Production Of Scientific Results Research Articles

How to Professionally Develop Reusable Scientific Software—And When Not To

A critical challenge in scientific computing is balancing developing high-quality software with the need for immediate scientific progress. We present a flexible approach that emphasizes writing specialized code that is refactored only when future immediate scientific goals demand it. Our lazy refactoring technique, which calls for code with clearly defined interfaces and sharply delimited scopes to maximize reuse and integrability, helps reduce total development time and accelerates the production of scientific results. We offer guidelines for how to implement such code, as well as criteria to aid in the evaluation of existing tools. To demonstrate their application, we showcase the development progression of tools for particle simulations originating from the Glotzer Group at the University of Michigan. We emphasize the evolution of these tools into a loosely integrated software stack of highly reusable software that can be maintained to ensure the long-term stability of established research workflows.

Levantamento Florístico e Fitossociológico de Plantas Daninhas: Uma Revisão dos Métodos Encontrados

Este trabalho teve por objetivo conhecer, apresentar e analisar métodos de avaliação da composição florística e fitossociológica de plantas daninhas das principais culturas agrícolas, baseando-se em dados bibliográficos de diversos autores, dentro da literatura pertinente. Além dos cálculos específicos, como densidade e frequência, outros métodos de análise fitossociológica foram considerados quando utilizados nos levantamentos sobre a ocorrência de plantas daninhas de interesse econômico na literatura e também a variabilidade de métodos que podem ser utilizados para a condução do trabalho a campo do manejo de plantas daninhas. É recomendável que o trabalho de identificação de plantas daninhas seja feito após a colheita, onde a infestação é maior e a riqueza é considerável, outrora, a identificação de plantas muda de acordo com a cultura implantada seja perene ou anual. Várias outras cultivares podem ser avaliadas em períodos diferentes do recomendado como, por exemplo, o feijão-caupi, avaliado na fase vegetativa, e o guaraná, avaliado por idade das plantas. Os métodos de avaliação variam muito de autor para autor, o que torna difícil a escolha e padronização de um método para a avaliação florística e fitossociológica das plantas invasoras, dentro de um contexto do MIPD (manejo integrado de plantas daninhas) e na geração de resultados científicos. Tal retrato caracteriza a diversidade e complexidade dos agroecossitemas, dentro do contexto dos sistemas produtivos, e aponta para a necessidade de mais estudos. Floristic and Phy Tosociological Survey of Weeds: A Review of Methods Employed ABSTRACT: Current survey aims at knowing, presenting and analyzing the evaluation methods of the floristic and phytosociological composition of weeds from the main agricultural environment. It is based on bibliographical data from several authors within the extant literature. Besides specific methods, such as density and frequency, other phytosociological methods were investigated when used in the survey on the occurrence of economically interesting weeds mentioned in the literature and also in the variability of methods that may be employed on the field for weed management. It should be recommended that weed identification may be done after harvest since during this period infestation is highest and richness abounds. Plant identification changes according to perennial or annual culture. Several cultivars should be evaluated during different periods than those recommended, such as the caupi-beans, evaluated during the vegetative phase, and guaraná, evaluated by the plant´s age. Evaluation method vary according to authors and it is rather difficult to select and standardize a method for the floristic and phytosociological evaluation of invading plants within the integrated management of weeds, and in the production of scientific results. The above characterizes the diversity and complexity of agroecosystems within the context of production systems. Further studies are required. KEYWORDS: Floristics; Methods; Weeds; Variability.

A Roadmap for Bridging Basic and Applied Research in Forensic Entomology

The National Research Council issued a report in 2009 that heavily criticized the forensic sciences. The report made several recommendations that if addressed would allow the forensic sciences to develop a stronger scientific foundation. We suggest a roadmap for decomposition ecology and forensic entomology hinging on a framework built on basic research concepts in ecology, evolution, and genetics. Unifying both basic and applied research fields under a common umbrella of terminology and structure would facilitate communication in the field and the production of scientific results. It would also help to identify novel research areas leading to a better understanding of principal underpinnings governing ecosystem structure, function, and evolution while increasing the accuracy of and ability to interpret entomological evidence collected from crime scenes. By following the proposed roadmap, a bridge can be built between basic and applied decomposition ecology research, culminating in science that could withstand the rigors of emerging legal and cultural expectations.