Privatization in Bolivia: The Impact on Firm Performance

This report studies the change in performance of Bolivian State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) that have been transferred to the private sector. The paper focuses particularly on how ownership affects management by measuring the characteristics of management and relating them to both ownership structure and performance. It argues that the characteristics of private management that follow privatization are a key factor in determining the effects of privatization on performance. To determine the impact of privatization on the performance of the 31 firms studied, the authors performed two ratio analyses, one with unadjusted and the other with adjusted ratios. For this purpose, they undertook two regression analyses, one with panel data and the other with a cross section analysis. Two methods were used to conduct privatization of Bolivian SOEs, and the process took place in three stages. The methods were traditional, or standard, privatization and capitalization. Traditional privatization consisted of the complete transfer (assets and shares) to the private sector of companies operating in competitive markets. Capitalization involved attracting private firms to invest in and manage key SOEs. SOEs were not sold outright. Instead, private investors gained managerial control but no more than 50 percent of equity.

Composición química y calidad sensorial de jamones curados provenientes de cerdos alimentados con una dieta rica en ácido oleico y pasturas

La dieta animal es uno de los factores que más incide sobre la calidad de los productos porcinos. En este trabajo se evaluó el efecto de la utilización de semilla de girasol de alto oleico (SGAO) y pasturas sobre la calidad química y sensorial del jamón curado. Se analizaron jamones provenientes de 60 cerdos faenados a los 145 kg. Éstos fueron sometidos a cuatro tratamientos, consistentes en el suministro de dietas con diferente aporte lipídico en cantidad y composición química, con y sin acceso a pasturas: i) ración estándar, sin pasturas; ii) ración estándar, con pasturas; iii) ración con SGAO, sin pasturas, y iv) ración con SGAO, con pasturas. Se evaluaron parámetros físico-químicos y sensoriales de jamones obtenidos luego de un curado tradicional de nueve meses. La ración con SGAO dio lugar a jamones con una mayor proporción de C18:1(9) y menor de ácidos grasos saturados en relación a la estándar. Las pasturas incidieron sobre el color y determinaron una mayor proporción de C18:3(3) y C22:6(3). Se concluye que con una dieta compuesta por SGAO y pasturas se obtienen jamones con mayor proporción de ácidos grasos oleico y 3 y relaciones 6/3 más favorables para la salud humana, sin que se vean afectados atributos sensoriales. Palabras clave: Porcinos, sistema de alimentación, ácidos grasos, calidad. Abstract One of the most important factors that determine the quality of pork products is the pig´s diet. This study was performed to evaluate the use of sun ower seed with high oleic acid (HOSS) and the use of pastures on the chemical and sensorial quality of dry-cured ham. Dry-cured hams from 60 pigs slaughtered at 145 kg were analyzed. These animals were fed with two diets with different lipid content and chemical composition, and with and without access to pastures: i) standard diet without pastures; ii) standard diet with pastures; iii) diet with HOSS without pastures and iv) diet with HOSS with pastures. Dry-cured hams obtained after nine months of curing were analyzed in their physical, chemical and sensorial parameters. Dry-cured hams with higher proportion of C18:1(9) and lower of saturated fatty acids were obtained with the HOSS diet versus standard diet. Access to pastures had a positive effect on the colour and resulted in a higher content of C18:3(3) and C22:6(3). It is concluded that a diet including HOSS and pastures produced dry-cured hams with a highest level of oleic and 3 fatty acids and the most adequate 6/3 ratio for human health, without any change in sensory properties. Keywords: Pigs, feeding system, fatty acids, meat quality

Meat quality of rabbits reared with two different feeding strategies : with or without fresh alfalfa ad libitum

The aim of this study was to evaluate production performance, carcass characteristics and nutritive value of meat of rabbits reared under the 2 prevailing feeding strategies in Uruguay. One week after weaning, 96 purebred V line rabbits were randomly distributed between 2 treatments: (T1) commercial pelleted food ad libitum and (T2) commercial pelleted food ad libitum plus fresh alfalfa ad libitum. Each treatment included 12 cages containing 4 individuals each (2 males and 2 females). Growth performance characteristics (live weight evolution, commercial food consumption and food/gain ratio) were evaluated. The consumption of alfalfa was not measured. Rabbits were slaughtered at a live weight of 2500 g and carcass characteristics were evaluated. Samples of meat and dissectible fat were analysed to determine intramuscular fat content at muscle L. dorsi, dissectible fat and intramuscular fat composition, minerals (Zn, Fe, Mg and Na), vitamin E and purines. Sensory evaluations were conducted to assess the effect of treatments on the consumer’s perception of differences and the existence of attributes determining preferences. Differences between treatments were significant for total commercial food intake (23356 vs. 20930 g/cage; P<0.001) and feed conversion ratio (3.82 vs. 3.41; P<0.01) for T1 and T2 respectively. No significant differences were found in average daily gain, age at slaughter and carcass characteristics. There were no significant differences in the intramuscular fat content. The fatty acid composition of dissectible and intramuscular fat was affected by the inclusion of alfalfa in the diet increasing the linolenic acid content (1.82 vs. 3.28% and 2.29 vs. 5.15% for T1 and T2 at intramuscular and dissectible fat, respectively; P<0.001), and improving the n-6/n-3 relationship (8.60 vs. 5.82 and 11.58 vs. 5.64 for T1 and T2 at intramuscular and dissectible fat, respectively; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in vitamin E, Fe or Zn content between treatments, but differences were significant in Mg (22.5 vs. 24.4 mg/100 g for T1 and T2; P<0.05) and Na (44.1 vs. 48.2 mg/100 g; P<0.05). In the sensory evaluation, panellists significantly perceived differences between treatments with 95% confidence

Decreased low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 expression in pro-inflammatory monocytes is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis

Subclinical atherosclerosis (SCA) occurs in asymptomatic individuals. Blood peripheral monocytes are involved in the development of atherosclerosis. Circulating monocytes acquire pro-inflammatory profiles, and they are involved in the early stages of atherosclerosis development. Low-density lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein 1 (LRP1) is expressed in monocytes, mainly in classical and intermediate subsets. Although LRP1 is highly expressed in macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in atherosclerotic plaque formation, its expression in circulating monocytes has not been studied in SCA. The aim of this study was to characterize the LRP1 expression level in circulating monocytes of individuals with SCA and compared with individuals with low (LR) and intermediate (IR) risk of cardiovascular diseases, both without evidence of atherosclerotic lesions in carotid and coronary arteries. LRP1 and additional markers (CD11b, CD11c, and CD36) at cell surface of monocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry assays, whereas LRP1 and pro-inflammatory factors gene expressions were measured in isolated monocytes by quantitative RT-PCRs. Both LRP1 protein and LRP1 mRNA were significantly reduced in monocytes in SCA and IR respect to LR. Conversely, CD36, CD11b, and CD11c monocytic markers showed no significant changes between the different study groups. Finally, increased gene expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β were detected in monocytes of SCA, which were associated with decreased LRP1 expression at the cell surface in total monocytes. In summary, we propose that the decreased LRP1 expression at cell surface in total monocytes with pro-inflammatory profile is associated with the development of atherosclerosis in asymptomatic individuals.Fil: Albertini, Ricardo Arturo. Hospital Privado Centro Medico de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Nicolas, Juan C.. Universidad Católica de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Actis Dato, Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Ferrer, Darío G.. Hospital Privado Centro Medico de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Tinti, María E.. Hospital Privado Centro Medico de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Capra, Raúl H.. Hospital Privado Centro Medico de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Chiabrando, Gustavo Alberto. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentina. Instituto Universitario de Ciencias Biomédicas de Córdoba; Argentin

Efecto de la dieta de cerdos en crecimiento sobre el valor nutritivo y la aptitud tecnológica de la carne y grasa

Se sometieron cerdos con peso medio inicial de 53 kg a tres tratamientos: T1) dieta testigo conteniendo suplementos proteicos de origen vegetal y animal, T2) dieta basada exclusivamente en suplementos proteicos de origen vegetal y T3) dieta testigo restringida al 90 % de la cantidad ofrecida al T1 más libre acceso a pasturas. Se determinaron parámetros de comportamiento productivo y características de la canal en planta de faena. Se determinaron contenido de grasa intramuscular del Longissimus dorsi, perfil lipídico de la grasa subcutánea e intramuscular, contenido de hierro, zinc, magnesio, sodio y vitamina E. Se determinó también el punto de fusión de la grasa dorsal como indicador de aptitud tecnológica para la elaboración de productos fermentados. Con grasa procedente de cada tratamiento se elaboraron salames que fueron evaluados sensorialmente. En los parámetros de calidad de canal evaluados no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas. El acceso a pasturas determinó un incremento en el contenido de ácido linolénico y una mejora de la relación n6/n3 en la grasa subcutánea. No hubo diferencias significativas en el punto de fusión de la grasa. Las muestras de salame resultaron ser distintas, con un nivel de confianza del 95 % para los atributos textura e intención de compra

Meat quality of rabbits reared with two different feeding strategies: with or without fresh alfalfa ad libitum

[EN] The aim of this study was to evaluate production performance, carcass characteristics and nutritive value of meat of rabbits reared under the 2 prevailing feeding strategies in Uruguay. One week after weaning, 96 purebred V line rabbits were randomly distributed between 2 treatments: (T1) commercial pelleted food ad libitum and (T2) commercial pelleted food ad libitum plus fresh alfalfa ad libitum. Each treatment included 12 cages containing 4 individuals each (2 males and 2 females). Growth performance characteristics (live weight evolution, commercial food consumption and food/gain ratio) were evaluated. The consumption of alfalfa was not measured. Rabbits were slaughtered at a live weight of 2500 g and carcass characteristics were evaluated. Samples of meat and dissectible fat were analysed to determine intramuscular fat content at muscle L. dorsi, dissectible fat and intramuscular fat composition, minerals (Zn, Fe, Mg and Na), vitamin E and purines. Sensory evaluations were conducted to assess the effect of treatments on the consumer¿s perception of differences and the existence of attributes determining preferences. Differences between treatments were significant for total commercial food intake (23 356 vs. 20 930 g/cage; P<0.001) and feed conversion ratio (3.82 vs. 3.41; P<0.01) for T1 and T2 respectively. No significant differences were found in average daily gain, age at slaughter and carcass characteristics. There were no significant differences in the intramuscular fat content. The fatty acid composition of dissectible and intramuscular fat was affected the inclusion of alfalfa in the diet increasing the linolenic acid content (1.82 vs. 3.28% and 2.29 vs. 5.15% for T1 and T2 at intramuscular and dissectible fat, respectively; P<0.001), and improving the n-6/n-3 relationship (8.60 vs. 5.82 and 11.58 vs. 5.64 for T1 and T2 at intramuscular and dissectible fat, respectively; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in vitamin E, Fe or Zn content between treatments, but in Mg (22.5 vs. 24.4 mg/100 g for T1 and T2; P<0.05) and Na (44.1 vs. 48.2 mg/100 g; P<0.05). In the sensory evaluation, panellists significantly perceived differences between treatments with 95% confidence.Capra, G.; Martínez, R.; Fradiletti, F.; Cozzano, S.; Repiso, L.; Márquez, R.; Ibáñez, F. (2013). Meat quality of rabbits reared with two different feeding strategies: with or without fresh alfalfa ad libitum. World Rabbit Science. 21(1):23-32. doi:10.4995/wrs.2013.1197.SWORD233221

Decreased low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 expression in pro-inflammatory monocytes is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis

Subclinical atherosclerosis (SCA) occurs in asymptomatic individuals. Blood peripheral monocytes are involved in the development of atherosclerosis. Circulating monocytes acquire pro-inflammatory profiles, and they are involved in the early stages of atherosclerosis development. Low-density lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein 1 (LRP1) is expressed in monocytes, mainly in classical and intermediate subsets. Although LRP1 is highly expressed in macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in atherosclerotic plaque formation, its expression in circulating monocytes has not been studied in SCA. The aim of this study was to characterize the LRP1 expression level in circulating monocytes of individuals with SCA and compared with individuals with low (LR) and intermediate (IR) risk of cardiovascular diseases, both without evidence of atherosclerotic lesions in carotid and coronary arteries. LRP1 and additional markers (CD11b, CD11c, and CD36) at cell surface of monocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry assays, whereas LRP1 and pro-inflammatory factors gene expressions were measured in isolated monocytes by quantitative RT-PCRs. Both LRP1 protein and LRP1 mRNA were significantly reduced in monocytes in SCA and IR respect to LR. Conversely, CD36, CD11b, and CD11c monocytic markers showed no significant changes between the different study groups. Finally, increased gene expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β were detected in monocytes of SCA, which were associated with decreased LRP1 expression at the cell surface in total monocytes. In summary, we propose that the decreased LRP1 expression at cell surface in total monocytes with pro-inflammatory profile is associated with the development of atherosclerosis in asymptomatic individuals

Potential Soil Remineralizers from Silicate Rock Powders (SRP) as Alternative Sources of Nutrients for Agricultural Production (Amazon Region)

The demand for mineral fertilizers has increased over the years. In the states of Amazonas and Roraima, acquiring conventional fertilizers used in agriculture is challenging due to the distance from large production centers. In these regions, alternative fertilizers are needed to maintain food security. However, research in agrominerals of silicate rock powders (SRP) is still incipient. The objective of this research was to characterize three important Units of Agrogeological Interest in the Manaus/Boa Vista axis in the Amazon region of Brazil: (i) EBAM Quarry: quartz monzonites from the Água Branca suite, partially potassified, (ii) Granada Mining Quarry: basalts from the Apoteri formation, and (iii) Samauma Quarry: riolites from the Iricoumé Group. Samplings were carried out followed by chemical analyses for determining macro and micronutrients, in addition to potentially toxic elements; petrographic analyses were performed for mineralogical characterization as well as granulometric analyses of the powders collected in the quarries. The results showed that the EBAM quarry rock powder meets the standards established by Brazilian legislation. It also has low levels of potentially toxic elements and only 15% quartz, indicating good safety in the use of this SRP, in addition to the large supply of the material already crushed, for which there is still no market. At the Granada Mineração quarry, SRP also has the necessary characteristics to classify as a soil remineralizer, including K2O content above 1%. At Pedreira Samauma, although SRP does not qualify as an agromineral, it has more than 5% K2O and 77% aphanitic matrix, which could result in a more accessible release of abundant K and Si to the soil–plant system. Using laser granulometry analysis, it was possible to make some considerations about the effects of the crushing process in such different lithotypes and, finally, to characterize and classify the prospects of greatest interest for “rochagem” in the Amazon

Investigación y desarrollo para la agricultura familiar en el Cono Sur

Presenta una descripción de la institucionalidad de los procesos de Investigacióny Desarrollo en Agricultura Familiar en cada INIA de los países socios de PROCISUR. No se incluyen los datos de Bolivia, al encontrarse en proceso de diseñar lineamientos para desarrollar los procesos de I+D en agricultura familiar. Aporta datos sobre Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Paraguay y Uruguay, donde se consideran los antecedentes a I+D, los objetivos de los programas desarrollados, las metodologías y enfoques utilizados, el alcance territorial de los proyectos, las alianzas existentes y las proyecciones hacia el futuro

Transformative sensemaking: Development in Whose Image? Keyan Tomaselli and the semiotics of visual representation

The defining and distinguishing feature of homo sapiens is its ability to make sense of the world, i.e. to use its intellect to understand and change both itself and the world of which it is an integral part. It is against this backdrop that this essay reviews Tomaselli's 1996 text, Appropriating Images: The Semiotics of Visual Representation/ by summarizing his key perspectives, clarifying his major operational concepts and citing particular portions from his work in support of specific perspectives on sense-making. Subsequently, this essay employs his techniques of sense-making to interrogate the notion of "development". This exercise examines and confirms two interrelated hypotheses: first, a semiotic analysis of the privileged notion of "development" demonstrates its metaphysical/ ideological, and thus limiting, nature especially vis-a-vis the marginalized, excluded, and the collective other, the so-called Developing Countries. Second, the interrogative nature of semiotics allows for an alternative reading and application of human potential or skills in the quest of a more humane social and global order, highlighting thereby the transformative implications of a reflexive epistemology.Web of Scienc