Exploring the spectroscopic diversity of type Ia supernovae with DRACULA: a machine learning approach

The existence of multiple subclasses of type Ia supernovae (SNeIa) has been the subject of great debate in the last decade. One major challenge inevitably met when trying to infer the existence of one or more subclasses is the time consuming, and subjective, process of subclass definition. In this work, we show how machine learning tools facilitate identification of subtypes of SNeIa through the establishment of a hierarchical group structure in the continuous space of spectral diversity formed by these objects. Using Deep Learning, we were capable of performing such identification in a 4 dimensional feature space (+1 for time evolution), while the standard Principal Component Analysis barely achieves similar results using 15 principal components. This is evidence that the progenitor system and the explosion mechanism can be described by a small number of initial physical parameters. As a proof of concept, we show that our results are in close agreement with a previously suggested classification scheme and that our proposed method can grasp the main spectral features behind the definition of such subtypes. This allows the confirmation of the velocity of lines as a first order effect in the determination of SNIa subtypes, followed by 91bg-like events. Given the expected data deluge in the forthcoming years, our proposed approach is essential to allow a quick and statistically coherent identification of SNeIa subtypes (and outliers). All tools used in this work were made publicly available in the Python package Dimensionality Reduction And Clustering for Unsupervised Learning in Astronomy (DRACULA) and can be found within COINtoolbox (https://github.com/COINtoolbox/DRACULA).Comment: 16 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Moisture content estimation and senescence phenotyping of novel Miscanthus hybrids combining UAV-based remote sensing and machine learning

Miscanthus is a leading perennial biomass crop that can produce high yields on marginal lands. Moisture content is a highly relevant biomass quality trait with multiple impacts on efficiencies of harvest, transport, and storage. The dynamics of moisture content during senescence and overwinter ripening are determined by genotype × environment interactions. In this paper, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based remote sensing was used for high-throughput plant phenotyping (HTPP) of the moisture content dynamics during autumn and winter senescence of 14 contrasting hybrid types (progeny of M. sinensis x M. sinensis [M. sin x M. sin, eight types] and M. sinensis x M. sacchariflorus [M. sin x M. sac, six types]). The time series of moisture content was estimated using machine learning (ML) models and a range of vegetation indices (VIs) derived from UAV-based remote sensing. The most important VIs for moisture content estimation were selected by the recursive feature elimination (RFE) algorithm and were BNDVI, GDVI, and PSRI. The ML model transferability was high only when the moisture content was above 30%. The best ML model accuracy was achieved by combining VIs and categorical variables (5.6% of RMSE). This model was used for phenotyping senescence dynamics and identifying the stay-green (SG) trait of Miscanthus hybrids using the generalized additive model (GAM). Combining ML and GAM modeling, applied to time series of moisture content values estimated from VIs derived from multiple UAV flights, proved to be a powerful tool for HTPP

The Acute Effect of a Single Resistance Training Session on the Glycemic Response among Women with HIV/AIDS

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(2): 319-328, 2020. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a single resistance training session on the glycemic and lipid response of women with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) treated with Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). The sample consisted of 10 female subjects who underwent one resistance training session involving different muscle groups, that is, three sets of 8-12 repetitions with an interval of 90 seconds between the sets, and 120 seconds between exercises. The loads used in each exercise corresponded to an intensity equivalent to the interval of 5-7, which was in accordance with the OMNI-RES scale. The capillary glycemic levels were evaluated under the fed state before (Pre) and immediately after (Post) the exercise session. In order to evaluate the total cholesterol, HDL, and triglycerides (TG), blood samples were collected before (Pre) and one hour after the experimental protocol (Post). Non-HDL values were obtained using the Friedewald formula. The results showed that after a single resistance training session, alterations occurred in the glycemic response (p= 0.03), with a decrease of 11.4% in the values when comparing Pre and Post workout moments (99.8 ± 14.3 mg/dL vs. 87.3 ± 11.3 mg/dL, respectively). However, no significant result was observed regarding lipid response. In conclusion, a single resistance training session can reduce glycemic response in HIV positive people treated with ART without interfering with the lipid response

Effect of 16 Weeks of Resistance Training on Fatigue Resistance in Men and Women

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of hypertrophy-type resistance training (RT) on upper limb fatigue resistance in young adult men and women. Fifty-eight men (22.7±3.7 years, 70.6±9.3 kg, and 176.8±6.4 cm) and 65 women (21.6±3.7 years, 58.8±11.9 kg, and 162.6±6.2 cm) underwent RT for 16 weeks. Training consisted of 10–12 whole body exercises with 3 sets of 8–12 repetitions maximum performed 3 times per week. Before and after the RT intervention participants were submitted to 1RM testing, as well as a fatigue protocol consisting of 4 sets at 80% 1RM on bench press (BP) and arm curl (AC). The sum of the number of repetitions accomplished in the 4 sets in each exercise was used to indicate fatigue resistance. There was a significant (p\u3c0.05) time-by-group interaction in 1RM BP (men=+16%, women=+26%), however in 1RM AC no significant time-by-group interaction was observed (men=+14%, women=+23%). For the total number of repetitions, men and women showed a significant increase in BP (men=+16.3%, women=+10.5%) with no time-by-group interaction. The results suggest that the adaptation in maximal strength is influenced by sex in BP. On the other hand, for fatigue resistance, the individual’s sex does not seem to influence outcomes either in BP or AC

Yield performance of 14 novel inter- and intra-species Miscanthus hybrids across Europe

Funding information Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking, Grant/Award Number: 745012 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS For additional information and data collection many thanks to Oberer Lindenhof field station staff (OLI), Unifarm workers (SCH), experimental station Šašinovec technical stuff (ZAG). The authors are grateful for the support of the staff at the research stations at PAC. With particular thanks at the Trawsgoed site (TWS) to Robin Warren, Chris Glover, and the late Kevin Roderick. Thanks also to Michael Squance for use of and assistance with the Physis™ data management platform. FUNDING INFORMATION The GRACE project has received funding from the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (JU) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 745012. The JU receives support from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the Bio-based Industries Consortium.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Functional capacity and assistance from the caregiver during daily activities in brazilian children with cerebral palsy

Background: Cerebral Palsy (CP) presents changes in posture and movement as a core characteristic, which requires multiprofessional clinical treatments during children’s habilitation or rehabilitation. Besides clinical treatment, it is fundamental that professionals use evaluation systems to quantify the difficulties presented to the individual and their families in their daily lives. We aimed to investigate the functional capacity of individuals with CP and the amount of assistance required by the caregiver in day-to-day activities. Methods: Twenty patients with CP, six-year-old on average, were evaluated. The Pediatric Evaluation Inventory of Incapacities was used (PEDI - Pediatric Evaluation Disability Inventory), a system adapted for Brazil that evaluates child's dysfunction in three 3 dimensions: self-care, mobility and social function. To compare the three areas, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used. Results: We found the following results regarding the functional capacity of children: self-care, 27.4%, ±17.5; mobility, 25.8%, ±33.3 and social function, 36.3%, ±27.7. The results of the demand of aid from the caregiver according to each dimension were: self-care, 9.7%, ±19.9; mobility, 14.1%, ± 20.9 and social function, 19.8%, ±26.1. Conclusion: We indicated that there was no difference between the performance of the subjects in areas of self-care, mobility and social function considering the functional skills and assistance required by the caregiver.UNES

Functional capacity and assistance from the caregiver during daily activities in Brazilian children with cerebral palsy

Abstract\ud \ud \ud \ud Background\ud \ud Cerebral Palsy (CP) presents changes in posture and movement as a core characteristic, which requires multiprofessional clinical treatments during children’s habilitation or rehabilitation. Besides clinical treatment, it is fundamental that professionals use evaluation systems to quantify the difficulties presented to the individual and their families in their daily lives. We aimed to investigate the functional capacity of individuals with CP and the amount of assistance required by the caregiver in day-to-day activities.\ud \ud \ud \ud Methods\ud \ud Twenty patients with CP, six-year-old on average, were evaluated. The Pediatric Evaluation Inventory of Incapacities was used (PEDI - Pediatric Evaluation Disability Inventory), a system adapted for Brazil that evaluates child's dysfunction in three 3 dimensions: self-care, mobility and social function. To compare the three areas, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used.\ud \ud \ud \ud Results\ud \ud We found the following results regarding the functional capacity of children: self-care, 27.4%, ±17.5; mobility, 25.8%, ±33.3 and social function, 36.3%, ±27.7. The results of the demand of aid from the caregiver according to each dimension were: self-care, 9.7%, ±19.9; mobility, 14.1%, ± 20.9 and social function, 19.8%, ±26.1.\ud \ud \ud \ud Conclusion\ud \ud We indicated that there was no difference between the performance of the subjects in areas of self-care, mobility and social function considering the functional skills and assistance required by the caregiver.This manuscript received financial support from UNESP. The funding body provided financial support to make all procedures and in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication

Detecção dos genes codificantes da toxina CDT, e pesquisa de fatores que influenciam na produção de hemolisinas em amostras de Campylobacter jejuni de origem avícola

Resumo: Membros termofílicos do gênero Campylobacter são reconhecidos como importantes enteropatógenos para o ser humano e animais. A grande diversidade ecológica destes micro-organismos em diferentes habitats tais como água, animais e alimentos predispõem ao aparecimento de novos fatores de virulência. Este trabalho teve por objetivo detectar os genes codificantes da Toxina Distensiva Citoletal (CDT) por meio da técnica de PCR, pesquisar a atividade de hemolisinas e a influência de soluções quelantes e de íons nesta atividade. Foram utilizadas 45 amostras de Campylobacter jejuni de origem avícola para pesquisa de atividade hemolítica, cultivadas em Caldo Triptona de Soja (TSB). Após o crescimento bacteriano, as amostras foram semeadas em Ágar tríptico de soja (TSA) contendo 5% de sangue de ovino. Para verificar a influência de agentes quelantes e solução de íons na atividade hemolítica, as amostras de C. jejuni foram cultivadas em TSB contendo separadamente os quelantes EDTA, ácido acético, soluções de íons CaCl2, MgCl2 e FeCl3, em atmosfera de microaerofilia. Quanto à atividade de hemolisina de C. jejuni em placas de TSA - sangue ovino foi possível observar que houve hemólise em 40% das amostras analisadas apenas com caldo TSB. Somente o ácido acético apresentou ação quelante sobre a atividade de hemolisinas em amostras de C. jejuni semeadas em placas de TSA - sangue ovino. Para detecção dos genes cdtA, cdtB e cdtC através da técnica da Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR) foram utilizadas 119 amostras de C. jejuni de origem avícola. Foi possível observar que 37,8% possuíam o perfil de genes cdtABC. Os resultados demonstraram em amostras avícolas a presença de cepas de C. jejuni com potencial virulento, devido à presença dos genes da toxina CDT e potencial hemolítico, que apresentou ação reduzida in vitro com ácido acético