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Phylogenetic analysis and biogeography of Scolia (Hymenoptera, Scoliidae, Scoliinae): implications for the classification and origin of Scoliini
No full textScoliidae is a commonly found cosmopolitan family and currently one of the most neglected taxa within Hymenoptera. As expected, information on the members of this group is scarce and extremely outdated, especially when it comes to their phylogenetic relationships. The genus Scolia Fabricius, 1755 includes species that do not present diagnostic characters used to identify the other genera of Scoliini, and so it can be considered a “dumping ground group”. Seeking to better understand the evolutionary history and, consequently, the morphological variation in “New World” Scolia species, the phylogenetic relationships among all species from the Neotropical and Nearctic Regions and their biogeography are analysed for the first time. For this, 104 morphological characters are proposed from males and females of 45 species. The phylogenetic analysis points to the monophyly of the “New World” species, and the biogeographical analysis indicates that the “New World” species originated from a Palaearctic ancestor, through a dispersal event to the Nearctic Region. Considering the taxonomic history and phylogenetic relationships obtained, aiming to initially resolve a part of the chaotic taxonomic situation of Scolia and its subgenera, here we proposed that the subgenus Discolia should be restricted exclusively to the “New World” and the species from the “Old World” should no longer be treated as Discolia, being considered as members of Scolia s.s. Additionally, Hesperoscolia should be considered a junior synonym of Discolia. Furthermore, the phylogenetic analysis confirms the monophyly of most Scoliini genera included in it.Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Laboratório de Aculeata Instituto de Biociências Letras e Ciências Exatas Universidade Estadual Paulista “Julio de Mesquita Filho”, Rua Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, Jardim Nazareth – São José do Rio PretoDepartamento de Ciências Biológicas Laboratório de Aculeata Instituto de Biociências Letras e Ciências Exatas Universidade Estadual Paulista “Julio de Mesquita Filho”, Rua Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, Jardim Nazareth – São José do Rio Pret
Game Data Science: generating inferences with Artificial Intelligence using data from digital games
No full textEste estudo teve como objetivo explorar a aplicação de técnicas estatísticas e de inteligência artificial na extração de inferências a partir de dados de partidas do jogo League of Legends, com ênfase na análise do desempenho de jogadores e equipes em ambientes competitivos. Utilizando dados públicos da API da Riot Games, foram coletadas e analisadas estatísticas de quatro jogadores profissionais brasileiros, aplicando métodos estatísticos descritivos e testes de hipótese para identificar padrões relevantes. Em seguida, algoritmos de aprendizado de máquina como Random Forest, XGBoost e SVM foram utilizados para tarefas de regressão e classificação, avaliando a capacidade preditiva dos modelos por meio de métricas como MAE, RMSE, acurácia, recall e F1-score. O SVM se destacou na previsão de vitórias, atingindo até 80,8% de recall. O estudo conclui que, mesmo com limitações como tamanho reduzido da amostra e ausência de variáveis contextuais, é possível extrair insights significativos de partidas com potencial para aplicação em estratégias de equipes, desenvolvimento de ferramentas analíticas e suporte a decisões no cenário de e-sports.This study aimed to explore the application of statistical techniques and artificial intelligence to generate inferences from match data in the game League of Legends, with an emphasis on analyzing the performance of players and teams in competitive environments. Using public data from the Riot Games API, statistics from four professional Brazilian players were collected and analyzed, applying descriptive statistical methods and hypothesis testing to identify relevant patterns. Subsequently, machine learning algorithms such as Random Forest, XGBoost, and SVM were applied to regression and classification tasks, evaluating the predictive capacity of the models using metrics such as MAE, RMSE, accuracy, recall, and F1-score. SVM stood out in victory prediction, achieving up to 80.8% recall. The study concludes that, despite limitations such as a small sample size and lack of contextual variables, it is possible to extract meaningful insights from matches with potential applications in team strategies, the development of analytical tools, and decision support in the e-sports scenario
Types of Environmental Enrichments Offered for Cats and their Association with Housing Features and Cat Personality
No full textEnvironmental enrichment designed in accordance with the cats’ individuality and household characteristics is one of the most effective and widely used tools to enhance feline welfare. This study aimed to evaluate the types of environmental enrichments provided by cat guardians and their associations with housing features and cat personality. An online questionnaire was developed including questions about types of enrichment provided, housing features (indoor vs. outdoor, house vs. apartment), and a scale with 18 personality traits. A total of 3,083 responses were collected. Most of the guardians declared to provide environmental enrichment items for their cats. The items most offered were play interaction (77.4%), access to a balcony and/or window with a protective net (72.7%), places to hide (54.5%), and toys (46.0%). The items with lower frequencies were water fountains (34.5%), self-groomers (11.3%), outdoor walks on a leash (6.5%), and food puzzles (3.5%). The choice of enrichment items was more related to housing features than to the cat’s personality. Enrichment provision was more associated with indoor housing and cats living in apartments than with cats living outdoors and in houses.Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade e Conservação da Natureza Universidade Federal de Juiz de ForaPrograma de Pós-graduação em Psicologia Experimental Instituto de Psicologia Universidade de São PauloLaboratório de Bem-estar Animal Universidade Federal do ParanáFaculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Unesp Campus de JaboticabalFaculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Unesp Campus de Jaboticaba
Participatory analysis of disaster risk creation in Brazilian coastal cities: bridging remote sensing and citizen generated data
No full textPurpose: This paper aimed to develop a participatory methodology to analyze the disaster risk creation in coastal cities, based on an approach that combines social, urban, environmental and disaster risk elements. Design/methodology/approach: The methodology uses some aspects of three theoretical approaches in a complementary way: i) the Pressure and Release (PAR) framework for the identification of dynamic pressures that contribute to disaster risk creation; ii) the application of Drivers, Pressure, State, Impact, Response (DPSIR) framework to analyze environmental dimensions; and iii) urban analysis, applying the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) tool to classify urban processes. The methodology combined the use of satellite remote sensing data to analyze the urban sprawl and citizen science methods to collect social and environmental data, using the case study of the watershed of the Juqueriquerê River in the coastal city of Caraguatatuba, Brazil. The pilot project was part of a local university extension project of the undergraduate course on Architecture and Urban Planning and also engaged residents and city hall representatives. Findings: The satellite remote sense data analysis indicated a continuous urban sprawl between 1985 and 2020, especially in the south of the Juqueriquerê watershed, reducing urban drainage and increasing the extension and water depth of urban flooding and riverine floods. Using citizen science methods, undergraduates identified settlements with limited economic resources to elevate houses and a lack of infrastructure to promote a resilient coastal city. After identifying the dynamic pressures that contribute to disaster risk creation and the weaknesses and strengths of a resilient city, undergraduate students proposed urban planning interventions and gray and green infrastructure projects to mitigate disaster risks. Social implications: The paper identifies urban sprawl in disaster-prone areas as one of the risk factors contributing to disaster. It also comprehensively analyzes differences between different zones in the Juqueriqere River, which will be useful for policy-making. Originality/value: The method presented an interdisciplinary approach that used satellite remote sensing data and citizen science techniques to analyze disaster risks in coastal cities. The multidimensional approach used to evaluate risks is useful and can be replicated in other similar studies to gain a more comprehensive understanding of disaster risks.Graduate Program in Natural Disasters Unesp/CemadenNational Center for Monitoring and Early Warning of Natural Disasters (Cemaden)Department of Environmental Engineering Sao Paulo State University (Unesp)Graduate Program in Natural Disasters Unesp/CemadenDepartment of Environmental Engineering Sao Paulo State University (Unesp
Development of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in tomato genotypes
No full textTomato plants are the most widely cultivated fruit vegetables globally. The tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) is the leading pest of this crop and can cause up to 100% loss of production. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate the development and resistance of antibiosis and non-preference types (antixenosis) for oviposition and feeding of T. absoluta in commercial tomato hybrids in choice and no-choice tests. For the experiments, an open-pollinated tomato cultivar was used as a control: ‘Santa Clara’ cultivar - susceptible - Italian type, along with eight commercial tomato hybrids were used: ‘Compack’ - salad type, ‘Caniati’ - Italian type, ‘Grazianni’ - Italian type, ‘Sweet Heaven’ - grape type, ‘Cascade’ - cherry type, ‘Ellen’ - salad type, ‘Bento’ - Italian type, and ‘Dominador’ - salad type, all having an indeterminate growth habit. According to the evaluated biological parameters (dendrogram and principal component analysis - PCA), the ‘Sweet Heaven’ hybrid showed a negative effect on the development of T. absoluta, with an increase in the duration of the larval, adult, and total phases, and low larval and total viability. The tomato hybrid ‘Cascade’ exhibited lower attractiveness for T. absoluta oviposition in no-choice tests. The tomato hybrids ‘Sweet Heaven’, ‘Compack’, and ‘Cascade’ showed a lower percentage of leaf area consumed. However, ‘Dominador’, ‘Santa Clara’, and ‘Ellen’ were the tomato genotypes that showed higher susceptibility to the development of T. absoluta, encompassing high larval, pupal, and total viability (larva-adult period). Concluding that the ‘Sweet Heaven’ hybrid negatively affected the development cycle of T. absoluta, while the ‘Cascade’ hybrid exhibited lower attractiveness for oviposition.Universidade Estadual Paulista, SPUniversidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, PRUniversidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, MTUniversidade Estadual Paulista, S
