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Analyses of cloud top temperature and lightning characteristics of 48 Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model simulated ocean-based wind events, with 1 min temporal and 0.5 km horizontal resolution, revealed signatures similar to the corresponding 13 observed events detected by buoys and Coastal-Marine Automated Network (C-MAN) stations as shown in prior research on ocean-based wind events by the first author. These events occurred in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and in the Atlantic Ocean from Florida northward through South Carolina. The coldest WRF cloud top temperature (WCTT) and peak WRF-estimated lightning flash rate values of the model simulated events, where each event was required to have a negative vertical velocity of at least 10 m s-1 in the lowest 2 km associated with a convective storm, occurred at an average of 4.2 and 1.1 min prior to the events, respectively. With 36 of the events, the peak estimated flash rate occurred within 5 min of the coldest WCTT. Cloud depth typically increased as the WCTT decreased, and the maximum depth occurred at an average of 2.9 min prior to the events. Thermal cooling and precipitation loading provided negative buoyancy needed to help drive the wind events. Environmental characteristics of the model simulated ocean-based wind events also resembled those associated with land-based wet downbursts, including moist air near the surface, lapse rates near moist adiabatic, and low cloud bases.

The objective of this study was to improve the measurement of physical activity self-efficacy (PASE) in adults with obesity. To accomplish this objective, a latent variable approach was used to explore dimensionality, temporal invariance, and external validity of responses to a newly developed battery of PASE scales. Data (Nbaseline = 461 andN30 days postbaseline = 427) from the Well-Being and Physical Activity Study (ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03194854), which deployed the Fun For Wellness intervention, were analyzed. A two-dimensional factor structure explained responses to each PASE scale at baseline. There was strong evidence for at least partial temporal measurement invariance for this two-dimensional structure in each PASE scale. There was mixed evidence that the effectiveness of the Fun For Wellness intervention exerted a direct effect on latent PASE in adults with obesity at 30 days postbaseline (i.e., external validity) of this two-dimensional structure.

Self-efficacy is a psychosocial determinant of physical activity in adults. Different scales have been used to measure physical activity self-efficacy. This review examines the theoretical and meas...

Fun For Wellness (FFW) is a self-efficacy theory-based online behavioral intervention that aims to promote growth in physical activity and well-being. The FFW conceptual model for the promotion of subjective well-being posits that FFW exerts both a positive direct effect, and a positive indirect effect through well-being self-efficacy, on subjective well-being. Subjective well-being is defined in FFW as an individual's satisfaction with their status in seven key domains of their life. Well-being self-efficacy is defined in FFW as the degree to which an individual perceives that they have the capability to attain a positive status in seven key domains of their life. The objective of this study was to use baseline target moderation to assess variation in the impact of FFW on subjective well-being dimensions in adults with obesity. Data (N = 667) from the Well-Being and Physical Activity Study (ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03194854) were reanalyzed. There was evidence that well-being self-efficacy at baseline moderated the direct effect of FFW on well-being self-efficacy at 30 days post-baseline for the occupational and psychological dimensions. Both of these findings suggest a "compensatory" effect. Similarly, there was evidence that well-being self-efficacy at baseline moderated the indirect effect of FFW on subjective well-being at 60 days post-baseline through well-being self-efficacy at 30 days post-baseline for the occupational and psychological dimensions. Both of these findings suggest a "compensatory" effect. Finally, there was evidence that well-being self-efficacy at baseline moderated the direct effect of FFW on subjective well-being at 60 days post-baseline for the community, occupational, and physical dimensions. Each of these three findings suggests some version of a "rich-get-richer" effect. In summary, results provide both supportive and unsupportive (i.e., interpersonal, economic, and overall dimensions) evidence regarding variation in the impact of the FFW intervention and should impact the design of future FFW trials.

The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a summary of Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science (MPEES)-related activities in 2020. In 2020 original submissions (i.e., not counting...

