The New Challenges for Corporate Compliance under the European Due Diligence Directive, along the Supply Chain: The agri-food sector study

The text discusses the Framework for the Implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDD) proposed by the European Union. The directive, aligned with UN and OECD guidelines, imposes obligations on companies to ensure respect for human rights and the environment. The due diligence obligation involves identifying and addressing the negative impacts of business activities, establishing internal complaint mechanisms, and publicly communicating efforts. The directive emphasizes integrating these activities into corporate policies and strategic decisions throughout the value chain. Companies must assess and address negative impacts in their supply chains, with measures tailored to the severity, likelihood, size, resources, and capabilities of the undertaking. The text highlights the complexity of sustainability as a long-term, multifaceted process, calling for collective responsibility from various stakeholders to navigate challenges in ecological and digital transitions, social inclusion, and energy and food security

DISPLASIA E CANCRO IN PAZIENTI CON RETTOCOLITE ULCEROSA DI LUNGA DURATA: COLONSCOPIA TRADIZIONALE VS PANCROMOENDOSCOPIA VS FUJINON INTELLIGENT COLOUR ENHANCEMENT (FICE). STUDIO PROSPETTICO RANDOMIZZATO.

Background Patients with long standing ulcerative colitis have increased risk of colorectal cancer. Current screening endoscopy protocols based on white light endoscopy (WLE) and random biopsies are laborious and of uncertain sensitivity. Novel endoscopic techniques include chromoendoscopy ( CE) and virtal chromoendocopy (FICE) with targeted biopsies. Aim The aim was to compare WLE with random biopsies , CE and FICE with targeted biopsies for the detection of suspicious lesions and dysplasia during surveillance colonoscopy in long standing ulcerative colitis patients. Methods In this study 158 patients were prospectively randomized and examinated by WLE with random biopsies ( n 78 ), by CE (n 41) and by FICE (n 39) with targeted biopsies. We compared the number of suspicious lesions detected per patient in every group and histopathology of all detected lesions was confirmed by evaluation of biopsy specimens. Results In the WLE group we detected suspicious lesions in 17 patients ( 22%), in 30 patients (73%) in the CE group and in 21 patients(54%) in FICE group (p<0,0001). More suspicious mucosal areas per patient was detected by CE and FICE (51 and 28 %) vs WLE (4%); no significative difference was observed in detection of DALM/polyps or neoplasia ( 1 patient in WLE group). Histopathology evaluation of biopsy specimens detected dysplasia o neoplasia in 11 patients of WLE group (14%), in 10 patients of CE group (24%), in 7 patients in FICE group (18%), with no significant difference in the 3 groups but comparable with WLE with fewer biopsies. Conclusions The use of CE and FICE improved significantly the number of suspicious lesions detected during surveillance colonoscopy in long standing ulcerative colitis patients, almost for suspicious mucosal areas. The detection of dysplasia with CE and FICE was comparable to WLE with fewer biopsies taken

