Case Study In Mexico Research Articles

Strengthening Community Resilience in the Face of Environmental and Economic Challenges in Southeast Mexico

Objective: The problems in the sustainable management of natural resources in their fishing practices in the community of Aztlán Quinta Seccion Palomillal in Tabasco, Mexico, are analyzed to develop community solutions and improve sustainability and socioeconomic results. Theoretical Framework: It is based on the theory of sustainability (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987, p. 43), the natural resources management model (Natural Resources Commission, 2012, p. 3) and the theory of participatory research (Reason & Bradbury, 2008, p. These frameworks are the context in which fishing practices are developed in the community, serving as a relevant case study for southeastern Mexico, facilitating the analysis of the problems and proposed solutions. Method: A qualitative case study design focused on community-based participatory research was applied, involving key community actors, including fishermen and leaders of the fishing cooperative. Data collection was through semi-structured interviews, focus groups and participant observation. The interviews were designed to learn about challenges in resource management, while focus groups facilitated discussions about possible solutions. Participant observations were carried out during community meetings and the sociocultural and environmental context. Results and Discussion: The problems of sediment accumulation, the presence of invasive species, the lack of adequate infrastructure and low educational levels were identified. There is an urgency to implement strategies that combine traditional knowledge with modern practices to improve the sustainability of fishing activities. The importance of community participation is highlighted. Research Implications: It has significant practical and theoretical implications for sustainable resource management in rural fishing communities and can be applied in other similar rural contexts and contributes to the theoretical development of community-based participatory research. Originality/Value: An innovative community-based participatory research approach is applied for sustainable natural resource management in a rural fishing community, replicable for sustainable resource management in vulnerable contexts.

Prevalence and correlates of e-cigarette source and use of e-cigarettes with nicotine: A case study of Mexico, where e-cigarettes are banned

BackgroundLow- and middle-income countries have increasingly banned e-cigarettes, as in Mexico. In these countries, little is known about where adults obtain e-cigarettes or who uses e-cigarettes with nicotine. MethodsData were analyzed from eight online surveys of Mexican adults who both smoked and used e-cigarettes (November 2018-March 2021; n = 2,060). For the e-cigarette they used most often, participants reported how they acquired it (social sources=reference; online purchase; vape shop purchase; other retail purchase) and if it contained nicotine (no=reference group; yes; don't know). Multinomial models regressed each of these outcomes on smoking- and e-cigarette-related factors, as well as sociodemographics. ResultsAlmost half the sample (45.9 %) reported obtaining their e-cigarettes from social sources, with online purchase being the second most common source (28.7 %). Being male, having recently attempted to quit smoking, and more frequent e-cigarette use were positively associated with purchasing e-cigarettes (vs social sources) across all venues. Most reported that their e-cigarettes contained nicotine (58.2 %), a third reported using e-cigarettes without nicotine (35.9 %), and some did not know (5.8 %). More frequent smoking and e-cigarette use, using closed e-cigarette devices and purchasing e-cigarettes online were positively associated with using e-cigarettes with nicotine. ConclusionsDespite Mexico's e-cigarette ban, adults who smoke access e-cigarettes through multiple sources, including online and vape shop purchases. Most participants reported using e-cigarettes with nicotine, though many did not or did not know.

A mathematical programming model for the supply chain of lithium in a macroscopic system: The case-study of Mexico

This work presents a mathematical programming model for the optimal decision making on the supply chain of lithium and lithium compounds in a macroscopic system. The model considers the exploitation of the economically feasible natural sources; it also considers the processing and purification stages as well as the transportation costs needed to satisfy the demand of the several lithium applications, such as Li-ion batteries. Given the significance of circular economy, a discussion on the remanufacturing and recycling of the battery components is also included. Currently, there is no exploitation and production of lithium in Mexico; however, since Mexico is the 7th vehicle manufacturer in the world, information from the potential Lithium deposits in Mexico and its corresponding demands are used to explore the potential and the techno-economic decision making required within such a supply chain.

The effects of automation on employment: Case studies in Mexico's apparel and footwear sectors

The effects of automation on employment: Case studies in Mexico's apparel and footwear sectors

Identifying optimal locations for biochar production facilities to reduce wildfire risk and bolster rural economies: A New Mexico case study

Many land managers throughout the Intermountain West practice periodic thinning of woody biomass to reduce forest stand density and thereby reduce the risk of high severity wildfire. Pyrolyzing biomass wastes, such as slash from thinning, into biochar can help sequester carbon to mitigate climate change and improve soil health. However, there are insufficient biochar facilities to process the amount of woody biomass available from thinning throughout the Intermountain West. By presenting a case of New Mexico, this study provides a spatially explicit framework, which explains relationships among variables based on their spatial dimension, to utilize a variety of factors such as biomass availability, wildfire risks, markets, soil conditions, and road networks to identify optimal location(s) for new biochar production facilities. Several locations suitable for biochar production facilities have been identified, but the number needed depends on facility capacity and feedstock hauling distances. Findings from this study can help establish several medium-size or a single centralized biochar production facility(ies) in the region. Furthermore, establishment of biochar production facilities can incentivize forestry contractors and landowners to expedite thinning operations in densely overstocked forests of New Mexico. Finally, it can serve as a model that other regions in the Intermountain West can use to facilitate scaling of biochar facilities and production.

A Bioclimatic Approach for Enhanced Wine Cellar Design: General Formulation and Analysis of a Case Study in Mexico

A Bioclimatic Approach for Enhanced Wine Cellar Design: General Formulation and Analysis of a Case Study in Mexico

Different perspectives on Latin American identity

The given research article deals with the discussion of issues concerning the identity of the Latin American people by examining its history and cultural representations as well as modern perceptions. Latin American people had a mixture of cultures in their own identity, as many ethnicities, such as pre-Columbian civilizations, colonial Europe, Africans, and contemporary socio-political movements, influenced them. To undertake this investigation, the study explores diverse multicultural views originating from different regions and people from social, political, and ethnic origins to acquire a perfect understanding of what it means to be a Latin American individual. This is evident in demonstrating the influence of the colonial past, the rich heritage of indigenous and African communities, and the dynamic nature of identity in provoking the problems of the present day as characterized by globalization, immigration, and change in leadership. Based on the case studies of Brazil, Mexico, and Bolivia, the article emphasizes that despite the diverse members of the region’s population, the residents continue to strive to create a united Latin American subject. The conclusion reiterates the authors’ approach to embracing this complex history and the fight for social justice in creating a united and integrated Latin American people.

Carbon accounting methods for the system-wide evaluation of carbon capture, utilisation and storage: A case study in Mexico's Southeast Region

Existing assessments of climate mitigation technologies, like carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS), often rely on life cycle assessments (LCA), which are helpful for quantification but may not always be the most complete tools for decision-making. The novel contribution of this study is to provide the first application of a consequential carbon accounting approach, presented as a time-series analysis, to measure the system-wide change in emissions from CCUS linked to CO2-enhanced oil recovery. This method includes emissions from marginal oil production, a variable typically excluded in other LCA methods. The method was applied to a hypothetical CCUS project in Mexico to understand critical factors determining whether such an intervention can effectively contribute to emissions reduction in alignment with net-zero goals. Four intervention scenarios were assessed, comparing two distinct CO2 injection strategies in oil reservoirs (water alternating gas and continuous gas injection) and two energy policy scenarios (current and sustainability). The findings suggest that the energy grid's role in overall emissions is relatively minor, with only a ∼2% difference between the compared scenarios, in contrast, the injection strategy has a significant impact on emissions. Scenarios 1 and 3 report a total change in emissions of −28.39 and −29.87MtCO2e, and scenarios 2 and 4 account for −19.63 and −21.22MtCO2e, respectively. The results highlight the importance of conducting system-wide analysis and comparing different scenarios to identify the critical components that drive changes in emissions and, therefore, support decision-making and project planning.

Climate change risks to water security: Exploring the interplay between climate change, water theft, and water (in)security

Abstract This article explores the interplay between climate change, water theft, and water (in)security and proposes a three-node nexus conceptual framework for understanding the same. Water is essential for the proper functioning of human and natural systems. However, water scarcity that was limited to specific regions of the world in the past has today become a global crisis. The global water crisis is driven by climate change, water theft, overuse, wastage, pollution, poor governance, and population growth among other factors. This study relied on a close reading of existing scholarly literature to explore the interplay between climate change, water theft, and water (in)security. The study found that existing literature predominantly frames the interplay as a two-node nexus either between climate change and water (in)security or water theft and water (in)security. This article argues that a two-node nexus misses the interaction between climate change and water theft – a critical aspect that is crucial for a nuanced understanding of the interplay. The article proposes a three-node nexus conceptual framework for understanding the interplay. Finally, the article applies the ‘new’ framework to case studies of Kenya and Mexico and discusses insights for future policy and research.

Gender discrimination and merit‐based selection: A case study of Mexico

AbstractDoes the merit‐based selection process help to reduce gender discrimination in public administrations? To answer this question, we conducted an in‐depth case study in Mexico and built two original databases for analysis. First, we measure vertical and horizontal discrimination, and second, we examine merit‐based competitions for access to upper management levels of the Mexican public administration to explore their role in reproducing gender discrimination. We find the existence of both vertical and horizontal segregation, and the analysis of merit‐based competition results shows that women have difficulty winning competitions for the highest hierarchical levels and traditionally male sectors. Based on these findings, we explore the role of merit‐based competitions in reproducing gender discrimination. Finally, we urge for the inclusion of a gender perspective in public service reforms in Latin America.

Electricity price forecast in wholesale markets using conformal prediction: Case study in Mexico

AbstractIn recent years, machine and deep learning models have attracted significant attention for electricity price forecast in global wholesale electricity markets. Yet, a predominant focus on point forecast in most parts of literature limits the practical application of these models due to the absence of uncertainty quantification. In this study, we first perform an analysis of the electricity price trends in the Mexican wholesale electricity market to determine the influence of key variables. Using independent component analysis and wavelet coherence analysis, we were able to identify primary determinants influencing locational marginal electricity prices. Subsequently, we applied four different models covering the most important algorithms proposed in the literature for electricity price forecast. Our findings revealed that the most accurate forecasting results were achieved using a deep learning‐based method with a decision tree‐based model trailing closely. Finally, we incorporate conformal prediction for uncertainty quantification by calculating the prediction intervals with a target coverage level of 95%. The conformal prediction intervals provide a more comprehensive view of the possible future scenarios, enhancing economic efficiency, risk management, and decision‐making processes. This is particularly important because of the dynamic nature of electricity markets, where prices are strongly influenced by multiple factors.

Offshore application of landslide susceptibility mapping using gradient-boosted decision trees: a Gulf of Mexico case study

Among natural hazards occurring offshore, submarine landslides pose a significant risk to offshore infrastructure installations attached to the seafloor. With the offshore being important for current and future energy production, there is a need to anticipate where future landslide events are likely to occur to support planning and development projects. Using the northern Gulf of Mexico (GoM) as a case study, this paper performs Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (LSM) using a gradient-boosted decision tree (GBDT) model to characterize the spatial patterns of submarine landslide probability over the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) where water depths are greater than 120 m. With known spatial extents of historic submarine landslides and a Geographic Information System (GIS) database of known topographical, geomorphological, geological, and geochemical factors, the resulting model was capable of accurately forecasting potential locations of sediment instability. Results of a permutation modelling approach indicated that LSM accuracy is sensitive to the number of unique training locations with model accuracy becoming more stable as the number of training regions was increased. The influence that each input feature had on predicting landslide susceptibility was evaluated using the SHapely Additive exPlanations (SHAP) feature attribution method. Areas of high and very high susceptibility were associated with steep terrain including salt basins and escarpments. This case study serves as an initial assessment of the machine learning (ML) capabilities for producing accurate submarine landslide susceptibility maps given the current state of available natural hazard-related datasets and conveys both successes and limitations.

