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The goal of this small-scale qualitative study was to investigate the reasons and factors that may demotivate a group of university EFL students from participating in class, in the context of a school of language in the central part of the state of Veracruz in Mexico. While previous studies conducted, in this same setting, have focused on factors that affect classroom participation in general, this study involved interviews and observations to gain a comprehensive overview of the demotivating factors that impact these EFL students' participation levels in terms of oral production. The study focuses on the participation habits of the interviewed students, their perceptions of the factors that may inhibit them, that discourage them from participating fully in class, and that affect learning. The findings suggest that the participants' perceptions of what participation means, and their self-esteem and confidence affect their level of involvement. They also indicate that the teacher's role is an important variable in why students decide to remain silent.

This paper examines the perception undergraduate students have, regarding the attributes they have developed in terms of transferable and communicative skills. The goal was to shed light on how undergraduate students, in the context of this research, perceive their graduate profile. This study was carried out at a university school of foreign languages in southeast Mexico over the course of a year, from August 2016 to July 2017. Thirty male and female students participated in the study. Their ages ranged from 21 to 30 years old. They all were about to complete the last term of the BA program at the time the data were collected. The data collection tools used for this inquiry were interviews and surveys. The interviews were used to get an insight, in general terms, into the participants' perceptions whereas the surveys provided richer information about the students' perceived competences and skills. Content analysis was used to process the data, which were coded classified, summarized. The data suggest that students perceived gains in critical thinking skills, research skills, language skills, autonomy, and motivation as part of the attributes they developed within the program. However, attributes regarding teaching skills, learning strategies, technology skills, teamwork and ability to develop new projects and ideas are perceived as poorly developed or not acquired at all.

Copyright of Revista Colombiana de Ciencias Pecuarias is the property of Universidad de Antioquia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Terra: Revista de Desarrollo Local is the property of Terra: Revista de Desarrollo Local and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study, the relation among different meteorological variables and the electrical power from photovoltaic systems located at different selected places in Mexico were presented. The data was collected from on-site real-time measurements from Mexico City and the State of Sonora. The statistical estimation by the gradient descent method demonstrated that solar radiation, outdoor temperature, wind speed, and daylight hour influenced the electric power generation when it was compared with the real power of each photovoltaic system. According to our results, 97.63% of the estimation results matched the real data for Sonora and 99.66% the results matched for Mexico City, achieving overall errors less than 7% and 2%, respectively. The results showed an acceptable performance since a satisfactory estimation error was achieved for the estimation of photovoltaic power with a high determination coefficient R2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of GIST: Education & Learning Research Journal is the property of Institucion Universitaria Colombo Americana (UNICA) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of an orlistat-resveratrol (O-R) combination in subjects with obesity over a 6-month period.Methods: This study was a double-blind, parallel, randomized controlled clinical trial. Patients fulfilling the selection criteria (age from 20 to 60 years and body mass index (BMI) ≥30 and ≤39.9 kg/m(2) ) consumed an energy-reduced diet with 500 fewer calories than their usual diet for 2 weeks. Then the participants were randomly assigned to four groups, placebo, resveratrol, orlistat, or O-R, and they consumed the energy-reduced diet for 6 months. The study consisted of seven visits. During each visit, a 24-h recall was performed, along with measurements of anthropometric and serum biochemical parameters.Results: A total of 161 participants were selected. Of these, 84 participants completed the study. A significant weight loss of -6.82 kg (95% CI -8.37 to -5.26) was observed in the O-R group compared with -3.50 kg (-5.05 to -1.95, P = 0.021) in the placebo group. In contrast, the -6.02 kg (-7.68 to -4.36) orlistat and -4.68 kg (-6.64 to -2.71) resveratrol monotherapy losses did not significantly differ from the placebo. Significant decreases in BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, triglycerides, leptin, and leptin/adiponectin ratio were observed with the O-R combination.Conclusions: The O-R combination was the most effective weight loss treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the Political Essay on the Kingdom of New Spain written by Alexander Von Humboldt, this article analyzes the repercussions of this book in Mexican society throughout the nineteenth century. It strives to make an analysis of the works of Tadeo Ortiz de Ayala, Lucas Alamán and José María Luis Mora, showing their points of view about the relationship between the environment and the attributes of the Mexican population. As it is well known, the Political Essay resulted in the creation of a landscape that borders on myth when it considers that Mexico had an unrivaled wealth of natural resources. In the face of this fact, different Mexican authors like Tadeo Ortiz Ayala, a zealous follower of Humboldt, praised his book in different terms; others like Lucas Alamán and José María Luis Mora hesitated not only of the natural wealth of the country but also called into question the intellectual qualities of Mexicans derived from the geographical conditions of the national territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this manuscript, distinct approaches were used in order to obtain the best electrical power estimation from photovoltaic systems located at different selected places in Mexico. Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and Gradient Descent Optimization (GDO) were applied as statistical methods and they were compared against an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) as an intelligent technique. The data gathered involved solar radiation, outside temperature, wind speed, daylight hour and photovoltaic power; collected from on-site real-time measurements at Mexico City and Hermosillo City, Sonora State. According to our results, all three methods achieved satisfactory performances, since low values were obtained for the convergence error. The GDO improved the MLR results, minimizing the overall error percentage value from 7.2% to 6.9% for Sonora and from 2.0% to 1.9% for Mexico City; nonetheless, ANFIS overcomes both statistical methods, achieving a 5.8% error percentage value for Sonora and 1.6% for Mexico City. The results demonstrated an improvement by applying intelligent systems against statistical techniques achieving a lesser mean average error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study the behavior of the Brucella abortus RB51 vaccine was evaluated in bovine herds, with different prevalence of Brucellosis. A prospective longitudinal study was made, in two dairies, one of low prevalence (9%) with 538 cows, and the other of high prevalence (15%) with 612 cows. The cattle were vaccinated twice 90 days apart with RB51 at a dose of 1×109 cfu/ml. The monthly incidence was determined during 660 days of observation. In the low prevalence dairy, all positive animals were eliminated as soon as they were diagnosed as positive and in this herd the number of new cases decreased to less than 1% between days 120, and day 660. In the dairy with high prevalence, positive cows were not eliminate resulting in the herd increasing its incidence by the end of the first year. Once positive animals were eliminated the incidence diminishes by day 660 to less of 1%. The odds ratio (OR) in the group of cows with abortion history, in the low prevalence dairy, was of 4.5 (1.2; 16.6), in the dairy ranch with high prevalence it presented an OR of 3.6 (1.5; 8.5). The conclusion from this study was that in brucellosis endemic zones, vaccination with RB51 by itself is not enough to control disease. It is mandatory that the initial elimination of all positive cows at the time of vaccination, the continued elimination of all new positive animals be adhered to for long periods of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goat production in Mexico is concentrated in poorer areas in arid and semi-arid areas of the country's north and center, particularly in the Mixtee region of Oaxaca, Guerrero and Puebla. Because goats can survive in near desert conditions their production of milk and animals is a valuable nutritional contribution to human diets in these areas. Disease in goats in Mexico has generally received scant attention, however researchers at the IN1FAP have studied this species and its pathologies. This review focuses on the main diseases affecting goats in Mexico and the research in this area by the INIFAP. In most of the goat herds studied in Mexico reproductive disorders are often caused by diseases such as brucellosis, leptospirosis and chlamydia, all considered to be endemic and potentially zoonotic. Respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders are the main ailments in kids. High frequencies of arthritic encephalitis, a disease caused by infection with small ruminant lentiviruses, and paratuberculosis and caseous lymphadenitis, both bacterial in origin, have been documented in productive-age goats throughout Mexico. All three are chronic, causing producers to mistakenly assume they have no major impact on productivity. Q fever, a known zoonotic, is currently considered exotic in Mexico, but in other countries is frequently associated with reproductive disorders, abortions and occasional respiratory problems in goats. The INIFAP has addressed all the above diseases. It was instrumental in diagnosing and controlling brucellosis, the principal bacterial zoonosis in Mexico. Researchers at INIFAP have also helped to determine that diseases previously considered exotic in Mexico have become endemic, and then developing the tools needed for their diagnosis. The INIFAP has made vital contributions to understanding the national disease panorama in goats and transferring diagnostic and treatment technologies to livestock laboratories nationwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Q fever is an infectious, contagious and zoonotic disease that is considered a public health problem, but despite its worldwide distribution it is considered as exotic in the Mexican Republic. Q fever is caused by Coxiella burnetii , obligate intracellular bacteria that infects animals that not always develop clinical signs except for pregnant females, in which reproductive failures such as abortions and stillbirths can be presented. There are a few studies in Mexico in both animal and human populations that demonstrate serological evidence against C. burnetii and at least six human cases have been reported, but until now there is not any molecular evidence that demonstrates that this pathogen exists in our country. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of C. burnetii in goats that presented abortion. A total of 170 samples from goats were obtained from 8 states of the republic. Genomic DNA was extracted from vaginal swabs and the C. burnetii IS 1111 insertion sequence was identified by endpoint PCR. One hundred forty-nine (149/170) (82.35%) goat vaginal swabs were positive to C. burnetii. Our results contribute to elucidate the current epidemiological panorama of our country and is the first molecular evidence that goats may be reservoirs of C. burnetii. • The aim was to determine the presence of C. burnetii in goats that presented abortion. • IS 1111 insertion sequence was used as genetic marker to identified C. burnetii by PCR. • One hundred forty-nine (149/170) (82.35%) goat vaginal swabs were positive to C. burnetii. • This is the first molecular evidence of C. burnetii in Mexican goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to summarize the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 from Western Mexico people during 2020. A retrospective analysis from an electronic database of people visiting a sentinel center for molecular SARS-CoV-2 confirmatory diagnosis by RT-PCR from April to December 2020 was carried out for epidemiological and clinical description of COVID-19. Out of 23,211 patients evaluated, 6918 (29.8%) were confirmed for SARS-CoV-2 infection (mean age 38.5 ± 13.99), mostly females (53.8%). Comorbidities, such as diabetes (34.7%), obesity (31.15%), and hypertension (31.8%), presented an increased odds OR = 1.27, CI = 1.14-1.41; OR = 1.08, CI = 1.01-1.16; and OR = 1.09, CI = 0.99-1.19, respectively, for viral-infection. Moreover, fever, headache, and dry cough were the most frequent symptoms. No infection difference among sex was found. Those patients >60 years old were prone to COVID-19 severity (OR = 3.59, CI = 2.10-6.14), evaluated by the number of manifested symptoms, increasing with age. In conclusion, a high SARS-CoV-2 prevalence was found in Western Mexico. Comorbidities were frequent in infected people; nevertheless, no association with disease outcomes was observed, in contrast with the highest disease severity risk found in older patients; however, continuous monitoring should be carried since comorbidities have been reported as aggravating factors. This study can help the health officials for the elaboration of planning efforts of the disease management and others in the future.

The epidemiological behavior of six Leptospira serovarieties was analyzed by spatial autocorrelation and co-occurrence of leptospirosis, diagnosed in goat herds located in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico. A total of 1650 goat serum samples were analyzed by microscopic agglutination (MAT). True prevalence (P v ) and 95% confidence interval (CI 95 ) were determined. Spatial autocorrelation was calculated using the spdep package, applying the global Moran's I and local Moran's I of Leptospira in Guanajuato. The probabilistic model of co-occurrence was applied using the co-occur package. Seroprevalence in the State was found to be 45.5% (CI 95 42.96; 48.06%). The highest registered frequency was for the Icterohemorrhagiae serovar (P v 34.16%; CI 95 31.74, 36.65%), followed by the serovar Hardjo-prajitno (P v : 6.77%; CI 95 5.33, 8.40%). Other serovarieties showed a P v < 5%. Global spatial autocorrelation, only for the Icterohemorrhagiae serovar, was I > 1, while local Moran's I revealed that five of the six Leptospira serovarieties were spatially correlated. The probabilistic model of co-occurrence detected negative associations between Icterohemorrhagiae and the other serovarieties. The current study demonstrates the presence of Leptospira in goat herds of the State of Guanajuato. The diagnosed serovarieties show an aggregation pattern associated to risk zones and disease-transmitting vectors. Antibody co-occurrence analysis revealed dominance of the Icterohemorrhagiae serovar. A multidisciplinary approach including spatial epidemiology, ecological analyses, and serological vigilance will generate useful information for the prevention and control of leptospirosis in caprine production units.

Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico, has a great potential for aquaculture and a community of some 2500 fishermen who are interested in this activity. However, diverse reports over the past two decades suggest that the fish there are contaminated with heavy metals, raising concern among consumers. Although more recent scientific studies have clarified that the metal content in the edible parts of fish is below allowable limits, the negative perception persists. The present study, therefore, was designed to evaluate the bioaccumulation of the metals Cu, Zn, Pb, As, and Cd in organs such as the muscles, liver, and gills of carp (Cyprinus carpio) cultured in Lake Chapala, and compared the results to fish cultured in a pond. Results after 473 days of monitoring showed that metal bioaccumulation in the muscles of the carp increased by 1.71, 0.50, and 12.36 μg/kg for Cu, Cd, and Pb, respectively, but Zn and As levels decreased by 7.84 and 131.7 μg/kg, respectively. The livers showed concentrations one or two times higher than the muscles in the case of Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd. According to these results, the metal concentrations in the edible parts of these fish were below international standards for human consumption, and no significant differences were found between the bioaccumulation patterns in the muscles and livers of the carp cultured in the lake and those raised in the pond, except for Cd and Pb in the liver. Finally, no correlations were found between metal concentrations in the fish and lake sediments.

Background: There was a need for a solid asthma guideline in Mexico to update and unify asthma management. Because high-quality asthma guidelines exist worldwide, in which the latest evidence on asthma management is summarized, the ADAPTE approach allows for the development of a national asthma guideline based on evidence from already existing guidelines, adapted to national needs., Objective: To fuse evidence from the best asthma guidelines and adapt it to local needs with the ADAPTE approach., Methods: The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II asthma guidelines were evaluated by a core group to select 3 primary guidelines. For each step of asthma management, clinical questions were formulated and replied according to (1) evidence in the primary guidelines, (2) safety, (3) Cost, and (4) patient preference. The Guidelines Development Group, composed of a broad range of experts from medical specialties, primary care physicians, and methodologists, adjusted the draft questions and replies in several rounds of a Delphi process and 3 face-to-face meetings, taking into account the reality of the situation in Mexico. We present the results of the pediatric asthma treatment part., Results: Selected primary guidelines are from the British Thoracic Society and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (BTS/SIGN), Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), and Spanish Guidelines on the Management of Asthma (GEMA) 2015, with 2016 updates. Recommendations or suggestions were made for asthma treatment in Mexico. In this article, the detailed analysis of the evidence present in the BTS/SIGN, GINA, and GEMA sections on the (non) pharmacologic treatment of pediatric asthma, education, and devices are presented for 2 age groups: children 5 years or younger and children 6 to 11 years old with asthma., Conclusion: For the pediatric treatment and patient education sections, applying the AGREE II and Delphi methods is useful to develop a scientifically sustained document, adjusted to the Mexican situation, as is the Mexican Guideline on Asthma., (Copyright © 2018 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The need for a national guideline, with a broad basis among specialists and primary care physicians was felt in Mexico, to try unifying asthma management. As several high-quality asthma guidelines exist worldwide, it was decided to select the best three for transculturation., Methods: Following the internationally recommended methodology for guideline transculturation, ADAPTE, a literature search for asthma guidelines, published 1-1-2007 through 31-12-2015 was conducted. AGREE-II evaluations yielded 3/40 most suitable for transculturation. Their compound evidence was fused with local reality, patient preference, cost and safety considerations to draft the guideline document. Subsequently, this was adjusted by physicians from 12 national medical societies in several rounds of a Delphi process and 3 face-to-face meetings to reach the final version., Results: Evidence was fused from British Thoracic Society Asthma Guideline 2014, Global Initiative on Asthma 2015, and Guía Española del Manejo del Asma 2015 (2016 updates included). After 3 Delphi-rounds we developed an evidence-based document taking into account patient characteristics, including age, treatment costs and safety and best locally available medication., Conclusions: In cooperation pulmonologists, allergists, ENT physicians, paediatricians and GPs were able to develop an evidence-based document for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of asthma and its exacerbations in Mexico.

The current study provides specificity data on a large sample (n = 115) of young to middle-aged, male, monolingual Spanish speakers of lower educational level and low acculturation to mainstream US culture for four neurocognitive performance validity tests (PVTs): the Dot Counting, the b Test, Rey Word Recognition, and Rey 15-Item Plus Recognition. Individuals with 0 to 6 years of education performed more poorly than did participants with 7 to 10 years of education on several Rey 15-Item scores (combination equation, recall intrusion errors, and recognition false positives), Rey Word Recognition total correct, and E-score and omission errors on the b Test, but no effect of educational level was observed for Dot Counting Test scores. Cutoff scores are provided that maintain approximately 90% specificity for the education subgroups separately. Some of these cutoffs match, or are even more stringent than, those recommended for use in US test takers who are primarily Caucasian, are tested in English, and have a higher educational level (i.e., Rey Word Recognition correct false-positive errors; Rey 15-Item recall intrusions and recognition false-positive errors; b Test total time; and Dot Counting E-score and grouped dot counting time). Thus, performance on these PVT variables in particular appears relatively robust to cultural/language/educational factors.