Adoption and Use of Improved Maize by Small-Scale Farmers in Southeast Guatemala

This report is based on a study of the adoption and use of improved open-pollinated varieties and hybrids by small-scale farmers in the Department of Jutiapa, Guatemala. The majority of maize producers in Guatemala are small-scale subsistence farmers. Approximately 60% of the basic grains produced in the country are grown on farms that are too small to satisfy the basic nutritional needs of a typical family (5-6 persons). Increasing yields through the use of new technologies is seen as a critical step to ensuring adequate nutrition and increasing farmer income in the area. The study, conducted in June and July 1991, randomly surveyed 208 farmers in 18 municipalities of Jutiapa, apportioned according to the number of farms in each municipality. There was particular interest in assessing the impact of the Project of Generation and Transfer of Agricultural Technology and Seed Production (PROGETTAPS), which was launched in 1986 by the Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnolog�a Agr�colas (ICTA) and the General Directorate of Agricultural Services (DIGESA) with the goal of increasing small-scale farmers access to improved seeds. Study findings reveal a complex pattern of seed use in Jutiapa. Although the farmers there use several types of local and improved maize seed, they seem to prefer and use the local variety known as Arriquin, as well as two improved materials: an open-pollinated variety (B-1) and a hybrid (H-5). The reported forms of acquisition and preferences indicate that most of the farmers use the same material from 1 to 3 sowing seasons. Yield gains and relative prices, two important factors determining the profitability of adoption of new varieties, are adequate. By changing from their local varieties to OPVs and hybrids, farmers most likely can expect yield increases ranging from 35% to 70%. The decision to use improved materials in part or all of the area cropped with maize is associated with a change in the maize cropping system. Results suggest that farmers that sow a plot of maize in monoculture tend to plant the entire area with improved seed, particularly with hybrids. Results also show that the size of the family, taken together with the cropping system, is an important factor influencing the probability of full adoption, particularly of hybrid materials. The findings indicate that the probability of using hybrid materials, either in part or all of a cropped area, increases with farm size. Importantly, results from the estimating model confirmed the trend observed at the aggregate level. PROGETTAPS had a significant impact on the adoption of OPVs in Jutiapa. Farmers that have experience with PROGETTAPS are more likely to adopt OPVs than those who do not have contact with it. Furthermore, the probability of adoption increases with the years of association farmers have had with the program.Crop Production/Industries,

Investigating the Relationships of Attitude Clarity and Correctness with Political Identification Strength and Evaluations of an Ideological Group

The present study examines two underlying attitude certainty dimensions in the context of political groups: attitude clarity and attitude correctness. Attitude clarity is the subjective sense that one knows what one’s attitude is, and attitude correctness is the subjective sense that one’s attitude is correct or valid. Based on predictions derived from social identity theory and attitude attribution research, it is expected that attitude clarity and attitude correctness will have diverging effects with political groups. First, it is expected that attitude clarity will better predict political identification than attitude correctness due to stronger ties to the self-concept. Secondly, it is expected that attitude correctness will be a better predictor of political out-group evaluation than attitude clarity, due to antagonistic tendencies predicted by correctness. Lastly, attitude correctness will also be a better predictor of attribution of rationality towards the out-group’s attitudes. This study will contribute to contemporary attitudinal research investigating the unique relationship of these attitude certainty dimensions

Environmental Interpretation and Ethnobotany: Educational Paths of a University Extension Project and Volunteer Work with the Social Actors of Medicinal Plants of Sierras of Cordoba, Argentina

Se presenta la génesis, los objetivos, el alcance y valoración de un Proyecto de Extensión y Voluntariado Universitario atravesado por el eje teórico-conceptual y metodológico de la etnobotánica y por el enfoque de la Interpretación Ambiental, en torno a los actores sociales de la flora medicinal de las sierras de Córdoba. Con el objeto de revitalizar los procesos socioculturales de transmisión entre generaciones en relación con el conocimiento y uso de plantas medicinales en localidades rurales del Departamento Santa María, se implementaron “talleres de etnobotánica participativa” junto al diseño y creación de un “sendero turístico de interpretación”, una “farmacia viva” y una “botica serrana”. Asimismo se analiza en qué medida las competencias adquiridas y las prácticas sociales puestas en juego, contribuyeron a la formación de los estudiantes universitarios, así como a hacer un uso más sustentable de estos recursos nativos.We present the origins, objectives, scope and assessment of a University Extension Project and Volunteer Work permeated by the theoretical-conceptual and methodological paradigm of ethnobotany, and by the Environmental Interpretation approach, concerning the social actors involved in the medicinal plants of Sierras de Cordoba. In order to revitalize socio-cultural processes of intergenerational knowledge transference about medicinal plant practices in rural areas of Santa Maria, “participatory ethnobotanical workshops” were held, in addition to the development of a “tourist path for interpretation”, a “living pharmacy”, and a “mountain drugstore”. The project also analyzes how the skills acquired and social practices involved have contributed to the training of university students, as well as to ensure a more sustainable use of these native resources.Fil: Martinez, Gustavo Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba; Argentin

