Gross-output vs value-added production function. With the Cobb-Douglas form used by Sicsic (1994), increasing returns to scale in the value-added production function are equivalent to increasing returns to scale in the gross-output production function. The choice between value-added and gross-output production function is nevertheless not innocuous because returns to scale estimated from the va...

We review some recent endeavors and add some new results to characterize and understand underlying mechanisms in Wikipedia (WP), the paradigmatic example of collaborative value production. We analyzed the statistics of editorial activity in different languages and observed typical circadian and weekly patterns, which enabled us to estimate the geographical origins of contributions to WPs in lan...

At the turn of the third millennium the world industry has found itself in probably the largest restructuring since the first industrial revolution. The progress is determined by two trends: dynamic progress of information and communication technologies which have enabled the creation of new markets and the redefinition of entire professions, globalization of economy thanks to new purchasing an...

Production distributed systems are challenging to formally verify, in particular when they are based on distributed protocols that are not rigorously described or fully understood. In this paper, we derive models and properties for two core distributed protocols used in eventually consistent production key-value stores such as Riak and Cassandra. We propose a novel modeling called certified pro...

We recently evaluated the relationship between abiotic environmental stresses and lutein biosynthesis in the green microalga Dunaliella salina and suggested a rational design of stress-driven adaptive evolution experiments for carotenoids production in microalgae. Here, we summarize our recent findings regarding the biotechnological production of carotenoids from microalgae and outline emerging...

Plants display an immense diversity of specialized metabolites, many of which have been important to humanity as medicines, flavors, fragrances, pigments, insecticides and other fine chemicals. Apparently, much of the variation in plant specialized metabolism evolved through events of gene duplications followed by neo- or sub-functionalization. Most of the catalytic diversity of plant enzymes i...

We combine input-output and bilateral trade data to quantify cross-border production linkages. Using a complete trading system, we compute bilateral trade in value added for 87 countries and regions. The ratio of value added to gross exports is a measure of the intensity of production sharing. Across sectors, manufacturing has a relatively low ratio and thus accounts for a smaller share of expo...

Industry analysts have indicated that there is a trend toward more value-added production in the Canadian forest industry. This suggests that the value of output has increased relative to the primary resource costs of production, leaving increased returns available for other production costs. If, however, these other costs out-pace value-added growth, the industry may be in jeopardy as profit l...

Bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass (agro residues, grasses, wood, weed, dedicated energy crops and others) into biofuels and other value-added products offers numerous geopolitical, environmental, and strategic benefits. Ligno-cellulosic biomass (LB) is the most abundant renewable organic resources (∼200 billion tons annually) on earth that are readily available for conversion to biofuels...