Abstract: The effects of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (25-OH-D3), canthaxanthin (CX), alone and in combination on broiler performance, meat yield, oxidative status, skin color and bone characteristics were evaluated in a field trial in Colombia and also under controlled experimental conditions in Canada. The effects of regional and housing conditions on performance, meat yield and bone characteristics were also assessed. In the field trial, one whole broiler cycle of 4,922,130 broilers of both sexes (reared separately) of two commercial broiler strains (A and B) was followed from placement to processing. Birds were fed with a Control diet containing vitamin D3 at 4,000 IU per kg of complete feed, and a treatment diet (MC) containing CX at 6 mg, 2,760 IU of 25-OH-D3, plus the Control level of vitamin D3 from 0 to approximately 21 d of age. Additionally, 53% of the males also received 1.0 g of marigold extract (MG) from approximately d 22 to processing age. Strain A had lower FCR and higher weights and yield of carcass, whole breast, breast fillet, and thighs than strain B, but BW and feed intake were similar. MC reduced most of the carcass traits, especially in strain A. Males fed MG had higher feed intake and FCR than males not fed MG. During the fifth week of age, MG increased weight gain and reduced FCR, especially in strain A. During the same period, in males not fed MG, MC reduced weight gain and increased FCR. MG increased weight gain but increased mortality in males fed MC. From d 29 to d 35, MC reduced mortality, but not in males fed MG. Males fed MG had higher breast weight, and weight and yield of carcass, drumstick, and thigh than males not fed MG. MG reduced skin lightness and redness, but increased yellowness. Bone breaking stress was increased and bone breaking strength was nearly increased (P = 0.0768) by MC. MC increased bone breaking strength especially in strain B birds. The regional and housing analysis showed that most differences in broiler traits were related to differences in environmental temperature. In controlled conditions, birds were fed with seven diets: Control (2,760 IU of vitamin D3/kg of feed from d 0 to processing); 25D (2,760 IU 25-OH-D3 /kg of feed from d 0 to 40); CX (Control + 6 mg/kg CX from d 0 to 40); 25DCX (25D diet + 6 mg/kg CX, from d 0 to 40); 25D-Early (25D diet from 0 to 19 d; Control diet thereafter); CX-Early (CX diet from 0 to 19 d; Control diet thereafter); 25DCX-Early (25DCX diet from 0 to 19 d; Control diet thereafter). Diets containing CX increased BW and reduced FCR at d 11 and had a tendency to increase Pectoralis major weights (P < 0.1) at 19 and 39 d. CX increased redness and yellowness of shank and breast skin, and breast muscle; especially when fed during the full grow-out period. The presence of CX reduced malondialdehyde concentrations of liver samples at 11 and 19 d. At d 19, an increased trabecular bone cross sectional area at 30% of total femur length from the proximal epiphysis evidenced a synergy between 25-OH-D3 and CX. At d 39, 25DE and 25DCXE increased bone breaking strength relative to the other treatments. It was concluded, that broiler productivity was strongly birds strain dependent. The increased productivity at early ages in the treatments containing CX and in birds fed MG was likely due to an increased antioxidant status. The increased bone quality in birds fed MC, 25DE and 25DCXE was likely due to the inclusion of 25-OH-D3 and it confirms the higher biopotency relative to vitamin D3 at early ages. Both active compounds in MC may positively influence livability and bone formation through different metabolic pathways. Therefore, dietary MC has the potential to increase profitability by increasing the number of saleable birds at processing age, but also may improve bird welfare. Resumen: Se evaluaron los efectos de la 25-hidroxi vitamina D3 (25-OH-D3) y de la cantaxantina (CX), solos y en combinación sobre el comportamiento zootécnico de pollos de engorde, rendimiento de carne, estatus oxidativo, color de la piel y características óseas en Colombia y bajo condiciones experimentales controladas en Canadá. También se evaluaron los efectos de las condiciones regionales y del tipo de alojamiento sobre el comportamiento zootécnico, la producción de carne y