University of Minnesota, Duluth
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University community attitudes to the use of genetic editing
No full textGenetic editing has many applications in all areas of society but it can also have unpredictable consequences. The objective of this research was to study the attitudes of the university community to the use of genetic editing in agriculture, environment, health and improvement of the human species. Students completed an online questionnaire written in three languages such as English, Spanish and Portuguese, which was made available in nine countries. Knowledge of words associated with the genetic editing technique increases with the level of education of the students. Doctoral students showed greater support for genetic editing in humans. There is a high degree of acceptance for genome modification techniques for purposes such as consumption, industry or health (~70%). While it had a great rejection (78%) to the genetic intervention for the improvement of physical or cognitive characteristics. Most student's express that the government should regulate and invest in research on genetic editing. Most students are optimistic or slightly optimistic about advances in this technology, especially for the benefit of health and the agricultural sector. This research provides an overview of students' opinion of the genetic editing and serves as a basis for future studies
Bitcoin's performance and volatility between 2017 and 2019 using Value at Risk.
No full textThis research aimed to address the performance and volatility of Bitcoin, through its risks and returns in the financial market. The years 2017 to 2019 were considered, as these were important for the growth and evolution of the asset. Data analysis was performed using the parametric and historical Value at Risk (VaR) method, which addresses the maximum potential loss for an asset, using price versus return, observing the daily performance of the digital asset and considering the factors that influenced its classification as highly volatile and increasingly evolving in the financial market. The results indicated that, in addition to being a growing asset, Bitcoin still presents several risks to investors, such as its high volatility, uncertainties surrounding the use of its technology, blockchain as a payment system, and the lack of government backing. These and other points addressed in the research still influence the investor's decision-making power, whether they are willing to take these risks and delve deeper into the knowledge of this asset that has revolutionized payment methods
Planning the job: a professional program for young people in vulnerability
No full textThe search for a first job and the difficulty of integrating people without experience into the job market are two of the challenges faced by Brazilian youth. This study aimed to identify the main requirements for vulnerable young people to enter the professional market and to develop a program plan to facilitate this integration. From the perspective of those already in the market, the study sought to define essential aspects to be developed by young people in order to facilitate their inclusion in positions that do not require prior experience. To identify the problem and develop the project, "design thinking" (DT) tools were used, such as defining problem space and solution space, synthesizing the need to build, as a resulting product, a program plan that contemplates principles of empathy (consideration of contexts), collaboration (listening and participation), and experimentation (ideation of the program project). Three fundamental areas for the program were identified, based on formal schooling, development of interpersonal skills, and construction of work practices. These three areas form the scope of the development and inclusion program, synthesized in an analytical project structure, developed as a prototype for this work
Identifying Greenhouse Gas Emission Sources and Mitigation Opportunities in California Specialty Cropping Systems
No full textHere, we present a synthesis of research on agricultural practices in the state’s specialty crop systems and their capacity to mitigate impacts of climate change, namely by reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and improvements in soil organic matter storage. Woody perennial crops and cool-season and warm-season crops are examined, including grapes, almonds, pistachios, walnuts, stonefruit, citrus, tomatoes, strawberries, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. We also present the development and improvements in specialty crops within DayCent, the biogeochemical model that underpins the USDA-NRCS tool COMET-Farm. COMET-Farm is a farm-level accounting tool for assessing reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that can be gained by employing certain conservation practices. Empirically derived emissions factors for nitrous oxide emissions from tomatoes, wine grapes, almonds and vegetables are also presented to calculate potential greenhouse gas emissions associated with each agricultural practice across their acreage in the state
Fueling America—Without Petroleum
No full textExcerpt: The demand for alternatives to petroleum-based fuels is steadily rising. Corn and soybeans—the dominant feedstocks for ethanol and biodiesel production in the United States—grow well in the central regions of the country. But are these the only available sources? What options exist for U.S. growers in other regions? How can corn and soybean feedstocks be improved? Scientists at the Eastern Regional Research Center (ERRC) in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, are answering these and other questions about renewable fuels production
Are consumers' attitudes regarding sustainability reflected on food choices? Evidence from a Discrete Choice Experiment in 10 European countries
