Productivity convergence in Brazil: The case of grain production

"In recent years, Brazil has become a considerable player in agricultural markets for a number of commodities. Such agricultural growth in Brazil has largely been the result of gains in productivity over the last several decades. Still, there remain some sub-national regions and states that lag behind in both agricultural productivity and levels of per capita income. In this paper, we investigate whether technological spillovers in agriculture have reached the poorer or less productive regions with focus on the evolution and patterns of land productivity. To assess such spillovers, we examine three cereal crops: maize, rice and wheat, as these crops are grown by commercial and subsistence farmers throughout the country. We first apply a generalized entropy (GE) method to assess whether inequality in productivity has changed over time. The entropy analysis indicates that the trends for overall entropy did not increase over time for all three crops. Moreover, declining trends in between-group inequality were observed for maize and wheat and remained constant for rice. This result suggests that yields in less productive micro-regions, indeed, have grown faster than yields in more productive micro-regions, at least in the case of maize and wheat. Next, two types of econometric estimations are used to measure whether convergence has occurred in yields of the three crops. The econometric findings are consistent with the GE results and suggest that conditional convergence has occurred in all three crops, which demonstrates that yields in less productive regions converge to those in productive regions, given the control of other factors. However, the process has been rather slow." from authors' abstractproductivity, Convergence, Spillovers, Development strategies,

Genome Integrity and Reprogrammed Metabolism in H3.3K27M High-grade Gliomas

Pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGG) are an extremely aggressive subtype of childhood brain cancer, with a survival rate of less than one year after diagnosis. Accumulated evidence demonstrated that mutations (changes) in the histone H3.3 protein occur in 35% of pHGG cases, and a specific mutation, entitled H3.3K27M, accounts for 50% of them. However, despite extensive knowledge, no adequate therapeutic option is currently available, and prognosis of pHGG remains dismal. To unravel new therapeutic opportunities for H3.3K27M pHGGs, we investigated the underlying mechanisms behind their loss of genome (collection of genes in an organism) integrity and metabolic reprogramming. Of note, genome integrity refers to the preservation of cellular DNA without mutations. Whenever it is compromised, DNA damage is passed from paternal cells to their offspring, accumulating and growing in each cell generation, a process known as genomic instability. Meanwhile, metabolic reprogramming concerns the deviation of normal cell metabolism, through (de)activation of metabolic pathways, to fulfill the intense metabolic demands of highly proliferative cancer cells. We demonstrated that H3.3K27M compromises genome integrity by disrupting the normal process of DNA replication and blocking DNA repair mechanisms, leading to genomic instability and causing cancer. Furthermore, we showed that the H3.3K27M mutation activates a metabolic pathway named glycolysis, while deactivating another one named oxidative phosphorylation, to fuel intense cell proliferation. Additionally, we observed that inhibition of PFKFB3, a pivotal enzyme that participates in glycolysis, eliminates H3.3K27M mutant cells. In summary, we described previously unknown oncogenic mechanisms of H3.3K27M pHGGs and identified potential novel therapeutic opportunities

AS ESTRATÉGIAS DE REPRODUÇÃO DE SITIANTES NO OESTE DE MINAS GERAIS E DE

This piece of study puts forward an analysis on the repoduction of family-agriculturists by means of the similar evidences found in two rural communities. Both the productive and the reproductive processes are simultaneous, and the continuous re-conversion of part of the production into new means re-creates the social and cultural conditions for the agriculturists' existence. The reproductive effort comes to the fore when one observes how family work is organized, how its successor is elected, how the estate growth occurs, and how they get to new agricultural or non-agricultural activities which will lead them to a financial improvement. This work starts off by presenting the theorical and book references used in the analisys of the studied problem. Later on, it will also present the reproduction strategies which are common features in both cases. A dynamic sharing of roles in family work was noticed, although it showed to be steady as far as the economic relevance of the activity is concerned, as it turns out to be restricted by the man/money and woman/house-caring criterium. The way they prepare their successors showed to be similar, as well as was how they use land acquisition to adjust heritage. Savings also feature in the form of cattle for the small land owners, whereas, historically speaking, swines play the same role for the farmhands. Migration and pluriactivity also showed up as fundamental tools for the expansion of the patrimony of young adults.also, in both cases, came the rural dealer figure performed by a community member. Therefore, the reproduction strategies prove to be similar in the process of development of the family - exploitation unit , resulting from conflicts and alliances, external and internal pressures which acted on themselves, in an effort to auto-exploit and auto-reproduce.strategy, reproduction, family agriculture,

Priorities for realizing the potential to increase agricultural productivity and growth in Western and Central Africa:

"We identify a set of development priorities for agriculture that cut across West Africa, at both the country and the regional level, to achieve economy-wide growth goals in the region. To do this, we adopt a modeling and analytical framework that involves the integration of spatial analysis to identify yield gaps determining growth potential of different agricultural activities for areas with similar conditions and an economy-wide multimarket model to simulate ex ante the economic effects of closing these yield gaps. Results indicate that the greatest agriculture-led growth opportunities in West Africa reside in staple crops (cereals as well as roots and tubers) and livestock production. Rice is the commodity with the highest potential for growth and the one that could generate the greatest benefits for many countries. Activities contributing the most to agricultural growth in the Sahel are livestock, rice, coarse grains, and groundnuts; in coastal countries, staple crops like cassava, yams, and cereals seem to be relatively more important than the contributions of other subsectors; and livestock and root crops are the sources of growth with highest potential in Central Africa. Our results also point toward an essential range of policies and investments that are needed to stimulate productivity growth of prioritized activities. These include the following: development of opportunities for regional cooperation on technology adaptation and diffusion, strengthening of regional agricultural markets exploiting opportunities for greater regional cooperation and harmonization, diversification of traditional markets, and enhancement of linkages between agricultural and nonagricultural sectors." from authors' abstractAgricultural growth, Multi-market model, spatial analysis, Staple food crops, Yield gap, Development strategies,

