A Comparison among Manual and Automatic Calibration Methods in VISSIM in an Expressway (Chihuahua, Mexico)

Traffic microsimulation is an essential tool in urban transportation and road planning. Its calibration is essential to attain representative results validated with real-world conditions. VISSIM (Verkehr in Städten—SIMulationsmodell) operates with the Wiedemann’s psycho-physical car-following model for freeway travel that considers safety distances (standstill and movement) during simulation. Calibration in this paper was achieved by using two different approaches: a) manual and b) genetic algorithm (with the GEH statistic formula) calibration techniques. Calibration and validation of this model were performed at the Periferico de la Juventud expressway in Chihuahua City, in northern Mexico. The Periferico de la Juventud (PDJ) has a N-S orientation and a length of ca. 20 km, with its northern section being its most congested portion. Its highest vehicle volume occurs at noon, with 3700 vehicles per hour, with 95% being passenger cars and the other 5% heavy goods vehicles. PDJ’s speed limit is 70 km·h-1, but the driver’s behavior has a tendency towards the aggressive performance. A total of 82 standstill and 82 look-ahead distances were obtained from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) images, with values ranging from 0.8 to 4.7 m and from 0.2 to 28 m, respectively. VISSIM calibrated parameter values were calculated for this expressway, being slightly above than the VISSIM default ones;and was validated with travel times and look-ahead distances. Results contribute information for the city’s future installment of public transportation systems, and should help decision makers deal with future urban planning.

Effect of Nitrogen Deficiency and Toxicity in Two Varieties of Tomatoes(Lycopersicum esculentum L.)

Tomato is one of the most important vegetables cultivated in Mexico. Nitrogen-based fertilizers have greatly contributed to the increase in tomato production;however, the excessive application of this fertilizer may affect yield and fruit quality. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of increasing in rates of nitrogen from deficiency to toxic levels. Five N-treatments (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 mM of N) were applied in two tomato varieties, Caballero and Victoria The optimum N doses for leaf growth in both varieties was 30 mM reaching 13.0 and 13.5 cm in Caballero and Victoria respectively. At low toxic levels leaf growth was recovered more easily in Caballero than Victoria. Nitrate concentration for the low toxicity treatment was greater in leaf and stems for Caballero than Victoria;conversely nitrate in fruits was higher in Victoria. Final yield per plant was not statistically different between varieties except at the low toxic treatment where Caballero had a yield of 780 g per plant compared to that of 330 g per plant of Victoria. Tomato quality was also affected by the applied N-doses, where treatment 30 mM reached the maximum fruit firmness in both varieties while high toxic N-levels decreased significantly this parameter. Soluble solids and titratable acidity increased with increased N-Doses. Caballero variety seems to be more tolerant than Victoria at low levels of N-toxicity.

Exposition of Pecan Black Aphid(Melanocallis caryaefoliae)to Creseote Bush(Larrea tridentata)Extracts

Creseote bush-based (Larrea tridentata Cov.) botanical insecticides have not been evaluated on pecan black aphid (Melanocallis caryaefoliae D.), the purpose of this research was to test the insecticide and/or repellent effect of the creseote-bush raw extracts on this insect. Ethyl acetate, methanol and water as solvents, the stem and leaf organs were tested at concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 2%, as well as their witnesses and the interactions of each. Extract application was made by immersion during 10 s and the incubation was made in a wet chamber, making observations at 24, 48 and 72 hours after the treatment was applied. Mortality was evaluated by touching the aphid and seeing it did not move, while for repellence the insects found outside of the leaf were taken into account. A higher mortality effect was observed at a 1% concentration for the three solvents on the leaf extracts, being the methanol one the most efficient, on the other hand the stem extracts had the same behavior, presenting the higher mortality in the ethyl acetate extracts at 0.5% and 2% both at 72 hours. On the other hand the higher repellent effect presented at 24 hours in stem extracts, with a variation in the leaf extracts.

Role of the Zinc Nutritional Status on Main Physiological Bioindicators of the Pecan Tree

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of Zn nutritional status on the content of pigments, nonstructural carbohydrates, foliage proteins and amino acids of the pecan tree, as possible bioindicators of Zn deficiency. The experimental design was completely random with three Zn nutritional statuses: Normal, Intermediate and Deficient, being selected considering visual symptomatology. On all three nutritional statuses, the concentration of photosynthetic pigments was determined as well as of total soluble proteins and amino acids. Obtained results indicate that Zn deficient nutritional status was characterized by minimum photosynthetic pigment, protein concentrations, maximum amino acid and nonstructural carbohydrate concentrations. While the normal Zn nutritional status presented maximum photosynthetic pigments, proteins concentrations, minimum amino acids and carbohydrate concentrations. On the other hand, intermediate Zn nutritional status was characterized by a medium level between the other two Zn nutritional statuses. Finally, we stress the fact that pigments, proteins, amino acids and nonstructural carbohydrates may be good physiological indicators related to Zn nutritional status on pecan trees.

Effectiveness of Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage as a carrier agent in microencapsulation of bioactive compounds of Amaranthus hypochondriacus var. Nutrisol

The effectiveness of maltodextrin(10%)and cactus mucilage(CM)(0%,0.25%,0.50%,0.75%,and 1%)as carrier agents was evaluated in the encapsulation of bioactive amaranth compounds.Spray drying,an efficient encapsulation method,achieved high yields(62.9%-68%).The increase in CM concentration significantly augmented the water absorption index(WAI),bulk density,and hygroscopicity of the encapsulated amaranth powders.Conversely,it significantly decreased the moisture content,water activity,and water solubility index(WSI).The glass transition temperatures(>40℃),Hausner ratio(HR),and Carr’s index(CI)values indicated the suitability of powders for handling and processing.Moreover,no cracks were observed in the microcapsules surface,which favoured the bioactive amaranth compounds retention and stability.Thus,low degradation rate constants and long half-life time values were determined for the encapsulated amaranth powders,indicative of its storage appropriateness.Incorporation of 0.75%CM was an efficient concentration to achieve high percentage retention of betacyanins(55.5%),betaxanthins(58%),total polyphenols(73.3%),amaranthine(56.8%),isoamaranthine(62.7%),individual polyphenols(44.6%-81%),and antioxidant activity(79.6%).These results demonstrated the efficiency of CM as an encapsulating agent in the food industry.