The Farther the Better: Effects of Multiple Environmental Variables on Reef Fish Assemblages along a Distance Gradient from River Influences

The conservation and management of site-attached assemblages of coastal reefs are particularly challenging because of the tremendous environmental variation that exists at small spatial scales. In this sense, understanding the primary sources of variation in spatial patterns of the biota is fundamental for designing effective conservation policies. We investigated spatial variation in fish assemblages around the windward and leeward sides of coastal islands situated across a gradient of riverine influence (13 km in length). Specifically, relationships between rocky reef fish assemblages and benthic, topographic and physical predictors were assessed. We hypothesized that river induced disturbances may overcome local habitat features in modeling spatial patterns of fish distribution. Fish assemblages varied primarily due to the strong directional gradient of riverine influence (22.6% of the estimated components of variation), followed by topographic complexity (15%), wave exposure (9.9%), and benthic cover (8%). The trophic structure of fish assemblages changed from having a high abundance of invertebrate feeders in macroalgae-dominated reefs close to river mouths to a high proportion of herbivores, planktivores and invertebrate feeder species in reefs with large boulders covered by epilithic algal matrices, as the distance from rivers increased. This gradient led to an increase of 4.5-fold in fish richness and fish trophic group diversity, 11-fold in fish biomass and 10-fold in fish abundance. Our results have implications for the conservation and monitoring of assemblages patchily distributed at small spatial scales. The major role of distance from river influences on fish assemblages rather than benthic cover and topographic complexity suggest that managing land-based activities should be a conservation priority toward reef restoration.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Univ Fed Rural Rio de Janeiro, Dept Biol Anim, Lab Ecol Peixes, Campus Seropedica, Seropedica, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Rural Rio de Janeiro, Dept Ciencias Meio Ambiente, Campus Tres Rios, Seropedica, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Mar, Lab Ecol & Conservacao Marinha, Campus Baixada Santista, Santos, SP, BrazilLaboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Marinha, Instituto do Mar, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Campus Baixada Santista, Santos, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Stimulus affective valence reverses spatial compatibility effect

In spatial compatibility tasks, the Reaction Time to right-side stimuli is shorter for right key responses (compatible condition) than for left key responses (incompatible condition) and vice-versa for left-side stimuli. Similar results have been found when the stimulus location is not relevant for response selection, such as in the Simon task. The Simon effect is the difference between the reaction times for non-corresponding and corresponding conditions. The Simon effect and its variants may be modulated by using emotional stimuli. However, until now, no work has studied how the affective valence of a stimulus influences spatial compatibility effects along the horizontal dimension. The present study investigated this issue by using small lateralized figures of soccer team players as stimuli. In the experiment, a compatible or incompatible response was chosen according to the team shirt. In one block, for the Favorite team, the volunteers had to press the key on the same side as the stimulus hemifield but the opposite-side key for the Rival team. In the other block, a reverse code had to be used. Fourteen right-handed volunteers were tested. Mean reaction times were subjected to analysis of variance with the following variables: Preference (Favorite/Rival), Hemifield (Left/Right), and Response Key (Left/Right). A three-way interaction was found (F1,13 = 6.60, p = .023), showing that the spatial compatibility effects depended on Preference. The Favorite team player elicited the usual spatial compatibility pattern, but for the Rival team player, the reverse effect was found, with incompatible responses being faster than compatible responses. We propose that this modulation may result from approach/avoidance reactions to the Favorite and Rival teams, respectively. Moreover, we suggest as a corollary that the classic spatial compatibility task is a powerful tool for investigating approach/avoidance effects.Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)CNPq(FAPERJ) Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de JaneiroCNPq - PIBIC-UFFUFF - PROP

Germany's 'coronavirus anomaly': Statistical evidence that early mass testing leads to low mortality rates

In this note, we present a statistical analysis of the mortality rates of COVID-19 for several selected European countries. We compare the countries' mortality rates with their respective number of tests as a function of the time since the first death. Our analysis shows that countries that either delayed mass testing, such as Italy, or have not fully adopted it, such as France and the UK, have had much higher mortality rates than Germany, which has adopted a policy of wide and early testing. Conversely, countries that have followed Germany's example, such as Portugal, have so far had comparatively low mortality rates