Plaza sustentable

Anais do 35º Seminário de Extensão Universitária da Região Sul - Área temática: Meio AmbientePlaza Sustentable, un proyecto de Extensión universitaria de la Universidad Nacional del Este, implementado en el municipio de Ciudad del Este, Fracción Villa Universitaria, kilómetro 8 Acaray, departamento Alto Paraná, Paraguay, en un predio adyacente al campus central de la casa de altos estudios. La plaza contará con una gran variedad de árboles frutales para que los visitantes puedan consumir de manera gratuita. Es un lugar donde la concurrencia podrá realizar ejercicios físicos, caminatas, asistir en charlas educativas, aprender sobre reciclaje, clasificación y eliminación adecuada de residuos domiciliarios y cuidado de los recursos naturales, a fin de mejorar la calidad de vida de las personas. El objetivo es construir conocimiento, abrir espacios comunitarios en el barrio a través de charlas, actividades de convivencia entre vecinos y otras acciones con participación ciudadana La Plaza Sustentable, contará con bancos construidos a base de pilas en desuso mezcladas con cemento y tubos pvc que serán réplicas del proyecto “Shake Pila” de la Facultad Politécnica de la UNE, que cuenta con experiencias exitosas en la implementación de este proyecto que tiene como resultado “La Ecoplaza”. Será también un sitio de recreación incluyendo elementos elaborados con reciclaje de cubiertas, botellas, tapitas; como la instalación de mesas de ajedrez en la plaza, utilizando neumáticos en desusos, con la implementación del proyecto “ECOCHESS”, que tiene como objetivo promover la práctica del ajedrez en la plaza. El proyecto contempla el desarrollo de acciones, y en la medida en que se afiance la articulación de la universidad con la comunidad está realzando alianzas estratégicas con otros actores de la sociedad, como instituciones educativas, Municipalidad de Ciudad del Este y organizaciones. La actividad de Extensión Universitaria se realiza en la comunidad desde el marzo del 2016, donde se ha desarrollado una serie de acciones, con participación de varias facultades de la UNE, que son miembros de la Red de Extensión Universitaria de la UNE (REXUNE). Se construyó parte ecológico para los niños, con participación de actores de la comunidad, se plantaron árboles frutales, ornamentales, se realizaron una serie de charlas y otros procesos de ejecución. En julio del 2017 se aplicó una encuesta socioeconómica para realizar un diagnóstico de la comunidad. La evaluación del proyecto se pretende realizar em noviembre del 2018, a fin de medir el impacto del emprendimient

List of species, biological data and illustrated key to the identification of mosquito larvae (Diptera: Culicidae) found in artificial breeding in Uruguay

Se presenta la lista de especies y una clave ilustrada para el reconocimiento de géneros y especies de larvas de mosquitos de cuarto estadio, que fueron halladas criando en recipientes y otros ambientes artificiales, como desagües domiciliarios, en Uruguay. En el país se conoce la presencia de 12 géneros y 51 especies de mosquitos, 22 especies, repartidas en seis géneros, fueron halladas criando en ambientes artificiales (la clave incluye 18): Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus), Aedes albopictus Skuse, Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) sp., Anopheles (Anopheles) sp., Culex apicinus Philippi, Culex coronator Dyar & Knab, Culex dolosus (Lynch Arribálzaga), Culex maxi Dyar, Culex mollis Dyar & Knab, Culex quinquefasciatus Say, Culex pipiens (L.), Culex saltanensis Dyar, Ochlerotatus albifasciatus (Maquart), Ochlerotatus crinifer (Theobald), Ochlerotatus fluviatilis (Lutz), Ochlerotatus scapularis (Rondani), Psorophora ciliata (Fabricius), Psorophora cingulata (Fabricius), Psorophora confinnis (Lynch A.), Psorophora (Grabhamia) sp., Psorophora (Janthinosoma) sp. y Toxorhynchites (Lynchiella) theobaldi (Dyar & Knab). Se citan por primera vez para Uruguay a Cx. apicinus, Cx. mollis y Ps. cingulata.List of species, biological data and illustrated key to the identification of mosquito larvae (Diptera: Culicidae) found in artificial breeding in Uruguay. We present the list of species and an illustrated key to the recognition of genera and species of mosquito larvae of fourth instar were found breeding in artificial containers and other artificial environments as household drains in Uruguay. The country is known to occur in 12 genera and 51 species of mosquitoes, 22 species, spread over six genera, were found breeding in artificial environments (including 18 in the key): Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus), Aedes albopictus Skuse, Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) sp., Anopheles (Anopheles) sp., Culex apicinus Philippi, Culex coronator Dyar & Knab, Culex dolosus (Lynch Arribálzaga), Culex maxi Dyar, Culex mollis Dyar & Knab, Culex quinquefasciatus Say, Culex pipiens (L.), Culex saltanensis Dyar, Ochlerotatus albifasciatus (Maquart), Ochlerotatus crinifer (Theobald), Ochlerotatus fluviatilis (Lutz), Ochlerotatus scapularis (Rondani), Psorophora ciliata (Fabricius), Psorophora cingulata (Fabricius), Psorophora confinnis (Lynch A.), Psorophora (Grabhamia) sp., Psorophora (Janthinosoma) sp. and Toxorhynchites (Lynchiella) theobaldi (Dyar & Knab). Culex apicinus, Cx. mollis and Ps. cingulata are recorded for the first time in Uruguay.Fil: Rossi, Gustavo Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Maria. Facultad de Ciencias. Universidad de la República; Urugua

