Fron Neo-classical Entrepreneur to Socio-economic Organization

Despite the growing role that business has played in the development of capitalism, the neo-classical paradigm has largely ignored the concept of organization. This paper illustrates the neo-classical concept of the firm and the entrepreneur. Analyzing both, the moral and economic thought of Adam Smith, this paper explains why, in the heart of Industrial Revolution, the paradigm elects an unrealistic and quasi-medieval concept of the firm. The paper argues that it is not by chance that the collective actions and thinking were neglected, rather it is necessary in order to maintain the core-values of the paradigm. Finally, the paper discusses if a firm could be a good subject for institutionalizing of socioeconomics.

The Complexity of Corruption: Nature and Ethical Suggestions

Corruption is a well-established research topic which increasingly attracts interest, as attested by a growing body of literature. Nevertheless, disagreements persist not only about how to curve it, but even about its definition, causes and consequences. Such a lack of consensus reflects the complexity of the problem, a feature which is often cited but rarely analyzed. This paper aims to fill that gap. In particular, we first address the nature of corruption’s complexity by offering and analyzing an inventory of “generators of complexity” compiled from the available literature. Secondly, our paper draws from the key conclusions of that analysis to shed some light on the complex role played by corporations on corruption. Finally, we suggest that ethical aspects have to be considered in order to clarify many complex dilemmas around corruption and illuminate the corporate role in both domestic and foreign business activity.

Transcritical Carbon Dioxide Charge-Discharge Energy Storage with Integration of Solar Energy

New and improved energy storage technologies are required to overcome non-dispatchability, which is the main challenge for the successful integration of large shares of renewable energy within energy supply systems. Energy storage is proposed to tackle daily variations on the demand side, i.e., storing low-price energy during off-peak or valley periods for utilization during peak periods. Regarding electrical energy storage, several technologies are available with different potentials for scalability, density, and cost. A recent approach for grid-scale applications is based on transcritical carbon dioxide charge and discharge cycles in combination with thermal energy storage systems. This alternative to pumped-hydro and compressed air energy storage has been discussed in scientific literature, where different configurations have been proposed and their efficiency and costs calculated. The potential of the concept has been demonstrated to be an economical alternative, including hybrid concepts with solar thermal storage. Even at low temperatures, the addition of solar energy has proved to be cost effective. This paper explores the effect of introducing solar-based high temperature heat on the performance of different configurations of “Transcritical carbon dioxide ‒ thermal energy storage system” cycles. A base-cycle with 8-hour discharge time is compared with different layouts. Discussions include details on the models, parametric analyses -including solar technology alternatives-, and simulation results. Round trip efficiency of the base case, without solar support and at pressure ratio of 9.4, is 52%. When solar input is considered, the efficiency is above 60%, increasing the turbine inlet temperature to 950 K. Estimated levelized cost of electricity values are in the range of pumped hydro and compressed air energy storage, 90-140 USD/MWh in agreement with other works on this thermal storage technology. The global analysis shows clear advantages for advancing in the study and definition of this technology for exploitation of synergies at different power ranges, integrated with mid/high temperature solar power plants and with smaller-scale renewable installations.Unión Europea. Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional SOE1 / P3 / P0429E

