bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid Testing of Aflatoxin by Using Image Processing and Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Soemantri A S , Miskiyah  , Juniawati  , Diyono W
Published: October 2019

Aflatoxin can be recognized clearly by using UV-light. This information is very important to develop the device for detecting the aflatoxin inside the corn by using image processing. Current research related to identification of aflatoxin has been conducted manually by the experts. This method have some weakness including subjectivity factors, inconsistent result, and time required used. Based on the problems above, it needed to create the rapid testing device for identification of aflatoxin with consistence result, accurate and easy tooperate. The research aimed to develop the device for rapid testing of aflatoxin. The method used image processing and artificial neural network. The raw material used was the corn. The image of aflatoxin taken by using digital camera (Gopro 4) and processed by image processing program. ANN model was developed with 10 input parameters, 20 hidden layers and 4 targets. The fourth of targets above were the size of aflatoxin such as 1 - 2 ppb, 2 – 3 ppb, 3 – 4 ppb dan 4 - 5 ppb. The result showed that the characteristics of image were very specific among the input parameters and the most influential to recognize the object was the longest diameter of aflatoxin. The result of training showed that the size of aflatoxin can be recognized by the system was 100%, while the validation by using the different sample was 99%. Based on this research can be conclude that image processing can be used as the rapid testing of aflatoxin.
Analytical tools beyond Gini index to study inequality: a case of City of Blitar, East Java, Indonesia
Authors: Irawan A , Santoso E B
Published: October 2019

This paper demonstrates the use of some analytical tools beyond usual Gini index to study inequality in the City of Blitar (henceforth, Blitar), East Java, Indonesia. The Blitar’s mid-term development plan has set social and macroeconomics indicators as basis to evaluate how local development is carried out by the city government. Of the government’s primary concerns is how the city’s economic pie is distributed between its citizens. As in many other places or context, Gini index has long been a to-go indicator to gauge inequality at first glance. Gini is in fact a never obsolete since it has many desirable properties to be a good indicator for inequality. However, it is necessary to go deeper so the policy makers would better understand the inequality decomposition and dynamics. Attempts to understand inequality should also include an assessment whether the observed growth is pro-poor. Better equality and pro-poor growth make quality growth, which is a primary dimension of sustainable development goals. This paper offers rather comprehensive yet practical guidance for policy analysts or planning practitioners to study inequality in a more meaningful way.
The study of potential area for urban farming at Surabaya City
Authors: Umilia E , Saptarini D
Published: October 2019

Surabaya City is one of the big cities at East Java with rapid area development. This rapid area development, as usual, is followed by the rising of its citizen’s growth, which creates a challenge in fulfilling the food necessity. This problem causes the food prices to escalate because of its limited amount, but on the other hand, the requests are kept on increasing. Now on, food security is an important issue for Surabaya City. Thus, efforts of increasing the food security level must be done, one of these efforts is urban farming. This study aims to locate the suitable areas for urban farming activities at Surabaya City. To gain that aim, an analysis method of Wight Overlay is used. From This Weight Overlay Analysis, the result retrieved is in the form of chosen areas’ map which can be used as the urban farming activities locations. The chosen areas are distributed over to some locations at four districts of Benowo, Lakarsantri, Pakal, and Sambikerep.
Urban settlement growth factors through ekistics element approach (Case study: Jember City)
Authors: Farizkha I A , Koesoemawati RR D J , Suprobo R A , Listyawati R N , Hayati N N
Published: October 2019

Urban Sprawl phenomenon occurs because of the uncontrolled development of urban settlements. The uncontrolled development of these settlements has resulted in a decline in environmental quality due to changes in certain land functions. Ecistic is a tool that is considered appropriate for understanding the settlement. Research uses ecistic elements to see a settlement in one large frame, namely total settlements patterns with a classification scheme related to elements of settlements, namely nature, anthropos, society, shells, networks. This research was conducted to understand the conditions of residential growth to find out the growth factors that occur. Several stages of analysis carried out in this study include identification of settlement characteristics, trend analysis using periodic regional image analysis, as well as analysis of factors that influence settlement development using AHP techniques. The results showed that settlement development began to occur sporadically in the period 2006-2018 to the south with the highest density concentration remaining in the city center. In the physical organization of space, the development of settlements forms an octopus pattern (Octopus/Star Shape Cities). The results of the AHP analysis strengthen these conditions where the location of settlements and activities is the main factor that causes the growth of settlements.
Heritage and the change of meaning: Understanding the urban heritage in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Siregar JP
Published: October 2019

The heritage of Yogyakarta is always situated in a dynamic environment. The conflicting situation is reflected by the ideological tensions during the creation of historical object in the past and the use of heritage in the present day. This issue leads to the underrated appreciation for the historical meaning. This article reveals the ideological process in the creation of heritage object and the recognition of meaning in the present day. The study uses literature study and in-depth interview to reveal the past and currently perceived meaning. This study provides a basis for understanding the change of meaning in heritage discourse.
The Jakarta Detailed Spatial Plan evaluation based on sustainable development principles
Authors: Drestalita N C , Saputra R T
Published: October 2019