las características óseas. En el ensayo de campo, se siguió un ciclo completo de pollo de engorde de 4.922.130 pollos de engorde de ambos sexos (criados por separado) de dos razas comerciales (A y B), desde el encasetamiento y hasta el procesamiento. Las aves fueron alimentadas con una dieta control que contenía vitamina D3 a 4.000 UI por kg de alimento y una dieta tratamiento que contenía CX a 6 mg, 2.760 UI de 25-OH-D3 más el nivel de control de vitamina D3 de 0 a aproximadamente 21 d de edad. Además, el 53% de los machos también recibieron 1,0 g de extracto de Marigold (MG) de aproximadamente d 22 hasta la edad de procesamiento. La raza A tuvo menor conversión alimenticia y mayores pesos y rendimiento de canal, pechuga completa, filete de pechuga y muslos que la raza B; sin embargo el peso corporal y el consumo de alimento fueron similares. MC redujo la mayoría de las características de la canal, especialmente en la raza A. Los machos alimentados con MG tuvieron mayor consumo de alimento y conversión alimenticia que los machos no alimentados con MG. Durante la quinta semana de edad, MG aumentó el peso corporal y redujo la conversión alimenticia, especialmente en la raza A. Durante el mismo período, en los machos que no recibieron MG, el MC redujo la ganancia de peso y aumentó la conversión alimenticia. MG aumentó la ganancia de peso, pero incrementó la mortalidad en los machos alimentados MC. Del d 29 al d 35, MC redujo la mortalidad, pero no en los machos alimentados con MG. Los machos alimentados con MG tuvieron mayor peso de pechuga, y peso y rendimiento de canal, pernil y muslo que los machos no alimentados con MG. MG redujo la luminosidad y el enrojecimiento de la piel, pero aumentó el amarillamiento. El grado de rotura ósea por estrés fue aumentado y la resistencia a la rotura ósea fué incrementada (P = 0,0768) por MC. MC aumentó la resistencia a la rotura ósea, especialmente en aves de la raza B. El análisis por región geográfica y de tipo de alojamiento mostró que la mayoría de las diferencias en las características de los pollos de engorde estaban relacionadas con las diferencias en la temperatura ambiental. En condiciones controladas, las aves fueron alimentadas con siete dietas: Control (2.760 UI de vitamina D3 / kg de alimento de d 0 hasta el procesamiento); 25D (2.760 IU 25-OH-D3 / kg de pienso desde d 0 hasta 40); CX (Control + 6 mg / kg CX de d 0 a 40); 25DCX (dieta 25D + 6 mg / kg CX, de d 0 a 40); 25D-Early (dieta 25D de 0 a 19 d, dieta de control a partir de ese momento); CX-Early (dieta CX de 0 a 19 días, dieta de control a partir de ese momento); 25DCX-Early (dieta 25DCX de 0 a 19 d, dieta de control a partir de ese momento). Las dietas que contenían CX aumentaron el peso corporal y redujeron la conversión alimenticia al d 11 y tuvieron una tendencia a incrementar los pesos del Pectoralis mayor (P <0,1) al 19 y 39 d. CX aumentó el enrojecimiento y amarillamiento de la piel de los tarsos y de la pechuga y del músculo de la pechuga; especialmente cuando se alimentan durante el período completo de crecimiento. La presencia de CX redujo las concentraciones de malondialdehído de las muestras de hígado al 11 y 19 d. Al d 19, un incremento del área de la sección transversal del hueso trabecular al 30% de la longitud total del fémur tomada desde la epífisis proximal evidenció una sinergia entre 25-OH-D3 y CX. En d 39, 25DE y 25DCXE aumentaron la resistencia a la rotura ósea con respecto a los otros tratamientos. Se concluyó que la productividad de los pollos de engorde fué fuertemente dependiente de la raza de las aves. El aumento de la productividad a edades tempranas en los tratamientos que contienen CX y en aves alimentadas con MG fue probablemente debido a un mayor estatus antioxidante. El aumento de la calidad ósea en las aves alimentadas con MC, 25DE y 25DCXE fue probablemente debido a la inclusión de 25-OH-D3 y confirma la mayor biopotencia en relación con la vitamina D3 a edades tempranas. Ambos compuestos activos en MC pueden influir positivamente en la viabilidad y la formación ósea a través de diferentes vías metabólicas. Por lo tanto, la dieta MC tiene el potencial de aumentar la rentabilidad económica al aumentar el número de aves vendibles a la edad de procesamiento, pero también puede mejorar el bienestar de las aves.

