bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methods of the Analysis of Oxylipins in Biological Samples
Authors: Liakh Ivan , Pakiet Alicja , Sledzinski Tomasz , Mika Adriana
Published: January 2020

Oxylipins are derivatives of polyunsaturated fatty acids and due to their important and diverse functions in the body, they have become a popular subject of studies. The main challenge for researchers is their low stability and often very low concentration in samples. Therefore, in recent years there have been developments in the extraction and analysis methods of oxylipins. New approaches in extraction methods were described in our previous review. In turn, the old analysis methods have been replaced by new approaches based on mass spectrometry (MS) coupled with liquid chromatography (LC) and gas chromatography (GC), and the best of these methods allow hundreds of oxylipins to be quantitatively identified. This review presents comparative and comprehensive information on the progress of various methods used by various authors to achieve the best results in the analysis of oxylipins in biological samples.
Nanoparticles as Anti-Microbial, Anti-Inflammatory, and Remineralizing Agents in Oral Care Cosmetics: A Review of the Current Situation
Authors: Carrouel Florence , Viennot Stephane , Ottolenghi Livia , Gaillard Cedric , Bourgeois Denis
Published: January 2020

Many investigations have pointed out widespread use of medical nanosystems in various domains of dentistry such as prevention, prognosis, care, tissue regeneration, and restoration. The progress of oral medicine nanosystems for individual prophylaxis is significant for ensuring bacterial symbiosis and high-quality oral health. Nanomaterials in oral cosmetics are used in toothpaste and other mouthwash to improve oral healthcare performance. These processes cover nanoparticles and nanoparticle-based materials, especially domains of application related to biofilm management in cariology and periodontology. Likewise, nanoparticles have been integrated in diverse cosmetic produces for the care of enamel remineralization and dental hypersensitivity. This review summarizes the indications and applications of several widely employed nanoparticles in oral cosmetics, and describes the potential clinical implementation of nanoparticles as anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and remineralizing agents in the prevention of dental caries, hypersensitivity, and periodontitis.
Evaluation of the Biodistribution of Serinolamide-Derivatized C60 Fullerene
Authors: Zaibaq Nicholas G. , Pollard Alyssa C. , Collins Michael J. , Pisaneschi Federica , Pagel Mark D. , Wilson Lon J.
Published: January 2020

Carbon nanoparticles have consistently been of great interest in medicine. However, there are currently no clinical materials based on carbon nanoparticles, due to inconsistent biodistribution and excretion data. In this work, we have synthesized a novel C60 derivative with a metal chelating agent (1,4,7-Triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid; NOTA) covalently bound to the C60 cage and radiolabeled with copper-64 (t1/2 = 12.7 h). Biodistribution of the material was assessed in vivo using positron emission tomography (PET). Bingel-Hirsch chemistry was employed to functionalize the fullerene cage with highly water-soluble serinolamide groups allowing this new C60 conjugate to clear quickly from mice almost exclusively through the kidneys. Comparing the present results to the larger context of reports of biocompatible fullerene derivatives, this work offers an important evaluation of the in vivo biodistribution, using experimental evidence to establish functionalization guidelines for future C60-based biomedical platforms.
Transition Metal Carbide Core/Shell Nanoparticles by Ultra-Short Laser Ablation in Liquid
Authors: De Bonis Angela , Curcio Mariangela , Santagata Antonio , Galasso Agostino , Teghil Roberto
Published: January 2020

Transition metal carbide nanoparticles are a class of technological interesting materials with a wide range of applications. Among metal carbides, tantalum carbides have good compatibility with the biological environment while molybdenum carbides are used as catalyst in electrochemical reactions. Laser ablation of bulk transition metal targets in some liquids is here reported and laser ablation in organic solvents is used as simple synthetic strategy for the production of carbide nanostructures. Herein, the nanoparticles produced by ultra-short laser ablation of tantalum and molybdenum in water, acetone, ethanol and toluene have been characterized by TEM, XRD and XPS analysis. The combined effect of metal and solvent chemical and physical properties on the composition of the nanomaterials obtained has been pointed out. In particular, the different reactivity of Ta and Mo with respect to oxidizing species determines the composition of particles obtained in water, on the other hand the organic solvents decomposition allows to obtain transition metal carbide (TMC) nanoparticles. The observed carbonaceous shell formed on TMC allows to protect the particle’s carbidic core and to improve and tailor the applications of these nanomaterials.
Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles-Based Systems for RNAi Delivery: Applications in Bone Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Levingstone Tanya J. , Herbaj Simona , Redmond John , McCarthy Helen O. , Dunne Nicholas J.
Published: January 2020

Bone-related injury and disease constitute a significant global burden both socially and economically. Current treatments have many limitations and thus the development of new approaches for bone-related conditions is imperative. Gene therapy is an emerging approach for effective bone repair and regeneration, with notable interest in the use of RNA interference (RNAi) systems to regulate gene expression in the bone microenvironment. Calcium phosphate nanoparticles represent promising materials for use as non-viral vectors for gene therapy in bone tissue engineering applications due to their many favorable properties, including biocompatibility, osteoinductivity, osteoconductivity, and strong affinity for binding to nucleic acids. However, low transfection rates present a significant barrier to their clinical use. This article reviews the benefits of calcium phosphate nanoparticles for RNAi delivery and highlights the role of surface functionalization in increasing calcium phosphate nanoparticles stability, improving cellular uptake and increasing transfection efficiency. Currently, the underlying mechanistic principles relating to these systems and their interplay during in vivo bone formation is not wholly understood. Furthermore, the optimal microRNA targets for particular bone tissue regeneration applications are still unclear. Therefore, further research is required in order to achieve the optimal calcium phosphate nanoparticles-based systems for RNAi delivery for bone tissue regeneration.
Occurrence and Characterization of Salmonella Isolated from Table Egg Layer Farming Environments in Western Australia and Insights into Biosecurity and Egg Handling Practices
Authors: Sodagari Hamid Reza , Habib Ihab , Whiddon Scott , Wang Penghao , Mohammed Arkan Baraa , Robertson Ian , Goodchild Stan
Published: January 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and distribution of Salmonella in commercial layer farming environments of 26 flocks belonging to seven egg businesses (free-range and barn-laid) in Western Australia (WA). Between November 2017 and June 2018, a total of 265 environmental samples of dust, feed, water, pooled feces, and boot swabs were tested for detection of Salmonella according to standard culture-based methods. Isolates were assayed for serovar and subtyped by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Salmonella spp. were recovered from 35% (93/265) of all tested samples. Dust (53.8%, 28/52) and pooled fecal (54.5%, 18/33) samples provided the highest Salmonella recovery rates. Nine different Salmonella serovars were characterized across the positive (n = 93) environmental samples, of which S. Typhimurium (60/93, 64.5%) and S. Infantis (21/93, 22.5%) were the most prevalent. MLST revealed that all S. Typhimurium isolates were of sequence type ST-19. Microbiological screening of Salmonella was not routinely practiced in any of the surveyed egg businesses. Some of the egg businesses exhibited variable levels of compliance with basic biosecurity measures as well as high-risk egg handling practices. Egg businesses in WA should be encouraged to adopt a voluntary program of environmental sampling and verification testing for Salmonella. Such voluntary programs will aid in supporting solutions for the management of this pathogen in the human food chain.
Protein Elicitor PeBL1 of Brevibacillus laterosporus Enhances Resistance Against Myzus persicae in Tomato
Authors: Javed Khadija , Qiu Dewen
Published: January 2020

Myzus persicae, a destructive aphid of tomato usually managed by chemical pesticides, is responsible for huge annual losses in agriculture. In the current work, a protein elicitor, PeBL1, was investigated for its capacity to induce a defense response against M. persicae in tomato. Population growth rates of M. persicae (second and third generation) decreased with PeBL1 treatments as compared with controls. In a host selection assay, M. persicae showed preference for colonizing control plants as compared to tomato seedlings treated with PeBL1. Tomato leaves treated with PeBL1 gave rise to a hazardous surface environment for M. persicae due to formation of trichomes and wax. Jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), and ethylene (ET) showed significant accumulation in tomato seedlings treated by PeBL1. The following results showed that PeBL1 significantly modified the tomato leaf surface structure to reduce reproduction and deter colonization by M. persicae. Defense processes also included activation of JA, SA, and ET pathways. The study provides evidence for use of PeBL1 in the protection of tomato from M. persicae.
A Method to Improve the Characteristics of EPDM Rubber Based Eco-Composites with Electron Beam
Authors: Craciun Gabriela , Manaila Elena , Ighigeanu Daniel , Stelescu Maria Daniela
Published: January 2020

A natural fiber reinforced composite, belonging to the class of eco composites, based on ethylene-propylene-terpolymer rubber (EPDM) and wood wastes were obtained by electron beam irradiation at 75, 150, 300, and 600 kGy in atmospheric conditions and at room temperature using a linear accelerator of 5.5 MeV. The sawdust (S), in amounts of 5 and 15 phr, respectively, was used to act as a natural filler for the improvement of physical and chemical characteristics. The cross-linking effects were evaluated through sol-gel analysis, mechanical tests, and Fourier Transform Infrared FTIR spectroscopy comparatively with the classic method with dibenzoyl peroxide (P) applied on the same types of samples at high temperature. Gel fraction exhibits values over 98% but, in the case of P cross-linking, is necessary to add more sawdust (15 phr) to obtain the same results as in the case of electron beam (EB) cross-linking (5 phr/300 kGy). Even if the EB cross-linking and sawdust addition have a reinforcement effect on EPDM rubber, the medium irradiation dose of 300 kGy looks to be a limit to which or from which the properties of the composite are improved or deteriorated. The absorption behavior of the eco-composites was studied through water uptake tests.
Spatial Internal Material Load and Residual Stress Distribution Evolution in Synchrotron In Situ Investigations of Deep Rolling
Authors: Meyer Heiner , Epp Jérémy
Published: January 2020

Mechanical loading scenarios, comparable to a deep rolling process, were reproduced in static indentation experiments on AISI 4140H steel samples with a cylindrical deep rolling tool and investigated in situ with synchrotron radiation at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) on beamline ID11. Through the use of spatially resolved diffraction data, two-dimensional (2D) equivalent von Mises stress maps were recorded during loading and after unloading. The material modifications were analyzed in the material below the contact zone for different loading conditions. It was demonstrated that the characteristics of internal material load and residual stress distributions can be evaluated through data fitting and the effect of the applied force could be linked to the stress fields by an empirical model. The experimental values were then compared to a contact mechanics approach in order to analyze the correlation between the theoretical maximum loading stresses and the stored elastic residual stresses remaining by considering the dissipation of a certain amount of energy through plastic deformation.
A Covariance-Based Approach to Merging InSAR and GNSS Displacement Rate Measurements
Authors: Parizzi Alessandro , Rodriguez Gonzalez Fernando , Brcic Ramon
Published: January 2020

This paper deals with the integration of deformation rates derived from Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (InSAR) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data. The proposed approach relies on knowledge of the variance/covariance of both InSAR and GNSS measurements so that they may be combined accounting for the spectral properties of their errors, hence preserving all spatial frequencies of the deformation detected by the two techniques. The variance/covariance description of the output product is also provided. A performance analysis is carried out on realistic simulated scenarios in order to show the boundaries of the technique. The proposed approach is finally applied to real data. Five Sentinel-1A/B stacks acquired over two different areas of interest are processed and discussed. The first example is a merged deformation map of the northern part of the Netherlands for both ascending and descending geometries. The second example shows the deformation at the junction between the North and East Anatolian Fault using three consecutive descending stacks.
Spatial Equity in Urban Public Space (UPS) Based on Analysis of Municipal Public Policy Omissions: A Case Study of Atizapán de Zaragoza, State of México
Authors: Pérez-Paredes Elsa A. , Krstikj Aleksandra
Published: January 2020

International agendas, such as the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, have been established as global guidelines for equitable planning of urban centers. However, there is a lack of indicators and tools for public policy planning at the local level. Spatial equity in planning has been related to the spatial match between public facility level and residents´ distribution. The objective of this research was to assess the spatial inequity in urban public space (UPS) of Atizapán de Zaragoza, State of Mexico, and analyzed the cause of this phenomenon with a methodological framework based on the general indicator omissions in public policy. The indicator, omission of municipal public policies associated to UPS, allowed us to explain the existence of the spatial inequity in: (1) the conceptualization and interpretation that decision makers have about urban environmental development in the territory; (2) the lack of a public discussion about the sustainable vocation of the municipality; and (3) the dominant values of the actors involved in the production, planning, and installation of UPS. The significance of this phenomenon affects the recognition that UPS is a primary element for guaranteeing the rights to a healthy environment in equitable and sustainable cities and a resource for strengthening social cohesion, governance, and appropriation of public assets.
An Analysis of the Importance of Local Support Factors of the Development of Integrated Resorts
Authors: Nam Kiju , Cho Mi-Jeong , Lee Myeong-Hun
Published: January 2020

The casino-based integrated resort (IR), which started in Las Vegas in the United States, has moved to Asia and successfully opened Macau’s IR and Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands. As of 2019, three IRs, Inspire, Paradise City, and Midan City, are being constructed in Yeongjongdo Island and, among them, Paradise City is currently in operation after completing its first stage of development. Although the planned creation of three integrated resorts on Yeongjongdo Island was accompanied by the government’s policy support and legal support, the support of the local residents for the IR development projects can have a different effect from that of other areas. For the development of integrated resorts, not only the policy and legal support but also the local support is an important factor. So, this study was conducted focusing on which part of the integrated resort development project should be considered important to get sufficient local support. The results of this study showed that the resort operators and local residents have different opinions on the importance of local support factors. The so-called integrated resort experts considered the environmental and socio-cultural factors important, while the local residents considered factors such as the establishment and completion of the development plan as well as the sustainability as the most important factors. It is expected that this study will contribute to the formation of trust in the relevant policies by disclosing the contents of the implementation and system improvement of IR development projects and providing participation opportunities for residents in the process. This study will be also able to provide objective guidance in decision-making to policymakers who plan the development of such integrated resorts by identifying the factors important to elicit support from the local residents in advance, as well as to public or private developers who want to proceed with IR development projects.
Da (i)legitimidade do Ministério Público para propor revisão criminal
Authors: Fructuoso Moreira Pinto Thays
Published: January 2020

A presente pesquisa foi conduzida segundo o método dedutivo, com o objetivo de verificar a possibilidade de o Ministério Público, por meio de seu representante, requerer Revisão Criminal, uma vez que o Código de Processo Penal apresenta rol de legitimados no qual constam o próprio réu, seu procurador devidamente habilitado ou, caso o réu tenha falecido, seu cônjuge, ascendente, descendente ou irmão. Para tanto, inicia-se pela descrição, em breves linhas, do que consiste a revisão criminal, hipóteses de cabimento, bem como a competência para sua proposição; após, examina-se o Ministério Público, inclusive suas normas de regência, bem como a sua atribuição, para, ao final, analisar-se a possibilidade de o Ministério Público ser legitimado a requerer revisão criminal. Discorre-se sobre a possibilidade dessa legitimação com base em entendimentos doutrinários e jurisprudenciais que ressaltam o papel do Parquet de fiscal da lei – que lhe é garantido constitucionalmente. Assim, contrapõem-se as atribuições ministeriais – de órgão acusador e fiscal da lei – para se apontar a resposta ao problema levantado, visando assegurar o que se mostra mais favorável ao indivíduo que, por algum motivo, merece ter seu processo revisto.
Aspectos críticos dos instrumentos de delegação de serviços públicos a entidades sem fins lucrativos
Authors: Ferreira Juliana Goulart
Published: January 2020

O objetivo do presente trabalho é esquematizar os principais instrumentos de delegação de serviços públicos a entidades sem fins lucrativos e distinguir alguns dos problemas sobressalentes de sua aplicação para a Administração Pública brasileira. O artigo busca contextualizar a criação dos instrumentos de delegação a partir da evolução histórica das atividades estatais, com ênfase na realidade brasileira e, em específico, na reforma gerencial do Estado. O estudo aborda a organização das entidades sem fins lucrativos e suas principais características no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro e apresenta os instrumentos que delegam a essas entidades serviços públicos a cargo do Estado, bem como seus principais fundamentos legais. Ao final, este trabalho ilustra algumas das inconsistências da criação desses instrumentos e os problemas gerados pela sua implementação na Administração Pública brasileira.
MARKING OF PARTIALLY MASKED GROUP OBJECTS ELEMENTS ON THE BASIS OF VECTOR AND FIELD APPROACH
Authors: Krevetsky A.V. , Chesnokov S.E. , Sokolov B.V.
Published: January 2020

Goal. The problem of a pattern recognition in the form of images of group dot objects (GO) in the conditions of the strong aprioristic indeterminacy is considered: variability of a configuration and stealthiness of a part of elements. In work approach to GO discernment on the basis of marking of their elements – identifications of dot objects to within one of four types is offered. Materials and methods. The essence of marking consists in a discernment a vector contours of counting of cylindrical sections of a cumulative field of vectors with partial sources in the GO elements. Results. Influence of a radius of action of the field on quality of marking is investigated. Estimates of reliability of marking in various conditions of observation are received. Approaches to GO discernment by results of marking of their elements are offered. Conclusion. It is established that the radius of nuclear function of the field significantly doesn’t affect quality of the made decisions and has to be appointed on an admissible zone of edge effects. The high distinguishability of the chosen types of the GO elements in the conditions of the strong variability of their relative position is shown. It gives the grounds to recommend the considered marking method for GO recognition in the stated observation conditions.
INDIVIDUAL VARIABILITY OF MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF POLISH LARCH IN THE CONDITIONS OF INTRODUCTION
Authors: Lavrenov Maksim , Vasil'ev Sergey , Nikitin Vladimir , Savchenkova Vera
Published: January 2020

Polish larch trees are among the most valuable among forest species both in natural growing conditions and in the conditions of introduction. However, its taxonomic status is not fully resolved due to the similarity in morphological features with European and Siberian larch. We conducted a comparative analysis of these species of larch on the morphological features of cones and needles. The studies were carried out in the conditions of introduction in the center of the European part of Russia. We present the average value of the trait (XSR ± Sx) and the degree of its variation (V %). The reliability of the difference between the samples according to these characteristics was determined based on the calculation of the student's criterion t. As a result, we found that the Polish larch has smaller cones and significantly differs from the European and Siberian larch in all studied features (length of cones, width of cones, number of scales in cones, length of needles). These results indicate the isolation of the Polish larch, but this pattern can be expressed not only when referring to the Polish larch in the rank of an independent species – Larix polonica Racib., but also as a subspecies of European larch (Larix decidua var. polonica (Racib. ex Wóycicki) Ostenf. & Syrach).
RESTORATION OF MAIN FOREST FORMING SPECIES AND LIGHT REGIME IN FOREST BELTS OF STONE STEPPE
Authors: Rybalkina Nataliya , Tunyakin Vladimir , Popov Aleksandr , Shenshin Leonid
Published: January 2020

With an increase in the anthropogenic load on agricultural landscapes and global climate change, the role of not only the forests of Russia, but also artificially created, man-made forest stands, especially systems of protective stands, is growing. The system of forest belts of the Stone Steppe consists of forest strips of different ages, species composition and width. The oldest stands are 126 years old, the youngest are 28 years old. After the drought of 2010, the death of birch, poplar and partially ash began in many forest belts of the southeast of the Central Chernozem region. Forest strips of the Stone-Steppe system were not an exception. The death of birch and poplar occurred not only in old plantings, but also in middle-aged ones. It is necessary to know their renewable potential to restore the protective functions of forest strips. Old-age forest belts have suffered more from drought. Therefore the article is devoted to the study of the main reserve of renewable potential - the presence of reliable undergrowth and the conditions of its existence under the canopy of the parent forest stand of forest belts aged 62 to 120 years. The article touches upon the concept of a new direction in agroforestry: the mechanism of spatial expansion of protective forest belts on arable land due to the appearance of forest edges consisting of maple and the role of forest edges in the forest-forming process of man-made strip stands have been shown
RECREATIONAL POTENTIAL OF SOMOVSKOE FORESTRY OF (VORONEZH REGION) AND THE PROSPECTS OF ITS DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Tyrchenkova Irina
Published: January 2020

Recreational use of forest resources is the most important for urban green forests. Every year the problem of satisfying the population growing needs for recreation in the forest, while ensuring its preservation, acquires special relevance. The main function of Somovskoe Forestry (Voronezh region) is environmental protection, which includes the implementation of protective, water conservation, and recreational functions. Grass pine forests are the most comfortable for vacationers in Somovskoe forestry. In the study, the recreational potential of the Somovskoe Forestry (Voronezh region) has been estimated based on the methods of various authors, types of landscapes, types and forms of recreation, stages of digression, planning and aesthetic value. It has been revealed that most of the plantations are occupied with a closed type of l of horizontal closeness. The predominant class of aesthetic evaluation of the examined stands is II. The largest area is occupied by the strata with III and IV stage of digression. The main types of recreation in the stands of Somovskoe forestry are everyday and camping ones. The main forms are off-road and road ones. The predominant class of aesthetic assessment is II (65% ± 3.2). It is a plantation with reduced visibility and patency. The recreational potential of the studied artificial pine plantations is not higher than class II. Recommendations on regulating the movement of vacationers with the goal of hindering the "development" of the entire forest area, the development of measures to improve the culture and discipline of recreants, to increase the sustainability and productivity of plantations have been given on the basis of research results.
Object Detection by Monocular Camera and Laser Sensors for Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Authors: Dzurovčin Peter , Švadlenka Libor , Džunda Milan , Vajdová Iveta , Galanda Jozef
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we present selected options for detection and avoidance of obstacles by small unmanned vehicles. The solution to this problem is very complicated mainly because UAVs have a limited load capacity as well as energy sources. Sensors that can be used to solve this task must meet the minimum weight and power requirements. We decided to use a stereo camera and a laser because of the requirements that we set up earlier. The size of the obstacle is determined by the SURF algorithm and the Harris detector.
Discriminación étnica en el sistema educativo y el mercado de trabajo de Bolivia
Authors: Mercado Alejandro , Andersen Lykke E. , Muriel Beatriz
Published: January 2020

El objetivo del presente documento es identificar las diferencias salariales atribuibles a problemas de discriminación en el sistema educativo y en el mercado laboral. El estudio analiza la segregación pre-mercado (que se da cuando un grupo de la población no tiene acceso a la adquisición de capital humano en las mismas condiciones que otros) y post-mercado (que se produce cuando el individuo se encuentra en la fuerza laboral). Los resultados muestran que el sistema educativo (calidad y cantidad educacional) es el factor más importante para explicar las diferencias salariales. Estudiando la economía por zonas, se observa que en el área rural no se presentan problemas de discriminación post-mercado cuando se controla por medio de los indicadores educacionales. En las zonas urbanas, la discriminación parece ser explicada principalmente por peculiaridades sectoriales, de acuerdo a las cuales los indígenas se encontrarían concentrados en segmentos laborales que presentan una media relativamente baja de ingresos. Tomando en cuenta esta última característica, se observa discriminación post-mercado solamente en el sector comercio.
La escurridiza reactivación de la economía
Authors: Morales Juan Antonio
Published: January 2020

Ya son casi cinco años de recesión y la economía no parece reanimarse. Vale la pena revisar las causas de la crisis, por qué ésta es tan prolongada y cuáles son las perspectivas. Vale la pena también hacer notar que, si bien la recesión es prolongada, no ha sido tan dramática como a veces se la presenta, por lo menos hasta Febrero del 2003.
Impacto de la inversión pública en la reducción de la pobreza en Bolivia
Authors: Canavire Bacarreza Gustavo Javier
Published: January 2020

La pobreza es uno de los principales problemas en países en desarrollo y, por tanto, su reducción es uno de los principales objetivos de los gobiernos y de los organismos internacionales. El presente trabajo pretende analizar el efecto de la inversión pública sobre la reducción de la pobreza.
Financiamiento de las exportaciones no tradicionales de Bolivia en el periodo 1990-2001
Authors: Estrada Céspedes Paul
Published: January 2020

Desde 1990, el modelo de economía de libre mercado implementado en el país hace énfasis en la estabilidad económica y en el sector transable de la economía. Por ello, como parte de este sector, las exportaciones merecen una particular atención. Actualmente, más del 36% de las exportaciones bolivianas corresponden al sector no tradicional, es decir, a exportaciones agrícolas, agroindustriales, industriales y joyería, entre las más importantes.

Este trabajo hace un análisis del financiamiento de las exportaciones en Bolivia, con el objetivo de identificar si el financiamiento y, en particular, la tasa de interés o volumen de crédito, explican el comportamiento de las exportaciones. La hipótesis de trabajo es que el financiamiento determina a las exportaciones, por lo cual la tasa de interés activa explica su evolución. Nos referimos específicamente al comportamiento de las exportaciones no tradicionales durante el período 1990-2001. En cuanto al acceso al financiamiento, nos limitamos a los llamados fondos prestables.
Natural Gas and Inequality in Bolivia
Authors: Andersen Lykke E. , Faris Robert
Published: January 2020

The increase in Natural Gas sales to Brazil in the coming years will bring about substantial changes in the Bolivian economy. In this paper, we use a general equilibrium model to simulate the changes that will occur in the Bolivian economy and will consider the distributional impacts that are likely to arise from these economic changes.
Teoría del Capital Humano vs. Modelo de Señales: Un estudio exploratorio del mercado laboral de la ciudad de La Paz
Authors: Padrón Fernanda
Published: January 2020

La investigación ha revelado los beneficios que las inversiones educativas tienen sobre el crecimiento económico y el bienestar social. Entre los temas estudiados, el efecto sobre la distribución del ingreso es uno de los más importantes; se ha demostrado que las diferencias en el nivel de escolaridad representan el principal factor explicativo de las diferencias salariales.

Por lo tanto, la inversión educativa se considera una fuerza primaria para combatir la pobreza y la desigualdad. Se cree que si se reducen las brechas de calificación entre los grupos de población, a través de más y "mejor" educación, será posible reducir las brechas de ingresos.
Poverty-Reducing Growth Strategy in Poor Countries
Authors: Schmidt Rodney
Published: January 2020

This paper synthesizes and develops research undertaken by participants in The North-South Institute project, "Macroeconomic policy choices for growth and poverty reduction" in low- income developing countries.1 The project analysed the features of poverty and growth in seven poor countries of varying circumstances and proposed macroeconomic and growth policies for poverty reduction for them. The research was guided by the question: "How does poverty inform growth strategy?"

Our research provides evidence of the channels through which growth and distribution or poverty processes depend on each other and respond to policy together. We encapsulate the messages of these case studies in the following six propositions, discussed at length in the paper: i) macroeconomic stability reduces poverty; ii) land redistribution enhances growth; iii) income poverty traps constrain growth; iv) urban-rural growth disparities drive income inequality; v) regional poverty traps resist growth, and vi) ley growth policies can aggravate poverty gaps. 

The propositions suggest growth policies that may be either of two types in terms of impact on growth and distribution. They have the potential to enhance both growth and distribution (win-win) or to enhance growth while aggravating income gaps or vice versa (win-lose).
La declinación relativa de la agricultura en el proceso de desarrollo: alguna evidencia para la economía argentina (1955-2003)
Authors: Lanteri Luis N.
Published: January 2020

El análisis de las causas que explican la declinación relativa de la agricultura en la economía es uno de los desafíos centrales del desarrollo económico. Sobre el particular, la literatura suele poner énfasis en los argumentos que descansan en el lado de la demanda, tal como la ley de Engel. Más recientemente, estas explicaciones han sido desafiadas por otros enfoques que destacan principalmente las diferencias en las dotaciones de factores (efecto Rybczynski), los cambios en los precios reales del sector agropecuario y las tasas diferenciales del cambio tecnológico, a efectos de explicar este fenómeno. Este trabajo analiza el proceso de transformación sufrido por la economía argentina durante las últimas cinco décadas, a partir de una metodología basada en la teoría de la dualidad y en un modelo que utiliza un mecanismo de corrección de errores, que permite explicar la dinámica de los desequilibrios y los costos del ajuste. Los resultados de las estimaciones sugieren que las caídas en los precios reales agropecuarios habrían sido menos importantes, como fuente de la declinación relativa de la agricultura en el caso argentino, que las diferentes tasas de crecimiento en la productividad observadas en el sector agropecuario y en la economía agregada.
A Supply and Demand approach to the Institutional Performance of Haiti
Authors: Marroquin Gramajo Andres
Published: January 2020

The recent political crisis in Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere, has again called the attention of the international community. This paper tries to describe the development path of Haiti, and advances some hypotheses explaining its reasons. Since the traditional explanations proposed by Marxists and neoclassical economists seem to be insufficient, this paper offers an Institutional approach to improve our understanding of the causes of poverty in Haiti and to visualize policy solutions. The claim is that the supply and demand of enforceable institutions had been low, due to suboptimal strategies played by the dictators and the public/army. The suboptimal equilibrium has been predate/disobey the law, and predate/organize a cue. This hypothesis reinforces Douglass North's idea of 'path dependence', and suggests that more education and/or the reduction of the scope of government could be longterm solutions for the repeated political economy problems that Haiti has experienced during the past 200 years.
Elementos de economía en San Agustín y Santo Tomás de Aquino
Authors: Mercado Alejandro F.
Published: January 2020

La Iglesia Católica desde sus inicios ha jugado un papel preponderante en el mundo, el mismo que se ha visto fortalecido con el pontificado del Papa Juan Pablo II. En momentos en que parecía que la revolución del "high tech"llevaría a los hombres, en especial a los jóvenes, a dejar la espiritualidad en un segundo plano, la visión que ha transmitido el sucesor de Pedro ha dado un nuevo vigor a la misión de la Iglesia. En ese marco, si bien la Iglesia ha asumido un mayor rol protagónico en la sociedad, ha asumido también el desafío de dar ciertas señales para la conducción de la misma. Hablar de conducir la sociedad nos lleva, en última instancia, al plano de la economía, y es también en este ámbito que la Iglesia debe afrontar el reto.
Measuring Willingness-to-Pay in Discrete Choice Models with Semi-Parametric Techniques
Authors: García Pablo Marcelo
Published: January 2020

It is usual to estimate willingness-to-pay in discrete choice models through Logit models -or their expanded versions. Nevertheless, these models have very restrictive distributional assumptions. This paper is intended to examine the above-mentioned issue and to propose an alternative estimation using non-parametric techniques (through Simple Index Models). Furthermore, this paper introduces an empirical application of willingness- to-pay for improved subway travel times in the City of Buenos Aires.
Economic Freedom and World Economic Growth: Evidence and Implications
Authors: Cole Julio H.
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this study is to explain the statistical variation in economic growth rates in a broad cross-section of countries, over the period 1980-1999. This problem will be addressed within the framework of the so-called "growth-regression" approach, which seeks to explain this variation by relating economic growth to a list of potential explanatory variables. A large number of studies published since the early I990's have been based on the so-called "neo-classical theory of economic growth", and this approach will be followed as a first approximation, though the main purpose of the paper is to evaluate the incremental explanatory power of several additional variables not usually contemplated in the conventional neo-classical approach.
¿Hacia dónde va Bolivia? Una reflexión propositiva sobre su historia y desarrollo
Authors: Escóbar Flavio , Vásquez Claudia
Published: January 2020

Bolivia confronta un momento de ruptura política, social y de antagonismo económico en el marco de un modelo de distribución inequitativo y carente de un sistema empresarial que sea el motor del desarrollo; en palabras de Barbens (2004), sin empresa tenemos un país quebrado o roto.

En un mundo con tendencias claras como la globalización, la revolución tecnológica y la competitividad, y con bloques y naciones cada vez más y mejor posicionados, como Estados Unidos, China y la Unión Europea, la pregunta de rigor para esta remota tierra que apenas se escucha en el concierto mundial es: ¿hacia dónde va Bolivia?
Desigualdad en el área rural de Bolivia: ¿cuán importante es la educación?
Authors: Villegas Quino Horacio
Published: January 2020

Este documento descompone la desigualdad en la distribución de ingresos en el área rural de Bolivia durante el periodo 1999-2002. La evidencia muestra que la educación contabiliza entre el 6 y el 8 por ciento de la desigualdad del ingreso laboral, mientras que las diferencias de ingreso entre trabajadores del sector agrícola y trabajadores de otros sectores explican entre el 15 y el 20 por ciento de la desigualdad. De esta manera, la educación resulta ser una variable fundamental en la explicación de la desigualdad, aunque no la más importante.
Shocks, Changes in Outreach and Lending Technologies in Microfinance: the Bolivian Experience
Authors: Leiton-Quiroga Jorge G. M.
Published: January 2020

The Bolivian evidence shows that microfinance lending technologies are well designed to cope with different kinds of risk. The innovations provided in this financial sector show more strengths than weaknesses to overcome information asymmetries. Furthermore, group and individual loans are providing good mechanisms to cope with idiosyncratic and systemic shocks. Certainly, different microfinance technologies developed in Bolivia have shown good performance in terms of outreach and sustainability
Propuestas para mejorar el acceso y las condiciones de financiamiento en el sistema financiero boliviano
Authors: Álvarez Arnal Armando
Published: January 2020

A partir de 1989, con el inicio de operaciones de la Bolsa Boliviana de Valores S.A. (BBV), el sistema financiero boliviano inicia un período de importantes transformaciones, el cual se profundiza durante la década de los noventa, con la promulgación de la Ley de Bancos y Entidades Financieras (1993), la Ley del Banco Central de Bolivia (1995), la Ley de Pensiones (1996), la Ley del Mercado de Valores (1998) y la Ley de Seguros (1998).

Con anterioridad a 1989, la intermediación financiera se centraba en instituciones bancarias, cooperativas y mutuales de ahorro y crédito, las cuales eran las únicas instituciones autorizadas para captar el ahorro del público y transferirlo, mediante operaciones crediticias, a las empresas e individuos que requerían de financiamiento. Al iniciar operaciones la BBV, se abre un nuevo esquema de intermediación (directa), en el cual los ahorristas e inversionistas, por su cuenta y riesgo, ya sea directamente o a través de intermediarios, pueden invertir recursos en valores (acciones, bonos, etc.) emitidos por empresas o el Estado, que pueden ser negociados en un mercado secundario organizado, generándose así nuevas alternativas de financiamiento e inversión.
Transferencias fiscales y políticas públicas
Authors: Serrudo Peñaranda Ximena
Published: January 2020

En un sistema descentralizado, las transferencias fiscales intergubernamentales constituyen un importante instrumento de gestión pública, pues contribuyen al logro de objetivos redistributivos o compensatorios, y por tanto, a la disminución de problemas de ineficiencia asignativa y/o de equidad social y territorial. En el proceso de descentralización boliviano se han establecido varios sistemas de transferencias fiscales a partir de diferentes políticas públicas, y al presente constituyen la principal fuente de financiamiento de las administraciones subnacionales. Si bien estos sistemas han logrado un importante avance en términos de redistribución territorial de recursos fiscales, con posibles efectos significativos desde un punto de vista social, en la práctica pueden estar generando problemas de ineficiencia y pereza fiscal, poniendo en peligro los avances en el logro de mayor equidad. El documento describe este proceso y resalta, como uno de los grandes desafíos en la profundización del proceso de descentralización, el rediseño de los sistemas de transferencias con una orientación al logro de mayor eficiencia y equidad, y principalmente hacia su propia sostenibilidad.
Los efectos del cambio climático en el Sector Agropecuario de Bolivia.
Authors: Aliaga Lordemann Javier , Aguilar Salas Tirza J.
Published: January 2020

Bolivia, al igual que muchos otros países del mundo, está buscando algún mecanismo que le permita luchar contra los impactos adversos producidos por la variabilidad climática. Hay un consenso de que más medidas de adaptación y mitigación, si queremos reducir los efectos adversos producidos por el cambio climático - además de la vulnerabilidad a este fenómeno, depende también de otros factores de estrés.

