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Integrated care in Latin America
(2025-04-03) Ehrenberg, Nieves; Artaza, Osvaldo; Gómez Duarte, Ingrid; Leyns, Christine; Perman, Gastón; Sáenz Madrigal, María del Rocío; Pérez Hernández, Galileo; Sancho Rojas, Wilmer
This chapter argues that striving for universal health coverage alone is insufficient in inequitable societies.
Integrated care models that take into account social determinants are necessary. It discusses the Pan American Health Organization proposal of Integrated Health Services Networks (IHSNs) as a response to fragmented health systems in the Americas, advocating for community-centered primary care services integrated with specialized care. The importance of citizen empowerment and state accountability in securing the right to health is emphasized. Different approaches to integrated care are presented as case studies from Latin America, including Chile’s pilot program for universalizing primary care, Bolivia’s community-oriented health initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic, Costa Rica’s culturally sensitive maternity care models, and Buenos Aires’ social dialogue initiative for community-based mental health.
Highly weathered soil landscapes of Costa Rica
(2024-10-04) Camacho Umaña, Manuel Ernesto; Quesada Román, Adolfo; Villatoro Sánchez, Mario A.; Alemán Montes, Bryan; Mata, Rafael; Henríquez Henríquez, Carlos; Céspedes Rivera, Emmanuel Jesús; Alvarado, Alfredo
Highly weathered soils, formerly known as lateritic soils, are currently classified according to the Soil Taxonomy as Oxisols and Ultisols. These soils have been identified in various landscapes of Costa Rica, developing under contrasting climatic conditions indicated by annual precipitation values between 1749 and 5778 mm. The chapter provides a concise description of five specific landscapes of Costa Rica, where Oxisols have been identified as dominant. The parent materials were grouped within four general categories: (1) Basaltic rocks from Jurassic-Miocene Oceanic Complexes, (2) Igneous materials of Paleocene-Pliocene ages, (3) Sedimentary materials from the Pliocene–Pleistocene ages, and (4) Volcanic materials from the Pleistocene. Despite this diversity in parent materials and climatic conditions, the stability of the geomorphic units is the common factor that allowed for the development of Oxisols and some great groups of Ultisols, corroborating the fundamental role of geomorphology
Fluvial landscapes of Costa Rica: an overview of dynamic rivers
(2024-10-04) Granados Bolaños, Sebastián; Surian, Nicola; Birkel, Christian; Alvarado, Guillermo E.; Quesada Román, Adolfo; Galve Arnedo, Jorge Pedro; Bonilla Mata, Armando
Costa Rica, a small tropical country with an area of 51,179 km2, has an extensive network of diverse streams controlled by varied environmental and geological conditions. Rugged terrain, active volcanism, and tectonic activity, along with intense precipitation, result in a dynamic drainage system characterized by a wide array of erosive and depositional fluvial landforms. In this chapter, a generalized characterization of Costa Rica's riverscapes is provided, with a focus on channel morphologies and fluvial dynamics within selected reaches across the country. Using a range of remote sensing techniques, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), hydraulic modeling, and detailed field observations, representative river sections situated within distinct geological contexts are described. The findings illustrate how rivers flow in confined steep volcanic-mountain settings, on alluvial fans, within low-gradient unconfined dynamic reaches, and in urban environments. Moreover, we discuss the intrinsic connection between channel morphology, surface processes, and associated hazards, as most of the disasters occurring in Costa Rica are tied to fluvial environments.
Breeding and micropropagation of Phalaenopsis orchids
(2025-11-04) Chen, Fure-Chyi; Huang, Jian-Zhi; Bolaños Villegas, Pablo Alberto
The procedure for breeding Phalaenopsis orchids involves several key steps: setting breeding objectives, cross-hybridization, in vitro seed germination, cultivating seedlings through various growth stages, inducing the formation of floral spikes and flowering, selecting desirable lines, and using floral stalk node culture for micropropagation. The global orchid market features numerous commercial Phalaenopsis hybrids, with new cultivars continually emerging each year. Breeding goals for new hybrids now include achieving polyploidy, splashy color patterns, vivid floral fragrances, and growth of multiple flower spikes. To cut costs, high energy efficiency during production is now a priority. This efficiency has led to creating hybrids between Phalaenopsis and the Vanda alliance that can flower easily in simple greenhouses without air conditioning. This chapter outlines the processes of in vitro seed germination, embryo rescue, flower stalk node culture, and micropropagation of Phalaenopsis to provide an outline for a comprehensive breeding scheme. We hope this exercise in genetics, biotechnology, and engineering will be a useful guide for commercial orchid breeders worldwide.
Genetics and propagation of Sobralia orchids
(2025-11-05) Bolaños Villegas, Pablo Alberto
Sobralia is a genus of terrestrial orchids native to the tropical regions of the Americas, distinguished by the fleeting yet striking beauty of its large and symmetrical flowers. Limited efforts have been made in plant breeding within this genus, resulting in most specimens being sourced from wild populations. Research conducted at Lankester Gardens indicates that in vitro seed germination rates are high, suggesting the potential for hybridizing and propagating species with advantageous traits such as extended flower longevity and fragrance. Future research may concentrate on the greenhouse acclimatization of tissue culture plants and polyploidization, aiming to establish a robust pipeline of hybrids exhibiting vibrant flower colors.