Transnational banks, external debt and Perú: results of a recent study

Includes bibliography

Renegotiation of Latin America's debt: an analysis of the monopoly power of private banks

Includes bibliography

Legal aspects of the Latin American public debt: relations with the commercial banks

Includes bibliography

Hepatoencephalopathy syndrome due to Cassia occidentalis (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae) seed ingestion in horses

Cassia occidentalis is a bush from the Leguminosae family, subfamily Caesalpinoideae, and is a toxic plant of veterinary interest due to the occasional contamination of animal rations. This report describes the clinical and histopathological findings of an outbreak of C.occidentalis poisoning in horses. Twenty mares were poisoned after consuming ground corn contaminated with 8% of C.occidentalis seeds. Of the 20 animals affected, 12 died: 8 mares were found dead, 2 died 6h after the onset of clinical signs compatible with hepatic encephalopathy and the 2 other animals were subjected to euthanasia 12h after the onset of the clinical signs. The remaining 8 mares presented with mild depression and decreased appetite, but improved with treatment and no clinical sequelae were observed. In 6 animals that underwent a necropsy, an enhanced hepatic lobular pattern was noted and within the large intestine, a large number of seeds were consistently observed. Hepatocellular pericentrolobular necrosis and cerebral oedema were the main histological findings. In one mare, there was mild multifocal semimembranosus rhabdomyocytic necrosis and haemorrhage. Seeds collected from intestinal contents and sifted from the culpable feedstuff were planted. Examination of the leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds of the resultant plants identified C.occidentalis. Horses poisoned by C.occidentalis seeds demonstrate clinical signs associated with hepatoencephalopathy and frequently die suddenly. Lesions primarily involve the liver and secondarily, the central nervous system. Cassia occidentalis poisoning should be considered a differential diagnosis in horses with hepatoencephalopathy and special caution should be taken with horse rations to avoid contamination with seeds of this toxic plant. © 2012 EVJ Ltd.

First record of Austroleon dispar Banks, 1909 (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) from Brazil

The present note extends the geographic range of Austroleon dispar Banks, 1909 to Brazil based on the examination of three females and one male collected in the Estação Ecológica Jataí, Luiz Antônio, São Paulo. The present finding indicates that A. dispar is associated with dry ecosystems, at least in part of its geographic distribution. © 2013 Check List and Authors.

Structural changes in soybean seed coat due to harvest time and storage

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

Use of conventional electrochemical techniques to produce crystalline FeRh alloys induced by Ag seed layer

By combining galvanic displacement and electrodeposition techniques, an ordered Fe20Rh80 structure deposited onto brass was investigated by X-ray diffractometry, Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetization measurements. Mössbauer and X-ray diffraction analyses suggest that the Fe-Rh alloy directly electrodeposited onto brass displays a nanocrystalline state while a similar alloy deposited onto Ag/brass shows a faced centered cubic-like structure, with dendrites-like features. These results directly indicate that the presence of Ag seed layer is responsible for the Fe-Rh alloy crystallization process. In addition, room temperature Mössbauer data indicate firstly paramagnetic states for two Fe-species. In the dominant Fe-species (major fraction of the Mössbauer spectra), Fe atoms are situated at a cubic environment and it can be attributed to the γ-Fe20Rh80 alloy based on their hyperfine parameters. In the second species, Fe atoms are placed in a non-local symmetry, which can be related to Fe atoms at the grain boundaries or/and Fe small clusters. These Fe-clusters are in superparamagnetic state at room temperature, but they may be ordered below 45 K, as suggested by magnetization data. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Functional extinction of birds drives rapid evolutionary changes in seed size

Local extinctions have cascading effects on ecosystem functions, yet little is known about the potential for the rapid evolutionary change of species in human-modified scenarios. We show that the functional extinction of large-gape seed dispersers in the Brazilian Atlantic forest is associated with the consistent reduction of the seed size of a keystone palm species. Among 22 palm populations, areas deprived of large avian frugivores for several decades present smaller seeds than nondefaunated forests, with negative consequences for palm regeneration. Coalescence and phenotypic selection models indicate that seed size reduction most likely occurred within the past 100 years, associated with human-driven fragmentation. The fast-paced defaunation of large vertebrates is most likely causing unprecedented changes in the evolutionary trajectories and community composition of tropical forests.

Specialized Seed Dispersal in Epiphytic Cacti and Convergence with Mistletoes

Mistletoes represent the best example of specialization in seed dispersal, with a reduced assemblage of dispersal agents. Specific dispersal requirements mediated by the specificity of seed deposition site have apparently led to the evolution of such close relationships between mistletoes and certain frugivores. Here, we provide evidences for another case of specialization involving epiphytic cacti in the genus Rhipsalis, and small Neotropical passerines Euphonia spp., which also act as the main seed dispersers of mistletoes in the family Viscaceae. With field observations, literature search, and observations on captive birds, we demonstrated that Rhipsalis have specific establishment requirements, and euphonias are the most effective dispersers of Rhipsalis seeds in both quantitative and qualitative aspects, potentially depositing seeds onto branches of host plants. We interpret the similar dispersal systems of Rhipsalis and Viscaceae mistletoes, which involve the same dispersal agents, similar fruit morphologies, and fruit chemistry as convergent adaptive strategies that enable seeds of both groups to reach adequate microsites for establishment in host branches. © 2013 by The Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation.

Physico-chemical characterization of seed oils extracted from oranges (Citrus sinensis)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Seed germination of two Syagrus species native to Brazil

Palm species native to Brazil such as Syagrus picrophylla and S. schizophylla have great ornamental value and for this reason are much demanded for use in landscape. Its propagation is by seeds and often presents considerable problems to nursery managers because their seed has a hard and impermeable shell. Temperature is one of the factors that influence the seed germination process; however, the information for these species is scarce. Thus, this work aimed to study the effects of temperature regimes on the germination of S. picrophylla and S. schizophylla seeds and develop some recommendations in which temperature will obtain high rates of seed germination. The experimental design was entirely randomized with six temperatures and four replications of 25 seeds for each species. Germination and germination rate were evaluated. Higher and faster germination of S. picrophylla and S. schizophylla seeds were verified at constant temperature of 30°C and 35°C; and alternated temperature at 25-35°C.

Effect of temperature on seed germination of ornamental herbaceous perennials

Antirrhinum majus L. and Senecio douglasii DC. are herbaceous perennial ornamental plants used in landscaping. The multiplication of these plants is by seed; however, there are still doubts about the temperature that can provide higher rates and speed of germination. Thus the aim was to study the effect of temperature on seed germination of A. majus and S. douglasii. The study was conducted separately for each species. The experimental design was entirely randomized with six temperature conditions (temperature controlled constant of 20, 25, 30, 35°C and alternating temperatures of 20-30 and 25-35°C with a photoperiod of 12 hours) with four replications of 100 seeds each. Total germination percentage and germination rate were determined. The means were compared by Tukey test at 5%. For A majus the highest germination percentage was observed at 20°C that did not differ statistically from other temperatures. The highest germination rate was obtained at the temperature of 20 and 25°C. For S. douglasii seeds it was observed that the highest germination percentage and germination rate occurred at 20°C. The lower temperature showed the better percentage and germination rate for these species.

Eco-physiological aspects of melaleuca seed germination

The invasive behavior of melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia) plants in wetlands is due to its aggressive regeneration strategy, which is based on its seeds germination performance. Understanding of the eco-physiological aspects of the seed germination in melaleuca plants may significantly contribute for the development of management strategies. The objective of this research was to learn how the germination of M. quinquenervia seeds are affected by light and temperature. Melaleuca seeds were placed on filter paper moistened with 12 ml of distilled water at temperatures between 10 and 45°C. Germination was evaluated in dark and light conditions. Seed germination, first count of seed germination (seven days), germination speed index and germination mean time were determined up to 40 days after seeding, when germination had ceased in most of the treatments. After that period, the seeds were transferred to conditions of 30°C and light, which was found to be ideal in the previous phase. Seed germination was daily evaluated up to 63 days when it was again observed no longer to occur. The treatment repetitions were distributed in the growth-chamber according to a completely randomized design in a factorial scheme (eight temperatures x two light conditions) and four repetitions. The data were submitted to analysis of variance with the F test and the means were adjusted to polynomial and non linear regression models. The highest seed germination performance was observed to take place under conditions of 27.3°C with light. The temperatures of 35 and 40°C in the dark induced thermal inhibition of seed germination. The temperature of 45°C was lethal to the seeds.

Physicochemical and bioactive properties of Hymenaea courbaril L. pulp and seed lipid fraction

This study aimed to assess the nutritional composition of the fruit and the physicochemical and bioactive properties of jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril L.) pulp and seed oils. The lipid content of both fractions was below 6%. There was a significant presence of minerals, especially, sodium, potassium and phosphorus. The main macronutrient in pulp and seed was crude fiber, and considerable amounts of Vitamin C, 51.87 and 121.45. mg/100. g respectively, were found. The physicochemical properties demonstrated the good quality of the oils. The oxidative stability index was influenced by the composition of fatty acids reaching a value of 45.97. h for the jatoba pulp oil. The most abundant bioactive compounds were α-tocopherol (886.37 and 993.63. mg/kg) and β-sitosterol (61.83 and 91.09. mg/kg) for pulp and seed oils, respectively. Among the unsaturated fatty acids in the pulp, the oleic (46.09%) and linolenic acid (14.54%) stood out. The pulp and seed oils can be considered a valuable source for new industrial, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Seed dispersal by the lek-forming white-bearded manakin (Manacus manacus, Pipridae) in the Brazilian Atlantic forest

The movement patterns of males, females and juveniles of lekking species often differ due to differences in the commitment to lek activities, which may lead to differences in the spatial distribution and dispersal distances of seeds they eat. By sampling seeds in three lek and non-lek areas of the white-bearded manakin (Manacus manacus), we tested whether this lekking species increased the abundance and species richness of seeds in lek areas and, at a finer scale, in 21 displaying courts within lek areas. Combining data on seed defecation or regurgitation rates by free-ranging individuals, the number of seeds in droppings or regurgitations of mist-netted birds, and the distances travelled by birds equipped with radio-transmitters, we estimated the potential spatial distribution of seeds generated by six resident males and six females or juveniles during the morning peak of lek activity and when lek activity decreased in the afternoon. There was no difference in the species richness (46 and 44 morphospecies, respectively) and abundance of seeds (15.4 ± 7.3 seeds and 14.0 ± 1.1 seeds, respectively) between lek and non-lek areas. Within leks both parameters increased in courts (45 spp., 17.6 ± 14 seeds) compared with non-court sites (22 spp., 1.9 ± 1.8 seeds), likely as a consequence of the longer time spent by resident males in perches in or near display courts. Distances moved by juveniles and females per 60-min period (183 ± 272 m) were greater than resident males (42.6 ± 22.0 m) in the mornings, while the opposite happened in the afternoons (55.2 ± 40.7 m and 157 ± 105 m, respectively). We conclude that the spatial aggregation of seeds in lek areas of M. manacus occurs at the court level, and the spatial distribution of deposited seeds varies with manakin lekking status and the daily period of foraging. © Cambridge University Press 2013.