Introduction: The selection of genotypes with determinate growth habit in tomato should contemplate adequate selection criteria to increase the efficiency of the breeding program. Objective: The objective of this work was to estimate selection criteria for “chonto” type tomato lines with determined growth habit. Materials and methods: This work was carried out at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia (Palmira Campus), in 2016, with seven lines with determinate growth habit and a control with indeterminate growth. Heritability in a broad sense (h² g), coefficient of environmental variation, coefficient of genetic variation, selection efficiency and genetic gain were determined in parameters of morphological, phonological, fruit quality, fruit shape and production, using the RELM/BLUP procedure of the SELEGEN software. Results: There were three ranges of h² g, the first with values of h² g greater than 0.76, the second between 0.53 and 0.38, and the third with a value less than 0.38. The highest values of h² g were for final plant height with 0.92, plant height at harvest with 0.88, yield per plant with 0.83, days to flowering with 0.83, number of fruits per plant with 0.82, and days to harvest with 0.82. For genetic gain it was found that the control had the highest values for final plant height, plant height at harvest, internode length, days to harvest, harvest duration, soluble solids content, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight and yield per plant; however, in some parameters such as height and phenology for selection by determined growth habit, the lowest values were better. Conclusion: There was evidence of genetic parameters that could be considered as selection criteria for “chonto” type tomato lines with determinate growth habit.

Seawater desalination has been studied with interest due to the scarcity of fresh water for human consumption. Solar distillation is an old method; the productivity, energy consumption of the process and the cost of the desalinated water thus obtained depend on the efficiency achieved in each of the stages of these systems. The limited capacity to absorb solar radiation and transform it into useful heat for evaporation, interaction with the surrounding medium, and heat losses restrict the overall efficiency of the thermal process and productivity. Since the energy comes from solar radiation, the maximum productivity of this process will be constrained by the magnitude of the total solar radiation available in an area of the planet due to its geographic location, time of year and local climatic conditions. The processes of this energy will be thermodynamically limited by the heat transfer coefficients achieved in the equipment, the maximum value that the evaporation heat can reach, as long as the losses to the environment by convection and radiation are minimal. Comparative analyses of several proposed models, reported data of distillers, reported data of solar radiation that reach average values of up to 7.2–7.4 kwh/m² in some regions of the planet are presented and estimates are made for productivity of these equipments that they reach between 6.7 and 6.9 kg/m² day with a theoretical maximum efficiency of about 0.16 of the total solar radiation.

A novel composite material based on polymers (polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral) and liquid crystal (4-n-pentyl-4’-cyanobiphenyl) has been developed and studied. Configuration transformations of point defects in nematic droplets under the influence of an electric field, caused by localized changes in the concentration of NLC within the polymer matrix, have been discovered and analyzed. The boundary conditions necessary for achieving a nematic structure with homogeneous alignment of the director both within the droplet and at its surface have been established, optimizing the anisotropy of light transmission in polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films. Additionally, polarization effects inside nematic droplets under the application of an electric field have been identified.

Integrating Education 4.0 in higher education necessitates a transformational leadership approach that champions innovation and technology adoption. This paper reviews the impact of transformational leadership in fostering a conducive environment for Education 4.0, emphasising personalised and technology-enhanced learning experiences. With their vision and motivational prowess, transformational leaders are crucial in steering educational institutions through digital transformation, encouraging the adoption of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and data analytics. These leaders are pivotal in nurturing a culture of continuous improvement and empowerment, actively involving team members in pursuing collective achievements and personal growth. The study highlights the importance of transformational leadership in addressing the dynamic challenges and opportunities presented by Education 4.0. By inspiring educators and students to embrace change, transformational leaders facilitate the integration of innovative teaching methods and technologies, enhancing learning outcomes and preparing students for the demands of the digital age. The findings suggest that transformational leadership is instrumental in creating a flexible, relevant, and forward-thinking educational environment that aligns with the objectives of Education 4.0. This paper advocates strategically emphasising the development of transformational leaders within academic institutions. Such leadership is essential for navigating the complexities of digital-area education, ensuring institutions remain adaptive and responsive to technological advancements, and equipping students with the necessary skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.