The use of food as a source of energy has been questioned and agroforestry waste shows potential for these purposes. The objective of the work is to realize the chemical and energetic characterization of waste from Ecuador and study the kinetics of its pyrolysis, as an alternative for its use. Elemental, immediate analysis was carried out and thermal analysis techniques were applied. The higher carbon content and lower humidity and ash of Teak, favor its energétic use, with respect to Fernán Sánchez. In addition, its nitrogen and sulfur contents below 1 %, guarantee low NOx and SO2 emissions, reducing its environmental impact. The combined use of TGA, DTG and DSC allows to identify the three stages of pyrolytic cracking, the decomposition of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin. His kinetic study showed that the first and third stages are determined by diffusive processes fundamentally and in the second, different kinetic models prevail.

El uso de los alimentos como fuente de energía ha sido muy cuestionado y en este sentido, los residuos agroforestales muestran potencialidades. El objetivo del trabajo es caracterizar química y energéticamente estos residuos procedentes del Ecuador y estudiar la cinética de su pirolisis, como alternativa para su aprovechamiento. Se realizó análisis elemental, inmediato y se aplican técnicas de análisis térmico. El mayor contenido de carbón y menor humedad y cenizas de teca, favorecen su aprovechamiento energético, con respecto a Fernán Sánchez. Sus contenidos de nitrógeno y azufre inferiores al 1 % garantizan bajas emisiones de NOx y SO2 reduciendo su impacto ambiental. El uso combinado de ATG, TGD y CDB permiten identificar las tres etapas del craqueo pirolítico, la descomposición de hemicelulosa, celulosa y lignina respectivamente. Su estudio cinético demostró que la primera y tercera etapas están determinadas por procesos difusivos fundamentalmente y en la segunda prevalecen diferentes modelos cinéticos.

In the last few decades, the Metropolitan Area of Mendoza exemplifies the characteristics of so-called dispersed cities. The trend indicates that the urbanized area grows at a much faster rate than the increase in population, overtaking adjustment opportunities for all planning agencies. Given that the city is situated over an irrigation oasis, the area exhibits unique environmental features and is subject to high environmental vulnerability. Signs of this are the progressive impoverishment of the habitat of the consolidated urban area, the misuse of limited regional water resources, and the lack of skill in design and technology deployed in the built habitat. An evaluation of the characteristics of the models of existing urban settlements can suggest guidelines to formulate the basis for future settlement environmentally adapted to the area's conditions, in order to minimize the risk of desertification, and contribute to the orderly growth of the city on such a highly fragile site.

En las últimas décadas el Área Metropolitana de Mendoza ha tomado las características propias de las denominadas ciudades dispersas. La tendencia indica que la zona urbana crece a un ritmo mucho mayor que el incremento de la población, superando los tiempos de los entes de planificación. Dado que la ciudad está inserta en un oasis de riego, esto otorga a la zona características ambientales únicas y alta vulnerabilidad ambiental. Son signos de esto la progresiva precarización del hábitat del área urbana consolidada, el mal uso del escaso recurso hídrico regional y la falta de aptitud del diseño y de la tecnología implementados en el hábitat construido. Evaluar las características de los modelos de asentamiento urbano existentes se orienta a obtener lineamientos que permitan formular las bases de futuros asentamientos ambientalmente adaptados a las condiciones locales, conducentes a minimizar el riesgo de desertifi- cación, contribuyendo al crecimiento ordenado de la ciudad sobre áreas de alta fragilidad.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the seroprevalence, household risk factors, and entomological indicators, in order to frame control measures in 11 Sanitary Jurisdictions of the state. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 281 towns, 2 526 households, and 9782 individuals. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Blood was obtained in filter paper and a search for triatomines was conducted inside of and around dwellings. Prevalence rates were used to quantify exposure to risk factors and seropositivity. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and Mantel-Haenszel chi-squared tests were obtained. Multivariate analysis was performed with unconditional logistic regression, variables included in the model were those that had a p-value up to 0.20 in the bivariate analysis. The etiologic fraction in the exposed was also obtained. RESULTS: The prevalence of Chagas disease was between 0 and 2.8%. Jurisdictions at a higher risk were Tuxpan, Panuco and Cordoba; Orizaba showed no risk. The main household risk factors were palma/zacate (palmtree, grass leaves) roof and walls, dirt floor, the presence of the vector, and ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Epidemiological surveillance should emphasize health education, housing improvement, and use of insecticides.

OBJETIVO: Identificar la seroprevalencia de enfermedad de Chagas, los factores de riesgo de la vivienda e índices entomológicos, para proponer medidas de control en 11 jurisdicciones sanitarias del estado de Veracruz. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Entre 1997 y 2001 se hizo un estudio transversal cuya muestra quedó integrada por 281 localidades, 2 526 viviendas y 9 782 individuos. Se aplicó un cuestionario sobre factores de riesgo, se tomó sangre en papel filtro y se buscaron triatominos en el intra y peridomicilio. Se obtuvo la prevalencia de exposición a factores de riesgo y de seropositividad para la enfermedad. Se hizo análisis bivariado mediante la razón de momios, ji de Mantel y Haenszel e intervalo de confianza a 95% como prueba de significancia estadística. El análisis multivariado se hizo mediante la regresión logística no condicional y se incluyeron las variables que durante el análisis bivariado mostraron un valor de p hasta de 0.20. El impacto potencial se estimó con base en la fracción etiológica en expuestos. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de enfermedad de Chagas fluctuó entre 0 y 2.8%. Las jurisdicciones con mayor riesgo fueron Tuxpan, Pánuco y Córdoba, y sin riesgo, Orizaba. Los principales factores de riesgo de la vivienda fueron el techo y muro de palma/zacate y piso de tierra, así como la presencia del vector y la ventilación. CONCLUSIONES: Es necesario realizar vigilancia epidemiológica basada en educación para la salud, mejoramiento de la vivienda y uso de insecticidas.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the seroprevalence, household risk factors, and entomological indicators, in order to frame control measures in 11 Sanitary Jurisdictions of the state. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 281 towns, 2 526 households, and 9782 individuals. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Blood was obtained in filter paper and a search for triatomines was conducted inside of and around dwellings. Prevalence rates were used to quantify exposure to risk factors and seropositivity. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and Mantel-Haenszel chi-squared tests were obtained. Multivariate analysis was performed with unconditional logistic regression, variables included in the model were those that had a p-value up to 0.20 in the bivariate analysis. The etiologic fraction in the exposed was also obtained. RESULTS: The prevalence of Chagas disease was between 0 and 2.8%. Jurisdictions at a higher risk were Tuxpan, Panuco and Cordoba; Orizaba showed no risk. The main household risk factors were palma/zacate (palmtree, grass leaves) roof and walls, dirt floor, the presence of the vector, and ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Epidemiological surveillance should emphasize health education, housing improvement, and use of insecticides.

OBJETIVO: Identificar la seroprevalencia de enfermedad de Chagas, los factores de riesgo de la vivienda e índices entomológicos, para proponer medidas de control en 11 jurisdicciones sanitarias del estado de Veracruz. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Entre 1997 y 2001 se hizo un estudio transversal cuya muestra quedó integrada por 281 localidades, 2 526 viviendas y 9 782 individuos. Se aplicó un cuestionario sobre factores de riesgo, se tomó sangre en papel filtro y se buscaron triatominos en el intra y peridomicilio. Se obtuvo la prevalencia de exposición a factores de riesgo y de seropositividad para la enfermedad. Se hizo análisis bivariado mediante la razón de momios, ji de Mantel y Haenszel e intervalo de confianza a 95% como prueba de significancia estadística. El análisis multivariado se hizo mediante la regresión logística no condicional y se incluyeron las variables que durante el análisis bivariado mostraron un valor de p hasta de 0.20. El impacto potencial se estimó con base en la fracción etiológica en expuestos. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de enfermedad de Chagas fluctuó entre 0 y 2.8%. Las jurisdicciones con mayor riesgo fueron Tuxpan, Pánuco y Córdoba, y sin riesgo, Orizaba. Los principales factores de riesgo de la vivienda fueron el techo y muro de palma/zacate y piso de tierra, así como la presencia del vector y la ventilación. CONCLUSIONES: Es necesario realizar vigilancia epidemiológica basada en educación para la salud, mejoramiento de la vivienda y uso de insecticidas.

Three different interventions to control Triatoma dimidiata in the State of Veracruz were implemented: X-1 = whole dwelling spraying, X-2 = middle wall spraying, X-3 = household cleaning. Cyfluthrin was sprayed 3 times with 8 month intervals. After each spraying, insects were collected and sent to the laboratory to be recorded and to determine genus and species of the adult triatomine bugs, and nymphs were counted. Trypanosoma cruzi presence was determined. With X-1, the infestation, colonization, and natural infection indexes were reduced to 0% in the 3 localities, with respect to t0. With X-2, the infestation index was reduced to 10% at t3 in 3 localities; the colonization index was reduced to 0% in only 1 locality at t3, and the natural infection index was reduced to 0% at t3. With X-3 the 3 indexes were not effectively reduced but they decreased with respect to the baseline study. Insecticide application to the whole dwelling is a more efficient intervention than its application to only the lower half of the walls and to the cleaning of houses.