City Of Colima Research Articles

Factors that modify the larval indices of Aedes aegypti in Colima, Mexico

In order to investigate the variables that could have the greatest impact on larval indices of Aedes aegypti, the main vector of dengue, a descriptive, longitudinal study was carried out in the city of Colima, which is located in the Mexican Pacific coastal state of the same name. A total of 187 dwellings were inspected to determine the house index (HI) and the number of positive containers per house (C+/H), during the rainy season and the dry season. The following were recorded as independent variables: the air temperature, the season, the use of ultra low volume (ULV) spraying of malathion, the Premise Condition Index (PCI), and the score on a survey of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). Both the multivariate logistic regression and the multivariate lineal regression showed a reduction of HI and C+/H due to the effect of the dry season. Paradoxically, the temperature seemed to have a negative correlation with the larval indices, and this effect was more pronounced during the dry season. The PCI showed the most significant correlation with HI and C+/H, independently of the other variables. The ULV sprayings showed a small negative effect on the indices, while the KAP score did not indicate any association at all. Some conclusions that can be drawn from this study are as follows: higher temperatures can reduce the larval indices during the dry season, the PCI can be an adequate estimator of the Ae. aegypti infestation rate, ULV spraying reduces the number of larval breeding sites, and the KAP score has little association with the larval indices.

Diagnóstico y prevalencia de hipertensión arterial en menores de 19 años en la ciudad de Colima

To assess the prevalence of high blood pressure among young children. This is a cross-sectional study, conducted in 1992 in Colima City, Mexico. Blood pressure readings were obtained from 400 children aged under 19. Statistical analysis consisted of calculation of means, variance, and Anova by group age. Association between age and blood pressure was assessed with correlation and determination coefficients. Comparisons by sex were made using Student's t, F, Mann-Whitney's U, and Z tests. Percentile 95th was used to define normal figures. A lineal correlation coefficient was found and confirmed by the determination coefficient. Groups where this association was statistically significant at p < 0.01 were: a) children aged under 2; b) children from 2 to 13 years of age; and c) those over 13 years of age. High blood pressure figures for each group were: a) 92/50 mm/Hg; 110/70 mm/Hg; and 133/84 mm/Hg, respectively. The prevalence of high blood pressure in younger children may be 8% for systolic pressure and 9% for diastolic pressure.

Magnetic study of archaeological structures in La Campana, Colima, western Mesoamerica

Results of a magnetic survey of the archaeological site at La Campana in the Colima area of western Mesoamerica are reported. The site is located in the northern suburbs of the city of Colima over a terrain characterized by volcanic debris avalanche deposits. The study area of about 12,600 m 2 is divided into two sections corresponding to (1) the main archaeological site and to (2) a potential extension north of it. The magnetic survey shows the presence of three large dipolar anomalies oriented N–S or NNE–SSW occurring over small hills some 2 to 4 m high. The archaeological excavations have uncovered three large structures made mainly of rounded volcanic boulders built on large platforms. The southern structure consists of a pyramid (25×25 m 2 at its base) and an adjacent structure (at least 30×15 m 2). The central structure is a pyramid (20×20 m 2) with stair-like accesses on either side. The northern structure is a large complex extending over an area at least 40×30 m 2. A detailed survey in the open plaza area, using the vertical gradient method, revealed an elongated shallow linear feature, which turned out to be part of a channel network constructed with flat volcanic slabs. Inverted conical openings that end in a small well are connected to the channel network, which was apparently designed to collect water from rain and distribute it to the surrounding structures. The magnetic survey also shows the occurrence of a dipolar anomaly over a small topographic elevation that may likely correspond to another large pyramid. North of it, there is a series of elongated anomalies similar in shape and amplitude to those associated with the hydrological network. The archaeological remains extend over an area considerably larger than the one excavated in the archaeological study. The characteristics and size of the pyramidal structures, the plazas and channel network, and the apparent overall extension of the archaeological site strongly suggests that La Campana constituted a major urban and ceremonial center in westernmost Mesoamerica.

Eruption under way at Colima, Mexico

Volcanic activity beginning in March at Colima, in southwest Mexico (19.51°N, 103.61°W), has turned into a major eruption that is continuing as of May 1. The following report was provided by the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Network. All times are local (= UT −6 hours).“Lava extrusion began on March 1, following increases in seismicity, dome deformation, and thermal activity in late February. By mid‐March, the new lobe was large enough to be visible from Colima city (about 30 km from the volcano). Geologists visiting the summit on March 27 reported that the lava dome was 100 m across, 30–40 m high, and still growing. Some lava flowed into a small depression just northeast of the nearly symmetrical dome. At the time of the visit, the dome margin was 3 m from the southwest crater rim and spawned about 3 avalanches/hour. Advance of the lava was shown by blocks falling from the dome front.

Earthquake of April 15 in Mexico

FURTHER details are now available concerning the great earthquake which took place on April 15, 1941, in Mexico (see NATURE, April 26, 1941, 507). It is stated in the news-magazine Time that at the tropical city of Colima, with a population of 20,000, the first shock caused the dam guarding the water supply to collapse, that it disrupted power lines and caused half the buildings in the town to collapse. The cathedral, rebuilt after the earthquake of 1932, was again destroyed, and during the night forest fires blazed round the town due to the scattering of the charcoal burning dumps by the earthquake. At least 36 people in Colima lost their lives. The shock was felt from Jalisco in the north to Oaxaca in the south, while in Mexico City just as lunch time was beginning, towers and signs swayed, church bells tinkled gently, windows rattled and pavements cracked. Mexico's tallest skyscraper, a seventeen–story office building at the corner of the Paseo de la Reforma and the Avenida del Ejido, shook and cracked and a five–story section of glass and facing stone collapsed. Fires broke out, one destroying the El Monte lumberyard after firemen had fought the blaze for six hours. No one was killed in Mexico City though 800,000 dollars worth of damage was done to property. Altogether the earthquake caused near 2,000,000 dollars worth of damage to property and at least 84 people were killed, including 27 at Tuxpan in the State of Jalisco.

Earthquake in Mexico

A SEVERE earthquake shook more than 20,000 square miles of territory in northern Mexico on April 15, causing much damage to property, and, it is feared, a heavy death roll. Full details are as yet lacking, but preliminary facts may be given. The States most affected were Aguascalientes, Colima, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan, Puebla and Tlaxcala, the isoseismals apparently being elongated in an east-west direction. The epicentre may have been in the neighbourhood of Chilpancingo, though very great ‘damage was done to the city of Colima, capital of the State of Colima, 275 miles west of Mexico City. In Colima the homes of approximately 10,000 people have been reported destroyed. There were damage and loss of life also at other towns, including Guadalajara and Manzanillo, and as far east as Maltrata in the State of Vera Cruz. Mexico City was only slightly affected. At the same time, the volcano near Colima erupted, setting fire to forests. These fires further threatened Colima.