Topics in climate change risk

In this Thesis, we analyze how climate risk impacts economic players and its consequences on the financial markets. Essentially, literature unravels two main channels through which climate change poses risks to the status quo, namely physical and transitional risk, that we cover in three works. Firstly, the call for a global shift to a net-zero economy implicitly devalues assets that contribute to global warming that regulators are forcing to dismiss. On the other hand, abnormal changes in the temperatures as well as weather-related events challenge the environmental equilibrium and could directly affect operations as well as profitability. We start the analysis with the physical component, by presenting a statistical measure that generally represents shocks to the distribution of temperature anomalies. We oppose this statistic to classical physical measures and assess that it is the driver of the electricity consumption, in the weather derivatives market, and in the cross-section of equity returns. We find two transmission channels, namely investor attention, and firm operations. We then analyze the transition risk component, by associating a regulatory horizon characterization to fixed income valuation. We disentangle a risk driver for corporate bond overperformance that is tight to change in credit riskiness. After controlling a statistical learning algorithm to forecast excess returns, we include carbon emission metrics without clear evidence. Finally, we analyze the effects of change in carbon emission on a regulated market such as the EU ETS by selecting utility sector corporate bond and, after controlling for the possible risk factor, we document how a firm’s carbon profile differently affects the term structure of credit riskiness.

Patrimoni storici e fondi speciali nelle biblioteche d'ateneo. Valutazione e impatto dell'Università

Quali benefici possono apportare alla società le biblioteche degli atenei che conservano patrimoni storici e fondi speciali? Per rispondere a questa domanda occorre indagare l’impatto delle loro attività, cioè il cambiamento che il contatto coi servizi della biblioteca determina in un individuo o in un gruppo, secondo la definizione della ISO 16439:2014. Scopo della ricerca è proporre una metodologia per valutare l’impatto delle iniziative di valorizzazione di tali patrimoni attuate dalle biblioteche degli atenei. Il campo d’indagine coincide con il contesto universitario pubblico italiano, osservato criticamente in una prospettiva internazionale grazie all’analisi di esperienze non italiane. Dopo un inquadramento storico della biblioteca di università e della sua apertura alla società, il lavoro si sofferma sull’interpretazione del concetto angloamericano di «special collections» ed esamina le più diffuse modalità di valorizzazione adottate dalle biblioteche di ateneo. Per disporre di un quadro sulla gestione dei patrimoni storici e dei fondi speciali nelle biblioteche degli atenei italiani, il lavoro ha previsto una ricerca sui sistemi bibliotecari degli atenei pubblici del nostro Paese. Le attività di valorizzazione svolte dalle biblioteche di ateneo possono contribuire allo sviluppo culturale del contesto in cui sono radicate, nell’ottica della Terza Missione dell’Università. Alle sollecitazioni della Terza Missione si aggiunge che i benefici della valorizzazione possono legarsi al concetto di «cultural welfare» e promuovere altresì il valore della biodiversità culturale, fattore concorrente alla realizzazione della società auspicata dall’Agenda 2030 delle Nazioni Unite. La tesi propone una metodologia per valutare la risposta delle biblioteche di ateneo che svolgono attività di valorizzazione dei patrimoni storici e dei fondi speciali rispetto alle cornici strategiche di Terza Missione e di Agenda 2030. A completamento della parte teorica, si presentano due casi studio posti a confronto, l’uno riferito alla Biblioteca Històrica della Universitat de València (Spagna) e l’altro alla Biblioteca Universitaria di Bologna.

New biomaterials for packaging: a green approach to biopolymers and biocomposites

