Floristic and Physiognomic Characterization of Casino Campestre City Park in Camagüey, Cuba

A floristic and physiognomic characterization was made to the flora and vegetation of Casino Campestre, the most important city park in Camagüey, Cuba. The presence of 198 species from 170 genera and 72 families was reported to live in the park. Most species are exotic trees, which also grow along with some native and endemic elements. Their social, cultural, and environmental significance was assessed

Essential Notes on the Passiflora incarnata-Agraulis vanillae insularis Relation

Context: The local vegetation was studied to identify elements that could host butterfly rearing (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) in the butterfly refuge at the Camaguey’s Botanical Park Aim: To unveil the nomenclature, taxonomy, phenotypical characterization, differences from akin taxa, distribution, and ethnobiological traits of a host plant (Passiflora incarnata L.), and one of the butterflies that lives in it (Agraulis vanillae insularis Maynard, 1889). Methods: Field observation, work with biological collections, digital image processing, specimen identification through descriptive catalogs and analytical keys, experimental breeds in controlled conditions. Results: The recorded history of P. incarnata L. in Cuba was reconstructed, and the origin of the germplasm found at the Camaguey’s Botanical Park was elucidated. A. vanillae insularis Maynard (1889) demonstrated a potential as a host plant in Cuba. Different criteria were defined to contrast the two taxa with their akin. The feasibility of using the plant to rear butterflies for exhibition purposes was discussed. Conclusions: Due to the frequency P. incarnata L. is cultivated in Cuba, it should be acknowledged as part of the economic flora of the nation. Considering that it acts as a host plant at the Camaguey’s Botanical Park, and is capable of host the rearing of A. vanillae insularis Maynard (1889) butterflies, which have the potential to be included in the butterfly refuge under construction in the park

Caracterización florístico-fisionómica del Casino Campestre, emblemático parque urbano de la ciudad de Camagüey, Cuba

Se caracteriza la flora y vegetación del Casino Campestre, el parque urbano más importante de la ciudad de Camagüey, Cuba. Se reporta la presencia de 198 especies, pertenecientes a 170 géneros y 72 familias, la mayor parte de ellos con hábito de crecimiento arbóreo y de origen exótico, aunque también están representados elementos nativos e incluso endémicos. Se valora su significación ambiental y socio-cultural

El reto de educar para la conservación de la biodiversidad / ducating for preserving biodiversity

Se redimensiona el concepto de cultura de la biodiversidad, se conceptualiza la educación para su conservación y se reflexiona sobre los principales retos que esta última enfrenta, vistos desde la perspectiva de la educación para la diversidad, entre los cuales se encuentran: la necesidad de masificar dicho proceso formativo, con atención a los requerimientos pedagógicos específicos de los diferentes sectores poblacionales; de propiciar directa o indirectamente un mayor vínculo del sujeto con toda la amplia gama de los elementos que conforman la diversidad biológica y de garantizar que este último reconozca su valor intrínseco, que la aprecie desde el punto de vista afectivo, estético y ético. La investigación desarrollada aporta los referentes teóricos para que los programas educativos potencien el tratamiento de sus particularidades a nivel genético, de ecosistema y de su dimensión cualitativa, incluida su participación en los flujos de energía y de materiales, su significación para las propiedades de homeostasis y autopoiesis del sistema y sus interacciones con otros componentes que conducen al equilibrio y la estabilidad, así como la importancia de su tendencia a la evolución natural.ABSTRACT The notion of “culture of diversity”is presented in a new dimension. “That of educating for preserving biodiversity” is advanced together with its main challenges. The need of educating the masses for preserving biodiversity is perhaps the most outstanding to be faced, particularly if pedagogic requirements and the diversity of population is to be met. Likewise, it should help to put individuals in contact with the many elements conforming biodiversity and lead them to recognize its value ethically and esthetically. The research presents the framework for designing educating programs enhancing the genetic level, the ecosystem and the qualitative dimension and including materials and energy flood and its meaning for the homeostasis and autopoiesis of the system, together with its interactions with other components for achieving an equilibrium and stability. The importance of the natural evolution tendency is highlighted

Caracterización florístico-fisionómica del Casino Campestre, emblemático parque urbano de la ciudad de Camagüey, Cuba

The flora and vegetation of the Casino Campestre (the most important urban park of Camagüey city, Cuba) are characterized. The existence of 197 species, 169 genera and 71 families, the greater part of them with habit of growth arboreal and of exotic origin are reported, although native and endemic elements are present. It's environmental significance, social and cultural are valued.  Se caracteriza la flora y vegetación del Casino Campestre, el parque urbano más importante de la ciudad de Camagüey, Cuba. Se reporta la presencia de 198 especies, pertenecientes a 170 géneros y 72 familias, la mayor parte de ellos con hábito de crecimiento arbóreo y de origen exótico, aunque también están representados elementos nativos e incluso endémicos. Se valora su significación ambiental y socio-cultural

