Women cotton farmers: Their perceptions and experiences with transgenic varieties: A case study for Colombia

This paper explores gender differences in cotton cultivation and looks into the perceptions and experiences of women and men with transgenic varieties. With few exceptions, researchers in the area of impact evaluation of crop biotechnology have only marginally included gender considerations in their work. This exploratory pilot study was developed in order to incorporate gender into our quantitative evaluation work. This study used a participatory and descriptive approach that allowed us to listen to women and men farmers' perceptions and insights. The project was conducted in the main cotton-producing regions of Colombia where a handful of transgenic varieties have been in the market for the past six years.crop biotechnology, Genetically modified crops, Genetic engineering, Cotton, Gender,

Reacción del precio de las acciones a los cambios de estructura de capital en empresas chilenas: Examinando los efectos de la estructura de propiedad, oportunidades de crecimiento y leverage

We analyzed the effects of ownership structure, capital structure and growth opportunities on stock price reactions when companies issued debt or equity. Our results, based on event study methodology and IV regressions from a sample of 70 Chilean firms, indicate that controlling shareholder ownership has a negative effect on stock price reactions for debt issuances and a positive effect for equity issuance. These results indicate that debt issuances are a substitute for majority shareholder monitoring, and that equity issuances are associated with superior corporate performance. Equity issuances are a means for expropriating wealth from non-controlling shareholders. Debt and growth opportunities have a non-linear effect.En este artículo analizamos los efectos de la estructura de propiedad, estructura de capital y las oportunidades de crecimiento sobre la reacción del precio de las acciones cuando las empresas emiten deuda o capital. Nuestros resultados, basados en la metodología de análisis de eventos y regresiones IV sobre una muestra de 70 empresas chilenas, indican que la propiedad de los accionistas controladores tiene un efecto negativo en la reacción del precio de las acciones cuando las empresas emiten deuda y positivo cuando emiten acciones. Este resultado indica que las emisiones de deuda son un sustituto del control mayoritario de los accionistas y las emisiones de capital se asocian con un mayor desempeño corporativo. Las emisiones de capital son un medio para expropiar riqueza de los accionistas no controladores. Las oportunidades de deuda y crecimiento tienen un efecto no lineal

Reacción del precio de las acciones a los cambios de estructura de capital en empresas chilenas: Examinando los efectos de la estructura de propiedad, oportunidades de crecimiento y leverage

We analyzed the effects of ownership structure, capital structure and growth opportunities on stock price reactions when companies issued debt or equity.Our results, based on event study methodology and IV regressions from a sample of 70 Chilean firms, indicate that controlling shareholder ownership has a negative effect on stock price reactions for debt issuances and a positive effect for equity issuance. These results indicate that debt issuances are a substitute for majority shareholder monitoring, and that equity issuances are associated with superior corporate performance. Equity issuances are a means for expropriating wealth from non-controlling shareholders. Debt and growth opportunities have a non-linear effect.En este artículo analizamos los efectos de la estructura de propiedad, estructura de capital y las oportunidades de crecimiento sobre la reacción del precio delas acciones cuando las empresas emiten deuda o capital. Nuestros resultados, basados en la metodología de análisis de eventos y regresiones IV sobre unamuestra de 70 empresas chilenas, indican que la propiedad de los accionistas controladores tiene un efecto negativo en la reacción del precio de las acciones cuando las empresas emiten deuda y positivo cuando emiten acciones. Este resultado indica que las emisiones de deuda son un sustituto del control mayoritario de los accionistas y las emisiones de capital se asocian con un mayor desempeño corporativo. Las emisiones de capital son un medio para expropiar riqueza de los accionistas no controladores. Las oportunidades de deuda y crecimiento tienen un efecto no lineal

Efeitos da propriedade estrangeira e das Normas Internacionais de Relato Financeiro no vencimento da dívida em empresas chilenas

