Corporate governance and firm value: empirical evidence from electric utilities

This study analyzes the impact that Corporate Governance has in the firm value of electric utilities in 2018. It develops the description of the role that Corporate Governance plays in an enterprise, making an emphasis in the behaviors that are seen towards the firm innovation capacity and the importance of choosing the electric industry as the sample of analysis. Data availability was a major constraint to assess the proposed relationship. Nevertheless, an OLS regression was performed for a 2018 cross-sectional database evaluating firm value, measured by the Tobin’s Q ratio, against the governance rating of the CSRHub and several other control variables. Our results show a positive and significant relationship between the quality of corporate governance and the value of the company. In view of the restrictions caused by the data availability for an analysis of this kind, suggestions are made for further research that can be held to strengthen the results shown in this study

Indigenous Women and Violence in Colombia: Agency, Autonomy, and Territoriality

The violence and de/reterritorializing strategies used by armed groups in Colombia disproportionally affect indigenous peoples, especially indigenous women, whose ethno-gender roles, forms of territoriality, agency, and autonomy are being altered. Conflict and new forms of territoriality restrict the satisfaction of ethno-gender-based material needs and interests, with negative impacts on women’s own and their families’ lives. At the same time, they offer some women new roles, agency, and autonomy and empowerment through individual and collective action. Policy makers should strive to open up these windows of opportunity for indigenous women while protecting them from the depredations of war

La garantía única en contratos estatales a la luz de la nueva ley de contratación estatal (ley 1150 de 2007)

El crecimiento de la Internet significó para el mundo económico la apertura comercial y la oportunidad de mayores desarrollos tecnológicos. Sin embargo, para el derecho, específicamente para el área de la propiedad industrial, significó el inicio de una carrera por encontrar nuevas formas de protección a los derechos de propiedad industrial, los cuales, al igual que las nuevas tecnologías, propician un positivo funcionamiento del mercado en tanto que permiten la diferenciación empresarial y la perfecta identificación de los agentes del mercado por parte de los consumidores.74 p.Contenido parcial: Los nombres de dominio -- Las marcas -- Conflicto entre marcas y nombres de dominio -- Mecanismos de solución de controversias en nombres de dominio

Perfil lipídico na adolescência: efeito de exposições pré-natais e neonatais

This study assessed the effects of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and prenatal variables related to fetal growth on blood lipids in adolescence. All hospital births taking place in 1982 in Pelotas were identified and this population has been followed-up since then. All male subjects were identified in 2000 when enrolling in the national army; 79% (n = 2250) were traced and 2089 blood samples were made available. The following outcome variables were studied: Total cholesterol and fractions (VLDL, LDL, and HDL), non-HDL cholesterol, LDL/HDL ratio and serum triglycerides. The explanatory variables were IUGR, maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and maternal smoking during pregnancy. After adjusting for confounding variables, total and LDL cholesterol levels were slightly and significantly higher among adolescents whose mothers were in the 3rd and 4th quartile of pre-pregnancy BMI. However, these associations disappeared after adjusting for adolescent’s diet, schooling and BMI. A similar relation was observed for non-HDL cholesterol. Other associations were not significant (p>0.05). A higher maternal pre-pregnancy BMI seems to have an influence on the lipid profile of their offspring. Yet, this association is mediated by current BMI.Sem bolsaEste estudo avaliou os efeitos do retardo de crescimento intra-uterino (RCIU) e de variáveis pré-natais relacionadas ao crescimento fetal sobre o perfil lipídico em adolescentes. Em 1982, todos os nascimentos hospitalares ocorridos em Pelotas foram identificados e esta população tem sido acompanhada inúmeras vezes. Em 2000, os participantes masculinos da coorte foram identificados no alistamento militar; 79% (n=2250) foram entrevistados e 2089 doaram amostra de sangue. No presente estudo, as variáveis dependentes foram o colesterol total e suas frações (VLDL, LDL, HDL), colesterol não-HDL, razão LDL/HDL e triglicerídeos. As exposições estudadas foram o RCIU, o índice de massa corporal (IMC) materno pré-gestacional e o tabagismo materno na gravidez. Após ajuste para fatores de confusão, o colesterol total e LDL foram maiores entre os adolescentes cujo IMC materno pré-gestacional estava no terceiro e quarto quartil. No entanto, estas associações desapareceram após controle para dieta, escolaridade e IMC do adolescente. Associação similar foi observada para o colesterol não-HDL. O RCIU e o tabagismo materno na gravidez não foram associados com o perfil lipídico aos 18 anos de idade. Um IMC materno pré-gestacional elevado parece influenciar o perfil lipídico dos filhos, mas essa associação é mediada pelo IMC atual do adolescente