The impellent global environmental issues related to plastic materials can be addressed by following two different approaches: i) the development of synthetic strategies towards novel bio-based polymers, deriving from biomasses and thus identifiable as CO2-neutral materials, and ii) the development of new plastic materials, such as biocomposites, which are bio-based and biodegradable and therefore able to counteract the accumulation of plastic waste. In this framework, this dissertation presents extensive research efforts have been devoted to the synthesis and characterization of polyesters based on various bio-based monomers, including ω-pentadecalactone, vanillic acid, 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. With the aim of achieving high molecular weight polyesters, different synthetic strategies have been used as melt polycondensation, enzymatic polymerization, ring-opening polymerization and chain extension reaction. In particular, poly(ethylene vanillate) (PEV), poly(ω-pentadecalactone) (PPDL), poly(ethylene vanillate-co-pentadecalactone) (P(EV-co-PDL)), poly(2-hydroxymethyl 5-furancarboxylate) (PHMF), poly(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PEF) with different amount of diethylene glycol (DEG) unit amount, poly(propylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PPF), poly(hexamethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate), (PHF) have been prepared and extensively characterized. To improve the lacks of poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate) (PHBV), its minimal formulations with natural additives and its blending with medium chain length PHAs (mcl-PHAs) have been tested. Additionally, this dissertation presents new biocomposites based on polylactic acid (PLA), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), and PHBV, which are polymers both bio-based and biodegradable. To maintain their biodegradability only bio-fillers have been taken into account as reinforcing agents. Moreover, the commitment to sustainability has further limited the selection and led to the exclusive use of agricultural waste as fillers. Detailly, biocomposites have been obtained and discussed by using the following materials: PLA and agro-wastes like tree pruning, potato peels, and hay leftovers; PBS and exhausted non-compliant coffee green beans; PHBV and industrial starch extraction residues.

A maximum entropy approach to disturbed ecosystems

The current climate crisis requires a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity to acknowledge how ecosystems’ responses to anthropogenic disturbances may result in feedback that can either mitigate or exacerbate global warming. Although ecosystems are dynamic and macroecological patterns change drastically in response to disturbance, dynamic macroecology has received insufficient attention and theoretical formalisation. In this context, the maximum entropy principle (MaxEnt) could provide an effective inference procedure to study ecosystems. Since the improper usage of entropy outside its scope often leads to misconceptions, the opening chapter will clarify its meaning by following its evolution from classical thermodynamics to information theory. The second chapter introduces the study of ecosystems from a physicist’s viewpoint. In particular, the MaxEnt Theory of Ecology (METE) will be the cornerstone of the discussion. METE predicts the shapes of macroecological metrics in relatively static ecosystems using constraints imposed by static state variables. However, in disturbed ecosystems with macroscale state variables that change rapidly over time, its predictions tend to fail. In the final chapter, DynaMETE is therefore presented as an extension of METE from static to dynamic. By predicting how macroecological patterns are likely to change in response to perturbations, DynaMETE can contribute to a better understanding of disturbed ecosystems’ fate and the improvement of conservation and management of carbon sinks, like forests. Targeted strategies in ecosystem management are now indispensable to enhance the interdependence of human well-being and the health of ecosystems, thus avoiding climate change tipping points.

Neurodevelopment Of Small-for-gestational Age Infants: Behavioral Aspects In First Year.

The purpose of this study was to compare the behavior of full-term small-for-gestational age (SGA) with full-term appropriate-for gestational age (AGA) infants in the first year of life. We prospectively evaluated 68 infants in the 2nd month, 67 in the 6th month and 69 in the 12th month. The Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II were used, with emphasis on the Behavior Rating Scale (BRS). The groups were similar concerning the item interest in test materials and stimuli; there was a trend toward differences in the items negative affect, hypersensitivity to test materials and adaptation to change in test materials. The mean of Raw Score was significantly lower for the SGA group in the items predominant state, liability of state of arousal, positive affect, soothability when upset, energy, exploration of objects and surroundings, orientation toward examiner. A lower BRS score was associated with the SGA group in the 2nd month.

Effects Of High Pressure Homogenization On The Activity, Stability, Kinetics And Three-dimensional Conformation Of A Glucose Oxidase Produced By Aspergillus Niger.

High pressure homogenization (HPH) is a non-thermal method, which has been employed to change the activity and stability of biotechnologically relevant enzymes. This work investigated how HPH affects the structural and functional characteristics of a glucose oxidase (GO) from Aspergillus niger. The enzyme was homogenized at 75 and 150 MPa and the effects were evaluated with respect to the enzyme activity, stability, kinetic parameters and molecular structure. The enzyme showed a pH-dependent response to the HPH treatment, with reduction or maintenance of activity at pH 4.5-6.0 and a remarkable activity increase (30-300%) at pH 6.5 in all tested temperatures (15, 50 and 75°C). The enzyme thermal tolerance was reduced due to HPH treatment and the storage for 24 h at high temperatures (50 and 75°C) also caused a reduction of activity. Interestingly, at lower temperatures (15°C) the activity levels were slightly higher than that observed for native enzyme or at least maintained. These effects of HPH treatment on function and stability of GO were further investigated by spectroscopic methods. Both fluorescence and circular dichroism revealed conformational changes in the molecular structure of the enzyme that might be associated with the distinct functional and stability behavior of GO.

Cariology In Curriculum Of Brazilian Dental Schools.

Reasons for the iniquities of caries, globally recognized, may be related to how Cariology has been taught in dental schools. In Brazil, the most important universities, when considering healthcare teaching, are the public ones. The objective of this study was to identify the insertion of the contents of Cariology in the course flowcharts of public dental schools in the country. The survey was conducted in 2013 seeking to identify the realities of different geographical regions, aimed to the census of public dental schools. It was performed a documentary analysis of the menus of disciplines, identifying the following issues: number of dental schools that include content related to Cariology in their curricula; average total workload undergraduate courses and disciplines that contemplate the theme; distribution of disciplines in professional training cycles (basic, clinical and public health); existence of discipline and/or a specific department; verification of bibliographic indication directly related to Cariology. The response rate was 93.6%. All dental schools recommended specific books, and none of them had a Department of Cariology. All dental schools in the country contemplated content related to Cariology in their disciplines, distributed in specific disciplines (except for the Northern region) and disciplines in the three cycles of learning (basic, clinical and public health), with larger workload in the clinical cycle. Although public dental schools in Brazil demonstrated commitment to contemplating the content related to Cariology in their disciplines, the emphasis on the clinical cycle may not be promoting the integrated formation of students, which could be contributing to reflect the inequalities of the disease in the country.

Juan César García: Social Medicine As Project And Endeavor.

This paper analyses some aspects of the trajectory of the Argentinian physician and sociologist Juan César García (1932-1984) in the field of Latin American Social Medicine. Three dimensions constituting his basic orientations are highlighted: the elaboration of systematic and reflective social thought; a critical attitude in questioning teaching and professional practices; a commitment to the institutionalization and dissemination of health knowledge.

Long-term Decline Of The Amazon Carbon Sink.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide records indicate that the land surface has acted as a strong global carbon sink over recent decades, with a substantial fraction of this sink probably located in the tropics, particularly in the Amazon. Nevertheless, it is unclear how the terrestrial carbon sink will evolve as climate and atmospheric composition continue to change. Here we analyse the historical evolution of the biomass dynamics of the Amazon rainforest over three decades using a distributed network of 321 plots. While this analysis confirms that Amazon forests have acted as a long-term net biomass sink, we find a long-term decreasing trend of carbon accumulation. Rates of net increase in above-ground biomass declined by one-third during the past decade compared to the 1990s. This is a consequence of growth rate increases levelling off recently, while biomass mortality persistently increased throughout, leading to a shortening of carbon residence times. Potential drivers for the mortality increase include greater climate variability, and feedbacks of faster growth on mortality, resulting in shortened tree longevity. The observed decline of the Amazon sink diverges markedly from the recent increase in terrestrial carbon uptake at the global scale, and is contrary to expectations based on models.

Consciencia corporal na escola

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Basquetebol chileno : perspectivas e desenvolvimento

Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Faculdade de Educação Física

Variabilidade da frequência cardíaca após treinamento concorrente : comparação entre homens e mulheres de meia-idade = Heart rate variability after concurrent training : comparison between middle-aged men and women

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Hegemonia e contra-hegemonia na construção de políticas de esporte e lazer : a experiência do Consórcio Brasília = Hegemony and counter-hegemony in the process of sport and leisure policy-making : the experience of the Consortium Brasilia

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Da formação e desenvolvimento profissional do professor de educação fisica a inovação educativa

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Juventude, lazer e uso abusivo de alcool

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física