Quality assurance mechanisms in agrifood: The case of the Spanish fresh meat sector

The largest fresh meat brand names in Spain are analyzed here to study how quality is signaled in agribusiness and how the underlying quality -assurance organizations work. Results show, first, that organizational form varies according to the specialization of the brand name. Publicly-controlled brand names are grounded on market contracting with individual producers, providing stronger incentives. In contrast, private brands rely more on hierarchy, taking advantage of its superiority in solving specific coordination problems. Second, the seemingly redundant coexistence of several quality indicators for a given product is explained in efficiency terms. Multiple brands are shown to be complementary, given their specialization in guaranteeing different attributes of the product.Quality assurance, co-branding, agriculture, vertical integration, contracts

Brand equity in the European fruit and vegetable sector: A transaction cost approach

Abstract We link both marketing and transaction cost economics (TCE) literature to explain factors determining brand equity from the buyer's perspective. We argue that TCE offers an appropriate framework for understanding the value added by each brand name. We claim that brand names are more valuable by buyers when contractual hazards (opportunism) in the transaction are higher. Results from an exploratory analysis of fourteen EU fruit and vegetable brand names indicate that the price premium (as a proxy for the brand equity) will be greater when the brand name addresses less informed parties and when search/measurement costs are substantial. Furthermore, consumers seem ready to pay a higher price premium for co-branded products. We consider this as an indicator that each brand name is specialized in guaranteeing different attributes and that they complement each other

Using Direct Current Potential Drop Technique to Estimate Fatigue Crack Growth Rates in Solid Bar Specimens under Environmental Assisted Fatigue in Simulated Pressurized Water Reactor Conditions

ABSTRACT: The direct current potential drop (DCPD) technique may be used in crack propagation tests to measure the crack growth rate (CGR). Potential probes attached to the specimen allow the variation of the crack length to be estimated. In this research, the DCPD technique using one single potential probe was applied to solid bar specimens (i.e., without any initial notch or crack) subjected to low-cycle fatigue testing in a simulated pressurized water reactor (PWR) environment. This particular analysis had two associated difficulties, the first one being the fact that crack initiation sites are not known beforehand, and the second one consisting in the experimental difficulties and conditioning factors associated with the simulation of the PWR environment. Nine solid bar specimens were tested to fatigue failure under different strain amplitudes and frequencies, while also measuring the corresponding DCPD signal during the fatigue process. It was observed that the initiation of multiple cracks was detected by the DCPD measurements. Moreover, as fatigue continued, one of the cracks became dominant and progressed to cause the specimen failure. The DCPD technique allowed the average CGR of the dominant crack to be estimated. Finally, the obtained average CGRs were validated by comparing them with average CGRs derived from striation spacing measurements, obtained from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and from literature values gathered in the NUREG/CR-6909 document.This project received funding from the Euratom Research and Training Programme 2014–2018 under Grant Agreement No. 662320 (INCEFA-PLUS) and Euratom Research & Training Programme 2019–2020 under grant agreement No. 945300 (INCEFA-SCALE)

Sesquiterpenyl indoles

Clasificación biosínteis y sínteis de índoles sesquiterpénicosThe natural product sesquiterpenyl indoles are structural hybrids fromfarnesyl pyrophosphate and tryptophan or its precursors, often with unusual and complex structural features,many of themwith interesting biological activities. In this review the compounds of this class known until now are classified, a biosynthetic approach of each group is proposed and a review of the synthesis or synthetic approaches is communicatedJunta de Castilla y León Fondo Social Europeo Universidad de Salamanc

Factors associated with health-related quality of life in adults with asthma. A cross-sectional study

Background: The measurement of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is increasingly recognized as an important endpoint, as a reflection of the effects of the disease from a patient perspective. Our aim was to evaluate the factors determining the HRQoL in patients with asthma, according to the EQ-5D questionnaire. Methods: Patients were included using multi-stage sampling, from Primary Care clinics from all the Autonomous Communities in Spain. The patients included were: over 18 years-old, with a confirmed diagnosis of asthma for at least one year, and had visited a Health Centre in the previous 2 years. The characteristics of the asthma disease, the adherence to treatment, the socio-demographic variables, the smoking habits, and the asthma control were collected using a questionnaire. The influence of the different variables included in the study on the EQ-5D was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 2,125 patients were finally included (57.7% females, mean age 48 years). The response rate was 95.4%. Some factors showed a considerable detrimental effect on the HRQoL of asthmatics. Advanced age, lower educational level and poor control of asthma are significantly associated with a worse quality of life in all the dimensions assessed by the EQ-5D scale. The baseline severity of the asthma, and having been admitted to hospital are related to a worse quality of life in 5 of the 6 dimensions analyzed. Conclusion: In our study, we could identify some factors related to quality of life in asthma patients. The most important were advanced age, lower education level, and poor control of the asthma.S

Determinantes de la duración de la incapacidad temporal y la vuelta al trabajo en un área sanitaria de Galicia

ObjetivoDeterminar los factores asociados con la incidencia y la duración de la incapacidad temporal (IT) en un área sanitaria.DiseñoDescriptivo, retrospectivo.EmplazamientoÁrea Sanitaria Sur de la provincia de Lugo.ParticipantesUna muestra de 1.513 episodios de IT seleccionada aleatoriamente entre el total de éstos, durante un período de 3 años.Mediciones principalesSe analizaron las características sociodemográficas del paciente, el régimen de la seguridad social (SS), el diagnóstico que justifica la IT y la fecha de la prescripción; del médico prescriptor se analizaron la edad, el sexo, la formación especializada, la antigüedad en la plaza y los años de ejercicio. La comparación de medias se realizó mediante el análisis de la varianza y el test de Kruskal-Wallis. El efecto relativo de cada variable sobre la probabilidad de volver al trabajo se estimó mediante modelos de regresión de Cox.ResultadosLa duración media de los episodios de IT fue de 74 ± 103 días. Los diagnósticos más frecuentes fueron los del sistema osteomioarticular (SOMA), las lesiones y envenenamientos (LYE) y las enfermedades respiratorias (NML). Se reduce la probabilidad de volver al trabajo con el incremento de la edad, en los regímenes de seguridad social autónomos y agrarios por cuenta propia, en los diagnósticos de enfermedades mentales y del aparato circulatorio, y cuando el médico prescriptor es de mayor edad o menos antiguo en la plaza.ConclusionesLa duración media de los episodios de IT es superior a la de otros estudios españoles. Los factores que más influyen en la reincorporación al trabajo son la edad del paciente, el régimen de la seguridad social y la enfermedad diagnosticada.ObjectiveTo determine the factors associated with the incidence and duration of temporary work incapacity (TWI) in a health district.DesignDescriptive and retrospective study.SettingSouth health district of the province of Lugo, Spain.ParticipantsA random sample of 1513 cases was selected among the total of episodes of TWI, during 3 years period.Main measuresThe main factors analyzed are, on the one hand, the socio-demographic characteristics of the patient, his or her social security (SS) scheme, diagnosis that justifies the TWD, and the prescription date; and, on the other hand, the age, sex, specialised training, time in the post and years in practice of the physician who prescribes the TWI. The comparison of the means was carried out using variance analysis and the Kruskal-Wallis test. The relative effect of each variable on the probability of returning to the work was estimated through Cox regression models.ResultsThe mean duration of the episodes of TWI was of 74±103 days. The most frequent diagnoses were those of the bones-muscles and joints (BMAJ), injuries and poisonings (IAP), and respiratory diseases (RD). The probability of returning to work is reduced with the increase of the age, with agrarian and autonomous SS affiliates, with diagnoses of mental disease or diagnoses of the circulatory system, and in cases prescribed by older doctors or less time in the post.ConclusionsThe mean duration of the episodes of TWD is higher than that of other Spanish studies. The most influential factors in the return to work are the age of the patient, the SS scheme and the diagnosed illness

A Spectral Analysis of laser Doppler anemometry Turbulent Flow Measurements in a Ship Air Wake

Helicopters are one of the most important tactical elements in maritime operations. The necessity to improve the conditions in which the landing and take-off operations are carried out leads to the study of the flow that separates from the ship’s superstructure over the flight deck. To investigate this flow a series of wind tunnel experiments have been performed by testing a sub-scale model of a frigate. Measurements of the flow velocity have been taken by means of laser Doppler anemometry in five points that simulate the last path of the landing trajectory. The data obtained in these experiments is analyzed in the frequency domain where the corresponding spectra are calculated. Onboard measurements from an actual full-scale frigate are analyzed and compared with the wind tunnel results. Conclusions obtained consist of a series of illustrative values of turbulent energy frequency ranges, which are valuable for any study in this field. The comparison shows a similarity between both experiments, reasserting the role of the wind tunnel measurements in these kind of studies

Instruments to Assess Physical Activity in Primary Education Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

The scientific evidence supports that physical inactivity in childhood is a reality throughout the world which generates important consequences in the global development of children. Young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), due to the characteristics of the disorder they suffer, constitute a group at risk. Therefore, assessing the levels of physical activity (PA) in this group is fundamental for subsequent decision making and implementation of PA promotion programmes. Consequently, the aim of this systematic review was to identify, summarise and analyse the main instruments used to assess the levels of PA (in terms of time and/or intensity) in primary school children diagnosed with ASD. Scientific articles in English and Spanish published in five databases were reviewed: PsycINFO, WOS, SPORTDiscus, Scopus and PubMed, following the guidelines of the PRISMA statement. Out of the 605 articles identified, 12 met the previously established inclusion criteria. The instruments used by the studies analysed were divided into two main groups: accelerometers and questionnaires. Both showed different strengths and limitations but agreed on the low levels registered of PA in children with ASD. For this reason, it is considered necessary that further research be carried out in this field, as well as the development and implementation of sports programmes adjusted and adapted to the needs and characteristics of the ASD groupS

Prevalence of asthma and rhinitis symptoms in a Coruña (Spain)

Ponencia presentada en el IV Congreso de la Sociedad de Pediatría de Galicia, Verín, 2004[Resumen] Introducción. El asma y la rinitis son dos enfermedades con elevada prevalencia en la infancia, con tendencia a incrementarse en los últimos años. En ambas es frecuente el infradiagnóstico. Objetivo. Verificar la prevalencia de síntomas de asma y rinitis en la población infantil. Material y métodos. Hemos realizado, mediante cuestionario escrito, un estudio transversal siguiendo la metodología del International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), de prevalencia de sintomatología de asma y rinitis en el área de A Coruña. Resultados. Han sido incluidos 3.017 niños y niñas de 6 y 7 años (tasa de respuesta del 73,9%), y 2.981 de 13 y 14 años (tasa de respuesta del 93,6%). Refirieron haber presentado sibilancias alguna vez el 25,3% de los niños y niñas de 13 y 14 años y el 37,2% de los de 6 y 7 años. Han presentado asma en alguna ocasión el 18,5% de los adolescentes y el 13,7 % del grupo de menor edad. La prevalencia de rinitis alguna vez fue del 30,4% a los 6 y 7 años y del 47,3% a los 13 y 14 años. La mayor prevalencia de rinitis se produjo en el otoño. Conclusiones. El asma y la rinitis son especialmente frecuentes en nuestra población, superior a la observada en la mayoría de poblaciones españolas estudiadas.[Abstract] Introduction. The prevalence of asthma and rhinitis is high in childhood and has been increasing in the last few years. In both diseases underdiagnosis is frequent. Objective. To asses the prevalence of asthma and rhinitis symptoms in childhood. Material and methods. We performed a cross-sectional study using a written questionnaire, following the methodology of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), on the prevalence of symptoms of asthma and rhinitis in La Coruña. Results. A total of 3017 boys and girls aged 6-7 years old (response rate 73.9 %) and 2981 boys and girls aged 13-14 years old (response rate 93.6 %) were included. The prevalence of “wheezing at some time” was 25.3% in adolescents aged 13-14 years old and was 37.2 % in children aged 6-7 years. The prevalence of “asthma at some time” was 18.5% in adolescents and 13.7% in children. The prevalence of “rhinitis at some time” was 30.4% in the group aged 6-7 years and 47.3% in the group of adolescents. The prevalence of rhinitis was highest in autumn. Conclusions. The prevalence of asthma and rhinitis is high in our population and is higher than that observed in most Spanish populations studied

Detection of Upper Limb Asymmetries in Athletes According to the Stage of the Season - A Longitudinal Study

Sports injuries can affect the performance of athletes. For this reason, functional tests are used for injury assessment and prevention, analyzing physical or physiological imbalances and detecting asymmetries. The main aim of this study was to detect the asymmetries in the upper limbs (right and left arms) in athletes, using the OctoBalance Test (OB), depending on the stage of the season. Two hundred and fifty-two participants (age: 23.33 ± 8.96 years old; height: 178.63 ± 11.12 cm; body mass: 80.28 ± 17.61 kg; body mass index: 24.88 ± 4.58; sports experience: 12.52 ± 6.28 years), practicing different sports (rugby, athletics, football, swimming, handball, triathlon, basketball, hockey, badminton and volleyball), assessed with the OB in medial, superolateral, and inferolateral directions in both arms, in four moments of the season (May 2017, September 2017, February 2018 and May 2018). ANOVA test was used with repeated measures with a p ≤ 0.05, for the analysis of the different studied variances. Significant differences were found (p = 0.021) in the medial direction of the left arm, between the first (May 2017) and fourth stages (May 2018), with values of 71.02 ± 7.15 cm and 65.03 ± 7.66 cm. From the detection of asymmetries, using the OB to measure, in the medial, superolateral and inferolateral directions, mobility and balance can be assessed. In addition, it is possible to observe functional imbalances, as a risk factor for injury, in each of the stages into which the season is divided, which will help in the prevention of injuries and in the individualization of training.The APC was funded by Universidad Europea del Atlántico