Search Results (2,069)

Entrepreneurs represent a key piece in the generation of jobs and contribution to the economy through the performance of their businesses. Taking into account that literacy and financial inclusion constitute a business facilitator for the development of businesses, this study was based on analyzing the three variables, aiming to identify whether inclusion and financial literacy influence business performance. Through a non-experimental, quantitative study based on structural equations, a sample of 469 entrepreneurs from Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia was studied. The hypotheses were supported by observing the positive effect of one component of financial literacy (Cash Forecasting) and three components of financial inclusion (Access, Barriers, and Use) on Business Performance. However, the proposed model shows that the direct effect of two components (Bookkeeping and Financial Education) of financial literacy is not statistically significant. Therefore, these factors are vital tools that can help Latin American entrepreneurs make informed financial decisions, manage resources effectively, and build solid and sustainable businesses. Full article

The 2025 update of the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) 27701 standard offers a major advantage by enabling organizations to implement a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) autonomously while maintaining alignment with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). However, it remains unclear to what extent privacy legal frameworks in developing jurisdictions, particularly in Latin American countries, align with this new standard. At the same time, the traditional method for assessing the alignment between privacy legal frameworks and ISO/IEC 27701 continues to rely on manual mapping between the standard’s subclauses and privacy regulatory articles, a process that is time-consuming, costly, and error-prone. More critically, no method exists to quantitatively assess the reliability of such mappings, leaving alignment assessments largely subjective. To address these limitations, this paper proposes a novel method based on an OpenAI Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) combined with a Chain-of-Thought (CoT) reasoning strategy to quantitatively assess the alignment between privacy legal frameworks and ISO/IEC 27701:2025. By leveraging GPT’s logarithmic probabilities (logprobs) and the standard’s subclause definitions as classification categories, the method enables confidence-based evaluation of legal–standard alignment. The proposed method is then applied to analyze the privacy legal frameworks of Paraguay, Chile, Ecuador, México, Colombia, and Perú, examining how effectively they promote the standard’s guidelines. A suitable confidence threshold is then selected by assessing the GDPR and comparing the results with the reference mappings reported in Annex D of the standard. Finally, the method identifies the number of compliant subclauses per clause, the regulatory articles influencing the resulting logprobs, and the underlying privacy gaps for reduced alignment across the analyzed privacy legal frameworks. Overall, our results indicate that while Latin American privacy legal frameworks mandate protective measures by promoting a suitable operation and continuous improvement of a PIMS, they do not explicitly demand adequate risk management and sufficient preventive safeguards for citizens’ Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in dynamic contexts. Full article

Inclusive leadership and collective teacher efficacy are key dimensions for understanding school improvement processes in Latin America. To synthesize recent developments in the field, this systematic review—conducted in accordance with the PRISMA protocol—aimed to: (1) compile the quantitative and qualitative evidence on inclusive leadership and collective teacher efficacy from empirical studies carried out in Latin America between 2015 and 2025, and (2) identify current trends and main gaps in the scientific literature, considering the educational reality of the region. Searches conducted in Web of Science, Scopus, and ERIC resulted in the selection of ten studies that met the established methodological criteria. The findings indicate that inclusive leadership promotes structures for participation, professional collaboration, and the creation of positive school climates, while collective teacher efficacy emerges as a shared perception influenced by organizational support, staff cohesion, and opportunities for collaborative work. The reviewed studies primarily focus on teachers working at the primary and secondary education levels. Overall, the evidence outlines a field in consolidation that offers valuable insights into the development of school leadership policies and the strengthening of inclusive educational cultures in Latin America in the future. Full article