The objective of this article is to determine the effects of foreign ownership and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on debt maturity in Chilean companies. The study uses a fractional response model (FRM) on 20,586 companies. The results show foreign ownership has a negative and non-linear effect. Foreign ownership in Chilean firms is a substitute control means in relation to long-term debt. IFRS reduces maturity in large companies and extends them in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). These results suggest it is more important for large firms to control agency conflicts, while it is more important for SMEs to reduce information asymmetry.El objetivo de este artículo es determinar los efectos de la propiedad extranjera y de las Normas Internacionales de Información Financiera (NIIF) sobre la madurez de la deuda en las empresas chilenas. En el estudio se utiliza un modelo de respuesta fraccional (MRF) sobre 20.586 empresas. Los resultados demuestran que la propiedad extranjera tiene un efecto negativo y no lineal, transformándose en un medio de control sustituto en relación con la deuda de largo plazo. Las NIIF reducen la madurez en empresas grandes y la extiende en las pequeñas y medianas empresas (Pymes). Estos resultados sugieren que para las firmas grandes es más importante controlar conflictos de agencia, mientras que para las Pymes es más importante reducir las asimetrías de información.O objetivo deste artigo é determinar os efeitos da propriedade estrangeira e das Normas Internacionais de Relato Financeiro (IFRS) no ven- cimento da dívida em empresas chilenas. O estudo utiliza um Modelo de Resposta Fracionária (MRF) em 20.586 empresas. Os resultados mostram que a propriedade estrangeira tem efeito negativo e não linear, tornando-se um meio de controle substituto em relação à dívida de longo prazo. O IFRS reduz a maturidade em grandes empresas e as estende em Pequenas e Médias Empresas (PMEs). Esses resultados sugerem que, para grandes empresas, é mais importante controlar conflitos entre agências, enquanto para as PMEs é mais importante reduzir as assimetrias de informações

Skin Bioimpedance Analysis to Determine Cellular Integrity by Phase Angle in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Oxidative stress has been proposed as a significant part of the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia, and the phase angle in bioelectrical impedance analysis has been explored as a potential technique to screen oxidative abnormalities. This study recruited 35 women with fibromyalgia and 35 healthy women, who underwent bioelectrical impedance analysis and maximum isometric handgrip strength tests. Women with fibromyalgia showed lower bilateral handgrip strength (right hand: 16.39 ± 5.87 vs. 27.53 ± 4.09, p < 0.001; left hand: 16.31 ± 5.51 vs. 27.61 ± 4.14, p < 0.001), as well as higher body fat mass (27.14 ± 10.21 vs. 19.94 ± 7.25, p = 0.002), body fat percentage (37.80 ± 8.32 vs. 30.63 ± 7.77, p < 0.001), and visceral fat area (136.76 ± 55.31 vs. 91.65 ± 42.04, p < 0.01) compared with healthy women. There was no statistically significant difference in muscle mass between groups, but women with fibromyalgia showed lower phase angles in all body regions when compared with healthy control women (right arm: 4.42 ± 0.51 vs. 4.97 ± 0.48, p < 0.01; left arm: 4.23 ± 0.48 vs. 4.78 ± 0.50, p < 0.001; trunk: 5.62 ± 0.77 vs. 6.78 ± 0.84, p < 0.001; right leg: 5.28 ± 0.56 vs. 5.81 ± 0.60, p < 0.001; left leg: 5.07 ± 0.51 vs. 5.69 ± 0.58, p < 0.001; whole body: 4.81 ± 0.47 vs. 5.39 ± 0.49, p < 0.001). Moreover, whole-body phase-angle reduction was only predicted by the presence of fibromyalgia (R 2 = 0.264; β = 0.639; F(1,68) = 24.411; p < 0.001). Our study revealed significantly lower phase angle values, lower handgrip strength, and higher fat levels in women with fibromyalgia compared to healthy controls, which are data of clinical relevance when dealing with such patients.post-print1,25 M

¿Afectan los regímenes de tipos de cambio a la prima de riesgo cambiario? Evidencias internacionales

This article analyzes the impact of the risk premium on exchange returns and the relationship between the risk premium and flexible exchange rate regimes. We use the GMM estimator proposed by Arellano and Bond (1991) on a sample of 21 countries between January 1997 and December 2015. Our results show that the time-varying exchange premium is concentrated in emerging markets and it generates a depreciation that ranges between 1.8% and 2.7% monthly. In developed markets, there is a constant exchange risk premium that promotes an appreciation of their currencies against the US dollar. These results reveal that the UIP and CIP are not fulfilled, although their bias is less in emerging countries. Exchange flexibility has dissimilar effects between developed and emerging countries. These results have important implications for policymakers and investors.Este artículo analiza el impacto de la prima de riesgo en los rendimientos cambiarios y la relación entre la prima de riesgo y los regímenes de tipos de cambio flexibles. Utilizamos el estimador GMM propuesto por Arellano y Bond (1991) en una muestra de 21 países entre enero de 1997 y diciembre de 2015. Nuestros resultados muestran que la prima de cambio variable en el tiempo se concentra en los mercados emergentes y genera una depreciación que oscila entre el 1,8% y el 2,7% mensual. En los mercados desarrollados, hay una prima de riesgo de cambio constante que promueve una apreciación de sus monedas frente al dólar estadounidense. Estos resultados revelan que la UIP y la CIP no se cumplen, aunque su sesgo es menor en los países emergentes. La flexibilidad del intercambio tiene efectos diferentes entre países desarrollados y emergentes. Estos resultados tienen importantes consecuencias para los encargados de formular políticas y los inversores

¿Son persistentes los efectos de la concentración de mercado y la diversificación de ingresos sobre el desempeño bancario?

We analyze the effects of market concentration and income diversification on banking performance. We used a sample of 134 countries for the period 1994-2011 and used the GMM estimator proposed by Arellano and Bover (1995). Our results show that market concentration and income diversification have a positive and non-linear effect on bank performance. The non-linearity suggests that the positive effect is reversed if the banking industry has high levels of market concentration and income diversification. During an economic crisis, the banking industry reduces diversification to support its performance. These results are relevant for the design of financial policy and banking strategies.Analizamos los efectos de la concentración de mercado y diversificación de ingresos sobre el desempeño bancario. Usamos el estimador GMM de Arellano y Bover (1995) para 134 países entre 1994 y 2011. Nuestros resultados demuestran que la concentración de mercado y la diversificación tienen un efecto positivo y no lineal sobre el desempeño bancario. La forma no lineal sugiere que el efecto positivo se revierte si la industria bancaria tiene elevada concentración y diversificación. En períodos de crisis, la industria bancaria debe reducir su grado de diversificación para soportar un mayor desempeño. Estos resultados son relevantes para la política financiera y estrategias bancarias

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF METHANOL EXTRACTS AND ALKALOID FRACTIONS OF FOUR MEXICAN MEDICINAL PLANTS OF SOLANACEAE

Background: Methanol extracts and alkaloid fractions of different parts of four plant species belonging to Solanaceae family and used in Mexican traditional medicine were investigated for their total phenolic contents, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Materials and Methods: The total phenolic compounds of each extract was determined according to the Folin-Ciocalteu method, while the in vitro radical scavenging activities of the extracts were assessed using the DPPH and ABTS radicals. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity was determined using the TPA-induced mouse ear edema model. Results: The methanol extracts contained the highest concentrations of phenolic compounds and also exhibited the best reducing power on the DPPH and ABTS radicals, in a concentration-dependent fashion. However, the anti-inflammatory activity did not follow the same trend, as some alkaloid fractions that showed low radical reducing power exhibited the strongest anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusion: The methanol extract obtained from the flowers of Nicotiana glauca presented the best overall performance with the largest amount of phenolic compounds (111 µg garlic acid equivalents/g of extract), the best antioxidant activity (94.80% inhibition of DPPH and 97.57% of ABTS) and the highest anti-inflammatory activity (81.93% inhibition of the inflammatio

Evaluation of different recall periods for the US National Cancer Institute’s Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE)

Aims—The U.S. National Cancer Institute recently developed the Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE). PRO-CTCAE is a library of questions for clinical trial participants to self-report symptomatic adverse events (e.g., nausea). The objective of this study is to inform evidence-based selection of a recall period when PRO-CTCAE is included in a trial. We evaluated differences between 1-week, 2-week, 3-week, and 4-week recall periods, using daily reporting as the reference. Methods—English-speaking patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy were enrolled at four U.S. cancer centers and affiliated community clinics. Participants completed 27 PRO-CTCAE items electronically daily for 28 days, and then weekly over 4 weeks, using 1-week, 2-week, 3-week, and 4-week recall periods. For each recall period, mean differences, effect sizes, and intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate agreement between the maximum of daily ratings and the corresponding ratings obtained using longer recall periods (e.g., maximum of daily scores over 7 days vs. 1-week recall). Analyses were repeated using the average of daily scores within each recall period rather than the maximum of daily scores. Results—127 subjects completed questionnaires (57% male; median age 57). The median of the 27 mean differences in scores on the PRO-CTCAE 5-point response scale comparing the maximum daily versus the longer recall period (and corresponding effect size), was −0.20 (−0.20) for 1-week recall; −0.36 (−0.31) for 2-week recall; −0.45 (−0.39) for 3-week recall; and −0.47 (−0.40) for 4-week recall. The median intraclass correlation across 27 items between the maximum of daily ratings and the corresponding longer recall ratings for 1-week recall was 0.70 (range: 0.54–0.82); 2-week recall: 0.74 (range: 0.58–0.83); 3-week recall: 0.72 (range: 0.61–0.84); and 4-week recall: 0.72 (range: 0.64–0.86). Similar results were observed for all analyses using the average of daily scores rather than the maximum of daily scores. Conclusions—1-week recall corresponds best to daily reporting. Although intraclass correlations remain stable over time, there are small but progressively larger differences between daily and longer recall periods at 2, 3, and 4 weeks, respectively. The preferred recall period for the PRO-CTCAE is the past 7 days, although investigators may opt for recall periods of 2, 3, or 4 weeks with an understanding that there may be some information loss