Recent applications of fabric structures in Venezuela

The paper presents some examples of fabric structures designed and built by the company Grupo Estran in Venezuela, describing the different phases within the design method: from the first draft and the use of specialized software to develop double curvature surfaces as architectonic forms, to its manufacture and erection. Furthermore, the paper discuses the interaction of this type of structures with its context and its contribution to create and enhance the architectural space

Screening of pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in feeds and fish tissues by gas chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization

This paper reports a wide-scope screening for detection and identification of pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in feeds and fish tissues. QuEChERS sample treatment was applied, using freezing as an additional cleanup. Analysis was carried out by gas chromatography coupled to hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (GC-(APCI) QTOF MS). The qualitative validation was performed for over 133 representative pesticides and 24 PAHs at 0.01 and 0.05 mg/kg. Subsequent application of the screening method to aquaculture samples made it possible to detect several compounds from the target list, such as chlorpyrifos-methyl, pirimiphos-methyl, and ethoxyquin, among others. Light PAHs (≤4 rings) were found in both animal and vegetable samples. The reliable identification of the compounds was supported by accurate mass measurements and the presence of at least two representative m/z ions in the spectrum together with the retention time of the peak, in agreement with the reference standard. Additionally, the search was widened to include other pesticides for which standards were not available, thanks to the expected presence of the protonated molecule and/or molecular ion in the APCI spectra. This could allow the detection and tentative identification of other pesticides different from those included in the validated target list. © 2014 American Chemical Society.This work has been (partly) funded under the EU Seventh Framework Programme by ARRAINA Project 288925: Advanced Research Initiatives for Nutrition and Aquaculture. The views expressed in this work are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. This work has been developed within the framework of the Research Unit of Marine Ecotoxicology (IATS (CSIC)-IUPA (UJI)). We also acknowledge the financial support of Generalitat Valenciana (research group of excellence PROMETEO/2009/054; ISIC 2012/016).Peer Reviewe

Occurrence and potential transfer of mycotoxins in gilthead sea bream and Atlantic salmon by use of novel alternative feed ingredients

Plant ingredients and processed animal proteins (PAP) are suitable alternative feedstuffs for fish feeds in aquaculture practice, although their use can introduce contaminants that are not previously associated with marine salmon and gilthead sea bream farming. Mycotoxins are well known natural contaminants in plant feed material, although they also could be present on PAPs after fungi growth during storage. The present study surveyed commercially available plant ingredients (19) and PAP (19) for a wide range of mycotoxins (18) according to the EU regulations. PAP showed only minor levels of ochratoxin A and fumonisin B1 and the mycotoxin carry-over from feeds to fillets of farmed Atlantic salmon and gilthead sea bream (two main species of European aquaculture) was performed with plant ingredient based diets. Deoxynivalenol was the most prevalent mycotoxin in wheat, wheat gluten and corn gluten cereals with levels ranging from 17 to 814 and μgkg-1, followed by fumonisins in corn products (range 11.1-4901μgkg-1 for fumonisin B1+B2+B3). Overall mycotoxin levels in fish feeds reflected the feed ingredient composition and the level of contaminant in each feed ingredient. In all cases the studied ingredients and feeds showed levels of mycotoxins below maximum residue limits established by the Commission Recommendation 2006/576/EC. Following these guidelines no mycotoxin carry-over was found from feeds to edible fillets of salmonids and a typically marine fish, such as gilthead sea bream. As far we know, this is the first report of mycotoxin surveillance in farmed fish species. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.This work has been (partly) funded under the EU Seventh Framework Programme by ARRAINA Project 288925: Advanced Research Initiatives for Nutrition and Aquaculture. The views expressed in this work are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. The authors also acknowledge the financial support (partly) of the project SAFE-PAP, Research Council Research and Development Project (227387) National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES, Norway). The authors acknowledge the financial support of Generalitat Valenciana, as research group of excellence (PROMETEO II/2014/023, PROMETEO II/2014/085, and Collaborative Research on Environment and Food-Safety, ISIC/2012/016).Peer Reviewe

CONTRIBUTION OF INFORMAL GREENSPACE TO BIRD CONSERVATION IN CITIES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE DIVERSITY OF BIRD COMMUNITIES IN VACANT LANDS, URBAN PARKS AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS

Vacant lands are part of the informal greenspace and could maintain native fauna in urban ecosystems. To provide scientific evidence that promotes bird conservation in cities, we compared different bird community attributes among vacant lands, urban parks, and residential areas in the city of Santiago de Chile. For this, we estimated taxonomic diversity in the three land uses, investigated the species richness and abundance (total and native, including three trophic guilds: granivores, insectivores and omnivores) among land-use types, and evaluated the influence of habitat variables on bird species richness and abundance recorded at sites. We found that vacant lands supported a diverse, with low species dominance, species rich and abundant bird community, comprised mainly by native granivorous and insectivorous birds. In contrast, birds with generalist diet (omnivores) reached high abundances in urban parks and residential areas. While parks and residential areas were dominated by a single omnivore species (Turdus falcklandii and the exotic Passer domesticus, respectively), in vacant lands a set of native species reached high abundances. They included granivorous birds (Sicalis luteola, Zenaida auriculata y Zonotrichia capensis) and insectivorous birds (Tachycineta meyeni y Anthus correndera). Sites with larger cover of herbaceous plants exhibited greater richness and abundance of native birds. In addition, sites with larger proportion of their area covered by bare ground exhibited greater abundance of native birds. Our results demonstrate that vacant lands maintain high bird diversity, as well as a high species richness and abundance of native birds with specialized diets (granivores and insectivores), offering new opportunities to conserve biodiversity in cities

Diversidad genética del bocachico Prochilodus magdalenae en el departamento de Sucre

Therefore the objective of the present study was to characterize genetically wild and cultivated populations of P. magdalenae, using molecular markers type RAMs in the area of the lower San Jorge, in the Department of Sucre. For this, DNA was extracted and PCR amplified with seven primers RAMs, in a sample of 80 wild specimens from four sites and 40 cultured specimens from two companies the. All primers RAMs were polymorphic with values ranging from 93,33% in the CA primer to 99,17% in AG, this primer had the highest He value (0,469 ± 0,005), while the CCA primer had the lowest value (0,321 ± 0,010). In the wild populations of P. magdalenae the SBA site was the most diverse (He: 0,194 ± 0,028) and the CAI site was the least diverse (0,150 ± 0,029), with an He average of 0,167 ± 0,019, that was lower than the average often cultivated population (He: 0,194 ± 0,002). The analysis of the population structure reflects greater variation within that between the populations with moderate and high FST values, indicating low gene flow between sites and between wild and cultivated populations, that is evidenced in dendrograms. It is concluded that this genetic structure can be due to natural or artificial physiographic barriers and that the greater diversity in the cultivated population can be due to an adequate reproductive management or endogamy effects in the wild population.El objetivo del presente trabajo fue caracterizar genéticamente poblaciones silvestres y cultivadas de P. magdalenae usando marcadores moleculares tipo RAMs en la zona del bajo San Jorge, Departamento de Sucre. Para ello, de 80 ejemplares silvestres de cuatro sitios y 40 ejemplares cultivados de dos empresas, fue extraído el ADN y amplificado por PCR con siete cebadores RAMs. Todos los cebadores fueron polimórficos, con valores que variaron de 93,33% en el cebador CA hasta 99,17% en AG, este mismo cebador presentó el mayor valor de He (0,469 ± 0,005), mientras que el cebador CCA, presentó el menor (0,321 ± 0,010). En las poblaciones silvestres de P. magdalenae, el sitio SBA fue el más diverso (He: 0,194 ± 0,028) y el sitio CAI el menos diverso (0,150 ± 0,029), para un promedio de He de 0,167 ± 0,019 que fue menor al promedio de la población cultivada (He: 0,194 ± 0,002). El análisis de la estructura poblacional reflejo mayor variación dentro que entre de las poblaciones con valores de FST moderados y altos, indicando bajo flujo de genes entre sitios y entre las poblaciones silvestres y cultivadas que se evidencia en los dendrogramas. Se concluye que esta estructura genética puede ser debida a barreras fisiográficas naturales o artificiales y que la mayor diversidad en la población cultivada puede deberse a un adecuado manejo reproductivo o efectos de endogamia en la población silvestre