In Latin America, the double burden of malnutrition is the region’s single most important public health concern for the incoming decade. Latin America’s burden of disease has distinct features in comparison to high-income countries: nearly 20 percent of NCDs are diagnosed in people under 60 years of age in Latin America, whereas only about 13 percent of people under 60 years of age in North America and Europe are diagnosed with these diseases. We aimed to better understand decision-making processes, preferences, and norms around food choices to provide input for future programming and policy suggestions at national and regional levels. We included key informant interviews and focus group discussions with parents and adolescents from urban and rural communities in three regions in Colombia and in Mexico. Results showed that food choices considered to be affordable, acceptable, accessible, and aspirational are driven by environmental and social factors that influence individual cognitive decisions. Across the study groups, cognitive biases influenced food decision-making in relation to eating out, natural, homemade, and “moderation”. At the sociological level, conversations, and social influences at home and in communities were strong indicators of dietary practices, health beliefs, and body size attitudes. Full article

The rapid expansion of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) is transforming higher education systems, particularly public institutions seeking to advance toward smart governance models and digital transformation. In this context, digital teaching competence emerges as a strategic factor for the effective, ethical, and pedagogically sound adoption of these technologies. This study assesses the level of digital competence among public higher education faculty in Paraguay and examines its predictive capacity regarding the adoption of GAI tools using machine learning models. A nationwide quantitative study was conducted with a sample of 800 faculty members from public universities across Paraguay. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire based on international digital competence frameworks, incorporating additional variables such as attitudes toward GAI, technological experience, institutional infrastructure, and perceived organizational support. Data analysis involved the application of machine learning techniques, including Logistic Regression, Random Forest, and Gradient Boosting, to identify the variables with the strongest predictive power regarding faculty readiness and willingness to integrate GAI into teaching practices. Model performance was evaluated using metrics such as accuracy, F1-scores, and the AUC-ROC. The findings identify key predictors of technological readiness and structural gaps within Paraguay’s public higher education system. This research provides empirical evidence from Latin America on the factors influencing GAI adoption in public sector educational contexts and contributes to the design of educational policies aimed at fostering smart universities and digitally sustainable academic ecosystems. Full article

What is the influence of different multilevel governance architectures on the provision of infrastructural powers? Multilevel governance corresponds [i] to the vertical distribution of decisions and responsibilities between territorial spheres of government, or [ii] polycentric relationships among different agents. In this work, the focus is on vertical [Type I], and polycentric models [Type II] are outside the scope of this study. Only the vertical subnational perspective will be considered, which can be associated with federalism, decentralization in administrative, fiscal and political dimensions or the scale of authority exercised by subnational governments. The result is the construction of a scale and typology of multilevel governance in the region, considering the influence on government “infrastructural powers” and, subsequently, indicators of and effective territorial penetration. Full article

Background/Objectives: Infective endocarditis (IE) carries substantial mortality, particularly in middle-income settings where patient profiles and microbial ecology differ from those of cohorts used to derive international prognostic scores. Syndrome-specific, locally grounded decision aids for empirical therapy are also scarce. We aimed to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality, externally evaluate the RiskE and ICE scores, and construct a Bayesian weighted-incidence syndromic combination antibiogram (WISCA) for IE. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive adults with definite or possible IE admitted between January 2019 and January 2026. Candidate predictors were screened in two phases, and a clinically specified model was estimated with maximum-likelihood and Firth penalization, with 1000-replicate bootstrap optimism correction. Calibration was assessed with bootstrap calibration plots and the Hosmer–Lemeshow test. Discrimination was compared against RiskE and ICE using DeLong’s test and reclassification metrics. For empirical coverage, we built a WISCA using identified pathogens, reporting both non-Bayesian bootstrap estimates and Bayesian hierarchical partial-pooling estimates with species- and antibiotic-level random intercepts; analyses were also stratified by IE type. Results: In-hospital mortality was 22.9% in a young cohort (median 37 years) characterized by high hemodialysis prevalence (47.4%), substantial right-sided IE (46.4%), and Staphylococcus aureus predominance (32%) with no methicillin-resistant isolates. Vasopressor-requiring shock (Firth OR 9.23, 95% CI 2.40–40.61) and acute heart failure (OR 10.01, 95% CI 2.78–41.07) were the strongest predictors; the final model achieved an AUC of 0.922 (optimism-corrected 0.908), significantly outperforming RiskE (0.598) and ICE (0.632). The Bayesian WISCA identified multiple carbapenem-sparing and anti-MRSA–sparing regimens with adequate coverage (≥80%), particularly for community-acquired IE, supporting stewardship-oriented empirical selection. Coverage was consistently lower in healthcare-associated IE. Conclusions: A parsimonious three-variable model provided strong, locally valid mortality prediction in this hemodialysis-predominant, MRSA-free cohort, substantially outperforming European-derived scores. External validation in independent cohorts is required before clinical adoption. The Bayesian WISCA demonstrated that adequate empirical coverage is achievable without routine broad-spectrum agents, offering institution-specific guidance for stewardship-compatible regimen selection; multicenter validation is warranted. Full article

Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae), or medfly, is an invasive pest widespread in Argentina, where standardized management methods, such as cultural and chemical controls, are commonly implemented. The success in controlling medfly populations depends on implementing preventive, sustainable, long-term, and eco-friendly eradication/control strategies across all invaded environments. One strategy may involve augmentative biological control using parasitoids adapted to local conditions, such as Ganaspis pelleranoi (Brèthes) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae), a Neotropical-native parasitoid that mostly forages on tephritid larvae in a broad range of fallen fruit. Two hypotheses were tested in the current study: (1) G. pelleranoi females are more efficient in controlling medfly larvae infesting different fruits as the density of released females progressively increases, and (2) such parasitoid-induced host mortality capacity remains when host density is increased. Parasitism (reproductive effects) and additional host mortality (non-reproductive effects) were the indicator variables of parasitoid-induced host ability. Trials were performed in field cages (semi-field conditions) using two medfly-multiplier host fruit species, namely sour orange and peach, and with variations in both parasitoid release and host larval densities. Three major findings were highlighted: (1) G. pelleranoi females successfully parasitized host larvae on peach and sour orange, regardless of their strongly differing physical features, although medfly larvae in peaches were significantly more susceptible to the parasitoid; (2) medfly mortality significantly increased in both peach and sour orange relative to the gradual increase in released G. pelleranoi females, regardless of the increase in host density offered to parasitoids; and (3) G. pelleranoi females induced a substantially high host die-off rate when the additional mortality was added to the analysis, which was not revealed when parasitism alone was regarded as a medfly mortality variable. Such outcomes may provide relevant information for implementing an augmentative biological control against medfly using indigenous parasitoid species within an eco-friendly fruit fly pest management approach. Full article

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two months of exergaming, conventional resistance exercise training, and no exercise on body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors in physically inactive older adults. Methods: For the preliminary study, twenty-four physically inactive adults aged 60–74 yrs. were allocated to an active video game training group (AVG n = 8), a conventional exercise group (CEG n = 7), or a non-exercising control group (CON n = 9). The AVG and CEG completed 24 supervised exercise training sessions over two months (three sessions per week) at self-selected, predominantly moderate-to-vigorous intensity, while the CON maintained usual daily activities. Body weight, skeletal muscle mass, body fat percentage, phase angle, and fasting blood biomarkers (glucose, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, VLDL, and triglycerides) were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: No significant interactions were observed for body composition variables. Body weight decreased significantly following exercise training in both the AVG and CEG (p < 0.05). Significant interactions were found for total cholesterol (p = 0.001) and LDL cholesterol (p = 0.009). The AVG demonstrated significant reductions in fasting glucose, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol (p < 0.05), whereas the CEG showed a significant reduction only in total cholesterol. In contrast, the CON exhibited a significant increase in total cholesterol over the same period (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Two months of exergaming-based exercise training may lead to greater improvements in lipid-related cardiometabolic risk factors compared with conventional resistance exercise training in physically inactive older adults. These findings suggest that exergaming could be a promising exercise modality for supporting cardiometabolic health in aging populations. Full article

This study examines the evolution of the scientific literature on mining and heavy metals, with a particular focus on biosanitary risks associated with childhood exposure. The research integrates a systematic literature review following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology, combined with a bibliometric analysis of Scopus-indexed publications, international epidemiological data, and an evaluation of the socio-environmental context in Ecuadorian mining regions. The PRISMA-based screening process was applied to identify, filter, and select relevant peer-reviewed studies, enabling the delimitation of a focused corpus of literature, with particular attention given to scientific contributions produced by Latin American researchers and institutions. The results reveal a significant concentration of knowledge production among a limited number of countries and institutions, the dominance of English as the main language of scientific communication, and the centrality of journals in environmental sciences and toxicology. While notable progress has been made in identifying contaminants and exposure pathways, governance structures, territorial disparities, and policy implementation processes remain insufficiently explored. In Ecuador, the rapid growth of mining concessions in ecologically sensitive zones presents potential threats to children’s neurocognitive development, highlighting the urgent need for ongoing surveillance, biomonitoring programs, and preventive public health measures. The study emphasizes the importance of strengthening regional research capacity and fostering more equitable international scientific collaborations to ensure that knowledge production is responsive to local contexts and effectively safeguards vulnerable populations. Full article

Employee happiness has become a central concern for the social dimension of sustainability, particularly within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in emerging economies. However, empirical evidence remains limited regarding how advanced organizational self-management practices—especially when integrating holacracy-inspired practices and broader self-management mechanisms that show a positive and significant association with employee happiness in SME contexts, particularly in Latin America. Addressing this gap, this study examines the relationship between organizational self-management practices and employee happiness in Peruvian SMEs, adopting a predictive approach based on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Organizational Self-Management Practices (OSMPs) are modeled as a higher-order construct integrating holacracy-inspired and broader self-management practices. Data were collected from 383 SME employees through a structured questionnaire. The findings indicate that organizational self-management practices exert a positive and significant association with employee happiness, operating through an underlying mechanism in which self-management-oriented practices foster greater employee autonomy, participatory decision-making, role clarity, and shared responsibility, thereby supporting fundamental psychological needs and enhancing employees affective and cognitive well-being at work. By promoting these autonomy-supportive organizational conditions, Organizational Self-Management Practices (OSMPs) strengthen employee happiness in resource-constrained SME contexts, highlighting how Organizational Self-Management Practices function as internal governance mechanisms that enhance employee well-being and contribute to social sustainability by strengthening psychologically supportive, autonomy-enhancing, and socially sustainable work environments in emerging economy SMEs. These findings demonstrate that employee happiness represents a micro-level manifestation of social sustainability, linking internal organizational governance mechanisms with broader sustainable development outcomes in emerging economy contexts. Full article

A history of invasive mold disease (IMD) often delays or contraindicates allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in children. Given the limited data on pediatric patients with pre-allo-HSCT IMD, we aimed to describe the management and clinical outcomes of a cohort of children with IMD prior to allo-HSCT through day +100 post-transplantation. Between 2021 and 2024, ten pediatric patients were identified with proven or probable IMD. Their median age was 8.5 years. The most common pathogens were Aspergillus (n = 5) and Fusarium (n = 4). Infections most frequently involved the lungs followed by paranasal sinuses, bloodstream, liver, and skin. All patients demonstrated clinical improvement before transplantation, and by day +100 post-HSCT, no IMD relapses or infection-related mortality were observed. These findings suggest that complete radiologic or clinical resolution is not a prerequisite for proceeding with transplantation. Recent IMD should not be considered an absolute contraindication to urgent allo-HSCT when clinical improvement is evident, as transplantation facilitates immune reconstitution necessary for definitive infection control. Full article

Pediatric pain remains a highly prevalent and under-addressed health problem worldwide, largely due to educational gaps, limited humanization of care, and insufficient integration of digital and pedagogical innovations in higher education, and the purpose of this study is to describe and implement an international, higher education–driven model to improve training in humanized pediatric pain management. This multicenter mixed-methods study involves 15 universities from Europe, Africa, and Latin America and includes the development and cross-cultural validation of the HUPEDCARE-Q questionnaire to identify knowledge gaps, the design of an open-access, multilingual digital learning platform (PEDCARE) that integrates learning management and social networking functions, and the implementation of capacity-building workshops based on a training-the-trainers model for students, educators, health professionals, and families. The expected outcomes of the project include the establishment of a standardized instrument for assessing educational needs, the creation of a scalable digital educational environment, and the feasibility of international academic collaboration to strengthen competencies in pediatric pain care. The study suggests that higher education, combined with digital transformation and culturally sensitive approaches, may support the humanization of pediatric pain management and address educational and health inequities, although further research is needed to confirm these potential impacts. Full article

Chagas disease affects millions of people worldwide, including those in Latin America. The only drugs available for its treatment are benznidazole and nifurtimox. However, these drugs present high toxicity and limited efficacy. Therefore, the search for new treatments continues. In this regard, computer-assisted drug design has been implemented in scientific research for drug repurposing, allowing for reduced costs and time. Therefore, the objective of this work was to search for analogs of FDA-approved drugs with activity against Trypanosoma cruzi through ligand-based virtual screening and their biological evaluation against blood trypomastigotes. The compound TD-095 (LC₅₀ = 48.60 and 13.75 µM), a ketanserin analogue, TS-936 (LC₅₀ = 71.55 and 37.54 µM), a terfenadine analogue, and TD-831 (LC₅₀ = 75.94 and 26.17 µM), a sulfasalazine analogue, were considered as potential trans-sialidase inhibitors; TIM-967 (LC₅₀ = 69.70 and 39.69 µM) and LK-284 (LC₅₀ = 116.7 and 82.29 µM), two sulfonylurea analogues, were considered as potential triosephosphate isomerase inhibitors, showing better trypanocidal activity against NINOA and INC-5 strains, respectively, than the reference drugs. Molecular dynamics simulations predicted the stability of the compounds in complex with their respective proteins. Finally, the ADMET predictive analysis showed favorable properties for the compounds. These results support continued research into new agents against Trypanosoma cruzi, using structures of drugs already approved by the FDA. Full article

Introduction: Cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) is one of the most common food allergies in early infancy and poses important clinical and economic challenges for affected children, their families, and healthcare systems. In Latin America, variability in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches remains substantial. Objective: We aim to systematically review the available evidence on CMPA, with emphasis on clinical characteristics, diagnosis, management, and economic impact, and to provide a complementary cost analysis of specialized formulas in the Colombian context. Methods: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines to synthesize current evidence on CMPA in pediatric populations. Studies published between 2010 and 2023 were screened using predefined eligibility criteria, and 46 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. A complementary cost analysis was also performed to estimate the six-month costs associated with specialized infant formulas in Colombia, based on average age-specific formula consumption and standardized 2025 market prices. Results: The reviewed evidence confirms that CMPA is a heterogeneous condition with variable clinical manifestations and persistent diagnostic challenges, particularly in non-IgE-mediated presentations. Elimination of cow’s milk protein followed by oral food challenge remains the reference diagnostic approach. Breastfeeding with maternal dairy exclusion is consistently recommended as the preferred first-line strategy, whereas extensively hydrolyzed and amino-acid-based formulas are used when breastfeeding is not feasible or is insufficient. Estimated six-month costs ranged from COP 4,337,640 to COP 14,480,700 (approximately USD 1100–3600), depending on formula type. Conclusions: CMPA requires early recognition, careful clinical evaluation, individualized nutritional management, and improved access to effective and affordable treatment strategies. Full article