Universidad Marista de Mérida

The reduction in the number of settlements and the congregation of the population in towns and republics of natives was a Spanish strategy to control the original inhabitants and their habitable spaces. In the case of the domestic space, these policies confined and constricted it in lots or land perfectly delimited, located next to each other and around a square. This with the intention of regulating and monitoring what was happening within of it and modify the Mayan way of living. In cultural and spatial terms, this event signified a violent change in the environment and context. On the other hand, the shape and characteristics of the space or plot assigned by the Spaniards possessed the conditions for a “Western” way of living; however, the cultural and spatial structures of the Maya were employed and readapted to the new circumstances, consequently creating a new housing model: the Mayan solar. In this sense, the solar can be considered an exaptation that, in addition to spatial and functional aspects, includes cultural expression in a new form. This is an example of how human creativity promoted change while simultaneously preserving material, cultural, and symbolic structures without necessarily seeking perfection. Thus, the Maya domestic space becomes a guardian of dwelling that has demonstrated great resilience to cultural challenges over time, both in the colonial period and subsequently in modernity. So much so, that currently, we can recognize some of the spatial characteristics derived from ancient Maya dwelling.

Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food industry worldwide because it allows faster intensive production in a limited space and short time. However, the trade-off of this production scheme has led to infectious disease outbreaks that harm food production with economic impacts. Immunostimulants have entered the industry to fight against diseases by enhancing the immune system and conferring better protection against pathogens. In this regard, dietary immunostimulants have been tested at the farm level, such as carbohydrates and proteins known to enhance immunity and improve survival rates under experimental conditions. Despite the success of immunostimulant inclusion in experimental aquaculture, economic evaluation is an innovative avenue to be integrated when a novel immunostimulant is developed. The bioeconomic analysis permits the accurate demonstration of advantages or disadvantages regarding survival and yield performance upon immunostimulant application through mathematical and statistical estimates. An integrative bioeconomic model for testing a novel immunostimulant should contemplate technological, biological, and economic submodels at least; thus, financial variables, such as revenue, costs, and profitability, should also be considered for proper decision-making. Therefore, this perspective briefly describes the most relevant immunostimulants used in shrimp farms and offers bioeconomic elements that should be considered for affordable immunostimulant development and inclusion in shrimp aquaculture.

The acquisition of skills is a priority for companies and organizations, which strive to have competent individuals in management roles capable of making critical decisions for operational survival. To achieve this, they invest in training programs that enhance strategic thinking, resource management, and leadership skills (Pereda et al., 2016). In knowledge management, Wang and Xiao (2009) emphasize the importance of recognizing and valuing critical processes, such as attracting and satisfying customers, and aligning these with the organization’s strategy, particularly in human resource management. Recognizing and cultivating managerial competencies, especially emotional intelligence, is essential (Valeri, 2024). Human resource strategies shape employee skills, attitudes, and behaviors, directly impacting organizational performance (Collins & Clark, 2003). Dolan (2005) argues that a company with skilled personnel has a crucial asset that can provide a competitive advantage through effective information adaptation across contexts. This asset can be a key differentiator that drives success by offering a competitive advantage, particularly through the effective communication and adaptation of specialized technological, strategic, or commercial information to diverse contexts. Dolan refers to this tool as emotional intelligence, a concept that emerged in the scientific literature in the late twentieth century. Despite its relatively recent introduction, emotional intelligence has gained significant prominence, exceeding initial expectations in its impact and relevance in contemporary settings.

This paper introduces two new goodness-of-fit tests for the geometric distribution based on discrete adaptations of the Watson W² and Anderson-Darling A² statistics, where the probability of success is unknown. Although these tests are widely applied to continuous distributions, their application in discrete models has been relatively unexplored. Our study addresses this need by developing a robust statistical framework specifically for discrete distributions, particularly the geometric distribution. We provide extensive tables of asymptotic critical values for these tests and demonstrate their practical relevance through a financial case study. Specifically, we apply these tests to analyze price runs derived from daily time series of NASDAQ, DJIA, Nikkei 225, and the Mexican IPC indices, covering the period from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2022. This work broadens the range of available tools for assessing goodness-of-fit in discrete models, which are essential for applications in finance and beyond. The Python programs developed for this paper are available to the academic community.

CdS(Se)/graphene oxide (GO) heterostructures have received significant attention due to their potential application in optoelectronic devices with tunable bandgap, efficient charge transfer, and enhanced photocatalytic and photovoltaic activity. In this work, Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations of the photocatalytic properties of CdS(Se)/GO heterostructures were performed. The results of work function, band gap, optical absorption, and band edges of CdS and CdSe in the (001) and (110) directions on graphene oxide are presented. Various approaches to simulate graphene oxide with a different concentration of oxygen, and their subsequent integration into CdS (Se)-GO heterostructures are discussed. DFT calculations were employed to determine the equilibrium value and adhesion energy for various compositions of layers at the interface, as well as different stacking arrangements between graphene oxide and CdS slabs. The results revealed that some oxygen atoms migrate to the CdS matrix and form bonds with Cd atoms. It was observed that the semiconductor band gap can be controlled by the oxidation degree in graphene oxide, and the electronic properties of CdS(Se) depend on the semiconductor orientation and slab number. Notably, surface states are found to be responsible for the negative part of the dielectric function at low frequencies, significantly influencing the electronic properties and charge transfer dynamics. The results show that both structures form type II heterostructures, which is promising for photocatalytic hydrogen generation.

Surya et al. (2021) indicate that productivity is crucial to the long-term sustainability of companies in today’s fiercely competitive business environment. Hotel businesses in Latin America, particularly small- and medium-sized firms (SMEs), must employ effective management strategies to consistently attain and sustain high levels of productivity (Meré et al., 2020). According to Stoica et al. (2020), in order to enhance business performance in the hotel industry, it is essential to optimise processes, utilise resources effectively, and make informed strategic choices. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the key management techniques that drive business efficiency in Latin American hotel SMEs (Meyer & Auriacombe, 2019).

Bouveret's syndrome is a rare disorder that causes upper gastrointestinal obstruction, typically in elderly patients with a history of chronic cholelithiasis. We present an unusual case of a 58-year-old woman with untreated vesicular lithiasis who developed Bouveret's syndrome. She presented with severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension. Imaging studies confirmed the presence of an impacted gallstone in the duodenum, causing obstruction. The patient underwent successful surgery with removal of the stone and repair of the bilioenteric fistula. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention are essential to prevent complications such as bowel perforation and sepsis. This case highlights the importance of considering Bouveret's syndrome in the differential diagnosis of bowel obstruction, particularly in elderly patients with a history of cholelithiasis.

Chromosomal rearrangements are structural anomalies that affect chromosomal architecture and can impact gene expression, genomic imprinting, or even generate de novo gene fusions, as seen in hematological chromosomal aberrations. Chromosomal rearrangements can be associated with syndromes causing neurodevelopmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, and variable dysmorphic features. This article presents the clinical and molecular characteristics of a 2-year-old male child with neurodevelopmental delay who was diagnosed with a chromosomal rearrangement due to a 15q24 duplication (dup15q24). The 15q24 locus presents controversy between the phenotype associated with duplication and deletion, thus posing a challenge in differential diagnosis for both. The phenotypes of autism spectrum disorder and pediatric patients with language delay should be evaluated by a multidisciplinary team comprising genetics, pediatrics, and pediatric neurology to shorten the diagnostic odyssey for patients with rare diseases and to impact the quality of life of the patient and their family.

Herein we present the update for the Mexican Guidelines for the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. It involves the participation of several experts along the country, following the GRADE system. We included aspects regarding vaccines, pregnancy and cardiovascular risk which were not presented in the previous guidelines in 2017.

Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors, often associated with catecholamine secretion. These tumors can arise in various locations, with the majority found in the abdomen and pelvis, while a smaller percentage occurs in the thorax and head and neck regions. Diaphragmatic paragangliomas are exceedingly rare, with only two documented cases in the literature. This report details a case of a primary diaphragmatic paraganglioma in a 59-year-old patient presenting with unexplained weight loss, tremors, and diaphoresis. Imaging studies revealed a mass in the right lobe of the liver, later identified as a diaphragmatic paraganglioma during surgery. The case underscores the importance of preoperative catecholamine assessment and careful surgical planning due to the risks associated with tumor manipulation. Complete surgical resection, although challenging, remains the definitive treatment, especially in hypervascular tumors located near major vascular structures.

Purpose To develop Mexico’s first methodologically rigorous clinical practice guideline for the management of adult overweight and obesity. The target audiences are interdisciplinary healthcare professionals across healthcare systems who are the first point of contact for patients with obesity in Mexico, patients, and health system decision makers. Recent Findings A review of recent international obesity clinical practice guidelines and an expert consensus process identified: i) common recommendations appropriate for implementation in Mexico and ii) knowledge gaps requiring the formulation of new recommendations. In all, 20 new recommendations and 20 good practice statements were developed using the GRADE Evidence-to-Decision Framework and expert consensus. Summary Overweight and obesity negatively impact the health and well-being of individuals and populations in Mexico. This guideline aims to establish a new evidence-based, patient-centered, non-stigmatizing, and practical treatment and management framework, based on the fundamental principles of chronic disease prevention and management.

