Characterization of one of the the REF-1 Family Members, HLH-25, in C. elegans

The REF-1 family proteins are distinguished by the presence of two basic helix-loop helix domains. The REF-1 family members are considered functional homologs of the Hairy/Enhancer of Split in humans. HLH-25 is one of the six members of the REF-1 family. HLH-25 has not been studied extensively. In preliminary studies from our laboratory, genes identified by microarray analysis of hlh-25 mutants were essential for embryogenesis, larval development, and growth. Thus, the present study was designed to further characterize HLH-25 and to more precisely define its role during embryonic and larval development. The gene encoding HLH-25 is actively expressed in embryos, larvae and adults. In the absence of hlh-25, animals show a 54% embryonic lethality, a reduced brood size, an increased number of unfertilized eggs, a slower movement rate, a longer life span, and a longer dauer recovery. The human tumor suppressor PTEN homolog, daf-18 is one of the HLH-25 target genes. The regulation of daf-18 through HLH-25 is the responsible for changes to the life span and dauer recovery in hlh-25 mutant animals

The Mexican experience with financial sector liberalization and prudential structural reform.

PhDAfter WWII, the Mexican government took increasingly the control over the economy including the banking sector in 1982. By 1985, a worsening economic crisis forced the government to begin a process of economic liberalization. The 1994-1995 financial crisis prompted efforts to develop a sound prudential framework for Mexico’s financial system. Toward this goal, liberalization in financial services is vital for developing countries to make their build financial systems viable and their economies stronger. Related economic legal reform scholarship indicates that safe and sound financial markets are built upon the effective implementation of key “international prudential standards”. In 1995, Mexico started to work domestically, from the “bottom-up”, in financial sector reform, while applying step by step international prudential standards and opening unilaterally the sector to foreign investment, even ahead of the liberalization agreed in NAFTA. NAFTA’s and MEFTA’s innovative chapters on financial services, with their various dispute resolution mechanisms, are examples of Mexico’s commitment to promoting high levels of cooperation at the bilateral, regional and hemispheric levels. At the global level, as part of G20, Mexico has promoted a financial system reform approach that continues liberalization with financial stability and sustainable economic development. This thesis argues that Mexico’s case demonstrates that financial liberalization and related structural reform need to be integrated in a coherent and coordinated policy manner, and be effected in an enlightened country-specific (bottom-up) and sequenced manner. This must be applied within a wider financial stability framework combined with sustainable, equitable economic policies consistent with a country’s particular developmental stage. Fifteen years after Mexico began its financial liberalization agenda, the Global Financial Crisis has demonstrated that such a process can deliver a stronger and more stable financial system. Mexico should therefore not backtrack on its commitment to the prudential liberalization of its financial sector but use the crisis as a basis for further meaningful reform and policy readjustment to create further substantial and sustainable liberalization and regeneration longer term

Teenage Pregnancy in Mexico: Evolution and Consequences

We analyze the consequences of a teenage pregnancy event in the short- and long-run in Mexico. Using longitudinal and cross-section data, we match females who got pregnant and those that did not based on a propensity score. Several balancing tests and specifications indicate that the main assumptions to estimate the average treatment effect on the treated using a propensity score are satisfied. In the short-run, we find that a teenage pregnancy causes a decrease of 0.6-0.8 years of schooling, lower attendance to school, less hours of work and a higher marriage rate. At the household level, we do not find any effect in parental hours of work or income per capita. In the long-run, we find a loss in years of education of 1-1.2 and a higher probability of being married, but also higher probability of being separated or divorced. We also find that household income per capita is lower at least in the long-run.teenage, pregnancy, labor outcomes, propensity score, matching

A Minimalist Model of Characteristic Earthquakes

In a spirit akin to the sandpile model of self-organized criticality, we present a simple statistical model of the cellular-automaton type which produces an avalanche spectrum similar to the characteristic-earthquake behavior of some seismic faults. This model, that has no parameter, is amenable to an algebraic description as a Markov Chain. This possibility illuminates some important results, obtained by Monte Carlo simulations, such as the earthquake size-frequency relation and the recurrence time of the characteristic earthquake.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

