The Quality-Quantity Trade-off in the Principal-Agent Framework

This paper uses the principal-agent theory to analytically investigate the optimal incentive-based compensation contract that a processor should offer to a grower performing efforts in quantity and quality. In this process, we contribute to the substantive literature on multi-task principal-agent models by analyzing the quality-quantity trade-off and studying the implications of such a relationship in the principal-agent framework. One striking result of these effects is that, under appropriate incentive-based grower’s compensation, the processor may encourage grower’s effort in quality without crowding out grower’s effort in quantity.quality, quantity, trade-off, incentive contract, principal-agent framework, uncertainty, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, D86,

The yield/quality trade-off and contractual choice

This paper provides an analysis of the choice of governance mechanism in agriculture using an integrated perspective based on agency theory. The main ways of organizing agriculture are compared: spot market and incentive contract. With the analytical development of both models, it is explored that the choice of the optimal mechanism depends on initial conditions such as uncertainty, the risk aversion of the agents or the number of competitors. Moreover, according to the predictions made by the economic literature on agrarian organization, the results support the coexistence of both governance alternatives.Crop Production/Industries,

Quality and governance mode choice: a transaction cost approach to the wine industry

We analyze the relationship between product quality and governance mode choice using the results of a survey of DOC Rioja wineries. Wineries that produce high-quality wines are more likely to vertically integrate than are wineries that produce low-quality wines. Consistent with Transaction Cost Economics, we find evidence that asset specificity and uncertainty are important determinants of vertical integration. Finally, the size of the winery is also an important factor that affects governance mode choice in viticulture.quality, governance mode choice, transaction cost, Industrial Organization,

Double Sided Moral Hazard and Share Contracts in agriculture

This paper develops a double-sided moral hazard model of share contract in agriculture, with imperfect quality measurement by the agent and the principal, who contribute to the final good quality in terms of production effort and marketing effort respectively. Using this model, we analyse the implications of the share contract for quantity and quality, often ignored in previous analysis. With the help of a simulation exercise, we prove that the outcome-conditioned share generally weakens the agent´s incentive to make effort in quality input. This finding could explain the contractual evidence in some differentiated markets such as the wine market, where bottle-price conditioned contracts are rarely used.share-contract, double moral-hazard, quality, Farm Management,

On the co-existence of spot and contract markets: an analysis of quality

The possible co-existence of spot and contract market that can emerge in the presence of quality issues with a number of growers and processors in each stage is something that has largely remained an open question in the literature. This paper is an attempt to fill this void. We use a straightforward two-stage Cournot oligopoly model with specific demand and cost functions. In the first stage, processors decide simultaneously whether or not to set an incentive contract. The second stage is the stage in which growers choose their levels of quantity and quality based on the industry structure developed in the first stage. With the help of numerical simulations we conducted the study of the equilibrium structures. Our results suggest that for a wide range of number of participants in both markets, participation in both markets constitutes a Nash equilibrium for the model.Marketing,

Ventajas y desventajas de la aplicación de la técnica de HR-ICP-MS al análisis inorgánico de aguas en terrenos volcánicos

La técnica de ICP-MS ha supuesto un gran avance en el análisis de aguas en los últimos decenios tal y como recogen las normativas al respecto en Europa, Estados Unidos, etc., habiéndose convertido en una técnica de referencia particularmente en el tema de calidad del agua. La alta resolución aplicada a la ICP-MS reduce considerablemente las interferencias y su combinación con detectores aptos para concentraciones mayoritarias hace que se disponga de una herramienta analítica muy competitiva que permite determinar simultáneamente elementos mayoritarios y trazas, incluidos halógenos (Cl, Br, I), y además relaciones isotópicas (ej., Li y B). Estos aproximadamente 60 parámetros geoquímicos permiten una caracterización exhaustiva de las aguas para temas de calidad y también ayudan a discernir más fácilmente el origen y el tránsito de las aguas a través de diferentes terrenos volcánicos. Por otra parte, la HR-ICP-MS es de gran aplicación a la determinación de los aportes geoquímicos volcanogénicos a los balances biogeoquímicos regionales, como por ejemplo de los materiales piroclásticos, a través del análisis de lixiviados procedentes de la simulación de la interacción del agua con estos productos eruptivos. En este trabajo se exponen los pros y contras de la aplicación de la HR-ICP-MS a aguas en problemáticas volcanogénicas a través de diferentes ejemplos (Islandia, Argentina, Chile, etc.). Agradecemos la asistencia del Servicio labGEOTOP (infraestructura cofinanciada por FEDER-UE, Ref. CSIC08-4E-001) del ICTJA-CSIC. La financiación fue proporcionada por QUECA (MINECO, CGL2011-23307). Este estudio se llevó a cabo en el marco del Grupo Reconocido GEOPAM (2014 SGR 869).La financiación fue proporcionada por QUECA (MINECO, CGL2011-23307). Este estudio se llevó a cabo en el marco del Grupo Reconocido GEOPAM (2014 SGR 869).Peer Reviewe

