Impleamentation of reverse logistics in a firm. The case of Danone

Treball Final de Grau en Administració d'Empreses. Codi: AE1049. Curs 2019/2020Over the past decades, we have witnessed unprecedented growth in demand for resources, due to rapid industrialization of emerging economies and continued high use of resources in developed countries. Linking economic development to the consumption of raw materials, the basis of the linear economy, represents an unsustainable model for the economy, society and the environment (Dominguez, 2014). According to the United Nations (UN, 2013) the negative impact is expected to increase, estimating an increase in the world population of 8.6 billion by 2030. In addition, due to the increase in the standard of living in developing countries, the middle class will reach 3 billion, which will consolidate the increase in consumption, generating waste at a speed that is undesirable for global sustainability. In addition, it is necessary to mention the environmental impact associated with the production and consumption model of the linear economy. Not only does the linear economy present risks at the level of resource scarcity, but the growing generation of waste that accompanies it, which rapidly contaminates terrestrial and marine ecosystems, is particularly alarming. The main environmental problem associated with the linear economy is that it is initially making use of non-renewable resources for its activities, but these resources are being depleted, causing major climate change and the loss of biodiversity (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2014) . It is in this context that the circular economy appears, since it represents an opportunity to change our production and consumption model, as well as to significantly impact the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (UN, 2015). This is thanks to the fact that this new production model makes it possible to improve the efficiency of resource use and works to minimise the generation of waste and reintroduce it back into the production cycle thanks to a regenerative vision based on innovation, collaboration and awareness (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2014). The difference between linear and circular economy is key to the environment. Reverse logistics is a key element in the circular economy, a new type of logistics that ensures the recovery of materials already used. Although there are many companies from different sectors that are already leading the transition to a circular economy and applying reverse logistics, there is still a long way to go to achieve a circular ecosystem (Ruiz, 2018). Despite the benefits, the application of this model can be slowed down or even rejected by companies, as it requires several changes that companies are not always prepared to face. Taking into account the previous aspects, insofar as this can contribute to facilitating the development of business models based on the circular economy, the objective of this work are to deepen into the knowledge of reverse logistics and the barriers that companies usually face when it comes to implementing it correctly in their production processes and to illustrate how a specific firm develops its reverse logistics. In order to achieve these objectives, in the first part of the work we will delve into the concept of reverse logistics and examine the dimensions or elements that make up reverse logistics in the company. Next, we will review the possible barriers that companies have to face when incorporating reverse logistics. In the second part of the work, we complement this theoretical review with a case study in which we describe how a company with a strong commitment towards sustainability issues implements its reverse logistics. Specifically, the work analyses the process and environmental initiatives carried out by the company Danone in its reverse logistics

Liver decompensation is a frequent cause of treatment discontinuation and prognostic factor in intermediate-advanced HCC

Introduction and Objectives: With the advent of new therapeutic options for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for intermediate or advanced stages of the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC), regional real-world data regarding prognostic survival factors are of significant importance. Patients and Methods: A multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted in Latin America including BCLC B or C patients since 15th May 2018. We report here the second interim analysis focusing on prognostic variables and causes of treatment discontinuation. Cox proportional hazard survival analysis was performed, estimating hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: Overall, 390 patients were included, 55.1% and 44.9% were BCLC B and C at the time of study enrollment. Cirrhosis was present in 89.5% of the cohort. Among the BCLC-B group, 42.3% were treated with TACE with a median survival since the first session of 41.9 months. Liver decompensation before TACE was independently associated with increased mortality [HR 3.22 (CI 1.64;6.33); P<.001]. Systemic treatment was initiated in 48.2% of the cohort (n=188), with a median survival of 15.7 months. Of these, 48.9% presented first-line treatment discontinuation (44.4% tumor progression, 29.3% liver decompensation, 18.5% symptomatic deterioration, and 7.8% intolerance), and only 28.7% received second-line systemic treatments. Liver decompensation [HR 2.9 (1.64;5.29); P<.0001], and symptomatic progression [HR 3.9 (1.53;9.78); P=0.004] were independently associated with mortality after first-line systemic treatment discontinuation. Conclusions: The complexity of these patients, with one-third presenting liver decompensation after systemic therapies, underlines the need for multidisciplinary team management and the central role of hepatologists

Preparation of audiovisual material for use in subjects practical and theoretical practical degrees and double degrees dealing with chemistry

En el desarrollo del proyecto se han elaborado un total de 25 tutoriales que se convertirán en la guía con la que los estudiantes y el profesorado podrán recordar el funcionamiento de todos los softwares utilizados durante el grado (Excel, Origin, Avogadro, ChemSketch, Vesta, X´pert, Checkell, Hyperchem y Fullprof), pudiendo aprender además aquello que no se asimiló bien o lo que nunca se llegó a conocer de estos programas. Este material está ya a disposición de todos los estudiantes de la UCM y de otras universidades en el canal QuimIsasi (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNG3-lLP2AetTksEBC0hAw) en el espacio de título "Material audiovisual de uso en asignaturas prácticas de grados que tratan la Química", siendo de suma utilidad para el alumnado que vaya a cursar o que cursará diferentes asignaturas prácticas y teórico-prácticas incluidas en grados y dobles grados que tratan la Química. El análisis y evaluación del material audiovisual elaborado podrá permitir un aprendizaje más eficaz del manejo de distintos programas que, como se verá, va a permitir llevar a cabo: cálculos generales y estadísticos, creación de bases de datos, dibujos de moléculas y su simetría, representación de estructuras de compuestos inorgánicos/orgánicos y cálculos de parámetros de celdilla de esas estructuras o de sus momentos magnéticos.A total of 25 tutorials have been prepared in the development of the project which will become the guide with which students and teachers will be able to remember the operation of all the software used during the degree (Excel, Origin, Avogadro, ChemSketch, Vesta, X'pert, Checkell, Hyperchem and Fullprof), being able to also learn what was not well assimilated or what was never known about these programs. This material is now available to all UCM students and other universities on the QuimIsasi channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNG3-lLP2AetTksEBC0hAw) in the title space "Audiovisual material for use in subjects degree practices that deal with Chemistry", being extremely useful for students who are going to take or will be taking different practical and theoretical-practical subjects included in degrees and double degrees that deal with Chemistry. The analysis and evaluation of the audiovisual material produced may allow a more effective learning of the management of different programs that, as will be seen, will allow carrying out: general and statistical calculations, creation of databases, drawings of molecules and their symmetry, representation of structures of inorganic/organic compounds and calculations of cell parameters of those structures or of their magnetic moments.Dans le développement du projet, un total de 25 tutoriels ont été préparés qui deviendront le guide avec lequel les étudiants et les enseignants pourront se souvenir du fonctionnement de tous les logiciels utilisés pendant le diplôme (Excel, Origin, Avogadro, ChemSketch, Vesta , X'pert, Checkell, Hyperchem et Fullprof), pouvant aussi apprendre ce qui n'a pas été bien assimilé ou ce qui n'a jamais été connu de ces programmes. Ce matériel est désormais disponible pour tous les étudiants de l'UCM et d'autres universités sur la chaîne QuimIsasi (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNG3-lLP2AetTksEBC0hAw) dans l'espace titre "Matériel audiovisuel à utiliser dans les pratiques de diplômes traitant de la chimie ", extrêmement utile pour les étudiants qui vont suivre ou suivront différentes matières pratiques et théoriques-pratiques incluses dans les diplômes et doubles diplômes traitant de la chimie. L'analyse et l'évaluation du matériel audiovisuel produit pourront permettre un apprentissage plus efficace de la gestion de différents programmes qui, comme on le verra, permettront d'effectuer : des calculs généraux et statistiques, la création de bases de données, des dessins de molécules et leur symétrie, la représentation des structures de composés inorganiques/organiques et calculs des paramètres cellulaires de ces structures ou de leurs moments magnétiques.Depto. de Química InorgánicaFac. de Ciencias QuímicasFALSEsubmitte

Clinical and genetic characteristics of late-onset Huntington's disease

Background: The frequency of late-onset Huntington's disease (&gt;59 years) is assumed to be low and the clinical course milder. However, previous literature on late-onset disease is scarce and inconclusive. Objective: Our aim is to study clinical characteristics of late-onset compared to common-onset HD patients in a large cohort of HD patients from the Registry database. Methods: Participants with late- and common-onset (30–50 years)were compared for first clinical symptoms, disease progression, CAG repeat size and family history. Participants with a missing CAG repeat size, a repeat size of ≤35 or a UHDRS motor score of ≤5 were excluded. Results: Of 6007 eligible participants, 687 had late-onset (11.4%) and 3216 (53.5%) common-onset HD. Late-onset (n = 577) had significantly more gait and balance problems as first symptom compared to common-onset (n = 2408) (P &lt;.001). Overall motor and cognitive performance (P &lt;.001) were worse, however only disease motor progression was slower (coefficient, −0.58; SE 0.16; P &lt;.001) compared to the common-onset group. Repeat size was significantly lower in the late-onset (n = 40.8; SD 1.6) compared to common-onset (n = 44.4; SD 2.8) (P &lt;.001). Fewer late-onset patients (n = 451) had a positive family history compared to common-onset (n = 2940) (P &lt;.001). Conclusions: Late-onset patients present more frequently with gait and balance problems as first symptom, and disease progression is not milder compared to common-onset HD patients apart from motor progression. The family history is likely to be negative, which might make diagnosing HD more difficult in this population. However, the balance and gait problems might be helpful in diagnosing HD in elderly patients