Jakarta is one of the megacities in the world dealing with sustainability issues where urban planning plays a major role in achieving the city sustainability. This paper aims to analyze the extent to which sustainable development (SD) principles are embodied in the Jakarta Detailed Spatial Plan (RDTR). This aim is achieved by identifying SD principles through literature review based on the three pillars of SD: economy, environment, society. These principles are used to analyze the plan using Qualitative Content Analysis with scoring technique. The result shows that the SD indicators with the highest scores are sustainable transport system, green space and biodiversity, and waste management, while inclusive community, and safety and security have the lowest.
Assessment of structural behavior of torque converter dampener
Authors: Das Ujjwal Kumar , Victoria Vinogradov , Bhaskara Ch
Published: October 2019

A Torque Converter Dampener is a primary component for transmittal of power between the Engine and the Transmission. It comprises of three major components – driving cage plates, driven cage plates and set of springs. Being a spring based system, it provides a smooth conversion of torque from engine to the driveline. When the vehicle performs a gearshift, these springs damp the driveline oscillations and they get locked when the vehicle runs at a higher speed. A Torque Converter Dampener assembly is typically subjected to high torque and centrifugal loading and sometimes, there is a chance of breaking of the springs under operating loading conditions. This paper explains detailed method of analyzing Torque Converter Dampener using Finite Element Analysis. Cage plates and springs are modeled accurately with interactions and boundary conditions properly defined similar to actual hardware, in order to capture the physics of the system. As the problem is highly complex in nature, material non linearity, temperature effect and effect of dynamic fluid pressure are not taken into consideration. The analysis process takes care of the spring’s installation followed by applying centrifugal force and torque in alternating sequence. Similar method is repeated for different spring orientation to find out the worst case model and loading sequence. High stress locations on springs and Driving/Driven cage plates are identified and correlated with the actual hardware test results.
Extraction of vibration behavior in conventional and electric drive two-wheeler using order analysis
Authors: Mulla Lalsaheb , Khuba Piyush , Dhere Apeksha , Palanivelu Sakthivel
Published: October 2019

Electrification of automobiles results in new and challenging characteristics of vehicle NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) and ride comfort. Optimized architecture of electric vehicles has been evolved for appropriate placement of electric power drives. This paper presents the experiments performed for order analysis technique to predict the vibrational behavior of conventional and electric scooters which was not used in 2-wheelers earlier and used for 4-wheeler noise predictions and for vibration analysis of rotating machinery. Vibrational analysis of source alone in conventional and electric two-wheelers carried out by order analysis and the result is presented through Campbell Diagrams to observe the critical orders along with the variation of the amplitude of vibration as a function of frequency. Target locations’ Vibration Dose Values (VDV) is calculated to assess rider comfort and is compared with the ISO 2631 standard. The higher amplitude of vibration has been observed at 23rd order for electric scooter while for conventional scooter it is noted at 8th and 16th order with reference to the wheel speed. Compared to the conventional scooter, electric scooter exhibits very low overall vibration level and range is away from human perception range resulting in good comfort.
To Optimise the Performance of Electric Powertrain by Tuning the CVT
Authors: Gawade S , Bari J , Anagolkar N , Ashok D
Published: October 2019

There is desperate need to find an alternate power source to run the vehicles. This reasons leads to work on electric vehicles. In India, it has been noticed major part of urban air pollution is caused by auto rickshaw emissions as they are not maintained properly. So switching from conventional rickshaw to electric will significantly reduce this problem in urban areas. Continuously variable transmission (CVT) transfers power uninterrupted due to its infinite gear ratios. Moreover, it allows the motor to run at its optimum speed which ultimately reduces the current consumption. CVT available in current market is design to work efficiently with internal combustion engines. This CVT can be made compatible with pure electric power train by CVT tuning. This paper aims to study and analyses the effect on performance of CVT by varying the mass of flyweights. The driver and driven pulley RPM are measured using DAQ system. This data is then use to obtain gear ratio. The iterations are performed using two different mass of flyweights. The gear ratio verses pulley rpm graphs are compared. The result infers that as the flyweight mass is increase the engagement rpm decreases and up-shift rate increases. This enhances performance of CVT.
Study and control of factors influencing casting shrinkage using DOE and numerical simulation
Authors: Singh Sarabjit , Khanna Dr. Rajesh , Sharma Dr. Neeraj
Published: October 2019

The purpose of this study is to predict the effect of various factors like alloying elements, Inoculation and Carbon Equivalent (CEV) on green sand casting shrinkage defect in gearbox housing, without changing the casting methoding system. Foundries are prone to have defects related to feeding and gating system, sand and process parameters. In some engineering applications, it is very difficult to alter methoding system due to specific casting geometry requirements. If not controlled during development stage, the rejections may seriously affect the productivity. This research work involves the optimization of various factors by DoE and numerical simulation to reduce the shrinkage defect. Unlike the prototype or sample lot trial, mass production of gearbox housing castings has been done in a foundry to achieve the research purpose. Effect of these factors on final casting hardness and tensile strength has also been studied and found to be on positive side, as these parameters are important for satisfactory performance under dynamic loading. Outcome was the reduction in shrinkage porosity from 10.9% to 3.2% with overall saving of 41k USD over the period of 4.5 months. Implication of this study involves standardization of optimum range of alloy elements and inoculation for different grades of grey cast iron.
Vibration Analysis of Heterogeneous Gearbox Faults using EMD Features and SVM Classifier
Authors: Suresh Setti , Naidu VPS
Published: October 2019

