bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-4α P2 Promoter Variants Are Associated With the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome and Testosterone Deficiency in Aging Taiwanese Men
Authors: Liu Chia-Chu , Lee Yung-Chin , Huang Shu-Pin , Cheng Kai-Hung , Hsieh Tusty-Jiuan , Huang Tsung-Yi , Lee Cheng-Hsueh , Geng Jiun-Hung , Li Ching-Chia , Wu Wen-Jeng
Published: November 2018

Background

Hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF4A) can influence the risk of insulin resistance that is postulated to be an important link between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and testosterone deficiency (TD) in men.

Aim

To investigate the relationship between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of HNF4A and the risk of developing MetS and TD in a population of aging Taiwanese men.

Methods

A free health screening of men over 40 years of age was conducted in a medical center in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. All participants underwent a physical examination, answered a questionnaire on demographics and medical history, completed the Androgen Deficiency in The Aging Male questionnaire to assess clinical symptoms of TD, and provided 20-mL whole blood samples for biochemical, hormonal, and genetic evaluation.

Main Outcome Measure

3 common SNPs (rs11574736, rs1884613, and rs2144908) of HNF4A were selected and identified using a TaqMan 5’ allelic discrimination assay.

Results

559 men were enrolled for this study (mean age, 55.8± 4.9 years). Prevalence of TD was significantly higher (P = .031) in subjects with MetS (16.8%) than those without MetS (10.1%). In SNP rs1884613 of HNF4A, subjects with the C allele carried a 1.31- and 1.50-times higher risk of developing MetS and TD, respectively, compared to those with the G allele, after adjusting for potential covariates. In addition, subjects with the CC genotype were exposed to a 1.91- and 2.20-times higher risk of developing MetS and TD, respectively, compared to those with the GG genotype.

Clinical Implications

Our findings may point to the importance of the role played by insulin resistance in the link between MetS and TD.

Strength & Limitations

Our current work is the first report with adequate sample size to evaluate the role of genetic variants of HNF4A on the risk of both MetS and TD in men. The limitations included subjects enrolled from a free health screening and single measurement of serum testosterone levels.

Conclusion

The rs1884613 SNP marker of HNF4A is significantly associated with an increased risk for developing both MetS and TD in aging Taiwanese men. Further population-based studies utilizing larger samples of different ethnicities may be needed to confirm these preliminary results.
Androgen Receptor Polymorphism and Female Sexual Function and Desire
Authors: Wåhlin-Jacobsen Sarah , Flanagan John N. , Pedersen Anette T. , Kristensen Ellids , Arver Stefan , Giraldi Annamaria
Published: November 2018

Introduction

The effect of testosterone depends on the exposure of and the sensitivity of the androgen receptor (AR). It has been shown that a cytosine–adenine–guanine (CAG) trinucleotide repeat polymorphism in the AR gene has an impact on AR functional capacity in men. However, large studies are lacking on the impact of this polymorphism on female sexual function.

Aim

To determine whether the CAG repeat length was associated with different aspects of women’s sexual function and dysfunction, including desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, sexual pain, and sexually related personal distress.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 529 healthy women, aged 19–65 years. Participants completed a questionnaire to provide demographic and sexual data. The CAG repeat length was analyzed in a blood sample. The correlations between CAG repeat lengths and different aspects of sexual function were calculated. Independent Student t-tests were performed to evaluate differences in the mean number of CAG repeats in the short and long allele and of the biallelic mean length determined by simple calculation and X-inactivation analysis, respectively, between women with sexual problems and women without sexual problems. P values <.05 were considered statistically significant.

Main Outcome Measure

We used the Female Sexual Function Index, with 6 subdomains, to distinguish between women without and women with impaired sexual function; low sexual desire; impaired arousal, lubrication, or orgasm; diminished satisfaction; or pain during sex. The Female Sexual Distress Scale was used to measure sexually related personal distress.

Results

Overall, we found that increasing numbers of CAG repeats were correlated to increased sexual function. We found that women with problems achieving orgasm had a significantly lower number of CAG repeats than women that reported no problems reaching orgasm. We found no associations between CAG repeat lengths and other aspects of female sexual dysfunction, including hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

Clinical Implications

The results could indicate an impact of the AR on women’s sexual function, including the ability to reach orgasm.

Strength & Limitations

This is a large study using validated sexual questionnaires. A limitation is the cross-sectional design. Owing to the study design, this study is explorative and hypothesis generating.