Biologic targeting in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases

The etiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not yet been clarified and immunosuppressive agents which nonspecifically reduce inflammation and immunity have been used in the conventional therapies for IBD. Evidence indicates that a dysregulation of mucosal immunity in the gut of IBD causes an overproduction of inflammatory cytokines and trafficking of effector leukocytes into the bowel, thus leading to an uncontrolled intestinal inflammation. Under normal situations, the intestinal mucosa is in a state of “controlled” inflammation regulated by a delicate balance of proinflammatory (tumor necrosis factor [TNF-α], interferon-gamma [IFN-γ], interleukin-1 [IL-1], IL-6, IL-12 and anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-10, IL-11). The mucosal immune system is the central effector of intestinal inflammation and injury, with cytokines playing a central role in modulating inflammation. Cytokines may therefore be a logical target for inflammatory bowel disease therapy using specific cytokine inhibitors. Biotechnology agents targeted against TNF, leukocyte adhesion, Th1 polarization, T cell activation, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), and other miscellaneous therapies are being evaluated as potential therapies for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. In this context, infliximab and adalimumab are currently the only biologic agents approved in Europe for the treatment of inflammatory Crohn’s disease. Other anti-TNF biologic agents have emerged, including CDP571, certolizumab pegol, etanercept, onercept. However, ongoing research continues to generate new biologic agents targeted at specific pathogenic mechanism involved in the inflammatory process. Lymphocyte-endothelial interactions mediated by adhesion molecules are important in leukocyte migration and recruitment to sites of inflammation, and selective blockade of these adhesion molecules is a novel and promising strategy to treat Crohn’s disease. Therapeutics agents to inhibit leukocyte trafficking include natalizumab (approved for use in Crohn’s disease in USA), MLN-02, and ISIS 2302. Other agents being investigated for the treatment of Crohn’s disease include inhibitors of T cell activation, proinflammatory cytokine receptors, Th1 polarization, growth hormone, and growth factors. Agents being investigated for treatment of ulcerative colitis include many of those mentioned above. Controlled clinical trials are currently being conducted, exploring the safety and efficacy of old and new biologic agents, and the search certainly will open new and exciting perspective on the development of therapies for inflammatory bowel disease. A review is made of the main areas of research exploring the mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of IBD, providing advances in the agents currently in use, and identifying a host of new therapeutic biologic targets

Estudio de las condiciones de higiene en tanques de agua potable domiciliarios de la ciudad de Campana

Con el objeto de verificar las condiciones de higiene de los tanques domiciliarios, receptores de agua potable proveniente de la red de distribución, se realizaron análisis bacteriológicos de la misma. En un total de treinta domicilios se extrajeron dos muestras; una proveniente de la red antes que ingrese al tanque y otra posterior al mismo; en cada una de ellas se tomó la precaución de esterilizar las bocas de salida y recipientes a fin de evitar aportes contaminantes externos. Los análisis se realizaron en el laboratorio microbiológico de la Facultad Regional Delta utilizando el método del número más probable (NMP). El 100 % de las muestras correspondientes al agua de red, desde el punto de vista microbiológico, era de óptima calidad, mientras que el 6,7% de las provenientes de los tanques domiciliarios revelaron contaminación, estando el 1,7% afectadas por coliformes fecales. Las muestras contaminadas correspondieron a tanques que no estaban en buenas condiciones de higiene, lo que indica la necesidad de resolver el problema mediante la concientización de la población en lo que respecta a adoptar medidas concretas de higiene.Drinking water bacteriological tests were conducted with the objective of verifying sanitary conditions of home tanks, receptors of this drinking water which comes from the distribution system. Two samples were taken from a total of thirty houses; one of them was taken from the distribution system before coming into the tank, and the other sample was taken after coming into it; each time the outlets and containers were sterilized in order to avoid external contamination. The analysis were carried out at the microbiological laboratory of Facultad Regional Delta, using the method of the most probable number (NMP). From the microbiological point of view, 100 % of the samples that correspond to the water from the distribution system, were of an optimum quality, whereas 6.7 % of the water from the home tanks showed pollution levels, being 1,7 % affected by faecal coliforms. The polluted samples were taken from home tanks that were not in good sanitary conditions, which shows the need of solving the problem by making people aware that specific sanitary measures should be adopted.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Estudio de las condiciones de higiene en tanques de agua potable domiciliarios de la ciudad de Campana

