bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract 17449: Predictive Value of Growth Hormone Levels in Cardiogenic Shock Patients
Authors: Boettger Priyanka , Bingener Linda , Buerke Michael
Published: May 2021

Introduction:
Despite improved supportive care, cardiogenic shock still has a significantly high mortality. Among many factors, multiple changes in the neuroendocrine system, are responsible for the high morbidity and mortality. Reduced circulating level of insuline-like growth factor and an elevated level of growth hormone are the reported characteristic findings early in the course of sepsis and. The role of insuline-like growth factor and growth hormone levels in patients with cardiogenic shock has not been described.

Methods:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of growth hormone/ insuline-like growth factor 1 axis in patients with cardiogenic shock.

Results:
When admitted, the average GH value of the patient collective was 2.86 μg / l ± 0.78. The values of the majority of the patients (31/41 = 75.6%) were within the normal range. There we no differences among survivors and non-survivors over the 96h observational period. We did not observe differences between either elder and younger patients or female and male CS patients. On admission IGF-1 levels were 76.23 ± 5.67 μg/l (normal range 70– 270 μg/l) at the lower end of the normal range. Over the next 48-72 hours, the value dropped to 66.8 μg/l. However, the drop was not significant (p = 0.14). Non-survivors showed a more rapid decline compared to survivors which stayed within the normal range.Considering the subgroup analysis, it emerges that the average IGF-1 value of male patients remains above 70 μg/l and thus within the normal range, while the IGF-1 level of the female patients during the course which was up to 55.3 μg/l decreases in the course. Clearly female CS patients showed a steeper decline compared to the male patients. Further younger CS patients showed higher levels compared to patients above 70 years.

Conclusion:
There were no significant changes of growth hormone levels over time and we observed a decrease of insuline-like growth factor 1 in cardiogenic shock patients. In addition, in non-survivors we detected even lower levels of growth hormone and lower levels of insuline-like growth factor 1. We think that both growth hormone and insuline-like growth factor 1 may have l prognostic value to serve as a marker in cardiogenic shock.
Abstract 17461: Efficacy of Long-Term Monitoring on Detecting Critical Cardiac Arrhythmias
Authors: Mahajan Ruhi , Gambhir Alok , Adumala Sameer
Published: May 2021

Introduction:
The ambulatory continuous ECG monitors can provide a comprehensive cardiac assessment in outpatient settings. Extended cardiac monitoring is often needed by physicians to assess the efficacy of treatment, evaluate symptoms, and to stratify patients at risk. In this study, we compare the impact of outpatient cardiac monitoring between 1-14 days and 15-30 days.

Method:
A retrospective analysis was done on ECG data collected from 2,679 patients using Zywie ECG monitors (Zywie, Inc., Georgia). These patients were monitored for 14-30 days. We evaluated three arrhythmias in this study: i) Atrial fibrillation (AF) of duration >15s ii) Ventricular tachycardia (VT) consisting of more than 3 heartbeats iii) Pause of duration >3s. We analyzed the first occurrence of arrhythmia episodes in every patient during their monitoring period. We identified at least one episode of AF in 486 patients, VT in 106 patients, and pause in 78 patients.

Results:
The incidence of the first episode of AF, VT, and pause was observed after 14 days of monitoring in 15.8%, 28.3%, and 23.1% patients, respectively (Figure 1). Furthermore, among the VT episodes, 85.3% episodes had a duration between 1-10s and 14.7% with a duration >10s. Similarly, 76% of identified pauses had a duration between 3-4s, 12% between 4-5s, and 12% with a duration >5s.

Conclusion:
The results demonstrate the incremental diagnostic yield of critical arrhythmic events when the monitoring is extended beyond 14 days. This study suggests that long-term outpatient monitoring can provide better diagnosis, especially for patients at a higher risk of developing critical arrhythmias.
Abstract 17470: Racial Disparities in Goal Directed Medical Therapy in Patients With Systolic Heart Failure- A Single Center Study
Authors: Azmeen Ayesha , Gadela Naga Vaishnavi , Cunegundo Vergara
Published: May 2021

Introduction:
Heart failure(HF) is a clinical syndrome that is widely prevalent affecting approximately 6.5 million people in the United States. It accounts for the ever-rising health care costs in the US due to recurrent hospitalizations. Despite advancements in medical management, the mortality and the rate of hospitalizations continues to be high with geographic variations and racial disparities. Through this descriptive study, we sought to analyze the health disparities among Hispanic, African American (AA) and Caucasian population in a single-center.

Methods:
We identified a total of 178 patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction from our outpatient clinic by utilizing the ICD-10 codes. Patients with ejection fraction >50% have been excluded. A retrospective chart review of their ethnic background, medications, and number of heart failure exacerbations per year has been performed.

Results:
178 patients (mean age 62 years, 35.56% of females) including Hispanics (n=102), AA(n=44), and Caucasians (n=32) were included in the study. Although all patients were started on Beta-blockers, only 76.4% and 37.2% of Hispanics were started on ACEi/ARBs and spironolactone respectively. Similarly, 72.7% and 45.4% of AA were started on ACEi/ARBs and spironolactone respectively. This is in contrast to Caucasians population, where a majority of patients were on started on GDMT; 90% and 75% were started on ACEi/ARBs and spironolactone respectively. This was also reflected by the number of admissions due to HF exacerbations which ranged from 2-4/year for Hispanics and AA populations and 0-1/year for Caucasians.