Propuesta para la implementación del plan ambiental para el manejo de residuos sólidos no peligrosos en el cead Jose Acevedo y Gómez de la Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia UNAD

Imágenes, tablas, graficas, cartilla, fichasEste plan permite poner en práctica la Política Ambiental de la UNAD, Cumplir las disposiciones legales, asumir la responsabilidad que corresponde con el cuidado del planeta, para identificar las necesidades actuales y determinar qué hacer para remediar los aspectos críticos ambientales y administrar eficientemente las diferentes etapas del manejo de los residuos sólidos no peligrosos. Por otro lado se establece los procedimientos procesos y actividades para el manejo de residuos sólidos no peligrosos al interior del JAG. Las orientaciones de este plan se dirigen a promover el manejo adecuado de los residuos sólidos que se generan, de igual forma se pretende incorporar la concientización ambiental en el desarrollo de las diferentes actividades que se llevan a cabo en la UNAD, iniciando por el CEAD J. A. G.No Abstrac

Asociación del locus BOLA-DRB3.2 con el virus de la leucosis bovina en el ganado criollo colombiano

  The presence of the bovine leukemia virus (BLV) (pro-virus detection – Nested PCR), BoLA-DRB3.2* gen polymorphisms detection (Semi-nested PCR-RFLP) and the association between them (OR) were carried out in 330 DNA samples from eight creole breeds (Blanco Orejinegro, Caqueteño, Casanareño, Costeño con Cuernos, Chino Santandereano, Hartón del Valle, Romosinuano and Sanmartinero), two Colombian synthetic breeds (Lucerna y Velásquez) and two introduced ones (Brahmán y Holstein). A positive association was found between absence of BLV (resistant individuals) with alleles *21, *24 and *37; and the presence of BLV (susceptible individuals) with alleles *6 and *42. The cumulated allele frequency was 23.7% and 6% for the resistant and susceptible alleles respectively. For the Colombian creole cattle, 10% of genotyped individuals were classified as Resistant/ Resistant (RR), 2.5% as Susceptible/Susceptible (SS) and 57% as neutral homozygous (N/N). For the introduced breeds, 16% were RR and 8.3% SS. The results indicate that the Colombian creole cattle has VLB resistance genes.  En 330 muestras de ADN de ocho razas bovinas criollas (Blanco Orejinegro, Caqueteño, Casanareño, Costeño con Cuernos, Chino Santandereano, Hartón del Valle, Romosinuano y Sanmartinero), dos razas sintéticas colombianas (Lucerna y Velásquez) y dos foráneas (Brahmán y Holstein) se evaluó la presencia del VLB (detección de provirus - PCR anidada), los polimorfismos del gen BoLA-DRB3.2* (PCR semianidada - RFLP) y la asociación entre ambos (OR). Se estimaron asociaciones entre la ausencia (resistentes) del VLB y los alelos *21, *24 y *37 y la presencia (susceptibles) del VLB y los alelos *6 y *42 en los ganados criollos. La frecuencia acumulada de los alelos resistentes fue de 23.7% contra 6% de los susceptibles. El 10% de los individuos fue genotipificado como Resistente/ Resistente, el 2.5% como Susceptible/Susceptible y el 57% fue de genotipo homocigoto neutral (N/N) en el ganado criollo colombiano. En los ganados controles el 16% fueron Resistente/Resistente y el 8.3% Susceptible/Susceptible. Los resultados indican que el ganado criollo colombiano posee genes de resistencia al VLB