A simulation model to analyze the behavior of a faculty retirement plan: a case study in Mexico

AbstractThe main goal in this study was to determine confidence intervals for average age, average seniority, and average money-savings, for faculty members in a university retirement system using a simulation model. The simulation—built-in Arena—considers age, seniority, and the probability of continuing in the institution as the main input random variables in the model. An annual interest rate of 7% and an average annual salary increase of 3% were considered. The scenario simulated consisted of the teacher and the university making contributions, the faculty 5% of his salary, and the university 5% of the teacher’s salary. Since the base salaries with which teachers join to university are variable, we considered a monthly salary of MXN 23 181.2, corresponding to full-time teachers with middle salaries. The results obtained by a simulation of 30 replicates showed that the confidence intervals for the average age at retirement were (55.0, 55.2) years, for the average seniority (22.1, 22.3) years, and for the average savings amount (329 795.2, 341 287.0) MXN. Moreover, the risk that a retiree of 62 years of age and more of 25 years of work, is alive after his savings runs out is approximately 98% and this happens at 64 years of age.

Decision support system to evaluate a vandalized and deteriorated oil pipeline transportation system using artificial intelligence techniques. Part 2: analysis of the operational and economic risk

Abstract The changing supply and demand of hydrocarbons in recent years, generated by inflation, pandemics, and wars, have impacted its price considerably, developing limitations in maintenance processes in the oil industry worldwide; however, the mechanical deterioration of facilities due to corrosion does not stop. This article contributes original to the knowledge and management of a pipeline transportation system (PTS) without an immediate high impact that would help reduce property loss due to corrosion through the development of intelligent evaluation models that combine field data, laboratory, and cognitive knowledge in a case study in Mexico. The research is divided into Part 1 (Modeling; https://doi.org/10.1515/corrrev-2021-0080) and Part 2 (Operational and economic risk analysis of PTS under corrosive effects, using Monte Carlo simulation, MCS), supported by information and knowledge of 564 km of soils, from cathodic protection studies, essential to determine corrosive profiles of the PTS, considering supply and demand effects, with 1095 data on the price of the Mexican mixture from 2016 to 2019, as well as data monthly inflation rates for the same period, to generate financial estimates representative of the system, in search of replicable exchange actions and practices in international fields.

The role of a green economy in revitalising shrinking cities: Comparative case studies in France and Mexico

This paper aims to research different strategies for developing the green economy in shrinking cities. Considering urban shrinkage and the green economy as two extended concepts, a French town in post-Fordist transition and a Mexican post-mining town are selected as the most diverse/similar systems to indicate different strategies for sustainable development in shrinking cities. Embedded into different national backgrounds, including urban dynamics and support schemes for the green economy, the selected cases share the objectives of greening and regrowing strategies relying on other sectors of the green economy. The methodology applied is qualitative, including fieldwork, semi-structured interview techniques, carried out in person or remotely, and questionnaires. Findings show some positive results regarding sustainability and ecological transition in the French case, while regrowth trends were reached in the Mexican case. However, the analysis leads to uncertain scenarios for positive long-term impacts, especially due to uncertainty around future supporting policies for territorial cohesion and sustainability at national and regional levels.

The Hidden Faces of Paleontology: Some Case Studies in Central Mexico

The Hidden Faces of Paleontology: Some Case Studies in Central Mexico

Ranking projects in regional electrification plans considering technical and social criteria. Case study in Mexico

Plans to extend rural electrification usually face budget constraints, so must prioritize the projects to define the implementation order. The project ranking must be defined with a clear procedure to justify the order among all stakeholders. Moreover, techno-economic and also social criteria must be considered to maximize positive impact and ensure long term sustainability. The current literature in rural electrification still has an economic bias and mainly offers independent designs for each community but no prioritized order to guide the institution promoting the program. This study presents a multicriteria decision-aid procedure to define a hierarchical order of the electrification of the communities throughout a rural region considering technical and social criteria. The proposed procedure starts with an assessment of the region, to determine the socio-economic context of the communities and the local energy resources, Next, the electrification project of each community is designed and assessed considering 7 technical and 7 social criteria. Then, a hierarchical order of electrification of the communities is calculated combining AHP method and discrete compromise programming to find a trade-off ranking involving all criteria. The procedure is applied to 8 communities of the municipality of Cintalapa-Chiapas (Mexico). Ranking results are discussed and complemented with a sensitivity analysis to robustly assist decision-making when implementing the program. The procedure can be adjusted to be used in other contexts.

