Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Preface to the Proceedings of the Fifty-first (51st) Conference of the Caribbean Association of University, Research and Institutional Libraries (ACURIL)

Ante el precario contexto económico que aflige a Puerto Rico, urge que la universidad pública evidencie su valor y sus aportaciones de manera contundente. Una de las principales formas de lograr esto es mediante la publicación y diseminación amplia de la producción científica. En respuesta a este desafío, el Centro para la Investigación e Innovación de Posgrado (GRIC) de la Biblioteca General de la Universidad de Puerto Rico en Mayagüez (UPRM) desarrolló una serie de adiestramientos y guías digitales con enfoque especial en el tema de scholarly communications. El objetivo fue potenciar las habilidades de nuestros estudiantes graduados para insertarse de manera efectiva en el ecosistema investigativo, con el fin de maximizar su impacto. Como parte de esta iniciativa, el GRIC creó material didáctico abordando temas como la identificación de revistas de alto impacto, criterios para escoger una revista apta para someter un manuscrito, la publicación en acceso abierto, los derechos de autor y la aplicación de licencias Creative Commons. Para superar el obstáculo del Covid-19 y garantizar disponibilidad perdurable, los adiestramientos se ofrecieron en modalidad virtual y las grabaciones se incorporaron a las guías digitales. La serie complementa servicios establecidos que también apoyan esfuerzos de scholarly communications en nuestra comunidad universitaria, como los Graduate Writing Facilitators (un equipo de estudiantes graduados que asiste a sus pares y a docentes con la comunicación académica en inglés) y Scholar@UPRM (el repositorio institucional de UPRM, plataforma que brinda visibilidad internacional a la labor investigativa realizada en nuestro recinto).

The objective of this research was to analyze depressive symptomatology (DS) and its risk factors in five groups of women of reproductive age. To this end, a non-probabilistic sampling was used, respecting the minimum sample size of 30 in each group, to carry out the statistical tests. The selection of the participants used the linear snowball technique for a global sample (n = 192). DS was identified through the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) questionnaire. The results reported a prevalence rate of 21.9%. No significant differences were found between the five study groups (X2 = 0.928; 4 gl; p = 0.920), but a significant association was found between the categories of the variables: marital status (X2 = 13.418; 3 gl; p = 0.004) and residential groups (X2 = 17.845; 5 gl; p = 0.002). It is concluded that DS, more than associated with pregnancy, childbirth or postpartum, has an explanation based on the social determinants of health.

The objective is to determine the effect that the characteristics of teleworking have on teacher’s job satisfaction when teaching online during the social confinement caused by the Covid-19, as well as to analyze the differences that could exist between men and women. To this end, 296 surveys were applied to higher level teachers in Mexico and were analyzed through multiple linear regression and the implementation of non-parametric tests. Results indicate that resources, autonomy, and work-life balance are characteristics of teleworking carried out by teachers and explain the general job satisfaction of those who teach online. Likewise, differences were identified between men and women regarding autonomy and work-life balance, as well as in job satisfaction in general. This research contributes to the analysis of work experiences differentiated by gender in educational organizations based on their perceptions during the pandemic.

The objective is to analyze the production of beer based on water concessions and water price in the period 2013-2020. To this end, a model of beer production was estimated as a function of water concessions given by the Comisión Nacional del Agua (Conagua) and labor productivity, as well, another model considered water concession as a function of water tariffs per cubic meter according to zones of ​​water availability. The results show that water concessions have a positive and statistically significant effect on beer production, with an elasticity equal to 1.327. On the other hand, water concession was positive but inelastic to price changes in the four hydric zones. In terms of public policy, this implies that the instrument to regulate industrial water consumption should be through the granting of water concessions and not through price tariffs, as is currently the case.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional value of Panicum maximum diets supplemented with 30% tree foliage mixed with cassava (Manihot esculenta). Six treatments were compared: T0 (P. maximum), T1 (Leucaena leucocephala), T2 (Moringa oleifera), T3 (Tithonia diversifolia), T4 (Guazuma ulmifolia) y T5 (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis). Chemical composition, in vitro fermentation and digestibility, and volatile fatty acids (VFA) production were determined. The data was analyzed with an analysis of variance. Crude protein fluctuated from 8.34% to 11.70%, and fermentation and dry matter digestibility increased (up to 38.23% and 18.23%, respectively) (p < 0.05) with T5, T2, T1, and T3. Furthermore, T5 and T2 increased (p < 0.001) propionic acid, and T1 and T3 increased butyric acid. It is concluded that the addition of H. rosa-sinensis, M. oleifera, L. leucocephala, and T. diversifolia improve the VFA profile, fermentation, and digestibility of the diet.

