Life cycle analysis of Jatropha curcas as a sustainable biodiesel feedstock in Argentina

Despite constant changes to the industry in recent years, Argentina remains one of the most important producers of biodiesel in the world. Approximately 90% of the biodiesel produced in Argentina is from soybean, a fact which has raised concern over the fuel´s sustainability. For this reason, alternative crops such as Jatropha curcas are being explored. The aim of this study is to assess the environmental impact of Jatropha-based biodiesel for the specific case of Argentina through life cycle assessment (LCA). The processes considered in this study include Jatropha seed cultivation, seed transportation, oil extraction, and transesterification. Two cultivation scenarios are examined in order to explore trade-offs between land use type and agricultural inputs. This study also incorporates land and water use, which are typically omitted from LCA due to complexity and lack of available information. Inventory data for the system were collected and analyzed using the ReCiPe impact assessment method. The results show a 21% reduction of kg CO2 equivalent for the overall Jatropha biodiesel production process when using fertile land with low-input agriculture instead of marginal land use with fertilizer and irrigation.Fil: Beaver, Alexa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Castaño, Fabio Antonio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; ArgentinaFil: Díaz, María Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química; Argentin

Crecimiento, progreso económico y emprendimiento

ResumenLos economistas han estado tradicionalmente interesados en analizar los factores que estimulan el crecimiento económico y uno de los que se han contemplado es el papel desempeñado por los emprendedores. Ahora bien, en este análisis es necesario también contemplar cómo se ve afectado el progreso económico y también la justicia distributiva. Habitualmente se ha considerado que crecimiento y progreso eran sinónimos, pero siguiendo a Holcombe (2007) cabe distinguirlos ya que el primero está relacionado con la cantidad de producto mientras que el progreso económico lo está con la calidad del producto. Ello es importante porque algunas de las medidas de política económica diseñadas para favorecer el crecimiento pueden generar problemas, por ejemplo, desigualdad, que habrá que solucionar, por ejemplo a través de un «principio de compensación» para evitar que la justicia distributiva y el progreso se vean perjudicados. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar estas cuestiones. Para ello comenzaremos refiriéndonos a la relación que existe entre crecimiento y progreso económicos, para pasar después a centrarnos en los aspectos de la justicia distributiva y a exponer algunas medidas a llevar a cabo para favorecer a ambos desde el ámbito de la política económica.AbstractEconomists have traditionally been interest in analyzing economic growth enhancing factors. Entrepreneurship is one of factors considered by economists. However, in this analysis is also necessary to be considered how economic progress and distributive justice are affected. Usually economic growth and progress have been considered as synonymous, but following Holcombe (2007) it is possible to distinguish them since the former is related to the amount of product while economic progress is related to the quality of the product. This is important because some of the economic policy measures designed to promote economic growth can generate problems, for example, inequality. These problems could be solved, for example through a “compensation principle” to avoid that distributive justice and progress will be harmed. The aim of this article is to analyze these issues. We will begin considering the relationship between economic growth and progress in order to focus on the aspects of distributive justice and to design some economic policy measures to enhance economic growth and progress

Relationship between ambidexterity andentrepreneurial intensity

[EN] Within organisational analysis, a concept that has been gaining importance has been organisational ambidexterity, where two factors play an important role: entrepreneurial intensity and innovations. The objective of this article is to analyse the relationship between entrepreneurial intensity and ambidexterity. The conceptualisation of ambidexterity distinguishes between ambidextrous activities and ambidextrous outcomes. To carry out this objective, we have tested several theoretical relationships. We have used partial least squares methodology to develop an empirical study in 25 European countries. Results confirm that collaboration networks have a positive effect on entrepreneurship intensity. This effect is greater than the one obtained by ambidextrous activities or new technologies. We also show that entrepreneurship intensity has a mediating role between ambidextrous activities and ambidextrous outcomes.Castaño-Martínez, M.; Galindo-Martín, M.; Méndez-Picazo, M.; Palacios Marqués, D. (2020). Relationship between ambidexterity andentrepreneurial intensity. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istra ivanja. 33(1):2410-2426. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2019.1595084S24102426331Adner, R., & Kapoor, R. (2010). Value creation in innovation ecosystems: how the structure of technological interdependence affects firm performance in new technology generations. Strategic Management Journal, 31(3), 306-333. doi:10.1002/smj.821Faisal Ahammad, M., Mook Lee, S., Malul, M., & Shoham, A. (2015). Behavioral Ambidexterity: The Impact of Incentive Schemes on Productivity, Motivation, and Performance of Employees in Commercial Banks. Human Resource Management, 54(S1), s45-s62. doi:10.1002/hrm.21668Ambos, T. C., Mäkelä, K., Birkinshaw, J., & D’Este, P. (2008). When Does University Research Get Commercialized? Creating Ambidexterity in Research Institutions. Journal of Management Studies, 45(8), 1424-1447. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6486.2008.00804.xAntoncic, B., & Hisrich, R. D. (2001). Intrapreneurship. Journal of Business Venturing, 16(5), 495-527. doi:10.1016/s0883-9026(99)00054-3Brem, A. (2017). Creativity and routine: conceptual considerations on managing organisational ambidexterity in entrepreneurial ventures. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 21(3), 261. doi:10.1504/ijeim.2017.083472Burgelman, R. A. (1983). Corporate Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management: Insights from a Process Study. Management Science, 29(12), 1349-1364. doi:10.1287/mnsc.29.12.1349Burgers, J. H., Jansen, J. J. P., Van den Bosch, F. A. J., & Volberda, H. W. (2009). Structural differentiation and corporate venturing: The moderating role of formal and informal integration mechanisms. 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The Relationship between Green Innovation, Social Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Development