Prevalence, incidence and distribution of citrus variegated chlorosis in Bahia, Brazil

Citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) is one of the most important diseases for Brazilian citriculture. It is caused by Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca, a xylem limited, cycadelid and budwood transmitted bacterium. In Bahia, the second most important citrus region in Brazil, CVC has been present since 1997. Our objectives were to characterize the regional spatial pattern of CVC and to establish a relationship between epidemiological variables and horticultural practices, as well as to evaluate whether control measures used so far have been effective and, based on that, to conceive suitable control measures. A series of surveys were performed in two regions of Bahia State (Recôncavo Baiano and Litoral Norte), along with a survey of horticultural and control practices associated with sampled groves. CVC was restricted to Litoral Norte region, especially to three municipalities along the border between Bahia and Sergipe States. The mean CVC incidence in these municipalities followed a gradient, higher in the countryside and decreasing along the coast. Presence and dissemination of CVC was related to poor nursery practices, a massive use of a susceptible orange variety, and an extreme concentration of orange groves in high incidence municipalities, as well as to the absence of specific CVC control. Considering that CVC was not found in Recôncavo Baiano, this region could be considered a "CVC free zone" by the local government. Copyright by the Brazilian Phytopathological Society.EC/ICA4-CT-2001-10005CNPqFAPES

ANÁLISE DE APRENDIZAGEM COM EMPREGO DE SIMULADORES VIRTUAIS NA DISCIPLINA DE ACIONAMENTOS ELÉTRICOS DO CURSO DE ENGENHARIA MECATRÔNICA DO UNIT-AL

Este trabalho tem por objetivo tecer reflexões sobre o ensino de engenharia mecatrônica considerando o aprendizado dos alunos diante dos desafios do compreender os fenômenos da disciplina de acionamentos elétricos por meio de experimentos desenvolvidos através de simulações via software e montagens em bancadas. O estudo busca apreender a visão do aluno diante destas duas possibilidades didáticas e tecer considerações para uma a oferta atual de laboratórios virtuais

Time-series forecasting of pollutant concentration levels using particle swarm optimization and artificial neural networks

This study evaluates the application of an intelligent hybrid system for time-series forecasting of atmospheric pollutant concentration levels. The proposed method consists of an artificial neural network combined with a particle swarm optimization algorithm. The method not only searches relevant time lags for the correct characterization of the time series, but also determines the best neural network architecture. An experimental analysis is performed using four real time series and the results are shown in terms of six performance measures. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed methodology achieves a fair prediction of the presented pollutant time series by using compact networks

