Journal of the University of Zulia

Editorial

2026-01-11T23:53:16+00:00

Presentation of Issue 48, Volume 17, of the Journal of the University of Zulia, by its editor.

Adaptation and Climate Change in the Quality and Phenolic Content of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes

2026-01-11T23:53:19+00:00

High temperatures, limited water availability, and marked thermal differences between day and night are altering the optimal conditions for grapevine development. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the adaptation and impact of climate change (CC) on the quality and phenolic content of Syrah (S) and Cabernet Sauvignon (CS) grapes. A vineyard located in the El Sauz region of the state of Chihuahua, Mëxico. Meteorological variables were recorded, and the viticultural zone was characterized using the Winkler Index based on temperature data. Quality parameters such as pH, soluble solids (SS), total acidity (TA), and phenolic content were evaluated in the two grape varieties, S and CS, along with the mineral content in leaves through chromatography. The results indicated a temperature increase in July, which led to a higher evapotranspiration rate. The Syrah variety showed greater water requirements and higher levels of phenolic compounds and soluble solids. In contrast, Cabernet Sauvignon exhibited higher concentrations of macro- and microelements, along with a higher pH, indicating more acidic grapes. In conclusion, the increase in temperatures and low humidity conditions affect sugar accumulation and acidity degradation, altering the physiological processes and overall grape and wine quality.

Evaluation of the Production of Plant Regulators by Bacillus paralicheniformis

2026-01-11T23:53:23+00:00

Bacillus paralicheniformis is a bacterium from the Bacillus genus that has gained increasing attention in agricultural biotechnology due to its ability to produce bioactive compounds, offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical pesticides. This study aimed to evaluate its potential as a plant growth promoter in native crops from northern Tamaulipas, Mexico, and assess its environmental impact. A soil sample was obtained from the inventory of the Experimental Biotechnology Laboratory at the Center for Genomic Biotechnology (IPN), and microbial isolation was performed using Congo red selective medium. The resulting colonies exhibited rough surfaces, dye absorption, and firm texture, consistent with Bacillus morphology. Molecular identification was conducted by amplifying the 16S rRNA gene using universal primers 27F and 1492R, yielding a 1085 bp sequence corresponding to Bacillus paralicheniformis. HPLC analysis confirmed the synthesis of indole-3-acetic acid and anthranilic acid, both key plant growth regulators. These findings support the potential of B. paralicheniformis as a biofertilizer, enhancing plant development while reducing reliance on chemical inputs. Its application represents an innovative strategy for advancing sustainable, efficient, and ecosystem-friendly agriculture.

Reference Levels of Heavy Metals in Agricultural and Forest Soils in the Luyando District, Perú

2026-01-11T23:53:27+00:00

The research aimed to establish and validate reference values for heavy metals studied in agricultural and forest soils, considering their background levels and physicochemical properties, through a statistical analysis that included linear regression methods and calculation of confidence intervals. The research is applied at the evaluative level, with a quantitative approach and a non-experimental, cross-sectional, descriptive-explanatory-causal design. The reference values established for agricultural and forest soils are: As (16 and 26 ppm), Cu (31 and 29 ppm), Cd (1.78 and 6 ppm), Pb (26 and 37 ppm), Zn (117 and 143 ppm), Co (17 and 22 ppm), Hg (0.105 and 0.28 ppm), Mo (8 and 10 ppm), Ni (37 and 64 ppm), Cr (96 and 82 ppm), Sr (189 and 461 ppm), Mn (1297 and 1429 ppm), Zr (643 and 633 ppm), Ba (411 and 472 ppm), Ti (7534 and 7773 ppm), and Fe (50910 and 64525 ppm) respectively. Significant correlations were identified between heavy metals and physicochemical parameters, reflecting the variability of the latter. It is concluded that the proposed reference values aim to promote sustainable soil management, suggesting their inclusion in Peruvian regulations for regulating soil quality at the national level.

