Conventional agricultural practices are often contrary to human health and environmental conservation. Use of and exposure to pesticides in agricultural communities in tropical countries is a pressing public health problem and an important facet of environmental degradation. This research project was undertaken by documenting use and exposure behaviors among agricultural communities in San Cristobal, Antioquia (Colombia). The research questions were: (1) What are the primary factors associated with the use of pesticides and do those factors differ between pesticide users and agroecological adherents? (2) How do campesino pesticide users and agroecological adherents(non-pesticide users) differ in their attitudes and beliefs with regards to pesticide use and exposure? and (3) How do these factors influence campesinos‟ behaviors associated with pesticide use and exposure? I implemented qualitative and quantitative methods in this investigation. The qualitative approach was based on community participatory ethnographic research. The latter involved participant observation, interviews, and focus groups aimed at existing pesticides users and agroecological adherents. The quantitative approach used questionnaires to derive demographic information, scale-based evaluations of attitudes and beliefs, pesticides decision making, perceived confidence, and perceived control. Findings showed that the most relevant factors related to pesticide use and their categories included: a) individual: beliefs, attitudes and knowledge; b) interpersonal: family support and cultural acceptance of pesticide use; c) economic: fear of living within financially unviable constraints, market conditions and lack of economic support from the government; d) cultural: collective acceptance or tolerance of pesticide use and exposure and onset of negative reactions when stopping pesticide use; e) political: deficient regulations for controlling pesticide use control and adequate utilization of protective equipment. Pesticide users experienced the most apprehension regarding stopping pesticide use as they often believed pesticides allow them to obtain better crop yields and, therefore, higher monetary gains. Pesticide users lacked a positive attitude toward personal protectionequipment, regardless of the risks to which they may be exposed. Pesticide training was deficient in this population showing a clear need to improve safety conditions and training to reduce occupational hazards. Future studies should explore with greater detail these attitudes and beliefs so as to promote mid- to long-term public health interventions that directly address the sense of food and income insecurity found among the population of pesticides users, which blocks their transition into a non-pesticide scenario for agricultural production. Over the short-term, public health programs should continue to educate the population of pesticide users on the immediate risks of exposure. The decision making process surrounding pesticide use in the studied population was influenced by a variety of factors. Campesinos who were prone to use pesticides for their crops often exhibited diminished degrees of knowledge about adverse effects of pesticides on human health, believed pesticides are necessary for their crops, had negative attitudes about stopping pesticide use, had a strong family influence toward the use of pesticides, experienced economic fear of stopping pesticide use, cultivated flowers as their main source of income, expressed strong social acceptance of pesticide use, experienced negative community reactions when attempting to stop pesticide use, received government subsidies for pesticide use, and had never received any training on the use of required protective equipment. Campesinos who showed more proclivities towards the use of pesticides were convinced that pesticides are necessary for their crops as they guarantee substantial yields and larger specimens of the different crop varieties. They also exhibited low perceived control, low perceived confidence, and a low perception of adverse pesticide effects on human health and the natural environment. Future studies are required to fully comprehend the unique occupational health and safety needs of these campesinos. Additionally, future studies should be aimed at designing and introducing long-term, well-structured public health interventions to increase awareness about the harmfulness of pesticides on human and environmental health so as to promote a well-established behavioral change in relation to pesticides use reduction among these communities.

The present study analyzes the main legal figures of the Peace Agreement between the Government and the FARC-EP in Colombia. It is motivated by a process of personal reflection on the current political situation and the importance of the legal translator as a mediator between different legal systems. It studies the Spanish reformulations of legal figures which were translated into English by the OACP and which were then translated into Spanish in UN dissemination and documentation texts. According to a qualitative and descriptive methodology based on the analysis of a corpus, 10 legal figures have been analyzed in their context and regarding the implications they have in Colombian law and in international law. El presente trabajo analiza las principales figuras jurídicas del Acuerdo Final para la Terminación del Conflicto y la Construcción de una Paz Estable y Duradera (en adelante, el Acuerdo) entre el Gobierno colombiano y las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (en adelante, FARC-EP). Está motivado por una reflexión personal sobre la situación política actual y sobre la importancia del traductor jurídico como mediador entre diferentes sistemas jurídicos. En base a lo anterior, se estudiaron las reformulaciones en español de figuras jurídicas que primero fueron traducidas al inglés por la Oficina del Alto Comisionado para la Paz y posteriormente traducidas al español en los textos de divulgación y documentación de la ONU. A partir de una metodología cualitativa y descriptiva basada en el análisis de corpus, se analizaron 10 figuras jurídicas en su contexto y se comentaron las implicaciones que tienen en la legislación colombiana y en el derecho internacional.

Background: Functional Somatic Symptoms (FSS) are symptoms for which an underlying pathology cannot be found. High negative affect (NA) has been linked to the etiology of FSS, but little is known about the role of Positive Affect (PA). PA has been related to a lower risk for the onset of certain chronic diseases and it has been linked to healthier behaviors, which could mediate the association with FSS. Objectives: 1) To test if PA is related to current FSS and if it can predict longitudinal changes in FSS. 2) To test the role of health behaviors (alcohol consumption, smoking, and physical activity) as mediators. 3) To test if NA and sex modify the effect of PA on FSS. Methods: Data from the ‘TRacking adolescents’ individual lives’ survey’ (TRAILS) cohort were used (N=1247 cases). PA was measured with the PANAS schedule and FSS with the physical complaints subscale from the ASR. Regression analyses with bootstrapping were performed to explore the relationship between PA and FSS, and the interactions in moderation analysis. Mediation analyses were performed to estimate the indirect effect of PA on FSS through health behaviors. A PCA was performed on the physical complaints subscale of ASR, and secondary analyses were performed for the identified components. Results: PA had a negative significant association with current FSS when adjusted for covariates [B = - 0.004; BCa 95% CI = ( - 0.006 ; - 0.002)]. The association was not significant longitudinally when adjusted for covariates. No mediation or interaction was found. Two components of the physical complaints subscale were identified on the PCA. In the secondary analysis, PA was significantly related to the component “general physical symptoms” [B= - 0.019; BCa 95% CI = ( - 0.0028 ; - 0.011)] but not to the component “gastrointestinal symptoms”. Conclusion: High PA was significantly related to current lower levels of FSS, but the effect was small. Health behaviors did not mediate the association. The results of this study elucidate the need to further research individual variations, and day-to-day fluctuations on affect to obtain more insight on the etiology of FSS. The relevance of the results is theoretical rather than clinical. Introducción: Los Síntomas Somáticos Funcionales (SSF) son síntomas cuya patología subyacente no ha sido encontrada. Altos niveles de Afecto Negativo (AN) se ha relacionado con la etiología de los SSF, pero existe poca información sobre el rol del Afecto Positivo (AP). El AP se ha relacionado con un menor riesgo de aparición de enfermedades crónicas y se ha relacionado con la adopción conductas más sanas, las cuales podrían mediar la asociación entre el AP y los SSF. Objetivos: 1) Examinar si el AP está relacionado con SSF, transversal y longitudinalmente. 2) Evaluar el papel de los comportamientos de salud (consumo de alcohol, fumar y actividad física) como mediadores de la relación entre AP y SSF. 3) Explorar si el AN y el sexo modifican el efecto del AP en los FSS. Métodos: Se utilizó una muestra tomada del estudio de cohorte ‘TRacking adolescents’ individual lives’ survey’ (TRAILS) (N = 1247 casos). El AP se midió con el cuestionario PANAS y los SSF con la subescala de síntomas físicos del cuestionario “Adult Self Report” (ASR). Se realizaron análisis de regresión con método de bootstrapping para explorar la relación entre AP y SSF, y las interacciones entre AP y AN, y AP y sexo en el análisis de moderación. Se realizaron análisis de mediación para estimar el efecto indirecto del AP sobre los SSF a través de comportamientos de salud. Se realizó un Análisis de Componentes Principales (ACP) en la subescala de síntomas físicos del cuestionario ASR y se realizaron análisis secundarios para los componentes identificados. Resultados: El AP tuvo una asociación significativa negativa con los SSF transversalmente cuando incluyeron las covariables en el modelo [B = - 0.004; BCa 95% CI = (- 0.006; - 0.002)]. Longitudinalmente, la asociación no fue significativa cuando se incluyeron las covariables. No se encontró mediación o interacción. Dos componentes de la subescala de quejas físicas se identificaron en la ACP. En el análisis secundario, el AP se relacionó significativamente con el componente "síntomas físicos generales" [B = - 0.019; BCa 95% CI = (- 0.0028; - 0.011)] pero no con el componente "síntomas gastrointestinales". Conclusión: Altos niveles de AP están relacionados significativamente con bajos niveles de SSF, pero tienen un efecto pequeño. Los comportamientos de salud no median esta relación. Los resultados de este estudio muestran la necesidad de investigar más las variaciones individuales y las fluctuaciones diarias en el afecto para obtener más información sobre la etiología de los SSF. La relevancia de los resultados es teórica más que clínica.