The dissertation accounts for an effort to bridge the social constructionist literature in the organization development (OD) field and the lived everyday experience of Colombian managers to enhance OD consultancy. By adopting a social constructionist approach to research and by giving priority to emergent accounts of organizational change (Burnes 2009; Tsoukas & Chia 2002), the author “brings out the attention of something that we have seen but not noticed” (Bergson 1946 cited in Tsoukas & Chia 2002:571). In this sense, this study brings out the attention on the process, rather than the content of everyday conversations (Shotter 2009). Indeed, the assumption underpinning this dissertation is that organizations can be transformed by changing the way in which everyday conversations are held and daily practices are managed (Bushe & Marshak 2009; Shaw 2005). In the following pages, this assumption is held up against the practical experience of eight senior managers interviewed and the relevant literature. The aim is to elaborate the distinctive characteristics giving rise to inspired practice by the social constructionist OD consultant within a Colombian context. The particular interest in the idea of a social constructionist approach to OD is less in how different actions transform how people think and act and more in how to enable practices and conversations that create different organizing patterns and therefore new ways in which people can respond and interact (Spinosa et al. 1997).

In this dissertation I will analyze twenty four novels which inquire into the topics of drug trafficking and contract killings in Colombia. I will enter these novels into the widest sphere of the narrative of Colombian violence; I will discuss the denomination “sicaresca” and the approach of literary analysis to this narrative. I will also propose a definition of said literature according to the connections with socio-historical referents that their works of fiction deal with. This is necessary because some of the critical approaches to this corpus carry an inheritance of prejudices that mar these analyses. I approach this narrative through the individual analysis of each of these novels and the cross-analyses of groups of novels according to the emphasis on the topics of drug trafficking and contract killing. I find that although these corpuses (drug trafficking novels and contract killing novels) have connections most of the times, they maintain substantial differences in their understanding of the phenomena of drug trafficking and contract killings, the city-violence relationship and the configuration of delinquents and their social impact. It is necessary to take into account that the social perception of the phenomenon of drug trafficking is determined by cultural, historical and regional conditions that determine the construction of literary fictions and the perception of the world that these entail. For this, I propose a literary cartography that examines the sociocultural influences and determinations in the construction of the world that these novels perform in five regions: the Atlantic coast, Valle del Cauca, Antioquia, Eje Cafetero and Bogotá. In regard to the contract killer novels, I inquire into the construction of the figure of the assassin, the city-violence relation, the phenomena of drug trafficking and contract killings, and the implications of the narrative in the reading matter of the reality that these works of fiction put forward. Finally, I perform a reading of the novel La Virgen de los Sicarios in which I present the existence of a criminal thinking of the narrator that determines the evaluation of the world that the text proposes. At the end of this chapter, I examine the cinematographic adaptation of this novel and the deep transformations that are entailed in the construction of the learned narrator and his perception of reality.