Digital Impact on Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Producing Native Orchids in Fusagasugá, Colombia

2026-01-11T23:53:32+00:00

Native orchid small, medium and micro enterprises in Fusagasugá face significant challenges in adopting digital tools, limiting their commercial growth and market visibility. This study aims to design a digital transformation model to strengthen commercialization processes through technological solutions adapted to the needs of the local nursery sector. The research followed an applied methodology, using structured surveys administered to 20 nursery owners selected by convenience sampling. The instrument evaluated variables such as social media use, sales channels, technological readiness, and knowledge of electronic commerce. Results show that although 85% use social media to promote their products, 80% do not have a website and 60% have never implemented electronic commerce. Based on these findings, a digital transformation framework is proposed to enhance commercial management, expand online visibility, and enable the gradual adoption of technological tools among orchid-producing enterprises.

Characterization of Rural Women as a Protagonist in the Socioeconomic Development of Fusagasugá and Silvania, Colombia

2026-01-11T23:53:35+00:00

The participation of rural women in Colombia has had a long and anonymous trajectory. Such participation has been limited to roles exclusive to the domestic environment: raising children, tidying up the house, preparing food and farming. Their responsibilities were carried out within a patriarchal society, without social or economic recognition, sacrificing their personal aspirations. Objective: to characterize socioeconomically the rural women in Fusagasugá and Silvania, agricultural food growing areas of the province of Sumapaz, Cundinamarca. A descriptive-analytical research with a qualitative-quantitative approach was conducted. A probabilistic sample was applied to 144 participants. The household of the rural woman of Fusagasugá is composed of her spouse and children 58%, the mainly engaged in unpaid household chores and agricultural and livestock activities. The Silvanenses of free union marital status and single mother head of households representing 52%, develop productive work standing out as entrepreneurs and businesswomen; 84% have businesses. The relevant role played by rural women in contributing to food security, growth and sustainable development is highlighted.

Sanitary Standards in the Colombian Agri-Food Industry: New Evaluation Model

2026-01-11T23:53:38+00:00

Food safety is vital for protecting public health and strengthening competitiveness in the global market. This study developed a model to evaluate compliance with sanitary standards established by Colombian regulations on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), applying a mixed, cross-sectional, and non-experimental methodology, evaluating 31 sanitary criteria grouped into six categories through Inspection records from the National Institute for Food and Drug Surveillance (Invima) in 57 agri-food companies in the Meta department. Results revealed an average compliance of 74.6% (SD=7.85%). Strengths were highlighted in product labeling (98.25%) and personnel health (90.30%), but critical areas in traceability and recall (60.17%), cleaning and disinfection (54.04%), and sampling (55.86%). Correlation analysis evidenced significant interdependencies among infrastructure, equipment, and product verification. No significant differences were found by product type or sanitary risk, indicating cross-cutting challenges. The model represents the first comprehensive regional diagnosis, internationally adaptable, with implications for territorial development policies.

Systemic Spiral Model: A Proposal for Dynamization Rural Entrepreneurship Ecosystems

2026-01-11T23:53:40+00:00

The main objective of this article is to propose a Systemic Spiral Model as a tool to energize the Rural Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (REE), grounded in complex epistemology and transdisciplinarity, and designed to stimulate and strengthen rural regions, based on the municipalities of Tabio and Tenjo, in Cundinamarca, Colombia. The methodology used for the diagnosis employed a mixed, exploratory, and descriptive approach, and included two phases: the application of surveys to 228 rural entrepreneurs and interviews with subject-matter experts. The research results revealed structural problems within the rural entrepreneurship ecosystem, highlighting low levels of association — as 95% of entrepreneurs are not affiliated — widespread distrust, and a critical lack of coordination among the public, private, and educational sectors. The proposed model seeks to overcome this disconnection and traditional rigidity. It focuses on activating collaborative networks, incorporating new disciplines such as arts and humanities, and actively promoting social and technological innovation, which are vital for regional economic development. Furthermore, the model emphasizes the importance of co-creation of knowledge, validating the traditional knowledge of entrepreneurs to generate sustainable and contextually adapted solutions.

Financial Education and its Effects on the Autonomy of Rural Women: Current Latin American Context

2026-01-11T23:53:44+00:00

This article analyzes the relationship between financial education and its effects on the economic autonomy of rural women in Latin America. Based on a systematic review of the literature and the analysis of regional initiatives, persistent gaps in financial inclusion, economic education, and access to productive resources for rural women are identified. Additionally, outstanding programs in countries such as Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay are examined, showing how financial education, microfinance, and inclusive technologies have strengthened women’s economic capacities. Findings indicate that financial education is a key tool for women’s empowerment, community development, and the reduction of structural inequalities. Finally, public policy recommendations are presented to promote sustainable inclusion, gender equity, and the strengthening of women’s economic autonomy in rural areas.

Ancestry and Peasant Markets in Meta (Colombia): Food Legacies and Migration Dynamics

2026-01-11T23:53:48+00:00

From a territorial perspective, this study analyzes how peasant markets in Meta (Colombia) still preserve some ancestral practices, energizing the local economy through exchange and reciprocity, despite the pressure from globalized agroindustry. This research explores ancestrality — knowledge and practices inherited from indigenous peoples such as the Guayupes as well as those adapted by migrants in different periods — and their reflection in traditional food systems. Indigenous and peasant communities, marked by internal colonizations, face tensions due to the expansion of agro-industrial and oil sectors, which alter their territories and modes of production. Thus, through a qualitative analysis based on interviews and surveys, the territorial and cultural defense strategies in peasant markets, such as MERCAORINOQUIA, which integrate diverse knowledge, were examined. This approach highlights the coexistence of ancestral heritage and migrant contributions, offering lessons for inclusive rural development in the region.

The Accounting Profession in Virtual Learning Environments: Strategies and Applications

2026-01-13T00:54:54+00:00

The accounting profession responds to the different needs that make up the mechanisms to ensure the financial success not only of people but of companies. This work explores the use of digital strategies applied in virtual learning environments, which allow an efficient adaptation of the accounting discipline due to accelerated social and technological changes. Through the content, the integration and contribution of digital and pedagogical tools that empower the professional are examined in a qualitative and exploratory way, mitigating gaps under the understanding of virtual environments. In the same way, within its use, the integration of ethics and morality is emphasized as a principle of learning models, highlighting the relevance of developing virtual spaces that encourage the growth of knowledge. As a result, it is concluded that through the incorporation of digital strategies, accounting practice is strengthened, in accordance with the assimilation and overcoming of the challenges faced by AI, thus contributing to the success of the profession from a competent perspective.

Socio-Organizational Barriers and Level of Integration of Technological Surveillance in the Organizational Culture

2026-01-11T23:53:55+00:00

This article aims to analyze the cultural, structural, and strategic barriers that hinder the integration of Technology Watch (TV) into the organizational culture of productive enterprises in the Sumapaz province of Colombia. Using a mixed-methods approach, an exploratory sequential study was conducted, combining semi-structured interviews and structured surveys. This allowed for the identification of the main limitations that restrict interest in TV and its relationship to business sustainability. The results show that cultural resistance, a lack of strategic planning, and weak connections to knowledge networks are the most decisive factors. International comparisons with recent studies from Latin America and Europe are also included, revealing similar patterns in rural and peripheral regions. The article concludes that strengthening a culture of technological intelligence can significantly improve the sustainable and competitive performance of organizations in the region.