Hipercloremia como factor de riesgo de lesión renal aguda en pacientes críticos

Objetivo: Determinar si la hipercloremia es un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de lesión renal aguda en pacientes críticos. Material y métodos: Se utilizó un diseño analítico, observacional, de cohorte retrospectivo. En el que se incluyó 76 pacientes ingresados a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, que cumplían con los criterios de selección. Los cuales se dividieron en función a la presencia de hipercloremia (30 pacientes) o su ausencia (46 pacientes). Se comparó la frecuencia de lesión renal aguda en pacientes con y sin hipercloremia a través de la prueba Chi cuadrado y se calculó el riesgo relativo, considerando un valor significativo con p < 0,05. Resultados: Se determinó que la frecuencia de lesión renal aguda en pacientes críticos con hipercloremia fue significativamente mayor que su frecuencia en los pacientes sin hipercloremia (83,3% vs 15,2%, respectivamente, p < 0,05). Además, se realizó el análisis bivariado de las variables intervinientes, entre las que se encontró que el requerimiento de vasopresores, la sepsis, el balance hídrico y el puntaje del SOFA tuvieron una asociación significativa con lesión renal aguda por tener un p < 0,05. Sin embargo, cuando estos datos fueron sometidos al análisis multivariado, se encontró que sólo la hipercloremia mostraba una asociación significativa con el desarrollo de lesión renal aguda (p = 0,027; RR: 3,58; IC al 95% de 1,15 – 11,09) en este grupo de pacientes. Conclusión: El desarrollo de lesión renal aguda se asoció significativamente a la presencia de hipercloremia independientemente de la presencia de otras variables intervinientes como la sepsis, el balance hídrico, el requerimiento de vasopresor o el puntaje del SOFAObjective: Determine if hyperchloremia is a risk factor for the development of acute kidney injury in critically ill patients. Material and methods: A retrospective cohort, observational, analytical design was used. In which 76 patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit were included, who met the selection criteria. Which were divided according to the presence of hyperchloremia (30 patients) or its absence (46 patients). The frequency of acute kidney injury in patients with and without hyperchloremia was compared using the Chi-square test and the relative risk was calculated, considering a significant value with p < 0.05. Results: It was determined that the frequency of acute kidney injury in critically ill patients with hyperchloremia was significantly higher than its frequency in patients without hyperchloremia (83.3% vs. 15.2%, respectively, p < 0.05). In addition, the bivariate analysis of the intervening variables was performed, among which it was found that the requirement of vasopressors, sepsis, fluid balance and the SOFA score had a significant association with acute kidney injury due to having a p < 0.05. However, when these data were subjected to multivariate analysis, it was found that only hyperchloremia showed a significant association with the development of acute kidney injury (p = 0.027; RR: 3.58; 95% CI 1.15 – 11 .09) in this group of patients. Conclusion: The development of acute kidney injury was significantly associated with the presence of hyperchloremia regardless of the presence of other intervening variables such as sepsis, fluid balance, vasopressor requirement, or SOFA score.Tesi

Understanding Independence: Board of Directors and CSR.

On August Business Roundtable (2019), the Business Roundtable redefined the purpose and social responsibility of the corporation. Yet, this statement must be followed by substantial changes in the business models of corporations for it to avoid becoming empty rhetoric. We believe that the figure of the independent director may be one of the catalysts needed for this change of paradigm for corporations. In spite of the positive correlation between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and board independence, the development of the independence of boards during the last decade has not lead to the expected CSR results. Academics and regulators point to a weak definition and the non-standardized measurement of both independence and board independence (BI) as one possible explanation, and agree that a broader definition is needed. This paper aims to contribute to this debate. We develop a second-generation definition of independence based on a positive approximation to the concept by integrating an Aristotelian perspective of virtue ethics with the best practices of corporate governance. Thus, we define independence as a virtue guided by practical wisdom, that implies autonomy and autarky and which enables a person to act with integrity, fairness and truthfulness. In the context of corporate governance, independence is associated with an honest disposition to serve. Our proposal has political implications for supervisors that make decisions relating to the suitability of board members.post-print269 K

Anticancer Activities of Meroterpenoids Isolated from the Brown Alga Cystoseira usneoides against the Human Colon Cancer Cells HT-29

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common types of cancers and a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The current treatment for CRC mainly involves surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, due to the side effects and the emergence of drug resistance, the search for new anticancer agents, pharmacologically safe and effective, is needed. In the present study, we have investigated the anticancer effects of eight algal meroterpenoids (AMTs, 1-8) isolated from the brown seaweed Cystoseira usneoides and their underlying mechanisms of action using HT-29, a highly metastatic human colon cancer cell line. All the tested meroterpenoids inhibited the growth of HT-29 malignant cells and were less toxic towards non-cancer colon cells, with the AMTs 1 and 5 exhibiting selectivity indexes of 5.26 and 5.23, respectively. Treatment of HT-29 cells with the AMTs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 induced cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase and, in some instances, apoptosis (compounds 2, 3, and 5). Compounds 1-8 also exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the migration and/or invasion of colon cancer cells. Mechanistic analysis demonstrated that the AMTs 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, and 8 reduced phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and the AMTs 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 decreased phosphorylation of c-JUN N-terminal kinase (JNK). Moreover, the AMTs 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8 inhibited phosphorylation levels of protein kinase B (AKT) in colon carcinoma cells. These results provide new insights into the mechanisms and functions of the meroterpenoids of C. usneoides, which exhibit an anticancer effect on HT-29 colon cancer cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via the downregulation of ERK/JNK/AKT signaling pathways

Toma de decisiones financieras en el sector público

El presente ensayo busca acercarnos a ese contexto lleno de realidades, en el cual interactúa de manera permanente el administrador público que a diario debe tomar decisiones de carácter financiero, en respuesta a su responsabilidad social, rodeado de una serie de factores, normas, circunstancias, cantidades de información y riesgos de diferente clase y magnitud, que no puede desconocer. A partir de las reflexiones planteadas a través del desarrollo de este ensayo se formulan conclusiones y recomendaciones sobre las implicaciones que tiene la toma de decisiones financieras en el Sector Público Colombian