scholarly journals Estimating human mobility in Holocene Western Eurasia with large-scale ancient genomic data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clemens Schmid ◽  
Stephan Schiffels
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Human Mobility ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Gaussian Process Regression ◽  
Genetic Profile ◽  
Cultural Changes ◽  
Genome Wide Data ◽  
Western Eurasia ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Key Events

The recent increase in openly available ancient human DNA samples allows for new, large-scale meta analysis applications. Trans-generational past human mobility is one of the key aspects that ancient genomics can contribute to, since changes in ancestry -- unlike cultural changes seen in the archaeological record -- necessarily reflect movements of people. Here we present a new algorithm to quantify past human mobility from large ancient genomic datasets. The key idea of the method is for each individual to compare a hypothetical genetic "origin" point with its actual burial point in space. This is achieved by first creating an interpolated ancestry field through space and time based on Multidimensional scaling and Gaussian process regression, and then using this field to map the ancient individuals into space according to their genetic profile. We apply this new algorithm to a dataset of 3191 aDNA samples with genome-wide data from Western Eurasia in the last 10,000 years and derive a diachronic measure of mobility for subregions in Western, Central, Southern and Eastern Europe. For regions and periods with sufficient data coverage, our mobility estimates show general concordance with previous results, but also reveal new signals of movements beyond the well-known key events.

The Bioarchaeology of Migration in the Ancient Mediterranean

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-241
Author(s):  
Thomas P. Leppard ◽  
Carmen Esposito ◽  
Massimiliano Esposito
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Change ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Human Mobility ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Human Movement ◽  
Cultural Effects ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Late Roman Period ◽  
And Migration

The Mediterranean is often regarded as characterized by high levels of human mobility and migration, which are in turn considered to have driven large-scale cultural effects. However, this supposition is problematic, in that it relies on various types of proxy for human movement, rather than on direct bioarchaeological evidence. Accordingly, in this study we attempt to quantify diachronic Mediterranean mobility and migration by undertaking the first meta-analysis of the burgeoning radiogenic isotope datasets now available from the Mediterranean. We gathered 87Sr/ 86Sr data derived from funerary populations from the Neolithic to the late Roman period. We imposed a data-hygiene regime, discarding low-quality, methodologically idiosyncratic, or other potentially erroneous data; this resulted in a cleansed and trimmed dataset (n = 899). Within this dataset, we find that mean rates of post-juvenile migration are relatively low. Utilizing the methodologies specific to individual studies, the mean nonlocal rate is 9.57%. Imposing a standard methodology on the most statistically robust data (resulting in n = 702) allows us to recompute a mean nonlocal rate of 5.84%. In both the data as originally reported and as recomputed, we detect comparatively higher levels of migration in the period 7000–3500 BC, followed by decreasing levels of migration in the later Holocene. We discuss the implications of these results for how we understand longterm cultural and behavioral change in the Mediterranean.

scholarly journals Cosmopolitanism at the Roman Danubian Frontier, Slavic Migrations, and the Genomic Formation of Modern Balkan Peoples

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inigo Olalde ◽  
Pablo Carrion ◽  
Ilija Mikic ◽  
Nadin Rohland ◽  
Shop Mallick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Roman Empire ◽  
Iron Age ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Human Mobility ◽  
Danube River ◽  
The Balkans ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Genome Wide Data ◽  
First Millennium

The Roman Empire expanded through the Mediterranean shores and brought human mobility and cosmopolitanism across this inland sea to an unprecedented scale. However, if this was also common at the Empire frontiers remains undetermined. The Balkans and Danube River were of strategic importance for the Romans acting as an East-West connection and as a defense line against "barbarian" tribes. We generated genome-wide data from 70 ancient individuals from present-day Serbia dated to the first millennium CE; including Viminacium, capital of Moesia Superior province. Our analyses reveal large scale-movements from Anatolia during Imperial rule, similar to the pattern observed in Rome, and cases of individual mobility from as far as East Africa. Between ca 250-500 CE, we detect gene-flow from Central/Northern Europe harboring admixtures of Iron Age steppe groups. Tenth-century CE individuals harbored North-Eastern European-related ancestry likely associated to Slavic-speakers, which contributed >20% of the ancestry of today's Balkan people.

Relationship between total plasma homocysteine and the risk of aneurysms – a meta-analysis

VASA ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Hanji Zhang ◽  
Dexin Yin ◽  
Yue Zhao ◽  
Yezhou Li ◽  
Dejiang Yao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Total Plasma ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Randomized Controlled Studies ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Healthy Participants

Summary: Our meta-analysis focused on the relationship between homocysteine (Hcy) level and the incidence of aneurysms and looked at the relationship between smoking, hypertension and aneurysms. A systematic literature search of Pubmed, Web of Science, and Embase databases (up to March 31, 2020) resulted in the identification of 19 studies, including 2,629 aneurysm patients and 6,497 healthy participants. Combined analysis of the included studies showed that number of smoking, hypertension and hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) in aneurysm patients was higher than that in the control groups, and the total plasma Hcy level in aneurysm patients was also higher. These findings suggest that smoking, hypertension and HHcy may be risk factors for the development and progression of aneurysms. Although the heterogeneity of meta-analysis was significant, it was found that the heterogeneity might come from the difference between race and disease species through subgroup analysis. Large-scale randomized controlled studies of single species and single disease species are needed in the future to supplement the accuracy of the results.

Information And Map-Made Control With The Functions Of Business Analytics For Urban Management

2019 ◽  
pp. 72-78
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Information Support ◽  
Urban Management ◽  
Business Analytics ◽  
Administrative District ◽  
The North ◽  
Model Of Management ◽  
Complex Development ◽  
Coordination System ◽  
Key Aspects

The key aspects of the process of designing and developing an information and cartographic control tool with business analytics functions for the municipal level of urban management are considered. The review of functionality of the developed tool is given. Examples of its use for the analysis and monitoring of implementation of the program of complex development of territories are given. The importance of application of information support of management and coordination at all levels of management as an integral part of the basic model of management and coordination system of large-scale urban projects of dispersed construction is proved. Information and map-made tool with business intelligence functions was used and was highly appreciated in the preparation of information-analytical and presentation materials of the North-Eastern Administrative District of Moscow. Its use made it possible to significantly optimize the list of activities of the program of integrated development of territories, their priority and timing.

Identification of and Correction for Publication Bias: Comment

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Kvarven ◽  
Eirik Strømland ◽  
Magnus Johannesson
Keyword(s):  
Publication Bias ◽  
False Positive ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
False Positive Rate ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Replication Studies ◽  
Moderate Reduction ◽  
Positive Rate ◽  
Meta Analyses

Andrews & Kasy (2019) propose an approach for adjusting effect sizes in meta-analysis for publication bias. We use the Andrews-Kasy estimator to adjust the result of 15 meta-analyses and compare the adjusted results to 15 large-scale multiple labs replication studies estimating the same effects. The pre-registered replications provide precisely estimated effect sizes, which do not suffer from publication bias. The Andrews-Kasy approach leads to a moderate reduction of the inflated effect sizes in the meta-analyses. However, the approach still overestimates effect sizes by a factor of about two or more and has an estimated false positive rate of between 57% and 100%.

Cinammon (Cinnamomum Spp.) and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-255
Author(s):  
Sierra-Puente D. ◽  
Abadi-Alfie S. ◽  
Arakanchi-Altaled K. ◽  
Bogard-Brondo M. ◽  
García-Lascurain M. ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Fasting Blood Glucose ◽  
Tolerance Test ◽  
Oral Glucose ◽  
Key Aspects

Spices such as cinnamon (Cinnamomum Spp.) have been of interest due to their phytochemical composition that exert hypoglycemic effects with potential for management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We summarize data from 27 manuscripts that include, one book chapter, 3 review articles, 10 randomized controlled trials, 4 systematic reviews with meta-analysis, and 9 preclinical studies. The most frequently used cinnamon variety was Cinnamomum cassia rather than the Cinnamomum zeylanicum, whereas outcomes were defined as fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and oral glucose tolerance test. A great variability in methodology such as different doses (from 120 mg to 6 g), duration of intervention, data retrieved and use of different concomitant medication, were found to be key aspects of most of trials and systematic reviews with meta-analysis available to date. Low quality studies have been made in most cases with a lot of heterogeneity clouding significance of results. More research needs to be done in order to yield accurate evidence for evidence-based recommendations. Its use is not currently a reliable nor advisable option for the treatment of T2DM.

Association between ALDH2 Gene Polymorphism and Late-onset Alzheimer Disease: An Up-to-date Meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-111
Author(s):  
Haitao Liu ◽  
Wei Ge ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
Xue Kong ◽  
Weiming Jian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Polymorphism ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
China National Knowledge Infrastructure ◽  
Aldh2 Gene

