Distribution and species diversity of plant communities along transect on the Northeastern Tibetan plateau

The distribution and species diversity of plant communities along a 600 km transect through the northeastern Tibetan Plateau (32 degrees 42'-35 degrees 07' N, 101 degrees 02'-97 degrees 38' E) with altitudes from 3255 to 4460 m are described. The transect started from the Youyi Bridge of Banma through Dari, Maqin and Maduo to Zaling Lake. The data from 47 plots along the transect are summarized and analyzed. The mean annual temperature, the mean annual rainfall and the length of growing season decreases from 2.6 to -4.5 degrees C, from 767.2 to 240.1 mm, from 210 to 140 days, respectively, along the transect from the southeastern Banma to northwestern Zaling Lake. The number of vascular plant species recorded in 47 plots is 242 including 2 tree, 34 shrub, 206 herb species. Main vegetation types on the transect from southeast to northwest are: Sabina convallium forest, Picea likiangensis forest, Pyracantha fortuneana + Spiraea alpina shrub, Hippophae neurocarpu shrub, Sibiraea angustata + Polygonum viviparum shrub, Stellera chamaejasme herb meadow, Potentilla fruticosa + Salix obscura + Carex sp. Shrub, Kobresia capillifolia meadow, P. froticosa + Kobresia humilis shrub, Caragana jubata + S. obscura shrub, Kobresia tibetica meadow, Kobresia pygmaea meadow, K. pygmaea + Stipa purpurea steppe meadow, Stipa purpurea steppe. Plant richness and diversity index all showed a decreasing trend with increasing of elevation along transect from southeast to northwest. Detailed information on altitudinal ranges and distribution of the alpine vegetation, vascular flora and environments over the alpine zone at northeastern Tibetan Plateau provides baseline records relevant to future assessment of probable effects of global climate changes.

Groupements arbustifs el mégaphorbiaies du haut Jura français. Quelques aspects particuliers

Tras las observaciones efectuadas durante la sesión de la Amical Internacional de Fitosociogía en la Jura franco-suiza, los autores exponen alganos datos complementarios sobre las comunidades megafórbicas jurasianas con Cicerbita alpina y Adenostyles alliaria y analizan desde un nuevo punto de vista, la comunidad arbustiva de Jun¡perus nana, Pinus uncinata, Sorbus chamaespilus, Laburnum alpinum.., que existen en los pisos subalpino y montano superior del Jura.

La vegetación glerícola del Macizo de Peña Trevinca

Las gleras de Peña Trevinca y territorios adyacentes (NO de la Península Ibérica), a pesar de su reducida extensión, muestran una gran variabilidad en la vegetación colonizadora. Han podido identificarse tres asociaciones diferentes: Cryptogrammo-Dryopteridetum (Polystichetalia lonchitis): Phalacrocacarpo-Rumicetum suffruticosi y Sesamoido-Silenetum herminii (as. rova), ambas incluibles en Androsacetalia alpina. Las tres son silicícolas pero difieren ecológicamente por la naturaleza y tamaño de los bloques: grandes bloques cuarciticos, bloques medianos de cuarzo y lanchas pizarrosas pequeñas, respectivamente.

Creating replicas of scultural heritage through 3D reconstruction and low cost 3D printer in Education

The process of making replicas of heritage has traditionally been developed by public agencies, corporations and museums and is not commonly used in schools. Currently there are technologies that allow creating cheap replicas. The new 3D reconstruction software, based on photographs and low cost 3D printers allow to make replicas at a cost much lower than traditional. This article describes the process of creating replicas of the sculpture Goslar Warrior of artist Henry Moore, located in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. To make this process, first, a digital model have been created using Autodesk Recap 360, Autodesk 123D Catch and Autodesk Meshmixer MarkerBot MakerWare applications. Physical replication, has been reproduced in polylactic acid (PLA) by MakerBot Replicator 2 3D printer. In addition, a cost analysis using, in one hand, the printer mentioned, and in the other hand, 3D printing services both online and local, is included. Finally, there has been a specific action with 141 students and 12 high school teachers, who filled a questionnary about the use of sculptural replicas in education.

Restriction site-associated DNA sequencing, genotyping error estimation and de novo assembly optimization for population genetic inference.

Restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) provides researchers with the ability to record genetic polymorphism across thousands of loci for nonmodel organisms, potentially revolutionizing the field of molecular ecology. However, as with other genotyping methods, RADseq is prone to a number of sources of error that may have consequential effects for population genetic inferences, and these have received only limited attention in terms of the estimation and reporting of genotyping error rates. Here we use individual sample replicates, under the expectation of identical genotypes, to quantify genotyping error in the absence of a reference genome. We then use sample replicates to (i) optimize de novo assembly parameters within the program Stacks, by minimizing error and maximizing the retrieval of informative loci; and (ii) quantify error rates for loci, alleles and single-nucleotide polymorphisms. As an empirical example, we use a double-digest RAD data set of a nonmodel plant species, Berberis alpina, collected from high-altitude mountains in Mexico.

Cómo lograr longevidad con calidad de vida. Caso sector lácteos 2000-2009

En la primera década del siglo XXI, las empresas colombianas se han visto afectadas por discontinuidades de tipo tecnológico, político, demográfi co, económico que han puesto a prueba su capacidad de aprendizaje para ajustarse a dichas difi cultades y poder sobrevivir. Estas discontinuidades presentes en el entorno han generado una turbulencia en el sector de lácteos; fenómeno caracterizado por tres elementos: incertidumbre, dinamismo y complejidad. La incertidumbre se hace evidente al momento de tomar decisiones, sin lograr tener certeza sobre lo que puede pasarle a la empresa o sobre el efec to de una decisión que se tome; el dinamismo se logra observar por el cam bio per manente en las necesidades de los clientes y el surgimiento de nuevos productos, que origina incremento de la rivalidad por precio; y la complejidad puede identifi carse en el surgimiento de otros actores con los que se debe interactuar para llevar a cabo una transacción.

Turbulencia empresarial en Colombia: caso sector bebidas no alcohólicas

La dirección y gerencia de empresas en el mundo globalizado actual requiere de herramientas eficientes y eficaces que permitan una mejor toma de decisiones. Después de la crisis financiera mundial del año 2008, las empresas han comenzado a recuperar consciencia sobre el uso de la información y el análisis de ésta para una toma de decisiones acertada que reduzca al mínimo los niveles de incertidumbre. Apoyados en un proceso de monitoreo del entorno, los tomadores de decisiones pueden garantizar en las organizaciones la generación de ventajas competitivas sostenibles que le permitan perdurabilidad, entendida ésta como la obtención de resultados financieros superiores, el manejo adecuado de fuerzas de mercado y el enfoque permanente de oportunidades no explotadas con ejecución productiva de cadena de valor. Con el desarrollo de la metodología AESE −Análisis Estructural de Sectores Estratégicos− elaborada por Hugo Alberto Rivera Rodríguez y Luis Fernando Restrepo Puerta, profesores de la Universidad del Rosario de Bogotá, Colombia, esta posibilidad se hace realidad. Al usar información financiera y cualitativa del cualquier sector, la empresa obtendrá una visualización objetiva del estado de un sector y sus oportunidades. Como complemento a la metodología de análisis sectorial, se debe estudiar el nivel de turbulencia de cada sector, lo que permite identificar si se presenta dinamismo, incertidumbre y complejidad, y plantear alternativas de solución a esta situación. La turbulencia no debe ser concebida como una situación negativa para las empresas, por el contrario se convierte en una posibilidad de crecimiento para quienes sepan aprovechar las oportunidades que ésta entrega. Este documento contiene el análisis del sector de bebidas no alcohólicas en Colombia, actividad que a nivel mundial ha presentado cambios significativos en los últimos cinco años. Según cifras de ‘Datamonitor’ actualizadas, el crecimiento anual registrado se ha mantenido entre el 4 y el 6%. Para Colombia, los mercados que la componen en orden de porcentaje de participación son los siguientes: bebidas gaseosas (47%), agua (19%), jugos de fruta (17%), té (9%), bebidas funcionales (6%) y néctares (2%). Se trata de un sector maduro de alta concentración donde los principales competidores son Femsa y Postobón para los diferentes segmentos, aunque ya existe presencia de otras marcas como Alpina, Bavaria, Nestlé, Alquería y AjeColombia que incursionan en varias de las nuevas categorías y retan la principal de bebidas gaseosas, para el caso de la última marca mencionada. Con este análisis estaremos en capacidad de identificar de manera clara cómo es la situación actual del sector, qué nuevas oportunidades de negocio pueden presentarse y cómo responder en un ambiente cada vez más competitivo donde la clave es innovación y diferenciación. La metodología AESE iniciará con un análisis de hacinamiento que revisará cuál es el “efecto manada” que le impone al imitar las mejores prácticas de otras empresas. Luego, con el panorama competitivo se pueden identificar oportunidades no atendidas aún en el sector que pueden proporcionar mejores estrategias de mercado y generar innovación y diversificación. Finalmente, al revisar los competidores se encontrará un estado actual del sector y su comportamiento frente a ventajas y desventajas competitivas. Los resultados de este análisis permitirán entonces mirar un concepto de perdurabilidad empresarial con factores decisivos para la toma de decisiones que generen impacto en la empresa, en sus empleados, sus proveedores, en el sector público y privado, así como en el entorno social donde se desempeña.

Perdurabilidad empresarial

Todas las empresas buscan ser perdurables y mantenerse en el mercado, a pesar de las situaciones adversas que se pueden presentar tanto por condiciones internas de la empresa o por condiciones externas, por lo tanto la perdurabilidad de las empresas siempre se ve amenazada. En razón del cuestionamiento del por qué unas empresas son mas perdurables que otras, el Grupo de Investigación de Perdurabilidad Empresarial (GIPE) de la Universidad del Rosario estudian los factores que permiten la perdurabilidad de las empresas para determinar cuáles de esos factores pueden tomarse en cuenta en un indicador que permita medir la perdurabilidad de una empresa.

Stable Isotope Analysis Reveals That Agricultural Habitat Provides an Important Dietary Component for Nonbreeding Dunlin

Although shorebirds spending the winter in temperate areas frequently use estuarine and supratidal (upland) feeding habitats, the relative contribution of each habitat to individual diets has not been directly quantified. We quantified the proportional use that Calidris alpina pacifica (Dunlin) made of estuarine vs. terrestrial farmland resources on the Fraser River Delta, British Columbia, using stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N) of blood from 268 Dunlin over four winters, 1997 through 2000. We tested for individual, age, sex, morphological, seasonal, and weather-related differences in dietary sources. Based on single- (δ13C) and dual-isotope mixing models, the agricultural habitat contributed approximately 38% of Dunlin diet averaged over four winters, with the balance from intertidal flats. However, there was a wide variation among individuals in the extent of agricultural feeding, ranging from about 1% to 95% of diet. Younger birds had a significantly higher terrestrial contribution to diet (43%) than did adults (35%). We estimated that 6% of adults and 13% of juveniles were obtaining at least 75% of their diet from terrestrial sources. The isotope data provided no evidence for sex or overall body size effects on the proportion of diet that is terrestrial in origin. The use of agricultural habitat by Dunlin peaked in early January. Adult Dunlin obtained a greater proportion of their diet terrestrially during periods of lower temperatures and high precipitation, whereas no such relationship existed for juveniles. Seasonal variation in the use of agricultural habitat suggests that it is used more during energetically stressful periods. The terrestrial farmland zone appears to be consistently important as a habitat for juveniles, but for adults it may provide an alternative feeding site used as a buffer against starvation during periods of extreme weather. Loss or reduction of agricultural habitat adjacent to estuaries may negatively impact shorebird fitness, with juveniles disproportionately affected.

Seed survival in Chilean Nothofagus in response to desiccation and storage

Nothofagus alpina, N. obliqua, N. glauca, N. leonii, N. dombeyi and N. pumilio seeds exhibited consistent, albeit slight, sensitivity to extreme desiccation, but nevertheless maintained viability at low moisture contents and cool temperatures (-10 degrees to -20 degrees C) over 2 years. Nothofagus alpina, N. obliqua, N. glauca, N. leonii and N. dombeyi conformed to the seed viability equation of Ellis and Roberts; sensitivity of longevity to temperature was quantitatively similar to that of crop seeds, sensitivity to moisture was somewhat less, and a low-moisture-content limit to the equation was detected at 4.8% moisture content in hermetic storage at 65 degrees C, and possibly similar moisture contents at 30-40 degrees C. These five species show orthodox seed storage behaviour. Therefore, ex-situ conservation of these Nothofagus species in seed banks is possible, but the quality of seed lots collected requires attention. Seed storage behaviour was not defined in N. pumilio: initial seed quality was poor and loss of viability was detected over 2 years at 0 degrees, -10 degrees and -20 degrees C at 2.7% moisture content, but not at 5.2%. The results confirm that the economy of nature in seed storage physiology extends to forest tree seeds, but the repeated observation of reduced sensitivity of longevity to moisture in forest tree seeds requires further investigation.

Características físico-qímicas da carne de caprinos submetidos a diferentes níveis de substituição do leite por soro de queijo durante o aleitamento

Fifty six crossbred kids Parda Alpina x Gurgueia were separeted into four groups of 14 (seven male and seven female) and submited to four treatments with different levels of milk goat substitution by cheese serum. The treatments were : T1=milk goat (testify); T2=15% serum at 23 days and 33% at 55 days; T3=15% serum starting from 16 days, 33% on 23 days and 51% on 72 days of age; and T4=33% on 16 days and 69% of liquid diet in the final fase. At 92 days of age, all animals were slaughtered for carcass evaluation. Pallete were separeted from 20 male animals (five by treatment) and the physical and chemical analysis of the meat were realized using these materials. The studied characteristics were: total weight (TW), meat weight (MW), bone weigth (BW) of the pallete, and percentage of umidity (U), ashes (A), protein (P), fat (F) and pH of the pallete meat. There was significant effect of the treatment over F. Means of PW, A and BW were, respectively 491, 342 and 149.8 g. The meal represented 69,6% of total pallete weight. Means of U, A, P and F were 73, 1.0, 19 and 1.95%, respectively. The pH was 6.7. Results allow to conclude that only the fat percentage of the meat was modified, due to the administration of serun milk on the liquid diet of the kids, during the milking fase.

Perda de calor por evaporação cutânea associada às características morfológicas do pelame de cabras leiteiras criadas em ambiente tropical

A perda de calor por evaporação cutânea e as características morfológicas do pelame (espessura da capa, comprimento médio dos pêlos, número de pêlos por unidade de área e diâmetro médio dos pêlos) foram avaliadas em 254 cabras das raças Saanen, Alpina e mestiças ½ Boer ½ Saanen. Utilizou-se uma cápsula ventilada para medir a evaporação cutânea, determinada em três regiões do corpo (próximo ao pescoço, meio do flanco e quarto traseiro), enquanto as características morfológicas do pelame foram avaliadas a partir de amostras de pêlos, tomadas 18 cm abaixo da coluna vertebral, exceto a espessura da capa, que foi medida in situ. Os resultados indicaram que os animais apresentam pelame pouco denso, formado por pêlos finos e compridos. Animais mestiços (½ Bôer ½ Saanen) apresentaram taxas de evaporação cutânea mais elevadas que os puros das raças Saanen e Alpina.

Uso da somatotropina bovina recombinante - rbST como alternativa para a produção de leite de cabra na entressafra

O experimento desenvolveu-se no Setor de Caprinocultura da FMVZ - UNESP - Campus de Botucatu, com o objetivo de estudar a influência da somatotropina bovina recombinante (rbST - nome comercial: Boostin 250 mg) na produção de leite, nos constituintes do leite, peso e escore de condição corporal de cabras durante o ciclo lactacional. Foram usadas 21 cabras da raça Parda Alpina, com idade entre 1 ½ e 4 anos, distribuídas aleatoriamente entre três tratamentos de sete animais cada: controle (T1 - sem rbST); completo, safra e entressafra (T2 - rbST após 45 dias de lactação); e apenas entressafra (T3 - rbST após 154 dias de lactação). Os animais dos três tratamentos receberam a mesma alimentação, que diferiu apenas na quantidade de concentrado, ajustada de acordo com a produção de leite dos animais. Não se observou aumento na produção de leite dos animais tratados, mas a persistência da lactação foi maior nestes animais. Não se observou diferença entre animais controles e tratados quanto aos constituintes do leite (densidade, gordura, EST, lactose e proteína). O peso e o índice de condição corporal também não apresentaram diferença significativa entre animais tratados e controle.

