Search Results (4,760)

Understanding the psychological mechanisms underlying consumer loyalty behavior constitutes a central challenge for the behavioral sciences. Despite growing research on experiential marketing, limited attention has been directed toward understanding the conditional cognitive mechanisms that determine when and how consumption experiences translate into stable loyalty patterns, particularly in emerging market contexts where consumer behavior dynamics differ substantially from those in mature economies. The present study examines how experiential processing influences the formation of behavioral loyalty patterns, considering the moderating role of cognitive value evaluation. A quantitative, correlational, cross-sectional design was employed with a sample of 500 consumers from retail businesses in Pueblo Nuevo, Peru. The instruments demonstrated adequate psychometric properties (α > 0.88; AVE > 0.50). The results of the moderation analysis using PROCESS Model 1 revealed that the model explains 79.9% of the variance in loyalty behavior (R² = 0.799, p < 0.001). The interaction effect was significant (B = 0.10, p < 0.001), confirming that cognitive value evaluation moderates the relationship between experiential processing and behavioral loyalty. Simple slopes analysis showed that the effect of experiential processing on loyalty intensifies as perceived value increases, ranging from B = 0.56 at low levels to B = 0.77 at high levels. The Johnson–Neyman criterion identified the transition point at 14.80. These findings contribute to consumer behavior theory by demonstrating that consumption experiences require a favorable cognitive evaluation to translate into stable behavioral loyalty patterns, with implications for Sustainable Development Goal 8 concerning sustainable economic growth. These results advance consumer behavior theory by providing an integrative moderating framework applicable beyond the Peruvian context, and offer retail managers a diagnostic tool for calibrating experiential strategies based on consumer value perception thresholds. Full article

Background: Adventist spirituality has been identified as a relevant psychosocial resource for emotional well-being; however, evidence on its relationship with self-control and perceived stress in specific religious populations remains limited. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the associations between Adventist spirituality, self-control, and perceived stress in a sample of adults belonging to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and residing in coastal regions of Peru. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2025 and January 2026 with 506 Seventh-day Adventist adults who completed an online questionnaire. Adventist spirituality was assessed using the Mission Commitment Questionnaire, which captures religious–spiritual commitment through three dimensions: personal devotion, participation, and witnessing. Self-control and perceived stress were measured using standardized scales. Data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Results: The constructs showed adequate internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.875 to 0.951 and composite reliability values ranging from 0.906 to 0.956. Adventist spirituality was positively associated with self-control (β = 0.479, p < 0.001) and negatively associated with perceived stress (β = −0.457, p < 0.001). Personal devotion showed the strongest contribution to the higher-order spirituality construct. The model explained 22.9% of the variance in self-control and 20.9% of the variance in perceived stress. Conclusions: Adventist spirituality, particularly personal devotion, was associated with higher self-control and lower perceived stress. Although the cross-sectional design does not allow causal inference, the findings support the relevance of Adventist spirituality as a psychosocial resource linked to emotional well-being in this religious population and justify future longitudinal studies. Full article

Cocoa fermentation is a key post-harvest process that determines the chemical composition and functional quality of cocoa beans. This study evaluated the effect of enzyme-assisted fermentation, using bromelain and laccase, on the phenolic compounds, methylxanthines and antioxidant capacity of CCN-51 cocoa beans from northern Peru. Fresh cocoa beans were fermented in wooden boxes under ambient conditions with different enzymatic treatments based on a factorial design. Samples were collected at 0, 2, 4 and 6 days of fermentation to determine total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP), and the concentrations of theobromine, caffeine, catechin and epicatechin by UHPLC-MS. Significant changes in phenolic composition and antioxidant activity were observed during fermentation (p < 0.05), with higher values in enzyme-treated samples, particularly at day 4. Principal component analysis indicated that phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity were the main variables responsible for sample differentiation. Response surface methodology showed that bromelain had the strongest influence on most responses. Optimization using a desirability function predicted an optimal enzymatic condition of 52.19 g of bromelain and 18 g of laccase per 5 kg of cocoa beans to maximize bioactive compounds. These findings highlight that enzyme-assisted fermentation is a promising strategy to enhance cocoa functional quality. Full article

This study explored the eco-friendly synthesis of AgNPs using Prosopis laevigata seed mucilage and assessed their antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and biocompatibility effects against foodborne pathogens. The AgNPs were mostly spherical, with sizes ranging from 2.5 to 56 nm (average: 14.69 nm), as confirmed by XRD and DLS analysis. They showed consistent antimicrobial activity, with MICs at 0.5 mg/mL and MBCs at 1.0 mg/mL across all tested strains, and inhibited bacterial growth by over 75% at 0.5–5 mg/mL, similar to or better than gentamicin. The antibiofilm performance was notable, with inhibitions of 76–84% against E. coli (1–10 mg/mL), 96–98% against S. aureus (0.5–10 mg/mL), 76–82% against Salmonella Typhimurium (0.5–10 mg/mL), and 70–84% against P. aeruginosa (1–10 mg/mL), surpassing gentamicin against E. coli and P. aeruginosa. Cell viability remained 100% at 0.25 mg/mL, and no significant changes in immunological parameters were observed, suggesting good biocompatibility at therapeutic doses. This research shows, for the first time, that P. laevigata mucilage is an effective bioreducing agent for green synthesis of AgNPs with antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive foodborne pathogens. Its superior ability to inhibit biofilms compared to traditional antibiotics, along with its safety profile at therapeutic levels, makes these nanoparticles promising for food safety applications, antimicrobial coatings, and topical treatments. Overall, the findings support the use of native plant resources in green nanotechnology to address global challenges of antimicrobial resistance. Full article

Investigation of deposystems, sediment routing, and basin architecture during Gondwana breakup refines understanding of Permian–Cretaceous landscape evolution in the central Andes. New chronostratigraphic and provenance constraints from the Eastern Cordillera and Subandean Zone of Bolivia (19–22°S) are based on U-Pb geochronology of detrital and volcanic zircons and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of interbedded basalts. A discontinuous <2 km-thick Permian–Cretaceous succession records deposition in fluvial, lacustrine, alluvial fan, eolian, and shallow marine environments. Stratigraphic correlations indicate alternations between isolated half-graben subbasins and regional, non-compartmentalized basins. Detrital zircon age spectra from 18 sandstones document sediment recycling from western orogenic and magmatic arc sources and eastern cratonic basement. Synextensional successions of Early Triassic, Early Jurassic, and mid-Cretaceous age were sourced mainly from the west, including Carboniferous and Devonian rocks, while post-extensional fluvial and eolian systems were derived chiefly from the eastern craton. Variations in thickness, facies, and mafic magmatism reflect alternating extensional and neutral tectonic regimes, with localized synextensional subsidence potentially linked to extensional collapse, mantle plume activity, and South Atlantic opening. Comparison with Andean regions in Peru and Argentina indicates that episodic extension and post-extensional thermal subsidence accompanied subduction along the western margin of South America during Gondwana-Pangea breakup. Full article

This study evaluates the performance of a semi-dynamic negative binomial model with cubic spline smoothing to characterize the spatiotemporal dynamics of COVID-19 mortality in Peru, a setting marked by significant data inconsistency and reporting delays. Using nationwide weekly mortality data, we compared a Poisson regression against a semi-dynamic NB model with a population offset and cubic splines (df = 6). The models were evaluated using Akaike Information Criterion and log-likelihood to handle overdispersion and temporal non-stationarity. The NB model demonstrated a superior fit, reducing the AIC from 136,596.4 to 75,668.25 and improving log-likelihood by over 30,000 points. Demographic analysis revealed an 81.6% higher risk of death in males (IRR = 1.816; 95% CI: 1.753–1.881) and an exponential gradient with age, peaking at an IRR of 4.717 (95% CI: 4.499–4.945) for individuals ≥80 years. Departmental fixed effects identified significant spatial heterogeneity, with higher diffusion in coastal regions. The semi-dynamic NB model with splines provides a robust, parsimonious, and scalable framework for epidemiological surveillance in resource-limited settings. By effectively correcting for overdispersion and stabilizing weekly reporting fluctuations, this approach offers a reliable tool for public health decision making in environments with fragmented data quality. Full article

