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Abstract Unhealthy behaviors such as poor diet and tobacco use contribute to disease burden and escalating healthcare costs. This paper evaluates potential savings from people adopting reduced risk behaviors in Mexico. Using the Preventable Risk Integrated Model, we compare actual consumption in 2016 (baseline) to optimal intake following WHO guidelines (counterfactual) for salt, fiber, fruit/vegetables, and fat to estimate reductions in coronary, cerebrovascular, cancer, diabetes and hypertensive diseases. We also model 50% of smokers switching to e-cigarettes/heated tobacco with 65–97% lower disease risk. Results indicate over 650,000 preventable cases annually, mostly from diet changes (fruits/vegetables, fat, salt). Healthcare cost savings reach $3.4 billion USD; $2.8 billion from nutrition and $0.3 billion from smoking substitution. Fruit/vegetable intake and reduced fat confer over $1 billion savings each. Salt and fiber also contribute significantly. Adding smoking transitions provides further savings. Shifting Mexicans towards healthier diets and alternative nicotine products could substantially lower disease burden and healthcare costs. These findings underscore the economic imperative of promoting reduced-risk behaviors through public health policies.

Corn germplasm with different mesocotyl elongation was characterized for High Valleys in Mexico by estimating the general combinatory aptitude (GCA), specific combinatory aptitude (SCA), heterosis (H), inbreeding depression (ID) and principal component aptitude (PCA), with the purpose of directing the improvement for deep sowing. The hypothesis was that the parents and crosses of mesocotyl present variability in seedling and adult plant traits based on deep sowing. The 36 F1 and F2 crosses—derived from nine parents, three with short mesocotyl (S), three medium (M) and three long (L), obtained through Griffing diallel II—plus the parents were planted in sand beds and polyethylene bags in a greenhouse during the spring–summer cycles of 2021 and 2022. The following traits were measured: length of mesocotyl (LM), length of coleoptile, total seedling dry matter and 10 cob traits in addition to total dry matter. In 11 of the 14 traits, there was a positive and significant correlation (p ≤ 0.05) between the GCA of the parents and their LM. The highest SCA, H and ID (p ≤ 0.05) were for crosses L × L for all the traits measured. When comparing the GCA/SCA proportions, this relation varied from 0.76 to 0.97, which points to practically equal additive effects with those of dominance; however, in parents and L × L crosses, this relation was on average 0.94, 1.07 in M × M, 0.22 in S × S and 0.36 in L × S. In both F1 and F2, the variation was explained by two principal components: 89.5% for GCA and 73.4% for SCA. In both generations, the parents with higher GCA were H-48, HS-2 and Promesa, the three with long mesocotyl, while those with the highest GCA were crosses between these three hybrids.

ABSTRACT. The aging of the world population has led to an increase in the epidemiology and burden of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Objective: To describe the global burden of young-onset Alzheimer's disease and other dementias by world region and income through a secondary analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional ecological study. Data by sex and five-year age groups from 40 to 64 years were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study results tool. We performed a descriptive analysis of prevalence, incidence, deaths, disability-adjusted life years, years of life lost, and years lived with disability. Results: In 2019, young-onset Alzheimer's disease and other dementias presented a prevalence of 2.67 cases and an incidence of 0.44 per 1,000 inhabitants globally. It carried a significant burden, resulting in 1.16 disability-adjusted life years per 1,000 inhabitants, primarily due to years of life lost, and to a lesser extent due to years lived with disability. East Asia & the Pacific, Latin America & the Caribbean, and North America are the most affected regions. Burden rates are consistently higher among women; no gradient was observed by country income. Smoking was the most relevant risk factor, presenting a broad difference by country income level. Conclusion: The global burden of young-onset Alzheimer's disease and other dementias may reshape healthcare requirements and the societal impact of dementias, and its understanding is relevant to inform decisions related to service offerings and research agendas.

Los sistemas agroforestales combinan árboles frutales con cultivos agrícolas, brindando beneficios ambientales y productivos. Este estudio determinó el efecto de la aplicación combinada de hongos micorrícicos arbusculares (HMA), Rhizobium y niveles de fertilización mineral sobre las características agronómicas y fisiológicas del maíz (Zea mays L.) y frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) intercalados con durazno (Prunus persica), limón persa (Citrus latifolia Tan.) y lichi (Litchi chinensis), así como algunos cambios en las propiedades físicas, químicas y microbiológicas del suelo. Se estableció un sistema agroforestal durante el ciclo agrícola otoño-invierno de 2020 en la comunidad de Campo Grande, municipio de Ixtaczoquitlán, Veracruz, México. El tratamiento con Rhizophagus irregularis+Rhizobium etli (2)+50% de fertilización mineral produjo los mayores aumentos en la altura de las plantas: 68.5±8.6 cm (limón persa), 105.3±11.0 cm (durazno) y 6.8±4.5 cm (lichi). Además, produjo el mayor rendimiento de grano en maíz (5 653.7 kg ha-1) intercalado con frijol (995.1 kg ha-1). Al final del primer ciclo productivo, el pH del suelo disminuyó de moderadamente ácido (5.7) a ácido (4.9). Por el contrario, la materia orgánica aumentó de 1.71 a 2.76%. Hubo un aumento en la cantidad de bacterias (55.0 x 106 a 68.0 x 106 UFC g-1 de suelo), hongos (73.55 x 102 a 511.7 x 102 UFC g-1de suelo) y actinomicetos (48.61 x 105 a 53.19 x 105 UFC g-1 de suelo). El establecimiento de sistemas agrícolas diversificados en combinación con consorcios microbianos promueve la productividad de los cultivos y mejora las propiedades físicas, químicas y microbiológicas del suelo.

Background. The use of improved seeds in Mexico is limited. To increase its use and improve its supply, it is necessary to promote the generation of micro-enterprises; for this, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP) work in a coordinated manner on the development of new varieties. Objective. To determine the seed productivity by effect of the population density of the trilinear hybrid of H-53 AE maize and its simple progenitor crosses in two environments of Valles Altos. Methodology. In the spring-summer cycle of 2014, in Cuautitlán Izcalli and Texcoco, State of Mexico, three genotypes were evaluated: the simple female cross androsterile (M53AE x M59) and fertile version (M53F x M59), as well as the trilineal hybrid H-53 AE. Population densities were 55,000, 70,000, and 85,000 ha-1 plants, respectively. The variables evaluated were male and female flowering, plant and ear height, volumetric weight, weight of 200 grains, ear length, grains per row, dry matter percentage, and grain percentage. The experimental design employed a factorial design with random complete blocks, and the Tukey method was used for mean comparison. Results. The simple crosses, androsterile and fertile, exceeded the performance of the hybrid trilineal H-53 AE (7280 Kg ha-1). The population density where genotypes expressed a higher yield was 70, 000 ha-1 plants, with 8602 Kg ha-1, significantly different to 7813 Kg ha-1, and 7748 Kg ha-1 for 85,000 and 55, 000 ha-1 plants, respectively. Implications. Further analysis of other environmental factors should be carried out to strengthen the recommendation of the evaluated trilinear hybrid. Conclusion. The best responses were presented in the population density of 70,000 plants ha-1, and the highest average yield of three genotypes and three population densities with 8768 Kg ha-1 was in the FESC environment (Cuautitlán Izcalli).

This perspective paper introduces a novel framework for container orchestration called CODECO. The CODECO orchestration framework relies on a data-network-computing approach to define the best infrastructure that can support the operation of next-generation Internet applications across a mobile, heterogeneous Edge-Cloud continuum. The selection of such an infrastructure is aligned with target performance profiles defined by the user, such as resilience or greenness. CODECO proposes to rely on decentralized Artificial Intelligence approaches to provide the most suitable infrastructure to an application deployment, considering infrastructural challenges, such as intermittent connectivity and node failure. This paper explains the current CODECO framework and gives insight into operational use-cases where CODECO is being deployed, as relevant examples of application for such a framework. Recent developments in the creation of the open-source CODECO framework are described and explained, allowing the use of the framework by the research community. The paper then provides a thorough analysis of CODECO’s features in comparison with existing orchestration frameworks, explaining the benefits introduced with this dynamic orchestration approach.

Objetivo. Se evaluó el potencial alimenticio de híbridos de maíz Puma como forraje ensilado en un 50% de la dieta de ovejas gestantes. Materiales y métodos. 61 ovejas gestantes fueron, asignadas a los grupos: Centli Puma (N = 21), Tsiri Puma (N = 20) y Tlaoli Puma (N = 20), y se les midió el peso, la condición corporal (CC), FAMACHA y perfil metabólico en la gestación, así como la producción y calidad de leche a los 15 y 30 días de lactancia. En los corderos se midió la temperatura al nacimiento y el peso. Resultados. El peso y CC de las ovejas durante la gestación y en la lactancia no fueron afectados por el grupo (p>0.05). Por su parte el consumo estimado de alimento fue mayor en las ovejas del grupo Centli (p0.05). El peso de los corderos y su temperatura no varió entre los tres grupos (p>0.05). Conclusiones. El uso de ensilados de híbridos de maíz Puma desarrollados para producción de grano, tiene buenas y similares respuestas en los parámetros productivos y metabólicos de ovejas, así como en los corderos.

El anfípodo Hyalella patagonica está muy extendido en aguas interiores andinas de la Patagonia argentina y chilena, esta especie habita en zonas litorales de ríos, arroyos, lagos y lagunas, que según la literatura tienen patrones de distribución espacial principalmente agregados. El objetivo del presente estudio es aplicar diferentes tipos de modelos de agregación para explicar la distribución espacial de H. patagonica colectada en un arroyo del norte de la Patagonia. Se aplicaron diferentes tipos de coeficientes de dispersión para comprender el patrón espacial de H. patagonica. Los resultados revelaron que la población de H. patagonica tiene una distribución agregada, pero no necesariamente una distribución binomial negativa, que es frecuente en el modelo probabilístico asociado a la distribución espacial agregada. Los resultados serían similares a los patrones observados para el género Hyalella en aguas interiores de la Patagonia.

The elongation of the mesocotyl and the coleoptile and other seedling traits were analyzed from 16 hybrids of two seed sizes, five varieties and a control. Sowing was conducted in sand beds during the S-F 2020 cycle, where nine genotypes were identified that differed in the elongation of the mesocotyl: long (H-48, HS-2 and Promesa); medium (H-44-H-52 and H-70); and short (H-49 AE, H-40 and H-32). A total of 36 possible crosses were obtained between these nine parents, which were established in the S-S 2021 cycle, and on sand beds. Results show that seed size affected (p< 0.05) the speed and percentage of emergence, the elongation of mesocotyl–coleoptile, the biomass and the heterosis in parents and their crosses. The H-48 hybrid presented greater speed and percentage of emergence and elongation of the mesocotyl and the coleoptile with both seed sizes. The highest dry weight of mesocotyl, coleoptile, roots, and leaves was found in the hybrids Promesa and H-48. The crosses between parents with contrasting mesocotyl presented superior elongation and dry weight (p ≤ 0.05) compared to their parents, with the long × long (1 × 2, 1 × 3 and 2 × 3) crosses standing out for all the traits measured. A strong positive association was obtained (p ≤ 0.01) between the elongation of the mesocotyl–coleoptile, the percentage of emergence, and the production of total dry matter in parents and their crosses.

Photosynthesis is one of the essential processes for life on the planet. Photosynthesis cannot be measured directly because this complex process involves different variables; therefore, if some variables of interest are integrated and measured, photosynthesis can be inferred through a mathematical model. This article presents a fuzzy mathematical model to estimate photosynthesis. This approach uses as input variables: Soil moisture, ambient temperature, incident radiation, relative humidity, and leaf temperature. The fuzzy system was trained through data obtained from experiments with jalapeño pepper plants and then validated against the LI-COR Li-6800 equipment. The correlation coefficient (R2) obtained was 0.95, which is a higher value than some published in the literature. Based on the Takagi-Sugeno method, the proposed model was designed and implemented on the MATLAB platform using ANFIS (adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system) to determine the parameters, thus achieving a high-precision model. In addition, the fuzzy model can predict photosynthesis at different temperature changes, soil moisture levels, and light levels. The results of this study indicate the possibility of modeling photosynthesis using the fuzzy logic technique, whose performance is much higher than other methods published in recent articles.

Falagonia mexicana is an aleocharine distributed from northern Mexico to Guatemala and El Salvador. It is associated with Atta mexicana ants and lives within their piles of waste or external debris. The phylogeography and historical demography of 18 populations from Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador were studied. The data set encompasses a 472 bp fragment of the COI. Results suggest that F. mexicana was originated during Middle Pliocene (ca. 0.5 Mya), starting its diversification at the Upper Pleistocene and Holocene. Populations were recovered forming at least four main lineages, with a significant phylogeographic structure. Evidence of contemporary restricted gene flow was found among populations. The historical demography suggests that the geographic structure is due to recent physical barriers (e.g., Isthmus of Tehuantepec) rather than ancient geological events. Also, recent geological and volcanic events in the east of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and the Sierra Madre Oriental might be responsible for the restricted gene flow among populations. Skyline-plot analyses suggested that a demographic expansion event took place at the end of the Late Quaternary glacial-interglacial cycles.

La insuficiencia alimentaria en maíz, la crisis de agua y fertilizantes a nivel mundial, demandan incrementar la eficiencia en el uso de recursos incrementando o conservando la producción. El objetivo del trabajo fue definir la respuesta de cuatro híbridos de maíz blanco (Tlaoli Puma, Atziri Puma, H-49 AE y H-47 AE) en dos ambientes con dos densidades de población y dos dosis de fertilización y testigo sin fertilizar. Como arreglo factorial, en los ambientes Cuautitlán (FESC-UNAM) y Texcoco (CEVAMEX), Estado de México, se evaluaron los híbridos con dos densidades de siembra (D1=75 000; D2=90 000 plantas ha-1) y tres tratamientos de fertilización (F1=160-80-00, F2=120-40-00, F3=00-00-00). El experimento en bloques completos al azar se conformó con los tratamientos y la combinación de los factores 2×4×2×3 establecidos en tres repeticiones. Las medias se compararon con el método Tukey (P < 0.05). Para el rendimiento de grano y productividad del agua, en la FESC-UNAM con menor agua total, resultaron de 5.96 Mg ha-1 y 1.29 kg m-3 en CEVAMEX 4.76 Mg ha-1 y 0.5 kg m-3; el híbrido Atziri Puma sobresalió con 6.52 Mg ha-1 y 1.09 kg m-3. No se observó efecto significativo de la densidad de siembra y D1 resultó con 5.32 Mg ha-1 y 0.9 kg m-3 contra D2 con 5.4 Mg ha-1 y 0.9 kg m-3. En la fertilización, F1 fue superior estadísticamente con 5.64 Mg ha-1 y 0.94 kg m-3, pero no hubo diferencia entre F2 (5.24 Mg ha-1 y 0.88 kg m-3) y el control F3 (5.19 Mg ha-1 y 0.87 kg m-3). Se presentó interacción de los ambientes con los híbridos y destacó el híbrido Atziri Puma en la FESC-UNAM (7.3 Mg ha-1 y 1.58 kg m-3). El sitio FESC-UNAM tiene potencial productivo en condiciones de temporal con los híbridos Puma e INIFAP.

Quantitative, efficient, and accurate measurement of upper limb motor performance is relevant for monitoring upper limb progress in daily activities of people with cerebral palsy, which is helpful to define an appropriate rehabilitation procedure. Currently, motion capture sensors using a Natural User Interface (NUI) are the most feasible solutions due to the low-cost implementation, portability, and effectiveness for upper limb motion analysis. A quantitatively assessment study of the upper limb motor performance for children with spastic hemiparesis using the NUI Kinect v2 sensor is described in this paper. The study participants were eighteen children with an average age of 8.28 ± 2.32 years having a Manual Ability Classification System level I and II. The assessment was done for each participant before and after the application of a Modified Constrained-Induced Movement Therapy (mCIMT) applied five days a week along twelve weeks. According to obtained results significant differences (p < 0.05) in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) score for motor performance in abduction movement of upper limb between the first and last sessions were quantitatively detected. The described NUI assessment method helped to quantitatively show that the applied therapy sessions were effective to improve upper extremity motor performance. Additionally, the upper limb movements motorically limited after the rehabilitation therapy were also identified. The main contribution of the described NUI assessment method is its potential use as a quantitative measurement tool, which might be used by specialists to objectively diagnose and consequently define an appropriate rehabilitation therapy for patients with hemiparesis.

Background. In the high mountains in the state of Veracruz Mexico, agriculture is characterized by smallholding coffee cropping systems. VIDA A.C., a rural organization, promotes the management of coffee cropping systems through agroecological practices aimed to enhance biodiversity, build soil fertility, conserve resources, food security, social equity. Objective. To Characterize the agroecological management of coffee cropping systems carried out by smallholder families of rural organization VIDA A.C., and determine their importance to support their livelihoods. Methodology. Research integrated both qualitative and quantitative methods. Tools such as participant observation, interviews, workshops, and transect walks contributed qualitative data. For quantitative data, a structured survey was applied to 50 families to characterize their coffee cropping systems. Results. Coffee cropping systems are distinguished by their high diversity. This diversity is found in the varieties of coffee, shade trees and crops. Coffee management considers at least eleven practices, ranging from seed selection to marketing. All family member participates in the management of coffee systems. Implications. The study shows that rural families have incorporated diverse knowledge and strategies to carry out agroeocological management of coffee cropping systems. Research contributed to the baseline of these systems, and there is a room of opportunities to deep in agroecological principles. Conclusions. Coffee cropping systems are distinguished by having high diversity and implementing agroecological practices that confer a distinctive quality to coffee. Families contribute to the reproduction of coffee cropping systems, as a mean of subsistence, identity and territorial conservation.

Abstract The following article aims to understand the prevalence of ascribed social characteristics such as the role of gender and the country of institutional affiliation of the authors in two prominent journals of social network science. Accordingly, we explore the Social Networks journal that has been extensively analysed to understand the evolution of the social network perspective and the development of this area of interest. Also, we explore the REDES journal, which mirrors the same journal but aims to represent the current state of social network science in Iberian America. For the analysis, we explore the network of these two journals, considering 301 papers from the Social Networks journal and 86 papers from REDES journal. For the analysis, we use exponential random graph models to control for simultaneously operating micro-mechanisms to understand the potential effects that allowed the emergence of these scientific networks. Our main results indicate that the country of institutional affiliation creates a centre-periphery tendency in both journals. Furthermore, there is a tendency of women to be an underrepresented group in the papers published in the period analysed.

To understand the evolutionary history of species, it is necessary to know the mechanisms for reproductive isolation, divergence-time between populations, and the relative action of the evolutionary forces (e.g., mutation, genetic drift, gene flow) within and between populations of the same, or closely related species. Although Canthon is one of the more diverse genera of neotropical beetles, insufficient research has been done to comprehend the divergent patterns that explain its speciation process. The absence of diagnostic morphological characters and the wide geographic variation of qualitative traits in Scarabaeinae obscures species delimitation, genealogical limits between populations, and its taxonomy. Canthon cyanellus is one of the best-known species in ecological and evolutionary aspects. It is a widely distributed species in the tropical forests of America. Also, the current deforestation has facilitated its incursion into open areas. Individuals from different populations have similar morphological characters but show wide variation in body color throughout their distribution, which makes it difficult to delimit the subspecies that comprise it. Recently, studies have been carried out to elucidate the pre-and postzygotic isolation mechanisms between populations and the historical biogeographical processes favoring cladogenesis events during the Pleistocene. Morphological variation of the male genitalia does not correspond to the phylogeographic structure. However, the morphological differences in one of the pieces of the endophallic sclerites have allowed a preliminary delimitation of some genetically differentiated clades. Finally, we consider that the joint analysis of traditional morphological taxonomy and phylogeography is important to understand the speciation process in the C. cyanellus complex.

Este texto es el quinto guión de una serie de seis guiones escritos en el lenguaje y ambiente de programación R que conjuntamente constituyen la introducción al software RSiena para estimar modelos estocásticos orientados en el actor para redes dinámicas. Este quinto guión presenta los pasos para estimar los parámetros de un modelo previamente especificado en RSiena. El texto está acompañado por el código en R para reproducir y estimar los modelos.

Este texto es el último guión de una serie de seis guiones escritos en el lenguaje y ambiente de programación R que conjuntamente constituyen la introducción al software RSiena para estimar modelos estocásticos orientados en el actor para redes dinámicas. El texto está acompañado por los guiones para reproducir y estimar los modelos.

Background: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is endemic in non-developed regions of the world. Two forms of NCC have been described, for which neurological morbidity depends on the location of the lesion, which can be either within the cerebral parenchyma or in extraparenchymal spaces. The extraparenchymal form (EXP-NCC) is considered the most severe form of NCC. EXP-NCC often requires several cycles of cysticidal treatment and the concomitant use of glucocorticoids to prevent increased inflammation, which could lead to intracranial hypertension and, in rare cases, to death. Thus, the improvement of EXP-NCC treatment is greatly needed. Methods: An experimental murine model of EXP-NCC, as an adequate model to evaluate new therapeutic approaches, and the parameters that support it are described. EXP-NCC was established by injecting 30 Taenia crassiceps cysticerci, which are less than 0.5 mm in diameter, into the cisterna magna of male and female Wistar rats. Results: Cyst implantation and infection progression were monitored by detecting the HP10 antigen and anti-cysticercal antibodies in the serum and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) of infected rats and by magnetic resonance imaging. Higher HP10 levels were observed in CSF than in the sera, as in the case of human EXP-NCC. Low cell recruitment levels were observed surrounding established cysticerci in histological analysis, with a modest increase in GFAP and Iba1 expression in the parenchyma of female animals. Low cellularity in CSF and low levels of C-reactive protein are consistent with a weak inflammatory response to this infection. After 150 days of infection, EXP-NCC is accompanied by reduced levels of mononuclear cell proliferation, resembling the human disease. EXP-NCC does not affect the behavior or general status of the rats. Conclusions: This model will allow the evaluation of new approaches to control neuroinflammation and immunomodulatory treatments to restore and improve the specific anti-cysticercal immunity in EXP-NCC.

The active sound navigation and ranging (SONAR) transmission system emits acoustic pulses underwater using a wave generator, a SONAR power amplifier (SPA), and a projector. The acoustic pulse travel in the direction of the target and return as an echo to a hydrophone to learn the range or speed of the object. Often the same device is used as a hydrophone and a projector; in this context, it is known as a transducer. In order to obtain a maximum range of detection in the SONAR, it is desirable to generate the maximum amount of acoustic power until the point in which the echo can be detectable in an atmosphere with non-wished noise. Therefore, a high value of source level (SL) is required that depends largely on the value of electrical power applied to the transducer (Pe). However, when trying to obtain the maximum range of detection in the SONAR system there are the following three peculiar limitations that affect performance: The cavitation, the reverberation, and the effect of interaction in the near field. In this paper, an experimental measurement methodology is presented to detect the cavitation effects in a tonpilz-type transducer for an active SONAR transmission system using a transducer as a projector and a calibrated hydrophone in a hydroacoustic tank by measuring the parameters of total harmonic distortion of the fundamental waveform (THD-F) of the generated acoustic pulse, transmitting voltage response (TVR) to characterize the system and sound pressure level (SPL) that indicates the intensity of sound at a given distance. Whereas the reverberation and the interaction effect in the near field are objects of other study cases. A 570.21 W and THD-F < 5% switched-mode power amplifier (SMPA) prototype was developed to excite the electroacoustic transducer employing a full-bridge inverter (FBI) topology and a digital controller using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) for unipolar sine pulse width modulation (SPWM) to generate a continuous wave (CW) acoustic pulse at a frequency 11.6 kHz. The results obtained show that from the level of Pe=196.05 W with the transducer at 1 m of depth, the value of THD-F increases significantly while the behavior of the TVR and SPL parameters is affected since it is not as expected and is attributed when cavitation occurs.

La fertilización y densidad de planta son algunos componentes tecnológicos esenciales dentro de la agricultura moderna. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar el efecto de la densidad de planta y dosis de fertilización sobre la productividad de forraje de tres híbridos comerciales de maíz. El experimento se estableció en el Campo Experimental Cotaxtla perteneciente al Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), bajo un diseño en bloques completamente al azar con arreglo en parcelas subdivididas con tres repeticiones. Se estudiaron tres factores: dosis de fertilización (207‑69‑60 y 253‑69-60), híbridos de maíz (H-564C, H-567 y HE-3B) y densidades de planta (62 500, 83 000 y 100 000 plantas ha-1). Durante el periodo de estudio, la precipitación mensual acumulada fue de 489.30 mm y la temperatura promedio de 27.01 °C; la máxima temperatura ocurrió en el mes de agosto (27.83 °C) y la mínima en el mes de septiembre (26.30 °C). La prueba de Duncan (P ≤ 0.05), demostró que la dosis de fertilización integrada por la fórmula 253‑69‑60, incrementó el rendimiento de forraje verde, un 15.06% más con relación a la fórmula 207‑69‑60. Los híbridos H-564C y HE-3B expresaron los mejores rendimientos de forraje verde con 53 105 y 51 937 kg ha‑1, respectivamente. La mayor producción de forraje verde se obtuvo con el híbrido HE-3B y la dosis 253-69-60. El aumento de la densidad de planta (62 500 a 100 000 plantas ha-1) incrementó el rendimiento de forraje verde cuando se aplicó altas unidades de N. El incremento de la densidad de planta no afectó las características agronómicas de los híbridos evaluados. Los híbridos H-564C y HE‑3B, expresaron mayor rendimiento de forraje verde. Este último material es un candidato para ser liberado y comercializado con propósitos forrajeros en el área tropical del estado de Veracruz.

Este texto es el cuarto guión de una serie de seis guiones escritos en el lenguaje y ambiente de programación R que conjuntamente constituyen la introducción al software RSiena para estimar modelos estocásticos orientados en el actor para redes dinámicas. Este cuarto guión amplía la información sobre la definición de datos como variables para RSiena y especificación de modelos introducida en el primer guión. El texto está acompañado por el código en R para reproducir y estimar los modelos.

Este texto es el tercer guión de una serie de seis guiones escritos en el lenguaje y ambiente de programación R que conjuntamente constituyen la introducción al software RSiena para estimar modelos estocásticos orientados en el actor para redes dinámicas. Este tercer guión es un ejemplo de cómo realizar un análisis descriptivo antes de estimar un modelo SAOM. El texto está acompañado por el código en R para realizar los análisis.

In Mexico, corn (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important cereals from the alimentary, industrial, social, political, and cultural points of view. It is grown in different agroecological niches, water regimes, and management systems. The objective of the present research work was to study the optimum plant density per area unit and its effect on grain yield and agronomical characteristics of different corn hybrids. Six corn hybrids (H-51 AE, H 53 AE, H 47 AE, H 49 AE, Tsíri PUMA, and H-48) and three plant densities (50 000, 65 000, and 80 000 plants ha-1) were evaluated. Sowing was done during the spring-summer season, 2015, in field owned by the FESC-UNAM and CEVAMEX-INIFAP. A completely randomized block design was used with four replicates. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) were detected for genotypes (G) in the variables of grain yield, plant height, ear height, days to male and female flowering, volumetric weight, grain weight, ear length, and grains per ear. Moreover, the effect of the environment (E) was significant (P ≤ 0.05) for the same variables, with the exception of ear length. No significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) were registered for the densities factor (D). Only the G×E interaction had significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in the grain yield trait. The better environment was CEVAMEX, with a mean yield of 5497 kg ha-1. The Tsíri PUMA hybrid had the best grain yield with 5856 kg ha-1. Although there were no differences for the studied interactions, the 65 000 plants ha-1 population density was the most appropriate. The densities factor did not affect the performance of the evaluated hybrids. Therefore, we recommend using 65 000 plants ha-1 to avoid investing in large amounts of seeds.

Power management strategies (PMS) are applied to keep a balance, between different energy sources (i.e. solar, wind, geothermal, hydro), storage units (i.e. fuel cell, batteries, fly wheel) and loads. Up to date, there has been reported several advance techniques to solve this task, for instance: Fuzzy Logic, Deep Learning, Droop Control, Bayesian Networks, among others. Nevertheless, some of those PMS are over simplified and others are too complex to be programmed in devices with limited resources. To solve these issues, this paper proposes a PMS based on Fuzzy Logic, which keeps a balance between those two goals. Characteristics of the proposed PMS are a small number of rules; fulfillment of the demanded power at every time; reducing use of the storage unit; and keeping a balance between the different sources, storage unit and loads. The proposed PMS is numerically evaluated by using SIMULINK-MATLAB®, in a 10kW residential DC Microgrid (MG), and validated by using a Hardware in the Loop platform (NI myRio-1900 and Typhoon HIL402). A comparison with three popular advance techniques demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed PMS.

Currently, the design of power electronic converters (PECs) is in a stage which looks increasing its efficiency and reducing its dimensions from basic topologies through precise analysis of losses in each device that conforms. Although there have been important advances to improve the active components of PECs, passive components, particularly inductors, have changed very little since several decades ago, and those begin a limiting factor, when a high efficiency at very high power and switching frequency, are required. It is for the foregoing that this paper reviews new ferromagnetic materials to construct inductors and achieve a substantial increasing in efficiency through magnetic permeability and hysteresis improvements. Therefore, the main objective of this work is to position the reader in the state of the art of advanced ferromagnetic materials used in PECs. Details about how they are constructed and qualitative comparison of their dynamic behavior are provided. Also, estimation methods of energy losses, applications for different types of material, and its influence on the performance of some basic PECs are presented.

Dexamethasone (DXM) and methylprednisolone (MEP) are potent glucocorticoids used to control several inflammatory conditions. Evidence of delayed DXM reaching the central nervous system (CNS) as well as tachyphylaxis and systemic, undesirable side effects are the main limitations of peripheral delivery. Intranasal administration offers direct access to the brain as it bypasses the blood–brain barrier. The Mucosal Atomization Device is an optimal tool that can achieve rapid absorption into the CNS and the bloodstream across mucosal membranes. This study was designed to evaluate and compare the bioavailability of DXM and MEP after intranasal versus intravenous administration. Two open-label, balanced, randomized, two-treatment, two-period, two-sequence, single-dose, crossover studies were conducted, which involved healthy male and female adult volunteers. After intranasal administration, DXM and MEP were detected in plasma after the first sampling time. Mean peak concentrations of DXM and MEP were 86.61 ng/mL at 60 min and 843.2 ng/mL at 1.5 h post-administration, respectively. DXM and MEP showed high absolute bioavailability, with values of 80% and 95%, respectively. No adverse effects were observed. DXM and MEP systemic bioavailability by intranasal administration was comparable with the intravenous one, suggesting that the intranasal route can be used as a non-invasive and appropriate alternative for systemic drug delivery.

This paper introduces a flexible convolver capable of adapting to the different convolution layer configurations of state-of-the-art Convolution Neural Networks (CNNs). The use of two proposed programmable components achieves this adaptability. A Programmable Line Buffer (PLB) based on Programmable Shift Registers (PSRs) allows the generation of the required convolution masks required for each processed CNN layer. The convolution layer computing is performed through a proposed programmable systolic array configured according to the target device resources. In order to maximize the device resource usage and to achieve a shortened processing time, the filter, data, and loop parallelisms are leveraged. These characteristics allow the described architecture to be scalable and implemented on any FPGA device targeting different applications. The convolver description was written in VHDL using the Intel Cyclone V 5CSXFC6D6F31C6N device as a reference. The experimental results show that the proposed computing method allows the processing of any CNN without requiring special adaptation for a specific application since the standard convolution algorithm is used. The proposed flexible convolver achieves competitive performance compared with those reported in related works.

Additional degrees of freedom in a fractional-order control strategy for power electronic converters are well received despite the lack of reliable tuning methods. Despite artificial/swarm intelligence techniques have been used to adjust controller parameters to improve more than one characteristic/property at the same time, smart tuning not always leads to realizable structures or reachable parameter values. Thus, adjustment boundaries to ensure controller viability are needed. In this manuscript the fractional-order approach is described in terms of El-Khazali biquadratic module, which produces the lowest order approximation, instead of using a definition. A two-modes controller structure is synthesize depending on uncontrolled plant needs and parameters are adjusted through particle swarm and genetic optimization algorithms for comparison. Two error-based minimization criteria are used to consider output performance into the process. Two restrictions complement the optimization scheme, one seeks to ensure desired robustness while the other prevents from synthesizing a high-gain controller. Optimization results showed similarity between minima obtained and significant difference between parameters of those controller optimized without the proposed constraints was determined. Numerical and experimental results are provide to validate proposed approach effectiveness. Effective regulation, good tracking characteristic and robustness in the presence of load variations are the main results.

La demencia es un síndrome de prevalencia creciente a nivel mundial, que se caracteriza por deterioro cognitivo y la aparición de diversos síntomas. Del abanico de posibilidades en cuanto al abordaje para esta población se encuentran las intervenciones que provee la musicoterapia, una disciplina en pleno crecimiento dentro del área de salud. El objetivo del presente artículo es presentar el análisis de un estudio de caso clínico con diagnóstico de demencia vascular, a quien se le realizó una evaluación por neuroimagen con cámara gamma, antes y después del proceso de estimulación con musicoterapia. Los resultados evidenciaron una mejoría en el área de corteza frontoparietal izquierda, luego de la estimulación musicoterapeutica. Si bien el presente artículo es la presentación de un caso único, los datos permiten entrever las potencialidades que presentan las propuestas dentro del campo de la musicoterapia en el abordaje de pacientes con demencia.

En los campos disciplinarios de la medicina y de la administración, así como en la vida cotidiana laboral, es dominante la separación entre trabajo y salud. En la escena doméstica de los espacios laborales se escinde la salud de los trabajadores de las condiciones y medio ambiente de trabajo. Sostenemos que esto se remonta a la ofensiva contra el saber empírico en todas sus formas. En lo respectivo al trabajo se aprecia en la afrenta contra el oficio y su fragmentación mientras que en lo concerniente a la salud por la separación salud y trabajo, como dimensiones paralelas de la vida social. El presente artículo refiere a la transversalidad de la salud en el plano general del trabajo materializada en las condiciones y medio ambiente de trabajo, para considerar el lugar secundario que ocupa la salud en las agendas sindicales y abordar la problemática de la mercantilización de la salud, planteando a modo de conclusión algunas consideraciones relativas a las empresas recuperadas por los trabajadores.

Photosynthesis is a vital process for the planet. Its estimation involves the measurement of different variables and its processing through a mathematical model. This article presents a black-box mathematical model to estimate the net photosynthesis and its digital implementation. The model uses variables such as: leaf temperature, relative leaf humidity, and incident radiation. The model was elaborated with obtained data from Capsicum annuum L. plants and calibrated using genetic algorithms. The model was validated with Capsicum annuum L. and Capsicum chinense Jacq. plants, achieving average errors of 3% in Capsicum annuum L. and 18.4% in Capsicum chinense Jacq. The error in Capsicum chinense Jacq. was due to the different experimental conditions. According to evaluation, all correlation coefficients (Rho) are greater than 0.98, resulting from the comparison with the LI-COR Li-6800 equipment. The digital implementation consists of an FPGA for data acquisition and processing, as well as a Raspberry Pi for IoT and in situ interfaces; thus, generating a useful net photosynthesis device with non-invasive sensors. This proposal presents an innovative, portable, and low-scale way to estimate the photosynthetic process in vivo, in situ, and in vitro, using non-invasive techniques.

Inhalants are chemical substances that induce intoxication, and toluene is the main component of them. Increasing evidence indicates that a dependence on inhalants involves a state of chronic stress associated to the activation of immune cells in the central nervous system and release of proinflammatory mediators, especially in some brain areas such as the nucleus accumbens and frontal cortex, where the circuits of pleasure and reward are. In this study, anti-neuroinflammatory treatment based on a single dose of intranasal methylprednisolone was assessed in a murine model of chronic toluene exposure. The levels of proinflammatory mediators, expression levels of Iba-1 and GFAP, and histological changes in the frontal cortex and nucleus accumbens were evaluated after the treatment. The chronic exposure to toluene significantly increased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and NO, the expression of GFAP, and induced histological alterations in mouse brains. The treatment with intranasally administered MP significantly reduced the expression of TNF-α and NO and the expression of GFAP (p < 0.05); additionally, it reversed the central histological damage. These results indicate that intranasally administered methylprednisolone could be considered as a treatment to reverse neuroinflammation and histological damages associated with the use of inhalants.

Jaime Rosal y Jacobo Siruela (eds): El lector decadente, Selección y prefacios de Jaime Rosal y Jacobo Siruela, traducción al español de Manuel Neila, Julia Alquézar, Julio Gómez de la Serna, Angela Selke, Antonio Barbudo, Jaime Rosal, Matías Sicilia, Mauro Armiño, Ricardo Baeza, Juan B. Bergua, Raúl Gustavo Aguirre, Carlos Cámara, Miguel Ángel Frontán, Violeta Pérez Gil, Esther Tresserres, Amelia Pérez de Villar, Inga Pellisa, Antonio Rivas, Barcelona, Atalanta, 2017, 592 ISBN: 978-84-947297-1-3

Background: In contrast to sporadic Alzheimer’s disease, autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease (ADAD) is associated with greater neuropathological evidence of cerebellar amyloid plaque (Aβ) deposition. In this study, we used positron emission tomography (PET) measurements of fibrillar Aβ burden to characterize the presence and age at onset of cerebellar Aβ deposition in cognitively unimpaired (CU) Presenilin-1 (PSEN1) E280A mutation carriers from the world’s largest extended family with ADAD. Methods: 18F florbetapir and 11C Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) PET data from two independent studies – API ADAD Colombia Trial (NCT01998841) and Colombia-Boston (COLBOS) longitudinal biomarker study were included. The tracers were selected independently by the respective sponsors prior to the start of each study and used exclusively throughout. Template-based cerebellar Aβ-SUVR (standard-uptake value ratios) using a known-to-be-spared pons reference region (cerebellar SUVR_pons), to a) compare 28–56-year-old CU carriers and non-carriers; b) estimate the age at which cerebellar SUVR_pons began to differ significantly in carrier and non-carrier groups; and c) characterize in carriers associations with age, cortical SUVR_pons, delayed recall memory, and API ADAD composite score. Results: Florbetapir and PiB cerebellar SUVR_pons were significantly higher in carriers than non-carriers (p

Photosynthesis is a process that indicates the productivity of crops. The estimation of this variable can be achieved through methods based on mathematical models. Mathematical models are usually classified as empirical, mechanistic, and hybrid. To mathematically model photosynthesis, it is essential to know: the input/output variables and their units; the modeling to be used based on its classification (empirical, mechanistic, or hybrid); existing measurement methods and their invasiveness; the validation shapes and the plant species required for experimentation. Until now, a collection of such information in a single reference has not been found in the literature, so the objective of this manuscript is to analyze the most relevant mathematical models for the photosynthesis estimation and discuss their formulation, complexity, validation, number of samples, units of the input/output variables, and invasiveness in the estimation method. According to the state of the art reviewed here, 67% of the photosynthesis measurement models are mechanistic, 13% are empirical and 20% hybrid. These models estimate gross photosynthesis, net photosynthesis, photosynthesis rate, biomass, or carbon assimilation. Therefore, this review provides an update on the state of research and mathematical modeling of photosynthesis.

(1) Background: As breast cancer studies suggest, a high percentage of breast density (PBD) may be related to breast cancer incidence. Although PBD screening is one of the strongest predictors of breast cancer risk, X-ray-based mammography evaluation is subjective. Therefore, new objective PBD measuring techniques are of interest. A case study analyzing the PBD of thirteen female participants using a bioimpedance-based method, the anomalies tracking circle (ATC), is described in this paper. (2) Methods: In the first stage, the breast bioimpedance of each participant was measured. Then, the participant breast density was determined by applying a mammogram just after the breast bioimpedance measurement stage. In the third stage, the ATC algorithm was applied to the measured bioimpedance data for each participant, and a results analysis was done. (3) Results: An ATC variation according to the breast density was observed from the obtained data, this allowed the use of classification techniques to determine the PBD. (4) Conclusions: The described breast density method is a promising approach that might be applied as an auxiliary tool to the mammography in order to obtain precise and objective results for evaluation of breast density and with that determine potential breast cancer risk.

Impedance measuring acquisition systems focused on breast tumor detection, as well as image processing techniques for 3D imaging, are reviewed in this paper in order to define potential opportunity areas for future research. The description of reported works using electrical impedance tomography (EIT)-based techniques and methodologies for 3D bioimpedance imaging of breast tissues with tumors is presented. The review is based on searching and analyzing related works reported in the most important research databases and is structured according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) parameters and statements. Nineteen papers reporting breast tumor detection and location using EIT were systematically selected and analyzed in this review. Clinical trials in the experimental stage did not produce results in most of analyzed proposals (about 80%), wherein statistical criteria comparison was not possible, such as specificity, sensitivity and predictive values. A 3D representation of bioimpedance is a potential tool for medical applications in malignant breast tumors detection being capable to estimate an ap-proximate the tumor volume and geometric location, in contrast with a tumor area computing capacity, but not the tumor extension depth, in a 2D representation.

Se comparan periodos de vibración y derivas de pisos obtenidos de modelos tradicionales con base rígida (empotramiento perfecto), y otros, donde el suelo se representa con funciones de impedancia y, directamente mediante elementos finitos no lineales (método directo). Se usa como proyecto base una edificación de ocho niveles y un subsuelo, que interactúa con un suelo no cohesivo blando. Para las cargas sísmicas se consideraron: el espectro de la Norma Ecuatoriana de la Construcción y el de sitio, que corresponde de acuerdo con la ubicación del proyecto, al generado por el segmento de la falla de Quito denominado Puengasí. Adicionalmente, se usan historias en el tiempo escaladas de acuerdo con el espectro de sitio. El comportamiento no lineal de la estructura se logra por medio de rótulas plásticas. Se observa que el modelo que incluye interacción mediante funciones de impedancia varía hasta un 45% respecto al de base rígida, sin embargo, da resultados conservadores respecto al método directo.

In this study, data are presented for the designation of the new subgenus (Bajacanthon) for Canthon obliquus Horn, 1894 (Deltochilini). The new subgenus Bajacanthon is described based on a multiple evidence approach using morphological and molecular characters. This new subgenus has some unique characters, and is the remnant of an old South American migratory movement into the Mexican Transition Zone. This beetle species has survived in isolation in the south half of the peninsula of Baja California (Mexico). Results based on molecular clock inference showed that the split between the lineages leading to the subgenus Bajacanthon and Boreocanthon took place nearly 16 Mya, whereas the radiation within Bajacanthon was dated to 3.7 Mya.

Abstract Introduction The superficial palmar arch is the main contributor to the vascular supply of the hand. Numerous anatomical variants have been described and there are multiple classifications of the superficial palmar arch available. The Kaplan cardinal line is used occasionally as a reference to identify the deep structures of the hand. However, there are also multiple variants of the line and multiple reports regarding the structures that can be identified with it. Material and Methods Ten anatomical dissections of hands were performed in seven cadaveric specimens. The anatomical variants of the superficial palmar arch were recorded, as well as their relationship with the Kaplan cardinal line. A review of the available literature was made. Results According to the classification by Coleman et al, the most common type was the complete superficial palmar arch, present in seven hands, while the incomplete superficial palmar arch was found in three hands. The most frequent complete palmar arch was type IB, followed by type IIB, and finally type IA and type IIA. The most common relation was with the Kaplan cardinal line type A to the apex of the arch and with type B to the curvature of the ulnar artery. Conclusions There is a great anatomical variability in the superficial palmar arch. There was a greater frequency of the complete superficial palmar arch, with the ulnar artery being the dominant vascular supply. The Kaplan cardinal line can be used as a safety limit to avoid the superficial palmar arch if it is drawn to intersect the pisiform bone. Clinical Relevance It is important to be aware of the anatomical variants of the superficial palmar arch, as well as of its relationship with the superficial structures of the hand to be able to perform invasive or reconstructive procedures and to preserve the vascularity of the hand.

Optical systems are used for analysing the internal composition and the external properties in food. The measurement of the lycopene content in fruits and vegetables is important because of its benefits to human health. Lycopene prevents cardiovascular diseases, cataracts, cancer, osteoporosis, male infertility, and peritonitis. Among the optical systems focused on the estimation and identification of lycopene molecule are high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the colorimeter, infrared near NIR spectroscopy, UV-VIS spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and the systems of multispectral imaging (MSI) and hyperspectral imaging (HSI). The main objective of this paper is to present a review of the current state of optical systems used to measure lycopene in fruits. It also reports important factors to be considered in order to improve the design and implementation of those optical systems. Finally, it was observed that measurements with HPLC and spectrophotometry present the best results but use toxic solvents and require specialized personnel for their use. Moreover, another widely used technique is colorimetry, which correlates the lycopene content using color descriptors, typically those of CIELAB. Likewise, it was identified that spectroscopic techniques and multispectral images are gaining importance because they are fast and non-invasive.

El objetivo fue determinar el rendimiento de grano de cuatro híbridos trilineales de maíz (Zea mays L.) androestériles y fértiles, y la proporción de la mezcla de semilla androestéil (AE) y fértil (F), en las densidades de población de 50 000 y 70 000 plantas ha−1 . Se establecieron cuatro experimentos en el ciclo primavera-verano 2012, dos en Cuautitlán Izcalli, México y dos en Santa Lucía, Texcoco, Estado de México, bajo punta de riego. El análisis de varianza para rendimiento detectó signicancia (p ≤ 0.01) entre ambientes, genotipos, densidades de población e interacción Genotipo x Ambiente, y entre proporción de semilla androestéril y fértil (p ≤ 0.05). Los mayores rendimientos los tuvo el híbrido H-53 con 7 438 kg ha−1 , y el ambiente de Cuautitlán Izcalli en la segunda fecha de siembra con 6 877 kg ha−1 . La densidad de 70 000 plantas ha−1 tuvo un rendimiento de 6 534 kg ha−1 , mientras en 50 000 plantas ha−1 fue de 6 038 kg ha−1 . El tratamiento con 100 % de semilla AE (6 540 kg ha−1 ) fue superior a la versión fértil (6 113 kg ha−1 ); las proporciones de semilla de 33 % AE y 67 % F (6 290 kg ha−1 ), y 66 % AE y 34 % F con rendimiento 6 200 kg ha−1 , fueron iguales estadísticamente; en forma práctica conviene la combinación de 66 % AE y 34 % F en la producción de semilla.

El uso de variedades mejoradas, así como biofertilizantes elaborados con hongos micorriza favorecen la nutrición y permiten complementar el uso de fertilizantes químicos, lo que podría incrementar la producción. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar el rendimiento de grano de los híbridos por efecto de la aplicación, y testigo sin aplicar, de micorriza (Glomus intraradices), en cinco híbridos de maíz en sus versiones fértiles y androestériles. La evaluación se realizó por medio de cuatro experimentos, dos ubicados en la Facultad de Estudios Superiores FES Cuautitlán-UNAM y dos en el Campo Experimental del Valle de México CEVAMEX - INIFAP, en Texcoco, México. Se utilizó un diseño de bloques completos al azar con cuatro repeticiones; las siembras de los materiales se efectuaron en la segunda quincena de mayo y primera de junio de 2012. El análisis estadístico de los datos fue factorial, donde los factores principales fueron ambientes, genotipos, androesterilidad/fertilidad, aplicación o no de biofertilizante, así como las interacciones de los mismos. En los rendimientos se detectó significancia debido a los ambientes y genotipos, no así para ningún otro factor o interacciones. La media general del rendimiento fue de 8294 kg ha1. El rendimiento obtenido en la segunda fecha de siembra en la FES Cuautitlán-UNAM fue de 9939 kg ha-1, siendo superior al de la fecha 1 del CEVAMEX (6071 kg ha‑1). No hubo efecto de la aplicación de micorriza en el rendimiento medio de los híbridos (8310 kg ha-1), el cual fue similar al del testigo sin aplicación de micorriza (8279 kg ha-1). El genotipo con mayor rendimiento fue Tsíri PUMA, con 9557 kg ha-1, y resultó diferente estadísticamente al del H-47 AE (8692 kg ha-1). TSÍRI PUMA I y PUMA 1183 AE rindieron 8687 kg ha-1 y 8150 kg ha‑1, respectivamente. Por otro lado, el rendimiento medio de la versión androestéril de los híbridos fue de 8447 kg ha‑1, siendo similar estadísticamente al promedio de la versión fértil (8142 kg ha-1). Si bien la aplicación de micorriza a la semilla no propició un efecto significativo en el rendimiento promedio de los genotipos, es conveniente verificar en ciclos siguientes en los maíces androestériles y fértiles, con manejo de fechas de siembra diferentes, donde pudiera expresarse el efecto de Glomus intraradices, y contar con mayor información de la respuesta a este biofertilizante.

El trabajo retoma al ecofeminismo de la subsistencia para conocer la participación de las mujeres en la conservación de los maíces nativos a través de la elaboración y venta de tortillas artesanales. Es un estudio etnográfico feminista que pretende dar visibilidad a las relaciones de género que resultan en negociaciones entre mujeres y hombres que sostienen la continuidad alimentaria maíz-tortillas artesanales. Para ello se llevaron a cabo tres tipos de entrevistas (a profundidad, semiestructuradas y estructuradas) a mujeres y hombres ≥ 18 de años de edad, que participan en actividades relacionadas con la continuidad alimentaria maíz-tortillas artesanales en el mercado La Placita de Ixtlahuaca, Estado de México. Los resultados se agruparon en tres tipos de actores/as: mujeres que elaboran y venden tortillas artesanales, productores/as de maíces nativos y consumidores/as de tortillas. Se discuten las negociaciones entre grupos, así como la influencia de factores externos como la siembra de maíces mejorados y el acceso a maíz nativo. Se concluye que la permanencia de los maíces nativos se debe a las relaciones y negociaciones que articulan las mujeres que elaboran y venden tortillas entre productores/as y consumidores/as, vinculadas a las estrategias de subsistencia.

La investigación sobre lo pagano como acto performativo e intersubjetivo en las letanías del carnaval de Barranquilla, Colombia, tuvo como propósito identificar cómo lo pagano se convierte en una isotopía que permea los textos de los discursos de los letanieros del carnaval. Las letanías desde su discurso establecen una crítica permanente a través de textos que reflejan una nueva forma de comunicar, lo intersubjetivo, lo multimodal desde Kress & Leeuwen (2008). Para el desarrollo del estudio se hizo una investigación deductiva cualitativa y analítico-deductiva, porque se fundamentó en la descripción de cada una de las tres letanías analizadas.

The objective of this study was to increase the productivity of maize in High Valleys of Mexico, at the Valley of México and Bajio Experimental Stations of the National Institute for Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock Research (INIFAP). The following activities were carried out: production of registered seed to strengthen seed micro- enterprises of national capital, quality evaluation of certified seed, and generation of production technology. Between 2005 and 2013, 46.71 tons of registered seed of the hybrids parents: H-40, H-48, H-50, H-52, H-66, H-70 and H-161, and the varieties: VS-22, V-54A and V-55A were produced and sold to 31 seed producers in the Estado de Mexico, Tlaxcala, Puebla, Hidalgo, Morelos, Guanajuato, Michoacan, and Jalisco; that satisfied 60 % of demand per year (8.68 t). In 2013 and 2014, agreements were signed between INIFAP and four micro-enterprises to produce registered seeds. The certified seed produced by companies reached certification standards, germination percentage ≥ 85, 98% pure seed and less than 2% inert matter; test weight between 72 and 78 kg/hl, thousand seed weight between 288 and 361 g and genetic quality between 96 and 98 % of the true type plants. The study identified information about locations, potential yields, population density, and planting dates for the production of parents, lines and single crosses, in the Estado de Mexico and Tlaxcala.

Oenothera drummondii Hook. (Onagraceae) has life-history traits that make it an invasive species. Native populations are distributed along the coastal dunes from North Carolina in the United States to Tabasco in the Gulf of Mexico. It has been reported as an invasive species in Spain, Israel, and China, where this species can successfully colonize and dominate if the environmental conditions are appropriate. In South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and France, it is reported to be naturalized. In this study, 28 microsatellite markers developed for other Oenothera species were evaluated for cross-amplification in O. drummondii. Nine primers showed consistent amplification and were polymorphic. Polymorphism was assessed in three populations from both native and invaded areas. Results indicated generalized low genetic variability. Three loci showed significant deviations from the Hardy Weinberg equilibrium, associated with null alleles’ presence. The observed heterozygosity and inbreeding coefficient reflected a generalized excess of homozygotes, particularly in the invaded population “El Dique”, likely due to allele fixation. High genetic differentiation was found between the three populations. These results highlight the accuracy of these markers for future population genetic studies in O. drummondii.

Genetic and sexual factors influence the prevalence and the pathogenesis of many inflammatory disorders. In this study their relevance on the peripheral and central inflammatory status induced by a peripheral injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was evaluated. BALB/c and CD-1 male and female mice were intraperitoneally injected with LPS. Spleens and brains were collected 2 and 72 hours later to study the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β. Percentage of microglia and astrocytes was determined in the cortex and hippocampus. Locomotor activity was registered before and during the 72 hours after LPS-treatment. Two hours after LPS-injection, a peripheral increase of the three cytokines was found. In brains, LPS increased TNF-α only in males with higher levels in CD-1 than BALB/c. IL-1β increased only in CD-1 males. IL-6 increased in both strains with lower levels in BALB/c females. Peripheral and central levels of cytokines decline 72 hrs after LPS-treatment whilst a significantly increase of Iba-1 expression was detected. A dramatic drop of the locomotor activity was observed immediately after LPS injection. Our results show that acute systemic administration of LPS leads to peripheral and central increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines and microglia activation, in a strain and sex dependent manner.