The profitability of value-added products in dairy farm diversification initiatives

A more open and competitive dairy market has encouraged certain dairy farms to adopt value-adding strategies in order to achieve a higher profitability, which may be important for farms’ survival. This paper investigated the role of some product characteristics in the profitability of value-added products in these farms. For this purpose, we used a unique database of 265 different products commercialized by 49 Spanish dairy farms that offers information on nine attributes of each product. Using hedonic models as a baseline, we examined the influence of these attributes on the margin per liter (ML) of the products. The results of the regression indicated that cheese and yogurt generated 0.688 and 1.518 € more of margin per liter than liquid milk. Similarly, we found a set of attributes that have a positive influence on ML, including possession of a certificate of protected designation of origin (PDO), the milk-type composition (proportion of sheep milk), a longer expiration period, and involvement in direct marketing strategies (DMS). However, other recognized attributes such as organic labeling, maturation period, size of the sales unit and returnable packaging did not have a significant influence on ML. Our findings also showed that firms producing more elaborated products as cheese and yogurt need a lower percentage of their production to cover the fixed costs associated to transformation and commercialization. Overall, our results revealed that the elaboration of value-added dairy products improves the profitability of dairy farms

Analysis of the snow water equivalent at the AEMet-Formigal field laboratory (Spanish Pyrenees) during the 2019/2020 winter season using a stepped-frequency continuous wave radar (SFCW)

Snow makes a great contribution to the hydrological cycle in cold regions. The parameter to characterize available the water from the snow cover is the well-known snow water equivalent (SWE). This paper presents a near-surface-based radar for determining the SWE from the measured complex spectral reflectance of the snowpack. The method is based in a stepped-frequency continuous wave radar (SFCW), implemented in a coherent software defined radio (SDR), in the range from 150 MHz to 6 GHz. An electromagnetic model to solve the electromagnetic reflectance of a snowpack, including the frequency and wetness dependence of the complex relative dielectric permittivity of snow layers, is shown. Using the previous model, an approximated method to calculate the SWE is proposed. The results are presented and compared with those provided by a cosmic-ray neutron SWE gauge over the 2019–2020 winter in the experimental AEMet Formigal-Sarrios test site. This experimental field is located in the Spanish Pyrenees at an elevation of 1800 m a.s.l. The results suggest the viability of the approximate method. Finally, the feasibility of an auxiliary snow height measurement sensor based on a 120 GHz frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar sensor, is shown.This work was supported by DGA-FSE under grant T20_17R to the Photonics Technologies Group of University of Zaragoza

Socioeconomic Status in Adolescents: A Study of Its Relationship with Overweight and Obesity and Influence on Social Network Configuration

[EN],Socioeconomic status (SES) influences all the determinants of health, conditioning health throughout life. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between socioeconomic status and obesity in adolescence through an analysis of the patterns of contact between peers as a function of this parameter. A cross-sectional study was performed, analyzing a sample of 235 students aged 14 to 18 and 11 class networks. Social network analysis was used to analyze structural variables of centrality from a sociocentric perspective. We found that adolescents with a medium-low SES presented a two-fold higher probability of being overweight, but we did not detect any differences in the configuration of their social networks when compared with those of normal-weight adolescents. However, we did find significant differences in the formation of networks according to SES in the overall sample and disaggregated by gender, whereby adolescents with a high SES in general presented a higher capacity to form wider social networks. Elucidating the relationship between SES and overweight and its influence on social network formation can contribute to the design of preventative strategies against overweight and obesity in adolescents, since their social environment can provide them with several resources to combat excess weight.S