No full text[EN] We assess whether consumers' attitudes towards sustainability are reflected in their food choices. Using an online survey, we elicit from 20,000 consumers in ten European countries the main motives when purchasing food, front-of-pack elements that signal differences in sustainability and purchase decisions. At the aggregated level, our results show that self-declared purchase motives translate into consumer choices, albeit in a divergent manner for the health and environmental components of sustainability. The findings can help policymakers and businesses to learn about the gap between attitudes and purchase behaviour and help them develop appropriate policies and strategies to promote sustainable food purchases. [ES] Evaluamos si los consumidores reflejan sus actitudes hacia la sostenibilidad en sus decisiones de compra. Para ello realizamos una encuesta en línea a 20.000 consumidores en 10 países europeos sobre motivos de compra, elementos del envase que comunican diferencias en sostenibilidad y decisiones de compra. Demostramos que los motivos de compra se trasladan a las decisiones de compra, aunque de manera divergente para los componentes de salud y medio ambiente de la sostenibilidad. Los resultados pueden ser utilizados para entender la divergencia entre actitudes y decisiones de compra y desarrollar estrategias y políticas para promover un consumo más sostenible
Appraisal of water quality and heavy metal concentration from the urban Balu River in Dhaka City, Bangladesh
No full textThis study assessed the physicochemical parameters and heavy metal concentrations in the Balu River, an urban river that passes through Dhaka City. Water samples were collected from five sampling stations during the pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons from October 2021 to September 2022. River water controlling parameters such as temperature, pH, EC, TDS, DO, BOD, NO₃⁻, NH4⁺, SO₄²⁻, PO₄³⁻, and heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Cu, Mn, and Cr from the Balu River were monitored seasonally. The study showed seasonal variations in temperature (26.4 to 30.8°C), pH (7.12 to 7.63), EC (144.2 to 571.0 µS/cm), TDS (304.8 to 878.0 mg/L), DO (2.25 to 3.08 mg/L), and BOD (21.69 to 24.92 mg/L). The high BOD and low DO content indicated organic pollution, while elevated EC and TDS suggested significant inorganic contamination. The nutrient (NO₃⁻, NH₄⁺, SO₄²⁻, PO₄³⁻) levels also varied, with concentrations peaking in the post-monsoon season. Heavy metals Pb (0.010 to 0.063 ppm), Cd (0.0013 to 0.0091 ppm), Cu (0.021 to 0.071 ppm), Mn (0.032 to 0.108 ppm), and Cr (0.018 to 0.095 ppm) revealed that they were within the permissible limits set by the Environment Conservation Rules (ECR). However, metal concentrations were highest in the post-monsoon season. Despite being below critical pollution thresholds, the cumulative impact of pollutants and heavy metals compromised the river’s suitability for aquatic life, irrigation, and drinking. Industrial waste discharge was identified as the primary cause of degradation. The study highlights the need for stringent monitoring and mitigation efforts to protect the river’s ecosystem
Assessing the social impacts of Digital Agriculture Technology Solutions: a practical tool
No full textDigital Agriculture Technology Solutions (DATSs) can improve the sustainability of the agricultural sector. While most of the research on the impacts of DATSs is focused on the economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability, this work aims to understand the social benefits that DATSs have on farmers. Integrating top-down and bottom-up approaches, a Social Sustainability Assessment Framework for DATSs adoption was developed and subsequently applied in the form of a Social Self-Evaluation Tool, a questionnaire tested on 60 farmers across 20 European countries, with a heterogeneous composition in terms of sector, types of DATSs, agronomical context, and socio-economic background. The Framework and the Social Self-Evaluation Tool allowed for a deep investigation of the social impacts of DATSs in terms of labour evolution, education and learning, and generational change. The results demonstrated the positive effects of DATSs on the social sphere of sustainability, as well as the importance of integrating this type of social analysis in the evaluation of digital technologies in agriculture
Cereal Production in the Sugarcane Belt: Commercialisation and Smallholder Tenants in a Western UP Village
No full textThis article examines the impact of the expansion of sugarcane cultivation on cereal production and certain features of agrarian relations in Harevli village in western Uttar Pradesh. It draws on longitudinal data collected in the village in 2006 and 2023. The expansion of sugarcane cultivation has reduced the area under wheat and paddy, though wheat output has remained stable because of rising yields. Relatively rich landowners focus more on sugarcane than cereal cultivation, and have increasingly leased out land for wheat and rice cultivation to land-poor Dalit and Other Backward Class households. This tenancy has enabled greater access to land for poor peasants from these caste groups, who now cultivate most of the cereal grown in the village. However, economic outcomes remain unequal as high rents and interlinked contracts depress profitability. Even though most poor peasants earn marginal or negative returns, tenancy endures as a means of ensuring household grain supply
Export Challenges Faced by S&SEA e-Commerce Providers
No full textThis Country Update Note addresses the most pressing issues faced by e-commerce providers in exporting their products or services. The note incorporates the views of the public and private sectors, and covers general business challenges as well as policy and regulatory aspects. The objective is to understand the export challenges they face in operating in the e-commerce sector, so that WTO negotiators may address these concerns. For the purpose of this note, an ‘e-commerce provider’ is defined as any private enterprise that engages in trade through electronic means. The note specifically looks at e-commerce providers engaged in cross-border trade i.e. e-exporters. Examples of such trade include: online sales and marketing, accommodation booking, any mode of transport booking, digital financial services, medical services, provision of digital goods such as graphics, e-books, and online courses