The Transition to College Process in PR-CETP Scholars

This article describes a study about the experiences of a group of students during the transition from high school to college. The students are future teachers who evidenced a high level of academic achievement in high school and received merit scholarships from the Puerto Rico Collaborative for Excellence in Teacher Preparation (PR-CETP). Two groups of students were compared: those who sustained a high GPA during their freshman year, and those who did not and, therefore, no longer qualified for the scholarship. The study was carried out through focused interviews with eight students, from three universities, four of whom maintained the scholarship and four who did not. Findings indicate that the main problems encountered were academic and social, and that the students received support from their families during the entire process. Regarding formal support, they pointed out that they felt highly satisfied with the services provided by PR-CETP and the universities, but they also pointed out (particularly those who lost the scholarship) that they needed additional services from the universities. They suggested, for example, better tutoring, and social activities among the scholars. The interviewed students, in general, consider that they faced the transition successfully since most of them described their academic, emotional, and social status as satisfactory at the time of the interviews

Factores de riesgos clinicas y epidemiologicos que influyen en el desarrollo de hipertension arterial en pacientes diabeticos, atendidos en el centro de salud Lacayo Farfan, durante el año 2015

En el mundo hay más de 347 millones de personas con diabetes. Se calcula que en 2004 fallecieron 3,4 millones de personas como consecuencias del exceso de azúcar en la sangre. En Nicaragua este es un problema de salud pública que cada día va en aumento. El presente trabajo está dirigido al estudio y análisis de los principales factores de riesgo clínico y epidemiológico que influyen en el desarrollo de la hipertensión arterial en pacientes diabéticos del Centro de Salud Lacayo Farfán del municipio de Matagalpa durante el año 2013 enfocando también la dificultad para el manejo y control de las descompensaciones. Es un estudio de casos y controles y cuyo método de recolección de información fueron entrevistas dirigidas al paciente y fichas llenadas con el expediente clínico. Durante el desarrollo del trabajo encontramos como principal factor de riesgo para desarrollar hipertensión arterial de los pacientes diabéticos, es la presencia de antecedentes genéticos asociado a los hábitos de vida poco saludables y que estos conlleva a la aparición de sobrepeso u obesidad en estos pacientes. Como dato relevante encontramos que estos pacientes son manejados principalmente con beta bloqueadores (Atenolol) a pesar que las guías internacionales proponen otro manejo. Por lo tanto concluimos que para mejorar la atención adecuada de los pacientes, se debe realizar controles periódicos, impartir charlas periódicas sobre el cuido personal, la medicación adecuada y procurar una vida sana a base de una alimentación sana y actividad física cotidian

Acculturation and wellness of native american adolescents in the United States of North America

Cultural conflicts and the process of acculturation contribute to feelings of boredom, anxiety, depression, isolation, stress, self-doubt, alienation, and rejection among Native American high school students. Further, acculturation may have a negative impact on the identity development and wellness of these students. The purpose of this pilot study was to: (a) assess and compare the levels of acculturation of Native American and non-Native American 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students; and (b) examine the relationship between level of acculturation and wellness for the Native American students. Results indicated significant differences between Native American and non-Native American students’ levels of acculturation; and significant differences between the Native students’ three levels of acculturation on some of the 17 scales of wellness. Resumen: Conflictos culturales y el proceso de aculturación contribuyen a sentimientos de aburrimiento, ansiedad, depresión, aislamiento, presión, desconfianza, alienación, y del rechazo entre estudiantes de escuela superior que son indios americanos. Aún más, la aculturación puede tener un impacto negativo en el desarrollo de identidad y bienestar de estos estudiantes. El propósito de este estudio piloto fue: (a) evaluar y comparar los niveles de aculturación de estudiantes que eran indios americanos y no-indio americano en los grados académicos del noveno, décimo, décimo primero y de duodécimos; y (B) examinar la relación entre nivel de aculturación y bienestar de los estudiantes indio americanos. Los resultados indicaron diferencias significativas entre estudiantes indio americanos y estudiantes no-indio americano en los niveles de aculturación; y diferencias significativas entre los estudiantes indio americanos en tres niveles de aculturación en la parte de las 17 escalas del bienestar

