen Georg‐August University, Germany and the Immunology Department Aarhus University, Denmark.The data are about some original research about molecules recently described that takes part of the lectin complement pathway. This complement cascade is now under discovering. The students with the auxiliary help from conferences done by several specialist researchers and laboratory work have to solve the question marks about the dynamics of blood‐brain diffusion, the different aggregation and polymerization structures of the molecule by their own way. This process was accompanied by LABCEL medical assistant students.The students work in little teams and they feel the same sensation of the discovering process simultaneously like the researchers with the advances of this particular science field.Main ResultsThis kind of course with medical students and residents as protagonists of a scientific solution was very well accepted among the participants. Because of this process the students learn to work in team groups, increase the capacity for solve practical problems by studying and applying the supplied theory and the practice with creativity, learn how to do some immunological techniques to complement the information they need.The increased demand on the course each year realizes that this summer course is well accepted by Cuban and foreign students.The course was self‐supported because the professors and the helper‐students employed every year part of their holidays to bring this amazing course.The students that received these experiences have written his opinion in different ways like in press reportages as well as in paper (1–4).The professors and assistant medical assistant students have received the Annual Immunology Award 2015 and are applying to APS IOP award in order to support the US medical students participation by travel grants.ConclusionsIt is an innovative approach in teaching Physiology in medical students and residents making accessible science.

Teaching-Learning Anglophone Cultures at the University of Pedagogical Sciences of Holguín and at the ELC of Shantou University: A Comparative Study

<p><em>This paper presents a comparative study of the teaching-learning process of Anglophone cultures through the English as a foreign language programs of Shantou University, Guangdong, China, and Universidad de Ciencias Pedagógicas “José de la Luz y Caballero”, Holguín, Cuba. As criteria for the comparison, the authors have selected the objectives, teaching methods, and resources of the two institutions. The comparative analysis allowed for the determination of the main trends common to both universities: the teaching of language as a means to an end, the active participation of faculties in the elaboration of teaching materials and textbooks for the specific courses they teach, the validity of research work aimed at improving the teaching resources for the EFL courses offered at both universities, the use of the communicative approach as a general method for the teaching-learning process, and the development of co-curricular activities to enhance the teaching-learning of cultural elements. The analysis also allowed for a reflection on how the distinct departmental/institutional structures of the two schools may lead to some significant differences in terms of educational focus. Finally, the analysis provoked questions concerning the balance between culture teaching-learning and intercultural communication training.</em><em></em></p>