Labour law in Europe: recent experiences and trend lines

O dereito do traballo tamén acusa o impacto da crise nos estados membros da Unión Europea. Neste artigo preséntanse as principais reformas dos últimos anos en Alemaña, Francia, Italia,Portugal e o Reino Unido dentro do paraugas da flexiguridade e no contexto da Unión Europea. As medidas revelan que non hai unha excesiva orixinalidade no tratamento nacional da crise e que as reformas, con algunha mínima excepción, son medidas de axuste conxuntural e non a longo prazo.In the Member States of the European Union, Labour Law is also receiving the impact of crisis. In this paper, the main reforms of last years in Germany, France, Italy, Portugal and the United Kingdom are shown, under the common framework of flexicurity in the European Union.The measures reveal themselves as not excessively original in their national implementation,and the bulk of reforms can be easily considered as cyclical and not long-range planned.S

The general elections of 2008 and the game of parliament

En este artículo analizamos el resultado de las elecciones generales desde un punto de vista Teórico de Juegos. Para cuantificar el poder que cada partido tiene en el nuevo Parlamento introducimos tres conceptos, los índices de poder de Shapley-Shubik, de Banzhaf-Penrose y de Deegan-Packel. De esta forma, podemos saber cuál es el partido más decisivo y comparando los resultados obtenidos con los de las elecciones de 2004, qué partidos han aumentado o disminuido más poder. Para terminar se proponen extensiones al modelo propuestoIn this paper we analyze the result of the elections for the Spanish Parliament in a Game Theoretical approach. In order to measure the power each party has in the new Parliament we introduce three concepts, the Shapley-Shubik, Banzhaf-Penrose and DeeganPackel power indices. In this way, we are able to know which the most decisive party is and comparing the result with the elections of 2004, we conclude which party has gain and which has lost more power. At last, we present different extensions of the proposed modelS

Redes sociales y herramientas 2.0 en las elecciones presidenciales de Irán

Internet se ha convertido en una herramienta de gran alcance para los ciudadanos a la hora de conocer los principales acontecimientos políticos y sociales en países donde los gobiernos censuran a los medios de comunicación. Además, permite difundir y hacer oír sus problemas internos al resto del mundo. En este artículo se analizará cómo las redes sociales han tratado las elecciones presidenciales de Irán en 2009. En concreto, estudiaremos cómo han creado el símbolo de la rebelión en Irán: Neda Soltani, la mujer presuntamente asesinada por partidarios del gobierno contra el que se rebelan cientos de miles de iraníes.Internet has turned into a tool of great scope for the citizens at the moment of knowing the principal political and social events in countries where the governments tend to regulate and censure to the mass media, at the time that it allows to spread and to make hear their internal problems to the rest of the world. In this article there will be analyzed how the social networks have treated the presidential elections of Iran in 2009. In I make concrete, we will study how they have created the symbol of the revolt in Iran: Neda Soltani, the woman allegedly murdered by supporters of the government against which there rebel hundreds of thousands of Iranians

Functional measurements of [Ca2+] in the endoplasmic reticulum using a herpes virus to deliver targeted aequorin

Producción CientíficaChanges in the free calcium concentration of the endoplasmic reticulum ([Ca 2+],,) play a central role controlling cellular functions like contraction, secretion or neuronal signaling. We recently reported that recombinant aequorin targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) [Montero M., Brini M., Marsault R. et al. Monitoring dynamic changes in free Ca2+ concentration in the endoplasmic reticulum of intact cells. EMBO J 1995; 14: 5467-5475, Montero M., Barrero M.J., Alvarez J. [Ca2+] microdomains control agonist-induced Ca2+ release in intact cells. FASEB J 1997; 11: 881-8861 can be used to monitor selectively [Ca2+le, in intact HeLa cells. Here we have used a herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) based system to deliver targeted aequorin into a number of different cell types including both postmitotic primary cells (anterior pituitary cells, chromaffin cells and cerebellar neurons) and cell lines (HeLa, NIH3T3, GH, and PC12 cells). Functional studies showed that the steady state lumenal [Ca*+],, ranged from around 300 pM in granule cells to 800 ).rM in GH,cells. InsP,-coupled receptor stimulation with agonists like histamine (in HeLa, NIH3T3 and chromaffin cells), UTP and bradykinin (in PC12 cells) or thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH, in GH,cells) produced a very rapid decrease in lumenal [Ca’+],,. Caffeine caused a rapid Ca2+ depletion of the ER in chromaffin cells, but not in the other cell types. Depolarization by high K+ produced an immediate and reversible increase of [Ca2+lerin all the excitable cells (anterior pituitary, GH,, chromaffin cells and granule neurons). We conclude that delivery of recombinant aequorin to the ER using HSV amplicon provides the first direct quantitative and dynamic measurements of [Ca2+le, in several primary non-dividing cells

