Durango Research Articles

Organochlorine pesticide residues and urinary arsenic and fluoride levels in mothers and their newborns who are residents of rural areas in Durango State, Mexico

ABSTRACT Maternal and prenatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCP), arsenic (As), and fluoride (F−) is a critical public health concern. The present study assessed serum OCP residues and urinary As and F− levels in mother and newborn pairs who are residents of rural areas of Durango State, Mexico, from August 2018 to February 2019. Levels of OCP, As, and F− were measured in serum and urine samples by Gas chromatography – Tandem mass spectrometry (GC – MS/MS), Hydride generation – Atomic fluorescent spectrometry (HG-AFS, and ion-selective electron analysis (ISE), respectively, in 60 binomial mothers – newborns. Dieldrin, endrin aldehyde, and endosulfan-II were significantly higher in newborns than in mothers (p ˂0.05). Meanwhile, no significant differences were observed for As and F− concentrations between mother – newborn pairs. Differences were observed in ∑Dienes and ∑DDTs comparing newborns with normal and low birth weights and a positive relationship in ƩDienes, ƩChlordanes, and ƩDDTs between mother and newborn pairs (p ˂ 0.05). These findings highlight the importance of extensive research regarding the influence of pollution.

Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus Wilson): new record for the state of Durango, Mexico

The Pine Warbler (Setophaga pinus) inhabits eastern North America, where it breeds in the northern USA and Canada, and winters in southeastern USA. In Mexico, the species is considered an irregular winter migrant in the states of Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas. We report the first record of the Pine Warbler for the state of Durango, in the protected area of the Cañon de Fernandez State Park, municipality of Lerdo. On 8 January 2023 at 11:42 h, a Pine Warbler was observed perched on a cypress tree (Taxodium huegelii), located on the banks of the Nazas River. The bird was on a branch approximately two meters above the ground. This record expands the species’ winter distribution in Mexico. Observations like this are essential for confirming movements of species in time and space during migration, and for documenting changes in the distribution of migratory species.

Prevalence and Classification of C-Shaped Canal and Radix in Mandibular Molars Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography on Mexican Population.

The diverse morphological configurations in teeth present clinical challenges in root canal treatment, complicating instrumentation and irrigation processes, which can lead to treatment failure. Understanding anatomical variations, such as C-shaped canals and radix entomolaris, enhances clinical skills and improves long-term endodontic treatment success rates. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) offers superior diagnostic capabilities over conventional radiography, enabling the pre-operative detection of root configurations and canal numbers, facilitating personalized endodontic treatments. A total of 2173 teeth of a Mexican population, including 1057 first mandibular molars and 1116 s mandibular molars, were studied using only CBCT to identify C-shaped canals and radix configurations of patients who were treated from 2018 to 2023 at the Department of Radiology at the Faculty of Dentistry, Juarez University of the State of Durango, Mexico. C-shaped canals were identified in 160 teeth, with a prevalence of 0.2% in first mandibular molars and 14.1% in second mandibular molars. The highest frequency was in the left second mandibular molar (3.7) at 14.8%. Gender differences were significant, with higher prevalence in females (27.3%) compared to males (13.3%). The most common C-shaped canal configuration was type C2 (39.3%). Radix entomolaris was found in 52 teeth, with a prevalence of 3.4% in first mandibular molars and 1.4% in second mandibular molars. This research on a Mexican population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) highlights significant findings in the prevalence and types of C-shaped canals and radix entomolaris in mandibular molars for this population. The left second mandibular molar (3.7) showed the highest prevalence at 14.8%, followed closely by the right second mandibular molar (4.7) at 13.5%, with a significant difference (p < 0.001). We found a significant difference in the prevalence of C-shaped canals between genders (p = 0.004, OR 1.78). Additionally, radix entomolaris (p < 0.001) was more frequently identified in first mandibular molars to a significant degree. These insights underscore the importance of CBCT in diagnosing complex root anatomies, which can greatly enhance the success rates of endodontic procedures by allowing for more tailored and precise treatments for this population.

CO2 emissions from solid biofuel consumption in rural communities in Durango, Mexico

Objective: the objective of this study was to calculate the amount, in kilotons per year (kt a-1), of CO2 emissions from firewood consumption in rural communities of Durango in managed areas (UMAFOR– Forest Management Units) and at the municipality scale. Design/ Methodology/ Approach: the firewood consumption was determined for each of the UMAFOR areas and the 39 municipalities into which the state of Durango is divided. Greenhouse Inventory Software® was used to determine CO2 emissions. Results: the annual CO2 balance due to firewood consumption in Durango was 268.05 kt of CO2. These emissions in relation to the national scale represent 1.52% per year. Those UMAFOR and the municipalities that are geographically located in the semi-arid zone of the state of Durango were those with the higher CO2 emissions. Findings/ Conclusions: it is necessary to couple the consumption of firewood with eco-technologies that favor its efficient consumption, thus mitigating CO2 emissions.

Evaluation of neurocognitive functions in young university students who frequently consume alcohol at the UJED Durango Law School

The objective of this research is to evaluate the state of the neurocognitive functions of young frequent alcohol users of the Faculty of Law and Political Science of the Juárez University of the State of Durango, for this two instruments were applied: the AUDIT test, to identify the level of alcohol consumption of the students and the BCSE brief test to evaluate the cognitive state of the participants. 100 students participated voluntarily. In the results, it can be observed that 60% of the students evaluated have medium to excessive alcohol consumption, and 40% obtained low level scores in the cognitive assessment. Decision-making, planning, self-monitoring, spatial orientation, attentional control, and cognitive flexibility are the areas most affected by alcohol consumption, in addition to making them less consistent in fulfilling their school obligations and affecting their cognitive capacity necessary to correctly acquire knowledge.

Beekeeping and the Circular Economy as a competitive advantage in the municipalities of Nuevo Ideal and Canatlán in the State of Durango, Mexico

Beekeeping and the Circular Economy as a competitive advantage in the municipalities of Nuevo Ideal and Canatlán in the State of Durango, Mexico

Wild plants with toxic properties and with insecticidal potential organic against pests agricultural

In this work, 15 plants are listed, which are considered to have toxic effects in different areas of Durango. In addition, their main characteristics, distribution, properties and uses are described. Most toxic plants cause problems to human health such as: irritations, burns, vomiting, diarrhea and in some extreme cases these can cause death if we exceed the dose. On the other hand, these qualities can be used to benefit the environment, by extracting toxic secondary metabolites and using them to control pests, whether for forestry or agricultural insects, and thus reduce damage to the entomofauna of the area. Therefore, the objective of this review is to inform and identify the location of toxic plants in the state of Durango, uses and distribution. Furthermore, since the plants listed here do not have any harmful effects on the environment, their possible use in the production of biorational insecticides against insects is considered, which can be part of integrated pest management.

Crisis, corruption and state-led development in the making of the Mexican drug trade

Abstract The state of Durango has long been a centre of Mexican heroin production and an important node in transnational drug trafficking networks. As early as 1944, it was the site of one of the biggest drug busts in Mexican history, when an opium poppy plantation the size of 325 football pitches, irrigated by a purpose-built aqueduct, was discovered in the state’s northern mountains. By the mid 1970s, a combination of kinship ties and concrete connected these poppy fields directly with the US drug market hub of Chicago, Illinois, along a route known as the ‘heroin highway’, which helped Mexico become the supplier of 90 per cent of US heroin. But how did a poor, underpopulated and overwhelmingly rural state become a major player in the billion-dollar US–Mexican drug trade? This article shows that in Durango, the rise of heroin production and trafficking were integral aspects of local processes of social, political and economic modernization. Stimulated by the Mexican and US governments’ promotion of infrastructural improvements and mass migration, and protected by representatives of Mexico’s post-revolutionary political system, the drug trade in turn fuelled further ‘licit’ economic development, making it part of the very foundation of Mexico as we know it today.

Diversity of Culturable Yeasts Associated with the Technification Level in the Process of Mezcal Production in the State of Durango

Durango State has the denomination of origin for the production of mezcal, which is made from Agave durangensis, mainly in an artisanal way; therefore, differences in the fermentation process affect the quality of the final product. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the diversity of culturable yeasts involved in the artisanal and semi-technified process of mezcal production in the State of Durango. Three distilleries with different production processes were monitored at different fermentation stages (beginning, mid-fermentation, and end of fermentation) in the spring and summer seasons. A greater diversity was found in the distillery of Nombre de Dios in both the spring and summer production seasons (H’ = 1.464 and 1.332, respectively), since it maintains an artisanal production process. In contrast, the distillery of Durango, where a Saccharomyces cerevisiae commercial inoculum is used to start fermentation, presented low diversity indexes (H’ = 0.7903 and 0.6442) and only S. cerevisiae, Kluyveromyces marxianus, and, sporadically, Pichia manshurica were found. Results suggest that the yeast microbiota involved in mezcal fermentation during the different seasons is affected by the type of inoculum; changes include the presence of some species that were only identified during a specific season in alcoholic fermentation, such as Torulaspora delbrueckii and Pichia kluyveri.

Spatial-temporal risk factors in the occurrence of rabies in Mexico.

Rabies is a zoonotic disease that affects livestock worldwide. The distribution of rabies is highly correlated with the distribution of the vampire bat Desmodus rotundus, the main vector of the disease. In this study, climatic, topographic, livestock population, vampire distribution and urban and rural zones were used to estimate the risk for presentation of cases of rabies in Mexico by co- Kriging interpolation. The highest risk for the presentation of cases is in the endemic areas of the disease, i.e. the States of Yucatán, Chiapas, Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Veracruz, San Luis Potosí, Nayarit and Baja California Sur. A transition zone for cases was identified across northern Mexico, involving the States of Sonora, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, and Durango. The variables topography, vampire distribution, bovine population and rural zones are the most important to explain the risk of cases in livestock. This study provides robust estimates of risk and spread of rabies based on geostatistical methods. The information presented should be useful for authorities responsible of public and animal health when they plan and establish strategies preventing the spread of rabies into rabies-free regions of México.

Comarca Lagunera: Between the socioeconomic characterization and the availability of piped water

Objective: This research aims to describe with sociodemographic features the municipalities that make up theComarca Lagunera. They are located in the states of Coahuila and Durango. In Coahuila, they are: FranciscoI. Madero, Matamoros, San Pedro, Torreón and Viesca; and in Durango: Gómez Palacio, Lerdo, Mapimí andTlahualilo.Design/methodology/approach: The methodological strategy is quantitative, using descriptive statistics asanalysis technique to incorporate synthetic measures (such as indices) and proportions. The information sourcescome from different instances (CONEVAL, CONAPO and INEGI). In all cases, the level of disaggregationis municipal and the moment of information collection corresponds to 2020. The population volume of themunicipality is described, as well as its proportion with regards to the number of inhabitants in the state. Later,the results from the Gini index, marginalization index, proportion of occupied population devoted to primaryactivities, and proportion of private households without access to piped water are incorporated.Results: The municipalities that had the highest values for each of the variables are presented. In Mapimí theGini index is 0.54; in Viesca, 36.2% of the population is dedicated to primary activities; in Tlahualilo, 4.13% ofhouseholds lack piped water; and the index of marginalization in Torreón is 0.62.Limitations on study/implications: It was not possible to present the information with a higher level ofdisaggregation because the chosen variables only have data available up to the municipal level.Findings/conclusions: The use of indices allows to carry out a very useful characterization and can bestrengthened by the inclusion of specific variables that account for the municipal situation.

Effect of silvicultural treatments on forest diversity and structure in temperate forests under management in Durango, Mexico

&lt;p&gt;The present study evaluated the effect of silvicultural treatments on the diversity and structure of species in temperate forest ecosystems in the Municipality of Pueblo Nuevo in the State of Durango, Mexico; it was carried out to know if forest use modifies the diversity, mixture of species, spatial distribution, and dimensional differentiation of individuals in these ecosystems. The evaluation was carried out by comparing 10 plots with management history, which were measured before the application of the treatment and five years later. The diversity indices of Shannon, Simpson and Margalef were compared, as well as indices of structure of mixture of species, spatial distribution, and dimensional differentiation. According to the silvicultural treatments applied, the values of the indices do not present significant differences in their evaluations (p&amp;gt; 0.05), which indicates that forest use does not modify the diversity and structure of species of the tree stratum of this plant community.&lt;/p&gt;

Teacher autonomy support and psychological control, gender and academic engagement in secondary school students

Objective: The Present Study Analyzed The Relationships Between Autonomy Support, Teacher Psychological Control, Gender And Academic Engagement. Methodology: The Sample Consisted Of 324 High School Students Aged 10 To 13 Years (M = 12.88 Years, SD = 1.52) From Six Public High Schools Located In Different School Zones Of The State Of Durango. Results: Multiple Linear Regression Results Indicate That Student Autonomy Support Favors Students' Academic Engagement, While Teacher Psychological Control Is Negatively Associated With Students' Academic Engagement. Furthermore, Gender Does Not Seem To Be Associated With Students' Levels Of Academic Engagement. Contribution: It Is Concluded That Autonomy Support And Psychological Control Are Predictors Of Academic Engagement Of Secondary School Students.

Popular violence and ‘lay religion’ in centre-west Mexico during Mexico’s Cristero war (1926-29)

This article suggests that the Cristero insurgency of 1926-29 was a form of lay religious violence inimical not only to the Mexican Revolution but also to the interests of the Catholic civilians and hierarchy the rebels claimed to represent. By the same token, Cristeros shared with their Revolutionary enemies a habit of plebeian vigilantism which was informed by economic and politico-religious mobilisation underway since 1910. Focusing on the mestizo and indigenous populations in the states of Zacatecas, Durango and Jalisco, this article shows how the external conflict presented by the Church-state crisis of 1926 was used as a pretext for localised disputes concerning land and pillage. The Cristiada of 1926-29 thus deserves to be understood as part of the pattern of popular protest over land, property and autonomy which had been unleashed by the onset of the Mexican Revolution in 1910. This article concludes with an explanation of the military and political relevance of the Cristero conflict today.

Spatial richness analysis and an evaluation of extinction risk for the genus Pachyphytum (Crassulaceae), with the description of a new species from Sierra Madre Occidental, Mexico

Pachyphytum is a genus of rupicolous succulents endemic to central Mexico. Here, we present a comprehensive list of currently recognized taxa in Pachyphytum with a review of biogeographical distribution data, a spatial richness analysis, and conservation assessments based on herbarium records and field work. Pachyphytum has been documented in 11 Mexican states, with the highest concentration of species (14) occurring in xerophilous scrubland, Chihuahuan Desert, and the Sierra Madre Oriental. All species of Pachyphytum are narrow endemics and were therefore categorized as at-risk of extinction according to IUCN criteria. Currently, taxa in Pachyphytum do not have formal protected status due to lack of inclusion on Mexico’s list of endangered species. During fieldwork in preparation for this research, an undescribed Pachyphytum was encountered in Durango state, which we here describe as a new species based on a detailed morphological comparative study.

Socioeconomic and environmental impact of forest certification in ejidos and communities of the state of Durango, Mexico

A principal objective of forest certification is to ensure that forest management operations and administration provide opportunities for social, economic and environmental development. This study assessed the implementation of 48 specific forest certification practices through field interviews and site inspections in 13 forest properties certified in Durango according to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and compared them with practices on a pooled set of matching non-certified properties. The results of field observations indicate that forest certification has prompted measurable changes in sustainable forest management practices in Mexico. For 24 identified forest management and environmental certification practices, there were four statistically significant differences at p&lt;0.10, and 7 at p&lt;0.25. Six of 11 forest certification practices were significantly different at p&lt;0.10 for the social component, and 5 of 13 in the economic category. Forest certification in Mexico is related to better forest management practices and as a promoter of a better quality of life for communities. However, it still faces challenges to achieve better prices for certified forest products in the market, but has helped firms enter new market segments.

Reconstruction of fluvio‐lacustrine landscapes and settlement history in the Texcoco region, Mexico, using a modern geomorphic analog

AbstractLocated in the Basin of Mexico, the eastern shore of former Lake Texcoco sustained a variety of human occupations throughout the Holocene, including preceramic hunter‐gatherers, incipient agriculturalists, and a variety of settlements in the ceramic periods. Nonetheless, the environmental dynamics of occupations on the lakeshore have not been fully addressed. The Archaic preagricultural Texcoco Man site (&gt;5000 B.C.E.) and the Late Formative TX‐LF‐14 site (c. 550‐200 B.C.E.), among others, occupy this fluvio‐lacustrine transitional environment. Few stratigraphic works in and around the sites have been performed. Consequently, it is difficult to understand the dynamics of the sedimentary system in space and time. This work highlights and describes the fluvio‐lacustrine sedimentary dynamics and the resulting landscape that past societies inhabited on the eastern shore of Texcoco Lake. Because the study area has been altered by historic and modern draining, our work employs Lake Santiaguillo and its main tributary, the Tejamen River in the Durango state, as a modern analog to study their sedimentary dynamics. The analyses of surface geomorphology in the Texcoco study area were employed to corroborate the modern analog interpretation. To achieve these goals, we conducted a GIS‐based morphometric analysis and LANDSAT‐8 imagery to study the variations in landforms through wet and dry events. The results indicate an increase in the lake volume, low bifurcation in the active fluvial channels, few inundated surfaces, and the presence of bird‐foot deltaic channels during high precipitation events. In contrast, low precipitation events are characterized by reduced lake volume, increased fluvial channel bifurcation, and expanded floodplains. This heterogeneous landscape thus provided a rich source of diverse natural resources of saline and freshwater aquatic habitats. Simultaneously, constant or recurring flooding events generated a challenging landscape for prehistoric settlers who implemented diverse technologies, such as the construction of tlateles, on the levees of deltaic channels to reduce the risk and impact of flooding events.

Evaluation of forest cover loss in properties in the Sierra Madre Occidental, State of Durango, Mexico, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council

Currently, most of the world's forests are governed by policies and regulations that contribute to sustainable forest management. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), a voluntary, non-governmental mechanism, proposes a market-based international certification scheme whose mission is to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable forest management. Despite the broad scope of the Principles and Criteria of this scheme, there is limited empirical evidence and a lack of rigorous evaluation in relation to the real impact on forest ecosystems. In order to generate evidence to contribute to the discussion, 42 properties (covering a total area of 1.1 Mill. ha) in northern Mexico, with and without FSC certification, were identified and evaluated in the period between 1986 and 2012. The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences (p = 0.14) in forest cover loss between certified and non-certified properties for the period before the properties joined this scheme. Similarly, for the nine-year period after certification, there were no significant differences (p = 0.23) between the two groups. This indicates that the certification scheme has not resulted in significant additional reductions in forest cover loss in certified forest areas. It is therefore important to review the standards imposed and the evaluation methods used in the scheme, in order to identify the real environmental impacts on forest resources and, if necessary, to implement rigorous and reliable methodologies, such as remote sensing tools, to continuously analyze the forest resource in the long term.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND THEIR IMPACT IN THE BURNOUT SYNDROME

The burnout or syndrome of being burned, is the response that a worker gives when he perceives the difference between his own ideals and the reality of his working life, generally developing in the helping professions and frequent social interrelation. Saborío Morales, L., Hidalgo Murillo, L. F. (2015). The main objective of this research is to analyze the impact of burnout syndrome in recreational physical activities. Methodology: Type of quantitative, correlational and cross-sectional research (June to December 2022); Where 179 workers participated belonging to the Public Security Secretary of the State of Durango, Mexico. (C5), (86 men and 93 women) of an age of 25 to 50 years old, where the exclusion factors were Subjects who do not wish to participate, who have some motor impediment that prevents them from performing physical activities. Having as main results according to the perception of the subjects, the level of work stress decreases significantly from the implementation of recreational physical activities, as well as the increase in the level of job satisfaction. Concluding it is important to establish recreational physical activities that contribute to the reduction of work stress and with it, a better work environment where they feel valued for the performance of their duties in daily tasks.

GIS as a tool to apply the universal equation of soil loss in the Sextin river basin

Erosion is a process in which the superficial layer of the soil is lost, which provides the plants with the highest concentration of nutrients and the water they need, thanks to its high organic matter content. According to the United Nations Organization and Goal 2 'Zero Hunger' of the Sustainable Development Goals, soil erosion is a factor that restricts the ability to produce nutritious food. In this sense, it is important to monitor this natural process, an effective method is the implementation of the Universal Soil Loss Equation, which is a quantitative method of indirect evaluation that can be used through Geographic Information Systems in a determined area, in this method variables such as topography, land slope, land use, site geology, and average annual rainfall. The study site of this research is the Sextín River Basin located northwest of the State of Durango, Mexico, with a surface area of 4,906.8 km2. The results obtained indicate that the rate of soil loss reaches a value of 27,201 tons/ha/year, corresponding mainly to areas where the topography presents a high percentage of its slopes.