The equations of mineral production forecast link the change in time of mineral reserves with the production and the ratio of reserves to production. These equations allow us to model the development of the mineral re...The equations of mineral production forecast link the change in time of mineral reserves with the production and the ratio of reserves to production. These equations allow us to model the development of the mineral resources evaluated at any scale. Probabilistic bidimensional charts made from montecarlo simulations provide intervals of confidence for the forecasts. The set of equations is devised and presented for a variety of applications to the oil and gas industry, as well to the production of any other mineral resource, either metals or non metals, whose ore deposit volumes and production might be quantified. The cases studied in the UK and USA are at late stages of production, periods for what the equations are most suitable to be applied without further adjustments. Experimental design allows the diagnosis of the likely values of the variables pertaining to the equations, in order to achieve the results provided by conventional production forecasts or to explore other scenarios of investigation. The method can be practical to evaluate commitments of production of mineral resources with time, to support strategic plans for companies, corporations, countries or regions based on those evaluations, for the screening and ranking of mineral assets based on their production potential and many other tasks where the prediction of future volumes of mineral production is required.展开更多
Increasing bacteria levels in the Lower Neches River caused by Hurricane Harvey has been of a serious concern.This study is to analyze the historical water sampling measurements and real-time water quality data collec...Increasing bacteria levels in the Lower Neches River caused by Hurricane Harvey has been of a serious concern.This study is to analyze the historical water sampling measurements and real-time water quality data collected with wireless sensors to monitor and evaluate water quality under different hydrological and hydraulic conditions.The statistical and Pearson correlation analysis on historical water samples determines that alkalinity,chloride,hardness,conductivity,and pH are highly correlated,and they decrease with increasing flow rate due to dilution.The flow rate has positive correlations with Escherichia coli,total suspended solids,and turbidity,which demonstrates that runoff is one of the causes of the elevated bacteria and sediment loadings in the river.The correlation between E.coli and turbidity indicates that turbidity greater than 45 nephelometric turbidity units in the Neches River can serve as a proxy for E.coli to indicate the bacterial outbreak.A series of statistical tools and an innovative two-layer data smoothing filter are developed to detect outliers,fill missing values,and filter spikes of the sensor measurements.The correlation analysis on the sensor data illustrates that the elevated sediment/bacteria/algae in the river is either caused by the first flush rain and heavy rain events in December to March or practices of land use and land cover.Therefore,utilizing sensor measurements along with rainfall and discharge data is recommended to monitor and evaluate water quality,then in turn to provide early alerts on water resources management decisions.展开更多
Climate change is expected to have long-term impacts on drought and wildfire risks in Oregon as summers continue to become warmer and drier. This paper investigates the projected changes in drought characteristics and...Climate change is expected to have long-term impacts on drought and wildfire risks in Oregon as summers continue to become warmer and drier. This paper investigates the projected changes in drought characteristics and drought propagation in the Umatilla River Basin in northeastern Oregon for mid-century(2030–2059) and late-century(2070–2099) climate scenarios. Drought characteristics for projected climates were determined using downscaled CMIP5 climate datasets from ten climate models and Soil and Water Assessment Tool to simulate effects on hydrologic processes. Short-term(three months) drought characteristics(frequency, duration, and severity) were analyzed using four drought indices, including the Standardized Precipitation Index(SPI-3), Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index(SPEI-3), Standardized Streamflow Index(SSI-3), and the Standardized Soil Moisture Index(SSMI-3). Results indicate that short-term meteorological droughts are projected to become more prevalent, with up to a 20% increase in the frequency of SPI-3drought events. Short-term hydrological droughts are projected to become more frequent(average increase of 11% in frequency of SSI-3 drought events), more severe, and longer in duration(average increase of 8% for short-term droughts).Similarly, short-term agricultural droughts are projected to become more frequent(average increase of 28% in frequency of SSMI-3 drought events) but slightly shorter in duration(average decrease of 4%) in the future. Historically, drought propagation time from meteorological to hydrological drought is shorter than from meteorological to agricultural drought in most sub-basins. For the projected climate scenarios, the decrease in drought propagation time will likely stress the timing and capacity of water supply in the basin for irrigation and other uses.展开更多
Neuron-astrocyte interactions are vital for the brain’s connectome.Understanding astrocyte activities is crucial for comprehending the complex neural network,particularly the population-level functions of neurons in ...Neuron-astrocyte interactions are vital for the brain’s connectome.Understanding astrocyte activities is crucial for comprehending the complex neural network,particularly the population-level functions of neurons in different cortical states and associated behaviors in mammals.Studies on animal sleep and wakefulness have revealed distinct cortical synchrony patterns between neurons.Astrocytes,outnumbering neurons by nearly fivefold,support and regulate neuronal and synaptic function.Recent research on astrocyte activation during cortical state transitions has emphasized the influence of norepinephrine as a neurotransmitter and calcium waves as key components of ion channel signaling.This summary focuses on a few recent studies investigating astrocyte-neuron interactions in mouse models during sleep,wakefulness,and arousal levels,exploring the involvement of noradrenaline signaling,ion channels,and glutamatergic signaling in different cortical states.These findings highlight the significant impact of astrocytes on large-scale neuronal networks,influencing brain activity and responsiveness.Targeting astrocytic signaling pathways shows promise for treating sleep disorders and arousal dysregulation.More research is needed to understand astrocytic calcium signaling in different brain regions and its implications for dysregulated brain states,requiring future human studies to comprehensively investigate neuron-astrocyte interactions and pave the way for therapeutic interventions in sleep-and arousal-related disorders.展开更多
A new glacial history paradigm that describes huge and prolonged southwest-oriented meltwater floods flowing along the rising rim of a deep “hole” (which a large continental icesheet created and occupied) is used to...A new glacial history paradigm that describes huge and prolonged southwest-oriented meltwater floods flowing along the rising rim of a deep “hole” (which a large continental icesheet created and occupied) is used to explain previously unexplained or poorly explained central Pennsylvania Bald Eagle through valley region topographic map evidence. Pennsylvania’s Bald Eagle through valley as defined here extends in a northeast direction from near Altoona to near Williamsport along the Allegheny Front escarpment base and forms the boundary between the Appalachian Plateau to the northwest and the Ridge and Valley Province to the southeast. The Lycoming and Towanda Creek valleys follow a probable northeastern Bald Eagle through valley extension and a probable southern extension continues southward along the Allegheny Front base by crossing Juniata River tributary drainage basins to reach the Potomac River drainage basin. Landform features identified on topographic maps, which include through valleys (valleys crossing drainage divides), barbed tributaries, drainage route orientations, drainage route direction changes, water gaps, and gaps located along the Allegheny Front crest, are used to reconstruct how the Pennsylvania Susquehanna and Juniata River drainage systems developed. The resulting geomorphic history describes how massive southwest-oriented floods moving across what was probably a low relief and rising surface (now preserved if preserved at all by the region’s highest elevations) flowed to an actively eroding Potomac River drainage system before being captured and sometimes reversed first by Juniata River valley headward erosion, second by West Branch Susquehanna River valley headward erosion (to create northeast-oriented Bald Eagle Creek and the northeast-oriented West Branch Susquehanna River segment) and third by North Branch Susquehanna River valley headward erosion. This interpretation explains most if not all of the previously poorly explained and unexplained topographic map evidence.展开更多
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) 1955 (revised in 1972) Ashton topographic map (Ashton map) with a 1:250,000 scale and a 200-foot (about 60-meter) contour interval covers almost all of Yellowstone National P...The United States Geological Survey (USGS) 1955 (revised in 1972) Ashton topographic map (Ashton map) with a 1:250,000 scale and a 200-foot (about 60-meter) contour interval covers almost all of Yellowstone National Park and some adjacent regions to the south and west. In spite of numerous publications discussing Yellowstone region geologic history the drainage system and erosional landform evidence on the Ashton map appears to have been ignored. Drainage divides identifiable on the Ashton map separate the north-oriented Yellowstone, Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson River drainage basins (which are located to the north and east of the continental divide with their water flowing to the Missouri River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico) from the south-oriented Snake River drainage basin (with its water eventually reaching the Pacific Ocean). The Ashton map shows water-eroded passes and through valleys which link diverging and converging valleys which drain in opposite directions from the continental divide. These diverging and converging valleys suggest large volumes of south-oriented water once flowed across the Yellowstone region continental divide and some other Ashton map drainage divides. The accepted geology and glacial history paradigm (accepted paradigm) cannot satisfactorily explain the Ashton map drainage system and erosional landform evidence, which may be why geomorphologists have never addressed the map evidence. A new and fundamentally different geology and glacial history paradigm requiring the Yellowstone region to be located on the rim of a continental ice sheet created and occupied deep “hole” (which was uplifted as immense meltwater floods flowed across it) explains Ashton map drainage system and erosional landform evidence, but raises questions about previously published Yellowstone region geologic histories.展开更多
Precipitation and evaporation are commonly used to assess and forecast droughts. However, surface and groundwater respond to both land surface processes, land use, and climatic variables, and should be integrated into...Precipitation and evaporation are commonly used to assess and forecast droughts. However, surface and groundwater respond to both land surface processes, land use, and climatic variables, and should be integrated into water management decisions. Water trend analysis near the Great Lakes is limited due to fluctuating cycles and data scarcity. In this study, we examine daily discharge data from 46 surface water gauges with high baseflow contributions and groundwater elevation from 28 observation wells in Michigan. Using established hydrograph separation techniques, we determined baseflow and standardized both annual average baseflow levels (SDBF) and groundwater levels (SDGW) from 1960 to 2022. These results are compared to the widely used Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). SPEI is a widely used drought indicator that integrates both precipitation and potential evapotranspiration, offering a more comprehensive measure of water balance. While the SPEI suggests that Michigan is becoming wetter, the SDBF shows a mix of both wet and dry conditions. Interpreting SDGW is more challenging due to incomplete records, but it indicates varying groundwater stability across the state. In some areas, SDGW mirrors the trends seen in SDBF, while in others, it takes 3 to 4 years for groundwater levels to reflect the same changes observed in baseflow. Overall, SDBF provides a better understanding of surface processes and responses to changing climatic variables.展开更多
BACKGROUND:To describe trends in oxycodone and oxycodone-containing analgesic prescribing for the treatment of back pain among adults in emergency departments(EDs) in the USA from 2007 to 2018.METHODS:Data were gather...BACKGROUND:To describe trends in oxycodone and oxycodone-containing analgesic prescribing for the treatment of back pain among adults in emergency departments(EDs) in the USA from 2007 to 2018.METHODS:Data were gathered from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey(NHAMCS) from 2007 to 2018.The study population included individuals of all ages presenting to USA EDs.The NHAMCS reasons for visit and oxycodone drug ID codes were used to isolate patients with back pain.The main outcome was the proportion of oxycodone and oxycodone-containing analgesics prescribed for back pain in the EDs over the specified time period.RESULTS:There was a relative decrease in the overall administration of oxycodone for back pain in the EDs by 62.3% from 2007(244,000 visits) to 2018(92,000 visits).The proportion of ED patients prescribed with oxycodone-containing analgesics for back pain increased among patients aged 45 years and older(from 43.8% to 57.6%),female patients(from 54.5% to 62.0%),black patients(from 22.5% to 30.4%),and Hispanic/Latino patients(from 9.4% to 19.6%).Oxycodone/acetaminophen was most prescribed and accounted for 90.2% of all oxycodone-containing analgesics in 2007,with a decrease to 68.5% in 2018.Pure oxycodone was the second most prescribed medication,accounting for 6.1% in 2007 and 31.5% in 2018.CONCLUSION:The overall number of oxycodone-containing analgesics decreased significantly from 2007 to 2018.However,that number trended upward in 45-year-old and older,female,black,or Hispanic/Latino patients from 2007 to 2018.The total amount of pure oxycodone increased significantly from 2007 to 2008.展开更多
The trace elements chemistry of Bartlett Pond, a small shallow wetland pond in Laredo, Southern Texas, was sampled to evaluate the dynamics of trace elements impacts on water quality and ecosystems ecology of the pond...The trace elements chemistry of Bartlett Pond, a small shallow wetland pond in Laredo, Southern Texas, was sampled to evaluate the dynamics of trace elements impacts on water quality and ecosystems ecology of the pond. Two types of fish (bass and tilapia) were also sampled to see the trace element accumulation in different parts of their body. The concentrations of trace elements in water samples were found in the following order: Fe ≫Sb > Pb > As ≫Co > Tl > Cr > Cd within Bartlett Pond. Overall, the water quality of the pond is unacceptable for drinking and any other purposes as trace element concentrations (e.g. As, Cd, Co, Cr, Pb, Fe, Sb and Tl) are exceedingly higher (several fold) than the WHO and US EPA guidelines. Predictive and correlation analysis shows that most trace elements exhibit a strong positive correlation among them indicating the same anthropogenic sources and biogeochemical processes regulate these trace elements within the pond. Distributions of the trace elements in water exhibit different shapes mostly as positively skewed distribution for As, Cd, Co, Cr, and Tl, symmetrical distribution for Fe and almost symmetrical distribution for Pb and Sb. Concentrations of As, Co and Tl accumulated much higher in different parts of the Bass than Tilapia fish. The concentrations of As, Tl, Co, and Sb appeared significantly higher in different parts of the body of both Bass and Tilapia than the maximum SRM certified values. Accumulation of these contaminants in fish tissues pose increased health risks to humans who consume these contaminated fish although fishing is prohibited. Anthropogenic activities in the region primarily degrade the whole pond ecosystem ecology of the Bartlett Pond and waters of this pond to be not recommended for any use. These findings may be useful for the scientific community and concerned authorities to improve understanding about these precious natural resources and conservation of the ecosystem ecology.展开更多
A significant portion of the national water supply can be attributed to de facto or unplanned potable reuse, though the extent of its contribution is difficult to estimate. Fortunately, the contribution of Water Resou...A significant portion of the national water supply can be attributed to de facto or unplanned potable reuse, though the extent of its contribution is difficult to estimate. Fortunately, the contribution of Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) effluent to waters that supply drinking water treatment plants has been documented by some communities. In the United States (US), among the top 25 most impacted drinking water treatment plants by upstream WRRF, 16% of the influent flow to the drinking water treatment plant under average streamflow and up to 100% under low-flow conditions is WRRF effluent. Currently, the full extent of de facto reuse in the US may be much higher because of population growth. The scenario is no different for Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority (BJWSA) in South Carolina, US, with contributions to the Savannah River originating from numerous WRRF and other upstream dischargers. South Carolina coastal utilities such as BJSWA are considering direct and indirect potable reuse options, driven by disposal limitations and challenges. Currently, South Carolina does not have a framework, guidelines, or regulations for reuse, but discussions have started among the regulated community. In addition to understanding the extent of de facto reuse, the state will need to develop standards and best practices to enable future adoption of planned potable reuse solutions to water resources challenges. Such guidance should address human health risk management and technical considerations regarding treatment in addition to other factors, including source control, storage, fail-safe operation, monitoring, non-cost factors, and public acceptance. This study conducted a mapping assessment specific to BJWSA, sampled at four locations on Savannah River, and observed that de facto reuse is approximately 4.6% to 5.9% during low-flow months and is within the range generally observed nationwide. When coupled with evidence that planned potable reuse can improve human health and environmental risks, this practice is a meaningful option in the water supply portfolio for many utilities.展开更多
