The Determinants of the Brazilian Farm Prices

The findings presented in this paper come from our study of the effects of Brazilian macroeconomic policy on the Brazilian Farm [product] Price Index using an adapted version of Frankel’s (1986 & 2006) theoretical model. The study examined the connection between Brazilian farm prices and external variables (worldwide importation of agribusiness products, international commodity prices, and foreign real interest rates) and between Brazilian farm prices and domestic variables (GDP, the real exchange rate, and local interest rates).Brazilian farm prices, interest rate differentials, international commodity prices and exchange rate., Agribusiness, Political Economy, Q, E4, E5,

Supply and demand shocks and the growth of the Brazilian agriculture

In the last decades the Brazilian agriculture had a strong growth. Our hypothesis is that most of that growth may be attributed to two general factors, which may conveniently be related to two types of shocks acting upon agriculture: demand-related and technological supply-related shocks. Demand shocks are originated both from domestic economy and from external markets. We use Blanchard and Quah (1989) type of economic model to test the relative importance of supply and demand shocks on Brazilian agricultural growth. Our results indicate that supply and demand shocks have permanent effects upon agricultural output and prices. We estimate that the agricultural output growth in Brazil is attributed in large proportion to yield increases and that integration to international markets was important to assure the profitability of continuous use of new technology that led to yield improvements. This is why exchange rate plays is relevant in explaining the performance of the Brazilian agriculture. We anticipate that, if investments in science and technology are maintained and international integration expanded, Brazil will be able to substantially increase its supply of agricultural products both for domestic and foreign markets.Nas últimas décadas a agricultura brasileira teve um forte crescimento. Nossa hipótese é que grande parte deste crescimento pode ser atribuído a dois fatores, que podem ser relacionados a dois tipos de choques: de demanda e de oferta. Nossos resultados indicam que tais choques têm efeitos permanentes sobre produção e preço. O crescimento do produto agrícola pode ser atribuído em grande proporção ao aumento da produtividade. A integração aos mercados internacionais é essencial para garantir a lucratividade do uso contínuo de novas tecnologias que levam a ganhos de produtividade. Esse é o motivo pelo qual a taxa de câmbio desempenha um papel relevante na explicação da performance da agricultura brasileira

Contratos de opção: análise do potencial de sustentação de preços para o mercado de arroz

Um modelo econômico foi desenvolvido e aplicado para analisar o papel dos contratos de opção no mercado de arroz em casca como instrumento de estabilização de preço. O modelo baseia-se na alocação intertemporal das disponibilidades do produto durante determinado ano-safra de sorte a assegurar o desejado preço mínimo na safra e a evolução dos preços na entressafra que assegure o armazenamento competitivo. A possibilidade da complementação entre AGF e opções é explorada. Estimou-se que a probabilidade de os detentores das opções exercerem-nas é maior quando o Governo não contrata AGF. Conclui-se que os dois instrumentos podem ser utilizados de forma complementar, com a AGF elevando os preços de mercado no período da safra e os contratos de opção de venda garantindo que os preços sigam uma trajetória de armazenamento competitivo e reduzindo os riscos de preços futuros, ou seja, de adiar a venda para a entressafra.An economic model was developed to analyze the put option contract role to stabilize prices in the paddy market. The possibility of using Federal Government Acquisitions (AGF) to complement the option instrument was considered. The role of the options was to reduce the risks of storing the product for later sale. The model is applied to analyze the option instrument implementation in the 2004/05 season. A two week demand for rice was estimated for the Brazilian market. The results show that the market prices go up when the government acts through the AGF. The options serve the purpose of making prices follow a compatible path. It was estimated that the probability for the option owners exercise their options is greater when the AGF are not used. One can conclude that these two tools (AGF and put options) can be used in a complementary way, with the AGF raising the market prices in the harvesting period, and the put option contracts making sure that the prices follow a competitive path and reduce the risks of future prices

Embryotoxicity assessment of a Microcystis extract with Daphnia in vitro egg test

Microcystis aeruginosa is a colonial unicellular cyanobacteria, usually found in eutrophic and hipereutrophic waters. Microcystins are the main toxins produced. As chronic toxicity test for daphnid is time consuming, the developmental stages of Daphnia eggs in vitro has been used in several works as an alternative to the 21 days reproduction test.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Características da citologia de impressão de nevos conjuntivais referidos como mais perceptíveis

PURPOSE: To report the impression cytology features of conjunctival nevi reported as more noticeable. METHODS: 35 patients who reported that a conjunctival lesion had become more noticeable after color or size change were enrolled. On slit-lamp examination, a clinical diagnosis of nevus was made and lesions underwent impression cytology using acetate cellulose strips and a combined staining with PAS, H&E and Papanicolaou. At patient's or parents' request, excision of the lesion was performed and the tissue was submitted to histopathological study. RESULTS: Impression cytology examination revealed nests or cluster of nevus cells within the epithelium layer containing or not mucous-secreting goblet cells in 32 cases (91.4%). Ten patients (28.5%) had the tumor removed and histopathological diagnosis was compound nevus in 8 eyes (1 from caruncle, 1 from plica semilunaris and 6 from bulbar conjunctiva) and subepithelial nevus from bulbar conjunctiva (2 eyes). CONCLUSION: Optical microscopy analysis of the impression cytology specimens confirmed the clinical diagnosis by demonstrating typical histopathological features of the superficial layers from conjunctival nevi in 91.4% of the cases. For amelanotic nevi IC can also allow a differential diagnosis from other nonpigmented lesions. The technique does not replace histopathological examination, but additionally, may assist in evaluating nevus cells in children and adults.OBJETIVO: Relatar as características da citologia de impressão de nevos conjuntivais referidos como mais perceptíveis. MÉTODOS: Trinta e cinco pacientes que notaram uma lesão conjuntival que se tornou mais perceptível, por mudança de cor ou de tamanho, foram avaliados. Ao exame biomicroscópico foi feito o diagnóstico clínico de nevo, sendo obtidas amostras de citologia de impressão das lesões com auxílio do papel filtro de acetato de celulose, coradas com PAS, H&E e Papanicolaou. Para os indivíduos que optaram também pela remoção da lesão, o tecido foi enviado para análise histopatológica. RESULTADOS: O exame de citologia de impressão revelou ninhos ou blocos de células névicas na camada epitelial, acompanhados ou não de células caliciformes em 32 casos (91,4%). Dez pacientes (28,5%) tiveram a lesão removida, sendo o diagnóstico histopatológico de nevo composto (um na carúncula, um na prega semilunar e seis na conjuntiva bulbar) e nevo subepitelial (dois na conjuntiva bulbar). CONCLUSÃO: A análise pela microscopia óptica das amostras de citologia de impressão confirmou o diagnóstico clínico ao demonstrar características típicas das camadas superficiais do nevo conjuntival em 91,4% dos pacientes. Nos nevos amelanóticos a citologia pode auxiliar no diagnóstico diferencial de outras lesões não pigmentadas. A técnica não substitui o exame histopatológico, mas pode ser útil na avaliação de células névicas em crianças e adultos.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Instituto da Visão Departamento de OftalmologiaUNIFESP Departamento de Oftalmologia Setor de Patologia OcularUNIFESP Departamento de Oftalmologia Ambulatório de Patologia Externa e CórneaUNIFESP, Instituto da Visão Depto. de OftalmologiaUNIFESP, Depto. de Oftalmologia Setor de Patologia OcularUNIFESP, Depto. de Oftalmologia Ambulatório de Patologia Externa e CórneaSciEL

Toxicity of formaldehyde alternative fixatives to ecological model organisms

Fixation is a fundamental and critical step in the preparation of tissue specimens for histological study since, if it is carried out under non optimal conditions, irreversible damage can occur and subsequent information obtainable from the specimen is compromised. Formaldehyde is the most common fixative in histology but due to its occupational and environmental toxicity, formalin substitute’s fixatives have been developed. The toxic evaluations of these fixatives to environmental key species are still poorly studied.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

How can youlead grow in the Portuguese agency market?

This project was developed in collaboration with a portuguese inbound marketing agency, YouLead, and aims to answer the question “How can YouLead grow in terms of service offering” by defining a strategy that enables the company to grow without losing its positioning as an inbound marketing agency. After analysing the agency industry, YouLead’s resources, capabilities, strengths and weaknesses, as well as the external threats and opportunities, growth hypotheses were discussed. As the market is growing and the agency benefits from a good positioning, the proposed strategy is for YouLead to leverage its strengths and take advantage of market opportunities

Exploring bioactive properties of marine cyanobacteria Isolated from the Portuguese coast: high potential as a source of anticancer compounds

The oceans remain a major source of natural compounds with potential in pharmacology. In particular, during the last few decades, marine cyanobacteria have been in focus as producers of interesting bioactive compounds, especially for the treatment of cancer. In this study, the anticancer potential of extracts from twenty eight marine cyanobacteria strains, belonging to the underexplored picoplanktonic genera, Cyanobium, Synechocystis and Synechococcus, and the filamentous genera, Nodosilinea, Leptolyngbya, Pseudanabaena and Romeria, were assessed in eight human tumor cell lines. First, a crude extract was obtained by dichloromethane:methanol extraction, and from it, three fractions were separated in a Si column chromatography. The crude extract and fractions were tested in eight human cancer cell lines for cell viability/toxicity, accessed with the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactic dehydrogenase release (LDH) assays. Eight point nine percent of the strains revealed strong cytotoxicity; 17.8% showed moderate cytotoxicity, and 14.3% assays showed low toxicity. The results obtained revealed that the studied genera of marine cyanobacteria are a promising source of novel compounds with potential anticancer activity and highlight the interest in also exploring the smaller filamentous and picoplanktonic genera of cyanobacteria.This research was supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the COMPETE - Operational Competitiveness Programme and national funds through FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology, under the project PTDC/MAR/102638/2008

In vivo exposure to formamide on lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activity of Helix aspersa

Formamide is produced and used as an intermediate in the chemical industry, in the production of heterocyclic compounds, pharmaceuticals, fungicides, and pesticides.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Differential toxicity responses of green algae and cyanobacteria to formamide

Formamide is used as a softener for paper and gums, as na ionizing solvent and in the manufacture of hydrocyanic acid and formic esters.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio