Functional upgrading in China’s export processing sector

Functional upgrading occurs when a firm acquires more sophisticated functions within an existing value chain. In this paper, we analyze if there is evidence of this type of upgrading in China’s export processing regime by investigating dynamics in the relative prevalence of Import & Assembly (IA) versus Pure Assembly (PA) processing trade over the period 2000-2013. Firms in both regimes provide similar manufacturing services to foreign companies, but IA firms also conduct the sophisticated tasks of quality control, searching, financing and storing imported materials. Consistent with a trend of functional upgrading, we show that the share of IA trade in total processing trade has increased rapidly during the period 2000-2006, both overall and within product categories. Furthermore, we find that this trend has gone hand in hand with improvements in a sector’s labor productivity and unit values. Against expectations, we find that this process has slowed down notably during the period 2006-2013.status: publishe

Enhanced Naproxen Elimination in Water by Catalytic Ozonation Based on NiO Films

This study evaluates naproxen (NP) degradation efficiency by ozonation using nickel oxide films (NiO(F)) as a catalyst. The NiO films were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. NP degradation was conducted for 5 min using 10 films of NiO(F) comparing against ozonation using 100 mg/L NiO powder in suspension (NiO(S)) and conventional ozonation (O3-conv). Total organic carbon analysis demonstrated a mineralization degree of 12% with O3-conv, 35% with NiO as powder and 22% with NiO(F) after 60 min of reaction. The films of NiO(F) were sequentially used 4 times in ozonation demonstrating the stability of the synthesized material, as well as its properties as a catalyst for ozonation. A proposed modeling strategy using robust parametric identification techniques allows the comparison of NP decomposition pseudo-monomolecular reaction rates

Sponge cake microstructure, starch retrogradation and quality changes during frozen storage

The effect of frozen storage (6 months) on the microstructure (microscopy, flatbed scanning and image analysis), quality (texture, moisture and specific volume) and starch retrogradation of the cake crumb were evaluated. After 2 months of storage, texture (firmness, cohesiveness and resilience) was significantly (P < 0.05) affected and starch retrogradation was observed, while by the fourth month, the crystallinity increased and crumb fractures were noticeable. Additionally, the shrinkage of starch granules was observed as the starch circularity (Sc) values significantly decreased (P < 0.05) by the sixth month of storage. Although structural changes were not detected by image analysis, it was demonstrated that cake microstructure damage is related to physical changes because the Sc was significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with moisture and specific volume and therefore with the cake quality and texture. Moreover, sugar re-crystallisation occurred during frozen storage, and it was significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with the deterioration in cake quality.Fil: Díaz-Ramírez, Mayra. Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana; MéxicoFil: Calderón-Domínguez, Georgina. Instituto Politécnico Nacional; MéxicoFil: Salgado-Cruz, María de la Paz. Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología; MéxicoFil: Chanona-Pérez, José J.. Instituto Politécnico Nacional; MéxicoFil: Andraca-Adame, José A.. Instituto Politécnico Nacional; MéxicoFil: Ribotta, Pablo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentin

Genetic diversity of HLA system in three populations from Chihuahua, Mexico: Chihuahua City, Ciudad Juárez and rural Chihuahua

We studied HLA class I (HLA-A, -B) and class II (HLA-DRB1, -DQB1) alleles by PCR-SSP based typing in 461 Mexicans from the state of Chihuahua living in Chihuahua city (N = 119), Ciudad Juárez (N = 106) and rural communities (N = 236), to obtain information regarding allelic and haplotypic frequencies and their linkage disequilibrium. We find that the most frequent haplotypes found in the state of Chihuahua include seven Native American and three European haplotypes. Admixture estimates revealed that the main genetic components in Chihuahua are European (52.12 ± 0.88 by ML; 41.53 of European haplotypes) and Native American (39.51 ± 2.17 by ML; 37.45 of Native American haplotypes), while African genetic component was less apparent (8.36 ± 1.47 by ML; 11.70 of African haplotypes)

Genetic diversity of HLA system in two populations from Durango, Mexico: Durango city and rural Durango

We studied HLA class I (HLA-A, -B) and class II (HLA-DRB1, -DQB1) alleles by PCR-SSP based typing in 479 Mexicans from the state of Durango living in Durango city (N = 153) and rural communities (N = 326), to obtain information regarding allelic and haplotypic frequencies. We find that the ten most frequent haplotypes found in the state of Durango include eight Native American and two European haplotypes. Admixture estimates revealed that the main genetic components in Durango are European (54.34 ± 1.68) and Native American (45.66 ± 2.24), while African genetic component was virtually absent (0.00 ± 2.03). However, African haplotypes could be estimated at a proportion of 9.13

Genetic diversity of HLA system in two populations from San Luis Potosí, Mexico: San Luis Potosí City and rural San Luis Potosí

We studied HLA class I (HLA-A, -B) and class II (HLA-DRB1, -DQB1) alleles by PCR-SSP based typing in 117 Mexicans from the state of San Luis Potosí living in the city of San Luis Potosí (N = 30) and rural communities (N = 87), to obtain information regarding allelic and haplotypic frequencies. We find that the most frequent haplotypes in the state include 13 Native American, six European, two African and two Asian haplotypes. Admixture estimates revealed that the main genetic components are Native American (52.72 ± 0.66 by ML; 48.29 of Native American haplotypes) and European (34.62 ± 4.28 by ML; 32.48 of European haplotypes), and a relatively high African genetic component (12.66 ± 4.61 by ML; 10.26 of African haplotypes)

