How vulnerable are small firms to energy price increases? Evidence from Mexico

The vulnerability of small firms to price shocks may partly explain why fossil fuel subsidy removals in developing countries are so difficult to implement. This paper analyzes the effects of fuel and electricity price increases on profits of micro- and small-sized enterprises in Mexico. Using representative cross-sectional data, simulations of profit losses hint at potentially large short-term effects. First-order profit losses of a 1 per cent price increase are 0.2 per cent for fuels and 0.07 per cent for electricity, but are higher than 1 per cent for fuels in the transport sector. These effects are larger for formal than for informal firms, with energy-using low-profit firms being most vulnerable. Second-order impacts - predicted using estimated input-demand elasticities - indicate that firms react to price shocks by substituting labor for energy, while the self-employed appear to increase their own labor input. Reduced-form regressions show that some firms pass on higher fuel costs to customers

Trabajo colaborativo para mejorar la producción de textos escritos en inglés en estudiantes del Colegio Sor Querubina, Surquillo 2020

Este proyecto de investigación tuvo como objetivo general Establecer la influencia del trabajo colaborativo para mejorar la producción de textos escritos en inglés. El estudio utilizado fue el enfoque cuantitativo con un diseño cuasi experimental, de tipo aplicada, nivel explicativo, para la variable dependiente se aplicó pruebas de pre test y post test a los dos grupos experimental y de control, dicha prueba objetiva tuvo 20 ítems, que fue validada por expertos, se realizó también, la confiabilidad del instrumento KR20 con un resultado de 0.82 confiabilidad muy alta , la muestra constó de 50 estudiantes del primer año secundaria , de la misma forma, se empleó para la estadística descriptiva ; la prueba de normalidad de Shapiro Wilk , con resultado no paramétrico , y para la estadística inferencial se utilizó la U de Mann Whitney para la comprobación de las hipótesis. Con respecto a la hipótesis general relacionando la U de Mann Whitney, con resultado Z= -6,801 y un valor p=0,000 en las diferencias generales del post test y pre test en los grupos experimental y de control, posterior a la aplicación del taller. Los rangos negativos evidencian que los estudiantes mejoraron su producción de textos en inglés. Lo que se evidencia sobre los resultados obtenidos se rechaza la hipótesis nula y se acepta la hipótesis alterna. concluyendo que, el taller sobre el trabajo colaborativo mejora la producción de textos escritos en inglés en estudiantes de secundaria del Colegio Sor Querubina, eficazmente

Estrategias de comunicación de la red social Instagram aplicadas al restaurante Yoshi’s Sushi Bar, Chimbote – 2021

Las estrategias de comunicación han ido evolucionando en los últimos años y se ha aliado de la tecnología para poder desarrollarse de mejor manera; gracias a ello ahora está presente en las redes sociales y ayuda a las PYMES a poder tener comunicación con su cliente y llegar a fidelizarlo. El objetivo de la investigación fue valorar las estrategias de comunicación aplicadas en la red social Instagram del restaurante Yoshi’s Sushi Bar. Es por ello que en la presente investigación se utilizó un enfoque cualitativo, de tipo aplicada, con un diseño fenomenológico, en el cual se utilizó el análisis de contenido para evaluar las publicaciones de Instagram de octubre a diciembre de 2020 y entrevistas directas a los dueños y consumidores para la recopilación de datos. De esta manera el estudio pudo llegar a la conclusión que en el restaurante Yoshi’s Sushi Bar se diseñaron estrategias de comunicación bastante específicas, y algunas muy importantes, aunque los dueños no sean especialistas o hayan estudiado alguna carrera de comunicaciones. Las cuatro estrategias planteadas ayudaron a lograr un buen posicionamiento dentro del mercado en donde ya existía competencia directa, al igual que ayudando a su imagen se dé dentro y fuera del negocio

Estimating excess mortality and economic burden of <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> infections and recurrences during 2015–2019:The RECUR England study

Objective To generate real-world evidence on all-cause mortality and economic burden of Clostridioides difficile infections (CDIs) and recurrences (rCDIs) in England. Methods We conducted a cohort study using retrospective data from Clinical Practice Research Datalink linked to Hospital Episode Statistics. Patients diagnosed with CDI in hospital and community settings during 2015–2018 were included and followed for ≥1year. All-cause mortality was described at 6-, 12-, and 24-months. Healthcare resource usage (HCRU) and associated costs were assessed at 12-months of follow-up. A cohort of non-CDI patients, matched by demographic and clinical characteristics including Charlson Comorbidity Index score, was used to assess excess mortality and incremental costs of HCRU. Results All-cause mortality among CDI patients at 6-, 12-, and 24-months was 15.87%, 20.37%, and 27.03%, respectively. A higher proportion of rCDI patients died at any point during follow-up. Compared with matched non-CDI patients, excess mortality was highest at 6-months with 1.81 and 2.53 deaths per 100 patient-months among CDI and ≥1 rCDI patients. Hospitalisations were the main drivers of costs, with an incremental cost of £1,209.21 per CDI patient. HCRU and costs increased with rCDIs. Conclusions CDI poses a substantial mortality and economic burden, further amplified by rCDIs

