City Of Toluca Research Articles

Estudio aerobiológico de pólenes anemófilos en la ciudad de Toluca, México

Due to the high incidence of allergic diseases in Mexico, caused by exposure to pollens, there have been several studies of plants and atmospheric pollens in various regions in the last decades. In the city of Toluca there have been two previous pollen samplings using gravimetric methodology, for which it is necessary to obtain new samplings with a standardized volumetric technique, in order to have updated and confident results of a region with considerable environmental changes in the last years. To determine the different types of pollens, seasonal variations and behavior in the four seasons of the year. A descriptive study, related to the identification of pollens by the suction and trapping of particles with the volumetric sampler type Hirst (Burkard) performed in the city of Toluca, Mexico, from October 1, 2004 to September 30, 2005. Twenty-nine different airborne pollen types were identified, which amounted a total of 13,542 pollen grains. During winter we found the largest number of pollens. The months with the highest and lowest amount of pollens were January and August, respectively. Pollens from trees predominated, mainly from the Cupressaceae (44%) and Pinaceae (13.8%) families, which were present in the atmosphere throughout the year. We identified a larger amount of pollens from trees in winter, mainly from the Cupressaceae family, and it is closely related to the number of trees planted of this species in the city.

Application of ISO 15686 to estimate service life of a dome built with adobe technology in the city of Toluca, Mexico

This paper focuses only on the application of a methodology used to estimate the service life of any constructed asset, in this case as an example about an architectonic project of a dome designed with adobe technology in the city of Toluca, Mexico, based on the method ISO 15686 (ISO, 2000). The service life of the project was estimated via seven factors. The results show that the final value is a quantitative but also a qualitative estimation is presented, therefore, this method is not perfect; however, this methodology could be helpful to the shallow, rapid and rough estimate of the service life of a building or building components that are required to be designed and constructed. This method could be very useful to architects, builders, civil engineers and developers for decision-making in the early stages of architectonic design, particularly in the planning of the building and pre-design phases.

Efficient Heat Generation for Resorts

This study compares the energy efficiency of two processes covering the thermal energy demand of a swimming pool: a combined heat and power (CHP) unit on the one hand, and a heat pump with internal combustion engine on the other hand. The thermal energy demand of the swimming pool was 1438 kWh per day (78% heating the pool and 22% providing hot water for showers), owing to temperate climate in the city of Toluca in central Mexico; a mean annual temperature of 13.5°C (10.5°C in January and 15.7°C in June) offers a large potential of renewable thermal energy stored in the atmosphere. Its utilization in heat pumps driven by thermal combustion engines can provide energy below 60°C; this temperature level provides hot water for showers while a lower temperature level of about 40°C heats up the pool water and swimming hall. Depending on outdoor temperature, which defines the load for the units, the efficiency in terms of total primary energy consumption is better for the CHP solution (100% and 80% load) and is better for the heat pump in the case of a 57% load. The energy losses for the CHP unit on-site are equivalent to half the losses caused by extraction and distribution of natural gas under current circumstances in Mexico. The results provide a decision tool.

El erotismo como consumo cultural que evidencia violencia simbólica.

Los deseos, placeres y emociones que se relacionan con la sexualidad y erotización femenina han sido reprimidos como una expresión del poder masculino. Bajo esta perspectiva, en este trabajo se presentan algunos resultados de una investigación en la que se entrevistaron a estudiantes universitarios de la ciudad de Toluca, se aprecia que al hablar de sexualidad se refieren específicamente a aspectos corporales y que sus experiencias son muy diferentes e inequitativas entre hombres y mujeres. Los jóvenes suelen vincular la sexualidad con conceptos tales como reproducción, calidez, amor y placer. Asimismo, el tema refleja ciertas connotaciones de moralidad e inmoralidad, pecado y peligro y la imposición de relaciones de poder, dominación y otros estereotipos. Así pues, a partir de las entrevistas y de consumos culturales se percibe que la sexualidad y el erotismo involucran también violencia simbólica.