Management and use of information and media communication technologies in the context of organizational knowledge management
No full textAs tecnologias da informação e comunicação midiática são ferramentas que propiciam o armazenamento, acesso, uso e compartilhamento de dados e informação nos mais diversos formatos e contextos organizacionais. Portanto, o problema de pesquisa está vinculado às seguintes questões: Como as tecnologias da informação e comunicação midiática contribuem no processo de construção de conhecimento? A definição de aspectos relevantes de gestão e uso de tecnologias informacionais são relevantes para o desenvolvimento organizacional? O objetivo desta tese de doutorado é analisar e propor um conjunto de aspectos relevantes de gestão e uso das tecnologias da informação e comunicação midiática no processo de gestão do conhecimento organizacional. De tal modo, as organizações poderão fazer bom e devido uso dessas ferramentas informacionais, agregando vantagens competitivas e que contribuirão com o desenvolvimento das organizações. Para tanto, na metodologia de análise e construção de representações conceituais, utilizou-se o método Estudo de Caso de Yin (2010). Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, de caráter exploratório e natureza qualiquantitativa. Frente os resultados, desenvolveu-se na seção 8 os aspectos relevantes de gestão e uso de tecnologias da informação e comunicação midiática no processo de gestão do conhecimento, a qual contempla, contextos organizacionais, culturais, comportamentais e conceitos de tecnologias midiáticas e gestão do conhecimento para o contexto organizacional. Ainda, os resultados mostraram que a empresa privada pesquisada utiliza as tecnologias da informação e comunicação midiática com o propósito de facilitar na organização de informações, comunicações entre os colaboradores, ações cotidianas e, também, no armazenamento de informação para posteriores tomadas de decisão relacionadas ao microambiente e macroambiente. Portanto, o Estudo de Caso foi essencial na obtenção de informações estratégicas para a construção dos resultados. Nesse viés, buscou-se evidenciar nesta pesquisa maior clareza dos processos de gerenciamento de tecnologias no ambiente empresarial, expondo maneiras eficazes de melhor aproveitamento do uso das tecnologias midiáticas, ainda, no processo de gestão do conhecimento. Assim, as tecnologias da informação e comunicação midiática apresentam-se mais do que ferramentas do cotidiano, são tecnologias propiciadoras de conhecimentos, os quais podem ser transformados em vantagens competitivas e de utilização relevante para as organizaçõesInformation and media communication technologies are tools that enable the storage, access, use, and sharing of data and information in a wide variety of formats and organizational contexts. Therefore, the research problem is linked to the following questions: How do information and media communication technologies contribute to the knowledge construction process? Is the definition of relevant aspects of information technology management and use relevant to organizational development? The objective of this doctoral thesis is to analyze and propose a set of relevant aspects of information and media communication technology management and use in the organizational knowledge management process. This way, organizations can make effective and appropriate use of these information tools, gain competitive advantages and contribute to organizational development. To this end, Yin's (2010) case study method was used in the methodology for analysis and construction of conceptual representations. This is a descriptive, exploratory, and qualitative-quantitative study. Based on the results, Section 8 developed relevant aspects of the management and use of information and media communication technologies in the knowledge management process, which encompasses organizational, cultural, and behavioral contexts, as well as concepts of media technologies and knowledge management within the organizational context. Furthermore, the results showed that the private company studied uses information and media communication technologies to facilitate information organization, communication among employees, daily activities, and information storage for later decision-making related to the micro- and macro-environment. Therefore, the Case Study was essential in obtaining strategic information for the construction of the results. In this context, this research sought to provide greater clarity on technology management processes in the business environment, exposing effective ways to better utilize media technologies in the knowledge management process. Thus, information and media communication technologies are more than just everyday tools; they are knowledge-enabling technologies that can be transformed into competitive advantages and relevant uses for organizationsCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)CAPES: 88887.177886/2025-0
OsteoCLUST: a framework for clustering the response of bone biomaterials
No full textAs lesões ósseas constituem um dos problemas mais comuns na área médico-odontológica. A reconstrução de tecidos perdidos é um dos grandes desafios enfrentados pelos profissionais dessas áreas, exigindo muitas vezes a aplicação de biomateriais capazes de uma boa regeneração tecidual. Apesar da relevância médica, social e econômica de tais biomateriais, pouco se avançou em metodologias de bioanálise capazes de hierarquizar novos biomateriais. Nos últimos 10 anos o grupo LaBIO vem atuando no desenvolvimento de ferramentas que possam contornar esta problemática. O objetivo deste projeto foi avaliar diferentes scores de bioinformática computados sob um experimento (disponível em base de dados aberta) de sequenciamento do transcriptoma de células cultivadas sobre 21 diferentes biomateriais ósseos. Estes diferentes scores foram então utilizados para a realização de agrupamentos (clusterização) dos biomateriais e ao final foram disponibilizados os resultados na forma de um aplicativo (ou dashboard) para que usuários possam comparar seus resultados com a base de dados gerada. O aplicativo tem como nome: OsteoCLUST. Concluindo, pretende-se que o produto gerado sirva de parâmetro de referência para novas análises, focando sua difusão no setor produtivo na área de biomateriais.Bone injuries are among the most common issues in the medical and dental fields. The reconstruction of lost tissues remains one of the greatest challenges faced by professionals in these areas, often requiring the use of biomaterials capable of promoting effective tissue regeneration. Despite the medical, social, and economic relevance of such biomaterials, there has been little progress in developing bioanalytical methodologies capable of ranking new biomaterials. Over the past 10 years, the LaBIO group has been working on developing tools to address this challenge. The objective of this project was to evaluate different bioinformatics scores computed from a transcriptome sequencing experiment (available in an open-access database) of cells cultured on 21 different bone biomaterials. These various scores were then used to perform clustering of the biomaterials, and the results were made available in the form of an application (or dashboard) allowing users to compare their own results with the generated dataset. The application is named: OsteoCLUST. In conclusion, the generated tool is intended to serve as a reference framework for future analyses, with a focus on its dissemination within the biomaterials industry.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)00
Breed and trace mineral source influence the performance of beef heifers during periods of nutrient restriction and grazing forage at early vegetative stage
No full textWe evaluated the effects of breed and mineral sources on heifer performance during periods of nutrient restriction and grazing. On day −7, ½ Angus × ½ Nelore (ANE) and Nelore (NE) heifers (12 heifers per breed; body weight, BW = 264 ± 35 kg; age = 15 ± 1 mo) were assigned to individual drylot pens to receive ad libitum Tifton 85 (Cynodon sp.) hay and white salt for 7 d. On day 0, within each breed, heifers were randomly assigned (2 × 2 factorial arrangement) to receive protein supplementation (0.20% of BW; dry matter, DM) added with sulfate (SUL) or hydroxychloride (HYD) sources of Cu, Mn, and Zn from days 0 to 49. From days 0 to 34, hay DM intake was restricted to 50% of the ad libitum intake recorded from days −7 to −1. On day 35, heifers were transferred to individual pastures to graze Tifton 85 forage at the early vegetative stage until day 49. No effects of breed × mineral source × day and breed × mineral source were detected (P ≥ 0.11). Nelore heifers had greater (P ≤ 0.02) average daily gain (ADG) from days 0 to 35 and days 0 to 49 compared to ANE heifers. Cumulative diarrhea incidence, fecal pH, and total days of diarrhea symptoms did not differ (P ≥ 0.19) between breeds. Nelore heifers had greater (P ≤ 0.05) serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) from days 35 to 45 but had less (P ≤ 0.05) serum concentrations of cortisol and haptoglobin on days 42 and 45, respectively. Serum concentrations of urea N were greater (P ≤ 0.05) for NE vs. ANE heifers on days 0 and 42 and were less (P ≤ 0.05) for NE vs. ANE on days 38, 45, and 49. Heifers supplemented with HYD had (P ≤ 0.05) greater ADG from days 0 to 35, lower cumulative diarrhea incidence and percentage of heifers exhibiting ≥ 2 d of diarrhea from days 36 to 49, less serum concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) on day 35, and less serum concentrations of NEFA, cortisol, and urea N on day 38 compared to SUL heifers. In summary, breed influenced serum concentrations of haptoglobin, cortisol, urea N, insulin, and IGF-1, and the growth of beef heifers during nutrient restriction, but did not impact growth and incidence of diarrhea during periods of grazing forage at the early vegetative stage. Regardless of breed, replacing sulfate with hydroxychloride sources of Cu, Mn, and Zn led to minimal reductions in serum concentrations of NEFA, cortisol, and urea N, enhanced growth during nutrient restriction, and reduced diarrhea incidence during grazing of early vegetative forage.Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia Universidade Estadual Paulista, SPUniversity of Florida IFAS – Range Cattle Research and Education CenterTrouw Nutrition Brazil, SPTrouw Nutrition R&DDepartment of Animal Science Texas A&M UniversityNutreco Nederland Selko Feed AdditivesFaculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia Universidade Estadual Paulista, S