Gearbox is one of the important mechanical power transmission device most commonly used in automobiles and industries to get the desired change in speed and torque. The gearbox fault diagnosis has given utmost importance for its significance in preventing halts of a mechanical system and guaranteeing an advantage of sufficient maintenance. This paper presents the vibration analysis of heterogeneous gearbox faults using EMD features and SVM classifier. The vibration signal is converted into intrinsic mode functions (IMF) with decreasing order of frequencies using empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method. Feature vector consisting of information theoretic features have been computed for each IMF and concatenated to form a feature set. By using random permutations, the feature set has been divided into training and testing sets. The support vector machine (SVM) algorithm has been used as a classification technique to diagnose the gearbox faults, which consists of five-class classification. The accuracy of the developed algorithm has been validated using 100 Monte Carlo runs. A comparative study has been carried between computed features and varying IMF components. The observations made were - clear discrimination of the gearbox faults and improved classification accuracy, which contain - chipped tooth, missing tooth, root fault, surface fault and healthy working state of the gear.
The polylog quotient and the Goncharov quotient in computational Chabauty–Kim theory II
Authors: Dan-Cohen Ishai , Corwin David
Published: October 2019

This is the second installment in a multi-part series starting with Corwin–Dan-Cohen [arXiv:1812.05707v3]. Building on previous work by Dan-Cohen–Wewers, Dan-Cohen, and F. Brown, we push the computational boundary of our explicit motivic version of Kim’s method in the case of the thrice punctured line over an open subscheme of

Spec
⁡

Z

\operatorname {Spec}\mathbb {Z}

. To do so, we develop a refined version of the algorithm of Dan-Cohen–Wewers tailored specifically to this case. We also commit ourselves fully to working with the polylogarithmic quotient. This allows us to restrict our calculus with motivic iterated integrals to the so-called depth-

1
1

part of the mixed Tate Galois group studied extensively by Goncharov. An application was given in Corwin–Dan-Cohen [arXiv:1812.05707v3], where we verified Kim’s conjecture in an interesting new case.
Non-tangential limits and the slope of trajectories of holomorphic semigroups of the unit disc
Authors: Bracci Filippo , Contreras Manuel , Díaz-Madrigal Santiago , Gaussier Hervé
Published: October 2019

Let

Δ
⊊

C

\Delta \subsetneq \mathbb {C}

be a simply connected domain, let

f
:

D

→
Δ

f:\mathbb {D} \to \Delta

be a Riemann map, and let

{

z
k

}
⊂
Δ

\{z_k\}\subset \Delta

be a compactly divergent sequence. Using Gromov’s hyperbolicity theory, we show that

{

f

−
1

(

z
k

)
}

\{f^{-1}(z_k)\}

converges non-tangentially to a point of

∂

D

\partial \mathbb {D}

if and only if there exists a simply connected domain

U
⊊

C

U\subsetneq \mathbb {C}

such that

Δ
⊂
U

\Delta \subset U

and

Δ
\Delta

contains a tubular hyperbolic neighborhood of a geodesic of

U
U

and

{

z
k

}

\{z_k\}

is eventually contained in a smaller tubular hyperbolic neighborhood of the same geodesic. As a consequence we show that if

(

ϕ
t

)

(\phi _t)

is a non-elliptic semigroup of holomorphic self-maps of

D

\mathbb {D}

with Koenigs function

h
h

and

h
(

D

)

h(\mathbb {D})

contains a vertical Euclidean sector, then

ϕ
t

(
z
)

\phi _t(z)

converges to the Denjoy-Wolff point non-tangentially for every

z
∈

D

z\in \mathbb {D}

as

t
→
+
∞

t\to +\infty

. Using new localization results for the hyperbolic distance, we also construct an example of a parabolic semigroup which converges non-tangentially to the Denjoy-Wolff point but is oscillating, in the sense that the slope of the trajectories is not a single point.
On the dimension spectrum of infinite subsystems of continued fractions
Authors: Chousionis Vasileios , Leykekhman Dmitriy , Urbański Mariusz
Published: October 2019

In this paper we study the dimension spectrum of continued fractions with coefficients restricted to infinite subsets of natural numbers. We prove that if

E
E

is any arithmetic progression, the set of primes, or the set of squares

{

n
2

}

n
∈

N

\{n^2\}_{n \in \mathbb {N}}

, then the continued fractions whose digits lie in

E
E

have full dimension spectrum, which we denote by

D
S
(

C
F

E

)