Nowadays, intensive longitudinal data gathering that acknowledge the dynamic nature of human characteristics such as ecological momentary assessment or experience sampling methods have become more and more popular. Conceptually, the variability and stability of human characteristics are acknowledged by the concepts state and trait, which are the basis of several longitudinal structural equation models. In this study, we explore how to apply some of these models to intensive longitudinal data. For this purpose, an empirical dataset and three models were used: The multistate-singletrait model, the trait-state-occasion model, and the common and unique trait-state model. Each model was fitted to the data using different constraints. The results showed that fitting these models to intensive longitudinal data is possible. In general, the models are useful to identify whether the variables were more trait-like or state-like on certain measurement occasions, however, different models may lead to different conclusions. Moreover, at the individual level, the predicted scores seem to be fairly close to the observed scores. Nevertheless, an important drawback was that the goodness of fit of the models was considerably poor. In the conclusions, we argue that these state-trait longitudinal structural equation models did not seem to be suitable to analyze the intensive longitudinal data at hand. However, a simulation study is necessary to obtain a definitive answer on this matter in general. En los últimos años, métodos para la recolección de datos longitudinales intensivos que reconocen la naturaleza dinámica de las características del ser humano como evaluación ecológica momentánea o métodos de muestreo de experiencias se han vuelto más y más populares. Conceptualmente, la variabilidad y la estabilidad de ciertas características del ser humano se ha explicado con los términos estado y rasgo, los cuales han sido la base para el desarrollo de diversos modelos longitudinales de ecuaciones estructurales. En este estudio, se explora como aplicar algunos de estos modelos a datos longitudinales intensivos. Para esto, se utilizaron datos empíricos de un estudio que utilizó métodos de muestreo de experiencias y tres modelos longitudinales de ecuaciones estructurales: El modelo multiestado-multirasgo, el modelo de rasgo-estado-ocasión y el modelo de rasgo-estado común y único. Cada modelo fue ajustado a los datos con diversas restricciones. En los resultados se observó que estos modelos pueden ser ajustados a datos longitudinales intensivos y que pueden identificar cuando una variable psicológica se caracteriza más por ser de rasgo o de estado. Sin embargo, los modelos usados pueden resultar en conclusiones contradictorias y la bondad de ajuste de los modelos es considerablemente mala. Finalmente, se discute que estos modelos longitudinales de ecuaciones estructurales parecen no ser adecuados para el análisis de datos longitudinales intensivos. Aun así, es necesario un estudio de simulación con el propósito de dar conclusiones certeras frente a la utilidad de los modelos utilizados.

