The relationship between fiscal and current account balances in the Caribbean

Includes bibliography

Price-based capital account regulations: the Colombian experience

Includes bibliography

Mare's folliculogenesis: Assessment of ovarian and perifollicular vascular perfusion by doppler ultrasound

Background: Ultrasound Doppler is a new technology that has recently been used in large animal reproduction. As the conventional ultrasound (B-mode) it is a noninvasive technique, but with the advantage of allows the assessment of the hemodynamic of reproductive tract in real time. The observation of important features of the vascularization and changes that occur during physiological processes that were not previously seen on B-mode encourage a reassessment of the concepts already established on the events of the reproductive physiology of animals and their applications. Review: In attempt to re-understand the equine reproductive physiology and finding practical uses to this new technique, authors showed that, during the follicular deviation, features are observed by Doppler before being observed under B-mode ultrasound like changes in the speed of the blood flow two days before deviation of the follicle size and one day before the increase in blood flow area of the follicular wall. According to another study ovulation is characterized by a decreased blood flow of the follicular wall in the last four hours preceding it, as well as the serration of the granulosa layer and formation of a non vascularized apex, but in our ongoing study, the ability to decrease the vascularity was not found. Very vascularized follicles are associated with higher rates of oocyte maturation and pregnant that does less vascularized follicles in the preovulatory phase. Those follicles that have septated evacuation (or prolonged) showed more vascularization and serration of the granulosa one hour before ovulation than follicles that ovulate normally, and this vascularization includes the apex of the follicle, the follicular wall portion that is not vascularized in normal ovulation. Another study reported that hemorrhagic follicles have better vascularization of the follicular wall on the days preceding ovulation than follicles destined to ovulate. Some authors also showed that anovulatory follicles grow in size at the same rate as ovulatory follicles, but the percentage of vascularization of its wall is much smaller at 35 mm. Another study characterized that the vascular wall of the follicle that results in the first ovulation of the year is much smaller on the day before ovulation than the number of vessels present in a follicle that will ovulate in the middle of the breeding season. In these cases, the use of Doppler ultrasound can help to prevent economic losses as insemination of mares in cycles that are not able of resulting in pregnancy. This review aims to gather the information found in the literature about the characteristics of follicular hemodynamic of mares taking into account moments of deviation in follicle size, ovulation, ovulation failure and follicular viability. Conclusion: The Doppler technology has the potential to provide important information about the follicular environment and thus be used in practice in search of the perfect equine reproductive management, achieving better utilization of genetic material and increasing the financial return. The use of this new tool opens a large area for several interesting studies that will contribute to the knowledge of the physiological events of the mare for that this technique can soon be effectively applied.

Estudio histológico comparativo de la reparación ósea entre hueso alveolar y extra-alveolar en los cerdos sometidos a osteotomía con alta y baja velocidad, con refrigeración líquida

Taking into account the bone repair process in pigs has shown a greater similarity among the histological variables studied compared to other biological models, the present study has as its aim to evaluate the histological bone repair process of osteotomy performed on alveolar and extra-alveolar bones, using drilling tools with liquid refrigeration. Material and method: Eighteen Large White pigs weighing between 20 and 25 Kg were divided into three groups of six animals in order to evaluate the osteotomy repairs with low and high speed in the alveolar bone and threes in the extra-alveolar area, study periods of 7, 14 and 28 days. Results: It was observed that in the alveolar bone at the postoperative times of 14 and 28 days, the best repair results were in the osteotomy performed with low speed, while in the 7 day postoperative period, the results with high speed were slightly better, in alveolar areas as well as extra-alveolar areas. There no statistically significant differences between the alveolar and extra-alveolar bone repair process. Conclusions: The repair process, by means of microscopic analysis in the alveolar and extra-alveolar areas, are similar with better results observed in osteotomies performed with low speed drills in the 14 and 28 day study periods, and at 7 days postoperative the results with high speed drills and refrigeration were slightly better. Research works using pigs as an animal model are perfectly viable. © 2011 SECOM.

Air-assistance in spray booms which have different spray volumes and nozzle types for chemically controlling spodoptera frugiperda on corn

The study aimed to evaluate the performance of air assistance in spray booms using different types of nozzles and spray volumes. We took into account spray deposits, fall armyworm control and crop corn performance in a narrow row cropping system. The experiment was carried out at the experimental area of Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu/SP, Brazil, during the 2008/2009 agricultural season, in randomized blocks with a factorial scheme (2×2+1) and four replications. Two spray nozzles (flat fan nozzle and hollow cone nozzle) were tested, combined with two air assistance levels in the spray boom (with and without air assistance) and a treatment control. In the experimental spraying, Spinosad insecticide was sprayed in amounts of 48 g active substance (a.s.)/ha. The air assistance in the spray boom increased the spray deposits in the V 4 growth stage of the corn plants. Moreover, the application of this technology showed higher efficiency on fall armyworm control, reaching a 100% level 15 days after spraying, in the V 10 growth stage of the plants. The hollow cone nozzle increased the spray deposit level on the corn plants compared with the flat fan nozzle, at growth stage V 4. However, the flat fan nozzle, combined with air assistance technology, was more effective for controlling fall armyworm in the same growth stage (V 4), although the hollow cone nozzle increased the deposit levels on the plants. All the technologies tested in the study promoted a reduction of plant damage from fall armyworm attack. Corn productivity is directly related to the control efficiency of fall armyworm.

Cisalhamento na Linha de Cola de Compensados de Eucalyptus sp. e Adesivo PVA

Studies on new adhesives and resins for bonding wood and wood products are being carried out with the intention to improve their properties, taking into account a lower environmental impact. To this end, new formulations of polyvinyl acetate (PVA) adhesives have been developed, because they have no polluting harmful to health chemicals in their composition, in contrast to formaldehyde-based resins; which in turn are the most commonly used for wood panels production these days. This study tested three different formulations of PVA adhesives, with different pressing times and temperatures for the production of Eucalyptus sp. plywood, obtaining satisfactory results with respect to shear strength at the bondline, which was higher for the PVA adhesives compared to the urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde panels found in the literature.

Capital-account and counter-cyclical prudential regulations in developing countries

Includes bibliography

International competitiveness and the macroeconomics of capital account opening

Includes bibliography

Genotype by environment interaction in different birth seasons for weight at 240, 365 and 450 days of age in Tabapuã cattle

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of genotype by environment interaction (GEI) on the weight of Tabapuã cattle at 240 (W240), 365 (W365) and 450 (W450) days of age. In total, 35,732 records of 8,458 Tabapuã animalswhich were born in the state of Bahia, Brazil, from 1975 to 2001, from 167 sires and 3,707 dams, were used. Two birth seasons were tested as for the environment effect: the dry (D) and rainy (R) ones. The covariance components were obtainedby a multiple-trait analysis using Bayesian inference, in which each trait was considered as being different in each season. Covariance components were estimated by software gibbs2f90. As for W240, the model was comprised of contemporary groups and cow age (in classes) as fixed effects; animal and maternal genetic additive, maternal permanent environmental and residual were considered as random effects. Concerning W365 and W450, the model included only the contemporary aged cow groups as fixed effects and the genetic additive and residual effects of the animal as the random ones. The GEI was assessed considering the genetic correlation, in which values below 0.80 indicated the presence of GEI. Regarding W365 and W450, the GEI was found in both seasons. As for post-weaning weight (W240), the effect of such interaction was not observed. ©2012 Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia.

Monetary policy and an open capital account

Includes bibliography

Inoculation of salivary gland extracts obtained from female of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari, Ixodidae) with 2, 4, and 6 days of feeding in rabbit: I - Histopathology of the feeding lesion

This study analyzed the histopathology of rabbit skin, previously immunized with SGE2, SGE4, and SGE6 gland extracts prepared from salivary glands of Rhipicephalus sanguineus female with 2, 4, and 6 days of feeding, at the region of the R. sanguineus female feeding lesion 2, 4, and 6 days after tick attachment. In this work, infestation-naïve New Zealand White rabbits were inoculated either with the extracts (test group (TG)) or with phosphate buffer and complete Freund's adjuvant mixture (control group 2 (CG2)). Each extract-inoculated- (TG and CG2) and non-inoculated (CG1) rabbit was subsequently infested with R. sanguineus. Skin biopsies were collected from the rabbit at the tick feeding lesion at 2, 4, and 6 days of feeding. Results revealed that rabbit immunization with gland extracts induced acquisition of resistance against this species. It should be stated that the SGE4 extract was the most effective in developing an immune-inflammatory response against ectoparasites, being this process characterized by the presence of an early and intense inflammatory cell infiltrate. On the other hand, SGE6 extract caused a later appearance of resistance with less infiltrate occurrence and intense edema at the feeding lesion site. As to the inflammatory process deriving from SGE2 extract inoculation, it was the less intense. It was concluded that immunization with different extracts from R. sanguineus female salivary glands did not change microscope features of the inflammatory process, although an earlier or more intense and later response, which was also dependent on the inoculate extract, was noticed. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Proyecto de informe del Octavo Período de Sesiones del CEGAN: evaluación de la instrumentación de la Estrategia Internacional del Desarrollo para América Latina y el Caribe, teniendo en cuenta la crisis económica internacional = Draft report of the Eighth Session of CEGAN: appraisal of the implementation of the International Development Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean, taking into account the current international economic crisis

Incluye Bibliografía

Cost-effectiveness comparison between pituitary down-regulation with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist short regimen on alternate days and an antagonist protocol for assisted fertilization treatments

Objective: To compare cost-effectiveness between pituitary down-regulation with a GnRH agonist (GnRHa) short regimen on alternate days and GnRH antagonist (GnRHant) multidose protocol on in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcome. Design: Prospective, randomized. Setting: A private center. Patient(s): Patients were randomized into GnRHa (n = 48) and GnRHant (n = 48) groups. Intervention(s): GnRHa stimulation protocol: administration of triptorelin on alternate days starting on the first day of the cycle, recombinant FSH (rFSH), and recombinant hCG (rhCG) microdose. GnRHant protocol: administration of a daily dose of rFSH, cetrorelix, and rhCG microdose. Main Outcome Measure(s): ICSI outcomes and treatment costs. Result(s): A significantly lower number of patients underwent embryo transfer in the GnRHa group. Clinical pregnancy rate was significantly lower and miscarriage rate was significantly higher in the GnRHa group. It was observed a significant lower cost per cycle in the GnRHa group compared with the GnRHant group ($5,327.80 ± 387.30 vs. $5,900.40 ± 472.50). However, mean cost per pregnancy in the GnRHa was higher than in the GnRHant group ($19,671.80 ± 1,430.00 vs. $11,328.70 ± 907.20). Conclusion(s): Although the short controlled ovarian stimulation protocol with GnRHa on alternate days, rFSH, and rhCG microdose may lower the cost of an individual IVF cycle, it requires more cycles to achieve pregnancy. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT01468441. © 2013 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Informe sobre la evaluación de la instrumentación de la Estrategia Internacional del Desarrollo para América Latina y el Caribe teniendo en cuenta la crisis económica actual = Report on the appraisal of the implementation of the International Development Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean, taking into account the current economic crisis

Contiene la primera evaluacion de la nueva estrategia internacional para el desarrollo correspondiente al Tercer Decenio de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo hecha por los paises de America Latina y el Caribe, y el resumen de los debates en torno a dicho tema.