Diversidad de arañas (Arachnida: Araneae) en hábitats antropogénicos

City-building is the most drastic, fundamental and irreversible transformation of natural environments, replacing all original biotic and abiotic components of the site. Spiders are among the arthropods that have become adapted to urban environments. We found 41 species within 12 two-story houses of the city of Toluca, located in 4 environments with different degrees of urbanization, during the period September 2009-August 2010. For the first time a systematic method was used to collect spiders inside houses with even collecting efforts. The diversity of spiders is different in each of the sampled environments, the Shannon index (H ‘) indicated that the diversity of spiders was higher in houses with gardens in the urban environment, so it does not support the hypothesis of intermediate disturbance. The number of spiders found is higher on the first level of houses than on the second, and 3 hypotheses are proposed to explain this difference. The Olmstead-Tukey test is proposed to determine the 4 levels of synanthropism (N. S.), since the test includes values used in the density and infestation rates (occupation).

220 Aerobiological Study of Anemophilous Pollens in the City of Toluca, Mexico

BackgroundThe pollen dispersal by wind is a natural event of great biological significance and an etiological factor in the genesis of allergic respiratory diseases. This is the first such study carried out in the city of Toluca, Mexico.ObjectiveTo present the data of collected pollen from September 2004 to September 2005.MethodsThe pollen was collected, using a Hirst type 7-day recording volumetric Spore Trap. According to the British Aerobiology Federation, we decided to read 12 sweeps in 24 hours in a transverse to have the mean pollen count. Standard equipment used for aerobiological sampling worldwide was used. Statistical analysis is a descriptive study using the SPSS Software.ResultsWe found 14, 078.61 pollen grains, coming from 32 diferent pollinic types in the 12 Transverse traverses in the year analized. The 6 leading taxa, in order of abundance, were: Cupressaceae (49%), Oleaceae genus Fraxinus sp (17%), Betulaceae genus Alnus (14%), Pinaceae (11%), Gramineae (6%), Asteraceae or Compositae (3%). The most prevalent months regarding pollen counts were January and February 2005 in wich Cupressaceae and Oleaceae genus Fraxinus were accounted.ConclusionsIn aerobiological terms both Cupressaceae and Fraxinus seem to be a major risk for potential sensitized individuals due to its known allergenicity and its high atmospheric concentrations between late winter and early spring, followed by Alnus, Pinaceae, Gramineae, Asteraceae, Casuarinaceae, Schinus, Cheno/Amp and Moraceae. This is the first effort to create the Mexican Aerobiological Network (REMA), and further studies are needed to correlate clinical data.

Tipificación parcial de embutidos artesanales de la Ciudad de Toluca: Chorizo verde

Chorizo verde is a traditional sausage that forms part of the culinary heritage from the Valle de Toluca, however its morphologic and physicochemical basic characteristics are unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze some morphological (caliber and length) and physicochemical (pH, aw, L * a * b *) parameters of this traditional sausage, through samples obtained from 14 establishments, including: traditional markets (n=8), establishments specializing in the sale of traditional meat products (n =3) and supermarkets (n=3) in Toluca city. It was found that caliber, aw, and L * and b * not showed significant difference among the sausages analyzed (P>0.05). However, the length, pH and a* showed a significant difference (P<0.05) with respect to the type of establishment where it was offered. The green chorizo that is sold in the city of Toluca has features welldefined: length (9.81 cm), caliber (35.6 mm), aw (0.94), pH (4.7), besides L * (46.12), a * (8.32) and b * (16.24) that makes of this traditional meat product a food that should be characterized integrally

Validez y confiabilidad del instrumento de vínculo parental en madres de familia de la ciudad de Toluca

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo validar y confiabilizar el Instrumento de Vínculo Parental de Parker, Tupling y Brown (1979), en una muestra de 125 mujeres mexicanas de la ciudad de Toluca. El instrumento original está constituido por dos escalas; sobreprotección y cuidado con 25 reactivos que permiten obtener los estilos vinculares: control sin afecto, constricción afectiva, vínculo ausente y vínculo óptimo. Se aplicó de manera individual y colectiva en su vivienda o lugar de trabajo de las participantes. Para llevar a cabo la validez se utilizó el análisis factorial y para obtener la confiabilidad el Alpha de Cronbach. De acuerdo con los resultados, quedaron 22 reactivos finales que permiten explicar el 56% de la varianza con una consistencia interna Alpha de Cronbach de 0.93. Por otra parte, se mantuvieron las escalas Sobreprotección con una confiabilidad de Alpha de Cronbach de 0.96 y Cuidado con 0.70. Se concluye que el Instrumento de Vínculo Parental es válido y tiene una consistencia interna adecuada, además cabe mencionar que la mayoría se ubicó en, o tuvo tendencia a un tipo de vínculo saludable como promedio u óptimo, en contraste con una minoría que se caracterizó por un vínculo control sin afecto, constricción afectiva, ausente o débil.