Resumen: La principal contribución de la economía a las ciencias sociales es la idea según la cual el mecanismo de libre mercado es capaz de organizar las actividades económicas privadas en un modo favorable para todos los miembros de la sociedad. En este sentido, una completa y satisfactoria teoría sobre el funcionamiento del mercado es el principal desafío para los economistas. Sin embargo, el análisis económico ha restringido la teoría de mercado al estudio del equilibrio general competitivo y sus características, a pesar de la ausencia de una demostración de su estabilidad y de no contar con una tecnología de intercambio que explique la dinámica del mercado. En este sentido, es nuestro propósito presentar una historia sobre la evolución de un modelo dinámico en el cual las transacciones pueden conducir a precios de desequilibrio, y en el que es posible obtener resultados robustos en términos de estabilidad. Dicho modelo, conocido como el ‘Proceso de Hahn’, evolucionó en el periodo comprendido entre 1962 y 1971 con la introducción de un medio de intercambio. Esta evolución, a pesar de su interés para la teoría del mercado, ha sido apenas abordada por los teóricos e historiadores del pensamiento económico. El argumento que desarrollamos muestra cómo, en la versión original del Proceso de Hahn (Hahn y Negishi 1962), hay que admitir la posibilidad de que los agentes sean forzados por el Subastador para que se lleven a cabo las transacciones que garantizan la estabilidad de los intercambios en torno a un equilibrio general competitivo (Veendorp 1969). No obstante, admitir que los intercambios sean forzados, va en contra del principio de interés privado que es base de la teoría del mercado. Siguiendo a Negishi(1982), mostramos que la introducción de medios de intercambio puede resolver tal problema al mismo tiempo que introduce una tecnología de intercambio en el modelo (Arrow and Hahn 1971).Concluimos esta historia con las preguntas y alternativas que surgen de la versión “monetaria” del Proceso de Hahn a la luz de los obstáculos que enfrenta el análisis en desequilibrio. Este ejercicio muestra el interés y la fecundidad de la historia del pensamiento económico como un recurso para la renovación y la la innovación teórica. Abstract: The main contribution of economics to social sciences is the idea that the free market mechanism is capable of organizing private economic activities in a way that is favorable to all members of society. In this sense, a complete and satisfactory theory about the function of the market is the principal challenge for an economist. However, the economic analysis has restricted market theory to the study of the competitive general equilibrium and its characteristics, despite the absence of a demonstration of its stability and despite not having a technology of exchange to explain the market dynamics. In this sense, it is our purpose to present a story about the evolution of a dynamic model in which transactions might lead to disequilibrium prices, and in which it is possible to obtain robust results in terms of stability. The latter model, known as the Hahn Process, evolved in the period between 1962 and 1971 with the introduction of a means of exchange. This evolution, in spite of being of great interest for the market theory, has been approached marginally by theoreticians and historians of economic thought. The argument we develop shows how, in the original version of the Hahn process (Hahn and Negishi 1962), one must admit the possibility of agents being forced by the auctioneer to carry out transactions that guarantee the stability of exchanges towards a competitive general equilibrium (Veendorp 1969). However, to admit that exchanges are forced, breaks down the principle of private interest that is at the very base of market theory. Following Negishi (1982), we show that the introduction of a means of exchange solves the latter problem and simultaneously introduces a transactional technology to the model (Arrow and Hahn 1971). We conclude this story with the questions and alternatives that arise from the “monetary” version of the Hahn Process in light of the obstacles established by the equilibrium analysis. This exercise shows the interest and the fecundity of the history of economic throught as a source of renewal and theoretical innovation.

The thesis is a collection of six stand-alone chapters aimed at setting the foundations for the philosophy of computational social science. Agent-based modelling has been used for social research since the nineties. While at the beginning it was simply conceived as a methodological alternative, recently, the notion of ‘computational social science’ has started to be used to denote a separate disciplinary field. There are important differences with mainstream social science and traditional social research. Yet, the literature in the field has not accounted for these differences. Computational social science is a strongly practice-oriented field, where theoretical and philosophical concerns have been pushed into the background. This thesis presents an initial analysis of the methodology, epistemology and ontology of computational social science, by examining the following topics: 1) verification and validation 2) modelling and theorising 3) mechanisms 4) explanation 5) agency, action and interaction 6) entities and process philosophy. Five general conclusions are drawn from the thesis. It is first argued that the wider ontological base in agent-based modelling allows for a new approach to traditional social dualisms, moving away from the methodological individualism that dominates computational social science. Second, the need to place a distinction between explanation and understanding and to make explanatory goals explicit is highlighted. Third, it is claimed that computational social science needs to pay attention to the social epistemology of the field, for this could provide important insights regarding values, ideologies and interests that underlie the practice of agent-based modelling. Fourth, it is suggested that a more robust theorisation regarding the experimental and model-based character of agent-based modelling should be developed. Finally, it is argued that the method can greatly contribute to the development of a processual account of social life.