Recent research has suggested that increased industrial and technological utilization of antimony and bismuth necessitates greater research to determine the soil and water chemistry and the environmental risks associa...Recent research has suggested that increased industrial and technological utilization of antimony and bismuth necessitates greater research to determine the soil and water chemistry and the environmental risks associated with these elements. The near-total soil profile concentrations of antimony and bismuth were determined for key soil series across southeastern Missouri. The antimony concentrations ranged from 0.65 to 0.08 mg kg<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup>, whereas the bismuth soil profile concentrations ranged from 0.92 to 0.03 mg kg<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup>. Most pedons showed antimony concentrations ranging from 20 to 30 mg kg<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup>, whereas bismuth concentrations were commonly 10 to 20 mg kg<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup>. For soils having argillic horizons, antimony and bismuth concentrations were greater for the illuvial horizons than the eluvial horizons, whereas Entisols, Inceptisols, and one Vertisol showed rather uniform antimony and bismuth concentrations, features paralleling the soil texture distribution. Both antimony and bismuth showed significant correlations with iron.展开更多
Widespread changes to forested watersheds affected by the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) epidemic across western North America raised concerns about the effects of this climate-induced disturba...Widespread changes to forested watersheds affected by the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) epidemic across western North America raised concerns about the effects of this climate-induced disturbance on drinking water and natural resources. Effective communication and knowledge exchange across scientists and stakeholders (i.e., drinking water managers) is essential for constructively responding to such landscape scale disturbances, providing improved adaptive capacity through knowledge sharing. An assessment of stakeholder knowledge levels, information needs, primary concerns, and suggested communication strategies were conducted via an online elicitation survey and World Science Café workshops. Knowledge levels, assessed via a survey of local water managers and experts, were relatively low with approximately half of the respondents reporting little to no knowledge of the effects of mountain pine beetle on drinking water quality and quantity, thereby indicating limited knowledge exchange between scientists and drinking water stakeholders. Increased accessibility and dissemination of research findings pertinent to the mountain pine beetle epidemic’s effects on drinking water quality and quantity is necessary for natural resource management. Recommendations for improved communication among scientists and drinking water stakeholders in particular and forest health in general include dispersal of non-academic research summaries, information exchange through existing media and community resources, demonstration projects, and information clearinghouses. This information provides a better understanding of the challenges, concerns, and first-hand experience of stakeholders of a landscape disturbance issue to apply this knowledge to enhance land management practice and how researchers on this overall project enhanced science communication efforts.展开更多
This research initiative, conducted along the coastal zones of Al Hamama and Susah in northeastern Libya, aimed to enhance our understanding of Holocene benthic foraminifera assemblages and the paleoenvironmental para...This research initiative, conducted along the coastal zones of Al Hamama and Susah in northeastern Libya, aimed to enhance our understanding of Holocene benthic foraminifera assemblages and the paleoenvironmental parameters in the region. We meticulously gathered five sediment samples to analyze the composition of foraminifera populations within the unconsolidated sedimentary deposits adjacent to these locations. We successfully identified nine distinct benthic foraminifera species, including Amphistegina lobifera, Eliphidium crispum, Sigmoilinita tenuis, Sorites orbiculus, Stomatorbina concentrica, Peneroplis planatus, Pseudotriloculina rotunda, Pyrgoella sphaera, and Triloculina schreberiana. Notably, Eliphidium crispum and Amphistegina lobifera emerged as the most prevalent species. These foraminifera species exhibited distinct ecological preferences, shedding light on paleoenvironmental conditions and climatic fluctuations during the Quaternary Period in the Susah and Al Hamama coastal regions. The presence of Orbulina universa, a planktonic foraminifera species, further enriched our understanding of the paleoenvironment by providing insights into specific water depths and temperature ranges. This research significantly contributes to paleoceanography and environmental reconstruction, highlighting the invaluable use of foraminifera as proxies for exploring past environmental changes. Additionally, the study investigated the impacts of anthropogenic influences on benthic ecosystems in the Al Hamama and Susah coastal areas. These influences included reworked foraminifera specimens and the effects of karst formations, acid rain, and eutrophication. Notably, human-induced factors have visibly affected biogenic fauna and ecosystem dynamics in the study area. Consequently, this research provides valuable insights into paleoenvironmental conditions and ecological dynamics within the Susah and Al Hamama coastal regions, emphasizing the crucial role of foraminifera in reconstructing historical environmental fluctuations.展开更多
As highly social animals,Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins(Sousa chinensis)exhibit community differentiation.Nevertheless,our understanding of the external and internal factors influencing these dynamics,as well as their...As highly social animals,Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins(Sousa chinensis)exhibit community differentiation.Nevertheless,our understanding of the external and internal factors influencing these dynamics,as well as their spatiotemporal variations,is still limited.In the present study,variations in the social structure of an endangered Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin population in Xiamen Bay,China,were monitored over two distinct periods(2007–2010 and 2017–2019)to analyze the effects of habitat utilization and the composition of individuals within the population.In both periods,the population demonstrated a strikingly similar pattern of social differentiation,characterized by the division of individuals into two main clusters and one small cluster.Spatially,the two primary clusters occupied the eastern and western waters,respectively,although the core distribution area of the eastern cluster shifted further eastward between the two periods.Despite this distribution shift,the temporal stability of the social structure and inter-associations within the eastern cluster remained unaffected.A subset of 16individuals observed in both periods,comprising 51.6%and 43.2%of the population in each respective period,emerged as a foundational element of the social structure and may be responsible for sustaining social structure stability,especially during the 2007–2010 period.These observations suggest that the composition of dominant individuals,an internal factor,had a more substantial influence on the formation of the social network than changes in habitat use,an external factor.Consequently,the study proposes distinct conservation measures tailored to each of the two main clusters.展开更多
Mobile health applications, or mHealth apps, have gained popularity due to their practical functions and strengthening the connection between patients and healthcare professionals. These apps are designed for managing...Mobile health applications, or mHealth apps, have gained popularity due to their practical functions and strengthening the connection between patients and healthcare professionals. These apps are designed for managing health and well-being on portable devices, allowing individuals to self-manage their health or healthcare practitioners to enhance patient care. Key features include personalized recommendations, data synchronization with other health devices, and connectivity with healthcare professionals. The research describes how mobile health applications support healthy behaviors, facilitate communication between patients and physicians, and empower individuals in the United States to take charge of their health. This study also examines how adults in the US use mobile health applications, or mHealth apps, on their tablets or smartphones for health-seeking purposes. The information was taken from Cycle 4 of the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 4). The challenges regarding these mobile health apps have also been evaluated with possible remedies. Around 100 university students participated in a cross-sectional study by answering questions on their eating habits, physical activity, lifestyle choices related to health, and use of mobile health apps. The data was then analyzed and concluded as a result. Mobile health applications have brought about a significant shift in the way patients connect with their healthcare providers by providing them with convenient access to health services and information. By keeping track of health markers like diet, exercise, and medication compliance, patients may use these tools to help better manage their chronic conditions. Mobile health applications can improve patient outcomes and save healthcare costs by empowering patients to take charge of their health. Through the facilitation of communication between patients and healthcare professionals, mobile health apps also offer virtual consultations and remote monitoring.展开更多
People learn causal relations since childhood using counterfactual reasoning. Counterfactual reasoning uses counterfactual examples which take the form of “what if this has happened differently”. Counterfactual exam...People learn causal relations since childhood using counterfactual reasoning. Counterfactual reasoning uses counterfactual examples which take the form of “what if this has happened differently”. Counterfactual examples are also the basis of counterfactual explanation in explainable artificial intelligence (XAI). However, a framework that relies solely on optimization algorithms to find and present counterfactual samples cannot help users gain a deeper understanding of the system. Without a way to verify their understanding, the users can even be misled by such explanations. Such limitations can be overcome through an interactive and iterative framework that allows the users to explore their desired “what-if” scenarios. The purpose of our research is to develop such a framework. In this paper, we present our “what-if” XAI framework (WiXAI), which visualizes the artificial intelligence (AI) classification model from the perspective of the user’s sample and guides their “what-if” exploration. We also formulated how to use the WiXAI framework to generate counterfactuals and understand the feature-feature and feature-output relations in-depth for a local sample. These relations help move the users toward causal understanding.展开更多
Cirque glaciers found on the Colorado Front Range, USA are sensitive to climate change and are important for water supply and the delivery of water downstream. These glaciers are shrinking at a rapid rate in response ...Cirque glaciers found on the Colorado Front Range, USA are sensitive to climate change and are important for water supply and the delivery of water downstream. These glaciers are shrinking at a rapid rate in response to the global climate change, and thus it is important to track and analyze them. One of the ways to monitor these glaciers is by using multispectral satellite imagery (Landsat imagery). In this article, the feasibility of tracking glacial area via Landsat satellites has been discussed and the trend of 13 glaciers in the Colorado Front Range Region has been analyzed from 1993 to 2021. In this period, the total glacial area across 13 glaciers in the Colorado Front Range Region has decreased by 63.6%, and a significant correlation (p-value p < 0.05) found with the annual global average temperature indicates that the retraction of glaciers is likely a response to the global warming.展开更多
Background Psychiatric comorbidities are common in patients with epilepsy.Reasons for the co-occurrence of psychiatric conditions and epilepsy remain poorly understood.Aim We aimed to triangulate the relationship betw...Background Psychiatric comorbidities are common in patients with epilepsy.Reasons for the co-occurrence of psychiatric conditions and epilepsy remain poorly understood.Aim We aimed to triangulate the relationship between epilepsy and psychiatric conditions to determine the extent and possible origins of these conditions.Methods Using nationwide Swedish health registries,we quantified the lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients with epilepsy.We then used summarydata from genome-wide association studies to investigate whether the identified observational associations could be attributed to a shared underlying genetic aetiology using cross-trait linkage disequilibrium score regression.Finally,we assessed the potential bidirectional relationships using two-sample Mendelian randomisation.Results In a cohort of 7628495 individuals,we found that almost half of the 94435 individuals diagnosed with epilepsy were also diagnosed with a psychiatric condition in their lifetime(adjusted lifetime prevalence,44.09%;95%confidence interval(Cl)43.78%to 44.39%).We found evidence for a genetic correlation between epilepsy and some neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions.For example,we observed a genetic correlation between epilepsy and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(r,=0.18,95%Cl 0.09 to 0.27,p<0.001)—a correlation that was more pronounced in focal epilepsy(r=0.23,95%CI 0.09 to 0.36,p<0.001).Findings from Mendelian randomisation using common genetic variants did not support bidirectional effects between epilepsy and neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions.Conclusions Psychiatric comorbidities are common in patients with epilepsy.Genetic correlations may partially explain some comorbidities;however,there is little evidence of a bidirectional relationship between the genetic liability of epilepsy and psychiatric conditions.These findings highlight the need to understand the role of environmental factors or rare genetic variations in the origins of psychiatric comorbidities in epilepsy.展开更多
Background We aimed to evaluate whether major depressive disorder(MDD)could aggravate the outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)or whether the genetic liability to COVID-19 could trigger MDD.Aims We aimed to a...Background We aimed to evaluate whether major depressive disorder(MDD)could aggravate the outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)or whether the genetic liability to COVID-19 could trigger MDD.Aims We aimed to assess bidirectional causal associations between MDD and COVID-19.Methods We performed genetic correlation and Mendelian randomisation(MR)analyses to assess potential associations between MDD and three COVID-19 outcomes.Literature-based network analysis was conducted to construct molecular pathways connecting MDD and COVID-19.Results We found that MDD has positive genetic correlations with COVID-19 outcomes(rg:0.10–0.15).Our MR analysis indicated that genetic liability to MDD is associated with increased risks of COVID-19 infection(odds ratio(OR)=1.05,95%confidence interval(CI):1.00 to 1.10,p=0.039).However,genetic liability to the three COVID-19 outcomes did not confer any causal effects on MDD.Pathway analysis identified a panel of immunity-related genes that may mediate the links between MDD and COVID-19.Conclusions Our study suggests that MDD may increase the susceptibility to COVID-19.Our findings emphasise the need to increase social support and improve mental health intervention networks for people with mood disorders during the pandemic.展开更多
文摘The equations of mineral production forecast link the change in time of mineral reserves with the production and the ratio of reserves to production. These equations allow us to model the development of the mineral resources evaluated at any scale. Probabilistic bidimensional charts made from montecarlo simulations provide intervals of confidence for the forecasts. The set of equations is devised and presented for a variety of applications to the oil and gas industry, as well to the production of any other mineral resource, either metals or non metals, whose ore deposit volumes and production might be quantified. The cases studied in the UK and USA are at late stages of production, periods for what the equations are most suitable to be applied without further adjustments. Experimental design allows the diagnosis of the likely values of the variables pertaining to the equations, in order to achieve the results provided by conventional production forecasts or to explore other scenarios of investigation. The method can be practical to evaluate commitments of production of mineral resources with time, to support strategic plans for companies, corporations, countries or regions based on those evaluations, for the screening and ranking of mineral assets based on their production potential and many other tasks where the prediction of future volumes of mineral production is required.
基金supported by Center for Resiliency(CfR)at Lamar University(Grant No.22PSSO1).
文摘Increasing bacteria levels in the Lower Neches River caused by Hurricane Harvey has been of a serious concern.This study is to analyze the historical water sampling measurements and real-time water quality data collected with wireless sensors to monitor and evaluate water quality under different hydrological and hydraulic conditions.The statistical and Pearson correlation analysis on historical water samples determines that alkalinity,chloride,hardness,conductivity,and pH are highly correlated,and they decrease with increasing flow rate due to dilution.The flow rate has positive correlations with Escherichia coli,total suspended solids,and turbidity,which demonstrates that runoff is one of the causes of the elevated bacteria and sediment loadings in the river.The correlation between E.coli and turbidity indicates that turbidity greater than 45 nephelometric turbidity units in the Neches River can serve as a proxy for E.coli to indicate the bacterial outbreak.A series of statistical tools and an innovative two-layer data smoothing filter are developed to detect outliers,fill missing values,and filter spikes of the sensor measurements.The correlation analysis on the sensor data illustrates that the elevated sediment/bacteria/algae in the river is either caused by the first flush rain and heavy rain events in December to March or practices of land use and land cover.Therefore,utilizing sensor measurements along with rainfall and discharge data is recommended to monitor and evaluate water quality,then in turn to provide early alerts on water resources management decisions.
基金the financial support received from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USA (Grant No.2017-67003-26057) via an interagency partnership between USDA-NIFAthe National Science Foundation (NSF) on the research program Innovations at the Nexus of Food, Energy and Water Systemsfunded by the Ministry of Education, Government of India through the Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) project grant (SPARC/2018-2019/P1080/SL)。
文摘Climate change is expected to have long-term impacts on drought and wildfire risks in Oregon as summers continue to become warmer and drier. This paper investigates the projected changes in drought characteristics and drought propagation in the Umatilla River Basin in northeastern Oregon for mid-century(2030–2059) and late-century(2070–2099) climate scenarios. Drought characteristics for projected climates were determined using downscaled CMIP5 climate datasets from ten climate models and Soil and Water Assessment Tool to simulate effects on hydrologic processes. Short-term(three months) drought characteristics(frequency, duration, and severity) were analyzed using four drought indices, including the Standardized Precipitation Index(SPI-3), Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index(SPEI-3), Standardized Streamflow Index(SSI-3), and the Standardized Soil Moisture Index(SSMI-3). Results indicate that short-term meteorological droughts are projected to become more prevalent, with up to a 20% increase in the frequency of SPI-3drought events. Short-term hydrological droughts are projected to become more frequent(average increase of 11% in frequency of SSI-3 drought events), more severe, and longer in duration(average increase of 8% for short-term droughts).Similarly, short-term agricultural droughts are projected to become more frequent(average increase of 28% in frequency of SSMI-3 drought events) but slightly shorter in duration(average decrease of 4%) in the future. Historically, drought propagation time from meteorological to hydrological drought is shorter than from meteorological to agricultural drought in most sub-basins. For the projected climate scenarios, the decrease in drought propagation time will likely stress the timing and capacity of water supply in the basin for irrigation and other uses.
基金supported by the Corbett Estate Fund(62285-531021-41800,to EW)the Helen Vosburg McCrillus Plummer and Robert Edward Lee Plummer,Jr.Chair Fund(to JHH).
文摘Neuron-astrocyte interactions are vital for the brain’s connectome.Understanding astrocyte activities is crucial for comprehending the complex neural network,particularly the population-level functions of neurons in different cortical states and associated behaviors in mammals.Studies on animal sleep and wakefulness have revealed distinct cortical synchrony patterns between neurons.Astrocytes,outnumbering neurons by nearly fivefold,support and regulate neuronal and synaptic function.Recent research on astrocyte activation during cortical state transitions has emphasized the influence of norepinephrine as a neurotransmitter and calcium waves as key components of ion channel signaling.This summary focuses on a few recent studies investigating astrocyte-neuron interactions in mouse models during sleep,wakefulness,and arousal levels,exploring the involvement of noradrenaline signaling,ion channels,and glutamatergic signaling in different cortical states.These findings highlight the significant impact of astrocytes on large-scale neuronal networks,influencing brain activity and responsiveness.Targeting astrocytic signaling pathways shows promise for treating sleep disorders and arousal dysregulation.More research is needed to understand astrocytic calcium signaling in different brain regions and its implications for dysregulated brain states,requiring future human studies to comprehensively investigate neuron-astrocyte interactions and pave the way for therapeutic interventions in sleep-and arousal-related disorders.
