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Adam Smith and the Division of Labor
No full textFor Adam Smith, people need to be free to receive the fruits of their labor both because it is their right and also because it will give incentives to produce more and innovate more. Increased production and innovation will generate the prosperity that brings people out of absolute poverty. They create the means to support a growing population, and a cheerful society
Invisible Infrastructure: Metal Artifacts at Trinity University’s Walking Trail Site
Full text linkThis thesis analyzes a series of metal artifacts recovered from the Walking Trail Site located on the modern campus of Trinity University, a small private liberal arts university in San Antonio, Texas. These artifacts are a small sample of objects recovered from a late 19th and early 20th-century dumpsite. They were analyzed using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) to determine their elemental composition, and subsequent research highlighted their place in the cultural and developmental history of San Antonio— especially in terms of water infrastructure and concrete building practices. Below, I examine the history of the Walking Trail archaeological site, an overview of the broader research project, and the methodology used for the research conducted in this thesis
Health Information Seeking Behaviors and Consumer Reponse to Scope of Practice Expansion
Full text linkThis paper leverages state level variation in scope of practice (SOP) regulation to identify the effect of expanded SOP on healthcare consumer interest. Focusing on google trends search intensity as a proxy for consumer interest this paper utilizes a two-way fixed effects model to estimate the consumer response to healthcare policy. Further I utilize an event study framework to detect a treatment effect of SOP. I find no statistical evidence of an effect of SOP on search intensity utilizing the event study framework. The two-way fixed effects model indicates a positive effect of SOP on consumer interest without controls but no significance with any other level of controls. Taking all of the evidence into account it does not appear that there is a strong statistical effect of SOP on search intensity
Relatos corporales con ajustes epistémicos De cuando un cuerpo humano se transformaba en bufeo en el río Napo
No full textEs inusual ver a un ser humano transformándose en delfín y mucho menos lo es el tener una conversación con este en el proceso. Este texto explora el momento de una transformación corporal en la Amazonía peruana desde una experiencia etnográfica en la que divergentes aproximaciones ontológicas contribuyeron a definir un espacio en un bosque de naturalezas múltiples. Mi reflexión se construye alrededor de una tímida, silenciosa y no menos común pregunta de si algunas transformaciones corporales u otras experiencias sensoriales durante labores etnográficas son reales o no. Sin pretender un ejercicio analítico sobre el cuerpo en el bosque amazónico, este texto propone la posibilidad de repensar la fenomenología de la transformación en espacios mixtos donde la materialidad del cuerpo y las perspectivas varias sobre este lo definen durante tareas etnográficas. Considerando estos elementos, este texto se desarrolla en un espacio donde un antropólogo y el bufeo se encontraron alrededor de un cuerpo en una remota comunidad napuruna en la cuenca media del Napo
Final Project Report: Lift Bed for the Mobility Impaired
Full text linkThe global environment has progressively adapted to better accommodate individuals with mobility impairments, driven primarily by governmental regulations mandating increased accessibility in public spaces. In contrast, private residences often lacked such adaptations, leaving individuals responsible for procuring and implementing solutions tailored to their specific needs. While various assistive products were available, the high associated costs frequently discouraged their adoption, fostering the user’s feelings of being a burden and delaying access to potentially life-enhancing solutions. To address this issue, Dr. Enright sponsored the development of a lift bed, which functioned as a standard bed while also enabling low effort transitions to mobility aids like walkers or wheelchairs. The objectives of the project were to create a lift bed that would bring the user from a horizontal sleeping position to a semi standing one, specified as to allow them to be easily transferred to a wheelchair. This transition to the vertical must not take longer than 45 seconds, with the bed not occupying more floor space than a standard twin bed, with an overall low run production cost of under 1,000. As a refined version of the prototype, the final design successfully fulfills the project objectives
Final Project Report: Specialized Dog Wheelchair
Full text linkThis project aims to design, develop, and test a specialized prototype that will allow Calvin, a dog with mobility challenges, to engage in more advanced physical activities, specifically joining his owners, the Bacon family, on walks. As a puppy, Calvin broke his right front leg, which caused weakness and left it more susceptible to injury. Unfortunately, shortly after breaking his leg, Calvin contracted distemper, a neurological disorder. Because his right leg was already weakened from the fracture, the disease aggressively targeted and further damaged it. As a result, Calvin has severe difficulty moving and performing physical tasks. Over time, Calvin\u27s left front leg has also become less functional, leaving him to rely solely on his hind legs for mobility. While he can propel himself short distances by using his hind legs, this method is inefficient and severely limits his ability to participate in everyday activities.
The goal of this project is to create a specialized wheelchair that will improve Calvin’s mobility and quality of life. We will develop several prototypes, refining the design with each iteration until we reach a final functional device. All work will be completed within a budget of $1,200, and if possible, materials will be sourced from the Trinity University Makerspace, where resources are available at no cost. The total weight of the device must be less than 15 pounds, similar to other wheelchairs available, and about half of Calvin’s weight. This is an appropriate constraint because Calvin will not bear the weight of the device when placed inside it; instead, the device will support him
The initial PVC frame prototype was developed during the first semester. Its design draws inspiration from existing dog mobility devices, which are typically intended for hind-limb or single-limb disabilities. While our prototype is specifically tailored to support front-leg mobility, it follows similar structural principles. After fabrication, the first subsystem test focused on evaluating the PVC frame. The frame underwent a series of assessments, including weight, drop, and connection tests. It successfully passed all evaluations, with the testing process and results detailed in the following sections. Based on the success of the initial prototype, the team elected to use PVC for the final frame design.