Abstract: Overture is a project developed under the concept of Sensible Geometry which explores how information can be represented beyond a two-dimensional form. By transforming it into sensitive objects it becomes more perceivable. Overture is a reactive surface that responds to the presence of people through motion. The panels on the wall represent values through movement - they wave in and out in correlation to the amount of movement sensed. This breathing and pulsing geometric skin shows how much activity goes on in a space, performing a continuous weaving pattern that goes on in a loop unless there is nothing being sensed. Resumen: Overture es un proyecto desarrollado bajo el concepto de geometría sensible que explora cómo la información puede ser representada más allá de una forma bidimensional. Mediante su transformación en objetos sensibles se hace más perceptible. Overture es una superficie reactiva que responde a la presencia de las personas a través del movimiento. Los paneles de la pared representan los valores a través del movimiento que ondea adelante y atrás en correlación con la cantidad de movimiento detectado. Esta respiración y el pulso de la piel geométrica muestra la cantidad de actividad que ocurre en un espacio, mostrando un movimiento continuo hasta que deje de percibir la presencia de personas en el espacio.

Abstract: This study explores the livelihood possibilities of avocado farmers, within a broader examination of the political economy of avocados. It exposes a state-capital arrangement that is promoting a way of organizing society in which livelihood agriculture is being displaced by investment agriculture. Drawing on the systems of provision sop approach under the question of the production of nature, the study examines the links taking avocados from a farm to the hands of a consumer, and inquires about the ways in which the people and places involved have come to occupy a specific role in those processes. For this purpose, a general depiction of the avocado sop exposes how consumer preferences, requirements for international trade, and agricultural policies shape avocados and, consequently, the practices of farmers growing them. The research focuses on the experience of farmers and the ways in which the mentioned state-capital arrangement shapes their livelihood possibilities. Resumen: Este estudio explora las posibilidades de sustento de los productores de aguacate, dentro de un examen más amplio sobre la economía política de esta fruta. Expone cómo la interacción entre la demanda de aguacate y las políticas de exportación promueven una forma de organizar la sociedad en la que la agricultura de inversión está desplazando la agricultura de subsistencia. Con base en el enfoque de sistemas de provisión y la idea de producción de la naturaleza, el estudio examina los vínculos entre el cultivo y los consumidores, e indaga sobre las formas en que las personas y los lugares involucrados han venido a ocupar un papel específico en esos procesos. Una descripción general del sistema de provisión del aguacate expone como las preferencias de consumo, los requerimientos del comercio internacional y las políticas agropecuarias moldean el aguacate y, como consecuencia, las prácticas de los productores. La investigación se centra en la experiencia de los productores y las formas en que los mercados y políticas configuran sus posibilidades de sustento.

