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One of the limitations in the study of attachment to place has been its restriction to the spatial range of neighbourhood. Apart from some studies analysing attachment to house, there is a gap regarding other spatial environments. In this sense, we do not know to what extent people can be attached to other spatial categories, i.e., to bigger or smaller places, and whether the neighbourhood range is effectively the basic level of attachment, as many studies assume. On the other hand, most studies on attachment to place have viewed places as social environments only. We have found very few references to the physical dimension of place in the definition of the concept and also few regarding its operationalization. In this study, we measured place attachment within three spatial ranges (house, neighbourhood, and city) and two dimensions (physical and social), in order to establish some comparison between them. We did so by interviewing 177 people from different areas of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain). The results indicate that attachment to place develops to different degrees within different spatial ranges and dimensions. Among the results, we can highlight that: 1) attachment to neighbourhood is the weakest; 2) social attachment is greater than physical attachment; and 3) the degree of attachment varies with age and sex.

In this work we study the stability of similarity judgements of sentences in regard to the presentation order of stimuli through MINISSA(Michigan–Israel–Nijmegen Integrated Smallest Space Analysis),which allows a Multidimensional Scaling with a triangular matrixof global similarity indices. Two forms of the same questionnaireby inverting the order of presentation of all possible unidirectionalcomparisons were applied. Results indicate that both forms areequivalent with similar structures and a high correlation coefficientbetween the judgements. We conclude a high stability of the usedprocedure. Furthermore, in comparison with a previous study, itcould be shown that the stability of solutions obtained by MINISSAis equivalent to that obtained by INDSCAL (INdividual DifferencesSCALing) which is not able to handle so many data as MINISSA.

resumen literal de la revista Se estudiaron las respuestas que dieron 174 estudiantes universitarios de Sonora, México y 227 de Tenerife, España, a un cuestionario de creencias ambientales. Las respuestas al cuestionario fueron agrupadas en tres factores: 'Antropocentrismo', 'Progreso humano' y 'Naturalismo', los cuales fueron confirmados a través de un análisis factorial. Un análisis multimuestra de covarianza reveló que la estructura factorial en las dos poblaciones era equivalente, es decir, la composición de los tres factores fue semejante en mexicanos y españoles. Se presentaron sin embargo algunas diferencias al correlacionar los factores. Aunque la correlación entre 'antropocentrismo' y 'progreso' fue alta y positiva para ambas muestras, y la covarianza entre 'antropocentrismo' y 'naturalismo' fue muy alta y negativa en los españoles y no tan alta, pero tambien negativa en los mexicanos, la correlación entre 'progreso' y 'naturalismo' fue negativa en la muestra de Tenerife, pero no fue significativa entre los sonorenses. Se discuten estos hallazgos en términos de visiones 'dualistas' y 'holistas' que diferentes sociedades americanas y europeas plantean en su relación con el medio ambiente . Madrid Biblioteca de Educación del Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte; Calle San Agustín, 5; 28014 Madrid; Tel. +34917748000; biblioteca@mecd.es ESP

The relation between different levels of public concern about the environment and sociodemographic and behavioral variables are main issues in several recent investigations. Many of these are based on the idea that environmental interest is shaped by personal beliefs. However, the internal structure of those beliefs is not well understood. In this investigation, 3 studies ( N = 96; N = 397; N = 400) explored what different types of beliefs concerning people/environment relationships exist and how they are internally organized. Multidimensional techniques such as INDSCAL and facet theory were used to analyze the similarity structure of items asking for beliefs toward the environment. Three viewpoints were identified: ecocentric, anthropocentric, and beliefs based on an interest in material progress. Most participants reported an ecocentric belief. Results concerning the structural analyses are compatible with a strong relation between the anthropocentric and material progress approaches and with the assumption of independence of all 3 beliefs.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la validez y reproducibilidad de un cuestionario autoaplicado de actividad e inactividad física en escolares de 10 a 14 años de la ciudad de México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se desarrolló un cuestionario autoaplicado sobre la actividad e inactividad física que se aplicó dos veces a una muestra de 114 estudiantes, de 10 a 14 años de edad, en una población de bajos y medianos ingresos de la ciudad de México, entre mayo y diciembre de 1996. Las madres de los estudiantes llenaron el mismo cuestionario, mientras que aquéllos completaron dos recordatorios de actividad física de 24 horas, que se usaron como criterio de comparación. Se calcularon medidas de tendencia central y de dispersión y se estimó correlación de Pearson. RESULTADOS: Las correlaciones entre las horas al día dedicadas a la actividad e inactividad física del cuestionario de los estudiantes y las de los recordatorios de 24 horas ajustadas por edad, sexo, zona de residencia y enfermedad anterior a la administración del cuestionario fueron de 0.03 para la actividad moderada, de 0.15 para la actividad vigorosa y de 0.51 (p=0.001) para el tiempo dedicado a ver televisión. Al comparar con los recordatorios de 24 horas, el cuestionario sobrestimó el tiempo de ver televisión, leer o participar en actividades vigorosas, y subestimó el tiempo de actividad moderada. Se observaron coeficientes de reproducibilidad en seis meses aceptables para el tiempo de ver televisión (r=0.53), dormir (r=0.40), actividad moderada (r=0.38) y actividad vigorosa (r=0.55) (p

The electroslag remelting (ESR) process has been used effectively to produce large ingots of high quality based on the controlled solidification and chemical refining that can be achieved. Despite the widespread application of industrial facilities, there are still issues that prevent an effective control of the process. This is particularly critical considering the large ingots produced industrially which makes the traditional trial and error approach prohibitively expensive. Thus, mathematical models of the process are a good alternative as a process control tool. To predict the relationship between operating parameters such as power input and type, fill ratio, depth of electrode immersion, and slag chemistry and the casting rate, microstructural features, and ingot chemical composition, it is then necessary to develop mathematical models based on differential equations describing the fluid flow, heat transfer, and mass transfer phenomena that take place during the process. In the present paper,...

To assess the association of physical activity, television program viewing and other forms of video viewing with the prevalence of obesity among school children.Cross-sectional study.712 children, 9-16 y old, from a low- and a middle-income town in the Mexico City area.Children completed a self administered questionnaire to assess time spent in physical activity and television viewing, and diet. Height weight and triceps skinfolds were measured. The outcome variable was obesity, and the covariates were hours of television programs and other video viewing, physical activity, energy intake, percentage of energy from fat, town of location of school, age, gender and perception of mother's weight status.Among 461 children with complete information, 24% were classified as obese. Children reported an average of 4.1 +/- 2.2 h/d watching television (2.4 +/- 1.5 h/d for TV programs and 1.7 +/- 1.5 h/d for video cassette recorder (VCR) or videogames), and 1.8 +/- 1.3 h/d in moderate and vigorous physical activities. Odds ratios (OR) of obesity were 12% higher for each hour of television program viewing per day (OR = 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02,-1.22), and 10% lower for each hour of moderate/vigorous physical activity per day (OR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.83-0.98), controlling for age, gender, town and perception of mother's weight status. Children in the middle-income town had higher adjusted odds of obesity (OR = 2.58, 95% CI 1.47-4.54).Physical activity and television viewing, but not VCR/videogames use, were related to obesity prevalence in Mexican children 9-16 y old.

Los problemas de salud pública han sido estudiados desde muy diversas perspectivas y utilizando diferentes modelos teóricos y metodológicos. Dos modelos que han sido frecuentemente utilizados son el modelo epidemiológico clásico y el modelo epidemiológico social. Estos modelos emplean distintos criterios conceptuales, metodológicos e ideológicos. Se objetivó hacer una contrastación entre estos modelos de acuerdo a los criterios mencionados, utilizando el estudio de la obesidad como ejemplo de la utilización de estos modelos. Esta contrastación muestra que el conocimiento generado por cada modelo es muy distinto. Se discuten posibles áreas de complementariedad entre ambos modelos y la utilización de las ciencias sociales como estrategia para ampliar nuestro conocimiento sobre problemas de salud pública, en especial el problema de la obesidad. Public health problems have been analyzed over time using different approaches involving a variety of methodological and theoretical models. The classical epidemiological model and the social epidemiological model are two examples of models used in public health research. Although each of these models covers a whole range of public research approaches, it is possible to identify the different theoretical and methodological criteria and the different ideological assumptions on which they are based. The objective of this article is to make a comparison of the criteria used by the classical and social epidemiological models in the study of public health problems, with special emphasis on the study of obesity. This comparison shows that the knowledge generated by studies carried out under each of these models is rather different, as an effect of the different theoretical, methodological and ideological criteria used by each model. However, far from being contradictory, the knowledge generated by each model can complement that generated by the other. Finally, the inclusion of social sciences as a tool for the analysis of public health problems, specifically the problem of obesity, is discussed. Os problemas de saúde pública têm sido estudados sob as mais diversas perspectivas, utilizando diferentes modelos teóricos e metodolólogicos. Os mais freqüentemente utilizados são o epidemiológico clássico e o social. Esses modelos empregam diferentes critérios conceituais, metodológicos e ideológicos. Nesse sentido, foi feita uma revisão com o objetivo de comparar esses critérios, utilizando o estudo de obesidade como exemplo de utilização desses modelos. Esta comparação mostra que os conhecimentos produzidos por cada modelo é muito diferente. São discutidas possíveis áreas complementares entre ambos os modelos e o uso das ciências sociais como estratégia para ampliar os conhecimentos sobre problemas de saúde pública, em especial o problema da obesidade.

Objetivo. Este trabajo tipifica las condiciones demográficas, socioeconómicas, laborales, de fatiga laboral y daño reproductivo en una población femenina en edad fértil que trabaja en la venta ambulante en las calles de la Ciudad de México. Material y métodos. Se entrevistaron 426 vendedoras ambulantes. Se describió a la población entrevistada y se exploró la asociación de los componentes de la fatiga laboral con el bajo peso al nacer (BPN) mediante regresión logística, en un subgrupo de mujeres que laboraron en la venta ambulante durante su última gestación. Resultados. De las mujeres entrevistadas, 56% realiza jornadas de trabajo superiores a las 48 horas semanales, 87% carece de seguridad social y 68% tiene estudios no mayores de primaria. El riesgo de presentar BPN se eleva cuando se carece de control sobre la cantidad de mercancía a vender (RM 6.5, IC95% 1.3-31), se venden artículos de ocasión como refacciones y ornamentos (RM 6.3, IC95% 1.5-26), se exhibe la mercancía sobre el piso o se carga para su venta (RM 7.7, IC95% 1.8-32), y cuando los recursos para instalar el puesto por primera vez no proceden de la red social de apoyo de la vendedora (RM 7.4, IC95% 1.2-44). Conclusiones. Estos resultados contribuyen a identificar a las vendedoras con mayor riesgo de presentar un hijo con BPN, y sugerir medidas preventivas

Background Recent evidence suggests that serum uric acid (SUA) can be an inexpensive and easy-to-obtain indicator of cardiovascular risk (CR). This is especially important in developing countries with high prevalence of cardiovascular disease. We examined the association between SUA levels and 10-year global CR among university workers from the State of Mexico, Mexico. Methods A case–control study nested within a cohort was conducted between 2004 and 2006. Anthropometric measures, lifestyle variables, family background and CR factors were assessed. The analysis estimated odds ratios using conditional logistic regression. Results The study included 319 cases with CR and 638 controls. Subjects in the upper tertile of SUA had 48.0% higher odds of having an elevated CR than those in the lower tertile (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.04 - 2.10) in the crude analysis, but the association was non-significant when adjusting for other covariates. Among physically inactive individuals, being in the third tertile of SUA doubled the odds of high CR, compared with those who perform physical activity three or more hours per week being in the first tertile of SUA (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.24 - 4.45). Conclusion Serum concentration of uric acid is associated with 10-year global CR among individuals with high levels of physical inactivity.

Como parte de la formación de los estudiantes universitarios cubanos interviene el proyecto educativo, el cual requiere del adecuado control para su cumplimiento. En la Universidad de las Ciencias Informáticas se realiza a través de un modelo digital elaborado por el profesor guía de grupo, lo que genera un pobre control y atenta directamente contra la calidad del proceso. En este trabajo se detalla la solución para la gestión de este proceso. Se utiliza como metodología de desarrollo OpenUP, como lenguaje de programación Java Script sobre la plataforma NetBeans en su versión 8.0, como entorno de desarrollo integrado con la biblioteca ExtJS 3.4 la versión 8.0 de la herramienta de ingeniería de software asistida por computadora Visual Paradigm para el modelado y PostgreSQL 9.3 como sistema de administración de base de datos. El sistema genera, además, reportes asociados al estado de cumplimiento de las actividades que componen el proyecto educativo de un grupo, lo cual facilita el control y la toma de decisiones.Management system for the control of the Educative Project in the Higher Cuban EducationAs part of the training of Cuban university students involved educational project that requires proper control of compliance. At the University of Information Science, is done through a digital model developed by the professor of the group which generates poor control and directly undermines the quality of the process. In this work the solution to the problem as basis of computerization, using OpenUP development methodology, programming language Java Script on the NetBeans platform version 8.0 as Integrated Development Environment, with ExtJS 3.4 framework is detailed, with version 8.0 of the Software Engineering tools Computer Assisted Visual Paradigm for modeling and PostgreSQL 9.3 as a management system database. The system also generates the associated compliance status of the activities that make up the educational project of a group, which facilitates the control and decision making reports.Sistema para controle de cumprimento do Projeto de Educação da Educação Superior CubanaComo parte do treinamento de estudantes universitários cubanos envolvendo o projeto educacional que exige o controle adequado do cumprimento. Na Universidade de Ciência da Informação, é realizada através de um modelo digital desenvolvido pelo professor do grupo que gera mau controle e diretamente prejudica a qualidade do processo. Neste trabalho a solução para a gestão deste detalhado processo, utilizando metodologia de desenvolvimento OpenUP, como o idioma Programação Java Script na versão da plataforma NetBeans8.0 como ambiente de desenvolvimento integrado, com a biblioteca ExtJS 3.4, versão 8.0 da ferramenta Visual Paradigm for UML para modelagem por computador e PostgreSQL 9.3 como banco de dados do sistema de gestão. O sistema também gera relatórios associados com o estatuto de atividades de conformidade compõem o projecto educativo de um grupo, o que facilita o controlee tomada de decisão.

To evaluate a community-based intervention aimed to improve women's knowledge on alarm signs for preeclampsia-eclampsia, obstetrical hemorrhage, and puerperal sepsis, in Mayan pregnant women in the state of Yucatan, Mexico, in 2008, using participatory methodology.Community-based randomized controlled trial, with experimental (n = 28) and control (n = 28) groups. Participatory strategies with translators of Mayan language were used. Analysis of differences in differences was carried out to evaluate the effect of intervention.The intervention increased knowledge on alarm signs for preeclampsia-eclampsia in 42.9% (p = 0.012), obstetrical hemorrhage in 32.1% (p = 0.071) and puerperal sepsis in 25.0% (p = 0.659). Control group increased 32.1% (p = 0.033) knowledge on alarm signs for puerperal sepsis. Overall effect of intervention was 33.3% (p = 0.007).The community-based intervention improved overall knowledge of women on alarm signs and specific knowledge on alarm signs for preeclampsia-eclampsia. It is necessary to spread this methodology, so that a greater number of women of the community will also be benefitted with the intervention.

This paper presents a study examining whether self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation are related to environmentally responsible behavior (ERB). The study analysed past environmental behavior, self-regulatory mechanisms (self-efficacy, satisfaction, goals), and intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in relation to ERBs in a sample of 156 university students. Results show that all the motivational variables studied are linked to ERB. The effects of self-efficacy on ERB are mediated by the intrinsic motivation responses of the participants. A theoretical model was created by means of path analysis, revealing the power of motivational variables to predict ERB. Structural equation modeling was used to test and fit the research model. The role of motivational variables is discussed with a view to creating adequate learning contexts and experiences to generate interest and new sensations in which self-efficacy and affective reactions play an important role.

Cuantificar el subregistro de la mortalidad en menores de cinco años de edad y la cobertura del certificado de nacimiento (CD) en municipios de muy bajo índice de desarrollo humano (IDH) en México. Material y métodos. Se estudiaron todas las defunciones de menores de cinco años de edad ocurridas en 2007 y nacimientos ocurridos en 2007 y 2008 en una muestra de 20 municipios de muy bajo IDH en siete estados de México, a través de una búsqueda intencionada de defunciones y nacimientos. Resultados. Se identificaron 12 muertes no incluidas en las estadísticas oficiales para un subregistro de 22.6%; 68.1% de los nacimientos no tenían CD. La falta de CD se asoció positivamente con que la madre no hablara español, que no tuviera Seguro Popular o que el nacimiento ocurriera con ayuda de partera. Conclusiones. Es necesario mejorar el registro de defunciones y nacimientos en municipios de muy bajo IDH en México.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence and management of severe maternal and newborn complications in selected health facilities in Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: As part of the WHO Multicountry Survey on Maternal and Newborn health, information was collected from medical records of women with deliveries and/or severe maternal complications during pregnancy or puerperium in 14 hospitals in Mexico City and the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. RESULTS: Of 13 311 women, 157 (12 per 1 000 live births) had severe maternal complications including 4 maternal deaths. The most frequent complications were preeclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, and chronic hypertension. Adverse perinatal outcomes were more frequent among women with severe maternal complications. A high use of uterotonics and parenteral antibiotics was found. A small proportion of women with eclampsia received magnesium sulfate. CONCLUSION: This study provides indicators on the incidence and management of maternal and neonatal complications in Mexico, which may be useful in studying and evaluating the performance of obstetric services.OBJETIVO: Describir la incidencia y manejo de complicaciones maternas y neonatales severas en hospitales seleccionados de México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: En el marco de la Encuesta Multipaís de la OMS sobre Salud Materna y Neonatal, se recolectó información de los expedientes médicos de las mujeres que tuvieron su parto o experimentaron complicaciones maternas severas durante el embarazo o puerperio en 14 hospitales de la Ciudad de México y el estado de Guanajuato, México. RESULTADOS: De 13 311 mujeres, 157 (12/1 000 nacidos vivos) tuvieron complicaciones maternas severas, incluyendo 4 muertes maternas. Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron preeclampsia, hemorragia postparto e hipertensión crónica. Los resultados perinatales adversos fueron más frecuentes en las mujeres con complicaciones severas. Hubo un uso amplio de uterotónicos y antibióticos parenterales. Una baja proporción de mujeres con eclampsia recibió sulfato de magnesio. CONCLUSIONES: Esta encuesta proporciona indicadores sobre la incidencia y manejo de las complicaciones maternas y neonatales en México, los cuales pueden ser de utilidad para estudiar y evaluar el desempeño de los servicios obstétricos.

Heat transfer from hot bodies such as steel, aluminum and other metals is vitally important for a wide range of industries such as chemical, nuclear and manufacturing (including steel hardening) industries. Hardening of steels (so-called martensiticor bainitic-hardening) requires preheating (austenitizing) of the part to temperatures in the range of 750-1100 °C, from which the steel is quenched (i.e., rapidly cooled) in a defined way to obtain the desired mechanical properties such as hardness and yield strength. Most liquid quenchants used for this process exhibit boiling temperatures between 100 and 300 °C at atmospheric pressure. When parts are quenched in these fluids, wetting of the surface is usually time dependant, which influences the cooling process and the achievable hardness (Liscic et al., 2003). Heat transfer research related to cooling has been the source of fundamental studies since the early work by Fourier (Fourier, 1820). These early studies were typically performed by hot-wire anemometry (King, 1914; Russell, 1910). One of the first to report the results of fundamental heat transfer studies for the quenching of metals such as steel using cooling curve analysis (time vs. temperature curves) was Benedicks who utilized 4-12 mm diameter x 15-50 mm cylindrical carbon steel probes in his now-classic work (Benedicks, 1908). The advantage of using probes larger in diameter than thin platinum wire used for hot-wire anemometry tests is that it is possible to more easily measure thermal gradients through the cross-section upon cooling and to view surface cooling mechanisms. Benedicks work involved cooling hot steel (1000 oC) in water at 4.5 – 16 oC and in addition to cooling time from 700 oC – 100 oC, effects of the ratio of mass/surface area on cooling time were evaluated. In 1920, Pilling and Lynch measured the temperature at the center of 6.4 mm dia x 50 mm cylindrical carbon steel probes cooled (quenched) from 830 oC into various vaporizable liquids (Pilling & Lynch, 1920). From this work, they identified three characteristic cooling mechanisms, so-called: A, B and C-stage cooling which are currently designated as film boiling, nucleate boiling and convective cooling, based on the cooling time-temperature and

To measure the underregistry of mortality in children under five years old, and the coverage of the Birth Certificate (BC) in municipalities with very low human development index (HDI) in Mexico.We studied all deaths of children under five years old occurred in 2007 and all births occurred in 2007 and 2008 in a sample of 20 municipalities with very low HDI in Mexico. We conducted an intentional search of births and deaths.We identified 12 additional deaths not included in official registries, for an underregistration of 22.6%, and 68.1% of births did not have a BC. Lack of BC was more frequent if the mother did not speak Spanish, if she did not have Seguro Popular if the birth was attended by a traditional midwife. Conclusions. It is necessary to strengthen the registry of deaths and births in municipalities with very low HDI.

Background In Mexico, the vital registration system relies on information collected from death certificates to generate official mortality figures. Although the death certificate has high coverage across the country, there is little information regarding its validity. The objective of this study was to assess the concordance between the underlying cause of death in official statistics obtained from death certificates and a gold standard diagnosis of the same deaths derived from medical records of hospitals. Methods The study sample consisted of 1,589 deaths that occurred in 34 public hospitals in the Federal District and the state of Morelos, Mexico in 2009. Neonatal, child, and adult cases were selected for causes of death that included infectious diseases, noncommunicable diseases, and injuries. We compared the underlying cause of death, obtained from medical death certificates, against a gold standard diagnosis derived from a review of medical records developed by the Population Health Metrics Research Consortium. We used chance-corrected concordance and accuracy as metrics to evaluate the quality of performance of the death certificate. Results Analysis considering only the underlying cause of death resulted in a median chance-corrected concordance between the cause of death in medical death certificates versus the gold standard of 54.3% (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 52.2, 55.6) for neonates, 38.5% (37.0, 40.0) for children, and 66.5% (65.9, 66.9) for adults. The accuracy resulting from the same analysis was 0.756 (0.747, 0.769) for neonates, 0.683 (0.663, 0.701) for children, and 0.780 (0.774, 0.785) for adults. Median chance-corrected concordance and accuracy increased when considering the mention of any cause of death in the death certificate, not just the underlying cause. Concordance varied substantially depending on cause of death, and accuracy varied depending on the true cause-specific mortality fraction composition. Conclusions Although we cannot generalize our conclusions to Mexico as a whole, the results demonstrate important problems with the quality of the main source of information for causes of death used by decision-makers in settings with highly technological vital registration systems. It is necessary to improve death certification procedures, especially in the case of child and neonatal deaths. This requires an important commitment from the health system and health institutions.

To present the main results of the regional situation diagnosis and intervention plan developed in 2010 as part of the planning activities of the Mesoamerican Health System by the Working Group on Maternal, Reproductive and Neonatal Health. A group of experts and representatives from countries in the region (Central America and nine southern Mexican states) conducted an exhaustive review of available data to construct a situational analysis and a review of effective practices for improving maternal, reproductive and neonatal health. Finally, the group proposed a regional action plan, defining regional goals and specific interventions. The situational diagnosis suggests that, although there has been progress in the last 10 years, maternal and neonatal mortality rates are still unnaceptably high in the region, with a substantial variability across countries. The group proposed as a regional goal the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality in accordance with the Millenium Development Goals. The regional plan recommends specific maternal and neonatal health interventions emphasizing obstetric and neonatal emergency care, skilled birth attendance and family planning. The plan also includes a five year implementation strategy, along with training and evaluation strategies. The regional plan for maternal, neonatal and reproductive health has the potential to be successful, provided it is effectively implemented.

Presentar los principales resultados del diagnóstico situacional y plan regional de intervenciones en salud materna, reproductiva y neonatal elaborado como parte de los trabajos del Sistema Mesoamericano de Salud por el grupo de salud materna, reproductiva y neonatal (SMRN) en 2010. Se conformó un grupo de expertos y de representantes de los países de la región (que incluye Centroamérica y nueve estados del sur de México). Se hizo una revisión documental para conformar un diagnóstico situacional, una revisión de prácticas efectivas y se conformó un plan regional de acción. El diagnóstico situacional indica que las tasas de mortalidad materna y neonatal se mantienen inaceptablemente altas en la región. Se propuso como meta regional reducir la mortalidad materna y neonatal de acuerdo a los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio. Se conformó un plan regional que identifica intervenciones específicas en SMRN con énfasis en la atención adecuada a las emergencias obstétricas y neonatales, atención calificada al nacimiento, y en planificación familiar. Se sugiere asimismo un plan de implementación a cinco años y una estrategia de evaluación y de capacitación. El plan regional en SMRN puede tener éxito siempre y cuando los aspectos de implementación sean atendidos debidamente.

The aim of this research was to analyze the stability of Multidimensional Scaling (MDS). The investigations on this topic include studies related to the assumptions of linearity and monotonicity and to the validity and reliability of MDS procedures. Centered in this last topic, a test of the reliability of MDS procedure was carried out. We employed a set of complex stimuli: 21 sentences related to environmental field. 40 subjects made similarity judgements about both pairs “sentence A — sentence B” and “sentence B — sentence A”, so obtaining one square matrix per subject. Each of these matrices was broken down into two triangular matrices that were scaled separately by INDSCAL. The coordinates of stimuli in both MDS solutions were correlated. The results show a significant correlation between the two solutions.

A mathematical model, based on the finite-element technique and incorporating thermo-elasto-plastic behavior during the water spray quenching of steel, has been developed. In the model, the kinetics of diffusion-dependent phase transformation and martensitic transformation have been coupled with the transient heat flow to predict the microstructural evolution of the steel. Furthermore, an elasto-plastic constitutive relation has been applied to calculate internal stresses resulting from phase changes as well as temperature variation. The computer code has been verified for internal consistency with previously published results for pure iron bars. The model has been applied to the water spray quenching of two grades of steel bars, 1035 carbon and nickel-chromium alloyed steel; the calculated temperature, hardness, distortion, and residual stresses in the bars agreed well with experimental measurements. The results show that the phase changes occurring during this process affect the internal stresses significantly and must be included in the thermomechanical model.

Summary Background We report the main findings of the WHO Multicountry Survey on Maternal and Newborn Health (WHOMCS), which aimed to assess the burden of complications related to pregnancy, the coverage of key maternal health interventions, and use of the maternal severity index (MSI) in a global network of health facilities. Methods In our cross-sectional study, we included women attending health facilities in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East that dealt with at least 1000 childbirths per year and had the capacity to provide caesarean section. We obtained data from analysis of hospital records for all women giving birth and all women who had a severe maternal outcome (SMO; ie, maternal death or maternal near miss). We regarded coverage of key maternal health interventions as the proportion of the target population who received an indicated intervention (eg, the proportion of women with eclampsia who received magnesium sulphate). We used areas under the receiver operator characteristic curves (AUROC) with 95% CI to externally validate a previously reported MSI as an indicator of severity. We assessed the overall performance of care (ie, the ability to produce a positive effect on health outcomes) through standardised mortality ratios. Results From May 1, 2010, to Dec 31, 2011, we included 314 623 women attending 357 health facilities in 29 countries (2538 had a maternal near miss and 486 maternal deaths occurred). The mean period of data collection in each health facility was 89 days (SD 21). 23 015 (7·3%) women had potentially life-threatening disorders and 3024 (1·0%) developed an SMO. 808 (26·7%) women with an SMO had post-partum haemorrhage and 784 (25·9%) had pre-eclampsia or eclampsia. Cardiovascular, respiratory, and coagulation dysfunctions were the most frequent organ dysfunctions in women who had an SMO. Reported mortality in countries with a high or very high maternal mortality ratio was two-to-three-times higher than that expected for the assessed severity despite a high coverage of essential interventions. The MSI had good accuracy for maternal death prediction in women with markers of organ dysfunction (AUROC 0·826 [95% CI 0·802–0·851]). Interpretation High coverage of essential interventions did not imply reduced maternal mortality in the health-care facilities we studied. If substantial reductions in maternal mortality are to be achieved, universal coverage of life-saving interventions need to be matched with comprehensive emergency care and overall improvements in the quality of maternal health care. The MSI could be used to assess the performance of health facilities providing care to women with complications related to pregnancy. Funding UNDP–UNFPA–UNICEF–WHO–World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP); WHO; USAID; Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan; Gynuity Health Projects.

An existing sequential function specification algorithm for the solution of the inverse heat conduction problem (IHCP) has been applied to determine the response of both the surface heat flux and the surface temperature of flat stainless steel samples subjected to water quenching under controlled laboratory conditions that ensured one-dimensional heat flow. From this information, combined convective and radiative heat-transfer coefficients have been obtained as a function of steel surface temperature. The computer code was subsequently modified to solve the IHCP for air-cooled cylindrical carbon steel samples. In the algorithm, the problem is linearized by assuming the thermophysical properties of the steel to be fixed at values from the previous time step while estimating the current surface heat flux, which results in a more efficient code without a severe loss of accuracy. When compared with iterative (“brute force”) methods commonly used in the past, techniques like sequential function specification offer a more robust strategy for solving the IHCP. By including information on future measurements, while solving for the unknown surface heat flux at a particular time, the sequential function specification algorithm effectively prevents over-responses to measured temperatures, and large variations in calculated heat-transfer coefficients, observed when sequential matching is applied, can be reduced. Sensitivity coefficients, a measure of the response of temperature to changes in the unknown surface heat flux which are calculated with this algorithm, can be used to design experiments involving the IHCP effectively.

Objetivo. Evaluar la implementación de las medidas participativas y la conformación de redes de apoyo para mujeres embarazadas. Material y métodos. Se realizó una evaluación cualitativa y comparativa en cuatro estados. Resultados. La coordinación y la participación comunitaria fueron favorables en los casos en los que se observó mayor asignación y disponibilidad de recursos, tales como transporte y posadas maternas. La participación y el liderazgo de actores gubernamentales favorecieron la vinculación y coordinación. El apoyo más valorado por las usuarias provino de su red de parentesco. Conclusiones. Es fundamental fortalecer y promover medidas participativas en zonas con elevada mortalidad materna. La amplia valoración de las redes de parentesco, las parteras y el voluntariado en los albergues sugiere que estos actores son un componente funcional de la red de apoyo y que es insuficiente focalizar la red en los servicios de salud y las autoridades municipales.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between overweight and obesity among Mexican school-aged children and participation in the Liconsa milk and the School Breakfast food assistance programs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 15 003 school-aged children included in the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006 (ENSANUT 2006) were analyzed. Information on body mass index (BMI) and participation in food assistance programs was obtained. Descriptive analyses were conducted and logistic regression models were adjusted. RESULTS: Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 17.3% and 9%, respectively. No significant association between overweight and obesity and participation in Liconsa was found. Among school-aged children in the middle socioeconomic status quintile, those enrolled in the School Breakfast program were more likely to be overweight than those not enrolled (OR= 1.6, 95% CI 1.1, 2.3). CONCLUSIONS: We found no association between the Liconsa and the School Breakfast programs and overweight or obesity in school-aged children.

The impact of dermatological diseases on the quality of life is relatively well established, although some results do not support this relationship. Whereas a few studies indicate a decrease in various indicators of quality of life in conditions of disease, in other studies, this effect has not been observed. These differences can be explained by the use of different concepts of quality of life and/or the comparison of different severity levels of the diseases. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of low-level expression dermatological diseases on various concepts of quality of life. Two hundred-ninety-nine participants completed a questionnaire about symptoms, psychological and psychosocial impact, and general and specific satisfaction. Results show that minor dermatological diseases affect health-related quality of life, but not quality of life considered as well-being.

