Biodiesel production as an alternative to reduce the environmental impact of University food courts

The objective of this work was to assess the environmental impacts of producing biodiesel by heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis. The raw material for the process was the waste cooking oil (WCO) generated at 27 food courts of Autonomous University of the State of Mexico. The study was conducted by applying Life Cycle Assessment methodology and the environmental impacts were calculated with the SimaPro 9.1.0.11 PhD software with the Ecoinvent database. The method was CMLIA base line C3.06/EU25. The assessed impact categories were: Abiotic Depletion Potential (ADP, elements), Abiotic Depletion Potential (ADP, fossil fuels), Global Warming Potential (100 years) (GWP), Ozone Layer Depletion (ODP), Human Toxicity (HT), Freshwater Aquatic Ecotoxicity (FWAE), Marine Aquatic Ecotoxicity (MAE), Terrestrial Ecotoxicity (TE), Photochemical Oxidation (PO), Acidification (A) and Eutrophication (E). In addition, end point environmental indicators were also calculated (Ecosystems Quality, Human Health Damage and Resources Availability) by the method ReCiPe 2016 Endpoint (H) V1.04 / World (2010) H/A. The system boundary enclosed three main stages, WCO collection, pre-treatment and reaction (to produce biodiesel). It was concluded that the reaction stage is the one with the highest environmental impact. In this sense, the highest impact categories were ADP (fossil fuels) (105.56 MJ), GWP (8.91 kg CO2 eq) and MAE (2387.89 kg 1, 4-DB eq). Nevertheless, it was also found that the GWP for the heterogeneous process is 82.52 % lower than that calculated for the homogeneous process. In addition, the human health damage of the homogeneous process is 1.77 points and is higher than the observed with the heterogeneous process.UAEMEX 5083/REDP202 UAEMEX 6219/2020CIB CONACYT SCHOLARSHIP 36063

A Quantitative Method for Evaluating Contemporary Cultural Uses of Birds – A case study from Mexico

This study evaluates the relationship between people and birds in Mexico, a country where high cultural and biological diversity are reflected in the close associations between people and natural resources, recorded since pre-Hispanic times. It systematically reviews 1041 records of cultural use of wild birds in Mexico published between 1996 – 2017, and analyzes patterns of contemporary use of avifauna. It classifies information for 252 birds by grouping uses of species and families into 11 categories and quantifies overall use with a Cultural Value Index (CVI). The data show that birds have a high cultural value as food, pets, and for medicinal uses (312, 235, and 119 records, respectively), particularly in the state of Chiapas. Large edible birds had the highest CVIs and included Plain chachalacas (Ortalis vetula; 9.72), Black-bellied whistling-ducks (Dendrocygna autumnali; 6.65), Crested guams (Penelope purpurascens; 6.25), and Great currasows (Crax rubra; 6.23), with the Cracidae family recorded as favored gamebirds. Conspicuous, brightly-colored birds had high CVIs, including Keel-billed toucans (Ramphastos sulfuratus; 6.50), Red-lored amazons, (Amazona autumnalis; 6.03), and allied species, which were traded or kept as pets despite legal protection. The high CVIs of Barn owls (Tyto alba; 5.45) were related to medicinal uses, and Mourning doves (Zenaida macroura; 5.69) were mainly used as gamebirds. Wild bird populations face increasing pressure from habitat loss and overexploitation. We propose that evaluating the ethnological significance of wildlife with indices like CVIs can quantify the distinctive needs of rural communities, which when combined with information on conservation status can develop more sustainable species management plan

Relación entre la distancia recorrida en el test de caminata, disnea y calidad de vida en pacientes con EPOC

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterized by various signs and symptoms that limit the performance of activities of daily life and affect aerobic capacity, and could also influence health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The objective of the present study was to determine the relationship between aerobic capacity, dyspnea and quality of life in COPD patients who attend a pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program. Descriptive study, with a cross-sectional correlational design in patients with COPD; with the ability to perform the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and answer the SGRQ and CRQ-SAS quality of life questionnaires. 36 patients, mean age 71.9 ± 7.1; mostly men with 83.3%. When correlating the 6MT and dyspnea, mMRC p-value = 0.00 and r = -0.586. In turn, a p-value <0.05 was obtained in the CRQ questionnaire; emotional, fatigue and total domains. The distance traveled on the (6MT) and dyspnea correlate with HRQL in the fatigue, choking and emotional domains of the CRQ questionnaire. No correlations were presented for the SGRQ questionnaire; however, the activities domain has a higher score. In conclusion, the domains of the CRQ questionnaire show a better correlation with the aerobic capacity of patients with COPD.La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) se caracteriza por diversos signos y síntomas que limitan la realización de actividades de la vida diaria y repercuten sobre la capacidad aeróbica, además de su posible influencia en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS). El objetivo de la presente investigación fue determinar la relación entre la capacidad aeróbica, la disnea y la calidad de vida en pacientes con EPOC que acuden a un programa de rehabilitación pulmonar (RP). Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo, con diseño correlacional de corte transversal en pacientes con EPOC y con capacidad para realizar el test de caminata de los seis minutos (TC6M) y responder los cuestionarios de calidad de vida SGRQ y CRQ-SAS. Participaron 36 pacientes, de edad media 71,9±7,1, en su mayoría hombres (83,3%). Al correlacionar el TC6M y la disnea con la escala mMRC, se reportaron valores p=0,00 y r=–0,586. A su vez, se obtuvo un valor p<0,05 en el cuestionario CRQ, en los dominios emocional, fatiga y total. La distancia recorrida en el TC6M y la disnea presentan correlación con la CVRS en los dominios fatiga, ahogo y emocional del cuestionario CRQ, mientras que el cuestionario SGRQ no refleja correlaciones.

FOSL1 promotes cholangiocarcinoma via transcriptional effectors that could be therapeutically targeted

Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) development and progression stands as a critical step for the development of novel therapies. Through an inter-species approach, this study provides evidence of the clinical and functional role of the transcription factor FOSL1 in cholangiocarcinoma. Moreover, we report that downstream effectors of FOSL1 are susceptible to pharmacological inhibition, thus providing new opportunities for therapeutic intervention

Los hombres en la Enfermería. Análisis de sus circunstancias actuales.

Nursing has undergone changes to adapt to the changes occurring in the course of history, to be a task delegated to the charitable women, the professional. Among all these changes, the entry of men into the profession plays an important role. The purpose of this study is to analyze the current status of the context in which male nurses perform, make a historical review of their circumstances and consider the benefits which they bring to their entry into the profession. Nursing is a profession that needs to remain effective, must adapt to the conditions of society and the country’s needs therefore to be updated in those areas that chronological questions have been left behind, should be forward and away from dogmas were established previously. KeywordLa Enfermería ha sufrido transformaciones para adaptarse a los cambios que ocurren en el devenir histórico; de ser un quehacer delegado a las mujeres caritativas, a la profesionalización. Entre todos estos cambios, el ingreso de hombres a la profesión juega un papel muy importante. El propósito de este estudio es analizar las circunstancias actuales del contexto en el que se desempeñan los enfermeros, hacer una recapitulación histórica de sus circunstancias y plantear los beneficios que con su ingreso le traen a la profesión. La Enfermería es una profesión que necesita permanecer vigente, se debe adaptar a las condiciones de la sociedad y a las necesidades del país, por lo tanto debe actualizarse en aquellos ámbitos que por cuestiones cronológicas ya han quedado atrás; debe ser vanguardista y alejarse de dogmas que fueron establecidos con anterioridad

The Mutagenic Potential Caused by the Emissions from Combustion of Crude Glycerin and Diesel Fuel

This study evaluated the use of crude glycerin as an alternative of energy generation to replace the traditional fuels. The Tradescantia stamen hair mutation assay (Trad-SH) was applied to study the mutagenic effects caused by the emissions generated in the direct combustion of diesel oil and glycerin in a flame tube furnace. Tradescantia inflorescences were exposed to gaseous emissions from the combustion tests in a fumigation chamber for 30-40 min. The analysis of variance and the Tukey test were applied to compare the differences between six test groups (intoxicated with emissions from glycerin and diesel oil combustion) and a control group. Only one glycerin group showed statistical differences (0.05), possibly due to the complexity of the burning process and impurities, besides the acrolein present in its emissions. The high heating value (HHV) of crude glycerin (25.5 MJ/kg) was lower than diesel oil (45.19 MJ/kg), but it was comparable to other fuels. Although the use of glycerin as a biofuel could be an important aspect to be considered, the results showed that the glycerin had a substantial mutagenic potential similar to that of diesel oil

Decentralizing Payments for Hydrological Services Programs in Veracruz, Mexico: Challenges and Implications for Long-term Sustainability

© 2018, © 2018 Taylor & Francis. In this policy review, we analyze two payments for hydrological services matching programs operating in the Antigua water basin in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Mexico’s Matching Program was created to transition from the national payments for hydrological services program to programs that would be financed by local governments, local water users and the private sector. Based on the analysis of organizational documents and key informant interviews with institutional actors, we describe the distinctive origins and organizational structures of these two programs, and how these differences have led to unique challenges for each program. We conclude that payments for ecosystem services programs that incorporate community-level organization and extensive technical assistance, along with expanded direct payments from ecosystem service users, have the greatest potential for achieving long-term sustainability