207 research outputs found
Image processing features extraction on fish behaviour
No full textThis chapter demonstrates the pipeline fromdata collection until classifier
2 models that achieve the best possible model in identifying the disparity between
3 hunger states. The pre-processing segment describes the features of the data sets
4 obtained by means of image processing. The method includes the simple moving
5 average (SMA), downsizing factors, dynamic timewarping (DTW) and clustering by
6 the k-meansmethod. This is to rationally assign the necessary significant information
7 from the data collected and processed the images captured for demand feeder and
8 fish motion as a synthesis for anticipating the state of fish starvation. The selection of
9 features in this study takes place via the boxplot analysis and the principal component
10 analysis (PCA) on dimensionality reduction. Finally, the validation of the hunger
11 state will be addressed by comparing machine learning (ML) classifiers, namely the
12 discriminant analysis (DA), support vector machine (SVM) and k-nearest neighbour
13 (k-NN). The outcome in this chapter will validate the features fromimage processing
14 as a tool for identifying the behavioural changes of the fish in school size
Monitoring and feeding integration of demand feeder systems
No full textThis chapter highlights the findings of the developmental monitoring systems for swimming pattern or motion analysis with regard to feeding behaviour. A benchmark for examining the framework on how scientists control fish in animal variable function factors was gathered and referred to gauge the adequate design in constructing a viable device. The validation of image processing and automated demand feeder to determine the results will also be considered, as a validation aspect between the system of tracking and the behaviour of the Lates calcarifer where the pixel intensity will be extracted as the features. The results of this chapter will enable the reader on the development of an integrated feeder scheme that consolidates surveillance scheme to identify the feeding behaviour and relation towards the specific growth rate (SGR)
Hyperparameter tuning of the model for hunger state classification
No full textTo increase the classification, the rate of prediction based on existing models requires additional technique or in this case optimizing the model. Hyperparameter tuning is an optimization technique that evaluates and adjusts the free parameters that define the behaviour of classifiers. Data sets were classified practical with classifiers like SVM, k-NN, ANN and DA. To further improve the design efficiency, the secondary optimization level called hyperparameter tuning will be further investigated. DA, SVM, k-NN, decision tree (Tree), logistic regression (LR), random forest tree (RF) and neural network (NN) are evaluated. The k-NN provided 96.47% of the test sets with the best reliability in classifications. Bayesian optimization has been used to refine the hyperparameter; hence, standardize Euclidean distance metric with a k value of one is the ideal hyperparameters which could achieve classification performance of 97.16%
Time-series identification on fish feeding behaviour
No full textThe identification of relevant parameters that could describe the state of fish hunger is vital for ensuring the appropriate allocation of food to the fish. The establishment of these relevant parameters is non-trivial, particularly when developing an automated demand feeder system. The present inquiry is being undertaken to determine the hunger state of Lates calcarifer. For data collection, a video analysis system is used, and the video was taken all day, where the fish was fed by an automatic feeding system. Sixteen characteristics of the raw data set have been extracted through feature engineering for 0.5 min, 1.0 min, 1.5 min and 2.0 min, respectively, in accordance with the mean, peak, minimum and variability of each of the different time window scales. Furthermore, the features extracted have been evaluated through principal component analysis (PCA) both for dimension reduction and PCA with varimax rotation. The details were then categorized using support vector machine (SVM), K..
Challenges and understandings of creative practice in professional sport training
No full textWe conducted a qualitative study involving twelve expert sports coaches to explore and compare the range of creative practices they adopted during their professional activities. Their written responses to open-ended questions highlighted different interrelated dimensions of creative engagement in coaching sport, suggesting that efforts to instil creativity may initially focus on an individual athlete; they may often span a range of behaviours dedicated to efficiency; they may involve significant degrees of freedom and trust; and they cannot be captured by a single defining feature. We contextualise these findings in the light of recent literature in sports studies, performance science and creativity research, providing concrete examples based on the written statements provided by our participants. We conclude by offering insights for future research and coaching practice that may be relevant in broader domains
Mind the gap: distributed practice enhances performance in a MOBA game
No full textUnderstanding how humans master complex skills has the potential for wide-reaching societal benefit. Research has shown that one important aspect of effective skill learning is the temporal distribution of practice episodes (i.e., distributed practice). Using a large observational sample of players (n = 162,417) drawn from a competitive and popular online game (League of Legends), we analysed the relationship between practice distribution and performance through time. We compared groups of players who exhibited different play schedules using data slicing and machine learning techniques, to show that players who cluster gameplay into shorter time frames ultimately achieve lower performance levels than those who space their games across longer time windows. Additionally, we found that the timing of intensive play periods does not affect final performance—it is the overall amount of spacing that matters. These results extend some of the key findings in the literature on practice and learning to an ecologically valid environment with huge n. We discuss our work in relation to recent studies that have examined practice effects using Big Data and suggest solutions for salient confounds
Estudo da atividade biológica de Baccharis articulata, Musa x paradisiaca e rutina na homeostasia da glicose em modelos experimentais in vivo e in vitro
No full textTese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Ciências da Saúde. Programa de Pós-Graduação em FarmáciaA insulina é o principal hormônio anabólico responsável pelo controle da captação, utilização e armazenamento dos nutrientes celulares como carboidratos, proteínas e lipídios, sendo essencial para a manutenção da homeostasia da glicose, o crescimento e diferenciação celular. Defeitos na ação e/ou na secreção de insulina podem levar à hiperglicemia, característica da diabetes melito. A diabetes melito é uma patologia complexa e multifatorial de elevada morbidade e mortalidade e, por esse motivo, é considerada uma epidemia, caracterizando um problema de saúde pública mundial. Muitas plantas são conhecidas na medicina popular de diferentes culturas pelas propriedades hipoglicemiantes e tem um uso crescente no tratamento da diabetes. Os compostos fenólicos derivados de plantas, especialmente os flavonóides, apresentam diversas propriedades e tem um potencial terapêutico muito investigado. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar o efeito de extratos e frações de Bacharis articulata (carqueja) e de Musa x paradisiaca (banana), assim como do flavonóide rutina, na homeostasia da glicose em modelos experimentais in vivo e in vitro. As duas espécies foram avaliadas quanto às atividades anti-hiperglicêmica e/ou hipoglicemiante na curva de tolerância à glicose e em modelos de diabetes induzidos experimentalmente, como a secreção de insulina, o conteúdo de glicogênio hepático e muscular, a inibição das enzimas ?