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Capítulo 3. Cruzar las fronteras con el celular: desigualdades, apropiación tecnológica y resistencias en la migración centroamericana
(2025) Ferris Dobles, Michele Francis
Las migraciones latinoamericanas y caribeñas han dejado de ser un fenómeno unidireccional hacia Estados Unidos para convertirse en una experiencia global, compleja y multiescalar, vinculada con crisis contemporáneas que se refuerzan entre sí: desigualdades, cambio climático, conflictos, pandemias y transformaciones tecnológicas. Este libro explora las causas, implicaciones y tensiones de estas movilidades, considerando los factores estructurales, institucionales, ambientales y culturales que las atraviesan, así como sus dimensiones de género, etnia y clase. Las migraciones no son solo desplazamientos de personas, sino también de ideas, saberes y culturas, transformando tanto a quienes migran como a las sociedades que los reciben. Con una mirada histórica y relacional, esta obra ofrece al lector una comprensión integral de la migración como fenómeno vital en la construcción de ciudadanía, justicia social y futuros posibles en América Latina y el Caribe.
Chapter 209 - Bothrops asper Metalloproteinase BaP1
(2013) Gutiérrez, José María; Rucavado Romero, Alexandra; Escalante Muñoz, Teresa; Rawlings, Neil D.; Salvesen, Guy
BaP1 is a class P-I hemorrhagic metalloproteinase isolated from the venom of Bothrops asper, a species responsible for most snakebite envenomations in Central America. This 22.7 kDa enzyme contains the catalytic motif HEXXHXXGXXH, characteristic of metzincins, and exhibits high affinity for extracellular matrix proteins such as type IV collagen, fibronectin, laminin, and fibrinogen. Its proteolytic activity weakens the capillary basement membrane, causing hemorrhage, muscle necrosis, edema, and local inflammation. The hemorrhagic mechanism of BaP1 involves the degradation of vascular components followed by capillary rupture due to hemodynamic forces. Additionally, BaP1 promotes complement activation and the release of proinflammatory cytokines, contributing to pain and local tissue damage. BaP1 is considered a key biological model for understanding the mechanisms of action of viperid snake venom metalloproteinases and for the development of adjunct therapies to conventional antivenom treatment.
Mass movements dynamics and morphologies in Costa Rica
(2024-10-04) Quesada Román, Adolfo
Landslides are natural processes that commonly affect human activities at every latitude and altitude worldwide. Tropical countries such as Costa Rica deal annually with landslides affecting public and privateinfrastructure and activities. This chapter provides a brief overview of landslide origin, dynamics, and morphologies applicable to Costa Rica. Coseismic and hydrometeorological dynamics are common landslide triggers, but land use changes are also important. Large landslides are related with volcanic slopes and densely vegetated rural contexts, while smaller but more common mass movements are linked with periurban conditions, especially in densely populated areas with altered land use. On average, during the last five decades every year, 80 landslide events occurred in Costa Rica, causing 5 people died, 9 houses destroyed, and approximately, 1 million US dollars of losses. This chapter suggests more tudies dealing with modelling, geomorphological characterization, early warning systems, and continued monitoring of landslides on susceptible sites in Costa Rica.
Geomorphological effects of tropical cyclones in Costa Rica, Central America
(2024-04-29) Quesada Román, Adolfo
Tropical cyclones have provoked intense devastation over the last decades, and societal drivers such as unplanned urbanization and the lack of flood risk assess-ment have worsened the problem. Landslides and floods constitute a frequent hazard linked to tropical cyclones. This is not the exception in Costa Rica, where hydrom-eteorological disasters sum more than 90% of the total. Different climatic change scenarios indicate that a large number and more strong tropical cyclones will affect the North Atlantic Ocean Basin, where Central America and the Caribbean Sea lie. This study comprises different methodologies to understand the geomorphic effects of tropical cyclones in Costa Rica. This chapter presents geomorphological, hydro-logical, dendrochronological, and risk assessment approaches that aim to reduce the human and economic impact of tropical cyclones. Finally, the chapter calls for applying geomorphic assessments to elucidate the endogenic and exogenic processes controlling the effects of tropical cyclones in low latitudes.
A bibliometric analysis of the past 25 years at International Journal of Geographical Information Science
(2024-12) Quesada Román, Adolfo; Cascón Katchadourian, Jesús; Martínez Sánchez, María Ángeles; Cobo, Manuel Jesús
The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution and impact of the International Journal of Geographic Information Science (IJGIS) over the past 25 years. IJGIS, the first journal exclusively dedicated to Geographic Information Science (GIS), has significantly expanded its publication output to meet the growing demand for GIS research. Utilizing conceptual science mapping analysis, the study traces the thematic evolution of the journal by collecting scientific papers from the Web of Science database from 1997 to 2021. Bibliometric performance indicators were employed to highlight its influence and thematic development. The primary themes covered include error modeling, digital elevation models, simulation, conservation, and land-use change. Furthermore, IJGIS has broadened its scope to include emerging topics such as volunteered geographic information, the integration of big data techniques, and artificial intelligence. Geographically, contributions are predominantly from the USA, followed by China and the UK, underscoring the journal’s international recognition and impact. Compared to global averages, IJGIS consistently maintains a high normalized impact within its thematic area. In conclusion, IJGIS has undergone significant evolution, adapting to GIS field changes, and expanding its global influence with prospects for further diversification and technological integration.