Análisis de la competencia en la industria cementera en México

Resumen: Hay sectores o industrias que son claves en la economía de un país;como ejemplos están las telecomunicaciones, el transporte, la banca comercial, la construcción, el energético, entre otros. En nuestro país, estos mercados tienen características de oligopolios por lo que, al haber pocas empresas, existe la posibilidad de que éstas se coludan y eviten la competencia, cargando precios relativamente altos. Este trabajo analiza la competencia en la industria cementera en México utilizando el enfoque paramétrico de la llamada Nueva Organización Industrial Empírica. Aunque los resultados no son robustos, no se puede descartar que la competencia sea de tipo Stackelberg; tampoco se puede descartar que las empresas cementeras en México se comporten como en el modelo de Cournot ABSTRACT:There are some key sectors or industries in the economy of a country.Examples are telecommunications, transportation, commercial banking,construction, energy, among others. In Mexico, these markets are characterized as oligopolies. As few companies interact, they have the possibility of colluding to avoid competition. Thus, they may charge relatively higher prices. This paper analyzes the competition in the Mexican cement industry. It uses the parametric approach in the so called New Empirical Industrial Organization. Although results are not robust, we cannot rule out this industry behaving as the stackelberg model nor discard competition as in the Cournot setting

Effects of cavitation in common-rail diesel nozzles on the mixing process

[EN] A study to experimentally analyze the effect of cavitation on the mixing process in diesel nozzles was carried out. The mixing process was studied through the spray cone angle. It was characterized in two different scenarios: with the liquid length (nearly realistic conditions, that is, evaporative but non-reactive spray) and the heat release fraction (fully realistic conditions, that is, evaporative and reactive spray). In both studied scenarios, the increase in spray cone angle caused by the cavitation phenomenon, which leads to a better mixing process, has been confirmed. Nevertheless, when the variations of the effective injection velocity and the spray cone angle obtained by comparing a cylindrical nozzle (i.e. a nozzle that promotes the cavitation phenomenon) with a conical nozzle (i.e. a nozzle that inhibits this phenomenon) were analyzed together, it was found that, for the cases studied here, the mixing process worsens with the cylindrical nozzle.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The authors thank the FPU program of the Spanish Ministry of Education for supporting the PhD studies of Oscar A de la Garza (grant: AP2008-01913) and also thank the PSA Peugeot-Citroen, National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) of the Mexican Government (project: CB-239943) and the Royal Academy of Engineering, United Kingdom (project: NRCP/1415/238) for supporting this research.López, JJ.; De La Garza De Leon, O.; De La Morena, J.; Martínez Martínez, S. (2017). Effects of cavitation in common-rail diesel nozzles on the mixing process. International Journal of Engine Research. 18(10):1017-1034. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468087417697759S10171034181

Characterization of the pressure losses in a common rail diesel injector

A methodology to characterise the pressure losses in quasi-steady conditions (i.e. at full needle lift) of common rail diesel injectors was developed. The aim was to quantify the error when experimental results of nozzle internal flow are compared with CFD results, where pressure losses are usually neglected. The proposed methodology is based mainly on experimental tests that are complemented with some approximate calculations, based on the physics of the phenomenon, to take into account the effect of the needle deformation. The results obtained in the work lead to two important conclusions: on the one hand, that it is dangerous to extrapolate results relative to the injection (internal flow, spray atomization, spray penetration˙ ..) and combustion processes from low permeability nozzles (e.g. single-hole nozzles) to high permeability nozzles (e.g. multi-hole nozzles), and, on the other hand, that the comparison of these results between experiments and CFD simulations should be carried out carefully, because the pressure losses in the injector can be high under certain conditions. Finally, people working on the study of the injection and/or combustion processes, through experiments or simulations, will find here some interesting information to better know the actual injection pressure to be used in their analysis and/or simulations.The PhD studies of Oscar A. de la Garza were funded by the FPU program of the Ministerio de Educacion of Spain (grant no. AP2008-01913).López, JJ.; Salvador Rubio, FJ.; De La Garza De Leon, O.; Arregle, JJP. (2012). Characterization of the pressure losses in a common rail diesel injector. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering. 226(12):1697-1706. https://doi.org/10.1177/0954407012447020S169717062261

Magnetic resonance based morphometric analysis of the tentorial notch

Background: The study of the tentorial notch can improve the understanding of brain injury mechanisms. Tentorial morphology has been analyzed primarily in cadaveric studies. However, the postmortem effect can cause variability in the measurements. The objective was to evaluate the morphometry of the tentorial notch and the third cranial nerve on living subjects using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Materials and methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed. Using consecutive cases, 60 MRI scans were analyzed for tentorial notch morphology. Maximum notch width (MNW), notch length (NL), interpedunculoclival (IC) distance, apicotectal (AT) distance, CN-III distance, and inter CN-III angle, were obtained. For the classification of the tentorial notch quartile distribution technique for MNW, NL, AT distance, and IC distance was used. Results: According to the quartile of the MNW, patients were stratified into narrow, midrange, and wide groups. Using the NL quartile groups, they were also classified as short, midrange, and long. With these, the tentorial notch could be classified into eight types. Statistical differences between genders in the MNW and inter CN-III angle were found, as well as a strong positive correlation between NL and AT distance, and between right and left CN-III distances. Conclusions: There were differences between the cadaveric samples and living subjects in the CN-III distances. This difference could be explained by the dehydration of brain volume in the postmortem process which may cause nerve elongation. Morphometry of the tentorial notch and its neurovascular relations allows a better understanding of the mechanisms of brain herniation

Prevention of diet-induced obesity by apple polyphenols in Wistar rats through regulation of adipocyte gene expression and DNA methylation patterns

This study was conducted to determine the mechanisms implicated in the beneficial effects of apple polyphenols (APs) against diet-induced obesity in Wistar rats, described in a previous study from our group. Supplementation of high-fat sucrose diet with AP prevented adiposity increase by inhibition of adipocyte hypertrophy. Rats supplemented with AP exhibited improved glucose tolerance while adipocytes isolated from these rats showed an enhanced lipolytic response to isoproterenol. AP intake led to reduced Lep, Plin, and sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (Srebf1) mRNA levels and increased aquaporin 7 (Aqp7), adipocyte enhancer binding protein 1 (Aebp1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1 alpha (Ppargc1a) mRNA levels in epididymal adipocytes. In addition, we found different methylation patterns of Aqp7, Lep, Ppargc1a, and Srebf1 promoters in adipocytes from apple-supplemented rats compared to high-fat sucrose fed rats. The administration of AP protects against body weight gain and fat deposition and improves glucose tolerance in rats. We propose that AP exerts the antiobesity effects through the regulation of genes involved in adipogenesis, lipolysis, and fatty acid oxidation, in a process that could be mediated in part by epigenetic mechanisms

A comprehensive study on the effect of cavitation on injection velocity in diesel nozzles

Results when testing cavitating injection nozzles show a strong reduction in mass flow rate when cavitation appears (the flow is choked), while the momentum flux is reduced to a lesser extent, resulting in an increase in effective injection velocity. So as to better understand the origin of this increase in effective injection velocity, the basic equations for mass and momentum conservation were applied to an injection nozzle in simplified conditions. The study demonstrated that the increase in injection velocity provoked by cavitation is not a direct effect of the latter, but an indirect effect. In fact, the vapor appearance inside the injection hole produces a decrease in the viscosity of the fluid near the wall. This leads to lower momentum flux losses and to a change in the velocity profile, transforming it into a more "top hat" profile type. This change in the profile shape allows explaining why the momentum flux reduction is not so important compared to that of the mass flow rate, thus explaining why the effective injection velocity increases. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.The authors thank different members of the CMT-Motores Termicos team of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia for their contribution to this work: to Jaime Gimeno, for his fruitful comments, and to Xandra Margot, Stavroula Patouna and Gabriela Bra-cho for their help in the CFD calculations. Also they thank the FPU program of the Ministerio de Educacion of Spain for granting the Ph.D. studies of Oscar A. de la Garza (grant AP2008-01913). Open-FOAM and Star-CD are registered trademarks of OpenCFD Ltd. and CD-Adapco, respectively.López, JJ.; Salvador Rubio, FJ.; De La Garza De Leon, O.; Arregle, JJP. (2012). A comprehensive study on the effect of cavitation on injection velocity in diesel nozzles. Energy Conversion and Management. 64:415-423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2012.03.032S4154236

Calidad de las elecciones a titular del Ejecutivo en el Centro y Centro-occidente de México

Este libro, que tiene por objetivo analizar la calidad de las elecciones celebradas entre 2006 y 2011 para ocupar la titularidad del Poder Ejecutivo de las 14 entidades federativas de la República Mexicana que conforman las regiones Centro y Centro-occidente de este país, ha sido elaborado por investigadores pertenecientes a la Red Nacional de Investigación sobre la Calidad de la Democracia en México (Renicadem), la cual cuenta con un equipo de investigación en cada una de las entidades federativas del país. A su vez, esta Red constituye una de las cuatro líneas temáticas que componen la red temática del Conacyt “Sociedad civil y calidad de la democracia”. Con todo, la presente obra puede considerarse, en dos sentidos, como el resultado parcial de estudios realizados por investigadores que conforman la mencionada Renicadem. Por un lado, trata sólo de una de las varias dimensiones que esta Red ha establecido como necesarias para analizar la calidad de la democracia: la calidad electoral (otras dimensiones, que se encuentran en proceso de investigación, son calidad de vida, rendición de cuentas y Estado de derecho). También es parcial porque no abarca la totalidad de la República Mexicana, sino únicamente a las 14 entidades indicadas.UAE

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

Tres ensayos sobre competencia económica.

Hay sectores o industrias que son claves en la economía de un país; como ejemplos están las telecomunicaciones, el transporte, la banca comercial, la construcción, el energético, entre otros. En nuestro país, estos mercados tienen características de oligopolios, por lo que al haber pocas empresas existe la posibilidad de que éstas se coludan y eviten la competencia, cargando precios relativamente altos. Este trabajo analiza la competencia en la industria cementera en México utilizando el enfoque paramétrico de la llamada Nueva Organización Industrial Empírica. Aunque los resultados no son robustos, no se puede descartar que la competencia sea de tipo Stackelberg; tampoco se puede descartar que las empresas cementeras en México se comporten como en el modelo de Cournot