Conclusions:
GDMT for HF is known to reduce heart failure exacerbations, mortality and the ever rising cost of the healthcare system. We have observed that despite recommendations to initiate GDMT in all patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction, racial disparities exist. Physicians should be mindful of initiating GDMT in all patients.
Abstract 17471: Outcome of Acute Myocardial Injury in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Zordok Magdi , Etiwy Muhammad , Hegde Shruti , Maysky Michael
Published: May 2021

Background:
Acute myocardial injury has been reported in approximately 20% of patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Little is known about the outcome of this subset of patients. We are testing the hypothesis of higher morbidity and mortality in patients with COVID-19 who have acute myocardial injury.

Methods:
In this retrospective study, we analyzed data from patients admitted to Steward Healthcare hospitals in Massachusetts between March 22 and April 24, who tested positive for COVID-19 confirmed by serology and found to have elevated troponin levels (>0.01). The sociodemographic information, clinical data, and outcomes of these critically ill patients were retrospectively extracted from the medical records. The primary outcome was in-hospital death. Data were analyzed using JMP statistical analysis software.

Results:
Two hundred eighty-three COVID-19 positive patients were found to have troponin levels >0.01 on admission. Of these 183 patients (64.6%) were males, 49.1% were Caucasian and 32.1% were African Americans. The mean age of the patients was 70.7 ± 13.8. The prevalence of comorbid conditions was as follows: hypertension, 69.7%; hyperlipidemia, 46.9%; diabetes mellitus, 42.6%; chronic kidney disease, 28.3%; heart failure, 19.3%; atrial fibrillation, 22.1%; coronary artery disease, 17.1%; cerebrovascular accident, 10.2%; obesity, 38%; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma 20.8%, obstructive sleep apnea, 4.9%. One hundred thirty-seven patients (48.4%) noted to have acute kidney injury on presentation,128 (45.2%) required ICU level of care, 41% required invasive mechanical ventilation for a mean of 10.4 ± 7.9 days, and 38.8% required vasopressors. The average length of stay (LOS) in the medical intensive care unit and the hospital was 11.5 ± 8.3 days and 11.4 ± 9.5 days respectively. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 45.6%.

Conclusion:
Patients with COVID-19 and elevated Troponin levels had high morbidity and mortality
Abstract 17474: End-Stage Renal Disease is Associated With Increased Complications From Watchman Implantation: A Propensity-Score Matched Analysis From National Readmission Database
Authors: Mohammed Moghniuddin , Noheria Amit , Sheldon Seth , Reddy Madhu
Published: May 2021

Introduction:
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with increased complications due to oral anticoagulation (OAC) use for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is indicated for patients who cannot tolerate or prefer not to use OAC but the outcomes of LAAO in ESRD has not been well studied.

Methods:
Using National Readmission Database January 2016-December 2017, we identified all adult AF patients who had LAAO performed in the months of January to November with no missing length of stay and/or mortality information. We excluded patients who had ablation, device implantation/revision, other form of LAAO and/or coronary artery bypass graft surgery performed during index hospitalization. 1:1 propensity score matching was performed for patients with and without ESRD based on variables shown in Table 1. The main outcome of interest was early mortality defined as mortality of index hospitalization or 30-day readmissions and index hospital complications.

Results:
A total of 13,790 procedures were included and of these 370 patients had history of ESRD. The baseline characteristics before and after matching are shown in table 1. After propensity score matching, ESRD group was associated with significantly higher early mortality, 30-day readmissions, systemic embolism and pericardial complications (Table 2). In the matched cohort, none of the patients had postprocedural cerebrovascular accident, transient ischemic attack, device thrombosis and device embolization. After propensity matching 2 (0.5%) developed acute kidney injury requiring hemodialysis.

Conclusions:
ESRD is associated with higher LOS, index hospital complications and early mortality from LAAO compared to patients without ESRD. Further studies comparing outcomes between OAC use and LAAO are warranted.
Abstract 17503: ETV2 Functions as a Pioneer Factor and Regulates the Endothelial Lineage
Authors: Gong Wuming , Das Satyabrata , Sierra-Pagan Javier , Garry Mary G , Garry Daniel J
Published: May 2021

Background:
Genetic mutations perturb the multipotent progenitors, which results in congenital cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is essential to decipher the pioneer factors and the regulatory pathways that govern the specification and differentiation of mesodermal progenitors and use this information to develop targeted therapies to promote cardiovascular regeneration. Etv2 as an essential transcription factor for the development of cardiac, endothelial and hematopoietic lineages. In the present study, we used ES/EB differentiation and MEF reprogramming systems, to define Etv2 as a novel pioneer factor that relaxes the closed chromatin and drives endothelial development.

Results:
Using the
iHA-Etv2
ES cell line, we engineered a mouse that inducibly overexpresses ETV2. The bulk RNA-seq, single cell RNA-seq data and ATAC-seq experiments showed that inducing Etv2 in MEFs and ES/EBs activated the downstream endothelial marker genes and promoted the development of endothelial lineages, supporting the notion that Etv2 functioned as a master regulator to drive the endothelial lineage development in different cellular contexts. We found that similar to other known pioneer factors, Etv2 was intrinsically able to target and bind the nucleosomes, and this capability appeared to be independent of the cellular context. To further define the mechanism, we performed Etv2, Brg1 and H3K27ac ChIP-seq analyses during MEF reprogramming and ES/EB differentiation. We found that Brg1 maintains and stabilizes the binding of Etv2 on the nucleosome, and Etv2 requires Brg1 to activate downstream genes during reprograming.

Conclusion:
In these studies, we defined Etv2 as a novel pioneer factor that relaxed the closed chromatin and promoted the endothelial lineage in both ES/EB differentiation and MEF reprogramming. The definition of these mechanisms will enhance our understanding of cardiovascular development and regeneration and serve as a platform for therapeutic applications for patients with congenital or aging related cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract 312: A Multi-view Echocardiography Video Deep Learning Model Outperforms the Seattle Heart Failure Model in Predicting Mortality
Authors: Ulloa Alvaro , Jing Linyuan , Carry Brendan , Good Christopher , vanMaanen David , Hartzel Dustin , Leader Joseph , Haggerty Christopher M , Fornwalt Brandon
Published: May 2021

Introduction:
Managing heart failure patients relies on mortality prediction models such as the Seattle Heart Failure (SHF) model. We hypothesized that a deep learning model that leverages echocardiography video data could improve prediction performance.

Methods:
We trained deep neural networks (DNN) to predict 1-year all-cause mortality using echocardiography videos and 158 additional clinical variables (labs, vitals, diagnoses, etc.) acquired from 34,362 patients (812,278 videos). We tested both the DNN and the SHF model on a separate cohort of 2,404 patients with heart failure who underwent 3,384 echocardiograms. We computed the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and its bootstrapped 95% confidence interval (CI) in the test set.

Results:
The DNN model (AUC of 0.76, 95% CI [0.74, 0.77]) outperformed the SHF model (AUC of 0.70, 95% CI [0.68, 0.71]). This superior performance was observed for patients with both reduced (n=2,026, AUC of 0.76 [0.74, 0.78] vs 0.70 [0.67, 0.72]) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (n=1,356, AUC of 0.75 [0.72, 0.78] vs 0.69 [0.66, 0.72]).

A Cox Proportional Hazard survival analysis showed that, despite the prediction being for 1-year all-cause mortality, the result held long-term predictive power over the next 9 years with a superior hazard ratio of 2.9 [2.6, 3.2] for the DNN model compared to 2.2 [2, 2.4] for the SHF model. At mid-range operating points, the DNN model also maintained a higher negative predictive value, predicting survival, compared to the SHF model (89% vs 83%, respectively), while maintaining the same positive predictive value of 40%.

Conclusion:
A deep neural network that automatically analyzes echocardiography videos can outperform traditional risk modeling approaches such as the Seattle Heart Failure Model. This provides additional evidence that deep learning can help improve our ability to make clinically relevant predictions by leveraging complex datasets.
In Aged Females, the Enhanced Pressor Response to Angiotensin II Is Attenuated By Estrogen Replacement via an Angiotensin Type 2 Receptor-Mediated Mechanism
Authors: Barsha Giannie , Mirabito Colafella Katrina M. , Walton Sarah L. , Gaspari Tracey A. , Spizzo Iresha , Pinar Anita A. , Hilliard Krause Lucinda M. , Widdop Robert E. , Samuel Chrishan S. , Denton Kate M.
Published: May 2021

Loss of ovarian hormones following menopause contributes to the rise in cardiovascular risk with age. Estrogen plays a protective role against hypertension and end-organ damage by modulating the depressor actions of the AT
2
R (angiotensin type 2 receptor). Our aim was to determine whether estrogen replacement in aged female mice can lower arterial pressure, improve endothelial function, and reduce organ fibrosis via an AT
2
R-mediated mechanism. Mean arterial pressure was measured via radiotelemetry in ovary-intact adult (3–4-month-old), aged (16–18-month-old; reproductively senescent) and aged–17β-estradiol (E
2
)–treated (3 µg/day SC) female mice, which were administered vehicle, Ang II (angiotensin II; 600 ng/[kg·min] SC) or Ang II+PD123319 (AT
2
R antagonist; 3 mg/[kg·day SC). On day 21 of treatment, aortic endothelium-dependent relaxation and cardiac and renal tissue (fibrosis and gene expression) were analyzed. Basal mean arterial pressure was lower in E
2
-treated aged mice (89±1 mm Hg, n=20) relative to aged controls (94±1 mm Hg; n=18,
P
=0.002). The Ang II pressor response was enhanced by ≈20 mm Hg in aged compared with adult females (
P
=0.01). E
2
-treatment reduced the Ang II pressor response in aged females (
P
=0.002), an effect that was reversed by PD123319 in the aged E
2
–Ang II group (
P
=0.0009). E
2
-treatment increased renal AT
2
R (≈6-fold;
P
<0.0001) and MasR (Mas oncoreceptor; 2–3-fold,
P
<0.05) gene expression in aged females. However, neither Ang II–induced endothelial dysfunction nor the age-related increase in renal and cardiac fibrosis was restored by E
2
-treatment in aged female mice. In conclusion, estrogen replacement in aged females may reduce arterial pressure to levels observed in adult females, via an AT
2
R-mediated renal mechanism.
Dose Escalation and Safety of Capsaicin for Cerebral Perfusion Augmentation
Authors: Marquez-Romero Juan Manuel , Huerta-Franco María Raquel , Vargas-Luna Miguel , Madrigal-Gutiérrez César Abraham , Esparza-Hernández José Martín , Velázquez-Barcena María Guadalupe
Published: May 2021

