Profitability of olive mill pomace composting as a bioeconomy alternative

La bioeconomía circular está muy presente en la agenda política actual, como consecuencia de la preocupación de la sociedad por el medio ambiente. Este nuevo paradigma se presenta como una oportunidad para el sector del olivar y de los aceites de oliva, dada la gran cantidad de subproductos que genera y su potencial de valorización. Entre las alternativas existentes para la valorización del alperujo y el hojín producido en las almazaras, el compostaje se presenta como una alternativa técnicamente viable, a pesar de lo cual su implantación es escasa. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la rentabilidad financiera del compostaje de subproductos de la almazara, identificar los principales factores que la determinan y realizar un análisis de sensibilidad de estos. Para ello, se ha analizado la inversión necesaria y los costes de explotación de la actividad de compostaje, arrojando como resultado un margen comercial negativo (-3,64 €/t de compost), considerando la situación actual. No obstante, el margen comercial pasa a ser positivo (+9,52 €/t de compost) al no considerar el coste de oportunidad relativo a la venta del alperujo a la extractora. El análisis de sensibilidad indica que el precio de dicha venta, el precio del combustible y el precio del estiércol son los principales factores limitantes para la rentabilidad de la actividad. Asimismo, se incluye un análisis pormenorizado del efecto de la distancia a la extractora sobre el coste de producción del compost, obteniéndose que para distancias superiores a los 54 km el margen comercial es positivo.The circular bioeconomy is top-ranked among the priorities of the political agenda due to society's concern for the environment. This new paradigm is presented as an opportunity for the olive oil sector due to the large quantities of by products generated and their potential for valorization. Among the existing alternatives for valorizing olive pomace and olive leaves produced in olive mills, composting is presented as a technically feasible alternative, although its implementation is scarce. This study aims to analyze the financial profitability for olive mills of by-products composting, identify the main factors that determine this profitability, and conduct a sensitivity analysis regarding these factors. For this purpose, the investment and operating costs required for the composting activity have been assessed, determining that, under the current situation, the commercial margin of the activity is negative (−€3.64/t of compost). Without considering the sale price of olive pomace to the extractor industry (which represents an opportunity cost for other valorization alternatives, like composting), the commercial margin is estimated to be positive (+€9.52/t of compost). The sensitivity analysis has shown that fuel price, the sale price of the olive pomace to the extractor industry, and the manure price are the main limiting factors for the profitability of the composting valorization alternative. A detailed analysis of the effect of the distance to the pomace oil extraction industry on the cost of the compost produced was also carried out, showing that the commercial margin is positive for distances greater than 54 km

Bedrock and Surficial Geologic Map of the Red Rock 7.5’ Quadrangle, Beaverhead County, Southwestern Montana

The Red Rock 7.5 minute quadrangle, located in Beaverhead County, southwestern Montana, spans the Red Rock River Valley, an extensional graben formed between the Tendoy mountain front and the western flank of the Blacktail-Snowcrest uplift (Fig. 1). Notable landmarks within the quadrangle include the Clark Canyon Reservoir (Bureau of Reclamation dam number MT00569) located in the northwest area of the quadrangle and Interstate 15 which runs northwest-southeast through the quadrangle. The highest elevations in the map area are located within the Tendoy Mountains and the Red Rock Hills and are underlain by Paleozoic and Cenozoic bedrock. From these points, broad alluvial fans grade down to the Red Rock River Valley. The quadrangle contains about 3,000 ft of relief. Mapping of the Red Rock quadrangle was done at a scale of 1:12,000 and was compiled at a scale of 1:24,000. Field work was completed in the summer of 2005 in collaboration with the mapping of the adjacent Briggs Ranch and Kidd quadrangles (Figs. 1 and 2). This strategy allowed for the comparison of structure and stratigraphy across quadrangle boundaries and provided a regional context for the mapping of each quadrangle. This new mapping complements previous mapping of the Monument Hill quadrangle (Newton and others, 2005), Dixon Mountain quadrangle (Harkins and others, 2004b), Caboose Canyon quadrangle (Harkins and others, 2004a), and Dell quadrangle (Aschoff and Schmitt, 2005) and collectively provides new detailed mapping and analysis of a portion of the Red Rock River Valley from Lima to the Clark Canyon Dam (Figs. 1 and 2). This report includes a map and cross section for the Red Rock quadrangle as well as a discussion of the stratigraphy and structure of the map area

The circular bioeconomy of the olive oil industry: deterministic and probabilistic profitability of olive mill by-product gasification

In the novel paradigm of the circular economy the value of products, materials, and resources is retained in the economy for as long as possible, thereby minimizing waste generation. In this context, the olive oil producing countries are presented with a new opportunity that lies in the large amount of by-products generated by the olive oil industry, in particular olive pomace. Among the existing options for valorizing it, gasification is a technically proven and economically viable process, especially for moderately high energy prices. This research aims to analyze the profitability of olive pomace gasification, identifying the main uncertainty factors that determine said profitability. To that end, sensitivity analyses and probabilistic scenario analyses using the Monte Carlo method are conducted for the first time in this research context. The results show a positive profit margin of €19.27 per ton of milled olives, a Net Present Value (NPV) of €453,067, and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 9.7 %. The sensitivity analysis indicates that the electricity price is the main determinant of profitability, while other factors, such as the biomass price or the sale of by-products (biochar), are less important. The Monte Carlo analysis reveals the uncertainty involved in these types of projects, showing that the probability of the investment being profitable (NPV>0) is only 25.1 %. The assessment evidences that this kind of projects presents high capital needs and strongly uncertain profitability, recommending the implementation of public and private green finance instruments to overcome high-capital barriers and de-risk these investments

Cuantificación de los recursos biomásicos del sector oleícola en Andalucía: una aproximación actualizada

La tendencia creciente de la superficie y la intensificación productiva del olivar en Andalucía ha supuesto un incremento en la generación de subproductos en este sistema agrario. En este contexto, resulta necesario actualizar la cuantificación del volumen de biomasa producido, habida cuenta de la ausencia de estimaciones recientes. Existe una extensa literatura que proporciona diferentes estimaciones de índices de producción de biomasa en el sector, tanto en la fase agrícola como en la industrial. No obstante, las estimaciones basadas en estos trabajos proporcionan resultados muy heterogéneos. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar críticamente las propuestas de cuantificación de los subproductos del olivar y la industria oleícola, identificando cuáles deben tomarse como referencia para una estimación lo más realista posible. Para ello, se analizan las principales publicaciones científicas y se aplican los resultados a los datos medios de las últimas 5 campañas del sector oleícola andaluz. Esto ha permitido cuantificar el potencial biomásico medio del sector del olivar en Andalucía en 2,6 Mt/año en la fase agrícola, 5,4 Mt/año en almazaras, 1,6 Mt/año en extractoras y 0,006 Mt/año en entamadoras. Esta cuantificación resulta útil para soportar la toma de decisiones, públicas y privadas, en relación con el desarrollo de actividades de bioeconomía circular orientadas a la valorización de esta producción.The growing trend in olive groves area and intensification of olive farms in Andalusia has led to an increase in the production of olive by-products. In this context, an updated quantification of the volume of these biomass resources is utterly needed, especially considering that recent estimations are lacking. There is an extensive literature that provides different estimates of biomass production rates for this sector, both in the agricultural and industrial phases. However, the estimates based on these studies yield very heterogeneous results. This study aims to critically analyze the proposals for the quantification of by-products in the Andalusian olive sector, identifying which ones should be taken as a reference for a realistic estimation. For this purpose, the main scientific publications are evaluated, and the results are applied to the average data of the last 5 olive growing seasons of the Andalusian olive sector. This has made it possible to quantify the biomass potential of the olive sector in Andalusia at 2,6 Mt per year in the agricultural stage, 5,4 Mt per year in olive mills, 1,6 Mt per year in pomace olive oil extraction industries and 0,006 Mt per year in table olive processing plant. This quantification is useful to support public and private decision-making about the development of circular bioeconomy activities oriented to the valorization of this production

Supporting the link between firm and research in the Degree in Business and Management Studies

El objetivo principal de este artículo es presentar el proyecto de innovación docente llevado a cabo durante el curso 2017/2018 entre el alumnado del Grado en Administración y Dirección de Empresas de la Universidad de Córdoba y, en concreto, en asignaturas relacionadas con las finanzas y la contabilidad. En este proyecto se ha implementado una nueva metodología docente al objeto de mejorar la adquisición y el desarrollo de competencias por parte del alumnado en un contexto de íntima conexión entre empresa e investigación, al objeto de simular el contexto real en el cual le serán demandadas las competencias a los graduados en el momento en que se enfrenten a su entrada en el mercado de trabajo. La metodología y las actividades que se han desarrollado para conseguir este objetivo principal incluyen: i) un seminario impartido por un profesional financiero de una empresa real; ii) el método de aprendizaje basado en problemas reales y soluciones científicas; iii) trabajo cooperativo en clase; y iv) un seminario impartido por un investigador en finanzas. Los resultados sugieren que esta metodología promueve de manera eficaz la adquisición de competencias entre el alumnado, especialmente aquellas relativas a interpretar la información financiera y resolver problemas financieros corporativos.The main objective of this paper is to present a teaching innovation project that has been implemented during the 2017/2018 academic year among students enrolled in the Degree in Business and Management at the University of Cordoba and, specifically, in subjects related to finance and accounting. In this innovation project a new teaching methodology has been implemented in order to improve the acquisition and development of competences by the students in a context of close connection between companies and research, to simulate the real context in which competences will be demanded to graduates when they face their entry into the labour market. The methodology and activities that have been developed to achieve this main objective include: i) a seminar by a financial professional of a real company; ii) a learning method based on real problems and scientific solutions; iii) cooperative work; and iv) a seminar by a researcher in finance. The results of this study allow to confirm that this methodology promotes in an effective way the acquisition of competences among students, especially those related to interpreting financial information and solving corporations’ financial problems