Con el objeto de verificar las condiciones de higiene de los tanques domiciliarios, receptores de agua potable proveniente de la red de distribución, se realizaron análisis bacteriológicos de la misma. En un total de treinta domicilios se extrajeron dos muestras; una proveniente de la red antes que ingrese al tanque y otra posterior al mismo; en cada una de ellas se tomó la precaución de esterilizar las bocas de salida y recipientes a fin de evitar aportes contaminantes externos. Los análisis se realizaron en el laboratorio microbiológico de la Facultad Regional Delta utilizando el método del número más probable (NMP). El 100 % de las muestras correspondientes al agua de red, desde el punto de vista microbiológico, era de óptima calidad, mientras que el 6,7% de las provenientes de los tanques domiciliarios revelaron contaminación, estando el 1,7% afectadas por coliformes fecales. Las muestras contaminadas correspondieron a tanques que no estaban en buenas condiciones de higiene, lo que indica la necesidad de resolver el problema mediante la concientización de la población en lo que respecta a adoptar medidas concretas de higiene.Drinking water bacteriological tests were conducted with the objective of verifying sanitary conditions of home tanks, receptors of this drinking water which comes from the distribution system. Two samples were taken from a total of thirty houses; one of them was taken from the distribution system before coming into the tank, and the other sample was taken after coming into it; each time the outlets and containers were sterilized in order to avoid external contamination. The analysis were carried out at the microbiological laboratory of Facultad Regional Delta, using the method of the most probable number (NMP). From the microbiological point of view, 100 % of the samples that correspond to the water from the distribution system, were of an optimum quality, whereas 6.7 % of the water from the home tanks showed pollution levels, being 1,7 % affected by faecal coliforms. The polluted samples were taken from home tanks that were not in good sanitary conditions, which shows the need of solving the problem by making people aware that specific sanitary measures should be adopted.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Estudio de las condiciones de higiene en tanques de agua potable domiciliarios de la ciudad de Campana

Con el objeto de verificar las condiciones de higiene de los tanques domiciliarios, receptores de agua potable proveniente de la red de distribución, se realizaron análisis bacteriológicos de la misma. En un total de treinta domicilios se extrajeron dos muestras; una proveniente de la red antes que ingrese al tanque y otra posterior al mismo; en cada una de ellas se tomó la precaución de esterilizar las bocas de salida y recipientes a fin de evitar aportes contaminantes externos. Los análisis se realizaron en el laboratorio microbiológico de la Facultad Regional Delta utilizando el método del número más probable (NMP). El 100 % de las muestras correspondientes al agua de red, desde el punto de vista microbiológico, era de óptima calidad, mientras que el 6,7% de las provenientes de los tanques domiciliarios revelaron contaminación, estando el 1,7% afectadas por coliformes fecales. Las muestras contaminadas correspondieron a tanques que no estaban en buenas condiciones de higiene, lo que indica la necesidad de resolver el problema mediante la concientización de la población en lo que respecta a adoptar medidas concretas de higiene.Drinking water bacteriological tests were conducted with the objective of verifying sanitary conditions of home tanks, receptors of this drinking water which comes from the distribution system. Two samples were taken from a total of thirty houses; one of them was taken from the distribution system before coming into the tank, and the other sample was taken after coming into it; each time the outlets and containers were sterilized in order to avoid external contamination. The analysis were carried out at the microbiological laboratory of Facultad Regional Delta, using the method of the most probable number (NMP). From the microbiological point of view, 100 % of the samples that correspond to the water from the distribution system, were of an optimum quality, whereas 6.7 % of the water from the home tanks showed pollution levels, being 1,7 % affected by faecal coliforms. The polluted samples were taken from home tanks that were not in good sanitary conditions, which shows the need of solving the problem by making people aware that specific sanitary measures should be adopted.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

A Structured methodology for business network design

In the new manufacturing environment, a single enterprise does not often own all resources and skills to offercompetitive solutions. Therefore, such enterprises become part of enterprise networks of independent corecompetencies in order to produce marketable products. Thus, Business Networking is an innovative businessparadigm that can help companies to remain competitive in the market. Nevertheless, its practical implementation isvery complicated because of the several dimensions that it involves, and, especially in network start up phase,because it is often left to the case and not managed with adequate methodologies and tools. The present paperproposes a structured methodology for long term business network design that is based on a network descriptivemodel and that should be applied by a network architect. The proposed methodology has been developed andapplied in the frame of KoBaS project funded through European Commission Program

Evolución del contenido de nitratos en el agua subterránea de la ciudad de Campana

