Extended linear-homothetic preferences and the Cournot-Bertrand profit differential

This paper introduces the �extended linear-homothetic� preferences to model consumer choice. Specifically, we extend Datta and Dixon�s (2000) �standard linear-homothetic� preferences by adding an additional term to the unit cost function. This term captures the relative importance of price interactions within sectors on the unit cost of utility. In an economy composed of a large number of sectors (K) with a suffciently large number of firms (n) in each, the �extended linear-homothetic� preferences yield (perceived) linear demands in own strategy and competitors� strategies - where goods are characterized as substitutes. Thus, the linearity and homotheticity properties of the preferences open the possibility to develop a tractable model of oligopoly in general equilibrium. An additional novelty introduced by the �extended linear-homothetic� preferences is the presence of a sectoral-specific price index in product demand. For n small, this implies that firms internalize the sectoral price effects of their individual pricing strategies. The latter, we argue, may provide us with a link between nonatomistic price and wage setters and the monetary authority.

Comparación de indicadores metabólicos para riesgo cardiovascular en escolares de México y Colombia

Trabajo internacional.Marco teórico. La patología cardiovascular es una de las causas más importantes de muerte en la población mundial, ya que los factores de riesgo inician desde las etapas tempranas de la vida cuando se forma la lesión ateroesclerótica que va progresando a la etapa adulta. El riesgo cardiometabólico (RCM) es aquel que conlleva una predisposición a la enfermedad crónica como ateroesclerosis y Diabetes Mellitus, se origina de la asociación de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular (RCV) convencionales con las alteraciones propias del Síndrome Metabólico (SM). Objetivo. Comparar los indicadores metabólicos para riesgo cardiovascular en una muestra representativa de la población escolar de México y Colombia. Material y métodos. Se realizó un estudio longitudinal comparativo en escolares de México y Colombia en diferentes zonas utilizando muestreo probabilístico. Se obtuvieron historia clínica, medidas antropométricas, determinaciones bioquímicas (perfil de lípidos y glucosa), dietéticas; así como aplicación de cuestionario para actividad física previamente validado.CONACYT. UAEMEx

Editorial: The functional organization of the auditory system

No abstract available

Mexico : impact evaluation of sme programs using panel firm data

Unlike social programs targeting individuals, few enterprise support programs have been rigorously evaluated, and existing evaluations have mostly been done in high-income countries such as the United States and Europe. Mexico spends a large share of government resources on small and medium enterprise programs each year. How effective these programs have been in achieving their objectives is unclear. In Mexico, impact evaluations of small and medium enterprise programs are rare, and most are qualitative in nature. This is the first paper evaluating these programs in Mexico using firm-level panel data. The continuous and ten-year panel data -- from the 1994-2005 period -- allow the authors to address selectivity bias and unobserved firm heterogeneity by applying a generalization of differences-in-differences models combined with propensity score matching methods. This study finds evidence that participation in small and medium enterprise programs is associated with improvements in key variables such as value added, gross production, and wages. Furthermore, the study finds evidence that some of the positive effects can take several years to realize. The results also call for streamlining and greater efficiency in Mexico's small and medium enterprise programs.ICT Policy and Strategies,Poverty Monitoring&Analysis,Poverty Impact Evaluation,Labor Policies,E-Business

The tidally disturbed luminous compact blue galaxy Mkn 1087 and its surroundings

We present new broad-band optical and near-infrared CCD imaging together with deep optical intermediate-resolution spectroscopy of Mkn 1087 and its surrounding objects. We analyze the morphology and colors of the stellar populations of the brightest objects, some of them star-formation areas, as well as the kinematics, physical conditions and chemical composition of the ionized gas associated with them. Mkn 1087 does not host an Active Galactic Nucleus, but it could be a Luminous Compact Blue Galaxy. Although it was classified as a suspected Wolf-Rayet galaxy, we do not detect the spectral features of these sort of massive stars. Mkn 1087 shows morphological and kinematical features that can be explained assuming that it is in interaction with two nearby galaxies: the bright KPG 103a and a dwarf ($M_B\sim-18$) star-forming companion. We argue that this dwarf companion is not a tidal object but an external galaxy because of its low metallicity [12+log(O/H) = 8.24] with respect to the one derived for Mkn 1087 [12+log(O/H) = 8.57] and its kinematics. Some of the non-stellar objects surrounding Mkn 1087 are connected by bridges of matter with the main body, host star-formation events and show similar abundances despite their different angular distances. These facts, together their kinematics, suggest that they are tidal dwarf galaxies formed from material stripped from Mkn 1087. A bright star-forming region at the south of Mkn 1087 (knot #7) does not show indications of being a tidal galaxy or the product of a merging process as suggested in previous works. We argue that Mkn 1087 and its surroundings should be considered a group of galaxies.Comment: Accepted by A&A, 21 pages, 13 figures, 8 table

Mexico : human capital effects on wages and productivity

The authors follow the Hellerstein, Neumark, and Troske (1999) framework to estimate marginal productivity differentials and compare them with estimated relative wages. The analysis provides evidence on productivity and nonproductivity-based determinations of wages. Special emphasis is given to the effects of human capital variables, such as education, experience, and training on wages and productivity differentials. Higher education yields higher productivity. However, highly educated workers earn less than their productivity differentials would predict. On average, highly educated workers are unable to fully appropriate their productivity gains of education through wages. On the other hand, workers with more experience are more productive in the same proportion that they earn more in medium and large firms, meaning they are fully compensated for their higher productivity. Finally, workers in micro and small firms are paid more than what their productivity would merit. Training benefits firms and employees since it significantly increases workers'productivity and their earnings.Primary Education,Economic Theory&Research,Access&Equity in Basic Education,Labor Markets,Tertiary Education

Making a difference through parental involvement: Techniques teachers can utilize in kindergarten bilingual classrooms

The importance of parental involvement in the education of all children is essential in schools. The schools that promote parental involvement prepare students for excellence in their education. Parental involvement, gives students opportunities and advantages by reinforcing and fortifying their learning. Different perspectives and viewpoints were examined, focusing on bilingual students and some Spanish speaking parents in a school in south Texas. By finding what is causing low parental involvement and by listening to strategies used by educators that help increase parental involvement, this research provides answers on how to help parents get involved in their children’s education. Empowering parents and supporting them as initial teachers to their children benefits students. Finally, the purpose of this qualitative study is to identify possible causes of low Hispanic parental involvement in kindergarten bilingual classrooms. This study looked for information about the challenges that prevent parents from getting involved in their children’s education

Witnessing Francoism: Ethics of Non-violence in Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth

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