• Publicationsclose
• 2013-2022close
• Article close
• SV close
• Rural Digital Europe close

Desde 1980, el agro de Costa Rica sufrió cambios que expandieron la agroexportación. De manera paralela, crecieron el turismo y otras actividades no agrícolas. En Nicaragua, por su parte, las actividades agrícolas de exportación decayeron y, por tanto, también la demanda de mano de obra. A partir de la década del noventa, se ampliaron las migraciones de nicaragüenses hacia Costa Rica, creándose un modelo de articulación de tipo sur-sur, muy diferente al del resto de América Central, centrado en migrar a Estados Unidos. Los salarios agrícolas en Costa Rica son más elevados que en Nicaragua, sin embargo, una parte importante de los nicaragüenses trabajan de manera informal, con salarios inferiores a los de los costarricenses y en condiciones de pobreza multidimensional. Since 1980, the agriculture of Costa Rica underwent changes that expanded agro-exports. In parallel, tourism and other non-agricultural activities spread. In Nicaragua, agricultural export activities declined and, therefore, the demand for labor. Beginning the nineties, Nicaraguan migrations to Costa Rica expanded, creating a South-South model of articulation, very different from the rest of Central America, focused on migrating to the United States. Agricultural wages in Costa Rica are higher than in Nicaragua; however, an important part of Nicaraguans work informally, with lower wages than Costa Ricans, and in conditions of multidimensional poverty.

Knowing the existing risks in the management of natural disasters is a relevant factor. Additionally, having knowledge on the protection and conservation of resources in the coastal zone is equally important. The goal of this study consisted on identifying the use and conservation practices of natural resources in the coastal zones. The method applied was quantitative and the approach was descriptive/correlational; the sample consisted of 1.810 families. A survey was conducted using the QuestionPro software. This study was conducted in order to find out the current status of the natural resources in the coastal zone. The findings showed a poor care of the natural resources; as a consequence, this has led to a progressive damage to the surrounding marine ecosystem. Keywords: Conservation of natural resources - El Salvador, Environmental Protection, Coasts of the Pacific Ocean – Artisan fishing - Techniques. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5377/entorno.v0i70.10370URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11298/1180

[ES] Un exoesqueleto robótico es un dispositivo electromecánico utilizado para aumentar la capacidad física de una persona, como ayuda a la locomoción o para procesos de rehabilitación de la marcha. En el caso de los exoesqueletos de rehabilitación se requiere que el sistema de control sea capaz de adaptarse adecuadamente a la evolución del paciente con el fin de optimizar su recuperación, esto implica el diseño de controladores robustos y precisos. En este trabajo se presenta el análisis cinemático, análisis dinámico y evaluación del sistema de control del exoesqueleto de rehabilitación ALICE. Dentro de las técnicas de control presentadas se encuentran: el controlador PD, PD adaptativo, y el controlador en modo deslizante. Además, se realiza un análisis de estabilidad utilizando el criterio de Lyapunov. Para probar el rendimiento de los reguladores, se utiliza un conjunto de datos de la Escuela de Fisioterapia de la ONCE de Madrid, correspondiente a personas sanas y personas con esclerosis múltiple. Se utiliza MATLAB como software de simulación y lenguaje de programación. [EN] A robotic exoskeleton is an electromechanical device that can be worn by a person to increase its physical capacity, to assist locomotion or for gait rehabilitation processes. In the case of rehabilitation exoskeletons, the control system is required to be smooth and capable to match accurately with the patients’ evolution in order to optimize the eciency of their recovery, this implies the design of robust and precise controllers. In this paper, kinematic analysis, dynamic analysis and control system evaluation for ALICE rehabilitation exoskeleton is presented. Among the control techniques used are: the PD controller, adaptive PD, and the sliding mode controller. In addition, a stability analysis using the Lyapunov criterion is performed. To test the performance of the controllers, gait data obtained by the ONCE School of Physiotherapy in Madrid, which correspond to healthy people and people with multiple sclerosis, are used. MATLAB as simulation software and programming language is used. Manuel Cardona agradece a la Fundación Carolina y a la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, España, por el apoyo para la realización de esta investigación gracias a la beca de Doctorado otorgada en el marco del convenio con la Universidad Don Bosco, El Salvador.

This paper presents how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the course of the mobile robotics market, showing the status of mobile robots in three stages: before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. By analyzing these stages, it is possible to estimate what awaits this market in the future. From the many applications of mobile robots found during the COVID- 19 pandemic, as will be shown later, it is clear that mobile robots will be an important part of the future influencing the accelerated growth of their market and development.

Diseases of the genitourinary system are the leading cause of hospital deaths in El Salvador, and chronic kidney disease of unknown origin has been gaining attention as a public health problem among farmers in particular. Epidemiological studies point, in part, to environmental risk factors, which have shifted over time with the deployment of modern agricultural science and ongoing climate change. We examined how diseases of the genitourinary system were situated at several margins of an epidemic in one rural Salvadoran municipality where these environmental and epidemiological changes are occurring, albeit relatively slow. By using this approach to study diseases of the genitourinary system, we illustrate one way in which shifting human/environment entanglements can be experimentally "known" in the context of human diseases associated with them. Our approach offers a unique perspective in thinking with ethnographic data to compliment ongoing epidemiological investigations of kidney disease in El Salvador.

El estudio analiza el currículo nacional en lo referido a las formas en que orienta la enseñanza de la lectura en aulas multigrado; así como las formas en que el profesorado lo aplica para ofrecer una instrucción efectiva. Se diseñó una investigación cualitativa de tipo exploratorio, con dos etapas: a) análisis documental para conocer las orientaciones del currículo sobre la enseñanza de la lectura, con énfasis en las particularidades para multigrado; b) un estudio de casos para analizar cómo los docentes contextualizan el currículo a esta modalidad. Para este segundo punto, se visitaron seis escuelas multigrado ubicadas en zonas rurales del país. Se realizaron entrevistas a docentes, así como observaciones de aula para determinar las influencias del currículo en las prácticas educativas de maestras/os. Como resultado, se han identificado márgenes de mejora en el currículo nacional referidos a la enseñanza de la lectura en la modalidad multigrado. Se identifica un currículo que parece limitar las posibilidades de una enseñanza efectiva en estas aulas. 

From 2011–2015, the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) trained field teams in Nicaragua in Adaptive Collaborative Management (ACM) methods. ACM is a social learning-based approach to help forest communities manage their natural resources in a more equitable and sustainable way and respond to change. This paper presents the lessons-learned from the training and field work. It argues that understanding and building social learning processes among the ACM team members and facilitators are crucial components of the ACM methodology and necessary in order to recognize and address the complex nature of socio-ecological relationships. In particular, promoting women's participation in forest decision-making in their own rural communities requires not only a consideration of gender relations but also of the gender perspectives of each member of the field team.

Objective: In this article, we present the conceptual development of a robotics platform, called ALICE (Assistive Lower Limb Controlled Exoskeleton), for kinetic and kinematic gait characterization. The ALICE platform includes a robotics wearable exoskeleton and an on-board muscle driven simulator to estimate the user’s kinetic parameters. Background: Even when the kinematics patterns of the human gait are well studied and reported in the literature, there exists a considerable intra-subject variability in the kinetics of the movements. ALICE aims to be an advanced mechanical sensor that allows us to compute real-time information of both kinetic and kinematic data, opening up a new personalized rehabilitation concept. Methodology: We developed a full muscle driven simulator in an open source environment and validated it with real gait data obtained from patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. After that, we designed, modeled, and controlled a 6 DoF lower limb exoskeleton with inertial measurement units and a position/velocity sensor in each actuator. Significance: This novel concept aims to become a tool for improving the diagnosis of pathological gait and to design personalized robotics rehabilitation therapies. Conclusion: ALICE is the first robotics platform automatically adapted to the kinetic and kinematic gait parameters of each patient. Peer reviewed

