Radar Plots Research Articles

Effective monitoring and classification of hydrogen and ammonia gases with a bilayer Pt/SnO2 thin film sensor

The monitoring and classification of different gases, such as H2 and NH3 using a low-cost resistive semiconductor sensor is preferred in practical applications in hydrogen energy, breath analysis, air pollution monitoring, industrial control, and etc. Herein, porous bi-layer Pt/SnO2 thin film sensors were fabricated to enhance H2 and NH3 sensing performance for effective monitoring and classification. Different Pt film thicknesses of 2, 5, 10, and 20 nm were deposited on 150 nm SnO2 film-based sensors by sputtering method to optimize the response to H2 and NH3 gases. Gas sensing results showed that the fabricated Pt/SnO2 films significantly improved the sensor response to NH3 and H2 compared to pure SnO2 thin film. The sensors based on 5 and 10 nm Pt catalyst layers presented the highest responses to H2 and NH3, respectively. The optimal working temperature for NH3 was in the range from 250 °C to 350 °C, and that for H2 gas is less than 200 °C. The response of Pt/SnO2 sensors to CH4, CO, H2S, and liquefied petroleum gas was much lower than that to NH3 and H2 supporting the high selectivity. On the basis of sensing results at different working temperatures or Pt thicknesses, we applied a radar plot and linear discriminant analysis methods to distinguish NH3 and H2. The results showed that H2 and NH3 could be classified without any confusion with different Pt layer thicknesses at a working temperature of 250 °C.

Use of radar plots to compare the analytical performance of five blood glucose monitoring systems.

Aim: The radar plot is a relatively new way of communicating blood glucose monitoring system (BGMS) accuracy and precision: data points positioned within concentric circles represent the magnitude (increasing with distance from center) and direction (relative to horizontal) of BGMS-error (center=equivalency with reference instrument measurement). This manuscript aims to demonstrate the utility of radar plots as visual tools for interpretation of BGMS analytical performance. Results & methodology: Radar plots were constructed for five BGMSs, to compare BGMS blood glucose results with reference instrument measurements. Conclusion: Radar plots are a useful tool for the visualization of BGMS analytical performance, communicating accuracy, precision and the satisfaction of certain regulatory criteria at a glance.

468 Effects of Eluxadoline on a Range of Bowel and Abdominal Symptoms in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Diarrhea who Report Inadequate Symptom Control With Loperamide

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy and safety of eluxadoline (ELX), a US Food and Drug Administration-approved mixed μ- and κ-opioid receptor agonist and δ-opioid receptor antagonist for treating adult patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), were evaluated in patients who self-reported inadequate response to loperamide in the RELIEF trial. Radar plots were generated from these results to interpret improvements across a spectrum of efficacy measures in ELX-treated patients. METHODS: A Phase 4, multicenter, placebo (PBO)-controlled, double-blind study randomized patients with IBS-D (Rome III criteria) with intact gallbladders who reported overall inadequate IBS symptom control with loperamide in the preceding 12 months to oral ELX (100 mg twice daily) or PBO for 12 weeks (RELIEF; NCT02959983). Patients rated IBS symptoms including worst abdominal pain (WAP), abdominal bloating, abdominal discomfort, stool consistency, number of bowel movements (BMs), and urgency episodes daily. Adequate relief of IBS symptoms was assessed weekly. Response rates over Weeks 1–12 and change from baseline to Week 12 were graphed using radar plots for the following endpoints: primary efficacy composite response (simultaneous daily improvement of ≥40% in WAP score vs. baseline and Bristol Stool Form Scale score <5 [or no BM] on ≥50% of treatment days); stool consistency response as per the primary endpoint; urgency-free response calculated using criteria of ≥50% or ≥75% of days with no urgency episodes; adequate relief response defined as a weekly “yes” response for ≥50% of treatment weeks; WAP response calculated using criteria of ≥30%, ≥40%, or ≥50% improvement vs. baseline. RESULTS: In this study cohort, baseline symptom scores were similar between the treatment groups (Table 1). Significantly higher proportions of ELX-treated patients were composite, stool consistency, and ≥30%, ≥40%, and ≥50% WAP responders vs. PBO at Week 12 (Figure 1). A greater proportion of ELX- vs. PBO-treated patients were also urgency-free and adequate relief responders. ELX-treated patients experienced greater improvements from baseline in WAP, abdominal bloating and discomfort, BM frequency, and urgency episodes vs. PBO (Figure 2). CONCLUSION: Across 13 endpoints, ELX treatment led to improvements vs. PBO, indicating efficacy across a multitude of IBS-D symptoms among patients with prior inadequate symptom control with loperamide.

Examining the association of career stage and medical specialty with personality preferences \u2013 a cross-sectional survey of junior doctors and attending physicians from various specialties

BackgroundPersonality preference research on medical students and physicians demonstrates that personality preferences may affect one’s choice of specialty and transform over the course of one’s academic career as well as during one’s time spent in the clinical setting. The literature offers valuable methods for evaluating medical curricula, understanding medical specialties, and rethinking communication techniques between educators and learners. In line with this encompassing body of work, this study examines the personality preferences of junior doctors and attending physicians from various specialties to investigate how career stage and medical specialty are associated with personality preferences.MethodThe Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was applied to assess the personality preferences of junior doctors (postgraduates year 1–3) and attending physicians from six major medical specialties. Participants completed a self-administered 93-item questionnaire, while a certified MBTI practitioner explained the personality dichotomies as well as facilitated the self-evaluation process and the questionnaire’s interpretation. Contrasted dichotomous scores and radar plots were employed to illustrate the distinction between junior doctors and attending physicians’ personality preferences. All analyses were performed using the SAS statistical software, while a Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to quantify the polarisation of personality preferences between junior doctors and attending physicians.ResultsIn total, 98 participants were recruited, of whom 59 were attending physicians and 39 were junior doctors. The most common personality types among the junior doctors were ESTJ (15.4%), INTP (12.8%), and ESFJ (10.3%), while among the attending physicians, the most common types were ISTJ (23.7%) and ESTJ (18.6%). Both junior doctors and attending physicians expressed personality preferences for sensing, thinking, and judging. However, compared to the junior doctors, more polarised personality preferences were noted among the attending physicians for sensing (p = 0.038), thinking (p = 0.032), and judging (p = 0.024). Moreover, junior doctors exhibited less distinct personality preferences in this study.ConclusionAttending physicians and junior doctors exhibited greater personality inclinations for sensing, thinking, and judging, although the former expressed these personality preferences more strongly than the latter. These findings highlight that, amongst physicians, career stage is strongly associated with the expression of personality preferences.

EXTRACTION OF ELIONURUS HENSII K. SCHUM ESSENTIAL OIL IN A DOMESTIC SCALE IN THE “PLATEAU DES CATARACTES” (CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE)

Elionurus hensii yields essential oils composed mainly of para-menthadienols in its stems and about 50 % aristo lone in its roots. These oils, which exhibit anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties, were extracted by hydro distillation with a local extractor and was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC/FID and GC/MS). To optimize this domestic process, a 23 full factorial design is used to assess the effects and interactions of potentially influential factors. Stems yield 1-2% in essential oil. The extraction time and the degree of division of the plant material had negligible effects on the yield. Only the residual water content had a significant positive effect, together with the interaction between this content and the degree of division. The cumulated content of the four isomeric paramenthadienols present in the oil was insensitive to the effects and interactions of the factors.Roots yield 0.5 - 0.9 % in essential oil. The overall effects and interactions of factors on the yield and the aristo lone content were negligible. Principal component analysis of samples obtained with the experimental design, and their radar plots, indicated a very strong resemblance between oils obtained from the same plant part, and a marked difference between those obtained from different plant parts.

Selective Detection of Nitrogen-Containing Compound Gases.