Peru’s recent national mental health (MH) reforms aim to decentralise care and expand access to MH services for rural populations by integrating services into primary healthcare through the expansion of Community Mental Health Centres (CMHCs). Evidence on the implementation of these reforms at the local level remains limited. This qualitative study aimed to (i) describe the structure and implementation framework of MH services, (ii) analyse local understandings of MH; and (iii) examine pathways to care and identify barriers and facilitators to MH service implementation from both the supply (service providers) and demand (users and community members) perspectives. MH services were mapped across three provinces of northern Peru using a review of national MH policies, 2 focus group discussions, and 31 semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed thematically to explore local understandings of MH, pathways to care, and health system barriers. Local understandings of MH are shaped by cultural beliefs, social norms, and economic conditions, with many individuals experiencing distress initially relying on family networks or traditional healers. Stigma and expectations of a quick recovery hinder engagement with formal services. While the expansion of CMHCs has improved geographical access to specialised care in rural areas through proximity and being patient-centred, the implementation of respectful provider interactions remains uneven. Weak referral pathways and limited coordination between primary care centres and CMHCs frequently shift the responsibility for navigating care onto users and their families. Family involvement and culturally sensitive practices foster trust and support continued engagement. Persistent challenges include the limited capacity of service providers, high staff turnover, and the follow-up mechanisms, stigma, and tensions between cultural and biomedical understandings of MH. Peru’s expansion of CMHCs represents a significant health system reform to improve equitable access for rural populations. To sustain these gains, it will be necessary to strengthen workforce stability, clarify referral processes, and integrate culturally responsive approaches within primary care systems, offering lessons for similar resource-constrained contexts. Full article

Picky eating is one of the most frequent feeding problems in childhood and is often dismissed as a normal developmental phase. Despite a steadily expanding body of research, uncertainty persists regarding its clinical relevance, assessment, and management. This review synthesizes recent evidence on picky eating in children, with a specific focus on definitions, epidemiology, developmental trajectories, underlying mechanisms, clinical impact, and interventions. Reliance on broad definitions and prevalence estimates has obscured clinically meaningful distinctions between transient, developmentally typical food selectivity and persistent patterns associated with nutritional risk, functional impairment, and family stress. Drawing on contemporary data, we propose a continuum-based, phenotype-oriented framework that emphasizes persistence, severity, and functional impact rather than food refusal alone. Advances in understanding picky eating have not consistently translated into improved clinical care, highlighting persistent gaps in implementation, access, and dissemination of evidence-based feeding guidance. Finally, we outline priorities for future research and practice aimed at improving outcomes for children with clinically relevant picky eating. Full article

Pitahaya (Hylocereus spp.) production is increasingly affected by climatic factors, as well as by phytopathogens and abiotic stress, leading to delays in agronomic interventions and reduced productivity. The objective was to design, implement, and validate a multimodal system (CARYPAR) that enables early disease detection and agile decision-making, characterized by low latency and reduced dependence on cloud connectivity. The methodology integrates climate reanalysis from NASA POWER, biophysical remote sensing variables derived from Sentinel-1/2, and proximal computer vision captured via mobile devices using a late fusion architecture and an optimized convolutional neural network, EfficientNet-V2B0, which discriminates between optimal and pathological conditions in vegetative tissues and fruit. The results of the experimental validation carried out in 160 georeferenced units achieved an overall accuracy of 80.0% and an F1 score of 0.8645 for Bad Fruit. The McNemar test and the operational agreement with agro-industrial experts yielded a Cohen’s Kappa index of κ = 0.6831, with an inference latency reduced to 22.00 ms. It is concluded that the multimodal integration of satellite bio-environmental data with edge computer vision achieves substantial agreement with agronomic expert judgment under heterogeneous field conditions (Cohen’s κ = 0.6831), supporting its role as a decision-support tool rather than a replacement for expert assessment. Therefore, its adoption can enhance real-time irrigation management and crop protection, while contributing to traceability and sustainable resource management in agricultural regions with limited connectivity. Full article