Considerando que la presencia de nitratos en el agua de bebida es un problema de salud a la población, el objetivo del trabajo fue considerar la necesidad de analizar la situación de contaminación por estas sales. Durante los años 1998 y 2000 se realizaron análisis del agua de red domiciliaria de la ciudad de Campana, provincia de Buenos Aires. Al comparar las concentraciones de nitratos en el agua en los distintos períodos es posible observar que existe una disminución de los valores máximos. Este descenso está asociado, de acuerdo a lo manifestado por responsables de la empresa distribuidora del agua, a la incorporación de nuevas estaciones de bombeo y a la eliminación de aquellos pozos que tenían elevadas concentraciones de la sal en cuestión, logrando así una dilución y ubicando el valor medio de concentración en los 50-55 mg/l.Considering that the presence of Nitrates in the drink water is a problem of health to the population, the objective of the work it was to consider the necessity to analyze the situation of contamination for these salts. During the years 1998 and 2000 were carried out analysis of the water of domiciliary net of Campana city, in Buenos Aires. When comparing the concentrations of Nitrates in the water in the different periods it is possible to observe that a decrease of the maximum values exists. This descent is associate, according to that manifested for responsible for the company distribution of the water, to the incorporation of new stations of pumping and the elimination of those wells that had high concentrations of the salt in question, achieving this way a dilution and locating the half value of concentration in the 50-55 mg/l.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

A reference architecture for cloud-edge meta-operating systems enabling cross-domain, data-intensive, ML-assisted applications: architectural overview and key concepts

Future data-intensive intelligent applications are required to traverse across the cloudto-edge-to-IoT continuum, where cloud and edge resources elegantly coordinate, alongside sensor networks and data. However, current technical solutions can only partially handle the data outburst associated with the IoT proliferation experienced in recent years, mainly due to their hierarchical architectures. In this context, this paper presents a reference architecture of a meta-operating system (RAMOS), targeted to enable a dynamic, distributed and trusted continuum which will be capable of facilitating the next-generation smart applications at the edge. RAMOS is domain-agnostic, capable of supporting heterogeneous devices in various network environments. Furthermore, the proposed architecture possesses the ability to place the data at the origin in a secure and trusted manner. Based on a layered structure, the building blocks of RAMOS are thoroughly described, and the interconnection and coordination between them is fully presented. Furthermore, illustration of how the proposed reference architecture and its characteristics could fit in potential key industrial and societal applications, which in the future will require more power at the edge, is provided in five practical scenarios, focusing on the distributed intelligence and privacy preservation principles promoted by RAMOS, as well as the concept of environmental footprint minimization. Finally, the business potential of an open edge ecosystem and the societal impacts of climate net neutrality are also illustrated.For UPC authors: this research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and FEDER, grant number PID2021-124463OB-100.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Evolución del contenido de nitratos en el agua subterránea de la ciudad de Campana

Considerando que la presencia de nitratos en el agua de bebida es un problema de salud a la población, el objetivo del trabajo fue considerar la necesidad de analizar la situación de contaminación por estas sales. Durante los años 1998 y 2000 se realizaron análisis del agua de red domiciliaria de la ciudad de Campana, provincia de Buenos Aires. Al comparar las concentraciones de nitratos en el agua en los distintos períodos es posible observar que existe una disminución de los valores máximos. Este descenso está asociado, de acuerdo a lo manifestado por responsables de la empresa distribuidora del agua, a la incorporación de nuevas estaciones de bombeo y a la eliminación de aquellos pozos que tenían elevadas concentraciones de la sal en cuestión, logrando así una dilución y ubicando el valor medio de concentración en los 50-55 mg/l.Considering that the presence of Nitrates in the drink water is a problem of health to the population, the objective of the work it was to consider the necessity to analyze the situation of contamination for these salts. During the years 1998 and 2000 were carried out analysis of the water of domiciliary net of Campana city, in Buenos Aires. When comparing the concentrations of Nitrates in the water in the different periods it is possible to observe that a decrease of the maximum values exists. This descent is associate, according to that manifested for responsible for the company distribution of the water, to the incorporation of new stations of pumping and the elimination of those wells that had high concentrations of the salt in question, achieving this way a dilution and locating the half value of concentration in the 50-55 mg/l.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES