Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2003

Includes bibliography

Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2009-2010: The distributive impact of public policies

Includes bibliography

Thermal behaviour of succinic acid, sodium succinate and its compounds with some bivalent transitions metal ions in dynamic N 2 and CO 2 atmospheres

Thermal stability and thermal decomposition of succinic acid, sodium succinate and its compounds with Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) were investigated employing simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) in nitrogen and carbon dioxide atmospheres and TG-FTIR in nitrogen atmosphere. On heating, in both atmospheres the succinic acid melt and evaporate, while for the sodium succinate the thermal decomposition occurs with the formation of sodium carbonate. For the transition metal succinates the final residue up to 1180 °C in N 2 atmosphere was a mixture of metal and metal oxide in no simple stoichiometric relation, except for Zn compound, where the residue was a small quantity of carbonaceous residue. For the CO 2 atmosphere the final residue up to 980 °C was: MnO, Fe 3O 4, CoO, ZnO and mixtures of Ni, NiO and Cu, Cu 2O.

Effects of heat stress on development, quality and survival of Bos indicus and Bos taurus embryos produced in vitro

Heat stress is an important cause of poor development and low survival rates in bovine embryos. Experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that Bos indicus embryos are more resistant to heat stress than are Bos taurus embryos. In experiment 1, Nelore and Jersey embryos from oocyte pick-up-derived oocytes were submitted to heat stress (96 hours post-insemination, 41 °C, 6 hours), developmental ratios were assessed at Day 7 (Day 0 = day of fertilization), and blastocysts were frozen for RNA extraction. Experiment 2 evaluated expression of COX2, CDX2, HSF1, and PLAC8 in previously frozen blastocysts. In experiment 3, Nellore and Angus embryos from oocyte pick-up-derived oocytes were submitted to heat stress (96 hours post-insemination, 41 °C, 12 hours) and transferred to recipients on Day 7. In experiment 4, embryos developed as in experiment 3 were fixed for Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling labeling and total cell counting. In experiment 1, heat stress decreased the percentage of Jersey oocytes that became blastocysts, but had no effect on Nellore embryos (34.6%, 25.0%, 39.5%, and 33.0% for Jersey control, Jersey heat-stressed, Nellore control, and Nellore heat-stressed oocytes, respectively; P < 0.05). In experiment 2, heat stress decreased (P < 0.05) expression of CDX2 and PLAC8, with higher expression of these genes in Nellore embryos than in Jersey embryos. Heat stress also decreased (P < 0.05) expression of COX2 in Jersey embryos, but had no effect on Nellore embryos. Expression of HSF1 was decreased (P < 0.05) by heat stress in both breeds, with a greater effect in Nellore embryos. In experiment 3, heat stress tended (P = 0.1) to decrease the percentage of pregnancies among cows (Day 30 to 35) that received Angus embryos. In experiment 4, heat stress increased (P < 0.05) the percentage of apoptotic blastomeres, but had no breed-specific effects. In addition, Nellore embryos had fewer (P < 0.05) Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling- positive blastomeres than did Angus embryos. We concluded that the detrimental effects of heat stress were dependent upon embryo breed and were more evident in Bos taurus embryos than in Bos indicus embryos. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.

Differential expression of members of the IGF system in OPU-derived oocytes from Nelore (Bos indicus) and Holstein (Bos taurus) cows

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is related to quality of oocytes and embryos. The aim of this study was to investigate the mRNA levels of IGF1 and IGF2 and their receptors, IGFR1 and IGFR2, as well as IGFBP2, IGFBP4, and PAPP-A in oocytes from Nelore compared to Holstein cows. Pools of oocytes (20 oocytes/pool) from Nelore (n=8 pools) and Holstein (n=4 pools) were obtained via ovum pick-up (OPU, 10 sessions) and cumulus cells and zona pellucida were removed. The pools were submitted to total RNA extraction. Expression of members of the IGF system was assessed by real time RT-PCR. The mRNA expression of IGF1 and IGF2, IGFR1 and IGFR2, IGFBP2 and IGFBP4 was significantly higher (P<0.01) in oocytes from Holstein whereas the expression of PAPP-A was significantly higher (P<0.05) in oocytes from Nelore cows. The high PAPP-A expression and the low expression of IGFBP2 and IGFBP4 are associated with more efficient degradation of IGFBPs, which results in greater bioavailability of IGF in Nelore oocytes when compared to the Holstein. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Thermal behaviour of α-hydroxyisobutyric acid, sodium α-hydroxyisobutyrate and its compounds with some bivalent transition metal ions

Synthesis, characterization and thermal decomposition of bivalent transition metal α-hydroxyisobutyrates, M(C4H7O 3)2·nH2O (M = Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II)), as well as the thermal behaviour of α-hydroxyisobutyric acid and its sodium salt were investigated employing simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), TG-DSC coupled to FTIR, elemental analysis and complexometry. All the compounds were obtained as dihydrated, except the copper one which was obtained in the anhydrous state. The thermal decomposition of the anhydrous compounds occurs in a single or two steps and the final residue up to 235 C (Mn), 300 C (Fe), 305 C (Co), 490 C (Ni), 260 C (Cu) and 430 C (Zn) is Mn2O3, Fe2O3, Co3O 4, NiO, CuO and ZnO, respectively. The results also provided information concerning the ligand's denticity and identification of the gaseous products evolved during the thermal decomposition of these compounds. Copyright © 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Updated Economic Overview of Latin America and the Caribbean 2013

Includes bibliography.