Lineamientos de gestión ambiental para la incorporación de la agenda global para hospitales verdes y saludables en la liga contra el cáncer Risaralda

El fortalecimiento del sistema de gestión ambiental es parte clave del mejoramiento continuo de la gestión y desempeño ambiental en las instituciones prestadoras de servicio de salud. La Liga Contra el Cáncer Risaralda, clasificado como un gran generador busca priorizar la implementación de acciones concretas orientadas a la reducción de la generación de residuos como el manejo integral de los mismos..

El contrato entre “XM compañía de expertos en mercados S.A. E.S.P.” y los agentes del mercado de energía mayorista

Hace ya varios años que se han venido presentando controversias en torno al contrato que celebra “XM Compañía de Expertos en Mercados S.A. E.S.P.” –antes ISA- con los agentes del mercado de energía mayorista. Por ello se considera necesario estudiar su naturaleza jurídica, su alcance, y la jurisdicción competente para conocer de los litigios que surjan con ocasión de él.165 p.Contenido parcial: La regulación de los servicios públicos domiciliarios -- Marco general del mercado de energía eléctrica en Colombia -- El mercado de energía mayorista (MEM) -- El contrato entre “XM Compañía de Expertos en Mercados S.A. E.S.P.” y los agentes del mercado de energía mayorista -- Naturaleza jurídica de las funciones cumplidas por el ASIC y el LAC, régimen jurídico de sus actos, jurisdicción competente, recurso de reposición y viabilidad del contrato

Evaluación asimétrica de una red neuronal artificial:Aplicación al caso de la inflación en Colombia

El objetivo de este trabajo es explorar la relación no lineal entre el dinero y la inflación en Colombia a través de una red neuronal artificial (RNA), utilizando información mensual de la variación del IPC y del agregado monetario M3, desde enero de 1982 hasta febrero de 2005. La Constitución de 1991 le otorgo al Banco de la República la responsabilidad de velar por la estabilidad de precios. Este hecho, sumado al rezago con el que las políticas monetarias afectan a su variable objetivo, en este caso la inflación, hace indispensable para las autoridades monetarias, contar con los mejores modelos para pronosticarla y guiar sus decisiones de política. Las RNA aparecen como una excelente alternativa para lograr este propósito, dado el comportamiento intrínsecamente no lineal exhibido por la relación entre estas variables. El presente trabajo incorpora algunas innovaciones en la modelación de dinero e inflación, que permiten generar pronósticos más confiables, debido a que el modelo se aproxima con mayor exactitud a la realidad. Tales innovaciones se refieren a una selección mas sofisticada de los rezagos significativos que deben ser incorporados en el modelo, una construcción de pronósticos que actualiza su base de datos y una función de costos asimétricos para su evaluación.Red Neuronal Artificial, No linealidad, Unidad Escondida, Función de Activación, Rolling de Pronósticos, Función de Perdida Asimétrica.

Socioeconomic inequalities in skilled birth attendance and child stunting in selected low and middle income countries: Wealth quintiles or deciles?

