Information and communication technology (ICT) in developing countries is a key element for growth and economic development. This work conducted an evaluation regarding the use of ICT to reduce the socioeconomic gaps of rural populations and promote its inclusion in development plans, considering its use to guarantee a sustainable development model. For this, a systematic review of 280 articles was carried out using the Scopus, Latindex, Scielo, Dialnet, Redalyc, and Google Scholar databases during the period from 2018 to 2023, of which 40 articles were selected that address the use of ICTs and the agricultural digitalization for the management of soil, water, and the application of fertilizers and agrochemicals, which guarantee sustainable agricultural development. The results show that there are numerous digital tools available based on artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), drones, apps, and the Internet of Things, which aid in soil and water management and make use of agrochemicals and water, thus improving efficiency and reducing pollution problems. However, there is a large gap at the international level in acquiring state-of-the-art technological equipment that takes advantage of the potential that exists in terms of new technologies and their efficient use. Much of the research on the use of ICTs in the agricultural field comes from countries with medium or high levels of technological development, especially from Asia, Europe, or North America. As a result, Latin America lags behind in this regard.

El objeto para la elaboración de este libro es el análisis de la carga postural que adoptan los empleados de las empresas en el sector automotriz a nivel nacional dedicadas a la venta de productos tales como: neumáticos, aros, baterías y que ofrecen servicios de: enllantado, alineación y balanceo. La finalidad es plantear una propuesta que permita prevenir las dolencias músculo - esqueléticas adquiridas en los puestos de trabajo del tipo de empresas antes mencionada. Se identificó y evaluó las diferentes posturas en base a los siguientes factores: espalda, brazos, piernas y carga levantada, aplicando el método OWAS, se determinó la categoría del riesgo en valores de 1, 2, 3 y 4. Los resultados mediante la evaluación determinaron que existen riesgos de categoría 4 que son significativos y desfavorables para la salud del personal en los puestos de: Bodega, Evaluación, Retiro (neumático desgastado) y Colocación (neumáticos nuevos), Enllantaje, Balanceo y Alineación, los mismos en lo que se deben adoptar acciones correctivas de manera inmediato. La evaluación de los puestos de Gerente Comercial, Secretaria y Cajera obtuvieron una categoría de riesgo 2 que corresponde a posturas con probabilidad de causar algún daño músculo-esquelético y por último se presentó riesgo en categoría 1 en el puesto de Asesor Comercial siendo un riesgo mínimo que no requiere acción correctiva. En consideración de los resultados obtenidos, se concluye que el método OWAS es una herramienta práctica y útil para identificar posturas forzadas, permitiendo identificar que la posición de la espalda debe encontrarse derecha con el eje del tronco del trabajador alineado con el eje caderas-piernas, esto permitirá reducir probabilidad dolencias músculo-esqueléticas siempre y cuando la posición de los brazos sean por debajo de los hombros y la posición de las piernas se encuentre sentados, de pie con ambas piernas rectas, de pie con unapierna flexionada y en cuclillas. La investigación realizada para la elaboración de este libro sirve como modelo preventivo adaptable a sectores de la industria automotriz.

This article delves into using benthic diatoms as bioindicators of water quality, focusing on their ability to detect eutrophication and pollution resulting from industrialization and urbanization. We systematically analyzed 1099 articles from databases such as Web of Science and Scopus using PRISMA methodology, evaluating the efficacy, role, utilities, limitations, and influence of environmental factors of diatoms. The results show variability in water quality monitoring methods, from multivariate analyses to formulas based on species abundance. We highlighted the need for adaptability and validation of specific indices such as IDP and DDI, principally due to limitations in their transregional applicability. In South America, only four countries have developed their methods for assessment using diatoms, while others still rely on international standards. This fact underlines the importance of implementing effective local policies to manage water resources. Finally, we concluded that diatoms are crucial biological indicators for monitoring aquatic ecosystems, although challenges such as complexity in taxonomic identification and lack of standardization condition their effectiveness. In addition, biogeographical and environmental factors play an essential role in the diversity of these species, being necessary for understanding and anticipating changes in aquatic environments

In Ecuador, illegal gold mining has led to significant environmental impacts, with the release of harmful elements such as mercury (Hg) into the environment. Mercury, due to its physical–chemical characteristics and the transport elements involved between different environmental matrices, can easily percolate through the soil and reach groundwater. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mercury concentration levels in the Andean region in order to perform a human health risk assessment. For this purpose, 175 water samples were analyzed, of which 9.71% exceeded the maximum permissible limit (MPL) established for drinking water in accordance with Ecuadorian regulations. The risk analysis was conducted by applying two approaches: deterministic and probabilistic. The deterministic approach involves a specific analysis based on the calculation of the risk quotient (HQ) and risk index (HI) for both receptors (adults and children) and scenarios (residential and recreational) considered; the probabilistic approach is based on the use of stochastic simulation techniques. The results obtained from the two approaches show a discrepancy, with the deterministic analysis providing more conservative results; however, they coincide in showing higher risk for the child population; decision-makers could use these results to identify areas to be monitored and plan more detailed investigation plans.

Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) is a source of supply in many areas of the world, especially in developing countries. This is often carried out illegally using toxic substances such as mercury. Mercury, due to its chemical–physical properties and the transport factors involved between the different environmental matrices, can percolate through soil and from surface water to groundwater. The objective of this study was to conduct a human health risk assessment. For this purpose, a screening of mercury concentrations was carried out, collecting 67 water samples at selected points, and a risk assessment was performed applying both a deterministic and a probabilistic approach. A deterministic approach is a specific analysis based on determining the values of the risk quotient (HQ) and the risk index (HI) for each receptor category (adults and children) and scenario (residential and recreational) considered; a probabilistic approach is based on stochastic simulation techniques and the evaluation of the statistical quantities. There was found to be a discrepancy between the results provided by the two approaches, with the deterministic approach suggesting a more worrisome picture. However, in general, the results showed a greater exposure in the provinces of El Oro and Esmeraldas, and a greater vulnerability of child receptors.