The Use of Technologies in Second Language Learning: The Case of a Mexican University

Introduction: This research is about the use of technology in learning English as a Foreign Language at higher education in a public University in Mexico. This study is focused on how students use the technology for academic and non-academic issues to learn English. The object of the study a sample of twenty five percent of English language students (375 students) were considered. Students’ average age was 18-25. Methodology: For this research two instruments were used to gather data the first one a questionnaire designed for this purpose, the second one an interview to know what kind of gadgets students use to learn English in higher education and how this technology could be introduced in second language learning classrooms. The results: allowed concluding that most technological gadgets used by students were Cells and Laptops to surf the net and chat through social networks for non-academic issues and laptops and desktop computers to work on school duties with specific software

Population differentiation and selective constraints in Pelargonium line

[EN] The genomic structure of Pelargonium line pattern virus (PLPV), a tentative member of a proposed new genus within the family Tombusviridae, has been recently determined. However, little is known about the genetic variability and population structure of this pathogen. Here, we have investigated the heterogeneity of PLPV isolates from different origins by sequence analysis of a 1817 nt fragment encompassing the movement (p7 and p9.7) and coat protein genes as well as flanking segments including the complete 3` untranslated region. We have evaluated the selective pressures operating on both viral proteins and RNA genome in order to assess the relative functional and/or structural relevance of different amino acid or nucleotide sites. The results of the study have revealed that distinct protein domains are under different selective constraints and that maintenance of certain primary and/or secondary structures in RNA regulatory sequences might be an important factor limiting viral heterogeneity. We have also performed covariation analyses to uncover potential dependencies among amino acid sites of the same protein or of different proteins. The detection of linked amino acid substitutions has permitted to draw a putative network of intra- and interprotein interactions that are likely required to accomplish the different steps of the infection cycle. Finally, we have obtained phylogenetic trees that support geographical segregation of PLPV sequences. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.We are indebted to Dr. Jan van der Meij (Ball Flora Plant, Chicago) for providing PLPV isolate from USA, and to Dr. Marise Borja (Fundacion Promiva, Madrid) for the Spanish isolates and for valuable comments in the course of this work. We thank to Dr. Selma Gago (IBMCP, Valencia) for critical reading of the manuscript. We are also grateful to Dolores Arocas and Isabella Avellaneda for excellent technical assistance. This research was supported by grants BFU2006-11230 and BFU2009-11699 from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (MICINN, Spain), ACOM09/040 from Generalitat Valenciana (to C.H.), and by grant BFU2009-06993 (MICINN) (to S.F.E.). A.C. was recipient of predoctoral fellowships from the Generalitat Valenciana and from CSIC-Fundacion Bancaja and L.R. received a postdoctoral contract from the Juan de la Cierva program of MEC.Castaño Sansano, MA.; Ruiz Garcia, ML.; Elena Fito, SF.; Hernandez Fort, C. (2011). Population differentiation and selective constraints in Pelargonium line. Virus Research. 155(1):274-282. doi:10.1016/j.virusres.2010.10.022S274282155

Aportaciones en Ciencias Agronómicas y Ambientales

de investigadores e investigadores independientes. En ese sentido, queremos otorgar un reconocimiento a quienes tuvieron la voluntad y el tino de apoyar esta iniciativa sobre trabajos relacionados con la quimica, biología, agronomía y medio ambiente

Effect of different dietary vitamin E levels on growth, fish composition, fillet quality and liver histology of meagre (Argyrosomus regius)

Seven experimental isonitrogenous (50%) and isolipidic (16%) diets with different levels of α-tocopherol acetate (16, 100, 190, 285, 430, 880 and 1300 mg kg−1) were tested during 72 days to evaluate growth performance, tissue composition, fillet oxidation and liver histology in meagre juveniles, Argyrosomus regius. Growth performance, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and tissue composition were similar among treatments (P>0.05). In the liver, no major differences were recorded in lipid and fatty acid composition but higher lipid vacuolization were observed in diets E100, E190 and E880. Muscle fatty acid profiles showed an increment of the highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) and a decrease of the saturated fatty acid with the increase of dietary vitamin E, which was accompanied with a reduction of the muscle TBARS responses.  Therefore, is suggested that diets for this species should be supplemented with 451mg kg−1of DL-α-tocopherol acetate (496 UI of vitamin E), as determine by broken-line regression analysis of muscle TBARS, to provide good overall growth performance and improved fish quality and storage stability. Moreover, results suggest that vitamin E deficiency or excess may deteriorate fish health.  Statement of relevance  The optimization of the dietary vitamin E level will contribute to formulate a suitable diet for meagre, a candidate for European aquaculture diversification, that until now is being fed with diets specific for other species. This study will narrow the knowledge gap that exists regarding meagre nutritional needs

Tailored Graphenic Structures Directly Grown on Titanium Oxide Boost the Interfacial Charge Transfer

The successful application of titanium oxide-graphene hybrids in the fields of photocatalysis, photovoltaics and photodetection strongly depends on the interfacial contact between both materials. The need to provide a good coupling between the enabling conductor and the photoactive phase prompted us to directly grow conducting graphenic structures on TiO2 crystals. We here report on the direct synthesis of tailored graphenic structures by using Plasma Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition that present a clean junction with the prototypical titanium oxide (110) surface. Chemical analysis of the interface indicates chemical bonding between both materials. Photocurrent measurements under UV light illumination manifest that the charge transfer across the interface is efficient. Moreover, the influence of the synthesis atmosphere, gas precursor (C2H2) and diluents (Ar, O2), on the interface and on the structure of the as-grown graphenic material is assessed. The inclusion of O2 promotes vertical growth of partially oxidized carbon nanodots/rods with controllable height and density. The deposition with Ar results in continuous graphenic films with low resistivity (6.8x10-6 ohm x m). The synthesis protocols developed here are suitable to produce tailored carbon-semiconductor structures on a variety of practical substrates as thin films, pillars or nanoparticles.Comment: 24 pages, 8 figures, original research pape

Intentional Storytelling to Sustain Low-cost/Free Breast Cancer Services: A Latina Example of Community-driven Advocacy

Background: Community-based public health advocacy efforts are crucial to sustaining the low-cost/free breast cancer services that support underserved populations. Objectives: We introduce two ways in which narrative theory may be a useful tool for developing advocacy materials and provide an example, using a community–academic partnership to promote Latina breast health in Chicago, Illinois. Methods: Community and academic partners 1) engaged 25 Spanish-speaking Latinas in an advocacy workshop, 2) leveraged narrative theory to develop multi-media advocacy materials, and 3) disseminated materials to policymakers. Lessons Learned: Our project highlights 1) that narrative theory may be useful to describe how Latinas engage policy-makers in relation to their needs and cultural norms, 2) the importance of flexibility and offering community members multiple options to engage policymakers, and 3) the importance of leveraging partners’ complementary strengths. Conclusions: Narrative theory may be a useful tool for developing advocacy materials in community–academic partnerships

Case-Control Analysis of the Impact of Anemia on Quality of Life in Patients with Cancer: A Qca Study Analysis

The impact of anemia on the quality of life (QoL) in cancer patients has been studied previously; however, the cut-off point used to define anemia differed among studies, thus providing inconsistent results. Therefore, we analysed the clinical impact of anemia on QoL using the same cut-off point for hemoglobin level to define anemia as that used in ESMO clinical practice guidelines. This post-hoc analysis aimed to determine the impact of anemia on QoL in cancer patients through the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of life questionnaire version 3.0 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Euro QoL 5-dimension 3-level (EQ-5D-3L) questionnaire. We found that cancer patients with anemia had significantly worse QoL in clinical terms. In addition, anemic patients had more pronounced symptoms than those in non-anemic patients. Anemia is a common condition in cancer patients and is associated with a wide variety of symptoms that impair quality of life (QoL). However, exactly how anemia affects QoL in cancer patients is unclear because of the inconsistencies in its definition in previous reports. We aimed to examine the clinical impact of anemia on the QoL of cancer patients using specific questionnaires. We performed a post-hoc analysis of a multicenter, prospective, case-control study. We included patients with cancer with (cases) or without (controls) anemia. Participants completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life questionnaire version 3.0 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Euro QoL 5-dimension 3-level (EQ-5D-3L) questionnaire. Statistically significant and clinically relevant differences in the global health status were examined. From 2015 to 2018, 365 patients were included (90 cases and 275 controls). We found minimally important differences in global health status according to the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire (case vs. controls: 45.6 vs. 58%, respectively; mean difference: -12.4, p < 0.001). Regarding symptoms, cancer patients with anemia had more pronounced symptoms in six out of nine scales in comparison with those without anemia. In conclusion, cancer patients with anemia had a worse QoL both clinically and statistically

Aportaciones a los estudios económico-administrativos. Reflexiones teóricas y evidencias empíricas