Reprint of: Proteomics in cardiovascular diseases::Unveiling sex and gender differences in the era of precision medicine

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent the most important cause of mortality in women and in men. Contrary to the long-standing notion that the effects of the major risk factors on CVD outcomes are the same in both sexes, recent evidence recognizes new, potentially independent, sex/gender-related risk factors for CVDs, and sex/gender-differences in the clinical presentation of CVDs have been demonstrated. Furthermore, some therapeutic options may not be equally effective and safe in men and women. In this context, proteomics offers an extremely useful and versatile analytical platform for biomedical researches that expand from the screening of early diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers to the investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying CDVs. In this review, we summarized the current applications of proteomics in the cardiovascular field, with emphasis on sex and gender-related differences in CVDs

Influencia de las condiciones experimentales en la determinación de S, Cl, Br y I en agua por espectrometría de masas de alta resolución (HR-ICP-MS)

A systematic study was undertaken to optimize a method to determine S, Cl, Br and I in water by high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS). The sample composition and preparation conditions (the total dissolved solids -TDS-, the total organic compounds -TOC- and the addition of nitric acid) were evaluated to assess the sample matrix influence. Furthermore, the effect of instrumental parameters (carrier gas flow rate, sample flow rate, radiofrequency -RF- power and analyzer resolution) was also studied to minimize the contribution of polyatomic species, and to establish the required resolution. Low, medium or high resolutions were compared in terms of background level and sensitivity. After optimization, a multivariate robustness test was carried out by means of a Placket-Burman design. This method was applied to samples of the Llobregat and Ter rivers which are used for the drinking water system of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (~4.5 million inhabitants), Catalonia, northeast Spain.Este estudio fue financiado a través del Proyecto QUECA del Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España (CGL2011-23307) y el Proyecto PICT-2013-1259 (FONCyT, Argentina). Los análisis se realizaron en el Laboratorio de Geoquímica labGEOTOP en el ICTJA CSIC, infraestructura cofinanciada por FEDER-UE(Ref. CSIC08-4E-001).Peer Reviewe

El papel de la movilidad geográfica en la expansión de Aedes albopictus y en la transmisión de enfermedades infecciosas

Ponencia sobre el papel de la movilidad geográfica en la expansión de Aedes albopictus y en la transmisión de enfermedades infecciosas. Se estudia la dispersión de Aedes albopictus basados en el análisis de datos de la invasión en la provincia de Girona durante 2009-2011; y la dispersión epidémica en redes desarrollando un marco teórico para la modelización de la propagación de enfermedades infecciosas.N

Lipoic acid inhibits leptin secretion and Sp1 activity in adipocytes

Lipoic acid (LA) is an antioxidant with therapeutic potential on several diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Hyperleptinemia and oxidative stress play a major role in the development of obesity-linked diseases. The aim of this study was to examine in vivo and in vitro the effects of LA on leptin production, as well as to elucidate the mechanisms and signalling pathways involved in LA actions. Methods and results: Dietary supplementation with LA decreased both circulating leptin, and adipose tissue leptin mRNA in rats. Treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with LA caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of leptin secretion and gene expression. Moreover, LA stimulated the anaerobic utilization of glucose to lactate, which negatively correlated with leptin secretion. Furthermore, LA enhanced phosphorylation of Sp1 and inhibited Sp1 transcriptional activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Moreover, LA inhibited Akt phosphorylation, a downstream target of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). Treatment with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 mimicked LA actions, dramatically inhibiting both leptin secretion and gene expression and stimulating Sp1 phosphorylation. Conclusion: All of these data suggest that the phosphorylation of Sp1 and the accompanying reduced DNA-binding activity are likely to be involved in the inhibition of leptin induced by LA, which could be mediated in part by the abrogation of the PI3K/Akt pathway