We apply a blind source separation algorithm to the ground displacement time series recorded at continuous Global Positioning System (GPS) stations in the European Eastern Alps and Northern ...Dinarides. As a result, we characterize the temporal and spatial features of several deformation signals. Seasonal displacements are well described by loading effects caused by Earth surface mass redistributions. More interestingly, we highlight a horizontal, nonseasonal, transient deformation signal, with spatially variable amplitudes and directions. The stations affected by this signal reverse the sense of movement with time, implying a sequence of dilatational and compressional deformation that is oriented normal to rock fractures in karst areas. The temporal evolution of this deformation signal is correlated with the history of cumulated precipitations at monthly time scales. This transient horizontal deformation can be explained by pressure changes associated with variable water levels within vertical fractures in the vadose zones of karst systems. The water level changes required to open or close these fractures are consistent with the fluctuations of precipitation and with the dynamics of karst systems.
Plain Language Summary
Groundwater levels in aquifers are commonly monitored at local scales by wells. Space geodesy, however, can provide measurements of time‐variable deformation associated with variable groundwater levels at mesoscales. Here we show how Global Positioning System (GPS) time series from regional networks can precisely measure spatially integrated deformation signals related to variable water levels in karst aquifers, which are an important source of drinking water worldwide. Blind source separation algorithms, as the one used in this work, help scientists to detect and precisely measure ground displacements associated with both tectonic and nontectonic processes, improving our ability to describe the space and time evolution of surface movements and the dynamics of faults and geological bodies.
Key Points
Variational Bayesian ICA provides optimal detection of hydrological deformation signals acting at different spatial scales and timing
We highlight sequence of compression/extension strains normal to fractures in karst areas modulated by changes in the precipitation history
Pressure changes associated with variable water levels in vertical fractures of karst aquifers explain deformation transients
READY TO ROCK Presser, Brandon
Bloomberg Businessweek,
07/2018
Magazine Article
Slovenian mountaineer Ales Cesen was on a survey mission in Iceland hoping to understand what sparked the country's tourism ascendancy and figure out how to replicate it back home. In many ways, the ...Slovenia of today bears striking similarities to the Iceland of a few years ago: There are vast expanses of uncorrupted nature to explore, freshly farmed meals to enjoy, a population of kind and indomitable souls, and a paucity of visitors. That's why Cesen decided to create Midgard Experience, a customized trekking outfit and mountaineering academy for all levels that opened in June. His goal is twofold: first, to devise a series of technical courses that can initiate hiker into the impenetrable-seeming world of alpinism. And second, to turn his native Slovenia into the latest must-visit adventure destination -- the next Iceland. Cesen could be described as climbing royalty.
Zusammenfassung
Fragestellung:
Epidemiologische Studien deuten auf ein erhöhtes Erkrankungsrisiko für Depressivität
bei Frauen hin. Dabei stellt sich die Frage, ob psychometrische Instrumente die ...Ausprägung
depressiver Symptomatik bei Männern und Frauen in vergleichbarer Weise erfassen. Ziel der Studie war deshalb die Überprüfung von Messinvarianz der Center of Epidemiological
Studies Depression Scale-8 (CES-D-8) zwischen Frauen, Männern und verschiedenen Altersgruppen.
Außerdem sollte die CES-D-8 normiert werden.
Methode:
Einer deutschen bevölkerungsrepräsentativen Stichprobe (N = 2.507) wurde eine
Kurzform der CES-D zur Erfassung der depressiven Symptomatik vorgelegt. Geschlechtsverzerrte
Items sind bei der Kurzform ausgeschlossen.
Ergebnisse:
Mittels konfirmatorischer Faktorenanalyse (CFA) wurden gute Modellanpassungsgüte
für Männer, Frauen und die Gesamtstichprobe gefunden. Eine Mehrgruppen-CFA bestätigte
die Messinvarianz der CES-D-8 hinsichtlich der getesteten Faktoren und deren Interaktion.
Eine Normierung erfolgte geschlechts- und altersgruppenspezifisch.
Diskussion und Fazit:
Der Einsatz der CES-D-8 kann im epidemiologischen Kontext für Praxis
und Forschung empfohlen werden. Ein Vergleich verschiedener Kennwerte zwischen Frauen
und Männern verschiedener Altersgruppen ist psychometrisch angemessen.
Summary
Measurement invariance and normative data of the 8-item short form of the Center of Epidemiological
Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D-8)
Objectives:
Female gender is a risk factor for depression. It is questionable whether a given
psychometric instrument depicts depressive symptom severity in men and women alike. Therefore,
we examined measurement invariance of the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression
Scale-8 (CES-D-8) between women, men and different age groups. Additionally, we aimed
providing normative data for CES-D-8.
Methods:
We assessed depressive symptoms in a German population-based sample (N = 2,507)
with the CES-D-8. Gender-distorted items were excluded in the short form.
Results:
Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), we found good model fit for men, women
and the overall sample. A multi-group CFA confirmed measurement invariance of CES-D-8
regarding the tested factors and their interaction. Gender- and age-group-specific norms were
computed.
Conclusion:
The use of the CES-D-8 can be recommended in epidemiological contexts, for
practice and research. Different values between women and men of different age groups can
be compared appropriately from a psychometric perspective.
This book is the first to approach the fast developing field of wildlife forensics with a focus on the application of DNA profiling and analysis. Case studies throughout link theory and practice and ...highlight the use of DNA testing in species testing. The text assumes only a basic background knowledge of DNA, so offers information boxes clarifying technical information, step-by-step guidance on sequence comparisons, and a discussion of the different markers used in species testing. This produces a highly accessible introduction for both students and forensic professionals.
In this case study, the concept of ‘multiple translatorship’ (Jansen & Wegener, 2013) is used to examine the international distribution of Cees Nooteboom’s novel Paradijs verloren (Lost Paradise). ...Many hands and minds contribute to making the literary text suitable for other target cultures with other literary systems. The transformative interventions of the actors involved are described in terms of the reception processes that Lüsebrink distinguishes in his model of structural elements of cultural transfer (Lüsebrink, 2008). The focus in this contribution is on the nature of the choices made by individual actors in a given context and the observable effects of their interventions. Special attention is given to the following three structural elements of reception processes formulated by Lüsebrink: the cultural adaptation form, the productive reception and the commentary form. In this contribution, insights are gained into the role of the translators, publishers, reviewers and also the author himself, in the dynamic processes surrounding the literary translation and the inter national distribution of Paradijs verloren (Lost Paradise) in German, French, English and Brazilian-Portuguese speaking areas.
Organized labor faces enormous challenges in the increasingly global economy. The effect of multinational corporations, the portability of technology and capital, and lowered trade barriers in ...international commerce have all sparked widespread prophecies of trade union demise. This book, however, presents compelling evidence that unions can survive and grow if labor is willing to cooperate across national borders. Transnational Cooperation among Labor Unions is a seminal study of such cooperation as an effective weapon against the exploitation of workers in today's world.After assessing the challenges confronting organized labor, the authors turn their attention to specifics. They describe and evaluate the most important transnational labor associations, campaigns, and transnational cooperatives in a variety of industries. Contributors include academics who have assessed the status of union-management relations and international labor organizations as well as participants in union campaigns organized across national boundaries. Organized labor faces enormous challenges in the increasingly global economy. The effect of multinational corporations, the portability of technology and capital, and lowered trade barriers in international commerce have all sparked widespread prophecies of trade union demise. This book, however, presents compelling evidence that unions can survive and grow if labor is willing to cooperate across national borders. Transnational Cooperation among Labor Unions is a seminal study of such cooperation as an effective weapon against the exploitation of workers in today's world. After assessing the challenges confronting organized labor, the authors turn their attention to specifics. They describe and evaluate the most important transnational labor associations, campaigns, and transnational cooperatives in a variety of industries. Contributors include academics who have assessed the status of union-management relations and international labor organizations as well as participants in union campaigns organized across national boundaries.
Low vitamin D status, assessed using serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)D concentration, has been associated with depression, but research among minority populations, such as Puerto Ricans is limited. ...We examined the association between serum 25(OH)D and self-reported depressive symptomatology across 3 waves of follow-up in a cohort of Puerto Rican adults residing in Massachusetts.
We evaluated the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between serum 25(OH)D and self-reported depressive symptoms in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (BPRHS) cohort.
Participants of the BPRHS were evaluated for depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Serum 25(OH)D was measured at baseline (n = 1434), year 2 (n = 1218), and year 5 (n = 914). We categorized serum 25(OH)D concentration as sufficient (≥20 ng/mL), insufficient (12 to <20 ng/mL), and deficient (<12 ng/mL). Multivariable linear regression was used for cross-sectional analyses at baseline, and repeated measuresmixed effectsmodelingwas used over 3waves of follow-up for longitudinal analyses.We conducted sensitivity analyses in vitamin D supplement nonusers and participants with complete data on baseline serum 25(OH)D and CES-D at all 3 visits.
Serum 25(OH)D concentration was not associated with CES-D score in cross-sectional analysis β = –0.85;95% CI: –2.80, 1.10 for deficient compared with sufficient 25(OH)D; P-trend = 0.59 or in longitudinal analyses over 5 y β = –0.41; 95% CI: –1.95, 1.13 for deficient compared with sufficient 25(OH)D; P-trend = 0.93. Results were similar in sensitivity analyses restricted to vitamin D supplement nonusers (n = 1371) and in analyses conducted in participants with complete measures of baseline serum 25(OH)D and CES-D score at all 3 visits (n = 887) β = –0.12; 95% CI:–1.98, 1.74 for deficient compared with sufficient 25(OH)D; P-trend = 0.93.
We did not observe a significant association between serum 25(OH)D and depressive symptomatology in the BPRHS cohort.
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