Energy vulnerability composite index in social housing, from a household energy poverty perspective

In Europe, the proportion of social housing is high, and such houses tend to be inhabited by below average-income households, which are particularly vulnerable to energy poverty. This article proposes a new methodological approach for defining an index for household energy vulnerability assessment. This method can be used to improve the management of social housing. After establishing a heuristic framework for household energy poverty-which stems from different causes such as income, the characteristics of the residence, energy installations, and the energy-consumption habits of household members-multi-criteria analytical methods, based on the aggregation of indicators which reveal the conditions leading to energy poverty, have been applied, and effective means of intervention are proposed. The method is also applied to a sample of social houses and thus validated as a useful tool in decision-making processes which concern the management of social housing from a household energy-poverty perspective

It\u27s Not That We Care Less : Insights into Health Care Utilization for Comorbid Diabetes and Depression among Latinos

Despite robust knowledge regarding the socio-economic and cultural factors affecting Latino* access to healthcare, limited research has explored service utilization in the context of comorbid conditions like diabetes and depression. This qualitative study, embedded in a larger mixed-methods project, aimed to investigate perceptions held by Latinos and their social support systems (i.e., family members) regarding comorbid diabetes and depression and to identify barriers and facilitators to their help-seeking behaviors and treatment engagement. Bilingual and bicultural researchers conducted eight focus groups with 94 participants in a large U.S. metropolitan area and were primarily conducted in Spanish. The participants either had a diagnosis of diabetes and depression or were closely associated with someone who did. This study identified key individual and structural barriers and facilitators affecting healthcare access and treatment for Latinos living with comorbid diagnoses. A thematic analysis revealed structural barriers to healthcare access, including financial burdens and navigating healthcare institutions. Personal barriers included fears, personal responsibility, and negative family dynamics. Facilitators included accessible information, family support, and spirituality. These findings underscore the need to address these multi-level factors and for healthcare institutions and providers to actively involve Hispanic community members in developing services and interventions

Development of nanolubricant based on impregnated multilayer graphene for automotive applications: Analysis of tribological properties

[EN] This paper shows novel formulations of nanolubricants added with multi-layer graphene (MLG), multi-layer graphene impregnated with copper (MLG-Cu), and multi-layer graphene impregnated with polyaniline (MLG-PANI) for applications in automotive engines. These nanofluids were prepared using commercial motor oil as the base fluid. The tribological properties were measured at 100 degrees C, and significant reductions were found in the coefficient of friction and wear. The concentrations used were 0.5% and 2% by weight, obtaining reductions in the friction coefficient and wear of up to 43% and 63%, respectively, in the case of motor oil with copper-impregnated graphene. All formulations of MLG, MLG-Cu, and MLG-PANI did not show any sedimentation when dispersed in engine oil, even three months after being produced. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.The authors would like to thank Tecnologico de Monterrey (ITESM) through the focus group of Energy and Climate Change for the support of this project and CONACYT for funding the stay at the Universidad Politecnica de Valencia (UPV).Ramon-Raygoza, E.; Rivera-Solorio, C.; Giménez Torres, E.; Maldonado-Cortes, D.; Cardenas-Aleman, E.; Cué-Sampedro, R. (2016). Development of nanolubricant based on impregnated multilayer graphene for automotive applications: Analysis of tribological properties. Powder Technology. 302:363-371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2016.08.072S36337130