O papel da mulher na agricultura familiar: dois estudos de caso

This articles discusses aspects of female labour in the strategies developed by farming families from Minas so as to ensure both access to and permanence in farmlands. Case studies have been carried out in two communities- one of which being an old constitution, Boa Vista, in Itaguara, MG, the other being a newly consituted unit, Assentamento Dom Orione, in Betim, MG- where it was possible to observe the importance of women’s role with their struggle and labor in the composition of family strategies. The Boa Vista community has been experiencing changes in the families’ production dynamics due to the decline in income from farming activities, causing handcraft work to gain greater and greater economic importance. Such activity involves all family members, but it is the women who outstand for coordinating the related activities and for being, themselves, the artisans, the connoisseurs of the office. The new importance of handcraft work done in loomshas redefined gender relations in and out of the family nucleus. However, that does not bring deeper changes in cultural patterns. In spite of modifying men and women, they not only keep, but also reaffirm gender relations, female subordination included. As for the life history of the families from Assentamento Dom Orione brings to light aspects of alterations in women’s bahaviour patterns and roles. Of rural origin, these families have undergone intense migratory processes, motivated by the search for land and work. Women stood for labour force of communitary organization and played a fundamental role in children raising and family care. It is important to mention that the community in question is located in the metropolitan boundaries of Belo Horizonte, and the families are devoted mainly to farming activities, the non-farming activities performed by them not being the chief ones. Thus, female farm work becomes auxiliary and subordinated to men’s. Besides, women’s participation in the gestion of the community is of secondary importance, occupying positions of smaller political strength. The farming environment in this rural space which lies next to the urban space strongly controls the role played by women.family farming, female labour, rural woman.,

O ENVELHECIMENTO E AS APOSENTADORIAS NO AMBIENTE RURAL: UM ENFOQUE BIBLIOGRÃFICO

This article analyzes the effect of the aging and the retirements in the Brazilian rural scene, which is a question of most importance for the current days, since the relative participation of the aging group in the total set of the Brazilian population is increasing. Thus, there exists a concern with the future of the Social Security sot that it must pass through reforms. Hence, the objective of this paper is to raise elements for the discussion on the importance of the social security in the agricultural sector, since it passes through significant demographic changes. With a sufficiently fragmented history, since the years of the Empire, the Social Security has been extending several segments of society, being one of the most important forms of inclusion of the agricultural workers. Since 1991, agricultural workers have been covered by the General Regimen of the Social Security, which constitutes a great landmark in the history of the institution. With the incorporation of women in this benefit, new rights have been set, since aged women are majority in the field. The number of retirees due to aging the rural areas. This is an evidence of the aging process of the rural population and a better income redistribution among the elderly households). The field, that in the past depended basically on the income of the agricultural production, now counts on this extra alternative of income, reason for why the phenomenon of aging of the Brazilian population, specifically in the agricultural environment, brings the necessity of adjusting policies to the sector, so that the concession of these social security will not be threatened in the future.aging, Social Security, rural retirements, Brazil., Community/Rural/Urban Development, Labor and Human Capital,

Assessing and attributing the benefits from varietal improvement research in Brazil:

Agriculture Research Brazil, Agriculture Economic aspects,

INTERNATIONAL AND INSTITUTIONAL R&D SPILLOVERS: ATTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS AMONG SOURCES FOR BRAZIL'S NEW CROP VARIETIES

In general, reported rates of return to agricultural R&D are high, but questions have been raised about upward biases in the evidence. Among the reasons for this bias, insufficient attention to attribution aspects-matching of research benefits and costs-is a pervasive problem, the magnitude of which is illustrated here with new evidence for Brazil. Over the period 1981 to 2003, varietal improvements in upland rice, edible beans, and soybeans yielded benefits attributable to research of $14.8 billion in present value (1999 prices) terms; 6.1 percent of the corresponding value of crop output. If all of those benefits were attributed to Embrapa, a public research corporation accounting for more than half Brazil's agricultural R&D spending, the benefit-cost ratio would be 78:1. If a geometric attribution rule based on genetic histories is used in conjunction with quantitative evidence on the extent of research collaborations to account for the innovative effort of others, the ratio drops substantially to 16:1 (or an internal rate of return of 38.7 percent). The sources of these gains vary markedly among crops and over time, making it hard to generalize about the international and institutional origins of varietal innovations in Brazilian agriculture during the past several decades.Brazil, agricultural R&D, attribution, soybeans, rice, beans, benefit-cost ratios, Crop Production/Industries, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Relative impact of diagnosis and clinical stage on response to electroconvulsive therapy: a retrospective cohort

OBJECTIVES: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is commonly indicated for refractory psychiatric disorders. However, little research has compared response across diagnoses. Here, we aimed to evaluate the relative impact of diagnosis and clinical staging as response predictors in a cross-diagnostic sample. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort of adult inpatients (n=287) who underwent at least six sessions of ECT, we investigated predictors of complete response (a clinical global impression of 1) to ECT. We use adjusted regression models to estimate the impact of clinical diagnosis and staging on complete response and dominance analysis to assess the relative importance of these predictors. RESULTS: Those for whom a depressive episode was a primary indication for treatment were the most likely to have complete improvement, while those with psychosis were the least likely; clinical stage had a significant influence on outcome in all diagnoses. A diagnosis of psychosis was the strongest predictor of non-response. CONCLUSIONS: A diagnosis of psychosis (mainly schizophrenia) was the strongest predictor of non-response. We also found that clinical staging can aggregate information on ECT response that is independent of clinical diagnosis