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The fascinating and important adaptations of cacti, which have allowed their distribution and survival in American deserts are presented. Bibliographic information was collected from specialized books, scientific and popular articles according to methodology. The main results of the compendium are the origin, geographical distribution, habitats where they live, their evolutionary adaptations and main threats that put their survival at risk. It is concluded that it is urgent to take effective measures for the protection and conservation of cacti., Se dan a conocer las fascinantes e importantes adaptaciones de las cactáceas que han permitido su distribución y sobrevivencia en los desiertos americanos. De acuerdo con la metodología, se recopiló información bibliográfica de libros especializados, artículos científicos y de divulgación. Como principales resultados del compendio se describen el origen, la distribución geográfica, los hábitats donde viven, sus adaptaciones evolutivas y las principales amenazas que ponen en riesgo su sobrevivencia. Se concluye que es urgente tomar medidas efectivas de protección y conservación de las cactáceas. Palabras clave: cactus, desiertos, evolución.

The fascinating and important adaptations of cacti, which have allowed their distribution and survival in American deserts are presented. Bibliographic information was collected from specialized books, scientific and popular articles according to methodology. The main results of the compendium are the origin, geographical distribution, habitats where they live, their evolutionary adaptations and main threats that put their survival at risk. It is concluded that it is urgent to take effective measures for the protection and conservation of cacti., Se dan a conocer las fascinantes e importantes adaptaciones de las cactáceas que han permitido su distribución y sobrevivencia en los desiertos americanos. De acuerdo con la metodología, se recopiló información bibliográfica de libros especializados, artículos científicos y de divulgación. Como principales resultados del compendio se describen el origen, la distribución geográfica, los hábitats donde viven, sus adaptaciones evolutivas y las principales amenazas que ponen en riesgo su sobrevivencia. Se concluye que es urgente tomar medidas efectivas de protección y conservación de las cactáceas. Palabras clave: cactus, desiertos, evolución.

The pitaya has gained prominence in the exotic fruit market in Brazil, however, several factors limit productivity, among them, the interference caused by weeds. In this context, the identification of weed population dynamics is the first step towards the adoption of integrated management, contributing to efficient and sustainable control, and can be carried out through a phytosociological survey. The objective of this work was to identify and quantify the floristic composition of weeds in a pitaya orchard, in the first year of implementation, in the municipality of Rio Largo, Alagoas, Brazil. Phytosociology was carried out 120 days after planting, using a hollow square 0.50 m wide, the species were collected, identified, counted and placed in an oven at 65 °C. The following indices were calculated: density, relative density, frequency, relative frequency, importance value index, abundance, relative abundance, dry mass, relative dry mass and relative importance index. The community of weeds showed considerable diversity, with 24 species distributed in 12 botanical families, with Poaceae and Asteraceae having the highest occurrences. It was observed that the species Cenchrus echinatus, Ageratum conyzoides, Galinsoga parviflora, Eleusine indica and Eclipta albahad the highest abundance class, index of relative importance value, and should be the main species for control., A pitayatem ganhado destaque no mercado de frutos exóticos no Brasil, no entanto, diversos fatores limitam a produtividade, dentre eles, a interferência provocada por plantas daninhas. Nesse contexto a identificação da dinâmica populacional das plantas daninhas éa primeira etapa para adoção do manejo integrado, contribuindo para um controle eficiente e sustentável, e pode ser realizado através de levantamento fitossociológico. Objetivou-se por meio deste trabalho identificar e quantificar a composição florística de plantas daninhas em um pomar de pitaya, no primeiro ano de implantação, no município de Rio Largo, Alagoas. A fitossociologia foi realizada aos 120 dias após o plantio, utilizando um quadrado vazado de 0,50 m de largura, as espécies foram coletadas, identificadas, contabilizadas e acondicionadas em estufa à 65 °C. Foram calculados os seguintes índices: densidade, densidade relativa, frequência, frequência relativa, índice de valor de importância, abundância, abundância relativa, massa seca, massa seca relativa e índice de importância relativa. A comunidade de plantas infestantes apresentou considerável diversidade, com 24 espécies distribuídas em 12 famílias botânicas, sendo Poaceae e Asteraceae com maiores ocorrências. Observou-se que as espécies Cenchrus echinatus, Ageratum conyzoides, Galinsoga parviflora, Eleusine indica e Eclipta alba apresentaram maior classe de abundância, índice de valor de importância relativo, e devem ser as principais espécies para o controle.

A lack of energy and water in livestock production limit the performance of the animal. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of spineless cactus as a source of energy and water on feed intake, feed digestibility and milk production of Holstein cows. Cactus serves as fresh forage or stored as silage for later feeding in livestock. However, there is limited information about cactus nutrients, their proportions in different species and the variability of these proportions with season. A total of four multiparous lactating Holstein cows with an average of 650 ± 80kg live weight were used and assigned to four dietary treatments with four replicates. Each animal was used four times. A cross-over design was used. The four dietary treatments were 0%, 4%, 8% and 12% of spineless cactus meal inclusion levels. The study period was 21 days of adaptation period and 6 days of collection period. Higher digestibility and energy supply (P<0.05) were observed with spineless forage diets compared to the control diet. Inclusion of spineless in the diets improved (P<0.05) diet intake and milk production in Holstein cows. However, an improved performance in milk production was observed with spineless cactus meal inclusion levels of 4%, 8% and 12%. Amongst the diets, 0% inclusion level had lower dry matter intake of 22.7kg (P<0.05) compared to those which had spineless cactus meal. High dry matter intake resulted in higher (P<0.05) milk production of 22.7, 24.7, 23.4 and 23.8 litres for 0, 4, 8 and 12% spineless cactus meal inclusion levels, respectively. However, cows on 4% inclusion level had higher milk yield than the other diets. Milk quality (butter fat, protein, lactose, somatic cell count and milk nitrogen urea) of Holstein cows was not (P>0.05) affected by the level of spineless cactus meal inclusion in the diet. Dry matter intake, neutral detergent fibre intake, acid detergent fibre intake and metabolisble energy intake of the cows were optimized at, National Research Foundation (NRF)

The following ethnography describes the interspecific relation between humans and the San Pedro cactus. The cactus is conceived as a medicine, while humans use the plant to learn how to activate its self-healing potential. The text goes through stories of this cactus in southern Ecuador and the healers working with it, the story of the use of it as a medicinal plant and its uses in psychotherapy. It´s a description of a social experiment, where the participants make use of the San Pedro cactus and they tell us about their experiences. This ethnography shows an existential-phenomenological position that allows us to report the whole process, begining with the harvest, cooking and how it is served. The rituals around it took place in the Andean mountains.Two psychotherapists, chosen for their years of professional practice, experimented with the San Pedro for one day. They let the plant think for them to generate ontologies that translate the experience with the medicine. They were made under the effect of the plant and interpreted when it has passed. It ends with an analysis of the de-colonial pedagogical action of the cactus. Because the mentioned is a way of learning, unusual, forgotten, and stigmatized in Ecuador since the entry of the new Western order. This worldview reappears as a way in which contemporaneity claims the knowledge of places. The context is urban, western, mestizo, patriarchal, rational, and scientific

The following ethnography describes the interspecific relation between humans and the San Pedro cactus. The cactus is conceived as a medicine, while humans use the plant to learn how to activate its self-healing potential. The text goes through stories of this cactus in southern Ecuador and the healers working with it, the story of the use of it as a medicinal plant and its uses in psychotherapy. It´s a description of a social experiment, where the participants make use of the San Pedro cactus and they tell us about their experiences. This ethnography shows an existential-phenomenological position that allows us to report the whole process, begining with the harvest, cooking and how it is served. The rituals around it took place in the Andean mountains.Two psychotherapists, chosen for their years of professional practice, experimented with the San Pedro for one day. They let the plant think for them to generate ontologies that translate the experience with the medicine. They were made under the effect of the plant and interpreted when it has passed. It ends with an analysis of the de-colonial pedagogical action of the cactus. Because the mentioned is a way of learning, unusual, forgotten, and stigmatized in Ecuador since the entry of the new Western order. This worldview reappears as a way in which contemporaneity claims the knowledge of places. The context is urban, western, mestizo, patriarchal, rational, and scientific

