Economic Competition and the Energy Sector: The Electricity and Natural Gas Markets

Despite the recent energy reforms in Mexico, the conditions under which some economic sectors operate in Mexico reflect a reality that is still far from a competitive marketplace, and the benefits that such markets generate. The authors of this paper present three factors that, if not recognized in a timely manner, may limit the effective application of the most recent reform in the natural gas and electricity industries. This paper is part of a Baker Institute Mexico Center research project examining the rule of law in Mexico (http://www.bakerinstitute.org/the-rule-of-law-and-mexicos-energy-reform/) and the challenges it poses to implementing the country's energy reform

Leading Interview and Interrogation Techniques. Focus on Cognitive Interview

Criminal investigation in Mexico is performed by the investigation triad, which is made up of police and experts in diff erent areas such as medicine and prosecutors. They all use interview and interrogation techniques to do their work. Unfortunately, in Mexico, there is no culture of training in governmental institutions responsible for investigating crimes, and results in ignorance of techniques for obtaining objective and reliable information that guarantees the protection of fundamental rights. This chapter illustrates the scope and limits of interview and interrogation techniques and their objectives, with emphasis on the cognitive interview (CI). Th e CI, which has been validated scientifi cally, is one of the best tools to obtain useful information, that is, results of a CI that have been conducted in the field can be used in a court of law. Th is technique can be used with victims, witnesses, or suspects. The current chapter also describes the most utilized techniques, cognitive interview, mnemonic techniques, Strategic Use of Evidence, and Verifi ability Approach

A novel control strategy for enhancing biological N-removal in a granular sequencing batch reactor : a model-based study

Biological nitrogen removal in aerobic granular sequencing batch reactors is sensitively affected by process conditions (e.g. dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, nitrogen loading rate (NLR), influent C/N ratio, among others). The variation of one of these process conditions affects the others, because often they are tightly linked. These interrelationships are a drawback for the experimental assessment of the target domain of process conditions required to enhance N-removal. Here, we have developed a model to determine the guidelines to design an automatic control strategy with the final aim of enhancing biological N-removal in a granular sequencing batch reactor. The model was first calibrated with experimental data from a granular sequencing batch reactor treating swine wastewater. Specific simulations were designed to elucidate the effect of DO concentration (0.5-8 mg O₂ L⁻¹), granule size (0.5-3.5 mm), influent C/N ratio (4-10 g O₂g⁻¹ N) and NLR (0.41-0.82 g N L⁻¹ d⁻¹) on the nitrification- enitrification efficiency. Simulation results showed that, in general, high N-removal efficiencies (from 70% to 85%) could be obtained only setting the appropriate DO concentration. That appropriate DO concentration could be easily found based on effluent ammonium concentration. Those results were used to propose a control strategy to enhance N-removal efficiencies. The control strategy was based on a closed DO loop with variable DO set-point. The DO set-point was established at a constant value for the whole cycle (i.e. once per cycle), based on the on-line measurement of ammonium concentration at the end of the previous cycle

Evaluación de la activación plaquetaria en la leucemia linfoblástica aguda

Objetivo. Investigar si los pacientes con LLA desarrollan un estado hipercoagulable con activación plaquetaria. Material y métodos. Se incluyeron quince pacientes con LLA de la infancia, trece de tipo B y dos de tipo T. El grupo control consistió de 28 individuos sanos. Ambos fueron estudiados para la expresión de los antígenos CD61 y CD62P por citofluorometría. Resultados: El grupo de pacientes con LLA tuvo una activación plaquetaria de 1.2%, comparada con 0.33% en el grupo control (p=0.032). Conclusión: Existe un aumento significativo en la expresión del marcador de activación CD62P, que podría contribuir al estado protrombótico de la LLA

El índice de legibilidad y el factor de impacto en artículos recientes sobre covid-19

