Congruency fit: beyond performance in the auto supplier industry

The effects of manufacturing strategy (MS) and technology (T) on performance have been studied separately, but few studies have examined the relationship between MS and T practices clusters that improve effectiveness when implemented jointly, and even then they do not consider possible congruency between the two. This paper develops a congruency (selection) model to test for any interconnection between said clusters, without addressing causation or their combined effect on performance. The implicit outcome is that the plant will achieve a desirable effectiveness level. Through a wide-ranging survey of auto supplier plants, two approaches are considered: 1) grouping both clusters in pairs (canonical correlation analysis); and 2) a more general selection view version, with practices from both clusters related multidimensionally and subordinated by bivariate analysis (regression) to test for any congruent pattern. Both methods find a congruent relationship between manufacturing strategy and technology practice clusters, although the second provides greater detail.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia DPI-2006-0553

CUBICACIÓN DE LA MADERA EN LA CONSTRUCCIÓN COMO CONTENIDO EN LA FORMACIÓN DE LOS PROFESIONALES DE LA EDUCACIÓN EN LAS RAMAS DE LA CONSTRUCCIÓN (ORIGINAL)

In this paper, a scientific result that aims to show a procedure on cubing materials in construction is presented which responds to research: "The process of professional training in the diversification and sustainability of business and agricultural production processes" This procedure contributes to the training of skilled workers, medium technicians and graduates in education in the branches of construction. The fundamental theoretical elements and the solution methodology of the exercises are exposed, as well as solved examples and exercises proposed for independent study of the students.   En el trabajo se presenta un resultado científico que tiene como objetivo mostrar un procedimiento sobre cubicación de los materiales en la construcción y responde a la línea de investigación: “El proceso de formación profesional en la diversificación y sostenibilidad de los procesos productivos empresariales y agropecuarios”. Dicho procedimiento contribuye a la formación de obreros calificados, técnicos medios y licenciados en educación pertenecientes a las ramas de la construcción. En este artículo se exponen los elementos teóricos fundamentales y la metodología de solución de los ejercicios, así como ejemplos resueltos y ejercicios propuestos para el estudio independiente de los estudiantes.  &nbsp

Effect of the TNF -308 G/A Polymorphism on the Changes Produced by Atorvastatin in Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Producción CientíficaAims: To evaluate the effect of atorvastatin on bone mass and markers of bone remodeling in patients with acute coronary syndrome depending on the tumor necrosis factor- (TNF )-308 G/A polymorphism. Methods: Sixty-two patients with acute coronary syndrome (35 males and 27 females), average age 60 8 10 years, were included. Patients were given low (10–20 mg) and high doses (40–80 mg) atorvastatin according to their baseline levels of cholesterol and triglycerides and their index of vascular risk. Patients were studied during hospital admission (baseline) and at 12 months of follow-up. Cholesterol, triglycerides, total calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, osteocalcin and urinary deoxypyridinoline were determined in all patients at baseline and at 12 months of follow-up. Densitometric studies were conducted in the lumbar spine (L 2 –L 4 ), femoral neck and trochanter using an X-ray densitometer. The TNF -308 G/A polymorphism was determined by the polymerase chain reaction. Results: Forty-five patients were homozygous for G/G (72.5%) and 17 were heterozygous for G/A (27.5%). The prevalence of osteoporosis (T score ^ 2.5 in the lumbar spineand/or hip) was 33% for the G/G genotype and 35% for the G/A genotype, with no statistically significant differences between groups. There was a statistically significant increase in bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine (1.107 8 0.32 vs. 1.129 8 0.23; p = 0.0001) in patients with the G/G genotype. No changes were observed in patients with the G/A genotype. Conclusion: In patients with acute coronary syndrome, atorvastatin increases lumbar spine BMD solely in patients with the G/G genotype of the TNF -308 G/A polymorphism

Vitamin D Levels and Lipid Response to Atorvastatin

Adequate vitamin D levels are necessary for good vascular health. 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol activates CYP3A4, an enzyme of the cytochrome P450 system, which metabolizes atorvastatin to its main metabolites. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of cholesterol and triglycerides to atorvastatin according to vitamin D levels. Sixty-three patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with low and high doses of atorvastatin were included. Levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol were measured at baseline and at 12 months of follow-up. Baseline levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) were classified as deficient (<30 nmol/L), insufficient (30–50 nmol/L), and normal (>50 nmol/L). In patients with 25-OHD <30 nmol/L, there were no significant changes in levels of total cholesterol (173 ± 47 mg/dL versus 164 ± 51 mg/dL), triglycerides (151 ± 49 mg/dL versus 177 ± 94 mg/dL), and LDL cholesterol (111 ± 48 mg/dL versus 92 45 ± mg/dL); whereas patients with insufficient (30–50 nmol/L) and normal vitamin D (>50 nmol/L) had a good response to atorvastatin. We suggest that vitamin D concentrations >30 nmol/L may be required for atorvastatin to reduce lipid levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Evaluación del método ajuste por objetivo de la máquina cerradora continental en la Fábrica Productiva Yara (Original)