Species of the Cactaceae family inhabit areas with high temperatures, water scarcity, and nutrient-deficient soils. This is a result of complex processes such as physiological and physical adaptations, in addition to coevolution with endophytic microorganisms, which are inhabit plant tissues and can have relevant importance for the plant such as their establishment in rocky strata, theatmospheric nitrogen and phosphorus fixation by bacteria, or the antimicrobial action by fungi. Bioprospecting studies on endophytes of cacti are still scarce, so this work compiles the scientific literature on endophytic bacteria and fungi of cacti available in the databases Dialnet, DOAJ, EBSCO, Google académico, iSEEK, Redalyc, REDIB, Science Direct, SciFinder, SciELO, Springer, Web of Science and Wiley Online Library. The review yielded 22 papers published in 33 years; only 36% of them analyzed their bioactivity. The use of endophytes for biotechnological transfer is highlighted, mainly for social benefit (agricultural and medical purposes), as well as conservation., Las especies de la familia Cactaceae habitan en zonas con altas temperaturas, escasez de agua y suelos con déficit de nutrimentos. Esto es el resultado de procesos complejos como adaptaciones fisiológicas y físicas, además de la coevolución con microorganismos endófitos que habitan en los tejidos vegetales con relevante importancia para las plantas, porfacilitar su establecimiento en estratos rocosos, ayudar a la fijación de nitrógeno atmosférico y fósforo a través de bacterias, así como una acción antimicrobiana por parte de los hongos. Los estudios sobre bioprospección de endófitos en las cactáceas aún son escasos, por lo que este trabajo compila la literatura científica sobre bacterias y hongos endófitos en cactus disponible en las bases de datos Dialnet, DOAJ, EBSCO, Google académico, iSEEK, Redalyc, REDIB, Science Direct, SciFinder, SciELO, Springer, Web of Science y Wiley Online Library. La revisión dio como resultado 22 trabajos publicados en un periodo de 33 años, de los que solamente el 36% analiza su bioactividad. Se destaca el uso de los endófitos en la biotecnología, principalmente para beneficio social (fines agrícolas y médicos), así como de conservación.

The seeds are subject tomultiple stresses, such as water and salt stress, which limit imbibition and its chances of germination. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the germination behavior of seeds of Melocactus zehntneri(Britton & Rose) Luetzelb. (Cactaceae) whensubjected to water and saline stress. From a completely randomized block experimental design, the water deficit was simulated with PEG6000 solutions at potentials: 0.0 (distilled water); -0.1; -0.3; -0.6 and -0.9 MPa, the same was done with NaCl for salt stress. Non-germinated seeds were washed and replaced to germinate in distilled water to assess recovery, and germinability (%) and t50 (days) were evaluated. Seeds subjected to water stress germinated up to the potential of -0.3MPa (82.0 ± 16.2%), withoutgermination at -0.6 and -0.9 MPa. Under salt stress, the seeds germinated up to the potential of -0.6 MPa, with a reduction in germination as the NaCl concentration increased. When placed back in distilled water, the seeds that had been subjected to waterstress germinated at –0.6 MPa and -0.9 MPa, but with a delay in germination (0.0 MPa: 5.96 ± 0.32 days; -0.3 MPa: 11.10 ± 0.76 days). Under salt stress,seeds submitted to -0.9 MPa germinated, demonstrating that NaCl did not cause damage (0% stress versus 39.0 ± 14.7% in recovery). Therefore, the seeds of the studied population of M. zehntneriare tolerant to water and salt stress., As sementes estão sujeitas a múltiplos estresses, como osestresseshídricoe salino, que limitama embebição e suas chances de germinação. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o comportamento germinativo de sementes de Melocactus zehntneri(Britton& Rose) Luetzelb. (Cactaceae) quando submetidas a estresse hídricoe salino. A partir de um delineamento experimental em blocos inteiramente casualizados, o déficit hídrico foi simulado com soluções de PEG6000 nos potenciais: 0,0 (água destilada); -0,1; -0,3; -0,6 e -0,9 MPa, o mesmo foi feito com NaCl para o estresse salino. As sementesnão germinadasforam lavadas e recolocadas para germinar em água destilada para avaliar a recuperação, sendo avaliado a germinabilidade (%) e o t50(dias).As sementessubmetidas ao estresse hídricogerminaram até o potencial de -0,3MPa (82,0±16,2%), não ocorrendo germinação em-0,6e -0,9 MPa. No estresse salino,as sementes germinaram até o potencial de -0,6 MPa, comreduçãona germinabilidade à medida que aumentava a concentração de NaCl. Aoserem recolocadas em águadestilada,as sementesque tinham sido submetidas ao estresse hídricogerminaram em –0,6MPa e-0,9MPa, porém com atraso na germinação (0,0MPa: 5,96±0,32dias; -0,3MPa: 11,10±0,76dias). No estresse salino, as sementes submetidas a -0.9 MPa germinaram, demonstrando que o NaCl nãocausoudanos(estresse 0%versus39,0 ± 14,7% na recuperação).Portanto,as sementes da população estudada deM. zehntneri são tolerantes ao estresse hídrico e salino.

Species of the Cactaceae family inhabit areas with high temperatures, water scarcity, and nutrient-deficient soils. This is a result of complex processes such as physiological and physical adaptations, in addition to coevolution with endophytic microorganisms, which are inhabit plant tissues and can have relevant importance for the plant such as their establishment in rocky strata, theatmospheric nitrogen and phosphorus fixation by bacteria, or the antimicrobial action by fungi. Bioprospecting studies on endophytes of cacti are still scarce, so this work compiles the scientific literature on endophytic bacteria and fungi of cacti available in the databases Dialnet, DOAJ, EBSCO, Google académico, iSEEK, Redalyc, REDIB, Science Direct, SciFinder, SciELO, Springer, Web of Science and Wiley Online Library. The review yielded 22 papers published in 33 years; only 36% of them analyzed their bioactivity. The use of endophytes for biotechnological transfer is highlighted, mainly for social benefit (agricultural and medical purposes), as well as conservation., Las especies de la familia Cactaceae habitan en zonas con altas temperaturas, escasez de agua y suelos con déficit de nutrimentos. Esto es el resultado de procesos complejos como adaptaciones fisiológicas y físicas, además de la coevolución con microorganismos endófitos que habitan en los tejidos vegetales con relevante importancia para las plantas, porfacilitar su establecimiento en estratos rocosos, ayudar a la fijación de nitrógeno atmosférico y fósforo a través de bacterias, así como una acción antimicrobiana por parte de los hongos. Los estudios sobre bioprospección de endófitos en las cactáceas aún son escasos, por lo que este trabajo compila la literatura científica sobre bacterias y hongos endófitos en cactus disponible en las bases de datos Dialnet, DOAJ, EBSCO, Google académico, iSEEK, Redalyc, REDIB, Science Direct, SciFinder, SciELO, Springer, Web of Science y Wiley Online Library. La revisión dio como resultado 22 trabajos publicados en un periodo de 33 años, de los que solamente el 36% analiza su bioactividad. Se destaca el uso de los endófitos en la biotecnología, principalmente para beneficio social (fines agrícolas y médicos), así como de conservación.

The seeds are subject tomultiple stresses, such as water and salt stress, which limit imbibition and its chances of germination. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the germination behavior of seeds of Melocactus zehntneri(Britton & Rose) Luetzelb. (Cactaceae) whensubjected to water and saline stress. From a completely randomized block experimental design, the water deficit was simulated with PEG6000 solutions at potentials: 0.0 (distilled water); -0.1; -0.3; -0.6 and -0.9 MPa, the same was done with NaCl for salt stress. Non-germinated seeds were washed and replaced to germinate in distilled water to assess recovery, and germinability (%) and t50 (days) were evaluated. Seeds subjected to water stress germinated up to the potential of -0.3MPa (82.0 ± 16.2%), withoutgermination at -0.6 and -0.9 MPa. Under salt stress, the seeds germinated up to the potential of -0.6 MPa, with a reduction in germination as the NaCl concentration increased. When placed back in distilled water, the seeds that had been subjected to waterstress germinated at –0.6 MPa and -0.9 MPa, but with a delay in germination (0.0 MPa: 5.96 ± 0.32 days; -0.3 MPa: 11.10 ± 0.76 days). Under salt stress,seeds submitted to -0.9 MPa germinated, demonstrating that NaCl did not cause damage (0% stress versus 39.0 ± 14.7% in recovery). Therefore, the seeds of the studied population of M. zehntneriare tolerant to water and salt stress., As sementes estão sujeitas a múltiplos estresses, como osestresseshídricoe salino, que limitama embebição e suas chances de germinação. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o comportamento germinativo de sementes de Melocactus zehntneri(Britton& Rose) Luetzelb. (Cactaceae) quando submetidas a estresse hídricoe salino. A partir de um delineamento experimental em blocos inteiramente casualizados, o déficit hídrico foi simulado com soluções de PEG6000 nos potenciais: 0,0 (água destilada); -0,1; -0,3; -0,6 e -0,9 MPa, o mesmo foi feito com NaCl para o estresse salino. As sementesnão germinadasforam lavadas e recolocadas para germinar em água destilada para avaliar a recuperação, sendo avaliado a germinabilidade (%) e o t50(dias).As sementessubmetidas ao estresse hídricogerminaram até o potencial de -0,3MPa (82,0±16,2%), não ocorrendo germinação em-0,6e -0,9 MPa. No estresse salino,as sementes germinaram até o potencial de -0,6 MPa, comreduçãona germinabilidade à medida que aumentava a concentração de NaCl. Aoserem recolocadas em águadestilada,as sementesque tinham sido submetidas ao estresse hídricogerminaram em –0,6MPa e-0,9MPa, porém com atraso na germinação (0,0MPa: 5,96±0,32dias; -0,3MPa: 11,10±0,76dias). No estresse salino, as sementes submetidas a -0.9 MPa germinaram, demonstrando que o NaCl nãocausoudanos(estresse 0%versus39,0 ± 14,7% na recuperação).Portanto,as sementes da população estudada deM. zehntneri são tolerantes ao estresse hídrico e salino.

Species of the Cactaceae family inhabit areas with high temperatures, water scarcity, and nutrient-deficient soils. This is a result of complex processes such as physiological and physical adaptations, in addition to coevolution with endophytic microorganisms, which are inhabit plant tissues and can have relevant importance for the plant such as their establishment in rocky strata, theatmospheric nitrogen and phosphorus fixation by bacteria, or the antimicrobial action by fungi. Bioprospecting studies on endophytes of cacti are still scarce, so this work compiles the scientific literature on endophytic bacteria and fungi of cacti available in the databases Dialnet, DOAJ, EBSCO, Google académico, iSEEK, Redalyc, REDIB, Science Direct, SciFinder, SciELO, Springer, Web of Science and Wiley Online Library. The review yielded 22 papers published in 33 years; only 36% of them analyzed their bioactivity. The use of endophytes for biotechnological transfer is highlighted, mainly for social benefit (agricultural and medical purposes), as well as conservation., Las especies de la familia Cactaceae habitan en zonas con altas temperaturas, escasez de agua y suelos con déficit de nutrimentos. Esto es el resultado de procesos complejos como adaptaciones fisiológicas y físicas, además de la coevolución con microorganismos endófitos que habitan en los tejidos vegetales con relevante importancia para las plantas, porfacilitar su establecimiento en estratos rocosos, ayudar a la fijación de nitrógeno atmosférico y fósforo a través de bacterias, así como una acción antimicrobiana por parte de los hongos. Los estudios sobre bioprospección de endófitos en las cactáceas aún son escasos, por lo que este trabajo compila la literatura científica sobre bacterias y hongos endófitos en cactus disponible en las bases de datos Dialnet, DOAJ, EBSCO, Google académico, iSEEK, Redalyc, REDIB, Science Direct, SciFinder, SciELO, Springer, Web of Science y Wiley Online Library. La revisión dio como resultado 22 trabajos publicados en un periodo de 33 años, de los que solamente el 36% analiza su bioactividad. Se destaca el uso de los endófitos en la biotecnología, principalmente para beneficio social (fines agrícolas y médicos), así como de conservación.

[ES] Este proyecto de diseño desarrolla en detalle un juego educativo destinado a niños de entre 3 y 6 años, para comprender el las partes y crecimiento de un cactus. El objetivo del proyecto es diseñar un juego que permita a los niños observar y aprender de manera activa construyendo una sencilla planta, de modo que se fomente el interés y la participación por el cuidado del medio ambiente desde la primera infancia. El producto insiste en la importancia del uso de materiales naturales y en el respeto hacia la naturaleza., [EN] This design project develops in detail an educational game for children between 3 and 6 years, to understand the parts and the growth of a cactus. The aim of the project is to design a game that allows children to actively observe and learn by building a simple plant, so that interest and participation in caring for the environment is fostered from early childhood. The product emphasizes the importance of the use of natural materials and respect for nature.

[ES] Este proyecto de diseño desarrolla en detalle un juego educativo destinado a niños de entre 3 y 6 años, para comprender el las partes y crecimiento de un cactus. El objetivo del proyecto es diseñar un juego que permita a los niños observar y aprender de manera activa construyendo una sencilla planta, de modo que se fomente el interés y la participación por el cuidado del medio ambiente desde la primera infancia. El producto insiste en la importancia del uso de materiales naturales y en el respeto hacia la naturaleza., [EN] This design project develops in detail an educational game for children between 3 and 6 years, to understand the parts and the growth of a cactus. The aim of the project is to design a game that allows children to actively observe and learn by building a simple plant, so that interest and participation in caring for the environment is fostered from early childhood. The product emphasizes the importance of the use of natural materials and respect for nature.

[ES] Este proyecto de diseño desarrolla en detalle un juego educativo destinado a niños de entre 3 y 6 años, para comprender el las partes y crecimiento de un cactus. El objetivo del proyecto es diseñar un juego que permita a los niños observar y aprender de manera activa construyendo una sencilla planta, de modo que se fomente el interés y la participación por el cuidado del medio ambiente desde la primera infancia. El producto insiste en la importancia del uso de materiales naturales y en el respeto hacia la naturaleza., [EN] This design project develops in detail an educational game for children between 3 and 6 years, to understand the parts and the growth of a cactus. The aim of the project is to design a game that allows children to actively observe and learn by building a simple plant, so that interest and participation in caring for the environment is fostered from early childhood. The product emphasizes the importance of the use of natural materials and respect for nature.

The present study tested whether feeding ewes during the last third of pregnancy with cladodes of Opuntia (untreated or protein-enriched), as an alternative to alfalfa hay, would improve milk yield as well as the pre- and post-natal growth of their lambs. Sixty mature Rambouillet ewes and their progeny were randomly allocated among three nutritional treatments: (i) Control, fed alfalfa; (ii) Opuntia, fed untreated cladodes; (iii) E-Opuntia, fed protein-enriched cladodes (pre-treated with urea and ammonium sulphate). Birth weight did not differ among treatments (p > 0.05) but Control ewes produced more milk than both groups of Opuntia-fed ewes (p < 0.05). However, milk yield was not related to the growth of the progeny (p > 0.05) because lambs from E-Opuntia-fed ewes grew faster (p < 0.01) and were heavier at weaning (p < 0.05) than lambs from the other two groups. We conclude that Opuntia (with or without protein enrichment) can be used as an alternative to alfalfa hay for feeding ewes during the last third of pregnancy and therefore reduce production costs under extensive conditions in arid and semiarid regions. Moreover, protein-enriched Opuntia appears to improve postnatal lamb growth.

The Cactaceae, and especially its most emblematic genus, Opuntia, is one of the groups of plants with greater invasion potential in the Iberian Peninsula. One of the most recently detected species is Opuntia aurantiaca, a small cactus with an enormous capacity of dispersion. Probably native to Argentina and Uruguay, it behaves as a very aggressive invader in Australia and South Africa. In Europe, it only occurs on the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula (Catalonia and Valencian Community). In this study, the geographic range of the species is accurately delineated at the peninsular level. Detected firstly at the beginning of the last decade in Navajas (Castelló Province), it has been subsequently observed in other places of Castelló, but also in Valencia, Tarragona and Barcelona, and since 2017 in Girona. With all gathered occurrence data, the potential distribution of O. aurantiaca is estimated (for the current climatic conditions as well as for different scenarios of global warming). Despite the fact that the species seems to be spreading, maps of potential distribution do not forecast large expansions to other areas of the Iberian Peninsula, both for the present and for the year 2070. Key words: alien flora, niche modelling, Spain.

The Cactaceae, and especially its most emblematic genus, Opuntia, is one of the groups of plants with greater invasion potential in the Iberian Peninsula. One of the most recently detected species is Opuntia aurantiaca, a small cactus with an enormous capacity of dispersion. Probably native to Argentina and Uruguay, it behaves as a very aggressive invader in Australia and South Africa. In Europe, it only occurs on the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula (Catalonia and Valencian Community). In this study, the geographic range of the species is accurately delineated at the peninsular level. Detected firstly at the beginning of the last decade in Navajas (Castelló Province), it has been subsequently observed in other places of Castelló, but also in Valencia, Tarragona and Barcelona, and since 2017 in Girona. With all gathered occurrence data, the potential distribution of O. aurantiaca is estimated (for the current climatic conditions as well as for different scenarios of global warming). Despite the fact that the species seems to be spreading, maps of potential distribution do not forecast large expansions to other areas of the Iberian Peninsula, both for the present and for the year 2070. Key words: alien flora, niche modelling, Spain.