This chapter aims to explore various aspects that influence photocatalytic activity, with a particular focus on effluents, pollutant reduction, pharmaceuticals, and fuel generation. It will delve into factors such as material properties (whether suspended or supported), effluent characteristics, and instrumental factors involved in the process, including the sources and intensity of light, as well as the effect of different reactor types (flow or batch). The chapter will examine the potential effects of these factors and emphasize their significant impact on the results. It will provide a comprehensive description of the influence of physicochemical variables, the use of additives like hole scavengers, the characteristics of the medium, and the properties of the photocatalyst. These properties include particle size, surface area, sensitivity to poisoning, possible reactivation, as well as the selection of appropriate electrode materials and applied voltage (in the case of photoelectrocatalysis). Additionally, the chapter will highlight the importance of selecting an appropriate photocatalyst for a specific application, considering factors such as catalytic activity, stability, selectivity toward target pollutants, and the lifespan of the photocatalyst. Furthermore, it will address the challenges and limitations associated with photocatalysis, including the degradation or deactivation of the photocatalyst. These challenges need to be carefully considered during the design of photocatalytic systems and the development of methods to mitigate their impact. By addressing these aspects, the chapter aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing photocatalytic activity and offer insights for optimizing photocatalytic processes in various applications.

The effect of nonnutritive sweeteners (NNSs) on the body mass index [BMI (in kg/m 2)] of children and adolescents remains unclear despite rising consumption. Detailed systematic evaluations are warranted. We aimed to summarize evidence on NNS consumption and BMI sex-and age-specific absolute changes (kg/m 2) in pediatric populations, by NNS type, study design, duration, analysis type, conflicts of interest (COI), geographical region, age, sex, and baseline BMI. We searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective cohort studies in children (2-9 y), adolescents (10-24 y), and young adults (20-24 y). Pooled estimates derived from random-effects meta-analysis for BMI changes, and the evidence quality was evaluated overall and by subgroup. From 2789 results, we included 4 RCTs [n ¼ 1372; mean follow-up ¼ 42.6 wk (standard deviation ¼ 18.4); 2 (50%) with COI], and 8 prospective cohort studies [n ¼ 35,340; median follow-up 2.5 y (interquartile range ¼ 1.7-6.3), 2 (25%) with COI]. No identified studies evaluated NNS in food, NNS beverages compared with water, or participants aged 20-24 y. Random allocation to NNS beverages (25-2400 mg/d, from beverages) showed less BMI gain [mean difference ¼ À0.114 kg/m 2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: À0.207, À0.021); I 2 ¼ 87.02%] compared with sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). Stratified estimates resulted in less BMI gain in adolescents, participants with baseline obesity, consumers of mixed NNS, longer trials, and trials without COI. Pooled estimates from prospective cohorts showed a nonsignificant association between NNS beverages and BMI gain [0.05 kg/m 2 (95% CI: À0.03, 0.13); I 2 ¼ 75.06%; per daily 355 mL serving]. Stratified estimates remained consistent. Removing studies with COI attenuated estimates. Evidence had low to moderate quality. In summary, pooled results from RCTs comparing NNS beverages compared with SSBs showed less BMI gain in adolescents with obesity. Meta-analyses of long-term cohort studies did not display a significant association between NNS beverages and BMI changes. This trial was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42022352284. Statement of Significance This study's significance lies in its comprehensive consideration of age and sex as crucial determinants of growth in pediatric populations, particularly when examining the association between nonnutritive sweeteners and BMI changes. Furthermore, we provide novel insights into the potential impact of diverse study designs, analytical methodologies, and commercial conflicts of interest within original studies, offering valuable perspectives for interpreting findings in this field.

Objective To analyze the changes in children's height, weight, BMI and rates of stunting and overweight and obesity over three periods: 1986–1987, 1996–1998, and 2023 for the community of Yalcoba in the Yucatan Peninsula. Material and Methods Four hundred forty (6‐to‐15 years) children measured in 2023 were compared with data obtained in 1986–1987 ( n = 675) and 1996–1998 ( n = 628). Z‐scores of height and BMI were calculated to estimate percentages of stunting and high BMI‐for‐age (overweight and obesity). Comparisons of anthropometric parameters by sex and age groups between years of measurement were performed through one way ANOVAs. Results Differences in anthropometric parameters were significant in all age groups of both sexes. Boys measured in 2023 were, on average, 6.4 and 3.3 cm taller than boys measured in the 1980s and 1990s, respectively. Increases in girls were 12 and 7.3 cm, respectively. Average increases in weight of boys measured in 2023 were 7.9 kg compared to the 1980s and 5.8 kg compared to 1990s. Average increases in girls measured in 2023 were 11.3 kg compared to the 1980s, and 7.6 kg compared to the 1990s. Stunting between the 1980s and 1990s decreased by 15 percentage points and between the 1990s and 2023 decreased by 47 percentage points. The percent of children deemed overweight/obese during these periods increased from 8 to 12–50 by 2023. Conclusion Results reflect the overall trends seen in the Yucatan where stunting has decreased substantially but the numbers of overweight/obese youths have increased dramatically in the past 30 years.