Previous studies have found direct associations between glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL) with chronic diseases. However, this evidence has not been consistent in relation to mortality, and most data regarding this association come from high-income and low-carbohydrate-intake populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the overall GI and dietary GL and all-cause mortality, CVD and breast cancer mortality in Mexico. Participants from the Mexican Teachers’ Cohort (MTC) study in 2006–2008 were followed for a median of 10 years. Overall GI and dietary GL were calculated from a validated FFQ. Deaths were identified by the cross-linkage of MTC participants with two national mortality registries. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the impact of GI and GL on mortality. We identified 1198 deaths. Comparing the lowest and highest quintile, dietary GI and GL appeared to be marginally associated with all-cause mortality; GI, 1·12 (95 % CI: 0·93, 1·35); GL, 1·12 (95 % CI: 0·87, 1·44). Higher GI and GL were associated with increased risk of CVD mortality, GI, 1·30 (95 % CI: 0·82, 2·08); GL, 1·64 (95 % CI: 0·87, 3·07) and with greater risk of breast cancer mortality; GI, 2·13 (95 % CI: 1·12, 4·06); GL, 2·43 (95 % CI: 0·90, 6·59). It is necessary to continue the improvement of carbohydrate quality indicators to better guide consumer choices and to lead the Mexican population to limit excessive intake of low-quality carbohydrate foods.

Long-term climate and vegetation data were used to determine the role of rainfall variability and its seasonal distribution on litterfall nutrients. Based on a 20-year data set on rainfall (range 334–1,506 mm per year) and litterfall nutrients from old-growth tropical dry forest (TDF) in Mexico, we examined litterfall N and P concentrations from the rainy and dry seasons in response to rainfall in the rainy (June–October) and the dry (November–May) seasons, the latter referred to as out-of-season precipitation (OSP). Rainy-season litterfall N concentrations, but not P concentrations nor N:P ratios, changed positively (p < 0.001) in response to rainy-season precipitation. Dry-season litterfall N concentrations and N:P ratios, but not litterfall P, increased (p ≤ 0.02) in response to rainfall from the preceding rainy season. N:P ratios of dry-season litterfall in years with OSP were higher only during dry years and N concentrations decreased in wet years (p < 0.05). The narrow range in dry-season litterfall P concentrations (1.00–1.15 mg g-1), irrespective of rainfall amount and OSP, suggests P conservation. The variation in litterfall N, but not litterfall P, in response to rainfall variability reveals a divergent nutrient response along steep changes in water availability in this TDF.

The relationship between epilepsy and the presence of visceral larva migrans caused by Toxocara canis in Mexican children remains uncertain; however, this relationship needs to be elucidated because these parasite larvae can invade the human central nervous system. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the frequency and specificity of anti-T. canis antibodies in the sera of children with epilepsy to determine the relationship between this parasite and epilepsy. The sera samples of 214 children were examined: 111 children diagnosed with epilepsy and 103 clinically healthy children without neurological disorders. In the sera of each group, the presence and specificity of anti-T. canis and anti-Ascaris lumbricoides antibodies, as well as the cross-reactivity between them, were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting analysis. Among the children with epilepsy, 25.2% exhibited seropositivity to T. canis. Cross-reactivity against the A. lumbricoides antigen was present in 46.8% of the children with epilepsy, whereas 11.7% of the children with epilepsy and anti-T. canis antibodies did not exhibit cross-reactivity against this antigen. The Western blotting analysis of the sera from the children with epilepsy demonstrated the presence of T. canis proteins, with molecular weights of 24, 35, 55, 70, 120 and 210 kDa, and A lumbricoides proteins with molecular weights of 70, 80 and 110 kDa. Our results revealed the presence of anti-T. canis antibodies in the children with epilepsy; furthermore, cross-reactivity tests with A. lumbricoides showed the importance of the presence of anti-T. canis antibodies in revealing the relationship between this parasite and epilepsy in children.