The analyzes of cones and seeds allow to evaluate the physical and biological characteristics of a lot of seeds and to determine the quantity and quality of seed produced in forest germplasm production units. The objective of this study was to determine the morphological variation and seed germination of 48 resin families of Pinus pseudostrobus Lindl., distributed in three altitudinal gradients, natural forests of the Indigenous Community of Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro, Michoacán. The evaluated variables were: width, length, weight and germination, number of seeds per kilogram, and moisture content of the seed. The results showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between gradients and between families in the variables. The size, weight of seed, and germination percentages were higher in gradients 1 and 2 (2200 m. a. s. l.-2400 m. a. s. l. and 2401 m. a. s. l.-2600 m. a. s. l.); in number of seeds there is a statistical difference (p ≤ 0.05) between families in each gradient with 35 760 to 108 966 seeds (kg-1).

Pesticides alter water quality and affect stakeholders in Turbio River basin, Mexico. The aim of this study was to identify local practices and perceptions regarding the management of pesticides in San Francisco, Purísima del Rincón, and Manuel Doblado, municipalities of ​​Guanajuato. A cross-sectional survey was carried out with 69 agricultural workers, suppliers, and institutional representatives from September to November 2021. The results were analysed descriptively to identify the substances and impacts most frequently reported by stakeholders. The quantification of the impact on health and the environment for these substances was added. Insecticides like cypermethrin, lamda-cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos, fenvalerate, and malathion, in addition to the herbicides topramezone, 2,4-D, glyphosate, and paraquat, were widely used. These were rated as low to moderately hazardous to health and high to very high hazardous to environment, according to the impact assessment results. Handling practices indicate that almost 50% of farm workers dose based on the label of products, 98% report that they protect themselves only with basic elements, and 48% report symptoms of acute toxicity (dizziness, vomiting, and intoxication), eye or skin irritation, and respiratory sensitivity. Future actions such as adequate training, safety and hygiene awareness, container disposal, and transfer of knowledge to local decision makers are necessary to reduce risks to health, to the environment, and to agricultural production.

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) is a public health problem in Mexico because of its high rates of morbidity and mortality associated to a lack of adherence to pharmacological treatment. The objective of the present study was to analyze adherence to pharmacological treatment using a structural model. A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational-explanatory study was carried out with a convenience sample of 261 people with T2DM (64% women and 36% men), a mean age of 52.93 years, and diagnosis of T2DM in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico. The structural model demonstrates that hospital environment and family functioning have a positive and significant effect on adherence to pharmacological treatment; in turn, these two second-order factors mediated adherence to pharmacological treatment through active coping strategies.

This paper presents the feasibility of R1234ze(E) and R516A refrigerants for use in domestic refrigeration as a direct replacement for R134a. A domestic refrigerator was evaluated and instrumented to characterize its operating conditions. The optimal refrigerant charge was defined based on the minimum energy consumption of the refrigerator, resulting in a charge of 80 g for R516A and 84 g for R1234ze(E), representing a lower charge for R134a (90 g). The refrigerator was evaluated under the optimal charge, and the main results showed that both alternative refrigerants are viable to be used in domestic refrigeration, showing similar thermal behaviors in both refrigerator compartments. In addition, these refrigerants had lower energy consumption compared to R134a. R1234ze(E) showed an 8% increase in coefficient of performance (COP) over R134a. Thus, R1234ze (E) can be considered a long-term refrigerant, while the use of R516A can be a more viable option through some modifications in the refrigerator design, thus improving its COP.