A total of 13 ocean-based wind events from 2018, detected by buoys and Coastal-Marine Automated Network (C-MAN) stations, were analyzed using 1-min mesoscale sector Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) cloud top brightness temperature (CTTB) data, as well as 1-min Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) lightning data. The ABI and GLM instruments are located on the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-16 (GOES-16) satellite. An oceanic wind event was defined as a buoy or C-MAN station-recorded peak wind gust of at least 14 m s−1, associated with a convective storm. The wind gust was required to exceed the wind speed by at least 4 m s−1 at the time of the event, but not exceed the corresponding wind speed by at least 4 m s−1 for more than 30 min. This study hypothesized that prior to a wind event, there should be unique signatures in ABI CTTB and GLM lightning datasets. The presumption was that the minimum CTTB and maximum flash rate should occur near the same time and prior to the event. The minimum CTTB occurred an average of 10.5 min and a median of 7 min prior to events, with a range from 29 min prior to 1 min after the event. Changes in CTTB were often subtle. A maximum flash rate occurred within 5 min of the minimum CTTB for 11 of the 12 events with lightning and did not exceed 11 flashes per minute for 9 of the 12 events with lightning. Operational weather forecasters might use CTTB and lightning trends to help identify storms capable of producing significant oceanic wind events.

While the reliability and validity of the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) has been studied across several countries, it has not received as much attention in low to upper middle-income countries in Asia. The purpose of this study is to explore the psychometric properties of the SHS in four Southeastern Asian countries. This study is a subset of a larger cross-sectional survey in 27 low and middle-income countries worldwide, which examined health-behaviors among undergraduates. The current study included four low and middle-income countries in Asia, with a total of 2539 participants that completed self‐report instruments assessing socio‐demographic information and a measure of happiness using the SHS. The main data analytical approach was item response theory (IRT). Consistent with previous studies, Item-4 was found to be problematic. Lastly, based on the number of items and the response options, considerations for a revised instrument are recommended if the SHS is to be used in this population.

Fun For Wellness (FFW) is an online behavioral intervention developed to promote well-being by enhancing the self-efficacy of participants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of FFW to promote health in adults with obesity in the United States in a relatively uncontrolled setting. The study design was a large-scale, prospective, double-blind, parallel group randomized controlled trial. Data collection occurred at three time points: baseline, 30 days, and 60 days after baseline. There was evidence for a positive direct effect of FFW on physical health status ([Formula: see text] = 1.33, p = .005, d = 0.24) at 60 days after baseline. In addition, there was evidence of a positive indirect effect of FFW on mental health status at 60 days after baseline through psychological well-being self-efficacy ([Formula: see text] = 0.44, [0.05, 0.94]).

Fun For Wellness is a self-efficacy theory-based online behavioral intervention developed to promote growth in well-being and physical activity by providing capability-enhancing opportunities to participants. Evidence has been provided for the efficacy of Fun For Wellness to promote subjective well-being in adults in a relatively controlled setting. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Fun For Wellness to increase subjective well-being in adults with obesity in the United States of America in a relatively uncontrolled setting. The data described in this manuscript were collected within a more broadly focused trial: the Well-Being and Physical Activity Study (ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03194854, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03194854 ). The study design was a large-scale, prospective, double-blind, parallel group randomized controlled trial. Participants were recruited through an online panel recruitment company. Data collection occurred at three time points: baseline, 30 days and 60 days after baseline. Participants (N = 667) who were assigned to the Fun For Wellness group (nFFW = 331) were provided with 30 days of 24 h access to the online intervention (i.e., from baseline to 30 days after baseline). Participants assigned to the usual care group (nusual care = 336) were asked to conduct their lives as usual. There was evidence for a positive indirect effect of Fun For Wellness on both occupational and psychological subjective well-being at 60 days after baseline through occupational and psychological well-being self-efficacy at 30 days after baseline, respectively. There was evidence for a positive direct effect of Fun For Wellness on both community (d = 0.33) and physical (d = 0.26) subjective well-being at 60 days after baseline. Results from this study provided some initial evidence for both the effectiveness (e.g., promoting community, occupational, physical, and psychological subjective well-being), and the ineffectiveness (e.g., failing to promote interpersonal, economic, and overall subjective well-being), of the Fun For Wellness intervention for increasing subjective well-being in adults with obesity in the United States of America.

This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Drive for Muscularity Scale (McCreary and Sasse, J Am Coll Health 48(6): 297–304, 2000) (DMS) among a sample of Jamaican male weightlifters. 205 weightlifters (Mage = 28.49, SD = 9.61) from rural and urban areas in Jamaica, completed the DMS, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21) and the Body Areas Satisfaction Scale (BASS) in a cross-sectional design. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed on the DMS and conventional fit indices used to determine model fit. Measurement invariance was examined for urban and rural participants. Correlations between the DMS scores and the DASS-21 and BASS were determined to examine the validity of the scale. Confirmatory factor analysis of the original 2-factor model (muscularity-oriented body image and muscularity behaviors) resulted in overall good fit (CFI = .94, TLI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.06 [0.05, 0.08], SRMR = 0.08). Also, measurement invariance was observed between weightlifters from rural and urban areas. The DMS was principally correlated with specific body areas previously associated with male’s body dissatisfaction (muscle tone, upper torso and weight) (rs = 0.17 to .47). The DMS showed significant weak to moderate negative correlations with the DASS-21 (rs = − 0.16 to − 0.32). Adequate levels of internal consistency were observed (omega = 0.75–0.88). The DMS showed to be a valid instrument to evaluate the drive for muscularity in Jamaican weightlifters and has utility in informing further research, diagnosis and treatment of body image-related pathologies. Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

BACKGROUND Our research team obtained a human heart with the right lung attached from a recent transplantation patient via a research collaboration with LifeSource, a local organ procurement organization. The heart and lungs were not viable for transplant given the patient's medical history and were subsequently offered to the University of Minnesota for research purposes. METHODS Using Visible Heart® methodologies, we reanimated the specimen en bloc and collected multimodal direct visualization from inside the cardiac chambers and great vessels of the functioning heart. RESULTS Video footage, using videoscopic and fluoroscopic imaging, was captured and is presented in this report as supporting material. Multiple still images highlight the surgical suture sites of the transplantation procedures. CONCLUSIONS This multimodal imaging offers unique educational value for medical students, clinicians, and medical device designers for improving transplantation techniques and patient outcomes.

The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression-10 (CES-D-10) scale is known for its good psychometric properties in measuring depressive symptoms, however, some researchers question its applicability across various settings. This study explored the factor structure of the CES-D-10 in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This cross-sectional survey consisted of 16,723 university students across 27 LMICs that completed self-report instruments assessing socio-demographic information and depressive symptoms using the CES-D-10. Data analysis included: exploratory factor analysis, item response theory and differential item functioning. Results indicate that a two-factor model (depressive affect and positive affect) had the best fit for this population and accounted for 52% of the total observed variance with an internal consistency, α = .77 for the depressive affect items and α = .57 for the positive affect items. The graded response model (GRM), however, indicated that the depressive affect factor had a good fit, unlike the positive affect factor. The depressive affect factor was found to consistently model depression for females better than males. Relative to their Asian counterparts, African, Caribbean and South American participants of similar depressive affect responded differently on all items of the depressive affect factor. The depressive affect factor seems most ideal for LMICs and shows gender and cross-cultural variability.

Online well-being interventions demonstrate great promise in terms of both engagement and outcomes. Fun For Wellness (FFW) is a novel online intervention grounded in self-efficacy theory and intended to improve multidimensional well-being and physical activity through multi-modal methods. These strategies include capability-enhancing opportunities, learning experiences such as games, video vignettes, and self-assessments. RCT studies have suggested that FFW is efficacious in improving subjective and domain-specific well-being, and effective in improving mental health, physical health, physical activity, and self-efficacy in United States. adults who are overweight and in the general population. The present study uses qualitative and quantitative user experience data collected during two RCT trials to understand and evaluate engagement with FFW, its drivers, and its outcomes. Results suggest that FFW is enjoyable, moderately engaging, and easy to use; and contributes to positive outcomes including skill development and enhanced confidence, for both overweight individuals and the general adult population. Drivers of engagement appear to include rewards, gamification, scenario-based learning, visual tracking for self-monitoring, ease of use and simple communications, and the entertaining, interactive nature of program activities. Findings indicate that there are opportunities to streamline and simplify the experience. These results can help improve FFW and contribute to the science of engagement with online interventions designed to improve well-being.

The Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) is a geostationary lightning detection and location instrument, developed for the R generation of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES‐R, S, T, and U). This paper details a new technique to assess detection efficiency (DE) and false alarm rate (FAR), which indicate how well the instrument is detecting lightning and rejecting nonlightning. In an attempt to compare GLM with the best possible ground truth data, we clustered several ground‐based lightning networks into a single “virtual” network and compare it to the GLM results. A major issue with determining the GLM DE and FAR values is that over much of the instrument field of view (FOV), there are no high DE systems. To assess the GLM DE and FAR over these regions, we modified our prior coincidence criteria by increasing the time window from ±1 s to as much as ±10 min to account for the lower DE of the ground truth systems. Using the expanded time window, we compare GLM flash data from August 1, 2019 through January 31, 2020 for both instruments against the virtual network lightning flash data. We find that increasing the time window, while maintaining the distance criteria of 50 km, greatly improve the DE and FAR values. With the full ±10 min time window, over the whole GLM FOV, the GLMs on GOES‐16 and GOES‐17 have a DE of over 90%. For the same time window, the FAR for GLM on GOES‐16 is just over 5%, while the FAR for the GLM on GOES‐17 is just under 20%.

The emerging field of virtual reality has many promising new applications for the medical sciences. For example, by converting magnetic resonance and tomography-based images into 3D models, users can visually inspect individualized anatomic reconstructions at clinically useful high resolutions. Yet, adequate development of these tools will require a wide breadth of associated expertise to take advantage of current video game technologies while maintaining relevance for clinical use. Our laboratory has begun to implement such system approaches for the exploration of hearts, cadaveric specimens, and medical device-tissue interactions. We have created hundreds of anatomical scenes that were developed using physician feedback from conferences worldwide. We demonstrate several aspects of the potential applicability of virtual reality to serve both clinical science and education, and additionally discuss future prospects.

Excessive physical activity (PA) has been linked to increased risk for disordered eating behaviours and eating disorders. This study investigates the relationship between PA and disordered eating behaviours and attitudes (DEBAs) among Jamaican adolescents. This cross-sectional study included 521 adolescents, 12-19 years. Anthropometric measurements were collected, and adolescents completed questionnaires on disordered eating behaviours (EAT-26), physical activity, self-esteem and affect. Associations were assessed using sex-specific mixed-effect linear and logistic regression models. Participants reported exercising an average of 3 days per week. Adolescents who exercised for a longer duration had greater odds of having elevated EAT-26 scores (at least 1 hour-OR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.03, 4.06; p = .042), while a higher exercise frequency among males (3-5 days per week) was protective against DEBAs (OR 0.38; 95% CI = 0.16, 0.88; p = .025). Female adolescents reported higher prevalence of elevated EAT-26 scores than males (p < .01). Increased negative affect increased odds of an elevated EAT-26 score. Exercise duration and frequency play a role in disordered eating behaviours in Jamaican adolescents and vary by gender. Our findings have implications for weight management interventions and policies, encouraging healthcare providers to monitor PA levels as well as negative affect in adolescents who display disordered eating behaviours.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Fun For Wellness (FFW) online intervention to increase well-being actions in adults with obesity in the United States in relatively uncontrolled settings. The FFW intervention is guided by self-efficacy theory. The study design was a large-scale, prospective, double-blind, and parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Data collection occurred at baseline, 30 days after baseline, and 60 days after baseline. Participants (N = 667) who were assigned to the FFW group (nFFW = 331) were provided with 30 days of 24-hr access to FFW. Supportive evidence was provided for the effectiveness of FFW in real-world settings to promote, either directly or indirectly, three dimensions of well-being actions: community, occupational, and psychological. This study shows that theory-based intervention may be effective in promoting well-being actions in adults with obesity in the United States.

The Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in February 2017, detecting optical signatures of lightning with storm‐scale horizontal resolution during both day and night. ISS LIS data are available beginning 1 March 2017. Millisecond timing allows detailed intercalibration and validation with other spaceborne and ground‐based lightning sensors. Initial comparisons with those other sensors suggest flash detection efficiency around 60% (diurnal variability of 51–75%), false alarm rate under 5%, timing accuracy better than 2 ms, and horizontal location accuracy around 3 km. The spatially uniform flash detection capability of ISS LIS from low‐Earth orbit allows assessment of spatially varying flash detection efficiency for other sensors and networks, particularly the Geostationary Lightning Mappers. ISS LIS provides research data suitable for investigations of lightning physics, climatology, thunderstorm processes, and atmospheric composition, as well as real‐time lightning data for operational forecasting and aviation weather interests. ISS LIS enables enrichment and extension of the long‐term global climatology of lightning from space and is the only recent platform that extends the global record to higher latitudes (±55°). The global spatial distribution of lightning from ISS LIS is broadly similar to previous data sets, with globally averaged seasonal/annual flash rates about 5–10% lower. This difference is likely due to reduced flash detection efficiency that will be mitigated in future ISS LIS data processing, as well as the shorter ISS LIS period of record. The expected land/ocean contrast in the diurnal variability of global lightning is also observed.

The objective of this randomized clinical trial was to compare performance of cow-calf pairs in southern Ontario treated with fenbendazole or ivermectin, or not treated, for gastrointestinal nematode infections. Treatments were administered to 128 cow-calf pairs over 2 years. Weights, body condition score, and fecal egg counts (FEC) were collected at treatment and at 28-day intervals. Treating calves with an anthelmintic was significantly advantageous compared with not treating, and there was no significant difference between treatment with fenbendazole or ivermectin. Neither treatment nor calf FEC had a significant effect on calf weaning weight. This could be the result of time of treatment, low initial FEC, or lack of power. Treatment affected cow FEC (P = 0.003). Cows in the ivermectin groups had the lowest FEC (P < 0.05), but because FEC were all low, biological significance is questionable. Additional work is needed to provide recommendations on when an anthelmintic should be used.

Coronary artery disease is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Plaque buildup within an individual’s coronary arteries can lead reduced flows, local ischemia, angina, and even result in a myocardial infarction (heart attack). In the past two decades, coronary stents have become one of the ‘gold standards’ for treating such plaque buildups. Stents are designed to push the plaque up against the vessel walls, so to expand the vessels to its original dimensions; ie., keeping the lumen patent allowing for laminar blood flow. Using the Visible Heart® Laboratories (1) capabilities, we have implanted coronary stents using various clinical protocols in porcine hearts. These hearts were subsequently scanned with a micro-CT, so they could be modeled and rendered in various 3D programs as well as fluid simulations. The ability to render fluid simulations through coronaries which had stenting procedures performed within, may allow clinicians to prescribe which bifurcation technique may be best suited for a given patient’s specific anatomy.

The use of computational modeling and 3D printing to assist in the procedural planning process for the correction of complex congenital heart malformations is becoming the standard of care. However, the use of this technology in planning the placement of ventricular support devices in pediatric patients with non-compaction has been significantly less common. We present the use of a series of models to help guide the sizing and positioning of both the inflow and outflow cannulae in a patient with left ventricular failure as an example of how these technologies can help improve patient outcomes and reduce procedural times.

As the prevalence of mitral and tricuspid valvular disease continues to grow with the aging population [1,2], there is a growing critical need to treat high mortality risk patients using minimally invasive and/or non-surgical percutaneous procedures. However, these transcatheter procedures, especially those aimed at repairing or replacing the mitral and tricuspid valves, are mostly still in development and/or early clinical testing. Catheter delivery, prosthesis fixation, and/or demonstrating device efficacy are major challenges currently being addressed [3,4]. Although in situ animal models can assess catheter systems with clinical imaging, direct visualization of tissue-device interactions in real human heart anatomies are desired. In vitro delivery and implantations of valvular prototypes in human heart specimens can be instrumental for accurate device testing and gaining important design insights. Such investigations can be performed on a pulsatile flow apparatus, utilizing perfusion fixed human hearts with mitral and/or tricuspid valves eliciting coaptation and relative function. The employment of endoscopic cameras provides direct visualization and can be coupled with echocardiography, providing novel insights relative to these transcatheter devices in a dynamic environment. However, these investigative approaches require appropriately fixed human heart specimens that will allow for dynamic valve movement. This study discusses the design, construction, and implementation of a novel fixation apparatus to promote the coaptation of the mitral and tricuspid valves in swine and fresh human heart specimen.

Cardiothoracic transplantation research dates back to the late 1800s, yet the first human heart transplantation did not occur until 1967. Today, more and more centers worldwide are performing such procedures with increasing success, long-term survival rates, and, importantly, with an improved quality of life for recipients. Much work remains to increase the number of available hearts and lungs for these transplants, but progress is being made for many reasons that are discussed in this chapter. The use of ex vivo lung and heart perfusion technologies along with pharmacological advancements (e.g., preservation solutions) has expanded the time available between organ recovery and transplantation, allowing for enhanced functional assessment and providing a platform for therapeutic delivery. In this chapter, we provide a brief history of cardiothoracic transplantation, review the current state of transplantation procedures, and discuss future directions for research and technological advancements.

Pre- and postimplant evaluations of implantable cardiac devices require innovative and critical testing during all phases of the design process. The Visible Heart Project was successfully launched in 1997, and 3 years later, the Atlas of Human Cardiac Anatomy website was published online. The Visible Heart methodologies and Atlas website provide users with a unique experimental toolset and a comprehensive anatomical archive to improve understanding of human cardiac anatomy and preclinical device testing results. To date, Visible Heart methodologies have been used to reanimate over 80 human hearts, all considered nonviable for transplantation. These studies provide imaging datasets that are then uploaded to the Atlas, a free-access website featuring novel images of functional and fixed human cardiac anatomies from >500 human heart specimens. Furthermore, this website includes educational tutorials on anatomy, physiology, congenital heart disease, and various imaging modalities. Examples of clinically approved devices that were present at the time of in vitro reanimation, or were subsequently delivered into perfusion-fixed specimens (i.e., pacing and defibrillator leads, catheters, valves, annuloplasty rings, leadless pacemakers, and stents), can be found online within the Device Tutorial. Another section of the website displays 3D models of vasculature, blood volumes, and/or tissue volumes reconstructed from computed tomography and magnetic resonance images of various heart specimens. Importantly, the methodologies developed and employed within the Visible Heart laboratory have led to a more comprehensive understanding of human cardiac anatomy, physiology, and device–tissue interactions, building the foundation of knowledge needed for modern cardiovascular device design and development.

The Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) is a new geostationary lightning detection and location instrument, developed for the current generation of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R Series (GOES-R, S, T, U) satellites. Detection efficiency (DE) and false alarm rate (FAR) are evaluations of what an instrument detects and what it misses, compared with other well-characterized measurements. These are critical parameters to be assessed for the GLM. We now have enough data to produce preliminary DE and FAR assessments of the prelaunch predicted DE and FAR performance specifications for GLM. However, one of the challenges of doing this assessment is that all available ground truth data sets have much smaller coverage, and in some places, lower DE than GLM. In an attempt to overcome these limitations, we have created a “virtual” lightning network by clustering flashes from several different ground-based networks, using a technique similar to the clustering of GLM pixels. All ground truth sources that are within 330 ms and 16.5 km of any other ground truth source are added to the current cluster. Treating this as a single, “virtual” network, we calculated the relative DE and FAR of GLM. We found that the GLM easily meets the DE spec of better than 70% averaged across the whole field-of-view, over 24 h. It meets the FAR spec in most of CONUS, and we suspect it will improve with updated processing software.