Background and Purpose:

Sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) electrical stimulation has been studied in the setting of acute ischemic stroke to enhance collateral flow. Capsaicin poses an alternative to chemically stimulate the sphenopalatine ganglion. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the safety and effect of increasing doses of capsaicin upon serial transcranial Doppler markers of cerebral blood flow.

Methods:

We performed serial transcranial Doppler testing in 30 healthy volunteers divided into 5 equal groups. Capsaicin doses ranged from 33 to 165 μMol. We recorded peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities in the middle cerebral artery, arterial pressure, and perceived pungency in 5-minute intervals up to 20 minutes. We then calculated the mean velocity, the pulsatility index, and the cerebral blood flow index.

Results:

The participants’ median age was 21 years (range, 5 years); all reported consumption of capsaicin in their diets. After and during the study, none reported side effects. Perceived pungency peaked at 5 minutes, and by the 20-minute mark, none perceived any pungency. All the tested doses produced the same pattern, consisting of augmentation of the middle cerebral artery mean velocity with the pulsatility index’s diminution. The effects peaked between the 5- and the 10-minute measurements and then returned to basal levels except for the 66-μMol doses, which produced a sustained effect. We found no correlation between perceived pungency and dose, but the middle cerebral artery mean velocity was strongly correlated with the dose administered.

Conclusions:

This study provides evidence supporting the safety and tolerability of oral capsaicin in a population of healthy volunteers. Capsaicin appears to produce effects similar to those of sphenopalatine ganglion electrical stimulation.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT04545892.
Integrative assessment of the floristic diversity of Gentianaceae in an area of campo rupestre of the Espinhaço Range in the state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil
Authors: TANAJURA JÉSSICA LEÃO BARBOSA , PINHO CAROLINA SANTOS , DA SILVA RILQUER MASCARENHAS , DE CARVALHO MARIA LUIZA SILVEIRA
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to assess the diversity of species in the Espinhaço Range (ER), eastern Brazil, using as a model the diverse plant family Gentianaceae and focusing on the Parque Municipal de Mucugê—Projeto Sempre Viva (PMM), a conservation unit with predominance of  “campo rupestre”. For this purpose, fieldwork expeditions were carried out between the years 2016–2018 along with a survey of species of this family recorded for this conservation unit in public databases. For comparative purposes, the listing of species from other five areas of the ER were also surveyed and we modeled the distribution of species endemic to these mountains, taking into account that they have their restrict distribution, high habitat specificity and importance to the ecosystem. The results indicated the presence of 33 species of Gentianaceae for the ER, eight of them occurring in the PMM. Comparatively, the results pointed to a greater floristic similarity between the PMM, Pico das Almas and Catolés, due to the presence of seven common species. Predictive distribution modeling supports high endemicity of the analyzed species, given their low environmental suitability outside the ER. The models also allowed us to identify possible areas showing high Wallacean shortfall for these species. Thus, the results reinforce the importance of field work, access to physical and digital botanical collections and the integrated use of tools for a more reliable survey of biodiversity.
A new species of Phyllagathis (Melastomataceae, Sonerileae) from Guangxi, China

Authors: SU YU-LAN , LIU YAN , LIU YING
Published: May 2021

Phyllagathis impressinervia (Melastomataceae, Sonerileae), a new species from northwestern Guangxi, China and previously misidentified as P. cavaleriei in Chinese herbaria, is illustrated and described. The new species closely resembles P. cavaleriei in leaf shape, inflorescence type, and morphology of stamens and capsule, but can be easily distinguished by the leaf veins strongly sunken adaxially, hypanthium pubescent with ca. 1 mm long, spreading glandular hairs, creamy white anthers, and conspicuous ovary crown at anthesis.
Myrmecotypus haddadi sp. nov.—a new species of ant resembling sac spider from the Bolivian orocline (Araneae: Corinnidae: Castianeirinae)
Authors: PERGER ROBERT , RUBIO GONZALO D.
Published: May 2021

A new species of ant resembling sac spider of the subfamily Castianeirinae, Myrmecotypus haddadi sp. nov. is described from the Sub-Andean area at the Bolivian orocline. The species was collected from low herbaceous vegetation along the edges of the Chiquitano and Cerradao forest.
Meteorologically Stratified Gust Factors for Forecasting Peak Wind Gusts across the United States
Authors: Kahl Jonathan D. W. , Selbig Brandon R. , Harris Austin R.
Published: May 2021

