Panama

Although pragmatic analyses based on empirical data have been conducted throughout most of the Spanish-speaking world, Central America remains the most underrepresented region. This study examines the pragmatic strategies used by female Spanish speakers of Nicaragua and Panama in an advice-giving context. The data consists of eighteen role-plays recorded in Masaya, Nicaragua and Panama City, Panama in June and July of 2011. In the role-play situation, the interlocutor (fixed-role) requests advice from the participant, her best friend, regarding a serious issue in her marriage. The participant’s advice-giving strategies are classified according to a categorization adapted from Blum-Kulka’s request strategy taxonomy. This allows for a statistical analysis of how these strategies correspond to the three elements of Spencer Oatey’s rapport management approach: behavioral expectations, face sensitivities and interactional wants. The results indicate strong similarities between participants from Nicaragua and Panama, both electing to respect all components of the association principle and to violate the equity principle, especially its autonomy control component. These results suggest that, at least in this advice-giving context between intimates, both Nicaraguan and Panamanian Spanish speakers prefer to impose their opinions and suggestions rather than respect the person’s right to be treated fairly (i.e. equity principle) as well as to maintain a rapport-enhancing orientation rather than preserve their right to associate with others (i.e. association principle). The results of the pragmatic analysis show similarities with other research on directives in the Spanish-speaking world, including empirical studies in the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Venezuela and Spain. Specifically, these cultures are all associated with direct strategies and less mitigation, positive politeness, conventional indirectness and high involvement.

En este estudio se compara la distribución de magnitudes sísmicas de tres diferentes catálogos en el Istmo de Panamá, y se analiza el ajuste con la ley Sotolongo - Posadas (S-P) de distribución de la energía de los terremotos. Se observó un buen ajuste del modelo con los datos de los catálogos cuando estos poseen completitud, lo cual resulta un elemento a favor de la elaboración de modelos sísmicos en base a la entropía de Tsallis.

Este documento explora la relacion entre arre rupestre y ocupacion residencial a traves de la secuencia del Sitio Barriles. Se argumenta que el arte rupestre y los rasgos de tumbas delinearon un area nuclear de maxima densidad residencial durante el Periodo Aguas Buenas (300 a 900 d.C.). Estos rasgos aparentemente delineaban un espacio residencial y ceremonial importante que fue testigo del surgimiento de rango y estatus social a traves del tiempo

Pathogens rarely cause extinctions of host species, and there are few examples of a pathogen changing species richness and diversity of an ecological community by causing local extinctions across a wide range of species. We report the link between the rapid appearance of a pathogenic chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in an amphibian community at El Copé, Panama, and subsequent mass mortality and loss of amphibian biodiversity across eight families of frogs and salamanders. We describe an outbreak of chytridiomycosis in Panama and argue that this infectious disease has played an important role in amphibian population declines. The high virulence and large number of potential hosts of this emerging infectious disease threaten global amphibian diversity.

The formation of the Isthmus of Panama stands as one of the greatest natural events of the Cenozoic, driving profound biotic transformations on land and in the oceans. Some recent studies suggest that the Isthmus formed many millions of years earlier than the widely recognized age of approximately 3 million years ago (Ma), a result that if true would revolutionize our understanding of environmental, ecological, and evolutionary change across the Americas. To bring clarity to the question of when the Isthmus of Panama formed, we provide an exhaustive review and reanalysis of geological, paleontological, and molecular records. These independent lines of evidence converge upon a cohesive narrative of gradually emerging land and constricting seaways, with formation of the Isthmus of Panama sensu stricto around 2.8 Ma. The evidence used to support an older isthmus is inconclusive, and we caution against the uncritical acceptance of an isthmus before the Pliocene.

ABSTRACTPlants represent a large reservoir of organic carbon comprised primarily of recalcitrant polymers that most metazoans are unable to deconstruct. Many herbivores gain access to nutrients in this material indirectly by associating with microbial symbionts, and leaf-cutter ants are a paradigmatic example. These ants use fresh foliar biomass as manure to cultivate gardens composed primarily ofLeucoagaricus gongylophorus, a basidiomycetous fungus that produces specialized hyphal swellings that serve as a food source for the host ant colony. Although leaf-cutter ants are conspicuous herbivores that contribute substantially to carbon turnover in Neotropical ecosystems, the process through which plant biomass is degraded in their fungus gardens is not well understood. Here we present the first draft genome ofL. gongylophorus, and, using genomic and metaproteomic tools, we investigate its role in lignocellulose degradation in the gardens of bothAtta cephalotesandAcromyrmex echinatior...

The formation of the Isthmus of Panama stands as one of the greatest natural events of the Cenozoic, driving profound biotic transformations on land and in the oceans. Some recent studies suggest that the Isthmus formed many millions of years earlier than the widely recognized age of approximately 3 million years ago (Ma), a result that if true would revolutionize our understanding of environmental, ecological, and evolutionary change across the Americas. To bring clarity to the question of when the Isthmus of Panama formed, we provide an exhaustive review and reanalysis of geological, paleontological, and molecular records. These independent lines of evidence converge upon a cohesive narrative of gradually emerging land and constricting seaways, with formation of the Isthmus of Panama sensu stricto around 2.8 Ma. The evidence used to support an older isthmus is inconclusive, and we caution against the uncritical acceptance of an isthmus before the Pliocene.