Os efeitos das práticas de gestão da qualidade nos resultados-chave: amostra de questionários para o setor de hospedagem turística na Espanha

En este trabajo de investigación se examinan los efectos directos e indirectos de las prácticas de la Gestión de la Calidad en los resultados clave, y se identifican las relaciones entre las prácticas de la calidad. Para cumplir con el objetivo propuesto se plantea un modelo estructural teniendo en cuenta la revisión previa de la literatura con el propósito de identificar las prácticas de calidad y las relaciones causales con los resultados clave. El modelo teórico y sus hipótesis son testados usando los datos obtenidos de una muestra de 186 empresas de alojamiento turístico certificadas con la marca “Q de Calidad Turística” en Espana, a partir de un cuestionario elaborado en base a las prácticas de calidad definidas en la literatura y por el Modelo EFQM, tomando como referencia algunas de las escalas más relevantes. La metodología empleada consiste en la aplicación de un Análisis Factorial Exploratorio y Confirmatorio para validar las escalas (fiabilidad, unidimensionalidad y validez) y delimitar el número de ítems de cada uno de los instrumentos de medida de los constructos planteados para, a continuación, estimar el modelo causal propuesto procediendo a contrastar las hipótesis planteadas mediante la técnica Modelo de Ecuaciones Estructurales (SEM). Los resultados obtenidos apoyan las relaciones entre las prácticas de la calidad y el impacto directo y positivo de dos de las prácticas: gestión de los procesos y política/planificación de la calidad, en los resultados clave. También se observó que las prácticas de calidad que más influyen en los resultados clave son la política/planificación de la calidad junto con el liderazgo teniendo en cuenta los efectos totales (directos e indirectos).In this research work, we examine the direct and indirect effects of quality management practices on key results and we identify the relationship between quality practices. To achieve the proposed objective, a structural model was used, taking into account the previous review of the literature, in order to identify the quality practices and causal relationships with the key results. The theoretical model and hypotheses are tested using data collected from a sample of 186 tourist accommodation companies certified with the “Q for Tourist Quality” standard in Spain, from a questionnaire based on quality practices identified in the literature and on the EFQM Model, taking some of the most relevant scales as a reference. The methodology used consists of the application of an Exploratory and Confirmatory Factorial Analysis to validate the scales (reliability, one-dimensionality and validity) and define the number of items of each of the measuring instruments of the constructs proposed, to then estimate the causal model proposed, proceeding to test the hypotheses formulated by using the Structural Equation Model (SEM) technique. The results achieved support the relationship between quality practices and the direct and positive impact of two of the practices, processes management and quality policy/planning, on the key results. It was also observed that the quality practices that most influence key results are quality policy/planning along with leadership, when considering the total effects (direct and indirect).No presente trabalho de pesquisa foram analisados os efeitos diretos e indiretos das práticas de Gestão da Qualidade nos resultados-chave e foram identificadas as relações entre as práticas da qualidade. Para atingir o objetivo proposto, apresenta-se um modelo estrutural que leva em consideração a revisão prévia da literatura com o propósito de identificar as práticas da qualidade e as relações causais com os resultados-chave. O modelo teórico e suas hipóteses foram testados usando-se os dados obtidos a partir de uma amostra de 186 empresas de hospedagem turística certificadas com a marca “Q de Qualidade Turística” na Espanha, a partir de um questionário elaborado com base nas práticas de qualidade definidas na literatura e pelo Modelo EFQM, tomando-se como referência algumas das escalas mais relevantes. A metodologia usada consiste na aplicação de uma Análise Fatorial Exploratória e Confirmatória para validar as escalas (confiabilidade, unidimensionalidade e validade) e delimitar o número de itens de cada um dos instrumentos de medida dos construtos propostos, para, em seguida, elaborar o modelo causal proposto, procedendo ao teste das hipóteses levantadas por meio da técnica do Modelo de Equações Estruturais (SEM). Os resultados obtidos reforçam as relações entre as práticas de qualidade e o impacto direto e positivo de duas das práticas: gestão de processos e política/planejamento da qualidade, nos resultados-chave. Também foi observado que as práticas da qualidade que mais influenciam nos resultados-chave são a política/planejamento da qualidade junto com a liderança, levando-se em conta os efeitos totais (diretos e indiretos).peerReviewe