Wind gusts are common to everyday life and affect a wide range of interests including wind energy, structural design, forestry, and fire danger. Strong gusts are a common environmental hazard that can damage buildings, bridges, aircraft, and trains, and interrupt electric power distribution, air traffic, waterways transport, and port operations. Despite representing the component of wind most likely to be associated with serious and costly hazards, reliable forecasts of peak wind gusts have remained elusive. A project at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee is addressing the need for improved peak gust forecasts with the development of the meteorologically stratified gust factor (MSGF) model. The MSGF model combines gust factors (the ratio of peak wind gust to average wind speed) with wind speed and direction forecasts to predict hourly peak wind gusts. The MSGF method thus represents a simple, viable option for the operational prediction of peak wind gusts. Here we describe the results of a project designed to provide the site-specific gust factors necessary for operational use of the MSGF model at a large number of locations across the United States. Gust web diagrams depicting the wind speed– and wind direction–stratified gust factors, as well as peak gust climatologies, are presented for all sites analyzed.
Warm Cloud Evolution, Precipitation, and Their Weak Linkage in HadGEM3: New Process-Level Diagnostics Using A-Train Observations
Authors: Takahashi Hanii , Bodas-Salcedo Alejandro , Stephens Graeme
Published: May 2021

The latest configuration of the Hadley Centre Global Environmental Model, version 3 (HadGEM3), contains significant changes in the formulation of warm rain processes and aerosols. We evaluate the impacts of these changes in the simulation of warm rain formation processes using A-Train observations. We introduce a new model evaluation tool, quartile-based contoured frequency by optical depth diagrams (CFODDs), in order to fill in some blind spots that conventional CFODDs have. Results indicate that HadGEM3 has weak linkage between the size of particle radius and warm rain formation processes, and switching to the new warm rain microphysics scheme causes more difference in warm rain formation processes than switching to the new aerosol scheme through reducing overly produced drizzle mode in HadGEM3. Finally, we run an experiment in which we perturb the second aerosol indirect effect (AIE) to study the rainfall–aerosol interaction in HadGEM3. Since the large changes in the cloud droplet number concentration (CDNC) appear in the AIE experiment, a large impact in warm rain diagnostics is expected. However, regions with large fractional changes in CDNC show a muted change in precipitation, arguably because large-scale constraints act to reduce the impact of such a big change in CDNC. The adjustment in cloud liquid water path to the AIE perturbation produces a large negative shortwave forcing in the midlatitudes.
Unraveling the Mechanism of Extreme (More than 30 Sigma) Precipitation during August 2018 and 2019 over Kerala, India
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Parthasarathi , Bechtold Peter , Zhu Yuejian , Murali Krishna R. Phani , Kumar Siddharth , Ganai Malay , Tirkey Snehlata , Goswami Tanmoy , Mahakur M. , Deshpande Medha , Prasad V. S. , Johny C. J. , Mitra Ashim , Ashrit Raghavendra , Sarkar Abhijit , Sarkar Sahadat , Roy Kumar , Andrews Elphin , Kanase Radhika , Malviya Shilpa , Abhilash S. , Domkawale Manoj , Pawar S. D. , Mamgain Ashu , Durai V. R. , Nanjundiah Ravi S. , Mitra Ashis K. , Rajagopal E. N. , Mohapatra M. , Rajeevan M.
Published: May 2021

During August 2018 and 2019 the southern state of India, Kerala, received unprecedented heavy rainfall, which led to widespread flooding. We aim to characterize the convective nature of these events and the large-scale atmospheric forcing, while exploring their predictability by three state-of-the-art global prediction systems: the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)-based India Meteorological Department (IMD) operational Global Forecast System (GFS), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Integrated Forecast System (IFS), and the Unified Model–based NCUM being run at the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF). Satellite, radar, and lightning observations suggest that these rain events were dominated by cumulus congestus and shallow convection with strong zonal flow leading to orographically enhanced rainfall over the Ghats mountain range; sporadic deep convection was also present during the 2019 event. A moisture budget analyses using the fifth major global reanalysis produced by ECMWF (ERA5) and forecast output revealed significantly increased moisture convergence below 800 hPa during the main rain events compared to August climatology. The total column-integrated precipitable water tendency, however, is found to be small throughout the month of August, indicating a balance between moisture convergence and drying by precipitation. By applying a Rossby wave filter to the rainfall anomalies it is shown that the large-scale moisture convergence is associated with westward-propagating barotropic Rossby waves over Kerala, leading to increased predictability of these events, especially for 2019. Evaluation of the deterministic and ensemble rainfall predictions revealed systematic rainfall differences over the Ghats mountains and the coastline. The ensemble predictions were more skillful than the deterministic forecasts, as they were able to predict rainfall anomalies (greater than three standard deviations from climatology) beyond day 5 for August 2019 and up to day 3 for 2018.
Sociopolitical Development and Healthcare Career Interest, Self-Efficacy, and Outcome Expectations Among Rural Youth
Authors: Ali Saba Rasheed , Loh Garrison Yunkyoung , Cervantes Ziomara M. , Dawson Devon A.
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine the indirect effects of social cognitive career variables (healthcare career [HC] self-efficacy and outcome expectations) in the relationship between youth sociopolitical development (SPD) and HC interests. Bootstrapping analysis was conducted using samples of eighth grade students ( N = 139) attending schools in rural areas in communities that consist predominantly of Immigrants of Color. Preliminary findings for the total sample suggested an indirect path between SPD and HC interests through HC self-efficacy, whereas the indirect path through HC outcome expectations was not significant. The model for immigrant Youth of Color participants suggested a direct relationship between SPD and HC interest, whereas an indirect relationship between SPD and HC interests was found for White participants. Based on the results of this preliminary analysis, implications for career programming and research pertaining to rural immigrant communities are discussed.
What does co-creation mean? An attempt at definition informed by the perspectives of school health promoters in France
Authors: Darlington Emily , Masson Julien
Published: May 2021