ABSTRACT The Agua Salud Project utilizes the Panama Canal's central role in world commerce to focus global attention on the ecosystem services provided by tropical forests. It will be the largest field experiment of its kind in the tropics aimed at quantifying the environmental services (water, carbon, and biodiversity) provided by tropical forests. The Agua Salud Watershed is our principal field site. This watershed and the headwaters of several adjacent rivers include both protected mature forests and a wide variety of land uses that are typical of rural Panama. Experiments at the scale of entire catchments will permit complete water and carbon inventories and exchanges for different landscape uses. The following questions will be addressed: (1) How do landscape treatments and management approaches affect ecosystem services such as carbon storage, water quality and quantity, dry- season water supply, and biodiversity? (2) Can management techniques be designed to optimize forest production along with ecosystem services during reforestation? (3) Do different tree planting treatments and landscape management approaches influence groundwater storage, which is thought to be critical to maintaining dry-season flow, thus insuring the full operation of the Canal during periods of reduced rainfall and severe climatic events such as El Niño. In addition we anticipate expanding this project to address biodiversity, social, and economic values of these forests.

Panama’s new country brand (The Way) is tightly connected to its long history as a passageway. It also demonstrates the interest of Panama’s government in moving away from the suggestion that Panama’s economy, history, and cultures are exclusively connected to the Panama Canal. Given the historic, economic, cultural and political relevance of the Canal for Panama, how is it possible to explain these concerted efforts to move resources and attention away from it? This chapter attempts to answer this question. I discuss the success of the concerted efforts among the Panamanian government and tourism mediators to transform Panama from a perceived dangerous and somewhat obscure tourism location to a welcoming and attractive temporary and permanent multicultural destination. Conversely, I address the minimal success and improvement that these efforts have represented in the lives of ethnic populations engaged in the tourism industry, paying special attention to Afro-Antillean populations.

In recent evidence from the United States, there generally are no male-female differences in the probability of drug use among persons who report an opportunity to try the drugs. This is an important observation that might help us understand male-female differences in later drug use and dependence, but the observation needs to be replicated elsewhere. We begin this replication process using data from a 1996 national school survey of drug involvement among 6,477 students age 12-18 in Panama. We first examine the occurrence of an opportunity to use drugs by grade. We then follow these analyses with an examination of male-female differences in drug opportunity patterns. We found opportunities to use drugs and actual drug use to be greater at higher grade levels. Also, we found the probability of making a transition to use, given an opportunity, to be more likely among upper-grade students. Consistent with results observed in the United States, we found males in Panama to be more likely to have an opportunity to use marijuana, crack-cocaine, and other forms of cocaine, but not more likely than females to make a transition into drug use once an opportunity had occurred to try each drug. These findings are discussed in relation to the epidemiology and prevention of drug use in Panama and elsewhere, and future research on male-female differences in drug involvement.

Resumen Este trabajo se enfoca en una revisión reflexiva sobre el desenvolvimiento de la educación superior relacionado con el desarrollo sostenible de la misma, específicamente en Panamá. Esboza una trayectoria de hechos que a través de las décadas, la educación superior en Panamá ha venido enfrentando y propone una serie de consideraciones que pretenden contribuir a la reorientación de la educación superior de manera que realmente se integre a las metas que apunta el desarrollo sostenible. El documento intenta describir el conocimiento y opiniones de estudiantes y profesores universitarios sobre temas como el desarrollo sostenible, la economía, el emprendimiento y el sistema educativo en Panamá utilizando una encuesta como herramienta. Las consideraciones presentadas a las entidades que imparten la educación superior en Panamá pretenden contribuir a la concientización de la necesidad que tiene Panamá de un cambio de actitud hacia la formación profesional y académica en aras de ampliar su visión hacia la práctica intrínseca del desarrollo sostenible en el sistema de educación superior panameña. Palabras claves: Educación superior, formación académica, desarrollo sostenible. Abstract This paper focuses on a reflective review on the development of higher education related to the sustainable development of it, specifically in Panama. It outlines a trajectory of facts that over the decades, higher education in Panama has been facing and proposes a series of considerations that aim to contribute to the reorientation of higher education in a way that it integrates with the goals that aim toward sustainable development. The paper tries to describe the knowledge and opinions of university students and professors on topics as sustainable development, economy, entrepreneurship and the education system in Panama using a survey as tool. The considerations presented to higher education institutions in Panama are intended to contribute to the awareness of Panama's need for a change of attitude towards professional and academic training in order to broaden its vision towards the intrinsic practice of sustainable development in Panamanian higher education.