-glicosidases e a propriedade anti-glicação, assim como o conteúdo de flavonóides. Além disso, foi estudado o mecanismo de ação da rutina na captação de glicose e de cálcio em músculo sóleo, e também a secreção de insulina in vivo e o mecanismo de ação da rutina na captação de cálcio em ilhotas pancreáticas isoladas. Para tanto, foram utilizados ratos Wistar machos entre 50-55 dias de idade. Para a realização da curva de tolerância à glicose as coletas de sangue, para determinação da glicose e insulina sérica, foram realizadas nos tempos zero, 15, 30, 60, 120 e 180 minutos. Nos ensaios para a determinação do conteúdo de glicogênio os tecidos foram retirados dos animais 3 h após os tratamentos. As atividades das dissacaridases intestinais e a propriedade anti-glicação foram realizadas in vitro. A captação de 14C-glicose e de 45-cálcio (45Ca2+) foi estudada após a incubação do músculo sóleo com a rutina. As ilhotas pancreáticas foram isoladas e incubadas com 45Ca2+ e rutina, na presença ou não de diferentes inibidores e ativadores. Os extratos brutos, as frações n-butanol e residual aquosa de B. articulata e de M. x paradisiaca reduziram significativamente a glicemia de ratos normais hiperglicêmicos e potencializaram a secreção de insulina induzida por glicose. Além disso, observou-se um aumento no conteúdo de glicogênio no músculo sóleo e fígado após os tratamentos, principalmente com as frações n-butanol das duas espécies vegetais. Os extratos e as frações reduziram a atividade da maltase e preveniram a glicação. A rutina estimulou a captação de glicose e cálcio no músculo, estimulando a captação de glicose através da ativação de uma via insulinomimética e uma via independente da sinalização clássica da insulina. Além disso, a rutina estimulou a secreção de insulina in vivo e a captação de cálcio em ilhotas pancreática isoladas, atuando como um potencial agente secretagogo de insulina. Desta forma, apoiado nos resultados obtidos neste trabalho, propõe-se que as espécies vegetais, Baccharis articulata e Musa x paradisiaca, e o flavonóide rutina aqui estudados possam regular a homeostasia da glicose. Os mecanismos envolvem a inibição da enzima que permite a absorção intestinal da glicose, a inibição da glicação, o estímulo da secreção de insulina e o aumento na utilização de glicose pelos tecidos periféricos, evidenciando que estas duas espécies e a rutina podem atuar por múltiplos mecanismos de ação para regular a homeostasia da glicose e colaborar na prevenção das complicações da diabetes.Insulin is the main anabolic hormone responsible for controlling the uptake, use and storage of cellular nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. It is essential for the maintenance of glucose homeostasis, growth and cellular differentiation. Defects in action and / or secretion of insulin may lead to hyperglycemia, which characterizes diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is a complex and multifactorial disease with high morbidity and mortality, therefore is considered epidemic causing a public health problem worldwide. Many plants are known in folk medicine of different cultures for their hypoglycemic properties showing an increasing use in the treatment of diabetes. The plant-derived phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids, have several properties and their therapeutic potential has been investigated. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of extracts and fractions of Baccharis articulata ("carqueja") and Musa x paradisiaca ("banana"), as well as the flavonoid rutin, in glucose homeostasis using in vivo and in vitro experimental models. Antihyperglycemic and / or hypoglycemic activity in the curve of glucose tolerance and in models of experimentally induced diabetes, insulin secretion, the hepatic glycogen content and muscle, inhibition of the enzymes á-glucosidases and anti-glycation property were investigated, as well as the content of flavonoids. In addition, was also studied the mechanism of action of rutin in glucose and calcium uptake in soleus muscle, and also the in vivo insulin secretion and the mechanism of action of rutin on calcium uptake in rat isolated pancreatic islets. For in vivo experiments, Wistar male rats with 50-55 days of age were used. To glycemia and serum insulin determination blood samples were collected at zero, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min in glucose tolerance curve. Tissues were removed from animals 3 h after oral administration of treatments to determine glycogen contents. The intestinal disaccharidases activities and anti-glycation property were performed in vitro. The glucose and calcium uptake was studied after incubation of the soleus muscle with rutin, in the presence or not of different inhibitors and of 14C-glucose or calcium (45Ca2+). The pancreatic islets were isolated and incubated with 45Ca2+ and rutin in the presence or absence of various inhibitors or activators. The crude extracts and n-butanol and residual aqueous fractions of B. articulata and of M. x paradisiaca showed potential anti-hyperglycemic activity in hyperglycemic normal rats and potentiated glucose-induced insulin secretion. Additionaly, it was observed an increase on glycogen content in muscle and liver after treatments, mainly with the n-butanol fractions of two species. The extracts and fractions reduced the activity of maltase and prevented glycation. Also, rutin stimulated glucose and calcium uptake in soleus muscle, stimulating glucose uptake via activation of an insulin-mimetic and an insulin-independent signaling pathways. Additionally, rutin stimulated insulin secretion in vivo and calcium uptake in isolated pancreatic islets, as a potential insulin secretagogue agent. Thus, these results suggest that Baccharis articulata, M. x paradisiaca and rutin are able to regulate glucose homeostasis. The mechanisms involve the inhibition of the enzyme that allows the intestinal absorption of glucose, the inhibition of glycation, the stimulation of insulin secretion and increase in glucose utilization by peripheral tissues showed that these plant species and rutin may act by multiple mechanisms of action to regulate glucose homeostasis, thereby contributing to the prevention of diabetes-related complications
Effect of 1-month war in Lebanon on sex ratio
No full textOur study showed no effect of 33-day war in Lebanon on sex ratio. More research is needed to explore other modifying factors for a better understanding of the complex effect of wars on sex ratio changes. © 2009 American Society for Reproductive Medicine.Abu-Musa A, 2008, REPROD BIOMED ONLINE, V17, P21; Abu-Musa AA, 2007, FERTIL STERIL, V88, P1579, DOI 10.1016-j.fertnstert.2007.01.067; Ansari-Lari M, 2002, J EPIDEMIOL COMMUN H, V56, P622, DOI 10.1136-jech.56.8.622; Bisioli C, 2004, HUM REPROD, V19, P218, DOI 10.1093-humrep-deh027; *CAP OCHA, 2006, LEB CRIS FLASH APP; Catalano R., 2003, HUM REPROD, V9, P1972; Catalano RA, 2005, SOC SCI MED, V60, P537, DOI 10.1016-j.socscimed.2004.06.008; *CENTR ADM STAT PR, LEB REP; Fukuda M, 1996, HUM REPROD, V11, P1244; Fukuda M, 1998, HUM REPROD, V13, P2321, DOI 10.1093-humrep-13.8.2321; Graffelman J, 2000, HUM BIOL, V72, P433; Grech V, 2000, J EPIDEMIOL COMMUN H, V54, P244, DOI 10.1136-jech.54.4.244; Hansen D, 1999, BRIT MED J, V319, P548; Hilsenrath RE, 1997, FERTIL STERIL, V68, P510, DOI 10.1016-S0015-0282(97)00247-1; Jacobsen R, 2000, HUM REPROD, V15, P2369, DOI 10.1093-humrep-15.11.2369; James WH, 2004, HUM REPROD, V19, DOI 10.1093-humrep-deh261; James WH, 2004, HUM REPROD, V19, P1250, DOI 10.1093-humrep-deh245; James WH, 2003, HUM REPROD, V18, P1133, DOI 10.1093-humrep-deg220; Mathews T J, 2005, Natl Vital Stat Rep, V53, P1; Mocarelli P, 2000, LANCET, V355, P1858, DOI 10.1016-S0140-6736(00)02290-X; Moller H, 1996, LANCET, V348, P828, DOI 10.1016-S0140-6736(05)65253-1; Polasek O, 2005, HUM REPROD, V20, P2489, DOI 10.1093-humrep-dei097; Safarinejad MR, 2001, UROLOGY, V58, P90, DOI 10.1016-S0090-4295(01)01085-8; Shearer D, 2007, DISASTERS, V31, P336, DOI 10.1111-j.0361-3666.2007.01012.x; vandenBroek JM, 1997, LANCET, V349, P805, DOI 10.1016-S0140-6736(05)60234-6; Zorn B, 2002, HUM REPROD, V17, P3173, DOI 10.1093-humrep-17.12.317311
Characterization of grewia gum, a potential pharmaceutical excipient
No full textGrewia gum was extracted from the inner stem bark of Grewia mollis and characterized by several techniques such as gas chromatography (GC), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dilute solution viscometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogrametric analysis of the extracted samples. Spectroscopic techniques such as x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR), solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and 1H and 13C NMR techniques were also used to characterize the gum. The results showed that grewia gum is a typically amorphous polysaccharide gum containing glucose, rhamnose, galactose, arabinose and xylose as neutral sugars. It has an intrinsic viscosity of 48.36 ± 0.37 dl/g and an average molecular weight of 5925 kDa expressed as the pullulan equivalent. The gum slowly hydrated in water, dispersing and swelling to form a highly viscous dispersion exhibiting pseudoplastic flow behaviour. The polysaccharide gum is thermally stable and may have application as stabilizer or suspending agent in foods, cosmetics and in pharmaceuticals. It may have application as a binder or sustained-release polymer matrix in tablets or granulations
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