scholarly journals Nixtamal techniques for different maize races prepared as tortillas and tostadas by women of Chiapas, Mexico

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Palacios-Pola ◽  
Hugo Perales ◽  
Erin I. J. Estrada Lugo ◽  
Juan de Dios Figueroa-Cárdenas
Keyword(s):  
Central America ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Cooking Time ◽  
Grain Composition ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Alkaline Water ◽  
Relevant Variables ◽  
Maize Type ◽  
Special Process ◽  
Maize Race

AbstractNixtamalization, which means cooking maize in alkaline water, is the central technique for the culinary use of maize in Mexico and Central America. Without this procedure, relying on maize as the basic starch staple is inadequate because of nutriment deficiencies. Mexico has more than 50 principal racial types of maize, and these differ in grain qualities that can require the adjustment of the nixtamalization process. Properties such as hardness and grain composition influence nixtamalization because they are related to the absorption of water that occurs during cooking and steeping. Some maize preparations, like tortillas and tostadas, can also require the adjustment of nixtamalization to obtain a high-quality foodstuff. We studied how women in three regions of the state of Chiapas, which differ in the prevalent maize race available, prepare their nixtamal and whether they make changes according to the type of food they prepare. Interviews of 30 women follow the measure of relevant variables when the women prepared nixtamal. We found that nixtamalization is adjusted for different grain hardnesses and for environmental conditions. Variations were found in the cooking time of the nixtamal, in the amount of time the nixtamal was steeped, and in a special process of double boiling of the nixtamal performed by some women for tostadas. Women that specialize in production for the market have developed variations preferred by consumers. As practiced by women in Chiapas, nixtamalization is a flexible technique that is adjusted for maize type and for food preparations.

scholarly journals The legacy of the extinct Neotropical megafauna on plants and biomes

2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinicius L. Dantas ◽  
Juli G. Pausas
Keyword(s):  
Central America ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Plant Defence ◽  
Leaf Size ◽  
Plant Evolution ◽  
Vegetation Patterns ◽  
Plant Defences ◽  
Large Mammal ◽  
Plant Trait ◽  
Historical Distribution

AbstractLarge mammal herbivores are important drivers of plant evolution and vegetation patterns, but the extent to which plant trait and ecosystem geography currently reflect the historical distribution of extinct megafauna is unknown. We address this question for South and Central America (Neotropical biogeographic realm) by compiling data on plant defence traits, climate, soil, and fire, as well as on the historical distribution of extinct megafauna and extant mammal herbivores. We show that historical mammal herbivory, especially by extinct megafauna, and soil fertility explain substantial variability in wood density, leaf size, spines and latex. We also identified three distinct regions (‘‘antiherbiomes’’), differing in plant defences, environmental conditions, and megafauna history. These patterns largely matched those observed in African ecosystems, where abundant megafauna still roams, and suggest that some ecoregions experienced savanna-to-forest shifts following megafauna extinctions. Here, we show that extinct megafauna left a significant imprint on current ecosystem biogeography.

scholarly journals Accreditation of research in the thermo-climatic chamber - various aspects

2018 ◽  
Vol 183 ◽  
pp. 01009
Author(s):  
Artur Gawlik ◽  
Piotr Kucybała ◽  
Danuta Owczarek ◽  
Janusz Pobędza
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Quality Management System ◽  
New Products ◽  
Heavy Duty ◽  
Climatic Chamber ◽  
High Quality ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
The Impact

One of the important aspects in the implementation of new products for production in the open field is the assessment of the impact of environmental conditions on their operation. Typically thermo-climatic research is carried out for such project. The laboratory of Techno-climatic Research and Heavy Duty Machines of Cracow University of Technology, equipped with a large-sized thermo-climatic chamber conducts this type of research. Bearing in mind the assurance of high quality of the conducted research, the quality management system (QMS) was developed and implemented. The article describes the requirements, scope and process of obtaining a Polish Centre for Accreditation (PCA) certificate.

Development of System for High Quality Wood Grain Design

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuya Mori ◽  
Satoshi Shibasaki ◽  
Hideki Aoyama
Keyword(s):  
Computer Graphics ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Wood Surface ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
High Quality ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Conventional Methods ◽  
Wood Grain

Various approaches for generating woodgrain patterns using computer graphics have been proposed so far. However, it is difficult to reproduce real woodgrain patterns using such conventional methods. In this paper, a new approach for generating woodgrain patterns is proposed. Virtual trees are generated by simulating tree growth in consideration of environmental conditions. Moreover, fine tree tissues and reflection properties at the wood surface are modeled. By applying these modeled factors, more diverse and accurate woodgrain patterns can be generated. With this approach, various types of virtual trees can be obtained by changing growth conditions such as period and location of growth or form of tissue in trees without the need to reset complicated parameters of each tree species. After this, the virtual trees can be cut at arbitrary areas, thus allowing a variety of woodgrain patterns to be generated by easy parameter setup.

Fifteen years of experience with standardized reference radiometers for controlling low-pressure UV disinfection plants for drinking water

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 975-984
Author(s):  
A. W. Schmalwieser
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Test Methods ◽  
Radiation Monitoring ◽  
Uv Disinfection ◽  
Test Results ◽  
High Quality ◽  
The Past

The only practicable way to control the disinfection capability of a UV disinfection plant for drinking water all the time is to use a UV radiometer. According to the Austrian Standard M5873, this plant radiometer is a standardized part of each plant. The standard defines a so-called reference radiometer (RRM) as well. This is necessary because a plant radiometer has to be controlled periodically. A RRM is a hand-held device which has to fulfil high-quality criteria and must be almost insensitive to environmental conditions. In this paper the principles of the concept behind the RRM are explained together with the requirements of such a device. Further on, the test methods are presented as well as a summary of test results from all RRMs developed during the past 15 years. It is shown that the radiation monitoring concept of the Austrian Standard has been successfully practicable and that the international acceptance of the Austrian Standard is justified.

scholarly journals CONVERSION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND TO NON-AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES IN SELECTED POLISH METROPOLITAN AREAS

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wojciech Sroka
Keyword(s):  
Metropolitan Area ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Metropolitan Areas ◽  
Land Conversion ◽  
Farmland Abandonment ◽  
High Quality ◽  
The Core

The aim of the paper is to determine the scale of agricultural land conversion in gmina (municipalities) located in selected metropolitan areas of Poland. Analyses were conducted taking into account the location of agricultural land in relation to the core of metropolitan area and its suitability for agricultural production. The research has shown that in the metropolitan areas selected for analysis, agricultural land conversion in the period 1996–2014 was over twice as fast as the average for Poland, with the most land converted in the core of a metropolitan area, little less in the first zone of gmina around the core, and the least in gmina located on the outskirts of a metropolitan area. The hypothesis saying that the distance of a gmina from the core of the metropolitan area is a significant factor in the differences in conversion processes, and high quality of environmental conditions of agricultural production does not limit (in a significant way) the process of farmland abandonment has been positively verified.

scholarly journals A Google Earth Database of Central American Volcanic Vents

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Carr
Keyword(s):  
Central America ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Cloud Forest ◽  
Google Earth ◽  
Central American ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Time Pattern ◽  
Volcanic Deposits

Satellite imagery in Google Earth reveals 807 volcanic vents for Central America. Most of these have already been recognized. In fact, previous catalogs include many volcanoes that are not obvious in Google Earth and they are not included here. Furthermore, 47 large but deeply eroded volcanoes are not included because they appear very old. On the other hand, many young vents may be obscured in areas of low quality imagery or in areas of dense cloud forest. High quality Google Earth coverage keeps expanding so this catalog can be improved with time. Lidar imagery would greatly improve vent detection. A significant problem with any list of volcanic features is determining the appropriate cutoff age. Topographic expression is the only available criterion for estimating age for most of the vents and this criterion is highly flawed because of differences in volcanic deposits, weathering, annual rainfall and other factors. Ideally, 40Ar/39Ar ages would be available for most of the volcanoes and the revealed space-time pattern of volcanic activity would allow improved hazard estimates as well as a deeper understanding of the causes and controls of volcanism. Instead, the database is a necessary step toward: a) recognizing important volcanological problems that can attract geochronological research funding and b) encouraging a long-term campaign for determining the temporal development of Central American volcanism. The database is intended as a draft to be used and improved, not a fixed list.

scholarly journals INCREASING THE INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ENTERPRISES

2021 ◽  
pp. 91-96
Author(s):  
A.A. Sytnik ◽  
N.V. Tsopa
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Technical Development ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Positive Effect

For sustainable development, the enterprise needs to constantly develop, quickly adapt to changing environmental conditions, offering modern, high-quality products that satisfy the consumer on the market. The constant development of the enterprise requires regular investments in production and scientific and technical development, and for other purposes aimed at obtaining a positive effect. To attract these investments, an enterprise needs to monitor its investment attractiveness.

scholarly journals Phylogeography and morphometric variation in the Cinnamon Hummingbird complex: Amazilia rutila (Aves: Trochilidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melisa Vázquez-López ◽  
Nandadevi Córtes-Rodríguez ◽  
Sahid M. Robles-Bello ◽  
Alfredo Bueno-Hernández ◽  
Luz E. Zamudio-Beltrán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central America ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Pacific Coast ◽  
Yucatan Peninsula ◽  
Southern Mexico ◽  
Morphometric Variation ◽  
Divergence Time Estimates ◽  
Yucatán Peninsula ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background The Mesoamerican dominion is a biogeographic area of great interest due to its complex topography and distinctive climatic history. This area has a large diversity of habitats, including tropical deciduous forests, which house a large number of endemic species. Here, we assess phylogeographic pattern, genetic and morphometric variation in the Cinnamon Hummingbird complex Amazilia rutila, which prefers habitats in this region. This resident species is distributed along the Pacific coast from Sinaloa—including the Tres Marías Islands in Mexico to Costa Rica, and from the coastal plain of the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico south to Belize. Methods We obtained genetic data from 85 samples of A. rutila, using 4 different molecular markers (mtDNA: ND2, COI; nDNA: ODC, MUSK) on which we performed analyses of population structure (median-joining network, STRUCTURE, FST, AMOVA), Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analyses, and divergence time estimates. In order to evaluate the historic suitability of environmental conditions, we constructed projection models using past scenarios (Pleistocene periods), and conducted Bayesian Skyline Plots (BSP) to visualize changes in population sizes over time. To analyze morphometric variation, we took measurements of 5 morphological traits from 210 study skins. We tested for differences between sexes, differences among geographic groups (defined based on genetic results), and used PCA to examine the variation in multivariate space. Results Using mtDNA, we recovered four main geographic groups: the Pacific coast, the Tres Marías Islands, the Chiapas region, and the Yucatán Peninsula together with Central America. These same groups were recovered by the phylogenetic results based on the multilocus dataset. Demography based on BSP results showed constant population size over time throughout the A. rutila complex and within each geographic group. Ecological niche model projections onto past scenarios revealed no drastic changes in suitable conditions, but revealed some possible refuges. Morphometric results showed minor sexual dimorphism in this species and statistically significant differences between geographic groups. The Tres Marías Islands population was the most differentiated, having larger body size than the remaining groups. Conclusions The best supported evolutionary hypothesis of diversification within this group corresponds to geographic isolation (limited gene flow), differences in current environmental conditions, and historical habitat fragmentation promoted by past events (Pleistocene refugia). Four well-defined clades comprise the A. rutila complex, and we assess the importance of a taxonomic reevaluation. Our data suggest that both of A. r. graysoni (Tres Marías Islands) and A. r. rutila (Pacific coast) should be considered full species. The other two strongly supported clades are: (a) the Chiapas group (southern Mexico), and (b) the populations from Yucatán Peninsula and Central America. These clades belong to the corallirostris taxon, which needs to be split and properly named.

INFLUENCE OF ORGANOMINERAL ADDITIVES ON THE PROPERTIES OF PLASTERING MORTARS ON FINE SANDS WITH CLAYY IMPURITIES

2021 ◽  
pp. 94-100
Author(s):  
А. С. Успанова ◽  
А. З. Абуханов ◽  
З. Х. Исмаилова ◽  
Х-М. У. Киндаров
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Grain Composition ◽  
High Quality

Несмотря на многообразие строительных материалов на рынке, строительные штукатурные растворы остаются востребованным отделочным материалом ввиду их доступности и технологичности. В частности, потребление штукатурных растворов на территории Чеченской Республики неуклонно растет. Однако для приготовления качественных растворных смесей требуется наличие мелких песков соответствующего зернового состава, но местные пески относятся к группе мелких песков, а большая часть - к группе очень мелких песков. Для исследования возможности применения местных мелких песков Чеченской Республики, которые содержат значительное количество глинистых примесей, предлагается разработать органоминеральную добавку (ОМД) на золошлаковых смесях и рассмотреть ее взаимодействие с данными примесями. Despite the variety of building materials on the market, building plaster solutions remain a popular finishing material due to their availability and manufacturability. In particular, the consumption of plaster solutions on the territory of the Chechen Republic is steadily growing. However, for the preparation of high-quality mortar mixtures, the presence of fine sands of the corresponding grain composition is required, but local sands belong to the group of fine sands, and most of them belong to the group of very fine sands. To study the possibility of using local fine sands of the Chechen Republic, which contain a significant amount of clay impurities, it is proposed to develop an organomineral additive (OMА) based on ash and slag mixtures and consider its interaction with these impurities.

scholarly journals Performance of soybean plants as function of seed size: II. Nutritional stress

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 419-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos Morais Soares ◽  
Glauter Lima Oliveira ◽  
Paulo Emídio Soriano ◽  
Marcelo Coelho Sekita ◽  
Tuneo Sediyama
Keyword(s):  
Seed Size ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Soybean Seeds ◽  
High Quality ◽  
High Productivity ◽  
Soybean Cultivars ◽  
Soybean Plants ◽  
High Quality Seed ◽  
Modern Technologies ◽  
Phosphorus Levels

The high quality seed is an input with invaluable for obtaining soybean crops with higher yields; for it reflects the results of high investments in research of modern technologies, which will be converted into high productivity levels. Thus, the aim of this study was assessing performance of soybean seeds, sorted by size, and grown in soils with different phosphorus levels. To this, seeds of two soybean cultivars (MSoy 9144RR and MSoy 8527RR) were sorted with aid of circular screens with perforations of 5.5 mm and 7.5 mm in diameter. Sowing was carried out into plastic pots, with 3.0 dm³ substrate capacity each, containing a Red-Yellow Oxisol, fertilized with increasing phosphorus dosages (50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg. Kg-1), and performed under greenhouse environmental conditions. Seed size did not significantly influence the values obtained to the variables analyzed; however, to the larger seeds there was a trend of increase on these values. There was also a trend of increase on these values to all variables assessed when the dosages of phosphorus in the soil were increased.

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