Airways and lung parenchyma are distensible anatomical structures and in healthy subjects dilate with each inspiration. This process is even more evident during deep inhalations (DI). The bronchodilatory and bronchoprotective effect of a DI depends on the tethering forces on the airway wall by the expanding parenchyma, and the loss of this function appears to be associated with airway hyperresponsivenes - a characteristic feature of asthma. Models have assumed that the peribronchial parenchyma expansion (EPB) equals that of the subtended parenchyma (ESL). However, the changes in EPB during bronchoconstriction and its relationship with ESL have not yet been characterized. In this thesis, EPB and ESL were measured at baseline and then studied as they changed during bronchoconstriction and DI, and a novel distensibility measurement was proposed. HRCT scans from subjects with mild-to-moderate asthma (AS) and healthy controls (NA) were acquired in 3 conditions in supine position: at baseline, following a methacholine challenge, and with a DI to TLC. ESL and EPB were quantified as the average of the regional voxel-gas-to-tissue-ratio for each segmental region, and for a spherical region around each of the corresponding segmental airways. The difference in parenchymal expansion (E), the vertical-distance between airway’s center point and the respective segment’s center-of-gravity, and the relative distensibility were also measured. E varied among segments with a systematic vertical-distance dependency for all conditions and subjects, significantly higher in NA than AS (P < 0.05). At baseline average segmental E adjusted by vertical-distance was near zero and increased monotonically with bronchoconstriction and after a DI, following closely a linear relationship with average expansion of the lung (ELung) for all AS and NA subjects and conditions. No significant differences were found in this relationship between AS and NA but E adjusted tended to be higher for AS at TLC. We found that EPB, adjusted for the relative-vertical-distance, was lower than ESL (E > 0) with a difference that increased with average-lung-expansion. The spontaneous increase in lung volume following bronchoconstriction or DI increased peribronchial expansion up to a half of the increase in segmental expansion at the same height. This difference represents a type of airway-parenchyma-uncoupling that has not been described, can have important mechanistic implications on the effects of a DI on airway distensibility, and suggests that in clinical asthma a lack of homogeneous parenchymal stiffening may also contribute to airway hyperresponsiveness.

The OpenModelica Compiler-Compiler parser generator (OMCCp) is an LALR(1) parser generator implemented in the MetaModelica language with parsing tables generated by the tools Flex and GNU Bison. The code generated for the parser is in MetaModelica 2.0 language which is the OpenModelica compiler implementation language and is an extension of the Modelica 3.2 language. OMCCp uses as input an LALR(1) grammar that specifies the Modelica language. The generated Parser can be used inside the OpenModelica Compiler (OMC) as a replacement for the current parser generated by the tool ANTLR from an LL(k) Modelica grammar. This report explains the design and implementation of this novel Lexer and Parser Generator called OMCCp. Modelica and its extension MetaModelica are both languages used in the OpenModelica environment. Modelica is an Object-Oriented EquationBased language for Modeling and Simulation.

This dissertation aims at gaining an understanding about the current conceptualization that the music industry has regarding music artists as brands, in order to bridge the gap between the consumer goods’ branding theory, the arts branding literature and the music business’ reality. Although the body of literature pertaining to arts marketing is vast (O’Reilly, 2011), the one related to arts branding is small. Moreover, when it comes to music artists branding, the academic works are even scarcer. A definition of music artists brands, and related constructs such as music artists brand identity, music artists image, music artists brand loyalty and brand equity have not yet been presented by the literature. Pervaded by Cultural branding principles and by adopting Grounded theory, this research conceptualizes music artists as brands through the perspectives of nine music industry’s professionals. Based on unstructured interviews conducted with these practitioners, the concept of music artists as brands is contextualized within the decline of record sales during the 2000s. Music artists brands are characterized as multidimensional constructs understood as systems of values and experiences that foreground their identity upon the artists’ songs and human essence. Moreover, music artists are brands that are constructed following a Brand-orientation approach (Urde, 1999) and for which, in response to the culture of contemporary society, the image is constituted solely on visual elements. Aligned with Cultural branding, music artists are conceptualized as entities, which are socially constructed and found their value upon their fans. This co-creation of the brand frames the music industry within a service-dominant logic (Vargo and Lusch, 2004) in which the delivery of experiences is fundamental (Iglesias et al, 2011). This research positions brand alliances between artists and commercial brands as an implicit element of the definition of music artists brands, their brand identity and brand equity. Furthermore, as an implied aspect of these constructs, co-branding alliances are placed as enhancers of the music industry’s short and long-term sustainability. Lastly, contrary to common statements found in the literature, a harmonious coexistence between art, brands, artists and commercialization is acknowledged by this dissertation.