Determinants of Bank Efficiency: the case of Brazil

This paper analyzes the efficiency of the Brazilian banking sector over the post-privatization period of 2000-2007. We employ a Bayesian stochastic frontier approach, which provides exact efficiency estimates and confidence intervals and thus, allows an accurate comparison across institutions and bank groups. The results suggest that large banks are the most cost and profit efficient, supporting the concentration process observed in recent years. Foreign banks have achieved a good performance through either the establishment of new affiliates and the acquisition of local banks. The remaining public banks have had improvements in cost efficiency, but are relatively profit inefficient. Finally, we observe a positive impact of capitalization on efficiency.

Concentração e Inadimplência nas Carteiras de Empréstimos dos Bancos Brasileiros

This paper evaluates the loans market in Brazil in the 2003 to 2008 period. It measures diversification and nonperforming loans for Banks credit portfolios. We employ the credit risk bureau database, which classifies loans by sector and risk. Results show an increase in higher risk loans and diversification in low risk loans. The non-performing loans figures have shown a downward trend for most economic activities.

Variation in biomass production and relation to genetic diversity in three Pinus species

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Tumor de Células Gigantes del Primer Metacarpiano

Se presenta un caso de tumor de células gigantes que afecta al primer metacarpiano. El tratamiento consistió en la resección en bloque del metacarpiano y su sustitución por injerto cortico-esponjoso de cresta ilíaca.A case of giant cell tumor affecting the first metacarpal bone was presented. Treatment consisted of block resection of the metacarpal and its substitution by porous cortical bone graft from the iliac crest

Tratamiento de las fracturas complejas del fémur: nuestra experiencia con el clavo de Brooker-Wills

Se estudian 26 casos de fracturas de fémur tratadas con clavo de Brooker-Wills. De ellas, 22 fueron cerradas y 4 abiertas. El trazo de fractura fue simple en 8 casos y con cominución en 18. El tipo de montaje realizado fue dinámico, con encerrojado distal, en 13 casos (50%) y estático en 12 (46%). En un caso no se practicó ninguna clase de bloqueo. En 5 pacientes (19%) ocurrió alguna complicación peroperatoria relacionada con la técnica. Eos resultados obtenidos valorados según los criterios de Thoresen han sido: 17 excelentes (65%), 6 buenos (23%), 2 regulares (8%) y 1 malo (4%). Hubo una rotura del clavo relacionada con una pseudoartosis. En nuestra experiencia el clavo de Brooker-Wills se ha mostrado como un dispositivo eficaz en el tratamiento de las fracturas complejas de la diálisis femoral capaz de prevenir el acortamiento, las angulaciones y la rotación de los fragmentos.We studied 26 femoral fractures treated with Brooker-Wills nail. There were 22 closed and 4 open fractures. Eight were simple fractures and 18 conminuted. We performed distal (dynamic) locking in 13 cases (50%) and static locking in 12 (46%). One case had no locking. In 5 cases (19%) we had some complications, all of them related with the technique. Following the Thoresen's criteria, the results obtained were excelent in 17 cases (65%), good in 6 (23%), fair in 2 (8%) and poor in one (4%). We found a broken nail in a case who developed a pseudarthrosis. In our experience Brooker-Wills nail was found to be an effective device for the treatment of complex femoral shaft fractures, being able to avoid shortening, angulation and rotation of the fragments

Monitoring the response of canine hyperadrenocorticism to trilostane treatment by assessment of acute phase protein concentrations

<b>Background</b>: Acute phase proteins (APPS) include haptoglobin (Hp), C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA). Increased Hp concentrations may be induced by endogenous or exogenous glucocorticoids in dogs. <b>Objectives</b>: To assess whether control of hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) affects the concentrations of Hp, CRP, SAA, alkaline phosphatase (ALKP) and cholesterol, to determine whether these analytes can be used to assess control of HAC following trilostane treatment, and whether a combination of these tests offers a valid method of assessing disease control. <b>Methods</b>: Hp, CRP, SAA, ALKP and cholesterol were assessed in 11 dogs with spontaneous HAC before and after treatment with trilostane. Adequate control of HAC was defined as post-ACTH cortisol less than 150 nmol/l. <b>Results</b>: Significant reductions in Hp, ALKP, cholesterol and SAA (P<0·05) but not of CRP were found after control of HAC. Only Hp, cholesterol and ALKP were moderately informative (Se & Sp>0·7) of disease control when compared to adrenocorticotropin or corticotropin (ACTH) stimulation test. SAA and CRP were unhelpful (Se & Sp<0·7). The analysis of the combination of the analytes did not improve the correlation with ACTH stimulation test. <b>Clinical Relevance</b>: Relying on these analytes does not provide additional information over ACTH stimulation test results when assessing control of HAC treated with trilostane

Ex-situ genetic conservation of Pinus nigra salzmannii endangered populations from the Spanish Central Range: abstract

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Serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1) measurement: an update

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is a widely studied enzyme based on its protective role against poisoning by organophosphate (OP) metabolites of specific OP insecticides and in vascular disease, as well as its use as biomarker of diseases involving oxidative stress, inflammation and liver diseases. This review provides an update about the current knowledge in the field of the analytical procedures that are used for PON1 measurements. It will be specially focused on: (a) characteristics of the different substrates used for measuring PON1, with emphasis in four aspects: toxicity, polymorphism influence, rate of hydrolysis and diagnostic performance. And (b) the technical aspects of PON1 assays, in which the reagents and reaction conditions, sources of variation, quality control systems, equipment and interferences with other esterases will be discussed. The information provided in this review can contribute to a more accurate and safe measurements of PON1 in laboratories and encourage researchers to explore the wide areas of PON1 in veterinary medicine that are still unknown

Contaron, me cuentan, ¿te cuento? Porque la vida pasa pero las cosas quedan...

Estos relatos, cuentos e historias son producto de un ciclo radial que permaneció durante un par de años en la programación de LU 19 La voz del Comahue. Esos relatos unitarios iban, de lunes a viernes, a las 19 horas. Acompañaban en el regreso a casa, después del trabajo, a un grupo importante de radioescuchas. Se llamaba “La vida pasa… las cosas quedan” y mantenía un clima nostálgico con una ambientación musical oportuna y selecta. En este actual “Contaron… me cuentan… ¿Te cuento?” quedan algunos relatos de aquel programa.Fil: Tecles, Pedro. Escritor; Argentina