Committee for Economic Development

La norma ISO 21001:2018 es un estándar internacional orientado a mejorar la gestión de calidad en organizaciones educativas de todos los niveles, alineando sus procesos con un marco común. Este artículo presenta un estudio cualitativo con enfoque de revisión bibliográfica sistemática (2018–2025) sobre la implementación de ISO 21001 en el ámbito educativo, enfatizando la realidad ecuatoriana e integrando comparaciones internacionales (Malasia, Perú, Indonesia, Iraq, entre otros). Se describen los beneficios reportados (mejora en la calidad educativa, inclusión, satisfacción de estudiantes y otros beneficiarios), los desafíos y obstáculos identificados (resistencia al cambio, costos, alineación con regulaciones locales), así como los factores facilitadores o buenas prácticas que han emergido en experiencias exitosas. En Ecuador, la adopción de ISO 21001 ha sido incipiente pero creciente, con casos pioneros en análisis y recientes iniciativas de certificación. Las experiencias internacionales proveen puntos de comparación valiosos: mientras algunos países han aplicado ISO 21001 en colegios K-12, otros lo han hecho en universidades, mostrando diversas motivaciones y enfoques. Mediante la triangulación de fuentes y un proceso sistemático, se analizó la fiabilidad y validez de los hallazgos. Los resultados evidencian el potencial transformador de ISO 21001 para la educación ecuatoriana, siempre que se aborden adecuadamente los retos contextuales y se fomente una cultura de calidad. Las conclusiones ofrecen recomendaciones para políticas institucionales y futuras investigaciones, subrayando la importancia de alinear ISO 21001 con los sistemas nacionales de aseguramiento de la calidad para maximizar sus beneficios.

Based on a relatively large dataset having concurrent measurements of remote sensing reflectance (Rrs) and absorption coefficients collected in the marginal seas of China (MSC) over the past two decades (2003-2021), we evaluated two widely used semi-analytical algorithms (SAAs) for retrieving the absorption properties in the MSC from both field-measured and satellite data. The SAAs are the quasi-analytical algorithm version 6 (QAA_v6) and the generalized inherent optical properties model (GIOP), while the satellite data are from the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer on the aqua satellite. The water body was classified following a proposed system, also separated via the trophic level (oligotrophic, mesotrophic, and eutrophic) based on chlorophyll-a concentration, so the performance of these two SAAs was evaluated for the different water types. For the water types we evaluated, both QAA_v6 and GIOP are found to have different applicable water types in retrieving absorption properties, and the relatively reliable retrieval results of absorption properties are mainly in the water types 3-13, and at the wavebands shorter than 500 nm. In addition, the retrieval performance of these two SAAs for adg (the sum of colored dissolved organic matter and non-pigmented particulate matter) and aph (phytoplankton pigment) in the eutrophic waters in the MSC still needs to be improved. Before 500 nm, MODIS-Aqua data can provide reliable anw (non-water absorption), adg, and aph with QAA_v6; and can provide reliable anw and aph with GIOP. This study provides what we believe to be a new and more detailed perspective for evaluating the retrieval of absorption properties using these two SAAs in the MSC, and our results suggest that water types should be considered in improving the estimation of intermediate variables in these SAAs.

A leishmaniose é uma dermatozoonose de grande distribuição e ampla incidência no Brasil. É originada por diversos protozoários do gênero Leishmania e é também transmitida pela picada de flebotomíneos. Comumente compromete pessoas que trabalham em florestas, como geólogos, agricultores, mineiros e técnicos florestais. Assim, é caracterizada como uma enfermidade ocupacional, porém, nos últimos anos, a LTA vem passando por uma urbanização. O objetivo do trabalho foi apresentar o perfil epidemiológico dos casos notificados de Leishmaniose Tegumentar Americana (LTA) no município de Cacoal (RO), no período de 2018 a 2022. Trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico, documental, quantitativo, descritivo e retrospectivo. Os dados foram obtidos do DATASUS/e-SUS, segundo sexo, faixa etária, raça, escolaridade, zona de moradia, critério de confirmação e evolução. Os resultados foram expressos por análise estatística descritiva. Entre 2018 e 2022, foram notificados 224 casos de LTA entre indivíduos de 0 e 76 anos, sendo 23 mulheres e 173 homens, 93% dos casos confirmados utilizaram o critério laboratorial.

Abstract The global economic crisis provoked by the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionally hurt developing countries, increasing poverty, food insecurity, and income inequality. Richer nations cushioned their economies from the worst impacts with unprecedented massive fiscal and financial support programmes. Developing countries lacked such capacity and received feeble multilateral contingency financing, symptomizing the fundamental flaws in the international financial and fiscal system (IFFS). Four reforms will make the IFFS better suited to serve sustainable development: (a) an equitable international tax coordination mechanism; (b) a multilaterally backed sovereign debt workout mechanism; (c) overhauling policy conditionality associated with development finance; and (d) increasing Special Drawing Rights to be leveraged for development finance.

Entrepreneurship is a key to the economic development of a country as it leads to innovation and job creation. Pakistan with its factor-driven economy and a population of around 200 million, with a heavy youth bulge (60% of population less than 30 years of age), thousands of jobs need to be created every year. The rural youth have a tendency to move to main cities to pursue careers in often low paid and semi-skilled jobs. The Centre for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi was established in 2010 to play a key role in promoting entrepreneurship in the country. The objective was to train the urban and rural youth to pursue agriculture, technology and other low cost business opportunities in their own villages, towns and cities to spur innovation and growth. Starting from a single room CED now has a dedicated three story building and has helped hundreds of youth to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and start their businesses. The case describes the emergence of CED as a premier center and discusses the various challenges and issues as they arose during the journey. It provides valuable lessons and has implications for policy makers and university administrators confronted with similar situations.

Conducting polypyrrole (PPy) films doped with p ‐toluene solfonate (pTS − ), perchlorate (ClO 4 − ) and polyphosphate (PP − ) were electrochemically synthesized on the stainless steel SS‐304 and the Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) glass substrates successfully. The conducting polymer composite films were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectra, integrated thermal analysis system and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Four‐point probe measurements and in situ nanotribolab system equipped with a nanoscale electrical contact resistance package were employed to analyze their electrical and mechanical properties. Results indicate that the film doped with PP − ion showed the best thermal stability. For the ClO 4 − ion doped films, the glass transition occurred at 274.8 °C. The pTS − ion doped film on the SS‐304 steel had a good conductivity, and there was a voltage barrier that ranged from −1.25 to 1.9 V according to the current–voltage curves. Nanoindentation tests show that the mechanical properties of the PPy/pTS − film and the PPy/PP − film were better than that of PPy/ClO 4 − films. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.