Objectives: Previous case-control studies have focused on the relationship between ALDH2 gene polymorphism and late-onset Alzheimer's Disease (LOAD), but no definite unified conclusion has been reached. Therefore, the correlation between ALDH2 Glu504Lys polymorphism and LOAD remains controversial. To analyze the correlation between ALDH2 polymorphism and the risk of LOAD, we implemented this up-to-date meta-analysis to assess the probable association. Methods: Studies were searched through China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, China Biology Medicine, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Clinical- Trials.gov, Embase, and MEDLINE from January 1, 1994 to December 31, 2018, without any restrictions on language and ethnicity. Results: Five studies of 1057 LOAD patients and 1136 healthy controls met our criteria for the analysis. Statistically, the ALDH2 GA/AA genotype was not linked with raising LOAD risk (odds ratio (OR) = 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.96-2.28, p = 0.07). In subgroup analysis, the phenomenon that men with ALDH2*2 had higher risk for LOAD (OR = 1.72, 95%CI = 1.10-2.67, p = 0.02) was observed. Conclusions: This study comprehends only five existing case-control studies and the result is negative. The positive trend might appear when the sample size is enlarged. In the future, more large-scale casecontrol or cohort studies should be done to enhance the association between ALDH2 polymorphism and AD or other neurodegenerative diseases.

Serum Copper Level and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Qingtao Jiang ◽  
Feng Zhang ◽  
Lei Han ◽  
Baoli Zhu ◽  
Xin Liu
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Serum Copper ◽  
Copper Level ◽  
Serum Copper Level ◽  
Copper Status ◽  
Plasma Copper ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Ovarian Syndrome

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The association of serum copper with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has been studied for years, but no definite conclusion is drawn. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to investigate serum copper concentrations in PCOS subjects compared with healthy controls. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Electronic search was performed in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus up to June 30, 2020, without any restriction. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with corresponding 95% CIs in serum copper levels were employed with random-effects model. <i>I</i><sup>2</sup> was applied to evaluate heterogeneity among studies. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Nine studies, measuring plasma copper levels in 1,168 PCOS patients and 1,106 controls, were included. Pooled effect size suggested serum copper level was significantly higher in women with PCOS (SMD = 0.51 μg/mL, 95% CI = [0.30, 0.72], <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.0001). The overall heterogeneity was not connected with subgroups of the country, but derived from the opposite result of 1 study. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our research generally indicated circulating copper level in PCOS sufferers was significantly higher than normal controls. Large-scale studies are still needed to elucidate the clear relation between copper status and etiology of PCOS.

scholarly journals Tracking the global reduction of marine traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David March ◽  
Kristian Metcalfe ◽  
Joaquin Tintoré ◽  
Brendan J. Godley
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Human Mobility ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Western Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Marine Traffic ◽  
Human Movements ◽  
Exclusive Economic Zones ◽  
Global Impacts ◽  
Economic Zones

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unparalleled global impacts on human mobility. In the ocean, ship-based activities are thought to have been impacted due to severe restrictions on human movements and changes in consumption. Here, we quantify and map global change in marine traffic during the first half of 2020. There were decreases in 70.2% of Exclusive Economic Zones but changes varied spatially and temporally in alignment with confinement measures. Global declines peaked in April, with a reduction in traffic occupancy of 1.4% and decreases found across 54.8% of the sampling units. Passenger vessels presented more marked and longer lasting decreases. A regional assessment in the Western Mediterranean Sea gave further insights regarding the pace of recovery and long-term changes. Our approach provides guidance for large-scale monitoring of the progress and potential effects of COVID-19 on vessel traffic that may subsequently influence the blue economy and ocean health.

scholarly journals Mining Vehicle Trajectories to Discover Individual Significant Places: Case Study using Floating Car Data in the Paris Region

2021 ◽  
pp. 036119812199550
Author(s):  
Danyang Sun ◽  
Fabien Leurent ◽  
Xiaoyan Xie
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
City Planning ◽  
Human Mobility ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Trajectory Data ◽  
Floating Car Data ◽  
Vehicle Trajectories ◽  
Activity Types ◽  
Paris Region

In this study we discovered significant places in individual mobility by exploring vehicle trajectories from floating car data. The objective was to detect the geo-locations of significant places and further identify their functional types. Vehicle trajectories were first segmented into meaningful trips to recover corresponding stay points. A customized density-based clustering approach was implemented to cluster stay points into places and determine the significant ones for each individual vehicle. Next, a two-level hierarchy method was developed to identify the place types, which firstly identified the activity types by mixture model clustering on stay characteristics, and secondly discovered the place types by assessing their profiles of activity composition and frequentation. An applicational case study was conducted in the Paris region. As a result, five types of significant places were identified, including home place, work place, and three other types of secondary places. The results of the proposed method were compared with those from a commonly used rule-based identification, and showed a highly consistent matching on place recognition for the same vehicles. Overall, this study provides a large-scale instance of the study of human mobility anchors by mining passive trajectory data without prior knowledge. Such mined information can further help to understand human mobility regularities and facilitate city planning.

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