N-containing gaseous compounds, such as trimethylamine (TMA), triethylamine (TEA), ammonia (NH3), nitrogen monoxide (NO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exude irritating odors and are harmful to the human respiratory system at high concentrations. In this study, we investigated the sensing responses of five sensor materials—Al-doped ZnO (AZO) nanoparticles (NPs), Pt-loaded AZO NPs, a Pt-loaded WO3 (Pt-WO3) thin film, an Au-loaded WO3 (Au-WO3) thin film, and N-doped graphene—to the five aforementioned gases at a concentration of 10 parts per million (ppm). The ZnO- and WO3-based materials exhibited n-type semiconducting behavior, and their responses to tertiary amines were significantly higher than those of nitric oxides. The N-doped graphene exhibited p-type semiconducting behavior and responded only to nitric oxides. The Au- and Pt-WO3 thin films exhibited extremely high responses of approximately 100,000 for 10 ppm of triethylamine (TEA) and approximately −2700 for 10 ppm of NO2, respectively. These sensing responses are superior to those of previously reported sensors based on semiconducting metal oxides. On the basis of the sensing response results, we drew radar plots, which indicated that selective pattern recognition could be achieved by using the five sensing materials together. Thus, we demonstrated the possibility to distinguish each type of gas by applying the patterns to recognition techniques.

Geographical origin of Thai Hom Mali rice based on elemental and stable isotopic compositions

Thai Hom Mali rice is an economic crop of Thailand and well-known as a premium rice in the world trade. In this research, Thai Hom Mali rice samples were collected from the paddy fields in the northern and northeastern regions of Thailand for verifying the authenticity of rice origin. Multi-element and stable isotopic compositions in rice samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), respectively. A radar plot was applied to discriminate the origin of rice. Thai Hom Mali Rice from both regions had similar pattern of isotopic composition. The two regions clearly displayed different distribution of elemental patterns. Therefore, Thai Hom Mali rice can be differentiated from each region using multi-element combined with a radar plot.

Quantitative analysis of multicomponents by a single marker and quality evaluation of Venenum Bufonis from different geographical origins.

Bufadienolides are the main bioactive components of Venenum Bufonis (VB) and have been widely used to treat different types of human cancers for decades. The bufadienolide content in VB varies significantly in materials from different geographical origins. In this work, a new strategy for the quality assessment of VB was developed through quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS). Cinobufagin was selected as the internal reference substance; seven bufadienolides were separated and simultaneously determined based on relative correction factors. The correlation coefficient value (r ≥ 0.9936) between QAMS and the normal external standard method proved the consistency of the two methods. According to the outcomes of 30 batches of VB samples, the contents of the seven bufadienolides were used for further chemometric analysis. All of the samples of VB from various geographical origins were divided into three categories based on hierarchical cluster analysis and radar plot, which indicated the crucial influence of geographical origins on VB. This study showed that QAMS combined with chemometristry could be used to comprehensively evaluate and effectively control the quality of VB from different geographical origins.

Optimized scoring tool to quantify the functional performance during the sit-to-stand transition with a magneto-inertial measurement unit

BackgroundSit-to-stand is used as a qualitative test to evaluate functional performance, especially to detect fall risks and frail individuals. The use of various quantitative criteria would enable a better understanding of musculoskeletal deficits and movement strategy modifications. This quantification was proven possible with a magneto-inertial unit which provides a compatible wearable device for clinical routine motion analysis. MethodsSit-to-stand movements were recorded using a single magneto-inertial measurement unit fixed on the chest for 74 subjects in three groups healthy young, healthy senior and frail. MIMU data was used to compute 15 spatiotemporal, kinematic and energetic parameters. Nonparametric statistical test showed a significant influence of age and frailness. After reducing the number of parameters by a principal component analysis, an AgingScore and a FrailtyScore were computed. FindingsThe fraction of variance explained by the first principal component was 77.48 ± 2.80% for principal component analysis with healthy young and healthy senior groups, and 74.94 ± 2.24% with healthy and frail senior groups. By receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of this score, we were able to refine the analysis to differentiate between healthy young and healthy senior subjects as well as healthy senior and frail subjects. By radar plot of the most discriminate parameters, the motion's strategy could be characterized and be used to detect premature functional deficit or frail subjects. InterpretationSit-to-stand measured by a single magneto-inertial unit and dedicated post processing is able to quantify subject's musculoskeletal performance and will allow longitudinal investigation of aging population.