文摘A new glacial history paradigm that describes huge and prolonged southwest-oriented meltwater floods flowing along the rising rim of a deep “hole” (which a large continental icesheet created and occupied) is used to explain previously unexplained or poorly explained central Pennsylvania Bald Eagle through valley region topographic map evidence. Pennsylvania’s Bald Eagle through valley as defined here extends in a northeast direction from near Altoona to near Williamsport along the Allegheny Front escarpment base and forms the boundary between the Appalachian Plateau to the northwest and the Ridge and Valley Province to the southeast. The Lycoming and Towanda Creek valleys follow a probable northeastern Bald Eagle through valley extension and a probable southern extension continues southward along the Allegheny Front base by crossing Juniata River tributary drainage basins to reach the Potomac River drainage basin. Landform features identified on topographic maps, which include through valleys (valleys crossing drainage divides), barbed tributaries, drainage route orientations, drainage route direction changes, water gaps, and gaps located along the Allegheny Front crest, are used to reconstruct how the Pennsylvania Susquehanna and Juniata River drainage systems developed. The resulting geomorphic history describes how massive southwest-oriented floods moving across what was probably a low relief and rising surface (now preserved if preserved at all by the region’s highest elevations) flowed to an actively eroding Potomac River drainage system before being captured and sometimes reversed first by Juniata River valley headward erosion, second by West Branch Susquehanna River valley headward erosion (to create northeast-oriented Bald Eagle Creek and the northeast-oriented West Branch Susquehanna River segment) and third by North Branch Susquehanna River valley headward erosion. This interpretation explains most if not all of the previously poorly explained and unexplained topographic map evidence.
文摘The United States Geological Survey (USGS) 1955 (revised in 1972) Ashton topographic map (Ashton map) with a 1:250,000 scale and a 200-foot (about 60-meter) contour interval covers almost all of Yellowstone National Park and some adjacent regions to the south and west. In spite of numerous publications discussing Yellowstone region geologic history the drainage system and erosional landform evidence on the Ashton map appears to have been ignored. Drainage divides identifiable on the Ashton map separate the north-oriented Yellowstone, Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson River drainage basins (which are located to the north and east of the continental divide with their water flowing to the Missouri River and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico) from the south-oriented Snake River drainage basin (with its water eventually reaching the Pacific Ocean). The Ashton map shows water-eroded passes and through valleys which link diverging and converging valleys which drain in opposite directions from the continental divide. These diverging and converging valleys suggest large volumes of south-oriented water once flowed across the Yellowstone region continental divide and some other Ashton map drainage divides. The accepted geology and glacial history paradigm (accepted paradigm) cannot satisfactorily explain the Ashton map drainage system and erosional landform evidence, which may be why geomorphologists have never addressed the map evidence. A new and fundamentally different geology and glacial history paradigm requiring the Yellowstone region to be located on the rim of a continental ice sheet created and occupied deep “hole” (which was uplifted as immense meltwater floods flowed across it) explains Ashton map drainage system and erosional landform evidence, but raises questions about previously published Yellowstone region geologic histories.
文摘Precipitation and evaporation are commonly used to assess and forecast droughts. However, surface and groundwater respond to both land surface processes, land use, and climatic variables, and should be integrated into water management decisions. Water trend analysis near the Great Lakes is limited due to fluctuating cycles and data scarcity. In this study, we examine daily discharge data from 46 surface water gauges with high baseflow contributions and groundwater elevation from 28 observation wells in Michigan. Using established hydrograph separation techniques, we determined baseflow and standardized both annual average baseflow levels (SDBF) and groundwater levels (SDGW) from 1960 to 2022. These results are compared to the widely used Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). SPEI is a widely used drought indicator that integrates both precipitation and potential evapotranspiration, offering a more comprehensive measure of water balance. While the SPEI suggests that Michigan is becoming wetter, the SDBF shows a mix of both wet and dry conditions. Interpreting SDGW is more challenging due to incomplete records, but it indicates varying groundwater stability across the state. In some areas, SDGW mirrors the trends seen in SDBF, while in others, it takes 3 to 4 years for groundwater levels to reflect the same changes observed in baseflow. Overall, SDBF provides a better understanding of surface processes and responses to changing climatic variables.
文摘BACKGROUND:To describe trends in oxycodone and oxycodone-containing analgesic prescribing for the treatment of back pain among adults in emergency departments(EDs) in the USA from 2007 to 2018.METHODS:Data were gathered from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey(NHAMCS) from 2007 to 2018.The study population included individuals of all ages presenting to USA EDs.The NHAMCS reasons for visit and oxycodone drug ID codes were used to isolate patients with back pain.The main outcome was the proportion of oxycodone and oxycodone-containing analgesics prescribed for back pain in the EDs over the specified time period.RESULTS:There was a relative decrease in the overall administration of oxycodone for back pain in the EDs by 62.3% from 2007(244,000 visits) to 2018(92,000 visits).The proportion of ED patients prescribed with oxycodone-containing analgesics for back pain increased among patients aged 45 years and older(from 43.8% to 57.6%),female patients(from 54.5% to 62.0%),black patients(from 22.5% to 30.4%),and Hispanic/Latino patients(from 9.4% to 19.6%).Oxycodone/acetaminophen was most prescribed and accounted for 90.2% of all oxycodone-containing analgesics in 2007,with a decrease to 68.5% in 2018.Pure oxycodone was the second most prescribed medication,accounting for 6.1% in 2007 and 31.5% in 2018.CONCLUSION:The overall number of oxycodone-containing analgesics decreased significantly from 2007 to 2018.However,that number trended upward in 45-year-old and older,female,black,or Hispanic/Latino patients from 2007 to 2018.The total amount of pure oxycodone increased significantly from 2007 to 2008.
文摘The trace elements chemistry of Bartlett Pond, a small shallow wetland pond in Laredo, Southern Texas, was sampled to evaluate the dynamics of trace elements impacts on water quality and ecosystems ecology of the pond. Two types of fish (bass and tilapia) were also sampled to see the trace element accumulation in different parts of their body. The concentrations of trace elements in water samples were found in the following order: Fe ≫Sb > Pb > As ≫Co > Tl > Cr > Cd within Bartlett Pond. Overall, the water quality of the pond is unacceptable for drinking and any other purposes as trace element concentrations (e.g. As, Cd, Co, Cr, Pb, Fe, Sb and Tl) are exceedingly higher (several fold) than the WHO and US EPA guidelines. Predictive and correlation analysis shows that most trace elements exhibit a strong positive correlation among them indicating the same anthropogenic sources and biogeochemical processes regulate these trace elements within the pond. Distributions of the trace elements in water exhibit different shapes mostly as positively skewed distribution for As, Cd, Co, Cr, and Tl, symmetrical distribution for Fe and almost symmetrical distribution for Pb and Sb. Concentrations of As, Co and Tl accumulated much higher in different parts of the Bass than Tilapia fish. The concentrations of As, Tl, Co, and Sb appeared significantly higher in different parts of the body of both Bass and Tilapia than the maximum SRM certified values. Accumulation of these contaminants in fish tissues pose increased health risks to humans who consume these contaminated fish although fishing is prohibited. Anthropogenic activities in the region primarily degrade the whole pond ecosystem ecology of the Bartlett Pond and waters of this pond to be not recommended for any use. These findings may be useful for the scientific community and concerned authorities to improve understanding about these precious natural resources and conservation of the ecosystem ecology.
文摘A significant portion of the national water supply can be attributed to de facto or unplanned potable reuse, though the extent of its contribution is difficult to estimate. Fortunately, the contribution of Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) effluent to waters that supply drinking water treatment plants has been documented by some communities. In the United States (US), among the top 25 most impacted drinking water treatment plants by upstream WRRF, 16% of the influent flow to the drinking water treatment plant under average streamflow and up to 100% under low-flow conditions is WRRF effluent. Currently, the full extent of de facto reuse in the US may be much higher because of population growth. The scenario is no different for Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority (BJWSA) in South Carolina, US, with contributions to the Savannah River originating from numerous WRRF and other upstream dischargers. South Carolina coastal utilities such as BJSWA are considering direct and indirect potable reuse options, driven by disposal limitations and challenges. Currently, South Carolina does not have a framework, guidelines, or regulations for reuse, but discussions have started among the regulated community. In addition to understanding the extent of de facto reuse, the state will need to develop standards and best practices to enable future adoption of planned potable reuse solutions to water resources challenges. Such guidance should address human health risk management and technical considerations regarding treatment in addition to other factors, including source control, storage, fail-safe operation, monitoring, non-cost factors, and public acceptance. This study conducted a mapping assessment specific to BJWSA, sampled at four locations on Savannah River, and observed that de facto reuse is approximately 4.6% to 5.9% during low-flow months and is within the range generally observed nationwide. When coupled with evidence that planned potable reuse can improve human health and environmental risks, this practice is a meaningful option in the water supply portfolio for many utilities.
文摘Recent research has suggested that increased industrial and technological utilization of antimony and bismuth necessitates greater research to determine the soil and water chemistry and the environmental risks associated with these elements. The near-total soil profile concentrations of antimony and bismuth were determined for key soil series across southeastern Missouri. The antimony concentrations ranged from 0.65 to 0.08 mg kg<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup>, whereas the bismuth soil profile concentrations ranged from 0.92 to 0.03 mg kg<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup>. Most pedons showed antimony concentrations ranging from 20 to 30 mg kg<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup>, whereas bismuth concentrations were commonly 10 to 20 mg kg<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup>. For soils having argillic horizons, antimony and bismuth concentrations were greater for the illuvial horizons than the eluvial horizons, whereas Entisols, Inceptisols, and one Vertisol showed rather uniform antimony and bismuth concentrations, features paralleling the soil texture distribution. Both antimony and bismuth showed significant correlations with iron.
文摘Widespread changes to forested watersheds affected by the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) epidemic across western North America raised concerns about the effects of this climate-induced disturbance on drinking water and natural resources. Effective communication and knowledge exchange across scientists and stakeholders (i.e., drinking water managers) is essential for constructively responding to such landscape scale disturbances, providing improved adaptive capacity through knowledge sharing. An assessment of stakeholder knowledge levels, information needs, primary concerns, and suggested communication strategies were conducted via an online elicitation survey and World Science Café workshops. Knowledge levels, assessed via a survey of local water managers and experts, were relatively low with approximately half of the respondents reporting little to no knowledge of the effects of mountain pine beetle on drinking water quality and quantity, thereby indicating limited knowledge exchange between scientists and drinking water stakeholders. Increased accessibility and dissemination of research findings pertinent to the mountain pine beetle epidemic’s effects on drinking water quality and quantity is necessary for natural resource management. Recommendations for improved communication among scientists and drinking water stakeholders in particular and forest health in general include dispersal of non-academic research summaries, information exchange through existing media and community resources, demonstration projects, and information clearinghouses. This information provides a better understanding of the challenges, concerns, and first-hand experience of stakeholders of a landscape disturbance issue to apply this knowledge to enhance land management practice and how researchers on this overall project enhanced science communication efforts.
文摘This research initiative, conducted along the coastal zones of Al Hamama and Susah in northeastern Libya, aimed to enhance our understanding of Holocene benthic foraminifera assemblages and the paleoenvironmental parameters in the region. We meticulously gathered five sediment samples to analyze the composition of foraminifera populations within the unconsolidated sedimentary deposits adjacent to these locations. We successfully identified nine distinct benthic foraminifera species, including Amphistegina lobifera, Eliphidium crispum, Sigmoilinita tenuis, Sorites orbiculus, Stomatorbina concentrica, Peneroplis planatus, Pseudotriloculina rotunda, Pyrgoella sphaera, and Triloculina schreberiana. Notably, Eliphidium crispum and Amphistegina lobifera emerged as the most prevalent species. These foraminifera species exhibited distinct ecological preferences, shedding light on paleoenvironmental conditions and climatic fluctuations during the Quaternary Period in the Susah and Al Hamama coastal regions. The presence of Orbulina universa, a planktonic foraminifera species, further enriched our understanding of the paleoenvironment by providing insights into specific water depths and temperature ranges. This research significantly contributes to paleoceanography and environmental reconstruction, highlighting the invaluable use of foraminifera as proxies for exploring past environmental changes. Additionally, the study investigated the impacts of anthropogenic influences on benthic ecosystems in the Al Hamama and Susah coastal areas. These influences included reworked foraminifera specimens and the effects of karst formations, acid rain, and eutrophication. Notably, human-induced factors have visibly affected biogenic fauna and ecosystem dynamics in the study area. Consequently, this research provides valuable insights into paleoenvironmental conditions and ecological dynamics within the Susah and Al Hamama coastal regions, emphasizing the crucial role of foraminifera in reconstructing historical environmental fluctuations.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32030011,31630071)National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFF1301600)Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions。
文摘As highly social animals,Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins(Sousa chinensis)exhibit community differentiation.Nevertheless,our understanding of the external and internal factors influencing these dynamics,as well as their spatiotemporal variations,is still limited.In the present study,variations in the social structure of an endangered Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin population in Xiamen Bay,China,were monitored over two distinct periods(2007–2010 and 2017–2019)to analyze the effects of habitat utilization and the composition of individuals within the population.In both periods,the population demonstrated a strikingly similar pattern of social differentiation,characterized by the division of individuals into two main clusters and one small cluster.Spatially,the two primary clusters occupied the eastern and western waters,respectively,although the core distribution area of the eastern cluster shifted further eastward between the two periods.Despite this distribution shift,the temporal stability of the social structure and inter-associations within the eastern cluster remained unaffected.A subset of 16individuals observed in both periods,comprising 51.6%and 43.2%of the population in each respective period,emerged as a foundational element of the social structure and may be responsible for sustaining social structure stability,especially during the 2007–2010 period.These observations suggest that the composition of dominant individuals,an internal factor,had a more substantial influence on the formation of the social network than changes in habitat use,an external factor.Consequently,the study proposes distinct conservation measures tailored to each of the two main clusters.