Although prickly pear fruits have become an important part of the Canary diet, their native varieties are yet to be characterized in terms of betalains and phenolic compounds. To exert potential health benefits, these antioxidants must be released from the food matrix and be stable in the gastrointestinal tract. Our aim was to characterize the betalain and phenolic profile of four prickly pear varieties from the Canary Islands (Spain) and determine their digestive stability and bioaccessibility via in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Digestive studies were performed considering the (i) importance of the edible fraction (pulps) and (ii) potential of fruit peels as by-products to obtain healthy ingredients. Betalains and phenolic profiles were analyzed by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS and HPLC-DAD-MS/QTOF. Pulps in Colorada and Fresa varieties presented high indicaxanthin and betanin content, respectively. Despite low pH in the gastric phase, betalains were stable to reach the intestinal phase, although indicaxanthin presented a higher bioaccessibility. Blanco Buenavista peels contained a distinct flavonoid profile including a new isorhamnetin-hexosyl-rhamnoside. Phenolic compounds were abundant and highly bioaccessible in fruit peels. These findings suggest that prickly pear pulps are rich in bioaccessible betalains; and that their peels could be proposed as potential by-products to obtain sustainable healthy ingredients.

Al verso de la portada es detalla el títol de la tesi en italià: "Design in flessione attiva con pneumatici recuperati : analisi della morfologia bio-ispirata nella struttura del cactus" i en anglès: "Bending-active design in recovered tires : analysis of the bio-inspired morphology in the structure of the cactus". La introducció i les conclusions estan redactades en castellà i italià., This thesis deals with the methodology and development of a case study of biomimicry applied to the architectural design process. The case study integrates aspects of plant biology with architectural design in a theoretical framework that is sensitive to environmental issues. The research focuses on the discovery of biological mechanisms as a source of inspiration in the creative exploration of new technology. Design in biomimicry follows a bottom-up process that starts from the study of a biological model to define the abstraction of the organic mechanism and its technical implementation. The research maintains the function of the biological model in question and stays within the field of functional biomimetic and biomorphic products. The work process allows the natural dynamics of a specific application to be seen in a human context. The framework enables the discovery of bending- active morphology, an innovative design principle that integrates the structural behaviors of bending and buckling as an alternative to rigid-body configurations and predefined typologies. The application of the case study assesses the structural support system of live cacti (Chapter 1). It analyzes specimens of the Cactaceae family of the genera Echinopsis and Opuntia, which have lost their mechanical and resistant tissue in favor of non-specialized cells for the storage of liquids. The thesis collects samples, performs field studies and bibliographic analysis to verify the potential of the biological model as a generator of concepts. The abstraction of the organic mechanisms of growth and adaptability enable the separation of the biological model and the discovered principles (Chapter 2). In constructing physical models on a small scale, tire tread is used as the main material and the strip as a basic morphological element. The characteristics of elasticity of the material allow to work in the field of the living fabric of the plant. Mechanical properties of the material are analyzed a, Esta tesis trata el estudio metodológico y el desarrollo de un caso práctico de biomímesis aplicada a procesos de diseño en arquitectura. El trabajo integra aspectos de la biología vegetal con el diseño arquitectónico en un marco teórico atento a las problemáticas medioambientales. La investigación se enfoca en el descubrimiento de mecanismos biológicos como fuente para indagar tecnología de forma creativa. El diseño en biomímesis sigue el proceso ascendente (Bottom-Up) que parte del estudio del modelo biológico para definir la abstracción del mecanismo orgánico y su implementación técnica. La investigación mantiene la misma función del modelo biológico de referencia permaneciendo en el campo de los productos biomiméticos funcionales y biomorficos. El proceso de trabajo libera la comprensión de las dinámicas naturales de una aplicación específica en el ámbito humano. Este marco permite descubrir las morfologías en flexión activa, un principio de diseño innovador que integra los comportamientos estructurales de flexión y pandeo en alternativa a configuraciones de cuerpos rígidos y tipológicas predefinidas. La aplicación del caso práctico estudia el sistema estructural portante de las cactáceas vivas (Capítulo 1). Se analizan ejemplares de la familia de las Cactáceas de los géneros Echinopsis y Opuntia que han perdido tejido mecánico y resistente a favor de células no especializadas para el almacenamiento de líquidos. La tesis recopila muestras, realiza estudios de campo y análisis bibliográfico para verificar las potencialidades del modelo como generador de conceptos. La abstracción de los mecanismos orgánicos de crecimiento y adaptabilidad permiten separar el modelo biológico y los principios descubiertos (Capítulo 2). Por medio de la construcción de modelos físicos a pequeña escala se definen la banda de rodadura de neumáticos como material principal y la geometría de la franja como elemento morfológico de base. La elección de emplear los neumáticos recuperados res, Questa tesi si occupa dello studio metodologico e dello sviluppo di un caso pratico di biomimesi applicato ai processi di progettazione architettonica. Il lavoro integra aspetti della biologia vegetale con la progettazione architettonica in un quadro teorico attento ai problemi ambientali. La ricerca si concentra sulla scoperta di meccanismi biologici come fonte per esplorare la tecnologia in modo creativo. Il design in biomimetica segue un processo ascendente (Bottom-Up) che parte dallo studio del modello biologico per definire l’astrazione del meccanismo organico e la sua implementazione tecnica. La ricerca mantiene la stessa funzione del modello biologico di riferimento, rimanendo nel campo dei prodotti biomimetici funzionali e biomorfi. Il processo di lavoro libera la comprensione delle dinamiche naturali da una specifica applicazione nel campo umano. Questo quadro permette di scoprire le morfologie attive alla flessione, un principio di progettazione innovativo che integra i comportamenti strutturali a flessione e instabilità per carico di punta, in alternativa alle configurazioni di corpi rigidi e tipologie predefinite. L’applicazione del caso pratico studia il sistema di supporto strutturale dei cactus vivi (Capitolo 1). Sono analizzati i campioni della famiglia delle Cactacee, dei generi Echinopsis e Opuntia, che hanno perso tessuto meccanico e resistente a favore di cellule non specializzate per l’accumulazione di liquidi. La tesi raccoglie campioni, esegue studi sul campo e analisi bibliografiche per verificare il potenziale del modello biologico come un generatore di concetti. L’astrazione dei meccanismi organici di crescita e adattabilità consente di separare il modello biologico e i principi scoperti (Capitolo 2). Mediante la costruzione di modelli fisici su piccola scala, il battistrada degli pneumatici fuori uso è definito come il materiale principale e la striscia come elemento morfologico di base. Le caratteristiche di elasticità del materiale perme, Postprint (published version)

The saguaro cactus has been the subject of extensive ecological research since the establishment of Saguaro National Monument in 1933. Saguaro mapping and monitoring has always been limited in extent due to inherent restrictions of in situ field methods. This research developed a method for automated mapping of mature saguaros over large extents using fine spatial resolution digital aerial imagery. Saguaro shadow signatures were identified using a novel contrasting custom search kernel method. The shadows detected were used as proxies for mature saguaro locations. This research focused on (1) the development of a method of automatically identifying saguaros using their shadows in aerial imagery, (2) applying the method to aerial imagery of Saguaro National Park (SNP) to conduct a large extent saguaro census, (3) validation of the saguaro distributions against in situ field measurements, (4) investigating causes of shadow omissions, (5) estimating total saguaro densities and populations in SNP. The shadow method developed identified 446,092 saguaros across 231 square kilometers in Saguaro National Park. These results were found to be highly correlated (R2 value of 0.966) with saguaro locations recorded by SNP staff in 11 field plots in 2011. This study demonstrates that mature saguaros can be reliably mapped automatically using digital aerial imagery. The method developed will facilitate saguaro monitoring and ecological resource management in SNP and throughout the range of the saguaro cactus.

The saguaro cactus has been the subject of extensive ecological research since the establishment of Saguaro National Monument in 1933. Saguaro mapping and monitoring has always been limited in extent due to inherent restrictions of in situ field methods. This research developed a method for automated mapping of mature saguaros over large extents using fine spatial resolution digital aerial imagery. Saguaro shadow signatures were identified using a novel contrasting custom search kernel method. The shadows detected were used as proxies for mature saguaro locations. This research focused on (1) the development of a method of automatically identifying saguaros using their shadows in aerial imagery, (2) applying the method to aerial imagery of Saguaro National Park (SNP) to conduct a large extent saguaro census, (3) validation of the saguaro distributions against in situ field measurements, (4) investigating causes of shadow omissions, (5) estimating total saguaro densities and populations in SNP. The shadow method developed identified 446,092 saguaros across 231 square kilometers in Saguaro National Park. These results were found to be highly correlated (R2 value of 0.966) with saguaro locations recorded by SNP staff in 11 field plots in 2011. This study demonstrates that mature saguaros can be reliably mapped automatically using digital aerial imagery. The method developed will facilitate saguaro monitoring and ecological resource management in SNP and throughout the range of the saguaro cactus.

Las cactáceas, y especialmente su género más emblemático, Opuntia Mill., se han convertido en uno de los grupos de plantas con mayor potencial invasor en España. De hecho, estudios recientes (Novoa et al., 2015, AoB PLANTS 7: plu078) consideran a España c, The Cactaceae, and especially its most emblematic genus, Opuntia Mill., have become one of the groups of plants with greater invasion potential in Spain. In fact, recent studies (Novoa et al., 2015, AoB PLANTS 7: plu078) consider Spain as one of the three, Las cactáceas, y especialmente su género más emblemático, Opuntia Mill., se han convertido en uno de los grupos de plantas con mayor potencial invasor en España. De hecho, estudios recientes (Novoa et al., 2015, AoB PLANTS 7: plu078) consideran a España c

Las cactáceas, y especialmente su género más emblemático, Opuntia Mill., se han convertido en uno de los grupos de plantas con mayor potencial invasor en España. De hecho, estudios recientes (Novoa et al., 2015, AoB PLANTS 7: plu078) consideran a España c, The Cactaceae, and especially its most emblematic genus, Opuntia Mill., have become one of the groups of plants with greater invasion potential in Spain. In fact, recent studies (Novoa et al., 2015, AoB PLANTS 7: plu078) consider Spain as one of the three, Las cactáceas, y especialmente su género más emblemático, Opuntia Mill., se han convertido en uno de los grupos de plantas con mayor potencial invasor en España. De hecho, estudios recientes (Novoa et al., 2015, AoB PLANTS 7: plu078) consideran a España c

Este trabajo documenta la diversidad de las comunidades de cactus, sírfidos saprófagos y bacterias de un ecosistema semiárido de Mesoamérica. Las larvas de algunas especies de sírfidos del género Copestylum (Diptera: Syrphidae) se alimentan del tejido en descomposición de especies de cactus y parecen tener un papel crítico en este proceso degradativo en los ecosistemas semiáridos de México. A través de un estudio experimental de campo encontramos que las larvas saprófagas de sírfidos aceleran la tasa de descomposición de un cactus columnar (Isolatocereus dumortieri) y que se recupera mayor cantidad de nitrógeno por la acción de las larvas. Usando métodos moleculares, se describen las bacterias presentes en el tracto digestivo de dos especies de sírfidos saprófagos (Copestylum limbipenne y Copestylum latum) y de su medio nutricio para saber que función cumplen en el proceso degradativo. De acuerdo a los análisis, las larvas poseen alta dominancia de Gammaproteobacteria y Enterobacteriaceae, incluyendo microbiota fijadora de nitrógeno y degradadora de pectinas, mientras que el tejido de cactus tuvo mayor cantidad de bacterias fijadoras del ácido láctico. Estos resultados proveen evidencia de la importancia de la acción de las larvas de estos dípteros y hasta ahora desconocida, en el proceso de descomposición de los cactus y su papel en el reciclaje de nutrientes en zonas de matorrales de un ecosistema árido del centro de México., We commented on the diversity of a cactus-syrphid- bacteria community focusing on the exploitation of decaying cacti resources by flies. The Copestylum (Diptera: Syrphidae) larvae feed on necrosed tissues and they are critical in the processes of vegetal decomposition of cacti in semi-arid scrublands from Mexico. Though a field experiment, the cactus decomposition rate was significantly faster when insects were present, and more amounts of nitrogen were recuperated by larvae action. Additionally, we described the gut bacterial diversity inhabiting two saprophagous syrphids (Copestylum limbipenne and Copestylum latum) and their breeding substrate in the columnar cactus Isolatocereus dumortieri using molecular techniques. The main findings are: 1) larvae of the studied species are dominated by several Gammaproteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, including nitrogen-fixing genera and pectinolitic species; 2) decayed tissues have a dominant lactic acid bacterial community. Obtained results indicate that Copestylum larvae play an important role in maintaining this cactus forest ecosystem and suggest how significant, but as yet under studied the role of insects is in maintaining ecosystem processes of arid habitats.

Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina (Schott) L. Benson, the Pima pineapple cactus, herein referred to as C. scheeri, was declared an endangered species in 1993 and only occurs in a limited range in Arizona, USA and northern Sonora, Mexico between 2,300'-4,500' asl. Development within the range of C. scheeri threatens individuals, but transplanting to conserve them while allowing for development has been considered to be ineffective for conservation due to low post-transplant survival rates in past studies. The construction of a natural gas pipeline provided the opportunity to conduct a transplant experiment on 82 individual C. scheeri transplanted in July and August 2014. The plants were randomized into one of four transplant methods: bare-root with supplemental water, bare-root without supplemental water, soil-and-plant moved with supplemental water, and soil-and-plant moved without supplemental water. Higher than average precipitation occurred during the 2014 monsoon season including after transplanting. A subset of the transplanted C. scheeri (n=17) were transplanted back onto the pipeline after pipeline construction was completed. Survival rates were monitored through December 2016 and compared to undisturbed C. scheeri near the pipeline ROW and those on other sites. For the plants transplanted once, no significant effect of moving the plants with soil compared to no soil (X2 = 2.9, p = 0.09), no significant effect of adding water at the time of transplant compared to not adding water (X2 = 1.2, p = 0.26), and no significant interaction among treatments (X2 = 0.06, p = 0.81) was observed. For plants transplanted twice, a significant effect of moving the plants with the soil compared to no soil (X2 = 5.0, p = 0.02) was found, while due to the random selection of plants to be transplanted twice there was too little data to adequately test other comparisons. There was no significant difference in mortality between the transplanted once (27% mortality) and the tra

Under unpredictable environments, such as arid regions, seed dormancy mechanisms are important for plant populations perpetuation. Many plant species have light requirements to germinate, then photoblastism and dormancy mechanisms have been associated with seed banks. In arid regions, water is a limiting factor for seed germination and seedling establishment. Therefore, the existence of a soil seed bank may increase the chance of a seed to coincide with a precipitation event. We studied the photoblastic response and the possible development of a secondary dormancy in seeds of five species from tribe Cacteae: Echinocactus platyacanthus, Ferocactus peninsulae, Mammillaria compressa, Strombocactus disciformis and Turbinicarpus gielsdorfianus. We found that these species are positive photoblastic and two of them (Mammillaria compressa and Turbinicarpus gielsdorfianus) developed skotodormancy, after darkness incubation during one month. We discussed on the importance of this kind of secondary dormancy and its possible role on the seed bank establishment., RESUMEN: En ambientes impredecibles como los de las zonas áridas, los mecanismos de latencia que presentan las semillas de algunas de las especies que habitan en estos ambientes son importantes para el mantenimiento de las poblaciones. Las semillas de muchas especies tienen requerimientos de luz para poder germinar y se ha asociado tanto al fotoblastismo como a la latencia con la formación de bancos de semillas en el suelo. En las zonas áridas el agua es un factor que limita la germinación y el establecimiento de las plantas por lo que lo que la formación de un banco de semillas es una estrategia que puede incrementar las posibilidades de que las semillas viables coincidan con un evento de precipitación. En este trabajo, se determinó la respuesta fotoblástica y el posible desarrollo de latencia secundaria en semillas de cinco especies de la tribu Cacteae: Echinocactus platyacanthus, Ferocactus peninsulae, Mammillaria compressa, Strombocactus disciformis y Turbinicarpus gielsdorfianus. Las semillas de las cinco especies estudiadas presentaron fotoblastismo positivo y dos de ellas (Mammillaria compressa y Turbinicarpus gielsdorfianus) presentaron eskotolatencia, después de haber estado incubadas en la oscuridad durante un mes. Se discute la importancia del desarrollo de este tipo de latencia y su posible relación con el banco de semillas en el suelo.

El estudio sobre la diversidad de las Cactaceae Juss., que viven en Extremadura ha revelado la presencia de al menos 13 especies diferentes: Austrocylindropuntia exaltata (A. Berger) Backeb., Austrocylindropuntia subulata (Muehlenpf.) Backeb., Opuntia dillenii (Ker Gawl.) Haw., Opuntia engelmannii Salm-Dyck ex Engelm., Opuntia humifusa (Raf.) Raf., Opuntia leucotricha DC., Opuntia microdasys (Lehm.) Lehm. ex Pfeiff., Opuntia monacantha (Willd.) Haw., Opuntia rufida Engelm., Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw., Opuntia tuna (L.) Mill., Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill., y Opuntia maxima Mill.; de las que no se tenía noticias como taxones naturalizados/asilvestrados en Extremadura para las diez primeras especies citadas. Se ha ampliado el área de distribución para las dos especies ya conocidas para la región y se adiciona una clave dicotómica y un conjunto de 12 láminas fotográficas, con las que se puede identificar todos los taxones hallados hasta la fecha en Extremadura., The study of Cactaceae Juss. diversity from Extremadura has revealed at least 13 different species: Austrocylindropuntia exaltata (A. Berger) Backeb., Austrocylindropuntia subulata (Muehlenpf.) Backeb., Opuntia dillenii (Ker Gawl.) Haw., Opuntia engelmannii Salm-Dyck ex Engelm., Opuntia humifusa (Raf.) Raf., Opuntia leucotricha DC., Opuntia microdasys (Lehm.) Lehm. ex Pfeiff., Opuntia monacantha (Willd.) Haw., Opuntia rufida Engelm., Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw., Opuntia tuna (L.) Mill., Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill., y Opuntia maxima Mill.; the presence of the first ten species as naturalized in Extremadura was not known. The distribution area for the two last species, already known in the region, has been expanded. Finally a dichotomous key and a set of twelve photographic plates are added, with which all the taxa found to date in Extremadura can be identified.