The authors aimed to comprehensively detail the right atrioventricular valve functional leaflet anatomies.The rapid development of both surgical and percutaneous repair techniques for tricuspid regurgitation has renewed interest in variations in the morphology of the right atrioventricular valve.The functioning right atrioventricular valves of 40 reanimated human hearts were imaged using Visible Heart methodologies. Hearts were then perfusion-fixed and dissected, uniquely allowing for the comparative assessments of functional versus fixed valve anatomies from the same set of donor hearts.The right atrioventricular valves have "3-leaflet" configurations in 57.5% and "4-leaflet" configurations in the remaining hearts. For 4-leaflet valves, extra leaflets were commonly observed in the most inferior regions of the annuli. No difference in valve perimeters between 2 valve types were observed (112.2 vs. 117.1 mm; p = 0.14). In 3-leaflet valves, septal, mural, and superior leaflets occupied 32.2 ± 6.5%, 15.9 ± 5.5%, and 25.5 ± 6.2% of the annulus, respectively, whereas in the 4-leaflet arrangements, these values were 27.0 ± 5.8% (septal), 12.0 ± 4.5% (inferior), 13.7 ± 9.4% (mural), and 19.8 ± 6.1% (superior). The muroseptal/inferoseptal commissures were usually located in the cavotricuspid regions, whereas the inferomural and superomural commissures were in the right atrial appendage vestibule area.The right atrioventricular valve has 4 functional leaflets in more than 40% of cases. The authors found that the inferomural region is the most variable area of the valve and believe that anatomic variation is an important consideration for planned interventions.

Transcatheter replacement therapies for the atrioventricular (AV) valves are considered as the next frontier for the treatment of valvular regurgitation. The AV valves, tricuspid and mitral, are the regulators of blood flow from the atria into the ventricles. During diastole, blood flows through the open tricuspid and mitral valves to fill the right and left ventricles, respectively. During systole, the ventricles contract, closing the AV valves, and forcing the blood to exit through their respective ventricular outflow tracts (VOTs) to the arterial circulations. Although the current gold standard for the treatment of valvular regurgitation is surgical replacement or repair, the field of transcatheter therapies is rapidly expanding as new treatment options for patients; especially for those individuals considered to be at greater risks for surgical complications. Market released bioprosthetic devices for replacing the aortic and pulmonary valves have shown great promise and success. However, the advancement of similar therapies for either the mitral and tricuspid valves remain in the early stages of development. This slower progress is attributed to the high complexities and variabilities of the AV valves, which present challenges for both device design and post-implantation functions.

This study develops a fully automated lightning jump system encompassing objective storm tracking, Geostationary Lightning Mapper proxy data, and the lightning jump algorithm (LJA), which are important elements in the transition of the LJA concept from a research to an operational based algorithm. Storm cluster tracking is based on a product created from the combination of a radar parameter (vertically integrated liquid, VIL), and lightning information (flash rate density). Evaluations showed that the spatial scale of tracked features or storm clusters had a large impact on the lightning jump system performance, where increasing spatial scale size resulted in decreased dynamic range of the system's performance. This framework will also serve as a means to refine the LJA itself to enhance its operational applicability. Parameters within the system are isolated and the system's performance is evaluated with adjustments to parameter sensitivity. The system's performance is evaluated using the probability of detection (POD) and false alarm ratio (FAR) statistics. Of the algorithm parameters tested, sigma-level (metric of lightning jump strength) and flash rate threshold influenced the system's performance the most. Finally, verification methodologies are investigated. It is discovered that minor changes in verification methodology can dramatically impact the evaluation of the lightning jump system.

Two overlapping efforts help to characterize the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) performance. The Post Launch Test (PLT) phase validates the predicted pre-launch instrument performance and the Post Launch Product Test (PLPT) phase validates the lightning detection product used in forecast and warning decision-making. This presentation documents the calibration and validation activities for the first 6 months of GLM on-orbit testing and validation commencing with first light on 4 January 2017. The PLT phase addresses image quality, on-orbit calibration, RTEP threshold tuning, image navigation, noise filtering, and solar intrusion assessment, resulting in a GLM calibration parameter file. The PLPT includes four main activities, the Reference Data Comparisons (RDC), Algorithm Testing (AT), Instrument Navigation and Registration Testing (INRT), and Long Term Baseline Testing (LTBT). A field campaign also provided valuable insights into the GLM performance capabilities. The PLPT tests each contribute to the beta, provisional, and fully validated GLM data.

Little work has been done to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in Ontario cow–calf herds. A prospective single cohort study was conducted during the grazing seasons of 2014 and 2015. Twenty-four crossbred cows were randomly assigned to one of six rotationally grazed fields each year, blocked by calving date and parity (n = 48). Feces were collected and weight and body condition score (cows) recorded at approximately 28 d intervals. Fecal egg counts (FEC) were performed using the Wisconsin method. No clinical signs of GIN parasitism were observed. Cow FEC stayed relatively low throughout both pasture seasons [mean 8 ± 20.02 eggs per gram (epg) of feces, n = 301]. Most calf FEC were also low throughout both seasons (mean 42 ± 86.20 epg, n = 268). The sample time [a proxy for days on pasture (DOP)] had a significant effect on cow epg (P

BackgroundInsufficient physical activity in the adult population is a global pandemic. Fun for Wellness (FFW) is a self-efficacy theory- and Web-based behavioral intervention developed to promote growth in well-being and physical activity by providing capability-enhancing opportunities to participants.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of FFW to increase physical activity in adults with obesity in the United States in a relatively uncontrolled setting.MethodsThis was a large-scale, prospective, double-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Participants were recruited through an online panel recruitment company. Adults with overweight were also eligible to participate, consistent with many physical activity–promoting interventions for adults with obesity. Also consistent with much of the relevant literature the intended population as simply adults with obesity. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (ie, FFW) or the usual care (ie, UC) group via software code that was written to accomplish equal allocations to the FFW and UC groups. Data collection was Web based, fully automated, and occurred at three time points: baseline, 30 days after baseline (T2), and 60 days after baseline (T3). Participants (N=461) who were assigned to the FFW group (nFFW=219) were provided with 30 days of 24-hour access to the Web-based intervention. A path model was fit to the data consistent with the FFW conceptual model for the promotion of physical activity.ResultsThere was evidence for a positive direct effect of FFW on transport-related physical activity self-efficacy (beta=.22, P=.02; d=0.23), domestic-related physical activity self-efficacy (beta=.22, P=.03; d=0.22), and self-efficacy to regulate physical activity (beta=.16, P=.01; d=0.25) at T2. Furthermore, there was evidence for a positive indirect effect of FFW on physical activity at T3 through self-efficacy to regulate physical activity at T2 (beta=.42, 95% CI 0.06 to 1.14). Finally, there was evidence for a null direct effect of FFW on physical activity (beta=1.04, P=.47; d=0.07) at T3.ConclusionsThis study provides some initial evidence for both the effectiveness (eg, a positive indirect effect of FFW on physical activity through self-efficacy to regulate physical activity) and the ineffectiveness (eg, a null direct effect of FFW on physical activity) of the FFW Web-based behavioral intervention to increase physical activity in adults with obesity in the United States. More broadly, FFW is a scalable Web-based behavioral intervention that may effectively, although indirectly, promote physical activity in adults with obesity and therefore may be useful in responding to the global pandemic of insufficient physical activity in this at-risk population. Self-efficacy to regulate physical activity appears to be a mechanism by which FFW may indirectly promote physical activity in adults with obesity.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03194854; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03194854.