Can the distributional impacts of macroeconomic shocks be predicted? A comparison of the performance of macro-micro models with historical data for Brazil

What was the impact of Brazil's 1998-99 currency crisis-which resulted in a change of exchange rate regime and a large real devaluation-on the occupational structure of the labor force and the distribution of incomes? Would it have been possible to predict such effects ahead of the crisis? The authors present an integrated macro-micro model of the Brazilian economy in 1998. The model consists of an applied general equilibrium macroeconometric component, connected through a set of linkage aggregate variables to a microeconomic model of household incomes. The authors use this framework to predict the employment and distributional consequences of the 1999 Brazilian currency crisis, based on 1998 household survey data. They then test the predictive performance of the model by comparing its simulated results with the actual household survey data observed in 1999. In addition to the fully integrated macro-micro model, the authors also test the performances of the microeconometric model on its own, and of a"representative household groups"approach. They find that the integrated macro-micro econometric model, while still inaccurate on many dimensions, can actually predict the broad pattern of the incidence of changes in household incomes across the distribution reasonably well, and much better than the alternative approaches. The authors conclude that further experimentation with these tools might be of considerable potential usefulness to policymakers.Labor Policies,Payment Systems&Infrastructure,Economic Theory&Research,Banks&Banking Reform,Environmental Economics&Policies,Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Macroeconomic Management,Inequality,Economic Stabilization

Rápida mudança de transcritos var e de génotipos de Plasmodium falciparum em infecções assintomáticas naturalmente adquiridas

Os genes var de Plasmodium falciparum codificam as proteínas variantes da superfície do eritrócito infectado (PfEMP1). Neste estudo examinamos a mudança de transcritos destes genes var em duas infecções assintomáticas durante um curto prazo e estimamos simultaneamente o número de genomas circulantes nas mesmas amostras por análise de microssatélites. Nas duas infecções observamos uma rápida mudança de genótipos e transcritos de genes var. A mudança acelerada do repertório de transcritos possivelmente foi causada pela rápida eliminação de parasitas circulantes transcrevendo genes var a partir de genomas iguais ou diferentes, ou pela mudança acelerada da própria transcrição (switching) de genes var.The var genes of Plasmodium falciparum code for the antigenically variant erythrocyte membrane proteins 1 (PfEMP1), a major factor for cytoadherence and immune escape of the parasite. Herein, we analyzed the var gene transcript turnover in two ongoing, non-symptomatic infections at sequential time points during two weeks. The number of different circulating genomes was estimated by microsatellite analyses. In both infections, we observed a rapid turnover of plasmodial genotypes and var transcripts. The rapidly changing repertoire of var transcripts could have been caused either by swift elimination of circulating var-transcribing parasites stemming from different or identical genetic backgrounds, or by accelerated switching of var gene transcription itself

Natural antibody response to Plasmodium falciparum merozoite antigens MSP5, MSP9 and EBA175 is associated to clinical protection in the Brazilian Amazon

BACKGROUND: Antibodies have an essential role in the acquired immune response against blood stage P. falciparum infection. Although several antigens have been identified as important antibody targets, it is still elusive which antigens have to be recognized for clinical protection. Herein, we analyzed antibodies from plasmas from symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals living in the same geographic area in the Western Amazon, measuring their recognition of multiple merozoite antigens. METHODS: Specific fragments of genes encoding merozoite proteins AMA1 and members of MSP and EBL families from circulating P. falciparum field isolates present in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients were amplified by PCR. After cloning and expression of different versions of the antigens as recombinant GST-fusion peptides, we tested the reactivity of patients’ plasmas by ELISA and the presence of IgG subclasses in the most reactive plasmas. RESULTS: 11 out of 24 recombinant antigens were recognized by plasmas from either symptomatic or asymptomatic infections. Antibodies to MSP9 (X(2)(DF=1) = 9.26/p = 0.0047) and MSP5 (X(2)(DF=1) = 8.29/p = 0.0069) were more prevalent in asymptomatic individuals whereas the opposite was observed for MSP1 block 2-MAD20 (X(2)(DF=1) = 6.41/p = 0.0206, Fisher’s exact test). Plasmas from asymptomatic individuals reacted more intensely against MSP4 (U = 210.5, p < 0.03), MSP5 (U = 212, p < 0.004), MSP9 (U = 189.5, p < 0.002) and EBA175 (U = 197, p < 0.014, Mann-Whitney’s U test). IgG1 and IgG3 were predominant for all antigens, but some patients also presented with IgG2 and IgG4. The recognition of MSP5 (OR = 0.112, IC(95%) = 0.021-0.585) and MSP9 (OR = 0.125, IC(95%) = 0.030-0.529, cross tab analysis) predicted 8.9 and 8 times less chances, respectively, to present symptoms. Higher antibody levels against MSP5 and EBA175 were associated by odds ratios of 9.4 (IC(95%) = 1.29-69.25) and 5.7 (IC(95%) = 1.12-29.62, logistic regression), respectively, with an asymptomatic status. CONCLUSIONS: Merozoite antigens were targets of cytophilic antibodies and antibodies against MSP5, MSP9 and EBA175 were independently associated with decreased symptoms