DS(\mathcal {CF}_E)

. Moreover we prove that if

E
E

is an infinite set of consecutive powers, then the dimension spectrum

D
S
(

C
F

E

)

DS(\mathcal {CF}_E)

always contains a non-trivial interval. We also show that there exists some

E
⊂

N

E \subset \mathbb {N}

and two non-trivial intervals

I
1

,

I
2

I_1, I_2

, such that

D
S
(

C
F

E

)
∩

I
1

=

I
1

DS(\mathcal {CF}_E) \cap I_1=I_1

and

D
S
(

C
F

E

)
∩

I
2

DS(\mathcal {CF}_E) \cap I_2

is a Cantor set. On the way we employ the computational approach of Falk and Nussbaum in order to obtain rigorous effective estimates for the Hausdorff dimension of continued fractions whose entries are restricted to infinite sets.
Borel complexity of sets of normal numbers via generic points in subshifts with specification
Authors: Airey Dylan , Jackson Steve , Kwietniak Dominik , Mance Bill
Published: October 2019

We study the Borel complexity of sets of normal numbers in several numeration systems. Taking a dynamical point of view, we offer a unified treatment for continued fraction expansions and base

r
r

expansions, and their various generalisations: generalised Lüroth series expansions and

β
\beta

-expansions. In fact, we consider subshifts over a countable alphabet generated by all possible expansions of numbers in

[
0
,
1
)

[0,1)

. Then normal numbers correspond to generic points of shift-invariant measures. It turns out that for these subshifts the set of generic points for a shift-invariant probability measure is precisely at the third level of the Borel hierarchy (it is a

Π
3
0

\boldsymbol {\Pi }^0_3

-complete set, meaning that it is a countable intersection of

F
σ

F_\sigma

-sets, but it is not possible to write it as a countable union of

G
δ

G_\delta

-sets). We also solve a problem of Sharkovsky–Sivak on the Borel complexity of the basin of statistical attraction. The crucial dynamical feature we need is a feeble form of specification. All expansions named above generate subshifts with this property. Hence the sets of normal numbers under consideration are

Π
3
0

\boldsymbol {\Pi }^0_3

-complete.
Simple-minded systems and reduction for negative Calabi-Yau triangulated categories
Authors: Coelho Simões Raquel , Pauksztello David
Published: October 2019

We develop the basic properties of

w
w

-simple-minded systems in

(
−
w
)

(-w)

-Calabi-Yau triangulated categories for

w
⩾
1

w \geqslant 1

. We show that the theory of simple-minded systems exhibits striking parallels with that of cluster-tilting objects. The main result is a reduction technique for negative Calabi-Yau triangulated categories. Our construction provides an inductive technique for constructing simple-minded systems.
A sub-functor for Ext and Cohen-Macaulay associated graded modules with bounded multiplicity
Authors: Puthenpurakal Tony
Published: October 2019

Let

(
A
,

m

)

(A,\mathfrak {m})

be a Cohen-Macaulay local ring and let

C
M

(
A
)

\mathrm {CM}(A)

be the category of maximal Cohen-Macaulay

A
A

-modules. We construct

T
:

C
M

(
A
)
×

C
M

(
A
)
→
mod
⁡
(
A
)

T \colon \mathrm {CM}(A)\times \mathrm {CM}(A) \rightarrow \operatorname {mod}(A)

, a subfunctor of

Ext
A
1

⁡
(
−
,
−
)

\operatorname {Ext}^1_A(-, -)

and use it to study properties of associated graded modules over

G
(
A
)
=

⨁

n
≥
0

m

n

/

m

n
+
1

G(A) = \bigoplus _{n\geq 0} \mathfrak {m}^n/\mathfrak {m}^{n+1}

, the associated graded ring of

A
A

. As an application we give several examples of complete Cohen-Macaulay local rings

A
A

with

G
(
A
)

G(A)

Cohen-Macaulay and having distinct indecomposable maximal Cohen-Macaulay modules

M
n

M_n

with

G
(

M
n

)

G(M_n)

Cohen-Macaulay and the set

{
e
(

M
n

)
}

\{e(M_n)\}

bounded (here

e
(
M
)

e(M)

denotes multiplicity of

M
M

).
Innate antipredator behavior can promote infection in fish even in the absence of predators
Authors: Mikheev Victor N , Pasternak Anna F , Morozov Andrew Yu , Taskinen Jouni
Published: October 2019

Natural enemies—predators and parasites—largely shape the dynamics of ecosystems. It is known that antipredator and antiparasite defense can be mutually conflicting, however consequences of this trade-off for the regulation of infection burden in animals are still poorly understood. We hypothesize that even in the absence of cues from predators, innate antipredator behavior (“ghost of predation past”) interferes with defense against parasites and can enhance the infection risk. As a case study, we explore interactions between a commercial species, the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, and its parasite, the trematode eye-fluke Diplostomum pseudospathaceum. Fish–parasite interactions were tested in compartmentalized tanks where shelters and parasites were presented in different combinations providing various conditions for microhabitat choice and territorial behavior. Shelters were attractive and contestable despite the absence of predators and presence of parasites. The individuals fighting for shelters acquired more than twice the number of cercariae as compared to those in infected shelter-free compartments. Most infected were subordinate fish with a higher ventilation rate. Fish possessing shelters were less vulnerable to parasites than fighting fish. Grouping reduced the infection load, although less efficiently than sheltering. Our data demonstrate that the innate antipredator behavior can undermine antiparasite tactics of the fish and result in higher infection rates. Using our empirical results, we construct a mathematical model which predicts that enriching the environment in fish farming will be beneficial only when a large number of shelters is provided. Using insufficient number of shelters will increase the parasite burden in the fish.
Food Insecurity Is Associated With Lower Levels of Antiretroviral Drug Concentrations in Hair Among a Cohort of Women Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the United States
Authors: Leddy Anna M , Sheira Lila A , Tamraz Bani , Sykes Craig , Kashuba Angela D M , Wilson Tracey E , Adedimeji Adebola , Merenstein Daniel , Cohen Mardge H , Wentz Eryka L , Adimora Adaora A , Ofotokun Ighovwerha , Metsch Lisa R , Turan Janet M , Bacchetti Peter , Weiser Sheri D
Published: October 2019

Background

Food insecurity is a well-established determinant of suboptimal, self-reported antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, but few studies have investigated this association using objective adherence measures. We examined the association of food insecurity with levels of ART concentrations in hair among women living with human immunodeficiency virus (WLHIV) in the United States.

Methods

We analyzed longitudinal data collected semiannually from 2013 through 2015 from the Women’s Interagency HIV Study, a multisite, prospective, cohort study of WLHIV and controls not living with HIV. Our sample comprised 1944 person-visits from 677 WLHIV. Food insecurity was measured using the US Household Food Security Survey Module. ART concentrations in hair, an objective and validated measure of drug adherence and exposure, were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection for regimens that included darunavir, atazanavir, raltegravir, or dolutegravir. We conducted multiple 3-level linear regressions that accounted for repeated measures and the ART medication(s) taken at each visit, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

Results

At baseline, 67% of participants were virally suppressed and 35% reported food insecurity. In the base multivariable model, each 3-point increase in food insecurity was associated with 0.94-fold lower ART concentration in hair (95% confidence interval, 0.89 to 0.99). This effect remained unchanged after adjusting for self-reported adherence.

Conclusions

Food insecurity was associated with lower ART concentrations in hair, suggesting that food insecurity may be associated with suboptimal ART adherence and/or drug absorption. Interventions seeking to improve ART adherence among WLHIV should consider and address the role of food insecurity.
Putting the Dissemination and Implementation in Infectious Diseases
Authors: Burnham Jason P , Geng Elvin , Venkatram Chinmayi , Colditz Graham A , McKay Virginia R
Published: October 2019

Dissemination and implementation science seeks generalizable knowledge about closing the gap between clinical discovery and actual use in routine practice and public health. The field of infectious diseases enjoys an abundance of highly efficacious interventions (eg, antimicrobial agents, human immunodeficiency virus treatment) which are not adequately used in routine care, thereby missing critical opportunities to improve population health. In this article, we summarize salient features of dissemination and implementation science, reviewing definitions and methodologies for infectious diseases clinicians and researchers. We give examples of the limited use of dissemination and implementation science in infectious diseases thus far, suggest opportunities for application, and provide resources for interested readers to use and apply to their own research and practice.
WHDA-FCM: Wolf Hunting-Based Dragonfly With Fuzzy C-Mean Clustering For Change Detection In SAR Images
Authors: Kumar J Thrisul , Reddy Y Mallikarjuna , Rao B Prabhakara
Published: October 2019

For the past few years, the automated addressing of changes in remote sensing images plays a significant role. However, the change detection (CD) model often suffers from the issue of speckle noise. More investigations have been proceeded to overcome this obstacle. This paper also considers the same issue and proposes a new CD model in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. Here, two SAR images that are captivated at different times will be considered as the input of the detection process. At first, discrete wavelet transform is incurred for image fusion, where the coefficients are optimally selected through a hybrid model that hybridizes the gray wolf optimization and dragonfly (DA) optimization. At last, the fused images after inverse transform are clustered via the fuzzy c-mean (FCM) clustering approach, and a similarity measure is performed between the segmented image and the ground truth image. The proposed model, wolf hunting-based DA with FCM, compares its performance over other conventional methods in terms of measures like accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, precision, negative predictive value, F1 score and Matthews correlation coefficient. Similarly, the negative measures are false positive rate, false negative rate and false discovery rate, and the betterment is proven.
Burrowing Richardson’s ground squirrels affect plant seedling assemblages via environmental but not seed bank changes
Authors: Newediuk Levi J , Hare James F
Published: October 2019

In grassland ecosystems, burrowing mammals create disturbances, providing habitat for animal species and increasing plant community diversity. We investigated whether seedling assemblages on Richardson’s ground squirrel Urocitellus richardsonii mounds result from seed rearrangement or environmental changes that favor germination of certain species over others. To test whether ground squirrels rearrange the seed bank by burrowing, we compared seed compositions among mounds, burrows, and undisturbed soil. To test whether ground squirrels change environmental conditions, we compared soil nitrate and bare ground cover on and off mounds. We also compared seedlings that germinated on mounds with seedlings that germinated on artificial disturbances from which we removed aboveground vegetation. Soil nitrate and bare ground cover were significantly higher on mounds than artificial disturbances. While seed richness and abundance did not differ among mounds, burrows, and undisturbed soil, seedling richness was reduced on mounds relative to artificial disturbances. Burrowing disturbance favors seedlings that can capitalize on bare ground availability but are less able to immobilize nitrate, as opposed to perennial species that immobilize more nitrate but take longer to establish. Our results suggest that Richardson’s ground squirrels act as ecosystem engineers, although future research following succession on ground squirrel mounds is necessary to understand how they influence plant communities past the seedling stage.
A population-based study of cardiovascular disease mortality risk in US cancer patients
Authors: Sturgeon Kathleen M , Deng Lei , Bluethmann Shirley M , Zhou Shouhao , Trifiletti Daniel M , Jiang Changchuan , Kelly Scott P , Zaorsky Nicholas G
Published: October 2019

Aims

This observational study characterized cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality risk for multiple cancer sites, with respect to the following: (i) continuous calendar year, (ii) age at diagnosis, and (iii) follow-up time after diagnosis.

Methods and results

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program was used to compare the US general population to 3 234 256 US cancer survivors (1973–2012). Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated using coded cause of death from CVDs (heart disease, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, atherosclerosis, and aortic aneurysm/dissection). Analyses were adjusted by age, race, and sex. Among 28 cancer types, 1 228 328 patients (38.0%) died from cancer and 365 689 patients (11.3%) died from CVDs. Among CVDs, 76.3% of deaths were due to heart disease. In eight cancer sites, CVD mortality risk surpassed index-cancer mortality risk in at least one calendar year. Cardiovascular disease mortality risk was highest in survivors diagnosed at <35 years of age. Further, CVD mortality risk is highest (SMR 3.93, 95% confidence interval 3.89–3.97) within the first year after cancer diagnosis, and CVD mortality risk remains elevated throughout follow-up compared to the general population.

Conclusion

The majority of deaths from CVD occur in patients diagnosed with breast, prostate, or bladder cancer. We observed that from the point of cancer diagnosis forward into survivorship cancer patients (all sites) are at elevated risk of dying from CVDs compared to the general US population. In endometrial cancer, the first year after diagnosis poses a very high risk of dying from CVDs, supporting early involvement of cardiologists in such patients.
Fertility History and Cognitive Function in Late Life: The Case of Mexico
Authors: Saenz Joseph L , Díaz-Venegas Carlos , Crimmins Eileen M
Published: October 2019

Objectives

Mexico is aging rapidly, which makes identification of life-course factors influencing cognition a public health priority. We evaluate how the number of children one has relates to cognition in Mexico, a rapidly aging country that experienced fertility declines across recent cohorts of older people.

Method

We analyze older adults (age 50+, n = 11,380) from the 2015 Mexican Health and Aging Study. Respondents were categorized by number of children ever born (0–1, 2–3, 4–5, 6+). Using ordinary least squares regression, we estimate independent associations between fertility history and cognition accounting for demographic, socioeconomic, health, and psychosocial factors.

Results

We observed an inverse U-shaped relationship between number of children (peaking at 2–3 children) and cognitive function, regardless of gender. In regression analyses adjusted for confounding variables, having 0–1 (vs 2–3 children) was associated with poorer cognitive function only for females. Regardless of gender, having 6+ (vs 2–3 children) was associated with poorer cognitive function. These associations remained significant even after accounting for socioeconomic, health, employment, and psychosocial factors.

Discussion

Our results suggest fertility history may play a role in late-life cognitive health and provide evidence that both low and high fertility may relate to poorer cognitive function. We discuss differences by gender.
Imaging with pre-stack migration based on Sp scattering kernels
Authors: Hua Junlin , Fischer Karen M , Mancinelli Nicholas J , Bao Tiezhao
Published: October 2019

Sp receiver functions have been widely used to detect the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary (LAB) and other mantle discontinuities. However, traditional common conversion point (CCP) stacking can be biased by the assumption of horizontal layers and this method typically underestimates scattering amplitudes from velocity boundaries with significant dips. A new pre-stack migration method based on recently developed Sp scattering kernels offers an alternative that more accurately captures the timing and amplitude of scattering. When calculating kernels, Sp-S times are estimated with the fast-marching method, and scattering amplitude versus direction, geometrical spreading and phase shifts are accounted for. To minimize imaging artefacts with larger station spacing, Sp receiver functions are interpolated to more closely spaced pseudo-stations using either compressive sampling or spatial averaging algorithms. To test the kernel-based stacking method, synthetic Sp phases were predicted using SPECFEM2D for velocity models with a flat Moho and a negative mantle velocity gradient with a ramp structure. The kernel-based stacking method resolves horizontal interfaces equally well as CCP stacking and outperforms CCP stacking when imaging boundaries with dips of more than 8°, although dip resolution is still limited. Use of more vertically incident phases such as SKSp improves retrieval of dipping discontinuity segments. A second approach is to down-weight the portions of the kernels that have the greatest positive interference among neighbouring stations, thus enhancing scattering from dipping structures where positive interference is lower. With this downweighting, the kernel-based stacking method applied to Sp data is able to continuously resolve LAB discontinuities with dips up to 15° and to partially resolve continuous LAB discontinuities with dips of ∼20°. The intrinsic properties of teleseismic Sp phase kernels limit their ability to resolve LAB structures with dips of ∼20–35°, but still larger dips of ∼40–50° are resolvable with dense and appropriately placed stations. Analysis of Sp scattering kernels also explains the effectiveness of CCP stacking for quasi-horizontal interfaces.
Associations with metabolites in Chinese suggest new metabolic roles in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases
Authors: Chai Jin-Fang , Raichur Suryaprakash , Khor Ing Wei , Torta Federico , Chew Wee Siong , Herr Deron Raymond , Ching Jian-Hong , Kovalik Jean Paul , Khoo Chin Meng , Wenk Markus R , Tai E Shyong , Sim Xueling
Published: October 2019

Metabolites are small intermediate products of cellular metabolism perturbed in a variety of complex disorders. Identifying genetic markers associated with metabolite concentrations could delineate disease-related metabolic pathways in humans. We tested genetic variants for associations with 136 metabolites in 1,954 Chinese from Singapore. At a conservative genome-wide threshold (3.7 x 10-10), we detected 1,899 variant-metabolite associations at 16 genetic loci. Three loci (ABCA7, A4GALT, GSTM2) represented novel associations with metabolites, with the strongest association observed between ABCA7 and d18:1/24:1 dihexosylceramide. Among 13 replicated loci, we identified six new variants independent of previously reported metabolite or lipid signals. We observed variant-metabolite associations at two loci (ABCA7, CHCHD2) that have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases. At SGPP1 and SPTLC3 loci, genetic variants showed preferential selectivity for sphingolipids with d16 (rather than d18) sphingosine backbone, including sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Our results provide new genetic associations for metabolites and highlight the role of metabolites as intermediate modulators in disease metabolic pathways.
Breast development and satisfaction in women with disorders/differences of sex development
Authors: van de Grift Tim C , Kreukels Baudewijntje P C ,   dsd-LIFE
Published: October 2019

STUDY QUESTION

What are the levels of breast development and satisfaction in women with a Disorder/Difference of Sex Development (DSD)?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Compared with normative data, women with DSD reached lower Tanner stages and reported less breast satisfaction.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Women with DSD may have chromosomal and hormonal variations that can impact typical breast development. While much emphasis is placed on genital development in this group, little is known about breast development, satisfaction and their association.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Data collection was part of the cross-sectional European multicenter dsd-LIFE study. Fourteen recruiting sites included 1040 participants between February 2014 and September 2015.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

A total of 695 female-identifying participants were included (Turner n = 332, 46,XY DSD n = 141 and congenital adrenal hyperplasia n = 222), with a median age of 28 years. Clinical (i.e. history of hormone and surgical treatments, Tanner breast examination) and patient-reported (i.e. breast satisfaction, relationship status, sexual satisfaction and experienced femininity) data was collected by independent trained research staff. The relationship between breast development, satisfaction and femininity was assessed. Control data on breast development and satisfaction in women without DSD was retrieved from the literature.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Of the 695 participants, 61% had received estrogen replacement and 51% puberty induction therapy, whereas 2% had received breast augmentation surgery. Approximately 65% of participants had reached Tanner breast stage 5, which is substantially less than the general population (90%). Breast satisfaction was lower than normative data as well (P < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.45). Breast size and breast satisfaction were associated with feelings of femininity.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

Limitations include the sample representativeness (e.g. regarding the clinical heterogeneity) and the limited in-depth knowledge on (prior) hormonal regimens. Furthermore, no (matched) control data was collected as part of this study.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

In order to support the psychosexual well-being of women with DSD, enhancing breast development by sufficient hormone replacement and possible augmentation surgery is advocated. The scope of DSD management should be beyond genital development only and consider breasts as well.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

The study was funded by the European Union Seventh Framework Program (FP7/2007–2013) under grant agreement no. 305 373. There are no competing interests.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

German Clinical Trials Register: Registration identification number: DRKS00006072.
Attracted to the outside: a meso-scale response pattern of lesser black-backed gulls at an offshore wind farm revealed by GPS telemetry
Authors: Vanermen Nicolas , Courtens Wouter , Daelemans Robin , Lens Luc , Müller Wendt , Van de walle Marc , Verstraete Hilbran , Stienen Eric W M
Published: October 2019

Among seabirds, lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus) are considered to be at high risk of colliding with offshore wind turbines. In this respect, we used GPS tracking data of lesser black-backed gulls caught and tagged in two colonies along the Belgian North Sea coast (Ostend and Zeebrugge) to study spatial patterns in the species’ presence and behaviour in and around the Thornton Bank offshore wind farm (OWF). We found a significant decrease in the number of GPS fixes of flying birds from up to a distance of at least 2000 m towards the middle of the wind farm. Non-flying birds showed a similar avoidance of the wind farm interior, yet presence strongly peaked right at the wind farm’s edge, demonstrated to represent gulls perching on the outer turbine jacket foundations. The findings of this study reveal a strong within-wind farm variability in bird density, a most crucial parameter in collision risk modelling. The method presented here is straightforward and similar studies conducted at other wind farm sites on a range of large gull species (Larus sp.) would allow to assess the potential and species-specific variation in meso-scale response patterns and to gain insight in the underlying ecological incentives, which in turn would provide widely applicable and much-needed input for (cumulative) collision impact assessments.
Comparison of Microneutralization and Histo-Blood Group Antigen–Blocking Assays for Functional Norovirus Antibody Detection
Authors: Atmar Robert L , Ettayebi Khalil , Ayyar B Vijayalakshmi , Neill Frederick H , Braun Ralph P , Ramani Sasirekha , Estes Mary K
Published: October 2019

Background

The development of an in vitro cultivation system for human noroviruses allows the measurement of neutralizing antibody levels.

Methods

Serum neutralizing antibody levels were determined using a GII.4/Sydney/2012-like virus in human intestinal enteroids in samples collected before and 4 weeks after administration of an investigational norovirus vaccine and were compared with those measured in histo-blood group antigen (HBGA)–blocking assays.

Results

Neutralizing antibody seroresponses were observed in 71% of 24 vaccinated adults, and antibody levels were highly correlated (r = 0.82, P < .001) with those measured by HBGA blocking.

Conclusions

HBGA-blocking antibodies are a surrogate for neutralization in human noroviruses.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT02475278.
Use of electronic medical records to conduct surveillance of malaria among Peace Corps volunteers
Authors: Davlantes Elizabeth , Henderson Susan , Ferguson Rennie W , Lewis Lauren , Tan Kathrine R
Published: October 2019

Objective

The Peace Corps’ disease surveillance for Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) was incorporated into an electronic medical records (EMR) system in 2015. We evaluated this EMR-based surveillance system, focusing particularly on malaria as it is deadly but preventable.

Materials and Methods

In 2016, we administered a survey to Peace Corps Medical Officers (PCMOs), who manage PCVs’ medical care, and semistructured phone interviews to headquarters staff. We assessed the structure of the surveillance system and its utility to stakeholders, evaluated surveillance case definitions for malaria, and compared clinical information in the EMR for malaria cases captured by surveillance during the first half of 2016.

Results

Of 131 PCMOs, 77 (59%) completed the survey. Of 53 respondents in malaria-endemic nations, 98% believed most PCVs contact them about possible malaria. Of 134 cases with a malaria clinical diagnosis in the EMR between January and August 2016, 58 (43% sensitivity) were reported to the surveillance system by PCMOs. The remaining cases in the surveillance system were added during data cleaning, which is time-intensive. Among the 48 malaria cases identified by surveillance between January and June 2016, positive predictive value was 67%.

Discussion

Areas for improvement include streamlining PCMO documentation, refining case definitions, and improving data quality. With such improvements, surveillance data can be used to inform epidemiological analysis, clinical care, health education, and policy.

Conclusion

The EMR is an important tool for malaria surveillance among PCVs and, with the refinements mentioned, could serve as a framework for other multinational organizations to monitor their staff.
Selection of Reference Genes for Normalization of Real-Time PCR Data in Calliptamus italicus (Orthoptera: Acrididae) Under Different Temperature Conditions
Authors: Hu Hongxia , Ye Xiaofang , Wang Han , Ji Rong
Published: October 2019

Global warming has dominated worldwide climate change trends, and adaptability to high temperatures is the main factor underlying the spread of the pest Calliptamus italicus in Xinjiang Province, China. However, knowledge about the molecular mechanisms responsible for this adaptability and other related biological properties of C. italicus remain relatively unclear. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a key tool for gene expression analysis associated with various biological processes. Reference genes are necessary for normalizing gene expression levels across samples taken from specific experimental conditions. In this study, transcript level of five genes (GAPDH, 18S, TUB, ACT, and EF1α), commonly used as reference genes, were evaluated under nine different temperatures (27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 48, and 51°C) to assess their expression stability and further select the most suitable to be used on normalization of target gene expression data. Gene expression profiles were analyzed using geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper software packages. The combined results demonstrated that the best-ranked reference genes for C. italicus are EF1α, GAPDH, and ACT under different thermal stress conditions. This is the first study that assesses gene expression analysis across a range of temperatures to select the most appropriate reference genes for RT-qPCR data normalization in C. italicus. These results should assist target gene expression analysis associated with heat stress in C. italicus.