Life Strategies in Placozoa

Placozoans are essential reference species for understanding the origins and evolution of the animal organization. However, little is known about their life strategies in natural habitats. Here, by establishing long-term culturing for four species of Trichoplax and Hoilungia, we extend our knowledge about feeding and reproductive adaptations relevant to their ecology and immune mechanisms. Three modes of population growth depended upon feeding sources, including induction of social behaviors and different reproductive strategies. In addition to fission, representatives of all haplotypes produced swarmers, which could be formed from the lower epithelium (with greater cell-type diversity) as a separate asexual reproduction stage. In aging culture, we reported the formation of specialized structures (spheres) from the upper cell layer as a part of the innate immune defense response with the involvement of fiber cells. Finally, we showed that regeneration could be a part of the adaptive reproductive strategies in placozoans and a unique model for regenerative biology in general.

Photographic Reproduction and Enhancement Using HVS-Based Modified Histogram Equalization

Photographic reproduction and enhancement is challenging because it requires the preservation of all the visual information during the compression of the dynamic range of the input image. This paper presents a cascaded-architecture-type reproduction method that can simultaneously enhance local details and retain the naturalness of original global contrast. In the pre-processing stage, in addition to using a multiscale detail injection scheme to enhance the local details, the Stevens effect is considered for adapting different luminance levels and normally compressing the global feature. We propose a modified histogram equalization method in the reproduction stage, where individual histogram bin widths are first adjusted according to the property of overall image content. In addition, the human visual system (HVS) is considered so that a luminance-aware threshold can be used to control the maximum permissible width of each bin. Then, the global tone is modified by performing histogram equalization on the output modified histogram. Experimental results indicate that the proposed method can outperform the five state-of-the-art methods in terms of visual comparisons and several objective image quality evaluations.

Feeding behavior of cockatiels in captivity

In nature, cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) feed consists of a huge variety of seeds, fruits, flowers, leaves, and insects. In captivity, their feed is generally poor, as many breeders offer only a mixture of seeds as food, leading to nutrient deficiency and even obesity. This paper presents a study on cockatiel feeding behavior in artificial environments at different stages of development (growth, maintenance, and reproduction), to evaluate their preference from the offer of six different food types (sunflower seed, oats, millet, rice, ration, and a cornmeal based feed or farinhada), and an analysis of their preferences for locations in the cage. No significant differences were observed about the final weight of the birds during the stages of development. Consumption of millet seeds was significantly higher in the growth stage, but at this stage, the birds showed a preference for oats. On the other hand, at the reproduction and maintenance stages, they showed a preference for sunflower seeds. The birds in the reproduction stage were the ones that visited the nest, and the nest grid, the most. Among all the cage locations, all birds showed a preference for the perches.

LSA-GA: A Hybrid Algorithm for Solving Economic Emission Dispatch Problem

In this proposal, a hybrid algorithm is conveyed for unraveling Economic Emission Dispatch (EED) issue of the hybrid warm wind power age framework. The hybrid philosophy is a mix of Lightning Search Algorithm (LSA) with Genetic Algorithm (GA). In this, the consolidated endeavor of LSA-GA is utilized for upgrading the warm generators blends dependent on the vulnerability states of wind power. For catching the vulnerability states of wind power, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) with Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is utilized, so framework guaranteed the breeze power usage at higher. In this manner, the proposed philosophy is utilized for streamlining of the hybrid warm wind power age framework and limited the all out expense of activity. For assessing the adequacy of the proposed hybrid strategy, the six and the ten units of warm age is examined initially without wind power and besides with wind power. The two clashing goals for example fuel cost and outflow are streamlined at a similar interim of time. The proposed procedure is actualized in MATLAB/reproduction stage and results are analyzed by contrasting the got outcome and the consequence of Genetic Algorithm (GA). The examination uncovers that proposed approach has ability to deal with multi-target issues of advancement of electrical force frameworks, more efficiently.

Body mass as an estimate of female body condition in a hibernating small mammal

In hibernating squirrels, the amount of energy stored as fat may influence several important demographic traits, but is difficult to quantify in living animals. Thus, several non-destructive indices of body condition are used, including simple indices that use body mass and scaled indices that correct body mass for structural size. However, the accuracy of these indices for hibernating squirrels is poorly known. We used measurements of total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) from adult female Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels (Callospermophilus lateralis) to characterize body composition (lean mass versusfat mass) and condition (fat stores) at multiple stages in the circannual cycle. Body mass explained a high proportion of the variation in fat mass during the emergence and pre-hibernation stages, but less during the reproduction stage. Contrary to expectation, correcting for structural size did not markedly improve the condition index. Our results suggest that body mass is a good estimate of body condition during the periods of emergence and pre-hibernation fattening, and therefore may be useful to predict important components of fitness such as reproductive success and overwinter survival.

An explicit formula for a dispersal kernel in a patchy landscape

Integrodifference equations (IDEs) are often used for discrete-time continuous-space models in mathematical biology. The model includes two stages: the reproduction stage, and the dispersal stage. The output of the model is the population density of a species for the next generation across the landscape, given the current population density. Most previous models for dispersal in a heterogeneous landscape approximate the landscape by a set of homogeneous patches, and allow for different demographic and dispersal rates within each patch. Some work has been done designing and analyzing models which also include a patch preference at the boundaries, which is commonly referred to as the degree of bias. Individuals dispersing across a patchy landscape can detect the changes in habitat at a neighborhood of a patch boundary, and as a result, they might change the direction of their movement if they are approaching a bad patch.In our work, we derive a generalization of the classic Laplace kernel, which includes different dispersal rates in each patch as well as different degrees of bias at the patch boundaries. The simple Laplace kernel and the truncated Laplace kernel most often used in classical work appear as special cases of this general kernel. The form of this general kernel is the sum of two different terms: the classic truncated Laplace kernel within each patch, and a correction accounting for the bias at patch boundaries.

INSTITUSIONALISASI PENGANGGARAN BERBASIS KINERJA DI BADAN PERENCANAAN PEMBANGUNAN DAERAH PROVINSI JAWA TIMUR

This research is motivated by the phenomenon of paradigm shift of budget system from the traditional to performance-based that started sincethe enactment of regional autonomy system. This phenomenon occurs along with the demands of good governance that want higher levels of transparency,accountability, effectiveness and efficiency of budget management. Institutionalization process according to Burns and Scapens (2000) institutional theory takes place through four stages: encoding, enacting, reproduction and institutionalisation. This research aimsto understand the process of institutionalization of performance-based budgeting in Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Daerah Provinsi Jawa Timur. The method used in this research is qualitative method with exploratory case study approach and data collection was done through interview, observation and documentation.The results showed that the institutional position of Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Daerah Provinsi Jawa Timur was in the reproduction stage. This is because the organization still using the old routine and habit although there have been a legal regulation in the form of guidelines issued since 2006. These conditions that causing some problemsin the institutionalization of performance-based budgeting process has not run optimally.