In Yara Productive Factory, which belongs to the Unidad Empresarial de Base Conservas de Vegetales de Granma, there is a ½ kg tinplate container sealing machine that closes different products, both for domestic consumption and for tourism. Among the main objectives established to determine the quality in the manufacturing processes of the products is related to the evaluation and analysis of the parameters of the sealing or double sealing, which must comply with the standards established for this process. Due to the great variety of container formats that exist and their different characteristics, the breakages that occur and the replacement of some of their components, it is necessary to make constant adjustments in the sealing machines that define the quality and acceptability of the closure. These adjustments require great precision, time and the use of some resources in the process, in order to guarantee the tightness of the package and the preservation of the packaged and capped products. The objective of this article is to evaluate the effectiveness of the target adjustment method in the optimal adjustment of the Continental seamer for ½ kg containers, in order to obtain a closure with the recommended specifications according to the standards, using a minimum of time and resources. Theoretical methods (analysis-synthesis, induction-deduction), empirical methods (documentary analysis, experiment) and mathematical statistics for data processing were used for the development of this research.En la Fábrica Productiva Yara, perteneciente a la Unidad Empresarial de Base Conservas de Vegetales de Granma, existe una máquina cerradora de envases de hojalata de ½ kg que realiza la acción del tapado de diferentes productos, tanto para el consumo nacional como para el turismo. Entre los principales objetivos establecidos para determinar la calidad en los procesos de elaboración de los productos se encuentra el relacionado con la evaluación y análisis de los parámetros del cierre o doble cierre, los cuales deben cumplir con las normas establecidas para dicho proceso. Por la gran variedad de formatos de envases que existen y sus diferentes características, por las roturas que se presentan y por el reemplazo de algunos de sus componentes, es necesario realizar constantes ajustes en las máquinas cerradoras que definen la calidad y aceptabilidad del cierre. Estos ajustes requieren de gran precisión, de tiempo y de la utilización de algunos recursos en el proceso, para garantizar la hermeticidad del envase y la conservación de los productos envasados y tapados. En el presente artículo se&nbsp; propone como objetivo evaluar la efectividad del método ajuste por objetivo en la regulación óptima de la cerradora continental de envases de ½ kg, para la obtención de un cierre con las especificaciones recomendadas según los estándares, haciendo uso de un mínimo de tiempo y recursos. Para el desarrollo de esta investigación se emplearon métodos teóricos (análisis-síntesis, inducción-deducción), métodos empíricos (análisis documental, experimento) y estadísticos matemáticos para el procesamiento de los datos

Producción Económica de Maíz (Zea mays L.) y Frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Asociados usando diferentes Densidades y Niveles de Fertilización Nitrogenada

Este experimento fue realizado en la Granja Experimental de Fomento del Departamento del Magdalena, en el Municipio de Santa Marta. Características de la zona: Altura : 14 m.s.n.m. Temperatura promedio : 30°C Precipitación pluvial : 640 mm/año Humedad relativa 75%. Los objetivos principales del trabajo son: Conocer el comportamiento del maíz IGA H-154 asociado con fríjol "Cabecita Negra" el tipo de suelo seleccionado. Estudiar la respuesta de la asociación maíz frijol a los diferentes niveles de nitrógeno y a diferentes densidades de población de plantas de maíz y de frijol. Conocer los costos de producción, ingresos brutos, ingresos netos Y rentabilidad de la asociación. Mostrar que el sistema de asociación es mejor que el cultivo por separado. El análisis de fertilidad del suelo mostraron bajos contenidos de materia orgánica (2.7%) y altos contenidos de potasio intercambiable (1.05 m.e/100 g), fósforo aprovechable (77.0 p.p.m.) y un pH 7.3. El diseño utilizado fue bloques al azar con tres replicaciones. Los niveles de nitrógeno, densidad de población de maíz y frijol son respectivamente: 20-40-60-80-100 kg/Ha de nitrógeno. Densidad de maíz: 10-20-30-40-50 mil plantas/Ha Densidad de frijol: 30-60-90-120-150 mil plantas/Ha. La fuente de nitrógeno, sulfato de amonio, se aplicó en dos formas, granular y diluido, y dos épocas, 15-50 días después de la germinación. Se procedió a evaluar las diferentes operaciones por labor realizada y posteriormente se calcularon los costos de producción en la asociación maíz-frijol. Los resultados mostraron que: Los rendimientos de maíz-frijol asociados fueron menores que cuando se cultivan por separado, sin embargo, la asociación produjo mayores ingresos. Las aplicaciones de nitrógeno fueron las que afectaron en mayor grado el rendimiento de ambos cultivos. Al aumentar la población de maíz se incrementaron los rendimientos del cultivo, pero disminuyeron los de frijol. La mejor alternativa en la asociación fue el tratamiento 15:100 kg/ Ha de nitrógeno 30.000 plantas/Ha de maíz 90.000 plantas/Ha de frijol, absolutamente específico. La discusión acerca de la mejor combinación de densidades con relación al nivel de nitrógeno aplicado se consiguió en la Tabla 1, ordinal 9, para el maíz La discusión acerca de la mejor combinación de densidades con relación al nivel de nitrógeno se consiguió en la Tabla 2, ordinal 7, para el frijol

Levels of DKK1 in patients with acute myocardial infarction and response to atorvastatin

Producción CientíficaThe atherosclerosis that appears in coronary, cerebrovascular and peripheral arterial disease is responsible for most cardiovascular diseases. It is characterized by chronic arterial inflammation caused and exacerbated by disorders of the lipidic metabolism and other clearly identified risk factors [1]. Calcification, which is initiated by an active process in which inflammatory cytokines and other mediators that regulate the phospho-calcium metabolism intervene, is characteristic of atherosclerosis [2]. These mechanisms can intervene in an opposite phenomenon that takes place at the level of the bone characterized by a reduction in bone mineral content and alterations in the microarchitecture that define osteoporosis. The association between the two diseases, which share mechanisms but have a different expression, is noteworthy

Do technology and manufacturing strategy links enhance operational performance? empirical research in the auto supplier sector

Although much of the literature on manufacturing strategy (MS) and technology studies the implementation and impact of these manufacturing programs in isolation, this paper goes further by assessing the joint implementation and effect of these two manufacturing programs on performance, even when some contextual factors are present. Thus, this paper investigates how plants from the auto supplier sector make use of some operations practices from Manufacturing Strategy (MS) and from both Product and Process Technology, by testing the effectiveness of both sets of practices, with the ultimate goal of enhancing operational performance. The results suggest that there are only very minor differences between high and standard performers on the aggregated level for technology practices, which may be the reason why technology does not result in significant performance differences between the two plant types. On the other hand, on the aggregated levels there are somewhat greater differences for MS practices than for technology in both plant types, leading to larger differences in performance. While this study provides a foundation for examining MS, technology and context within a single framework, it is only through further research that a full understanding of the relationship between them will be obtainedMinisterio de Educación y Ciencia DPI-2006-0553Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia DPI 2009-11148Junta de Andalucía P08-SEJ-0384

Effects of Atorvastatin on Vitamin D Levels in Patients With Acute Ischemic Heart Disease

Producción CientíficaVitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for osteoporosis and other chronic diseases, including type 1 diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and ischemic heart disease. Cholesterol and vitamin D share the 7-dehydrocolesterol metabolic pathway. This study evaluated the possible effect of atorvastatin on vitamin D levels in patients with acute ischemic heart disease. Eighty-three patients (52 men and 31 women) with an acute coronary syndrome (75 with acute myocardial infarction and 8 with unstable angina) were included. After diagnosis, patients received atorvastatin as secondary prevention. Serum vitamin D was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography at baseline and at 12 months. Atorvastatin treatment produced a statistically significant decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels and an increase in vitamin D levels (41 19 vs 47 19 nmol/L, p 0.003). Vitamin D deficiency was decreased by 75% to 57% at 12 months. In conclusion, atorvastatin increases vitamin D levels. This increase could explain some of the beneficial effects of atorvastatin at the cardiovascular level that are unrelated to cholesterol levels

Thermodynamic Analysis of Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) Reservoirs in Abandoned Mines Using Different Sealing Layers

[EN] Million cubic meters from abandoned mines worldwide could be used as subsurface reservoirs for large scale energy storage systems, such as adiabatic compressed air energy storage (A-CAES). In this paper, analytical and three-dimensional CFD numerical models have been conducted to analyze the thermodynamic performance of the A-CAES reservoirs in abandoned mines during air charging and discharging processes. Unlike other research works, in which the heat transfer coefficient is considered constant during the operation time, in the present investigation a correlation based on both unsteady Reynolds and Rayleigh numbers is employed for the heat transfer coefficient in this type of application. A tunnel with a 35 cm thick concrete lining, 200 m3 of useful volume and typical operating pressures from 5 to 8 MPa were considered. Fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) and steel were employed as sealing layers in the simulations around the fluid. Finally, the model also considers a 2.5 m thick sandstone rock mass around the concrete lining. The results obtained show significant heat flux between the pressurized air and the sealing layer and between the sealing layer and concrete lining. However, no temperature fluctuation was observed in the rock mass. The air temperature fluctuations are reduced when steel sealing layer is employed. The thermal energy balance through the sealing layer for 30 cycles, considering air mass flow rates of 0.22 kg s−1 (charge) and −0.45 kg s−1 (discharge), reached 1056 and 907 kWh for FRP and steel, respectively. In general, good agreements between analytical and numerical simulations were obtained.S