Innovación y Creación De Valor Compartido

Con sus dificultades, la CVC -nueva realidad colectiva y social, superadora de la RSE (Responsabilidad Social Empresaria)- continúa haciendo pie en un mundo altamente enfocado en el corto plazo, lo material y lo próximo, arriesgando el porvenir de las generaciones futuras. Así y a partir de las teorías de innovación disruptiva e inversa, este artículo analiza cómo la implementación de estaciones de servicio con tanques aéreos (MAS, por Módulos de Abastecimiento Social) -destinadas al mercado automotor liviano, en pequeñas localidades del interior de Argentina- cuenta con el potencial de generar beneficios para la comunidad, el medio ambiente y la empresa, condiciones imprescindibles para que la CVC tenga lugar y se desenvuelva. Se concluye que la CVC –en la medida que logre mayor difusión, escala y se la combine con otras fuertes teorías, en este caso de innovación- puede resultar un negocio rentable y transformador para las empresas, ayudando a solucionar o mitigar la crisis ambiental y social que sufre el planeta. Además, que los MAS y productos similares pueden ser implementados en pequeñas localidades y en las grandes ciudades, contando con un gran potencial de negocios que desafía a las estaciones de servicio tradicionales. El objetivo de este estudio se refiere a analizar los MAS, proponiendo ideas que ayuden a potenciarlos como negocio, dentro de los entendimientos que ofrecen la CVC, la innovación disruptiva y la innovación inversa. Finalmente, los beneficios sociales y ambientales de la implementación de este concepto han sido constatados, aunque se enfatiza que sus objetivos no han buscado la generación de un negocio rentable y expansivo, sino –simplemente- mejorar la imagen corporativa de la empresa

Transcription factor TFCP2L1 patterns cells in the mouse kidney collecting ducts

Although most nephron segments contain one type of epithelial cell, the collecting ducts consists of at least two: intercalated (IC) and principal (PC) cells, which regulate acid-base and salt-water homeostasis, respectively. In adult kidneys, these cells are organized in rosettes suggesting functional interactions. Genetic studies in mouse revealed that transcription factor Tfcp2l1 coordinates IC and PC development. Tfcp2l1 induces the expression of IC specific genes, including specific H(+)-ATPase subunits and Jag1. Jag1 in turn, initiates Notch signaling in PCs but inhibits Notch signaling in ICs. Tfcp2l1 inactivation deletes ICs, whereas Jag1 inactivation results in the forfeiture of discrete IC and PC identities. Thus, Tfcp2l1 is a critical regulator of IC-PC patterning, acting cell-autonomously in ICs, and non-cell-autonomously in PCs. As a result, Tfcp2l1 regulates the diversification of cell types which is the central characteristic of 'salt and pepper' epithelia and distinguishes the collecting duct from all other nephron segments

Coastal Observations of Weather Features in Senegal during the AMMA SOP-3 Period

During 15 August through 30 September 2006, ground and aircraft measurements were obtained from a multi-national group of students and scientists in Senegal. Key measurements were aimed at investigating and understanding precipitation processes, thermodynamic and dynamic environmental conditions, cloud, aerosol and microphysical processes and spaceborne sensors (TRMM, CloudSat/Calipso) validation. Ground and aircraft instruments include: ground based polarimetric radar, disdrometer measurements, a course and a high-density rain gauge network, surface chemical measurements, a 10 m flux tower, broadband IR, solar and microwave measurements, rawinsonde and radiosonde measurements, FA-20 dropsonde, in situ microphysics and cloud radar measurements. Highlights during SOP3 include ground and aircraft measurements of squall lines, African Easterly Waves (AEWs), Saharan Air Layer advances into Senegal, and aircraft measurements of AEWs -- including the perturbation that became Hurricane Isaac

Exposure to Maternal Diabetes Induces Salt-Sensitive Hypertension and Impairs Renal Function in Adult Rat Offspring

OBJECTIVE—Epidemiological and experimental studies have led to the hypothesis of fetal origin of adult diseases, suggesting that some adult diseases might be determined before birth by altered fetal development. We have previously demonstrated in the rat that in utero exposure to maternal diabetes impairs renal development leading to a reduction in nephron number. Little is known on the long-term consequences of in utero exposure to maternal diabetes. The aim of the study was to assess, in the rat, long-term effects of in utero exposure to maternal diabetes on blood pressure and renal function in adulthood

The naked truth: a comprehensive clarification and classification of current 'myths' in naked mole-rat biology.

The naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) has fascinated zoologists for at least half a century. It has also generated considerable biomedical interest not only because of its extraordinary longevity, but also because of unusual protective features (e.g. its tolerance of variable oxygen availability), which may be pertinent to several human disease states, including ischemia/reperfusion injury and neurodegeneration. A recent article entitled 'Surprisingly long survival of premature conclusions about naked mole-rat biology' described 28 'myths' which, those authors claimed, are a 'perpetuation of beautiful, but falsified, hypotheses' and impede our understanding of this enigmatic mammal. Here, we re-examine each of these 'myths' based on evidence published in the scientific literature. Following Braude et al., we argue that these 'myths' fall into four main categories: (i) 'myths' that would be better described as oversimplifications, some of which persist solely in the popular press; (ii) 'myths' that are based on incomplete understanding, where more evidence is clearly needed; (iii) 'myths' where the accumulation of evidence over the years has led to a revision in interpretation, but where there is no significant disagreement among scientists currently working in the field; (iv) 'myths' where there is a genuine difference in opinion among active researchers, based on alternative interpretations of the available evidence. The term 'myth' is particularly inappropriate when applied to competing, evidence-based hypotheses, which form part of the normal evolution of scientific knowledge. Here, we provide a comprehensive critical review of naked mole-rat biology and attempt to clarify some of these misconceptions

Innovation and shared value creation (SVC) : Breaking the logic of certain markets and thinking about the long term

Resumen: Con sus dificultades, la CVC -nueva realidad colectiva y social, superadora de la RSE (Responsabilidad Social Empresaria)- continúa haciendo pie en un mundo altamente enfocado en el corto plazo, lo material y lo próximo, arriesgando el porvenir de las generaciones futuras. Así y a partir de las teorías de innovación disruptiva e inversa, este artículo analiza cómo la implementación de estaciones de servicio con tanques aéreos (MAS, por Módulos de Abastecimiento Social) -destinadas al mercado automotor liviano, en pequeñas localidades del interior de Argentina- cuenta con el potencial de generar beneficios para la comunidad, el medio ambiente y la empresa, condiciones imprescindibles para que la CVC tenga lugar y se desenvuelva. Se concluye que la CVC –en la medida que logre mayor difusión, escala y se la combine con otras fuertes teorías, en este caso de innovación- puede resultar un negocio rentable y transformador para las empresas, ayudando a solucionar o mitigar la crisis ambiental y social que sufre el planeta. Además, que los MAS y productos similares pueden ser implementados en pequeñas localidades y en las grandes ciudades, contando con un gran potencial de negocios que desafía a las estaciones de servicio tradicionales. El objetivo de este estudio se refiere a analizar los MAS, proponiendo ideas que ayuden a potenciarlos como negocio, dentro de los entendimientos que ofrecen la CVC, la innovación disruptiva y la innovación inversa. Finalmente, los beneficios sociales y ambientales de la implementación de este concepto han sido constatados, aunque se enfatiza que sus objetivos no han buscado la generación de un negocio rentable y expansivo, sino –simplemente- mejorar la imagen corporativa de la empresa.Abstract: With its difficulties, SVC -a new collective and social reality, which overcomes CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)- continues to progress in a world highly focused on the short term, material matters and what’s coming soon, risking the future of the next generations. Thus, starting from the theories of disruptive and reverse innovation, this article analyzes how the implementation of service stations with aerial tanks (Modules of Social Supply known as MAS from its initials in Spanish) -used in the light automotive market in small localities of Argentina- has the potential to generate benefits for the community, the environment and enterprises, which are essential conditions for the SVC`s development. It is concluded that the SVC -as long as it reaches greater diffusion, scale and could be combined with other strong theories (in this case innovation)- can be a profitable and transformative business for companies, helping to solve or mitigate the environmental and social crisis that the planet is suffering. In addition, the MAS and similar products can be implemented in small towns and big cities, with a great business potential that challenges traditional gas stations. The goal of this study is to analyze the MAS, proposing ideas to help them be promoted as a business, within the understandings offered by the SVC, disruptive innovation and inverse innovation. Finally, the social and environmental benefits of the implementation of this concept have been verified, although it is emphasized that its objectives have not been thought to generate a profitable and expansive business, but simply to improve the company’s corporate image

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of breakfast nutritional composition in French schoolchildren aged 9-11 years