Genome wide association mapping of grain arsenic, copper, molybdenum and zinc in rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown at four international field sites

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Extensive Sheep and Goat Production: The Role of Novel Technologies towards Sustainability and Animal Welfare

[EN] Sheep and goat extensive production systems are very important in the context of global food security and the use of rangelands that have no alternative agricultural use. In such systems, there are enormous challenges to address. These include, for instance, classical production issues, such as nutrition or reproduction, as well as carbon-efficient systems within the climate-change context. An adequate response to these issues is determinant to economic and environmental sustainability. The answers to such problems need to combine efficiently not only the classical production aspects, but also the increasingly important health, welfare, and environmental aspects in an integrated fashion. The purpose of the study was to review the application of technological developments, in addition to remote-sensing in tandem with other state-of-the-art techniques that could be used within the framework of extensive production systems of sheep and goats and their impact on nutrition, production, and ultimately, the welfare of these species. In addition to precision livestock farming (PLF), these include other relevant technologies, namely omics and other areas of relevance in small-ruminant extensive production: heat stress, colostrum intake, passive immunity, newborn survival, biomarkers of metabolic disease diagnosis, and parasite resistance breeding. This work shows the substantial, dynamic nature of the scientific community to contribute to solutions that make extensive production systems of sheep and goats more sustainable, efficient, and aligned with current concerns with the environment and welfareSIThe CECAV authors acknowledge financial support of the research unit, which was financed by the National Funds from FCT, the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), project number UIDB/CVT/00772/2020. Financial support from FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Lisboa, Portugal) in the form of infrastructural funding to LEAF (UID/AGR/04129) and PhD grants SFRH/BD/143992/2019 (DM Ribeiro) and 2021.07638.BD (L Sacarrão-Birrento). Author L.E.H.C. acknowledges funding from the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (Spain) (RYC2019- 027064-I/AEI/10.13039/501100011033

UNICORSA: A single and multidisciplinary case-study method for ten subjects in the field of social and legal sciences

El proyecto de innovación docente “UNICORSA: un método del caso común y multidisciplinar para diez asignaturas de las ramas de ciencias sociales y jurídicas”, fue una iniciativa común de cuatro departamentos y seis áreas de conocimiento de la rama de ciencias sociales y jurídicas de la Universidad de Córdoba orientado a aplicar en la práctica los conocimientos teóricos transmitidos por cada una de estas áreas. A tal fin, se creó una empresa ficticia, UNICORSA, que actuó como protagonista de todas las actividades prácticas planteadas por el profesorado participante en sus respectivas asignaturas. Ello permitió un estudio multidisciplinar de las distintas vicisitudes por las que debía pasar dicha empresa en su vida económica, jurídica y social.The teaching innovation project “UNICORSA: a single and multidisciplinary case-study method for ten subjects in the field of social and legal sciences”, was a joint initiative of four departments and six areas in the field of social and legal sciences of the University of Córdoba aiming to implement the technical knowledge transmitted by each of these areas. To this end, UNICORSA, a fictitious company, was created in order to play the main role of all the practical activities proposed by the participating teachers in their respective courses. This led to a multidisciplinary study of the various events that UNICORSA had to go through in its economic, legal and social life. At the end of the term, a seminar entitled “Board of directors of the UNICORSA company” was held and the students involved in the project participated by presenting the solutions (reports) to the cases raised by the teachers in the different subjects. As in any shareholders' meeting, the approval of each of the reports was put to a vote. Among the main results achieved, it is worth highlighting the visibility of the practical application of the theoretical skills and knowledge acquired by the participants, the integration of multidisciplinary knowledge and the improvement of skills when interacting with other people from different training disciplines to achieve a common goal

Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis in Antibiotic-Treated COVID-19 Patients is Associated with Microbial Translocation and Bacteremia

Although microbial populations in the gut microbiome are associated with COVID-19 severity, a causal impact on patient health has not been established. Here we provide evidence that gut microbiome dysbiosis is associated with translocation of bacteria into the blood during COVID-19, causing life-threatening secondary infections. We first demonstrate SARS-CoV-2 infection induces gut microbiome dysbiosis in mice, which correlated with alterations to Paneth cells and goblet cells, and markers of barrier permeability. Samples collected from 96 COVID-19 patients at two different clinical sites also revealed substantial gut microbiome dysbiosis, including blooms of opportunistic pathogenic bacterial genera known to include antimicrobial-resistant species. Analysis of blood culture results testing for secondary microbial bloodstream infections with paired microbiome data indicates that bacteria may translocate from the gut into the systemic circulation of COVID-19 patients. These results are consistent with a direct role for gut microbiome dysbiosis in enabling dangerous secondary infections during COVID-19