BACKGROUND: Wealth quintiles derived from household asset indices are routinely used for measuring socioeconomic inequalities in the health of women and children in low and middle-income countries. We explore whether the use of wealth deciles rather than quintiles may be advantageous. METHODS: We selected 46 countries with available national surveys carried out between 2003 and 2013 and with a sample size of at least 3000 children. The outcomes were prevalence of under-five stunting and delivery by a skilled birth attendant (SBA). Differences and ratios between extreme groups for deciles (D1 and D10) and quintiles (Q1 and Q5) were calculated, as well as two summary measures: the slope index of inequality (SII) and concentration index (CIX). RESULTS: In virtually all countries, stunting prevalence was highest among the poor, and there were larger differences between D1 and D10 than between Q1 and Q5. SBA coverage showed pro-rich patterns in all countries; in four countries the gap was greater than 80 pct points. With one exception, differences between extreme deciles were larger than between quintiles. Similar patterns emerged when using ratios instead of differences. The two summary measures provide very similar results for quintiles and deciles. Patterns of top or bottom inequality varied with national coverage levels. CONCLUSION: Researchers and policymakers should consider breakdowns by wealth deciles, when sample sizes allow. Use of deciles may contribute to advocacy efforts, monitoring inequalities over time, and targeting health interventions. Summary indices of inequalities were unaffected by the use of quintiles or deciles in their calculation

Efecto de las condiciones individuales, del hogar y del área de residencia en la autopercepción de su salud en adultos colombianos: un estudio multinivel

Introduction: Self-rated health is strongly associated with morbidity and mortality. It is largely influenced by individual factors but also by individuals’ social surroundings and environment.Objective: To investigate individual, household, and locality factors associated with self-rated ealth in Colombian adults.Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional multilevel study using data from national databases on 19 urban localities and 37,352 individuals nested within 15,788 households using a population-based survey. Given the natural hierarchical structure of the data, the estimates of self-rated health related to individual, household, and locality characteristics were obtained by fitting a three-level logistic regression.Results: The adjusted multilevel logistic models showed that at individual level, higher odds of poor self-rated health were found among older adults, persons from low socio-economic status, those living without a partner, with no regular physical activity, and reporting morbidities. At the household level, poor self-rated health was associated with households of low socioeconomic status located near noise sources and factories and in polluted and insecure areas. At the locality level, only poverty was associated with poor self-rated health after adjusting for individual and household variables.Conclusions: These results highlight the need for a more integrated framework when designing and implementing strategies and programs that aim to improve health conditions in urban populations in Latin America.Introducción. La autopercepción de la salud se asocia con la morbilidad y la mortalidad debido principalmente al efecto de las condiciones individuales y las características sociales y del ambiente en el que viven las personas.Objetivo. Investigar los factores individuales, del hogar y de la localidad asociados con la autopercepción de la salud en adultos colombianos.Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal. La información sobre las 19 localidades urbanas consideradas se obtuvo de bases de datos nacionales, en tanto que los datos sobre los 37.352 individuos anidados en 15.788 hogares provinieron de una encuesta de base poblacional. Dada la estructura jerárquica de los datos, las estimaciones del efecto de las variables individuales, del hogar y de la localidad sobre la autopercepción de la salud se hicieron utilizando un modelo de regresión logística de tres niveles.Resultados. Los modelos multinivel ajustados evidenciaron que a nivel individual había una mayor probabilidad de tener una peor percepción de la salud entre adultosmayores, personas de bajo nivel socioeconómico, sin compañero, físicamente inactivos y con enfermedades. A nivel de hogar, la peor percepción de la salud se asoció con la pertenencia a familias de bajo nivel socioeconómico, residentes cerca de fábricas, áreas contaminadas, inseguras y de alto ruido. Por último, a nivel de localidad y después del ajuste por variables individuales y del hogar, la residencia en localidades pobres aumentó la probabilidad de tener una peor percepción de la propia salud.Conclusiones. Los resultados evidencian la necesidad de considerar un marco conceptual más amplio en el momento de diseñar e implementar estrategias y programas que apunten al mejoramiento de las condiciones de salud de las poblaciones urbanas en Latinoamérica