A methodology of analysis and selection of Business Development Projects on a Regional Subcontinental Scale

The objective of this paper is to set up, among a group of projects and by means of multivariate techniques, a selection process that allows to choose those with the best performance and to establish the factors and variables characterising successful cases. This way, we can offer a model for the evaluation and selection of development projects. New ideas and approaches for the promotion politics of business services should come out of the extraction of common models and behaviours among the cases with best performance. More specifically, for the empirical development of this research, we have used the project portfolio of business development services of the Inter-American Development Bank between 1995 and 2002. JEL classification: Keywords: business development project, factor, cluster

Contenido de Cadmio y Plomo en tejido de Hígado y Riñón en el Jote de Cabeza Colorada Cathartes aura (Linneo, 1758) de Chañaral, Desierto de Atacama, Chile

Indexación: Web of Science; ScieloThe Atacama region, Chile, presents one of the highest levels of mining exploitation of the country, which leads to high levels of contamination from mine tailings and other related environmental liabilities. One of the most complex situations occurred in the Chañaral city, north of Chile, where for over 50 years mine tailings were dumped on the coast, causing severe damage in the ecosystem. To evaluate the effects on terrestrial biota, we analyzed the concentration of cadmium and lead in tissues of Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura). The results indicate that accumulation of cadmium in kidney was 10.31 μg/g (SD 8.00, range 0.27 to 20.73 μg/g) while in the liver was 5.24 μg/g (SD 8.00, range 0.49 to 19.70). There values are very high when compared to data for other birds with similar ecological role. In relation to the lead, concentration in liver was 0.86 μg/g (SD 2.03, range 0.15 - 7.90), while in kidney was 1.05 μg/g (DS 2.54, range 0.044 to 9.86), values considered within the normal range. It is interesting to analyze from the perspective of the availability of these metals in the mining tailings, where lead (1.57 to 21.2 μg/g) presented higher levels than cadmium (0.061 to 1.085 μg/g). The difference between organs may be related to the role of metallothionein. We discuss the role of Turkey Vulture as a bioindicator of environmental liabilities.La Región de Atacama, Chile, presenta uno de los mayores niveles de explotación minera del país, el cual a su vez genera altos niveles de contaminación por relaves mineros y otros pasivos ambientales relacionados. Una de las más complejas situaciones ocurrió en la ciudad de Chañaral, norte de Chile, donde fueron liberados relaves mineros a sus costas por sobre 50 años, causando graves daños en el ecosistema. Para evaluar los efectos en la biota terrestre, nosotros analizamos la concentración de Cadmio y Plomo en tejidos del Jote de Cabeza Colorada (Cathartes aura). Los resultados indican que la acumulación de Cadmio en el Riñón fue 10,31 μg/g (DS 8,00, rango 0,27 a 20,73 μg/g) mientras en el Hígado fue 5,24 μg/g (DS 8,00, rango 0,49 a 19,70). Estos valores son muy altos si se compara con datos de otras aves de similar rol ecológico. En relación al Plomo, la concentración en Hígado fue de 0,86 μg/g (DS 2,03, rango 0,15 a 7,90), mientras que en Riñón fue de 1,05 μg/g (DS 2,54, rango 0,044 a 9,86), valores considerados dentro del rango normal. Estos resultados son interesantes de analizar desde la perspectiva de la disponibilidad de estos metales en el relave minero, donde el Plomo (1,57 a 21,2 μg/g) presentó mayores niveles que el Cadmio (0,061 a 1,085 μg/g). La diferencia entre órganos puede ser relacionado al rol de las metalotioneinas. Discutimos el rol del Jote de Cabeza Colorada como bioindicador de contaminaciones ambientales.http://ref.scielo.org/86hcb

Biofabricated Conductive Substrates for CardiacTissue Engineering

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the biggest causes of death in the world due to the heart’s limited capacity for regeneration. Heart transplantation is the conventional treatment, but the long waiting list is a significant challenge. To overcome this problem, new cardiac tissue engineering strategies are being explored with the aim of developing functional organ sort issues with the same characteristics as heart tissue. The aim of this dissertation is to produce substrates that canmimic the extracellular matrix of cardiac tissue in orde rto mature cardiomyocy tesusing biofabrication techniques. Toachievethis objectives caffolds with conductive nanoparticles were produced to replicate the electrical conductivity of the heart and its anisotropic structure using a biofabrication technique that gives them a unidirectionally aligned pore structure. The scaffolds are composed of alginate and gelatin, two biomaterials with suitable properties for tissue engineering, together with MXenes orcarbon nanotubes. After their production, their physicochemical properties were assessed to prove not only their suitability in this area but also to compare them with the characteristics of cardiac tissue. Finally,the constructs were subjected to cell viability tests to establish thei rbio compatibility and metabolic activity. Theresultsobtainedinthis study indicate thatt hein corporation of conductive nanoparticles into the scaffolds not only improves their conductivity but also maintains their structural integration and enhances cell viability and metabolic activity. In conclusion ,while this study demonstrates progress in the creation of scaffolds for cardiac tissue engineering,itis necessary to optimise them tomimic the properties oft he cardiac microenvironment. Future research shoul dfocus on investigating maturation processes and electrical stimulationas critical factors to improve the functional performance of cardiac constructs.As doenças cardiovasculares são uma das maiores causas de morte no mundo devido à limitada capacidade de regeneração do coração. O transplante cardíaco é o tratamento convencional,mas a longa lista de espera é um desafio significativo. Para colmatar este problema,estão a ser desenvolvidas novas estratégias para tratamentos com a engenharia de tecidos cardíacos, visando desenvolver órgãos ou tecidos funcionais com as mesmas características que o tecido cardíaco.O objetivo desta dissertação é a produção de substratos que mimetizem a matriz extracelular do tecido cardíaco,de modo a maturar os cardiomiócitos utilizando técnicas de biofabricação.Para atingir este objetivo foram produzidos scaffolds com nanopartículas condutoras para replicar a condutividade elétrica do coração e a sua estrutura anisotrópica através de uma técnica de biofabricação que lhes confere uma estrutura de poros alinhada unidireccionalmente. Os scaffolds são compostos por alginato e gelatina,dois biomateriais com propriedades adequadas para engenharia de tecidos juntamente com MXenes ou nanotubos de carbono.Após a sua fabricação,foram avaliadas as propriedades físico-químicas para comprovar não só a sua utilidade nesta área,mas também para comparar com as características do tecido cardíaco. Por fim,foi avaliada a biocompatibilidade e a atividade metabólica através de ensaios de viabilidade celular.Os resultados obtidos mostram que a adição de nanopartículas condutoras não só aumenta a condutividade dos scaffolds,mas também preserva a integração estrutural dos mesmos, assim como apresenta melhor viabilidade e atividade metabólica. Em conclusão,embora este estudo represente um progresso no desenvolvimento de scaffolds para a engenharia de tecidos cardíacos,é necessário otimizá-los para imitar as propriedades do microambiente cardíaco.Investigação futura deve centrar-se no estudo dos processos de maturação eestimulação eléctrica como factores essenciais para melhorar o desempenho funcional dos construtos cardíacos

Special issue on new carbon materials from biomass and their applications

Carbon-based materials, such as chars, activated carbons, one-dimensional carbon nanotubes, and two-dimensional graphene nanosheets, have shown great potential for a wide variety of applications [...

Child labor and household poverty in Argentina

El modelo de Basu y Van (1998) plantea a nivel teórico la llamada hipótesis de lujo según la cual los hogares están comandados por padres altruistas y pobres que recurren al trabajo infantilcomo estrategia deescape dela pobreza. Según esteenfoque, si la economía está en una situación deequilibrio múltiple, puede ocurrir quela aplicación efectiva de las leyes que prohíben el trabajo infantil provoque un empeoramiento del bienestar delos hogares y aumentela pobreza. Con datos dela Encuesta de Actividades de Niños, Niñas y Adolescentes realizada en la Argentina en 2004, seexplora empíricamentela hipótesis de padres altruistas examinando en qué medida la pobreza monetaria y las privaciones materiales pueden considerarse determinantes de la participación económica de niñas, niños y adolescentes.The model of Basu and Van (1998) presents, at a theoretical level, the so-called luxury hypothesis, according to which households are headed by altruistic and poor parents who recur to child labor as a strategy to escape poverty. This focus states that if theeconomy is in a situation of multiple equilibrium, it may happen that the effective application of laws prohibiting child labor lead to a worsening of household welfare and an increasein poverty. Using data from the Activities of Boys, Girls and Adolescentscarried out in Argentina in 2004, weexploreempirically the altruistic parent hypothesis,examining how monetary poverty and material privation can be considered determinants of economic participation by girls, boys and adolescents.Fil: Paz, Jorge Augusto. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas, Jurídicas y Sociales. Instituto de Estudios Laborales y del Desarrollo Económico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Salta; ArgentinaFil: Piselli, Carolina. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas, Jurídicas y Sociales. Instituto de Estudios Laborales y del Desarrollo Económico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Salta; Argentin