International audienceBackground The present study aimed to analyse the nutritional quality of childrens' breakfasts using data collected during a cross-sectional observational study on the prevalence of urinary osmolality in 529 French children aged 9–11 years. Methods Total nutrient intake, mean adequacy ratio (MAR), energy density and solid energy density were calculated from breakfast food and fluid nutritional composition. To identify the main qualitative breakfast patterns, each breakfast item was categorised into 15 solid and liquid food categories and a principal component analysis followed by a cluster analysis was performed. Results Only 9.8% included skipped breakfast. Breakfast provided, on average, 22.9% of the recommended daily energy intake and 24.7% of the mean adequacy ratio of 23 key nutrients. Four breakfast patterns were identified: ‘Sweets breakfast’ (40.0% of children), ‘Traditional French breakfast’ (27.2%), ‘Ready-to-eat cereal (RTEC) + milk’ (18.1%) and ‘Dairy and juice breakfast’ (9.5%). Nutritionally, the ‘RTEC + milk’ pattern was the most advantageous. Flavoured milk was the most frequently consumed food (50.5%) and the major component of the ‘Traditional French breakfast’. Conclusions Although breakfast provided a substantial contribution to a range of nutrients, opportunity for improvement, particularly to less nutrient breakfast patterns, should not be overlooked

Ice microphysics retrieval in the convective systems of the Indian Ocean during the CINDY–DYNAMO campaign

International audienceThe last decades have shown the relevance of polarimetric radar measurements in various domains of Earth science to characterize different types of particles in natural media such as snow covers, vegetation canopy and clouds. In atmospheric physics, the need to accurately define the frozen hydrometeor properties (type, size, density) in precipitating systems is directly related to our understanding of the convective processes. These microphysical properties are also particularly critical in setting ice parameterization in models.Ground-based polarimetric radars can provide information on the most likely type of ice particles present in a sampled volume. These classifications can be used to build ice particle habit statistics once they are validated.The SPolKa classification scheme (PID, Particles IDentificator) for various types of frozen hydrometeors is compared to in-situ measurements collected during the CINDY-DYNAMO campaign in the Indian Ocean. The French Falcon-20 flew inside the polarimetric radar area measuring the particle habits with several in-situ microphysical probes (FSSP, 2DS, CPI, PIP, 2DP, Nevzorov). These in-situ data are organized as catalog of images and matched to the classifications proposed by Magono and and Lee (1966) and Kikuchi et al. (2013). The PID classification and the Precipitation Imaging Probe (PIP) data images are compared over two sequences representing two different atmospheric situations: a large stratiform area sampled on November 27th, 2011 and some convective activity embedded in stratiform precipitation on December 8th, 2011.The general agreement is very good for most species. Since the PIP only provides us with a 2D image of the particles’ shadow, some species are difficult to identify unambiguously and could be matched with more than one PID. This is particularly critical for species with complex history

The Megha-Tropiques rainfall products ground validation plan

The Megha-Tropiques satellite, dedicated to water and energy budget in the Tropical atmosphère was successfully launched in October 2011. This Tropical member of GPM will provide an enhanced sampling of the convective systems in the inter-tropical band and will contribute to better estimations of the precipitation in this zone. Applications of the MT rainfall products are expected in a range of fields, ranging from climate studies to hydrology, or even health (vector based disease monitoring). We will review the Megha-Tropiques Ground Validation Activities in the inter-tropical zone. Both direct evaluation of the rainfall products by comparison with ground reference, and integrated (or hydrological) validation are planned. The ground reference will be provided by weather radar or rain gage networks, from operational or research projects. A validation super site based on a polarimetric radar has been set up in West Africa. We will discuss the various methods that will be applied to evaluate both the level 2 (instant rainfall) and level 4 (gridded, daily rainfall) , and how we are intending to account for uncertainties and sampling errors in our validation reports

Development of two mobile laboratories for a routine and accident monitoring of internal contamination

International audienceTo provide medical surveillance of workers exposed to risk of internal contamination, IRSN (French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety) has developed two mobile laboratories for on-site monitoring. The laboratories are unique in Europe. They meet the new radiation protection requirements for nuclear medicine departments and radiological emergency response. Details of the design, calibration procedures and performance characteristics of these systems in measurements of various types of organs (thyroid, lung and whole body) are described. The sensitivity of the measurements is very close to that achieved in a heavily shielded stationary laboratory. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd