¿Desmemoria?, ¿olvido? El arroz o la historia que faltaba (Diálogo Crítico)

Presenta el debate en torno al estudio, Desmemoria y olvido. La economía arrocera en la cuenca del Guayas, 1920-1950, del historiador ecuatoriano Roque Espinosa.

El diálogo intercultural de conocimientos en las leyes educativas de Ecuador y Bolivia

La presente investigación visibiliza en las leyes educativas del Ecuador y Bolivia, la relación intercultural entre conocimientos propios y conocimientos de otros lugares del mundo, entre ellos el conocimiento euro-norte-occidental. También se propone visibilizar el lugar de los conocimientos propios en un Estado intercultural y plurinacional. Para tal cometido se ha diseñado una serie de entradas temáticas que tocan al contexto histórico de la Plurinacionalidad, la pluriespiritualidad e interreligiosidad, las tensiones entre conocimientos, ciencias, tecnologías, sabidurías y diálogo de saberes, sociedad del conocimiento y las políticas lingüísticas. A partir de un diálogo interconceptual se exploran las dimensiones profundas y las dimensiones abyectas respecto a las transformaciones epistémicas y políticas que proponen las leyes educativas.

La facturación electrónica vs control fiscal: análisis comparado con las administraciones tributarias de Chile y España

La facturación ha sido concebida como una herramienta de control para las Administraciones Tributarias a nivel mundial, puesto que con su emisión se genera información tributaria relevante para fines impositivos. Por esta razón se ha visto la necesidad de fortalecer el uso y la revisión de comprobantes venta a través de medios tecnológicos, entre estos la denomina Facturación Electrónica, la misma que está siendo implementada en varios países a fin garantizar la ejecución de controles efectivos. Es así que el Ecuador es uno de los países que adoptó la nueva forma de emisión electrónica de documentos, con el propósito de contar con información en medios tecnológicos y desarrollar nuevos procesos de control eficientes. La normativa tributaria ecuatoriana actualmente establece la obligación de emitir comprobantes de venta con ocasión de la transferencia de bienes, aún cuando se realicen a título gratuito, autoconsumo o de la prestación de servicios de cualquier naturaleza. Así también, los casos en que se debe emitir documentos complementarios y comprobantes de retención. De esta forma la legislación ha permitido generar un nuevo esquema que se adapte a la facturación actual en una versión electrónica, que permitirá ejecutar procesos de control masivos, que no podían ser aplicados con la facturación física por el volumen de documentos que debían ser revisados de forma manual. Esta nueva forma de emisión de documentos también brinda beneficios a los contribuyentes que la usen, puesto que la intención también es la simplificación de obligaciones, así como la disponibilidad de la información en línea para una oportuna toma de decisiones empresariales.

Conveniencia de que el sector público pague la tarifa 12% del impuesto al valor agregado (IVA)

El principal objetivo de esta investigación es determinar si es o no conveniente para los intereses del país que el sector público pague la tarifa 12% del IVA. A partir de esta premisa se han generado un sinnúmero de controversias en la esfera tributaria y en torno a ellas ha existido una serie de reformas especialmente a partir de finales de los años 80, ya que para muchos no es conveniente que este sector pague el IVA, pero de acuerdo a las políticas del Servicio de Rentas Internas (SRI), este tema viene a constituirse en un pilar de indudable importancia en el aspecto de control, porque se convierte en un vehículo para llegar a los proveedores del sector público; puesto que con el pago del impuesto al valor agregado (IVA) las instituciones públicas tienen derecho a la devolución del mismo y esta se constituye en un proceso de control y cruce de información de enorme valía para la gestión de la Administración Tributaria. En primera instancia se realizará una revisión de la historia del Impuesto al Valor Agregado (IVA) a nivel mundial y en nuestro país; se analizarán los períodos con la Tarifa 12% y 0% del IVA para el Sector Público y su normativa. Otro tema a analizar es la devolución del IVA al Sector Público, estudio mediante el cual podremos visualizar los procedimientos por medio de los cuales la Administración Tributaria lleva a cabo una de sus potestades (ejercer las funciones de control, inspección y fiscalización del cumplimiento de las obligaciones tributarias, de conformidad con el ordenamiento jurídico tributario); esta investigación nos llevará a despejar muchas dudas que en ningún nivel han sido resueltas, aquí serán analizadas las recaudaciones obtenidas en los períodos en los que el sector público ha pagado la tarifa 12% del IVA y los períodos en los cuales ha tenido tarifa 0%, así como su incidencia en el presupuesto general del Estado.

Las sexualidades transgresoras en dos novelas contemporáneas: El lugar sin límites de José Donoso y Tengo miedo torero de Pedro Lemebel

El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar cómo son representadas las sexualidades transgresoras en dos novelas hispanoamericanas: El lugar sin límites(1966)de José Donoso, y Tengo miedo torero(2001)de Pedro Lemebel.El personaje protagonista en sendas novelas es un homosexual travesti.Ambas historias acontecen unos años posteriores a la revolución sexual y unos años antes de la consecución de la despenalización de la homosexualidad y de derechos igualitarios de las minorías sexuales con el resto de la sociedad tanto en Chile como en el resto de América Latina. El propósito principal de este trabajo es exponer una realidad social de exclusión, marginación y maltrato hacia personas de diversa condición sexo genérica en nuestro continente. ¿Cómo se representan esas “otras sensibilidades”, esos otros cuerpos y sexualidades que conviven dentro de una sociedad patriarcal, machista y heteronormativa, que se rehúsa a verlos como miembros integrantes de la misma?En el caso de admitirse su existencia, se les considera transgresoras del statu quo dominante y, por consiguiente, objeto de discriminación. Se analizará la identidad del travesti en cada obra y los recursos que utilizan los escritores para construir al personaje.El primer capítulo se dedica a “La Manuela” de El lugar sin límites, y el segundo a “La Loca del Frente” de Tengo miedo torero.Se analizan ambas obras desde el punto de vista de los estudios de género y de las diversidades sexuales. Se pretende comparar la representación de la misma diversidad sexo genérica en dos épocas distintas: en el Chile de los sesenta y el de finales de los ochenta, y su relación como minoría marginal rural y urbana ante el mismo poder hegemónico opresor local desde la perspectiva de la interseccionalidad de factores que determinan su identidad.

Sources of sulphur in gypsiferous sediments and crusts and pathways of gypsum redistribution in southern Tunisia

Southern Tunisia contains one of the most extensive gypsum accumulations in Africa comprising Triassic, Cretaceous, Eocene and Mio-Pliocene marine evaporites, spring deposits, playa sediments, aeolian sands and gypsum crusts. Sulphur isotope analysis (delta(34)S) of bedrock samples, groundwater, playa brines, playa sediments, and gypsiferous crusts provides insight into the sources of gypsum in the region and sheds light on the processes that lead to gypsum crust formation. Results Suggest that recycling of marine gypsum is the most likely source of the sulphate in the groundwater, playa sediments and crusts. The low PS values found in Eocene and Mio-Pliocene samples suggest that this recycling has been going on for millions of years. Though bedrock appears to be the ultimate source of the gypsum in the crusts, transport of this sulphate to playas, concentration therein, and subsequent dispersal across the landscape by aeolian processes provides the most likely pathway for surticial gypsum crust formation. Comparison of these results with those from Australia, Chile and Namibia suggests that, although the source of the sulphur varies from region to region, the processes of surficial crust formation appear to be similar. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.

The TIGGE project and its achievements

TIGGE was a major component of the THORPEX (The Observing System Research and Predictability Experiment) research program, whose aim is to accelerate improvements in forecasting high-impact weather. By providing ensemble prediction data from leading operational forecast centers, TIGGE has enhanced collaboration between the research and operational meteorological communities and enabled research studies on a wide range of topics. The paper covers the objective evaluation of the TIGGE data. For a range of forecast parameters, it is shown to be beneficial to combine ensembles from several data providers in a Multi-model Grand Ensemble. Alternative methods to correct systematic errors, including the use of reforecast data, are also discussed. TIGGE data have been used for a range of research studies on predictability and dynamical processes. Tropical cyclones are the most destructive weather systems in the world, and are a focus of multi-model ensemble research. Their extra-tropical transition also has a major impact on skill of mid-latitude forecasts. We also review how TIGGE has added to our understanding of the dynamics of extra-tropical cyclones and storm tracks. Although TIGGE is a research project, it has proved invaluable for the development of products for future operational forecasting. Examples include the forecasting of tropical cyclone tracks, heavy rainfall, strong winds, and flood prediction through coupling hydrological models to ensembles. Finally the paper considers the legacy of TIGGE. We discuss the priorities and key issues in predictability and ensemble forecasting, including the new opportunities of convective-scale ensembles, links with ensemble data assimilation methods, and extension of the range of useful forecast skill.

The Impact of Vitamin A Supplementation on the Immune System of Vitamin A-deficient Children

Background & Aims: To investigate the effect of vitamin A supplementation on parameters of the immune system of vitamin A-deficient children. Methods: The study was carried out in four phases: 1) determination of serum retinol in 631 children from 36 to 83 months of age; 2) assessment of immunological markers [immunoglobulins and complement fractions, immunophenotyping of T and B lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells], blood count, and serum ferritin of 52 vitamin A-deficient children (serum retinol <0.70 mu mol/L); 3) supplementation of the 52 deficient children with 200,000 IU of vitamin A; 4) determination of serum retinol and the immunological parameters 2 months after vitamin A supplementation. Results: Before vitamin A supplementation, 24.0% of the children were anemic and 4.3 %had reduced ferritin concentrations. There was no significant difference between mean values of retinol according to the presence/absence of anemia. The mean values of the humoral and cellular immunological parameters did not show a statistically significant difference before and after supplementation with vitamin A. Children with concomitant hypovitaminosis A and anemia presented a significant increase in absolute CD4 and CD8 T-cell counts after vitamin A supplementation (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Vitamin A had an effect on the recruitment of T and B lymphocytes to the circulation of children with hypovitaminosis A and anemia.

Physical and sensory properties of regular and reduced-fat pound cakes with added amaranth flour

The sum of wheat flour and corn starch was replaced by 10, 20, or 30% whole amaranth flour in both conventional (C) and reduced fat (RF) pound cakes. and the effects on physical and sensory properties of the cakes were investigated. RF presented 33% fat reduction. The increasing amaranth levels darkened crust and crumb of cakes, which decreased color acceptability. Fresh amaranth-containing cakes had similar texture characteristics to (he controls, evaluated both instrumentally and sensorially. Sensory evaluation revealed that replacement by 30% amaranth flour decreased C cakes overall acceptability scores, clue to its lower specific volume and darker color. Amaranth flour levels had no significant effect on overall acceptability of RF cakes. Hence, the sum of wheat flour and corn starch could be successfully replaced by up to 20% amaranth flour in C and up to 30% in RF pound cakes without negatively affecting sensory quality in fresh cakes. Moisture losses for all the cakes were similar, approximate to 1% per day during storage. After six days of storage, both C and RF amaranth-containing cakes had higher hardness and chewiness values than control cakes. Further experiments involving sensory evaluation during storage are necessary to determine the exact limit of amaranth flour replacement.

Low CD4(+) T-Cell Levels and B-Cell Apoptosis in Vertically HIV-exposed Noninfected Children and Adolescents

Lymphocyte subsets, activation markers and apoptosis were assessed in 20 HIV-exposed noninfected (ENI) children born to HIV-infected women who were or not exposed to antiretroviral (ARV) drugs during pregnancy and early infancy. ENI children and adolescents were aged 6-18 years and they were compared to 25 age-matched healthy non-HIV-exposed children and adolescents (Control). ENI individuals presented lower CD4(+) T cells/mm(3) than Control group (control: 1120.3 vs. ENI: 876.3; t-test, p=0.030). ENI individuals had higher B-cell apoptosis than Control group (Control: 36.6%, ARV exposed: 82.3%, ARV nonexposed: 68.5%; Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.05), but no statistical difference was noticed between those exposed and not exposed to ARV. Immune activation in CD4(+) T, CD8(+) T and in B cells was comparable in ENI and in Control children and adolescents. Subtle long-term immune alterations might persist among ENI individuals, but the clinical consequences if any are unknown, and these children require continued monitoring.

Non-stationary frequency analysis of extreme daily rainfall in Sao Paulo, Brazil

This work is an assessment of frequency of extreme values (EVs) of daily rainfall in the city of Sao Paulo. Brazil, over the period 1933-2005, based on the peaks-over-threshold (POT) and Generalized Pareto Distribution (GPD) approach. Usually. a GPD model is fitted to a sample of POT Values Selected With a constant threshold. However. in this work we use time-dependent thresholds, composed of relatively large p quantities (for example p of 0.97) of daily rainfall amounts computed from all available data. Samples of POT values were extracted with several Values of p. Four different GPD models (GPD-1, GPD-2, GPD-3. and GDP-4) were fitted to each one of these samples by the maximum likelihood (ML) method. The shape parameter was assumed constant for the four models, but time-varying covariates were incorporated into scale parameter of GPD-2. GPD-3, and GPD-4, describing annual cycle in GPD-2. linear trend in GPD-3, and both annual cycle and linear trend in GPD-4. The GPD-1 with constant scale and shape parameters is the simplest model. For identification of the best model among the four models WC used rescaled Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) with second-order bias correction. This criterion isolates GPD-3 as the best model, i.e. the one with positive linear trend in the scale parameter. The slope of this trend is significant compared to the null hypothesis of no trend, for about 98% confidence level. The non-parametric Mann-Kendall test also showed presence of positive trend in the annual frequency of excess over high thresholds. with p-value being virtually zero. Therefore. there is strong evidence that high quantiles of daily rainfall in the city of Sao Paulo have been increasing in magnitude and frequency over time. For example. 0.99 quantiles of daily rainfall amount have increased by about 40 mm between 1933 and 2005. Copyright (C) 2008 Royal Meteorological Society

THE VORONOI TESSELLATION CLUSTER FINDER IN 2+1 DIMENSIONS

We present a detailed description of the Voronoi Tessellation (VT) cluster finder algorithm in 2+1 dimensions, which improves on past implementations of this technique. The need for cluster finder algorithms able to produce reliable cluster catalogs up to redshift 1 or beyond and down to 10(13.5) solar masses is paramount especially in light of upcoming surveys aiming at cosmological constraints from galaxy cluster number counts. We build the VT in photometric redshift shells and use the two-point correlation function of the galaxies in the field to both determine the density threshold for detection of cluster candidates and to establish their significance. This allows us to detect clusters in a self-consistent way without any assumptions about their astrophysical properties. We apply the VT to mock catalogs which extend to redshift 1.4 reproducing the ACDM cosmology and the clustering properties observed in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey data. An objective estimate of the cluster selection function in terms of the completeness and purity as a function of mass and redshift is as important as having a reliable cluster finder. We measure these quantities by matching the VT cluster catalog with the mock truth table. We show that the VT can produce a cluster catalog with completeness and purity > 80% for the redshift range up to similar to 1 and mass range down to similar to 10(13.5) solar masses.

Effect of short-term creatine supplementation on markers of skeletal muscle damage after strenuous contractile activity

The protective effect of short-term creatine supplementation (CrS) upon markers of strenuous contractile activity-induced damage in human and rat skeletal muscles was investigated. Eight Ironman triathletes were randomized into the placebo (Pl; n = 4) and creatine-supplemented (CrS; n = 4) groups. Five days prior to the Ironman competition, the CrS group received creatine monohydrate (20 g day(-1)) plus maltodextrin (50 g) divided in two equal doses. The Pl group received maltodextrin (50 g day(-1)) only. The effect of CrS (5 g day(-1)/kg body weight for 5 days) was also evaluated in a protocol of strenuous contractile activity induced by electrical stimulation in rats. Blood samples were collected before and 36 and 60 h after the competition and were used to determine plasma activities of creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aldolase (ALD), glutamic oxaloacetic acid transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic acid transaminase (GPT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) level. In rats, plasma activities of CK and LDH, muscle vascular permeability (MVP) using Evans blue dye, muscle force and fatigue were evaluated. Activities of CK, ALD, LDH, GOT, GTP, and levels of CRP were increased in the Pl group after the competition as compared to basal values. CrS decreased plasma activities of CK, LDH, and ALD, and prevented the rise of GOT and GPT plasma activities. In rats, CrS delayed the fatigue, preserved the force, and prevented the rise of LDH and CK plasma activities and MVP in the gastrocnemius muscle. CrS presented a protective effect on muscle injury induced by strenuous contractile activities.