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This paper examines the behaviour of credit rating agencies (CRAs) during the ebbing 'pink tide'. It claims that the actions of S&P Global, Moody's and Fitch contributed to dismantling left-wing regimes in Latin America, to the benefit of their right-wing competitors. The methodology draws on case studies of Brazil and Argentina, where the governments of Dilma Rousseff and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner were replaced by those of Michel Temer and Mauricio Macri, respectively. The research is based on sovereign ratings, reports and press releases the agencies issued during those transitions, which are analysed in the light of critical theories of their modus operandi and confronted with the political processes unfolding in both countries. This allows us to draw conclusions that are consistent with the presented argument, thereby contributing to advance the research agenda around the CRAs and to shed light on Brazil and Argentina's recent critical presidential transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a context of rapid technological innovation and expensive new products, the paper calls for the generation of real-world data to inform decision-making and an international discussion on the affordability of new medicines, particularly for low- and middle-income countries. Without these, the challenges of health judicialization will continue to grow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the socio‐political dynamics after the financial crash in two countries governed by the left, Argentina and Brazil. Whilst the economic crisis had an effect on the general distributive capacity of leftwing coalitions, it remains unclear why the political resolution of such a crisis adopted anti‐regime features in Brazil and the form of an institutional alternation of power in Argentina. Our aim is to understand the new socio‐political dynamics and their implications in the crisis of the left turn, especially the relationship between social mobilization and political change in the context of Argentina and Brazil. In doing so, the paper contributes to the growing body of literature interested in the intersections between social movements and the state. Based on the analysis of original qualitative and quantitative data on social protests events in both countries 2011–2015, the paper suggests that the complexity of changes in the socio‐political dynamics can be captured by looking at three dimensions of the problem: grammar of mobilization, social imaginaries, and political representation. The main argument is that the different types of left turn strategy developed in both countries affected in turn the responses to the economic crisis and the new cycle of mobilization. The kirchnerist's movimentista strategy in Argentina contrasted with the demobilizing strategy of the PT in Brazil. Whilst the former contributed to channel the high and polarized levels of activism within the polity, the latter resulted in the crisis of the long cycle of political representation opened with the transition to democracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective - This paper aims to revisit the relationship between the Latin American and U.S. stock markets during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methodology-The dynamic connectivity between these markets was estimated by implementing the time-varying VAR model (TVP-VAR) for daily data from January 2010 to June 2021. Results - There are three main results. First, although spillovers from each market accounted for most of their variance, exchanges were not entirely independent of each other. Second, the U.S. and Brazil were net transmitters of spillovers, while Argentina and Chile were net receivers. Finally, the magnitude of net spillovers is not high enough to characterize a contagion effect. Practical implications - The inclusion of Latin American stock markets in the scope of Covid-19 studies is an important contribution to the literature that often neglects Latin American markets in its samples. Originality - The study of the connection between markets in the presence of Covid-19 differs from most that focus exclusively on the impact of Covid-19. Understanding the relationship between Latin American and U.S. markets in the presence of a crisis unlike any that has occurred before can help investors in their investment strategies and policymakers, governments, and monetary authorities interested in the integration or disintegration between markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper main objective is to analyze the converging points that de- monstrate the importance of consolidating the process of eradicating child labor in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, based on ratifications of international conventions. The technique of bibliographical research was used. The method of approach is the deductive and the monographic procedure was used. It was found that the ratifications of international conventions were milestones in the fight against child labor in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. As a result, legal protections against child labor have been structured to guide the execution of public policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sociological approach of New Institutionalism premises that organizational responses to institutional demands depend on how the actors' networksare structured. This article