SEASONAL VARIATIONS, METAL DISTRIBUTION AND WATER QUALITY IN THE TODOS OS SANTOS RIVER, SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL: A MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS

In aquatic habitats, metal contamination from natural and anthropogenic sources continues to pose a concern for human and environmental health. Thus, it is important to complete monitoring studies to assess patterns and the extent of metal contamination in these ecosystems. The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of 31 chemical elements and water quality parameters of the Todos os Santos River located in the Mucuri Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil and use multivariate statistical analyses to determine any seasonal and spatial patterns in the data. Results demonstrated that metals including Al, Fe, and Ni exceeded Brazilian and international guidelines for these elements with nutrients such as P also exceeding water quality standards. Principal components analysis indicated distinct geographical and seasonal patterns for multiple elements with hierarchical cluster analysis confirming the observed spatial patterns of contamination in the Todos os Santos River

TiO2 nanorods doped with g-C3N4 – Polyethylene composite coating for self-cleaning applications

Visible-light-absorbing graphitic carbon nitride–TiO2 nanorod nanomaterials (g-C3N4@TiO2NR) were successfully immobilized using a one-step UVA-induced photocatalytic procedure on commercially obtained flexible low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films. Self-cleaning properties were evaluated in solid–liquid and solid–gas phases using malachite green as a model molecule under UV-A and visible light irradiation. For comparison purpose, LDPE films containing P25 TiO2 nanoparticles was prepared using the same synthetic strategy (P25/LDPE). Among the fabricated films, the g-C3N4@TiO2NR/LDPE films exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity both in solid–liquid and solid–gas phases after 120 min of visible light irradiation (λ > 455 nm) removing efficiently malachite green stains probably due to the attack of photoinduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as singlet oxygen (1O2), hydroxyl radical (•OH) and superoxide anion radical (O2−•). Furthermore, the g-C3N4@TiO2NR/LDPE films retained their visible-light-photoinduced photocatalytic properties after four reuse cycles. The g-C3N4@TiO2NR/LDPE films also exhibited significant visible-light-photoinduced hydrophilicity. The high visible-light-photoinduced photocatalytic capacity of g-C3N4@TiO2NR/LDPE films was found to be related to the textural and electronic properties, superior visible-light absorption, and surface roughness of the films.Fil: Osorio Vargas, Paula Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas "Dr. Jorge J. Ronco". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas; Argentina. Universidad del Bio Bio; ChileFil: Pais Ospina, Daniel Humberto. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Física del Noroeste Argentino. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto de Física del Noroeste Argentino; Argentina. Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira; ColombiaFil: Marín Silva, Diego Alejandro. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Pinotti, Adriana Noemi. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Damonte, Laura Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Física La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Canneva, Antonela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. YPF - Tecnología; ArgentinaFil: Donadelli, Jorge Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. YPF - Tecnología; ArgentinaFil: Pereira da Costa, Luiz. Universidad Federal del Amazonas.; BrasilFil: Pizzio, Luis Rene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas "Dr. Jorge J. Ronco". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Torres, Cecilia C.. Universidad Andrés Bello; ChileFil: Campos, Cristian H.. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Rengifo Herrera, Julian Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas "Dr. Jorge J. Ronco". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas; Argentin