Repetitive DNAs and differentiation of the ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system in the combtail fish Belontia hasselti (Perciformes: Osphronemidae)
No full textBackground: Java combtail fish Belontia hasselti (Cuvier, 1831), a member of the Osphronemidae family, inhabits lakes and rivers throughout Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka. Previous cytogenetic research revealed it possesses a diploid chromosome number of 48 chromosomes with a female-heterogametic ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system, where the W chromosome is distinguishable as the only metacentric element in the complement. Female-heterogametic sex chromosome systems seem to be otherwise surprisingly rare in the highly diverse order Perciformes and, therefore, B. hasselti provides an important comparative model to evolutionary studies in this teleost lineage. To examine the level of sex chromosome differentiation in B. hasselti and the contribution of repetitive DNAs to this process we combined bioinformatic analyses with chromosomal mapping of selected repetitive DNA classes, and comparative genomic hybridization. Results: By providing the first satellitome study in Perciformes, we herein identified 13 satellite DNA monomers in B. hasselti, suggesting a very low diversity of satDNA in this fish species. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we revealed detectable clusters on chromosomes only for four satellite DNA monomers. Together with the two mapped microsatellite motifs, the repeats primarily accumulated on autosomes, with no distinct clusters located on the sex chromosomes. Comparative genomic hybridization showed no region with accumulated female-specific or enriched repeats on the W chromosome. Telomeric repeats terminated all chromosomes, and no additional interstitial sites were detected. Conclusion: These data collectively indicate a low degree of sex chromosome differentiation in B. hasselti despite their considerable heteromorphy. Possible mechanisms that may underlie this pattern are discussed.Friedrich-Schiller-Universität JenaDepartamento de Genética e Evolução Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São CarlosLaboratory of Fish Genetics Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics Czech Academy of Sciences, Rumburská, 89Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Faculdade de Ciências Universidade Estadual Paulista, BauruFaculty of Interdisciplinary Studies Khon Kaen University Nong Khai Campus, Nong KhaiDepartment of Biology Faculty of Science Khon Kaen University, Khon KaenJena University Hospital Friedrich Schiller University Institute of Human GeneticsDepartamento de Ciências Biológicas Faculdade de Ciências Universidade Estadual Paulista, Baur
Beneficial bacteria improve seedling growth and nutrition and promote biological control of coffee diseases
No full textAim: We investigated the effects of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) on the growth and nutrition of coffee seedlings and the biological control of coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix), brown eye spot (Cercospora coffeicola), and leaf blight (Boeremia coffeae). Methods and results: In the first part of the study, 19 PGPB strains, obtained in the phyllosphere, endosphere, and rhizosphere of coffee and other hosts, produced varied metabolites related to plant growth and biological control. Two coffee cultivars were treated with the bacterial strains, but cultivar Catuaí Amarelo IAC 62 was less responsive to the treatments. Five rhizospheric strains, from different genera, Bacillus cereus (Rb1), Pseudomonas koreensis (Rb2b), Enterobacter mori (Mn2), Bacillus safensis (Ob3a), Enterobacter cloacae (RBca5), and two endophytic strains, Enterobacter hormaechei (EOb1) and Paraburkholderia caribensis (Beca88) enhanced seed germination, plant biomass, and nutrient accumulation in cultivar Catuaí VermelhoIAC144 seedlings. In the second part of the study, three strains, the phyllospheric Pseudomonas gozinkensis (Mn1F), the endophytic P. caribensis (BEca88), and the rhizospheric E. cloacae (RBca5) reduced the severity of coffee leaf rust, brown eye spot, and leaf blight. Conclusions: PGPB from different genera, obtained in varied hosts and habitats, showed positive effect, improving plant fitness and controlling important coffee diseases, standing out the strains P. gozinkensis (Mn1F), P. caribensis (IAC-BEca-088), and E. cloacae (IAC-RBca5).Soils and Environmental Resources Center Agronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC), 13020-902 CampinasDepartment of Plant Protection School of Agricultural Sciences São Paulo State University (UNESP), São PauloCoffee Centre alcides Carvalho Agronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC), SPCenter for Research and Development of Plant Genetic Resources Agronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC), SPLaboratório de Fitopatologia Instituto Biológico (IB), São PauloDepartment of Plant Protection School of Agricultural Sciences São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paul