proposes measures to assess the structural properties of the organizational fields of beef in Brazil and Argentina in two large producing regions, intending to evaluate their capacity to respond to the growing institutional demands of the agri-food sector. Four structural properties of networks were identified: openness, centralization, the density of central actors and their links with peripheral actors, and intermediation attributes. From these, a descriptive quantitative study was carried out based on primary and secondary data and analysis supported by the UCINET 6 software. It was mainly observed that both organizational fields are open to innovation, but the central actors are uncoordinated with few links touniversities and research centerswhile possessingdifferent characteristics to absorb and transfer demands and associate central and peripheral actors. This paper's contribution is on the application of a different theoretical approach that usually isnot associated with the agribusiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

His paper aims to verify differences and similarities between the meaning of work and organisational culture in the perception of Brazilian and Argentinean higher education teachers. It is an exploratory study with a quantitative approach. The participants were 354 professors from public universities, 154 from western Argentina and 200 from southern Brazil. The Meaningful Work Scale and the Brazilian Instrument for the Evaluation of Organisational Culture were used (Portuguese version) adapted or validated for the Spanish. A structural model was proposed Using partial structural equations based on multigroup analysis to compare and test the hypotheses. The perception of the meaning of work is related to cultural elements of the organisation and the experiences of the subjects configured as a social construction. The analysis identified that there are more similarities than differences in the perceptions of these professionals since of the twelve hypotheses tested, the data showed disagreement in only two of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ice age mass-transport deposits (MTD) occur in multiple stratigraphic intervals within the Permocarboniferous Itararé Group, in the Paraná Basin, and are exposed in several disconnected quarries and road cuts around the region of Mafra, southern Brazil. The most typical deposits are diamictites with muddy matrix, but silty-sandy diamictites and metric intercalations of deformed layers of sandstones and siltstones occur subordinately. Similar MTD facies have been described from better exposed and time equivalent successions in western Argentina. There, because of the km-scale exposures, MTDs can be mapped in their plenitude, giving better insights about their emplacement. In this paper, we describe the Brazilian MTDs and infer their modes of transport and deposition supported by comparisons with published Argentinean examples. Based on matrix constitution, presence of coherent blocks and rafts, and sedimentation phases, at least four types of MTDs can be identified: 1) Mud-rich MTD and isolated sandstone blocks; 2) Resedimented MTD represented by diamictites with folded blocks of diamictite, possibly corresponding to two phases of remobilization; 3) Sand/silt-rich MTD (evolved stage), and formed by deformed bands of sandstones and siltstones (mature stage); and 4) MTD with rafts of heteroliths and sandstone blocks. Usually MTDs rest on and scour into a fine-grained substrate such as thin-bedded turbidites and shale. The regional geological setting at Mafra points to an open embayment. The collapse of inclined depositional slopes related to high sediment supply associated with deglaciation was the major control on MTD development. However, the inferred proximity of the ice margin during slope failure was variable, suggesting MTD formation during different stages of a glacial cycle. • MTDs occur in different stratigraphic positions in Itararé Group during the LPIA. • The constitution of the MTD depends on the protolith and stage of evolution. • Comparing Paganzo with Mafra added knowledge about LPIA Mass Transport Deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GM maize events are developed for the benefit of the global population but their approval in each country varies according to consumer acceptance, needs and commercial interests. This study analyzed the number of global approvals (by country and type of approval) for GM maize in the period 2014-2018, based on statistical data collected from the ISAAA-GM Approval Database. Descriptive statistics, regression equations and coefficient of determination were used to identify the trends for these indicators. The results showed that a total of 691 applications were approved in 28 countries. In 2016 was registered the highest number of food, feed and cultivation approvals. South Korea, Argentina, Brazil and Taiwan were the top four countries with the most food approvals, Brazil, South Korea, Argentina and Japan were the top four countries with the most feed approvals, and Argentina, Brazil, Japan and Canada were the top four countries that issued the most cultivation approvals. In developing country the rate of acceptance for GM maize was higher compared to developed countries. Europe issued a total of 26 approvals only for food and feed, with most approvals being issued in 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, genetically modified (GM) crops are an