The Cocos Gap is a deeper portion, or saddle, of the Cocos Ridge and forms part of the western boundary of the Panama Basing It is probably typical of saddles within most submarine ridges, In order to determine the mechanisms controlling sediment dispersal, the nature and sources of the sediments at 23 core locations were defined by hydrodynamic size separation (> 63, 2- 63, <2 micron) and microscopic or X-ray diffraction analysis of the individual fractions. In addition, calcium carbonate, organic carbon, opal and quartz determinations were made for the total sediment. The silt sized fraction was resolved into eight textural modes, The coarse modes reflect the progressive breakage and winnowing of the corase fraction (foraminifera) under the influence of bottom currents and gravity. Above 2000 m mechanical breakdown, winnowing and relocation by bottom currents mask the effects of depth related dissolution of the carbonate fraction, Intermediate modes in general represent a transitional facies with both biogenic and terrigenous influences, while the finest modes characterize a distal regime of clay deposition, The clay fraction is amorphous material with very low percentages of well crystallized clays. Three main sources and transport paths were recognized, including one associated with the circulation of the Panama Basin. Sedimentation within the Gap is controlled by local processes, predominantly the interaction between tidally induced intensification of bottom water flow and directional (thermohaline) flow. The steep' ness of the sea floor slope is a major factor controlling the efficiency of winnowing of the sediment away from certain higher elevations (biogenic source areas) to the sheltered parts and flanks of the ridge. Superimposed upon this sediment dispersal is the influx of terrigenous material carried by directional bottom currents that operate as postulated upper and lower contour currents along the flanks of the ridge. The crest of the Cocos Gap acts as a catchment area for the biogenic components, while the adjacent more sloping region, the sub-plateau, acts as a source area. The extreme breakage of the foraminifera is most likely a function of the tidally induced intensification of the bottom water flow, characteristic of many shallow ridges, and is probably most significant in the subplateau. Hydrographic data indicates that there is no significant transport of bottom water across the Cocos Gap into the Panama Basin, but downslope transport of carbonate and siliceous fragments and minerals from the Gap into the basin is associated with cyclical tidal bottom water flow. / Graduation date: 1976

After reversion of Canal ownership from the U.S. to Panama in 1999, the construction of Panamanian national identity became deeply tied to notions of development. This thesis explores how the discourse of development is created, circulated and negotiated through important Panamanian cultural institutions. It shows how race and raced bodies became the dominant site for the negotiation of Panamanian national identity in the post-Reversion era. This discourse of development promotes the “myth of mestizaje”—a myth that the nation is homogeneous and without racial difference. Through the example of Panama, we perceive the cracks in the global notion of development as “common sense” and uniformly experienced. / text

In upcoming decades, the conservation and sustainable use of coastal and marine resources will become a major political and environmental challenge, as two-thirds of the world's population lives in coastal zones. The issue will likely become more problematic in developing countries, where an important number of coastal inhabitants still rely on marginal extractive activities such as fishing, farming and cattle ranching for subsistence, and where the rural poor's demand for development often lead to unsustainable extractive practices. Thus, innovative solutions need to be developed to ensure the long-term conservation and sound management of marine and coastal resources. This Masters thesis addresses the case of Coiba National Park, a marine protected area located in the Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama, and its relationship with coastal fishing and farming communities located at its outskirt. Particularly, this thesis aims to discover the drivers that pushed an important number of coastal agro-pastoralists of Coiba National Park's buffer zone to switch to artisanal fishing over the past three decades, and to determine the social, economic, and environmental impacts that resulted from that switch. In addition, this thesis analyses the relationship between Coiba National Park's authorities and buffer zone communities, and how this relationship has evolved over the years as more and more resource-users exploit the marine resources of the park. Finally, this work analyses Coiba National Park's current management strategy, how park authorities have been able to adapt their planning and management activities over the years, and explores alternatives to improve Coiba National Park's management strategy so that it can better adapt to the ever changing social, economic, and environmental conditions in which Coiba National Park's buffer zone operates.

Universiẗat, Diss.--Gießen, 2001.

Thesis--Columbia University. / Without thesis statement. Bibliography: p. 117-121.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Colorado, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 234-243).

Understanding relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem function is a critical challenge, particularly in freshwater ecosystems where species losses are occurring at unprecedented rates. There is a particular need to examine these relationships in natural settings at large spatial scales. Ongoing, disease-driven amphibian declines may influence the structure and function of stream ecosystems, but little is known of the potential roles of stream-dwelling tadpoles in consumer-resource dynamics, ecosystem functions such as decomposition, and ecosystem-level biogeochemical cycling. Tadpoles in tropical streams likely regulate flows and ratios of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and carbon (C), influencing ecosystems by altering nutrient supplies to other animals and their food resources. I used ecological stoichiometry as a framework to assess how the sudden loss of consumer biodiversity in neotropical headwater streams affected ecosystem function. I quantified N and P excretion and C:N:P ratios of tadpoles, macroinvertebrates, and food resources in healthy sites (pre-decline) and sites where disease-driven amphibian declines had occurred (post-decline). I tested the hypothesis of consumer homeostasis (i.e., that organisms maintain consistent body nutrient ratios by altering excretion chemistry) over a range of taxa and size classes. I also used mesocosms in a natural stream setting to quantify the effects of grazing tadpoles, shredding macroinvertebrates and a combination of the two on leaf decomposition and associated microbial activity. Finally, I examined macroinvertebrate community structure and quantified biomass and nutrient storage in tadpoles, macroinvertebrates, and basal resources in pre-decline and post-decline sites. I also measured excretion rates, volumetric excretion, and nutrient turnover for both tadpoles and macroinvertebrates. Patterns of consumer-resource stoichiometry varied with the presence or absence of tadpoles. There were higher concentrations of C, N, and P in basal resources in pre-decline sites compared to post-decline sites, but little variation in elemental ratios among sites. Elemental composition and molar ratios in grazers and shredders varied, with pronounced differences in %N for gatherers and filterers across sites. Macroinvertebrate grazer elemental composition was higher for all elements and had lower C:N, N:P, and C:P molar ratios in pre-decline sites compare to grazers in post-decline sites, while shredders showed the opposite pattern. There were differences in both taxon-specific allometric and stoichiometric relationships in tadpoles and macroinvertebrates between pre- and post-decline sites. Body P content was a good predictor of tadpole P excretion and tadpoles in pre-decline sites excreted more P per unit body P than those in post decline sites. Individuals deviated from strict homeostasis, and the degree of deviation varied among taxa. Tadpoles also affected leaf decomposition by influencing microbial communities and altering shredding macroinvertebrate feeding. Higher respiration rates of leaf discs in chambers with tadpoles suggested that tadpoles enhanced microbial activity by excreting nutrients through feeding and excretion. Shredders alone had little effect on respiration rates, indicating that tadpoles play an important and unique role in enhancing microbial activity and litter decomposition. Leaf area loss was greatest when tadpoles and macroinvertebrates were together, indicating facilitation. Macroinvertebrates are important nutrient recyclers in neotropical headwater streams, but their role is greatly decreased in the absence of larval amphibians. I measured ~80% lower standing stocks and storage of C, N, and P in basal resources in post-decline compared to pre-decline sites. Storage of C, N, and P in both tadpoles and macroinvertebrates also decreased in post-decline sites. I also observed 98% decreases in tadpole nutrient excretion and egestion rates, and an additional decrease in macroinvertebrate excretion rates (~80%) for both N and P in post-decline versus pre-decline sites. These decreases led to >8,000% increase in the distance that it took tadpoles to turn over the ambient N pools in post-decline sites, and a 130% increase for macroinvertebrates. Similar patterns were evident for P turnover, with turnover distance increasing by 6,000% and 400% in post-decline sites for tadpoles and macroinvertebrates, respectively. My results indicate that N and P excretion by both tadpoles and macroinvertebrates constitute significant nutrient fluxes in these headwater streams. Both tadpole and macroinvertebrate communities were excreting nutrients at similar rates in pre-decline sites, suggesting that they were playing equally significant roles in their contribution to ecosystem demand. My results demonstrate that tadpoles are important consumers in Neotropical headwater streams and their loss significantly alters stream food webs and ecosystem functions.