Exploring the links between climate transparency and mitigation policy through a reflexive capacity lens: case studies of Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico

As the multilateral climate transparency mechanism increasingly blurs the differentiation between developed and developing countries, it catalyses international pressure on the latter to adopt more ambitious mitigation policies and stringent reporting. This article delves into the relationship between the International Consultation and Analysis (ICA), a climate transparency mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the mitigation policies of emerging economies, namely Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico. Using the conceptual framework of reflexive capacity, we explore how the ICA enhances the ability of these countries' governments to recognize, reflect upon, and respond to demands for mitigation information. Our research draws on interviews with key government officials, UNFCCC personnel, and experts involved in the ICA process, participant observation, and extensive analysis of primary documents including the Biennial Update Reports, Technical Analysis Synthesis Reports, and countryspecific submissions. The findings demonstrate that the ICA fosters the enhancement of government actors’ reflexive capacities by furthering their understanding of transparency’s significance, advancing their technical reporting expertise, and subjecting individual country performance to scrutiny. Such capacities not only lead to improvements in domestic practices related to the generation and disclosure of mitigation-related information but also empower these countries to assert their entitlement to differentiated responsibilities in the face of increasing demands for mitigation and reporting. The enhanced reflexive capacity and heightened scrutiny are anticipated to play pivotal role in facilitating the development of more ambitious mitigation policies and more effective climate transparency mechanisms at both domestic and global levels.

Applying societal metabolism to characterize water availability, requirement, and scarcity in agriculture. A case study of Mexico

Given the environmental challenges of soil depletion, water scarcity, and resource competition, the agricultural products market demands a continuous increase in annual crop productivity. Nevertheless, it is often overlooked whether there are favorable conditions within the biophysical constraints of the natural system to meet such a requirement. This paper contemplates an integrated analysis that connects the interaction of water-land-food and production value (WLFPV) from the availability, requirement, and scarcity of water based on the Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism (MuSIASEM) framework. This study evaluates nine crops (agave, avocado, berries, coffee, figs, native maize, pitaya-pitahaya, critical banana, and vanilla) of high commercial value from the central-eastern region of Mexico to obtain their metabolic profiles and answer this question. For this, relative water stress index (RWSI) was used as well as intensity and metabolic density indicators for each crop. The findings were then visualized and communicated through maps. The results indicate that: (1) The annual available water satisfies the total water requirement of the crops of 1,782.6 hm3, planted in 276,965 hectares that produce 803,191 tons of food with a value of 165.2 million USD. (2) 65% of the area dedicated to the production of agave, pitaya-pitahaya, and other crops is affected by a water deficit. This area’s relative water stress index (RWSI) ranges from moderate to high. In the short term, they can constrain agricultural development areas. (3) The metabolic intensity and density indicators show that the combined efficiency of the water demand/supply relationship for native maize was very deficient in 23 of the 50 municipalities. From our analysis perspective, it was possible to understand the changes occurring in the Socio-Ecological System of the nine agricultural chains. A trend in decreased rainfall and water levels in the aquifers for food production was observed.

The role of hydrogen in a decarbonised future transport sector: A case study of Mexico

In recent years, several approaches and pathways have been discussed to decarbonise the transport sector; however, any effort to reduce emissions might be complex due to specific socio-economic and technical characteristics of different regions. In Mexico, the transport sector is the highest energy consumer, representing 38.9% of the national final energy demand, with gasoline and diesel representing 90% of the sector´s total fuel consumption. Energy systems models are powerful tools to obtain insights into decarbonisation pathways to understand costs, emissions and rate of deployment that could serve for energy policy development. This paper focuses on the modelling of the current Mexican transport system using the MUSE-MX multi-regional model with the aim to project a decarbonisation pathway through two different scenarios. The first approach being business as usual (BAU) which aims to analyse current policies implementation and the second being a goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Under the considered net zero scenario, results show potential deployment of hydrogen-based transport technologies, especially for subsectors such as lorries (100% H2 by 2050) and freight train (25% H2 by 2050), while cars and buses tend to full electrification by 2050.