Fragmented designs: Social circulation of images on rheidae eggs in pampa and northern patagonia

En este trabajo se presentan los resultados del análisis de la decoración de fragmentos de cáscara de huevo de Rheidae recuperados en cuatro sitios arqueológicos del curso inferior del río Colorado, transición pampeano-patagónica oriental (Argentina). Estos diseños se comparan con los de las cáscaras decoradas de otras áreas de Pampa-Patagonia, incluyendo huevos enteros. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren una trayectoria temporal particular para la decoración de huevos de Rheidae, que se manifiesta con mayor intensidad durante parte del Holoceno Medio y el Holoceno Tardío inicial (ca. 5600-1000 años AP). Se concluye que la distribución espacial amplia de motivos semejantes, en conjunto con los patrones detectados en otras evidencias arqueológicas (i. e., materias primas líticas), señala un contexto de redes de interacción social abiertas entre los grupos cazadores-recolectores.This work discusses the results of the analysis of decorated Rheidae eggshells recovered from four archaeological sites situated on the lower reaches of the Colorado River in the eastern PampaPatagonian transition (Argentina). The designs are compared to motifs found on decorated eggshell fragments and complete eggs from other areas of Pampas-Patagonia. The results suggest a particular temporal trajectory for eggshell decoration, which occurs most intensively during part of the middle Holocene and the beginning of the late Holocene (ca. 5600-1000 years BP). The discussion concludes that the extensive spatial distribution of similar motifs and the analysis of other archaeological evidence (i. e. raw stone materials) points to the existence of open social networks among hunter-gatherer groups.Fil: Carden, Natalia Marina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Departamento de Arqueologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Gustavo Adolfo. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Sociales. Departamento de Arqueologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueologicas y Paleontologicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; Argentin

Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi action of a new benzofuran derivative based on amiodarone structure

Chagas disease is a neglected tropical affection caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. There is no current effective treatment since the only two available drugs have a limited efficacy and produce side effects. Thus, investigation efforts have been directed to the identification of new drug leads. In this context, Ca2+ regulating mechanisms have been postulated as targets for antiparasitic compounds, since they present paramount differences when compared to host cells. Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic with demonstrated trypanocidal activity acting through the disruption of the parasite intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. We now report the effect of a benzofuran derivative based on the structure of amiodarone on T. cruzi. This derivative was able to inhibit the growth of epimastigotes in culture and of amastigotes inside infected cells, the clinically relevant phase. We also show that this compound, similarly to amiodarone, disrupts Ca2+ homeostasis in T. cruzi epimastigotes, via two organelles involved in the intracellular Ca2+ regulation and the bioenergetics of the parasite. We demonstrate that the benzofuran derivative was able to totally collapse the membrane potential of the unique giant mitochondrion of the parasite and simultaneously produced the alkalinization of the acidocalcisomes. Both effects are evidenced by a large increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration of T. cruzi.Fil: Pinto Martinez, Andrea. instituto de Estudios Avanzados; VenezuelaFil: Hernández Rodríguez, Vanessa. instituto de Estudios Avanzados; VenezuelaFil: Rodríguez Durán, Jessica Jenireth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; Argentina. instituto de Estudios Avanzados; VenezuelaFil: Hejchman, Elżbieta. Medical University of Warsaw; PoloniaFil: Benaim, Gustavo. Universidad Central de Venezuela; Venezuel