Análisis de crecimiento de Pasto guinea (Panicum maximum Jacq.) cv. Mombasa

Objetivo. Evaluar la dinámica de crecimiento y acumulación de forraje del pasto guinea (P. maximum Jacq.) cv. Mombasa, y definir el momento óptimo de cosecha. Materiales y métodos. Se evaluaron ocho tratamientos, que consistieron en cortes de forraje cada 10 días, durante las cuatro estaciones del año, bajo un diseño completamente al azar con cinco repeticiones. Al inicio de cada estación se realizó corte de uniformidad a 5 cm de altura, y se utilizaron cuadrantes (0.64 m2), para cortar el forraje a ras de suelo. Se evaluó altura de planta, acumulación de forraje, tasa de crecimiento (TC), índice de área foliar, relaciones hoja:tallo y hoja:no hoja, composición botánica y morfológica. Los datos se analizaron mediante Mixed y GLM de SAS. Resultados. La acumulación de forraje fue mayor en verano y primavera (p≤0.05). La acumulación de forraje y la TC incrementaron progresivamente hasta que el crecimiento de las hojas se estabilizó. Los incrementos posteriores de forraje se debieron al aumento de tallos y material muerto cuando la TC declinó. En verano la TC (127 kg MS ha-1d-1) superó en 26, 44 y 75% las TC de primavera, otoño e invierno. Conclusiones. De acuerdo a los resultados (estudios realizados), se sugiere que, en esta región del Estado de Chiapas, el manejo óptimo del cv. Mombasa y su mayor producción de forraje, se obtiene al cosechar cada 40, 50, 40 y 30 días en primavera, verano, otoño e invierno, respectivamente.

Regeneración natural y patrones de distribución espacial de la palma chilena Jubaea chilensis (Molina) Baillon en los bosques mediterráneos de Chile central

Jubaea chilensis is an endemic tree of Central Chile (31º15’- 35º22’ S). The current main conservation threats for this species should be associated with different factors which limit its natural regeneration, in particular the intense seeds crop. The analysis of spatial distribution patterns can be an important tool to understand the forest dynamic and the individual interactions. In this study was studied the spatial pattern of species recruitment and identifying the proper conditions for its regeneration. We predicted a clear spatial clumped pattern between regeneration individuals for all distance range studied, and also a clumped distribution associated to adult individuals. Spatial modeling showed that natural regeneration of J. chilensis is significantly related to higher vegetation cover, and especially in those with higher solar radiation. The results suggest that clumped regeneration of J. chilensis could be explained by the associated environmental conditions promoting the establishment of new seedlings, its seed dispersal mechanism, predation avoid, herbivory, and seeds crop. We also found a nurse effect which facilitates the natural regeneration of this species.Jubaea chilensis es un árbol endémico de la zona central de Chile (31º15’- 35º22’ S). Las principales amenazas actuales a su conservación estarían asociadas a diferentes limitantes a su regeneración natural, en especial la intensa cosecha de sus semillas. El análisis de patrones espaciales de distribución puede ser una importante herramienta para entender la dinámica de los bosques y la interacción entre los individuos. En este trabajo se estudió el patrón espacial de reclutamiento de la especie y se identificaron las condiciones favorables para su regeneración. Se estimó una notoria agrupación espacial entre los individuos de regeneración para todos los rangos de distancia analizados, y a su vez una distribución dependiente de los individuos adultos, agrupándose mayormente cercano a ellos. Por otra parte, la modelación espacial reveló que la regeneración natural de J. chilensis se relaciona significativamente con sitios de mayor cobertura vegetacional, y especialmente en sitios con una mayor radiación solar. Los resultados sugieren que la regeneración agrupada de J. chilensis se debería a la asociación de condiciones ambientales propicias para el establecimiento de nuevos individuos, su mecanismo de dispersión de semillas y escape de la depredación, herbivoría y cosecha de sus semillas, lo que estaría determinando la estructura espacial de la población. A su vez, los resultados confirman un efecto nodriza, facilitador de la regeneración natural de la especie

Pattern Recognition in a Bimodal Aquifer Using the Normal-Score Ensemble Kalman Filter

The ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) is now widely used in diverse disciplines to estimate model parameters and update model states by integrating observed data. The EnKF is known to perform optimally only for multi-Gaussian distributed states and parameters. A new approach, the normal-score EnKF (NS-EnKF), has been recently proposed to handle complex aquifers with non-Gaussian distributed parameters. In this work, we aim at investigating the capacity of the NS-EnKF to identify patterns in the spatial distribution of the model parameters (hydraulic conductivities) by assimilating dynamic observations in the absence of direct measurements of the parameters themselves. In some situations, hydraulic conductivity measurements (hard data) may not be available, which requires the estimation of conductivities from indirect observations, such as piezometric heads. We show how the NS-EnKF is capable of retrieving the bimodal nature of a synthetic aquifer solely from piezometric head data. 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