Diet Quality of Congregate and Home-delivered Meal Recipients in the United States (P04-076-19)

Objectives1) Examine diet quality of OAANSP meals, 2) examine diet quality of complementary food consumed in addition to the CM/HDM meal, and 3) examine diet quality of daily intake by individuals who did versus did not consume a CM/HDM meal.Background: Older adults are becoming a larger proportion of the US population, a phenomenon that will continue over the next few decades. Congregate (CM) and home-delivered meals (HDM) of the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program (OAANP) have beneficial effects on the lives of older adults. Yet, data demonstrating value remains relatively limited, arguably leading to underfunding. MethodsData from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) Outcomes Evaluation Study was collected using a multistage clustered sample design. Data collection tools comprised a survey (including information on respondent’s sociodemographics, health status, self-reported weight and height, social relationships, dietary self-reliance, participation in other nutrition assistance programs, and food security) and two 24-hour recalls. HEI-2010 was used to calculate individual and mean scores using the simple HEI scoring algorithm and the population ratio method, respectively. Radar plots were used to visualize HEI comparisons, and multiple logistic regression models were built to examine associations between diet quality and OAANSP. ResultsOAANSP participation was associated with HEI (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.04 for CM and HDM, respectively) and so was number of meals/day (P = 0.007 and P = 0.03 for CM and HDM, respectively). Compared to the complementary diet, OAANSP meals had better scores for total vegetables (P < 0.0001), and greens and beans (P < 0.001). The complementing diet quality for CM participants had better scores than the meal for total fruit, whole grains, seafood and plant proteins; and whole grains for HDM participant. Meals and complementing foods exceeded the dietary guidelines for sodium, refined grains, saturated fat, added sugar and total protein. HDM participants’ mean HEI score was lower on no meal-day compared to meal-day (P < 0.0001). ConclusionsCM/HDM meals may need to be revised, especially for sodium, added sugar and refined grains. Adding another meal daily and expanding nutrition education may be important for a healthier diet. Funding SourcesNone.

Measuring parameters of the cancer ecosystem for cancer ecological staging.

e14684 Background: Cancer progression through clonal evolution and emergent phenotypic heterogeneity is thought to reflect stochastic events such as genetic drift. This divergence over time in the character of a neoplasm might also reflect genetic selection, analogous to other populations in nature, to maximize niche resource utilization. We hypothesized that selection pressures operate in patients with cancer to drive cancer evolution, are clinically identifiable, their influence measurable. Methods: To develop a system for cancer ecology staging, a feasibility study recruited 15 patients with active cancer from any site, with expected survival of more than 6 months and providing informed consent. A set of clinical parameters obtained from a patient questionnaire, physical exam and laboratory testing was used to generate eight separate ecological profiles of tumor microenvironment, chronic inflammation, energy balance, psychosocial stress, GI microbiome, endocrine environment, skeletal remodeling and environmental mutagenesis. A scoring system, based on evidence of positive selection was designed to quantitate the individual profiles. Profile scores were then aggregated using a 2-D radar plot to generate a polygon, an ‘ecogram’, whose area, it is hypothesized, corresponds to the net level of selection pressure influencing tumor evolution. Results: Ecological profiles were obtained from each of 15 patients allowing determination of the ecogram area (EA) bounded by the polygon. EA determinations ranged widely among the 15 patient, from 0-12.7 arbitrary units (au, mean 5.01± 0.80). Ecograms from individual patients demonstrated unique shapes suggesting specificity for individual patient ecology. EA measurements were then used to inform an ecological staging system based on a simplified dichotomization, low/high, of ecosystem resources and threats. Of 15 patients, 6 were considered to have high resources (EA &gt; 5au) available to support tumor evolution. High anti-tumor threat, measured by CD3 lymphocyte immunohistochemical scoring, was detected in 11 patients. Conclusions: An ecological assessment of patients with active cancer appears feasible. Inter-patient variation in ecogram area and morphology suggests there are potential important differences in genetic selection found between patients and should be correlated with survival outcomes in future studies, validation offering a target for ecosystem ‘restoration’.

Home participation of children with and without cerebral palsy in Serbia: an exploratory study

Purpose: This cross-sectional study explored home participation of children with and without cerebral palsy aged 7–18 years and the effect of the environment on this participation.Method: A convenience sample of 110 children with cerebral palsy (55% males; mean age 12.7 years) and 134 children without cerebral palsy (49% males; mean age 12.0 years) was included. Parents completed the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth. Mann–Whitney U-test, χ2 tests and radar plots were used to analyze item-level differences between two groups. Participation of children with cerebral palsy was analyzed subsequently in relation to their functional limitations using the Spearman’s rank correlation.Results: Children with cerebral palsy participated in home activities less than children without cerebral palsy did, as perceived by their parents. The least differences were observed in activities that typically did not require much physical engagement. Number of activities done at home and the involvement level mostly correlated with fine manual and intellectual functioning. Barriers included physical layout, factors related to the activity (physical and cognitive demands), and limited resources (services, information, money).Conclusions: It is important to understand the uniqueness of each home environment in order to enhance participation of children with cerebral palsy in home setting.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe child’s relationships with family members, social demands of activities and attitudes and actions of others, as supportive factors, should be considered by professionals to facilitate home participation.There is the need to develop strategies to facilitate children’s independence in order to optimize participation outcomes in home-based activities.Differences identified in this study may assist professionals in the design of a context that improves home participation of children with cerebral palsy.

The comparison of retention behaviour of imidazoline and serotonin receptor ligands in non-aqueous hydrophilic interaction chromatography and supercritical fluid chromatography

This work presents an investigation of retention characteristics of imidazoline and serotonin receptor ligands in non-aqueous hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (NA-HILIC) and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). The separation has been carried out by using methanol as a mobile phase modifier with addition of two types of additives (NH4HCOO; NH4HCOO/HCOOH) and two different stationary phases (diol; mixed-mode diol). The selectivity characteristics were observed based on S-factors, logk-logk plots and radar plots. NA-HILIC vs. SFC retention of tested compounds was also described by considering the molecular properties of the analytes within the LSER analysis. The differences between SFC vs. NA-HILIC retention of imidazoline and serotonin receptor ligands grow with the acid addition to a mobile phase, noticeably on mixed-mode diol stationary phase (S ≥ 87). In addition, the good selectivity performances of the certain NA-HILIC and SFC conditions were confirmed by good separation of structurally related compounds (α ≥ 2). The molecular basis of NA-HILIC and SFC retention were explained by using Abraham’s equation. The dominant analyte descriptors influencing retention were hydrogen bonding and dipolar interactions. The current study will present the theory, and discuss the applicability within the SFC vs. NA-HILIC regimes. In this way, it was provided the placing of two relatively new methods (SFC, NA-HILIC) in the map of modern analytical chromatography in terms of the pharmaceutical analysis.

The determinants of CO2 emissions in MENA countries: a responsiveness scores approach

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the relationship among carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, GDP, and energy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries by using a Responsiveness Scores (RS) approach. Empirical results over the period 1971–2013 suggest that GDP per capita and energy consumption show positive RSs, while trade and urban population negative ones. Moreover, energy consumption and urban population reveal moderate increasing returns to scale, while GDP per capita exhibits decreasing positive returns. Furthermore, three-way factors analysis sets out that most of the countries lays on regions with moderate negative Total Responsiveness Scores (TRS). This means that when all factors are jointly increased, CO2 emissions have a moderate decrease. In addition, some GCC countries present a different pattern compared to the average pattern of MENA countries. Finally, radar plots indicate that, overall, RS pattern over factors is moderately heterogeneous within GCC countries, with larger variability appearing in the response to urban population and GDP.