La economía y la administración están inmersas en el universo de las ciencias sociales, áreas del conocimiento que comprenden dominios diferentes, pero también convergen y se intersectan en un objeto de estudio: las organizacienones y sus agregados (industrias o sectores). Desde una perspectiva social, los estudios económico-administrativos informan sobre cómo hacer eficientes a las organizaciones y competitivos a los sectores con la finalidad de impactar positivamente en la justicia social (por ejemplo: mediante productos de mejor calidad a mejores precios). El auge de este tipo de estudios está extendido a fenómenos clave en el mundo de hoy, tales como: la ventaja competitiva, la innovación, la administración de la cadena de suministros y la administración verde, entre otros.El objetivo de este libro es difundir las aportaciones hechas a los estudios económico-administrativos, ya sea como reflexiones teóricas o a modo de evidencia empírica, pues la conjunción de varias ciencias ayuda a comprender fenómenos complejos mejor que una disciplina en forma aislada. Más que la homogeneidad de teorías o hegemonía de unas sobre otras, la investigación interdisciplinaria construye un acercamiento a la diversidad de puntos de vista: se buscan factores, métodos o lenguajes comunes alrededor de un objeto de estudio (Fernández, 2009; Martínez, 1997), llegándose a conformar una comunidad científica con antecedentes disciplinarios diferentes, pero con cierta unidad, relaciones y acciones recíprocas (Kuhn, 1995). Así, en este texto el objeto de estudio es el funcionamiento e interacción de las organizaciones, como integrantes de los sectores económicos, en los mercados locales y globales. La comunidad científica está conformada por investigadores y egresados del Doctorado en Ciencias Económico-Administrativas, el cual nace en 2006 en la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, a cargo de la Dependencia de Educación Superior (DES) Económico-Administrativa

Heterozygous and Homozygous Variants in SORL1 Gene in Alzheimer's Disease Patients: Clinical, Neuroimaging and Neuropathological Findings

In the last few years, the SORL1 gene has been strongly implicated in the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We performed whole-exome sequencing on 37 patients with early-onset dementia or family history suggestive of autosomal dominant dementia. Data analysis was based on a custom panel that included 46 genes related to AD and dementia. SORL1 variants were present in a high proportion of patients with candidate variants (15%, 3/20). We expand the clinical manifestations associated with the SORL1 gene by reporting detailed clinical and neuroimaging findings of six unrelated patients with AD and SORL1 mutations. We also present for the first time a patient with the homozygous truncating variant c.364C>T (p.R122*) in SORL1, who also had severe cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Furthermore, we report neuropathological findings and immunochemistry assays from one patient with the splicing variant c.4519+5G>A in the SORL1 gene, in which AD was confirmed by neuropathological examination. Our results highlight the heterogeneity of clinical presentation and familial dementia background of SORL1-associated AD and suggest that SORL1 might be contributing to AD development as a risk factor gene rather than as a major autosomal dominant gene.This work was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI17/01067) and AGAUR from the Autonomous Catalan Government (2017SGR1134). Dr. Víctor Antonio Blanco-Palmero is supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII, Spanish Biomedical Research Institute) through a “Río Hortega” contract (CM18/0095). Dr. Sara Llamas-Velasco is supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII; Spanish Biomedical Research Institute) through a “Juan Rodés” contract (JR 18/00046).S

Ciencias de la Biología y Agronomía

Este volumen I contiene 17 capítulos arbitrados que se ocupan de estos asuntos en Tópicos Selectos de Ciencias de la Biología y Agronomía, elegidos de entre las contribuciones, reunimos algunos investigadores y estudiantes. Se presenta un Estudio Comparativo de los Recursos Hidrológico-Forestales de la Microcuenca de la Laguna de Epatlan, Pue. (1993 a 2014); la Situación Actual de la Mancha de Asfalto en Maíz (Zea mays L.) en los Municipios de Jiquipilas y Ocozocoautla, Chiapas, México; las poblaciones sobresalientes de maíz de la raza Zapalote Chico, en la Región Istmeña de Oaxaca; Se indica el índice de área foliar de cultivo de Chile Poblano mediante dos métodos en condiciones protegidas; Esquivel, Urzúa y Ramírez exploran el efecto de la biofertilización con Azospirillum en el crecimiento y producción de Jitomate; esbozan su artículo sobre la determinación del nivel de Heterosis en híbridos de Maíz para la Comarca Lagunera; una investigación sobre la estabilización de semilla de Solanum lycopersicum durante el almacenamiento y estimulación de la germinación; acotan sobre el CTAB como una nueva opción para la detección de Huanglongbing en cítricos, plantean su evaluación sobre el aluminio y cómo afecta la vida de florero de Heliconia psittacorum; indican sobre el impacto del H-564C, como un híbrido de maíz con alta calidad de proteina para el trópico húmedo de México; presetan su investigación sobre la producción de Piña Cayena Lisa y MD2 (Ananas comosus L.) en condiciones de Loma Bonita, en Oaxaca; acotan sobre el efecto de coberteras como control biológico por conservación contra áfidos en Nogal Pecanero; esbozan sobre la caracterización de cuatro genotipos de Frijol Negro en Martínez de la Torre, Veracruz, México; presentan una caracterización hidroecológica de la microcuenca de Arroyo Prieto, Yuriría, Gto., y alternativas para su restauración ambiental; presentan su investigación sobre el efecto del hongo Beauveria bassiana sobre solubilización de fosfatos y la disponibilidad de fósforo en el suelo; plantean su investigación sobre la Germinación y regeneración in vitro de Epidendrum falcatum LINDL; esbozan su artículo sobre genotipos de frijol negro y su tolerancia a sequía terminal en Veracruz, México