Resiliencia, autoestima y personalidad resistente en niños y adolescentes con antecedente de maltrato

El objetivo de este estudio es indagar la relación entre las variables resiliencia, autoestima y personalidad resistente en niños con antecedente de maltrato que se encuentran actualmente en una institución del sistema integral de la familia (DIF) de la ciudad de Toluca, Estado de México. La muestra se compone de 75 niños y adolescentes entre 10 y 18 años de edad con antecedente de maltrato físico, abuso sexual, negligencia y combinación de estos tipos de maltrato. Los datos indican que no existe diferencia estadísticamente significativa en las variables respecto al tipo de maltrato, pero sí existe correlación positiva moderada entre las variables (resiliencia y autoestima y personalidad resistente). Se concluye que es necesario profundizar en el estudio de la resiliencia y su asociación con autoestima y personalidad resistente, así como plantear la necesidad de que la institución provea las condiciones necesarias para el desarrollo y fortalecimiento de estas características de personalidad de los niños y adolescentes, a fin de que influya positivamente sobre la capacidad de enfrentarse a situaciones y salir fortalecidos, es decir, ser resilientes.

Speciation and Kinetics of Trihalomethane Formation in Drinking Water in Mexico

Water chlorination continues to be one of the most common water disinfection processes, especially in developing countries. When natural organic matter (NOM) is present, the process produces disinfection by‐products (DBPs), some of them being trihalomethanes (THMs). This study determined the presence, speciation, and kinetics of THMs formation in the water supply for the northern area of the city of Toluca, Mexico. The results show that the concentrations of THMs are below the maximum allowable limits of 200 μg/L in accordance with NOM‐127‐SSA1‐1994. Regarding THMs speciation, the presence of chloroform was more frequently observed in domestic water; furthermore, in one sample in which bromoform was present, it dominated over the chlorine species. Regarding the kinetics of THMs formation, a maximum concentration of THMs (THMsMax) of 13.02 μg/L was obtained, and the time required to reach 50% THMsMax (t50) was 39.45 min.

Are immunoglobulin concentrations associated with the body composition of adolescents?

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between serum concentrations of immunoglobulins (Ig) A, G, and M and body composition of adolescents from Mexico. Informed consent was obtained from parents and assent was obtained from the adolescents for the evaluation of 125 adolescents from the Capital city of Toluca and the adjacent semiurban county of Lerma de Villada. Height, weight, waist, and hip circumference were measured by trained personnel. Body mass index and waist:hip ratio were calculated from these measurements, whereas body fat (BF) was calculated from tricipital and subscapular skinfolds and measured by bioelectrical impedance. Serum concentrations of Ig were determined by nephelometry. Data were analyzed by independent samples t test and Pearson correlations. Subjects were mainly females (71.2%), with a mean age of 16.8 years (±0.8). No differences were reported in all indicators by weight or BF between gender. Female participants had higher Ig concentrations than males (IgG t = 2.24, p = 0.027; IgA t = 2.05, p = 0.043; IgM t = 4.49, p < 0.001). Positive correlations were reported for IgA and IgM with tricipital skinfold ( r = 0.192, p = 0.041; and r = 0.221, p = 0.018, respectively) and for total BF by bioimpedance ( r = 0.243, p = 0.009). Ig concentrations do not seem to be affected by overweight, obesity, or excessive or central BF in adolescents.

Are immunoglobulin concentrations associated with body composition of adolescents in Mexico?

ObjectiveTo analyze the association between serum immunoglobulins A, G and M, and body composition of adolescents from the State of Mexico.MethodsInformed consent from parents and assent from adolescents was obtained, for the evaluation of 114 subjects from the Capital city of Toluca and the adjacent semi‐urban county of Lerma de Villada. Height, weight, waist and hip circumference, as well as tricipital and subscapular skinfolds were measured by trained personnel; BMI and waist/hip ratio were calculated, while body fat was calculated from skinfolds and measured by bioimpedance. Immunoglobulin concentrations were determined by nephelometry. Data were analyzed by independent samples t‐test and Pearson correlations.ResultsSubjects were mainly females (71.2%), with a mean age of 16.8 years (+ 0.8). No differences were found between subjects with normal weight or body fat and those with overweight, central obesity or excess body fat. Females had higher immunoglobulin concentrations than males (IgG t=2.24, p= 0.027; IgA t= 2.05, p=0.043; IgM t=4.49, p&lt;0.001). Positive correlations were found for IgA with tricipital skinfold thickness (r= 0.192, p=0.041); for IgM with tricipital skinfold thickness (r= 0.221, p=0.018) and for body fat by bioimpedance (r= 0.243, p=0.009).ConclusionsImmunoglobulin concentrations were not affected by overweight, obesity, excessive or central body fat in adolescents.

Dental caries and treatment needs in street children in Toluca, Mexico

To assess dental caries (deft and DMFT) and treatment needs, in street children from the city of Toluca in Mexico. After informed consent from their parents, guardian or legal representative, 310 street children, 0 to 17 years of age, from Toluca in the state of Mexico, were evaluated. Caries and treatment needs were recorded according to 1997 WHO criteria. The oral examination was carried out on site in daylight. For the population from which the sample was derived, the caries prevalence was 94.96%, the mean DMFT was 6.0 +/- 4.6 (5.8 decayed), while deft was 3.5 +/- 3.7 (3.4 decayed). Treatment needs in the deciduous dentition revealed that 43.9% of teeth did not require any treatment, 20% needed fissure sealants, 19% required one surface restoration and 13.19% needed restoration in two or more surfaces. In the permanent dentition, the treatment needs were as follows: 51.2% teeth did not need any treatment, 22.9% needed fissure sealants, 18.4% required one surface restoration and 5.3% needed restoration in two or more surfaces. These findings illustrate the high prevalence of caries in street children in the city of Toluca. There is an enormous need for dental treatment; sealant applications were the treatment most in need. The data can serve as a platform to implement preventive and restorative dental health programmes that meet the needs of Mexican street children,

Volcanic hazard zonation of the Nevado de Toluca volcano, México

The Nevado de Toluca is a quiescent volcano located 20 km southwest of the City of Toluca and 70 km west of Mexico City. It has been quiescent since its last eruptive activity, dated at ∼ 3.3 ka BP. During the Pleistocene and Holocene, it experienced several eruptive phases, including five dome collapses with the emplacement of block-and-ash flows and four Plinian eruptions, including the 10.5 ka BP Plinian eruption that deposited more than 10 cm of sand-sized pumice in the area occupied today by Mexico City. A detailed geological map coupled with computer simulations (FLOW3D, TITAN2D, LAHARZ and HAZMAP softwares) were used to produce the volcanic hazard assessment. Based on the final hazard zonation the northern and eastern sectors of Nevado de Toluca would be affected by a greater number of phenomena in case of reappraisal activity. Block-and-ash flows will affect deep ravines up to a distance of 15 km and associated ash clouds could blanket the Toluca basin, whereas ash falls from Plinian events will have catastrophic effects for populated areas within a radius of 70 km, including the Mexico City Metropolitan area, inhabited by more than 20 million people. Independently of the activity of the volcano, lahars occur every year, affecting small villages settled down flow from main ravines.

Vulnerability assessment in a volcanic risk evaluation in Central Mexico through a multi-criteria-GIS approach

The Valley of Toluca is a major industrial and agricultural area in Central Mexico, especially the City of Toluca, the capital of The State of Mexico. The Nevado de Toluca volcano is located to the southwest of The Toluca Basin. Results obtained from the vulnerability assessment phase of the study area (5,040 km2 and 42 municipalities) are presented here as a part of a comprehensive volcanic risk assessment of The Toluca Basin. Information has been gathered and processed at a municipal level including thematic maps at 1:250,000 scale. A database has been built, classified and analyzed within a GIS environment; additionally, a Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) approach was applied as an aid for the decision-making process. Cartographic results were five vulnerability maps: (1) Total Population, (2) Land Use/Cover, (3) Infrastructure, (4) Economic Units and (5) Total Vulnerability. Our main results suggest that the Toluca and Tianguistenco urban and industrial areas, to the north and northeast of The Valley of Toluca, are the most vulnerable areas, for their high concentration of population, infrastructure, economic activity, and exposure to volcanic events.

SITE RESPONSE AND SEISMIC WAVEFIELD IN TOLUCA CITY, MEXICO, FROM STRONG MOTION RECORDS

Desde 1993 una red de 6 acelerógrafos opera en la ciudad de Toluca. A la fecha solo un sismo se ha registrado en las seis estaciones. Hemos analizado esos registros para medir la respuesta del sitio y analizar el campo de onda registrado. Se calcularon cocientes espectrales a partir de espectros de amplitud de Fourier, relativos a una estación de referencia y de las componentes horizontales respecto a la componente vertical registrada en cada sitio. Se compararon las trazas en diferentesbandas de periodo, se analizó la dispersión de la velocidad de grupo para cada traza y se calculó el espectro f – k. Los resultados muestran similitud entre el movimiento de terreno en los Valles de México y Toluca, en lo que se refiere a los efectos de trayecto. También, se muestran evidencias de arribos tardíos de energía provenientes de una dirección diferente de la epicentral. Afortunadamente para la ciudad de Toluca, las condiciones locales del suelo no amplifican el movimiento del terreno tanto como en la Ciudad de México, a pesar de los efectos de trayecto que conducen a las largas duraciones similares en periodos entre 1 y 5 s. Se requiere un análisis más detallado, sin embargo la calidad y la cantidad de los registros disponibles no lo permite en el presente.

XOO-PHASE CERAMICS FROM OAXACA FOUND AT CALIXTLAHUACA IN CENTRAL MEXICO

We describe tombs and ceramic collections in Zapotec style excavated in central Mexico, outside Oaxaca. The most notable are 13 ceramic vessels and objects from the Xoo complex (a.d.500–800) excavated by José García Payón in Calixtlahuaca (near the city of Toluca), and three Zapotec-style tombs excavated in Los Teteles (near the city of Puebla). We also mention Zapotec remains excavated near Tula, Hidalgo, and tombs in other parts of central Mexico. We briefly explore the implications of these data for our understanding of central Mexico after the fall of Teotihuacan.

Exposición infantil a plastificantes potencialmente tóxicos en productos de uso oral

To estimate the prevalence of oral product use in children less than three years of age, and to measure the concentration of phthalates as potentially toxic products. In 1999, 199 mothers of children living in the city of Toluca agreed to household interviews. Samples of oral products used by the children were taken and analyzed by gas chromatography to identify and quantify phthalate concentrations, to estimate the daily intake of phthalates from this source. The prevalence of oral product use was 13%. Male infants less than 18 months of age of low socioeconomic level used them more frequently. The concentrations ranged from traces to 67% weight. The mean exposure to products manufactured with polyvinyl chloride and phthalates was 13.94 microg/kg/day (95% CI 9.08, 18.89). The daily dose of phthalate intake from products for infants to suck or bite did not exceed the recommended limit established in other countries. Nevertheless, other sources can contribute to increase the total dose. Since some phthalates are harmful to the reproductive system in animals and this potential effect may also be expected in humans, it is necessary to assess other sources and determine exposure using biomarkers.

Eficiencia, igualdad y equidad en la localización de los servicios de salud infantil del Estado de México

En este artículo se analiza la relevancia de los modelos cuantitativos en la planeación urbana y regional; se discuten sus ventajas y limitaciones y se pone especial énfasis en su no neutralidad ideológica. Particularmente, en las relaciones que existen entre los modelos cuantitativos y la teoría y valores e intereses involucrados, inevitablemente, en el diseño y operación de muchos modelos de planeación urbana y regional. Se propone una manera de operativizar tres criterios fundamentales de justicia social para analizar la justicia espacial del proceso de descentralización de los servicios pediátricos públicos de la ciudad de Toluca (México). Para realizar el análisis empírico se simulan diversos escenarios de localización usando un modelo de localización-asignación que incluye un modelo de interacción espacial. Estos escenarios se evalúan en términos de su eficiencia, igualdad y equidad de acceso.

Radon concentration levels in ground water from Toluca, Mexico

Concentration levels of 222Rn have been analysed in water samples from deep wells of the aquifers around the City of Toluca, Mexico. The 222Rn source is the decay of 226Ra within the solid matrix of the aquifer. With a half life of 1600 years the 226Ra continuously releases 222Rn to the pores, from which it diffuses into the main body of water. This paper describes the methods used for sampling and measuring solubilized and 226Ra-supported 222Rn in the water samples, in order to evaluate possible health hazards due to the presence of radon in the drinking water supplies. The relationship of 222Rn with the hydrogeologic characteristics of the zone is also described. The analytical method involves laboratory extraction of 222Rn into toluene. Alpha disintegrations of 222Rn and contributions from short-lived daughters are counted by the liquid scintillation technique. The system was calibrated using a 226Ra standard solution. Results up to 11.3 Bq/l of 222Rn were obtained in the water samples.