Conclusion

In this large cross-sectional study, we demonstrated that CAG repeat length is positively correlated to sexual function and that women with a reduced ability to reach orgasm had smaller numbers of CAG repeats in the AR gene than women with no orgasmic problems. These findings indicated that androgens and ARs might play a role in women’s sexual function.
The Rise of Private Military and Security Companies in European Union Migration Policies: Implications under the UNGPs
Authors: DAVITTI Daria
Published: November 2018

This article examines the involvement of Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs) in both shaping and implementing the European Agenda on Migration (European Agenda), launched by the European Union in May 2015. The migration policies which have since been adopted have increasingly enabled the outsourcing to private security contractors of various border control operations, including those related to forced returns, administrative detention and security services for the Italian and Greek ‘hotspots’. The article argues that PMSCs frame, shape and entrench militarized responses in the European Agenda. It also contends that the current context of the European refugee ‘crisis’ meets the conditions of a high-risk context, as understood within the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). This re-definition of the refugee ‘crisis’ as a high-risk context, in turn, enables the identification of heightened human rights obligations of home states and responsibilities of companies when implementing the UNGPs.
Variability in antimicrobial use in pediatric ventilator-associated events
Authors: Karandikar Manjiree V. , Coffin Susan E. , Priebe Gregory P. , Sandora Thomas J. , Logan Latania K. , Larsen Gitte Y. , Toltzis Philip , Gray James E. , Klompas Michael , Sammons Julia S. , Harper Marvin B. , Horan Kelly , Lakoma Matthew , Cocoros Noelle M. , Lee Grace M.
Published: November 2018

Objective

To assess variability in antimicrobial use and associations with infection testing in pediatric ventilator-associated events (VAEs).

Design

Descriptive retrospective cohort with nested case-control study.

Setting

Pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), cardiac intensive care units (CICUs), and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in 6 US hospitals.

Patients

Children≤18 years ventilated for≥1 calendar day.

Methods

We identified patients with pediatric ventilator-associated conditions (VACs), pediatric VACs with antimicrobial use for≥4 days (AVACs), and possible ventilator-associated pneumonia (PVAP, defined as pediatric AVAC with a positive respiratory diagnostic test) according to previously proposed criteria.

Results

Among 9,025 ventilated children, we identified 192 VAC cases, 43 in CICUs, 70 in PICUs, and 79 in NICUs. AVAC criteria were met in 79 VAC cases (41%) (58% CICU; 51% PICU; and 23% NICU), and varied by hospital (CICU, 20–67%; PICU, 0–70%; and NICU, 0–43%). Type and duration of AVAC antimicrobials varied by ICU type. AVAC cases in CICUs and PICUs received broad-spectrum antimicrobials more often than those in NICUs. Among AVAC cases, 39% had respiratory infection diagnostic testing performed; PVAP was identified in 15 VAC cases. Also, among AVAC cases, 73% had no associated positive respiratory or nonrespiratory diagnostic test.

Conclusions

Antimicrobial use is common in pediatric VAC, with variability in spectrum and duration of antimicrobials within hospitals and across ICU types, while PVAP is uncommon. Prolonged antimicrobial use despite low rates of PVAP or positive laboratory testing for infection suggests that AVAC may provide a lever for antimicrobial stewardship programs to improve utilization.
Building a federal state: phases and moments of Spanish regional (de)centralization
Authors: Novo Arbona Ainhoa , Pérez Castaños Sergio , García Rabadán Jonatan
Published: November 2018

Two main elements characterize a country as federal and the development of its federal system. The first one is directly connected to competences and how regions may or may not have powers over public policies. The second one focuses on the fiscal arena, and how regions generate their own income and share it with the central government. This paper describes from a historical point of view the different phases that the Spanish federal process has followed since its beginning in 1978 up to the last reform in 2016. These phases are related to the composition of both the regional and the national governments. It is therefore is important to investigate the connection between changes in these compositions and how they may have affected the phases of decentralization. Employing the new institutionalism paradigm and seeking for critical junctures in the different moments, we show how national governments are more important in shaping this process than regional ones.
Postcolonial Garibaldi?
Authors: Veracini Lorenzo
Published: November 2018

This paper offers an original interpretation of Garibaldi’s political style and imaginary. The aim is to account for Garibaldi’s sustained engagement with the possibility of displacement as an alternative to revolution. It begins in an afternoon on a remote small island between two oceans. Garibaldi was considering his options. When he returned to Italy, he had seriously reflected on the possibility of colonising other places. Colonising had entered the picture. It was a postcolonial Garibaldi.
The Cross-Cultural Variation of the Effects of Transformational Leadership Behaviors on Followers’ Organizational Identification: The Case of Idealized Influence and Individualized Consideration in Finland and Russia
Authors: Koveshnikov Alexei , Ehrnrooth Mats
Published: November 2018

In this article, we examine the cross-cultural variation in the perceived effects ofidealized influenceandindividualized considerationleadership behaviors – two behavioral dimensions of transformational leadership – on followers’ organizational identification in two culturally distinct countries: Russia and Finland. We also test whether the followers’ role ambiguity mediates these relationships. Using the self-concept-based theory of leadership as an explanatory framework, our analysis of white-collar employees in four Finland-based multinational corporations and their subsidiaries in Russia shows that whereas in Russia both behaviors facilitate followers’ identification, in Finland only idealized influence does. We also find differences in how role ambiguity mediates the relationship between the two behaviors and followers’ identification in the two countries. In Russia, it fully mediates the relationship betweenindividualized considerationand followers’ identification, whereas in Finland it partially mediates the relationship betweenidealized influenceand followers’ identification.
Measurement Uncertainty in Spatial Models: A Bayesian Dynamic Measurement Model
Authors: Juhl Sebastian
Published: November 2018

According to spatial models of political competition, parties strategically adjust their ideological positions to movements made by rival parties. Spatial econometric techniques have been proposed to empirically model such interdependencies and to closely convert theoretical expectations into statistical models. Yet, these models often ignore that the parties’ ideological positions are latent variables and, as such, accompanied by a quantifiable amount of uncertainty. As a result, the implausible assumption of perfectly measured covariates impedes a proper evaluation of theoretical propositions. In order to bridge this gap between theory and empirics, the present work combines a spatial econometric model and a Bayesian dynamic item response model. The proposed model accurately accounts for measurement uncertainty and simultaneously estimates the parties’ ideological positions and their spatial interdependencies. To verify the model’s utility, I apply it to recorded votes from the sixteen German state legislatures in the period from 1988 to 2016. While exhibiting a notable degree of ideological mobility, the results indicate only moderate spatial dependencies among parties of the same party family. More importantly, the analysis illustrates how measurement uncertainty can lead to substantively different results which stresses the importance of appropriately incorporating theoretical expectations into statistical models.
Legislative Review and Party Differentiation in Coalition Governments
Authors: FORTUNATO DAVID
Published: November 2018

Multiparty governance requires compromise and this compromise can lead to electoral losses. I argue that coalition members are motivated to differentiate themselves from their cabinet partners to mitigate potential electoral losses resulting from voters perceiving them as not rigorously pursuing their core policy positions or not possessing strong policy stands. I test this argument with original data on the scrutiny of over 2,200 government bills gathered from three parliamentary democracies incorporating information on voter perceptions of partisan ideology and parties’ policy preferences as derived from their manifestos. I find that coalition partners that are perceived as more similar will amend one another’s legislative proposals more vigorously in an effort to differentiate in the eyes of the electorate—to protect their brand—and therefore provide evidence for “pure” vote-seeking behavior in the legislative review process. Furthermore, these original data provide answers to several open questions regarding the policy motivations of cabinet parties in legislative review and the role of committee chairs and external support parties on policy outcomes.
Text-Based Industry Momentum
Authors: Hoberg Gerard , Phillips Gordon M.
Published: November 2018

We test the hypothesis that low-visibility shocks to text-based network industry peers can explain industry momentum. We consider industry peer firms identified through 10-K product text and focus on economic peer links that do not share common Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes. Shocks to less visible peers generate economically large momentum profits and are stronger than own-firm momentum variables. More visible traditional SIC-based peers generate only small, short-lived momentum profits. Our findings are consistent with momentum profits arising partially from inattention to economic links of less visible industry peers.
The Importance of Blockholder Heterogeneity: Security Market Effects and Follow-On Activities
Authors: Hsieh Jim , King Tao-Hsien Dolly
Published: November 2018

Recent research on blockholders focuses on activist hedge funds and documents positive stock but negative bond returns. This study investigates the role of blockholder heterogeneity on security market effects and target firm follow-on activities across three important dimensions: identity, motive, and purchasing method. We show that target firms’ security returns and post-acquisition activities strongly correlate with blockholder heterogeneity. Further, bond returns are significantly positive for firms with blockholders’ debt-assistance motive while both stock and bond returns are significantly negative in private placements. Overall, our findings highlight the importance of blockholder heterogeneity on the valuation and performance consequences in block acquisitions.
Cross-script transfer of word reading fluency in a mixed writing system: Evidence from a longitudinal study in Japanese
Authors: INOUE TOMOHIRO , GEORGIOU GEORGE K. , IMANAKA HIROFUMI , OSHIRO TAKAKO , KITAMURA HIROYUKI , MAEKAWA HISAO , PARRILA RAUNO
Published: November 2018

We examined the cross-lagged relations between word reading fluency in the two orthographic systems of Japanese: phonetic (syllabic) Hiragana and morphographic Kanji. One hundred forty-two Japanese-speaking children were assessed on word reading fluency twice in Grade 1 (Times 1 and 2) and twice in Grade 2 (Times 3 and 4). Nonverbal IQ, vocabulary, phonological awareness, morphological awareness, and rapid automatized naming were also assessed in Time 1. Results of path analysis revealed that Time 1 Hiragana fluency predicted Time 2 Kanji fluency after controlling for the cognitive skills. Time 2 Hiragana fluency did not predict Time 3 Kanji fluency or vice versa after the autoregressor was controlled, but Hiragana and Kanji fluency were reciprocally related between Times 3 and 4. These findings provide evidence for a cross-script transfer of word reading fluency across the two contrastive orthographic systems, and the first evidence of fluency in a morphographic script predicting fluency development in a phonetic script within the same language.
Trends in numbers of the Critically Endangered Chinese Crested Tern Thalasseus bernsteini and sympatrically nesting Greater Crested Tern T. bergii in the Matsu Archipelago, Taiwan
Authors: HUNG CHUNG-HANG , CHANG LE-NING , CHIANG KUNG-KUO , YUAN HSIAO-WEI
Published: November 2018

The Chinese Crested TernThalasseus bernsteini(CCT) is likely the most critically endangered seabird species in Asia. The Matsu, Penghu, Jiushan, and Wuzhishan Archipelagos along the China coastline, plus Yeonggwang County in South Korea, are the five areas where this species is currently confirmed to breed. According to census and historical data collected in the Matsu Archipelago from 2004 to 2017, there was an average of 10 ± 4 adult CCT individuals at the Matsu Islands Tern Refuge (MITR) during the breeding season. CCT nested only in association with Greater Crested TernsT. bergii(GCT) among seven protected islands in the MITR, and the numbers of observed breeding individuals of the two species were positively correlated (r = 0.59,P< 0.001). We used generalized linear models to examine the effects of chlorophyll-a concentrations in surrounding marine habitats, typhoon frequency, and in-season shifts in colony location on inter-annual variation in numbers of breeding individuals and productivity (chick:adult ratios) of both CCT and GCT at the MITR from 2004 to 2017. Average chlorophyll-a concentrations during July-August obtained from the MODIS satellite were positively correlated with the annual maximum number of GCT at the MITR, but not that of CCT. In addition, we found that nest abandonment events during early incubation at the mixed-species colonies were associated with in-season shifts in colony location and delayed nesting chronology, thereby extending nesting into the peak typhoon season during July and August. The effects of in-season colony shifts on nesting chronology and the additive effects of typhoons caused a significant decline in CCT breeding success during the study period. We propose more rigorous monitoring to ascertain the root causes of in-season colony shifts of terns and then determine possible solutions. Additionally, creating educational programmes to increase public awareness towards seabird conservation could prove beneficial.
A BOGOMOLOV UNOBSTRUCTEDNESS THEOREM FOR LOG-SYMPLECTIC MANIFOLDS IN GENERAL POSITION
Authors: Ran Ziv
Published: November 2018

We consider compact Kählerian manifolds $X$ of even dimension 4 or more, endowed with a log-symplectic holomorphic Poisson structure $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1}$ which is sufficiently general, in a precise linear sense, with respect to its (normal-crossing) degeneracy divisor $D(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1})$. We prove that $(X,\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1})$ has unobstructed deformations, that the tangent space to its deformation space can be identified in terms of the mixed Hodge structure on $H^{2}$ of the open symplectic manifold $X\setminus D(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1})$, and in fact coincides with this $H^{2}$ provided the Hodge number $h_{X}^{2,0}=0$, and finally that the degeneracy locus $D(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1})$ deforms locally trivially under deformations of $(X,\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F1})$.
From farming to food systems: the evolution of US agricultural production and policy into the 21st century
Authors: Dimitri Carolyn , Effland Anne
Published: November 2018

Nearly two decades into the 21st century, we revisit the topic of changes in the US agricultural system. We focus on trends in structure, technology and policy, and on the increasing influence of consumer preferences on this system, particularly for organic agriculture and local and regional foods. We examine technological innovations in the 21st century, including biotechnology, precision agriculture and indoor farming. Within overall trends toward consolidation, we identify an increasing number of vegetable farms and greenhouse operations, accompanied by a decrease in average size of those operations. We note the shift away from price support toward greater reliance on risk management in farm policy, and also track the impact of food movement trends on recent farm bills. While farm bill policies continue to focus on conventional field crop agriculture, some trends—expanded crop insurance, conservation program support and spending on federal data collection, research and community-based grants, for example—have begun to incorporate the growing movement toward organic, local and regional food systems into the mainstream of US agricultural production and policy.
Lifestyle intervention strategies in early life to improve pregnancy outcomes and long-term health of offspring: a narrative review
Authors: Gaillard Romy , Wright John , Jaddoe Vincent W.V.
Published: November 2018

Adverse exposures during fetal life and the postnatal period influence physical, cognitive and emotional development, and predispose to an increased risk of various chronic diseases throughout the life course. Findings from large observational studies in various populations and experimental animal studies have identified different modifiable risk factors in early life. Adverse maternal lifestyle factors, including overweight, unhealthy diet, sedentary behavior, smoking, alcohol consumption and stress in the preconception period and during pregnancy, are the most common modifiable risk factors leading to a suboptimal in-utero environment for fetal development. In the postnatal period, breastfeeding, infant growth and infant dietary intake are important modifiable factors influencing long-term offspring health outcomes. Despite the large amount of findings from observational studies, translation to lifestyle interventions seems to be challenging. Currently, randomized controlled trials focused on the influence of lifestyle interventions in these critical periods on short-term and long-term maternal and offspring health outcomes are scarce, have major limitations and do not show strong effects on maternal and offspring outcomes. New and innovative approaches are needed to move from describing these causes of ill-health to start tackling them using intervention approaches. Future randomized controlled lifestyle intervention studies and innovative observational studies, using quasi-experimental designs, are needed focused on the effects of an integrated lifestyle advice from preconception onwards on pregnancy outcomes and long-term health outcomes in offspring on a population level.
Attenuation of maternal weight gain impacts infant birthweight: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bennett C. J. , Walker R. E. , Blumfield M. L. , Ma J. , Wang F. , Wan Y. , Gwini S. M. , Truby H.
Published: November 2018

Despite many interventions aiming to reduce excessive gestational weight gain (GWG), it is currently unclear the impact on infant anthropometric outcomes. The aim of this review was to evaluate offspring anthropometric outcomes in studies designed to reduce GWG. A systematic search of seven international databases, one clinical trial registry and three Chinese databases was conducted without date limits. Studies were categorised by intervention type: diet, physical activity (PA), lifestyle (diet + PA), other, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (diet, PA, lifestyle, metformin and other). Meta-analyses were reported as weighted mean difference (WMD) for birthweight and birth length, and risk ratio (RR) for small for gestational age (SGA), large for gestational age (LGA), macrosomia and low birth weight (LBW). Collectively, interventions reduced birthweight, risk of macrosomia and LGA by 71 g (WMD: −70.67, 95% CI −101.90 to −39.43,P<0.001), 16% (RR: 0.84, 95% CI 0.73–0.98,P=0.026) and 19% (RR: 0.81, 95% CI 0.69–0.96,P=0.015), respectively. Diet interventions decreased birthweight and LGA by 99 g (WMD −98.80, 95% CI −178.85 to −18.76,P=0.016) and 65% (RR: 0.35, 95% CI 0.17–0.72,P=0.004). PA interventions reduced the risk of macrosomia by 51% (RR: 0.49, 95% CI 0.26–0.92,P=0.036). In women with GDM, diet and lifestyle interventions reduced birthweight by 211 and 296 g, respectively (WMD: −210.93, 95% CI −374.77 to −46.71,P=0.012 and WMD:−295.93, 95% CI −501.76 to −90.10,P=0.005, respectively). Interventions designed to reduce excessive GWG lead to a small reduction in infant birthweight and risk of macrosomia and LGA, without influencing the risk of adverse outcomes including LBW and SGA.
Response of Non–Dicamba-Resistant Soybean to Dicamba As Influenced by Growth Stage and Herbicide Rate
Authors: McCown Spencer , Barber Tom , Norsworthy Jason K.
Published: November 2018

Introduction of the Roundup Ready® Xtend system (Monsanto Co., St. Louis, MO) provides an alternative weed management option for growers, but of concern is the risk of dicamba injury to sensitive crops, particularly soybean from off-target movement and tank contamination. Experiments were conducted to determine the response of soybean to low rates of dicamba over a wide range of application timings. Two glufosinate-resistant varieties (HBK 4950LL–indeterminate and HALO 5.45LL–determinate) commonly grown in Arkansas were chosen for these studies. Two rates of dicamba, 2.18 and 8.75 g ae ha–1(1/256× and 1/64× of the POST labeled rate for dicamba-resistant soybean), were applied at two vegetative (V4, V6) and six reproductive (R1 to R6) growth stages. Compared to the nontreated control, dicamba applied during late vegetative and early reproductive growth of soybean caused leaf injury, plant height reduction, and seed yield loss for both soybean cultivars. Averaged across dicamba rates applied at R1, soybean seed yield was reduced 14% for the HBK 4950LL cultivar and 19% for the HALO 5.45LL cultivar. Averaged over rates, dicamba applied at R1 to the HALO 5.45LL and HBK 4950LL soybean resulted in 48% and 43% visible injury 4 wk after treatment, respectively. Grain yield was similar to that of the nontreated control when dicamba was applied at the later reproductive stages averaged across rates.
Soybean Response to Dicamba: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kniss Andrew R.
Published: November 2018

A meta-analysis of 11 previously published field studies was conducted with the objectives being to (1) estimate the no observable effects dose (NOED) for dicamba on susceptible soybean; (2) evaluate available evidence for hormesis, or increased soybean yield in response to low doses of dicamba; (3) estimate the dose of dicamba likely to cause measurable soybean yield loss under field conditions; and (4) quantify the relationship between visible injury symptoms and soybean yield loss. All studies that included visible injury data (N=7) reported injury symptoms at the lowest nonzero dicamba dose applied (as low as 0.03 g ae ha−1), and therefore a NOED could not be estimated from the existing peer-reviewed literature. Based on statistical tests for hormesis, there is insufficient evidence to support any claim of increased soybean yield at low dicamba doses. Future research should include a range of dicamba doses lower than 0.03 g ha−1to estimate a NOED and determine whether a hormesis effect is possible at or below dicamba doses that cause visible injury symptoms. Soybean is more susceptible to dicamba when exposed at flowering (R1 to R2 stage) compared with vegetative stages (V1 to V7). A dicamba dose of 0.9 g ha−1(95% CI=0.08 to 1.7) at the flowering stage was estimated to cause 5% soybean yield loss. When exposed at vegetative stages, dicamba doses that cause less than 30% visible injury symptoms (95% CI=23 to 49%) appear unlikely to cause greater than 5% soybean yield loss; however, if soybean is exposed at flowering, visible injury symptoms greater than 12% (95% CI=8 to 16%) are likely to be associated with at least 5% soybean yield loss.
A Scientific Critique of Rorschach Research
Authors: Smith Jason M. , Gacono Carl B. , Fontan Patrick , Taylor Enna E. , Cunliffe Ted B. , Andronikof Anne
Published: November 2018

Abstract. Exner’s (1995a) Issues and Methods in Rorschach Research provided a standard of care for conducting Rorschach research; however, the extent to which studies have followed these guidelines has not been examined. Similarly, meta-analytic approaches have been used to comment on the validity of Exner’s Comprehensive System (CS) variables without an evaluation as to the extent that individual studies have conformed to the proposed methodological criteria ( Exner, 1995a ; Gacono, Loving, & Bodholdt, 2001 ). In this article, 210 studies cited in recent meta-analyses by Mihura, Meyer, Dumitrascu, and Bombel (2013) were examined. The studies were analyzed in terms of being research on the Rorschach versus research with the Rorschach and whether they met the threshold of validity/generalizability related to specific Rorschach criteria. Only 104 of the 210 (49.5%) studies were research on the Rorschach and none met all five Rorschach criteria assessed. Trends and the need for more stringent methods when conducting Rorschach research were presented.
A Normative Study in England With the Rorschach Comprehensive System
Authors: Carstairs Kari , Hartley Sarah , Peden Andrew , Woods Justine McCarthy , van Graan Andre , Andronikof Anne , Fontan Patrick
Published: November 2018

Abstract. This study provides Rorschach data for 88 adults aged 18–65 years from the general population in England. The sample was matched as closely as possible with census data on the variables of gender, age, marital status, ethnicity, geographical location, occupation, and level of education. The Rorschach was administered according to the Comprehensive System by five experienced psychologists. Participants also completed a measure of psychological distress called the CORE. Interscorer reliability was found to be excellent for all variables apart from the six cognitive special scores, for which it was fair. Rorschach data are presented for Comprehensive System variables and compared with Exner’s (2007) sample of 450 nonpatient adults in the United States and with the international reference sample ( Meyer, Erdberg, & Shaffer, 2007 ).
Clients’ TAT Interpersonal Decentering Predicts Psychotherapy Retention and Process
Authors: Jenkins Sharon Rae , Nowlin Rachel B.
Published: November 2018

Abstract. This naturalistic pilot study examined interpersonal decentering, a form of social cognitive maturity and self–other mentalizing scored from the Thematic Apperception Test, as a client personality variable that might predict psychotherapy retention and clients’ perceptions of in-session process. Clients having difficulty with mature decentering might struggle to engage in therapy, need different interventions, and be at risk for therapy dropout. Thematic Apperception Test stories were gathered from new outpatient therapy clients soon after their intake session. Interpersonal decentering scores from the nine stories were used to predict outpatients’ therapy attrition or perceptions of psychotherapy process four to six sessions later. Clients’ perceptions of therapy events commonly associated differentially with psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral therapies were measured using self-rated items from the Psychotherapy Process Q-set. Lower decentering scores predicted early attrition (before Session 6). Clients with more mature decentering scores reported more frequent psychodynamic relative to cognitive-behavioral therapy process events in these early sessions. Lower decentering maturity may limit clients’ processing of psychodynamic interventions. Interpersonal decentering may be a valuable, easy-to-score assessment tool for predicting attrition risk and making treatment planning recommendations for intervention strategies.
Toward a Rorschach Hope Index
Authors: Scioli Anthony , Cofrin Mike , Aceto Friederika , Martin Timothy
Published: November 2018

Abstract. In this study, we derive a measure of hope from the Rorschach. Drawing on an integrative approach to hope, we identify six Rorschach variables, representing two dimensions each of: interpersonal perceptions, coping resources, and goal engagement. We empirically validate these variables against theoretically linked measures of attachment, coping, and mastery. We propose a Rorschach State Hope Index. To illustrate one potential benefit of this new measure, we apply the Hope Index retrospectively to an individual who died by suicide despite a relatively low score on the existing Suicide Constellation of the Comprehensive System.
My Time at Radio Science: A Thank-You from the Editor-in-Chief
Authors: Wilkinson Phil
Published: November 2018

The outgoing Editor-in-Chief of Radio Science reflects on his tenure and expresses appreciation to all those who contributed to the success of the journal over recent years.
Indian Monsoonal Variations During the Past 80 Kyr Recorded in NGHP‐02 Hole 19B, Western Bay of Bengal: Implications From Chemical and Mineral Properties
Authors: Ota Yuki , Kawahata Hodaka , Kuroda Junichiro , Yamaguchi Asuka , Suzuki Atsushi , Araoka Daisuke , Abe‐Ouchi Ayako , Yamada Yasuhiro , Ijiri Akira , Kanamatsu Toshiya , Kinoshita Masataka , Moe Kyaw Thu , Lin Weiren , Saito Saneatsu , Sanada Yoshinori , Hamada Yohei , Nakamura Yasuyuki , Shinmoto Yuichi , Wu Hung Yu , Ahagon Naokazu , Aoike Kan , Iijima Koichi , Machiyama Hideaki , Tejada Maria Luisa , Umetsu Keita , Usui Yoichi , Yamamoto Yuzuru , Yoshikawa Shuro , Jimenez‐Espejo Francisco , Haraguchi Satoru , Komai Nobuharu , Suga Hisami , Abe Natsue , Gupta Lallan , Hirose Takehiro , Masaki Yuka , Nomura Shun , Sugihara Takamitsu , Tanikawa Wataru , Kubo Yusuke , Maeda Lena , Toczko Sean
Published: November 2018