Economic growth is one of the important objectives of economic policy due to the beneficial effects it has on employment and economic well-being. The work carried out in the last few decades has highlighted the roles that entrepreneurship and innovation play in promoting this objective. However, the environmental deterioration resulting from policies implemented to stimulate growth has led to considerations of other objectives that are more compatible with the defense of the environment, such as sustainable development. Therefore, it is important to determine the factors that stimulate them. This paper considers traditional and social entrepreneurship and innovations and green innovation. The effect of institutions as generators of legal and economic environments on both types of entrepreneurship is contemplated. On the other hand, considering the possibility of “bidirectional causality”, the relationship between both types of entrepreneurship and institutions is also analyzed. This will allow us to design measures aimed at stimulating sustainable development. The objective of this paper is to analyze these relationships through two estimates: first, an analysis of the relationship between both types of entrepreneurship and innovations and sustainable development and second, the relationship between social and traditional entrepreneurship and institutions. In both cases, the path coefficient of each of them is compared with respect to the final objective, which would be useful when designing economic policies. Empirical analysis is carried out, producing an estimation of the structural equation modeling (SEM) model using the partial least squares (PLS) technique in the case of 20 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries

Insights from quantitative and mathematical modelling on the proposed 2030 goal for gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (gHAT)

Gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (gHAT) is a parasitic, vector-borne neglected tropical disease that has historically affected populations across West and Central Africa and can result in death if untreated. Following from the success of recent intervention programmes against gHAT, the World Health Organization (WHO) has defined a 2030 goal of global elimination of transmission (EOT). The key proposed indicator to measure achievement of the goal is to have zero reported cases. Results of previous mathematical modelling and quantitative analyses are brought together to explore both the implications of the proposed indicator and the feasibility of achieving the WHO goal. Whilst the indicator of zero case reporting is clear and measurable, it is an imperfect proxy for EOT and could arise either before or after EOT is achieved. Lagging reporting of infection and imperfect diagnostic specificity could result in case reporting after EOT, whereas the converse could be true due to underreporting, lack of coverage, and cryptic human and animal reservoirs. At the village-scale, the WHO recommendation of continuing active screening until there are three years of zero cases yields a high probability of local EOT, but extrapolating this result to larger spatial scales is complex. Predictive modelling of gHAT has consistently found that EOT by 2030 is unlikely across key endemic regions if current medical-only strategies are not bolstered by improved coverage, reduced time to detection and/or complementary vector control. Unfortunately, projected costs for strategies expected to meet EOT are high in the short term and strategies that are cost-effective in reducing burden are unlikely to result in EOT by 2030. Future modelling work should aim to provide predictions while taking into account uncertainties in stochastic dynamics and infection reservoirs, as well as assessment of multiple spatial scales, reactive strategies, and measurable proxies of EOT

First report of Trichinella spiralis from the white-eared (Didelphis albiventris) and the thick-tailed opossum (Lutreolina crassicaudata) in central Argentina

Trichinellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by nematodes of the genus Trichinella. Humans, who are the final hosts, acquire the infection by eating raw or undercooked meat of different animal origin. Trichinella spiralis is an encapsulated species that infects mammals and is widely distributed in different continents. In Argentina, this parasite has been reported in the domestic cycle that includes pigs and synanthropic hosts (mainly rats and some carnivores). This is the first report of T. spiralis in the opossums Didelphis albiventris and Lutreolina crassicaudata in Argentina, and the first report in opossums in South America. In this survey, Trichinella larvae were detected by enzymatic digestion in three D. albiventris and one L. crassicaudata captured on pig and dairy farms located in the northeast of Buenos Aires province. The microscopic examination of the 32 larvae isolated presented the diagnostic characteristic of the genus Trichinella. Two larvae isolated from two D. albiventris and one from L. crassicaudata were identified as T. spiralis by nested multiplex PCR and confirmed by sequencing. Further research to determine the burdens of T. spiralis in opossums may contribute to a better understanding of the risk of T. spiralis transmission to the synanthropic populations.Fil: Castaño Zubieta, R.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz, M.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; ArgentinaFil: Morici, G.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; ArgentinaFil: Lovera, Rosario. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, María Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Caracostantogolo, Jorge Luis. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria; ArgentinaFil: Cavia, Regino. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Selección de trabajos presentados en el IX Encuentro del CERPI y la VII Jornada del CENSUD “Argentina y América Latina, en un mundo de extremos” : La Plata, 13 de septiembre de 2019

