Scalable and customizable benchmark problems for many-objective optimization

Solving many-objective problems (MaOPs) is still a significant challenge in the multi-objective optimization (MOO) field. One way to measure algorithm performance is through the use of benchmark functions (also called test functions or test suites), which are artificial problems with a well-defined mathematical formulation, known solutions and a variety of features and difficulties. In this paper we propose a parameterized generator of scalable and customizable benchmark problems for MaOPs. It is able to generate problems that reproduce features present in other benchmarks and also problems with some new features. We propose here the concept of generative benchmarking, in which one can generate an infinite number of MOO problems, by varying parameters that control specific features that the problem should have: scalability in the number of variables and objectives, bias, deceptiveness, multimodality, robust and non-robust solutions, shape of the Pareto front, and constraints. The proposed Generalized Position-Distance (GPD) tunable benchmark generator uses the position-distance paradigm, a basic approach to building test functions, used in other benchmarks such as Deb, Thiele, Laumanns and Zitzler (DTLZ), Walking Fish Group (WFG) and others. It includes scalable problems in any number of variables and objectives and it presents Pareto fronts with different characteristics. The resulting functions are easy to understand and visualize, easy to implement, fast to compute and their Pareto optimal solutions are known.This work has been supported by the Brazilian agencies (i) National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq); (ii) Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education (CAPES) and (iii) Foundation for Research of the State of Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG, in Portuguese)

De marginal a bem patrimonial: processos de divulgação científica na exposição "Tesouros de seis patas"

XV Congresso Ibérico de Entomologia. Universidade dos Açores, Angra do Heroísmo, Açores, Portugal, 1 a 6 de Setembro de 2012

Soil magnetic susceptibility and surface topographic characteristics in cultivated soils

6 Pags., 1 Tabl., 9 Figs.[EN] The spatial distribution of the concentration of magnetic soil minerals can be assessed through the characteristics of the surface topographic attributes. The topography of the land surface controls the pathways of runoff and the redistribution of soil that affect the spatial variability of magnetic minerals contained in the soil. In this contribution, the soil magnetic susceptibility has been studied with different surface topographic attributes in a small cultivated field in order to infer the relationships between the magnetic susceptibility measured in situ in the field and some physical characteristics of the land surface such as elevation, slope, concavity-convexity, plan curvature and aspect. These relationships can be used to describe the spatial pattern of the concentration of magnetic minerals in soils.[ES] La distribución espacial de la concentración de los minerales magnéticos en el suelo se puede evaluar a partir de las características de los atributos topográficos. La topografía de la superficie del terreno controla los patrones de la escorrentía y la redistribución del suelo, estos procesos afectan a la variabilidad espacial de los minerales magnéticos presentes en el suelo. En este estudio la susceptibilidad magnética se ha relacionado con diferentes atributos topográficos en un pequeño campo de cultivo con bordes delimitados de forma natural para inferir las relaciones entre la susceptibilidad magnética medida in situ y algunas características físicas de la superficie del terreno como la elevación, la pendiente, la concavidad-convexidad, la perpendicular a la curvatura y el aspecto. Estas relaciones pueden utilizarse para describir el modelo espacial de la concentración de los minerales magnéticos en los suelos.This work was funded by the CICYT project MEDEROCAR (CGL2008-0831).Peer reviewe

Contribution of HFE and HPSE genes and methaemoglobin reductase activity to heart failure

Introduction: Heart failure can be defined as a syndrome caused by a structural anomaly and/or by a committed cardiac function, which leads to an inadequate cardiac output unable to meet the metabolic necessities of the organism. We aim to understand if HFE and HPSE genes as well as methaemoglobin reductase activity, may influence the development of heart failure. Methodology: It was performed a case-control study, in which 252 DNA samples from Portuguese individuals were analysed, 143 derived from subjects with heart failure, and 109 from healthy controls. For HPSE genotyping (rs4693608), we performed endpoint PCR analysis. A multiplex ARMS (Amplification-Refractory Mutation System) assay was used for the simultaneous detection of two HFE polymorphisms (C282Y and H63D). Reductase methaemoglobin activity was determined by spectrophotometric methods. All statistical tests were performed with IBM® SPSS® Statistics 26.0 software. Statistical significance was defined as a p-value < 0.05. Results: Regarding the H63D polymorphism, results show the CG genotype as a risk factor [OR (95% CI) = 2.889 (1.041-8.018); p=0.042]. In what concerns HPSE gene, the GG genotype was found to have a protective effect [OR (95% CI) = 0.435 (0.193-0.982); p=0.045] while the presence of the A allele is a risk factor [OR (95% CI) = 2.297 (1.018-5.179); p=0.045. Considering methaemoglobin reductase, its activity was lower in patients than in healthy controls (p=0.019). Discussion: Intravenous iron supplementation is sometimes considered in heart failure treatment, emphasizing the results presented in the present study. Considering the high prevalence of heart failure in Portugal (400.000 individuals, according to Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia), it is important to identify iron-related markers, since it may allow an earlier and more expert approach, which may provide better prevention and therapeutic strategies for this pathology.N/

Study of the interaction between modulators of iron homeostasis and the ACE gene in heart failure

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) refers to a clinical syndrome composed of a set of symptoms and/or signs that originate from a structural and/or functional cardiac anomaly and that give rise to the inability to pump blood in sufficient quantity, to meet the body's metabolic needs. In the present work, we intend to understand how the interaction between the I/D variation in the ACE gene and possible modulators of iron (Fe) homeostasis influence HF. The modulators under study were: the methemoglobin reductase activity, the Hfe gene and heparanase genes (HPSE) Methodology: A case-control study was carried out with 252 Portuguese people, 143 with HF and 109 healthy controls. To analyze the polymorphism in the HPSE gene (rs4693608) endpoint genotyping (LightCycler480) was performed. To analyze both polymorphisms in the Hfe gene (H63D and C282Y), ARMS Multiplex technique was used. For the analysis of the polymorphism in the ECA gene (rs4646994 - I/D) a regular PCR was performed. Methaemoglobin reductase activity was obtained using spectrophotometric assay. All necessary statistical tests were performed using the IBM® SPSS® Statistics 26.0 software, with values considered significant for p < 0.05. Results: There was an association between HF and: 1) the presence of the D allele of the HFe gene (HH vs HD; p=0.049); 2) the presence of the A allele of the HPSE gene (AA + GA vs GG; p=0.045; 3) lower levels of methemoglobin reductase activity (p=0.019). It was also found that epistasis between the presence of the H or C allele of the Hfe gene and the D allele of the ACE gene are protective in HF (p=0.041 for both). Conclusion: Results of this study highlight the role of iron homeostasis and its interaction with ACE in HF. Iron is an essential component for the proper functioning of mitochondria, which play an important role in providing energy to the heart muscle. Knowledge of the genotype profile of patients, in modulating genes of iron homeostasis in interaction with the ACE gene could be an advantage in the application of a more personalized medicine, allowing preventive counseling and more targeted therapy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Upstream and downstream process development of a Vero cell-based yellow fever vaccine

Yellow fever (YF) is a lethal viral disease that is endemic in some tropical regions of South America, Central America and Africa. An attenuated vaccine produced in embryonated eggs is available since the 1930’s and is known to be highly effective and safe. However, after large vaccination campaigns in the 2000’s, reports of rare, but serious adverse events have stimulated Biomanguinhos/FIOCRUZ, who produces the current attenuated 17DD vaccine, to develop a new, inactivated vaccine. Over the last years, through a partnership of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and Biomanguinhos/FIOCRUZ, both upstream and downstream processes were developed. The upstream process was established based on Vero cell cultivation on microcarriers in serum-free medium, using stirred-tank bioreactors. The first studies were carried out in spinner flasks to select the microcarrier type and the serum-free medium. Also, statistical DOE tools were used to study the infection step, varying the moiety of infection and the time of infection. This process was then scale-up to stirred-tank bioreactors and further optimized regarding microcarrier concentration, stepwise medium addition, dissolved oxygen level/sparging intensity, impeller configuration and time of harvest. The final upstream process that was established results in virus titers of 10^8 pfu/mL within a time frame 144h post inoculation of the cells in the bioreactor. The downstream process was designed priorizing chromatographic techniques, aiming at achieving high purity levels and extensive removal of process-related critical contaminants, such as DNA and host-cell proteins (HCP), as preconized by the regulatory authorities. For the capture step, both cation- and anion-exchange chromatographies were evaluated. A Q membrane adsorber process was selected and the best operational conditions in terms of pH, temperature, buffers and washing strategies were determined. For the second purification step, three techniques were evaluated: multimodal chromatography, ultrafiltration/diafiltration, and hydrophobic interaction chromatography using a HIC membrane adsorber. The multimodal resin showed the best results, and operational conditions of this step were further optimized. The final 2-step yellow-fever virus purification process resulted in an overall yield of 52% and residual HCP of 350 ppm (0.05%). Residual DNA was 1.2 ng per dose, considering the dose established based on animal studies, and is in agreement with the limit recommended by the World Health Organization (\u3c10 ng/dose). Electrophoretic analysis (SDS-PAGE) of the purified samples showed a band corresponding to 96% of identified proteins with molecular mass of 56 kDa, which is the expected mass for the virus envelope protein (E). Anti-E Western blot (WB) showed a single band, confirming the identity of the samples. No band was revealed in the anti-HCP blot, confirming the low HCP levels quantified. The developed process allows the production of a new, high-purity yellow-fever vaccine through a scalable technology, which is better suited than egg-based technology to meet emergency demands in case of epidemics and is useful in the current scenario of increasing worldwide demand YF vaccine

Short history of spondylus in the South American Pacific: a symbol that returns at present