Factorial design for preparing chitosan nanoparticles and its use for loading and controlled release of indole-3-acetic acid with effect on hydroponic lettuce crops

The excessive use of agrochemicals generates damage to the environment, so their controlled release from biodegradable nanoparticles represents a good solution. In this study, chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) were prepared by ionic gelation with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP), according to a 24 factorial design to evaluate the effect of different factors (chitosan amount, TPP amount, agitation speed, and agitation time) influencing the nanoparticle size (NPS) and the polydispersity index (PDI). Once established the proper conditions by the factorial design, CNPs were prepared and loaded with indole-3-acetic acid (CNP-IAA). The nanoparticles loaded with chitosan:IAA mass ratio equal to 1:0.25, showed the higher loading capacity, thus were then used for the release tests and hydroponic lettuces crops. The analysis by dynamic light scattering (DLS) reveals a mean diameter for CNPs and CNP-IAA of ~149 and ~183 nm, respectively. Moreover, further characterization by thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, indicates that nanoparticles were effectively loaded with IAA. In addition, the release assays results were adjusted to the Korsmeyers-Peppas mathematical model, showing that 100% of the hormone is released in about 48 h. Also, the model fitting suggests that the release process is carried out in two steps: the first of releasing by diffusion followed by a second of sustained-release. Accordingly, our results prove that CNPs-IAA applied to the hydroponic crop of the Crocantela variety crisp lettuce (Latuca sativa L.), have a beneficial effect on the plant growth producing an increase of 30.9% in the number of lettuce leaves

Male condom and dual protection use by adolescent men in Brazil

OBJETIVO: Analisar o uso de preservativo masculino e de dupla proteção por homens adolescentes brasileiros, bem como os aspectos associados. MÉTODOS: Utilizou-se banco de dados do Estudo de Riscos Cardiovasculares em Adolescentes (ERICA) para este estudo transversal nacional de base escolar. A amostra incluiu adolescentes de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 12 e 17 anos de idade, selecionados por meio de amostragem por conglomerados, em 2014 (n = 75.060). O presente estudo analisou informações dos homens adolescentes que relataram já ter tido relação sexual (n = 12.215), tendo como variáveis dependentes o uso de preservativo masculino e o uso de dupla proteção (uso simultâneo de preservativo masculino e contraceptivo hormonal oral) na última relação sexual. Os dados foram analisados por meio de regressão logística univariada e múltipla. RESULTADOS: A maior parte dos adolescentes usou preservativo masculino na última relação sexual, enquanto o uso de dupla proteção foi bastante baixo. O uso de preservativo masculino, referido por 71% (IC95% 68,7–73,1), associou-se positivamente à idade, a coabitar com ambos os pais e a ter usado álcool nos 30 dias anteriores. O uso de dupla proteção, referido por 3,6% (IC95% 2,8–4,5) associou-se positivamente à idade e a estudar em escola privada e negativamente ao uso de tabaco nos 30 dias anteriores. CONCLUSÕES: A larga diferença apresentada na proporção de uso de preservativo ou de dupla proteção na última relação sexual chama atenção para as distintas lógicas que presidem as relações sexuais juvenis. A baixa proporção aqui encontrada de uso da dupla proteção pode ser reflexo do desconhecimento masculino sobre uma função que tem sido historicamente atribuída às mulheres, que é a contracepção. Dessa forma, é necessário desconstruir a dicotomia de que a esfera da sexualidade é de domínio/interesse dos homens enquanto a da reprodução concerne apenas às mulheres.OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of male condoms and dual protection by Brazilian adolescent men, as well as their associated aspects. METHODS: A database from the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA) was used for this national cross-sectiotabelnal school-based research. The sample included adolescents of both sexes, aged between 12 and 17 years old, selected through cluster sampling in 2014 (n = 75,060). This study analyzed information from adolescent men who reported having had sexual intercourse (n = 12,215). The dependent variables were the use of male condoms and the use of dual protection (simultaneous use of male condoms and oral hormonal contraceptives) in the last sexual intercourse. Data were analyzed using univariate and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Most adolescents used a male condom in the last sexual intercourse, while the use of double protection was quite low. The use of male condoms, reported by 71% (95%CI 68.7–73.1), was positively associated with age, living with both parents, and having used alcohol in the previous 30 days. The use of double protection, reported by 3.6% (95%CI 2.8–4.5) was positively associated with age and studying in a private school, as well as negatively associated with tobacco use in the previous 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: The wide difference shown in the proportion of condom or dual protection use in the last sexual intercourse draws attention to the different logics that govern juvenile sexual relations. The low proportion of dual protection use may be a reflection of men’s lack of knowledge about a function that has historically been attributed to women, which is contraception. Thus, one must deconstruct such dichotomy that the sphere of sexuality is of the domain/interest of men, while that of reproduction concerns only women

Body Weight Dissatisfaction Is Associated with Cardiovascular Health-Risk Behaviors among Brazilian Adolescents: Findings from a National Survey

Body weight dissatisfaction (BWD) among adolescents may be a predictor of adoption of health-risk behaviors. The study aimed to assess the gendered association between two forms of BWD (feeling underweight/overweight) and cardiovascular health-risk behaviors among Brazilian adolescents. This cross-sectional study used data from the National Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA) in Brazil, including 71,740 adolescents aged 12–17 years. BWD was defined as satisfied, dissatisfied feeling underweight and dissatisfied feeling overweight. We considered four health-risk behaviors: tobacco use, alcohol use, physical inactivity and skipping breakfast. Assessment of the associations between BWD and these behaviors were undertaken using logistic regression models. All analyses were stratified by gender. Analyses revealed that 14.9% of male adolescents and 14.5% of female adolescents were dissatisfied feeling underweight and 21.5% of males and 39.9% of females were dissatisfied feeling overweight. Among male adolescents, dissatisfied feeling overweight was associated with greater odds of physical inactivity and skipping breakfast. Among female adolescents, dissatisfied feeling underweight and overweight were associated with higher odds of alcohol use and skipping breakfast. These results highlight the importance of BWD and the association with a range of adolescent health behaviors increasing cardiovascular risk over the life course, depending on gender

Regenerating islet-derived protein 3α : A promising therapy for diabetes. Preliminary data in rodents and in humans

Publisher Copyright: © 2022The aim of our study was to test the hypothesis that administration of Regenerating islet-derived protein 3α (Reg3α), a protein described as having protective effects against oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory activity, could participate in the control of glucose homeostasis and potentially be a new target of interest in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. To that end the recombinant human Reg3α protein was administered for one month in insulin-resistant mice fed high fat diet. We performed glucose and insulin tolerance tests, assayed circulating chemokines in plasma and measured glucose uptake in insulin sensitive tissues. We evidenced an increase in insulin sensitivity during an oral glucose tolerance test in ALF-5755 treated mice vs controls and decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokine C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 5 (CXCL5). We also demonstrated an increase in glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. Finally, correlation studies using human and mouse muscle biopsies showed negative correlation between intramuscular Reg3α mRNA expression (or its murine isoform Reg3γ) and insulin resistance. Thus, we have established the proof of concept that Reg3α could be a novel molecule of interest in the treatment of T2D by increasing insulin sensitivity via a skeletal muscle effect.Peer reviewe

Spontaneous Interlayer Coherence in Double-Layer Quantum Hall Systems: Symmetry Breaking Interactions, In-Plane Fields and Phase Solitons

At strong magnetic fields double-layer two-dimensional-electron-gas systems can form an unusual broken symmetry state with spontaneous inter-layer phase coherence. The system can be mapped to an equivalent system of pseudospin $1/2$ particles with pseudospin-dependent interactions and easy-plane magnetic order. In this paper we discuss how the presence of a weak interlayer tunneling term alters the properties of double-layer systems when the broken symmetry is present. We use the energy functional and equations of motion derived earlier to evaluate the zero-temperature response functions of the double-layer system and use our results to discuss analogies between this system and Josephson-coupled superconducting films. We also present a qualitative picture of the low-energy charged excitations of this system. We show that parallel fields induce a highly collective phase transition to an incommensurate state with broken translational symmetry.Comment: 26 pages, RevTex, 8 postscript figures (submitted to Phys. Rev. B

Ridge preservation techniques to avoid invasive bone reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis: Naples Consensus Report Working Group C

Purpose: To analyse and compare the dimensional changes of unassisted extraction sockets with alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) techniques and investigate any factors that impact the resorption of the alveolar bone. Materials and methods: A systematic search was conducted to identify randomised clinical trials (RCTs). All data were extracted, and a meta-analysis was performed for the changes in all buccolingual ridge width, midbuccal and midlingual ridge height, and mesial and distal ridge height, and horizontal width at reference points apical to the crestal area. Results: Based on 14 RCTs, the effectiveness of ARP in reducing the dimensions of the postextraction alveolar socket was confirmed. The clinical magnitude of this effect was 1.95 mm in the buccolingual ridge width, 1.62 mm in the midbuccal ridge height, and 1.26 mm on the midlingual ridge height. Additionally, 0.45 mm and 0.34 mm for mesial and distal ridge height, and 1.21 mm, and 0.76 mm for ridge width changes at points 3 and 5 mm apical to the crest were noted. Meta-regression analyses revealed that the reflection of flaps and primary wound coverage during ARP may have detrimental effects on bone remodelling, while no statistical significance was observed for any of the bone graft substitutes or the percentage of molar sockets. Conclusions: Regardless of the protocol, ARP can only minimise ridge resorption. ARP is most effective on horizontal ridge width, providing the most benefit coronally (approximating the crest), followed by the midbuccal ridge height.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/169220/1/BarootchietalIJOI_2019_04_s0399.pdfDescription of BarootchietalIJOI_2019_04_s0399.pdf : Full text of published articleSEL