microstructure evolution during heat treatments

Funding Information: Authors acknowledge the Portuguese Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT – MCTES) for its financial support via the project UID/EMS/00667/2019 (UNIDEMI). JPO acknowledges funding by national funds from FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the projects LA/P/0037/2020 , UIDP/50025/2020 and UIDB/50025/2020 of the Associate Laboratory Institute of Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication – i3N. Funding of CENIMAT/i3N by national funds through the FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., within the scope of Multiannual Financing of R&D Units, reference UIDB/50025/2020–2023 is also acknowledge. FWCF acknowledges Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia ( FCT-MCTES ) for funding the Ph.D. Grant 2022.13870. BD. The authors acknowledge DESY (Hamburg, Germany), a member of the Helmholtz Association HGF, for the provision of experimental facilities. Beamtime was allocated for proposal I-20210986 EC. The research leading to this result has been supported by the project CALIPSOplus under the Grant Agreement 730872 from the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation HORIZON 2020. This activity has received funding from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Raw Materials through the project Smart WAAM: Microstructural Engineering and Integrated Non-Destructive Testing. YZ acknowledges the National Natural Science Foundation of China ( 51601091 ), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province ( BK 20160826 ), the Six Talent Peaks Project of Jiangsu Province ( 2017-XCL-051 ), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities ( 30917011106 ), and Key Research and Development Plan of Jiangsu Province ( BE 2020085 ). Funding Information: Authors acknowledge the Portuguese Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT – MCTES) for its financial support via the project UID/EMS/00667/2019 (UNIDEMI). JPO acknowledges funding by national funds from FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. in the scope of the projects LA/P/0037/2020, UIDP/50025/2020 and UIDB/50025/2020 of the Associate Laboratory Institute of Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication – i3N. Funding of CENIMAT/i3N by national funds through the FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. within the scope of Multiannual Financing of R&D Units, reference UIDB/50025/2020–2023 is also acknowledge. FWCF acknowledges Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT-MCTES) for funding the Ph.D. Grant 2022.13870. BD. The authors acknowledge DESY (Hamburg, Germany), a member of the Helmholtz Association HGF, for the provision of experimental facilities. Beamtime was allocated for proposal I-20210986 EC. The research leading to this result has been supported by the project CALIPSOplus under the Grant Agreement 730872 from the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation HORIZON 2020. This activity has received funding from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Raw Materials through the project Smart WAAM: Microstructural Engineering and Integrated Non-Destructive Testing. YZ acknowledges the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51601091), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK 20160826), the Six Talent Peaks Project of Jiangsu Province (2017-XCL-051), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (30917011106), and Key Research and Development Plan of Jiangsu Province (BE 2020085). Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s)The study reports that the combined use of in situ interlayer hot forging and post-deposition heat treatment (PDHT) could alter the typical coarse and oriented microstructure of the Ni-based superalloy 625 obtained by arc plasma directed energy deposition (DED) to a fine and non-oriented condition. In situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction and electron backscatter diffraction showed that the high-temperature (1100 °C/ 1 h) PDHT induced significant recrystallization, leading to grain refinement and low texture index, while partially dissolving deleterious Laves and δ phases. Low-temperature (980 °C/ 1 h) PDHT had a limited effect on the grain size refinement and induced the formation of secondary phases. It is shown that conventional heat treatments applied to Ni-based superalloy 625 obtained by arc plasma DED are not conducive to optimized microstructure features. In situ hot forging induced enough crystal defects to promote static recrystallization during PDHT. Besides, high-temperature PDHT met the AMS 5662 grain size requirements.publishersversionpublishe

Profile and agriculture bromatological corn silage sw of Parana

Objetivou-se com o presente estudo descrever as silagens de milho, de diferentes genótipos do ciclo centro precoce normal, quanto as suas características bromatológicas e agronômicas. O experimento foi realizado na Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR), Câmpus Dois Vizinhos em dois anos agrícolas (2009/2010 e 2010/2011). Em ambos anos de experimentos, as sementes de milho foram fornecidas pela Embrapa Milho e Sorgo (Sete Lagoas, MG). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de lattice simples com 49 genótipos (2009/10) e alfa látice com 39 genótipos (2010/2011), ambos com duas repetições. Os resultados das características observados foram submetidos à análise de variância e comparadas pelo teste de SNK, em nível de 5% de significância. As características dos genótipos no primeiro ano de experimento não diferenciaram em proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, porcentagem de colmo e folha da planta do milho, com teores de boa qualidade nutricional. Para as características produção de matéria seca, fibra em detergente neutro e ácido, porcentagem de espiga na planta de milho e produção de grãos os genótipos apresentaram diferença significativa. Para o segundo ano experimental, baseados nas características produção de matéria seca, nutrientes digestíveis totais, fibra em detergente neutro e ácido, porcentagem de colmo folhas verdes e espiga todos os genótipos apresentaram características adequadas para produção de silagem. Entre as características de produção de matéria seca, nutrientes digestíveis totais, fibra em detergente neutro e ácido, porcentagem de colmo, folhas verdes e espiga em relação à planta de milho, apresentaram diferença estatística entre os genótipos. Concluindo que para a produção de MS ha-1 o genótipo GNZX 9505 apresentou os maiores rendimentos.The objective of this study characterizes the corn silages of different genotypes cycle center early normal as their chemical characteristics and agronomic. The experiment was conducted at the Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR), Campus Dois Vizinhos in two growing seasons (2009/2010 and 2010/2011). In both years of experiments, maize seeds were supplied by Embrapa Milho e Sorgo (Sete Lagoas, MG). The experimental design was used simple lattice with 49 genotypes (2009/10) and alpha lattice design with 39 genotypes (2010/2011) both with two replications. The results of the observed variables were subjected to analysis of variance and compared by SNK, at the 5% level of significance. The characteristics of the genotypes in the first year of experiment no differences in crude protein, crude fat, percentage of stem and leaf of the maize plant, with levels of good nutritional quality. For the characteristics of dry matter production, neutral detergent fiber and acid concentration ear in maize and grain yield significantly different genotypes. For the second experimental year, based on the characteristics of dry matter production, total digestible nutrients, neutral detergent fiber and acid concentration stem and green leaves all genotypes spike characteristics suitable for silage production. Among the characteristics of dry matter, total digestible nutrients, neutral detergent fiber and acid concentration stem, green leaves and cob in relation to plant corn, present statistical difference between genotypes. Concluding that for the production of MS ha-1 GNZX 9505 genotype had the highest yields.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Profile and agriculture bromatological corn silage sw of Parana

