Analysis of Citizen Participation in Urban Planning of Comala,Colima,Mexico-A Secondary Publication

The objective of this study was to determine the degree of citizen participation in urban planning processes in the municipality of Comala,Colima,Mexico to have a broader vision of the citizens and the environment in which they live.An instrument was designed specifically to perform this study and the instrument was validated by calculating Cronbach’s Alpha.The results showed that citizens were highly involved in issues concerning their urban environment,and the main problems of the public spaces were also identified.

Vocational Training and Basic Knowledge of the Mexican University Coach

This paper shows an overview of the academic and vocational training of the Mexican university coaches. Professional sports in Mexico are not sufficiently organized in all disciplines and the Olympic sporting system does not consider the university sports as a hotbed of world-class athletes. Coaches＇ academic and vocational training is one of the variables to analyze university-sporting level. A quantitative model was used to approach the topic through an adapted and validated version of a questionnaire used in Spanish populations. The sample consisted of 326 participant＇s coaches at the 2013 National Student Games. Among the findings, observed there are some aspects revealed related to the training, the domain of knowledge and the existing relationship between an empirical coach and a trained one. In conclusion, therefore, it is important to emphasize that the non-skilled trainer finds it difficult to achieve the optimum sport development, the fulfillment of the assigned tasks, the selection, the dosage, the linking of different means, and the assessment of achievement. According to the national sport level, the university trainer＇s profile neither allows the consolidation of practice nor these ages and sport levels.

Qualitative Perspective of Audit Materiality： Empirical Evidence in Mexico and Colombia

Our contribution analyzes the process of convergence with the International Standards of Audit （ISAs）, particularly those that regulate the concept of materiality in Mexico and Colombia. Between other results, across a survey, it is demonstrated why the effective use of the factors that emerge of his qualitative slope can favor the quality of the financial information that publish the audited companies, the usefulness and the comprehensibility of the report of opinion. In general, the reliability, transparency, and relevancy of the financial statements will meet potentially favored with the strict application of these major and better normative instruments.

Adaptive Thermal Comfort for Occupants of Low-Cost Dwellings in a Hot Dry Climate

Adaptive models are based on the observation that there are some actions that people can and actually do take to achieve thermal comfort. Studies regarding thermal comfort conditions in economical dwellings were carried out simultaneously in seven Mexican cities, corresponding to warm dry and warm humid climates. In this article, case studies of low-cost dwellings in the city of Hermosillo （in northwest Mexico）, are presented and analyzed. Field surveys were carried out to obtain information about the physical characteristics of the dwellings and their occupants, as well as the indoor thermal environment. Neutral temperature was obtained from the applied survey. The high neutral temperature reveals the effect of inhabitants＇ adaptation mechanism to extreme climates. Occupant comfort votes as a function of indoor air temperatures were analyzed, and different characteristics such as age, size and gender were evaluated separately. The results show the variability of the neutral temperature and the tolerance to temperature changes, depending on the population＇s specific characteristics. In many cases where the population does not have access to artificial acclimatization devices, the neutral temperature values for specific climates and people can inform architects when choosing the most suitable thermal strategies for building design.

Exactly Solvable Combinations of Scalar and Vector Potentials for the Dirac Equation Interrelated by Riccati Equations

New classes of solvable scalar and vector potentials for the Dirac equation are obtained, together with the associated exact Dirac spinors. The method of derivation is based on an a priori constraint between the solutions, leading to an interrelation between the scalar and vector potential in the form ofa Riccati equation. The present note generalizes a series of former articles.

Cognitive disorder and dementia in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Insulin,a key pleiotropic hormone,regulates metabolism through several signaling pathways in target tissues including skeletal muscle,liver,and brain.In the brain,insulin modulates learning and memory,and impaired insulin signaling is associated with metabolic dysregulation and neurodegenerative diseases.At the receptor level,in aging and Alzheimer’s disease(AD)models,the amount of insulin receptors and their functions are decreased.Clinical and animal model studies suggest that memory improvements are due to changes in insulin levels.Furthermore,diabetes mellitus(DM)and insulin resistance are associated with age-related cognitive decline,increased levels ofβ-amyloid peptide,phosphorylation of tau protein;oxidative stress,pro-inflammatory cytokine production and dyslipidemia. Recent evidence shows that deleting brain insulin receptors leads to mildobesity and insulin resistance without influencing brain size and apoptosis development.Conversely, deleting insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) affects brain size anddevelopment, and contributes to behavior changes. Insulin is synthesized locally in the brain andis released from the neurons. Here, we reviewed proposed pathophysiological hypotheses toexplain increased risk of dementia in the presence of DM. Regardless of the exact sequence ofevents leading to neurodegeneration, there is strong evidence that mitochondrial dysfunctionplays a key role in AD and DM. A triple transgenic mouse model of AD showed mitochondrialdysfunction, oxidative stress, and loss of synaptic integrity. These alterations are comparable tothose induced in wild-type mice treated with sucrose, which is consistent with the proposal thatmitochondrial alterations are associated with DM and contribute to AD development. Alterationsin insulin/IGF-1 signaling in DM could lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and low antioxidantcapacity of the cell. Thus, insulin/IGF-1 signaling is important for increased neural processing andsystemic metabolism, and could be a specific target for therapeutic strategies to decreasealterations associated with age-related cognitive decline.

Alterations in blink and masseter reflex latencies in older adults with neurocognitive disorder and/or diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND Blink and masseter reflexes provide reliable,quantifiable data on the function of the central nervous system:Delayed latencies have been found in patients with neurocognitive disorder(ND)and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),but this has not been studied in patients with both pathologies.AIM To investigate if older adults with ND plus T2DM have prolonged latencies of blink and masseter-reflex and if they were associated with disease progression.METHODS This cross-sectional study included 227 older adults(>60 years)from Colima,Mexico.Neurocognitive disorder was identified by a neuropsychological battery test,and T2DM identified by medical history,fasting glucose,and glycosylated hemoglobin.Latencies in the early reflex(R1),ipsilateral late(R2),and contralateral late(R2c)components of the blink reflex were analyzed for all subjects,and 183 subjects were analyzed for latency of the masseter reflex.RESULTS In 20.7%of participants,ND was detected.In 37%,T2DM was detected.Latencies in R1,R2,and R2c were significantly prolonged for groups with ND plus T2DM,ND,and T2DM,compared with the control group(P<0.0001).The masseter reflex was only prolonged in older adults(regardless of T2DM status)with ND vs controls(P=0.030).In older adults with ND and without T2DM,the more the cognitive impairment progressed,the more prolonged latencies in R2 and R2c presented(P<0.01).CONCLUSION These findings suggest that blink and masseter reflexes could be used to evaluate possible changes in brainstem circuits in older adults with ND and T2DM.

Glial plasticity after hexahydrobenzene exposure

The organic solvents are not only utilized in industrial processes,but also as drugs of abuse.In fact,solvent consumption represents the fourth option for drug users just after alcohol,tobacco and marijuana.In humans,intentional inhalation of volatile drugs impairs the function of central nervous system,

Extreme Adaptation to Extreme Environments in Hot Dry, Hot Sub-humid and Hot Humid Climates in Mexico

The paper discusses the results of a field study carried out in four cities in Mexico： Hermosillo, Mexicali, Merida and Colima, during the warmest seasons of 2006-2007. The survey is according to the adaptive approach of thermal comfort. The cities＇ climates are hot dry, hot sub-humid and hot humid. The respondents were inhabitants of low cost housings without air conditioning. The research was performed during warm seasons and according to ISO 10551. The measurements were processed by the common method of linear regression and also by alternative methods, useful for asymmetric climates. Individuals declared comfort at very high temperatures, either high or low humidity, therefore, the resulting neutral temperatures are higher than 30 ℃, except in Colima （28.8 ℃）. The upper limits of comfort ranges achieved temperatures up to 35 ℃. The results suggest how great is the capacity of humans to adapt to conditions as extreme as those measured in the study.

Exhaust Ventilation through a Solar Chimney： A Response to High Hermeticity in Welfare Housing

This research reports on potentiality in the solar chimney as an exhaust ventilation device through a hypothetical statement that convenient weather conditions exist on sub-humid warm climate to enhance the performance ofa SC （solar chimney）, in order to increase ventilation to dissipate metabolic heat from inhabitants of airtight buildings. The methodology used in this research integrates the use of simplified mathematical models that predict in a semi-empirical way a potential volume flow through estimation of kinetic power generation, by natural circulation and stack effect in a typical covered-plate air solar collector. The study was carried out during the warm month of April, an important warm season for Colima, where the prevailing wind is about 6.8 m/s, the average temperature of maximums and minimums oscillates between 15.4℃and 34.4 ℃ with average relative humidity of 65% according to national weather service. A scale model of the SC was installed on environmental chambers. The results showed that this device is capable of generating ventilation conditions around light breeze parameters near between 0.6 m/s and 1.5 m/s width, a better performance at day in 45% approximately than the night values, making ventilation rates up 0.24 ACH （air changes per hour） as average air change rate.

Antenatal use of bosentan and/or sildenafil attenuates pulmonary features in rats with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Background:Lung hypoplasia,pulmonary persistent hypertension of the newborn and its morphological changes are the main features in congenital diaphragmatic hernia(CDH).This study was undertaken to investigate if antenatal use of sildenafil and/or bosentan attenuates vascular remodeling,promotes branching,and improves alveolarization in experimental nitrofeninduced CDH.Methods:Nitrofen(100 mg)was gavage-fed to pregnant rats at post conception day(PCD)9 to induce CDH.The rats were randomized to 5 groups:1)control;2)nitrofen;3)nitrofen+sildenafil 100 mg/kg per day at PCD 16-20;4)nitrofen+bosentan 30 mg/kg per day,at PCD 16-20,and 5)nitrofen+bosentan+sildenafil,same doses and administration days.After cesarean delivery,the offsprings were sacrifi ced.The diaphragmatic defect and pulmonary hypoplasia were identified,and the lungs were dissected.Arterial wall thickness,bronchiolar density and alveolarization were assessed.Results:The offsprings with CDH were characterized by severe pulmonary hypoplasia(lung weight-to-body weight ratio:0.0263[95%confidence interval(CI)0.0242-0.0278)]in the nitrofen group versus 0.0385(95%CI 0.0355-0.0424)in the control group(P=0.0001).Pulmonary arterial wall thickness was decreased to 3.0(95%CI 2.8-3.7)μm in the nitrofen+sildenafil group versus 5.0(95%CI 4.1-4.9)μm in the nitrofen group(P=0.02).Terminal bronchioles increased to 13.7(95%CI 10.7-15.2)μm in the nitrofen+bosentan group in contrast to 8.7(95%CI 7.2-9.4)μm in the nitrofen group(P=0.002).More significant differences(P=0.0001)were seen in terminal bronchioles in the nitrofen+sildenafil+bosentan group than in the nitrofen group[14.0(95%CI 12.5-15.4)μm versus 8.5(95%CI 7.1-9.3)μm].Pulmonary arterial wall thickness was also decreased in the former group.Conclusions:In this rat model,antenatal treatment with sildenafil attenuates vascular remodeling.Bosentan promotes the development of terminal bronchioles in nitrofen-induced CDH.

Emerging roles of microglia cells in the regulation of adult neural stem cells

MICROGLIA CELLS Microglia cells are antigen presenting cells with myeloid origin that constituted approximately 10%of all glial cells of the adult mouse brain.^([1])In the early embryo,the microglial precursors are located in the yolk sac and progressively migrate throughout the primitive brain.^([2])In the adult brain,some of microglial cells derive from the bone marrow,but this process only takes place when the brain is lesioned.^([1])Microglial cells can display 4 morphological and functional stages:(1)resting microglia;(2)active microglia;(3)phagocytic microglia;and(4)senescent microglia.

Impact of indoor air volume on thermal performance in social housing with mixed mode ventilation in three different climates

There are prototypes of social housing massively built in contrasting climatic conditions,generating thermal comfort needs that are difficult to satisfy by the users themselves.Variation of indoor air volume in living spaces where the use of air conditioning and natural ventilation strategies provides elements to improve thermal comfort conditions.This research shows the thermal performance located in a representative social housing according to Mexico’s National Housing Commission.Operative temperature results from a benchmark case were compared to six Virtual Evaluation Models,using the Dynamic Thermal Simulation tool Design Builder®from the perspective of probability.The main objective was to determine the minimum use of active systems with different indoor air volumes and improve comfort conditions to promote sustainable living in social housing.The analysis was conducted under an adaptive comfort range according to three different climate conditions in Mexico adopting a Numerical Theoretical Method.The main findings can be divided into two parts:a)the impact of the indoor air volume on thermal performance was evidenced in a proportion of time in three representative climates of the central region of Mexico,and b)no relationship was found between indoor air volume and thermal comfort in sub-humid cold climate;in sub-humid temperate climate,the same number of comfort hours was found in two different models,and in sub-humid warm climate,an inversely proportional relationship was found between indoor air volume and the comfort hours.This findings implies a greater knowledge relative to what we know about sub-humid cold,temperate and warm climates.

Transport Across Chloroplast Membranes： Optimizing Photosynthesis for Adverse Environmental Conditions

Chloroplasts are central to solar light harvesting and photosynthesis. Optimal chloroplast functioning is vitally dependent on a very intensive traffic of metabolites and ions between the cytosol and stroma, and should be attuned for adverse environmental conditions. This is achieved by an orchestrated regulation of a variety of transport systems located at chloroplast membranes such as porines, solute channels, ion-specific cation and anion channels, and various primary and secondary active transport systems. In this review we describe the molecular nature and functional properties of the inner and outer envelope and thylakoid membrane channels and transporters. We then discuss how their orchestrated regulation affects thylakoid structure, electron transport and excitation energy transfer, proton-motive force partition, ion homeostasis, stromal pH regulation, andvolume regulation. We link the activity of key cation and anion transport systems with stress-specific signaling processes in chloroplasts, and discuss how these signals interact with the signals generated in other organelles to optimize the cell performance, with a special emphasis on Ca^2＋ and reactive oxygen species signaling.

Astrocytes:everything but the glue

The current knowledge in neuroscience indicates that the neural tissue has two major cell populations:neurons and glia(term derived from the Greek word for glue).Neuronal population is characterized by the capacity to produce action potentials,whereas glial cells are typically identified as the subordinate cell population of neurons.Till date,this point of view has changed dramatically,and growing evidence indicates that glial cells play a crucial role in normal mental functions and the pathogenesis of neurological diseases.

Visually Modelling Collaborative Research into Innovative Community Disaster Resilience Practice,Strategy,and Governance

In 2013 a new collaborative center was established in Wellington, New Zealand to focus on integrating resilience research with the region’s community disaster resilience strategy. An earlier study with parties to this center had indicated that researcher and practitioner groups were divided by attention to their own immediate knowledge and skills, but agreed there was a need to maximize community resilience benefits amongst a regional population. An action research workshop of researchers and practitioners used a visual logic model to focus on the pragmatic benefits of improving community resilience. The visual logic model was used to design research activities that would improve the regional community resilience strategy, which was still in an early implementation phase.Ten of 14 workshop participants were interviewed following the workshop. Statistical content analysis of interview data highlighted certain strengths of the action research process: visual monitoring and evaluation planning was a catalyst for complicated conversations between two very different groups of professionals; and researchers became more focused on practical issues as a result. Other findings suggested that in future collaborative researchgovernance would benefit from wider cycles of strategic intelligence, enhanced research contributions, and the use of different information formats for different purposes.Different formats for different purposes should also be considered when developing and implementing large-scale disaster risk reduction policies and strategies.

Major vacuolar TPC1 channel in stress signaling:what matters,K^(+),Ca^(2+) conductance or an ion‑flux independent mechanism?

Two-pore cation channel,TPC1,is ubiquitous in the vacuolar membrane of terrestrial plants and mediates the long distance signaling upon biotic and abiotic stresses.It possesses a wide pore,which transports small mono-and divalent cations.K^(+) is transported more than 10-fold faster than Ca^(2+) ,which binds with a higher affinity within the pore.Key pore residues,responsible for Ca^(2+) binding,have been recently identified.There is also a substantial pro-gress in the mechanistic and structural understanding of the plant TPC1 gating by membrane voltage and cytosolic and luminal Ca^(2+).Collectively,these gating factors at resting conditions strongly reduce the potentially lethal Ca^(2+) leak from the vacuole.Such tight control is impressive,bearing in mind high unitary conductance of the TPC1 and its abundance,with thousands of active channel copies per vacuole.But it remains a mystery how this high thresh-old is overcome upon signaling,and what type of signal is emitted by TPC1,whether it is Ca^(2+)or electrical one,or a transduction via protein conformational change,independent on ion conductance.Here we discuss non-exclusive scenarios for the TPC1 integration into Ca^(2+),ROS and electrical signaling.