Hybridizing the electromagnetism-like algorithm with descent search for solving engineering design problems

In this paper, we present a new stochastic hybrid technique for constrained global optimization. It is a combination of the electromagnetism-like (EM) mechanism with a random local search, which is a derivative-free procedure with high ability of producing a descent direction. Since the original EM algorithm is specifically designed for solving bound constrained problems, the approach herein adopted for handling the inequality constraints of the problem relies on selective conditions that impose a sufficient reduction either in the constraints violation or in the objective function value, when comparing two points at a time. The hybrid EM method is tested on a set of benchmark engineering design problems and the numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. A comparison with results from other stochastic methods is also included

Horizontal Branch Stars: The Interplay between Observations and Theory, and Insights into the Formation of the Galaxy

We review HB stars in a broad astrophysical context, including both variable and non-variable stars. A reassessment of the Oosterhoff dichotomy is presented, which provides unprecedented detail regarding its origin and systematics. We show that the Oosterhoff dichotomy and the distribution of globular clusters (GCs) in the HB morphology-metallicity plane both exclude, with high statistical significance, the possibility that the Galactic halo may have formed from the accretion of dwarf galaxies resembling present-day Milky Way satellites such as Fornax, Sagittarius, and the LMC. A rediscussion of the second-parameter problem is presented. A technique is proposed to estimate the HB types of extragalactic GCs on the basis of integrated far-UV photometry. The relationship between the absolute V magnitude of the HB at the RR Lyrae level and metallicity, as obtained on the basis of trigonometric parallax measurements for the star RR Lyrae, is also revisited, giving a distance modulus to the LMC of (m-M)_0 = 18.44+/-0.11. RR Lyrae period change rates are studied. Finally, the conductive opacities used in evolutionary calculations of low-mass stars are investigated. [ABRIDGED]Comment: 56 pages, 22 figures. Invited review, to appear in Astrophysics and Space Scienc

Uso de polimorfismo de proteínas no estudo genético de caprinos da raça Moxotó

There were collected 353 blood samples of Moxotó (319) and Anglo Nubian breeds (34) to study genetic diversity based on eight eritrocitary protein systems (hemoglobine (Hb), carbonic anhydrase (CA), esterase - D (Est-D), peptidase - B (Pep-B), malic enzyme (IN), diaphorase-I and diaphorase-II (Dia-I, Dia-II), serics protein X (Px)) and two plasmatic proteins (transferrin (Tf) and albumin (Alb)). The majority of the systems (80%) were polymorphic. The loci of carbonic anihydrase (CA) and peptidase-B (Pep-b) were mono-morphics. The Fisher test presented significative difference between Moxotó and Anglo Nubian breeds to the genic frequency estimates for the loci Hb, Est-D, XP and Alb. However, based on Gst values the Est-D, Alb and Tf loci had been the most informative. These loci may be a useful tool to characterization studies and genetic report between goat breeds. Dendrogram based on alelic frequency to eight polimorphic loci presented two clusters: one joing all Moxotó herds, except one located on Ibimirim municipality in Pernambuco state and all Anglo Nubian herdsO presente trabalho teve como objetivos conhecer a variabilidade genética e relação genética de caprinos da raça Moxotó, dos estados da Paraíba, Pernambuco e Rio Grande do Norte, e comparar esta raça com Anglonubiana através do polimorfismo protéico. Foram investigadas 353 amostras sangüíneas de caprinos (34 da raça Anglo Nubiana e 319 da raça Moxotó). O estudo genético foi realizado com base em dez sistemas de proteínas: eritrocitárias (hemoglobina (Hb), anidrase carbônica (CA), esterase D (Est-D), peptidase B (Pep-B), enzima málica (EM), diaforase-I e diaforase-II (DIA-I, DIA-II), proteína X (Px)), e duas proteínas séricas (transferrina (Tf) e albumina (Alb)). Das proteínas analisadas, 80% dos locos apresentaram-se polimórficos. Os locus da anidrase carbônica (CA) e peptidase-B (PEP-B) não apresentaram variabilidade para ambas raças, caracterizando-se como mono-mórficos. O teste de Fisher revelou diferenças significativas entre rebanhos das raças Moxotó e Anglo Nubiana em relação às freqüências gênicas estimadas para os locus Hb, Est-D, XP e Alb. Entretanto, com base nos valores de Gst pode-se concluir que os locus Est-D, Alb e Tf foram os mais informativos podendo ser considerados ferramentas úteis para o estudo de caracterização e de relações genéticas entre raças caprinas. O dendograma construído a partir de estimativas de freqüências alélicas com base nos oito locus polimorficos apresentou dois clusters principais: um agrupando todos os rebanhos da raça Moxotó, exceto um dos rebanhos de Ibimirim do estado de Pernambuco e, o outro, os três rebanhos da raça Anglo Nubian

Análise de crescimento de Bixa orellana L. sob efeito da inoculação micorrízica e adubação fosfatada Analyses of Bixa orellana L. growth under the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation and phosphate fertilization

Este estudo objetivou avaliar o desenvolvimento de Bixa orellana L. em condições de viveiro sob efeito da inoculação micorrízica e adubação fosfatada. As plantas foram cultivadas em sacos de polietileno com 0,18 X 0,30 m e capacidade de 1,3 kg de substrato. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado com seis tratamentos e trinta repetições. As dosagens de fósforo utilizadas foram 0, 4.200 e 8.400 g m-3 de substrato. O fungo micorrízico arbuscular (FMA) da espécie Glomus clarum, foi utilizado em metade dos tratamentos (com e sem micorrizas) com inoculação de 2 g do fungo. As avaliações ocorreram 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias após a emergência das plântulas. Determinou-se a massa seca de folhas, área foliar, massa seca total, razão de área foliar, área foliar específica, taxa assimilatória líquida, taxa de crescimento relativo e taxa de crescimento absoluto. O fungo micorrízico facilita a absorção de fósforo pelo urucum, atendendo a sua exigência em relação ao nutriente. A dose de fósforo de 4.200 g m-3 em associação com FMA Glomus clarum ou 8.400 g m-3, com ou sem essa associação, são indicadas para o crescimento de plantas de urucum em viveiro, por promoverem adequadas respostas dos índices fisiológicos, contribuindo com seu desenvolvimento<br>This study aimed to evaluate the development of Bixa orellana L. under nursery conditions and subjected to the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation and phosphate fertilization. The plants were grown in polyethylene bags with dimensions of 0.18 x 0.30 m and capacity of 1.3 kg substrate. The adopted experimental design was completely randomized with six treatments and thirty replicates. The used phosphorus levels were 0, 4.200 and 8.400 g m-3 substrate. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) of the species Glomus clarum was used in half of the treatments (with and without mycorrhizae) with inoculation of 2 g of the fungus. Evaluations occurred at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after the emergence of seedlings. Leaf dry mass, leaf area, total dry mass, leaf area ratio, specific leaf area, net assimilation rate, relative growth rate and absolute growth rate were determined. The mycorrhizal fungus facilitates phosphorus uptake by annatto, fulfilling its requirement for the nutrient. The phosphorus level of 4.200 g m-3 in association with Glomus clarum or 8.400 g m-3, with or without this association, are indicated for annatto plant growth in nurseries since they promote appropriate responses of physiological indexes, contributing to the plant developmen