Universidad Nacional de Colombia

In this work, we present a non-orthogonal configuration interaction (NOCI) approach to address the rotational corrections in multicomponent quantum chemistry calculations where hydrogen nuclei and electrons are described with orbitals under Hartree–Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT) frameworks. The rotational corrections are required in systems such as diatomic (HX) and nonlinear triatomic molecules (HXY), where localized broken-symmetry nuclear orbitals have a lower energy than delocalized orbitals with the correct symmetry. By restoring rotational symmetry with the proposed NOCI approach, we demonstrate significant improvements in proton binding energy predictions at the HF level, with average rotational corrections of 0.46 eV for HX and 0.23 eV for HXY molecules. For computing rotational excitation energies, our results indicate that HF kinetic energy corrections are consistently accurate, while discrepancies arise in total energy predictions, primarily from an incomplete treatment of dynamical correlation effects. Rotational energy corrections in multicomponent DFT calculations, using the epc17-2 proton–electron correlation functional, lead to an overestimation of proton binding energies. This is as a result of double-counting of proton–electron correlation effects in the off-diagonal NOCI terms. As a correction, we propose a scaling scheme that effectively adjusts the proton–electron correlation contributions, bringing our results into close agreement with reference CCSD(T) data. The scaled rotational corrections, on average, increase the epc17-2 proton binding energy predictions by 0.055 eV for HX and 0.025 eV for HXY and yield average deviations of 1.0 cm⁻¹ for rotational transitions.

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide, with exposure to UVB radiation being a significant risk factor for its development. To prevent skin cancer, continuous research efforts have focused on finding suitable photoprotective ingredients from natural sources that are also environmentally friendly. This study aimed to develop oil-in-water photoprotective nanoemulsions containing marine macroalgae extract. A Box–Behnken experimental design was used to identify the most promising formulation composition, resulting in optimal physical properties. These properties, including droplet size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential, were evaluated using dynamic light scattering (DLS). To assess the photoprotection capacity of the formulations, electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was employed to evaluate alterations in the electrical characteristics of excised pig skin membranes placed in Franz cells equipped with a 4-electrode set-up. The final composition of the nanoemulsion was caprylic/capric triglycerides 4%, Macrogolglycerol ricinoleate 30%, and algae extract 1%. The nanoemulsions had an average droplet size of 128.5 ± 8.6 nm, a PDI of 0.25 ± 0.06, and a zeta potential of 45.14 ± 0.02 mV. Compared to the control group, the photoprotective capacity of the oil-in-water nanoemulsions was statistically significant. Specifically, only a 15% reduction in the skin membrane electrical resistance following UVB exposure was observed when the formulation containing algae extract was used, whereas a 50% reduction was observed for the vehicle. In conclusion, this work demonstrates that the developed nanoemulsions based on natural ingredients show promising protective capacity against UVB exposure of the skin.

Recent research suggests that performance on Statistical Learning (SL) tasks may be lower in children with dyslexia in deep orthographies such as English. However, it is debated whether the observed difficulties may vary depending on the modality and stimulus of the task, opening a broad discussion about whether SL is a domain-general or domain-specific construct. Besides, little is known about SL in children with dyslexia who learn transparent orthographies, where the transparency of grapheme-phoneme correspondences might reduce the reliance on implicit learning processes. The present study investigates the impact of SL in Spanish, a transparent orthography, among 50 children aged 9 to 12 years, with and without dyslexia. For this purpose, we used four SL tasks to evaluate two modalities (auditory/visual) and two stimulus type (verbal/nonverbal) and evaluated both accuracy and response times on each condition. The findings reveal that children with dyslexia in Spanish exhibit lower performance on SL tasks (accuracy) compared to the control group, regardless of the modality and stimulus type used. However, children with dyslexia struggle the most with tasks that involve visual material. This indicates that children with dyslexia in transparent orthographies have particular difficulties in extracting distributional probabilistic information in the absence of explicit learning instructions. Notably, difficulties were more pronounced in visual tasks involving verbal stimuli. The present results help to better understand the underlying mechanisms involved in reading acquisition in children with dyslexia.