Objetivou-se com o presente estudo descrever as silagens de milho, de diferentes genótipos do ciclo centro precoce normal, quanto as suas características bromatológicas e agronômicas. O experimento foi realizado na Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR), Câmpus Dois Vizinhos em dois anos agrícolas (2009/2010 e 2010/2011). Em ambos anos de experimentos, as sementes de milho foram fornecidas pela Embrapa Milho e Sorgo (Sete Lagoas, MG). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de lattice simples com 49 genótipos (2009/10) e alfa látice com 39 genótipos (2010/2011), ambos com duas repetições. Os resultados das características observados foram submetidos à análise de variância e comparadas pelo teste de SNK, em nível de 5% de significância. As características dos genótipos no primeiro ano de experimento não diferenciaram em proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, porcentagem de colmo e folha da planta do milho, com teores de boa qualidade nutricional. Para as características produção de matéria seca, fibra em detergente neutro e ácido, porcentagem de espiga na planta de milho e produção de grãos os genótipos apresentaram diferença significativa. Para o segundo ano experimental, baseados nas características produção de matéria seca, nutrientes digestíveis totais, fibra em detergente neutro e ácido, porcentagem de colmo folhas verdes e espiga todos os genótipos apresentaram características adequadas para produção de silagem. Entre as características de produção de matéria seca, nutrientes digestíveis totais, fibra em detergente neutro e ácido, porcentagem de colmo, folhas verdes e espiga em relação à planta de milho, apresentaram diferença estatística entre os genótipos. Concluindo que para a produção de MS ha-1 o genótipo GNZX 9505 apresentou os maiores rendimentos.The objective of this study characterizes the corn silages of different genotypes cycle center early normal as their chemical characteristics and agronomic. The experiment was conducted at the Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR), Campus Dois Vizinhos in two growing seasons (2009/2010 and 2010/2011). In both years of experiments, maize seeds were supplied by Embrapa Milho e Sorgo (Sete Lagoas, MG). The experimental design was used simple lattice with 49 genotypes (2009/10) and alpha lattice design with 39 genotypes (2010/2011) both with two replications. The results of the observed variables were subjected to analysis of variance and compared by SNK, at the 5% level of significance. The characteristics of the genotypes in the first year of experiment no differences in crude protein, crude fat, percentage of stem and leaf of the maize plant, with levels of good nutritional quality. For the characteristics of dry matter production, neutral detergent fiber and acid concentration ear in maize and grain yield significantly different genotypes. For the second experimental year, based on the characteristics of dry matter production, total digestible nutrients, neutral detergent fiber and acid concentration stem and green leaves all genotypes spike characteristics suitable for silage production. Among the characteristics of dry matter, total digestible nutrients, neutral detergent fiber and acid concentration stem, green leaves and cob in relation to plant corn, present statistical difference between genotypes. Concluding that for the production of MS ha-1 GNZX 9505 genotype had the highest yields.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale