Training and hackathon on building biodiversity knowledge graphs

Knowledge graphs have the potential to unite disconnected digitized biodiversity data, and there are a number of efforts underway to build biodiversity knowledge graphs. More generally, the recent popularity of knowledge graphs, driven in part by the advent and success of the Google Knowledge Graph, has breathed life into the ongoing development of semantic web infrastructure and prototypes in the biodiversity informatics community. We describe a one week training event and hackathon that focused on applying three specific knowledge graph technologies – the Neptune graph database; Metaphactory; and Wikidata - to a diverse set of biodiversity use cases. We give an overview of the training, the projects that were advanced throughout the week, and the critical discussions that emerged. We believe that the main barriers towards adoption of biodiversity knowledge graphs are the lack of understanding of knowledge graphs and the lack of adoption of shared unique identifiers. Furthermore, we believe an important advancement in the outlook of knowledge graph development is the emergence of Wikidata as an identifier broker and as a scoping tool. To remedy the current barriers towards biodiversity knowledge graph development, we recommend continued discussions at workshops and at conferences, which we expect to increase awareness and adoption of knowledge graph technologies

Physiological Responses Underlying the Perception of Effort during Moderate and Heavy Intensity Cycle Ergometry

This study examined patterns of responses for physiological and perceptual variables during cycle ergometry at a constant rate of perceived exertion (RPE) within the moderate and heavy exercise intensity domains. Nineteen (mean age 21.3 ± 0.5 years; 43.4 ± 2.0 mL·kg−1·min−1 VO2Peak) moderately trained cyclists performed an incremental test to exhaustion and two 60 min constant RPE rides at the RPE corresponding to the gas exchange threshold (RPEGET) and 15% above the GET (RPEGET+15%). Oxygen consumption (VO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate (HR), minute ventilation (VE), breathing frequency (FB), and power output (PO) were monitored throughout the rides. Polynomial regression analyses showed VO2, RER, HR, and VE (correlation = −0.85 to −0.98) tracked the decreases in PO required to maintain a constant RPE. Only FB tracked RPE during the moderate and heavy intensity rides. Repeated measures ANOVAs indicated that VO2 during the 60 min rides at RPEGET was not different (p \u3e 0.05) from VO2 at GET from the incremental test to exhaustion. Thus, monitoring intensity using an RPE associated with the GET is sustainable for up to 60 min of cycling exercise and a common mechanism may mediate FB and the perception of effort during moderate and heavy intensity cycle ergometry

An evaluation of peptone products and fish meal on nursery pig performance

A total of 360 nursery pigs (PIC C327 × 1050, initially 11.8 lb and 21 d of age) were used in a 35-d study to evaluate the effects of select menhaden fish meal (SMFM), PEP2+ (also known as Ferm O Tide), Peptone 50, and PEP-NS on nursery pig performance. PEP2+, Peptone 50, and PEP-NS are all porcine intestinal mucosa products, but differ based on the carriers with which they are co-dried. PEP2+ is co-dried with enzymatically processed vegetable proteins. Peptone 50 is co-dried with a vegetable protein, while PEP-NS uses by-products from corn wet-milling. Phase 1 diets were fed in pellet form from d 0 to 8. Phase 2 diets were fed in meal form from d 8 to 21. A common corn-soybean meal diet was fed from d 21 to 35. There were 6 dietary treatments: (1) a negative control diet containing 2.5% spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) in Phase 1 followed by no specialty protein sources in Phase 2; (2) a diet containing 5% SDAP in Phase 1 and 3% SMFM in Phase 2; (3) a blend of 5% SDAP and 3% SMFM during Phase 1 and 6% SMFM during Phase 2; (4) a blend of 5% SDAP and 3% PEP2+ during Phase 1 and 6% PEP2 during Phase 2; (5) a blend of 5% SDAP and 3% PEP 50 during Phase 1 and 6% PEP50 during Phase 2, and (6) a blend of 5% SDAP and 3% PEP-NS during Phase 1 and 6% PEP-NS during Phase 2. During Phase 1, there were no differences in F/G among pigs fed any of the dietary treatments. During Phase 2 (d 8 to 21), pigs fed 6% PEP2+ had greater (P < 0.05) ADG compared to those fed the negative control diet, 3% or 6% fish meal, with pigs fed PEP50 and PEP NS intermediate. Furthermore, pigs fed 6% PEP2+ had the greatest improvement (P < 0.02) in F/G compared to pigs fed all other experimental diets. Overall, pigs fed diets containing PEP2+ had increased (P < 0.03) ADG and ADFI compared to pigs fed the negative control diet. Pigs fed 3% PEP2+ during Phase 1 and 6% PEP2+ during Phase 2 had greater (P < 0.05) ADFI compared to those fed 3% SMFM during Phase 1 and 6% SMFM during Phase 2. In conclusion, PEP2+, Peptone 50, and PEP-NS can be used as specialty protein sources to replace select menhaden fish meal in Phase 2 nursery pig diets. In addition pigs fed PEP2+ had greater ADG than those fed fish meal

Physiological Responses Underlying the Perception of Effort during Moderate and Heavy Intensity Cycle Ergometry

This study examined patterns of responses for physiological and perceptual variables during cycle ergometry at a constant rate of perceived exertion (RPE) within the moderate and heavy exercise intensity domains. Nineteen (mean age 21.3 ± 0.5 years; 43.4 ± 2.0 mL·kg−1·min−1 VO2Peak) moderately trained cyclists performed an incremental test to exhaustion and two 60 min constant RPE rides at the RPE corresponding to the gas exchange threshold (RPEGET) and 15% above the GET (RPEGET+15%). Oxygen consumption (VO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate (HR), minute ventilation (VE), breathing frequency (FB), and power output (PO) were monitored throughout the rides. Polynomial regression analyses showed VO2, RER, HR, and VE (correlation = −0.85 to −0.98) tracked the decreases in PO required to maintain a constant RPE. Only FB tracked RPE during the moderate and heavy intensity rides. Repeated measures ANOVAs indicated that VO2 during the 60 min rides at RPEGET was not different (p \u3e 0.05) from VO2 at GET from the incremental test to exhaustion. Thus, monitoring intensity using an RPE associated with the GET is sustainable for up to 60 min of cycling exercise and a common mechanism may mediate FB and the perception of effort during moderate and heavy intensity cycle ergometry

Individual Responses for Muscle Activation, Repetitions, and Volume during Three Sets to Failure of High- (80% 1RM) \u3ci\u3eversus\u3c/i\u3e Low-Load (30% 1RM) Forearm Flexion Resistance Exercise

This study compared electromyographic (EMG) amplitude, the number of repetitions completed, and exercise volume during three sets to failure of high- (80% 1RM) versus low-load (30% 1RM) forearm flexion resistance exercise on a subject-by-subject basis. Fifteen men were familiarized, completed forearm flexion 1RM testing. Forty-eight to 72 h later, the subjects completed three sets to failure of dumbbell forearm flexion resistance exercise with 80% (n = 8) or 30% (n = 7) 1RM. EMG amplitude was calculated for every repetition, and the number of repetitions performed and exercise volume were recorded. During sets 1, 2, and 3, one of eight subjects in the 80% 1RM group demonstrated a significant linear relationship for EMG amplitude versus repetition. For the 30% 1RM group, seven, five, and four of seven subjects demonstrated significant linear relationships during sets 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The mean EMG amplitude responses show that the fatigue-induced increases in EMG amplitude for the 30% 1RM group and no change in EMG amplitude for the 80% 1RM group resulted in similar levels of muscle activation in both groups. The numbers of repetitions completed were comparatively greater, while exercise volumes were similar in the 30% versus 80% 1RM group. Our results, in conjunction with those of previous studies in the leg extensors, suggest that there may be muscle specific differences in the responses to high- versus low-load exercise

Mapping the drivers of parasitic weed abundance at a national scale : a new approach applied to Striga asiatica in the mid‐west of Madagascar

The parasitic weed genus Striga causes huge losses to crop production in sub‐Saharan Africa, estimated to be in excess of $7 billion per year. There is a paucity of reliable distribution data for Striga ; however, such data are urgently needed to understand current drivers, better target control efforts, as well as to predict future risks. To address this, we developed a methodology to enable rapid, large‐scale monitoring of Striga populations. We used this approach to uncover the factors that currently drive the abundance and distribution of Striga asiatica in Madagascar. Two long‐distance transects were established across the middle‐west region of Madagascar in which S. asiatica abundance in fields adjacent to the road was estimated. Management, crop structure and soil data were also collected. Analysis of the data suggests that crop variety, companion crop and previous crop were correlated with Striga density. A positive relationship between within‐field Striga density and the density of the nearest neighbouring fields indicates that spatial configuration and connectivity of suitable habitats is also important in determining Striga spread. Our results demonstrate that we are able to capture distribution and management data for Striga density at a landscape scale and use this to understand the ecological and agronomic drivers of abundance. The importance of crop varieties and cropping patterns is significant, as these are key socio‐economic elements of Malagasy cropping practices. Therefore, they have the potential to be promoted as readily available control options, rather than novel technologies requiring introduction

Gaussian quantum operator representation for bosons

We introduce a Gaussian quantum operator representation, using the most general possible multimode Gaussian operator basis. The representation unifies and substantially extends existing phase-space representations of density matrices for Bose systems and also includes generalized squeezed-state and thermal bases. It enables first-principles dynamical or equilibrium calculations in quantum many-body systems, with quantum uncertainties appearing as dynamical objects. Any quadratic Liouville equation for the density operator results in a purely deterministic time evolution. Any cubic or quartic master equation can be treated using stochastic methods

Stable isotope food-web analysis and mercury biomagnification in polar bears ( Ursus maritimus )

Mercury (Hg) biomagnification occurs in many ecosystems, resulting in a greater potential for toxicological effects in higher-level trophic feeders. However, Hg transport pathways through different food-web channels are not well known, particularly in high-latitude systems affected by the atmospheric Hg deposition associated with snow and ice. Here, we report on stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios, and Hg concentrations, determined for 26, late 19th and early 20th century, polar bear ( Ursus maritimus ) hair specimens, collected from catalogued museum collections. These data elucidate relationships between the high-latitude marine food-web structure and Hg concentrations in polar bears. The carbon isotope compositions of polar bear hairs suggest that polar bears derive nutrition from coupled food-web channels, based in pelagic and sympagic primary producers, whereas the nitrogen isotope compositions indicate that polar bears occupy > fourth-level trophic positions. Our results show a positive correlation between polar bear hair Hg concentrations and δ 15 N. Interpretation of the stable isotope data in combination with Hg concentrations tentatively suggests that polar bears participating in predominantly pelagic food webs exhibit higher mercury concentrations than polar bears participating in predominantly sympagic food webs.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73930/1/j.1751-8369.2009.00114.x.pd