Detailed reconstruction of Indian summer monsoons is necessary to better understand the late Quaternary climate history of the Bay of Bengal and Indian peninsula. We established a chronostratigraphy for a sediment core from Hole 19B in the western Bay of Bengal, extending to approximately 80 kyr BP and examined major and trace element compositions and clay mineral components of the sediments. Higher δ18O values, lower TiO2 contents, and weaker weathering in the sediment source area during marine isotope stages (MIS) 2 and 4 compared to MIS 1, 3, and 5 are explained by increased Indian summer monsoonal precipitation and river discharge around the western Bay of Bengal. Clay mineral and chemical components indicate a felsic sediment source, suggesting the Precambrian gneissic complex of the eastern Indian peninsula as the dominant sediment source at this site since 80 kyr. Trace element ratios (Cr/Th, Th/Sc, Th/Co, La/Cr, and Eu/Eu*) indicate increased sediment contributions from mafic rocks during MIS 2 and 4. We interpret these results as reflecting the changing influences of the eastern and western branches of the Indian summer monsoon and a greater decrease in rainfall in the eastern and northeastern parts of the Indian peninsula than in the western part during MIS 2 and 4.
Observations of Red Sprites Above Hurricane Matthew
Authors: Huang Anjing , Lu Gaopeng , Yue Jia , Lyons Walter , Lucena Frankie , Lyu Fanchao , Cummer Steven A. , Zhang Wenjuan , Xu Liangtao , Xue Xianghui , Xu Shuang
Published: November 2018

More than three dozen red sprites were captured above Hurricane Matthew on the nights of 1 and 2 October 2016 as it passed to the north of Venezuela after undergoing rapid intensification. Analyses using broadband magnetic fields indicate that all of the sprites were produced by positive cloud‐to‐ground (CG) strokes located within the outer rainbands as defined by relatively cold cloud top brightness temperatures (≤194 K). Negative CG strokes with impulse charge transfers exceeding the threshold of sprite production also existed, but the timescale of the charge transfer was not sufficiently long to develop streamers. The reported observations are contrary to the finding of the Imager of Sprites/Upper Atmospheric Lightning showing that sprites are preferentially produced by negative strokes in the same geographic region. Further ground‐based observations are desired to obtain additional insights into the convective regimes associated with the dominance of negative sprites in many oceanic and coastal thunderstorms.
Revisiting the CMIP5 Thermocline in the Equatorial Pacific and Atlantic Oceans
Authors: Castaño‐Tierno A. , Mohino E. , Rodríguez‐Fonseca B. , Losada T.
Published: November 2018

The thermocline is defined as the ocean layer for which the vertical thermal gradient is maximum. In the equatorial ocean, observations led to the use of the 20 °C isotherm depth (z20) as an estimate of the thermocline. This study compares z20 against the physical thermocline in the equatorial Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, using Simple Ocean Data Assimilation reanalysis and fifth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project preindustrial control simulations. Our results show that z20 is systematically deeper and flatter than the thermocline and does not respond correctly to surface wind stress variations. It is also shown that the annual cycle of z20 is much weaker than that of the physical thermocline. This happens in both equatorial basins and indicates that z20 does not react to the same mechanisms as the thermocline. This could have important consequences in the assessment of air‐sea coupling in current general circulation models and bias reduction strategies.
The Influence of Aerosols and Meteorological Conditions on the Total Rain Volume of the Mesoscale Convective Systems Over Tropical Continents
Authors: Chakraborty Sudip , Fu Rong , Rosenfeld Daniel , Massie Steven T.
Published: November 2018

This study provides an observational assessment of the variations of the total rain volume (TRV) with aerosols through the entire lifetime of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) over tropics. Using 70,000 MCSs' samples, we show that TRV increases with aerosols from clean to moderately heavy polluted conditions (aerosol optical depth [AOD] ~ 0.0–0.4). TRV decreases when AOD exceeds 0.5. The TRV change with AOD is strongest under favorable meteorological conditions, such as high total precipitable water (45–75 kg/m2), high convective available potential energy (1,200–2,400 J/kg), and intermediate vertical wind shear (9–21 × 10−4/s). TRV of MCSs increases from 2 to 4 km3 (rain depth ~ 20–40 mm) when AOD < 0.15 or >0.5, to more than 12 km3 (~120 mm) when 0.2 < AOD < 0.4 under above the mentioned optimal meteorological conditions. The basic response of TRV to aerosol concentrations is similar under all the meteorological conditions and during all stages of the MCS lifecycle.
The Thermal State and Interior Structure of Mars
Authors: Plesa A.‐C. , Padovan S. , Tosi N. , Breuer D. , Grott M. , Wieczorek M. A. , Spohn T. , Smrekar S. E. , Banerdt W. B.
Published: November 2018

The present‐day thermal state, interior structure, composition, and rheology of Mars can be constrained by comparing the results of thermal history calculations with geophysical, petrological, and geological observations. Using the largest‐to‐date set of 3‐D thermal evolution models, we find that a limited set of models can satisfy all available constraints simultaneously. These models require a core radius strictly larger than 1,800 km, a crust with an average thickness between 48.8 and 87.1 km containing more than half of the planet's bulk abundance of heat producing elements, and a dry mantle rheology. A strong pressure dependence of the viscosity leads to the formation of prominent mantle plumes producing melt underneath Tharsis up to the present time. Heat flow and core size estimates derived from the InSight (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) mission will increase the set of constraining data and help to confine the range of admissible models.
Equatorial Counter Electrojet Longitudinal and Seasonal Variability in the American Sector
Authors: Soares Gabriel , Yamazaki Yosuke , Matzka Jürgen , Pinheiro Katia , Morschhauser Achim , Stolle Claudia , Alken Patrick
Published: November 2018

The equatorial electrojet occasionally reverses during morning and afternoon hours, leading to periods of westward current in the ionospheric E region that are known as counter electrojet (CEJ) events. We present the first analysis of CEJ climatology and CEJ dependence on solar flux and lunar phase for the Brazilian sector, based on an extensive ground‐based data set for the years 2008 to 2017 from the geomagnetic observatory Tatuoca (1.2°S, 48.5°W), and we compare it to the results found for Huancayo (12.0°S, 75.3°W) observatory in the Peruvian sector. We found a predominance of morning CEJ events for both sectors. The afternoon CEJ occurrence rate in the Brazilian sector is twice as high as in the Peruvian sector. The afternoon CEJ occurrence rate strongly depends on season, with maximum rates occurring during the northern‐hemisphere summer for the Brazilian sector and during the northern‐hemisphere winter for the Peruvian sector. Significant discrepancies between the two sectors are also found for morning CEJ rates during the northern‐hemisphere summer. These longitudinal differences are in agreement with a CEJ climatology derived from contemporary Swarm satellite data and can be attributed in part to the well‐known longitudinal wave‐4 structure in the background equatorial electrojet strength that results from nonmigrating solar tides and stationary planetary waves. Simulations with the Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Electrodynamics General Circulation Model show that the remaining longitudinal variability in CEJ during northern summer can be explained by the effect of migrating tides in the presence of the varying geomagnetic field in the South Atlantic Anomaly.
Properties of Negative Initial Leaders and Lightning Flash Size in a Cluster of Supercells
Authors: Zheng Dong , Zhang Yijun , Meng Qing
Published: November 2018

Properties of negative initial leaders (NILs) and flash size in a cluster of supercells with generally inverted charge structure in Oklahoma on 10–11 May 2010 are examined, primarily using Lightning Mapping Array data. A method to identify NILs from Lightning Mapping Array source is proposed and helps to reveal the multiple NILs properties and their distributions. The NILs in the supercell cluster have smaller speed (median 3‐D displacement speed: 0.65 × 105 m/s), relative to the previous reports in normal thunderstorms. Furthermore, median NIL speeds initially decrease with increasing height but begin increasing above 12 km. The NILs tend to decelerate during the early stage. The parameters characterizing flash duration and spatial size are also investigated. It is found that they all follow lognormal distributions and the spatial flash size is relatively small on average (median horizontal distance: 5.54 km). Most flashes (83.18%) extend primarily in the horizontal direction. Flash area shows an inverse relationship with flash density at their fast changes during storm evolution. Although large flash initiation density (FID) generally occurs in regions with small flash size, the smallest flash size is nearly not collocated with large FID value. In the regions with large FID, average flash duration roughly increases with increasing FID, while average flash area changes little. We proposed that the pattern of charge pockets and variation of charge density dominated by the strong kinematics are responsible for some new findings about the properties of NIL and flash size in the supercell cluster.
Representing Cloud Water Content of Extensive Cloud Systems Over Land Using Satellite‐Based Passive Microwave Observations With a Coupled Land and Atmosphere Assimilation Method
Authors: Seto R. , Koike T. , Kanae S.
Published: November 2018

We proposed a method to estimate cloud water content (CWC) over land using satellite‐based passive microwave brightness temperatures (TBs) at multiple‐kilometer resolutions with land and atmosphere assimilation to overcome the challenges associated with estimating the CWC of broad cloud systems over land. This method enables estimation of broad cloud systems over land using multifrequency TBs, which have different sensitivities to land and cloud, by concurrently optimizing land emissions and CWC estimates from models. Estimated CWC was validated using vertical two‐dimensional CloudSat products (2B‐CWC‐RVOD and 2C‐ICE). The results were in good accordance with 2B‐CWC‐RVOD in terms of cloud water path and the vertical distribution of CWC but represented underestimates in comparison to 2C‐ICE. We performed sensitivity analysis of CWC estimates of TBs and cloud top height. The results suggested that the error in TBs is not large uncertainty, and that cloud top height affects the estimated CWC more sensitively than TBs. The addition of cloud top height information, as determined from CloudSat products as a constraint of optimization, allows further improvement of the vertical distributions of CWC in case studies. Sensitivity analysis indicated that it is effective to utilize cloud top height data from other satellites, such as next‐generation geostationary meteorological satellites, within an error of about ±600 m for further development of our method. This study revealed that the proposed method has great potential to provide unprecedented data for cloud water path and CWC that are continuously distributed over land and ocean with adequate accuracy.