Dynamic Disorder Restriction of Methylammonium (MA) Groups in Chloride-Doped MAPbBr 3 Hybrid Perovskites: A Neutron Powder Diffraction Study

The hybrid methylammonium (MA) lead halide MAPbX 3 perovskites present an appealing optoelectronic behavior with applications in high-efficiency solar cells. The orientation of the organic MA units may play an important role in the properties, given the degrees of freedom for internal motion of MA groups within the PbX 6 network. The present neutron powder diffraction study reveals the dynamic features of the MA units in the hybrid perovskite series MAPb(Br 1−x Cl x ) 3 , with x=0, 0.33, 0.5, 0.67, and 1. From difference Fourier maps, the H and C/N positions were located within the PbX 6 lattice; the refinement of the crystal structures unveiled the MA conformations. Three different orientations were found to exist as a function of the chlorine content (x) and, therefore, of the cubic unit-cell size. These conformations are stabilized by H-bond interactions with the halide ions, and were found to agree with those reported from theoretical calculations.Fil: Lopez, Carlos Alberto. Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid; España. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química; ArgentinaFil: Álvarez Galván, María Consuelo. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; EspañaFil: Martínez Huerta, María Victoria. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; EspañaFil: Fernández Díaz, María Teresa. Institut Laue Langevin; FranciaFil: Alonso, José Antonio. Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid; Españ

Kinetic modelling for concentration and toxicity changes during the oxidation of 4-chlorophenol by UV/H2O2

This work develops a kinetic model that allow to predict the water toxicity and the main degradation products concentration of aqueous solutions containing 4-chlorophenol oxidised by UV/H2O2. The kinetic model was developed grouping degradation products of similar toxicological nature: aromatics (hydroquinone, benzoquinone, 4-chlorocatechol and catechol), aliphatics (succinic, fumaric, maleic and malonic acids) and mineralised compounds (oxalic, acetic and formic acids). The degradation of each group versus time was described as a mathematical function of the rate constant of a second-order reaction involving the hydroxyl radical, the quantum yield of lump, the concentration of the hydroxyl radicals and the intensity of the emitted UV radiation. The photolytic and kinetic parameters characterising each lump were adjusted by experimental assays. The kinetic, mass balance and toxicity equations were solved using the Berkeley Madonna numerical calculation tool. Results showed that 4-chlorophenol would be completely removed during the first hour of the reaction, operating with oxidant molar ratios higher than R=200 at pH6.0 and UV=24 W. Under these conditions, a decrease in the rate of total organic carbon (TOC) removal close to 50% from the initial value was observed. The solution colour, attributed to the presence of oxidation products as p-benzoquinone and hydroquinone, were oxidised to colourless species, that resulted in a decrease in the toxicity of the solutions (9.95 TU) and the aromaticity lost.The authors are grateful to the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) for their financial support of this study through the PPGA20/33 project, and C. Ferreiro's predoctoral PIF grant (PIF16/367). Documen