Las especies de Spondylus constituyen un grupo de moluscos de gran importancia dentro de las culturas americanas desde el tercer milenio a.C. hasta el siglo XVII, recuperando su importancia en las décadas recientes. El presente artículo es una cronología sintética del simbolismo del Spondylus en diferentes culturas del pasado de Suramérica. Mediante la reconstrucción histórica del uso del Spondylus se expone el papel que ha jugado en la historia suramericana, lo cual ha permitido y potenciado la interacción entre diferentes culturas. Hoy en día, sobre todo en Ecuador, ha resurgido el Spondylus como símbolo de gran importancia, suponiendo un vínculo entre regiones y, uniendo las comunidades actuales con su pasado histórico.Spondylus species form a group of mollusks of great importance within American cultures since the third millennium BC until 17th century AD, and have received greater recognition over the last decades. The present article is a synthetic chronology of Spondylus symbolism in different cultures of South America’s past. Through the historical reconstruction of the use of Spondylus, the role played by this mollusk in South American history, which has allowed and enhanced the interaction between different cultures, is exposed. Nowadays, especially in Ecuador, Spondylus has resurfaced as a symbol of great importance, assuming a link between regions and uniting the present communities with their historical past.Fil: Lodeiros Seijo, César. Universidad Tecnica de Manabi; Ecuador. Universidad de Oriente; VenezuelaFil: Santana Cabrera, Jonathan A.. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; EspañaFil: Jaramillo Arango, Antonio. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Soria, Rodrigo Gaspar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco"; ArgentinaFil: Marcos, Jorge. Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral; Ecuado

Melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors in the ram reproductive tract

Some melatonin functions in mammals are exerted through MT1 and MT2 receptors. However, there are no reports of their presence in the reproductive tract of the ram, a seasonal species. Thus, we have investigated their existence in the ram testis, epididymis, accessory glands and ductus deferens. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) revealed higher levels of m-RNA for both receptors in the testis, ampulla, seminal vesicles, and vas deferens, than in the other organs of the reproductive tract (p < 0.05). Western blot analyses showed protein bands compatible with the MT1 in the testis and cauda epididymis, and for the MT2 in the cauda epididymis and deferent duct. Immunohistochemistry analyses revealed the presence of MT1 receptors in spermatogonias, spermatocytes, and spermatids, and MT2 receptors in the newly-formed spermatozoa in the testis, whereas both receptors were located in the epithelial cells of the ampulla, seminal vesicles, and ductus deferens. Indirect immunofluorescence showed significant differences in the immunolocation of both receptors in spermatozoa during their transit in the epididymis. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that melatonin receptors are present in the ram reproductive tract. These results open the way for new studies on the molecular mechanism of melatonin and the biological significance of its receptors

Estudo da interação entre moduladores da homeostasia do ferro e o gene ECA na insuficiência cardíaca

Introdução: A insuficiência cardíaca (IC) diz respeito a um síndrome clínico composto por um conjunto de sintomas e/ou sinais com origem numa anomalia cardíaca estrutural e/ou funcional e que dá origem à inabilidade de bombear sangue em quantidade suficiente, de forma a preencher as necessidades metabólicas do organismo. No presente trabalho, pretendemos perceber como a interação entre a variação I/D no gene ECA e possíveis moduladores da homeostasia do ferro (Fe) influenciam a IC. Os moduladores em estudo foram: a atividade da redutase da metahemoglobina, o gene Hfe e o gene da heparanase (HPSE) Metodologia: Foi efetuado um estudo de caso-controlo, no qual foram utilizadas 252 amostras de portugueses, 143 indivíduos com IC e 109 controlos saudáveis. Para analisar o polimorfismo no gene HPSE (rs4693608) foi feita a genotipagem por endpoint (LightCycler480). Para analisar os polimorfismos no gene Hfe (H63D e C282Y) recorreu-se à técnica de ARMS Multiplex. Para a análise do polimorfismo no gene ECA (rs4646994 - I/D) realizou-se um PCR. A atividade da redutase da metahemoglobina foi obtida por testes espetrofotométricos. Todos os testes estatísticos necessários foram realizados no software IBM® SPSS® Statistics 26.0, tendo os valores sido considerados significativos para um p < 0,05. Resultados: Verificou-se uma associação entre a IC e: 1) a presença do alelo D do gene HFe (HH vs HD; p=0,049); 2) a presença do alelo A do gene HPSE (AA + GA vs GG; p=0,045; 3) níveis mais baixos da atividade da redutase da metahemoglobina (p=0.019). Verificou-se ainda que as epistasias entre a presença do alelo H ou C do gene Hfe e o alelo D do gene ECA são protetores na IC (p=0,041 para ambas). Conclusão: Os resultados deste estudo evidenciam o papel da homeostasia do ferro e da sua interação com a ECA na IC. O ferro é um componente essencial para o bom funcionamento das mitocôndrias, as quais têm um papel importante no fornecimento de energia ao musculo cardíaco. O conhecimento do perfil genótipo dos doentes em genes moduladores da homeostasia do ferro em interação com o gene ECA, poderá ser uma vantagem na aplicação de uma medicina mais personalizada, permitindo um aconselhamento preventivo e uma terapêutica mais dirigidos.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio