Reaching the Poor with Effective Microcredit: Evaluation of a Grameen Bank Replication in the Philippines

Credit provision for small and poor households has always been the major element of nongovernment organizations in alleviating poverty. Recently, there has been a move to replicate the Bangladesh Grameen Bank in the Philippines known as Landless People’s Development Fund. This paper assesses its financial viability at the borrower’s level. The institution’s sustainability is also investigated in terms of sources and fund utilization, administration costs and other branches of financial viability.financial market, poverty alleviation, land management, financial sector, poverty, financial services, credit access

Reaching the Poor with Effective Microcredit: Evaluation of a Grameen Bank Replication in the Philippines

Credit provision for small and poor households has always been the major element of nongovernment organizations in alleviating poverty. Recently, there has been a move to replicate the Bangladesh Grameen Bank in the Philippines known as Landless People’s Development Fund. This paper assesses its financial viability at the borrower’s level. The institution’s sustainability is also investigated in terms of sources and fund utilization, administration costs and other branches of financial viability.financial market, poverty alleviation, land management, financial sector, poverty, financial services, credit access

The Foundations of Modern Criminal Law and Gender Inequality

Modern penal theory, like prevalent western theories of law, adopts a determined model of autonomy, one in which people are separable from social and family contexts. Taken to the criminal law context, this model proposes people can be defined without taking into account the social context. The use of prisons thus presupposes that individuals can be removed from their communities and families to be reeducated, readapted, treated or—in the retributive approach—simply punished. This notion of autonomy, however, hides from sight the group of people who not only maintain family ties with the men and women in prison, but who also, in contexts such as the Latin American one, take on the responsibility of supporting the prisoners economically. As this paper shows, this group is not heterogeneous or plural but defined by gender and primarily constituted of the mothers, daughters, wives and sisters of the people who are imprisoned. The data presented in this paper shows that this group of women is marginalized, impoverished and abused by a criminal justice system that not only omits to recognize the serious costs that the system imposes on them, but also omits to acknowledge their existence. This paper argues that this lack of recognition is possible because it is premised on a penal model that assumes a certain idea of autonomy, one which enables societies to erroneously affirm that prison sentences are individual sentences

Changes in the diet and body size of a small herbivorous mammal (hispid cotton rat, \u3ci\u3eSigmodon hispidus\u3c/i\u3e) following the late Pleistocene megafauna extinction

The catastrophic loss of large-bodied mammals during the terminal Pleistocene likely led to cascading effects within communities. While the extinction of the top consumers probably expanded the resources available to survivors of all body sizes, little work has focused on the responses of the smallest mammals. Here, we use a detailed fossil record from the southwestern United States to examine the response of the hispid cotton rat Sigmodon hispidus to biodiversity loss and climatic change over the late Quaternary. In particular, we focus on changes in diet and body size. We characterize diet through carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope analysis of bone collagen in fossil jaws and body size through measurement of fossil teeth; the abundance of material allows us to examine population level responses at millennial scale for the past 16 ka. Sigmodon was not present at the cave during the full glacial, first appearing at ~16 ka after ice sheets were in retreat. It remained relatively rare until ~12 ka when warming tempera­tures allowed it to expand its species range northward. We find variation in both diet and body size of Sigmodon hispidus over time: the average body size of the population varied by ~20% (90–110 g) and mean δ13C and δ15N values ranged between −13.5 to −16.5‰ and 5.5 to 7.4‰ respectively. A state–space model suggested changes in mass were influenced by diet, maximum temperature and community structure, while the modest changes in diet were most influenced by community structure. Sigmodon maintained a fairly similar dietary niche over time despite contemporaneous changes in climate and herbivore community composition that followed the megafauna extinc­tion. Broadly, our results suggest that small mammals may be as sensitive to shifts in local biotic interactions within their ecosystem as they are to changes in climate and large-scale biodiversity loss

Rhapso : automatic stitching of mass segments from fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectra

Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR MS) provides the resolution and mass accuracy needed to analyze complex mixtures such as crude oil. When mixtures contain many different components, a competitive effect within the ICR cell takes place that hampers the detection of a potentially large fraction of the components. Recently, a new data collection technique, which consists of acquiring several spectra of small mass ranges and assembling a complete spectrum afterward, enabled the observation of a record number of peaks with greater accuracy compared to broadband methods. There is a need for statistical methods to combine and preprocess segmented acquisition data. A particular challenge of quadrupole isolation is that near the window edges there is a drop in intensity, hampering the stitching of consecutive windows. We developed an algorithm called Rhapso to stitch peak lists corresponding to multiple different m/z regions from crude oil samples. Rhapso corrects potential edge effects to enable the use of smaller windows and reduce the required overlap between windows, corrects mass shifts between windows, and generates a single peak list for the full spectrum. Relative to a stitching performed manually, Rhapso increased the data processing speed and avoided potential human errors, simplifying the subsequent chemical analysis of the sample. Relative to a broadband spectrum, the stitched output showed an over 2-fold increase in assigned peaks and reduced mass error by a factor of 2. Rhapso is expected to enable routine use of this spectral stitching method for ultracomplex samples, giving a more detailed characterization of existing samples and enabling the characterization of samples that were previously too complex to analyze

Relationships between Water Status, Leaf Chlorophyll Content and Photosynthetic Performance in Tempranillo Vineyards

The aims of this work were (i) to study the relationships between leaf water potential, foliar chlorophyllcontent and photosynthetic performance of grapevines under field conditions, and (ii) to evaluate thefeasibility of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters to assess water status in commercial vineyards. Duringthree consecutive seasons (2011 to 2013), 20 non-irrigated “Tempranillo” vineyard subzones were monitoredin Ribera del Duero, Spain. Data on foliar chlorophyll content, midday and predawn leaf water potential,net assimilation and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were measured at fruit set, pre-véraison andvéraison. The results show that the water potential indicated weak to moderate stress in the study yearsand decreased along the vegetative cycle, while foliar chlorophyll contents showed an increasing trend. Thecorrelation between both variables was not consistent. Linear regression of the chlorophyll fluorescenceparameters in dark-adapted leaves, Fo, Fv and Fv/Fm, over chlorophyll content was strong in all thestudy years (higher determination coefficients for Fv/Fm at fruit set in 2012 and 2013). In general, thewater potential with low coefficients of variation showed a low effect on photosynthesis activity, althoughvalues in variables such as Fm, Fv, Fv/Fm, Fs/Fo and ΦPSII registered an increasing trend when middayleaf water potential decreased in the pre-véraison and véraison stages. These variables could be useful toestimate water status in commercial vineyards for application in precision viticulture

CO, Pb++ and SO2 effects on L-type calcium channel and action potential in human atrial myocytes. In silico study

La exposición a contaminantes atmosféricos, como el monóxido de carbono (CO), plomo (Pb++) y dióxido de azufre (SO2), promueve la aparición de enfermedades cardiovasculares. Estudios experimentales han demostrado que el CO, el Pb++ y el SO2 bloquean los canales de calcio tipo L, disminuyendo la corriente de calcio (ICaL) y la duración del potencial de acción (APD), favoreciendo el inicio de arritmias auriculares. El objetivo es estudiar los efectos del CO, Pb++ y SO2 a diferentes concentraciones, sobre ICaL y el potencial de acción auricular mediante simulación computacional. Para ello, se desarrollaron modelos matemáticos de los efectos de los contaminantes atmosféricos sobre el canal de calcio auricular tipo L y se incorporaron en un modelo matemático de células auriculares humanas. Los resultados sugieren que el CO, el Pb++ y el SO2, bloquean la corriente ICaL en una fracción que aumenta a medida que aumenta, la concentración, generando un acortamiento del APD. Estos resultados son consistentes con estudios experimentales. El efecto combinado de los tres contaminantes atmosféricos generó un acortamiento del APD, lo cual es considerado un efecto pro-arrítmico.Exposure to air pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO), lead (Pb++) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) promotes the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. Experimental studies have shown that CO, Pb++ and SO2 block L-type calcium channels, reducing the calcium current (ICaL) and the action potential duration (APD), which favors the initiation of atrial arrhythmias. The goal is to study the effects of CO, Pb++ and SO2 at different concentrations on ICaL and action potential using computational simulation. For this purpose, models of the effects of the air pollutants on the atrial L-type calcium channel were developed and were incorporated into a mathematical model of a human atrial cell. The results suggest that CO, Pb++ and SO2 block the ICaL current in a fraction that increases along with the concentration, generating an APD shortening. These results are consistent with experimental studies. The combined effect of the three air pollutants produced an APD shortening, which is considered to be a pro-arrhythmic effect

Dimensión política de las lenguas originarias de Ecuador

La reflexión para este Congreso más que desafíos introduce lo que podrían llamarse disensiones epistemológicas, dado que los conocimientos de los pueblos originarios, tratados como sabidurías, encierran la existencia de dimensiones que la epistemología no las ha tomado en cuenta como la espiritualidad y el carácter cosmocéntrico de los pueblos y nacionalidades; a través de las lenguas indígenas de Ecuador que sobreviven hasta hoy, se perfilan algunos aspectos para investigar sus conocimientos, saberes y pensamientos basados en sus propias cosmovisiones. Intenta, además, adentrarse en las posibilidades de recuperar el conocimiento surgido en Abya-Yala 1 : el estudio de sus lenguas, cosmovisiones, relaciones sociales, concepción de la naturaleza; sistemas de gobierno, matemáticos, biotecnológicos, etc. permite configurar elementos de identidad y de resistencia, a la vez que se vuelven herramientas para contribuir al entendimiento de la humanidad, pues han sobrevivido a las imposiciones estatales, legales, científicas y más. Se orienta la investigación al papel que ha jugado la lengua en el proceso socio-organizativo de la Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas de Ecuador, CONAIE, (años 80) y las potencialidades que encierra, tanto como elemento de resistencia así como construcción simbólica de formas alternativas de civilización frente al actual modelo capitalista. El léxico de las lenguas expresa los componentes semánticos ligados a sus respectivas cosmovisiones que configuran relaciones sociales y con la naturaleza, con características propias. En el ámbito de la semiótica, se evidencia la naturaleza cosmocéntrica del pensamiento y las culturas originarias, al cobijar bajo su estudio a los signos naturales como guías de la vida y la práctica comunitaria.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Burdigalian deposits of the Santa Cruz Formation in the Sierra Baguales, Austral (Magallanes) Basin: Age, depositional environment and vertebrate fossils

Indexación: Web of Science; Scielo.ABSTRACT. A succession of marine and continental strata on the southern flank of Cerro Cono in the Sierra Baguales, northeast of Torres del Paine, can be correlated with stratigraphic units exposed along the southern border of the Lago Argentino region in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. These include the Estancia 25 de Mayo Formation and the basal part of the Santa Cruz Formation. The lithological correlation is also confirmed by detrital zircon ages (maximum age of 18.23±0.26 Ma) and a rich assemblage of terrestrial vertebrate fossils, biostratigraphically equivalent to a postColhuehuapian, pre-Santacrucian South American Land Mammal Age (SALMA) fauna, suggesting a range of 19 to 17.8 Ma. Similar ages have been obtained from the basal part of the Santa Cruz Formation at Estancia Quién Sabe in southwestern Argentina, supporting the assumption of a regional continuity between these deposits. A measured lithostratigraphic column is presented and the depositional environment is interpreted as a coastal plain with small, meandering rivers and ephemeral floodplain lakes. The sedimentation coincides with intensified uplift of the Patagonian Andes during the ‘Quechua Phase’ of Andean tectonism, which is reflected by a change in paleocurrent directions from northwest to east-northeast. Keywords: Burdigalian, Santa Cruz Formation, Santacrucian SALMA, ‘Notohippidian’ fauna, Meandering rivers.RESUMEN. Una sucesión de estratos marinos y continentales en el flanco meridional del cerro Cono, en la sierra Baguales, al noreste de Torres del Paine, se correlaciona con estratos al sur de la región de lago Argentino en la Provincia de Santa Cruz, República Argentina. Estas unidades incluyen la Formación Estancia 25 de Mayo y la parte basal de la Formación Santa Cruz. La correlación litológica es, además, confirmada por datación de circones detríticos (edad máxima de 18,23±0,26 Ma) y un variado ensamble de vertebrados fósiles terrestres de edad post-Colhuehuapense a pre-Santacrucense en la escala de Edades Mamífero Sudamericanas (EMAS), con un rango temporal de entre 19 a 17,8 Ma. Edades similares han sido reportadas para la parte basal de la Formación Santa Cruz, en estancia Quién Sabe, en el suroeste de Argentina, ratificando la continuidad regional entre estos depósitos. Se presenta una columna estratigráfica y se interpreta el ambiente de depositación como una llanura costera con pequeños ríos sinuosos y lagos efímeros. La edad de sedimentación coincide con el solevantamiento de los Andes Patagónicos durante la 'Fase Quechua', lo que se ve reflejado por un cambio en la dirección de las paleocorrientes desde el noroeste hacia el este-noreste.http://ref.scielo.org/csxwd