Introduction: Deciphering the biological and physical requirements for the outset of multicellularity is limited to few experimental models. The early embryonic development of annual killifish represents an almost unique opportunity to investigate de novo cellular aggregation in a vertebrate model. As an adaptation to seasonal drought, annual killifish employs a unique developmental pattern in which embryogenesis occurs only after undifferentiated embryonic cells have completed epiboly and dispersed in low density on the egg surface. Therefore, the first stage of embryogenesis requires the congregation of embryonic cells at one pole of the egg to form a single aggregate that later gives rise to the embryo proper. This unique process presents an opportunity to dissect the self-organizing principles involved in early organization of embryonic stem cells. Indeed, the physical and biological processes required to form the aggregate of embryonic cells are currently unknown.Methods: Here, we developed an in silico, agent-based biophysical model that allows testing how cell-specific and environmental properties could determine the aggregation dynamics of early Killifish embryogenesis. In a forward engineering approach, we then proceeded to test two hypotheses for cell aggregation (cell-autonomous and a simple taxis model) as a proof of concept of modeling feasibility. In a first approach (cell autonomous system), we considered how intrinsic biophysical properties of the cells such as motility, polarity, density, and the interplay between cell adhesion and contact inhibition of locomotion drive cell aggregation into self-organized clusters. Second, we included guidance of cell migration through a simple taxis mechanism to resemble the activity of an organizing center found in several developmental models.Results: Our numerical simulations showed that random migration combined with low cell-cell adhesion is sufficient to maintain cells in dispersion and that aggregation can indeed arise spontaneously under a limited set of conditions, but, without environmental guidance, the dynamics and resulting structures do not recapitulate in vivo observations.Discussion: Thus, an environmental guidance cue seems to be required for correct execution of early aggregation in early killifish development. However, the nature of this cue (e.g., chemical or mechanical) can only be determined experimentally. Our model provides a predictive tool that could be used to better characterize the process and, importantly, to design informed experimental strategies.

Integration to international financial markets and consumption smoothing : recent evidence from Latin America Integration to international financial markets (IIFM) in Latin America has not been easy. The experience reviewed of Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico shows that financial integration is not an easily achieved goal. The institutional framework and the macroeconomic and financial policies affect the sustainability of integration. There are three approaches to assess the effect of IIFM on economic performance. One is via a decrease in the cost of borrowing in international markets compared with autarchy. The other is that IIFM could also be a channel for economic growth as it may affect productivity growth. We examine a third approach, the impact of IIFM in terms of allowing for a more smoothed consumption path. We find that consumption volatility has decreased in Brazil, Chile and Mexico, countries that have been consistently improving their IIFM, while it has increased in Argentina, country that after the end of its fixed exchange rate experiment, has been detaching itself from international financial markets. In the context of the global financial crisis, the paper shows that financial integration can deliver tangible benefits, provided appropriate institutions and macroeconomic policies are in place. Classification JEL : E2, E6, F3, O1, O54.

No abstract

No abstract