Urban microclusters and tourism governance in Salvador/BA

The research that led to this article sought to analyze under what conditions the concept of tourism cluster could be applied in setting up a governance and development model for the activity in the city of Salvador, Bahia. Third leisure destination and the first capital of Brazil, Salvador has lost competitiveness to other cities in the northeast of Brazil much due to not having a governance system capable of establishing clear objectives and strategies for the destination. Starting from a broad literature review on the implementation of tourism and urban models of productive agglomerations, we performed a historical and cultural city zoning identifying a set of 6 microclusters that, by their identity aspects, were likely to be constitute a proposal for territorial organization of tourism in the city. Through field research, the feasibility of this proposal was tested, verifying the existence of the necessary conditions for the implementation of the suggested model, the research interviewed 32 experts linked to touristic trade and, based on a sampling error of 5%, 415 residents and 398 businesses in the areas studied. It was concluded that, with respect to the characteristics that define a tourist microcluster, starting by the local and limited geographical scope, the proposed sub-areas presented to respondents was supported by the opinion of the majority of them, that the neighborhoods have some kind of similarity with yours, and therefore, have an identity that unites them, forming a region with its own characteristics. The stock of intangible capital is unevenly distributed and the disparity of this indicator among the regions surveyed suggests that the difficulties in implementing local governance systems will also be unevenly distributed. Trade relations, as well as all network relationships are fragile or non-existent. There is not a sufficient level of diversification to ensure full compliance with the needs of tourists in these sub-areas, notably with regard to the possibility of accommodation and entertainment and infrastructural deficiencies are felt by all. Given all that has been pointed out, it is concluded that there is much to do to be successful the proposed regionalization of the city and its division into urban microclusters, as proposed. Creating tours and creative cultural itineraries territorially delimited, as suggested here, in a participatory manner, involving community residents and local businesses in their design and operation, however, can be a useful starting point

Una Estrategia para Aumentar la Retención de los Alumnos de Ingeniería.

La Facultad de Ingeniería de la Universidad Nacional de Salta, desde el año 2004 implementó un Proyecto aprobado por el Consejo Directivo de la Facultad de Ingeniería de la Universidad Nacional de Salta al que se denomino “Plan para Aumentar la Retención de Estudiantes de Ingeniería” (PAREIN). Mediante su implementación se trata principalmente de potenciar el Curso de Nivelación para los alumnos ingresantes a la Facultad de Ingeniería, obviamente apunta a incrementar la retención de los alumnos que cursan las primeras asignaturas de su carrera. El Curso se dicta en el primer cuatrimestre de cada año con una duración de aproximadamente dos meses y medio destinado a alumnos que quedan libres en el primer parcial de las asignaturas Algebra Lineal y Geometría Analítica y/o Análisis Matemático I, los contenidos del curso, metodología de trabajo y sistema de evaluación son los mismos que los del Curso de Apoyo y Nivelación para Ingresantes a las carreras de Ingeniería que se dicta en febrero y marzo en la Facultad. A partir de su implementación en el año 2004, aprovechando la experiencia de años anteriores se lo va mejorando en cuanto a estructura docente como a la metodología de enseñanza, en una continua búsqueda de mejorar los impactos en cuanto a disminuir la deserción de los alumnos en las asignaturas que cursan durante el primer año, que en todas las carreras de ingeniería son las mismas. En el presente trabajo se presentan los resultados cuantitativos y cualitativos obtenidos durante la implementación del PAREIN durante el año 2008, se realiza un análisis crítico de los mismos de manera que sean de utilidad para su implementación durante el año 2009