Background:

Capacity building and community-level participation are important to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of health promotion programmes, as well as to promote empowerment and decision-making power. However, stakeholders’ participation in the design and implementation of health promotion projects often involves the provision of information and consultation rather than partnership or citizen control, especially in school settings. Co-creation could be a means to support higher levels of participation, yet its definition remains unclear. A further challenge relates to the methods needed to promote participation. Examining what co-creation represents for health promoters could help in both of these respects.

Objectives and goals:

This study explored how school health promotion professionals perceived and defined co-creation to gain insight into how to encourage co-creation processes in school-based health promotion.

Methods:

Qualitative data including documents and illustrations were collected during creative thinking activities undertaken with school health promotion professionals. All data collected were transcribed and analysed using a three-stage screening process.

Results:

Co-creation is a multi-dimensional construct. Based on our findings, it is a voluntary-based process of bottom-up collaboration informed by values of diversity, mutual trust, openness, autonomy, freedom, respect and shared expertise, responsibility and decision-making. Co-creation can result in out-of-the-box, new or improved tailored health-promoting practices and projects, which address a co-defined need, for the benefit of all members of the group.

Conclusion:

Co-creation is timely and key in school health promotion practices. Further research is needed into the specific competences needed to promote co-creation, as well as the methods used to evaluate achievements and added value of co-creation at different levels of implementation.
The COVID-19-Led Reverse Migration on Labour Supply in Rural Economy: Challenges, Opportunities and Road Ahead in Odisha
Authors: Behera Minaketan , Mishra Sibanarayan , Behera Alok Ranjan
Published: May 2021

Migration is a bigger option for earning and livelihood in Odisha either for push factors or pull factors, for which people move to other states in search of work and better wages. But COVID-19 emerged as a crippling blow for which huge reverse migration is being noticed in the state. So the study tried to investigate labour supply and employment opportunity in rural areas due to COVID-19-led reverse migration and to examine the impact of COVID-19 on employment status, income profile and livelihood of returned migrants in Odisha. The study also discusses the possible measures to create alternative livelihood by rebuilding the rural economy after COVID-19. Both secondary and primary data are used in the study. Descriptive statistics and regression model are used in the study to examine the vulnerability of migrants during the period of COVID-19. The study found a sudden rise in labour supply with a huge scale is catch sight of the rural economy of Odisha. Job loss is the biggest problem faced by migrants followed by income loss. The study found that income of migrants, household income excluding migrants and nature of work have significant impact on the vulnerability of migrants.

JEL Classification Codes: J21, J22, J46
Women in Glass: Women at the Harvard Observatory during the Era of Astronomical Glass Plate Photography, 1875–1975
Authors: Zrull Lindsay Smith
Published: May 2021

Starting in the late 19th century, the Harvard Observatory hired women to study stars via the Astronomical Photographic Glass Plate Collection. Some of these women—such as Annie Jump Cannon, Henrietta Leavitt, and Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin—made discoveries that changed astrophysics forever. However, they were far from the only women working at the Harvard Observatory during the era of astronomical glass plate photography. Historically, most of these women have been anonymous. The names found on over 400,000 glass plate envelopes were compiled into a list of all the women who left their mark on the collection between 1875 and 1975. Through this list of names, it is revealed that Harvard’s glass plate collection acted as a haven for women who wanted to study the stars, long before they found equality in the field of astronomy.
Jan Walery Jędrzejewicz (1835–1887) and his Observations of Comets
Authors: Królikowska Małgorzata , Sołtan Andrzej M.
Published: May 2021

Jan Walery Jędrzejewicz was a medical doctor with active practice in Płońsk and an astronomer by passion. In fact, astronomy was a second profession for ‘Dr. Jedrzejewicz’, as he signed his astronomical publications. He built his own observatory in Płońsk, small village situated about 70 km from Warsaw, which he equipped with professional instruments. Thanks to that, he could perform precise astronomical observations. In the astronomical community, he was known and esteemed for his precise measurements of double stars. He also measured the position of many comets discovered at that times, including long-period ones. This study is devoted to the analysis of precision of Jędrzejewicz measurements on the examples of three long-period comets, today known as C/1885 X1 Fabry, C/1885 X2 Barnard and C/1886 T1 Barnard-Hartwig.
miR-384-5p regulates inflammation in Candida albicans-induced acute lung injury by downregulating PGC1β and enhancing the activation of Candida albicans-triggered signaling pathways
Authors: Yu Dandan , Xu Chunquan , Tu Hongxiang , Ye Aifang , Wu Lingjian
Published: May 2021

