Review
Biology
Robert Poulin
Summary: Functional biogeography studies trait-based distributional patterns to complement our understanding of spatial patterns in biodiversity, particularly focusing on variations in species traits at different latitudes. While some rules predict that species in the tropics have smaller body sizes, narrower niches, and smaller geographic ranges, empirical evidence for latitudinal gradients in parasite traits is weak and inconsistent, with host-related ecological traits likely playing a primary role.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Jack V. Johnson, Catherine Finn, Jacinta Guirguis, Luke E. B. Goodyear, Lilly P. Harvey, Ryan Magee, Santiago Ron, Daniel Pincheira-Donoso
Summary: This study used the most comprehensive dataset of amphibian body size worldwide and found that climate and elevation are the main drivers of body size patterns in amphibians. Other factors such as resource availability, biogeographic settings, and niche partitioning do not significantly affect body size evolution.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Angel Blanco-Lapaz, Almudena Martinez-Monzon, Hugues-Alexandre Blain, Gloria Cuenca-Bescos
Summary: This study reports on fish remains from the Gran Dolina cave in Spain, revealing a premountain river system with permanent, oxygen-rich, relatively cold flowing waters around the Sierra de Atapuerca during the Early-Middle Pleistocene. Taphonomic studies suggest that the European eagle owl was the likely predator responsible for the accumulation of fish bones. Changes in brown trout body size observed through the sequence cannot be attributed to climate change.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Matan Shelomi, Shai Meiri
Summary: This review provides a practical guide for ecogeographic research, covering everything from hypothesis generation to result interpretation. By consolidating existing methodologies into a single document, it allows scientists at all levels and from any institution to carry out investigations on any biological rule, taxon, and location.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biology
Alessio Maccagni, Yvonne Willi
Summary: High-elevation species have larger elevational ranges and are associated with spatial thermal variability. However, thermal variability is not associated with niche breadth or trait plasticity. Adaptive constraints are seen in the trade-off between frost and heat resistance, and phylogenetic niche conservatism.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Michael Heider, Helena Stegherr, Roman Sraj, David Paetzel, Jonathan Wurth, Joerg Haehner
Summary: This paper introduces a new machine learning algorithm, SupRB, that can construct concise, interpretable, and transparent models. By optimizing the model selection tasks separately, it enables users to easily fulfill explainability requirements specific to their use cases. The study finds that SupRB performs comparably to XCSF while allowing easier control of model structure and showing less sensitivity to random seeds and data splits. It performs slightly worse than Random Forests but better than Decision Trees. Importantly, SupRB has a substantially smaller overall model size, making it the easiest to interpret system without significantly sacrificing prediction accuracy.
APPLIED SOFT COMPUTING
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Fei Gao
Summary: Sparse rule base is a common problem in fuzzy rule-based systems. This paper presents a density-based fuzzy rule interpolation method that adaptively selects the closest rules with high similarity to the inputs. The method has been verified through fifteen classification benchmarks, demonstrating its effectiveness and efficiency.
APPLIED SOFT COMPUTING
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Jerzy Blaszczynski, Adiel T. de Almeida Filho, Anna Matuszyk, Marcin Szelag, Roman Slowinski
Summary: Financial fraud is on the rise with fraudsters finding new ways to get around fraud prevention systems, challenging traditional quantitative techniques and predictive models. This paper explores a new technique for predicting financial fraud in auto loan applications, finding it has advantages over traditional methods.
EXPERT SYSTEMS WITH APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Patricia Rodrigues da Silva, Marcio Borges-Martins, Guendalina Turcato Oliveira
Summary: The study evaluated the impact of herbicide exposure on biomarkers and oxidative balance in Melanophryniscus admirabilis tadpoles. Results showed decreased glycogen levels, reduced lipoperoxidation, and lower levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Glutathione S-transferase activity increased in response to herbicide exposure.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
H. Ishaq, I. Dincer
Summary: The paper investigates three renewable energy based configurations for hydrogen production: solar PV, geothermal power generation, and biomass gasification. It suggests that biomass gasification technique provides higher hydrogen production efficiency compared to geothermal power generation and solar PV systems.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Sara Sweidan, Nuha Zamzami, Sahar F. Sabbeh
Summary: This article presents a new intelligent system based on fuzzy ontology for predicting the severity of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis C. The system utilizes semantic rule-based techniques and achieves higher performance compared to the now-standard Mamdani fuzzy inference system. It also supports semantic interoperability between clinical decision support systems and electronic health record ecosystems.
JOURNAL OF KING SAUD UNIVERSITY-COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Siti Zanariah Satari, Nur Faraidah Muhammad Di, Yong Zulina Zubairi, Abdul Ghapor Hussin
Summary: This paper compares several algorithms for detecting multiple outliers in circular-circular regression model based on clustering algorithms. It uses circular distance to measure similarity and a stopping rule based on mean direction and circular standard deviation to identify potential outliers.