Mortalidad Infantil por Educación Materna en Puerto Rico: 2009 y 2013

Background/Objective. The literature available about this topic shows that there is a relationship between infant mortality and the education of the mother. As the level of maternal education increases, infant mortality decreases. The main objective of the study was to examine the behavior of the specific rates of infant mortality by maternal education, and the variability it may have and the socio-demographic characteristics of the mother and infant. Methods. The database used for this study was the matched birth and death of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by period for 2009 and 2013. The study was descriptive. Results. The specific infant mortality rates by maternal education were lower among infants whose mothers had a grade 12 or higher education level than those whose mothers that had a less than grade 12 of education for 2009 (7.52 vs. 9.41 ) and 2013 (6.98 vs 7.00). Similarly, results occurred in the birth weight categories; the infants of the less educated mothers had higher mortality rates than those whose mothers were more educated. Conclusion. Maternal education is an important factor to consider when analyzing infant deaths. The data suggest the importance of promoting the education of mothers to increase the survival of live births.Transfondo/Objetivo. La literatura señala que existe relación entre la mortalidad infantil y la educación de la madre. A medida que aumenta el nivel de educación materna, menor la mortalidad infantil. El objetivo principal del estudio fue examinar cómo se comportan las tasas específicas de mortalidad infantil de acuerdo a la escolaridad materna, y la variabilidad que pueden tener sobre la misma las características sociodemográficas de la madre y el infante. Métodos Se utilizó la base de datos de nacimientos y muertes infantiles pareadas por periodo para el 2009 y 2013 del Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). El estudio fue descriptivo. Resultados. Las tasas específicas de mortalidad infantil por educación materna resultaron ser más bajas entre los infantes cuyas madres tenían un nivel de educación mayor o igual a grado 12, que para aquellos cuyas madres tenían una educación menor a grado 12 para el 2009 (7.52 vs 9.41) y 2013 (6.98 vs 7.00). Se encontró de igual manera, en las categorías de peso al nacer, los infantes de las madres menos educadas tuvieron tasas de mortalidad más alta, que aquellos cuyas madres eran más educadas. Conclusión. La educación materna es un factor importante a considerar cuando se analizan las muertes infantiles. Los datos sugieren la importancia de promover la educación de las madres para poder aumentar la sobrevivencia de los nacimientos vivos

BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH THE WEST INDIAN FRUIT FLY ANASTREPHA OBLIQUA (MACQUART) (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE)

BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH THE WEST INDIAN FRUIT FLY ANASTREPHA OBLIQUA (MACQUART) (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE

RELEASE OF 'CAMUY': A WHITE -FLESHED SWEET POTATO

RELEASE OF 'CAMUY': A WHITE -FLESHED SWEET POTAT

Preparation, characterization, intrinsic dissolution studies and microbiological assessment of dapsone tosylate polymorphs

Purpose: To prepare dapsone tosylate salt (TD) and its two polymorphs (TD-I and TD-II), and study their intrinsic dissolution profiles and preliminary anti-mycobacterium activity.Methods: The synthesized product was studied with respect to the effect of solvent selection, reaction temperature and evaporation rate on the solid phase obtained. The polymorphs were characterized using powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). UV/Vis spectroscopy was employed for quantification of the salt, while Wood apparatus was used for dissolution studies. Microdilution assay, using a 96-well equipment, was employed for the evaluation of anti-mycobacterial activity.Results: On analysis of the solids obtained from synthesis with PXRD, two different patterns were observed. One pattern belonged to TD-I, previously reported, and the other was a new polymorph TD-II. Solvent evaporation was important in the selective preparation of TD-I or TD-II. Analyses with DSC, TGA and 1H-NMR revealed the absence of solvent in both solids and showed that TD-II was not a solvated salt. Spectral analysis with FT-IR demonstrated structural relationship between TD-I and TD-II. Intrinsic dissolution studies showed that both polymorphs dissolved faster than dapsone (DAP).Conclusion: It is possible to synthesize TD and select the polymorph prepared by means of modulated solvent evaporation rate. The rank order of the intrinsic dissolution rate constants was TD-II > TD-I > DAP. The tosylate salt enhanced inhibitory effect on M. fortuitum, when compared to DAP.Keywords: Dapsone tosylate, Polymorphism, Solid phase characteristics, Intrinsic dissolution, Antimycobacterium activit