Las cactáceas, y especialmente su género más emblemático, Opuntia Mill., se han convertido en uno de los grupos de plantas con mayor potencial invasor en España. De hecho, estudios recientes (Novoa et al., 2015, AoB PLANTS 7: plu078) consideran a España c, The Cactaceae, and especially its most emblematic genus, Opuntia Mill., have become one of the groups of plants with greater invasion potential in Spain. In fact, recent studies (Novoa et al., 2015, AoB PLANTS 7: plu078) consider Spain as one of the three, Las cactáceas, y especialmente su género más emblemático, Opuntia Mill., se han convertido en uno de los grupos de plantas con mayor potencial invasor en España. De hecho, estudios recientes (Novoa et al., 2015, AoB PLANTS 7: plu078) consideran a España c

Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina (Schott) L. Benson, the Pima pineapple cactus, herein referred to as C. scheeri, was declared an endangered species in 1993 and only occurs in a limited range in Arizona, USA and northern Sonora, Mexico between 2,300'-4,500' asl. Development within the range of C. scheeri threatens individuals, but transplanting to conserve them while allowing for development has been considered to be ineffective for conservation due to low post-transplant survival rates in past studies. The construction of a natural gas pipeline provided the opportunity to conduct a transplant experiment on 82 individual C. scheeri transplanted in July and August 2014. The plants were randomized into one of four transplant methods: bare-root with supplemental water, bare-root without supplemental water, soil-and-plant moved with supplemental water, and soil-and-plant moved without supplemental water. Higher than average precipitation occurred during the 2014 monsoon season including after transplanting. A subset of the transplanted C. scheeri (n=17) were transplanted back onto the pipeline after pipeline construction was completed. Survival rates were monitored through December 2016 and compared to undisturbed C. scheeri near the pipeline ROW and those on other sites. For the plants transplanted once, no significant effect of moving the plants with soil compared to no soil (X2 = 2.9, p = 0.09), no significant effect of adding water at the time of transplant compared to not adding water (X2 = 1.2, p = 0.26), and no significant interaction among treatments (X2 = 0.06, p = 0.81) was observed. For plants transplanted twice, a significant effect of moving the plants with the soil compared to no soil (X2 = 5.0, p = 0.02) was found, while due to the random selection of plants to be transplanted twice there was too little data to adequately test other comparisons. There was no significant difference in mortality between the transplanted once (27% mortality) and the tra

Este trabajo documenta la diversidad de las comunidades de cactus, sírfidos saprófagos y bacterias de un ecosistema semiárido de Mesoamérica. Las larvas de algunas especies de sírfidos del género Copestylum (Diptera: Syrphidae) se alimentan del tejido en descomposición de especies de cactus y parecen tener un papel crítico en este proceso degradativo en los ecosistemas semiáridos de México. A través de un estudio experimental de campo encontramos que las larvas saprófagas de sírfidos aceleran la tasa de descomposición de un cactus columnar (Isolatocereus dumortieri) y que se recupera mayor cantidad de nitrógeno por la acción de las larvas. Usando métodos moleculares, se describen las bacterias presentes en el tracto digestivo de dos especies de sírfidos saprófagos (Copestylum limbipenne y Copestylum latum) y de su medio nutricio para saber que función cumplen en el proceso degradativo. De acuerdo a los análisis, las larvas poseen alta dominancia de Gammaproteobacteria y Enterobacteriaceae, incluyendo microbiota fijadora de nitrógeno y degradadora de pectinas, mientras que el tejido de cactus tuvo mayor cantidad de bacterias fijadoras del ácido láctico. Estos resultados proveen evidencia de la importancia de la acción de las larvas de estos dípteros y hasta ahora desconocida, en el proceso de descomposición de los cactus y su papel en el reciclaje de nutrientes en zonas de matorrales de un ecosistema árido del centro de México., We commented on the diversity of a cactus-syrphid- bacteria community focusing on the exploitation of decaying cacti resources by flies. The Copestylum (Diptera: Syrphidae) larvae feed on necrosed tissues and they are critical in the processes of vegetal decomposition of cacti in semi-arid scrublands from Mexico. Though a field experiment, the cactus decomposition rate was significantly faster when insects were present, and more amounts of nitrogen were recuperated by larvae action. Additionally, we described the gut bacterial diversity inhabiting two saprophagous syrphids (Copestylum limbipenne and Copestylum latum) and their breeding substrate in the columnar cactus Isolatocereus dumortieri using molecular techniques. The main findings are: 1) larvae of the studied species are dominated by several Gammaproteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, including nitrogen-fixing genera and pectinolitic species; 2) decayed tissues have a dominant lactic acid bacterial community. Obtained results indicate that Copestylum larvae play an important role in maintaining this cactus forest ecosystem and suggest how significant, but as yet under studied the role of insects is in maintaining ecosystem processes of arid habitats.

Given two independent sets I and J of a graph G, imagine that a token (coin) is placed on each vertex in I. Then, the Sliding Token problem asks if one could transforms I to J using a sequence of elementary steps, where each step requires sliding a token from one vertex to one of its neighbors, such that the resulting set of vertices where tokens are placed still remainsindependent. In this paper, we describe a polynomial-time algorithm for solving Sliding Token in case the graph G is a cactus. Our algorithm is designed based on two observations. First, all structures that forbid the existence of a sequence of token slidings between I and J, if exist, can be found in polynomial time. A no-instance may be easily deduced using this characterization. Second, without such forbidden structures, a sequence of token slidings between I and J does exist., identifier:https://dspace.jaist.ac.jp/dspace/handle/10119/15125

The use of dense planting technology in forage cactus has resulted in increased productivity, probably due to the increased absorption of sunlight, lower share of weeds and high efficiency photosynthetic plants. The objective of this work to deploy a dense palm system for the production of sprouts facing human consumption in Paraiba swamp. The experiment was developed in the sector of agriculture of Human Social Sciences Centre and Agricultural belonging to the Universidade Federal of Paraíba, located in Bananeiras (PB), which held the palmar deployment dense form for the production of sprouts for human consumption with four cultivars (Giant Tiny, Elephant Ear, and Redonda), evaluated the budding index, length and width of the cultivars. The plantation in the densified form was efficient and practical, possible to be reproduced in any locality with the studied cultivars., O uso da tecnologia do plantio adensado na palma forrageira tem resultado em aumento de produtividade, provavelmente em função da maior absorção da luz solar, menor ação das plantas daninhas e alta eficiência fotossintética. Objetivou-se com este trabalho implantar um sistema adensado de palma para a produção de brotos voltados a alimentação humana no Brejo paraibano. O experimento foi desenvolvido no Setor de agricultura do Centro de Ciências Sociais Humanas e Agrárias, pertencentes à Universidade Federal da Paraíba, localizado em Bananeiras (PB), onde realizou-se a implantação de palmares de forma adensado para a produção de brotos destinados a alimentação humana, com quatro cultivares (Gigante, Miúda, Orelha de Elefante, e Redonda), avaliou-se o índice de brotação, comprimento e largura média das cultivares estudadas. O plantio na forma adensada mostrou-se eficiente e prático, possível de ser reproduzido em qualquer localidade com as cultivares estudadas.

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of herbicides for controlling broadleaf weeds in prickly pear pad [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (Cactaceae)], seven treatments [Monosodium acid methanearsonate (MSMA), Picloram + 2, 4-D, Carfentrazone + 2, 4-D, Ametryn + 2, 4-D, Glyphosate, 2, 4-D, and untreated plot] were evaluated in Tlalnepantla, Morelos, Mexico. The randomized complete block design, and four repetitions was used. All treatments were applied postemergence to weeds. Population density of the principal four broadleaf weeds was evaluated, at 6 and 13 days after application (DAA). Additionally, phytotoxicity effects on prickly pear pad were evaluated with a hedonic scale. The best control effects were recorded at 13 DAA. Glyphosate, and Ametryn + 2, 4-D, caused the greatest weeds control, with a reduction of 95% yellow rose (Galinsoga parviflora Cav.), pigweed epazote (Chenopodium berlandieri Moq.), purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), and chickweed (Commelina leiocarpa Benth.) populations. MSMA was not effective for weeds control (<25% population reduction). All treatments not cause phytotoxic damage to prickly pear pads, El presente estudio, tiene como objetivo evaluar la efectividad biológica de diversos herbicidas para el control de maleza de hoja ancha, así como la identificación de las malezas. El experimento se realizó del 17 al 30 de junio del 2013, en un cultivo de nopal verdura ubicado en Tlanepantla, Morelos. En un diseño de bloques completos al azar, con siete tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones. Los tratamientos fueron MSMA (4 L ha-1), Picloram + 2,4-D (2 L ha-1), Carfentrazone + 2,4-D (1 L ha-1), Ametrina + 2,4-D (5 L ha-1), Glifosato (5 L ha-1), 2,4-D (2 L ha-1) y un testigo absoluto. Todos los tratamientos se aplicaron en postemergencia a la maleza. En el presente estudio, glifosato y Ametrina + 2,4-D causaron un buen control sobre rosa amarilla (Simsia sp.), epazote cenizo (Chenopodium berlandieri), verdolaga (Portulaca oleracea) y hierba del pollo (Commelina leiocarpa) en el cultivo de nopal. Todos los tratamientos en aplicación postemergente a la maleza no causó ningún daño fitotoxico al cultivo.

The use of dense planting technology in forage cactus has resulted in increased productivity, probably due to the increased absorption of sunlight, lower share of weeds and high efficiency photosynthetic plants. The objective of this work to deploy a dense palm system for the production of sprouts facing human consumption in Paraiba swamp. The experiment was developed in the sector of agriculture of Human Social Sciences Centre and Agricultural belonging to the Universidade Federal of Paraíba, located in Bananeiras (PB), which held the palmar deployment dense form for the production of sprouts for human consumption with four cultivars (Giant Tiny, Elephant Ear, and Redonda), evaluated the budding index, length and width of the cultivars. The plantation in the densified form was efficient and practical, possible to be reproduced in any locality with the studied cultivars., O uso da tecnologia do plantio adensado na palma forrageira tem resultado em aumento de produtividade, provavelmente em função da maior absorção da luz solar, menor ação das plantas daninhas e alta eficiência fotossintética. Objetivou-se com este trabalho implantar um sistema adensado de palma para a produção de brotos voltados a alimentação humana no Brejo paraibano. O experimento foi desenvolvido no Setor de agricultura do Centro de Ciências Sociais Humanas e Agrárias, pertencentes à Universidade Federal da Paraíba, localizado em Bananeiras (PB), onde realizou-se a implantação de palmares de forma adensado para a produção de brotos destinados a alimentação humana, com quatro cultivares (Gigante, Miúda, Orelha de Elefante, e Redonda), avaliou-se o índice de brotação, comprimento e largura média das cultivares estudadas. O plantio na forma adensada mostrou-se eficiente e prático, possível de ser reproduzido em qualquer localidade com as cultivares estudadas.

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of herbicides for controlling broadleaf weeds in prickly pear pad [Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (Cactaceae)], seven treatments [Monosodium acid methanearsonate (MSMA), Picloram + 2, 4-D, Carfentrazone + 2, 4-D, Ametryn + 2, 4-D, Glyphosate, 2, 4-D, and untreated plot] were evaluated in Tlalnepantla, Morelos, Mexico. The randomized complete block design, and four repetitions was used. All treatments were applied postemergence to weeds. Population density of the principal four broadleaf weeds was evaluated, at 6 and 13 days after application (DAA). Additionally, phytotoxicity effects on prickly pear pad were evaluated with a hedonic scale. The best control effects were recorded at 13 DAA. Glyphosate, and Ametryn + 2, 4-D, caused the greatest weeds control, with a reduction of 95% yellow rose (Galinsoga parviflora Cav.), pigweed epazote (Chenopodium berlandieri Moq.), purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), and chickweed (Commelina leiocarpa Benth.) populations. MSMA was not effective for weeds control (<25% population reduction). All treatments not cause phytotoxic damage to prickly pear pads, El presente estudio, tiene como objetivo evaluar la efectividad biológica de diversos herbicidas para el control de maleza de hoja ancha, así como la identificación de las malezas. El experimento se realizó del 17 al 30 de junio del 2013, en un cultivo de nopal verdura ubicado en Tlanepantla, Morelos. En un diseño de bloques completos al azar, con siete tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones. Los tratamientos fueron MSMA (4 L ha-1), Picloram + 2,4-D (2 L ha-1), Carfentrazone + 2,4-D (1 L ha-1), Ametrina + 2,4-D (5 L ha-1), Glifosato (5 L ha-1), 2,4-D (2 L ha-1) y un testigo absoluto. Todos los tratamientos se aplicaron en postemergencia a la maleza. En el presente estudio, glifosato y Ametrina + 2,4-D causaron un buen control sobre rosa amarilla (Simsia sp.), epazote cenizo (Chenopodium berlandieri), verdolaga (Portulaca oleracea) y hierba del pollo (Commelina leiocarpa) en el cultivo de nopal. Todos los tratamientos en aplicación postemergente a la maleza no causó ningún daño fitotoxico al cultivo.

Given two independent sets I and J of a graph G, imagine that a token (coin) is placed on each vertex in I. Then, the Sliding Token problem asks if one could transforms I to J using a sequence of elementary steps, where each step requires sliding a token from one vertex to one of its neighbors, such that the resulting set of vertices where tokens are placed still remainsindependent. In this paper, we describe a polynomial-time algorithm for solving Sliding Token in case the graph G is a cactus. Our algorithm is designed based on two observations. First, all structures that forbid the existence of a sequence of token slidings between I and J, if exist, can be found in polynomial time. A no-instance may be easily deduced using this characterization. Second, without such forbidden structures, a sequence of token slidings between I and J does exist.

La medicina tradicional cada vez más está teniendo una importancia mayor. En Ecuador, hasta hace bien poco, la medicina tradicional ha sido la única manera de tener un tratamiento accesible y económicamente posible. Estudiaremos el caso del pueblo saraguro en Ecuador. En donde la figura de las mujeres como sanadoras y parteras sigue siendo importante. Esta comunicación trata sobre una planta sagrada de la región latinoamericana de los Andes: el San Pedro, sampedrillo o “cacto de los cuatro vientos ”. Durante la colonización castellana los saraguros mantuvieron sus tradiciones, conocimientos y prácticas para reponer y mantener la salud de sus habitantes. Las curanderas tradicionales saraguras son llamadas yachakkuna o mama yachak. Ellas conocen las plantas medicinales y psicoactivas utilizadas en las “mesas”.

La medicina tradicional cada vez más está teniendo una importancia mayor. En Ecuador, hasta hace bien poco, la medicina tradicional ha sido la única manera de tener un tratamiento accesible y económicamente posible. Estudiaremos el caso del pueblo saraguro en Ecuador. En donde la figura de las mujeres como sanadoras y parteras sigue siendo importante. Esta comunicación trata sobre una planta sagrada de la región latinoamericana de los Andes: el San Pedro, sampedrillo o “cacto de los cuatro vientos ”. Durante la colonización castellana los saraguros mantuvieron sus tradiciones, conocimientos y prácticas para reponer y mantener la salud de sus habitantes. Las curanderas tradicionales saraguras son llamadas yachakkuna o mama yachak. Ellas conocen las plantas medicinales y psicoactivas utilizadas en las “mesas”.

The Opuntia is a fruit, which together with the Cereus jamacaru are native species of the savanna. The objective of this study was to prepare and characterize ice cream and yogurt from the Opuntia and pulp and peel of Cereus jamacaru fruit. The ice cream and natural yoghurt for base and increased with pulp and peel were obtained for the formulations. For the characterization were performed physicochemical analysis of pH, vitamin C, soluble solids (SS) and titratable acidity (TA). The ice cream and yogurt showed acidic behavior. The Opuntia and the fruit of Cereus jamacaru have come out with great potential for the development of by-products with the ice cream and yogurt. AT values of yogurt (ᴓ 0.62) are within the pre- established by the standards., O figo da índia é a fruta que juntamente com o mandacaru fazem parte das espécies nativas da caatinga. Objetivou-se neste trabalho elaborar e caracterizar sorvetes e iogurte a partir do figo da índia e da polpa e casa do fruto do mandacaru. Foi obtido o sorvete de creme e iogurte natural para base e acrescido com polpa e casca para as formulações. Para a caracterização foram realizadas as análises físico-químicas de pH, vitamina C, sólidos solúveis (SS) e a acidez titulável (AT). O sorvete e o iogurte apresentaram comportamento ácido. O figo da índia e o fruto do mandacaru mostraram-se com grande potencial para o desenvolvimento de subprodutos com o sorvete e iogurte. Os valores de AT do iogurte (ᴓ 0,62) estão dentro dos padrões pré- estabelecidos.