Transformational leadership and internal communication are widely studied variables in organizational management; however, their joint effect as simultaneous predictors of multidimensional job performance remains underexplored, particularly in Latin American higher education contexts. This study examines whether transformational leadership and internal communication jointly predict task performance, contextual performance, and counterproductive job performance among Peruvian university workers. A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, and predictive correlational design was applied to a sample of 385 workers from a private Peruvian university, analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results confirm that both variables significantly predict job performance across its dimensions, with internal communication showing stronger predictive effects on task and contextual performance than transformational leadership. These findings contribute to organizational and management theory by proposing and validating a joint predictive model that addresses existing conceptual and empirical gaps in the literature, while providing evidence-based recommendations for leadership development and communication management in university institutions operating in emerging economy contexts. Full article

The Rimac River Basin supplies drinking water to more than ten million people in Lima, Peru, yet its hydrological regulation capacity is increasingly constrained by land degradation, with over 35% of the basin lacking vegetation cover. Nature-based solutions implemented through conservation and restoration of natural ecosystem offer a potential complement to grey infrastructure, although their basin-scale hydrological benefits remain scantily quantified. This study proposes an inverse assessment framework that uses future degraded states as hydrological benchmarks to quantify redistributed water as a proxy for the volumetric benefits that conservation or restoration could potentially provide. Degraded Andean shrubland and grasslands were identified and prioritized using the RIOS investment assessment tool, resulting in three degradation portfolios (2826; 6566; and 10,720 ha) for the 2011–2016 period. Their hydrological responses were then simulated using the SWAT model, with a focus on dry-season dynamics. The model achieved a Kling Gupta Efficiency of 46.9% and a seasonally targeted Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency of 70% during the dry season, ensuring that despite the basin anthropization, the low flow dynamics key for water security are reliably represented. Water availability indicators and flow-duration curve metrics were applied to evaluate changes in hydrological regulation. Results show that all portfolios increased dry-season streamflow relative to baseline conditions, with the largest portfolio producing a 2.39% increase, equivalent to approximately 4 hm³ during the critical June–August period. These findings indicate that degradation alters flow redistribution within the basin water cycle and suggest that conservation or restoration may reverse these effects. The intermediate and large portfolios provided the most informative benchmarks, supporting spatially explicit decision making for basin-scale water regulation. Full article

Background: Hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative (HR+/HER2−) early breast cancer (EBC) presents a persistent risk of relapse, even beyond 5 years, driving the need for adjuvant intensification strategies. This review analyzes the clinical evidence for CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) in the adjuvant setting. This evidence is then integrated with molecular findings to support the concept of the “carry-over” effect, which is understood as a lasting benefit that persists after the end of active treatment, reflected by a sustained separation of invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) curves during follow-up. Relevant Sections: The main adjuvant trials in EBC are reviewed, with consideration of the “carry-over” effect. Emerging biomarkers and the impact of financial toxicity are also described. Results: PALLAS did not demonstrate a clear on-treatment or post-treatment benefit, whereas PENELOPE-B suggested, at most, a transient early advantage that was not maintained with longer follow-up; therefore, neither trial provides convincing evidence of a durable “carry-over” effect. In contrast, monarchE (abemaciclib) and NATALEE (ribociclib) showed significant improvements in iDFS and, in the case of abemaciclib, a signal of benefit in overall survival, supporting the existence of a clinically relevant post-treatment effect. Conclusions: From a biological perspective, the review proposes that the “carry-over” effect should not be considered a uniform class effect, but rather the result of a sequence of events modulated by pharmacological selectivity (CDK4 vs. CDK6 and additional targets), the induction of cellular senescence, and immunomodulatory effects that could favor the control of micrometastases. In addition, elements that influence interpretation and the need to optimize adherence and toxicity management to “materialize” the benefit in a potentially curable context are discussed. Full article