Scientific education in Latin America has been crossed through a prominent process of recognition and understanding of being a region with enormous diversity both from biological and cultural points of view, which characterizes it as a territory with an invaluable biocultural heritage. Despite ethnic-education programs being part of the education laws in most countries in Latin America to respect and perpetuate languages, knowledge, and traditions of different local communities and ethnic groups, this does not mean that these knowledge systems are taken by teachers to the classrooms where Western science still have a predominant role and configure discourses of superiority that perpetuate epistemic and ontological injustices. This work proposes a discussion, based on philosophical and theoretical-methodological foundations, on the role of Intercultural Science Education (ISE) in the initial and in-service training of science teachers, to develop intercultural attitudes closer to the classroom from the otherness and, culturally and politically sensitivity profile, to dialogue and negotiate with different knowledge systems. This last with the objective of recognize epistemological, ontological, and ethical commitments of the communities as a necessary proposal to reorient the sociopolitical agendas for Latin America, as a transversal axis related with culture and citizen participation, peace pedagogies, agriculture, productive projects, solidarity economy, and ancestralism. The panorama of an intercultural scientific education that is consolidated as a prominent and necessary field of research for the region is presented, based on the need for a science and technology approach that dialogues with other knowledge systems in favour of an education that is sensitive to cultural diversity and with an emancipatory approach.

The accumulation and utilization of cocoa pod husk (CPH) and cocoa bean shell (CBS), representing 80% of cocoa processing residues, requires an innovative approach, due to their chemical composition, to generate added value. Among the chemical components found in CPH and CBS extracts, gallic and protocatechuic acids are the most abundant. These biomolecules are of great interest as metal coordination centers, like biological metal-organic frameworks. Therefore, this study aimed to optimize the extraction conditions of phenolic compounds (extraction technique, time, temperature, residue/solvent ratio, and mixture of extraction solvents) in CPH and CBS, mainly looking for the conditions that allow the highest percentage of extraction of gallic and protocatechuic acids. The optimal extraction conditions revealed that CBS extracts exhibited 89% antioxidant activity, along with higher amounts of phenolic compounds and quantified phenolic acids than CPH extracts. Therefore, CBS demonstrates greater efficiency as a renewable source of organic linkers for biological metal-organic framework synthesis. Key words: Theobroma cacao; biomass; antioxidant activity; phenolic compounds

Background Dementia onset and progression may be related to the social determinants of health (SDH), but information regarding those is scarce. Currently, we still lack knowledge about the role of structural determinants of health in dementia and their relationship to recognition spheres (care, social valuation, needs, and rights). This has been reflected in health policies that do not fulfill the expectations of the patients, caregivers, and health professionals. Method We performed an exploratory sequential mixed methods design. We included patients with a mild dementia diagnosis (N:28), caregivers (N: 208), and health professionals (N:39). We used a structured interview, study of cases, and focus groups to gather our information. We performed a triangulation method to evaluate the burden of known and unknown needs and afterwards a theoretical analysis of SDH and recognition theory. Result Our results suggest that there are individual factors that become risk determinants for dementia. These factors could be the focus of designing preventive or palliative approaches. Psychosocial variables (place of residence, environmental milieu, mobility facilities, insurance regimen, income level among others) modify the quality of life and well‐being perception. We found that structural determinants, such as the socioeconomic and political context and politics are related to training, legal‐occupational‐labor, property, care, and access to health and respite needs. Cultural norms and values are associated with sociocultural needs beliefs and values, and governance is linked to rights and regulations. When we associate multidimensional needs with the determinants, we observe that they affect the spheres of recognition generating a negative impact on the disease progress, well‐being, and dignified life. Conclusion We found a relationship between SDH and the ten dimensions that we explored through the needs assessment methodology. Unresolved needs and lack of recognition related to social determinants, threaten the way of living and feeling dementia, as well as its evolution and progression. Our result could lead to community empowerment, inclusion, visibility at the decision‐making level, and formulation of policies and healthcare services if we understand the interaction between needs, the social determinants of health and the recognition spheres.

We study an exactly solvable random walk model with long-range memory on arbitrary networks. The walker performs unbiased random steps to nearest-neighbor nodes and intermittently resets to previously visited nodes in a preferential way such that the most visited nodes have proportionally a higher probability to be chosen for revisit. The occupation probability can be expressed as a sum over the eigenmodes of the standard random walk matrix of the network, where the amplitudes slowly decay as power-laws at large times, instead of exponentially. The stationary state is the same as in the absence of memory, and detailed balance is fulfilled. However, the relaxation of the transient part becomes critically self-organized at late times, as it is dominated by a single power-law whose exponent depends on the second largest eigenvalue and on the resetting probability. We apply our findings to finite networks, such as rings, complete graphs, Watts–Strogatz, and Barabási–Albert networks, and to Barbell and comb-like graphs. Our study could be of interest for modeling complex transport phenomena, such as human mobility, epidemic spreading, or animal foraging.

We consider a discrete-time Markovian random walk with resets on a connected undirected network. The resets, in which the walker is relocated to randomly chosen nodes, are governed by an independent discrete-time renewal process. Some nodes of the network are target nodes, and we focus on the statistics of first hitting of these nodes. In the non-Markov case of the renewal process, we consider both light- and fat-tailed inter-reset distributions. We derive the propagator matrix in terms of discrete backward recurrence time probability density functions, and in the light-tailed case, we show the existence of a non-equilibrium steady state. In order to tackle the non-Markov scenario, we derive a defective propagator matrix, which describes an auxiliary walk characterized by killing the walker as soon as it hits target nodes. This propagator provides the information on the mean first passage statistics to the target nodes. We establish sufficient conditions for ergodicity of the walk under resetting. Furthermore, we discuss a generic resetting mechanism for which the walk is non-ergodic. Finally, we analyze inter-reset time distributions with infinite mean where we focus on the Sibuya case. We apply these results to study the mean first passage times for Markovian and non-Markovian (Sibuya) renewal resetting protocols in realizations of Watts–Strogatz and Barabási–Albert random graphs. We show nontrivial behavior of the dependence of the mean first passage time on the proportions of the relocation nodes, target nodes, and of the resetting rates. It turns out that, in the large-world case of the Watts–Strogatz graph, the efficiency of a random searcher particularly benefits from the presence of resets.

In this study, we explore the impact of niobium (Nb) doping on V2O5 samples combined with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) at different concentrations (1%, 5%, 10%, and 15%). X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicate the presence of orthorhombic V2O5 and the emergence of monoclinic Nb2O5 as the Nb concentration increases. The observed shifts in 2θ positions suggest a distortion of the crystal lattice caused by Nb incorporation. Rietveld refinement confirms the orthorhombic structure of V2O5, with a strong correlation between the experimental and calculated diffraction data (χ² = 2.30, GoF = 1.52). SEM analysis reveals that Nb doping promotes the formation of anisotropic flower-like crystalline structures. BET surface area measurements show an increase from 12.3 m²/g in undoped V2O5 to 25.6 m²/g in the samples with the highest Nb content, which favor methylene blue degradation tests. Raman spectroscopy supports these findings by showing shifts in vibrational modes, particularly in the V = O stretching, indicative of structural changes due to Nb doping. These results underscore the significant influence of Nb doping on the structural, morphological, and functional properties of V2O5: rGO composites. The photocatalytic degradation of MB indicates a significant reduction in absorbance over 75 min, leading to a degradation rate of 31.05%.

In this prospective cohort study with 2326 hospitalized children and young people with coronavirus disease 2019 in Spain and Colombia, 36.4% had comorbidities. Asthma, recurrent wheezing, chronic neurological, cardiac and pulmonary diseases significantly increased the risk of severe outcomes such as death, mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit admission. The incremental risk with additional comorbidities underscores the importance of targeted vaccination strategies for vulnerable children and young people populations.

Most studies aiming to quantify carbon stocks in tropical forests have focused on aboveground biomass, omitting carbon in soils and woody debris. Here, we quantified carbon stocks in soils up to 3 m depth, woody debris, and aboveground and belowground tree biomass for the 25-ha Amacayacu Forests Dynamics plot in the northwestern Amazon. Including soils to 3 m depth, total carbon stocks averaged 358.9 ± 24.2 Mg C ha ⁻¹ , of which soils contributed 53%, biomass 44.2%, and woody debris 2.7%. When only including soils to 0.5 m depth, carbon stocks diminished to 222.1 Mg C ha ⁻¹ and biomass became the largest contributor. Among 1-ha subplots, total carbon stocks were correlated with soil carbon stocks at ≥0.5 m depth, belowground biomass of all trees, and aboveground biomass of trees ≥60 cm DBH. Our results support the assumption of biomass as the likely largest carbon source associated with land use change in northwestern Amazonia. However, mining and erosion following land use change could also promote a significant release of carbon from soil, the largest carbon stock. To improve the global carbon balance, we need to better quantify total carbon stocks and dynamics in tropical forests beyond aboveground biomass.

This article discusses the dynamics of innovation in America and Europe, focusing on variables such as access to technology, education, and life expectancy. To do this, the article proposes an agent-based model called the Innovameter. The dependent variable is the Global Innovation Index. The paper focuses on data analysis through correlation analysis and multiple hierarchical regressions to determine the contribution of specific variables related to the pillars of the Global Innovation Index and indicators of the Human Development Index. After analyzing the data, an agent-based model was built to parameterize these main variables by defining two levels of abstraction: at the global level, there is the country, where birth rates, life expectancy, ICT use, and research and development are defined. At the local level, we define the individuals who have an age, years of schooling, and income. A series of experiments were conducted by selecting data from 30 countries. From the results of the experiments, a nonparametric correlation analysis was performed, and correlation indices were obtained indicating a relationship between the predicted outcomes and the outcomes in the global index. The proposed model aims to provide suggestions on how the different variables can become the norm in most of the countries studied.

Propolis is a valuable natural resource for extracting various beneficial compounds. This study explores a sustainable extraction approach for Brazilian green propolis. First, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) process parameters were optimized (co-solvent: 21.11% v/v CPME, and temperature: 60 • C) to maximize yield, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity, and LOX (lipoxygenase) inhibitory activity. GC-MS analysis identified 40 metabolites in SFE extracts, including fatty acids, terpenoids, phenolics, and sterols. After selecting the optimum SFE process parameters, a sequential high-pressure extraction (HPE) approach was developed, comprising SFE, pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) with EtOH/H 2 O, and subcritical water extraction (SWE). This process was compared to a similar sequential extraction using low-pressure extractions (LPE) with a Soxhlet extractor. The HPE process achieved a significantly higher overall yield (80.86%) than LPE (71.43%). SFE showed higher selectivity, resulting in a lower carbohydrate content in the non-polar fraction, and PLE extracted nearly twice the protein amount of LPE-2. Despite the HPE selectivity, LPE extracts exhibited better acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and LOX inhibition, demonstrating that the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts may be associated with a symbiosis of a set of compounds. Finally, a comprehensive greenness assessment revealed that the HPE process proved more sustainable and aligned with green chemistry principles than the LPE method.

A reflective analysis is presented on the potential added value that actuarial science can contribute to the field of health technology assessment. This topic is discussed based on the experience of several experts in health actuarial science and health economics. Different points are addressed, such as the role of actuarial science in health, actuarial judgment, data inputs and their quality, modeling methodologies and the use of decision-analytic models in the age of artificial intelligence, and the development of innovative pricing and payment models.

