Effect of Pre-Treatments on The Kinetics of Subsequent aerobic and Anaerobic Biodegradation of Polylactic Acid (PLA)

Evalúa el efecto de pretratamientos como hidrólisis ácida, hidrólisis básica, irradiación gamma, irradiación por haz de electrónica y sometimiento a presión de vapor para reducir el tiempo de biodegradación de envases termoformados a base de ácido poliláctico. El propósito de este trabajo fue evaluar tratamientos que aumentan la velocidad de biodegradación del ácido poliláctico (PLA) durante el compostaje y la digestión anaeróbica. Los tratamientos fueron elegidos pensando en reducir el peso molecular y afectar la integridad estructural del polímero. Este trabajo está subdividido en cinco secciones: (a) encontrar el tratamiento más eficaz para reducir el peso molecular del PLA, (b) determinar la cinética involucrada en el tratamiento seleccionado, (c) desarrollar un método simple para evaluar la biodegradación aeróbica del PLA en el compost, (d) evaluar los efectos de los pretratamientos en la digestión anaeróbica posterior, y (e) evaluar los efectos de los pretratamientos en posteriores procesos de compostaje. Se investigaron cinco tratamientos potenciales: irradiación gamma, irradiación con haz de electrones, inmersión en medios alcalinos, inmersión en medios ácidos y exposición al vapor. Se encontró que la exposición al vapor fue el tratamiento más eficaz con hasta un 94 % de reducción del peso molecular, usando vapor a 120 ° C durante 4 horas. Para determinar la cinética de la reducción del peso molecular del PLA después de la exposición al vapor, se propuso un modelo de reacción de primer orden invertido.The purpose of this work was to evaluate treatments that increase polylactic acid (PLA) biodegradation during composting and anaerobic digestion. Treatments were chosen on the potential to reduce molecular weight and affect structural integrity of the polymer. Five potential treatments were investigate, and it was found that steam exposure was the most effective treatment with up to 94% molecular weight reduction with 120°C steam for 4 hours. To determine kinetics of PLA molecular weight reduction after exposure to steam, a first-order reaction model was proposed. It was found that the model, which is time and temperature dependent, fits experimental data well, with activation energy, Ea, of 52.3 KJ/mol. In addition, it was demonstrated that steam treatments hydrolyze polymer molecules, resulting in de-polymerization to lactic acid. At 120°C, weight loss of PLA was 84.7% after 24 hours, indicating significant conversion to lactic acid. To develop a simple method to evaluate PLA aerobic biodegradation in compost, the fundamentals of conversion were examined, and three approaches were designed and assessed. These methods are referred to as methods of “flexible bags”, “rigid containers with plastic lids” and “perforated jars”. It was found that the method of perforated jars was most reliable, simple and consistent to apply. To evaluate effects of treatment in subsequent anaerobic digestion, weight loss and biochemical methane potential (BMP) of treated samples were investigated under mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic conditions. Untreated PLA did not degrade under mesophilic conditions. However, degradation did occur under thermophilic conditions, producing 187 ccCH4/g at 58°C after 56 days. The best scenario evaluated, was steam-treated PLA at 120°C for 3 hours subjected to anaerobic thermophilic conditions, where the yield of methane was 225 ccCH4/g after 56 days. While untreated PLA biodegrades more slowly than common organic feedstock, steam-treated PLA biodegraded faster. Results of this investigation show that treatment of PLA with steam at 120°C for 3 hours reached 60% degradation in 14 days. Compost was not altered by PLA conversion.Organización de Estados Americanos (OEA). Laspa

Perspectiva económica- financiera de los administradores de los locales comerciales en el Centro Comercial Gran Plaza Florencia

En la siguiente investigación se podrá ver un análisis de diferentes variables que se estudiaron después de la realización una encuesta y una entrevista informal con los diferentes administradores de los locales comerciales que hacen parte del centro comercial Gran Plaza Florencia, determinando su impacto económico-financiero en la región y de sus locales en este lugar, con esta indagación se pretende saber cómo las personas ponen en riesgo o benefician a una organización como el Grupo Éxito que según ciertas fuentes fueron los encargadas de financiar el proyecto, y que con el canon de arrendamiento de los locales piensan recuperar la inversión, como lo afirma que “la población constituye el elemento central en los procesos de planeación, ejecución, seguimiento y evaluación”

Educación ambiental sostenible a través de la responsabilidad social

135 PáginasLa educación ambiental debe ser una herramienta de ayuda para crear conciencia ambiental y formar en los individuos valores ambientales perdurables a través de la responsabilidad social, formando a los niños, niñas y jóvenes como agentes de cambio en los problemas ambientales. Sin embargo, al interior de la institución Villa Amalia IED se evidenció que los estudiantes de grado sexto y séptimo a pesar que tenían conocimiento de algunos temas ecológicos no actuaban en concordancia con estos conceptos, generando algunas problemáticas socio-ambientales posteriormente descritas. El presente proyecto se inscribe en una metodología de investigación de enfoque cualitativo, un alcance de investigación descriptivo con un diseño de investigación de acción participativa. Los resultados se dividen en tres grandes grupos: análisis descriptivo, resultados investigativos y resultados pedagógicos. Los resultados investigativos muestran un conocimiento parcial del tema responsabilidad social y la falta de un programa tangible dentro del centro educativo; por otro lado, los resultados pedagógicos muestran que el centro educativo si tiene varios componentes culturales y programas medioambientales que permitirían generar un programa a futuro de responsabilidad social enfocado hacia el medio ambiente al interior de la institución educativa. Finalmente, se formula una propuesta estratégica y se generan unas conclusiones para futuras investigaciones

Prioritizing Wild Edible Plants for potential new crops based on Deciduous Forest traditional knowledge by a Rancher community

Antecedentes: Varios índices etnobotánicos evalúan la importancia de las plantas silvestres comestibles (PSCs); sin embargo, la mayoría de ellos consideran principalmente características antropológicas/culturales, por lo que es difícil emplearlos para seleccionar especies prioritarias para desarrollarse como nuevos cultivos. En México, existen pocos estudios etnobotánicos enfocados en la cultura del ranchero de grupos no indígenas y sobre cómo su conocimiento está distribuido. Hipótesis: La aplicación de un índice etnobotánico adecuado y tomando en cuenta la diversidad culinaria de las PSCs, permitirá la selección de las especies más apropiadas para la seguridad alimentaria de la región. El conocimiento sobre las PSCs se distribuye homogéneamente entre los rancheros. Sitio y año de estudio: Durante el 2015, se realizaron 53 entrevistas semi-estructuradas acerca del uso de plantas silvestres comestibles entre los rancheros de la Región del Cabo, Baja California Sur. Métodos: La importancia de las especies se estimó mediante el Índice de Importancia Alimentaria (IIA) y el Índice de Prominencia (IP). Las especies prioritarias se establecieron mediante el valor de los índices y sus usos culinarios. Resultados: Se registraron 51 taxa de plantas silvestres comestibles, principalmente frutos y vegetales. Entre las especies mejor evaluadas, el IIA agrupó una mayor diversidad de alimentos, comparado con el IP; sin embargo, ambos identificaron prácticamente las mismas especies prioritarias cuando la selección se realizó en base a las prioridades culinarias. El número de PSCs citadas por los hombres (26) fue mayor que el de las mujeres (19). Conclusiones: El empleo de los índices etnobotánicos (IIA/IP) junto con la información culinaria permite seleccionar a las PSCs prioritarias para la seguridad alimentaria, reduciendo el sesgo de los índices por algún tipo de alimento. Stenocereus thurberi, S. gumossus, Matelea cordifolia y Cnidoscolus maculatus fueron las especies prioritarias con mayor potencial de establecerse como nuevos cultivos. ABTRACT Background: Several ethnobotanical indices evaluate the importance of wild edible plants (WEPs), but most of them consider mainly anthropological/cultural information; thus, their appropriate use for selection of priority species for developing new crops is difficult. In Mexico, few ethnobotanical studies involve ranchers of non-indigenous communities and the distribution of their knowledge. Hypotheses: Application of a proper ethnobotanical index and taking account the plant culinary characteristics permit the selection of the most important WEPs for food security. Knowledge about WEPs is homogeneously distributed among the ranchers. Study site and dates: Fifty-three semi-structured interviews about the use of WEPs among the ranchers of Southern Baja California were conducted in 2015. Methods: Plant importance was determined by the Food Significance Index (FSI) and the Salience Index (SI). Priority species for food security were selected by analyzing the index values of plants and their culinary uses. Results: Fifty-one taxa of WEPs were recorded, mostly fruits and vegetables. FSI grouped a more diverse selection of plantfoods in the top rated species than SI; however, both identified almost the same priority species after considering the culinary prioritization of the analyzed species. The number of WEPs cites was higher for men (26) than for women (19). Conclusions: Analysis of WEPs using ethnobotanical indexes (FSI/SI) and culinary information permits the selection of food priority species reducing the bias of the index for one kind of food. Stenocereus thurberi, S. gummosus, Matelea cordifolia, and Cnidoscolus maculatus were the selected priority species with potential to be new crops

A Roadmap until 2030 and first action plan for the Peruvian agri-food sector, focusing on Andean native crops : results from the 3rd and 4th Futures Workshops of the Pecolo Project

PECOLO, or Native crops for sustainable and innovative food futures in Peru and Colombia, was a collaborative project involving the University of Turku, Finland (UTU), Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Peru (UNALM) and Universidad el Bosque, Colombia (UEB). From UTU, Finland Futures Research Centre (FFRC) coordinated the project. In addition, the Functional Foods Forum and Department of Biochemistry of the University of Turku were also participating in the project. One of the key focus areas of the PECOLO project was the development of innovation environments around native Andean crops. Futures research and foresight methodologies were used as novel tools for developing innovation environments in cooperation with academic, public and private sector organizations and NGOs. This is the second of two publications concerning Peru that have been produced based on the results of the PECOLO project’s four-stage futures process. The first, A Scenario for the Desirable Future of the Peruvian Agri-Food Sector 2030, Focusing on Andean Native Crops: Results from the 1st and 2nd Futures Workshops of the PECOLO Project , describes the methods and results of the first two steps of the futures process. The outcome was a futures table describing a set of three alternative futures for the Peruvian agri-food sector that reconsider the potential of Andean crops, as well as a scenario narrative for the most desirable future. This second publication covers the work that took place during the project’s third and fourth futures workshops. The third workshop established a vision for 2030 based on the desirable scenario of the second workshop, and a roadmap for the Peruvian agri-food sector with a special focus on Andean native crops. The fourth and final workshop elaborated concrete actions that can and should be taken by stakeholders in the first implementation period, from 2020–2022, in order to begin to move toward these common goals. The PECOLO project was funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland between 2017–2019 under the HEI-ICI Programme (Higher Education Institutions – Institutional Capacity-building Instrument)

A Scenario for the desirable future of the Peruvian agrifood sector 2030, focusing on Andean native crops : results from the 1st and 2nd futures workshops of the PECOLO project

The Andean region is exceptionally rich in biodiversity, harbouring an important centre of domestication of global food crops, such as potato, quinoa, corn, peanut and tomato. Such biodiversity provides a great potential to discover or, reintroduce, nutritionally rich local varieties and utilize them to develop innovative food applications. Utilization of native plant crops provide promising solutions to address the wider sustainability goals, such as rediscovering crops more resilient to the changing climate and providing local source of nutritious food. Diversification of the local diets with local grains enables better nutrition and can also contribute to food security in areas where food production is threatened by climate change. ‘Native crops for sustainable and innovative food futures in Peru and Colombia (PECOLO)’ is a collabo-ration project between University of Turku, Finland (UTU), Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Peru (UNALM) and Universidad el Bosque, Colombia (UEB). From UTU, Finland Futures Research Centre (FFRC) of University of Turku coordinates the project. In addition, Functional Foods Forum and Department of Biochemistry of University of Turku participate in the project. The PECOLO project has a special focus on the development of innovation environments around Andean native crops. Futures research and foresight methodologies are used as novel tools for developing innovation environments in cooperation with academic, public and private sector organizations and NGOs. In addition to the development of innovation environments, the project has capacity-building and mobility components in specialized topics in food science such as nutrition and functional foods, and in sustainability issues along the food value chain, such as environmental impacts of food production, sustainable diets and food waste and loss. This publication is the first of the two publications for Peru that will be published as an outcome of the PECOLO project’s four step futures process around Andean native crops. The publication covers the methods and the results of the 1st workshop, which focused on horizon scanning of the current state of the agri-food sector, as well as the methods and the results of the 2nd workshop, which focused on development of scenarios for the Peruvian agri-food sector with a special focus on Andean native crops. The second PECOLO publication (published later in 2019) will present the roadmaps and action plans for the agri-food sector stakeholders in Peru and Colombia

Producción de ovino de carne en medio semiárido

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Propiedades psicométricas de la escala de salud mental positiva en Arequipa (Perú)

La salud mental positiva es un constructo complejo que está relacionado con el funcionamiento óptimo de la persona. Comprende un conjunto de cualidades orientadas al desarrollo del potencial del individuo. La Escala de Salud Mental Positiva es uno de los instrumentos más utilizados para evaluarlo, sin embargo, los antecedentes señalan inconsistencias respecto a su estructura interna. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Salud Mental Positiva en Arequipa-Perú. Participaron 3933 personas, 50.3% fueron mujeres y 49.7% fueron varones, incluyendo desde adolescentes hasta adultos mayores. La evaluación mediante AFC de la estructura original evidenció índices de ajuste pobres, por lo que se tuvo que evaluar la dimensionalidad y proponer una nueva estructura. Para lo cual, se dividió a la muestra (n1 = 1966 y n2 = 1967). En la primera, se aplicó un AFE y en la segunda se valida mediante un AFC. Se hallaron tres factores y se concluye que tiene un buen ajuste (χ2(431) = 2473.378; CFI = .959; TLI = .956, RMSEA = .049; SRMR = .051). La consistencia interna mostró valores mayores a .81. Finalmente, se evaluó la equivalencia de la medición según el sexo, hallando que el instrumento presenta invarianza de la medición.Positive mental health is a complex construct that is related to the optimal functioning of the person. It comprises a set of qualities aimed at the development of the individual's potential. The Positive Mental Health Scale is one of the most used instruments to evaluate it, however, the antecedents indicate inconsistencies regarding its internal structure. The objective of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Positive Mental Health Scale in Arequipa-Peru. 3,933 people participated, 50.3% were women and 49.7% were men, including from adolescents to the elderly. The evaluation by CFA of the original structure showed poor fit indices, so the dimensionality had to be evaluated and a new structure had to be proposed. For which the sample is divided (n1 = 1,966 and n2 = 1,967). In the first, an EFA was applied and in the second, it is validated by means of a CFA. Three factors were found and it is concluded that it has a good fit (χ2 (431) = 2,473.378; CFI = .959; TLI = .956, RMSEA = .049; SRMR = .051). The internal consistency showed values ​​greater than .81. Finally, the equivalence of the measurement according to sex was evaluated, finding that the instrument presents measurement invariance

Identification of candidate genes associated with fibromyalgia susceptibility in southern Spanish women: the al‑Ándalus project

Candidate-gene studies on fibromyalgia susceptibility often include a small number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which is a limitation. Moreover, there is a paucity of evidence in Europe. Therefore, we compared genotype frequencies of candidate SNPs in a well-characterised sample of Spanish women with fibromyalgia and healthy non-fibromyalgia women.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness [I+D+i DEP2010-15639, I+D+i DEP2013-40908-R to M.D.-F.; BES-2014-067612 to F.E.-L.]; the Spanish Ministry of Education [FPU2014/02518 to M.B.-C.]; the Consejería de Turismo, Comercio y Deporte, Junta de Andalucía [CTCD-201000019242-TRA to M.D.-F.]; Consejería de Salud, Junta de Andalucía [PI-0520-2016 to M.D.-F.], and the University of Granada, Plan Propio de Investigación 2016, Excellence actions: Units of Excellence; Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES). This work is part of a Ph.D. Thesis conducted in the Biomedicine Doctoral Studies of the University of Granada, Spai