University of La Guajira

Plastic pollution is a global crisis with severe environmental and health repercussions. Consequently, research into the management of plastic waste (PW) has grown significantly over the last decade. This article provides an updated systematic review of life cycle assessment (LCA) of PW research from 2019 to June 2025, utilising the Scopus and Web of Science databases and following PRISMA guidelines. The analysis evaluates key parameters: objectives and scope, functional units, environmental impact categories, and inventories of software and data while considering geographical contexts. Theoretical information on the life cycle of PW, circular economic strategies, and their environmental impacts was also included. Most studies analyse different end-of-life management systems, such as recycling, landfilling, incineration, pyrolysis, and gasification, among others. Functional units typically vary between 1 kilogram (kg) and 1 tonne (t). The environmental impact category most frequently evaluated is global warming, an indicator of the greenhouse effect. These studies use primary sources, such as national reports, material flow analyses, industry data, surveys and interviews, as well as LCA databases. This systematic review aims to identify emerging research areas and knowledge gaps that require attention, providing an essential roadmap for researchers, policymakers, and industry seeking sustainable, evidence-based solutions to the PW crisis.

En el presente estudio se analizó la gestión tecnológica de una empresa minera dedicada a la explotación de piedra caliza en La Guajira, con el objetivo de optimizar sus procesos productivos y fortalecer su competitividad. La metodología incluyó visitas sistemáticas a las instalaciones de la mina para realizar una observación detallada, identificando los problemas tecnológicos y diálogos con los actores clave de cada operación. Este enfoque permitió profundizar en las dificultades que enfrentan los diferentes procesos, desde la extracción hasta la comercialización. Los resultados revelan una limitada implementación de la gestión tecnológica, lo que pone en riesgo la sostenibilidad de la empresa en el mercado. La falta de soluciones rápidas y efectivas ante imprevistos tecnológicos resalta la necesidad urgente de mejorar la estructura organizacional, ya que esta no es suficiente para gestionar eficientemente las actividades de extracción, logística interna, transformación y comercialización. Aunque la empresa ha invertido en la actualización de equipos y la capacitación de su personal, estas acciones resultan insuficientes sin un marco estratégico que integre la gestión tecnológica como un pilar fundamental. Finalmente se concluye que, la empresa debe avanzar hacia un modelo de gestión tecnológica más robusto, que incorpore prácticas recomendadas por los teóricos en la materia. Esto incluye la implementación de sistemas de innovación, el diseño de una estructura organizacional acorde con las demandas del sector y el establecimiento de indicadores de desempeño que permitan evaluar y mejorar continuamente los procesos productivos.

We assessed the vertical accuracy of six global digital elevation models—FABDEM (SRTM-enhanced), SRTM, ASTER GDEM, ALOS AW3D30, DeltaDTM and GEDTM—against a local photogrammetry-derived DEM as a benchmark in a flat coastal plain of the Colombian Caribbean. Using GNSS-RTK ground points and a high-accuracy reference DEM, we computed BIAS, RMSE, and MAE. Errors were analyzed by land cover class and along transverse profiles relative to the reference DEM. We also evaluated hydrologic suitability by comparing flow accumulation and drainage patterns derived from each model, treating the photogrammetry-derived model as the control and the global DEMs as treatments to gauge their ability to represent hydraulic/hydrologic behavior. DeltaDTM, GEDTM and FABDEM showed the best overall performance, with the lowest vertical error (particularly in non-urban areas with sparse vegetation) and the highest drainage agreement, along with their flood extent sensitivity to a 0.5 m water level rise, all of which were comparable to the benchmark. These results provide practical guidance for selecting and preprocessing topographic models for risk management and territorial planning in flat regions.

Introduction: This study analyzed the relationship between physical fitness and anthropometric indica-tors in 101 first-semester students enrolled in the Bachelor's Degree program in Physical Education at the University of La Guajira (Colombia), aged between 17 and 20 years, of whom 82.18% were male and 17.82% female. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between physical fitness and anthropometric variables in first semester students of the Physical Education, Recreation, and Sports program at the University of La Guajira, Colombia. Methodology: A descriptive-correlational design was employed, using standardized tests to assess aerobic endurance (Cooper Test), speed (50 m sprint), up-per-body strength (push-ups), flexibility (Wells bench test), and abdominal endurance (60-second sit-ups). Anthropometric measurements including weight, height, BMI, and abdominal, waist, and hip circumferences were conducted following ISAK protocols. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v26.0, applying Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients (p < 0.05). The results showed an average BMI of 23.20±5.2, with 66.34% of participants in the normal weight range and 22.77% classified as overweight. The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) averaged 0.90±0.03, with 15.84% of participants presenting moderate risk. Conclusion: Higher BMI values and increased central adiposity were associated with lower performance in endurance and speed tests, highlighting implementing early monitoring and intervention strategies at the beginning of university training.

La educación ambiental contemporánea enfrenta el reto de promover aprendizajes significativos y transformadores en contextos urbanos caracterizados por problemáticas como la pérdida de biodiversidad, la reducción de áreas verdes, el deterioro de la calidad del aire y el aumento del estrés ambiental. En este escenario, los jardines verticales emergen como una estrategia pedagógica innovadora que permite integrar la sostenibilidad urbana con experiencias educativas directas, prácticas y contextualizadas. Este artículo presenta una revisión crítica de literatura académica reciente (2020–2024) sobre los jardines verticales, abordándolos no solo como infraestructura verde, sino como recurso didáctico para fortalecer la educación ambiental en instituciones educativas, universidades, organizaciones comunitarias y escenarios urbanos. Se analizan sus aportes ecológicos y sociales, así como su potencial para promover metodologías activas, participación ciudadana, apropiación del espacio y construcción de competencias ambientales.

This article explores possible geo-tourism and geo-education strategies to contribute to the geo-conservation of the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador. The delicate balance between nature-based tourism and biodiversity conservation is crucial, especially for a UNESCO World Heritage site like the Galápagos. Focusing both on the contributions of Charles Darwin, the unique geographical context, and the geodiversity and biodiversity of the islands, the study proposes innovative approaches based on geo-tourism and geo-education to address emerging challenges. Geo-tourism advocates for responsible practices, emphasizing geological wonders, cultural history, and careful trail planning. Geo-education initiatives aim to enhance visitor understanding, fostering a sense of responsibility. Community collaboration and technological integration are proposed to ensure sustainability, providing insights into natural and cultural heritage of the island. The goal is to cultivate a sustainable tourism model that celebrates the uniqueness of Galápagos Islands while mitigating negative environmental impacts.

Actualmente, las empresas buscan ser más competitivas tecnológicamente con la implementación de ideas innovadoras, para así dar respuesta inmediata a los cambios del mercado. El objetivo principal de esta investigación es medir el impacto de la inteligencia artificial en la competitividad empresarial y los negocios internacionales. La metodología contiene un enfoque documental fundamentado en el método del mapeo sistemático con literatura científigca actualizada. Los principales hallazgos encontrados muestran evidencia empírica que las empresas de hoy deben ser productivas en sus procesos que optimicen sus estrategias para desarrollar ventajas competitivas aplicando nuevas innovaciones tecnológicas, particularmente la inteligencia artificial. El impacto de la inteligencia artificial permite a las empresas crecer rápidamente, y aprovechar nuevas oportunidades en mercados emergentes. Según algunos autores, las organizaciones que adoptan una visión sobre la implementación de las herramientas tecnológicas basadas en inteligencia artificial obtienen un mejor desempeño y eficiencia empresarial. Estas empresas consideran modelos de negocio exitosos y más rentables, ya que pueden predecir datos de los clientes, mejorar la experiencia de los usuarios y automatizar los procesos. Todo esto contribuye a reducir los costos y aumentar la competitividad empresarial, tanto en negocios nacionales como internacionales.

A reliable Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is a key input for land use planning and risk management, particularly in floodplains where low-resolution models often fail to represent subtle topographic variations. In many regions worldwide, high-precision elevation data are unavailable, necessitating the development of methods to enhance existing global digital elevation models (DEM). This study proposes a practical and replicable methodology to improve the vertical accuracy of global DEMs in flat terrains with limited data availability. The approach is based on correcting the altimetric differences between the DEM and GNSS-RTK-surveyed topographic points, incorporating land cover classification to refine adjustments. The methodology was tested in the Ranchería River delta in Riohacha, La Guajira, Colombia, using four global DEMs: FABDEM, SRTM, ASTER, and ALOS. Results showed a significant reduction in root mean square error (RMSE), with improvements of up to 76.691% for ASTER, 55.882% for FABDEM, 55.932% for SRTM, and 36.842% for ALOS. The proposed method requires minimal computational resources and no advanced programming. Due to minimal data requirements, it makes it a scalable and replicable solution for similar floodplain environments. These enhancements in local altimetric accuracy could help to improve the reliability of hydrodynamic modeling, with direct implications for flood risk management and decision-making in vulnerable flatland areas.

Este estudio analiza la implementación de Entornos Personalizados de Aprendizaje (PLE) mediados por inteligencia artificial (IA) en la educación superior de La Guajira (Colombia), región multicultural y multilingüe. Con un enfoque mixto, se aplicaron encuestas a 391 participantes (estudiantes y docentes) y grupos focales con estudiantes bilingües Wayuu-español. Los resultados muestran alta disposición para formarse en IA: 65,35 % “muy dispuestos”, 24,41 % “dispuestos” y 10,24 % “medianamente dispuestos”. Se identifican preocupaciones sobre dependencia tecnológica y preservación de la identidad cultural. Se concluye que la personalización con IA debe incluir adaptaciones lingüísticas y culturales (p. ej., traducción y recomendación sensibles al contexto), fortalecer competencias digitales y garantizar salvaguardas éticas para poblaciones indígenas, a fin de asegurar inclusión y eficacia educativa.

Abstract Emerging tourist destinations face several challenges, including a lack of data on travellers, as well as indicators to strengthen the competitiveness of the city’s services, reliability and tourist security. This paper describes a recommender system based on multi-criteria logic aggregation operators called Jimataa. The method of analysis is based on graded conjunctive-disjunctive operators and asymmetric assignment of a penalty or reward score regarding mandatory and optional criteria satisfaction. Several criteria are included for the evaluation of suitability, such as location, category, food specialities, other visitors scores, or services available. This system has deployed in Riohacha (Colombia) and it has been tested with end users by means of a survey. The web recommender system received a satisfaction rating of 86.42%, and the ease of data entry was rated with 77.78%. In the data entry process, 91.36% of users gave a maximum rating. These results indicate the efficiency of the system both in its recommendations and in the simplicity of the data entry process. This web recommender is a new technological product that can help emerging destinations by providing visitors with personalised, user-oriented tools and, on the other hand, improving the management of tourist services when providers do not have the capacity to maintain information on traditional platforms or social networks.