bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can data from native mosquitoes support determining invasive species habitats? Modelling the climatic niche of Aedes japonicus japonicus (Diptera, Culicidae) in Germany
Authors: Kerkow Antje , Wieland Ralf , Früh Linus , Hölker Franz , Jeschke Jonathan M. , Werner Doreen , Kampen Helge
Published: November 2019

Invasive mosquito species and the pathogens they transmit represent a serious health risk to both humans and animals. Thus, predictions on their potential geographic distribution are urgently needed. In the case of a recently invaded region, only a small number of occurrence data is typically available for analysis, and absence data are not reliable. To overcome this problem, we have tested whether it is possible to determine the climatic ecological niche of an invasive mosquito species by using both the occurrence data of other, native species and machine learning. The approach is based on a support vector machine and in this scenario applied to the Asian bush mosquito (Aedes japonicus japonicus) in Germany. Presence data for this species (recorded in the Germany since 2008) as well as for three native mosquito species were used to model the potential distribution of the invasive species. We trained the model with data collected from 2011 to 2014 and compared our predicted occurrence probabilities for 2015 with observations found in the field throughout 2015 to evaluate our approach. The prediction map showed a high degree of concordance with the field data. We applied the model to medium climate conditions at an early stage of the invasion (2011–2015), and developed an explanation for declining population densities in an area in northern Germany. In addition to the already known distribution areas, our model also indicates a possible spread to Saarland, southwestern Rhineland-Palatinate and in 2015 to southern Bavaria, where the species is now being increasingly detected. However, there is also evidence that the possible distribution area under the mean climate conditions was underestimated.
Identification of a molecular signature of prognostic subtypes in diffuse-type gastric cancer
Authors: Kim Seon-Kyu , Kim Hee-Jin , Park Jong-Lyul , Heo Haejeong , Kim Seon-Young , Lee Sang-Il , Song Kyu-Sang , Kim Woo-Ho , Kim Yong Sung
Published: November 2019

Background

Although recent advances in high-throughput technology have provided many insights into gastric cancer (GC), few reliable biomarkers for diffuse-type GC have been identified. Here, we aim to identify a prognostic and predictive signature of diffuse-type GC heterogeneity.

Methods

We analyzed RNA-seq-based transcriptome data to identify a molecular signature in 150 gastric tissue samples including 107 diffuse-type GCs. The predictive value of the signature was verified using other diffuse-type GC samples in three independent cohorts (n = 466). Log-rank and Cox regression analyses were used to estimate the association between the signature and prognosis. The signature was also characterized by somatic variant analyses and tissue microarray analysis between diffuse-type GC subtypes.

Results

Transcriptomic profiling of RNA-seq data identified a signature which revealed distinct subtypes of diffuse-type GC: the intestinal-like (INT) and core diffuse-type (COD) subtypes. The signature showed high predictability and independent clinical utility in diffuse-type GC prognosis in other patient cohorts (HR 2.058, 95% CI 1.53–2.77, P = 1.76 × 10–6). Integrative mutational and gene expression analyses demonstrated that the COD subtype was responsive to chemotherapy, whereas the INT subtype was responsive to immunotherapy with an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). Tissue microarray analysis showed the practical utility of IGF1 and NXPE2 for predicting diffuse-type GC heterogeneity.

Conclusions

We present a molecular signature that can identify diffuse-type GC patients who display different clinical behaviors as well as responses to chemotherapy or ICI treatment.
Circulating total bilirubin and risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the PREVEND study: observational findings and a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Kunutsor Setor K. , Frysz Monika , Verweij Niek , Kieneker Lyanne M. , Bakker Stephan J. L. , Dullaart Robin P. F.
Published: November 2019

The relationship between circulating total bilirubin and incident non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is uncertain. We aimed to assess the association of total bilirubin with the risk of new-onset NAFLD and investigate any causal relevance to the association using a Mendelian randomization (MR) study. Plasma total bilirubin levels were measured at baseline in the PREVEND prospective study of 3824 participants (aged 28–75 years) without pre-existing cardiovascular disease or NAFLD. Incident NAFLD was estimated using the biomarker-based algorithms, fatty liver index (FLI) and hepatic steatosis index (HSI). Odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals) for NAFLD were assessed. The genetic variant rs6742078 located in the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT1A1) locus was used as an instrumental variable. Participants were followed up for a mean duration of 4.2 years. The multivariable adjusted OR (95% CIs) for NAFLD as estimated by FLI (434 cases) was 0.82 (0.73–0.92; p = 0.001) per 1 standard deviation (SD) change in loge total bilirubin. The corresponding adjusted OR (95% CIs) for NAFLD as estimated by HSI (452 cases) was 0.87 (0.78–0.97; p = 0.012). The rs6742078 variant explained 20% of bilirubin variation. The ORs (95% CIs) for a 1 SD genetically elevated total bilirubin level was 0.98 (0.69–1.38; p = 0.900) for FLI and 1.14 (0.81–1.59; p = 0.451) for HSI. Elevated levels of total bilirubin were not causally associated with decreased risk of NAFLD based on MR analysis. The observational association may be driven by biases such as unmeasured confounding and/or reverse causation. However, due to low statistical power, larger-scale investigations are necessary to draw definitive conclusions.
Multi-indicator analysis of the influence of old municipal landfill sites on the aquatic environment: case study
Authors: Przydatek Grzegorz
Published: November 2019

The study aim was to analyse the influence of a municipal solid waste landfill site in operation for over 10 years on the aquatic environment using multiple indicators. The water around the landfill area must be controlled due to the possibility of leachate interaction with harmful substances in the environment. The tests were carried out on the basis of 24 indicators, of which four were the most significant: depth of groundwater retention, ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4-N), dissolved oxygen (DO), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The assessment of the quality of the surface water and groundwater and the analysis of the leachate pollution indices enabled the interpretation of the influence of a specific municipal waste landfill on the nearby water environment condition, despite not exceeding the permissible content at the highest average concentration of NH4-N at 1.34 mg L−1. The differences were significant at the level ofp < 0.05 in the content of DO in the water below the landfill. The concentration of NH4-N in the groundwater below the landfill was statistically significantly correlated with the depth of the groundwater deposits (r = 0.609). Similarly, the surface water below the landfill site showed a statistically significant relation in the piezometer, which was also below the landfill, to ammoniacal nitrogen (r = 0.749). This result confirmed the statistically significant differences in the aquatic environment and the correlations with NH4-N and that, below the landfill, the penetration water seepage is moderate with a low waste accumulation not exceeding 10 Mg per day.
Temporal variability of a protected multispecific tropical seagrass meadow in response to environmental change
Authors: Alonso Aller E. , Eklöf J. S. , Gullström M. , Kloiber U. , Linderholm H. W. , Nordlund L. M.
Published: November 2019

In a changing environment, there is an increasing interest to monitor ecosystems to understand their responses to environmental change. Seagrass meadows are highly important ecosystems that are under constant pressure from human activities and climate impacts, with marked declines observed worldwide. Despite increasing efforts, monitoring of multispecific tropical seagrass meadows is scarce, particularly in low-income regions. Based on data from a monitoring programme in a marine protected area in Zanzibar (Tanzania), we assessed temporal changes in seagrass cover and species composition during a 10-year period in relation to local variability in environmental variables. We observed a strong, gradual decline in seagrass cover and changes in species composition, followed by a period of recovery. However, the timing and length of these temporal patterns varied in space (between transects). Multiple environmental variables—cloud cover, temperature, storm occurrence, sunspot activity, and tidal amplitude and height—influenced seagrass cover, although only to a minor extent, suggesting that the monitored seagrass meadow may be influenced by other unmeasured factors (e.g. water currents and sediment movement). Our results show that seagrass meadows can be highly dynamic at small (10–50 m) spatial scales, even in the absence of major local anthropogenic impacts. Our findings suggest that high-resolution monitoring programmes can be highly valuable for the detection of temporal changes in multispecific seagrass meadows; however, to understand the causes of change, there is a need of long-term (> 10 years) data series that include direct measurements of environmental variables and extreme events.
Terahertz Quality Inspection for Automotive and Aviation Industries
Authors: Ellrich F. , Bauer M. , Schreiner N. , Keil A. , Pfeiffer T. , Klier J. , Weber S. , Jonuscheit J. , Friederich F. , Molter D.
Published: November 2019

Nondestructive quality inspection with terahertz waves has become an emerging technology, especially in the automotive and aviation industries. Depending on the specific application, different terahertz systems—either fully electronic or based on optical laser pulses—cover the terahertz frequency region from 0.1 THz up to nearly 10 THz and provide high-speed volume inspections on the one hand and high-resolution thickness determination on the other hand. In this paper, we present different industrial applications, which we have addressed with our terahertz systems within the last couple of years. First, we show three-dimensional imaging of glass fiber–reinforced composites and foam structures, and demonstrate thickness determination of multilayer plastic tube walls. Then, we present the characterization of known and unknown multilayer systems down to some microns and the possibility of measuring the thickness of wet paints. The challenges of system reliability in industrial environments, e.g., under the impact of vibrations, and effective solutions are discussed. This paper gives an overview of state-of-the-art terahertz technology for industrial quality inspection. The presented principles are not limited to the automotive and aviation industries but can also be adapted to many other industrial fields.
Wie gut sind angehende und fortgeschrittene Studierende auf das Leben und Arbeiten in der digitalen Welt vorbereitet? Ergebnisse eines Standard Setting-Verfahrens zur Beschreibung von ICT-bezogenen Kompetenzniveaus
Authors: Senkbeil Martin , Ihme Jan Marten , Schöber Christian
Published: November 2019

Bislang gibt es nur wenige empirische Hinweise, zu welchen Anteilen Studierende an deutschen Hochschulen über ausreichende Kompetenzen im Umgang mit digitalen Medien für ihr akademisches und berufliches Fortkommen verfügen. Dieser Frage gehen wir anhand von Sekundäranalysen des Nationalen Bildungspanels (NEPS) nach. Hierfür können die Daten vonN = 1911 angehenden Studierenden sowie vonN = 1991 fortgeschrittenen Studierenden im sechsten Fachsemester ausgewertet werden. Die in NEPS eingesetzten Tests erlauben die Definition von Leistungsbereichen, in denen normativ festgelegte Erwartungen (Mindeststandards) zu verschiedenen Studienzeitpunkten erfüllt werden. Die Analysen zeigen, dass substanzielle Anteile sowohl der angehenden Studierenden (20 %) als auch der fortgeschrittenen Studierenden (52 %) nicht die Mindeststandards erreichen. Weiterhin ergeben sich bei beiden Studierendengruppen zum Teil erhebliche fächergruppen- und geschlechtsbezogene Unterschiede in der Erreichung der Mindeststandards. Die Ergebnisse werden im Hinblick auf die Sicherstellung grundlegender Kompetenzen von Studierenden im Umgang mit digitalen Medien als Kernziel der Hochschulbildung diskutiert.
Statistical literacy for classification under risk: an educational perspective
Authors: Martignon Laura , Laskey Kathryn
Published: November 2019

After a brief description of the four components of risk literacy and the tools for analyzing risky situations, decision strategies are introduced, These rules, which satisfy tenets of Bounded Rationality, are called fast and frugal trees. Fast and frugal trees serve as efficient heuristics for decision under risk. We describe the construction of fast and frugal trees and compare their robustness for prediction under risk with that of Bayesian networks. In particular, we analyze situations of risky decisions in the medical domain. We show that the performance of fast and frugal trees does not fall too far behind that of the more complex Bayesian networks.
Nematode parasite eggs in pasture soils and pigs on organic farms in Sweden
Authors: Lindgren Kristina , Gunnarsson Stefan , Höglund Johan , Lindahl Cecilia , Roepstorff Allan
Published: November 2019

The EU regulation for organic pig production requires outdoor access to promote the animal welfare. This may increase the risk of infection of the common pig parasites, Ascaris suum and Trichuris suis, because their eggs can survive for many years in the soil. The egg contamination of these parasites in outdoor areas with different managements and the faecal egg output from the pigs was investigated on 11 Swedish organic pig farms in 2008. We found eggs of A. suum and, to a minor extent, T. suis in the soil from outdoor areas, which had previously been used for pig rearing and/or for spreading of pig manure. Piglets and their dams were turned out on pastures included in a crop rotation, and these areas had a mean of 2500 A. suum and 40 T. suis eggs per kilogram soil. When the pigs were 12-week-old, the faecal egg counts (FECs) of A. suum were positively correlated with the egg concentration in pasture soils before pig turnout. The areas used by dry sows had a mean of 11,700 A. suum and 220 T. suis eggs per kilogram soil. The highest egg concentrations in the soil were found in areas, frequently used by pigs in the most recent years. To minimise pasture contamination with parasite eggs, it is advised to have a crop rotation system and to inactivate parasite eggs in pig manure before spreading it. Parasite control needs further development to protect suckling piglets from infections due to environmental parasite egg contamination.
An Update on Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery Concurrent With Cataract Extraction
Authors: Van Tassel Sarah H. , Chen Darren
Published: November 2019

Purpose of Review

In this article, we review the current options for microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) combined with cataract extraction in the USA and the efficacy of the various approaches.

Recent Findings

MIGS is a rapidly growing area of research and clinical interest. Available surgeries aim to reduce intraocular pressure by improving aqueous outflow through the trabecular or subconjunctival pathways or by reducing aqueous production.

Multiple approaches to MIGS are utilized in clinical practice. On average, these surgeries are safe and modestly effective in reducing intraocular pressure. Future research will demonstrate which surgical approaches are most efficacious, whether and how to combine MIGS, and the role of MIGS in improving patient quality of life.
Automatic Crack Detection and Analysis for Biological Cellular Materials in X-Ray In Situ Tomography Measurements
Authors: Wu Ziling , Yang Ting , Deng Zhifei , Huang Baokun , Liu Han , Wang Yu , Chen Yuan , Stoddard Mary Caswell , Li Ling , Zhu Yunhui
Published: November 2019

We introduce a novel methodology, based on in situ X-ray tomography measurements, to quantify and analyze 3D crack morphologies in biological cellular materials during damage process. Damage characterization in cellular materials is challenging due to the difficulty of identifying and registering cracks from the complicated 3D network structure. In this paper, we develop a pipeline of computer vision algorithms to extract crack patterns from a large volumetric dataset of in situ X-ray tomography measurement obtained during a compression test. Based on a hybrid approach using both model-based feature filtering and data-driven machine learning, the proposed method shows high efficiency and accuracy in identifying the crack pattern from the complex cellular structures and tomography reconstruction artifacts. The identified cracks are registered as 3D tilted planes, where 3D morphology descriptors including crack location, crack opening width, and crack plane orientation are registered to provide quantitative data for future mechanical analysis. This method is applied to two different biological materials with different levels of porosity, i.e., sea urchin (Heterocentrotus mamillatus) spines and emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) eggshells. The results are verified by experienced human image readers. The methodology presented in this paper can be utilized for crack analysis in many other cellular solids, including both synthetic and natural materials.
Experimental study on evolution law for particle breakage during coal and gas outburst
Authors: Wu Xin , Peng Yawen , Xu Jiang , Yan Qiao , Nie Wen , Zhang Tingting
Published: November 2019

Coal and gas outburst is a dynamic phenomenon in underground mining engineering that is often accompanied by the throwing and breakage of large amounts of coal. To study the crushing effect and its evolution during outbursts, coal samples with different initial particle sizes were evaluated using a coal and gas outburst testing device. Three basic particle sizes, 5–10 mesh, 10–40 mesh, and 40–80 mesh, as well as some mixed particle size coal samples were used in tests. The coal particles were pre-compacted at a pressure of 4 MPa before the tests. The vertical ground stress (4 MPa) and the horizontal ground stress (2.4 MPa) were initially simulated by the hydraulic system and maintained throughout. During the tests, the samples were first placed in a vacuum for 3 h, and the coal was filled with gas (CH4) for an adsorption time of approximately 5 h. Finally, the gas valve was shut off and the coal and gas outburst was induced by quickly opening the outburst hole. The coal particles that were thrown out by the outburst test device were collected and screened based on the particle size. The results show the following. (1) Smaller particle sizes have a worse crushing effect than larger sizes. Furthermore, the well-graded coal particles are weakly broken during the outburst process. (2) As the number of repeated tests increases, the relative breakage index grows; however, the increment of growth decreases after each test, showing that further fragmentation becomes increasingly difficult.
Priority Populations Toolkits: Enhancing researcher readiness to work with priority populations
Authors: Rak Kevin , Matthews Alicia K. , Peña Gabriela , Choure Wendy , Ruiz Raymond A. , Morales Sandra , Castillo Amparo , Soo Jackie , Anderson Emily E.
Published: November 2019

The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences has called for more comprehensive research with priority populations to reduce disparities and for the development of additional resources to assist researchers in implementing these recommendations. Here we report the development and initial evaluation of five Priority Populations Toolkits, which are resources developed by the University of Illinois Center for Clinical and Translational Science to meet these goals. Three aims guide the content: increasing knowledge, facilitating communication, and improving research design. Materials were curated from scientific literature reviews and Internet searches and revised iteratively. Analytics and user surveys provide information about usage. In 22 months, 387 unique users accessed the toolkits. The top reason for usage was to improve research recruitment. Comprehensive toolkits for working with priority populations show promising potential for increasing knowledge and readiness to work with underrepresented populations. Further toolkit development and evaluation of effectiveness are warranted.
Examination of Safety Climate, Affective Organizational Commitment, and Safety Behavior Outcomes Among Fire Service Personnel
Authors: Smith Todd D.
Published: November 2019

Objectives:

This research aims to provide guidance on means to bolster safe and effective emergency response. Safe and effective performance among firefighters is key to protecting firefighters, to ensure mission completion, and to protect the public during emergency response situations. Although some studies have shown the impact of safety climate on firefighter performance, few studies have explored the impact of safety climate on affective organizational commitment and safety behaviors among firefighters, which are critical to more effective emergency response.

Methods:

Data collected from 349 career firefighters in the southern United States were analyzed by means of structural equation modeling to assess posited relationships in the proposed model.

Results:

This study confirmed a model that describes the relationships between safety climate, affective organizational commitment, and safety behaviors. Safety climate significantly predicted affective organizational commitment (P < 0.001) and affective organizational commitment was positively associated with both safety compliance (P < 0.001) and safety participation (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

This study has implications for researchers and practitioners. Firefighters exhibit positive affective organizational commitment as a result of positive safety climate perceptions. This commitment is then associated with positive safety behavior outcomes, which bolsters personal safety and enhances the likelihood of safe and effective mission completion to protect the public.
Radiocarbon level in the Atmosphere of Ramnicu Valcea, Romania
Authors: Faurescu I , Varlam C , Vagner I , Faurescu D , Bogdan D , Costinel D
Published: November 2019

This paper presents radiocarbon (14C) variations in the atmosphere from Ramnicu Valcea, Romania. The samples were collected in the vicinity of the Experimental Pilot Plant for Tritium and Deuterium Separation (PESTD) from the Institute of the Cryogenics and Isotopic Technologies (ICSI) placed about 10 km south from the Ramnicu Valcea city (Romania), in the Govora industrial area. This facility is an experimental project in the national nuclear energy research program, which has the aim of developing technologies for tritium separation from heavy water. It should be noted that in the Govora industrial area operates a 315 MW coal-fired thermoelectric power plant and two chemical plants. In order to determine radiocarbon activity in the atmosphere, samples were collected monthly by absorption of CO2 into sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at Ramnicu Valcea. In addition, control materials (tree leaves, wild vegetation, and grapes), known activity standards, and process blanks (marble) were analyzed. Radiocarbon measurements were performed using the direct absorption method and liquid scintillation counting. The measured Δ14C levels varied between –57‰ and 61‰. The results have a decreasing trend, but due to local influence caused by the continuous production of fossil CO2, we cannot observe Δ14C seasonal variations.
Five salmon dinners per week were not sufficient to prevent the reduction in serum vitamin D in autumn at 60° north latitude: a randomised trial
Authors: Bratlie Marianne , Hagen Ingrid V. , Helland Anita , Midttun Øivind , Ulvik Arve , Rosenlund Grethe , Sveier Harald , Mellgren Gunnar , Ueland Per Magne , Gudbrandsen Oddrun A.
Published: November 2019

Low serum concentrations of several vitamins have been linked to increased risk of diseases including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Fish is a good source of several vitamins, and the prevalence of T2D is low in populations with high fish intake. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of high fish intake on vitamins in serum from adults in autumn in South-Western Norway at 60° north latitude. In this randomised clinical trial, sixty-three healthy participants with overweight/obesity consumed 750 g/week of either cod (n22) or salmon (n22) as five weekly dinners or were instructed to continue their normal eating habits but avoid fish intake (Control group,n19) for 8 weeks. The estimated vitamin D intake was significantly increased in the Salmon group when compared with the Cod group (P= 6·3 × 10−4) and with the Control group (P= 3·5 × 10−6), with no differences between groups for estimated intake of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, C and E. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3concentration was decreased in all groups after 8 weeks; however, the reduction in the Salmon group was significantly smaller compared with the Cod group (P= 0·013) and the Control group (P= 0·0060). Cod and salmon intake did not affect serum concentrations of the other measured vitamins. The findings suggest that 750 g/week of salmon was not sufficient to prevent a decrease in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3in autumn in South-Western Norway in adults with overweight/obesity.
Effects of peanut meal extracts fermented by Bacillus natto on the growth performance, learning and memory skills and gut microbiota modulation in mice
Authors: Jiang Xiaoyang , Ding Haoyue , Liu Qing , Wei Yuxi , Zhang Yuanjie , Wang Yanping , Lu Yaqian , Ma Aiguo , Li Zichao , Hu Yingfen
Published: November 2019

Recent studies have demonstrated that the nutritional properties of peanut meal (PM) can be improved after being fermented. The assessment of fermented PM has been reported to be limited to various physical and chemical evaluations in vitro. In the present study, PM was fermented by Bacillus natto to explore the effects of fermented PM extract (FE) on growth performance, learning and memory ability and intestinal microflora in mice. Ninety newly weaned male Kunming (KM) mice were randomly divided into seven groups: normal group (n 20), low-dose FE group (n 10), middle-dose FE group (MFE) (n 10), high-dose FE group (HFE) (n 20), unfermented extraction group (n 10), model group (10) and natural recovery group (10). Learning and memory skills were performed by the Morris water maze (MWM) test, and the variation in gut microbiota (GM) composition was assessed by 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing. The results show that HFE remarkably improved the growth performance in mice. In the MWM test, escape latency was shortened in both MFE and HFE groups, while the percentage of time, distance in target quadrant and the number crossing over the platform were significantly increased in the HFE group. Moreover, the FE played a preventive role in the dysbacteriosis of mice induced by antibiotic and increased the richness and species evenness of GM in mice.
HOW A NONASSOCIATIVE ALGEBRA REFLECTS THE PROPERTIES OF A SKEW POLYNOMIAL
Authors: BROWN C. , PUMPLÜN S.
Published: November 2019

Let D be a unital associative division ring and D[t, σ, δ] be a skew polynomial ring, where σ is an endomorphism of D and δ a left σ-derivation. For each f ϵ D[t, σ, δ] of degree m > 1 with a unit as leading coefficient, there exists a unital nonassociative algebra whose behaviour reflects the properties of f. These algebras yield canonical examples of right division algebras when f is irreducible. The structure of their right nucleus depends on the choice of f. In the classical literature, this nucleus appears as the eigenspace of f and is used to investigate the irreducible factors of f. We give necessary and sufficient criteria for skew polynomials of low degree to be irreducible. These yield examples of new division algebras Sf.
Posttraumatic stress disorder and changes in diet quality over 20 years among US women
Authors: Kim Yongjoo , Roberts Andrea L. , Rimm Eric B. , Chibnik Lori B. , Tworoger Shelley S. , Nishimi Kristen M. , Sumner Jennifer A. , Koenen Karestan C. , Kubzansky Laura D.
Published: November 2019

Background

Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at increased risk of various chronic diseases. One hypothesized pathway is via changes in diet quality. This study evaluated whether PTSD was associated with deterioration in diet quality over time.

Methods

Data were from 51 965 women in the Nurses' Health Study II PTSD sub-study followed over 20 years. Diet, assessed at 4-year intervals, was characterized via the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI). Based on information from the Brief Trauma Questionnaire and Short Screening Scale for DSM-IV PTSD, trauma/PTSD status was classified as no trauma exposure, prevalent exposure (trauma/PTSD onset before study entry), or new-onset (trauma/PTSD onset during follow-up). We further categorized women with prevalent exposure as having trauma with no PTSD symptoms, trauma with low PTSD symptoms, and trauma with high PTSD symptoms, and created similar categories for women with new-onset exposure, resulting in seven comparison groups. Multivariable linear mixed-effects spline models tested differences in diet quality changes by trauma/PTSD status over follow-up.

Results

Overall, diet quality improved over time regardless of PTSD status. In age-adjusted models, compared to those with no trauma, women with prevalent high PTSD and women with new-onset high PTSD symptoms had 3.3% and 3.6% lower improvement in diet quality, respectively, during follow-up. Associations remained consistent after adjusting for health conditions, sociodemographics, and behavioral characteristics.

Conclusions

PTSD is associated with less healthy changes in overall diet quality over time. Poor diet quality may be one pathway linking PTSD with a higher risk of chronic disease development.
Implementation of a Reconfigurable Robot to Achieve Multimodal Locomotion Based on Three Rules of Configuration
Authors: Zhou Faliang , Xu Xiaojun , Xu Haijun , Chang Yukang , Wang Qi , Chen Jinzhou
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we focus on the configuration design of a reconfigurable robot that merges the functions of wheels, tracks, and legs together. A deformable rim is utilized to make the robot wheel reconfigurable to change its locomotion mode. Three rules of configuration design to achieve reconfiguration between different modes are proposed: (1) in wheel mode, the track wheel set should be hidden inside the wheel rim; (2) in track/leg mode, the folded wheel rim should be hidden inside the caterpillar loop; (3) the circumference of the wheel rim in wheel mode should be equal to the length of the track ring in track mode. According to these rules, the configuration of the deformable rim, track wheel set, and telescopic spoke are analyzed and designed. A prototype of the reconfigurable wheel is fabricated by three-dimensional printing, and its functions of locomotion in different modes, the switch between different modes, and its load-bearing ability are tested, verifying the effectiveness of the configuration design. Furthermore, a prototype of the reconfigurable robot is manufactured by computerized numerical control (CNC) machining to verify the structural design of the reconfigurable wheel. Compared to traditional hybrid robots with separate wheels, tracks, and legs, this reconfigurable design lends the multimodal robot both excellent terrain adaptability and a compact structure; thus, it can be widely used as a universal mobile platform in search and rescue missions and explosive object disposal missions.
Efficacy of trial-based cognitive therapy, behavioral activation and treatment as usual in the treatment of major depressive disorder: preliminary findings from a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Hemanny Curt , Carvalho Clara , Maia Nina , Reis Daniela , Botelho Ana Cristina , Bonavides Dagoberto , Seixas Camila , de Oliveira Irismar Reis
Published: November 2019

Introduction.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent, debilitating and disabling disorder, and its prevalence is increasing. Antidepressants (AD), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and behavioral activation (BA) are the main treatments for MDD. Trial-based cognitive therapy (TBCT) addresses and restructures dysfunctional negative core beliefs (CBs) and is a novel and promising approach.

Objective.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of TBCT, BA and treatment as usual (TAU) in the treatment of MDD.

Methods.

A total of 76 patients with MDD were randomized into 1 of 3 groups and evaluated at baseline, after 6 weeks and at week 12 (final evaluation). The primary outcome was changing in HAM-D scores, and the secondary outcomes included scores on the BDI, CD-Quest, Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) and WHOQOL.

Results.

Both TBCT and BA (which also included AD) were different from TAU (which included antidepressants alone) in reducing the HAM-D and BDI scores and other measures. TBCT and BA were different from TAU in the reduction of disability in SDS and WHOQOL physical domain scores. Besides limited by a small sample size, the dropout rate in the TAU arm was higher, and only 10 patients completed the 3 evaluations.

Conclusion.

This trial provides evidence that TBCT and BA combined with antidepressants were more efficacious than the TAU (drug alone) in reducing the severity of depressive symptoms and disability, showing that this combination can be useful for clinical practice.
Clinical Utility of the MMPI-2-RF Hierarchical	Description
Authors: De Saeger Hilde , Kamphuis Jan H. , Anderson Jaime L.
Published: November 2019

Abstract. Several studies have addressed the associations between the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured form (MMPI-2-RF; Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008 ) scale scores and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013 ) Section II personality disorder (PD) criterion counts. While these studies showed which variables were associated with the PDs as well as their combined predictive potency, no information is available on mean patterns of elevation associated with these conditions. To illustrate how the MMPI-2-RF information may amplify categorical diagnostic information, we describe the mean RF profiles of a psychiatric sample with a Cluster C PD diagnosis. PD classification was based on the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV (SCID-II). Patterns of elevation across the three levels of the MMPI-2-RF scale sets were consistently in line with theoretical expectation. In addition, elevated scores on somatic/cognitive scales were noted. It is concluded that the MMPI-2-RF can enhance DSM Personality disorder model description.
Helium in Stream Water as a Volcanic Monitoring Tool
Authors: Gardner W. Payton , Susong David D.
Published: November 2019