Since the ceding of the Panamá Canal from the United States to the Republic of Panamá in 1999, human development has accelerated, resulting in the loss of tropical rainforest habitat and declines in wildlife populations. In 2007 this area of vast plant and wildlife diversity experience further loss of habitat as land clearing and excavation commenced for the Panamá Canal Third Locks Expansion Project. As one of the largest construction projects in the world, the potential impacts of the expansion prompted the Panama Canal Authority to work with a local non-governmental conservation organization to initiate a wildlife rescue and relocation operation to conserve wildlife in the affected areas. From 2007 to 2010, 896 wildlife rescue events occurred in 11 areas along the Canal; 806 of these individuals (90%) were successfully relocated to protected areas (n=749) or captivity (n=57). These wildlife rescue efforts were summarized, including human labor required, wildlife species composition, and conservation statuses according to the IUCN and CITES. Also quantified were wildlife dominance and biodiversity using the Simpson, Shannon, Berger-Parker, and Brillouin diversity indices, relative abundance of >100 Neotropical species, and habitat-abundance relationships for four focal species: Hoffman's two-toed sloth, Choloepus hoffmanni; brown-throated three-toed sloth, Bradypus variegatus; American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus; and common caiman, Caiman crocodilus. Relationships between diversity indices and habitat for the wildlife rescued during the wildlife rescue project were also analyzed. Results indicate the Panamá Canal Watershed to ii possess a diverse representation of Neotropical wildlife. Habitat-abundance relationships of focal species suggest two-toed sloth numbers increased as the edge of secondary forest decreased and number of three-toed sloths increased as total landscape area of agriculture decreased. Crocodile populations increased as number of patches on the landscape and mean patch size of secondary forest decreased, and caiman numbers increased as the edge density of secondary forests decreased and mean patch size of agriculture increased. Diversity-habitat relationships revealed wildlife diversity increased with heterogeneous secondary forest landscape consisting of less edge. This project provides rare insights into wildlife rescue operations and wildlife-habitat relationships for Neotropical wildlife species that will be useful for a range of conservation efforts. Additionally, this research provides updated population assessments for many of the species included in the research, especially the focal species, in which a need for them has been stressed in the conservation literature.

TESIS PARA OPTAR AL GRADO DE MAGÍSTER EN MARKETING / Madera, Patricia [Parte I], García R., Herman J. [Parte II] / El término ¨Specialty Coffee¨, fue usado por primera vez por Erna Knutsen en 1974, comerciante americana de origen noruego pionera en el comercio del café de alta gama, se refiere a aquellos microclimas geográficos especiales que producen granos de café con perfiles de sabores únicos1. El mismo no debe confundirse con el término café premium que viene a ser más un concepto mercadeable que no define y/o describe las propiedades de un café especial (Ej.: la altura, variedad de semilla, el método de cosecha, secado, tueste, fecha de tostado/empacado, etc.). La categoría de café se puede dividir en dos subcategorias: i. Café Tradicional (especie Robusta) y ii. Café Especial/Specialty/Gourmet. Esta última subcategoría corresponde a la especie Arábica, con trazabilidades más claras, sabores más refinados, comercios más justos y directos, entre otras características. Esta subcategoria tuvo su auge a partir del año 2000 con la crisis mundial de los precios del café tradicional, y la misma nació como un movimiento que reinvidica el esfuerzo artesanal detrás de los cafés más puros que se pueden cosechar. La ciudad de Panamá no se ha escapado de esta tendencia mundial que valora cada vez más los orígenes, la calidad y el comercio justo del café que se esta tomando. Sin embargo, esta tendencia esta relativamente reciente y tanto la oferta como la demanda están en un proceso de adaptación y aprendizaje por lo que hay oportunidades de cubrir espacios no atendidos en calidad de sabor, empaque, distribución y entrenamiento al consumidor. En esta primera parte nos concentraremos en la realización de un análisis profundo del macro-entorno, la indsutria, los agentes más importantes de la competencia y una investigación exhaustiva del comportamiento y preferencias del consumidor local. Todo esto con el fin de tener una visión realista y detallada del panorama en cuanto a café Specialty, con miras a desarrollar posteriormente un plan de marketing lo suficientemente robusto, adecuado y alcanzable. Muchas gracias.

TESIS PARA OPTAR AL GRADO DE MAGÍSTER EN MARKETING / De acuerdo a la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) Las enfermedades respiratorias afectan las vías nasales, los bronquios y los pulmones. Incluyen desde infecciones agudas como: la neumonía y la bronquitis. En el caso de las crónicas: el asma y la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC). El presente estudio tiene como objetivo dar a conocer la propuesta de Plan de Marketing para la introducción del nuevo inhalador de acción prolongada de la franquicia de respiratorio, titulado PULMOAIR Ellipta de la farmacéutica GlaxoSmithKline. Este está indicado para el trato de las enfermedades respiratorias crónicas, en este caso, el informe se enfocará en el mercado del asma. Cabe destacar que el asma, es una de las principales enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, que provoca inflamación y estrechamiento de las vías que conducen el aire a los pulmones, causando sibilancia, falta de aire y tos. Ésta afecta a personas de todas las edades, pero a menudo inicia en la niñez. Su gravedad es variable según el paciente y su tasa de letalidad es baja en comparación con otras. La mayoría de los casos de muerte se producen en los países de ingresos bajos de acuerdo a la Organización Mundial de la Salud. Alrededor de 300 millones de personas en el mundo actualmente tienen asma, y la prevalencia mundial ah aumentado en un 50% cada década, con costos sociales y económicos significativos. En Panamá la prevalencia de la enfermedad se encuentra entre el 8% y 10% (Anexo I) esto se traduce en 392,00 habitantes, de acuerdo al registro de la población de 3.929.141 del país Centro Americano en el 2015. El mercado del asma resulta uno de los mercados farmacéuticos más competitivos y productivos, debido al número significativo de personas con esta patología y que requieren ser controlados. De acuerdo Silvia Villarroel, Gte de Distrito de Panamá para GSK a nivel de Latinoamérica sigue siendo un mercado amplio y en Panamá aun cuando el clima del país se presta para que esta patología se manifieste de forma continua, la misma no está ranqueada dentro de los 5, consecuencia en gran parte, a la falta de educación del médico y paciente. El asma no se cura, la misma se puede controlar con el tratamiento adecuado lo que le brinda al paciente una buena calidad de vida. Para aliviar los síntomas se administran medicamentos a corto plazo. Sin embargo, para controlar el avance de ésta es necesario la administración de un medicamento a largo plazo, como corticoesteroides inhalados. Cabe destacar que aunque el asma no mata a la misma escala que la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) u otras, puede resultar mortal de no utilizarse los medicamentos adecuados o de no se cumplirse el tratamiento prescrito. Cabe destacar que dentro del sector farmacéutico se utilizan 4 criterios de clasificación de medicamentos, para el análisis de distintos aspectos relevantes. Mercado ético /mercado popular: Medicamentos bajo receta o de venta libre u OTC. En Centro America + Panamá este representa el 80% de las ventas. Mercado Institucional y Mercado Privado: Este incluye a las instituciones públicas, en el caso de Panamá la Caja del Seguro Social. y sector privado. Productos Originales (Innovadores o de investigación), productos genéricos con marca y sin marca. Clases terapéuticas: Sistema de Clasificación Anatómica, Terapéutica, Química (ATC: acrónimo de Anatomical, Therapeutic, Chemical classification system) el cual es una clasificación establecida por la Organización Mundial de la Salud que ordena los medicamentos según el órgano o grupo de órganos sobre los que actúan, sus efectos farmacológicos, indicaciones terapéuticas y estructura química: 1. Nivel: Subgrupo terapéutico, identificado por un número de dos cifras. 2. Nivel: Subgrupo terapéutico o farmacológico, identificado por una letra del alfabeto. 3. Nivel: Subgrupo terapéutico, farmacológico o químico, identificado por una letra del alfabeto. 4. Nivel: Nombre del principio activo o de la asociación farmacológica, identificado por un número de dos cifras. Este informe se sustenta en los resultados arrojados por las diferentes herramientas utilizadas en el mercado farmacéutico para conocimiento del mismo. Ejemplo de ello es el Closeup que es un servicio de consultoría el cual permite analizar la rentabilidad de las acciones comerciales y de marketing por medio del conocimiento exhaustivo del perfil prescriptivo del colectivo médico. Dentro de sus principales productos se encuentra CLOSE- UP Targeting el cual permite analizar el potencial y la cuota de prescriptores en cada uno de los mercados donde participa el producto. En este mismo orden de ideas, dentro de la industria de los medicamentos también existe lo que se le conoce como IMS Health, que es la multinacional especializada en mercados farmacéuticos y de salud, propietaria exclusiva de la base de datos global que cada año analiza el periodo MAT (Moving Annual Total) al mes de junio, arrancando en julio del año anterior y concluyendo en el citado mes de junio del año en curso. Por medio de este análisis se puede ver el nivel de ventas de mi competencia, participación de mercado, precio, índice evolutivo etc. Para concluir, un plan de marketing es crucial para que las empresas cuenten con una guía de acciones estratégicas a tener en cuenta a la hora de la introducción de un producto nuevo en el mercado. Dentro de las acciones se incluye objetivos de venta, marketing, canales de comunicación más idóneos para llegar al target, dentro de un contexto viable. / 20108-01-30