A Phytochemical Study of Selected Podostemaceae

Podostemum ceratophyllum contains γ-mangostin and its 6-glucoside. The aglycone is also present in Marathrum, Oserya, and Vanroyenella, but is absent from Tristicha. Anthocyanins were identified from all genera, but no additional fiavonoids were detected. Condensed and hydrolyzable tannins, iridoids, cyanogenic glycosides, and alkaloids were lacking in all Podostemaceae examined. Phytochemical constituents do not clarify the uncertain systematic affinity ofPodostemaceae, but emphasize the generally accepted taxonomic isolation of this family

Microstructural And Mechanical Study of The Al-20Sn (MASS%) Alloy Processed By Equal-Channel Angular Pressing By Route C

In this work, the feasibility of an Al–20Sn (mass%) alloy to improve its mechanical properties through the Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) process is presented and discussed. Al–20Sn (mass%) alloy samples with a square section of 16 × 16 mm and a length of 100 mm were subjected to the ECAP process through route C (i.e., rotation of 180 degrees between each pass). The characterization of the samples was carried out using X-ray diffraction and the sin^2(ψ) method for residual stresses. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the morphology and grain size. Vickers microhardness was carried out to analyze the homogeneity of the states of deformation and tensile testing to evaluate the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation. The results showed that the residual stresses were relatively low, confirming the effect of Sn as stress reliever. The grain size was refined to a sub-micron scale and a ribbon-like morphology was observed. The microhardness values of the severely deformed samples showed a significant increase when compared to the as-cast sample. The tensile tests showed an increase in the yield strength after the first pass, that doubled the yield strength of the as cast sample. A marginal increase in the yield strength after the fifth pass was observed; whilst the ductility remained very similar from 1 to 5 passes.In this work, the feasibility of an Al–20Sn (mass%) alloy to improve its mechanical properties through the Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) process is presented and discussed. Al–20Sn (mass%) alloy samples with a square section of 16 × 16 mm and a length of 100 mm were subjected to the ECAP process through route C (i.e., rotation of 180 degrees between each pass). The characterization of the samples was carried out using X-ray diffraction and the sin^2(ψ) method for residual stresses. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the morphology and grain size. Vickers microhardness was carried out to analyze the homogeneity of the states of deformation and tensile testing to evaluate the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation. The results showed that the residual stresses were relatively low, confirming the effect of Sn as stress reliever. The grain size was refined to a sub-micron scale and a ribbon-like morphology was observed. The microhardness values of the severely deformed samples showed a significant increase when compared to the as-cast sample. The tensile tests showed an increase in the yield strength after the first pass, that doubled the yield strength of the as cast sample. A marginal increase in the yield strength after the fifth pass was observed; whilst the ductility remained very similar from 1 to 5 passes

Utilizando visão computacional para reconstrução probabilística 3D e rastreamento de movimento

This paper presents an approach to the 3D visual tracking problem into multi-camera environments. This proposal executes the markerless visual tracking observing the environment through a model based in a volumetric reconstruction technique, called 3D Probabilistic Occupancy Grid, which is still seldom used for this purpose. The target is tracked by the use of Expectation-Maximization algorithm with an object representation model constructed with Gaussians blobs representing the object body parts.Este artigo apresenta um método não intrusivo para rastreamento de movimento 3D em ambientes monitorados por múltiplas câmeras. Primeiramente, se obtém uma reconstrução volumétrica 3D, através da técnica de Grid de Ocupação Probabilístico, tal técnica ainda foi pouco explorada no contexto de rastreamento de movimento. Então, utiliza-se o algoritmo Expectation-Maximization em conjunto com um modelo de representação do corpo do objeto de interesse baseado em blobs Gaussianas, para identificar e rastrear o movimento das partes do corpo do objeto de interesse

Evaluación de variedades de caña de azúcar (Saccharum spp.) introducidas al estado de Quintana Roo, México

Objective: Find at least one variety of (Saccharum spp.) that exceeds, or at least equals, the local varieties in terms of cane yield in the field and factory sugar. Design/methodology/approach: Ten varieties of sugarcane introduced to the state of Quintana Roo during the template cycle were evaluated, which were compared with two local varieties, NCo310 and CP722086. The experimental design consisted of randomized complete blocks and arrangement of divided plots with three repetitions. , in which the treatments were varieties. Measured variables were the length of the stalk (LTM), stem diameter (DT), number of stems per strain (NTM), sucrose content (SAC), field cane yield (RCC) and sugar yield (RA).  Results: The results obtained indicated that at least three varieties of sugarcane introduced had higher agronomic performance and yield than the varieties of the region (control). Regarding the RCC, the varieties B86326, LAICA96606 and CYZ82154 had 162, 147 and 143 t ha-1, respectively, compared with 123 and 136 t ha-1 of the control varieties NCo310 and CP722086, respectively; in terms of sugar yield, the varieties CP941674, SP835073 and SP811763 stand out, with 15.26, 14.46 and 14.09 t ha-1, compared with the control varieties, 15.39 and 12.28 t ha-1 for CP722086 and NCo310, respectively. Limitations on study/implications: An important limitation for this study is that there was only one culture cycle for the evaluation. Also, the irrigation conditions were not counted. Findings/conclusions: Varieties with outstanding yields field (RCC) and sugar (RA) were: CP941674, SP835073, SP811763 and LAICA9213, so its reproduction and culture is recommended.Objetivo: Encontrar al menos una variedad de caña de azúcar (Saccharum spp.) que supere, o al menos iguale, a las variedades locales en cuanto a rendimiento en campo y de azúcar en fábrica. Diseño/metodología/aproximación: Se evaluaron diez variedades de caña de azúcar introducidas al estado de Quintana Roo, México, durante el ciclo plantilla y se compararon con las variedades locales, NCo310 y CP722086. El diseño experimental constó de bloques completos al azar y arreglo de parcelas divididas con tres repeticiones, en el cual los tratamientos fueron las variedades. Se evaluó la longitud de tallo moledero (LTM), diámetro de tallo (DT), número de tallos molederos por cepa (NTM), contenido de sacarosa (SAC), rendimiento de caña en campo (RCC) y rendimiento de azúcar (RA). Resultados: al menos tres variedades de caña de azúcar introducidas tuvieron comportamiento agronómico y rendimiento superiores, o al menos iguales, que las variedades de la región (control). Respecto al RCC, las variedades B86326, LAICA96606 y CYZ82154 registraron 162, 147 y 143 t ha-1 respectivamente, comparado con 123 y 136 t ha-1 de las variedades control NCo310 y CP722086. En cuanto a rendimiento de azúcar destacaron las variedades CP941674, SP835073 y SP811763, con 15.26, 14.46 y 14.09 t ha-1, comparado con las variedades control que reportaron 15.39 y 12.28 t ha-1 para CP722086 y NCo310, respectivamente. Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: Los datos son de un ciclo de cultivo en condiciones de lluvias. Hallazgos/conclusiones: Las variedades introducidas con rendimientos sobresalientes de campo (RCC) y azúcar (RA) fueron: CP941674, SP835073, SP811763 y LAICA9213, por lo que se sugiere su multiplicación para el cultivo

The art of indigeneity: Aesthetics and competition in Mexican economies of culture

On the basis of ethnographic research with woodcarvers in Oaxaca, Mexico, this paper investigates the role that aesthetic practices play in economic competition in cultural markets. I explain how one family has become the most successful artisans in their village by aesthetically referencing the indigenous art that is highly sought after by the North American ethnic art market. By reformulating Bourdieu's analysis of artistic fields, I argue that aesthetic competition should be theorised at the level of genres, which allow insight into how individual aesthetic innovations may transform the fields in which art is produced and circulated. I show that by referencing indigeneity, this successful family not only accesses a new market but also renders their work more authoritative than the carvings of their neighbours, which aesthetically reference Mexican ‘artesanías’ (craftwork). In so doing, they not only earn more money but also change the ways that Oaxacan woodcarvings are valued in general

New Insight on the Increasing Seismicity during Tenerife's 2004 Volcanic Reactivation

Starting in April 2004, unusual seismic activity was observed in the interior of the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) with much evidence pointing to a reawakening of volcanic activity. This seismicity is now analyzed with techniques unprecedented in previous studies of this crisis. The 200 earthquakes located onshore during 2004 and 2005 have been classified by cross-correlation, resulting in a small number of significant families. The application of a relative location algorithm (hypoDD) revealed important features about the spatial distribution of the earthquakes. The seismic catalogue has been enhanced with more than 800 additional events, detected only by the closest seismic station. These events were assigned to families by correlation and as a consequence their hypocentral location and magnitude were estimated by comparing them to the earthquakes of each family. The new catalogue obtained by these methods identifies two major seismogenic zones, one to the northwest and the other to the southwest of the Teide-Pico Viejo complex and having a separation of at least 10 km between them. These regions alternate their activity starting in January 2004, i.e., three months earlier than previously thought. We propose a simple model based on the results of this work which will also concur with all previous geophysical and geochemical studies of the 2004 crisis. The model proposes a single magma intrusion affecting the central part of the island with lateral dikes driven by the rifts to the northwest and southwest.Comment: 20 pages, 15 figure

First report on dung beetles in intra-Amazonian savannahs in Roraima, Brazil

This is the first study to address the dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) diversity in intra-Amazonian savannahs in the state of Roraima, Brazil. Our aim was to survey the dung beetle fauna associated with these savannahs (regionally called 'lavrado'), since little is known about the dung beetles from this environment. We conducted three field samples using pitfall traps baited with human dung in savannah areas near the city of Boa Vista during the rainy seasons of 1996, 1997, and 2008. We collected 383 individuals from ten species, wherein six have no previous record in intra-Amazonian savannahs. The most abundant species were Ontherus appendiculatus (Mannerheim, 1829), Canthidium aff. humerale (Germar, 1813), Dichotomius nisus (Olivier, 1789), and Pseudocanthon aff. xanthurus (Blanchard, 1846). We believe that knowing the dung beetles diversity associated with the intra-Amazonian savannahs is ideal for understanding the occurrence and distribution of these organisms in a highly threatened environment, it thus being the first step towards conservation strategy development