The bona fide mouse U7 snRNA gene maps to a different chromosome than two U7 pseudogenes.

The U7 snRNA, together with both common and unique snRNP proteins, forms the U7 snRNP particle. This particle is a major component of the 3' processing machinery that converts histone pre-mRNA into mature mRNA in the eukaryotic nucleus. The genes for many snRNAs are present in multiple copies and often have many pseudogenes. Southern blot experiments using U7 oligonucleotide and gene probes have identified only one strongly hybridizing band and three weakly hybridizing bands in mouse genomic DNA. Previously, two laboratories isolated genomic clones encoding one functional U7 gene and three presumed pseudogenes. Since all the genes were isolated on separate, nonoverlapping genomic fragments, the four genes are not tightly clustered in the mouse genome. In this study, we use fluorescence in situ hybridization to determine the chromosomal locations of these clones and their possible linkage to histone loci. Two of the pseudogenes map to mouse Chromosome 1, but are many megabases apart, whereas the active U7 gene maps to Chromosome 6. Possible mechanisms for this localization pattern are discussed.

Temporally Coherent Disparity Maps Using CRFs with Fast 4D Filtering

State of the art methods for disparity estimation achieve good results for single stereo frames, but temporal coherence in stereo videos is often neglected. In this paper we present a method to compute temporally coherent disparity maps. We define an energy over whole stereo sequences and optimize their Conditional Random Field (CRF) distributions using mean-field approximation. We introduce novel terms for smoothness and consistency between the left and right views, and perform CRF optimization by fast, iterative spatio-temporal filtering with linear complexity in the total number of pixels. Our results rank among the state of the art while having significantly less flickering artifacts in stereo sequences.

Lipschitz extensions of maps between Heisenberg groups

Let $\H^n$ be the Heisenberg group of topological dimension 2n+1 . We prove that if n is odd, the pair of metric spaces $(\H^n, \H^n)$ does not have the Lipschitz extension property.

Enhanced Knowledge Management by Synchronizing Mind Maps and Fuzzy Cognitive Maps

This paper presents a conceptual approach to enhance knowledge management by synchronizing mind maps and fuzzy cognitive maps. The use of mind maps allows taking advantage of human creativity, while the application of fuzzy cognitive maps enables to store information expressed in natural language. By applying cognitive computing, it makes possible to gather and extract relevant information out of a data pool. Therefore, this approach is supposed to give a framework that enhances knowledge management. To demonstrate the potential of this framework, a use case concerning the development of a smart city app is presented.

Redescription of Hyalella Azteca from Its Type Locality, Vera Cruz, Mexico (Amphipoda : Hyalellidae)

Hyalella azteca is a species complex distributed in North, Central, and northern South America. The identity of the species has always been a problem, especially because the original description by Saussure (1858) from a "cistern" in Vera Cruz, Mexico, is poor, and the figures are not clear. Since then, mention of the type material or specimens from the type locality has not been made by investigators using the name H. azteca. Ecological and genetic information available today suggests that there are several species in the complex commonly referred to as H. azteca. The subtle morphological differences among the populations have made the problem of defining these species very complicated. To aid in this process, we present here the morphological description of H. azteca based on the syntype series established by Saussure and deposited in the Museum d'Histoire Naturelle, Ville de Geneve, Switzerland.

THE NATURAL BACKGROUND GAMMA RADIATION EXPOSURE IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA OF THE VALLEY OF MEXICO

Measurements of the natural background radiation have been made at numerous places throughout the world. Very little work in this field has been done in developing countries. In Mexico the natural radiation to which the population is exposed has not been assessed. This dissertation represents a pioneer study in this environmental area. The radiation exposure which occupants within buildings receive as a result of naturally occurring radionuclides present in construction materials is the principal focus.^ Data were collected between August 1979 and November 1980. Continuous monitoring was done with TLDs placed on site for periods of 3 to 6 months. The instrumentation used for "real-time" measurements was a portable NaI (Tl) scintillation detector. In addition, radiometric measurements were performed on construction materials commonly used in Mexican homes.^ Based on TLD readings taken within 75 dwellings, the typical indoor exposure for a resident of the study area is 9.2 (mu)Rh('-1). The average reading of the 152 indoor scintillometer surveys was 9.5 (mu)Rh('-1), the outdoor reading 7.5 (mu)Rh('-1). Results of one-way and multi-way analyses of the exposure data to determine the effect due to building materials type, geologic subsoil, age of dwelling, and elevation are also presented. The results of 152 indoor scintillometer surveys are described. ^

Determinants of quality of advanced cancer care in Latin America. A look at five countries: Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Mexico and Peru

The World Health Organization reports that nearly half a million people died of cancer in Latin America in 2001. As a growing public health problem, cancer is now either the first or second leading cause of death among adults in most Latin American nations. Despite these trends, information on the quality of care people with advanced cancer in Latin America receive has been limited. This study assessed the quality of advanced cancer care in diverse Latin American countries and institutions by surveying cancer care providers from: Argentina; Brazil; Cuba; Mexico; and Peru. This study also identified the most salient factors that influence the quality of this care at the national and institutional levels and compared these factors across countries. This study was based on the secondary analyses of data collected by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson's WHO/PAHO Collaborating Center in Supportive Cancer Care from March 2000 to November 2002. The sample for this survey was a convenience sample of physicians and nurses who treat cancer patients in these regions. Strategies for the dissemination of this survey included: mass mailings; distribution at professional meetings/conferences; collaboration with regional institutions, professional organizations and PAHO; and the posting of online surveys. The strongest predictor of providers' assessments of the quality of advanced cancer care was their ratings of access to care. This major finding reflects a shared equitable notion of quality care among providers from diverse countries and medical institutions that is highly interrelated with providing accessible care to those with advanced cancer. Higher ratings of the affordability of care, an increased reported availability of end-of-life services and opioid analgesics, practicing in either a private hospital or specialized cancer center, and practicing in Cuba were also associated with higher provider ratings of the quality of advanced cancer care. The findings of this study contribute towards the much needed body of knowledge that may guide the formulation of policies and interventions aimed at improving the care for people with advanced cancer in Latin America. ^

Coastal Survey Maps: From Historical Documents to Digital Databases

This paper describes the spatial data handling procedures used to create a vector database of the Connecticut shoreline from Coastal Survey Maps. The appendix contains detailed information on how the procedures were implemented using Geographic Transformer Software 5 and ArcGIS 8.3. The project was a joint project of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and the University of Connecticut Center for Geographic Information and Analysis.

Fundamental Determinants of Mexico's Exchange-Rate Crisis of 1994

No abstract available.

Leichenbegängniss der Henriette Sonntag in Mexico

Signatur des Originals: S 36/G02266

An investigation of the association between obesity, acanthosis nigricans, and fasting serum insulin level in 6--9 year old children living on the El Paso-Juarez U.S.-Mexico border

The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationship between fasting serum insulin levels and Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) (a dermatological condition characterized by hyperpigmentation and thickening of the skin in specific body areas such as the neck and knuckles) and obesity among 6 to 9 year old children. Children were selected at random from a pediatric clinic located on the U.S.-Mexico border. Because none of the children participants had a weight for height at or above the 97th percentile of the CDC growth charts, obesity was defined as weight for height at or above the 95th percentile and at risk of overweight between the 85 th and 95th percentiles of the CDC growth charts. Anthropometrics, blood samples for fasting serum insulin and blood glucose, and a picture of the neck were obtained at baseline (n = 85) and 6 months later (n = 49). None of the children partipating had high fasting serum insulin levels and only 2 children had AN degree 2 (moderately severe). At baseline children with a weight for height at or above the 95th, percentile had 15 units less of insulin than children who weighed less. However, 6 months later this was not confirmed, thus the baseline result is considered to be an anomaly. Eventhough statistical significance was not reached, results showed that children without AN had 5 percentiles lower weight for height than children with AN. The most important recommendation from this study is the need to monitor longitudinal growth in children to characterize the individual child's growth pattern. AN seems to be related to longitudinal growth changes. ^

Effects of health disparities on Helicobacter pylori infection among children on the US-Mexico border

The objective of this study is to determine whether health disparities influence the odds of developing H. pylori infections among the children enrolled in the Pasitos Cohort Study on the US-Mexico border. The study variables were the number of prenatal care visits, ways of transportation, car in household, location of health services and insurance coverage. The study recruited eligible pregnant women to complete baseline questionnaires. Every six months after the birth of the child, infection status is measure by the 13-C urea breath test. Results indicate that having medical insurance consistently decreases the odds of being infected. Children with mothers who went to a private physician had decreased odds of infection compared to those utilizing public clinics, and having a car in the household increased the odds of infection. Limitations include bias due to loss to follow-up and the transient nature of the infection.^

Drinking water quality perception along the U.S.-Mexico border

Drinking water-related exposures within populations living in the United States-Mexico border region, particularly among Hispanics, is an area that is largely unknown. Specifically, perceptions that may affect water source selection is an issue that has not been fully addressed. This study evaluates drinking water quality perceptions in a mostly Hispanic community living along the United States-Mexico border, a community also facing water scarcity issues. Using a survey that was administered during two seasons (winter and summer), data were collected from a total of 608 participants, of which 303 were living in the United States and 305 in Mexico. A (random) convenience sampling technique was used to select households and those interviewed were over 18 years of age. Statistically significant differences were observed involving country of residence (p=0.002). Specifically, those living in Mexico reported a higher use of bottled water than those living in the United States. Perception factors, especially taste, were cited as main reasons for not selecting unfiltered tap water as a primary drinking water source. Understanding what influences drinking water source preference can aid in the development of risk communication strategies regarding water quality. ^

Variation of genotype and prevalence of Noro virus in U.S. students in Mexico with Traveler's Diarrhea, summer of 2004 and 2005

Noro virus, a positive single stranded RNA virus has been identified as a major etiologic agent in food borne gastroenteritis and diarrheal diseases. The emergence of this organism as a major non-bacterial cause in such outbreaks is partly due to the improved diagnostic tools like Reverse Transcription Polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) that enable its detection. Noro virus accounts for nearly 96% of non-bacterial gastroenteritis outbreaks in US (1). Travelers' Diarrhea (TD) has remained a constant public health risk in the developed nations for decades and bacteria like Entero toxigenic Escherichia coli, Entero aggregative Escherichia coli have been described as the main etiologic agents for TD (2-4). A possible viral contribution to TD has been discovered in two studies (5, 6). The current study was designed to determine the prevalence of Noro virus in a population of 107 US students with TD acquired in Mexico in 2005 and to compare the prevalence to the prevalence of Noro virus in a similar study done in 2004. This study involved the testing of clinical stool specimens from 107 subjects in 2005 for the presence of Noro virus using RTPCR. The prevalence of Noro virus in 2004 used for comparison to 2005 data was obtained from published data (5). All subjects were recruited as TD subjects in a randomized, double-blinded clinical trial comparing a standard three day dosing of Rifaximin with and without an anti motility drug Loperamide. The prevalence of Noro virus geno group I was similar in both years, but geno group II prevalence differed across the two years (p = 0.003). This study finding suggests that the prevalence of Noro virus geno groups varies with time even within a specific geographic location. This study emphasizes the need for further systematic epidemiologic studies to determine the molecular epidemiology and the prevalence patterns of different geno groups of this virus. These are essential to planning and implementation of public health measures to lessen the burden of TD due to Noro virus infection among US travelers. ^