El objetivo de nuestra investigación busca evaluar el impacto económico del cambio climático en el sector agrícola de Bolivia con y sin medidas de mitigación. Por un lado el trabajo cuantifica el efecto del cambio climático sobre el PIB - por otro lado evalúa la relevancia de medidas de mitigación destinadas a reducir el riesgo y vulnerabilidad del cambio climático.

Hay varias metodologías que evalúan la incidencia del cambio climático, tanto desde un punto de vista económico como tecnológico -  el primero conocido como esquema bottom-up - el segundo denominado esquema top-down. Para los propósitos de nuestra investigación utilizamos el modelo top-down, basado en técnicas de Equilibrio General Computable (EGM).
Impulsores del precio del petróleo a corto plazo: la integración energética de América del Sur
Authors: Mercado Alejandro F. , Aliaga F. Javier
Published: January 2020

El objetivo de este documento es analizar cómo el comportamiento coyuntural y las condiciones estructurales del precio de la energía afectan la visión a corto y medio plazo del proceso de integración de la energía en Sudamérica (SA). Para este propósito, primero describimos la agenda energética mundial y el efecto de las oscilaciones actuales del precio del petróleo y el correspondiente ajuste del gas natural. A continuación, analizamos la perspectiva de las partes interesadas regionales acerca de la integración energética. Utilizamos dos enfoques metodológicos: primero calculamos los precios del petróleo según sus condiciones estructurales o fundamentales, segundo detectamos el modelo ARIMA correcto con valores atípicos y efectos de calendario para el precio del petróleo West Texas Intermediate (WTI) y el precio del gas natural Henry Hub (HH). Con esta información desarrollamos una propuesta de análisis basada en su tasa de crecimiento subyacente e inercia.
Analizando el impacto sobre la pobreza de la Iniciativa HIPC en Bolivia
Authors: Heylen Fanny
Published: January 2020

El propósito de este artículo es analizar el impacto de los programas de la condonación de la deuda en la reducción de la pobreza en Bolivia, centrándose en la iniciativa HIPC. Mientras que esta iniciativa intenta reducir pobreza de una manera descentralizada, el análisis se concentra en el acoplamiento entre la reducción de la pobreza y los recursos preliminares del HIPC a nivel municipal. Para hacer eso se estudia el impacto específico de la condonación de la deuda en la evolución de dos indicadores de la pobreza (la enseñanza y las tasas alcanzadas) durante el período 2001-2005. Concluyo que los recursos otorgados bajo la iniciativa HIPC no afectaron a la evolución de estos indicadores de la pobreza durante el período de estudio.
Análisis y pronóstico de la demanda de potencia eléctrica en Bolivia: una aplicación de redes neuronales
Authors: Sanjinés Tudela Gimmy Nardó
Published: January 2020

El objetivo del presente trabajo de investigación es analizar la demanda de energía eléctrica en Bolivia con base en el pronóstico de series de tiempo. La predicción de datos futuros desde la perspectiva económica es importante porque se utiliza para optimizar la asignación de la energía en el tiempo, bajo la premisa de que cualquier mejora en la disminución del error de pronóstico representa una mejora en el excedente del consumidor. El pronóstico, por su complejidad, es realizado básicamente mediante cuatro fases; modelos armónicos, modelos Arima x Sarima, modelos Arma-Garch y finalmente modelos con base en redes neuronales artificiales. Los resultados muestran que el mínimo error se logra utilizando redes neuronales artificiales, y finalmente se concluye que el beneficio económico por la implementación de los modelos de redes neuronales artificiales en la predicción de la demanda de potencia eléctrica se presenta por la reducción de los costos incrementales generados por el error de pronóstico.
Farmers' willingness to adopt irrigation for quinoa in communities of the Central Altiplano of Bolivia
Authors: Taboada Cristal , Mamani Armando , Raes Dirk , Mathijs Erik , García Magalí , Geerts Sam , Gilles Jere
Published: January 2020

Quinoa is considered a strategic crop because it is well adapted to the adverse abiotic conditions of the Bolivian Altiplano; however, the average yield is low. Previous studies have demonstrated that quinoa yield would increase with deficit irrigation technology. Nevertheless, to irrigate quinoa is not a normal practice in the farming systems of the Altiplano. This paper examines the main factors that determine the attitude of farmers towards adopting deficit irrigation using a sample of 137 surveys in seven communities of the Central Altiplano. Statistic analysis demonstrates that the most important factors influencing farmers' willingness for irrigation adoption are the acreage planted with quinoa, quantity of surplus production for trading, and having irrigation experience. Also, the age and education level were important to know willingness to adopt a new technology. Therefore, deficit irrigation is more likely to be performed in area where farmers own larger fields and where there is already certain type of irrigation.