La juventud importa en la agricultura

El programa de verano “Youth Farm” ha sido utilizado como estrategia de mercadeo y capacitación técnica de la población joven en materia agrícola, con la finalidad de mostrar que la actividad agropecuaria puede ser rentable y generar mayor interés en el sector

Object detection networks and augmented reality for cellular detection in fluorescence microscopy

Object detection networks are high-performance algorithms famously applied to the task of identifying and localizing objects in photography images. We demonstrate their application for the classification and localization of cells in fluorescence microscopy by benchmarking four leading object detection algorithms across multiple challenging 2D microscopy datasets. Furthermore we develop and demonstrate an algorithm that can localize and image cells in 3D, in close to real time, at the microscope using widely available and inexpensive hardware. Furthermore, we exploit the fast processing of these networks and develop a simple and effective augmented reality (AR) system for fluorescence microscopy systems using a display screen and back-projection onto the eyepiece. We show that it is possible to achieve very high classification accuracy using datasets with as few as 26 images present. Using our approach, it is possible for relatively nonskilled users to automate detection of cell classes with a variety of appearances and enable new avenues for automation of fluorescence microscopy acquisition pipelines. © 2020 Waithe et al

The Stargazin-Related Protein {gamma}7 Interacts with the mRNA-Binding Protein Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein A2 and Regulates the Stability of Specific mRNAs, Including CaV2.2

The role(s) of the novel stargazin-like {gamma}-subunit proteins remain controversial. We have shown previously that the neuron-specific {gamma}7 suppresses the expression of certain calcium channels, particularly CaV2.2, and is therefore unlikely to operate as a calcium channel subunit. We now show that the effect of {gamma}7 on CaV2.2 expression is via an increase in the degradation rate of CaV2.2 mRNA and hence a reduction of CaV2.2 protein level. Furthermore, exogenous expression of {gamma}7 in PC12 cells also decreased the endogenous CaV2.2 mRNA level. Conversely, knockdown of endogenous {gamma}7 with short-hairpin RNAs produced a reciprocal enhancement of CaV2.2 mRNA stability and an increase in endogenous calcium currents in PC12 cells. Moreover, both endogenous and expressed {gamma}7 are present on intracellular membranes, rather than the plasma membrane. The cytoplasmic C terminus of {gamma}7 is essential for all its effects, and we show that {gamma}7 binds directly via its C terminus to a heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP A2), which also binds to a motif in CaV2.2 mRNA, and is associated with native CaV2.2 mRNA in PC12 cells. The expression of hnRNP A2 enhances CaV2.2 IBa, and this enhancement is prevented by a concentration of {gamma}7 that alone has no effect on IBa. The effect of {gamma}7 is selective for certain mRNAs because it had no effect on {alpha}2{delta}-2 mRNA stability, but it decreased the mRNA stability for the potassium-chloride cotransporter, KCC1, which contains a similar hnRNP A2 binding motif to that in CaV2.2 mRNA. Our results indicate that {gamma}7 plays a role in stabilizing CaV2.2 mRNA

Export-led Growth: A Case Study of Mexico

Against the backdrop of export-oriented policy reforms to Mexico’s trade regime in the mid 1980s, the present study undertakes a case study of economic growth in Mexico. Using an export-augmented neoclassical production function, the validity of the Export-led Growth Hypothesis for Mexico is also tested over the period 1960-2003. Evidence offers support for the Hypothesis in the short run; however, contrary to the Hypothesis, long-run results suggest an inverse relationship between exports and GDP. A likely explanation is the high import content and diminishing local content of exports, and weak linkages with domestic suppliers, thus reducing possible spillover or multiplier benefits. If Mexico is to succeed in its quest to achieve high and steady economic growth, current incentive schemes that allow tax-free entry of imported inputs and raw materials for export purposes must be reconsidered. Finally, policies that promote technological innovation in manufacturing and linkages with local suppliers are imperative

Export-led Growth: A Case Study of Mexico

Against the backdrop of export-oriented policy reforms to Mexico’s trade regime in the mid 1980s, the present study undertakes a case study of economic growth in Mexico. Using an export-augmented neoclassical production function, the validity of the Export-led Growth Hypothesis for Mexico is also tested over the period 1960-2003. Evidence offers support for the Hypothesis in the short run; however, contrary to the Hypothesis, long-run results suggest an inverse relationship between exports and GDP. A likely explanation is the high import content and diminishing local content of exports, and weak linkages with domestic suppliers, thus reducing possible spillover or multiplier benefits. If Mexico is to succeed in its quest to achieve high and steady economic growth, current incentive schemes that allow tax-free entry of imported inputs and raw materials for export purposes must be reconsidered. Finally, policies that promote technological innovation in manufacturing and linkages with local suppliers are imperative

The contribution of credit unions to the national development of Barbados

Credit unions differ from commercial banks and other financial institutions since their members are the owners of the credit union and they elect board of directors in a democratic one-person-one vote system regardless of the amount of money invested in the credit union. Credit unions contribute to economic development through the wider community, mobilizing significant volumes of savings. They continue to be a major source of growth within the financial sector and therefore their macroeconomic significance has increased considerably. Credit unions have transformed the social and economic status of several members, enabling them to advance from the underprivileged class to the home owner class, by providing affordable terms and conditions for access to loans to finance a wide range of programs. This paper seeks to determine the contribution of credit unions to national development. The DOLS econometrics methodology suggests that the variables of interest that affect economic growth are government capital expenditure, real capital stock and cash of the credit union, the latter indicating that credit unions have a significantly positive effect on national development in Barbados. This conclusion is also complemented by an analysis of five PEARLS ratios which show the significant growth and viability of credit unions

Interest Rate Determination in Small Developing Countries

This paper investigates the validity of Fisher’s hypothesis in determining nominal interest rates for five small developing countries—The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. We augment the traditional Fisher test equation by introducing the US nominal interest rate. Results indicate that there is a long run relationship for The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago; and for Jamaica during the period when the country is under a floating exchange regime. The nominal interest rate in each of the latter countries is positively related to the US nominal rate. Specifically, in The Bahamas the relationship is one-for-one, and for the others it is greater than one-for-one. Expected inflation only has an effect in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, although the relationship is negative in the case of the latter. Fisher’s hypothesis, even in its augmented form, does not appear to be a suitable framework for determination of nominal interest rates for Barbados and Guyana

Interest Rate Determination in Small Developing Countries

This paper investigates the validity of Fisher’s hypothesis in determining nominal interest rates for five small developing countries—The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. We augment the traditional Fisher test equation by introducing the US nominal interest rate. Results indicate that there is a long run relationship for The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago; and for Jamaica during the period when the country is under a floating exchange regime. The nominal interest rate in each of the latter countries is positively related to the US nominal rate. Specifically, in The Bahamas the relationship is one-for-one, and for the others it is greater than one-for-one. Expected inflation only has an effect in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, although the relationship is negative in the case of the latter. Fisher’s hypothesis, even in its augmented form, does not appear to be a suitable framework for determination of nominal interest rates for Barbados and Guyana

The contribution of credit unions to the national development of Barbados

Credit unions differ from commercial banks and other financial institutions since their members are the owners of the credit union and they elect board of directors in a democratic one-person-one vote system regardless of the amount of money invested in the credit union. Credit unions contribute to economic development through the wider community, mobilizing significant volumes of savings. They continue to be a major source of growth within the financial sector and therefore their macroeconomic significance has increased considerably. Credit unions have transformed the social and economic status of several members, enabling them to advance from the underprivileged class to the home owner class, by providing affordable terms and conditions for access to loans to finance a wide range of programs. This paper seeks to determine the contribution of credit unions to national development. The DOLS econometrics methodology suggests that the variables of interest that affect economic growth are government capital expenditure, real capital stock and cash of the credit union, the latter indicating that credit unions have a significantly positive effect on national development in Barbados. This conclusion is also complemented by an analysis of five PEARLS ratios which show the significant growth and viability of credit unions