文摘Mobile health applications, or mHealth apps, have gained popularity due to their practical functions and strengthening the connection between patients and healthcare professionals. These apps are designed for managing health and well-being on portable devices, allowing individuals to self-manage their health or healthcare practitioners to enhance patient care. Key features include personalized recommendations, data synchronization with other health devices, and connectivity with healthcare professionals. The research describes how mobile health applications support healthy behaviors, facilitate communication between patients and physicians, and empower individuals in the United States to take charge of their health. This study also examines how adults in the US use mobile health applications, or mHealth apps, on their tablets or smartphones for health-seeking purposes. The information was taken from Cycle 4 of the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 4). The challenges regarding these mobile health apps have also been evaluated with possible remedies. Around 100 university students participated in a cross-sectional study by answering questions on their eating habits, physical activity, lifestyle choices related to health, and use of mobile health apps. The data was then analyzed and concluded as a result. Mobile health applications have brought about a significant shift in the way patients connect with their healthcare providers by providing them with convenient access to health services and information. By keeping track of health markers like diet, exercise, and medication compliance, patients may use these tools to help better manage their chronic conditions. Mobile health applications can improve patient outcomes and save healthcare costs by empowering patients to take charge of their health. Through the facilitation of communication between patients and healthcare professionals, mobile health apps also offer virtual consultations and remote monitoring.
文摘People learn causal relations since childhood using counterfactual reasoning. Counterfactual reasoning uses counterfactual examples which take the form of “what if this has happened differently”. Counterfactual examples are also the basis of counterfactual explanation in explainable artificial intelligence (XAI). However, a framework that relies solely on optimization algorithms to find and present counterfactual samples cannot help users gain a deeper understanding of the system. Without a way to verify their understanding, the users can even be misled by such explanations. Such limitations can be overcome through an interactive and iterative framework that allows the users to explore their desired “what-if” scenarios. The purpose of our research is to develop such a framework. In this paper, we present our “what-if” XAI framework (WiXAI), which visualizes the artificial intelligence (AI) classification model from the perspective of the user’s sample and guides their “what-if” exploration. We also formulated how to use the WiXAI framework to generate counterfactuals and understand the feature-feature and feature-output relations in-depth for a local sample. These relations help move the users toward causal understanding.
文摘Cirque glaciers found on the Colorado Front Range, USA are sensitive to climate change and are important for water supply and the delivery of water downstream. These glaciers are shrinking at a rapid rate in response to the global climate change, and thus it is important to track and analyze them. One of the ways to monitor these glaciers is by using multispectral satellite imagery (Landsat imagery). In this article, the feasibility of tracking glacial area via Landsat satellites has been discussed and the trend of 13 glaciers in the Colorado Front Range Region has been analyzed from 1993 to 2021. In this period, the total glacial area across 13 glaciers in the Colorado Front Range Region has decreased by 63.6%, and a significant correlation (p-value p < 0.05) found with the annual global average temperature indicates that the retraction of glaciers is likely a response to the global warming.
基金the National Institutes of Health(1R01NS107607-01A1)Erik and Edith Fernstrom Foundation for Medical Research(2020-00321)+5 种基金Karolinska Institutet(2020-00160,2020-01172)the Swedish Society for Medical Research(RM21-0005)This study was also supported by the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at the University of Bristol and University Hospitals Bristol and the Weston NHS Foundation TrustThe Medical Research Council(MRC)and the University of Bristol supported the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit(MC_UU_00011/1)NMD was supported by the Norwegian Research Council(grant number 295989)The Swedish Research Council(523-2010-1052)supports the(Psychiatry Sweden)register linkage.
文摘Background Psychiatric comorbidities are common in patients with epilepsy.Reasons for the co-occurrence of psychiatric conditions and epilepsy remain poorly understood.Aim We aimed to triangulate the relationship between epilepsy and psychiatric conditions to determine the extent and possible origins of these conditions.Methods Using nationwide Swedish health registries,we quantified the lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients with epilepsy.We then used summarydata from genome-wide association studies to investigate whether the identified observational associations could be attributed to a shared underlying genetic aetiology using cross-trait linkage disequilibrium score regression.Finally,we assessed the potential bidirectional relationships using two-sample Mendelian randomisation.Results In a cohort of 7628495 individuals,we found that almost half of the 94435 individuals diagnosed with epilepsy were also diagnosed with a psychiatric condition in their lifetime(adjusted lifetime prevalence,44.09%;95%confidence interval(Cl)43.78%to 44.39%).We found evidence for a genetic correlation between epilepsy and some neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions.For example,we observed a genetic correlation between epilepsy and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(r,=0.18,95%Cl 0.09 to 0.27,p<0.001)—a correlation that was more pronounced in focal epilepsy(r=0.23,95%CI 0.09 to 0.36,p<0.001).Findings from Mendelian randomisation using common genetic variants did not support bidirectional effects between epilepsy and neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions.Conclusions Psychiatric comorbidities are common in patients with epilepsy.Genetic correlations may partially explain some comorbidities;however,there is little evidence of a bidirectional relationship between the genetic liability of epilepsy and psychiatric conditions.These findings highlight the need to understand the role of environmental factors or rare genetic variations in the origins of psychiatric comorbidities in epilepsy.
文摘Background We aimed to evaluate whether major depressive disorder(MDD)could aggravate the outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)or whether the genetic liability to COVID-19 could trigger MDD.Aims We aimed to assess bidirectional causal associations between MDD and COVID-19.Methods We performed genetic correlation and Mendelian randomisation(MR)analyses to assess potential associations between MDD and three COVID-19 outcomes.Literature-based network analysis was conducted to construct molecular pathways connecting MDD and COVID-19.Results We found that MDD has positive genetic correlations with COVID-19 outcomes(rg:0.10–0.15).Our MR analysis indicated that genetic liability to MDD is associated with increased risks of COVID-19 infection(odds ratio(OR)=1.05,95%confidence interval(CI):1.00 to 1.10,p=0.039).However,genetic liability to the three COVID-19 outcomes did not confer any causal effects on MDD.Pathway analysis identified a panel of immunity-related genes that may mediate the links between MDD and COVID-19.Conclusions Our study suggests that MDD may increase the susceptibility to COVID-19.Our findings emphasise the need to increase social support and improve mental health intervention networks for people with mood disorders during the pandemic.