The employment situation in Latin America and the Caribbean: Recovery of employment: towards a sustainable model

The adverse effects on Latin America and the Caribbean of the global economic and financial crisis, the worst since the 1930s, have been considerably less than was once feared. Although a run of growth was cut short in 2009 and regional output shrank by 1.9%, the impact of the crisis was limited by the application of countercyclical fiscal and monetary policies by many of the region’s governments. The recovery in the economies, particularly in South America, has gone hand-in-hand with the rapid resurgence of the emerging economies of Asia, with all the favourable consequences this has had for global trade. A similar pattern may be observed regarding the impact of the crisis on labour markets in Latin America and the Caribbean. Although millions of people lost their jobs or had to trade down to lower-quality work, levels of employment (including formal employment) fell by less than originally foreseen. At the same time, real wages rose slightly in a context of falling inflation. The labour market thus stabilized domestic demand, and this contributed to the recovery that began in many countries in late 2009. Improved international trade and financing conditions, and the pick-up in domestic demand driven by macroeconomic policies, have led different commentators to estimate growth in the region’s economy at some 6% in 2010. As detailed in the first part of this edition of the Bulletin, the upturn has been manifested at the regional level by the creation of formal employment, a rise in the employment rate, a decline in joblessness and a moderate increase in real wages. Specifically, it is estimatedthat the regional unemployment rate will have dropped by 0.6 percentage points, from 8.1% in 2009 to 7.5% in 2010. The performance of different countries and subregions has been very uneven, however. On the one hand, there is Brazil, where high economic growth has been accompanied by vigorous creation of formal jobs and the unemployment rate has dropped to levels not seen in a long time. Other countries in South America have benefited from strong demand for natural resources from the Asian countries. Combined with higher domestic demand, this has raised their economic growth rates and had a positive impact on employment indicators. On the other hand, the recovery is still very weak in certain countries and subregions, particularly in the Caribbean, with employment indicators continuing to worsen.Thus, the recovery in the region’s economy in 2010 may be characterized as dynamic but uneven. Growth estimates for 2011 are less favourable. The risks associated with the imbalances in the world economy and the withdrawal of countercyclical fiscal packages are likely to cause the region to grow more slowly in 2011. Accordingly, a small further reduction of between 0.2 and 0.4 percentage points in the unemployment rate is projected for 2011. However, these indicators of recovery do not guarantee growth with decent work in the long term. To bolster the improvement in labour market indicators and generate more productive employment and decent work, the region’s countries need to strengthen their macroeconomic policies, improve regional and global policy coordination, identify and remove bottlenecks in the labour market itself and enhance instruments designed to promote greater equality. Like the rest of the world, the Latin American and Caribbean region is also confronted with the challenge of transforming the way it produces so that its economies can develop along tracks that are sustainable in the long term. Climate change and the consequent challenge of developing and strengthening low-carbon production and consumption patterns will also affect the way people work. A great challenge ahead is to create green jobs that combine decent work with environmentally sustainable production patterns. From this perspective, the second part of this Bulletin discusses the green jobs approach, offering some information on the challenges and opportunities involved in moving towards a sustainable economy in the region and presenting a set of options for addressing environmental issues and the repercussions of climate change in the world of work. Although the debate about the green jobs concept is fairly new in the region, examples already exist and a number of countries have moved ahead with the application of policies and programmes in this area. Costa Rica has formulated a National Climate Change Strategy, for example, whose foremost achievements include professional training in natural-resource management. In Brazil, fuel production from biomass has increased and social housing with solar panelling is being built. A number of other countries in the region are making progress in areas such as ecotourism, sustainable agriculture and infrastructure for climate change adaptation, and in formalizing the work of people who recycle household waste. The shift towards a more environmentally sustainable economy may cause jobs to be destroyed in some economic sectors and created in others. The working world will inevitably undergo major changes. If the issue is approached by way of social dialogue and appropriate public policies, there is a chance to use this shift to create more decent jobs, thereby contributing to growth in the economy, the construction of higher levels of equality and protection for the environment.