This paper aims at assessing the main contributions of cliometrics toward the global and disciplinary integration of social sciences. Through an analogy of a pseudo-market of knowledge it develops an analysis of pressures and responses that cliometricians have faced insofar as an enterprise whose goal is to provide answers to certain questions that society asks. Based on a general appraisal of cliometric-like products, it is found that this U.S. scientific community revolutionized the practice of economic history and gained terrain before the competing traditional history. Subsequently, cliometricians spread their innovations internationally but got through internal divisions which ultimately have enriched their practices and prompted them to cooperate with other scientific communities.

Taking into consideration the increasing importance of arbitration as one of the most used methods of dispute resolution, the concept of Emergency Arbitrators (EAs), as a mean to grant interim measures that are put forward by a party which is in urgent need to obtain relief when a dispute arises, and the enforceability of their decisions are analysed in this dissertation. In order to do so, this research explores firstly the concept of interim relief and the reasons that justify the use of this alternative, as well as the concept of EAs and what it implies, analysing the consideration of them as real arbitrators. In second place, the paper focuses on the enforceability of the EAs’ decisions, for which end it examines the types of decisions they render, namely orders and awards, and if they can be considered as final decisions. Finally, the study concludes that the establishment of unambiguous rules is necessary to give confidence to parties in a dispute submitted to arbitration. To achieve this goal, some recommendations are put forth related mainly to resort to soft law, to include some regulations in domestic laws related to the topic, to amend the current New York Convention in the sense of including some EA’s provisions and, finally, to issue a completely new convention regarding this topic. To make this thorough study, primary sources such as national laws, international instruments (primarily The New York Convention), Arbitration Rules issued by the main Arbitration Institutions and some Courts Decisions of different countries are analysed. On the other hand, as secondary sources, the dissertation surveyed various papers written on this issue by recognized authors in arbitration, by contrasting and outweighing opposite points of view. Teniendo en cuenta la creciente importancia del arbitraje como uno de los métodos más usados en resolución de conflictos, el concepto de Árbitros de Emergencia (EAs), como un medio para garantizar medidas cautelares que son solicitadas por una parte que está en la necesidad urgente de obtener un alivio cuando surge una disputa, y la ejecutabilidad de sus decisiones son analizadas en esta disertación. Para ello, esta investigación explora en primer lugar el concepto de medidas cautelares y las razones que justifican el uso de las mismas, así como el concepto de EA y lo que ello implica, analizando su concepción como verdaderos árbitros. En segundo lugar, el artículo se enfoca en la ejecutabilidad de las decisiones de los EAs, para lo cual examina los tipos de decisiones que ellos toman, en específico órdenes y laudos, y si pueden ser consideradas como decisiones finales. Finalmente, el estudio concluye que el establecimiento de reglas inequívocas es necesario para dar seguridad a las partes en una disputa sometida a arbitraje. Para alcanzar esta meta, algunas recomendaciones son realizadas, relacionadas principalmente con acudir al “derecho suave” o soft law, incluir regulaciones en leyes domésticas relacionadas con el tema, modificar la actual Convención de Nueva York en el sentido de incluir algunas provisiones sobre los EAs y, finalmente, expedir una nueva convención en relación con este tema. Para realizar este detallado estudio, fuentes primarias tales como leyes nacionales, instrumentos internacionales (principalmente la Convención de Nueva York), Reglamentos de Arbitrajes expedidos por las principales Instituciones de Arbitraje y algunas decisiones de las cortes de diferentes países son analizados. De otra parte, como fuentes secundarias, la disertación examina varios artículos escritos sobre este tema por autores reconocidos en arbitraje, contrastando y sopesando diferentes puntos de vista.

