Here, we present a set of algorithms using the Python programming language, that will allow using a routine for object detection and tracking in experimental videos. We developed a script, under the ...fundamentals of background subtraction and image thresholding (using the OpenCV package), that makes it possible to track a wide spectrum of animals under different conditions. We have validated this script through testing on semi-terrestrial and aquatic crustacean species and under different experimental scenarios (laboratory and field sampling and using video created under nocturnal and diurnal conditions). The open-source nature of the script allows for flexibility and scalability, so it can be easily customized and is thus transferable to other species/experiments in the context of behavioral ecology. The tracking script is easy customizable and free alternative to commercial video tracking systems and therefore, applicable to a wide variety of both educational and research programs.
Long-term ecological data is essential to identify impacts of global change or to analyse the response of local systems to perturbations. Thus, ecologists are facing the compromise to collect and ...process longer-term data while specific funding for those purposes is extremely scarce. Although more funding to gather and store long term data would be ideal, it is unlikely to occur, at least in the short term. Another (most plausible) option could be to dive among the many spreadsheets belonging to one or more colleagues with shared variables and from several projects over the years. Obviously, this might be an extremely time-consuming and tedious task. To simplify this and save time, it would be ideal to store as much data as possible (individual or lab generated) in a single comprehensive database. Given that the process of building, maintaining and doing queries on such databases could be scary for ecologists not familiarized, here we provide a step-by-step guide to build 1) a generic and versatile ecological database, and 2) a graphical user interface to load, update, verify, view and download data. The scripts to build them are programmed on open-software (MariaDB and R), and we also provide instructions to change them according to many usual situations.
A inovação tecnológica é um processo complexo e o desempenho das organizações depende da sua capacidade de evoluir para se manter com sucesso em mercados cada vez mais globais e competitivos. A ...interdisciplinaridade é parte fundamental da inovação, porque as modernas soluções dependem da atuação integrada das diversas áreas do conhecimento para que os resultados sejam maximizados. A construção de uma abordagem interdisciplinar é, portanto, fundamental para promover a criação de respostas a quaisquer desafios que possam vir a confrontar as sociedades e organizações. Assim, este trabalho define esses conceitos relevantes e faz uma ligação entre o desenvolvimento de diferentes competências e habilidades de forma interdisciplinar reunindo as bases para um processo de inovação tecnológica e acadêmica orientado à solução de problemas reais, através de ampla pesquisa bibliográfica e valendo-se de um estudo de caso aplicado em uma instituição de ensino superior. A proposta foi seguir as novas Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais dos Cursos de Engenharia (DCN) (MEC, 2019a), pela Resolução MEC nº 2, de 24 de abril de 2019 e propor melhorias nas grades do curso de engenharia civil. Adaptando a nova consciência que o curso pode ter 25% da grade EAD (Ensino a Distância) e que a interdisciplinaridade faz parte da inovação.
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