Vulnerability Factors and Pathways Leading to Underage Entry into Sex Work in two Mexican-US Border Cities

The current wave of interest in human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children has exposed a lack of knowledge about the vulnerabilities leading to underage entry into sex work. This knowledge is necessary for the development of effective prevention programs to identify girls who are most at-risk, especially in Latin America, a region that is believed to be a large source of persons moved across international borders for the purposes of sexual and labor exploitation. The objective of this study was to explore and increase understanding of the vulnerability factors and pathways leading to underage entry into sex work experienced by women currently engaging in sex work in two cities on the northern border of Mexico. From August 2013 to October 2014, 20 female sex workers (FSWs) with a history of entry into sex work prior to age 18 were recruited for in-depth interviews from a larger time-location sample of female sex workers (FSWs) participating in a quantitative survey in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez. The median age of entry into sex work was 14 (range 10-17); 12/21 participants reported being forced into sex work and, of these, 7 were transported to another city where they began engaging in sex work. Family dysfunction (e.g., domestic violence between parents, parent drug use, neglect, etc.), sexual and physical abuse, and teen pregnancy were among the key themes that emerged as vulnerabilities to underage entry into sex work. Women’s narratives clearly illustrated that the vulnerabilities and pathways leading to underage entry are manifold, complex, and often intersect with each other. Our findings begin to lay the groundwork for understanding the potential vulnerabilities and pathways leading to underage entry into sex, and may have relevance to Latin America in general. This study also provides a foundation for further research to explore what may mitigate these vulnerabilities as well as creating evidence-based interventions to prevent commercial sexual exploitation of minors in the region

ANÁLISIS COMPARATIVO POR ELEMENTO FINITO EN PRÓTESIS TRANSTIBIALES DE ACERO INOXIDABLE, RESINA EPÓXICA Y MATERIAL COMPUESTO CON REFUERZOS ORGÁNICOS (COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BY FINITE ELEMENT IN TRANSTIBAL PROSTHETICS OF STAINLESS STEEL, EPOXY RESIN AND COMPOSITE MATERIAL WITH ORGANIC REINFORCEMENTS)

Resumen   Se presenta el estudio comparativo por elemento finito del diseño de prótesis transtibial modular empleando el material comercial acero inoxidable AISI 304, así como el material económico de resina epóxica.  Se complementa el estudio con un material compuesto novedoso conformado por la resina poliéster y refuerzos de fibras de jute, fibras de vidrio y pulverizado de nuez.El análisis estático de la prótesis utilizó un peso de 90 kg considerado para una persona adulta y equivalente a una fuerza de 1600 N., con lo cual buscamos un resultado de deformación menor al establecido en la norma ISO 10328 que es de 15 mm.Los resultados entre el material comercial y los materiales de estudio son comparados, y el material propuesto presenta valores semejantes al de la resina epóxica, y ofrece un factor de seguridad de 1.2375. De esta es factible continuar con los estudios de diseños, análisis y manufactura de prótesis con materiales compuestos con refuerzos orgánicos de bajo costo y con una opción de compra para las personas que no pueden adquirir una prótesis comercial.Palabra(s) Clave: Análisis estático, elemento finito, material compuesto, prótesis transtibial. Abstract     The comparative study is presented by finite element of the design of modular transtibial prosthesis using the commercial material stainless steel AISI 304, as well as the economic material of epoxy resin. The study is complemented with a novel composite material made up of polyester resin and reinforcements of jute fibers, glass fibers and walnut powder.The static analysis of the prosthesis used a weight of 90 kg considered for an adult and equivalent to a strength of 1600 N, with which we look for a deformation result lower than that established in ISO 10328 which is 15 mm.The results between the commercial material and the study materials are compared, and the proposed material presents values similar to that of the epoxy resin, and offers a safety factor of 1.2375. From this it is feasible to continue with the studies of design, analysis and manufacture of prostheses with composite materials with low-cost organic reinforcements and with a purchase option for people who cannot acquire a commercial prosthesis.Keywords: Composite material, finite element, static analysis, transtibial prosthesis

Pro-environmental behavior mediated by research as a pedagogical strategy for the conservation of mangroves

El presente estudio tiene como objetivo conocer el comportamiento proambiental mediado por la investigación como estrategia pedagógica para la conservación de manglares. Emplea una metodología de tipo cualitativo con un alcance descriptivo, utilizando técnicas de recolección de información, como la observación directa y la población participante, conformada por cuarenta (40) estudiantes del grado décimo de la Institución Educativa Gilberto Acuña Rangel ubicada en el municipio de El Banco, Magdalena. Los resultados dejaron en evidencia que mediante el proceso de investigación se puede describir e interiorizar el daño ecológico ocasionado por la actividad humana, a partir de entrevistas a la comunidad aplicadas por estudiantes durante salidas de campo, en donde exploran los contenidos teóricos desde el acercamiento a este problema.The objective of this study is to know the pro-environmental behavior mediated by research as a pedagogical strategy for the conservation of mangroves. It uses a methodology of qualitative type with a descriptive scope, using techniques of information collection, such as direct observation and the participating population, made up of forty (40) students of the tenth grade of the Gilberto Acuña Rangel Educational Institution located in the municipality of El Banco, Magdalena. The results showed that through the research process, the ecological damage caused by human activity can be described and internalized, based on interviews with the community applied by students during field trips, where they explore the theoretical contents from the approach to this problem

Medios de comunicación y derecho a la información en Jalisco, 2015

El octavo informe Q ITESO: Análisis Crítico de Medios revisa el funcionamiento del sistema de comunicación política durante el proceso electoral de 2015, así como diversos aspectos relevantes de unas elecciones que culminaron con un cambio radical en el panorama político en Jalisco. En el universo de los medios de comunicación, se analizan los cambios experimentados por estos en el marco de la coyuntura electoral local, la equidad y profundidad en la cobertura por parte de los periódicos y la difusión que hicieron de las encuestas, así como el discurso e impacto de la propaganda difundida a través de la televisión y la Internet, a lo que se suma los debates registrados en redes sociales como Twitter, y la percepción sobre las campañas por parte de la audiencia tapatía. El examen político se enfoca en la campaña realizada por los candidatos independientes, el planteamiento socioeconómico de los contendientes por la capital del estado y el impacto electoral de un personaje incómodo como el papá del gobernador, para culminar este informe con una reflexión general y un balance de quiénes perdieron y quiénes ganaron al término de las elecciones de 2015.ITESO, A.C

The α1D-adrenoreceptor antagonist BMY 7378 reverses cardiac hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Objective: The α1D-adrenoreceptor (α1D-AR) is involved in angiotensin II-induced vascular remodeling and hypertension. Whether α1D-AR plays a role in hypertension-associated cardiac hypertrophy is unclear. Here we investigated effects of BMY 7378, a selective α1D-AR antagonist, on cardiac status in aged spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods: Male SHR were studied during the phase of developing hypertension (5 and 10 weeks old) and once hypertension was established (20 and 30 weeks old) to assess the evolution of cardiac hypertrophy. Age-matched WKY rats were studied as controls. Thirty-week-old SHR were treated for 4 weeks with BMY 7378 (10 mg/kg per day, o.a.), or captopril (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, 40 mg/kg per day, o.a.) (as a positive control). Blood pressure and cardiac function were measured in vivo, cardiac hypertrophy by histology, and α1D-AR protein expression by immunofluorescence. Results: By 30 weeks of age, SHR exhibited significant hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy. BMY 7378 and captopril decreased blood pressure and improved hemodynamic parameters and cardiac function in treated SHR vs. untreated SHR (P < 0.05). Histology showed increased cardiomyocyte size, fibrosis, and left ventricular hypertrophy in SHR hearts. BMY 7378 ameliorated fibrosis and cardiac hypertrophy, but had no effect on cardiomyocyte size in SHR. Effects of BMY 7378 were associated with increased α1D-AR protein expression in SHR. Conclusion: Our data indicate that pharmacological antagonism of α1D-AR reduces blood pressure and associated cardiac hypertrophy in aged SHR. These findings suggest that the α1D-AR plays a pathophysiological role in the development of hypertension and cardiac target organ damage in SHR

Biodiversidad regional: Santa María, Boyacá. Guía de Campo. Artrópodos, arácnidos, miriápodos, crustáceos, insectos.

ilustraciones, fotografías mapasEs un gran orgullo y satisfacción poder continuar con la presentación a la comunidad científica y académica en general, y en forma muy particular, a todos aquellos que viven y disfrutan de la enorme diversidad biológica de la Región de Santa María, Boyacá, la quinta guía de campo: “Biodiversidad regional, Santa María, Boyacá. Guía de Campo: Artrópodos”, en la cual uno de los más destacados entomólogos del país, el profesor Germán Amat García del Instituto de Ciencias, actúa como editor de la contribución. Para ello, concibió la idea de invitar a varios reconocidos especialistas nacionales para que proyectaran su experiencia y conocimiento a disposición y servicio de esta interesante empresa. La experiencia de estos destacados estudiosos del mundo de los artrópodos se visualiza en este nuevo libro que llega al público en general y les muestra otro ámbito de las enormes riquezas biológicas que guarda la región de Santa María, como es la relacionada con el inconmensurable mun- do de los organismos animales presentes en la zona. (texto tomado de la fuente)PRESENTACIÓN AES CHIVOR -- PRESENTACIÓN ICN -- AGRADECIMIENTOS -- DIRECTORIO DE AUTORES -- INTRODUCCIÓN -- LA REGIÓN DE SANTA MARÍA -- LOCALIZACIÓN Y COMPONENTES DEL PAISAJE -- CARACTERIZACIÓN DE HÁBITATS Y SITIOS DE VISITA -- LOS ARTRÓPODOS: MODELOS DE LA BIODIVERSIDAD -- CONOCIMIENTO, USO Y CONSERVACIÓN DE ARTROPODOS -- POR QUÉ SE EXTINGUEN LOS ARTRÓPODOS? -- LOS ARTRÓPODOS DE SANTA MARÍA -- ESTRUCTURA TEMÁTICA DE ESTA GUÍA -- LISTA DE AUTORES DE FOTOGRAFÍAS -- ARAÑAS -- ESCORPIONES -- OPILIONES -- PSEUDOESCORPIONES -- UROPYGIDOS -- AMBLYPÍGIDOS -- ESQUIZÓMIDOS -- RICINULÉIDOS -- 70 MIRIÁPODOS -- CANGREJOS -- LIBÉLULAS -- GRILLOS, LANGOSTAS, SALTAMONTES -- MÁNTIDOS --TERMES -- HEMÍPTEROS -- ESCARABAJOS -- ESCARABAJOS CARROÑEROS -- ESCARABAJOS ERRANTES .-- ESCARABAJOS TÍPICOS -- ESCARABAJOS CANTHAROIDEOS -- ESCARABAJOS LONGICORNIOS -- ESCARABAJOS DE LAS HOJAS -- HORMIGAS -- AVISPAS -- ABEJAS Y ABEJORROS -- MOSCAS .-- POLILLAS -- GLOSARIO -- ÍNDICE ALFABÉTICO GENERAL DE FAMILIAS Y GÉNEROS -- BIBLIOGRAFÍAPrimera edició

Potential of yeasts as biocontrol agents of the phytopathogen causing cacao Witches' Broom Disease: Is microbial warfare a solution?

Plant diseases caused by fungal pathogens are responsible for major crop losses worldwide, with a significant socio-economic impact on the life of millions of people who depend on agriculture-exclusive economy. This is the case of the Witches' Broom Disease (WBD) affecting cacao plant and fruit in South and Central America. The severity and extent of this disease is prospected to impact the growing global chocolate market in a few decades. WBD is caused by the basidiomycete fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa. The methods used to contain the fungus mainly rely on chemical fungicides, such as copper-based compounds or azoles. Not only are these highly ineffective, but also their utilization is increasingly restricted by the cacao industry, in part because it promotes fungal resistance, in part related to consumers' health concerns and environmental awareness. Therefore, the disease is being currently tentatively controlled through phytosanitary pruning, although the full removal of infected plant material is impossible and the fungus maintains persistent inoculum in the soil, or using an endophytic fungal parasite of Moniliophthora perniciosa which production is not sustainable. The growth of Moniliophthora perniciosa was reported as being antagonized in vitro by some yeasts, which suggests that they could be used as biological control agents, suppressing the fungus multiplication and containing its spread. Concurrently, some yeast-based products are used in the protection of fruits from postharvest fungal spoilage, and the extension of diverse food products shelf-life. These successful applications suggest that yeasts can be regarded a serious alternative also in the pre-harvest management of WBD and other fungal plant diseases. Yeasts' GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) nature adds to their appropriateness for field application, not raising major ecological concerns as do the present more aggressive approaches. Importantly, mitigating WBD, in a sustainable manner, would predictably have a high socioeconomic impact, contributing to diminish poverty in the cacao-producing rural communities severely affected by the disease. This review discusses the importance/advantages and the challenges that such a strategy would have for WBD containment, and presents the available information on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying fungi antagonism by yeasts.This work was supported by the strategic programme UID/BIA/04050/2013 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007569) funded by national funds through the FCT I.P. and by the ERDF through the COMPETE2020 - Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI), and the project EcoAgriFood (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000009), supported by the Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020) under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). PF is a Ph.D. student of the Doctoral Programme in Applied and Environmental Microbiology (DP_AEM) and FCT grantee PD/BD/113810/2015