Search

In Colombia, Public-Private Partnerships have emerged as a tool for increasing the development of infrastructure projects for highways. These projects have focused on economic highways and have set aside the social ones. This article proposes a conceptual framework based on shadow toll schemes, cash flows, and the three bands proposed by the World Bank, which are used in this article as mechanisms for funding rural highway projects. Strategic financial indicators were considered in designing the proposal. Thus, it is appropriate to encourage both private investment and financial mechanisms to promote projects which will have a social impact. In addition, this article introduces new policies to be implemented by the Colombian government with the aim of encouraging private investors to invest in social highways. As a result, it is expected that this work will contribute to enhancing the financing process in Colombia. It is concluded that to increase the development of rural highways, the creation of a debt fund with an investment focus on social projects is mandatory. Future research opportunities on this topic are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to establish a reproducible protocol to measure active extension strength in the index finger. The secondary objectives consisted in correlating the independent or associated index extension strength to the other fingers force of contraction of the extensor indicis propius with hand dominance. The population studied consisted of 24 healthy volunteers, including 19 women and 20 right-handed individuals. The independent and dependent index extension strength in each hand was measured three times with a dynamometer by three examiners at Day 0 and again at Day 7. Intra and inter-examiner reproducibility were, respectively, >0.90 and >0.75 in all cases. The independent extension strength was lower than the dependent one. There was no difference between the independent index extension strength on the dominant and non-dominant sides. The same was true for the dependent strength. Our results show that our protocol is reproducible in measuring independent and dependent index extension strength. Dominance did not come into account.Level of evidence: II [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing need for promoting the development of social infrastructure in order to close the gap in potable water supply requires an active participation of the private sector. Indeed, public policies are required to detect the critical aspects and challenges toward a reliable water supply for larger populations. This paper emphasizes the analysis and assessment of the current conditions of potable water supply sector in Colombia. In this context, we do consider potable water supply as an important component of social infrastructure taking into account the existing regulations for utility companies in Colombia and the current legislation (Bill 1508/2012), which promotes private sector participation in developing infrastructure. As a result of this analysis, new policies could be implemented by local authorities to foster new private investments in social infrastructure projects. In addition, new funding mechanisms could be explored to diversify the supply of financial resources, including those from capital markets and multilateral agencies. It is expected that this paper will contribute to define policies and best practices to increase the participation of the private sector in potable water supply taking into account the legal and regulatory environment in Colombia, which it is very similar to other developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on the surgical treatment of collateral nerves. Topics include the dissection of the nerves, the tensile strength of the nerve, and the use of a pycnometer. The article also discusses the need for nerve studies, the use of Young's Modulus, and the linear regression of the nerve.

The article presents a study aimed to characterize the mechanical properties of human digital collateral nerves to look for a correlation with density as an intrinsic property of materials. Topics discussed include Injuries to digital collateral nerves after hand trauma; surgical treatment of collateral nerves; and construction of human digital collateral nerve specific modulus.