Acute lung injury (ALI) is one of the most prevalent respiratory syndromes of excessive inflammatory reaction during lung infection. Candida albicans ( C. albicans) infection is among the leading causes of ALI. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the expression of target mRNAs, including those involved in inflammatory processes, by binding to the 3′UTR. To date, the roles of miRNAs in C. albicans-induced ALI remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-384-5p in C. albicans-induced ALI and its underlying molecular mechanism. RT-PCR, Western blot, ELISA, Myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay, microRNA target analysis, transient transfection, and luciferase reporter assay were utilized. In vivo study was conducted on mouse model. The expression of miR-384-5p was upregulated and positively correlated with inflammatory cytokine production in lung tissues and RAW264.7 and J774A.1 macrophages infected with C. albicans. The miR-384-5p inhibitor alleviated the inflammatory reaction induced by C. albicans. Target prediction analysis revealed that PGC1β was a target of miR-384-5p, which was further validated by the PGC1β 3′-UTR luciferase assay and the inverse correlation between the expression of miR-384-5p and PGC1β in C. albicans-infected ALI tissues and macrophages. Moreover, macrophages transfected with miR-384-5p mimic exhibited reduced levels of PGC1β. The suppression of the expression of PGC1β by C. albicans infection in the macrophages was abrogated by miR-384-5p inhibitor. Then, we demonstrated that PGC1β played an inhibitory role in C. albicans-induced production of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, suppression of miR-384-5p in macrophages inhibited the activation of the NF-κB, MAPK, and Akt signaling pathways triggered by C. albicans, but not the STAT3 pathway. These results demonstrate that miR-384-5p contributes to C. albicans-induced ALI at least in part by targeting PGC1β and enhancing the activation of the NF-κB, MAPK, and Akt inflammatory signaling pathways. Thus, targeting miR-384-5p might exert a protective effect on C. albicans-induced ALI.
Developing an Intervention to Improve Occupational Participation for Justice-Involved People with a Personality Disorder: Defining and Describing Intervention Components
Authors: Connell Catriona , Furtado Vivek , McKay Elizabeth A. , Singh Swaran P.
Published: May 2021

Occupational participation is undertaking personally meaningful and socially valued activities and roles. It is an important outcome for health and justice interventions, as it is integral to health and desistance. We report the third of a four-stage research project to develop an intervention to improve occupational participation for justice-involved people with a personality disorder in the community. We completed a Delphi survey to produce expert consensus on intervention components and their content, ascertain participant ratings of 28 factors for their level of influence on occupational participation, and the modifiability of the factors with this population. Thirty multi-disciplinary participants completed three survey rounds. Most factors were rated very influential, but few were considered easily modifiable. Participants agreed 121 statements describing intervention components and content. Twenty-seven statements did not reach consensus. In targeting specific factors in intervention, practitioners must balance their degree of influence with potential modifiability. The results will inform intervention manualization and modeling.
Laboratory and Field Evaluation of Pre-Treated Dry-Process Rubber-Modified Asphalt Binders and Dense-Graded Mixtures
Authors: Rath Punyaslok , Majidifard Hamed , Jahangiri Behnam , Chen Shishi , Buttlar William G.
Published: May 2021

Pre-treatment of ground tire rubber is emerging as a popular method to incorporate rubber particles in dense-graded asphalt mixtures. This study investigates the effects of a chemically engineered Dry-Process Ground Tire Rubber (DP-GTR) modification in asphalt binders and mixtures. The DP-GTR is comprised of rubber particles measuring 400 to 600 µm in diameter (minus #30 mesh) coated with a non-elastomeric liquid. No change in aggregate gradation is necessary in DP-GTR modification of asphalt mixtures. In this study, the effects of DP-GTR modification on binder properties were measured by dynamic shear rheometer, Multiple Stress Creep and Recovery (MSCR), and bending beam rheometer tests. Additionally, mixture properties measured by three cracking tests: Disk-shaped Compact Tension (DC[T]) test, Illinois Flexibility Index, and indirect tensile asphalt cracking test and one rutting test (Hamburg wheel track test) were evaluated. Results showed: (a) 10–12°C bump on binder high temperature performance grade with 10% DP-GTR modification by weight of binder; (b) improvement in non-recoverable compliance in MSCR test indicated higher rut resistance; (c) increase in DC(T) fracture energy at low temperatures; (d) decrease in rut depth; and (e) decrease in flexibility index and cracking test index. Field performance of the chemically treated DP-GTR sections located in different states was examined to address discrepancies observed in the cracking tests. The cracking and rutting performance of all the field sections was good-to-excellent, suggesting that some of the currently popular simple cracking tests may not be able to properly assess the cracking resistance inherent in GTR-modified asphalt mixtures.
Use of Bivariate Random-Parameter Probit Model to Analyze the Injury Severity of Highway Traffic Crashes Involving School-Age Children
Authors: Lee Jaeyoung , Mao Suyi , Abdel-Aty Mohamed , Fu Wen
Published: May 2021

Traffic safety has been a serious public health issue. According to the World Health Organization, annual traffic fatalities and non-fatal injuries are 1.35 million and 20 to 50 million, respectively, worldwide. Vehicle crashes, in particular, are the leading cause of the death of children in the world. This study aims to analyze the injury severity level of drivers and school-age passengers and to identify contributing factors, focusing on the effects of driver characteristics on the severity of injuries to the driver and child passenger. A bivariate model is adopted to capture unobserved shared factors between the driver’s and child’s injury severity levels. The results indicate that the factors contributing to the injury severity level of drivers and school-age passengers are quite different, and some driver characteristics significantly affect the injury severity of the child passenger. The findings from this study can contribute to an efficient strategic plan to reduce the injury severity of vehicle occupants.
MAP-21 to FAST Act: Did the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Program Better Support High-Risk Transportation Infrastructure Projects?
Authors: Lee Narae , L. Gifford Jonathan
Published: May 2021

The Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program acts as the U.S. federal government’s largest direct financing program for domestic transportation infrastructure development. Employing a direct credit support mechanism, the program aims to leverage municipal and private investments to deliver higher-risk transportation projects that nevertheless offer important benefits for the public. Recent policy changes under the 2015 FAST Act may have altered the market-leveraging function, but existing literature has not evaluated this possibility. As a result, this research evaluated the program’s market-leveraging outcomes by investigating whether and how the beneficiary projects’ risk profiles, as measured by project credit ratings, changed between the MAP-21 and FAST Act policy periods. The program will produce higher leveraging effects when supporting lower-rated projects since the riskier projects tend to suffer from higher interest rates in financial markets. After constructing a project-level dataset, the authors employed Linear Probability Model and Treatment Effect regressions to assess the possible relationship between the FAST Act amendment and changes to the TIFIA program’s risk profile. The study also employed a Binary Logit regression for sensitivity analysis. The empirical findings suggest that the proportion of TIFIA-selected projects with AAA/AA/A versus BBB ratings did not differ significantly between the MAP-21 and FAST Act periods. However, the program allocated a larger proportion of its lending capacity to AAA/AA/A projects during the FAST Act period. Given these findings, policymakers may wish to rebalance the program’s objectives if the market-leveraging function remains a priority.
Heavy Water Lengthens the Molecular Circadian Clock Period in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus of Mice In Vitro
Authors: Sujino Mitsugu , Koinuma Satoshi , Minami Yoichi , Shigeyoshi Yasufumi
Published: May 2021

Heavy water lengthens the periods of circadian rhythms in various plant and animal species. Many studies have reported that drinking heavy water lengthens the periods of circadian activity rhythms of rodents by slowing the clock mechanism in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the mammalian circadian center. The SCN clock is stable and robust against disturbance, due to its intercellular network. It is unclear whether this robustness provides resistance to the effects of heavy water. Here, we report that heavy water lengthened the rhythm period of clock gene expression of the SCN and peripheral tissues in vitro using a PERIOD2::LUCIFERASE bioluminescence reporter. Our results show that the period-elongation rate of the SCN is similar to those of other tissues. Therefore, the intercellular network of the SCN is not resistant to the period-elongation effect of heavy water.
Adolescents Adjudicated for Sexual Offending: Differences Between Sexual Reoffenders and Sexual Non-Reoffenders
Authors: Siria Sandra , Echeburúa Enrique , Amor Pedro J.
Published: May 2021

Although a very small group of adolescents adjudicated for sexual offending (ASO) will persist into adulthood, the use of official records of sexual recidivism after long-term follow-up periods underrates the repetition of sexually coercive behaviors during adolescence. Additionally, limited research has considered sexual reoffending as a criterion to classify this heterogeneous population. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of ASO who engaged in repetitive sexual offending before their adjudication, and to use it as a classification criterion to examine the differential characteristics associated with each group. A sample of 73 adjudicated ASO in Spain was examined. They were divided into sexual reoffenders (SR) ( n = 34) and sexual nonreoffenders (SNR) ( n = 39). An ex post facto research design was carried out. Assessments included reviews of official files, interviews with professionals in charge, and interviews with the ASO in which the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) was administered. Descriptive analyses were conducted for all variables and Odds Ratio ( OR) was used to compare intergroup differences. Results showed that SR had 12.95 times the odds of sexual victimization, 6.91 times the odds of having lived in a sexualized family environment, and 3 times the odds of bullying victimization. Deviant sexual fantasies were exclusively present among SR (44%). Significant differences between groups were also found in some sexual crime variables but not on the empathy scale. These results have implications for the distinction between ASO who have repeatedly engaged in sexually coercive behavior and those who engaged in a single event of sexual offending. The identification of specific risk factors and criminogenic needs for each group would benefit court decisions and more tailored interventions.
The Unintended Costs and Unfulfilled Promises of Concurrent Elections: A Natural Experiment on Turnout and Invalid Voting
Authors: Lysek Jakub , Kouba Karel
Published: May 2021

Holding two second-order elections simultaneously is expected to increase electoral participation. We exploit a natural experiment in which one group of Czech precincts was “as if” randomly assigned to holding subnational elections concurrently with senatorial ones. Using a unique data set containing variables on more than thirteen thousand precincts in five elections between 2000 and 2016, we detect a modest effect of concurrency only in the first election but no or inconsistent effect in the four subsequent contests. Furthermore, we report a strong effect of concurrency on invalid voting. We check for robustness using difference-in-differences design and matching techniques. Incongruent with existing theories, concurrency does not deliver on its promises and may come at a substantial cost to political representation. The surprising null effect on turnout is attributable to analyzing the effect of concurrency of the less salient on more salient elections.