The prevalence of obesity in childhood and adolescence has increased in Mexico. This increase can be explained partly by a decrease in physical activity. The objective of this study was to assess the association between the prevalence of obesity and overweight with physical activity and inactivity among Mexican adolescents. We analyzed data from a longitudinal study with baseline and follow-up measures in 446 adolescents 12 to 17 years old, attending public schools in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. We collected information on weight, physical activity and demographic characteristics. Obesity and overweight were determined using as indicador the body mass index, and the cutoff points proposed by the International Obesity Task Force. The baseline prevalence of obesity or overweight was 37.22% (42.99% for males and 30.95% for females), and in the final measure 34.30% (38.46% for males and 32.28% for females). The median time of TV viewing was 3.90 h/d, with 0.73 h/d dedicated to vigorous physical activity and 0.58 h/d to moderate physical activity. Using logistic regression, after adjustment for obesity in the baseline measure, sex and clustering by school, we found no significant associations between the prevalence of obesity or overweight with time dedicated to TV viewing, vigorous or moderate physical activity. However, when conducting the analysis with an interaction term by sex, we found significantly lower risk of obesity or overweight associated with an increase in vigorous physical activity among males only (beta = 0.22, 95% CI (0.05, 0.89). Results suggest that vigorous physical activity may reduce the risk of obesity or overweight among male adolescents.

To evaluate the implementation of its participative strategies and the creation of support networks for poor pregnant women.A qualitative and comparative evaluation was carried on in four states.Coordination and community participation were relevant in relation with major resources allocation and availability, particularly housing and transportation. Governmental actors involvement and leadership favoured linking and coordination. Pregnant women used to valuate as the major support source the one provided by their kinship networks.To strengthen and to stimulate participative strategies is fundamental in zones with high maternal mortality rates. The wide appreciation of kinship networks, midwives and voluntaries' support to pregnant women in housing and transportation, suggests that these actors are a functional component of the support network; it is insufficient focusing the support network on health services and municipal authorities.

Theevilof breaches of environmental law is not always evident. This characteristic contributes to making the study of people's evaluation of anti-ecological behaviour of special interest for the understanding of environmental law compliance. In this study, 573 participants evaluated seven transgressions of environmental law, on seven scales. The results show that participants differentially evaluate the transgressions; that Indignation and the Severity of the consequences are the scales that best predict the punishment that participants think should be assigned to these transgressions; that women are stricter in evaluating; and that there are marginal differences related to area of residence and age.

OBJETIVO: Identificar la influencia de las caracteristicas reproductivas y el empoderamiento femenino en el uso de servicios de planificacion familiar (PF). MATERIAL Y METODOS: Diseno de casos y no casos pareado por controles vecindarios (147 usuarias y 146 no usuarias de servicios de PF de la Secretaria de Salud durante 2003), en dos municipios del estado de Guanajuato, Mexico. Analisis logistico multivariado para identificar diferencias entre usuarias y no usuarias. RESULTADOS: El uso de servicios de PF se asocio positiva y significativamente con poder de decision de la mujer (alto: RM=3.2; IC95% 1.4-7.4); comunicacion con la pareja para el uso de metodos de PF (RM =3.5; IC95% 1.4-9.3), y numero de embarazos en su vida (> 6 hijos: RM =4.4; IC95% 1.4-13.8). CONCLUSIONES: El desarrollo de estrategias que involucren a los hombres y que, por otra parte, fomenten y fortalezcan el empoderamiento femenino, puede contribuir a una mayor utilizacion de servicios de PF.

An alternating current (AC)-operated electromagnetic stirring (EMS) device, using line frequency, was designed and built to operate on a laboratory electroslag remelting (ESR) furnace for 150-mm-diameter ingots. Laboratory-scale experiments were conducted employing both 4340 alloy steel and INCONEL 718 alloy as electrode material. The initiation of stirring is accompanied by a thin strip of segregated material and favors the formation of spot segregation. Changes produced in the fluid flow conditions in the liquid pool ahead of the solidification front result in a transition from a highly directional columnar to an unoriented, branched structure. Except for small pockets of segregated liquid, the flow of molten metal does not penetrate into the mushy zone. Both electrode material and molten metal pool shape play an important role on the extent of promoting an equiaxed structure.

To identify the influence of reproductive characteristics and women empowerment with the use of family planning services.Cases and non-cases design with neighborhood controls (147 users and 146 non-users of family planning services during 2003), in Guanajuato State, Mexico. Various indexes were constructed to evaluate women's empowerment and its relationship with family planning use.The use of family planning services was positively and significantly associated with the woman's power to make decisions (High: OR 3.2, CI95% 1.4-7.4), a high level of communication with her partner on contraceptive use (OR 3.5, CI95% 1.4-9.3); and a greater number of pregnancies (6 children: OR 4.4, CI95% 1.4-13.8).Factors such as a high level of female decision-making and more partner support for contraceptive use are related to the use of family planning services. Therefore, developing strategies that involve men and support female empowerment could contribute to increasing the use of family planning services.

Multiple informant data refers to information obtained from different individuals or sources used to measure the same construct; for example, researchers might collect information regarding child psychopathology from the child's teacher and the child's parent. Frequently, studies with multiple informants have incomplete observations; in some cases the missingness of informants is substantial. We introduce a Maximum Likelihood (ML) technique to fit models with multiple informants as predictors that permits missingness in the predictors as well as the response. We provide closed form solutions when possible and analytically compare the ML technique to the existing Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) approach. We demonstrate that the ML approach can be used to compare the effect of the informants on response without standardizing the data. Simulations incorporating missingness show that ML is more efficient than the existing GEE method. In the presence of MCAR missing data, we find through a simulation study that the ML approach is robust to a relatively extreme departure from the normality assumption. We implement both methods in a study investigating the association between physical activity and obesity with activity measured using multiple informants (children and their mothers).

Researchers frequently use multiple informants to predict a single outcome and compare the marginal relationships of each informant with response; a common application is diagnostic testing where the goal is to determine which diagnostic test best predicts disease. We review generalized estimating equations (GEE) for marginal regression models using continuous multiple source predictors with a continuous outcome and introduce a new maximum likelihood (ML) approach. ML and GEE yield the same regression coefficient estimates when (1) allowing different regression coefficients for each informant report, (2) assuming equal variance for the two multiple informant reports and constraining the marginal regression coefficients to be equal and (3) including non-multiple informant covariates with cases 1 or 2. With the ML technique, likelihood ratio tests (LRTs) can be formed to easily compare regression models and a broader array of models can be fit. Using asymptotic relative efficiency (ARE), we show that a constrained model assuming equal variance is more efficient than an unconstrained model. We apply the methods to a study investigating the effect of vigorous exercise on body mass index (BMI) with measures of exercise collected on two informants: children and their mothers.

Fuente TESIUNAM

Background Recent outbreaks of measles in the Americas have received news and popular attention, noting the importance of vaccination to population health. To estimate the potential increase in immunization coverage and reduction in days at risk if every opportunity to vaccinate a child was used, we analyzed vaccination histories of children 11–59 months of age from large household surveys in Mesoamerica. Methods Our study included 22,234 children aged less than 59 months in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama. Child vaccination cards were used to calculate coverage of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and to compute the number of days lived at risk. A child had a missed opportunity for vaccination if their card indicated a visit for vaccinations at which the child was not caught up to schedule for MMR. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to compute the hazard ratio associated with the reduction in days at risk, accounting for missed opportunities. Results El Salvador had the highest proportion of children with a vaccine card (91.2%) while Nicaragua had the lowest (76.5%). Card MMR coverage ranged from 44.6% in Mexico to 79.6% in Honduras while potential coverage accounting for missed opportunities ranged from 70.8% in Nicaragua to 96.4% in El Salvador. Younger children were less likely to have a missed opportunity. In Panama, children from households with higher expenditure were more likely to have a missed opportunity for MMR vaccination compared to the poorest (OR 1.62, 95% CI: 1.06–2.47). In Nicaragua, compared to children of mothers with no education, children of mothers with primary education and secondary education were less likely to have a missed opportunity (OR 0.46, 95% CI: 0.24–0.88 and OR 0.25, 95% CI: 0.096–0.65, respectively). Mean days at risk for MMR ranged from 158 in Panama to 483 in Mexico while potential days at risk ranged from 92 in Panama to 239 in El Salvador. Conclusions Our study found high levels of missed opportunities for immunizing children in Mesoamerica. Our findings cause great concern, as they indicate that families are bringing their children to health facilities, but these children are not receiving all appropriate vaccinations during visits. This points to serious problems in current immunization practices and protocols in poor areas in Mesoamerica. Our study calls for programs to ensure that vaccines are available and that health professionals use every opportunity to vaccinate a child.

La percepción de una enfermedad tiene que ver con las estrategias de afrontamiento de la misma y la calidad de vida del paciente. El objetivo de este trabajo es contrastar el papel mediador de varias estrategias de afrontamiento en la relación entre la percepción de la enfermedad dermatológica y la calidad de vida. Participaron 220 personas que cumplimentaron, de forma individual y anónima, un cuestionario que evaluaba expresión sintomatológica cutánea, impacto psicológico de las condiciones de la piel, estrategias de afrontamiento ante alteraciones cutáneas y calidad de vida. Los resultados muestran que, en personas que creen tener una alteración dermatológica leve, la influencia del impacto psicológico de las condiciones de la piel sobre la calidad de vida está mediada de forma diferencial por las estrategias de afrontamiento. Mientras que el uso de la estrategia de pensamientos positivos contribuye a mantener la calidad de vida, utilizar la estrategia pensamientos desiderativos produce una disminución de la misma.

To document the under-registration of violent deaths related to pregnancy and the importance of considering these violent deaths within the definition of maternal mortality.The study was carried out in the state of Morelos, based on the review of all death certificates (394) of reproductive aged women (12-49 years) who died during 2001. Based on a list of diagnostic criteria we eliminated 167 certificates that were neither violent deaths nor maternal deaths. The remaining 227 certificates were further evaluated through verbal autopsy and/or review of medical charts.Fifty-one violent deaths were found. Eighteen maternal deaths were officially reported in 2001, however, our study identified 23 direct maternal deaths and four violent deaths during pregnancy and the post-partum period. We found that this reproductive event was the direct trigger for the homicide or suicide of these four women, and only one of these cases was documented officially.Violent deaths related to pregnancy should be included in official maternal mortality statistics as indirect causes of maternal deaths. This would allow for a greater and more accurate understanding of violent maternal deaths and guide appropriate prevention and care policies, programs and services. Verbal autopsy is a useful technique for identifying cases of violent maternal deaths.

To describe the trends in caesarian sections (CS) associated with non-clinical factors in women who attended a birthing educational facility, also known as 'Centro de Educación,' (CEPAPAR) in Mexico City.Data from 992 births of 847 women that occurred from 1988-2000 were analyzed using linear regression to identify the association between non-clinical factors and time-trends in CS.The overall incidence of CS was 32.8%, with an 8% average annual increase. Until 1994 the percentage of CS remained relatively steady at 30%, increasing to 40% in subsequent years. In analyzing trends in CS and their relationship with non-clinical factors from 1988-2000, the increased incidence of CS during this period was higher among births where no birth attendant was present, for first-time mothers, and in larger hospitals (50 beds).Results show that the increased incidence of CS is associated with non-clinical factors such as size of the hospital and the presence of a birth attendant. A model of support for women which includes information, counseling, and the presence of a birth attendant during labor can contribute to reducing the risk of unnecessary CS in populations such as that studied.