The effects of subsampling and between-haul variation on the size-selectivity estimation of Chilean hake (Merluccius gayi gayi)

Using the data collected in a size selectivity experiment on Chilean hake (Merluccius gayi gayi) carried out in 2000, the selectivity parameters for four codend mesh sizes (100, 110, 130, and 140 mm of mesh size opening) were estimated and modelled by the SELECT model. These analyses included considerations of the sampling proportions of the catch in the codend and cover. Furthermore, the analyses took into account between-haul variation. The l(50) values were 30.8, 29.9, 30.0, and 41.2 cm of total length, respectively, values lower than the estimates obtained from previous studies. The contribution of explanatory variables to the selectivity model was also tested in order to determine the role of mesh size, catch size (in number), and towing speed. Increases in catch size and in towing speed were accompanied by decreases in the l(50) estimates. These results demonstrate how incorporation of subsampling effect and explanatory variables to model between-haul variation can improve selectivity estimates and management of a valuable resource

Cost and Relative Price Competitiveness of the Mexican Manufacturing Industry in the U.S. Market

This research evaluates the long-term determinants of Mexican manufacturing competitiveness in the U.S. market. To perform this task, an International Competitiveness (IC) index is constructed and then a model is specified and estimated by using three different econometric methods. The empirical evidence across econometric techniques is consistent in indicating that IC is responsive to the peso-dollar real exchange rate, the yuan-dollar real exchange rate, labor productivity, wages, and the cost of credit. An important contribution of this paper is to show that manufacturing IC is influenced by the yuan-dollar real exchange rate and the real cost of credit.Esta investigación evalúa los determinantes a largo plazo de la competitividad de las manufacturas mexicanas en el mercado estadounidense. Para tal fin, se construye un índice de competitividad internacional (CI) y, posteriormente, se especifica y se estima un modelo mediante tres métodos econométricos. La evidencia sugiere que la CI responde a las siguientes variables: tipo de cambio real peso-dólar, tipo de cambio real yuan-dólar, productividad laboral, salarios y costo del crédito. Una contribución importante radica en demostrar que la CI manufacturera se ve afectada por el tipo de cambio real yuan-dólar y el costo real del crédito

CCD Washington photometry of four poorly studied open clusters in the two inner quadrants of the galactic plane

Complementing our Washington photometric studies on Galactic open clusters (OCs), we now focus on four poorly studied OCs located in the first and fourth Galactic quadrants, namely BH 84, NGC 5381, BH 211 and Czernik 37. We have obtained CCD photometry in the Washington system $C$ and $T_1$ passbands down to $T_1$ $\sim$ 18.5 magnitudes for these four clusters. Their positions and sizes were determined using the stellar density radial profiles. We derived reddening, distance, age and metallicity of the clusters from extracted $(C-T_1,T_1)$ color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs), using theoretical isochrones computed for the Washington system. There are no previous photometric data in the optical band for BH 84, NGC 5381 and BH 211. The CMDs of the observed clusters show relatively well defined main sequences, except for Czernik 37, wherein significant differential reddening seems to be present. The red giant clump is clearly seen only in BH 211. For this cluster, we estimated the age in (1000$^{+260}_{-200}$) Myr, assuming a metallicity of $Z$ = 0.019. BH 84 was found to be much older than it was previously believed, while NGC 5381 happened to be much younger than previously reported. The heliocentric distances to these clusters are found to range between 1.4 and 3.4 kpc. BH 84 appears to be located at the solar galactocentric distance, while NGC 5381, BH 211 and Czernik 37 are situated inside the solar ring.Comment: 30 pages, 9 figures, 10 table

Modelling of the circulation in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea with the Princeton Ocean Model

International audienceThe Princeton Ocean Model ? POM (Blumberg and Mellor, 1987) has been implemented in the Northwestern Mediterranean nested (in one-way off-line mode) to a general circulation model of the Mediterranean Sea ? OGCM (Pinardi and Masetti, 2000; Demirov and Pinardi, 2002) in order to investigate if this model configuration is capable of reproducing the major features of the circulation as known from observations and to improve what has been made by previous numerical modeling works. According to the model results, the large-scale cyclonic circulation in the northern part of the Northwestern Mediterranean is, at least in the upper layers, less coherent in winter and spring than in summer and autumn. Furthermore, there is evidence that the mesoscale structure (eddies and meanders) is, during all year, a significant dynamic characteristic in this region of the Mediterranean Sea. Finally, concerning the circulation in the lower layers has been confirmed that the Levantine Intermediate Water and the Western Mediterranean Deep Water follow essentially a cyclonic path during all year

La competitividad internacional manufacturera en Argentina, México y Turquía: una investigación empírica

Resumen Este trabajo investiga los efectos generados por la productividad laboral, los salarios y el tipo de cambio real, entre otras variables, sobre la Competitividad Internacional (CI) manufacturera de Argentina, México y Turquía, durante el período 1998-2008. Para tal fin, se construye un índice de CI para la industria manufacturera de cada nación, el cual se basa en el concepto de cuotas de mercado. Después de analizar el comportamiento de cada índice, se estima un modelo de Autorregresión Vectorial (modelo VAR ) para cada nación. Con base en estos modelos, se realizan pruebas de cointegración y se estiman funciones "generalizadas" de impulso-respuesta (FGIR ). Las pruebas de cointegración revelan que, en el largo plazo, la productividad laboral influye positivamente sobre la CI en las tres naciones. Las FGIR, por su parte, indican que un aumento transitorio en la productividad laboral eleva la CI en Argentina y México desde el momento del impacto, aunque este efecto se diluye poco después. En el caso particular de Turquía, las FGIR permiten observar que la CI se fortalece cuando los costos laborales unitarios descienden; es decir, cuando la productividad laboral crece por arriba de los salarios. Asimismo, tanto las pruebas de cointegración, como las FGIR , sugieren que una depreciación real de la moneda genera efectos contrapuestos sobre la

Assessing the Role of Knowledge and Project Management in the Competitiveness of Manufacturing Firms in Baja California

This article analyses the Knowledge Management (KM) and Project Management (PM) practices of manufacturing firms based in Baja California to determine their level of importance in generating competitive advantage in the manufacturing sector in Baja California. Key questions researched in this paper are: 1) How is KM managed through information technologies and organisational systems, ensuring empirical and industrial success? and 2) How do PM strategies increase competitiveness in the Baja California manufacturing sector? The research analyses currently-implemented management systems used for improved KM and PM, based on knowledge and new advantage orientation. One of the limitations found in this research is that several firms do not adopt standardised policies relating to knowledge procurement and development. Although competitiveness is perceived as vital for organisations, the combination of KM and PM are not yet fully developed and integrated into organisational processes to increase competitiveness. It is found that KM and PM have influence and correlations with competitiveness

Knowledge Management and Collaboration Strategies for Technology-Based Firms in Baja California

Knowledge Management (KM) and Collaboration are viewed as a key strategy for achieving competitive advantage in companies around the world. Knowledge by itself is considered one of the most valuable assets owned by an organization. In technology-based firms, it is perceived as being of the upmost value. In Baja California, Mexico, several companies exist which develop products and services using knowledge creation as a core value. In this paper, we summarize the results of 14 interviews with general managers and directors of knowledge-oriented firms to further understand which KM strategies are employed in seeking to gain competitive advantage. Results indicate that all firms adopt different approaches to KM. A common opinion amongst those interviewed was that knowledge provides greater value to businesses, improving corporate performance. All confirmed a significant relationship exists between KM, collaboration and competitive advantage