The death toll of the epidemic of chronic kidney disease of nontraditional origin (CKDnt) in Mesoamerica runs into the tens of thousands, affecting mostly young men. There is no consensus on the etiology. Anecdotal evidence from the 1990s pointed to work in sugarcane; pesticides and heat stress were suspected. Subsequent population-based surveys supported an occupational origin with overall high male-female ratios in high-risk lowlands, but small sex differences within occupational categories, and low prevalence in non-workers. CKDnt was reported in sugarcane and other high-intensity agriculture, and in non-agricultural occupations with heavy manual labor in hot environments, but not among subsistence farmers. Recent studies with stronger designs have shown cross-shift changes in kidney function and hydration biomarkers and cross-harvest kidney function declines related to heat and workload. The implementation of a water-rest-shade intervention midharvest in El Salvador appeared to halt declining kidney function among cane cutters. In Nicaragua a water-rest-shade program appeared sufficient to prevent kidney damage among cane workers with low-moderate workload but not among cutters with heaviest workload. Studies on pesticides and infectious risk factors have been largely negative. Non-occupational risk factors do not explain the observed epidemiologic patterns. In conclusion, work is the main driver of the CKDnt epidemic in Mesoamerica, with occupational heat stress being the single uniting factor shown to lead to kidney dysfunction in affected populations. Sugarcane cutters with extreme heat stress could be viewed as a sentinel occupational population. Occupational heat stress prevention is critical, even more so in view of climate change.La mortalidad por la epidemia de enfermedad renal crónica de origen no tradicional (ERCnt) en Mesoamérica asciende a decenas de miles de personas, principalmente hombres jóvenes. No existe consenso sobre su etiología. En la década de 1990, informes anecdóticos apuntaban como factor de riesgo al trabajo en plantaciones de caña de azúcar; se consideró como posibles causantes a los plaguicidas y el estrés térmico. Estudios de prevalencia de base poblacional subsiguientes apoyaron un origen ocupacional, con una proporción elevada de hombres respecto de las mujeres en las tierras bajas donde el riesgo era elevado, pero con pequeñas diferencias de sexo dentro de las categorías ocupacionales y baja prevalencia en el ámbito no laboral. Se reportó ERCnt en los trabajadores de la caña de azúcar y otros cultivos con alta exigencia física y en ocupaciones no agrícolas que implican trabajo manual intenso en ambientes calurosos, pero no entre los agricultores de subsistencia. Estudios recientes con diseños más sólidos han demostrado cambios en la función renal y en los biomarcadores de hidratación en el curso de los turnos laborales, y disminución de la función renal relacionada con el calor y la carga de trabajo en el curso de la cosecha. La implementación de una intervención basada en la provisión de agua, descanso y sombra a mitad de la cosecha en El Salvador detuvo la disminución de la función renal en los cortadores de caña. En Nicaragua, un programa de provisión de agua, descanso y sombra evitó la lesión renal en los trabajadores de la caña con una carga de trabajo baja y moderada, pero no entre los cortadores, quienes tienen la mayor carga de trabajo. Los estudios sobre plaguicidas y factores de riesgo infecciosos han sido en gran medida negativos. Los factores de riesgo no ocupacionales no explican los patrones epidemiológicos observados. En conclusión, el trabajo es el principal desencadenante de la epidemia de ERCnt en Mesoamérica, y el estrés térmico ocupacional es el único factor que consistentemente conduce a la disfunción renal en las poblaciones afectadas. Los cortadores que trabajan en los ingenios azucareros y están expuestos a un estrés térmico extremo podrían ser considerados una población ocupacional centinela. La prevención del estrés térmico ocupacional es crítica, más aún si se consideran los efectos del cambio climático.A mortalidade devida à epidemia de doença renal crônica de origem não tradicional (DRCnt) na Mesoamérica atinge dezenas de milhares de pessoas, principalmente homens jovens. Não há consenso sobre a sua etiologia. Na década de 1990, informações empíricas apontavam o trabalho em plantações de cana de açúcar como um fator de risco; pesticidas e estresse térmico também eram considerados causas possíveis. As pesquisas populacionais subsequentes sustentam uma origem ocupacional da doença, com uma elevada proporção de homens quando comparados à de mulheres, em areas de baixa altitude, onde o risco da doença é mais elevado, mas com pequenas diferenças de gênero quando se consideram as categorias ocupacionais e baixa prevalência no ambiente não-ocupacional. A DRCnt foi identificada em trabalhadores agrícolas da cana de açúcar e de outras culturas que exigem trabalho físico de alta intensidade e em ocupações não agrícolas envolvendo um trabalho manual intenso em ambientes quentes, mas não entre os agricultores de subsistência. Estudos recentes com desenhos mais robustos demonstraram mudanças na função renal e nos biomarcadores de hidratação ao longo dos turnos de trabalho, e diminuição da função renal relacionada à exposição ao calor e à carga de trabalho ao longo da colheita. A implementação de uma intervenção de água-descanso-sombra durante a colheita em El Salvador interrompeu o declínio da função renal em cortadores de cana. Na Nicarágua, intervenções água-descanso-sombra parecem ter sido suficientes para evitar lesões renais em trabalhadores canavieiros com cargas de trabalho baixa e moderada, mas não entre os cortadores de cana que têm carga de trabalho mais pesada. Estudos sobre exposição a pesticidas e a fatores de risco de origem infecciosa têm sido largamente negativos. Os fatores de risco não-ocupacionais não explicam os padrões epidemiológicos observados. Em conclusão, ocupação é o principal desencadeador da epidemia de DRCnt na Mesoamérica, e o estresse térmico ocupacional é o único fator comprovado que leva à disfunção renal nas populações afetadas. Os cortadores de cana que trabalham em engenhos de açúcar e expostos a um estresse térmico extremo podem ser considerados uma população ocupacional sentinela. A prevenção do estresse térmico ocupacional é crítica, especialmente considerando os efeitos das mudanças climáticas.

The aim of the study was to translate the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Renal Patients into the Portuguese language and validate it for the Brazilian reality. Methodology, the translation process, adaptation of the questionnaire followed standardized methodological standards. The original version of the instrument was translated by two English speaking professionals. The two versions were compared to each other by a multidisciplinary committee. This version was tested with 32 patients from a Hemodialysis clinic in the city of Goiânia in order to identify difficulties in applying the questionnaire to make possible adaptations. The final version was back-translated into English by two English professionals who did not know the original instrument. The two back-translations were compared with the original instrument and evaluated by an American English teacher to identify possible inconsistencies. Results, the instrument proved to be valid, simple, quick to apply and easy to understand, capable of measuring the physical activity and autonomy of the patients. Conclusion, the Portuguese version of the PAQRP questionnaire was an easy-to-use and well understood instrument that could be used in Portuguese-speaking countries to assess the level of physical activity in patients with CKD, allowing comparison of these data with international studies.