Scientific articles are one of the main sources of research information, to be published in an appropriate medium (journal) they must go through a well-structured process. However, the recent health crisis by COVID-19 has caused these writings to be approved in less time than they were subject to. Here, we analyzed already published papers on COVID-19, through the Readability index (“Flesch Reading Ease” score formula) and its relationship with the impact factor to know the readability status of the new information. We found a relationship between the Readability index and the impact factor, which should be corroborated by more studies. A low score is also observed in the papers; however, this was already expected. What made us concerned was that, as specialized scientific information, information for the general public tends to have low scores. This indicates that we should look for a more appropriate way to communicate new information in the medical literature to the general public.Los artículos científicos son una de las principales fuentes de información en materia de investigación, para ser publicados en un medio adecuado (revista) deben pasar por un proceso estructurado. Sin embargo, la reciente crisis sanitaria a causa de la COVID-19 ha provocado que estos escritos hayan sido aprobados en un tiempo menor al que estaban sujetos. Aquí, analizamos artículos científicos ya publicados sobre la COVID-19, a través del índice de Legibilidad “Flesch Reading Ease” (FRE) y su relación con el factor de impacto para conocer el estado de legibilidad de la nueva información. Encontramos una relación entre el índice de Legibilidad y el factor de impacto, la cual debe ser corroborada con más estudios. También, observamos una puntuación baja en los escritos; aunque, esto ya se esperaba. Lo que nos hizo preocuparnos fue que, al igual la información científica especializada, la información para el público en general tiende a un bajo puntaje. Esto indica que debemos buscar una forma más adecuada de comunicar la nueva información de la literatura médica al público en general

Protein C activation peptide inhibits the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and interleukin-8 induced by TNF-a in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells

Activated protein C (APC) is generated from the cleavage of protein C by thrombin coupled to thrombomodulinand, subsequently, is released as protein C activation peptide (papC). The aim of this study was toevaluate the effect of papC on human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), activated with 5 ng//mL TNF-a. Flow cytometry showed that papC inhibited the expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, after activationwith TNF-a. Similarly, RT-PCR analysis revealed that 2 and 4 pM papC inhibited the expression of VCAM-1and IL-8 mRNA in TNF-a-treated HMEC-1. In addition, the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) increased in HMEC-1 treated with papC, compared to those without treatment. Furthermore, Jurkatcell adhesion to HMEC-1 induced by TNF-a was significantly inhibited after the addition of papC, compared toHMEC-1 without papC (p = 0.03). Finally, a control peptide analog to papC showed no effect on the expressionof ICAM and VCAM on the surface of HMEC-1. In conclusion, our results suggest that papC exerts antiinflammatoryeffects on endothelial cells.Activated protein C (APC) is generated from the cleavage of protein C by thrombin coupled to thrombomodulinand, subsequently, is released as protein C activation peptide (papC). The aim of this study was toevaluate the effect of papC on human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1), activated with 5 ng//mL TNF-a. Flow cytometry showed that papC inhibited the expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, after activationwith TNF-a. Similarly, RT-PCR analysis revealed that 2 and 4 pM papC inhibited the expression of VCAM-1and IL-8 mRNA in TNF-a-treated HMEC-1. In addition, the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) increased in HMEC-1 treated with papC, compared to those without treatment. Furthermore, Jurkatcell adhesion to HMEC-1 induced by TNF-a was significantly inhibited after the addition of papC, compared toHMEC-1 without papC (p = 0.03). Finally, a control peptide analog to papC showed no effect on the expressionof ICAM and VCAM on the surface of HMEC-1. In conclusion, our results suggest that papC exerts antiinflammatoryeffects on endothelial cells

Seagrass Halodule wrightii as a new habitat for the amphioxus Branchiostoma californiense (Cephalochordata, Branchiostomidae) in the southern Gulf of California, Mexico

The first record of the amphioxus Branchiostoma californiense on seagrass patches of Halodule wrightii in the Gulf of California is reported. Sixty individuals (19 males, 18 females, and 23 undifferentiated) were collected in May 2017 at Bahía Balandra, Gulf of California, from subtidal seagrass patches at a depth of 0.5 m at low tide. The length and weight ranged from 15.88–28.44 mm and from 0.01–0.11 g for females and 11.7–27.9 mm and 0.01–0.09 g for males, respectively. The minimum size of sexually mature individuals was 11.70 mm for males and 15.88 mm for females; 62% of the specimens were sexually mature. Analysis of the total length-weight relationship suggested an allometric growth pattern among females, males and undifferentiated individuals, whereas an analysis of the entire sample suggested an isometric growth pattern. Typical and additional morphological characters were used to identify the amphioxi. High morphological variability between individuals was found, suggesting the presence of several morphotypes. Branchiostoma californiense had been previously reported as exclusively associated with bare sandy areas, but our study shows that this species can also be found in seagrass patches, using them as breeding and feeding grounds. Thus, seagrass patches are evidenced as suitable habitats for amphioxus

Extraction of Mn from Black Copper Using Iron Oxides from Tailings and Fe2+ as Reducing Agents in Acid Medium

Exotic type deposits include several species of minerals, such as atacamite, chrysocolla, copper pitch, and copper wad. Among these, copper pitch and copper wad have considerable concentrations of manganese. However, their non-crystalline and amorphous structure makes it challenging to recover the elements of interest (like Cu or Mn) by conventional hydrometallurgical methods. For this reason, black copper ores are generally not incorporated into the extraction circuits or left unprocessed, whether in stock, leach pads, or waste. Therefore, to dilute MnO2, the use of reducing agents is essential. In the present research, agitated leaching was performed to dissolve Mn of black copper in an acidic medium, comparing the use of ferrous ions and tailings as reducing agents. Two samples of black copper were studied, of high and low grade of Mn, respectively, the latter with a high content of clays. The effect on the reducing agent/black copper ratio and the concentration of sulfuric acid in the system were evaluated. Better results in removing Mn were achieved using the highest-grade black copper sample when working with ferrous ions at a ratio of Fe2+/black copper of 2/1 and 1 mol/L of sulfuric acid. Besides, the low-grade sample induced a significant consumption of H2SO4 due to the high presence of gangue and clays.The authors are grateful for the contribution of the Scientific Equipment Unit- MAINI of the Universidad Católica del Norte for aiding in generating data by automated electronic microscopy QEMSCAN® and for facilitating the chemical analysis of the solutions. We are also grateful to the Altonorte Mining Company for supporting this research and providing slag for this study, and we thank to Marina Vargas Aleuy and María Barraza Bustos of the Universidad Católica del Norte for supporting the experimental tests. Also, we Conicyt Fondecyt 11,171,036 and Centro CRHIAM Project Conicyt/Fondap/15130015. This research received no external fundin

Rol del contador como miembro de equipos en proceso de gestión de proyecto en desarrollo de software ERP basado en el estándar para la Dirección de Proyectos emitidas por el PMI.

Las tecnologías de la información (TI) se han convertido en parte fundamental dentro del desarrollo de la sociedad, ya que han facilitado y automatizado la mayoría de las actividades realizadas a nivel comercial, académico y profesional; siendo este último el de mayor importancia dado que el talento humano se ve en la obligación de estar capacitado en TI para no ser relegado de sus funciones. Por lo antes descrito muchas entidades se dedican a desarrollar proyectos con la finalidad de obtener por medio de estos softwares en su mayoría ERP´s que faciliten sus operaciones y que ayuden a optimizar los recursos y maximizar los resultados. Estos proyectos son dirigidos por talento humano altamente capacitado en diversas áreas que garanticen cumplir con los objetivos planteados por las entidades. Es por ello que surge la importancia de analizar los siguientes aspectos: el rol que tiene el contador público al momento de desarrollar software ERP, las aptitudes del profesional contable en materia de TI, la responsabilidad de los entes encargados de la formación del contador, entre otros. Con la finalidad de dotar al contador de una herramienta que facilite la integración del mismo en los equipos de gestión de proyectos se propone una guía basada en el estándar para la dirección de proyectos emitido por el PMI; la cual describe cada uno de los procesos llevados a cabo en cada una de las fases o etapas de un proyecto. En la investigación previa se utilizó el método hipotético-deductivo, dado que se detallan las características del problema, para ello se emplearon encuestas con las cuales se recolectaron los datos que se analizaron para la comprobación de hipótesis. Se obtuvo la participación de sesenta y siete profesionales en contaduría pública debidamente autorizados por el Consejo de ii Vigilancia de la Profesión de Contaduría Pública y Auditoria (CVPCPA) quienes respondieron a la encuesta, de dichos resultados los más destacados fueron: El nivel de importancia que el contador da a las TI es alto, dado que consideran que a través de estas se han logrado grandes avances dentro de las empresas, sin embargo son conscientes que la participación que están teniendo dentro del área de TI es limitada debido al poco requerimiento por parte de la dirección de proyecto de TI o por la falta de preparación académica en dicha temática. Para concluir, tomando en cuenta que la mayoría de los profesionales consideran que se debe de adoptar un rol más protagónico dentro del área de TI, se deben de considerar varios aspectos a mejorar para lograrlo, entre los que se pueden mencionar: la ampliación de la carta didáctica en temas de TI en la formación del profesional contable; la incorporación del contador en el desarrollo de software ERP; entre otros. Todo lo anterior con la finalidad de convertirse en un profesional con un perfil más amplio y novedoso