The Micro Slit Gas Detector

We describe the first tests with a new proportional gas detector. Its geometry consists in slits opened in a copper metallized kapton foil with 30 micron anode strips suspended in these openings. In this way the multiplication process is similar to a standard MSGC. The fundamental difference is the absence of an insulating substrate around the anode. Also the material budget is significantly reduced, and the problems related to charging-up or polarization are removed. Ageing properties of this detector are under study.Comment: 13 pages tex file, 10 figures ep

Hongos comestibles silvestres en el Centro de México. Un análisis de prospectiva para su uso como recurso turístico

Los Hongos Comestibles Silvestres (HCS) que se desarrollan en las áreas forestales, son considerados un activo para la dinamización de la actividad turística en el espacio rural, debido a su función ecosistemica y socioeconómica para los actores locales. La investigación tuvo como objetivo formular un marco de análisis de prospectiva para el aprovechamiento de los HCS, que permita comprender los usos, la dinámica socioeconómica y los escenarios para el desarrollo del micoturismo, con la finalidad de contribuir al bienestar social y a la conservación ambiental. Para ello se realizó una revisión de literatura de temas relacionados con HCS y micoturismo en diferentes hemerotecas, bases de datos y repositorios, identificando las problemáticas y áreas de oportunidad existentes en estudios e investigaciones previas. Asimismo, a través del método de la Moda (Mo) y en conjunto de un panel de expertos con temas relacionados del micoturismo de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México (UAEM), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Universidad de Valladolid y con los recolectores de Texcaltitlán, Estado de México, se definieron 48 variables del sistema micoturístico que coadyuvan a modelar posibles futuros de dicha actividad. Se concluye que la prospectiva es un modelo pertinente para conocer los futuros posibles de la actividad micoturística, no obstante, para reducir el nivel de incertidumbre, es necesario reconocer la importancia del modelo de quinta hélice, que provee una panorámica inter y transdisciplinaria mediante los diferentes capitales social, natural, humano, económico e institucional, así como un entendimiento holístico de saberes provenientes de diversas disciplinas principalmente, las relacionadas con las ciencias naturales, debido a la incorporación del medio ambiente y las ciencias sociales

PROPUESTA DE AGROTURISMO EN LA ASOCIACIÓN DE CUNICULTORES DE VILLA DEL CARBÓN, ESTADO DE MÉXICO

AGROTURISMO EN ZONAS MARGINADAS. ESTUDIO DE SISTEMAS CUNÍCULAS EN EL ESTADO DE MÉXICOPara el diseño de la presente propuesta se trabajó con la Asociación de Cunicultores (AC) de Villa del Carbón, Estado de México, donde se planteó como objetivo generar una propuesta de agroturismo dentro la asociación de cunicultores en Villa del Carbón; con base en un diagnóstico sobre las características turísticas (recursos, infraestructura y demanda), para lograrlo se trabajó con la metodología establecida en la Guía para la formulación de planes de desarrollo turístico en territorios rurales la cual fue elaborada con base en las experiencias del proyecto “Validación de un instrumento o modelo para la elaboración de programas de desarrollo turístico en territorios rurales de América Latina”. En donde se obtuvo que las características productivas y asociativas de la AC resultan propicias para el desarrollo de la actividad agroturística aunado a ello los entornos socioeconómico y geográfico-ambiental de Villa del Carbón se encuentran enmarcados en un contexto en donde se puede visualizar la incorporación del turismo en los sectores productivos bajo un orden de respeto y preservación por sus recursos así como de su identidad colectiva, observando a la pluriactividad como actor clave en el desarrollo del territorio. Asimismo se tiene que el diagnóstico de la situación turística por una parte muestra signos positivos en lo que respecta a infraestructura y servicios complementarios, en lo referente a la participación del sector público, existe una intención clara de proyectarlo turísticamente, mostrando un trabajo integral (de niveles del gobierno) que contempla los atractivos culturales y naturales de uso turístico; agregando las actividad comerciales y turísticas; al servicio de su población local y visitantes, aunado a ello los resultados positivos obtenidos mediante la aplicación de encuestas a turistas donde se identificó el interés por conocer la cunicultura como actividad de recreo. De acuerdo con lo expresado se concluye que es una propuesta diseñada por los socios y asesorías de un servidor, considerando su saber-hacer inmerso en la cunicultura, su infraestructura, así como de su capacidad asociativa