Soluble sugars and germination of Annona emarginata (Schltdl.) H. Rainer seeds submitted to immersion in GA3 up to different water contents

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Reproductive efficiency of adult and prepubertal goats subjected to repeated follicular aspiration

The objective of this study was to assess the reproductive response of adult and prepubertal goats subjected to repeated laparoscopic ovum pick-up (LOPU). The study animals were divided into two groups, specifically, adult nanny goats (GA, n=10) and prepubertal nanny goats (GP, n=10), which were subjected to estrous synchronization and ovarian stimulation for LOPU. Both groups underwent six LOPU procedures at seven-day intervals and were subsequently subjected to controlled mating and pregnancy diagnosis to evaluate their future fertility. The study showed a reduction in the number of follicles visualized and in the amount and quality of the oocytes that were recovered and exposed to in vitro maturation. As indicated by the fertility test, however, no complications were found during the laparoscopic procedures that would impair the reproductive future of the animals. Therefore, a viable number of oocytes were obtained even with the decreased reproductive efficiency, proving that repeated LOPUs do not interfere with the reproductive of adult and prepubertal nanny goats. These results indicate a positive aspect of this procedure, allowing for increasing reproductive performance of this kind, when used for the production in vitro.

Molecular Evaluation of Developmental Competence of Oocytes Collected In Vivo from Buffalo and Bovine Heifers during Winter and Summer

Buffaloes and bovines are polyestrous and seasonal or annual livestock, respectively, that show reduced fertility during heat stress. To investigate whether reduced fertility is related to oocyte competence in both species, immature oocytes from buffalo and bovine heifers were collected during winter and summer and subjected to molecular analyses. In each season, heifers of both species had their follicular wave emergence synchronized with a standard protocol (Ferreira et al., 2011). Before being subjected to ovum pick up (OPU), cutaneous (CT; degrees C) and rectal (RT; degrees C) temperatures and respiratory rate (RR; breaths/min) were measured. Oocytes' RNA was extracted to evaluate the expression of target genes related to mtDNA replication/transcription (PPARGC1A, TFAM and MT-CO1), apoptosis (BAX and BCL2) and HS (HSP90AA1 and HSPA1AB). ACTB, HIST1H2AG and GAPDH were initially chosen as housekeeping genes. In buffaloes, CT (35.0 +/- 0.4 vs 23.8 +/- 0.5), RT (38.7 +/- 0.1 vs 38.0 +/- 0) and RR (21.3 +/- 1.2 vs 15.4 +/- 1.1) were higher during summer than winter. However, in bovine heifers, RT (38.7 +/- 0.1 vs 38.6 +/- 0.1) and RR (44.8 +/- 1.5 vs 40.6 +/- 1.5) were similar in both seasons, while CT (31.6 +/- 0.3 vs 30.2 +/- 0.3) was increased during summer. Reduced expression of ACTB, HIST1H2AG and GAPDH was evidenced during summer, disqualifying them as housekeeping genes. Similarly, the expression of all target genes was reduced during summer in oocytes of both species. In summary, physiological responses to heat stress seem to be more intense in buffalo than bovine heifers. However, in both species, negative effects of heat stress upon oocyte quality occur at the molecular level and affects genes related to several biological functions.

Synthesis, characterization, and thermal study of solid-state alkaline earth metal mandelates, except beryllium and radium

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Thermal behaviour of nicotinic acid, sodium nicotinate and its compounds with some bivalent transition metal ions

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Thermal investigation and infrared evolved gas analysis of solid trivalent lanthanide and yttrium alpha-hydroxyisobutyrates in N-2 and CO2 atmospheres

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Differential Expression of IGF Family Members in Heat-Stressed Embryos Produced In Vitro from OPU-Derived Oocytes of Nelore (Bos indicus) and Holstein (Bos taurus) Cows

Contents The IGF system is related to embryo quality. We aim to determine the effect of the heat stress on the mRNA expression of IGF1 and IGF2, IGFR1 and IGFR2, IGFBP2 and IGFBP4, and PAPPA in in vitro production (IVP) blastocysts from Nelore and Holstein after ovum pick up (OPU) to better understand the differences between these breeds.Oocytes from four Nelore and seven Holstein were collected in six OPU sessions. Following in vitro maturation and fertilization using six Nelore or Holstein sires, embryos were divided into control (cultured at 39 degrees C) and heat stress (HS; exposed to 41 degrees C for 9h). Blastocysts were submitted to RNA extraction. The IGF1 expression was higher in blastocysts under HS in both breeds, and the expression of IGFBP2 and IGFBP4 was higher in Holstein blastocysts under HS. The high PAPPA expression and the low expression of IGFBP2 and IGFBP4 are associated with a more efficient degradation of IGFBPs, which results in greater IGF bioavailability in Nelore blastocysts and may contribute to the superior HS tolerance in Nelore, when compared to Holstein.