This study explored the development and expression of empathy in industrial design education. The literature on current design approaches emphasizes the importance of empathy for designers to understand and connect with users and stakeholders so that designed products, services, environments, systems, and experiences meet human needs, expectations, and aspirations. However, literature in psychology reports a decline in empathy among American college students since the year 2000, which raises questions about how new generations of design students develop this ability. There is little empirical research that examines empathy development in design education, which represents a gap in the literature addressed by this dissertation. The study examined educational practices in the industrial design studio that had the potential to promote student empathy and how design students expressed empathy for users and stakeholders. The ultimate goal of the study was to contribute to the discussion of how to educate new generations of designers who are sensitive and responsive to people’s experience. A mixed methods strategy was used to collect data from faculty and students in three courses in industrial design offered by a major land-grant public research university in the southeastern United States. The data collection techniques used were participant observation, semi-structured interviews, discourse analysis, document analysis, questionnaires, and surveys. The data analysis techniques used were thematic coding and memoing, visual content analysis, quantification of qualitative data, correlational analysis, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The study found how faculty promoted student empathy through the project brief, design research, and dialogue and critique in the studio. Likewise, the studio found how students expressed empathy for users and stakeholders through their use of language, images, and design and research methods. The study concludes by discussing the implications of findings for design education at the classroom level, covering aspects such as the curricular structure of the design studio, project brief and problems posed to students, design and research methods used in the studio, and teaching and evaluation practices used by design faculty.

El 2007 fue el año en el que la historia de Tanja Nijmeijer, una mujer de nacionalidad holandesa miembro del grupo guerrillero colombiano FARC, se hace pública. La divulgación de su caso sucedió cuando su diario íntimo fue capturado por el ejército y fueron publicados algunos de sus apartados por parte del gobierno. Así, a partir de dichos apartados y de la interpretación que los medios de comunicación y otras fuentes realizaron sobre los mismos, este trabajo intentó reconstruir su historia, las diferentes posibilidades que la condujeron a tomar sus decisiones revolucionarias de vida y develar aquello que el mundo desconocía de ellas. Para esto, se utilizó un enfoque microhistórico debido a los medios metodológicos y analíticos que éste otorga para ampliar el espectro comprensivo del caso, y facilitar el estudio de otras variables históricas que convergieron con el mismo. Entre ellas, el conflicto armado colombiano, la fuerza histórica del grupo guerrillero FARC, su relación con la cultura holandesa de finales del siglo XX y comienzos del XXI, así como la relación existente entre terrorismo y género.

The increasing awareness of the risks and demands of humanitarian work has prompted the strengthening of safety and mental care protection strategies for humanitarian staff in the last decade. Humanitarian organizations in their duty of care are transforming their programs towards more holistic health approaches for their personnel. However, some organizational dynamics plus the complexity of the context where they operate, poses a variety of difficulties to promote healthy lifestyles for those involved in the humanitarian aid sector. Through searching databases and conducting interviews with researchers and health staff managers from four International Humanitarian Organizations, this document explores health practices covered by these organizations’ units of staff care. The main challenges in promoting health are related to issues inherent to the definition of the concept of lifestyle itself; narrow staff care policies, cultural diversity, living locations constraints, weaknesses in health data gathering systems and an organizational culture that neglects selfcare.

This thesis presents several studies, using genetics, cell biology techniques, transcriptomics and metabolomics, to investigate the function of cell division proteins. The protein WhiA is present in most Gram-positive bacteria, binds to DNA and induces expression of cell division genes. B. subtilis WhiA is not a transcription factor and its functional role is unknown. Here, it was found that the whiA mutants show an increased space between their nucleoids. The deletion of whiA is synthetic lethal when DNA replication and segregation regulators are absent. However, WhiA does not affect replication initiation. The whiA mutants are highly sensitive for DNA damaging agents. The results indicate that WhiA has two separate roles in cell division and chromosome segregation. The whiA gene is part of an operon and flanked by two metabolic genes, therefore, B. subtilis WhiA might play a role in carbon metabolism. A metabolomics approach was followed and it was found that WhiA does not participate in carbon catabolite regulation, but affects fatty acid composition of the membrane. The B. subtilis Min system form a static gradient decreasing towards midcell, and prevent formation of minicells by blocking FtsZ polymerization close to cell poles. Here, it was found that the dynamic cycling between monomer and dimer is essential for a MinD gradient, and that the interaction with MinJ requires dimerization. The monomeric and dimeric forms of MinD have comparable membrane affinities. The results show that increasing the MinD membrane affinity strongly reduces the formation of a gradient and affects interaction with MinC.