important part of world agriculture, offering numerous benefits to farmers. This study investigates the dynamics of the cultivated area with GM crops, especially with genetically modified (GM) soybean, for the period 2014-2018, by country and by transgenic trait, using ISAAA and FAOSTAT databases. In the studied period, the top 5 GM crops countries were USA, Brazil, Argentina, Canada and India which totalled 166.1 million hectares or 89.5% of the global area. Regarding GM soybean, the top 5 countries were USA, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Canada which cultivated 89.9 million hectares or 96.8% of the global area with this crop. The linear regression and the Pearson correlation coefficient have pointed out a general increasing trend for both cultivated areas. The USA and Brazil occupied the leading position in world with 32.93 and 32.55 million hectares of GM soybean, respectively. Herbicide tolerance (HT) has been consistently the dominant transgenic trait for GM soybean in USA, Argentina, Paraguay and Canada. In Brazil, the cultivated areas with stacked HT/IR traits have been larger than the areas cultivated with a single HT trait, in the last 3 years. As a conclusion, the global area of GM soybean will continue to increase due to its important economic role in the agriculture development and environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apart from Vaca Muerta's case history in Argentina, the unconventional exploration in South America is still underdeveloped, and one of the causes is the scarcity of geological studies. The present paper enlightens the embryonic unconventional exploration in the Sergipe-Alagoas Basin by introducing a seismic interpretation workflow to map thin shale layers and the natural fracture system, a challenge in unconventional reservoir explorations. Fracture and faults are critical elements in exploring ultra-low permeability shale oil/gas reservoirs. Identifying and locating these structures influence modeling fluid flow, hydraulics, and simulation models to improve horizontal well-drilling plans. The workflow comprises four main steps: data pre-conditioning, well-to-seismic tie, seismic spectral blueing (for frequency enhancement), and, finally, spectral decomposition and advanced fault attributes. The proposed workflow was applied to a seismic dataset from the onshore Brejo Grande oilfield focusing on the source rocks of the Coqueiro Seco Formation, the main unconventional reservoir candidate in the basin. That approach allowed mapping the lateral continuity, truncation, faults, and fractures in these thin shale layers previously below seismic resolution. The mapped structures belong to the complex natural fracture system with faults distributed to all trend directions. These faults are distributed along two zones with distinct fault densities with a possible sweet spot outline. • We present an interpretation workflow implemented to unconventional reservoirs. • The workflow combines seismic-resolution enhancing techniques and fault attributes. • As a result, thin-shale layers and fault zones were identified at Coqueiro Seco Fm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The red crab Chaceon notialis is endemic to the Southwestern Atlantic (Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina), occurring from 200 to 1600 m deep. The species belongs to the Geryonidae family and exhibits a K-strategist life cycle. Due to its increased exploitation over recent decades, this marine resource requires attention regarding its conservation and management. In this work, were analyzed red crab populations from the three countries that cover the species' entire distribution range, assessing diversity and differentiation through morphometric and genetic analyses. The evaluated morphometric measurements were length and width of the carapace; length, width and height of the chelae propodus; and female abdomen width. For genetic evaluation, the following mitochondrial DNA regions were used: the partial 12S gene and the entire Control Region (861 bp); and the partial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (1252 bp). The morphometric results showed two distinct phenotypic groups (one from Brazil/Uruguay and the other from Argentina), with significant differences in female abdomen width and chela size. Genetic analyses, however, revealed only a single panmictic population, with no genetic structuring among the analyzed stocks. These findings suggest that the management measures applied in each country will influence the population dynamics of the others, and that international cooperation is necessary for achieving sustainable fisheries of this valuable resource. Since commercial fishing of the red crab C. notialis is not conducted in Argentina, we propose that this area can act as a biological reserve for this species. Due to the commercial importance of this crab, knowledge of the species' diversity is of fundamental importance for its management, conservation, and to provide baselines for future biological and ecological studies. • Morphometric analyses identified two morphologically distinct red crab groups. • Chelae size and abdomen width are the main characteristics that separated groups. • Molecular analyses (mtDNA) identified a single panmictic population. • Planktonic larval distribution may influence the lack of genetic structure. • A coordinate fishery management between countries is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]