Integrated Design of the Value Ecosystem and a Sentient-Thinking Model of Financial Education for Rural Women: The Case of Colombia – Bolivia

2026-01-11T23:53:59+00:00

This article proposes the Value Ecosystem Map (VEM) and the Financial Education Training Model (FETM) for rural women with a differential and intersectional approach, based on the results found in two specific provinces of Bolivia (Vaca Díez) and Colombia (Sumapaz). Data analysis reveals that the lack of economic autonomy is a systemic problem, rooted in the imbalance of the unpaid care economy, barriers to access to credit, and a lack of financial and digital literacy, all of which perpetuate the gaps faced by rural women. The proposed ecosystem is structured around three strategic pillars: co-responsibility and time, conscious training, and differential financial access, enabling transformation in the value structures that restrict rural women's decision-making and negotiating power. Subsequently, the Training Model is proposed, based on Fals Borda's sentipensante pedagogy. This integrated proposal transcends banking, proposing a measurable systemic change to unleash economic autonomy. The a priori methodological validation of the design and the verification of causal coherence demonstrated the structural viability of the model, anchoring its rigor to the quantified deficits (3% and 47%) according to the results of the source research by Gutiérrez Castaño et al. (2025).

Resilience and Economic Future: Financial Education in Rural Women in Colombia and Bolivia

2026-01-11T23:54:04+00:00

Financial education is fundamental to economic resilience and reducing the gender gap in rural environments. This study analyzes how the acquisition of financial knowledge influences the well-being and decision-making of rural women in Vaca Díez (Bolivia) and Sumapaz (Colombia), regions characterized by agriculture and high levels of informal trade.A descriptive-comparative methodology with a mixed design was used. Qualitative techniques were employed to identify training programs, and descriptive statistical approaches were used to measure the impact of knowledge on women's autonomy and economic bargaining power in their households.The results indicate that financial knowledge is a key driver of empowerment, although its impact is limited by structural and sociocultural barriers, such as informal employment and gender inequalities. The contribution validates financial education as a lever for development, highlighting the need to design culturally sensitive strategies that prioritize the translation of technical knowledge into greater effective autonomy and bargaining power in the domestic sphere.

Information Security in Digital Enterprises, a Focus on Regional Dynamics

2026-01-13T00:56:07+00:00

Technology and its dizzying advances are changing the way of seeing business and the development of new proposals to undertake and remain in the creation of capital, but also this opportunity brings with it challenges of the same level as ensuring its vulnerability, this research project has aimed to identify some relevant aspects of exposure of digital entrepreneurship in a Colombian municipality with the aim of presenting a panorama that enables competitiveness strategies to be developed in this sector that contributes so much to the citizens of the region. The results that have been reached are based on a descriptive and exploratory methodology with the perceptual participation through the application of a data collection instrument, of a significant number of entrepreneurs from different commercial activities, establishing that 13% of the sample has had a security incident, among which are viruses, impersonation, file damage, among others. Allowing us to conclude within the relevant events, that there is a concern for the sector in the face of the insecurity of the digital environment, but at the same time there is no generalized taking of measures to mitigate it.

Graph Theory to Optimize the Coverage Network for Public Educational Institutions in the Southern Province of Sumapaz (Colombia)

2026-01-11T23:54:12+00:00

This article determines the fastest travel routes from the University of Cundinamarca (Fusagasugá campus) to public educational institutions in the southern province of Sumapaz (Colombia) to optimize the planning of extracurricular activities. Graph theory is applied, modeling the region's road network as a weighted graph, with the weight of the edges being the travel times between municipalities, population centers, and villages, obtained from Google Maps. Dijkstra's algorithm is used to calculate the minimum cost paths from the origin node to the most distant destinations, structuring the analysis into four strategic routes, which allows the identification of optimal routes and the quantification of minimum travel times. As a result, the fastest travel time to institutions in Cumaca is 59 minutes, to Bateas is 68 minutes, to Cabrera is 146 minutes, and to the village of Andes is 150 minutes, thus confirming that graph theory, applying Dijkstra's algorithm, is an effective and reliable method for route optimization in complex rural contexts, providing a quantitative basis for logistics planning and efficient resource allocation.

Topological Knots: A Creative Approach to Mathematical Modeling of the Entanglement of the Fabric of Geometric Space

2026-01-11T23:54:18+00:00

One of the major current challenges is finding a point of convergence between classical and quantum physical theories through mathematical foundations, where the interpretive creativity of crochet emerges as an analytical mechanism due to its topological properties. This supports the development of space rehabilitation projects, research in textile engineering for corporate social responsibility (CSR), and theoretical innovations. The objective of this research is to analyze crocheting as a tool for studying developable surfaces and theoretical concepts of the weaving of geometric space. The method employed involves associating knots, as mathematical modeling elements, with the points that make up the complex structural construction, based on the discretization of geometric space. The result is a set of postulates that allow for an interpretation of physical principles on a woven network of topological knots. This leads to the conclusion that empirical coding techniques are crucial for the scientifically rigorous interpretation of mathematical concepts, enabling the extrapolation of social sciences into physics and mathematics.

Alternative Strategies to Antibiotic Use in the Post-Weaning Period of Pigs Under Intensive Production Systems

2026-01-11T23:54:21+00:00

A comprehensive review was conducted on alternative strategies to antibiotic use to promote animal health during post-weaning in swine production. A bibliometric analysis was performed on articles published in Scopus and Web of Science between 2000 and 2025, using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix. The notable increase in publications over the past five years underscores the growing relevance of alternatives such as probiotics, prebiotics, and phytobiotics. Probiotics have demonstrated effectiveness in restoring microbial balance, enhancing the integrity of the intestinal barrier, and modulating immune responses. Prebiotics support the proliferation of beneficial bacteria and stimulate the production of short-chain fatty acids. Phytobiotics contribute to improved growth performance and intestinal health due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. However, these alternative strategies still face several challenges, including variability in phytobiotic composition and the lack of standardized dosages and formulations of bioactive compounds. Advancing the development and implementation of these alternatives is essential to reduce antimicrobial use in animal feed, improve animal welfare, and transition toward more sustainable swine production systems.

Haematology, Biochemistry and Calcium-Phosphorus Balance in Working Equids from Antioquia, Colombia

2026-01-11T23:54:25+00:00

In recent years, global concern for the health and welfare of working equids has increased, as they play a vital role in supporting low-income rural communities. In Colombia, these animals are used in agriculture, transportation, and tourism, but they are frequently exposed to nutritional deficiencies, oxalate-rich forages, and unbalanced diets that compromise their well-being. The aim of this study was to describe hematological, biochemical, and calcium-phosphorus balance parameters in rural equids from Antioquia, Colombia, to identify potential clinical and metabolic alterations. Sixteen animals (10 horses and 6 mules) from Cocorná and Ciudad Bolívar were evaluated. Clinical examination, hematology, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, urinary biochemistry, serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) measurement, and fractional excretion of calcium and phosphorus were performed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Student’s t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Mild clinical signs such as tachypnea, pale mucous membranes, and mild dehydration were observed. Laboratory findings included hypoalbuminemia, elevated alkaline phosphatase, abnormal calcium and phosphorus fractional excretion, and increased PTH concentrations. No statistically significant differences were detected among species, sexes, or municipalities. These results suggest nutritional imbalances leading to a risk of secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism. It is recommended to implement nutritional management strategies, control of hematophagous ectoparasites, and appropriate supplementation to improve animal health and welfare, thereby ensuring the sustainability of family-based production systems that rely on these animals.

Analysis of Cybercrimes Through the Risk Matrix and Audit Heat Diagram

2026-01-11T23:54:29+00:00

This study aims to analyze the usefulness of the risk matrix and the audit heat map as tools for identifying, assessing, and managing cybercrime in Colombian public institutions. The methodology employed is based on a structured approach that includes defining the problem, identifying cyber threats (such as fraud, data theft, and unauthorized access), assessing their probability and impact using a risk matrix, and visually representing them through a heat map. The analysis is conducted in the municipalities of Fusagasugá, Pasca, Granada, Silvania, and Tibacuy, using current Colombian regulations as a framework, particularly Law 1273 of 2009, Law 1581 of 2012, and Decree 1078 of 2025, as well as information security best practices. As a result, it is expected to prioritize critical risks, strengthen internal control systems, facilitate preventive and corrective decision-making, ensure regulatory compliance, and promote a cybersecurity culture that reduces vulnerabilities and improves the protection of public sector digital assets.