Floristic and Physiognomic Characterization of Casino Campestre City Park in Camagüey, Cuba

A floristic and physiognomic characterization was made to the flora and vegetation of Casino Campestre, the most important city park in Camagüey, Cuba. The presence of 198 species from 170 genera and 72 families was reported to live in the park. Most species are exotic trees, which also grow along with some native and endemic elements. Their social, cultural, and environmental significance was assessed

Development and assessment of a tractor driving simulator with immersive virtual reality for training to avoid occupational hazards

Tractor overturns are the leading cause of fatalities in the agricultural sector. When drivers misuse the foldable roll over protective structure (ROPS) in tractors, it becomes highly inefficient as a rollover protection system. To solve this problem, the purpose of the present paper is to detail the development and assessment of a tractor driving simulator with immersive virtual reality for training to minimize this risk. In the agricultural sector, tractor driving simulators make it possible to train drivers in risk situations that are not feasible in the real field due to the high risk of roll over. The simulator includes a motion platform for this particular application. The findings of this study suggest that participants with safety knowledge make fewer errors in deploying the ROPS. To reduce the consequences of tractor accidents in the agricultural sector, the promotion of training courses is essential to avoid the misuse of the ROPS. On the contrary, the perception of risk and safety increased after the tractor driving simulator experience for all of the participants but increased significantly more so for non-frequent users of tractors. All of the groups of participants reported that the use of the tractor driving simulator was a positive experience because it can help them to drive more safely, and they feel that they need more training programmes in occupational safety.The authors would like to thank Instituto de Seguridad y Salud Laboral de la Región de Murcia for financing the project of “New Safety Devices in Machinery.” The authors would also like to thank all of the participants for their cooperation in this study

Experimental validation of an adjustable railway fastening for slab track

ABSTRACT: A railway infrastructure capable of supporting a high frequency of light and heavy traffic, sometimes at high speed, requires the implementation of a high quality track. A correct definition of all track components leads to a high degree of safety and comfort for travelers as well as reduced operating costs. One factor that determines the elastic behaviour of the track is the rail fastening system. In this paper, the mechanical, electrical, and environmental sustainability characterization tests based on European standards UNE-EN have been carried out, verifying that the TK04 fastening system with a lateral adjustment of ±1 cm, manufactured by ThyssenKrupp Gleistechnik GmbH, satisfies the conditions and requirements of European standards UNE-EN for installation on slab track systems for light rail

Dynamic simulation modelling of agricultural tractors with automatic deployment of ROPS

Tractor overturns are the leading cause of fatalities in the agricultural industry. An inadequate use of the deployable ROPS in agricultural tractors contributes to causing accidents. To help resolve this problem, an automatically deployable ROPS was designed, constructed and tested to be used for agricultural tractors with a front-mounted ROPS. Computer-based dynamic simulation modeling techniques, validated by practical rollover trials, were employed to investigate tractor lateral rollover behavior, with particular respect to the automatic deployment devices of protective structures for tractors with a front-mounted ROPS. The simulation model developed for this investigation was produced using SolidWorks 3D software in combination with SolidWorks Motion dynamic simulation software, and for motion analysis ADAMS has been used as the calculation engine. The virtual scenarios always comprised two elements: tractor and ramp. A 1:16 scale tractor (New Holland T6070) has been modelled as the vehicle that is moved along the ramp. The tractor was equipped with the safety device for the automatic deployment of a ROPS, developed by the research team of the project. A spiral ramp was selected as the most appropriate method to obtain the rollover of the tractor. For validation by real rollover trials with the scale tractor, a real scale ramp (1:16) was built in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene using a 3D printer, and the scale remote-control tractor was propelled along the ramp to the point of rollover. A high speed camera was used to determine the time and point of rollover. The results showed that the simulation scenarios of overturning have allowed us to obtain the values of the lateral slope angle of the tractor at each time, speed, and force by each of the wheels on the ramp and angular velocity of the tractor. Through real rollover trials with a scale tractor on a spiral ramp it has been possible to validate a simulated scenario. The simulation has shown good accuracy in the prediction of the roll angle; the maximum relative error between the simulated result and experimental data was -3.01%.The Instituto de Seguridad y Salud Laboral de la Región de Murcia for financing the project of ‘‘new safety devices in machinery”