This paper addresses the problem of optimal mechanisms design, for the geometric structure and control parameters of mechanisms with complex kinematics, which is one of the most intricate problems in contemporary robot modeling. The problem is stated by means of task requirements and performance constraints, which are specified in terms of the end-effector's position and orientation to accomplish the task. Usually, this problem does not fulfill the characteristics needed to use gradient-based optimization algorithms. In order to circumvent this issue, we introduce case studies of optimization models using evolutionary algorithms (EAs), which deal with the concurrent optimization of both: structure and control parameters. We define and review several optimization models based on the workspace, task and dexterity requirements, such that they guarantee an adequate performance under a set of operating and joint constraints, for a Delta parallel manipulator. Then, we apply several methodologies that can approximate optimal designs. Additionally, we compare the EAs with a quasi-Newton method (the BFGS), in order to show that the last kind of methods is not capable of solving the problem if the initial point is not very close to a local optimum. The results provide directions about the best state-of-the-art EA for addressing different design problems.

The purpose of this work was to study the relationship between self-focusedattention and mindfulness in participants prone to hallucinations and others whowere not. A sample of 318 healthy participants, students at the universities ofSevilla and Almería, was given the Launay-Slade HallucinationsScale-revised (LSHS-R, Bentall & Slade, 1985). Based on this sample, two groups were formed:participants with high (n = 55) and low proneness(n = 28) to hallucinations. Participants with ascore higher than a standard deviation from the mean in the LSHS-R were includedin the high proneness group, participants with a score lower than a standarddeviation from the mean in the LSHR-R were included in the second one. Allparticipants were also given the Self-Absorption Scale (SAS, McKenzie& Hoyle, 2008) and theSouthampton Mindfulness Questionnaire (SMQ, Chadwick et al., 2008). The results showed thatparticipants with high hallucination proneness had significantly higher levelsof public (t(80) = 6.81, p< .001) and private (t(77) = 7.39,p < .001) self-focused attention and lower levelsof mindfulness (t(81) = -4.56, p< .001) than participants in the group with low hallucinationproneness. A correlational analysis showed a negative association betweenself-focused attention (private and public) and mindfulness (r= -0.23, p < .001; r= -0.38, p < .001 respectively). Finally,mindfulness was found to partly mediate between self-focused attention andhallucination proneness. The importance of self-focused attention andmindfulness in understanding the etiology of hallucinations discussed andsuggest some approaches to their treatment.

Introduction. The nutritional and functional qualities of wild andcultivated Mexican serviceberry have not yet been reported. This species could havesimilar potential for commercialization to that of Saskatoon berry (Amelanchieralnifolia Nutt.). Materials and methods. Wild and cultivatedfruits at two maturity stages were assessed for CIE Lab color, fruit size, titratableacidity and total soluble solids. Also, chemical composition and mineral contents weredetermined. In addition, vitamin C and simple phenols were assessed. Total solublephenols, condensed tannins and anthocyanins as well as Trolox antioxidant activity andoxygen radical antioxidant activity were determined. Results. Fruit size,titratable acidity, total soluble solids, iron and simple phenols were higher in fruits ofcultivated plants than in those of wild plants. Total fiber, calcium, vitamin C, totalsoluble phenols and condensed tannins were higher in wild fruits. Wild and cultivatedserviceberry showed higher Trolox antioxidant activity compared with oxygen radicalantioxidant activity. Caffeic, chlorogenic, coumaric and syringic acids and rutin were thepredominant simple phenolics; they comprised from 59.3% (cultivated overripe fruit) to76.9% (wild ripe fruit) of the sum of simple phenolics. The antioxidant activity of wildand cultivated fruit (258.3–699.2 mmol·kg–1, fw) is up to 3.8 times higher compared withthose of fruits commonly consumed. Conclusion. Contents of antioxidantcompounds and the outstanding antioxidant activities of wild and cultivated Mexicanserviceberry make this species a natural resource that could contribute to health.

Aims — This study had two objectives: 1) to design and develop a computer-based tool, called Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm/Hot-Spots (MOEA/HS), to identify and geographically locate highly autocorrelated zones or hot-spots and which merges different methods, and 2) to carry out a demonstration study in a geographical area where previous information about the distribution of schizophrenia prevalence is available and which can therefore be compared. Methods — Local Indicators of Spatial Aggregation (LISA) models as well as the Bayesian Conditional Autoregressive Model (CAR) were used as objectives in a multicriteria framework when highly autocorrelated zones (hot-spots) need to be identified and geographically located. A Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm (MOEA) model was designed and used to identify highly autocorrelated areas of the prevalence of schizophrenia in Andalusia. Hot-spots were statistically identified using exponential-based QQ-Plots (statistics of extremes). Results — Efficient solutions (Pareto set) from MOEA/HS were analysed statistically and one main hot-spot was identified and spatially located. Our model can be used to identify and locate geographical hot-spots of schizophrenia prevalence in a large and complicated region. Conclusions — MOEA/HS enables a compromise to be achieved between different econometric methods by highlighting very special zones in complex areas where schizophrenia shows a high autocorrelation.

Declaration of Interest: This study was partly supported by the Andalusian Government, P05-TIC-00531, PAI:P06-CTS-01765, CTS-587, PI-338/2008]; the Ministry of Education and Science [TIN2005–08386-C05–02] and the Ministry of Health [PI08/90752]. No additional financial sources have been received. No involvements are in conflict with this paper.

This paper discusses an integrated approach to mental health studies on Financing of Illness (FoI) and health accounting, Cost of Illness (CoI) and Burden of Disease (BoD). In order to expand the mental health policies, the following are suggested: (a) an international consensus on the standard scope, methods to collect and to analyse mental health data, as well as to report comparative information; (b) mathematical models are also to be validated and tested in an integrated approach, (c) a better knowledge transfer between clinicians and knowledge engineers, and between researchers and policy makers to translate economic analysis into practice and health planning.

Genetic diversity and relationships among 112 mango (Mangifera indica) plants native to 16 states of Mexico and four controls [three mango cultivars (Ataulfo, Manila and Tommy Atkins) and one accession of Mangifera odorata] were evaluated based on amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular markers. Mango germplasm shows broad dispersion through Mexico and genetically similar germplasm from different agroecological regions has previously been found by our group. Both AFLP and SSR analyses indicated high genetic similarity among mango populations that were clustered in two major groups: mangos from Gulf of Mexico coastline and mangos from Pacific Ocean coastline and locations far away from the sea. The highest genetic diversity was found within plants from each state, and significant genetic differentiation (FST = 0.1921, AFLPs and 0.1911, SSRs) was also observed among mango populations based on geographical origin and genetic status (cultivars versus landraces). Heterozygosity values ranged from low (0.38) to moderate (0.68), and no heterozygote deficits were found. The highest genetic variability was found in mango populations from Tabasco, Michoacán and Oaxaca. Data suggested that mangoes are subjected to natural or induced pollination, so segregation as well as genetic recombination plays major roles on genetic diversification of Mexican mangos. AFLP analysis was more robust than SSR for determining the genetic relationships among mango landraces from Mexico.

Introduction. In Mexico, the Myrtillocactus fruit production levels are substantial, yet fruits are often under-used. Although the focus of interest is on their potential as food colourings, the fruits deserve more attention for their other food properties but information on their physico-chemical composition is scarce. To offer a baseline for the development of Myrtillocactus cultivation, we reviewed the information so far available. Botanical description. Four Myrtillocactus species have been identified and reported in the literature. They differ in shape, colour and other phenotypic characteristics. In Mexico, the predominant species is M. geometrizans, but M. schenckii also grows abundantly throughout the arid and semi-arid lands of the country. Cytological analyses performed on M. geometrizans showed that the plant is diploid (2n = 22). Agronomic aspects. Myrtillocactus species belong to the Cactaceae family. Because of their Crassulacean acid metabolism, they are able to grow in the arid and semi-arid highlands of Mexico. Myrtillocactus species have been propagated asexually by explants or cloning. Under controlled conditions, in vitro micropropagation from apical and basal explants gives rise to high yields. For cultivation, attention should be paid especially to minimum winter temperatures. Description of fruits and biochemicalcharacterisation. The edible fruit is globular, with diameters reaching 1.5 cm. The pulp is gel-like, ranging in colour from glowing red to bluish. Chemical characterisation has mainly focused on betalain compounds, the predominant ones of which are betanin and betaxanthins. Contents are reported to be about 2.3 mg betalain·100 g–1of pulp. Colour appears to be more stable than for red beets. Human consumption and commercial importance. In the production season (June to September), the fruits are found in all public markets in the states where they are grown. They are eaten either fresh or in processed forms. The commercialisation of the fruit is restricted mainly to rural production areas in certain states of Mexico. Conclusions. Our review establishes that published information on Myrtillocactus species is scarce and incomplete. The plant is under-utilised, despite its nutritional properties and commercial potential. Because they adapt easily to severely dry conditions, the Myrtillocactus species merit much more research.

Boron (B) doping of plasma deposited silicon films have been widely studied and applied in many devices, while B-doping of germanium has been poorly reported in literature. We have reported previously about Ge:H films with low density of localized states deposited by LF plasma with optimal hydrogen dilution.

This work is devoted to a study of boron incorporation and its effect on electronic properties in Ge:H films. The films were obtained by low frequency (LF) plasma deposition from GeH4+SiH4 +B2H6 mixture diluted with hydrogen. The deposition parameters were as follow: substrate temperature Ts = 300 oC, discharge frequency f= 110 kHz, pressure P= 0.6 Torr, power W= 300 W, germane flow QGeH4= 50 sccm, silane flow, hydrogen flow QH2=3500 sccm, diborane flow was varied in the range of QB2H6=0 to 20 sccm providing boron concentration in gas phase in the range of Y=0 to 4%. Composition of the films was characterized by SIMS profiling. Hydrogen bonding was studied by FTIR. Temperature dependence of conductivity measured in DC regime in vacuum thermostat was employed to study carrier transport. Optical measurements provided optical gap, sub-gap absorption and refraction index. Boron incorporation in solid film demonstrated fast increase in the range of Y = 0 to 1.4% and then increase became slower. Hydrogen concentration in the films was determined by absorption of Ge-H stretching mode at k ≈ 1870 cm−1 and it showed weak increase with change of Y from 0 to 4%. Activation energy of conductivity increased in the range of Y = 0 to 1.5% suggesting a compensation of electron conductivity, reaching maximum value Ea =0.5 eV (corresponding approximately to Eg/2) at Y= 1.5%. Then Ea reduced to minimum value Ea = 0.27 eV at Y= 3.5% showing a trend to saturation with further Y increase. This behavior is related to change of charge transport from electron to intrinsic at Y= 1.5% and further to hole transport.

The topology of a topological group $G$ is called an ${\cal L}_{\infty}$-topology if it can be represented as the intersection of a decreasing sequence of locally compact Hausdorff group topolgies on $G$. If ${\cal L}_1 < {\cal L}_2$ are two distinct ${\cal L}_{\infty}$-topologies on an Abelian group $G$, it is shown that the quotient of the corresponding character groups has cardinality ${\geqslant} 2^{\rm c}$. A conjecture in this sense announced by J. B. Reade in his paper [6] is thereby proved.

Industrial Revolution advance supposed the loss of a great part of traditional olive oil markets, however it caused some other possibilities, other markets, that up to that moment, the were unknown or the had such a small size that they were not considerable for this industry. This is the case of tinned fish, where olive oil was one of the most important inputs. This work has the following aims: first, to analyse the behaviour of Spanish olive oil in this market, paying attention to Norwegian tinned industry; second, to value the meaning of the companies and regions that take part; third, to compare the exports to this country with the exports to more important markets for Spanish olive oil.

Let G1, G2 be locally compact real-compact spaces. A linear map T defined from C(G1) into C(G2) is said to be separating or disjointness preserving if f = g ≡ 0 implies Tf = Tg ≡ 0 f or all f, g ∈ C(G1). In this paper we prove that both a separating map which preserves non-vanishing functions and a separating bijection which satisfies condition (M) (see Definition 4) are automatically continuous and can be written as weighted composition maps. We also study the effect of separating surjections (respectively injections) on the underlying spaces G1 and G2.

Next we apply the above results to give an algebraic characterization of locally compact Abelian groups, similar to the one given in [7] for compact Abelian groups in the presence of ring isomorphisms.

Finally, locally compact (not necessarily Abelian) groups are considered. We provide a sharpening of a result of Edwards and study the effect of onto (respectively injective) weighted composition maps on the groups G1 and G2.

In this paper we study the approximation of vector valued continuous functions defined on a topological space and we apply this study to different problems. Thus we give a new proof of Machado's Theorem. Also we get a short proof of a Theorem of Katětov and we prove a generalization of Tietze's Extension Theorem for vector-valued continuous functions, thereby solving a question left open by Blair.