Active galactic nuclei synapses: X-ray versus optical classifications using artificial neural networks

(Abridged) Many classes of active galactic nuclei (AGN) have been defined entirely throughout optical wavelengths while the X-ray spectra have been very useful to investigate their inner regions. However, optical and X-ray results show many discrepancies that have not been fully understood yet. The aim of this paper is to study the "synapses" between the X-ray and optical classifications. For the first time, the new EFLUXER task allowed us to analyse broad band X-ray spectra of emission line nuclei (ELN) without any prior spectral fitting using artificial neural networks (ANNs). Our sample comprises 162 XMM-Newton/pn spectra of 90 local ELN in the Palomar sample. It includes starbursts (SB), transition objects (T2), LINERs (L1.8 and L2), and Seyferts (S1, S1.8, and S2). The ANNs are 90% efficient at classifying the trained classes S1, S1.8, and SB. The S1 and S1.8 classes show a wide range of S1- and S1.8-like components. We suggest that this is related to a large degree of obscuration at X-rays. The S1, S1.8, S2, L1.8, L2/T2/SB-AGN (SB with indications of AGN), and SB classes have similar average X-ray spectra within each class, but these average spectra can be distinguished from class to class. The S2 (L1.8) class is linked to the S1.8 (S1) class with larger SB-like component than the S1.8 (S1) class. The L2, T2, and SB-AGN classes conform a class in the X-rays similar to the S2 class albeit with larger fractions of SB-like component. This SB-like component is the contribution of the star-formation in the host galaxy, which is large when the AGN is weak. An AGN-like component seems to be present in the vast majority of the ELN, attending to the non-negligible fraction of S1-like or S1.8-like component. This trained ANN could be used to infer optical properties from X-ray spectra in surveys like eRosita.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in A&A. Appendix B only in the full version of the paper here: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3484086/AGNSynapsis_OGM_online.pd

Evaluation of Soil Test Phosphorus Extractants and Tissue Analysis for Corn

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of four different soil test phosphorus methods (Mehlich 3, Bray 1, Bray 2, and Haney H3A) for corn production, and determine critical P tissue concentration at different growing stages. The experiment was conducted at 12 locations, and the fertilizer treatments consisted of five phosphorus fertilizer rates applied by broadcast pre-plant. Soil samples were collected at 0- to 6-in. depth, then samples were collected before treatment application by block. Tissue samples were collected at the V6 and R1 growth stages. The relationship between the different soil test phosphorus methods and the R2 varies between 0.24–0.93. Mehlich 3 and Bray 1 have a higher correlation, and Bray 1 and Bray 2 have a lower correlation. Linear plateau determined the critical phosphorus levels for the V6 growth stage was 0.42%, and for the R1 stage was 0.22%. The relationship between the concentration at V6 and R1 was moderately correlated with R2 = 0.62, having a higher phosphorus concentration in the early stage

Early-Season Corn Response to Broadcast Pre-Plant Phosphorus Fertilizer Application

The objective of this study was to evaluate early-season corn response to different rates of preplant broadcast phosphorus fertilizer and determine the optimum levels using four different soil test methods. The study was conducted in 11 locations across Kansas in 2021. The experimental design is a randomized complete block design with four replications. Fertilizer treatment consisted of five rates of phosphorus fertilizer (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 lb/a of P2O5). Fertilizer was applied one time by broadcast pre-plant. Soil samples were collected at 0- to 6-in. deep before treatment application, composited by blocks, and analyzed for soil test phosphorus using Mehlich 3, Haney H3A, Bray 1, and Bray 2 test methods. Whole plant sampling at V6 was collected for phosphorus uptake analysis. Results show that using early season phosphorus uptake response provided critical levels of 23 and 17 ppm of phosphorus for the Mehlich 3 and Bray 1 methods, respectively. For the Haney H3A method, the critical level was estimated at 15 ppm and for the Bray 2 method had an estimated critical value of 69 ppm. Phosphorus uptake at early season (V6) showed a significant response to broadcast phosphorus fertilization at four of eleven sites

The Impact of Opuntia ficus-indica and Other Vegetables on Serum Cholesterol and Triglycerides: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Background: Cholesterol is primarily synthesized in the liver. Treatment with statins and diet regulation are commonly prescribed for people with hypercholesterolemia. Previous claims suggest that the consumption of nopal and other vegetables may have a significant effect on diabetes but scarce is known about its relationship with cholesterol and triglycerides. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of nopal and other vegetables on serum cholesterol and triglyceride level in population not related with hypercholesterolemia. Methods: We analyzed a dataset comprising of students from UMAN and their relatives totaling 198 participants. Participants completed an informed consent, filled out questionnaires, anthropometric and serum lipid measurements. A semi-quantitative food questionnaire assessed the frequency and amount of consumption for 56-specific foods. We did a factor analysis with varimax rotation using 7 specific foods we were interested. We conducted linear regression analyses with total cholesterol, LDL-c, and triglycerides as dependent variables. Age, sex, BMI, body fat percentage, and consumption factors (fruits, vegetables, and grains) were included as predictors. Collinearity was assessed using VIF calculations. Results: Approximately 48% of participants consumed nopal on a weekly basis, with most considering their intake to be of median to large amounts, while only 11% reported never consuming nopal. Participants with diabetes showed higher nopal consumption [3.1 (s.e.m. 0.24) vs non-diabetic 2.7 (0.22) vs unknown 1.7 (0.28), p\u3c0.04]. A slight correlation was observed between high self-efficacy in diet and nopal ingestion (rho 0.15, p=0.02), but no significant correlations were found for fruits or grains. Regression analysis revealed that LDL-c was associated with obesity (b=-20, p=0.04) and marginally with body fat percentage (adjusted b=0.83, p=0.069), but not with any of the consumption factors. Total cholesterol was explained by age (adjusted b=0.5, p=0.002) and body fat percentage (b=1.05, p=0.024). HDL-c was marginally associated with sex (Male b=-8.3, p=0.08), while triglycerides were associated with age and obesity (overweight and Class-I, b=0.04, p=0.001 and b=0.04, p=0.04, respectively). No collinearity was found in the analyzed regressions (VIF between 0.1 and 3.4). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that cholesterol and other lipid traits are primarily influenced by genetic factors, with diet playing a minor role. Nopal, vegetables, and fruit showed no significant effects on serum lipid levels in our study. A limitation of our study is its cross-sectional design, and future research could benefit from longitudinal studies with controlled amounts of nopal and other foods

Diversidad de arbustos a lo largo de gradientes de elevación y perturbación en el centro de Veracruz, México

Background and Aims: Shrubs are an important floristic element of tropical forests; however, research on plants with this growth form is still scarce. The main objective of this study was to analyze the influence of elevation and disturbance on shrub richness and distribution patterns in the central region of Veracruz, Mexico.Methods: An elevational gradient (20-3500 m a.s.l.) was established along the eastern slopes of the Cofre de Perote, where floristic sampling was conducted at eight study sites within elevational belts of approximately 500 m each. We recorded the abundance of shrubs within 120 plots of 20 × 20 m, distributed in three habitats: conserved, disturbed and secondary forest. The species richness and floristic composition were analyzed, and the resulting data were compared between the different elevational belts and degrees of forest disturbance.Key results: We recorded 118 species and 14 morphospecies of shrubs, representing 8.6% of the shrubs reported for Veracruz. The forest fragments at elevations of 500 and 1000 m are the most species-rich; however, these are the most susceptible to human activities. The anthropogenic disturbance of these forests can increase species richness locally, but at the same time modifies the floristic composition from a conserved habitat to a secondary one.Conclusions: The present study is the first in the Neotropics that considers and analyzes shrubs as an individual group along a complete gradient using a uniform and comparable sampling method. This enabled us to detect which fragments of conserved, disturbed or secondary forest are highly diverse and at the same time susceptible to human disturbance. These sites can serve as strategic buffer zones and refuge of this group of plants, since regardless of their use intensity, they could and should be considered in future conservation plans in this region threatened by environmental degradation.Antecedentes y Objetivos: Los arbustos son un elemento florístico importante de los bosques tropicales; sin embargo, la investigación sobre plantas con esta forma de crecimiento aún es escasa. El objetivo principal de este estudio consistió en analizar la influencia de la elevación y la perturbación en los patrones de distribución y diversidad de los arbustos en la región central de Veracruz, México.Métodos: Se estableció un gradiente elevacional (20-3500 m s.n.m) en la ladera este del Cofre de Perote, donde se realizó un muestreo florístico en ocho pisos elevacionales separados por 500 m cada uno. Registramos la abundancia de arbustos dentro de 120 parcelas de 20 × 20 m, distribuidas en tres hábitats: bosque conservado, perturbado y secundario. Se analizó la riqueza, diversidad y composición florística; además, se compararon los datos resultantes entre los diferentes pisos elevacionales y los grados de perturbación del bosque.Resultados clave: Se registraron 118 especies y 14 morfoespecies de arbustos, lo que representa 8.6% de los reportados para Veracruz. Los fragmentos de bosque en las elevaciones de 500 y 1000 m son los más ricos en número de especies, pero también son los más susceptibles a las perturbaciones humanas. La influencia antrópica sobre estos bosques puede incrementar la diversidad de especies a nivel local, pero al mismo tiempo modifica la composición florística de un hábitat conservado a uno secundario.Conclusiones: El presente estudio es el primero en el Neotrópico en considerar y analizar los arbustos como un grupo individual a lo largo de un gradiente completo utilizando un método de muestreo uniforme y comparable. Esto permitió detectar aquellos fragmentos de bosque conservado, perturbado o secundario que son altamente diversos y susceptibles a los distrubios antrópicos. Estos sitios sirven como zonas estratégicas de amortiguación y refugio de este grupo de plantas, ya que independientemente de la intensidad de su uso, estos podrían y deberían considerarse en futuros planes de conservación en esta región amenazada por la degradación ambiental