Proyecto de factibilidad para la creación de una Compañía Start Up dedicada al trueque electrónico en la ciudad de Quito

El nivel de desarrollo de un país está vinculado directamente al nivel de desarrollo de su industria cuaternaria. En el país la industria cuaternaria esta poco desarrollada y la gran mayoría de empresas que trabajan en este sector son sucursales de compañías extranjeras. En el Ecuador las principales empresas especializadas en el sector software y tecnología son Microsoft, IBM, Tata, Sonda, Kruger y Akros. Por otra parte las principales incubadoras de empresas son KrugerLabs, Conquito, Impacto Quito, StartUps and Ventures. Según las entrevistas realizadas a directivos de empresas privadas y de organizaciones sin fines de lucro dedicadas al emprendimiento los principales aspectos que deben mejorarse en el Ecuador para hacerlo un país desarrollado con industria cuaternaria fuerte es la inversión en educación, la generación de conocimiento, las políticas públicas enfocadas a promover el emprendimiento y el financiamiento de nuevas empresas de base tecnológica. La mano de obra capacitada y la amplia cobertura de internet en el país son oportunidades para el desarrollo de la compañía. Los servicios sustitutos y la entrada al mercado de posibles competidores son las amenazas que afronta empresa. La plataforma propuesta consiste una página web y una aplicación móvil en la cual los usuarios puedan intercambiar las cosas que ya no utilicen por productos que necesiten. La innovación de esta plataforma es la utilización opcional del Bitcoin, que es una criptomoneda, como medio para compensar diferencias de precios en los productos. El equipo de trabajo consta de un gerente general y directores de marketing, de finanzas, de ventas y de tecnología. Se desarrolló una encuesta de aceptación de la plataforma. Los resultados más importantes fueron: 74% de los jóvenes encuestados tienen Smartphone; las páginas web más visitadas son redes sociales; el 55% de los encuestados han comprado o vendido por internet; la página más utilizada para esto fue Mercadolibre; celulares, computadoras, ropa y zapatos fueron los artículos más comerciados; casi ningún encuestado conoce el Bitcoin, el 81% de los encuestados utilizaría la plataforma propuesta. En base al estudio realizado se necesitan nueve mil dólares para poner en marcha el negocio. El valor actual neto del negocio es de veintiocho mil dólares, con una tasa interna de retorno de 123%. Se recupera la inversión después de un año y tres meses de funcionamiento. El punto de equilibro es cerca de treinta y nueve mil dólares. La rentabilidad sobre las ventas es del 2%, la rentabilidad sobre los activos del 10%, la rentabilidad sobre el patrimonio es de 16%

HI content in galaxies in loose groups

Gas deficiency in cluster spirals is well known and ram-pressure stripping is considered the main gas removal mechanism. In some compact groups too gas deficiency is reported. However, gas deficiency in loose groups is not yet well established. Lower dispersion of the member velocities and the lower density of the intra-group medium in small loose groups favour tidal stripping as the main gas removal process in them. Recent releases of data from HI Parkes all sky survey (HIPASS) and catalogues of nearby loose groups with associated diffuse X-ray emission have allowed us to test this notion. In this paper, we address the following questions: (a) do galaxies in groups with diffuse X-ray emission statistically have lower gas content compared to the ones in groups without diffuse X-ray emission? (b) does HI deficiency vary with the X-ray luminosity of the loose group in a systematic way? We find that (a) galaxies in groups with diffuse X-ray emission, on average, are HI deficient, and have lost more gas compared to those in groups without X-ray emission; the later are found not to have significant HI deficiency; (b) no systematic dependence of the HI deficiency with X-ray luminosity is found. Ram pressure assisted tidal stripping and evaporation by thermal conduction are the two possible mechanisms to account for this excess gas loss.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, accepted in MNRA

Valoración de calidad composicional, sanitaria, y microbiológica de leche cruda en diferentes tercios de lactancia

Raw milk must be of high quality, from production, transport, handling and conservation, in order to be a safe product. To evaluate the compositional, sanitary and microbiological quality of raw milk during the first and third third of lactation in dairy cows. 140 milk samples were taken, collected every 10 days from 14 dairy cows. The following tests were performed: Compositional analysis, adulterants test, antibiotics, Somatic Cell Count (SCC / mL), identification tests for Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria sp., E. coli and coliforms, molds and yeasts, aerobic mesophiles and enterobacteria. 16% and 13% of the samples were positive for Staphylococcus aureus, 3% were positive for Listeria sp., 100% negative for E. coli and 13% positive for the first and third third respectively. There was no presence of peroxides, neutralizers, molds, yeasts, enterobacteria, total coliforms, starches and antibiotics, a 6% positive for chlorides was evidenced, this for the first third of lactation. In the third third, it presented negative results for neutralizers, starch and antibiotics. Positive results were found for 3% peroxides, 15% molds and yeasts, 10% enterobacteria, 10% total coliforms, and 4% chlorides. The mean value for somatic cells was 158,477.6 and 138,428 SCC / mL in the first and third third, respectively. The compositional, sanitary and microbiological quality of milk is essential to determine the safety of this food.La calidad de la leche cruda es importante para la industria láctea, por ello se evaluó estos parámetros durante el primer y tercer tercio de lactancia en vacas lecheras. Se tomaron 140 muestras de leche recolectadas cada 10 días en 14 vacas lecheras. Se realizaron las siguientes pruebas: Análisis composicional, prueba de adulterantes, antibióticos, Recuento de Células Somáticas (RCS/mL), pruebas de identificación de Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria sp., E. coli y coliformes, mohos y levaduras, mesófilos aerobios y enterobacterias. Un 16 y 13% de las muestras fueron positivas para S. aureus, un 3% resultó positivo para Listeria sp., para E. coli 100% negativo y 13% positivo para primer y tercer tercio respectivamente. No hubo presencia de peróxidos, neutralizantes, mohos, levaduras, enterobacterias, coliformes totales, almidones y antibióticos, se evidenció un 6% positivo para cloruros, esto para primer tercio de lactancia. En el tercer tercio, presentó resultados negativos para neutralizantes, almidón y antibióticos. Se encontraron resultados positivos de 3% peróxidos, 15% mohos y levaduras, 10% enterobacterias, 10% coliformes totales, y 4% cloruros. El valor promedio para células somáticas fue de 158.477,6 y 138.428 RCS/mL en primer y tercer tercio respectivamente. La calidad composicional, sanitaria y microbiológica de leche es fundamental para determinar la inocuidad de este alimento

Successful outcomes of a new combined solution of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate and poloxamer 407 for submucosal injection: animal survival study

Background: and study aims Endoscopic resection requires use of submucosal injection. This study was conducted to assess efficacy and impact on early healing of hyaluronic acid combined with chondroitin sulfate and poloxamer 407 (Ziverel) when used as a solution for submucosal injection. Materials: and methods Prospective and comparative study of gastric endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) with three groups of two Yorkshire pigs. Six submucosal cushions were created in each animal by injecting 2 mL of Ziverel (Group 1) or succinylated gelatin (SG) (Group 2), enabling 12 EMR in each group. Submucosal cushions were created with Ziverel in Group 3, without resection. Electrosurgery unit settings were the same in all cases. EMR defects and injection sites were marked with clips. The animals were sacrificed 7 days later. EMR specimen size and duration of procedure were recorded. EMR specimens and EMR scars and injection sites were evaluated by a blinded pathologist. Results: We successfully performed 24 EMR (15 en-bloc and 9 piecemeal, without differences between groups 1 and 2). Mean EMR specimen dimensions were significantly larger in Group 1 (median 19 mm, range 6 - 40 vs 16.6 mm, range 5‑25; P = 0.019), without changing the electrocautery unit settings. Blinded histopathologist assessment of EMR specimens showed less fibrosis in the submucosa and a trend to fewer cautery artifacts with Ziverel and did not identify any significant differences in early healing of resection sites. Conclusion: The combination of Ziverel enables EMR and does not negatively affect early healing

Uncovering the Origins of Spiral Structure by Measuring Radial Variation in Pattern Speeds

Current theories of spiral and bar structure predict a variety of pattern speed behaviors, calling for detailed, direct measurement of the radial variation of pattern speeds. Our recently developed Radial Tremaine-Weinberg (TWR) method allows this goal to be achieved for the first time. Here we present TWR spiral pattern speed estimates for M101, IC 342, NGC 3938 and NGC 3344 in order to investigate whether spiral structure is steady or winding, whether spirals are described by multiple pattern speeds, and the relation between bar and spiral speeds. Where possible, we interpret our pattern speeds estimates according to the resonance radii associated with each (established with the disk angular rotation), and compare these to previous determinations. By analyzing the high-quality HI and CO data cubes available for these galaxies, we show that it is possible to determine directly multiple pattern speeds within these systems, and hence identify the characteristic signatures of the processes that drive the spiral structure. Even this small sample of galaxies reveals a surprisingly complex taxonomy, with the first direct evidence for the presence of resonant coupling of multiple patterns found in some systems, and the measurement of a simple single pattern speed in others. Overall, this study demonstrates that we are now in a position to uncover more of the apparently complex physics that lies behind spiral structure.Comment: 15 pages in emulateapj format, 12 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

Detection of banana plants and their major diseases through aerial images and machine learning methods: A case study in DR Congo and Republic of Benin

Front-line remote sensing tools, coupled with machine learning (ML), have a significant role in crop monitoring and disease surveillance. Crop type classification and a disease early warning system are some of these remote sensing applications that provide precise, timely, and cost-effective information at different spatial, temporal, and spectral resolutions. To our knowledge, most disease surveillance systems focus on a single-sensor based solutions and lagging the integration of multiple information sources. Moreover, monitoring larger landscapes using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are challenging, and, therefore combining high resolution satellite imagery data with advanced machine learning (ML) models through the use of mobile apps could help detect and classify banana plants and provide more information on its overall health status. In this study, we classified banana under mixed-complex African landscapes through pixel-based classifications and ML models derived from multi-level satellite images (Sentinel 2, PlanetScope and WorldView-2) and UAV (MicaSense RedEdge) platforms. Our pixel-based classification from random forest (RF) model using combined features of vegetation indices (VIs) and principal component analysis (PCA) showed up to 97% overall accuracy (OA) with less than 10% omission and commission errors (OE and CE) and Kappa coefficient of 0.96 in high resolution multispectral images. We used UAV-RGB aerial images from DR Congo and Republic of Benin fields to develop a mixed-model system combining object detection model (RetinaNet) and a custom classifier for simultaneous banana localization and disease classification. Their accuracies were tested using different performance metrics. Our UAV-RGB mixed-model revealed that the developed object detection and classification model successfully classified healthy and diseased plants with 99.4%, 92.8%, 93.3% and 90.8% accuracy for the four classes: banana bunchy top disease (BBTD), Xanthomonas Wilt of Banana (BXW), healthy banana cluster and individual banana plants, respectively. These approaches of aerial image-based ML models have high potential to provide a decision support system for major banana diseases in Afric

Rapid copper acquisition by developing murine mesothelioma: Decreasing bioavailable copper slows tumor growth, normalizes vessels and promotes T cell infiltration

Copper, an essential trace element acquired through nutrition, is an important co-factor for pro-angiogenic factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Decreasing bioavailable copper has been used as an antiangiogenic and anti-cancer strategy with promising results. However, the role of copper and its potential as a therapy in mesothelioma is not yet well understood. Therefore, we monitored copper levels in progressing murine mesothelioma tumors and analyzed the effects of lowering bioavailable copper. Copper levels in tumors and organs were assayed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Mesothelioma tumors rapidly sequestered copper at early stages of development, the copper was then dispersed throughout growing tumor tissues. These data imply that copper uptake may play an important role in early tumor development. Lowering bioavailable copper using the copper chelators, penicillamine, trientine or tetrathiomolybdate, slowed in vivo mesothelioma growth but did not provide any cures similar to using cisplatin chemotherapy or anti-VEGF receptor antibody therapy. The impact of copper lowering on tumor blood vessels and tumor infiltrating T cells was measured using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Copper lowering was associated with reduced tumor vessel diameter, reduced endothelial cell proliferation (reduced Ki67 expression) and lower surface ICAM/CD54 expression implying reduced endothelial cell activation, in a process similar to endothelial normalization. Copper lowering was also associated with a CD4+ T cell infiltrate. In conclusion, these data suggest copper lowering is a potentially useful anti-mesothelioma treatment strategy that slows tumor growth to provide a window of opportunity for inclusion of other treatment modalities to improve patient outcomes

Prima facie reasons to question enclosed intellectual property regimes and favor open-source regimes for germplasm

In principle, intellectual property protections (IPPs) promote and protect important but costly investment in research and development. However, the empirical reality of IPPs has often gone without critical evaluation, and the potential of alternative approaches to lend equal or greater support for useful innovation is rarely considered. In this paper, we review the mounting evidence that the global intellectual property regime (IPR) for germplasm has been neither necessary nor sufficient to generate socially beneficial improvements in crop plants and maintain agrobiodiversity. Instead, based on our analysis, the dominant global IPR appears to have contributed to consolidation in the seed industry while failing to genuinely engage with the potential of alternatives to support social goods such as food security, adaptability, and resilience. The dominant IPR also constrains collaborative and cumulative plant breeding processes that are built upon the work of countless farmers past and present. Given the likely limits of current IPR, we propose that social goods in agriculture may be better supported by alternative approaches, warranting a rapid move away from the dominant single-dimensional focus on encouraging innovation through ensuring monopoly profits to IPP holders

Massive star formation in Wolf-Rayet galaxies. V: Star formation rates, masses and the importance of galaxy interactions

(Abridged) We have performed a comprehensive analysis of a sample of 20 starburst galaxies, most of them classified as Wolf-Rayet galaxies. In this paper, the last of the series, we analyze the global properties of our galaxy sample using multiwavelength data (X-ray, FUV, optical, NIR, FIR, and radio). The agreement between our Ha-based SFR and those provided by indicators at other wavelengths is remarkable, but we consider that the new Ha-based calibration provided by Calzetti et al. (2007) should be preferred over older calibrations. The FUV-based SFR provides a powerful tool to analyze the star-formation activity in both global and local scales independently to the Ha emission. We provide empirical relationships between the ionized gas mass, neutral gas mass, dust mass, stellar mass, and dynamical mass with the B-luminosity. Although all mass estimations increase with increasing luminosity, we find important deviations to the general trend in some objects, that seem to be consequence of their particular evolutionary histories. We investigate the mass-metallicity relations and conclude that both the nature and the star-formation history are needed to understand the relationships between both properties. The majority of the galaxies follow a Schmidt-Kennicutt scaling law of star-formation that agrees with that reported in individual star-forming regions within M~51 but not with that found in normal spiral galaxies. We found a relation between the reddening coefficient and the warm dust mass indicating that the extinction is mainly internal to the galaxies. Considering all data, we found that 17 up to 20 galaxies are clearly interacting or merging with low-luminosity dwarf objects or HI clouds. We conclude that interactions do play a fundamental role in the triggering mechanism of the strong star-formation activity observed in dwarf starburst galaxies.Comment: 33 pages, 21 figures, accepted for publication by A&