Diabetes mellitus affects an estimated 589 million adults globally, and cutaneous manifestations occur in up to 70% of affected individuals during the course of the disease. The objective of this narrative review is to examine the intersection of diabetes mellitus, skin aging, cosmetic dermatologic procedures, and regenerative therapies, with an emphasis on evidence-based best practices and clinical considerations. While the impaired wound healing associated with diabetes has been extensively studied, the aesthetic implications of diabetic skin disease remain comparatively underexplored. Individuals with diabetes frequently exhibit features of accelerated cutaneous aging, including premature wrinkling, dyschromia, xerosis, alopecia, and other cosmetically significant dermatoses that may negatively impact quality of life. In parallel, the demand for aesthetic dermatologic procedures among patients with diabetes has increased substantially; however, evidence-based recommendations guiding the safe and effective use of cosmetic interventions in this population remain limited. Diabetic skin demonstrates accelerated biological aging driven by complex pathophysiological mechanisms, including the accumulation of advanced glycation end products, chronic low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress, microvascular dysfunction, and neuropathy. These processes partially overlap with chronological aging and photoaging but are mechanistically distinct and may influence tissue repair, inflammatory responses, and the safety profile of commonly performed aesthetic procedures such as chemical peels, laser resurfacing, dermal fillers, neuromodulators, and microneedling. Emerging regenerative approaches, including platelet-rich plasma, platelet lysate, and mesenchymal stromal cell-derived products such as exosomes and secretomes, have attracted increasing attention as biologically targeted strategies for cutaneous rejuvenation. Nevertheless, clinical evidence specifically addressing aesthetic interventions in diabetic populations remains limited. A diabetes-informed approach to aesthetic dermatology that considers metabolic status, procedure selection, and post-procedural monitoring is therefore essential to optimize safety and therapeutic outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Paracetamol is a widely analgesic and antipyretic drug; however, its limited anti-inflammatory efficacy and safety concerns motivate the search for novel non-opioid alternatives. In this study, a series of 4-hydroxyphenylamino-naphthoquinones were designed as paracetamol-inspired analogs and synthesized via a solvent-free, silica-assisted Michael addition, providing a sustainable and efficient synthetic route. Methods: The compounds were evaluated using an integrated strategy combining in silico prediction, density functional theory calculations, molecular docking, ADMET profiling, and in vivo phenotypic pharmacological assays. Results: In vivo evaluation revealed pronounced peripheral antinociceptive activity in the acetic acid-induced writhing model and robust anti-inflammatory effects in carrageenan-induced paw edema, comparable to those of naproxen. These findings suggest a predominantly peripheral mechanism consistent with anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive profiles linked to cyclooxygenase inhibition. A normalization-based multi-criteria analysis integrating peripheral, anti-inflammatory, central, and antipyretic endpoints enabled transparent phenotypic prioritization within the series. Under this framework, compound 7 emerged as the most balanced peripheral–anti-inflammatory candidate, whereas compound 8, evaluated experimentally as a regioisomeric mixture, showed comparatively stronger central antinociceptive activity in the hot plate test. Antipyretic activity in an LPS-induced fever model was limited and not sustained. Conclusions: Overall, these findings indicated that the 4-hydroxyphenylamino-naphthoquinone scaffold emerges as a promising non-opioid platform for peripheral inflammatory pain, supporting further investigation of its pharmacological and mechanistic properties. Full article

High Andean lagoons in southern Peru have critical hydrological and ecological functions; however, long-term time series integrating trophic, integral quality, and metal contamination metrics to support adaptive management are lacking. A total of 1846 records (2015–2024) from four systems (3100–4600 m a.s.l.) were analyzed using seven indices assessing trophic status (TSItsr, TRIX), general water quality (OWQI, WQIHA, CCME-WQI), and metal contamination (HPI, CD). Temporal trends were assessed using Mann–Kendall and Theil–Sen slope; spatial heterogeneity using Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn–Bonferroni comparisons; controlling factors using distance-based redundancy analysis (999 permutations); and functional typology using Ward’s hierarchical clustering on Z-standardized data. 93% of the series lacked monotonic trends (52/56 lagoon–stratum × index combinations), demonstrating high interannual stability; spatial variance was marked (ε² = 0.73 in CCME-WQI). Distance-based redundancy analysis (db-RDA) explained 24.6% of total variability, with lake identity as the dominant driver (~45%), followed by temporal change (~8%). Four functional archetypes emerged, including a metal-eutrophic hotspot (HPI ≈ 213; CD ≈ 19) and recovering reservoirs with intermediate water quality indicators. Joint thresholds (TSItsr ≥ 60 + HPI ≥ 100) establish early-warning criteria, with Paucarani (HPI = 213) approaching the critical domain where metal-driven stress may facilitate cyanobacterial dominance. Systems show temporal resilience but strong spatial divergence induced by local pressures. The proposed typology and thresholds provide an operational basis for early warnings and prioritization of remediation actions in high-mountain ecosystems subject to increasing anthropogenic stress. Full article