A partir del año 2007 el Centro de Reflexión en Política Internacional (CERPI) y el Centro de Estudios Sudamericanos (CENSUD) organizan conjuntamente cada dos años un encuentro de reflexión y debate sobre temas de política internacional que atañen a nuestra región. En ambos eventos se presentan trabajos inéditos referidos tanto a la política exterior argentina como a la política sudamericana en sus diversos aspectos (general, bilateral o multilateral, político-diplomático, estratégico-militar y económico). Es importante destacar que la convocatoria del evento es abierta a todas las disciplinas vinculadas con la temática, lo cual permite la diversidad de perspectivas y enfoques. Así como también se convoca a todos los miembros de la comunidad académica tanto del país como del exterior. El Centro de Reflexión en Política Internacional (CERPI) fue creado en 1995 con los siguientes objetivos principales: (i) promover e impulsar una instancia de análisis, discusión y seguimiento de la política internacional argentina, analizada en sus diversas fases pasadas, presentes y futuras y (ii) constituir un ámbito de capacitación, actualización y producción académica en Política Exterior Argentina. Por su parte, el Centro de Estudios Sudamericanos (CENSUD), fue creado en el mes de noviembre de 2005, en el ámbito del Departamento de América Latina y el Caribe del IRI. El citado Centro se constituyó con el objeto de ampliar el área de estudio del Centro Brasil (CEBRAS), generando un espacio ampliado de análisis e investigación de toda la región sudamericana. Tiene entre sus objetos, el análisis y estudio de las diversas temáticas que abarcan el espacio regional desde una mirada multidisciplinaria, que incluye el Derecho, la Ciencia Política, la Historia y las Relaciones Internacionales. Para este fin no solo realiza la producción de publicaciones, sino también actividades académicas de diverso tipo para la divulgación y el debate. En el año 2019 en oportunidad de celebrarse el IX Encuentro del CERPI y la VII Jornada del CENSUD: “Argentina y América Latina, en un mundo de extremos”, el Comité organizador de ambos eventos decidió realizar una selección de los trabajos presentados y publicar un nuevo “Documento de Trabajo” del Instituto de Relaciones Internacionales (IRI), con el objetivo de difundir la diversidad de las propuestas y reflexiones realizadas en dicho evento.Instituto de Relaciones Internacionale

Transethnic meta-analysis of rare coding variants in PLCG2, ABI3, and TREM2 supports their general contribution to Alzheimer’s disease

Rare coding variants in TREM2, PLCG2, and ABI3 were recently associated with the susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in Caucasians. Frequencies and AD-associated effects of variants differ across ethnicities. To start filling the gap on AD genetics in South America and assess the impact of these variants across ethnicity, we studied these variants in Argentinian population in association with ancestry. TREM2 (rs143332484 and rs75932628), PLCG2 (rs72824905), and ABI3 (rs616338) were genotyped in 419 AD cases and 486 controls. Meta-analysis with European population was performed. Ancestry was estimated from genome-wide genotyping results. All variants show similar frequencies and odds ratios to those previously reported. Their association with AD reach statistical significance by meta-analysis. Although the Argentinian population is an admixture, variant carriers presented mainly Caucasian ancestry. Rare coding variants in TREM2, PLCG2, and ABI3 also modulate susceptibility to AD in populations from Argentina, and they may have a European heritage.International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (to M.C.D.); Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (PBIT/09 2013, PICT2015-0285 and PICT-2016-4647 to L.M.; PICT-2014-1537 to M.C.D.

Vitamin C transporter gene (SLC23A1 and SLC23A2) polymorphisms, plasma vitamin C levels, and gastric cancer risk in the EPIC cohort

Vitamin C is known to protect mucosal tissues from oxidative stress and inhibit nitrosamine formation in the stomach. High consumption of fruits, particularly citrus, and higher circulating vitamin C concentrations may be inversely associated with gastric cancer (GC) risk. We investigated 20 polymorphisms in vitamin C transporter genes SCL23A1 and SCL23A2 and GC risk in 365 cases and 1,284 controls nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. We also evaluated the association between these polymorphisms and baseline plasma vitamin C levels in a subset of participants. Four SNPs were predictors of plasma vitamin C levels (SLC23A1 rs11950646 and rs33972313; SLC23A2 rs6053005 and rs6133175) in multivariable linear regression models. One SNP (SLC23A2 rs6116569) was associated with GC risk, in particular non-cardia GC (OR = 1.63, 95 % CI = 1.11-2.39, based on 178 non-cardia cases), but this association was attenuated when plasma vitamin C was included in the logistic regression model. Haplotype analysis of SLC23A1 yielded no associations with GC. In SLC23A2, one haplotype was associated with both overall and non-cardia GC, another haplotype was associated with GC overall, and a third was associated with intestinal-type GC. Common variants in SLC23A1 and SLC23A2 may influence plasma vitamin C concentration independent of dietary intake, and variation in SLC23A2 may influence GC risk. Additional prospective studies in large populations and consortia are recommended. Investigation of variation in vitamin C transporter genes may shed light on the preventative properties of vitamin C in gastric carcinogenesis