Diseño de un Sistema de Gestión para el Área de Prevención de Lavado de Activos de la Compañía de Seguros Panamericana del Ecuador

La presente tesis analiza los conceptos de prevención de lavado de activos nacionales e internacionales, así como los requerimientos regulatorios emitidos por los organismos de control de las empresas de seguros, mismos que fueron tomados como base para la elaboración del sistema de gestión de prevención de lavado de activos y financiamiento de delitos a implementarse en la compañía de seguros Panamericana del Ecuador. El desarrollo de este sistema de prevención, se basó en el sistema de gestión de calidad ISO 9001 implementado anteriormente en la Compañía, por lo que abarca conceptos, procesos, procedimientos, flujogramas, herramientas tecnológicas y metodología de implementación de los requisitos legales exigidos, enfocándose en generar el menor impacto posible para las personas naturales y jurídicas que se relacionan con la Compañía. El principal objetivo de este trabajo es proporcionar a la Unidad de Cumplimiento, encargada de precautelar que la Compañía no sea utilizada para lavar activos y financiar delitos, de los medios necesarios para crear una cultura de prevención, que no solo garantice el cumplimiento legal sino que principalmente proteja a la compañía y todas las personas que se vinculan a ella de este terrible flagelo mundial. Con este trabajo se espera lograr que la implementación del sistema de prevención de lavado de activos se realice en forma planificada y ordenada, adecuándose a las necesidades y realidad de la Compañía.

Diseño de un modelo de gestión basado en responsabilidad social empresarial. Caso: Nokia Siemens Networks Ecuador S.A.

El presente trabajo de investigación: “Diseño de un Modelo de Gestión basado en Responsabilidad Social Empresarial. Caso: Nokia Siemens Networks Ecuador S.A.” se compone de 3 capítulos: 1.- Responsabilidad Social Empresarial, 2.- Diagnóstico de la empresa Nokia Siemens Networks Ecuador S.A. y 3.- Diseño del Modelo de Gestión de Responsabilidad Social Empresarial. El primer capítulo contempla el marco teórico donde se analizan los conceptos de varios autores acerca de la Responsabilidad Social Empresarial, de la norma ISO 26000, así como ejemplos de empresas ecuatorianas que ya utilizan a la RSE como parte fundamental de su estrategia de negocios. Finalmente se citan entidades que promueven la Responsabilidad Social Empresarial en el Ecuador. En el segundo capítulo se realiza un estudio estratégico de la situación actual de la empresa, se analiza su modelo de gestión y su estrategia de negocios. Finalmente en el tercer capítulo se realiza el diseño del Modelo de Gestión basado en Responsabilidad Social Empresarial para la empresa Nokia Siemens Networks Ecuador S.A. El método de investigación de la tesis se basó en el estudio descriptivo de esta empresa en su conjunto, de su modelo de gestión y de sus principios (visión, misión, valores corporativos, objetivos estratégicos, políticas) para determinar de una manera inferencial y con un enfoque predominante cualitativo las acciones y cambios que debe implementar Nokia Siemens Networks Ecuador S.A. en su modelo de gestión actual para que esté enfocado en una Responsabilidad Social Empresarial. La empresa Nokia Siemens Networks es una multinacional de Telecomunicaciones que nació en 2007 como la fusión de la empresa alemana Siemens con la finlandesa Nokia. En Ecuador, esta multinacional tiene su representación con la empresa Nokia Siemens Networks Ecuador S.A. Palabras Claves: Responsabilidad Social, Modelo de Gestión, competitividad, sustentabilidad, estrategia de negocio, stakeholders.

Responsabilidad social empresarial, RSE en las Pymes: estudio en el Distrito Metropolitano de Quito

La Responsabilidad Social Empresarial, en la actualidad es un tema de relevancia, exige a los empresarios de las PYMES, una variedad de ideas creativas que deben implementar en sus estrategias empresariales para obtener como resultado características de diferenciación que fomenten una ventaja competitiva. La situación de las PYMES en el D.M. de Quito, es un tema de estudio, enfrentan varios factores limitantes para implementar RSE como estrategia corporativa, como una baja asignación de recursos, altos costos, falta de experiencia, da lugar a cierto grado de incertidumbre y por consecuencia un alto riesgo. Existe diversos conceptos y procesos de implantación sobre RSE, inclusive el que menciona la ISO 26000, al cual el estudio hace referencia, se debe indagar en el sector de estudio para asimilar la situación actual y como la RSE se constituye en elemento de diferenciación en su estrategia, para ello se obtiene información de la observación directa del mercado, fuentes secundarias como el INEC y como fuente primaria el desarrollo de una entrevista dirigida para expertos. Las pymes del D.M. de Quito y su mercado no están preparados para implantar RSE en su estrategia empresarial, se identificó que existen 99.275 pymes al 2010, los expertos menciona que 2 de 10 pymes podrían trabajar con RSE bajo una planeación estratégica, por otro lado el aporte económico es significativo, los ingresos promedio son $219.044.93 (miles de $), la RSE debe considerarse como un proceso transversal al plan estratégico y a la cadena de valor de la empresa, así crear cultura y consciencia en la comunidad.

Propuesta de un modelo de gestión por procesos en PYMES de la industria gráfica en el sector norte de la ciudad de Quito

El presente trabajo se enfoca en crear una propuesta de un modelo de gestión por procesos en PYMES de la industria gráfica en el sector norte de la ciudad de Quito que conlleve al mejoramiento empresarial. Para su desarrollo, se establecen como objetivos a la definición de las bases conceptuales de la gestión por procesos, al diagnóstico de la gestión actual a nivel de procesos en PYMES de la industria gráfica en el sector norte de la ciudad de Quito, a la generación de la propuesta de gestión por procesos para PYMES de la industria gráfica y a la aplicación de la propuesta del modelo de gestión por procesos en la PYME “Gráficas Paola”. El alcance de la investigación se desarrolla en las PYMES de la industria gráfica del norte de Quito, para lo cual se realizó un levantamiento de sus procesos que venían operando y sus rendimientos alcanzados. Justificándose la investigación realizada al proponer un modelo de gestión por procesos en PYMES para el sector analizado, que conlleve al mejoramiento empresarial, que les permita ser más competitivas en el mercado donde desarrollan la impresión gráfica de material corporativo y publicitario. La información que se utilizó para la realización de la presente investigación, procedió de fuentes secundarias, guiándose en los trabajos propuestos por Agudelo & Escobar, Aldana de Vega, Norton & Kaplan y Araque como a la normativa establecida por la ISO 9000:2005 e INEN 2 537:2010, de acuerdo con el mejoramiento de los procesos para la obtención de beneficios para las organizaciones. De esta manera, con la aplicación de la propuesta, se da por cumplido el objetivo de investigación, al generarse un modelo de gestión por procesos en las PYME de la industria gráfica, en el sector norte de la ciudad de Quito. El cual se diseñó, de acuerdo con la norma técnica ecuatoriana del INEN y los resultados de las encuestas.

Transcriptome analysis and crop improvement (a review)

The identification and characterization of differential gene expression from tissues subjected to stress has gained much attention in plant research. The recognition of elements involved in the response to a particular stress enhances the possibility of promoting crop improvement through direct genetic modification. However, the performance of some of the 'first generation' of transgenic plants with the incorporation of a single gene has not always been as expected. These results have stimulated the development of new transgenic constructions introducing more than one gene and capable of modifying complex pathways. Several techniques are available to conduct the analysis of gene regulation, with such information providing the basis for novel constructs specifically designed to modify metabolism. This review deals with techniques that allow the identification and characterization of differentially-expressed genes and the use of molecular pathway information to produce transgenic plants.

Effect of replacing calcium salts of palm oil distillate with extruded linseeds on milk fatty acid composition in Jersey and Holstein cows

Clinical and biomedical studies have provided evidence for the critical role of n-3 fatty acids on the reduction of chronic disease risk in humans, including cardiovascular disease. In the current experiment, the potential to enhance milk n-3 content in two breeds with inherent genetic differences in mammary lipogenesis and de novo fatty acid synthesis was examined using extruded linseeds. Six lactating cows (three Holstein and three Jersey) were used in a two-treatment switchback design with 3 × 21-day experimental periods to evaluate the effect of iso-energetic replacement of calcium salts of palm oil distillate (CPO) in the diet (34 g/kg dry matter (DM)) with 100 g/kg DM extruded linseeds (LIN). For both breeds, replacing CPO with LIN had no effect (P > 0.05) on DM intake or milk yield, but reduced (P < 0.05) milk fat and protein yield (on average, from 760 to 706 and 573 to 552 g/day, respectively). Relative to CPO, the LIN treatment reduced (P < 0.01) total saturated fatty acid content and enhanced (P < 0.001) 18:3n-3 in milk, whereas breed by diet interactions were significant for milk fat 16:0, total trans fatty acid and conjugated linoleic acid concentrations. Increases in 18:3n-3 intake derived from LIN in the diet were transferred into milk with a mean marginal transfer efficiency of 1.8%. Proportionate changes in milk fatty acid composition were greater in the Jersey, highlighting the importance of diet–genotype interactions on mammary lipogenesis. More extensive studies are required to determine the role of genotype on milk fat composition responses to oilseeds in the diet.

Uranyl(VI) and lanthanum(III) thio-diglycolamides complexes: synthesis and structural studies involving nitrate complexation

New tri-functional ligands of the type R2NCCCH2SCH2CCNR2 (where R = iso-propyl, n-butyl or iso-butyl) were prepared and characterized. The coordination chemistry of these ligands with uranyl and lanthanum(III) nitrates was studied by using the IR, (HNMR)-H-1 and elemental analysis methods. Structures for the compounds [UO2(NO3)(2)((Pr2NCOCH2SCH2CONPr2)-Pr-i-Pr-i)] [UO2(NO3)(2)((Bu2NCOCH2SCH2CONBu2)-Bu-i-Bu-i)(2)] [La(NO3)(3)((Pr2NCOCH2SCH2CONPr2)-Pr-i-Pr-i)(2)] and [La(NO3)(3)((Bu2NCOCH2SCH2CONBu2)-Bu-i-Bu-i)(2)] were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. These structures show that the ligand acts as a bidentate chelating ligand and bonds through both the carbamoyl groups to the uranyl and lanthanum(III) nitrate groups. Solvent extraction studies show that the ligand can extract the uranyl ion from the nitric acid medium but does not show any ability to extract the americium (III) ion. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Standardization of procurement: National or international?

The ISO has issued a Draft International Standard on construction procurement and the British Standards Institute is drafting a standard based upon this for use in the UK. Three questions arise from these observations. First, what kind of consultation processes would be adequate to ensure that such a standard meets the requirements of an industry as diverse as construction? Second, why would an international standard be inappropriate for use in a country like UK? Third, what sort of issues should such a standard seek to cover? There are strong precedents for process standards, such as quality assurance, design management and workmanship on building sites. So the idea of a standard on procurement is not unusual. Moreover, there are many differences in tendering and procurement practice that are wasteful and even collusive or illegal. These issues are explored with a view to offering insights and suggestions for guidance based on the experiences in UK. The research method is first-hand observation of the drafting committee who are dealing with the British Standard. As an example to test and inform the standardization concept, six different standard guidance documents on tendering procedures are compared. This reveals a significant degree of diversity, and based on this, nine stages for implementing a tendering procedure are derived.

Reclassification of Bacteroides putredinis (Weinberg et al., 1937) in a New Genus Alistipes gen. nov., as Alistipes putredinis comb. nov., and description of Alistipes finegoldii sp nov., from human sources

During studies on the bacteriology of appendicitis in children, we often isolated from inflamed and non-inflamed tissue samples, an unusual bile-resistant pigment-producing strictly anaerobic gram-negative rod. Phenotypically this organism resembles members of Bacteroides fragilis group of species, as it is resistant to bile and exhibits a special-potency-disk pattern (resistance to vancomycin, kanamycin and colistin) typical for the B. fragilis group. However, the production of brown pigment on media containing haemolysed blood and a cellular fatty acid composition dominated by iso-C15:0, suggests that the organism most closely resembles species of the genus Porphyromonas. However, the unidentified organism differs from porphyromonads by being bile-resistant and by not producing butyrate as a metabolic end-product. Comparative 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing studies show the unidentified organism represents a distinct sub-line, associated with but distinct from, the miss-classified species Bacteroides putredinis. The clustering of the unidentified bacterium with Bacteroides putredinis was statistically significant, but they displayed >4% sequence divergence with each other. Chromosomal DNA-DNA pairing studies further confirmed the separateness of the unidentified bacterium and Bacteroides putredinis. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic considerations, it is proposed that Bacteroides putredinis and the unidentified bacterium from human sources be classified in a new genus Alistipes, as Alistipes putredinis comb. nov. and Alistipes finegoldii sp. nov., respectively. The type strain of Alistipes finegoldii is CCUG 46020(T) (= AHN2437(T)).

In vitro study on gas generation and prebiotic effects of some carbohydrates and their mixtures

This study was carried out to examine the effect or inulin (IN), fructooligosaccharide (FOS), polydextrose (POL) and isomaltooligosaccharides (ISO), alone and in combination, on gas production, gas composition and prebiotic effects. Static batch culture fermentation was performed with faecal samples from three healthy volunteers to study the volume and composition of gas generated and changes in bacterial populations. Four carbohydrates alone or mixed with one another (50:50) were examined. Prebiotic index (PI) was calculated and used to compare the prebiotic effect. The high amount of gas produced by IN was reduced by mixing it with FOS. No reduction in gas generation was observed when POL and ISO mixed with other substrates. It was found that the mixture of IN and FOS was effective in reducing the amount of gas produced while augmenting or maintaining their potential to Support the growth of bifidobacteria in Faecal batch culture as the highest PI was achieved with FOS alone and a mixture of FOS and IN. It was also found that high volume of gas was generated in presence of POL and ISO and they had lower prebiotic effect. The results of this study imply that a Mixture of prebiotics could prove effective in reducing the amount of gas generated by the gut microflora. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Arsenicicoccus bolidensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from contaminated lake sediment

An unknown Gram-positive, catalase-positive, facultatively anaerobic, non-spore-forming, coccus-shaped bacterium originating from sediment was characterized using phenotypic, molecular chemical and molecular phylogenetic methods. Chemical studies revealed the presence of a cell-wall murein based on LL-diaminopimelic acid (type LL-Dpm-glycine(1)), a complex mixture of saturated, monounsaturated and iso- and anteiso-methyl-branched, non-hydroxylated, long-chain cellular fatty acids and tetrahydrogenated menaquinones with eight isoprene units [MK-8(H-4)] as the major respiratory lipoquinone. This combination of characteristics somewhat resembled members of the suborder Micrococcineae, but did not correspond to any currently described species. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed that the unidentified coccus-shaped organism is a member of the Actinobacteria and represents a hitherto-unknown subline related to, albeit different from, a number of taxa including Intrasporangium, Janibacter, Terrabacter, Terracoccus and Ornithinicoccus. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic considerations, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium originating from lake sediment be classified as a new genus and species, Arsenicicoccus bolidensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain CCUG 47306(T) = DSM 15745(T)).

Effects of dietary fat modification on oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in the LIPGENE study.

Subjects with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) have enhanced oxidative stress and inflammation. Dietary fat quality has been proposed to be implicated in these conditions. We investigated the impact of four diets distinct in fat quantity and quality on 8-iso-PGF2α (a major F2-isoprostane and oxidative stress indicator), 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF2α (15-keto-dihydro-PGF2α, a major PGF2α metabolite and marker of cyclooxygenase-mediated inflammation) and C-reactive protein (CRP). In a 12-week parallel multicentre dietary intervention study (LIPGENE), 417 volunteers with the MetS were randomly assigned to one of the four diets: two high-fat diets (38 % energy (%E)) rich in SFA or MUFA and two low-fat high-complex carbohydrate diets (28 %E) with (LFHCC n-3) or without (LFHCC) 1·24 g/d of very long chain n-3 fatty acid supplementation. Urinary levels of 8-iso-PGF2α and 15-keto-dihydro-PGF2α were determined by RIA and adjusted for urinary creatinine levels. Serum concentration of CRP was measured by ELISA. Neither concentrations of 8-iso-PGF2α and 15-keto-dihydro-PGF2α nor those of CRP differed between diet groups at baseline (P>0·07) or at the end of the study (P>0·44). Also, no differences in changes of the markers were observed between the diet groups (8-iso-PGF2α, P = 0·83; 15-keto-dihydro-PGF2α, P = 0·45; and CRP, P = 0·97). In conclusion, a 12-week dietary fat modification did not affect the investigated markers of oxidative stress and inflammation among subjects with the MetS in the LIPGENE study.

Increased levels of microparticles originating from endothelial cells, platelets and erythrocytes in subjects with metabolic syndrome: relationship with oxidative stress

Background and aims The Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Circulating microparticles (MP) are involved in the pathogenesis of atherothrombotic disorders and are raised in individual with CVD. We measured their level and cellular origin in subjects with MetS and analyzed their associations with 1/anthropometric and biological parameters of MetS, 2/inflammation and oxidative stress markers. Methods and results Eighty-eight subjects with the MetS according to the NCEP-ATPIII definition were enrolled in a bicentric study and compared to 27 healthy controls. AnnexinV-positive MP (TMP), MP derived from platelets (PMP), erythrocytes (ErMP), endothelial cells (EMP), leukocytes (LMP) and granulocytes (PNMP) were determined by flow cytometry. MetS subjects had significantly higher counts/μl of TMP (730.6 ± 49.7 vs 352.8 ± 35.6), PMP (416.0 ± 43.8 vs 250.5 ± 23.5), ErMP (243.8 ± 22.1 vs 73.6 ± 19.6) and EMP (7.8 ± 0.8 vs 4.0 ± 1.0) compared with controls. LMP and PNMP were not statistically different between groups. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that each criterion for the MetS influenced the number of TMP. Waist girth was a significant determinant of PMP and EMP level and blood pressure was correlated with EMP level. Glycemia positively correlated with PMP level whereas dyslipidemia influenced EMP and ErMP levels. Interestingly, the oxidative stress markers, plasma glutathione peroxydase and urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2 α, independently influenced TMP and PMP levels whereas inflammatory markers did not, irrespective of MP type. Conclusion Increased levels of TMP, PMP, ErMP and EMP are associated with individual metabolic abnormalities of MetS and oxidative stress. Whether MP assessment may represent a marker for risk stratification or a target for pharmacological intervention deserves further investigation.

A double-blind, placebo controlled human study investigating the effects of coffee derived manno-oligosaccharides on the faecal microbiota of a healthy adult population.

The aims of this study were to assess the impact of coffee derived mannooligosaccharides on the faecal microbiota of a healthy UK based population. Methods and Results: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover human intervention study was conducted. Volunteers were assigned, 3g MOS, 5g MOS and placebo coffee preparations, to consume daily over a 3 wks, followed by a 2 wk washout period. Faecal samples were collected, and microbial population characterised using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Short-chain and branched-chain fatty acid profiles were obtained by gas chromatography. All treatments led to significant lactobacilli increases (placebo, p < 0.001; 3g, p = 0.04; 5g, p=0.04). The 3g treatment led to a significant bifidobacteria increase (p=0.001). Significantly less iso-valerate was found in faeces following 3g MOS daily (p=0.05). Conclusions: The 3g dose of MOS led to a potentially beneficial shift in the faecal microbiota. MOS was therefore confirmed to be a prebiotic at 3g dose. Significance and Impact of Study: This study provides confirmation of a new novel prebiotic, that can be considered for incorporation into a wider variety of food products, to provide different selective and nutritional properties.

On the structure of Langmuir turbulence

The Stokes drift induced by surface waves distorts turbulence in the wind-driven mixed layer of the ocean, leading to the development of streamwise vortices, or Langmuir circulations, on a wide range of scales. We investigate the structure of the resulting Langmuir turbulence, and contrast it with the structure of shear turbulence, using rapid distortion theory (RDT) and kinematic simulation of turbulence. Firstly, these linear models show clearly why elongated streamwise vortices are produced in Langmuir turbulence, when Stokes drift tilts and stretches vertical vorticity into horizontal vorticity, whereas elongated streaky structures in streamwise velocity fluctuations (u) are produced in shear turbulence, because there is a cancellation in the streamwise vorticity equation and instead it is vertical vorticity that is amplified. Secondly, we develop scaling arguments, illustrated by analysing data from LES, that indicate that Langmuir turbulence is generated when the deformation of the turbulence by mean shear is much weaker than the deformation by the Stokes drift. These scalings motivate a quantitative RDT model of Langmuir turbulence that accounts for deformation of turbulence by Stokes drift and blocking by the air–sea interface that is shown to yield profiles of the velocity variances in good agreement with LES. The physical picture that emerges, at least in the LES, is as follows. Early in the life cycle of a Langmuir eddy initial turbulent disturbances of vertical vorticity are amplified algebraically by the Stokes drift into elongated streamwise vortices, the Langmuir eddies. The turbulence is thus in a near two-component state, with suppressed and . Near the surface, over a depth of order the integral length scale of the turbulence, the vertical velocity (w) is brought to zero by blocking of the air–sea interface. Since the turbulence is nearly two-component, this vertical energy is transferred into the spanwise fluctuations, considerably enhancing at the interface. After a time of order half the eddy decorrelation time the nonlinear processes, such as distortion by the strain field of the surrounding eddies, arrest the deformation and the Langmuir eddy decays. Presumably, Langmuir turbulence then consists of a statistically steady state of such Langmuir eddies. The analysis then provides a dynamical connection between the flow structures in LES of Langmuir turbulence and the dominant balance between Stokes production and dissipation in the turbulent kinetic energy budget, found by previous authors.