Article
Thermodynamics
Yavuz Selim Taspinar, Murat Koklu, Mustafa Altin
Summary: A sound wave flame extinction system was developed in the study with high success rates achieved through rule-based machine learning methods. The study accumulated a large dataset from experiments for early extinguishing of fires and performed classification analysis on the data.
CASE STUDIES IN THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ali Nasiri Khiavi, Mehdi Vafakhah, Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi
Summary: This study prioritized Sub-Watersheds based on Flood Generation Potential using Multi-Criteria Decision Making methods and compared them with a Hydrological Modeling Approach. SWs 9, 2, 7, 10, and 11 were given high priority in terms of flood generation potential. The Best-Worst Method provided the best result and was consistent with the field evidence and hydrological modeling results.
STOCHASTIC ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND RISK ASSESSMENT
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Hongyue Diao, Yifan Lu, Ansheng Deng, Li Zou, Xiaofeng Li, Witold Pedrycz
Summary: With the development of artificial intelligence, there is increasing attention on the high reliability and interpretability of resulting architectures and algorithms. This study proposes a convolutional rule inference network (CRIN) to improve interpretability by involving rules and utilizing optimized attribute weights based on evidential reasoning theory. Experimental results demonstrate that CRIN has advantages in terms of interpretability and learning capability.
KNOWLEDGE-BASED SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Edlley M. Pessoa, Joel M. P. Cordeiro, Leonardo P. Felix, Priscila Lemes, Juan Viruel, Marccus Alves, Mark W. Chase, Cassio Van den Berg
Summary: In this study, we investigated the past connections between Amazonian and Atlantic forests using the Epidendrum latilabre complex. Our results showed that climatic shifts during the Pleistocene played a major role in promoting speciation. We also found that sister species within the complex had distinct climate niche spaces, and speciation was mainly driven by vicariance and peripheral isolation. Evidence suggested that the south-east/north-west bridge and the northern/north-eastern coastal route were occupied by the ancestors of the complex. Further research is needed to understand the dynamics of historical connections between Amazonian and Atlantic forests for other Neotropical epiphytic taxa.
BOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Hamilton Ferreira Barreto, Leandro Jerusalinsky, Anderson A. Eduardo, Andre Chein Alonso, Eduardo Marques Santos Junior, Raone Beltrao-Mendes, Stephen F. Ferrari, Sidney F. Gouveia
Summary: Ongoing environmental changes pose a threat to the critically endangered blond titi monkey due to deforestation and hunting. Predictions show a potential reduction of one-third of the suitable area for the species in the future. Viable populations are mostly found in large forest remnants, but they also face a decline in climatic suitability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juan G. Rubalcaba, Sidney F. Gouveia, Fabricio Villalobos, Ariovaldo P. Cruz-Neto, Mario G. Castro, Talita F. Amado, Pablo A. Martinez, Carlos A. Navas, Ricardo Dobrovolski, Jose Alexandre Felizola Diniz-Filho, Miguel A. Olalla-Tarraga
Summary: Body size and shape play a fundamental role in determining energy requirements and evolution in organisms. This study focuses on bats and develops a biophysical model to investigate the energy constraints on morphological evolution. The results suggest that energy costs modulate the mode of morphological evolution in bats.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alejandro Estrada, Paul A. Garber, Sidney Gouveia, Alvaro Fernandez-Llamazares, Fernando Ascensao, Agustin Fuentes, Stephen T. Garnett, Christopher Shaffer, Julio Bicca-Marques, Julia E. Fa, Kimberley Hockings, Sam Shanee, Steig Johnson, Glenn H. Shepard, Noga Shanee, Christopher D. Golden, Anaid Cardenas-Navarrete, Dallas R. Levey, Ramesh Boonratana, Ricardo Dobrovolski, Abhishek Chaudhary, Jonah Ratsimbazafy, Jatna Supriatna, Inza Kone, Sylviane Volampeno
Summary: The research shows that Indigenous Peoples' lands play a significant role in safeguarding primate biodiversity, with approximately 71% of primate species inhabiting these lands. Protecting Indigenous Peoples' lands represents the greatest chance to prevent the extinction of the world's primates.
Article
Ecology
Anderson A. Eduardo, Alexandre Liparini, Pablo A. Martinez, Sidney F. Gouveia, Pablo Riul
Summary: Species distribution models (SDMs) rely on assumptions of equilibrium distribution with the environment and conserved climatic niche over geological time. Multitemporal calibration improves the temporal transferability of SDMs, allowing for integration of fossil and recent occurrence data.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Andre Vieira Rodrigues, Lais Aline Grossel, Leonardo Matheus Servino, Jose Alexandre Felizola Diniz-Filho
Summary: Body size is associated with physiological demands, habitat structure, and climatic variation. Herbivores tend to be larger due to their voluminous digestive system, while carnivores grow larger in relation to the size of their prey. The Bergmann's Rule suggests that larger endotherms are found in colder areas. In this study, the body size evolution of Mustelidae was analyzed, revealing that habitat, but not diet or temperature, is related to body size. Specifically, semi-aquatic species are larger, possibly due to factors such as thermal inertia and predation pressure.
EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Marlon Carlos da Silva Cintra, Priscila Lemes, Swanni T. Alvarado, Edlley Max Pessoa
Summary: The Orchidaceae family has the highest percentage of threatened genera and species compared to other plant families. This study assessed the conservation status of 63 Brazilian endemic species of the neotropical genus Epidendrum, revealing that a significant proportion of these species are at risk due to land conversion and urbanization.
JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Isadora Correia, Bruna de Franca Gomes, Fabricio Villalobos, Stephen F. Ferrari, Sidney F. Gouveia
Summary: Comparative research on non-human primates has attracted the interest of researchers in various fields due to the position of humans in the tree of life. Understanding phenotypic covariation in different species has been a focus of study. By analyzing the historical development of comparative research with primates, we can improve our understanding of phenotypic integration and diversity. This research also helps identify knowledge gaps, disputed questions, and new directions for both basic and applied research in the evolution of primate features and conservation. Our findings highlight the importance of comparative primatology in studying phenotypic integration and the use of phylogenetic comparative methods.
Editorial Material
Ecology
Sidney F. F. Gouveia, Shan Huang
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Laura Barreto de Paula-Souza, Daisy Jorge Lima, Gabriel Nakamura, Jose Alexandre Felizola Diniz-Filho
Summary: The study reveals that an adequate description of biodiversity patterns for sharks requires considering different biological dimensions. Phylogenetic diversity is the most important metric for understanding global and regional variations in shark biodiversity.
BASIC AND APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Leandro Duarte, Gabriel Nakamura, Vanderlei Debastiani, Renan Maestri, Maria Joao Ramos Pereira, Marcus Cianciaruso, Jose Alexandre Felizola Diniz-Filho
Summary: This article introduces a simulation approach coupled to approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) to evaluate the variation of biological diversity across spatial and environmental gradients. The analytical tool shows high accuracy in estimating the adaptation rate parameter but less precision in relation to the dispersal limitation parameter. The study sheds light on the links between niche evolution, dispersal limitation, and gradients of biological diversity, improving our understanding of evolutionary imprints on current biological diversity patterns.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jacqueline Souza Lima, Rosane Garcia Collevatti, Leciane Karita de Oliveira, Lazaro Jose Chaves, Ronaldo Veloso Naves, Thannya Nascimento Soares, Jose Alexandre Felizola Diniz Filho, Mariana Pires de Campos Telles
Summary: This study provides the first description of genetic diversity distribution and population structure in Brazilian cashew populations. The results suggest that future climate change will lead to the disappearance of genetic clusters and a homogenization of genetic variability. The loss of genetic diversity in cashew populations may reduce the species' ability to cope with predicted future climate changes.
Article
Ecology
Jose Alexandre F. Diniz-Filho, Marco Tulio Pacheco Coelho, Levi Carina Terribile
Summary: Macroecology and biogeography have made progress in understanding biodiversity patterns, but the problem of underdetermination remains a challenge. Underdetermination occurs when multiple explanations are consistent with data, leading to difficulties in theory and model development. This study explores different forms of underdetermination in macroecology and biogeography and their implications for understanding biodiversity patterns. It highlights the need for comprehensive approaches that consider hierarchical scales and phylogenetic relationships.
JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Camila Maria Ribeiro da Silva-Filha, Ramilla dos Santos Braga-Ferreira, Igor Lucien Bione Dardenne Barbosa, Aliane D'Oliveira Ricardo, Rafael Barbosa Pinto, Ariany Rosa Goncalves, Mariana Pires de Campos Telles, Jose Alexandre Felizola Diniz-Filho
Summary: Biodiversity is organized in three levels: within-species genetic diversity, between-species community diversity, and ecosystem diversity. Species-Genetic Diversity Correlation (SGDC) analysis is important for understanding biodiversity patterns and planning conservation efforts. In this study, SGDC analysis revealed a negative correlation between the genetic diversity of Stryphnodendron adstringens and the species diversity of Stryphnodendron and related genera. This suggests that conservation strategies should consider multiple levels of biodiversity.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Concepta Mcmanus, Abilio Afonso Baeta Neves, Jose Alexandre Diniz Filho, Felipe Pimentel, Daniel Pimentel
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between funding and citation impact at a national level. Data from Incites (R) (2011-2020) and the UNESCO database (2013-2018) were used. Overall analysis and cluster analysis based on R&D investments were conducted. Countries with lower R&D investments tend to have less business investment and fewer publications. However, countries in the lowest investment group show higher international collaboration and publications in Open Access Journals, leading to a higher impact but below countries with the highest R&D investments. The paths to high impact differ by cluster, with international collaboration appearing in multiple clusters and the percentage of papers in Top journal quartile based on citations appearing in almost all clusters. More investments in R&D and open access publishing do not necessarily lead to high impact.
ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS
(2023)
