Measuring the magnitude of morphological integration: The effect of differences in morphometric representations and the inclusion of size

The magnitude of morphological integration is a major aspect of multivariate evolution, providing a simple measure of the intensity of association between morphological traits. Studies concerned with morphological integration usually translate phenotypes into morphometric representations to quantify how different morphological elements covary. Geometric and classic morphometric representations translate biological form in different ways, raising the question if magnitudes of morphological integration estimates obtained from different morphometric representations are compatible. Here we sought to answer this question using the relative eigenvalue variance of the covariance matrix obtained for both geometric and classical representations of empirical and simulated datasets. We quantified the magnitude of morphological integration for both shape and form and compared results between representations. Furthermore, we compared integration values between shape and form to evaluate the effect of the inclusion or not of size on the quantification of the magnitude of morphological integration. Results show that the choice of morphological representation has significant impact on the integration magnitude estimate, either for shape or form. Despite this, ordination of the integration values within representations is relatively the same, allowing for similar conclusions to be reached using different methods. However, the inclusion of size in the dataset significantly changes the estimates of magnitude of morphological integration, hindering the comparison of this statistic obtained from different spaces. Morphometricians should be aware of these differences and must consider how biological hypothesis translate into predictions about integration in each particular choice of representation.Fil: de Andrade Machado, Fabio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina. University of Massachussets; Estados UnidosFil: Hubbe, Alex. Universidade Federal da Bahia; BrasilFil: Melo, Diogo. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Porto, Arthur. University of Oslo; NoruegaFil: Marroig, Gabriel. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

Análise técnica e econômica de diferentes sistemas de transplantio de café (Coffea arabica L.)

Coffee is a prominent crop in Brazil, so much that in recent years, coffee crop has undergone major changes such as the introduction of mechanization in different operations previously performed manually, and if the transplant operation using machinery has become an viable alternative for farmers enabling increased operational capacity. The trial was carried out in Nazareno- MG, aiming to conduct a technical and economic analysis of different systems of transplanting. This work was carried out employing mechanized assembly used for the realization of transplanting of cultivar Catuaí IAC 144. The time required to perform various operations in different sets of mechanized systems evaluated and their fixed and variable costs, and determined the operating performance were analyzed. Based on the results obtained, the system of mechanized transplanting showed higher technical and economic viability in relation to others. The depreciation, repairs and maintenance and fuel consumption are the components of costs that most affect the operating cost occurs in systems where use of machinery with greater intensity.O café é uma cultura de destaque no Brasil, tanto que nos últimos anos, a cafeicultura passou por grandes modificações como a introdução da mecanização em diferentes operações, antes realizadas manualmente. No caso da operação de transplanti, a utilização de máquinas tem se mostrado uma alternativa viável aos produtores possibilitando aumento da capacidade operacional. O trabalho foi conduzido no município de Nazareno-MG, objetivando-se realizar uma análise técnica e econômica de diferentes sistemas de transplantio. Dessa forma, para a realização do estudo, empregaram-se conjuntos mecanizados utilizados para a realização do transplantio da cultivar Catuaí IAC 144. Foram analisados os tempos necessários para a realização de diversas operações dos conjuntos mecanizados nos diferentes sistemas avaliados, seus respectivos custos fixos e variáveis e os respectivos parâmetros de desempenho operacional. Com base nos resultados obtidos o sistema de transplantio mecanizado apresentou maior viabilidade técnica e econômica em relação aos demais. A depreciação e o consumo de combustível são os componentes de custos que mais afetam no custo operacional dos sistemas em que ocorre uso de maquinário com maior intensidade

Photobiomodulation by Led Does Not Alter Muscle Recovery Indicators and Presents Similar Outcomes to Cold-Water Immersion and Active Recovery

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on muscle recovery based on inflammation (interleukin-10 [IL-10]; tumor necrosis factor-α [TNFα]), muscle damage markers (creatine kinase [CK]; lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]), delay onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and countermovement jump performance (CMJ) after two sprint interval training (SIT) sessions compared with a placebo condition (part-I), as well as to compare the effectiveness of PBMT with active recovery (AR) and cold-water immersion (CWI) (part-II).Methods: Part-I was conducted as a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled study and part-II as a parallel-group study. Thirty-six men participated in the studies (12 participants in part-I and 36 participants in part-II). Volunteers performed two SITs interspaced by 24-h (SIT1 and SIT2) to mimic the effect of accumulating 2 consecutive days of SIT. In part-I, only after SIT2, PBMT [Total energy: 600J (300J per leg in 5 spots); wavelength: 660–850 nm] or placebo interventions were performed, while in part-II PBMT (part-I data), AR (15-min; 50% of the maximal aerobic power), or CWI (10-min; 10°C) were carried out, also after SIT2. Blood samples were collected before (i.e., baseline), and 0.5, 1, 24, 48, and 72-h after SIT2, while CMJ and DOMS were measured before, 24, 48, and 72-h after SIT2.Results: In part-I, there were no interactions between PBMT and placebo conditions for any blood markers (P ≥ 0.313), DOMS (P = 0.052), and CMJ (P = 0.295). However, an effect of time was found with increases in LDH, CK, and IL-10 (P ≤ 0.043) as well as a decrease in DOMS at 72-h compared with 24-h (P = 0.012). In part-II, there were no interactions between the PBMT, AR, and CWI groups for any markers at the same moments (P ≥ 0.189) and for the peak and integral values (P ≥ 0.193), for DOMS (P = 0.314) and CMJ (P = 0.264). However, an effect of time was found with an increase in CK and IL-10 (P = 0.003), while DOMS decreased at 48 and 72-h compared with 24-h (P = 0.001).Conclusion: In summary, PBMT had no effect on inflammation, muscle damage, CMJ performance, or DOMS after two consecutive sprint interval training sessions compared to placebo, CWI, and AR strategies

Adição da macroalga Kappaphycus alvarezii em rações de frangos de corte na fase inicial

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the nutrient digestibility, zootechnical performance, and bone quality parameters of broilers fed a diet containing increasing levels of the macroalgae Kappaphycus alvarezii from one to 21 days of age. A total of 150 Cobb 500® broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments, six replications, and five birds per replicate. The total excreta collection method was applied from the 15th and 20th day for the metabolism trial. The following bone quality parameters were assessed: the Seedor index, bone strength, and bone ashes. Dry ground macroalgae were added to the feed in the levels 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0%; replacing the inert kaolin. Incorporation of Kappaphycus alvarezii did not influence performance parameters, bone quality parameters, or the coefficients of retention for bone ash and phosphorus. As for feed digestibility, decreases (p<0.05) were observed in apparent metabolizable energy and the coefficients of digestibility for dry matter, crude protein, and crude energy with the inclusion of algae. The algae Kappaphycus alvarezii shows potential as an additive in broiler feed, but a possible decrease in digestibility deserves consideration.Foi realizado um experimento para avaliar a digestibilidade de nutrientes, o desempenho zootécnico e parâmetros de qualidade óssea de frangos de corte alimentados, de um a 21 dias de idade, com rações contendo níveis crescentes da macroalga Kappaphycus alvarezii. O total de 150 frangos da linhagem Cobb 500® foram distribuídos em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos, seis repetições e cinco aves por repetição. O ensaio de metabolismo utilizado foi o de coleta total de excretas, do 15º ao 20º dia. Os parâmetros ósseos avaliados foram o índice de Seedor, resistência a quebra e cinzas ósseas. A macroalga seca e moída foi adicionada às rações de frango de corte nos valores de 0%, 0,5%, 1,0%, 1,5% e 2,0%; em substituição ao inerte caulim. A adição de Kappaphycus alvarezii não influenciou os parâmetros de desempenho, os parâmetros de qualidade óssea e os coeficientes de retenção de cinzas e do fósforo. Na avaliação da digestibilidade das rações foram observadas reduções (p<0,05) na energia metabolizável aparente e nos coeficientes de digestibilidade da matéria seca, da proteína bruta e da energia bruta com a inclusão da alga. A alga Kappaphycus alvarezii apresenta potencial como aditivo nas rações de frangos de corte, mas deve ser considerada a possível diminuição da digestibilidade da dieta

Multidrug-Resistant Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Isolated from Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Worldwide, nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) have become emergent pathogens of pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, with an estimated prevalence ranging from 5 to 20%. This work investigated the presence of NTM in sputum samples of 129 CF patients (2 to 18 years old) submitted to longitudinal clinical supervision at a regional reference center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From June 2009 to March 2012, 36 NTM isolates recovered from 10 (7.75%) out of 129 children were obtained. Molecular identification of NTM was performed by using PCR restriction analysis targeting the hsp65 gene (PRA-hsp65) and sequencing of the rpoB gene, and susceptibility tests were performed that followed Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommendations. for evaluating the genotypic diversity, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and/or enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence PCR (ERIC-PCR) was performed. the species identified were Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii (n = 24), M. abscessus subsp. abscessus (n = 6), Mycobacterium fortuitum (n = 3), Mycobacterium marseillense (n = 2), and Mycobacterium timonense (n = 1). Most of the isolates presented resistance to five or more of the antimicrobials tested. Typing profiles were mainly patient specific. the PFGE profiles indicated the presence of two clonal groups for M. abscessus subsp. abscessus and five clonal groups for M. abscesssus subsp. bolletii, with just one clone detected in two patients. Given the observed multidrug resistance patterns and the possibility of transmission between patients, we suggest the implementation of continuous and routine investigation of NTM infection or colonization in CF patients, including countries with a high burden of tuberculosis disease.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)PDTIS-FIOCRUZUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Programa Posgrad Clin Med, Hosp Univ Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniv Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Programa Posgrad Ciencias Med, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Fac Ciencias Med, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilInst Fernandes Figueira Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniv Estado Rio de Janeiro, Hosp Univ Pedro Ernesto, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Microbiol, BR-21941 Rio de Janeiro, BrazilFundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Inst Pesquisa Evandro Chagas, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilInst Doencas Torax, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilJohns Hopkins Univ, Baltimore, MD USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Fluminense, Inst Biomed, Niteroi, RJ, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, São Paulo, BrazilFAPERJ: 103.225/2011FAPERJ: 103.287/2011FAPERJ: 110.272/2010FAPERJ: 110.761/2010FAPERJ: 111.497/2008CNPq: 476536/2012-0CNPq: 473444/2010-0CNPq: 567037/2008-8Web of Scienc

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September to 6 October 2016