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Profiles the success of singer Xuxa, the first Latin American entertainer to make the `Forbes' list of top-earning performers. Xuxa's appeal to the Brazilian fans and plans to go global; Lucrative deal with Argentina's Telefe network; Xuxa as a Latin American Madonna; Xuxa's background and heritage; Past celebrity associations; Questionable role model for children; Top ratings for daily television show; The singer's biggest moneymaker is merchandising; Manager Marlene Mattos.

Targeting of many polytopic proteins to the inner membrane of prokaryotes occurs via an essential signal recognition particle-like pathway. Unlike the general secretory pathway, the proteins involved in this pathway and their activities appear in many respects to mirror closely those of their eukaryotic homologues. However, the Escherichia coli signal recognition particle receptor, FtsY, differs significantly at the amino terminus from the eukaryote homologue alpha-subunit of the signal recognition particle receptor. In addition, there is no prokaryote homologue of the transmembrane beta-subunit of the receptor. Therefore, FtsY must assemble on the membrane in a unique manner. Using assays designed to accurately discriminate membrane-bound proteins from aggregated material, we found that in contrast to a previous report, only amino acids 1-284 of FtsY are necessary and sufficient for membrane assembly. These amino acids together constitute a bona fide membrane binding domain that includes both the regions originally designated A and N based on sequence comparisons. Furthermore, we found that a membrane-bound factor mediates specific cleavage of some membrane-bound FtsY molecules between the N and G regions previously believed to be functionally linked to generate a novel membrane-bound isoform composed of only the AN domain.

Examines the army in El Salvador whose reputation as a `mature' military force has been shattered, yet it's political power remains undiminished. Description of military academy; Patronage system of officers; Corruption; American officials argue for battlefield improvements as higher priority than changing abuses; Military controls political system.

Discusses how to size up the risks and rewards in investing in Latin America. Stick with strong currencies; Improving economies in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela and Colombia; Mexican equivalent of our T bill, called Cete (Certificado de la Tesoreria); Recommendations.

Discusses how many of Brazil's multinational corporations are sitting in mountains of cash, and are desperate to escape Brazil's chaotic economy and eager to gain production and marketing experience in advanced economies. Investing in the United States at levels of $20 million to $50 million a year during 80s; Increasing rate of investment; Company examples.

Reports that the Chinese love speculating in stocks, so Taiwanese living in New York City can get their Taipei Stock Market fix at Formosa & America Information, Inc. Live service of the stock market; Membership fee; How the service works.

Profiles Puebla Foods' Felix Sanchez. How he got started in the tortilla business; Competition that Sanchez faces in the northeastern United States; Plans to expand his product lines; Efforts to keep production costs low; Possible export items; Comments from Sanchez.

Profiles Argentina's Techint Group and the success it has achieved under the Argentinean government's privatization program. Assets; Techint's founders, Agostina Rocca and his family; How Techint got so big; Background on Agostino Rocca; Education; The continuing legacy; Transition; Top managerial skills; Deals; Setting sights on Argentina's biggest privatization of all--Somisa, the army's integrated steelworks.

Reports that Argentina, under President Carlos Saul Menem is in the process of eliminating the tax on agricultural exports, which has been as high as 25 percent, giving farmers new incentive to export and to invest in their properties. The rise of agricultural exports such as soybean meal and vegetable oils; Capital to expand production has come from debt-for-equity swaps; Foreigners who buy Argentinean dollar debt at a discount and convert it at a rate closer to face value.

Features how many Asian retail firms are rushing to place textile and garment industries in Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama. Just in the last 18 months, 79 Korean manufacturers have moved to Central America, investing some $82 million plant and equipment and creating thousands of new jobs. Why the Asians are moving into Central America; How the local governments are eager to help; Benefits; Why Americans are losing out.

Examines agro-maquilas, American operated agricultural plants located in Mexico. Idea taken from maquiladoras, border assembly plants; Use of Mexico's cheap labor and bright sun; Example of Paul and Jeanette Johnson; New ownership rules make this even easier than in the past; Agro-maquilas represent fastest-growing segment of maquiladora industry; How it works; Companies that have masquiladoras; Everyone benefits.

States that inside many big companies is an entrepreneurial company struggling to escape. Lists and describes a few that did and as a consequence joined the ranks of Forbes 200 Best Small Companies list.

Describes the success enjoyed by Pencer's Cott Corp., of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Sales of private label goods in the US; Large chains which sell Cott colas; Brothers Sam and Gerry Pencer; Operating in a cola niche; History of the Cott company; More.

Discusses revenues for Taca, the Salvadorian airline owned by Frederico Bloch. Bloch's moves to purchase big pieces of money losing carriers in other South American companies; His belief in airline integration; Strategies designed to turn profits.

Discusses that even as Argentina privatizes and deregulates and free-trades its way to prosperity, it wonders why the US seems to be going in an opposite direction. Argentina, led by Domingo Cavallo, minister of economy and public works, is moving fast from socialism toward a market economy. President Carlos Saul Menem gave problem to Cavallo; Swift reforms; Elimination of trade restrictions; More.

Comments on the National Securities Commission's regulating of the world's fastest-growing capital market, the Argentinean Bolsa. At age 30, Martin Redrado has been appointed chairman of the National Securities Commission; Trading volume on the Bosa has surged; The Bolsa's total value; Background on Redrado; More.

Reports that as fast as Latin American countries decide to privatize their state-owned companies, Pedro-Pablo Kuczynski, chairman of First Boston International, finds buyers for them. Past deals.

Discusses former chairman of Public Service Co. of New Mexico (PNM), Jerry Geist, and allegations of mismanagement and inflation of his retirement benefits, which has led to his being sued by his former company and its shareholders. Reasons for the lawsuit; Geist's incentive to keep fighting.

Reports that after a year of hard labor, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. finally seems to have sold itself to General Cinema Corp., for $1.5 billion. Details of deal; Background on consultant John Herrington; Prospects under General Cinema's ownership.

Profiles the Wackenhut Corp., a leader in security guard services, and its recent success in procuring lucrative contracts from the US Department of Energy and NASA. Expansion overseas; Annual revenues; Company founder George Wachenhut, 72; Wackenhut Corp.'s hopes for privatized prison contracts.

Examines how Rene Anselmo keeps breaking down barriers across the heavens with his Alpha Lyracom Space Communications, Inc. Pan Am Sat, the world's first privately owned international communications satellite; Activities during the Persian Gulf War; Plans to launch three satellites by 1995; Saving money by launching from the People's Republic of China; In court against Comsat which allegedly violated antitrust laws.

Looks at how Canada's Immigrant Investor Program makes visas readily available to immigrant investors with proven business records who are willing to lend $250,000 (Canadian) or more, depending on the province, to a Canadian venture for a period of five years. Since the program's inception in 1986, over 2,000 visas have been issued; Future program plans; Why Quebec is the only province which manages its own immigration policy; How the system works.

Describes the business of The Ackerman Group, run by Emanuel (Mike) C. Ackerman. The company is a $3.5 million security firm which specializes in kidnapping and hostage negotiations. Being an alumni of the CIA's Clandestine Services; Some cases he's worked on; Retiring from the CIA; How he started his company; How the war in the Gulf has been good for business.

Analyzes the tactics used by cognac producers to gain market share within the Chinese community. How the Chinese consume about four times more than the average US consumer per year; Advertising strategies; Promotions used during the Chinese New Year.

Examines the international conflict over the developed world's dumping of toxic waste in Third World countries. Reasons why Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean are attractive dumping sites; Toughened controls in Guinea and Nigeria; United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP); Positions of the US and Western Europe.