As the frame serves as the foundation for the prototype, playing a crucial role in its functionality and stability, the remaining two subsystems were idealized, fabricated, and tested after the final frame design was selected. For enhanced maneuverability and balance, the design incorporates a four-wheel system, featuring 6-inch diameter swivel wheels at the front and 3-inch diameter rigid wheels at the rear. This configuration allows Calvin to turn easily while maintaining stability.
For the third and final subsystem, the harness includes a two-piece system. The internal harness features a mesh design for comfort and breathability while securely holding Calvin’s limbs close to his body. The external harness includes multiple attachment points, ensuring Calvin’s weight is evenly distributed and allowing him to wear the device comfortably for extended periods without discomfort or pain.
Before testing the complete prototype, individual tests were conducted on each of the three subsystems. With safety as the primary concern, these tests evaluated specific performance aspects of each subsystem. Following subsystem testing, a series of comprehensive tests on the complete system were performed to ensure the prototype functions effectively.
After testing was completed, it became apparent that the device successfully meets the project\u27s goals, as Calvin is now able to enjoy walks with the Bacon family. Although the device performs extremely well, one future consideration would be to incorporate a system that allows Calvin to be prepped for the device more easily
Aprendiendo a poner gusto o sobre una gastropolítica urarina
No full textEl artículo analiza cómo la comida se ha convertido en un eje central para comprender las transformaciones morales, corporales y políticas entre los urarina de la Amazonía peruana. La introducción de alimentos industrializados —especialmente los condimentos—, impulsada por escuelas, programas estatales, ONG y comerciantes, genera desconfianza corporal y tensiones éticas, al tiempo que habilita nuevas formas de convivencia. Las prácticas de gastrodiplomacia, entrelazadas con procesos de aprendizaje, revelan alianzas, jerarquías y conflictos mediante los cuales los urarina negocian sus relaciones con el Estado, el mercado y otros actores externos, sin dejar de afirmar su modo propio de ser. En este proceso, la comida expone e intensifica situaciones de relaciones intra e interétnicas complejas, redefine sensibilidades gustativas, marca límites sociales y expresa tensiones entre autonomía y dependencia que atraviesan tanto los vínculos interétnicos como la vida comunitaria cotidiana. En última instancia, la comida actúa como instrumento diplomático en un contexto de transformación y como espacio privilegiado para la afirmación étnica y la reflexión crítica
Prosperando con otros: paisajes multiespecie y producción de alimentos en el Caribe colombiano
No full textEste artículo es resultado de un proyecto de investigación asociado a la producción de alimentos en una comunidad arhuaca en las tierras bajas de la Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Se describen algunas experiencias de la implementación del proyecto, destacando los aspectos relacionados con la articulación entre las técnicas derivadas de la agroacuicultura integrada y la cosmovisión arhuaca. Con este artículo, se espera contribuir a la reflexión sobre cómo las cosmologías indígenas se materializan en prácticas concretas, que en este caso específico podrían pensarse en el marco de lo que se ha llamado el Buen Vivir
An Unexpected Link Between Fig4 and the Cell Wall Integrity Pathway
No full textFig4 is a phosphoinositide lipid phosphatase that converts its lipid substrate PI3,5P2 to PI3P in response to osmotic shock. Fig4 is also responsible for regulating levels of its own substrate by activating its opposing kinase Fab1. Fig4 performs these functions through association with the Fig4-Fab1-Vac14 complex through direct binding to the scaffolding protein Vac14. Specific mutations in human Fig4 are associated with neurodegenerative diseases that have been attributed to a dysregulation of PI3,5P2 due to impaired function of the Fig4-Fab1- Vac14 complex. We have shown that Fig4 disease related mutations that are impaired in association with the Fig4-Fab1-Vac14 complex confer tolerance to rapamycin at elevated temperatures in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, independent of Fig4 catalytic activity. This phenotype is conferred not just by mutant Fig4 but also by the addition of multiple copies of wild type Fig4. We hypothesize that Fig4 that is dissociated from Fab1 and Vac14 confers this phenotype through context-inappropriate association with a protein factor due to its increased availability outside of the complex. We previously identified the p21-activated kinase Ste20 as a candidate for this protein factor mediating tolerance to rapamycin as it was shown to be necessary for this phenotype at 37℃. Surprisingly, Ste20 is not required for rapamycin tolerance all temperatures, suggesting that it is not essential for this mechanism but is required to observe it in some contexts. This thesis shows that Ste20 kinase activity supports this novel Fig4 function as a critical activator for a non-canonical mitogen activated protein kinase pathway target, the cell wall integrity pathway, at high temperatures