AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF COCA ERADICATION POLICY IN COLOMBIA

We estimate an econometric model of coca production in Colombia. Our results indicate that coca eradication is an ineffective means of supply control as farmers compensate by cultivating the crop more extensively. The evidence further suggests that incentives to produce legal substitute crops may have greater supply-reducing potential than eradication.Political Economy,

Hip function characterization in the sagittal plane with varying gait speed

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2008.Includes bibliographical references (p. 22).The function of the human hip joint during the stance phase of walking can be characterized with a configuration of simple mechanical elements. This combination of elements is capable of providing general hip behavior in the sagittal plane. Data was collected from two healthy, young subjects who walked at slow, normal and fast gait speeds. The hip can be modeled with a torque actuator and two independent, linear torsional springs, which are activated at different times during the stance phase of gait. The activation times consistently identify gait cycle events across all three gait speeds. The first spring operates during the single limb stance of the gait cycle. The second spring is actuated during second double support, in the pre-swing phase. The springs effectively reduce the amount of work an unaccompanied torque actuator would have to exert in order to reproduce the hip gait pattern.by Erika R. Cerda.S.B

A Simulated Microgravity Environment Causes a Sustained Defect in Epithelial Barrier Function.

Intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) junctions constitute a robust barrier to invasion by viruses, bacteria and exposure to ingested agents. Previous studies showed that microgravity compromises the human immune system and increases enteropathogen virulence. However, the effects of microgravity on epithelial barrier function are poorly understood. The aims of this study were to identify if simulated microgravity alters intestinal epithelial barrier function (permeability), and susceptibility to barrier-disrupting agents. IECs (HT-29.cl19a) were cultured on microcarrier beads in simulated microgravity using a rotating wall vessel (RWV) for 18 days prior to seeding on semipermeable supports to measure ion flux (transepithelial electrical resistance (TER)) and FITC-dextran (FD4) permeability over 14 days. RWV cells showed delayed apical junction localization of the tight junction proteins, occludin and ZO-1. The alcohol metabolite, acetaldehyde, significantly decreased TER and reduced junctional ZO-1 localization, while increasing FD4 permeability in RWV cells compared with static, motion and flask control cells. In conclusion, simulated microgravity induced an underlying and sustained susceptibility to epithelial barrier disruption upon removal from the microgravity environment. This has implications for gastrointestinal homeostasis of astronauts in space, as well as their capability to withstand the effects of agents that compromise intestinal epithelial barrier function following return to Earth

The placebo response in trials of drug treatments for cancer-related fatigue: A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most distressing symptoms experienced by patients. There is no gold standard treatment, although multiple drugs have been tested with little evidence of efficacy. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of these drugs have commented on the existence or size of the placebo response (PR). The objective of this systematic review was to establish the magnitude of the PR in RCTs of drugs to relieve CRF and to identify contributing factors. Method: RCTs were included in which the objective was to treat CRF. A meta-analysis was conducted using the standardised mean change (SMC) between baseline and final measurement in the placebo group. To explore factors that may be associated with the PR (eg, population or drug), a meta-regression was undertaken. Risk of bias was assessed using the revised Cochrane tool. Results: From 3916 citations, 30 relevant RCTs were identified. All had limitations that increased their risk of bias. The pooled SMC in reduction in fatigue status in placebo groups was −0.23 (95% confidence intervals −0.42 to −0.04). None of the variables analysed in the meta-regression were statistically significant related to PR. Conclusion: There is some evidence, based on trials with small samples, that the PR in trials testing drugs for CRF is non-trivial in size and statistically significant. We recommend that researchers planning drug studies in CRF should consider implementing alternative trial designs to better account for PR and decrease impact on the study results

A fruit snack including grape and tomato pomaces: assessment of the effect of temperature on drying characteristics and quality during storage

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

La estancia en bibliotecas extranjeras como instrumento de formación bibliotecaria: la experiencia de la Universidad de Navarra (2003-2010)

En el entorno actual de continuos cambios tecnológicos y de profundas modificaciones en la docencia e investigación, es necesaria una actualización constante. La Biblioteca de la Universidad de Navarra (en adelante UN) inició un programa de estancias de profesionales en bibliotecas extranjeras del Reino Unido y de los Estados Unidos en el año 2003, que continúa en vigor. En el artículo se exponen los resultados de la encuesta llevada a cabo entre los participantes del programa y se describen las principales características del programa, tanto desde el punto de vista de su puesta en práctica, como de su financiación. Asimismo, se señalan las ventajas de esas estancias para el desarrollo profesional de los bibliotecarios y se detallan las principales mejoras aplicadas en la Biblioteca de la UN. La adecuada respuesta de las bibliotecas receptoras y la continuidad y regularidad del programa son decisivos para obtener el mayor provecho de las estancias.-------------------------------------------The changing technological environment and the new learning and research framework require constant updating. The University of Navarra (UN) Library established a professional exchange program in 2003 (still on-going). The results of a survey completed by the librarians who participated in this placement program are presented in this article, and the program’s characteristics and means of funding are explained. Moreover, the advantages for the librarians’ professional development are pointed out and the main improvements applied within UN’s Library are detailed. A suitable response from the host libraries together with the the program’s continuity and regularity are crucial for extracting greater advantage of the placements