We show that synoptic sampling of streams can be used to characterize volcanic volatiles in groundwater over large spatial scales. Synoptic sampling of dissolved noble gases, 222Rn, major ions, and stream discharge was carried out along a 30 km reach of the Gibbon River, near Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, USA. Groundwater discharge location, volume, and composition were estimated by constrained calibration of a stream flow and solute transport model. Estimated groundwater composition from stream modeling was compared to shallow groundwater concentrations measured in nearby springs. 3He, 222Rn, and Cl
signatures in the Gibbon River are indicative of groundwater discharge with a volcanic signature along the study reach. Stream water noble gas isotopic composition has similar isotopic mixing patterns to springs. The model‐estimated composition of groundwater discharging to the Gibbon agrees well with observed groundwater composition from nearby springs for all modeled analytes. We present the first observations of elevated mantle helium in stream water and show that stream water can be used as a convenient collection point to estimate spatially distributed groundwater composition and to monitor changes in volatile flux over large spatial areas. These results offer the possibility that stream surveys in volcanic terrain could be a new method for distributed volcanic monitoring at the catchment scale and beyond.
Contrasting Regional Soil Alteration Across the Topographic Dichotomy of Mars
Authors: Hood D. R. , Karunatillake S. , Gasnault O. , Williams A. J. , Dutrow B. , Ojha L. , Kobs S. , Kim K. , Heldmann J. , Fralick C.
Published: November 2019

Landscapes on either side of the martian topographic dichotomy bear distinct soil chemistry, but the processes associated with this distinction remain poorly understood. Here, correlation of soil chemistry at global to regional scales is examined with multivariate analysis of Gamma‐Ray Spectrometer chemical maps and the Thermal Emission Spectrometer‐derived Dust Cover Index (DCI). In the analysis, the northern lowlands show a strong S‐Cl correlation, contrasting with the southern highlands, which show a stronger S‐H2O correlation. These observations suggest aqueous interaction with soils throughout the southern highlands, preferentially dissolving Cl compounds and weakening S‐Cl correlation. Strong S‐Cl correlations in the northern lowlands suggest less interaction with aqueous H2O. Additionally, regional analyses demonstrate that DCI does not correlate with volatile chemistry at smaller scales and that Ca may be an important component of volatile‐bearing material. These results provide new evidence for widespread aqueous interaction and possibly alteration of soil in the southern highlands.
Detecting Climate Change Effects on Vb Cyclones in a 50‐Member Single‐Model Ensemble Using Machine Learning
Authors: Mittermeier M. , Braun M. , Hofstätter M. , Wang Y. , Ludwig R.
Published: November 2019

Vb cyclones are major drivers of extreme precipitation and floods in the study area of hydrological Bavaria (Germany). When assessing climate change impacts on Vb cyclones, internal variability of the climate system is an important underlying uncertainty. Here, we employ a 50‐member single‐model initial‐condition large ensemble of a regional climate model to study climate variability and forced change on Vb cyclones. An artificial neural network detects cutoff lows over central Europe, which are associated with extreme precipitation Vb cyclones. Thus, machine learning filters the large ensemble prior to cyclone tracking. Our results show a striking change in Vb seasonality with a strong decrease of Vb cyclones in summer (−52%) and a large increase in spring (+73%) under the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5. This change exceeds the noise of internal variability and leads to a peak shift from summer to spring. Additionally, we show significant increases in the daily precipitation intensity during Vb cyclones in all seasons.
Structural Transitions in MgSiO3 Glasses and Melts at the Core‐Mantle Boundary Observed via Inelastic X‐ray Scattering
Authors: Kim Yong‐Hyun , Yi Yoo Soo , Kim Hyo‐Im , Chow Paul , Xiao Yuming , Shen Guoyin , Lee Sung Keun
Published: November 2019

The structural adaptation in MgSiO3 melts under compression up to 130 GPa is the key to revealing the origins of the pronounced negative buoyancy of the melts at the core‐mantle boundary (CMB). A full understanding of the melt densification requires study of the pressure‐induced changes in the bonding configuration around oxygen at the CMB, which has proven to be difficult to measure. Here, the experimental breakthrough in O K‐edge inelastic X‐ray scattering enables collection of the spectra of MgSiO3 glasses up to ~130 GPa, along with ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, revealing the electronic bonding transitions around heavily compressed oxygen. The spectral results indicate the emergence of denser network structures around oxygen, stemming from contractions in the Mg‐O and O‐O distances associated with flexible topological and short‐range rearrangements around Si. The results unveil the electronic structure and thus the nature of densification in dense partial melts at the CMB.
Three Different Episodes of Prompt Equatorial Electric Field Perturbations Under Steady Southward IMF Bz During St. Patrick's Day Storm
Authors: Tulasi Ram S. , Nilam B. , Balan N. , Zhang Q. , Shiokawa K. , Chakrabarty D. , Xing Z. , Venkatesh K. , Veenadhari B. , Yoshikawa A.
Published: November 2019

Three different episodes of prompt penetration electric field (PPEF) disturbances are observed during the main phase of the St. Patrick's Day storm on 17 March 2015 under steady southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz conditions unlike the conventional PPEF associated with southward or northward turnings of IMF Bz. These PPEF events took place during the period when strong disturbance dynamo fields are prevailing in the background. The first event is triggered by a solar wind dynamic pressure pulse that caused a sharp eastward PPEF and strong enhancement of equatorial electrojet current in Brazilian dayside. The second event caused another short but strong westward PPEF on dayside due to the reversal of IMF By from duskward to dawnward under steady IMF Bz. The third event caused a longer eastward PPEF in association with a solar wind dynamic pressure pulse followed by the onset of a substorm, which has led to strong enhancement of equatorial electrojet, quick rejuvenation and symmetric redistribution of equatorial ionization anomaly in the Brazilian sector. The signatures of the PPEF with opposite polarity and smaller magnitudes are also observed in the Asian sector on the nightside. The possible mechanisms for the observed PPEF events under steady IMF Bz are discussed in terms of changes in the high‐latitude field‐aligned currents and reconfiguration of high‐latitude convection fields using Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment and Super Dual Auroral Radar Network high‐frequency radar observations.
1‐D, 2‐D, and 3‐D Monte Carlo Ambient Noise Tomography Using a Dense Passive Seismic Array Installed on the North Sea Seabed
Authors: Zhang Xin , Hansteen Fredrik , Curtis Andrew , de Ridder Sjoerd
Published: November 2019

In a variety of geoscientific applications we require 3‐D maps of properties of the Earth's interior and the corresponding map of uncertainties to assess their reliability. On the seabed it is common to use Scholte wave dispersion data to infer these maps using inversion‐based imaging theory. Previously we introduced a 3‐D fully nonlinear Monte Carlo tomography method that inverts for shear velocities directly from frequency‐dependent travel time measurements and which improves accuracy of the results and better estimates uncertainties. Here for the first time we apply that method to real data and compare it to two previous methods. We cross correlated 6.5 hr of ambient noise data recorded on a dense seismic array over Grane, North Sea, and observed two Scholte wave modes. For each mode, phase velocity maps are estimated using Eikonal tomography, which are in turn used to study the shear‐wave velocity structure of the subsurface. We applied three nonlinear inversion methods to the Grane data: standard 1‐D depth inversions, a 2‐D joint inversion along a vertical cross section, and a fully 3‐D inversion. We compare the shear‐velocity and uncertainty structures estimated along the same 2‐D cross section. Thus we show that the standard 1‐D inversion method creates significant errors in the results due to the independence of those 1‐D inversions, whereas the 2‐D and 3‐D inversions improve results by accounting for lateral spatial correlations. The 3‐D inversion bypasses the initial seabed Eikonal tomography step, thus avoiding the errors that the initial step introduces into subsequent 1‐D and 2‐D inversions.
Understanding Terrestrial Water Storage Declining Trends in the Yellow River Basin
Authors: Jing Wenlong , Yao Ling , Zhao Xiaodan , Zhang Pengyan , Liu Yangxiaoyue , Xia Xiaolin , Song Jia , Yang Ji , Li Yong , Zhou Chenghu
Published: November 2019

Under dual impacts from climate change and human activities, the Yellow River Basin (YRB) of China suffers from droughts and water scarcity. Understanding variations of terrestrial water storage (TWS) over the YRB is significant and beneficial to regional water resources management and sustainable development. This study investigates TWS variations in the YRB using data sets from two solutions (RL05 and RL06) of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites, as well as from global land surface models (the NOAH model and Catchment Land Surface Model [CLSM]) and hydrology and water resources model (PCR‐GLOBWB). Annual terrestrial water storage anomalies (TWSA) variation patterns were tracked by introducing a weighed centroid analysis concept. Human water use was analyzed, and its importance to TWS changes was evaluated by using the random forest algorithm. Conclusions can be briefly summarized as follows: (1) The declining trend of TWS in the YRB from the RL06 solution is more negative than that from RL05; the TWS trend from the PCR‐GLOBWB model is more consistent with GRACE than with the NOAH model and CLSM at the basin level, and the three models all underestimate the declining trend of TWS in the midstream relative to the GRACE solutions. (2) Spatial weighed centroids of annual GRACE TWSA moved toward the headwater of the YRB during the 2003–2015 period, suggesting a wide gap of TWS between the upstream and downstream YRB; the TWSA time series well correlate with the long‐term accumulation of climatic water balance, but the connections became weak in the 2010–2015 period. (3) Groundwater withdrawals have been controlled according to the Water Resources Bulletin, but the stress may be partly shifted to surface water; the increasing trend of ecological and industrial surface water use is significant, following the agriculture water use. (4) For the entire YRB, groundwater use accounts for the majority of feature importance in modeling TWSA time series, and the contribution of climate factors is the least. Agricultural water use ranks first relative to other sectors for the YRB, followed by the ecological and industrial use. This study provides a first comparison of TWSA between the latest Center for Space Research (CSR) GRACE RL06 solution and the previous RL05 solution in the YRB. The results are expected to present a comprehensive picture of TWS variations in the YRB and the impacts from climate and human factors.