Los Mochis Research Articles

Estimation of the economic impact caused by flooding events in dwellings in Sinaloa, Mexico

In Sinaloa, Mexico, rainfall is intense and can cause floodings in rural and urban areas. Although the risks cannot disappear entirely, deficient urban planning, poor drainage system, and accumulation of waste increase the vulnerability of the population, generating inequality derived from urban conditions. Through 160 surveys applied to dwellers in three of the most important cities of Sinaloa: Los Mochis, Mazatlán, and Culiacán, this work evaluates the losses suffered per household as a result of a flood incident. Losses of at least $70 256 Mexican pesos (3800 USD considering 18.00MXN/USD currency exchange in 09/06/23) per home were estimated, in addition to a significant devaluation of the properties. The study concludes that a socio-environmental justice approach should be adopted to ensure equal vulnerability reduction for all families, instead of the current approach of compensation and transfers which solves nothing in the long-term.

Seismic Hazard Analysis at Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico

We studied the regional seismic hazard of the state of Sinaloa with emphasis on Los Mochis city, located in the municipality of Ahome, Sinaloa. Acceleration in rock was determined for different return periods (Tr = 475, 975, and 2475 years). We compared these results with the spectral accelerations proposed in the buildings seismic design Handbook by Earthquake of the Federal Electricity Commission (commonly applied in Mexico when absence of local regulations). It was observed that the seismic hazard was very sensitive to changes in the geometry of the source that contributes most to seismic hazard of the city. Particularly, PGA values were compared for 475 years, and it was observed that the increase in the PGA value due to that adjustment was approximately 35%. Additionally we performed a zonation study in the city, based on microtremors using single-station by applying horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios (HVSR) analysis to 32 sites within the city. Results show low variations with higher values of natural period of resonance (To) in the southwest of the city. We explore a possible response for the entire valley by calculating a seismic hazard curve in terms of amplification factors.

Typification of Facades in Historical Housing in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico

Typification of Facades in Historical Housing in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico

El intraemprendimiento como alternativa de innovación y su impacto en la calidad de las empresas. Caso de estudio: Grupo CER (Consejo Empresarial Restaurantero) Los Mochis, Sinaloa

The globalized market forces organizations to be in constant innovation and to implement strategies that allow them to adapt to new environments without losing the quality of their products or services that they offer. In this sense, intrapreneurship is a practice that is gaining strength in the business world as an innovation strategy within organizations, generating participatory work environments and favorable environments for the generation of new ideas, contributing to the assurance of their quality. The present work is a quantitative study that seeks to analyze the phenomenon of intrapreneurship as an innovation alternative and its impact on the quality of the companies that are part of the Restaurant Business Council (CER), which operates in the city of Los Mochis, Sinaloa. For this case study, the survey was used as a data collection instrument, to a sample of 51 companies of the study group and a linear regression model was applied, analyzing the relationship between the variables of intrapreneurship, innovation, and quality, calculated using the IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 program. After processing the data and analyzing the results, it is inferred that intrapreneurship represents, within the study group, an innovation alternative that is frequently practiced and that by propitiating environments that promote the participation and empowerment of employees, it is possible to achieve a significant increase in the quality of the organization's processes, as well as its products and services.

Quality of the Service as a Competitive Advantage, Comparative Study of Parcel Companies

This research describes, compares and analyzes the competitive advantages generated by the quality of the service in parcel companies nowadays. Therefore, the main goal of this comparative study is to determine the factors by which the quality of the service creates a competitive advantage between these companies, taking as a sample two of the main parcel companies in Los Mochis, Sinaloa. It should be noted that these companies are currently booming, due to the rise of online shopping. In addition, customers seek speed, price and care of the merchandise in their deliveries. The study was carried out based on the methodology of case study, which uses experience for the transmission of knowledge such as the opinion of people about two companies in particular. This study was developed with the characteristics of a descriptive research, with a non-experimental design; as well, the quantitative approach was used since it was intended to describe and to know different opinions and perspectives from people towards the quality of the service. The information was collected by applying a survey in which the opinion of the people regarding the quality of the service provided by both companies was gathered through a system of direct well-ordered questions. According to the results obtained thanks to the application of the instrument, the hypothesis proposed in this study is accepted, which establishes that the competitive advantage generated by the quality of service of the Paquetexpress parcel company is superior to that of the Estafeta parcel company. JEL Codes: M0, M1 Received: 10/01/2023. Accepted: 26/06/2023. Published: 09/08/2023.

Determination of the sanitary quality of unpasteurized fresh cheeses for human consumption in Sinaloa, Mexico

Fresh cheese represents a staple food of great importance for some communities, as well as an income from its commercialization; however, in some cases, the way it is processed could represent a risk to human health. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the sanitary quality of unpasteurized fresh cheeses intended for human consumption in Sinaloa. A total of 15, 20, 10, and 15 cheese samples were taken from Mazatlán, Culiacán, Guasave, and Los Mochis in the state of Sinaloa, México, respectively. The microbiological analysis was performed based on the Official Mexican Standard NOM-210-SSA1-2014. In accordance with the standard, the content of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. was estimated. Of the total samples analyzed, 97% showed Escherichia coli, 57% S. aureus, and 13% Salmonella spp., above the reference values. The presence of indicator microorganisms and pathogens represents a risk factor for acquiring foodborne diseases, and also makes evident the need to improve hygienic practices in the preparation and preservation of these products.

Vibrio eleionomae sp. nov., isolated from shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) pond water.

A novel Vibrio strain (CAIM 722T=SW9T=DSM 24596T) was isolated in 2003 from water of a shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) culture pond located in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, and taxonomically characterized using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence clustered within those of the genus Vibrio, showing high similarity to the type strains of the Porteresiae clade. Multilocus sequence analysis using eight housekeeping genes (ftsZ, gapA, gyrB, mreB, pyrH, recA, rpoA, topA and 16S rRNA) and phylogenetic analysis with 139 single-copy genes showed that the strain forms an independent branch. Whole genome sequencing and genomic analyses (average nucleotide identity, OrthoANI, average amino acid identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization) produced values well below the thresholds for species delineation with all methods tested. In addition, a phenotypic characterization was performed to support the description and differentiation of the novel strain from related taxa. The results obtained demonstrate that the strain represent a novel species, for which the name Vibrio eleionomae sp. nov. is proposed.

Habitabilidad y salud en espacios interiores de viviendas de interés social, mediante la percepción de sus habitantes

The characteristics and qualities of the interior spaces of houses, their physical and environmental sensations, contribute to define their perception of the place they inhabit and establish habitability and design guidelines attached to the sustainable development objectives (SDG) 2030, related to all human activities for their well-being and health established in objective 3 and according to objective 11, it is necessary to have decent housing to inhabit. The purpose of the research was to analyze the factors of thermal and environmental perception for habitability in interior spaces of social interest housing and possible damage to human health, in post-COVID-19 time, in urban areas. The variables were: temperature, humidity, wind, lighting, noise, and carbon dioxide (CO₂), which were considered for the study of preferences, developed in Los Mochis, Sinaloa. The study subjects were the residents of the Infonavit Macapule and Palos Verdes housing complexes, where the survey focused on the following sections was carried out; inhabitant data, housing and health considerations, conditions; thermal, light, sound and odors inside the home, with Rensis Likert scale responses, to estimate the variables through a descriptive statistical analysis with association of frequencies and differences in their behavior. The results showed significant differences in the level of perception, experience and environmental adaptation, which allowed us to identify that the perception was found outside the comfort ranges and with a greater spread in terms of health effects.

Propuesta de plan de manejo integral de llantas usadas, generadas en la ciudad de Los Mochis, Sinaloa

In recent years, discarded tires have become one of the most polluting sources on the planet, they become the ideal habitat for vectors such as rodents and mosquitoes that transmit different diseases such as dengue and chykunguya, in addition to taking approximately 1000 years to degrade. The present investigation consists of designing a proposal for a comprehensive management plan for used tires in the city of Los Mochis, Sinaloa due to the environmental and social problems that the inefficient management of this special management residue entails. A census of the tire shops and vulcanizers was carried out to obtain a diagnosis of the current situation of the management of the tires generated through a survey with questions about the number of tires generated, their storage and final disposal. With the results, the importance and magnitude of the problem that is generated from the accumulation of tires in the city was determined. Strategies and activities were presented that seek to counteract this used tire problem, including minimization in generation, collection and transportation, storage, and final disposal. Final disposal alternatives are proposed that are technically, economically and socially feasible, emphasis was also placed on proposing alternatives that could be developed within the city to achieve, as far as possible, that a part of the tires generated could be used in specific projects without a high cost and with benefits for the population.

Análisis de los factores que inciden las empresas locales de la cuidad de Los Mochis, Sinaloa para mejorar los mecanismos de cuidado al medio ambiente y comunidad

The study on local companies joins the voices that demand a change in behavior around sustainability, care for the environment and aspects related to the social development of communities. Despite the fact that much has already been said about this urgency where the UN has established the Sustainable Development Goals as the purposes towards which nations should direct the course, and within them, government and business organizations, regardless of their size, activity and goals. However, there are still very few who have developed an awareness aimed at making profound changes in their behavior to achieve the objectives of sustainability in the world. The emergence of sustainability and environmental care create a new business culture from a social perspective. Based on the foregoing, local companies have been exhorted to assume a responsibility towards society beyond just satisfying needs for goods and services. Fulfilling a more social purpose implies that they carry out more ethical actions and take responsibility for the damage they do to the environment, as well as taking care of the impact that their activities have on the community where they are located. It is in this sense that this document discloses the results of the research that aimed to analyze the factors that prevent local companies in the city of Los Mochis, Sinaloa from maintaining the standards of environmental care and community. The research approach was qualitative, using the case study as a research strategy and the semi-structured interview as a data collection method. The level of the research was exploratory, thus opening the way to delve into the subject in future research. The results show that local companies have multiple problems that must be solved by improving the mechanisms so that the culture of caring for the environment and the community is assumed by owners and collaborators of the local company, elevating social interests over economic interests.

Applying the Global Monitoring Plan and analysis of POPs results in atmospheric air in Mexico (2017-2018).

Air is one of the target matrices of the Global Monitoring Plan (GMP) of the Stockholm Convention to determine concentrations and transport of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Mexico participates in the GMP for POPs in ambient air through the AIR-Global Environment Facility (GEF) program. The objective of this study was to analyze the results of POPs monitoring of air samples collected in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, between 2017 and 2018. Passive samplers were used for the determination of chlorinated basic POPs, indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (Ind. PCBs), polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs). A principal component analysis was applied to determine relationships between pollutants and groups present in the ambient air of the rural study area. Of the total POPs analyzed, 85.56% were detected in ambient air samples from Mexico. Organochlorine compounds, as DDT derivatives, were identified mainly, as well as PBDEs, PCDDs, and PCDFs. The prevalence of compounds differed according to the seasonality of sampling, with no change in average concentration between monitoring years.

Factores que impactan la calidad de la educación a distancia en una Institución de Educación Superior

This research work was carried out in the city of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico where six higher education institutions stand out, three public and three private, one was chosen as the subject of study for the analysis of the problem of this research that describes the factors that impact the quality of distance education during the covid 19 pandemic. The focus of this research was quantitative and was approached in a descriptive-evaluative manner; The study included 20 professors who are members of the administrative economics academy of the institution of higher education (IES). The primary data collection technique was through the application of surveys, in the instrument Likert-type items were used, which after its application was analyzed with the SPSS statistical package.

El efecto de las estrategias Push o de “empuje” en la distribución comercial de las tiendas de conveniencia en la ciudad de Los Mochis

This paper describes the importance of commercial distribution, its main functions and addresses the different Push strategies that are carried out in the convenience stores of the city of Los Mochis, taking into account the relevance of this type of business in the locality. business units in economic terms, the objective is to detect which have a greater degree of significance in the sales channel, for this a qualitative research approach was used, conducting a series of interviews with those responsible for these businesses, observing the processes of marketing and consulting secondary information sources, which brought with it revealing data regarding promotions, the importance of islands, POP material and canopies for sale and other strategies that have a significant effect on sales.

An Economic Analysis of the Environmental Impact of PM2.5 Exposure on Health Status in Three Northwestern Mexican Cities

Introduction: This study provides an economic assessment of the health effects due to exposure to particulate matter PM2.5 in three medium-size cities of northwestern Mexico: Los Mochis, Culiacan and Mazatlán. People in these cities are exposed to high pollutant concentrations that exceed limits suggested in domestic and international guidelines. PM2.5 is an air contaminant negatively associated with people’s health when is highly concentrated in the atmosphere; its diameter is below 2.5 µm and causes the air to appear hazy when levels are elevated. To account for the economic impact of air pollution, a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) was used by the means of the European Aphekom Project. We figured the cost-savings of complying with current environmental standards and computed gains in life expectancy, total avoidable premature mortality, preventable cardiovascular disease, and the economic costs of air pollution related to PM2.5. A formal analysis of air pollution epidemiology is not pursued in this paper. Results: The cost of reducing PM2.5 pollution associated with negative health outcomes was based on two different scenarios: Official Mexican Standard (NOM, Spanish acronym) and World Health Organization (WHO) environmental standards. The mean PM2.5 concentrations in 2017 were 22.8, 22.4 and 14.1 µg/m3 for Los Mochis, Mazatlán and Culiacan, respectively. Conclusions: The mean avoidable mortality for all causes associated to PM2.5 exposure in these cities was 638 for the NOM scenario (i.e., with a reduction to 12 µg/m3) compared to 739 for the WHO scenario (reduction to 10 µg/m3). Complying with the WHO guideline of 10 µg/m3 in annual PM2.5 mean would add up to 15 months of life expectancy at age 30, depending on the city. The mean economic cost per year of the PM2.5 effects on human life in these three cities was USD 600 million (NOM scenario) and USD 695 million (WHO scenario). Thus, effective public health and industrial policy interventions to improve air quality are socially advantageous and cost-saving to promote better health.

Distribution and incidence of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) on pepper in Sinaloa, Mexico

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs; Meloidogyne spp.) are a major constraint of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) crops worldwide. In Mexico, Sinaloa State is one of the main producers of pepper; however, there is little information available on the distribution, prevalence, and incidence of RKN on this crop. Identification of RKN species and estimation of the epidemiological factors are important to design its management strategies. A total of 190 RKN samples from Los Mochis, Culiacan, La Cruz, and Escuinapa areas of Sinaloa were collected from pepper plants at production stage under greenhouse conditions, to analyze the distribution, prevalence, and incidence of RKN. Primary identification of RKN species was based on perineal pattern morphology and confirmed by molecular SCAR marker–based identification. RKNs were found in all the surveyed greenhouses of pepper, confirming their absolute distribution and prevalence in this crop. Meloidogyne enterolobii, Meloidogyne incognita, and Meloidogyne javanica were identified in the four areas. Overall incidence of M. enterolobii, M. incognita, M. javanica, and mix of M. enterolobii + M. incognita was 63.7, 11.7, 12.8, and 11.7%, respectively, indicating that RKNs are a serious threat for pepper and other crops in Sinaloa State. This information will enable pepper growers to design and implement an appropriate control for RKN species.

EVALUACIÓN DEL IMPACTO EN LA SALUD POR PARTÍCULAS PM2.5 EN SINALOA, MÉXICO

There is a growing global interest in the evaluation of health effects generated by environmental pollution and its economic quantification. This article analyzes the health impacts caused by PM 2.5 air pollution in the main cities of the state of Sinaloa, Mexico: Culiacan (capital), Mazatlan and Los Mochis, Ahome; it also estimates avoidable deaths if the concentration of contaminants was reduced to the levels recommended by the World Health Organization and the corresponding Official Mexican Standard, and monetizes the economic costs through the loss of productivity of associated deaths to PM 2.5 . It was found that avoidable total deaths would be 354 and 261 using the international and Mexican norms, respectively. The calculated economic cost of exceeding the permissible limits of PM 2.5 in the main cities of Sinaloa was in the range of 24 to 34 million dollars for 2017. It is recommended to design local environmental policies that promote the reduction of PM 2.5 levels, for which it is necessary to identify emissions by source type with the objective of implementing specific actions that, from a local perspective, contribute to the national goal of mitigating the negative impacts of air pollution.

PSIV-B-39 Late-Breaking: Rhipicephalus sanguineus in domestic canines of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico

Abstract The zoonotic potential of canine vector-borne diseases mainly tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus is associated with the strongest evidence of ticks exposed to high temperatures attach and feed on humans faster, suggesting that the risk of human parasitism by Rhipicephalus sanguineus could increase in warm weather areas, such as the state of Sinaloa, Mexico; which increases the risk of transmission of zoonotic agents as such Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme disease, Typhus, Rickettsial, Tularemia, Babesia and Anaplasma impacting on human and canine health; so the aim of this study was genetical characterization of ticks present in dogs attended at veterinary clinics in the city of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico. for it, were collected 240 live ticks present on 120 canines and processed in the Parasitology laboratory of the FMVZ-UAS, after the Morphological identification of Rhipicephalus, were formed 5 groups and the DNA extraction was performed by QIAamp DNA Mini Kit de QIAGEN® and processed by PCR using the oligonucleotide sequences: 16S+1: 5′-CCG GTC TGA ACT CAG ATC AAG T3′ y 16S-1: 5′-GCT CAA TGA TTT TTT AAA TTG CTG T-3′, of the 16S ARNr mitochondrial. The PCR amplification of target region of the the 16S ARNr, from DNA tick samples, resulted amplicons of size 460 bp and the 5 sequences generated and analysed, was genetically compatible with Rhipicephalus sanguineus of the GenBank sequences; being important identification for the association with pathogens and the risk of transmission of canine zoonosis.

Night-sky radiometry can revolutionize the characterization of light-pollution sources globally

The city emission function (CEF), describing the angular emission from an entire city as a light source, is one of the key elements in night-sky radiance models. The CEF describes the rate at which skyglow depends on distance and is indispensable in any prediction of light-pollution propagation into nocturnal environments. Nevertheless, the CEF remains virtually unexplored because appropriate retrieval tools have been unavailable until very recently. A CEF has now been obtained from ground-based night-sky observations and establishes an experiment successfully conducted in the field to retrieve the angular emission function for an urban area. The field campaign was conducted near the city of Los Mochis, Mexico, which is well isolated from other cities and thus dominates all light emissions in its vicinity. The experiment has proven that radiometry of a night sky can provide information on the light output pattern of a distant city and allows for systematic, full-area, and cost-efficient CEF monitoring worldwide. A database of CEFs could initiate a completely new phase in light-pollution research, with significant economy and advanced accuracy of night-sky brightness predictions. The experiment and its interpretation represent unique progress in the field and contribute to our fundamental understanding of the mechanism by which direct and reflected uplight interact while forming the CEF.

Fortuitous Biological Control of InvasiveAleurocybotus occiduuson Sugarcane in Western Mexico

The whitefly, Aleurocybotus occiduus (Russell) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), invaded western Mexico in 2006, attacking several gramineous crops and weeds in the families Poaceae and Cyperaceae. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of native natural enemies on A. occiduus on sugarcane near Los Mochis during 2006–2011. Peak abundance of A. occiduus occurred during August–September, coinciding with warm temperature and precipitation in the region. A series of native parasitoids and predators effectively regulated A. occiduus since its invasion, gradually decreasing pest abundance from 18.46 nymphs per leaf in 2006 to 0.04 in 2011. Total parasitism varied from 33 to 100% by five parasitoids, including two new species: Encarsia longitarsis Myartseva and Metaphycus cerealis Myartseva & Ruiz. Of all arthropod predators collected, 87% were spiders in the families Araneidae, Licosidae, Oxyopidae, Salticidae, Theridiidae, and Thomisidae. Insect predators were less abundant, including several species of Chrysopidae, Melyridae, Coccinellidae, Anthocoridae, Lygaeidae, Reduviidae, and Mantidae. Both parasitoids and spider predators showed density dependence with A. occiduus. This is a case of fortuitous biological control, because an exotic insect pest was regulated by native natural enemies

COMPARISON OF ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDE LEVELS BETWEEN HUMAN BLOOD SERUM AND ADIPOSE TISSUE

The organochlorine pesticides, being lipophilic compounds, show extremely high thermodynamic stability and resistance to degradation processes in the environment and in living organisms. They accumulate in lipid rich tissues and distribute between transport compartment (blood) and store compartment (adipose tissue). The purpose of this study is to make a comparison between organochlorine pesticide levels in blood serum and adipose tissue and calculate the differences in their concentrations based on routine biomonitoring study. One hundred and twenty six pair samples of adipose tissue and blood serum during autopsies as a case study were taken and analyzed in Los Mochis Sinaloa, Mexico. Among organochlorine pesticides, higher concentrations correspond to b-HCH, pp’DDE and op’DDT in blood serum lipids; and pp’DDT shows higher concentrations in adipose tissue. Using statistical comparisons, we found a significant linear association of lipid serum organochlorine pesticide concentrations with that in adipose tissue. This concludes that serum lipid organochlorine pesticide concentrations represent an important indicator for both human biological matrices.