Green finance instruments: Exploring minibonds issuance in I taly

In the context of green finance, minibonds play a crucial role. This financial instrument was introduced in 2012 as a valid alternative to bank credit for corporate financing, aimed mainly at small and medium-sized enterprises. Minibonds also represent useful support for implementing the ecological transaction agreed upon in COP 21, held in 2015 in Paris. Indeed, as of 2017, this instrument has been expanded from an environmental perspective by allowing the issuance of green minibonds. This article contributes to the debate on minibonds and the companies issuing them. Specifically, it proposes a cluster analysis approach for comparing the issuance level of minibonds in 2016 and the subsequent performances of the issuing companies in the triennium 2017–2019. Performance is divided into three macrocategories: profitability, productivity, and growth opportunities. The results suggest a nonlinear connection between the variables of interest, showing heterogeneous effects of minibonds on performance. However, the statistical data analysis seems to establish a positive relationship between minibonds' issuance level and companies' performance

Green finance instruments: exploring minibonds issuance in Italy

In the context of green finance, minibonds play a crucial role. This nancial instrument was introduced in 2012 as a valid alternative to bank credit for corporate nancing, aimed mainly at small and medium-sized enterprises. Minibonds also represent useful support for implementing the ecological transaction agreed upon in COP 21, held in 2015 in Paris. In- deed, as of 2017, this instrument has been expanded from an environmen- tal perspective by allowing the issuance of green minibonds. This article contributes to the debate on minibonds and the companies issuing them. Speci cally, it proposes a cluster analysis approach for comparing the is- suance level of minibonds in 2016 and the subsequent performances of the issuing companies in the triennium 2017-2019. Performance is divided into three macro-categories: profitability, productivity and growth opportuni- ties. The results suggest a non-linear connection between the variables of interest, showing heterogeneous e ects of minibonds on performance. However, the statistical data analysis seems to establish a positive rela- tionship between minibonds' issuance level and companies' performance

Similarity-based heterogeneity and cohesiveness of networked companies issuing minibonds

This paper adopts a complex network approach for discussing the level of heterogeneity and cohesiveness among firms that have used a particular financial instrument — the so-called minibond. The nodes of the networks represent firms, and the weight of a link is assumed to be increasing with the similarity of the corresponding nodes/firms — where similarity is intended in terms of specific economic-financial characteristics of the firms. We assess the level of heterogeneity through the strength degree and the level of cohesiveness through the clustering coefficient. The empirical experiments are based on the paradigmatic case of the Italian reality, where minibonds have been and are currently efficiently used. The analysis reveals regularities and discrepancies among firms’ financial characteristics. Furthermore, the results suggest the potential identification of the main determinants of minibonds issuance

A Study on Users' Behaviour Towards Electric Vehicles in Immature Markets: The Argentina Case Study

The paper aims to investigate the different attributes that may influence the choosing decision on the purchase of an electric vehicle. In particular, the research focuses on the analysis of an “immature” market such the case of the Argentinean market context. From the methodological point of view, the main purpose relies on the survey data collection and data analysis and modelling. Furthermore, the results achieved from a specific Stated Preferences survey carried out on a sample of Argentinian university students are shown. Therefore, the research aims to quantify and discuss the main determinants of the choice phenomenon through the specification and calibration of a choice model based on the Random Utility Theory

Species identification in anchovy pastes from the market by PCR-RFLP technique.

The wide variety of marketed fishery products sometimes makes the recognition of species difficult, especially in processed food. So the consumer can be exposed to several commercial and health frauds. The European law obliges to indicate the species by specific commercial names only in fresh and prepared fishery products, but not in processed ones, in which the species can be named using generic denominations. In the present study, the use of a PCR-RFLP technique for species identification in anchovy paste, a widespread product in Italy, is described. After the PCR amplification of a common 272 bp fragment of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene from different fish species used as standards (European anchovy, European pilchard, European sprat, twaite shad, round sardinella, Atlantic horse mackerel and Mediterranean horse mackerel), the amplicons were digested using four restriction enzymes (MspI, HincII, Eam1104I and Alw26I). These patterns were compared with patterns from DNA extracted from anchovy pastes purchased from the market enabling to detect the presence of species different from anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) in some of them. The suitability of extending the obligation to indicate the species using specific commercial denominations even to processed fishery products is also discussed

Adoption of electric vehicles by young adults in an emerging market: a case study from Argentina

The destiny of the electric vehicle (EV) marketplace will depend upon the behaviour of potential buyers and on how emerging markets allow EVs to be perceived as a mobility solution to the externalities generated by internal combustion (IC) vehicles. To this end it is important to ascertain the role played by psychological factors, along with instrumental attributes, especially among younger adults (future purchasers) in not yet mature markets. Our paper analyses and models the propensity to purchase an EV with respect to an equivalent IC vehicle. It contributes to the existing literature investigating younger adults’ behaviour in an emerging market, focusing on the role of attitudes and perceptions. A stated preferences survey, built on real commercial scenarios (Renault ZOE vs Renault Clio), was designed and disseminated at the University of Cordoba (Argentina). Respondent behaviour was modelled within the random utility paradigm. First, heterogeneity among users was investigated through mixed multinomial logit formulation; The role of psycho-attitudinal factors was then explored through the specification of hybrid choice models with latent variables. Estimation results indicate the significant role of attitudes and perceptions in emerging markets

Signal setting design to reduce noise emissions in a connected environment

Traffic signal optimisation was tested on a network with signalised interacting junctions, comparing different approaches and scenarios based on short-range communication between the infrastructure and CVs approaching the junctions. The results show that the proposed traffic control method may be adopted to effectively reduce the impact of traffic noise and improve traffic performance

Unified network tRaffic management frAmework for fully conNected and electric vehicles energy cOnsumption optimization (URANO)

Cooperative control in the presence of connected and automated vehicles has attracted substantial attention due to its pronounced benefits on the network compared with human-driven vehicles. They make possible a significant reduction of travel time/waiting time, energy consumption and emissions. In this context of new emerging technologies, traffic lights are still recognized as one of the most effective strategies in terms of energy and environmental benefits, which can be further improved by considering the integration with greener powertrains. The paper proposes a cooperative network traffic management framework for Electric Vehicles (EVs) based on a multi-objective optimization aimed at minimizing the total time spent (TTS) and energy consumption (EC) of EVs. Such framework is composed of i) a traffic control model that incorporates traffic lights design, ii) a traffic flow model to estimate TTS as a network performance indicator, and iii) an EVs model to estimate EC at the intersections. The EC function has been derived from a VT-CPEM model to simulate consumptions and thoroughly calibrated based on real-world individual trajectories. The optimization framework was implemented on a nine-node network and the results of the multi-criteria optimization (aiming at minimizing the TTS and EC of EV) are compared with results of the benchmark mono - criterion optimization (aiming at minimizing the TTS) and the mono-criterion optimization combined with the speed advisory (GLOSA; Green Light Optimized Speed Advisory). All the proposed analyses were carried out for different powertrain vehicle categories; ICEVs, and EVs

Seroprevalencia de paratuberculosis bovina en rodeos de cría y de leche de dos departamentos de la provincia de Santa Fe (Argentina)

Paratuberculosis (PTB) is a granulomatous chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract of domestic and wild ruminants, caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). The disease has been identified previously in dairy and beef cattle herds of Argentina, however the prevalence estimates are scarce. To characterize the PTB situation in both cattle production system of Santa Fe province, the serological prevalence in dairy and beef cattle herds was determined through a commercial ELISA. The study was carried on Castellanos and San Cristobal departments that include a significant proportion of the provincial cattle that produce milk and meat, respectively. Seventy herds were studied for each productive system, with a minimum of 20 cows sampled per herd. PTB prevalence at the herd and bovines level was 35.6% and 2.1% for dairy cattle and 66% and 9% for beef cattle respectively. Unexpectedly, the meat production systems showed higher prevalence than dairy systems. These results strongly suggest that Argentina should implement an official PTB control program that include particularly breeder cabins, to preclude its spread with livestock movement.Fil: Abdala, A. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimetal Agropecuaria Rafaela (EEA). Santa Fe, ArgentinaFil: Aguirre N. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimetal Agropecuaria Rafaela (EEA). Santa Fe, ArgentinaFil: Luca, E. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Santa Fe, ArgentinaFil: Torioni de Echaide, S. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimetal Agropecuaria Rafaela (EEA). Santa Fe, ArgentinaLa paratuberculosis (PTB) es una enfermedad crónica granulomatosa del tracto gastrointestinal causada por Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), que afecta a rumiantes domésticos y silvestres. La enfermedad ha sido identificada en rodeos bovinos productores de leche y carne de Argentina, pero con escasas estimaciones de prevalencia. Para caracterizar la situación de la PTB en rodeos bovinos de la provincia de Santa Fe, se determinó la prevalencia serológica en bovinos productores de leche y carne mediante un ELISA comercial. El estudio se llevó a cabo en los departamentos Castellanos y San Cristóbal que incluyen una proporción significativa del ganado provincial que produce leche y carne, respectivamente. Se estudiaron 70 establecimientos por sistema productivo, con un mínimo de 20 vacas por rodeo. La prevalencia de PTB en rodeos y bovinos fue de 35,6% y del 2,1% para ganado lechero y del 66% y 9% para ganado de carne, respectivamente. Contrariamente a lo esperado, los sistemas extensivos para la producción de carne tuvieron prevalencias más elevadas que los sistemas lecheros. Estos resultados sugieren la necesidad de implementar un programa oficial para el control de PTB que incluya inicialmente cabañas de reproductores para evitar su propagación con los movimientos de ganado