Estimação de parâmetros genéticos em caprinos leiteiros por meio de análise de regressão aleatória utilizando-se a Amostragem de Gibbs

Modelos de regressão aleatória foram utilizados neste estudo para estimar parâmetros genéticos da produção de leite no dia do controle (PLDC) em caprinos leiteiros da raça Alpina, por meio da metodologia Bayesiana. As estimativas geradas foram comparadas às obtidas com análise de regressão aleatória, utilizando-se o REML. As herdabilidades encontradas pela análise Bayesiana variaram de 0,18 a 0,37, enquanto, pelo REML, variaram de 0,09 a 0,32. As correlações genéticas entre dias de controle próximos se aproximaram da unidade, decrescendo gradualmente conforme a distância entre os dias de controle aumentou. Os resultados obtidos indicam que: a estrutura de covariâncias da PLDC em caprinos ao longo da lactação pode ser modelada adequadamente por meio da regressão aleatória; a predição de ganhos genéticos e a seleção de animais geneticamente superiores é viável ao longo de toda a trajetória da lactação; os resultados gerados pelas análises de regressão aleatória utilizando-se a Amostragem de Gibbs e o REML foram semelhantes, embora as estimativas das variâncias genéticas e das herdabilidades tenham sido levemente superiores na análise Bayesiana, utilizando-se a Amostragem de Gibbs.

Ecologia humana e manejo participativo da pesca do búzio Anomalocardia brasiliana (Gmelin, 1791) (Bivalvia: Veneridae) na Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Estadual Ponta do Tubarão (RN)

Coastal and marine protected areas are created to protect habitat, avoid biodiversity loss, and to help maintain viable fisheries. However, most of these areas in tropical countries occurs in impoverished regions and directly affect the livelihood and survival of coastal communities which directly depend on fisheries and shellfisheries. Therefore, socioeconomic and conservation goals overlap. In this context, fishers should have a central place in resource management. They are critical resource users and their behavior directly affects the system. Shellfish resources are important sources of food, employment and income to fishing communities in Latin America. But despite its widespread use for food and income, there is an urgent need of more research on shellfish management. This research discusses the artisanal fisheries of Venus clam (Anomalocardia brasiliana) (Gmelin, 1791) (Bivalvia: Veneridae) in Brazil, and points out strategies to improve the system. Venus clam is a small and commonly exploited species for food and income on the Brazilian coast. This research was carried out at Ponta do Tubarão Sustainable Development Reserve (Brazilian Northeast coast), where there was no information available about who harvest, where or how much Venus clam has been harvested, despite this resource being exploited for generations. Clam fishery follows the pattern of socio-economic invisibility that general clam exploitation has in Brazil. Methods used were interviews, participatory monitoring and focal follow observation from January 2010 to May 2011. Results include: (a) the identification of shell fishers, (b) how harvest and meat processing are performed (mollusk beds, time spent, gross and net production), (c) the analisis of shell fisher income and their economic sustentability, and (d) the involvement of shell fisher families in data gathering and analyses for the first time. Based on the acquired knowledge, we propose a new institutional arrangement for clam fishery including co-management, fisheries agreement, compensatory arrangements and improvements for the Venus clam value chain such as the establishment of a minimum price for clam meat. This research also includes two other results: a general description for Venus clam harvesting in the Brazilian Northeast coast and a specific discussion about co-management of Venus clam in Brazil. The first one was possible through the meeting of several shell fisherwomen from other states during activities promoted by People of the Tides (PoT) project. PoT was an international initiative aiming to develop coastal communities that depend on mollusk for their livelihood. The second one is a comparison between PoT and Venus clam management at Pirajubaé Marine Extractive Reserve (Santa Catarina). It evaluates the success and failures of these only two initiatives involving co-management of A. brasiliana in Brazil