1-Year chronic periodontitis non-surgical treatment: comparison of upper and lower teeth probing depth reduction level

Introduction: Periodontitis presents complex bacterial biofilms and multifactorial mechanisms, being its management a major challenge [1–3]. Throughout periodontitis treatment period, patients’ oral hygiene habits play a key role on periodontal therapy success. The aim of this study was to assess pocket depth (PD) variation levels of upper and lower teeth at 3, 6 and 12 months’ follow-up in patients that underwent non-surgical periodontal treatment. Materials and methods: 24 patients, from the Periodontology Department of the Egas Moniz Dental Clinic, were retrospectively analyzed over the period of 2013–2017. The patients had moderate to severe periodontitis according to Page and Eke’s case definitions [4], and were treated by dentists at various levels in their specialist training. All patients received non-surgical periodontal treatments and follow-up visits at 3, 6 and 12 months, with plaque and dental calculus control. Six sites per tooth were measured (mesiobuccal, buccal, distobuccal, mesiolingual, lingual and distolingual) and recorded, excluding third molars. PD was measured with a CP-12 SE (Hu-Friedy, Chicago, IL, USA). This study was approved by the Egas Moniz Ethics Committee (IRB approval number: 595). Results: The upper and lower teeth initial mean (± standard deviation) PD were 4.85 (±1.13) and 4,93 (±1.23), respectively, and they were not statistically different (p = 0.2146, independent t-test). Figure 1 displays radar plots for PD recovery at 3, 6 and 12 months’ follow-up of non-surgical periodontal treatment. Figure 1. Radar plot for 3, 6 and 12 months’ follow-up of non-surgical periodontal treatment. Discussion and conclusions: Overall, lower teeth presented PD healing more increased than upper teeth. Furthermore, 6 months’ therapy follow-up represented the recovery peak. At 12 months, the recovery levels were similar to the 3 months’ values. The lingual site from lower teeth presented the greatest recovery. Future research is necessary to unveil this specific interval raised variation.

Simultaneous responses of photosystem II and soluble proteins of rapeseed to cold acclimation

This experiment was conducted to assess the quantitative and qualitative changes in soluble proteins as well as some chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in the leaves of a winter canola (Brassica napus L., cv. Licord) under continuous low temperature. Over the experiment, seedlings were initially grown at 15/10 °C (d/n). At fourth fully expanded leafy stage (day 30), a part of the plants were transferred to 4/2°C for 4 weeks. Plants were sampled for protein extraction from leaves in which chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fo, Fv, Fm, Fv/Fo, Fm/Fo, Fv/Fm, Fo´, FV´, Fm´ and some other calculated) were also measured. The results showed a clear increase in soluble proteins quantity caused by cold treatment. The enhancements appeared abruptly following the cold exposure to 4°C and lasted. The electrophoretic protein patterns showed changes in the intensity of some polypeptides, besides, induction a new probable protein weighing 47-kW in response to cold treatment. Cold-triggered reduction in maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) was connected especially with drastic decreasing Fv and Fm. Interestingly, high quantitative amounts of soluble proteins along with induction of the new probable polypeptide induced at cold temperature, were attributed to low deduction of maximum quantum yield of PSII. Additionally, more imperative chlorophyll fluorescence parameters changed e.g. qP, NPQ, qL, Y(II) or фPSII etc at light. Nowadays, radar charts or spider plots are the most sophisticated multivariate statistical tools representing physiological responses of plants to abiotic stress conditions or even morphophysiological studies of plants. In rapeseed many researches performed by applying the radar charts for low temperature stresses and interpreted their effects more advancely than common statistical tools. We observed a good representation of the chl fluorescence parameters fluctuations using radar plots. Overall, cold-induced soluble proteins accumulated after longer cold-acclimation, can contribute in photosynthetic apparatus protection against low-temperature damages.

Left ventricular hypertrophy in world class elite athletes is associated with signs of improved cardiac autonomic regulation.

In this study we sought to assess whether in elite athletes the physiological increase in cardiac mass attending severe long-term training leading to athlete's heart is accompanied by an improvement of autonomic performance, as assessed by post exercise vagal indices and a novel unitary Autonomic Nervous System Index for sports (ANSIs). The study involved 500 elite athletes (23.9 ± 6.4 years) participating in a screening organised by the National Italian Olympic Committee. All subjects underwent a complete medical examination, rest and stand autonomic assessment (heart rate variability) as well as bicycle exercise. ANSIs was also derived as radar plot from rest, stand and heart rate recovery individual proxies of autonomic nervous system regulation. All subjects were grouped into those with left ventricular hypertrophy present (LVH(+)), or not (LVH(-)), according to recognised thresholds. We observed that LVH(+) athletes (24.8%) showed a marked increase of post-exercise vagal indices (p < 0.001) and of ANSIs (p < 0.001), while no difference was observed for heart-rate variability indices. These changes were contingent upon sport intensity categories. Elite athletes with physiological cardiac hypertrophy (LVH(+)) present a selective profile of indices of autonomic nervous system performance, characterised by increases of markers of vagal recovery and of the novel unitary autonomic index for sports while RR variance and spectral indices seem to be unmodified. Athlete's heart may be characterised by a specific combination of anatomical and neurocardiac remodeling. This approach might furnish potential warning signs differentiating normal training induced physiology from pathological adaptation.

Multivariate Graph-Based Analysis on Coefficient of Friction Signal During the Friction Process

To describe the dynamic evolutionary law and tribological behavior of the tribopair AISI 52100-AISI 1045, rotational experiments were conducted by sliding a disk against a static pin. The multidimensional phase spaces were reconstructed based on the scalar time-series by the time-delay embedding technique, and the multivariate graph-based method was used to visualize the overall picture of the phase space. The evolution of radar plots and the corresponding multivariate graph centrobaric trajectory (MGCT) is consistent with the description of “running-in, steady-state and increasing friction stages,” and can serve as effective indicators for the friction state transitions. Results show that the radar plot can inform quantitative interpretations of friction process identification. Therefore, the multivariate graph-based method is a useful approach to characterize the nonlinear dynamics of tribological behaviors.

Aromatic Plants from Plateau des Cataractes: Occurrence of the Citronella Chemotype of Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud.) W.Watson Acclimatized in Congo-Brazzaville.

Cymbopogon flexuosus var. flexuosus (citral chemotype) was introduced in a local plantation in 2006 at Plateau des Cataractes, Congo-Brazzaville to remedy the difficult adaptation and low production of essential oil of C. citratus, a source of citral. After some 10 years of acclimatization, C. flexuosus had adapted perfectly with a very high biomass and essential oil production. A citronella chemotype (Cymbopogon flexuosus var. albescens) was unexpectedly identified among lemongrass in the field, grown in a local experimental citronella plot covering 0.25 ha. Its essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS to determine its chemotype. The citronella chemotype indicated by the chemical profile found was confirmed by descriptive statistics (radar plot) and by principal component analysis (PCA) and ascending hierarchical clustering (AHC).

Under the Radar: Simplifying the Representation of Latent Class Characteristics

In this visualization, we demonstrate how to use radar plots to represent the class-specific posterior response probabilities from latent class analysis results. These plots allow for a simple representation of the class differences in the distributions across the modeled indicators. We demonstrate the utility of this approach with results from a published model of women’s employment and family life circumstances. In doing so, we demonstrate how to avoid some of the pitfalls common to radar plots and provide example code to allow other researchers to readily adapt this approach to present their own results.