Los extractos naturales de plantas se han usado para la purificación de agua por muchos siglos. La mayoría de estos se derivan de semillas, hojas, cortezas o savia, raíces y frutos de árboles y plantas. En este trabajo se estudió la utilización del polvo de la semilla de la Cassia fístula como coagulante natural, estableciendo su dosis óptima mediante la prueba de jarras y determinando los parámetros de color, turbidez, alcalinidad total, y dureza total; utilizando agua del Canal del Dique. La dosis óptima del coagulante encontrada está entre 15-25 mg/L, obteniendo valores finales de turbidez y color de 6 NTU y 25 UC respectivamente. Los valores de pH y alcalinidad total no presentaron mayores variaciones. Los valores de los parámetros turbidez y color al igual que el pH, alcalinidad total y dureza total se encuentran cerca de los estándares establecidos por la norma colombiana que garantizan la calidad del agua para consumo humano; demostrando la potencialidad de uso de este coagulante natural como coagulante primario en tratamiento de aguas crudas.

The Opuntia is a fruit, which together with the Cereus jamacaru are native species of the savanna. The objective of this study was to prepare and characterize ice cream and yogurt from the Opuntia and pulp and peel of Cereus jamacaru fruit. The ice cream and natural yoghurt for base and increased with pulp and peel were obtained for the formulations. For the characterization were performed physicochemical analysis of pH, vitamin C, soluble solids (SS) and titratable acidity (TA). The ice cream and yogurt showed acidic behavior. The Opuntia and the fruit of Cereus jamacaru have come out with great potential for the development of by-products with the ice cream and yogurt. AT values of yogurt (ᴓ 0.62) are within the pre- established by the standards., O figo da índia é a fruta que juntamente com o mandacaru fazem parte das espécies nativas da caatinga. Objetivou-se neste trabalho elaborar e caracterizar sorvetes e iogurte a partir do figo da índia e da polpa e casa do fruto do mandacaru. Foi obtido o sorvete de creme e iogurte natural para base e acrescido com polpa e casca para as formulações. Para a caracterização foram realizadas as análises físico-químicas de pH, vitamina C, sólidos solúveis (SS) e a acidez titulável (AT). O sorvete e o iogurte apresentaram comportamento ácido. O figo da índia e o fruto do mandacaru mostraram-se com grande potencial para o desenvolvimento de subprodutos com o sorvete e iogurte. Os valores de AT do iogurte (ᴓ 0,62) estão dentro dos padrões pré- estabelecidos.

Los extractos naturales de plantas se han usado para la purificación de agua por muchos siglos. La mayoría de estos se derivan de semillas, hojas, cortezas o savia, raíces y frutos de árboles y plantas. En este trabajo se estudió la utilización del polvo de la semilla de la Cassia fístula como coagulante natural, estableciendo su dosis óptima mediante la prueba de jarras y determinando los parámetros de color, turbidez, alcalinidad total, y dureza total; utilizando agua del Canal del Dique. La dosis óptima del coagulante encontrada está entre 15-25 mg/L, obteniendo valores finales de turbidez y color de 6 NTU y 25 UC respectivamente. Los valores de pH y alcalinidad total no presentaron mayores variaciones. Los valores de los parámetros turbidez y color al igual que el pH, alcalinidad total y dureza total se encuentran cerca de los estándares establecidos por la norma colombiana que garantizan la calidad del agua para consumo humano; demostrando la potencialidad de uso de este coagulante natural como coagulante primario en tratamiento de aguas crudas.

La medicina tradicional cada vez más está teniendo una importancia mayor. En Ecuador, hasta hace bien poco, la medicina tradicional ha sido la única manera de tener un tratamiento accesible y económicamente posible. Estudiaremos el caso del pueblo saraguro en Ecuador. En donde la figura de las mujeres como sanadoras y parteras sigue siendo importante. Esta comunicación trata sobre una planta sagrada de la región latinoamericana de los Andes: el San Pedro, sampedrillo o “cacto de los cuatro vientos ”. Durante la colonización castellana los saraguros mantuvieron sus tradiciones, conocimientos y prácticas para reponer y mantener la salud de sus habitantes. Las curanderas tradicionales saraguras son llamadas yachakkuna o mama yachak. Ellas conocen las plantas medicinales y psicoactivas utilizadas en las “mesas”.

La medicina tradicional cada vez más está teniendo una importancia mayor. En Ecuador, hasta hace bien poco, la medicina tradicional ha sido la única manera de tener un tratamiento accesible y económicamente posible. Estudiaremos el caso del pueblo saraguro en Ecuador. En donde la figura de las mujeres como sanadoras y parteras sigue siendo importante. Esta comunicación trata sobre una planta sagrada de la región latinoamericana de los Andes: el San Pedro, sampedrillo o “cacto de los cuatro vientos ”. Durante la colonización castellana los saraguros mantuvieron sus tradiciones, conocimientos y prácticas para reponer y mantener la salud de sus habitantes. Las curanderas tradicionales saraguras son llamadas yachakkuna o mama yachak. Ellas conocen las plantas medicinales y psicoactivas utilizadas en las “mesas”.

The survey was conducted in Miesso district, West Harerghe zone, Ethiopia bin five purposively selected peasant associations. These included two from pastoral and three from agro pastoralist areas. The objective of the study was to assess the utilization practices of cactus and browse species as livestock feed in Miesso district. The results of the survey showed that cactus introduction in Miesso district linked with the emergence of Ethio-Djibouti railway construction. Farmers allow their animals to graze cactus alone or feed in combination of crop residues, grass hay and browses during dry season and drought period. Animals consumed little drinking water after cactus feeding. However, feeding cactus is associated with bloating, soreness around mouth, loss of teeth and damage on eye and skin of animals. To alleviate these problems, farmers use various traditional prevention and treatment measures such as restricting the amount consumed; feeding crop residues before and after cactus; migration to areas where less cactus invasion and preventing animals from cactus feeding.The treatment measures include removing accumulated cactus from throat area by hand especially from cattle, drenching with pepper, salt solution, coca cola, gasoline, chasing animals and using nearby vet clinics. Browse trees were also very valuable as animal feed to the farmers/pastoralists of Miesso district. Therefore, in addition to the indigenous knowledge the farmers/pastoralists have, efforts of different organizations working in the agriculture sector in the area should focus on use feeding systems like burning the spines of cactus, chopping and drying cactus, provision of grass hay, maize/sorghum stover before cactus feeding and propagation of the spineless cactus species, banning the excessive use of browse trees for charcoal making and fuel wood through education and introducing improved forage species adaptable to the area are recommended.

The survey was conducted in Miesso district, West Harerghe zone, Ethiopia bin five purposively selected peasant associations. These included two from pastoral and three from agro pastoralist areas. The objective of the study was to assess the utilization practices of cactus and browse species as livestock feed in Miesso district. The results of the survey showed that cactus introduction in Miesso district linked with the emergence of Ethio-Djibouti railway construction. Farmers allow their animals to graze cactus alone or feed in combination of crop residues, grass hay and browses during dry season and drought period. Animals consumed little drinking water after cactus feeding. However, feeding cactus is associated with bloating, soreness around mouth, loss of teeth and damage on eye and skin of animals. To alleviate these problems, farmers use various traditional prevention and treatment measures such as restricting the amount consumed; feeding crop residues before and after cactus; migration to areas where less cactus invasion and preventing animals from cactus feeding.The treatment measures include removing accumulated cactus from throat area by hand especially from cattle, drenching with pepper, salt solution, coca cola, gasoline, chasing animals and using nearby vet clinics. Browse trees were also very valuable as animal feed to the farmers/pastoralists of Miesso district. Therefore, in addition to the indigenous knowledge the farmers/pastoralists have, efforts of different organizations working in the agriculture sector in the area should focus on use feeding systems like burning the spines of cactus, chopping and drying cactus, provision of grass hay, maize/sorghum stover before cactus feeding and propagation of the spineless cactus species, banning the excessive use of browse trees for charcoal making and fuel wood through education and introducing improved forage species adaptable to the area are recommended.

Although clean drinking water is a basic human need, freshwater scarcity has been identified as a major global problem of the 21st century. Nature has long served as a source of inspiration for human beings to develop new technology. The cactus in the desert possesses a multifunctional integrated fog collection system originating from the cooperation of a Laplace pressure gradient and the wettability difference. In this contribution, inspired by the cactus, an artificial fog collector on a large scale is first fabricated through integrating cactus spine-like hydrophobic conical micro-tip arrays with the hydrophilic cotton matrix. The novel cactus-inspired fog collector can spontaneously and continuously collect, transport, and preserve fog water, demonstrating high fog collection efficiency and promising applications in the regions with drinking water scarcity. Furthermore, the present approach is simple, time-saving and cost-effective, which provides a potential device and new idea to solve the global water crisis.