BACKGROUND Many countries in Latin America are seeking to expand primary care services provided through their health care systems. Family physicians are an essential component of an effective primary care workforce, but we know little about the status of family practice training in Latin America. This study examines predoctoral training in family practice in four Latin American countries and identifies factors affecting its incorporation into medical training institutions. METHODS A Spanish language survey was mailed to the heads of all medical schools in Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and Panama (n=100), asking about the status of family practice training at the school and factors perceived as facilitating or impeding its acceptance by the institution. Quantitative data were analyzed for frequency, and qualitative data were analyzed for content and theme. RESULTS Sixty-five of the 100 schools responded to the survey. Of these, only 34 (52%) provide training in family practice at the ...

In April 2009, a novel influenza A (H1N1) virus was identified in patients from Mexico and the United States. From 8 May through 25 June 2009, in the Republic of Panama, 467 cases infected with the same virus were identified, 13 of which were hospitalized at the Santo Tomas Hospital in Panama City. Up to the date of this report, no deaths have been reported in Panama. This study presents the first thirteen cases of Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 that were hospitalized in Panama City. The Santo Tomas Hospital (HST), a third-level institution of the Ministry of Health (MINSA) for adult health care (patients above the age of 14), was designated as the reference center for treating these cases. For this purpose, the norms and criteria established by the system were followed and every patient (case) presenting flu-like symptoms was included (fever equal or greater than 38 masculineC (100.4 masculineF), cough, sore throat, rhinorrhea, lethargy in children under the age of one, and respiratory di...

The present research evaluated the presence of Rickettsia spp. on ectoparasites of horses and dogs (using PCR techniques), and their sera (using immunofluorescence assay) in El Valle de Antón town in Panama. A total of 20 horses and 20 dogs were sampled, finding four species of ectoparasites on dogs (the ticks Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma oblongoguttatum, and the flea Ctenocephalides felis), and two tick species on horses (Amblyomma cajennense and Dermacentor nitens). DNA of Rickettsia amblyommii was found in pools of A. cajennense, D. nitens, and R. sanguineus, while Rickettsia felis was detected in C. felis pools. Overall, 70% (14/20) and 65% (13/20) of the horses and dogs, respectively, were seroreactive (titer ≥ 64) to spotted fever group rickettsiae. Sera from six dogs and five horses reacted to R. amblyommii antigens with titers at least four-fold higher than those for the other antigens tested (Rickettsia bellii, Rickettsia parkeri, Rickettsia rhipicephali, R. felis, and R. rickettsii). These serological results, coupled with our molecular findings, suggest that these dogs and horses were infected by Rickettsia amblyommii. More studies need to be realized afford to identify the Rickettsia species responsible for other serological and molecular positive results, and their ecological importance.

Introduction: In April 2009, a novel influenza A (H1N1) virus was identified in patients from Mexico and the United States. From 8 May through 25 June 2009, in the Republic of Panama, 467 cases infected with the same virus were identified, 13 of which were ...

La antracología es quizá la disciplina arqueobotánica que se ha aplicado en menor medida en el área istmo-colombiana y en este sentido los trabajos desarrollados durante los últimos años en El Caño (provincia de Coclé, Panamá) son una referencia para esta área, y nos permiten reflexionar sobre la relevancia del estudio de los restos de carbones y maderas en contextos funerarios. Los resultados del estudio de las muestras recogidas durante las campañas de excavación comprendidas entre 2008 y 2016 han proporcionado datos relacionados con las estructuras asociadas a los enterramientos, a determinados aspectos del ritual funerario, etc. Hemos realizado una selección de muestras del interior de la Tumba 7 datada entre el 770-905 cal. AD y el 920-965 cal. AD. Las identificaciones taxonómicas realizadas han permitido identificar varios taxones relacionados directamente con los ritos funerarios como Handroanthus/Tabebuia, Chrysophyllum sp. y Rhizophora sp. Los datos obtenidos reafirman la c...

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) typically causes explosive epidemics of fever, rash and polyarthralgia after its introduction into naïve populations. Since its introduction in Panama in May of 2014, few autochthonous cases have been reported; most of them were found within limited outbreaks in Panama City in 2014 and Puerto Obaldia town, near the Caribbean border with Colombia in 2015. In order to confirm that Panama had few CHIKV cases compared with neighboring countries, we perform an epidemiological analysis of chikungunya cases reported from May 2014 to July 2015. Moreover, to understand this paucity of confirmed CHIKV cases, a vectorial analysis in the counties where these cases were reported was performed. Chikungunya cases were identified at medical centers and notified to health authorities. Sera samples were analyzed at Gorgas Memorial Institute for viral RNA and CHIKV-specific antibody detection. A total of 413 suspected cases of CHIKV infections were reported, with incidence ra...

Abstract: Two new eunicellin-based diterpenes, seco-briarellinone (1) and briarellin S (2), and a known seco-asbestinin (3) have been isolated from the methanolic extract of the common octocoral Briareum asbestinum collected in Bocas del Toro, Caribbean of Panama. The structures and relative stereochemistry of the compounds were defined using extensive spectroscopic analysis including 1D, 2D-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). Compounds 1 and 2 displayed anti-inflammatory ...