Genetic diversity of HLA system in three populations from Coahuila, Mexico: Torreón, Saltillo and rural Coahuila

We studied HLA class I (HLA-A, -B) and class II (HLA-DRB1, -DQB1) alleles by PCR-SSP based typing in 684 Mexicans from the state of Coahuila living in Saltillo (N = 72), Torreón (N = 396) and rural communities (N = 216), to obtain information regarding allelic and haplotypic frequencies. We find that the ten most frequent haplotypes found in the state of Coahuila include eight Native American and two European haplotypes. Admixture estimates revealed that the main genetic components in the state of Coahuila are European (49.72 ± 4.18 by ML; 37.49 of European haplotypes) and Native American (45.01 ± 2.69 by ML; 42.98 of Native American haplotypes), while African genetic component is less apparent (5.27 ± 1.88 by ML; 9.92 of African haplotypes)

The Mexican consensus on fecal incontinence

Fecal incontinence is the involuntary passage or the incapacity to control the release of fecal matter through the anus. It is a condition that significantly impairs quality of life in those that suffer from it, given that it affects body image, self-esteem, and interferes with everyday activities, in turn, favoring social isolation. There are no guidelines or consensus in Mexico on the topic, and so the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología brought together a multidisciplinary group (gastroenterologists, neurogastroenterologists, and surgeons) to carry out the «Mexican consensus on fecal incontinence» and establish useful recommendations for the medical community.The present document presents the formulated recommendations in 35 statements. Fecal incontinence is known to be a frequent entity whose incidence increases as individuals age, but one that is under-recognized. The pathophysiology of incontinence is complex and multifactorial, and in most cases, there is more than one associated risk factor. Even though there is no diagnostic gold standard, the combination of tests that evaluate structure (endoanal ultrasound) and function (anorectal manometry) should be recommended in all cases. Treatment should also be multidisciplinary and general measures and drugs (lidamidine, loperamide) are recommended, as well as non-pharmacologic interventions, such as biofeedback therapy, in selected cases. Likewise, surgical treatment should be offered to selected patients and performed by experts. Resumen: La incontinencia fecal es el paso involuntario o la incapacidad de controlar la descarga de materia fecal a través del ano, siendo una condición que deteriora significativamente la calidad de vida de los sujetos que la padecen, ya que afecta la imagen corporal, la autoestima e interfiere con las actividades cotidianas favoreciendo el aislamiento social. En nuestro país no existe una guía o consenso al respecto, por lo que la Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología reunió a un grupo multidisciplinario (gastroenterólogos, neurogastroenterológos y cirujanos), para que realizaran el Consenso mexicano sobre incontinencia fecal y se establecieran recomendaciones de utilidad para la comunidad médica.Las recomendaciones emitidas fueron a través de 35 enunciados que se presentan en este documento. Se reconoce que la incontinencia fecal es una entidad frecuente, y cuya incidencia se incrementa conforme aumenta la edad, sin embargo, es poco reconocida. La fisiopatología de la incontinencia es compleja y multifactorial y en la mayoría de los casos existe más de un factor de riesgo asociado. Respecto al diagnóstico, se considera que, si bien no existe un estándar de oro, la combinación de pruebas que evalúen la estructura (p. ej., ultrasonido endoanal) y la función (manometría anorrectal) se debe de recomendar en todos los casos. El tratamiento debe ser también multidisciplinario, y se recomiendan medidas generales, fármacos (lidamidina, loperamida), y en casos seleccionados intervenciones no farmacológicas como la terapia de biorretroalimentación. De igual manera, el tratamiento quirúrgico debe ofrecerse a los pacientes seleccionados y debe ser brindado por los expertos

Genetic diversity of HLA system in two populations from Nuevo León, Mexico: Monterrey and rural Nuevo León

We studied HLA class I (HLA-A, -B) and class II (HLA-DRB1, -DQB1) alleles by PCR-SSP based typing in 665 Mexicans from the state of Nuevo León living in the city of Monterrey (N = 226) and rural communities (N = 439), to obtain information regarding allelic and haplotypic frequencies. We find that the most frequent haplotypes in the state of Nuevo León include 12 Native American and three European haplotypes. Admixture estimates revealed that the main genetic components in the state of Nuevo León are Native American (54.53 ± 0.87 by ML; 48.88 of Native American haplotypes) and European (38.67 ± 4.06 by ML; 32.59 of European haplotypes), and a less prominent African genetic component (6.80 ± 4.30 by ML; 8.26 of African haplotypes)

Genetic diversity of HLA system in a population sample from Aguascalientes, Mexico

We studied HLA class I (HLA-A, -B) and class II (HLA-DRB1, -DQB1) alleles by PCR-SSP based typing in 95 Mexicans from the state of Aguascalientes to obtain information regarding allelic and haplotypic frequencies and their linkage disequilibrium. We find that the most frequent haplotypes in the state of Aguascalientes include four Native American, three European and one Asian haplotypes. Admixture estimates revealed that the main genetic components in the state of Aguascalientes are Native American (54.53 ± 3.22 by ML; 44.21 of Native American haplotypes) and European (44.34 ± 0.45 by ML; 40.53 of European haplotypes), and a relatively low African genetic component (1.13 ± 2.33 by ML; 5.26 of African haplotypes)