This document determines the causes of mortality (2008–2022) and calculate per capita health expenditure (2013–2021) in octogenarians, nonagenarians and centenarians in the Colombian population, considering year, gender and age group. For this nationwide retrospective descriptive observational study, epidemiological regions, urban/rural areas and morbidities were also studied. A mean of 75,552 deaths was observed from 2008 to 2022. Deaths were higher due to ischemic heart disease, COVID-19, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, and cerebrovascular diseases in the oldest old Colombian population with urban areas having higher mortality rates than rural areas (an average of 948 (min: 847, max: 1207) against 630 (min: 558, max: 789) per 10,000 people, respectively). Conditions of cerebrovascular diseases, cancer, influenza pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were the most expensive in health care, summing above 5000 purchasing power parity USD on average (min: 2234, max: 7539). These conditions, along with hypertension and diabetes mellitus, were the most frequently recorded. COVID-19 incurred higher health expenditure in rural areas compared to urban areas (1090 vs. 519 purchasing power parity USD respectively). High prevalence (14·3%) and medical attention (16·8 health care utilisations per capita) were shown for organic mental disorders. Our analysis found that centenarians survived COVID-19 more than octogenarians and nonagenarians, with several hypotheses attributing this to their immune profiles. We found high expenditure on HIV/AIDS among older males suggesting the need for further study on sexually transmitted diseases prevention in this population. Lastly, Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in rural areas, had substantial expenditure. Therefore, neurodegenerative diseases and the impact of stressful events on mental health must be priorities for the health system to ensure adequate resource management.

In this study, two improved versions related to the family of G˜$\tilde{G}$‐approaches , namely, the simple G˜$\tilde{G}$‐expansion method and the generalized r+G˜$\left(r+\tilde{G}\right)$‐expansion method, are applied to investigate the families of symmetric solitary wave solutions for the quintic fractional Benney–Lin equation that arises in the liquid film. The G˜$\tilde{G}$‐expansion method is a transformation‐based method that has been used a lot to solve nonlinear partial differential equations and fractional partial differential equations. This method produces several solitary wave solutions to the current problem by supposing a series‐form solution. The generalized r+G˜$\left(r+\tilde{G}\right)$‐expansion method, on the other hand, builds on the simple G˜$\tilde{G}$‐expansion method by adding more parameters r r to the series‐form solution. This makes finding more families of solitary wave solutions possible and better shows how the system changes over time. These techniques identify various traveling waves, such as periodic, kink, M M ‐shaped, bell‐shaped, shock waves and others physical solutions. Some obtained solutions are graphically discussed to better visualize the wave phenomena connected to various symmetrical solitary wave solutions. The fractional Benney–Lin equation's dynamics and wave characteristics may be better understood through these graphical depictions, which makes it easier to analyze the model's behavior in detail.

The availability of competitors from generic versions of biotherapeutics, known internationally as biosimilars, is critical for patients who require them to have access to treatment and for the sustainability of healthcare systems. The presence of competition is conditioned by the regulatory processes and the approval of health agencies. In the last decade, technological and scientific developments for protein characterization and clinical results in the real-life usage of biosimilars have supported the adoption of flexibilities for their approval and faster entry into the market. These flexibilities refer to the extension of redundant clinical tests, especially comparative confirmatory tests, and the exemption of animal toxicological tests, as well as the acceptance of a global referenced product having wide access to full dossier information. Although the adoption of these flexibilities has had a justified rationale since 2014, they were only partially incorporated by the World Health Organization until 2022. In Latin America region, the incorporation of flexibilities is diverse and has a low impact on the configuration of competition in the market to achieve better prices. Colombia, Brazil and Argentina have adopted a pro-competitive regulation, so did England. United States of America started this discussion only in 2023..